1st treatment

rinaina · 05-26-2006, 10:05 AM

Just thought I would update everyone. I had my first tx,(treatment), yesterday and all went well. So well that I actually fell asleep during the last 30min of it, can you believe that? I picked up my prescriptions on Tuesday and Wednesday, they had to order one, Emend which by the way, I was blown away by the cost of that drug....for 3 capslules ,antinausea meds.....it was $422.50! Thank goodness for excellent insurance, as my cost was only $50. Anyone else have that drug. My treatment was at 1pm and we arrived home at about 5pm. I was tired and not much of an appetite. I took two meds at about 7, ativan and compazine and was asleep before 8pm, missed the show So You Think You Can Dance! I'm such a sucker for mindless entertainment! At least we can record things these days. I had a Muga first thing yesterday and was at 61% and then I went to my surgeon for a post op check up and all was fine. So I had a full day. My oncologist doesn't repeat the Muga until the end of tx, I am having 4, unless I present with symptoms. Is this the norm?

Rina

RhondaH · 05-26-2006, 11:08 AM

I TOO had Emend and yes it cost $300 for me w/ a $30 copay, BUT it works. I had 6 dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan. Good luck. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

rinaina · 05-26-2006, 01:31 PM

Do you mean you had FEC for your chemo tx or is tec different?

Jean · 05-26-2006, 06:16 PM

Had my first trt yesterday! All went very well. Do not have a port so I was a bit concerned how my vein would handle it. NO problem! Rhonda I thought I was the same trt as you but as it turned out I am on herceptin for 9wks,
then 3 wks thereafter for 1 yr. My chemo is TCH Docetaxel and Carboplatin.
They went well also. I am a bit tired had the same meds for nausea and had a co-pay of $68.00 but the next order will be covered completely since I ordered it straight from the insurance express scripts and then the co-pay is dropped which is great. So far so good. Feel very tired but I worked a full day today also will not repeat this in the next 3 weeks chemo trt. will shorten the day or take it off. The meds are working and I feel good - did not sleep to well with the steriod the two nights prior - but I finished those meds. this morning until the round in three weeks. So I will be better prepared. Had to take a sleeping pill around 1:00AM or I would have tossed all night. I am just so grateful to be on trt and moving forward - no complaints! Eating more protein and my appetite is good. Just want to keep my schedule on time as you said Rhonda.

Good Luck Rina!
Hugs,
Jean

Bev · 05-26-2006, 08:27 PM

Hi glad it's working OK so far. In general mugas should be every 3 mos, but I think you get a little slack if everything is OK after long periods of time. I asked to be switched to echos to see if they're easier. ( I have a large machine 2" from my face phobia).

Don't remember the $ as we BC people usually max out on out of pocket costs. Emend is priceless though.

It sounds like you'll be able to deal with chemo, so best wishes, BB

rinaina · 05-27-2006, 05:20 AM

I have a question about after you lose your hair. Did any of you sleep with anything on your head at all? My oncology nurse mentioned that since we lose most of our body heat through our head, although we are going into summer, that she recommends wearing a cotton covering of some type to sleep in. Just never thought of that and was wondering if any of you did, and if you did, what did you wear?

Thank you,
Rina

sadie · 05-28-2006, 06:18 PM

Rinaina,
If you enjoyed THAT nap, wait until you get the Herceptin with Benadryl.
Wow...that is one nice nap! lol

rinaina · 05-28-2006, 06:24 PM

funny, look forward to that one i think. i like your sense of humor!
rina

Bev · 05-28-2006, 06:44 PM

I had synthetic wigs. Althoug styling was a breeze, at 9 mos, they are really looking tattered. Do not drive with your car window open. For the price, the synthetics looked more prettier but eventually they frizz up. Sounds like you are on your way. Best of luck> BB

lu ann · 05-28-2006, 09:13 PM

My hair came back sooo Grey. I was finally able to have it colored 3 months out of chemo. last March. I actually won a make-over from my beauty salon. They held a contest which required a written letter expaining why someone deserved a make-over. My oldest daughter wrote the most beautiful letter and I won. It was great. I got a highlight, haircut and style, manicure, pedicure, flowers, balloons, a cake, and they would have bought me lunch but I had too many butterflies in my tummy to eat.

As far as wigs go, I bought a human/synthetic combo which is supposed to be the best of both worlds. It looked and felt very natural and was easy to take care of.

Love and Blessings from Lu Ann.

rinaina · 05-29-2006, 06:37 AM

Wow LuAnn, good for you for winning that makeoverl, can't think of anyone who could have deserved it more. Well, that's a first, never even heard of a combo wig of human and synthetic. Sounds for sure like the best of both worlds. Sorry to hear the synthetics get all tattered over 9 months old because between my 3 remaining chemos and then taxol and herceptin to follow, I will still be needing my wigs for at least that long. Wasn't planning on having to repurchase new wigs again but again, we do what we have to. Just curious, are there many out there that didn't go the wig route at all?

Rina

SherryS · 05-29-2006, 11:56 AM

Rina, I bet you won't have to wear a wig for very long. Once you stop chemo the hair does grow back. As soon as I finished taxol at the end of January, I could see the little hairs starting to grow back on my head, my eyelashes and eyebrows came back quickly. The hair is now to the point that I put a colour on it this weekend because I couldn't stand the weird washed out grey colour it was and I'm happy to be "wigless". I only needed my wig for 5 months. And your hair won't fall out with herceptin.