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Hi Suzanne,
Good to hear from you, too! This sucks being here but the support is priceless!
I'm done with 4 out of 6 of TCH and it's going "alright." I put that in quotes because I don't want anyone to think that when I say "alright," or "okay," or "fine" that I'm just taking this breezy walk in the park. The effects of chemo are sobering. My pattern is this:
Day 1: Chemo--uneventful (but long day) as long as I have all of my premeds (anti-nausea and steroid at home and then Benadryl and Zofran in the infusion; more Benadryl before Taxotere)
Day 2: still feeling pretty okay; Neulasta shot (half dose)
Day 3: the chemo and Neulasta starts to hit but just a little worse than "okay"
Day 4, 5, 6: crappy, sicky, a little achy (but not terrible)
Day 7-10: coming out of it but thank God for Nexium and Zantac. The most persistent thing is the constant indigestion; I constantly feel sick, although less sick than the first days and at least I can "function."
Day 11-21: feel better and better, practically "normal"
My blood panel (whites, reds, platelets, etc) are all staying strong. I try to do light exercise (walking) when I can; yoga during my "good spell." Stay away from too much sugar, too much salt, too much oil; no caffeine, no alcohol. Lots of water. My heart beat is more pronounced during the first 7-10 days so I'm a little worried but it may be working hard to get all this crap out of my system.
My fingernail beds are sensitive. I'm rubbing Vitamin E and tea-tree oil on them. Tea-tree oil stinks to high heaven!
No hair (just fuzz), of course; eyebrows and lashes and other places have thinned but not gone entirely. I had one period after the first infusion and then nothing.
I take Glutamine (5 mg/am; 5 mg/pm) for the four days after chemo and neuropathy doesn't seem to be a problem (at least it doesn't persist). Taking CoQ10 for heart health, Omega 3, Calcium, and a multi.
There are some little weird things that appear and subside during the three-week cycle. I use a "natural-ish" toothpaste with baking soda and flouride, but no other harsh stuff. Keep a clean mouth and I don't have any mouth sore problems.
Email at any time!
Hang in there!
Cristina
=)
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