First Chemo treatment done

[KellyA]

Hi there. Sounds like Sue is doing about the same as I did. Day 3 was always the hardest and then around the end of day 4 the fog started to clear. By day 5 and 6 I was feeling pretty good, and by day seven, I was at the pool with the kids. It was one good week, then one bad. The good weeks made the bad weeks doable.

I seemed to cry at the drop of a hat, and I'm not usually like that. I got especially depressed on the AC. It is alot of very strong medicine, and your body is stressed as it is, so everything is very unstable. My hubby and friends would have to keep reminding me, "It's the medicine, you're OK. Take deep breaths, clear your mind, be still and wait for it to pass." And you know what- it ALWAYS did. After awhile, when it became very predictable, I could tell myself that and it didn't scare me as much. It always felt so good to wake up on day 5 or 6 and feel like Kelly again. It was like someone just flipped a switch- it was that fast.

Sue is going to handle this just fine, and before you all know it, it will be a distant memory. Looking back on it, it reallly does go by so fast. I'll be thinking and praying for you both.

Love, Kelly

P.S.- It sounds like Sue is getting Neulasta-that is a good thing. I got Nupegen (sp?) shots and had to go for them 4-5 times inbetween chemo because my counts were so low. My insurance co didn't want to pay for that one.

[Becky]

Sue should be fine and I like that she is getting her treatments on Tuesdays. I got mine on Mondays even though I worked (yes, I did) because my girlfriend (who had been through it 3 yrs before me – she is at 5 yrs now and is absolutely fine) said – “do it Monday so you feel sh-tty at work and by the weekend, you’ll be feeling fine and have quality time with your family. This was great advice. Later, I was able to successfully negotiate with work to work from home on Wed – Fri of chemo week so I could lay in bed with my computer (I will always love my boss at the time for this – and allowing me to work from home when the colds and flus were raging through the office (working during this was my choice not their demand)).

Mouth sores will come but they will be worse the first cycle than any other. The digestive tract can get on track easier if Sue can tolerate yogurt. It helps with the mouth sores and it helps restore the normal flora of the digestive tract (get the kinds with active cultures). She should try to eat normally although she will probably not be able to eat as much. Remember that protein is important so the body can repair normal tissues that have been damaged by the chemo.

Now – I hate to remind you of this but around January 15 or so, Sue will start to lose her hair. The mess of this is depressing – far more depressing than shaving it off and being done with it. This is just a hint. If Sue is getting a wig, now is the time if she wants to be ready. After all the hair is gone, its much better than during the time it is falling out. Secondly, the rest of the body hair does not tend to fall out during AC – the rest of it tends to go during Taxol (sometime in the middle of it). So – I don’t know how Sue is but I am a BIG makeup person (always was). So I went to Merle Norman and got a makeover and bought $300 of makeup and skin care products. Even if Sue isn’t into makeup, she should get a good daily moisturizer and night cream. AC is really drying to the skin (and eyes – they can water a lot because of dryness. I found it hard to read).

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I thought the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> and 3<SUP>rd</SUP> treatments to be more tiring than the first but the mouth sores weren’t as bad. The 4<SUP>th</SUP> treatment wasn’t as bad as the 3<SUP>rd</SUP>. Taxol is not as bad but different and Herceptin alone is a breeze. I am thinking about you.

[Vi Schorpp]

I received my A/C treatments on Fridays so that I had the week-end to recover. I didn't need to take any time off work until my last treatment, and then I just took Monday off. The effects are cumulative! I remember that the only things I could tolerate were yeast rolls, that was it. They had to be fresh, and my husband bought me two for the day. It seemed to absorb the "chemicals" I felt I had in my stomach. The only other specific request I had maybe 5 days after treatment was jello -- but it had to be green jello.

I wish your wife well. At least she has one treatment behind her, and you behind her. Take care and be well.

[MJo]

This time last year I was receiving dose dense A/C, so I can sympathise. I can't add much to what's written here. I remember all I wanted to eat was melted cheese on wheat pita bread and ice cream. Bald can be very beautiful. It's great to hop out of the shower and only have to towel your head. Guys already know this. It's a revelation to some of use women. A/C is very difficult for some of us. My boss and I were diagnosed at the same time. She was very sick from the A/C for three days, then felt normal and went to a wedding and several parties during treatment. I had a more difficult time. One down, three to go for you. MJO

[Diane H]

Good advice from all above, I second the walking, even if it's just down the driveway and back. It's the thing you least feel like doing but seems to make recovery go quicker. I say sleep as much as you can too, though. I am so sorry you are going through this, it's rough and scary but just trust that you'll come out the other side. Because you will. Oh and just keep trying different foods, you'll be able to find something that you can eat. One week believe it or not it was big macs, another week canned peaches. Watch out for constipation and treat it early. That was one of the uncomfortable side effects that can be treated very effectively. Hugs and luv, Diane

[Linda]

I third the walking, when Sue feels like it. And I don't want to be the weirdo here, but other women told me to get acupuncture twice a week during chemo. I did it (never before or after) and I think it really helped. I think massage or anything like that would be just as good.
And, I smoked some dope when things got really knarly. I don't smoke normally and haven't even been tempted to use it since then, (not interested) but it took the edge off that toxic feeling, and was much more subtle and natural feeling than ativan. It really helped me just feel better.
Take care. She'll be through it soon.
Linda

[Heart Sutra]

Do you know how amazing you all are?

We are so fortunate for finding this site. This would be terrifying without the insight, humor, and compassion so freely given here.

Thank you for being here.