AC Chemo Sep 12

Hi ya Mayfair.

It's all a bit weird on the first dose of Chemo, because despite what we have heard or seen, we really haven't a clue. I suppose I was expecting to feel like someone had ran over me, and that I'd be puking my guts up the minute I left the hospital so I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting for something to happen for the first few days. Jesus, I think I was nearly disappointed when nothing major kicked in. When I got chemotherapy on Monday, by Thursday I remember feeling wrecked but it didn't stop me from getting up in the morning to get my children off to school, maybe get a bit of grocery shopping in, and then I went to bed for a couple of hours, then got up again to get the kids from school, came home, chilled out again, cooked dinner, etc., mind you it was probably all I was really able to do - the major house work was put aside. Mind you, I know I was pure stupid on the Friday but found myself getting back into the swing of things by Saturday. However, on the third and fourth AC, I definitely found it harder going.
Then again, remember, everyone is different and you very well may fly it through it all. Everyone kept saying to me to take it easy, you are doing too much, blah, blah, blah, but my attitude was, if I can do it, I will do it! However, alot of my energy was from the steroids and found myself cleaning the kitchen from top to bottom, swinging on ladders, polishing windows.... I could do with a bit of it this week now that I think of it!! On the second regimen the munchies kicked in - white bread, chocolate, salty stuff, I couldn't get enough of it. I was nearly having salty chocolate white bread sandwiches. And that is stuff I wouldn't normally crave or eat at all!! One day I had my breakfast, ham sandwich, fruit, nuts, ham sandwich, soup, ham sandwich, biscuits, dinner, sandwich, and finally..... a sandwich. I had to go to bed or else I was going to start climbing the walls looking for something else to eat!
I don't really know if you can do much about the weight to be honest - if you put it on, so be it. If you can do as much exercise as you can, and eat as well as you can, then there is not much else you can do. Apart from drink TONS of water.
And have a nice warm bandana at the ready - if you hair goes, then you will find it chilly.
Best of luck, hope it goes well for you x

Hey encee,
Thanks for the reply! I can totally relate to everything you said!
Fortunately for the kids, things are going along as normal as possible. When I woke them Tuesday morning for school, the youngest one wondered if my hair had started falling yet, when I said no, she said, oh ok, was just wondering when I could style your wigs, a 9yr olds perspective eh? Then the older one, when I snapped at her about something the other day, enquired as to whether that was one of my "side effects" bless! Too funny!
I think that was the biggest relief, in a way, telling them what was going on, within reason. They know i had/have cancer, (depending on who you ask, surgeon or oncologist). And they've handled it all so well. I could barely mentioned their names without bursting into tears when this all started! I really thought I was handed a death sentence. Still a little shaky about the whole thing, but least now, there will hopefully be no more trips to Beaumont for results and nasty surprises/changing of goal posts etc.
It is what it is now, and I am glad to have somewhere like this to vent! Especially at this hour! Thank u steroids
Thanks again for such a lovely post with great advice and hope all is going well with you and yours.
all my best,

May x

Hi Mayfair
I'm just a bit ahead of you, I just had the 4th AC two weeks ago. My first one was awful. After that they adjusted the medications and I got into a pattern. First few days ok, then wrecked days 4-6, then picking up and days 10-14 perfect. I'm on a 2 week schedule.
Re eating, I've been totally different to Encee. No appetite and keep losing weight! They sent the dietitian to give me a pep talk last time. Other than feeling a bit ick for those days it hasn't been as bad as I was expecting. Hope all goes well for you and keep writing. I'm about to post a question of my own now.
Josephine

Hey Josephine,
It's great to hear of someone else the other side of AC! I read some horror stories on other forums about what a nightmare it is! I'm still waiting for it to knock the stuffing out of me for the next 3! Not a good headspace to be in, no matter how much you tell yourself to take it one day at a time. But, hopefully I might be lucky and manage the other 3 as well as the first. And then I will have driven myself round the bend with worry for nothing! Typical! Vicious circle and what we women do to ourselves eh?
Very best wishes with the taxol! Im sure you'll be fine! It is apparently so much easier than AC.
Take care,
M

Hi there,
Great to hear you have the first chemo out of the way. I am finished the chemo since last Nov 2011 and yes I remember the infusions being quite a short duration for the AC. The taxol will be a couple of hours.
It's a very tough road going through chemotherapy but I can assure you that it is very doable and we all get through it. Your kids will keep you motivated. I think I have forgotten a lot of it thank god but I would strongly urge you to keep yourself hydrated as much as possible and get out for a walk anytime you feel enough energy. Don't waste your energy on housework and take as much help as you can from family and friends. My diagnosis was very similar to yours with 14/29 glands positive and my tumour was 5cm. I did have the reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy.
When I finished chemo I contacted Bernadette Bohan after reading her book and she was extremely helpful with her reccomendations for detoxing after chemo. I can honestly say that I feel absolutely amazing with so much energy every day. I really have Bernadette to thank for this energy as her advice has been just so valuable in my recovery. There are so many things we can do to help ourselves with our recovery so if you have not read her book 'the choice' I would really reccomend you might give it a go.
Well done again and mind yourself!!
x x x[quote="Mayfair":2rlftvn3]Just wondering if anyone is starting chemo this month. Just had first infusion on Monday 3rd and was surprised the infusion only lasted 45 mins. Didn't think too much about it at the time, but, reading other forums for diagnosis same as mine, the infusions were 2 hours plus. Anyone shed any light please? Also thinking (not complaining!)whether that is contributing to side effects so far only mild fatigue?
Maybe I'm jinxing myself and will be hit by the mother load on day 5.....yikes!
Oh and appetite through the roof! Like "hangover belly" constantly!
Was told that might be the steroids and should calm down. Here's hoping. But I suppose if the chemo does its thing, I'll deal with a few extra lbs and baldness.[/quote:2rlftvn3]

Hey spadge,
Thanks so much for the book recommendation! I hadn't heard of it before. After speaking with the oncologist I was instructed to stay off most supplements I was taking. In one way it made sense I suppose, so as your system is suppressed and able to receive the full whack of chemo, but when I tried to engage him further as to rebuilding and detoxing etc post chemo, he didn't have a whole lot to impart. I think it's incredible that no one seems to be willing to educate women on nutrition, and life style, particularly after a cancer diagnosis. It's like a conveyor belt mentality, one regimen, give or take a little tweaking, fits all, here's your plan, follow it through, then wipe hands of it!
I know obviously, we are all capable of making or own informed decisions regarding nutrition and detoxing post treatment. I just feel, it's a huge area where the system could do an awful lot more.
That said, I have great respect for the nurses in particular and the care and attention I have received since June has been second to none!
Didn't intend to turn this into a rant!
Probably need a sugar fix
Thanks for sharing the info on your nodal status. My number 13 has drawn gasps for all the wrong reasons! People have me dead and buried already! Not part of my plan anytime soon!
Glad to hear your recovery is going so well!
Well done you!
X
M

Hi Mayfair,

Just to share some insights I was given concerning supplements while I was undergoing chemo.

The idea is not exactly to "suppress the system so that it can take the full whack of the chemo" but rather to ensure that no chemical reactions take place that could prevent the chemo working correctly. Normal food won't create levels that could interfere with chemo but supplements might and anything that could jeopardise the success of your chemo is just not worth the risk. The same advice remains true for several months after your treatment ends as it goes on working. So let that chemo do its stuff and get you back to good health again .

By the way, if you follow any of the medical research journals there is an increasing amount of research recently that indicates that supplements are at best a waste of money, and can even sometimes be harmful to more than your wallet unless there is a real medical reason to take the supplement. Definitely something to keep a close eye on in future.

I am not surprised that your onocologist was not very forthcoming about detox. No doctor is. The body does its own detox if we treat it well. Healthy living, healthy eating, weight control, lots of exercise and regular check ups is the official line of advice and yes it is frustrating and impersonal. And hard to put into practice. If only, if only we could know exactly why we got cancer and exactly what to do in the future to ensure that we never go down Chemotherapy Boulevard again ...

Hang on in there, Mayfair. We are all thinking of you. And while we are thinking of you, you can think of all of those dangerous cells getting well and truly zapped by the chemo

Hugs

Kathleen

Hi there,

We would like to draw your attention to the "Supporting People with Breast Cancer " Annual Patient Conference which is on in Dublin Castle Conference Centre on Saturday the 29th of September 2012.

At this day there will be a workshop covering the issue of Diet and Nutritiion as well as many other topics which may be of interest like breast reconstruction,financial benefits and entitlements,physical activity and emotional well being.

For further information please see our website

http://www.cancer.ie/content/supporting ... ast-cancer

Kind regards,

Cancer Information Services Nurse

I was at the conference two years ago, it was great, and I'd definately recommend it.

Hi all,
Well, nearly done (if the steroids will let me sleep), with day 4 after 2nd AC infusion. And, touch wood, it hasn't been too bad at all. No nausea, thanks to meds and the tiredness is dealable with. So, all in all, I am very relieved!
The one major annoyance, is my mast/axillary clearance has become more red in colour and there is slight swelling and twingy feeling.Was wondering if any of you experienced anything similar? I'm thinking that because its such a vulnerable site anyway, that that may be the reason, but I feel it's also hindering mobility in my already compromised right
arm......... I would have discussed this with physio today, but since I only realised on my way for a 10:30am appt when I was near the airport at 10:05, that I was actually already 5 mins late for a 10am appt! So, when I called they postponed till oct 9th!! Ikea therapy helped a little ! Chemo brain alive and well obviously!
Anyway, it's good to have somewhere like this to come and vent and get solid advice. The oncology nurse actually commented on how I was "some woman for the water", on Monday! Thank you for the amount of times that message has been brought home! It really does work!!
I hope you're all keeping well, and enjoy the conference on Saturday.
Disappointed I can't make it myself.......next year hopefully!

Best Always,
M
xo

Hi Mayfair
Once again, I have happily surprised myself in that I had forgotten so many things about my year until you mentioned about your arm.
Halfway through my Taxol treatment, I was referred back to my surgeon for her to have a look at the arm on the side where I had my axillary clearance and mastectomy because I thought my arm was starting to feel funny (as in stiff and tingly) and a bit puffy.
She measured my arm to make sure that lymphodema wasn't kicking in; lo and behold it transpired that my "good" arm was chubbier than my surgical side!! So obviously no lymphodema was kicking in there. In relation to the weird sensation, she suggested that it could be the nerve endings repairing that was causing the tingling, and she also enquired as to whether I had been keeping up my physio exercises. When I answered honestly that I wasn't doing them at the same level as I had when I came out of hospital, she explained the necessity of keeping up the exercises or else the muscles contract.
Having said all of that, if it hasn't improved by the time you go back for your next AC, I would suggest you say it to the nurses and doctors to make sure that there is nothing else going on....
Take care and keep up the good work!

P.S., that water habit is very hard to get rid of; I had to go into the broker that deals with my car insurance today and the secretary said to me, "I see you are still carrying your water around with you." I must have had a mad expression on my face because she explained when I was in a few months ago about something else, I had water with me and I had explained to her then that I just drink water all the time since being on treatment! It could be worse, I could be known for carrying around a litre bottle of vodka all the time!

Hey encee,
How refreshing to know see how you do actually manage to put some parts of that year behind you ...... Gives me hope! If I'm honest, I've not been as diligent with the arm exercises myself. I came into this whole thing in June with just about recovering from frozen shoulder, on the mastectomy axillary clearance side, Murphy's law! So the physio therapist has agreed that that has flared up goodo once again, and has is hindering recovery from surgery as a result !
Other than that, I'm happy that tonight was my last night for steroids! Be glad to get back to sleeping like a normal person again and not posting at this crazy hour! Am so relieved the ac has been "kind" to me thus far, just hope taxol doesn't floor me.......yikes!
Keep well,
Thanks for replying as always,
Keep hydrating
M