Nervous about chemo

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

1/27/10 9:10pm

Hi - Ask your doctor if you can try the Neulasta, and then stop taking it if the side effects hit you hard. It's certainly not a requirement; I went through chemo without it. It does help you maintain your white blood cell count, which in turn helps keep you safe from infection.

As for your hair - I think most women experience that first it starts to come out when you brush your hair, then you'll notice it coming out more heavily when you take a shower, and then it starts really falling out in clumps. Best bet: Get your hair cut short before it happens; then shave your head when it starts to really fall out in clumps (to avoid that "patchy tomcat" look).

You might find our series on chemo very helpful, as you start this part of your treatment. Good luck to you, and stay in touch here - we can help you through this. PJH

Kelley

1/27/10 10:46pm

Thank you, PJ. I just read through the series and it was wonderful! You packed a lot of information into those posts and it made feel a lot better. I appreciate your input on this. I am still pretty nervous, but at least I feel that I am better armed with the knowledge of someone that has been through it.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

1/27/10 10:57pm

Wow, Kelley - that's a lot of info. to take in all at once, esp. since you're probably still trying to absorb even the fact that you have cancer... You know what? You'll do fine with the chemo. We're all just as strong as we have to be. It's natural to be nervous; you'll feel better once you actually get started, and see what the whole process is like. And we're here for you, OK? Be well - PJH

Laura A. Learn-Hack

1/28/10 5:35am

I started taxatere and cytoxin on tuesday. It was not so bad, but i am told everyone is different. I was given dexadrone(steroid) before during and after also amend to relive long term nausea(up to 5 days)and compazine for at hope for break thru nausea. I did get bad heart burn and then recieved pepsid thru the iv. I experienced pretty bad fatique however and oddly enough I also had periods of hyperness, supposedly from the steroid. they sent me home with emend also for 2 days after chemo, 1 pill a day. I do have a little nausea, but the compazine works well if taken immediately when it comes. Drink lots of water , very important, you may dehydrate easily and it is important the medication does not sit in your bladder. I hate water and am now drinking 64 ounces a day and adjusting. I also gave up caffine my life long love , cold turkey. the headaches are terrible but "its all for the cause". I think they come from a combination of no caffine and some drug in my body. caffine absorbs the fluids in your body and will cause dehydration. I went thru radiation already i really want this to be the end of this hell, so what ever i have to do.

I was terrified of Chemo and tried many drugs (hormone blockers) before settleing into chemo as my last resort. hair loss is my nighmare. you just have to come to grips and move on,it will grow back. Its hard, i think of it everyday, everytime i reach up to make sure its still there. I am told it can take 10 days to 3 weeks, and may thin, ot come out in clumps. For me i found moving forward has worked I made an appointment to look at wigs tomorrow. I really have not decided if i will get one,i may use a hat if they are uncomfortable.I have bad hot flashes from chemo or drugs i dont even know anymore and am tired of guessing, I just have them so i am worried i will sweat alot in it and it may not work for me.

I had my first Neulasta injection yesterday. I thought it would hurt like crazy because ta lady the day before had cried when she got it. but i didnt even feel it til she pulled the needle out. I had some slight acheness but tylenol and ibuprofen helped and i will see how it goes i go for cbc today.

It has helped me to look at the experiences of others i think it gives me strength to push thru. Some are good and some are bad but you take what you need from others and pray you can give something back. I was dx in august or september the months run together no. after everything i faced so far i find that with everyday i can find the possitives and try to push away the negatives. Chemo is scary, i doubt anyone goes in without fear, just do what they tell you and and take it a day at a time. you will do fine, you are in my thoughts and prayers.Laura

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

1/28/10 6:48am

Thanks for sharing your story here, Laura. Indeed, we're all different; we all have our very personal experience with cancer, and its treatment. We try to learn as much about chemo as we can before we start, but there's no replacement for the actual experience, as far as figuring it all out, and what works for you. Hope your succeeding treatments go well. As for the wig - personally, I just wore hats, and then I went bare-naked bald; everything was too hot and cumbersome. But that was my experience; you'll forge your own. Good luck - PJH

Kelley

1/28/10 12:51pm

Thank you for your input Laura. I think that after all the surgeries (5 in total) and pain that I have been through since my diagnosis in Oct 2009, the worst has to be behind me. I am doing my best to keep a strong front, but sometimes it is a little hard. Good luck with your treatment and I hope things go well for you.

lorena londono

1/29/10 8:26pm

Hi kelly,

I also had to get the neulasta shot everytime I had chemo. I did not really experience any serious or painful side effect other than just lower back pain and shoulder pain but the pain was minor. Only once I had a very bad lower back pain but I took Tylenol and it releived the pain. As far as hair loss I started losing my hair exactly 2 weeks after my first chemo it was just strands of hair but by the third week it was falling in small lumps as the days went by after 3 weeks it was ridiculous so I shaved it off. I hope this helps although everyone is not the same but in my case I thought it would be really bad and at the end it was not that bad considering the circumstances.

Kelley

1/29/10 9:21pm

Thank you. I have not heard any good results regarding the Neulasta. Everything I have found has been negative. It is good to know that there are some good experiences out there.

Laura A. Learn-Hack

2/ 1/10 6:45pm

its not good. on the 3rd day after the shot the pain was undescribable. Im sorry i wish i could be spositive for you but it was hell. I guess i expected to feel something right away and when it was just minor discomfort i thought i had excaped. WRONG! Iam sorry. Good Luck. you are in my prayers.

Kelley

2/ 1/10 7:41pm

Are you referring to the Neulasta shot? Wow! Now I am worried again.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

2/ 1/10 9:25pm

Kelley, we each have our own experience. None of my friends has ever reported any significant pain with the Neulasta shot - maybe a bit of achiness. So please try to keep an open mind about this, and don't expect the worst, OK? Now that you've read the reports here from others, you won't be surprised if you have some pain; but know that it's not a given. Hope you have a GOOD experience with it and, as I said, you don't HAVE to take it if it proves too much for you - PJH

Kelley

2/ 1/10 10:02pm

Thank you, PJ. It has been a tough day. I went wig shopping today and it was a little more emotional than I expected it to be. Unfortunately, my husband was laid off Dec 2009 and I spent the afternoon working on getting the Cobra policy on my insurance to connect with my Dr. Everything just kinda crashes down on you sometimes. I know I will be fine. Still just concerned about my own unknown experience with chemo. I know I will survive, just not sure about the cost of the survival.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

2/ 1/10 11:00pm

Oh, Kelley... I'm so sorry you're going through everything at once. Sometimes life just rains down on you in every way possible. The good thing is - things change. Nothing stays the same. And time heals, in so many ways. Yes, you'll get through chemo. And here's something to maybe cheer you up - it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Once you get going and lose your hair, you feel much better, somehow. Like, "OK, got THAT behind me." And remember, every day that passes, you're that much closer to the finish line.

Please read our post on strength - I know you have it, and you'll use it, and you'll recover afterwards. Things will never be the same - but hopefully they'll be better. Once you have cancer - hey, guess what, you don't have to worry about getting cancer anymore! You may find your priorities change, and you're able to let go of the smaller worries in your life. Appreciate the simpler things.

Stay in touch - we're here for you, always. PJH

Jennifer

2/ 2/10 1:08pm

Kelley, I had neoadjuvent therapy for my breast cancer so I went through chemo first. I was wrecked before treatment I was so scared. Don't be, you will feel like crap a few days after treatment and it may last for up to four day, My treatments were on Monday, I felt fine on Monday and Tues., started feeling worse on Wed., worst days on Thurs. and Fri., then slowly start getting better, I had Neulasta. The only side effect I had was leg pain, and nothing I couln't deal with. I have two children 7 and 9 and still was able to get them off to school and take care of everything even on my worst days, kind of like having a flu. I know everyone is different, but it may not be so bad. Did you have a radio tracer shot around your areola, before surgery for lymph node dissection? I am terrified of the pain with this and can't seem to find anyone to ask?

Mia Designs

2/21/10 12:56am

Hi Jennifer,my name is Maria and I had that procedure done pryor to my Lymph node and Lumpectomy and it is somewhat uncomforable and thank God I got through it pretty good. Thats all I can say.But we are strong women and we can get through this.Rememeber You are NOT Alone.God is with you and so are alot of us women fighting this terrible disease.God Bless you

Susan

3/ 1/10 10:34am

Jennifer,

I just had the Sentinel Lymph Node tracer done. The key is that the doctor doing it be experienced. I had four very small tracer injections and was dreading it more than you can imagine. However, this physician (probably radiologist/nuke med guy) was so skilled and professional I can honestly say he did a fantastic job, just a quick, little pin prick with very small needles. Good luck to you.

Susan

Anonymous

2/ 4/10 7:13pm

Neulasta injections are given to boost your white cell count. I also just started chemo getting ready for my 3rd cycle and Neulasta will make you ache all over for a day or so but I've been taking advil to help. After chemo, I do feel fatigued so the Neulasta injection makes you feel somewhat worse & actually I really don't feel well until 4 days later. I'm on act chemo and just started losing my hair after the second treatment. It starting to thin down but I've been told that I will probably lose it all until treatment is over. I wish you the best, write back if you have any other questions, take care.

Michele

Kelley

2/11/10 8:19pm

Well, I am 1 week out from my first round of chemo. It has been a pretty rough week, but it looks like I will survive, after all. The dr decided to wait on the Neulasta until he checks my blood counts. Hopefully, I will not need to have it, but we will see. Thank you so much to everyone for your comments and support. I really appreciate it very much. This is a wonderful site and I am grateful to have found it!

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

2/12/10 6:14am

And we're glad you found us, Kelley. Hope things improve for you this weekend - you'll find a rhythm to your treatments, and be able to predict the rough days vs. the good days. Come bck whenever you need support - we're here for you. PJH

Edna

2/12/10 10:07pm

Hi,

Like Kelley, I will be starting chemo in about a week. I will be getting 6 doses of TAC in 3 week intervals. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the things I need to know. I've researched the drugs and their side effects, etc. (not fun to read about!) At the same time I'm trying to find a wig and playing in make-up. I'm practicing drawing eyebrows, but need lots of practice because I normally don't wear make-up. Are there any suggestions on how to wrap my arms around it all?

Kelley

2/14/10 12:51am

Edna, The American Cancer Society has alot of resources available. I am attending a seminar next week on how to wear scarves, wigs, cosmetics, etc. It is free of charge and they keep the gatherings small so that you can receive more one on one attention. Check out the site www.lookgoodfeelbetter.com. I will tell, I have been overwhelmed by all of this myself. I thought the worst part was losing a breast. However, the longevity of this has been the most difficult to deal with. I am one of those people that want whatever is broken to be fixed quickly so that I can move on to the next task. I do advise you to get a second opinion on the chemo. I know that you may feel ok about your oncologist. I did, too. But something just wasn't clicking between us. I did not feel there was anything wrong with him or his practices, but something inside urged me to seek another opinion. I was to receive the same treatment as you, however, when I met my current oncologist it seemed that everything clicked. Then he told me that I only needed 4 treatments of TC, one every three weeks. He felt 6 would be too much. Now, I am not a doctor and by no means any authority on cancer or chemo or any part of it, but I felt like I was in more control of at least part of what I am going through by getting that opinion. Did I make the right decision? Who knows, all I know is that I felt better by doing it. Good luck to you and hope all goes well for you.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

2/14/10 9:00am

Edna, I'm more of a "see what happens" kind of person. I dind't get a wig, didn't bother with eyebrow pencil (because I never had), didn't research the drugs; just did what the doctor said, and figured things out as I went along. Each to his own.

Have you read our chemo series? It summarizes everything I learned as I went through chemo - all the tricks and tips, what's happening, etc. I think you'll find it really useful, if you haven't read it yet. Keep one thing in mind - if you've heard any chemo horror stories from "friends," forget them. Chemo changes all the time; the drugs for side effects are constantly improving; and we each have our own experience. So your experience will be yours alone; no one can tell you what's going to happen. I wish you the best - PJH

Mia Designs

2/21/10 12:40am

Hi Kelly,my name is Maria and I too was very scared of the Chemo and overall everything in general that had to do with Cancer.... period.On the day of my first Cancer treatment tue Feb 9th/10 I was terrified,I went by myself even though I had the support of my family...no husband.I decided I was going to be strong because we dont have any choice....it has to be done to make us get rid of this horrible disease.Well the chemo was a piece of cake,I overmedicated myself the nite before,instead of taking my steroids I took the nausea medicine which was good on my part and they give you more neausea medicine in your IV as well.Im not saying to do this.I guess I was so nervous,I didnt read the bottle correctly.No nausea...Thank God.At all.Ok so the next day I go get my Neulasta shot on wed and still no signs of any side effects.On thursday I woke up with a migraine from hell and I was told that was one of the side effects also plus the fact that I suffer from migrianes to begin,which didnt help the cause.I just felt like I had flu like symptoms but the Onc and staff are very helpful and will do almost anything to make you feel as comfortable as possible.Do not be afraid YOU are NOT alone my friend.Its the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN that scares us the most.I got through it and so will You...GOD Bless You

Peglove

3/ 6/10 4:07pm

I too just had my first chemo and neulasta shot. I did actually have severe, unbelievable, undescribable bone pain from the neulasta. The taxotere does that too, so it is hard to know what pain came from what drug. I think this time around for chemo#2, I will skip the shot. SInce PJ and Phyllis have said, it isn't a requirement...I really didn't know that. But I also figure, the pain is 3 days---if I were to get an infection during chemo, it could be really dangerous. So you have to weight the pros and cons. I will ask them to check my white cells before I decide to do the shot. I think if the whites are up, then why get the shot, right? And then maybe we can get it for chemo #3 instead. Thank you for all this info. I am reading all your posts with eager eyes. Peglove.

Kelley

3/ 6/10 7:17pm

Hi Peglove, I just had my 2nd round of chemo 1 week ago. My whites were down so they decided to do the neulasta. I had quite a bit of bone pain with it, so I plan to not have the shot again. I would prefer to be tired and weak versus the pain from the shot. I have realized that the side effects from each chemo session is different. I have experienced some different symptoms (along with the same from the first) with this round. Thanks to all for the input. It helped me to have a better idea of what to expect.

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