Tx 1, Day 2

Tx is the abbreviation for treatment.  I got used to using abbreviations from the discussion boards!
Last night the nausea got a little worse. I took a Compazine, then a few hours later a Zofran, then about midnight I took and Ativan.  Then, about a half hour later I was out and slept soundly until Rich got up at 6!  I was in the recliner, and I rarely sleep that soundly there!  I heard him going out the door to get the paper, and I thought to myself, I don't usually hear the door that well from the bedroom--then I realized I was in the recliner, and smiled and said thank you God!  I was happy I slept that well!
Today I'm happy to say that I didn't have much nausea.  Just feel tired and out of it.  Not much interest in eating--had to force myself to eat breakfast and lunch!  I am able to function, and do what needs to be done, but I'd probably rather sit and stare at birds all day!
Rich came home from work a bit early to take me down to get my Neulasta shot.  Have I explained that in the past?  It helps keep the white blood cells up.  This chemo knocks them out, so the shot is given routinely, instead of waiting for them to go down, like with my last chemo.  The shot has the potential to cause a lot of bone pain, so I took my blog friend Michelle's advice and took a claritin.  Some people have said that it helps somehow, not a lot of docs are recommending it yet, but my nurse said it wouldn't hurt.  Some recommend taking it with Aleve, but I forgot to get some, so I took Ibuprofen instead.  With the neupogen shots (similar to Neulasta, but shorter acting) I used to take, alternating ibu. and Tylenol throughout the day helped alot.  I also have percocet if it gets real bad.  The nurse that gave me the shot today, Maggie, remembered how bad the neupogen hurt me last time and was real worried about how this one would effect me.  She said to alternate the ibu. and Tylenol, and call if it doesn't work.  I told her I had some Percocet, she told me to take it if I needed it, but call and let the doc know that I needed it. She was sure he'd be ok with it.  Hope I don't get too sore!
I've been trying to keep up with the liquids, but am getting tired of it! I find I am needing the colace and senekot-s too! 
Tomorrow Dee is taking me to look at wigs.  Shonna might go with, but unfortunately Alyssa can't.  Rachel and fam are up north at a cabin.  I'm kind of excited to look at wigs.  I really need to get some scarves too.  If I remember tomorrow, maybe I'll order some online.
I made my appt. for a haircut Thurs. afternoon.  I'll get a "normal" short haircut--it'll be fun to try something new.  Then when my hair starts to fall out, I have a friend who can buzz it real short. 
Well, I've to to quit now--too many typos I have to keep fixing!
God has been good, and hearing your prayers!  Thanks!
To my cousin Jill--not sure if you read this, but if you do send me an e-mail and give me an update!!
Love ya all!~
Tina

Post-Chemo Post

(Most of this is taken from my post at the breastcancer.org discussion boards)
I just got back from my first AC treatment. The whole thing, including labs, took about 3.5 hours. Next time will be a bit longer because I'll see my onc. too. I got Decadron and Zofran through my port (seems to be the standard at my cancer center). Oh--because Emend worked well for me in the past, the nurse made sure I got some today.   I'm not sure if the doc was going to give it to me anyway, or just did because the nurse asked. So before the infusion started I took an Emend pill, and then I'll take 1 a day for the next 2 days. Emend helps with delayed nausea. After the pre-meds, the nurse gave me the Andriamycin (red devil). It was pushed in with a large syringe. She pushes it very slowly so it mixes with the saline that is also going in. Every couple of minutes she would pull it back to pull blood out to make sure my veins were ok. She said problems are less likely to happen with a port, but they still take precautions.  It is tough on veins and can cause a lot of damage if some spills out.  She did 3 syringes of that @ 5 min. each. Oh, and she gave me ice chips to help ward off mouth sores while I was getting the drug. Then she started the Cytoxan. That bag took an hour.


So, other than the nerves and upset stomach from being back at chemo, everything went well. It helps that I'm familiar with the place, and the nurses know me. I had one of my favorite nurses, Andrea, today.  She and Cheryl are my usual nurses, but they all are great, and stop to chat with me.  I brought pictures, of course, to share with them!  I did take an Ativan to help with anxiety and nausea before I went, and it helped.  I just am a little tired and blah feeling. I've noticed most people feel the worst a few days out, and the nurse agreed that that's what usually happens. My throat seems a little scratchy too, hmmm. Since I got enough steroids in the infusion, I won't take a pill until the morning. Hopefully I can sleep tonight, but that is somewhat unlikely. I'll probably end up in the recliner flipping through channels
I'll be taking it easy the rest of the day.  Starting to feel more yucky--a little nausea perhaps? idk, we'll see what happens.  I have to drink lots and lots of fluids too.
I'll post more tomorrow if I feel up to it.  Oh- I have to get my Neulasta shot at 4pm.  I think Rich is going to take me and just drive around while waiting for me instead of paying for a few min. of parking.  I'm REALLY hoping I don't get too much back pain.  I'll probably take ibuprofen before I go, just in case.  I've heard that taking a Claritin helps too.  My nurse has just heard a little about that from other patients, but she said it wouldn't hurt to try it if I want to.
Take care,
Tina