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jd48's avatar
jd48
Member
9 years ago

AC Chemo - Days 18 - 21 (Hairloss, UTI, tummy preocupation and anxiety over next Chemo session)

The last few days before the 2nd Chemo sessions kind of all blended into each other.

Ununfornately picked up a UTI which I became aware off day 18 as too familiar with the symptoms but initial test came out negative for an infection so by the time symptoms got a lot wors and returned a positive result it was 48 hoirs later so only given antibiotics with 2.5 days to spare and there is a chance they will postpone my 2nd chemo if I have any symptoms day off ??. Very unimpressed that Drs did not believe me in time.

Also as the 2nd chemo approaches after the fiasco of my GI tract in the week 2 of the 1st round I am rather preocuppied trying to heel my poor backside which is now ravaged by internal hemmoroids and a fissure.

Yes, I am all doom and gloom these days. It is not helping that my scalp has been hurting a lot as my hair has finally starting to fall out massively. I had shaved my hair to No 4 but it is not enough. I wish I had cut it shorter as this way it is falling in my eyes, on my face, neck, into my clothing and it is irritating me and makkng me really itchy ???????? I just wish it would fall off completely.

I reckon some 80% fell off in 24 hours starting day 19 BUT there is HEAPS still left. I so wish it would drop off in 1 go and this scalp pain wold stop.

i guess am doing a lot of complaining here. I mean nothing is really drastic - just a few small nagging problems so I should b gratefull for it and instead I am cranky and complaining. This is probably the best I will feel in a long time but mentally I cannot perk up...

The closer we get to my next chemo session (tomorrow - 6th June) the more anxious I get. I know my 1st round went well and I did not have any huge complications but somehow I am still super anxious. Hoping this anxiety will pass and that tomorrow will go without allwrgies or problematic canulas but still I reckon not until it is all done will I be able to relax and breathe out.

So much from the anxious shedding crazy woman.

Jel.

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  • skitzy's avatar
    skitzy
    Member
    9 years ago

    I would not worry too much about the injection, as the one I had on Tuesday was a slow acting one to last longer so have had no pain at all this time. The 1ST one I had in hospital must have been a real boost of one as my white cells went down to 0.08 & the bone marrow really went into action with it.

    Eileen x

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    Movicol is so much gentler and steroids would be helping with nausea so.with any luck you have a much better run :)

    Just remember to stop movicol the moment loose stools start up...

    Apart from a plummeting blood lressure and pulse I have been OK - falling asleep the moment I sit down but other than that other symptoms have been a lot ligter than 1st time.

    Mind you I am still anxious about Neulasta as a lot of people have had a lot of oain on it so kind of anxiously awaiting for that to hit as I had my injection 48 hrs ago...

    Jel

  • skitzy's avatar
    skitzy
    Member
    9 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your canula Jel, I know how bad that can be, as when they put antibiotics in mine they where going into my flesh & the arm swelled, but with chemo it would be a lot worse.

    I have been using the movicol this time & find it much better than coloxyl. They remembered to give me my 2 days of steroids this time & the DR looked shocked when I said I didn't get them last cycle. 

    I am hoping things improve for you & send you a big hug. 

    Eileen xx

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Eileen

    I had my 2nd Chemo Monday and frankly was Chemo from Hell as the nurse stubbodnrly tried for 3 hours to use a cannual that was in a wrong blood vessel and would not work before getting them.to insert a new canula 

    Yes, steroids help control thentummy so if they forgot the the tablets that would certainly explain torture your tummy went throguh.

    This time arround I managed to get them to extend the steroids at lower doses for 2 extra days so hoping that helps me not put as much strain. And offcourse movicol all the way.

    I got to see a dietitian while in hospital and she prepared a list of ffood suggestipn both for the 1st week where she reckons we need to have hi fibre diet to help push the toxins out and prevent co tipation and gut pain and for the 2nd week for when diahrea kicks in. She said both contupation and diahre are part and parcel of AC chemo so we just need to modify diet according until toxins are pushed out and tummy settles.

    And I am starting to use hemmoroid cream and suppositories already as per Gastroentorologist advice to help minimise dmagae to the behind while these toxins are being pushed out. She reckons steroids make us not realise how much damage is being done which is why once we are off them it is so dramatic so worth while using at least hemmoroid cream straight away

    Jel

  • skitzy's avatar
    skitzy
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Jel I hope this cycle of AC is kinder to you, I had my 3rd cycle yesterday. This morning woke up with the dreaded spasms which put me in hospital last time but I had made sure I took the movicol as planned & after the 4th visit to the loo with all normal stools the spasms seemed to have stopped. This time they gave me the 4 tablets to take for 2 days after chemo which I didn't get last time, the poor nurse that did the 2nd  cycle was being assessed & was so nervous so she must have forgotten to give them me, ( hubby thinks that could be the reason I had so much trouble)

    I will be thinking of you & hope you have no problems with the chemo.

    Eileen xx

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    a type of chemo regime

    includes two drugs: doxorubicin(Adriamycin), and cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan)

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    Thank you Cath...

    I know it is irrational (this fear of the toxic sludge) but ????????

    I know I will be fine - just need to get through tomorrow... will worry about the side effects afterwards ??

    Jel

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    Thank you Trace ?

    I am the same if not worse when it comes to avoiding bug potential - been in isolation for 2.5 weeks after the 1st Chemo and planning to do the same this time (and when I have to leave the house to go to appointments or to give blood I am smso covered with a face mask that I get very weird looks everywhere ??

    I know they will look after me but the thought of that pink sludge sends shivers down my spine ??????

    Here is to pretending it is just a harmless cordial like substance ??

    Jel

  • jd48's avatar
    jd48
    Member
    9 years ago

    Thank you Kath.

    I know I am just being a sook. Weird how I am not even that worried about the 'post' side effects but more worried about those huge syringes filled with pink cordial like sludge ??.

    Oh well - I fought hard to continue Chemo when Oncologist wanted to cut me off so I better get over this irrational fear and pretend I have no clue what is in the 'cordial' ??????

    Jel