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Sister Starting Chemo on April 1st

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Posted 3/21/2014 3:03 PM (GMT -8)
Hi everyone

My sister was diagnosed with stage II Breast Cancer and is starting Chemo on April 1st. She is going to be taking the following medications for her chemo and I was wondering if any of you can chime in and let me know if you've had any of these medicines and how they effected you?

She's getting a shot after her chemo called Neulasta to build up her white blood cells.

Her Chemo meds are: Cytoxan, Epirubicin, and Taxotere or Docetaxel.

She's a little worried about side effects and will be getting the treatments every 3 weeks for 8 treatments.

If any of you can please reply I would appreciate it so I can get this information to her, she doesn't have a computer so I'm trying my best to help her :D

Thank you all so much in advance!

Susie
Posted 3/22/2014 4:22 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Susie,

I don't have any advice or information to share, but I wanted to wish her well. She's fortunate to have you care enough to look into things.

When she was told she'd need chemo, what did her medical onco say to her re: side effects? They usually have a list (or a few) they'll go over with you well in advance to make sure all your questions are answered and you understand the infusions.

The best bet is for her to ask her doc directly about the specifics....

Please keep us up to date!





M.
Posted 3/24/2014 6:18 AM (GMT -8)
Susie,

Here is a great link that I often use although my cancer is not breast, my cousin has been on these meds for stage IV ovarian cancer.

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-treating-chemotherapy

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 6/14/2014 6:22 PM (GMT -8)
Hey everyone,

I am updating on my sister... She's gotten 4 of her 6 chemo treatments and seems to be handling them fine physically, but mentally she is a complete disaster... She has slipped into such a deep depression... I mean it is major....

I am really worried about her.. She sits and rocks like someone with autism would act.. she can't make any decisions and just makes these groaning sounds when I talk to her or try to ask her questions...

She has moved out of her apartment temporarily and is staying with my cousin and her husband who is a physician, but they can't even seem to help her... .

She does go to work and seems to be doing ok there as far as I know, but once she get's home she slips into very isolating behaviors and just rocks and rocks...

Has anyone else here gone into a depression going through Chemo??

I'm afraid she'll end up in the hospital if she doesn't get a grip on things...
Posted 6/21/2014 1:04 PM (GMT -8)
I thought I'd mention something about the rocking.

I've done that (even before BC) and still do. My Husband has picked up on it along the years and rocks me when I'm feeling anxious or am in pain and scared.

For me, it goes back to being a little girl and having Daddy rock me....for some of us, rocking is just a natural way to comfort and soothe.

One time I was at my Mother in Law's and she saw me rocking back and forth. She knew it was because I was in pain and distress. She even commented that it was a good thing she knew what it meant, because it's possible someone else might not quite understand!

Perhaps hold your sister and rock with her? You might be surprised at you both will feel!








M.
Posted 6/22/2014 1:00 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for the reply Merrida,

We are starting to really see (Actually we've seen it all her life) that she is showing major signs of Aspergers Syndrome. I think she's always had it, but the Chemo seems to be intensifying her symptoms. My parents never paid attention to us kids like that growing up, and we always thought she was different, in a quirky sort of way, but after doing research about Aspergers, it describes her to a tee!

I'm going to call her nurse on Monday and discuss what we can do to get her help. I live in South Texas and she is in Michigan so I am not there to rock with her unfortunately! But I am going up there in a few weeks for her last Chemo treatment so we'll see what happens.

:D
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