Dear Joan, sorry it was such a trying day for you.  Believe me you will be
so much better having a port.  Like you I had numerous jabs before a vein
was finally found and it usually had to be put in the back of my hand which
was always painful.  In fact I came to dread the 'jab' more so than the
chemo.  I had CMF 12 years ago and it is certainly doable.  It seemed to
take a long while at the time but all of a sudden the last one came around
and it was OVER.  Hope the next one is easier for you.  Jo

Hi Joan,
I had CMF twenty years ago and also had difficult veins.  There was no
mention of a port back then, so I don't know if they weren't doing them so
commonly in my area of if it was thought unwarranted.  I did receive
multiple pricks each time and all of my CMF was done in the back of my right
hand.  I did a year of treatment on the three week on, three week off cycle.
This schedule followed a month of weekly doses.  I tolerated it pretty well,
experiencing a few of the side effects....but none that were unbearable.  I
continued to work (kinder teacher) throughout the year and had kids who were
eight and eleven.  The fatigue was the hardest, but had lots of support and
managed.

I don't know how this chemo affects blood pressure; don't recall ever having
it taken after. Perhaps one of our more knowledgeable posters will know.
I'd sure mention it to the Dr. at the next chance.

I hope that you can resolve the issue of having to have multiple pricks and
that when that is taken care of, you have a good tolerance for the treatment
itself.  Do you know how many treatments are planned?  I looked for the
halfway point, so I could consider myself "over the hump" and beginning to
count down.  My best wishes, Joan.

Barb

....

My BP seemed to run a few points lower during chemo (ACT) than it
usually does.  However, yours seems quite a bit lower.  I'd phone the
doctor's office.  One thing you might want to get, if you don't have it:
 A number for the on-call doctor for your oncology practice, or,
failing that, at least the number of one of those 24-hour "phone a
nurse" things that big hospitals often sponsor.

Sorry your first chemo turned out to be so stressful, with all the
needle sticks.  Chemo is a rotten hobby!

In my opinion, the first session is likely to be the worst,
psychologically speaking (but I bet we'll hear a lot of disagreement on
this!).  The "I don't know what's going to happen", combined with the "I
don't know if this is normal" uncertainty & worries, really make the
stress mount on round #1.  On subsequent rounds, you have a better idea
what to expect (even if it isn't pleasant), which brings down the stress
a bit.

Here's hoping the next round goes better!

Ann T.
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Joan,

I had CMF recently but I did the cytoxan in pill form so the IV only
took one hr. I was on the 28-day cycle: the meth. and 5-FU via IV on
days 1 and 8, and cytoxan pills 3xday (with LOTS of water) for 14 days.
Two weeks "on", two weeks off. (I'm on Medicare which covered the
pills--my co-pay was only about $28/mo.) You must be having all 3 drugs
via IV on a 21-day cycle. They don't do it that way at my hospital.

I had a port implanted because I didn't think my veins would want all
the sticks. The port makes it much easier. I'm very thin so the port
gives me a lump under my skin, but I got used to it quickly and it
doesn't bother me one bit. I'm not doing CMF anymore so I do have to
have the chemo nurse flush it every 6 weeks so a clot won't develop.
This is very quick, but does involve one needle stick.

The port was inpatient surgery and I was completely under anesthetic.
Not general, but it worked the same for me. I also had a cervical lymph
node removed at the same time for biopsy. I'd definitely consider
getting a port-a-cath and eliminate all those painful needle sticks. I
had AC in my hand once and it was very painful. I sympathize with you!

P.S. I was never sick from the CMF, but did get quite fatigued. Only
actually completed 4 months because Xrays showed it was't working on my
lung mets. Now trying Arimidex before any more chemo. (just turned 65).

Kathie

Hi Joan
I finished 6 cycles of CMF in June of 2003.  I had the cytoxin in tablet
form, multiple pills once a day, as my doctor said it would cause less
nausea that way.  I kept on working (secretary) right through - my job
carries the health insurance, so I had to.

My hair thinned, came out in clumps!  It is close to be back to normal
now.  My cycle was to get the infusion on a Friday afternoon - then I was
okay Saturday and could shop etc.  Would start feeling poorly Sunday
afternoon and then be too nauseated to go to work on Monday, and sometimes
Tuesday.  Then I'd be okay until the next Friday, when it all repeated.
After the 2nd infusion, I would have 21 days off before the next one.

I also had lots of sticks each time - complicated by lymphedema in the
left arm so they couldn't use it.

Hang in there - let your friends and family help you with daily living
chores and rest whenever you feel like it.

Judy S. in
Shoreline, Wa

Hi there dear.
I was also on CMF back in 1999. I had them every 3 weeks for 6 months. I
did very well considering what we were doing here. I did have Kytril
before my chemo {infused into IV pushed}
and took this for 3 days afterwards twice daily. I also had Compazine
for break through nausea, but never needed it.
I was tired most of the time. I did have thinning of the hair, obviously
I thought it was worse then anybody else did. {I think they were being
kind} I also had some problems with my skin regarding my hands peeling
and splitting open in places. But I've got allergies, so we pretty much
wrote this off, but I've heard of others having trouble with their skin
during chemo.
I'm not for sure, but I think I had problems with my nails being
discolored during treatments, but don't quote me on this.
The worst problem I had was the depression this mess brought on...but
having said that I have nervous disorders and depressional issues that
run in my family.
I had a recur in Nov. 2002. {mast,chemo again} I did much better his
last time as far as the depressional issues went. The chemo was a bit
harder for me, as far as some of the side effects, but nothing that
wasn't "doable" as many have said here and in other bc support groups.
They had trouble with my veins as well, but we forged ahead both last
time and this time {ending 6/6/03} My veins like to move all over the
place. I told one of the onco nurses that "perhaps I should take my
veins lead and run like H" I was told I should "think about having a
port" and that's basically what I did, thought about it....then vetoed
it. I didn't want one either and chose to stick it out {no pun intended}
The onco nurse told me my veins are basically useless now. I now have
blood draws in my hand now. I'm getting used to this and it really
doesn't phase me now. The nurse that does it now, gets it done really
fast and it doesn't really even hurt anymore. She found a spot that
works for her and I....how nice, huh? ;-) I guess if this ever comes
down my path againm {shhhhhhhhh!!!!!!} then a port perhaps would be the
only way for me to go...but I din't know that, as others have had
trouble and then had to go back and the veins were fine after awhile of
having a rest. o I guess I figure that out if I've got to go there.
{shhhhhhh!!!!}

Take care there dear/God bless you and I pray that next time is better
for you.
annie

Ultimately.....we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a
freedom.

"Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers.