Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

Nico1012

Twink,

This has no doubt been suggested here before, BUT, just in case.

Miralax is now an OTC laxative product and it is the only thing that has worked for me. I tried everything short of dynamite and Miralax saved me from it. [I was going to try that next!]

Nico

Leahrc

Hey, Twilah!

It brings me back to be talking about umm... bowel movements (or not!)

Torodol is the favorite of the MGH crowd for pain. I have a large bottle of that that I never used. I hope you find something that works- the idea of you being in pain is very disturbing.

I have been reading lots about avastin and taxanes- seems like it should work very well for the triple negs. It will probably be my next cocktail if I should get to that place.

Well, love you, and thinking about you constantly. Much love, glamour girl!

MelanieW

Twilah;  I am traveling today in Missouri.  We had a long weekend of  business socializing during the Poultry Federation Fest.  One more night and then home.  

Thinking of you...   

CommandoBarbie

Hi all!

Twilah - Thinking of you and hoping that you are feeling much better today. I remember all to well how horrible I felt when the plumbing wasnt working. Were you able to get something else for pain? I hope so and that you are able to enjoy a lazy, loving, Father's Day Sunday with your family. 

Love you girl! 

Anonymous

Twyla,

I just thought of something else about the pain. During chemo, I ran a high fever and my white counts were very low.  They gave me Neulasta, I think.  Anyway I had such severe bone pain I was convinced it was mets.  The pain was in my sterum,back arms, legs everywhere.  The only thing that helped was Motrin.  My narcotic back pain pills didn't work for that pain.   Wasn't sure if they had given you anything like that.

Hope you are having a good weekend.  Sending you hugs and love, Sammie Kay

P.S.  One of my docs recommends Magnesium for constipation.  I take it and it works well.  He says it is the best stool softener there is.

talbrig13

Hi Twilah....hope you are feeling better, with less pain and that you have hmmm..."gone"....I remember going 6 days after about my 9th chemo.    How miserable.  How often are your treatments?

I will have a busy week...preparing for dd's graduation party.  Just a "small" picnic at the house ...about 80 to 100.  Of course, I asked for rsvps and only got one call.   Both DH and I are from families of 6, so just family is alot!  Then add in some friends and dd's classmates!

So, If you don't hear from me...you will know I am cleaning and cooking and decorating.    I did gardening this weekend and dh and I put a new patio set together and rebuilt the picnic table....

Rest assured, though, I am always thinking of all of you, and especially you, Twilah.

Have a good week.

NarberthMom

I hope that everyone had a great father's day! We went to my dh's ex-laws for dinner. I know it sounds strange, but my dh's ex-wife and her family have been very welcoming to all of us for most holidays. This way, my dh's two older boys don't have to split up the holidays. Neither I nor dh has any family in the area. My dh's ex-wife and I are actually friends (she helped out when I was going through chemo!).



SammieKay -- It sounds as if you had quite the adventure!



Terry -- Small picnic, huh? I hate to see the guest list for dd's eventual wedding!



Melanie -- Poultry Federation Fest? Do tell ... Were your new red high heels worn?



Twilah -- Thinking of you on your second chemo day ... Did you wear your yellow patent leather shoes for good luck?



Hugs,

Hillary

MelanieW

Twilah;  I hope you are better.  I don't even like to imagine what you are going through right now.  I just want you to know that you are on my mind.

twink

The Miralax is a Miracle just as Nico pointed out, just in time.  My treatment was deferred to Wednesday as the platelets are down further from the last two unacceptable readings (111>77>33). They gave me Platelets today with Neopogen for the WBC (also way too low) and Zometra.  Pain has't been an issue the last few days but I can' believe my body is letting me down and not letting  me get the chemo.

Anonymous

{{{{{{{{{{{{Twyla}}}}}}}}}} The neupogen worked wonders for my WBC's.  Hope it does the same for you.  But remember the bone pain I felt after the neupogen shots.  Hope you can go forward on Wednesday.  Keep us posted.  Love,hugs and prayers, Sammie Kay

Leahrc

This was the NPR blog for today on My cancer:

The Latest from NPR Blogs: My Cancer

The Vise That Is Stress Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT It's not the pain. It's not the fear, the uncertainty, or the anger. It's the stress that's the toughest to deal with sometimes. You can take medication for the pain. You can talk to friends about the fear, remind yourself that you're not alone. When the anger flares, you have to remind yourself that there's really no one to be angry at. It doesn't mean that all those feelings aren't valid and strong. They are. But what they all add up to is stress. The pressure of coping with everything that the cancer brings with it can feel like a vise. And I don't think there's any easy answer as to how to deal with the stress. It's not just going to go away, as much as we would like that to happen. It affects everyone, not just the person who has cancer. The caregivers, family members, doctors and nurses. They all can fall victim to it, too. What would help would be some sort of break. A short recess that would allow everyone just to take a deep breath. But that's unlikely, too. I think all we can do is try to let the stress wash over us, remind ourselves that we all feel it, and not let ourselves make things more difficult than they already are. We walk a hard road. -- Leroy Sievers

It says it all.

MelanieW

I am glad to hear the Miralax worked and the pain has eased.  What was done before neulasta, neupogen and such when a body needed chemo?  I know there was a time when all chemo was administered in hospitals.  Not that far in the past.  I know this is getting you down.  I don't know much about how platelets work, but Martha said to let you know that she is in the National Register.  Bad news about her dh.  They are on a beach vacation with a group of friends right now and he has been hospitalized.  Huge bloodclot in his leg. 

Thinking of you...

  

NarberthMom

Leah -- I totally agree ... that blog says it all. I had lunch with a friend who has recovered from a brain aneurysm. I asked her whether she had a support group of others with brain injuries that went through what she did. Unfortunately for her, the brain injuries are so diverse (and usually more severe than what she went through) that she didn't really meet others. I felt sorry for her not having what we have here.



Melanie -- I looked up about platelet and bone marrow donation for Twilah ... but none of us are eligible having had cancer. I'm not eligible for other reasons ... I had the bad fortune of choosing to give up my vegetarian eating habits while living in England, and that time happened to coincide when "Mad Cow" disease was in the food stream!



BTW, prior to neupogen (which boosts WBC), folks on chemo were more likely to get sick and end up in the hospital. Up until very recently, Procrit or Aranesp was used for low platelets. (I had two Aranesp shots). Now they've decided that these shots are bad, as they might fuel vascularization of tumors (i.e. let the tumors grow more capillaries so that they can be better fed by the blood supply).



Twilah -- I'm hoping that your donated platelets are giving you more energy!

NarberthMom

Twilah, sweetie, hoping your platelets counts have rebounded this morning ...



Hugs,

Hillary

talbrig13

Twilah...hugs to you today...hoping your chemo goes well.  

Leah...I agree, the blog says it all.   Sometimes the stress is just too much...even this much later.

Love to all.

twink

Platelet count wasn't great (55) but I got the abraxane anyway.  I need this chemo as the onc puts it bluntly, if we don't get ahead of this curve I won't see the end of the month. I'll get Neulasta tomorrow and platelets likely again on Friday.  I shake my head at how bleak this situation is shaping up but thank you for your warm wishes. 

NarberthMom

Twilah, I'm so glad that you got the chemo. Now, you just need to stay healthy (stay away from folks with colds) and eat healthy (does red meat seem appealing?) in order to keep up your strength.



And, you know that you have all the FCCers pulling for you and sending you healthy vibes ...



Hugs,

Hillary

talbrig13

Hi Twilah...I am pulling for you.   Why is your platelet count so low?  I understand the WBC.   Did just one chemo do that?

Too much to think about I am sure.    Hang in there...try to stay nourished and I second Hillary....stay away from germs as much as you can.

Love you,

Terry

talbrig13

Hi Twilah...I am pulling for you.   Why is your platelet count so low?  I understand the WBC.   Did just one chemo do that?

Too much to think about I am sure.    Hang in there...try to stay nourished and I second Hillary....stay away from germs as much as you can.

Love you,

Terry

NarberthMom

In honor of Twilah's avatar, I've changed mine to flying pigs, happy flying pigs that show that anything and everything is possible!

CommandoBarbie

Twink - I'm so glad that you were well enough to get chemo today. Hope it is being kind to you while kicking the beasts a**. How are you doing with the Nuelasta? I only got the bone pain from it one time - and was lucky enough to have a nurse who knew how to give the shot so it didnt hurt much at all. Wishing you the same.

How are they measuring everything? Bloodwork, scans? I'm sending you big hugs, positive vibes and lots of prayers and wishes for a return to good health real soon (((Twink))).

Primel

Hi, everybody... made it back home for lunch today after 2 weeks on the road... I have tried to read the posts each time I could connect, but not always possible, turns out.  Twink, so glad you could get your treatment.  I remember that all my blood counts were noticeably lower with abraxane (especially white cells), but did not get Neulasta with the 4 tx's I got.  It came back to normal fairly soon after the end of treatment. Avastin had no effect on wbc, but no major surgery while in treatment...  Do you like kefir (Lifeway is very good, in health stores, Whole foods or others)?  This is so good for your belly and immune system. Kefir and yogurt (lowfat, plain) was my main food during chemo (with berries, bananas, or cucumber and fresh mint/salt/pepper/garlic, etc. mixed in it, no sugar)... I keep drinking/eating this stuff as much as I can (good calcium intake, too).  If you like beans, well blended in a mixer with spices, a tiny bit of garlic and a generous spoon of olive+flaxseed oil... it's good fiber and protein for you and the olive oil will help with the plumbing issues). Anything that brings you good quality proteins (immune system) and fiber will help getting strength back.  Thinking of you a lot, sweetie, and sending big hugs.

Will come back soon... tons of things to do...

Love you all, take care,

Catherine

Anonymous

Glad you made it home safe and secure, Catherine.  Know you had a fabulous time.

Twink{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}.  Wish I had some inspiring words for you.  I want you to feel like fighting this beast and getting ahead of the curve.  I also am not in your shoes and have no idea how you are feeling.  I send prayers and love.  Selfishly, I want you to fight.  Know I support you in however you decide to deal with this.  Love and hugs, Sammie Kay

CommandoBarbie

Twink - just stoping in to send a hug. Hope you are feeling a bit better today. ((((Twink))))

talbrig13

Hi Twink....thinking about you often and worrying with you.  I can't imagine, but send you strength. (((((hugs))))

marshakb

Hey Twilah, just checking on you.  I've been out of town the last 3 weeks.  Well actually home 2 days each week and away about 5.  I haven't been able to post much but have been checking on word from you.  I think about you everyday and hope the chemo is kicking some serious cancer ass.  I'm gonna find me some yellow shoes to wear in your honor.  Love you girlfriend.

marshakb

I changed my avatar too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twilah, I'd do anything to get a little giggle out of you!

twink

Fellow Pigs Unite! You got the smile.  I'm feeling much better today.  Neulasta yesterday, maybe a few platelets today, Abraxane again next wednesday.  My Dad arrives on Sunday.  My son brought home an 8 week old English bulldog last night.  So cute and distracting.

Love you all.

ErinsGram

Ok - I'm joining the pig wagon.  Just me and my hog flyin' by to check on Twink.   Thinking of you daily.   Group hug for you!

Greeting to all - no posts don't mean I'm not thinking of each and every one of you but this damn job's getting in the way of other important things again.  Yuck!

Love you all!

Phyl

MelanieW

Woooo Pig Soooie...This is my kind of party!

Love ya Twilah!