Chemo in Nov 07

jdg1

For all you ladies just starting chemo, Good Luck.  I have just recently finished my AC and have started already the Taxol.  I go in for my next Taxol the day after Thanksgiving.  Taxol is a long infusion I am there over 4 hrs and it is boring but the good thing they give me Benadryl which knocks me out for a while. 

The fatigue differs on each person, I know with the AC the day after tx I was good and then for a wk following I was really tired.  With the Taxol I notice the same the day after tx I fee good then the pain starts in, but I really don't notice the exhaustion at all.  I get my tx on Fri. so I have the wknd to re coup and then I usually take Mon. & Tue off and then work short hrs for the rest of the wk.  By the next wk I am working my normal hrs again. 

Certain types of chemo can be hard on the bones, the one I am going through now felt like for 3 days that I was in constant labor as well.  Finally took some pain killers on the 2nd night and it helped a little bit.  Taxol they say the pain is like having growing pains, I don't remember those but geez do remember the labor pains lol.  I am finishing up on the 21st of Dec. and am so happy to start to regain my life and start living it again.  I won't be doing any X-Mas shopping here just can't take a chance being out in those crowds dont need to get sick. 

Best of Luck to all of you just starting your journey in chemo.

Karyll

My hair started light shedding on day 14, falling out in handfuls on the 15th day, and had a buzz do on the 16th. Each tx seems to follow the same pattern after you have had the first one you know a lot more. Doc told me sometime between tx and 7 days I would have very bad "low" days. Extreme fatigue. He is right, my "bad days" were day 5 and 6 although 7 was tough this time too. I have my tx on a THursday and the steroids run out Monday morning, so usually by Monday evening till about Thursday morning I feel like i Have a piano tied to my ass. I am still functional but I take Tues and Wed as my off days from work because even though I could DO it... oh man, I don't wanna. You sleep and sleep and never feel rested afterwards.

Friday this week, I felt like my sleep had done some good and I am back on track. I lose my tastebuds on the Sunday after chemo and they are pretty much back now - Saturday.

  Oh and I don't know if it is from the fatigue, the drugs or just typical of chemo on those 'down days' - I am very easily irritated. It feels like everyone gets on my last nerve. Even those enquiring of how I am feeling - I have a smart sarcastic retort that I have to bite my tongue not to say. Something like.. well how do you THINK I feel with no white counts, toxic chemicals poisoning my body and constipation holding all that poison inside.???? Go out for supper? ARe you nuts... you think I can eat feeling like this? Fortunately I Have recommended that people do not call me during those days because I am not really mean - but I want to be on those days.... lol Sleep is a blessing!!! for me and my friends - at least the ones I wanna keep.. heheheh.

Karyll

sueps

Karyll...lololololol...I have been really irritated all day at work today...with the staff and the customers...lololol...you tell it so well......and look how stronger we will be after all this is over...much love xxx

I got some new nausea meds which seem to be working better on the brain than the stomach... cyclizine ...

Hope you are all having a good day. I am crashed out now with a sore throat...xxx

Much Love xxxxx

vhqh

I'm another newbie here although I've been lurking for quite a while, diagnosed 09/24/07, triple positive, stage IV with a met in my femur.  Had a lumpectomy 10/01/07 but margins were not clear, we are waiting till after chemo and I will then have a mastectomy.  I am very happy with my doctors so far, surguries have gone smooth and the oncologist has been very thorough in getting the testing done including the pet scan that detected the bone met, it had been missed on the earlier bone scan. 

Started TCH this past Thursday, 11/15/07 and so far am doing good.  Side effects have been minimal, just an occassional twinge of uneasiness in the stomach, dry mouth and not sleeping good but I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop when the meds wear off.  Actually did the Taxotere and Carboplatin on Thursday, they put the Herceptin off till yesterday due to the larger loading dose along with the Neulasta shot.

I can't say enough about how much easier it has been to deal with BC knowing all I have to do is ask if I need help.  My intention is to continue working through treatment, my supervisors wife has been dealing with BC for 9 years so he is very understanding (translate into a little overprotective) and my coworkers have been wonderful!  Just had one coworker show up at my door this morning with pudding and 7up, a couple of days after the first surgery she showed up with 4 grocery bags of goodies and snacks they had collected for me.  It actually sounds like I had pretty good timing to start the chemo as a broken pipe flooded my office Thursday morning, they spent the last two days cleaning the mess up while I've lazed around the house... 

mrs7148

welcome vhgh! it sounds like we are on the same cocktail, I go back for my 2nd tch this coming wednesday. I would like to try to work on my good days, but I work for a major corporation so intermittant would not be an option.  They would rather i stay home and get well, than the possibility that i get a secondary infection from the office that would set me back. 

I have a horrible time sleeping all night, and found that a tylenol pm works wonders.  If you mention it to the onc they could prescribe something also. Like Karyll said above, "sleep is a blessing", in the next few days you should get as much as you can and drink as much as possible also to wash the chemicals out of the body.

vhqh

I am about to float I've been drinking so much water!  My sleep habits have been screwed up for years after being primary caregiver to my mother but I am going to try a benadryl tonight to see if it helps any.

I think I would go stir crazy staying at home all day so I feel I'm better off to continue to work.  I work in a prison which isn't the greatest place to be working infection wise but we have made some accomodations for it.  One of my chemo nurses is the Deputy Warden's wife so I have a direct link to the top, so to speak, the worrisom part is she mentioned how much she has already heard about me.....LOL. 

IamGods

Jenny,

Went today for the Neulesta - the shot stung a lot but was very short in duration, not too bad.  The Dr.appts. made for 4 'fluid infusions" for the 4 days after chemo.  I wasn't sure if I needed them, but when I got to the office for the Neulesta, the nurse told me that TAC can be pretty rough and many people find that going ahead with the fluids really helps, so I think I will get all 4.  They also start the fluids by giving more anti-nausea, so that can't be bad!  Don't know what to expect.  So far feeling pretty good - no major pains or nausea.

I am going to Virginia Oncology, at the Harbourview site, which is in Suffolk, just over the 664 bridge from your side.

I am doing Emend, and also dexamethasone (which is a steriod, I believe).  Also have Zantac and promethasene every 4 hrs for nausea.  So far so good.  Finally, have vicoden for pain if I need it with the aches that the Neulesta can cause.  So many meds!!!

Take it easy on Thanksgiving - maybe plan to have someone help early to clean and set up.  Also, have others bring ALL the other stuff so you just hve to throw in the turkey, that's the easy part.  I will be praying you will be feeling ok for the holiday.  Take it SLOW!   You'll be fine.

take care of yourself,

janet 

georgias_mommy

Jenny, thank you for your prayers! I have all of you in mine. I certainly do spend a lot of time praying these days. 

My Mom is my hero. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1980 when she was 46 (I was 12). These were the days when anything that was suspicious on a mammogram was surgically removed. She went into surgery not knowing if she even had cancer and woke up with no breast and a diagnosis. Not only did she have breast cancer, but multiple myeloma as well. They gave her 1-5 years. She went through nine months of chemo and was told she was in actually in remission!

In 1998 she started having severe pain in her back. Her doctors weren't sure if it was the multiple myeloma or osteoporosis. She had seven fractures in her spine and, although she could barely stand, I've never really heard her complain. If my mother was on fire and you asked her if she was OK, she would smile and respond "Oh, it's just a little warm in here, don't you think?" Since that time, her multiple myeloma has been "smoldering". Her counts never go too high, but since she's getting older (she's now in her 70's) the doctors want to keep in in check as her immune system is naturally deteriorating. After chemo (Alkeran (sp?)) dropped her white cell count into oblivion, they put her on Thalomid (thalidomide) and most recently Revlimid. She has suffered some long-term memory loss and neuropathy is most likely permanent at this point, but again...she just never complains.

Honestly, I feel like I have absolutely no room to complain about anything when I think about what she (and a lot of you) have been through! 

Karyll - you got me thinking about what to wear on my head for any holiday  gatherings. I'm sure that my hair will be gone by Christmas and I haven't decided if I want to buy a wig or not. I thought maybe I could go as a Christmas ornament. I could paint my bald head red, blue, or green...cover a styrofoam cup with foil, poke just the "hook" of a metal coat hanger through the bottom of the cup, turn the cup upside down and attach it to my head...somehow. I don't want this disease to get my sense of humor. By the way, I hope you are feeling less fatigued. 

Jenny, good luck with your first tx on Monday. I'll be thinking about you.

Cheryl, how are you feeling? I hope better! I'm with you about not spending a lot on my "hair". Let me know if you are happy with the wig your ordered from TLC. 

Welcome vhgh! I'm glad that you seem to be handling the treatment well. I am continuing to work through my chemo as well. The doctor's and nurses all encouraged me to keep working to keep my mind off of things. Part of me wishes that I could take a leave of absence from work and concentrate on healing, but the other part of me knows that if I don't work...I'll go stir crazy. I'm just going to have to play it by ear.

jdg1 - Thank you for your encouragement! I wish you luck next Friday.

Take care everyone!

jay66

Hi everyone, well had my head buzzed today. Couldnt put up with the hair falling everywhere to depressing.Go for my 2nd round this thursday, yuk! First one took 9  days to get over HATE being sick.My brothers cut my hair did a few fancy patterns before taking it all of, was a laugh. Better then crying, mum said i had a beautiful head just like when i was a baby god bless her.Hello to the newbies Karyl i'd love to have a drink with you it would be a great night out. Hi sueps and mrs7148. Georgiasmummy sorry to hear about your mum, keep strong.jdg1 good luck, hugs to all.

georgias_mommy

Hi Jay66! Thanks for the encouragement. Your family sounds just wonderful. Are you planning on wearing a wig or are you a scarf/hat kind of gal? I just haven't made up my mind yet. Decisions, decisions...so many at once! 

emmakeating55

Hi ladies!  I'm here from the Nov. '06 group.  I started chemo one year ago tomorrow!  I know it must seem like a very long road right now, but you WILL get through it.  I grew to hate the word "doable", but honestly, it really is. I wrote a letter to a friend who was diagnosed in July...she said it helped her alot, and she has shared it with others.  Here it is for you...Love to all y'all from Atlanta!

I just finished my treatment for Breast Cancer in May. The initial shock is probably the worst thing that you experience, on this journey. I hope your surgery goes well tomorrow, and that your prognoses is good, but remeber that God gives you only what he feels you can handle. You will get through this...you are already a SURVIVOR!! Here are some of the things that helped me through the last 9 months. Get up, shower, and go outside EVERYDAY. Even for a little while and then go back to bed if you need to, but the sun and air works wonders. Don't read other people's sad stories...people will give you inspirational prayers and meditations...they'll make you sad, not better. You need to stay positive! Except all the prayers and love and help that your family and friends give you...it is through them that you will be blessed and healed. Keep a journal only if it helps you, but don't read it until you are through with treatment. If you have a bad day, know that the sun will come up tomorrow...it'll be a better day...go out and feel God's love on your face! Try to forgive the people that will say unbelievably stupid things to you...most just don't know what to say, but they say it anyway! You are now a memeber of a sisterhood, that none of us chose, but the support we recieve from each other is unwavering. I found the discussion boards at breastcancer.org to be amazingly helpful. You can connect with a group of women that are going through the same things at the same time, and develop a loving network of courage. A week after I was diagnosed I had the opportunity to meet the singer, Sheryl Crow. She had finished her radiation treatments, and I told her of my upcoming surgery. She put her hands on my shoulders and said, "Please know in your heart that every woman on this earth is praying for us right now!"

We are now praying for you!!

Love,

Maryellen

Jen44

That was wonderful, Thanks Maryellen!

Janet, thanks so much for letting me know how it is going with you.  It helps to know what to expect.  My doctor didn't say anything about the fluid infusions following the chemo.  I will have to ask my chemo nurse tomorrow.  I am glad you are feeling okay.  I will pray it continues.  I am very nervous about tomorrow, but hearing what you had to say makes me less nervous.  I am taking a portable dvd player with me.  I was told to expect to be there about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.  Does that sound about right to you?  Thanks for all your support.  Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!

Georgiasmommy - thanks so much for the prayers and kind thoughts.  It helps knowing there are people thinking and praying for me.  I hope you and your family are able to have a great Thanksgiving.  With all that is going on you still have so much to be thankful for.  You and your mom are survivors and spending another Thanksgiving together! 

Cheryl - I hope all is well with you. 

jdg1 - It sounds like you are getting a great Christmas present. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We all have so much to be thankful for.  We are alive, we are making new friends to support us, and there will be an end to our treatments in the near future.  Take care you wonderful ladies and enjoy yourselves!

Jenny

sue_blue

Jenny - I start chemo tomorrow also. We'll have to compare as to how it goes for each of us. I'm going to keep my hair until it starts to fall out; then get it shaved off. I'm wondering how working will be, but I guess this week we'll know more.



Karyll - Reading your post made me laugh out loud. It's great to have a bit of humor in all of this. Your comments about when the steroids wore off were interesting to me.



Everyone - It's reassuring to know we are not alone, and that others are on this journey who understand. Thanks to the people who are praying for all of us here; we do need to support one another. We truly do need to keep focused on what we are thankful for; I know I can get overwhelmed and depressed if I don't. You will all be in my prayers also.

Sue

jay66

Good luck Sue and Jenny thinking of you, hope all goes well. Maryellen thank you for your great words of encouragement, it is good to hear from someone who has gone through and come out on top. Georgiasmummy i go to pick up my wig today its really nice makes me look younger. Also I am going to get fitted with a prothesis till i can have recon surgery, which will be a year away.Well take care all hope your not to crook Janet, hi vhgh, mrs7148,jdg1 hope your all well. Hows the xmas shopping going seups? Haven't seen you write for awhile ginnyintx hope your coping all right. Take care hugs to all.

roxy42

Hi ladys I start tuesday the 20th.I did four rounds of kemo befor surgery.I'm doing two more rounds of Tac then radiation.I had node involvment pretty scared about that.The kemo just makes me so tired.God will get me through it again.The women on these boards are great and I wouldent have stayed positive if it wasent for you..Godbless roxy42

ginnyintx

Hi Jay

I am fine thanks so much for asking, I am here everyday girl

reading about all the wonderfull ladies in here. You girls are

getting me more and more interested in a wig. You go hot mamma! I went to a friends birthday party last nite I got all

dolled up and even had a drink, uh that would be an alcoholic beverage just one though oops don't know if its allowed but too late now. lol.  I know how you feel Roxy I had invasion in 12 out of 29 but I try to block it out of my mind and pray and talk to my

chemo terminaters and guide them thru blasting away at any

bad cells in my body. I can't wait for thanksgiving  Im gonna

eat and eat cause I do chemo again after thanksgiving and my

taste buds I guess will be out again for over a week or so.

Take care,God Bless  Happy Thanksgiving!

ginnyintx

Hi Ladies day 12 after 1st chemo, when does the hair usually

fall?   So far I'm not shedding yet. I have heard some don't loose it till after the 3rd treatment or so.

Hugs ginnyintx

ginnyintx

spoke too soon, after I got off the pc I went to get ready for

bed and guess what when I went to brush my hair it started coming  out. Oh well no more salon expenses, conditioners and all the other hair junk I use. I cried.

Hugs to all ginnyintx

Karyll

Checking Ginny's scalp... ummmmm any day now Ginny. Probably two more days you will start to lose a little or even just get a little tingly feeling that will make you go OHHHHHH like that... hehehe.

Is cool - in a way, and a blessed relief when you get it all off actually (at least in my case). Don't worry, you'll know it's coming off though.... lol... except for leg hairs, 3 treatments, I still have leg hair... lol... sheeeeeesh.... I thought I wouldn't have to shave em for the Christmas party. WELL I don't have long now.

ginnyintx

Yea it will be good to just get it over with. Be careful shaving the

legs!! I hope my lashers don't fall out!!??

jay66

Good to hear your going well ginnyintx my hair started on the 15th day and by the 18th it drove me nuts so i had it taken off. Got my new wig today and just can't get use to looking at myself. Aslo got my new prothesis and it is great oh my god so much better then this pillow thing.Feel like a new made women lol. Hey karyll thats a real bummer about leg hairs I was hopeing for my dark arm hairs to go but none have moved! Oh well see what happens next round, gloves on I'm ready ( I think lol). Hugs to all sorry you had to join us roxy42 thinking of you as well in my prayers, take care all.

mrs7148

Sue & Jenny, I am sure your day will go fast and uneventful. My first chemo tx was so full of initial procedures that it went very fast. I took a book and never opened it! I did take a little nap though. I am thinking of both of you.

Roxy you go in tomorrow, and I go on Wednesday for #2. I usually go on Thursdays but that is our Thanksgiving holiday here in the US so I was put on the day before schedule. I go Friday for the neulasta shot. It will be interesting as we will all be recovering day by day together. 

My center is a branch of a big teaching hospital with all kinds of perks, one of them is they are sending their van to pick me up for the shot on friday. My dh would have to take a 2 hr lunch to come home and get me, take me for the shot, then go back to work. When I told that to my onc nurse she offered to put me on the van schedule. With the cost of gasoline being so high, it will help!  Today the mechanic is having my car towed in so it can be fixed. I hate being without transportation during the day.

I am feeling pretty good!  Had a piece of pumpkin pie yesterday though and couldn't really taste it. Sad part is I don't know if it was because it was a bland grocery store pie or my tastebuds...lol. I read the posts every day, I don't always post cuz my good days are rather boring. I do think of all of you and enjoy sharing this journey.

Cheryl

roxygirl64

Hey everyone.  I had my first A/C treatment on November 15.  On Saturday I felt like someone ran me over, my body hurt so bad.  I have been feeling really tired.  They put me on a clinical trial for mouth rinse for sores, so I have not had any of them.  Does anyone know if it gets worse as the days go on or does it ease up alittle until the next one.  I hate feeling so tired.  I am working but will only work until I feel like I need to go home.  It is so nice to talk to people who are starting there A/C at the same time so you can talk with each other. 

my3girls

Ginny and all the ladies here..hello! I am finished with all of my tx.  I finished my 8th on 8/29/07. I had 4 a/c and 4 taxotere.  When you are going through it, it seems like the end is so far away.  But I am here to tell you, it actually came quicker than I thought.  It is difficult..no doubt about it!  Be strong, get rest, keep your body and mind active..that helped me allot.  I worked and walked on my "good" days with my g/f. My hair fell out after my 1st tx...about day 14. I had cut my short before my first tx.  That was helpfull to me.  Then when it started falling out, my friend shaved my head.  I did not start to loose my eyelashes and eyebrows until the end of my 4 or 5 tx.  That was harder for me than loosing the hair!! My eyelashes and eyebrows are now coming back fairly well!! Thank God!! Roxy...I had problems with my mouth during my Taxotere tx's.  I had the mouth rinse..but it did not help that much..just numbed it a little.  After the 2nd tx of Taxotere..I was much better, mouth wise...just had a ton of muscle and bone pain! Take the work schedule easy!  Only do what you can!  Remember, a big part of beating this monster..is rest!! All the best to all of you!!  Prayers and HUGS!! xoxo Lisa

IamGods

Hi All! 

Ok, Geaorgiasmommy, I think we all want to see a photo of the "christmas ornament head"! lol  What a funny idea!!

Sue and Jenny, I'm sure you will have a good day today for your "first" - really the day of and the next day after were a breeze!  It's after the Neulesta that I really felt it...  I have fibromyalgia (muscle pain and chronic fatigue) and the effects of the Neulesta really feel like a very bad "fibro" day.  The vicaden didn't help much, but I'm trying some percoset today - think that will work better.  Havent been bothered much with nausea, but am continuing to take the drugs for it just in case.

Cheryl, did you ever get a wig?  I got a nice one from the Am. Cancer Society and then a second from a Look Good Feel Better group.  Both were at no cost and I'm really happy with them!  I guess in a week or so I'll be trying them out.  Also have lots of scarves and hats ready to go.

I hope you all are enjoying the wonderful love of God and the loving hands he is sending you to help you through this time!!  My church family has been amazing - sending cards, helping to clean house, drive me and/or our teens places, bringing meals 4 days around treatment times... it is wonderful.  I know someone said that they never felt so loved as when they went through bc and treatments...  I pray it will be the same for each of you!!

Love and prayers - ENJOY Thanksgiving and the blessings we have!

Janet 

my3girls

Cheryl...just read your post...I am from Northern OH as well. Your taste buds are probably off! Mine were for the entire time I was on chemo.  They were better some days, but mostly..they were off.  But the good thing is....they come back!! Have you checked into your health insurance mailing you your Neulasta shots? My insurance company did that for me.  They came directly to my home, and my dear g/f, who works for a doctor came over the day after my tx and administered the shot.  It was so nice..no traveling etc.  Might be worth checking into. I was very healthy all through my tx's.  No bugs, nothing.  I think the shots help allot!  I have not had as much as a cold or sniffle, since my diagnosis back in early March!! I wish the same for all of you going through this now! Best to you all! xoxo

my3girls

Janet, I agree 100% with you on the love felt going through all of this!!! OH my...God has surrounded me with family, friends and co-workers that have showered me with love, help, support and PRAYER!! I never realized I was so loved as I found out going through this! Love to all of you!!!!!!!!!  (((hugs))) xoxo

loopyloulee

Hi all!  I start my first treatment on 11/26 of TC.  I am the type of person that just wants to know what to expect, and it seems to me that there is no way of knowing, as I do not know how my body will react.  That is the most frustrating part for me.  Oh well, monday will be here before I know it.  All I know is I will do what needs to be done.

On a lighter note, my daughters and I went to the Coach purse outlet yesterday.  I felt I deserved a Coach for Chemo!  Time to treat myself a little!

Thanks to all of you for being there!

Lou

mrs7148

wow a coach bag, i am jealous!  I tell my dh about them all the time, so far I have a small change purse that is coach, that I put into my bag from target.

Welcome lou, the unknown is the worst part of this disease. Please check the thread about chemo tips and come back often for support. Each of us is quite different as how the chemicals effect our bodies, but there is solace in knowing the ladies here understand exactly what you are going thru.

georgias_mommy

Welcome Lou! I'm glad you joined us here. There are a lot of us that are getting Taxotere in conjuctions with other therapies. I'll have four rounds of TC starting on November 30 and you sound a lot like me. I just want to be able to plan for EVERYTHING. So much for that, huh?

Susan and Jenny - how did your first round go? Let us know when you can. I'm praying that that you both just breeze right on through...

Janet - I'll post pictures if I get up the guts to do the "ornament head", I promise! 

Does anyone have issues with their employer hinting that they should take a leave of absence or use short-term disability during their treatments? I haven't even started chemo yet and I think they expect the worst. My job is pretty fast-paced, so I'll just have to see. I just thought they might be a little more accomodating. HMM.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful evening.