Starting chemo Dec 2007

KMK

Hi,

Unfortunately I am not a better lover bald so I'd be lying. Perhaps I'll feel more up to it when I quit shedding- very patchy now. Just not sexy!

KMK

beasgirl

Oh, Cindy, I love the FUBC shirt!! Count me in!

loriann

Evening all!  I think I have the list up to date.  I'm having a low day today!  Thanks to the steroids, I've not slept good the past 2 nights and today after a short day at work I went to see my friend who just had her baby yesterday!  Ohh, what a cutie!  But I am just worn out today!  Also, having some muscle pain in my neck, shoulders, upper back and upper arms!  That's a totally new thing and I have no idea where it's coming from! 

Sal, I also have a very tender, dry nose that started bleeding today too and I never have nosebleeds.  Just another SE to add to the list, I guess. 

I hope you all are doing well and welcome to the new ladies....even if you're lurking it still makes you feel good to lurk amongst new friends who know what you are going thru!  Lori

wishiwere

{{{Lori}}}  Sorry you're having rough days!  I hate that depression that comes after the 3rd day or so!  It hits without you knowing where it comes from!  I think I read one time to use chapstick just inside your nostril to help with cracking/dryness, but haven't had that problem, so not sure you should try it.  Maybe inhaling some warmed tea like for sinus trouble would help?

And is there someone who can rub that muscle pain out?  Tension is a terrible thing we deal with all this and I know it has helped many times for me to get a good rubdown when it creeps in after not getting good rest.  Hope you can too.

Laurita60091

I want a shirt that says FUBC.  I love that, Cindy.  Echoes my sentiments exactly today.  Glad you are feeling better today.

I am so stressed out.  Work has been very demanding and it is hard to avoid getting sucked into the vortex of working 10 hr days like I used to.  I'm not doing that but I see things piling up and it is not in my nature to let things slide.   But heck, they have known about my situation for months and it is not my problem if there is no real replacement for me.  Anyway....also the rest of my responsibilities still exist, making it a real juggle.  Am starting a new plan of attack to get my husband's stalled immigration application moving along, so that's another project I really need (not).  My Mom is not well, maybe diverticulitis acting up, but of concern because the last time that got out of control we almost lost her to the problems that caused.  I see the onc this Friday the usual pre-poisoning review (next Tx on Monday) and I have to try and get him to focus for more than his gnat's span of attention/time because I am not certain that my tx is big enough guns for this cancer.  Example, Suz and I have same type of cancer but her tx is completely different.  I have researched enough to understand what the issues are and just need the guy to sit down long enough to review.  Plus, at the outset before tx began he said he might switch out one of the drugs (Epirubicin) ½ way thru the gig and that would be after my next tx, so need to remind him of that and get some answer.  Add to this a lump that I found a few days ago  in the same poor boob, so just had the GP examine it today and confirm that yes, it is a lump, and no, it is not anything previously noted in mammo/ultrasound end of Aug.  So like you Sal, I have to get that checked out.  He is sending me for ultrasound which is good because not the eternity of waiting for a mammo date in this city.  Anyway, just another freaking thing on the never-ending, ever-growing list.  FUBC indeed!!!!!

I need to enjoy my life, whether I have 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years or 3 decades.  Thus I bought myself a cheap ticket to go and see my husband, even though the onc team didn't really recommend that because it would be when my wbc are at their lowest and yadayadayada....But at this point I feel the benefit of getting some lovin and escaping the list from hell is by far going to outweigh that risk.  Frankly a night of dancing, taking the bus to/from work, or a visit to the grocery store can expose me to just as many germs as a trip, and I just can't live locked up in my house indefinitely.  Their recommendation was go the week after but then that messes with the appt where they do bloodwork so tx would have to be delayed, and I don't want to mess with that schedule.  Frankly, if I get sick when I am away I will just get on a plane and come home.  It's been done before.  So I'm outta here in a couple of weeks and I can't wait.  The rest of the stuff will be what it will be, including the lump.  May as well enjoy that breast to the max in case it is under siege again, lol.

Welcome to txrn - don't be shy.  Come back and join the party again.  All of this is much easier to deal with, with the support of these marvelous ladies here.  I don't know WHAT I would do without this forum.  What the heck did people do years ago before the internet?  I can't imagine how much that would SUCK.

Loriann, I am sorry you are having to deal with yet another thing that sucks.  I hope that your SE will pass quickly and you can at least enjoy some time feeling "normal".

I am going to stop now, gotta prepare the veggies for dinner.  Pot roast, yum.  Perfect stick-to-the ribs food for us who are not enjoying the January global warming heat wave in the US.  It may be cold as heck here but at least we don't have to worry about tornadoes in January ?!?!? like those poor folks yesterday.  I hope that everyone else is hanging in there.  I write too much, lol.

Take care everyone, big hugs.

Laura

bibliowarrior

Hi ladies

Big, warm welcome to Texrn... glad to have you with us, whether chatting or silent. Best of luck on your bc journey.

KMK- thanks for the Gatorade suggestion... I'll have to try that.

Suz- I noticed your avatar but forgot to mention how great it looked. You take wonderful photos... I agree with Cindy... very runway model-ish!

Cindy- tshirt, too funny. And just when we think all the slogans have been thought of.

Laura- I think you're smart to take your trip... as you say, you can catch germs anywhere. It's about time for the cancer to start taking orders from you, not the other way around.

Went to my yoga class this morning. It was awesome. The instructor was very warm and encouraging. Great breathing and stretching exercises... I felt great afterwards. 

Good luck to those of us doing tx tomorrow... I think there were at least 3 of us.

Gotta get a good night's sleep, so nighty-night.

-Sal 

suz45

Warm welcome and a big hug Texrn. Sorry you have to be here, but am glad you decided join us.

Sal & Lori, re: dry nose & nosebleed se's. I had a problem once last winter with a nosebleed that wouldn't stop for seemingly no reason (5 hrs then 3 hrs in one day). Maybe it was allergy, but it was definitely really dry. Got a prescription for fluticasone nasal spray at that time. When I read this was a se I asked my GP if I could use it for this and got the OK on it. I also liberally apply vaseline in and around my nose when it starts to feel irritated. So far it has worked but I have noticed my eyes are tearing almost nonstop this week and my nose has been like a dripping faucet.

Laura, so very sorry you have to deal with so much stress right now, its just not right. I hope you dance to your hearts content with your dh in Cuba and forget all about all this cr@p for a few weeks.

Also I may have mentioned that my SIL is a cancer nurse (radiation). She was wanting me to me to do the 3 x fec then 3 x doctaxol I think it was supposed to be easier on the heart. My oncologist said that BRAJACTG (ac then taxol with Neupogen) was a better choice. Cant remember why? Maybe it was more suitable due to node involvement or she was taking into consideration I may have the brca1 gene. I just finished the paperwork on that one this Monday and sent it in... sigh..... another curve-ball on this BC journey. That said, I haven't seen her since my first tx as she is on holidays, Ive been seeing her subs instead.

In the end I did have to give myself one more of the evil N injections. Up to this point I have given myself all the shots in the thighs. Well since I was dressed I figured I would just to a belly shot (supposedly thighs, belly, butt & back of hips are all ok) well geeze  never again will I do that. It hurt like hell for hours. Guess I have more padding on my thighs  how nice. So anyways I did another two days of the couch potatoe drugs.

Its now 7pm so I had better go do some grocery shopping before the fridge is bare.

Sal, KMK & Kate, best of luck tomorrow with your tx hope it goes easy on you all (and anyone else I may have missed).

Love and hugs ladies

Suz

KMK

Go Laura! I agree, take opportunities as they come.

 Thanks for the encouragement for tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you Sal and Kate. One more down- I am glad it's here. My steroids are kicking in as well. My husband might sleep in pull-out, like I said BC doesnt make for better lover here- FUBC wins! Hope everybody has great day tomorrow.

KMK

Laurita60091

 Good luck today, Sal, KMK and Kate.

bibliowarrior

Up bright and early to start eating and drinking fluids. Choking down a protein drink... like trying to drink liquid chalk Followed by dry toast, instant oatmeal, and lots of juice. Since my tummy handled the last chemo really well, I'm sticking to only those things I ate that day (food journal is coming in handy). Hubby made up fruit-juice ice cubes last night, which we'll crunch into chips this morning, for me to suck on when I get home. I'm ready! Bring on #3!!!

Got my cool "I'm stronger than cancer" tshirt in the mail last week. Was planning to wear it today for my chemo, but it dawned on me last night that the neckline isn't really gonna work with the mediport. Dang. So I'll have to change into it when I get home. Still determined to wear it on chemo day!

Found out yesterday that my cyst biopsy is scheduled for Monday. Which is great in that it doesn't booger up my work schedule for this week but sucks in that it is my birthday Happy freakin birthday to me   I thought about asking them to re-schedule, but honestly, it's just a day and we didn't have any special plans. Not like this year is gonna be a red-banner birthday anyway. How's the song go... "It's my party and I can cry if I want to..." At least I'm trying to keep my sense of humor over it. Trying to look at the bright side: perhaps I'll find out it is a totally benign cyst for my birthday... that would be a nice present.

*checking bag* Let's see... puzzle book, pen, iPod, headphones, soup crackers, pretzels, lollipops, fuzzy stuffed animal... yup, I think I'm packed and ready to go. Let's head 'em up and move 'em out!!! Git along, little cancer cells, git along!!!

-Sal 

wishiwere

Good Luck today, ladies in treatment!  We'll be there with you, hand in hand and heart to heart!

Bummer about your birthday appt!  Did I read somewhere that treatments can cause cysts?  Or was I dreaming?

clsd

Hi ladies !

Sal, you do not cease to amaze me with your strength and wit. I love reading your posts. You keep those left over cancer cells ( if there are any left by now) on the run, and keep the faith.

Stay strong sisters!

Laura, love the puppy! Sooooo cute.

xoxoxoxo cindy

texrn

Hello again -

For dry, cracked, lips & nose, has anyone tried Aquaphor ( made by Eucerin )? My children's ped. recommended it; it has the consistency of Vaseline - it's a "healing" ointment, & it works great! Anyway, just a thought.....

-Sal-

I'm glad to hear the food journal is coming in handy. I've been keeping one since  day #1 of my first treatment ( it was a leftover habit from my Weight Watcher days ). I also love the idea of the fruit-juice cubes - I think I'm going to try that, next week, for treatment #2. So sorry to hear about your birthday celebration; health related issues seem to pop up at the worst times! Hope treatment #3, & the days to follow are quick & painless.

bibliowarrior

Post-chemo check-in...

So far, so good. Not as great as #2... I have some residual sinus-headachy-eyes watering-weirdness going on (I get that at the end of the C injection but it usually goes away within 10 minutes), but not so bad I can't handle it.

Got some GREAT news... my onc dr nixed the biopsy since my wbc count will be heading south that week. So it got re-scheduled to the following week. Early birthday present:-) They are a tiny bit worried about my catching an infection even on my "up-swing" week... I think they'd prefer I wait until chemo is all done to do the biopsy at all... but they didn't say "no" so I'm gonna give stick with the appointment and find out what this little bugger is.

You guys are too awesome with the positive support... I love it. Thanks!!

Posting two more boring pictures... when describing them to my family/friends, I likened my new "hairdo" to those hairless cats you see but was quick to point out that I am WAY cuter than those things. Anywhoooo, enjoy...

  

  "I am stronger than cancer" ... well duh!!!

(I think the stick-figure likeness is quite realistic, don't you?)

Thinking of my 2 chemo-day buddies and hoping they are doing ok. Big hugs to everyone.

-Sal
 

Laurita60091

Sal, thanks for making me smile.  Love your sense of humour.  You look great in your balditude!  Most definitely better looking than those hairless cats.  I'm glad you will not have the biopsy on your b-day.  It is just another day, but it is YOUR day.  I hope your dh plans something nice for you, and that these SE's pass quickly.

Suz, before i forget - good luck tomorrow, I believe you have tx.  You mentioned earlier you have a Havanese dog.  I'd love to hear the story behind that.  It is so hard to see the dogs in the streets in Cuba, there have been times I have been moved to tears because some of them are in such rough shape.  I wish I could rescue them all.

I phoned today to book ultrasound for my new lump.  This city is ridiculous, such a backlog for getting any medical help....my ultrasound appt scheduled for March 7th.  Can you believe that???? Radiologist says they will not just ultrasound breasts, so must schedule me for both U/S and mammo and decide during the appt whether they actually do both. May phone my surgeon and see if they can push that ahead at all.

Hugs to all

Laura

wishiwere

Laura?  Will they do a biopsy while doing the US?  Seems it'd be best to schedule that also and then if it's needed, it's already scheduled, you know? I was SO glad they did mine the day it was scheduled rather than make another appt for it!  Will keep you in good thoughts and prayers it is only a cyst.

Sal!  I can't get over how great you ladies look with naked heads!  Goodness!  You ladies could model with those beautiful noggins!  You and laura both look great!  Glad to hear you aren't having a rough time, but hope the sinus/headaches etc. go away soon, like an 2 hours ago!?

Hoping the other 2 with todays treatments are faring as well!

loriann

Evening friends!  I seem to be coming out of the fog this evening, thank goodness!  Thanks for the advice about the products to try for the dry nose!  My dad gave me some stuff called Boroleum (sp?) that is like menthol vaseline.  It seems to be working!  I soaked in a hot bath this evening then actually cooked dinner!  I can't wait till I'm done with # 4 so I can say I am half way thru (at least the chemo portion)!

Laura and Sal, Keep the faith!  I'm sending my best positive thoughts your way that your latest "finds" turn out to be nothing and if they are something do as Sal "sings" and keep em moving along...little doggie!!  (and yes, I was singing that! LOL)  See, I am feeling better!  So glad you all are here!

I still have to get a picture on here!  That will be my project for this weekend!  I tried to take one myself...you know, holding the camera up myself....well, not so good!  I'm not very photogenic anyway but from that angle my head looks "HUGE"!  Please take 10 steps backwards and try again!  LOL

Amy, now that we are off page 10 could you copy and paste the treatment info to your original post.  That way it's still at the top of each page...like now I can't go back and look at page 10 before I hit submit here!  No, rush or anything....Just whenever you can.

So, to those who just had tx, I hope your SE's are staying away and to those having tx tomorrow (or soon) same to you!!

Have a good evening!  Lori

bibliowarrior

Laura-- that sucks about the appointments being so backlogged. Definitely would ask your surgeon if he/she can pull some strings.

wishiwere- you are TOO kind.There are times when I think I don't look too bad... could pass for some sort of artist who shaved her head as part of her revolt against the system (that sort of thing), but mostly I see a big, white pale expanse of no-man's land and Bing Crosby ears.

Lori-- I spent an hour and took about 45 pictures of me in the lavendar shirt... sat on the bed, against the wall, camer-arm leaning on my knees  and tried all sorts of poses... really liked the way I looked when I had the camera below eye level-- my eyes and mouth looked great, ears didn't stick out so much, and color was good, but it looked like you could see up my nose and that wasn't quite the pose I was going for. About 98% of them came out badly... you could tell I was holding the camera, or I blinked, or had a goofy smile on my face. Hang in there... you're a beautiful person, but sometimes the camera doesn't work with ya on proving it.

Suz-- love your new avatar... is that your puppy? 

My sinus ooginess has gone away this morning, and so far *knock on wood* no nausea. I even went in to work last night for a couple hours... showin this chemo jerk who's the boss of me!! Hopefully I can coast until my wbc count drops next week.

Big hugs to any tx ladies today... someone mentioned Suz. Amy is weekly so maybe she has one? Big hugs to all, we need em.

-Sal 

joyh

Hi all, it's day 9 for me and I still am exhausted.  Slept all day yesterday.  Also, I'm so clumsy.  Tried to take a sip of water from a mug, and poured it all over myself.  I didn't miss my mouth, just didn't get anywhere close.  I feel wobbly trying to walk, like I could fall.  Anyone else?   LOVE YOUR PICTURES SAL      Joy

loriann

Hi all! Amy, I see you were able to paste the info!  Thanks for that...you are quick indeed!!

Sal, Thanks for the reassurance about the photos!  I'll make sure I have the rechargable batteries ready for back up and it may take awhile!  LOL  Hope you are still feeling well...way to go with getting in a few hours of work!  You are in charge!

Suz, Hope everything goes smooth for you today and the SE's take a vacation this time around!

Joy, Hope you feel better soon.  My Dr. said day 10 was when blood counts drop to their lowest point som I hope you are on the upswing now!  I felt pretty week this time around myself.  I was having trouble getting into the pistachio shells yesterday.  Just seemed like the strength had left my hands. 

I think the extra fatigue that normally comes along with my period is what is keeping me more tired this time around.  I was so hoping I would not see another period!  No such luck!  That's OK though!  It will be made up to me in the future!  Maybe extra lucky in Vegas!

Have a great day all!  Lori

wishiwere

Okay, I tried to get help on the hair post, but didn't get anywhere.  Any one here want to offer suggestions about this problem I'm having since losing my hair?  I'm still broke out all over the back.  It gets better then worse and then this morning, seems worse yet.  I tried using 1% cortisone on it a few times a day and it gets inflamed, then appears to dry up, but then I have more showing up all the time.  It itches horribly and is driving me nutty!  The sides and front are fine, but should I see someone about this, or is normal?  HELP????  Suggestions?

susana46

Hi everyone.

I´m new on here today but had a radical mastectomy back in October (2007)then started chemo in December. I started with cytoxan and adriamycin but on the second round I had a bad reaction to the cytoxan and it had to be stopped. I went for my third treatment yesterday and was told by the oncologist that from now on I can only have the adriamycin. I feel very down now and feel I´m not gettting all the treatement I need. Have any of you experienced any bad reactions and what were the outcomes????? I live and am being treated in Spain.

wishiwere

What type of reaction did you have from the cytoxin and how did they know it was that and not the adriamycin? 

susana46

Hi

thanks for answering so quickly. It was the cytoxin because that was the first infusion. I had about 10 mins of it and my BP dropped right down and I passed out. They said they couldnt carry on with anymore treatment that day so thats all I had. Yesterday I had just the adriamycin and am fine today.

beasgirl

You guys are awesome. Had a few crummy days, too crummy to post much, but it's so nice to come on and read.

I have been sharing a lot of your symptoms, and a few lovely ones of my own: bone aches (which are weird and I hate), runny/bloody nose, lower intestine/hemmorhoidal fun, weak/shakiness, super spaciness, and the clumsiness! yes! In fact I still find I can't type nearly as easily as before, and make the same mistake five times in a row!!! (Which leads me to keep re-reading my posts after putting them up and editing--ha ha. I AM a virgo, but I'm trapped in a slob's body. It's hell. )

Sal, that was a beautiful picture you managed to take, with all that trying!  I am highly non-photogenic, too--I think it has to do with having an overly expressive face, which always seems to be doing weird things when the shutter goes, no matter how attractively I try to freeze it. Also, I look kinda like a muppet. I see why you like the stick-figure shirt--the happy smile is at least as like you as her figure. Also, you are funny. Not funny-LOOKING, funny ha-ha.

Hope everyone is holding up with their tx's. At least we all know that whatever we get socked with will eventually pass...still, not a whole lotta fun. I get number 5/12 tomorrow. Blagh. Seems like it goes: treatment day, which is just tired, then three crummy days, then three ok days, and then I'm back at it again.  My only real concern is this crappy cough that won't go away, which I'm worried will eventually become pneumonia. I'll ask the doc about it tomorrow.

Texrn--welcome! lurk as much as you like, and know we're thinking of you even when you're not leaping in. I'm glad you found us!

Laura--I think you're awesome. You're exactly right to go see your hubby and take a little vacation from cancer. Remember the docs are always going to give you the most conservative advice, to cover their a**es. I think alleviating your stress and getting some real sunshine vitamin D will be good medicine!

And both Laura and Sal--I'm so sorry you have to pile more worries about cysts on top of the old ones. It can't be easy... Hopefully it's just more chemo-induced weirdness--I'm betting it is! 

OK, I need hair updates! Since becoming baldy, I'm shedding quite a bit, but I'm still pretty much fuzzy all over--who still has fuzz? Has anybody lost eyebrows/lashes? Where else do you have hair still, or not? (I'm still shaving legs and pits...other spots are noticably ...thinning...)

My folks are here to help me out--better go be sociable--

love to all

A 

 

KMK

Hi Sue,

I had a bad reaction yesterday (chemo #2)when they gave me taxotere. I felt a flush come up my face and then difficulty swallowing. My husband rushed to get nurse and she injected beneadryl in my IV and then quickly spoke to Doctor and who said to give me Decadron (steroid) in my IV. So I went from the way down low feeling of the benadryl to way high feeling of steroids with in 5 minutes. It was awful-I felt too lousy to faint and I had to go to the bathroom. The room was completely full and finally after 10 minutes I zonked out while watching a DVD. They did resume the Taxotere after a 1/2 hour, very slowly and I did fine. That was followed by Cytoxan which was fine also. They said next time they would precede my Taxotere with more steroids and go very slowly as they did the first time when I did not have reaction. If you are not sure about their decision, get a 2nd opinion. I hope this helps. Take care,

KMK

susana46

Hi KMK

thanks, that has really helped and I am considering getting a second opinion when I feel a bit better. My oncologist just her shoulders when I asked if there was an alternative. I will go back and challenge her next time

sue

susana46

Hi KMK

thanks, that has really helped and I am considering getting a second opinion when I feel a bit better. My oncologist just her shoulders when I asked if there was an alternative. I will go back and challenge her next time

sue

wishiwere

KMK~  Oh my!  That's scary!  Glad to know they have a way around it so you don't go through that again!  Goodness!  I bet your dh wished he had a drink after that!  Must be horrible for you both!  Glad you are doing well now?

A~ Hope you are over the SE's or much less of them bothering you soon dear!

As for hair? I've still got stubble, but less every shower.  Found a bang hair that's an inch long.  Not sure if it's growing, or was there and hadn't seen in it for the last 2 weeks!    As for the other....Arm pits are almost clean of hair, same with the southern garden, the leg hair I'm not worrying about.  There are 3 that are long and grey ones on the knees and the rest are so tiny or fuzzy that they aren't really noticeable.  The eyebrows have been itching for a couple days so I'm figuring they are getting ready to jump ship soon.  Eyelashes seem much shorter than normal, so I'm thinking the eldest have falled out and the newbies are clinging to the lifeboats.  As for that rash!  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Got a topical and oral antibiotic today b/c my throat is sore again on day 13   Wondering what the blood tests will show tomorrow.

bibliowarrior

Sue-- welcome to our family. Sorry to hear you are having such horrible troubles with the chemo and your doctor. Glad that KMK was able to share some advice (although, I also feel badly for KMK to have gone through such an ordeal too-- yikes!). Good luck, Sue. Stay strong! We are behind you.

wishiwere-- oh my, good luck with your scalp problem... hopefully that topical antibiotic will work. And good luck with the sore throat... how annoying!

Amy-- thanks for posting our info. As for hair-- none under my arms at all... suspect that my physical therapy ladies rubbed it all off during my sessions, which is fine by me. Kinda have 1/4 of my hair on head and below... stopped falling out in the shower, so I think I'm where I'm gonna be for the duration. Eyebrows thinning but still there for now. Got tired of leg hair not disappearing, so am shaving about once a week. Still comes back, though, darn it.

Joy-- I feel for you and the fatigue. When it hit me last week, it totally sucked. I had to rest simply walking from one room to another... I felt like I was 95 years old. I'll say an extra prayer for you and hope it starts to go away. And I can relate to the clumsiness... that surely is a SE because I've noticed the past few weeks that I'm clumsier than I've ever been (and that's saying a lot). Last night-- and I was having a good night-- I put our  Britta water-filter container on the side of the sink to fill it with tap water. Water went EVERYWHERE! I had forgotten to take the cover off. But it's been things like knocking things over, spilling glasses, dropping things on the floor, etc. on a fairly regular basis. I've never been pregnant, but I've seen these scenes in the movies... isn't this the sort of thing you do when you're pregnant? Is there something ELSE I should be worried about????? (just kidding)

Thanks for all the sweet comments on my pics. You ladies sure know how to boost someone's morale!!

Much love, Sal