Starting Chemo May 2008
Comments
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Oh how I long for the energy to come back and stay more than an hour. Dump a shaker of salt on me for I feel like a slug.
My last ac is done woooohooooo! finally! I'm praying that the taxol is going to be much easier for myself as well. I did ask my doc about the yew tree contibuting ingrediants to the taxol. He laughed and told me to stop reading so much. He said if I was going to have an allergic reaction to it, it would be from the carrier, not the yew tree.
Off to take my shower and pass out for a few hours. TAWANDA!
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Rock: Too funny . . . btw great 2008 poem! I have ordered the udderly smooth with urea - thanks to all for sharing that. Glad to hear that after all the issues with the feet, Taxol is going better than the AC, I am hoping for the same.
Ellenoire: Thanks for the note regarding your treatment. I was thrilled to hear that this gets better with Taxol, because I specifically asked that and docs indicated that I should expect this to continue like this for 6 - 12 weeks. I was prescribed Anusol (cream supp) last week as well and it has been helping - I have moved from crying to watery eyes. Actually today was the first day of no crying or watery eyes - yippee!!!!!!
Anne: Welcome to the group - the women in this group are incredible!
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I am giving in and going to see my eye doc in case I have conjuntivitis. I have decided that Rock makes me laugh so hard that I can't, at this time, afford to go blind. On a happy note, my shingles hurt but are scabbing over just because...which is good. The bad news is that I work for a union and anything with scabbing makes me a little nervous. My brother had the best line of the week on my blog which I will share with you because, like the Gilda lines, his make me spit on the computer . . .
Cheer up, he said, you'll be back in chemo in no time. And, yes, he DID appreciate the twisted irony in THAT line. I'll let you know what Dr. EYE says later.
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Rock, Nathan Englander SMILED at you? Adorable book jacket photo Nathan Englander? (I read "Ministry of Special Cases" a while back, and kept closing the book to steal glimpses of the doll on the jacket.) Wow.
Eddie, seeing the doctor about your eyes makes sense . . . hopefully it's nothing, but still. You are using moisturizing eye drops, right? (I have a little green bottle of something called "Optive" at my desk as I type this. Plus a little spray bottle of mouth moisturizer. Plus a bottle of salt water solution for rinsing. Plus a cup of regular water for drinking. Egad!)
Welcome to Anne, hello to everyone.
Linda
Edited to add: with all that crap on my desk, the challenge is to make it through the day without spraying mouth moisturizer in my eyes, drinking salt water, or swishing with lubricating eye drops. Think I can do it?
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Eddie -- Uh-oh, I can only imagine what message my scabby body is sending. I think I will make it a point to hum The Internationale or Solidarity Forever at all times.
Linda, I will look for an opportunity to "casually" get Nathan's autograph for you, perhaps on the back of a bottle of Optive? (As it turns out, I saw him again after I posted as we were in the same coffee shop. I was bald-bald, I'm pleased to report, though I had to put my hood up because I got cold and thus looked a little Unabomber-ish.) Spraying, drinking, and swishing has because one of my primary means of hydration.
Sable, God forbid it happen, but should you have an allergic reaction, I think you should tell your onco "F**k yew." (I'm sorry, but somebody had to make that bad joke.) Seriously, though, I was more worried than I realized about an allergic reaction and as equally relieved when the infusion passed without incident.
Jeano, "Anusol"? Where in the heck do they come up with these names? (There's an obvious answer to that question which begins, "Clearly, they pull them..." but I will refrain.) I'm index-punchy.
*******
After four hours of indexing, I am about to face drug treatment, due process, equal protection, and eugenics. *sigh* Because I know you were all a'wonderin'.
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I forgot to mention a neat moment. While I was in the coffeeshop, a little boy of about 8 came in and bought a cupcake. He sat down at my table and ate it. Didn't seem the slightest bit bothered or interested that he was sitting a few inches from a bald lady. Either that, or he thought he was sitting next to a bald man. To be honest, those few moments of feeling "nonscary to children" made me realize how much energy I exert (if only half-consciously) on either a) reassuring other people through a look or an expression or whatever that "I'm okay. I'm just an ordinary woman" or b) making an effort not to care, not to make eye contact, not to notice other people's noticing, etc.
The little guy's cupcake was frosted with hotpink frosting, I might add!
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My fifteen year old was a very big hot pink lover for a long, long time. Sadly, by kindergarten, week two, he came home and told me his new favorite color was (you guessed it) blue. There is a great story that goes with it but I won't go into it right now . . . doctor EYE said I have bacterial conjuctivitis which means....just drops....I now get to take ethiopia size valtrex, 12 glucamines, one alleve and drops....just drops. Plus I get to wash my eyes out with some soapy solution that is not supposed to sting which is good because have I mentioned how much those sucky shingles sting? Talk to you all soon....you are making me laugh which is good because I need laughter right now
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ok, here I am interloping again.
Eddie, I have had conjuncvitis and shingles in my normal lifetime. I totally get what you are dealing with. During all my chemo I have had to take Valtrex ( not covered, $125 per chemo session) for a *SURPRISE* case of genital herpes that me and the Doc think I picked up in the 80's ( the days of no condom use) that has been dormant for 20 years. There was one week in April I had my period ( the last one I got) constipation and anal fissures, a herpes outbreak and the week ended with a yeast infection. Imagine me trying to walk.... that should make you laugh!
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Happy Birthday to Joseph- my youngest, who is now 8 years old. We celebrated with his dream dinner of macaroni and cheese, broccoli and homemade vanilla ice cream. Nan brought chicken strips and mashed potatoes- I think those were more for me than Joseph lol.
I actually let one of the kids take a picture tonight bald bald!
Kristy
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Oh eddie I feel for you. I had that many years back and it was miserable. Make sure you wash you towels and pillow cases in hot hot water and don't let anyone else use them. It is easily spread. Mine traveled from one eye to the other several time until I said heck with it and treated both at the same time and then it finally cleared up.
f**k yew *snerk*.
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Happy Birthday to Kristy's son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Eddie -- You know how the military recognizes fighting ina particular battle with a ribbon or a medal? I'm trying to think of a non-military way we could recognize our bouts with side effects. Maybe a charm bracelet or something --
shingles: a little house
conjunctivitis: a pink eye
Neulasta and Taxol bone pain: a sledgehammer
constipation: an elephant
Neuropathy/NFS: a little "croc"
genital sores: an icecube? a fan?:
yeast infection: a loaf of bread
hot flashes: a blowtorch
Blast it, I'm sorry that you're running out of room on your charm bracelet (perhaps you and Ellenoire could don necklaces or multiple bracelets), but I AM happy that you had your eyes checked out. Ellenoire: Perhaps in the future you could arrange to be carried around on one of those things that royalty used back in ancient Rome? YIKES.
Happy birthday to Kristy's son! Anybody else with a key date in the offing?
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Rock: OMG, too funny, for genital sores, how about a cowboy, since that is about what you look like walking around.....
diarrhea: how about a fountain?
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Rock - As usual your imagination amazes me. Great thinking!
Fatigue: A pillow?
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shingles: a little house
conjunctivitis: a pink eye
Neulasta and Taxol bone pain: a sledgehammer
constipation: an elephant
Neuropathy/NFS: a little "croc"
yeast infection: a loaf of bread
hot flashes: a blowtorch
genital sores: a cowboy (inspired, RanD!)
diarrhea: a fountain
fatigue: a suitcase (bags, get it?!)
hairloss: an 8 ball
nausea: a boat
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Eddie - You're plate is FULL, woman! Sheesh - isn't somebody aware of that by now?
Ellenoire - Since you seem to be interloping on a regular basis (and feel free to continue), let me just say, that was one helluva week! Wow. I had a week close to that after my first tx, but I only got 3 out of 5. I think you get a purple (fill-in-the-blank) for that one.
Rock - You, my dear, are a little bored, aren't you? Although I love that we benefit from your boredom...And how about a deodorant stick or disposable shaver for the underarm folliculits that I now apparently am growing more of! I saw the PA today and she said "Oh I think you're getting another one". Great. But she put me on Keflex and the good news is I can have chemo on Thursday! As long as the counts are up and infection is responding to the Keflex. The bad news is, I will definitely need the Diflucan and probably earlier this time. Rats.
Happy Birthday to Kristy's son! We love birthdays here too, and do them big. My little one turns 5 in September and it will be BIG!
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Hi just found this site. I was diagnosed in April and started chemo in May. I am having FEC x 6 and have compleated my 3rd round. I have 4th next week. The chemo has been really hard and I have not had an easy time (I am sure this is the case for most people). I have been making the most of this week as I have been able to get out and about which helps to keep your minnd of thing. How are you all going?
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Cris -- Folliculitis, eh. For some reason, that sounds like an Italian opera to me. Wasn't there a famous opera that had the words "follicu-lee follicul-eye follicul-lee follicul-eye" in it? (Anybody know what I'm talking about? Maybe I saw it on the Bugs Bunny Roadrunner show or something.) Does it help to consider your condition, not another side effect from chemo but rather a cultural symbol residing in your very own (orchestra) pit? I'm just trying to be helpful, Cris. (And I realize I am about three words away from you striding over to "Stupid Things People have Said..." thread and reporting me. Does it hurt? Is it uncomfortable? What a frigging DRAG. Sounds like you're accumulating quite the medicine cabinet though. I am being squeezed out by lotions and creams over here. I had dinner with friends not long ago and there was a tiny bowl of butter on the table with the bread. My first thought was, "Oh, is that cocoa butter?")
Starr, so sorry you have been having a hard time with chemo. As you might gather from reading old posts, this is a VERY supportive and helpful crowd. So if you're worried about something or struggling with side effects or are simply bothered about something, feel free to post it. Take good care of yourself, and WELCOME!
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Bored? Me? Why NOOOOOO. Indexing is great fun! It's like watching paint dry, or an IV drip! Gosh, I hate to pry myself away from it to go to chemo tomorrow... -
Rock
Confussed.
Wouldn't genital sores be a fudgesicle? LOL
Enjoy the day, Karin
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Chris--I am in the Keflex club with you! I have (possible) cellulitis in my right elbow, which is my surgical arm. The soreness is impossible, but I try to continue with the exercises I did post surgery so the rest of the arm doesn't tighten up. Onc can't figure out what has caused it, other than I wake up occasionally laying on my right arm.
Starr--glad that you found us! I am also on 6 rounds of FEC and it hasn't been a picnic. #4 is July 29. The nausea and fatigue have been my worse SE's. I am supposed to go back to work Aug.5--not the best of timing. After the FEC, I'll have 4 rounds of Taxotere, which all my nurses tell me will be a breeze compared to the FEC--Let's hope!
Rock--I love your posts! Definately lifts my spirits!
Eddie--Glad that you got your eyes checked. Shingles can be really tough-you shouldn't have to be dealing with this on top of the chemo--keeping you in my thoughts.
Hope that everyone has a great Tuesday!
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Hi Ladies,
Welcome Anne and Starr to the sisterhood of compassion, support, understanding... along with it goes a free ride to whine and complain and know someone will be there to listen and help you along the way totally understanding where you are coming from.
I haven't been on for a couple days ...boy it takes awhile to catch up with everyone, I should know by now to fill the coffee cup and get comfortable, as it may take awhile !
I am day #6 of my first taxotere, not sure if i've warmed up to this drug yet, totally different to the FEC i just finished. I have had a sore throat off and on since sat. night with the achiness going up into the ear, and the inside of the mouth , the gums are a little upset. It also has the wierd feeling that you get when you are coming out of the freezing from the dentist , a numbness. To those who have done the Taxotere is this the normal progression of things and does the mouth clear up?
I have upped my baking soda rinsing and added the hydrogen peroxide to the mix, so if it doesn't get better today I will call the doc. Also the muscle pain kicked in on Sun, and Mon, seems a bit better today so i'm hoping its on the way out. All very minor things compared to those dealing with much crappier stuff!!
Rockthebald loved your poem !
Kristy Happy Birthday to your young fellow, don't you love the simplicity & innnocence of youth ! Our second child just turned 19 last week, He lives out of town and we asked him what he did on his special night, Apparently going to a club that is spewing soap bubbles all over the dance floor all evening is the thing to do. Part of the Calgary Stamped festivities. He said you just get soaked and everything is slippery, also his cell phone was a casuallty as it got wet......and this is fun ? How times have changed !! Oh well he lived to tell about it
Hope everyone has a good day !
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Angels, your taxotere experience sounds very similar to mine. Both times out (I had tx#2 on Friday), my first noticeable SE was a burnt-feeling tongue (starting maybe day 3) that turned into a sore throat on day 4. The good news is, things did clear up. After a week, I could even start to taste food again.
Happy birthdays to our kids young and old . . . those are some wild goings-on in Calgary!
Linda
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Does anyone else have rough skin on their arms or legs? (prior condition) If you do have you noticed it clearing up while on chemo? I have a genetic mutation (lovely word) where my body produces too much keratin in the skin and it makes the upper arms and one some people upper thighs feel rough. I've noticed that each time I have a tx that my skin turns smoother and smoother. Oh please let it cure me of this!
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Sable,
Wow, I had extremely dry skin pre-chemo. Rough patches on elbows and knees mainly. For some reason, my skin is as smooth as a baby's butt, everywhere since chemo. I used to have to lather myself after every shower just so I wouldn't flake away. I'm saving a ton of money on Bath and Body Works stuff now. Let's hope we stay smooth and soft!
Happy Birthday Kristy's son and welcome Anne and Starr. Rock, love your bracelet idea....however the cowboy must be riding a bucking bronco! Good luck to all going for treatment this week. Just got rid of the joint pain (day 6 of taxol...thank god!)
Roxi
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Wipe out. Around one this afternoon I completely lost all of my energy. I came home, slept for an hour or two, but am still a zombie. I'm drinking water, getting ready to have some chicken but am unnerved. I have a long day of chemo tomorrow (3+ hour infusion plus the doctor's appointment). And, of course, there is the overdue index. It feels so strange. It's as if someone pulled the plug in the sink and all the energy and strength went swirling down the drain. Thoughts?
Hope all of you are doing well, feeling healthy, recovering. A very dear friend of mine had a "funny" mammogram and is getting called back in for a followup. I'm going with her to her OB/GYN visit on Friday (we have the same doctor). I am trying to strike a bargain with God that my friend doesn't have cancer and my sisters don't have the gene mutation. Maybe this fatigue is part of the bargain.
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Hey Rock - I'm on tap with you tomorrow morning. Have you checked your temp just to cover that base? Could it be anxiety over yet another tx looming? I know when we were on AC, the day before I seemed to lose my energy and figured it must've been my anxiety.
~Adrienne
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I don't think I have a fever . . . just lots and lots of warm, hot flash-y feelings, but I'll check! Here's hoping tomorrow is uneventful and passes swiftly for both of us! This is the weirdest feeling. (How are you feeling?)
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Sable, I have had chronic psorisis my whole life, it is almost totally gone now.. odd huh?
I am on deck for chemo tomorrow too ladies. Happy infusions!
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I was supposed to join you in chemo this week with taxol number one, but NOOOOOOO. Shingles, or siding as my oncologist jokingly called them, are still here -- no worse, no better in terms of pain which is really not too bad (seriously, they just hurt toward the end of the day) Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the eye deal is clearing right up and it feels great to not have to rip my eyes open every time I get up to pee at night.
Ellenoire, NO, I did not LOL when I read about you herpes, etc. I would cry but I am afraid if I do, it'll gunk up my eye. Still, I like the idea of riding around in one of those cool pole and box deals where you have very buff people carry you. Each of us, I am sure, could decide which four people we would like to have around carrying us from place to place. I would choose Bruce Springsteen in case I also needed some good music (plus I have this secret fantasy about him), Ichiro because I love his butt and he is good looking, I would have chosen Heath Ledger but he rudely overdosed and I might choose George Cloony because he is good eye candy. .. or maybe Denzel Washington....yah, he would be good too.
Kristy-- we know you have the picture. POST BALD.....everyone is doing it.
Love the charm bracelet idea...when our cousin, Zach, was little (3), he had cancer. He really connected with Buzz Lightyear and we still think, to this day, it was because Buzz looked bald. Zach was chemo bald. So . . .maybe a Buzz Lightyear instead of an 8 ball for baldies?
Welcome to Starr. We are a party even when we're not. You are invited any time any day.
Went to work today. Only worked half a day because I am trying to TAKE CARE. Although, I was doing fine until I took three weeks off which is when I got all this stuff. Hmmmmm.I am jealous that you all are moving forward on chemo. I feel like I am on one of those gameboards where I got stuck on...."You caught shingles --LOSE one turn." I should be happy that it is not chutes and ladders where I landed on one of those where I have to start over, right? Good luck tomorrow to Roc and Adrienne and the rest of you going in this week. I will let you know what happens when I see my doc. I think he'll say, why are you still in pain? These are scabbing over so well. I am starting to ramble. Starr...that is an issue for me. Ciao to all of you.
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I've actually had more energy this last two weeks than I've had in a long time. I'm a little worried that round 2 will be different but keeping my fingers crossed that its similar to #1 for me. I've had some swelling in my ankles since Sunday but I've been attributing it to the warmer weather we've had this last week. Summer finally arrived in Seattle. Oh, and I've had the hot flashes but they've eased up a bit this last week. At least they aren't waking me up at night like they did the first week. Been sleeping with the fan directly on me.
Did you get Neulasta with your Taxol (I think I remember you saying that you did). I didn't. But I did get a shot to help boost my RBC since I dropped below some magic #. Low RBC could also contribute to your fatigue. Have you been borderline anemic during your treatments? My numbers had continued to drop with each treatment then finally were too low for the Onc.
Could all the indexing be taking its toll? Strain on the eyes?
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