Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Kymberlyn

Thank you so much Deanna!  You are the sweetest person I know.

Kym

DFOnt

Kym, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time.  I'm getting a different type of chemo than you so I can't really compare.  Have you told your dr how bad your side effects are? Especially if you're vomiting that much, I think they can probably give you different meds for them or adjust your chemo dose.  I know someone who had bad side effects and their dose was reduced by 20%.  I do think depression is pretty common though, especially if your physically not feeling well that much. Maybe giving your body an extra week between treatments would help.

Corinne6

Kym, I also am getting a different chemo BUT if I am correct this is yor last one coming up of our current drugs you are taking. Am I right? If so the next one puts you at half done!!! Also, if you can get a hold of a book that I have been reading it may help you. Beating cancer with nutrition. That book tells you how to starve your cancer so it won't come back. I am using both chemo and nutrition to fight.  Where I live we have the most awesome chemo center. They always beg me to call if I have even a little symptom because there are things that you can take to combat the effects. Defont is right in that you should tell your doctors exactly what side effects that you are having.

Kym, you are not alone. We are all here fighting with you. When we hear about what you are going through we are right there with you and praying for you. Our lives may be different but our hearts are the same.  Something that may help in fighting the nausea is Ginger root.  I think that your suppose to take 2 capsules every couple of hours. I once took it when I was pregnant on a flight that was quite turbulent and it was the best thing I ever did. My doctor told me that I could take that and have had no side effects yet with nausea. It is all natural and may help BUT like anything we put into our bodies PLEASE check with your doctor first.

Where do you live?  I live in Connecticut.but if I live close I will help!! Did I read in the begining posts that you recently got married? 

In any case my hugs to you!!

Corinne

SheRee

Everyone seems to be handling all of this so much better than me.  I've completed 4 tx's of EC, still have 4 taxotere/cytoxan to go... and I just want to quit. 

It seems as if my marriage is totally falling apart, I think my husband's job means more to him than I do, I cry all the time, my house is a mess, I feel as if I'm failing as a parent, I look horrible and feel just as bad, I'm cranky all the time, I'm tired of being sick...everything just sucks right now.

Tonya36

Lashon...honey I feel for you.  I am sorry you are having to go through this at such a young age.  You are in my prayers and I am here if you ever need to talk.  You can pm me or I am available for a call. 

Kym...I can halfway relate to what you are going through.  I am on EC (which is basically the same as AC) and each tx has gotten worse.  I am on day 10 after tx #4 and I am only feeling better because I had a blood transfusion on Wed.  I am also tired of being tired, sick and sad.  But I KNOW that I have to continue on with my txs.  That is my chance to live.  I am triple negative and chemo wasn't an option for me it was a necessity.  I keep telling myself that I can't win the prize if I don't fight the fight.  God willing it will all be worth it in the end.  As for your family well I think you need to be honest with them.  I am single and spend most of my time alone.  My mother is not well so I don't see her often.  I think I have lost a few of my friends because they can't handle my situation.  So the friends I have left...well...I am constantly putting on my brave face and telling them I am okay.  I don't want to lose them too.  I don't want them to think I'm weak.  Well guess what...I am weak, tired, scared, sad, ugly, depressed and lonely.  But they would never know that because I don't tell them.  So long story short...this past week was so bad for me I didn't care about anything.  I let loose and told a couple of my friends how I feel.  I think it was actually good for all of us.  It got it off my chest and I think it made them realize that I am not okay no matter what I say and they need to get over themselves and quit being so selfish.  If they are going to be there for me then they need to face reality that I am sick sometimes and I need them to be there for me not me be there for them.  I think you should sit your family down and tell them this is a time you need to be selfish and take care of you.  Physically and emotionally.  They need to step up and realize they have to come to terms with this.  It is not a death sentence .  You are going to fight this but you need their help.  I think if maybe you are honest with them then they would come around.  I know its hard girl but you HAVE to take your treatments and you HAVE to take care of yourself.  You only have one more of the AC txs left and I hope you take it.  Its very important to your course of treatment that you follow what the doctor has recommended.  Many people have done it in the past and unfortunately many more will do it in the future.  It is DOABLE.  We don't like that we have to do it and we don't want to do it but we CAN do it.  I will be praying for you...I will be praying for all of us.  Please contact me anytime if I can help you at all.  We are all in this together.

God Bless,

Tonya

mommy3abm

Kym,  I was so glad to see you post and then so sad for you once I read it.  Lots of hugs and good wishes are coming your way.  Yes, this IS a place where we can bear all and not fear for reprecussions from what was said.  We are here for each other no matter what.

Lashon, sweetie I feel for you.  I know the ovary removal is a punch in the gut for a girl your age with no children.  Remember, God knows what he is doing and has something wonderful planned for you when we exit this dark tunnel.  My prayers are with you sweet girl!

Now, as for the ANOKHI scarves...they are all I wear anymore!!  Every day, almost without fail, I am stopped by someone asking about them, commenting on how beautiful they are, etc.  I love them and now own 6.  I will continue to wear them as accessories when I have hair...they are that fantastic!

Peaches, are you there??  How did you weather the storm?  Getting worried here!

Bettye,  You look fabulous in the blue turban! No wonder you found such a spectacular fiancee'!

To Everyone Else,  LOVE and HUGS to all...there is a faint light at the end of this tunnell...I think I can see it!!  Misty and MaMaShift you are leading the way! 

Stacy

dlb823

Several pages ago, someone had suggested exchanging addresses for sending cards.  I must admit, at the time, I didn't get it, and didn't take any action myself.  But reading Kym and Tonya's most recent posts made me think back to it and realize there may be times when we want to reach out in that way.  So, what I was thinking is ... if anyone wants to PM me their full name & address, with phone number and/or direct email address optional, I would be glad to make up a list and PM or email it out to everyone who has sent me their info.  Just a suggestion, and I won't be the least bit offended if there's no interest.  I just thought it would be easier to make up one list, if anyone's interested.       Deanna 

Monique

Deanna - I think that's a great idea - I know I have been cheered up by friends who have just send a card to me every once in awhile.  Many people send cards and call in the beginning of treatment and then get busy with their lives when we are still walking through this battle.

Jeannine - I have tried the wig without a cap, but it seems like those hot flashes come up as soon as I put it on and I can't stand it.  Maybe when the weather gets cooler I will have better luck wearing it.

Alibug - congrats on only one more to go J

Stacy - glad you had a good trip to NYC! 

Corinne - I hope your daughter's wedding tomorrow is wonderful - don't worry if it rains - they say that is good luck for a wedding dayJ

Bette - Mamashift - Roya - Lashon - Kymberlyn and Tonya -  I'm saying prayers for all of you to have less SE's - I feel for you all, I'm not looking forward to treatment #3 this week either knowing what is coming after.

Hood - Dufont - Deirdre - Deanna - Misty and Gail - Hope you are all doing well and have a good weekend.

Hood - check out the VA post, we are trying to meet in October at Tyson's - hope you can make it too.

Hugs to all

Monique

kayakgirl

Hi Kym:

One of the things I found out about having bad nausea after chemo was constipation made it much worse. And a lot of the drugs from the chemo to the antinausea medication can make you very constipated. I started taking 2 sennakot twice a day and it got my bowels moving which decreased the nausea and vomiting.

Roya

Corinne, I was actually able to find that book that you recommended on Ebay! Thanks for the tip.
Mammashift, I hope that you are feeling better soon.

Bette, I too get the sniffles after chemo. They last for about 7 days and everyone wants to know if I have a cold. I just say "No, it's an allergy." (allergy to having to get chemo!!!!)

Kym, my doc told me that I have to have chemo every 2 weeks rather than every week so that the bones can have time to regenerate the red and white blood cells. He told me this after I asked him to just give it to me every week so that I could hurry and get it over with.

Tonya, thank you for the last post that you wrote. That was an inspiration!

Roya

Lashon, I am sorry about the harsh news that your doc gave you regarding having children. This is something that many of us have looked forward to all our lives. I wish there were words that I could express to help you feel better. Even if I knew what to say, you might not hear because of your grief. But God does hear us! God does promise to dry our tears. You remain in my prayers.



In my distress I cried out to the Lord, yes, I prayed to my God for help.

He heard me from his sanctuary, yes, my cry reached his ears.

Psalm 18:6

Anonymous

hi ladies. well i want to thank all of you for your kind words. i am working through things the best i can.. trying to look at the bright side of things. but i have a question for anyone who has had the neulesta shot. does it make your arm hurt. i have this pain under my arm and it makes me want to cut it off.. my onco thinks its a side effect but i really deep down feel like it is something else. has anyone had this problem

Misty1

Good Morning,

Lashon, so sorry to hear your upsetting news.  You are a strong woman-hopefully you will find a way to get through this.  Also, have your nurse give you the Neulasta in the stomach.  I have had three shots there and have experienced no pain at all.  Take that claritin before you go to bed for three nights.

Roya, I like your countdown ticker.  You go, girl!!

Kym, I know you can do this.  I know everything seems tough now, but you will get through this.

Everyone-have a great Sunday.  I start taking the dreaded steroids tomorrow, but last TCH is on Tuesday!!!  Can't wait.  Don't worry, I won't be going anywhere.  I'll be cheering you ladies on until everyone is finished.  I have to keep going for the Herceptin through July.

I'll let you know how Tuesday goes when I get back.  Hopefully, there will be no problems.

~Misty

dlb823

Hi, all ... Hope everyone is feeling well enough to be enjoying a nice Sunday.  Who's up for tx's this week in addition to Misty?  Let us know so that we can be routing and praying for you.

Thank you to those of you who have PM'd me your names & addresses. (See 9/25 post above, if you missed it.)  I will aim to get out what I have the end of this coming week, although there's no deadline, per se.  I will just add names as I get them.  Phone #'s & email addresses are optional. 

Lashon... I'd PM'd you recently, but I've also been wondering if your onc has given you any encouragement re. your tumor decreasing in size with your tx's, as others have experienced and reported here.  Hope so!!!

Kym & Tonya... Hope you are both feeling more optomistic today.  It's so normal to get down at times, but hopefully things are looking brighter today for you both.  Bette... How're you doing?

Corinne... How was the wedding?  Hope all went perfectly!    

Thinking of you all ~ Deanna

Monique

I have treatment #3 Tuesday.  I have been dreading it since I hear that the SE's get worse as you go along and #2 was definatley worse than #1.  My DH keeps saying that after Tuesday I will be halfway done - but I keep looking at it as - but I will have three more and they will get worse .  I have been doing well with keeping a good attitude up until this week, I don't know why I am feeling this way now?

I hope everyone is feeling good today, I think about all of you often and wish us all the best in this fight.

Hugs to all

Monique

dlb823

Monique...   I was just like you, afraid each tx was going to get worse.  But to my amazement, after a few typical flu-like & exhausted days (same as previous tx's), #3 has been so incredibly easy, I've actually wondered if they forgot to give me some of my drugs!  From about Day 6 on, I have felt so good, I actually forget that I'm on chemo -- until I look in the mirror!    More like I felt pre-bc dx! 

I just wanted to assure you that everyone's different, and there's no reason to assume #3 will be any worse or even as bad as #2.    Deanna

Anonymous

I am back, having weathered a rough three days post Tx. I missed a day and a half of work at a very busy time, but my boss realizes that I couldn't help it.

Tom has been here taking care of me this weekend, sweetheart and good nurse that he is. I feel better, ready to tackle the job tomorrow. Appetite is spotty, but sipping on ginger ale.

I just measured my tumor, and it seems to have shrunk another cm! No matter the SE's. Go chemo go!

Bette 

mommy3abm

Deanna,

I pm'ed you my info.  I think putting together a list of address is a terrific idea.  Thanks for doing it!

Stacy

dlb823

In case any of you haven't come across the discussion thread about Breast Cancer Awareness month and the pinking of America, I thought I'd mention it here.  It contains some extremely funny stuff!  Search for:  PINK:  Not just for Pepto Bismol anymore             Deanna

nursekim

Number four of six for me on Thursday.

Tonya36

I start my weekly Taxol treatments on Wednesday.  I'm VERY thankful the EC is done.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

God Bless,

Tonya

Anonymous

HI LADIES. to dlb823 thank you for the pm. i have been having so much pain in my arm that i havent been able to respond.  but yes my cancer is going down that was the only good thing that came out of that onco appointment that day. i am just now trying to deal with the pain in my arm.. and yes it feels like bone pain but there is also a know under my arm and thats why i am wanting him to check it again. i am taking vicodin like it is candy and this isnt normal.

Corinne6

Hi everyone, the wedding was so beautiful!!!! The rain held off pretty much and I could not believe how well I have felt this week. I have been able to keep on keeping on with very little fatigue. My Dad told me that it is because I am taking acidophilous (?spelling).I started taking it about a week ago and I just feel so alive and energetic. Is there anyone else taking that? I take it to build up my immunity. For some reason I just feel super great. I'm going to keep taking that and see if it lasts.

Anyhow, Lashon you are just having such a hard time wih things. My heart really goes out to you. I do get bone pain after neulasta but it lasts for about a day or two. Nothing seems to touch it so I just wing it. My pain however is in my back and legs but I do not know if everyone gets it the same places. You should have your arm pit checked. It could be a lymph node. I am happy with you that your cancer is shrinking. Each tiny step towards recovery, even though small, is a step!!

Roya, I hope the book helps you like it is helping me.  Nutrition I really believe was my downfall in all this so I am just starting to pull up myself by the bootstraps and push on.  God is in control of my life and I want to make sure that I am not abusing my body by filling it with junk.  when you get your book would you please tell me what you think of it?

Wow alot of you are having your next round this week I will be praying. my #3 of 6 is a week from this Mon. I will be half done. I think I will celebrate!! What are you doing to celebrate your half way mark?

Corinne

DesertRider

Hi Team,

I FINALLY am recovered from TX#2 - wow, that took a while (10 days)!

Corinne - I celebrated halfway (2 tx out of 4) by riding my horse all day (haven't done that in awhile  then by mowing the lawn- maybe I overdid it? Glad the wedding was great!

Also feel like I want to learn diet habits that fight cancer - maybe that's the book for me, too.

 Deanna - Thanks for collecting addresses. I'll send mine. You sure give me hope for TX # 3 - I even scheduled one of my seminar programs after it so plan for it to be a good one.

 Bette - I can't seem to find anything to drink that tastes good - thanks for reminding me to try ginger ale - forgot about that one! 

I think of you all often - have a good week! 

~Gail 

alibug05

Well ladies I am glad we are all surviving!!!! I am feeling A LOT better to start off this week so that alone is enough to make me smile. 

Lashon - I am so sorry for the news you got about children BUT am SOOOOOOOOO glad your tumor is shrinking. 

I too, like Misty1 won't be going anywhere after my last tx on October 10th.  I will see all of you girls through this.  I feel like I am a lucky one only having 4 tx's and then just taking a pill.  Lucky probably isn't the right word but ya'all know what I mean. 

Hang in there ladies we are doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Everyone have a great week and good luck to all who having tx's this week!!!!!  Loves to all!!!

Anonymous

I got myself to work this morning, and feel confident I will make it through the day. Got a lot of rest with Tom here this past weekend. I have 5 more Tx's to go. One more of AC, then 4 Taxol. How are the SE's different on Taxol? Does anyone know?

I am drinking a cherry coke right now, and it tastes great. I am starting to get used to this wig, but it still comes off the minute I get into the door!

Corinne, I'm so glad the wedding was good for you!

Tom wants to set a date, but I am not quite ready. I want to be done with my rads, AND hopefullfy have hair, although I suppose if my head doesn't cooperate I could get an elegant wedding turban.

I just want us to have a calm part in our relationship where I am not totally involved in fighting my cancer before I walk down the aisle.

Tx # 4 next week!  I will be halfway done! Woohoo!!

Bette

vision4utoo

Hello all - hope you are all well - coming up on my last Chemo (crossed fingers & a prayer)  Haven't any info on recon a sof yet other than referred to Recon doc - hoping to get appt soon and get that part started.  My Surgeon and Onco did not want me to begin tissue expander until after chemo finished and from what I have read that doesn't seem to make sense...Oh well needed to rest up and re organize my mind for it anyway.  Chemopause is going better than I thought, just having these Flushes of heat -  a whoosh over top of bald head several an hour - then chilled to bone after.  Well, for a cool cucumber - I am experiencing more emotions as well - cry easier.

Still trying to come to terms with possibility of recurrance, just setting my mind on today.

MamaShift

Tx #5 of 6 tomorrow.  Seeing new oncologist.  Feeling better, still runny nose and yucky throat, but not painful.  Having an easier time with my 3 year-old -- have had to relax about tv-watching; she won't get any at all once we get home, so that comforts me.  We're also taking more walks.

I have the hot flashes, too.  My gawd it's like my bald head just erupts in heat for 15 seconds or so.  It's said that people who have a more narrow threshold for hot and cold (like I'm good at 18-20°C but then I'm either too cold or too hot) are more prone to hot flashes.

Misty1

Hey Girls,

hope everyone had a good Monday!!  Well, tomorrow is #4 for me and #5 for MamaShift-I'll be thinking of you at the same time I am having my lovely cocktail.  I have my family and friends raising a glass for me tomorrow night upon the completion of TC.

Corinne-glad the wedding went well and you were able to enjoy it!!

Gail-Are you living in Palm Desert?  My DH and I go out there every year for about 10 days.  We are scheduled to be out there from 4/1-4/11.  Deanna is also out your way.  Wouldn't it be fun to get together to meet up?  let me know if you are interested.  I am a big sun girl, so I love lounging by the pool while my DH golfs and gambles.

Deanna-glad to hear #3 went well. 

I'll let you all know how it goes tomorrow.  I hear that you are suppose to do a "pole dance" on your last one.  We'll see.  I am making the nurses a big tray of brownies for being so nice.  I'll keep seeing them for the rest of the Herceptin, but that should be much easier.

Take care~

~Misty

Hood1980

Best of luck tomorrow Misty on your last T-C!  Mine's coming up on Oct 8th!  To the rest of the August Hot Baldies - we can all make it together!  We are here for each other!  Take care all!