Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Anonymous

One day post Taxol, and no SE's so far. they did give me a lot of Benedryl with it. fortunately I had someone to drive

Put in a full day of work today. Still trying my best to improve in hopes of keeping my job and benefits.

Bette 

God-is-good

Lisa

Best of Luck with your surgery. Thinking of you and praying that your recovery and visit with your mom goes amazingly well.

Lots of Hugs

teresa

God-is-good

Bette

Days 4-6 were my worst as far as side effects with Taxol but still able to work through all the treatments. I had 6 of them. I always felt great days 1 and 2 then also the day before my next treatment which was 3 wks on and 1 off. The nice thing about the benedryl is that it offsets some of that steroid high. Also I never had even a tiny bit of nausea which was my greatest fear about chemo and I worry about with this new tx as it is a side effect. Did you see the previous link i posted for you regarding FMLA with the dept of labor goverment website several pages ago? Good Luck with the Taxol!

I started Gemzar today. Is anyone getting that? S/E's supposed to not be so bad but after reading about them online....hmmm i dunno. One weird thing, my ring finger on my left had is kind of numb and feels heavy and warm...weird .

Hugs and Prayers for everyone!

Teresa

Anonymous

Put in another full day of work today. No nausea, just tired and a little achy.

Tom is coming for the weekend, tomorrow. We are going to go talk to my pastor about marriage and then go ring shopping. He is so caring and loving. I sometimes can't believe that such a wonderful man loves me, BC and all.

Bette 

DFOnt

Hi everybody

Had my first taxotere today.  Treatment went well, feel fine so far.  Waiting for the steroid to wear off and see what happens!  I just get it in the iv just before the chemo drugs. Blood work was good.  Nurse today took my blood pressure on my leg (can't have it on my arms).  Seemed high to me but she wasn't concerned, 155/83 I think.  Going to try to have  a quiet weekend.  4 down, 2 to go!

Misty1

Bumping us up!

mommy3abm

Everyone has been rather quiet this weekend...hope that means we are all enjoying the early fall weather and are free of se's and other worries!

Not too quiet here though!  Hubby ended up in the ER at 5 am Saturday morning and was discharged 2 hours later with a tentative diagnosis of tibfib fracture...aka broken leg low near the ankle.  There wasn't an orthopaedist there to read the films or see him so they sent him on his way with a temp. cast, hydrocodone, and directives to see an ortho asap.  So, I guess I will be calling in the am to see who I can get him in with!  I go to breast center for sonogram of tumor area Tues. am and for preop on Thursday.  I told him at least you waited until I was starting to come out of my last chemo fog.  He can't even get off the couch without experiencing extreme pain.  He said it is even worse pain than what he had with his acl repair several years ago.  My surgery is scheduled for a week from Tues. (Nov. 4)  Needless to say, it should be an interesting few weeks!

Stacy

Hood1980

Hi Stacy, Sorry to hear about hubby!  Hopefully you have some family or friends that can help out for awhile, especially if it is his right leg.  My husband broke his right foot falling off the roof some years back and he couldn't drive (legally) until he was out of his cast!  My prayers go out to you both!

mommy3abm

OH NO!!  Yes it is his right leg/ankle...Thanks for the prayers!!

Corinne6

wow, so much to catch up on!!       

Kimberlynn, My heart and prayers are with you .  I cannot imgine the loss you feel at this present time. What can we do for you ?  You have really gone through alot this year.  We are here for you                                                                                                                                                           On October 16th I had to put my very first and only horse down due to a twisted bowel. We were heartbroken. So cancer has taken a second which is good in a way to get my mind off of things. My kids have been through alot with me being sick, horse gone haivng to quit horseback lessons due to  finances and seeing their best friends move away. So we are diligently looking for another horse.  

Getting back to treatments, I do #4 today. I am awake so I thought that I would write here. Mommy3 - will keep you and your husband in prayer. That sounds like it could be a difficult road ahead with the broken leg thing. My son had a cast on for 8 weeks when he factured his leg in a ski accdent.

BetteLou: How exciting. Post a picture of that ring so we can all see.

misty: tried the neosporin and it did help along with the humidifier for my nose.  the pharmacist told me that that was the right thing to use.

Once again I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss Kimberlynn. love and hugs, Corinne

Misty1

Good Morning,

Stacy-it's always something, isn't it?!  Can't believe the news about your DH.  Hope he heals quickly.

Corinne, glad you solved your nose problem.

As for me, I am off to a rushed sonogram today for this new little lump I have found on my good side.  Then, I meet with the surgeon tomorrow.  I keep hoping this is nothing other than B9.  After a clear MRI in June and getting through the chemo, I wonder how anything bad could grow.  I'll keep you all posted.  Think positive thoughts for me!!

~Misty

Hood1980

Misty - Prayers 4 U that it is B9!!!  

Monique

More prayers for Misty from me today -------------

Please keep us up to date

Monique

Roya

Theresa, did u get neuropathy with Taxol?  If so, how long did it take to go away?

Misty, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Please keep us posted

Roya

My hair is starting to grow back!!!   Hurray!!  Peach Fuzz!!!!!!!!!

mommy3abm

Misty-  prayers and hugs coming your way!!  I pinned on my pink ribbon pin today as a reminder to think of you...B9  B9  B9   B9...

Stacy

alibug05

Misty1 - hugs and prayers coming your way----- Loves to all............

Roya

Stacy, I hope your DH is feeling much better.

Corinne6

Misty am continuing prayer for you - let us know

Roya, CONGTATULATIONS on PEACH FUZZ!!

Misty1

WOO-HOO!!

Turns out that it is a very small cyst!!!  I had a mammo done first, then a sonogram.  The tech was so nice-was very happy and relieved for me knowing what I have been through.  I had some of these on the other side, so I am not surprised to see them again.  I will still go see my surgeon tomorrow because she wanted to see me in the fall anyway.  At least I am all clear at this point.  I can't thank all of you enough for your good thoughts.  You are the best!!  As I was leaving (after 2 hours), I thought that I couldn't wait to get home to post to all of you.  You are becoming like family!!  In the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't going to be bad, but I never say never anymore!!

Roya-I'm jealous of your new fuzz-I have nothing yet and it's been 4 weeks tomorrow since the last TX.  I keep checking every day.

My DH is out of town, but he was so relieved to hear my news-I think it is time for a DRINK!!!!

Have a good night all. 

~Misty

mommy3abm

Yea Misty!!  A toast to you!!  Nasty cyst...you would think the other side would be afraid of going through what the other one did.

Another WOOOHOOO here!  Hubby's films showed no break only a bad sprain that triggered a massive gout attack of the entire ankle and foot.  I was so relieved!

Peach fuzz here too along with more rapidly growing leg hair and I think some armpit stubble...WAAAHHHH!  But, if it means the hair on my head is growing then I will take it!

Good night to all!

Stacy

Corinne6

Wow, how exciting and what a day for you both. Misty I am so happy for you. What a tremendous relief that must be

Mamma3 - So happy about your husbands sprain instead of break. Hope he heals fast

Could not be happier for all of you

Have a great night. Corinne

alibug05

YEA Misty1 and Mamm3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Couldn't be happier for both of you!!!!!!!!  I go in for my 1st radiation tomorrow - not too nervous yet just can't wait for the 1st one to be over so I can start my countdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  2009 is going to be a GREAT year and I can't wait to get it started!!!!!!

God-is-good

Hi Roya

Yes Taxol caused neuropathy with me also. It has been almost 4 weeks since i've had Taxol and the neuropathy is gone from my hands but i still have it in my toes and top half of my feet. It is quite annoying and i'm hoping it will go away soon. I just keep pampering my feet with lotion and massages.

teresa

dlb823

Hi, all ~  Roya, Teresa ... Several women on the TC board have reported using B6 to prevent neuropathy which is a common SE of Taxotere.  I had barely started to experience it in my feet with my 2nd tx, but when I started taking B6 after reading about it there, it totally went away.

Speaking of B vitamins... I just started taking extra Biotin yesterday, which was recommended by someone I ran into whose 8-week post chemo hair looked incredibly thick and lush -- something she attributes to Biotin, as well as a shampoo I have to look into. (Don't know the name yet, but will find out and share that info' as well.)

Misty... So glad your scare was just that, and so happy all is okay.  Stacy...  Hope your DH's ankle is doing better today.

My sister is visiting from the East this week, so I haven't been on-line as much, but thinking of you all, and hope it's a good week for everyone ~     Deanna

Monique

Great news Misty    -   Glad you let us know right away - prayers work

Roya - how exciting about the peach fuzz!  I can't wait!

Mommy3 - I'm sure you and hubby are relieved about the sprain - I'm sure you were worried about the logistics of next week for you both.  Guess you both will have to take it easy.  You have family to help out if I recall don't you?

Deanna - what is Biotin? 

I just came back from a fill in my expander with the plastic surgeon.  She says I will need to decide on saline or silicone implants in the near future.  I am having a hard time with that. Does anyone have any words of wisdom, experience or ideas.  Seems like if you go on the internet and research, there is an overwhelming amount of information that just makes me more confused

Monique

dlb823

Monique... Biotin is one of the B vitamins.  Many multivitamins and B-Complex formulas do not have even 100% of what you would normally need in Biotin.  My B-complex actually does have it, but when you think about it, that's the RDA for normally healthy people -- not someone trying to rebuild their body from weeks of chemotherapy damage.  Also, I had read somewhere (maybe on one of the other boards here?) that when our body is rebuilding, the initial energy is directed to our vital organs, and our hair is one of the last things to get whatever is available to rebuild, which kind of makes sense to me.  So, taking extra nutrients to be sure there's enough to go around seemed logical to me.

Anyway, I just picked up a small bottle of Biotin at Henry's (Whole Foods), and will see if it helps.    Deanna  

Roya

Deanna, thanks for the info.  I would just about do anything to get rid of this neuropaathy.  It is very uncomfortable!!!!

Monique, I pm'd you.  Also pm'd you, Lisahugs.

Hurray for you Misty!!!  I am sooooooo happy and relieved for you!!!!

Misty1

Hey Everybody!

Thanks for the kind words and cheers.  I knew everyone's good thoughts would pay off.

Deanna, I started taking Biotin two weeks ago because I heard it helped with hair growth.  Nothing growing yet and it's been four weeks.  But, I am starting to see the leg and bikini hair returning.  Not what I wanted to see first!!  I thought you may have been busy because I hadn't seen any posts from you.  Any sign of hair yet?  It looks like Roya is the lucky one for now.

Roya, how is the Taxol TX coming along?  When do you finish?

Monique-I am having my expander out and silicone implants on both sides.  I will finally have something to fill the bikini and it only took me  41 years!!  My next-door neighbor is a PS, and he advised me to go with silicone as well as my PS who is taking care of me.  Silicone is suppose to be more natural and not cause problems like it did many years ago.

Allibug-good luck with rads tomorrow!!  I am sure your time will fly by.  Just think, at least you won't lose any more hair with that TX!

Stacy-ouch for your DH-sounds painful.  Will you be able to vote before your surgery?! 

As for me, I just got home from meeting with my surgeon.  She and the nurses were thrilled to hear that it was only a cyst.  They said they were rootin' for me.  No action is needed-just follow-up in the winter to make sure it doesn't change.

I am just so happy that I can continue with my scheduled implants and move on!!!!!  I agree with you Alibug-2009 should be a much better year for all of us.

Have a good night, girls!  it was quite windy here today, but my "Lanie" held on tightly to my head.

~Misty

DFOnt

Hi ladies

Still feeling ok on day 5 after 1st taxotere.  Slightly low on energy, fuzzy mouth, bit of a sore throat but I think my sinuses are also bothering me, took a little decongestant and tylenol and that gets better. 

How much B6 and Biotin should we be taking then?  I have B6 and a B complex with Biotin in it, but only 50mcg .  I think I have some fuzz coming in on my head, can't see it very much but it feels a little prickly. I do have 2 more taxotere to go though so wonder if the fuzz will come out. Curious about the shampoo too, I started using Ojon recently, don't know if that had anything to do with the fuzz coming in.  Put some tea tree oil on my fingers today, man does that stuff stink!  I don't think I can stand it.  My taste buds are off too.  Having a hard time finding something to drink, still like the tingly-ness of pop, trying to stick to caffeine free cola and ginger ale (diet).  Gatorade tastes horrible, think I'll try apple juice.