Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Bold

Hello beautiful Dec. Divas:

I have been on this board for so long but just starting 1st tx on Monday!! Gulp. I will be so grateful to get started and get one on 6 done. My DH and I have been getting the house clean and ready For God knows what. My sister gave me a maid service for Christmas. Can you believe it. I cried allot. My DH uncle gave us a 52' TV. I am so lucky to have so many people care about me. I do get embarrassed with the attention. So may cards thoughts and prayers.

Now all I have to do is walk through this with grace. I feel very lucky to have Herceptin. I know that 58 months ago my prognoses would be a very frightening thing. I am still a little concerned but I have the strength and the will.

Thank you all for your insight. There are so many women in Dec. that I feel that I am in good company. I wish we could we knew each other under different circumstances.

Monday UGGGGGGGGG!

chiquita

Hi Lady's...my chemo was 12 days ago, I am full of pimples in my head and so far my hair is not falling just itching...my throat is very sore and my teeth are sore too...is there anything for it?

Thank you...

LindaBusEd

Chiquita,

My hair started falling out on Day 14. I use Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste for my mouth. Hope this helps. Linda

Lainey64

Chiquita, the Biotene mouthwash works pretty good.  My tongue and throat also get sore and I mentioned it to my Onc last week.  They gave me a mouthwash called "Prevention".  It works great. Ask your Onc or chemo nurse about it. 

mary5454

I bought some Biotene mouthwash as I had read about it on this site. But then I read somewhere not to use mouthwash as it kills the helpful bacteria??? Gets confusing. Have had a funny taste in my mouth and 2 bumps back of my tongue...not too bad though...

apfuentes

Hi ladies - Today is day 12 from TC #1 and I've developed aches and fevers and chills.  My fever has been fluctuating between 99.5 and 100.5 (got up to 100.5 once).  Is that the magic number where I need to call my doc, or should I just go to bed and try to sleep it off?  I don't have any visible infection, but underneath my breasts is sore and red (I guess that's visible, huh?).  Not sure what to do as it's a Saturday night...why does this stuff always happen at night on the weekends??

Firni

Hi apfuentes,  Yes indeed, 100.5 is the magic number.  Don't take anything that could mask your fever.  If your temp stays at 100.5, call your onc's office.  There should be someone on call.  Is it like a rash under your breasts or do you have incisions there?  Don't take any chances if there might be an infection there.  If the person on call is really concerned, they might send you to an ER to be checked out.    You're right.  This stuff never happens during office hours.

apfuentes

Thanks Firni.  Right after I typed my post, my fever started going up to 101.8 so I called it in.  Waiting for the doc to call back now.  No rash under my breasts and no incisions...just tender and red. 

Firni

Apfuentes, how did everything go with your fever?  I hope everything is resolved and your home resting.

Bold, try to something fun today and eat something really yummy.  You'll do fine tomorrow.  I wish some one would give me maid service.  And a cook.  That was really nice of your sister.

 You know, I think we all want and try to travel this journey with grace.  Most days I can do that.  Today tho, I'm looking at all the scars from the bilat. mast., the SNB, the 4 drains and the port surgery. (9 of them in total)  I'm looking at how little stubble is left on my head.  I'm looking at the weight I've gained since Oct.  I'm looking at these ridiculous expanders that don't look anything like breasts.  I don't feel like grace today.  I feel fat, disfigured, marred, old and well, bald.  Every wig I've tried on looks like something dead on my head.  I feel like a freak show and I think I'll wallow in a little pity party today.  Tues is my second treatment and I just want to get that over with.

LindaBusEd

Good morning December Divas,

Today is Day 6 of 2nd tx. Yesterday was a bad day. I am so tired of drinking diluted lemonade water I could gag; having more joint pain than I remember last time. Of course,like many of you, not sleeping well at night so I feel like a zombie during the day. DH feels that he needs to stay right at home with me but he doesn't need to. He goes back to work tomorrow!!!!

Seems that I have more of a dry mouth this time than last time (what's good for this)? Metal mouth this morning when I woke up! Ugh!!!! Other than feeling sorry for myself, guess I am okay.

Divas, thanks for being here for all of us.  I don't know what I would do if I couldn't come here daily. All of you are my lifesaver!

Good luck to those who will have treatment tomorrow and those of you that have to work tomorrow have a great day. Linda

Lainey64

Apfuents, I hope you will post when you can and let us know how you are.  I'm thinking about you.

Firni, *big hugs*.  I'm sorry you're having such a bad day.  I had one of those yesterday.  I didn't leave the house once.  Just remember, your beauty is inside and everyone who knows you knows this.  And this will pass!

Linda, I haven't had too much dry mouth so far.  I get more of a sore tongue and random mouth sores.  The Prevention mouthwash helps that.  I also eat a lot of vanilla ice cream and vanilla shakes.  They are very soothing.  I drink a ton water too that helps.

apfuentes

Good morning ladies.  I'm feeling better than yesterday.  The doc put me on Levaquin and the fever is already down a bit.  I'm not sure where my infection is, but I went to the gym on Friday and maybe I caught something there.  Who knows.  Besides the achy body, fever and tender breasts, no other outward signs of what's causing the fever.

Firni - I am totally with you.  Tomorrow is day 14 for me and I am just dreading waking up in the morning to find hair on my pillow.  Last night I had a moment in the shower where I was thinking about that and the loss of my breasts and this fever....I'm just ready for all this to be a distant memory.

CindaD

 My Sadie died yesterday.  We had an extremely bad day here yesterday and not doing so well today.  I just can't understand how she became so sick so fast, the doc thinks she developed a neurological disease, all of her labs, xd-rays and other tests came back ok. She deteriorated quickly and was so much worse yesterday morning than the next morning. She couldn't wag her tail yesterday morning when we went in to see her. Couldn't put any weight on her back legs and wouldn't put her front legs down. She could barely lift her head. We brought her home and our Vet came to our house a few hours later to put her down. We gave her all kinds of love in those last few hours, and she perked up just a little.  She still knew who we were.  It was the hardest thing we've ever had to do, she was our baby girl.  My kids took it hard.  I loved her so much.  Why did she have to go?

apfuentes

So sorry to hear about Sadie.  My heart goes out to you and your family.

lisasayers

Cinda....my heart goes out to you.  I know what you are going through.  Love and prayers.

Lisa

sdavis

I am so sorry Cindy, there are no words that will help so I will just say I am praying for your family.

Sue

havehope

Cinda,

I am so sorry for your loss. May beautiful memories give you strength at this difficult time.

Bold

I am truly sorry for your family. I know how hard it can be. It will be hard for you to stay positive right now.Try to remember the big picture. The wonderful life you were able to give to Sadie and all the joy and happiness she was able to bring to you. Your family has come together even more than ever loving each other and sharing wonderful memories.

I ask my dr for prescription mouth wash to thwart mouth and tongue sores. it is called CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE 0.12%. I really do not want to go through that. I guess there is no guarantee anyway.

I have heard of different dermatitis like the little pimples on your head. this too shall pass.

I start to take my steroids today to prepare for tomorrow. I must say that I am really not looking forward to this. It just seems so weird when you feel so well to go and make your self sick.

I do relies why I am doing it. Because I want to live!  We make plans and God laughs.

My onc. wants me to lose weight while I am on chemo, I am sure that the steroids will make that very difficult. No comfort food when I will need it the most. (sniff)  Is there anything else that can make this journey more difficult? Do not answer that as I am sure that there is.

Wish me luck tomorrow. gulp.

EleanorJ

Cinda, so sorry to hear about Sadie, what a difficult time for you to lose her

Firni, hope you feel better today. Wednesday is right around the corner and you'll have 2 tx behind you

havehope

Good luck tomorrow to: 

cebula, CindaD, Bold, DrDecker, and sdavis     

mary5454

Cinda, I am so sorry. My condolences. I am on day 10 of tx 1  and feeling better. Going back to work tomorrow.

Linda - keep gargling - salt water  and sometimes I do just plan water and sometimes Biotene mouthwash. I had a vanilla milkshake today and that tasted good!

I will keep you all in my prayers.  

Grancy11

Cinda - hugs and love and prayers...

Firni

Cinda, I'm so sorry to hear about Sadie.  I was hoping she'd be ok.  Letting her go was probably one of the hardest and bravest thing you've ever done.  All of us who have been in your shoes know how much you're hurting and the emptiness in your home.  I pray that soon, when you think of her, you can remember the silly things she did and how good she was, and not feel so much pain.

chiquita

Thank you Linda and Lainey I will go to my Onc. Tuesday and I will get a prescription for the mouth wash...

Sorry Cinda about your dog...I lost my baby last year he was 19 1/2 years old, he was very health until a week before...we cry still for him and I will pray for you and Sadie. xoxox

mmliv

APFUENTES  - concerning fever!!!!!! Definitely go to the hospital if your temp reaches 100.5! The onc nurse explained that with WB being down we don't get normal infection symptoms and we can quickly develop a massive infection that is EXTREMELY dangerous. I was still feeling a bit foolish for going to the ER when my temperature went up; now I realize that I did the smart thing.

BOLD - good luck tomorrow, it will be good to finally get started..... most of us are counting down to the end of our chemo. I don't know who posted about rinsing the mouth..... but I am drinking many fluids, rinsing every couple of hours with water and have had no problems. Cannot believe the onc wants you to lose weight while on chemo!!!!! We have enough issues without adding that stress!!!!!!

CINDAD - What a sorrow. Pray that you and your family are still enjoying remembering the time you did have with her.

TC #2 - Day 6: As usual days 4 and 5 I was fatigued. I did manage to walk a couple of miles on day 5 but it was a struggle. The Nuelasta shot technique of pre warming must have helped, the shot was no big deal. But the ache (even with meds) made day 4 and 5 even rougher. Today went to church, walked, and have felt comfortable; though lazy. 

Bold

I have taken my Steroids. I have drank near a gallon of water. I have over eaten everything that I will not have for 5 months. I did not have an hard drinks as I do not want to get dehydrated. I hope that I will have a glass of champaign on New Years eve and then maybe on my birthday March 30th.

I must say that I am scared. I know what the normal is to expect I just do not want any surprises.

I wish I had only 4 TX but I guess I should be lucky to have caught it early enough that I have a favorable outcome. Thank  God for Herceptin.

I have read so much that I feel that I have a PhD in breast cancer and chemo s/e. Oh I just do not want to do this. But now I will stop worrying and start to visualize being healthy and being able to handle anything that happens.

Thank you for being here for everyone the support of others stops us from feeling alone and afraid.

ptjen

Cinda: I am so sorry for your loss. There should be a rule that bc and its related treatments put all other bad things on hold. I'm sorry you lost your beloved pet and I hope you and your family happy memories of Sadie.

Firni

Good morning Divas,

mmliv, I don't know how you walk MILES on day 5.  I could barely walk thru the house on day 5.  You are an inspiration.  I hope my TX 2 goes that well.

Apfuentes, I'm glad you talked to the dr. and you're feeling better.  The rules just aren't the same with chemo.  

Bold, I know what you mean about having a PhD in BC and chemo.  We all know so much more than we ever wanted to.  You'll do fine today.  Take someone or something to keep your mind off the drip, drip, drip.  You'll be done before you know it.  The first TX is the hardest, I think, because you don't know what to really expect.   All you can do now is take a deep breath and move forward.

DrDecker, haven't heard from you for awhile and I know you were pretty upset about chemo. You too will get thru today.   Let us know how it went.  

Caroline, Simvog, Cinda and SDavis, good luck with TX 2 today.  I'm right behind you with TX2 tomorrow. 

Lainey64

Cinda, I'm so sorry about Sadie.  Good luck to you and everyone else with TX #2 today.

Last night my BF and I took a pet hair roller to my hair.  Wow!  Now I look like I have a road map across my stubbled head. 

mmliv

FIRNI - Only motivated to walk that far because we had record setting warm temperatures here in Indiana. Mid 60s..... so with encouragement from DH and taking two 1 mile walks a few hours apart.... I was able to walk. Now, I wasn't breaking any speed records; and it felt good concentrating on putting one foot ahead of the other rather than on how lousy I was feeling. :-)

Hair issues - My mohawk is gone but I have a fine fringe of hair around the back hairline edge... and the stubble that has not fallen out seems to have gotten longer! I now know where they get that 25% figure of keeping your hair; is that about how much stubble I have remaining on my head?

TC #2 Day 7: Don't know if I am being lazy or just still having weariness SEs. But am lounging around this morning, not much appetite, need to get back to drinking 2-3 qts of water. I was bad yesterday.... but a diet coke did taste good! .....and a 7 layer burrito from Taco Bell.

Those ladies that have had the Nuelasta shot - do you need to be concerned with not eating fresh foods? I was restricted before because I didn't have the shot. I figure I was OK last night eating the burrito but what about later this week which would be the nadir?