Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?
Comments
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I had TX 3 of CMF yesterday. For the first two, I had a real problem with nausea. In fact I was up during the night with nausea. So my onc played around with meds. For tX 2, it did not make a difference. But I had TX 3 with the use of Emends and Kytril and I am nausea free and it is day 2. So if you are having problems with nausea, don't blame yourself. It seems they can change your meds around and help you.
Mand
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Today was Tx #2 for me, so I spent most of the day at the onc clinic. The treatment was long and uneventful and I feel fine except that metal mouth has returned. -- yuck. They sent me home today with Rx's for Zofran and Compazine to help with nausea if it is a problem. Tomorrow is my Neulasta injection. I'm stressed about missing so much work, but treatment is the main priority right now.
Lisa -- I am glad your doctor thinks the lump you found in your arm is nothing to worry about. Now that you know it is there, I'm sure you'll be watching it like a hawk, as anyone would. It sounds like you are doing really well and exercise definitely agrees with you. I've been walking and exercising more since the holidays and also notice that I feel better and sleep better. Sleeping might be a little difficult for the next couple of nights because of the steroids, but that will pass quickly enough.
Colleen -- Glad you are feeling better. It's understandable that you are worried about the next 4 Txs, and I, too, hope they will be kind to you. Take care of yourself and try not to overdo it with the laundry and housework.
Cat -- I had a single mastectomy with lymph node dissection in late October and could probably have gone back to work after two weeks, but a short time into the healing process an infection in my chest wall and necrosis of some skin on the incision necessitated another surgery and I was off an additional three weeks. If everything goes as it should and most likely will for you, two weeks seems like a perfectly reasonable amount of time to be away from work Glad your WBC was good this time!.
Lauren -- You are one day ahead of me in your treatment. #2 for me was today and the next one is Jan. 28th. Metal mouth is my only symptom today. Are you on TC too?
Take care everyone.
~Bonnie
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Updated list:
colleen1960 #4 - 2 Jan 09 CMF
jajebr3 2 Jan 09 4xAC+4xTaxol
Lainey64 #3 2 Jan 09 4xAC+4xTaxol
Texas357 #3 6/7 Jan 09 3xFEC+9xTaxotere
iktracey #2 6-Jan 09 4xTC
apfuentes #2 6-Jan 09 4xTC
Mandy1313 #3 6-Jan 09 CMF
Kranie #2 7-Jan 09 6xTC
Bkokie #2 7-Jan 09 4xTC
mary5454 #2 - 8-Jan 09 4xTC
teachgrade3 #2 9 Jan TC
mombos #2 9- Jan 09 6xTC
Colleen1960 #5 12-Jan 09 CMF
mmliv #3 13 -Jan 09 4xTC
busqueen #2-9 Jan 09 4xAC+12xTaxol
mimiwhite #3-12 Jan 09 4xTC
horsercn #2 12-Jan 09 4xAC+12 Taxol+Herceptin
LindaBusEd #3- 13-Jan 09 6xTAC
zuffa #3- 13-Jan 09 6xTAC
msbusdriver #3 13-Jan 09 4xTC
BreastCancerDiva #4 15- Jan 09 4xFEC+4Taxotere
Catrenae #3 15 Jan 09 4xAC+12xTaxol
lisasayers #3-16-Jan 09 4xTC
simvog #3 19- Jan 09 4xFAC+4xTaxol
cebula #3 19 Jan 09 6xTC
Bold #2 19- Jan 09 6xTCH
sdavis #3 19-Jan 09 6xTC
Firni #3 21-Jan 09 6xTC
ptjen #3 21 Jan 09 4xTC
Colleen1960 #6 22-Jan 09 CMF
Bkokie #3 28-Jan 09 4xTC
mary5454 #3 - 29-Jan 09 4xTC
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I just have a small suggestion. Maybe we should have only the the tx one week prior to and three weeks to come. otherwise this list could get as scarrrry as it it.
I am having nausea now a week and a half after treatment is that normal. ugg.
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Bold - I am only on TC. I don't get nauseous but I discover that after about 8-9 days I get indigestion if I don't eat frequent small meals. And it can get to the point where I don't want to eat.... which makes it worse.
Also I am taking Zofran for a couple of days after treatment.
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Bold -- Like mmliv, I am also just on TC, but I had some nausea and vomiting during the first 10 days after my first Tx. Today was Tx #2 and the nurse called in Rx's for Compazine and Zofran in case the nausea gets bad again this time. My onc said nausea isn't real common with this Tx, but it happens. "Normal" seems to vary a lot with side effects, but you might want to call your onc's office and let them know what's going on if it continues much longer. Maybe they can give you something to help.
I hope you feel better soon.
~Bonnie
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Hi All: We had a discussion earlier about TC 4x or 6x. I'm looking for more info on the issue and since people here were so helpful, I wanted to let you know that I started a new topic "TAC v. TC clinical trial. I can't believe I'm even thinking about asking for two more txs - but I at least want the info while it might be useful to me. Thanks!
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Hi ladies!
Day 3 of TX#2 TC. This round is getting me early on I think. The heartburn up high and headache were immediate like last time, but the nausea is worse. I took the meds prophylactically last time to stave off any major stomach issues, but yesterday, I just felt like crud! Today, wake up at 2 am with the nausea rolling in. Yesterday, the food du juour was an Eggo waffle, some watermelon, and half a roast beef poboy. Not complaining about the amount, cause I think I did good, but not too much is appealing to me. Water and sweet tea are still good, so I am thankful.
The energy level is down too. No gym right away yet. That sucks!! Want to combat this steroid fat! I know it'll settle down, but I am craving some sort of "normal" back again. I know I have a few more months for that... but I want it now!!
Cut the hair shorter yesterday during my midnight steroid high! Now getting the buzz on Saturday. For all the drama I had about losing it, I was never so ready to shed the limp, thin yuck! I was tired of clumps of hair everywhere. I had outpaced the Lab in shedding factor!
It is like a relief and weight lifted. What a difference a week makes!!!
I hope you all see good days ahead, and if not, then positive thoughts and restful days.
Lauren
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Caroline, you look so beautiful bald, is your head completly smooth? I do not look that attractive with my gray stubble and bald spots!
Pat, you have me wondering about 4 vs 6 tx of TC and that's on my list to ask my onc. next visit. I don't want to face 2 additional rounds of chemo, but I also don't want to ever go thru this experience again and if 2 more rounds will help, then so be it.
Lauren, I hear you on the SE's, I didn't know the meaning of extreme fatigue until this round of chemo. I'm day 11 and feeling much better, but I took off 2 days this week to sleep! I've never been that way, never! Working full time and going thru tx is more of a challenge then I expected. I finally decided just to listen to my body, if I'm tired, I'm staying home, no one is going to give me a medal if I go to work and feel lousy all day. I still feel guilty about it, but I keep telling myself this is just a short period in my life and I have to put myself first.
How tired do you think rads will make us? I have another issue, my skin under my eyes is very tender and discolored, I know this has to do with all of the crying I did when Sadie died, but don't you think it would have cleared up by now? Any suggestions? I've tried all types of eye cream. I look like a zombie.
I'm going to try to get some work done now. Hope everyone stays well.
Cinda
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Thank you for the suggestions on the meds for nausea. I know it early in the morning but I feel better,
Has anyone gotten a little acne. I have never had it before in my life. I have seven more days of hair. I will Cherish it.
I know that I need all 6 tx as the tumor was 3.3 cm grade three no nodes but still nothing that I want to mess with. I will also be on herceptin for a year and some hormone that has not been decided. I know that we do not have any guarantees but we have to do all that we can. Including breaking bad habits, I want the environment within me to be non conducive to caner as well.
You all seem to be doing ok. nobody in the hospital. Just a lot of yuckiness. Thinking good thoughts for all
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Cinda, thanks, you're so sweet
My head isn't all smooth, still tons of stubbles, it's just so light that you don't really see it unless you're up close. About your eyes, keep in mind that your body takes longer to heal now. I scrapped my finger the day after my first treatment, after a week, it still looked like it had just happened!Finally went in for my rash. Guess what... I have a rash! Ha! She started prescribing me some medecine so I asked her what the rash was and her answer "Oh I don't know, you'd have to see a dermatologist for that!" I still think it's folliculitis with added hives through my body. My head is clearing out a little, but I'll still take the pills. Next round, going straight to the dermatologist is any skin rash appears!
Bold, glad to hear you're fealing better today
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Caroline, glad to see you finally have an unspecific answer to your problem! At least you have some meds, hope it works for you!
I've been reading the Warrior goddess breast cancer book, can't think of the author right now, but it seems that ground flaxseed is a good idea in the prevention and fighting of breast cancer. Just thought I'd put that out there. I'm going to try it, she made it sound like it was to good to pass up!
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I still have needle marks from the IVs and the tape marks from the monitor electrode things when I had my port put in on Dec. 8. and it took weeks for the bruising to go away. We just don't heal.
I called the Onc's office this morning about my foot pain. Two hours later the nurse called back. She said Oh this is very common with Taxatere. It's called neuropothy. Well dah. She'll talk to the Onc about getting some meds to control the pain. Then she said Onc might want to reduce the dose to prevent such toxic SE. I asked if that would cause me to have more treatments. She says, no, it will still be effective. Well, sisters, why are we being poisoned to the max if less will work just as well? Do any of you feel like an experiment? I'm starting to. So, now I'm waiting another how many hours for her to get back to me on the med. thing. I'm finally feeling better, have a million errands to do and I'm going to give the whole day to BC again waiting for phone calls from the clinic.
Lauren, it sounds like you're right along with the rest of us who've been knocked over a lot more on the second round than the first. I hope you can get thru it fast. Just sleep alot. That helped me.
Caroline, it's good to get something for your head, but how frustrating to go to the Dr. we're supposed to see and they don't know anything. Just write a RX. Just give us some pills or some cream and we'll go away and behave.
Can you tell I'm just a little frustrated today?????????
As far as being tired with rads, I hear it takes a lot out of you. None of the sick feeling stuff like chemo but really takes your energy.
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Ok, so to support my last complaint. The onc nurse called back and said onc just wants me to take some vicoden. Because, really, my goal at the end of all this is to be a narcotic junky.
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Maybe we should all plan on rehab after this is over. WOW
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Oh Firni, I am sorry to get a laugh out of your last comment but that is hilarious and I am sure I will be understanding that soon enough.
This is day 4 after first tx and I am now on the sorry sap boat. Yesterday ended back at onc office getting iv fluids plus and iv anti neasuea med because I was so sick, came home slept and slept some more. Kids must have known some thing was very wrong cause part of the house was clean when I stumbled out of my stupper somewhere in the eve. I feel like garbage but can tell this will not be the worst to come. Onc says dose dense is hard on some people, cant imagine who it would not be hard on I am pooped. I am going out into this cold weather and gonna force myself to walk at least a little distance maybe this will help. I will pray for all of you as I walk around the park that this gets nothing but easier. I am misserable but feel I should not complain because many of you are having a worse time of it. Sorry .
Much love to all of you and thanks for the support.
Alyssa
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obviously I'm not being very productive here at work today, am counting the minutes until I can go home and take a nap!
Firni, I read your last entry while I was eating lunch and almost choked! Love your spunky attitude and thanks for the chuckle. I wasn't thinking of heel pain as nueropathy, learned something today. I hope your day gets better.
Alyssa, Of course you should complain, if not to us than to who, that's what this site is for, we complain and then we support.
For some reason my scarf keeps falling down on my forhead today, why is that I can keep it on at home no problem, as soon as I walk out the door, it falls apart.
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Hi everyone! This is day day nine from my first tc treatment (of 4). I am finally starting to feel a little normal. I had horrible se, lots of nausea and gastric side effects. Feel so tired. I decided today that I will not try to work thru treatment. This was a big decision for me, and now that I have made it I feel a sense of relief. Like many of you, I have a strong work ethic, and somehow think I "should" be able to work, but i am determined to take care of myself. I was so scared abt chemo, and now I am in the middle of it and am doing it, like many, many of you have supported me and told me I would. I still hate having breast cancer. I am very grateful to be in the company of such great women. My computer was down for a while, and I felt lost without all of you.
Ellen
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Firni, so sorry you're going through all this, but you did give me a good laugh. And that's coming from someone who's just as frustrated right now! About the drug junkie... I grabbed a marker and marked every jar of pills I have with their purposes. So far I have a nausea, a joint pain & a itch jar! If I don't mark them, I'll never know which one to use, there's too many, and all new names!
Ellen, as difficult as that decision was, it probably is the best one if you're able to stay home through treatment. Rest and one the days you feel better, pamper yourself, get back to an old hobby, and enjoy it while it last. I was going to say to take extra time to cook good meals/snacks, but who can taste something here
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Caroline...Dr. Christine Horner is the author of the Waking the Warrior Goddess.....I've read that book twice and keep it right on my desk to refer to all the time.
Sorry some of you are having a difficult day...sending good vibes your way!
Hang in there ladies!
Lisa
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Just a couple of things I wanted to share with you before they escape from my unreliable brain...
Yesterday the oncologist told me that only about 10% of his patients get the Neulasta injection. I'm one of those because my blood counts are on the edge, even with the Neulasta, and also because I am prone to infection.
Since my hair got buzzed, I've tried several shampoos, including baby shampoo, and all of them made my scalp hurt or itch. As a last resort I used my face soap, Origins Cream Bar, to wash my stubbly head and it is THE ONE for me. It makes my scalp feel so good!
Chemo #2 was yesterday and Neulasta was this morning. No sleep last night because of the steroids so I'm going to try to take a nap. Another missed day of work -- oh well.
Take care, Divas!
Bonnie
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CindaD - Have you tried wearing a scarf pad under your scarf. I got one from headcoverings.com. It makes you feel so much more secure about wearing a scarf. I also like a small knit hat with a scarf rolled over and over again from end to end and then wrapped around the hat and tied in the back. (I'm not sure I explained that very well) You need one of the large 36" scarves for this. I can't stand to wear my wig all the time. It still hurts too much.
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I am glad I could raise a laugh out of everyone. I laughed myself when I read it back just now. I did not get any vicoden. I just took some Tylenol and went shopping. I bought groceries and some stones, beads and shells to make some jewelry. So, now I feel better and I have something to do after my next treatment when I just can't haul my butt out of bed. Oh, my foot feels better too.
With the SEs, it seems like day 6 is my turn the corner day. My taste buds actually come back around day 8. Then it's like I want to eat everything in sight. Hmmm. Maybe that's why I weigh more each time I go to the Dr. Truthfully, I do go on a binge for a day. Then I behave and eat like I should. So those of you in your week of Tx, it will get better soon. Get the rest you need and you'll be back to normal before you know it.
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jajebr3, and all of those fighting those days 4 and 5! - I too am glad that my DH is able to pretty much run the business and I do the paperwork when I feel good. I cannot imagine trying to work full time right now!
Day 17 after TC #2: Must be time to get ready for session #3! My taste buds are starting to come back.... I could actually taste chocolate last night..... OK, I admit..... I ended up eating 4 choc covered donuts and even though it still didn't taste quite the same. :-(
Firni - loved the druggie comment! I am amazed your taste buds come back so quickly... I am envious!!!!
Bkokie - only 10% get the shot? I am getting the impression that many of us are getting the nuelasta shot. Even though my counts were good for the second session, I developed a nuetrapenic (sp?) fever and had to be hospitalized on days 10 - 12 from the first session. So I now have to take the shot. I too just use a gentle body wash on my scalp and it seems to be working; no irritation.
Wig #2 - Well, the second wig is more comfortable (I ended going to Indianapolis rather than Dayton) and looks MUCH better. Though it is still not a joy to wear..... I am glad it is cold and I have good excuses to wear hats. Many friends have knitted or given me hats and they are great (the friends and hats!)
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mmliv, I started chemo on Dec. 8 and over the past couple of days, I have been able to "start" just start tasting chocolate. I ended up eating an entire baggie of hershey kiss last night even though I couldn't taste them all the way
LOL! Have you tried dark chocolate? I can taste it a lot more than milk chocolate and I don't typically care for dark choco. -
My taste buds came back over the weekend...which was about day 8 after the second treatment. I lost them the day of treatment, which was much sooner than the first time, but it seems like they came back sooner.
My hubby got me two boxes of my favorite dark chocolates for Christmas, and I've just been able to start enjoying them.
I too find it hard to believe only 10% get the shot. I tried getting my onc to do a "wait and see" before I got the shot, but he said no due to the time of year and the flu, etc. Good thing I got it, as chemo really decreased my counts.
Hugs to all!
Lisa
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Sometimes I wish that I could not taste things, It seems that I am eating everything in sight. Everything tastes pretty good to me. They said that I only gained 1 lb but I can't afford to gain any. I was suppose to be getting on a good diet and exercise program this new year. I defintely needed to loose weight. Now all I want to do is eat even when I am nauseous. Firni- I feel the same way about the drugs. When I complained about sleep onc said take a pill, when I said that I was always hungry she said take a pill. I don't want to take anymore pills. Right now I have like 6 different pill jars. I also had to label each one or I would never remember what they were for. I am to tired of every minute of every day thinking about this illness. I still feel sometimes that I am living a dream and when I wake up this will all be over. I am phicisally feeling better today, but I guess my emotions are pretty high. My mom had her first tx today. She is so strong, she called me after to tell me she was doing fine. You could tell she was pumped up with steroids because she was talking non stop. I am just praying she does not get bad SE's. But she is going to give everything she has got. I am hoping to enjoy this weekend as I will have my 5th tx on Monday. We are going to see Phantom of the Opera in NYC. It was my son's Christmas Present. He is totally into Broadway. I am so happy that I will feel well enough to go. I hope everyone will have a nice weekend SE free.
Stay Well Ladies,
Colleen
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I really feel for those of you who cannot taste anything for more than a week. I have such a hard time eating anything when I'm like that. I guess I am lucky the buds come back so quickly for me. I'm glad to know I'm not the only food glutton when flavor makes a come back.
I bought a scarf pad and a few headbands. Both work great with the scarves. The scarf pad gives the scarf a little more volume. But it gets hot. The headband under the scarf will help keep it in place and isn't as hot. The headbands work well under hats on a windy day too since there isn't anything else on my head to keep a hat in place.
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Simvog:
Sorry I made a mistake on how you were posting tx. My bad. I am so grateful for your effort.
Thank you for you.
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Simvog
You are amazing to have compiled that list of December chemo ladies. Thanks.
Mandy
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