Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

lisasayers

Well I had enought of the hats and scarves during zumba class...I was too darn warm...so off it came tonight and my students all aplauded me! LOL  They have been such a great support during this time!

Well I believe I'm dealing with some cording in my arm!  The exercise and stretching is helping.  Doing some massage as well!  From what I understand, it will work itself out!  Yippee! LOL

Time for sleep!  Have a great Friday everybody!

chiquita

I had my 2 chemo on Tuesday 06, I feel very tired and nauseated but I only vomited 1 time...other than that I am OK...I never had a neulast or any medicine for pain...I only take a multi vitamin and try to eat ok every 2 hours...good luck everyone until the end of this ordeal....

lktracey

Hi all.

Day 4 of TX#2 TC, and this round has kicked my booty right out the gates!!! I have had nausea and fatigue so bad this time.  The first round was easy peasy, now I am actually feeling sick.  It really makes me mad!! Before, yes, I had cancer, had surgery, started chemo.... Life going on. Then screeeeechhhh!  Life to a halt, no meds to keep the nausea at bay, and the darn Neulasta shot has me hurting this time too!  It sucks! Stupid cancer, stupid chemo!!! Thank goodness it's only 4. 

I don't know how you ladies do it with work.  I was down and out the last few days.  I go to the PS today for a fill, and if were not for the thought of getting a "boob fill up", I'd probably be in bed again most of the day.  I forced myself up yesterday and dragged myself to Smoothie King to find something I could tolerate.  And guess what God did??? He sent this young man there for me.  This guy is the co-owner and have never seen him in there before, but he was my angel yesterday.  I walked in and explained I had chemo, nothing tasted right or good, and I needed something.... He goes on to tell me that his sister went through chemo and rad tx for over a year and he understood completely. We whipped up the perfect smoothie for me, complete with protein powder and energy booster.  He was meant to be there for me. Granted, it took me about 3 hours to get it all down, but it actually tasted good and settled the nausea.  So, taking those little "God winks" and running with them these days.

My what a different perspective from the first round of chemo till now..... Kind of dread #3...

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend!

Lauren

havehope

Bold

Not to worry, I was thinking is getting too long, too.

If anybody wants to see the entire list is posted under Topic: Diary - Starting Chemo DECEMBER 2008.

You can send me PM with the next tx dates.

Firni

Lisa, of all people to have cording.  I would think with all the Zumba and as active as you are, you would have avoided that.  I guess no one is guaranteed an exemption from anything.  I hope it goes away soon.  It will go away, it's annoying to do that stretch and be stopped short with that pain running thru your arm.

I don't know either how most of you are working.  There are times, like when I pay the bills, I'm so upset yet that I lost my job.  And then there are the times, like the whole chemo week, that I'm so happy I can just lay in bed all day if I have to.   

Lauren, I'm glad you're at peace with the short hair till Sat.  It really does get nasty in texture and luster and everything once it starts letting loose.  I'm still surprised sometimes when I catch myself in the mirror and there is nothing on my head.  But I never have a bad hair day.  

I think I posted this before but my aunt just finished chemo this past May.  She told me not to try to eat things I really like while my taste buds are off.  I would be disappointed and end up not liking those foods.  She said go for things that I don't eat very often and that have kind of strong flavors.  So the things I could eat and tasted ok this past round were tuna salad with pickles, cranberry sauce, baked cinnamon apples (someone else made them) dried apricots, fried eggs and dry rye toast.   Oh, and water.  Only water to drink.  That was pretty much my menu for a week.  At least it was fairly healthy.  

Lauren, thank God for the Smoothie King guy!! 

What is a good fruit juice to get that doesn't have a bunch of sugar or artificial sweetener?  I really would like to have some fruit juice during chemo week.  I don't care what flavor it is. I can't deal with the sweet. 

CindaD

Dr. Decker, good for you to take some time off, I imagine your job can be pretty stressful, there are times I wish I could just take off, but financially it's just not going to happen, so I just take off when I really pooped!

Mombos, I just ordered a scarf pad, for some reason I like the scarves and hats better than my wig, I guess I need to practice wearing it more, but the last time I did it was windy and my hair was everywhere and I had a devil of a time figuring out how it should go!  And I have a very short wig!  I never was good at fixing my own hair.

Firni, I just buy 100% juice, my favorite right now is pomegranate/blueberry, it has a strong flavor and I can really taste it, so I guess that's why I like it.  I also made strawberry smoothies at home and it went down just fine.  Frozen strawberrie and 100%strawberry/banana juice and a banana.

I wish lisasayers could give us all a Zumba class to rev us up, wouldn't that be fun?

Cinda

mombos

Well, ladies I'm off to TC Tx 2 of 6 this morning.  I'll check in when I am feeling well enough.

busqueen

Good luck mombos. Hope everything goes smoothly.  I'm getting ready to leave for AC tx2 in a few hours.  Sigh.  Eating my favorite cereal and feeling like it's my "last meal."  I'm truly not looking forward to this next week.  My husband {just got married in September...} is finally moving here from New York {long story}, which is a wonderful thing, but the poor guy is gonna show up and find a bald, boobless, ridiculously tired and slightly nauseated wife.  It wasn't supposed to be like this.  We were supposed to go on our honeymoon cruise next month, obviously that's not going to happen.  And with the financial hole this cancer crap is causing getting deeper by the day, I feel like we'll never get to go on a real honeymoon.  I feel so sorry for my husband, he had no idea what he was signing up for.  Sigh.  And to top it off, my car broke down last weekend.  And I wasn't able to find a ride to my appointment with my counselor, which I obviously needed!  Sorry guys.  Guess I needed to vent a little.  I hope everybody here has a great day with a much needed break from these annoying SEs.  Take care.

Catrenae

Busqueen,

Don't apologize for venting. We all need to let off steam and let loose with the frustrations. 

I don't know if this helps you any, but my SEs were not nearly as bad after my 2nd tx as they were with the 1st one. I didn't feel nearly as nauseaus or "wiped out." Hopefully you'll get a break from the SEs too.

Hope things go as well as possible for you!

Cat

lisasayers

Cinda I would love to teach you all Zumba!  What a blast we would have!  I'm actually starting a Team Survivor group here for women of all cancers and I'll be teaching free Zumba classes for them.

 Firni I had some trouble with the cording right after surgery and then it went away.  This past weekend I did too much lifting of heavy boxes when I was putting my Christmas decorations away and I think that is what brought this back on.  Doing zumba actually helps it to feel better, because of all the stretching we do. 

One week away from TX3 and it's like knowing you are going to get the flu!  I'm feeling back to normal now and then boom, time to start over again! 

But we are all strong and we will beat this!

Hugs to all!

BonnieK

Lisa -- you are such a positive person, and boy do we need that here sometimes!  I'm not sure what cording is, but hope yours gets better soon. 

I've had a rough time since my 2nd Tx.  Wednesday night and Thursday were spent mostly on the couch with nausea and stomach cramps and very little food.  Water stays down, so that's good.  DH finally talked me into taking a Compazine late yesterday and it helped a lot but made me really loopy.  Took another one in the middle of the night and feel tired, but somewhat more human today after about 11 hours of sleep.  I was hoping to go to work today, but am not up to that quite yet. 

Hope everyone has a good day today.

Bonnie

Lainey64

Hi Divas.  I have been absent for the past couple of days.  TX #3 has just kicked my butt this week.  I'm now day 8 since last A/C.   I've been reading and catching up on posts and it looks like sadly I am not the only one.  It has just sucked big time!  I came back to work on Tuesday and had to leave early.  I have made it the rest of the week but I'm so glad it's finally Friday.  To make matters worse, I should have started my period this week but haven't yet.  But of course, I have all the cramps and aches that normally go along with it.  This hasn't made things easier.  My surgery site has been bothering me also but I think it's because my breasts always are tender around my time of the month so that's just aggravating things.

But on a better note.. I have been feeling much better today.  I am still getting bouts of nausea though which didn't happen as bad with the first 2 TX's.  I hope it doesn't continue to get worse. 

One thing different about this TX is that I got it on a Friday and didn't get my Nuelasta shot until Monday.  I wonder if that could have made a difference.  I made sure to get my next TX scheduled for a Thursday so I can get my shot on Friday like usual.  Has anyone else had a problem with this or get delayed shots? 

I hope it will get better for all of us.  I've missed reading and contributing here the past couple of days, but honestly, just reading the words "chemo" or anything to do with it has made me feel queasy!  Sometimes I can't stand to go ito my bathroom because it smells like medicine to me!

Colleen, I am eating too much right now too!  There are some things I definitely do not want like chocolate and sweets, but bring on the savory foods!  Pizza has been my best friend lately.  I'm afraid I'm gaining weight too!

Hugs, Divas.  I love you ladies.

Elaine

lktracey

busqueen: I am sorry that you and your hubby have started your new life with the big "C", but wow, what an amazingly strong relationship you will have going through this together.  Just think when you are celebrating your 5th or 10th anniversary all cancer free and a head full of hair, you two can look back and think how far you've come!  Good luck and God bless.

So, today my nausea started the same, but by the time we were ready to go to the PS for my fill, I was actually feeling a little better. My PS made me feel good though and said no worries on the tightness in the right foob.  No more antibiotics! Yeah!   Plus, we filled again today and I must say, I am lovin' the way the new girls are filling out.  I told my husband that I didn't care if he had to drag me half unconscious, I was getting a fill up today! 

Hope you ladies have a great weekend. I am off to rest again.

Lauren 

MeganMacRae

Hi Stef!

 Mom has had her second does of AC and it knocks her down to the point that she has to spend 2-3 days in bed because she is so weak. Did you have that happen? I know I will be going with her to see her Onco next Friday, but was just looking for some hints now. Congrats on 2 years! I know we all are ready for it to be done. She is probably sick of me asking her every 2 minutes if she is ok or if she needs anything. Good luck everyone. I hope you all get through it with help too. Mom couldn't do it without me. 

lisasayers

Hey Elaine

I have my TX on Fridays and get my Neulasta on Monday and haven't had any problems from the delay.  Sorry you are having a rough time of it this time around.

I myself just got back from four hours at the ER.  LOL  My arm where I have the cording started to get a bit red, so I stopped at the cancer center and the doc's were gone, as it was Friday at 4:45.  The nurses didn't have a clue what I was talking about and the PA thought I needed to have an ultrasound to make sure I had no blood clots, so they sent me to the ER.  So after four hours...I came home with what I told them I needed...Keflex, which is an antibiotic for the cellulitis. 

So now I'm going to have to start taking my herbal colon cleanse to prevent the constipation from setting in. 

Time to go get comfy in my PJs!

Hugs

Lisa

mary5454

Had #2 yesterday - that day was fine..today not great but not horrible. Didn't go to work,,we'll see how things go. hair falling out in patches - glad I buzzed it. Got some new scarves and are much more comfortable for me than the wig.

Simvog - my # 3 will 1/29..

 Saw a dietican through the oncology office on Wednesday. She was very helpful. BOLD- I am 30 pounds overweight and she told me they recommend that you don't lose weight during chemo?? She did give me some good advice about what to eat and about using organic dairy and hormone free beef and chicken since my tumor is hormone positive.

Well off to lay down (again). Hope we all feel better soon. Sounds like everyone is getting a bit dragged down. We will get through this, we will.

chiquita

Hi Girls...I had my 2 chemo on Tuesday and I feel very dragged down...Do you know why we need to take Dexamethasone? It make me feel very hipper and nervous.... thank you and good weekend to everyone.

mombos

Well, it is early morning after Tx 2 and I am again up with nausea.  Just like last time the IV anti-nausea medication they gave me lasted until the middle of the night.  They keep telling me that it will last for 2-3 days but I can't even make it through one day.  They have now tried Zofran and the other new one that starts with an E.  I don't know what to do next.  Anyway, being on the computer is not helping so I will go.

Firni

Hi Chiquita,  Dexamethasone is a steroid.  I think it's just Dexadron.  You take it to help reduce allergic reactions to chemo and it helps fight nausea.  Some of the ladies here take it a few days before and a few days after chemo.  It does make you very hyper and difficult to sleep.  

Mombos, has your onc tried  Dexemathasone?  It might help.  You take it twice a day and you can take it with Compazine.  I don't know if you can take it with Zofran or Emend.  Call your Onc today and get something to take in ADDITION to what your taking now.  Don't wait and have to suffer thru the weekend.

Mandy1313

Mombos:

I have been given Dexamethasone with both Zofran and Emend so it does not contractdict by itself. But it is best always to check with the onc in  case they have some particular ideas on the subject.

I had alot of trouble with nausea for the first two TX, but this time with the combinatoin of dexamethasone, Emend and Kytril, I had no nausea at all.  Mombos, get them to change your meds. Zofran did nothing for me at all.  Kytril with dexamethazone did not workfor me.  And even if it is supposed to last for a few days, that IV medicine is not lasting for you.   

Call right now, if you have not called already, and get them to fax the RX to your pharmacy.  And hopefully you will feel better soon.

Mandy

chiquita

Thank you Firni, I am so happy we can come here and learn about how to feel better and have you girls here to help...thank you again and good day to everyone!!!!

lovemyfamilysomuch

Still feeling queasy, and when is this going to stop?  My hair hasnt fallen out yet, but I am waiting for that to  happen.  I took my zofran a little late, so it seems like the nausea got a start on me and now is kicking butt.  I wihs I had more energy.  It is so hard to keep positive, but I am doing my best, just like all of you are,  I give you guys all my love and support, because unless you are going thru this, you just don't know--right???

Here is hoping for better days ahead.

Ellen Decker 

Lainey64

Good morning ladies.  Boy am I glad it's Saturday.  I slept in and it felt good!  I'm still dragging and it's now over a week since TX but I think it has more to do with menstrual stuff than the chemo.  I wish it would just "start" and get over with.  I know they said this could throw me into menopause but I don't understand what is going on. 

Lisa, I hope the antiobiotics help.  Sounds like you had a very unpleasant Friday afternoon. 

I don't think the Zofran works that well on me either.  The Emend works great the first 3 days and then I take the Zofran but it makes me sleepy and that's not good while at work.  Does anyone take any non-drowsy nausea meds? 

lisasayers

Hello Ladies!

My arm is already better today!  Redness has gone down, as well as the swelling.  Went to Zumba and taught this morning and moving helps.  Just looks like I may be prone to this cellulitis until chemo is over.  Seems like there are several ladies on the board who have gone through the same exact thing!  It is what is.........

I hope you all feel much better today.  I have had no nasea with the chem and I thank Gof for that!

Well, off to Cleveland to do some shopping!

havehope

 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  

Lainey64                 #4 15 Jan 09          4xAC+4xTaxol 

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

DrDecker               #2   21- Jan 09               4xTC  

ptjen                      #3   21 Jan 09               4xTC

Colleen1960           #6 22-Jan 09        CMF

Mandy1313            #4 27-Jan 09             CMFB

kokie                    #3 28-Jan 09              4xTC

mary5454              #3 - 29-Jan 09           4xTC

busqueen            #3     30 Jan 09           4xAC+12xTaxol

Lainey64

Hi Simvog - thanks so much for keeping the list updated!  On next update, whenever, does not matter, please update me for A/C #4 on Jan 15th.  Ugh... can't believe it's less than a week away and I'm still not over the last one!!  On the bright side, it will be my last A/C and I get to move on to the wonderful world of Taxol.

EleanorJ

Yeah Lainey. You're almost done the bad stuff

lktracey

For all you ladies in the chemo crud nausea mode: there is a light at the end of the tunnel - and it's NOT a train!!! I felt the worst ever this week after #2, and today, I think I just might live to tell about it.  Nausea is almost gone.  Craving shrimp fried rice!  Got that little craving over with and I think I'm on my way back to normal.

I will pray each of us gets the peace and strength we need to get through this.

Lauren

mary5454

Lauren,your note was just what I was looking for. Don't know what to do with myself...thought I'd log on- feel like crap...day 3 #2...I keep reminding myself that this will get better.... Thank you....

busqueen

Cat and Lauren, thanks for the encouragement.  I know what you meant Lauren about how strong my new marriage will be by making it through this together.  I actually just feel so bad for my husband because he had never been married before and I know he probably thought everything was going going to be wonderful and perfect and we were just going to run around naked all the time.  {which we all know was a little unrealistic anyways!LOL}  Anyways, I'm feeling generally crummy on day 2, it's like I can hear the truck that's gonna come run me over revving it's engines.  Feeling a little nauseas, but i can't figure out if it's cuz I ate something wrong, or haven't eaten enough.  I get Emend, Aloxi, and decadron for the nausea and it worked well last time.  The Aloxi gives me a mild headache, but I'd rather have that than throw up.  Hang in there Mary, it will get better.  I'm right behind you.  Simvog, next time you update, my #3 is on 1/30.  Take care everybody.