Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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  • CindaD
    CindaD Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2009

    Thanks ladies for your kind words about Maddie, it has been a difficult week. 

    On a happier note, CONGRATS to those of you who are finishing up this week. A big WOO HOO to you girls, LIFE IS GOOD!  LAST TIME FOR NASTY SEs!!!!!!  Can you believe it!  So no matter how bad you feel next week, it will be the LAST TIME to feel that way!   I'm celebrating for you and looking forward to my last tx!  You go girls!

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  • havehope
    havehope Member Posts: 503
    edited February 2009

    Congrats on all who finished chemo! Don't forget to come and visit us.  

    Catrenae              #4 5 Feb        4xACLaughing+12xTaxol  

    Romiles               #3  5 Feb

    Lisasayers            #4- 6Feb                 4xTC  Laughing

    bobcat                   #4- 6Feb                4xTC  Laughing

    sdavis                   #4 9-Feb               6xTC

    cebula                   #4 9 Feb            6xTC

    Majanumba1         #4 9-Feb              TCH

    horsercn             #1 9 Feb (TH)       4xAC Laughing+12 Taxol+Herceptin  

    Colleen1960         #8  9- Feb        CMFLaughing 

    Bold                    #3  9 Feb             6xTCH 

    Firni                    #4   11 Feb              6xTC

    ptjen                   #4   11 feb               4xTCLaughing

    DrDecker            #3    11 Feb               4xTC   

    CindaD               #4   12-Feb                4xTC Laughing

    Lainey64             #2T  12 Feb          4xACLaughing+4xTaxol   

    swest                   #4  13 Feb           4xTC  Laughing

    simvog                #4    16 Feb           4xFACLaughing+12xTaxol

    iktracey               #4    17 Feb               4xTCLaughing 

    apfuentes            #4     17 Feb               4xTCLaughing  

    Mandy1313         #5      17 Feb             CMF 

    LindaBusEd        #5      24 Feb            6xTAC

    zuffa                   #5-     25 Feb             6xTAC   

    Romiles               #4    26 Feb               Laughing

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  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 226
    edited February 2009

    Just wanted to wish everyone happy Friday and a good weekend.  I will have my last tx on Monday.  YEA!!! Hope everyone who had treatments this week are doing well.  Congrats Lisa on your last treatment.  Are you on your way to surgery next? 

    Enjoy & Stay Strong

    Colleen 

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited February 2009

    Good morning ladies.  And TGIF!  I'm thinking of those of you getting your last TX today.  How awesome. 

    I'm feeling better day by day.  I took some Tylenol cold and flu before bed last night and while I slept really good I woke up feeling like I had a hangover.  I can't shake the stuffy head feeling but I know it's just the cold.  I came to work with only a scarf and cute cap today.  I put on big silver hoop earrings and I'm feeling very good.  Everyone at works says I look good and it feels sooo good not to have the wig on.  I'm going shopping this weekend for a few more sporty caps and scarves. 

    Caroline - Good luck getting that new dishwasher!  I hope your landlord comes through for you. 

    Bonnie - I'm so sorry your SE's are kicking your butt.  I hope they will subside a bit so you can have some good days.  You sound like you are in good sprits despite all of it. 

    Have a great day everyone!  Elaine

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  • CindaD
    CindaD Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2009

    Lainey, I wear a lot scarves, I actually like the look!  I found an alternative to the store bought scarves.  I went to the fabric store and bought all kinds of wild fabric, batik, hot pink, lime green, I like color and pattern.  I just made big squares at first, about 34-35", then I thought there was to much bulk and so I made quite a few in a big triangle pattern, I LOVE THEM, get a lot of comments because of the cool fabric, and the ladie in the chemo room are always asking where I got my scarves, so I'm going to finish off the rest of the material this weekend and take them in to chemo.  You can get 2 scarves from one square if you make a triangle, so I have a lot of fabric left.  By the way, I can't really sew, I can only make a straight line with my machine, but it's easy!   On my last decadron high, I actually put some seed beads on a scarf, looks cool!

    TGIF

    Hope everyone has a great weekend, it supposed to get in the 50's here!  WOO-HOO!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited February 2009

    Cinda, what an awesome idea!  I wish I had a sewing machine or a creative bone in my body!  Enjoy your nice weather.  It's supposed to be 72 here today!  Still no sun but the winds are supposed to get up to 35 mph and I'm a little concerned because I chose to where a hate today, of all days!

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    We're having big wind here too today.  I always try to wear a scarf that I can tie tightly on windy days.  That is a great idea Cinda.  I used to sew and have a lot of left over material.  I'm not out actually doing anything anyway.  Might as well make some scarves.  Taking the extras to chemo is fantastic.  My clinic always has "new" stuff that people have brought in.

    Caroline, have you heard any more about that new dishwasher yet?  How is the pain? 

    I'm day 17 Tx 3 and I'm just wiped out this time.  I'm achy and tired and blah.  I usually feel good by now.  My SEs were not real bad this time, but they sure haven't gone away yet.  I'd rather take a hard hit for a few days and then have 2 good weeks than to just feel run down and useless the whole time. 

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  • mmliv
    mmliv Member Posts: 128
    edited February 2009

    Day 4 of TC #4 (LAST ONE) - Though the fatigue is less (even walked three miles in this wonderful weather today), discomfort is higher; mainly from pain. Some pain is probably from the Nuelasta shot but I think that I am getting some additional foot and ankle aches.

    I am still thankful for the cold weather though, I have so many nifty hats that really do cheer up my day! I still cannot imagine going out bald.... though in cold weather it has not been much of a decision. I suspect when it gets warmer I too will be going bald (or really SHORT hair)! You crafty scarves ladies need to post some pictures!!!!! When I tried scarves...... I didn't like them, but then I am clueless about stylin'.

    Family is out today going on a college visit - My daughter has selected a college and I haven't been able to visit it yet..... bummer. She is competing for a grant today.

    Glad to see that many who have not posted for awhile have come back with updates; Thanks!

    Mary L 

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited February 2009

    Day 10 after TC #3 and it has been a nice, restful day at home.  Weather here is mild, about 50 degrees, with rain off and on.  It's great to have the weather as an excuse to wear hats and scarves every day. 

    Cinda -- I love that you made your own scarves and might just give it a try myself!  I bought 3 pre-tied scarves online awhile ago and they are beautiful and super easy -- they are my favorites.  Been thinking about looking for another wig in the hope that it would actually be somewhat more comfortable, but don't know if it is worth the effort. 

    The neuropathy in my feet and ankles is still hanging around, but it's no worse than last time so no calls to the doctor for now.  Other side effects, except for the fatigue, are much better today.  Do others of you feel like the fatigue gets worse as you get further into treatment?  That's how it seems to me.

    Enjoy the rest of Friday and the weekend.

    ~Bonnie

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  • mombos
    mombos Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2009

    It has been a long week for us.  On Monday my DD was taken to the doctor by my DH to find out that she had the flu.  Her doctor insited that I call my onc and tell him.  They had me come in for a flu shot which I had not had yet.  I never even thought about getting one since I had never had one before.  I talked to a friend of mine who is also going through treatment and she advised me to move out.  We talked about it as a family and decided that that would be the wise thing to do.  I moved three miles to my brother's house.  It turned out to be a smart move since the next day my DH and DS both caught the flu.  They have been closed up in our house all week as sick as can be.  I feel so badly for my DH who is trying to take care of everyone while being sick himself.  He keeps saying...Don't you dare come back in this house.  I get supplies for them and drop them at the door.  We talk on the phone or through the open door while I stand in the front yard.  He called to tell me tonight that one of the kids didn't have fever anymore and the other one had only a slight fever.  He thought it would help me sleep better.  He is a great man and I don't know how I would get through this without him.

    At the store today I bought a T-shirt that should be our moto.  It has Popeye on the front and says...Strong to the Finish!  I am just past tx 3 of 6. My next treatment will be on Feb. 19.  I am just working on being strong to the finish.

    Pam

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited February 2009

    Mombos, hope your family is soon over the flu. Your hubby sounds like a wonderful guy.

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  • Majanumba1
    Majanumba1 Member Posts: 99
    edited February 2009

    Mombos, what a week. when it rains,,,,it pours. Your husband is a great guy and was so right to move you out of the house while everyone has the flu. It would be much worse if you had to be in the hospital because you got sick. I hope that your family is on the mend and that you are back home very soon.



    i have Tx4 of 6 on Monday. I made cupcakes tonight and plan to eat them this weekend (I might share) because for at least the next week sugar will taste terrible.



    Have a great weekend everybody.

    Carolyn

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Pam...sorry to hear about your family's illness!

    Today I finished my last treatment.  I had my own room today...probably a good thing because I got in there and was on a laughing jab!  The nurses wanted to know where they could get what I was on! I told them it was the decadron.  I had not slept all night.  It took a bit longer today than usual, as the pump kept going off with the air alarm.  But it is over and I was able to come home and have my Zumba party!  We had a blast.  Now I just hope I can sleep!

    If you want to check out some photos of my Zumba night...you can see them here

    http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1080115249683

    You don't need to be a member of facebook to see the photos! 

    Now I have weekly blood work until I meet with my Onc on March 3.  Oh, and the famous Neulasta shot.  I can't believe they charge $6000 for that thing!  Insurance only pays half, but that is crazy!  Then I will be on to my exchange surgery!  Thank goodness for silicone! LOL

     Ladies...you will all be at the end of your chemo very soon!  Hang in there and stay strong.  Remember, you are stronger than "it"

    Hugs to all

    Lisa

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    Lisa, couldn't see the photos on facebook without logging in.  Not a member.  It sounds like you had a party of sorts at your last chemo too.  Come and visit us.  Let us know how the exchange goes.

    Carolyn, cupcakes sound really good.  I have my 4 of 6 on Wed. Then everything is downhill for awhile.

    Pam, it's good you had somewhere to go while your family is so sick.  Not what you want to pick up.  It sounds like they're on the mend now and hopefully you can go home soon.  God bless you DH for handling everything.  Not all of them would be able to do that.

    Bonnie, I do feel like the fatigue is worse and lasts longer.  Yesterday I just felt like crap and DH asked when my next Tx was.  I told him Wed and he said, you're not going to have any good days this Tx are you?  I'm thinking I may not.  The fatigue, aches and now nausea again are starting to catch up with me.  I hate thinking of going and making it worse.  But our new motto is: Strong to the Finish.  So, that is what I'll be.

    Mary L, I didn't like the way scarves looked on me at first either.  The hats give a lot of lift and volume to the top of the head, where a scarf doesn't so much.  Sometimes I wear a cap liner under the scarf for a little more lift.  But that gets kind of hot.  You just get used to how it looks just like we all got used to seeing the bald lady in the mirror.

    Elaine, do you suppose you won't have to wear your wig to work at all any more?   That would be awesome. I'm sure it's easier to be there if you can be comfortable.

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited February 2009

    Pam so sorry about the flu. Good thing you moved out! Hope you can go back soon, I'm sure you miss them all.

    Lisa Congrats on finishing treatment :) Couldn't see the pictures either, keeps loging me into my mailbox wihtout seeing them :( Sounds like a had a great time.

    Elaine glad to hear you had the guts not to wear the wig at work.

    I should make my own scarves. I'm mid point through tx so I'm now wondering what's the point? Of course, hair won't be back right away, and I'm only wearing this one scarf everyday (when I wear one that is, about 5 minutes per day!). Going to the fabric store is a good idea, maybe I can make a few. I like the idea of donating them. This cancer is definately making me wonder what can I do to help others going through this when I'm done.

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited February 2009

    Nasty taste -- how do you continue to drink water? The taste of water is nauseating to me right now. It tastes like sewer sludge and I can't get it down. I have tried juices and other flavored waters but they all taste like salt water to me. This is getting to be a real challenge.

    I bought a cap from TLC the other day. It's cute but without hair hanging out around it, it does scream out: Cancer patient! I've been very open about the wig, and what I'm going through. It's just that sometimes I want to blend in and be comfortable at the same time.

    10 weeks down for my chemo, and 10 weeks to go. Guess I'm just feeling a bit discouraged today by the extensive timeline, and once again frustrated that even though I did all the right things and got my mammograms religiously for 12 years, I still wound up with Stage 3 and lymph node involvement.

    Sorry for the pity party ladies. I need to sign off and go find something fun to do today.

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  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited February 2009

    Hi Texas357

    I found strong ginger ale about the only liquid I can drink ...the traditional ones like ginger beer (which is not beer but west indian style ginger ale). I suck on lemon ice during my infusion to prevent mouth sores and then I go home ad drink gigner beer......Some people find they can drink lemon flavored drinks too.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    See if this link works

    http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=735004663&k=53FZZ2W5WV2M5ABEPK2TVP

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    I know I have to start adding lemon to my water and then when that doesn't work I switch to ginerale too!  I just have to be careful as I don't do well with anything carbonated!  I've also been mix Pom Juice with water! 

    Today we are celebrating my aunts 77th birthday...so I'm making lasagna, cream puffs and home made bread.  So much for my healthy eating today! LOL  I'm just hoping my taste buds hold out until then!

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  • mombos
    mombos Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2009

    I also can't stand water right now.  I mourn over the fact that my coke does not taste good either.  I drink cranberry juice.  The taste is strong enough to break through the yuck.  I can usually taste things that are sour or tart.

    Pam

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

     Lisa, That link didn't work either.  It just goes to a sign up page.  A birthday celebration is worth a few not so healthy foods.  With all the Zumba, you can afford to do that once in a while.  Any way, what fun would it be if we always behaved?

    I'm not having the sewer taste.  I just have no taste with most things.  My coke doesn't have any flavor either.  Coffee and tea I can taste tho.  At least that's something!!!

    Texas, ILC is so hard to find.  It is notorious for not showing up on mammos.  I never would have found mine so early if I hadn't had some DCIS in the same breast.  That's what the mammo picked up as a little calcification swirl.  When they did the biopsy they found the ILC.  Other wise I probably wouldn't have known for years yet. I hope you found something fun to do to get your mind off BC for awhile.

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  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 226
    edited February 2009

    Pam - So sorry to hear about your family having the flu.  It was great that you were able to move out and still be close.  I know easier said then done, it must of been really hard to stay away.  I am glad to hear that they are all on the mend and hopefully you will be able to return soon.

    Lisa - Congrats on finishingKiss.  I hope you have a nice weekend without any SE's.

    Bonnie - Yes I believe with me the fatique gets worse every time. 

    With the way my veins are they make me drink so much water till I feel I am going to throw up.  I starting drinking ginger ale also and that seems to be a little bit better.  Looking forward to Monday and dreading it at the same time.  I am still not over the last tx.  I am still very tired. 

    Be back on Monday to let you know how things went.

    Colleen

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited February 2009

    Hello everyone.  I'm moving at a slow pace this morning.  I'm feeling better from the cold but still not 100%.  I've been doing some housecleaning but still in my pj's.  Oh well.... it's hard sometimes to just be lazy when you're used to moving at a faster pace.  The SE's from the Taxol are pretty much nonexistent still.  Which is a good thing.  I have noticed a bit of tingling in my fingers but when that happens I run my hands under cold water and that helps.  My taste buds are back to normal and I've had no nausea so I'm eating pretty much whatever I want.  But chocolate and sweets are still very unappetizing to me.  But that's a good thing! 

    Wearing the hat and scarf to work yesterday was so much more comfortable than the wig.  My office is corporate but no one seemed to mind. I mean, how could they possibly tell me it's inappropriate?? So my plan is to get a few more pretty hats and make Friday's my "hat day". 

    Pam, I hope your family gets to feeling better!

    I hope everyone will have a good weekend. 

    Love, Elaine

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Firni....try my shutterfly album.  I give up on facebook! LOL  You don't have to login there....just click view album!

    share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=2AcM2LNw0aMXVw

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  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 1,519
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Lisa.  The pictures are great.  That looks like one heck of a workout.  What a nice group too.

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited February 2009

    Texas & mombos Try distilled water, not purified, make sure it's distilled.

    Lisa Looks like you have a great group. Is the gal with the scarf on the last pic your sister? You deserved to eat a great dinner & cream puffs, enjoy yourself :)

    Back still hurts, not sure what next step will be. Thinking about see my family doctor, he's actually a sports doc so he might have an idea? Still going for the bone scan on Tuesday but I'm sure it will come back normal.

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  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited February 2009

    Thanks everybody!    It is a great workout!

    Caroline...that is my 18 year old daughter in the group photo with the scarf on....she is the one with alopecia.  She was taking the pictures all night and finally got in the last one.  A lot of people think we are sisters....thank you Arbonne! LOL

     I hope you find out what is going on with your back soon!

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  • mary5454
    mary5454 Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2009

    Hi all! As some may remember I stopped chemo after 2 due to reaction. Anyway - I started radiation and Femara. (AI) ...Just want to let you know that radiation has been fine so far - I have done 4. They are very quick and so far only had some slight tightness in my breast.

     All you brave December Divas who have gone through so much can do this - no problem!

     My best to you all.. Hugs

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited February 2009

    Another question: has anyone else dealt with mouth thrush? I developed it Friday night and I think it's part of the reason why my taste buds are so funky. I bought Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, which gives very temporary relief of about 5-10 minutes.

    What really concerns me is that I am starting to get a very minor sore throat from it, and I don't want to have to stop treatment. For me, this process is very long and drawn out as it is.

    Thanks for the tips on lemon and ginger ale. I've got to go to the grocery store today anyway and I'll pick up some of those, as well as the cranberry juice. I was craving pineapple juice but now that tastes horrible too.

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  • zuffa
    zuffa Member Posts: 95
    edited February 2009

    Texas357 -- if it's mouth thrush it is bacterial and you need something stronger than Biotene -- there are prescription mouthwashes your oncologist can call in for you -- one is call Magic Mouthwash.    Thrush looks like cottage cheese lumps (sort of) and under the lumps there are usually sores.  An overall white coating in your tongue is not necessarily thrush -- I have a couple of days of white coating and funky mouth every treatment cycle -- but it is not thrush.  The prescription mouthwash will get rid of it quickly -- call the doctor,  (I've never had thrush, but small children develop it frequently and it is easily dispensed with).

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