Starting Chemo February 2009?

apple

some chemo group will cleverly call themselves the bald eagles.

(Michelle - sorry you are so nauseous.. ick)

Nancyb7912

Hello all. Got to wonder. 1st AC I was all tired and exhausted. Now comes 2nd and I just can't get rid of the nausea. Wondering what's next.

Hopeful that since tomorrow is day 5 this will have passed. Clicking my heels together 3 times and wishing.....

kmn0701

Anyone ordered any buffs yet?? Suzanne....which one did you get? I tend to lean towards the breast cancer stuff lately but there are some dang cute ones! I really want to try one. I cannot wait for my Look Good Feel Better class. I need that so much right now. Seriously, my head hurts! All the little stubbles that are still there just poke me & pinch me & feel like needles. Does anyone have any ideas for that? Please!

Kerry, I hear you. It's not like we can keep the kiddos out of school the whole time & unfortunately the one thing they have no problem sharing with each other is germs! Not so good for us. We kept Emma (kindergartener) home from school again but her activity level has been pretty good today so I'm thinking they are both on the mend now. I also called my Onc office today & was told I could take Sudafed (thank goodness), I was so stuffy earlier I wanted to cry. I'm feeling better now. We even got to the grocery store this afternoon without any issues. Yay! I know, it's the little things. lol

{{{Michele}}}, hugs on the nausea. What have they given you to try?? I haven't exactly been nauseous but definitely queasy.. I hate that feeling!

Terry....not losing taste (yet) but the queasiness definitely doesn't help. Nothing tastes good right now.

Thanks Liz (and everyone else), it's hard to look on the bright side sometimes but I know I need to focus on that! Hang in there....you WILL adjust to being bald!!!

 {{{HUGS EVERYONE}}}

xpectmiracles

It has been almost a week since my TC #2 and I still feel like crap! The nausea is worse this time; although I only vomited one time. The bone aches are better I think because I took the claritin and got stronger pain meds from onc. The fatigue is incredible. Does anyone elses legs burn just from the effort of going to the bathroom and back? Bo-hoo, poor me!   Ok thanks for listening. 

{{{Michele}}} so sorry!

Hey Susan, I can relate to the diet! Food has always been a struggle for me. I am trying not to eat compulsively through this time in my life. I definately have weak moments, though.

Liz, I hope you feel better after the shaving. I know I felt better. I hated my hair falling out! I felt more in control afterwards. You are NOT a wimp! 

jancie

NancyB - I am having the same issues as you with the nausea - this second round of A/C has really hit me hard - not only feeling like crap but also physically tired.  I had to lay down and take a nap today and never made it to the grocery store.  I am on day 6 and still nauseated but at least it has been on and off today and not all day long.  If you figure out what works - please let me know!

Kristine - I went to the Look Good Feel Good class - received lots of nice make up but I didn't find the class as instructional as I expected.  If I hadn't brought my scarves with me, they wouldn't have shown us how to tie them in all different ways.  Their idea was to give us a handbook - well giving me a handbook is like giving me a piece of rope and macrame instructions that I couldn't begin to understand if I read it 20 times over.  The "wig" lady was a young inexperienced person from a wig salon that charges way too much money to begin with and I thought her presentation lacked in all aspects.  She seemed to be there more to try to "sell" to us than to give us good advice on wigs, etc.  She basically took a bunch of caps and had us pass them from one person to another.  Oh well.......the makeup was free!

I finally figured out (I know....I am blonde to the roots) why I only want spicy foods - no chit - maybe because I have no taste buds left?  I can't taste anything unless it is really spicy!  I thought it was a nausea issue - hey......I learn really slow sometimes.

Oh forgot - the hair thing - your scalp hurting.........My scalp hurt so bad until I shaved my head and then the pain went away.

What is getting to me right now is that I have maybe 1/16" of an inch of hair that the dog clippers didn't get to and when I lay my head on a pillow it feels like my head is tingling in different areas which goes away if I put my soft sleeping cap on.

My horse is sick so I have to go to the barn for the next 8 days and give her antibiotics.  She has green snot coming out of her nose and her chest sounds congested.  She went through this last year along with 8 other horses.  Right now we only have 3 horses sick out of 50 and of course Miss Money Pit (her nickname) would be one to get sick.  She is a prima donna and a drama queen so she won't eat her grain if it has medication in it so I have to go out and give her beet pulp that has molasses in it so that she will take her meds.    I should never have spoiled her rotten because I am paying the price for it now.

datadrudge

You can add me...started 2-11-2009 TC 4x I've been lurking in the forums for a week or so and my daughter gave me a hard time...said others have got to be feeling what you are feeling...talk to them. So...my first TX wasn't too bad...I didn't feel good, natch, but I was still a relatively positive person. (Aside from freaking out over chemo brain when I couldn't add the dice or make change playing monopoly!) But this 2nd TX really hit me hard. I had a reaction to the Taxotere --guess the nurse saw I did well with round one and just bumped it to the top drip. A couple of minutes after she walked out, I was talking with my daughter, sat straight up and said I don't feel right. Guess I turned bright red (was still red the next day) Next thing you know, 10 people are in the room giving me a shot of Benydrl etc... They were able to start the drip slower awhile later and I got through it but it was a trip. The TX was last Thursday and today is the first day I felt myself coming out of the chemo fog. Very depressed. Not like me at all. I had planned on working Monday, now I'm thinking I'll be taking at least a week off after every TX if I can. I can't bring myself to care about work right now & I'm normally very work-centered. Is this normal for anyone else?

csbsk123

Hi all:

It's been a while since I've posted,but try to keep up.  I am getting ready for TC #3 next week.  I think I know what to expect this time as far as SE's, but things can change.  The claritin   definitely took the edge off the neulasta pain, not as bad last time.  After my weekly herceptin infusions I am very hyper for 4 hours then crash for a 2-3 hour nap.  Does anyone have to wait a long time before getting set up for infusions?  I had a 7:45 a.m. appt last week and the nurse never got around to starting me until 8:15.  There was only one other patient and she had a different nurse. I made all kinds of noise and turned the tv on and off like a child but was completely ignored.  I am going to file a complaint this week.  I realize they are busy but don't make 7:45 appts. if you don't start until 8:15.  I feel my time is important too.  Sorry for wining, but I feel we are going through enough without feeling ignored.  Hope everyone is hanging in there and that the SE's get better.

Cheri  

apple

datadrudge...  you're not in KC (Overland Park) are you.. ?

the same thing happened to the woman next to me (on Taxotere, this last Thursday).

datadrudge

Wow...no, I was in Columbia, MO--which is not all that far. I guess it is good to know that I'm not alone (?) I was questioning myself when they all came running in...but it was scary...and I bet for both her and you, too! My fog is lifting and I am a normal person again. Thanks for asking and I hope all is going smoothly for you.

apple

well you are close indeed. 

 I had never seen that woman before.. i was so glad to be at chemo and looking forward to a little rest and relaxation.. the drugs were hitting, my music was playing, i was drifting off  and the poor woman next to me just hit bottom.. she was red as a beet and everyone came running and started her on  benadryl.. her reaction only lasted a few minutes.. i felt so bad for her.. cause i was so enjoying my chance to rest.,, and she was quite distressed, poor thing.

good luck to you.. i've been to Columbia many times, my niece attends college there and i have a cousin in the hospital (teaching and working).  just went to a diving meet with my daughter this January. 

suzmarks

Elizzim - I like what you said. Although I've never gone through the why me questioning I am curious why the cancer chose me. I'm basically a very positive person who doesn't stress the little things.  I too, did the extended breast feeding with my 2 girls. I've been a veggie for a long time, have been excercising and been active all my life, and don't even drink coffee. I do love my chocolate and have dealt with extra weight but never saw myself as high risk. What I do figure is that all these positives probably will help me as I deal with the cancer. Perhaps the positive lifestyle staved off my cancer from happening several years ago. And the reality is there are worse things than breast cancer. Some diseases totally stop you in your tracks and you're done. We still have hope and much more. So while I'm feeling good I'm thankful and happy. I don't know if there is any making sense of this but then again with all the horrors that go on in this world I can never understand the how and whys. Soldier on brave souls...

suzmarks

Kristine - I got the cashmere chocolate buff. I didn't even bother going through all of them and there were tons. I liked the way it looked and just ordered it. I love the idea of having a head cover that works for all seasons. I've got enough covers for the cold weather but wasn't sure what I'd do when it gets warm. Hope it's as good as it says it is. Someone wanted to see what they look like on a real person. If you check out their video on their website, Planetbuff.com, you can see an instructional video which shows all the different ways they can be worn. It's pretty cool. Those of you with beautiful (young) faces will look awesome. And good night...

kmn0701

Suzanne, take a picture when you get it. I'd love to see it on you!

Ok, I just took my husband's electric razor to my head. SO.MUCH.BETTER!!! Now my question is....has anyone found any soothing lotions for bald heads? I have some like scratches on one side & would like to get a good lotion to keep my head smooth & protected & moisturized. Anyone found a good one? So far the only thing I like is Vit E oil, but there must be more.

kmn0701

Terry! You had me wondering with the taste issue so I just conducted an experiment. I love green olives. So I went downstairs & liberally put several drops of tabasco sauce (not a big fan of that stuff) on them & ate several. Then I ate several hot peppers (just the sandwich pepperchini kind). Nothing but a mild sensation in my mouth!! Normally I'd be dying for water & my eyes would be watering. So, I guess my taste buds are desensitized right about now. Weird!!!

jancie

I need to rant!!  It is 1:30 am and I can't sleep.  I haven't been able to get a normal nights sleep since I started chemo.  It doesn't seem to matter how many valium I put in my system, ambien, or whatever - I can't fall asleep.  Then I end up exhausted by 3 pm.

Normal Bowel Movements - forget it - I am constantly constipated!  I used to be so regular and now I have to take laxatives or suffer if I wait 2-3 days.  I took a valium over 2 hours ago - nope - not even sleepy.  It is no wonder I drag myself out of bed at 10 am in order to get something accomplished during the day. 

Anyone else having these issues? 

KerryMac

I'm really sleepy at night, but I wake up really early - 5am. Which is why I am online now! I get constipated from the nausea meds, but think that will be better next round as I am starting Taxatore and shouldn't need them.

But, Chemo farts. OMG. Huge ones. 

So, hope the Taxatore doesn't react badly with me - that sounds scary. I was hoping it would be a bit easier than the FEC. Fingers crossed. 

jrgolomb

I am right where you are at Kerry.  I did okay on the FEC-naurseated- but now my sleep cycle is so off.  I am very nervous about the taxotere; I don't know what I will do if I can't work.  Fingers crossed.

KerryMac

Well the nurse at my last FEC said most women find the T bit much much easier. So keeping fingers crossed is about the best we can do!

Terri42

Checking in with everyone today - it's cloudy again here in PA - does not help the mood! But I'm determined to enjoy my good week!!!!!!!!!!!  One day at a time....

Thanks for responses on no taste buds - I feel better now knowing I'm not the only one who could eat a jalapeno and not notice!  I'm sure that's why we're eating more - darn it!

KerryMac LOL to the chemo farts!  Thought I was the only one!

Kristine - I'm glad your kids are feeling better!

Jancie - hope your horse is feeling better and it doesn't spread! - I have the prima donna dog who is allergic to everything (including grass - I'm not kidding) so I am always giving her meds for something and I have to be creative because she knows all of my tricks! 

Anyway it's kind of nice that despite our diagnosis life goes on and we have to keep dealing with it!

datadrudge

apple -thx for the words of encouragement and good luck to you also...

all --just wanted to post and say that I will not always be whining! My daughter did  a terrific photo essay of our going bald experience that I think you all will enjoy. Somehow we made it fun and I am really starting to *like* my bald head (if it would *all* just fall out!!! and bumps go away...ha) Anyway, I will see if I can get her to open links to her private blog for that cause it was funny. Also, I had a hat party and invited everyone I knew. It snowed 6 inches and mostly family came but it was awesome...and I got lots of cool hats to wear...and some I just laugh and laugh at! There are down times, but the ups are awesome. Life *is* good and we are living it. love to all.

Nancyb7912

Terri42 and KerryMac - I stand with you on  the massive gas. I just close my office door and put on a fan. It's pretty bad! Correction - AWFUL!!

Hoping today is a better day. Yesterday absolutely slammed me as did Monday. I know they say # 2 is harder - hope it improves for # 3 and # 4.

apple

Jancie and Terri42 - your prima donna horse and dog remind me of my little piano student and her doggie.. some type of schnauzer-terrier mix -  it is not very well behaved..

so i'm trying to teach my little student (7) how to teach her dog to sit using a dog biscuit as a reward.. so i said SIT to the dog and it sits (just fine for me) and i give it a dog biscuit.. he took it, walked a few feet, dropped it on the floor and ran off howling.. and Kyla, my little student says.. 'oh yeah - he's afraid dog biscuits'..  

way too funny.

susan13

The gas gets worse!   Yesterday I was afraid of getting out of my office chair! ahah...oh the joys we endure!!

KerryMac

Sometimes I think they are so massive they will lift me off the chair when I am sitting!. Or propel me along when I am walking!!

apple

Denali

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LOL!  same here with the gas thing.  Wished it WOULD propel me to do something! 

Hope my photo comes out.  Number One son took my Lexi (the energetic one--I have 2 shepherds so the older one stayed home with me) to spend 'chemo wk' at his house--he has Cody, her brother.  And look at the trouble they managed to get into!  Jeff came home to this.  They aren't even supposed to be in his living room. He has a sliding door that he shuts, but Lexi knows how to open it. She's just not used to being told she can't go where she wants. At my house the dogs rule the roost and can go anywhere they want. Maybe she thinks of doors as a challenge placed there for her amusement. I offered to help pay for a new futon, but Jeff says it was old and he was going to get rid of it anyway.

I'm almost glad (not really glad, but comforted to hear I'm not the only one) to hear others found Chemo #2 rough too.  I was in bed for 3 days and NOTHING sounded good to eat.  Chemo #1 only had me down for 1 or 2 days.  EEKS.  I hope I don't add 2 days of recovery to each treatment. 

I LOVE these boards.  Tells me I'm normal--or at least not so ABnormal.

kelty

Have to share this with all of you: boiled peanuts really helped me! 

I've been eating this soup with various beans, red dates and peanuts two weeks after my first AC treatment.  One week later, my platelet number went up from 6.4 to 10.1 (highest I've seen for several years).  After the second round of AC it dropped around 8.2 which is my before chemo level.  My white counts dropped to 1.6 this time (one week after the chemo) - still low, but much better than the 0.3 last time.  Hopefully my white count will go back up by next Tuesday and I'll be back to my biweekly AC schedule.

Anonymous

hello all. Nasty Icky Bug is still kicking my arse, but at least the fever's gone & i didn't have to be admitted ... just taking another day off from work to be safe. altho i'm about to go stir crazy from being housebound.

wanted to weigh in on the buffs: they are perfect. got two last week ('kash pink chocolate" & "band cru"), and they are fast becoming my fave head coverings. i wear mine in the "pirate" style ... argh! (check out their website - planet.buff.com - for pics & videos.) i know they will be worth every penny come summer. (i loathe & detest the heat.) they've already saved my sanity, with the fever and the damn hot flashes. i am trying to get the nerve to leave the house with the black & white one under my black conductor cap - such a cute & trendy look. (ironically, i didn't give a rat's ass on sunday in urgent care, with everyone trying not to stare at me in my brown definately-a-chemo cap.)

i also finally got my two annokhi scarves: so purdy and cottony - "tan india" & "arches". again, well worth every penny, and alot easier to fanagle than i thought.

http://www.anokhiusa.com/new/index.html 

sorry that i'm not up to keeping up. hugs all around. 

jancie

I blame the dog at night when the farts start

Gramof3

Hey Denali/Linda,

I LOVE those sweet, innocent faces!   I had a white shepherd (who died abut 8 years ago) and I've been thinking how comforting he would be to have around now.  He could sense my distress when I was going through a horrible divorce and would just "hang out" with me.  Super dog.  Take care.  Helen