Starting Chemo February 2009?

KerryMac

Suzanne - Happy happy birthday! hope it is Fabulous! I will celebrate with you and have some chocolate too. And some boiled peanuts....! Hope you have a wonderful lunch, and you get spoilt rotten all day. I'd take the whole day off work! And heres to many many many more birthdays to celebrate - just no more Cancer ones!!

Bev - bummer on delaying Chemo. My WBC have been low too, my cut off is 1.5. Once I started the Taxatore they have rocketed, the steroids do it. So, once you get through this last FEC you should be OK. Fingers crossed for Monday.  At least you will feel good this weekend!

apple - yep, sometimes things happen that do put what is happening in your life in perspective. I hate seeing that sort of thing, and I am so glad someone stepped up and did something. That poor little kid, nothing makes me sadder than  child abuse.

 Michelle - OMG, you poor thing.  You are the Throw Up Queen! But at least you are not throwing up after the Chemo!!

Anyway, my daughter has got up early so I have to sign off. Hope everyone has a great day!

KerryMac

P.S. - forgot to add, I met up with a friend and her kids yesterday afternoon for a play date. She used to work as a Dietician, before kids. So I was telling her about how we are all gaining weight. She said it is the Steroids, and also that there is really nothing we can do about it. It isn't anything we can control or exercise away, and it should all go once the steroids stop.

apple

suzmarks

keep us posted on the alpha lipoic acid - the glutamine is outrageously expensive and i can't tell it if really works.. (who knows why i suffer few effects?) without detailed study.

MicheleS

Good morning!  This is the 1st morning I haven't puked for a week!!! Yippee for me!!!! (maybe it's the emend?)

This site has lots of SE info:

http://breastcancer.evidencewatch.com/

The creator posts at "nosurrender".  That's another wonderful, awyays positive site.  Threre are lots of tri negs there discussing treatments, etc but other BC ladies too.

I feel pretty good today other that the foggy head and "underskin" pricklies.  Odd,to say the least. 1 down... 11 more to go.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Oh``` I taked to Kathie again yesterday right after her 2nd TAC.  She sounded very upbeat (kind of like you sound before diving off a clif.LOL.) She sends her *well wishes* to everyone

Michele

Jaimieh

Michele~ yeah for the 1st morning of not puking I hope you have many more to follow. 

I am feeling pretty good (week 3) just tired.  I start the steriods on Sunday which starts the yuck mouth for me   I am dreading my next tx my kids have off school Thur, Fri. and Monday which are normally my crappy days.  I have no idea what I am gonna do to get thru those days.  The only day that I "may" get some help is Thursday because I have a Dr.'s appt.  We are trying to keep my DH from using his vacation time for treatment I am looking forward to a vacation  

calgal1943

well went in for my pre treatment onc appointment yesterdy. My arm hurt so bad I could not move it. The one that they put me in hospital for last week along with infection. they did not see a clot last week just an inflamed lump (phlebitis). well they found it yesterday. It was under the arm. anyway now have to postpone ac #3 for a week  darn !!!!!!!!!!! and woke up this mornng with thrush from the antibiotics. oh and now have to give myself shots of blood thinner  yuck. Still sooo tired but my daughter is here and that is a big help. Morally and physically. Hugs to all of you who are haveing a rough time  High fives to all doing well and congrats to webbies hubby

sue50

Michele!! So sorry to hear about your session but glad to hear you are better now!!  Yay!! You deserve a break. Wishing you some restful days now. You will get through this. 

Apple, sad story indeed. How is the organ literature coming along? It's great to hear of Furies embarking on new journeys, good for you. 

Webbies, congrats! Are you going with a wig or new paint on your head? Sparkle paint for a special occasion?

My DH found me an ad for a very interesting job as a high school science teacher....I'm going to try for it; if they call for an interview, I guess I will go with my scarf on my head; I wonder if they would knowingly hire a cancer patient or not?   My treatments will be finished this summer and the job starts next fall. Maybe I should get a wig and hide my cancer... (?) 

Wishing all the Furies a comfortable weekend with Spring weather.

suzmarks

Sue50 - I would recommend going on the interview wearing a wig. Why give them any information that may skew their opinions? Best to be on an even playing field. Tough time to get a job in this economic climate but you teach a subject that is in high demand. Good luck.

Apple - not sure I have any other info. about alpha lipoic acid. But if I do get any I will certainly pass it on.

KerryMac - Thanks for you kind wishes. Had a very nice day but ate way too much. I've got to stop eating like I have been. I don't care if it's the steriods that make us gain weight, it also can't help by eating 6,000 calories a day. Yikes.

All - Weekend happiness and cheer!

xpectmiracles

Well ladies, I am looking beautiful today! I went out to eat last night and have an allergic reaction to some food I ate. After I came home my lower lip swelled up and I have some itchy welts on my skin. I have been taking benadryl, but it's not going away. I'll call the onc tomorrow. I hope everybody else's lips are normal size! (((Fab Feb Furies)))

BandanaGirl

Hi Gals,  I'm Travelgal and I would like to join your group...I joined the March 2009 group last night but since I'm going it alone most of the time, I might need both groups...I started chemo on February 12..Doing dose dense A/C biweekly-4 treatments...I just finished up with this...Next week I start dose dense Taxol biwekly-4 treatments...I'm told I did the harder program first and now it will get easier but I'm so scared to let go of any of my anti-nausea meds.  Was taking, Emend, Zofran, Ativan, and Dex...Now they tell me I can lay off the Emend when I start Taxol...That feels like my anti-nausea security blanket...I feel like most of my side effects from the first program were more emotional than physical..maybe because I'm pretty much on my own....I really appreciate having you all to talk with...I know I should be happy being half-way done with chemo but the hill is still looking hard to climb...

BandanaGirl

Hi Jancie, I noticed you are doing a similar program and we are at the same point...I did dose dense A/C 4 biweekly treaments...and now I'll switch over to Taxol for 4 more biweekly treatments..How do you feel halfway done...I know I should be more excited but I'm actually nervous about switching over to new drugs...Hope you have a great weekend!

KerryMac

Good morning - it is blowing a gale here this morning, after breaking a rainfall record yesterday. Where is Spring??? Think we are going to the Museum today to show the kids the Dinosaurs - am trying to enjoy my last "good" weekend for a while!

Cheryl - hope your lips are OK. You know, some people pay a lot of money to get big lips like that!

suzanne - glad you had a nice day. You should go ahead and eat and enjoy! It is not your Birthday everyday, and certainly not everyday you have a Chemo birthday. You deserve it!

Sue - not sure about the Wig and the Interview....Mmmmm. Tis a tough one. What would sit most comfortably with you?  I would lean towards a wig and not telling them, on the other hand, you will be done with treatment by the time the job starts, and you also may feel you want to be upfront about the BC from the get-go. I'm not much help I am afraid. I wouldn't know what to do either.

Travelgal - welcome! Lots of people here are doing the same Chemo as you, and are nearing the switch over point. So you should get plenty of great advice. I am on a different  chemo, but I switched Drugs last round and  found the Taxatore easier in some respects (no puking!!) and harder in others. So it will depend on how you react. But I think you will find the nausea is a lot less. The tiredness is cumulative though, I think it is all just getting harder because we are further into it.

Michelle - I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. How's the Tummy??

Wishing a pleasant day for everyone.

BandanaGirl

Thanks KerryMac..You have a wonderful, warm smile...I don't know what hours everyone else is keeping...but I go to sleep really early..some nights by 6:30pm...and some mornings I'm up at 3:00am...I guess the lonely mornings are the hardest...Glad that you are up and could write. I'm most afraid of puking...Making through A/C 4 times without any...now they want me to cut down on anti-nausea meds because they say this will be easier..but I'm so nervous...Thanks for your nice welcome.  Hope your day is great...Summer is around the corner..

xpectmiracles

TravelGal welcome to our group! From what you are saying you may be able to share the Vomit Queen crown with Michele! I know it is not the type of royalty that is cherished. I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, went to school at MSU in Lansing (Go Spartans!), and lived in Ann Arbor a while before moving to VA. Where are you from in MI?

Despite the benadryl my swollen lips are getting worse. Now I am also feeling a tightness in the bronchils of my lungs. I talked to the onc on call and he said to go to the ER if the symptoms are not better by 830am. I think I'll be going there soon. Judy, I'll let you know how long I will be waiting. I'll bring my laptop to keep me occupied.

I've got a story for you all. My 20 year old son Brendan used our van to go to a party last night. He obviously parked it in an illegal spot and the car got towed. When he got home a 230am he came to our bedroom and woke DH and I up to tell us about it. In my sleepy state I heard him say "The van got totaled." instead of "The van got towed." Let me tell you that was a good shot of adrenaline! Brendan was probably grateful for that misinterpretation because after thinking there was a terrible accident getting the car towed was no big deal!

KerryMac

Ohhh Cheryl, I hope you are OK. have you had reactions before? Keep us posted.... (hope your Chemo card gets you in fast!) Glad your car wasn't totalled!

Travelgal - I am usually up pretty early and come here most mornings. I would welcome the company! I really think you will find the nausea is so much better with the Taxol. I puked each time with the FEC part of my Chemo (similar to the AC) but after the Taxatore I lay in bed watching DVD's and feeling fine, waiting for nausea that never came. I even had dinner that night. I hope you will be fine too!

MicheleS

Cheryl,

Do you have any decadron around?  That might save you an ER trip.  But, don't wait around if your breathing is tight.

Kerry,

Thanks for asking... My tummy is 1000% better.  No more AC!!! WhooPee!!!  I took an emend and a few ativan yesterday (and threw up once) but skipped my am emend this morning.  I'm having a big bowl of oatmeal w/ berries... no queasies at all!!!!!  My onc said he plans to continue the IV emend and aloxi with every treatment and told me to take at least 1 emend at 24 hrs each treatment.  I am kindof itchey and tingly all over but no pain at all.  Life is good.

Sue,

I think either a wig or pretty scarf would be fine for your interview.  It is all in how you tell your story.  Be upbeat (even if you don't feel it all the time) and talk about the positive things having BC has taught you.  I interviewed a guy with a brain tumor not long ago and he did very  well in the interview.

I hope everyone has a great (relaxing) day!!! Love to everyone!!

Michele

KerryMac

Oh, Michelle, that is great news! It feels great, doesn't it! Hope the tinglies go away, and fingers crossed you have an easy ride for the next 12 weeks. You deserve it!

Terri42

Hi guys - Kerry it's windy here too after major rain yesterday - I just can't wait much longer for nice weather!

Well I was feeling fine after my first Taxol - until day 2 after treatment when my leg joints started aching alot - I haven't been able to sleep for 2 nights it's so painful.  I actually called the onc nurse yesterday (first time I have ever called for anything) and she nicely gave me the standard speech that this is a side effect and try taking Tylenol PM for sleep - after I had already told her I had tried double Motrin , double Aleve and they did nothing for the pain (I also exercised thinking that would help) - needless to say 4 Tylenol PM's did nothing as well.  I'm actually not as achey today (day 4 after treatment) but I am depressed - I thought I was finally on the upswing but noooooooo can't have that!  I guess I will just have to wait until I'm done with everything to really start the upswing - I am so bummed!

So Travel gal - it's true the nausea goes away with Taxol but beware of the joint pain - I thought I could handle it and here I am whining...I made it through the AC without too much misery other than the tiredness and chemo brain - I hope I can figure out how to handle this pain then it won't be so bad.  Not everyone gets this so I hope you don't either!

Sorry to complain - if anyone knows any secrets please help!!!!

MicheleS

Terri~  On Thurs when I had my pre-chemo appt, my onc was going over the possible taxol SE.  He told me to take a lortab or tylox for joint/bone pain.  He also said that exercise would help.  I'm sorry you are going through this.  I'm still feeling pretty good (mostly tired and foggy) but since I'm going weekly... my dose is lower than yours.  {{hugs}}

Jaimieh

Michele~ I really hope you are done with puking and that you get minimal SE with Taxol.

Terri~ Do you get a shot after Taxol ??  I have heard that Clartin works for the joint pain.  I luckly don't get the shot but just decadron afterwards. 

xpectmiracles

Don't you love my new sexy, pouty lips? This picture was taken at the ER. I got some steroids and breathing treatment, then they observed me for a while. I was there 4 hours this morning. I will be on steroids another 4 days.

OMG! You wouldn't believe what happened when I picked up my prescriptions they gave me at discharge. Instead of giving me the medicine that was prescribed for itching the pharmacist gave me a blood pressure med that has a similar generic name. Thank God I'm a nurse and I caught it right away. If I would have taken that blood pressure medicine the way it was labeled I would have been back at the emergency room FOR SURE with my blood pressure bottoming out!!! That was a very serious mistake! I am still flabbergasted! Well, they re-filled the script with the right medicine and I'm home now.

xpectmiracles

KerryMac

Terri - I was in the same boat as you! Terrible pain, and all they gave me was Tylenol #3, which I have to say made a dent but didn't relieve it. I am seeing my Onc next Tuesday before Tx #5 on Thursday, so I will see if she can give me anything stronger. Probably not... I was depressed too, I felt quite down for about two weeks, but have bounced back again. Don't worry about whining, it is tough.

Cheryl - you are gorgeous! Melanie Griffith, eat your heart out! Anyhow, glad you got something to clear it up - can't believe they nearly killed you in the process! 

webwriter

Hey ya'll! A quick drive by--this weekend has gone all sharp corners on me.

Thank you SO much for all the well wishes on this award thing. I'm so proud and so excited...and so scared for him! I wish I could go with him, but I will be crashed from THE LAST CHEMO. I hope they get a gazillion photos for me.

I found a "break" from water that I just HAD to share. It's called SteaZ. It's an organic sparkling green tea flavored with fruit. It's full of sugar (natural tho) so you won't want too many, but it is cutting through the chemobuds and giving me hope. Maybe it will work for you too.

Pain on the "T's" I wish I could help. Thus far, I have assumed that the pain has been from neulasta and that the Claritin was helping. So, I've considered myself lucky and tried to ignore it. Yes, I know that's impossible. I play lots of head games like that with myself during the worst of the crash times. (It's not as bad as you think it is, Web, suck it up!) This time I tried a hot bath. I don't do baths normally, but honestly was so exhausted standing in the shower that I just sat down. It felt good, so I let the water run and stayed there for a bit. I think it might've made the weakness in my legs worse, but it DID help the joint pain some. I treat it like arthritis for the most part. Heating pads, Aleve, that sort of thing. If exercise actually helps, you couldn't prove it by me. Hang on sisters. It will get better as you hit the upswing of your cycle. I promise.

Michelle! WHAT!?! A puke free day? No WAY! May it be PERMANENT! Please give Kat our love too.

Cheryl, you're too sexy for your lips! I'm SO glad you caught your RX error. How terrifying!

Artemis

Travelgal ~ Welcome!  I am on the same treatment plan as you but started earlier.  I will have Taxol number 2 on Tuesday April 7.  I can say that for me the nausea has not been as bad as the A/C.  I don't have Emend anymore, and I've taken very few Compazine (similar to Zofran) this cycle.  I hope all goes well for you.

xpectmiracles ~ what a scary story; I'm glad you noticed the medicine was wrong and got it straightened out!

Michele ~ hurrah hurrah for less throwing up!

Hugs to all,
Artemis

sue50

Michele, yay! for not puking (much).  Interesting you interviewed a cancer patient...did he get the job?

Travelgal- Welcome...I'm in the same treatment also; just made the halfway switch to Taxol.

Terri42-  Sorry you had the Taxol pain, I did too, it's Wicked. I only had one really bad day and night, it was 5 days after treatment. Multiple Advils weren't helping so I called my onc and asked if I could take Oxycodone  (leftover from my surgery). That helped enough to let me sleep. There's a thread on this site called "OMG Taxol Pain",  and some person had pain for 6 days, yikes. Mine cleared up pretty quick, just a couple Advils the next day and then was ok.

Cheryl-  Loved your lips pix!! Photography in the ER...! You are a cool cucumber.

A couple of years ago I had a pharmacy give me a mind bender instead of my blood pressure med. Pills looked similar enuf, so I didn't notice. I dreamed in bright colors every night for a week and got a dizzy spell bending over to pet my dog...then I put 2 & 2 together and checked the online PDR. Got lots of apologies. My doc had to be notified and was really angry. I'm a bit less trusting now too.

apple

xpctmiracles!!!!???

they gave you the wrong meds?  that's super awful.. i was taking care of my inlaws and things were a mess.  they had been in a wreck and one of them was in one nursing home, my father in law had just had a heart valve replaced so he could survive to get his wife out of her nursing home.  i visited him one day and he said.. "well they gave me my room mates meds and i have to go to the hospital in case i crash..

they had paddles on him 6 times that nite..He came so close to dying (but is alive, kicking and 91 today).

i guess we have to be careful.

As to the taxol pain.  I found in my first course that my reaction was very variable.. sometimes i'd be sorer than a wound and some weeks i'd feel virtually no pain.  so.... i hope that next time it doesn't bother any of you.

Cheers.

kmn0701

Yay Michele on not throwing up....let's hope it continues.

Sue....I'd hate to think they'd NOT choose you due to cancer but I'd probably go for the wig. Good luck!

Welcome Travelgal...hope the 2nd half goes as smoothly as possible!

Suzanne....I'm going to try & get one of those scarves too! Thanks for the info.

Cheryl....dang it's a good thing you caught that!! How scary. My hubby is a Pharmacy Tech (plans to go to Pharmacy school but that's all put on hold until after my treatment), I know he's always studying brand/generics & even bought these flash cards to learn all the names. Some of those drug names are so similar!

Terri & Kerry....hope your weather has improved. Kerry....did you make it to see the dinosaurs??

I have been wiped out tired this week. When I went yesterday for my weekly Herceptin my nurse told me my Hemoglobin was low. I had to ask what that meant & I guess it's what carries oxygen throughout your body....so yeah, it would make me tired. Nice to know there was a reason & it wasn't in my head. I wonder if Vegas has an Oxygen Bar????  I wonder if that would help. lol Seriously, I'd try it if I thought it would. My chemo last Friday (not yesterday) was my halfway point of my big treatments (#3 of 6), it had me so constipated all week I finally took Miralax yesterday morning. Well I think between that & the Herceptin it turned things the complete opposite way & I've been rushing to the bathroom all day. Damn chemo. My stomach is all up & down. It just stinks.

Here's wishing you all a lovely Sunday tomorrow!

Beverly11

Hi Everyone - You ladies sure know how to post.  I can't keep up!  Celbrated my dad's 86th birthday today.  His first birthday without my mom.  She passed away in December/08. 

Suzanne - Hope you had a great birthday.  Take the whole day off next year.  Did you phone or email for your scarf?  I sent an email but haven't heard anything back.  

 Calgal - Hope you had a better day.  You need a break.  

Kerry - Thanks for the wbc info & info from your dietician.  My daughter is studying to be a dietician.  I am going to ask her what she knows.  Does your friend think a lot of it is just water weight gain?  I can't wear my rings & some of my shoes are too small.  I haven't gained that much weight (yet).  I have only had 2 treatments. I have weighted this much before and still been ok with rings and footwear.  My face is a bit swollen too.  

 Apple - Congratulations.  Abusive situations of any nature just break my heart.  

Travel gal - Welcome.  I joined this forum late.  An amazing group!   My husband actually encouraged me to join.  A lot of knowledge, humor and support.

Terri - How are you feeling now?  Joint pain is scarry.  I am already getting some from the FEC.  

Sue - Good luck on the interview.  

Cheryl - Errors in the medical system of that nature are unexuseable.  Unfortunately, extremely common.  I have learned the hard way to be my own health care advocate.  We are all health care consumers.  We have to know so much when many of us do not come from a medical background.  Awesome that have a medical background; but you shouldn't have to depend on it.  Thank God you caught them.  

Bev

Beverly11

Kristine - Are they recommending you take iron supplements for your hemoglobin?  I am just a week behind you I think in treatment.  I will be getting my 3rd of 6 treatments on Monday.  You are 1/2 way!!!  My sister in law compares this chemo journey to a marathon.  Well, I think we have all hit the wall already.  But, we will all get up again & again & we will reach the finish line.  I have ran 1/2 marathons so I like the comparison.  I always wear silly fitness shirts to chemo days.  Shirts from running events or ride your bike to work day.  Makes me feel like a strong fit person.  Another control thing I guess.

Take Care,

Bev