**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Dawnmrn1

Ricki13!  thanks for the ginger article!  My prayers for you and your sister!  You all have been thru so much!

Kathy!  Happy you are done, I am sure your daughters wedding was great! DRINK<DRINK!!!

Nadine!  A SE free TX!!! Good Luck!

Luv2sing

Just wanted to say "Good Morning" to everyone.  I'm getting ready to head out the door for work.

I wish all well and a peaceful day.  Will check in later to read posts.

jdeking

Thanks for the article Ricki! My aunt had just sent one to me also about ginger, so I will have to try that with #6. That is great news for your sister also, thank goodness it was not cancer!  Good luck to her for her neck as well.

 Yay Kathy for finishing!!! Woohoo!

Nadine - Good luck with #4 today! I concur that #4 wasn't too bad. Then you will just have 2 more to get through. The end is near!

Ann-idiot - I have wondered about the water thing too. I drink tons and tons, and the more treatments I have, the less I pee! Where is it all going? It makes me worry that maybe my kidneys aren't functioning as effectively anymore. I'll have to bring it up with my nurse next time.

jdeking

Raymon! Long time no see, how are you doing??

Janet0527

Ricki13 - What a roller coaster with your sister - I hope all turns out okay.  The thought you feathers growing back instead of hair because of eating too much chicken has me laughing out load.

ann-idiot - "chemo laughs at water" - well put.

My first Taxol treatment went smoothly with no crazy allergic reactions or anything else, other than the office was way backed up and I was in there all freakin' day.  Oh well.  11 to go and then I'm done!

Those going on Arimidex I am also very curious to know how it goes, as I'll be on that too now after chemo, since I have to have an ooporectomy (BRCA positive) and will thus be post-menopausal.

Wishing all a lovely day.

DonnaDio

Thanks all... Tx #3 done yesterday and to do the Neulast shot shortly!The decadron buzz is fading and feel the downward tiredness coming! Be well all and hope all that are having treatments are doin well!!!One more to go here!!!!!

 Hugs;

Donna

7timewinner

Well, #4 TC was blissfully uneventful!! Got all the pre-meds (ie BENADRYL, people!!) lined up properly this time, and I just took a lovely afternoon snooze during the treatment. No itching, no tightening trachea, no attempts to get me to the hospital.

It was a very, very good day

I think I'm starting to see that light...

Nadine

Luv2sing

Hey Jdeking!

I've been suffering with SEs but hanging in there.  I get on the computer, get side-tracked with other stuff and then I just get tired and get off the computer without checking in with you all.  Tried to read posts but couldn't keep my eyes open.  Then I would wake up at unnatural hours and feel like a zombie.  My heart goes out to all who have been having a rough time.  I've been reading the posts about the taxol/taxotere and trying not to anticipate too much on my first tx.  I've been neglecting to drink enough water, but have been drinking a lot of juices and tea, going to the bathroom every hour, so I don't know if I should drink more or not.  Attempted to cook for myself today and managed to scald my right hand ... the one that already has lyphedema.  Needless to say I'm not a happy camper right now.  Fingers are sore, but I'm watching them to make sure they don't swell more.  I'm really not liking losing what little independence I have.  Want to go walking but that has become a challenge as well.  I'll try for 5 minutes again tomorrow.  Forgive me ... I don't usually like to complain this much, but I think I'm just a little frustrated at my lack of progress, nervous about the taxol and anxious about every new pain.  I could use a vacation right about now.  Thankfully we have a three day weekend, so I'll try to make the best of that time.

I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. 

7timewinner

Luv2sing: I'm so sorry you're having it rough right now. As for the taxol/taxotere...if you do the taxotere, I and many others are here to help guide you through the SE's. My experience has been that if all of the pre-meds, like Benadryl, antiemetics, and Decadron, and post-meds like Neulasta and sometimes Arinesp (sp?) are lined up and ready to go, the experience should be OK. Water is key, for sure!!

But one lovely side effect of the Decadron, as many of us know...insomnia!! Arrgh. So since I couldn't sleep anyway, I wrote a little poem for all of us experiencing that particular SE....

Decadron Haiku

tick tock tick cheep tock tick

cheep tick tock tick cheep

time flies on broken wings

bethr

Hello all,

 I just wanted to say hello and wish you all a great Memorial Day weekend.  I'm in between treatments right now.  The 4th of 6 is next week so I'm trying to enjoy the break.  I find myself wish time would go faster so I can just get it over with!

I wish you all the best with your treatments and SE's.

Have a great weekend!

Beth

Krista

Nadine ~ The light is there...I promise.  Kinda dim I know but that little shine is there and it will get brighter and brighter after each treatment and when it's at the end you will see nothing but bright and shinning lights!  YEAH!  Keep pushen forward!  One foot in front of the other!  You have no other choice but to fight, right!!!!    By the way, I love your picture!  You are a brave woman.  I didn't have that much bravery to let anyone take a picture of me without my hat on.  I ducked cameras everywhere all the time.  Didn't want to have too much documentation around there...ha ha!  But no seriously...beautiful picture.  Hang in there through the weekend....and make sure to drink drink drink!

reeney77

Anyone else get a skin rash about day 8? i called the dr but am waiting for them to call me back. should i be concerned?

7timewinner

Thanks, Krista! I know I am so close now...  I decided early on to post a picture of myself bald to all of my friends on Facebook. I believe if you put your truth out there, there is nothing left to fear Mind you, I still wear a scarf on my head outside of the house, because it makes other people more comfortable I have noticed. But now that it is getting warm here, I may change that and people will just have to find a way to deal

Reeney: I usually get a rash at my port site around 5-7 days after Tx. The nurses first thought it was from the numbing spray, but we tried without, and the same result. It goes away with a simple over the counter cortisone cream. A rash anywhere else, or more widespread than the port area, I would mention to your onc. I also get facial redness a few days after Tx from the Decadron, looks a bit like a rash.

Does it itch? I think that's a less common SE from the Taxotere, and one that oncs like to hear about if it happens.

Nadine

DonnaDio

Goin on my third tx. since Wednesday.. i had a 103 fever last night and almost went to the hospital but had no other symptoms!!!Think it could of been from the Neulasta shot.Slept poorly and have very little energy now,The rash part was asked for me, so do make sure the DR gets back to you on that to be safe Reeney. My treatment has been T/C and defintiely #3 is worst than 2. Be well all and thanks for being here.

pickle

Lots of posts to catch up on.....I am too far behind to address each one individually. So for everyone.....I hope you are all doing well.

DonnaDio:  Do you still have a fever? Please get checked. A fever can be a sign of infection so don't wait on it.

Where is everyone at with treatments? I have lost track. I finished # 3 of 4 AC on May 11th. I made it through without any big side effects but the fatigue has been much worse this week. I can't seem to get going on anything and I have a house to pack up as we are moving on June 24th. Oh well....I will plan a packing party with my friends if I have to! I am sure they'll be thrilled...lol

I feel so lucky that my tx have been relatively easy compared to a lot of the side effects so many of you are having. My heart goes out to all of you.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend. We had our long weekend here in Canada last week.

Fondest Regards and Hugs

Beth P

reeney77

heard from the dr- they think it's the Levaquin they put me on because i got a fever sunday night. said to stop taking it. now i'm reading all the horrible side effects of this antibiotic. says a skin rash could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. great. what do i do now? sit here waiting for my throat to close? dr said just to watch for anything else. that's reassuring.

Krista

reeney77 ~ Well if worse comes to worse you can drive yourself or have someone else drive you to your onc office and I would just walk in and say uh, hey there is a problem and I need someone to see me now.  They will take you and hopefully help reassure you.  But if you choose not to go that route, just watch for any other changes that aren't of the norm....yeah I know that is a weird choice of words but since you sort of already know what to expect from treatments you will know what is a part of it and not.  Document on paper if need be everything that seems out of sorts to you so you can remember what to tell the docs.  Hope you feel better.  Saying a prayer for ya!  Hang in there.

reeney77

thank you! i realize my posts lately have sounded really cranky but that's how i'm feeling. i think it's delayed anger from having to go through this. the shock has worn off and now i'm angry.

Krista

reeney77 ~ Hey, it's ok!  There are MANY emotions that you are going to have to deal with.  Beleive me....my poor husband took some serious licks from me.  I wasn't sure if I was coming or going most days.  I would snap at anyone for any reason that seemed reasonable at the time.  Wait...that's what I do now.....nothing has changed!!!   Menopause sucks man!  I was so excited that I would get to have my ovaries out and then not have to worry about all the monthly things any longer...wow, what a shocker....wasn't expecting all of the mess that goes with menopause.   Back to you....you are entitled to have the range of emotions that you are dealing with.  They are what you need to deal with to get through all the mental crap that you are enduring.  So hey, if you need to yell.....come on and yell....I can take it!  Yell, fuss, cry..laugh, whatever.  We are here for ya darlin'.  I have been in your shoes.  And now I am down the road from the shoes.  So I don't mind helping out when someone needs it.  Stay tough!  Stay positive and you will get through this.  I promise!

reeney77

Thank you for the kind words!!! i know i'll get through it too!! just want it overwith!!

Krista

Amen sista!  I remember those days!  Just wanted it to be done with!  Get me in and GET ME OUT!  Don't want to have to stay any longer than what I have to.  Ya know now when I go back for my 3 month check ups I refuse to even go back in the treatment room.  I told all the nurses if they want to see me they got to come on the other side of the office to see me....I was NOT stepping back in that treatment room again!  They all laughed! I even told the nurses if they saw me in Wal-Mart not to even come near me b/c I would probably think they were coming at me with a bag of chemo and a syringe...and I would RUN!  So yeah, I totally understand what you are saying.  Stay strong girlie! 

7timewinner

It just dawned on me from all of the posts here about how treatment #3 of TC feels so much worse than the first two...

My third was a nightmare. Horrible reaction because nobody thought to include Benadryl in the pre-meds. BUT...it was also that bad of a reaction because (I was told) it is standard protocol to ramp up the speed of the drip on the third treatment, if the patient has tolerated the first two Txs without a reaction.

My Tx yesterday (#4) was slowed down considerably, and Bendryl was included.

Maybe that's why we're all hating Tx #3 so much...

If anyone on TC still hasn't had #3 yet, make sure to ask the nurses to slow it down...maybe that will help.

Cheers,

Nadine

Krista

That does make sense.  I know that with my first two rounds they were rough but my 3rd round kicked my tail.  I just chalked it up to just being exhausted in the first place.  But I do remember really having a rough time after that round.  Also I didn't do the pre-meds at all.  I refused them all.  I didn't want to put anything extra in my body that I didn't have to.  The nurses kept offering them but I kept saying no.  I think that is the stubborness in me.....ha ha!

reeney77

i will definitely ask for number 4 to be slow!!! thanks for the tip! i'll try anything to avoid it being as bad as #3.

jdeking

Hi all!

Raymon, sorry to hear you are struggling! And really really sorry about the burn. I am extra extra careful with my right arm, and anytime I injure it, I get super ticked off. It seems like the more careful I try to be, the more I end up with an injury!

Reeny - I think we all get to a point where this makes us cranky. #4 was where I got cranky and mad and just wanted it all done. Now waiting for the last one I am more weepy and tired and just wanting it all done. These are all natural emotions that we will all go through at some point, and isn't it great that we can come here and vent with our BC sisters? I know it makes me feel better to see that someone else feels like I feel and can understand.

I am so glad for this nice long weekend. It is such a much needed break!

Good thoughts to all, hope you are enjoying beautiul weather and few SE's!

buddy1

Donna.    Please check in.  I am worried about you.  I just hope you are better.  #3 ws also my worst.  What did the Doc say.  Please tell me you called.   Is there anything you need?  Is there anything I can do? Please, please, take care of yourself.  Its almost over for you.  Only one more...Love Lisa

DonnaDio

thanks Lisa...yes.round three is kicking butt!!!no infection but had a 103 degree fever. Probably from the Neulasta shot. I had noother symptoms and DR felt (as I did), goin to the hospital would not happen. Started Tylenol every 4 hours and did bring my fever down!!! I am ok and resting alot as i am very worn out with this round!!now you are next..good timing for Tuesday as your body has had a chance to heal!!!

Hope all are ok and know we are ready for our TX;s to be over!!!! jdeking.. was right.. we are getting cranky and we want this over!!! Am soooo sick of being down and resting and yet, things could always be worse.This is just a short journey, but for me, i am too tired to be in a good mood on this!!!!!

Thanks all for being here and my Sweet Buddy!!!

Healthy thoughts,

Donna

Dawnmrn1

Donna!  Good to hear from you! I hear you about being done!  I feel like I am wishing my life away!  4 more weeks but whose counting!  Hang in there I know there is life on the other side of this!  Dawn

moborn63

Hello Ladies

Well after a two hour wait they did give me my chemo on WED.  My temp had dropped to 100.3 but they were more worried about my blood pressure which was up to 178/98. They gave me tylenol and kept checking my pressure and once it dropped they decided to go ahead and give me the chemo. That was Wed as I mentioned. I have continued to spike fevers since usually in the mornings it will run around 101.4. They told me to keep taking the tylenol. And I have to go to drug store or walmart every other day to keep check on my pressure. I have my next appt on Thursday and we will see how it goes.

crusader1

Hope everyone is having a good holiday weekend.

The light is nearing for all at the end of the tunnel.Unofrtunately some of our tunnels are a little longer than others.

Raymon-- Sorry to hear about your hand.

Robin- Glad you got to have your chemo.

Buddy- How are you feeling? When do you start your chemo..

Hugs to All.

Francine