Starting Chemo October 2009

unklezwifeonty

Dear GML,

Must be Decadron and Emend. I used to get Aloxi too. And after chemo for home I used to get Emend, Kytril and Compazine.

For some strange reason, different nausea drugs work better for different patients and of course each doctor or hospital has their own protocol that they like to use. But you may want to ask the oncologist if you could have something in addition to what you are getting.

txstardust

Michele, but of course!  I'll pm you my email address so you can find me...

micheleboots

Unkle, I get decadron on days 1-3 and also stematol for when ever I feel I need it..so far I have  only needed it a few times.

Enjoyful

MaryNY -

I don't know what steroid dosage I'm on because I've LOST my pills!  Frick!  And I'm supposed to start taking them tomorrow.  Oh well.

I think it was 8mg 2x/day.  THe dr wants to cut it back to 4mg 2x/day and see how I do. 

I hope it helps.  I have some Xanax on  hand in case it doesn't.  :-)

joanneasiata

SHELBY

I'm on face book as well , 3 more sleeps, you must be so excited, its good to have a distraction Carnot wait to see your photos and don't forget we are all with you in spirit on your special day. I'M SO EXCITED !!!!

GML

WOW you must be  having such a bad time you poor thing ,and i thought i was having it rough hope they can sort something out for, you they must be able to , big hugs

ALICIA

Me to every time i look in the mirror there are eye lashes on my puffy glowing cheeks , oh i get such a fright when i look in the mirror theses days specially on chemo days .

JACLYN

Enjoy your holiday ,relax, laugh and be kind to you.

Don't worry about what is in your future that will take care of itself.

JOJO

joanneasiata

MARIE K

MEREDITH

 Hope you guys are going OK, when you don't see any one here for a few days you hope they are feeling great and  are really busy enjoying their lives rather then having a hard time with SEs Hope its all good

micheleboots

Shelby, how are you doing...almost ready I hope.  Can't wait to see the pictures.

Changed my profile picture...this is the morning before my mastectomy...I call it "last photo with breasts"

JustmeAlicia

JOJO ~ me too on the mirror thing.  I never was a big fan of them to begin with.  AND I'm with you on chemo days ~ I come home and look like a corpse. 

SHELBY ~ the big day is almost here.  I may have to join FB just to see your pics. 

Michele ~ love your pic, your a hottie.

Alicia

one-L

shelby, I am also on FB, would love to be friends there.  The big day is almost here, I am so happy for you.  Hope all goes well on the big wedding day.

MLB, sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time.  It makes me feel almost ashamed to think of how easy I have had it and still whine about it.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

michele, you are a hottie.  I like the way you are always changing.

jojo, how are you feeling?  I am doing pretty good, just very fatigued, but that too will pass and I will enjoy about a week of feeling good and then on to the last tx.

enjoyful, if you don't have the pills that will probably give it to you in the IV.  They always ask to see if I have taken my pills before they start the TX.  So just tell them before hand before they start.

good morning Onty, hope all is well with you.

Juannelle

unklezwifeonty

Dear 1L,

Thanks for asking. I'm doing much better on Abraxane compared to AC. Just very slight tingling in 1 finger last night. Probably a 2 on a scale of 10.



Dear Michele,

You are hot alright.



Dear Shelby,

The day arrives soon. Please share pics with us of the big day.



Dear Jo,

You are such a straight simple soul. Love you for that.

valeriekd

Hi Everybody I have a group question. Does anyuone have Restless Leg Syndrome? I was reading about it last night at 4A b/c alas I have ddeveloped it and there is no sleep when it is in force. And some say lack of iron (anemia which i know can be caused by chemo) And then it said it can be a from of neuropathy (also a tax, thing). Its a crazy maker b/c its hard to do anything but walk around

Just wondering what others r doing or no problem? Got a call into onc - opefully he will help.

Michele your after pic is hot also- my DH says he can see more of my soul after baldness, ops,etc. 

Shelby Take lots of pics -what an exciting event!

Princess, Gutsy Gusty Gal Its all in there - its probably just a little tired.

Onty and Mary you are such warm reassuring presences on the thead!

and 1L  I always read your posts w/ a twang , do you have one? and do not feel bad for having minimal side effects -this is just chemo there are more challenges to come!

valeriekd

Oh update- onc called and put me on Neurontin - anyone have experience with that?

Love, Valerie 

one-L

valerie, yes I have a twang.  I was born in Texas and have only lived out of the state once, for about 6 months.  I think I have restless leg syndrome.  Sometimes, I just can not get comfortable, in my recliner, in the bed, in the car, I just constantly moving my legs.  I get cramps in my toes, but it doesn't move up my feet into my calves, I don't know if that is part of it or what.  I also have some tingling in my toes and fingers.  I know it is neuropathy, but it isn't bad, so I hate to complain.  Maybe I should get out and read some about it, so I will know how to deal with it.

Three is so much to take in, it is hard to know what to mention to the doctor.

Juannelle

unklezwifeonty

Dear 1L,

Do tell your onco about neuropathy. Depending upon how bad it is, sometimes they have to reduce the taxol to limit the chances of permanent neuropathy.

Dear Val,

Thank you! 

micheleboots

Juannelle, I love twangs...I can hear yours now...gotta love all the great American accents..Only lived in the USA for four years, but got to recognize them quite well.  I guess as an outsider I could hear them easily.

txstardust

I have taken Neurontin for nerve pain after surgery.  Didn't seem to help a whole lot, so I stopped taking it.  I hope it works for you, Val!  I can only imagine how frustrating it would be to have RLS.  Good luck!  

I can hardly believe there are only 3 days left until the wedding!  It's almost too good to be true.  My poor fiance came home early from work with bad allergies.  We're both sniffling and red-eyed.  Hopefully, the rain that's supposed to come on Friday will wash the allergens out of the air.  Who wants pictures with red eyes and runny nose?  I'm practicing my makeup today.

Peace to all.... 

one-L

onty, I go to the doctor tomorrow and I will mention it to her.  It is not bad just come tingling,  sometimes I just think it is from sitting too long.

shelby, 3 more days, I know you have lots to do,  hope you feel good through all the festivities.

michele, where did you live when you lived here?  I can spot Southern accents, but it  is hard for me to recognize the Northern ones.  I just can't pick out where people  are from.   Maybe it is because I speak sooooo slooooow.  You just never know.  Maybe I just can't hear that fast.

Juannelle

Scoobydoo

Valerie - yes I have had restless leg syndrome since starting taxol.  Doesnt stay long but it normally occurs once the pain starts to subside.  I take advil and that helps me a little.  I need to tell my OncRn about that.  I have just been suffering through it. 

Tomorrow is my 3rd taxol tx.  My WBC count was low so I guess my onc will put me back on neupogen.  At least I had a month reprieve. 

Anita

lainieo

Hi Girls,

Tomorrow I go for my 3rd round of TAC.  I have been feeling really good for the past two weeks, so on to about 6 days if SE"s. Hopefully I will not be so crazy after crashing from the steriods. I am on a low dosage 4 MG.

TXstardust have a fabulous wedding and enjoy all the good wishes coming your way

Good luck tomorrow Scoobydoo

Juanelle it is so good that you are having minimal se's. Do not feel bad about that.

Micheleboots. Good luck with the mastectomy. I had one with reconstruction. It wasn't too bad. I had a lumpectomy first which was easier and the mastectomy only 1 month later. I had a little pain, but manageable. I was only on Vicidin for a couple of days and then 8 hour tylenol did the trick. A bit sore and I had one of the drains in for 3 weeks. They didn't hurt, just a nuisance because you need to be careful and it is difficult finding clothes to wear with a drain.

My daughter came in for this chemo and has cooked dinner and it is ready so good vibes to all and peaceful night.

Lainie

micheleboots

OneL, I lived in Colorado Springs, CO for four years.

Lainie,  I had my mastectomy in Aug....do you know something I don't know?

one-L

michele, Colorado Springs is a beautiful place.  I have a cousin that lives there and have been to see her several times.  She has a beautiful view of  Pikes Peak right out her  living room window.  She said it  was -7 this morning, so I am not sure that I would want to be there today.  It was 50 here.

lainie, good luck with your tx tomorrow and hope you have minimal SEs. 

Juannelle

lainieo

Michele  Sorry about that i was reading something fast  and got it wrong. I can blame it on the steroids. Hope it all went well i n AUgust. So sorry again.

Lainie

Enjoyful

Good luck tomorrow, Lainie.  I have my 4th TC tomorrow and my onc just dropped my steroids to 4mg/day, down from 8mg, because of severe depression and near-homicidal rage the week after chemo.  He thinks it's from the steroids and I certainly hope he's right!  I was worried that the TC was eating away at the emotional control centers in my brain,

Shelby - Your wedding will be beautiful, allergies or not.  You must be so excited.

Valerie - No restless leg syndrome here.  It sounds very tiring - hope you find some relief soon.

Hope you all have a good week.  We are chemo warriors!

E

unklezwifeonty

Dear E,

Please  take something for depression..... I started on Celexa 2 weeks back and it is helping me already.

azdiva

Good Morning All!

I had my 4th TC yesterday.  Only 2 more to go!!

The pre-visit with my Onc went pretty well as anticipated.  I ask for everything.  He says YES to one or two things.  One being that my next chemo will be pushed back to 6 January 2010 so I can enjoy the New Year's Party!  He said that the 3 weeks was really a guideline and that people delay tx for many reasons.  They would not do it earlier than 3 weeks, but delaying for a week is fine.  YAY!  My biggest complaints were the hot flashes, weight gain, and anxiety.  He agreed that the anxiety is probably caused by my weight gain and hot flashes!  I do not want to go on Effexor because my sister is suffering the worst withdrawals from it now, and from what I have researched, it is one of the worst drugs to come off of.  I am not depressed, and don't want to be on something forever.  Onc says I am tolerating tx very, very well, and therefore doesn't want to change my dosing.  I had them run the taxotere at full speed yesterday and didn't have any problems.  The main reason he wants to keep my on full dose of steroids is the MINOR reaction I had with the first tx.  Oh well.  

I am adopting Kate Moss' new motto:  No food tastes as good as skinny.  I say this to myself as I am making a cheese crisp or having a candy bar or rice krispy treat.  Maybe it will sink in someday.

New prescriptions for valium and percocet.  I have to say that I don't really use them.  I just like having them around for "just in case."  I tell people (not Onc) that I am stockpiling for the apocalypse.  He offered me Ambien again, but with my rage issues, I think I might be one of those people you see on the news that sleepwalks out with a knife or gets in the car naked or something.

Fumbly fingers, fogginess, etc. are all part of Taxotere, I am told.  Not bad enough to give me B-6 or 12.  Really?  These are VITAMINS.  He will give me Valium, but not vitamins.  Don't get my rage going.  And it took me several tries to write that sentence.  I think it all has to do with my good tolerance of tx and he doesn't want to change the balance at all.  OK, I guess I can live with that.

Princess Jo - Did I tell you before that my bf lives/used to live half of the year in Melbourne?  She just got back yesterday from a 3 week trip to have shoulder surgery because she has better health care there.  If she is not too jet-lagged, and I am not too pissy, we are going to try to Christmas shop today.  That should be interesting.

I have to say that Christmas shopping under the gun can be easy.  If I see something that looks interesting, I just buy it and then assign it to someone on my list!  Problem is, I can't remember my list!!

Daughter's birthday party is being planned for the 18th.  We are going to do a party bus to dinner and then go see Christmas lights.  Should be fun.  I hope she doesn't want to invite 30 girls!!

I know this message is all ME, ME, ME, but I want you all to know that I think about you a lot.  Shelby, I am excited for your wedding this weekend, and will be with you in spirit!  Onty, I would love to hear how the Zometa is going (Onc is going to review lit from San Antonio conference).  Michelle, I had a Last Night with Boobs party 2 days before my mx.  Very fun.

Anyone with facebook - you should be able to add me at facebook.com/azdiva.  Otherwise, just pm me for my email address!

Mush mouth setting in.  Will this stop me from inhaling every bit of food put my way?  Probably not.  I almost wish I were nauseated so I could stop eating.  Taking proactive Senekot for the inevitable constipation.  

Sorry for the disjointed message.  Untreated brain fog and all . . . HA!

Love to All -

Laura 

micheleboots

Does any one know where I can buy a giant sized flag to put in my yard that says "While you are out there at 5:30 in the morning snow blowing your driveway, could you please take 5 minutes out of your busy day to plow just the end of my driveway....You know the waist high pile of snow that the plow left"  Oh by the way I have Cancer here, and can't shovel more than 5 pounds of snow at a time...And why is it that the plow only leaves a huge pile of snow on my side of the street? 

So I am wondering when people say"if you need anything just let us know"  do they not have the brains to figure out that I am not going to go and ask them to shovel my drive at 5;30. 

PS Santa could you please bring me a new shovel as mine broke this morning...

ok I'm done venting.

valeriekd

Michele you r very cute and If I lived near by I'd make my husband shovel for you!

Thanks for the RLS feedback- it is neuropathy and I do encourage you to tell oncs b/c they will want to tweak the dosage (so I've heard)

Have a good day! Valerie 

BrendaSharon

Hi October Warriors,

Hi Micheleboots and Alicia, see you all over the place "Lady Warriors"

Stopped by to say HELLO~~~~~sending positive vibes and little side effects to all!!!!

Reading posts to see how all are doing. I have my #3 TX tomorrow. I hoping it will be my half way point, that is if he only gives me 6TX's. My Onc. hasn't decided weather to do the 8 TX's or stop at 6 TX's so I don't know for sure yet. I so hope I feel just as good as I did after the other 2 TX's.

(((((HEALING HUGS))))) Brenda

BrendaSharon

Warrior Sisters,

I have a question!!!~~~~

A bunch of you have spoke of steroids and how much you take, how many mg, in your pills, etc.  As far as I know the only time I have been givin any steroids TX. I do take meds for my peptic ulcer/acid reflex problem I have, and I alos take meds for depression, but nothing else.   Tomorrow is my 3rd TX and wonder if I should be talking to my Onc. Advice from this group is very welcomed~What do you think???~~~~~~~

Thanks in advance~~~~~

((((((((((((HEALING HUGS)))))))))))) to all "Warriors"

Sunshine1958

Hi everyone,

I have my 3rd and final FEC tx next week on the 16th (yaaa ), and then I start three Taxotere tx's beginning January 6th.  I have heard so many bad things about Taxotere, so I was stunned when my onc told me yesterday "Oh Taxotere is a breeze after FEC"!  Is there anyone out there who did FEC and then Taxotere and can tell me how it was for you?  I mean, I know everyone is different, but I sure hope my onc is right!!

On another note, I have had only a couple of times through all of my breast cancer journey that began in July where I felt sorry for myself.  Well, I guess you could say I'm feeling sorry for myself right now, and here is the reason: 

I work as a staff accountant (for a cancer-related company of all things) and thanks to chemo brain I have been making mistakes, losing things, not being able to concentrate, etc.  My supervisor and co-workers have been VERY supportive and understanding but of course I can tell they're not real happy with me right now. 

Anyway, I mentioned to my boss that the doctor had asked me if I was still working and was surprised when I said yes because most of her patients either stop working or only work part-time.  And I made the mistake of telling my boss that after hearing that, I was wondering if I shouldn't go on a full-time leave  for three months beginning in January (mainly because I was expecting Taxotere to really knock me down).  I tell ya what....she couldn't say "GOOD IDEA" fast enough!!!  

So now they have a "temp" coming in on Monday who I have to train in two days and she will be taking over everything I do plus some.  I am VERY concerned that they won't need me (or want me) anymore, especially since the temp is a higher level accountant than me and will likely be able to do things that I couldn't do. 

Anyway, sorry for venting so much.  It just feels good to get it off my chest to people who will understand.  I just feel really rejected and hurt because it truly feels like they can't "show me the door" fast enough. 

Anyway, thanks for listening. 

Sunshine