Starting Chemo October 2009

micheleboots

So ladies, I am still on the fence regarding the cleritin before neupogen shots...can anyone shed some light on whether this works, and why.  I hate the idea of taking something that I don't need or won't help.  I have to make up my mind by Thursday...help.

Enjoyful

Hey micheleboots -

I tried Claritin and it did nothing for me, but I know a lot of other ladies swear by it.  My onc's given me naproxen for neulasta-related pain but I just got the shot today so won't know if naproxen works for a few days.  Hydrocodone and tylenol were dismal failures.  I'm also going to try acupuncture Thursday evening to see if that helps.  At this point I'll try anything!

Mary - please update me with another smiley!  One more treatment to go and it can't be too soon.  My left arm looks like it's been chewed on by an angry dog.

Hope everyone's doing okay with their treatments and SEs.  We should all be finishing chemo soon, yes??

E

RaiderDee

Michelle- Claritin has worked wonders for me.  I say it works but I haven't had a shot without it so who knows?  I have had ZERO bone pain (knock on wood) for the last 4 treatments.  Good luck!

micheleboots

Dee, did you have neupogen or neulasta?

micheleboots

Dee, when did you take it?  did you take it every day?

azdiva

Michele - 

Claritin has totally worked for me.  I take the 12 hour (read somewhere that it works better) and I start taking it the morning of my Neulasta shot.  I do use once/day Alavert most days (same ingredient as Claritin) for my allergies.  I have not had bone pain.  My hips hurt this week, but I think that is the Taxotere since I won't have Neulasta until Thursday!!

I take the Claritin twice/day for about 5 days.  Nothing scientific about it.  I just thought that was a good amount of time.  I read somewhere that they think it works because the antihistamine inhibits something produced when the bones are stimulated.  I wonder if that would affect anyone taking bisphosphonates? 

Hope it works for you! 

Laura 

RaiderDee

Sorry Michelle, I had a brain fart.  I get Neulasta the day after my chemo.  I have had 4 so far.  I pretty much do the same thing as Laura.  I take a 24 hour Claritin the morning of chemo and another one the day of the shot as well as the day after.  I have had no bone pain at all of any kind.  My latest Chemo was on Christmas Eve so they gave me the shot right after my treatment and it still worked just fine.

Laura, good luck tomorrow.  Each treatment gets harder and harder to wrap your brain around.  I know I have to do it but there's a big part of me that would love to run away and pretend that I'm all done.  I still have 4 to go which just sucks to no end.  At least I'm done with the AC.  We really have to meet up sometime.  Maybe after you're done since it won't be too much longer.  You're almost there kid!  Take care.

Dee

one-L

enjoyful, congrates on having only one more tx.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  It is a good feeling to be finished.

I could never remember to take the Claritin, so I just took Hydrocodone when the pain started.  That seemed to work just fine for me.  I got a Neulasta day after chemo, then about a week later I would  start the Neupogen for about 3 or 4 days.  I really had trouble with my WBC.

Good luck to all of you, hoping you all have mild SEs.

Juannelle

joanneasiata

HI MY FRIENDS

I'm going to try Claritin as well i always feel like Ive been beaten up with a baseball bat from waist up and the bottom half of me feels like jelly

You want some good news ??????

Well i had a MAMO and U/S today for that red mark on my good boob  and ALL CLEAR YEH FOR JOJO  now just have to see whats going on with that sore pelvic bone  I'm very happy, i was a bit concerned about IBC

I hope all have easySEs   hey were all going to have chemo down pac then its going to be time to finish

LOVE LOTS LOVE

PRINCESS JOJO

1marmalade1

txstardust:  Border Collies are sooooo lovable!  Mine is now 10, has so much attitude, he keeps me in stitches!  Biggest thief you ever met - if you have a fave blankie, he'll steal it.  Total mooch, too.  He loves everybody, and everybody loves him.  I'm glad he's here while I'm going through all this.

AC #2 today - round one went so well, now I'm anxious that the ball is about to drop.   It's making me more anxious this time than the first.  I am part of the Jan. group, but have been relying on you good gals to keep me "educated".  Good luck to you all!

lainieo

Hi Girls,

Congrats to all who are finishing chemo and hang in there to those who have more to go. So many feelings to contend with. I am doing ok with SE's for this 4th round. I felt worse last time., but still similar issues with the stomach, foggy brain and steroid withdrawal. Actually no rage this time. I guess that is a step up and one my DH appreciates.One more day at home to rest up and then it is back to work and teaching. I am thankful for the long holiday break. You girls are all the best and it is wonderful to have our support group through this forum. I think the other day someone was thinking about going to a support group. I actually am participating in one through my cancer support center at the hospital where I had my surgery and it is helpful. The facilitator is wonderful and does a good job of guiding the discussion. The woman are at all stages of this journey. A couple of them are 2- 3 years clean and come in to support us, others are going through chemo and some radiation. Everyone has a different story to share, but we are there for each other and it is helpful. It is just nice to talk and know that someone else can relate you your feelings and anything goes. The group is ours and for us. Wishng everyone a great day.It is freezing I just want to be on the beach soaking up the sun and enjoying life.  SOON SOOON???

clariceak

Congrats to everyone who has finished chemo!

I was able to enjoy my holidays after switching from A/C to weekly Taxol.  No problems yet, only my fingernails are starting to turn black and I still have 8 more weeks to go.

I have a port and they gave me lidocaine cream to put on prior, but it still hurts alot.  Is anyone using the spray or another alternative? 

Mary - number 4 taxol done today

thanks for checking on me

unklezwifeonty

Clarice,



Make sure the cream covers the port bump and a 2-3mm circle around it. Then cover it with cling wrap sheet. Do this 1 hour before they put the needle in. This should work better than the spray.

txstardust

Today is #5 for me.  I'm really NOT looking forward to today - not that I ever look forward to tx day, but I broke down last night for the first time in a while.  Just started crying because I hate the feeling of a loss of control over my life.  DH keeps trying to encourage me, but today is just a crappy day.

Peace,

Shelby 

micheleboots

Marm, don't worry about #2, for me all me FEC were the same....easy as pie...I worried each time it would get worse, but it didn't.

Go JOJO, Go JOJO you are now the Queen...

Shelby, don't worry cry when you need to ...sounds like your DH is amazing...thank goodness you married that man...

Saw my doc today and she is giving me codine this time for the pain...I am going  to try the claritin first to see if it works..

micheleboots

Shelby forgot to ask,,,how was the first day at the new job.

Sido

Shelby, I totally understand crying over how powerless bc treatment makes us feel.  I'm sorry you are having a crappy day but glad you DH is there for you.

Great news JOJO!

valeriekd

Yay Jo Jo what a relief!!!!! I  guess we are bound to worry for a while but I guess that will aslo get us to the MD so nothing gets out of hand.

Shelby - glad you get it out of your system- I have to go tomorrow and I am just dreading it - 2 weeks of feeling like crap - its hard to push one's self to go, isn't it? 

Clarice- I use the lidocaine cream also - definitely put saran over it and I do it 2 hours before and don't feel a thing. 

Have a great day, ladies

Love, Valerie 

clariceak

Thanks for the advice on the cream.  I'll try doing the surrounding area and see if that helps.

I'm getting hives on Taxol.  It just started this morning, after posting about no problems - and  I have a bright red half moon on the skin next to my fingernails.  Anybody else have this se?

A cautionary tale

A few months ago I was in the chemo room with a Stage IV lady.  She told me I should always check my chemo bags to make sure I was getting correct dosage and medicine.  Flash forward to few weeks ago.  I seated in my chair and very woozy from Benadryl when I heard the supervisor in the next room shout out "Stop everything!".  The pharmacist had just called down and said he had a feeling that he had mixed up my drugs.  Indeed he did.  They were about to give me Taxotene instead of Taxol.

Shelby - sorry you're having a bad day.  It's all overwhelming sometimes and I think starting a new year makes it more vivid just how much our lives have changed forever.

micheleboots

So I just got back from the pharmacy, and I am loaded up on drugs for tomorrow.  I think I can make it through now...I stocked up on frozen dinners my kids can make themselves or I can pop in the oven...picked up the cleritin and I going to try...only 22 days to go...yahoo.

joanneasiata

CLARICE

Wow   so easy for them to balls up imagine if they gave you  somebody Else's drugs scary ah .

SHELBY

I wish i was there for you to hold your hand and give you a big encouraging cuddle  just remember the 3Gs, don't worry you will be ok, just remember it will lift just hold on to your sweet sweet man he will give you all the strength you will need .  I'm starting to feel sick just thinking about my next TX but I'm going to dedicate the next two to my grand daughters so they have  an extra 5 yrs each with their supper hero nanna  its just going in there and having it all pumped into us  that gets harder to do its on par now with the side effects

MICHELE

Sounds like you have it down pac now  good one  the kids will love the frozen dinners not much veggies in that LOL i really hope you  breeze through this one  and soon you will be back in the kitchen  cooking up a storm big cuddles to you too .

 well all  the best to everyone getting your cocktails i think our minds are very powerful last time i went in there with a bad attitude about it all, and my SEs were the worse ever so I'm going to try to clear my mind of bad thoughts and go in there with some home made cookies and a big eager smile and try to have fun .Mmmm luck ive gota week to wind myself up.

LOVE LOTS PRINCESS JOJO

JustmeAlicia

JOJO ~ so happy your boobie is OK !! 

Shelby ~ hope all went well today.  (HUGS) sorry you are .

Michele ~ hoping all goes smoothly tomorrow.  somehow hoping it is not too bad for you.  SOUNDS like you are ready. 

Hope all is well with everyone !

Alicia

micheleboots

Jojo, no need to worry about vegies, my kids love raw vegies and fruit as well..potatoe chips are considered a vegie, right.

unklezwifeonty

Clarice,

I suggest you report hives to the oncologist immediately. It may be nothing or may be sign of an impending reaction. I had a reaction to Taxol and it was not funny.

azdiva

Finished #5 today!!

Feeling ok at the moment, but my eyes are getting a little itchy.  I know my mouth is going next.  Hitting the constipation issue hard this time (pun intended) by starting Miralax last night, tonight, and everyday until I think it is past (haha! another pun!)

Onc gave me until 2/3 for last one.  So another 4 weeks and I will be done!!

I think I got 2 hours of sleep last night, and am worried I won't sleep again tonight.  Damn steroids!  May take something for that, but that usually aggravates the constipation issue.  Vicious cycle!

Hope this evening finds you all well!  Talk to you when I get a better handle on this one!

Laura 

unklezwifeonty

Dear Laura

Yes you gotta hit the conspitation hard for the shyt to work :-)

Good luck with the counts. By the way, my onc only gave me steroids (decadron) by IV on the day of chemo and no pills. If the steroids bother you, ask your onc if they'd recommend that regimen for you.

joanneasiata

HI ALL

Guess what my bosses said that i can come in tomorrow and do a few hrs work yippee, Ive been in there a few times in the last week just chatting and helping out just a bit if they were busy sweeping the floor and the answering the phone that kinda thing , only cause Ive been a bit bored at home and Ive been feeling great lately and i knew they were going to be short staffed tomorrow so i said i could work and that i wanted to and that they better let me or i throw a hissy fit right there on the floor sooooo they said OK!! ( i always get my way lol ).so now i just hope i get up and remember to go to work

PRINCESS JOJO

suz45

WOW! I just spent over an hour trying to catch up on all the posts... lol its now 2am. I guess I was mia for a long time. I got sick after tx #5 then had broncitis, I was just getting better and had a small Christmas Dinner at home with my two guys then another dinner on the 27th with dh's family on Vancouver Island. It was quiet but nice considering.

Well my LAST tx was on the 31st and I was so happy to be done that I cried my eyes out all the way home. Luckily dh came with me this time as I dont think I could have driven. Well I didnt get the steroid high this time, I just crashed really really bad and had so many se's. Didnt get up for 4 days and on top of that dh got a really bad cold and nasty shingles. Lol my Bday was Jan 4th and neither of us could get up. Needless to say we postponed another celebration. For the first time in years my computer was turned off for over a week!

Well Im finaly back! I went for a 1.5 km walk with my dog and was weak but happy. Im coming down with a cold but hoping it wont be too bad.

Not sure how much Ive updated my total treatment but I go see my surgeon on friday that will do the double MS... I cant have recon for a year so Ive dealt with that mentally. I should be starting rads at the end of Jan, not sure how much time will be in between radiation and the surgery... BUT if there is enough time and I can pull it off I plan on taking a warm vacation or a cruise while I can still wear a bathing suit to do some snorkling  We were planning a Nov vacation when all this started again.

I feel for everyone who is dealing with this emotional rollar coaster. It sure isnt what any of us planned, but we are all such strong women we can and will deal with it! I know Ive spent more days than I care to admit in tears and depressed but hopefully now that one stage is done I can deal with the others.

Sorry this was all about me but will try to log on more often now.

Big Hugs and a Belated Happy Healthy New Year to Everyone! Suz (48 lol)

snuziq

Wow!  It looks like a lot of us are hitting the "I'm tired of this cr*p" wall.  I love how everyone has jumped in to cheer everyone else up.   What an amazing group of ladies! 

Shelby - I hope your first day of work went well.  I'm glad you have a great husband to lean on especially with the worries about a new job on top of this BC.

Michelle, Laura, Onty, Jo Jo (and others) y'all make me smile.  Thank you again for being "here" for me.  I too have been getting fed up with the craziness of treatment.  I'm tired of having to find a scarf or hat to wear to work, tired of thinking food sounds good only to feel sick a few bites in, tired of being tired, and the list goes on.  Reading your posts make me feel less alone in this and make it all okay.  Like a really good hug.

Thanks again ladies.  Have a great day!

valeriekd

Suz congrats on the last chemo and kudos for getting through a lot of hard times!

JoJo - back to work cuz of boredom at home is a good thing YAY!

snuziq - I feel the same. Ditto, ditto. 

I go for #5 today and for some reason got a lot of nerves going on - I think b/c except for #2- the se s are getting worse and so much more fatiguing but in the words of Doris day... Que sera sera .

Good luck my friends! Valerie