Starting Chemo October 2009

micheleboots

Alicia, try the claratin..I did for the first time and I feel good so far...yesterday was the first time, so I hope this does the trick..or did you say you try this?  I can't remember...imagine that....could it be the chemobrain?

JustmeAlicia

Yes ~ I take it.  I think it does help.  But not for the taxol bone pain.  It does help a bit for the Neulasta shot... MAYBE ~ but I still get so sore all over feel like I have the flu.  Hope your pain stays AWAY !!!!

micheleboots

Me too.  it looks like you and I are on the same computer schedule...get up, grab coffee, check site, shower, check site...I think I am addicted to this group...must get back to work soon...loging in take up a lot of my day...my housework is lagging, but then again I have a great excuse for being lazy these days....may as well use it, right?

Enjoyful

Good morning, ladies -

Had treatment #5 on Monday and the dr scheduled fluids & other meds (steroids, Pepcid, anti-emetics) for both Tuesday and Thursday.  He also gave me naproxen for the Neulasta/Taxotere bone pain.  I don't know what did the trick, but I feel a lot better this time around than I have before.  One more to go.....!!

Hope everyone has a good and relatively pain-free weekend!

E

valeriekd

Alicia I forgot about the facial hair! It was the first to go and I will mourn its return -I am Italian by heritage and we know how to go hair!

J ean you deserved a break altho I am sorry for your dad--we put my mom in assisted living a year ago and she LOVES it - it is very social for her as she spent so much time alone prior to going. As far as the ses go - the second day was AWFUL but day 3 is much better-Iwas going to skip the sixth if it continued that bad but now I will be brave- evryone else is.

And such a sense of humor! I love you guys! 

JustmeAlicia

Yes Michele ~ I am addicted too.  My computer is in my kitchen.  I do the same schedule as you pretty much.  And everytime I pass the computer I check for new posts.  Guess I'm lonely. 

Oh Valerie ~ I don't miss my foo manchu mustache or the all over peach fuzz.... and of course that one stray chin hair that comes in and I can never seem to tweeze it till it is too LONG ! 

txstardust

Haha, Alicia, I used to get that chin hair too!  Once I started chemo, I was able to pull it out with my fingers and didn't need a tweezer.  Now I don't get it anymore.  I don't miss it, that's for sure!

I've been achy in my spine, nauseous, and so tired today.  A little short of breath and dizzy, too.  I don't feel like myself.  But, I look forward to the day I start feeling like a human being, and I know that it will come someday!

Peace... 

joanneasiata

HI ALL

TXSTARDUST

Oh you poor thing feeling like sh-t  nothing worse a big hug to you and remember you will start to feel normal again

ALICIA

Love your new photo Your a very pretty women  especially with no facial hair lol

VAL

I to was seriously going to skip my last two  cause i truly hate the SEs just like everyone else but  i want all the cheers and the congratulations and the positive well wishes that all the others got when they finished their last one and i have dedicated my last two to my granddaughters so they can have a few more years with their supper nanny ,thats the only reasons i will do 2 more ,hang in there Val you've come this far so far just a little more to go till the finish line and we will all be there cheering you on honey.My dad is Egyptian so I'm a bit of one   as well but I'm not that hairy just got the curly hair or should i say had !!

ENJOYFULL

OH i hope it all stays good for you it feels like your walking on egg shells ah waiting for it all to come crashing down  but stay positive 

I'm having a day shopping with my sister and Sam is playing golf with her DH he hasn't played in yrs very rusty  and my brother in law is quiet a pro  oh  poor SAM

 BY MY LOVELIES

4 MORE SLEEPS TILL JOJO JUST APPEARS

PRINCESS JOJO

one-L

Shelby, glad that you are feeling human again.  You have a lot to keep up with these days and new responsibilities, so it is OK for you to be down for a couple of days.  How is the new job going?  You are very brave to take on a new job, with all you other life changes these days.

valerie, glad you are feeling better also.  I don't think there is a way to know how bad the SEs will be after each tx.  I thought my last would would be the worst, but it was actually #3.  I never felt good  after it and just knew that when I did #4 I would be doomed, but actually within 4 days from the tx, I was feeling great.  Still suffering from fluid retention, but have meds for that.  Also, I don't miss my facial  hair.  My nose  hairs were the first to go, then the face. 

Alicia, good luck  on your tx on Monday.  Hope the SEs will stay mild and you will recover quickly.

michele, you do deserve the right to be lazy and use that trump card.  It wont be long, until we can't use it any more and then we will wish we had used it more.

jojo, good luck this next week and I hope your tx goes well and you have mild SEs.  I like it that you are sticking it out and dedicating your last treatments to your grandkids.  I am sure you are a great nana.  There is nothing better than grandkids.  I only have two, but they are wonderful.

Girls, it will not be long until everyone is finished.  You are all getting close to the finish line.  I know I only had 4 treatments and most of you have had more, but you are strong and you can make it.  I am cheering all of you on - GO GIRLS GO!

Juannelle

JustmeAlicia

Shelby my chin hair with my luck will come back as a full beard.  LOL

PrincessJOJO thanks for the compliment ~ I do look better minus the facial hair.  IF only that would STAY away, along with leg hair, hair down under ~ I will just take the hair on my HEAD !

Thanks Juanelle ~ I am so nasty today knowing chemo is coming in about 36 hrs.  YUCK !

But it will be just 2 more left after that !  so I will trudge along  ~

Hugs !

Alicia

joanneasiata

HI AGAIN

I felt like it was a day after chemo  today feeling really yuckie on the drive home from my sisters place i had my head in a plastic bag dryreaching for about half an hour does any body feel like a chemo day  when its not just totally out of the blue  but i did manage to score my self a bargin a $160 cardigin for $20 yeh for me that makes me feel a bit better lol, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend 

PRINCESS JOJO

suz45

Princess Jojo, you are a girl after my own heart. Nothin beats a bargain :-)

Im trying to stay possitive, thinkin I have broncitis again, but luckily  I have the meds in advance. That makes a huge difference. I think its really under controll.

You truly are a group of amazing women aand Im so blessed to have you to to call on in times of need.

Big hugs at 4:30 am Suz

Hollycan

Hi Ladies, just popping in for a quick Hello.  I love reading all of the posts (Princess JOJO, some of yours especially crack me up).  And yes, JOJO, sometimes out of the blue I feel like I am having a "chemo day".  Like today for example, my whole body aches...  Weird.  My hair is also trying to grow back, I have soft peach fuzz like hair all over my head, but you can't really see it.  

Well I have my 5th tx on Wednesday, on one hand NOT looking forward to it, but on the other, it will mean I only have one more to go.  Yay!  On to another surgery and rads after that.  MaryNY, can you please update my smiley's, I have done 4 so far, I will let you know once number 5 is done.

Happy Sunday to all!

Holly 

Enjoyful

JOJO - Yes, I get random "chemo days" sometimes.  I'll be going along fine and all of a sudden BAM I hit a wall.  Excellent deal on the cardigan!  As someone who participates in Extreme Competitive Shopping as a sport, I salute you!

Suz45 - Hope you feel better!  Good planning to have meds on-hand ahead of time.  :-)

Holly - Good luck with Wednesday's treatment.  I had my #5 last Monday and my SE's have probably been the best so far.  Weird, right?  My hair is also trying to grow back, which I didn't expect at all. 

Wishing a good week to everyone,

E

jeanl151

  Are you ladies having to deal with wacky taste buds?  I know it is not the worst problem but it is driving me nuts.  This is day 12 after last treatment and stuff still tastes and feels weird. 

    I went out with DH last night for dinner and steak tasted like solid pepper (he said it was fine).  Ravioli's the other night were like slimmy pieces of nothing.  Today I made french onion soup and it's like sweet dish water to me.  I can't find much I like (chocolate pudding is my new staple)

   just wondering if others are in this boat,  Jean

MaryNY

Hi Jean:

Yes, I have the wacky taste buds too. That combined with continued low-level nausea means that I confine myself to a limited number of mostly bland foods. About three weeks ago even water made me feel nauseous. I no longer drink plain water, instead of drink sparkling water or seltzer. I was never a lover of salt but now find I need to add it to savory foods. Sweet foods taste overly sweet so I tend not to eat them. The exception is icecream which still tastes great.

Hollycan

Jean, I am totally in that boat.  Nothing tastes very good and I have to add salt to everything to make it even palatable.  Water even tastes nasty. Honestly, it's one of the worst side effects for me becuase I love to eat and I love my wine (which also tastes bad)...  

unklezwifeonty

Yes, I experiment with salt, vinegar, black pepper, lemon, seasoning, etc to find out what I like. Funnily enough things taste different every meal.

valeriekd

Hi Jean - i think they call it "mung mouth" - likr something is almost covering the taste buds? I had a handful of salt and vinegar potato chips today and tasted NOTHING! Weird.

Jo Jo Thanks for the encouragement - I AM going to finish just had such bad moments before - I felt like curling up in a fetal position and telling everyone to go away . Stress on my body , family-I was just so sick of it but who the heck isn't?

Holly - we r going to make it - good luck with the next one! 

Love all you guys, you make it doable-I can not thank you enough for that. Valerie 

joanneasiata

HI

I'm in with the taste buds thing .the only thing I'm enjoying at the moment is Thai food . i was a chocoholic but don't even fancy that any more its to strong on the roof of my mouth and hurts. water yuk, I'm trying to drink 2 liters a day hard to do, VAL yep the fetal position sounds more comforting then food these days Any one having trouble with puffy eyes its like allergies

3 MORE SLEEPS TO GO NOOOOOOOO

PRINCESS JOJO

Enjoyful

JOJO - Puffy eyes, puffy face, puffy everything.  I look like Uncle Fester!  WAAAAHH!!!  LOL

MaryNY

We all seem to have so much in common. I thing of the taste thing as mud mouth. I noticed this treament that my tongue was heavily coated on the second day. No wonder I couldn't taste anything. I've become more vigilant about washing my teeth and rinsing my mouth since that. It hasn't helped with taste but has helped keep mouth sores at bay.

Like you JoJo, I was a chocoholic too. Now don't even want to look at the stuff. Yes, drinking two liters a day is hard to do, but remember it can be any liquid, doesn't have to be plain water. 

Eyes, don't have puffy eyes but have phases of watering eyes, sore eyes and lots of crud in the eyes when I wake up in the morning. I think it's the Cytoxan that does that. 

Valerie, know exactly what you mean about just curling up in the fetal position. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

one-L

I have also been suffering from the "mung mouth".  I don't remember it being so bad after my other treatments, but I still have it 2 weeks post treatment.  I can't stand anything sweet and I too like things salty.  After my first tx, salt was too much for me, but I want it now.  I also want food to be strong or have a bite.  I have never been one for really hot food, but now it makes it taste better,  Love nachos with jalapeno peppers.  I got sick on ice cream after my first tx and haven't wanted any since. 

I guess you could say, we are all as one.  After so many treatments, we are all doing the same thing. 

Good luck to all you girls  that are having a tx this week.  I will  pray for you to have mild SEs.

Love to all,

Juannelle

MaryNY

Anyone having their final treatment this week?

joanneasiata

HI ALL

Very quiet  here today usually ill get on in the morning and nearly a whole page to read ,maybe some are felling a bit cruddy and the others are making the most of there good days well that leaves me on the fence doesnt it ,lol  I'm feeling yukie  still very tired but not as bad as a chemo day

MARYNY

I wish  i could put my hand up for the last one this week but no boohoo in the next two weeks please ask that question again and ill get all excited that will be me then

HOPE ALL IS ALRIGHT  THINGING ABOUT EVERYONE

PRINCESS JOJO

MaryNY

Hi JoJo: Yes, the ladies are all very quiet. I'm taking that as a good sign that they are all busy doing other things and have no SEs to talk about at the moment. I kept refreshing today, thought my Internet connection was down or something. Yours is the first post of the day!

JustmeAlicia

Hi girls.  Had taxol #2 today.  6 of 8 chemo's DONE!  Feeling ok ~ still on the steroid high but exhausted.  Go for Neulasta shot tomorrow.  And take hubby for his cat scans.  Got good news today too from my oncologist.  I don't need RADS!!!! 

Hope everyone had a good day !

Hugs ~

Alicia

lainieo

Hi Ladies,

Felt good today and had decent energy. I hope it lasts as this is my first full week at school since Dec. 19.  I did start to feel a little emotionaI on the way home from work, just sort of hits you out of the blue, I so decided to do some retail therapy. Way to go JoJO on the sweater. I too got a great bargain and am feeling better. A top that was originally $89.00, not that I would pay that, was on sale for $9.99.   scooped that up .

I also have weird taste buds. Seltzer is the only water I can tolerate. One day I can eat something and the next it makes me say yuck. #4 has definitely been better than the rest. Same SE's but more tolerable and milder. I cannot wait until this is all done!

My mom fell and broke her hip on New Years Eve. She has dementia and lives near my sister in Assisted Living in  Florida. SHe had to have surgery and is now in rehab at another facility.  It has been difficult needless to say. I wish I could be there to help out, but I can't. We do the best that we can with the circumstances set for us.

Have a nice evening.

Lainie

one-L

alicia, good for you, just one thing you don't have to worry about.  Hope all goes  well with DH tomorrow.

lainie, you are right when you say we do the best we can.  I am sorry to hear about your mother, it has to be really hard to know she needs you, but you have your own set of problems.  Good that she lives near your sister.

jojo, it will not be long before everyone gets to celebrate the end of chemo.  We will have a big party and dance around the room.

mary, it looks like  all the threads are quiet today.  Hope  you are having a good day.

Juannelle

MaryNY

Hi Juanelle: Are you enjoying your break between chemo and rads. Any sign of hair growth yet? I'm doing fine. My SEs have worn off more quickly this time around. I do have problems sleeping as I keep waking up with night sweats. Not sure if there is any remedy for that. Not sure if it's a SE of chemo or a menopausal symptom.

Alicia: You are a week behind me with treatments. I had #6 of 8 last Monday. Looking forward to being finished. Great to hear you won't need rads. Will you be doing Tamoxifen?

Lainie: It must have been hard to go back to work today after such a long break. No wonder you felt emotional on the way home as you probably had to keep your emotions in control all day. Hope this week is not too tiring for you. Sorry to hear about your mother. I can empathize with you about the water. I'm now trying to dring plain water with some lemon but it's yucky. I've been drinking Seltzer or Pellegrino for the last few weeks.