November 2009-Starting Chemo

LVLinda

Hello everyone!  Round #4 went fine, my blood counts were very good, port still working great.  Everything went fine.  I was very hungry right afterwards, but I was careful and just ate a little cheese, some jello.  I'm still hungry, so I had rice.  Emend is working great.  But.....food tastes terrible again!  Yuck!  More things are tasting terrible, each time more of my "good tasting" foods, no longer taste good.

Even though things are going good, I still feel like crapola! LOL  I'm already more tired than on the previous rounds - it's really weird because the steroids are still working.  So, I nap for 1 hour, then I'm wide awake, but still sleepy, make sense?  It's just strange.

Alica - So glad to hear everything went good!  I get my Neulasta injection tomorrow morning too.  I am just wondering when the pain will kick in for me.......each time it's different.  Guess I will be ready for another surprise.

My company is still here, it's been a nice diversion....but he's leaving tomorrow, right before my injection.  It's probably a good thing! <G>

Well, hope everyone has a good nights sleep, I hope too!

Linda in LV

mabelle

Hi everyone.  I'm happy to say I'm feeling really good. No SE to speak of.

I go in to have my port "installed" tomorrow and am feeling quite anxious about it. I know it will make my treatments easier and prevent my arms from looking like a junkie's, but I'm still nervous and scared of how its going to look and feel. 

Melinda - I've had no sign of hair loss yet. I had a dream last night that it all fell out during my sleep and when I woke up it was all on my pillow. Obviously I'm thinking about (dreading) it a lot. I've got a special social function on Wednesday night and am really hoping that my hair can hang on until then. I used to have really long hair but got a pixie cut last week. I really like it like this and wish I had cut it sooner (to get my money's worth!)

Llittlebird - I hope you are feeling better. I'm thinking about you and send positive thoughts your way. 

Welcome to Cat and Kyasou - as the others have said, too bad you have to be here, but glad you found the group. Its so nice to know you've got company.

 LVLinda - so glad to hear your treatment went well. I felt really hungry all the time after my first tx. I thought it would be the complete opposite. Weird. 

Take care everyone! 

SharaD

kyasou... I stopped Benefiber a while back annd I can't remember why, either it was giving me bellyaches or it just wasn't working. Check with your dr. again, but I would imagine that Senna is not good if you are experiencing blood, doesn't it state this on the label? If it were me, I would try two stool softener afternoon and two early evening, plus keep up with the fiber. Both soluble (benefiber,metamucil) and insoluble fiber (shredded wheat n bran, raisin bran, brown rice, veggies.whole wheat toast with at least 3g of fiber per slice) are probably needed to keep things soft and moving. If you start to get constipated or go a couple of days without a movement, then I would hit it with a laxative. I'm not sure how wise it is to take the laxative if you're not sluggish, but I do understand that you don't want to risk getting too constipated.

The stool softener is just salt, so perfectly safe, and POUNDS of good fiber won't hurt you as long as you don't get too gassy. This with plenty of liquids should suffice, I'd think, especially since you've recently had two whoppin' good cleanouts. I've also heard a little olive oil in water, an hour or so after your fiber doses, helps to keep things SLIDING out.

You say that hell breaks loose 4 days after treatment, so one thing that you could try is to continue what you're currently doing, but ease up on the doses day 2 and day 3 in preparation for what's been hitting you on day 4. See if you can tweak a bit so that day 4 and day 5 are a little easier on your system. It sounds to me like you've just gone a little overboard in the loosening-up, and need to reign it in just a bit but not enough to let a nasty clog take hold.

I sure hope you can find the happy medium.

suzieq60

I finally feel human, it only took 10 days. My hair started to come out if I ran my fingers through it, so I went to the hairdressers today and got a No2 buzz done. I didn't think I could cope with chunks coming out. They were so sweet and luckily there were no other customers at the time. I had a glass of wine and she did it with my back to the mirror so I couldn't see. Afterwards they she washed it and massaged my scalp. They all thought it looks good, they say my head is a good shape. The best part is that they didn't even charge me - that's so nice. Not looking forward to tx No2 next Wednesday but it has to be done I guess.

JustmeAlicia

Sheri ~ with my oncologist the Neulasta is a standard the day after my chemo.  I think it is because I get a dense dose of AC.  They don't want my treatments to be delayed by low WBC.  When I start Taxol for my last 4 TX's I will get it every 2 TX's.  So that must be not as hard on the WBCells. 

Kyasou ~ yes I was taking Colace and Miralax.  I then found 1 or 2 senna a day do the job better.  No need to be bound up in pain on top of any other SE's we may experience.

I have been up since 1 am... it is now 2:30 am in NY.  DAMN' STEROIDS.

Hugs ~

JustmeAlicia

Linda ~ yea just paged up and saw your post ! so glad all went smoothly for you.  I am on the steroid can't sleep either but am exhausted.  Hope you find some rest.  Thinking of you.

Mabelle ~ Good luck with your port installation tomorrow.  I am sure all will go well.  We will be thinking of you and sending up positive thoughts!

Hugs again....

Roid' High Alicia

Melinda41

Alicia: your "roid high" signature made me laugh, Thanks

Suepen: glad you have a good looking skull!

Mabelle; I also did the pre chemo pixie and I do like it! I am on day 16 and I am defineatly shedding, but no chunks have fallen out yet. I did roll over in my sleep to lay on my stomach and got a few hairs in my mouth that had fallen out on my pillow!

Got my blood work done yesterday, WBC lower than last week and GRANs are really low, but nothing they didn't expect. Oddly, I felt fine before going to the Oncs but had to take a nap when I got home. It is like I am not sick until someone tells me that I am, and then I am like "Oh yeah, I have cancer, I need to lie down".

Mabelle: Good luck on your port today and hope you feel great for your thing tomorrow.

Littlebird: Thinking of you and hoping you are on the mend.

JustmeAlicia

Doronet and Mouse ~  Good LUCK today with your treatment !  I am with you spirit girls !!!

Linda ~ I will be thinking of you as I get my Neulasta shot this am knowing you are as well.  My pain was full throttle by Friday last time.  I thankfully have some vicodens on hand this time !!

Hugs all ~

Alicia

LVLinda

Alicia and everyone!  Good morning!  I've been up early, early today also, darned steroids!

I do have the "runnies" this morning.....true acid a**!  But, this is nothing new to me, as I've suffered with true IBS since my 20's.  When I get "out of whack" it's one extreme to the other.  So, I'm glad I ate cheese and rice last night, or it would be much worse.  I feel bad for those of you that get this through chemo, without being more used to it.  I will just load up on fiber today, and that should do the trick.  I must admit, since I'm used to the runnies, I would rather have that than the extreme constipation I can get.  I can go 5-7 days without, and that can be truly miserable.

Also Alicia - I will be thinking of you as well when I get my Neulasta shot this morning.  I have Lortab on hand - don't like the stuff, because for me it really doesn't do much for the pain, it just makes me not care.  I've only used 3 so far - 1 each time the pain has kicked on, 1 for each round.  I had to take 1 anti-nausa med last night, just a mild case of nasua, but the med kicked in in about 10 minutes - Compazine - works like a jewel!

Take care everyone!

Linda in LV

BrendaSharon

                                        Good Morning "Warriors"

Doronet, Mousse, cka0706,

Good Luck today with your TX's Wishing all "little side effects"  !!! 

Doronet,Ya whoo!!!~~~~1/2 way done!!~~~ every positive note is wonderful!!!!

Mousse, DOUBLE YA_WHOOOOOOOO~~~~~ Just one more TX & your done with CHEMO!~~ What's next?  Are you going to nned to have radiation or are you finsihed completly????

cka0706,    kyasou                     WELCOME NEWBIEs        "Warriors"

I am glad to see you jumped into the site. All the "Warriors" will help you through your journey.  This site is a great place to vent if you need, scream, cry, laugh whatever you need.  And best of all first hand experience from other "Warriors" fighting the same battle. So, we know first hand what to expect. There is always someone to help every minute night or day!!~~~~

Alicia,I was glad to see you didn't have any vien problems.  I'm still sad you have to receive nuelasta shots as they seem to cause s/e that are not nice!!~~ It seems like those of you having these dose dense and/or Taxol do have a lot more s/e to deal with as well pain. I feel blessed everyday I'm not in y'alls shoes. My mother-in-law choosedoes dense for her TX and I asked her why because she didn't have ant node involvement like I did and the tumor wasn't much bigger. She said she wanted to travel soon and every 3 weeks would take just way too long. She had requested a harder regime so she could get done sooner. She even had a mastectomy to her R. Breast and it could of been saved.  All for the love of travel, which trust me she is doing already.  I wasn't ever really given a choice, but I'm glad mine is easy. I have no where to go, no time soon.  Every 3 is god for me. I only feel bad days 3-7 after TX. Days 1 & 2, I'm in such a fog I don't feel anything. I'm just wired because of the steroids.  So, I still can work and do most anything I need. I just have bad headaches the first 2 days, but the pain is fairly well controlled with the Tylenol X-tra Strength. Sorry Alicia, I'm just rambling on.

LVLINDA!!!!!!!!   Can you believe you are 2/3 done!!!Yippie I Yeah!!!! What you said above, "it's really weird because the steroids are still working.  So, I nap for 1 hour, then I'm wide awake, but still sleepy, make sense? " I understand this completely!!!!~~~~ I'm sorry you feel like crap though>yet i'm happy you don't have any port problems and that you blood counts are good!!

To all "Warriors" have a great day!!!~~~~~ (((((HUGS)))))

micheleboots

Hello lovely ladies, just jumping over from the Oct. thread to see check it out...hi there Alicia. It will take me a while to catch up on everything.  I have nothing but time anyhow.

Alicia, Roid Highs are ok it is the Roid rage you have to watch out for...Don't Roid and drive.

LVlinda, I think your acid a** comment is a hoot.  I too have suffered with IBS..Haven't we suffered enough..I find on day 4-6 I sty to stay close to home.  Don't want to be to far from a bathroom...you never know.  By the way, I love Las Vegas..Such a  fun place to vacation.  My best friend and I have gone a couple of times...we even managed to be extras in a movie being shot there...mind you we were cut out of the movie, but still we felt like celebrities..

later Fellow Warrior Chicks..

Michele

kyasou

Thank you for the warm welcome and for all the advice.  I am going to try it out next week for round three.  I am jealous of all the ladies on the AC every three weeks regime...how nice to have more of a breather between!  Best wishes to all! 

Melinda41

Mandatory mohawk pic!

Mouse6694

Brenda I WISH this was second to last treatment but I have Taxol & Herceptin for 4tx every other week after this.

Tx 3 almost done, hoping for minimal s/e a girl can dream cant she? I guess doing well in bathroom dept. I havent had to take any stool softners yet and I havent needed anything stronger than Tylenol with neulesta shot so I guess you win some and lose some. But heard Taxol causes lots of bone pain so make sure to get stocked on pain meds for this one.

Littlebird hope your ok and sleeping and that is why no posts lately.

kyasou

Love the mohawk!

doronet

Nice Mohawk!!! 

I just got home from my 3rd A/C treatment.  (2/3's way through the first phase!!!)   No reaction or complications.  WBC count up to normal, so that was great.  My onc didn't wait to see what the WBC count did...she automatically prescribed 8 neupogen shots, though after two rounds for the Neupogen, I've changed to Neulasta for the advantage of one shot vs 8.  I'm hoping for the side effects to be no worse than what I had on the Neupogen, which weren't bad at all.

Alicia:  I was told I won't need the injections during the Taxol phase.  Weird that you are, or weird that I'm not.

Right now, I'm very tired and have a fuzzy brain.  Fortunately a neighbor is bring dinner, which is good since I would prob. burn down the house not thinking clearly, or caring at this point.

Hoping for no, if not few side effects for today and yesterdays Warriors.

Littlebird:  Hope you are doing much better!!!!   Nette

doronet

Nice Mohawk!!! 

I just got home from my 3rd A/C treatment.  (2/3's way through the first phase!!!)   No reaction or complications.  WBC count up to normal, so that was great.  My onc didn't wait to see what the WBC count did...she automatically prescribed 8 neupogen shots, though after two rounds for the Neupogen, I've changed to Neulasta for the advantage of one shot vs 8.  I'm hoping for the side effects to be no worse than what I had on the Neupogen, which weren't bad at all.

Alicia:  I was told I won't need the injections during the Taxol phase.  Weird that you are, or weird that I'm not.

Right now, I'm very tired and have a fuzzy brain.  Fortunately a neighbor is bring dinner, which is good since I would prob. burn down the house not thinking clearly, or caring at this point.

Hoping for no, if not few side effects for today and yesterdays Warriors.

Littlebird:  Hope you are doing much better!!!!   Nette

micheleboots

Melinda. love the mohawk.  I have one of my own...only I look like some lost puppy, pathetic..

Doronet, I agree with the burning down the house and not caring..I am having that kind of day as well. I am on day 5 since chemo on Fri. Where is my bed...can't wait to see it.

Michele

Cafelovr

Had my second tx today. Right now the only problem I'm having are my legs are aching. I guess it's due to the WBC depleating. I go tomorrow for my Neulasta shot. When I went for my weekly blood draw, my levels were only at .2 Regular levels are 1.6 to 6.5.

Kya: I have the same problem w/ the constipation. I take 3 Colase, a scoop of Miralax, and eat FiberOne cereal.

Little Bird: Are you feeling better? We're all thinking of you!  BoxerSue: How did you fair today?

Hopefully CCNani has been busy with the holidays!

JustmeAlicia

Melinda love the mowhawk....

Nette glad someone is bringing in dinner.  enjoy i hope you feel ok.

I had a bit of a rough day.  managed to go get my neulasta shot, then went food shopping came home did some cleaning.  then the nausous kicked in.  i actually threw up. YUCK.  i took a compazine and an ativan and am now laying down sipping ginger ale.  maybe this cycle i will lose a few lbs that would be a nice treat to feeling shitty as i'm a cow.

hope everyone has a good night... xo

Omarsmom7

Hello All and warm hugs to everyone.

Doronet

 I loved that video. thank you for posting the link.  For anyone that has not seen the pink glove dance, please take the time to watch.  It will put a smile on your face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

SharaD

I'm getting worried about Cindy (littlebird).   She hasn't logged on since Monday morning, at which time she said we'd be getting 'frequent updates'.  I hope she is alright, that white blood count was downright scary. 

BeccaS

Littlebird, we are rooting for you! Low WBC, port troubles and headache is a triple challenge. I am imagining you gaining strength one step at a time... and then it will start flooding in.

I took my first Neulasta and have had wierd bone sensations, not really pain - just very odd feelings, up and down my legs and in my hips. Is this the neulasta? Other SE include my mouth and tongue feels swollen and tender, water tastes terrible and I am just so very weak and tired. Not much nausea, Compazine is a wonder drug for that!

For all that my hair keeps falling out and falling out, it is amazing I have any left. I keep thinking it is too late to shave it, it'll be gone by morning.... and there it still is! 

Becca

LVLinda

Melinda - Great Mohawk!

Alicia - So sorry you got sick!  I feel for you.....my Compazine still works great, do you have it?  It kept me from losing it last night, take it and 10 minutes later nasua is gone for me.

Becca - My Neulasta shot was today, and I usually don't get bone pain until the next day, and a couple of times 7 days later.  But, I'm sure everyone is different.

I hope littlebird is ok.....I bet she will check in when she can, hopefully.

Well, I'm headed for the couch now that my company is gone.  I kind of overdid it today, laundry, some cleaning, not really that much, but for the day after round #4, I am now feeling like jello, actually more like crapola! LOL

I hope everyone gets good rest tonight, I hope I do.....steroid high finally going away.

Linda in LV

LVLinda

micheleboots - I wanted to respond to your post also!  So cool you got to be an extra in a movie, here in Las Vegas!  We've lived here for 16 years and love it.  Glad you like it too!  Hope you come again...........prices are low now, with the economy in a funk here.  It will probably stay that way for quite a while too.  Great deals.

You take care!

Linda in LV

mabelle

Hello ladies 

My port insertion went pretty well today. I'm a bit sore, but nothing tylonol can't fix. All that worrying for nothing.

My hair is still not falling out... hopefully I can last one more day for my big night out tomorrow. 

Melinda- I love the mohawk

Alicia- sorry you're feeling so horrible today. Hope you're better soon.

Take care everyone!

 

Cafelovr

Becca, what Neulasta does is force the bone to create more marrow, thereby creating more WBC. Some people get a burning feeling; some an aching feeling; and some just get downright pain. I get a tingling/aching sensation. I get my shots on Wednesday and see the dr. the next Tuesday. My counts were in the tank, but I felt great. A round of antibiotics and a week of rest put my levels right where they should be for yesterday's tx. 2 down/2 to go!!

I actally slept last night! Thank God for Xanax. Now, if the poo fairie would just show up!!!!

 Alicia, sorry you had a cruddy night! I know what you mean about weight. I gained 3 lbs in a week! It's either the cheeseburger or those damned steroids...I'll blame the steroids!!!

BrendaSharon

KIMBERLY, WOE #3 TX ~~~~~

Your almost done with the first phase of your (AC)TX's. Your next 12 (T), is this for Taxotere or another type of "Chemotherapy"?  Just trying to follow, you surely will earn a pile of smiles.

I'm sure you would prefer this to be over. To a relatively good day. Sending good vibes your way!

Cool Breeze ~~~!!!!!        

Finally on your way to some peace of getting started and therefore getting this over. I know you have waited what seems forever.  I see it is getting somewhat busy in December. You are doing a fantastic job. See you round the site.  Good luck today on your first TX!!!Good vibes your way!Hope all goes relatively smooth for you and that you have little side effects as can be expected. You have waited a long time for this~~~~~~

Take Care "Warrior Women"

(((((HUGS)))))

doronet

FYI:  don't ever type a post and then refresh the page before sending because YOU'LL LOSE YOUR ENTIRE POST!!!!!!!!  ARGGHH!! 

cafelover:  I'm sure it's the steroids!!

omarsmom7:  thanks for reposting the pink glove video.  Is well worth the watch.

alicia:  Sorry the puke-fairy visited you.  Hope you are doing better today.  Last night I started feeling naus. and thought I'd just wait to see if it got worse, and then I thought:  what the hell am I thinking!! and took the compazine right then.

BrendShar:  you sure on top of those smiley faces...you already have my 3rd one up!!!  What would we do without you??!!  I wonder if ccnani went to the Dec. thread after all?  I do miss her.

I am hoping no word from littlebird means she is too busy getting better!!!

mabelle: I have heard  that some people never lose all of their hair.  Mine is coming out little by little, as I keep seeing stubble everywhere, but to look in a mirror, it still looks like a buzz cut.  go figure.

I woke up this A.M., one day post-TX and just had the shakes, as usual.  Feels like I've already had 6 cups of coffee when I've had none.  Other than that, no complaints. And TX yesterday went without any hitches, except for taking 4 hrs. to last time's 3 1/2.  She did slow the cytoxin  part to prevent a worse headache than I had already, so that added the 1/2 hr..Was really tired later in the evening.  Was talking to my college daughter on the phone and must have "dosed off" because I caught myself talking gibberish to her!  That was a first!!!  (We pretty much ended the call after that.) 

BeccaS:  My Neulasta is shot tonight, after having taken two rounds of 8-Neupogen the first two TX's.   Am taking Claritan this A.M., 1 XSt.Tyl before injection, then tomorrow A.M. Clartian and another XST-tyl, then wait to see if/when the pain sets in.  With the 8 Neupogen shots, the pain came with last (8th) shot. lasted only 2 days and was in my hips and knees, akin to working out way too much, and was manageable with 2 XSt.Tyl in my system very 5 hrs. for the 2 days.

Everyone:  My chem-nurse did tell me yesterday to be careful with Tyl. when getting TX, as both of them are hard on the liver.  She suggested alternating Tyl. with Advil and not taking more then the recommended dose for each.

Wishing a SE-free day for everyone!!  Looks like MeNeverMind and Coobreeze are up for TX today.  Good luck and my prayers are with you!!!  And with those getting TX later this week!

Melinda41

I went to Walmart BALD!!! I asked the kids if they would mind and they said whatever I wanted to do was fine. I have the greatest kids (DDs 10 and 12). We did get a few stares but no one was rude. I talked to the kids afterwards, to see if they felt self conscience about being with baldy, and they said it didn't make them feel bad, it just made them realize that some people are jerks.

I did explain to them that people aren't trying to be jerks, cancer scares people and when they see me and realize that I am a young person with cancer, it scares them. My 10yo DD informed me that I am NOT young. Uh, thanks babe.

I have a "chemopause" question, are we expecting to stop having periods during chemo? I started today and it kind of surprised me, I had read about chemopause and I didn't know how common it was. Since I am ER-/PR- maybe it doesn't matter what my hormones are doing. But it sure explains that mental breakdown I had this weekend. I am not crazy, just PMS.

I hope everyone is sleeping and pooping and feeling good today!