November 2009-Starting Chemo

mommy2two

Thanks for the advice Melinda41!  Also, thanks for reminding me about the others...I can't seem to keep track of everything.

Cat60 & Cafelovr - Good luck with your tx today, I hope all goes well and I will be thinking about you both!

~Toyah

micheleboots

Toyah, I only see my onc and talk to her.  She is the most up to date person regarding my meds.  It would take to long to list my meds to my GP.  Besides, I didn't see my GP but once a year anyhow.

JustmeAlicia

Toyah ~ I went to the oncologist for my headaches as I figured they were chemo related. 

Melinda ~ How did it go today?

My first Taxol treatment #5 went smoothly.  I took my 5 decadron last night and an ambien so I did get a few hours sleep.  I was so anxious this am I couldn't eat, I took a bagel wrapped up with me.  I managed to eat it before my drip started.  They first gave me more decadron through an iv drip, then benadryl in a drip.  Finally at 1 they started my Taxol.  They sat with me and waited said, allergic reaction usually happens within the first 10 mins.  I had no problem.  She left me to drip for 3 1/2 hours.  We watched a movie and I fell asleep on and off.  My sister in law brought us a sandwich to split and cookies for my chemo nurses.  That was nice.  I feel ok - just put lasagna I made over the weekend in the oven.  I am exhausted and going to hit the couch. 

Hope everyone had a smooth treatment day as well.

Hugs ~

Alicia

RedheadPam

Hey Ladies - hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I am off this week, wich I thought would mean lots of lovely rest, but has actually meant 3 inches of snow and lots of snowy neighborhood kiddos! Oh well, DD is having a great time.

I have to make a confession to you all -- I did something today I shouldn't have.  I just couldn't stand it anymore.  I had to smell good for a change! It seems like all I smell right now is chemicals...I stripped the bed, put the sheets through the wash on 'sanitize", and took a hot shower with - gasp - actual smelly shower gel! Yes! real girl soap! I was tempted to throw caution to the wind and add some Secret Powder Dry in my pits, too, but that felt a little too wild. So I stuck with a little H20 lotion on my knees and elbows. Now I am soft and clean and smell like a girly girl, and I am happy.  I had broke down crying because I didn't want to feel or look or smell like a sick person one more minute.

 ps - Shara - you go girl! Ony problem is you are making me crave brownies....flashbacks to the 70's.... 

 Big hugs and small SEs to all....here's to a healthy 2010 for us all.

Melinda41

Alicia: I am glad to hear that you didn't have any bad reaction. Now, go feel great and report back to us how much nicer this is than AC ((please)).

AC#3 is coursing through my system. I went in with a bad attitude, just a little burned out feeling. After they injected the "red devil" I went to pee and could smell the chemical. It made me cry a little.

Pam: Why aren't we supposed to smell nice? Did I miss something in my list of chemo crappiness? My kids tell me I stink on chemo week, it just oozes out of my pores. So I'll wash sheets after a few days of oozing, stinky hot flash nights.

I am hoping that #3 will stop the hair growing on my legs. My kids told me that my eyebrows are thinning. Good thing I haven't plucked, I am planning on doing an eyebrow comb-over!

RedheadPam

Melinda - somewhere along the way I was told (my surgeon, I think) to use only soaps like Basis or unscented, drop all antiperspirants with aluminum and so on -- I have been using a deoderant crystal and cornstarch powder along with the very mild unscented soap.  But It just isn't getting the chemo funk! I want to smell girly and be soft and lotion-y.  I know I should watch for parabens in cosmetics and try to stay organic, but I have to keep my mental health going, too. I got some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, so I may go shopping at Sephora or some such for some high-end organic lotions.

Melinda41

Pam: I wonder if that is a cancer thing or a surgical thing. I do remember asking my surgeon about since I had read about no shaving and no deoderant, but he didn't expect me to be hairy and stinky. I was using an electric shaver under that arm, just as a precaution against lymphadema. I feel the deoderant going on, but I am using it!

Someone told me that the radiation made them stop sweating on that side, that would be nice!

mabelle

Hi there! I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I'm back on the computer after a few days of crazy.

I got a christmas present of sorts... my period! After 7 weeks, I thought I was doing the chemo-menopause thing, but no such luck. Its the worst period I've ever had! Pain, aches, cramps, and super heavy flow. I got it on christmas morning and its still going strong! I'm so incredibly tired and feeling pretty damn weak too. I wonder if I should be taking iron supplements?  

Pam - I've thrown out all my old stinky moisturizers and soaps too. Mostly because they all had parabens in them - and I've read so many articles about how parabens have been linked to cancer. I bought some great "smelly" organic natural lotions and shower gels at a health food store and have been using them pretty much since my diagnosis. I don't use anything anymore on my pits - it took almost 3 months of putting up with some mild BO, but now I can go all day and not smell at all. Even after a pretty heavy workout, I still don't smell too bad. I almost gave up a few times, but I'm glad I didn't.

My confession is that I've been drinking red wine every now and then since being on chemo. Takes the edge off and it tastes good (during my 2 good weeks). Anyone else drinking at all?

Shar - I hope you got the bong you wanted. Was it a merry-jane christmas for you? Here where I live, you can get a prescription for pot from your doctor - for chronic pain or nausea. I haven't asked for it ... yet. But I think I will at my next appointment. Apparently, once you have the prescription, you take it to a cafe of sorts called "the compassion club". There, you can choose what kind of cannabis you'd like (the kind that gives you energy or the kind that puts you to sleep...)  and how you'd like it (in baked goods or to smoke...) I'm really curious about this place, and would love to see it. I just have to work up the courage to ask my oncologist. 

Hope everyone is doing ok. Hugs to everyone. 

JustmeAlicia

Melinda ~ glad you are done with #3 - sorry you had a teary moment.....  it's to be expected, chemo sucks.  I hope you are feeling okay.  I know what you girls mean about the smell.  I can shower and shower yet I still feel like I smell like I am rotting.  so gross ~~~ 

Redheadpam ~ I wasn't told any of that info about the aluminum stuff to stop using.  I will too invest in some organic stuff and ditch the old stuff.  Glad you treated yourself to smooth skin and smelling good ~

Mabelle ~ that "compassion club" sounds interesting.  Hey if one needs it for relief I say go for it.  We surely suffer enough.  We are already putting the worst poison of chemo in our system what's a litte pot!

Mommy2two, Cafe, Micheleboots, Cat, Doronet ~ I hope you girls are feeling good.

When is Brenda due back?! 

Hugs to all...

I am still on steroid high post Taxol yesterday.  Barely slept last night ~ I'm tired !

Alicia

Mouse6694

I believe Brenda said she would be back on the 4th. I am off to get my first Taxol & Herceptin I am really nervous about having a reaction just trying to stay positive. I did actually get some sleep though after all the steroids. All of you that got Taxol yesterday I hope you are feeling well keep us updated. Will check in after my 6 hr. chemo.

micheleboots

Mabelle, You know I think my Onc said that pot helped some ladies...it surprised me.  I am to big of a chicken...after all what would that teach my kids..but then again if it would help what the hell...

mommy2two

Alicia - Glad you are feeling well enough to post.  Hope you get some rest and don't experience too many bad SE's.

I haven't noticed anything different about the way I smell after a tx and nobody has said anything to me about it....I also still use deodorant but not the kind with aluminum in it.

Mabelle- Yes, I still continue to drink but usually don't feel like it until two weeks after a tx.  Don't like wine and gave up liquor so I may drink an occasional beer when I'm feeling okay and get an urge.

Doronet, Mouse & BoxerSue- Good luck with your tx today, hoping that all goes well!

Onc nurse said my constant pounding headache is probably from the Cytoxan...that really makes me want to go back on Thursday for my last tx.  She said she would call me in some strong pain meds but I told her not to bother since I really can't take those while I'm working!  I suppose I am already getting used to the pain.

Hope everyone feels well and has a good day!!

((((HUGS))))

Toyah

Cafelovr

Hi Everyone!

Getting ready for my LAST AC tx today. Woo Hoo. Wishing I was still in Florida sitting on the beach, but this is one more step in getting there permanently!

I haven't had a chance to look through the past few days, but will do that on my roid high!

Mabelle, although not as much, I enjoy an occasional glass of Chardonnay. Thanksgiving and Christmas were my good weeks, so I actually had a couple champagne cocktails. The dr. said it was fine, just not to overdo it.

I'll be thinking of my sisters who are have tx today too! Warrior Power Rocks!!!

Melinda41

Good luck to today's warriors, Boxersue, Doronet and Mouse.

Feeling Ok today today after a terrible night of night sweats. My head just felt like it was in an oven. Today I need to go to a funeral home visitation, the service is tomorrow but day three is usually a stay in bed day for me.

I gained 6 pounds in the three weeks in between chemos. That sucks. Before my diagnosis, I was doing weight watchers and lost 35 pounds. I am not paying attention to my diet at all now, just eating what tastes good, which I am going to hate myself for if I gain the weight back. But maybe it was just the holdiay cookies and I can hold steady now.

I guess I will break down and shave my lower legs today, I kept hoping it would fall out, but I don't think I can wait any longer. Everytime I shave, I think "maybe this will be the last time", but alas, still shaving. And I am so sick of porcupine panties, I am not bald down there, weird stubblies that stick to my panties and rip the toilet paper when I wipe.

But the Onc is still sounding very optomistic, PET scan after next AC to make sure existing tumor is shrinking then onto next phase which will be Taxol plus something to be determined later.

Happy Minimal Side-effects Day to everyone and no allergic reactions to Taxol Warriors!

mabelle

Melinda - I've gained weight since my 2nd AC tx (Dec 17). I totally blame it on not paying attention to my diet and eating what tastes good (even though the good taste usually only lasts seconds in my mouth) Christmas cookies certainly don't help either. The only thing that's saving me is my regular workouts at the "cancer gym". I've vowed to get back on track and make better food choices. I'm not waiting until the new year... it starts today! hopefully ; )

Good luck with your PET scan too!     - In an odd way, it must be nice to be able to see the results you're getting from the chemo. I had a bilateral mastectomy, so there's nothing left to scan... I often wonder if this stuff is doing anything besides making my life more difficult. But, I must keep up the positive thoughts!

I think I might be coming to the end of my killer period... things are looking much better this morning... wish me luck!

Melinda41

Thanks Mabelle, glad you are feeling better today.

I also had a mastectomy but I had some sneaky cancer show up on a subpectoral lymph node. Even though the surgeon removed 19 axillary lymph nodes, there was that one running in the other direction, sneaky little bastard.

The YMCA offers a cancer program, I keep saying I am going to sign up after the first of the year, thanks for reminding me!

JustmeAlicia

I am thankful I have not gained any weight the last two chemos, actually lost 1 lb 4 weeks ago, and yesterday I was the same weight.  I"LL take it.  I am still up 10 lbs since diagnosis of the darn BREAST cancer. 

Hope everyone has a good day with minimal  SE's.  Good luck to all those going for chemo today, thinking of you !!!

Hugs ~

Alicia

micheleboots

I have lost a few pounds since this last tx.  I guess since nothing tastes good what is the point in eating all that yummy stuff.  I too lost 35 pounds with Weight Watchers a few years back and have managed to keep it off.  This cancer thing has been  a bit if a test though.

Alicia, how is your DH doing with his vasectomy and blood thing...

JustmeAlicia

Michele ~ when did your pain kick in after the Taxotere.  I am thinking the Taxol is similar...  I'm waiting ~  DH no vasectomy due to the blood problem.  We have an appointment for him to see a Blood specialist Hematologist/Oncologist on January 4th.  So we wait till next week.  He feels perfectly fine so who knows.  Thanks for asking

Alicia

micheleboots

My pain didn't kick it until after my roids were done on Sunday.  Now I also started neupogen shots on the Saturday.  The pain could have been from that as well.  The pain didn't go away until a day after the neupogen shots were done.  So bottom line...I am not sure which caused the pain..I plan on asking onc to prescribe massages for me, as my insurance will cover them...can't hurt.

Sherri_V

I made it through #3.  Seems that it was the worst so far.  I have just one more to go!  I'm scheduled for my final chemo on January 13th.  My surgery should be sometime in February.  Not sure how long after that I will start radiation but it is sure nice getting past some milestones.

I had a customer in my store today ask me why I'm going through all of this and didn't just opt for "whacking them off"!  I know she meant well but I was surprised by that.  Um, I thought I'd follow the standard of care for my particular situation...silly me!

JustmeAlicia

Thanks for the info Michele... thankfully I don't need Neulasta shot this round, only after the next one and then I think that's it !  The pain was hopefully from the Neupogen mostly ~ I know the Neulasta kills me.  It is like a really bad flu feeling all over my body.  I hope you are feeling better.  AND yes go for the massages sounds good to me.

SHERRI ~ THAT person is an ass... Whack them off, as if that makes it all better.  I had a dbl mx, and am still going through all of the treatments as most of us.  Taking them off surely does not make it all go away.  Dumb person.  Congrats on #3 down and 1 more to go WOO HOO !!!  I hope you are feeling better now.

Nettie ~ How are YOU?????  Hoping all went smoothly for you.

msmpatty

Mouse...sorry to be so long in responding to your question about nails and Taxol.   I haven't had any problems with my nails at all.  

Alicia ...I haven't had any pain problems...but I've never had to have the Neulastra or neupogen.  The minor aches I get a few days after a TX go away with a Tylenol.  I hope you are doing well after your first Taxol TX!

Patty

doronet

Hey hey,  Thanks to everyone who sent best wishes to those of having our first Taxol this week.  I Really intended to post last night after my first, but there was too much going on after I got home.

The treatment went well with no allergic reaction.  The chem nurse did mention that the researchers are figuring out that the reaction most people have to the Taxol is really a reaction to the castor oil it is suspended in due to its inability to bind with sodium cloride like the other chems do.  I thought that interesting.  I also asked why I'm getting the Taxol weekly when I read of others getting it every other.  she said that the latest research shows that it is possibly proving to be more effective weekly. Another interesting do-dad.

First infusion I received was a mega dose of Benedryl and pepcid.  Then the Taxol.  Think the Benedryl weirded me out more than anything else.  Felt fuzzy-brained, then when I tried to nap, I felt like I had restless leg syndrome and couldn't get comfortalbe enough to shake the feeling from my legs.  My lovely daguther was with me a kept asking if I was okay.  The entire time there, including bloodwork and flushing twice was 2 hrs.  A nice change from 4 hrs.  Oh, and my WBC was above normal, but chem nurse said that was okay after all the A/C.

Also asked her about my hands, as I have had some really bad pain and redness though only on my rt. hand, between my thumb and my index finger, which traveled to between the next two fingers a couple of says later. Was sorta typocial, but also underlying the skin there..extremely tender and painful:  a weird SE I hadn't read about. and one that taking Tylenol lessened it a lot.  She said I defenitely had chem-hands and to use a very thick, Shea-butter type hand cream. 

I never stopped using deod. or girly smells.  No one told me not to.  Ran it by the Chem Nurse, too, who said if I haven't had any allergic reaction to anything, to not worry about it.

Home to eat lunch and then took a 1 1/2 nap.  Dinner was brought by a neighbor (yippee), then I took 2mg. of Ativan at bedtime to sleep.  Had a very nice, long, uniterrupted, sleep.  Have the shakes today, but hope they go away soon.  Need to get back to exercising, like others have mentioned.  I had lost about 9 lbs since being diagnosed, but am also eating anything that tastes good, and meals/snacks are usually small and often (every 2-3 hrs. or so) and have gained back about 5lbs.  The steriods haven't affected my sleep or my eating habits, though the bummed out tastes buds are an appetite killer.

Hopes sent for easy TX's and no SE's for Kim, Mabelle, and Deb today and BrendaShar, Kayh, Toyah, iammom2four, and Psalm21 tomorrow.

Psalm121

Hey, Nette: Thanks for thinking of me....my last TX is Jan. 7th, hadn't noticed BrendaSharon had me listed for tomorrow!  Glad your TX was not rough on you....my WBC's have always been high, too.  I had a major skin break-out after my first TX, started using an exfoliating face wash and shea butter and it helped me alot, too.  Also, I cleaned my shower without gloves and got a little rash on both hands....won't do that anymore!  I'm afraid to step on the scale....I'm one week away from TX and am eating lots of food!!  It still doesn't taste right, but it's waaaay better than a week ago!!  Best Wishes for all the Warriors having treatments this week.  Please remember my MIL, her lung surgery is today.....

Mouse6694

I survived my first Taxol & Herceptin tx. it took 7 hrs though Taxol was slow should of took 3 hrs but they had it set up to stop every 1/2 but by the time they restarted it 15 min would pass they were very busy. I actually feel rather well much better than a/c I go to get a neulesta shot today so hope to stay feeling good. Food is blah but not as nauseating as after a a/c tx. Hope everyone has a good tx. today.

cat60

I did have my Last A./C treatment Monday....my blood counts were great befroe, Oncoligist said you ready for the last one ?  Of course I said, lets do it.....It went smooth, I actually took a nap from the premeds , so the time past quicker....I got hugs from Nurses and Oncologist that I made it through the 4 A/C......I asked her about the taxol, she said its much easier than this treatment...I wont be starting on Taxol until end of Jan....as I am having my masectomy on Jan 12th....if all is healed I will start Taxol.....Will I be able to stay on the NOV Chemo girls board? I hope so...

But a freaky thing happened to me yesterday....My husband and I were straighten the house , he was upstairs and I was in kitchen...He hears at THUD, comes down stairs to find me unconsious on the kitchen floor, he called 911,  and I was taken by ambulance to Local hospital....I have a concussion as I really wacked my head on the counter in two spots..., I woke up in the ambulance and I no idea why I was in there (other than I felt totally groggy)....They talked to my oncologist,  she requested a CT SCan of head w and w/o contrast...all clear, xray of lungs , clear...(but they think I had a seizure.....I have had a mild seizure disorder since the birth of my 3rd son 18 years ago....been on medication since.....they are thinking this last chemo treatment might have lessened the potentcy of the anit seizure meds....I have an appt to see my neurologist on Monday....(My mistake , I did not tell him I have Bc and going through Chemo) but my oncologist knew this ????  we were at hospital for like 5 hrs....came home,  so tired,  laying low today...my head hurts where I banged it on the counter .....NOt enough I have to deal with the Chemo SE now this .....when it rains it pours !!! Thank God my last treatment was MOnday, woo hoo.....thanks for listening girls.....

mommy2two

Cat60 - My goodness!!!  I'm sorry that you've had to go through all that but I'm glad that you are okay.  Hope your head begins to feel better soon and I think I speak for everyone when I say, "of course you can stay on the Nov Chemo board"!!  You are officially one of our "sisters" now!

Mouse & Doronet - Glad you are both doing okay.  Hopefully you get some rest and continue to feel decent!

My port flipped yesterday so I'm real excited about my tx tomorrow.  I heard that the dr will try to flip it back manually (ouch?) but if that doesn't work I will just go with an IV since it is my last tx.  I can't wait to schedule an appointment with the surgeon to get that sucker out!

Hope all is well with everyone!

(((HUGS)))

~Toyah

JustmeAlicia

Nettie ~ so glad all went smoothly with your TX.  I am dealing with some funny stuff on my right hand too.  Swollen, itchy and now a bit numb...  Guess it is normal.  Hope you are feeling ok.

Mouse ~ sorry yourTX took so long but glad all went well.  Mine took a long time too.  I hope your SE's stay to a minimum.

Toyah ~ Good luck with you LAST chemo tomorrow.  I will be thinking about you.  Hoping they can get that port to work, if not just think it is 1 prick and YOUR done girlfriend.  Big hugs !!!  Hope all goes well.

CAT ~ OUCH oh my you poor thing.  I hope you are resting and your head feels better.  How scary.

I am day 3 taxol and have some leg pain, sort of like shooting pains and cramps but otherwise ok.  Of course the eyes are tearing like mad too ~

I hope everyone is doing well.... 

Hugs~

Alicia

micheleboots

Toyah, good luck tomorrow...you are lucky to be done...yah you.

Cat, OMG, I am glad your husband was there when you went down...have a good rest and take care of yourself.  It might not be a bad idea to make sure you are not by yourself for a while..

Mouse, way to go...it is a bit scary doing something new isn't it..

Doronet, you are so lucky to have friends to bring you food when you need it...It is the one thing I miss bing here so far away from my family...we just don't have the support net.