Calling all TNs

cmksocal

mommafluff61 - I'm TN and I used cold caps last summer.  The length of time you wear the caps is based on chemo type and infusion time, as well as the type of hair you have. In my specific case, I have shoulder length hair that is moderately thick and wavy.  My chemo was TC.  My cold caps were frozen to -31 degrees C and I wore them during and then 4 hours after chemo infusion.  You wear one cap for about 30 min and then switch it out for a new cold caps.  The caps are rented from Medical Specialities of California --- which is located in London, England.  There is a Cold Cap thread on this site.  Or you can Google "Penguin Cold Caps" and find the company's web site.

 Colleen

Anonymous

Man, talk about an ice cream headache! Nobody has a problem with their brain freezing? My brain is tiny, so I guess I would have been OK.

MBJ

HeidiToo:  What a gorgeous, though cold brrrrr, picture of you with your horse.  Just beautiful!

ChrissyMH

mommafluff,

I am taking Centrum Ultra Women's.  My chemos are usually Friday - I thought I'd 'recover' over the weekend and be Suzy-Martyr by showing up Monday morning.  Big mistake.  After my first TC infusion on Dec. 3, I went to workon Dec. 6-7.  Dec. 6 was non-stop bone pain.  I was shocked.  Dec. 7 was bone plus soft tissue pain.  I wept IN THE OFFICE both days.  I had to make an emergency trip to the Cancer Center on the 8th at which time they gave me prescriptions for oxycodon and Ativan.  TG, TG.  Everything improved until I was literally pain-free (not counting mouth ulcer the cracked fingers) on Dec. 19-21.  Then, back to the disgusting pre-infusion Decadron, and learnin that the WBC didn't come up and I'd have to have Neulasta on the 24th - 24 hours after the second infusion.  For Nuelasta bone pain (in my case, low-grade, continuous) I'm taking 4 200mg-each Advils at the suggestion of the Onc-on-call who administered the Neulasta shot on the holiday.

All the best...  ChrissyMH

mommafluff61

Good Day fellow TN Friends!

SPORTY99...

we both start chemo this Thursday...I'll be thinking of you! We can compare notes when we are done...

CHRISSYMH...

Thanks for the vitamin info...I have chemo this Thursday and an appt with the onc on Monday. I'll try not to be a Suzy-Martyr

I kept kicking around the idea of the cold caps but I just can't imagine being "that cold" for so long!  I'd have a huge brain freeze!

I've got a great boss who just wants me to "get well" so if I'm too tired or have pain I guess I'll just stay home.

 Any input from you guys about my doc not giving me a Neulasta shot after chemo...he seems to think I won't need it? Let's hope so!

What did you bring with you to chemo that you couldn't have done without?

Have a GREAT DAY!!!

Claire82

What I brought to chemo:

my laptop

my pillow

gillyone

On my very first chemo day I took my laptop (I read they had wifi), a book to read and a sudoku book. I had no idea how long I would be there and wanted to be prepared. What did I do? Nothing!!! Didn't get out my laptop, just barely started a sudoku and read zero pages. Our chemo room was tiny and there was so much going on - new patients coming and going, nurses bringing new infusion bags, IVs beeping and people to talk to. As a seasoned patient, I now ALWAYS take a book to whatever kind of appointment it is, but certainly didn't need much for chemo.

Anonymous

What I brought to chemo:

my laptop

my husband

Both were incredibly entertaining.

I never got a Neulasta shot; my counts never warranted it. I found CT quite tolerable and it never affected my ability to do anything. Good luck ladies!

Anonymous

Physical activity and breast cancer outcome: A brief review of evidence, current practice and future direction

Abstract 

There have been several publications of large scale studies with long-term follow up addressing the role of physical activity in the management of breast cancer. Of the twelve studies specifically addressing the effect of physical activity on breast cancer survival, eight showed a statistically significant 50% risk reduction in breast cancer mortality in women who engaged in moderate intensity physical activity before and after their diagnosis of breast cancer. Four smaller studies demonstrated no benefit. Almost all of these observational studies predominantly involved white, professional women from North America and Europe. The positive effects of physical activity were seen for all stages of cancer, with the greatest benefit in steroid receptor positive breast tumours. These studies relied on self-reported questionnaires for recording the levels of physical activity. Despite including thousands of patients, published studies offer no data related to the optimum type, duration and timing of physical activity. Only a few studies provided objective data on physical activity, cardio-respiratory and general fitness. Thus, potential role of physical activity in the management of breast cancer remains far from established. If the beneficial effect of physical activity as demonstrated in the observational studies can be replicated in robust, well designed and well-executed prospective randomised controlled trials, this would provide a tremendous opportunity to enhance adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. By adding physical activity to the spectrum of adjuvant therapies offered to women survival from breast cancer may be enhanced.

Anonymous

I "sleighed" myself again today. Weather was much more cooperative (read NO 40 mph winds).

Have decided to have a New Year's resolution: lose 10 pounds. OK, I've said it. Now maybe I can do it?

Anyone want to join me?

mommafluff61

HeidiToo...

you rocked your chemo! AND I'm in on losing pounds...lots of them! Starting Jan. 1! Already dropped 5 due to stress!

I visited the place where I will receive chemo...gorgeous views, great staff...I will also bring my entourage of girlfriends! You can bet we'll be laughing!

Titan

Count me in Heidi!  10 lbs..I'm there!

What I brought to chemo:

Husband, books, crosswords, water, crackers, potato chips...my husband got us lunch. (no wonder I'm fat)

We had a private room most of the time...didn't read much..talked alot because I was energized by the pre-drugs...watched the Price is Right...what a stupid show...did you ever notice that the women who are chosen usually have big boobs and they flop around the whole way down the aisle? 

dlcw

Heidi - I'll join you!  I need to lose more than 10, but 10 would be a good start.  I have beem planning to get fit for the last 5 years but have made zero progress.  Nothing like a cancer diagnosis for motivation - it made me realize I've been a bit in denial about the fact that I'm aging (47) and need to prioritize my own health care - my kids make every well check, are current on all vaccines, etc.  I didn't even have a primary care doctor!  Still don't but it's on my 'to do' list.  So, I'm game.

I started the day with a long walk - woke up at 2 (first day after chemo - I think it's the steroids) gave up at 4 and got up.  Drove the car over to the shop to drop it off for a tune up and brought the dog along.  SHe and I had a lovely leisurely few mile walk home and saw a beautiful sunrise.  It wasn't very aerobic but it was a start.

I started a log in my chemo notebook of activity and food....having an enoumous slice of pizza for lunch so perhaps could have made a better choice there....

Donna

Anonymous

Chemo: I would tune in to our favorite programs and watch the latest episode(s) that we had usually missed the night before due to having to get up early and drive to chemo. I had mine on Monday's figuring I'd need the week to feel better by the weekend.I really hate going past that place now, regardless of how nice the people were, etc. It's just one LOUSY reminder of how my life got out of control. Surreal. My son lives in proximity to it though, so I'd visit him after infusions and 3 month checks.

Diet: a few years ago when I dropped to 122 I did it by eating sensibly and watching caloric intake (had never done that before in my life). Now I will concentrate on portion control, since hubby loves to cook and is always feeding me too much. Luckily I have regained most of my pre-cancer tx energy so I'm back to mucking stalls and other ADLs (activity of daily living).

Pizza: actually not too bad a choice if you stick to the basic and don't go overboard on toppings.

Chocolate: it's hopeless. So, I make sure I've earned it. No one ever lasts on any diet of total deprivation, so remember to cut yourself some slack once in awhile!

kelben

I'm in for 10 pounds.   I am planning on having a DIEP flap reconstruction, so I don't want to lose too much, but I'm sure 10 lbs. won't even show....

Titan

Another chemo story.

Had a friend with me..we were sharing a room with this old man..my friend and I were talking..she got me Wendy's.(why I am fat)..

.the old guy goes I GET THE REMOTE!  I just laughed...said it was just like at home...you know how our guys like their remote...

Anyway..to you ladies going through chemo and just starting...it really isn't that bad..yes.a pain in the ((**8..but you can do it...I had very good care..met a few friends..it really was doable...

My Mom was OK with it..my Dad..not so much..so I had them stop up too..I just wanted them to see the reality of the chemo...I think that they were surprised some that their "little girl" was handling this pretty well...I was just sitting there in a recliner with an IV..talking and eating (did I say I was fat?)....I'm glad that they came to see me there...I think that their imagination was worse than the reality.

Hey Kelben..when do you find out what those freaking lumps are?  I seriously hope they are just lumps of fat....!  (where else can we say stuff like that??). 

Titan

Heidi..I don't think I can give up chocolate...I plan on running a heckuva lot more..once it warms up a little...

I don't think I can give up potato chips either...hmm.what to do.

gillyone

I'm up for dropping 10 pounds. Are we going to have an official starting weight day - like January1? Got to enjoy the rest of this week first!!??

Sugar77

Hi, I"m in for 10 pounds, too. I will start after I return from New Orleans after New Year's. I don't think I can give up chocolate either.  I have myself convinced the 80% dark chocolate I eat is good for me!

Anonymous

Let's start Jan 3. That gets us through all the merry-making with none of the guilt. Truthfully, I've already been watching what I've been eating the past few days so I don't have to lose *more* than 10 pounds!

My chemo was at a brand new NCI cancer center but I still hated every minute I was there. Hated it. I couldn't get out of there fast enough even though the soup was delicious (and fattening). That center was (and remains) a really crappy reminder of this sh*tty disease and the emotional devastation it creates. In fact, I try to refrain from thinking of it; it makes me want to scream.

MonikaV

Heidi I really want to drop 15lbs , but I will try for 10lbs. Let"s see if we all can get motivated!!!!! FUN! FUN! FUN!

Sugar I also convinced myself that eating 2 to 3oz of Dark Chocolate a week is good for me.  It makes me happy!!!!!!

retrievermom

I want to lose ten, too!  I thought I'd work on 5, but I keep yo-yo'ing 3 up, 3 down from that point.

Heidi:  Beautiful picture of you sleighing.  There's a doc in our neighborhood who drives a wagon with jingle bells.  I love hearing them come down the street.

Chemo:  I couldn't concentrate enough for a book, so brought magazines with articles I wanted to catch up on.  I always brought water, and a blanket I could throw on and off.

Anonymous

OK, that makes 6 of us so far. As I recall, a realistic weight loss is @ 1pound every 3 days on average. So, on Feb. 1 we should all plan on buying a new bikini.

Retail therapy.... YES!

jenn3

I need to lose more than 10, but I'm in - it's a start.

What I brought to chemo: 

I brought a soft small fleece throw that a friend gave me (M&M's all over).  I used it under the warm blankets and it was soft on my skin.  I also brought my book that I NEVER read, pen, paper, gum and bottled water.  My chemo center had soft drinks, juice, water, snacks and a cafeteria 2 minutes down the hall, but I liked having my own room temp water.  My Mom came with me for every chemo and we ended up either talking, me napping or doing crossword puzzels together, with the nurses or other chemo patients.  I was not a crossword puzzel, but did look forward to them every week during chemo.

moe0279

ok, ladies i have a taxol question...tonight after my 2nd treatment my mouth is very sore when i brush my teeth...in the back there is some white specks...could this already be thrush...any special toothpastes that i could use or do i need to go to the dr.   this is one of the things that i didn't discuss today..today was much better..i had a new nurse and was told to ask to not have the same nurse from last week... i again had an allergic reaction to the preservatives in the taxol and had to stop and take more steroids and then start again..but its amazing how a good nurse can make all the difference..

riley702

Melissa, it could be thrush. I got it pretty quickly once I started chemo. Ask your doc; they'll probably give you Nystatin. Mine was a candy-flavored liquid I would swish and swallow 4 times a day.

moe0279

thanks...i will call them tomorrow!

lrr4993

mommafluff - I never had neulasta and never needed it.  I was worried at first when my onco said she would not give it as a matter of course, but in the end I was glad I did not have it.  It sounds like it causes a lot of SEs itself, plus the hassle of going back to the doc to get it.  My blood counts were checked the morning of my infusions and were great every time.

What I brought to chemo that I could not live without:  my  mom.

I also brought frozen peas for the fingers/toes - I had no nail problems - and two liters of water to drink. 

kelben

Titan:  haven't heard anything yet, maybe today the hospital gets back into the swing of things.  Boy, I've got all my fingers and toes crossed.

For mouth sores and thrush like stuff, my onc. suggested club soda.... I drink alot of it anyway, so I just doubled up, and it really worked for me. Add a bit of lemon or lime and it isn't a bad drink at all

Anonymous

Hi TN sisters.

I had a rough night. I see my BS today for my lump./snb follow-up and did not sleep all night. I went to bed before midnight and was still awake, with mind racing at 5am when Dh's alarm went off. Weirdly, I fell asleep while he was in the shower and had a few hours (thankfully my two little ones are on holiday break, so I can sleep past 7am).

My frozen section of the one node they took was clear, but I'm getting to the point where I am becoming afraid of any doc appt. or phone call. I was going to take half a Valium last night but thought I was holding together and calm - that will teach me, huh?

Here's hoping for nothing but happy, best-case news today. I wanna come home and collapse with relief for once.

Sorry for venting but I feel like no one in my life wants me to worry (?!) so they don't like to hear about this kind of anxiety - and I need to get a little off my chest - no pun intended.