February 2011 chemo pals

golfergrandma

Hey everybody - Have heard some sad stories from you all.  That stiff upper lip must be hard sometimes.  Am fortunate to be on CMF for 6 mos.  The SEs are not so bad, but of course this is my second round after 10 years.

Where is the asparagus thread -- must get there!

Hang in there y'all!

JeanH

Hey FAB FEB gals,

 Day 4 after treatment 3 of EC.  Since I have 4 T's to go after EC I will be on chemo until May 12 with a break then rads so I am here with you.  I will find out how many Rads when I see Rad ONC on the 30th.  This round headache hit day one and day 2 ok but yesterday day 3 nausea again - broke out the compazine in the evening and it setttled down don't know why I waited so long, I guess becasue it knocked me out lasst time. definitely more tired this round.

I also think the nualasta hits where we have weakness I had surgery on my spine years ago and I get the nualsta pain in back and hips- but that is also the main area for nualasta pain as there is so much bone marrow. Last round felt in back and left shoulder- which apparently I broke last April.  I tend to get the pain later in the cycle. I do take the claritan for the first 4 days. I usually take Aleve and it helps the pain, also have this rice filled heating pad that your microwave for 2 minutes that feels good on achy parts.  A friend going through Chemo sent to me.

 I have been working full time, take chemo day Thursday and Friday off and return on Monday, have to admit not fully there Monday mornings so schedule really lite work for then.  Doctor's only restriction was no long flights and try and avoid sick people, I got the same info that the Nuelasta keeps my low white blood count days to a minimum. (days 7-10 are the lowest) He ok'd me to fly 3 hours in April, I want to visit my son in college and watch his fencing tournament.  I also have a very short commute to work and everyone is very supportive there telling me do what I need to do to get well.  I have needed to miss a few big meetings because Chemo schedule is not to be messed with. Unfortunately we have had a few ladies in the office go through this so it is not the first go round for them. I have postponed all my travelling for now, doing by phone or sending someone else. I need to go to Az at some point this summer to check a meeting space but think I can do between Chemo and rads. Just have to take each day as it comes.

Fuzzy the red turkey basters are A or E, if you are getting 2-3 probably A as the E takes up more space for some reason - I think I have 6. Nurse is great and we usually end up talking about our kids. Most of us seem to get in combination with C in the IV. I have a sheet from first visit with ONC that lays out the meds.  Hang in there, if you can't bring your puppy bring a friend with a sense of humor. Can you bring a funny movie to watch on a lap top? I just found out the TV in the infusion room has a DVD. Chemo nurse was prepping me for the longer T sessions, she said not bad since the benadryl they premedicate you with tends to make you sleep for the first part. Glad this round is going better for you.

Asparagus thread is funny definitely have to ready from the begiining!

 Love having you all to share with, it can definitely be a roller coaster but together we will work on being strong and positive most of the time and help each other through the down times.  Love the humor and attitude, all the variations. I think my worst day was the day they discovered  the lump it was totally unexpected, I did not feel it, doctor did not feel it in the summer, but routine mammagram/sonogram picked it up.  I now thank God I do them regularly and caught it relitively early but that day I went out to the car cried and called my DH and cried some more.  I definitely started to feel better when I had a plan of action and knew how I was going to fight it.  There are still days when it catches you - then we chin up, put the big girl panties on, Hang in there and get back to living. (Love all our expressions!)

Special K hope the hair hung in for you!

Good news after the first week the scalp calms down and does not hurt to move the remaining hair anymore.

It definitely helps to have supportive family and friends around to help.  I feel for all of you with young kids, I have a high schooler and one away at college ( Special K I am also told I am too protective, but it is hard to turn that off but I do realize they are growing up and they are showing me they are as well.)  My Mom and at least one sister make sure to visit on the post chemo days, another usually drives me or a friend does, DH did the first one but I wanted to give him a break. my other sisters and brother (yes there is a brother in the mass of sisters) and friends text call and skype to check in on me.  It does make me feel better. 

Hang in there, good luck to all those getting TX this week.  Hope for light SE for all those recovering from the last TX.

Jean

edited to try and fix the typos.

JeanH

golfermama,

search for OMG and you will find the asparagus thread, the full name is OMG did they find a cure for stupid or something similar.

jean

lonneta04

Jenn h, I have used Ambien for a few years now due to working a swing shift. I have increased since my chemo and it has really helped alot.It can make you feel a little goofy but well worth it.My husband shaved my head last sunday and i can tell you that i feel alot better now, no more stressing   yea! Good luck to you...Lonneta

DivineMrsM

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

DH buzzed my hair off today.  It'd been between chin & shoulder length when I was diagnosed.  Week and a half ago, had it cut short, about the length of my thumb all around.  It was coming out in clumps. Too much hair debris for my liking.  Yes, am glad to get rid of the old falling out stuff.  Feels like a new beginning.  I'm wearing a bright pink cap and have folded up a black bandana with big white polka dots and tied it around the rim of the cap.  Makin' me look a little like a biker chick.  I am one who often wore pink prior to Dx anyway, and combinations of pink and black, so I think it goes along with my personality.

Having DH buzz my head (with several different sizes of cordless razors as he uses them on his moustache) was bonding for us and even somewhat sensual.  He said he never saw that side of me before (bald head) and of course after 21 yrs. of marriage, I thought he'd pretty much seen all of me! lol.  He wasn't sure going into the shaving of my head how he was going to do emotionally, but we actually found humor thru the process and at times laughed and made jokes.

lonneta04

The Devine Mrs M, so glad you feel better, My husband did mine last sunday,hes been very strong for me and made things alot better. I too have been playing with the biker look my kids think its funny,of course large earrings make it the pirate look to.( and i have older kids, 15 and 18) Good luck to you>>Lonneta

LisaGH

Hi all,

I am eating so much this weekend...stocking up for this coming week Rd 2 TCH on Wednesday. So dreading it. I have been so sleepy this weekend! Slept, took naps, and feel like I could take one now if I let myself. Trying to wait until tonight to sleep. Not sure why? My hemoglobin and hematocrit have gotten lower over the last few weeks- MD office says "nothing you can do, that's the chemo doing it's work." Making me feel so tired. Already....

Wonder if that will improve or just keep getting knocked down? Guess that's part of the wonderful fatigue we experience w/ this.

I am planning on working mostly from home end of next week (unless I feel better than last time). Last time I was wiped out from the headache and GI stuff from this mostly not to mention that bone pain all over from neulasta.

 Here's cheers to round 2- I know several of us are on for that this week! Positive thoughts......

SpecialK

Hey LisaGH!  I know, gearing up for round#2!  I had my CBC on Fri. - my hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets were all down.  My WBC and RBC were in the normal range, but WBC down quite a bit from the previous week.  I am more tired this week as well. I had difficulty sleeping on round#1 so maybe I will be tired enough for that not to be the case.  I think I am going to change my anti-nausea routine so I take the Ativan at night to help me sleep.  I am normally an insomniac, this dx has not helped that! 

To all who were rooting for the "hair helmet" yes, it held on!  Yay!  Now I am terrified to wash it so I think I will wash then buzz.  DH is at work today catching up as he was out of town last week and he will wield the clippers so will have to wait for his return.

Divine - I bet you look cute as a biker chick!  I on the other hand, will not!  Trying not to whine but I hate hats, wigs, pretty much anything on my head other than my own hair.  Maybe I should just keep the hair helmet and glue it on permanently?

Melanie_Ann

I am continuing to work through my treatments, however, I think I'm pretty fortunate in my situation. I already had a job that I worked at mostly from home. So I work when I can. Usually after my treatments on Tuesday's, I'm worthless the rest of the week. But I'm fortunate that I can make up my hours before or after. Also, my co-workers are donating their PTO time in case I run out. I have a very understanding job!

I'm also having treatments every three weeks so my last one is in May as well. Then I have about a month break and 6-7 weeks of radiation. I already had surgery in December so I will hopefully be done with treatments by August. 

Fuzzy- I got a little emotional the other day. I've had 2 treatments and both times I've walked in fine and have been upbeat. However, after the second one, I was feeling so bad, that I got emotional and started crying thinking about the next treatment. And then I was like...omg, what if I cry in the chair? But I know I won't be the first if I do, and that it will be ok if I do. Thanks for sharing that with us! 

I'm also getting the Adriamycin, along with Taxotere and Cytoxan. It completely wipes me out for about 3 days. I mainly sleep and I try to eat and drink but it's hard. Oh well...I get some good quality sleeping in!

Have a good day everyone!

Melanie

Melanie_Ann

I always forget to update my signature line...

JeanH

Divine it is such a relieff not to be shedding anymore, love your bike chick combo, bet it looks cute.

Special K glad your hair held out, I found scarves feel the most comfortable especially in the beginning but wearing the wig to work, however it it still cool up North, a friend who went through this last summer went with baseball caps whenever possible said they were most comfortable and commando was too liable to sunburn.

I have always been a night owl but once I go to sleep can sleep through, I am getting up during the night but usually able to get back to sleep. much more tired this round, pretty much a couch potatoe today. did get out yesterday and actually made chicken stock last night, not strenuous and I felt like I was productive. 

jean

Paula66

Good Evening all.  Its day 3 and Im doing good.  Just really tired.  I didnt have the nausea that bad.  Yahoo.  But I did over do it again.  I did to much running around.  Im tuckered out. But I will taake that anyday. 

I have had a few meltdowns fuzzy, its ok.  I think this journary is a mental as well as a physical.  I"ve had a few mini meltdowns and its ok.  I had to learn that the hard way.  I come from a tough stock and it gets hard to always put on a beave face.  Its ok for me to let go once n awhile.   Take care your among good company.

I have no hair.  Just a few straglers.  They are tiny little stubs.  My eyelashes are going as well.

No worries they will grow back.  Have a good night all!!!

jenn_h

Well, just finished the shaving party...whew! It is a relief, but sure feels cold on top of my head and very funny! My kids seem ok by the whole thing, but boy is my cat freaked out! I think I need a good night sleep, emotionally drained! Nite all!

lonneta04

HI, today is day 3 for me too 2/4. Im finding this one going better, keeping up on meds really helped, i don't think i was fully prepared the first time. But all the useful info has been great this time around.Paula66, I havent thought about the eyelashes..is it like the hair, a lil here and there? jenn-h..i noticed my cat looking at me crazy i swear they know something just isnt right..Good night ladies...

alison0415

Hi Everyone, I found this group last night and spent about 2 hours reading all your messages from start to end.....then I came back today and typed my intro, hit submit without logging in and then it was lost.  So I will do a quick one here to try and introduce myself.

I was diagnosed with IDC HER2+ on 1/6/11. Lumpectomy with 7 nodes removed (clear) and started my first chemo on 2/24/11.  Chemo is TCH every 3 weeks with  Neulasta shot the following day.  I am in So Cal so I am lucky that a UCLA Breast Cancer clinic/research facility is 5 miles from my house.  My Dr literally works for the person who invented Herceptin, so I feel very well educated.

I am very active physically, ran two half marathons in 2010, play tennis 3 times a week. In fact I played tennis the first 4 days after my chemo and then crashed and burned after that. Worst SE were severe headache and stomach cramps and constipation.  I am finally feeling better after 10 days but left with dry, cracked skin (of course on my face), nose bleeds, hemmoroids, heartburn, dry mouth, etc.  Suggestions on this board have been very helpful.  I went out today and bought a bunch of remedies to keep with me so thank-you already!

I own a business and it is not possible for me to totally step away from it, but since I am the owner, I do have flexibility.  I took a week off during this first chemo and then worked from home last week.  I am going into the office tomorrow and will be visiting clients all week.  I also have two children (ages 11 and 16) who are very active in sports plus the younger is an actor which is almost a full time job as well.  We have no family in the area but a great support group of friends so I feel very blessed. I am working on ways to slow things down in my life so I can focus on healing. 

 I look forward to interacting with you all and am thankful for finding a place for mutual support:)

sukie10

Nice to meet you Alison.

Salma1971

Dear Alison... glad to have you on board... although of course I am sorry you were diagnosed with BC... but what can we do... we were hit with it..and all we can do is try to be positive about it, and get all the support we can from our loved ones and those who share our experience. Best of luck!

ruffy

Welcome to the feb group Alison,

Sukie, I agree with you about the chemo shock, I thought I'd have surgery first - then I was told chemo was going to start pretty much right away and I was being put through dose dense which also threw me for a loop. I had already had my first treatment before some of my friends even knew. I guess it's slowly sinking in. This will be my feel good week so I'm going to try and relax and enjoy. Are any other feb gals doing dose dense treatment? Also are headaches common with any of you guys? I seem to get a horrible one about day 7 and it doesn't want to go away .

Best wishes everyone this week, if you have treatment I hope it goes great and if it's your break week I hope it goes great too! Everyday is one day closer to us getting through this.

dragonfly1

Ruffolo I have had headaches almost constantly throughout TCH. I'm on round one and I had a headache almost every day of week one, had a brief break in week 2 and I've had a headache almost every day of week three. I will have my second TCH chemo tomorrow. I get Herceptin weekly so I was blaming it on that but it could actually be the chemo-not sure but it's really frustrating! It does seem like a lot of us have headaches...

sukie10

I also got a major headache on day 7. I was originally blaming it on the 2 glasses of wine I had the night before, but I like the idea of it being chemo related, that way I can keep drinking. I'll experiment with this some more and let you know!

dogeyed

Greetings Girls,

WElllll, thought I would write WHAT AC CHEMO DOES TO ME on Day 3 and Day 4 out from infusion, for others wondering how it goes for some.  Keep in mind I am 60 years old and not in the best of shape.  This is my second of four treatments, so I knew what was coming (pain), and got some Percocet (oxycodone) from my BS doc.  Seems like I heard someone else describe the postchemo aches as feeling like they were beat up with a baseball bat.  This is exactly what it's like for me. 

I also wake up a half-dozen times Sat nights, but stay in the bed, and when I wake up Sunday and Monday mornings, ohhhhh, my skin is ubersensitive, wherever it has laid during the night, I have skin memory of the position.  It hurts like fever does, the flu and pneumonia, only several times worse. And then there's the places where way down into the fibers of deepest muscle, feels like I've fallen off a 20-story buildng onto a parked car, and it all conspires to make me miserable, irritable, angry, and yes maybe even ER material.

Now, last chemo, I didn't have drugs to stop it, and I was a wimpering pup all day, just didn't think I could ever get thru another one, and one night I thought i had died.  But this time, when I woke up in hurts, I grabbed my Percocet, ate my other pills for busted back and ruined legs, and within a half-hour, my physical self was much improved.  Another Percocet a little while ago, it's now noon, and those morning body moanings and dyings are done.  The only thing that hasn't settled down is my neck, it has hurt from before chemo when they put the portacath in, don't know if it was something that wrenched during surgery or if it's because my lower bad teeth are swelling my throat lymphs.  But anyway, that is the only remnant of that very serious beating the chemo gremlins gave me the night before.  It's only 5mg dose, and I take half tranquilizer I have with it becuz it has a buzz to it, can't take it at night or keeps me up.  I read it's a cancer pain drug.

FUZZY, I wanted to tell  you, about wishing you could have your puppy dog with you, my husband gave me a little really soft stuffed bear, it fits in a pocket or purse, and I took it to my last chemo and parked it under my chin.  Husband said it could be my chemo bear, and so it is.  He's been thru this, and I have a home stuffed pup I snuggle with on the couch too (along with the real ones on the floor).  One of the nurses was walking by as I lay in a daze in my lounger, and she spotted the little furry toy next to my face, and she smiled really big.  Soooooo, could be you need a little stuffed fluff to snuggle up to when you go for chemo next time. 

SPECIAL K, I am so laffing at your posts, relieved the "hairspray helmet" held on for you!  Could be you got you an instant wig going with that thing if it lifts off in one piece, get some "wig tape" to snug it to your head, and keep that thang shellacked, girl!  Ha!  Toooooo funny! 

Of course, everyone is amusing here, or beautifully human, or as sweet as only women can be, how fortunate are we to have the internet to just freely chitchat along about our various sagas, "Woman, thou art loosed."  Love forever and always, for life is ours.  GG 

thefuzzylemon

Hello all - man oh man ... this is the third day after the second treatment ... insanely wiped out ... but wanted to thank everyone for your encouragement and stories!! 

Today, the 1/4" is getting ready to leave ... I wore a nice wrap from Target and I really do like it.  That's all the energy I had today ... a bath and wrapped my head!!  Ugh.  I have to say it's way better than the neck/head pain I had with the last one though. 

A stuffed animal sounds great!! I will definitely look into that.  Speaking of animal ... he's begging to go out ... he's been such a snuggler this whole time!!!

Hugs and love to everyone ...

jenn_h

First day at work with no hair wasn't too bad. The whole school had a hat/scarf day in my honor, so I wasn't the only one wearing a scarf today! I have found the Survivor buff to be very comfortable! It's my favorite tv show and I just happened to have gotten one for Christmas a few years ago...thinking I'm going to buy more!

pejkug3

I'm heading to the wig shop tomorrow.  I bought a wig from tlcdirect.org, but it just doesn't feel like 'me'.  I have crazy curly hair and this one is mostly straight. 

My my head is oversized and finding something to fit has been a challenge.

I like the way the tlcdirect.org wig feels - it's monofilament and light.  But it's just so much straighter than my hair.

Soooo...off to the wig shop, I go.  I think three friends will be meeting me there.

Salma1971

Oh Paula I totally understand what you are going through... If anything defined me since my hair grew out of my 1985 punk haircut, was my big curly hair! nothing else... So yes, that's a tough one.. I tried to find a curly wig... but I thought they looked too fake...and to be honest in my side of the world... Belly dancer tend to wear big curly hair wigs for theatrical effect... So no a curly wig is too much too handle... I got a long wig, very close to my hair colour.. with a bit of a wave.. it looks like I've gone for a nice hair brushing at the hair dress (which I never did before!) but hay---- I think I am going to make a T-Shirt that says... Yes, it's a wig, I lost my reall hair in a battle!

SpecialK

Hi!

So far I have only lost half my hair in a battle!  I'm afraid to look at it. I keep trying to feel it without touching it, if that is possible!  It seems to hurt less today but I think that is because it is falling out faster!

Salma - you commented that you couldn't believe I had kids in college, you are so sweet.  My oldest is 23 and I was 32 when he was born - you do the math!  Lately I look in the mirror and I see an old woman looking back.  I'm like - who the heck is she, oh wait...that's me!  Bummer!

Maybe at the end of this my PS will be working on my face instead of my chest!

SpecialK

Hey Dragonfly - I am thinking of you with #2 - you know LisaGH and I are right behind you.  I hope this one is easier.  Is your DH home or flying?  I did my shopping and stocking up trip today because based on last time it will be hard to get out of the house for a few days.

Hopefully the headache won't be as bad - I think I read on the TCH thread people had headaches with #1 but not subsequent tx.  I think that was my worst and most consistent SE.  It actually kept me awake until I Vicodined (a verb) it.

Sending you triplet love and hugs!

countingmyblessings

Hello Everyone!

Well, the brownie fiasco...was a fiasco. We didn't eat enough the first night to feel any effects. By the time we realized that we didn't eat enough, I was too sleepy to eat more and wait another 30 minutes to possibly get high. The next night, it seems we ate too much. I was dizzy and knocked out and a little nauseous. My boyfriend got the giggles, then the shivers and then he felt like he was going to pass out. I didn't even get the giggles. It wasn't so fun. So I don't know... 

My 1/4" hair is falling out like there's no tomorrow. All the little stubbies seemed to be swimming towards the shower drain today. I don't get my wig made until the day after tomorrow, so I've been wearing baseball caps and beanies. But today HAD to be a beanie day to cover up all the bald spots. I put my beanie on this morning and had it on all day. When I took it off, boy did I have way more bald patches than this morning. It's time to buzz it down to the skin, I think. Take a lint roller tape thingy to my head you say? I'll  try that in the morning, after I probably lose most of it in the shower. 

Has anyone gone to a Look Good Feel Better class from the American Cancer Society yet? I tried to get into one today, but it was full. The next one I can go to is on the 21st. Have any of you tried calling the ACS yet? The nice lady I spoke with sent me an email with links about financial assistance (both for living expenses and medical expenses), a patient advocate foundation to help fill out and expedite paperwork, and transportation to and from appointments. I haven't checked out all the links yet, but I'm especially interested in the financial assistance ones.

DRAGONFLY: We will both be in active battle mode tomorrow. I hope we both sail through our #2s! 

Tomorrow I will have my second of 6 TAC treatments. I got nervous today about which pills I was supposed to take in preparation for it. I already typed out a table with which pills to take on which days, and at what time...AND I read and reread the bottle, but I still worried. It's a serious job, to keep track of all the meds we have to take!

I've heard from some people that the second chemo treatment was the worst; I've also heard that the second was better, since you kind of know what to expect. The worst things about my first treatment was 1) the reaction to the Compazine, and since I stopped taking that, don't see that as a side effect I need to worry about this time around; and 2) the stomach pain, for which I am now taking Pepcid, so I hope that is not a repeat side effect as well. Last time it took over 5 hours for the whole infusion. I'm wondering how long this one will take...I'm sure not as long, right?

Oh yeah, someone mentioned a shirt proclaiming you're wearing a wig because you lost your hair in a battle. Have you seen the one that says, "Yes, these are fake. My real ones tried to kill me."? 

Good night sisters! Rest well...

Love and light,

Liza 

 

SpecialK

countingmyblessings - Good luck tomorrow, will be thinking of you with dragonfly.  I am hopeful that this one will be easier for both of you.

Kathie

countingmyblessings

Thank you Kathie!

P.S. I just changed my avatar and I think it's hard to read what's on my shirt. It says, "I'm too sexy for my hair." 

I made it on Zazzle.com.