February 2011 chemo pals

sewingnut

pejkug3,

#4 was the easiest so far for me too. Other than dealing with taxo'tears". Maybe because the tulips are up and trees are blooming:) #5 is today.  Rounding the bases and heading for home!!

mks16

Emily, are you having a six week break between chemo and radiation?

My last chemo is June 1st, and I'd like to book a week-two vacation in Quebec before radiation start, but after school ends... so early July. If there's a six week break, then that's doable but I can't remember what the radiologist told me, whether its four or six weeks. She also said she will be on vacation herself at some point, not sure what that means for my treatment.

Which treatment centre are you in? I'm in London ON. 

dogeyed

Michelle, pink and white roses for you my dear, may you heal well and see your doggies soon. 
Ruffalo, we have same order of treatment, end of Taxol for me is first part of July, then surgery (thank goodness), then rads.  I hope they don't do anything else to us.
Hi Emily, glad you're here to share with us.
Fuzzy, you know I miss you, just be comfortable as is possible, we're all thinking of you for sure.
Pejkug, bummer about needing MRI perhaps, but maybe wait for doc to order it, and CT is easier.  I hope your eye doesn't bother you too much.   
Sewingnut, my eyes water all the time, especially in morning, I think it's the chemo.

Taxol #3 today (I think), but Sunday seems to be the worst day just like AC was.  I had to beg off seeing Mom, she just wants me home and resting, so ordered gift.  I feel feverish and sick and tired, but not as sad, thank heavens, God's tender mercies.  At least our chemo room has nice view of trees, chairs are comfy, then not to be bothered until next week.  Husband takes me and picks me up, I sometimes order a movie at home, and always get on floor and hug my dogs.  Last night I wanted to lay on one of their beds, it was unoccupied, and it looked so inviting.  Smile.  GG 

MamaV

Taxol #3 today - feels like it'll never end.  Trying to be positive - this is just medicine to make me better, right?  Just happens to have to be given through an IV and make me feel yucky for a few days. 

SpecialK

mamav - that is right - you have to do it mind over matter to get through it!  Anything that happens as a result is only temporary, and better days are ahead!  It is kind of like being in labor - but you are giving birth to a healthy self.  You can do this!

dogeyed - sometimes I do get in the dog bed with the dog for a cuddle, he always looks at me like what?  He never seems to mind getting in my bed though!  It was so cute that you said that!

I am so excited for everyone who is getting close to being done - remember where we started from?

EmilyInOntario

mks16...My oncologist said usually they start radiation 4 weeks after chemo but I have a chance to go to Nashville that fourth week so if I feel well enough I might go...so my radiation will be about 5 or 6 weeks after chemo...end of June...and my cancer centre is in K-W.. Not sure if delaying radiation a week or two will make a difference?

mks16

Thanks Emily, that's what I've read so far as well. They say, ideally it should be within 6 months after the surgery so I'm still good if I get it 6 weeks after the end of chemo.

I'd really like to go somewhere with the kids, and don't want to wait till end of August if I can help it. Nashville sounds better than Quebec though, hope you have a good time!

LisaGH

I too  was thinking we all started this in February! Time flies when you are having fun? Nah....but it is going fast. No matter what the meds we are all on- some are different. It's good to be getting to the last part of the chemo. I am very glad.

Happy for everyone! I won't have rads since I had BMX and the path, location, etc. I will be having exchange surgery in July. 

Then I am trying to plan some fun trip, maybe two. Need positive fun after all we have gone through. 5th of 6th TCH will be next week. Dreading it- but it'll be nice to say I only have 1 more to go! Already feels good to say "I just have 2 more big treatments." Yes, I'll have Herceptin for a year, but I already have it weekly now & it's just nothing like Taxotere/Carbo beat down!!!!

Lisa

JeanH

Hi everyone,



Just scheduled my rad simulation for may 31 and the rads start with rehearsal on June 8 and the real thing on the 9th. Doctor really wanted to start within 4 weeks of finishing Chemo. It seems those 4 weeks are going to be filled with doctors appointments and tests....and I was trying to fit in a business trip I have been holding off, may have to wait 6 more weeks, Phoenix in July... Oh well they have a/c. Besides the sooner I start the sooner I am finished.



Hope everyone is ok, have a great mothers day this weekend all the moms out there.



Jean

SpecialK

Thanks JeanH - I almost forgot - Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is one or has one or knows one!

coffeegirl1

Hello to every one I am new at to this site

I got my grand news starting christmas eve with a biopsy and new years eve the big bad news to end my year.

So they said I had grade 2/3 invasive ductal acdenocarinoma

1.5 cm 

3/10 nodes

I am 46

I have had my sugery Jan 20 

I have had three treatments of Fec and then three treatments of docetaxel next

I have not done well on this chemo 

some how in my sleep I tore my hamsting the first treatment and was on morphine for 7 days

used a cane and raised toliet seat I never felt such pain.

the second treatment I sprained my ribs in my sleep again on pain meds

treatment 3 well that is now and my veins are like steel rods and they hurt like heck .

I want to end this pain I am in and say no more to chemo 

I lost my hair on day 14 my tongue is always on fire

and for three days after each treatment I can't make to the loo on time and tinkle in my pants 

till I had my regular mammo I felt great walked 5km three times a week and now well just walking around the block tires me and I need a nap for two hours every day .

my Dr gave me this list of % I am trying to understand why I am doing this to my self 

91% cured

9% chance of dieing in 10 years 

if I take tamoxifin for 5 years then 6% chance of dieng in 10 years

if I take  chemo 4% chance of dieing in 10 years

if I take chemo and tamoxifin and chemo 3% chance of dieing 

4% chance could die any way  but 91% chance I didn't need to do this to my self.

what happen if I only do 3 chemo and still do 4 weeks of rad and 5 years of tamoxifin.

please some one help me to under stand .I just want to feel better .

coffeegirl1

I am with you on hating this so much

the days before I go in I just get all up tight .

EmilyInOntario

Coffegirl...I am so sorry you are having such a rough time with chemo. I too have had a lot of problems with each round of chemo ( 3 FEC and 2 Docetaxel done so far) There may be some things you can do to ease some of the bad side effects. Docetaxel is not as harsh on the veins but have the nurses suggested a port for your last treatments? Do you have anything like "magic mouthwash" for your sore tongue? Would your oncologist consider lowering the dose slightly or what does he say about your bad side effects? I've had tooth issues, bad rashes, leg pains, cellulitis/phlebitis, mouth issues and have been on antibiotics or morphine or both with each round. I know it's tough...

sukie10

Coffeegirl welcome ((HUGS)).  I'm so sorry you have to join us but happy you found us. This chemo crap sucks! There is no way around it. You are already half way there though and already through one set of drugs. Increasing your odds by 5% is still 5%. Ultimately it's up you how hard you want to fight this battle but it is a battle that we are going to win. The next round of chemo will come with a new batch of SEs but they may be more bearable. There are lots of us here who wanted to quit, it's such a long process. This year has not been kind to us. The flowers are starting to bloom, kids are riding their bikes, and we are inside sleeping. It's just not fair. Please think about trying to hang in there. We all know how miserable you are and you can come here anytime to tell us. I'm on a different set of treatments than you but there are lots of gals who will chime in shortly to give better advice on how you can handle some of the nasty side effects of your particular poison. There is a very good reason they call us cancer survivors. Cutting out the cancer is the easy part, surviving the treatments to prevent recurrence is the challenge.

My last AC has been the most brutal one yet. So glad that's over. I'm day nine and just starting to come around. I hate being so chronically tired all the time. I'm going to get Taxotere instead of Taxol for my next batch. Somebody gave me the wrong documention at the start of my treatment. I paid really close attention to everybodys issues when they moved on to the next round so I'd know what to expect, I'm going to have to go back and reveiw now that I have been researching the wrong drug. I'm halfway there! July can't come fast enough this year. 

dogeyed

Coffeegirl,

Oh, you poor thing, I do know your pain.  I could say a lot of things, but instead I will tell you when I was in the space between whatever chemo, I called a meeting with my doc and told him of my abject misery and said, "I QUIT."  WELL!  That didn't go over very well.  But my doc is a wise man, and what he did was offered me to take an extra week off to rest, and he would also see about improved pain control for my remaining chemos.  Then instead of giving me survival percentage numbers which are hard to relate to, he proceeded to tell me in very graphic terms what my invasive grade 3 carcinoma's immediate and painful recurrence would be like, I'll spare you the details but let me tell you, within 24 hours I returned to the program. 

And that extra week off showed me what the end of chemo would look like, it was wonderous, and gave me the hope I was so bereft of.  Plus when I finally took the chemo, the extra pain control smoothed the hard edges.  I made it through.  So like myself, I hope you will do like me, confess again to your doc, ask for an extra week off, maybe better pain meds, and give it one more shot, girl.  I know that tight place where you're at, but you simply do not want the horrifying consequences of immediate, dangerous, and for-sure recurrence.

Gail

thefuzzylemon

Hello ladies - tiny little update while I'm on my steroid high! *L* I've had four Taxol treatments...I'm one third the way through chemo. Today, I had my first scare with an allergic reaction to the skin cleanser during labs!! They did a great job containing it...but I had the head chemo nurse, head of the lab and my docs personal nurse taking care of the problem. So, my benedryl drunk started at 8 am! Whew doggie.

Days 3-5 are really the worst days. I have a huge presentation to give on Tuesday...about 6 hours worth...and I'm totally hoping I can even show up! Ah!!

I'm keeping up with all the posts. Everyone's stories and thoughts are so helpful!

coffeegirl1

thank you all for your support

today has been a rough one and this is day ten 

feel like I have the flu and eyes are burning 

tongue is sore and burning I should be used to this by know .

spoke to doc today he asked me think it over on the weekend

he said  many women after treatment three want to end  it.

he would like me to have one more and will give me pain meds because this one will be a tough one on my bones and joints and musels .

thank you all again

mamaoftwo

Hi Ladies- It's 2:30 in the morning,  having unusual symptoms keeping me up.  I had Taxol on Thursday then Neulasta shot yesterday (Friday) at 4:30pm.  This is my 5th Neulasta and I've never had bone pain or any side effects.

A few hours after Neulasta, I went on a 45 minute run with my  friend who is visiting, and in the middle of it began getting  pain in the lower part of my left abdomen.  Pain got worse when I got home, and seems to be coming from the lower left rib cage and below the rib cage where I had a lypoma (fatty deposit) removed during my BMX in January.  Acute pain, and I can feel the spots that hurt.  Tylenol is not helping that much.  I wonder if it's unusual to get lower rib pain, just on one side, from Neulasta.

Laura

dogeyed

Coffeegirl, glad you are considering going on.  The doc wouldn't persuade you if he didn't think it was the best treatment for you.  Ummmm, for your mouth, I use Arm & Hammer baking soda and a little water and swish it around in my mouth, makes it feel better.

Fuzzy, wow, you were in some trouble!  Good thing all this stuff is done by folks experienced with it, I think our BC nurses must be an elevated type, the best, you know.  So good to hear from you.

Laura, don't know, maybe you got a regular running 'stitch,' we're not as strong as we were.  If it keeps up, I guess you'll need to go in and have the clinic check you out.

thefuzzylemon

Dogeyed - How ya doin' girl?  Been thinking about ya!  Yes, the Chemo nurses have all my respect!  It was such a comfort to see them take such immediate action...I've been in positions (not related to BC) where the staff's seem to just go about their day and focus more on what's for lunch than what is happening with a patient.  These chemo nurses have halo's and wings in my opinion!  *L*

Coffeegirl - I hope you trust your healthcare team.  When I established trust with mine, I deceided to let go and work with everything they suggest.  It has not failed me yet.  I am a super control freak (diagnosed by my loving brother when I was 26 *L*) so that was a tricky transition for me ... but one I will never regret.

(((HUGS TO ALL OF YA ALL)))

SpecialK

Fuzzy - I have missed you!  Sorry about your reaction but glad they got you under control, you super control freak!  Good luck on your presentation - at this point I am not sure I could present much at all!

mamaoftwo - how are you feeling now that your post was 11 hours ago?  If you are still in pain now I would make a phone call.  I am worried about you.

coffeegirl1 - I am sorry you are feeling so bad - I know we can all relate.  I would encourage you to finish.  If they can do a better job of managing your side effects and you can complete all your treatment at least you will know you did your best to treat your cancer and prevent recurrence.  For me it would be difficult to look back and not be sure I had done all I could.  My 3 week period between infusions is split in half - I don't really leave the house for the first 9-10 days - second half is much better but I tire easily, I have completed 4 or 6 TCH.  I know we are all sending strength your way - I hope you feel better soon.

mamaoftwo

Coffeegirl- so sorry you are having a rough time with the chemo.  Your mouth must be so painful, plus the bones and joints and everything else.  Is there a strong pain killer they can give you?  Or maybe reduce the dosage?  I'm sure you've explored these options with the oncologist, but just wanted to throw that out there before you decide to throw in the towel.

As for me, I feel horrible since this is my mother's 70th birthday and wanted to make it special for her, but I'm bedridden with lower rib pain.  Feels like I broke a rib, but I doubt it; I haven't fallen or anything.  My fever is hovering around 100.3.  I did call the clinic and spoke to the on-call doctor, who was very rushed with me and said that bone pain and fever are common with Neulasta, and that since chemo was only 2 days ago my WBC count should be fine.  If it's not better by tomorrow I might go into urgent care for an x-ray but for now will just trust that the pain is from the Neulasta.  Just a little strange to me since this is my FIFTH Neulasta, and the others were pain free.

Fuzzy- wow, that must have been scary.  Thank goodness they were right on it and gave you a team of experts to deal with your reaction.  I hope you're feeling better and painfree by Tuesday for your presentation.

Laura

thefuzzylemon

Awwww!  Thanks Mama and Special K - I have missed everyone so much and really love it when I can get on here! 

I'll try to update ya on the Tuesday presentation as soon as I can ...

ruffy

Hope everyone had a nice weekend can anyone tell me their decradon directions pre taxol. The first time my onc said to take them 12 hours prior and again 6 hours prior. My bottle for tonite says 6 pm and 10 pm the night before chemo? Of course i didnt see this until now as im getting organized for my third Taxol tomorrow. I think I'm going to go with the origInal directions and just make sure i tell the nurses when I get there. Chemo brain is catching up with me.

Best wishes to everyone this week. I hope it stays sunny and warm and I hope we all coast through our treatments with minimal or no side effects- and if this is your non treatment week...enjoy!

Sara

mamaoftwo

Ruffalo- I was told 12 hours and 6 hours before Taxol, at the most.  And if you took it more than 6 hours before, you might need to have extra steroids by IV, so best to be on the safe side and maybe take it 4-5 hours in advance in case of any delays.

I thought Taxol would be easier.. but my fever spiked and rib pain worsened two days after Thursday's infusion, so my husband brought me to the ER on Saturday.  Never a good idea to approach chemo with a lingering head cold.  Diagnosis is bronchitis and hairline fracture or bruising of 10th rib (he wasn't sure from the xray).  I have no idea how that happened; maybe too much coughing over the past 2 weeks?  It's depressing to keep getting sick; this is my 3rd round of antibiotics since starting chemo.  Two Taxols to go and hoping for better health.

ruffy

Thanks mamaoftwo.that was my original directions. I just took my first batch as I go in tmrw morning. I'm sorry about you visit to the ER. It's bad enough to be getting chemo but to be getting sick on top of it, no fun. I hope you feel better soon and I hope the rib heals up quick, that can't be comfortable. I also had an allergic reaction and had respitory failure on my 2nd taxol. I had such bad SE from the steroids that I asked my onc if u could cut back, he said sure but as it turned out I should have stuck with the original dose. so I'm a but anxious for tomorrow but keep reminding myself they're trained, smart, nurses and know what they're doing. I imagine they'll keep an eye on me as will my hubby. We're getting closer to better health everyday. Although at times ut doesn't feel like it, we're getting there.

DivineMrsM

I know a woman who had chemo last year for bc and had to have antibiotics after every treatment due to low blood counts.  So please don't let having to take extra meds and extra precautions to get you thru this part get you down.  I was sick last week and felt like I was in a free-fall~wasn't sure if I would ever feel better, but am now on the upswing of this roller coaster ride. Not sure what was lending itself to the debilitating nausea, was it the cold, the antibiotics taken for the cold or what.  Heading in Wed for round #5 of 6.

MamaV

Keep on fighting ladies!  No one said this would be easy did they?  I had Taxol #3 (of weekly 12) on Thursday last week and can't believe I'm going again already on Thursday - it's coming fast!  I was in tears at the last visit with the nurse - my anxiety was out of control.  Doc prescribed Selexa for depression and xanax when I feel like I'm having major anxiety.  Seems to be helping!

One day at a time ....

Vicky

charlottesmama

Hi Ladies! I have a LOT of catching up to do, but want to let you all know I'm home from hospital and doing great! Minor pain. Drains are a drag, but hopefully gone soon. Surgery went exceptionally well according to docs. I satyed in ICU entire time (came home yesterday). I stayed an extra day because I was having digestive problems that were causing my abdomen to bloat.

Anyway, more later!

Chees,

Michelle 

EmilyInOntario

charlottesmama...So glad things went well for you and that you are now home again!

I have my last taxotere Friday and while I am excited to be so close to the finish line I am also trying to make a tough decision. The oncologist offered to lower my dose last round since it was so hard on me but this current round has been even worse. My legs are weak, I get short of breath doing anything remotely exertive, the hand rash was much worse ( clearing now) and the fatigue and feeling just generally unwell has not improved at all. I'm finding it hard to eat as everything tastes so bad. I aslo have some neuropathy in all of my toes.I have to decide whether I should lower the dose next round or will I regret it. Will it lower the effectiveness of the chemo? After all I've been through, should I do this? If the cancer flares up again will I always wonder if I should not have lessened the last dose? I will be talking to the onco Wednesday but has anyone else had to make this decision?