February 2011 chemo pals

christina1961

Congrats, Melanie!  I am on the same chemo - I have #5 on Monday - last one June 13th. Can't wait!!  The nausea has really bothered me but last time I took Zofran 3 x a day and plan to do that again this time.

I'm still really tired all the time. I walked day before yesterday - 3 miles - but it has been unusually cool here in TN and I just didn't feel like getting out in it today.

SpecialK

pejkug - I will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying for strength for you to deal with your daughter's birthday and MIL situation.  I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of this right now, just know we are all there with you holding you up.

sukie10

Blood work was up enough to get treatment today. I was surprised how much faster this was. I was strongly cautioned about the bone pain - flu symptom combo I should start to experience Friday or Saturday. (I can hardly wait LOL). I won't make any plans.

A bunch of you going in tomorrow. Good luck. Extra special hugs for those who really need it right now. If we weren't a bunch of tough chicks before we certainly are going to emerge from this that way.

One day at a time, we are doing this! 

jenn_h

Wow! Didn't realize how long it's been since I checked in...This dumb ole BC and then my son's broken leg has set me back a little I guess...

Pejkug, you are very much in my thoughts and prayers right now with everything you and your family are going through. They say God doesn't give us more than we can handle, but sometimes you really have to wonder what He's thinking!

Congrats to all of you who have finished up. My last Taxol is next Thur. it's been a lot rougher than AC for me (surprisingly), the doc says I made him a liar b/c he said I'd breeze through the Taxol since the AC went so well for me. It's been very painful, the first was horrible, but then my dosage was lowered due to my liver counts being too high, the 2nd not so bad on the lower dosage. The last one was a little iffy, so I am a little worried for next week bc of the whole cumulative thing....tired of night sweats and my fingers and toes tingling. Tired of feeling all puffed up from these steroids. Tired of being tired!

I almost feel like I've used up the hubby feeling sorry for me too, it seems like he almost is irritated when I don't feel like cooking or doing various chores....maybe just me being irritable, I don't know

Does anyone else on Taxol get chest pains or discomfort, that's another worry...usually jsut happens on the first few days afterwards...

sry...i'm off for a cpl weeks then I write a novel...I'll leave off with a funy story...We took son to Erie for follow up appt on leg and went to an Olive Garden afterwards to eat. He says,"I don't like going into public places b/c everyone stares at me with my crutches." I said, "How do you think I feel, I'm bald!"

Have a great week everyone and good luck to those on the chair this week!

lorenar

Pejkug: So sorry about your MIL lung cancer I lost my stepfather to lung cancer about 6 years ago. He did everything possible to fight it, He made it about 6 months and ammonia set in. the doc said thats what truely killed him more than the cancer. You all are so much in my prayers, Ladies who are done: Congratulations. I just got back from Ohio finished #5 of 12.There willl be a light at the end of this tunnel for us all in time. I have a toenail some of it is turning black they said very normal so I covered it with bright pink polish. ha. They told me today that blurry vision is a very normal side effect. Finally gave me some ambian to take to sleep. They cut all the premeds out since I have no allergic reaction to taxol. The car we traded not even 30 days ago has been in shop over 2 weeks now saying the motor is blown. OH /boy what next. Hope the car lot will make this right. We ended up having to finance 5000.00 in the end. What next right. take care my friends.

dogeyed

Pejkug,

I am so sorry and moved to hear about your mother-in-law's terrible fate.  And the two men, hate they are so sad, too.  And when I read about your dear daughter's untimely death, I simply could not believe it.  You, of all of us, have had the hardest time, I do believe, with your side effects and eye situation, and now your family situation.  But I was SO pleased to hear your friends are coming to gather around you today in support of your loss on this date of your daughter's passing. 

 I will be getting ready to go get my chemo, too, in about fifteen minutes, and should I feel sorry for myself, while it's all relative, I will immediately send up a prayer for your oncologist to for gosh sakes look into your eye situation, and a prayer for your happiness despite tragedy breaking out all around you and within you, and I want you to know I love you as a good friend, for all the things you have shared with us, for I only want the very best for every living thing on God's good earth.  Dear one, at some point I put the link to my avatar, that shows what the puppy in the picture does in a video, so here it is again just in case you missed it, it's so cute, and it's for your daughter's memory, as well.

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/cutest-sleeping-puppy-ever.html

Gail

MamaV

Treatment today - I hate this roller coaster of emotions - anxiety, depression - I hate this disease!  Still have 7 more weekly Taxols after today - feels like it'll never end!

ruffy

Hugs to you pejkug, you are in my thoughts today.

And to those who are also having treatment today, I hope it goes as well as can be. We're getting closer!!

And finally, congrats to those that are all finished !

Paula66

Good Luck to all you gals who are going in the chair today.  You can do this!  My thoughts will be with you all.

mamaoftwo

 I am in the chair now, watching the drip drip from the Taxol.  40 minutes to go.. It's amazing how much liquid gets infused into your body.  I'm surprised we don't all walk out of chemo looking like blown up balloons. My last infusion is June 2.. 14 days to go and counting.

 Pejkug- my thoughts are with you.  You have been through so much.  I hope you have an easy day today in chemo.

Laura

LisaGH

Hope those in the chair today did well. I am right w/ you in being so ready to be DONE. One more TC in two weeks for me (herceptin for a year- but that's ok w/ me to be done w/ taxotere/carbo).

Thinking of you all.

Lisa

lorenar

Pejkug: I must have still been in a chemo fog not to say also how sorry I was to hear you lost your daughter and what a tradegy for you and your family. I lost a sister 6 years ago to a motorcycle accident at the age of 43 2 days before my Moms birthday. She said there is no way to describe the pain  of losing a child. I myself did not get to have children. Gail was so right when she said that you are a true friend to us all for sharing this with us all and that we are all here to support you in any way we can even if its just to vent some steam. I have to call the car dealer tomorrow to see how much he is gonna pay towards a motor for my subaru I think he is only reliable 20 percent so I really do not know what we will do. Money as you all know is so very tight now. So happy for you girls done. I will be done somewhat first week in July. No SE weekend to you all and take care.

MamaV

Taxol #5 done!  Had a nice nap from the Benadryl (usually get bad restless leg, so today it was a welcome break to have a nap instead).

Hoping for an easy weekend with no SEs (and many naps) - wish you all who were in the chair with me today the same.

Melanie_Ann

Hello ladies! Just checking in! I've tried to catch up but I think I forgot most of what I read. I'm done with chemo! It's so strange to say. I think it will feel real in 3 weeks when I don't have to go in again. I'm sorry for all of those having a rough time. Saying a prayer for you ladies today!

MamaV

Congrats MelanieAnn - what's next radiation?

Melanie_Ann

Yes I have radiation starting sometime in June. It feels like it's back to square one on a learning curve.

MamaV

Mel I guessed so b/c our diagnoses are almost the same!  I will start rads in July (last Taxol is July 7).  I will be interested to hear how it goes - and learn from your experience!  Enjoy your chemo freedom!

Melanie_Ann

Oh wow! Our diagnoses are very similar. I'm in a clinical trial which is why I had six treatments of all chemo drugs at one time. It was rough, but I'm glad to be done earlier. I'll let you know how it goes. I think I have a meeting on June 7th with the RAD ONC. I suppose I'll find out my treatment plan then. I'm going to try to enjoy these few weeks of freedom in the meantime.

MamaV

Mel - I wish I was done, but don't think I could have kept working if I had all the drugs at once!  Enjoy your freedom and let us know your plan after June 7th. 

coffeegirl1

oh not feeling well on this stuff

so sore every where 

any hints out there for this pain

every joint is paining 

my neck too feet ancles toes

head feels funny too

chest is tight feeling in one bad mood

I have takin lots of baths they don't help 

tylenol Ibphoghien 

can I use joint pain creams andy thing any one please help.

Paula66

coffegirl I had extreme pain fro the taxol and a hotpad helped out.  I hope it helps you some too.  Hang in there.  I know the pain can wear at ya.  I still have it and it does get better.

JeanH

Pejkug so sorry about you mil, you are all in my prayers. It must be so tough for all of your family.



Melanie congrats on finishing, are you done with treatment now? I am going on to rads starting on June 9.



Wishing all a good Sunday, low Se and congrats to all my fellow graduates.



Jean

dogeyed

Dear Coffeegirl, 

The herb tumeric helps pain, that is your best bet for something natural.  If you live in Canada, they have codeine over the counter, Tylenol-Codeine #1, I think you have to ask at the pharmacy counter, but no prescription needed.  In the U.S., they have a new, just-released this month "oral spray" pain medicine that is supposed to be very strong, Cobroxin, you can get it at Walgreens or CVS pharmacy over-the-counter.  At a health food grocery, in the medicine section, ask the clerk to help you find a good pain reliever, I remember taking Migra-Off or something like that, it kills pain but gives you a hangover, or they may have something else but you need stronger than aspirin-like stuff.  Same thing with a couple shots of whiskey, it'll make you kinda sick but dulls pain, but if you like dark beer, a good brand of Guiness will be less likely to give you a hangover.  You can also double and triple your aspirin or Tylenol, seems like extra strength Tylenol is really pretty good.

But the best thing you can do is to call your doctor or the clinic where you get chemotherapy, most of them have 24-hour numbers, and tell them what's going on, and they should call in a small prescription for you of Percocet or Vicodin, and that is what will really help you.  It's funny you should post this today, just this morning when I got up, since I get infused on Thursdays, my worst days are Sunday and Monday, I was in mortal pain, absolute killer aches deep in my upper leg bones, could barely walk, and not only do I have my cancer pain medicines, but I already take several different types of drugs normally to help with pain and nerves from an old back injury, and I thought outloud, "I don't know how some of these girls are managing without pain drugs."  So, please, do not be afraid to ask for help, there are some ladies on this forum who had to resort to prescription pain medicines.

GG

Braveheart

Thank you SpecialK for your wonderful support. I just had my 3rd taxol....1 more to go. Fingertips are numb so typing is a challenge....lol Bone pain is still there but much less than the 1st taxol. WOW that was scary.

We're here to support each other so if you need to vent or chat I'm here for you.

Are you finished with your treatment? How are you feeling?

Take care of yourself.

Braveheart

Thank you Alison for your suggestion. Yes, I've thought about seeing a counslor but after my treatment. I feel pretty good though..I have some bad days but mostly I'm doing good. When I feel I need support I come on here or talk to some of my close friends. However sometimes only the people on here can understand how I feel.

It's a lot to cope with..mastectomy, chemo, bald head, unknown etc we don't have to be superwomen. I so appreciate this site and all the support. We'll get throught this.

Braveheart

Hi Gail, I know it's an emotional and physical rollercoaster. I just had my 3rd taxol. Leg bone and and fingertips numbness....not fun... Each day I pray for relief and slowly the relief comes. I hope you have relief as well. We don't deserve any of this. We'll get through it. Keep surrounded by people that are positive that helps so much. Try to get out of the house and enjoy life. The end of our treatments are near. Sending you lots of cyber hugs.

dogeyed

Braveheart,  Gosh, it's been SO long since we heard from you!  You were going through the same emotional ruin we were at the beginning of Taxol.  I also pray, every night I go to bed, turning it all over to the Good Shepherd, and in the morning, while I feel like I've been hit by an 18-wheeler, I am helped by His angels.  I will try to walk down to the gazebo today, meant to yesterday but wasn't in the mood, but I'll do as you say and get outside.  And hugs back to you, dahlin, good to see you once again.  GG 

Braveheart

Hi Gail, I can relate to how you feel. I'm sure many people feel the same at times. Alone, sad, depressed, in constant pain, helpless, overwhelemed, bills piling up, brain not functioning fast. You will pass this and soon it'll be in the past and a distant memory. We're almost all done with our treatment. Pain free days are on the horizon. I know it's not easy to see this while we're in pain. I do like you, if I feel like crying, I cry and then I feel better almost immediatelly. My friends encourage me to get out ofmy house and that helps too. I'm almost always, tired and feel lazy but each time I'm out I feel much better.

You're not alone. Chemo is here to save us, even though it seems to be the one causing us all this pain. I'm here for you anytime you need to vent, cry, a friend.

Sending lots of love.

Braveheart

Congratulation Mary on finishing Chemo!!!! So happy for you!!! Sending lots of love and hugs to contienue with rads. 

Michelle, I hope your surgery went smoothly and are recoving fine. Each day gets better. Sending you lots of love.

Braveheart

Hi Christina, I'm TN as well. My surgeon gave me the option of lumpectomy with rads or  MX no rads. I chose radical mastectomy. I had surgery then 1 moth later started chemo 4 DD AC + 4 DD Taxol. No radition after chemo. My last taxol is june 1st. My surgeon told me after diagnosis of TNBC that i made the right decision regardng MX. Good luck to you in making the right decision.