Chemo May 2011

Cyborg

Thank you, Chey. So nice to get something positive nice and early in the morning. I am going to hydrate right now!

cheyenna

cyborg, remember, you dont have cancer anymore!! its gone!! this is all insurance, on my June chemo thread 2010, we would say, put your big girl pants on, its ok if they fall down, just pull them up again!

cheyenna

 Remember little sisters,"YOU DONT HAVE TO BE BRAVE, YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOW UP" one of my big BC sisters would remind me all the time of this, hehe, if it was not my big girl pants falling down (happened a lot) i would forget that i dont need to be brave, and my big sisters would set me straight again...

love Chey

40-years-old-now

I FINALLY have information. YEAH!!

I will have radiation starting June 1, Chemo (3 types of meds, dont remember names) starting June 2.

leg bone is not damaged yet but does have leagons on it.

Today I got to take a BATH   Tha makes me so happy!! I missed my bathes.

So I came home for the doctors and took a bath. It was wonderful, until I had to get out.

I wont see the surgern again until November.

Baths are wonderful!!

mccrimmon324

Candice,

I'm happy you finally got some info and are getting started and very glad your leg bone is not damaged. 

You can join the June group with me, although I still like this one too.  I didn't know they could do radiation and chemo at the same time.  Is your chemo called TAC?  That's what I'm going to get.  Happy to hear you got your Bath, I miss my showers. 

txladysara

Loved Loved your long post Cheyenna, thanks so much for all your information. Loved that you told Cyborg, "remember you don't have cancer anymore! It's gone, this is just insurance!!!" YAY LOVE THAT!!! thank you Jesus!!

38 year old Yay!!! for you!!! I am glad you enjoyed your bath and that you will soon start treatment!! Also glady that your leg bone is not damaged!!!

Lets all do the chicken dance, LOL

I am feeling way better today, I brushed my hair awhile ago and it;s coming out like crazy but... It's gonna be alright! It's just hair, its hard to loose it, but I have so much to be thankful for, and I do have some really nice hakerchiefs I will start using today. 

rondajean

so glad that you guys are doing well...candice, 38 year old, cheyenne, cyborg etc etc ....Juliebell, haven't heard from you...please update!

I plan on enjoying this weekend and getting out and about as much as possible.  Got my headcovers package in the mail today and i like my choices.  I tried some on and I felt silly.  Come on I get to go half a year wearing these damn things.  It sucks!  I didn't cry but wanted to yell something nasty!  

BC YOU SUCK AND IM GONNA KICK YO ASS! 

bak94

Chemo pals, I have some questions! Some have mentioned not to eat any fresh veggies or fruit, my doc never mentioned this. I only buy organic and I wash everything with an organic veggie wash, and I peel apples. I just bought some nectarines and really want to eat one, is it ok? My counts are not too bad right now, I think wbc is 2.6. I don't want to make myself sick, but  Ialso have these great organic strawberries that I have been eating, so far they haven't made me sick. I will ask my doc the next time I see him. What about frozen blueberries and other frozen berries?

bak94

mccrimmon and 38 year old, stay on this thread!!!! You don't have to go to a different one!

Rondajean, I know what u mean, I got my headcovers too, and although i like them, i just really want my hair back! I don't have a decent wig yet, so I have been running aroung with a scarf tied arond my head with a hat on top, to kinda give some dangly stuff under the hat. Not too many people stare, if they look they just smile and I smile back. Really much better than I thought it would be. My hubby shaved his head last night, he missed a spot and it looked like a question mark, it was soooo funny! I had to help him get rid of the question mark.

mccrimmon324

bkj66 - my oncologist told me on my very first visit to him not to eat fresh fruits and raw veggies.  I was being pretty adamant that I have totally changed my way of eating and its mostly fresh fruits and veggies.  He finally told me I could live without the fruit for a bit but if I absolutely must have then eat an orange or a banana - something with a thick skin that needs to be peeled, it's less likely to have bacteria on it.  Now, he's planning on TAC with me and I think that's one of the roughest treatments. 

I've been researching the heck out of Chemo for a few weeks now waiting for my wound to heal so I can get started.  I think it's time I get pen and paper and start making my list. 

---

I have heard about NO fresh vegetables and fruits from other patients but not from my oncologist.  Fruits were also restricted to only those that can be peeled.  I have not followed this regimen as it was not advised by my doctor.  If anybody can post a study on this one, I'd appreciate it.  I would like to read on an evidence-based study going on about this concern so I can present it to my medical team as well.

bak94

I just called my nurse to ask about the fresh veggies and fruit. I am waiting for her to call me back. I bet it all depends on what your counts are, well that is my guess! I will post what I find out, although it is probably different for all of us.

Cyborg

My onc just said no salad bar and no sushi. I was told I could have vegetables if I washed them thoroughly. I am thinking that I should just steam them or quick fry them just to kill the bacteria off. Thanks, Chey for the encouragement. I turned my whole diet around as well and was frustrated with the directives. Trying to eat whole grains and remind myself that I can go back to fruits and vegetables as soon as this is over.

Plils

Cotrinh76,

Thanks for the lashes infor, I tryed them for Halloween and they ended up on top of my eye lid because I think I forgot the glue, so I am hoping to have better luck this time around. 

Pam 

bak94

Yipee!!! I get to eat my strawberries! The nurse said if blood counts get to low they may sometimes restrict fresh veggies and fruit, but for now mine are just fine! So, check with your docs or nurses, they may let you eat them!

neecee

My onc said not fresh veggies and no fruit that did not have a thick peel IF WBC is low.  Otherwise, it is OK.  I am still going to avoid salad bars and cook or steam my veggies just as a precaution.

mccrimmon324

My onc probably said the same if WBC were low, I have such anxiety when I'm there that I can't focus on much.  I have to take my husband with me to my appts so he can repeat everything back to me 1000 times when we get home.  I just noticed my xanax are running low and definitely want to ask for an anti-depressant.  I realize this is  a stupid question but does anyone suffer with extreme anxiety and what do you do / use for it?  I try to do a few deep breathing excercises thruout the day.  I really don't want to go crazy with the prescriptions. 

DebRox

Hey everyone.  Interesting discussion on food.  My onc didn't tell me anything regarding fresh fruits or veggies.  I was craving a subway sandwich today with all the veggies, then thought I better not due to possible contaminated veggies, so I made a veggie stir fry instead.  But I am craving fresh produce!

So question, how or when do we know when our white counts are low?  And when do they go back up.  When can we resume normal foods such as produce?  Does this mean we can't eat fresh produce the entire time we are on chemo?

My treatment was on Tuesday.  So far I feel very good with no SEs.  I have to go for blood work, but not until next week sometime.

Have a great and SE free weekend everyone. 

mebmarj

Restricting fresh stuff depends on if you are neutropenic. Chances are if you are being given neupogen or neulasta, you've had low counts in the past they are trying to prevent from occurring with each of your cycles.

If you are going to have fresh stuff it does have to be thoroughly cooked. Also leftovers are supposed to be thoroughly heated to a boiling point. Possible to do with soups, plain pasta and some sauces on the stovetop, but can't exactly predict the microwave cooking.

Your best bet is call the onc's office for clarification.

Best wishes to you all. -m

MamaV

Mccrimmon I am suffering from severe anxiety - did u have any anxiety issues before BC? I did a few years ago but was fine until recently. I researched and read that women who have had anxiety in the past often suffer from major anxiety during BC treatments. I am on celexa for anti depression and Xanax now for anxiety. The anxiety got so bad I couldnt catch my breath. My OC said this is not the time to try and work it out without meds. "We can deal with that when you are not in treatment anymore" he said. He gave me .50 mg of Xanax to take 3 times per day! It's way too strong and knocks me out. I cut it in quarters and usually have to take it 2-3 times a day. It helps so much! Don't be afraid to take the meds if they help you!

MamaV

Regarding fresh fruits and vegys- once my WBCs went back up after A/C I was given clearance to eat them again! The bacteria is the concern when counts are low. Hang in there anyone who can't eat them yet. I'm back to daily salad now that my counts are back up with Taxol.

Beaglesgirl

Regarding the anxiety, I am seeing a therapist now thru st Luke's cancer center, taking lexapro, Xanax as needed. Bc has knocked me on my @ss emotionally as well as physically. I have had full blown panic attacks when out with my husband, which is why I stay closer to home these days.



Starting treatment has made me feel like I have some more control... Even though I feel like junk.

blondelawyer

I had my first dose of chemo--taxol--on May 23rd.  Feel like crap

Loviesmom2

Haha! What hair? Mine finally bit the dust,now I look sick but I still feel pretty good. I look at it like this, hair cells are like those demon cells and when I see the hair shrivel up and fall, just imagine those cancer cells falling too. Yeah Candice!!! You are going to kick the crap out of this thing, Lets Get Ready to Rumble!!! Blondelawyer you've had a hellified few months but you've joined a group of ladies who will build you up when you're down, laugh with you, cry with you and help you cross the finish line into the rest of your joy-filled life. Cheyenna you rock! Much love and enjoy holiday weekend.

Patriotic

Thanks bkj66!



Have a great Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!

LaurieA

Hi everyone; I'm 2 years post chemo so I wanted to stop by to offer support and answer any questions I can help with regarding how to cope with side effects.  Not medical information, but emotional support and tips. 

 The worst is the fear of the unknown - especially that hair loss thing.  It was the thing that scared me the most, and ended up being a blessing in disguise.  But what helped me most was forums like this where I could meet women that had already been through it or were going through it with me. No matter what you go through, you are never, ever alone.

 Love & light, Laurie

Loviesmom2

Oh, by the way Blondlawyer, I'm sorry for your loss in Nov as well as your diagnosis. I pray you have some other support people in your life. My cousin, the new Komen spokesperson lost her mother to cancer while she was on AC/Tax for bc. She too had a very bitter pill to swallow with both life challenges at once. Check her out on FB. Dr. Sheri Phillips, a very dynamic woman. Meanwhile get your fight on and be encouraged.

Loviesmom2

Gosh LaurieA, you should be a scarf model. I wanna look as pretty as you with my scarf on. Now I just look like the cleaning lady LOL! Well at my house I am the cleaning lady. Thanks for the support

neecee

DebRox - your lab work will tell you and your MO your blood counts.  If you have a fever higher than 100.5, it could be an indication your WBC is tanking. 

I totally understand the fresh veggie craving.  I love salads, and am forgoing them right now just out of caution.  But a big bowl of greens sure sounds good right now!

mccrimmon324

MamaV - I just had this whole thing typed out and I don't know what just happened but its gone.  yes, I've always been a very anxious person, and have been on anti-depressants in the past.  Just recently was able to (with drs help) ween myself off the anti-depressants and now I have to go back on them.  I'm on the same .5 xanax script as you but am only to take one every 12 hours as needed.  I have a problem with my lumpectomy, I guess I got a seroma and it needed to be drained, so the nurses at my surgeons office (he was on vacation) reopened a small section and let drain.  They should have and I should have insisted on seeing the dr on call but what do I know.  The incision just kept opening more and more, they never took a culture.  My oncologist at the time looked at it and said we can start chemo next week....  That was after it was weeping and open for a week.  That same day I went for another onc opinion.  He took one look at that and said there's no way in Hell I would start Chemo on you. It needs to heal, they set me up with a wound vac but that took a week to get here and then it got infected and I had to get IV anti-biotics everyday - that was a really really hard time for me I don't think I have ever been so full of anxiety and depression.  I really couldn't control myself.  Thankfully the wound vac came and now I have no infection, new onc says should be about 2 weeks before chemo can start so now I'm excited and terrified at the same time...  Sorry I do tend to ramble.