Chemo May 2011

lorenar

Hello ladies. Sorry I haven't posted much since I got back from my treatmeent in Ohio on Wed. Now I will be going again for 9 more weeks. I leave on Tues. stay overnight in a hotel get home Wed. evening.  The one bad side effect I have found with the taxol/herceptin is leg and feet pain. Other than aq little fatigue I feel so much more normal than the bad chemo. ha. I as well went through alot of peeing and kidney pain during the adrimyacin. When the doc. prescribed me the ativan it was so much better. I think just getting our nerves under control helps alot. I am no longer up alnight peeing and am sleeping alot more sound. Best of luck to all yo ladies. Happy Mothers day to yo all. I didn't get to have kids but Im a Mom to my cats and dogs. ha.

Cyborg

Scalp tingly and sensitive

jackifp

Bkj66: I'm still working; I teach high school. I love my job, so even tho I've got the sick leave to stay home if I want, I go in. Luckily, the worst se has been heartburn and a headache. I'll see what happens as treatments progress, but for now, I forget for hours at a time that I'm bald and poisoned

: ) . As for how people at work react...I've been real upfront with both colleagues and students, so they've seen my bald head under my many caps, and my biology students have had a great cancer lesson. I've been patient with the teary-eyed hugs from colleagues who have barely spoken to me in years, and totally love the good-natured teasing from my coworkers.

jamiebeth

Hey everyone! I'm having my first chemo treatment (Taxotere and Cytoxan) tomorrow. Your posts have encouraged me greatly, and given me some good ideas on how to cope.

For those of you about to take dexamethasone to pre-medicate for Taxotere, it's not too bad. I was worried about taking it, but the side effects are very manageable. My appetite did not increase, and even though I was a little jittery, I was still able to take a two-hour nap this afternoon.

Now that the steroids are a non-issue for me, I'm worried about the chemo infusion itself. I'm sure I'll get through it and come out of it no worse for wear except for some fraying around the edges, but still, that's some scary stuff.  

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms on this board!

Jamie

Anonymous

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Cyborg

Hey, Jaime.

That's awesome that the steroids are not bothering you. I didn't sleep and that really affects me psychologically.

The infusion was fine---- had a few emotional issues. It sounds like you have a good attitude. I am on TC too. Take it easy. Put yourself first, Jaime ... And you will probably do well.

Anonymous

Lorenar, Where did you go in OH....Cleveland Clinic, James Center?....just curious since I live in OH.  Cyborg, tingling scalp....sounds as if the hair is reacting.  The dexamethazone would have me buzzing around for a few days and then I would crash.....but this time it isn't doing that...Odd. 

Cyborg

Pain in lower back. Ugh.

lifelover

Hot Tip:   I've been told that fresh pineapple or even canned pineapple will help with that fuzzy furry mouth feeling that chemo patients get.  However, if your tongue has a white coating on it you may have thrush (yeast infection) and your doctor will give you medication to clear that up.

Skygirl

Jackifp - I like your attitude on handling your hair situation. I am fairly private person usually, but live in a small town where everyone knows your biz. So figure that they will know I am bald - probably before I even go bald. Plan on having my best buds autograph my head w/ sharpie. (Will ask them for a light touch.) Figure people in casts get autographs, so why not? Have artists friends who are going to use their talent up there too. Will also wear scarves for the most part too, and possibly a wig. But plan on having fun w/ it.

40-years-old-now

So today is finally the day I find out what is going to happen. My first oncologist appointment. Tomarrow I have a PET CT because in my preop xray of my chest they found something, then in a CT they couldnt tell what it was. So tomarrow I have a PET CT.

I asked my hubby the other day, "When did we get a life, our calander if full." Between hubby, daughter and me we are booked every day. I am 3 of those days.

Oh Saturday I was sitting out, (remember I am still pre meds) and got burned. UGG. I was only out for 3 hours. But it felt nice to sit in the sun.

Ok a bit of a rant not about BC.- On Saturday my daughter (6) had a playdate with a classmate from school. They were playing in her play room. When they came down the friends hair was cut.

I felt terrible that this happened. So the mother ends up posting on facebook that my daughter cut her daughters hair. Mine says that she did not but she didnt say anything because "She begged me not too and I didnt want to loose a friend."  But this is not the end of the story. Apparently the friend has cut her hair several times, she also cut clothing and other things. I am mad that if her daughter does this regularrly why blame mine, on a public web site like facebook?

I told my daughter that a person that ask you to lie for them is not worth having as a friend. I hope it sticks.

Good news in this is MY daughter did not cut her hair, or let the friend cut her hair.

END OF RANT

I hope all you mothers out there had a great mothers day.

Candice

Skygirl

Candice, the mother is in denial and because of that her kid won't get any help soon. So sorry - and this is from a mom w/ two girls. I figure at least one hair cutting is a right of passage for girls. But you handled it well w/ your girl.

bak94

Had ac on sat/sun, 24 hour drip. Felt fine yesterday, walked 3 miles (slow pace) came home relaxed, watched movie and went to bed. Today I was suppose to go wig shopping, but it kinda feel apart, friend's kid is sick, but I didn't feel like going anyways, too tired. I was not expecting to feel so tired today. Haven't even showered yet and it is 10:30. Just feel like staying in bed reading BCO, that is not probably the best of ideas! What are all of you other chemo pals doing? Doing ok working?

Jackifp-you are my hero! Keep on working! I don't know why I can't. I think it is more emotional than how I feel physically. I am having a hard time seeing my friends and co workers, I still just want to cry, and that is with anti depressants.

MamaV

bkj66 - Im still working too.  I miss the afternoon on infusion days and then missed a few half days after A/C (I had it on Wed and didn't really feel worthless until Friday afternoon-Sunday).  I am now on weekly Taxol and I only miss the afternoon of infusion.  Co-workers have been very supportive. I am in upper management and the President is showing signs of tiring of my absences.  He acts like he is doing me a favor by letting me leave early on Thursday afternoons.  It's actually pretty ridiculous b/c I come in early to make up the time! (I used to be paid salary but he switched me to hourly back in March when I was in the middle of A/C).   My response, of course, is - you have no choice but to accommodate my scheduled - I am legally protected!   Whatever!  He thinks he's tiring of my BC?  Imainge how I feel?  ERG!

bak94

MamaV, yeah, if he only know what it is really like! Make sure he knows you came in early to make up for leaving early. I admire all of you that work so hard, I know it can't be easy. I need to get my butt out there! I know I will feel better, just can't seem to make that first move.

Robyn_S

Happy Tuesday ladies! It has been one week since my first FEC and feeling much betterby the hour! It pretty much went to plan with nausea under control the first three days with emended &zofran etc and then tolerated for the next four with maxalon. Tired now and had a very quiet sleepy weekend but am back at work on short days- I am a phd student/ scientist so it is flexible as my workplace is a childrens hospital with wonderful supportive colleagues. I take public transport to work and go very early avoiding peak times (germs) and get home early to rest a bit. It is do good to think about something other than cancer!! I must say after this week I finally feel as though the body has caught up to the dx - never felt like a cancer patient until chemo!! Even with no boobs and grim head shaking doctors!! Looking forward to two 'healthy' weeks til next tx.

Hair is staying put so far - day 7 .... Counting down! The upside is that it is winter in oz so hats n scarves won't be too hot to handle- having it cut this week tho- maybe time to experiment with a short cut I have never tried before - my daughter is a hairdresser so have given her free rein to make over momma! (((hugs)))) for those in the chair this week!!!

somnia

What a great group! I would love to join. I am 38, married, 9-years old child. I am going through second cycle of FEC. First one was pretty easy, almost no side effects. I started loosing hair on day 14. My second cycle chemo day was tough. I vomited a few times and had to call a home nurse to get an injection. 3 days later I feel fine. Side effects ... blurry vision and pain in both knees. I had an appointment with my family doctor. He sends me to a blood test to check my sugar and patassium levels. Are there any Canadian girls? Where do you order your head covers? I ordered a few from US sites... and some of them were too tight. I also had to pay custom dutes.

Cyborg

Went to coffee and a movie called Win Win. Great movie. Not feeling great. Had chmo infusion last Monday on the 2nd. Relaxing.

Loviesmom2

Had round 2 taxol this afternoon, round 1 was 5/2/11. Uneventful days thank God! Small guns used on me 1st because my blood was too low for the big guns. No side effects. Try swish with diphenhydramine and maalox mix (tablespoon of each) for mouth issues. Alcohol free mouthwash and always ask onc 1st.

---

Hi Ladies,

I had my first treatment of A/C today (5-09-11) at 1:45pm PST.  First overt symptom was pressure headache during Cytoxan infusion.  Followed by queasy stomach, bloating, gas build-up, constant burping, and lightheadedness by 7pm ALREADY!!!

I wasn't expecting the side effects to kick in this soon!  I am taking Emend, Compazine, and Zofran to manage side effects.  Seems to be not working in full OR I am just low tolerance to side effects -poor me:-(.

Sorry to report slightly negative updates.  I hope everyone else is in a better plate.

Hugs to all of you,

Laureen

Cyborg

Good u have Emend, Lauren. That's supposed to be a wonder frug for nausea . Feel better soon. I'm feeling a little gross too. I have thrush. My scalp hurts.

Beaglesgirl

Had final appt with onc yesterday and I start my tx next Tuesday. I had a tour of the infusion area and the breakdown on what I need to do when I come in. They were wonderful but I wanted to run away from myself when we were leaving. I can't cope with the reality of it again.



I was offered a chance at a trail which I was excited about for triple negs like me. It is basically the dd ac followed by dd taxol. I will know by Tuesday if I made it in or not.



I am scared all over again! Petrified. My family just keeps "cheering" me on. They don't get.

MamaV

Sorry to hear some of you were unlucky like me with the A/C side effects.  They kicked my butt too!  Weekly taxol is much easier!  Hang in there everyone! 

Beaglesgirl - the nerves before chemo are the worst!  I still get them and I'm heading to my 8th tx on Thursday.  This is the hardest thing any of us have had to deal with so we are here to support you! 

MargieC

HI All

I would like to join the group    I am a fairly healthy 48 (I will be 49 May 22).  Married to the most wonderful man for 21 years.  No children.  I work fulltime as a director of technology for a travel management company and teach pilates one night per week.  We were shocked when we got the call the 1st biopsy was positive for cancer.  I have two IDC tumors 1cm each and I have a cluster of DCIS in addition to that I am HER+.  Thankfully my bone/cat scans came back ok.

I have my first chemo (TCH) this Fri May 13.  We are doing chemo first and then surgery.  Today we go to our 2nd opinion board, tomorrow we have our pre chemo meeting (they tell you everything to expect and give you a tour of the infusion center) and my heart test.  Thurs I am getting the hair curt short and donating it.  Then Fri is the big day.  I have chemo every 3 weeks for 18 weeks.  Then once that is done surgery and hopefully reconstruction at the same time.

I plan to work through my treatments.  I work remotely so I have no commute to deal with.  My Dr feels I should continue my workouts (within reason).

Any suggestion for foods to have on hand for this weekend after first chemo treatment? 

I am scared but ready.

MamaV

mc9389 - welcome to you - sorry you have to be here, but we will all be here for you!

I think we all relate to your shock!  I also work full time (not remotely you lucky girl), and used to work out every day.  I have had to taper my work outs to nightly walks with my hubby, but they are the highlight of my day.

We can also relate to you fear - the fear before the first chemo is tough.  For some of us, that fear comes back in waves before every one!  You can do this! 

As for food, it really varies from person to person.  I couldn't eat at all for 4 days until I got better ant-nausea meds.  Just avoid spicy foods.  During tx weeks, I ate lots of pasta with butter and french fries - go figure!  Clear soup - like chicken noodle or chicken rice was good for me too!

 Good luck and let us all know how you are doing!

V-

Loviesmom2

Wow! The post submit demon just chewed up my post and spit it into cyber space. Well it only said to LaureenRomero07 that I appreciate all updates and they are welcomed. Post blow-by-blow details if you wish because I learn from them. Feel better real soon! Blessings to you ! We win!

VLAZ

For people who've already started losing hair, is it a good idea to have hair cut short before this happens? I've read that it is, but I kind of want to keep my longish hair for as long as I can. Any wisdom will be welcome! Thanks!

Cyborg

VLAZ

I cut my hair short about a few weeks before chemo.

If u thinkbthat cutting your hair short now will be distressing then follow your heart. I have lashes or eyebrow hairs on my cheexks in the morning . This is day 9 since starting chemo. I have been enjoying my short hair. When I cut it down even mire planning on still styling it some... Then bye bye hair. Lipstick forever.

lifelover

My first chemo has been re-scheduled to 23rd May because of an ongoing infection in my thighs.  No matter, I can enjoy my short hair for a few more weeks!  People say I look younger with my short hair.  Maybe I'll look even younger with it shaved off

I'm having a PICC line inserted in my upper arm as my veins are small and keep collapsing.  Sounds like a good solution.  No more sticks for blood and contrast dye and chemo - one line to take care of.

Bought eyelashes and glue from MAC as recommended by ladies on this thread.  They're lovely.

DebRox

Hi All:

I rescheduled my chemo to May 24 instead of this Thursday.  I thought it was just too soon as I will only just be 3 weeks post surgery on Thursday, although I am healing well. 

I should have my onco score by this Thurs or Fri, but I am certain I will still require chemo.  Too many factors for me having chemo - grade, age, pre-meno, lymphovascular/perineural invasion, high ki-67.  In fact the Onc I chose said chemo no matter what the onco test states. She is curious to see what the number is though and so am I.

I am very nervous to start, but I am sure it is not as bad as my mind is imagining.  Keep smiling everyone!!!

Debby