June 2011 A/C & T Groupies Unite!

Southamptonmom

Hey Stephanie, I had acid pouring into my mouth the first AC round at about day 10. My second so far, I've not had it. I do take prilosec 40 mg in the morning and pepcid 40 mg at night. I now call the neulasta neu-nasty. I get bone pain out of nowhere at about day 8-10. You know, usually when you drop something and have to bend over to pick it up. Kat, I called Thursday to refill my emend, and they called me back to tell me they have to order it. They promised me the first time they would ALWAYS have it for me. My DH went to pick it up on Saturday and they never order it. Ugh... Hope everyone else is doing well. (((Hugs)))

ssmith37

Uggg!  I know what you mean, Southamptonmom.  It does feel like acid!  I am taking Zantac 150 twice a day.  It does help, but I just can't believe I have to take it twice a day.  I'm sorry for your bone pain.  I don't know if I will have it that bad.  So far, I've only had one incidence, and that was just the other morning.  I didn't know you could get the Emend refilled.  I assumed since they only gave me three pills, that's all I got.  I'll be checking on that. 

Hoping you're SE free in the coming days!

mbrandes

I had another issue and just stopped here for a minute and I must tell you all that the way you are feeling today about the AC/T treatments are very valid  and your fears are very real.  I was in you place in Jan.  I now move on to Radiation, so I guess I just wanted to let you know that you will get thru it.  Take those naps, have fun with your hair (someone said they were getting a mohawk, i WISH I had done that!!)  As we all pray for a cure for cancer, please know that every one of you wrote somethiing that I already went thru and I am still here!! Hope it helps!! 

LuvRVing

I know some of us are struggling with SEs, bone pain, outlandish heartburn, mouth sores, etc.  But I have to say that my energy is pretty good, we went to a cancer fundraiser this weekend and we had a great time.  We walked about a mile while everyone else biked 35 miles, then we walked around the event grounds, ate, listened to music and just enjoyed the event with our family.  At this point, I am eating small portions but basically normal food (so long as I avoid anything with any spicy heat), continuing to drink at least 96 ounces daily, enjoying floating in the lake, doing little projects around the house, and just overall hanging in there way, way better than I expected.  I am focusing on high protein, high iron foods and I think that is making a diffference for me. 

At 61, I'm no spring chicken but I've always been a high energy type of person.  Maybe that is helping me know, I don't know.  But I am grateful for where I am today, knowing that it could all change at any minute.

Good luck to everyone getting treatment this week.  I'll be getting my third AC on Wednesday. 

Hugs and healing,

Michelle

Southamptonmom

Michelle, I LOVE you positive attitude, and am so happy you had a wonderful weekend. I had a beautiful weekend as well. I have my 3rd AC Thursday, then 1 more to go!!! 

LuvRVing

Thanks, Southamptonmom!  I am lucky that my natural disposition is to be very positive.  It served me very well when working in corporate America, managing large projects and groups of people.  I actually miss "managing people" just a little because I felt that my approach to work, life, etc. helped me to develop my employees and push their careers forward.  I am still good friends with many of them, who are mostly the age of my children.  And like a proud mom, I love to hear when one of them gets a promotion or moves on to a new and better position. 

Michelle

kyroheal

Hey everyone

I finally shaved my head

My fiance did it for me last night. I didn't cry mainly because he was so good about it and as we got closer to the finish he kept saying how beautiful I looked (I knew he was lying) and we were both laughing alot! I got a wig that looks just like my hair, but I think I need some stuff around the house.

At least it done, the anticipation and the random strands shedding was the worst part.

LuvRVing

Way to go, Kyroheal!  There are not very many things we can control through this process, but when we lose our hair is one of them, if we so choose.  And I am guessing that your fiance was being totally honest, so don't sell yourself short!  You are a beautiful woman, and I don't think it's because of your hair!

You might check out http://www.franceluxe.com/i/goodwishesscarves/GoodWishesScarves.html

They will send chemo patients a free head covering.  And their products are beautiful, so this is a very nice offering.

Michelle

wendy72

Hope everyone had a good weekend!  Just had a lovely potassium filled weekend in the hospital.  As I posted previously, I felt allright right after round 3 but that evening started getting sick.  I got my neulasta shot on Wed. and by Friday my heart was racing and I was very weak.  The onc said my potassium was low and I was dehydrated.  I didn't understand how I could be dehydrated with how much water I drink.  He told me that because of being sick to my stomach and the chemo that no matter how much water I drank I would not have been able to stay hydrated.  I was put on a liquids only diet for about 36 hours and after that, the potassium, and IV fluids; I started feeling like myself again!

I am not looking forward to #4.

Can anyone post how the weekly Taxol treatments are and are the SE's better than the DD A/C?

LuvRVing

Wendy - so sorry you had such a rough weekend!  I am doing #3 on Wednesday and I'll be hoping that I do as well as I have with 1 and 2.  But I know it could all change in an instant.

By the way, a good way to get liquids and potassium at the same time is with watermelon.  It doesn't have the highest level compared to some other foods; but for the amount someone would normally eat, it's pretty good.

Most people say Taxol is much easier than AC.  Most of us will soon be able to prove or disprove that theory.

Michelle

wendy72

Thanks Michelle, I will be praying that you do better with #3 than I did.  My onc told me I couldn't eat any fresh fruits or veggies but I think I am going to disobey him on the watermelon! I have been craving watermelon for a while!

wendy72

Singlemom- I hope everything is going well for you and you have been having a good weekend!

LuvRVing

Watermelon has a huge, thick rind and I would think it would be hard to pick up any germies from it.  Just be sure to wash the rind thoroughly before cutting.  If you are not "neutropenic" (low white count) then you should be able to eat fruits and veggies.  That is what my Dana Farber oncologist told me.  But I think there is sometimes an overabundance of caution.

Michelle

ssmith37

Way to go, Kyroheal!  And yes, you are a beautiful woman.  We all know he wasn't lying, lol!

singlemom1

Wendy72 - thank you for asking for me. I am sorry you had such a tough weekend! I hope you are feeling better now. This chemo can be really hard.

I met with onco on monday. We held off my chemo for one week. I am going to go back this monday coming up for my #3. The doc said to be prepared for it to be worse. My friend went with me and offered to have both me and my daughter stay at her house for the first five days. The doc was really encouraging me to do this. She said it was not good to be alone when I am getting so sick. I am going to do this as I get scared being home at night with my daughter. I am worried if something happens to her I will not be able to take care of her. I also get scared for myself and will feel better if there is someone else in the house. After the 5 days my friend  leaves for vacation so we will return home after that. My daughter will have to go with other people after that since I am usually down for at least 10 days. I keep telling myself this is temp and then will live a long and wonderful life watching my daughter grow up.  Stay strong everyone and hoping minimal SE for all!

juviben

Well, I go for my second AC in the morning (later, obviously ;-} ) and I'm scared.  I know I asked aboout feeling worse with each treatment and I'm just so scared that's going to happen for me. It seems like this chemo will never end and I just started.  I'm REALLY hoping for the best.  I'll check in after to see how everyone else is doing.  See ya! 

Oh, and I still have my hair.  This picture was taken about 2 weeks ago, and yep, it's purple.  I wanted to dye it a fun color before it all fell out, but it's still hanging on.  I'm going to be SO SAD when it falls out. :-(

716bobbiejo

Wendy, I think I'm the only one on this thread who is getting Taxol before A/C.  I'll share with you the SE's I've had, but keep in mind that everyone is different.  

Judging by what everyone else on here is going through & comparing it to my Taxol situation, I'd say that Taxol is easier than A/C.  My first treatment was the worst, largely due to the anxiety brought on by fear of the unknown.  I had a horrible time with sleeplessness & constipation the first round, which my doctor attributed to the steroids.  Rounds 2 & 3 were essentially uneventful for me.  I got the constipation in check by using a stool softener the night before & the night of my infusions.  That coupled with a daily probiotic, & constipation has no longer been an issue.  I do take Ambien for sleep the night of an infusion & for the following 3-4 nights.  I refuse to take it any longer than 4-5 nights in any one stretch because it is habit forming.  Taxol can cause bone pain & neuropathy.  I've had no neuropathy, but have had some very, very minor bone pain in my legs.  The fatigue is definitely getting more predominant each time & that is my biggest "complaint".  With Taxol I've had zero nausea, heartburn, mouth sores, etc.  I do take Emend for nausea, so perhaps that is what's keeping it at bay, but I do think that Taxol isn't as likely to cause nausea in the first place as A/C.  I also keep very hydrated by drinking between 80-100 ozs. of lemon infused water each day (I've always been a big H20 drinker).  

So, I'd say that Taxol is easier than A/C with very few & very manageable SE's.  It's very doable. I hope that puts you, & everyone else, at ease!  If you all respond to Taxol as well as I have, you've got a downward slope once you're done with your A/C.  Me, well, let's just say I'm a bit apprehensive about starting A/C in a few weeks!  The good news is that I have my last Taxol infusion tomorrow, which marks my 1/2 way point!  I'm holding onto that positive thought!  

Have a great, SE-free day everyone! 

LuvRVing

I'll be leaving for AC #3 in a few minutes.  I've had about 48 ounces of liquids already, so I'm well on my way to the 96 ounce goal for the day.  Did at least that yesterday, too. 

Hope everyone has a good day!

 Michelle

kyroheal

Hey Everyone...

I had my 2nd AC yesterday and didnt have a great day at all. I was feeling nauseus and ended up vomitting almost everything I ate for 2 days (sorry if this is graphic)...I think I waited too long to take my second Zofran after the chemo one. Also I dont think I drank enough water the day before or the day of

LuvRVing - good idea with the hydration, I think it really helps

Bobby Jo  - Taxol does sound easier, however, you seem to really be on top of the side effects so I wouldn't worry too much about AC. Don't let the anxiety take over because I think you are probably more prepared with SEs as well as reading your body than those who dove right in with AC

Sandy

LuvRVing

Hi everyone - I'm sitting here in the chemo chair, just about to get my Adriamycin push.  My white count is very high, so I will not need the Neulasta shot tomorrow.  How disappointing...not...lol! 

Sandy - so sorry you had a rough couple of days.  Please, please be sure to push those fluids and stay ahead of the nausea as best you can.  I think that is what's saving my butt!!!

I'll check back in later.

Michelle

Southamptonmom

I'm hydrating for tomorrow, and running to the potty inbetween! Gearing up for #3 tomorrow. I'm going to try to stay ahead of the constipation this time around, too. Michelle, my WBCs were 7.5 last time, so I'm hoping I don'tneed the Neu-nasty either! Anyone having neo have breast pain? I've been having it off and on. Hope everyone is managing well.

LuvRVing

I'm home, feeling good, went in the lake for a while and now waiting for my son to show up with lobster salad.  So all in all, today went well and other than a bit of heartburn (taking some Tums) I feel pretty good.  Continuing to drink as much as I can swallow, I am convinced it makes a huge difference.

Hugs and healing,

Michelle

singlemom1

Though my stomach has been shaky throughout the chemo, I have not vomited yet. I have been loosing weight as I am not eating as much but not huge amount of weight - couple of pounds every two weeks. The doc told me she wanted me to start taking prilosec everyday. I had just bought some probiotics. Is it okay to take both of these daily?

Good luck for tommorow southhamptonmom.

I hope you feel better soon kyroheal

Southamptonmom

Singlemom, You can take both! I take prilosec 40mg in the morning, and a probiotic with my lunch. I also take pepcid at night. Feel better!!!

Stilts

I'm actually in the March 2011 chemo group (AC X 4 , weekly Taxol X 12) but thought I would offer a few words of encouragement and a few tips...I will get dose 8 of 12 weekly Taxol tomorrow and it definitely is MUCH easier than the AC....really haven't had any SE except mild peripheral neuropathy and constipation. In case this helps someone...during the Adriamycin dose, I sucked on popsicles (supposedly prevents mouth sores...I didn't have any)...also because I'm not much of a water drinker and everything tasted AWFUL when I was on AC, I got a liter of fluid the day after my AC. I found it best to keep taking the nausea meds on a regular schedule before the symptoms get out of hand....

Also became a firm believer in acupuncture as I had twice weekly treatments for nausea while getting AC...have just started again to help with the neuropathy.

Thinking of you all...you WILL get through it !!!!

LuvRVing

Singlemom - I lost almost 4 pounds the first two weeks, but gained 2 back the last two.  I don't need to lose weight as I am "just right" for having DIEP reconstruction next year, assuming I am happy with small B's.    I am also taking Prilosec every day and it has helped with the heartburn.  I'm hoping tonight's flareup is a "day of chemo" thing and will be gone tomorrow. 

Be sure to feed that shaky stomach.  It will most likely help settle things and make you feel so much better!  That's my solution, anyways...frequent small meals.

Hugs and healing,

Michelle

  

kks_rd

Southhamptonmom, I am doing neoadjuvant and YES - I am having pain in my breasts!  Usually, they are tender, almost like they used to get when I was about to get my period - although sometimmes they feel almost bruised.  Does that sound like what you're experiencing?  I thought it was just me... or perhaps realted to chemopause, since I have always associated that kind of tenderness with hormone changes.  I dunno??

I'm a week out from my 3rd AC and starting to feel like myself again. After weeks of hemming and hawing and worrying about infection risk, I decided I couldn't take it anymore and went for a pedicure.  So nice to have an hour to be pampered.....

Just wanted to add that although I don't post a whole lot, I read every day and am always thinking about you all!  ((((Group)))))

LuvRVing

Kat - I have decided that I'm not passing on pedicures.  My white counts are plenty high so I will probably go for one sometime this weekend if I continue to feel good.  I just don't let them cut my cuticles.  I guess I could get my own tools and that would make it even safer.  I can't answer your question about hormone changes...I've been menopausal for at least 14 years! 

Glad you posted! 

Michelle

kyroheal

I love pedicures...

I got one a few days before 2nd AC and it was fine!!!

My WBCs were a touch low, but the onc made me go up and down the stairs and they got another blood sample and it was fine (I think blood just gets better distributed when it starts pumping).

There's some things I just cant give up lol...no hair...please let me have nice nails (until taxol that is )

ssmith37

Okay, what is up with these hot flashes?  I'm 37, not 57!  I'm constantly having to keep a wet wash cloth with me to wipe myself down to keep cool.  Is anyone else going through this?  Also, 3:00 a.m. is my new 6:00 a.m.!  What's up with that?  Lol!