August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    105 days until my last chemo.... Thats not too bad? (there's a countdown app I put on my phone).



    Just think Chrys....Wednesday night you'll be HALFWAY done with TC!!!! Yay for that! :) How does your scalp feel? I've heard people say their scalps are very sensitive and aggitated when they don't shave it down, isn't it bad enough it falls out....why does THAT have to hurt too?



    Thanks Sara.... I'm calmer now, trying to decide if I wanna take an ambien (it won't work anyways?) or a Xanax for bed? Probably Xanax tonight huh?



    K...when should I use me Elma cream? They told me before I leave home, but I have an hour plus drive???? THAN probably will wait an hour plus before I'm hooked up? I'm thinking I should wait til I'm there?



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  • sara1970
    sara1970 Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2011
    Madismommy - or perhaps an Ativan!! Those put me right out Wink
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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    Sara, good call....just took my very first one....hope it works! :)

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    Boo....it's 4:41am and I'm awake...I slept for about 3 hours. :( I think I'll go watch some TiVo and try to shut my eyes a little....good thing I have new eye drops, lol, hope they help burning eyeballs???

    And I have a sore throat, weird? Steroids maybe?

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  • Kasi
    Kasi Member Posts: 216
    edited August 2011

    Madismommy & Taylor777 & anyone else getting treatment today - GOOD LUCK TODAY! You guys wll be fine. Smile

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Madismommy YOU will be fine get some rest, think of something calming like the end of this is getting closer and we ALL will be enjoying ourselves this time next year and looking back at all this as a distant memory , I think my throat was a little dry too from the steroids , drink lots of water !!! we will all be waiting to hear how you get on today GOOD LUCK !!!

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  • summergirl1
    summergirl1 Member Posts: 182
    edited August 2011

    Taylor777 : Good Luck to you today you will be fine and releived that round 1 is over and done with.

    Kasi: how are you and how are you adjusting to the wig,hope you are getting used to it . I am now on day 13 since 1st tx not shedding yet but am petrified its getting close now ahhhhhhhhhh. lol 

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    I was pretty wiped out yesterday after my infusion. Crawled in bed w/ a book. Face tingling has gone away, but bone aches were popping around a little last night. That surprised me, as I didn't have them until later on last time. Feel good this am . Took 2 senekot-s, Zofran, aleve, clonazapam last evening. Gargled w/ salt water and biotene. Woke up every few hours to pee, of course. Oh, and my blood count had climbed back up all on it's own! I will not be doing the neulesta.  Ok, that is all my exciting info for the morning that you were all just waiting anxiously to hear about!!

    Taylor, Madismommy, anyone else going in today. You will do fine, the chemo nurses make it their job to keep you really comfortable. Try not to be like I am, and get your blood pressure up to 170 /100. It is not cool, but I can't seem to help myself!

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Oh, Apparently the hair shedding thing varies. The girl who was also getting T/C yesterday, started 6 days after I did , and she was wondering why I had so much more hair than she had. Mine is not really sore, I think it helps that I kept it longer so that the stubs are not jabbing around. My onco assured me yesterday, that it will be going soon. But, heck, I feel as though I got a good month out of it , so yay!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    I went back to sleep for about an hour.... Better I suppose?!?



    Vt....I'm keeping my hair at my shoulders to the bitter end of it!!! Hopefully that will help any soreness or pain. Are you going to take just ES Tylenol for the boin pain instead of neulasta? I've seen others along the way that they did fine with just that. So glad you're blood count climbed back up, YAY! What's a clonazapam? Is that also nausea? Should I pop an Ativan this am before I leave? I have a very "nervous" stomach....



    Thanks so much Kasi and summergirl..... My daughter should be waking up in about 5 minutes to start gettin ready and my day will begin..... Gotta have a start point to have a finish line right??



    Thanks so much ladies for all your wit and insight and support.... I'd be so lost without this forum and all of you.



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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    My daughter woke up crying....she doesn't wanna go to school because she's scared I'm going to die.... Oh my, water works this morning from both us. I sat and explained to her that I'm not going to die from all these treatments....and that I shouldn't need to be laid up in bed like I was from my surgeries, for weeks at a time....but if anything, I'll have really bad cold/flu symptoms.... And that no matter what, she is going to be OK and that I love her more than anything in this whole world..... She's eating some breakfast now, her tears are gone, not mine..... :(

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  • Taylor777
    Taylor777 Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2011

    Didnt sleep much last night. Just want to get this done and over with!! I'm getting 4 AC and 4 Taxol and I go every other Tues. Is Taxol stronger than AC??  What is Taxotore??

    Thanks everyone!!!Smile

    I'm hoping I dont freak out when I get there..lol..cause I might!!!

    Have a great day everyone!!!

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  • Dogmom
    Dogmom Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2011

    Madismommy and Taylor777, ((HUGS)) you are both going to get through this just fine! My thoughts are with you,

    Husband shaved my hair last night and now he is calling me GI Chris. Not the end of the world that I was imagining. I look in the mirror and laugh. The only stress was right after it was done all my dogs started barking at me. LOL They didn't recognize me for a minute. But now all is fine!

    Tomorrow is number 2. After that only 4 more to go.Woot!

    Hope every one has a good day!

    Chris 

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011

    Taylor -- Good luck today; hang in there!!!! Keep us posted afterwards

    Madismommy -- Good luck to you today too! You'll do fine! Sorry that your little one is so sad. Frown    As far as your hair questions, my scalp doesn't feel like anything. It doesn't hurt and it's not sore. I still have some on top and through the back of my head, but my sides, temple and behind my ear are B.A.L.D. LOL   I just don't want to touch it at all. Sometimes I comb it lightly to let it shed, but other than that, it's doing it's own thang!

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Hope tx days goes well for you all.  Mine is tomorrow.  If it was yesterday I'll be praying for minimal SEs for you all. I'm still adjusting to no hair, but it certainly does feel better now it's gone, than when it was falling out.  I just ordered a couple of 'Survivor' buffs, looking forward to those arriving, we are avid Survivor fans here.

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Madismom- def take the ativan, they also can give you one there.

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    Madismom- Sorry about your daughter. That is why I am glad that mine is off partying hardy at college. She did remember that I had chemo yesterday, which impressed me! Clonazepam is what i take to sleep at night. It is longer acting than ativan and is not addictive, but no mention that I have seen that it helps w/ the nausea. I am taking 2 zofran for the next 3 days ( not sure how many times a day have to look). My fiance's brother is a psyc. at Mayo and he suggested it( the clonazepam, that is) I get most of my medical advice from a psychiatrist and a veternarian. Seems to work, most of the time!

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  • vtellen
    vtellen Member Posts: 345
    edited August 2011

    I seem to be a bit chatty this morning, maybe it's the steroids? Butttt, one more thing. My fellow chemo receipient yesterday had a lumpectumy, but not clean margins. And they didn't go back in to get them. She is just doing extra radiation. I had never heard of that? I personally am really fond of my clean margins....

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  • zanoza
    zanoza Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2011

    Good luck Taylor and Madismommy!!!

    Being one shot closer is a REALLY nice thing! 

    Taylor - from everything I heard, after AC is done, Taxol is just a breeze (I'm on the same treatment plan as you). So let's hang on for 8 weeks of AC. Taxotere is similar to Taxol, but has worth SE (there is a thread here somewhere called Taxoterrible, try not reading itSmile)

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  • koalakid39
    koalakid39 Member Posts: 42
    edited August 2011

    Taylor and Madismommy-lots of HUGS out to you (and your little girl!), you will be fine! Good luck today!

    I have the first half of my second round on Thursday. I didn't have any problems from the taxotere.

    I think I'm going to go for a drive up the mountain today to see a couple of friends. Since my hubby has been home after his little accident last week, it's driving me crazy! I can't wait for him to get back to work.

    Have a great day everyone!

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011

    Ellen -- they didn't go back in for clean margins? That's very "different".  I know that my BS said if we didn't get clear margins on the 2nd try, I would possibly be looking at a mastectomy. Thankfully, the 2nd time was a charm. I got some weird type of pharyngeal reflux as a side effect from the surgery (swollen throat, couldn't swallow, pain in neck), but it was worth it that they got everything. Your friend should question that....is she having chemo? I wouldn't be comfortable having the dirty margins in there until rads -- unless she is getting rads right away to burn it up.

    Kasi -- I was told emphatically not to have a pedicure or manicure because of the high risk of infection from the unclean tools, especially because of low-blood count days. If you personally HAVE to have them, bring your own sterilized tools. No dental work either.

    Grimbol -- I guess you and I will see what little bag of S/E's we will experience (if any) for our 2nd go-around tomorrow.  Let's keep each other posted..... :o)

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  • Kasi
    Kasi Member Posts: 216
    edited August 2011

    madismommy - Oh, I'm so sorry about your daughter! Poor thing :-( 

    summergirl - Hi! I am adjusting OK. I am actually getting another wig ordered for me because the one I originally got does not match my hair's texture. Totally wrong. It looks dry and overprocessed so I went back to the wig place and they agreed and have ordered me another one. That was half the problem. But looking at myself in the mirror bald is hella creepy.

    Taylor - AC is *supposed* to be tougher. They say Taxol is easier but who knows? With Taxol I guess you have to worry about neuropathy. It's in the same family as Taxotere but the side effects are possibly a little different...?

    vtEllen - Glad you are feeling OK today, minus the early bone pain. That's great that your counts went up on their own!!!

    Chrys - I know, I am doing the mani/pedis at my own peril. I just can't have every girlie thing taken away from me. I always have nice nails and I will continue to do so :-) I go once my WBC count has rebounded. 

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  • AJTAYLOR
    AJTAYLOR Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2011

    Taylor777

    I don't post much on the thread but I do read it daily. I saw your question about Taxol... I started with Taxol on 8/4... I will have 12 weekly treatments followed by FAC starting in Oct. every 3rd week for 4 months.  I have had 4 Taxol tx and so far everything is just fine... I told my Onc that I think they gave me saline instead of the med.  The pre-meds are the worst for me... It in a lot of Benadryl whick knocks me out!  My hair did start to thin as my Onc told me it would after tx #3 but you can not tell by looking at me... I'm still holding on to it. Taxol seems to be a breeze compared to the other chemos.  Too bad I'm doing mine in reverse and the worst is yet to come for me.  Good luck today!  Praying for minimal SE's!!  Hugs!!

    ~Amy

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  • JMULL
    JMULL Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2011

    Good luck to all the ladies getting their first treatment today!  Thinking about you and hoping it goes swiftly.

    Madismommy - which app are you using for the countdown?  I want one!

    My head is really itchy today and I am only 6 days post first AC treatment.  Is this the beginning of the hair loss?  I don't think I am quite ready for it so soon!

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  • Grimbol
    Grimbol Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Hi Chrys, yes we will keep up with how we are doing together, except of course I get a slightly different cocktail as I also get Herceptin.  7 hours tomorrow!! not looking forward to the bone pain afterwards either.  I have Claritin now so I will start taking that tomorrow too in the hopes it works.  Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary too, :(, so we are going out tonight to celebrate instead.

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  • Chrys23
    Chrys23 Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2011
    Grimbol: Happy Anniversary sweetie!!
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  • Amelie_Rose
    Amelie_Rose Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2011

    Happy Anniversary, Grimbol! And good luck tomorrow; we'll be thinking of you.  I am on TCH too; I had my second tx a week ago last Monday.  I think there are about 5 or 6 of us in here doing that regimen.

    Aimska, I love your wig!

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  • my4pumpkins
    my4pumpkins Member Posts: 17
    edited August 2011

    Hello Ladies!

    Thanks for all the birthday wishes last week! I have been enjoying feeling good for the past week and a half! I went back to work and was just happy to be there because it meant I was feeling better! My taste buds have come back in the past few days and so I have been eating and enjoying it for a change! 

    I am 19 days from last treatment, I go for my 2nd of 6 on Thursday morning. My hair is falling out in huge clumps now, and for someone who thought I wouldnt be bothered by it, I am kind of disturbed!

    Happy Anniversary Grimbol! Enjoy yourself tonight! Hope your taste buds are working! I am another one here w/ TCH chemo.  

    Madismommy and Taylor777, I hope you are both doing well after your 1st treatment!

    Michelle 

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited August 2011

    Dogmom, funny what you say about the dogs. When I took my daughters to the babysitter's yesterday, I had my wig on. Her dog kept growling at me! I don't think she recognized me and was trying to protect my kids from me. When I talked to her for a minute, she recognized my voice and then stopped growling. Dogs are very funny.

    Zanosa and Taylor, I've heard the same thing about Taxol vs. AC. Let's hope it's true as I'm on the same regimen as the two of you.

    Grimbol. Happy anniversary!

    My4pumpkins, I was the same. I didn't think the hair loss would bother me, but I cried more the first day I had to wear that darn wig than I have throughout this whole experience. I'm getting more used to the idea but try not to look in the mirror too much unless I'm wearing a scarf or wig! It's just such a visible reminder of what's going on in our bodies!

    I'm going out for dinner tonight with some friends. We had to postpone our last get-together as I had my surgery that day!

    vtEllen, I'm with you. Here's to our clear margins! We have to celebrate the small stuff!

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  • Madismommy719
    Madismommy719 Member Posts: 781
    edited August 2011

    I made it!!!! I home.... I put on my big girl pants and made it through #1!!!! Hallelujah!!



    I feel a little "fuzzy" and a slight head ache and getting more tired by the minute.....but so far so good. I've been peeing out the red devil since about an hour after it went in.... I do have a slight weird taste in my mouth too....like dry and scratchy? Should I swish w/ my biotene???



    My tummy (knock on wood) is okay right now....one slight feeling of nausea and I'm taking an Ativan....



    Taylor....hope you are done or wrapping things up and had an uneventful day like me!!!! Lets do a little "no s/e" dance tonight.....I can handle minor stuff....I'm not totally myself right now but not feeling ill ....



    Michele... Enjoy your dinner!!!! Glad you are feeling good! :)



    My4pumpkins.....sorry about your hair and being disturbed by it....totally valid feeling!!!! As much as we tell ourselves it's not a big deal it is to an extent, we've had some kind of hair on our heads since we were little tiny kids, some of tiny babies....and than some medicine we take just wipes it all off the map so fast and furious....



    Jmull....I use "virtual countdown" app.... And you put the date and time of your target date and it counts from there.... :)



    Grimbol....happy anniversary!!!!! Hope treatment is smooth sailing for you too!!!!



    Koala....hope you made it up the mountain, sounds great!!!! My DH sometimes drives me nuts by the end of a long day of doctor appointments!!! I'd probably kill him if he was home 24/7.....



    VtEllen....I've never heard that course of action either.... Just radiation without clear margins?? Maybe she chose that? Seems a little risky.... Were her nodes all clean hopefully?



    Dogmom.....(I mean GI Chris)....I'm so glad to hear you are handling it well and that your dogs stopped barking at you!!!! :) Good luck tomorrow!!!!!



    Taylor, hope you get a chance to check in....how did your port go too? Mine was easy peasy.... A quick tiny stick..... I definitely am glad I got it now.



    And, I have a huge sense of relief upon me tonight.....even about the next 5 treatments because I can't turn back now.....my hair WILL fall out, I MAY get s/e's but I AM going to get through this..... We ALL are!!!!!!



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