August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

vtellen

Grimbol- So sorry that you are ill. It is discouraging that you went in again this morning and you are still sick. Seems that an antinausea suppository (as long as your counts allow) or dissolving an ativan should stop the vomiting. Sounds like a migrane? Or is it not that bad?

Dianamaps- yes, it has been raining all day. I am not aware of any new flooding ,yet.Good luck tomorrow! I envy you your accupuncture, I really have had good results w/ it. Can't have it now because of blood count.

Chrys- could you have a stomach bug? Take an ativan or zofran, that's what I would do. I'm a drug pusher, I guess.

jbagley

Hi all. I have been keeping up with all posts. Have you checked out the new click for breast cancer, stoneyfield farms is donating 0.10 cents for every click. I posted my story under Another Young Woman with breast cancer. It can be linked to your face book or twitter.



I also have a web site on you tube that is very relaxing. Angels with relaxing music.

This video is awesome. The lady has painted all the pics of angels and composed it into a video. I found it last night around 1am eastern time.



Grimbol--sorry you are not feeling well. Ativan really does help. I guess I'm a pill pusher too, with ya vtEllen.phenergan suppositories work too if yyou end up going to er for fluids, ask to have some sent home with you. I worked as nurse in an er for 7fluids yrs before becoming FNP.



((((Hugs))))

jennifer

Chrys23

Grimbol! -- Oh my!  I'm so very, very  sorry you are so sick to your stomach!! Did the dr say why this could happen so late?  I want to know too for me!  My sickness is coming in waves, mildly, but in waves no less here and there. I'll be fine and then I feel unsteady in the stomach. What the heck is going on with us?!? 

Please rest and I hope this will pass really soon! (((HUGS)))

Grimbol

The headaches i have had since a botched back surgery in 1993.  I usually only get the really severe, throwing up, ones every few months, but now I've had one after each chemo.  They arent migraines but act a bit like it, I'm not sensitive to light which is one of the big migraine signs, plus I dont respond to migraine meds either.  I must ask about the suppositories though I remember  used them before and they would work when I couldnt keep anything down.  I don't know why this is hitting us now, it is quite depressing really.  So far this afternoon I have kept a few things down so I'm hoping I'm past the worse, if only my headache would clear too.

 Chrys I hope you get over the nausea too.  Have you tried the accupuncture style wrist bands?  I used them during my final pregnancy as I was sicker in that one than the rest, they did help.

Flautalee

Grimbol and other folks - I hope you are feeling better because it is so important for us to be hydrated. Can you go somewhere like an ER for fluids? A nurse told me once to go by ambulance so that they will take you before the people in the waiting room. Please call your oncologist if you haven't yet - also do you know that Compazine comes in a rectal suppository form for when you can't keep anything down? Let us know you are doing. I hope you are feeling much better, soon. Best to you and no SE's for everyone.

Chrys23

Hi Grimbol -- I normally haven't had to use any meds for nausea, etc and haven't used any wrist bands either. I think this is some weird fluke!   I am stubborn, -- I refuse to take any meds unless absolutely necessary. I did take a Zofran this morning, but have been ok so far where I don't think I need anything again just yet.

michelleo13

Day 2 post AC tx #3 and I'm feeling pretty good. Some light nausea but nothing major. I'm finding the trick to getting at least some sleep is to take my PM meds around 6:30. That way, they have worn off somewhat before I go to bed. Now, if only I could find the silver bullet for the constipation! I've upped my Senokot to 3 a day which has given some relief but far from normal. Guess I'll try 4 tomorrow!

I'll have to ask my ONC when I see her next week if there's a Taxol shortage in Canada. I'm due to start Taxol on Oct 4.

So sorry so many of you ladies are having such a hard time with the nausea! Sending {{{{{{HUGS}}}} your way!

summergirl1

Im so sorry some of you are having a hard time at the moment, I am sending you all (big huggs) xx stay strong, its only normal we all have bad days this is not an easy Journey for any of us but we will all get through and hold each others hands through this although we may be miles apart. it wont be too long before we are all telling our GOOD stories. and on the road to recovery.

VTellen, thats gotta be so hard for you but remember your SOON to be husband loves you for YOU even if you arent feeling great about yourself at the moment, and you should tie the knot whenever you  feel up to it, you know how terrified I was about losing my hair I thought I would die, and surprisingly I love it being bald and my DH even thinks it quite sexy go figure, look at yourself as a fighter at the moment and you will be back to your old self very soon, I know its hard as we all have our bad days and get knocked down but we gotta think onwards and upwards BIG  HUG.and focus on your lovely upcoming Wedding.

Vivie, Sorry you are not feeling great at the moment but we are all here for you, we all have our bad days  beleive me,  I have had many and every ones kindness here has got me through , its great that you have a supportive family and lean on them when you are feeling down , it WILL soon be over for all of us , Stay strong , and I know what you mean about your Country I live in Ireland and we too are going through a recession big time but I try not to think about it once I can get through the week thats all I worry about. 

I have TX 2 today and have been awake since 4am not nervous just the steroids keeping me awake I am actually looking forward to it as its one more under my belt, I hope I do as well as I did last round I had no real bad SE's or tiredness.so heres hoping.

HAVE A GOOD DAY ALL and WE CAN DO THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

summergirl1

Michello. I know my silver bullet for the C, I may have already said this on here but every morning I have a small bowl of All Bran , and 1 piece of Brown bread high in fibre it works wonders for me never had any C at all since start of TX. Good Luck hope it gets better soon xx

Chrys23

Morning. A little freaked - had slight burning yesterday when urinating and it's continuing. There is also soreness/pressure when I pee in my vaginal area. I'll be calling the doctor in a few but I'm nervous as you can imagine.

vtellen

Chrys- Geez louise! Fingers crossed that it isn't a uti! Someone on here had one and they went on oral antibiotics. You could try what I did- I had burning the other day and I downed a bunch of water. Seems to be gone, now. Do you drink a lot? That was the only advice my chemo nurse gave me yesterday. I have been feeling soo punky in the stomach, that I wasn't doing enough fluids. It is amazing how I perk up after 2 glasses of water. I'm also going to get gatorade today, I saw that people were rcommending it on the TCH post.Something about electrolites.   Good Luck, Chrys!

Go Summergirl! 1/2 way through! It was a bit tougher for me, as you can see from my posts- But, I started to feel better last night, so hoping to have a week and a half of slow but normalish feeling!

Chrys23

My chemo nurse called me back. She said the symptoms very much sound like a UTI and has prescribed some oral antibiotics and something to help with the pressure (anti-spasmodic pill).

Normally, they would have me come in but my onc is an hour away in Philly.

She said the antibiotic is very strong and I should get some relief within 24hrs.



My hubbie is working from home today so that he can get my meds and keep an eye on me.

I truly hope it's nothing else thats serious. I get so nervous.

Grimbol

Chrys, drink plenty, stay away from acid drinks I think, I know Cranberry is really good for this but for it to be good it has to be the pure unsweetened kind, not the stuff from the grocery store that kids can drink!!  Sorry you have this, I am teetering on he edge with this too, I'm worried that my last few days of dehydraion won't have helped either.  I just keep trying to drink, but even that's not always easy, eh? Hope you feel better soon.

So far today, still way too early to be up over here, I am feeling good and plan to be in work today.  As long as I can summon the energy to shower!!

Grimbol

oh so weird I just lost a post! does that happen to any of you?

Robyn6463

Sara...call your doc. Sounds like a UTI!

Ellen-Congratulations on your impending nuptuals! That's so exciting. Something more to look forward to! You wouldn't want to do it in all this rain! We need sunny days for celebrations! 

I'm sorry everybody is so nauseous. Me too...a little. More than last time, but not horrible. The compazine is keeping it under control. I've felt awful. My first time at the computer in days. Except yesterday when I tried to pay bills only to find that my debit card number has been hacked and somebody treated themselves to a $645 shopping spree on me! I called the bank and just sobbed...then my daughter took over and is handling the whole disaster for me. 

Still having trouble with my port. They're talking about yanking it out and using a pic line for the last 2 treatments. It's not infected, but I'm reacting to something, and it keeps clogging. Also having trouble getting good breaths, so I'm off for a chest CT in a couple of hours to rule out blood clots. 

This is day 6 for me, and I'm just able to get about better today. I've had a couple of days that I didn't get out of bed...except for my DAILY dr appointments, of course! I'm going to TRY to work for a couple of hours! This has been horrible. 

I hope you all feel better soon! Chrys, Ellen, Sara...everybody!!!!!!!!!

Robyn6463

Grimbol....I did too! I had my post half written and it just disappeared! Hope it doesn't post twice. Oh well!

vtellen

Well, now I feel like the wimp of the crowd. Robyn- how horrible and scary for you! Blood clots? Please keep us informed and good thoughts your way. Chrys- hope your symptoms ease up w/ the medicine. Grimbol- sounds like you are at last on something like an upswing?

I feel for you all having to work through all these SEs. On the one hand, though, it would be good to have the distraction and something else to think about besides effing bc.I still haven't come to terms w/ the closing of my store. Although all Docs heartily support my decision (onco suggested disability because of my immune system issues) and I know it was the only thing to do, I miss it terribly. I have to drive by the empty spot that was my shop on the way to the hospital, and I feel so sad.  On the other hand, I am enjoying my free time when I feel up to it!

vtellen

Oh and jbagley and DebinUtah- thanks for the calming music suggestions! I put on my Steve Halpern Cds last night and found them wonderfully soothing and relaxing! Good idea!

Grimbol

Ellen, no wimping here!  We all have our days, that's what's so great about this site, we can be up or down and still get encouragement and support.

Grimbol

In England there is a burger chain called Wimpy's, don't know why it never caught on over here,

jbagley

Ellen, the music def soothes the soul. It helps me to relax and helps with se. I do reiki music the night before every treatment. If you or anyone of us on this site can get reiki treaments I highly suggest it.



Grimbol, don't worry about wimping, as ellen has said we are all here for sounding boards and companionship. We need to ven to someone and we all understand what each other is going through. Our family's are there for us and supporting us but they truly don't know what we are feeling inside. The fatigue, the crying, (I find that I am terribly emotional days 3-6) the nausea. We are here for each other!!



So if we have to whine, whimper or what ever, go for it. It needs to come out, we can't keep it bottled up, its not good for the cancer cells that we are tryiing to kill!



I am on day 3, my tastes started going south late last night, little nausea so far, waiting for the fatigue to hit, usually starts in the evening on day3. We will see. Eyes are weeping pretty bad, have a hankerchief next to me at all times!



For all having se, I wish I could take it all away.

((((Hugs)))) to all

jennifer

Taylor777

Chrys and Grimbol...Hope you both are starting to feel better soon!!!

Robyn ..I feel so bad about your port!!! I hope everything works out with the bank situation, thats all you need now.

Summergirl..good luck with Tx#2

Ellen..congratulations!! Doesnt matter when you tie the knot your beautiful!!!

I've been reading all the posts and I try to comment on all of them then I forget what I just read...ughhhh...Sorry.. I love all you guys!! I am so thankful I came across all you beautiful women on here...:)

cupcakies

Hi ladies, 

Day1 after AC#3, and have to say, im feeling good! Not much nausea at all, and eating well!

My 2nd AC was HORRIBLE. i was so nauseous and sick like i had to flu.. cold sweats, fever, etc., that i was really dreading AC#3, as i thought the effects would be cummulative.

This time i don't feel any of that, and was even strong enough for a quick workout on the elliptical. Hoping this continues!!!

Wishing everyone else a wonderful SE free weekend~  

summergirl1

Well made it through round 2 only 4 more to go yeah, no problems, just had a long delay as it took 1hr and 1/2.  4 nurses and 2 warm packs on my arm before they could find a vein they said I have tiny veins they dont typically do ports over here and I hope I  wont need to get one they sound painful ,home now after 2 hrs drive from hospital took anti nausea pill and am getting snuggled up under my blankie. hoping to have minimal SE's as I did on first TX maybe wishful thinking though haha , 

OH my beautiful sister bought me a Silver pandora Charm bracelet when I started chemo , round 1  was charm was a Guardian Angel and yesterday round 2 I got the BC ribbon, she will add one for each chemo round I do I thought this was such a lovely thought on her part .  

Hope everyone is doing well and Taylor I agree I read all the posts and then forget who said what LOL , but love and best wishes to all.xxx  

DebinUtah

Dear AC/triple negative Ladies,

You inspire me with your courage and stamina! I hear nothing is worse than the "red devil." God bless. I can't promise not to complain a little, but I will remind myself of your courage during the one week on TCH when I feel like I want to be in a medically induced coma.   Just a couple thoughts:  I take a stool softener EVERY morning and have thus far staved off the C with no unpleasant SEs.  At my onc's suggestion, I also stagger the phenergren and the zofran when I'm really nauseated (zofran first, then phenergren in 4 hours, then another zofran 4 hours later).  I love, love, love SmartWater--it has the salts and electrolytes without all the other stuff in Gatorade.  And the Ativan at night is a god-send: no weird dreams, no grogginess in the AM, just 6-7 hours of really normal sleep.  (Knock on wood; I know sometimes it can stop working.)

Peace and strength to everyone, especially those with infusions this week!

Deb

Grimbol

SmartWater - brilliant I must try it, I am so struggling with drinking nothing tastes good but I know I must drink. 

koalakid39

Grimbol--I'm with you on the drinking thing. I have a really hard time with fluids, and I've tried so many different flavors of stuff, even using a straw at times helps suck it down faster!! On my really bad days, I hardly drink anything and just try soup......I hope you feel better!!

#2 done...YEAH halfway over! I did remember to ask the dr for some ativan and pain pills! I'm not letting the neulasta knock me for a loop this time, plus sleeping this week has been strange!

I hope everyone feels better! (((((HUGS))))) Kim

vtellen

Smart water! Oh, shoot. I got gatorade (which I've never liked) and vitamin water and some soba stuff. i do like the Soba stuff w/ ice and watered down. I guess it has vitamins. Grimbol- if you fill the glass w/ ice it helps! I just got to the point today of feeling like drinking again and eating.

DebinUtah- I thought Taxotere was the worst?! Oh my it gets worse than this? Egads. Really?

My eye has been twitching all day. Any one else have this happen?

ukgirl

HI  everyone. Have ben MIA for a while the third lot of chemo has kicked my but and each time i seem to be taking longer to get over it. I threw up for the first time after the third dose, it's been over a week and I still don't feel right. Constipation/ diarhea and feeling totally sorry for myself plus I think i'm going through the menopause. The wigs I thought looked good am now not so sure about. The horrible taste in the mouth that nothing changes, I dont even want to kiss my husband because of the taste.

Sorry to vent but have no family over here but do have some good friends.

Nearly half way through the treatment and ive heard #4 is the hump time. Hope everyone is doing ok, I keep telling myself I can do it and am strong as we all are looking at the posts.

Vivie

Just managed to resurface again..had an awful night last night , and in the midday when I woke up...sundried tomatoes was permeating the house with their smell..I couldn't even move , gaaah , I had a REALLY awful nausea..all day..geez..my family felt very guilty for doing that when they could have moved that to our summer house..

 I managed to eat something half an hour ago , but not a lot...geez.Trying to take it easy..but it's not easy! 

 I hear ya , medically induced coma for the duration of the chemo sounds wonderful!! I have to get my ass in gear through the weekend bc I have to attend two weddings next week, and help my younger sister get a new laptop  ( she's moving away to university )...

 when all this shit ends..I'm going to a trip abroad..ANYWHERE, so I just can forget everything...anyone comin' with me ?