October 2011 Chemo group

fredntan

Hi all,

I'm feeling more better. just incredibly bored. I've been off work since my surgery. can't go back until chemo is done.

my nose has been stuffy. been using my nasal pot and getting nasty stuff out

TAPPY

Perts- I think I would have found the strength to knock that person on their booty !  I just cant believe the  things people say to us.

 I so want to call my doctors office today and scream........give me something to feel better !!!

julsjewels11

Yes, some people are just plain insensitive- they should walk in our shoes! I know people do get through this and move on, so many are treated with chemo these days. Hopefully those non toxic tx's they are researching will be available soon. I find this site a real lifeline and enjoy "chatting". I worry about germs too as I have young grandchildren and they are plague monkeys through the winter and I feel so bad that I can't be with them more. Have a good afternoon, juls

julsjewels11

Yes, some people are just plain insensitive- they should walk in our shoes! I know people do get through this and move on, so many are treated with chemo these days. Hopefully those non toxic tx's they are researching will be available soon. I find this site a real lifeline and enjoy "chatting". I worry about germs too as I have young grandchildren and they are plague monkeys through the winter and I feel so bad that I can't be with them more. Have a good afternoon, juls

WIMusicMaker

Hi everyone

People just don't know the difficulty of our journey through chemo. I also think some people just don't want to think about it too much. They just don't understand and sometimes they don't want to understand.

I am feeling better 6 days after #2, but this is not easy. I really wish I never had to sit in that chair again! Anyone up for running away and going somewhere really warm with a white sandy beach and beautiful blue ocean water? 

auntienance

Musicmaker, I'll go!!

wildrumara

IM SO TIRED OF BEING TIRED!!!

Lady-di

Make room for me too.

Hoping I'll feel better tomorrow. Really tired today and had 2 naps. My lips have been tingley today.

Hair has been clipped really short but I find my head really hurts. Im day 5 after tx2.

Jules- I'm on the same meds as you exactly. Have you taken any of the extra nausea medication they prescribed. I havent needed to take any of it yet! But came close last night.

LuvRVing

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000159/  granisetron

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000247/  emend

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000514/  aloxi

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000697/  scopolamine patch

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000773/  decadron

Juls - granisetron is not the same as emend.  I also got aloxi, which is the same class of drug as granisetron or zofran. 

There are lots of options - be sure to work with your MO to come up with the right one for you. 

julsjewels11

Dia 123: I took one of the extras the first night of tx1 but I came close last night too. I seem to feel sickier more days this time and am finding it hard getting the water down. Do you think we are supposed to take the extras? or just if we start to throw up? I have been having really severe stomach pains and acid so I am going to call tomorrow and see if there'something else I can take as well...it really is uncomfortable. Just one more thing to manage. I feel like just going to bed and sleeping it off!  Take care, Juls

Luvrving-thanks for the info- I will check into it.

Tipnas

Hi October ladies!  Does anyone have any tips for painful mouth ulcers?  I have an ulcer on the side of my tongue and it's excruciating to put anything in my mouth.  I've just been sipping a fruit smoothie all day.  I had my neulasta shot on Friday so I'm also feeling achey all over from that, inspite of taking claritin and Alleve, so I think my tolerance for pain is low at the moment.  My wcc is very low at the moment so I'm a little afraid of getting an infection im my mouth.  I called my onc who said to continue swishing with Biotene and salt water and baking soda and to call tomorrw if it's getting worse.  Hopefully my counts will start to come up and this sore mouth will start to heal.  Soorry to sound whiney but right now it really hurts!

Carla9112

Hi everyone - hope everyone is doing okay.  I'm all for running away and hitting that beach.  The thoughts of getting in that chair on Friday makes me want to run as far away as I can run. 

I'm so sick of people saying "it's just temporary" or "you'll be finished soon".  Most of these people have never had to go through it.  They don't know what it feels like for your body to become a toxic waste site.  Oh well, we have to do this so that we can have a lot more years enjoying life (which I wasn't doing before cancer). 

Sorry I've been"Debbie Downer" since Friday.  Maybe tomorrow will be better!!

Hope you all feel great this week and have a good one.

Hugs!!

Lady-di

Juls.. Was told to take Zantac for acid upset stomach. They told me to take extra medication if I felt I needed something else for nausea. I don't think we are suppose to wait till we actually get sick. Lemon in water is working for me but I'm not drinking as much as a should. Green tea also seems easy on my stomach.

Hope you do sleep it off tonight.



Tipnas.. Sorry I have no other tips for you other then what you are doing. Hope it clears up fast for you.

fredntan

I'm all for running away too. Sometimes I just feel like I can't do this and get panicky.it just feels like such a long road.

I'm planning trip to hawaii this sumer.were just going and who cares how much it costs.

Trying to fill my days is hard.I'm going to PT today

Does anyone else feel strange about being around a big group of friends? There is this big office party coming up next month..I just feel like I can't relate tio them anymore. maybe by then I will feel stronger emotionally.I just hate the way ilook. I do fix up prety good, but its hard to hide the port. I do still work at my work, even though I havnt worked since sept.they do care about me.it just feels weird.

TallM

I just started Chemo 10/17/11-I'm with you.  How long after Chemo did you start to lose your hair? I've already completed one 3 week cycle for my body & 4 spinal infusions for my brain & still have my hair. I've heard some people keep it. However, all of you have insired me with the amazing wigs & how good you look w/no or short hair.  Did any of you cut your hair gradually as you went or just get it all buzzed off at once? I'm really NOT looking forward to my hair not being there, but that is the nature of the beast I'm told:o Thanks for the info. This website has helped so much & just what I need. Thanks everyone!

julsjewels11

Hi All:

TallM-Welcome to our group. I had my DH buzz my hair off just after the second tx and I still have some of it left although it is thinning ( I am 7days past tx3) but many of the other girls lost theirs sooner- seems to vary.

Dia123-I think they said to use gaviscon instead of zantac because they put me on a daily pill to help. Zantac was suggested first. I feel like I have a big ball of gas or goo high in my stomach and sometimes it really hurts. I don't want to take any more meds-we are already overloaded. Did you have to take any more nausea meds yet? I have found Tetley White tea fairly easy on the tummy and I am trying to drink the ginger/lemon mix too.

Carla- toxic waste site-that just about sums it up! "temporary"seems like an eternity doesn't it?

Anybody else find that just getting showered poops them out? It was all I could do this morning to get dried and my clothes on! Yesterday I was asleep on the couch at 7 and in bed by 9! I just wish I could sleep this away! ( Anybody thought of self induced comas????) Hope you have a tolerable day,  Hugs Juls

perts1

Toxic waste site? Boy!  Isn't that the truth?  Everything poops me out - I'm like a lizard and as bald as one now.  My head has been buzzed and I really don't hate it.  Kinda cute in a weird sort of way.  Someone told me munching on ginger snaps is also good for nausea.  Evidently ginger has a very calming effect on the tummy. 

I want to run away, too!  Beaches are wonderful for running away!  Talking about tired.  My aunt used to say, "My tired's tired".  Now I know what she meant!

TAPPY

Taking a bath or shower wears me out.....

 I just put on clean pjs right now....I cant even bother with make up.

I was hoping to go back to work, but the chest cold has got me down and I dont want to end up in hospital.   I just want all this to be over with....I just keep telling myself it wil be worth it, I hope and pray I am right because it is stealing so much of me right now.

TallM

Agreed. A shower & dressing is a big feat indeed. A good day is when I do put makeup on:) I too hope it will all be worth it. Without hope what do we have. I choose hope. I believe if I do all I can. Then when I look back I'll know I fought a good fight no regrets.



The losing the hair thing kind of freaks me out. I think because I can kind of pretend I don't relly have cancer. It's staring to hit me slowly that I do & I'm not sure I'm still ready to deal with it. It's going to be a LONG road & if I look to far ahead it's a bit overwhelming. 1 day at a time.



What are some things you guys do to cope & make it through?

fredntan

I found a really cute wig that I really like today. Found it for free at the local radiology place. they have a wig room. I like it better than the first one I got. I look so totally different. think I need a new name. just a lot different.

TallM

Congrats on finding a new wig:). I guess I can look at is a playing dress up:o

cfdr

Has anyone else been told by their onc that exercise is the best thing for beating fatigue? Has anyone found that it actually helps? I normally exercise regularly, and if I don't at least stretch every day I feel very stiff and achy, so it does help me feel more limber and relaxed. But I haven't found that it helps with the fatigue one bit! In fact, if anything, I find that I'm exhausted for a hour or so afterwards. As soon as I have any energy I do try to do some exercise, even if it's just walking slowly around the yard. But I've decided that I don't see the point in forcing myself to exercise when the fatigue is really bad.

TAPPY

My Onc told me that as well.   I can barely gather the strength to shower and get dressed and with this horrible cold...even more so.

But I am really struggling with the fatique right now so any tips are welcome

TallM

I've heard the same that exercise is supposed to help. My exercise now consist of going from the bed to the b-room & that's enough for some days. Other days I get out for a drive (someone drives me) & I'll walk into a store or two. Everyday is so different so I really try to listen to my body.

barbyjean

Hi, ladies. Save a seat for me on the escape plane to the warm beach. I want to run away from me and my life right now. One day at a time helps me. Also, getting on these boards with all of you who understand and don't say stupid things to "encourage" me. 

I think exercise helps a little. After my last tx, I was so exhausted I didn't leave the house for a week. Next time my sister will be here to help, and I will have her get me out of my recliner and go for a short walk every day. Fresh air, and especially sunshine, always perks me up. And if I don't stretch every day, all hours on the couch make me stiff and my hips hurt.

I have heartburn every day this time around and take zantac or pepcid. Trying to find which one works the best for me. I was told to take something for nausea or other se's at the first sign, because it is easier to control. And we need to keep everything on an even keel during chemo. 

I find myself crying at the least thing these days, even good things. I am glad to be feeling something, because I was felt stunned for the first few months after my diagnosis, not believing it was happening to me. This is really tough to go through!

Barb 

auntienance

Juls, sounds like you and I are having similar stomach issues, pain and burning for me in my stomach and throat, followed by nausea that's hard to control. It seems no amount of antacids can get rid of it. What has worked the best is to eat small meals every couple of hours that are on the bland side. Lots of soups and crackers and taking zofran and ativan at the first sign. When I was waiting to take them, it took so much longer to get things under control. My mo is prescribing nexium for me but has to fight with the insurance company first because it's not on the formulary. Oh joy. Barby, I hear you about the emotional thing. Today when I met with the chemo nurse I was telling her about the stomach issues and burst into tears. (it seems to be worse when people are nice to me). This stomach stuff is frustrating because I'm a week away from #3, but I'm not usually THAT sensitive!



Regarding exercise, I really haven't had the fatigue with #2 that I did with #1, but with both, it really has helped to get out and move. There have been a couple of days where I just couldn't drag myself out, but for the most part I have always felt better for doing it, even though I was exhausted afterwards. Now having said that, number 3 will probably kick my ass!

julsjewels11

Nancy: I have found nibbling on bland foods seems to help-keeping something in the tummy at all times. I have been feeling queasy though so it is harder than usual. At night when I wake up-and that's often-I take a sip of water and that seems to help. I have some ginger cookies I am trying. It really is painful at times isn't it?

I feel too wobbly to walk some days...anyone else feel unbalanced?  Hugs, Juls

LoriKristine

Once again thank you all for being here and voicing all of your thoughts. My spirit has been broke this last week after treatment #3 but I realize I'm not alone. The ironic thing is reading that some of you have the very same emotions I'm feeling actually lifts my spirit.

auntienance

Juls, I don't know what nausea meds you have but I really recommend that you take them if you need them. It really makes a tremendous difference in how you feel overall, including your ability to cope with all of this. I know that feeling about not wanting to take stuff if you don't have to, but I finally decided that I was tired of fighting it if I didn't have to and after all, that's why they were prescribed for me. My mo won the argument with the insurance company so I've started on nexium rx. We'll see if that helps too. Oh, and Annie's ginger cookies rock for nausea.



As far as being unsteady and shaky, that seems to be mostly on the first couple of days after treatment for me.



Hoping everyone has a manageable week of SEs!

wildrumara

As far as exercise goes, I have been walking regularly (except day 3 or 4 after treatment when I am down and out).   I don't think it really helps with fatigue per say, but it definitely helps with my mood and just general well-being.  I am fortunate to have a neighbor who calls me and says "Let's go", even when I don't want to.  I always feel better after a walk, even if its short-lived and the fatigue returns within a few hours!!  Plus, I feel like I'm gaining weight and it's depressing me.  I figure if I don't walk, I'll really be in trouble weight-wise after chemo. I have suffered from worse headaches after treatment #2 and I've found that the walking helps relieve those, especially when the Motrin isn't making much of a difference.  Treatment #3 this Friday....I will half-way there after Friday....YAY!!!