October 2011 Chemo group
Comments
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good luck tomorrow, Juls. I take #3 tx on Tuesday - takes about 3 hours. I'm lucky to have my DH and friends go with me. We just sit and talk to each other - and eat! Ice chips, my lemon ginger tea, yogurt and a variety of crackers & cheese. I guess nothing will kill my appetite - at least not so far. I'm hoping none of us has any awful SE from our treatments. The very best to all of us!
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Have any of you had to take Levaquin (levofloxacin) for fever or an upper resp ?
This is what my doc gave me...and the side effects scare me.
I just hate that all these meds are going in my body
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Perts1 Thanks- My onc has me taking the steroid tomorrow for treatment on Tuesday. Do you take it ahead too? How have your aches and pains been-any allergic reaction first time? I am really worried about this new drug.I will pack up the snack suggestion and my DH goes along too. I asked about cold compresses for nails and was told there is no conclusive evidence that it helps-any comments? I will suck on ice chips too. My reading doesn't suggest that it is as necessary to drink as much water to flush it out....am I dreaming? Are you having 4 tx's? too.
Tappy- when I was at my worst with that cold they put me on an antibiotic as a precaution but I haven't heard of Lavaquin. I still have traces of it and am always worried it's coming back!
Take care, Juls
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Hi Dia, yep decorated much earlier this year. Started a week and a half earlier. The last treatment #3 was much harder on me, so didn't get much done around the house. But felt better yesterday and today. Regarding avoiding stores - since I live in California, not too much colds and flu noticeable yet. Plan on a trip to Disney soon just to enjoy the Christmas - low crowds during the week so will have fun even if I have to spend some of it in a wheelchair! Thanks for sharing all your posts... :-) Hope the holidays will cheer everyone up.
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Good afternoon ladies - It's been awhile since I've been on.......the third treatment really rocked my world. Not only did it take me 7 days to recover physically, mentally I have been a wreck! I have had very little patience with my kids and having lots of crying jags. I haven't even exercised once in the last 2-1/2 weeks, which is not me. It's pretty depressing. I'm not anxious about anything in particular, I'm just miserable. No energy, no drive. My husband and kids brought the Christmas decorations down from the attic and put most of the items around the house (that was 3 days ago) and I have't lifted a finger. Have no desire. I suppose I'm depressed, but I'll fight through it. Next treatment (4th) coming up this Friday. Wish it was my last, but my MO wants me to have 6. Anyway, sorry to be such a "Debbie downer". I know you all understand......and I'm thankful for that!!! Blessings!
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Hi there - just finished my decorating and thought I would check in since I'm just sitting here enjoying my tree and Christmas music. I'm trying to keep from getting depressed about treatment this week.
Pippen and Wildrumara - my third treatment was harder on me too. It took me a week to get back to the new "norm" too. I guess as we take more treatments we are getting more run down. I have to take six treatments too and have another on Friday. Lord I dread it.
Juls - I've been taking a taxotere (which I understand is a sister drug to taxol) with my AC chemotherapy regime. I also take the steroid pills the day before and the Neulasta shot the day after chemo. I think the worst part is crashing from the steroids (since I get a bag with my chemo). It usually hits me on days 3 and 4. I feel great the day of chemo and the day after if I take the anti-nausea pills when I'm supposed to take them. Since I take all of mine together who knows if one is worse than the other. I sure hope you do just fine with the treatment and don't have any major SE's.
I hope everyone has a great week. Take care!
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It is hard not to get down when you feel crappy. Every time my hubby and I talk about it I break down and cry and he trys so hard to lift me. I MADE myself decorate my mantle and dinning table today (place mats and candles ha) - I also put out our manager on a table in the dinning area...... I will get a small rosemary tree because it smells so good. I did that mostly for my daughter. Other wise I think I would just skip it all.
I am so not looking forward to Thursday - (last AC) - I feel such dread,,,,I keep telling myself it is just to the end of January !!! (I pray this is the last time I ever have to do this) - I know there are so many people on this board struggling with this for years. I feel bad for being a whiner.
then on to Taxol.
I will need all your taxol tips !!!
Many things about tomorrow I dont seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.
Diagnosis: 9/9/2011, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 2, 1/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- -
Just Look at all we've accomplished. I'll be done with AC on wed. I'm trying to imagine it killing any of those nasty little cancer cells, so bring it on! My doctor said the AC would be the worst and that I would tolerate the taxol better. he's giving it to me off study weekly for 12 weeks.
try not to look ahead. I plan on getting into some serious exercize when I'm done. all my friends at work are runners. they are going to teach me.
DH got me banjo to learn. I have no musical ability. he does. But I plan on getting the port out after chemo is done. want that done on a thursday. then everyone from work can come party on that friday. I've allready picked out my doc/nurse to take out port. our docs have a band, I want them to play a local pub. and I can show them what I learned on the banjo. I'm going to need these 3 months to get a song together. I better get practicing.
I feel like I'm almost over a major hurdle. just have to keep climbing.
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I started Chemo in October, just now finding this forum. I hope to keep up, although with chemo, kids, job, and worries. It's hard. Best of luck to everyone! I just had my 4th round of AC the day after thanksgiving. Now in 2 weeks I start taxol.
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Hi everyone,
Welcome Anna and dmeltesen, glad you both found us..
So many posts to catch up on. Alot of decorating going on. I didn't get as much done this weekend as I hoped but as long as I get it done before my tx on wednesday I'll be happy. It will be my 4th AC also.. Getting worried about taxol also. But I'll be half way done. Wow!!
Bald and brave.. Love that saying.. I still have some hair also. I had it clipped down to half inch or so and it's like having peach fuzz all over my head. Up close it's noticeable but from a few feet away I look bald.
Good luck to everyone getting their tx's this week. Sorry if I missed anything as there were too many posts to keep up with. -
Wildrumara: My third chemo hit me hard too. I had mine a week ago and am still recovering. I haven't missed work during all of this, but I was grateful for the holiday last week--I have also taken today off. I am achy, shaky, light-headed and my stomach is still a bit iffy. I don't seem to have any patience and had a good old cry yesterday. My energy is zapped as well. Please hang in there!
Take care!
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Good Monday Morning All: Sounds like we all found A/Ctx3 tough but I found tx4 better-so be hopeful those who are going into that one. A lot of us are starting Taxol next and I guess we all have the same reservations and worries. I go tomorrow. My understanding is that we will have decreased nausea but possibly more joint and bone pain but I figure we can fight that with pain killers! Apparently it happens- if it does- 3 or 4 days after tx and lasts a few days..we'll see. I hope none of us have the allergic reaction they talk about to complicate things.My onc gave me a script for 100 Tylenol 3's ( was he trying to tell me something?)
Wildrumara and Pippen and Tappy:I was an emotional wreck tx3 too but more stable now.It's just the meds and after all, this whole process is stressful and crappy-just gotta push through it as those who have gone before...most of us are half way through-woo hoo!
Carla-interesting you are having your A/C and Taxol together-how long is the course?
Fredntan-good luck with the banjo. My grandad started lessons at 80 and got quite good so you can do it- something to focus and accomplish.
WelcomeDmeltesen-sure you can join us- the more resources and support we have the better. We are on the same tx schedule so we will go through this together-there are a bunch of us all at the same stage of tx.
Well, Christmas decs do make one feel cheerier and I love that the shows are starting on tv. I seem to cry at them, whether they are happy, sad,or funny-but that's okay. have a good day all, Hugs Juls
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Malinda - love the "Bald and the Brave". I don't feel brave though. As someone (very wise) on here said a while ago, anybody will run when there's a giant tiger chasing you.
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I take steroids the day before and after chemo, and they give me steroids with the chemo. I take lots of crushed ice (and my lemon & ginger water) and just make sure I have a few cool snacks. Then I go in for the Neulasta shot the day after and make sure I've taken a Claritin D and 2 Aleve as soon as I get up. I haven't had any real problems - other than thinking I'm probably going to die for a few days. I get that "thunk" sound in my chest and that scares me. I haven't gotten really nauseous but I think that's because I drink the lemon ginger. I am anxious to get my decor up because my brother and his wife is coming from Calif. to Colo. to visit and I'd like to make it pretty for them.
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Juls - I have 6 treatments so tomorrow is #3 - yea I'm halfway through! I try to drink a lot of liquid a couple of days before & after the tx. Kind of scary that everyone says #3 is awful. Juls, please let me know how you feel after the drug switch. I'll bet you do fine.
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You have inspired me! I put out some Christmas decorations and the house looks cheery.
Does anyone else feel like you get a lot accomplished the day before your next tx? I went Christmas shopping today and got a lot done. I also stopped at the library and cleaned the house. I don't even take any steroids before just on the day of and after.
My #3 is tomorrow and I am determined that I will buck the trend here and it will be my easiest one. Best of luck to everyone getting treatment this week and I will pray for a quick recovery to those who received it last week.
Here I go again.....
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Hi everyone - hope you had a great Monday. Welcome to our new folks.
It's hard to believe that most of us are half-way finished with our chemo. Remember when we first starting posting here? We sure have learned a lot since then - huh?
Juls - I have a total of six TAC treatments - then radiation. Not sure why doctors vary on the chemo regime.
WIMusicMaker - I also get a lot done the week of treatment. Maybe it's because I'm just starting to feel good again. Then again I guess it could be because I know that I won't get anything done next week!
Kim - sorry to hear that you're not feeling good. I find that a good cry helps me a lot. Although here lately I've cried more than ever. I can barely listen to my beloved country music because it ends up making me cry - which ruins my makeup - which makes me look even worse with no hair! How many of you cried as you put up your Christmas decorations? I did. When I pulled out those ornaments that my kids made when they were little I lost it. Oh my - so many tears these days.
I hope everyone has a good night. Talk to you tomorrow!
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Perts1- thanks for your routine. I took the steroids today and had an okay day. Tomorrow I am hoping for no reaction and even though a long day- I am prepared to get on with this. I have Claitin at the ready. I have been and will continue to drink a lot. The onc told me that if there was a reaction it would be at the clinic and they have those bases covered and watch you closely so I guess it comes down to letting go of control and "trusting" in those who know what they are doing- it's hard. We live an hours drive away so I am relieved that my DH won't have to deal with unexpected se's when we get home ( at least I hope). My heart has been beating loudly in my ears lots while on A/C and quite fast when I take the steroids but I am getting used to that. Things that would have been weird before all just become one more thing to deal with...strange,I guess it's all relative. I will let you know how the drug switch goes for me.
Wimusicmaker-good for you- you kick that 3 week trend! I, too get more energy the day before and my Dh and I get the house in order for the next round. It's our organisation day. Good luck tomorrow and glad your house looks cheery.
Have a peaceful night all, Warm hugs, Juls
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The day before chemo is literally the day I get my house in order with cleaning and cooking up 3 or 4 meals ahead of time for my DH (and me if I have any appetite, which is rare). I seem to spend a lot of time post chemo in the bathroom, so I want to make sure they are CLEAN lol!
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Juls Do not worry about a possible reaction. IF it would happen to you-and it only happens rarely-they have benedryl on hand and as soon as they give it to you all symptoms of the reaction go away immediately. It takes maybe a minute from start to finish. You will be fine!
Good luck to all of us sitting in the chair today!
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Thank you for the warm welcome!
It´s good to know, that there are so many others facing the same fears and going through the same therapy. Although the most of you are so many miles away, it really helps to read your posts.
I still didn´t decorate, I just don´t feel the whole christmas-thing this year and I´m soooo tired, although I´m sleeping about 10 hours every night. And my next chemo is going to be next tuesday,I don´t think, I will feel better after this. It´s annoying.
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starting to feel anxious about tomorrows forth and last A/C tx. DH left this morning for class for 10 days. Cried like a baby last night when we talked of his trip. I put on my big girl panties this morning and didn't cry when I dropped him off. He's been by my side ever since dx. Got to be a big girl. I can do this.
Got most of my stuff done today.
I changed my pic. this is before dx.
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Girls, I too had a cry yesterday. Had been doing pretty well in that area, but saw vacation pics from 3 summers ago and thought of everything my family's been thru w/my dx and my DD's dx from last yr. We sure have grown up in my house and no longer are naive that nothing bad will happen to us. Jeesh, we get it already!
Had my 3rd tx this morning. I'm a little nervous after reading about everyone else's 3rd one. I only get 1 small bag of steroids right before the red devil. I can't have too much or my blood sugar gets out of control. I also get lots done before tx day. Oh, and the scale was not very nice to me since it's been a feeding frenzy for the last 3 days. Wow!
Welcome to the new gals and hoping everyone in the chair this week has minimal se's. And fredntan, don't you just wanna burn those panties sometimes!
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Nancy-I'm with you on the cleaning bit and the bathrooms!Good we are motivated at least some time through the cycle, although my Dh has been a big help with everything.
WiMusicMaker-thanks for the encouragement and reassurance and you were right. Just got home and all went well with no side effects so I should be good to go.The drip was done in about 3.5 hours which included 2 benedryl tabs by mouth half hour before....they said I would be tired and likely sleep- as were most of the people there- however it had an opposite reaction and I was Chatty Cathy. Luckily my person beside me was the same and she was lovely so she and I ( and her Dh and Mine) had a good chat and the time went fairly fast. 1 down, 3 to go!
Fran:try to not worry ahead about your fourth-mine was better than the third- don't know why but less emotional upheaval and off feeling.Sorry your Dh had to go away-must be so hard. You'll find our strength behind you and we are always here for you to complain,cry,and drop your big panties- we;ll help you pull them up! Do you have family or friends nearby that can be of help-don't be too proud to ask- people want to help out in anyway they can, so let them. Lovely picture by the way!
Lori:We all have our cry times and remember when life was simple and not filled with stress and worry.It's natural. The good times will return- that's why we are going through this,and I bet that we will be on a different altered plane with more gratitude and joy. Our big girl panties have all slipped down but not so far that we can't pull them up with a little help.
Dia123-good luck tomorrow,I'm sure all will go well.
Good luck to all with tx this week and hope for minimal SE's .Warm Hugs- have a good night's sleep, Juls
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Luvrving: Picked up the supplies at the health food store- and I have a question...did you take as many as they say on the containers? Recommended dose is:L-Glutamine(750mh)8capsuls /day,acetyl-L-carnitine (500mg)1-3/day, and B6 (50mg)1-3 /day. Seems like a lot and boy are they expensive here in Canada -over $75.00 for about a months worth but if they work I am going to do it! Anyway, please let me know. Had first Taxol today, no reaction and all went well so w'ell see how the next few days go- Neulasta on Thursday a.m. Thanks again for your advise, Hugs Juls
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Juls - I took one L-Glutamine, 2 Acetyl L-Carnitine, and 1 B6. It seems to have worked for me. I bought mine at WalMart or CVS, didn't go the "health food store" route. I just stuck to a reputable brand. I'm still taking the L-Glutamine and B6, only because I still have some left. I've gone off most of my non-prescription stuff as I've run out.
Glad to hear that Taxol went well for you. I didn't have any reactions, either, and they cut my benadryl to 25 mgs after the first treatment. I did find it a long infusion, though...it was 3 hours just for the Taxol and that was after an hour of hydration and all the pre-meds. I was always at the center for more than 5 hours by the time I had my visit with the MO and labwork.
Hugs to everyone,
Michelle
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Hi all,
Juls,
I did read one study where they had the people "freeze"one hand and and not the other and the rate of peripheral neuropathy was lower in the hand that was cold. I didn't use the ice packs for the first tx, but did for the second, and will continue to do so.
I'm glad you mentioned feeling your heart beating in your ears on the ac. I get that for the first 10 days after TCH and then it goes away. I worried maybe my heart was already getting messed up by the herceptin! In fact most of my se's go away after 10 days and I feel pretty good until 3 days after the next tx when the steroids wear off. Then I get tired and lots of GI symptoms again. But today, day 14, I feel good.(I get chemo every 3 wks.)
I went to a yoga class today with my little skull cap on. I'm gonna try the gym tomorrow. I'll just keep thinking "bald and brave, bald and brave"
Thanks for everyone's honesty. It helps me get through this.
-lisa -
Good Morning!
The best part about tx #3 was scheduling tx #4 -my LAST ONE!! My radiation planning session was also scheduled and we talked about my return to work. YEAH! It is the start of going back to some normalcy in my life.
Yesterday went well. I was not as "fuzzy" headed after which felt good. I did have a lot of nausea last night and had to break down and take a compazine on top of the Emend and Zofran. Aside from waking up to go to the bathroom several times, I slept pretty well. So I am crossing my fingers and toes that the nausea can continue to be controlled.
My DH asked me what I wanted for Christmas. It would be really hard for him to give me a cure for cancer, or an easier treatment than chemo. Anyone else having a hard time coming up with a Christmas list? The things I want won't fit under the tree! Just being together with the kids and enjoying our time together will be enough.
I know many of us have treatment this week. I wish all of you minimal SE and I hope everyone else is doing okay. Have a great day!
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fredntan, when my DH had to leave town for a while, I asked several friends if they could come over with dinner and to keep me company. Except for one who was sick and one who was leaving town, everyone came by, and either brought a dish or cooked at my house. Everyone was very willing to help, I had a great time and some great food! I still even have a couple of containers of homemade soup in the freezer that one friend brought just in case I needed them in the future.
I am having the weirdest experience this week. On Monday—day 11 of cycle 3—it was like the fog lifted, both the fatigue and the chemo brain. I feel COMPLETELY NORMAL!! I'd forgotten what it felt like. I was actually dancing and singing around the kitchen! And it hasn't gone away yet. I went for a long hike yesterday, and didn't even need to rest afterwards. And it hasn't gone away yet! Up until now I've had OK days and bad days and really bad days, but not days where I felt completely free of side effects. I realize the fatigue could hit me again at any moment but I'm going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts! I'm going to buy a Christmas tree today and if I'm feeling wild I might even unload it off the car myself. -
cfdr.. So happy that you have been able to feel that way this week. Your post is so uplifting and I'm smiling from ear to ear for you. You go girl!!
WIM.. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that all goes well this round for you and YEAH to last one.
I too have been pretty busy trying to get some christmas shopping done the last couple days. Don't have my house decorated yet but tree is up with lights on it and the outside is decorated. Treatment 4 is today so I figured I will try to finish decorating tomorrow and friday while I'm on a steroid high. I do feel a bit better after getting a bit of shopping done but now house is a mess. That will be my morning chore today before tx this afternoon.
It's great that so many of us are reaching that half way point and can start to see that the end is within reach.
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