Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

dougieswife

Heading to the chair for #4 of 6 today.



I dont always post, but I do read. I get emails with the updates and I am usually on my phone when I get them instead of the pc. I hope everyone's SE's are managable this go around bit it sounds like #4 is a bugger.



I was just dx'd with lovely lymphedema. My arm has not swelled much, but I have the early stages of it with the cording. It can happen at any time, so watch for any range in motion limitations or pain in your arms. At first I was so upset over this, but then I had to put it in perspective that if this is the worst thing that happens from all of this, then life is good. Oh, and I only had 2 lymph nodes taken on each side.



For those experiencing bone pain, I take ultramm. It works really well. They gave it to me at the ER and when I told my NP, she said, wow, never would ha e thought of that drug, but if OT works, here is a full prescription!



Oh, and one other thing....is anyone participating in the shingles vaccine trial? I am since I have had them before. My MO's office has a research nurse and oh, my....I learned WAY more from her than anyone else!!! She impressed upon me how much of a game changer herceptin is for us HER2+ girls. They had 8 women participate in the first trial of late stage cancers and all 8 are still alive today when before herceptin, her words, they shouldn't be.



Okay, I know this was super long...sorry....I guess I should post more often! Good luck to everyone sitting in the chair today!!! God Bless you all and may our SE's be managable!!!



Lori

markat

Kelly I have the twitch too.  I wonder if the twitching and swelling is a precursor to the eyelashes falling out? Mine are thin anyways and it seems like the ones in the corner of my eye are already gone.

We can't afford to sell our house after this is over, but I am definitely redecorating.  I am brightening this place up when I get my strength back!

Kelloggs

markat - My lashes are pretty thin naturally too...will have to keep an eye on that one (no pun intended).  We probably can't afford to move either but I'm gonna push for it anyway.  My DH has been grumbling about the place being too small also so it probably won't take much to budge him.  A redecorating and brightening sounds like a good idea...I say go for it!

Whatashocker3

Rachel, I wouldnt worry so much about #4 as I think for me it was because I switched from fec to taxotere on the 4th. You have been on it all along haven't you? Today is better physically for me. Just the poops and the sore mouth to deal with. Five more weeks to go and this chemo will be in the back door. I do understand why some women stop at four, but that wasnt the recommendation. I feel like a toxic waste dump and having been promoting less additives all my life so it is mind blowing to know this stuff is hanging around in me. Somethings I guess you just have to go with.

FLislander

Mardi

I am taking b complex vitamin, and acetyl l cartinine for nueropathy, and I get glutamine caps and pour 2 them in a yogurt smoothie with a acidophilus, tastes better than glutamine powder. It has helped, I am taking too many meds to count, plus 4 above. Worth a try..

Mardibra

Thanks for the suggestions for the neuropathy. I will mention it to my MO next week. As far as twitching, I have had an upper eyelid twitch for weeks now. Hmmm.



I'm in a better place today. Pain is under control and I'm finally out of bed. Thanks for the support.



Btw, I'm going to become the bitchiest patient my MO as ever encountered. I can't go through that again!!!

Baileybump

I'm sorry so many were having down days.  We moved into our house one year ago (in January).  I've spent many hours on the internet coming up with "home improvement" ideas for my DH (honey do list!), but I love our house (1950s brick ranch).  In fact, I'ven been so thankful that we're in a one-story house because we were in a two-story.  My sleepless nights are often spent "virutally redecorating."

I just finished my chemo regimen (4 tx - taxotere/cytoxan) and I've had twitchy eyelids for WEEKS now.  I mentioned it to my chemo nurse and she said it's a common side effect.  She said it's often from electrolytes being out of wack, but who knows.  Just one more "thing" that happens!  Sometimes I think my eyes are going to go closed they twitch so much.

Hoping everyone feels better soon.  You can do it, lovely ladies!

markat

I called the onc's office about my swollen eyelid and now she wants to see me tomorrow.  I guess it's timed perfect because my legs starting killing me tonight. It's weird because I'm over a week past tx so I shouldn't feel this way.

Lumpynme

lori-i asked about getting the shingles vaccine before starting my tx-was told NOT to because it is a live vaccine...i am hoping not to develop the shingles.....

tell me more about the trial????

dougieswife

It is a 5year, triple blind study and you get injected every 4 weeks with a "dead" virus, much like the flu or pneumonia vaccine. You have home work everyday, like takin.g your temperature everyday and then you have to.write.down any symptoms. I have had shingles in the past and I have some residual nerve stuff from it. It flared up today, so I am wondering if I got the real stuff or not. Talk to your Dr.about it and see.if you can get in. Hope that helps!!!!

markat

Well it's a good thing I called the onc about my eyelid. It ended up being infected.  Watch your eye makeup ladies! 

Baileybump

Oh Markat, I'm sorry to hear you have an infection.  Take care of yourself!

rachelvk

Markat - Sorry to hear about the infection, but glad they caught it. I've been wiping my lipstick off just about everytime I use it, just in case.

Tx #4 is history. I plan on taking it completely easy this weekend and being good to myself at work (ie: not working if necessary) next week. 

Whatashocker3

Rachel, been thinking about you today. Rest yourself this weekend and all will be well.

GracieG

markat, so sorry to hear about your eye infection.  I've hardly worn any make-up since I started chemo, but I don't work so I'm lucky there.  I sure hope yours heals up quickly.

Rachel, congrats on completing #4, it is a wonderful milestone and do take it easy, you deserve it!

Tomorrow is my final infusion.  My big milestone!  All jittery from the steroids, so no sleep tonight, but it's my final treatment!  Can you tell I'm excited! 

markat

Thanks Bailey!



Rachel I hope you have a nice easy weekend.



I can't believe I didn't think to buy new mascara. I guess with the lashes going it just left my open for the bacteria to get in. Yuck!

Thanks Gracie! Congrats!

Kelloggs

Markat - Wow..good thing you got that checked out!  I hope you heal soon, eye problems are sooooo annoying.

Rachel - congrats on #4, take it easy this weekend and be good to yourself.

Gracie - congrats to you on the last one!  Can't wait until I'm there with you!

rachelvk

I'm not a huge makeup wearer, except lipstick (when I remember), but I had accumulated a lot over the years. I've been trying to get rid of old foundation and things I really don't use (that was for my big 'dancing' phase a few years back), and when my Mom was taking care of me after surgery, she went through my lipsticks and cut them down so they'd be less microbe-ridden. I've stayed away from the eye shadow and other makeup, except for the samples I recently got from Look Good Feel Better. The lipstick and lip liner are perfect.

Slept well last night and feeling okay this morning - hopefully the Emend, Decadron and Zofran do the trick. 

Lumpynme

good to see you slept rachel!

Baileybump

Rachel - I hope you have a relaxing weekend! 

Gator65

I have not been on much lately because I am just so bummed. I feel like the I am the poster child for bad SE of chemo.

They dropped my DD of Taxol by 20% and cut my Nuelasta shot down as well at my last treatment which was on last Thursday and I still had nothing but problems. The pain is unreal! I feel like someone is trying to rip my bones apart, To make things even more fun, none of the painkillers work. Dilaudid doesn't work and that is pretty strong. It really pisses me off that I have to suffer because nothing works! My MO's PA calls me on Wednesday and says that my bloodwork shows that I have an increased level of something that indicates rhuematoid arthritis. REALLY? That may be why I have so much pain. They are referring me to a rhuematologist, Still waiting for that doc to call. MO wants me to take steroids daily now, thinks that will help with pain. I hate the steroids but I will try and see.

I am just so mad. I was a pretty healthy person before all this bullshit started and now I am falling apart. I am 46 years old and I feel like I am 80, I have the hand, foot, mouth thing from the Taxol. My skin is just cracked and peeling off my hands and arms. I cannot decscribe how gross this is. My feet are peeling and my big toe on my right foot hurts like hell. The nail is not coming off, but it hurts. Why?? I do not know. I walk like I am 80 and need a cane. 

I am so tired of this. I have 2 treatments to go but I don't know if I can survive them.  I cannot seem to stop crying as I type this. Cancer sucks!!!!!!!!!

For those who finished this week, Congratulations!  For those who had a tx, I pray for a SE free weekend. 

DJ 

seacretgardn

Gator I am so sorry you are suffering so much.



I hope the steroids will relieve your pain and your Drs can find the necessary changes to allow you to finish txs more comfortably.





Prayers for healing and renewed strength,



Laura

momof3boys

Hi Gator

I'm so sorry to hear of your horrible SE. I've been blessed with not having nausea, but, the bone and joint pain for me has been relentless, only easing up about 4-5 days before my next tx.

I hope they can find something that will give you relief. I think the added pain is exhausting, and depressing and just makes everything worse!

rachelvk

Gator - {{hugs}} I'm sorry you're facing the additional stress and pain of possible arthritis. You're right - it's not as though BC is enough sometimes, it seems like it has to really mess with everything else. I hope you can find some relief from the pain.

I went for a walk that turned out to be longer than I planned, and now I'm wiped and a bit chilled. Hoping I don't get a temp. Food cravings have been weird today - settled on fried potatoes and a fried egg when I really wanted some KFC. BF's bringing a pizza (I wanted to make one at home, but he got off work later than he expected and we'd need to pick the fixings up at the store anyway). I think it will be an early night. 

GracieG

Oh, Gator (DJ), it just breaks my heart to hear what you are going through.  It's not fair, any of it and I would feel just as frustrated and angry as you if it were me going through this.  If you could just find some relief with some pain killers that would work for you that might help a little bit.  I've taken Dilauted before for bad headaches, but they always made me sick to my stomach, so I had to stop taking them.  I've had the peeling skin on my fingers and hands, but nothing like you've been going through.  And I'm older than you at 59 so can't imagine all you're going through at your young age.  BC sucks and so do all the SE's you're going through.  I'm sending you all my positive thoughts that you can find some relief soon.  

Lots of gentle hugs. 

Baileybump

E-Hugs to you, Gator.  I'm so sorry you are struggling with your treatments.  Perhaps the rhuematologist will be able to provide some relief.  Hoping the steroids will help, too.  Are you taking Claritan with the Neulasta?  The arthritis may be too much for any of the over-the-counter tricks.  Healing thoughts and prayers coming your way.

Mardibra

Gator - sounds like our paths are EXACTLY the same. The pain alone is making me a crazy lunatic. When walking I look like an 80year old. I feel like my legs will give out at any time. Neuropathy has set in and my feet are numb. With each Taxol tx I don't leave my bed for 5 days. The Dilaudid doesn't even touch the pain. Popping sweet tarts would be just as effective I just keep telling myself "only two more, only two more".

Mardibra

Oh, and did I mention the hemmoroids from the pain meds, the peeling skin on my feet, the incredibly dry skin, bald head, sparse eyelashes/brows? I'm 45 and feel like I'm 80. BC does suck and I can't wait for this to be over. Oh, and im having a Mastectomy in April. Another fun event to look forward to. Good thing I bought a new mattress before all this crap started because I'm spending a lot of time in bed. I think I would rather chew glass. I want my life back.



Sorry for the rant. I'm just so freaking irritated.

Baileybump

So sorry you're having a bad spell Mardibra.  The words "only two" can be overwhelming when you're feeling down. From what I read on here, I consider myself fortunate that I didn't do Taxol.  I did taxotere/cytoxan.  Don't focus on your surgery in April. . . just take it one day at a time, one treatment at a time, and be kind to yourself and rest your body.  Hoping you feel a little better each day.

Gator65

Thank you ladies. I really appreciate it. I really rely on this board to not feel alone.



Mardibra, I know how you feel. My heart goes out to you. If you experience anything like I do, it is hell.



I hope this rhuematologist can help me. I am about to lose my mind. LOL



The nail on my big toe on my right foot has lifted and is infected. Fun fun. Why me?