Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

markat

Oh Sunrise I'm so sorry you went through that. Did you get neulasta or neupogen shots after your tx?

Sunrise79

I had treatments on Thursday's and would normally get neulasta on Monday, but this last round I went in on Friday. I got neupogen in the hospital.

Whatashocker3

Holy crap Sunrise that is crazy scary. I am sad for you and your family for having to go through that. Your kids must have been petrified. You are home now so that is better. What do you do to prevent it from happening again?

Baileybump

Sunrise - so glad you are home, but holy scary!  Please take your own advice and take care of yourself.  Listen to your body.  So sorry you had to endure this among the other SEs.

Ladies having treatments this week (yesterday and today) - wishing you minimal SEs.  Be kind to yourself and listen to Sunrise's advice!  We really can't take ANYTHING for granted or write it off.  Yikes!

Sunrise79

Whatashocker - When your WBC is low or almost nonexistent, we all know the risk for infection is huge. Well, in my case, I had no WBC to kill the bacteria, so I ended up with one strain of bacteria in my blood, and three others in my urine. To answer your question on how to prevent it from happening? Pretty much calling the dr when you have a fever over 100.5. Every fever can be simple or can turn almost deadly within hours. I learned the hard way. Luckily, my kids were at school and didn't have to see me like that. Thank God.

rachelvk

Sunrise - I'm so sorry you had to go through that! But your advice is so right. I ignored some chills the weekend after my tx (#4). My temp has been okay, but I've actually gotten pretty lax about taking it regularly, and that's not good. Take care of yourself, and I hope things ease up a bit.

I survived the thrush (assuming it's gone; I'm out of the medicine, so it better be!), and that, plus the threat of having to go to the ER, really were the worst of the lot this time. The exhaustion was there, but I think I was better at slowing down on days 3, 4 and 5 (oh, and 6, when I stayed home with the thrush), so my body didn't have to fight me like last time. Apparently standing in the international terminal of JFK on Sat didn't expose me to any bad pathogens, and I had a good time showing my friend's friend (the friend is still stuck in Russia waiting for a visa) around Philly today. But I'm wiped out. One more week, and then it's on to #5 next Thursday...

rachelvk

Whatashocker, Kelly and Laura - Good luck on Thursday. And Laura - Glad you enjoyed the Look Good program. I think the more we focus on finding the real beauty in our faces and personalities, the better we can deal with so much of this.

seacretgardn

Sunrise I'm so sorry you went through that. Terrifying. Thank God you were on top of it and quick action was taken. I hope you heal and regain your strength quickly.



Thank you too for the reminder that we are on seriously strong txs and have to be so diligent about listening to what our bodies are telling us.



Rachel thank you. It was nice to share that experience with others, Im sorry your friend is still delayed, but glad you and his friend have been able to share and enjoy your time.



Ok, hugs to all,



Laura

markat

Laura are you still allowed to take things with tylenol in them with your elevated liver enzymes? I forgot to ask the onc yesterday and she didn't mention it.

Sunrise79

Thank you ladies for your being so sweet!

FLislander

Market

I know I'm repeating but I had elevated liver enzymes 3 weeks ago third taxol, they didn't say anything I just saw on my chart. I started drinking fruit zinger herb ice tea with lemon, lemon is supposed to help liver, and I would drink this before I had coffee in morning too. Seemed to help and liver enzymes are normal again. I drank lots but it's good and sugar and caffeine free.

markat

Thanks flislander. I'll have to try it. When I got my neulasta today one of the nurses mentioned the antibiotic I was on and said that might have contributed to it. I guess I'll know more after next Tue when they redo labs.

GracieG

Whata - Hope you tx went well today and you are resting comfortably.

Kelly - Good luck with your treatment tomorrow.

Markat - I hope when they do the blood work next week that everything is more normal and you can blame the elevated enzymes on the chemo.

Sunrise - Wow, what a frightening story.  I'm so sorry you ended up in the ER and then the ICU.  You must have been so worried.  I am happy that you are getting home health care and PT.  I do hope you're feeling better.

Take good care of yourselves. 

seacretgardn

Markat, she hasn't said no to Tylenol. I will try to remember to ask tomorrow.



Office called today to let me know my culture was positive for UTI. So more antibiotics.



Haven't had one in years and years.



Have a good night all,



Laura

Kelloggs

Thanks for the good luck ladies.  Just got back from #5.  My platelets were low so I didn't get the Carboplatin today.  My MO said it compounds the blood count problems and is the least important of the 3 drugs.  She was OK with it, so I am too.  Here's hoping that it decreases any other potential  SE's this weekend!

Whatashocker3

Kelloggs, I just completed number 5 yesterday too. It is nice to have that one under my belt. I expect the weekend I will be sore and tired but should be better my next Wednesday. Than back for number 6 on the 21 st. Scary stuff this c stuff but I am trying not to dwell on it so much. Ha ha I know, the women I have talked to who have been through it have all said not to let it take over your life. Probably it will be easier to follow this rule after treatment but I think they have a point. I think we all have to assume it was a bump in the road but the rest of our life is ahead of us.



I think this is our route to a good long life ahead.



It has been awfully quite on our discussion forum?? Where did everyone go? We have to rally the troops so we can support one another.

Kelloggs

Whata - I guess we finish this journey with tx about the same time!  I can't wait, my last one is the 22nd.  I have noticed there isn't much activity on here.  I hope no news from the ladies is good news!  Is everyone out there OK?????

Mardibra

Well, I had my third of four DD Taxol infusions today. Went pretty well. I was supposed to have the third last week but was turned away due to nueropathy in my feet. I have been taking 15 grams of L Glutamine twice a day since last week and it appears to be working. Toes are still tingly but it's much better than totally numb feet! They can't do anymore for me with the pain so I will just have to endure. The only alternative was morphine and I would have to be admitted for that. NO WAY!



I'm with you Whata....it is what it is and I refuse to let cancer run my life. I will do exactly what they tell me to do and try and not think about the "what ifs". I feel it will be easier after treatment and surgeries are done. Although, im pretty sure I might give a different answer when I'm in the throws of horrible pain saturday through Tuesday! Thankfully my drug induced coma will keep me from posting negative thoughts.



I don't know about the rest of you gals but I am tired! They were right when they said the fatigue was cumulative. Only one more, only one more....my new mantra. It's almost 8:00 and I'm ready for bed and a solid 12 hours of sleep. My job has been very accommodating and I am very appreciative! I work from home when I can and I have not been on a plane since this mess started. The one upside is that I have not had to fill out an expense report in months. Yay.



Good night and happy thoughts to you all!



Christine

Kelloggs

Christine - I hope your weekend doesn't suck.  The fatigue is definitely cumulative whatever cocktail you are on....I have it too and it's unreal.  I have only missed one day of work during this ordeal except for infusion days.  Luckily I work in the medical field and they are understanding and I have my own office to hide in.  Back to work tomorrow.  I'll be with you in some kind of coma over the weeend.  Hang in there...{{HUGS}}

seacretgardn

Kelly and Mardibra you are both so close! Mardibra glad to hear the glutamine is helping.



Kelly hope your SEs are milder this tx.



Still amazed at you ladies working. I stare at my bills or insurance nightmare that has to be resolved and after a short time just walk away. I really worry about returning to work and what I will be able to manage.



Saw the onc today prior to tx #4 and she said I looked much better than when I was on AC. I was so sick on AC that I don't remember the fatigue. The fatigue from taxol is more noticeable.



Still have a rapid and sometimes palpitations and worry about the effects of AC.



They reduced the steroids again but still wired.



Feel like I'm so far behind the rest of you, 2 more months of weekly tx.



Markat my liver enzymes are still elevated but getting closer to normal, onc thinks AC related, and while she would not let me take diflucan when I had thrush, but said ok to Tylenol.



A good night and mild SEs to all.

FLislander

Hi everyone

Hope all have a relaxing weekend. I had my last taxol Tuesday and I'm getting achey now, just planning on resting for a week. Now that chemo is over I'm moving on to surgery in a month and just so many things to consider. What kind of recon, what effects of estrogen sucking drugs, uncertainty. While chemo was no fun now it's scary to face all the other stuff. Hope everyone has a great weekend, looking like spring outside. So nice to see some flowers in the yard. Thanks for sharing this rough ride. Been on here everyday and all you guys pulled me through, sharing all our misery. Sending all my best out to each of you!

Cindy

Whatashocker3

Cindy, I have done the surgery and for me that was the easy part. It was easier because I wanted to get the yucky stuff out of me. I had my 5th taxotere on Wednesday so it will be a quite weekend for me too. This board has been pretty quite not sure where everyone is? I wish you all the best.

momof3boys

Crossed the chemo finish line today! Yay! All bloodwork, including that damn alkaline phosphotase were all in normal ranges, too. Phew! I was sweating that one, only because I'm obsessive and nervous.

Hope everyone is having a great day. I feel really good, but going to take a nap before the boys get home from school.

XO Joyce

Kelloggs

Congratulations Joyce!!!!  I go for my Neulasta at 3:30.  I had my 5th TCH yesterday and feel pretty good today.  Didn't get the Carbo this time because my platelets were too low.  Hopefully the SE's will be lessened as a result.   I wish everyone a good weekend with mild SE's.  We are all getting close to that finish line....can't wait!

markat

Congrats to everyone finishing and close to the end! I'm feeling pretty yucky today. Flislander I'm with you on the surgery stuff...I guess I will be heading towards a BMX in April.



I hope everyone is feeling ok and has a restful weekend.

Whatashocker3

Joyce, congrats to you!!!! It must feel awesome to know you don't have to go back to that infusion room. Was there a bell to ring? You must feel relieved? I hope your last infusion is se limited. You deserve a relaxing weekend. My thoughts will be with you for the surgery. I went with just the one mastectomy but regret it as you are lopsided. Not sure what I will do or if I will do ps. I am concerned things will go undetected and I don't want that to happen.



It is great that everyone is finishing their treatment, I think myself, Markat and Rachel will be the last ones.

momof3boys

Hi what...thank you, I am relieved! There was no bell, but lots of good wishes and hugs. And my sister (as she's done along along, came with me and scheduled "special guest appearances" of family and friends for 15 minute visits. And flowers were delivered from my aunt and uncle! So it was nice, just glad it's over!

I already had my BMX surgery in November. So, next up is rads in 4 weeks then sometime this year, exchange surgery to permanent implants. Just glad the chemo is done! BMX was easier!

dougieswife

I go to the the chair on Wednesday for TX#5....then just ONE more!!!!!!  Herceptin for the rest of the year, though.

I met with my PS today...and I'm so excited (and I just can't hide it!!!!).  Left side is completely filled and I just have 60cc's left on the right which will get filled March 22nd.  Exchange surgery to be scheduled end of May/beginning of June!!!!  I am finally seeing light at the end of this tunnel!!  This is totally the positive news I need to get through the next 2 treatments!!  It feels weird that things really will be returning to normal again...or maybe just another new normal that is much more similar to the old normal.  

Hope everyone is feeling good and bouncing back quickly!!  I'm actaully kinda scared for tx#5...scared it is going to totally kick my rear end! 

Whatashocker3

Joyce, that is great that your sister has been so awesome. My sister has let me down immensely. I really haven't seen her since Christmas. I have 3 sisters and she was the one I thought I could count on. The other two have been better than the one I thought I could count on. She only lives a hour away from me. It has truly hurt my feelings but I can't dwell on it as negative energy isn't healthy. I must say I have been truly disappointed. Not sure how we can get things back to normal after this. Don't think we can.



So give your sister a hug and know they all aren't like that.

momof3boys

Oh I can relate! I have two sisters... Both older than me and an older brother. I'm the "baby"....

My other sister, lives near both of us, did come to my surgery in November and I saw her at Christmas. She told me that she talked to her principal (she teaches fifth grade) and has over 30 sick days to use with her principals blessing to help me. I have 3 boys...and work! Well, since Christmas, I've gotten 3 text messages from her, that's it! Not even a phone call! No help, no meals, nothing (I have a ton of friends, co workers, neighbors, and of course my other sister and brother constantly bringing meals, treats, flowers, groceries,etc, and helping getting the boys to and from school, practices, playmates, etc. My sister? A text!