April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

rgina

Sandik - how frightening and to stay and finish - you're one tough lady!  Reading what happened to you is a good reminder for all of us that spend anytime outside - hydrate/hydrate/hydrate.  There's been a couple of times taking care of the critters in this heat, I've felt a little shaky, but ignored it.  That's all I need to do is pass-out and get stepped on by a horse!  I'm glad you are okay and please take it easy.

Vickilind - good to hear you are doing good with only mild SE's.

Welcome Tri-chick.

Mistym - good luck tomorrow and on Wednesday too.  You sound prepared and hope this time is easier for you.

sandik

MO said I normally shoot indoor, in the air, so I am hydrated for that. But going outside, in the heat, and moving around a lot, needs more, which I kinda knew, and thought I was hydrating enough for. I guess because I was sleeping more, I wasn't drinking as much as I thought I was. 

rgina, getting stepped on by a horse would not be a good thing. 

dancetrancer

Sandik - HOLY CRAP!!!!  OMG girl!!!  I am SO glad you are ok, but wow, can't believe you stayed and finished the job even after the pass out and roll down the hill and face scrapes.  Good gracious, you have a lot more drive than I do.  I would have been whimpering in a corner somewhere if something like that happened to me.  I think you've learned your limits on drinking water and heat, the hard way!  Hugs to you!!! 

Drinking MORE water as we speak!  

Mistym, yay that you haven't tried Neupogen yet...that gives me hope that you won't suffer as much next time!  And yes, I too, cherish special moments/occasions more.  Facing my own mortality, in a real - not "oh I will die someday" - way - has made me have much more gratitude for the simple things in life.  I hope it is a lesson I do not forget as time goes on.  It makes life sweeter, actually, to me.

Trickchick, that is SO funny!  Obviously I didn't catch that.  Ba-ha-ha!  And wow, so impressed at your pre-BC level of fitness!  I too, was very fit (but nothing like you!).  I danced 1.5 hours 4 times a week - high intensity cardio dance - definitely was in the best shape of my life, too.  I was dancing circles around some of the 20-something year olds in my class.  It IS a big set back - I've not been able to keep much fitness since chemo started - walking when I can - that is all I can tolerate.  I know, though, that I'll get back to dance eventually - so looking forward to it!!! 

Update on me:  Heartburn occurring - but NOTHING like the first 3 rounds guys!!!  I'm even weaning from the Carafate, can you believe it?  I asked for Nexium instead of Protonix - finally approved by insurance co b/c I "failed" two other proton-pump inhibitors...and low and behold, look, it is working.  Wish I could have had it earlier on the other rounds.  Just a heads up for anyone who is failing (not responding) to a proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux - request a different med - it obviously DOES make a difference, no matter what they say.  

Also, today is day 5 for me - just had bloodwork done - and I was stunned to find out my white count is "low critical" already!  My ANC is only 409 - Grade IV neutropenia.  It had been like 10,000 on Friday or something high like that.  Crazy how much it dropped over the weekend!  So started Neupogen again today and am on quarantine, no fresh veggies again, etc.  Just gotta make it through this week without an infection! 

mistym

Oh dancetrancer so sorry to hear about the count....be careful. 

And I actually did have seven days of the neupogen injections starting on day 2 after treatment 1.  My MO wants me to have them after each treatment.

I don't think any of us here will forget the lessons we are learning with this life changing disease and will always appreciate how precious and sweet life is.

hugs,

Misty

dancetrancer

Thanks mistym!  Hugs back to you!  

On round 3 we started Neupogen the day after chemo, which I preferred (I get so nervous dropping low), and kept doing the shot for a week - this kept me out of serious neutropenia.  However prior to round 4 I had dropped too low again for chemo (guess my whites kept getting hit long after my supposed "nadir"), so we did Neupogen 2 times (Mon and Tues) to help me be stronger for it.  Retested on Friday (after chemo Wed), and I was too high to start the neupogen (10,000) b/c of the pre-chemo shots...so retested today...I never imagined it could drop that much in 2 days!  Just seems really crazy to me!

vballmom

Trichick - so glad you are joining us (although I wish you didn't have to).  Have you been over to the "Let's Post our Daily Exercise" thread?  It's a good one too, and since my exercise lately has been walking to the couch and back, I have not been there much!  I am trying to get moving, but I am a big slug right now.  I am envious of people who love exercise.  I have two daughters that will be playing volleyball in college this fall - I love, love, LOVE watching them play.

Sandi, I have no idea how you keep working and shooting.  Location shooting is so stressful and exhausting. I sometimes assist hubby - he prefers the studio.  Prefers is an understatement. 

A/C #3 was uneventful.  Now I'm a bit loopy and waiting for the next round of side effects to announce themselves!

sandik

haha vball, Im sure you aren't that bad. I love location shooting because it's not the same over and over. I'm glad the best lighting times outside are not mid-day! Weddings I can't do anything about (these were scheduled before I found out I had cancer). But for seniors, I tell them 6 or 7 pm or early morning. And I mean like 6am. Not too many of them want that time slot. haha 

dance, that sucks about your wbc. You sure have had a rough go of this whole thing! I'm glad I get mine shot the day after. Salads and fruit are all I can taste. Id be screwed if they cut that out on me!  

Rose_d

Hello everyone!



Sandik,I can't believe what you went through. I think I would have been out of there, good for you for sticking it out.



I'm one week out from my first taxol and have suddenly developed a rash. It's all over my chest and my shoulders and I just saw it on my ankle. It has gotten more itchy throughout the day. Ugh. I called the doctor and they said it's a side effect of taxol. I put some hydrocortisone cream and it and she said to call back of it's not better in 24/48 hours.



I think it's that I was getting cocky! I've had almost no side effects this time around and have almost forgotten anything was going on (aside from the damn bald head of course!).



Let's hope it goes away quickly.



Good luck to everyone this week,



Nancy

rn4babies

Mistym......I also had the bone pain so bad I couldn't walk from the Neulasta. My MO said we're going to try taking the pain meds before the pain even starts and see if that helps. I'll still take the Claritin although I don't think it helped last time. My next TX is on Monday and I'm already dreading the shot. My other SE's are minimal compared to that.

I went to "Look Good Feel Better" today. Although the makeup was very nice, I feel that it needs to be updated. They had about 3 wigs which definitely are for much older women (they put a solid gray one on me.....I'm only 48!......lol) and they didn't know anything about scarf tying. There were only 2 of us in the class. It was nice, however, to talk to the other woman who was my age as well. She is about 6 weeks PFC and her hair is growing in beautifully. She told me her eyebrows and eyelashes fell out after treatments were done but grew back in 2 weeks. That was encouraging to me, even though mine didn't fall out yet. She had no affect on her nails whatsoever and her natural nails were very long and beautiful. She told me she did TAC.

Here's to minimal SE's to everyone this week!

mistym

rn4babies - Thank you.  What pain meds will you be using? 

Misty

rn4babies

Misty.....I read somewhere on here that someone tried Aleve three times a day and it seemed to help. I'll ask my MO about that. I had to double the Vicodan last time (yes, it was THAT bad) and it barely helped. I don't like the Vicodan. It's very hard on my stomach. I also had tried Ibuprofen and Tramadol with no relief. I see the MO on Monday before my TX......I'll let you know what he recommended.

sandik

Rose,

I hear ya. Ive had little to complain about also, other than my taste buds and runny eyes. I kept waiting for the hammer to fall. I guess I was the hammer! Haha

lsharvey822

regarding taste buds - mine returned pretty fast after tx1 but now I'm going into tx3 and it still feels like someone is ironing the wrinkles out of it when I'm not looking! 

lsharvey822

OMG!! Sandik and Dance!!  I hope you're both better quick!

Fierro6

I'm thrilled that there are photographers on this topic.  Photographers are my peeps.  They feed my kids.  They pay my mortgage.  No, I don't do sales, so I won't be soliciting you here or anywhere else. LOL But I work at a lab, and it made me think, "Cool!  My peeps!"  (even though I can barely use my camera phone.)

mistym

rnbabies - I'm not familiar with vicodin but have tried Tylenol #3, percocet and morphine....the morphine helped a tiny bit but really upset my tummy.  My MO said not to take anything that contains aspirin or ibuprofin.  I think Aleve has apsirin?  I look forward to hearing what your MO gives you.

Thanks,

Misty

lsharvey822

@Fierro - you crack me up!  I think you could be the modern day Erma Bombeck!

kjiberty

Fierro:  I do agree with Isharvey--You crack me up!

Sandik:  I am glad you are feeling better.  It's a lesson for us all to learn-we need to take it easy--it's sometimes hard. I worked 9 hours today, but took at nap at 7 a.m .until 7:30 (got up at 6) before I went to work.  Didn't know if I could make it through the day!

Trichic:  Welcome!

MistyM:  Good luck this week

Vicki:  Glad you're Se's are minimal and I hope they continue.  

mistym:  My MO says NO advil or aleve. Only extra-strength tylenol;  if I need somethine stronger, she will call something in.

M4Babies:  I felt the same way about the LGFB program.  As a skin-care junkie, I felt it was outdated.  I kept my mouth shut and just listened, because I am sure there were women there that benefited from it. I felt encouraged by the other attendee who had hair growth so quickly after PFC.

I am still wishing these da......d hives would go away!  I look like a leper!  

silkuk52

Dancetrance-that was me that threw up Claritan. MO said if I am throwing up that much he is not doing his job well. He said I should have come in to be hydrated. Wants me to have Ativan in dose # 2. As well as take it 2x a day after with compazine as needed. Sounds like a fun ride, wheeee....But better than that bone pain, like someone said an 11 out of 10! Also 1 week after 1st treatment white blood count was low so needed antibiotic-another freaking pill to take-& sorry another venting. Here's hoping for no SE for anyone in the chair this week like me!

sandik

Fierro,

Its not Millers is it?

sandik

Oooh silk! Keep drinking! No more faceplants around here!

Fierro6

No, Sandi.  It's H&H.  

dancetrancer

silkuk52 - that does sound like a fun ride...as far as rides in chemoland go, LOL!  Bring on the Ativan.  Glad he is making some changes.  I hate to see anyone have that kind of nausea/vomiting going on - it has got to be just miserable!   Uggh on the white count, I can relate!  And severe bone pain on top of it?  Your first round sure was a doozy.  Definitely hope your 2nd round is better!

lsharvey822

Cracks me up the difference in drugs being dispensed!  I don't get steroids except in my chemo and I didn't get Benadryl in my first chemo but they gave me Ativan before I started!  I've only taken one...I swear!

vickilind61

TriChick, that is great that you are keeping up with your fitness but sorry the BC has slowed you down.  I am an avowed couch potato who is looking at this dx as an opportunity to bemore active.  TRying to walk everyday.  It's a start.

Dance, now we know how you got your screen name. 

SE's are a little stronger today; pain in my hips and thighs, but not horrible.  Took some Tylenol.  we'll see. 

Any going to the BGC, blessings tomorrow.

Fierro6

That's how I feel when I see the "No Advil" posts, but my Onc's nurse told me Advil or Tylenol would be fine, and I could alternate if needed.  I even checked my take-home instructions to make sure I didn't mis-hear.  

I needed that option today, too.  I had a horrible headache all day.  I do NOT get headaches, but this is the second time in this first week that I've had to deal with this.  Those of you who get them all the time have my empathy.  I cannot imagine. 

In other amazingly fabulous news, I boarded the D train not long after getting home from work.  Wooo Wooo!

Sheesh.  Talk about a Monday! 

vickilind61

Mondays....suck....just sayin'

Melrosemelrose

silkuk52- Now you know that you need to call your onco whenever you are having side effects that are not being helped from your meds.  Sounds like he wants to help you have minimal SE's after your treatment which is great!!!  I get Ativan in my IV right before my treatments which helps me relax.  I'm hoping the next Neulasta shot you get won't be as bad.  You may want to try the Claritin again to see if it helps.

kjiberty

Fierro:  At least you boarded the D train when you got home.  I boarded that train while AT WORK last week, and had to come home to clean up the mess.  Pretty embarrassing.  Glad no one noticed.  I went home because "I wasn't feeling well", which was true since I had a mess in my pants! Not pretty at all!

Fierro6

Yeah, my stomach started grumbling not long before I left work, and I thought, "Here we go!  Good thing it's time to head home!"  I work 40 miles from home, too, so I ALWAYS have a change of clothes in my car.  If I spill coffee down my shirt, I can't go home to change. 

Since I was diagnosed, I've had to use my emergency clothes twice.  Both times had to do with that stupid JP drain.  LOL  Still, I've got 'em and will make an excuse to use them as needed.