April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

lisa2012

Hanging in here,after Neulasta shot on thursday Both times i've gotten a little 100.4 fever in day 2 and MO said to take Tylenol. Not terrible but kind if wiped out days 2-4. Interestingly, figured out that my legs were hurting more and more mainly because of the crappy slip old sandals I'd been wearing a lot!!! Got som nice supportive Ecco sandals and boom, better very quickly. Still a little aches but NOTHING like they were. Shoe side effect!!



I know my WBC will be super low until about a week after my shot. Definitely on super careful mode this week.

Vball Kim, congratulations on your great daughters!

Marcia, like they are all saying, take it easy.

Off to the lazy boy for the afternoon....

Fierro6

DH and I had a good time this morning, but I got tired way more quickly than I would prefer.  I seem to have lost the bulk of my stamina.  If any of you ladies see it lying around in here, would you kindly return it to me?

IndigoMont11

Ummm.... so is anyone else seeing a screen that doesn't line up the avatars with the right posts????  This started for me early this morning! 

 

IndigoMont11

Weird - okay now it looks right.  I swear I wasn't hallucinating!! 

Btw, I learned my lesson:  ran out today in our 100 degree deserty heat, and took a bottle of electrolyte water.  No fainting.  Staying in the rest of the day until the heat dips.  

dancetrancer

YES Indigo - it was driving me batty!!!  And yes, it does appear fixed now.  Glad it wasn't just me seeing it! 

IndigoMont11

Me too!  DH is having issues with his laptop and I was afraid it was contagious!!

Fierro6

Page 117 was all jacked.  I didn't say anything because DD spilled a bowl of ramen on my (thankfully closed) laptop, and I didn't know if chrome was having an issue, or BCO.  When I got to page 118 and it was OK again, I realized that it wasn't the ramen.

(No, I'm not over being mad yet, but the laptop is OK.) 

kjiberty

I had the same problem with mine too.

Fierro:  Love the new pic!

FightingLikeAgirl:  You're not going to believe this, but flying in an airplane (high altitudes) brings up your RBC.  I know it's not practical, but one of my friends who has had several bouts of cancer shared that with me.  I woud love to get on a a plane--and take a vacation!!!

Marcia:  I didn't call my doc because it only happened the one time.

Okay, I have a question for ya'll.  I have my last treatment on the 28th (yeah!), neulasta shot the next day.  I HAVE to go to Chicago on the 6th (the following Friday).  I am taking the Amtrak, staying DT, and have my daughter-in-law's shower on Sunday.  I will undoubtedly by in NADIR.  Any suggestions for keeping the germs at bay, besides staying far away from everyone?  I wish it was a week later, but it's not my party.  Sigh......   

Fierro6

Thanks!  I made DH take me out super early this morning, since I get so tired in the afternoon, and as we passed this lake, the sun was coming up and I made him pull over. LOL  He's so indulgent.  Took the pic, got back in the truck, and headed to IHOP.

It'll likely be my last pic with hair (what little of it I have since the last cut,) because I don't show up in many pics.  I'm usually the one taking them!  (Oh, and I was wearing a hat, anyway.)  I just liked it because there are NO recent images of DH and me.

kjiberty

Fierro:  It's very nice and you both look happy!

rgina

Indigo - screen was messed up for me too, I thought it was Firefox.

Fierro -  great new pic

FightingLikeaGirl - thanks for the bloodwork info and yes my HGB is a little low 11.7, so is this why my energy level suddently sucks?  Like Fierro I need my stamina returned too!  It was all I could do to unload a 50# bag of horse feed from the truck last night.

Melrose and all with BP issues/suggestions, I've been on meds since February, but it doesn't seem to help at the appointments.  Maybe I need not to rush so much - I work or am on the phone for work until the last second, then run around like crazy to get to the appointment and make it about 2 minutes before appt each time - maybe I should try chilling out a little bit before I go.

kjiberty

Rgina:  This is why I think my BP is higher when I am at the MO's.  When they are taking my BP, they are asking me all these questions, like "are you on...... this medication, this med.... I don't even know what half of the ones they are talking about, because I am not on any other than the vitamins, steriods, and the lorzapam right before the chemo.   IMO, the should be bugging you, asking you all these questions while they are taking your BP.  

dancetrancer

kjiberty - as long as you are getting Neulasta the day after tx, I would think your numbers would stay up at a reasonably high level - not normal, but they shouldn't drop down to Grade IV neutropenia  - the Neulasta is designed to prevent that.  Of course it depends also how high/low you are the morning of chemo, since the whites tend to get progressively lower as you go along (at least in my experience).   Mine only went to Gr IV this last time b/c we waited til day 5 to start Neupogen...and my nadir had started early for some reason.  I think if you are getting it day 1 post chemo you are reasonably well protected (save for those rare exceptions where a few people here said the Neulasta did not work for them).  Of course I'd ask your onc on chemo day what your starting out at (in terms of whites/ANC...wouldn't it be funny if you asked him "what is my absolute neutrophil count today?"...ba-ha-ha!)   And then see how low he thinks you might drop during nadir (with the shot) so you have an idea of how careful to be.  I'd still follow basic precautions re: avoid hugging people, don't touch your face (this is so hard to do!!!), keep hand sanitizer in your purse, hand washing, etc.  P.S.  Pack a thermometer and all your meds!!!  Don't envy you on that packing chore! 

BTW, congrats on the last tx coming up - I know you are psyched!!!!!

 Fierro - cute, cute pic of you and hubby!!!

kjiberty

Dance: I knew I could count on you.  I cut and pasted your response to me in a "note" which will show up on my phone.  My MO will be gone to a meeting on the day of my last Tx, so I will have to deal with the PA.  Hopefully, she'll give me a response, if not, I will call the next day and ask to talk to her.  I am psyched--let me tell you!  It's going to be hard with the hugging bit, because I haven't seen my family since January.....(except my kids last month).  We are a kissing,hugging family...  If I plan on leaving, it takes me a 1/2 hour to do all the goodbyes, kissing, hugging, etc.  and you can't miss anyone otherwise they get their feelings hurt.  However, I am going to tell my mom she needs to give everyone a heads' up before they see me to try to stay clear of me.

dancetrancer

kjiberty...I'm probably more paranoid than I need to be since I've hit so low so many times - the hugging is probably just fine for you actually - see what the PA says based upon your numbers.  If it were me I'd just find out ahead of time if anyone in your family has been sick or around someone who has been sick.  Since it's family you can put that kind of feeler out!  For me, if I go to my social group that hasn't seen me in a while, they'd all be trying to hug me, and I'd have no idea who has been sick, etc.   So I just tell them - no hugs, sorry!   You can find out ahead of time!  Would hate for you to not be able to hug family you haven't seen!!!  

Fierro6

After giving several reminders at work, I finally snapped the other day when I didn't feel well.  A friend/coworker stopped by my desk, grabbed my pen and a post-it and started to write a note.  I said, "You touch my pen again, you'll be pulling it from your jugular as you bleed out, OK?"

People laughed (because I'm always cracking jokes) but they also realized that I'd been saying so for weeks.  It's been better since then.  I have grown so weary of cleaning my desk, keyboard, 10-key, pens, etc. every morning.  I sure don't want to do it every time someone uses my stuff without thinking.

Customer service is in one big, open room where I work, and I refer to it as the petri dish.  People refuse to stay home when they're sick.  I'm glad that this will be mostly over before flu season.  

lisa2012

Yes, no hugs etc. my sons had a.partynlast night, a friend came whose partner was home with a cold... We stayed about 6 feet apart and air hugged.



Oh, my eyes are watering so much today. Almost constant. Got my new shorter wig trimmed today, did you know that even though you finish TC4 with eyebrows and eyelashes it seems they often fall out about 4 weeks after chemo is done??? And here I thought I'd made it through. Well see.

Very tired today, treatment, Neulasta....just lying around. My decadron energy is gone!!

dancetrancer

Love it Fierro!!!!  Once again, you've got me chuckling!!!

dancetrancer

I've heard that about the eyelashes/eyebrows lisa.  Waiting to see if it happens to me (TCH).  10 days PFC.  Of course, hoping to sneak by without losing them! 

Melrosemelrose

Lisa2012- Now you know why Taxotere is also called "Taxotears". I'm heading into #4 round on Tuesday and my eyes seem a little watery and a little puffy.  They feel like I have been boo-hooing but I haven't been.  I've read on other chemo threads, the same thing about the eyebrows/eyelashes--- they go after chemo is over. When mine start going after I finish chemo, I'll start using the Latisse & see what happens.  Congrats on the end of your chemo and time to let your body recover from the chemo!!!!

kjiberty

Yesterday, I went to Ulta and bought RapidLash (on sale for $30 instead of $50).  I also bought some stuff called Bosley to help with hair growth.  I am going to wait to use both until after I talk to my MO.  I also bought some false eyelashes (!)--a couple of sets because I was told to throw them out due to germs after chemo.  My MO told me I will lose some, but not all of my eyelashes/brows.  My brows are starting to get a little patchy now.  Ugh!  

Fierro:  You crack me up.  I feel like I have turned into a total germaphobe (sp?) with this chemo.  My friend went through it 4 years ago and continues to be one.  I wonder if we'll lighten up a bit once this is over with. 

Lisa614

Hi Ladies, I will be starting chemo (TC x 4) July 5th and wanted to read from those already underway some of your hard earned tips.

I do have one question, about the hugging and germs...I am a physical therapist assistant and in constant contact with people.  In your opinion, is this going to be a huge problem for me?  I will be taking Neulasta on the day after treatment.  

thanks. 

spicedlife

Hi ladies, welcome to the new ladies and hang in there everyone else.  I would like to understand more of the number thing dancetrancer and although I work with money and numbers it is completely above my head!  BTW I just posted my head! lol

Fierro, I know how you feel, how many times can you say back off, I love you but back off!  I don't put it quite that way with my members of the CU.

Okay, I need help please...any ideas would be great.  I have a horrible time waking up in the morning, I feel comatose.  Have not made it to work on time even one day since I returned two weeks ago.  This week (which is the third week out from my 1st TX has been my lowest.  Any ideas?  Also, I have a horrible time getting to sleep at night. 

Thanks for listening you awesome girls!

Jenny

FightingLikeAGirl

Lisa614 - welcome

fierro...you had me laughing out loud from that one! I'm a total germophobe now as well...I had to do something today at the bank and the woman shook my hand...when she wasn't looking I immediately went into my purse and used some antibacterial...I don't want to hug or shake hands with anyone...but what do you say to strangers when they go to shake your hand???

dance & melrose thanks for the info on RBC's...I'm not sure how much I do will help but couldn't hurt..I went out and got a porterhouse steak and fresh spinach. Really looking forward to it!!! Love the livestrong.com website melrose...I don't know why I forgot to look there...it should always be my go to!

kjiberty...rbc by airplane...hahaha...love it! I think any place I go for a while well be by ground. As far as your trip...no hugging or shaking hands imo...still working on how to do the no handshakes w strangers but with my friends and family I just tell them I'm not doing it for now and they all respect it. Maybe the knuckle bump or elbow bump?

Raelan

Lisa - I know the anticipation of treatment can be pretty overwhelming.  It is good to see you will be getting the Neulasta shot, which will definitely help with your WBC.  It can be challenging, however, if you are going to be in constant contact with people all day.  I'd say you're just going to have to be on high alert for anyone that comes in and appears to be visibly ill with a cold or cough.  I just went back to work 2 weeks ago and ride the bus into work 3 days a week and so far haven't had any issues with this type of close contact exposure.  My daughter also came down with a fever/flu a few weeks ago and I was able to avoid catching it from her.  Just make sure you wash your hands constantly and be careful never to put anything in your mouth unless your hands are absolutely clean.  I've become a bit of a germophobic about this.  

You may want to talk with you supervisor about how you might handle situations when someone shows up who is visibly ill.  Would they be opposed to you wearing a mask when working with this type of patient?

dancetrancer

Lisa614 - Hello, nice to see a PTA on here - I'm a PT!  I too am glad you will be getting the Neulasta shot.   What setting do you work in?  If you work in a hospital or a nursing home, I'd be much more concerned than outpatient (and yes if someone in outpatient is sick, I wouldn't work with them - way too risky, IMO).  I work in a nursing home (per diem) and have decided not to work while undergoing chemo.  Way too many germs.  Plus, Neulasta/Neupogen is not always standard with my regime...until you find out if your numbers drop way low (like mine did) - THEN you start Neupogen/Neulasta.   So I would be placing myself at even higher risk b/c I would be going in unprotected.  

I would definitely discuss with your onc b/c we are constantly hands on with patients ALL day.  You may just have to be super germophobic like Raelen said above, if getting paid leave is not an option for you. 

Oh, and if you are doing lots of physical work (aka lifting), that could be an issue if you develop fatigue/some side effects, not to mention the amount of time we spend on our feet.  You could push through if you are one of the ones who has minimal side effects, though.  I would just have a plan in place for days when you might feel too sick or tired to work.  It's impossible to predict how you will react to chemo - we are all different.  Some on here have done really well, while others of us have struggled quite a bit. 

dancetrancer

jennyrjd - are you asking about the white count and neutropenia?  And are you taking anything to help you sleep?  If you are up half the night, no wonder it is tough for you to get out of bed!  I take restoril (temazapem)...resisted it at first...once I gave in I felt SO much better - rest is so important for our healing! 

lisa2012

How come I've never heard of Restoril before, just Ambien( which only works sporadically for me now) I would love something better. Do you take it regularly?



Having been a teacher for a million years (now a principal) I am pretty well-trained on the germophobic stuff. Universal precautions etc.



6 more months till hair is back, still have implant surgery to schedule, , a fingernail issue, eyes watering, thrush is back, fatigue. This really is going to be a whole year. Plus I started in November with the ovaries out. Yuck!!!!!!! I know what you mean about feeling like you are boo-hooing when you are not. All is good, just feeling tired...

FightingLikeAGirl

oops...dance...that callout on the rbc's was for you!

FightingLikeAGirl

Lisa2012...i sympathize with you...I've had thrush with all three of my tx's. The Dr put me on diflucan before my 3rd treatment in hopes that it will prevent it this time but it didn't. Its awful...i mostly have it in my throat...everything tastes horrible and feels so bad going do wn...is yours like this too? How long does yours last? Mine usually starts a few days after treatment and lasts about a week...and thats with salt washes, nystatin & diflucan. Jeez...I guess I have to be resigned to getting it 3 more times since I'm doing 6 TC's.