April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Melrosemelrose

lisa2012- The clear nail polish is to help strengthen the nails because some nails can split, chip, peel, lift from the taxotere.  The clear polish also allows you to see what is happening to the nails ( discoloration, ridges, etc.)  I'm hoping that my icing and polishing the nails will pay off when my chemo is over.  So far , so good.

lisa2012

Hey- found my ring this morning!! Yes!! what an upper, a good omen.I know it has nothing to do with cancer but it made me very happy!!!!

Wigs: Watch old TV shows or movies from the 60s and 70s and you realize lots of women wore wigs to change their look or be stylish. When WE start wearing them (esp over prickly or bald heads)it's different, plus women don't wear them much now. Like a costume.  I am getting more used to it- a short hair curly look, a lot like my real hair. When I go out I prefer to not stand out. Makes people think I got a new haircut vs "she has cancer." (Or had. Maybe with the surgery and chemo it is gone....)

First attacks of the big D that i've had so far. Still better than constipation but kind of tiring.Hope all our SEs stay manageable today. I'm in nadir, low WBCs for a few days even with Neulasta, being extremely careful.Dancetrancer, thanks for the peeling skin tips! Tri Chick,hope your treatment goes smoothly.

 

 

Melrosemelrose

Back from the round #4!!!!  Only two more to go----Yahooo!!!!  Infusion went well. I got put in a private room with a bed in it so I got to lay down the entire time.  that was fun.  The infusion center was crowded.  I had a choice to sit in the four chair room but I opted for the private room with the bed and window.  It was so relaxing.  I am anemic so the suggestion is to eat more red meat and other foods to boost that number up.  So tomorrow after I wake up from my Ativan dose I got in my IV, I'm off to Whole Foods to get the foods so I can try to boost up the numbers.  They said no iron pills for me--- just add some more  meat into the mix.  Easy to do for me.

Time to chug more water down and take a nap.  Catch you gals later!!!!

Fierro6

Visit with MO went well this morning.  She thinks the headaches are a combination of the steroids and lack of sleep.  (The OTC sleep aid helps some, but 6 hours is the max I get.)  She cut my steroids in half for this time, and prescribed Ambien.  We'll see.  If it doesn't help...nope.  No negativity.  It will help.

 I got blood drawn while I was there, and whites are up a lot compared to Friday.  They faxed results to PS office, so tomorrow I have a TE fill at 9 and infusion at 11.  Talk about your all-day ordeal!  

I hope you all have a smooth week.  See ya tomorrow from the BGC! 

dancetrancer

lisa - so excited you found your ring!  Yay!!!! 

Marcia1111

lisa2012 - Great news!

mcm24

Is anyone else having trouble with urinary tract infections? I have had 2 since I started chemo April 4 and I thought I was getting one yesterday. I went to the nurse practioner at my family doctor's and she also did a vaginal culture, since I wasn't sure if it was a UTI. I am the first one to admit that I am not drinking enought water. I am having a lot of trouble drinking the mass amount that they want me to. They said that cytoxan is a bladder irritant. I know that I feel very "sticky" down there, especially now that there is no hair! I have my first Taxol treatment this Thursday and I am nervous!

rgina

Does anyone know of a natural diuretic?  I feel all puffy, I'm sure part of it is lack of exercise/movement, I usually walk around outside a couple of times a day - to the barn and back and around the property - but it's 109 freaking degrees and you can't even breath when you walk out the door.

Lisa - so glad you found your ring.

Melrose - sounds like a relaxing TX if they can be relaxing:)  

Fierro6

Celery, onion, eggplant, asparagus and watermelon are all natural diuretics.

dancetrancer

rgina - 109 degrees - WOW.  It's high 90's here and projected for over 100 Fri, Sat, Sun.  I've been pacing back and forth inside my house for 20 mins or so instead of walking outside, then doing some simple leg and arm exercises.  Just way way too hot to do anything outside - especially for chemo patients!  

Sorry, not familiar with natural diuretics.  I'm pretty sure Taxotere is the culprit causing fluid retention.  Be sure to tell your onc.  

mary71145329

lisa2012--awesome that you found your ring!!

fierro--sounds like a very busy day tomorrow! Good luck! BTW, the steroids give me a wicked headache too.

melrose--glad the BGC went well for you today! They had a bit of trouble locating a vein for my infusion. The nurse blew one then called another nurse to help. Finally got one and I'm really glad I've only got one more treatment to go!

sandik

109???? Id be dead for sure! No way would I be able to handle that! 

lisa, glad you found your ring.

stacie, sounds like a busy week. Hope it all goes well.

melrose, glad your day in the bed went well. Did you say 4 chairs? My center has about 30!

fierro, hope they get your headaches under control!

day 2 of taxol # 1. I feel good. Had a little bit of tossing and turning trying to get to sleep last night, but slept all night once I did. Had a good day today. Got all of my bookwork caught up. My nails were already turning dark with the AC, so Im pretty sure I will lose some whether I ice or not.

Oh, my cardiologist called me today. He does not like the fact that I passed out last week. That is a symptom of that elongated qt interval thing that I have. (fainting, seizures, and sudden death) He said although it may have been dehydration and from the chemo, he is not 100% sure, so he wants me to go see another specialist and see what he has to say.  So, more drs on Friday. 

Melrosemelrose

sandik- The infusion center has several rooms with multiple loungers and about 12-16 private with loungers and then has about 4 private rooms with beds.  I was in a private room with a bed.  It was a good place to nod off for naps today.  It was a full house there today.

rgina - That bed at the infusion center was comfy and the room was quiet.  Can't help you with the diuretic issue.  My high blood pressure med has a diurectic included in it so no worries about swollen ankles from the chemo.

Mary71- Today was the first time the infusion nurse got my port accessed with one try.  YAY!!!!! Glad I have that port!!!   Hope your veins hold out for the last infusion for you!!!!  The infusion nurse asked me if i hydrated a lot yesterday and today.  I told her yes..... she said drinking lots of fluids the day before the round helps make finding the veins easier.

Lisa2012- Yippee.... you found the ring!!!!! One less thing to worry about

MCM24- I was always told to drink plenty of cranberry juice to help with UTI's.  I haven't had any during my chemo because I try to drink water all day.

Pulse running a little high but the onco is just going to watch it.  I'm also  a little anemic (surprise, surprise) but the decision has been to handle it with diet. Looks like a grocery trip to Whole Foods is in order for tomorrow.  Maybe I should just suck on iron nails for a snack.... LOL.   No word from my internist about the thyroid panal I had on Friday.  Going to get my Neulasta shot tomorrow afternoon.  Hopefully the Claritin regimen will do the trick again so that I won't have any bone pain.  FYI:  I got the insurance EOB that showed the cost of that shot--- OMG for the drug and adminstration the full price is over $16,000.  Thank goodness the infusion center is on the insurance network or else the insurance company would have paid more.  Also the insurance covered the cost 100%.

kjiberty

Hi all:

Sandik:  I will keep you in my prayers

Mary71, melrosemelrose and anyone else who had infusions today and who will have them tomorrow (Fierro), hope you have minimal S/E's and have a good night's sleep.

Lisa:  I had a feeling you would find your ring.  I almost had a stroke last week when I was putting lotion on my hands and did not see my wedding ring on my hand.  I starting freaking out to my husband who was sitting next to me as I never take it off.  Silly me, I put it on the right hand for some reason! We both had a good laugh.

Marcia:  I can't tell you how many compliments I get on my wig.  Every single day someone (who doesn't know I have cancer) compliments me on my "haircut".  BTW, I have been told wigs are coming back in style.  Don't know if it's true....

Fierro: I hope this is the end of of your headache nightmare.

Dance:  Hope you get off the train completely soon. 

dancetrancer

sandik - how scary.  Sounds like you have an excellent cardiologist, though - he's keeping a close eye on you!  For that I am glad - keep us posted. 

 melrose - holy crapoli!  That Neulasta shot is way more expensive than I ever dreamed!  Each Neupogen shot is around $300, I think - if self-administered.  I'm not sure how much extra it runs when the MD gives it - haven't checked. 

My pulse has been running high ever since I became anemic.  It's a natural response to low hemoglobin/oxygen in the blood (you probably already knew that, though).  If you are lucky like me you will eek by and not need a transfusion.  I dropped to 8 last week, was up to 9.7 Monday...but I'm feeling pretty tired today, so I wouldn't be surprised if it has dropped again.  Go in for my Herceptin only tomorrow so they'll be checking it again.  

kjiberty

Dancetrancer:  Good luck tomorrow.

SadeSurvivor25

Mcm24, I had my first UTI ever about a month or so ago and the doctor said he's almost certain it was because of the chemo. I am also in the chair with you Thursday for my first Taxol and Herceptin. I'm kinda scared because Idk what to expect.



Sandik, my nails have darkened as well from AC. My infusion nurse acts as if it's fine and says they will lighten back up once chemo is over but I have a fear that they’re gonna fall off. The palm of my hands and the bottom of my feet have also darkened as if I've gotten a tan...my oncologist said they will return back to normal once the chemo is over as well. Reading up on and experiencing all of these side effects can be so

overwhelming!! I hope you continue to do great on Taxol.



Paulette, hugs to you. I was in tears reading your post. I pray we will all get through it with minimal to no SE.



Melrose I'm glad your treatment went well!!!

Stacie

Good news at my BS my seroma (fluid collecting in pocket from ALND site) is healing/draining on it's own now. Didn't have to aspirate. And won't again unless it recollects. Also won't hold up RADS which was the bigger worry. Yay.

Stacie

PS My fatigue is incredible! This is the weakest I've been going "into" chemo which is Thurs. Bracing for it to be a doozy. Not sure if that is the correct spelling of doozy LOL.

Melrosemelrose

dancetrancer - You made me feel a little better about the purlse and anemia.  I'm going to tweak my food diet to see if I can get it up a little.  Thanks goodness Whole Foods is around the corner and I like to cook.  I may just start making lunch with the stuff that I know my family won't eat and then at dinner make dinners that help that I know they will eat. Staying in inside cooking beats getting out in the heat anyday!!!!

Sade- Hope all is well with you.  Your first Herceptin infusion will run about 1 1/2 hours because the infusion nurses will be watching and monitering you closely for any immediate reactions.  Assuming you have not problems with it, the next Herceptin infusions will be take between 30 minutes to an hour.  I hope your Taxol infusion is a breeze for you and hope for minimal side effects for you.

Fierro- No more headaches, please!!!  Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Hope everyone is blessed with minimal side effects and easy times in the Big Girl Chair!!!!

lisa2012

My doc said that steroids cause water retention too. Third round I had ankle swelling for a few days, but only the one time.



Boy, food is not looking good right now. I barely could eat noodles and an egg for dinner. Steamed veggies did not smell good. NP says, it's the chemo. I hope it wears off soon! I did have a soda cracker a few minutes ago. I can still do water ok. Yuck!! How do ladies who have longer courses maintain??



How do I even know this chemo worked? my onc hasn't mentioned scans or blood tests yet.

I see him in 3 weeks. I assume I'll pick up speed by then.

Sorry about whining. At least I have my ring!!

Hortense

mcm24 - I haven't had any urinary infections; however, I noticed that sometimes my urine burned for a few days right after a T/C treatment, and I also noticed that sticky feeling you mentioned and became concerned that I might develop something I didn't want.

I remembered a woman posting about using a sports bottle of water to squirt herself after every pee to wash away all the chemically laden urine that got on her private parts and was burning her, so I got one and started rinsing myself each time for the first week or so after a treatment, and I know it has helped. Washing that nasty chemical smelling urine off got rid of the strong smell I noticed about me for the first week or so after each infusion, ended the sticky feeling and made me feel fresh and normal again.

I suggest that you keep a sports bottle filled with water next to the toilet to wash yourself off after each pee, it might help. It doesn't take much to do the job, one long squirt, and you will probably feel a lot better. 

vickilind61

sorry, we did a voluntary evacuation.  We are about 15-20 miles from the fire; mandatory evac areas are all around us.  Used my Buff as a mask while we loaded our cars.  Trying to decide  what to take and what to leave is so heart breaking.  It is going to be a long night.  My hubby is still at the house but told me to go.  Not sure what could happen with all the smoke.  The house smelled like we had a campfire going IN the house for a while, it was so bad.  But, my girls and I are safe, so is my son.  Just need my hubby to GO.

Thank you to my sissy and bro in law for opening their homes to us.  IT is F-Ugly scary!

IndigoMont11

Vickilind, I just PMd you-I hope your DH is on his way ASAP! Praying your home stays safe. I know the smoke must be terrible; we can smell it all the way up here. Hugs!

SadeSurvivor25

Melrose, I'm doing great besides the reservation about starting Taxol. Thanks for the heads up...the nurse warned me it would be long. I'm hoping it's a breeze! I hope all is well with you.



Vickilind, sorry to hear you had to leave your home. I hope your DH gets there safely!

mary71145329

vickilind--my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope your house will be spared but in the meantime, you did the right thing by leaving. Hope your DH is with you now.

Stacie--sorry to hear you're having such a tough time of it. Healing thoughts to you and I hope all goes well on Thursday! And of course, hooray that the seroma is draining on it's own!!!

melrose--the infusion nurse was telling me how the veins learn to hide over time. I made sure to hydrate the last few days and the bloodwork vein was easy. Just had the problem with the infusion spot.....1 more to go and I hope it works as I am pretty bruised already from the sticks today!

kjiberty--I like the idea that wigs may be coming back in style! lol Still haven't really worn mine. It's just so comfortable to use a bandana or scarf for the places I go now. I guess in time I'll have to adjust to the wig--probably when I go back to work in Sept.

Fierro6

Ambien didn't make me stay asleep.  Six hours out and then wide awake.  I'm going to give it a few more nights, although I'll be on steroids for the next several nights, so I have no idea when I'll sleep well again.  

When I realized that I was awake and my body had no plans to return to sleep, I looked at the clock and cried.  It felt like cancer had a small victory.  Stupid?   Yeah, I know, but my head goes weird places at 2am.  I've always slept at least 8 hours with no problems, and this is getting old.

Vicki - I am glad you got out, and hope your DH is with you now.  That is so scary.

Lisa - I didn't want anything to eat through day five,  and then things started sounding good again.  I'm just going in for round two, so I don't know if it will be the same, but for those five days, I was wondering if I'd ever eat anything other than crackers again.

vballmom

Hortense -  I do the same thing with the squirt bottle for the first few days.  It really did help.  The days I was in the hospital and didn't have the option were really bad, so I know it worked.

Vicki - please check in when you can! You are smart to leave.  I know it's hard, but we need you as healthy as possible here.  Did hubby join you yet?  

Fierro, I am sorry you are still not sleeping.  I am feeling quite done with this whole thing and I know I have almost a year to go.   

Here's my stupid trick of the week.  Hubby decided to "clean-up" my buzz cut with scissors. No biggie.  When he was done (and it was hot out) he got a wet paper towel to wipe my head with.  It was cold and the shock of it stunned me and I burst into tears. It didn't hurt but in a way, I feel like my body is in defense mode. I am just so tired of hurting.  

Sade, my nails have darkened on AC, too. I thought it was Taxol I had to worry about.
Stacie - I hear you on the fatigue.  I am barely getting out of bed these days.  I keep trying but I am just so damn tired all the time.

Sandi - I don't like that you passed out last week, either! 

Melrose - I'd love nothing more than to have a bed and sleep away the infusions!  

I'm going to attempt to work today.  Wish me luck!

Fierro6

Confession time.  I have to share because I just caught what I was doing and laughed hysterically at myself.  I just ate Fritos and bean dip at 6:00am in anticipation of not wanting food for several days.  THAT, my friends, is a true confession of a food addict.  I better wipe the salt of my fingers and get ready for my appointments!

kjiberty

Fierro:  LOL on your confession.  Do you have any atavan or lorazapam?  If so, try taking that about 7 or 8, and then take the ambien right before bedtime.  Or if you take the ambien, and wake up in the middle of the night, have a lorazapam on your bedside and pop that sucker in your mouth.  You will sleep for several more hours.  Remember, you need your sleep.

Vicki:  Stay safe!

Stacie:  Good luck with your infusion.

Hortense:  Thanks for the squirt bottle tip!  

Stacie:  Feel better and I hope you get some well-needed rest.