April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

nofear2012

Dancer - I will start weaning myself off the Ativan as soon as my thrush clears up, uuggg, so I know what u went thru. I know the thrush is in my throat & down. My mo has me on 200mg of diflucan & now my stomach is upset due to the medication.....will it ever end?

dancetrancer

nofear - gosh I understand that feeling!!!  I'm right there with ya. Hope your thrush goes away with the Diflucan.  Take it with food if you aren't!  

nofear2012

Dancer did u take the 200 or the 100mg of diflucan & have yur thrush gone away? I am taking w food but my stomach still aches a little. I hope this does the job for me so I can get my stomach back.

dancetrancer

First I had one IV 200 mg infusion of Diflucan.  It improved by about 80% over the next week, but then returned with a vengeance day 8.  Then I was put on 200 mg by mouth daily for 12 days.  It improved but did not go away 100%.  It's unusual to fail Diflucan and Nystatin, but apparently my infection decided to be special.  harumph.  

Doc sent me to a dentist a week ago today.  She put me on an unusual treatment.  She had me buy over the counter monistat and put a small amount on my tongue (definitely tastes BAD, didn't swallow it, spit out most after holding it in my mouth as long as possible, and didn't drink any water or eat for an hour to let it work).  After one treatment with that I could see a remarkable improvement.  I've been doing this twice a day for the past week and the thrush appears to be gone.  I will continue for another week until follow-up with her (probably once a day if it continues to stay away).  Thrush has a tendency to recur, especially in my case, so I am being sure to not stop the treatment too soon.

She also is having me do a nightly rinse with chlorhexadine to prevent gingivitis (and it also is somewhat fungicidal).  In addition, she's having me brush once daily with prescription fluoride since she feels my mouth "flora" puts me at high risk for new cavities right now.

As of now, still seeing the improvement, I feel like my dentist is a genius.  I thought she was crazy to suggest the Monistat (gross!), but did it b/c I was desperate.  Apparently my yeast variant was not immune to that particular fungicide.  

Hope that helps!

P.S.  I'm on Nexium twice a day, so I'm sure that's helping my stomach.  You may want to consider something like that if you aren't on it already. 

nofear2012

Wow, I hope this round of diflucan takes care of it for me, I feel for what u are going thru. I hope what u are doing does the trick for u. Thx for the info.

Pkate

I am finally PFC as of yesterday.  I should have posted last night as I was on that Steroid high (took a nap for 4 hours from the Benadryl so I guess I'm good with the 3 I got after midnight.

It felt so good.  I had a friend with me who took pictures (my new avatar).  My nurse shouted out, "we have a bell ringer here".  I have only heard the bell ring one time before mine and that was on 4/4/12 the day I started.  My but its been a long bumpy ride.

At first they weren't going to give to me as my ANC was 948 and it should be at least 1500, but since it was my LAST weekly Taxol, they said if I came in for Neulasta shot today they would do it.  I mean, I had brought them a cake and cupcakes and my friend brought lots of sandwiches for the staff so we just had to give it a go.  Time flew by quickly and by one I was done.  Little overwhelmed as I had to read the poem while everyone stood around watching and then came the hugs.  Even my doc came in and gave me a hug.  I tried to hold back tears.  I have so much to do for my family in Houston (my sister just entered hospice at home last week and I'm trying to get my dad home from the nursing home he has been in since the 16th and into hospice) so I just had to be done.  I leave on the 18th - Melrose - how stinking hot is it there now?  I grew up there but since being in Maryland I always forget the sauna blast after getting off the plane.  They told me that my nadir was day 10-14 and guess what, that's the day (10) that I fly out so I've got surgical masks, gloves to wear and a blanket to sit on in the front of the plane.  Will get early boarding and hope not so many kiddos flying but it is Saturday so the public will be there rather than business folks. 

All this family stress and issues came about all of a sudden in the past month.  I knew about my sister but not my Dad so double work.  I'm the POA and Executer for both so will be meeting with an attorney to set up probate for the future and a geriatric care manager so that I can count on someone to manage their visits while I'm out of the state.  Didn't think I'd be learning about all this stuff for awhile.

I wish everyone continued success with their treatments.  Hang in there.  So many times I thought I'm not going any further but I did and am glad.  I'll check in from time to time to see my chemo friends also leave when their time is due. 

Hugs to all.  Remember your friends are the medicine for your soul!

RoulaG

Stacie - done with TCH as of 8/9/12. Yay me!

Melrosemelrose

Pkate- So wonderful that you are PFC!!!!!  Glad you were able to get your last Taxol and ring that bell!!!  Now you have a week to get rest before you come down here.  How long will you be down in Houston?   Yes, it is warm down here but not nearly as bad as last summer's scorcher of a heat wave.   I don't know how much help I can be to you when you get down here but whatever I can do to help you, let me know.  I live near the Medical Center.  Please feel free to private message me.  Safe journeys and hugs to you!!!!! 

dancetrancer

Congrats Pkate and safe travels!!!

IndigoMont11

Hi everyone!  Gosh, I am so far behind.  I just want to say - celebrating with everyone who's made it to PFC!  I'm looking so forward to getting there - 2 txs to go, last one on 9/13.  I love the tiara idea - maybe I'll ask my friend if her granddaughter will lend me one.  ;-)  I am going to bring a bell, too.  Marcia, I betcha you have one of these - I have a little apple-shaped bell that I was given for volunteering for my oldest son's elementary school waaay back when.  I rang it and it is good and loud!  The nurses sing "Hit the Road Jack" to patients at their last tx, which is cute, but I really want to ring a bell! 

Roula, I have thought about you a lot and figured you really have had your hands full.  Continued wishes and prayers for you and you dad!  

I am so awestruck by all of you - I think to myself that I have my challenges and a lot depends on me for my family's support - but when I read about what you are doing for your families, I am determined to just keep going!!!  I have been stressing about work ramping up here lately (I'm still working from home but it has gotten much, much busier) - but it must mean that I'm up to it.  

Hugs and purple energy to all!   And Happy Birthday to all the birthday girls.  I turned 52 in June, and it was honestly one of the best birthdays of my life.  Luckily for me, my taste buds hadn't yet been zapped, so my cake even tasted terrific.  But no matter what, you are right - no reason not to celebrate each and every birthday.  

nofear2012

Dancer - did u take diflucan or fluconazole?

kjiberty

Pkate:  Congrats and safe travels!  I hope you travel okay considering you will be off your steroid high and I know the days after were very rough for me.  Sending you hugs and prayers for strength!

RoulaG:  You know I am doing the happy dance for you too!   

dancetrancer

nofear - they are the same thing (fluconazole is the generic name).

nofear2012

Ok that's what I thought. Did u have an upset stomack? I take it w food but my stomach stays upset. It is really depressing me cause I can hardly stand it. I also take prilosec but this ache is different, it is from the medication. I am going to cal my Dr office tomorrow & see what they can do. I have taken this b4 but the pills were 100mg not 200 & I do not remember my stomach hurting so much. I am just so frustrated cause if it wasent for this I would be feeling good.

dancetrancer

nofear - It's hard to know w/me b/c I am on a double dose of Nexium daily for my reflux.  It blocks lots of stomach issues.  I was off it for a few days last week and my stomach was all messed up - not sure if it was the diflucan or the tamoxifen I started...so many variables.   FYI, you can get Diflucan by IV to avoid the stomach issue, but you'd have to go in daily for that.  

I understand - ya just want it to be OVER!  How many more days do you have left to take it?  Is the thrush gone yet?  How long have you had it? 

nofear2012

I have 5 more days to take it & have only taken 2 pills so far. I had no stomach issues b4 chemo & since nothing but. I had thrush thru my whole chemo treatment. I used the naststin on/off along w biotene & salt rinse. I took the diflucan one time but got it back after the next treatment. I am going to start radiation on the 20th & want to go back to work @ the 1st of Sept but my stomach has to be back. I am just wiped out. Hopefully my Dr office can help.

nofear2012

Thanks dancer for listening - feeling so defeated.

nofear2012

Thanks dancer for listening - feeling so defeated.

dancetrancer

nofear - gosh you and I sound just the same with the thrush. It SUCKS when you keep getting it back and can't get rid of it.   Our poor immune systems just can't fight it off successfully.   I hope they can do something for you with the stomach issues b/c you need to be comfortable!  I surely understand stomach upset, too.   Maybe you could ask them what they think of the crazy Monistat idea that seems to be working for me.  Just know it tastes nasty...and don't swallow it!  Hugs to you...I know how hard this is, just seems like you'll never get better.  You think it will all go away PFC and when something hangs on it is very much a "defeated" feeling.  But we are NOT defeated at all girl - not at ALL!!!  

spicedlife

Roula, Congratulation on PFC!!!!!!

Pauletta

Good morning! That is awesome! That is what I was going to ask this morning. I didn't have a mastectomy. They removed my tumor in March and then a second surgery a couple of weeks later because my margins were not clear. Then the surgeon was very happy after the second surgery til he found out that I was her2 positive. Which made me have to go through chemo. I did the 4 A\C chemo's (once every 3 weeks), now I am on 12 taxol and herceptin (once a week for 12 weeks). Then I will still have 40 treatments of Herceptin left to do after the 12. Will I still have to go through the 6 weeks of radiation after all of this? My oncologist said that the 40 herceptin's will be through IV. My port is on my right side just above my right breast. My tumor was in my right breast. The sugeon tried his best to put the port in my left side, but was unsuccessful, so he had no choice but to put it in my right side. You can't get radiation with a port can you? I really hope they tell me that I will not have to do radiation. Any input anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I have been doing the saline several times a day to try and keep my nose very moist, hoping to keep the nosebleeds away. I have only had 2 of the taxol and herceptin's, going for my 3rd one today. So far, my nails and nose are doing great. I'm putting moisturizer on my nails in the morning and at night.

Pauletta

I keep seeing ya'll write PFC, what does that stand for?

kjiberty

Post f.....g chemo or post final chemo, whichever you prefer.  Good to see you back on Pauletta!

Cottontail

I had my last chemo yesterday (TAC), so I am now PFC!  The nurses were all saying goodbye to me yesterday, then I reminded them I'll be back in today for my Neulasta, and for labs in 6 weeks.  Haha.

My MO reduced the amount of my last Taxotere this time through.  I was starting to get neuropathy last time, and it got slightly worse after that last t/x, despite her putting me on gabapentin and B6.  I think my Adriamycin may have also been reduced, or else they split up the tubes differently.  (It was usually two big tubes, 3/4 full, but this time one of the tubes only had a tiny amount in it.)  Oh well, whatever, it's done now.

My tongue didn't instantly feel gross, so maybe it was the taxotere doing that to me.  My taste buds don't seem too much worse today than earlier in the week, so I'm hoping that, at least, will bounce back a bit faster.  I also didn't get thrush after the last t/x, so hoping I will stay thrush-free.  My MO still has me on daily diflucan as a preventative.

Next stop:  Lumpectomy and node disection, three weeks from yesterday.  I'll also get my port out then, I'm all too ready for that! 

Melrosemelrose

Yahoo- Cottontail!!!!  PFC!!!! Doing the happy dance for you and wishing you minimal side effects.  Rest up so you will be ready for your next phase of treatment.  Sending you lots of HUGS, smiles and positive, healing and calming prayers, thoughts and energy!!!  You did it...... you did it!!!!

mt4ever

Pauletta I had two surgeries like you and was found to be HER2 positive so had to do chemo and radiation.  I was on the TCH therapy though.  Not sure about the port and radiation. Let us know what they tell you!

Cottontail

Also- I've already had a follow-up breast MRI in preparation for the lumpectomy, and it showed a reduction in the "area of enhancement" from 3.5cm to 1.9cm. That was after t/x #5, so there could be some additional shrinkage before the surgery. My surgeon said it is likely that some of that is inflammation or necrotic tissue, but of course they won't know for sure until they take it out.



I'm glad for any shrinkage, and I consider that to mean the neo adjuvant chemo was successful.

dancetrancer

Awesome news Cottontail!!!! 

kjiberty

Cottontail:  Congrats!

Pauletta

Thank you for the inforamtion kjiberty! I will definately let you know what they tell me mt4ever! My oncologist told me yesterday that they will definately be doing the radiation after my taxol is finished which is the 3rd week in October. Also she told me that I could get it while my port is still in, they just have to be careful. How does the radiation effect you? I am going to be getting it for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Will I be tired, sick, etc.? I hope NONE of the above!

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