April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

sandik

They just accessed my port for blood work. Waiting for that to come back. Saw the dr before this. She said my pet scan found anotherstray node that was positive. She said this now bumps me up to stage 3. She feels that the chemo will get rid of the cancer, so does not think I need another surgery yet. They will do the a/c then another pet scan to see how it is.

Trying not to get bummed out here.

Melrosemelrose

Hey IndigoMont11- The Gen Teal eye drops can be purchased at Walgreens, Target, CVS, you don't have to order them.  They should be next to other eye drops.

Melrosemelrose

Sandik--- Wholly crap---Twin!!!!!!! Enough of those nodes!!!!!    Hope your chemo goes okay today.  Had my first chemo yesterday.  It was a very long day at the hospital for me ; now waiting to see how my body reacts.   My onco said to rest the next few days so I am..... don't feel like doing anything anyway!!!!!  Just seem to be burping a lot but it may be from drinking all water all the time.

sandik

I know right?!?! She said to me, for someone who started off with a great first surgery you sure are getting the diagnosis from hell! I was thinking about you yesterday Melrose. Hope you have minimal side effects. Everyone else here too!

I feel perfectly fine. I have since I started this whole thing! I sure don't feel like someone who has cancer.

Melrosemelrose

Sandik- I was at the hospital for most of the day yesterday--- the weigh in, the blood work, getting my port flushed so it would work, the meeting with the oncology pharmacist, my nurses, the research coordinator, a minister and my one on one with the Look Good Feel Good people.  I'm sure I've someone off from this list of people I saw yesterday.  I got the make up kit and a wig.  The wig was totally unexpected so we will see if I actually wear it .  Needless to say, I'm tired but plan to rest and sleep.  Chat later okay?  I want to know how you are doing .......

sandik

Get some rest! You deserve it! Im sitting here editing if I can stop peeing long enough.. Got a someone coming in tonight to look at these.

Melrosemelrose

Multitasking is always good..... decided to redo my nails after the icing I gave them yesterday.... that was cold!!!!

dancetrancer

Lynnbea - so glad the Claritin worked!  Make sure you take it for 7 days after the Neulasta, since the Neulasta is long acting.  That's what is recommended in the clinical trial! 

dancetrancer

indigo - Yes, you can get the GenTeal eye gel at a drugstore - found mine at CVS!   OMG my eyes feel SO much better since starting them.  No more tears!!! 

 P.S.  Note I got the GEL, not the drops, for severe dry eye.  It's goopy when you first put it in, but after a minute or so it works around and feels awesome.   

dancetrancer

sandik - HUGS.  Here's to chemo kicking cancer's *ss for you!!!  You've got a good arsenal going after it!  

lsharvey822

I'll second that Dancetrancer!  Good luck Sandik and Melrose and everyone else.  You guys have given me confidence that I'll be able to get thru this and helped lessen the fear.  Waiting to hear what day I start. 

sandik

Ran to the dollar store to get some supplies, then here at work. Ate some lunch. There's definitely a weird after taste. Unless it's in my head. haha I've got 4 boxes of lemonheads, so I'm sucking on those. 

Melrosemelrose

Did you get your infusion already?  Take of yourself and rest!!!!!  Drink, drink , drink!!!!!

dancetrancer

Yes, don't overdo sandik!  And I second the drink, drink, drink to get the chemo processed and out of your system asap.  Oh, and that's water.  Save the alcohol for PFC.  LOL! 

sandik

haha I am not overdoing. Im just editing. Sitting in a chair, which I would be doing at home anyway. My pee is already back to clear. I flushed all that red out. 

I thought Id be there a lot longer. Got there at 9 and was done and out by 12:15.

Should I be taking laxatives today or only if I need them?  

Melrosemelrose

No laxatives unless you need them.  I'm trying to eat/drink things so I can avoid the laxative route  like eating prunes/ grapes, drinking prune juice. 

dancetrancer

I've been told to wait to see how you trend first...D train or C train...tough call! 

dancetrancer

OMG, I just discovered dried prunes.  So good on oatmeal.  Highly recommend!  Prunes have been given such a bad name. 

Melrosemelrose

Try those Sunsweet Ones-- they come in a little canister and individually wrapped.  They are really moist and sweet.  I also mix prune juice and apple juice together--- you just have to ignore the color but yummy!!!

dancetrancer

Sunsweet is the brand we got...I agree...YUMMY!!!!!! 

Melrosemelrose

crazy how our conversations are about prunes these days.....lol

Stacie

Sandi so sorry about the node.  I assume it was an acillary node not elsewhere.  Not sure how that made you stage III though. 

I tend toward constipation as a rule.  So my onc said take a stool softener every day unless I have diarhea.  So I think each doc may say different.  But my doc is big on prevention vs reaction and I am right there with him. 

So far fatigue and mild nausea since Monday's chemo #2. American Idol tonight.

Dianarose

Hi Sandi- I really feel for you. I too went from stage 1 to 3a. I was devistated. I am trying to get my head prepared for chemo, but can't seem to do that. I keep going back to denial where it is warm and comfy. You always seem so positive and that is why I come to this threat to read your posts. I just don't feel as brave as all of you on this thread are.

dancetrancer

Don't forget Dianarose...you don't have to be brave, you just have to keep showing up. 

Stacie

Dianarose I boohooed for days last week. 

IndigoMont11

Hi all, today was kinda tough - bad headache all day - and the fatigue was the real deal. I made myself walk down to the park near my house. It didn't end up being my usual pace or distance, but I did it. I did actually get some work done, too - it helped get my mind off the headache.



Best of all - I got something from my Chemo Angel! I had almost forgotten that I signed up for it.



To Dianarose and Sandi -Dancetrancer is so right. We are powerful together for each other. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't cry when we feel like it.

Melrosemelrose

Sometimes you just have to let it out and cry.  It is not a sign of weakness; it's just reminds you that you are human experiencing difficult times.  

Yesterday at my first infusion, a woman minister came by and chatted with me and my DH.  At tne end of our visit, we prayed together.  I started crying during the prayer because the words were so moving and reminded me of how strong I have become and how much love and support I have from so many people, near and far, friends and strangers.

We will continue to move together through our journeys; we leave no one behind because we are stronger united as one.

love & hugs....  

velutha

Sandik: I boohooed when I found out I needed chemo too.  3 days of mourning till I stopped feeling sorry for myself.  Sometimes I still feel sorry for myself, but now I get angry more than sad.  It's ok to feel whatever you feel, do whatever won't make it worse for you.  Sometimes I can kind of pooh-pooh the whole thing, and say, I have a great family, great job, great life, other people are way more miserable than me.  Sometimes I can't stand it and just want to borrow someone else's body and run away to Jamaica!  I find sunshine, hugs, and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes help with the bad days.

Indigo: You're not overdoing the zofran/emend, are you?  Those can give you a beast of a headache, especially if you're using them together.  Hydrate and if motrin doesn't help, try an ativan (aka lorazepam).  I think chemo can piss off your brain and the ativan decreases its sensitivity.  It's a terrible way to treat a normal headache, but it's the only thing that really knocks down the headaches I've had with chemo, short of a narcotic, which I don't like. Not that I care much for ativan, either, but if the headache won't quit....

Constipation:  Don't let yourself go more than 2, 3 days max between bms.  Your skin is more delicate, you are more likely to suffer if you do get constipated.  But don't go and get dehydrated b/c of diarrhea either.  Use prunes, dulcolax, aloe juice, whatever works for you.  My MO's standard rec is miralax, I think that's overkill.

dancetrancer

This is such a great sisterhood.  Great responses.  Love you all - we can do this together! 

dancetrancer

Velutha - my onc recommend Miralax, too.   Have you tried it?   I used it and it actually found it to be quite gentle.   Actually I was pretty scared at first and only took a 1/2 dose.  No action.  Then I tried a 3/4 dose the next day.  That resulted in normal "action" the next morning.   It's an osmotic laxative - pulls water into the stool.  

Dulcolax, on the other hand, is a stimulant laxative - I haven't tried it, but I heard it is kinda harsh.  Is that what you used?   And you did ok with it?  Curious in case I have a worse issue in the future.