April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

dancetrancer

babysammy...better to be a pain in THEIR butt instead of YOUR butt.  LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!  That sucker really hurt y'all.  Almost as bad as the burn from the SNB injection!   Glad it didn't last more than 30 seconds.   Uh, having hemorrhoids and some residual thrush in that region I'm sure did NOT help matters (nothing is TMI on this board, IMO, if it helps others!) 

vballmom - I've barely left the house either except for doc visits since I started chemo.  Just overall too, too tired and neutropenic much of the time.  The low hemoglobin doesn't help.  So I feel your pain!  Gosh I'd love to be going to the beach - jealous Stacie!!! 

velutha - best wishes on your exchange surgery next week!!!  

LinnieB - so glad the infusion yesterday went well.  I also had my 3rd TCH yesterday.  Yes, unfortunately, you likely will feel pretty good chemo night and today.  Don't be surprised to see symptoms start tonight or tomorrow, since today will be your last day of steroids.  I hope your side effects (and mine) are minimal!  Don't forget to take antinausea meds on schedule, despite no symptoms, and don't forget to talk to your doc about maybe taking Claritin daily while getting Neupogen to stave of bone pain. 

stgee - hope you get off that D train soon!!!!! Someone switch the track!  

vballmom

I'm so nauseous I am having trouble reading a lot of posts on here!  I have to step away!

vickilind61

vballmom, man, I hope you start feeling better.  That goes for all of you having such bad SE from the tx.  I am hoping mine won't be so bad (it's good to hope, right?)  I have my first tx on the 15th.  So now I have some time to get paranoid about the whole thing. 

Nah, not going to do it.  Get paranoid I mean.  Now I just hoping to get this drain out; maybe tomorrow.  Only 15 cc this morning.  We'll see.

Feel better you all. 

Jeannie57

I start tx tomorrow, CMF, wish me luck!

nofear2012

Day 2 of my last AC round & I feel much better than all the times before. The nurse added ativan during infusin & I took .5 of it thru the night w the compazine & my night was so much more manageable. Now on to taxol, praying for easier se esp on the digestive track. I hope everyone has minimal se & good days to follow. This is just a temporary point in time, even tho it might not feel like it!

vickilind61

Jeannie57, best of luck!  You will be in my thoughts and prayers. 

LinnieB

Hi Sandi, I'm doing TC, six rounds, 3 weeks apart. Day four would be doable. I work from home and I'd like to keep my schedule intact and have downtime on the weekend.

Thanks!

dancetrancer

vickilind61, you are smart to not freak out when you hear about those of us having a harder time.  Our bodies all metabolize drugs differently.  I read about this in some research studies about chemo recently.  There is absolutely no way to know who will respond good or bad to chemo, even if on the same chemo regimen at the same dosage and body weight.  It's a crap shoot.  So go in educated about how to deal with the worst, should it happen, but don't assume the worst will happen either!!!   Sounds like that drain will be coming out soon! 

vballmom - hope that nausea eases soon.  I will repeat my trick with the seasick arm bands.  You put them on the wrist as instructed - helps decrease nausea.   I don't know if they are helping, or it if is the Zofran or still my premeds from chemo yesterday, but no nausea for me.  I'm hitting it with the full arsenal to try to keep it at bay.  

Jeannie57, best of wishes for your first tx tomorrow! 

nofear - awesome!!!!  

vickilind61

Thanks Dance, for the positive thoughts.  I really think I will do okay with the whole thing.  My sister had HORRIBLE SE's through her entire tx, but, she also had other health issues; heart, bad back, LE, etc. 

My sister's BC dx was actually a blessing in disguise: through regular pre-op testing, they discovered major heart problems.  She is now three years ned and the doc's have her heart function over 50%. 

I take after my mom in many ways; she was strong as an ox, as they say, and always seemed to just roll with the punches.  I believe that will be me when I start tx. 

I will stop my boring post now and move on. 

dancetrancer

vickilind61, you are smart to not freak out when you hear about those of us having a harder time. Our bodies all metabolize drugs differently. I read about this in some research studies about chemo recently. There is absolutely no way to know who will respond good or bad to chemo, even if on the same chemo regimen at the same dosage and body weight. It's a crap shoot. So go in educated about how to deal with the worst, should it happen, but don't assume the worst will happen either!!! Sounds like that drain will be coming out soon!

vballmom - hope that nausea eases soon. I will repeat my trick with the seasick arm bands. You put them on the wrist as instructed - helps decrease nausea. I don't know if they are helping, or it if is the Zofran or still my premeds from chemo yesterday, but no nausea for me. I'm hitting it with the full arsenal to try to keep it at bay.

Jeannie57, best of wishes for your first tx tomorrow!

nofear - awesome!!!!

dancetrancer

That was just a repost of my prior message that I deleted.

Raelan

Hi Ladies - It's been quite some time since I posted due to the fact I had some difficulties after my first infusion that landed me in the hospital for 5 days.  I had my first infusion 3 weeks ago today and all was well until the 3rd evening when I began to experience diarrhea.  I called my doctor on Monday and was told to take 2 Imodium after each loose stool.  Needless to say, I was taking a lot of Imodium that first day.  Went into the hospital the next day to check my white blood cell counts and for an IV infusion of fluids due to dehydration.  Onco asked for a stool sample at that time to check for C. Diff (google it for more info).  This is a very common infection in hospital settings that can be difficult to treat.  

Long story short, I had a fever the next day so was admitted to the hospital.  Found out I had contracted C. Diff and because it had had plenty of time to take hold, my system was going downhill fast.  I ended up in the ICU with sepsis and was in pretty bad shape.  Fortunately, due to some massive IV fluids, a blood transfusion, additional antibiotics, and neupogen I pulled through.  I gained 25 pounds in 2 days due to all the fluids they pumped into me.  It was a very rough ride and quite frankly had I not been as healthy as I am (pre-cancer diagnosis), the outcome could have been even worse.

I've been home for a week and a half now and am doing much better.  All the fluid weight is gone, in addition to another 6 pounds that I lost during this ordeal.  I believe the C. Diff is pretty much cleared up, but unfortunately it does have a tendancy to re-occur so I will be on preventative antibiotics for the next several weeks.  There's a question mark regarding my ongoing chemo treatments and when the next one will take place.  Although I had a positive node, my MO decided to order the Oncotype DX test to make sure that continuing chemo is necessary.  Hope to get the score back today.

All to say, if you experience diarrhea please be aware of the potential for C. Diff and don't take it lightly.  I believe I was exposed to the C. Diff during one of my prior surgeries - BMX and/or port, and it was just sitting in my system waiting to erupt. According to my infectious disease doctor, about 30% of us walk around with C. Diff bacteria in our system and under normal conditions our good flora bacteria keeps it in check.  It isn't until something disrupts our natural flora, such as a broad spectrum antibiotic which kills some of the good flora, that C. Diff can rear it's ugly head.  

Just thankful to have this horid experience behind me.     

     

dancetrancer

Oh Raelan, I am so, so glad to hear you pulled through this.  What an absolute nightmare.  One other girl on here recently posted about being admitted with neutropenic fever and infection, too.  It does happen.  And yes, everyone be vigilant if you have fever over 100.5 and watch diarrhea closely.  My info sheets say if you can take Immodium ONLY if no fever.  And if you have a fever, you must clear whether you can take it or not with your onc.  Sounds like you had your fever afterwards...how could you have known?  BTW, did you get a Neulasta or Neupogen shot prior to the onset of the symptoms?  Seems like it came on so quickly for you!  I am so glad you are ok.  C-diff is not something to take lightly. 

Makes one wonder if probiotics can help prevent this, since it keeps introducing needed bacteria into your system on a daily basis.  I'm taking one daily per my onc.   

Melrosemelrose

LinnieB- I have my infusions on Tuesdays.  After the 1st infusion, midday on Thursday I started feeling a little yucky.  By midnight, i was definitely feeling not well-- lots of burping and feeling uncomfortable.  I sat up for a few hours and drank a really cold ginger ale (which helped).  By Friday morning, i was feeling better but definitely tired.  This recent 2nd infusion, I was fine on Wednesday and Thursday.  On Friday, I was just felt really fatigued and tired.  I had less burping this time.  If you are receiving Decadrone (either in the iV or by mouth), it is steroid and will make you very energetic.  In fact, some people complain that they are unable to sleep at night because they take Decadrone as part of their anti-nausea meds.  Just make sure you keep eating.  I found that if I ate more protein, that I was able to keep my tummy full and had less burping this past chemo.

Stacie

Flew Indigo. Driving from San Diego to Long Beach to Corona CA. Fly home to DFW from there. Home 5 days then to ALaska for 5 days. Then chemo #4.

Raelan

Dancetrance - Yes, I believe probiotics can help with this.  With the approval of my infectious disease doctor, I'm now taking the probiotic Florastor 2 times per day.  I believe it's helping and I'll continue to take it throughout my treatment. 

dancetrancer

Great to know Raelan - thank you!!!!  Again, so glad to know you are doing better.  Such a scary thing for you to go through.  Hugs! 

IndigoMont11

Hi Babysammy!  Someone was asking about you recently - can't remember which thread - but anyway, good to see you checking in.

Raelan, I first heard about C diff from reading Cool Breeze's blog.  Glad you are doing better!!  

Stacie - did you wear your sleeve, and if so, how do you think that worked for you?  I've been thinking I really shouldn't travel until tx is all done, but I'm really tempted to ask the MO about it - maybe hubby and I could bump up our long-anticipated Vegas trip.  I haven't seen anyone about a sleeve or anyting yet - have the info on LE but haven't gone to a class.  So far no symptoms but I know they can still show up.

Stacie

Indigo- Yes I self directed my care in seeing an occ therapist LE expert for a risk assessment appt. She properly measured my arm for the sleeve and gauntlet. I'd rather not wear it, its not uncomfortable but feels constricting. But it gives me such a sense of comfort about LE risk I wouldn't trade it. She also taught me manual lymph drainage I do daily and gave me accurate risk reduction info. Also a reputable website as there is conflicting/incorrect information online. I don't have it with me but can post later.



TAKE THE TRIP.

kjiberty

Raelan:  Wow!  Glad to hear you are on the mend.  It's a lesson to us all not to ignore our bodies!

LinnieB:  I am one week out of my 2/4 T/C treatments.  Again, as the other posters indicated, days 1 and 2 are usually okay, but by day 3, you are on a little bit of downhill slide.  Day 4 has always been my worst day.  My MO also waited until the CBC came back a week after my first treatment to determine whether I needed the Neulasta injection.  I got it the day after my second one last Friday and so far (knock on wood) it's been okay.  My check and back feel a little achy, but overall, I am just more tired the second time around. I actually did work (I am work from home) the day after my treaments, but at my pace, but then wound up taking Monday off this past time because I was just too tired.  

Stacie: So glad to hear you are meeting up with your friends.

Sandik:  I cry very easily when I see something even on TV (Melissa Etheridge was on a 2 second dateline thing the other day, and I started balling).  My son is getting married in September, and I know I will be a TOTAL basketcase sitting there up front.  Hopefully, I won't get hysterical.   

Ashlyn

Hi everyone!

I am Ashley and a first time poster and wanted to jump into the April/May chemo mixers. I started my AC treatment April 3 and have had 4 rounds of that "fun" and am starting Taxol next Tuesday.

Anyone else in this thread on Taxol now or about to be? The AC sure was a trip... my side effects included nausea from days 3 - 8 after each treatment, thrush in my mouth, mood swings up the wazooo from all the anti-nausea drugs and some really uncomfortable constipation (of course it wouldnt be complete without that!). I am hoping Taxol will be easier but I hear it wipes us out a bit more. 

Anyways, just wanted to join in to the message board community and figured this might be a good place to start!

Peace x 

sandik

Vball, take it easy with that watermelon or you will be having other problems. My last infusion I was craving fruit. I ate a lot. And switched from water that i was sick of to juice. I went for a ride on the C train. It was not fun!

Infusion #3 tomorrow. Right after my interview.Hope this one goes well.

kjiberty

Sandik:  Good luck on both!

Ashley:  Welcome to this board! 

Fierro6

Welcome, AshleyB.  I'll be doing Taxol, too, but my chemo has been derailed due to a JP drain that won't slow down enough to be removed.  I'll now not be starting chemo until June, to be followed by Taxol, so it's all a mystery to me, too.  (Oh, and I'm new to these boards, too.)  Welcome!

IndigoMont11

Stacie, I want to go soooo bad!!  I have great plans for DH and me, not the least of which is wearing my gorgeous new purple retro pinup dress with all the accessories (film noir birdcage veil), and doing a drive-through vow renewal!  Our anniversary is actually on 5/29, and I've been scared of maybe not feeling good; I want it to be perfect and nothing to spoil it.  But now you've got me inspired - I think I'll go ahead and look into the LE stuff and talk with my MO.

Making the plans has been really fun and given me something to look forward to, for sure.

Ashlyn

Thanks Fierro! Such a bummer to have a delayed treatment start date. I was supposed to start chemo earlier also but my recon boob was giving me trouble and wouldnt close up entirely so had to post-pone a few weeks. I hope your drain is removed soon so you can get a firm start time. It's agony waiting... at least I found it hard because it just made me question whether to go through with it or not. I was on the fence for awhile. But here I am doing it! 

Melrosemelrose

Sandik- Hoping for minimal SE's for you and your weekend will be a good one!!!!

AshleyB- Welcome!!!!  I'm not on the same chemo regimen as you but there are plenty of others who are!!!  I receive Taxotere now and have been doing what my onco has suggested to help with the nails--- icing and using clear nail polish on them.  

Stacie- I'm enjoying your updates about your trip...... California Dreaming.......

CityFi

Jeannie57, best wishes! 

Raelan, I'm so sorry you endured that and relieved to know you're back on the mend. Hopefully, you'll stay that course. Thanks for sharing your experience so we could learn from it because now that you're past it, you didn't have to revisit it! 

Fierro6, damn that drain! And I'm with you re: keeping only the hair that can be styled. With chemo around the corner, I cut my hair and have stubbornly refused to shave my legs, shape my brows or wax my upper lip. 

vballmom, feel better. Nausea is the worst. I haven't begun chemo yet but made the mistake of attempting to read on the bus ride back. It so hard to kick, all I could do was crawl into bed, and I got to praying that this won't be a regular occurrence over the next four months or so. 

Sandik, I LOL at that one. I wish I could say that I have no idea what it's like to be on the subway and needing to go the bathroom. I just read somewhere though that watermelon has tremendous cancer-fighting properties. 

May the SEs have  at three-day weekend, too, so everyone can enjoy it!  

vickilind61

Raelan, I work in housekeeping in the healthcare industry and C Diff is so dan&$#&@*) difficult to get rid of.  Glad you are on the mend.  Keep up the fight and hope you continue to heal.

Fierro, I understand the whole drain thing; I am starting week 3 with mine.  I know one of the ladies here had hers for 6 weeks and at my PS office the record is 8 (Heaven forbid)  I am scheduled to start chemo on the 15th of June.  With any luck, we will both be drain-free and starting of chemo. 

vball, hope your nausea goes away soon. 

lsharvey822

to shave the head or continue to deal with the mess?...that is the question?