April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

kjiberty

Dancetrancer:  Thanks for the recipes.  Again, you never seize to amaze me with your knowledge.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

nofear2012

Velutha - how was yur taxol treatments. I start weds & am wondering about se u experienced. especially what was yur level of nausea/upset stomch. I am hoping that my stomach issues that I had on AC are better on taxol. Good for u to be done. I will be done 7/18.

dancetrancer

Awh, thank you kjiberty!   I tell you, that magic mineral soup truly is magic.  I feel so lucky someone brought it to me.   I don't know what it was about it, but it just felt like healing liquid going down my esophagus.  I had to go back for 2nd's!  

kjiberty

Dance:  Good to know.  I e-mailed the link to my friend who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and is on Round #5.  She's already lost 25 lbs and weighs about 80 lbs. now.  I think I will buy all the stuff this weekend and make it before my next treatment.  

mary71145329

I'm sorry to hear that so many are suffering nasty SE's. Healing thoughts and hugs for you!

Kjiberty--Very nice interview! And your doggies are sweet!

Nance72

First I am happy that I found all the cords needed to upload my pic. Was actually very easy.



My first round I felt nauseous so I figured something needed to be alterered to feel better this second time. Toward the end of the week of my first round I found that sliced turkey from the deli counter really pepped me up. This time I brought a turkey sandwich with me when I went for chemo #2. Some scrambled eggs with ezekiel toast with apple butter spread later in the day. Continued to make sure I ate with my meds even some ezekiel toast at 3am. I also started with Compazine and zofran when started going down hill a bit on Tuesday afternoon, and then alternated them acccording to the time schedule for each. Two days later, I just talked to a friend on the phone and couldn't believe how cheerful I sounded with being on Chemo; especially two days out. I think I would feel a little better even sooner and not be going for one more Compazine on Thursday mornings if it wasn't for post nasal drip, which makes me cough and want to gag- leading to a nauseous feeling. I did take an allergy pill early in the am to try to head off the post nasal feeling, think it was a bit better than last time.



Healing thoughts two all who are currently dealing with a SE's.

Melrosemelrose

I know where that recipe for the Magic Mineral Broth is from because i have a copy of the cookbook, The Cancer-fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson that has it in there!!!!  I bought that book a few weeks ago from Barnes & Noble.  It has some great recipes and wonderful pictures.  Happy Cooking!!!!

IndigoMont11

Gack, post-nasal drip - hate it! 

I am just queasy this p.m. like I've been after txs#1 and #2, but I'm going to check out that broth recipe.  Now if I can only find someone to make it for me....

Melrosemelrose

IndigoMont11- I'd make it for you if we lived closer to each other!!!!  Hope you get over your queasiness soon!!!!

dancetrancer

Melrose - I saw a note at the end of that recipe crediting Rebecca Katz.  Now that I am feeling better, I'm hoping maybe I can cook something from that book next week!  I just requested it from my library.  Do you have some favorites from it that are gentle on the tummy?  Or are they all just that good? 

kjiberty

Just ordered the book from Amazon. 

Melrosemelrose

dancetrancer - FYI- The cookbook has two other healing broth recipes-a chicken broth and a beef broth.   I haven't made anything from the cookbook but have read it to find out it there are things that I can make easily or are similiar to things that I already cook.  I cooked dinner tonight-- baked chicken that had been marinated in garlic, honey, orange juice, cranberry juice and low sodium worstershire sauce, plain steamed white rice, and stir fried veggies (bok choy, mushrooms, snow peas, carrots, onions).  Although my onco said I can eat soy, I try to avoid using soy sauce and quit eating tofu.  I also made egg salad for lunch today which after making it, I wished I had used greek yogurt to replace the mayo I used in it.  That was pretty easy and yummy--- chopped hard boiled eggs, minced celery and onion, a little season salt and olive oil mayo.  I usually cook during weeks 2 & 3 after my chemo.  The first week, I get food from a really good cafeteria close by so I can avoid the cooking smell plus I'm just not up to cooking.

Nance72

Ok- now I just erased everything trying to fix one detail. To start over:



Sandik and Kjiberty you both did a great job with the interviews you did.



Mistym I hope the doctors and nurses could help you to soon have relief from the horrible nauseous feeling.

Nance72

Cute story: My friends son, Robert (age 6- slightly autistic) made a statement a few weeks ago that I had to run with. Robert said, out of the blue, Nancy- you have sheep in your hair. I said: oh no, are the sheep going to eat my hair? He giggled and said yes the sheep are going to eat your hair. Fast forward to today. When Robert got off the bus and came inside the house, I bent down and said: Robert, the sheep ate all my hair. He felt my head and went to the other room (can't recall in he said anything else at that moment. A few minutes later when he was leaving with his papa, I said Robert, tell your papa what happened to my hair. Robert said: papa the sheep ate all Nancy's hair. She lost her hair, and I'm not very happy about it! -- and then they left.

Rose_d

Misty, I 2nd the thought about trying to get more in your tummy. For the first time in my life I'm not hungry! But I find I do much better when I really eat - English muffin with a fried egg for breakfast, turkey sandwich for lunch, frozen yogurt in the afternoon, and whatever is being dropped off for dinner by a wonderful friend.



My 3rd treatment was my worst and I think it was due to not eating enough on day3.



Best of luck to you!!



Rose

Nance72

Just Google: Magic Mineral Broth and it comes up on utube.

RoulaG

I went to my MO today for my 3rd TCH. But my body had other plans. My blood counts were too low, Ugh! I was hoping to stay on schedule so I can be done by the beginning of August. Oh well! C' est la vie!

IndigoMont11

Nance72 - awww.  What a sweetie.

Stacie

Wow so many wonderful women. I wish I knew how many of us there are are on here. Maybe we can do a military sound off. I am #1.

dancetrancer

thanks melrose!  Sounds awesome!  So what time is dinner?  

Roula - bummer!  Been there!  Mine was only delayed one day.  How long for you?  You are right, just gotta roll with the punches. 

Nance72 - cute story!  

dancetrancer

kjiberty, just watched your interview - fantastic job!  

ShelleyBean

This is my first post to your board.  I just began ACT tx on May 23.

Diagnosed with BC on March 16, one day before my 45th birthday.  Felt a lump in February and 3 weeks later got the biopsy results.  Healthy person in good shape, no medical issues. Doctors were impressed by my lack of medical history.

Surgery in April was a dream... Simple lumpectomy 2.8 cm, no lymph node involvement. Recovered well.  Back to work in no time.  Chemo recommended due to my "young" age, Grade 3, Triple Neg and h/o BC in my only sister.  Genetic tests were negative (they're all puzzled by that).

Had Chemo #1 a week ago and OMG.  No nausea or vomiting as expected, but the worst headache for days, stomach cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, ringing in ears, back pain, numbness in extremities.  Is this normal?  Finally, day 8, I feel somewhat like myself, but notice this strange look to my face.  Sunken eyelids, somewhat skeletal?  I also feel like my brain is fried: unfocused, flighty, spacey.  I feel scarred from the surgery and port placement, incisions all over my chest, but the chemo has thrown me for a loop.

Thankfully, I have 3 kids 23, 19 and 16 all at home and wonderfully supportive.  My employer and co-workers are fabulous and accomodating.  I have a network of good friends and extended family that I can count on.  

My husband, unfortunately, is not up to the cancer challenge.  He is used to being the center of our world and not easily dissplaced.  The first thing he told our children after my diagnosis was that "we need to put Mom's illness in perspective."  He rarely accompanies me to appointments.  I had to enlist my ex-brother-in-law to take me for my port placement. And two days before my first chemo, he asked me if I could go alone as he didn't want to ask off from work. We do not talk about much except the obligatory "How you feelin' today?"  Not sure how to deal with this lack of support from the person I should be able to count on.

Would appreciate any advice others can offer on the physical and emotional challenges.  I feel emotionally well, except for my relationship with my husband.  I am now questioning if he really has a soul (sounds harsh, I know.)  And the chemo "yucks"??  I really don't want to lose my soul.

Thanks in advance for you kindness,

chapter4

Anyone with experience on Tazol? I get my first treatment June 6 and after the bumpy ride on AC I'm very worried. I hear the SE's are less, but I'm still nervous.



On the crash issue....I crashed after the steroid days....very depressed and emotional and over all drained...I hated it....especially because you know it's coming and there's nothing you can do. Thank god I have so much support from my family. I can't imagine how difficult it must be without that support. My heart goes out to those not getting the support they need.



This board has been so helpful...thanks everyone...I look forward to reading your posts every day....it's so comforting knowing so many other women are going through and getting through this challenging journey.

vballmom

kjiberty and sandi - I loved your interviews.  I am struggling with the going public aspect of BC in our own business. We have always been involved in BC fundraising and awareness, but I've kind of neglected that area since my own  diagnosis.  

Nance - how adorable! What a sweetie.

 Shelley - welcome! You and and I are on the same chemo regimen except I will also have Herceptin.  I am experiencing many of the same effects as you are, although some of them have mellowed this week.  The foggy, unfocuses feelings were especially scary.  I could barely read without effort.   I said to hubby last week, "I feel like a shell.  Like my body is here but I am no longer inside."  Thankfully, it only lasted a few days and I pray it won't come back after this next treatment.  I also understand the scarred feeling - I had a lumpectomy, a re-excision, a UMX with no reconstruction, and a port placed.  I'm not a pretty sight.  I'm sorry that your husband is being so cold.  My hubby is supportive, but overwhelmed. He's a fixer, and this is something he just can't fix.  I have learned to rely on him for the things that he is best at. He will do whatever I ask, but I am learning to be careful what I ask for.  I had an aunt drive me for the port, and will have my oldest daughter (19) take me to my next chemo. This allows him to focus on work and keeping the home and business running while I am down.

I had planned on having him shave my head, but now I am rethinking. He would do it, of course...but now I am thinking that is an awful lot to ask.  He loves me so much and knows I will cry. It's going to break his heart to see me melt.  I think I will find another way. I have never been good at delegating, but I am learning to ask for what I need.  People truly want to help, and quite honestly, I need to let them.

 On a positive note...I am feeling better. I still have a low-grade headache and tummy is sensitive, but better than it has been for a while.  I actually felt like me last night.

Have a lovely day. It sure is gorgeous here.

sandik

Shelly,

Sosorry that your hubby is not being supportive. Mine had a very hard time dealing with it at first. He told me flat out that he wasn't going to talk about it. I found this board as well as another group of women I know who all had cancer, plus I made my own page on facebook where I could talk about what was bothering me or tell my story, how I was feeling.

Hubby decided right when I was meeting with drs at the beginning that I needed a van. I was like, are you kidding me? I have no desire to look for a car right now. But, he made that his mission, and for the next few weeks focused on craigs list, ebay, driving around all over. I think it helped him. Gave him something to do since he couldn't fix me.

He has been at every dr appt. Every chemo, both surgeries, makes sure there is food here that I can taste, keeps the house stocked with ginger ale and anything else that I ask for. He has slowly started to talk about things. His boss' wife just got finished with her battle, so I think they talk a little bit.

I really think that you should sit down with your hubby. Id be bothered by the 'put it in perspective' comment. But, it really sounds like he is afraid.

dancetrancer

Welcome Shelley - I'm glad you have found us.  I, too, am sorry to hear about your husband not being the support that you need.  I think SandiK gave you excellent advice.  In the meantime, lean on us and any other friends/family you find supportive.  There is also a 24 hour line you can call for support if you need to talk to someone in person:  

Y-ME Breast Cancer Support

In addition, the American Cancer Society has a Reach to Recovery program for bc survivors - they pair you up with a mentor if you like.   

In terms of what is a "normal" reaction to chemo...well, you will soon learn that everyone responds differently, and there is no rhyme or reason to it.  Some have minimal symptoms, and some of us seem to get hit with every symptom possible.  I'm sorry you had so many side effects.  I, too, have lots of side effects - ear ringing is a rare one - but I have that, so you are not alone.  

chapter4 - I'm not on Taxol, but I lurked on the Taxol thread for a while b/c I thought initially that's what my chemo would be.  The most common SE I saw was neuropathy, which is cumulative as the # of tx go on...so if your onc is open to the supplements you can take for that, you may want to investigate it a bit.

vball - so glad to hear you are finally feeling better and more like yourself - it's so awesome, isn't it, to get to the other side of SE?  Yay!!!!  

Nance72

Shellybean- Welcome- sorry to hear that your husband is not very supportive. I am home with my 80 year old dad- he asks on occasion if I need anything, but I am so self supportive at home, that I am all set when he asks. I do have one of my sisters, my aunt and my cousins cousin who have helped with getting to and from some of my appointments. My other sister is busy with her family and wishes she could be more helpful- she also lives a little further away than everyone else- but I know she still cares.



It sounds like you probably need a little more fluids in your system. The big D releases a lot of fluids, headache- fluids needed, back pain- not sure, but is that better after you release your bowels- that is when I get back pain and/or cramping.

dancetrancer

Oh and I just want to share that I had SALAD for the first time last night in weeks, b/c my white count was finally high enough that I felt it was safe (yeah, I'm a little paranoid, but it was really low there for while!).  OMG, I was able to eat the lovely lettuce and cucumbers from my garden, plus I made a greek dressing from my copious fresh parsley and dill I have been growing and not able to eat.  It was DIVINE!   Ladies, I am seeing the light at the end of the freakin' chemo tunnel!   Oh and my thrush is 100% gone!!!! 

dancetrancer

Shelleybean - Nance72 mentioned the back pain.  That could be due to a Neulasta or Neupogen shot if you had one.  did you?  If so, many of us take Claritin (loratadine) 10 mg which prevents most of the bone/muscle pain from those shots.  If you want to know more, just ask and I'll give you the clinical trial info to share with your onc. 

Melrosemelrose

Shelley- Welcome to our wonderful group of strong and supportive women moving together through our journeys!!!  You've come to a great place to get support and most of all, just say what is on yuor mind about anything.  Glad to hear that you do have supportive kids, friends, co-workers and extended family.  It is unfortunate that your husband is not quite on board and as supportive as everyone else is.  He may be trying to hold back and not get too close in fear to the total situation so he won't have to face the full reality and truth of how your family's lives have changed.  The changes are overwhelming for some to face and accept; however, hopefully one day he will see what things how they truly are now and learn to grow with these changes.  You may have to sit down and have that conversation about your relationship with him.   You may want to get some counseling to help both of you through this time.  If not, you may want to speak with a counselor to help you so you can continue to thrive and move forward. 

There are plenty of gals on this thread with the same chemo regimen as you.  I don't know if you have contacted your onco about those symtoms you listed in your post.  If you are still having diarrhea, you need to call your onco asap because you can easily get dehydrated.  Let us know how you are doing today 

Lots of (((HUGS))) and hope your side effects get better!!!!