Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

SpecialK

stephanie - could be nerves reconnecting too.

ElleBee

where is everyone??? Don't lose your energy now, ladies. I have grown to care for each of you....and we all need this connection. Keep posting!!!

All my love and positive thoughts sent to each of you!

EllBee 

DorisMarie

Oh the small joys..clean microwave....eldest gal came down..asking what can I do to help? heck..start in the middle and go both ways..tiredness was way worse this go round of chemo..but anyway told her to clean microwave..almost got a new one outta the deal..she was willing to go get new instead of scrubbing that one up..LOL..

wishing all a good day..

havingfaith

Yesterday was day 4 on Taxol and the bone pain was horrific. I also have a lot of sharp pain through out my body at different times.  The AC seemed to be easier for me. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

ElleBee

Wow Having Faith, really? Are you pushing the water? Are you doing weekly Taxol or every 2 weeks? So sorry for the bone pain! I hope it goes away....maybe it is temporary. 

Stupid cancer.

ElleBee 

havingfaith

ElleBee- Today I am a lot better...just a little pain in my ankles. I do drink water, but maybe not enough. I go in every other week for Taxol.  How are you doing? and how many more weeks do you have?

StephanieJM

havingfaith- Me, too!!  Today is day 6 of my first taxol, and I have incredible pain in my legs.  Called onc. on Sat. and said I could take Norco, that I have for back pain from my orthopedic surgeon.  Just can't go without it right now, but it is so constipating!!!  Also, have the sharp stabbing pains in breast and armpit where I had surgery, sure can't figure out what that is.  Still so tired.  Right now I can't say that taxol is better than a/c.  Dr. did mention they would try something different next time for the pain...????  Also, had the neulasta shot again, so that could be part of this.  I do notice the mouth sores are better as predicted with this.

ElleBee-  I agree the group has been very quiet, I hope that means everyone is doing well

Hope everyone else is doing better and enjoying a beautiful Sunday!  Stephanie

pamelahope

Ellebee, You were right. I was losing some stamina...

Doris, An easy way to clean the microwave is to take a coffee cup of white vinegar, dilute with water a little, heat to maybe 120 seconds and the steam that forms will allow you to wipe the microwave clean.

Having faith, I had terrible pain with taxol on round 1. It passed. Forgot how long. I am now on day 4 of taxol and have no pain yet. Just really wiped out. Not as bad as with ac.

Stephanie, I hope your pain passes. You do sound in good spirits though. Hope you enjoyed your day.

I am a bit down thinking about radiation and having to take Femara for five years. Other than that, I am doing better on taxol.

Pam

havingfaith

Stephanie- I too have the sharp pain in my surgery area and I had a double mastectomy...so its all in my chest, and also in my neck and legs.  Iv'e always gotten the Neulasta shot but never any pain from it.

Pam- glad to hear that the pain passes. Hope you are doing well!!

Everyone take care!! Going to work today.

allisontom911

Hi everyone, I dont post to often but wanted to drop in and give an update. My white counts were to low to get treatment today so I get a week break. I knew this would happen since my counts were almost not good enough last week. I will go in on Thursday to see if things are getting better and maybe get a shot of neupogen to try and give me a boost.

Hope everyone else is doing good!

Simplyblessed

Haven't posted in a while but have been keeping up with all of you. I have had a hell of a time with the AC and too many complications to bore you guys with. I'm looking forward to starting the Taxol next week....it's amazing how far we have all come.



It seems in a way like it has been forever yet at the same time I can't believe we have already done so much it has flown by.



Allison, keep your head up, you never know. I was looking at getting a transfusion and when I went in today for my CBC the MO was bewildered that my hemoglobin had bounced back....so you never know. Here's to hoping you get your break and don't have to take the neupogen :-)



So sorry you gals are having the pain of the Taxol. I can relate as the Neulatsla kicked my but while on the AC. No matter what I tried the bone pain was awful each time.



I've missed you guys and am so glad we are all getting closer and closer to the finish line.

pamelahope

Simplyblessed, I hope the taxol goes better than the ac. I had a terrible time with ac and taxol is still chemo but milder. Pam

StephanieJM

Group is sure quiet, hope that means everyone is out and about enjoying life!

Have not heard from Marcia and she is a frequent poster, I know she goes back to work today.  Hoping all is well.

Some thoughts on Taxol...... as you may recall a/c was so hard for me, really miserable.  I was so hoping taxol would be better, actually I was thinking the other night it really is worse.  The leg pain is just incredable, compared to mouth sores, cold sores, fatigue, acid reflux, constipation.... think I would almost take the a/c back.

I did call my onc yesterday and talked to the onc nurse..... always full of info.  and I hope some of you might find it helpful.  She feels the original intense pain (started about 24 hours after treatment) was the taxol, then Sunday night (day 6) it actually was WORSE, that was the neulasta shot kicking in.  I have had neulasta every infusion.  She doubled my pain medication.  Mentioned next treatment they might reduce the taxol or possibly skip the neulasta.  I do not want to reduce the taxol.  My wbc are higher each time, and actually higher than my first blood test before I started chemo, so I feel I want to skip the neulasta shot, at least try it for the next treatment.  And I don't believe a neulasta shot is given on the last chemo, right??

I have very little neurapathy, actually at my age most people are getting it anyway, I thought it was worse at the end of a/c and better after I started taking the B6, glut and carn mentioned on this forum.  Nurse agreed some people find it helpful.

I also got some claritin yesterday and am taking that although probably a little late, nurse also agreed some people get relief with it, although she didn't have any explanation for that or the b6, etc.

Reading on line I found where vit. D3 is helpful for taxol pain.  You lucky gals in the sunshine probably aren't as aware of D3 deficiencies.... on the Oregon coast it is a major problem.  And honestly, I have not been taking mine.... so much other stuff to take.  So I got back on that.  It can be tested as part of your blood work.

With the pain med. plus taxol, constipation is a major concern.  I have really tried to stay on top of that..... so much easier to prevent than try to fix!!  If you really get stopped up she said I could take up to 4 senneca in the AM and PM (build up to this, don't start out with 8!!!)  or milk of magnesia.  Also, mentioned prune juice and some people find drinking HOT prune juice gives almost immediate results.  Somehow the idea of hot prune juice about makes me vomit, but whatever it takes I guess.

So there you have it, I do hope some of this is helpful to you.  This is not fun but look how far we have all come!!!

God bless your day!!  Stephanie

pamelahope

Stephanie, I may have good news for you! I experienced pain with my first taxol and like you for a minute was missing the ac. However, I am day 6 on my second taxol and it was so....much better painwise than the first. I just got minor twinges. Hope the same for you!

I am having the constipation issue. I even got stomach pains. Better today, day 6.

P.S. If we lived closer imagine we all started inviting each other over for a nice cup of hot prune juice!!!! LOL!

Stephanie, we are almost there! I get surgery next, then rads then UCK Femara for five years. What do you do? Hot prune juice is sounding better...

Pam

ElleBee

Stephanie: sorry for the trouble with Taxol. My neuropathy has gotten worse, and I have been slacking on the B6, carn, l-glut stuff...mostly because I hate choking that powder down. Going to get off my butt and chole them all down after this post. Fingers crossed!

Allison: So good to see you! And sorry about the week off, but to be honest, I would sort of like one myself! 

Simply Blessed: Sorry about the AC troubles. I am DREADING AC. I know I will get a little depressed before that treatment starts because I have done so well on Taxol and have been reading everyone's troubles with AC. Scary stuff. I just want to be able to live my life!

Pam: SO SO SO glad the pain has subsided. That's how it was for me too. It came back a couple weeks ago, then disappeared again. Weird. Got the stomach pains too....but not every week. They come and go. Maybe due to fluid intake? I dunno. Taxol is an enigma. I can't predict this S*** to save my life (no pun intended *wink*).

ElleBee 

Marcia1111

Hi!  I'm here.  One of my good friend's father passed away suddendly last week and I have been busy bringing food and support to her and her family.  It felt so good to be on the giving end for a change!

I went back to work today and it was fine, but I am exhausted and ache all over.  I don't think it's from the chemo, though.  At the end of every school year, we have to pack up our classrooms so they can wax the floors over the summer.  So after a lengthy faculty meeting, we went back to our classrooms and unpacked boxes and rearranged furniture.  Tomorrow I will be in an all day meeting.  Unfortunately, I have to leave early for my pre-chemo NP appointment and will miss the end of the workshop.  If we are not there until the bitter end, we do not get any continuing education credit.  I will miss one hour and will get zippo credit.  Oh well.  I have no other choice.  I had a hard time deciding to wear a wig or a scarf today.  I decided to start in a wig, but brought a scarf to change into.  I had sent an email to my co-workers explaining that since I've been on chemo, I've become a germophobe because I don't want to take a chance on getting sick and not being able to get my infusion.  The end is in sight and I just want to get this over with!   I said that I haven't been hugging, kissing or shaking hands all summer because even if you don't have a cold today, you don't know what tomorrow will bring.  It could all be for nothing but I'm not taking any chances.  The email was very well received and I got lots of virtual hugs, blown kisses, waves, elbow bumps, and kind words.  When the children return next week will be another story!

The only se that is bothering me is my stamina.  I find that I get winded after the slightest  exertion.  Oh!  I forgot!    I also feel that chemo brain is attacking in a new and awful way.  On AC, I was in a fog for several days after my infusion.  I don't have that on Taxol, but I lose my train of thought so easily and it's very hard to get it back.  Other than that, I feel pretty good!

Sorry for the long post.  I hope you are all doing well!

StephanieJM

Marcia- Glad you made it through the day!! , So sorry about your friends father, life and problems do seem to just carry on.  Seems like we should get a time out from life!!    Both of our daughters are teachers, and I've volunteered at schools forever, still did, till this happened.  I know what you mean, kids are little germ machines; our daughters are sick every fall when school starts.  May I offer a suggestion.... hope I haven't posted this before!  Put some Vicks in your nose every day!  Several years ago I got so sick on a trip after flying on a plane to get there, since that I have always put a little vicks in my nose and have never gotten sick again on a plane.  I honestly thick since it is sticky it grabs the germs/virus before they get into your sinus/throat.  My husband had to fly a few weeks ago and sure enough came home with a horrible cold, of course, I haven't let him forget he didn't use any Vicks!  But I sure did when he got home and did not get his cold.  I am sure some of you remember the movie "My Big fat Greek Wedding", remember the father with the Windex, I get the same eye roll with my Vicks. 

I have a different type of chemo brain, I notice when I am typing I make so many typos, sometimes type a word and it comes out something close like "shoes" for "shops", my fingers don't remember the keys????

Glad we have this forum to help each other.   Everyone have a good evening!!  Stephanie

Marcia1111

Stephanie - That is so funny because I just wrote about typos on the April thread.  I reread something I wrote and saw that I had written conratualtions instead of congratulations!

I will try the Vicks.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I do try to hold wrists rather than hands and I wash my hands often.  I hardly ever get colds, but now that my resistance is low, I'm a little scared.  I might ask my principal if it's okay for me to suggest to parents that if their child is obviously sick, that they stay home.  My program is not mandatory because of their ages, but you wouldn't believe how sick some of these babies show up for school.

steelersluver

Stephanie, Amazon has some stuff called Smooth Move tea that helps with the constipation.  I wouldn't say it tastes good, but it was probably better than hot prune juice and it worked overnight.

StephanieJM

Thank you Tammie,  anything has got to beat "hot prune juice"!!!

ElleBee- I take the glutamine in a juice glass of cran apple juice and honestly if I didn't notice the cloudiness I would not know anything was in it.  Am I correct that 10 grams in 2 teas.  ???  I googled it and found that online???  I was only using 1 teas.  don't know how I got confused but even that seemed to help.

Everyone have a great day, beautiful day here on the Oregon coast, SUNSHINE!!!!  and in the 80s, tomorrow 90s..... we all about faint as no one has AC.  Stephanie

ElleBee

Marcia: I think you are completely allowed to send a note home to parents about germ precautions! Let them know that you have been undergoing chemotherapy, and as a result, your outward appearance has changed a bit. Maybe encourage parents to talk with their children and answer their questions (that you are fine, etc.). Just explain to them that you have a comprimised immune system, and that in order to be able to provide their children with the services/education they need on a consistent basis, it is imperative that if they have a contagious infection/fever, that they stay home. Explain that a virus that takes their child 5 days to recover from can take you 10 or more, and further weakens your immune system. I'd also do everything you can to boost your immune system. Probiotics, vitamins, diet, etc. Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. 

I am going to have the same talk with my adult students next week when the semester begins again. I don't thjink it's too much to ask. 

pamelahope

Marcia, Ellebee gave good advice regarding communicating with the parents about sick children. If you notice a child sick, I see nothing wrong with sending them to the school nurse, and having the parents pick them up. That is what our elementary school does. Communicate with the parents before hand, and hopefully they will be too ashamed to try sending their sick children to school.

Ellebee, Are you icing as well?

Stephanie, the comparison to the Windex guy in the Big Fat Greek Wedding movie is funny!

Pam

Marcia1111

I went to a marching band event with my family tonight and came up with something to say when people go to hug, kiss, or shake my hand.  Usually, I get awkward and say, "I'm not hugging, kissing or shaking hands."  I get various responses and always feel funny.  I decide that from now on, I'm going to say something like, "I'm not allowed to shake hands, hug, or kiss."  I didn't think of it until it was time to go, but I think I will try it.

ElleBee

That's good Marcia! I like it. I had an awkward moment like that last night. I was bartending. We have 36 lovely tap handles. Well, since I worked on Saturday, we got a few new kegs. My co-worker offered me a sip of one out of their glass. I said "no, it's ok". They said "you HAVE to try this. It's a perfect beer". I had to tell them sorry, but I can't share a glass with anyone. I did pour myself a taste. And it was a really perfect porter. It was awkward because we were talking beer, having a good time appreciating them, and then stupid cancer comes along to interrupt the moment and cast a somber veil over everything. Ack! But you know Marcia, thanks for bringing this topic up, because I am never cautious enough about germs. You reminded me that I need to be more now than ever. I also need to get my kids on more of a handwashing regimen too. We are entirely to lax about their germs as well. And we are all exposed to everything. I anticipate being sick as a dog!

Pam: You know, I wish I had iced my toenails. My fingernails are fine. Other than a couple white spots, there are no changes. But my toenails are discolored...the big ones, especially....and the left big toenail is partly dettached. All because of a cute pair of shoes that I had no business working in. With two taxols left, I think it is probably pointless to start. Damage is done. I just hope it isn't permanent.

Stephanie: So cute about the Vicks/Windex thing. Love your sense of humor!

Marcia1111

Plugged in for 6/8.  I'm getting there!

Marcia1111

ElleBee - Quite a while ago, the gals on the April/May thread were talking about becoming germophobes.  I hadn't been up until then, but they got me thinking.  I don't know if  it's made a difference or not, but so far, I haven't been sick, so with 2 more to go, I'm going to continue what I've been doing.  I forget and slip up once in a while and some people swoop in for a hug/kiss before I have time to say anything.  I just can't wait until this is over!!!!!!!

Sending healing, positive thoughts to you all!

pamelahope

Hi everyone! Remember, we are getting our Neulasta shot so that is helping our WBC count and hopefully prevent us from getting sick.

Does it seem like people who use hand sanitizer the most get sick the most? It is weird I never use the stuff, just wash my hands and hardly ever get sick. When I do I just eat raw garlic. I just get the big stuff....

Ellebee, that is sweet about your coworker wanting you to try the beer. Most people should understand that you are going through chemo.

Pam

havingfaith

Hi Everyone- I am so glad the chemo fog has lifted.  My kids are back in school and I feel on top of things, so they cant try and get away with anything..lol.  Ive also been thinking a lot about germs lately and I think its because we are so close to the finish I don't want anything to ruin it.

Have a great day!!!

DorisMarie

havingfaith..the fog lifts???? LOL ...went to give my ss number the other day..thought I knew it by heart..nope..went blank..

best wishes for all today

ElleBee

Hey ladies. Taking a poll about AC....what was your first week like? I will be starting it pretty soon (few weeks) and want to know what to expect. I am teaching a class 2 days a week (only for an 90 minutes each day), plus my usual gig at the restaurant. Am I an idiot for thinking I can do this?

ElleBee