Sept 2012 chemo

Amy4978

Jojo...Whoooo hoooo! so happy for you...

Sparkysbrat

Hey everyone! Onc finally perscribed me something for the port pain, so I am feeling MUCH better. Still taking an ativan one in awhile, but other than that ok. Not looking forward to treatment #2, which is October 8th. Then another week and a half of feeling crappy. Hope everyone is doing ok!!!

Lisa Marie

InspiredbyDolce

Donna and Jojo - You both look beautiful! 

kidsandlabs

Day 2 about over, hoping day 3 is a lot better!

jojo2373

Just woke from a nap for the ages. Had thought i could spend the afternoon with the genetics staff going through my history and talking testing options..wrong. Did well for about an hour then the standard SEs kicked in - headache, nausea, and diarrhea. I explained i didnt feel well and promptly ran to nearest bathroom. Well, the rest is history. My DH said ur white. I said i gotta lay down. I added my compazine and ativan to my nap of 3 hrs. Woke soaked n sweat but feeling better. Will read posts later tonight when steroid high takes over. Hugs to all

Cindi74

Kidsandlabs,  You make the 55th of the Sept.  Exclusive Club No One Wants To Join.  List on page 35. 

Butterfly,  looking back--beautiful hair.  So sad to lose it.  I am loving my wig.  Hair falling out on schedule so I cut it down to practically nothing.  But everyone thinks I look great in wig.  Have gotten used to wearing it and can almost forget about it when on.

Resting up to get ready for next Wed. for second A/C.  Never had nausea or pain, but severe exhaustion set in on 4th day and lasted a week.  Also,  Nulasta didn't get WBCs up so had to take 5 Neupogen.  Am hoping this time that hubby can give some of them so as not to have to go to hospital or clinic.

Company coming night of chemo 2 to watch debates.  Very good friends.  I can go to be if need be.

Am going to try ginseng and melatonin this time.

Cherioo

Jojo so glad that your tumor is almost gone . That is awesome . Now you need to rest and pray all SE are over .

bearcub

JoJo that is great news about the Tumour, wow, it's too bad you had major SE's during your meeting, that's awful. We just never know when it will hit us. Good thing you had a nice nap, hope you feel better soon.

patriciahurtado

Jo hope you are feeling better today!!!......stay strong the chemo is working!!

kidsandlabs

Spent most the night getting sick, went to ER, iv fluids, pain meds for my bone and joint pain. I really hope today gets better.

jojo2373

Thanks for the well wishes, driving home from Neulasta shot. So far std crappy feeling. Prayers for all my sister to have a great day.



Bear cub - nice to see your smiling face!

EnglishRose75

Hello all,

I hope that for everyone who's just had treatment that the side effects aren't too bad and that the magic potions are busy doing their thing!

I've been finding it really interesting how others have dealt with my cancer diagnosis.  Yesterday I called my cousin who I hadn't spoken to in a while.  She was massively apologetic about not having called me--said that she's been feeling a bit down recently, but didn't wan't to call me because her problems were nothing in comparison to mine and she felt guilty about being depressed about certain events in her life. 

Does anyone sometimes feel that you spend more time coaching and comforting other people? Need to be a trained psychiatrist to deal with this stuff...!

jojo2373

English so true, I will always remember the words my mother spoke to me when she was terminal with her BC. I was crying for her and she said to me - this will be harder on you than it will be for me. True, why we comfort those close to us

jojo2373

Cherioo its half gone, lots to go. Her first measurement was 7.6x6.5, now is 4.4x4. Mentally its is helping me so much.



I have had some nose sores too, got a prescip for that. MO said was contributing to my runny nose too.

Cindi74

Kids,  Are you taking the Claridin.  I started before Nulasta and took every day for almost two weeks because I had Nulasta and then a week later started Neupegen every day.  Two very similiar drugs.  Internet says about 25% get the bone pain.  I cleared it with the chemo nurse first although she kind of poohooed it.  Understand there is a trial out studying effectiveness.

 So sorry all for the SE.  This trip is no fun.  I realized today that I was really pepped up because I have felt a little better every day since the 10th day--but I'm not back to my old self.  Still tire early, and start breathing hard after 4 minutes on the bike.  I used to do 10 minutes and 2 miles on the treadmill without breathing hard, way back three months ago.

Hang in there all.  There are a lot we haven't heard from in a while.  Bet they are struggling with living and too tired to post.  I certainly understand.

Oh yes,  I do appreciate all you.  It is great to have someone to tell without totally boring friends. 

Hugs

How are you doing bearcub? 

damiana9

Hey all!  Had my 2nd treatment on Wednesday.  Seems all my SEs are happening in all the same order, but coming on a little sooner this time.  I am on Claritin this time so I am hoping it helps but so far all the aches and pains I had last time are still coming on...  Not quite as lethargic as I was last time though- so I guess that's a plus!  My stubble has finally decided to start coming out. 

I went to an event at my daughters preschool yesterday- and one of the moms came up and complimented my hair- I said, oh thanks- it's a wig!  Then of course I was like 'why did I just have to say that???' dang it- I need to just say thank you and walk away

Oh, and I did find out that after chemo I will get rads.  I had a very strong suspision but I sooo wanted it to be over after chemo and i am having some trouble being okay with more shit happening to my body.  More than anything because it messes up reconstruction (I had the timing for everything all nicely planned out in my head) and these dang cancer doctors don't care what my plans are. LOL!  I know, I know, we aren't fighting this fight to save our boobs and do it in a timely manner, we are fighting to live- everything else is secondary.  Hard to make ourselves remember that sometimes.

sugarlandIDC

Damina9- I had to laugh, I'm not the only "schedule queen" (as my kids call it) that cancer wants to de-throne. Treatment, side effects and doctors all operate at their own schedules and yours doesn't matter. You are right fighting the fight is the important thing and I have to tell myself that very thing sometimes when my real-life events didn't match the schedule I had in my head. My friend just went thru 30 straight days of rads, her skin looks great. Hoping for the best for you.

kidsandlabs

I just really like to thank everyone for their support, stories and advise. Past few days have been horrible but it's time to get up and get ready for my DH 50th B-Day party. I will not let this cancer keep me from this party, I have planned this party for months and I will have a great time with my husband, children and friends!

Melrosemelrose

Cindi74- Here is the link for the ongoing clinical trial for the use of Claritin to help prevent the bone pain after receiving Neulasta (one shot)  or Neupogen (multple shots).  

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01311336?term=claritin+neulasta&rank=1

lokimax2

5 more days until chemo #2. Already dreding it. Was in bed w/terrible headache for two days the first one. Not sure if I was nauseous from the headache or chemo. Anti-nausea meds kept me loopy. Next time they're gonna use a different anti nausea in my IV instead of zofran. Got my neulasta shot on the next day and started claritan. Thankfully had not SE from the injection.



They didn't use my port on the first chemo because they thought my 2 day old incision looked inflammed. Started me on antibiotics. Just when I thought I was gonna be done w/antibiotics they looked at my port incision yesterday and put me on 7 more days. All last week I had episodes of diarrhea and then would have terrible gas pains and stomach cramps. I was thinking it was from the antibiotics but now I'm not so sure. I'm on CMF and I think its what's causing it. I'm taking probiotics and live on yogurt.



When I dragged myself into work last Monday for a few hours I didn't think I was gonna make it. Didn't see how I was gonna try to continue to work and feel this bad. By Tuesday after noon I managed to stay at work for 6 hours and actually started to feel better. I stay a little dizzy and my vision is blurry. I can deal with that but this stomach stuff is killing me. I'll mention to the doctor on Thursday when I do my labs this week.



Its hard to believe there are so many of us for Sept chemo!! My son's 14 bday is on the 12th and ive yet to plan anything. This sucks!!

whenlifegivesyoulemons

Lokimax-

There are no truer words - it does completely suck.  Hope round two is a drastic improvement for you.

whenlifegivesyoulemons

This may be too much information, but I had to share my latest chemo prop.  

Feeling anxious?  Superhero undies.  Chemo day?  Superhero undies.  Dreading seeing someone for the first time post diagnosis?  Yes, superhero undies!  A must for every chemo bag.

 

Neta69

Love the superhero undies! So happy to hear your good news Jojo but sorry abour you having such nasty SEs.

jojo2373

Omg i dig those undies! thx Neta.



All agree this SUCKS

Mariposa123

kidsandlabs- I hope you are feeling better.  I know that after my ER visit, the IV fluids really helped alot.  One of the ladies here reminded me to keep thinking about things being temporary- and that helped too.  We will all feel better soon.  Hope things went well at your husband's birthday party:-)

Jojo: I have the dreaded nose sores too!  They completely suck.  My whole face seems so completely and utterly dry - no matter how much I moisturize, use lip balm, saline spray, etc.  Yuck.  Good to know you can get a prescription.  Maybe I need to talk to me doc.

Damiana9: Sorry about the need for rads.  I totally understand the notion of my doctors and cancer screwing up my schedule.  Right now, I have this plan that I can go back to work in February- but I am totally worried that something is going to mess it up.  People keep telling me that it takes a full year to get through this... but I don't have time for that!  I am also worried about doing radiation after reconstruction.  My doctor said don't worry- but that is easier said than done.  Oh well, I guess I should worry about one thing at at time. 

Whenlife:  I love love love those underwear!!!  

Hope everyone has a nice restful evening.  I was up last night until nearly 3am.  Did get lots of art done though- so it wasn't too bad.

bearcub

Hi all,

Wow had a horrible day yesterday, felt like a slug all day. Bouncing back today, this round hasn't been quite as easy as the last one. I am day 5 tomorrow and off meds so hopefully I will feel lots better. I have felt itchy, also have some nose sores, living with lip balm and saline spray..and indigestion and bloating ....ggggrrrr!



Kidsandlabs I hope you are feeling better.



When I need to get some fancy undies like those for chemo days.



I am already dreading round 3 and its not until oct. 17th...



Lokimax I hope the birthday for your son is a blast, wow I don't think I could plan anything right now, do you have someone to help you with that.



Have a super Sunday everyone

Cherioo

Hey All, up again and can't sleep. My legs ache which I hate and it keeps me up . Feels like restless leg syndrome sucks. Other then that feel good had two beers tonight for the first time at a dinner it has been months since I have had a beer .



Bear cub sorry you feel yucky



Kidssandlab sorry you had to go to the ER .



I look at chemo and think ok i am almost halfway done and this will pass , but it sure sucks going through this I dread this week going but that will put me closer to the end of treatment .



I wish all a good Sunday

InspiredbyDolce

Hi Everyone,

Your treatments will stack up, they are accumulative.  So with each treatment you will probably experience the same effects you had with the 1st installment, but they will get stronger.  My Oncologist and Nurse said the treatments build upon one another, so even though they are the same dosage of meds each time, each treatment will feel stronger and the side effects will be stronger.  So if you breezed through Round 1, but Round 2 seems harder, that is probably why.

Rest, and remember, this is not the time to be over-doing it and setting records.  Pamper yourself and allow yourself to take it easy a bit.

Have a nice weekend! 

EnglishRose75

Whenlife: I LOVE those undies!  And I definitely think that you need to wear them on the OUTSIDE of your trousers!  Do you suppose they do a Wonder Woman version?!

Damiana: I know exactly what you mean about the wig compliments.  I've done exactly the same thing a few times.  My husband is still trying to get me to buy a Marge Simpson one.  Although I'm now comfortable with my "wigginess", I'm not sure I can go that far...

Jojo: That's really great that the chemo is beating those tumours in to submission.  Must make it all much easier psychologically.

Bearcub and kidsandlabs: Hope you both feel much better soon

Inspired: I've done three rounds of chemo so far now and I haven't found that the side effects have been stronger or worse each time, but I've definitely found that it's taken me slightly longer to bounce back from each round. 

For me, personally, it's been easier as I've gone through because I have a better sense of what to expect and what works best in terms of dealing with the side effects.  Emotionally it's tough though that as soon as you start to feel relatively normal, you have to do it all over again (and again...). I try to look forward to each round as it's another to cross off the list and a bit closer to the finish line.  I'm now half way though, after the next one, I'll be two thirds done and so on.  I start Taxotere next, having done three FEC, and I'm pretty nervous about it since the SEs are totally different and I have no idea what to expect.

Hope you have a good Sunday everyone.  My husband is psyched because Sky Sports is showing the New England Patriots game live here in the UK this evening (he's a Massachusetts boy), so it's chilli, chicken wings and cornbread in our household today!

Anonymous

Hi ladies,

 Sorry I haven't updated. I had my first round of AC on Friday (9-28). I also had my port put in that same morning so it was an exhausting day. The first night I felt alright, I had some minor nausea but I took some claritan/compazine and that helped. Yesterday I ate well and only had minimal nausea. I slept well yesterday/last night. This morning I am pretty dizzy so I am laying in bed as I type this. I can only hope some of this dizziness goes away soon. My port is quite sore. How long was everyone else's ports after getting them in?

 Sending positive vibes, hugs, and prayers to all of you!!

Justine