Sept 2012 chemo

bearcub

Cindi my fatigue seems to come day 5 to day 9, then I bounce back. I feel like I am doing everything then in slow motion..this 3 rd time round though I did notice I developed 2 mouth sores about day 15 that are just starting to feel better today, day 19. They are still there but not as much pain. I never had them before my 3 rd round of AC.

The fact that they feel better today is making me hopeful my WBC will be okay tomorrow..in prep for my last AC Wednesday.



The ginseng was it in tea form, how much we're you approved to take?

florbo

MelroseMelrose--thank you so much for all your tips.  I will check out the TSA link.  I think I will just pack my wig and wear my usual doo-rag so I will be comfortable.

jojo2373

To answer about the research I am participating in, my MO asked me. My treatments are done at a cancer research hospital and they have a long list of research trials going on all the time.



My heart goes out to all of you experiencing early menopause. I had spent the last 5 years doing it naturally and was miserable many nights. Chemo wiped out the remainder of any hormones I was hanging onto.



Good luck to all going to the BGC this week!

Cherioo

Anyone have aches on Taxol . I feel much better then AC but the aces suck and headache . Thank god no nauseous feeling this time

butterfly14

Number 4 and last AC tomorrow. Last AC awful taste in my mouth and acid in stomach lasted for 7-8 days, hoping for better luck this time. Hoping for minimal side effects for everyone in BGC this week.

Mariposa123

Hi ladies,

   I just did my last blog post about my impending menopause:-(  Even though I was having lots of hot flashes, I kind of forgot the reason.  Sucks.  I am feeling a bit better today- just lots of muscle pains and a horrendous taste in my mouth.  Yuck!!!  http://breastcancerartandme.blogspot.com/2012/11/emerging.html

EnglishRose:  Thanks for the validation of how yuck taxotere is.  I keep reminding myself that on the day when I am feeling completely and utterly horrible, like I can't possibly ever do it again, that tomorrow is usually the day I start to feel better.  Hope you are feeling better super soon!!!

MsTori:  I think you will be on the same regimen as me:-)  Let me know if you have any questions!  Good luck to you!!!  Although it sucks, it is definitely doable.  We will all get through this!!!

Bearcub & Butterfly:  congrats on last AC!  Hope this one is the easiest one yet. 

Love to everyone!  Hope we all have a nice and restful evening with NO SE!

cgesq

Hi All,

Finally got power back after 6 days being without, courtesy of hurricane Sandy.  Thankfully, we are all ok, and all the giant trees which fell around us didn't hit our house!  Because everyone around us had no power, I had to get my infusion by generator last week.  That was pretty anxiety provoking!!

Timbek, I LOVED your poem!  It beautifully summed up what we are all feeling.  I don't know if it was last week's disastrous weather, or mid-chemo blues, but I've been feeling very down lately (which is not like me at all.)  I even had a nightmare that I had to go for chemo infusions every week for the rest of my life.  I hope these feelings pass quickly.....I guess I just want this all to be over already!!!

Toastiecat, I'm sorry you had that experience with your pregnant friend.  Right after my daughter was born, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go for chemo.  I used to bring my then newborn daughter with me to her her infusions to help distract her and pass the time.  Several people were appalled that I would bring a baby to a chemo center, saying she would be exposed to all those toxins and it would be dangerous for her.  That was 21 years ago.  You would think people would have learned since then!

Cocobean, thank you for the info regarding the order of TCH infusions.  In each of my 3 TCH infusions, I have been getting the herceptin last.  I will now ask that it be given before the taxotere.  (PS  Did Mark Pegram say anything else of interest?)

I am somewhat annoyed that my MO either didn't know that herceptin should be given first, or didn't instruct the infusion center to do so.  This will be the third instance that I am providing info to their office that I learned on this blog.  They are supposed to be the chemo experts.  Why am I telling them how best to do their jobs!!!!!!

As for the clinical trials, I am participating in one regarding diagnosis.  They are looking for certain markers in blood which could make diagnosis easier.  I need to give blood every 6 months for 5 years.

Stay strong everyone....we are getting through this!

bearcub

Hey Butterfly your a day ahead of me, so happy you are done. I have picked a special song to listen to as the flush at the end goes through....it's Blow me(one last kiss) by Pink.....it's my blow off to AC....and Breast Cancer. I hope the last one is easy on you.



Mariposa I hope you feel better soon....yes menopause can feel like it is sucking the life out of you, must feel awful combined with chemo...



To all the Americans I hope you all feel well enough to vote tomorrow.

allurbaddayswillend

Cherioo, Aches on Taxol? Yes. It's hte worst side effect for me. I am taking Celebrex for it - up to 3 or 4 on bad days. At first it was only a couple of days of the Taxol week. Now, with #10 tomorrow, I'm taking Celebrex almost everyday. I do feel lucky that I can manage it. By 6pm, I'm barely moving, literally shuffling around the house and dragging my right leg along - ow ow ow. But I'm still up and moving rather than sick and in bed like AC, I do feel like things could be worse in terms of side effects since I don't have bad numbness in fingers and toes... Check with your MO if you need something to help manage it.

Cherioo

Aallurbadday thanks I will ask my MO

butterfly14

Thanks BearCub, last AC then I have taxol, so this puts me at the half way mark, cannot wait to be done with chemo. I think I may need to use the Pink song, sounds appropriate. Praying that both of us have no side effects....

Cindi74

Bearcub. 

The research that was sent to me by a friend who has endured fallopian tube cancer and colon cancer (a biologist) said

pure American ginseng. Sh0uld not include ethenol.  I ordered from Amazon.  Onc did not say how much to take so I took one or two 500 meg capsules a day.

Somewhere through Google I found the research also

Like I said, fatigue was less, but sour taste in mouth from something (maybe AC build up)  I had trouble downing a gallon of water a day on days 4,5,6--until the trick or treaters didn't come and I found I could get a bottle of water down with a small Almomd Joy,  Am back up to a gallon now.

sherbab

Florbo - I have flown a couple of times and have had no issues.  I have a port and wore a wig both times.  Once I flew out of DFW to Las Vegas and back for an overnight and Friday I flew out of Love to San Antonio.  I had my port card and my tissue expander card and never had to produce either.  Best of luck at the wedding this weekend.

For the Facebook post question - I am very open about everything so I posted about mine, plus I have a lot of friends and family who are not in Texas.  I was also very honest and open with our employees when I received the diagnosis since we have less than 60 employees in the US and I am HR.  I did not want to have a Carringbridge site...personal choice and nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't for me at this time.  I did not have a blog and had never blogged or journaled until a few months after I started this journey but I have since started one that a couple of you commented about when I posted it. 

I started my Taxol on Halloween and do have aches and pains in my joints that I have never had before but so far so good.

Wishing everyone no SEs as the week progresses!!

bearcub

Butterfly I think I heard the pink song when I was DX so it reminds me of my feelings..I have related the two. I do not get Taxol so I will be done all chemo Wednesday. The best part is I will officially be starting my hair growth again. Should be interesting to see how that goes. I hope your last AC goes well and Taxol is not as bad.



Cindi, Thanks for the ginseng info, I am glad the ginseng is working for you, too bad a health food store didn't have the one you needed. I am sure hoping my WBC are high enough tomorrow, that is the worst part for me. I do not want any delays. I had a good laugh reading the candy bars made the water go down easier, I only drank loads of water the first 5 days then went to my normal few glasses a day, Tea and coffee....you must be getting your final AC next week since you are a week behind me.



We have all sure come along way from worrying about our DX to surgery and now chemo almost behind us. Like we said in the beginning of Sept., We can do this!...and we did....looking forward to our 5 year reunion.

patriciahurtado

Good morning!!!! My sisters ... Good luck everyone on their last chemo this week... Hope taxol has no side effects for anyone...



I have been blessed by having my family here... My mom took three weeks of from Colorado then my dad and my sister!!! ... Besides 29 calls per day and feeding me what they thought works for my WBC... Juicing soups wheatgrass ... Telling me why I had cancer or why can my 18 year can't get a job...how my entire family and cousins would to spend THEIR Holidays in Miami.... Or that my aunt has no place to stay!!!!.... My daughter and hubby argue about the car issues....... ... Medicare denied me cause I need surgery first and my job told me that I need a very specific letter for work do to my duties since I'm a banquet server.... So I don't even know if I will have a job all my bills are pilling up!!!! ..... I would like some space from my family I know that it's hard for them but it's harder on me to have them all here..... I try to ignore and act very appreciated but I'm so overwhelm I want to be home alone.... I don't want anyone over for Holidays..... U don't know what's worst going to the BGC or having your family members all over...I need peace ... Just venting cause I can sleep fir the past 2 days cause of all this!!!

jojo2373

Bearcub and Butterfly - Kiss the Red Devil goodbye!  You did it!

Cherioo - what day are you on post Taxol?  You doing weekly or bi-weekly?  My aches got really bad days 3-5 and I had to call my MO.  She had me continue my steroids for 5 days and keep taking the claritan.  I think it helped, but as I get ready for Taxol #2 on Friday we will see.

Cindi74

Oh Patricia.  I am so sorry you are having these problems.  We all have enough on our plates without others intruding.  Hang in there.  Hugs

bearcub

Patricia, I hope you were able to get some sleep. It is nice to have all the help to a point, BUT......yikes.....how long are they staying? Are you able to try and have a sit down and talk about your needs now. The extra family drama is something you don't need. Maybe a therapist could help you find a polite way to ask them to give you some space, that you are ready and perfectly fine to look after yourself. I hope you can find that quiet space you so need now. ((HUG)).

Are you able to get some kind of disability from work, my sister in law lives in Vegas and her DH has many medical issues. She told me as long as they pay about 10 dollars a month to medical bills everyone leaves them alone??? I don't know how that works.



JoJo I hope your pains are not as bad with the next Taxol.



I hope everyone has a happy SE free day!

whenlifegivesyoulemons

Patricia-  So sorry you're having to deal with all that on top of everything else.  Hope you get some sleep, AND some peace.

Mariposa123

My friend gave me the most beautiful quote this morning... and I thought I would share it with all of my beautiful chemo sisters:-)

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Hope everyone can have some moments of peace today where things feel normal.  I can't wait to go and vote!

whenlifegivesyoulemons

For the record, if I never see another campaign ad again IT WILL BE TOO SOON! Thank God it'll all be over today.  Off to vote.  Hope you all feel up to getting out the vote too.

aic

Thanks for sharing the quote, Mariposa...beautiful!

MsTori

Mariposa- thank you! I just finished 2 and have 4 more.

Cherioo

Jojo I had my Taxol Friday and the pain started Sunday night .

bearcub

Thank you for sharing Mariposa.



Cherioo I hope you feel better soon.

marianelizabeth

patricia, I echo what bearcub said and any chance they are leaving soon? Or some of them?

mariposa, Elizabeth Kubler Ross was required reading in my nursing program years ago and I have pulled out my tattered copy many times over the years. Thanks for that!

bearcub, so glad for your end to chemo tomorrow. I will be thinking of you.

Cherioo

bearcub thanks .. I am feeling great other then the aches this to shall pass

fight4two

Cherioo - I'm from the October group, thanks for inviting us to stop by!

Since you ladies are a month ahead of us, I was hoping you could help me with my current obsession! I was wondering why some people get 4 Taxol after AC and others get 4 Taxotere. I think you and butterfly (and maybe others?) are getting Taxol, however I'm scheduled for Taxotere.  I feel like I rushed into this chemo thing without doing a lot of research, cuz I just wanted to get started FIGHTING, but now that I've had time to stop and think, I want to make sure I'm getting the best treatment I can.  Did your MO give you a reason for the Taxol, or he just said it is what it is??  Maybe it doesn't matter, but I can't seem to figure it out and my MO doesn't explain things that clearly to me.

Anyone know the difference or why some people get one over the other??

Congrats ladies to those of you who are or are almost halfway done.  I can't wait til this chemo is behind all of us!

kidsandlabs

Mariposa - nice, very nice! Went and voted today - let your voice be heard, no matter who you are voting for. Chemo tommorrow, only bright side if there is one is that it marks the 1/2 point.

Cherioo

fight4two when I sat down with my MO I had no clue what the difference was between the two T,s . He just told me basically what I would be taking . When I asked after I started he said they are not any different . I know how hard it it is when you first start and you feel like you are all over the place with emotions . Believe me we know how it is .