Starting chemo November 2012

Dakota212

BetNy-

It was horrible for me too!!! I still hate looking ingbthe mirror I have A/C # 4 Thursday then onto Taxol. I hear it could start growing back for taxol. I sure hope so!

Tlym

Hi Ladies-TC #3 was on Friday. I didn't feel so great from the get-go: nauseous the whole day (despite anti-emetics), cold caps unbearably cold, IV throbbing. Pharmacy was running late, so tx was late, and I ended up being at the hospital for nine hours! Finally threw up on the way home and felt much better. Been taking zofran every 8 hours since being at home, so nausea has subsided but I am so exhausted! I just keep sleeping and sleeping and can't seem to get the energy to get myself out of bed. Got another bonus yesterday: my period! Hoping to get out of the fog in the next day or so as we have a weekend road trip planned. Wishing everybody a mild week of SEs!

politicomama

So who is doing rads when they are done with chemo?  I have one more AC on Dec. 27th, and then I am not sure if I get two or three weeks off, and then 12 straight weeks of taxol.  We met with the rad onc on Thursday and technically I fall into the gray area of radiation.  Since I had the mastectomy it would be chest wall.  She wanted me to move up my appointment with plastics.    Right now I am feeling like it is the right thing to do, but lots of decisions.  

pands

yeah...done chemo #2...only 13 more pricks to go...lol....

BetNY22

thanks for being so supportive, only you women know the real emotions of this. txjunebug, that is a good way to look at it, at least I know its working. My family keeps convincing me to shave it but I somehow am scared that if I do, just what if I were able to retain some to pull some out of the bottom of a hat or scarf. I know I am dilussional and I have to move on

How is everyone doing with their weight? I gained last time and my Ocologist said that I have to be careful because most weight gained during chemo is very hard to lose. I just don't want anything but carbs.

Im gonna put a cute hat on and try and enjoy this day with my children, we are doing all the great xmas sites in NYC today.

Dakota212

BetNY-

I am the same way and I always try to stay away from carbs. I am only up a few pounds but it makes anything nervous. I am going for A/C # 4 on Thursday I was thinking of asking if I can skip the steroids after. In think that is what's making me so Hungry????

5LuvBugs

Dakota EAT and forget about skipping the steriods - you will be soooo sick to your stomach!!! Eat and enjoy...Also, I'm sure you are beautiful with or without hair - at least thats what I try to convince myself  )

BetNY - hope you had a great day with the kids - you and they deserve it...I left my Clarabell hair just to have a little cushioning and warmth and I do pull it out of my hat and wig but it is still thinning sooooo much, this is the first time my husband has more hair than me - it's freakin scarey!! I'm sure I'll be buzzing it off soon also.  I got a cute halo wig to wear with hats, it's more comfortable than a wig if your wearing a hat www.tlc.com (cancer society)  or www.headcovers.com

TLYM hope your feeling better by now, you had a rough round #3 = I had mine today, I will update all of you when I'm don't this post

Pands already told you your buzz looks cool - I'll be joining you and the rest of the girls soon - just keeping it for a little warmth.

Politicomama I will be starting radiation (6weeks) probably beginning last week Jan or 1st week Feb = not looking forward to it but we gotta do what we gotta do!

OK, that's as far as I scrolled back so my next post will be about my day for chemo #3.....

5LuvBugs

Does anyone have a pattern for a scarf - I'm not sure how long or wide to make it....

keetmom

Survived #2...counts rebounded well...I am starting with a white count of 10....so that gives me area to fall...My Oncologist doesn't do the injections if your body can recover on its own...which mine seems to be...now to enjoy the next 2 weeks as much as possible and then we will be in the home stretch!

pands

heres how to make a basic buff on ehow style...how to sew your own tubular bandana..(buff)

www.ehow.com/how_8683047_sew-own-tubular-bandana.html

might give everyone some ideas..

Loafer

Hi ladies - Hope everyone is doing well after chemo 2 and 3. Is it only me or is treatment 3 kickin your butt? I breezed through 1 and 2, even went on a business trip to Florida, after 2. I feel like i've been hit by a bus after 3. Extreme fatigue and muscle pain. I've been working full time throughout this journey and find myself totally crashing by about 3pm. I told coworkers its an out of body experience - my body has been taken over by an old person - which is hard to get your mind wrapped around. Climbing stairs and lifting anything is a major effort. Hope this is all temporary and you have a better experience. Hugs to everyone!

politicomama

Loafer, 3 did me in too.  Overall the "bad" SE's were less, constipation/diarrhea, but the fatigue has about pushed me over the edge this time.  I'm working too, and the kids, and I am just pooped. 

I did make a trip to Wally world tonight, had a hot flash, asked the kiddo if she would be embaressed if I took my hat off, she was cool, so like my facebook post, "I went topless in Walmart"

Tlym

Hi Loafer-Still exhausted day 5 after #3. Just can't seem to get enough sleep-I wake up tired!

5LuvBugs (Mama)-Hope your day went well and you get lots of rest before doing all the Christmas cooking!

michellej1980

Oh no. I have #3 on Friday. Sounds like I'm going to be feeling even shittier, just in time for Christmas. :-(

Kaelia

Hi everyone, so I am still up past 2am eating and feeling restless from taking the infamous steroids, when I have chemo #3 in the morning.  Btw PANDS I like your GI Jane look! MACY great to hear you started kicking that cancer butt, have fun on your road trip! Good luck to all.

5LuvBugs

I'm here too Kaelia, steroids and #3 chemo yesterday - hungry and wide awake.

Yeah Macy, so glad your going to see your children and grandchildren - enjoy!!!

SickofPink miss you but hope your actually enjoying yourself!!!

I have noticed three nails on my right hand beginning to turn gray at the cuticle - I hope I don't lose them, has anyone had nail issues?

Traii

Chemo # 3 and day 7 and I'm fatigued still. I'm really restless then sleep a couple of hours, back up again when my son gets up !! I'm still working few days a week and thank goodness its not all day as I have a nap in the arvo when my son does!

My feet are peeling and I have burns on my hands....as for the nails....a couple are 'thick' .. when I showed one of the nurses she said that that will grow out no lift off and the new one will come through just as your nail grows.

keetmom

Took melatonin before bed night and slept really good which was nice as I had IV dex at 245 so I was worried I would be up all night...think I am going to keep taking it.  My onoclogist likes to start at stuff like that before giving heavier stuff. I also started on my prilosec and colace, so hopefully I am ahead of all of my side effects. 

Not looking forward to #3 hearing everyones side effects...going to try to lay low today, there are 12 inches of snow heading our way, thinking there will be a snow day an the kids will be home. So the house will be loud!  Feel bad because my 10 year old has a fair at school today and I am avoiding stepping foot in the elementry school unless and emergency arises in the next month because it is a hot bed of germs because no one keeps their kids home when sick..luckily Grandma and Grandpa can go..

Anyway hope all are well today...

marianelizabeth

adagio, no post from you. Did the bone pain resolve? My first Taxol went well and with .5 mg of Ativan and the Gabapentin I am on for the S/E of Taxol has its own S/E one of which can be drowsiness. I woke up off and on and once my pillow was soaked through so my head must have really sweated. Had to get up and change pillows. Woke really early but feel OK. 

powermom

Luvbugs - I can't remember, have you been icing your nails?  I did mine part of the time for my first, so am wondering if it is worth it.

txjunebug

Politicomama - thanks for the laugh.   Topless in Wally World.  Love it!!

I'm having problems with the feet not hands.  Nails are dark and heels are bright red.  Nurse said it's neuropathy.  Taking vitamin B6 and painfulness is a little less.  But I've also worked from home for two days and I think that's helping too. 

Yep that's right my boss caved in.  I'm working from home from now until the end of treatment unless I feel good and can make it to the office.  Í'm really enjoying this telecommuting. Have a feeling from hearing about round #3 that I'm going to need naps during the day too.

Hugs to all! 

Eleni

Powermom, I'm not icing my nails. I'm keeping them short, put hardener and once in a while paint them. I don't know about neuropathy as Junebug said.

"Going topless". I actually like my "naked" head. When I put make up on and earrings I feel beautiful. I'd like to be brave enough to go out without the wig. But I think it'd be more difficult for the others to see me like this. On the other hand, it's very cold here so I'd still have to wear a hat. I've asked my husband to take some artistic photos of my head like this.

5LuvBugs

Had Neulasta shot today, asked about my nails - nurse said they won't fall out just darken a bit and clear up after chemo is finished = what a relief..All this worry about what's going on with our hair, nails, skin, etc = wonder what our insides look like, that's the main thing but .....Remember we are ALL Beautiful Inside so smile :O)

Loafer

Txbug - Glad your boss caved in. I also worked from home today and it really helps if you can eliminate the commute. We have bad weather headed Michigan and nothing worse than the winter drive! I only have approval to work from home, if I need it. My employer is supportive but vague - do whatever you need to do - would love to work from home every day - but I have a staff of people I should see. Can you say guilt!!



Marianeliza - I also have been having serious night sweats and figure I' m being thrown into menopause. Is this happening to other ladies?



Other than fatigue, sore muscles, and night sweats, I have no other SEs now with #3. I am 7 days post treatment.



Hugs to all you ladies!

Tlym

Loafer-I wish I had "chemopause!" I am on my second period since starting chemo and it is super-heavy! Other than the fatigue and my nuisance period, no other SEs from tx #3.

Since I've been bored and resting in bed, I decided to do some online Christmas shopping-big mistake! Found more for myself than the DH and kids and blew tons of money! Oh well...

Hope the rest of you ladies are doing well. Christmas is around the corner. Love this time of year!

BetNY22

I did it! Got head shaved last night, my hair was so gross and I was scared to wash it because of clumps that would come out. My mom came with me and I didn't look when my hairdresser did it, she then restyled my wig and I went home with that. I changed from the wig to a scarf in my closet since it was the only place with no mirrors, and didn't look this morning either when putting on wig, wonder how long I can keep this up. I went to work with wig which looks a lot like my hair and someone I do business with walked in and said, "you have a new hair-do, how nice" I tried to be vague and change subject but they went onto ask if I had plans of going someplace special with my fancy hair...ugh, couldn't change subject fast enough! My scalp hurts today and we only used a #2 blade.....This whole thing is so traumatic. Today I stayed at work the longest I've stayed since I was diagnosed, I really physically good @ 6 days past tx#2. Bracing myself for #3 which I get the day after Xmas. I haven't noticed anything with my nails as of yet. It's great that most of you are able to do some work from home.

Btw I love the topless in Walmart, that's awesome!

Wishing everyone a SE free day tomorrow!

Kaelia

5LUVBUGS, my nails are turning grey and blue at the cuticle too, just like Eleni I keep them short and paint them every now and them to keep the nails strongs. Glad to hear I wan't the only one up and hungry lol. I had to take the day off today because I have zero energy after chemo #3 today and after not sleeping at all since last night until now. So I am going to bed after this post; to make it for my neulasta shot in the morning then work. My onc offered me Ambien, I am thinking of taking his offer as much as I am a partisan od the least medication necessary but this lack is getting to me

TXJUNEBUG that's awesome to hear that your boss is accomodating you in that way. Mine is pretty cool too, called me today to check on me after chemo and offer me some support- told me to stay at home tomorrow also if needed.

Onc schedule a CAT scan in 2 weeks to check the progression/regression of the cancer. I am very very nervous about those results and just hoping for the best.

Thinking of you all Ladies and hoping for the best through this journey for everyone

Sickofpink

Hi everybody, i've been thinking of you, especially while taking long baths twice a day to help keep my sore butt in my office chair. I've taken advantage of week 3 otherwise with massive amounts of work and holiday prep and even a few small parties (got a compliment on my 'hair' and was tempted to take it off for a close-up). I know im feeling better when i lose sleep worrying about my daughter instead ofvfrom discomfort. Mostly I overdid it then was exhausted - so am bummed to hear about the extra nosedive from #3.



My #3 is in the morning and I Don't Wanna Go To Bed. I Don't Want it to be tomorrow! This past time I cried in front of my adult students during my last class, paid $2k to the wrong doc, had to call and correct other bills, agreed to another book blog even tho im foggy, got lost taking a walk, and took 9 meds a day just to eat fod that has little or too much taste - some that caused new issues! Nails ok, hair mostly gone, but kids alive so im grateful.

But i dont want it be tomorrow yet!

Sigh. G'night!

powermom

Sickof pink - sending a prayer that this time won't be as bad as you fear.  And hugs.

Anonymous

Sickofpink~I'm so sorry you're having such an awful time. Like Powermom, I'm also praying that you have a much easier time than you're expecting.



We're in your pocket Honey. I hope that brings you some comfort.



Blessings

Paula