Starting chemo November 2012

Anonymous

ckolendar - I am so glad you mentioned the gel nails. I think I will try that route. Sounds to me like cold caps only make for a more uncomfortable juicing session. 

txjunebug and pbrain - do we work for the same lady? LOL  Only my boss can't relate because she has never had any health issues, has a neverending supply of leave time built up because she has worked for the same company for 30 years, has no kids and both of her parents are still alive and healthy.  Heck, her husband had an infection and she dropped him off for outpatient surgery in order to come to work for a while, and then picked him up - rather than staying with him.  She is very nice, don't get me wrong, can be somewhat sympathetic, but still thinks none of this should interfere with work. Can you believe she was surprised that I didn't log in and check e-mail while I was recovering from BMX?!?! I was only off for three weeks as it is. She thought it would be a good distraction.  Ha! I've got plenty to distract me, between trying to coordinate doc appts and researching what the he!! to expect from all of this. I am planning to work through chemo, taking long weekends following treatments and teleworking a couple days a week between.  I'm just worried about all the germs. 

I might not begin chemo until December, as I am seeking a second opinion and can't get that appt until the 20th. Hope to know more by then as all of these follow-ups and waiting is killing me. I thought I would have started already, but we waiting for Onco testing.  That ended up a deadend - and only by a percentage.  I was 26 and you have to be 25 or less.

Good thoughts with you all on your upcoming treatments!!

txjunebug

TYLM- sounds like you and TriciaM are doing great!  I hope to do the same next week.

skimommi - I think someone possessed my boss after our status update.  She actually stayed home because she was sick which is unlike her.  She usually just shares her germs with the rest of the office.  I took today off to do chemo class, MRI, MUGGA scan, pre-chemo lab work, etc.  She called me this afternoon and didn't want anything other than to see how I was doing.  Told me she stayed home so she wouldn't expose me to her cold.  Not sure what has come over her but it was nice for a change.

DH and I decided to have a date night before the treatments begin.  Went to dinner and saw the new James Bond movie. It was so wonderful to get out of the house and do something fun.

Tlym

TriciaM-Yes, I figure I will be at my nadir on Sunday/Monday. I was very cautious at the restaurant today and cleaned my utensils and plate with boiling water (I was at a Chinese restaurant, so a cup of boiling water is not an odd request) and made sure I only ate well-cooked foods. I am a bit concerned about this weekend because my daughter will be performing in a fundraiser fashion show/luncheon at school. I think I will bring my own food just to be safe. I'm really paranoid and a germophobe too!

Tlym

Skimommi-I agonized over my tx options for a week until I was able to get in for the second opinion. I loved the new MO and was so thankful for the data she shared with me to help in my decision making. I even ended up transferring hospitals so I could receive tx from her. I admire you ladies who work through treatment. I don't think I could do it!

Txjunebug-Sounds like you had a wonderful date night! Glad you were able to relax and take your mind off things for awhile.

5LuvBugs

TLYM - so happy you are comfortable with your new MO - that's 1/2 the battle, we have to feel like we are in good hands! Good Luck.. Glad you were careful at the restaurant, enjoy the fundraiser....

Everyone: I Feeling Better Today - I finally slept a little and the joint/muscle pain from the Neulesta is a lot less.  Got shot Wednesday, bad night Thursday and all day/night Friday.  My tounge is white and sore, eating yogurt and rice pudding and gatorade w/water.  My lymph nodes feel a little swollen across my chest. So I guess my body resistance is definetly dropping...I'll just stay home..

 How are you girls making out?

Traii

Hi Ladies,

Seems as though there are 2 November 2012 chemo discussion boards set up. (I was wondering why the other one was so quiet).

I've started chemo and on Day 11 and am feeling really good.

Hope you are all good too with minimal SE's for those of you whom have started treatment.

Would have loved to have started on the caps however my hospital doesn't do it yet last minute told that another hospital in Melbourne, AUST did it which was only down the road....never mind, I"m set up with my new human hair wig and as ready as I can be for my hair to fall out for the 2nd time in my life ( previous Hodgkin's Lymphoma 1996) !!

I am looking at icing my finger nails and toe nails I hear its common procedure in some centres but again, not in mine yet I'm going to a cancer hospital that deals directly / only with cancer patients.....now these gloves I find I can't get by next Wednesday so I'm looking for some supplier here otherwise my frozen peas will be coming with me!!

Hope you are all well have a great weekend

Tlym

PrincessPincushion

The day of my first TC Chemo wasn't too bad, but ever since my Neulasta shot on Wednesday I've felt like crap! I can't sleep, except it's all I want to do, and I have this constant nasty taste in my mouth. I cried at breakfast today because my kids look at me so funny as I pick at my meals because I just can't eat. This is awful. Everything tastes so weird, and I can't eat anything bread. I don't know how I'm going to do this for four more months. I've already lost 3 pounds this week, and I'm barely over 100 to begin with! I SO do not want to be having to do this!!!

michellej1980

I'm two days post-chemo and feeling really sorry for myself. I don't have any side-effects to speak of but am just really tearful and think it has all finally hit me. Every little thing is upsetting me and I don't want to do anything but sleep. My mouth doesn't taste too bad now but food is different.

5LuvBugs

WeLL Michelle, you sound like the rest of us.. Go ahead feel sorry for yourself but then get right up and pull yourself together.  Let's see you are 2 DAYS BEHIND ME, tonite and tomorrow may be your worst - then you should feel better but I gotta warn you and everyone else

FIRE DOWN BELOW!!!  Eat that yogurt girls, I guess those meds finally caught up   Rinsed with warm water and baking soda solution, it helps..So how pathetic is this conversation  LOL. We are in this together!!!!

Dakota212

Hi girls,



Feeling good. Made it thru soccer and hockey !!! Hope all u girls are doing well!!

Tlym

Amethyst and Michelle-I do think these drugs wreak havoc with our hormones. I had crying spells on days 2 and 4. Trust me, it does get better very soon! I had my first tx on 11/2 and yesterday was my first day of feeling relatively normal and today I am 100% back to my old self.

TriciaM-I have a few white spots on my tongue and am worrying about down there too. I went to the pharmacy and bought some Monistat in anticipation of needing it soon. I have been taking daily probiotics, so I'm hoping to stave it off naturally.

Dakota-So glad your weekend is is going well!

5LuvBugs

TLYM

Dr. said for mouth 1 tbsp baking soda w/ 1 liter water = swish in mouth 4 x day.   Also get a vitamin E gel capsule and poke it and dab it on your mouth sores with a Qtip.

Don't think Monistat will help = I used the baking soda water solution and just poured it on myself....Still itchy and hot down below!!!  )

5LuvBugs

ALOE VERA GEL  - it  helps "Down Below" !!

Tlym

TriciaM- If I wasn't mistaken, I'd think you were writing a porn script!

Traii

I was the same, day 3 (first day no steriods) I cried for nothing.....at the drop of a hat I cried.....My mouth was blah and my favourite food tasted like crap......I must admit I was still getting out and about didn't want to depress myself by staying home.....Day 12 now and I was out at the beach today enjoying the sunshine and watching my little man play in the water with his daddy.

TriciaM I'm so going to try the   1 tbsp baking soda w/ 1 liter water = swish in mouth 4 x day thing you mentioned.... next time around....the mouth thing started day 2-3 for me and as much as its still blah its not AS bad day 12....the joys!

ltmguy

Good Morning to all I am glad to hear that in our own way's we are all hanging in their for the ride of our lives.

sorry it has taken so long to blog back. We got back right at homework time and then friday fun and Saturday sports (soccer) with a jerwelry party and then dinner at our house with friends.  It is way to busy trying to keep up with our lives as you all know.  I have had very little sympotms or I am choosing to just keep going which is what I do.  I feel as if I have the flu I am really tired it is all I can do to shower and get dressed then I need a break,  then I can dry my hair(I still have it no cooling cap) then take a break.  My neck is so sore.  My doc's give me everything I need in my port at day of Chemo so I am not taking anything at home other than zofran if needed and motrin. 

I am using a nail protain for my nails and they are doing great at this point.  I am also using the palms coco butter for scars and cuticles. I am using brian Joseph's eyelash and brow conditioner it helps to keep your hair in this area. (not cheep)

I am not hungry but am trying really hard to eat.

I will keep checking in I was wondering, how is everyones family doing?  My husband is in the medical feild and had a really hard time the morning of Chemo.  Total loss of control.(I was ready)  My kids are doing really good, great support for them. 

5LuvBugs

More Porn: TLYM Trust me, I am really trying to live normal but how can I:  Now I havean itchy red rash under my arm, my boob is sore, a red rash down there, and sores on my butt from going and going like the energizer bunny!  Good thing we don't know each other, because this is getting gross ..

  As far as the family, I think I have scared them away - what, with the signs on the door and the hand sanitizer as they enter, no one wants to come in!!!  Can you blame them?  Made all the grandchildren (ages 1-9) sit on the front porch yesterday!!! Do you all have kids at home?  I told my grandchildren (who live next door) to stay away from me this week because of my WBC - the chemo instructor scared me so much I'm afraid of everything.... and I'm tired and I can't concentrate..

I drink alot of water and am eating mostly soft food because my mouth is sore, rice pudding, yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes but I really want a nice piece of fish or steak!!!! Hope you are all feeling better than I am.. I think I need to get out of this house!!!

Anonymous

Traii - I have read on other discussion boards, one lady that used gel nails to save her nails. It is not the fake nails, but a heavier polish that is dried under a uv light.  She said she had one crack, but otherwise didn't experience any other problems. I am going to try that, because I just can't imagine having my hands and feet cold during the juicing session that will already be enough for one day.

Ladies, I think it was mentioned from someone in an earlier post, but I've also read alot about using Biotene mouth wash for mouth sores.  Just another option.  And also when using aloe vera, buy a real plant.

I know it is easier said than done, but chins up!

Tlym

TriciaM-Thanks for my daily dose of laughter! So glad you're able to have a sense of humor about all of this. Hang in there; you're only a few days behind me and I've been feeling great for a couple of days. I went to my daughter's fashion show gala dinner last night, passed on the beautiful spinach, gorgonzola and strawberry salad , but did eat a whole juicy steak (from someone who has been cutting out red meat!). Another luncheon today, but I know they'll be serving salads, so I'm going to bring my own food just to be safe.

I have two teenagers, so they are good about sanitizing themselves before coming around me. However, we do have two dogs, and one is a rambunctious puppy. My family has been great about walking them and picking up the poops so I don't have to. I am constantly washing my hands throughout the day and carry hand sanitizer in my pocket. 

Ltmguy-Glad you are staying busy and keeping yourself distracted from the SEs. My husband is a chiropractor and has been so supportive through all of this. He had quite a bit of anxiety leading up to chemo, but he has completely gone into nurturing mode since my tx started, taking care of me, walking dogs, cleaning up around the house...a huge leap for someone who never even washed a single dish prior!

maryah930

When I was diagnosed with BC, I took it a matter of fact, made the decision to have a BMX and moved on.  However, now that I learned I'll be doing chemo, I'm scared, not of the cancer, but the SEs from chemo.  I've read the boards and they seem doable, not afraid of losing my hair, have minor concerns about my nails and thrush, major concerns about the steroids and fatigue.  I live a pretty natural life (glass bottles instead of plastic, organics, no white sugar/flour/rice, etc.), so that may be part of it. 

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you deal with it?  My fear seems unreasonable given my personality.

Pbrain

Traii, you make me feel better.  Today is day 2 after my first treatment, and the steroids kept me up until 5:30 a.m.  I can't take those things.  I'm exhausted and want to sob over nothing.  My stomach hurts but I took a zofran, or whatever it is, and it seems to be getting a little bit better.  ugh....

TLYM, your encouraging words are much appreciated too.  I never thought I would feel so yucky on this stuff.  YUCKY!

Tricia, sorry for all the itchies.  I have a tendency to take illness and stress out on my skin too.  I feel your pain!!

5LuvBugs

FYI

My friend gave me a DAMMIT DOLL!!  You smack her around when you are disgusted - I think she will be with me a lot!  BAM..

Dakota212

Ok just sat down since Friday... What a weekend. Hope everybody is holding their own. Won the hockey championship and won the soccer game. Now time for laundry. Feeling good so far. Love the doll!!!

5LuvBugs

DAKOta, where did you get your energy.  You started 2 days after me and your doing great - must be the kids keeping you going...God Bless You!

I am so not use to sitting still - ever!!!  I am always moving around even in my sleep so

as for me all I can say is DAMMIT!

Dakota212

Lol, it must be those steroids. I can't sit still. It's driving me crazy. My kids are out and I want to sleep !!! Ughhh

5LuvBugs

That FIRE DOWN BELOW think I figured it out.  Took a nice baking soda bath and feel relief - figured if it's good enough for my sore mouth, it's sure good enough for "down there"  = enough of this conversation already!!!  Just happy I was able to pull this body out of the tub without calling the husband for help, now that would have been a site for sore eyes.... LOL have a good rest of the weekend everyone...

Eleni

I'm starting tomorrow chemo. The first FEC, or as I call it: F**K. Last Wednesday I got a port a cath, now it's rather sore.

I was calm all day but I start getting nervous.

Dakota212

Eleni-



U can do this. We are all here for U.

Pbrain

Eleni, hang in there.  You'll be able to get through it and the actual process isn't that bad at all.  No pain, lots of just sleeping and drinking water.  I was mostly bored.  I'm beginning to realize what the gift the anti-emetic drugs are.  Make sure you have that prescription filled before you start.  They work!