Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

audra67

Oh and the Dr said the younger you are the worse the pains are in your bones...!!! Interesting....and you look young.

Have faith...you will be O.K

momat927

SC, the pain was worst the week after the shot.  Having said that though, just this week, three weeks from shot, I felt as though my legs and arms were hard to move but not really pain.   I wish I knew more for you.  My MO did say that he has clinically noticed that a very high white blood count is often preceded by extreme back pain. My count was almost too high after the pain   I assume MO did blood work ?   I know how easy it is to goggle back pain and cancer and feel like you just want to sleep till Sat.  Keep posting.  Saturday is very soon.  I pray you will not have worst case scenario.   Btw, SC, when i am really deeply stressed, i get back pain or stomach issues. I recall you suffered a recent death of a student. It is my hope that the back pain is a pure emotional stress response, not cancer. & oddly , my MO called me young & healthy so I can only assume he bases it less on age and more on  general robustness and attitude & other numbers.   That would echo what audra's dr and mine said.  Check your most recent white count. 

keepthefaith

Hi ladies, my Tx yesterday went well. Neulasta shot today. A bit of hair still hanging on. I wore my wig for the first time to Christmas dinner at my DD's and everyone loved it. I need to get a gripper; it slipped a bit. Anyone know where to get one? Did not sleep at all last night...steroids and going to the bathroom, even though I took two Ambien. I guess I may add Ativan tonight!:) Today is last day on steroids, so I'm sure I will get some sleep soon enough. My MO suggested probiotics for my possible thrush and yeast issue, so I am trying that. My infusion rooms is generally filled with positive out-going folks and my friend and DD went with me yesterday, so it really went by quickly, even though it was almost 4 hrs long. And the nurses are great, too!

I hope that you all do well with your upcoming and current TX's. We've got this!!!

SC, praying that all goes well with your MRI. I understand your concern...I think with our emotions already at a high, it just makes it worse. Take some anxiety meds, if you need to. Try to stay busy, walk, etc. Like Audra said, I'm sure the chances are very slim that it is bone mets. We are with you! Cast your cares...

((HUGS))

 

momat927

keepthefaith, TLC sells them I believe 

They have a website. Momat927

momat927

by the way, zero sleep even with Ambien. Hoping you get some soon. Will try 2 Benadryl tonight.  Momat927

momat927

i am going in for TC #2 today.  I wish all of you an easy ride. SC, i agree with chances being slim. You are in my thoughts. Ok here we go. Momat927

KBeee

SC, i am sorry you having that awful pain.  I am glad your MO is addressing it with an MRI.  It seems I can have pain for weeks, and he just says to keep an eye on it.  I am sorry you have the pain and added stress and worry, but hopefully soon you will have the reassurance that it is just these nasty drugs causing it, and you can be less stressed.  (((HUGS))).  This is so very stressful.  In a week, I think it is, you will have your final treatment.  there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  It might be a train, but once that final train passes, the light will be sunshine.  let us know how the mRI turns out.  I hope your pain has eased.

audra67

Just had chemo 3 yesterday and feeling OK so far, had headache after infusion all last night and even had them slow Cytoxan to 1.5 hours hoping to prevent it...?  Getting the darn nuelasta shot I didn't want to get today at 230!  BARF!!  GAve me tachycardia and chest pain ....but MO said chest is muscle and all muscles/bones can be affected...not to worry....easy for him to say....will take the Claritin today and hope it helps...I've heard someone say the aches pains diminish with each injection??  could it be???

My wbc were on 3.4 yesterday, I thought they would be higher since the neulasta last time/ what's up with that?

SC-  I hope you are feeling better and not so anxious....try not to worry, it won't help just drain you, I KNOW from experience..I was/am a first class worrier...and trying to change all of that through this 'restful, wonderful journey'.....ha! 

Praying for negative MRI!

Hang in there!  We CAN DO THIS AND WE WILL PREVAIL!!!

VirginiaNJ

Hugs and much love to you SC - it IS so hard not to go to the "dark place" when you have over the top or unusual pain.  Like the others have said it's perfectly natural.  And, as ,any others have said, this whole "journey" wreaks havoc on our usually rational brains.  My first go round, I had horrible pains in my upper back - I remember sitting on my fathers couch and sobbing while my brother massaged my back (I was convinced I had bone mets too) - turns out it was just a strained muscle from riding roller coasters at Hershey Park.

Glad you are having the MRI for peace of mind.  Please keep us posted.

Again, wishing you peace and strength and many warm hugs!!!

MinusTwo

Audra - I've had 9 neulasta shots the day after chemo infusions now.  In my opinion, it gets better.  I just lay in the bed & cried the first couple of times.  I've had virtually no pain the last 2 or 3 times.  That said - I always take Claritin starting the day of the infusion (day before Neulasta) and continue it for at least 5 days.

School - I agree with most of the posts - we will always tend to worry it's more cancer or cancer again now that we've been "exposed" and discovered we weren't immune.  (cancer really destroyed my super-woman image).  Hope the tests go well & you don't have to wait too long for the results.

KBee - like the train image.

SchoolCounselor

I love you ladies!!!!! The support and love and bible verses have strengthened me. You are all so wonderful and yes we will prevail. My MRI is at 1 pm tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!

Bluegrassharp

SC, Audra and others have excellent advice for backing off the ledge.

I, too, have muscle and joint pains that ebb and flow with what seems like no rhyme or reason. In fact, I saw my primary care doctor right before Christmas for what turned out to be a rotator cuff issue. When I originally talked to my MO about the extra pain in my right shoulder, she assured me that it was highly unlikely to be related to my BC, which freaked me out in retrospect because I had never even considered that as a possibility. I can't remember any injury to my right shoulder, but my PC doctor helped me see that I'm now much less active during the day, and comfortable sleeping in only a few positions due to my blankety-blank annoying port and lumpectomy site, so she's sure that's the cause of the rotator cuff soreness.

It's pretty sh#%ty to have EXTRA pain during chemo not related to BC, but I'd bet the farm that's what it is for you, too. And remember, you have a network of strong women here who will be sending confident positive thoughts your way over the next few days -- please use our positive thoughts to beat those random fearful thoughts right out of your mind!

I have chemo4 (of 6) on Monday -- I am so NOT looking forward to the middle and end of next week!

TeamKim

Keepthefaith -- You might try the Bigelow tea, Lemon-Ginger herbal tea with probiotics.  It was one of my go to liquids, both hot and iced -- tasted good the first 4 or 5 days after infusion.

keepthefaith

Thanks Teamkim, I did in fact, get some and love it!

momat927

SC, thinking of you.  Sometimes I say to myself. "How will my worrying help the problem?"  Sometimes it works. Sometimes nothing can keep me from the dark. We are all here for you. momat927

momat927

TeamKim, i will buy that tea today. 

Chemo yesterday & I thought I could do a few chores with my DD right after.  I was a mess later, but loved my time with her. Difficult balance. It doesn't feel like bone pain while still on steroids, but I find myself very weepy and darker feelings creep in.  

Thank you so much ladies. momat927

TeamKim

Regarding the dark feelings....I took Ativan when I needed a little help with queasiness or sleeping, but I found that if I took it too often, the dark feelings would threaten to overwhelm and the anxiety would get worse when I didn't need it anymore.  So about midway through chemo, I switched to just taking it when I really needed it, and even then broke the tablets in half sometimes -- when I didn't take it on a regular schedule, it was easier to stop taking it, and the dark times receded.

audra67

HI all-

Seems like we all have 'dark thoughts' ...mine creep in when I am at my lowest physically...weak, tired, sick feeling....then they come...I wonder about the Ativan too- I am only taking .5 mg which is low...but use it to sleep and usually once during day...

I have been listening to visual imagery and relaxation and praying a lot....I feel like it's getting better and NOT going to dark side anymore...but we will see as I just had treatment on Thursday...so my next week it will be interesting to see how I feel mentally next week. 

SC- thinking of you today and praying your MRI is clear!!!

as Bluegrass says - I have some new back/shoulder pains too...and I think I am favoring the port side and my axillary dissection side is still sore and not as mobile as other side....so sleeping/ driving/ sitting around in recliners, etc...is all new and hard on our muscles...I can totally see that..

I am on antibiotic- Melrose- for a uti last week, it's about to run out...I asked my MO about being on one instead of nuelasta and he said it isn't preferred as then yeast infections and bad flora with the already compromised alimentary system...hmmmm....  So I got the nuelasta...didn't want to...hoping for few to no severe bone /body aches this time....

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Melrosemelrose

Thinking of each you and hoping for better days ahead for you.  Keep your spirits up and push through the not so good times.  One day you will look back and marvel at how far you have come and what you have accomplished.  Hugs and wishing each of you a wonderful 2014 years and the many years to follow.

SchoolCounselor

Hi ladies, 

I get to the MRI with my dosage of Xanax only to learn that they cannot do the MRI with tissue expanders in me !!!! Grrrr!!!!  The radiologist was very kind, but there wears a risk of them burning my skin or moving so no MRI. I have to talk to my PS and MO who are on vacation until Thursday about alternatives. Ack. I am just going to keep taking Vicodin and Ativan as needed..... I just can't believe this. My expanders so not come out until February 21!st. The saga continues....

Bluegrassharp

SC, there is nothing harder to deal with than uncertainty, but I hope you can get through the next few days with faith and courage. When fears of mets to your sore back intrude, remember two things -- (1) Your "sentinel" (=watcher) lymph nodes saw absolutely no BC cells sneak by at all, so mets to anywhere in your body is highly, highly unlikely; and (2) read Matt 6:27 over and over, "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?"

That bible verse is what daily keeps me from sinking into despair over my diagnosis/prognosis. I truly think my worst SE of BC is how hard it is to resist letting fear of the future rob me and my loved ones of joy and peace today. But I know we can do it together!

Gubbyann

Hi, although I am now finished with chemo for 5 weeks now, I remember that before getting the chemo the nurses always gave me pepsid and I even took an antacid every morning no matter if I went for chemo that day or not. I never had a problem. I hope that helps you..

momat927

audra67- no worries!  I had an old guy snoring for four hours!!!!  I was so happy to finally sit beside another breast cancer sister this time around. She shared her popsicsles with me:) 

audra67

SC- OMG!  That is SOOOO frustrating!  I didn't even think of the expanders but yeah, they can't do it- I was told the magnetic thing would rip the expanders out of my chest!  They should've asked you on phone..duh.

I got a small book/pamphlet almost...written by Joel Osteen's mother, she was diagnosed at stage IV liver cancer and did NOT have chemo or anything ....it is inspiring and has lots of bible verses on healing and believing and having faith...it has helped me tremendously this last week...has chapter on fear, letting go of past hurts/pain/forgiveness..

anyhow that's another inspiring good thing to read and /meditate on...

Wishing you peace and no worries!  Bluegrass is right it will not help to worry...easy to say and not to do but we are rooting for you!

Minustwo- Thanks for tips...hoping my pain will be better this time..just very weary already on 2 day post chemo, usually it took 5 the last two times to start feeling like crap...

momat927- How are you feeling, I see you had chemo 27th??

Virginia- you are on Monday right?

Wishing you all well and glad we have a network of friends!  The support and info. is wonderful!

MinusTwo

SC - sorry they couldn't do the MRI.  How frustrating.  Check w/your docs about getting a PET/CT scan instead.  It combines a CT and a PET (nuclear contrast is injected).  There's no danger with possible metal in your body like with an MRI.  I've had several - usually alternating w/MRIs - but had both before my last surgery.

MinusTwo

Melrose - just wanted to say thanks for starting & maintaining this thread.  We appreciate you!!!

TeamKim

awwww, SC, how frustrating indeed!!  I hope they  can find another way to put your mind to rest.  Maybe a CT scan as others have suggested.  I know it is hard, but try not to expect the worst -- instead, put the positive vibe out there.  You have had a rough couple of weeks -- we are in your pockets giving virtual (((hugs)))!

keepthefaith

sc, I hope you can get some answers. Sometimes it seems like just when we conquer one thing another thing comes up. Hang in there!

I hope everyone is having minimal SE's this week-end and that you all who are doing TX this week fare well!

Day 3 and I am achy and can't sleep; going to try some tylenol pm and see if I can solve that! I still have some hair hanging on, somehow:). I will be glad when my taste buds re-surface; I never feel like I am drinking enough these first few days bc everything tastes bad...and thrush does not help.  So far, it has been about the same as first round, except ( I think) I may have by-passed the yeast inf and big C! YAY! thanks to Probiotics and colace...

Have a great week everyone!

Melrosemelrose

MinusTwo- Thanks...... 

Hello to All----Hope everyone has a good week.  Keep hydrated.  If you find yourself not wanting to drink 8 glasses of water a day, you may want to try this..... I would fill up 2 32ounce Nalgene bottles I got from Target every morning and would drink from those 2 bottles.  For some reason just drinking from two containers was easier for me than drinking 8 glasses of water per day.  I also would put orange slices in my water to help with the flavor.  I drank Lipton's mandarin orange flavored green tea, ginger ale, an occasional mini can of Coke and ate watermelon, frozen/fresh grapes, jello, popsicles and slurpies/Icees.  Those all count  count as fluids.  I know food does taste like cardboard and you may not want to eat.  Just have to think of food as nutrition and fuel  for your body and you need it to keep your body going and healing.  If you are feeling light headed and dizzy at times, it could be that your RBC is low.  When one is anemic, one can be lightheaded and not sure footed and a little unsteady.  Be easy on yourselves and take your time getting up. 

SC-  Hope everything is okay .  Thinking of you.

SchoolCounselor

Well I found out when I went to get the MRI that you can't have one with tissue expanders!! My MO and PS are on vacation and I think I am all worried out. No more energy to do that.

Today is my borthday also and a great massage helped me too.

Thanks for you support!

Hang in there Keep, hoping for minimal side effects for you and everyone else!