Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

IngridJ

Hi Ocean

Oh yes it is def a worry that they act so terrified of the very stuff they are dropping into our veins!!!!

Round four has wiped me out... Really dragging my backside around...Cold and wintery here, the kids have colds etc and feel like I am hovering on the brink of succumbing...

Hoping for s-e free nights for you all, and then continuing strength and recovery..roll on August hey..

dlm425

Goodmorning second taxol done. Kayiak they blew another vein but found the second I couldn't sleep at all guess from steroids feeling alittle aches and pain have a belly ache too. Taxol is easier than ac no doubt... I too alibeth have to start work today in a school I'm on family medical leave. I believe also if you work one day a month they continue with your benefits that is most important. Look into that. Glad to hear from you...All. my eyelashes are gone and Dr said it will continue with taxol. Eyebrows are thinning i look like a monster. Dr. Choice for no port said I had great veins. He said its just another 2 procedures and I donot do well with aneithesa so maybe thats why no port. But guess since AC not so great anymore. Only two more to go. Off to work putting on that wig yuck and false lashes oh joys of chemo... Dvygrl hang in there girl 3 was tough for me but you'll get through it. Edel either way is ok. Its your choice what you feel is best. I choose bilateral mastectomy Bc my cancer went undetacted for 5 years and I didn't know that till after just felt It would come back in the other breasted and thats just what I felt so double mass. After surgery breadth surgeon said it wad a good choice.... well stay strong ladies will be thinking of all of you Xoxo

AryaS

I am feeling much better 10 days out but I know round 3 of Taxol is coming on Tuesday. My stomach is distended too and it is weird.

I was out with my boys and saw someone I used to run with and she didn't recognize me at first. I was wearing a wig and hat but I think it's also because I am so swollen and puffy. It was depressing.



I am on Gabapentin and it seems to help. The first time I was on it was after my surgery because I had horrible nerve pain in my shoulder. I quit once the nerve pain went away. I didn't know I was supposed to wean myself. I ended up crying for 4 days straight. This time, the pharmacist gave us a sheet about side effects and told my hubby to watch me closely because suicidal thoughts are an SE. I haven't had a problem but wanted to warn others. Do not quit Gabapentin cold turkey if you can help it.



I have something weird going on with my left big toe nail. The cuticle cracked and bled and then last night I stubbed that toe. The pain was the worst I've ever had from a stubbed toe! Not normal. It still hurts. I think I will lose that nail. Thanks Taxol!

Thanks for being so welcoming!

annika12

I miss me!!! So tired of being brave and strong.....

dlm425

Aryan what happen to you on second taxol and Annika I hear you loud and clear...Everyone says to you stay strong;your so strong;hour my hero;uku look great bald ; bullshit and this sucks Big Time

dlm425

I feel the same way

Alibeths

How long were you guys out of work after mastectomy?

KatiAK

Went to work today but it was a little iffy at first.  I'm lucky, I work for a doctor and a P.A. in a tiny little clinic and for the most part I sit at the front desk and do billing, etc.  I don't have to be up and moving all day so that makes it easier for me to work, and the gals I work with are very good to me.  So when the pain started really getting to me this morning I was able to take a hydrocodone and keep going.  Took 2 today.  It is a weird pain, primarily in my ovaries it feels like but it shoots down both legs and my knees and hips really hurt.  It feels almost random sometimes - like electrical currents.  On a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably 6 or 7 so the hydrocodone brings it down to about a 3.  I'll probably take percocett at bedtime.  I told my onc we'd deal with drug addiction later.  He laughed, he said he didn't see me getting addicted and certainly didn't want me dealing with pain. Being in pain means you're not recuperating.  And I have no desire to be a hero - getting pretty sick of being strong too so - give me the pain killers honey!  If it's only 3 or 4 days each time, things should be fine.  It's the cumulative effects that worry me a little.  Like I tell everybody - one day at a time.

Hope everybody has a decent weekend.  Keep up the countdown ladies - we really are nearing the end, then moving on to rads and maybe hair?  I had one onc tell me I'd lose what hair I have left on Taxol and another tell me I might start growing some back.  ???  I'm hoping for the latter!  Tired of being the neighborhood freak - no matter how "good I look bald".

Still no Rachel22?

Dyvgrl

Post AC round 3. Feeling ok. Skipped work today cuz I was dizzy. Doesn't seem to matter what I take for nausea, there is some side effect that keeps me out of work on Fridays. Feel better than round 2 tho. Hope the Neulasta doesn't knock me down too hard this weekend, my son is starting qb in his game on Varsity tomorrow so I will be going SE's or not!

Whoever asked the question about post mastectomy, I had my right side down and a tissue expander installed. I think I took 2 weeks off. It wasn't that bad, just recuperating from anesthesia is tough for me. My armpit where they took my axillary pack hurt the most. The breast was fairly numb, so the only thing that bothered me was getting used to the TE being there. I'm a side sleeper so, it has been tough to adjust. I had it done May 23rd, they went back in to widen the margins so that I could avoid a rad boost at the tumor site June 28th so I took a few days off for that. Hasn't been too horrible tho. I have to take 2 days off every AC treatment, which sucks, but what can you do?

raindeer1217

Excuse all the typoes on my silly iPhone when I post, I don't want to turn on the pc in the evenings after being comatosed looking at dual screens all day.



Weekend hahaooo!! Sleeping in tomorrow!!! No work doing a little jig. Get down tonight. Hmmmm probably no getting down tonight... Not much mojo.



Funny when I was DX I was worried about my sex life that was one of the 1st post on this site, now I could careless.



A co worker asked me today what I loved about myself physically. (i didn't really respond) Thought to myself (used to love my hair long thick sexy black hair waves, and my tits, had the best cleavage with small c's ) damn cancer.



Drat.



AyraS - your post earlier about going to the park and someone not recognizing you. I just want to give you a big hug.



Dlm hold on you've got this one more down!!!!



Hope Ocean is doing well, no word on her.



Question??? Anyone else's facial skin feels weird? Not tingly but waxy? My face feels odd, can't describe it.

OceanWarrior

Hello hello,

Well, feeling super good aside from fatigue.  I think it may be the sterioid meds I'm on.  And a glass or two of red wine tonight was nice too.  Last Taxol round my pain hit at 3:30 AM Saturday so hoping for better with the new meds.

Had such a great day spent some time in the kitchen.  If anyone is interested in food pics check out my Facebook page, find me as Kitchen Salli.  Always looking for new on line friends.  Tonight I made chicken wings 3 ways.  Honey garlic, Thai Sweet Chili and Panko Parmesan Herb.  They were a hit.  I enjoy making family dinners when my step daughter is here.  We also had cheese cake (store bought) for dessert.  Definitely a high calorie day.  Now if only this energy burst would have me cleaning the floors or something like that, lol. 

Hope everyone is doing well. 

IngridJ

Ocean

Just had a look at your recipes.. Yum.. You are obviously a great cook, and there are some delic and easy to do dishes.. Determined to start eating better so will get inspiration from you..

Feeling a bit better, am taking 3 kids away tomorrow to our nearest ski field,.have to be up to it.. Plus want a ski..

To all you girls in treatment hold fast, play strong..

dlm425

Good morning feeling so sick sick sick my eyelids hurt ''''

AryaS

I shouldn't have been surprised to not be recognized, I barely recognize myself. These steroids are doing a number on me. Oh well, this is just a phase, right?

Someone asked me how Taxol Round 2 went. It was not great. I felt fine on day two. I had started gabapentin which is supposed to help with neuropathy. My ONC had recommend it over the hydrocodone I had taken Round 1 which was the only thing that touched the pain. I started feeling pinching in my ovaries on the night of day 2. Here we go. I took Tylenol. I took Advil later. I had body and muscle aches so bad, I finally broke down on day 3 and took the hydrocodone and then I felt much better! The Onc nurse gave me her thumbs up. I have also had issues with swelling. I drink and drink and don't pee! The Taxol is tough on kidneys. So they gave me some lasiks and that also helped a lot.

I am not used to being on all these meds. I used to take vitamins when I felt ill, now I can't take those at all. It's so weird.

I just can't wait to get this over but I dread getting back in that chair. I hope everyone has a restful weekend. We will get through this.

<
class='post_sig'>Dx 4/2/2013, IDC, Stage IIIc, Grade 1, ER+/PR+, HER2-Surgery 04/18/2013 Mastectomy (Both); Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Both)Chemotherapy 05/28/2013 Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Taxol

rachel22

Hi ladies. I'm still here...crazy busy cause we are moving at end of the month. Day 6 post first Taxol and I'm feeling pretty good. Just a little tired and my eyelashes are almost gone. Brows are still there but I don't think they'll hold for much longer. It's so strange to know I'll be in the chair again in 2 days. I like having two weeks between to fully recover. Oh well



Praying for everyone here. Hope SEs are minimal and everyone has a nice weekend.



I had double mastectomy and I think I would have been ok to go back to work after 2 weeks. I remember that I felt almost normal again by 3 weeks after surgery. Hope that helps!

OceanWarrior

Hi everyone,

I am so very grateful to the pharmaceutical assistance with this second round of Taxol.  The Gabapentin along with a 10mg of Prednisone twice a day is not only doing the trick for pain my energy way up.  First time since starting treatment.  Wow is all I can say.  Went out with the family to a car show, did some garden work, hosed down the deck, swept the kitchen and made dinner and dessert.  Still lots of energy, wonder if I'll be able to sleep?  Not complaining one little bit.  Anyone experiencing a tough time with pain during the Taxol phase, know that you do not have to suffer.  

KatiAK, I think you and your Dr. described it well.  "Being in pain means you're not recuperating.  And I have no desire to be a hero". 

Rachel, I can't imagine negotiating a move during all of this, ugh.  You mentioned eye lashes, mine are thinning and are very sparse.  Eyebrows have really thinned out as well.  Big difference in appearance if I take the time to put on some make up vs. a without.  Only do that when I go out of the house.

Rain, you mentioned the waxy feeling skin - Yes, have that too.  That is one of the reasons I like to not wear make up these days, texture and feel of skin is different, waxy, sticky and sensitive all at the same time.  

Dlm, are you still suffering in pain?  Hope it has eased. 

Sending good thoughts to everyone and wishing you all a relaxing rest of the weekend.

TwinMamaHeather

Hi Ladies! I have never posted here,  but I am a member of the June group. I have a question, has anyone noticed mucus in their stools after chemo? Sorry if that is a TMI question, but it's freaking me out!

I know these drugs play havok with all of the membranes in our bodies, but I just haven't heard of this.

Also, thank you for allowing me to lurk here, I have learned a lot for all of you!

OceanWarrior

Well June Bugs here we are heading into the last two weeks of August.  Well done Ladies!  

I'm starting to get excited that I can see the end of chemo treatment in sight.  Just 2 more to go. 

Welcome out of lurk land TwinMamaH.  I'm glad you've been here along with us.  I personally don't have any knowledge of what you are asking.  Maybe others will, as you say, we learn a lot here.  How are you doing with your treatments?

Slept a good 6 hours last night then up for meds and to use the bathroom then back to bed for additional 2 hour nap.  I have some leg/arm/ovary pain today but it is quite mild, more of just a discomfort.  So far, very manageable.  A soak in the hot tub is going to feel real good later on!

How is everyone doing?

KatiAK

TwinMamaHeather - welcome aboard.  I don't think I've had mucus in my stool.  I'm usually so constipated it takes days to get my bowels to move and then it's painful.  Talk about TMI huh? I have to take stool stofteners AND fiber pills.   Seems I have heard of others mentioning mucus tho - maybe when I was lurking on other boards.

dllm425 - are you ok?  Why so sick?  I'm sorry they blew a vein.  I was hoping this would be a manageable round for you.  How are you now?  You're scaring me.  I've had no nausea this round.

Glad you're still here Rachel22.  Glad you're feeling good Ocean!

I have been taking pain pills all weekend but it's been quite manageable.  I made it til noon before I had to take one today so it's lightening up a little.  I'm not on any steroids and I haven't been feeling sick (whew! - I hope it stays that way!).  I go in Tuesday to get labs done to see how I'm tolerating Taxol.  I feel okay . . .

Three more rounds.  Counting down until it's over.  We're getting there ladies!

kayezzy66

Yes i have ,had mucus in my stools,plus diarrea every day...my skin feels funny,and i have one more to go Tues.and will be so glad.Chemo has kicked my butt.I just hope and pray to get through this.Ive also had mouth sores so bad i could only drink,feet peeling off skin.Had it all...take care ,and we will get there....

kmurphy

My facial skin feels funny too...like it is super smooth.  I also have the peeling feet.  I have also had the bottoms of my feet and my fingertips get red and feel very sensitive.  and on one foot I can barely move my toes.  They are numb and if I do get them to move, the four toes kind of move in unison together as though they are one toe!!  I don't know if that is nueropothy or what because I haven't even started Taxol yet.  I was soooo tired this past week and then had my labs Thursday and found out both my white and red blood cells were extra low.  Glad to hear Taxol seems a little easier, but def has it's own set of challenges.

annika12

I think I'm really going mental.....my smells are so messed up and so associated with chemo and nausea!! I cant smell anything chemical without feeling sick, Cologne, cleaning stuff even gum that I used during my last AC. My husband asked for gum at church and the smell made me sick.....the thought of going to the clinic for bloodwork makes me nauseous!!! I have a week to get a hold of my brain.....

I think mucus in stool in pretty common since it messes with the lining of our insides and the intestinal track is one of the fastest cell changing parts of our bodies. Ask your doc and make sure!! Mine even got bloody during the first two ACs.

Dyvgrl

I have the sensitive nose thing going on too. Can't handle any strong smells at all. Ugh! It's like having morning sickness. Have mouth sores too. One more round of AC to go...

kmurphy

Smells bug me too.  I do have a pomegranite body spray that I love and bring to work.  I tell them if soemthing smells funky I will have to spray it down.  That may include them!!

dlm425

Oh what a yucky weekend every part of my body hurt. Nauseous neck pain back pain headache food taste like metal my jaw hurts my eyelids hurt my ear is bothering me. I Hate feeling poisoned. Anyone had a rash from the taxol. I haven't left my house since Friday and I have work today sbd don't think I can make it. Prayers for better days to all...:(''''

dlm425

Do depressed I'm miserable

raindeer1217

Dlm you can do this. When I have real bad days I tell myself; hundreds of thousands of woman have traveled this journey and made it. It makes me stronger knowing that so many have endured and made it to the othrside.



You will too Dlm, it's tuff it sucks and often those moments of doubt creep in. Push back.... You've got this.

annika12

Kmurphy- that's funny and a great idea!!! Will find some yummi spray and warn people around me they might get sprayed!!!

Dlm425- Im sorry! Hang in there you are not alone...we are all here. I've had a few days feeling like that too.....it WILL get better. This is not permanent...But it sure does suck

AryaS

Dim- I am right there with you, I am so tired of this. It is so hard. The only thing keeping me going is that this chemo part is almost finished. Just know you are not alone.

TwinMamaHeather

Thanks for your responses re: the mucus. I actually think everything is okay on that front, I was just freaking out.

I have been doing well as far as treatment SEs are concerned. I am in a trial, so I am getting neoadjuvant Abraxane along with Herceptin, which is a "kinder" version of taxol. THEN I will have A/C, so I am not looking forward to that!

Like many of you it seems, just dealing with all of this in general is getting to me. Sometimes it seems like the time in treatment has just FLOWN by, yet at the same time, it seems like I have been doing this forever and I am growing weary. Then I get to thinking that even when I am done with treatment, I will STILL have surgery and then probable rads to look forward to. It's hard. I just feel like it will be really hard on my heart if after all of this treatment, when surgery time comes, I still hear that cancer is found. I am hoping and praying for a complete response, but I know that isn't always the outcome.

Last week, for the first time, my liver enzymes were very slightly elevated, so I have been worrying like crazy over that. I know that it's listed as one of the side effects for the Abraxane, but it just hadn't happened until next week. My onc is "not concerned" and "sees this all the time", but I still worry {of course}. Has anyone else had issues with this?