Starting Chemo July 2013

Hannariggs

Bikergirl, 

   Sorry to hear you missed Sturgeous, but it will be there next year, and you will be feeling so much better and a reason worth celebrating!  I feel like life has just stalled for the next several months.  Not alot of enjoyment out of anything but getting through these ac treatments!  2 down 2 to go and I pray the taxol is easier.  At least we are all moving forward.  However slowly it may seem at time.  I keep thinking by august 31 I will be done with the "red devil".  Doesnt seem like along time, but it is when your feeling poorly.  You all give me strength.  

angelanature

Hi All, Jerigrace i rarely share posts with hubby but yours was so true,so exactly how i feel and probably 99% of all of us. We do this for our children because we r mothers,daughters,sisters,wives,so we have no choice. Last year i donated some money to a neighbor i barely knew, walking in a Susan Komen 3 day bc,never thinking i'd be fighting the fight myself 10mnths later.She was walking for her sister,and i thought ,wow,i'm so glad i don't have that,that must really suck,and here we are,and it's worse than i could even imagine,right? Bikergirl,i feel u girl,we were supposed to go on a vacation to vermont a week after my first ac tx,all paid for,and i didnt want to risk it either.Thanks, the other Lana ,for your empathy,people have said that to me too,gray,really? FYI all,just found out(at the wig shop)that my local ymca has huge program for bc survivors,free zumba,yoga,speakers and education,swimming,support groups,check yours out,who knew? Try to enjoy the weekend all,thinking about every single one of you everyday.Angela

JeriGrace

Nocompromises, I knew you could do that shot! As much as I hated the bone pain (and not everybody gets it) when I saw what the Neulasta did for my neutrophils when I was in the hospital I am now a strong believer. Yesterday my WBC was over 18! I gave myself the first shot but I give myself 3 injections a day for my diabetes anyway so it wasn't a big deal. Next time I will go to the doctor's office because when I was in for my first tx someone from insurance talked to me about a program through Neulasta that helps pay for the shot. The maximum you will have to pay is $25 per injection. Right now I'm only paying $40 but they said if you have to pay for an injectable the copay can be up to 10%. I don't know about you guys but mine was over $7000 - the insurance only had to pay $3500.



I think it was TwoHobbies who was asking about glucose levels with steroids. That is a big issue for me (type 2 diabetic). Whenever I take the decadron or dexamethasone I have to do an extra insulin injection to counter the rise in blood sugar. That is only for these treatments though and then it should be back to my normal. I wouldn't worry too much about a blood sugar of 130 - it's just a temporary side effect.



Rambo, you should definitely rest this weekend. You have a big week ahead of you! I am so excited about the start of this new phase of your career and hope your side effects will be gone by Monday for your lunch at the president's house!



My hair started shedding this morning. I've tried to prepare myself but I'm still kinda sad. Glad to have my granddaughter with me today to work on some projects at home and take my mind off this. I was able to work part of two days this week setting up my classroom and am feeling strong physically. Just so thankful for every good day that I have. Sending all my extra energy out to you firecrackers who need it today.

lark

Me again, I just received 2 new scarves that I ordered from doubleheaderusa.com. I like them so much more than the ones from headcovers.com. They're a stretchy Lycra which feels better to me than the cotton ones, I like the fabric choices and theyre cheap. So excited to get the new scarves I had to tell you.



That's great Angela. My cancer center offers a lot of extras like that too. Even a free session of acupuncture which they say helps with hot flashes. Since I'm 51 those could be in my near future. Hope I don't have to go that route, but who knows?



Bikergirl, sorry you're feeling so down. I hate missing out on good stuff. Hang in there and I hope you can find something to do to lift your spirits. Even if its a small thing. Hannarigs is right. We have to just keep moving forward and get through the tough stuff.

angelanature

Hi All,Jerigrace sorry about ur hair,u never really prepared for it and it always makes us sad. Thinking of u all.Angela

daisy72

Hey ladies, 2 days out from treatment #2. I'm so fatigued I've been napping in my recliner all day. I guess it's from the Neulasta shot. Last round I didn't get the shot until 5 days later when I was so sick and dehydrated. MO said my counts was so good when I started treatment I didn't need it the day after. By the filth day though my counts was very low. I don't remember being this tired with the first one. 

Hope everyone is having a ok weekend. I'm expecting the true SE's to hit by Monday and Tueday, since they cut my dose this treatment hopefully it won't be as bad. 2 down, 2 to go.....

SweetheartinTX

Hi ladies. I have been absent for about 2 weeks. I apologize. I started feeling so good the last week before I was to get my second infusion, that I didn't get on the computer much at all.



I had my second ac on Wednesday July 31. Well my 3 yr old started getting sick Thursday and now I have a runny nose and sneezing. My onc hasn't mentioned anything to me about my WBC... So I am getting worried about only being 4 days out from having chemo and now coming down with a cold of some sort. I don't have any fever but am still getting worried.



Anyone else experienced or know what I should do?

SheilaB330

Hi all,



Although the fatigue is supposed to be cumulative, it occurs to me that the Nuelasta shot is hurting my seat bones which had been injured badly years ago. Perhaps because my white blood count was already elevated when checked before chemo #2, getting the Nuelasta is boosting it to a level where my bones hurt a bit. Took Advil. Taking Claritin morning and night.



Hope all of you are doing ok with aftermath of your most recent treatment. We are halfway through our first course of first half of chemo if having a 4 AC 4 T type schedule.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}} Sheila

JeriGrace

2bluestars, I am excited about the news of your tumor shrinking. How cool to have actual evidence of the benefit of this treatment. I wanted to just share my experience with the rate of the IV drip. My chemo nurse started my Taxotere drip slowly and told me what to watch for (shortness of breath, throat closing, back pain, etc.). After 15 minutes things seemed fine and she increased to the normal rate. Within a minute I had back pain and called her over. She immediately stopped the infusion, checked my blood pressure and called my doctor. He appeared within a few minutes. By then I realized this wasn't normal and got a little scared. The doctor ordered Benadryl in the IV and after it was finished they started the T again more slowly. No more problems after that. I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn't had such an experienced nurse who had seen complications with infusions. I'm pretty certain that my next infusion will be running pretty slow!

Sweetheart, be sure you keep checking your temp and call just as soon as it goes over whatever your doctor or nurse has said. My doctor says call if it's over 100. Your body doesn't have any ability to fight an infection on its own when your WBC drops to almost nothing.

Daisy, reason to celebrate - half way done!!

angelanature

Hi Everyone,feeling pretty good today,going to the park with doggie and hubby. Sweetheart i got a mild cold from my stepson who was in daycamp after my first tx and was fine,like Jerigrace said,check temp frequently and make sure if u are taking tylenol for pain don't double up with cold medicine,tylenol in high doses can wreck ur liver.If u get a cough i would go in to have someone listen to ur lungs. Finally got some appetite back just in time for third ac dd on tuesday.Daisy ur right have way though ac,yah! Hugs to all,Angela

Anonymous

Hello,

What are you eating during the days immediately following infusion?  I am so sick to my stomach and yet hungry.

V

puppymama09

HVV, the days immediately following infusion,  I would drink Boost, and Activia yogurt, some almonds.  I found mash potatoes from KFC were tolorable.  It was very difficult to find things to eat, even now, (12 days in) I am not sick to my stomach, but I get hungry a lot and nothing tastes really good.  Oh probably the best thing was watermelon, the only thing is none of these things are very filling.  It is very difficult, I lost 5lbs in those few days.  I have gained some back now, I have a lot of cravings but when I get the food it just has no flavor.  I don't know if this is much help for you but if it helps I know what you are going thru, most of us do.    Hang in there,  ((hugs))

soriya123

HVV, I drink carrot juice 2 glasses a day. Blend fruits with veggies, soup, and steam potato. Yogurt and oatmeal always best, but I'm not a yogurt or oatmeal person :-(, I tried to eat it though, but couldn't swallow it. I lost 7lbs during my chemo week, but I gain like 4 lbs back :-(. I need to gain, I need some pounds on. Sometime I crave for pasta, my husband bought me pasta, but my taste had change during chemo time, nothing taste good.

SheilaB330

HVV, cold fruit tastes the best-- especially cold green grapes. I also have liked cottage cheese and fresh fruit like pineapple or peaches. Sharp White Cheddar on Pecan flavored Blue Diamond Crackers - sometimes breaking cheese smaller if too cheesy helps. My husband makes me fruit smoothies. Noticing toast just isn't as good. Had enjoyed our farm-fresh eggs scrambled with a little cheese in a toasted sandwich was a filling breakfast. Could only eat a few bites with this this second AC treatment. Hankering for meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans a co-worker brought out so that is dinner tonight instead of saving it for a chemo night dinner. Good luck. I will be hungry, open fridge and close fridge.

Karkar06

Hello all ladies,

Just back from my second infusion, fingers crossed nothing bad will happen this time!

I did get an allergic reaction from taxotere this time. After 15 minutes of infusion, my left palm went red and itchy, a few spots in my legs get itchy too. I already had Benadryl injected before infusion, and took steroids the day before. They stopped the taxotere and gave me Piriton (chlorphenamine, I don't know the equivalent name in US) by IV, then drip the taxotere slower. My legs was still a little itchy but the red on my palm didn't return, phew!



Just love that I can talk about these trivial things here! Good luck all!

angelanature

Hi All,nothing trivial about chemo Karkar,im not looking forward to the t part of my chamo,almost everyone i talked to has had some reaction(thats not good).HVV i lost 15 lbs by second chemo and was starting to worry,nothing tastes good.I tried boost and drank it like a kid taking their medicine,I love icecream and finally found a flavor at a local homegrown ice cream shop,peanut butter,now im putting pb on crackers,plain cookies,u name it,so keep trying everything,think of food as mediciine.i go tomorrow for #3 and all the weight i gained back last week will probably drop off alittle but week 2 i know it will get better.Hugs Angela

Hannariggs

Welcome back sweetheartin! Isnt it like heaven when we have the good days? It took me 12 days to recover from strep throat after the 2nd infusion.  Going to work until wednesday when round 3 is due.  I am just happy to have a little s

Gma04

Hi ladies, I too have been gone for a while. Got 2nd infusion on 24 th It knocked me for a loop. Lost 10 pds. Which I didn't need to loose. Any how m y 3rd infusion is 14 th not looking forward to it. Only thing is ill be half way thru yeah. My taste is off the wall. Nothing taste the same. Hope the best for all of you brave ladies out there. WE CAN GET THRU THIS.

TEXAS HUGS FOR ALL.

GMA04

Nocompromises2013

Day 4. Cycle 2 for me

Zero energy achy and totally washed out. at least no N &V

Roll on day 5



Rambo hope you went well at work today

daisy72

Me too, absolutely no energy at all, lots of bone pain. Only taking Advil, trying not to take pain pill yet. Day 5 of treatment 2. Getting ready to go get IV fluids again, MO wants to stay ahead of dehydration this time, maybe it'll give me a little energy if I'm lucky. 

Mouth feeling funny, no sore throat really or white tongue trying to use the magic mouthwash 3x a day to stay ahead of that also. 

No appetite today, nothing at all tastes good, not even juice or water. 

I'm taking one day at a time..looking forward to LAST round Sept 12! Woooohoooooo...PARTY!

option

Day 8 of treatment #2. Had major sleep issues this round, up for hours in the middle of the night. Also have restless legs and some pain in the leg. Scared it might be neuropathy. Other than these, still hang in there for two more rounds. 

ckmoss

Hi, I've had my first chemo treatment on 7/25 and was wondering if any of you had experienced kidney soreness or cramps during the first 2-4 days afterwards?  I had these kidney "cramps" that would come for about 20 minutes then I would feel fine-kidney wise-for about 2-3 hours then it would happen again.  I called my onc on Monday, and the RN and infusion RN had never heard of T/C causing that.  I'm worried as I don't want this to damage my kidneys (have had kidney stones twice, although over 12 years ago) and besides..it hurt!  I did test for kidney infection and it came back negative.

In ref to radiation..my onc wants me to have..but he is the "throw the whole book at it" type.  I have read everything I can find on it and it appears I am under the standard "line" for "you NEED to do it".  Its if your tumor was over 5 cm and you were positive in more than 7 lymphs.  The percentage that it will come back in the site that had MX with radiation is only slightly higher than without ..and both are extremely small.  Also, the survival rate percentage is the same.  I have decided not to have it as the side effects and possible risk of lymphedemia...not to mention..cancer again (!)..is not worth it since I am below the level anyway.  I had surgeon test skin that was left and I was clear.  The chemo..I want..if there is a cell in my toe I want it out!!   

puppymama09

So today my hair starting falling out. It is so much more traumatic then I thought it would be. I thought I was prepared. Everyday I have been pulling on it a little and it has been perfectly normal, all of a sudden today a big clump came out. It had me really freaked out. I really had not anticipated it bothering me that much, its a different story when it really happens. So I guess I am gonna shave it tonight. Seems a better idea then evreytime a clump comes out gasping like the sky is falling.

Mellie289

Sorry I haven't checked in all weekend - I had an enjoyable time not thinking about cancer and chemo (mostly) while my BF had a visitor. We went dolphin and whale watching and out for dinner a couple nights.

I have been getting more and more emotional lately as my hair's days are numbered. My BF surprised me Saturday morning by shaving his head to be bald with me! I was so surprised and touched! It was like he gave me the best present of all on his own birthday. At least, through all this, I feel really loved and supported.

I had horrible back spasms Thursday and my onc gave me some flexeril and ativan, as she thinks I'm taking the stress in my muscles. That made me realize Friday that I've been much more stressed about losing my hair than I thought. Saturday was the last morning I needed the Zofran (so far) and yesterday was a pretty good day apart from three nose bleeeds and some vertigo (I feel like I have new symptoms every day!) I'm hoping that's it for cycle 1 meds and SEs except for the hair now. A few more came out this morning than the usual - I'm day 12. I think I have a couple more days. 

My WBC count came in low on Thursday and I'm going again for another blood draw this afternoon. My onc wanted to give me another shot of neulasta, but the insurance wouldn't cover it. If it drops below some level, I think they'll cover it, but I'm hoping the first neulasta shot is doing something and the count will be back up when I get the results tomorrow. I've been pretty worried about getting sick since I got that news, but I was on antibiotics until yesterday, so feeling a little protected. Now, I need to be even more careful, I think. Does anybody know at what point the WBC count goes from low to dangerously low?

hannariggs - I had a pretty raw throat for a while last week. I found that the Oasis Dry Mouth Moisturing Spray helped to ease the discomfort some.

For blurred vision - I haven't had that myself, but I did have some issues like that years ago from dry eyes when I had lasik eye surgery. If it's dry eye causing the blurriness, some artificial tears should help. I've seen that dry eyes is a SE (although I know you ladies might be suffering something else causing the blurriness with these poisons).

My rash was spreading when I tried the benadryl allergy cream, but went away in a day with the cortisone cream, so I'm glad I know what to do about that for next cycle. Cycle 1 is the learning cycle, I think!

momx2 - I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother! I can't imagine how you feel right now. My heart aches for you. 

Welcome, Karkar! Glad you found us! Have you gotten any advice on preventing your hand and foot syndrome again? I recall seeing something suggesting that you shouldn't use them in any vigorous activities within the first couple days post-chemo to try to prevent that from happening. (I'm not sure if that is a helpful suggestion for what you experienced.)

Vilia - I love the idea of us being extras in a zombie flick. That really made me chuckle after the days I felt so bloated, lopsided and with ugly skin rashes. Cycle 2, I'm sure I'll have all that with no hair, so ready for the part with no makeup necessary!

daisy - I'm glad you got your nerve medication! I have been very stressed since my surgery and was beginning to get a bit weepy all the time - the ativan I got Thursday has really helped me to finally sleep all the way through the night and not wake up thinking about cancer and chemo. My BF said it was good to see me back to smiling and laughing yesterday finally.

2bluestars - I know what you mean about the wig making you feel ridiculous because it's too perfect. I feel the same about the wigs I've bought (I have two that were pretty cheap). I'm looking at a more expensive one that is much more like my own hair now that I didn't want to spend the money on until I could try on a wig and feel like I could keep it on comfortably (not too hot or itchy). I'm still trying to find a place contracted by my insurance to get one under my cranial prosthesis prescription, but that isn't proving easy here. I'll have to drive an hour or two to one of only two places in Southern California on their approved list of providers, but I'm trying to find out on the phone which one will be a better place to help me get what I want before I make the trip. Of course, these places are only open weekdays 10-5 PM. 

I'm sending positive vibes to all of you currently going through your 2nd and 3rd cycles now. Sorry for all the fatigue and SEs setting in and for those of us in the process of losing our hair. It's so good to have sisters to do this together (I love the name BreastBook!)

(Sorry I was so long winded - I was away too long! LOL!)

Rambo50

OMG!!!  I actually felt totally "normal" ALL DAY TODAY!!!  It was an amazing first "official" day of my new job and the new faculty orientation could not have been a more welcoming event - I'm in a really good place, if there IS a good place, to work and make it through this dam# BC thing

Nocompromises - my days 3-4 have sapped me both rounds; actually slept most of day 4 this time  Bouncing back fine, though!  Hope you are too!

Sheila - my bone pain came much later with round 1 and I truly hope to avoid it this round (fingers crossed and still taking claritin!!!).  I agree that we tend to suffer in existing areas of weakness, and I have osteoporosis (thank you celiac) in my hips and lumbar spine - the WORST areas of my pain.  Hope yours is abating by now.

Puppymama - I shaved my head but now my little sprigs are shedding - so weird b/c hubby's is growing back in ;-)  I'm still not used to sleeping at night with nothing on top!  {(hugs)}

For those of you losing weight/not eating, I've had a couple of blah days where I literally forced myself to eat nasty oatmeal and yogurt, and I lost 3 lbs.  But after today I think I've regained them!

Vilia

Hi all!

This is day 10 after my first treatment and I'm finally starting to feel normal again.  Had to take my daughter to get braces today, so I'm glad I was able to "be there" for her instead of feeling "icky" myself.

Doc gave me something for the acne which is hopefully going away now but it's been bad and, yes, due to that nasty taxotere.  The constant, low grade headache seems to be finally receding. 

Option, I've had sleep issues, too.  I feel fine going to bed, but then I wake up in the middle of the night with a mild sour stomach and can't get back to sleep again.  This has happened several nights in a row now so I'm going to take something before going to bed tonight.  I haven't lost any hair yet, which is weird because I was losing hair (not chunks, but enough to notice) before all this on a regular basis!

Like so many others of you, nothing tastes the same anymore.  I'm fancying a smoothie right now, though, with some vanilla soy milk, banana and honey.  The doc gave me the "okay" as far as eating soy products.  I'll let you know how that works.

Daisy72, it's Monday and I hope you're not feeling too bad.  It sounds like you've been having such a tough time and my heart goes out to you.

JeriGrace, glad your nurse was on top of things!  They certainly should be, though, they do that stuff every day.  I was watching the nurses at my chemo facility and they're all young and pretty but figured maybe they're straight out of college and are assigned the grunt work ... because, gees, that seems like grunt work to me running back and forth everytime someone's station "dings", changing out bags, etc.  Seems like the better job would be back there giving people shots and helping the docs rather than working in that depressing room.  But what do I know? Maybe it is the better paying job afterall. 

ckmoss, it sounds like you've done your homework and I would be hesitant to do rads, too, especially if you feel your doc is one to go a bit overboard.  I had the toughtest time trying to make a decision whether to do chemo at all, because of the small percentage of advantage.  I could have just done Herceptin.  The jury will still be out on whether I made the right decision until I've done all the sessions.

Am I the only one that likes oatmeal?  A little milk, a little fruit, nuts and just a touch of brown sugar .... yumm!  Can't taste it now, but I remember the taste and imagine it.  Hope I didn't gross out any of you oatmeal haters .

Hey, I'm finally getting to understand all the abbreviations.  Do you guys have an abbreviation guide hidden somewhere?

Keep on truckin' !

Nocompromises2013

Amazing the difference a day makes

Well done Rambo so glad you had a great day at work

My day 4 was crappy. But I seem to have woken up today with a new lease of life ( thank goodness). Whilst it may not last all day at least I feel human again



Daisy - ditto the yucky mouth. No ulcers just sore and weird yes roll on sept 12th/13th )))))



Ckmoss - re rads. Onc says i am not having them and since then I have read and read Seems to me that if you have a full Mx. Small tumour, very clear margins ( >10mm) and
NB If you have a lumpectomy then rads are a given



Hope everyone has a good week

NC x

Nocompromises2013

Amazing the difference a day makes

Well done Rambo so glad you had a great day at work

My day 4 was crappy. But I seem to have woken up today with a new lease of life ( thank goodness). Whilst it may not last all day at least I feel human again



Daisy - ditto the yucky mouth. No ulcers just sore and weird yes roll on sept 12th/13th )))))



Ckmoss - re rads. Onc says i am not having them and since then I have read and read Seems to me that if you have a full Mx. Small tumour, very clear margins ( >10mm) and
NB If you have a lumpectomy then rads are a given



Hope everyone has a good week

NC x

Nocompromises2013

Can't get the thread to print all my stuff



Day 5 I feel more normal - yay



So glad your day went well Rambo



Daisy - my mouth feels icky too, no sores just weird



Ckmoss - you r right re rads. My onc said none for me and I have read and read.as best I can figure If you have a full Mx , good margins, less than 4 nodes involved and small tumour then apparently the risks of rads do out weigh benefits of rads. We get to choose. Potential recurrence of BC ( low risk). Or damaged heart and future issues there.

Lumpectomy and rads are a given



Hope all traveling well

NC x

LanaM

Vilia - there is an abbreviation guide in the discussion forum for new patients and new members - I went looking for it in the beginning too! Rambo glad you had a good day. I was really tired today & actually stayed home from work. Tonight is the first time I've felt kind of "blah" and a little queasy. Hope it doesn't last! Lana