August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Ptwheeler

I started chemo on July 15.  chemo before surgery.  I have a lump in my left breast and a cancer spot at T11 on my spine.  I just had my third round of Tamol (one to go), which will be followed by 4 treatments every 2 weeks of AC.  I'm scared, too, but keep plugging along.  I've had a really hard time with bone and joint pain.  Let's keep in touch.

carolpr56

Welcome, ptw! Sorry for the spine -we're here for you!

gavinsgrandma

Togetherness, what is your chemo protocol? I am day 2 post chemo, I have had a headache since the infusion although it tends to come and go, have been somewhat queasy but never to bad, I take the Zofran as needed and I just took my last day of emend for this cycle. I am able to keep food down but I do notice small amounts are better and food is sounding blah😨 I got my neulasta shot yesterday, I got really sleepy afterwards then I sort of faded from there. Slept pretty good last night but I woke up with that tinny taste everyone mentions and I was really queasy and I have been a little achey from the shot. All in all I cannot say I feel awful, just not like my usual self.

For those starting next week I would say hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, I took a 2 qt jug of ice water with me and throughout the day I drank all of that plus Gatorade and even 1 diet coke and let me tell you between all of that and 1 1/2 bags of saline I was hydrated😃 I hope every one has a great weekend and I want to give all of you big hug's because we deserve them!!!!!

Sharoneanne, Yes that is my Gavin and thank you,I think he is a cutie too, he is my little love bug and I just keep imagining that chemo killing those cancer cells so that I can watch him and the ones to come grow up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Love to all Shary❤🌞🌹🙏

SewStrong

Thanks, Patti, I am about halfway finished with my fleece hat that I'm making today. I hope it looks good when I put it on. It looks great on the pattern! Go to Youtube and type in how to tie headscarves. You can watch really neat ways to tie scarves on your head. I bought some long scarves at Walmart, but you could use a big piece of fabric that you like just as well. Lisa, you're right. I forgot to say organic and grass fed on some of the meats. I am eating liver and onions tonight simply because I've only had beef twice in the last six weeks. I want my red blood count to be boosted, not to mention that I LOVE liver and onions.

Carol, you look like a friend of mine. Now I have two friends who look like twins! Way to go!

Lisa, I bought two books: Cancer Fighting Kitchen and One Bite at a Time, both by Rebecca Katz. My one complaint is that it calls for some things I've never heard of but I just substitute. It tells what nutrients you will get from each recipe. She is a cancer survivor herself. I really like my Jessica Seinfeld's book called Deliciously Deceptive. She takes ordinary recipes and hides spinach, squash, carrots, etc. in the recipe. You cannot tell that it is in there. I made brownies with spinach puree and my grandkids didn't know the difference. It's not only good for kids, but for us cancer fighters, as well. I'm going back to sewing. I spend way too much time on this computer, but I love the encouragement and information I get. Have a great day everyone. Stay positive and drink, drink, drink.....not margarita! WATER!

raynaj

Togetherness:

Sorry you have been having such a rough time. What chemo are you on? I'm on Taxotere/Cytoxan and I haven't had any nausea or vomitting, just wondering. I am on Day 5 of 2nd infusion and its not reacting the same as cycle 1, tired sooner but unable to sleep. I hope you can get your anemia under control. Did the Neulasta give you any bone pain. I had to do that shot this time because of ending up in the hospital and had a little bit above my knee one day but thats been it. It sure hurt like hell though so I hope I don't get any more.

Love, And Prayers,Rayna

SewStrong

Shary, when I figure out how to get my great-granddaughters (twins) on my avitar, I'll show them off. There's nothing like grandbabies. They were the first ones I thought of when told I have breast cancer. They're just 2 and they would not even remember me if I don't make it until they're at least 6-7, and even at that, they migh not remember. Horrifying thought. That's what makes me fight, too, just like you said. It motivates us to give it all we have.

ForMyGranddaughter

Has anyone experience light spotting after receiving chemo?

carolpr56

FMGdtr, menstrual or in the urine? My list of instructions says to call right away if spotting in the urine...still, you must be post- menopausal like me (? i think?) so I would call the dr line.

Togetherness

Gavinsgrsndma, raynaj and carolpr56 thanks for inquiring and commenting. I am on T/C x 4. My pre meds are Aloxi and Decadron. I take the Neulasta shot the next day after every treatment. Which kicks my butt with joint pain and achiness. I have a prescribed naseau and pain meds. During the chemo treatment of cytoxan I developed a migraine and they had to slow the treatment drip and give me a pain pill. I continued with the migraine for five days. It is finally gone. I would have diahrea and nausea constantly nothing stayed in my body. It just goes to show you how everyone is different and how their body reacts to these chemo drugs. The dr said I am just one of the unfortunate ones and may need to adjust the chemo dosages for me. We are experimenting with different naseau meds to see which one works. I am just so tired and fatigued. I am finally feeling well enough to eat small meals and still am drinking the ensure and protein drinks. I do not want to delay any treatments so must build my red cell count up and get rid of the anemia. I have two weeks until next treatment.... I can do this!! Everyone..... Better days are ahead!!!

carolpr56

Hey,

Tog - good to hear for you! I am I bed sick as a cat today...plus every time a hair comes out I think "it's starting!" Lol! That's why I posted the pic, to have a memory of the hair, tee hee! Am hoping for something less Peter Frampton next time around....

Anyway, you give me hope that maybe the headache will stop soon. I thought last night that the Ativan. Might have got rid of it, but not working today.



Maybe try another one? ; ) only took a half earlier...



Big hugs to all and hopes for a tolerable weekend. It's good to be able to be here and get all the news, talk when I feel like it.

SewStrong

Togetherness, I am going to eat beef liver tonight to build up my red blood cells. I don't know if this is a myth, but I love liver, so I will eat it for pleasure, since I deny myself red meat most of the time. Someone posted that Claratin (notD) helps the pain from the shot. I haven't tried it, but I bought some to be ready.

Carol, I feel for you today since you're feeling so "felinish". Is there such a word? I usually feel caninish, myself, when I am sick. Hang in there. There are better days ahead. That's a good idea posting a picture with hair. My picture is so small, it's hard to see. I'll have to find a closeup like you did. 

Feel better everyone. You have to feel good so I will have something to look forward to next week, when I start all of this. I hate headaches, but it sounds like they're coming my way.

carolpr56

Sherry, I guess I think of "sick as a cat" as "puny" whereas dogs are more, uh, affirmatively ill. As in standing there puking on the carpet in the middle of the night while i try to push them out the sliding glass door ( welcome to my life, lol!).



Oh, and I would rather have the headache than the nausea!! HATE nausea!

Cougarlicious

Carol - I'm with you...can't imagine a life with bacon!! (As I just finished a bacon sandwich for lunch today.)



Day 2 is going good so far. Was able to sleep fine even with steroid, although I did wake up several times to pee (due to all my fluids!). Started having gas pains in the late morning so I took a Zofran and I was back to normal an hour later. I know the SEs are going to come eventually so I'm just trying to enjoy my normal behavior until it does.



Tried wearing a couple head scarves and caps yesterday, trying to get my 2.5 year old used to the idea. Unfortunately he HATES hats and screamed at me to take it off....I dunno what I'm gonna do when my hair starts to go. I may be forced into wearing wigs just because my son doesn't understand why I can't look the same!

carolpr56

Just give him the markers and let him go to town on yer bald head...get those crayola washable ones, tee hee! THAT will make the jaws drop!

TanyaF

Hi all. I just found this and thought I would post.

I am stage 2b, had a lumpectomy and have 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide and taxotere to look forward to, followed by radiation and tamoxifen. I am currently 43. I started my first cycle on July 31 so August seems to fit better than July. It hasn't been too bad so far, but I did finally shave my hair last night because it was just coming out all over the place. I was born with more hair than I have now!

I am a little anxious for the next cycle which starts on Wednesday. I will go back and read more of all your threads. 

carolpr56

Welcome, Tanya! You will fit right in, timing wise. My head is itching like crazy,, the DH says I'm psychosomatic but I say I'm entitled to be ; )

LisaSp

Tanya, welcome. Sorry about your hair but sounds as though you did well otherwise. You and I are close together on cycles; I start my second on the Monday after next. I'll be thinking of you Wed.



Cougarlicious, I'm sorry but I had to laugh about your son screaming about a hat on your head! Man, 18-month-olds are a handful.



I've got the same problem but with a 12-year-old who is mortified I'd be bald. She was begging me to always wear a wig in public. Middle schoolers are like giant toddlers I swear! I am always laughing over her antics. Kids!

Anonymous

I have a surgical tape stain on my arm that is not coming off three weeks later. Help! I've even tried nail polish remover. This is not he tape residue. It's a dark brown stain on my skin. Any ideas?

carolpr56

Tried rubbing alcohol? That might only work for residue : (



Lisa, I've enlisted my 16 yr old DD to my brows each morning. As a reward for NOT making me look furious or perpetually surprised she gets to "decorate" me for church each Sunday (what can I say, we're episcopalians ; ).



I swear my hair is coming out! I'm collecting it next to the bed for proof...

ForMyGranddaughter

Carol, I'm perimenapausal.  No, it was not in the urine.  In the last 8 months I've missed two periods (Feb + July) had 2 periods in May (9th + 31st) and super, super light in August (1st).  Not to mention that I have fibroids. 

I spoke to the doctor on call.  He said that Cytoxan can tear the bladder wall, cause blood in the urine and urinating will be painful.  This is not the case with me.  I feel crampy like I am about to get a period.

gavinsgrandma

Welcome Tanya, glad you found us, this cancer and treatment thing sucks but we sure do encourage each other through it, I had my first chemo 2 days ago and today has been my worst so far, headache and a lot of pain from the Neulasta shot. DH just warmed me up 1/2 a hamburger patty and some cottage cheese and it tasted really good and I decided to take one of my pain pills left from surgery, hope it helps with headache and body aches😕there are a hand full of us today feeling pretty puny, hope tomorrow is a better day.



Shary🌞

ForMyGranddaughter

Welcome Tanya!

LisaSp

Carol: The idea of your 16 yr old drawing in eyebrows is cool. How will she decorate you? That's amusing to think of? How is your daughter doing with everything btw? Good luck with your hair.



Gavinsgrandma, feel better! Hope tomorrow is a good day.

carolpr56

Lisa, I'm thinking vines and flowers and maybe a bird or two... Like mini face painting. Not sure. We ned to go to the beauty store and see what they've got ; ). She's mostly following ,y lead, which is typically cheerful and optimistic, mixed with a healthy dose of snark as needed.



The middle school years are tough - make sure to let the counselors know...

jnprsn

For my granddaughter, I got my period on the usual date but it lasted for 8-9 days and was not heavy after day 2.

So much for chemo forcing you right into menopause. But I'm sure its coming.

raynaj

Tanya: Welcome, sorry you have to be here but glad you found us. Feel free to post anything you wish here, this is a safe place for all of us to be ourselves.



Carol: If your head is itching you are probably close to losing it, what day are you on?



I had an idea for my bald head, I'm going to try and find a few tattoos (just fake) and tattoo my head with pretty flowers and vines, maybe running down behind my ear. I heard of someone doing this and she said she got so many compliments.



Good Luck to everyone starting chemo this week (Cutie) drink lots, lots and lots of water and take all your meds. Everyone take care.



I'm so frustrated with the sleep thing, I'm exhausted and can't keep my eyes open but my body has to stay moving, such a horrible feeling. 16 hours sleep in 5 days, not good.



Love, Rayna

Cutiekool

Carole, where are you from? I live I az and its100 here too. I start my first treatment Monday, went yesterday and had all my curls chopped!!'i look like a man lol. I also have to draw my eyebrows and I have not ad chemo yet. Good luck god bless

Cutiekool

Rayna,

It must be tough that you can't sleep. Can you take some tylenol pm? I have ambien and am going to take it. Did you ask you ox (onco) for some sleep aids? How are you doing?

. Take care

Anonymous

Ugh, last bits of nausea due to Thursday's infusion. Not sleeping; hoping to just rest tomorrow but there always seems to be stuff that needs doing. Is anyone jsut hanging out at home? or are folks getting out a lot and doign everything as per normal? I have been active (not exercise mind you but otherwise yes) and, well, I'm tired. Do I rest? Do I keep active? So unclear abotu what is better for my health.

V

SewStrong

HVV, I won't start my chemo until next week, but I have been reading tons of i nformation on the subject, and everything says that we should try to go for a short walk even when we don't feel like it. They all seem to say that we will feel better and have more energy. Now, I might be whistling a different tune when I'm feeling like you are, so you will probably have to encourage me to go out and walk next week.  Also, many of the posts that I've read say that Claratin helps with the aching pains that you get from the shot. No one seems to know why, but they say it works. I bought some just in case. Don't get Claratin D, just Claratin.

Rayna, I am going to pray today that God will grant you some sleep. Sleep deprivation in itself is debilitating, let alone chemo on top of it. God bless you.

Tanya, I just now noticed your post. I kept reading others telling you welcome, so I just kept scrolling up until I found you. I'm old enough to be your mother, but I have the same disease as you, so we're all in this together. I will start chemo next week, so you're ahead of me. I'll watch your posts to see how you're doing, and I pray every day for everyone on here, so I'll add your name to my list. I hope Wednesday is a good day and that the SE aren't as bad. I guess you can't lose your hair twice, so it has to be. God bless you.

Carol, I like your humor. I'm always cutting up, so it makes me laugh to read some of your posts. God bless you today. Hope you feel like jumping through hoops.

Today is my last day before I am told what day I start. I go to my MO tomorrow at 1:00. I'm nervous, but can't wait to get started. It won't end until I get started is my theory.