August 2013 Chemo Sisters

ForMyGranddaughter

Welcome RhodyMMM!

raynaj

Peace777: I wish I had your opinion regarding chemo but its be anything but tolerable, well there are days I guess. It never stays the same thats for sure. I was feeling fine this morning and making plans to go to the lake tomorrow when I laid down for a nap and when I got up 1 1/2 hours later, I could have sworn I was dying. I had pain in hips, back, pelvis that felt as if my bones were throbbing and when the throbbing got to the unbearable point it would rise in my chest to my neck as if I was filling up with fluid. I have been running a low grade fever the same as the one that ended me up in the hospital 2 weeks ago. I am on 2000 mg of antibiotics that I started 3 days ago and it hasn't helped with the low white count, probably have Neutropenia again.

I don't want to scare anyone but am just pointing out that we all react differently and even Chemo 1 compared to Chemo 2 aren't the same in side effects. I really hope that everyone does do very well and if I was honest I could also say that my SE could be worse. At least I'm not nauseous and vomitting, oh and the skin on my hands is peeling really bad. I think I am just too allergic to this, might have to stop. Wonder if they do stop you or change if things are too bad.



God will get me thru this, I asked God when I was first DX to please give me 8 more years to be with my son and in return I would go through all the unpleasantness, pain hair loss that came my way, I guess jokes on me.



Love, Rayna

SewStrong

Rayna, I am saying extra prayers for you tonight. I'm sorry you are having such a bad experience. They say all of this stuff will make us stronger. Huh. Maybe we can see it when it's all over. God bless you. Hope you feel better. Some people take Claratin for that bone pain. I bought some. Don't get Claratin D. I'm going to try it next week when I have my first chemo and neulasta shot. You need to tell your doctor if you have a fever. I wish you well. SAB

ForMyGranddaughter

raynaj, May God engulf you in his love, grace + mercy.  I pray that side effects you are feeling + the fever be bound and of no effect.  Thank you God for being an awesome healer, for using the antibotics, fluids, prescriptions + medical staff to facilitate healing in raynaj's body.  I thank you for healing + strengthening her. Amen.

raynaj

Sharon and for my Granddaughter, Thank You so much for your words and prayers they were definitely needed and sooo much appreciated.

Love, Rayna

carolpr56

I'm praying that prayer along with the others, and with you, as well, Rayna! And they DO change the tx's if se's are too unbearable, so hang in there!

KateW

Hello everyone- I thought I might as well join the "fun" with all of you since I start my first round of chemo Aug. 29th. Reading your posts help so much- not only for information but for laughs too. Since this is my first post, I am not sure if or what information will show up, but I have started a blog to keep friends and family updated as well as for my own "therapy." You are welcome to it also.

www.katebeatingcancer.blogspot.com



Thanks, Kate

Cougarlicious

I'm sorry to hear so many of us are experiencing bad SEs with the treatments! Keeps making me feel like the other shoe will drop soon, since I'm currently feeling fine. Doesn't help that my birthday is this Friday and I'm cautiously making plans thinking maybe I won't be able to really celebrate after all.



Do you have to ice your fingers and toes with Taxol, or is it just Taxotere? I thought that Taxol is a six hour infusion, just can't imagine being frozen that long!

Cutiekool

Sharon, my cancer was small I had two masses in one breast, one aggressive grade 3 and found one lympnode positive for aggressive type..and the other insitu crazy. So that's what I'm doing all this. Praying all will, work out. I truly believe its all in Gods hands. I pray he takes this headache away... Ugh. I'm a baby sometimes. Take care god bless

Anonymous

Questions



1. For those of you icing parts of your body, head, fingersm toes. What do you make of the medical studies that say that icing prevents the chemo meds from traveling throughout your body? Are you not scared of that risk or are you more concerned of having wonky nails or being bald for several months?



2. I had been on a healthy diet but the minute the chemo started, fresh fruits and veggies made me sick. I'm now eating carbs and protein, mostly meat. Are you able to eat regularly or healthy? I'm afraid to weigh myself. And can only drink floored drinks rather than my usual water or seltzer. Ideas?



V

Gashgold

Hi Kate sorry and pleased you're joining us, ( there should be a word invented to cover this mixed emotion - sleased?). I've been thinking about everyone on this forum all day. Carol, I was so upset on your behalf about the theft. Just the last straw! Rayna and everyone else dealing with SEs, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

SewStrong

Oh my gosh Kate, I love you already. We both have Triple Negative Breast Cancer!! I start my first chemo on the 22nd and you start on the 29th. I had a lumpectomy and you had a double mastectomy, but I'm sure chemo side effects SE will be similar. They seem to be different with each individual. We can compare notes for sure. Welcome. I am a newby, too, so I'm glad you're here. These women are the best. The advice and help is tremendous and the jokes make us laugh. Cut up and be yourself. I added you to my prayer list. It's getting long, but God doesn't care.Don't you dind that the waiting is the worst part so far? God bless you today.

CutieCool, I'm a baby sometimes too, especially if I am nausious. I'd rather have a headache, although I'd rather have neither. Thanks for the prayers. You are on my prayer list. I pray for the women on here daily, sometimes several times. I have a long list of family and friends and try to pray for some by name daily. I just keep going through my list. I believe in prayer, as you do, and you're right, it definitely IS in God's hands. In what better place could we all be? I had insitu, too, as an intermediate concern. I guess it was all together with the IBC tumor and was removed. I'm just glad to be getting started with chemo next Monday to get those little devils smashed. It might smash me, but it will be worth it. Think of a headache as little people in there hammering those cancer cells. That way, you might enjoy it more. Yeah, RIGHT!

HVV, I read the same thing about icing parts of our bodies, that the chemo would be hampered from going to those parts. I will see what my oncologist says before I do it. If I lose my fingernails, I would just glue on some fake ones when I have to work and remove them when I get home. I sub at a high school but don't go every day, only when needed. I start my first chemo on Monday, Aug. 22, so I'll have to tell you next week whether I can eat or  not. I, too, have been on a healthy diet since I found out I haev BC in June. I have lost 20 pounds and am going for 15 more, although I've heard that I won't be able to lose during chemo. Maybe this week, before it all begins, I can drop a couple more and start from there. I hope I don't gain it all back. I have been eating the foods that Jennifer Griffin ate. She has triple negative, like I have, but her tumor was the size of a woman's palm!! Mine was 6mm, caught w/ mammogram. God bless you today, V.

GASHGOLD, My onc told me yesterday that I shouldn't sub the week of infusion, but that it should be ok the other two weeks before my next infusion. He said I would be most succeptible to infection that week. I am 68, so maybe my age has a lot to do with it. I saw that you are a teacher, so just be very careful. Those little buggars are always snorting around the teacher's desk. I used to put the kleenex at the back of the room so they would go there to blow their nose. I loved them, but not when they get in my face and blow like a fog horn. I taught mostly high schoolers. You know, the ones who know it all. God bless you today.

BEEVE, Hope your cold is better. It feels like I might be getting one. I hope not because my first chemo is Monday, 22nd. I would hate to have to put it off. The waiting is really bad.

TANYA, You have three wonderful little boys. When I pray for you, I picture my four little boys, who are all now grown. I can't imagine having to care for children in the middle of all of this chemo and SE. God bless you, your husband, and your precious boys.

CAROL, I just love you. Your picture looks so much like my friend that I told you about. She has a similar personality, too. She is kind and loving and prays for everyone. I feel comforted by your picture because I know her love for me. You're a surrogate Kim.

RHODY, You're ahead of me with your chemo, but you are taking the same drugs. I start 8/22/13. I just saw your name for the first time today. I added you to my prayer list.

RAYNA, Oh gosh, I feel for you so much. I am praying extra hard for you. I have 4 sons (all grown) and can identify with your wanting to have 8 more years. You will have many more. You'll see your grandchildren grow up. God is good. Sometimes, when I'm in heavy pain, I think of how Christ might have felt hanging on that cross dieing as if it were just for me. That helps a little, but pain killers helps more, to be truthful. Visualizing that helps me be more thankful for what he did for us. God bless you today. Hope the rising sun finds you in much better condition. You are having the worst SE that I've read about on here. I start next Monday, so hopefully, I will be able to report better things.

If I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I am still praying for you today. God bless you all. SAB (Sharonannebaker, Sherry)

SewStrong

CAROL,  I just realized that you're triple negative, too. So is Kate. Triple Negative is one of the two rarest forms of BC. I also just saw that this is your second go round with this baby. God bless you even more today. SAB

carolpr56

Good morning, sherry! That brought tears to my eyes, thank you! Yes, I had "just DCIS" in 2009' but it was mulitfocal so i had to lose the breast and be on tamoxifen. Then I found a new lump next to the implant.



Ladies, remember there is always breast tissue left. The radiation onc yesterday said "recurrence" then corrected herself with "new primary" . Triple neg, an d here I am.



New symptom this morning, though! Rash on the back of my neck, itchy like poison ivy, too localized to blame the burts bees baby shampoo i used the other day. Do I have steroid cream? Don't think so. And my vaginal area is a bit inflamed - guess the toxic pee finally got to it!



Which reminds me to remind y'all, those who have husbands or partners that there's a great book called "breast cancer husband" that addresses sexuality in a straightforward and humorous way. That's only one of the chapters, but he advises the guys to, um, take matters into their own hands for much of the time and actually warns that our female tissues can be prone to infection from too much, err, activity.



Sorry if that offends some, but we seem able to talk about anything here, so I guess if we aren't too graphic it might be ok!



Eating graham crackers before getting up, hope this helps although mouth is suspiciously tender, too!



Oh, and HVV - I had just started "clean eating" 4 months ago and had lost 20 mid weight pounds and feeling quite healthy when dx struck. Now it's a strugglemtomeven think about eating a strawberry - too acidic! Am understanding the chemo weight gain better now! As for icing, I've heard that the cold caps aren't always a good idea due to blocking the circulation, but the dr.herself was recommending icing IF the nails started being affected. I suspect if they are lifting and coming off that might be more of an infection problem than anything else.



Cutiekol, isn't that headache the biggest P.I.T.A.? I'm calling the dr. Today to see if I can take something stronger for it, since it's not going away very much with the ibuprofen.



Kate, welcome honey. We re a ragtag group, lots of prayer warriors and some snarky folks (me, anyway ; ), but hopefully we'll keep you lifted up in laughter and hope, or just be here for you when it sucks. Because it does. I'll saynagainwhat my MOmhad me repeat after her:



" we're gonna beat this cancer, but it's gonna suck getting there!"



Hugs to all, I'm working today! Woot woot!

ForMyGranddaughter

Welcome KateW.  I will check out your blog. MAKE it a great day!

ForMyGranddaughter

Cougar, go ahead and make plans based on how you feel today (knowing that plans can change).  Don't just sit and wait for the other shoe to drop.  BE well!

Patti777

Welcome Kate. I am new here too. I start my Chemo Sept. 6

ForMyGranddaughter

Today, I believe God!  I AM grateful for this new day!

This is my declaration for today.  What's yours?

SewStrong

My decaration for today: I will go about the business at hand and let God do all of the worrying about my health. If he wants me to be well, then I'll be well, nothing of my own doing. Well, maybe I do have to do what I have to do to get the medications in me, eat right, walk and pray, but that's about all.

KateW

Thanks everyone! Already you are all helping- prayers, jokes, a declaration to have my husband " take care of himself" (hahaha) ALL have made my day better!



I am still trying to figure out how to read and follow so give me time to catch up.



Kate

SewStrong

Kate, I finally got me a notebook to keep up and not mix up everyone. I might still do it, but at least it helps. I don't want to tell someone, "Glad you're feeling well today" when they're puking their head off or like Rayna, who has had a lot of pain.

carolpr56

My declaration for today is that i WILL take care of myself while here at work, even if that means i call my husband to come pick me up early. I will NOT overdo. God will look after me, even if He makes me puke to get me sent home ; )  I firmly believe that God sometimes shakes his head over me and says "Don't make me pull this car over!"

Blessings to everyone today - i cannot keep up too well with all of who is having what, so I thank God for the ladies who are able to do so!

raynaj

Morning Ladies: Thank You all for you well wishes. I feel a little better today. I just don't like that you can go from feeling fine to feeling awful in a matter of hours. I really think I am too allergic to this combination will talk to my onco next appoitment.



Everyone who is new, Welcome, sorry you have to be here but it is a great place to be.

You can be having a very low moment and angels like Sharon, formyGranddaughter and Carol will say a prayer for you when you need it most and make you cry but let you know you are not alone.



Carole: I think the sex talk is fine, its a part of our lives and a very important part for our partners. Also, I had inflammation and soreness in vaginal area, I bought some baby wipes to make sure all the chemo pee was getting wiped away instead of spread all over.



Everyone else have a fabulous day, I have an appointment with a Mental Health Professional today for my son (11) he's not been handling my cancer very well, so I hope she has some good advice.



Love and prayers to all, Rayna

raynaj

Candi07: I've been going back reading posts and I'm so sorry for your experience will your first chemo, that sounds like an awful day. I hope you are doing better now, let me know how you are feeling.



Love and Prayers being sent your way,

Rayna

raynaj

HVV: I haven't read anything about icing not being good. I guess I wouldn't do it if I wouldn't get all of the chemo benefit, I'm not afraid of losing my hair (already bald) or my nails, I would just hope that the nail bed underneath would be dead before my nails fell off or that could be painful. My nails are sore and have a distinct pink line running across them, I ice them after infusion sometimes just to take away the uncomfortable feeling.

How is you hair and nails holding up?

Love, Rayna

peace777

Hi Rayna,  I totally agree with you.  We all can have different reactions/SE   Im not sure but I think I meant getting the chemo was doable.  My first chemo went well right now Im doing my 2ND chemo. Even this one is different  I actually had a reaction.  Nurses and dr were great.  They responed very quickly and  Im better now.  you are also in my prayers and I pray all your SE calm down.

Welcome to all new comers.  Im in total agreemnet with all the ladies here. Friendly, supportive, humor...everything you need to know  we are here for you.  You will see of course I dont think anyone here reacts the exact same, there are more common SE than others.  But we all get through it by the grace of God. 

I pray that every women here gets through chemo with little SE.  That he replaces fear and anxiety with peace.  I DECLARE  everyone healed by the precious blood of Jesus,

peace777

If you feel anxious,panic stricken or fearful   remember Jesus fought the battle and we won!!!!

You all are in my prayers

Gashgold

3.20 a.m. 5 hrs till port and 1st chemo. My declaration for the day is that the sedative acts miraculously at 4x the actual dosage and I don't behave like a big girl's blouse! ( never quite figured out how that expression came to mean being pathetic!).

The notebook idea is really good, coz we've grown so much it's hard not to get muddled without constantly going back through the posts....or maybe it's pre-chemo brain.

raynaj

Peace777: Sorry for your reaction, I'm curious is your reaction where you feel as if your throat is closing up and you can't breath. Thats happened to me twice now but I'm wondering if there is another reaction I don't know about.

Take care, I pray this chemo is as good to you as the first one.

Love, Rayna

Anonymous

First, my declaration for today is GRATEFUL. 

Second, I need to be free to be snarky and a prayer warrior both ... its just who I am.

Sherry and all others who are so good about noting names: Thank you!  My love and support to you too! 

For Rayna, I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.  I am asking for you to be relieved of any pain and for this trial to be over.

For all the newbies: Welcome!  I wish that I could blink and remove this from you but since that is not possible, i offer my firendship, support and yes, snarky comments.

For all of us: thank you for being in my life.  Last night I couldn't sleep so I just read our posts over again and want to convey through sleepy eyes my appreciation for the gift of your friendship.

V