August 2013 Chemo Sisters

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2013

    FMG, Happy Birthday today, I hope you have a very blessed and peaceful day🎂

    I woke up this morning thinking that our August thread is like a huge room with many women sitting around having different conversations with each other, forgive me if I can not keep up with everyone (I think chemo brain is kicking in) but I do read all the posts everyday. I pray today for peaceful, minds, bodies and spirits for all having Tx this week and for those of us on our off week reigning in the SE'S. I pray that Christ will bring you the peace that passes all understanding and that he will lift us all up to God (or whatever God you pray to) for Healing and Strength to be victorious in our fight🙏



    Shary🍂

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  • naan1004
    naan1004 Member Posts: 520
    edited September 2013

    Lisa, Korean BBQ it is! No biggie about the tongue thing!



    FMG, happy birthday to uuuuuuu, happy birthday to uuuuuu, happy birthday FMG, happy birthday to uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

    I sang that just for u!



    Lovewins, yeah I love the food dramas, but I really like romances too, cause u know Korean dramas always has a love triangle. I like comedies too! We have to share titles, can't wait! I can teach you Korean too, I'm not that good, but I manage.

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  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2013

    Hey Happy Birthday again FMG!



    Everybody trying to hydrate: remember soup, broth, juice, smoothies and crushed ice mixed with whatever counts as liquid too.



    So does my absolute favorite: watermelon! I just had some and it still tastes fantastic. Yay summer watermelons! I may try to freeze some and make a slurpee out of them...

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited September 2013

    Happy Bithday For My Granddaughter!!  don't forget to make a wish!

    Julie...Isn't is funny how almost always the same things happen in a different order and I still love it!  I like the kighter ones better too.  To me they are better than any American show...well maybe not Shark Tank or Master chef!!

    Having a wonderful day everyone!

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2013

    FMG - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope it's an exceptional day!!!

    You ladies are so inspirational with your pictures!  You're so beautiful.

    When my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, her niece made us all beaded bracelets with the pink ribbon and different encouraging words on them.  Mine says "Beauty".  I started wearing it again to remind myself that I AM beautiful, no matter what.  

    I have a question about the steroids.. are you all taking them all the time?  Or just around chemo?  I was assuming they gave me some in my pre-meds during infusion, but then I had no more until I called to say my nausea meds weren't working.  They gave me a prescription for more, but only three days worth.  Just wondering what the reasoning is behind the steroids you all are taking, and if I should ask about it.

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  • raynaj
    raynaj Member Posts: 236
    edited September 2013

    Heh good job everybody with the beautiful bald photos, everyone looks awesome.

    Love, Rayna

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2013

    Checking to see if my new Avitar uploaded😛

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2013

    Trying again😛

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited September 2013

    Ok won't go upright, help the geek here 😄

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  • SaltyJack
    SaltyJack Member Posts: 420
    edited September 2013

    GG - it looks good to me!  I'm behind you all - figure I've got another week to go before I need to upload a new photo. My hair now is longer than it's ever been - because for the past 6 months I couldn't decide what to do with it. So....I'm thinking now I have a chance to start all over again a few months from now!  :)

    A friend gave me "Jesus Today" (devotional book).  Last night's reading about Wisdom was perfect for me so I thought I'd share it:

    This is the way of wisdom: trusting Me no matter what happens in your life. There are many things that seem random or wrong as you go along your journey. Don't be fooled by the way things appear at a given point in time. You are looking at only a very small piece of a massively big picture. From your limited perspective, your journey may be confusing, with puzzling twists and turns. However, from My limitless, big-picture perspective, I am indeed leading you along straight paths.

    We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose.  Rom. 8:28.

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  • raynaj
    raynaj Member Posts: 236
    edited September 2013

    Gavinsgrandma can you try and go where your photo is stored and flip it there then save it a post it again it might look sideways from your photo file but I think it will straighten itself on here. Just a thought. see if it works

    Love, Rayna



    FMG: Happy Birthday, my 47 was on August 30 and it was nice just to be here, thats a great idea of planning a big celebration next year by then you will be cured and feeling fantastic.



    Love, Rayna

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  • raynaj
    raynaj Member Posts: 236
    edited September 2013

    naan: Thanks for the info on the steroids, it couldn't have come at a better time. I woke up last night after falling asleep in my recliner for only an hour but it felt like it had been a day and when I started walking around the house it was like I was having an out of body experience, it was at least 20 minutes until I realized what night it was and what was going on around me. Everyone was asleep so I didn't have anyone to talk to it was a little frightening. I guess the only up side to them changing me from T/C to A/C is that I will be getting less steroids. And good info on the Amtriptylene because that is what I was taking I guess I will stop them till this is done.

    Love, Rayna

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  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2013

    GG: You are so cute! Are you really a grandma? :)



    To get my avatar to flip, I cropped the digital photo to be more square in shape, and then it flipped itself.

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  • raynaj
    raynaj Member Posts: 236
    edited September 2013

    Don't you all find that the information is overwhelming, When this all started I didn't know that there where 8 different types of BC, then all the other factors that go along with the DX. Everyday I keep getting new information and warnings, we better pray that we have dedicated doctors that are looking out for our health as they would their own family. We are literally putting our lives in their hands. So overwhelming, maybe we need to have a little less info in our heads but I'm someone who does better when I am well informed.

    Anyone else feel this way?

    Love, Rayna

    Hope everyone is having a good day, I was away for 24 hours and can't keep up with all the posts especially now with reduced attention span. so sorry if I haven't responded to someone, when I can concentrate I will go back and get caught up.

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  • raynaj
    raynaj Member Posts: 236
    edited September 2013

    lighthouselady: I started on T/C and started the steroid the day before and took four a day for 5 days, thats when I didn't sleep for 5 days. Since they changed me to A/C its only 5 pills. They also give you some in your premed and it for side effects and nausea. Since they changed my chemo they only gave me 3 Emend for nausea but I have the anti nausea pills that I was taking with T/C and they said to continue with those too. If you have nausea ask them for more meds we shouldn't be dealing with any nausea at all . I didn't have any on the T/C but did notice a little yesterday since switching. Hope that helps. or chemo brain forgot your questions already. lol

    Love, Rayna

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  • TanyaF
    TanyaF Member Posts: 54
    edited September 2013

    It took awhile, but I finally caught up with all your posts!

    I love the bald pics so I had to take one and upload it as well. I wear it like this at home, but have yet to venture outside au natural. Most of the time I throw on a hat or a scarf. I wore my wig once so far to go to a baseball game last weekend. 

    My heart goes out to everyone. Life throws some curveballs and the fact that we are chatting about it definitely helps. 2012 was the year of deaths in my family (2 aunts, uncle, stepmom). 2013 started out well with the birth of my nephew and then the cancer diagnosis. I believe that being positive will really help us all get through these treatments and life.

    I am glad that this is the week of little to no SE until treatment next week. It's the first week of school and very strange for me to not be setting up a classroom, getting new students, planning, etc. Luckily one of my good friends is keeping me up to date about most everything. I'm mostly just bummed that my students still don't have a "real" teacher. They have a temporary substitute. I'm not supposed to go back until January! I hope they get a steady teacher soon so they do not get too far behind.

    Hope everyone's SE are tolerable and wish anyone getting treatment the best of luck! God bless.

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  • Martie1228
    Martie1228 Member Posts: 73
    edited September 2013

    Everyone is so beautiful!!! Thanks for this suggestion, Rayna!



    I wonder if the sideway pics are all posted from our IPads? I'll retry on computer sometime.



    FMG: Celebrating your life today along with all your other "sisters"!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Does anyone else have discomfort up and down their throat/esophagus?  thanks!!

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  • naan1004
    naan1004 Member Posts: 520
    edited September 2013

    Lighthouse, I had to take it to prevent my brain from swelling first 3x per day, then 2x per day, then once a day, my radiation onc says as long as I don't have any headaches, I can stop taking them. Not everyone gets prescribed steroids. Only for people like me who need it.

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  • batcatlady19
    batcatlady19 Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2013

    Omg, as a lifelong migraineur, I never thot I'd say I'm happy to only have a migraine! I woke up today & don't have the crushing bone & joint pain of the past 4 days. A migraine is an ant of pain in comparison to yesterday's elephant. Also my usual migraine meds pretty much kill it. I'm still weak & tired (walking around the house tires me out) but I may be able to work from home for a few hours soon.



    Love all the bald pix :) I'm not quite there yet, but my husband has arranged for a haircut next week. A friend he plays hockey with owns a hair salon & will have one of his stylists come to our house to cut off my hair. I want to save my long locks to make hairpiece or rats later (sounds weird, but I do it w/fake hair). Guess I'll start wearing a wig next week bec. I have mtgs in the office, plus I plan to perform w/my renfaire group the weekend after this.

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  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2013

    HVV

    I had this during radiation.  In fact, I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in the hospital only to find out  my esophagus was irritated from the radiation.  Take prilosec every AM and hopefully, this will go away.  My gastroentorologist gave me other meds when the esophagus caused me these pains -I just don't remember their names.  So if you're having this issue see the gastro Dr.

    Babs

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  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited September 2013

    LHL: I am on T/C x 4, every 3 weeks. With each infusion I also get: IV Zantac, Benadryl, Emend, Ativan and high dose steroids. The high doses of steroids continue orally right after infusion for me, and for the next 2 days after. You can still react to steroids for up to 7 days after. I also take Ativan and Zofran for 3 days after.



    With all the meds in my body now, it's hard to say how long each individual sticks around and their cross reactions to each other though.



    The MO told me heartburn and gastric reflux are the primary reactions to these high doses of steroids. I also know it causes sleeplessness in me, a bit of manic behavior (the crazy energy) and temper. I am warning everyone now in advance I may become very irritable quickly so to forgive me if it happens, it's a side effect.



    HVV, check with the MOs office quick: it may be GERD or it could be thrush, or who knows, an actual sore throat from a virus or bacteria.

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  • SewStrong
    SewStrong Member Posts: 399
    edited September 2013

    FMG: I won't compete with Naan, because I'm sure I can't sing as well as she can, but happy birthday nevertheless. And many more, as they always say.

    Magic Mouthwash: My doctor ordered it and it works wonders, but actually, before I got it, I was using perdoxide and water rinse and that made my mouth feel 99% better. I can still taste, so maybe the persoxid helps that nasty taste too. I only tasted a metallic taste one time when drinking water from a bottle. I though I had sucked on an old rusty pipe, but that only happened one time and it was gone. I'm not coplaining. The magic mouth rinse makes your mouth numb for about 20 minutes and when it wears off, your mouth feels great. It feels like it's healed in just one time.

    Avitars: I hope I look as good as you young whippersnappers look when I lose my hair. Today is day 11, and my head has been itching. I wore my wig to school today so the kids wouldn't notice a difference when I have to wear it. No one knew. Of course, it was a special ed room. Love that kind of child. Thay're actually nice and cooperative.

    SaltyJack, thanks, I needed that. Wisdom is what we get through suffering, too, and trusting God, as your post said. It's good to be reminded of these things often.

    HVV, I have a sore throat, but the magic mouthwash helps that. Someone put the recipe on the thread this week, but I just had the doctor prescribe it. It was $20 for the bottle, and you only use 1 tsp at a time.

    Rayna, I'm like you. I need to  know every last detail. When I went to see my SO six days after my dx, the nurses were surprised that I even knew the term triple negative breast cancer. I told them my grade and what it meant and that I was 9 out of 9 on the Nottingham scale. One young nurse turned around from her computer and said, "Wow, you should work with us. You know more than I do." I said,"That's because it's inside of ME!" I got the feeling that the doctor didn't want to tell me right away of the aggressiveness of it and that there is no known medication to help keep it at bay for the next 5 years, because he kept saying to take it slowly and learn as I go along. I searched the web and read everything I could get my hands on. Once I had done that, I felt more in control.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    This started out as acid reflux which I never had before adn then prilosec was prescribed and so i take it every morning but i still get that heavy discomfort and acidy burning at my throat.  LEss than before the prilosec.  if this is normal, i can dela with it but I am cionvcerned that it might be somethign else caused by the chemo.  V

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  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited September 2013

    HVV

    Go to the gastro dr and he'll help you with this.  But, first call your oncologist and they might have a suggestion.  I'm sure it's from the chemo-just a wonderful SE!  But you should be able to get relief.  My gastro dr gave me a liquid medication when I was VERY uncomfortable and then prilosec when it was not as bad .

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited September 2013

    SJ...thanks for sharing...that was spot on for me too, i truely believe that scripture!

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  • jnprsn
    jnprsn Member Posts: 151
    edited September 2013

    Completed my second of 8 chemos Tuesday. Had my Neulasta shot today. Feeling sick. Anyone else get nausea and diarhea from this shot?

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  • SaltyJack
    SaltyJack Member Posts: 420
    edited September 2013

    Okay, Lovewins and Sharon (and everybody else!), here's another one:

    God does not waste suffering. He will deliver in His time, in His way and for His name's sake.

    I was pretty upset when I was first diagnosed but very quickly came to believe that I have breast cancer so that my husband will see God's hand and power through it all. Trying to be sure that God is glorified (with all the fantastic support I have from friends, family and church folks) is helping me take one day and one step at a time.

    I'm praying for us all through this journey that none would have chosen - but I'm sure will make us stronger!

    We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, because we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.

    Rom. 5:3-4


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  • mankatostate
    mankatostate Member Posts: 231
    edited September 2013

    FMG- Happy Birthday!

    raynaj- I believe it was you who said you just had your 47th birthday...(I go away for a day and there is so much to catch up on) so a late happy birthday to you. We are about the same age...I will be 47 in December.

    Lighthouse- I was only on steroids 3 days. Two pills on the day before, one pill the day of chemo, and one pill the day after....but that is wayyyyyy long enough for me!

    Lisa-you said something about the survivor theme. Do you watch that show? I discovered that last year and my boys and I have been buying back seasons thru Amazon instant watch...it's been my life savior/distraction  as I try to sit still on steriods and in pain.

    Salty Jack-I loved the devotion. A great reminder that God sees and knows all...so true!

    You ladies are so brave and beautiful with your pictures. I am not sure I am there yet being able to show off my bald head. If I get there I have to figure out a way to get my picture on the computer. Right now I post things on fb and then it gets on the computer from my phone. I sure don't want to do that though! :-)

    The past two nights I have had wonderful sleep again...at least 8-10 hours...I am loving it! I hate the fact that Monday my 2nd cycle starts all over and that means taking steroids again. At least this time I have a sleeping pill. I sure hope it works.

    You all have a great night!

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  • SewStrong
    SewStrong Member Posts: 399
    edited September 2013

    HVV, I have taken Prilosec (omepresole) for many years now, so my MO said I could just continue all of my daily medications. I haven't had any acid reflux at all and I take the neulasta shot after chemo. Walmart of Priloec is just called omepresole and it is way cheaper to buy. That is what I've always used. Maybe it takes some building up in your system before you don't get heartburn at all. As I recall, I did get heartburn if I ate sausage or anything really spicy. I can't eat sausage to this day. I have acid reflux disease and a slilght hyatal (sp) hernia, so I have to take omepresole for the rest of my life.

    SaltyJack, that's so true. He will not let any suffering go. He can turn all things into glory if we allow it. He is an awesome God and I learn more about him daily through this walk.

    jnprsn, The Claratin might work for you. It works for most of us, but I, for one, had to add more pain medication because of bone pain. I even took one percocet once during that time because my pain was so intense. Tylenol helps somewhat, but not enough.

    Lisa, you're on the exact regimen as I am. I get steroids one day before (2 pills) and the same as you get before the infusion, then 2 pills the next day, the same day as the neulasta shot. They are supposed to increase the chemo strength each time. I hope I feel as well on the 11th day and thereafter as I'm feeling right now. I worked to day and was fine. I did come home and sleep for two hours though. What I did while I was around the children was to melt a Zycam tablet (zinc) on my tongue. That is the medicine that helps keep viruses from multiplying in your mouth. I did it twice today. Hope it helped avoid picking up germs from the kids. One boy sneezed w/o covering his mouth and I wiped down his whole table with an anti-bacterial towel. I told him it was so he wouldn't catch germs from his table.

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