September 2013 Chemo Group
Comments
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Oh My Gosh BabyRuth! I was sitting in the KSU parking lot checking email when I got your post! I do catering and do the Cobb County schools admin meetings there once a month for the past 3 years. Maybe we saw each other and didn't even know it. What a small world! I'm serious about coffee or lunch! PM me if you want to get together.
Oh, and I am going to Piedmont West for Rads and also went there for chemo. It is the white building with the blue/green windows right when you get off 75 at Howell Mill. Chemo 7th floor with a great view. Rads are in the basement :-) My surgeons are on campus at Piedmont. Can't say enough good about my BS and PS! I got a great team all the way around and have been blessed that way. I feel terrible when I read about people struggling with their docs. This is hard enough already.
Hope all who had treatment today and everyone else between treatments rest easy tonight! I have to be at hospital at 6 am so I figure I will catch up on sleep during surgery. Multitasking that way :-)
Lynne
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My beautiful wife had herceptin added to her taxol today. The Benadryl conked her out, she slept thru treatment. She is doing well & up & about. Was a long day.
She was originally her2- but was borderline, further testing gave her a +. I'm glad they didn't miss this. 9 more TH then into AC, which sounds like a bear.
On physical exam today, onc said lump felt smaller.
Wishing all you ladies well & minimal side effects.
It's weird, we were supposed to be on our honeymoon last week & this week, it's Rained nonstop all the places on our itinerary.
Here's hoping for better weather next September. -
Art
Glad your wife had a peaceful treatment and got to sleep through it! Also props to her doctors for catching the HER and not having to double back. Awesome the lump is getting smaller.
Bless you for being by her side through this and posting here. I love to see the husbands chime in :-)
You will be on that honeymoon in no time!
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BabyRuth - one day post Taxol I am feeling pretty well. My face, neck and chest are pretty flushed. And I get a little queasy from time to time, but nothing too bad. How is Taxol treating you so far?
Art - great news on the smaller lump. I agree with 4sewwhat that you'll be on your honeymoon in no time!
Wishing everyone the best this week and in those to come! -
All of you complaining about your mouths.... try chewing on ice during your infusion! I didn't the first time and my mouth was HORRIBLE! No sores, but white tongue, nothing tasted good, I felt like I was walking around with a dirty sock in my mouth. For my second treatment last week (AC) I chewed on crushed ice during the chemo drugs and it made a world of difference! My tastes are still a little "off", mostly with drinks, but my mouth isn't nearly as bad this time! I am on day 6 post #2 and can eat pretty much anything. I do have to brush after every time I eat and use Biotene mouth rinse a lot, but it is way better!
I wish I had advice on the drinks.... water is so greasy and oily tasting to me that I can barely stand the few swallows I need to take a pill! I was making do with lemonade and Sprite, but today even those tasted gross. I've tried flavored iced teas, root beer, etc. Nothing tastes good.
A friend of mine came up to me at the softball fields tonight and hugged me, asking how I was doing. I told her I felt good, and she said, "You LOOK good!" That is music to a cancer patient's ears.
I'm a little nervous, because last time the Wednesday after chemo I started with a migraine and ended up in the ER by Friday. So if I wake up tomorrow with a headache I'm going to freak! Hopefully not. I see my med onc tomorrow morning - does everyone else see theirs after each treatment? -
Hello all, decided to visit here. My T/c actually began in August and I just had infusion three. I'm here to report that it doesn't have to be so bad.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Don't beat yourself up if you desperately need rest, this chemo fatigue is like no other. Eat healthy small meals if you can. Take inbuprofen for aches if your doc allows. Take it easy your body is fighting hard. If you have any new or questionable SEs, call the docs office right away. Don't suffer.
I'll be on my way to the next part of my journey soon -- radiation in November. Free and clear before Christmas! Yay! -
Hi Lovely ladies I finally think i have worked out that 12 noon NYC time each day could be good to do our group meditation. Please feel free to drop into the zone when and if you can. It will be a 10 min meditation visualizing how we want to look and feel during Chemo. We will feel each others power and love ans support. It will be AMAZING! Hope to see you all there as often as you can make it. Blessings Kate
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Mamastewart, guys WILL be lining up for you because you are strong, kind, witty, and positive. I remember right before my freshman year in college, I was in a crash and had a face full of stitches. One friend of mine who was very, very vain, told me, "oh my gosh, I am so glad this didn't happen to me. No guy would ever look at me." My reply was, "I guess it's a good screening tool for guys because Any guy who doesn't look at me because of a scar on my face is not worth my time, and I would rather know that sooner rather than later." I meant it.
I just got back from a several hour training at work. I found,out that not only is my head shave party going to be much more crowded than anticipated, but Fridays are now pink shirt Fridays for a couple months (I work with about 60 guys and only 1 other girl). My first chemo is this Friday. I can feel nothing but completely blessed. I hope everyone that has had chemo recently is feeling good...minimal side effects. -
Batcatlady, it's good to see you here and I loved your hat idea. Can you give us a pattern for the simpler hat you made? I'd love to make one.
Though I'm new here and kind of end of the line, hope you all don't mind me hanging out. Hi love wins!
And LHL, I have had Popsicles with every infusion and not one mouth sore ( this time I had a big sugar free Slurpee)! Good for you! -
I had to ask to get rehydrated twice a week after chemo. I didn't want to run the risk of getting dehydrated. I feel pretty good so far. Had my first shot of neulesta see if it keeps my counts higher than neuprogen. Hope all of you are doing great. Good luck.
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The cap I made is based on this (the caul) --
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/headwear/caulmake.html
The band was my head measurement + 1" long (I use a half inch seam allowance) & 4" wide. The top is a big circle, can use a dinner plate to measure for a small one or add a few inches around the plate if you like more fullness (nice for a hat worn in public). Depending on the fabric, the hat will be reversible bec. there are no exposed seams. That makes it nice & comfy. I have to find more scraps to make another one -
We stopped for the good crushed ice from Quick Trip on our way. If you take your own cup it's free, otherwise I think $.25 is all. Melts fast so we got 2-3 and kept in a cooler. Worked great. Lemon drops helped too.
Hope everyone has a great SE free day. -
Hey I'd like to straddle boards like LisaSP and some of my other August board sisters here.
I'm done with 2 of 4 AC treatments, next one is next Friday. I have to take a break after #3 to allow my body to recover and deliver my baby...then it's resume chemo, with 12 weekly rounds of Taxol to follow. I've been super fortunate so far to have no SEs, although I hear pregnancy helps due to the hormones!
JellyK - your three year old sounds so adorably sweet and supportive. I'm just grateful my 2.5 year old son has finally stopped telling me to take off my hats. He's always hated hats and when I started wearing them around the house to get him used to the idea, he'd throw a tantrum. Now that I'm bald, I think he subconsciously knows there isn't hair under there and has stopped pushing the issue even though he hasn't actually seen me bald yet. Best wishes to you and I hope you recover from your cold soon. With kids it's always so hard to keep the buggies out
Wishing everyone SE free days! I agree with the others - hydration is key, at least a gallon a day! -
Hi soccermumof4. I put a letter out to the families and they have been so supportive. Lots of nice comments, flowers, and offers ho do anything for me or my family. Actually takes the pressure of. If I feel like crap they know why.
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Somewhat stretchy I assume, a bit heavyweight, and soft. Options: light fleece, panne velvet or velveteen, cotton knit?
Hi Cougarlicious, hope all is well with the baby! Glad your 2.5 yr old stopped having hat tantrums. I have an idea to introduce him to your new head. If you have a smartphone take a selfie and upload one of those aps where you can put silly faces on it. If not just print a photo of you without hair and both of you color silly mustaches on it. Then get washable markers (clean those cute little hands first) and let me draw on your head (you can draw on his hands).
I'm pretty good this morning day 3 from third T/C though I overslept and had to drive daughter to middle school. Bleh -- hope you all have better mornings and SE days. -
wondering about migraines...I have dealt with them for over 45 years years. I figure there is a great possibility I will get one during chemo treatment, probably from stress. Hopefully I can take my rx, (triptan) I will have to put that on my list for the onco appointmneen on Friday. Looks like my chemo starts next week.
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VannessaJ-Day 3 after my first taxol was the hardest. I was really tired and spent the day relaxing. I had some awful constipation(sorry TMI) but managed to take care of that pretty quickly and have feel pretty good ever since. Tomorrow will be treatment number 2 and then I just have 7 more to go! Yea me!
4sewwhat-I sent you a PM. I would love to get together one afternoon. It really is a small world!
Welcome August board ladies!
My thought for today - A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand!
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Vintagegal - I had a horrible migraine about a week after my first chemo... I ended up in the ER. It was awful! I have always been a headache/migraine person anyway, so I wasn't surprised, but I was not happy! Of all the things to send me to the ER during chemo!?!? Anyway, knock on wood nothing so far this time, but my MO gave me percoset just in case.
Babyruth - a cookie in each hand sounds perfect to me! LOL I do have to say that my sweet tooth hasn't been quite so bad since I started chemo - I am a sugar-a-holic for sure. Maybe because things don't taste quite the same? I don't know. I did have a chocolate cupcake yesterday and it sure was yummy!
Lisa - I have to drive my kids every day because the bus comes way too early (6:30 for 8:15 start time) and no way would my kids get ready for that! I hate morning drop off! Luckily they take the bus home.
My mom is here visiting this week from NY. I know it has been super hard on her, having her daughter go through this AND not be here to help me. But I finally had to tell her yesterday to stop mothering me. LOL She said "Well, I'm your mother!" Ha! I understand she's concerned and doesn't want me to overdo it. I get that. But honestly this week I feel GOOD! Other than being way more tired than usual. Yesterday the weather was dreary and rainy, which made it even worse. So last night she kept looking at me all concerned, and then she said, "Are you going to be ok going to the game?" (My daughter had softball). Good grief. I'm just TIRED - I can go sit in a chair and watch a game. She's been doing all the dishes & laundry since she got here and getting the kids in bed.... I'm not exactly over-exerting myself! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, because I love my mom a lot and I'm glad she's here... but I'm 40 years old... I think I can judge what's too much for me.
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Hello everyone! Can I jump in? I started Chemo in August but the August thread just isn't working for me.
I've finished 2 of my 4 A/C - halway there!!! and boy I am tired. My red blood cells seem to be crashing faster than anything else. I get the Neulast shot (and NO SE thankfully!) so I haven't been sick but I am wondering - is that to raise white blood count or red? Cause my red blood cells aren't doing well. While my iron has dropped a little, it's *justI* under normal (like 11.9) I can't stay awake past 8 PM.
Anyone else?
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wing - the Neulasta is for white blood cells. I'm not really sure what we can do to raise the red blood cells. I'm sure Google can tell us! LOL I'm MUCH more tired than normal... my daughter's softball game last night didn't even START until 8pm.... needless to say it was a struggle to stay awake long enough to leave the house. LOL I do feel a little better now that I'm making myself have a little caffeine here & there. Since coke & tea taste horrible to me (I'm not a coffee drinker), I pretty much dropped caffeine cold turkey after my first chemo, and I think that contributed to my migraine. Now I make myself drink a glass of iced tea or eat a piece of chocolate each day and it helps with my energy a bit. 90% of my liquids are caffeine-free so I don't dehydrate myself.
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Come on in wing48! Welcome to our group! I love that it is growing and since you August ladies are ahead of us in your treatments you can help answer questions as they arise. I have the opposite problem of yours in that I do not sleep a lot. I think your body is just telling you that you need the rest!
lighthouselady-as hard as cancer is on us having to deal with it, I have always said that I think it is just as hard on those who love us. They do not know what to do and they struggle to find the right balance. Your mom is always going to be your "Mommy" and she wants to help you. Let her do what she can to help because it brings her a little bit of peace knowing that she can contribute. My mom is the same way. It drives her crazy that I am continuing to work. She thinks I should be home resting but that is just not me. I need to keep busy all the time. My husband calls me a land shark because I always have to be moving.
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lighthouselady I was reading that caffeine can slow the growth of your red blood cells (CURSE YOUR DR. GOOGLE) so I also went cold turkey on hte caffeine - I was an advid coffee drinker and was afraid of caffeine withdraw headaches on days when I couldn't stomach anything. So I can't say I miss the coffee but I sure do miss my energy.
My mom and dad came down after this treatment to help me catch up on things - I live about 200 miles from my family and I'm a single mom of 3 (even though one is out of the house). I'm not used to being waited on, but I have to tell you, it feels good this week!
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Babyruth - LOL Love the "land shark" thing. I am trying to be really good about letting people help me, but I just don't want to sit around. There may come a time when that's all I CAN do... so right now while I feel good, I'm going to go to the store, or go out to eat, or go to my kids' games, etc. I do listen to my body, though, and take medication when I need to and rest when I'm tired. I'm working, too, but only part-time (and my hubby is my boss, so it's not a problem for me if I can't come in).
I do have to say that I'm sleeping MUCH better this time around. After my first treatment I was an insomniac. Even Ambien wouldn't help me. I've been sleeping all night (maybe waking up 1-2 times) so far all week, so I'll take that.
One of my best friends is an ovarian cancer patient and she is constantly posting "Insomniac Blogging" entries on her blog. Before my d-day (diagnosis day), I didn't get it. Now I do. Cancer = instant insomnia. -
Hello Ladies,
Yet another person who is joining up after feeling a bit uncomfortable in the August 2013 group and am hoping for a place I might fit in a bit better. I'm glad to see many other August 2013 women over here as well. Went in for TC treatment #2 yesterday and as was suggested by lighthouselady, I chewed on ice during the infusion. I didn't do it 100% of the time, maybe 80%. I'm hoping it was enough to help with the icky rotten egg in an old sock taste I got after my last infusion. You live and learn, I suppose. Once I got rolling with the cold caps, I figured what is adding a little more icy onto an already frosty girl? It didn't bother me and I'll do doing it for the next sessions as well.
I wanted to ask others about how they doing with their diets. I'm not a fan of processed foods and it appears that this is so much is what is on the menu during the week after infusion when the counts are down and you are feeling like crap. Last time I ate soups out of a can, bean and cheese burritos from fast food places, toast, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, etc. Stuff I wouldn't normally eat that much of. I felt like I was carb loading like a madwoman. Since I'm a pescatarian, I threw in a well cooked fish meal once and savored it because it was the first non-carby thing I'd had in days. I also went crazy on the Kiefer and Kombucha tea as well as yogurt because I felt like my stomach bacteria had been thoroughly wiped out and it needed replenishment. After taking the Neuopogen shots and feeling mostly back to normal I just decided to go for it. I started eating out more and had a beet and arugula salad with no issues. Stopped earlier this week at InNOut and got a grilled cheese loaded with fresh veggies with no issues. I just had to have something with fresh veggies. I also stopped twice for a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. It seems to be that we need to be most careful about our diets right after infusion and then until our WBC counts return to a normal range where we are out of the safety zone. Then we can try encorporating in things that may have previously been off limits. Is anyone else taking these "food risks" but me? I've been fine so far and it gives me a sense of normalcy to be able to enjoy some of the fresh foods I'd been missing for those first two weeks after treatment.
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gildedcage - I hope the ice helps your mouth! I have had a bit more of the "yuck mouth" the last couple of days, but it has been SO MUCH better than the first time around.
As for food... I pretty much eat whatever I can stand. I have avoided fresh fruits & veggies out, only having them at home where I am sure they are washed well. (I ate out at Olive Garden once and my stomach revolted... I'm blaming it on the salad. LOL) Unlike the drinks, most food tastes good to me still, so aside from the first couple of days after treatment, I'm eating like I normally do, just can't eat as much. The first day or two when I feel the worst I am making do with mashed potatoes, dry cereal, chicken noodle soup, green grapes & watermelon. Yesterday I ate a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner. Today we are having pizza.
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Food risks right here!
I know there are some things I shouldn't be eating but I am anyway. And the week after my treatement I am in "Must Eat ALL Things" mode. It's awful. Right now with my mom and dad in town they are helping me prepare and freeze better choices as far as post infusion dinners go.
I barely remember what I should be avoiding after infusion (fresh fruits without peels?) Yeah, well, this morning was a homemade mango/pineapple smoothie. It was from canned fruit instead of fresh so I'm hoping I haven't done anything to compomise myself.
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It's is so nice to see you wing and gilded cage, it is unfortunate that it was getting uncomfortable there. I'm just pleased to see more of us and get the chance to share in with the nice people here.
I'll catch up when I have the chance. -
Hi Lisa! It wasn't that they weren't nice, but I didn't like sitting through the church service before I could ask my questions or share my experiences. Just the wrong setting. Different strokes and all that.
I'm just focusing on that all my A/C treatments will be done before October is over (if my counts cooperate)!
Oh, and I need update my photo. Most of my hair is gone, but you know what? It doesn't even bother me. Why? I don't know, I'm just glad I can look in the mirror and, I don't know, not let it get to me.
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I'm with you ladies on the August group. Great, supportive bunch, but I find myself skimming all of the posts looking for pertinent info. LOL I am a Christian and pray and occasionally go to church, but I don't come to a breast cancer chemo support group for spiritual support. I want to ask about constipation and headaches.
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EXACTLY!
My starts out of all the SEs I don't know which is worse...the constipation or jittery feelings from the steriods or my out-of-control appetite!
If I had to pick one, I'd say constipation and I have yet to find something that helps in a timely manner whether it is soluble fiber or prunes or pills. I just feel awful for 10 days following treatment.
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