September 2013 Chemo Group

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    mamastewart - Prilosec takes longer to start acting, Zantac is a much faster drug, but I also think your fast may be adding to your heartburn issues - your empty stomach is producing acid with no food to neutralize it, combined with soft tissue irritation from the chemo agents.  You may need to go to a stronger long-acting drug like Protonix.  Have you talked about your heartburn with your oncologist?

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  • kjsimpson
    kjsimpson Member Posts: 445
    edited September 2013

    SpecialK,
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge!  Your posts are amazing.

    Everyone,
    I have started checking in on this thread every day.  You all lift my spirits and help me feel 'normal'.  I'll be keeping you in my prayers.   Thought I would share what lifted my spirits today, from one of my children.  I am richly blessed...

    I should also explain that while I did run out of the chemo room at the beginning of Round 1, I came back about 10 minutes later.  Cool

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  • kjsimpson
    kjsimpson Member Posts: 445
    edited September 2013

    Good luck to you too, tomorrow, Deborah.  I'll be cheering for you!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    kjsimpson - I am glad to help, and hope that I am!  I was in your collective shoes once, a nervous newbie, so I am paying forward the help and support that was extended to me by the lovely people of this board!  I love your note - that is a great kid!  You now know that you don't need to run out, 'cuz you got this!!!

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  • Cougarlicious
    Cougarlicious Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2013

    LHL - sending good thoughts and dust to your friend!

    Knight zoo - welcome and glad to see you are doing well in your tx so far!



    Just sharing another head covering option I found on Etsy. This one is similar to a hair halo (extensions attached with Velcro) except it's attached to a cute head scarf. I had purchased the halo through TLC but it had a tight band that just made me have a headache. This one is not tight (in fact, my only complaint is that I wish the scarf could go a bit tighter on my head, but it still looks cute), the scarf feels nice on the scalp, and I can quickly throw it on vs a wig I have to fuss with. The extensions are long and have a surprisingly decent amount of hair, and since it's Velcro I assume I could transfer it to another hat if I wanted to.



    Anyways it's relatively affordable for what it is ($30) so I wanted to share. :)



    http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATTACHNWRAP?ref=l2-shopheader-name

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  • millsy1
    millsy1 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2013

    Hi knight zoo, I am 43 and have 4 children too. Mine are 16,13,9,6. They are amazing, as us my husband. Hand my first session today. Had an allergic reaction so the diluted it dith saline and then I was fine. Home now and no problems, just feeling a bit tired. They tell me about 3 days before the se kick in.

    My prayers go out to Allyson and her family.

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  • taguekids6
    taguekids6 Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2013

    Knightzoo,

    Haven't been here long myself, but welcome! I found so much strength from these beautiful ladies and know you will too!

    I am 44, been married to my knight in shining armour for 24 yrs, have 6 kids, 4 girls and 2 boys. All the girls were first, 23,21,18,14 and my boys are 12 and 2(Oct 24). My oldest is married and they have my 2 grand babies, who are rocking my avatar! They have another on the way end of Feb.!

    Everyone,

    Hope you all have wonderful days, many prayers coming your way today for everything!

    I am heading back to the surgeon's office today and PRAYING I get these nasty drainage tubes out! I'm pretty sure at least 2 will go. Don't know about #3. I am dying to sleep on my side tonight! Tried, but they were just too uncomfortable. Also tired of trying to find places to hide them that don't look funky and attract stares. Mostly been hooking up around and under the back of my shirts so I look like I have a GIANORMOUS BUTT!

    Kimberly

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2013

    ljsimpson - I love that note!  How sweet.  Smile

    I hope everyone who has had treatment this week is feeling well with minimal side effects.  Anyone headed to "the bar" today - good luck!

    mamastewart - call your doctor and ask about something stronger for the heartburn.  Maybe OTC stuff isn't strong enough, especially since you are fasting.

    Even after my 3+ hour nap yesterday, I went to bed at 10 last night and slept until 7 this morning.  I don't know if they changed my premeds or what, but wow.  I was tired!  LOL  

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  • hockeymommy
    hockeymommy Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2013

    lhl, I was at the chemo bar on thurday too, and boy am I exhausted as well!! Must be the third treatment exhaustion!! Prayers for your friend Allyson, my heart goes out to her and her family.

    To all of you ventureing off to the chemo bar this week, best of luck and cheers to no side effects!!

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  • josgirl
    josgirl Member Posts: 231
    edited September 2013

    Kimberly, Yes to having those drains out!  It is funny to look back but that was the worst of my surgery recovery everything considered.  And having mine out - well it definitely felt like a new release on life!  And I had mine in almost 3 weeks! Yuk-o! 

    Josee

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  • batcatlady19
    batcatlady19 Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2013

    Cougarlicious - thanks for mentioning that scarf/hair combo on Etsy! Great look at a great price. I'm going to get one. I'm finding that I really want more options.



    I've gotten out of the house a little bit this week - some errands, some for fun. Kind of exhausting, but worth it. Feeling stir crazy in the house.

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  • soccermomof4
    soccermomof4 Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2013

    Hi Knightzoo - I am 41 & have 4 kids also (17, 15, 13, & 10)  - Glad you found this site. There are times I had to not get on, due to info. overload. But this is a great place to be able to get some answers from people actually going through it!!

        Baberuth  - Yes, I agree with the otherss, a wealth of info.!! Maybe you should go into this field!!

    Lsimpson - Love your note from your daughter! It is hard sometimes to know hoe your children are feeling about it, I think mine try to be strong for me. But my older daughter (15) hugged me 3 times last night when she got home from her soccer game. They are busy at school, so that keeps them going!

    I am staring to be more tired, (had ac on tues.) and a few things are tasting not so great. But I'm pushing myself to keep moving. Have been taking some naps & couldn't keep my eyes open to watch "Parenthood" last night. I love that show!!  I have a craving for chick fillet chicken sandwich, so my husband said he will stop & get me one today! I haven't been eating alot of animal products, but I guess eat what you can now.

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2013

    I just sent my hubby out to get me chicken noodle soup from Chick Fil A.  Smile  

    Since I slept so much yesterday and last night, I thought maybe I would skip over the nausea that usually happens right away.  Unfortunately it showed up around 10 this morning.  Booo.  Taking meds and trying to keep something in my stomach - hope it doesn't get too bad.

    Another unfortunate thing.... I've heard most people stop having periods during chemo (chemo-pause).  Not me.  I had my first one four days after my first treatment, and #2 showed up unexpectedly today, five days early.  REALLY?!?!?!  As if I don't have enough to deal with?  I was hoping I would at least get a break from that.  Ugh.  I hate that I'm BRCA positive, but I'm glad that it means I will need my ovaries out.  I'm sick of periods.

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited September 2013

    Michelle - Continuing periods AND having them show up early - that's double unfair!! 

    I have some vertigo and motion sickness issues so I deal with some nausea on and off on a regular basis. For those of you who have experienced nausea as a chemo SE (I start 10/9) I'm wondering is it ever the room spinning kind of nausea or just the feel quesy, sick to my stomach, could throw up kind of nausea?

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  • JellyK
    JellyK Member Posts: 150
    edited September 2013

    LHL we must be synced!  I got my period a day or two after my 1st treatment, and it showed up again today.  I'm having a funny reaction though, I'm excited to see it.  I had thought I'd welcome "chemopause" with open arms, but something about watching my body say "eff you cancer & chemo, I'm going to keep functioning like normal" makes me happy these days.  Jut a tiny sign that my body is resilient and strong and can come out of this without permanent damage.  That said, I wholeheartedly am sorry that you have to deal with your period along with everything else.

    I'm finally feeling better from this cold, halaluya!  I still have the cough and I'm still blowing my nose a lot, but I FEEL better, you know?  Less like I just want to curl up in bed, and more like I can mentally and physically handle the idea of getting another treatment on Tuesday :-)

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  • JellyK
    JellyK Member Posts: 150
    edited September 2013

    Pam, I haven't had spinny nausea at all from chemo, just yucky I-can't-eat-anything-but-I-have-to-eat-something-or-I'll-start-dry-heaving kind of nausea, lol.

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  • knightzoo
    knightzoo Member Posts: 171
    edited September 2013

    lighthouse- hopfully your nausea is shorter and easier this time.

    JellyK-glad you are feeling better (cold-wise anyway).  I see how you would feel that about staying "normal".  I'm not even sure if I remember what normal feels like before the radiologist told me on 8/20 that she was "very concerned" about the mass during the biopsy.

    Pam-that is EXACTLY how I feel on day 3.  Like I've drank too much and the room spins and if I close my eyes I'm gonna vomit.  Not the stomach nausea.  I keep relating SE to pregnancy and/or drinking.  I feel like I'm on a slow steady vodka IV drip, or have a hangover, or the spins.  Depending on the day.  Haha.

    I'm home from Taxol #3.  3 of 16 infusions done.  Week 3 of 20 underway.  Seems like a long road.  I asked about removing the steroid, they agreed to reduce 2mg per week (so at 8mg today), and ok'ed me to take 30mg of Restoril tonight.  The breast cancer navigator stopped by and said that weekly taxol often is a more gradual shedding than a one day event.  Maybe I'll stop grabbing my hair in the night wondering if it's there!

    Off to enjoy the benefits of the steroid high!

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited September 2013

    Feeling a bit down. Sorry ladies but I have no one else to vent to. I love my kids and want to make it but at the same time I am still scared. I have been thru 2 infusions. Need 2 more of A/C and 4 more of taxotere. I hate that my kids sometimes cry and feel bad. I have a 6 and a 13 yr old. I am trying to live one day at a time and feel like I go crazy sometimes. I do have to give thAnks that I am still alive and have a chance. I may not post a lot but you are all in my prayers nightly. Sorry, hope you all are doing great. JellyK so happy you are feeling better. Lighthouselady I will be praying for your friend.

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited September 2013

    (((((((afranco)))))))  I am sorry you are feeling down, I was feeling down the last few days too.  It's ok...it takes a lot of energy to be strong all the time.  I felt better after having a few good cries, maybe that would relieve some of the stress.  Just a suggestion.  I hear you in that this is so overwhelming at time and emtionally and physically painful.  I do pray you feel better afranco.

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited September 2013

    Thank you Lovewins. I do cry every so often. I just needed to vent with people who understand what we are going thru.

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  • JellyK
    JellyK Member Posts: 150
    edited September 2013

    ((alfranco)) I've had some down days too, that's for sure.  Most of the time I know this is just going to be a tough year and then it will be in my rear-view mirror, but some days...it's really hard.  So I'm glad you have this venue to vent, because people not going through this freak out when we talk about how hard it is and how scared we are and how we have to face our own mortality every single day.  Vent away, we're here!

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  • taguekids6
    taguekids6 Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2013

    alfranko,

    Sending so many mental hugs ((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))). Praying especially hard for you now.

    Well, got the drains out, but only because he was worried about infection. I got a slight scolding for moving around too much and threat of a VERY EXTRA LONG NEEDLE next Friday if I don't cool it on lifting the arms.

    This totally sucks, was kinda of looking forward to doing some house work and giving my family a much needed break. My one daughter is a Senior this year and she is doing SOOOOOO much more than she should be. I know it's her way of dealing with things, to just emmerse herself in tasks. It breaks my heart though that I can't take some of the load off. Wish we could all go doing something really fun as a family this weekend but the hubby is working and we actually have company coming too.

    You all have a wonderful weekend, will be thinking of each one of you and saying a prayer for everyone too.

    Kimberly

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited September 2013

    Thank you. Whenever I talk with someone not going thru this all they say is where is the strong woman we know, or like JellyK said they freak out. Taguekids6,so happy you got your tubes out, they bugged me a lot too.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited September 2013

    Kimberley - I am glad you got the drains out; they are the worst!  You do probably need to keep taking it easy.  I am sure your daughter is working hard to help, and I am sure you are praising her and letting her know how much you appreciate it.  From having a mom who went through this, I can tell you that being able to help is helping her more than it is helping you!  I think we sometimes need to remind ourselves that allowing others to help helps them as much as us, because it is helpless watching a family member or friend go through it.  Let her know that when this is all done, you will all do something really special as a family.  It doesn't have to be any big trip or anything...it can just be some wild and crazy fun things you do as a family at home to create special memories nad celebrate each person's role in the recovery.

    alfranco ((((HUGS)))) Vent away.  We are all here for each other.  I hope that tomorrow is a better day.

    Michelle- Uuugh about the periods.  I get mine every 3 weeks ... my periods that is.  I also get my chemo every 3 weeks.  So far, I have had no hot flashes or anything, so I assume I will be getting 2 "blessings" here in 2 weeks...chemo and my period.  How lovely will that be to have them coincide each time.  Blaah!  I suppose maybe it's better to get all the crud done at the same time.

    kjsimpson- I love, love, love the note from your daughter!!!  My daughter made me a pink rubber band bracelet the day after I was diagnosed.  I have only taken it off for surgery. 

    Has anyone had blood in their urine?  I tested negative for UTI, but still am having abdominal pain and blood in my urine.  Their response was "call if it gets worse".  I am not too comfortable with that sicne I know Cytoxan can cause bladder damage.  I will be doing my "homework" over the weekend...

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  • Viji
    Viji Member Posts: 195
    edited September 2013

    Hi Everyone,

    Day 5 of TC#1 and coping okay. I really and sincerely feel it is because of all the pointers and advice that I have picked up from all you wonderful ladies out there. Do I still have to look out for se after this period? What can I expect next? Right now a bit of fatigue but had a good sleep. Dry eyes and throat and mouth a bit sore but coping.

    Thank you again! Have a lovely weekend everyone...

    Viji

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  • josgirl
    josgirl Member Posts: 231
    edited September 2013

    Viji, Just my experience....I had very few symptoms related to the chemo (of which I am also doing TC) but I had about 36 hours of bone pain from the Neulasta shot (not sure if you had this) about 5-7 days after infusion day.  Not terrible but definitely noticeable. Otherwise my bad mouth feeling persisted for about a week or a little more.  But I had that from the beginning so if you don't have that I would think you would be unlikely to start having that now.  Hope that helps... 

    Everyone....in regards to the mouth thing.  I was told by the chemo nurse to suck ice during the taxotere but not cytoxan.  I was told by may naturopathic oncologist to ice during cytoxan and not necessary during taxotere.  Any ideas? I will likely eat ice during both next time since it won't hurt but just curious what you all have been told / thought?  Thanks! Hope everyone is going to have a feeling good weekend! And hugs to you Alfranco - this community is the wonderful since it avoids the two common reactions I've gotten - pity party or 'be positive'.   We all understand and support you!

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  • soccermomof4
    soccermomof4 Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2013

    alfranco  - It is ok to have down days, sometimes the tears just seem to keep coming & other days we can look it hard in the eyes & keep strong.  I'm sorry to hear your kids are having a hard time. Mine seem to be strong in front of me, but I know my one daughter has been praying with her good friend about everything. It seems as long as we seem ok, they are ok.  I am wondering how I'll be after a few treatment though as I am already feeling tired. I don't want them to be scared.

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited September 2013

    Soccermomof4: most of the time the kids are ok. There has been times when my 6yr old doesn't want to go to school because he wants to take care of me. I'll still sent him to school, he cried all day and the principal called me saying "she had promised him to call me and make sure I was ok" most of the time I thought he didn't understand, but they understand more than we think and they are also scared.

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  • millsy1
    millsy1 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2013

    Hi everyone, well its day 2 after first session and I'm feeling ok. Not a nice topic but went to the loo this morning and tried not to strain. Stools were a bit firmer than normal but when I wiped had alot of bright red blood. Thought it might have been related to my period because I have that too but I'm sure its not. I think its stopped but I feel a bit uncomfortable. Anyone else had this? Any suggestions? Of course its Saturday morning for me so can't get onto oncology. Hope everyone has a good weekend with minimal fide effects. Jan

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  • batcatlady19
    batcatlady19 Member Posts: 138
    edited September 2013

    Josgirl - I tried ice all thru my 2nd chemo, but it didn't change my mouth issues (no sores, but a burnt feeling / taste on my tounge). Didn't ice the 1st time so I feel like I have accurate QA for me, but some ppl have better luck w/that trick.



    Millsy - may be a hemmoroid, pretty common from constipation or diarrhea, unfortunately. Can use OTC stuff if it's really uncomfortable but also just squirting water over your backside (a la a bidet) to clean each time you go is really helpful. Pat don't rub with paper. That'll help it heal up. If there's a lot of blood all at once or it continues for a few days, then call the dr. Since chemo can reduce our blood's platelets & make clotting harder, any bleeds should be watched to make sure they stop normally. And if you're feeling at all constipated, do take something (OTC stool softener or laxative, fiber supplement, prunes, whichever you prefer) so the problem doesn't get worse.

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