September 2013 Chemo Group

mankatostate

Kjsimpson-thanks for sharing that you have brought your son with to chemo. This Tues. I have my next treatment and my husband can't be there. I decided to bring my 16 yr old with and have been wondering if that is a good idea or not. He is almost 17 so he's not young and wants to be a doctor some day so I thought it might be a good experience for him.

Shalimar- I forgot we are almost on same schedule. I am usually on Monday but this week my onco doc is gone so I have #3 on Tuesday too. I will be thinking of you....


I asked this someplace else but I thought I would ask here...specialk you have a lot of answers...I have a rash or some itchy red and bumps on the back of my head and neck. I am wondering if might be allergic reaction. Any suggestions on what to do? Plan to call doctor on Monday but don't feel like it's something to call the ER about. Also sorry about the run on paragraph I am typing on my cell phone and it is giving me a crazy format problem.

AUTteacher

Hi everyone,

I just had my first chemo treatment yesterday. It wasn't horrible, although they wouldn't let anyone come into the room with me, and it took them almost an hour to get a vein set up. After all that, kind of anti-climatic. It has been great to read your posts- I feel in great company, and vastly better prepared. Thank you.

kjsimpson

AUTteacher,
Why won't they let anyone in the room with you?  That seems really tough.  Glad it went ok otherwise.

Mankatostate,
Let me know how it goes with your son.  My son is only two years older.  Just graduated from high school.  Going to college locally.

70charger

So my lightbulb went on at about 1am.  Did you all see the bright flash?  My yeast infection that has been getting itchier & itchier was NOT from the yeast infection.  I was having an allergic reaction the the external cream I was using.  Go F'n figure.  What a mess I am now!  Stopped using the vagasil external cream, now using Solorcaine Stop Itch. Oh what a relief it is!

Have bloodwork Tues. & Chemo bar Wed.  I'm already panicking. All my hair has decided today is the day to come out.  None of this one region before the other.  We are all truly different with this stuff.  Big hugs to all.

diane49

Hi ladies

Had a lovely night with some co, workers last night...potluck..was very nice to get caught up with what is going on at work.

We are a small group..10 women in a workforce of 120...and try to get together a couple of times a year. One of the ladies is also battling breast cancer.., her second go around and her prognosis is not good.

I really hate this disease and how it destroys people's lives...even if you do survive you are always waiting for more bad news

I wish Cancer would get cancer and die

Viji

Diane49,

I totally agree with you-I feel like i am always waiting for bad news as well, since March last year. I hate this disease!!!! Go die BC!!!

Venting...

Viji

Shalimar630

SpecialK and LHL, Thanks for the Biotene info. I will look into it.

SpecialK and Kjsimpson, also thanks for the throat information as well. I was concerned. Kj, I heard our weather is supposed to be worse tomorrow. Guess we'll see.

Mankatostate: I'll be thinking of you on Tues...

kjsimpson

Shalimar,
We lost power for a couple of hours this evening.  When it came back on, I heard tomorrow's weather report.  Yup, gustier and more rain.  Welcome to Fall in the NW.  Payback for the beautiful Spring and Summer.

Day 2 of Round 2, feeling much better than I did with Round 1... wondering if it will hold or if the mac truck will hit me in the morning since I got the neulasta shot today.  Think I'll take that claritin tonight just to be sure.

Night All!

Jane2793

Thanks, lighthouse lady- I am trying to gauge my weeks. If there is or can be any pattern to this. I am a teacher and was hoping to try to it back at school. Maybe a few days in between treatments. The school is telling me to take whatever I need ,but Iknow I will run out of sick days. I still have an another surgery to go after this and then radiation.

Do most of you feel okay for about a week at least between infusions.

LiLi1964

I read on this thread several women discussing fasting prior to chemo and came across this info while research a different topic - thought it might be of interest to those either fasting or thinking of fasting.  I don't recall what chemo regimen the women thinking of fasting was....so this might not apply to all.  It comes from web site:  http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/what-should-breast-cancer-patients-eat-during-adriamycin-(doxorubicin)-chemotherapy%3F

Weight loss and weight gain during chemotherapy 

Recent studies suggest that fasting around chemotherapy treatments could protect normal cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy while sensitizing cancer cells to the treatment. However, a study in which rats were deprived of protein during anthracycline chemotherapy found that protein malnutrition reduced the elimination of both Adriamycin and epirubicin, prolonging the exposure of the heart to the drugs and increasing the anthracycline-associated heart damage. More studies and human trials are required before it can be determined whether fasting during chemotherapy is safe and effective.

On the other hand, weight gain, which is common during chemotherapy, is known to be associated with less favorable prognosis and should be avoided.

I hope this provides a little more info - it sounds like, in rats anyway, that there is an increased danger to the heart if fasting.

soccermomof4

Shalimar - Sorry to hear you had a rough time, I know it is hard but you can do it. It has helped me a little to be very involved with my kids lives soccer games & last night they went to homecoming! I try to keep in my head that this isn' permanent & keep my eye on I crossing them off as you go. Can you make some little rewards for yourself through the journey? Something to keep you mood up, even if it is an old favorite movie or snack, whatever helps you to feel special!! If you even need to talk you can pm me!! You are strong, you can do this!!

AUTteacher

kjsimpson, my doctor's office had notes posted all over the waiting room that family members were not allowed in the infusion room due to confidentiality concerns for patients. Of course, there was a mom hanging out while her teenaged son was getting treatment, and I'm sure no one would ever object to that. The third person in the room was another teacher I know from one of my schools. To be honest, I think I'm a little Aspergery sometimes in that it was easier for me to be there by myself rather than to have my stepmother and husband join me. She gets teary over everything, which I find to be contagious. My husband is pretty wonderful, but then I feel some pressure to make sure he isn't completely bored or worried about me, instead of just taking the time to vacation in my book.



It's morning 2 after my first TCH treatment. A little diarrhea yesterday, but nothing else that might not just be my imagination.



Jane2793, I think we are similar in the start date of treatment, as well as in teaching. There are some others who have taught through this whole process, and I'm trying to follow their footsteps if at all possible. I'm not just trying to be tough, but it seems good for me to keep busy and as normal as possible. I, too will face another surgery after chemo is done, and I want to save my days for then. My husband is worried that it won't be good for me to be around students who could make me sick, but high schoolers don't tend to run around with snotty noses like younger students. Maybe the hardest part for me is not being able to plan anything with definition. I hate not being dependable.

lighthouselady

Jane - I'm doing dose dense AC, which is every two weeks.  I can't remember if that's what you're on.  I feel pretty good the whole second week leading up to my treatment, but keep in mind that everyone is different.

So... looks like chemo #3 is kicking my butt.  The nausea is still hanging around on day 4, nothing tastes good and all I want to do is sleep.  Sigh.  I feel bad complaining because I'm not SICK, but just feeling so yucky is wearing me out.

kjsimpson

Jane,
I have chemo every three weeks (herceptin, carboplatin, and taxotere).  The first week is roughest.  But, I was able to work well the second two weeks.  Weak in the beginning of week 2, but doable for me (I have a desk job).  Very normal week 3.  In fact, so normal that food and diet pepsi even taste pretty normal.  I substitute taught for a couple of years.  I doubt I could have managed to teach ele/sec in week 1.  Could be ok with secondary in week 2, but not likely elementary. Could do either in week 3.

Hope that helps some. What do you teach?

kjsimpson

Well, it is the day after Round 2's neulasta shot.  Thought I would wake up feeling like I was hit by a mack truck again. But, alas, it was only a small car!  Victory!!  I took claritin from two days prior to chemo this time.  Liking the results.

Feel lousy, but a lot less lousy than I did during Round 1. 

alfranco

Lighthouselady,sorry you don't feel too good. Will be praying you feel better.

Will be praying for all of you. Hope all your side effects go away or are minimal.

Round 3 for me tomorrow.

kjsimpson

Michelle,
What is 'dose dense A/C"??

LiLi1964

kjsimpson - dose dense A/C is Adriamycin & Cytoxan given every 2 weeks.  At least that's my understanding....

lighthouselady

"Dose dense" is AC (adriamycin & cytoxan) given every 2 weeks instead of every 3 weeks.

hockeymommy

lhl, i feel the same way! round three is kicking my butt!! hopefully we start to feel "normal " soon.......

Shalimar630

Soccermom: Thanks for your encouraging words. I am trying to keep busy. It helps that my daughter and two grandkids are staying with us currently. I am fortunate enough to be able to work at home. I think when everyone is gone and I'm alone is when its hard. Don't know about others, but I've been trying to watch more comedy shows.

LisaSp

Lots of catchup all. I am feeling MUCH better after last week of stomach cramps and diarrhea. I took a course of Zithromax and that did the trick. Of course it's my third week post tx and I feel good overall. Even the bad mouth taste is gone.



Final T/C on Oct. 7!!! I cannot believe it. Of course, radiation is next then tamoxifen.



Cougar, I want to join batcatlady in thanking you for that scarf option; fantastic and the cost is reasonable. Wigs are hot and scarves alone in public just make me feel so 'cancer patient.'



Hope you're doing ok, batcatlady. And everyone feeling down. One thing that has been particularly hard for me is to see my husband struggling with too much to do and not feeling well enough to help. Or if my child needs me when I can't get out of bed. I never expected these feelings of helplessness to be so disturbing.



Oh, there is the possibility that anyone experiencing a sore throat is having heartburn, not an infection. I took some Prilosec before when that happened and it cleared right up!

batcatlady19

After all the blues, I finally had a GREAT day yesterday -- I went to a historical reenactment event with friends! Wow! It was so much fun! I'm an officer in this org & had to run an arts competition (which everyone had been saying I could cancel or get someone else to run since they all know I'm going thru chemo), but I really needed to do *something* normal for once. People did fuss over me, they didn't let me lift a finger as far as setup/teardown for the event (& usually I'm hauling furniture & pounding tent stakes w/the guys), & they made sure I had plenty of water & stayed in the shade. I even had a cot to lay down on when I got tired. But it was just so fantastic to be out of the house & with people & in the fresh air. The weather was beautiful, sunny, breezy, blue skies.

That was the longest I've worn a wig w/out hair too, 10 hours, & it felt fine. Not as hot/itchy as when I've worn wigs when I had hair, & prob. due to the weather being relatively mild (also, I didn't do much walking around the site). That said, I'm going to make/bring some historical hat options for next weekend when I'm going to another 2-day reenactment event so I don't need the wig.

I was dead tired when I got home & I slept about 12 hours & am a little more draggy this morning. But SO worth it! I really needed that event, totally recharged my batteries.

LisaSp

Fantastic, batcatlady! Glad to hear you got to do something you love.



I'll be getting my chance finally when I go to NYC over the weekend of Oct.19. We get to see our friend in an off-Broadway play she wrote and performs too! Big thrills.



Getting out of the house is so important for my morale. I've been stuck here for 10 days: I am thrilled to just go to lunch with friends ext week!

krizo1

I haven't been on for a couple of days...

Thursday was day 14 for me and my hair still seemed to be holding on....that was until I got in the shower. Handfuls as I washed and rinsed...then it became how much can I tug out...I didn't want to believe it was time but it was.  I cried in the shower and then got out. I sent my husband a text and he came home early from work. We ran a few errands and agreed that we would buzz my hair off with his clippers at home.  My 13 year old son had said he would help and my 7 year old daughter has been the worrisome one.  Once they were home I explained to my daughter that Mommy's hair was starting to fall out and it was time to shave it off. I asked if she would like to help and she emphatically jumped up and said "YES!".  It brought tears to my eyes.  We setup a kid sized chair and Wes (my husband) started to buzz my hair off...I asked my son if he wanted a turn and he said no that he was there for support....then my daughter said "I want a turn" so she went in different directions around my head...then Wes took it back over and finished the job. The kids were encouraging me to the bathroom to see it. I took a picture with each of them. I felt actually liberated from that angst and my head was CHILLY!  I have been wearing tight head caps to sleep in and finding my way with turbans....doesn't look too bad.

Friday was Round #2 with the AC and it went just fine.  I took Zofran as I walked out the door and within an hour I was starting to feel the waves of nausea so I took the comprazine and that seem to put it away for the rest of the day. Saturday I was up at 1am to make sure I was sticking to the timing of the anti nauseas and Sat wasn't too bad. Actually had good energy....Today I am in a slump. Weak and tired so I am taking it easy....

kjsimpson

Krizo,

Great job with the haircut.  Good to have the kids involved.  It sure empowers them.

Today I'm in a bit of a slump too... really want to paint a wall in the house, but am exhausted just doing the prep.  Good thing the Seahawks are making the game exciting so that I look like I'm just pausing to watch.  ;-)

Frustrating to lack energy.  Just trying to keep a good attitude that all the energy will come back in a few months.

VintageGal1111

I have only had one infusion so far but have been in the room twice for blood draw & the neulasta shot. It is a happening place! Busy but not noisy, most everyone had some one with them. One day at lunch I saw trays being brought up from room service with lunch & one man brought in fast food.

Each cubicle has walls plus a curtain, pretty much like pre op/day surgery units. Everyone has a TV, head phone, wifi & other options like REIKI, foot massage, pet therapy. It is quite a nice set up. It is the seacoast Cancer Ceneter in Dover NH.

knightzoo

Glad to see a bunch of us are making the best of things and getting out when we can! Keep on keeping on, right?

SpecialK, question on the glutamine...how did you take the 30g per day? I went to GNC and the most I could find were 1500mg pills or 5000mg per tablespoon of powder.  Thanks!

VintageGal1111

We all need to do *normal* stuff plus reward ourselves and take time to have FUN! bTake advantage of the feel well days!

I got hubby to haul a load of furniture & stuff to the shop this morning (I buy/sell other people's old stuff) & I did a complete redo of my space. That felt good!

Then after we got home we went for a nice FALL motorcycle ride, warm sun, a chill to the air, gorgeous foliage, happy happy!

Cougarlicious

Batcatlady and LisaSP - if you end up getting the scarf with extensions, here's a tip - I unvelcroed the extensions and put it on a cotton headband. It stuck securely with no need for the other half of Velcro. Then I wore the headband and slipped on a different hat for a new look! I do have to say that I think the straight length of hair makes it a little wiggy, so I may take the extensions to a hairdresser and have them layer it for me to look more natural.



Had third AC on Friday and this time around I had some heartburn, something I didn't get previously. They doubled up the steroids on me too, as they gave me some new steroid to build up my baby's lungs as we prepare for induction. So now I have a five week break from chemo...it's a little scary thinking what might pop up in the downtime but I get to resume it right after delivery so I hope they kill whatever cells come up at that time!



Hope everyone has a SE-free week and enjoys the lovely weather!