Starting Chemo in December 2013

kimie06

Goldie I am looking forward to hearing your experience with taxol as I start on the 4th, I have heard its easier as well, but tiring as you are getting on in treatments, and it takes longer to infuse, 3 hours for me they said...yikes that calls for a laptop and some movies for sure while hanging at the hospital.  I have some stubble on my head very little but its stubble, so I'm not sure if its full regrowth or just a tease.  Still have my eyebrows and lashes, they have thinned, but I hope to keep them.

charusa

I go for round 3 (of 8) of AC today, a little apprehensive because of what happened last time but it will be 1 more under my belt. Hate having to go back in 24 hours (tomorrow) for the shot just rather curl up and hibernate until I feel more like myself without having to go anywhere.

Hope everyone is rebounding quickly from treatments. I noticed my stubble is getting longer and darker also. Maybe after today's treatment it will go away. I never shaved it completely it was just a little peach fuzz and now it is prickly stubble. Eyebrows thinning but can't tell about my eyelashes as much since I wear glasses and they were both thinning with age anyways.

Good luck to everyone who is also having treatment today!!! Hope to see you all here later!!!

keepthefaith

good luck today and tomorrow with your TX's, ladies!

I am feeling somewhat better today, thank goodness! I had more gastro-intestinal issues this time and it threw me for a loop! Feeling a bit achy and fatigued, but I think I am on my way to getting ready for my last round.

Stay warm and safe in this crazy weather~

 

 

count_it_all_joy

Prayers going up for all you ladies having next treatment today, or earlier this week.  Sounds like a number of you have changes in your cocktail coming up… hope you quickly figure out what works to keep the SE's at bay.  Anyway, it's a good thing to be progressing, getting closer each day to that time when life isn't measured by treatment cycles and blood results and nadir periods…  that time is out there waiting, and it has your name on it.   Hugs, Mary

RHGSR

sitting here getting infusion. #2. Just had red devil and cytoxin now infusing. Excited cause now I'm half way through with AC. 

Goldie- good luck on taxol. Let me know how it goes. I'm not sure yet if I'm getting taxol or Taxotere after the. 4 ACs...

Prayers and wishes for low SEs for everyone today. 

chicopeach57

Went back and read a lot of posts since I am new on here and was glad to see I'm not the only one that is tired of pink!  I told my daughters that I didn't want a bunch of pink shit around the house.  Then I get a Christmas present from the ex's wife - a bunch of pink shit!  I can't complain because she was being thoughtful and I would look ugly.

And what is with people wanting to shave their heads for me, to help me go through this.  That isn't going to freaking help a thing.  Why would I want my friends to have bald heads in the dead of winter???

A routine mammo found mine, I don't have dense breasts, they are more fatty, but kinda large.  Even when I knew where the lump was I couldn't feel it, my BF couldn't either.  I thought I was only a year past due, come to find out it was two.  I should have kept up with them, now I'm paying the price at 56.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Crazywabbit

good luck to those with treatments today and earlier this week, and congrats on the last AC dose for a few.  Had my CBC today and was so afraid my WBC would drop lower again but it was up to a whopping 1.5 today. last time is was only 1.0 and i was sure it was going to cont to drop this time, I was dreading having to take prophylactic antibiotics and all the SE from those.   My RBC is slowly dropping and I am now officially anemic but just barely below normal. I did find myself a bit shorter of breath when I walked up the 2 flights of steps to the infusion center ( my weekly stress test)/ spent an hour visiting with a friend who was in for her second round of chemo for  lymphoma. she not only gets the AC but 2 other drugs as well.  Really wallops her but she gets a 3 week cycle and only gets 6 treatments total. We are going together to the LGFB program on Monday ( if it does not get rescheduled a third time) if she is feeling up to it.

Barbara

DJJ

Ladies,

Those of you that are having irritated and watery eyes, this morning when I got up my eyes were watering more then usual and the haze wouldn't clear.  I went to my Opthamalogist today and my 20/20 vison went to 20/40 and 20/50.  My corneas are scratched from excessive dryness.  This will reverse.  It seems my eyes were so watery because they were so dry.  Both the nurse practitioner and the infusion nurse told me this was a side effect I would just have to deal with.  That is not correct! I'm glad I didn't listen. 

My Opthamalogist plugged both my drainage ducts with tiny plugs.  Who new they could do that.  That way the tears I do have won't drain away.  It took less then a minute to have them put in and I didn't feel a thing.  They will take them out after chemo.  Then she gave me a prescription atibiotic drop (Lotemax) for the scratches.  Said they would take about a week to heal and I can get my 20/20 vision back.  I go back in 2 weeks for an evaluation and to see if the plugs are enough.  If not she will prescribe Restasis through the duration of chemo. 

I just wanted to put that out there in case anyone else was told it was just a SE that we had to deal with, when we don't!

Deb

RHGSR

DJJ

yes!! My eyes are killing me they are so dry and itchy. I'm hoping it is just cedar allergy but I will keep that in mind DJJ. Thank you for sharing the info. 

kjfromca

DJJ - Thanks for the eye info.  

Hoping for little SEs for you ladies dealing with your TX's this week.

Round 4 has hit me with more nausea, more C, and less energy (Lower RBC) .  I am not having to take anti nausea meds like I do those first days after TX, but it is hanging on.  

Goldie & Kimmie - My MO recommended starting out douse dense and going weekly if it becomes too much for me.  Her only negative re the weekly is that your counts could get really low at the end of your treatments and with the douse dense, there is that recovery week.  I am as scared as I was starting AC, I hate the unknown.  The infusion center told me that douse dense takes about 3 hours... I feel sick thinking about it.  Hopefully, my stomach will feel better with these rounds.

Chicopeach - How far are you with your TXs?  AC then Taxol?

Count it all joy - If I remember you have had a few set backs, I hope that you are feeling better.  When is your next TX?

Kim

oranje_mama

Deb, thanks for posting this!  I've also had vision deterioration (distance) with chemo.

I had this same problem when I was pregnant.  Pregnancy made my eyes so dry that I could not wear contacts and I was so uncomfortable.  I went several times to the opthmalogist but never got a good diagnosis, just told to use Systane drops to keep my eyes hydrated as much as possible.  A few months after having the baby, my vision went back to normal and I was able to wear contacts again.  I'll keep your experience in mind in case my vision/dryness worsens.

I read on another board a woman who said that chemo feels like a bad pregnancy.  I have to agree!  I've recently pulled some items out of the medicine closet (the Systane drops, Prep H suppositories, Sitzbath . . . .) that I haven't touch since my youngest was born 6 years ago!

Sarah

RHGSR

ugh - I get so overwhelmed when I read about diet and food with hormones etc. causing cancer. We need to make some changes in our family. But I wish there was something that made it easier to understand how to start the transition. 

Jodi - watching Nemo right now --- "just keep swimming!!"

Goldie8469

taxol was much much easier. I did very well and has not allergy reaction. My doctor though I may but I didn't so I can reduce the amount of steroids. I will have a neulasta shot tomorrow. He said I will sve some se in 3-5 days achy joints and Advil should be enough. He thinks my new growth hair will stay because I always has a little fluff that never fell out. I must day taxol was like night and day compared to the red devil.  They gave me lots of Benadryl and steroid in my Iv so I am sleepy yet restless. No nausea, head ache, painic or pain, I will update if I have new side effects. I am shocked at the difference, I like the new energy I have from the meds. I don't feel like a blob. He said I may feel tried in a few days but it should pass quickly. I haven't taken any side effects meds since I got home,  Praise God, I see light at the end of this...

beths1

Thanks JD4C   You hit the nail on the head.  I am finding the SE from AC #3 to be the worst yet...sick feeling in gut and headachy and wish I could sleep.  

Hope everyone who is doing # 4 now will be feeling OK soon... Should we expect  SE from #4 to be worse than # 3? .

It is freezing here in RI so I can't get outside for a walk or anything.........getting a little stir crazy

Pinterest is about all I have the attention span for these days which is a bummer....so many good books to read but can't focus on anything.

Anyone else noticing vision problems?

Just another day in the life of BC

beths1

Me too Goldie,

Please let us know how it all goes.  

beths1

jackieak

vision issues are awful, my new glasses no longer help me see anything...it clears after about a week but my vision is very bad, and dry, and I feel like I'm always putting drops in.

Round 4 AC done, I'm home eating cream of wheat and Popsicles.  Hope I drank enough water today, took my fiber capsule  and senna tea so the big C better not hit me.  Just have the usually fog head feeling now and I'm tired, the Ativan still in me.  Took claritan today and will for two more days after shot tomorrow, I didn't have any aches last time when I took it.  

Praying for no nausea, no fog head, no headache, no bathroom issues and no thrush...and no pukey feelings!  I know I know,,,,,asking for too much, but a gal has to ask!  My best to all of you brave ladies!  

Mikesgirl17

Goldie, glad to hear Taxol went well.  I am less nervous about it now.  R.I. I wouldn't expect any worse se from #4.  Each infusion got easier for me, but I found that each Neulasta shot caused more problems.  This time I felt like I had the flu for 3 days and am finding my energy has deteriorated.  I also have dry eyes and use Sustain drops that have made things much better.  I went for my weekly blood work yesterday and all my counts were great.  My RBC count was 10.  It has been 11.7-12.  She said that is why I'm feeling tired.  Any one else feeling hotter than you are?  My daughter keeps asking why it's cold.  We usually keep the temp. at 70.  To me 67 feels like 70.  Oh, and my husband keeps putting wood in the woodstove when it's already way to hot.  Every time he looks at the thermostat and says that it's not that hot I want to throttle him.  I have to explain, it's not about the actual temp. of the room.  I am doing chemo and I am running hotter than everyone else.  I hope you all have a great day.

Leealice

I have alot of blurry vision problems the week of chemo. Not sure if its from the meds or chemo. Eyes very dry and my eyelids are red and dry. In fact my whole face is very dry. I'm constantly putting lotion, cream or vitamin E oil on face.

I'm taking allegra week of my nuelasta shot. I get 3 days of flu like fatigue and aches. I wonder if claritan is better. That seems to be what most are taking.

jackieak

Goldie, what were your pre meds for Taxol?  I have to take 24 mg of zofran and an Ativan before I get there for AC then steroid and Emla are in IV.  And the neulasta day after and two days of steroid.  My MO said no neulasta on Taxol, but I'm wondering about the other meds, if I can get out of zofran I would love that, it gives me the worst headaches, and the taste makes me gag.  MO hasn't given me too much info yet on Taxol, she will I assume on my next appt., she did say it will be easier, but also the more rounds we go the more fatigue there will be.  She wasn't sure about hair loss, I see many are having it grow back under taxol..also told me about possible nail issues and neuropathy.  I have more questions for her as well.  

Day two, headed to work with my red poofy energized face!  I take advantage of day after, for I typically feel ok.  Happy Friday ladies.

Jodi040812

Jackie-

Pre meds for taxol are Benedyrl, a heartburn med and a steroid.  I am watching now for #6 and they are tapering off the steroid each time.  The first taxol you get will have the most pre med in case of allergic reaction.  I feel asleep during the first one.  I haven't fallen asleep at all with any of the others.  You are going to do great on taxol:). 

My right hand is a tiny bit swollen where the thumb and index finger are.  And when I push up my sleeve the skin is so tight.  Is this that swelling lymph thing or should I just take it easy on that arm?  Not sure what would help besides increases my water intake.  And I was not good about that this week. 

RHGSR

That may be a dumb question but if you've had lymph nodes removed can you sleep on that side? I'm a side sleeper and I can't sleep on my left side cause it bothers my port. But my right side is where lymph nodes were taken. 

Dumb question #2 - since I found my lump when I was breast feeding and just thought it was a clogged duct and continued breast feeding for two more months (until my diagnosis)  ... Would that have hurt my baby any?

kjfromca

Jackieak - I had my MO change the Zofran from that horrible melt in your mouth tablet to the pill form.  Much better, but I want to throw up every time I think about having to take those pills.

Round 4 is hardest on my stomach and energy level so far.  I agree with you ladies who feel like it's a bad pregnancy.  I wish that I would wake up and feel energized, just not happening yet.

Goldie - I am glad that your taxol TX has been easier so far.  Did you ice your hands and feet during chemo?  I am still trying to decide if I will do this.  I do need to make a decision, as my TX is next Thurs.

Kim

keepthefaith

rhgsr, not dumb questions! I don't have LE, but I think you should avoid sleeping on that side, carrying heavy things, over-exerting, etc. As far as hurting the baby, I don't know how it could, but may be good questions for your MO. Let us know what you find out.

jackieak

rhgsr, no doc ever said not ok to sleep on the arm I had all the aux nodes removed on R and sentinel node only on L.  I sleep on my side with a pillow only because of the implants that are rocks right now, so I do have that cushion.

My therapist is pretty strong on rubbing that area for the cording, I'm pretty sore there today.  I did forget no blood pressure on right the other day at MO, but also thought why doesn't her MA know that's a no no?  I don't have any signs of LE but I am being as cautious as possible, I find wearing the arm sleeve comforting at times as well.

I'd ask the Dr about the breast feeding, I wouldn't think it would harm the baby.

jackieak

thanks for the info Jodi, you should watch the swelling on the arm, it could be a sign, also massage the arm to move the fluid around, and if you have a compression sleeve, wear it a few days and see if it helps.  Do you have any auxiliary webbing or cording? Mine looks like ropes under arm and goes all the way to my wrist area, it's getting better but very tight yet.

charusa

Had round #3 of AC yesterday and feeling pretty good. I did not get the headache this time b/c they dripped the pre-med I get for nausasia instead of pushing it and towards the end I got a little groggy but felt great when I got home and very hungry. Best news or I should say clarifying news was when my doctor came in I asked her some questions and found out that I misunderstood my tx...I am NOT getting 8 rounds of AC only the standard 4 then on to Taxol which will be given on the same schedule of every 3 weeks...so I had the number of weeks right at 24 but nothing else!!! It was just a bunch of whirlwind visits when I was first dx everything I guess got jumbled. I go for the nuestra shot this afternoon and then plan to just hibernate and watch movies all weekend. Got my staples all ready of everything I have craved and tolerated thus far which seems to be the same for alot of us....comfort carbs...mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, creamy soups and chicken pot pies. For me after that phase is over I go carnivore...I crave meat especially red meat, steaks, burgers, roast beef sandwitches....then my last week I settle down and try to eat healthier with lots of salad and veges. My son brought me over a bunch of those juices called Naked....had one yesterday and that one was very good....not looking forward to the green one though...lol

Hope everyone is fairing well today and for those of you up north and mid west I hope you are staying warm and safe. I live in Florida and we dipped into the 30' and 40's which is really cold for us but I am from New Jersey so I know what cold is. I actually like the 30 and 40's. The best part I guess is not having to deal with the snow.

Now that I have only 1 round left of the AC I have to prep myself for the Taxol. I know every one is differant and we all have different allergic reactions but the one thing my nurse told me was the time frame is going to be a lot longer, like 5 hours so I need to bring a lunch. My sister comes with me and a few chairs have tv's not many though. I hate dragging my laptop out and don't have a tablet. I can't really concentrate on books right now so what does everyone do to occupy themselves? I am only there for 3 hours with the AC. 

Leealice

I also crave red meat on second week. I think it's the low red blood cells.

My infusion takes about 4 hours. I bring a friend and magazines and mess around on my phone

Amazonwarrior

Hi ladies,

It's my day #4 after my 3rd chemo. My biggest SE this time round is an overall DRYNESS plus a bit of nausea (prescription meds: Emend, Decadron, Zyprexa + Ginger Gravol) as well as Neulasta joint/ bone pain (Aleve 1x1 + Claritin 1x1). The dryness starts with my nasal passages, then it is effecting my voice that is currently horse and then it continues with the lining of my digestive track giving me the big C. For my mouth I'm using Biotin toothpaste and a baking soda / salt rinse. For the C part I am increasing fibre in my diet like dry prunes, goji berries and high fibre cereal. As far as my dry and bloody nasal passages I use NeilMed Nasogel spray. I experience dryness also on my skin especially my finger tips that are cracking and my face that constantly needs to be moisturized. For both my face and hands I use a Canadian product called Boreal Body Lotion by Green Beaver which contains Labrador tea and shea butter. For the cracked finger tips I use Polysporine for kids. I am also putting shea & cocoa butter on my scalp. And did I mention that I am drinking a lot of fluids?

Any other ideas for dryness?

Leealice

My face is so dry that I'm putting vitamin E oil (from Walgreens) and aquaphor on it

Jodi040812

Jackie- I emailed the nurse, and she is making me an appointment with PT.  Skin tightness is a sign!  A super early sign, so I'll probably need a sleeve.  

Rhgsr- I sleep on my side, but it kills my shoulder now.  I am numb under my arm, so I think I get in a crazy position and don't realize it.  I have one of those pillow chairs with side arms.  I got it at Target;). I slept on that after mastectomy abd it was great!  Now with the swelling I think I am pulling it out!  But!! I am stranded in Beaumont tonight.  Had round 6 taxol, and my sister said stop because the bridge going into Baton Rouge was closed due to the ice.  Did you get any snow!?

Chemo went slow today.  The pre meds are gravity based and my veins did nit behave!  What usually takes 30 minutes took over an hour:(   And, the nurse said I would need a central line or port for the FAC in 6 weeks.  I said I wish someone would have said something because I could have had the port all along!  AC ladies are you using a port or central line.  Does the central line stay in or do you get it every 3 weeks?  I know I am backwards with taxol first, but could anyone tell me what the drill is for 3 in 1 or whatever you have been on even if different;). Much love ladies!!