Starting Chemo October 2014

Becca9800

Alright Girls, I still got this! Yes, it's a BITCH but I will do this. I threaten to not complete #5 and #6 but I know I will. I must be nuts though, who in their right mind would willingly put themselves through such misery? I do because it's a matter of choice and I choose to not deal with a recurrence of this cancer. I only need to go through this misery once in my lifetime. I know #5 and #6 are no guarantee but it is the recommended plan for me and I have to believe someone.

Today is Day 13 from Tx #4, I feel back to baseline. My coffee is going down easy though the taste is still altered. My head is clear and the 'depression' has lifted. My body is weak but it doesn't hurt. I have no nausea. I have 12 days until the SEs of #5 kick in and much to do to catch up for the downtime these past couple of weeks. That's how I'm going to approach the remainder of my chemo days, one at a time.

Wishing you all only the best as you enter your final days in hell. We're gonna do this, whatever you choose 'this' to be! Stay strong and keep your eye on the prize.

ml143333

Way to go Becca!  You can do this!

ladyduffer

Thanks for your inspiration Becca.

She-Angel

Just checking in to catch up on the posts and see how everyone fared through the holidays. I am anxious to get started with treatment on Friday so I can get through this cycle, reading about some of the SE's folks have had make me a bit apprehensive, but  I will remain positive that this too shall pass.

Looking forward to a New Year and a new me at some point during this new year.

Congratulations to all those who have completed their treatments, gives me hope.

nottoday

Update from the land of steroids:

As I mentioned earlier, I decided to taper off the steroids after my last (last!) infusion on Dec. 23 and through the Neulasta shot on Friday, Dec. 26. Normally, I would have stopped the steroids entirely on the night of the 24th, but I continued to take a quarter dose Thursday-Saturday and then 1/8 dose on Sunday. I wanted to see if it would ease the Neulasta achiness. Well, it definitely did that. I felt good on those days. However, I was very hyper and did not sleep much, even at 1/8 dose. My husband and daughter would go off to sleep at night, and I'd still be puttering around. I decided that my body needed more rest, so stopped entirely after Sunday. After I stopped taking them, I still had some lingering achiness that is clearing up. And I think I pulled a muscle in my lower back, perhaps due to some overly zealous working out while on the steroids. So, in conclusion, prolonging the steroids was good and bad. It was nice to have some pizzazz on Christmas Day. But not sure being hyper is such a good thing when our bodies really need rest. I'm still trying to get back into regular sleep rhythms.

I've been reading some books about cancer that I've enjoyed: "Anticancer: A new way of life" and "Just get me through this: A practical guide to coping with breast cancer."

And because reading only about cancer gets boring: "Citizens of London: The Americans who stood with Britian in its darkest, finest hour."

Today is Dec. 31. Usually I feel a bit sad to leave the old year behind, but I cannot wait to drop-kick this one into oblivion.

Wishing you strength and courage as you finish your treatments and a really great 2015. Boy, do we deserve it.

ml143333

Nottoday - Happy early New Year to you and to everyone on the board, really.

This year has been a rough one for us all to say the least.  I hope for a happy and healthy new year for everyone!

Fabian59

I finished my last chemo session of Taxotere and Cytoxin on Dec. 3, 2014. I was so glad for that. This time I had a very bad edema (swelling) and fluid retention in legs all the way up past my knees. Of course I did not know that this was one more side effect from the chemo. Plus week and a half ago I jammed my big toe in the middle of the night and tore the big toe nail completely off. Ouch that hurt so just tore it out by the root. Good news it did not get infected and is now healing. Didn't expect that one. Guess Chemo makes everything in your body weaken.

Went to Dallas and New Orleans for Christmas for 6 days. My feet were so swollen the whole time I could not really enjoy myself too much. After getting back on Monday night I went to my regular doctor and she called my oncologist to find out that the extreme edema is another side effect of the chemotherapy. Both doctor and nurses didn't know anything about chemotherapy so was very glad they called for me. I had no idea that that is what it was. I would keep my feet elevated all day and of course at night but after walking around for only 2 hrs. it was right back up to 2+ pitting edema. Hurt to walk. Doctor gave me lasix and potassium for 5 days. Have already lost 5 pounds of fluid from yesterday.

They gave me enough for 5 days but don't know how long it is supposed to last. Anyone else have severe fluid retention. I had been on a plane and traveled in the car but never had it this bad.

Supposed to start radiation for 6 weeks next week still waiting for them to call with my time.

Three out of four treatments caused caused chemo burns but two out of three are healing nicely. I am finally getting my strength back and as soon as my feet get back to a normal size and can wear shoes then plan to start exercising.

Hope everyone is doing well and hang in there so we don't ever have to go through this again.

Happy New Year.

Ilovecoasters

Just checking in. Congrats to the ladies who have finished chemo. I started Taxol Monday. So far no crazy nausea, which has been a blessing. Mostly tired and I have some tingling in my fingers and toes. Eleven more. Hoping it goes by quickly.

Valentine99

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and that we all have a happy, healthy, CANCER FREE 2015.

cbooklvr

Wishing all you fabulous ladies a Happy New Year! Improved health to us all in 2015

She-Angel

Happy New Year. Leaving 2014 in the rearview and pushing ahead to 2015. Ready to get the next phase of this started tomorrow.......hello Taxol are you ready for She?

Enjoy the day!

speedcat88

Happy New Year Ya'll! I'm praying for an awesome 2015 for all of us. Been away for awhile. Just been a busy season and the cumulative fatigue finally caught up with me. I'm 2nd day past my 5th round (5 down, 1 to go). It was a week later than it normally would have been, but the center was closed on Christmas Eve. I opted for the following week so I could have a decent Christmas Day. It also gave my RBCs a little more time to build up. By far this was the quickest and smoothest round yet given that the 4th round was a comedy of errors. Catheter loose at the hub and they didn't notice until pushing the red devil in. Cleaned up and continued on with no harm done. Found a hole in the bag for the last, that nasty and expensive Taxotere. New bag and no harm done, just lost time. Everything just perfect for the 5th round. Hope the last one goes that way.

I just hate that so many of you have had such nasty problems. I'm grateful that the only one I've really been bothered with are the chemo burns every time. Finally got some burn cream prescribed, but it doesn't seem to help so I'm not waiting to feel the signs. This time I started putting it on immediately. Neulasta has done its job without killing me with bone pain so my WBCs have been great for each round. If only they could come up with a drug that would increase RBCs.

I continued to use the frozen sponges for the Taxotere round and even the Blue Ice on my hands and fingers when the sponges thawed too soon. They have worked great. Only one toenail has a black spot, but no lifting or loss of nails. My fingernails are a little brittle, but I keep them short. I've also had some edema in my feet following the 4th round, but not too bad. It was probably a little worse since I was on my feet right much last month.

All of you ladies have a great day and it will be a great year for all of us as we continue this kick this bitchs butt (it doesn't deserve an uppercase letter).

Viceroy

During AC my lump had shrunk so much that I couldn't feel it at all but after 3 rounds of DD Taxol I started to be able to be able to feel it again so I will be skipping the last round of Taxol and will be pushing up my surgery by a couple weeks. I am both excited to be done with chemo and also worried that I can feel my lump again.

Redporchlady

Viceroy - sorry to hear that your lump started to come back.  I was just on a thread under Triple Negative about someone worried about that because she had read stories of some that has happened to.  I am not on DD Taxol but 12 weeks of Taxol with Carbo every 3 weeks and I have done one month and nothing has come back.  I am glad they are moving up your surgery so they can get it out!  I wonder if you will have more radiation afterwards? 

Roxanne

Viceroy

I haven't met with the radiation doctor so I am not sure if this will change that treatment or not. I'll let you know how it goes.

I am really glad that they were responsive to the change and that surgery is being moved up.

ml143333

Viceroy - so glad your surgery is being moved up!  Sorry for the reason it had to be moved up!

I was able to have my fourth (halfway) chemo treatment.  WBC was still low, but high enough to still have chemo.  Still a bit anemic, but okay enough to treat.  It wasn't as smooth a treatment as usual.  My normal nurse was on vacation.  The new nurse was nice and everything, but when she inserted the "ice pick" into my port, it HURT!  Then when she flushed the line, I HURT and I could feel a pressure in my neck.  It never hurts with Debbie.  She could tell it hurt and she asked me about it.  I told her that yes it hurt going in but was still hurting.  She took it out and repositioned it.  It didn't hurt after that.  A different nurse flushed it when I was done and she was flushing it too fast and it HURT again.  I asked her to slow down the rate that she was flushing and it was fine.  She said that was weird, that I shouldn't have felt anything like that but that everyone is different.  She told me that if I felt any discomfort to call.  I was pretty on top of the blood clots after so hoping for no midhaps.

So far, so good.  I'm starting to get tired now but it's been 7 hours since I got home and I did take my daughter to the mall.  I promised her before chemo and knew today was my best bet.  Tomorrow through Monday are not normally great days. 

I'm ready...already taken Zofran...ready to rest the weekend away!

She-Angel

First day of the Taxol. I didn't realize I was getting a large double dose of Benadryl before. I felt like I had been drinking and very sleepy, luckily it wore off in about 40 minutes. I did come home and crash could not even get up for a evening yoga class. I feel I could push it if need be but I also feel I could sleep for hours. This every week is going to be interesting.

Redporchlady

she-angel. They may cut your pre meds in half next treatment if you did not have any allergic reactions. They even offered to cut them back more my last treatment. It will be so nice to be done with this

Sjacobs146

I was glad to get the Benedryl, gave me a chance to get some sleep. Those steroids kept me awake.

Ilovecoasters

Friends, question for those of you who finished AC and have moved on to Taxol. Is your hair growing? I have 1/8 inch stubble over my entire head! Oncologist said I may or may not keep it. I'm still shaving my legs too.

Leto

ilovecoasters - I am glad you mentioned that your hair is coming back. My second Taxol was on Jan. 23rd and I could swear that my hair is growing. I thought maybe it was just wishful thinking. My brows are getting very, very thin as well as my lashes. I hope I don't lose those completely. I haven't had to shave my legs since I started chemo. I hope things are going well for you.

I tell you though, Taxol has been rougher on me than the AC. The bottoms of my feet are very painful making it hard to walk. I have numbness in my fingers on both hands. Taxol Rash - little red bumps that don't want to go away. Constipation that lasts over a week. I only have 2 more and I pray the SEs don't get worse!

Hope you all are doing well. Wishing you the best for the coming year.

Redporchlady

llcoasters & Leto - I started to get a little growth on my head  when I started Taxol but I am on my 5th treatment tomorrow and nothing has changed since.  It could be the every 3rd week I get a Carbo hit that is stopping it.  However I do have leg hair back.  I had really bushy eyebrows and they are really thin but I still have them and 1/2 of my lashes are gone so I don't use mascara anymore.  I think it is funny that nice thick eyebrows are back in style.  Uggh! 

Leto - The constipation thing is getting old.  I found a great All Bran blueberry muffin recipe so I eat one of those every day and I take Miralax daily and just adjust the capfuls I take according to the day.  I like that I have not been fatigued like I was on AC and actually can get out and walk when it is not too cold but I paid the price on New Years Day as my right foot fell asleep for several hours.  It did not hurt but just irritating.  I have a friend who finished Taxol last summer and is now in rehab because she keeps falling down. 

Good luck everyone getting thru the last of our chemo treatments.  7 more after tomorrow!  And only 2 Carbo treatments.  We have winter storms going thru the Midwest and a 3 hour drive so I will be packing an overnight bag. 

Roxanne

cbooklvr

Ilovecoaster, Leto and Roxanne, my hair is growing back a little bit too. I also thought it was wishful thinking. I had my 1st Taxol after switching from taxatore. My fingers and toes are numb and sore. I am going to try L-Glutamine power for the numbness with my next treatment.

Cherice

Redporchlady

cbooklvr, Let me know if the L-Glutamine powder works because my numbness is getting worse.  I think I will ask the oncologist nurses tomorrow when I get treatment. 

Roxanne

Ilovecoasters

I'm taking 10g of Glutamine 3 times a day, along with a daily Claritin. It is significantly helping the joint pain. It's the 5000mg canister at GNC.

Leto I thought I was crazy. Yes the bottom of my feet are so tender. I wear slippers pretty much 24/7. I have found that walking helps. I go for a two mile nightly walk.

I get constipation issues too, was the reverse on AC. I pop three Duculax softeners every morning and it's helping.

Tomorrow is Taxol 2 of 12. I have such a sense of dread and anxiety that comes over me the night before. I am hopeful they will reduce my Benedryl. That feeling and leg action was horrible.

Is anyone else experiencing a lot of weight loss? I'm down 23 now, dr has been really concerned and told me to start drinking ensure. I like the new skinny me. Them, not so much.

Ilovecoasters

Another question, sorry. How many of you have been told no more soy or soy products as well as no more licorice? I ate some type of stir fry or Chinese at least three nights a week. Favorite food and now no more.

She-Angel

llovecoasters, no hair growth on my head just stuble, but I swear it seems like the top of my thighs might be getting some however that might be because I had a 3 week break before I started this second round. I noticed my eyebrows are very thin and appear to be getting thinner and considering I had to get them done before to keep from looking like a bush woman its kind of funny.

As for the soy products, I had a nutritionist before this and when I told her about the bc and asked about food restrictions she did say to stay away from soy. Chinese is my favorite and I love sushi, but I have made small adjustments to have things prepared without but its more of a pain going out so I have fired up the wok and bamboo steamer at the house to take the edge off.

Leto, I have found that a cup of coffee every morning, along with a bran cereal with extra fruit in it seems to keep me from having the stomach issues, but if I miss it like over the weekend it comes back with a vengeance. I am not a big coffee drinker but now that have found something that works with movement I will keep at it.

How are folks doing with hot flashes, I am a minute away from stripping naked about every 30 minutes it use to be more at night, now its on and off all day.

Viceroy

My hair has been growing a tiny bit now that I am done with AC and on Taxol, which my doctor said was normal. I close shaved my head the week of Thanksgiving (which was 2 weeks after my last AC and right before my first Taxol) and now I have some very fine white hairs that are maybe 1/4 inch long and a whole lot of stubble all over my head that is about like a 5 o'clock shadow. My eyebrows and eye lashes started to thin about the same time as the head started to sprout.

Ilovecoasters

My red counts were almost too low for treatment today. Dr said I have to start eating red meat, spinach and prunes to see if we can get my numbers up. He said a blood transfusion is a strong possibility. I still got through treatment though. Ten more.

Viceroy

I had no idea that prunes would help your red counts, but I have been craving them and recently made this and loved it:

http://elanaspantry.com/chocolate-prune-bars/

I am gluten intolerant so this recipe uses coconut flour, which acts totally different than wheat/regular flour so don't swap one for the other.