Starting Chemo January 2015

wrmbrownie

My taxol lasts about two hours for me... First it takes 15 minutes for the premeds. Then they wait 30 minutes. Then the taxol itself takes an hour.

PMR53

Thanks Cheryl!

I will leave Cancer at home. Except I will take my wig and all my vitamins. Good idea!!

Patty

SweetHope

Pop the cork, Brandi! Horray! Take this time to get your strength back before surgery. You are not a wuss, not a quitter so please don't feel guilty.

Patty, have a great time in California.

Tennisfan

Dear Brandi youare so far from being a quitter and a wuss. Why, why why suffer the pain when there is medication available to you? You are doing the right thing. I am so glad you are asking for help.

To go through what you are going through, to have the courage and the strength to come here and talk about it in the open, that, my friend, makes you a hero. My hero. There are days when I read your posts and those of JLstacey, and RVgal and her feet, and PMR3, and SweetHope, and Cherylfg, and Spookisgirl, and Beachbum, and Stillstruggling, and so many others I am forgetting here, and I cry. And I wish I could take a little of that burden off you. And I feel helpless and frustrated because of the distance and mostly because even if I wanted to, there is nothing I can do to help you except from these words, which cannot relieve you from the pain and the suffering.

There is not one day when I don't give you and so many others as an example, and remind anyone around me who complains about silly things that you and others are true warriors and that people should be ashamed to complain about nothing while so many of you are having a hard time putting one feet in front of the other.

Soon it will be over and you will also be a model of perseverance and resilience. You will have inspired all those who are interracting here with you or reading you in silence.

Most people would have given up way way way before you, before us. We're still here. We'll cross the finish line with you, as a team.

Marjo

Brandi999

Thank you. Tennisfan, sitting over here crying reading that. I love you ladies so much. I don't know what I would have done without this group... all of us uniting and cheering each other on. Some of you have it so much worse and that also kept me going longer. It's like having warrior women walking next to me urging me on to the finish line. No one really gets what we go through until they also go through it. It is absolute nuts.

PMR53

Marjo

Thank you for all your kind words. I know for a fact none of us are wusses!! We are strong women that are fighting this battle together. If anyone needs medications at this time it's us. As a nurse I know that people heal faster if they are getting proper sleep, reducing anxiety and living with decreased pain. Reducing pain from surgery or the horrible achy pain caused by chemo can help us with our abilities to continue our ADL,s. Activities of Daily Living.. Okay that's my speech for tonight.

SweetHope I showed Annabelle to my daughter when she got home from work. She thought she was adorable!!

Brandi Our surgery dates will be close I think. I am waiting on final date when my 2 surgeons get their schedules coordinated. Are you doing recon or have you decided? I wasn't going to but changed my mind. I am so glad they can't feel your tumor!! Great news. Rejoice!!

I had to switch to a larger suitcase because of my styrofoam wig head and my bag of vitamins, meds and makeup. This made me laugh. No traveling light for awhile. Night All!!

PMR53

Beachbum1023

Brandi, I hope you enjoyed the sushi and finished the wine! That is fantastic news. Rest up and heal up before your surgery. You can totally relax knowing that you made the right decision for you, your surgery is scheduled, and this stage of the journey is over! I am so happy for you. Take Care. Cheryl

RV6gal

U4iachic – It is a strong person that asks for help and I'm glad you have reached out for Meds and a counselor.

PMR53 – Have a wonderful visit with your parents and as Beachbum said – leave cancerland behind! It is a bit funny about needing the bigger suitcase! Glad you had a good laugh! That always feels rejuvenating!

Brandi – that is so amazing that the cancer can't even be seen now. Great confirmation that the chemo you did get worked. Cheers to you! I'm wishing you a speedy recovery from chemo so you are feeling strong for your surgery in May.

Marjo – Thanks for capturing in words the essence of this group of strong women and the support we give it each other here. I feel part of a wonderful community and relieved that I can always come here to share. I have learnt so much too.

Wendy

stillstruggling

Hello Ladies. I have finally checked in. The SEs finally caught up to me but not until Wednesday night so Monday and Tuesday were pretty good. I have another SE to add to my ever growing list. I fainted yesterday. My husband had gone to pick up our son at school an the doorbell rang. I went to get it and it was neighbor. She had made us some banana bread. As she talked I started getting so dizzy. I am bruised up from the fall but luckily she caught me. After that, I just left her in the doorway and went to bed oblivious to anything that just happened. She stayed in the driveway until my Husband got back. No fainting today. My MO said it is just another SE.

spookisgirl

Brandi--fantastic news, I hope the surgery goes well for you!

It's comforting to know others are having the same difficulties as I am. I take zopiclone for sleep which is how I am able to sleep so much, and I see a mental health nurse on the base who is also a cancer survivor and really does understand what I am going through.

Feeling better today, but only been up for 15 mins Thanks so much for the support.

Jenn

loriekg

Marjo—to finally answer your question (you probably forgot you asked!) about the L-glutamine, I don't see "fermented" anywhere on my bottle.

My eyes are still twitching all the time…especially if I'm busy (maybe it's related to blood pressure?) It doesn't make sense that this would be fatigue…if it's fatigue, wouldn't you think you'd have droopy eyes or something, not spastic eyes? (But that is what my MO told me was the cause also.)

Patty—funny you should compare your hair to that Lord of the Rings--Schmegal? A friend asked about my hair and I told her I'd send her a picture of how I looked--wigless. I sent her a pic of Schmegal. LOL Have a great time in CA!

Brandi—great news about the tumor shrinking! You deserve to celebrate! I hope your feelings of being a quitter are looong gone!! I wish I had a way with words like Marjo…but all I can say without tearing up so badly I can't see the keyboard…is I admire you and all the ladies on this board so much that are going thru this fight. Certainly no quitters here.

Stillstruggling…OMG, so glad you were at HOME when that happened!

My newest SE is swollen ankles. Just noticed last night when I put my feet up to relax and watch tv. NO ankles! Called MO's assistant who just told me to keep legs elevated and drink water with lemon or green tea. Anyone else have this SE?

Beachbum1023

Hi Loriekg, I had swollen ankles, and I took pictures so I had them to show the MO. I called and they sent me to the ER to check for clots. But I didn't, but I still have the swelling on and off. It was worse during chemo. I do have compression socks to wear if it gets bad. Take Care

loriekg

How did they check for clots, Beachbum? I was told to watch for redness or pain, which may be a sign of clots.

Beachbum1023

Loriekg, They did a US in the ER because of the ankle/foot swelling.

Cherylfg

I'm on weekly Taxol and it takes about two hours but most of that time is getting everything set up. I only take Zofran as a pre-med and then the Taxol itself takes an hour. I had a lot of joint pain after my first two rounds but that has diminished.

Brandi-are you on break until your surgery? Enjoy it and rest well so you feel better.

Patty-I have a wallet card explaining my port for travel or ER visits. Do you have one? It might be a good idea to carry it with you.

My 5th Taxol infusion went well. I woke up today with some vertigo and nausea but after drinking a lot of Gatoraid, I feel much better.

Cheryl

SweetHope

Is anyone else doing DD Taxol? Today is day 5 and I have not been able to walk since day 2! The pain is unbelievable. It's not from the Neulasta. That pain is different. My knees hurt so badly they won't support my body. I've been on Norco every four hours but that barely touches the pain. Happily, I'm not having any other SE's (knock on wood); but I can't do this a second time.

Brandi999

Cheryl I am indeed on break until surgery. Today I set up all my pre-op appointments. Hospital, main surgeon and plastic surgeon. I haven't relaxed much since I'm able to do more things without worrying about my silly blood counts. I did the kitty litter today!

Cherylfg

Brandi-I'm so glad you get a break. Enjoy feeling better. You certainly deserve it.

Sweethope-I'm sorry you are having so much pay with Taxol. Is there a reason you are on the DD regimine? I had joint pain with my first two infusions but it subsided by the third week. I'm on weekly Taxol.

I still have a cold. It's been weeks and I can't seem to get rid of it. It just makes everything else so much harder. Anybody else struggling with colds? What did you do?

Cheryl

Beachbum1023

SweetHope, I am so sorry that you are having a rough go of it. I tried the Claritin, and went to Tylenol #3 with codeine for the pain. I only did that 3 times, the last infusion I refused the last Neulasta, and only took half of it. I couldn't take it, my hips and knees were exploding. And it was the last one so I didn't care by then. I hope your MO can figure this out for you. I hope you feel better. Cheryl

SweetHope

Cherylfg, that cold of yours has been hanging on forever. I sure hope it clears up soon. The reason I chose DD Taxol was to finish a month earlier than weekly or every-3-week regime. I thought ending sooner would be gentler on me...HAH!

Cheryl Beachbum, I can't believe you withstood this pain for all your Taxol infusions. You are one strong (or stubborn) cookie! I think the taxol attacked my knees because I have some degeneration in those joints.

Hope you all are having a beautiful Spring weekend. It is so green out my den window. Today is rainy, which I love. My five apple trees are all blooming, which the bees love. I have two Fuji, two Granny Smith, and I forget what the fifth is. They need each other to cross pollinate, so blooming at the same time is great for making fruit. DH planted them three years ago, so the old saying is true: 1st year sleep, 2nd year creep, 3rd year leap! Who knew I'd marry my childhood idol - Johnny Appleseed!

RV6gal

Sweethope - I take codeine for my muscle/nerve pain which does help but the downside for me is that I feel like sleeping the whole time I take it. Luckily the worst of the pain happens on day 4 to 6 after chemo. Hopefully you get some relief for it. The blooming apple trees sound beautiful. It is still too cold here for any flowers yet!

Cherylfg - is the cold in your chest or sinuses? I had a terrible sinus cold back in January (lasted for a couple of weeks). I found relief with a Neti Pot. I only started using it after 10 days of suffering. I also had a facial steamer that I used as I had such a tight cough going on. Not sure if it will help a chest cold though as I tend to always get sinus colds. Is it possible it could have turned into an allergy?

Wendy

PMR53

Cheryl- I do have a powerport card in my wallet. I went through security no problems. Flew to sunny California. Loving all this fresh fruit and visiting with my folks.

SweetHope. Love your post on your apple trees. They have the prettiest blossoms!! I hope that is not the same for our hair first year it sleeps, 2nd year creeps, third year leaps. That would be so slow!! Hope you start feeling better!!

I am going to take a nap. Love to all.

PMR53

stillstruggling

Hello All. It's storming in Florida. I reading all the wonderful posts. PMR, I love the picture of blooming apple trees too; it is so peaceful. Brandi, congratulations! Don't ever feel like a wuss. You have been through so much and you're still fighting. That is definitely not the definition of a wuss. Wine and sushi sounds like the dinner of a champion. SweetHope, hope you got an awesome nap. How is everyone doing? I am 5 days post infusion and my SEs are getting worse. It is funny with chemo each round seems to bring new SEs to me. There is no preparing for it. #Ihatecancer.

jlstacey

I feel somewhat guilty as I read everyone's posts after their Taxol treatments. I really have had very little pain from the Taxol, so I'm sorry that so many are having such awful pain. SweetHope, I hope your pain is better.

CherylFg, I hope your cold is better. Mine is. Between the antibiotics and Flonase, I can breathe! Has your doctor prescribed anything?

Some of my fingernails are lifting now. The ones that were sore are lifting. You can actually see it. Does anyone else have that going on?

We had great weather here in Michigan today. I threw open the windows and aired out the house. Spring just makes me feel so much more alive!

Jena

Beachbum1023

Jena, I had a lifted thumbnail, and most of my toenails. The problem I had was the new nails grew back in under the nail. Took a while for the thumb to grow out, but it's all back. The big toenails are about 1/2 way back. I just had to keep trimming them. I kept them really short so I didn't catch them on anything. Frustrating I know. Keep putting oil on them. Take Care

dstar

Brandi-

I am having trouble with Taxol treatments too. I had a conversation with my father tonight, about delaying a treatment or reducing the dose, so that the neuropathy does not become permanent or stopping altogether if those measures don't help. How can I think of stopping chemo? I can and have over the past week.

He said to me, and I say to you and everyone on this board, "you have some tough decisions to make, no one else can make them for you. It is not about courage, you have already shown you have courage, more than enough, it is about how you want to live your life -- balancing treatment against outcomes, when nothing is certain. I am here to back you up, whatever you decide. I am here for you no matter what happens." Brandi, I believe you have made the best choice possible for yourself at this time. And I join in with everyone else whose posts I have read, we back you up. I hope your surgery goes well.

I would write more but I took pain meds for the lovely and amazing bone pain I get over the next couple of days. My wee terrier Otis is walked and snuggled against me for the night. He is my Chemo Hero dog. With me every step of the way.

Good Night Brave Women.

D.

SweetHope

Good morning, Everyone. Dstar, your Dad and Otis are precious. What great support you have. Jlstacey, please don't feel guilty. In fact, I hope you shout it loud on how good you feel on Taxol. All the readers need to know that chemo is not bad for everyone. I hope you are in the majority. And I hope you have a very easy time with the rest of your infusions. Stillstruggling, I hope things are improved this morning. How many more CMF's do you have?

I thought Day 6 would be better, as it has in the past, but the pain was worse. My knees improved but my lower spine spasmed so severely I finally called the MO. She called in Flexeril (a muscle relaxer) which worked with the pain med. But I was so drugged, I didn't care if I hurt. Now my head is buzzing so loud from the drugs...but at least the meds are still working. I see the MO this afternoon. I know I can't take another dose of DD T, but I will hear her out. I hate quitting, too. But this is too much.

loriekg

My eyebrows have thinned (but they were thin even before chemo— I've used an eyebrow pencil everyday for as long as I remember!) and the only difference I see in my eyelashes is on one side the lower lashes are half gone. And I didn't use anything either.

For those of you taking Latisse, can you get your MO to write a Rx for this, or do you have to see an eye doctor?

I personally thought TCHP was one of the "easier" treatments—just based on what all I learned on my January chemo thread. Seems like everyone had a much more difficult recovery each time with Adriamycin (or the "red devil")—so I felt like I skirted some of the harsher side effects. Guess this just goes to show—everyone is different! Hope you have an easy time of it and once you get started you find it easier emotionally also!!

Noor46

Bonsoir everyone, just checking in. I have been reading all the wonderful posts, but it would just take too long to answer everybody. Getting ready for taxotere #2 tomorrow. I have been feeling more than 2 weeks extremely weak, so they thought my bloodcounts would be low. But they are ok know, so hopefully they will think of something, because I only really feel better as of friday. 4 good days out of 21 is not much!

I'am not experiencing much other se's so maybe I should not be complaining, but with the nice spring weather it is nice to feel better.

I am so happy for everybody who just finished chemo! Wished I was there too, but I can see the end of it .. Only 3 to go.

Wish you all the nice sunny french weather I have. BBQ and sunshine, perfect.

Noor

SweetHope

Loriekg, Hope all is good. Noor, glad to hear from you. Hope tomorrow's chemo is gentle on you.

Just back from MO. She suggested weekly Taxol with no Neulasta. I negotiated that down from 10 weeks to eight weeks. I'm happy with that. So the bottom line is, as much as I hate this situation and how painful the SE's, I am grateful to continue and hope the weaker dose works. (But I am sure if my MO appt. had been yesterday when the pain was at its worst, I would never have agreed to any more chemo, period.)

Hope you all are resting comfortably. XOXO