Starting Chemo March 2015

shaz101

terrymarie. I have to have antibiotics from day 5 of every round. They do that here for anyone diing TAC.So I think it should be ok

shaz101

katy so sad to hear you're not getting better. Can you ring and get some advice to find out how long to expect the crappiness for? Sometimes its nice to know its normal to still feel that way. I'm glad you've managed to get moving a little. Your blossom is beautiful.

Eileen wow, I hope you're OK to travel and enjoy the celebration.

Well done Theresa! I hope your tummy settles down quickly.

Allison, I'm so relieved for you! Now you can breathe again.

molly1976

Hawaii sounds wonderful, Eileen. I bought a plane ticket this week to NYC for a trip with my girlfriends (not until August) and it is SO nice to be making plans like I am a normal person.

Super tired today. I want this to be over.

SueH58

BB - CELEBRATE!!!!

Jackbirdie

BB- I'm sorry I'm delinquent with my 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 on your news! I hope you are indeed enjoying your weekend.

Eileen- it seems that in just a few short days, so many things have turned towards the positive in your life. It couldn't happen to a nicer person. A job, a trip to Hawaii, family closeness, and maybe you can even get that flat tire fixed! I am amazed at how quickly things can turn around and it's a reason to always keep hope at hand.

And Theresa, great job on the ride today! I knew you wouldn't be kept down long. You continue to be such an inspiration to all of us!

I managed to avoid laying on my back most of the day, but must say I'm disappointed I'm not feeling better. I was thinking maybe if Ninja Mary is out there, she could lend me some of her little men in (scuba) uniform to dive in and do some hand to hand combat with this ridiculousness. Haha.

No matter how bad things get, I am always lifted up by you, my friends. Each one of you. I know it's impossible to read everything written, respond cleverly to everything said, and somehow still find your way to the bathroom to stick the coconut oil in your a$$ crack. But I feel cared for, feel the concern, hear the tinkling bells like ghosts laughing on the airwaves between us. It's simply magic. I seldom say I am blessed. But I am. I'm sayin it

Italychick

Katy lol. just had bath and coconut oil in the ass crack. What timing you have!

No anal waxing, though. Nothing left to wax. Wonder if everything is going to get folliculitis when it grows back in. Although seriously, ass hair and chin hair and mustache can take a permanent departure for all I care

DavisD

eheinrich-Congrats on the graduations, your trip to Hawaii and getting close to the end of chemo! I hope you get some relief for your eyes. Mine feel like Theresa's when she rides her bike but mine start when I wake up in the house for no apparent reason. I think I'll still try the Claritin though, what can it hurt?

Katy, I just hate that you aren't getting better. I would be honored to take care of you and Jack if I were closer (or wealthy)! Nobody should be alone going through this shit sandwich even though I feel I'm pretty much on my own most of the time. I wonder what would happen if I started asking all the people who offered to help out in "any way" to do specific chores for me, ha ha! Most people just say that and don't expect to really be asked to do anything. I love to perform unexpected acts of kindness, it gives me joy.

BB glad your results don't sound too bad. It's so easy to let your mind go to the darkest place.

Theresa-Do you think the GI stuff might be the Taxotere? I had ongoing big D after the first two treatments but it calmed down with Imodium preventatively. Also wondered if goggles would help the tearing when you're riding your bike? Just a thought. I know a little tearing won't keep you down!

Yea! Two legs of the Triple Crown won, we need a hero in the horse world!

SizzleStitch

Katy, did you ask if the pneumonia was caused by a reaction to the taxetere? I was already on Levoquin when I started feeling the breathlessness etc. so the antibiotic didn't help. When I started the prednisone, I felt better really quick! I hope you feel better soon.

Jackbirdie

Sizzle- thanks for being interested and following up: They believe because of my age old propensity towards respiratory infections I am always at risk and that the chemo itself was at the bottom of it, because my immune system is suppressed, not specifically a reaction to the taxotere. I'm not sure I believe it, since I have had a similar reaction each time. It's just gotten worse.

It's also possible it's viral, not bacterial ....that would explain why I am not responding that well. I'm on day 4 of 5 on the zpac. I did sleep better and though the death rattle seems quieter, until I really start moving around, I won't know if I have truly improved or not.

I am quite frustrated and weak. But my sat rates are ok, I don't have SOB too bad, and no fever. Just massive production in my lungs, and of course my head, ears, nasal passages, and attitude are also impacted. Literally and figuratively.

Unfortunately, all of my docs try to keep me off steroids unless it is very nearly life-threatening. I have bipolar disorder and steroids usually trigger a manic episode. The steroids I take around the time of each chemo have to be managed very carefully with other support drugs. So they probably won't put me on prednisone unless they hospitalize me. Which would leave Jack without anyone to turn the heating pad on for him.

neverthought

Hi Katy, Did you receive Neulasta? I think one of the side effects is that if you get a respiratory infection all those wbcs can cause lung problems.  Wouldn't hurt to ask the MD, right?

SueH58

Katy, I've been thinking of you and your situation daily. First of all, I'm so sorry you're still not feeing better and, like Diane, would be honored to come and care for you if you weren't 2,000 miles away. I wonder if there are "volunteers" who offer to "care" for cancer patients. I've been thinking that after I retire in a couple of years, I would love to do that, especially for ladies like you who have no one to help with meals, cleaning, and Jack! Perhaps you could call the Amer Cancer Society (or I would be happy to do so for you if you like) to see.

Continued prayers that you're feeling better soon.

SC_Coqui

And now I'm on immodium. Ugh. Went from constipation to loose in the course 9f 3 days.

Even without chemo I'm usually battling constipation so we'll see how it goes. I have some errands I need to run before my son's play date this afternoon hopefully the immodium kicks in ASAP!

I'm guessing this is caused by the Herceptin since I didn't experience it with my first round of taxol without herceptin. As soon as the Herceptin was done on Thursday I started getting bad stomach cramps. Ugh.

Jackbirdie

Joanna- ugh- the Big D at a play date. As I said ugh. I think you've nailed the culprit. You could "try" the BRAT diet if you keep struggling and don't want to take the Immodium long term. It's just bananas , rice, applesauce and toast. It's an old home remedy. You've probably thought of it already.

Neverthought- I have gotten the Neulasta each time, I will ask the MO tomorrow when they are open. I'm confused about the mechanism though. My WBC and baby whites have not been high, even with the injection. So low, they have often said without the shot I'd have no neutrophils at all. Can you explain further what could be going on?

Diane and Sue, your "virtual visits" of care have been duly noted in my angels book. When I was recovering poorly from surgery, I finally had to have caregivers come in and help. My uncle insisted and paid. I could never have afforded it, I needed it badly at first, but after a while I wanted my house back. If it wasn't a friend, and a good one at that, I'd rather be alone. I don't "feel" alone, especially with all of you virtually here at my side

TerryMarie

So sorry youre suffering Katy, I'm sending best wishes to you.

I'm counting down til Friday for the final treatment, (although will continue with herceptin) I wish it was tomorrow, I want it done and these effin side effects over with. So tired of looking awful, feeling weak and wobbly , running to the toilet etc. Also my skin is a mess, dry eyes, teeth issues, no stamina for anything. Blah. The teeth issues are bad for me because I had an unfortunate experience with a dentist , he wouldnt listen to me and doubted my claim that I had an exposed nerve, I begged him not to touch the area with any instrument until frozen. He said I was being silly and reacting to an irritated gum. He went in with something silver and sharp and I went through the roof ....he said 'oh you have an exposed nerve' If I couldve got out of there a free woman he'd be practicing dentistry in hades right now.

So, now I have a phobia, its real and it's horrible. I have a dull ache right now and I have a script for Amoxicillan which was not presribed for this particular issue but is used for dental pain. I called the chemo nurse on Friday and she said to go to a dentist and that it is safe to take antibiotics although the doc may decide to leave chemo for another week. I dont want to see the dentist this week nor do I want my chemo delayed. So I'm sitting here thinking do I take the pills or not. Its a dull ache now and I can handle it. Im leaning towards waiting to see how it goes.

Do I know how pathetic this sounds? Yup. It sucks.

ninjamary

Katy,

I hope you feel better soon. I was never a fan of the Nuelasta shot. Thankfully those are over for me. I'm in agreement with being alone and having a virtual support group. I'm tired of discussing cancer with some people. They mean well, but I feel like a broken record. I do better without people tip-toeing around me.

I hope and pray that you start off a fantastic week on Monday.

BBwithBC45

Katy, I wish I could twitch my nose (like in Bewitched) and make you all better.

TerryMarie, I can relate to dentist-phobia. Let's hope the tooth can hold off until after chemo.

Italychick

Diane, I don't think it was related to the Taxotere. Everybody, and I mean everybody, got the intestinal thing in my family - husband, daughter, son-in-law, both grandkids. Nursing homes are quarantined, it is an epidemic here in San Diego, this norovirus thing. And I didn't really have the diarrhea thing, just burning gut pain. And my poor two year granddaughter Ella had it too, she kept saying belly hurts, Grandma. She got diarrhea for a day and is fine now. Whatever was going on didn't slow me down too much, just interfered with my bike ride that day. But considering everyone around me has had to miss work for several days, I don't think I came out of it too bad. Plus I talked to MO, she said highly doubtful it was chemo related since I have handled everything so well.

Hoping everyone is doing well. Some people have been missing for a while.

Carrie37

TerryMarie, tooth pain can be so disabling! It is amazing how much it can affect all parts of your life. I'm sorry you have to deal with that right now!

SizzleStitch

Katy, I sure hope things turn around for you soon and you get some relief. I am sorry you can' teasing take the steroids. I wish, like everyone, I was closer and could help out...at least turn on Jack's heating pad :-)

I am a couple years older than you and had many many bouts of bronchitis, pneumonia etc. when younger. I finally got a handle on them when I was able to just rest when I had a problem. It was much easier back then when my immune system was decent.

I was really taking it easy through this last thing with the taxetere but when I started feeling good, I ran around like crazy just to get the heck out of the house since I had been cooped up for so long. Friday night was my last prednisone and by Saturday afternoon, I started feeling incredible fatigue.

They didn't tell me to watch my blood pressure when I came off and it was REALLY low when I got home. I have been watching my blood sugar (type 2 diabetic) and it was down low too. I take a pretty high does blood pressure pill every day...for goodness sake, you'd think they'd tell me to not take it or something. Needless to say, I didn't take it today and it is better. I hate that I feel I have to tell the doctors how to do their jobs. I did look up prednisone withdrawal and it sounds like the symptoms I am having. My doctor's appointment is Tuesday so I will probably just wait until then if all is well tomorrow. I just want my last treatment (they said it would be CMF) and to move on...

Will keep you in my thoughts.

Kathi

eheinrich

Here's something fun: I saw a friend of mine today who I haven't seen since before my mastectomy (she lives far). She brought me a present - she knitted me a fake boob. It fits perfectly! Way better than the prosthesis. Light, comfy, soft, purple - fits in my old bras & it has a nipple knitted on!

http://www.knittedknockers.org/

Italychick

Awesome, I love them!

At some point, I would like to hear from those who have had a mastectomy, or are going to have one, and why. Even though my excisional biopsy/lumpectomy came out with wide margins, mastectomy is still on the table for me, and I am wondering how everybody has survived, etc.

I ran into a woman yesterday who hugged me and said she went through it all 15 years ago, chemo, double mastectomy, the works, and she has been 100% fine since. Now that is the kind of hug I will gladly take!

IndyGal35

Forgive my absence. I've been trolling the posts this weekend, but I feel like hell and haven't posted much.

My belly is still flopping, and I have zero energy. I swear that taking a shower and visiting my brother today felt like prepping for a triathlon. My fever finally flatlined at 100.4, so I'm home laying under the fan now trying to cool down.

I keep reminding myself that I have 2 more rounds of "the big nasties" left. I'm hoping that herceptin by itself is nowhere near this bad. Does anyone else feel like the emotional and mental hurdles get tougher the closer you get to the end of chemo? I don't like to wish my life away, but the next 37 days until my last dose can't pass quickly enough.

eheinrich

Theresa, my tumor was 2.9 x 2.5 x 2.7 cm. My surgeon gave me the choice of a lumpectomy or mx. He leaned towards mx. I decided that I just wanted it off. I realize folks who have had mx can still get recurrence but I really wanted/want to be aggressive in my tx . I want to have done everything I can to not have to go through this again.

Jackbirdie

TerryMarie- I am very sympathetic to your dental issues. I have actually gotten laughing gas for a cleaning before I was so nervous. You might be a good candidate for that. And anything more invasive I would consider IV sedation. I changed to a more modern dentist because he offered both. I just feel at this point with so much suffering I've had, I will cut myself a break wherever and whenever I can. What my ins doesn't cover (which like most is hardly anything) I use care credit and pay interest free over a year or so. Takes the sting out of it. Haha. Joke.

Sizzle- yes I was warned to go off blood pressure meds. Chemo usually does lower it. You should send THEM a bill for consulting services. Sorry about the steroid crash. Very powerful meds. Hope you level out soon and thank you so much for the kind words.

Eileen- that is so cool. Those are called "foobs"! But how special to have a custom nipple! I think it's very sweet your old friend did that for you.

Theresa- I've already bent everyone's ear enough about why mastectomy and why a double for me. I won't repeat myself. If you ever want to talk about it, PM me and I'll give you my number. I don't even want to write it all down again. I have zero regrets though. I am having a long and difficult recovery. But still no regrets.

Jackbirdie

Indygal- . Sowwy

eaglemom

Hello all you wonderful women! My name is Kornelia and I'll be starting chemo very soon; late May or early June. I just got my port put in on Thursday evening. I've been reading your thread and learning what I could so that when my turn comes there won't be too many surprises (I hope). I have been so warmed by all the support you've shown each other and by the strong bonds you've formed. A planned get-together next spring, a traveling charm bracelet, sending cookies, earrings and other gifts to each other! You all are truly amazing! I can only hope that the May (and possibly June) chemo group(s) I join will be as wonderful and supportive as your group.

I wish you all minimal SEs and as small a helping of the shit sandwich as possible!

Italychick

Kornelia, thank you for your kind words, and best wishes for minimal SE during chemo. Drop in anytime to chat! One of us always seems to be online.

KBeee

Italychick, In regards to your question on the mastectomy...I decided to have BMX in 2013 when first diagnosed. For me it was an easy decision. I had very small breasts, so if you took a lump, you pretty much took about the whole thing anyway. As long as the were taking one, I wanted a matched set that would age the same way. I also never wanted to ask "what if". I am obviously the statistical anomoly that had a recurrence, but I have never once thought "what if..." and that has been enormously helpful mentally. My surgery (and all subsequent ones) went well, I am very, very happy with the reconstruction, even after 2 excisions since then. Things really look great(much better than my preBC tiny, saggybreasts). I am lucky to have really good movement, range of motion and strength which is important in my job as a firefighter. I know not everyone has the same good results, and it is a very individual decision with no right or wrong answer. For me, it was a good decision.

SueH58

Karen, I thought you couldn't have a recurrence post-MX (except for at the incision line). That must be a misnomer...

Jackbirdie

Calling Specialk, calling specialk, come in please.

You can have what I believe would be referred to as a regional recurrence in a lymph node in this hypothetical situation. And it's so confusing too. It can be a "new" cancer or a recurrence and I don't quite get how they determine that and if it affects treatment decisions or not.

Kordelia- Welcome! Thanks for coming out of the shadows. You get bonus points, and a lot of them, for really REALLY reading our thread. You may stick around as long asyou like!