Starting Chemo March 2015

Trvler

Just got good news that my blood clot is gone. He wants me to continue on the blood thinners until the port is out. Counting the minutes until that evil thing is out of my body.

Beachbum1023

Trvler, congrats on the good news, sometimes we win the battle. I hope the port goes soon! Cheryl

Trvler

Yeah, unfortunately I have my last chemo on Aug 11 so I am going to be shooting up for a while.

Jackbirdie

Allison, that is truly wonderful news. I know that must give you some modicum of relief!

And hear hear on getting that evil thing out! I'm with you on that

rleepac

Must be the week for stomach issues. Yesterday it was so bad! I had already taken my pantoprazole (that I usually take twice a day), then tums, then carafate, then had to resort to viscous lidocaine! Between that pain and the pain from the anal fissure, I kept asking my husband to "kill me now"...he wouldn't comply grrrr...

Down to working 2 days a week and that is helping overall but I'm just sick of 'people' in general. I know they mean well but I want nothing to do with all the questions and if I hear how strong I am one more time I might just unleash all this pent up frustration on the poor soul who says it.

Sigh...I'm on the lookout for a cave or hidey-hole that I can crawl into for the next few days until I'm right in the head and sociable again.

Bekah

Trvler

Aw…I am sorry, Bekah. I was hoping you would have an easier time on T.

rleepac

I'm very sensitive to medications in general so I'm not surprised that Taxol isn't a 'walk in the park' (to quote my MO) but I am honestly disappointed that it's causing SE's. I was really hoping it would be better than it is. Don't get me wrong, it IS better than AC - but it's no walk in the park either.

Trvler

So what # are you on? You are about 3 weeks ahead of me and I also started a week late so you should be done in early Julyish?

Italychick

Allison awesome news! I am so happy the clot dissolved. I know you are trying to keep up with exercise and having that clot go away is a good thing for your mental mindset.

Katy, screw that. The issue is they should be looking around the house to close up the holes where the rats are getting in. Outside has nothing to do with it. I saw it on Love It or List It. They need to prevent the rats from getting into the walls of the house, and rats will always find something to eat. The bird feeders are not the issue. San Diego is loaded with rats. We had vine rats in our jasmine vines. One day I am sitting in the back yard and a baby fell in my lap lol. A big black snake took up residence and ate them all. Plus, isn't Jacks breed a ratter? If they are in the yard he will chase them off. Do not give up your bird feeders, no way!

Also, remember, 4 is the standard of care for Taxotere and Cytoxan. So if you have to stop, you have aready done the standard recommended chemo regimen. I consulted with UCLA, and they said 4 TC or 6 TCH (Taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin). They do two extra rounds of TCH because supposedly carboplatin and Herceptin have a synergistic effect when done together. But ask your MO why 4 or 6. Don't get down, you have come through a lot.

For everybody with digestive issues, does your MO just say keep doing chemo? I am having a long hard thought about round 6 right now. To go through 15 weeks of chemo, and then blow up this round, something is wrong. I just don't know what to do. Delay an extra week? Forget round 6? I have 2 and 1/2 weeks until the next one, but that gut thing, terrible. It has to be doing damage. I have an appointment Thursday to figure things out. Feeling better today though, finally.

KBeee

When people ask how are you" my canned response is either "I'm feeling great", "I'm feeling good", "I'm doing ok", or "I'm surviving". I then change the subject. I know people mean well and want to know. Friends I know who are going through, I want to know the same thing, but I try to just tell them I'm thinking of them and am here if they need an ear.

Bekah, When I did chemo in 2013, I had a horrible anal fissure that my MO did not address. I went to my OB since I was due for my yearly anyway, and she gave me a cream that is a steroid and antifungal combined; both prescription strength. It worked wonders to cool the inflammation that seemed to contribute to the fissure being worse. I saw her 2 weeks before chemo this time and she gave me a script for it so I could use it occasionally as a preventative and it has made all the difference. I don't know if it'll work for you, but it sure is worth trying. I had relief within a couple days. I hope you start to turn the corner soon; I'm sorry these side effects are hitting you so hard. Have you ever double checked their calculation for your body surface area? A simple error entering a number can make a huge difference in the drug dosages, as I know you know. I have to admit that since I work in the health care field, I look at the dosage on that IV bag every. single. time. to make sure it is a reasonable number. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I get something around 50 mg Benedryl, 20 (I think) of Dexamethasone, I can't remember the Ranitidine or Aloxi dose (have it written somewhere), and 138 of Paclitaxol. I am 5'8 and 135 pounds. It's probably correct, but I have seen and heard of errors, so it is always worth a look. At any rate, I sure hope you start to feel better.

Allison, glad about the blood clot being gone.

Kati, Bummer about those rats; that's horrible. Can you just move the feeders a little further from the house? I hope there is a happy medium.

Carrie37

So glad that clot is gone Allison! Sorry you have to shoot up for the remainder of your time though. I know that sucks.

Katy, hang in there...do not give up your bird feeders! Wait...did you feel that? It was all of us giving you a gentle hug and letting cry. We all have those days. We love you!

Carrie37

I feel like I can't take these stomach/ bathroom issues one more day!! I've tried what they say, increase fiber, stool softener, drink fluids, etc. It's either the D or constipation. No normal anymore. And can hit at any moment so I too fear the shart and have come very close. It hurts like hell to have any type of BM. I've thought it was hemmoroids but what is the difference with an anal fissure? And my tummy just grumbles and turns. So sick of this shit sandwich!!!!! Any other suggestions?

Also a question about rads: is anyone else having rads after chemo and surgery? If I am having a bilateral mast then what will they be doing rads on? I know I can ask my doc but wondered what others have been told about the timing of rads.

And I too have noticed that people ask "how are you" out of habit. They don't want details. I don't want share the details either. They want to hear that you are fine or "doing good."

And Allison, my MIL is the same way. She will call and listen but easily change the subject to talk about herself. Or she goes on and on about how she can't believe the side effects I having. Ugh.

ksusan

I'm having radiation after BMX and chemo. The radiation will target the chest wall, superclavicular area, and axillary lymph nodes, with the last few being targeted on the scar.

Carrie37

thanks, are you also having reconstruction?

ksusan

No reconstruction for me.

BBwithBC45

Allison, glad to hear that the clot is gone. Your last chemo is scheduled on my birthday.

Katy, sorry you're having such a bad time. Sending you warm hugs and thoughts.

SC_Coqui

Busy board!

Today was my son's kindergarten party. Only two more days left of school.

I also get a lot of the "how are you doing" since I've been pretty open about it all. Honestly my worst day is day 3 after Taxol and then it seems to improve. I've been feeling pretty well except for the weight gain. I've been feeling "fluffy" lately.

I blame my awesome neighbors and the incredible food they've been bringing over for my weight gain. On Saturday, one of my son's classmates moms brought over chicken chili and the beat banana pudding I've ever had.

I've started taking Glutamine and vitamin B6. From what I just read before popping over here I need to up the dose by 1/3.

Anyway, worse side effect so far is what I call constipated diarrhea. I've been taking a probiotic bUT it just clogs me up. Just 8 more of these to go and hopefully things will start regulating themselves again!

Hugs to all you ladies! It helps hearing what everyone is going through.

SC_Coqui

Oh, and my 10 year wedding Anniversary is on chemo day next week. It's like a cosmic joke that some of us have major life celebrations on spa days!

rleepac

I'm going for #6 of 12 Taxol this week and I do check the dose and labels every time. The nurse I usually get is very attentive but also being in the medical field, I know errors happen! So far, the only 'error' was that she almost forgot to put the Benadryl in the pre-meds one time. Only found out because I ask every time "so...whatcha hanging now?" And I make her say each component for good measure. Then I check the bag too.

I think I'm just really sensitive to meds.

An anal fissure feels like your shitting glass shards and continues to hurt for several hours (sometimes all day) after a BM. Sometimes blood but not always. It's a different pain from Hemorrhoids but I don't know if I'm explaining it well enough. Hemorrhoids are annoying and can be quite painful but IMHO a fissure multiplies that pain by a magnitude of 100!

Bekah

Jackbirdie

Awwww Carrie- I DID feel that! Thanks to all of you for helping to lift me back up today.

I did NOT take my feeders down.

But I had a talk with Jack about chasing any ugly grayish brown intruders away. That should be right up his alley!

I'm back on with the house hunt. I made an offer last week on the cutest house, perfect for us, but we were too far apart. After a couple of days of reflection the seller has come around a bit.

I know it's not the best time to move right now. But I also know a couple of you have managed it.

Let's just say today's events heightened my motivation!

rleepac

Katy you need a cat!

SC_Coqui

I also just realize that Bekah is my BC twinsie. Almost the same diagnosis, we're one year apart and we have the same regimine that started on the same day. I'm one week behind on the Taxol because we had to postpone chemo one week due to neutropenia.

Jackbirdie

Bekah- I have seriously thought about that. Jack is almost a perfect dog....but...not good at all with cats. But today I seriously thought about driving my fat white ass right over to the shelter! A friend stopped me and said it wasn't fair to the prospective kitty to make a decision like that when I was so upset. She said better to wait until I move. But by then, hopefully I won't need one. I hate to upset the very special relationship Jack and I have by introducing "variables". But. Still.....maybe......

eheinrich

Busy day on here! I figured that this was a group I could share my "shit my pants on a plane" story with - Thanks for proving me right

Hang in there everyone. We've come so far together through this cluster f*ck. We got this & we got each other.

I don't mind the "how are you"s or the "you look great"s. The you look great comments people give as a compliment - they don't understand it from our side of the fence. Maybe they mean it as a testament to your strength. As though they know you feel like shit, but at least you look good. I don't know.... The how are yous I answer as appropriate. Some people ask because they really want to know, others as a social nicety. Some of each get the answer perhaps better suited for the other but if you ask you should at least not be surprised if I tell you.

Been extremely emotional the last 2 days. Been crying on and off for 1.5h about this stupid post card on Post Secret - ugh. I'm bone tired as well. I was doing work over at our old house that is getting ready for new tenants & yes I over did it, but I was trapped there waiting for carpet install - which took over 9h......why they sent one guy I will never understand. Family room, small bedroom, hallway.......9h??? So I mowed the grass etc.....

Re rats: Katy it is not your fault that rats live outside. Your bird feeders have nothing to do with rats in nature. Rats getting inside is your landlord's fault/problem. Patch up the entryways and the rats live outside again. We had a landlord who used to get mad because we had a bug spray guy come and spray the perimeter of the house every month because our neighborhood had these big gross outdoor roaches - i forget what kind they are, my new neighborhood has them too. We would spray & then there would be the occasional dead outdoor roach. He declared we were somehow living a roach supporting life.....people are stupid. Although I am a huge supporter of finding a place that is just yours and Jack's. Me & my kitty like our own spot.

xo!

eheinrich

And oddly I am also up 12lbs since last year. Can't blame it all on cancer but I'm still in the 12 lb club. sigh

Lovemylab

Hi everyone

I finished my 4th AC ON 5/12 and then got very short of breath. It took a week but was finally admitted for LOTS of blood clots in lungs. After 5 days in hospital and a week to recover, I had my first Taxol/ Herceptin today. Only side effect was diarrhea but Imodium works great! So far so good otherwise. Still I am so paranoid of other side effects. Hoping this goes better than AC.

Katy, my daughter had mice in her college house so she picked up her ten yr old cat from my house and that was the end of the mice. She is a great mouser but the rodents receded when they smell a cat! She sent me proof. Thought I would share.

Maureen

Jackbirdie

Maureen- first of all CONGRATULATIONS!!! Bells are ringing! I'm so happy you crossed that finush line.

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🎉🎉🎉🎈🔔🎉🎉🎉🔔🎉🎉🔔🎉🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🔔🎉🎉🎉🔔🔔🔔

Second- But my goodness how scary about the clots. And that's a long time in the hospital too. I'm so sorry you went through all that. And yet they are wasting no time getting you back in that chair. Ugh. I'm glad so far your SEs are manageable.

You and Bekah have conspired against me. I thought I had my kitty idea out of my system. I felt a stirring once again just now when Bekah said it. Now you. I wouldn't be surprised if I just went and got one (or two) tomorrow.

Diane just got a pair after so sadly losing her longtime friend. She has said they've been very entertaining, and thus, uplifting. How can that be wrong?

Do you think even if jealous, Jack would get used to it/them? Maybe he wouldn't bark for hours when I have to leave him home. Maybe they'd get to be friends. Right now, if he ever gets loose (rare) and he sees one, he chases. Relentlessly. I just don't want to be responsible for any senseless tragedies.

Any advice out there from multi- animal households???

Lovemylab

I have always had cats and dogs and my experience has been that the cats can take care of themselves. Monique(the cat) is ten and she is fine with my two year old lab. They even nap together at times. Cats have good protective instincts. And she is a good hunter. She loved living with college girls as she got so much love but is back home with me for the summer anyway!

Maureen

rleepac

I have a 2 yr old Border Collie (98% outside dog) and a 6 yr old cat (90% indoor cat) and the two don't get a long at all! The dog just wants to play, play, play, and the cat wants absolutely nothing to do with the dog - even hisses at her through the screen door LoL. But since the cat is mostly indoor and the dog is mostly outdoor - it works ok for us.

I was only kidding...I don't think a kitty would be a good match for Jack! There are other ways to take care of rodent problems. Your relationship with Jack is more important. If my dog would settle down for more than 30 seconds to cuddle I would kick the cat to the curb. But the dog is too neurotic and I need a cuddler...so the cat stays!

Bekah

rleepac

I have had cats and dogs get along just fine before but not these particular two polar opposites LoL