April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Stephmoen

this has probably been addressed on other threads butI have a question what about drinking while getting chemo obviously it would only be when your feeling up to it but did your dr or nurses tell you anything on this subject I miss my occasional glass of wine

lovlilynne

JustDiagnosed - welcome! You have the dubious honor of being our 50th person in the April club. I have a cheat sheet - I've added you in order of your chemo start date: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Goesf6x_13...

Feel free to add in other info or not.

Julie - nice to see you back, I love your hat. Do you wear this to work?

Karen, good luck with transfusion - what a relief to know it's something and has a fix! I got so warned about exhaustion, I would have just thought it was normal - although, you seemed to know instinctively that there was more to it.

Jen, yay on no/low SE today. Do you go for #2 tomorrow?

KB - jealous of your yard sale, I wish I could get rid of about a third of my household. I'm working on it. My bff is a family daycare providers, so shipped off the play kitchen and a bunch of the play kitchen stuff to her as well as a huge bag of hand me downs - she sorts through them for her grandchildren, and then as extra clothes for the daycare. I have 2 big bags in the back of my Jeep - waiting to see one of those clothing drop off boxes (this is the ratty, unusable stuff - I believe they make it into rags.). Anyway, it's a start.

Started this over an hour ago, keep getting distracted by work :-)

Lynne

Karen30

On the subject of drinking - I actually did ask my MO about this because usually i love a glass of wine- he said that an occasional glass of wine would be fine but that as my liver would already be working so hard dealing with all these drugs it's not used to he would stress the occasional - honestly so far I haven't felt the need at all- I've been so busy trying to stay hydrated and as wine does tend to dehydrate and I haven't been feeling great - so far I haven't had any - I do think it isnimportantvthat we still get to enjoy the things we love as we journey along this path so if at any point I really want a glass I will probably have it as a treat with a nice meal maybe - there is a great thread on this board specifically related to drinking - they are a lovely fun bunch of ladies - check them out

ksusan

My MO said no alcohol. She's pretty conservative medically, so you might have heard differently from yours.

greenae

my NYU MO said no alchol for 3-4 days before and after infusion. Otherwise up to 3 drinks or glasses of wine per week is fine. I love me a nice Pinot noir.

Karen30

I just checked with my MO about tea as well- I love black tea and milk- he said he really has no issue with anything so I guess it's all about provider preference . All I can say is I am so so happy I feel more human today- I think they will plan on tapering my decadron next time as they seem to think it was the withdrawal that hit me yesterday - so now I'm just hoping I don't get hit with bone pain tomorrow from the shot - I got it Friday right after my treatment so today is day 5 and so far so good let's hope

littleblueflowers

So glad you are feeling better, Karen!

Are there any ladies heading to the chemo lounge tomorrow?

melb44

Good luck everyone. After much soul searching and a second opinion I am now having dose dense AC-T. It has been a journey getting to this point going from the hope of no chemo to 5 months of it.

My port is starting to heal but it sure it a weird feeling. I have my chemo teach set up for Friday.

My 8 year old is similar to a bunch of yours. I am going to need to cancel our trip to Universal Studios and Disney for the end of the summer and when I told her she started crying. Breaks my heart.

I hope you all start feeling better soon.

Karen30

I have a trip planned at the end of July- 2 weeks to Florida with my kids - my MO has said we can go and he will organize my last couple of taxol infusions around it- as he said I may not be up for to much sight seeing but just being away and relaxing will be good - I didn't want to disappoint my kids either - and it gives me something to focus on and look forward to!

ksusan

I've been told to cancel my 3-week backpack-and-train trip to Europe this summer because of the radiation schedule and cumulative fatigue, and because I will need to try shorter flights first to see if I develop lymphedema, blech.

littleblueflowers, in theory I'm on for tomorrow.

ajbenefield12

Hey ladies, I start Tomorrow! I have been readying thru all the posts...I am mostly on my phone so hard to write sometimes. I think I am ready for this. Been packing my bag and making sure I will be ready tomorrow. My MO did not say anything about what I can and can not drink. I have a friend who went thru Chemo many years ago and she swears by gatorade for keeping her hydrated and not as sick. I am not a big gatorade fan but have some less sugar hydration drinks. I love hearing everyones story and experiences. I had my first fill on my TEs today so I hope that I can move tomorrow when I go for Chemo...no pain in them just tight and sore like I did 700 pushups!

littleblueflowers

Yay for the Thursday chemo-sabes! AJ and Ksusan, I'm so happy we get to go to our chemo spa day together ( in spirit). I don't like Gatorade either, so I drink a lot of unflavored coconut water. Trying to pre hydrate today as much as possible. Ksusan, have you heard of the company lymph divas? They make really cute lymph compression sleeves..my BS said to wear one when flying even if there are no symptoms. Are you all doing dose dense AC?

YogisMom

I just had my second TC treatment today. I am feeling it a little more than I did the first time. I had my head shaved last Friday since my scalp and hair hurt so bad. I bought a cute wig that I thought I would wear it every time I was outside of the house. But today I decided to put my big girl panties on and face the world with some cute turban/caps I bought. I shocked my husband but he is so supportive and happy that I feel that comfortable with myself 😃

I know the next few days will be rough because of the shot tomorrow which last time made my jaw and legs hurt terrible, the 3 day headache, the jitters and just feeling blah. But by next week at this time I will hopefully feel somewhat normal again. I am only having 4 treatments which are 3 weeks apart so I keep telling myself I am halfway done!!

If you have read through my ramblings this long...thank you and I have read this board so much in the last month and enjoy all of your knowledge and uplifting stories.

allicat1214

Hi ladies. Good luck to all stepping up to the chemo bar this week. Hoping lots of cancer killing activity and minimal SEs.

I am on 3 week cycles of TC. I'm on day 12 after my first Tx. After going to the ER last week on day 3 due to a high fever and staying in the hospital until day 5, I've been feeling fairly well. Hydration is the key for me! I read Fat Flush by Ann Louise Gittlemen years ago and ever since then, I have always dranked "cranberry water" ... 1/4 cranberry juice to 3/4 water. I drink it all the time. Makes drinking lots of water easier!.

I do have a dry/painful mouth at times, but I've been rinsing with baking soda and salt every time I go to the bathroom.

I have a question about hair though. My hair is thick and curly and was to my shoulders. I did cut it to right below my ears right before starting chemo last week. But I haven't seen any real hair loss. My head has been tingling for the past several days though and starting last night my "hair hurts". You know that feeling of pulling a tight ponytail holder out of your hair and that hair falls back but "hurts"...

Anyway, anybody feel anything like this? Will cutting to a pixie cut or shaving relieve this?

God1st

allicat1214- I am glad you are doing better now. I started getting the same feeling as you. My head hurts like I have been sleeping in a ponytail. When I comb my fingers thru it I get like 5 strands of hair everytime. I am on day 22 after my first chemo. I started shedding on day 19. I am doing Taxol then AC.

ksusan

ajbenefield12, there's low calorie Gatorade if that's a drink that works for you.

littleblue, thanks for the tip on sleeves. I'm not doing dose dense, but TC every 3 weeks x 4.

allicat1214, I don't think so, though it may save you clogging your drains! My hair is buzzed to under an inch short and my scalp hurts. At day 19 it just started to fall out. A satin pillow case helps because it doesn't catch. I worse a bandana with the knot in front to sleep in and that helped both discomfort and stray hairs everywhere. Before I went to work I rolled my head with a clean lint roller sheet, which took off the detached strays pretty well so I wouldn't leave a trail at my office.

Alibeths

Karen-- where in Florida are you going????? I Live here!❤️

I'm laying in bed from port airgeey this am. LONG day. It hurts so bad and I can barley move my neck. I hope it gets better. I start Friday! 6 treAtnents every 3 weeks

sheshe3

Hey littleblue, ajben and ksusan, count me in at the chemo bar tomorrow. I'll hold up a tall cold one to you in spirit! It'll be good to get #2 in rearview mirrors. Hoping for each of you an uneventful infusion and small on the SEs in the coming week.

Lynne, glad to see you've made it through your first chemo. I hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for your efforts at keeping us all accounted for. We are surely growing! Speaking of which, welcome to justdiagnosed and yogismom.

Slv, I hope all goes well for you today. You are in my thoughts and prayers and hopes that they have found the right combo for you. This is my second round too, although mine have a 13 year gap in between bc's. I too am disheartened to be going thru this again.

Kbeee, good luck with the garage sale this weekend. I hope you have fun and make some bucks to boot!

Karen good luck tomorrow with th transfusion. I hope you feel greatly improved from it.

Allicat the ponytail pain describes it perfectly. Not sure if this is across the board, but my scalp stopped hurting when I shaved my head.

Wishing all a good weekend coming up.

Sheila

greenae

hi !

On TC hair loss starts day 14-21. Buzz cut is best, then wash scalp with Dove Extra Moisture Liquid Soap. Scrub a bit, it makes it feel better. The tingling only lasts a few days. Get satin pillo cases, BBB has them in store and online. Thise hints from the March grp really helped me!

Arlene

ksusan

Hoping for each of you an uneventful infusion and small on the SEs in the coming week.

Right back at you!

littleblueflowers

sheshe3! Another Thursday chemo- sabe! This party keeps getting better and better!😀

Karen30

alibeths- I'm going to ft lauderdale got 2 nights then go family in Naples for the rest of the time - where do you live

Alibeths

parkland!!!! 15 minutes from FLL!!!!! Let me know if you need anything while you are here!

ThePrincess

Alibeths - I imagine you're sore from the positioning they do of your neck and shoulders during surgery - ice and Tylenol? I hope that helps - I was pretty sore also for a couple of days, but I wouldn't go to say pain? Just really sore?

For anyone that doesn't have a port yet, KNOW WHERE your bra straps and jog bra straps go before you get your port so you can tell your surgeon! My bra sits RIGHT on mine and OW by the end of the day - am def going bra shopping and mostly wearing a racer back until it's fully healed.

Good luck to all that got meds today and will get them tomorrow, I hope you have minimal SEs!

slv58

Hi everyone,one down five to go! So far uneventful but I'm tired. Was at the hospital for 10 hours, I'm in my bed already hoping my meds don't keep me awake!

Thurs seems to be a busy spa day! Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

wrmbrownie

lemonadehk - Taxol was ok. I had a big rash on one of the weeks but mostly the biggest side effect was/is the neuropathy. My fingers and feet had neuropathy for the last 5-6 weeks and for the last two weeks, they hurt. My fingers hurt to push the buttons on the remote or to open something so scissors are my friend now. And my toenails have turned colors. Some are black/dark colored and my two big toes are completely white but I think it's because the toenails themselves have loosened and may be coming off soon. I didn't have any nausea but definitely fatigue. I think, however, that it's nothing compared to A/C which is much worse, from what I hear. I'm hanging out in here to learn about what to expect from you guys with A/C.  

ksusan

Day-before steroids taken. I am woman, hear me roar.

littleblueflowers

What are the steroids that a lot of ladies are having? My MO hasn't prescribed them for me.....just curious what they are for?

ankledolphin

count me in for my chemo treatment on thursday...

been having port pain for a few days.. i am thinking its nerve/muscle since i was in so much pain days after the docs were afraid to touch me for a biopsy so my nerves are up since i have a blood draw scheduled 2 hours before chemo...

for those who have lost hair what do you use on your head in the shower?

well good luck everyone tomorrow!

ksusan

I'm still having port discomfort with occasional pain more than 3 weeks later. This is apparently in the range of normal.

I'm not sure what you mean by "what do you use on your head in the shower?" Do you mean products, or do you mean "to keep as much hair as possible"? For the first, Johnson's Baby Shampoo. For the second, nothing, because it looks crummy in its in-between state and I'd rather have all of the hair gone ASAP.