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

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015


    Rockerwife, so glad you got to go home; so sorry you had to be hospitalized.  Hoping the echo results come back good.

    Mamajencuz, I hope you start to turn the corner and have a good week. I hope the last one is kinder to you next week.  There is no ONLY 1 more time.  There's...ack... one more damn time to do this.  Anyone who's gone through this would leave out the word only.

    Just a brief post here and there today.  I'm at work...nice way to spend Mother's Day (typed sarcastically). Just thankful to be healthy enough to work though.  Tomorrow is labs and visit with MO's PA; MO is off tomorrow.  I have never met his PA.  Praying lab results are good enough for chemo.  I want this last AC done and over and in my rearview mirror forever.  Hubby is gone most of next week and I have to prepare for and organize several events at work over the next 2 weeks, so I am praying #4 is kind to me and that I stay healthy.  I also have had some blood in my urine this week...as I did last round during the second week, so I will be glad it's my last Cytoxan.  It can occasionally be a side effect of that drug, and I vaguely remember having it in 2013 too.

    Littleblue, I like that song "Don't Back Down".  I also like "Brave" and also "Roar".  What other songs do you all like?  I do sometimes specifically listen to these when I need to hear them.  I also like "It's Gonna be Okay" because it was the first song I saw performed after I was re-diagnosed and was having a really down day.  I added the song posted last week to my playlist too.  I think I need to put those on a special playlist and name it kickass (for kicking cancer's ass).

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Ladies, anyone want to contribute to a list of songs on here that pick us up, inspire us to keep fighting, and help us be sTrong? I'm not sure why I can't post youtube videos on here anymore...it worked once and never again. I'd like to add, the songs don't have to be anything in pqrticular, just whatever helps you get through the day! Here's some to start...

    Brave

    Roar

    It's gonna be OK

    Don't back down

    Gone Away

    Bleed it out

    edited..Found it! Fight song by Rachel platten!

    What was that wonderful one that ankledolphin posted? I can't find it in the threads now....Thanks kbeee for getting me started with yours! Trying to recover from lugging boxes all week..getting roaring in my Ears when I move to fast, and neulasta flu is setting in. But...one more Goddess Blessed time to ride the red dragon, the it's on to taxol....And I will stand my ground...while my body burns down around me...stand me up at the gates of hell but I won't back down!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Happy Mother's Day! Here are my babies.


    image

    image

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  • fmmbw
    fmmbw Member Posts: 41
    edited May 2015

    Happy Mother's Day!

    Truly blessed, but this whole thing sucks. Can't eat, taking in fluids, but have a feeling I will be admitted soon if I don't get enough fluids at MO office tomorrow. Hard to swallow, just gag due to thrush, and thrush meds make me sick. Diarhhea the past 3 days.


    This whole damn thing sucks!

    Marla

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  • mich74
    mich74 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2015

    I got AC #3, Thursday May 7th. My heart goes out to all you strong women struggling with side effects. I just keep saying one day at a time. It is nice to know that we are not alone. Each of my treatments have brought varying side effects. My first AC included terrible bathroom episode with sweats, hot burning skin, and chills. I got constipated and had a second bathroom episode with my second AC that included vomiting. I am happy to say that the third has gone easier with minor bathroom episodes. After my second AC my lips cracked at the corners and my cuticles were cracking, i started using Aquaphor, on my lips and used it on my cuticles with gloves at night. My hair started falling out at day 15 and by day 17 i had a friend cut it with a #1. My hair continued to fall out and was nearly all gone by day 24. I have a little hair left but it is light colored so do not see it much. I start feeling better when i get close to my next treatment and dread going in.

    You all hang in there and we will get to the end of this soon.

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2015

    I don't now what's wrong with me I have a temp 3 days post chemo they told me to take tylenol and watch it I'm just getting so discouraged at this point like I'm not going to get through it all

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  • Fran2014
    Fran2014 Member Posts: 140
    edited May 2015


    I truly hope that all our gang of Moms, Grandmothers & daughters were able to enjoy the day today!!!! It was a beautiful afternoon here in NJ & my daughter and I planted my first official garden (ever) after having brunch with my mom. At brunch, my mom told me that a red cardinal recently "visited" her again in her backyard & I smiled (I will explain why this is significant). My family unexpectedly lost my sister three years ago (on May 21st) at the age of 34. Mother's Day was the last time I ever saw here so you can image that this day has remained "bittersweet" for me since her passing. However, today when we completed the garden, a lovely red cardinal came and sat on the garden railing & sat there looking at me (I have NEVER seen a cardinal here in all 13 yrs. I have lived here!!!!!). I cannot begin to tell you what a sense of inner peace that brought me. I have always hoped that she is looking down on me and helping me through this "challenging" journey but today really made it seem real! Wishing you all comfort & hope on this special day!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Oh Steph, I'm so sorry you have a temp again! You can still do this girl! Hugs and prayers to you!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015


    Fran, thanks for sharing your story; how special that the cardinal came today.

    Steph, I had my neutropenic fever with round 3 on TC (around day 10); round 4 they gave me Neulasta.  I ran a temp on day 3 also, but my counts were sky high due to Neulasta, so I was allowed to take Tylenol.  They told me the Taxotere can cause inflammation which can cause fever.  I hope that's it for you.  How frustrating for you.

    Mich, I am glad you had no more bathroom episodes after #3.

    Marla, ((((hugs)))).  I hope MO can get you relief and that you can get some fluids to stay down. 

    ksusan, love the furbabies!

    littleblue, thanks for compiling the song list.  I'd definitely like to add to it!

    Back to my pile of paperwork!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    Jen, it was "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten

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  • lemonadehk
    lemonadehk Member Posts: 106
    edited May 2015

    Happy Mother's Day to all! I am recovering slowly from the pneumonia. Fever is gone and cough is getting better. But still quite weak. MO said chemo has to be delayed for a week for me to completely recover. I am secretly glad that I get another week of break ...



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  • lemonadehk
    lemonadehk Member Posts: 106
    edited May 2015

    fmmbw, hope your pancreatitis is getting better and resume your treatment soon!

    Stephmoen, sorry about the reaction again. You should remind the nurse next time and ask them to drip slower next time.

    Fran, hope your eyes are not itchy anymore. Who knew there would be so many unexpected SEs...

    littleblueflowers, sorry that your AC#3 is giving you a hard time. Hope you will feel better soon!. Hang in there, only 1 AC left!

    Rockerwife, so glad that you are finally home! It was indeed very scary...

    Positive_spirit and GingerChi, hope your AC#3 goes smoothly and you will have minimal SEs.

    KBee, did you mention the blood in your urine thing to your MO? Glad that you will be soon over AC!!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Thanks lynne!

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2015

    Hi all!

    Rockerwife: glad you are home, hope the echo results are normal and that you pass the treadmill with flying colours!

    Stephmoen: hope your temp goes down...I had a temp 3 days post TC but it wasn't serious...some kind of viral thing but I fought it off. Still a cough but not nearly as bad

    I am now 10 days post chemo #1 and am feeling great! The only SE I am really dealing with now is mouth sores. They aren't too bad but I can feel them there all the time and there are new ones every day. I haven't been very diligent about the baking soda but will start using it more often.

    I ordered wigs yesterday (3!) and have my breast prostheses. Fake boobs, fake hair...thanks cancer!

    My hubby and I had a very busy Mother's Day weekend of visiting but it was terrific! So glad I feel well enough to hang out with the family...but I am ready for a rest. Hope you all have a peaceful, happy, SE-free week...

    Andrea

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2015

    my temp is down today I was so upset yesterday thinking I was going back to the hospital but like kbee said I think it was a reaction or inflammation to taxotere I feel great so far today knock on wood it stays thanks for the well wishes and letting me vent not sure what I would do without this site :) have any of you been to a relay for life they are having one in a town close to me this weekend sounds fun and seems they have a lot for kids was thinking of going

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Steph, so glad you are feeling better!!!! Relay for life is fun, you should go! We have Race for the Cure this weekend..2 I have mixed feelings about the Kamen foundation, but people at my work put together a team for me, so I'll be doing that! My work family is so wonderful and I am so great ful for their support!

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  • fmmbw
    fmmbw Member Posts: 41
    edited May 2015

    Happy Monday! Wishing you all the best. Going to insist on fluids and answers from MO today. She will respond as she is good about that. Don't want to be admitted, but will do what I must. A little background after dx 1/8 starting loosing weight rapidly. From 214-166 today. Barely could eat, lower back pain chronic, all kind of tests, finally diagnosed with pancreatitis, then thrush. The thing is all the meds they gave me are pill form and I can barely swallow. I just gag. Chemo 4/30 just wiped me out, so have not had anything solid since then, just fluids. Any ideas?

    I'm so glad I can vent and get knowledge and strength from you all.

    Also chemical tongue and urine smell.

    Geez!.

    Marla


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015

    fmmbw, that sounds horrible. I hope the fluids help. I would drink protein drinks, make yogurt and fruit smoothies, freeze some of the smoothies into popsicles, eat soup, and anything else you can. I would ask the MO and pharmacist for liquid medications; many are available in liquid form; it just needs to be prescribed that way. Hoping for relief for you soon.

    stephmoen, glad the temp is down.

    Andrea, Hope you can get some rest after your busy weekend.

    Lemonade, hope you keep recovering. I did call MO on Friday. They did a urinalysis which showed blood in urine but no infection, so I've been guzzling cranberry juice. Thankfully tart beverages are my beverage of choice right now, though that'll change with #4 soon...always seems to have me craving odd things.

    Little blue, how are you feeling?

    How's everyone doing???? How about a Monday check-in???!!!

    I am headed to see MO's PA this morning for blood work and check up before tomorrow's chemo.. Last time my neutrophils were borderline, so thinking thoughts of lots of neutrophils so nothing is delayed. I want nothing more than to kiss the red devil goodbye tomorrow. I want nooooooooooooooo delays!


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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    Good morning everyone! I'm day 12 after AC #2 and feel good - I wore my real wig out today for the first time - the color is PERFECT but the cut is not how I had my hair (long long layers, flatter than the wig) - I hope it looks like it COULD be my real hair? Next Monday is the first day I'll have to goto work with it and I am TERRIFIED.

    Good luck to everyone getting meds today, may your SEs be non-existant! I hope everyone that got meds last week feels good!

    What do you thinK?

    image

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2015

    I saw the picture and thought you were posting how your hair looked before it fell out, so I would say the wig looks fabulous! Very pretty!

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    KBee, oh thank you, i'm so so so so nervous. I know it's dumb. I just went to drop the car at the car place (because I need to pay for new brakes right now, ugh) and was super super paranoid. Also like so afraid it would hop off my head! :-)

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Princess, you look lovley! Like a princess! Hey I have to go back to work next Monday too....so worried about being able to hack it!

    Hope you get the answers you need, Marla! My power smoothie recepie includes fresh greens, protein powder, yogurt, banannas, ginger, cinamon, turmuric, coconut water, and fruit. Don't know if you can tolerate those things, but if you have a juicer that might be an option too! I'd suggest ensure, but last time I had some it made me sick...

    Kbeee, sorry about your bladder issues...it's terrible but it's so helpful that you can explain your symptoms to us with your medical knowledge...it really helps give me an idea of what to look for! I too can not freaking wait to get AC behind me! Wishing you piles of neutrophils!

    AndreaC, fake hair and boobs make you a international super spy and mistress of disguise! Adopt a mysterious accent and big sunglasses..😉

    So far so good today...a bit weak and nauseous, but guess that's par for the course. I think the neulasta kicks in the day after injection for me, causing body aches and post nasal driP which is only partially controlled by claratin. Add that to the puffy eyes and baldness, and yep....just as I suspected, I look like uncle fester. Uhgh.

    Also....I still have about 2/3 of my hair After 3 DD AC s. Does that mean it's not being effective?? I did buzz it to a 1. Anyone else have stubborn hair?

    Song for today...Come with me now by the kongos, and diamond eyes by shinedown. Favorite line...this story is just beginning.


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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    littleBlue - i have some stubborn hairs, prob about 1/10 of the total hairs I had? SO ANNOYING. Either fall out or stay put but PICK ONE!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    Lorraine - that's how I am feeling too - I decided to wear my wig for first time today at work, and even though I know it looks ok - I am just so paranoid that it looks fake, is going to come off, is slipping, and that everyone is looking at it. I know that it's not too different than how I would feel today if I just wore my cap, but that doesn't help much :-( FWIW, I think you look great! I'll try to sneak a stealth selfie here at work and post it if I get a chance.

    Marla - that is horrible, I am so, so sorry for your illness/SE. Nothing solid since 4/30? OMG, I world be in total misery. KB had some good ideas for food, but you need to be able to swallow. Sorry, I don't remember what chemo you are having - there has to be something that they can do about your meds.

    KB - hope all your blood work comes back AOK for last AC!!! Do you always have to go in day before treatment? I have bw right before treatment - they have their own rapid test/lab right at the center.

    Steph, Jen, and Lisa, glad to see you are all feeling better.

    Monday checkin: see above - wig wearing today! I am at work, and feeling pretty normal as far as SE. The Prilosec has made a huge difference for nausea/dyspepsia.

    Did anybody see the NYT article with Rita Wilson? Such a weird portrayal - she had DMX, but no chemo or rads.

    Lynne

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited May 2015

    Hi Ladies, just dropped in to say you got this! I wore my wig every day from 8/11 to 4/28 and it never came off. In fact I got so many compliments on it that I wondered what I looked before the wig. 4/28 I went for my first hair cut! It's very thick, a little wavy, but growing like crazy. I take Biotin every day and it seems to be working. So smile even if you have to fake it, and you can do this. It will come back around in a good way. And my nails are great, back to normal, my old normal!!


    Thinking of everyone today, and sending you wishes of happy days!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited May 2015

    Marla, I'm so sorry you're having trouble eating. :(

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited May 2015

    image

    me with wig

    No one has complimented me.

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited May 2015

    Lynne - that looks like your natural hair! Nice choice! It looks great! I'm happy if no one says, "what is that hideous thing you have on your head!" :-)

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited May 2015

    Lynne and Princess: your wigs look great!

    Monday morning check-in: still feeling good, mouth sores still a bit bothersome but not preventing me from eating (unfortunately!) The grandkids are coming for a visit this morning...my 2 1/2 year old grandson told his mom he wants to go to Gwamma's house. Awww!

    Hope you all have a lovely day!

    Andrea

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited May 2015

    Lynne, your wig looks totally Real! 😊

    Does anyone know how to style those add a bangs from tlc? I just got some and it says don't use heat...figure it will be cooler than a full wig under a scarf....but they look super dorky....


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