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

ksusan

Mysunshine, the spreadsheet is in the May group, I believe. My SEs have been pretty mild and pretty similar across treatments, though eye dryness and fatigue have progressed. OTOH, side effects of Neulasta have decreased.

Addie29

anyone have an issue with ac chemo causing thrush? I had my last chemo on the 19th and already have a yucky mouth. My last chemo also caused thrush. Had to take a mouth wash- that helped. Obviously dr isn't open today. Just my tongue and top of my mouth are covered with white yucky stuff. Doesn't hurt either. Would upload a pic but it's yucky looking.

KBeee

Ki67 is considered as one of the variables when they figure oncotype. Oncotype is only done for Er+, HER2- women to help setermine if chemo would be of benefit.

Addie, your doc should have. mumber you can call. Thry can call in a prescription for thrush

Addie29

I do have a nystatin mouth wash that I could use but I was just wondering if it's normal for chemo to cause like a chronic thrush?

ksusan

Yes, chemo can cause thrush. My guess would be that if you're vulnerable to it, it might recur when your WBC count is low. In addition to the mouthwash, are you eating any live active culture yogurt or kefir? I've been swishing kefir in my mouth once a day and eating live active culture yogurt in my smoothie.

Addie29

I eat Greek yogurt like its my job. I always make sure to try to eat least eat 2 a day. I like chobani and it does have live and active cultures in it. I will up my intake.

littleblueflowers

Addie, have you tried Braggs apple cider vinegar? Drinking that in water seems to help my mouth..

Addie29

I haven't but I'm willing to. This is just gross. I can't taste anything. Nothing. Not even exaggerating.

littleblueflowers

I hear you Addie. I have 5 tastebuds left. White coating o my tongue right now is just dead skIin. No thrush or infection yet. It's still disgusting. And my left ear is slamming closed, as per usual. Fun fun fun!

littleblueflowers

Does anyone take Tylenol or anything for chemo or neulasta pain?

ksusan

For NSAID pain relief, my MO has allowed me "Only one 200 mg Advil per cycle, when you need it most for bone pain." I have Tramadol on hand but don't find it useful. Lorazepam helps me sleep. Otherwise, it's walking and a warm sitz.

littleblueflowers

Thanks ksusan...for some reason I neglected to ever ask about OTC pain relief. Duh. I should probably get off my couch and go for a walk and quit sulking! I'm sure pains gonna get a lot worse with taxol 😵. Did your MO give a reason?

ksusan

I've found that a person can sulk and walk at the same time. My MO is a pretty conservative purist. She wants no complicating factors if there's a problem. I admire this, though I'd really like aspirin!

Alibeths

my mo told me I could take Advil, or tylonol. Little blue, what's wrong with your ear

littleblueflowers

alibeths, I will ask my MO about tylenol...I bet they just want to know if you are running a fever...for some reason every cycle the left side of my throat, my left sinus, and my ear all swell closed. It's like I have a cold just in the left side of my face. My MO isn't worried because it always clears up on its owe before next treatment. Maybe because I sleep on that side? Or because I have sin us deformities on that side? Dunno, it's just annoying....

lovlilynne

MO said I could take whatever I usually take for pain/headache, and that's ibuprofen. I've been taking 2 daily for the last few days due to headache/aches. She didn't want me over doing it - like 800mg in less than 24 hour period, but she didn't seemed concerned about occassional use.

Those with white tongue/dead skin, you might want to get a tongue scraper: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=799...

My coffee has gone off - it had been fine until yesterday. I thought it was just how DH made it, but I just made some and it has this funky aftertaste.

Lynne

lovlilynne

I was telling my niece how I have to get my license renewed, and I filled out the form online, but I got so far, and then it told me that I have to print out the application and take it to the DMV to have my picture taken. So, I emailed the DMV and told them that I don't have any hair, and could I just use my old picture, and they replied no. So, my niece asks me what I plan to do, and I said I planned to go down there bald and hope that they take pity on me and let me use my old picture. DH was there listening to my story, and he says, "why don't you just wear your wig?", and I was like, "no, I don't want to have my license picture of me in my wig." and he was like, "what's the big deal? It looks good, etc.", and I was like - fine - you go have your license picture taken with a wig a live with it for the next 10 years (if I live 10 years), how would you like it? I don't want to be reminded of this every time I take my license out.

I know it's petty, but it's just another one of those things.

AndreaC

lovlilynne: I can relate...I got my DL renewal form in the mail about a month ago. I went down to the DMV and renewed it right away, early...since I knew I would be losing my hair. I wonder if, when all this is over, my hair will look the same as it used to...

Littleblue: I take Tylenol for Neulasta pain...it is okay but not great. All the info I have from the cancer clinic warns about the dangers of ibuprofen (GI bleeding) but I am sure that's just if you overuse it.

I'm feeling like a truck ran over me today. At least the nausea wasn't nearly as bad this cycle as last. I am just tired, achy, and in a fog.

Andrea

gkodad

Addie and littleblueflowers - my mouth got pretty bad when my wbc dropped really low.  They had me take antibiotics to stave off infection but just the salt and baking powder mouthwash for general use.  BUT I can use my water flosser on my tongue when I don't have sores, which helps a lot with getting my mouth and tongue clean.   Now that the wbc is apparently back up (I'll know for sure on Thursday) my mouth has totally cleared up and I can eat again.    First round just a split in the outside corner of my mouth, 2nd round the split, blisters on my gums, one of which bled and a sore on the left  back of my throat.   I can't wait to see what I get Round 3.  I guess my mouth is going to be my barometer for wbc drop. 

I was told I can take two 500 mg Tylenol with A/C when "absolutely necessary" and then it switches to ibuprofen with Taxol, based on what has to process the pain meds - liver or kidney..  So I took 2 Tylenol when the neulasta pain hit.  However, I didn't have much neulasta pain this 2nd round.  Or maybe my mouth hurt so bad I didn't notice....

gkodad

Hey,  lovlilynne, wear a multi-colored clown wig.  See if they'll take your picture with that on!!!

ksusan

I'm about to take my 3-month-out mastectomy photos (to compare to the 1-month-out set, so I can see progress). I can post one here, but only if that won't be upsetting for anyone.

Doing a lot of end-of-term computer/grading work since my eyes, fingertips, and brain are all working today.

Intermittent sun--might go out and weed in the shade later.

Addie29

ksusan post away. I've been thinking about posting some pics of my mastectomy also. Just haven't had the nerve yet

Rpayton

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!  I hope each of you have found a positive beautiful part of today. Hoping side effects are low and manageable. Feeling very grateful for all those who served in the line of duty for us. 

Positive_spirit

little blue and addie - hang in there. I really feel for both of you with the SE

Ksusan and Kbeee - your posts, guidance, navigation through BC has been instrumental

lovelilynne - you are just lovely. I also have to take my photo for RMV this summer. sorry about headaches; all kinds. Here is my daughter with the cookie mix that you sent. thanks so much.

Sharing cookies with all of you! I am going in for my last AC tomorrow..it is also my last chemo session. I am still scared, emotional, and have high anxiety. Sometimes, I walk around the block and my anxiety arrives with all kinds of fears. I find that I need my phone, don't want to walk alone. But I fight it and I make it round the block everytime. Courage - we sure as hell have courage despite everything we are going through.

Stephmoen

Congratulations positive spirit on finishing chemo tomorrow that's great! I wish you the best

Addie29

good for you positive spirit! So happy you are done with it. Anxiety gets all of us. I know that I suffered from it even before my cancer dx. I always had to make sure my home phone and cell phone were close just Incase I ever had to call 911.

littleblueflowers

Congrats positive spirit!

Lynne, booooo to DMV photos! Not like we need any more souvenirs of this trip! I second the pink wig....

Addie and ksusan, post mx pix away! I'm wishing I had thought to document mine...

Andrea, I think I'd feel better if I got ran over by a truck lol...luckily the pain has subsided and left with my usual nausea

Dead mouth skin is just gross...I wish my MO would give me an anitbiotic, but since it's not infected I guess I just have to ride it out. Salt baking soda yogurt vinigar...

gkodad, you mouth sounds miserable. I'm so sorry you have to deal with that too!

Hope everyone had a decent weekend!

KBeee

Addie, hope the mouth clears up. I had that with TC but avoided it with AC. Hoping it stays away; it is so annoying.

Lynne, The picture thing is frustrating. I hope you find a solution. If not, get a new one one your hair grows back. "damage it somehow so you need a new one". Or take it bald and try to use it to get out of any tickets if you get pulled over the next 10 years.

Positive spirit, Your daughter is so cute! Congratulations on your last chemo. I am happy for you. Stick around and let us know how you are doing.

Andrea, Hope you feel better soon.

Little blue, My MO allows Ibuprofen, but just wants me to wait longer than normal between doses to be sure there is no fever being masked by it.

Tomorrow is my first Taxol. Hoping my counts are good so I can get one down. I will have 11 more. My MO is not there tomorrow so I see someone else. Tired, but feeling good...ready to plow forward to get the first one done

ksusan

Positive_Spirit, congrats! Nice to finish a big piece of all of this.

Positive_spirit

Hi Everyone,

I have had my period on schedule throughout chemo, but it lasts 7-10 days!!! Anyone else with this kind of experience. It's a light period and some spotting in between. Last AC, my MO told me that I was anemic (a little below the threshold) and that it was normal during chemo. Should I be worried? I have been going protein heavy this week to get ready for chemo #4. I also have an anal fissure (crap!!!) and it's so painful. Heals slowly with AC. Can't really do much until chemo is over and then I am scheduled for a colonoscopy in a month (my MO said that was sufficient time post chemo). I hate all this stuff and the ongoing saga of what's next. Okay...now I am in serious whining mode. My son had a fever on Sunday morning, my daughter has an infection related to her earring (got her checked by dr. today), my husband hurt his foot somehow, a once-dear friend of mine is clueless, and i have chemo tomorrow...and I met my stupid, unsupportive Department Head while filling up on gas. I cried so hard in the shower....just want to sob it all out and release those stress hormones. Not fair!! I don't feel one bit positive right now.