Chemo in July 2015

Cheesequake

Twinkltoz, every. fricking. day. It's either I'm hungry and nothing sounds good, or I can't tell if I feel hungry or sick. Or both. Usually it's all of the above.

RuthElizabeth

I just did my last chemo. It didn't go smooth, but I'm done. Here's hoping my SEs aren't too bad. Blessings to each of you.... Ruth

6feetover

RuthElizabeth: Congrats and big hugs!

I've finished my 4 rounds of AC; I start my 12 weeks of T&C tomorrow. Scared sh*tless.

Peabrain

Just got home from my fourth and LAST AC treatment.

I'll start the Taxo-something and Carboplatin In two weeks. Apparently my chart does not definitively say which drug we're headed toward, Taxol or Taxotere. But I do know I get both every week for 12 weeks. I still have that standing in front of a train feeling.

Today's treatment gave me a nice mellow high that I am sure will be destroyed by nausea any moment now.

Twinkl, that is me to a T. The only things that sound good involve lots of melted cheese. In addition to not being able to taste that, I am also lactose intolerant. Joke's on me! Guess I'll have another Popsicle, lunch of chemo champions.

Hugs and sweet thoughts to all of you who help keep me on the rails.

madrew

Hello ladies! I had my 3rd CT last Tuesday, a Neulasta shot last Wednesday and was then run over by the struggle bus! I was still able to mostly function in my daily life but I need(ed) lots of pain meds and rest. The neighbors have now found out this round was a bit harder for me than the first two and I immediately had 5 days of dinners planned for me. It was so nice. My husband and son said all the meals tasted great....I wouldn't know...everything currently tastes bad-or not at all. I have also been flirting with a fever and even made a lovely visit to Urgent Care last Friday where the Dr. was ready to admit me for high white blood cell counts. I asked if they could be up due to my recent Neulasta shot (of which the nurse had just got done entering into my chart). The Dr. said, "What's a Neulasta shot?" Long story short, the on call oncologist sent me home and I grumbled the whole way.

On a more positive note, I think back fondly to some cold, crisp red grapes I ate the day before my last treatment. I was able to taste them and I remember ever last moment I spent with them. #chemofoodporn

I'm still sporting the thinnest chemohawk you've ever seen. It makes me happy.

Keep thinking positively. Aren't you glad you aren't at the "beginning" anymore?

mdoc524

WooHoo Congrats Ruth, Peabrain & Erika on your last AC (jealous) - hope se's are minimal & manageable

Erika - good luck with Taxol tomorrow - hope it holds true that it is easier than AC

Cheesequake - so brave & beautiful

Zuwali - wow 2 weeks with bronchitis on top of all this - glad you are better! Hope it stays that way!

Twnkltoz - so true - hungry then nt so much then you eat & stomach says HA & here come the runs

madrew - love the food porn reference & your grape story! I have been on a No Fresh Fruit restriction due to the neutropenic - so miss my fruit!

I am in my "delayed" week & so thought I would feel almost normal & still sooo wiped out & stomach still "iffy".. Nurses said all normal after the reaction I had

On a lighter note my boys went back to school today - 1st day of 3rd Grade - this is the 1st year that the Catholic Schools in our area decided to go back before Labor Day! While I was happy as a parent - felt bad - something not right about starting school before summer is over!

Have a good night - se free!

Mary

gargengirl09

Peabrain-Congrats on the last AC treatment! WooHoo! Love the picture!

Madrew-I sure am glad I'm not at the beginning! I alternate between being hungry for specific things, then not really wanting whatever it was I was craving. Just can't win!

Had a good weekend. The Taxol has been much easier on me! Thank goodness! I even had coffee on Saturday and Sunday. Never did that after AC. Baby steps!!!

Hope you all are doing well!

Batesburg

I'm scared sh.....less of the AC that I start in about 4-6 weeks after my Carbo/Taxol is done!!!

courtleboo

Tomorrow is my last chemo! I can honestly say I am feeling a little emotional about it. I cannot waitto get back to feeling like myself again. Last round was pretty hard on me, so I'm scared of what this final chemo has in store for me.

You ladies have been the best support. I don't post often but I do read this thread every day. It is so nice to know we are all in this together.

Next step for me is radiation.

Congrats to the ones who are finished!

And for those who are still in it good luck and hang in there!

Jbandkb1

Congrats courtleboo on your last chemo. It must feel so nice to know your done with that phase. I hope your SE will be minimal. Stay strong!

Gretagirl

Congratualtions Courtleboo!!!!!! I have third one tomorrow. Hoping all goes well. Also have to see urologist Thursday. My MO is not happy about bladder infections. I am nervous and my mind won't stop. My sister in laws boyfriend was just diagnosed yesterday with an aggressive form of bladder infection and his prognosis is not good.

Twnkltoz

congrats, courtleboo!

Wishing everyone few SEs and shrinking tumors....

mama26

Started running a fever Sunday night and ended up in the hospital for 2 nights. Neutropenic. I got a lot of antibiotics and fluids. I guess my Neulasta shot didn't work this time. My MO will adjust my next dose of AC and give me an extra week to recuperate. It's my last AC and I'm ready to get it done and over with. I pray Taxol takes it easier on me.

6feetover

I had my first round of Taxol/Carboplatin yesterday. Waiting to see what kind of SEs are in store for me this go-round...

Batesburg

I will be doing my last carbo/taxol in a few weeks. My first round wasn't too bad....didn't have nausea until the third day and it was short lasting. I have minimal neuropathy. I think in many ways it is easier than AC, or so what I have been hearing on this discussion board.

I wish you tons of luck, adarkadaptedi and hope you are pleasantly surprised my minimal SEs! How many more round of the combo drugs?

Batesburg

mama26- I am doing my 9th taxol of 12 in a few days and I can tell you, it isn't bad at all....when it is combined with carbo every third week it is a bit more difficult. I don't even get anti-nausea pre meds with it anymore....I wish you the best with it!

6feetover

Batesburg: Thanks for the vote of confidence! I've got 12 total Taxol/Carbo rounds scheduled, if all goes according to plan... One down, 11 to go!

Thunder7

Had 3rd TC chemo yesterday - one more to go!!!!

Keep the faith ladies, we can do this!!!

Thunder7

Batesburg

Way to go, Adarkadaptedi!!

Slow and steady and think about the BIG WIN in the end! I've got your back!!!

Twnkltoz

Something that helps me a lot is to remember that this is all temporary. Chemo sucks, but it's only a couple more months. A year from start to finish, biopsy to reconstruction, is a long time to be dealing with this, but in two years it'll be just a blip. I work really hard to focus on the positive things in my life. I find that when I lie in bed and focus on how bad/tired I feel, the feeling compounds...but if I get up and take a shower, get distracted playing a game with my guy, etc, I feel better and more energetic.

mama26

Thanks Batesburg. That makes me feel better.

Gretagirl

Twnkitoz great idea to focus on this being temporary. It's difficult to do sometimes.

All went well at urologist. Ultra sound clear no signs of anything. Best guess was this last time was a stone. Praise God! Shaky shaky today day three after third TCH guess steroids are hanging in or something! Neulasta doesn't usually make me shaky.

Have a great day

melinda531

Twinkltoz - I agree with your thinking.....that's how I get myself through.....knowing that a year from now my life should be "normal" again (probably a better kind of normal!) helps me greatly. I have talked to many survivors and they echo that sentiment.....looking back this whole awful part is a blur and seems short to them now. I can't wait to be saying those words myself!

My liver counts were up before my last treatment so they decreased my dosage and this was the smoothest cycle yet in terms of side effects! Last week my liver counts were down but this week they're back up!!! They think it's the taxotere and it's common for liver counts to go up but if they don't come down next week before my Thursday treatment, they want to delay a week which I'm extremely unhappy about.....I'm halfway through and just want to be done! If we delay a week and the counts are still up the following week, my oncologist wants to swap out the taxotere for something called Abraxane which is essentially the same thing only less toxic so easier on your organs. Anyone else heard of this or had it instead of taxotere? My oncologist said at some point in the near future she thinks they'll start using Abraxane instead of taxotere altogether. I looked it up online and it does look like the same write up as they have for taxotere in terms of side effects.

Hope everyone's having a great week!

auroaya200882

Twink I'm currently on Abraxane just started in July the first three infusions kicked my butt down but then the doctor switched my schedule and have being almost symptom free. Hope it will kick the cancer to the cur

Jbandkb1

Definitely focusing on how this is temporary, and trying to stay positive is helpful. I know we are all on a different path then we wanted be, but sooner then we know it'll all be a thing of the past. Our lives will then be back to normal and maybe some positive changes have been made too. Sometimes a negative may give you a kick in the ass to make changes in your life that you have been putting off for way too long. I know myself I plan on making the changes thatI've been talking about instead of just talking about them. Life is way too short.

inkster

This last stretch has been rough and I've been a bit absent. However, if anyone is going to get this stuff, you guys will.

I wasn't entirely prepared for the adriamycin, got behind the nausea, and spent the first week barfing. You can bet that I'll be on top of the anti-nausea meds this time. Anywho, got past that and have been struggling with chemo brain and fatigue. Still, hanging in there although pretty frustrated with the stupid. Then, on Thursday I got a statement from my insurance company indicating that it will NOT cover the first treatment. This is mere days before my 4th (and final) treatment so I'm guessing it will not cover the others either. The first one was the easiest - no reaction, extra meds, excited nurses, etc., and it cost $6,000. The other two have got to be higher and I have no idea what this last one will run. My guess is that the final bill will total over $30,000. I don't even have that much equity in my house. And while I have a good job, I'm still paying off the debt I incurred as a freelancer and the bills from a hysterectomy 2 years ago. There's really nothing left at the end of the month. I'm crossing everything I've got that the clinic and the insurance company aren't done discussing this yet as I have no idea what I'll do. And I thought I was anxious before...

On a happier note, my last round is on Wednesday. I've read comments on other boards about ringing a bell after the last one, so I got a flying pig bell (purchased before the notice) ready to hang in my entryway. So ready to have it make a joyful sound.

Cheers to all of you and huge congrats to those who have rung the bell!

Twnkltoz

the bell is a fun idea! I have a daisy chain (like you made from paper as a kid to count the days until Christmas). I cut a link after each treatment. Love watching it get shorter!

I can't believe your insurance company is denying you! Get your doctor to fight it. I've had that happen before... They just want justification that you really needed it. Good luck!

Patdob

Have my 3rd weekly treatment of taxol on Wednesday. Agree with others on board, much easier than AC!

Starting to enjoy coffee again, hair slowly growing back.

Bliss58

Inkster, yes, get your doctor involved to fight your insurance. There's probably some simple, stupid reason that they've all of sudden denied your treatments. My insurance has been great about approving all tests so far and paying, but I submitted a claim for my wig and all of a sudden, oh no, denied! I called to find out why because I had previously called to find out what all I needed to submit and how to submit, so I thought I had done everything correctly. A very nice rep told me they were missing the NPI number (whatever that is) on the doctor's prescription. She looked the number up for my doctor on her system right then, said she'd write it on the Rx and would rescan and resubmit for me. I know at my hospital they have financial services for patients, too, so see what your social worker can do to intervene as well. Yeah, financial anxiety and stress are the last things any of us need right now. Hugs and best wishes that it all gets sorted out for you.

mdoc524

hello Ladies - hope all well & having a nice Labor Day Holiday Weekend!

Had my 3rd AC on Friday - hit me hard going in even though the cut the dose 15% - immediate fatigue like a truck sitting on you! Then came the shaking when Cytoxan going in so they kept me a little while to make sure all OK - I personally think it's the steroids! While they do their job keeping the nausea away I can't stand how they make you feel - shakes/unsteady, no sleep, hungry but constipated! So trying to manage all without extra meds - just don't want to end up back in the hospital on Day 7 again...

Batesburg - we are here to help you get thru AC - everyone is different & so many here have managed well thru AC & you will be one of those 😜

Courtleboo - hope your last chemo went well & you have minimal se's - Congrats 💪🏻👍🎈🎈

gretagirl - hope your Bladder Infections subside! Crazy about your Sister-in-law's boyfriend - hope he recovers OK! I thought bladder infections were very rare men - prayers for him 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Mama26 - so sorry you had to spend time in hospital for neutropenia - I can relate & it sucks! Hope the adjustments they make for you work so that does not happen! Hugs for you - hope you are feeling better! 😘

Erika - hope your 1st round of TC went well with no or minimal se's

Twnkltoz & Melinda - I can so relate to focusing on positive & my motto has become "this time next year..."! Great minds think alike 😎

Inkster - chemo brain & fatigue just stink - the fatigue for me is every minute of every day which I think causes the foggy brain - stinks but hopefully temporary! Agree with the others get your Dr to figure out the insurance - there are laws in each state about cancer coverage that you can look into if the issues persist - good luck - hope it works out!

Again happy holiday weekend to all - we can do this together! Hugs to all! 👍❌⭕️❤️💪🏻

Mary