Chemo in July 2015

Twnkltoz

Sharazhad70… welcome and big hugs! Just remember this is NOT a death sentence! The majority of women go into remission and go on to lead normal lives. Just keep fighting. It sucks, and you don't have to like it, but the chances you will die from this are not high especially if you follow all your doctor's orders and go through your treatment. That said, this has definitely caused me to look at my own mortality and what I want to accomplish with my life before I go!

gargengirl09

Hoping everyone had a great week.

Our daughter came home from school with a fever of 101 yesterday. Hoping I don't get what she's got. So far so good, but am worried about staying healthy and out of the hospital this fall and winter. Can't get a flu shot until a few weeks after I'm done with chemo in mid-November.

Since starting the Taxol and Herceptin, I have noticed that my feet and hands kind of ache, especially at night. Has this happened to anyone else?

Twnkltoz

not exactly, but the skin on my hands and feet feels thin and sensitive. That actually started while I was still on AC. Started taxol yesterday and today my finger nails and toenails ache. Still fatigued.

Suzanne1971

@sharaz: one day at a time. Facing your mortality is a normal,part of this process, no matter how awesome your prognosis may be. Counseling is a great idea, and I hope you're able to find a good person to open up to.

To all: I am inspired by your strength. As most of us are well into our chemo rounds (and some are done- hooray!), I really appreciate the opportunity to grow from your advice, strength and positivity. I often find myself just going through the motions, and feel like this will never end (chemo is the 1st step in my treatment plan), and it's encouraging to know I'm not alone.

As for side effects- I do get that "thinning skin" feeling in hands and feet, too, mostly I notice it while walking the dog (and holding her leash). I try to take enough glutamine for the first few days following chemo to help with neuropathy, and think it helps. And I definitely struggle with restless leg syndrome most nights. A dose of Benadryl usually helps with that

theearthlaughsinflowers

mdoc~ if all goes well and I don't have to skip any weeks I will be finished the week before Thanksgiving. What a wonderful thing to be thankful for!

I love the thread about looking forward to something. I've been thinking the same thing. I have a long list of places I'd like to go. But I still have to get through radiation. Wondering if I will wait or celebrate the end of chemo first?

Had taxol #2 today and so far so good

theearthlaughsinflowers

twnltoz- my 4th AC was also my hardest. The 3-5 bad days turned into a solid 8. But then I felt better and ready to go for taxol. I hope you felt better and ready for taxol. So far it is easier for me.

Twnkltoz

@theearth... Thank you.

Started taxol this week and the fatigue is still pretty bad plus now there's some pain. Little sharp shooting pains, mostly in the joints. I don't know if this is the bone pain or the exhaustion. MO said the fatigue should get better soon.

People say to get exercise, but I don't see how I can. Just brushing my teeth is exhausting.

theearthlaughsinflowers

twktoz- bone pain and fatigue for me too. they said to expect the fatigue to stay with me. But the fatigue is not as heavy as on AC and the bone pain isn't as bad as it was with the Nuelasta shot so I still feel like I'm making progress. :

inkster

Whelp, the eyebrows are going. I didn't have tons to begin with, but that missing patch is a bit... awkward. Guess I'm going to have to figure out how to draw on some features.

BTW - y'all are good luck. I mistakenly gave the impression that insurance had agreed to cover chemo when I had heard no such thing. A couple days later, I got an EOB statement showing that they covered the 3rd treatment, which leads me to believe that all will be well with regards to the others. Thank you for the wishes!

inkster

Oh, and holy hot flashes! Has anyone found anything that helps? I've been dressing in layers and sleeping with a fan blowing just over me so I can quickly dump covers and get into cooler air when I need to, but am otherwise stumped (and have come dangerously close to fwipping the wiener dog off the bed in my mad attempts to get out from under blankets). I guess tamoxifen causes them too and I should be hitting menopause about the time I'm done with those, so I'm looking at this long term. And am kinda grumpy about it.

Sharazhad707

Hey Inkster, my eyebrows are also getting patchy. A friend of mine who had alopecia directed me to this video. It's quite informative on how to draw on eyebrows that look natural.

Hope this helps
Love S.

Sharazhad707

Hey Inkster, my eyebrows are also getting patchy. A friend of mine who had alopecia directed me to this video. It's quite informative on how to draw on eyebrows that look natural.


How to draw on eyebrows

Sorry the post I posted earlier, didnt include the video for some reason. Anyway click the above link, I hope you find it useful.

Love
S

Twnkltoz

black cohosh from the natural food store helps a little with the hot flashes. And try diluting some peppermint oil with coconut oil and dabbing it on the back of your neck and inside of wrists.

inkster

You guys are fabulous - thank you! I foresee some natural food store and fancy makeup shopping in my near future. Not to mention lots, and lots of practice.

powerthruit

All,

It's been forever since my last post. In trying to keep on top of life, I've only been dipping in to read all of your amazing experiences. I just finished my last TC on Sunday, 9/6. Yahoo!! What a group! I know this crazy-making rabbit hole we've fallen into will make us stronger. Keep persevering through the next months - it's all worth it! Love and ((((HUGS)))) to everyone

powerthruit (a.k.a. Rebecca)

hartrish

Beenreading all the posts. Haven't posted much between chemo, wound clinic and work but I keep in touch with everyone. Finished last TC on Sept 10th. Glad to be done. Now on to femera I am sure.

Thinking of everyone often. Lifting everyone up in spirit.

mdoc524

hello All - AC round 3 on 9/4 took me down hard - they cut my dose by 15% for this round due to the Neutropenia / hospital admittance from round 2. The cut in dose helped my counts only a little - white counts & neutrophils still really low but not Zero like previously - I did avoid the hospital this time 👍

Really hit hard with severe runs again - I go from Constipation for 4 days after chemo to complete opposite - I did not take anything for the Constipation - anyone else have any tips?

Also this time I have had horrible heartburn/swallow issues - I take Omeprazole every morning & Pepcid during the day not helping - feels like stuck in my throat all the time - not sure if Anti-Nausea mess help that - I try to stay away from them as for me they are instant constipation - maybe I will just stay on them to avoid the runs

Thanks for listening - round 3 has been soo bad that I am dreading the 4th on Friday even though I want it over as my last AC 😔😔

Welcome Sharazhad707 - sorry you have to be here but glad you found us! Hope you find some help with some if the mental stuff this disease causes! And Chemo Brain is very real too - these poison drugs mess with your head just don't give in - you can get thru it with us 😘

Gargengirl - hope your daughter is better & kept her germs to herself! I understand & ask my kids everyday if anyone in their class was out sick! My Dr has advised that my counts are just so low that I have to be really careful so not even kissing my kids goodnight right now

Theearthlaughsinflowers - I am definitely celebrating the end of chemo - told my friends I want an all day food fast once I can taste it & my stomach can handle it 🍰🍪🍕🍦🍪

Inkster - can relate too patchy eye brows - sharazhad thanks for the video.

Powerthruit & Hartrish - Congrats on finishing TC - must feel great ...

Hugs to All - hope everyone has a SE free week 😜❤️

Mary

Sharazhad707

Guys... before I freak out... last night I noticed a small black bump around my right underarm (on the same side as the BCA). What are the chances this is a melanoma? It's never been there before, and its painful to the touch. Should I tell my oncologist about this? or is simply a mole? I've never had moles before.

Also thank you for the warm welcome Mdoc

Gretagirl

Sharazhad707 welcome. Sorry you have to be here but it's the best and wonderful support. Please get the spot checked!

Mdoc525 I have doubled my nexium due to the same symptons you are describing. I finally feel better but the stomach issues on every level have been worse with round three. We have finally had a cool snap down here and it has been wonderful! Going to do some fall decorating today.

Happy day to everyone!

Bliss58

Hi everyone. Off today, so just taking it easy and catching up reading all your wonderful posts.

Welcome Sharazhad707! Sorry you're here, but glad you've joined our group. Yes, please do mention that sudden black spot and get it checked out! I've read that we are more susceptible to melanoma and that's probably not it, but best to know for sure.

Had my 4th TCHP on 9/10 and so far so good with SEs except now I have neuropathy that has hung on since the 3rd treatment and I expect will stay around. My MO recommends B-complex and I've read some of you take L-glutamine, so I'll try both. Four down, two to go!

Mdoc525, so sorry to hear you're experiencing such bad SEs again, but glad you've avoided the hospital. As always BIG hugs for you!! Wishing you the best for the 4th and final AC, then you'll be done with that crap!

Powerthruit and Hartrish, Congratulations on finishing TC!! That's wonderful news and I'm so glad that's over for you.

Wishing all of you the very best in the coming week.

Sharazhad707

Thanks team I'm meeting my onco next week Tuesday for my next round of Chemo (yeeech), so I'll definitely mention it to her then. I had been hoping it might have been a side effect from chemo, but reading up on it says otherwise. Will keep ye posted

Love,
S

Peabrain

hello!

Got my first of 12 Taxol/Carboplatin treatments today. They told me to expect fatigue and joint aches. Check on the fatigue, but that might have something to do with the hiking/slow walking on trails I did yesterday in 90 degree weather.

@Batesburg - I had a combo of reflux along with sores in my throat and down my esophagus. The MO gave me a prescription for Nexium along with an extra strength syrup that is stronger then Mylanta. You can also try Mylanta and/or Tums. Whatever works!

Poop talk - I take anti nausea meds for the first week after the AC and then the stuff for the sores/reflux. I take 2 stool softeners every morning and every night no matter what and sometimes also take the natural laxatives when on the antinausea drugs. I keep taking the stool softeners so that everything keeps moving. I've taken a calculated risk and decided that diarrhea is ok, but constipation is to be avoided. But that's just me.

I have a number of small scabs on my chest and a little bit on my face and shoulders. The nurse told me that the chemo is killing all of the little mutants that were considering being skin cancer in the future. Bonus!

Peabrain

Make sure your eyebrows say what you want them to!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BWJatginx68

Peabrain

The moderators are looking for our stories and photos.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topic...

RuthElizabeth

hi all. Been awhile since posting. Had my last AC August 31. Knocked me flat for two weeks. I had one good day.

Mary, I struggled with the constipation/diahrea and hemmeroids every chemo. I am now at 10 day for diahrea and beyond painful hemmeroids. Going to specialist tomorrow. Not sure what they can do, other than tell me what to do to control them. I take senekot twice a day to keep soft. I am still icing them too. It's the only relief I can get. Be creative.....

I have absolutely no energy. But I think part of that is the diahrea and not eating much more than fruit, too. My fingernails and toenail, literally hurt. Weird feeling. And someone wrote about a rash. Oh MY. My back, shoulders, chest and both arms are covered. They got herendous brown spots and scabs along with the red dots. Itches and hurts at the same time. Stopped in to dermatologist, to beg for an appointment. They took pity on me, which is what I was hoping and game me a steroid cream, clobetasol propionate ointment, 0.05%, to use. It's so greasy, but has helped. I am still covered in brown patches. Even on my face. I hope they get better soon, too.

I go to my onc at the end of the month. Then, I see him every three months for three years. Not sure what else is planned. My onc nurse told me by Christmas, I might have enough hair to spike. Oh boy. Starting to wear the night caps. The weather has gotten a little cooler at night, and my head is always cold.

Monday, I start lymphedema therapy. Trying to work here and there. Once I start therapy, I can't work for at least three weeks. Not sure afterwards, if I will have a clientele. But, that's the least of my worries.

Oct. 5, Harrisburg has a breast cancer coalition. I'm going. Someone is talking about the triple negative research. I'm anxious to hear what they have to say.

I wish you all luck, love and peace to get thru this. I just want to start feeling normal and like myself. Not sure how long that will take. I'm sure it takes awhile for all the chemicals to leave our bodies. As long as when they go, they take them damn seeds with them. Love to all of you, my friends. Keep fighting. Rut

mdoc524

Hi all - thanks for the extra tips - finally feeling better just in time for 4th AC on Friday..

Ruth -so sorry you are struggling - hope it gets better! Good luck with your therapy - I start that at the end of the month - keep us posted on how you are doing!

Sharazhad - I am sure it is nothing - I have had so many different skin things come and go with treatment but I would still get it checked - can't hurt! I have skin cancer and get checked 2x per year!

All - it is with such a heavy heart today that I share that we had to put my sweet dog Quinny down - only 5 years old! .. I think I shared here that she was diagnosed with Cancer - Lymphoma a few weeks ago! Well today she suddenly took a turn for the worse and we knew it was time as she was in pain. This disease just SUCKS for dogs too! 💔🐕

6feetover

Mary: I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely dog!

@the rest of the Taxol/Carbo crew: I had my 3rd (of 12) TC infusions yesterday; discovered that pre-medicating with Ativan helps to reduce the horrible bowel/pelvic/uterine cramping to the point that it's bearable. Last week's severe distress prompted immediate action on the part of the onco nurses, which was awesome! This seems to be a Taxol side effect that's just coming to their attention, which I think is odd... Anyone else really tired on the TC regimen? My hematocrit and hemoglobin numbers are really low, but they (still) won't transfuse me because my anemia's been pretty steady thus far. I just wonder how low they'll let me go. Meh.

Jbandkb1

@Mary I'm so sorry for the lose of your dog. Horrible that your have to deal with that at all but now even worse. Hugs

Mamiya

I had my third Carbo/taxol combo (of four) about 10 days ago. I went in for my next taxol only treatment on Monday and was sent home with low neutrophils (630 I think) and hemoglobin 8.1 which is just above the threshold for transfusion. The nurse told me that if I started looking pale, had shortness of breath while going up the stairs or my fatigue increased that I should call. I did that today and am going in tomorrow to get some blood. I have never been so tired as I have been this week! I am not sick at all, perfect temp and generally feel fine as long as I am still but ugh. Never thought "I'm just going to run over for a quick transfusion after lunch" would be a phrase I'd find useful...

Batesburg

@ adarkadapted: I have just about "had it" with the TC treatments. My 11th is on Friday (prob just taxol) and most probably my 12th will end with the combo delight ('she says with sarcasm'). I have developed a bit of numbness in feet with some itching- the past few days......and I don't seem to get a day where I am feeling OK- fatigue always knocking at my door.

Regarding H & H- I was symptomatic big time for the past 3 weeks or so- tachycardia, shortness of breath, and it wasn't until my HGB dropped below 8 that they would entertain a transfusion. I finally had 7.9 (it seemed to be a rapid decent for the past 5 weeks or so and was even symptomatic at 10.4 to some degree- I'm sensitive, I guess) last Friday so I got a unit of packed RBCs and over the weekend I was full of energy, sadly, though, I have gone back to some tachycardia but not a lot of shortness of breath. I think its because the carbo still hasn't reached its nadir point. It takes me at least 21 days before my bone marrow starts to recover - hence I get carbo every 4th week rather than 3rd week. Good news, I am still getting all 4 carbos and all 12 taxols.

Can't wait for TC to be over, but then I still have AC to tackle. Really scared for AC but my MO has told me carbo is tougher than AC.....any thoughts of those of you who have both already?