January 2016 Chemo!

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  • Planet
    Planet Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    image

    Happy Valentine's Day!

    Face and scalp finally clearing up. Nosebleeds lessening since I've stopped taking my daily Sudafed.

    Sheri, I'll be thinking about you Tuesday. My round two is Friday. Trying to enjoy my mostly SFX free weekend. I'm going out to dinner tonight to celebrate my sister's 56th birthday. My brother who is living in Switzerland surprised me yesterday with a rose bouquet! I never would have got that if I was healthy-I think he misses being here to help me.

    If any of you are unable to control your nausea, be sure to tell your doctor or nurse. Ive been prescribed Compazine, Ativan, and Ondansetron. I haven't even gotten to the last one. Be careful with the ginger, sometimes it can be too spicy and actually make it worse. I water down my homemade ginger ale with sparkling water

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Paxton29...I'm lucky that I've had no nausea from the TC...so far‼️ Today which is day four of my second infusion, I feel very strange. Tired but in a different way. A little dizzy and loopy. I really want to go to dinner with my friends but I think it just might not be the best idea. I hate staying in all day. Hope you feel better soon

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  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited February 2016

    Hope all you ladies suffering SE are feeling better soon. I never had problems with nausea after TC either but I did take Maxolon for a few days after each infusion. Take your anti-nausea meds like clock-work; before you start to feel sick.

    My hot flushes have subsided quite a bit now. I think the steroids contribute to them.

    Quixhobbit have you tried painting your nails a dark colour during chemo? My breast nurse recommended it. She said it helps protect the nail bed. I don't know the science behind it; or even if there is any science behind it but my nails are long and strong with no discolouration. Also wearing frozen mitts or just putting ice packs on your fingers and toes during theTC infusion will help with possible neuropathy.

    Hugs Donna.

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited February 2016

    I'm about a month out from my first AC infusion, and no nail changes. Got out and walked the dog on the beach today. Happy Valentines Day.

    image

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited February 2016

    Beautiful lm

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  • sarah_sunflower
    sarah_sunflower Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2016

    I'm in Singapore and about a day ahead of most of the ladies here, Valentine's day for me was yesterday LOL

    Nonetheless, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all the wonderful ladies here who has been making this road considerably easier Heart

    MissBee , thanks for the list of useful items to help with this stupid hot sweats. I'm up almost every night around 3am-4am, with sweaty episodes, haven't been getting much sleep, its exhausting! My doc gave some anti anxiety pills to put me to sleep which helped a few nights. I don't want to get addicted to pills to help me sleep through the night though.

    Cathytoo, the fatigue and aches I got for my two rounds of TC started on Day 3-4 onwards too, after I started getting the neutropen shots. Hope you feel better soon. xoxo


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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016

    Cathytoo...feel better and rest!

    MissBee- I am having similar experiences that you are on AC. Rounds 1 and 2 tolerable but horrible nausea. I like you, doing ginger everything...medical patch. . zofran.....ativan....and not much relief. After a tough round 3 Thursday I got a horrible ear ache/infection and the antibiotics to treat it make the nausea worse. .yikes!! Stay well and welcome any remedies you come across

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited February 2016

    Hello All

    I landed in the hospital after my first dose dense AC. Six days. The difference since? , (3 down one more to go) is my MO has me take my nausea meds every 6 hours around the clock. She told me not to miss it. It's the only thing that has held the nausea at arms length. DH sets his alarm. I also use ginger tea, (sipping only, if I drink it too fast it makes me sick) and ginger candy slices. They are like licorice. Last infusion I stopped taking them on day 10. This time, seems like I'll be on them till next infusion. Go figure as well, I brew peppermint tea, don't drink it but inhale it. It has worked. Hope this helps.

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016

    Valstim,

    Good to hear you are doing better after first round. We have one more of these AC's to go!! Can you share what nausea med you take round the clock?

    Thank you

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  • Planet
    Planet Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2016

    Camomile tea is also very good for nausea and stomach cramps.
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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    Cathy,are you drinking any electrolyte drink? That helped me with that weird feeling. Not sure it was connected but I drink one water with a Nuun tablet each day and I always feel a little better afterwards. How are you doing now

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    jensgotthis...thanks for the suggestion. I have some Gatorade that I forgot about. Will remember next time. I feel OK now. I've been drinking tons of water and getting up EVERY HOUR to pee. I think I might have been over tired. Who knows? Everything that pops up I think is because of the chemo. Same with every ache and pain. I guess this is our new normal now. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm TN, so I'm sure as time goes by, I'll think every little thing is a sign of recurrence. Who needs this????? Anyway, I hope everyone felt loved yesterday. ❤️

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2016

    Hello! :) I spent all day in bed yesterday coming off of all the steroids, I guess. Still no rash, though. I think this might even be my last week on the oral steroids, too.

    I stayed home from work today to work on the couch. I don't know if I'm cancer tired, or if I cleaned house all day on Saturday and was up till 3am and am just normal people tired. Tbh, I don't feel like doing work at all. Just not focused on legal writing. I'd rather just watch a movie, which is sooooo not like me. Usually I can't just sit and watch tv, I have to be knitting or something else. I don't even want to mess around in my journals. Malaise.....ennui.....that's pretty much where I am.....is that a SE? Lololol

    I guess the SE that's giving me the most grief is my freaking hair follicles. I guess I just need to have my hair clipped shorter again. It's coming out in clumps and it's everywhere and it hurts like a -----. Then again, if some follicle owie and a little tiredness from Galentine's Day, I should prolly buck up and shut up.

    Currently fussing with PT folks about downward dogs and pushups and swelling in my arm. I've been a yoga girl since I was 16, it's going to be really hard to talk me out of down dogs. But my hand is a little swollen - prior to returning to even a light workout this week. It just felt so good to do something.

    LovestoFly: You mentioned no Mirena because ER+, I've wondered why I'm still "allowed" this one, too. It's not like I haven't said Mirena a thousand times, either. Hmmm. Well, I suppose it's low on the priority list for everyone.

    Valstim: I'm glad this round is treating you better. I'm watching all of you AC's closely....I do that at the end after my 12 week Taxol dance.

    Huge no nausea bug hugs all around......and may the leg hairs fall out and the eyebrows stay! XD

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    Frill, I wondered about your Mirena too since it has hormones. I have a Paraguard which is the non hormone one but boy do I get questioned before every scan! It's embarrassing

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited February 2016

    Hi There DFWFLYGIRL

    I take phenegran (1/2 of a .25 mg tab) and reglan. That is the only combo that works for me. I started out on zofran, compazine etc, none of those worked. Every 6 hours and I can take the phenegran every 4 if needed, though I have not had to yet. My first 4 days after chemo I take ativan every 8 hours for the 4 days along with the phengren and reglan. . If I had not had the hospital stay, I would have chaffed at all the meds, but that is a hell I never want to visit again. My MO really worked it out while in the hospital, and they called me every other day after my 2nd infusion to make sure the combo was still working. If not, they were going to bring me in for some IV meds.

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016

    Valstim,

    Thanks for the information....I have taken Ativan on the first few days and Phenergan when needed but maybe need to take regularly like you are doing. Are you able to work and take these as I am working and those can make me tired:(

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  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited February 2016

    Hey Ladies!!!

    Just got home from finishing my last round of AC. Onto Taxol in two weeks. I'm feeling a bit tired so I'll rest tonight. I hope everyone is well. l'll follow up later on in the week with a post.

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016

    Congrats on finishing that chapter Jinx

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Wow! Today my accomplishments included watching Monsoon Wedding ( it was monsooning here - very appropriate) eating a bowl of soup and taking a few naps. All I feel like eating is chips and ginger ale. Blagh. I was hoping that day 6 I would be turned around. Patience…..


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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited February 2016

    yay Jinx! One step closer :)

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Anyone complete their #3 TC infusion? I'm so tired after my 2nd. Wondering what's ahead, My MO said I'd be so tired I wouldn't be able to get out of bed. Hmmm!!!

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    I think Jill may have gotten hers today. I go on Wednesday. I too am feeling a little more tired generally, although I'm not doing as good with the head game right now as I still await news of my hip biopsy. I've convinced myself that they are holding the news until I go in on Wednesday for chemo, so that they can tell me in person I have bone mets. I know that negative thoughts don't serve me well, but I haven't been able to hold them back, I'm afraid. Amazing how much the head game factors in with this.

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Hugs Jen - the head game is a tough one. There is a quote I am thinking of (but chemo brain won't remember it right) "worry serves no purpose but to steal the joy of the moment." The internet found this one "Worry is a down payment on a problem you may never have." Trite, sorry, doesn't help when it is in your own head.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    jensgotthis...Jen, I'm sending prayers your way that your mind is playing tricks on you. This is such a hard road for all of us. It's true that worry accomplishes nothing, but it's so hard not to worry. I hope to hear good news from you tomorrow. ❤️

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited February 2016

    hi. My 3rd is Wednesday...different regimen though (I do cytoxan). I found cycle 2 easier than 1...hoping 3 is okay. Then I move onto 3 cycles of Docetexol. I'm so nervous to change since I'm tolerating my current chemo quite well!!

    Congrats Jinx, one more step down!

    Jen I really doubt that. My oncologist told me if i had mets they'd change my treatment plan right away...so I hope no news is good news if chemo is still a go! (((Hugs)))

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    Oh Jill I pray that you are right! I never thought about it that way. Excellent perspective.

    I didn't realize they are doing cytoxan first on its own and then moving you on to Docetexol (which I think is the same as Taxotere?). I've been getting both simultaneously. If it is the same drugs, then my money is on you doing just fine on the Taxotere.



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  • sarah_sunflower
    sarah_sunflower Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2016

    hi anybody experiencing nose bleeds? I see blood on the tissue after I clean my nose. Doc says this is normal SE

    Jinx congrats on the achievement. one step down !

    Jen, like Jill said, I think when it comes to issues like ones we are dealing with, no urgent calls from the doc is always a good thing. Sending prayers your way.

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited February 2016

    Hugs to you, Jen! I don't think (I hope?!) doctors operate that way with information; they'll want you to know the results regardless. And even if it is the worst case scenario they'll have a plan of action for you and you'll be prepared. Please let us know how it goes tomorrow.

    sarah_sunflower, try using Ayr Saline Nasal Gel. It's good for putting inside your nostrils and providing some moisture. Nosebleeds and dry nose are very common as our mucous membranes are very fragile and chemo likes to destroy them.

    I've been back on my feet and working again this week, but everything makes me so tired. One of my students lives in a 4th floor walkup apartment and I was panting with my hands on my knees by the time I got to them! I have been pretty consistent with working out but right now I can't even think about it.

    Tell me again why we decided to move halfway across the country in two weeks? I must be nuts!

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited February 2016

    I also think that they don't waste any time calling you when it's bad news but good news can wait. It's so hard not to scare ourselves (once we get the first bad news we figure why not more?), but I'll be hoping for good news from you.

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited February 2016

    I do FEC (fluorouracil, epirubisin and cytoxan) for 3 cycles, then docetaxol on its own for 3 cycles!! Hopefully it'll be fine... It's just scary to think of changing when I've gotten used to what I'm on, and tolerating it well

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