Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

lilyp6

Hi Pepper, for sleep, it's been mentioned here before, but Ativan works beautifully. I typically take it once a day just for that purpose.

My back has been so sore, especially when I work. I'm not on Neulasta. I just don't want to take Tylenol, which is the only thing the MO is recommending. Gonna throw some restorative yoga at that and see if it helps. It always has. So glad to hear about your copay relief. I've been lucky there so far-hope my bills aren't lurking out there.

My MO said I would be OK in crowds as long as they are outdoors. The air quality won't be good, but you could probably figure out how to see a bit from a distance. Also an oncology nurse told me l would only have to go crazy with the avoidance if my ANC count got too low. This week it's hanging in.

I too will be at this for about a year, sister. Only my chemo will be done in 2016.

ClarkBlue

Elenora - here is an article I posted a few pages back about supplementsand particular chemo regiments.

"okay so the supergeek side of me read a super interesting article published this year about what we were discussing... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC467069...!po=38.6612

Start reading at page 161 for the highlights and to skip past the technical stuff unless you like that stuff like me..

Bottom line is that yes, for certain cancers and chemo regiments antioxidants DO help kill cancer cells and increase the effectiveness of the drugs... it seems that the effectiveness/harmfulness (is that even a word??) of antioxidants boils down to the type of cancer you have, your specific chemo cocktail, timing of when you take the supplements,lifestyle, diet and even whether you've done chemo before. So in a sense I guess we are all right in a way... We are asking our doctors and since we are all different, with different cancer genetic makeup and on different chemo regiments, it makes sense that we are all getting such different answers and recommendations!! Hahahaha... Aren't we all so smart!!!"

Llroseworld

how can I join the FB page?

pepper43

Llrose- send me a friend request at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1626126145 then PM me. I will add you to group.

Alright, I have a 20% off coupon for Ulta that expires today. What skin care products have you all bought for treatment? I need some ideas STAT

Cody3110

Pepper - I will have treatment like Heathet as I need Herception for an entire year. I won't be done until June 2017.

Heathet

I have a bladder infection! I'll just say it feels like I drank glass! They didn't test me, My MO prescribed Cipro and I started taking it yesterday but I'm still in pain today! Actually worse pain. No fever, my temp is a little low. I have a call into my MO but haven't heard back yet from the on call doc 😡 . I'll keep drinking my cranberry juice and water. I would hate to go into the ER ! Hope this antibotic kicks in!!! The crazy thing is I felt great when I woke up this morning, and now nausea and my bladder! Day 8 is not seeming like a great day !

ClarkBlue

I am done with Chemo on July 21st. Then I get my final implants in (have been wearing tissue expanders since my double mastectomy onApril 14) on Aug 23. After I heal from that I'm scheduled for 30 rounds of radiation over six weeks. Trying to coordinate an oophorectomy with implants to get it all done at one time. After that I will go on hormone there's for who knows how long. Haven't had those convos yet but I suspect it will be very soon.

-keely

Jojok

Insurance company's suck:/ I went to get my Nuladta shot yesterday and they denied it. Instead I have to do Nupogen which is every day for a week makes it hard to plans:( Oh well at least there's boosters to help keep us healthy. I'm still feeling ok today a little muscle sorry from shot

lilyp6

Heathet, So sorry about your terrible SE's. I hope you get a call and turn the corner for the good soon.

DistrictGirl

Heather - feel better!! Bladder infections suck but cipro will take care of that for you!! Make sure to eat yogurt and/or take some probiotics with that too!

I am also in this for a full year - chemo until mid-Oct, then surgeries, then possibly radiation, and then Herceptin through June. Getting thru this chemo seems like the hardest part!!

Eleanora - a few pages back I listed all the supplements my naturopath and MO agreed that I should take. We are both HER2+ so you may want to take particular note of the heart-protecting supplements (CoQ20, vit e, fish oil) to help out with the Herceptin. On my phone so I can't find it now but let me know if you can't find it and I can PM the list to you.

Is anyone else's mouth completely raw from the chemo?? I'm rinsing with the salt and baking soda but my entire mouth, tongue, gums, everything feels so sore and raw. Any helpful remedies out there?

Heathet

DistrictGirl - Iuse biotene mouth wash and that seems to help.

Nextyear

hi everyone,

So sad, been gone for awhile. Miss being part of group, but absolutely loved reading all your posts. I guess I'm the corner girl who is at the party but kinda keeping to herself 😓 Can't seem to stay out of hospital. Keep having SE infections that get going big time. Neulasta supposed to help. Fingers crossed. Still forcing myself to jog between outbreaks but, today, feel totally beaten down. Probably because had treatment yesterday. Got to get back to smiling so gonna start now after seeing all your great pics. I'm adding mine from treatment. yesterday. Cold so added coat to blankets

With July 4th, hoping to be able to eat again! May everyone's weekend be good.

labscientistmom

Pepper: not sleeping is a bummer. I have slept ok the past few nights, but with you on waking up several times a night. Have a friend cleaning house for me today, my mom send $ to pay for someone twice a month. thanks again for setting up the FB stuff, I will join soon. I had my surgery already in April, so have 6 weeks more of weekly taxol, then 2 months of every 2 weeks A/C followed by 6 weeks radiation. maybe I will be done by end of this year, but I don't know how much break they give between chemo & rads. I am not eligible for hormone therapy because triple neg, so not sure after that. I am not liking the sinus pain either, having bleeding in my sinus every day.

We are going to a friends house for BBQ on 4th, then they shoot off fireworks over the mall by their house, they park their truck in the early am so we have a spot to get dropped off @later to sit and watch the show.

labscientistmom

Nextyear and Heathet: so sorry you have been having a rough time of it. I agree, the cipro should do the trick ,lots of water and cranberry juice for sure. Maybe some chicken soup to boost the ol'immune system. Yay, you got another treatment done! Have a relaxing weekend, hope you both feel better.

Districtgirl: I agree the biotene will help. I got some dry mouth lozenges too that I suck on regularly. I also have the regular ricola throat drops that are soothing too. when I had a rough place on my tongue it helped a lot.

labscientistmom

ok Pepper, made a facebook account, gonna try to friend you now. Angela Cooper aka labscientistmom

ClarkBlue

So far so good! I switched to taking an Ativan every 5-6 hours and a HALF of my Compazine every 8 hours. Took the Alleve BEFORE the Neulasta and have kept up with everything so far. I feel good!!! I am kind of waiting for the bike pain to kick in but I should be okay by now if it hasn't hit already. I switched from Allegra from Claritin...

lilyp6

Nextyear, It's good to have you back, and may you be eating food by the 4th! And oh my, jogging? I can't even imagine. But I am planning some push ups tomorrow so I don't lose all of my conditioning.

Districtgirl, yes, Biotene, a soft toothbrush, and even the Biotene toothpaste.

labscientistmom

ClarkBlue: yay, glad that you got a better balance and you are feeling better! Enjoy your Independence Day weekend!

lilyp6: whoot whoot, girl, pushups?? You rock!! I am exhausted today! I helped my friend who was cleaning for me, and was amazed how tired I was really quickly, especially how good I felt the last couple days. So random sometimes!

blessings to all! A

Llroseworld

Day 2 after 2nd round of chemo and doing really good. Last time I crashed on day 4 so I'm praying that won't happen again. I am actually loving having no hair! I stay cool and can get ready in like 15 min! I wish I could concentrate to comment individually like so many of you do on this thread. I love reading the posts and seeing how we all help each other through this messy part of life. This too shall pass and we will all be stronger, more passionate, womenfilled with a renewed love for life!!!

boobsBgone

SEs are the worst. I did also have dry mouth and Biotene rinse worked great.

Nextyear, i am sorry you are not feeling well and sending you kick-ass strong vibes to help you through.You have so much strength to jog between tx. better woman than me. you rock it!

my next tx is Wed after the holiday, not looking forward to the severe SEs again. But prepared as I can be and as ready as possible for whatever it brings me. oh, still not used to the stupid haircut. though many of my friends say it matches my personality, hmm.

Keep you spirits up and smile often. We got this!

boobsBgone

something to smile at

boobsBgone

Anonymous

Hello everyone,

Been a hectic day today as my nephew was finishing up at boarding school after many years there. Then had to go to help my sister get ready for the big ball at the school tonight, which involved me blowdrying her hair and doing her makeup for her. I am now thinking about giving up my job as a teacher and setting up my own business as a beautician. However, not sure if having no hair (which I fear will come as head is itchy again) or eyebrows will affect my success in such a business???

Also had my niece over and we baked organic cakes.

I feel a bit of a fraud on this site, when I read about all your awful SEs, because so far, I feel so well. I am guessing that I am on a chemo maybe not quite as harsh as the rest of you. FEC doesn't seem to be used in the USA. Not sure why. I was told I was on FEC as it was gentler on me and they were pretty much using it as an additional 'belt and braces' treatment. Hmmm I hope this stuff is still potent and doing the same to my cancer cells as you lot are having done to yours.

I have read some of you talking about mouths etc...anybody tried Duraphat toothpaste? It is a toothpaste high in flouride content and is very good and used with chemo patients. It is pretty expensive, but I have been using it as am petrified about my teeth being damaged by chemo. I have heard horror stories about women losing teeth on FEC. I do flaming well hope not.

I feel like my skin has changed. I mean I feel older since starting chemo. Does this poison age us more? Gosh again, I hope not.

I had a naughty day today and ate pizza and chips with my niece. But I have now cut out all milk, sugar, diet coke and alcohol. And for last week have really only been eating soups and crackers. Have a passion for tomato soup just now.

I hope everyone is doing well and not got too much sickness.

I will be finished chemo by Middle of September and then 30 sessions of RADS immediately after that and then Tamoxifen for 5 or maybe 10 years. I don;t like that last part of the story. I don't want that drug, but have realised that I am possibly going to have to take it.

Dolly

ClarkBlue

Dolly - my skin has definitely changed! But for me I was sooo oily and greasy that now I have to switch to a more moisturizing cleanser without any salicylate acids because that dried me out too much. So strange!!

-keely

labscientistmom

Dollydimple: I can remember you having yucky SEs too girl, so no, I can assure you , you are really a cancer patient fighting this thing too! Yes, the chemo drys everything out, our mouths, vaginal moisture, gut, skin, eyes, nose, and so on, and so on.....moisturizing lotion is a must, but like Simple or Olay. I also have an eczema lotion from CVS that is wonderful when my skin gets crazy from being hot, usually on my neck.

maybe ask, cause I heard sometimes they give us a break between chemo and rads depending on what drugs you get.

Pepper: maybe try aloe vera juice for reflux? I also take Zantac 150 2X a day because reflux is one of the biggies for taxol. I got some AlkaSeltzer chews that help too, but they add to constipation so watch out. Thanks for adding me to the secret group. Still trying to figure out Facebook, to reply there. Blessings,A

Anonymous

My skin isn't dry or oily, I just look at myself and feel like my skins looks older. Maybe it's just that I am not a good colour at the moment?

Yeah Labscientist, originally my first infusion DID cause SEs, although at the time I was jusmping for joy coz they were only for two days and did not involve me taking any more than about 2 anti-sickness tabs, which amazed me at the time. But this time I really have had a much better time of it. Although for me when I say SEs, I am pretty much focussing on the sickness as that is what worried me the most. My list of SEs so far would include:

1. Sickness (on infusion 1 and not again)

2. Constipation (on both treatments)

3. Tiredness (a bit and bot more on 2nd)

I kinda think I am lucky, but then nurse made me think that FEC does not cause too many SEs at all anyway!

In relation to skin....maybe I am just getting old in general haha...I mean I am 46.

Labscientist, I am naughty about moisturizing, as I always forget too. I shall have a bath and smother myself in my Estee Lauder 'Beautiful' body cream, which I treated myself to just before starting chemo.

I will also try to drink even more water. I know you are very good with the water.

D

Ooooh and update had a bath and washed hair today!!! Not washed hair for 5 days. It felt sooooooooooooooo good.

Anybody having had a lumpectomy, STILL have hardness to breast? I do...it's nothing to worry about right?

Nextyear

Hi everyone,

Yea home today! Maybe one weekend without hospital.

Labscientistmom and boobsbegone and lilyp6- thx for welcoming me back.

Heathet- sorry ur having it rough. Hang in- it has to get better, right?

ClarkBlue and Dolly- my skin has changed too! I use Eurcerin throughout the day and now it's so soft. Maybe that will help you two?

Lieoselworld- I agree about the no hair. It rocks not having to blow dry and straighten. No frizzies in heat. Something good!

Everyone have a better day today than yesterday! Hope everyone can eat, feel vigorous, and have fun today.

Daczahow

Well the 1st round of AC is done! I had a rough couple of days but today is starting out okay ! This is day 5 so I am very optimistic that I might have a normal day !! The neulasta didn't seem to cause the SE I was expecting some minor aches and pains but over all not bad ... Does it have a cumulative effect like the chemo? This is my 1st time with it ...

boobsBgone

I am third week past 1st tx and my skin and everything else seems dryer. I also forget to put lotion on after my shower, the stupid bottle sits right there laughing at me. last week was bad as my sinus was very dry, but I did buy a humidifier (kid section at walmart, shaped like an owl) and ran it all night, it did help. I have a new water bottle a friend gave me to help me remember to drink more. It has a straw built in, so I find myself drinking more than before - who knew all I needed was a straw! so childish, ha ha.

I find my head is tender to the touch, not overly painful just tender. weird. and my mohawk is slowly thinning out. at least hubby got to see it before it gets too thin and unrecognizable.

This will all be over soon and we will be back to our normal, I will never admit I was normal in the first place (LOL)! have a better day than yesterday!

Moondust

Dolly, I think your chemo regimen is tougher than you might think! Here is what I read: The "E" portion is similar to the "A" (red devil) portion of the US regimens. It can make your pee red and potentially affect your heart, though that is rare and temporary. The "C" portion is the same as our "C", which is cyclophosphamide. That is the one which might cause cystitis in our bladder if we don't make an effort to stay very hydrated! We don't get the "F" portion here, but from what I have read, it is the one causing mouth sores and potential nail changes.

All of these poisons are very nasty and can certainly change the appearance of our skin! And don't forget, our blood counts go down which makes us appear paler and less healthy. Don't worry - you will be back to your glowing self after it is all over with!

I have a hard place in my breast as a result of the lumpectomy. I don't like it but I don't know if it will go away. As long as it is normal tissue, I'll just ignore it.

Nextyear, I am SO sorry you keep getting infections! Do the doctors have any idea why? I hope you can enjoy the 4th of July holiday. Jogging might be a little too much, because strenuous exercise does have a negative affect on our immune system. Try just walking.

boobsBGone, my hair went through a painful period. If I tried to comb it in a different direction -- OWWW! The pain has gone away, along with most of the hair. Very cute pictures!

Heathet, glad the antibiotics are kicking in for your bladder. Quite miserable to have that!

I agree with everyone that the short (or no) hair is perfect for this hot weather. My big shed seems to be over, however I'm not completely bald, just very sparse. I think this time around I am doing a bit better with my appetite. Maybe it's because I am not trying to force the issue. I just eat a little when my stomach rumbles and if the scale goes down, I don't care. I'll make up for it next week.The drinking is going a little better too. But I am more tired than normal.