Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

Heathet

labmom- your vacation looks amazing! I'm so glad you were feeling well and enjoyed every minute of it! The pictures are beautiful! In May I have a trip planned to fly out to Sedona. Looking forward to getting away!

I've have some red patches/bumps on my scalp. I've been treating them with Neosporin and that seems to help. Day 5 and I'm feeling a little better. I still just want to sleep! Crazy- I'm not use to feeling this way!

boobsBgone

So glad many of you had such good days. Thank you for the hugs for Grayce.

Labmom: what great pictures, so happy you had such a good time and were able to enjoy.

Clarkblue: take your time on your decision. you will know what to do when the time is right. trust yourself.

we are beautiful being bald, whether we cover it up or not. You are inspiring to try the false lashes and painting your own nails. I still have my lashes/brows, at least for now. more than I can say for the peach fuzz patches on my head. LOL It looks like the balding pattern my dad has. I am with the some of you that just cannot seem to be motivated to do that extra something. Though, I do pretend to try to move more when I feel bleh. I seem to stay tired and the nausea has lasting into the 2nd week after my infusion and this headache I continue to get every night. glad the meds help, but the D is getting tiresome too. there are the days I want to rush the clock ahead so I can be done with this mess and be back to my normal.

I wish everyone no SEs after infusions and enough energy to do something YOU want to do today.

Moondust

Acie, my hair was painful during the shedding process. I haven't had any more of that since it shed after Round 1. Our power goes out every now and then. What a pain! We have lanterns and flashlights handy since we never know when or why it happens.

Labmom, thanks for sharing the photos and description of your trip! It looks and sounds wonderful! I would really enjoy that area, and will put it on my list. Good shot of the dust devil. I see one almost every day here in the flatlands of the San Joaquin Valley.

Keely, I came through my 30 radiation treatments without too many problems (25 whole-breast, 5 electron boosts), but it varies a lot from person to person. Even though I was always in and out within 20 or 30 minutes, just the fact that you have to show up there 5 days a week and go through the treatment in the big machine can wear you down sometimes. Some women get painful skin and places where the skin opens up. My skin held up well. Same as for chemo, I think eating lots of protein is a key. Will you be having your nodes radiated? I didn't, so I had less skin area involved. Throughout the whole thing I used Miaderm, which felt very nice and non-greasy. My RO is adamant about using it. It also comes in a version with lidocaine added. I had a few red skin areas by the end, and dark almost black patches under the radiated breast, but nothing very painful. I wore a bra 24x7 during rads so that my breast would not move and the skin would not stretch. I finished in early April. The radiated breast feels denser and I think it actually got a bit larger even though I was told it would eventually shrink. It is a little darker than the other one. I guess it takes a year to return to normal color. I did not feel much fatigue, but some women do. I worked 20 hours a week during radiation and it was not a problem. The biggest problem I had was my right shoulder -- after a couple of weeks I could not lift anything higher than my shoulder without really bad pain. This problem resolved quickly once I was done. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Heathet, glad to hear the neosporin is helping the scalp issue. I definitely run out of gas earlier in the day, and I sometimes get sleepy when I'm driving. A few times I've pulled over and napped for 15 minutes.

Krekre, I've had two people comment on what a nice shape of my head. Bizarre!

My third of four infusions is tomorrow at 9:30 Pacific time. The blood draw today went fine. I'm curious to see my numbers tomorrow. Hopefully if anything was too low they would have called me by now.

ClarkBlue

Feeling very anxious about my treatment tomorrow - not sure why... Just ready to be done.

Moon - Thinking of you today as you have your treatment... THANK YOU for the radiation notes - it does make me feel better. I need to be reminded that I CAN do this... I just really try to avoid the threads as much as possible - I HAVE to keep things positive. I am planning to purchase the Miaderm as well as the Lindi skin rolls to cool things off immediately following treatment. I will have my final implants by then so I don't think I will feel much, but I want to avoid as much damage as I can.

KNardo - Hysterectomy is such a big decision... but I agree with you, that may be the way to go. In the mean time, have some beautiful, healthy babies and move forward.

KreKre - I've seen many ladies post about the "magic mouthwash" (that's literally what it's called) for mouth sores - I think it has lidocaine in it too... ask your MO for a prescription. Also, your bald spot/pimple description made me laugh - although I know it wasn't meant to be funny, so I'm sorry for laughing. Your description was priceless and perfectly depicted the ridiculousness of our situations right now.

Pepper - cording is this totally weird thing that can happen after a mastectomy... http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects...

bbbb - LOL "put my hair away for the day'... Bahahaha

lilyp6 - I had a good laugh picturing your hair on the bannister... I'll bet it freaks you out sometimes looking like a person standing there...

Labscientist - OMGsh LOVE the pictures... what a beautiful place - especially the canyon. So jealous! So glad you got to get out and enjoy yourselves!!!

-Keely

Moondust

Number Three all done! My BC sister Sloan who lives in Bakersfield stopped by, brought me a Starbucks frap light, and made the time fly by! Sloan is great! With only one more infusion to go I'm feeling very up right now. However, Sloan told me that her eyebrows did not fall out until after the third treatment, so mine may leave yet. And she said she felt a lot more fatigued after #3. I'll take it day by day.

Dolly, I am glad to hear that you are so anti-pill. We can be no-pill buddies. Like you, I will not take any meds unless absolutely necessary. Last time I tried one Zofran pill to see if it would get rid of the "rock in the belly" feeling, but it didn't have any effect on that, so I never took any more. I do get the steroids in my drip, and I am tolerating them well. I feel bad that you can't get those.But I don't get any benadryl in the drip. For sleeping, I have decided that if I don't sleep much one night, then I might be tired enough to sleep the next night, so I haven't taken anything for sleeping either. For anxiety, I just let myself be anxious and get on with life. I don't want to knock anyone who needs to take meds because we are all different, but each of the pills has its own SEs and sometimes we just have to muddle through. We'll never feel all that normal while we are on chemo, and it's just something I have accepted. One day at a time.

Moondust

And I finally got a nice photo of my little cat Patrick. His facial injuries have healed up nicely. As you can see, he is a plain boy but so sweet and smart. I have taught him to sit up. He is getting very good at it! (One of my hobbies is animal training). You can also see my horrible old cheap cabinet drawers in the background. If we don't move or get a manufactured house to replace the double-wide, the kitchen will get a makeover.

Heathet

Moondust/ congrats on number 3 done and behind you!!! It's always nice to have friends stop by durning chemo time! Your cat is so cute!

ClarkBlue/ I'll be thinking of you tomorrow! It's your last infusion, right ?!

labscientistmom

Moondust: love your kitty pic, he's a beautiful tabby boy, not plain @all!! Yay on a chemobuddy to join you! I love the picture. I agree with Clarkblue, thanks ever so much for your radiation info, really super helpful. As I get closer to each next step, its great to hear what others have experienced.

Clarkblue: ((hugs)) for your last treatment tomorrow!!! whoot, whoot, and a loud HUZZAH!! Praying for you, remember to be Strong and Courageous, for the Lord is with you! You are brave and strong, and you amaze me!!! Hope you sleep well tonight, and have minimal SEs this time. I am glad you liked the pictures, Hope you can get to Ramsey Canyon some time, it was beautiful! I understand why my sister wanted her ashes spread there. It was a peaceful, quiet canyon, and not too many people, so it was a very easy and natural thing to spread her ashes as we hiked. My husband even saved some for the overlook. I have more pics on my camera that I have to upload at some point. Cheers and blessings to you!!!

Hi Dolly, hope you are feeling better!!! Good on you for pasta! We did our first night of Vacation Bible School tonight, was tons of fun, had about 40 kids attend. I felt pretty good today, yesterday after my chemo I was really tired and sore around my eyes and brainblasted feeling. Hoping for an ok next couple of days. Blessings and goodnight!!

((hugs)) to all the rest of you, my brain is tired, and I gotta get some sleep! A

Acie

What are you guys using to care for your bald heads? I have been washing with a gentle face wash (cerve moisturizing face wash) because I don't know what else to use. I am curious if any of you have other suggestions.

Acie

moondust - Patrick looks so cute. Glad he recovered well. Also, it looks like you got the beanie everyone was talking about. Looks good on you.

Clarkblue - are you really almost done? Good for you!

Heathet - I also have some patchy redness on my scalp. I tried hydocortisone. We will see if it works. My scalp was fine until recently. My skin seems so sensative all over. Please, let me know if you find any other remedies.

I go for my third on Tuesday and am starting to wondering what I will be like when I get through all this. Is it me or do these get harder as we go? Is it because I am getting weaker each time? My second was harder than my first. Does it continue downward? I am a little worried since I have 16 total to go through. Sometimes I know I can get through this and sometimes I am too tired to comtemplate the enormity. So I focus on each day.

Could not sleep and am up early, so I am off for a walk before it gets really hot here. Hope you all have lovely days!

boobsBgone

Patrick is such a handsome tabby, not plain at all! Mine do not sit up, they just beg. LOL

Fought a major headache and pain most of yesterday afternoon, went to bed about 7:30pm and slept thru the night. Got up about 6:30 am - earlier than I like, but felt I needed to move. Took my dog for a short walk before it hit 100 degrees. She was so happy she bounced when she walked.

I try not taking some of my pills, but then I feel I wait too long and it makes the SEs linger longer than they should. I really need to start accounting for drinking more water. I know I am not doing enough and that is most likely why I am so tired and get the headaches. I think I will blame the meds, they knock me out for hours at a time where I can't drink since I'm sleeping. (sounded better in my head)

Clarkblue: so glad you are almost done, that inspires me to look ahead, I am almost half way done.

Moon: Love you had a buddy with you! you both have great smiles! i was happy I still have my brows too, so now I look forward to the next disappointing step in this process - my cute eyebrows will go missing soon since #3 is next week, bleh.

Acie: sometimes I feel the same way. my #3 is next Wed, and I feel worse and weaker after every time. I was told that was normal, to me there is nothing normal about this process. stay inspired and positive, though I know there are those days - just allow yourself the emotions them move past them. my SEs are still bothering me and makes it difficult to function when all I want to do is sleep. I try to push myself when I can and stay motivated, especially by everyone here and knowing what they do to keep energized during the day. I hope something inspired you. and know we are routing for you, by your side!

May we all stay motivated to move; stay positive to smile and laugh to overcome! Happy day to everyone!

lilyp6

Acie:re: does it continue downward? I started on Taxol/Carbo, and I believe you started with A/C. The oncology nurse gave me a calendar that showed my treatments and had me mark the 3rd week from my first treatment as a low blood count/immunity week. As we got to that week, I thought, wait! Then what?? Do I just keep going downhill from here? So far it turns out, I have not. My WBC could be higher, but today is my "bad" day after a dose of both, which I don't get every week, and I'm not struggling as much as I did

the last time it came around.The nurses tell me that the body bounces back from these treatments, (bone marrow regenerates, or something I can't remember right now). Your mileage may vary, but I hope you get the same results!

Moondust

I actually felt better after #2 compared to #1. Since I've just had #3, I'll report back after the steroids are out of my system. But so far my stomach has been manageable if I just keep small amounts of food in it. I do feel a bit tired though.

I am not very savvy about the blood counts on my bloodwork report, but it looks like my white blood cell count was much higher (10.3 vs 6.5 last time) going into this treatment. And remember, I'm not getting Neulasta or anything. My temperature has been normal. I'll have to read up on these numbers. All the other stuff looked normal, except that consistently on all my bloodwork it says Neutrophils are high, Lymphocytes are low.

Oh, for those of you fighting scalp pimples, my friend told me the steroids caused them on her. When the doctor lowered the steroid dose, they cleared right up! I am one of those people who think that too much soap and skin cleaning is actually bad for us, and it's fine to leave our beneficial skin bacteria sitting there for a while. I've only been gently shampooing my head a couple of times a week and it is giving me no problems.

Joeychen

Moondust nice to hear that SE's were good after your second, as I type I'm here in the chair starting my second TC infusion! I also have the high neutrophils/low lymphocytes, but I guess nothing bad enough to stop treatment, after the first 1 my SE's were mostly done by day 7-8, so hopefully the same, it was nice to have the two weeks 'off' although I'm struggling with bad allergies this last week that's given me some chest congestion I'll keep an eye on.

My mum has flown out from Phoenix for a week, so I get a chemo buddy this round!

Last Saturday my coworker who used to be a hairdresser (and who bleached my hair for me so I could do the bright purple!) did a pixie cut for me - I love it! It will give me something to look forward to when it grows back. I think after infusion we're going to head to our local Great Clips to hopefully get one of their free chemo buzzes, I'm tired of sweeping and wiping up hair!

Here's me and mum at Chemo, and me with my friend who cut my hair when it was looking a wee bit fuller. Mum claims I'm the most stylish here today I did glam up with a snazzy purple shirt to match the last of the hair and some funky big dangly earrings. Next time I'll be sure to rock a glam head wrap.

Cheers all!

--jo

revnet

Moondust Would love to be updated on how the SE's are effecting you this 3rd time around. I just had my 2nd infusion a week ago, and thought the SE's were easier this time than the first, so am intersted to hear your expereince this 3 time around. I hope all is well!

krekre

Hey everyone, just chiming in... my SE's were slightly easier second round. TCHP every three weeks. Traded mouth sores for some sort of cold and a yeast infection. But my days 3, 4, and 5 which were hardest first time around were still hardest, just slightly less hard.

Moondust

Joeychen, love the hair and the earrings! It is fun to "glam up" using what we have to work with! It's great that your mum can be there with you. Hope you do very well today!

Revnet, I'll keep everyone in the loop!

krekre, good to hear you are hanging in there! At some point will the TC part stop and just the HP continue for the year?

Dolly, I hope you are doing okay today! You must be busy baking.

Labmom, you are staying so busy even with your SE's! WTG! But aren't you nervous about being around a pack of kids? I am avoiding crowds and especially young kids like the plague.

BoobsBgone, more reminders to drink drink drink! I have to force myself. I hate it but I try to chug an 8 oz glass of water every hour.

Pepper, how did your infusion go today?

revnet

I'm 6 days after my second infusion and my mind just isn't functioning well. I feel stoned all the time. I have a very technical job and am having such a hard time focusing and following a line of thought to any use. I feel like I just did a huge bong rip, pretty much all the time.

bbbb

Had second infusion on Monday and felt pretty well on Monday and Tuesday but Wednesday afternoon I started to feel really lousy. Can't really describe it but lousy! I am still feeling lousy today too. I can be thankful that I have not had the big C or D this time around! I wonder if I should have went in to get fluids yesterday or today? Has anyone else gotten fluids and what did it do? My MO practically begs me to get fluids every time I see him. I am drinking alot of water but maybe it's not enough. I am really concerned because although I am not working yet, I hope to be working during my third infusion and working will not happen feeling this way! I am not giving in - I started to get really discouraged today and had to remember that this will pass and I have ALOT to be thankful for - I'm halfway done!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

krekre

bbbb - I'm doing THCP and my days 3, 4, and 5 are pretty awful. I'm not throwing up all the time or sleeping all the time. I can't seem to do anything. Can focus, can't complete a sentence. Can't sit, can't stand, can't sleep but can't be too alert either. Can't get comfortable. It's a strange "otherness" that I've had trouble explaining. Like everything inside is at war with each other.

But it fades and by day 6 I can see the light at the end of the tunnel more than not.

I haven't gotten extra fluids but would definitely like to hear if you decide to and if it does anything.

Hang in there!!!!

lilyp6

Jo, you are absolutely gorgeous with your pixie cut!

revnet

krekre I explain that 'otherness' as feeling 'high' all the time. Just going with what I used to know! But I think I like you're explanation a little better. Because it is just a strange feeling. Like floating and just being kind of absent in some way I can't explain. I will start using 'strange otherness' as a descriptor I think

Acie

bbbb - on the hydration you could try asking exactly how many ouncesyou should drink so you have target to hit instead of drinking "lots". Having a goal helps me archive it. Maybe it will work for you. Then measure our your favorite cup or glass and determine how many of those you have to drink each day to hit the target. I have a 32 oz cup and I make sure I drink at least two of those each day. I break up plain water with sugar-free flavorings sometimes, like mio or crystal light. I also try to drink them by mid afternoon so I am not up all night running to the bathroom. I find I can drink two during the day easy and still drink other things like water and coffee so I know I am getting plenty. Most imprtant, it will make you feel better. Also, be sure to hydrate well before chemo, not just in the days after. It's just my 2 cents but I hope it helps you.

Joeychen

bbbb I'll be interested too re the fluids, nothing my MO has asked me to do. I'm working hard on my water intake tho, with a little juice here and now for variety

I'll keep an eye out for the fog. I take steroid pills day before, day of and just in the morning day after, and just realized this afternoon that I've only been taking half the dose, whoops (hey, why do I have so many of these pills left? Lol) but I seem fine so far, no allergic reaction.

I went to our local Great Clips hoping to get one of their Clips of Kindness buzz cuts (was tired of sweeping up the hair). The lady I talked to didn't seem to be on board though and said the owner doesn't take part in that. I checked their website and it said that you could go to any salon, hmmm. I emailed customer service and asked for clarification to either update their website or review it with the franchise owner. I got a very fast response, and they had contacted another nearby salon and confirmed they definitely did it, and offered me a gift card, so yay for good customer service! They were great at the other salon and now my head feels like Velcro, haha

Cheers Junies, rock it!!

--jo

Coffee-lover

bbbb - regarding fluids, the nurse explained to me that I'm losing more fluids during treatment. I schedule fluids for the day after treatment and then twice the next week. My blood pressure drops really low regardless of how much I drink. After about 10 days, it smoothes out and I don't need any more til next treatment. On Tues they gave me two bags. You might want to try it, especially if they're suggesting it. It helps me. I still have all the SEs but don't have to worry so much about dehydration. My .02.

SBB

Had my 3rd treatment today and felt quite ill afterward. Im on a regimen for CT one week taxol two weeks, then start over x 4. Each time I have had different reactions. Today, I was extremely cold, nauseated and could not stand the sunlight. Came home and closed windows and took 8 mg Zofran and 1/2 tab Ativan, peppermint oil in my diffuser and drank peppermint tea. Slept. I did not want to take taxatere due to the law suit involving possible permanent hair loss, so my Onco is giving me taxol every week. I guess taxatere can be given every three weeks but taxol needs a weekly dose as it won't last in the body for 3 weeks. I had completely forgotten about this discussion board, and must have accidentally hit the button tonight where I had saved this group under favorites. How timely!

Acie

I have the fog you guys are talking about every now and then, but I wonder if its just stress or fatigue. I know I am grinding my teeth at night more than normal, and I have spells where I don't sleep well. I have times where I don't feel like focusing because I don't feel well or don't give a crap about work or whatever wants my focus, but I don't yet feel its something out of my control. I refuse to let this affect my mental acuity, too. I really think my "give a shit" meter has been re-calibrated by having cancer. ;-)

Heathet

I was just journaling last night how I don't feel like myself - it's this strange otherness. It seems like it's the worst the first week after chemo and gets better by the third week- right before my next infusion! I feel like I can't process anything or really think straight. Durning this otherness time I'm moody, forgetful and have a hard time explaining myself. It really sucks!

ClarkBlue

The fog eventually DOES lift, and it seems suddenly and right before you stink you can no longer take it. One day I'll be in a depression and then the next day I'll realize I'm laughing and feeling normal again. Such a strange cycle. My MO told me yesterday that it would take about 3-4 week for the taxotere to be out of my system, for my hair and side effects to finally go away - which is something to look forward to.

I am going to miss you all... is anyone scheduled for Fall Radiation? Then Winter Hormone therapy? Would love to stay in touch.

bbbb

I did go get fluids today and it helped. I have been drinking four 16 ounce water bottles a day minimum but I guess it just wasn't enough. I thought I would immediately feel better after fluids but it didn't happen that quickly. Had fluids at 11 and felt much better by 4 p.m. - I'll take it! Nurse suggested that I go ahead and schedule fluids for the next go around and I definitely will. As much as I hate sitting in that chair for another hour I think it helps enough to make it worth it.

Acie and Heathet - yes I have been MUCH more moody this time around - don't know exactly why. Today I sat down today in the chair to get fluids, the nurse said she would be right back, husband walked down to pharmacy to get my many prescriptions refilled so I was alone for a few minutes and I just started to cry. Not sure why as I am usually not emotional but I guess the feeling lousy, no hair, etc. just got to me. I managed to pull my self together before anyone saw me which I was glad. I think I am looking too far ahead - worrying about not being able to work the first week of school - I must just focus on today and getting through today well -

Clark Blue - yes you must keep in touch with us as I assume most of us will be getting radiation this fall followed by the hormone therapy. It is so good to have other people going through the same thing to "talk" to and just understand your vents!

Dolly - we are missing you? How are you???