Anyone Starting Chemo in June 2016

smilethrupain

Ladies hi. I post to September thread, as I've just started my chemo. Just wondered if any of you had the saltiness taste change. Everything tastes salty (plums, apples) Powerade ... It ranges from a twinge of saltiness to overly salty. So bizarre. I had the metallic taste only for a day (2nd day after chemo) and have been swirling biotene mouthwash after meals). Thanks for your feedback.

boobsBgone

I just need to say again how grateful I am for this website and all you wonderful women. My husband is such an amazing man and his parents and my mom have been nothing but supportive. Today really scared me. Fainting in the shower with my husband having just enough time to catch me before I hit the floor face first. Without having a clue why either. I know I'm stronger than this and anyone going to get through this. But there's those moments when all you do is just sit and cry because you can't think of anything else to do. I'm beating cancer I'm not letting cancer win. I'm very grateful for all your comments and your sharing what you're going through. I wish our experience was easier and someday for women it will be. Thank you for letting me share.

labscientistmom

bbg: hang in there lady, you are amazing!! Hope you can talk with your doctor, get it sorted out. If you havn't yet, I would call tomorrow. I am also grateful to have a group of women who get where I am. I thought of you yesterday, I had to take my Sofia, the calico, to the vet for her teeth cleaning. they had to take out two yucky teeth too. She was so wobbly last night, and is sleeping a lot today. I think she is doing ok though.

blessings and hugs, A

ClarkBlue

Boobs...I fainted after surgery as well. For me it was the narcotics. I already have low blood pressure and the narcotics (Percocet and even Tylenol 3) sent it plummeting. I literally took 1 Percocet and passed out about an hour later. I called doc andasked for Tylenol 3 since I tolerated that after the birth of my 3rd child years ago. I took 1 and passed out about an hour later. My hubby barely caught me before I almost hit my head on the nightstand. Sheesh! Anyways, I ended up recovering from a double mastectomy on only Extra Strength Tylenol. My doc said say I healed so quickly because I had to let pain direct me and didn't over do it like most people on narcs

Thinking this is the case with you too??

-Keely

lilyp6

Smile, I've been lucky - no big taste changes so far. But we do have different chemos.

BBG, I'm hoping that Keely is correct, and you just can't tolerate the narcotics.

Very careful virtual hugs ((( ))) going out to you. This will be behind you before you know it.

Labs, I've been thinking about you as we do this Red Devil thing. Mine are every three weeks, and I'm getting impatient to get it done. I hope you're well today. I posted some of the following elsewhere:

I had a visit on Tues with my oncologist's PA this week. I was past my worst SE's from my treatment on 8/30, but not feeling my best. I had planned to work all week. Between my pulse rate and my previous low white blood counts, she urged me to stay home, rest, and watch for (vague) signs of infection, that might not even include a fever. Of course I knew about the AC nadir, but didn't connect it with my blood test and the fact that I was now rock bottom in terms of immunity. (Duh..just thought I would feel a little better every day).

That was worrying, but I stayed home as directed. My pulse seems fine now, and I'm hoping for a good blood test tomorrow, and yes - getting 2 more giant syringes full of poison this Tues. She said the Neupogen is quite a production the way it's administered with Kaiser, so I'm hoping to avoid that and stay on schedule.

She had some good advice about the Emend, which is given in the IV, and meant to help with nausea. It hasn't impressed me at all, so she said that I should ask for Aloxi instead. Maybe I'll have an easier time with that.

She also said that since my numbness is in one foot, it's unlikely that it's caused by chemo, which tends to give that kind of trouble bilaterally. Her guess was that it was simply a pinched nerve, so I'm working on it from that direction.

Cheers, and happy Sunday, Pam

boobsBgone

Labs: sofie will feel so much better when she heals, that is what happened to 2 of my babie so far, and now they are doing great. We are now concerned about my 16 yr old Max. With kidney failure there is only maintenance we can do until it is time.

Keely: I know I am super sensitive to drugs. But I have only been on tylenol since home from hospital. trying to get over this hump of recovery. So glad our hubbies watch us So closely seek we are safe.

Lily: hoping you Are feeling better soon.

May all your SEs go away.

Heathet

lily - stay home and get lots of rest! You're getting your next infusion Tuesday ? Keep us posted!

BoobsBgone - hoping you are feeling better. I'm glad your hubby is there to catch you! The fainting sounds very scary! Sorry to hear about your 16 year old Max. Our pets are such a part of our lives!

Acie

Bbg I hope you are feeling better. That sounds very scary.

Dolly you asked about steroids. I am on weekly taxol and only get steroids at infusion. Maybe they don't impact neuropathy.

The neuropathy is still bad but another increase in my meds is helping control it. I am a little concerned about what happens after my next treatment since this is will likely continue to get worse. I still have 8 infusions left. Just trying to get through...

Hope you are all well.

labscientistmom

BBg: Yes, my Sofia is feeling more herself today, been taking it much more low key than usual and resting in weird places. I am still giving her topical pain meds thru tomorrow for her teeth, which she hates, but she seems to be doing well. Take it easy, go with the Extra strength Tylenol and EAT and heal up well!! Hopefully you have help changing bandages, I was so grateful for my nurse friend. Hope you get the drains out sooner rather than later, although they do help decrease fluid buildup inside. Hugs and prayers still coming your way.

LilyP/Pam: My Red Devil/cytoxan chemo is every two weeks, and while I dread feeling yucky, I too am wanting to get it DONE! They actually put my nasty red junk in with saline and run it by gravity. they couldn't get blood out of my port on Friday (day before yesterday), and they have to be able to get blood return to give the Adriamycin. If they have the same trouble on Tuesday, day after tomorrow (next to LAST ONE!!!) they will have to flush my port with some wizbang clotbuster stuff, cause the heparin isn't doing it. Praying for NOT needing to do that, I feel dizzy and lightheaded sometimes, but havn't actually passed out thankfully. My low immunity gift is a fungal infection rash under my breasts, which is aweful, but the cream they gave me on Friday seems to be helping.

MY fingers are much better since finishing taxol, and I think the nerves in my feet are actually waking up, because my crocs feel weird sometimes, but there is nothing different about them when I look at them. Nosebleeds are getting better, still happening on the right side, but better than before. My head itches from my hair falling out, so glad my friend cut it super short last week. I look like a naked pathetic baby bird, (perfect description Petrina!) but it doesn't itch and stab me like it was doing. My son and husband went to an outdoor concert event, Gracefest on Sat. I am glad I stayed home, I don't need to catch anything from milling crowds of people, and so didn't need to stay in the sun all afternoon.

Little-Red, Heathet, Acie: good to hear from ya'll, hope you are doing well!

((hugs)) to all, hope you have a good week! A

labscientistmom

Acie: I hope you are putting your hands and feet on ice during the taxol, it does help!! and take l-glutamine supplement, it helps a LOT as well. A

Anonymous

Hi folks,

I have not been on for a bit. How is everyone?

I did my last chemo on Friday and that is me finished with THAT bit. I have however come down with a cold in last day and have a swollen and painful hand due to a few too many cannulas going in there in the last few months. I have been staying in and just keeping warm and drinking lots of orange juice and getting lots of rest.

I have my radiotherapy simulation set up for a week today. Not looking forward to that as I have started to feel sick with the very sight of needles (not good for a Type 1 diabetic haha).But I am not having the tattoo markings done and will have rads for only 4 weeks. Then after that it is tablet time. I am confused now about what I should do in relation to tabs as Keely has been researching lots about OS and AIs maybe being a better option for early stage cancers. Anyone else got any thoughts on this?

I am off to see a nutritionist soon about supplements etc.

Also only put on 4 pounds in weight as a result of chemo. I was no skinny to begin with, so I am trying to get the first half stone off in the next 4 weeks.

D

bbbb

Dolly,

I had my radiology simulation last week and there were no needles, just alot of laying around and waiting - I almost fell alseep! They did load me up with stickers and told me not to let them fall off! Really! I still have them all but I am not stressing it, they can worry about that! I finally caught a cold from my students so last week was full of runny nose and runny eyes as my tear ducts are still clogged. The cold was short lived but my eyes are still dripping. I am waiting this out as the only opthamologist that treats clogged tear ducts is an hour away! So glad to hear you have had your last chemo! YEAAH! I am three weeks past my last chemo and I feel REALLY good! Like my old self again with the exception that I still am short on stamina and have to pick and choose what I do, knowing I will run out of energy quickly. I am working full time and loving every minute of it! How is your hair doing - I was worried after your post about the nurse not turing your cold cap back on after your restroom break. I am hoping it is good as you have worked so hard! I will do 5 weeks of rads, then armidex along with a hysterectomy in December. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

boobsBgone

I have exciting news to share - to help other in this chaos as well.

My apt with my surgeon to remove 2 of my drains, she discussed the pathology report with me today - I AM CANCER FREE!! She said the chemo killed what it needed and the tumors were small. We did it!

I am still tired and still feeling the effects of chemo 6 weeks ago, and recovery from anesthesia has been rough - but I WON!

You all are next - you got this, we can do it. please take strength from me and fight!

ClarkBlue

Booobs... yay!!!!!!! You have had such a rough time of it, you deserve a win!!! I'm so incredibly happy for you and I know that others here will follow suit. Get some rest and keep us posted!!

YAY!!!!!!!!

-Keely

lilyp6

Wow, BBG!! I'm so happy to hear this. It's a good day!!!

Anonymous

bbbb

Is there not a needle put in your arm for the CT scan for simulation

bbbb

BBG - YES YOU WON! YEAAAH! I am so excited for you! I know you are smiling and sooo happy!

Dolly - no needle for the CT scan. I had a bunch of stickers on me and they kept adjusting everything and then put more stickers on and said I was done. Hopefully you will not need an IV either!

Little-Red-Corvette1

Boobs- Hooray So happy to hear of your glorious news! Cancer Free!!! WHOOP! You have had a rough time and it's ready for you to turn it up 💝😜!

Bbbb and Dolly- getting ready for the rads! Hooray for you! Keely too! I have 10 weeks of straight taxol then Rads. Counting on you guys for your usual expert advice!

Keely I saw you posted something about a cooling roller? Any products that will help please!!!! My scar is underneath so I'm expecting some rubbing issues as well!

DollyDimples you are right on about the weight! I'm retaining a lot of water! I'm mostly eating a raw organic vegetable and fruit diet. Some chicken and pasta made with quinoa or quinoa under a salad. I'm going to try to cut back on the EVOO and seasonings maybe too much salt? It mostly started on the Taxol as I've had no nausea with it. Could be the steroids? Their giving me Decadron.

Labs mom, lilyp6, Acie, how you all feeling? Hoping you are all getting to some lovely things!

Hugs and Love to All

Jo

Acie

boobs - I am so happy for you! Cancer free! That's is so awesome. You worked hard for it and iI s finally here. Good for you!

Labmom- I am icing my hands and feet. Hopefully it has helped me get this far. We just have a ways to go. My MO decided to have me skip chemo this week. It is concerning of course, but hopefully, the neuropathy will improve before we start back up next week.

I am so happy for those of you who are done or nearly done with chemo. I look forward to that day for myself. I am ready to be done with chemo and move on to surgery and if absolutely necessary rads. I am leaning to a double mastectomy and am hoping I won't have to do rads. But first, 7 weeks of taxol and dealing with neuropathy. Just trying to get through...

lilyp6

Littlered, I have thrown all my meds at it, and am celebrating a nausea/heartburn free moment!

Acie, I'm impatient and apprehensive about the next stage, but agree that we just have to focus on getting through with this one.

Anonymous

bbbb

Did you not need to have a contrast dye put through you first? I thought that was what they had to do to see the organs??? Did you not get the ink markings either

ClarkBlue

Dolly - I had my sim appointment last week, and had no contrast dye. They just laid me down on a table, secured me in there with pillows and stuff that formed to my body to keep me from moving. Had me hold on to some handles to keep my arms above my head, then slowly moved me under/into the radiation machine which looks a lot like a CT machine, but you're not completely surrounded or inside it. My head was partially outside of the machine on the other side. It was like a giant "o" and i was moved into the center while my head and abdomen were on either side sticking out. I got the ink markings which was literally a small sewing needle-like thing that they poked me with after dipping in ink. Other than that there were no needles.

-Keely

ClarkBlue

Little Red - yes! It's called Lindi cooling roll http://www.lindiskin.com/lindi-skin-cooler-roll

I ordered some and my RO wants to look at them Friday before I start radiation on Monday, so I'll let you know if I'm cleared to use them!

-Keely

Anonymous

Thanks Keely,

I'm hoping that I'm not going to have an IV put in as my arm and hand are pretty much done just now with all that chemo. My friend said her RADS sim about 12 years ago did involve a contrast dye. But maybe that was back then???

I guess I'm just being a woos now, but I've really had my fill of needles.

When do you start Rad treatment? How many weeks of it are you getting?

D

Moondust

BBG, I am so happy to hear your good news! Congrats!!!

I am glad to see everyone who is still doing chemo getting closer to the end. It's gratifying to see that most of us have come through basically okay and can get on with the next step or steps. The ones of us who have had some tough times, I'm happiest for you to see you done or almost done! May life get easier going forward!

I don't remember contrast dye with the radiation setup either. I think I only had that for the breast MRI way back in January. And I remember well I did not like it. When they started the IV I felt nauseous. Fortunately I didn't get sick but worried that I might. They also forgot to put the ear protectors back on when they changed my position, and then they could not hear me shouting about it. I won't be using that place again! But no one will have those problems for the radiation set up.

I have not had time for anything on FB, so I'm posting here really quickly. I saw the lymphedema specialist yesterday and I love her! Labmom, I mentioned the Swell Spot and she was very excited that someone had told me about it. She is ordering me one. Meanwhile she made some tubes filled with foam pieces that I am to wear at night. My seroma was much better this morning. Of course, it comes back during the day but over time it should get smaller and smaller.

labscientistmom

Moondust: good I am glad that the LymphPT is addressing your issue. I miss going to mine now, as I have had more pain under my arm and I felt like the massage she was doing was really helping to stretch that. I am trying to remember my stretches and excercises to keep ti flexible.

Dolly, Acie, LittleRed, bbbb: I have my radiation oncologist appt on Friday. Not sure if it will be the prep appt. I am glad that I only have one more chemo infusion. I will be glad to be done with chemo side effects. Hoping radiation is not as much of a burden and I can transition back to working.

bbg: I join the celebration, whoot, whoot, cancer free is awesome!! sounds like you won't need radiation. blessings and {{hugs}} to you as you finish recovering from surgery. did you get your drains out too.??

I got to see my son play in his first 7th grade flag football game. His team lost but he made a couple great catches, one for a touchdown!! Now I am running out of energy. need to head to sleep,...hope your day tomorrow is beautiful and minimal SEs.

hugs to all, A

ClarkBlue

Dolly - I start radiation on Monday - 35 treatments over 7 weeks.

Anonymous

Labs,

So glad you're almost there! I bet you can't wait til It's done? Let me know what happens to you at the rads simulation. If you get a contrast dye or not put in.

When are you back to work?

I'm not sure when I'm returning but the way I feel I believe it will be after Christmas

bbbb

Dolly - No contrast just the CT scan. No ink markings either, just stickers - which have stayed on so far! I got the call today that I start Monday - 5 weeks and I'll be done! They are scheduling mine after work. I guess I will be tired after running to the treatment center every day for 5 weeks but I will survive and thrive!

Clark Blue - we start Rads on the same day - praying for no burns - I don't have time for that! My skin is not sensitive so I am hoping it will be fine. Best wishes as you begin!

labscientistmom

clarkblue and bbbb: I go for my rads consult tomorrow, scheduled to start in October sometime after my last chemo, which is Oct 4th. FYI, there is a great article on the "before, during, after radiation" discussion board topic that has a writeup from a radiation oncologist explaining about the "not actually burns" radiation "burn". I found it very informative. I am scheduled for 6 weeks of 30 treatments.

Dolly: I have to see what the radiation onc says tomorrow, but tentatively planning to ease back into work on Oct 17th. I am only 3 days a week part time anyway, and MO put restrictions until January, lifting, and only 6 hours at a time.

This is the week after my third dose of A/C, my stomach is rebelling a lot more today. Thank God for zofran, which makes it tolerable. I havn't eaten much since breakfast, which seemed to go right thru me. Had a good long nap, hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Hugs again to all, A