Anyone starting chemotherapy in July?

boricua_63

Hello ladies

Welcome new members!!!

Lindzane, you look great and I love your tattoo.

From my part, not much is going on since my second tx was cancel due to the surgery I had, I will have it this Friday. So my hair looks like is growing back. Everything else, well just tired but I guess is just getting up at 4 am to be at work at 6am, having the surgery just a week ago and is been so hot and humid here, all of those things get me tired. But even though I'm tired I feel so good from not having the tissue expander.

Hope you all are doing good and managing the side effects from the treatments. Hang in there everyone. Remember, we might have cancer but cancer doesn't have us!!!

Hugs to all!!! 💕💕

boricua_63

Lidzane, this is my tattoo

Is a rose with my daughters initials. I'm hoping to get another one once I finish with tx. In planning to cover the scar from my mastectomy.

boricua_63

This is with hair.

boricua_63

And this is now.

boricua_63

And this is now

Lindzanne

Boricua you are so strong! Chemo, surgery, work, I can barely make it off the couch! And you are gorgeous with or without hair. I love your tattoo. And I think tattoos look so beautiful on women's chests when they get them over the scars, and such a symbol. I want one on my chest too, above my breasts when this is all over. A tattoo to commemorate and celebrate resilience.

💘❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

xxyzed

I love the pics. You have such thick hair normally Boricua63. My hair fell out in a big way on Friday. My boys didn't see me until yesterday. Apparently I look like an old man covering a bald patch or Golem from Lord of the Rings

boricua_63

Lindzane, xxyzed: thank you both.

And Im sure xxyzed that you don't look like and old man from the Lord Of the rings. Kids, they are funny and they sure come up with things. How old are they? I have three daughters.

Hope all of you ladies in this group are doing good and managing the side effects. Hang in there every one, we got this.

Hugs 💕💕🎂

boricua_63

Hello ladies

Okay, so im feeling a little doubtful about the chemo treatment. I had my mastectomy and the Tumor was removed and no nodes involved, and the oncologist told I don't have cancer anymore, but bc my numbers are high, she suggested chemo. But I don't want to have chemo anymore, I'm tired all the time and don't want to do anything, ( I've only have one treatment and that was almost four weeks ago, and still feeling like that). Is not that I can stop working and stay home, I need to be able to pay my bills. (Disability doesn't cover all of my bills) plus I don't want poison on my body anymore.

Any input

Hugs

xxyzed

boricua63 - it doesn't sound right that you are feeling so tired after one treatment four weeks ago. Have you had recent blood tests to check all your counts look ok. It could be something as simple as anemia or low red blood counts. I had my second AC treatment a week ago and feel fine. I'm not trying to go to work at the moment but I am a single mum to two young boys, one who is particularly challenging, and other than going to bed early each night and prioritising chores I think I am doing ok. If your bloods check out ok maybe you can try to reduce your work hours and drop all other chores and activities for the duration of your treatment

boricua_63

xxyzed, I had blood work done three weeks ago and from what the nurse said, they came back good. But yet again, I was told by them they will call me back, and I'm still waiting for their call and that was also 3 weeks ago. . I'm not happy with them right now. I'm going tomorrow for my second tx, but first I will have a long conversation with them.

I'm just having second thoughts about this.

Thank you for listening

And I'm glad you are doing good.

xxyzed

So frustrating for you boricua63. With your next treatment tomorrow at least they will check your bloods first and it may give an explanation for feeling so tired. If not they may have some other suggestions. I agree a long conversation is in order to find out a better communication method. My oncologist is quite firm in the fact that she doesn't want to hear I've been suffering terribly when I rock up for my next treatment. If I have a concern or problem at any time in the treatment cycle if urgent I am to call her directly on her mobile or call an ambulance if that serious. If non-urgent but of concern call her rooms first and she will get back to me. If not a clinic day and I get an answering machine and still not urgent but I am concerned call the chemo day ward which is open 7am to 7pm. If outside those hours I am to call the oncology wards at the hospital which are 24 hours. They are very clear that they want to deal with problems when they are minor rather than dealing with transfusions, heart attacks and the like. My oncologist says she hopes all my days are boring because if I have an exciting day she has an exciting day and no one wants that

Cwhitney

biracial63, just remember this is only temporary. I too have days when I want to give up especially because my hair is falling out and I don't feel well, especially mentally. I just don't want to look back and regret not destroying any remaining cancer cell. I know it's hard but you will get through this.

nye1980

boricua_63, I'm so sorry you still feel unwell. Are you eating and drinking enough? I have found that I need to drink and eat so much more than I did to keep from feeling tired and lightheaded. Water tastes so terrible to me that it took me a few days to figure out what I could drink, by which time I was dehydrated enough to be admitted back into the hospital. Once I got my food and fluids under control, I began feeling better quickly. It's also worth checking for anemia, like someone else said, and maybe supplements will help. It does sound odd that you still feel so bad after four weeks. (Are you having four cycles of AC four weeks apart?)

boricua_63

Hello

My tx was cancel twice due to an infection with the TE and then again due to removal of the TE. (AC is every two weeks

I do drink a lot of water, and pretty much that's all I drink.

I'll find out today about the blood work results once they are drawn. I have my second tx today, but that will be determined on how it goes with my conversation I'm having with them.

DancingElizabeth

Boricua63 - I agree with the others....this SUCKS....But.....this is your opportunity to Kill those cancer cells that have been putting you through hell. Just imagine them eating the chemo and self-destructing....I hope you get some good answers today.....((((hugs))

As for me....I'm a half hour early for my next chemo (number 3)...and am sitting in the car - until the last possible moment- until I have to go in.... Just entering the building gives me a lot of anxiety....

Lindzanne

Boricua it sounds like you have a hard choice to make. I know I have seen women on these boards who chose not to do chemo, it might be helpful to try to find some and see what helped them make their decision. It's hard to give advice over such a personal decision. I can only speak from my perspective and say to me it's worth all the side effects to try to make sure my cancer never returns.

You have been through a lot! Your body had an infection, then another surgery, of course you are tired! And you work very hard. If you look at it that way it makes a lot of sense that you have not bounced back, maybe it's not the chemo at all but the many things your body has gone through over the last month that is keeping you down.

It also sounds like you have very poor communication and support from your oncologist and or med team which is not helping in the slightest. Can you request a different oncologist? I know you've mentioned switching places, can you make a consulting appointment for a second opinion and get a feel for someone new? Maybe if your current oncologist knows just how bad you feel they might paying more attention. I have a feeling they would not want you to stop treatment but if they knew how serious you were feeling it could prompt a conversation about the cost/benefit of your choice so you can have a full understanding of any consequences.

This last round sent me into a pretty bad depression. I understand what it feels like to feel like you just can't go on with this. We only know each other on these boards but I feel sisterhood with you and want you to be well for a long time and it makes me want to say do whatever it takes. But it is your choice and your choice deserves respect.

I wish there were easy answers. Thinking of you and hoping you feel better as days go on, and this 2nd treatment goes well for you.

Lindsay

Lindzanne

Wanted to share this recipe I'll be making over the weekend to sip on to help keep all my blood levels up. It came highly recommended by women in my local support group from the book The Cancer Fighting Kitchen. I ordered it and doubt I'll have the energy to make a bunch of recipes but wanted to check it out. I liked the idea of it because it seems like an honest well researched approach to health rather than a magic cure type of book. This broth is easy enough and with so many of us so tired thought I would share in hopes that it could help us out. I'll let you all know how it turns out and if I see positive results! http://www.rebeccakatz.com/magic-mineral-broth/

Moderators

Hi boricua_63, We agree with what all the others have said-- perhaps worth getting a second opinion and/or switching all together. It is a difficult choice, and with the help of a second opinion, that could ease the difficulty.

Hang in there Everyone! We're thinking of you all!

boricua_63

Well, I just walked in and check in. I'll keep you all posted.

DancingElizabeth

Lindsay - Very well said!!!

Boricua - I hope you are doing Ok.

Ugh....it was 9 hours ago since I got my chemo number 3 and I feel HORRIBLE. No fever. But, so f*c*ing tired. And, have heart-burn. Which is a new sensation for me (never got it before). My NP recommends taking Pepcid the night before chemo. I did. And, took one a few hours ago. But, still have the irratating feeling in the back of my throat. DH isn't being that supportive - either. He doesn't get what I am going thru. And, only wants to help by doing what he wants to do instead of what I need him to do.....I have to tell him what I need but he makes me feel like I am bugging him... I won't post what I feel like saying right now because it might go against the rules....but I want to say say something that starts with a letter in the alphabet that comes after the letter E.

boricua_63

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I did had a long talk with the nurse practitioner yesterday. I did decided to continue with the tx. Mainly because I still have goals in my life like see a grandkids.

They did remove the steroids and lower my dosage, due to the first tx giving me a red face (more like a red tomato face)

My blood work came back good. So like lindzane said and the nurse also said the same thing (and deep down I knew that) my body has been through a lot, infection, another surgery, work and not enough time to recover from that. Plus the weather here been extremely hot.

I am so glad and greatfull to have this group and I can talk and express my feelings. I do appreciate All the words of encouragement.

Today I go for the neulasta shot plus she wants me to have IV fluids.

I hope everyone is doing good and managing the side effects.

I know this is a long battle but we can do it.

Hugs to all

💕💕💕

PS, the CT scan showed I have an ulcer. (But that doesn't surprise me at all, mainly because 8 years ago I had stomach surgery and part of my large intestine was removed, "colectomy"

boricua_63

Scared67, with my stomach issues, I'm always chewing on rollaids or tums, ginger ale is also good. (They do work for me) That is a pain having heart burn. I hope you are able to get rid of that. I also know that with me I can't eat spicy foods or even sour fruits, like pineapple, even though I like pineapple, I have to avoid that.

Hugs to you my virtual friend

💕💕💕

HelenWNZ

Hi everyone lovely to hear from you all. Sorry about your problems Boricua63 glad you have had a good talk with your NP and have decided to carry on.

I had my second dose last Friday and by Monday was back to feeling unwell AGAIN. But this time things have been more bearable and here I am a week later managing to avoid a 5 night stay in hospital. I've had some days with shocking aches and pains. Some days with diarrhoea, heartburn terrible taste buds. The absolute tiredness has been the killer so I've hardly moved from the couch.

I think that reducing my dose by 10% and getting the G CSF injection 24 hours after infusion all helped me get through this round. Plus I took coedine as extra pain meds to take the edge off things.

Drinking water is not a going thing but being winter here I have found Milo or hot chocolate is acceptable to drink.

Take care everyone.

Helen

boricua_63

Helenwnz, I truly hope you don't end up at the hospital for another five days. Tiredness it is very annoying. Keep your spirits up and rest if you have to. (God only knows I do that, I sit on the sofa and pass out)

Hugs to you 💕💕

roofcat59

Boricua - so happy to read that you are continuing with therapy after all. With everything you've been through, no wonder you wanted to throw in the towel; only natural I think. Good luck to you. Although the steroids are a necessary evil, I also firmly believe they cause an emotional crash along with the physical. It is nice they agreed to reduce your dose; no such luck for me.

Take care everyone.

Lindzanne

Scared67 I have tums with me everywhere I go. The heartburn pops up all the time no matter how far I am from a treatment and sucks. I'm sorry your partner is less than supportive, I would be swearing too. It's weird how people deal with other people's crises. Sometimes they do what they think is right to make themselves feel better or less scared or something. I don't know if that's happening here but I know that's how my mom is behaving. I'm having to try to support her while taking care of myself because she's more upset than I am and thinks she has all the answers! It's really not fair when this who are supposed to support us let us down.

Boricua I'm glad you were able to talk to someone that helped you come to a decision. I hope this nurse practitioner is someone you can continue to get support from. I'll admit I am glad to hear you are continuing with treatment although like I said any choice you make deserves respect.

Good to hear from you Helen! I wish you were feeling better but I'm glad it's not as bad this round. Sending good energy and hopefullness that you don't have a free peat of last treatment.

Roofcat that makes so much sense and the steroids giving us an emotional crash. That would explain why I have been getting so depressed around the day my steroid dosage lowers and then the day I stop taking it.

Hope all of you have a good, restful weekend with minimal side effects.

Lindsay

boricua_63

Hello ladies

Day after tx not so bad. Went to have my Neulasta shot today and also they wanted me to have IV fluids.

Had a bit of diarrhea ( sorry) but I'm able to control that. I am glad I'm not taking the steroids, since with the first tx I got bad side effect from it.

Now waiting for my hair to fall completely, since it started growing.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Hugs💕💕

Cwhitney

I had my second tx last Monday and I noticed depression hit me like a ton of bricks on the fourth day. No matter what I did, I couldn't snap out of it. I noticed someone mention the steroids might be the cause. Or maybe it's the fact that I'm shedding like crazy! Anyhow, I hope you all have having a good weekend.

boricua_63

Hello everyone

Hope you all are doing good. Third day after tx, and I'm feeling crappy. Didn't sleep good last night getting up every two hours at least with diarrhea. And still with it plus tired. Took a good nap just so I could do laundry and at least change sheets. I made home made chicken soup which is always good for my stomach. This time I got bad sinus headache that doesn't go away with anything.

I'm hoping tomorrow I feel much better.

Again, hope you all are doing good!!

Hugs💕💕