April 2017 Chemo

Castigame

hi sisters.

Think i found something small but interesting. If you have any browning of hands and feet from chemo, the below maybe worth a try.

I put handful of epsom salt scrubs in both socks. Put them on and gently tried to dist tribute the contents. Walk a few steps. If needed try distributing again. My feet were not emersed in water until i took them off to rinse btw. I could not believe how soft and milky my feet looked. Just to be sure i pinched and scratched my feet hard. I felt them all. I am going to do similar experiment w my hands even though I know the answer.

Mimi

Castigame

hi sisters.

Think i found something small but interesting. If you have any browning of hands and feet from chemo, the below maybe worth a try.

Yesterday, just because I put handful of epsom salt scrubs in both socks. Put them on and gently tried to dist tribute the contents. Walk a few steps. If needed try distributing again. My feet were not emersed in water until i took them off to rinse btw. I could not believe how soft and milky my feet looked. Just to be sure i pinched and scratched my feet hard. I felt them all. I am going to do similar experiment w my hands even though I know the answer.

Mimi

Castigame

done w last chemo

And my mean onco was at least an hr late for our appt!. She must have felt guilty that she was all smiles.

Lost 2 pounds so i only got 318 compare to 324 ml from two wks ago.

Got to ring the bell and tears came down automatically.

Going back to the hospital for scans, deportation and post #8 chkp w my mean onco.

Rum and coke I had 20 min ago just kicked in

Pambc010417

Has anyone been told they should not order fresh salads at restaurants while on Chemo? I love summer salads but my infusion nurse said it was too risky to order fresh salads, fresh fruit or fresh vegetables at restaurants while taking chemo. She said if I want to eat them at home I can buy washing all fresh fruit with vinegar and water mixture. And wash lettuce three times.

Castigame

yes i was told about that. Yesterday I ordered Fresh Salad after my last chemo. All went down to my system exactly it supposed to go down though.

lrwells50

I was told not to eat fresh fruit or vegetables during the 7-9 days post chemo, as that was when my resistance was low.

Annbee

I took a bit of a break from the boards and did a short camping trip with my husband. It was so nice to get away, even for a few days. I am also on antibiotics for a sinus infection. It is much better.
Mini...yeah! Congratulations to be finished with chemo. I have tomorrow and can't wait, but now I am nervous about radiation.

Pambc...I was told to stay away from salads and fruits and vegetables without a peel. I think it was for the days when your counts are low. Try to eat healthy and you can't.

Castigame

thank you sisters,,,

Yesterday was big day for me. Last chemo. Feel truly blessed completing 8 DD w minimal SEs. All the inspirations my BC sisters gave me is huge.

I really had to control the urge to rip Neulasta off. I was able to let it run its course. Epsom Salt scrub followed. And pain killers. About to do my Flexitouch pump. For the next few days, I plan to meditate and do nothing else.

Mimi

Annbee

Mimi - I am sorry you are hurting. Hang in there and remember you finished chemo. Neulasta drove me nuts. I don't like it attached. I have not had it for Taxol. I go to the MO and need to get this finger numbness figured out before it becomes a forever thing. Hoping she lowers the Taxol dose.

Pambc010417

annbee - I have some numbness in my fingers and feet from taxotere. I have my last treatment of 4 rounds of TC this Thursday, June 29. I went to my MO yesterday and she reduced my taxotere by 20% for my last treatment because she does not want the neuropathy to be a permanent issue. I do ice my hands and feet and mouth ( for sores) which seems to help. Have you tried icing?

Are you guys taking Claritin for bone pain from neulasta? It really helped me. I take it everyday since I started chemo, butI did not started early enough before the first treatment. I had some pain with the first treatment but I have not had any since.

Annbee

pambc- I have 2 more DD of Taxol. I have been icing both my feet and fingers. Last time I did a better job icing. i have not done my mouth and no sores. I hope my mo lowers my dose or maybe not do the last 2 (I am hoping for too much). I am really hoping she doesn't skip a week. I don't want to delay my being done with chemo.

When I had neulasta (ac) I took Claritin.

DodgersGirl

home from Taxol

DodgersGirl

tonyaberryman- just wanting you to know you are in my prayers. Hope yesterday went wel

StaceyB

HI All - I had my last chemo today and there was no fanfare - no bell to ring, nothing! A friend of mine came over put balloons on my door after we were texting which was so sweet.

I was not told to avoid fresh salads from restaurants. I have been eating them and have been fine. I have avoided sushi and made sure my meats were cooked well, avoided deli etc

DodgersGirl

StaceyB- Congrats on finishing chemo!!!!

---

Annbee

StaceyB- congratulations!!!! I don't think my infusion center rings a bell either. I am thinking that might be because there are patients on chemo long term for palative (sp?) care. My brother received palative chemo for his colon cancer. I do think that there should be a bit a fanfare though. We have fought hard.

Dodgersgirl- I thought of you today. I hope your port was working.

BJI

StaceyB - Congrats on being done, no bell ringing? There is one at my infusion center, have to admit I have only heard it twice. I think I would bring my own and ring it up and down the halls!

Dodgersgirl - How it go with the port? Mine behaved itself, gave blood return with a little extra flush, no gymnastics today. Taxol #5 done! Went good, Ran some errands and stopped for supper at Texas Roadhouse. Have a busy week, 2 family birthdays and holiday weekend planned at the lake. I did take the plunge and shaved my head, the top had gotten so thin I couldn't style it. (27 days post 1st infusion) The back and side weren't too bad, I still have hair, just very short. My wig fits much better without the hair, had it cut to match mine. Out to dinner with friends on Monday and last night spent with my Bunco Babes, no one even noticed! I did get a bamboo beanie for night, just going bare headed at home. Last week brought the dry mouth, hoping nothing new this week. Have noticed slight breakout on my face, nurse said its from steroids. Still have my eyebrows and eyelashes. No neuropathy yet, nails still look good. Despite what others say, I still believe that positive attitude and faith has made my journey easier. I know I still have a ways to go, but next week will be halfway home!

Everyone have a good 4th of July!

DodgersGirl

Taxol 5 - port worked for blood draw. Nurse had to do an extra flush, then it worked!!! After passing the blood test (WBC down to 5.3 tho. Has to be above 2 to get infusion so I passed), and getting chemo orders filled, infusion nurse couldn't get a blood draw but center approved chemo anyway as they had just gotten a blood draw.

I think the day of chemo is the best of the week. Lots of energy today and steroids make me hungry so I eat more than the rest of the week. We had pizza tonight. It was tasty

My nails are all ok, too, so far. I keep dark nail polish on them and use fractionated coconut oil, hydrating lotions, and OPI Avoplex as well as taking biotin.

I will start Aleve on Saturday twice a day for 4 days as it really lessened the joint/bone pain.

I asked today about a bell when you finish treatment plans. They said they do have a bell AND the nurses have a song they sing!! I also asked if they can accept gifts as I plan on taking in something for everyone when I finish. Don't know if I will feel like making something so may just take in a box of local chocolate and mixed nuts.

Next Wednesday will be #6 which will be halfway point of Taxol. One day at a time. Feeling good tonight.

DodgersGirl

Pambc010417- wishing you the best of luck today as you receive your last chemo treatment. Such an achievement!!!! Congrats

Annbee

Pambc- congratulations on your last chemo today!!!

Dodgersgirl- thank you for posting that WBC need to be above a 2. I wondering that. With no Neulasta it was 3.9 for last weeks infusion. I don't want to delay my last 2. I am glad your port worked. I have not heard a bell at my infusion center and i will ask. I am curious. I was thinking of bringing flowers/balloons on my last day.

BJI- yeah no gymnastics with the port. Sounds like a busy week but fun. have a happy 4th.

My MO is running some blood work to figure out the numbness in my fingers. B12, folate and some other things. She said "you are too healthy to have the numbness." I thought it was a SE and anyone can get it.

DodgersGirl

Annbee-flowers and balloons are a great idea! I also want to get an individual gift for the lady at my infusion center who takes care of your needs while getting treatment (like pillow, warm blankets, drinks, snacks) as she is such a doll.

Castigame

Hi, sisters. You ladies are a lot more thoughtful than I am. I only brought a box of Ferrero Rocher and another box of truffle to the nurse station.

I have been taking painkillers every six hrs. It must be both physical and psychological relief because I am not crying murder anymore. Also have been sleeping a lot. Exactly what I needed and wanted. I think 90% of pain is gone.

My best friend will be visiting Sat. Glad I can be up and about. We are going to have DHs co-workers family visiting from Sweden for July 4th. Huge relief again. Just have to find something decent to wear.

Mimi

tonyaberryman

Dodgersgirl - Thank you for always checking on me. I went for my cervical biopsy on Tuesday, Doctor said, he could only see a small patch of cells and decided to go a head and do a biopsy. He's certain I have no trace of cervical cancer, but still wanted to identify the ones he did see. I feel a little bit better, but won't get the results until next week. I have a treatment tomorrow, hoping she has some good answers for me about the taking the Taxol and how it's just not being good to me. Can't wait for this to be over.

StaceyB

Thanks all! I have been thinking of all of you and hope everyone is hanging in today! Hopefully everyone will have a restful July 4th.

DodgersGirl

Tonyaberryman- hoping all is going well for you today

utjoy

DD Taxol has been tough for me. 2 more to go. Does anyone know if they put anti-depressants in the pre-meds? I have never been able to take them as they, um, depress me. I wonder because my emotions are all over the place, unlike me. I'll ask before I get another for sure!

We're all getting closer!!!! It wasn't that long ago that we started this horrible trip...we've learned a language we never wanted to learn, we've watched our bodies go through some drastic and strange changes...we've found that our bodies are tougher than we thought, that WE are tougher than we thought...we've watched friends, family and loved ones struggle to say the right things, deal with their own fears by how we deal with ours...sometimes we hide our truth to protect them, then lash out when they don't get it. Lol...what a terrible journey for everyone, however, we've also learned some good things that we can take forward.

We've made it this far and we will continue to learn as we get ready for the next steps in healing. I've found that I've done better if I simply deal with each step as it comes...I haven't delved into the next step (mastectomy) just yet...preparing to now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July and can be grateful for personal Independence!

Pambc010417

utjoy,

Send an email to your doctor's nurse to ask what was in your premeds. I doubt an antidepressant was included. Usually they give you a long lasting anti-nausea and dexamethasone in your premeds. I react to the steroids, dexamethasone, that they give me in my premeds, plus I take them as pills one day before and two days after chemo. In addition, they gave me 8mg of dexamethasone in my premeds. That is a lot over a 4 day period. I usually gain 5 to 8 pounds of water weight the day of chemo and it takes 4 days to drop that water weight. I become very agitated and very short tempered. Which is not like me at all! My poor husband!

DodgersGirl

utjoy, well said! We have come a long way since diagnosis. I, too, also concentrate on the current phase and not dwell on the steps still ahead but will start learning about upcoming surgery this month.

Looking forward to the few weeksafter chemo before surgery. Hoping SE will diminish during those weeks. Thinking of taking a long weekend mini vacation before surgery to relax, enjoy family, and order room service!

Ref pre-meds with Taxol, I get Benadryl, Pepcid, anti-nauseous med, and steroids. I am not on DD so maybe it's different for DD.

My most annoying SE with Taxol so far is the drying out of my sinuses. Does DD Taxol dry out sinuses, too?

Hope you get to enjoy Independence Day. Supposed to rain where I live

tonyaberryman

Hey all, had Taxol #4 yesterday. After having a informative talk with my MO, I've learned a lot to say the least.

I must drink, drink and drink water until my eyes are floating, lol. I managed to drink 17 glasses of water yesterday and am working on 17 for today. I caused the dehydration with a little help from Taxol, I know better now and will not end up in the hospital again.

I have also decided to start living life again for the first time since my DX. I've been hiding in my house and thinking about death since March 20th, I can't continue to live like this or have these thoughts. I'm a child of God, he's in control and HE will decide when he sees fit to call me home.

I can't allow cancer or the devil to control my thoughts, my emotions or my destiny. I have also decided to embrace my baldness today, it's just too hot.

Good news, I HAD to shave my legs this morning!!!!! 🤣

Castigame

tonyaberryman,

I second everything you said.

Mimi