Starting Chemo May 2008

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited August 2008

    Karin, I started a September 2008 rads group that's pretty empty :(. Come on over and we'll  get it going. I start 9/2 for five weeks. Since I started very late in March and had a chemo break for my surgery, most of my March chemo group have moved on to rads or NED life weeks ago.

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    I am not goin' anywhere. Aside from my BF, no- one around me 'gets it' with regards to BC issues.

    Besides, I like you guys Kiss !

    I have very few people on earth that I really trust, and most of the ones I do... don't live here anyway. I am used to LD relationships.

     I am on a 'diet' trying to lose some weight after that chemo nightmare.We went out last night to dinner and the theatre. We went wandering in the city and tried on clothes. YUCK!  When you are used to being a 6-8, trying on 12-14 is a total drag. My cute BF who has been training for triathlons all summer got to buy some lovely new sweaters to show off his awesome pecs, and I got one shirt that I pray will look ok with my foob.

     We saw the Avenue Q last night, which I have been waiting years to see. It seems I am always in NYC when I am too busy and too broke and never get to see Broadway shows, so I am glad it came to Toronto. The BF took me for a lovely french dinner, and to the show. The stares at my baldness was fun too! NOT! 

    Tomorrow I have a hard workout day, to test myself to see if I am actually going to try and do a mini race on the weekend.

     Eddie, Yes, those scrubby things class as exfoliating, but you are better off with something a little more aggressive. 2 to 3 times a week... don't forget! 

     More later, I am at work and should be going through the 2 foot stack of paper I have been avoiding all summer.  

      xoN

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    O.K., this is gonna be short, 'cause I got 2 little girls waiting to go swimming.  And since it's warm and beautiful and I feel good, we're gonna go!!

    First, thank you all for hearing the desperation in my last post and reassuring those of us bringing up the rear that you're all going to be around for awhile!  I could not do this without you!!!  Otter, I love the image of you flipping and twirling beside me - great encouragement!  And I can see everyone else yelling on the other side, like some of the Olympic teams did with each other! 

    I understand some of the confusion that I was "done" - I did finish one set of meds, but am now on to Taxotere.  Linda?  Angels?  Any words of advice?! 

    Gracie - I think I remember you have one more FEC to do and then what are on?  If I do rads, I will be well into late Nov/early Dec with that.  Karin, thanks for paving the way and we may have to check out NancyD's invite!  <grin>

    A short word about our missing friend - I think she will be back sooner than later.  She would have been gone this week anyway on the road trip with sister!

    O.K., last thing and then I gotta run  - ROLL CALL for this week: Who's up?  I'm on Thursday with the first Taxotere (yikes!).   

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited August 2008

    Oh, boy, I do so relate to your 2 foot stack of paper, Noelle.  I feel as though I'm barely treading water at work; I bring stuff home to try to catch up, but somehow the pile keeps growing.  Bleecchh.  Don't you all think we all deserve an extended, post-chemo vacation?  I think, for me, that's going to be my big post-treatment challenge: the feeling that after doing a pretty darn good job holding things together during treatment, I'm now entitled to veg out for, I don't know, the next three or four months. 

    Roxi, I loved the pole dance picture.  I need to get my own pix off my camera and onto my computer and then into photobucket and then (if I can master photobucket) onto this site.  Which may not happen today (that two - or is it three? - foot stack of paper and all).

    Sue, I am so glad that your bone scan was clear.  And as others have said, there shouldn't be any pressure on any of us to post stuff here until we're ready to.  Sometimes it helps to talk about stuff, and sometimes it doesn't.

    Add me to the chorus of people who hope this May group will continue to check in together.  And also to the chorus of people who miss Rock's posts.

    Linda

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2008

     Cristine, I start Taxotere after my last FEC, 4 rounds.

    N-sounds like you had a great time, (not counting the trying on clothes)  DH took me shopping last week to find a new outfil for my class reunion-he got a big kick out of me having to get a larger size-I just wanted to cry.  But I did get a nice outfit--now to find a pair of shoes!

    Hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend.  

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited August 2008

    Cris, our posts crossed.  Words of wisdom on Taxotere?  Well, on the plus side, I always had a day or two post-tx where I felt within spitting distance of normal . . . unlike with AC, where there was always this weird spacey thing going on.  I definitely had more mouth and taste effects than I did with AC, though they never progressed to full-fledged mouth sores.  They bothered me less as I went along . . . I guess knowing what to expect was helpful (that, and lots and lots of salt water swishing and mouth-moisturizer spraying).  The joint and muscle aches generally started around day 5; moving around, however creakily, seemed to help. 

    The first Taxotere tx was the hardest for me - I complained about it a lot at the time - but that doesn't mean it will be for you.  And it got easier from there - the side effects did NOT seem to be cumulative.  (Knock on wood - I'm only on Day 4 of this last cycle.)

    Good luck!!! 

    Linda

    Linda

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Cristine,

    I don't recall what your first chemo regiment was and if you did anything to ward off SE's from it. Taxotere as your know from some us posting is famous for HFS, neuropathy and of course the mouth sores. My onco put me on B-Complex after first treatment having problems with the HFS and neuropathy. I KNOW it played a big part in lessening the effects for rest of my treatments. My onco nurse also gave me ice pops (ones in long plastic tube) to suck on during taxotere infusion. I believe this also helped because after first treatment (didn't do ice pops) had an overall sore mouth but after sucking on pops had no problem at all the rest. The ice pops is two-fold. You could suck on ice chips but then it only helps mouth. By holding the ice pops in your hands and playing with them I believe it helped with the first two SE's I mentioned. I took about 5 with me and kept in an insulated lunch bag along with frozen water bottles to help keep them iced and cold.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited August 2008

    Noelle,

    It sucks to me be. It sucks to be me. I say it sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka sucka SUCKS ... it sucks to be me. Saw Ave Q in Las Vegas then in Seattle. It's a good show in many ways though very raunchy.

    Women,

    I, too, have gained weight -- 10 pounds. I am not going to do anything until after the last treatment as it is taking all my time just go take care of all the se taxol and herceptin toss out...but I am getting my mind around the diet thing. The burps really hurt...you know that?

    One more. one more, one more then 12 to 18 months of herceptin. One more. I am not weepy today but I have managed to alienate my dh and my dd and anyone else who cares to cross my path. I feel like a hard boiled egg. Blah, blah, blah. I am tired and cranky and it's raining. Cest la vie..cheers for now...I have to sign off before I alienate all of you as well.

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited August 2008

    Cover your ears, women . . . I'm about to try to insert my pole dance picture.  I've already managed to crash internet explorer once, let's see what happens this time . . .

    . . . a huge, sideways picture is what happens this time.  Sigh.  Maybe tomorrow.

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    hee hee! Eddie, I was playin' the soundtrack in the store and realised there are toooo many raunchy things for this scene. My friend was workin' the merch booth and I got a shirt that says "yes, they're real"  and a book and CD all on her comp account... Yay!   I adored the show ! I cured the burps with a heartburn med called Nexium. I had them all through AC and just could not keep it up! 

    My CC had the new ice mitts on patients last week when I was there for Herceptin. HMMM, since the nurses told me the soaking my hands in ice water was not proven to work...... I hope they are eating their words as I type with achy fingertips 5 week after my last taxol. Bitches! man I hate that place!

    I managed to make my 2 foot stack of paper become only 8 inches high. The rest is for my loyal, but useless assistant to file tomorrow. Now, onto the taxes... from last year!!! Small business is soooooo much fun! It sucks to be me!  ;P

    I have had a lovely lazy quiet day in the store by myself, which is how I like my store.I read a lot of Rocks blog.. ,man she writes a lot.... puts my blog to shame!

    Alienate, shmalientate... Eddie, I think we could all listen to you all day and not get tired!  

     I am going to eat and try to workout.

     xoN 

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited August 2008

    P.S. Hair Growth. I am taking Brewers Yeast and Borage Oil for hair growth. I see new growth everyday. I pulled the last of my mutuant curly eyebrows out last week because they looked- well - mutant and curly. I am already seeing new growth there and everywhere else too.

    Cheers!  

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  • SherriM
    SherriM Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2008

    Thanks to all for the warm welcome!  I feel so at home with you guys. 

    Karin--what is HFS?  I just had tx 3 of taxotere, and I probably have HFS, just don't know it :-)...my first tx was the worst for mouth sores, mostly my gums--I ended up having to buy a baby toothbrush, it hurt so bad to brush.  I bought some herbal mouthwash that helped a lot.  I tried Biotene but couldn't handle the consistancy (overactive gag reflex or something).  How much B6 should I be taking?  I read online elsewhere 50 mg 3x a day, but I can only manage 2 x a day.

     Eddie--take comfort, you're not the only one alienating loved ones.  I'm blaming the 'roids--I whined so much at tx 3 on Thursday that I came home with a Decadron taper.  I'm not sure dh would agree that it was such a good idea......Undecided

    Blessings,

    Sherri 

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    I also have been alienating the family today. Feel like total crap... the warmed over old stinky stuff. I've been curled up in bed most of the day watching tv and a movie. Tried fighting off a nap all day and ended up losing. Hubs came in to sit with me and started rubbing my head... that's the last thing I remember. Tonight I am taking something to knock me off my butt to sleep. Last 2 nites were horrible. Can I make it thru one more of these? Will I ever feel normal again?

    I hear thunder outside. I sure hope that it does rain. We haven't had any rain here in well over a month. If I could move I would do a rain dance.

    Linda~ try making the picture smaller before you upload it. PB has problems with larger pics that may be it.

    weight~ the 7 pounds I gained .... I dropped 9 after I went to my therapist. Made my day woohooo!

    Hair~... nuttin... well except for that one damn lip hair... it still pisses me off.

    YAY I SEE RAIN! hope it lasts for a few minutes.

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Sherri,

    HFS is Hand foot syndrome. To better explain it here is a good link Otter gave us.

    http://www.chemocare.com/managing/handfoot_syndrome.asp

    A good link for neuropathy is:

    http://www.chemocare.com/managing/numbness__tingling.asp

    I started taking 100mg of B-6 but then onco switched it to B-Complex since I suffered from both and the B-6 is also in the complex. I took B 100 B-Complex which is 100mg of each of the B's included. Both onco and pharmacist told me the body just eliminates what it doesn't use.

    As for as the Biotene did you get the mouth wash? Can't understand the consistency thing as it is just like all other mouth wash rinses.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • SherriM
    SherriM Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2008

    Hmmmm....I gave it away and so can't verify what exactly it was, but the Biotene I tried was very thick--not at all like a normal mouth wash.  Seem to remember it saying something about dry mouth, so must not have been the mouth wash. 

    Thanks for the links!  Fingers and toes are tingling this go round, so I'll check them (the links) out.

    Hasn't rained here for a month as well, but no rain in sight!

    Sherri 

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited August 2008

    FYI for roll call- I have herceptin on Friday this week.

    Kristy 

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited August 2008

    FYI_  I am on (hopefully) for Thurs for tax #3...who hooooooooo

    PS. The peach-blueberry pie was awesome and my ass looks bigger...lol...not really, but it seems like it!

    randie

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2008

    Wow ladies!  It seems like the crankies hit the May group all at once.  Hmmmm....vewwy vewwy suspishus.  That was me yesterday.  I apologized to my 8 yo DS...told him I was very crabby but didn't know why.  He is so forgiving.  Told my DH he may not want to come home from work.  He did anyway...brave man.  Was much better today and hope that tomorrow brings a bright and cheery (or cheerier) day to you all.  It sucks to be us :P

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited August 2008

    ranD,

    You crack my a#@ up! I would follow (lurk) on this thread just to hear your jokes and drool over your food stories. You know that you can never leave, right. Super glue your butt to the computer cuz if you leave I will track ya down!!

    Nico

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    I'm with all you today. Bone pain was pretty intense, just sat around and did a whole lot of nothing. 

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited August 2008

    Nico,

    At the rate that the weight might be going up, I suggest b4 I glue, you buy superglue stock...lol...

    kids and hubby are making dinner for me tonight, probably because I mini reamed them out on my PMS day yesterday about the lack of nutrious dinners since I have been diagnosed....

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    ranD,

    Enjoy that dinner. They aren't going to make you do the clean up are they?

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited August 2008

    better not!!!!  I plan on making another pie tonight and they won;t get a slice!!!!

    ran

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  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited August 2008

    Hey to all.

    Had a lazy Sunday.  Made a quilt square (by hand, took me all day) to go on a bag for my Aunt Charlotte, she picked out the fabrics while she was here. AND, watched sappy movies all day while I did it.  Other than the quilt square, I got nothing accomplished.  But, I have to go back to work tomorrow, and must have needed the day off.  Innocent The cleaning and laundry can wait.  

    I miss Rock's posts.  Eddie, you could never alienate us, but I can so relate to how you are feeling and wish I could make it better.  MissS, sorry your body hurts, and that you are feeling robbed.  Kimberly, so sorry your family isn't helping.  I Hope going on strike with clean socks helps to get their attention because you deserve better.  RanD, can you send some of that pie down here? Not that I need it, I had to buy a couple of pairs of pants for work, and had to buy a bigger size than I have ever bought before.  But, I am working on it, mostly right now concentrating on resting and recovering, the weight loss will come later.  I'm not going to hate myself about it. Karin, I can see that you are pissed about Rock's friends coming here and reading, and that you miss her.  But she'll be back, soon I hope.

    Hope I didn't miss anyone--Crisitine, hope your first Taxotere goes well.  Can't give you any advice as I had my Taxotere with AC.  But, I know you are strong! 

    Hope everyone has a great week with no SE's--back to work for me and I may not have a lot of time to post, but I will read.  And, Wednesday I fly to Pittsburgh, fly home Thursday, and I will have my dog babies back!! YIPPEE!!!!!

    Love you ladies.

    Sue 

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    Sue daulink have a safe trip this week!

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited August 2008

    Rock,

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    Linda and Karin - Thanks for the advice re: the Taxotere.  I've been avoiding reading about it or really thinking about it until the past couple of weeks.  I already have Biotene, but here's a question:  do you all rinse afterwards or not?  I rinse because I'm not sure about swallowing it, but I wonder if I'm defeating the purpose.  I will ask my onc about the B-complex and tell dh to pace the ice pops the kids didn't eat! 

    Karin - I was on Carboplatin and Cytoxan, btw.  Had varying se's, with the worst/least manageable one being constipation.  I did get a handle on it, but it was always hard, pun intended! 

    Weight gain - bleck.  Hate it.  I think I've gained 4-5 pounds since I started chemo, but I still have 3 months to go!!  Sue - that's a great attitude about it!!  And thanks for the encouragement!

    Sable, Eddie, Randie - Sorry for the crabbies.  Family will get over it, they know you're having a hard time.

    Sue - Travel safe.  Who's manning the planes while you're gone?  Makes me nervous...

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited August 2008

    Okay, here's the first draft of Roll Call...chime in if you got missed!

    Wednesday (because nobody has ever started on Monday or Tuesday!) - No one.  Yet.

    Thursday - Randi (T #3); Cristine (T #1)

    Friday - Kristy (Her)

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    Good morning ladies! I hope that today brings you nice weather and a day without se's!

    I finally got a tad bit of sleep last nite so I feel better this morning. Still a bit achy in the knees and fingers are tingly but I know there is an end coming soon.

    Cris~ try not to worry too much about the taxotere. I do suggest trying to nap while you are there. Makes it go so much easier.

    Karin~ where's my hug???? LOL

    Roxi~ hope you are feeling better today! Wear your crocs!

    Randie~ I'm not much of a pie person but that one sounds delis....drool*

    Sherri~ I've been taking b6 this time around 100mg/day and so far I just have a little tingly going. Before I had sharp pain. So maybe it is working. You must be close to me if you haven't had rain either.... I'm in the central ohio area.

    Grettings to all the other ladies that I didn't mention your names. You are still with me in spirit.

    Our rain lasted about 10 minutes last nite. A good pour too. Today the weather is about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday and will stay that way for a few days. I'm all for that. Open them winders!

    Tomorrow is my son's first day of 1st grade. I'm excited and scared all at once. He is hearing impaired but very smart. I have stupid worries for him.... like if he gets picked on at school, junk like that. I know it will happen, it does to everyone but you want to protect them as much as possible. He is a very easy going kid and takes ALOT to get him riled up. I just want him to do well and not let his ears hold him back any. I'm rambling I know.... I'm hoping that it eases my mind to do so.

    Have a fab day to the original group, the newbies, the lurkers, and the ones we WON"T forget. besos, Jen

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited August 2008

    p.s. had the weirdest dream last nite... I looked down at my hand and I had 2 big cuts on my palm. All I could think was "damn hope this doesn't cause an infection on my bad arm".... amazing how things work into your dreams.

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