Anyone starting chemo in June 08

Wyoming, forgot to ask you if you are ready to venture back into a classroom of highschool? miscreants next week?  I would probably tell them up front about your medical issues.  Chances are they all ready know.  Have a great weekend!  HunkyD

Gina, Spencer doesn't seem to notice my hair. Since he is still under a year he is in to himself.

Hunkydory, I'm ready to get into the classroom. I am going to tell them about my condition as I will have to take time off and they always want to know why I will be gone. Also I had two student come in this week to get schedules and I told them so many will know by Tues. I too will have to have radiation but no herceptin.

Have good one.

What type of pain are you all getting with the taxol?  I know they said bone pain but I get these twinges all over, not anything that can't be ignored.  Some in my fingers, back, chest, and lots in my hips, knees, and legs.  Does that sound like what you are all feeling?  I have not even taken ibuprofen yet, do you think it will stay the same or get worse?    I have taxol number 2 on Monday morning and am hoping to be back at work by 2pm.   It will keep my mind off it but I worry about running late.   Oh well, it is not like people can be mad when I say "sorry, I was held up by my chemotherapy appt"  ha ha    Kelly

So far I'm lucky I have not had the bone pain. Had my 4th TAC and am a little slower this time. Only two more. I'm getting tired of feeling good and then being knocked down. Having my grand babies sure helps. They always get me into a good mood and helps me forget for a llittle while.

Watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. Kinda sad they are finished. Now I will have to gear up for football. My son-in-law is the head freshmen coach for one of the Jr. HIgh's in town. It is fun to go watch him coach.

Have a good week and keep positive thoughts!!!!!

Hunkydory, sorry about you bone pain. Don't you just hate dealing with insurance. They make it as difficult as they can. Don't worry about now  wait until you feel better.

I started school today with students. Went pretty well. I'm tired. Told my students that I have breast cancer and most took it in stride. I think I will have my school do a fund rasier with me taking off the wig as the prize.

Does anyone have plans for Labor Day? My husband will hunting with son-in-laws so my daughters and grandbabies get to spend some quality time together.

Have a good day!

Tx # 3 of weekly Taxol and Herceptin tomorrow.  Hoping no other body part decides to identify itself with a strange reaction.   Private parts on fire, black and white stripes dancing in front of eyes -- All "normal" depending on whose side of the needle one is on !!!    I know it takes a bit to get the iv flow and hydration set up, but but but...   I am calling Thursday's my day for "things to NOT remember with regards to tx".....   Keeping good thoughts that tumor will continue to shrink and that onco visit next week will confirm it.   

HUGS,  Nancy 

Hi IrishTwin - are you really a twin? I am, too. My sister has become hyper-vigilant about her health after I got my diagnosis in March, wondered if it's the same for you.  That is very good of you to help do the sometimes-scary research for her!

I hope your sister's taxotere goes better than my first one did. It's tricky with that stuff because the bad effects don't hit you right away, then seem to drag out (at least for me), so hopefully she's prepared for the recovery period to be longer and unpredictable at first. She should be ready with some strong painkillers for the bone pain, and for me diarrhea medication was key. Also, some kind of sleep aid will probably come in handy - I still stick with non-prescription stuff as it seems to do the trick.

I'm headed in today for taxotere #2 (tx 5 of 6). I was able to convince my oncologist the other day to reduce my dosage a bit. At first I think she thought I was just being a whiner about the bone pain and sleeplessness, but when I mentioned the magic words (diarrhea and haemorrhods, which are lovely words to have to say to anyone really), she seemed concerned enough to suggest a 10% reduction. I have no idea how this will translate to real experience, but I'm pretty relieved nonetheless.

Hope everyone is pushing through! We're getting there...

Hi all:

I am interested in hearing that a reduction in the amount helped with side effects, especially bone pain.   Since I had no side effects that I couldn't handle,  - only during the tx -- I am thinking that each of us needs to personalize our iv flow rates and hydration.   

Just to recap:  4 rounds of A/C, with neulasta shot after each one ( dose dense every 2 weeks) - gassy lower tummy bloating - and Gas X worked great.   Toe nails hurt, which kept me from nightly walks - but that is gone now.   Hair loss was the most traumatic - and still is even though every one loves my hats and turbans - does that mean my hair was NOT all that great a feature???  I thought my naturally curly hair was my best one ...   Biotene mouthwash and tooth paste kept the mouth sores away, but corners of the mouth cracked and bled - Vitamin E capsule (400 units), punctured and squeezed on couple of times a day took care of that.  One huge inside the mouth sore, used Magic Mouthwasy ( a Rx), but got a mild rash from it.  

Now doing taxol and herceptin weekly - had burning ring of fire in private parts first tx when taxol started, all vitals remained normal, cure was to slow drip and add more saline to dilute.  # 2 tx last week and had zebra stripes dancing in front of eyes - slowed  the benedryl drip and also kept saline going to dilute and keep body flushed.   This week the only side effect was pee several times during tx due to all the hydration and drinking water till I felt like I could float.  OH -- And yesterday they gave me the decadron in pill form - 2 tablets instead of iv drip.    

The man across from me was commenting on constipation, but neb nose me, asked why he as not drinking any water -  he must have had 6 cups of coffee while I was guzzling my water -- and I was always told NOT to count coffee or tea or most soft drinks as hydration, because caffein DE hydrates - but then I am not a doctor either.    I do not the exact mixture he was getting OR if he drinks water at home and he then decided to take a nap and closed his curtain......    

One annoying thing since losing my hair and most of my nose hairs is a drippy nose -keep kleenex in hand most all the time. not the kind of thing that requires "blowing", but a drip every now and then.   I do not like to add a lot of medications, so I just keep "dabbing" at it.  

Do any of you take vitamins?  I have always taken Calcium with magnesium and zinc for osteoporosis prevention - and Evista and Actonel Rx, since I am 62 and obviously post meno.  Vit C, Vit D, and E.   Onco suggested adding a multi vitamin with B vitamins, so I take Women's One a Day.   And my counts are "excellent" .

One other comment and I hope not too long a posting:   Nurse said I could have hot flashes again - just take temp to make sure nothing else is going on... Since I did have the MEGA hot flash episode during the first treatment.    

Thanks to all who are posting and I hope and pray for good days and nights for each of you.

HUGS, Nancy 

Checking in  and to tell everyone have a great Labor Day weekend!!!

Hey Junies.......having a great weekend so far.........spent the last 2 days out on the lake........the kids have been having a blast boating and tubing and hanging out at the beach........we parked the boat at the beach for about 4 hours toady.......and just relaxed.......it was heaven......new house is awesome......no more leaks..........I am sad that the kids are going back to school in 2 days.......it seemed to just fly by......but I may actually get a chance to sit down and relax for a few minutes while they are at school.....having a few bevies tonight myself.......the cleaning can wait...

Cheers......Have a great weekend!

Jax

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. Labor day always signals the end of summer. In Wyoming we had cooler weather. It feels like fall.  The cool weather helps with student attendance and keeps them calmer. Hunkydory I am tired at the end of the day. Last week was worse than this week.  Yes, we get to have #5 next week.  YIPPY!!!!!!! I'm starting to feel better and my taste buds are starting to be normal. Even though my taste buds are skewed I have mega cravings, I'm always looking for something to eat. I want to eat everything I see!

Jax, looks like you were having a blast.

Have a good one.

Hey all

My labour day was spent on the couch - the last treatment knocked me on my behind for almost 4 days.  I had taken my youngest to hockey camp and all of a sudden I felt I was going to pass out!  I thnk what is happening is that since my netherlands have been in bad shape since June with no apparent fix so far! my body by the weekend has no immune system and it is trying really hard to fix my "issue" and that knocks me out!  I actually used a makeup mirror to see down there - holy crap! not a pretty sight - so have made appmnt with family doctor for him to cure me as my onc doesn't think its his issue!  My problem - my family doctor is away so I have to see a dr I have never met and the first thing I have to show him is notmy best side!  Oh well dignity is over rated!

When I had my last appmnt I mentioned the tips of my fingers and toes go numb - they - nurse and dr thought that was strange as that is not a side effect of any drugs I am on.

I can't imagine working through this stuff - I know you guys in US do it different but I have been off work since end of April and will probably go back Jan 1st.  The thought of working through my treatments  just isn't doable!

Well have finally got some energy back so will try to tackle house work! yeh me!

Everyone have a great week!

Sue - Red Deer ab

My Gawd SuePeet, you have had a hell of a ride with your orifice's (sp?) I wouldn't be able to work at all either with all that going on.  Seems like your ears and nose are the only things that haven't been bothered by this nasty ass chemo.  I sincerly hope your family doc can give you some help.  Are you on taxotere?  You must not be as the tingling and numbing .....as you probably already know are a big side effect for some.  Apologies for not remembering your exact treatment. Anyway, good luck to you! 

Jax...rest easy tonight.  No hockey....no pucks to the head.  Don't even know if that makes sense, but the last ice hockey game I went to I saw someone in the stands take one in the forehead....ouch! 

Too all the rest...happy Wednesday!  HunkyD