Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • Grace4me
    Grace4me Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2009

    oh I love you all....here I am feeling sorry for myself and find that I am not alone today!  I was at work when I ran my hand through my now short hair and had a handfull of it...........I cried all after noon at work, tomorrow is my b-day then chemo #2 on Wendsday. My issue is this, I can now go places and no-one really knows I have cancer unless I tell them......and now as my hair grows thinner and thinner, it's pretty obvious.  I hate pity. I guess God is teaching me a new lesson today. I have the wigs,bangs, hats and all I guess I better get learning how to wear them better.

    Keep the faith ladies

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  • kelty
    kelty Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2009

    DAy 7 after my first AC, did blood work today and the nurse told me that there's barely any white blood cell to be found. I need to be extremely careful to prevent infection.  Sounds really scary, anyone heard of similar situation?  I took a Neulasta shot 1 day after the chemo. The hemoglobin is about 10 AND the platelet is around 44, also quite low.

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  • Carol0371
    Carol0371 Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2009

    Haven"t been on much since my trtmt last Tuesday.Haven't felt like doing too much til yesterday.Went out for lunch & for a walk.Have heartburn every day-use Zantac 150 for that.Some others have shortness of breath.That bothers me on stairs but not when walking.My hair really started coming out on Sat,Day 19.I chopped it off because its too messy.I go to bed in a sleep cap but it comes off during the night.Turn over & get a mouthful of hair,yuck.I'll just wear hats & scarves,tried wigs the first time & didn't care for them.This is my week off of trtmt,just go tomorrow for a blood test.Then 3 more weeks in a row,then a week off then 3 more & done with this once again.The inside of my nose is so dry its driving me crazy.I guess I'll try some Vaseline.Haven't had this problem beforeAnybody else?.

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  • Luv2sing
    Luv2sing Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2009

    My cousins and I made a day of pickiing out my wig and of course when I walked in the store the the salesperson said very sweetly that I would have to remove the wig I was wearing in order to try anything on .... we all laughed as we explained it was my natural hair.  She had no trouble running down the aisle finding a wig that looked exactly like my hair except for a cute auburn colored streak running through it.  We loved it and my husband was okay ... he's still not happy with me cutting my hair.  As soon as I have it fitted, I'll be sure to add the picture.  Tomorrow is my first day wtih my oncologist.

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  • Lisabarr
    Lisabarr Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    Hello all,

    I am joining your group of Chemo starters b/c i will have my first dose (TCH+avastin) this Thursday...the 19th.

    Scared and anxious!!

     Lisa 

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  • Nancyb7912
    Nancyb7912 Member Posts: 84
    edited February 2009

    Well, I think maybe I was a bit optimistic this morning. I started getting the painful bumps inside my mouth this afternoon. One is right at the top of my throat. I made the rinse recommended by my onc: baking soda and salt in water. I will try gargling, but am concerned about the one that will be hard to get to. Anyone else have them?

    Anybody try prunes for potassium? I'm doing Miralax and prunes for constipation and didn't realize how much potassium they had - better than bananas, 

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2009

    Grace4me - I went through a major pity party on Sunday after having my ponytail cut off and ended up with an A-line Bob haircut - very short in back - longer in the front.  Then I felt guilty for feeling sorry for myself so needless to say my emotions were up and down all day long.  My DH tried his best to console me but he is a guy - he just can't understand but I do give him bunches of credit for trying his best to support me.  So it is ok to be mad and angry and have a pity party here and there - that is just normal and I refuse to beat myself up anymore over having pity parties.  So join me and say "I am having a pity party - anyone care to join me?"

    Kelty - I wish I had some answers but I really don't know.  If your blood count was so low I am surprised she didn't have the oncologist meet with you or some doctor.  Did she say what to do other than be careful?

    Carol0371 - Another remedy for a dry nose is Aquaphor.  I live in an extremely dry climate which averages about 13% humidity in the summer and my nose would get so dry due to the lack of humidity in the air but all of the dust, etc. at the horse barn.  I would take a q-tip and put Aquaphor in my nose (rub it all around - just a little bit) every night and that helped me from getting bloody noses.  So if you don't like the smell of vaseline it is another option to use and there is really  no odor to it.  Aquaphor is also very good for dry skin so you kill two birds with one stone if you also put some on your arms at the same time.

    Luv2sing - glad you found a wig!!!  I already wore one of mine on Sunday after I cut my hair off and it was too uneven to wear out in public and I was ok with it other than I felt awkward because  I felt that in a way I was advertising to the world that I have cancer and people were looking to see if it was my hair or a wig.  You meet with your oncologist tomorrow - do you know when you are starting treatment?  Webbie needs to get you on the master list!

    LisaBarr - Welcome to the February Furbies!  Or are we the February Furries - I can't remember.  Looking forward to hearing how you are doing on a daily basis as I start my first treatment this Wednesday although it is a different chemo regimen.  Kind of excited to get the war going but like you VERY scared and nervous at the same time.  I am sure that after the 1st treatment I will do much better but right now all I can think about is give me a Valium or a sleeping pill so I can be doped up during the procedure. 

    NancyB - have not tried prunes  - I would rather take a laxative because I don't like the taste but I have been eating bananas every day and I am still constipated which I think is from a mixture of Ambien, Valium, Chatrix, and Lortab.  Oh My gosh - I must sound like a total druggie but really I am not - I swear I am not!  I only take as needed and right now I have a stock pile because I haven't been taking any of them on a daily basis.

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  • Terri42
    Terri42 Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2009

    Hi Kristine - I was 41 when diagnosed - no family history - have two kids 14 and 11 - had a bilateral mastectomy on new years eve - and yes this is overwhelming but just look into your kids eyes for strength!  You can do it - I complain and cry ALOT but it helps to vent while you're trudging through this mess and it will end!

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  • Terri42
    Terri42 Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2009

    Off to AC round 2 - thanks to everyone for all of their advice I'm going to try to change some things this time to make things a little easier!  I'll let you know if I come up with any secret weapon!  I did meet a lady last night at my support group who was done with the AC round - she was very cute telling me "Hey I'm an old lady if I can do it you can!"  I think I needed that!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited February 2009

    Judy,

    I had some irregular heartbeats myself after TX #1 and just 2 days ago after TX#2. My onc. says chemo can do that cause while the poison is going thru our bodies we are just reacting different, and nothing to worry about, unless it gets really bad of course.  He told me to lay off caffeine and anything with sugar in it. 

    Sue

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  • Brenny
    Brenny Member Posts: 116
    edited February 2009

    Grace4Me -- I felt exactly like you felt -- that I could "hide" the side effects until the hair loss -- and that wasn't "hideable".  I could no longer deny it -- there it was glaring at me everytime I passed a mirror......and it's going to continue for months and months, even after chemo and rads are done......I too hate the idea that anyone looks at me with pity.

    WBC -- interesting how oncs standard procedures vary -- I never got a Neulasta shot.  But then neither did I have my bloodwork done between three week treatments -- only the morning of each treatment and my WBC were good then. So I don't know how low they got between treatments....just know that after my pre-tx steroids, the counts were good.  So maybe not knowing was better in my case.....I managed to avoid the dreaded Neulasta and luckily didn't develop any major infections (altho I continued to work during the whole process).

    Also after tx 3 and 4 am experiencing shortness of breath after exertion.

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2009

    Judy,

    I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers. I draw so much support from my mother through difficult times in my life, I can't imagine how hard it is for you. You may not feel like you are being strong, but you certainly are. I'm sure your mom is drawing on that strength to help her through. She must be so proud of you!

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  • suzmarks
    suzmarks Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2009

    Hi all, as everyone is saying it is so informative and great to hear each others' stories. Helps to put everything in perspective and also get some good information. So sorry to hear about the family hardships, good luck to you Judy. I did want to chime in about the dry noise situation. I was told not to use vasoline as it can get into your lungs. Much better to use a nasal saline spray which CVS and I assume other big pharmacy chains have a generic version. I also wanted something more lubricating so I got a saline nasal gel. Ayr is a company that makes it. Feel good comrades!  Suzanne

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2009

    hope all is well as can be with the February Furies.

    One thing I have decided for myself is that it might not be so wise to fight side effects with drugs.  We are being pumped full of drugs... it is so hard on our kidneys and liver to process all the junk.

    Natural remedies (like Metamucil) if they can be effective as laxatives for instance are much easier on our systems.  i have headaches and notice that if i take pain killers my kidneys hurt.. i'd just as soon have the headache.

    My attitude has been to simply not acknowledge side effects.. i refuse.  for me that is an easy way to deal with them.

    I've taken plenty of drugs to counteract the drugs and give and eventually you are in such a fog i don't know what i;m doing.

    I hope this suggestion is taken with the good intentions that accompany it.

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  • sue50
    sue50 Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    Good morning Furies,

    Ok here's the Potassium Report of the day. 

    Judy, yes my heart is behaving now, thanks.  Whether it's the veggies or the passage of time, who knows? I hear you about the Potassium iv, very nasty; my nurse gave me a hotpack on my wrist for the pain; it helped. Still hated the taste, yuk. I'm hoping to build up this week and avoid the iv next time. Hope you can too. I think any of the electrolyte drinks would help, just read the label to make sure there's potassium in there.. Eating the veggies is even better (more concentrated) and more natural...

    Nancyb, thanks for the suggestion of prunes; will add that to the shopping list. Swiss chard and Lima beans have more potassium than bananas too I heard. My daily banana has not been sufficient so I'm going to do a bowl of Limas a day + V8 juices and see what happens!

    Hope everyone has a good day today! 

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2009

    Apple - what you are saying makes total sense!!  As an example I look at "old people" (in the 80's) that are on 9 different pills at least on a daily basis and I wonder how all of those pills are reacting with one another, etc.  My Granny who is turning 95 in a couple of months is not on any prescription drugs and she is stubborn enough to live to 100, doesn't walk now but her mouth doesn't stop - LOL - I love talking to her.

    I am such a wuss that I have to take pain meds but I know they block me up and also the chemo treatments will block you up.  I have never tried Metamucil but I will get some next time I go to the store.  I rarely take laxatives unless I have been on pain meds so sometimes it is months and months in between taking them.  I was so regular like clockwork until my SNB procedure and I have been having problems on and off ever since.

    The other thing I noticed after my SNB was the fact that before I was always hot as heck - you know that premenopausal stuff going on and now I am actually chilled if I am not moving around.  Any idea what that is all about?

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited February 2009

    Apple, I think u have something there. I'm going to try that myself.  I tried counteracting the steroid craze by taking Ativan during the afternoons on day 2 and 3 after treatment and I was in such a fog, didn't like the feeling at all.  Now today I feel like sh*t and it's probably the let-down.  Just can't wait for this to be done with.

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2009

    treatment has certianly done a number on my temperature regulating mechanism.. i'm either burning or freezing..

    if i have a hot flash  i simply drink water.. and say BURN CANCER BURN to myself.. (i have a Peruvian friend).

    don't get me wrong  i love drugs.. the hydrocodone is to die for ..must be the codeine... and i love steroids.  i would be so hooked. they are so performance enhancing.

    i just kind of think they include enough..

    disclaimer:  i don't get nauseated and realize that it is a very real curse for some.

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009

    Hey Apple!  I'm so not giving up my anti-nausea drugs! LOL!  But I hear ya on the pharmacy that has become my body.  It is interesting that you posted this today because over the past few days I've been trying to not "take something" everytime I have a SE.  I was excited that yesterday, all I had was my daily Protonix... that's it!  I'm hoping that today and tomorrow will be the same.  Thurs, all bets are off though... I'll be back on my parade of anti-emetics. 

    Hope everyone is doing well today!

    Michele

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009
    For all of you with potassium issues... I'm eating lunch at my desk and my can of Progresso low sodium garden veggie soup says it has 700mg (40%!!!) of the RDA per serving.  And, a can has 2 servings.  IIRC, sodium is replaced by potassium in low sodium products. So there's another source.
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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2009

    Someone please explain the Potassium issues - does chemo screw this up?  How do you know if you are low on Potassium - what are the SE's?  If you are low - what does that really mean for your body (i.e.e what is the danger?)

    I have read this mentioned twice now, once where someone was eating prunes that were higher in potassium than bananas - so I am just wondering what the deal is here.

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2009

    Apple - somewhere else you mentioned that you wear gloves when you play your piano, etc. due to the tingling of the taxol (neuropathy) - what kind of gloves do you wear?

    I have about 5 pairs of gloves from a grandmother that are the cream colored - pretty church gloves that women wore back in the 50's and 60's.  They are thin material so you can do a bit with your hands and not have bulky glove issues.

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  • Bethie1
    Bethie1 Member Posts: 393
    edited February 2009

    Hey gang!!  Wanted to let you know I got through 1st round of chemo OK!! just queasy tummy, but not sick at all!!! :)  I'm doing great!! How's everyone else doing? I've got my wigs, so I think I'm set for that, although I'm not sure about mentally yet!!!

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009

    Berthie~ Great news!  So... please tell me what anti-nausea drugs you were on that worked so well!!!

    Jancie~  I don't know what the cause of the low potassium is.  But, several ladies have posted about it.  In a non-chemo-affected person, low potassium would result in muscle cramps and weakness.  Severe low blood potassium can result in fainting and blackouts.  In a chemo-affected-person... I don't know how you could know what caused what!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited February 2009

    Chemo does lower your potassium, and your magnesium, and your dot dot dot!! That's why taking a good multi-vitamin is a good idea during chemo, and eatting lots of fruits and veggies.  Chemo can do a number on your kidneys and it can cause your kidneys to flush out extra potassium.

    Maybe this will help explain:  http://www.chemocare.com/managing/hypokalemia-low-potassium.asp

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited February 2009

    jancie  - i wish i had those gloves.i have bought cotton underliners.. very simple cotton gloves with seams (no gussets) but i can't find any.. everyone is out of small.  I've used hand bell gloves, and silk underliners (those are the best) but now are too pricey for me.  I used to get the silk ones for 3 bucks apiece and now they are 11.

    soo... i just wear what i can find.  i'm going to order a dozen and pay 8 bucks shipping and handling because i practice alot.   (2 bucks a piece).  you'd be surprised at how articulate your fingers can be once you get used to wearing gloves.

    i wear tighter leather gloves for all housework.  i should put on rubber ones for cleaning but it's too much trouble..

    (glad to know prunes have potassium.. i get horrible smelling farts from them but i just love 'em.  i use molasses for my daily potassium.) i think we tend to get leg cramps.  Everymorning i super stretch my legs to my toes and uuuuuuugggh.. nothing like a cramp to wake you up.

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  • flmomof3
    flmomof3 Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2009

    Hello all,

    I don't think ive joined the Feb club yet. I am Sue, 41, with 3 kids and a great DH. I started TC x4 on Feb 5th.

    Today I am feeling sorry for myself... My scalp was hurting so  much and hair started coming out yesterday so cut it down to about an inch with the scissors.. EEEK!!!!  now I am having remorse/denial thinking it wasn't going to really fall out after all!!! My wig will be ready tomorrow and I have some colorful scarves too....I'm going for the Jacqui Onasis look!

    Kelty: i went very low (1.5 white blood cell count) on my day 9 and got two shots of Neupogen over the weekend. It seemed to do the trick. I was back up to 3.0 on Monday.  My 11 year old was sick with a 103 fever, so they also put me on antibiotics as a precaution.

    MicheleS: I have had no nausea at all..( and I threw up throughout my pregnancies).  I took Aloxi and Emend as part of my prechemo drip.  Hope that helps.

    What I have had are headaches which my onc. claims are from those same drugs....not right away but day 9-13...wake you up in the middle of the night, someone is hitting you with a hammer headaches!!!I

    Oh, good news, we just got a new dishwasher....I decided I need to put a little good news in each post!

    Best wishes to all.

    Sue from Florida

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited February 2009

    Apple - I am sending you a PM regarding the gloves!

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  • kmn0701
    kmn0701 Member Posts: 117
    edited February 2009

    Thank you for the welcome ladies (and sorry I made you cry Sue!). I am feeling better today....day five after round one. I did, however, have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad diarreha yesterday. It was awful. Very chemical smelling. It hasn't come back today so hopefully that was the worst of it. Yuck. I'm hoping that doesn't happen every time but I won't hold my breath. I have a cold too, which has made this that much worse I think. No fever, just a runny/stuffy nose. When it rains, eh?

    I keep expecting to see my hair falling out. Though I know it probably won't happen for another week or so. Does anyone else have this strange little part of them that's wanting it to happen?? I'm just trying to focus on the "positives", like not having to shave & not having to style my hair. lol I don't know, any little positive at this point, you know?

    MicheleS, my Mom lives in Enterprise, is that near you?

    Denali, I did check out that other thread, thanks. And I will talk to my Onc about the Xanex. Anything to help. I hope you are feeling better at this point also!

    Terri, yes they are definitely my strength! Hope round 2 went well for you & you are feeling better asap!

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  • marlomom
    marlomom Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2009

    hello all -

    Just dropping a quick progress note - haven't had a chance to read all the posts, but hopefully will have more time this weekend.

    Having a really good week so far.  Last week had mouth sores for about two days (started last thursday night and were gone by saturday a.m.), but nothing too bad. No significant hair loss. This week, appetite is good, acid reflux is gone, energy levels are good and "chemo brain" is gone...for now, lol.  Started my clinicals Monday - no problems concentrating or getting through the long days.  And so it goes, of course, just as I'm starting to feel normal again, the next treatment is creeping up quickly.  My 2nd treatment (A/C) is Friday.  

    I'm still procrastinating getting a wig and prosthetic breast because I think I'm still in denial, somewhat, about having cancer.  I guess I still just want to wake up and realize it was all just a bad dream. 

    Well, that's all for now.  Hugs to all and hope everyone has a good night.  Smile

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