Starting Chemo February 2009?

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009
    Hey Michelle - no kytril this time, the Steroid does have an anti-emetic property but is given for prevention of an allergic reaction, and then I did take a stemitil when I got home just to be on the safe side. But I really feel so much better than with the last drugs, so fingers crossed you will too.
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  • Terri42
    Terri42 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2009

    Hi guys - I am sooooo tired today - I think my RBC is very low (4 days after last AC) - I hate this feeling - I feel like a slug.

    I'm curious what everyone is getting with the TC end of this journey - my onc said only Benadryl and one anti nausea like Zofran or in my case Compazine strictly precautionary and probably not needed - no steroids mentioned...hmmmmm....can I live without them?

    As for the WBC - I haven't had any problems - I get Neulasta with every chemo treatment which continues through the Taxol too...I wish it was working as well for everyone else!

    Kerry - I am so glad to hear you're doing well!

    Datadruge - love the pics!

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Kerry - I am so glad you are feeling better with this next step! I hope and pray it continues for you.

    Michelle - I guess it makes me nervous (I say I guess cause everything seems to make me nervous right now) because it is 3 weeks between my appointments. The onco said he was going to check my blood after 8 days on this first tx just to see how my body was reacting... he didn't mention doing it any other txs... so maybe they will just check it when I go after this... but it still doesn't make sense to me that they will just let you go that long without making sure you are OK blood count wise...So it is the norm just to check it before they do another tx and that is what they go by to monitor you? Today is day 10 and am staying in the house for the rest of the weekend, but Monday will be day 12 so I should be ok to go back to work since the lowest days are suppose to be days 8-10 right? ahhhhhh.. I wish I could know every day what my counts were lol

    And HEY - You are not in the hospital! yeahhhhh!!!! How was yesterday? I noticed you didn't post so I was thinking about you, hoping you weren't too ill.

     Loving all the pictures everyone!! Keep 'em coming!!

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2009

    It's funny how all our oncs  have such a variety of viewpoints and practices as far as our blood count precautions. I get my blood checked right before each treatment. I expressed concern with her before starting about exposure to germs at work. Remember, I am an RN at a hospital. She said not to worry, just wash my hands a lot and be sure to don protective garb (gown, gloves, mask, etc) when caring for isolation pts. I hope she is right. So far I've been OK.

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited March 2009

    Wow!  Cheryl, you're an RN and you still get to work!  I had a volunteer job  in a hospital and was told I had to quit during chemo!  I gave hearing tests to newborns.  I'm a granma-wanna-be, but my kids aren't cooperating.  So I got my 'baby fix' in by working at the hospital.  I'll return after chemo.

    I was having a down day the other day--no particular reason, just lots of tears.  My son sent me this video about a 'weepathon'.  It's hilarious and guaranteed to perk you up!  Turn on your speakers and watch:

    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-682947910823126806

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited March 2009

    Up to my proverbial arse in re-creating a year of finances...of course, they were DONE on the dead hard drive...but I just had to stop in and share the bizarre experience of the day:

    A mosquito bit my LE arm. It's such nice weather, I HAD to open the door of my shop and let some air in while I worked. BZZZZZT! Nailed. Mind you, I do live in the Woolly Swamp, this is not a rare occurance. But we are supposed to be watching out for just that sort of thing during chemo, right? I panicked, swatted, missed and reached for the only defense I had left.

    I just sprayed OFF! onto my bald pate.

    Does it get any weirder than that?

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2009

    I just had the most humiliating experience! My husband, son and I went to the gym at the university my husband is a professor. I had a great time walking on the treadmill. After I was done I thought I would go to the spa and sit in the whirlpool a short while. I took my time getting in and when I was finally all the way in I only stayed 3-5 minutes. After I got out I started feeling nauseous and weak. I laid down on the bench by the pool. As long as I was still I seemed to be OK; but , as soon as I got up it started again. I told my guys I needed to leave. It took me forever to get dressed because I had to stop frequently. When I made it out to the main lobby where my husband and son were I told them I couldn't make it out to the car the way I was feeling. I needed to lay down. A staff member showed us to a couch that was down one of the halls. I was also feeling very warm, so Mike my husband got a cool washcloth for me. That was the ticket. I started feeling better. I realized I got myself overheated in the whirlpool. I felt so stupid! I just wanted to do what "normal people" do! Well, eventually I felt good enough to go home. I am still so ashamed of what happened to me. The first thing I wanted to do after I got home was to talk to my Fab Feb sisters. Thanks for listening to my story.

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Gracious Cheryl I am sorry that happened..but I understand the feeling of wanting to be normal. I am sitting here in my house staying away from crowds while my husband is fishing with friends being normal, and my daughter is at a local pageant watching her friends being normal... I wanna be normal too!!
    I am glad though that you are feeling better, which is the really important thing, although I know you were embarrassed. Don't be ashamed - you have every right to try to be as normal as you can... even people who are not in the middle of treatment get over heated in a whirlpool. This whole thing just gets so overwhelming sometimes doesn't it?
    XO

    Webbie-Sorry that pesky bug got you.. how's the bite? A friend of mine told me that mosquitoes won't bite you when you are doing chemo..guess alabama mosquitoes do!

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

    oh Cheryl

    no need to be ashamed..it just goes to show how very fragile we are.  we need to pay extra attention sometimes. 

    -apple, who walked into a moving car a couple weeks ago in her chemofog.

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009
    Apple - I kept thinking about that after my treatment last week and have been really paying attention to cars in the parking lots.  I really understood how that happened in the funky fog state!
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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2009

    SusieQue ~ Welcome!  You are among a great group of Furies!

    Michele ~ Hurrah for being finished with AC!  My onco tells me that Taxol isn't expected to have the nausea/vomiting SE, so maybe you can give up the Vomit Queen crown after all!

    Furies ~ I am sitting here with black polish on my fingernails; I have tea tree oil sitting on the sideline for when my nails are good and dry.  Tomorrow I will do my toenails in order to be ready for the Taxol on Monday.  Bring it on!!!

    I think my eyelashes are coming out, and my eyes/eyelids feel very itchy.  Is this happening to anyone else?  It's driving me nuts!

    xpectmiracles ~ I'm so sorry you had a bad time with the whirlpool.  Poor thing.  There is NO NEED for shame or for feeling stupid!  *hugs*

    Hugs to all,
    Artemis

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Cheryl - if it is any consolation, whirlpools do that to me anyway! So much so that I don't really go in them. I always think i am going to faint when i get out of them. I am sorry you felt badly afterwards, when all you wanted was a few moments of relaxation. I feel I am missing out on doing so much 'normal' stuff too. It sucks. Actually, my husband was telling me yesterday how lovely my bald head looked, and I should just go out without a wig/scarf as I looked lovely. And I said - but everyone would look at me then. I really just want to look normal when I go out, and feel normal for a bit.

    Artemis - my eyelashes and eyebrows have slowly started falling out, but are doing it very slowly. I am hoping I manage to hold on to a few ....

    Still feeling OK on the Taxatore. It is wonderful not feeling sick. Went out shopping yesterday morning and got myself a bit tired, so I spent the afternoon blobbing out watching TV.  A bit achey, but so far much easier on me than the earlier drugs. AND, now only two more TX to go!!!

    Have a great Sunday everyone, avoid parking cars and Alabama mosquitoes....! 

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited March 2009
    Kerry--- We are on similar tx schedules., I and I am an early bird as well.  How do you feel?  I am still a bit hopped on the steroids-got the dishes done, the stove scrubbed, the refrigerator science experiements thrown out and I did that at about 5ish.  I did however, burn toast and surprisingly, my family has woken up yet!  I survived the dreded taxotere #1 so far...hope  it will last when I crash.  Hope all of the FAB Febs are doing well in all of this.
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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    Hey Jess - yep, I am an early riser too! I like to get up and have a bit of "me" time before the kids get up. I have a coffee, get my emailing done, read the paper.....So far so good on the Taxatore, my legs are a little achey but nothing bad. Do they get you wearing Ice Mitts during your infusion....? So far it seems to have worked with the numb fingers and fingernails!  My Onc said it prob. wouldn't be an issue until #2 anyhow...

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited March 2009

    I brought in ice packs and used them.  The chemo nurse didn't say a word about them.  It is good to know I need to make sure I bring them in for tx #2.  My big toe on my left foot is turning a bit blueish.......  I also had very spastic feeling legs and arms during tx.  They kept the drip very slow and said they would cut back on the anti allergy stuff---jeeze chemo brain and I can't think of the name of it!  I will say the food and coffee taste great again!  I feel okay, warned to expect aches and pains day 3-8.....I bought lots of tylenol and aspirin to combat that. 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2009

    My drip started off really slowly, so the whole thing took about 2 hours. I just get so frustrated sitting there so long. I think next time they will speed it up a bit as I had no reaction. I was given loads of Tylenol #3's and told to use them, and not try and tough it out if I am in pain. I just have taken a couple of Extra Strength Tylenols this morning, as the acheyness isn't too bad and I can do without feeling any more spacey than I already am!!

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited March 2009

    Artemis~ I'm having eye-issues too.   Very puffy lids and irritated.  I showed my onc and he said that it will just get worse with taxol.  but... that it is *normal*, whatever that is...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    profuse apologies for not checking in with my lovely ladies here. i'm a sucky furie.

    i think getting sick undid me and opened up the depression floodgates. i'm considering asking my GP to up my zoloft dosage, even for just a few months.

    i should be happy, i'm officially HALFWAY and done with AC. and i've been told that taxotere is a walk in the park compared to the AC. my onc says i'll be more tired, that's all. and my nurses said they've never seen the dreaded nail issues & that any neuropathy is minor.

    i guess i'm just tired of being a trooper and doing the happy face, etc. i want my life back. i REALLY want soft squishy boobies already. *whinewhinewhine*

    is anyone doing or has anyone undergone tomotherapy radiation treatment? if my docs decide that i need radiation after chemo, that's what they offer at our practise. it's new and i've been told (by a reliable source) it's not "state of the practise" for breast cancer. so i have to head back into research mode. which i have zero energy for. ugh.

    (((hugs for all)))

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Kerry- you never fail to make me smile or laugh. Maybe webbie's alabama mosquitoes smoke that pilgrim pot and they are hungrier there! lol

    Michele - HEY.. how are you feeling today? Looks like you managed to stay hydrated at home. I am so happy for you that you are finished with this part of your journey!

    XO

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  • MicheleS
    MicheleS Member Posts: 937
    edited March 2009

    Kathie~ Still sick.  Yuck.  'tho the marinol makes me care less about the nausea... maybe that's how it works!

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  • Terri42
    Terri42 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2009

    Hi Furies!

    I can totally relate to wanting to feel Normal AND with squishy boobies too!

    Lisa - I have been fighting the depression lately since the last AC treatment has made me a couch pillow - literally I cannot do anything but stare at the TV and eat salty carbs - so I feel tired, fat and ugly! 

    BUT I am inspired by the turn to Taxol - I must feel better (or I don't know what I'm going to do)!  It looks like everyone is feeling the same. 

    It's almost April - not that I'm wishing life away but I can't wait until May 12th - last treatment day!

    Hang in there Michele!

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  • xpectmiracles
    xpectmiracles Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2009

    Think spring everybody! I'm having a better day today. I have stayed a way from the hot tub. 

    I'm trying to add a picture to this post. Keep your fingers crossed...

     Cheryl
    Dx 10/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009
    Beautiful flowers Cheryl,,Thanks for sharing! Glad you are feeling better!
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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited March 2009

    Webbie~ I am up top on the List starting Jan.12 (I sooo wish I did) BUT I didn't start until 2/2.  Thanks for adding me :)

    I am still down after my last treatment and heading out today for an abdomin CT :(  My Kidney has fluid on it and of course they need to rule out a stone or blockage so back for the hour drive today (the hospital is about an hour each way) and then tomorrow for the doctor's appt. 

    I have learned this weekend that my compazine is no longer working and I have spent the last 5 days neasous all the while taking compazine and ativan with no luck.  The ativan made me spacey (which it hadn't in the past) and compazine made me drousy but didn't help :( 

    Okay a little bit of a funny.  I was braggin not less than 2 weeks ago that my kids have NEVER cut their own hair and they are now old enough to not do it.....   I should have known...  My 6 yr old cut my 3 yr. old's hair yesterday.  She just picked up a piece of his hair and chopped a piece off of the front.  I kept looking at him thinking  why does his hair look choppy and finally it hit me why.  We had to buzz cut his hair :( and then last night before bed he asked my DH why he does his hair look like Mom's...lol.....  We got a huge laugh about that as I insured him it would grow back and he has a lot more hair than what I do :). 

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited March 2009

    Kerry-So glad to hear u r doing well with the Taxotere so far!

    I'm still freaking over the tumor marker thing.  Going to Onc. Thursday first thing in the morning to get re-tested, talk about anxiety. I hate it.

    Still having swollen and inflammed sinus', going to an ENT Wednesday.  Now my eyes are tearing constantly and I still have headaches, which is now freaking me out even more.

    Lisa-Sorry u have been having a hard time.  We all have those days, it's quite normal.  Try to keep your spirits up!

    Sue

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  • Terri42
    Terri42 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2009
    Cheryl - love the flowers!  Yeah SPRING - means we are all getter closer to having this over with!Smile
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  • gcpommom
    gcpommom Member Posts: 883
    edited March 2009

    I can't wait for spring either.  It takes sooo long to get here in Michigan, although all the snow is gone, and some greenery is springing up, it is still too cold outside.

    The fever is finally gone and I think I am on the road to recovery from the pneumonia; lungs still very tired and achy, but energy level is returning.  I am supposed to get tx#4 tomorrow, but it is up in the air; my doc will decide after blood tests.  I really hate to keep putting it off, but I am worried about the breathing problems I get with the AC on top of the breathing problems I'm having from the pneumonia.  Ugh.

    I had bad pain in my kidney area on both sides all morning.  Mentioned it when my onc called, but no real answers.  She said she'd do a urine test tomorrow.  The pain is going away now.  I've read that the neulasta can cause this, but I haven't had a shot in about 2 weeks.

    Michele: my eyes have been burning constantly, is that how yours feel?  It is so annoying, and eyedrops don't work for very long.

    I can't wait to be done with AC.  For some reason I am nervous about this last tx.  I am not sure how the week break will affect my SE's.  Maybe it will be easier since I had a break, but I am really scared of the breathing/heart problems I always get with it since it was so much worse with TX #3.  I hate it when I can't breathe.

    (((hugs)))

    Judy

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited March 2009

    Garsh! Keeping up is murder around here! haha!

    Susan, try some Zyrtec. Call your nurse and make sure it's okay, but it has really dried out my face. Of COURSE see someone about it, but there's no need to suffer if you don't have to. 

    Jaimieh, glad you noticed. I tried to count back from one of your posts (couldn't do that well WITHOUT chemobrain!)  But now I can get it right. Anybody else I'm missing, please let me know! (SusieQue!)

    Cheryl, the flowers are beautiful! Thanx for posting such a cheerful reminder of life affirming renewal! I hope you are fully recovered from your hot tub ordeal. Don't feel bad about it, I'd have hopped right in there too. Who knew it would do that!?! I'm just glad you're okay.

    Terri - I honestly think it's the drugs causing so much depression. I get that way too during the worst of the crash time. Then, suddenly it lifts and I'm okay again for awhile. Stupid SE's. I'll be glad when it's over too. For TC drugs, I get Aloxi (antinausea) and Decadron (steroid) in my IV with Tx. I'm pretty allergic to the stuff so I take Benadryl and Zyrtec for several days afterward. Yup, right along with the Claritin for the Neulasta shot. Onco cleared it and it does help with all but dead muscles and fatigue. The headaches I've found no way around. A pair of dark glasses and some earplugs are my only defense.

    Michele -- Boo that you're still sick. YAY that the Marinol has "some" effect! If you're still out of the hospital tho, it's a danged good sign. I'm pulling for you. The Taxane has GOT to be better on you than this!

    Kathie -- You crack me up as much as Kerry does!  My mosquitoes DEFINITELY have the munchies! Must be all the run off in the pond where they're born. Must be like steroids for them or something on top of the pilgrim pot! ROF! It does seem screwey that they don't check our blood more often. They're AHEAD of the curve on pre-empt this and that, but they don't check our counts until it's too late? GRRRR! I just assume I'm low and am careful, but I'm with you. I don't like not knowing one bit!

    Lisa -- I think you might be or tomotherapy pioneer! I haven't heard of this one, tho admittedly I haven't done as much homework on the subject as I will when it gets closer. Please keep us posted on what you learn. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time sometimes, but please don't think you're a bad Fury! You're one of us, no bad or good about it-- just us getting through it all.

    More in a bit, ya''ll. Gotta get some new shoes for my growing Monkey-- yup, it's crunch time before crash time at Webbie's house!

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  • kat4pink
    kat4pink Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2009

    Several of you are on Ativan... what exactly is that for?

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  • webwriter
    webwriter Member Posts: 535
    edited March 2009

    Chemically, Ativan is an anti-anxiety med. It is, however, commonly used for sleep "enhancement." I was given Restoril as my first sleep med. (Didn't work.)  It's a step up from Ativan and along the same lines. They all belong to a family of drugs called benzodiazapenes. Xanax and Valium are also related. Here's a link. http://www.answers.com/topic/benzodiazepine Hope that helps! Off again!

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