Starting Chemo February 2009?

Hey everyone...sorry I kind of drop off the earth with my first two sessions....after my baby was born 1/29/09 and then chemo I think my brain is on vacation right now...

I HATE this chemo stuff...I haven't thrown up....but come close...thank goodness for my meds...it just sucks...I sleep for three days after treatment....then I feel like I have the flu from day 5 to about day 14...my chest is heavy, I cough alot and my middle body hurts like someone just beat me up...my Doctor says it might have something to do with the bone marrow shot...anyone else having that issue? I cant remember what the shot is called sorry...

It makes it hard...being so tired and sick but wanting to enjoy my new baby...she is awesome...its like she knows mommy is sick and she needs to be healthy and happy all the time...still not sleeping thru the night but my hubby is awesome...his work (Yes, the USNavy) has been so wonderful...he has been able to be home when I need him the most...he just calls in and says he is staying home...it helps that he is a Chief and can pull some strings...

Sorry, I think I am rambling...my mind is a mess right now..seems I forget how to spell or sometimes just how to carry a straight conversation...I am a very high energy red head so this is very hard for me to just sit and take it like this...

Well, its nice to know we are all in the same boat with our treatments some what...makes us all know we arent going to crazy right...take care...

Kerry Mac--- I so understand what you are saying.  The pain is something else.  I feel like everysingle nerve on the surface of my skin is on fire.  I took vicodin today and it sort of takes away the pain.  You are so right, this better be working!!!

Spring is here but it's only 21 degrees this morning - I bought some tulips and mini daffodils for inside the house yesterday - they are so nice and bright!  I normally buy hyacinths for inside the house but I thought the smell might kill me this year - darn chemo nose!

Judy - good luck today - I hope you can get your last AC overwith!

Webbie - good luck getting everything done during crunch time - I'm usually running to the grocery store and Target and stocking up like we're getting a blizzard - makes me feel better when everything is stocked up during chemo down time!

Have a good day guys - hope everyone is feeling OK!

Terri:  I do the same thing, have a bi-weekly run to the store(s).  Otherwise, DH goes shopping for me, and who knows what we will end up with (or run out of)  He tries, though.

I am right now sitting in my infusion chair.  There has been a change in plans, and my onc decided to skip my last AC tx since I have had so many problems.  So I am done with AC, hooray!!!  I am ok with this decision, since I don't want to experience the heart/breathing problems while I have this pulmonary embolism.

Yes, I do still have the PE it turns out.  I asked my docs to re-read both CT scans, and it turns out that the clot is still there, it just hasn't gotten bigger or moved.  So that stinks, but it should resolve over time, and explains why I am still short of breath. 

So I am about to get my first Taxol (which will now be weekly for 12 weeks instead of 4 DD).  I am so nervous about a reaction.  I am getting my premeds right now. 

Keep your fingers crossed for me, girls.

Judy

Welcome Bev, it is usually very 'busy' around here, but it is quiet today.

Well, my first Taxol tx went just fine, I'm feeling ok.  I got benedryl, decadron, and zantac for premeds.  Am still tired from the  benedryl, that stuff knocks me out.  I don't take any other meds at home after tx, I guess.  Hope I don't crash from the steroids, although I really don't feel any effects from them.

My onc strongly feels that 12 weekly is easier than the 4DD, but I was unsure what to do.  I really wanted to do the 4 dd, but he convinced me that with the problems I've had, I should play it safe and do the 12.  He said he rarely uses the 12 week schedule, so I think he must really feel this is the best choice for me.  So now I won't finish until mid June. 

I hope everyone is feeling ok, that you all feel so good you're out shopping and that's why it's so quiet here today????  

Judy

BCPrego,  Isn't she just precious!!!! Congrats  in that regard!  Hope you're feeling better everyday.  Now you've at least got something beautiful and wonderful to focus your attention on, and she'll boost your mood too!!!

Welcome Bev! I am taking taxotere and they don't do any ice at the hospital I am at. I have not had any problems with neuropathy either. My nails are fine, too.

What I have been noticing is blotchy dark pigmented spots on my face. YUK. I can cover them reasonably well with makeup, though.

I am also going in for an infusion this Thursday and am "stocking up" for my down time.

Hope all is well with everyone!

HI LADIES!!!! We just got back from Arizona a couple hours ago. I gotta get the girls ready for bed, I'm hoping I can catch up a little later tonight. I hope everyone is doing well!! {{{HUGS}}}

Hi,I haven't been on for a while.Last week was my week off from trtmt,so did some normal fun things.Shopping,out for lunch,just regular things I haven't felt like doing.Most days getting dressed is just too hard.Once it gets warmer that will be more incentive,I love to work in my yard,don't know were I'll get the energy this  year.Had # 7 today,2 more to go.

BCPrego,so sorry you have to do this with a new baby,that should be a happy time.Glad you have your husband to help.

I read a few pages of posts but not all.I can't sleep as usual the night of trtmt because of the steroids.So a good time to do this,except fingers & brain not doing so hot.Have to keep correcting so its readable.

I've been getting Taxol weekly,worst SE is fatigue,definitly cumalitive.In my head I want to get up & do something but can't get the body to follow through.Or do something & have to rest right away.Go up & down the stairs like an old lady{getting there guick}

Everyone take care.

Hey everyone. Still wiped out from the jolly Taxatore - it was really bad yesterday and I spent the day in bed. Yuck.

Really sore legs and knees, I actually nearly passed out from the pain yesterday morning, I had to lie down on the bathroom floor as I got all lightheaded. Anyway, I stayed on top of the pain killers and felt better as the day progressed. I'm feeling a bit more human today, just a bit "off" in the head, but the pain seems to have mostly gone.

I keep thinking though that I only have to go through this twice more,  and as hard and unpleasent as it is the only way to get to the end of it is by going through it.

Kerry Mac = that hydrocodone can make you VERY light headed

Michelle S - sorry you are still feeling badly - Vaseline, Eucerin, balmex,  all will help with the irritation.. (careful they can stain pants (as i found out too late one day).. the gunk will wash out with Dawn,.

 I (and my kids find relief with Mom's flu cure) 1 cup of dry oatmeal, slowly chewed - a few grains at a time.. you want to mix saliva and oatmeal together.. it's very soothing and sets me to right in no time flat.. (i don't really have major nausea issues)  my own mom would prescribe that when we had the flu or nausea.  we couldn't eat anything until we ate at least 1 cup of oatmeal.. dry, and chewed.  peeled apples can break the monotony.

steroids give me blotchy skin the first few days after treatment.  the only thing that helps me is makeup.

hugs to all.  i feel great today cause i've been without chemo for 2 weeks.  I played at a
Confirmation last nite.  It reminded me of the last time i saw the Bishop.  It was soon after my surgery and i created my own bra.. a bra form from the fabric shop tucked into my bra.. it's a clear gel like pillow thing.  After the Mass was over last time, the Bishop came over to my choir to congratulate us on the music.  He stopped and picked up something off the floor and looked at it quizzically.  (my bra form).  He quickly  tucked it behind his back and came toward up and shook hands.  I'm saying to myself " Get it.. it cost 4 dollars!  ///  and NOOOO,, i'd be sooooo embarrassed",

I didn't say anything but my friend later found it on a table in the back..  I didn't know you were supposed to tape them in your bra.. which i do now.

have a great day everyone.

Hi guys!

Susan13 and Michele - I hope you're both feeling better today!

Judy - good luck with the Taxol - at least no more AC! I hated that stuff!

Artemis - I'm glad you're feeling OK with the Taxol - I have my first round next tuesday.  I had a bilateral December 31st and have expanders in now - if you can have immediate reconstruction that would be great!  Do you have to have radiation though?

Bethie - good luck with last AC - yippeee!

BCPrego - glad to hear from you - I can't imagine how hard this is but think of the rest of your life with that adorable baby! You can do it!

Welcome Bev!

JamieH - I haven't been counting the days yet but I do work by the month - I can't wait now for April to come and get over with!  Every day is a day closer to ending this and I cannot wait!  I also cannot wait for the expanders to come out - they are really bothering me - I almost want to get some of the fluid removed - I just can't stand it!  Do you know how long we have to wait after the last chemo? - I haven't asked my onc yet.

Ladies - I am 2 pages behind in responding so I am just going to respond from the top of page 43.

First off - I am finally feeling like a human being this morning.  I had chemo Wednesday last week and have spent most of my time in bed.  I am not nauseated a whole bunch but like Kerry I feel like I have been hit by a truck.  I don't have energy to do anything.  Last night going out to eat dinner wore me out.  I was in bed all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  Felt like I needed to sleep but couldn't.  Tried to watch TV but would shut it off 20 minutes later and then turn it on 30 minutes after that because I couldn't sleep.  It was just a vicous cycle. 

I am meeting with a SE specialist today.  I think the new "sleepy" medication I am on is what is making me feel hung over 24/7.

Kerry - sorry you are feeling so poorly (Monday) - guess I have to get down to the bottom of the page to see how you are doing right now.

BCPreggo - I am in awe that you can have a baby and go through chemo at the same time basically.  I have told people that don't quite understand what chemo fog is - think about how you don't have any brain cells left when you are pregnant.  Same principal basically.  Your husband is definately a "keeper"   I have been fortunate that I haven't had any pain associated with the Neulasta shots.  I wonder if it is because my onc nurse always gets it up to room temperature first and then when she gives me the shot, she does it ever so slowly.

Terri42 - Spring is supposed to be here but woke up to 6" of snow on Monday.  Everytime I get past the point of feeling like crap to work in my garden it snows again.  This morning we are having very light flurries.  Are any other smells getting to you?  My husband wanted to open up a can of sardines yesterday and I told him no way in heck!

Susan13 - My onc gave me a prescription for Mirtazapine - 15 mg which I am to take 1/2 pill at night.  I am FINALLY sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night when before I went a month of getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night.  This is really a "psycho" drug but when taken at low dosage it just knocks you on your arse.  However, I am going to talk to the specialist today and find out if this drug is why I have been in bed for 3 days straight feeling hung over.  Will let you know what she says.  I am jealous that you are done with treatments (ok in a good way).  I won't be done until the end of June.

gcpomom - How is the taxol going?  Looks like we are going to be finishing up around the same time.  No, I wasn't out shopping - I laid my bum in bed all day yesterday and the day before and the day before.  I am hoping that the weather clears up so I can go by the barn and see my horse today whom I have ignored for a week now AGAIN.  I hate chemo!

Beverly - welcome to the group!!!  I agree the energy thing is cummulative and I heard that Taxol wears you out any more.  Does that mean I am going to be laying on my arse every single day? 

Webbie - you are so descriptive even with chemo brain!  How do you do it?  "hit by a truck, then backed over, then scooped into a front loader, poured out in a ditch"  - CLASSIC!  I agree with the dose dense recovery - I feel good for all of 5 days before I get poisoned again.  By Friday I will feel normal and then have to go back in on Wednesday.  I still have one more A/C to go before I switch over to Taxol.

xpectmiracles - I had no idea that blotchy skin was a SE!  This is the first I have heard of it.  I would much rather know in advance than be freaked out when it happens to me.  Glad you are not having problems with the neuropathy - are you taking the L Glutamine?

Artemis - I remember going through the "what kind of surgery" mental challenge when I first got diagnosed.  At first I wanted both boobs just cut out - figure I was cutting the cancer out and that was the best thing.  Then I heard of all of the pain with the TE and saw pictures of reconstruction so I ended up opting for a lumpectomy since my chances of reoccurrance weren't any great doing the mastectomy versus the lumpectomy.  I probably changed my mind at least 5 times a day before I made my final decision.  You will figure it out!  Have you even thought of the possibility of doing a lumpectomy?  I have IDC, 4 CM also and my tumor has shrunk significantly already which was the reason for me doing chemo first.  I can now have a lumpectomy without losing 1/2 of my boob.

Carol0371 - you are getting close to the end!  That has got to make you feel mentally better!  Oh, I remember the nights when I would be up trying to respond to threads and I couldn't type without having to backspace constantly.  My brain and fingers were not synched up at all.  Finally I said "screw it" and left all of the typos in.  No doubt your bad typing nights are no different than what I used to "drunk post" back when I could drink prior to doing chemo.

MicheleS - you still have the title of Puking Queen as far as I am concerned!  I had to laugh when you said the nurses bring you a puke basin when they see you.  I can just imagine the thoughts running through their head.  To answer your question I will be doing the l-glutamine and B6 when I start Taxol - I figure I am going to try to get ahead of the game if at all possible.  I need my hands for riding horses (few and far inbetween these days unfortunately).  As far as your "delicate question" I would try to use a baby wipe for that region when you go to the bathroom instead of tissue paper, you can get the type that is for "sensitive skin" and you might feel less pain when you wipe yourself.  I am using babywipes for 3 days after infusion each time then I switch over to toilet paper - I have not had any problems at all.

Kerry - so sorry that you are having so much pain.  Take those pain pills.  I am a firm believer that nobody should have to be in pain when there are meds to control it.

gcpomom - I tried the eye drops, nothing is helping the burning eyes.  In fact this is one reason I haven't been around for a couple of days, my eyes burned too much to sit at the computer and read and respond.

Apple - great to see you around as always.  I look forward to your responses as you always have a funny antedote to tell us!

Jaimieh - I am not counting down the days but I am counting down the treatments.  In other words I have 5 more treatments to go on chemo.  I will count down the radiation the same way.  I would rather know that I have 5 more to go before I finish versus - I have done 3 of 8.  It sounds better to me when I count down.

Hi all you February ladies,

I'm actually a March starter but wanted to let you all know about a program we were talking about on the March thread.

I just talked to Laurie at franceluxe.com and she is the NICEST person.  She told me to tell everyone about her program.  They give one headscarf to anyone losing their hair through chemo or illness.  Click on the website below and you can get the details.  She also said to make sure to tell everyone you know about this.  I ordered mine and she is shipping it out today or tomorrow.

http://www.franceluxe.com/i/goodwishesscarves/GoodWishesScarves.html

Wanted to share, they look really cool....................................

Hugs,

Michele