Starting Chemo February 2009?

Bethie 1 - Yes, they do refrigerate my Nuelasta shot but when they start treatment with the anti-nausea and steroids, at that time they take the shot out of the refrigerator so that it warms up to room temperature and then when the nurse gives it to me she pushes it in ever so slowly.  I think this might be the reason I have never had a SE with the neulasta shot and I have never taken Claritan or anything else.

I thought I would share what the SE specialist said to me today regarding all of my SE's.

She totally understood what a circle jerk situation I was in.  Can't sleep - no energy to exercise - gain weight - get depressed - no ambition - tons of fatigue and on and on.

Then I was prescribed Mirtazapine which I was to take 1/2 at night.  The drug is normally used for psychotic reasons and depression but taking 1/2 of the dosage it acts as a major sleep aid.

Great - I could finally sleep more than 2-3 hours BUT I was feeling drugged up the entire day to where I didn't want to get out of bed.  I just felt hungover all of the time.

So here is what we are doing - I am going to take a full dose (15 mg) of the Mirtazapine so I will get the anti-depressant part of it and also it won't knock me out so bad.  I know it sounds weird but the lower of the dose the more it acts as a knock out sleep drug.

On top of that I will take 10 mg of Ritalin in the morning and then another 10 mg at lunch time.  That will wake me up out of my induced slumbor, hangover, etc. to where I will actually get out of bed and start going back to a normal routine.

I did tell her that I was aware of the SE of Taxol and that would be happening here in 3 more weeks and we talked about L-glutamine and B6 - she said to take the daily recommended dosage.  I told her that I got the info here at BCO - we share all of secrets to dealing with SE's and she laughed and said she had heard of BCO and was happy that I had this support group.

She did say to be careful about taking alternative type medication while on Chemo and I told her that I was aware of this and would not take alternative type medicine until AFTER my conventional treatment was done.  She said that she does acupuncture and that she can help me with fatigue once I start radiation so I will probably go for that.  She laughed when I told her that my horse get acupuncture about every 4 months.

I am so glad that I got an appointment with this lady.  My oncologist recommended that I see her as he could tell how frustrated I was getting.

We talked about my eyes burning but we both know there is really nothing we can do about it.

Webbie--  here's some virtual steroids--the best I can do for now!!! (((hugs))))) I agree with your opinion about the philosophy drs. use.  My onco dr.  raises my chemo any needed % based on my bloodwork.  If my bloodwork is good, he leaves  my chemo alone; if not he raises the chemo.  Very conservative, sensible, but he checks which is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do.  Good info for all of us to be aware of!!

Webbie,  here I am stressed about taking my major dose of steroids for tomorrow's Taxol, and I read your post. What was I thinking?? This is my chance to get stuff done!!!

 Michele, sorry you are still puking. Sending you a Virtual Engraved Golden Bucket with hugs, girlfriend. I wish we could pretend we were on a beach and it would stop, but that doesn't seem to work, does it?

A&D cream (vaseline + lanolin) is wonderful for nether regions, dry skin, and diaper rash.

Apple, love the Bishop & the Boob story. 

I too experimented with a DIY set of tatas. Mine were made from the Amoena puffy things they gave me in the hospital and a Walmart Sports bra...but it rode up too much, especially in church it seems. So I went back to Walmart, the fishing aisle (full of men this time of year) and got me some 3/4 oz Lead Sinkers. Poked a couple into each puffy and it helped keep em down somewhat. Felt pretty clever for a few days, till a sinker fell out on the bathroom floor....CLANG.....fortunately only DH was around to hear it.

Artemis,  after my first bilat in 2002 I had saline implants which I loved. Comfy, every bra fit, even had a nice lil cleavage. In 2008 found a 2.5 cm lump alongside the implant which is why I'm here now. When they did my 2nd bilat "revision" this January, they discovered a second 5 cm tumor, must have been hidden under the implant. Just something to consider.  Personally I'm done with implants; if something grows back I want to see it.  I just got fitted for silicon prostheses, and so far I'm happy with them. They seem pretty comfy; the bras are Functional rather than cute but I can live with that. No more cleavage, though... (this requires planning when swimming or bending over).

Hey guys - thanks for your kind thoughts over the last couple of days. Man, that Taxatore really knocked me for six. I spent two days in bed, which I have never had to do before - not even after my Surgery! But, yesterday the pain was not nearly as bad and I mostly just slept, and this morning I feel remarkably better, so "knock-on-wood" the worst is over!

I think my biggest problem was not keeping on top of the pain, and it got really bad. Once I started taking the Tylenol #3's I was able to get a handle on it - of course, now I am constipated....so I'm taking pills to take care of the SE's from the pills I am taking to take care of the SE's from the Chemo. Great.

Bev - great to "meet" you again! I'm glad you have joined us. My Onc said about 50% of people get joint pain - fingers crossed it won't hit you as hard. I did use Ice Mitts by the way, and so far so good. If it is any consolation, the chemofog doesn't seem as bad on the Taxatore....My WBC for Tx #3 was 1.65 - I was so worried that it would be too low. For #4 it was 10! The wonder of Steroids.....! I don't know what you can do to raise them, noone seems to think anything helps. I've been eating more meat and fat as I feel better with that anyway.

Sue - love the Sinker Story - now try going through Security at an airport!!  I am not going for recon either - I may change my mind in the future, but at the moment I am happy being "half boy" It doesn't look that bad actually. Also still thinking of getting the other one removed.....no-one who has done it seems to regret it. I wish I had thought more about it before my initial Surgery, it wasn't really presented as an option to me and I wish it had been.

datadrudge - Oh, yeah, I have heard all the stories of how so and so "breezed through" Bahh. I can't imagine this is a breeze for anyone. I do think it is a bit like having a baby and labour though - it will not seem as bad when we are looking back. But, as I said to my poor long suffering Husband the other day - It is the least fun I think I have ever had, Ever. 

I love your list of "Good" SE's too -  I think I will get less upset by other people. It has certainly opened my eyes to what is important in life. I certainly will care a lot less about a lot of things, and a lot more about a few.

Anyhow, I aim to stay awake ALL day today!  Hope you all have a good one too.

Still feeling good after first Taxol tx.  Now if getting my blood thinner levels would just cooperate, I'd be all set.  I now have to go in for 2 more blood draws a week to check my coumadin levels, my poor veins can't take it!  

I did turn pretty red yesterday in the face/neck.  I was glowing.  Actually, it was the healthiest I've looked in a while, lol.  It went away pretty quickly.  Other than that, I've had a slight 'tummy ache' feeling, not nauseous, nothing like on AC.

Judy

oh yeah..

Wet and Wild a super cheap makeup line has come out with an excellent eyebrow kit - it works SSSOOOOOO well.

2 colors, some 'wax' and an excellent little brush.. it took me a couple times to learn how to apply it sparingly.

i bought two different color schemes, brown and smoky brown.. they were out of the lighter selection.

3.99!

Kerry - like you I have never used eyebrow make up nor do I pluck my eyebrows.  I got a kit from the Look Good Feel Good class but I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes.

Ok, what is weird - my hair started falling out 2 days after TX #2 on A/C.  I could pull clumps of hair out so I had my head shaved.  There was probably about 1/8" of hair left and that hair has NOT come out.  Most of my hair in the "southern region" has come out but not all of it.  I really figured by now my head would be bald and smooth but instead I have hair left mostly on the top but on the sides it is very sparse.  So if that hasn't come out yet does that mean my eyebrows and eyelashes are going to stay in?  I go for my last A/C next Wednesday.  Now I wish I hadn't buzzed it so close.

I have always seen myself as a very strong person able to deal with whatever hits me in the face.  However, when one of my noisy neighbors decided to tell my husband's exwife and his daughter that I had BC I totally lost it.   I called her up when I found out at 9:30 pm and chewed her out.  This lady used to babysit for the kids when they moved to Utah after being taken away from their mother due to her being a crack w*ore.  She KNEW this but didn't think twice of telling them about my personal medical condition, yet NOT ONCE did she call me to ask me how I was doing and believe me I mentioned that several times.  My stepdaughter is a juvenile delinquent who has been to juvy court 5 times already in the past 2 years since she decided to run away and go live with mom who sets no rules, no boundaries, no structure and NO consequences.  The girl was enticed to live there so she could do as she pleased when she pleased, etc.  After spending almost $100K in court to get custody we were going to be dammed if we spent another dime because everytime we said no, she would run to dear mom.  BTW, they are quite the pair, they smoke pot together and drink together and have been doing so since the girl turned 14.  And I wanted them to know I had BC?  Not only that they are both violent and I don't have the energy to defend myself so I am totally expecting them to harrass the crap out of me when my hubby is not around.   The girl just went to court this week facing charges of assaulting my husband.  She knew about this court date for a month and yet proceeded to get arrested one week before her court hearing for (1) out past curfew - 1:00 am (2) drinking alcohol and; (3) lying about her age to the police officer.  Mom of course hid this information from us but we got the call from the probation supervisor.  So because we still retain legal physical custody my husband is still responsible for her actions even though she is living with an insane bi-polar mom.

I so don't need that personal stress on top of my BC and neither does my hubby who has been so supportive of me but also is stressed out because he sees his own daughter ending up in adult prison when she is 18.

So trying to find something positive in my life is really hard right now.  I wanted to go to the barn and just forget about everything but we have a snow storm today.  I am now happy that the specialist yesterday got me on some anti-depressents.  Never been depressed in the past even though believe me I have had a life that would cause most people to commit suicide starting from the age of 5 years old.  I so don't deserve this crap.

I did manage to take a walk around the block last night in the rain and I am going to go walk over to a friend's house this morning - up that darn hill going there and up another hill coming back.  I took my Ritalin so hopefully I will get some energy really soon.

Hi Fabulous Furies-  I feel like Kerry Mac--- in pain, tired and find it impossible to function.  Stayed in bed and yelled at my family for talking on the phone.  Not a good situation.  Everyone is very frustrated.  i am day 7 of first taxotere and i feel a bit better.  Made it to work-sometimes focusing on work and maintaining a semblance of the status quo seems to make it easier

Hey Ladies,

I feel a little bit more among the living today.  I spent almost the entire day on the couch yesterday feeling miserable!  Saw an ENT yesterday for my sinus issues and had a ct scan this morning.  He says he doesn't want to treat me for an infection if I don't have one so we'll wait to see what the scan says.  Also found out I have a pretty bad deviated septum so my nasal passages and my eyes are all swollen from the congestion, he couldn't even get a scope up my nose!  This morning at my weekly Onc. I sat in the waiting room waiting for my doctor to come in and give me bad news on my tumor markers... turns out it takes 2 days for the results to come back, which I didn't know.  Anyway... he didn't seem "too" concerned that the # spiked 2 weeks ago, he says he doesn't know why but he see's tumor marker #'s go up during treatment.  So if he's not too concerned with it now, I won't be either.  Won't know this week's # until my next appointment in 2 weeks.  So Monday I go for my radiation simulation... ah to begin the next step.  Also Onc. says he wants me to keep the port in until radiation is done and I get restaged.  I was kinda looking forward to getting this thing out... I feel like it's bad karma to keep it in even though I did my last chemo.

Kerry and Jess-I hope your next Taxotere treats you a little better. Maybe the first one for u will be the hardest as your system adjusts.

Feel good everyone!

Sue

Kerry-December 13th, what a nice day:-)  Yeah, having a birthday party 2 days after you have your boobs removed was an experience, but thank goodness for family support!  So I was coming home from the hospital when you were going in!  

I should start my rads somewhere around mid-April or so.   I'll keep u posted.

Lisa-I have to wait about 6 months for my exchange too!   But I'm ok with it, cause I want to do it the right way.  I had my last fill on Friday, I'm a little uncomfortable cause these foobs are hard as turtle shells!  But like everything else I'll get used to it.  All my docs say it's better to wait until after rads for the exchange. I'd rather be on the safe side and heal well first!

Sue

Terri ~ I don't know if I'll be having radiation or not.  If I do, I can still get expanders with my bi lat, but will have to put off having them filled...is that right?  Or not? 

And I'm no longer feeling all that great with Taxol.  I'm so tired now, my joints are aching, and I have little muscle spasms.  I just keep telling myself, "Three more to go, three more to go..."

Jamieh ~ I'm not really counting down, but I do have a big calendar on which I mark off the days since starting chemo.  It's great to see all the red X's to show how far I've come!

Jancie ~ lumpectomy isn't an option for me.  I actually have 3 tumors that need to come out even though 2 are benign; there will be hardly any breast left after that.  There are three "questionable cysts" in the other breast, so we're doing bi lat so that I (hopefully) won't have to go through this again.

Beverly, sue50, Lisa810 ~ thanks for your input on implants.  I'm really thinking that's the way I'm going to end up going.

Sue50 ~ am I understanding that you had a bi lat and then had another?!  Yikes!

Jancie ~ I'm so very, very sorry about your neighbor, step-daughter and the ex-wife.  What a mess, and just what you DON'T need right now!  *hugs*

Hugs to all,
Artemis

tres cool! Webbie

i hope my kids don't see that pic.