Starting Chemo February 2009?
Comments
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Kerry-Great pics, your kids are adorable, and hey you are looking quite good I must say ! I think you are having a hard time with the Taxotere for the same reason your onc. said. You still have the prior chemo drugs in you. I had a break in chemo before I started the Taxotere so maybe that is why it didn't hit me as hard. I'm sorry you are feeling so badly, but just 2 more to go!
I finally felt somewhat normal yesterday, 2 weeks out. This afternoon I'm going for my radiation simulation... onward to the next step!
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goodmorning Furies.
I decided to take it super easy and rest these last few days. BAD IDEA. I feel so achy and sore. it's back to super exercise for me. (at least i can forget about my aches while i move).
competitive housework (and yardwork) here i come.
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Sometimes I think that too - the less I do, the less I feel like doing. At least with having little kids i have no choice but to get up everyday, even though staying in bed seems so tempting.
Susan - let us know what the hair starts to grow back!
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Kerry, LOVED the photos of the kiddos!
I'm down and out in the middle of a chemo crash, but the photos made me smile!
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How in the HELL are you people managing to exercise? I can't even make it up the farquin' stairs and out to my shop! There are ONLY EIGHT stairs (up and then 8 more down).
I swear I was a typical Type A once--gardening, child running, working, no time--too much to do... I'm a blob. How are you doing it? I have GOT to get a handle on this. Help! I'm trapped in my body and I can't get out!
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Yippeee - YAY ME!!! I have shingles! On my way to Target Pharmacy to get yet ANOTHER pill this is after I had 3 prescriptions filled on Friday.
I can't wear my wigs because my shingles are on my forehead. I so wish I was like you Webbie where I could embrace being bald.
I didn't like the little cap I was wearing today so I came home to get a scarf and a baseball hat - I don't mind looking bald when I am at the cancer center but anywhere else out in public and I want to hide unless I have a wig on.
Webbie - I know the feeling of not wanting to do anything! That is why I got a prescription for Ritalin and it works! Ask your doctor if you can get some.
Be back later....
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kerry, your photos always warm my cockles. are you a professional photographer by any chance? and i know you feel like poo on a stick, but you look fabulous, darling!
sue, i'll be waiting to hear about your simulation.
jaimieh, all parts crossed you get good test results back on your kidneys.
judy, sending all good thoughts your daughter's way. poor baby.
Liz, nice to hear from you. Sorry you're feeling so yucky. Hope the tide turns more positive for you soon. You too, webbie & jancie.
Special hugs for (((calgal1943))). I can only imagine how sad you are to have missed papa's birthday. Hopefully everyone took lots of photos for you, and hopefully you can plan a double extra special celebration with him when you're done with treatment.
and from the my-onc-team-is-from-bizarro-world department: my onc's PA just told me i don't have to take any steroids prior to my taxotere infusion. she said it's more for taxol, that there's very little chance of developing edema with taxotere. and the steroids i was automatically taking for 4 days with the AC? she said they're optional for nausea as needed, whereas i thought they were mandatory. she said i've probably lucked out with no nausea due to the emend alone. (i swear, i feel like writing a testimonial for merck!) so even tho it's totally opposite of what everyone here seems to be doing, i'm thinking i may officially be done with steriods this week (fingers crossed). i'm a little disconcerted, but i'm thrilled to maybe have one less weight gain issue.and she did give me a script for emla (thank you, Gramof3!), even tho she was poo-pooing it a little. whateva, chick.just call it in.
(((everyone)))
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Welp, leave it to me, Lisa. I didn't get edema until #4, but when it hit, it hit hard. I'm STILL on steroids (1/2 dose) daily, along with water pills and potassium (RX, not OTC). My lungs are still full tho, so I don't know what will happen when I go in for #6 next week. Your onco may be bizarre, but I too liked the idea of not taking unneccessary drugs. I'm on too many already! I hope you are done with your roids and never have to face them again!
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Jancie
i would not be so quick to accept the shingles diagnosis. Scalp rash is quite common i think with these infusions. ..exacertated by wigs, hat and scarves. who wants to take anymore meds? not me.. i have a rash the first days following chemo and just keep my scalp clean, avoid coverings excepting freshly washed silk (sounds exotic doesn't it?) and try not to scratch.
as to exercise.. i just have to keep moving - otherwise i am a bear to live with. grumpy as can be.
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Oh no, ((Jancie))), I'm so sorry about the shingles!
Webbie, I cannot do anything high intensity when I exercise. We have a split level home, so each flight is just 4 steps. If I try to bound up them like I did pre-chemo I will be short of breath with burning leg muscles after 1/2 a flight of steps! So, I have been doing only low intensity things. I also must say there is NO WAY I could do anything other than surviving the first week after each chemo treatment. Remember, webbie, you don't have a lot of recovery time between treatments because you're dose dense. Please give yourself a break. You are doing great!
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webwriter~ I am with you I used to run around like crazy and NOW I am just a blob. I have never seen my legs this small. Sad
Lisa~ Thanks for the good wishes I sure hope it's everything is fine. I am supposed to be getting ready to leave but I am being lazy instead. I cleaned 1/2 the kitchen...lol....
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Kerry~ You look great! And the kids are adorable, as usual.
Denali and Web (and everyone else who has offically fallen in the chemo-hole)~ Hope you feel better soon.
Kathie~ Are you out there? How did #2 treat you?
Jancie~ I don't even know what to say... Ever feel like the plague of locusts is on its way?
Apple~ I also feel terrible when I don't get out and move. However, there are some days where that just isn't going to happen... Today 'tho, I went to work early and actually walked across campus for a meeting! It took friggin' forever but it felt good to get outside.
Judy~ Glad to see you here again today! So.. the question of the day: did Taxol make you nauseated at all??? (I have already asked you... pls answer again cause I can't remember a thing. LOL!!)
Lisa~ I'll only be getting steroids in my pre-med IV when I have Taxol (same dose as I had for AC). I won't have any to take at home (didn't with AC either). I asked him about it and he told me that he hates to use steroids unless thay are absolutely necessary. That's good for me as my ulcer and steroids don't mix!
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Janice You poor thing. I know how you hate going back to Target. Do you think the shingels is what put you in ER the other night. Not cellulitis. Or is this somthing new?
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I've got some sort of cradke cap rash thing starting on my scalp - like babies get. It doesn't itch or hurt, I was wondering if my wig was doing it. Hope yours isn't Shingles, jancie, you've had enough on your plate this week!
I am only just starting to get a walk in this week - I can't do anything at all except walk my daughter to school for the first week.
Lisa - I am taking Steroids for Taxatore, but I guess your dr knows what they are doing! I hate them, I feel so bloated all the time. I would be happy not to be taking them. And of course the Tylenol #3's I took constipated me, and the Taxatore was giving me the runs, my whole system doesn't know what it is doing. Ah, well. As long as it is clearing out any lurking Cancer, I shouldn't complain!
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yeah, guess who's shopping cafepress.com at work? hee!
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Hi everyone, I am so sorry for those of you who are feeling poorly. I have been so blessed with little or no SE from AC. I will have my third treatment on Monday. It is so great to have these boards to read and post. Being out of the United States is very difficult during this time. My father died three weeks ago and I could not go home for the funeral. That was more difficult than learning I had cancer. I am hoping to go home to visit family after my third treatment. I see my chemo doc on Wed and we will see what she says. Thanks so much for listening. Kathy
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Lisa 810 - what a great website with so many great options to choose from , thanks for posting that.
I haven't been on this forum in a long time....my port sight got infected big time (thanks to Avastin) and i had to have it removed and it still hurts like crap.
My Blood Pressure is sky high too, thanks again to Avastin, which i am stopping this Thursday on my 3rd chemo treatment.
Sorry for complaining i just need to vent.
Kathy ------ so sorry to hear about your father.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Lisabarr
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I just got home from cancer support group meeting and my hubby is wanting me to go upstairs and watch TV with him so I don't have time to respond to all of you.
I have no doubt it is shingles, it took a third person to diagnose it properly. I have the horrible pain and itch to go with it. It feels as though someone is sticking a needle in my scalp 24/7. I am lucky that I took notice of it so quick and had it looked at 3 times because the sooner you catch it the better it is as far as getting rid of it.
I know I have a ton of different drugs but rest assured, there are days I don't take any at all. I haven't taken steroids in over a week, no valium in over a week and no ambien in two weeks now. I am careful as far as what I take together. Right now I am just on anti-biotics and pain pills so I won't be taking any sleeping aids until I am off of that combination. I feel sometimes like I am being over medicated by the doctors so I cut back and take only what is absolutely necessary. I only take my anti-nausea pills for 5 days after chemo and then I come off of those.
Ok, I have got to go - just go the second request to get my butt to bed
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Lisa810: thanks, DD is doing a little better, she is 22 yrs old, but is still my 'baby'. She hates the hospital, so I try to stay with her when I can. Love the shirt you posted!
MicheleS: so far, no nausea with the Taxol. I had a stomach ache for a few days, but not sure it was from tx or not. I have tx #2 tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes afterwards.
It has been almost 4 weeks since my last AC, and I'm not seeing any hair growth yet, so I am bummed. I have read that you can still lose hair on Taxol, but so many say their hair starts growing back when they start Taxol, so I am curious to see what happens. I think I feel more 'stubbies' on my head, but i don't see anything really growing yet.
Jancie: I hope your shingles clears up soon, and that you are feel better soon.
Web: I feel so bad that you are having such a tough time. I totally understand how hard it is to not do the things we are used to doing. I hope you start feeling better soon. If it makes you feel any better, I am not exercising either. I even borrowed my sisters stationary bike, it is in the middle of my living room, but I have not used it once.
Kerry: your kids are really cute, and you do look great, too.
Steroids---I am getting them, but am not experiencing any effects from them as far as I can tell. I don't get any 'high' from them, no trouble sleeping, no bloating. Maybe I am getting less than others are getting???
Kathy: I am glad you are having an easier time with AC. I sure didn't, and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that. I am so sorry to hear about your dad; I lost my mom in February and I agree, it was the toughest thing ever, nothing else mattered, not bc, not chemo. My heart goes out to you.
Hugs to everyone, hope we all have a better week ahead of us.
Judy
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Jancie
i hope you don't think i was being judgemental or anything. I just was sharing my own experience with scalp rash.. yuk.
my husband has shingles at this moment by the way. (i get tired of going to the pharmacy, i tell you).
-apple, who just took her 3rd pain pill of the day because her nerve endings are going nuts.
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Chemo-hole....that is such a good way to explain it Michele. lol I've fallen & I can't get up. I had moments today of feeling near normal but they would pass pretty fast & then I would find myself staring blankly into space....very tired & lethargic. Nice. I hate the chemical taste in my mouth. It's like the drugs are seeping through all my pores or something.
Jancie...hugs to you. I had shingles about 10 years ago & I'm not sure if chemo was worse. Shingles were truly painful 24/7 for me. I hope you are feeling better soon!
Kerry....I had to laugh, my body doesn't know what it's doing either. Steroids & Taxotere seem to confuse the whole digestive track. Isn't it fun!!
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My poor innards don't know whether they are coming or going!! I am getting really bloated - I am feeling like the Michelin Man - I had to get into my PJ bottoms yesterday afternoon as my jeans were too tight.
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As for me I had to go to the kidney Dr. yesterday and they are going to monitor me at least until the end of my treatment unless I get lower back pain. I have an artery that is causing my kidney to not empty properly and if it continues or gets any worse I will be in the OR getting my ureter re-routed
I am a little sad about the news but I am trying to put a positive spin on it (it isn't cancer 
). I am feeling semi-normal which I havent' felt like since my first treatment at the beginning of Feb. I only have a little bit of a cold remaining. It's actually a wonderful feeling but I am dreading the next round already. I just keep reminding myself one step closer....
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Lisa-LOVE the shirt! If I would have seen that one before I got the one I did .... ah they would have loved me at the doc's office!!!
Kerry-Strange about not taking the steroids. I didn't take the steroids with the AC, and my onc. said with Taxotere there's more chance of allergic reactions and edema... I wonder why does every doc have a different opinion on all of this?!?!? I find that very strange. As for swelling, I had some swelling on my ankle and leg after my 3rd and 4th, but it didn't last long, a day at the most. I would tell your onc. right away cause I do not think edema is a good thing.
Had my rad simulation yesterday, it wasn't a big deal, but trying to get my rads treatments scheduled was another thing. Apparently radiation is a big business, and they only had one time slot open in the mornings. So looks like I'll be getting to work just before noon every day. I'm thinking that might not be a bad thing!
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Webbie!! Thank you for making me the Missing Link!!! Love it. Maybe that will make my hair grow back faster, ha ha!!
You knew right where to put me, you clever gal, Jan 29 start date.
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Kerry, your descriptions of this mess are SO apt! I love them! Yes. My innards are both coming AND going! hahaha! Thank you for making me laugh at myself. Do call your Onco if you suspect your bloating is more like edema. It can get out of control quickly and believe me, you do NOT want to hear Auntie A's stories about what that's like. (She's been a palliative care nurse for nearly 15 years. She's seen it ALL!) I got Lasix (sp?) to get rid of the extra water, potassium to help make up for what comes out with the water and extra steroids to keep it from happening again. More drugs. Oh happy day. BUT! My wedding ring fits again and I can move without feeling like a water balloon. Today I get to stop taking them. Whopeee!
Jancie, I hope the shingles clear quickly and easily. I've known two people who went through that and neither describe it as anything short of excruciating. My heart goes out to you.
Ms. Rockytop, being so far from home must be doubly hard with everything you are going through. My heart goes out to you as well. We've had so much tragedy these last few months, you are certainly in the right place for help and support. Please check in often, even if it's just to scream about the unfairness of it all. We're with you. We understand.
Cheryl, thanx. You never fail to make me smile. And this time you even reminded my chemo brain that I'm not the norm and should stop trying to act like it. Why I would forget this, since NOTHING about me is EVER the norm...goes with the territory I guess. And your squared UG sent me into gales of laughter. I needed that. I hope your Ug is relenting by now.
Jaimieh, I'm so sorry to hear your kidney is giving you problems on top of everything else. I will send positive no-re-route needed vibes your way! Your attitude is amazing. (At least it's not cancer!?!? I'd be a whiney, delapitated FREAK if I had to face one more thing right now. You ROCK!)
Denali, I hope your crash is ending too and that you're seeing the light of day again. It's amazing what a single smile can do in the darkest of hours, isn't it? I love this place!
Judy, it is always good to see you. You have been through so much these last few months! That you continue to stay in touch and are such a positive voice here blows my mind. You are truly an inspiration. Can I be like you when I grow up?
Lisabarr, okay, I'm putting you up for a rotten luck award too. Wow! Don't feel bad for complaining--at ALL! We are certainly good at keeping each other up and supported throughout this, but NOBODY ANYWHERE understands what it's like except us. This crap sucks no matter what angle you are coming from and if we can't share that with our sisters here, we're ALL in a lot of trouble. Vent, rant, rage, scream, pound salt...whatever you feel like. That's what we're for. And we'll be here to celebrate THE END with you too! You'll make it. One step at a time.
Lisa810: Okay, I tried to stay out of cafepress as long as possible. Now how am I going to explain my utter immobility for the last two hours? Thanx! Another much needed smile today.
MicheleS & Kat: Still out there? Still hangin' on? I hope you're both out there LIVING for a bit!
Kristine, I meant to mention it a couple of pages back, but I have facebook too. Are you interested in starting a group for thread/bc.org members or just adding folks in so we can stay in touch better when this is all over? It does make pictures sharing a little easier!
I hope you are all having an easy day and that it's NOT raining (AGAIN) where you are!
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Thanks Webbie~ Trust me I had about a 30 min. pout session and my wonderful husband said that to me and it made me think. Hell yeah it's not cancer and it's something that I can have fixed
Imagine just with a surgery no chemo...... Oh another thing my DH loved you avatar (I think that's what they are called).Jancie~ I hope you feel better soon
Shingles do not sound like fun.BTW, chemo-hole explans exactly what I was in after my last chemo. I couldn't get out of my own way. My legs where so weak I was thinking how nice a walker would be (and I am 32 yrs old). Hopefully I can avoid it this time....(now I wondering who I am trying to fool....)
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Thank you for the condolences and support. What a wonderful group of women you all are. Thank you also for the info on travel. I will find out tomorrow if I can travel. Wish me luck. Bye for now and God Bless, Kathy
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MrsRockyTop (are you from Tennesse?) ~ I am so very sorry about the death of your father. How sad that you didn't get to go home then. Good luck on getting the ok to travel! *hugs*
Kerry Mac ~ you and your kidlets are beautiful!
Lisabarr ~ yuck @ port infection and high blood pressure! I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. And don't you dare apologize for venting!
Jancie ~ shingles?! Just what you need right now, right? Get well soon, girlfriend!
Furies ~ I have excema on my right hand; it's the very latest thing in Taxol side effects don't ya know! Feh...it's itching like crazy. I went to the onco today (after talking to a nurse yesterday), and she prescribed a steroid cream to rub on three times a day. I'm to take OTC Benadryl pills, too. The fun never ends, does it?!
Hugs to all,
Artemis -
(((rocky/kathy))) my sincere condolences on your loss.
(((artemis & jancie))) a pox on excema and shingles! so unfair.
webbie, glad you had fun with cafepress.com. sometimes i just type in "corgi" on there when i need a lift. hee.
sue, i see half-days as a huge fringe benefit, definately!
anyone who knows about emla: i got my script, but it didn't come with dressing. i'm thinking i can just use a tefla bandage. the instructions say "apply 2.5 g of cream in a thick layer at the site of the procedure". does that mean don't rub it in?
i'm uber nervous about my first showdown with The Taxotere. *fret*
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