**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009
    MichelleinSJ - have you tried HAYLEY(without the ?mark)? That is what I used earlier this month and it worked.
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  • vangoghpro
    vangoghpro Member Posts: 47
    edited March 2009

    Good luck to those folks starting tomorrow or continuing on the treatment path.

    Thanks for posting the information about the blood count numbers and the MUGA score. My MUGA score was a bit low at 49 so they plan on monitoring me carefully because i take Herceptin. I think my score read especially low because I made the foolish attempt to have a Petscan and a MUGA scan on the same day. No one said that was not allowed. In the end I had to cancel the MUGA to the next day but they had already started putting the meds in me when they realized and stopped.  I think there must have been a lot of crap still left in my system the next day and I am HOPING that that is the reason my MUGA score was not in the great range.

    I actually felt better today which was day 4 after treatment. I almost felt "normal." Then I made the mistake of eating scrambled eggs for dinner. I got a monster of a heartburn attack. That will teach me to eat breakfast for dinner.

    On a positive note, I am so laid back with the fatigue that I am not worrying about missing work or housework. The swirls of dog fur from my two dogs are starting to join up with other swirls. I had to smile at the language in some of the recent posts - I love that honesty and if we can't swear now then when can we?

    My seventeen year old son just asked his friend Kristine to the prom and she said "Yes." He arranged with her friends that he would drive to her house and dance outside with placards asking the important question. His friends all did a dance routine to the Rick Astley song "She Wants to Dance with Me." When she said yes he gave her roses. I never knew he had such confidence to go ahead with it, but I am proud of him.  There will be more moments like that for all of us in the days, months, and years to come.

    Love Linda

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Pickle - Congratulations on your Premier!!! Are you a Cosmo gal? A Martini? Gin and Tonic?

    And to those premiering tomorrow Maidmarion ;-) and Sakura (who technically might be done about now) we are thinking of you!

    Next round gals - Malleme, Dawnmrn1, ipursuit, ShondaE...and anyone else I may have missed Embarassed  GOODLUCK!

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2009

    Reeney - yeah! so glad you have gotten the all clear. We'll be pullin' for you.

    Janet0527 and JenniferB - welcome to our thread! Like all, we are sorry but happy that you found us. Jennifer, let me know what treatment you are getting and I will update the roll call list.

    Janet- try CafePress.com for the t-shirts. Susan13 (bc.org member) has a great avatar from a t-shirt...she might have gotten it there.  

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  • IowaDiva
    IowaDiva Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2009

    Linda:  What an amazing young man you have!  THAT's the way to treat a woman!  You're a good mom!

    Carol

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2009

    Linda!  When it's mt daughters turn to go, I hope a guy like your son asks her, how romantic!!!

    ginagina!  Thanks for all that you do!!

    Off to round 2!! Dawn

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  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2009

    Linda What a gem of a son you have...a gentleman!

    Ginagina I echo Dawns sentiments..Many thanks!

    And my thanks to all the other well wishes for today, you're a great bunch of gals and have provided me with many smiles over the last few weeks, we have a collection of great characters here, keep it going!

    Off to numero uno!

    Julie

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    MOB

    I just loved your comment from that book. Yes people do look at us like we are so fragile. I guess when we are doing well it is a good secret to keep.

    Although I am proud when I feel like the real me.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • tinkersmom
    tinkersmom Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2009

    Francine, all I see is your lovely smile, and strength in your eyes...hugs back at you....sheryl

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2009

    Good Morning Gals....I am no longer a Chemo Virgin.....and you were right...the anticipation of the first one is tough but it went so smooth and I feel totally relieved. I was stressed about having a reaction...plus I get nauseous at the site of needles. But honestly the staff are amazing and everything went smoothly. A little tired today  but I am going to make myself get on the treadmill for 30 or 40 minutes...then maybe I'll nap! I am sure there are rougher days to come but for now I choose to spend this day looking through Rose colored glasses.

    Ginagina I am a Martini gal all the way! Thank you.

    I hope everyone is doing well today and good luck to all who have treatment this week.

    Cheers

    Beth P

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  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    Linda... a big WOW on your son.  I hope the girl appreciated that!  Not every young man would even think to do that. 

    Beth P... Would it be inappropriate for us to say "I told you so"?  Wink  Seriously, I'm glad you successfully completed your first treatment!  BUT, don't overdo today.  At least act sick and have others wait on you, bring you food, etc. 

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2009
    MOB- I happily and humbly accept "I told you so" I've decided to nap first and think about the treadmill later!
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  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    Beth P... There ya go!  Now you're thinking like a true March Chemo Princess!

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  • bwbly
    bwbly Member Posts: 82
    edited March 2009

    need to catch up on 2 days of posts, but here i sit in radiologist's office. Just finished 2nd tx and feel ok so far. Onco wants radiologist to look at site of balloon (MammoSite). It has gotten red and warm since late last week. So she just wants him to check it, just in case. No fever, blood counts ok.

    Bunny

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  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2009

    Well ladies I'm just back from first Tx, and I also happily and humbly accept the "I told you so" the anticipation is far worse!

    All went well, no reaction to the Taxotere thankfully, the session went quicker than I thought it would. They managed to pick a vein after much deliberation and it was a direct hit, thank goodness for good technicians! All the staff were super nice and the head of the Dept. turned out to be a client of the Animal Hospital I work at, so I was assured that as we take good care of her baby so she would be looking out for me,lol.

    So I am drowning in glasses of water and feel pretty good right now, steriod high I imagine. The dog will be happy..a long walk coming up for her later when cooler..84 degrees at the moment.

    Cheers

    Julie 

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  • IowaDiva
    IowaDiva Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2009

    Beth and Julie:  I won't say "I told you so; that's Jan's department!  Tongue out  I am glad that your 1st tx experiences were positive ones.  Take good care of yourself and allow those who love you to pamper you!  Lots of water, nausea meds, and Ativan as needed! 

    Hugs,

    Carol

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  • buddy1
    buddy1 Member Posts: 750
    edited March 2009

    I just got home from my 2nd AC/Cytoxan.  All is well.  I am very light headed.  My face got puffy as I was leaving teh office. It still is.  Is this all part of it?

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  • IowaDiva
    IowaDiva Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2009

    Buddy:  I think it's part of it.  It might be the steroids too.  I didn't realize how puffy my face had gotten until I saw the picture I posted.  Wow.  It's either the AC or the extra chips (I'm talking about me, of course)!  Embarassed 

    Take it easy today and this weekend.  I hope you have an easier time of it this cycle!

    Hugs,

    Carol

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2009

    Whew! I was one for five days and look at everything I missed, lol!

    Caught a *bug* during my nadir period last week, and it turned into pneumonia :( Four days in hospital, every antibiotic known to man, and I'm back in the swing of things again! Not for the weak, for sure.

    Hair is just today (Day 14) starting to shed. I am scheduled for another TC on the 9th of April, crossing fingers and toes that all goes smoothly.

    You gals keep me laughing and that means so much!!

    Thanks and heads high, everyone :)

    Nadine

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  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    Bunny... Hopefully nothing unusual is going on with the mammosite!  IF my tumor hadn't been so large, I would've been a candidate for the mammosite.  Keep us posted...

    Julie... Ditto on what Carol said.  I particularly agree on the Ativan.  Who knew I would grow to like that particular drug as well as I do?  Wish I'd had it when my boys were teenagers...

    Carol... ROFL about the chips!  I've put on some weight as well... I'd like to think it was the steroids, BUT I think I've just given myself permission to eat, eat, eat...

    Nadine... So sorry about the pneumonia.  Sounds like you are about to become one of us on the hair.  BEFORE I started chemo, I had read that "only" about 20% of chemo patients on TC lose their hair.  Yeah right...

    buddy1... Glad you successfully completed your 2nd round! 

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  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2009
    Iowadiva  Thanks for the Advice Carol and MOM. Don't have Ativan but Xanax will that do?
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  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited March 2009

    Beth and Julie:  Glad your 2st went well.  Drink, Drink, Drink (water that is).

    Diane, kellerka, Amy :  Good luck tomorrow!!!  I started my decadron today and I am already drying up!!  Hope that's the only SE this time!

    ChrisC - Note sure if your on the every 3 week schedule, so good luck if your tomorrow or the next time.

    BethP - Your son sounds very romantic!!  The boys in our School District try to come up with cute ways to ask the girls to Prom here, too.  It's surprising how creative they can be.  The singing beats any that I have heard about by a long run.

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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited March 2009
    Pickle141...loved the "chemo virgin" ha!  Me either...had my first Ac this afternoon.  Feel weird but don't know how to describe it, not really lightheaded...but somethings different.  Drinking lots of water...and thanks to the gals here, ate ice chips all through the infusion. Smile  I'm supposed to go every tuesday for cbc for bloodcounts.  Here I thought I didn't have to go back for 21 days!  Said to my hubby on the way home "1 down 7 to go"...than rads.   
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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited March 2009

    Forgot to ask a question...  "If you're not feeling nauseous right after the treatment would you eat something?"   My husband is trying to push dinner on me and I'm not sure whether I should or not.  I was thinking of maybe just having an ensure tonight...

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited March 2009

    grannyarnie....I ate like crazy while I could....go ahead and treat yourself to a big meal :)  Congrats on getting through your first!

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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited March 2009

    Thanks didle!  Hubby made stuffed cabbage soup...gonna dig in!   :-)  Hope all you dear ladies have a good night!

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited March 2009

    I eat light after my chemos. I usually make my husband  real food ahead of time and I eat something light and bland. I have been addicted to store bought takeout chicken chow mein. I get to eat it for a few meals.

    All say if you feel well go for it. But I would not overdo it.

    Good luck to maidmarion,Beth and grannie...on HAVING  their first chemo and to buddy on her second.

    Stay strong we can do it.

    Hugs to all

    Francine

     Ordered my free head scarf from Francelux  people today.

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  • Mom_of_boys
    Mom_of_boys Member Posts: 556
    edited March 2009

    maidmarion... Sure!  Dr. Jan says have a xanax or two.  Pre-BC I used to think xanax or ativan were for the weak amongst us.  NO MORE!  Now I say... Ativan/Xanax rules!

    grannyarnie... Like Diane said... eat, eat, and then eat some more!  I figure that as soon as I finish chemo, the pounds will just melt away.  That's right, isn't it?  <seriously, do eat some of that cabbage soup>

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited March 2009

    grannyarnie!  eat what tastes good to you! you'll feel stronger, and it will soak up the water and the meds!

    I ordered my scarf form Franceluxe yesterday, they were very nice!chemo# 2 was uneventful, the onc wanted to cut the decadron down because of my insomnia,I refused, I did so well the last time I said if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!! I go for the next 6 days for neuprogen shots he wants to keep my count up, all blds were normal today!He said I could take the Advil pm for sleep with my compazine tonite, hopefully it will work again. I am so happy 1/3 of the way through.  Good luck to all having a Tx tomorrow and I wish those who had theirs today NO SE!!! Restful sleep, and a good tummy!  Dawn

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  • NanaA
    NanaA Member Posts: 293
    edited March 2009

    Got home from #2 about 2:30.  Not quite hte day I expected.  Had to do blood work.  Blood counts white and red were great.  It was liver function that is a problem from the steroids.  The want me to do diabetic blood tests 4 times a day and give myself insulin shots if it is over 150.  Has any one else heard of this?  Since I am doing weekly taxol  I have 10 more weeks of taking dexamethasone Monday night 5 pills, Tues AM five pills, in the iv and then 2 more pills per day on Wed. and Thurs.  Plus the Physical Therapist has been using dex steroid patches on my knee.  Talk about giving you poison and then giving you something to counter act what they make you take.  Does anyone else have any input on the liver function and also steroid induced diabetes.  Should I eat nothing between meals or should I eat smaller things more times per day?

    Did Taxol # 2 but he said he reduced the amount a little due to the liver function results.  Anyone know how to read all the results of my bloodwork.  They gave me a copy.  Everything was back but the iron results.  They have had me take extra iron tablets every days since I had an ulcer a year ago and had to have transfusions.  Now mostly my red count is normal but at the low edge.  He wanted me to start with it as high as possible to get it.  So having been taking 3 pills of iron and a stool softener every day.  I do not know what every things was they tested from the results page they gave me was.  Any info Will be appreciated.  Got 2 wigs today from the clinic that had been cleaned and donated by former patients who did not need them any longer.  Well, I guess that my sga of the day.  I sure have learned you cannnot plan on anything staying the same, because then for sure something else will change.  Annette 

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