Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

There is usually a reason for the Onc. madness..... they are the specialist working with ya.....reality is our immune systems will be down, as everything we have is fighting the cancer or cells. She may have genuine concerns about you contracting something and we all know that is when we get sick. So her concerns may be warranted.

I look at me I have contracted a flu, and whilst it is not hindering me (much) it is still there and no matter what I have done, I just can't get rid of it.  My husband got it at the same time, and he is fine now. I also had the flu shock earlier in the year to not contract any flu's.

I listen to my onc, and she gives some very good advice to me.  Which I really appreciate.  I am aware of the risks of things she says I should avoid (her biggest is Sugar) I should be having nothing sweet at all.  I have a sweet tooth, and tried to make the sacrifice.  But it just was too hard for me, so I chose to eat sweet things in moderation.  Eventually I will cut down to nothing, but it will be when I am ready for that.

I am also one of those people who have done everything right in my life (don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, breast fed my babies, eat healthy, exercised regularly, NO cancer in any family history on both sides of my family etc, my age is not common to get BC, etc......).  So when I was being diagnosed I had resentment that I done everything right to try and reduce my risk of having cancer, and I  have a high chance of having cancer. (i knew it was cancer but had to wait for the "official news". That resentment is still there......  I just wish I had, not put myself thru what I have done, and just done what I craved and wanted..so now I do what I want.....  without psychologically talking myself out of not doing it.  

For me the biggest thing that I have learnt - Life is for Living, Live each day as it is your last, cause no matter what is going on now, tomorrow it could all be taken away from you. 

There are some sad/ amazing stories / inspirational stories on this forum.... one that I read that really affected me personally, was a women who survived BC, undertaken treatment, then dies in a car crash with her 4 children.  Only leaving her husband behind who posts in this forum.  A big reality for me, to have fear about cancer and it consequences, when there is so much other things out there to fear.

Hi May Marvels,

I'm on day 4 here of first Tx and hangin' in there. Feeling pretty achy, but still able to go out for short walks around the neighborhood. I never want to go, but always find it makes me feel better to be outside, and activity seems to lessen the aching. Missing my son's field trip to the children's festival today, but his dad went instead.

Viki- I also don't get any shots for low WBCs unless I need it, but interestingly enough the days I'm supposed to lie low are days 7-12, not before. I still do some things, but no crowds. I'm also fierce about my family washing their hands as soon as they come in the house to keep the "world germs" out.

I take dexamethesone for 24 hrs before Tx, to prevent nausea, but boy does it make me wired!!!! I am up most of the night making mental lists of things to do- no rest for the wicked;)

To everyone I want to say- it's ok to be sad, to mourn what we're going through. I get mad when others (even loved ones) put pressure on us to "be positive" 24/7. That's unrealistic, and unfair. You deserve to be angry and sad. You also hope to find something beautiful to be happy about or thankful for every day, just to keep yourself in balance (difficult when you're hugging the toilet bowl I know!). Remember, everyone else in the world gets to have grumpy times, and so do we. It doesn't mean we are "letting cancer win", it means we're human beings, and in touch with our honest feelings.

Constipation got me big time- and I was so sure I was doing well to prevent it! I drank at least 11 glasses of H2O and ate fibre, but still found myself chained to the toilet all aft yesterday. I think the worst is over tho'- I'm movin' and grovin' again!

love to all

Cat

Hello Everyone,   I'm made it thru the week and doing better today, but the I know I can't overdo or I will feel bad tommorrow.  The upset stomach has been the worst part lost 6lbs this week, hopefully will continue to do better.  HAVE A GREAT DAY

Here! here! to the super cranky from the steroid and to the sleep disturbance. I didn't get the energy boost that others seem to get though.

And I get my WBC checked tomorrow -a full week after my 1st chemo. My insurance wouldn't pay for Neulasta so I'll get Neupogen if I need (hopefully not administered by me!). I work in a hospital and my onc put me on an antibiotic (cipro) daily and told me to wear a mask. I tell my patients I have a cold.  I'm to have my counts checked "weekly plus."  I almost wish that I wasn't trying to work although it gave me some semblance of normalcy (but have almost no energy still on day 7. fell asleep at my desk today doing paperwork!)

Have gotten a lot of compliments on my new "do"-and wonder if it's because they can tell it's a wig.  Cutting the hair for me wasn't as traumatic as I thought. It was sad but empowering because I know I controlled the timing and the terms.

Thanks everyone for the anti-nausea tips! Haven't been able to eat alot, feeling queasy all the time. Maybe even having reflux. Feels like a pill is stuck in my throat. Losing weight. (not that that would normally be a problem) .

No-can't say I'm enjoying this particular experience but when I realize how many of us are impacted by this and how STRONG we all are just by getting up everyday, by going thru the treatments, by finding support, by encouraging one another I AM AMAZED.

You go May Marvels. As much as I didn't enjoy feeling like a wet dishrag and  a negative energy sinkhole, I am thankful that I have this board and group to turn to to help me get thru.

Hi there.  Well I had my first A/C May 29 and the first night was bad.  I was so sick.  If you saw the Exorcist - you'll know what I mean.    Felt like the flu with a bad hangover that wouldn't go away and no evergy.  Today is the first day I've felt almost normal but stomach is still iffy.  Very gassey and burpy which makes me feel like vomiting again.  Appetite is very minimal but have to eat something about every 2 hrs.  Drinking tons of cold water.  Its very hot right now which doesn't help.   I was constipated first 2 days and started taking Sennekote which has helped.  touchy on smells and looking at certain foods - gag.  I'm 'off ' coffee and tea which I usually enjoy.  Lost 2 - 3 lbs in 6 days.   Lost a few head hairs in morning brush but nothing major yet.  I know it will come unfortunately.

QUESTION;  I understand subsequent treatments start to compound and SE's get worse, is this true.   I just can't imagine feeling this lousy for next 6 months!

Welcome LoriR and Westcoastgirl to the May Marvels.

I have added you to the Unofficial May Marvel Chemo List on Page 18 of us all, if you want to be excluded let me know.  I find it nice to see when people started there treatments.

To answer your question Westgoastgirl

I have just had my 2nd treatment yesterday and had no SE at all since, was tired when I got home, but got a second wind and then stayed awake till 11.30 pm last night, slept all night without waking all night.  Worked today (another 10 hour day) and feel great now.  Not tired at all.  On my first treatment.  I had minimal SE, but was tired and taste buds changed on Day 1 with hot flushes (from the steroids). 

But I was very anxious before yesterday, when I saw my fellow May Marvels who had there second treatment before me....where they were suffering worst SE.  Each of us will respond differently to the drugs.  Definitely voice your experiences of your first treatment to your Onc, so they may be able to change the drugs to minimise your SE for your subsequent treatments.  All the best..........

Good Morning Marvels-

Gotta tell ya that these SE's are totally whackadoo!! I'm feeling like Mary.  With the first tx I could barely eat anything but raw veggies and boiled chicken for 2 weeks.  With this 2nd tx, now on day 10, I am just eating away.  I think it was the addition of Prilosec, I don't feel nearly the 'breakthrough' nausea I had before.  I'm still tired and take a nap every afternoon.

Had a TOTAL meltdown last night.....full on cry for like 45 minutes.  I look like Uncle Fester from the Adams Family today, bald, bulgy, swollen eyes............I had that moment of "I JUST CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE".  Skip, my husband, came to bed found that I had been crying and kicked my ass right back into fight mode.  Just what I needed.  So, I agree with Titch.  We do cry some when we need to but there is alot to be said for the power of positive thought as well as the power of prayer.  I am thinking that by using both I will leave Cancer in the Dust.  That is my thought for the day today.  That is thought that will get me through the day.  He reminded me that we can only do this one day at a time.  I am 1/2 way through the chemo, "think about tomorrow, not next month.............look forward to July 8th when you have your last treatment, but live each day not the days in the future".  I'm pretty sure this was in one of Titch's awesome postings!  My prognosis is so good in comparison to so many of you on here that I feel a bit of a baby when I whine.  But THANK YOU to all of you for our support of each other.  It has made this journey more bearable...........

I see the Radiation oncologist chick next week.  Anyone done that yet?  Do I move to another forum when I start Radiation...........I don't wanna leave my Marvels!

Happy Thoughts All Day to Day to All of you..........now I gotta practice what I preach!!

Becky

Good Morning May Marvels.  How's everyone doing?  I've read all your posts and I wish I had time this morning to respond individually to all of you but I need to clean this house!!  First, I want to say that all your feelings are completely normal and it's great that there is a forum for you all to vent.  For some reason I don't have much anger about this (I did the anger thing 14 years ago when my daughter was sick with Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis).  It really through me for a loop and I was miserable.  Since then so many bad things have happened that I attribute to "making me stronger" I hated that expression years ago but I think that it is true.  That which doesn't kill you will make you a stronger person.  Yes, cancer can kill you but it isn't going to happen to us.  We are going to fight the fight and we are going to live!!  There isn't any other option for us.  There's too much to do in this life and we need more time, period! I do have days when I want to cry so I cry.  There are days when I say "this sucks" and it does.  This too shall pass and we will be back to the everyday life.  I'm going back to chemo on monday (3rd round).  I'm not looking forward to it and my husband is going out of town on sunday so he won't be here to help out when I'm at my worst.  The week will pass and I'll get through it.  I try not to think too far ahead and I take one day at a time.  As far as side effects, the second round was better - go figure.  I didn't have many side effects and I'm hoping that the third round will be better?  Also, an interesting thing happened.  I have fibromyalgia and I have rheumatoid arthritis factor in my blood along with a positive ana (my body makes antibodies against itself).  I clinically dont' have RA because my joints are not swollen but they do hurt sometimes.  Anyway, docs give RA patients very small amounts of chemo to supress their immune systems to stop the attach on their own body.  I think I feel so great (well, for this week anyway) because my immune system is so surpressed by the chemo that I have no aches and pains.  I can almost say that I feel great!!  Very weird.  I'm going to pass this on to my onco and see if he thinks it's why.  Crazy!!

Ok, gotta run.  Love to all!! xoxo

P.S.  Prilosec is key to stopping the acid reflux from the chemo.  I take one a day and it works great.

Good Morning May Marvels,

Today is my 46th birthday, and I am spending it in my recliner feeling like crap.  The SE this time are about the same as last time.  I have absolutely NO energy.  I got up this morning, took my shower and rode with my daughter to Wal-Mart. I didn't even get out, just sat in the car and waited on her.  By the time we got back home, I was ready for a nap.

I, too, have felt no anger about my situation. My attitude has always been, "why not me"  cancer strikes so many people and I don't think I am anyone special that it would skip me.  I am doing everything I can to kill the cells and make sure they don't come back and that is all I can do, everything else is in God's hands.

Janet - I asked my onc about the green tea and she said she had never heard of staying away from it  In fact, she told me that nothing  is off limits to me, that I should eat what I feel like eating. 

The first week of chemo I lost 5 lbs and don't know yet how much I have lost this week.  I know this is a bad way to loose weight, but at least I am loosing.  If I can loose a total of 40 lbs I would be super happy.

Titch

thanks for putting me on the list.  I feel a little disconnected so I am joining so late. 

Debbie6563 - Happy Birthday and sorry about not feeling good on your B-day.

I have been reading back thru some other posts and it is amazing how different things are for everyone - I am on the dexamethasone for the day before and for 3 days after treatment.  In that 4 days I gained 7 pounds.  I am day 16 after first chemo and have since lost those 7 but it sounds like a lot of you are losing weight.  I not not heavy but could afford to lose about 15 pounds or so and certainly not gain.  At first I was in tears because I thought I would gain 7 pounds every four days and the math is not good.  I don't know if this medicine is what helped or not but I really did not have too much in the way of SE.  My big thing was feeling major bloating, a little tired and a little soar thoat but it was all gone as soon as I stopped the dexamethsone. 

Hi everyone

I've been following along and it's so reassuring to see that I am not insane and imagining that an alien has taken over my body. I started TC X 4 May 18th and I go back on Monday for round 2.  I think I am more scared for round 2 as round 1 was worse than I had hoped.  No nasuea to speak of (took ginger supplement religiously--) but white cell count was too low.  I had 2 neupogen shots and they did me in.  I was having minor joint and bone discomfort from the TC but the neupogen pain was unreal.  I ended up doing 4 advil every 8 hours during the day and vicadin at night.  It kept me up at night it was so bad.  Some one on the TC thread recommended  Tylenol Arthritis which I'll try after I get the dreaded Neulasta shot this time:( 

My husband buzzed my hair (then his own:) Tuesday (Day 12) as I could pull out HUGE chunks of hair and my hair hurt. I cut it short last week to match my wig.  It was so sad to lose the hair, but we made a celebration out of it and my 12 and 14 year-old girls helped me cut it short before the buzz. My head still hurts but nothing like when I still had hair and  the wig makes my scalp hurt more so I've been wearing scarves. Before I lost my hair I did not look like a cancer patient--now I do and that's very humbling.I am in awe of everyone that goes through this.

Take good care

I am on my way to the Race for the Cure in Washington DC. I will be think about the May Marvels as I walk today. Stay positive even in the Darkest hours! Have a great day and sleep well! Diana

ABrose(Diana), I am certain you will represent us well.... take it easy and rest heaps.... My thoughts will be with you......  I wish I could send u a wee kiwi flag badge.... so you can internationally represent.... hehehe

Gmp300 (geri), it is currently 11.05 pm here in NZ.  I am having a really goodtime so far on session 2, absolutely no side effects at all.  But I will touch wood as I speak, as at any time it could be very different.  I have FINALLY kicked my flu, now that was a mission.  But thankfully it was not one that strickened me and put me out of action.  Just a hinderance..

Titch--So when Iam getting up in the morning you will be getting ready to go to bed!  I'll have to remeber to say Good-night instead of Good Morning!

Glad you have no SE!  Iam on day 10 post 1st chemo and have been waiting for something to happen  and I never had any SE either.  I hope Iam clear sailing for a few more weeks!  All I was was a little tired but I don't sleep well anyways-I still could function everday!  Glad your over the flu!  Get some rest-Geri