Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Deb - I missed your idea about all taking a cruise together.  Thanks for reminding us all about it luvtheocean.  I'm in!!! Let me know when and where and I'll be there in my bathing suit with my one and half boob and bald head! 

Hi Ladies,

It's Day 10 today from 1st AC.  Feeling pretty normal now, what a treat!  The first 5 days were rough.  Lost a few hairs but nothing noticeable yet.  I am more aware of my gums - slightly sensitive but very minor, a bit of coughing?  maybe its the mucous areas?  Gassey tummy is calmer.  Appetite is 'all over the place'.  Sometimes I crave foods I don't usually eat and turned off my fave foods.  But so far this has been good for the waist line !! but not a good way to loose weight I know.  See the Radiation Onc. this morning to see what he has planned for me??  Hopefully this won't occur until chemo ends.  I couldn't image having both at the same time?

Have a nice day you all

Hey May Marvels!

Had my 1 week post chemo labwork on Friday and had a white cell count of 1.0 and granulocyte count of 0.1. This was after having left a full day's work at the hospital. Yes, I was wearing my mask when working on patients (sweating like a pig) and was wiping my office/pt care area with antibacterial wipes but....My insurance does not cover Neulasta so I have to get Neupogen. I was able to give myself the shots (with much prayer) despite my great trepidation!!! However, I started running low grade temps (below the threshold for hospitalization Thank God!). So, I go in for recheck today.

I'm wondering if anybody else had fatigue again with low white counts. I get 2 hours of slow paced activity followed by that full out need to sit or lay down and rest or I crash.

The other thing is, on the days I'm getting my bloodwork done, my doctor is not in the office. I'm changing that. The nurses had nothing to offer regarding the queasy feeling and possibility of acid reflux nor suggestions to help. Neither could they tell me about whether or not to go into work today-just "stay away from large crowds and snotty kids." So...... can anybody offer any insight, suggestions. I bought OTC Pepcid based upon advise given here and it did help my stomach this weekend. What are you all doing about exposure and low counts?

And SukiAnn, my husband is taking a trip out of the country for a month leaving in 2 weeks (at my encouragement during the early dx/surgery stages) and now I'm starting to worry. I know how you feel but this too will pass! Good luck in tx today. Hang in there!

Indomitable1 - I hear you regarding the blood work.  I too have gone neutropenic after both my first and second AC treatments and I get the Neulasta shot the day after chemo.  My values last round were just a teensy bit higher than yours, but still put me into "neutropenic" status.  I could go to work, just avoid large crowds, any children, no fresh veggies,salads or fruits that don't come out of a peel or rind.  My first round of chemo landed me in the hospital for 4 days with febrile neutropenia and cellulitis in my cancer breast.  That was a horror.  I am put on antibiotics which I start on the day after chemo and throughout, and will continue on same for the remaining 2 A/C cycles I have left.  Hopefully, I will not need it for the Taxol, but we'll see.  I am now on my way to the onc for a blood check as a dang crown fell off this weekend and she wants to see my counts before I go to the dentist.  Hang in there, we will get through this!

Linda

Sukiann - you did a great job of following up with everyone - Would it be bad if I just said Ditto!  I know what you mean about the computer thing which really isn't about the computer it is that everyday stress stuff shouldn't have to happen on top of everything else we are going thru - A couple of weeks ago a had a particularly busy day and no time for dinner.  I had to take my daughter to the dr for a vaccine and then dinner and then to excercise class.  I went the dr. office for the vaccine for her only to be told they were out.  Then I went to pick up a pizza I had ordered earlier in the day.  When I went to pick it up the girl at the counter said - I took your order and I crossed it out but I forgot to make the pizza.  so no vaccine and no pizza!  I felt like saying - didn't you all get the memo - I have breast cancer so this kind of stuff shouldn't be happening to me!  I guess the only good thing is it made me feel normal for a little while and anything that does that is a good thing

The cruise does sound good.

 I had to have an additional Neupogen shot today at the office-as my counts are still low (especially the neutrophils-which didn't change). Have to return tomorrow for a re-check.

Kelly2- Nobody probably even knew you had a wig on today......On Saturday, my daughter's friend's dad said- "You changed your hair. I guess I noticed yesterday at the bus stop but I didn't realize it was you. I just thought who's that pretty lady?"  Then he saw my daughter.... It's funny-guys just notice a change in your hairstyle, period.  I went from naturally curly to relaxer straight. All the ladies who know that I'm getting chemo assume it's a wig but those who don't know think I've just changed styles.

LoriR-I like the memo idea! Apparently, one was not sent out on my behalf either!!!!

Kelly 2  and Indomitable, I am not looking forward to loosing my hair and wearing the wigs I bought because everyone WILL know.  I bought the wigs a week before my surgery because I wasn't sure how I would feel or how soon I would need them.  I made sure they matched my color and general lenght and style.  The problem is that the night before surgery I had a...what should I call it...."great idea".  I decided to get my hair cut short so it would be easy to take care.  Can you see where this is going...the wigs are a good 6 - 8 inches longer than my current cut.  Adding to the issue is that everyone loves my short hair and tells me I should keep it short after chemo.  I live in Washington State and there is a law on the books that prohibits stores from accepting returns on wigs so I can't return them. 

On the bright side everyone noticed my short hair, not my missing DDD breasts!  Who knew cancer could be funny.

Hi Girls

Sorry I cannot address each of you individually but I do read all of your posts and laugh and cry with you, mainly laugh. Met my radio onc today, and I really liked him so signed up to do 25 sessions of rads once chemo is over,  so girls count me in on this  thread for rads. I also would love details of cruise. Hair still just begining to fall out, but wig not here at home until Thursday, only ordered 8 days ago!!!! talk about cutting it fine.
Lots of pink sparkly diamond hugs to you all. Susie

Hi everyone

I missed a lot of laughs and tears yesterday from all of your posts.  I, like SUKIANN had my chemo yesterday--2nd one out of 4.  I was a mess too the night before as I think the anxiety is worse the 2nd time as you know how bad it is going to be! 

Blood count-- my white cell count crashed on the first round and they gave me 2 neupogen shots and put me on an antibiotic (which is always fun as I am allergic to all the good ones like penecillin and sulfa!!!) and told me to stay away from crowds.  The swine flu is also in my kids school system which has me anxious and I am going through purell like crazy!!  The fatigue was amazing as was the bone pain.  So I was supposed to get a shot of Neulasta today to prevent this from happening.  HOWEVER, my onc came by during chemo yesterday and asked how I had done with round one.  I told him about the awful bone pain from the chemo and the neupogen and he said he would rather see me do 5 shots of neupogen this week (administered at home????  Good job my girl friend has a diabetic Mom and knows how to give shots-- no way i could do that to myself-- Hubby thinks he can do it but I'm not so sure:) instead of the Neulasta as he said that the boen pain from neulasta, if you are suseptible, which I evidently am, lasts for 3 weeks, where as the neupogen should only last for a couple of days after the last shot. I'll let you know what happens.

Ironically, I got to chemo yesterday and I was severly dehydrated-- I drink 3 liters of water religiously a day!!!!  How can this be?  So I had to have 2 bags of saline before they would start the chemo:(  My blood pressure and pulse were very low.

Texas rose-- your hair is an inspiration!!  May it stay around for a while!!

LoriR I am going to Look Good Feel Better today!  I am so excited as I feel like I look like a 41 year old  Sinead O'Connor who has no idea  how to apply makeup:) Not a good look:)

Wore my wig out in public the other day in Boston-- I was so self conscious-- but all my girlfriends assured me no one could tell. I too had long (blonde) hair, now I have a short even blonder (why not right??) bob wig.  It hurts to wear so I only wear for short periods. I am happily bald at home to the chagrin of my 13 (her birthday was yesterday-- Ifelt bad as it was chemo day -- but I think i did ok for her even though I was happily stoned on Lorazapan and don't remeber too much) and 14 year old girls--right now, looks are everything for them:)

 Good luck to all of you going in today--remember it's another round in the rear view mirror.

Best wishes to you all--I do not know what I would do without this forum!

Helen

Good Morning May Marvels,  Hope everyone is doing good!

Luvtheocean--You mentioned your SNB side still has discomfort!  So does mine.  After everything I've gone thru this far including chemo and reconstruction that armpit and arm bother me the most!  After 2 1/2 months it seems the same.  It has some fluid build up which they say will go away (but when?) plus swelling that comes and goes, some cording in my arm and the numbness.   The weird feelings are crazy!  Sometimes it feels like a broomstick is jammed up in my armpit.  I have been trying to be patient with it and do my excercises (Iam very impatient) but I still don't  see any improvement worth talking about.  It starts to look and feel better and then boom it starts again.  It is wearing me down.  I told my doc that it is aggravating and he said "find something else to be aggravated about-play Sudoka!"  That was even more aggravating!  All my docs keep telling me it will go away so I try to ignore it.  It would be alot easier if I saw some lasting improvement.  As you can see you hit my hot button with the question "does anybody else have this?"  Sorry for rambling on.  I hope yours is not as bad as mine.  I did have an infection after my BM and had a second surgery which could be contributing to this for me.  But is does help to know that this could be somewhat normal for some people.   So I will try to ignore it some more and hopefully one morning it will be gone or at least better!

Hope yours get's better!  --    Geri

I can't address everyone individually, but wanted you all to know I'm checking in with you all and I can definitely identify with at least one or two things each of you had to say!  I'm happy to report that overall, I'm dealing with my #2 treatment much better than my #1 ... I'm not sure why, but I think a lot of it might be a change in my nausea meds ... one of them is also an anxiety medication, so I think it's keeping me pretty even keeled, allowing me to work and take care of my girls.  I also have been taking a glutamine supplement every day ... this is an amino acid which is supposed to help with your digestive system ... my onc nurse said it works for some and not for others, but it wouldn't hurt for me to try.  I have not had any mouth sores (but I did drink ice cold water and suck on ice chips during my infusion, so that might have helped as well) but this time I've been constipated while last time I had horrid diarreah (sorry for the TMI)  Anyway, I only mention it in case it is something that someone else might want to look into.

Hang in there everyone ... most of us should be getting close to 1/3 of the way there?  Baby steps, a little closer than we were before.  Take care, everyone.

May Marvels, I hope everyone is doing well! Have a great day and good night!

Has anyone heard from Pantufas lately? Diana

Morning May marvels, it is 4.14 am here in NZ.  I am unable to sleep (steroids) and that damn flu, is still in my chest, and I can't stop coughing.  So today, I am feeling worst for wear.  This road is just not an easy one for any of us, life for us is not the the way any of us have chosen it to be at the moment, we will all have our bad days, emotionally and physically. The SE will control the way we spend our day.

Becky:  I am so sad to hear you are having a bad run gal, when I first found this post, your posts were very inspirational to me, you vitalised me and really prepared me for what I was about to venture into.  Gal, if the body is saying rest, that is what you have to do.  We as woman, are usually the ones who keeps the family / life going, but as we undergo treatment, we actually lose alot of that control, cause we are not physically able too.  This is not our fault, we have not chosen this path, but it is the path we have to follow at the moment .  The path also has so many unknowns, and each day it can take an easy route, or a total chaos with many obstacles in our way.  Becky you are already a survivor, and just don't give in.  You are absolutely beautiful, so don't feel ugly hun.  The drugs / surgery / treatments may have changed our appearances, but real beauty is within us, not just what is on the surface.  Our loved ones will still love us no matter what we look like.  Cancer does sux, but we can all beat it.  Also with each day behind us (bad or good) it is another day closer to beating this. I want to give you an extra big hug. It sounds like your trip with bff will be well deserved break gal and a excellent way to reward yourself..  

Zuzee: Bugger about the wig not getting there. I had my first day not wearing mine yesterday (at work), just wore a hat, the wigs can be so uncomfortable, tight, and I am so conscious that it is not on properly, so started fiddling with it (bad habit), quick way to let others know you are wearing a wig.  They also get very hot. I am also finding my scalp real sensitive and nothing really relieves it.  My hair is just about totally gone now.   The hat was much more comfortable and experience was Ok, so whilst the wig definitely is my preferred public look, I am not that scared of wearing my hat out in public now.

I am sorry, I can't address everyone again. I read all your stories and have so much I want to say to each of you.  But right now tiredness is starting to settle in so I am gonna try and go back to sleep.  Thankfully I had arranged to start work late today so I can have a sleep in.

Have a wonderful day all you marvels and I sincerely hope that the SE are minimal this day.  Big hugs to those have treatments today and seeing specialists.

I had my shot of Nuelasta today and two hours after I had welt bigger than a quarter on the injection site. I called the nurse and she said "she had never heard  of anyone getting an allergic reaction to the shot". She told me to take Benedryl and that she would let the dr know. Has anyone had a reaction to the shot?  I hope everyone is doing well! Diana

I had my 2nd treatment today and so far no nause or vomiting--changed medications in the IV. They gave me benadryl so a little sleepy. I am to get the neulasta shot tomorrow. I have claritin and am I to take it today and then 3 days? I couldn't quite remember what you all said about that. I can't take the Aleve due to coumadin but can take tylenol.

Lori, did you take Tylenol just once a day after your shot or what? I really dread getting the shot...I don't want the bone pain. Well, too tired to write much.