Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Hey LoriR, glad you got to have your last one.  It must be a good feeling!  Good luck with the Rads.

And the Boobapalooza sounds like fun!  My son and his buddies use to call their parties -name-palooza.  Whoever was hosting it.  That made me giggle.

Hope all the May Marvels are having a good day.

Anji

Janet- and Linda-, Mary, Hope you are feeling better with the taxol and your SE are minimal next time around

Lovetheocean-Sorry you have been down and depressed, even though you are done with your chemo, you still have rads to do and that is hard to think about to, hopfully the time will go by fast for you.

Deb- i agree we go thru what we have to because the alternative is worse

Susie- Its probably a little of both LOL i can say that because im blonde too, (when ihave hair)

Lori- Yay on your last chemo!!!!  When i did my first chemo they gave me the neulesta shot and i had severe bone pain and thought i was having a heart attack, so they switched to the neupogin shot which is given over a 3 to 5 day period, its lower dose but you have to take it more, it still effects me by the 3rd day,  Love the name of your party Boobapalooza i love that lol!

Has any one gotton sick with a bad cold right before chemo? i have been fighting a cold with fever and cough its in my chest and feel like crapola, just wondering if they will still be able to do chemo on tuesday if im still sick ???

Hugs to all  and i say  to breast cancer,,Dont let the door hit you in the A$$ on your way out!!!!

Has anyone had trouble with acid reflux since starting chemo?  I've had reflux for a long time, but it got progressively worse with each chemo.  I'm now eating Tums in addition to my normal twice daily Protonix dose.  I'm worried that this may be developing into an ulcer--just what I need.  Next chemo is next Tuesday, hope I get it straightened out by then.  I haven't been taking my iron pills for fear that they'll upset my stomach even more.

Otherwise, all's well.  Still running around like crazy before I'm down again with my next chemo.

Have a good Friday, everyone (or Saturday if you live in New Zealand!) 

Hi all you marvellous ladies.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, had a few crap days after my last chemo, just feeling totally yuk, and so grumpy at everyone.  I am normally very outgoing so was a shock to the family.  The steroid regime, my oncologist gave me, is definitely what was contributing to me having maintained my quality of life and having the minimal SE.  My final chemo I stuffed up the steroids, and really suffered.  I am finally back to myself now.....  which my family definitely appreciates (titchy titch).  I had worked thru, even though I was feeling yuk.

I confirmed today my masectomy is on the 4th august, so my next regime starts.......  I  looking forward to having a month of work.  Not to sure what happens after surgery, either more chemo or radiation. 

I hope you all are ok...... and have a wonderful weekend... big huggles

sorry I haven't responded to everyone.... i have read the posts..... but just feeling exhausted

jaelsne-yes I got very bad acid reflux after my 2nd or 3rd AC chemo treatment. I called and got Protonix which took about 2 to 3 days to work but I was at the point where I could not even swallow liquids because it burned so bad in the middle of my chest. Maybe if you are not at that point you can start with Prilosec, which I believe also takes a few days to work but is over the counter. Also, I had to use Tums in the meantime until the Protonix kicked in.

Sukiann-You are sooo right and I feel the exact same way about taking more and more meds, etc. When I had my physical last month my gyno told me that I could not use premarin for my hot flashes if they become unbearable because I was ER/PR+ because my cancer is fueled by hormones. I said so I have to suffer with the hot flashes and she said there are some antidepressants that help, and I said I have tried so many of those already and have had some kind of side effects and now I just feel even more that when I get through this adventure I do not want to take any more than I have to for meds. Yes I also had read/heard that prilosec/protonix, etc should not be used long term, but basically I think we have to use it until the chemo is done and then maybe a few week's because if we don't we risk the other things you mentioned like esophageal cancer.

I have had the bad reflux since my first A/C.  I was hoping it would get better with taxol but it hasn't.  I was already on prevacid for reflux before A/C.  Sometimes I have to take one in the morning and another at night.  I also use tums a couple of times a week.  Since I wasn't able to eat very much with A/C I know it doesn't have anything to do with that and I still can't handle spicy food.  I burp alot and it taste like chemicals.  So, I guess chemo is the gift that keeps on giving all week. 

As far as the hot flashes and anti depressents, I had not read that but I am triple negative so it really doesn't apply to me.  I do know that effexor xr really helps with the hot flashes.  I was premenapausol before chemo so I was already on the effexor.  My onc said if my hot flashes got worse we could up the dosage.  So far, I have not had to up the dosage, only having hot flashes during the day a couple of times of week and not having the night sweats like I did before going on effexor.

I had my second taxol today and between the benadryl making me sleepy and the steroids making me hyper, when I got home, I didn't know whether to power clean and think about sleeping, or go to sleep and dream about cleaning.  I decided on the later and slept for 2 hours.  Wish the dream cleaning had worked.

Debbie- I had a real bad cold right before chemo also. As long as the doc checks you out and your lungs are clear and no fever you can still get chemo. It took along time for my cold to go away though.

Also, anyone here got switched from taxol to taxotere? How is it in comparison? I'm switching because I had a wierd reaction to taxol.

Regarding tamoxifen and antidepressants--not all drugs cause the problem.  The study found that SSRI inhibitors (such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft) are the trouble makers.  Other studies differ.

I'm on Wellbutrin, and I'm told that will be just fine when I start hormone suppressing drugs.

There are a lot of articles on the net about this.  There's a good one at about.com.

Jo Anne 

Hi May Marvels :  Happy weekend!

Jo Anne- I was told no dentist, no flossing but I was due for a cleaning and went anyway.  They checked my teeth and then just did a really gentle brushing/cleaning and gave me 2 boxes of extra sensititve toothbrushes and told me to throw each brush away after a week.  I was nervous about my teeth too, as I'd had a root canal and 2 crowns done last year (funny how THAT was a big deal at the time-- amazing how a little cancer puts it all into perspective).  I'd go anyway--they treated me with kid gloves and I was releieved that all was ok-- hopefully all will be ok for you too.

I've had the acid-- brick in throat sensation-- all along as well and thanks to our thread took prilosec and it has definitely mitigated the acid--it's not gone, but it's much more tolerable.  Now that I am done with the chemo, I hope this SE will gradually go away...

Did my LAST neupogen shot last night and drank a beer to celebrate (as wine still tastes like vinegar!).  Now to wait for the awful bone pain to end-- This 4th (last) treatment was the worst and I cannot wait to feel better.  Nasuea much better now due to Zomend (sp?)-- I felt like I had the alcohol-induced bedspins all week until they called in this RX for me:)

Anyone know how soon they start us on RADS after chemo?  My onc said they'd call me, but I've not heard anything yet...

Wishing you all a relaxing and beautiful SE free weekend!  You are my heroes!

Helen

Good morning May Marvels!

I didn't have acid reflux, but I did have heartburn something awful while on AC. Thank God it went away when I finished the AC.

Day 5 of Taxol #1 and I am still feeling pretty good. Some very minor bone pain but other than that I feel pretty normal. I am so glad the nausea is over. I know the Taxol will probably get worse as treatment goes on, but right now I am loving having some energy and feeling like a human being again.

I am doing Taxol weekly so I go back Monday for my labs. I hope that my hemoglobin is higher than it was. They almost postponed the first treatment because it was low. I am now taking an iron supplement even though my iron level was fine. Tuesday will be Taxol #2. Should be a short treatment day. I don't even see the onc. Just the clinical trial nurse. And I will only be getting the steroids and the Taxol, so the infusion shouldn't take too terribly long.

I am so happy for you who are finishing up your chemo!! I have lost track now- who else is doing Taxol and will be around for awhile? My chemo won't end until the first of October, but I'm not having rads.

Looks like another sunny, hot day. That means another pool day. I am excited to feel well enough to enjoy a beer while lounging out! At least I hope I enjoy it. I don't have much taste anymore. Not the metallic taste- just NO taste.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Mary 

Hi all - my onc and radiology guy said that it is six weeks between the end of chemo and the start of radiation. He also said no dental work.

Deb - I had radiation five years ago and chemo now (radiation to come). My experience is that chemo causes about a ton more fatigue than radiation. The driving back and forth (it's almost an hour's drive for radiation for me) is the most tiring part. If you can do chemo, you for sure can do radiation!

Meanwhile, my PICC line is misbehaving. Yesterday the nurse wasn't able to get it to put out any blood - my choices were to go to emergency to have it assessed (and wait for hours) or wait til Monday when the nurse will come back and try again. If it doesn't work on Monday, I think I can go to the oncology clinic where they will look after me quicker than emergency would. I want it to work so as not to delay the last two rounds of chemo. Not that I particularly want the chemo - but oh - am I ever ready for this to be finished!

Mary- I'll be around for a while.  I have to do 6 t/c infusions, and I'm having #4 on Tuesday.  I won't have #5 until August 25 or so, because I'm going on vacation for two weeks in August.  So #6 will be in mid-September.

Regarding dentistry-My jaw was KILLING me this morning!  My husband thinks it might be due to teeth grinding, and might be the beginning of TMJ.  I hope so--then no dental work needed. They would just give me something to put in my mouth at night when I go to bed.  I did have a small tooth chip fall off a couple of weeks ago while I was eating--so I want the dentist to take a look.  

Got some bad news from my husband.  He may have to stay home while I go on vacation with my daughter and my husband's 92 year old mother.  He has a deadline to meet at work.  I told him that I'm a bit worried, as things may come up that I may need some help--I hope that he can come.  I also am not thrilled about being alone with HIS mother all the time.  We are going to a family camp in Santa Barbara, CA.  The good part about it is that there are many college students running the camp that could help me in a pinch.

Jo Anne 

Hello to all -

I won't try to respond to everyone as I am feeling kinda crappy from my last chemo but I wanted to just pop in to say Hey!.  I was told by my onc not to have any dental work during my chemo since there is a higher chance of infection since our immune system is down.  As for rads - last chemo was Jully 22 and my herceptin continues for the next 10 months (every three weeks).  It is on the 12th and my first rad is on the 17th so just about 4 weeks after my last chemo.  

Here is something I thought was a little odd - DH and I sent in for our passports for our cruise in November to celebrate when this is all done.  We sent the paperwork in about 2 weeks ago - We got our passports already and the issue date was July 22 - the same date as my last chemo.  Hmmm - I think that is a good omen - date to begin living again - ya know something like that!

Just courious how everyone's eyebrows and lashes are holding up - I still have mine but am worried that this last treatment will "take them"  as they are really starting to thin. 

take care - hope you are all doing well and staying strong - today is my anniversary so off to spend the day with hubby.

Lori 

Hey, May Marvels:

It's been a while since I've posted because I had what I THOUGHT were rough side effects with A/C #4, but I just continued to feel worse & worse. Taxol #1 rolled around on July 7, and my counts were good and I had no fever, etc, so even though I didn't feel the greatest, I had the treatment. Kept getting sicker & sicker as the days went by, and finally ended up in the hospital for 8 days with pneumonia. So when I saw one of you (sorry--can't remember who it was right now) say that you had a cold, I just wanted to warn you to talk it over with your oncologist before you have another treatment. I wish I would have spoken up sooner. Now I've missed 2 Taxol treatments, and if I'm not well enough for treatment Tuesday, it looks as though I'll be removed from the E5103 trial. It's sometimes so hard to sort out side effects from regular old illness. Guess I'm not too good at that.

It's great to see that so many of you are done with chemo; what a wonderful feeling that must be! And I'm so encouraged by the positive attitudes that I see. I've been struggling with that during this illness, so it was good for me to read your postings again.

Have a great week, everyone!

Deb