Starting Chemo Aug 09

Donna - I am at a loss for words and can't imagine what you're going through.  However, you are of no use to your family unless you take care of yourself so, please, get the rest that you need so you can heal both mentally and physically.  My thoughts are with you.

Jennsdogs - the study might only be through my cancer center - I'll check and let you know.  My DH stays home with the kids so he's on double-duty too!  You'll probably have to work to give yourself the time that you need to exercise, but don't give up.  I'm sure that people at work are telling you to take the time that you need so I encourage you to take them up on it.  "Time that you need" doesn't only mean if your sick, but to keep your spirits up so that you're more effective at work.  Exercise is a key component of that.  So, if you have to (and if you won't get fired!), leave work early or go in late so that you can get your exercise in, you'll feel better as a result and be more effective in the long run.

Kristin

Hi Ladies,

 Just checking in quickly, wasn't able to keep up last week.

bucaneersdj, I am so sorry to hear about your mom-in-law.  How unbelievably sad and hard.  Your family is in my thoughts and prayers too.  I know how hard this must be for you and your family.  You need to take extra care of yourself now though to make sure you can keep going.  I am on a low concentration chemo but last week completely knocked me out, I was shocked.  Yesterday I finally started to feel my new normal again and today is great.  Take care.

Glad to hear from you all.  I hear things that I wonder about and worry about that none of my family and friends really understand and it is comfortable knowing I am "normal" and hearing othyer people's approaches for dealing with things. (Kristin, had the same thoughts-Titch, good practical advice! Hair is still here!!  Maybe I am a mutant?! )

Have a great day ladies and keep up the fight. And as NavyMom said, maybe a little chocolate can help grease the tracks (now wish I had some coconut ice crean too! take care Jenn )

Buccaneers: so sorry to hear your sad news. Be kind to yourself.  One day at a time.

 I am having back pain and sternal pain.  I am thinking this is from the Neulasta.  I am day 8 from TX # 1, with Neulasta shot the following day.  Can anybody share if they had bone pain and what day it started, what helped and how long it lasted?  I am amazed at how uncomfortable I am.  Already took Advil, just waiting for it to kick in

Thanks

Navy

Buccaneers : You and your family will be my prayers too.

I know it's not the same, but ((((DONNA)))))hugs.  Get all the rest you need!  The only thing I had that helped on my worst day, was Italian ice & gingerale.  Hope you feel better.

Saw my ONC today, she hasn't changed anything, so I'm still on schedule to have my #2 on Friday, Sept.4th.  Only thing she seemed surprised about was that my hair hasn't started to fall out. Other than that, things (my SE's) are pretty normal, so I am very lucky. 

I'm finally able to eat normal again, so that's what I'm going to do right now.  Goodnite everyone!

Better Tomorrows!

I got the port placement yesterday and it hurts like mad!  Did anyone else experience this? What is up with this?

Reni: I will take your advice and stay away - that is what I thought and feel better that I wasn't being too obsessive! HA!

Kristin09: If you find out, I would think  you are the best. 

I woke up to the radio Travis Tritt's "Its a Great Day to Be Alive" - is that a sign?

Hi all,

Hope everyone is as well as can be!

Reni - I had ear pain but it was actually my ears, not my jaw.  It felt for a while that my ears were bruised.  I have no idea if it's related to treatment or not, my onc had never heard of that SE.

Navy - I didn't have specific bone pain, but I felt achy for a few days, like I had the flu.

Jennsdogs - well, I found out but I'm not sure that it's a good answer!  Here's an excerpt from the Lance Armstrong website . . . "West Michigan Cancer Center

“West Michigan Cancer Center Wellness Program”br> The West Michigan Cancer Center Wellness Program is designed to fully integrate physical activity, nutrition services and psychological counseling into the treatment regimens of cancer survivors. The two primary components of this program include incorporating exercise regimens into all cancer patients by physical referral, implementing patient exercise logs, free access to an onsite fitness room, onsite exercise classes and professional staff and a comprehensive study examining the effects of a subsection of patients. A Community Advisory Board will provide leadership and guidance as well as the Bronson Healthcare Group and Borgess Medical Center. Fitness expertise and community fitness programming will be provided in collaboration with The Studio and Gazelle Sports, and MD Anderson Cancer Center will provide guidance and technical leadership for the pilot study.

I had my first session with my personal trainer tonight and we worked on posture and flexibility.

Jenn - my dentist gave me some MI Paste to rub on my teeth daily.  They said that it would help prevent decay during the times when my mouth is dry.  You may want to ask about it.  I am also rinsing regularly with biotene and that has really helped.  Did you go to parent night?  I hope that it went well!

Take care everyone.  My next tx (#2) is Friday and I'll check back in then - probably on my netbook during infusion!  

K 

Hi again everyone.

I have just returned from my first tx...... for this session.  All went good.  I am stoked, the tx only takes 1.5 hours and I have scheduled the rest of my tx late arvo, so it means I can work in the morning rather than taking a full day of work. 

I also met a lady Zuzee, whom I met thru this website in May 2009, a fellow kiwi (I have only met 2 people from NZ here so far, and Zuzee is one of them).  Zuzee and I had the same oncologist also.  It is a small world.  We do stay about an hour away from each other, but as we were both at the hospital on the same day and time we met, for drinks.  It is amazing experience to meet someone in real life that you have been thru the same experiences and supported each other.   

 Jenn3, go to the parents interview.  Germs are everywhere, don't isolate yourself from the world cause you are going thru treatment.  Yes there is a risk and it is harder to battle things if you do catch something, but it is only a risk.  I also believe that if you isolate yourself, you lose the natural immunity to battling the normal colds etc.  So if you do contract anything it will hit you hard.    I have not changed anything in my lifestyle since diagnosis, whilst on chemo I have been out nightclubbing, been to parties, worked full time (I work with  offenders in the community, and also enter prisons, homes, police cells and courts), I go shopping, schools for children, families and friends.  I have had only one cold since I was on chemo (last time), and whilst it took alot to get rid off - instead of a few days it was a week, I was still able to work and didn't need any medical intervention with it, my bloods and everything was normal, not affected at all.

I have had people tell me to  quarantine myself due to swine flu due to risks, I choose not too.

If you want to take extra pre-cautions wear a face mask and tthe same advice of not shaking hands as others mentioned.

Is there anyone starting chemo in August and on this thread on CMF? 

Manue:
 I logged on this morning thinking of you too. Hope you slept well last night.  Let me know how it goes. PM me if you want.

Titch:
 good to hear that you are still doing everything, that gives me some incentive. I was thinking I would too but then worried about too many exposures to germs.

Bucaneer:
 How are you doing?  Hanging in there?

Jenn3:

How is the mouth? I fear that SE too! I have taken such good care of my teeth all these years!  What tx are you on? Can't remember...

Chemo starts today.   I was o.k. - just up at 4:00am - However, I got the dishes from last night put up, a load of laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, ate, and tried to balance the checkbook but couldn't remember how I spelled my Dad's middle name so it bumped me out - Darn, can't balance it this morning HA!. 

  I am getting ready for my last long run for awhile, I suppose but hope to keep up walking and biking. Been thinking about the Wii fit since I can't go to the gym these next couple of months?  We will see. 

Yesterday was a weepy day and unfortunately my 5 yo caught me tearing up, he had a hard time with it.  I hope I didn't put too much stress on him.  Went to get his hair cut for school starting next week and they were so great to me - the whole family goes there. Made me cry to have nice people in my life!  Feeling better this morning and I THINK I am ready to get on with it? We will see.

Peace to everyone!  Ready for my run after stretching! Send me good vibes.

jennsdog

A gal in May thread, Zuzee has been able to play 18 rounds of golf every week, she told me today that Thursday was her tx day and every Saturday she played golf...... and sometimes multiple games during the week, whilst on chemo it didn't seem to hinder her and her sports interests at all. 

You will have days you could go to the gym and days you can go for a run....... even whilst on chemo.  Just listen to your body and don't overdo it.  If you don't feel up to it, dont do it.  Maybe change routes so you not running for hours one way and then think - how do I get home......    If you are on steroids, you will need to maintain fitness for your metabolism, cause you will balloon otherwise.

Getting ready for my first treatment today(Taxol/Herceptin).

A friend/client of mine is a psychologist and she's been teaching me self-hypnosis since last week! Self hypnosis techniques have been used in the past as a tool for pain, anxiety and stress management. She's teaching me to use mental imagery in which I visualize myself in a cool, soothing place! It can also help with the severity and number of hot flashes which I'm expecting to get... It's not for everybody but I'm going to give it a try! Let me know if any of you are interested and I can find more info on it!!!! 

day 2 and feelling great.......

Slept normally which is great.... maybe I won't crash..........  wahoo......

My onc. suggested I cut back on my steroid, dexametasone, which saves the nausea and only have it when needed, but gave me my full script, so I am only taking one tablet this time round and see how I go.  If it is sweet next week I may stop it all together......   The steroids are great for the nausea.  The SE which I had from them was the, hot flushes, wakeful nights with brain going 100 miles an hour, fatique when you do crash, etc..... still means you can function normally and live a normal life.

So much to read in such a short time. You ladies are incredible, so many things to deal with along with chemo - as if that is not enough for anybody.

I am day 9 out from tx3 of AC and just had a couple of rough days. I was working with parents and teachers at my preschool getting cleaned up for the new school year when I felt dizzy and knew I had to sit down. Didn't make it -  ended in a heap on the floor. I hurt my foot and have broken three bones and now have  it encased in a boot. I may have to wear it for 3-4 months!!! I thought they were going to say 3-4 weeks. But with all the other stuff apparently my body may take longer than normal to heal.

I am much more tired from tx 3 than the previous ones -  but I was warned it would happen. No mouth sores so far this time - trying to drink lots (though it's hard when nothing tastes great) and using biotine toothpaste and mouthwash. Jenn - I also have magic mouthwash to use if I feel like something is geting started. My mouth feels all woolly - anybody have that? I also have weepy eyes. a recent SE which several people on the July thread have had.

Good thoughts to all.