Chemo Starting Sep 09

Hi Karen & Barb! We are your September Sisters! Most of us are started and can hopefully give you all a hand at keeping SE's handled the best we know! Please ask, ask, ask! 

Karen -Sorry I'm not on your mix but for the constipation I have been taking a product called Senna-S (a natural laxative ingredient plus stool softener)  Not sure what you have over there..but call and ask you Onc or nurse for suggestions.  I was worried that once I treated the constipation then I'd get diarrhea...but the senna s was just right and after a day or two I didn't need it anymore.  Just got #2 yesterday and I will begin to take it again tonite just to be sure no problems.  Didn't upset my stomach or any other issues.  I always take any pills with food to be sure.  Good luck and someone here will add what they know about your mix and can give you a hand. Did you get a Neulasta shot?? That might be causing the flu symptoms...let me know as there are a few things that help with that!

Barb, my mix is Adriamycin (red devil) and Cytoxin referred to as A/C on the boards here.  I just had #2 A/C yesterday.  So far no big SE's but I am drinking tons of ice water all day and through the evening when I wake up.  It really helps make this whole chemo process & SE's work easier on us. Got my Neulasta shot for WBC's today....geez they burn... reminds me of being a kid and the dr visits :-) oh the good ole days! Take Clariton 24hr (not the Claritin D) 1 hour before-on the day of the neulasta shot then one the next day and the following day.  Apparently the flu symptoms come from the bone marrow making white blood cells.  So when you have the flu...the same thing happens and most of the achiness and bone pain comes from your body building the wbcells tha'ts how you know your body is defending you.  The clariton is working for just about everyone that has taken it.  You can get generic for a lot cheaper, just check the back of the box to compare the ingredients.  I had the dry throat and hoarseness too.  It came and went....nurse said it was from the steriods (decadron) I take for my nausea.  Good luck Barb..if you still have the flu symptoms try the Clariton now....it won't hurt and it has been said to help even later after the shot. 

On day 16 and still not shedding my hair....any day now I'm sure! 

Tip of the day: having numb painful feet SE? Mine hurt really bad! My DH gives my really hard massages on the pads of my feet, arch an sides (don't let em touch my toes :-) ) After 10 minutes or so they feel so much better and I sleep really good.  I think it makes him feel good to be able to help as so much of this internal and not much he can really do to make me feel better.  

Hope all is well with each of you and wishing you all a beautiful Indian Summer day tomorrow. Red Maple leaves falling in the cool breeze, geese flying south in v formation and a warm sunbeam shining on your face! 

Melinda  

Arg!  Today was THE most intolerable day and it had nothing to do with SE's or PMS or CRS.  I am having a really hard time with a woman at work.  (gripe groan complain mumble grunt fart).  I think my nerves are shot and maybe I'm a little on edge with this next tx coming up on Thursday, but I'm not so sure it isn't just  a complete inability to put up with inconsiderate Aholes.  Occassional stupidity, OK....I'm down with that.  I've wiped the stove top off with a wet dishrag while the "hot" light was still on, knowing full well it was hot, but being amid a massive case of the Stupid, I burnt myself anyway.  It happens.  But COME ON!!!!  She's been sick for a week, and I've asked her to stay away because my immune system is so thoroughly ravaged right now, and she continuously comes to my desk to hack, snot and cough all over everything I own.

My boss brought a can of Lysol spray to me today and when she'd walk up, I'd spray.  Rude?  Yes.  Do I care?  No.  I asked politely and she has simply went about her merry way spreading her germs and disease about my area!  I'd pull my hair out if I had any left.

On a lighter sweeter note (thanks for listening, those of you who haven't skipped right over my tirade)....  I use Miralax for constipation.  What's sweet and light about constipation?  Well nothing, but I feel lighter and sweeter when I'm going regularly.  My onc says the anti nausea drugs as well as painkillers will constipate you.  Two doses of Miralax and I'm back to my "regular" self.

Claritan is a gift from the Heavens.  I also take Astragulus root capsules and drink Codonopsis root tea.  Astragulus is a WBC builder.  Codonopsis helps with nausea and fatigue.  You can get both those herbs at a bulk health food store, or order online at www.mountainroseherbs.com

I found out last night that sage essential oil makes an itchy sore scalp feel sooooooooooo much better.  My head is shaved and I look like a dog with mange at the moment, but my scalp has been very very sore.  I mixed up one tsp of olive oil with 5 drops of sage essential oil and massaged it into my scalp while I was in the tub.  My scalp hasn't hurt since.  Lavendar essential oil is also good for your skin.  Just make sure you mix it with a little olive or almond oil.

Hugs to all my September Outstanding Sisters!  I adore each and every one of you and you all are in my special prayers each night.  This isn't such a bad club to be in afterall   If I hadn't gotten bc, I would never have been introduced to you lovely ladies!

So, as I sit here with my toboggan on, contemplating what to warm up for dinner and wondering if I should crank up my intake of Vitamin C to ward off my co-workers plague, I leave you with this.  "Some days feel like a wet dog smells".

To better tomorrows ladies, better tomorrows!

Hi my SOS sisters!

Welcome Barb (now we have two!) and Karen.

Hello to everyone Toni Vickilynn, Susan, Jane, Amy (Ame), Melinda, RonnieKay, Amy, Dogsaver, Pamela, Neece, Flacracker, chinablue, Delaine, Catherine, Bettye, Vicki, Mari, Puffins, and unklezwifeonty -jeez I hope I didn't forget anyone.

As many of you know I don't have much to report on, because I am waiting for Friday's test results and Onc visit-woohoo. (And my test results are going to be great, and he will give me a green light to get my port ASAP so I can so playing the waiting game)

But I wanted to post a little hello to every one and say you are all in my thoughts, prayers, meditations and I am sending you many positive vibes.

Toni- How are you? I LOVE your new photo!

Susan- The barber shop sounds like fun and sad, but I love your new photo, you are pretty in pink.

VickiLynn- I am still voting for Kemo everyday-how is she settling in?

Pamela- Oh I love your sayings, and big girl pants is right. I love the olive idea and let us know if it works. I know how you feel about work, I am sorry people can be so insensitive, (well stupid comes to mind but I was being polite) Thanks for the sage idea; I was just getting ready to harvest what's left of my sage plant. The last two super cold and snowy winters here in Michigan have wreaked havoc on it. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

All right ladies I don't have much to say. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful stories, and for letting us into each others' lives.

Barbara

hi Karen

by all accounts tackle the constipation early before it tackles you if possible! Gentle laxatives like senna help, just take them regularly and drink as much fluid as you can. Dried fruit and nuts and fresh fruit help too though that can be hard if you don't have much appetite after chemo.If it becomes a real problem speak to your Dr as they can prescribe extra stuff.

AND NO YOU ARE NOT BEING A WUSS!! Chemo affects everybody differently depending on the drugs and regimen you are having and also of course on your own body.  Also if you have already had surgery or other treatment you are also dealing with effects of that as well as the chemo.One thing I have definitely learnt from all this, is that we should never generalise. I get a bit tired of well meaning people saying "oh, a friend of a friend had chemo and they worked full time right through it all" or "my cousin didn't lose their hair so maybe you won't"(after I was told by onc I definitely would!) etc etc. They mean well but it almost feels like there is this expectation that you will "cope" as well as the person they are describing.

I was totally shocked by how badly I felt after my first treatment and thought the same as you : "how do people continue working full time?" I know some amazing women on this thread are doing just that. But it doesn't help to compare: as I asaid everybody, our situations, demands and treatments, differ. You do what you need to do to get thru this and your choices and responses are your own and not anyone else's.

I go back for treatment no 2 tomorrow and I am really hoping that, even if I feel as physically bad as I did first time, at least I am mentally more prepared for it. This forum is invaluable to get an idea of the range of SE's people experience and ways of dealing with it, but of course you can't predict how it will be for you until you have done it. Then hopefully you can plan on ways of making it easier for yourself next time if at all possible.( I am also on chyclophosphamide, plus taxotere and doxorubicin.)

Be gentle with yourself.

To Onty and Barb hugs to you both and hope you are OK through your treatment.

Denise

China,

Wondering why they didn't recommend the clariton...did they give you a reason? Both my nurse and Onc didn't recommend it to me but had been hearing about it, but didn't see any complications with my meds (A/C with Aloxi, Dec & emend only) Just got my 2nd A/C Monday and I have felt much better as well....now on day 3 and starting to tire out.. No headaches this time...however when I got my neulasta shot just like you I got the headache and sinus/cheek pain....it did go away after a bit though.  Try 1 Aleve, it's the only thing that worked for my head pain and I also took it with 1 sudafed for my sinus's.  All approved by my Onc.  Worked miracles for me.  The clariton also will work on your sinus issues as well.  

Neece...well put...we all tick a little different...you know your body best...go with your gut feeling on things....Keep moving though when you can, it really helps to keep your mind off things and helps keep energy higher...I keep busy, then when tired just kick back a while, get up and go on to my next task.  I've got 7 movies lined up for the next few days and am looking forward to watching with out interruption! (3 kids and DH) Just a chick day!

Hang in there everyone...we're onto October...We've come a long way....Are we going to meet in a Rad group later???  I'll probably start around beg of Dec. Merry Xmas then done......I hope!

Melinda  

Gma Toni...most of the pharmacies should carry the senna-s  in the constipation/diarrhea section..or ask the pharmacist....another similar product is senakot....but senna s has been the most recommended in my reading around...I was worried about over medicating and then getting the runs..but this was very easy to use and worked just right for me...

Tell me about your head...what's happening? I had severe headaches and serious sinus pain...tried advil/tylenol and differerent sinus medicines...what worked for me was aleve...10 minutes it was gone... I took sudafed on occasion with it as needed for my sinuses.  All was ok'd by my Onc and nurse as well.   If it's foggy stuff..not sure...maybe the aleve will help there too, but I didn't find out about the aleve til that part was over...

Feeling good after #2 still...hope it holds up! :-) Snowing up there yet???

Melinda  

Melinda - Thanks so much. Have heard of the Senakot, just not the senna -s. I DID have that problem... used Miralax then had diarrhea....hmmm. Danged if ya do, danged if ya dont.

Oh you are so cute. My head..... Im actually in the "No hair for womens club". Just happened last Friday. Started to come out in clumps...then landed in my coffee.... I buzzed it off !! Right off. No extra steps to take (ya know- not down to 1/2" or anything) just right off !! But if I get those terrible HA's that you did (bless your heart) I will know to try Aleve.

No SNOW (yuck-Brrrrrr...) Not yet, but chilly in the mornng. Start a small fire chilly.

Onty - Thanks to you as well. Boy, wonder why I havent seen that product on the shelves.

Hugs

So sorry you are having such a rough time right now Catherine....  but stay positive, this too will be but a distant memory soon enough and you can continue on with your life like it was BEFORE breast cancer!  It'll happen. 

Take care and have a super day

Catherine,

Sorry to hear of your expander inflammation.

Take care please. Things will improve soon.

Hello September Sisters,

Thank you for the warm welcome.  It is wonderful to have such a wonderful network to help us get through all of this.  The amount of advice I have gotten already is going to make this journey so much easier.

I have appointment with my oncologist tomorrow and I am going to ask him about clariton and see if he recommends it.  I live in Florida and we are getting into alergy season again.  I usually use it anyway.

Catherine so sorry to hear about your recent problems.  My thoughts are with you.

Got to try that senna - s.  That seems to be my biggest  problem right now. 

Hang in there ladies!

One step at a time,

Barb

Life is good!!! 

I was pretty sure I was either a. gonna have to poop in the next day or b.  the poo was gonna come out my ears.  Finally the Miralax worked and then I couldn't quit going.  I've been taking stool softeners for a couple days now before my treatment tomorrow, so maybe it will be better this time.  My mom always told me I was full of crap, I just never thought she meant it literally. 

This is the first time in my entire life I've been constipated.  Nooooooooot fun!  I was considering dynamite.

Catherine, I feel horrible for you and I hope things smooth out soon....don't let this setback get you down too much.  Stay positiveme   You are such a sweetie, and you are going to get through this just fine! 

Toni, she didn't stay home, she was sent out to do "field work".  LOL  I got to work this morning at 6 a.m. per usual, and she was in my cube with her big ole coffee cup (that never gets washed) and a wadded up kleenex in her hand.  I walked up the hallway and asked her "what do you hear when I speak?  dolphin squeaks, toddler jibberish, sonar pings? what?"  she just looked at me funny.  I said "I'll explain it to you one more time....you are ill.  You are a walking germ factory and I am apparently your own personal petri dish." 

Went right over her head.

Oh well.  My dear boss keeps me stocked up on EmergenC packets to add to my water, and Lysol spray.  He's the best.

I think I'm going to go to bed early tonight.  The sooner I go to bed and sleep the sooner tomorrow will be here and the sooner I will be one step further to the finish line.  It's like Christmas, only in a weird, sick and twisted way. 

So, sleep tight everyone, or if you can't quite manage that yet, remember infomercials are not your friend.  In your sleep deprived state you can and probably will make silly decisions like the Snuggie, or ShamWOW.  I have a Snuggie, I speak from experience here.  I use my ShamWOW to cover my back where the Snuggie won't quite wrap around me.

Here's to all of you and a wonderful day tomorrow. 

((((HUGS)))))

Pamela

Hello SOSisters - day 12 and I feel good!  YEAH!  Already dreading next week. 

PositiveMe - so sorry you have been in the hospital.  Please know we are thinking about you and sending you many positive thoughts!

Neece - how did txt #2 go?

ChinaBlue  & Melinda -glad your txt. went better.  Makes us all hopeful for our 2nd one!

 GmaToni - I use the Senokot S pills available at any pharmacy.  They do work!

Pamelajo- maybe you could post a "keep out" sign with her name on it?  Good luck with your treatment tomorrow.  Be thinking of you while I get my Herceptin.

BarbAnne41, Barb0323, Unklezwifeo - hope you are doing well!

VickiLynn- sounds to me like you have your hands full.  Sorry your husband is having to have surgery.  Please keep us posted on how he is doing.  Glad to hear about the Prilosec, I may try that - the burping has subsided for now but......  I'm glad Kemo is training you well, I know she must be a joy and takes your mind off some of those things we'd all like to avoid thinking about.

To everyone I missed, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Take care everyone, wishing you none or minimal side effects!  Keep positive.

Jane

PS - plan to get head shaved on Sat. and be done with it.  Told hubby I will then require a photo in one of my hats to post.  Just can't see me sharing my bald head - not as brave as some of you!

Hi again sisters,

Shoshanna   

Hi my September sisters! I have been reading through all you posts - wow so much advice here! But, just to let you know that my 'constipaption' issue came to a head yesterday. I really couldn't sleep the night before at all - it just felt like I had a large hard mellon inserted in my back passage (sorry ladies). Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had an impacted bowel which was dealt with by two very nice District Nurses, a long tube and some phosphrate solution. My Lord it was like a damn bursting! The initial pain followed by total relief. I have been left with a laxative solution called MOVICOL which have have to take every day for the next six months of chemo treatment. The nurses said as they left, 'why did you leave it so long?'. So, I suppose that's the moral of the story. I am still suffering the after effects and am walking about with a huge nappy on! I still feel like I have cold / flu symptoms so I've noted some good tips fom you lot there. Yesterday I started with spots all over my scalp - anybody had that? I'm day 6 after my first chemo XXXX

Here I sit with my heated blanket in the infusion chair waiting for this to be done.  LOVE having my laptop with me.

 I asked my Onc about taking radiation.  She said I was in the "grey" zone and wouldn't push for it if I didn't want it..........so I'm opting out.  I can't see that it would benefit me and neither does she.  Couldn't hurt, but wasn't too much of a help either.  Mostly she said radiation was for ladies who had tumors 5 cm or over with 3 or more lymphnodes involved.  She said the case studies on women like me who have less than 2 cm tumor and only 2 positive nodes are inconclusive.  Nothing really for or against it.  Since my bc is caused by previous radiation, I am opting out.

Hope you all are having wonderful SE free days and looking forward to a great weekend!  I'm going back to my facebook now   HUGS!