Starting Chemo in June 2005

Dana I'm sorry your feeling so blue. I completely understand what you mean about not wanting to tell your family your troubles. My DH has to see and hear it all and I know this makes him feel horrible. But so far for me, I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that usually feels pretty good. After my first tx, I had severe nausea and vomiting for about 24 hours, but once I got it under control except for a mild headache that lasted for days, I felt pretty normal. My second tx was yesterday, and I was given IV fluids prior to the chemo and this helped me immensely. No nausea or vomiting and I feel pretty good today. The problem with this, however, is my mind wonders thinking are they giving me the right dose or is it not working for me? I have not even had any hair loss yet! Venting is good! And I think it helps all of us no matter what symptoms we are experiencing. There were a few tips I was giving prior to starting chemo that may be making the difference in the side effects for me. Each morning I have my bowl of cereal with about a cup of soy milk. I'm also on Prozac which has been said to help with hot flashes which I haven't experienced. I'm taking immunopower ez supplements and have increased my Vitamin C. Supplements and nutrition is area of debate among doctors but I happen to believe in there effectiveness. I was the poster child for bad nutritional behavior before my diagnosis. I ate sugar like it was one of the four food groups! I really hope that this too will pass, and you will feel normal soon!












b

I am at a friend's house so I thought I would check in on you gals.
I wanted you to know that I had every side effect the chemo could cause and then some!
I had the dry eyes too Jo!
I had the wired feeling from the decadron followed by the crash after I stopped it.
I had the weird food cravings- Raw Bisquick anyone?
I had vertigo.
I became allergic to cats.
I had the weirdest taste in my mouth followed by that SMELL.
I could go on but I think you get the idea!
Oh- I thought I was INSANE to go back for more too!!!

Hang in there= YOU WILL MAKE IT!

Quote:

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I had the weird food cravings- Raw Bisquick anyone?

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Oh my!! I've always LOVED raw Bisquick!! lol!!

I'm one of the lucky ones. I only have some mild yuckiness for a day or two after chemo, and then I feel pretty good. I've had to have Neupagen every time, though, and that makes me feel like I've been on a crying jag for a couple of days. Puffy eyes, watery runny nose, slight headache. Feels just like I'd been cyring all night long. Other than that my treatment hasn't been bad at all.

I may make up for it when I start Taxotere in August, though.

Hi Dana,

I don't want to frighten anyone, but if you are HYPERSENSITIVE to medications, you need to get this through to the Oncologist before they start treating you. I am told there are 1 in 10,000 that are hypersensitive to medications. I'm one of them.
I had a very bad experience with my first chemo treatment & am still recovering, so I haven't been able to sit at the computer much & post until now.
A port-a-cath was put in on June 11. Before, during & the day after I had to take a medication called Dexamethasone. My first chemo was on the 13th. I informed the oncologist I am HYPERSENSITIVE to medications , but this obviously ment nothing to him. The treatment I was given was TAC: Taxotere, Adriamycin, Cytoxan.
I began not feeling well the next day. My throat began to hurt & I felt like a lump in my esophogas that didn't want to stay down. Very tired. The chemo tech gave me a prescription for a G.I. Cocktail that cost me $25 to have mixed up & almost made me loose my cookies every time I have to drink it before meals.
I was given a Neulasta shot on the 16th. All night I suffered sharp stabbing pains throughout my body. The back of my neck became very sore & I began having extreme sharp cramping pains in my ovaries, whereas I began to spot blood. After a couple of days of pain, I was put on Viccodine.
I had severe diarreah on the 18th. The days became very painful & I admitted myself to the hospital on the 21st & placed on morphine. My small intestine swelled & my colon was having problems. I was running a fever of 104*. Severe diarreah wouldn't allow me to keep food in & had to be placed a liquid diet & IV feeding for 3 days. In order to eat solid foods, I had to take Imodium to control the diarreah.
For 6 days I was given high doses of Flagyl & Levequine antibiotics. I was told I had a condition called Typhyulitis (sp?) & Neutropenia & would have died on the 3rd day had I not admitted myself to the hospital's care.
I asked to be released from the hospital on the 26th. I was given oral Flagyl & Avelox antibiotics for the intestin infection.
My hair was falling out in handfuls on the 27th, so my brother butched it off.
On the 28th my left arm & neck swelled badly. My ankles, feet & right arm also swelled, but the left side was the worse. I suspected the Avelox, as one of the side effects is joint swelling, so I stopped taking it on the 29th. By the 30th the swelling began to go down except in my left arm & side of the neck, it felt as I had broken my shoulder. I told my PCP & chemo tech who said it was probably Lyphedema, but because the chemo tech couldn't even draw blood from the port on my left side, she called the oncologist who suggested I get an ultrasound.
July 1st I had my ultrasound. I have a blood clot in my neck & admitted to the hospital that day. After 8 hours in the hospital, 5 nurses, doctors & 12 pokes in my unusable port, arms, feet & hands where no blood could be drawn, a nurse had to draw blood from my juglar vein.
I was instructed how to give myself Lovenox injections & given oral Coumidin blood thinners. I'm told I have to be monitored weekly & on the blood thinner for possibly 6 months in the hopes of disolving the blood clot.
My Oncologist told me he isn't going to give me anymore chemo for awhile, as the Taxotere was what caused my problems. I guess I have to make the dicission of the cancer coming back or possible death from the chemo drugs.
I went for a second opinion & am told I could probably do well with just a hormone blocker.
I am still spotting blood & was told to go see a gynocologist. I'm still not able to make 'stools' & have to continue to take Imodium to keep my food in so my body can gain some nutrition from it. I've lost 10lbs. All food has a chemical taste & I experience strange smells.
Today my blood pressure is very low, I'm weak & tired. I feel as though I've been given up on by my medical group & am left to make decissions I have no idea of.
This week I go in & have the port removed. There is a concern I will end up with more clots & it is plugged & almost usless anyway.
If not for the help of my husband & sister, I'm not sure how I would be able to cope. Please pray for me to regain my strengh & help me get through this treatment & that my blood clot will desolve soon.

God Bless You All,
Cindy77

This disease is certainly an evil and capricious one. My heart goes out to those experiencing terrible side effects and for those of you with children at home. Having your husbands have to be out of town at this time can't be easy either.

Before long we will get through all our treatments. It may not seem that way now, but we WILL get there. I can't imagine what it was like for women years ago when all the treatments at our disposal were not available. I try to keep focused on the purpose of these treatments...which is to give me a future. This is certainly a life changing event, which none of us wanted or expected. But it's what we have to deal with and I truly believe we are a very strong and special bunch and we will make it. I was really exasperated at not being being 100%...until I decided to add rest to my treament plan. The things we don't get to do don't really make a big difference in the long run. Keeping our bodies rested to deal with treatment should be a big priority to us.

Hugs to you all,
Liz

Good morning ladies. I stopped in to catch up on the posts after being at an art show all weekend. Saturday was a good sale day, but Sunday was slow. I had a nice spot in the shade, though, and the weather was very nice. It was pretty pleasant to sit outdoors all weekend. Still, it's more tiring than it used to be! Hubby went along and that's been one really nice thing about being in chemo.

I have #3 today, and I'm doing some cleaning this morning before going in. Who else is up this week?

Brenda

Hello Ladies,
My name is Reeny. I was dxed around March 28th with IDC and had surgery of removing my breast onApril 12th. I am 58 and had not been in hospital since last birth of my third child and he is 32 yrs.old Did fine through surgery and recovery. I started chemo On June 2nd and this upcoming July 14th will have my last dose of a/c.I had four rounds to do and was sooo sick on the second and third, I am not looking forward to the next,but thankful it is the last of the bad a/c. I have been reading the posts of all you guys and hope this is where all you are from (Starting chemo in June 2005),started by Dana Holis. You ladies are all amazing. Dana,I think I wrote you a private message.I do not know how to post correctly and do all the things you ladies do on here like pictures and websites.I am not that savy with computer. This cancer is really hard to fight and tolerate but I feel each of us will come through this with flying colors. Sometimes I feel like God just shows us sometimes a lesson in the strength that is within us. I thought I was pretty strong before this, God has shown me I had a lot more strength within with His help of course.
I really feel for all you ladies with small children to care for. I think I am really going through it until I read about your lives. It humbles me alot. I have been taking care of my wheelchair bound mom who is 94 since 1998 and in 2002 my husband suffered a stroke. We had our own business and we had to give that up after his stroke. Physically he is fine. He has a problem with communicating and sometimes gets confused on certain task he may try to do. The stroke destroyed his pathway from brain to his mouth. He does very well and has been my rock through this bc. My family tried to get me to put mom in nursing center,but I would want that to be a last resort. Just think you are suppose to take care of family if you can and not pay some strangers to do it. Afterall, She's my mom. I would not even be here if it was not for her. Somedays have been awful but God has seen fit to let me do what I need to do for her. I have three grown children and seven grandchildren. They are all great blessings to me. I have two girls and one boy, my babyboy. He has not missed one test,Dr. appointment, test or anything else I have had to go through during this whole ordeal. He says he is my buddy. All bc patients need a buddy he says and he has certainly been a good one.
Just wanted you ladies to know my life story I guess becaue I fell like I certainly told you. Bye the way, I am bald also. My babygirl bought me a 'Dixie Pixie' Rachuel Welch. I hope I look like her when I put it on...Yeah right! It is due to come this week. You Ladies have certainly been an inspiration to me and I hope I can be yall's friend. Take care and hope to talk to you later.
Reeny

I lost it this morning. I got all teary and self pitying.
Did you hear me bleating Watson?
My husband litened to it all and then it was over. I am O.K. now.
I think the trigger of all the fear is number 4 AC coming up on Weds.
But today is not Weds. Today is still Monday. I have small tasks to do and will stay as busy as possible.
Someone mentioned chicken soup. I have found that is a good food for me following the initial days of treatment.
So I made some and it is ready to go. It is going to be over ninety degrees here so hot soup sounds like a goofy thing to eat but this whole thing makes no sense so soup for all!
I do think there is a greater purpose to my getting Breast Cancer. My grandmother died of uterine cancer more than 30 years ago. I suspect this would have been my fate if I hadn't detected my lump in time.
At least now there is treatment and I will get some more time to be a wife and mother.
I hope a whole lot of time.

Jenster,
I"m also doing every three weeks. Were your 1st and 2nd treatments pretty much the same as far as side effects? I did quite well after my first and I"m hoping that #2 this Thursday will be the same. I know everyone is different, but just wondered how many of you ladies had the same experience with your treatments.
Thanks ladies, and welcome new people!

Hello Junesters,
Today I am at the Library. Having no computer is starting to make my Towanda come out a bit more than usual.

I have been wondering if I needed to post to you all anymore because you are all becoming veterans and what I can tell you is now old news! But I have been reading through your posts as I always do and I just thought I would share with you all one more time...

First, for all you girls on chemo this week- GOOD LUCK. When you start to get down or freak out remember it is another one under your belt and one that is DONE. The more you do the closer you are to being finished.

I had a hard time with my chemo as you all know. I went every three weeks for six months. I thought it would never end. I thought I was insane to be doing it. Then I would get depressed and say is it worth it? And then the fear would bite me- usually the day before. But somehow, someway I got into the car and drove the half hour over there and sat in that stinkin barco Lounger and let them do it all again. I would look at the people around me... And that is where I gained my strength. From my fellow fighters.

Even though we are cybermiles away from each other we can do that here and that is what is so beautiful about this thread Dana started. Before we were alone, together we find our strength. I try to pop in with a word or two but it is you who are on the front lines. I know exactly how you feel but you are doing it.

My last day of chemo I cried like a baby. Not because I was going to miss it- but because I actually survived it and never missed a single infusion. I DID IT. And you are all doing it too and you will finish and you will beat this monster.

After the chemo is over, after the rads are done and your hair has grown back it will hit you... you are a different person than the woman who went in- you are BETTER. You will be a little shocked at just how awesome you are. And about Towanda???? Wellllll- she stays. She is a permanent part of you. And why shouldn't she be?! She is your fighting, tough chick, take no prisoners alter ego!

I am telling you all this because it will surprise you. The NEW YOU- the VICTOR is a tremendous woman. A combination of strength, power, complete compassion and an empathy for anyone who suffers, a woman with the knowledge that every breath, every smile and every step you make is more precious than gold.

But you've got to get there first. So you will have some really dark days first. And then, when it is the right time, your purpose will make itself known to you. It will be crystal clear. And you will know it immediately. But for now, just try to get through this. This should be all you worry about. Tomorrow is waiting for you. It has patience.

Now a couple of quick notes-
If you had a really bad headache tell them to run the cytoxan really slow...
Many people have the same side effects the entire time. The only thing different is that your fatigue will be worse.
If you have to do your chemo alone, it is ok! I did it! You can too.
As far as chicken soup- The night of my infusion and usually he day after I ate Progresso's Italian Wedding Soup. It is chicken soup with tiny meatballs in it and those dot noodles.

Well my time is up here at the library- actually it was up about 15 minutes ago but well- whatever Towanda wants... Towanda gets!

GO KICK SOME CANCER BUTT SO YOU CAN COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE AND MEET THE NEW YOU!

And for the new girls- I am almost four years out so this chemo crap WORKS!

Welcome to our new posters Reeny and Cindy!

Got some good news for a change today. My PET scan had indicated a few funky areas around liver and bladder, so I had to have a CT scan...got results today...nothing new to worry about! I have some cysts...but NOT more cancer YEA!

Hair started shedding yesterday and coming out big time today! Shaving is next. Glad I did the real short cut first and wore my wig to get used to it. Going to be interesting to see what shape my old bald head is!

One good thing I am getting out of all this cancer/chemo crap is that I am beginning to feel really appreciative of a lot of things that I took for granted before. I have always been an optimist and enjoyed any good things that came my way and don't plan to change...even if it's a little harder to find the good things There are still plenty of things to be happy about...like being alive (even if some days I don't feel very lively)! I have found some people that have turned out to be really good to me when I least expected it. That is something to be happy about.

Hugs to All,
Liz

Kim are you doing six total? I know a lot of us are doing 4 ac + 4 t, but I haven't been keeping track of what kind of treatment. (Though I finally did turn my scrap of paper into an Excel SS to keep track of who and when - I know, anal, right?) when we added Jenster and Reeny I was out of room! And welcome to you both!

I had #3 AC yesterday, as usual the infusion was uneventful. I asked Onc about my arthritis flare-ups and he didn't have an answer, he said that most people find relief from arthritis on chemo. I am going to start taking the glucosamine/condroitin supplements again, which I quit after I was DX. They had told me to stop all supplements before surgery, and I just never started back. So maybe that will help. I did feel less achy yesterday, but maybe it's just that I was overtired last week and I got a good rest after the weekend.

Jo, I was really bothered by my eyes this weekend. I forgot to mention it yesterday to the Onc. Have you found something that helps?

Looks like this week we have me and Michelle yesterday, RebeccaH today (Tuesday), Jo on Wednesday (last AC! go girl!!), and Watson, Scout, and Reeny on Thursday. I know Bev is once a week but I don't have her dates. Did I miss anyone? Good luck to everyone!

Brenda

I have #3 A/C on Wednesday (tomorrow). Thanks for the welcome!!

Jenster

I have number 4 AC tomorrow. I am trying to stay centered today. I expect it to be hard and will not be on the computer for a while.
I know I can do this. But boy....I feel almost O.K. today and hate the idea of being less than zero tomorrow.