Starting Chemo October 2009

Hi guys...looks like we're all doing OK..considering!

Mary, my port was much more sore the day AFTER it was put in.  I was surprised it didn't hurt that evening, but I do think it was because the medication they gave me hadn't worn off.  The pain was a little less each day.  I took Tylenol, especially at bedtime.   I don't think I slept on my side for a week, and then it still would OUCH once in awhile.  And yes, turning my head, raising my arm, turning on my side, all could bother it during that time. 

Ladies,

I see the word Tylenol a lot today. I hope that you don't forget to take your temp. before taking tylenol....The nurses and dr. can't stress that enough....Never take your tylenol unless your temp is normal...

Michele

Meredith - Mmm... French Toast! Hope you're feeling better soon.

Mary - I was sore for a few days after my port insertion, but I don't think it would hurt at all to put in a call to your doc just to make sure there's nothing wrong.  I've had the port for 2 1/2 weeks, and I barely even notice it now.

Marie, your wigs are just adorable!  My hair is starting to come out in chunks - I'm planning on cutting it very short this afternoon.  I'm tired of having hair all over me!  It'll probably be gone in a few days anyway.

I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing relatively well, considering.  Good luck to anyone who's getting treatment today (it's hard for me to keep up). 

I made it out of my prison cell- oops, I mean the hospital- this morning. I've never been so happy to simply walk outside in my whole life! And it's a beautiful day, nice and cool, sunny, blue skies. I think even if it was pouring rain and cold like yesterday, it still would have been a beautiful day.

This is what happened...last Wednesday, I had been feeling a bit under the weather all day, but no real fever.  About 8:00, I started to feel worse, took my temp, and it was around 100.  Waited about half an hour, took it again, and it was 100.5.  Called the doctor, who said we could go to the ER or wait to see if it would go higher/lower.  We waited about 15 minutes, took it again, and it was 101.1.  Time for the ER!  Of course they were crowded, had no beds, and I was stuck in the waiting room for almost 2 hours with sick people.  I wore a mask, but who knows what I might have caught in there.  The ER is not a good place for a chemo patient.  I finally got a room in the ER, where I stayed until the next morning (that's right, no beds on the oncology ward).  The next day was really awful.  My fever was over 102, I could barely keep my eyes open, I felt so sick. My throat was terribly sore.  They took lots of blood for cultures, swabbed my throat and nose, took urine.  After that night (when the nurses almost gave me an ice bath for my fever), I started to improve.  They had me on IV fluids and an antibiotic, pain meds, cough medicine, magnesium and potassium.  

When I left today, the doc says that none of the cultures came back positive, no strep, no flu, the only thing they found was the UTI and a bad case of tonsillitis that he said was probably viral.  My ANC yesterday was 600, but today it was up to 4600, thank goodness.  Doc says I'm free to do pretty much whatever I want now.  

I went to the grocery store (it's so sad how the family doesn't know what to do when I'm gone for 5 1/2 days!), cleaned out the refrigerator, and did the dishes.  I'm actually looking forward to cooking dinner!  And I had SUSHI for lunch, a vast improvement over hospital food.

Txstardust, the thought of going to the ER scares me right now!  Could the UTI have caused the fever?  I keep trying to make myself work cranberry juice and yogurt into my sytem most days hoping they will help do their things.  My doctor never told me to, but I know cranberry juice helps prevent UTIs and yogurt helps make good bugs...figure they can't hurt!  I also prefer using the Cottonelle Wipes rather than the squirt bottles in my nether regions just to help make sure the bottom area is really clean. 

Diagnosis: 8/13/2009, IDC, ER-/PR-, HER2+

Marie, the bottles are to cute.

I did take a Claritin about an hour before my Neulasta.  I have had very little pain.  My neck is sore and stiff, but not so painful that I can't stand it.

Every day is a new day.

Juannelle

Meredith,  I'm doing the same chemo combo as you just one day before.  I am probably not the person to ask about when to go back to work.  I am beginning to believe that the chemo nurse shot red Kool-aid through my veins instead of the AC.  I was extremely worried about the SE before chemo.  As it turned out (for the first treatment, anyway) I didn't have any issues at all.  I wanted to go to work on Friday the day after my treatment but stayed home because one of the guys at my work had had the flu the week before and was coming back to work that day.  I was bored off my butt so I went outside and pulled weeds out of my yard.  I went out Saturday night for a few hours, watched football all day Sunday and played softball Sunday night.  I went to work on Monday and Tuesday.  I wish I knew why I've been so lucky.  If I could bottle the secret I would.  I would gladly sell it to all of my chemo sisters at a reasonable price so you could all feel better and I could get out from under the mounting cancer debt I have been accruing.  I'm quite sure the next round of chemo will knock me on my butt and teach me who's boss so I have to enjoy feeling well while I can.  Everyone take care and hang tough.

Dee

Hi Mary No problems here w/ the port. Never had any pain just mild discomfort. If I were u i'd call and also ask for pain meds - we don't need anymore pain. oh and speaking of medications

Clarice My doc told me to take the ativan if I couldn't sleep or got agitated.

oh and Anita My daughter got the swine flu on monday and so my chemo for this Thurs was postponed til next Tues and I was put on Tamiflu as a prophylactic so if you know u r exposed -call your doctor. 

Here's to good health! (and better living through chemistry) Valerie

Hey Girls - 

Valerie - I am going to start promoting "better living through chemistry"!  Haha.  I think I did that PRE-BC.  Unfortunately, not good chemistry!

On the steroid high.  Trying to get stuff done.  I started feeling antsy about an hour after taking it.  My hairdresser got me in today to shape my human hair wig.  It looks like my hair now . . . Except it is thicker and longer and shinier.  I feel like a mermaid or Lady Godiva.  My head is itchy and a little rashy around my ears and at the base of my skull.  Could be razor burn, but my stylist said to ask Dr. Cavalcant about a cream that would help.  Any of you experiencing this?

And speaking of Dr. Cavalcant - I have 3 pages of notes/questions for him tomorrow.  Things like Can I drink green tea?  (some studies show it INCREASES  the effectiveness of Taxotere)  How about folic acid supplements?  All sorts of questions and studies to get him to put me on Zometa.  Questions about how effective will Tamoxifen be for me if my cancer is only 50% ER+.  How does he feel about DIM, progesterone cream and iodine supplements?  Does he intend to put me on Lupron or Zoladex if my periods don't stop?  When do we do follow up tests like another MRI or PET/PEM scan?

He is going to tire of me.  I can tell.

My only questions for WonderDoc (PS) tomorrow are things like - can we suck out all fat and anything ugly anywhere on my torso during the implant exchange surgery.  And is there anything we can do to make my right, non-cancer foob look less "wonky" before the exchange surgery.  It looks like I have neck cleavage.  I will take a picture (NOT NAKED, HAHA).

Dee and Dogsaver - My mom just told me that Scottsdale Jean Co is doing free makeovers for women going through chemo/breast cancer.  Evidently this involves a free outfit!  I am going to check it out because sometimes she gets her info wrong.  But if true, it could be worth a little drive up there!!

Shelby - I am so sorry you had to go to the hospital!  But I am glad you are feeling better now.  I love sushi, too, but my doc said to avoid it.  (Note to self - he did NOT say NO).  What did you have?  And did your doc say anything about it?

Marie - I wish I were crafty (as it Arts)!  Those bottles are very cute and I love your wigs.  I need to post pics of mine.  If only I could find a charged camera around here!!

I hope you all have a wonderful night.  Lots of rest and minimal s/es.  I am going to get in a last meal and a glass of wine before Big Day #2 tomorrow.

Love to All -

Laura 

The big chemo  day is tomorrow.  good luck Mary and Brenda --I will think about you as we go through it tomorrow. Val good luck Thursday.

  I am also on the steroid high, Did a million things today. I am usually on the couch by 7- nope not tonight. I just came home from grocery store and did the giant shopping. It is not like there is no one in my home who couldn't have done it if I am down and out this weekend.  Just gave me something constructive to do.

  I feel like I am forgetting all the  info I learn on this site...brain not working...worry is taking place of memory.   Please tell me what medicine I use the ice for so I don't get mouth sores.

  I also have a Zofran problem.  My insurance only let me have 9 tablets for 7 days.  How many days did you girls find you needed it? I also have a nausea medicine (comprazine SP?)   and ativan.   I  want to avoid nausea as much as possible!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks, Jean

Hey JEAN I know you'll do fine. Anticipation is the worst part. They'll take good care of u. r u  getting a port? Oh and don't worry about the nausea thing - between the three zofran,compazine and ativan - you'll have enough. They also put some in the pre-chemo mix. I didn't take even 7 zofran as i preferred ativan and compazine and was fine,

OH, i can't get my chemo on thursday b/c my daughter has H1N1 so they put me on prophylactic Tamiflu and postponed chemo til Tues of next week. I am actually not unhappy about that b/c I love Halloween! Good luck to all making the journey tomorrow -I'll be thinking of you- Valerie 

Dear Dee, Laura,

Never be afraid of your onco. Build a good relationship and trust not fear.

Dear Mary,

Emend is pretty good. It is supposed to work for 24 hours. But do fill the Rx for Zofran or Ativan or Compazine etc since their actions are fast and they are not as long lasting. Everyone responds to different anti emetics.

I get Emend, Aloxi, Decadron on day of chemo and Emend (2 pills each good for 24 hrs), Kytril (6 pills each good for 12 hrs), Compazine (20 pills each good for 4 hrs) for the next 5-6 days. So far I have always used everything up but 3-4 Compazines :-)

Dear Dee,

I understand..... good docs come with big egos.... 

Dear Mary,

Yes thats a lot of drugs and yes I took almost all of them :-) I will try to reduce the intake this time.

Dear Dee,

Prochlorperazine = Compazine. More power to you if you were able to control nausea/vomiting with just that. Some are able to.