Starting Chemo in June 2005

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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited July 2005
    Hey Junebugs,
    I should be at my 2nd chemo right now. sigh. But I know it's for the best. Plus, the weather around the medical center in Houston right now (where I would have been) has cars stranded all over the place because of flooding.

    LOL, while typing this post, my onc office called and told me I'd be receiving Neulasta shots now the day after my chemo. I'll still be a three weeker, but it's better than four!
    I asked if my insurance would cover and they said YES. Plus, I can go to a local clinic just a few miles from my house for the injection instead of heading in town which is about a 45 min. trip.
    So, all in all, things are getting better I guess.
    Husband is still in The Netherlands, (but his suitcase is still on tarmac in Houston) pewee! I bet he's ripe.

    Thanks for lifting my spirits when I need it. It's funny how you dread chemo until they take it away from you.
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2005
    Just got home from #4. The office was cold and I didn't feel great, but hope that I do okay. Think I will nap this afternoon and feel up to going to the wedding on Saturday-don't think DH will probably be home because they are now working long days and driving truck on the main road to Yellowstone Park which this time of year is traffic! Just going to play it by ear so that I do well the next weekend in Seattle. I did really enjoy the posts today-was kind of feeling like-if I only had 4 treatments I would be done-and I still have 2 more to go, but after reading the posts I feel much better. And I strongly agree-when I have a good day I enjoy posting, when I have a bad day I enjoy reading what others have posted---you guys are the only ones who know what we are going through! My onc is on vacation right now, but the guy covering for him looked over everything and said he doubted I would have much trouble with Taxotere....hoping. Better go
    KimB
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited July 2005
    NS..GREAT NEWS!

    Fi...good to hear from you. I had asked about your name. I think that Fiona is such a pretty name. Maybe I can talk one of my kids into having a granddaughter with that name

    My cancer is aggressive and advanced so I view the chemo as my "lifesaver". I really believe it is going to take this nasty crap out of me so that I can go on enjoying my life and see my grandkids grow up (and maybe even get to have one named Fiona!)

    Hugs,
    Liz
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited July 2005
    NoSurrender, that's great. Now you can breathe easy for - how long? until the next one? That's one of the things I dread - for the rest of my life always feeling like I have to be looking over my shoulder. Oh well, just something else to get adjusted to, and it certainly beats the alternative!

    DH convinced me that I really wanted to go to Jazzercise, so I did. I can't get over how much better I feel today than yesterday! I did keep it pretty low intensity, but it was good to get moving, especially since my joints have been bothering me. Now I'm tired, but I think I will sleep well tonight.
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2005
    Hey Bev I am sorry I missed this earlier!
    You might have an irritation from reflux from the chemo and it has affected that area where hiccups start.
    Maybe ask your onc if you can take a Zantac or a Pepsid. I took Zantac the whole time I was on chemo.
    I just HATE the hiccups! I hope this helps!
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2005
    Yes it is true- it does follow us around like a shadow. It is at its absolute worst when you are just completed with treatments- especially if you are ER- because then you don't even get to take Tamox or Arimidex.

    It lessens a bit but it never leaves you. A lot of the pure fear leaves until you are faced with a mammo because that is where you found out the first time.

    But truly the best thing I did was follow the doctor's advice and now when I get all freaked out I just ask myself- "Did I do everything I could?" the answer is YES. So you just have to hand the rest over to faith and DILIGENT FOLLOW UP. Because if this SOB IS going to return you want to catch it when it is so tiny they can just zap it.

    My sister was diagnosed this December. Her tumor was 9 mils., ER/PR-, Aggressive, and poorly differentiated. She shopped around until she found an onc who would agree NOT to give her chemo. I TRIED to explain all this to her but she doesn't listen.

    She had a tiny inscision, a SNB and rads. Then when she was done she actually said to me she doesn't know that the "big deal" is about BC.

    I had over 5 surgeries, the full lymph node dissection, six months of chemo and then rads.... it was a little different. I tell her that she had TV Cancer. The kind that women get on these TV shows where they always look great, never miss a day of work, don't lose their hair- nothing.

    The only accurate portrayal of cancer and chemo I ever saw was that show "thirtysomething." When that character got cancer they were very true to the real thing. Only at the time I watched it I remember thinking - "Please God don't let me ever get that!" Oh well!
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2005
    How is everybody doing?
    I am still exhausted but decided to post before going back to nap again.
    Now that the AC is done I want to know everything to expect next. Oh well those questions can wait. I am just glad to be home recovering for now.
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2005
    Oh Jo! I am so glad you checked in!
    You take that nap and dream sweet dreams of NEVER having the red devil again!
    You are almost there! YIPPEE!!!
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  • MichelleB39
    MichelleB39 Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2005
    Jo - I was so glas to see your post today. Horray- you made it!!!

    My onc is still fighting with my insurance to get my Neualasta covered. They are confident that they will win and told me not to worry about it.

    I will have #2 on Tuesday and then be on an every 2 week schedule with the shot instead of every 3. Even though I missed this week, I will still finish a week early now. I will then do the Happy Dance!!
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited July 2005
    Hi, Everyone,
    Just checking in....Jo, so glad you made it through AC. We will all be watching your progress as you switch to the taxol.

    Feeling much better today, what a difference a day makes in how I feel after AC! I think I will live, after all.

    Brenda
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  • bmck
    bmck Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2005
    Hi everyone, I have now officially finished my last a/c treatment today! I am so glad that this part is done with and now it is on to Taxol! I am not looking forward to this part at all! I have been reading so much about it and the side effects and it's pretty scary! But am glad that I have hit the halfway mark of my treatment!

    Cathi
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited July 2005

    Cathi, I thought you had vanished for good! Keep us posted, now that makes you and Jo who have finished with AC!

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited July 2005
    Cathi & Jo...CONGRATULATIONS!

    So glad to hear you both made it through # 4! Must feel good to have that part over with

    Liz
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  • Fi_in_oz
    Fi_in_oz Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2005
    Liz, perhaps you can get more than one of those future grand kids to be called Fiona, as in my experience, its the name I'm least called, so confusion wouldn't be an issue if there was more than one.

    30 something years ago there was a well known scottish actress that was called Fiona, apparently, since then its rather faded out it seems, therefore a revival is overdue.

    Head question for you all

    I have patches of stubble still, kinda look like a world globe with the patches as the land masses and the scalp the oceans. Is this likely to fall out in another week or so (that would be 2 weeks post second chemo)? I'm starting to get a couple of scalp sores so don't want to risk shaving the land masses back to the scalp to neaten things up.

    Am going to try pawpaw ointment on the sores and see if they clear up, will let you know if it works.

    Fi
    Loving the good days and the walks on the beach.
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2005
    Are any of you actively talking to other BC survivors?
    If so is it though a support group or your own network of contacts?
    Today is a bit better than yesterday. I can so some small tasks. Mostly I watch cooking shows on TV because my eyes are still to teary to read much.
    I don't have an appetite but I enjoy watching the cooking process. It all turns out perfectly in the end. Wa-La.
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  • Reeny47
    Reeny47 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2005
    Hello Ladies,
    Well I had my last a/c on July 14th. Hooray!! I was pretty sick fron the second and the third so I was really dreading number four even though I was very happy was the last. JoMac so gald you made it through number 4 and you too Cindi. This time I drank a bunch of water and even though I was sick Thursday and most of Friday,it was better than two and three. Stayed sick five till six days. Now I go for four rounds of taxotere. Wondering what that is going to do to me? I enjoy reading all of your post so much.
    Have any of you ladies been through days where you are so ill (I mean ill mood)that you just wish no one would talk to you and everybody would just let you have a little peace and quiet?That probably sounds like I am ungrateful but I am not. That is not me. Just wondering if I was only one. I am grateful for my family and all my friends and love them all.Hope I'm not turning into the 'B' word.
    Hope all of you have a good and much improving days and I will post again soon. Take care all!!
    Maureen
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2005
    Maureen do you mean irritable?
    sometimes I want to just yell at my family. I know this comes from being tired and I can just feel my fuse burning. I haven't lost my temper yet. I know sometimes they will remark that I seem to be in a "bad mood" . I think I just look like I am in a bad mood with no hair and all.
    By the way my AC number 4 recovery has been much better than nymber 3 so far. So for those of you out there waiting for number 4 take heart.
    Now I want to know everything about the taxotere treatments.
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2005
    Hello girls!
    Ummm...you have cancer...you are undergoing chemo... uh..how do I put this???

    BITCH ALL YOU WANT!

    Jiminy Crickets you guys are hard on yourselves! Let it rip! You can be Miss Congeniality when it is all behind you.

    I will be happy to write you all notes that you can give your families...a ChemoIfeelcrappysoleavemethehellalone Note.

    ok?

    Now...about Taxotere.

    I know many people who did Taxol or Taxotere. Some didn't like Taxol so they switched to Taxotere or visa versa..it is all from the same thing- the bark of either the Pacific Yew Tree or the Asian Yew Tree.

    Of ALL the girls I know- I have heard the following:
    1. It was a piece of cake after A/C
    2. I didn't get sick like with A/C
    3. I have joint pain but advil helps it
    4. I have joint pain and Vicodin helps it
    5. I have joint pain and a mixture of powdered Glucosomine (sp) mixed into juice a few times a day made me feel much better
    6. I don't have joint pain but my hands and feet tingle.
    7. I am tired.
    8. I want to be finished with this.
    9. I just saw an article in the newspaper that taking Taxol/tere in conjuction with my A/C has EXCELLENT medical studies backing up that it is boosting my odds even more.
    10. I wish I had a pool.

    So- no one said: "This stuff is going to kill me!" OR "I feel like Tuesday's Corned Beef and it is Friday...."

    Basically it is VERY DOABLE!

    So Pm me you addresses so I can write those notes for you!
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  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2005
    OK, day 18 after treatment....can't stand the hair falling out....got the clippers. Feels weird looking in the mirror and seeing my brother! The whole day has been just a weird feeling day...I've pretty much just been in a hole the whole day.

    I'm too lazy to read back over 17 pages of posts...so here goes again....should I be getting a prescription for this white fuzz on my tongue?? No real mouth sores, just feels like a shaggy rug all over.

    I hope to be able to go to church on Sunday. I need something to pick me up...

    And yes, I am jealous of everyone who's completed A/C. Can't wait to join your party!!!

    Here's looking at a happier tomorrow...
    Rebecca
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  • Fi_in_oz
    Fi_in_oz Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2005


    Hi Rebecca,
    A little trick for your mouth that I've found great is a Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda) mouthwash.
    Dissolve a quarter to a half a teaspoon of the powder in half a glass of water and rinse your mouth with that about 4 times per day. Don't swallow, I also gargle it in the back of my throat just to really help. Also not sure if you have it there but here I can buy a Bicarb soda tooth paste, that's been helping also when I don't need the mouth wash.

    Another little helpful tip for anyone who's been having constipation problems and don't want to take yet another tablet.... the last chemo I tried the following with great success: Pear juice 100%, I drank a 850ml tin over 2 days, starting the DAY before chemo, then another tin of it over the 3 days after chemo day. Worked perfectly.

    Oh, pawpaw ointment did help the head sores overnight they aren't tender any more thank heavens, still don't know what I'm going to do about this world globe look I've got happening though.

    Best wishes to all

    Fi
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  • Fi_in_oz
    Fi_in_oz Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2005
    JoMac
    Quote:

    Are any of you actively talking to other BC survivors?
    If so is it though a support group or your own network of contacts?




    I'm talking with both, I've joined a local group near my Health Campus run by my breast nurse, specifically for younger people,( I laughed though when one of the members was in her 70's at least, apparently its the heart age that's important too) it only meets once a month, it was actually the nurse that invited me.

    My own network of friends and acquaintances has been the most supportive though when I think about it. Its rather common knowledge what I'm going through in the smallish community I live in, so I've been lucky that way, BC survivors have just opened up to me unsolicited ( but not impolitely). The most amazing inspiration I've gotten so far though is from a client of mine, who's just been rediagnosed for at least the 5th time in about 10 years, she's had such a rough time, but she's always smiling, and always so positive, she was also the person who was the most supportive of me taking 6 months off from work to get through this.
    Perhaps its the fact that people also know I lost my mother a few years back to another type of cancer, and they feel I might need a little extra "womanly" support, who knows, I don't really need to know why, am just grateful that it is this way for me

    Fi
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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited July 2005

    Rebecca, I think you should let your onc know about the mouth. It sounds like thrush, which is very common with chemo, I'm told. I believe it is a type of yeast infection, and treated with a dose of Diflucan ( just like a vaginal yeast infection). No need to have a side effect if it is easily treatable!!

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  • Reeny47
    Reeny47 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2005
    Hello JoMac,
    Boy sometimes those words just will not come! Thanks, irritable is certainly the word I meant. Sure am glad I am not the only one having this emotion.It is so great to have you ladies to talk to. I don't seem so irritable today. I have already gave my mom her bath and picked up around house. No serious cleaning going on here!
    JoMac, I saw your paintings. They are beautiful.What a talent.
    Nosurrender, thanks for your kind words. You seem to keep us all straight. Hope you all have a wonderful day
    Maureen
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  • Rene23
    Rene23 Member Posts: 314
    edited July 2005
    Hi ladies,
    I haven't been posting much lately..Out of town guests combined with my own personal meltdowns at my new Cryptkeeper hairdo. I just had AC#3 this past Thursday, and for some reason I was more anxious than ever prior. As it turns out, it has been a lot tougher few days than # 2 was, I was vomiting again and slept away 2 entire days practically. I find the decadron gives me terrible insomnia, so I am reluctant to take it, leaving me with Protonix, Ativan, and Compazine. I cannot get rid of this terrible dry, almost swollen feeling I have throughout my mouth through my esophagus and stomach. I keep drinking and drinking.. but it's still so uncomfortable.. it makes me gag. Anyone have a magic solution to help that?

    Glad to read that everyone is hanging in there.. not like anyone's giving us a choice, right?

    Thanks again for all the wonderful advice people have shared.

    Btw.. my insurance just paid almost $1200. for real hair wig... Be sure to make sure yours is specified when you submit it. They pay less for synthetic.
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited July 2005
    Rene, sounds like you are hanging in there even though you are having a rough time. I had a great day yesterday and then today was crash and burn. I am having #3 on Thursday...I hate chemo week. I have been pretty fortunate with minimal side effects so far but I am also dreading # 3.

    Went shopping for a posthesis yesterday and bras. Ladies check with your insurance. If NS hadn't told me wigs and bras are usually covered, I probably wouldn't have known to check. I had a wig on yesterday that a friend gave me and I got several compliments on it. The new breast form felt so good I wore it home! I was so excited, because it made me feel like I had two boobs again! At the end of the day I felt like Cinderella taking off my hair and putting my boob in it's "cradle". This dressing and undressing is getting to be a lot of work! I have mirrored closet doors in my bedroom..woke up in he middle of the night and got a glimpse of myself...horrors! I felt like I was looking at an overweight Nazi camp survivor. I have vowed not to look in the mirror unless I have had at least one cup of coffee!

    Today I have no energy at all, lots of aches and pains and alternating between dry eyes, nose and throat and runny eyes, nose and throat. Feel bloated and dehydrated..even though I spend a good part of the day getting rid of all the liquids I am consuming. Lapsed into a serious self pitying mode for a while. I have had a serous craving for cranberry juice...may have to start buying it by the case. I keep salting my food and still can't taste the salt. Going for spicy things that actually have some kind of taste...even if it doesn't taste like it's supposed to! Nothing like feeling hungry all the time and everything tastes like cardboard!

    Who else is on for chemo this week?

    Liz
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2005
    Renee, decadron is used as an anti-inflamatory of the entire GI tract. If you have not been taking it that is probably why you are getting those symptoms. Try to take your last dose earlier in the day and get some sleep aids from your doc. The Decadron really helps your body get through this.

    Rebecca, get the difulcan. A white coating is a form of a yeast infection. Individual mouth sores are something else. But the difulcan will help. Those who are on protonix or acidopholis are preventing the overgrowth of candida and hopefully preventing this from happening. You might want to ask your onc about getting some.

    Fi, I lost it in patches too- but I looked more like I had the mange!

    Renny, where did you see Jomac's paintings?? I want to see them!

    Liz, Liz, Liz....you crack me up girl!

    LIZ SAID:
    Quote:

    Feel bloated and dehydrated.. I keep salting my food



    Need I say more?

    Today's word is
    TOBASCO!

    Your taste buds return about three weeks after you are done- so no more cardboard for you!
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2005
    Hi. Have a few minutes so thought I would post. #4 on Thursday went okay-actually think I feel better than I did after #3. Went to a neice's wedding in East Glacier yesterday which went okay, had to go to the laundro-mat this morning (my washer bit the dust and it's one of those situations of custom made or remodel to replace the washer-which the Maytag repair man says is older than I am so am just not going to deal with it until hubby is home this fall). Then off to hubby's family reunion today so am going to take a nap and then start getting ready for Seattle. We are bar-b-queing for rehersal dinner of about 80 people and do this from a distance is taking some thought-which is not my strong point lately so attempted to organize my notes last night. Last summer my middle child (stepson) was married and we did the whole thing-except buying the brides dress, so with the wedding this summer in Seattle where the boys natural mother lives I was really brave for me and asked her if she would be helping with the rehersal dinner....found out today that "my mom's side is having their own bar-b-que and won't be at rehersal dinner", but the brides family this year has done way more than their share. (my bitch for the day). Trying to figure out how much of my drugs I need to take-normally by Monday I will be feeling fine-but want to be prepared. But if #5 and 6 are no worse than #4 I am definitely on the down hill side even if I will be behind. Think I better go take my nap....last night was one of those awake at least every hour and it seemed like work to just sleep....mind was racing all night long-and most of the time not going anywhere.
    Will try to post before I leave but if not I'll be back next week so the best to you that have chemo this week...and drink fluids!
    KimB
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  • JoMac
    JoMac Member Posts: 192
    edited July 2005
    Today was so much better. I can't believe it.
    How can this be so? I had AC number 4 on Weds. And today I feel pretty good. Better than I did all of last week.
    It doesn't make any sense but I will take it.
    Above in this thread we were talking about mood. I think what my family is responding to is my lack of smiling or laughing.
    That is the big behavior change I think has occured. I am coping well but there is no sense of pleasure anymore.
    I hope that changes when chemo is over.
    I was able to walk and paint a bit today. I hope to do more tomorrow.
    I know to keep this one day a time though.
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  • kimBe
    kimBe Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2005
    I am so glad you are doing better this time-for selfish reasons-I seem to pretty much follow you and that means that my #4 is going to continue to go well-I know what you mean about "attitude" right now, mine kind of matches taste-it is all the same regardless of the situation. My extended family keeps complimenting me on keeping my sense of humor, but my humor is all about me--dumb things I've done or something. I am hoping that my attitude will return slowly after the A/C is done (I do have moments that I wish I didn't have 2 more to do, but if they are like this one it will not be difficult and with each one I am closer to being done). My husband is gone right now, so I have found that I can be more positive with him on the phone because I think about what I am going to talk about and what we don't need to talk about (superficial???) but that has made our conversations better and by the time he is home except for some weekends I will be done with AC. My daughter I struggle with---but your post made me think-I am going to perform a random act of "me" every day with her and maybe just making it a habit will help. She got home later than she was supposed to one day last week and I came unglued...got nothing accomplished and normally I would have dealt with it straight and to the point and she would have understood, but instead I expounded, ranted and raved, etc of how I can't handle her adding stress to my life right now....The other thing I am looking forward to is our "vacation" to Seattle for oldest son's wedding this next weekend. I hope to relax and enjoy and other than the obvious chemo stuff I hope to take a vacation from that too. Need to go decide what I am going to pack-I love hot weather and Jim and Savanna are thinking low 70's great-and I am thinking...sweatshirts and jeans. Oh well. Talk to you tomorrow.
    KimB
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  • MichelleB39
    MichelleB39 Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2005
    Jo- I looked at your paintings too. They are beautiful!

    NoSurrender- I clicked on Jo's name and it led me to her website. She is too modest to tell you, I bet.

    I have #2 tomorrow. I am getting nervous since I was put off for a week last week due to low white blood count. After that, I will be halfway through!!
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