Starting Chemo Aug 09

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    I'm packed and ready to go - we're leaving @ 5am tomorrow morning.  I believe we are headed in towards North Carolina/Tennessee area.  I am so excited to have the chance to get out of the house and to spend time with my sister. 

    Lilah - If the peeling doesn't bother you, I'm guessing you could just leave it alone and treat it as you would anything else, cleanse and moisturize as needed. 

    Gill - Wow rads already...... time flies............ Do you have a vacation planned to see your family in England or are they coming to you?

    Just in case I don't get to back before I head out tomorrow morning - hope everyone has a great week and I'll talk to y'all later.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited November 2009

    Jen, hope you are having a fantastic trip!

    Gill, good luck with radiation!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    It is so great to see people taking trips and moving on from chemo.  Gill I imagine the radiation will be a drag  but the end is in sight!

    I am six days out from my first Taxol and I gotta say, it is great to feel good again!   No stomach problems.   No meds.   No desperate need to nap or go to bed at 7:30pm.    This week has made me realize how really cruddy I felt on the AC!   I've got 11 more to go, but at this rate it should be a breeze.

    Patty

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited November 2009

    So funny Patty how we react differently.  AC was a breeze for me.  Hardly any SEs.  Taxol was painful... feeling better now that I'm a week away from my last Taxol (leg pain gone, feet feel funny not numb, not tingly, not painful but just funny... hope that will go by next week or so).  Anyway glad you are having an easier time of it now Patty.

    Jenn -- can't wait to hear about your trip!

    My BF and I are off to Atlantic City this weekend -- can't wait for some fun!  I want to win one of those big jackpots where they give you a giant check and take your picture with it :)  It could happen, right?!

    Cheers,

    Lilah

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Lilah, I think you are due for a big jackpot!  Good luck!  

    Patty

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited November 2009

    Hehe!  TY Patty!

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  • Kayel
    Kayel Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2009

    Good Morning Ladies~

    Congratulations to each of you that have finished Chemo.  Woo Hoo!!!!!!  It must feel great to reach this milestone.  I have #6 taxol today.

    Jenn3~ It is so great that you give your 4 dogs such a nice walk each day.  I had 2 dogs (my golden died last Christmas) and had trouble walking 2 at a time.  You are such a good doggie mom.  I have a westie now.  She has turned into such a cuddler since my dx. 

    Patty~ I am so glad your first taxol went so well.  I have continued to do well through all 5 taxol.  I gave you the B vitamin tip.  My onc. approved it and I have been taking all the way through.  Maybe it is helping us.

    Kristen~ Your trip sounds so nice.

    Donna~  I hope that you start to feel better and are able to get some exercise.  It will be good for you mentally as well.

    I most nagging side effect I continue to have is a bloody nose.  Are any of you dealing with that?

    I hope that each of you has a good end of the week

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Kayel thanks for the B vit tip.  I started taking them last week and plan to continue...even though my Onc was pretty so so about their effectiveness. I don't have any advice on the nose problem, sorry!  Mine has been running since the AC but no bleeding.   Good luck on Taxol #6!

    Patty

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited November 2009

    I have the runny nose problem too.  No temp, no cold - just a really drippy nose.

    Tomorrow is chemo day for me, Kristen and Jen.  Anyone else?  Didn't want to leave anyone out.  I do believe it's a very special one for Kristen - congrats on the last one!  You can do it!  I hope this treatment will be kinder for us all.  Only two more for me after this one.  What about you Jen? 

    Hope you are all doing as well as possible!

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited November 2009

    Kayel - sorry can't help with the bloody nose. Everyone else with a runny nose - I think it is the lack of nose hairs that allows it to constantly drip. I am 3 weeks out from last taxol and still have a runny nose. Just have to wait for the hair to grow again.

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Tomorrow is chemo day for me too...Taxol #2.  The countdown to DONE continues.  Good luck everyone.

    Gill,  I just never appreciated those nose hairs!   I'll try to show them more respect when they come back.

    Patty 

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  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 802
    edited November 2009

    Kayel- I have had a little bit of a bloody nose occasionally.  I put vaseline on a q-tip and apply which helps iwht the drying.  You are probably already doing that.  I afriend told me the name of some OTC product that her ENT recommended for this issue (she ended up with a perforated nasal spetum b/c of chemo complications but she is also on Avastin).  It is some type of oil.  If you are interested I will get the name of it. 

    Congrats to everyone on being on the chemo home stretch!  I had Taxol 3 of 4 today.  I am having an MRI of my thoracic spine tomorrow secondary to some weird/nagging pain I have had in that region.  Hoping it is not mets.

    Hvae a good night everyone!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    Good morning - I got back late last night from my trip.  It was wonderful.  We drove to Asheville, NC stayed at the Bohemien Hotel across the street from Biltmore.  We spent the entire day (12 hrs) touring the house, the grounds and the winery. I was exremely sore and tired, but was having so much fun I just didn't want to stop..................... We did take a lunch and dinner break which helped give my back, legs and feet a little rest.  The hotel package included a spa treatment so in addition to the wonderful day at Biltmore, before leaving the next day again I had a relaxation treatment.  The massage therapist has worked with cancer patients so she knew I couldn't have a deep tissue massage and wasn't freaked out by my toenails (which are turning all white from the chemo).  She did a wonderful job.  Now............ back to the real world and off to chemo today.

    Patty - I'm so glad to hear you're doing well with Taxol. 

    Kayel - I have bloody sinuses, which are also very dry at times.  I use Vaseline like Lori mentioned and Ocean Spray to help keep it moist.   

    Hope everyone has a good day - talk to y'all later.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited November 2009

    I'm so glad you had such a great trip Jenn!  You deserve it!

    I'm back from chemo.  Good luck to Jenn, Kristen and Patty!  I hope the side effects are easier this time for us all. 

    Good luck to you Lorieg with your MRI.  I will be thinking about you and hoping for the best news! 

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    Karen - Thank you and how are you doing lately - I'm guessing better than a while back.

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Welcome back Jenn.  I love Asheville and the Biltmore is amazing.

    Best of luck on your MRI Lorieg.   Hopefully the aches are Taxol-related and nothing to worrry about. 

    My chemo nurse told me today that they went to a seminar and were told that a supplement called Alpha Lipoic Acid has been shown successful in preventing and treating nueropathy. It is apparently used in Europe as a standard treatment for diabetes induced nueropathy and there are some small clinicals in the U.S. suggesting its effectiveness with chemo induced nueropathy. She said it is an anti-oxidant and thus should not be used on a treatment day, but otherwise might be worth a try.  Just an FYI for you guys...

    Patty

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited November 2009

    Jenn3, welcom back from your trip!  Why can't cancer patients have a deep tissue massage?  I have never even thought about a massage causing damage.

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited November 2009

    Hi ladies,

    Sounds like a good mix of fun travel and chemo getting close to the end for everyone.  Best of luck everyone and good luck with the SE's.  We are getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel!

    I just got home from the BMX and TE placement operation yesterday afternoon.  It was Tuesday and I was only supposed to be overnight but had some complications.  I ended up with a hematoma that needed to be opened up again and fixed so it delayed things.  Then my hemoglobin was so low they wouldn't release me until I was transfused with 2 units of red cells.  But I am happy to be home, got some sleep finally and don't feel too bad relatively speaking.  The pain is manageable with the medication and I just need to keep stretching.  No shower until after the drains are removed Tuesday though.  Ugh!!

    Have a great weekend all and thanks for your best wishes.

    Yo.

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited November 2009

    I'll be thinking of you Yo!  Hope you continue to do alright.

    I'm doing pretty good, Jen.  Just sleepy at times.  With the taxotere I haven't been having any nausea or stomach problems lately so that's been nice.  I hope you are doing well! 

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  • Karen09
    Karen09 Member Posts: 320
    edited November 2009

    My little furry buddy in my photo has been taking good care of me.  Last night I woke up three times (twice to go to the bathroom and once just because I guess).  He stopped sleeping with me through the night since the weather warmed up a bit but all three times he was in bed with me last night when I woke up, ready for some cuddles.  And then today every time I move he watches me like a hawk.  He's so precious!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Yo Yo -- glad to hear you are home and recovering.  Another step...done!   I found the drains to be a drag, but they aren't in long.

    Karen, I have two furry buddies who keep me company napping on the sofa and at night.   It's nice until they start messing with each other and then chase around the house in the middle of the night.  Funny!

    Day two of TX2 of Taxol and I feel fine.   Like you say, Karen, it is sooo nice not to have stomach issues on the taxanes and not needing all the meds.   Life is almost normal again!

    Patty

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    Good afternoon - Yesterday at chemo my port was acting up.  Apparently I have some little platelets that are getting in the way of the needle draw back confirming they're in. And........ I had noticed the last several times they had to move the needle around to get the draw back - so I'm guessing the problem was building.  They access the port, draw back if there is blood they're good to go.  The nurse knew she was in because the fluids weren't leaking and going into the port so the little clot was letting things go in, but when she pulled back it blocked it.  I had to get two shots of heperin to thin it out so she could confirm she was in before chemo - and it worked.  The good news is now that they know the problem I won't have to go through that delay the next time.  I decided to take an Ativan last night to see if that would offset the crazy steroid high nights I've had the last three Fridays - it worked.  I slept ALL night long and woke up feeling pretty good.  I think I'll start doing that on Fridays rather than stay up until 4am and suffer on Saturday. 

    Weety - I was told that deep tissue massages help move the lymphatic system to clean out the toxins in the body.  However, when dealing with cancer it can also move cancer cells throughout the system and in my case I have lymph node involvement with cells that were leaving the nodes so I don't want to take any chances. 

    YoYo - glad to hear you're home from surgery and doing okay.  I'm sorry you had to stay for 2 additional days, but you're home resting with those drains........ ugh!!!  Not sure if you got this hint already, but when taking a shower use a long wide hair ribbon tied around your neck and pin the drains to the ribbons so that you can move easier.

    Karen - glad you're feeling better on Taxotere.  My dogs stay near me at all times, one especially close - so much he doesn't want anyone else near me.

    Patty - Thanks for the info.  Glad you're doing okay with Taxol day 2 - keep it up.

    Tonight we are going to a party for my coworker/friend's 50th birthday.  Whoo Hoo...... It's a 70's theme, but I didn't have time to shop for something 70's so I got some turquoise jewelery to wear with my outfit - it's about all I had time to get.   Not staying long, but wanted to make a show for the big 50....... 

    Talk to y'all later tomorrow...................

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  • gogo_xago
    gogo_xago Member Posts: 131
    edited November 2009

    Good afternoon to all August's chemo girls. I read this thread everyday.

    My mom started chemo on August and she will have her last chemo next Friday. Totally 9 chemo every 2 weeks. At the end of October we had an appointment with her surgeon, just to exam (no tests) and he said about the next steps (after the last chemo must begin Femara, then wait for 3 weeks and then rads and the first tests will be on February). But when I asked her onc, she said that the she is responsible for the next steps. She told me that after the end of chemos, it's necessary to have all tests (blood tests, scans etc), and then she will prescribe drugs and rads...

    I wonder who is responsible for prescribing and conducting us? the surgeon or the onc? Is normal somebody have tests after the end of chemos? When you have tο start femara? Anyone can help, I'll appreciate...

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Gogo, your question is a good one.  I am getting treatment at Kaiser which makes things easier because all the specialties work under the same protocol.  I will see both the surgeon and the Onc every six months for five years after my treatment is done...they stagger the appointments so that I see one of them every three months.  My Onc is referring me for rads.  Not sure who writes the RX for the hormone inhibitors or when (I still have 10 weeks of chemo left).  I think the tests are pretty standard for follow up.

    Jenn, I had the same problem with my port...it wouldn't draw blood back...so they never used it for  AC.   It's working now for Taxol but they usually have to do a little flushing to get it going.  Yeah Ativan!  

    Patty

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited November 2009

    Yes - I also had a problem with my port. They couldn't get the blood return. They injected some enzyme to remove the blockage and then it worked. Of the 8 chemo txs it only happened once. I go to see the onc on Tuesday - one month after the final chemo tx and I assume they will flush my port as I am keeping it in for a while. I hope it is fine after not being used for 4 weeks!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    Good afternoon - Went to the early show to see New Moon with my daughter - good movie.  And.............just finished watching the Saints win 10- 0 - Whoo Hoo............   Now the Taxol aches are setting in so I probably won't be much use after this, but had a great morning.  The party I went to last night was really nice - there were a few Elvis', gogo dancers, platform shoes with (fake) goldfish in the heels and just fun outfits and of course the music was great.  I didn't have the energy to stay long, but had fun while I was there.

    Patty - Gill - I've noticed the port area is a little more tender than usual.  I'm wondering if it's because they were messing with it more.  Did that happen to you?  It's not swollen, red or inflammed in anyway, just tender.

    gogo - I'm not finished treatment yet so I don't know how I'm going to be monitored, I'm assuming from the way things are going that my onc will do most of the monitoring, but the facility I am going to they do all seem to work as one big team. 

    YoYo - how are you feeling today?

    Have a great afternoon...................

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  • yasminv1
    yasminv1 Member Posts: 238
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Just wanted to say hello since I haven't posted in a while. Congrats to all who have finished chemo.

    I finished chemo 5 weeks ago. I decided to take a break from the forum and Breast Cancer, if that makes sense. My last treatment was not very kind to me. They had a tough time getting the IV started and then I had a bad allergic reaction half way through my Taxotere cocktail. But I made it and glad to be done with this part of my cancer journey.

    My husband and I celebrated the end of chemo and our 5 year wedding anniversary 2 weeks ago with a trip to Cancun. Although the weather was not the greatest we had a very nice time and it was nice to get away from our crazy world for a few days.

    I have started a tough fitness regimen and low fat diet. I gained 12 pounds during chemo. I know it doesn't sound like much but my clothes are fitting way too tight so I need to lose some of this fat. 2 days ago I started taking Tamoxifen. Praying for little side effects. I am scheduled for Tissue Expander exchange surgery on Dec.18th. Can't wait to get these things out. I have had a lot of discomfort since the last fill.

    My nails are still brown and have ridges on them...they are so yucky looking. I was hoping they would grow out faster. BUT... I am starting to get some peach fuzz on my head. Still have plenty of bald spots though. I am hoping to have chin length hair by beginning of Spring. So far the color of the hair looks to be brown. I was told it might come back gray even though I am only 31 years old.

    Stay strong ladies! Wishing all of you SE free days.

    Hugs,

    Yasmin

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2009

    Yasmin - so glad to hear from you and a vacation and to Cancun - how wonderful.  I'm crossing my fingers that you're hair is chin length by Spring.  Mine has started to grow back and I'm still on Taxol - it's still buzz cut short, but really dark and I was told it would be gray too. 

    Good morning - We are hosting Thanksgiving and I know it's a lot for me to do, but I just didn't want to give it up.  We host it every year and I really enjoy the holiday season so......... I'm going to somehow make it work.  For those of you that are celebrating Thankgiving this week how about we share what our families eat, funny stories or share a special tradition for Thanksgiving - something else to talk about..........

    I'll start - growing up my Mom always did the pies, homemade from start to finish.  One year my Grandmother decided that she wanted to take care of the pumpkin pie. We had dinner went to the kitchen and began getting deserts ready.  When we asked where the pumpkin pie was my Grandmother grabbed the box off of the counter and said "here it is".  It was a Mrs. Smith's Frozen Pumpkin Pie.  Having never bought a frozen pumpkin pie she didn't know it had to be baked, not thawed.  When she pulled the pie out of the box liquid pumpkin came flying out all over the table.  Not wanting to waste a thing and wanting to make sure we had pumpkin pie for desert my grandmother scooped up the liquid pumpkin with a spoon back into the pie shell (laughing the entire time) and baked it - I don't remember how it came out, but the memory (which we have in pictures) of my grandmother scooping all of the pumpkin liquid back into the shell is just so funny.  Needless to say we've never made that mistake again. 

    Next..........................

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited November 2009

    Jenn - no, didn;t notice anything different with port!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited November 2009

    Yasmin, congratulations!  Have fun in Cancun!

    Jenn, my port sometimes gets a little tender after a treatment.   It is hard to say whether it got more tender when they messed with it to get it to work, because it was tender before they started.   Also, I'm so encouraged to hear that your hair is growing on Taxol.   I've done 2 weeks of Taxol and haven't noticed anything...but I keep checking.   I may regret saying this...but at this point I don't care what color or texture I get back...anything resembling hair will be fine.  HA!

    My Thanksgiving story also involves pumpkin pie.   I always put it in the oven to bake when we sit down to dinner so it will be warm when I serve it.  One year, I kept checking it and it just wouldn't harden up...looked like soup.   Quite a while after it was supposed to be done, I took it out of the oven and someone proposed the idea that we eat it as pumpkin pudding.  One bite and we discovered I'd forgotten to add the sugar!   Explaining why it never set up. It tasted AWFUL!   What would Thanksgiving be without the food mishaps?

    Patty

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