Starting Chemo October 2009
Comments
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Hi ladies, I'm just back from tx #3, although I'm not feeling particularly smiley. The nurse today kept talking and I had to point out a couple times that she wasn't pushing the adryamycin. I don't want to sit there longer than I have to!
MaryNY, I don't think bowel stuff counts as TMI here! I've been having a small amount of bleeding from hard bowel movements and I mentioned it to the doctor today. At first he was worried that it was a flareup of my ulcerative colitis (that's been in remission for months...knock on wood), but then wasn't concerned when it was just that local bit. I took a Dulcolax this morning to hopefully stave off the constipation. I do put a little Neosporin on when it's feeling irritated.
azdiva, you're making me crave cookies and cream! I already had a sudden craving for egg rolls during the Cytoxan.
jeanl151, that pillowcase gift is such a great idea! I'm going to steal it the next time a friend is ill.
Juannele, I'm going to stock up on some high-fiber cereal. Does the Benefiber taste like you're drinking fiber, or does it actually dissolve well? I've been drinking kefir since I started the antibiotics for the port infection (which is gone now). I feel like I can only handle so much liquid!
Sunshine, I'm prescribed Zofran, Emend, and Compazine for nausea after chemo. I did throw up twice after last cycle, but the first one was after I ate a piece of breaded fish and the second was after Percocet on an empty stomach. Two mistakes I won't make again!
Marie, I'm glad to hear your infection is better! It's just adding insult to injury...isn't cancer enough to deal with? Criminy.
Ooh, DH just brought in the egg rolls. Time to log off!
Meredith -
Congrats to Onty and Laineo and Jean,and welcome to Sunshine and every one continuing the great fight even if we use humor and goodwill as our weapons or maybe especially. My brother just left after a 4 day visit - it makes me so sad - he is so far away. I have great support but he is the only family I am close to (besides the wonderful one I made w/ DH of course). Well, just wanted to check in and say "hi". Be well, Valerie
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Dear Meredith,
Congrats on finishing yet another milestone. I hope your side effects won't be very severe. Do you like chinese food? I used to like it but now on 11 days out of 14 I can only eat bland, soupy, rice, and such stuff. I don't know when I'd be able to enjoy spicy stuff again. We ate out tonight and I applied tons of magic mouth wash and gelclair before. I could eat some but the food did not taste as good.
Dear Valerie, hi!
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marie, I went to get my blood work done today and my WBC was so low I am now house bound four 5 days. They gave me a Neupogen and I will get another one tomorrow. They will send 3 more shots with me and I will have another test on Tuesday. No raw vegetables or fruit, yogurt or anything that has live cultures in it. Steam all my vegetables and make sure everything is cooked well, nothing raw. She is going to switch me from Neulasta to Neupogen, because it takes too long for the Neulasta to work on me. The problem is that I feel so good and I was looking forward to getting out and doing some stuff this weekend, but boy that was killed in a hurry. So I will be right there with you.
meredith, the Benefiber desolves well and it shouldn't have a taste, but I don't like it in water. I usually drink it first thing in the morning in my hot tea, I have not been able to drink coffee since starting chemo. I add it to cold tea also, but do not like it in fruit juice. I think it is all in my head.
Welcome to all the newbies and congratulations to all who have had a tx this week. I do hope you do well and can have a good Thanksgiving.
Good night chemo sisters.
Juannelle
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Dear 1L,
Darn! That low WBC thing again. It must suck! I hope yours recover quickly enough.
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onty, it is a bummer. I thought I was doing so well and have felt extremely good since tx last Friday. I have been careful all week about not going out and now I am really stuck. It will be better next time because I will be on the Neupogen from the start. It just means I don't have to go to work next week either.
Juannelle
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JUANNELLE
Hi bad about tour count it must be really low for them to ground you at home .All the best with that .
Wow iv been reading the last two pages and i Carnot stop laughing, you ladies have a great sense of humor , MARY K you crack me up YEP BLAME THE DOG !!!!. Seen my onco today and had my winged , with my fatigue he has suggested a bit of EXERCISE how rude lol no ill try anything i really do need to get of my big but and try something, .After my nulasta shot last week my bloods and platelet's were great so he was happy Well ill be of now goodnight lovely ladies.
JO JO
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Hopefully, I will be out of this steroid high sometime soon! Just when I think I'm going to sleep . . . BAM! No such luck. Valium does help, but it contributes to the constipation problem. I have discovered that Miralax really does help. Can our bodies get addicted to that?
Because the hot flashes wake me up numerous times/night, Onc asked if I wanted a prescription for Ambien. I said NO because I have a friend who is really addicted to it. I am normally a good sleeper, and I don't want to turn to something that I'm going to have to wean myself off of later. Do any of you take Ambien? Or, more to the point, have any of you had trouble getting off it? I am hoping the Black Cohash will work, and will try to find some tomorrow. Another friend told me that there is Black Cohash in some estrogen supplement that she takes for her hot flashes. (Estriadol? Not sure if that's what she said. I think its OTC). Since I'm ER+, I don't think I should be taking anything close to an estrogen substitute.
Neighbor had Mexican buffet at her house tonight. Suffice it to say, I did not let it pass me by!
Juannelle - so sorry about your WBCs! I seem to have had such luck with Neulasta. Evidently, I haven't had a nadir period at all. So you had Neulasta that didn't work, and then they give you Neupogen on top of that?! WOW! Are you getting any pain from it? I think Claritin has been a miracle worker for me, but I have to believe it only goes so far. I hope you are doing ok!!
An interesting thing my PS told me. Even though my WBCs have been high, he will wait until about 6 weeks or more after chemo ends before we even talk about the implant exchange surgery. He said there is a difference in QUALITY of WBCs. I hadn't really thought about this at all. Just figured they were one and the same, but I guess it makes sense. He wants to make sure my body is doing the job on its own.
Hope all of you are finding some peace tonight! I am going to sign off and try to find some relief through pharmaceuticals!!
Laura
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laura and jo jo, they told me that the Neulasta doesn't start to work for about 10 days. So my WBC drops so low about the 7 and 8 day that the counts are low and then I have to stay home. I will not get the Neulasta next time, just the Neupogen, they are sending 10 shots home with me today for after my next tx. I don't think I have had pain with the Neulasta, but the Neupogen makes me feel like little soldiers are marching on me. I just take a hydracodone and about 20 min latter the pain is gone. By next week after the Neulasta and 5 Neupogen shots I will be supercharged and then will be able to make it through Thanksgiving. That is what I am hoping for anyway.
Other than that I am still feeling great. I slept last night for over 6 hours at a time and that helps with the fatigue. Since tx I have been getting up about every two hours to go to the bathroom. It just cuts into a nights sleep and probably is what is contributing to the fatigue. Still no other SES to speak of. I have really been blessed this tx, I hardly know what to think.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Juannelle
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Hi Onty, normally Chinese food I can take or leave. I only like the bland stuff normally, so on chemo my diet is even more boring! Right now I'm having cream of wheat for breakfast, so there's an example!
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HI October girls... popping in from November to check on you all and tell you I am cheering you all on.
Juanelle ~ sorry your counts are LOW... but glad you are having little SE's. Monday was my #2 TX and it hit me pretty good. But I am feeling a bit better today so hoping the worst is over. I am really sore from the Neulasta shot Tues.
Meredith ~ Cream of Wheat is yummy. Chicken noodle soup has been my friend lately, with saltines.
Hoping everyone has a good day !
Alicia
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Cream of wheat sounds heavenly. I will try it tomorrow.
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I love fiber one...with raisins
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Dear Michele,
Somehow I don't get turned on by the idea of so much fiber in one go. Do you like the taste of fiber one?
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Hi everyone...
I'm no help with the constipation remedies, I sorta had the opposite problem on Abraxane/Herceptin. Now that I am switching drugs I may be reading back on these posts looking for answers.
Juanelle, it really stinks when you feel good and the WBCs are too low to let you out to play. Sorry, I hope the Neupogen works and you will be "freed" soon.
Onty, I know what you mean about things not tasting as good. But I'll tell you what, a nasty cheeseburger tastes just fine........what is up with that!
Laura, I'm dealing with the hot flashes too. I think you're smart to avoid anything to do with Estrogen if you are ER+. Do you have any idea how long this fun will last? My onco asks me each time if I'm still having them which makes me think they won't be around that long, but it doesn't seem they are letting up. I just keep trying to look forward to that all white wardrobe next Summer.
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unkleswife, You should try teh fiber one it is very good. It is not like any other bran type cereal...is is a bit sweet, with a good amount of raisins...once you try it you'll like it..They also make one with another flovour, but I can't remember what..You can also get fiber one bars. I got hooked on them when I did weight watchers a few years back...they have a chocolate drizzle...yummm...I did weight watchers almost four years ago and ate a lot of fiber, and now it is a habit...It helps a lot with the chemo thing..
You know one of the best things I had since chemo...is a big mac...I normally don't like them, but I had one last week and boy was that thing good...I find that I like more spicy foods..I guess it is my body looking for flavor. Today I had a spicy thai fusion roll with wasabi, cavier, and shrimp..my DH and I go to this little Thai place and get only those for lunch. The waiter remembers and will just bring them. He never gives us a menu...funny thing is that we don't actually go that often..re really should try something different.
later..
Michele
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onty, I like the taste of Fiber One Cereal. I haven't tried all of them, but I think they are really good and they seem to keep me working.
Alicia, glad you are feeling better today. I am better every day, but really haven't had a bad day. I just need to get the old WBC up so I can get ready for Thanksgiving.
Laura, sorry about the hot flashes. I think I am finally through with them. When I started chemo they just went away and I haven't been bother with them at all. It was a surprise to me, but a good surprise.
meredith, food has really tasted good and I have eaten some spicy things since my last tx. I don't know what is going on with me.
hopbird, sorry you are having hot flashes also. I don't know what to tell you about how long they will last.
I went and had another shot today. My insurance had not approved the drugs for me to bring them home to give them to myself. So I will not get another until Monday and then tested again on Tuesday. So I will stay at home and try to keep busy. Maybe Tuesday I will get to go buy my Thanksgiving stuff. I hope they are not out of everything. We only have 2 grocery stores here in town and I don't want to go to WalMart.
Juannelle
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Juannelle, I'm with you on not going to WalMart. Especially right before T-giving, it will be a madhouse! My family and I are doing T-giving tomorrow, since I have tx the day before the actual T-giving. Yummy, turkey! Hope your counts improve quickly. I know when they gave me the Neupogen shots in the hospital, my counts came up in about 3 days.
I've noticed that my taste buds have definitely changed. I like things much saltier than I used to, and sweets have lost their hold on me for the most part (except ice cream, I still love that!). I'm even ho-hum on chocolate, and that has always been my most favorite food of all! Michele, those egg rolls sound absolutely heavenly!
I'm starting to dread next week. I just don't want to go for tx again. I don't want to be a downer, but it sucks that just when I start feeling a little more human, I have to go back and get poisoned again. I really hate this stuff. Trying to dwell instead on wedding plans. My girls and I go shopping tomorrow for dresses.
Peace to all...
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txstardust, I have lost all cravings for sweets. I can't even think about candy or ice cream. Right after my first tx, we went out to get me a Shake and it made me so sick, I haven't wanted ice cream since. I hope it hasn't ruined that for me, only time will tell. Salt also bothered me and I haven't been able to drink the water at my house since my first tx. It either has to be filtered or bottled. I have been able to eat more salt after the 2nd tx.
Good luck on the dress shoping. I hope you find what you want.
Juannelle
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hi everyone
sorry i have been silent but have been reading all your updates and sending you wishes and hugs.
I realise that for me the days after the CT feels like Groundhog day - you wake up and hey it is the same all over again - aaaaaaaaaaaaah!! But, hey, we get a few good days it seems before we start again.
I think i am coming out of the groundhog fog now.
It looks as if i will be able to get back to yangon/rangoon early next week (home) so might have less onine time, but will keep in contact as much as i can and am thinking of you all.
warm hugs
philippa
PS am posting the same on november thread - just in case you all think chemo brain has got me (which it has
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philippa, glad you are feeling better. I am coming out of my groundhog fog also. I am home bond because of my WBC, but this to shall pass and I plan on feeling great for Thanksgiving.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Juannelle
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Hi, today is day 4 after tx2 and I have that groundhog day feeling. I keep falling asleep, wake up and feel like not much time has passed. I got the port placed on Wednesday and today and yesterday that skin is so tight. It feels like someone is twisting it, It is really limiting my ability to move my right arm . I am hoping this will pass quickly. I know in the long run I will like the port---they can leave my poor sad veins alone.
fiber report. I haven't tried fiber one bars for a couple of years. A while back at work we had a box and everyone got " gas relief as we walked or bent over". It was pretty funny and really hard to disguise. Beware of how many you eat at a time. yummy but oh boy!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your day, Jean
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You guys are making me hungry! Michelle - Thai food sounds incredible. Even for breakfast!
I think you all hit it on the head. I need flavor, and it seems the more intense, the better. I was always a spicy food eater. Now, I can't get things spicy enough, but salt seems to be doing the trick. I never was a big sweet eater, but somehow that tastes different now, and it seems good. Oh, who am I kidding? Everything is going down by the barrel full right now.
Not much time to eat today (thankfully). My daughter is in a dance competition this weekend. She got a gold for her Hip Hop solo last night, and will compete her group routines today. We are SUPPOSED to be done around 400, but they tend to run long. And I am still supposed to go to the wedding tonight. I may tag team my sister for the second part of the dance competition today so I can take a nap. Emily is getting pretty good at doing her costume changes, but just needs some focus at times.
Haha! I just looked above and saw Jean's Fiber Report! That is a Catch 22 for me, because I seem to have ample gas, but no pass! (Again!) I swear I need to take that Miralax every 12 hours, and if I forget, well, its a few days til relief. Of course, I forgot last night with the competition and all.
I hope you all have a pleasant and SE free day! Even though I will be really busy today, the good thing is I will not have time to think about BC!! Too much Dance Mama Drama (which could be a whole discussion board in itself)!
Love ya!
Laura
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TX, Happy Turkey day...enjoy all that yummy food...
Philippa, I like your comment about groundhog day. It does feel lot like that doesn't it..same foods, same, pills, same, bathroom habits...
Jean, about the gas thing, just do like Marie does and blame teh dog. If you have no dog you could always blame the kids or DH.
I watched 'My sisters keeper" last evening. I wasn't sure if I would be able to deal with it. But it was good. Sad, but good. It makes you think about how cancer effects the other people around you.
Well ladies, have a great day...
Michele
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Hi Ladies- good morning on this beautiful albeit chilly Saturday! One thing about the fiber bars for the er+ gals make sure there are no soy isolates in them - I was told that is no good for us - lots of those bars have that stuff or tons of sugar. I sound like a drag but.......I am still a mother.
I slept almost 24 hours in a row! I am taking iron now - does anyone gets nausea from that? How do u know if WBC is down besides blood counts? Any sxs?
You were brave to watch that movie Michele , I thought about it and it scared me off. I think I'll watch Jim Carrey and the Christmas Carol instead - If I can stay awake!
And kudos to spicy food eaters! Bought some mild salsa and had to take a compazine chaser!
Be well, Valerie
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Hello to all;
Michele thanks for the encouragement...it is much appreciated.
JoJo & Sunshine195: I do believe that FEC is pretty hard. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the taxotere, which I start on Monday will be easier and I will let you know. My third round of FEC was no harder than the 2nd though.....so it did not seem to accumulate. Acupuncture helped alot with the nausea for the first 2 days and then I did end up smoking a bit of "weed" during the 3rd round and it helped immensely. I would just take a tiny little bit and it would feel like a "wave of relief" would wash over me and through my belly helping to settle the nausea. However this weed is from the Compassion Society and has absolutely no PCP's or anything in it. (I hope this does not offend anyone....it was actually recommended to me by one of my chemo nurses).
Looks like I am lucky to have joined the group of "anal fissure" gals. Can't say I am happy to be part of this gang but lots of great advice and I am heading to my drugstore TODAY to get a basin and fibre one cereal (hopefully we have it here in Canada). THanks for all the great advice (and laughs) on that nasty little subject. Sigh....it just gets better and better
I am heading in MOnday for my first taxotare so in case I am not on line next week I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of great family, friends, food & wine.
Cheers, Marilou
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Marilou: Welcome to the anal fissure society. On Scoobydoo/Anita's advice I got a sitz bath and that seems to help but still having pain and trouble having BM. If you come up with any good tips please pass them on. Since you are starting Taxotere next week, does that mean you have completed six rounds of FEC?
Juanelle: Sorry to hear you are grounded. Hoping the Neupogen works quickly and your WBC improves soon.
It's funny how all of us seem to have had changes in food preferences. I don't want to even think about, yet alone eat, any strongly flavored foods. I always had a sweet tooth but now don't want any cookies, cakes, chocolate, sweets. Like Shelby, the only exception is icecream which I can eat at any time. I also like foods to be a bit saltier than before.
Something I want to ask those of you with ports...
I had my port inserted four weeks ago. There was a slight bruising in the skin over the port which had almost faded but in the last couple of days I notice it got much darker. The port does seem to be protruding out a bit more too. Is this something that I should be concerned about? Wondering if it means there is a leak or something. Or could it just be bruising from the last time it was accessed, which was a week and a half ago?
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Dear Mary,
My port situation is very similar to yours and its been 2 months since mine was put in.
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Hi girls, Happy Saturday... Valerie love the comment about the compazine chaser. TOO funny.
I love all the food talk on here. It has made me hungry. MICHELLEboots, I think I need a Bigmac later. Haven't had one of those in years!
Juanelle ~ hope you are surviving being home bound. Watch a funny movie.
I had bad pain yesterday... I think from the Neulasta shot on Tues, although the Dr. on call said it was a bit soon ~ I hurt from my ear lobes to my hips so tender. He called me in a few vicodens. 1 was able to get me comfortable enough to get some sleep last night. I am still feeling kind of sluggish day 5 post TX #2.
It is a chilly day here in NY, I think I will order me a pay per view movie.
Hugs sistas !
Alicia
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Hi Mary and Onty I have had a port and have had it accessed 2x w/ no bruising (altho pretty B&B when it was put in)-Just sharing my experience - I don't know what it means.
I bet u guys wanting those burgers are craving the protein and fat - just the thing for a body that feels under attack! (by the chemo I mean) Enjoy! Valerie
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