Starting Chemo October 2009

MaryNY · January 2010

Yes, Gilda's Club is great. I joined back in October but only went a couple of times after that because I was feeling so lousy during the first weeks of chemo. I intend to go more often from now on.

My right arm is my good arm. I'll take an antihistamine tablet and hopefully the hives will fade away and not spread any further.

MarieK · January 2010

Congrats to Michele and Valerie on finishing chemo!!!

MaryNY - hives or heat rash/prickly heat? Sometimes I get what looks like hives on the backs of my arms and on my chest when I am overheated. I would take some Benadryl and see if that helps but maybe check your chemo drug lit and see if this is a SE.

Speaking of which I'm still having the lightheaded/dizzy spells (not as bad as Sunday) and today I noticed blood when I wiped myself. At first I thought it was vag spotting (I was really mad about that because I'm quite enjoying chemo-pause) but it's not coming from there (happy dance but not really!).

I think it may all (dizzy and bleeding) be related to being dehydrated and so I am TRYING to drink more but I just don't feel like drinking water - it still tastes weird to me!

So soup for lunch and gatorade and hopefully that will do the trick. In the meantime I bought some TUCKS personal wipes and it feels much better but I'm not really sure what more to do since I've never experienced this before. It feels like I'm dropping a load of gravel when I go to the bathroom but the Tucks are cooling!

I know TMI - so I'll sign off now!

Marie

valeriekd · January 2010

Hi Mary - I would take some benadryl if i were you-whatever the reaction it should make them go away. I would also tell onc-I am a huge believer in communication (and benadryl.) My last tx was 3 weeks ago so thst should make it 1/7/10.

I do not want to be too excited b/c I remember (alas this is the truth) being somewhat jealous and resentful of those finishing when I had more to go- juvenile but there it is.

Jo Jo you could never be last - I know there are more and you are too cute.

Love to all-valerie

one-L · January 2010

Whoooooo Hoooooooo for Val, Michelle, Shelby and to anyone else who has finished. Doesn't it feel great?

I am way behind, but I finally got caught up on this thread. We have had a plumbing problem this week and it has been a mess. We finally got it fixed and will only have to replace the ceiling in the living room and the master bedroom. No carpet or furniture was ruined, so that was good. That is what happens when you have a bathroom upstairs. Funny thing is, that it was a simple fix with the toilet, but it caused a pipe to burst and that was the big problem.

JoJo, you are such a cheerleader. You know we will be here for you when you cross the finish line, cheering you on and making sure you do cross over. Congrats on the new car and glad you own it and don't have to share with the bank.

I am 5 weeks out from last chemo and I have a lot of fuzz on my head. Before I had very thick hair and course. Right now it is soft and I can't tell what color it will be. The Med Onc said that in about 2 weeks, I should see more and more. I am so ready.

I am feeling so good these days. I have lots of energy and feel like doing stuff around the house, I haven't wanted to do that in a while.

For all of you that only have a few treatments left, get it done, I know it is not easy, but you can do it. You will feel so good about it when you can say, I am finished.

Hoping everyone has mild SEs and a restful weekend.

Hugs, Juannelle

joanneasiata · January 2010

MARIE

Try a laxative to soften it all up sounds like tearing up there, i had that as well , i forget what its called , and the bleeding aswell , calling all Poopy fairies to go to Maries aid ,hope they help

PRINCESS JOJO

MaryNY · January 2010

Marie: I can really sympatize with you with the rectal bleeded. I had that after EVERY treatment except the last one. If it's just spotting and not painful, it should heal quickly. The tucks or other soft wipes will help to keep the area clean. I also found a sitz bath very helpful, or you could just take a warm bath and sit it in for a while. It will soothe that area. I'm just getting back to drinking plain water. I had weeks where I couldn't. Have you tried drinking sparkling water or seltzer water? I found that they were much more palatable.

Thanks all for reminding me to take something for the hives. I said I was going to take an antihistamine but forgot. I'm going to take Zyrtec. Yes, they are definitely more like hives or insect bites than heat rash. They are separate red, raised weals.

Juanelle, when you mentioned a plumbing problem, I was thinking of something more personal. Glad it's an out-of-body experience! Also great to hear that your energy is back. Hope we all find that when we are a few weeks out from end of chemo.

Scoobydoo · January 2010

Hi Ladies.

Phillipa - I know what you are feeling. My last chemo treatment was postponed because of low WBC. I was so upset. I actually cried. Just remember this is a minor setback and you will be finished with chemo in no time. Next thing I knew I was done with chemo! and you will be soon too.

Val and Michele- Yahoo!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you both. It is really exciting to be finished with chemo. On to the next phase to stop cancer in its tracks.

JoJo- We will be here to cheer you on to the finish line. No woman gets left behind! So, Princess JoJo use your magic wand to propel yourself across that finish line so we can celebrate that victory with you.

Marie - Oh the wonderful anal fissure. Yes I know that well. Sitz baths are the best thing for that. Please drink lots of clear fluids to hydrate your body...that is really important. Make sure you are getting enough fiber...and well you know the drill. Glad you were not going off chemopause. Did I say how much I love chemopause....I really do. I pray that my period never returns.

1L- I have only minimal fuzz. Nothing you can see. Oh how I long for hair. Glad you are starting to see something. As of next Monday I will be 4 weeks out from finishing chemo. You seem to be doing really well on rads as well. I dont start rads until 2/10.

Well just got my chlondronate pills for the study and took my first ones today. I am so happy to participate in this trial. Still a little sore from the port removal but much better than it was. Feet are still numb...but getting much better. Cording has almost dissappeared so that is really good.

micheleboots · January 2010

Val I too felt a little jealous when others finish, but at the same time I am happy for them and know there is an end in site for me too..it think it is human nature to want crappy things to end...normal...

Marie, I would get on some stool softeners first the switch to a laxative...my onc gave me some at my first treatment..so I had them at home. My last treatment I had to break them out on day 4...this time I started the softeners on day -1 (day before treatment). I plan to blast everything out tomorrow or next day..I hate to have to put in a call to the poop fairies, or ask JOJO for her wand..

Scoobie, what study is that you are going on? I could look back through the threads, but I am sure I would forget what Iwas looking for about two pages back...chemo brain you know.

micheleboots · January 2010

Mary thank you for my kissy face. I have been looking forward the that for months...thought it would never get here. Kiss

Scoobydoo · January 2010

I am in the SWOG0307 study. Which is the bisphosphonate trial. I have the chlodronate pill arm. I am actually happy about that because I really wanted the port removed and I hate IVs.

Anita

txstardust · January 2010

Hi everyone,

Anita, I'm in that trial as well, and I'll find out today which arm I'm being placed in. I'm actually hoping for the infusion, because I'm not the greatest at taking pills every day. But no matter what, I've got some dental work to get done before I start - a root canal that I had has gone bad, and I might have to have the tooth removed. The study nurse said this won't preclude me from the study, I just have to postpone starting the drug for about a month. We'll have to compare notes with Marie, who I think is also in the study. And Onty, are you in the study too? I remember hearing about it from you!

Hope everyone is feeling as well as can be today! I'm doing pretty well, no nausea STILL, thank goodness!

Peace,

Shelby

micheleboots · January 2010

Shelby, what is the deal with this study you are on..

MaryNY · January 2010

Michele: are you showing off your boots (per your name) in your new icon? Thought I could click and see it larger, but that didn't work

txstardust · January 2010

It is the Zometa trial, Michele. They are trying to determine if Zometa (and drugs like it, the bisphosphonates), are useful in preventing bone mets in BC patients. They are also to treat/prevent osteoporosis. I'm sure there is something in the clinical trials board about it. One of the side effects of it (rare) is osteonecrosis of the jaw, and that is why I had to go to the dentist and get checked out before I started on it.

Feel free to ask me any questions, I'll try to answer them any way I can! I do know that they are closing the study to new people on Monday...

Peace,

Shelby

Hopbird · January 2010

Hello!

Mary I need two more Smile . That will leave me two more before I get my Kiss . I'm hoping to do those Feb 1 and Feb 8 but my white count was getting pretty low last time. Hoping it has revived, but trying to prepare myself in case.......

Congrats to all earning their Kiss . Think how much has changed since we were all looking at this in our future!

joanneasiata · January 2010

HI THERE

Its prety quiet in her now i hope everyone is making there way over to the finishing line to cheer me on we only have 4 more sleeps to go yeh then NOOOOO MOOOOORE FOR JOJO

hope you all are having a fab weekend and not to many SEs

love you all

PRINCESS JOJO

feistybluegecko · January 2010

hey lovelies

finally done no 5 - my first taxotere, so awaiting the delights it sends as side effects. I am way behind you all, I still have 3 tx to go

But for now one more is done and i owuld be very happy to have my smiley face, Mary (and I hope your hives have eased now)

hugs to you all

philippa

joanneasiata · January 2010

Good on you Philippa 3 more will go really fast you'll see i really hope your SEs arnt to bad weren't they pretty good for you last time ????

princess jojo

feistybluegecko · January 2010

thanks so much princess jo jo!

this is my first taxotere so all a bit unknown. Last time I had most of the side effects - especially the gross ones, bald head sweats, super sensitive skin, foul mouth............ So I had fun with this, which i posted here earliier (The Twelve days of chemo) - except it needs a heap more than twleve days!!!

How are you doing? so so nearly there......

hugs

philippa

1marmalade1 · January 2010

I am wondering...have any of you taken only the Taxotere after AC (I keep hearing about Herceptin being added, etc. but I think I'm only on Taxotere, and that makes me wonder...)

MaryNY · January 2010

1marmalade1: Taxol or Taxotere following AC is very common. 10 of the people listed above had AC-T. Also there are a couple of FEC-T up there two, which is not that dissimilar.

Philippa: will add you new smiley now. My hives (only three) have almost disppeared now. Thanks for asking. Do you have to travel a distance for your Taxotere or can you get it locally? I was thinking of your Twelve Days of Chemo yesterday as I looked in the mirror and saw 12 hairs a-standing (on the top of my head).

JoJo: now you only have three more sleeps to go and I only have ONE more sleep to go. My problem these days is sleeping. I wake up with the night sweats and then find I sleep through my alarm and don't wake up until 10AM or even later. Tomorrow I need to be up at 8AM to be in time for my chemo appt and I don't know how I'll manage that.

txstardust · January 2010

JoJo, we're all pulling for you, and everyone else to finish!

Mary - I know of sleeping issues! I've been sleeping lots the last couple of days - it's hard to stay awake. Then in the middle of the night my DH starts snoring and I have to move to the couch where it's much colder. I have a 9 a.m. appointment tomorrow, so here's to both of us getting up on time!

peace to all,

Shelby

MarieK · January 2010

Hi All!

I'm just checking in to wish everyone good luck this week with their TXs and hope for little or no SEs!

I think that there are several of you that just finished this week - CONGRATS!!! and more of you that will be finishing up soon - YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I've been resting lots this weekend - yesterday I spent the day in my pjs and plan on not doing much today again! Althought DD is making "let's go shopping" noise! I have no interest - not many stores carry clothes that look good on fat, bald, one-boobed people. Although I need to find a bathing suit for our trip - I can't tell you how excited I am about that! The trip not the bathing suit shopping.

My dizziness has greatly improved - I still feel a bit lightheaded but not so bad like last Sunday that's for sure!

I'm still having trouble with my eyes - very dry and hard to focus - I'm going to try drops today. I've been holding off because I HATE drops and can't seem to get any in my eye! My optometrist friend tells me that even if you get a tiny amount in that will be ok and should help. I hope so!

I'm also still having trouble with my SNB arm - the cording is now in my hand but I'll work through that just like I did when it was under my arm, in my elbow and forearm! My hand feels like it's bruised and I thought it was at first - but it's not - the pain is in the back of my hand and in my wriist. So I go around the house like a Price Is Right model exercising and stretching it.

Good news on the plumbing - not so much bleeding and things are softening up! Thanks for all your tips and advice in "that area"!

Michele - I have to tell you that I vacuumed this past week! Now that the PICC line is out I can do this myself rather than wait for someone to be guilted into it.

Well that's it for me - back to resting - aka laying on the couch watching TV!

Hugs to all!

Marie

one-L · January 2010

JoJo and Mary we will be there for you as you cross the finish line. It will be so exciting, we will all be cheering and chanting and have a big party.

Marie, glad that your dizziness is better. I have had that several time, not during chemo, and it is terrible. Also am glad the plumbing problem is getting better. I didn't have that.

scooby, I guess you do have to be careful here about talking about the plumbing problems. Both of them are a mess and you don't want either.

I have had a very peaceful weekend, haven't done very much and I have really enjoyed it. I stay so busy during the week, that it is nice to have a scaled down weekend.

Good luck to all you sisters that are having a tx this next week. We will all be there for you. Hoping for mild SEs.

Juannelle

Hollycan · February 2010

Hi All,

I know I don't post very often but I read all of your posts and feel like a am a part of the "group". Jojo and MaryNY, I also have my last tx this week (Wednesday), part of me can't wait and the other part says oh s _ _ _! Will be sooooo glad to be finished with the Chemo part! Unfortunately I have two more surgeries and of course 6 weeks of radiation to go through but it should be a snap compared to the bilateral mastectomy and 6 chemo tx's. I had 2 out of 3 positive lymph nodes after the mastectomy and the doc really wants to take out the rest of the lymph nodes to make sure the chemo did what it was supposed to do and make sure there aren't any more positive nodes. So, I'll be doing an axillary disection in early March, followed by the rads, followed by the expander transfer/permanent implants. Should be looking good by Julyish. :-)

Anyways, just wanted to check in and say thank you to all of you for your posts and "support". It helps me so much to read about what you all are going through and to know that you are there if I need you. You are a wonderful group of ladies and I feel so blessed to have found this website. I think of you all often and am wishing the best for you during all of this craziness.

Lots of love and hugs,

Holly

P.S. I love the analogy that someone posted about their hair looking like a chia pet - that is totally what my head looks like. I actually had to shave it a couple of days ago because it looked really silly growing in so sparsely. :-)

micheleboots · February 2010

Juannelle, glad to see you pop in. You must be back to work, are you? I can't wait to go back, yet dreading it all at the same time...Glad to hear plumbing problems are coming to a slow down...How did your carpets make out? Perhaps you could use this to your advantage...say new floors or a small remodel..I love to remodel, paint and decorate..

Hi Holly good to see you.

Marie, I cheated and vacuumed all the time with my PICC. I just didn't push it to hard. Besides if I didn't, I would have choked to death on the cat fir and dust bunnies..Not even guilt makes my family vacuum.

Have a great day ladies.

joanneasiata · February 2010

GOOD MORNING MY LADIE FRIENDS

MARY

OHH good luck today and yeeeehhhhh your finished good on you i bet your sooo glad hope the SEs are gentle on you

HOLLY your up tomorrow then I'm the next day its so close mixed emotions for me

2 more sleeps till a happy jojo just arrives

PRINCESS JOJO

rachhschmidt · February 2010

Taxol questions

Hello, checking in from the December chemo group. Congrats to all of you here who are finishing! There are a number of us who have recently had our first round of Taxol and are suffering the consequences. I'm looking for any words of advice on the achey, twitchy, out right pain that a number of us are experiencing. Our SE's run the gamut...and we are are all not looking forward to 3 more tx of it. We'd love to hear some words of wisdom.... Thanks to all of you!

Rachel

JustmeAlicia · February 2010

Hi girls ~ just popping in. So glad you are doing good Juanelle.

Holly, glad to hear from you. So nice that you will be done with chemo with Mary and JOJO this week. woo HOO. Another leg of this journey done for you. Jojo 2 more sleeps.

A week from today is my last chemo ~ I cannot wait. I am so exhausted, have a feeling my wbc is down this week as chemo was last week. Today I saw my plastic surgeon my exchange to implants is on 3/16. I had my final fill of the hamburger buns (tissue expanders) today. So moving along - slow but steady.

Hugs to all !

Alicia

MaryNY · February 2010

Hi rachhschmidt: I didn't have Taxol but quite a few of the ladies here did so hopfully they will be along to give some advice.

Alicia: Do you get Neulasta. Even with Nuelasta, my low point was typically about Day 9. Hopefully you will improve over the next couple of days. I find that I usually have a lot of energy a couple of days before treatment. You will be so happy when you have the last one!

I had my last chemo today and am so happy to be finished with that phase. Onc said no Neulasta needed this time as my body will have time to recover on its own. This means I won't have to endure the awful pain in the upper body, but I suppose it also means that my immune system will be depressed for longer.

Starting Chemo October 2009

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