Anyone Starting Chemo Jan. 2010?

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  • michelle_nj
    michelle_nj Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2010
    VegasDiva - I'm glad you feel good after tx. Thanks a lot for the wig help. I will definitely check PaulaYoung.
    The workshop was interesting, some general information on breast cancer, but also info on clinical trials for patients with: TN, Her2+, ER+,PR+ that will get hormonal therapy( if chemo necessary). You can hear the workshop when they will post it. They also have other interesting workshops posted here, like managing nausea in chemo:

    http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/tew_archive/archive_detail.php?category_id=1

    My hospital displays the normal levels of the blood tests:
    WBC [4-11 K/mcL],HGB [11.5-16 g/dl], Platelets [160-400 K/mcL].

    I'm so clumsy this days, I drop everything, like today I dropped the iPhone, the glass top broke; called apple, $200 to replace it, great! And tomorrow the 3rd AC.
    Good night!

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  • leta17
    leta17 Member Posts: 120
    edited February 2010

    Round 2 of TC, CHECK!!  No problems with the treatment, but on another note got my car stuck in my neighbors driveway, called my mother-in-law to take my daughter to dance, she gets stuck in my driveway.  Husband not happy had to dig us both out!!!    Need to do something nice for him for Valentines day...he sat with me today for chemo and has been soooo good with everything!

    Vegas Diva - good to hear yours went well too!!!

    mslrg - Nails - My nurse told me today, that starting with my next tx, I should soak fingures and toes in icewater.  Also a friend of mine suggested Garlic Nail Developer Hardener by Nutrine.

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010

    Michelle-nj - Good luck on AC tomorrow.  Today is day 3 of AC #3 and it appears to be similar to #2.  I am more tired/run down which is bothersome but nothing dramatically worse.  Only one more then on to Taxol.

    mom2bnegative - The first thing I am going to do after Chemo is to have a hysterectomy as I am BRCA1+.  I feel like I have a ticking time bomb inside of me.  That will be done in June.  Just not sure when I want another surgery as the summer starts.  I will meet with my PS in April/May to discuss the details of recon and the recovery.  I want to be able to go to our lake cabin this summer and relax.  We will see.  I also had hoped to be done with everything by the end of the year.

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  • badgerfan
    badgerfan Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2010

    I cried uncontrollably after my 1st chemo treatment for 4 days. I even said that I would never wear pink again. I think the experience was so overwelming. After that time, I cry once in a while. I was ready (and still think about it) to go on antidepressants. Some people need them to get through this sucky illness.

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  • riverview817
    riverview817 Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2010

    Going in for my 3rd weekly treatment of Taxol.  I started getting a really awful headache a few days ago and it doesn't seem to ever end.  Nothing I take seems to relieve the pressure.  Hopefully it will end soon :)

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  • wren22
    wren22 Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2010

    I haven't had any trouble with my nails.  I have been using something called Tea Tree Oil that I got at the local health food store.  It actually comes in a nail polish bottle--seems to be helping to keep the nails healthy.

    My third TC treatment is Thursday 2/18.  I have been feeling so normal and good that I am not looking forward to this one.  Spent all week baking goodies for Valentine's Day and am going to help at my third grader's party this afternoon.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful and side-effect-free Valentine's Day!

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  • Tamatar
    Tamatar Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2010

    Hi Everyone,

     Hugs to all of you that are having a hard time...remember this is just a challenge and we are going to win!

    Had second AC yesterday, feeling good!  Made cookies last night and pizza for the kids.  Tonight is the big hair cutting night for us.  My hair is really falling out so my daugther (9) will be cutting it in her "styles" and then we will buzz.  I'm actually excited thinking about how much less I'll spend on hair products and time!

    Saty warm everyone!  Wishing you all a healthy and happy day!

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  • pagowens
    pagowens Member Posts: 194
    edited February 2010

    Thanks for the wig tip!  I stopped at CVS yesterday and bought a couple hair bands - makes it look MUCH more like real hair  when I stick the hair band in and pull the hair around it - what an easy way to make the wig look more natural!

    Took another sick day today - was up for 4 straight hours last night with explosive diarrhea - too tired to go to work today.  My second weeks post-chemo seem to be gas/diarrhea/gas/diarrhea.  This stinks.  Literally.

     Ciao!

    Pat

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  • youngmomof3
    youngmomof3 Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2010

    anyone on taxotere or herceptin having a tingly tongue? this may be the wierdest SE yet. feels so strange. not sure if it is from the herceptin which I got yesterday or the taxotere which was 2 weeks ago but continues to suprise me with SE's.

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  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited February 2010

    Just got caught up with all the new posts - didn't get on the computer last night as Survivor was on!! Love that show!

    Youngmomof3 - I think we are both on TCH, no tingly tongue for me. I don't even see that listed on my side effects sheet for each chemo drug. Was it something you drank maybe? The reason I say that, is I tried to have diet soda a few days after # 1 and it felt like my mouth was on fire. I guess from all carbonation. I  quickly did the warm warm,baking soda and salt rinse to calm it back down. So, no more diet pop for me until Chemo is done!

    For those getting Taxotere - make sure fingertips and toes are on ice the entire time of infusion. They do that for me, and when I questioned the nurse the first time she told me it is to prevent the nail damage and neropathy of the fingers and toes that this drug can cause. My infusion of this one is 1 hour, and I am digging into the ice bags for all I am worth! My hubby refills the bags half way thru too.

    Day # 10 for me past treatment # 2 and seems like se's are done. Same thing happened after #1. So I am hoping that the next week and half follow suit. Nasal spray definitily helped - no nose bleed this time! And no nasal drip like last time either. Very strange these se's.

    Anyone with HER2+ that has not had surgery yet going the lumpectomy route? Is that even an option for HER2+ people?

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  • paxton
    paxton Member Posts: 577
    edited February 2010

    I've been in the hospital since Wednesday.  I felt sick and then spiked a fever so went in to the ER.  I have an infection and low counts but I might be going home tomorrow.  BF brought the laptop this afternoon so I be online at least to pass some time.  I have major diarrhea but was able to eat breakfast this morning.  I've made it a point to not just to lay in bed the whole time.  I made that mistake in the past and I was so wiped out I couldn't sit up in a chair for more than a few minutes. 

    I'm missing my baby.  Its really hard to keep up with the posts when you don't check for a few days.  I just can't believe how many more people are in this thread than when I went through a few years ago. 

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010
    Paxton - So sorry you are in the hospital.  With everything you have to deal with, that is not what you need.  I hope you will be able to go home tomorrow and be with your baby. We have all been worried about you and are hoping you have a quick recovery.
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  • mslrg
    mslrg Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2010

    Paxton--so sorry to hear about your setback. Please take care! Hugs and prayers coming your way!

    Stlcardsfan--never heard about the ice thing. I will ask my nurse about it next week. Thanks for the tip.

    Tamatar--you have a great attitude about losing hair. I envy you!

    momofbe2neg--I know the hysterectomy is a tough thing. My gyn wants me to have one too--because of fibroids, which cause heavy bleeding. My onc said to wait because the chemo may put me into menopause and eliminate the need for the hysterectomy. However, I remember knowing how I felt when I was told that I needed that surgery--only days after I decided on the bilat mastectomy--so much to process! With you being BRCA+, I know you really don't have a choice about the ovaries, but do they have to take the uterus too?

    Pagowens--sorry about your tummy troubles. I was like that all last week--not fun at all. I began taking probiotic capsules and eating an Activia yogurt each day and it seemed to help.

    Michellenj-sorry about the phone. Good luck in chemo tomorrow. Prayers and hugs coming your way for an uneventful experience.

    Leta--glad you infusion went well. One more down!

    Badgerfan--yes I think we all cry from time to time on this journey. How can you not? I think you're having competely normal reactions. I went for a few sessions of therapy at the beginning because I needed help sorting things out and processing all the info and feelings. If you need antidepressants, I don't think you'll be the first cancer patient ton eed them, and definitely not the last. Be kind to yourself, sweetie, and know you have every right to cry. This DX sucks!

    Riverview-my doctor prescribes me Butalapapcaff (barbituate/tylenol/caffeine ) for headaches and they work great! Also good for Neulasta pain. See if your doc will prescibe some for you. I tell you they are prescibed for migraines, which I don't have,but I get tensionheadache. They are the best!

    Wren , I admire your energy,baking Valentine's goodies all week. Way to go!

    I had a airly good day today. Took a walk in the park with my kids and dog. Dreading next Friday when I go in for TC #3

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  • paddlegirl
    paddlegirl Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2010

    Paxton- understand completely where you're coming from after my neutropenic fever episode and hospitalized. hang in there, when your counts come up you'll feel better.

    My second chemo was delayed yesterday because my kidney function isn't at 100% and I gained 21 lbs in water in 2 weeks. Onc called kidney doc and they feel it's from the blood infection. Have to take a water pill twice a day and have some tests next week. Very frustrated but trying to stay positive.

    Hope everyone has the best weekend they can!

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010

    Paddlegirl - So sorry about the continued complications.  None of us are thrilled with chemo but once we start, we justwant to get it over with.  Complications are reall difficult. Glad you are trying to stay positive.  This will be a memory soon (probably not soon enough).

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  • pagowens
    pagowens Member Posts: 194
    edited February 2010

    mslrg - bought some Activia today - I'm willing to try anything!   Thanks for providing some suggestions.  I'm going to try not to take any more medications, over the counter or prescribed because I feel like my body is simply overwhelmed.

     Paxton - I'm so sorry that you wound up in the hospital - of course, that's probably best place for them to get you back on your feet,  Here's to a quick recovery from the infection.  I am religiously washing my hands and using the germx because I'm so afraid of an infection myself!

    Paddlegirl - my goodness!  I am sure that water is very uncomfortable - just a little edema makes everything hurt!  The diuretic will help get rid of that water.  I'm crossing my fingers for you!

    I was hoping to keep everything as "normal" as possible through this chemo part of the journey - work, family, etc.  I was in la la land, apparently!  This weekend I decided it's time to take the leave of absence from work.  What little energy I do have has to go to me, my grandson and my husband - not to work.  I think going to the funeral this morning of a colleague who died from bc sealed the deal.  Whatever happens to me, my family needs to come first.

    Here's to surviving and thriving!  Hugs to everyone,

    Pat

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  • jrlegal
    jrlegal Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2010

    Hi. Yeah my hair started falling out too about 14 or so days after my first chemo treatment. But I had a wig already to go. You can get some pretty good deals if you shop around on line and some companies will price match or beat the price. Yeah, I just had my 2nd treatment and my stomach is pretty quesy too. Feel sluggish today. NKRUN what a great picture, nice group of guys to work with.  Hope all have a great Valentine's Day  :)

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  • mslrg
    mslrg Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2010

    HI ladies, I had my first good day since infusion #2, which was 15 days ago! I went to the wig shop and got a free, yes FREE wig! The American Cancer Society faxed a voucher to the shop for me and I got to choose either a donated wig, or I could get $75.00 off a new one. I found a short wig that I really like in the free category. My mom says she likes it even better than the one I spent almost three-hundred bucks on! Also, I got my free head wrap from Laura Eriksen--such a nice gesture and the wrap is beautiful, soft, and feels very confortable. While in the wig shop, I bought a 2nd sleep cap because having one is a little inconvenient.

    Another suggestion for helping to detox and support our livers with vitimin-rich nutririon: I purchased a juicer this week, and I've been juicing organic beets because they support overwhelmed livers that are processing lots of toxins--like if you're on chemo. I hate the taste of beets, no getting around it, but I  add  organic apples, celery, limes, oranges, wheat grass, etc to make it more palatable, and it's not bad. I've been doing this for 3 days and I think it's helping.

    Pagowens--hope the Activia helps. I am glad you're taking a leave from work. I have not worked since the beginning of October, except for 3 days at the beginning on January. It is scary and financially difficult to take that much time, but I'm no good to anyone dead! You deserve to take this time to focus on yourself. My onc has written me a "sick note" until July 1st, at which point, I will be going in for recon surgery. I am not going to worry about work, even though they just announced this week that they're laying off 248 teachers, and as an administrator, I will be getting 12 furlough days, a 2% pay cut, and no movement on the payscale for longevity--triple whammy! MyVP got a lay-off notice yesterday, so yes, I feel vulnerable, but I will still stay home and put my health first. This cancer is a huge wake-up call for me and I'm listening!

    jrlegal--hope the queasiness improves I hate to feel sick to my stomach. Hang in there!

    Paddlgirl--how scary! You are in my prayers to quickly get back on scheduled so you can get chemo behind you!

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  • youngmomof3
    youngmomof3 Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2010

    Paxton & Paddlegirl: You have both had such a rough time these past few weeks. I will keep you both in my prayers and hope that you will feel more like yourself very soon. hang in there girls:)

    Stlcardsfan: I have no idea why my tonue is tingly. Could maybe be from soda but it has been kind of coming and going for the past 2 days. so wierd but not painful so not a big deal. Nurse practitioner said Taxotere causes neuropathy and that although it usually is seen with the tingly/numb toes and fingers it can sometimes present itself anywhere in the body in sharp, shooting pains which may explain the arm,chest, neck, back pain i have been experiencing this week. I had also heard to put cold gel packs on fingers and toes during Taxotere. Also heard to suck on a popsicle to ward off cold sores. i'll give anything a try to keep some of these nasty SE's away.

    Pagowens: I am glad to hear you are taking time off. There are many days that I want to do that. I guess I'm just going to see how things go and see if I can and want to continue working or if it is better for me to take time off as well. So sorry to hear about your colleague's passing.

    next round of TCH is this Thurs:( I am dreading having them all at the same time and feeling like crap for at least a week. And am especially nervous b/c I will get my 1st Neulasta shot on Friday. UGH! Really need to be better prepared for the diahhrea this time around and try to keep my poor skin under control. My hair has started to shed. How long will it shed before I lose my mind and shave it off?

    Celebrated my middle ones 6th birthday today. Was reliving his birth in my mind today and thought to myself, that 6 years ago I was a mom of 2 little boys and had no idea that 6 years later i would be fighting BC. And last night I was washing my 16 month old daughters beautiful hair and just started crying. I said to her(b/c she doesn't know what I am talking about:)that i hope she never has to lose her hair to cancer; which of course made me cry harder. Oh what an emotional few days I am having.

    Happy Valentines Day ladies:) Hope you are surrounded by all of the love you all deserve.

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited February 2010

    youngmomof3: I totally understand the emotional days you are having.  I am having them myself.  I had my 3rd TC on Thurs and Neulasta on Friday.  Sat. I felt like crap, but not as bad as after #2.  Today I am crying uncontrollably.  I just feel like shit and want it to end.  I haven't been able to eat for the past 2 days.  I had some dry toast and water.  I have terrible diarrhea.  Just the thought of having to do this one more time makes me cry even more.  I just don't understand how putting poison into your body can make you better.

    paxton: sorry to hear you are in the hospital.  I pray you can go home to your adorable little boy very soon.

    stlcardsfan I too am a Survivor fan.  I'm glad my other favorite shows like Amazing Race are coming back on too.

    Hope everyone is getting a little love this Valentines Day!  My BF gave me some beautiful red, pink and white tulips.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Happy Valentines Day and Chinese New Year-Year of the Tiger.

    Go out have a goodtime and forget we  have the big C.

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  • agbmom
    agbmom Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2010

    It's day 17 for me and my hair is JUST starting to fall out. I had originally planned to have my hair buzzed yesterday, but cancelled the appointment because as of yesterday there was zero hair loss. But now it's coming out. It's surreal.  I'm not that upset really, because I've been expecting it and because I was worried something was wrong when it wasn't falling out.  I also got my period this week, which was a surprise.

     #2 AC for me is this Thursday.

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  • michelle_nj
    michelle_nj Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2010
    VegasDiva- I hope you could eat something to make you feel better.

    Mslg - thank you for the detox suggestion. Sounds very healthy, you just have to be able to drink it. After my #2 AC, at least first week I couldn't eat or drink much, except the mandatory water. This Friday, before my #3AC I told my onc about the nausea and she added Zofran IV, that is supposed to keep the nausea under control for the first 5 days, even though the biggest SE is constipation. I also have now Zofran pills as needed but she said Ativan can be as good.
    On Friday, when the nurse started administering the A part, I almost vomited, so they had to give me a bug and the nurse let me take a Dramamine I use for motion sickness.
    Now, I'm day 3 after #3AC and the nausea is not that bad. I could eat better than before, but I'm exhausted and I can't do much, just watch the Olimpics.
    My WBC was 12.1 so the Neulasta is working really well and I don't have any more bone pain.

    Happy Valentines Day everybody!

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  • TerriJo
    TerriJo Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2010

    Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year to everyone.

    Today is day 5 after the second treatment and I am so exhausted I can hardly stand it.  All I have done all weekend is sleep and try to go to the bathroom - so constipation my stomach hurts. I have even tried to eat things that I know sometimes give me diarrhea but to no avail. I have taken way to many stool softners and will call the doctors office tomorrow if things don't change.  The heating pad has become my friend as it eases some of the stomach pains.  The only good thing this time around is that I don't have the metallic taste in my mouth I had last time, so food doesn't taste so bad when I do eat.

    I too have been very weepy lately.  My daughter is constantly giving me a kleenix because she knows I'm going to cry at the stupidest things - car commerical, murder mystery, you name it and I cry.   Feel really bad because it does upset her and my son when this happens but they seem to understand a little which helps.

    On the subject of hair - mine is almost all gone now - just have a little fuzz all over.  My daughter likes to rub it and calls it my puppy dog hair (so smooth and soft).  My 10 yeard old son asked me the other day if once the fuzz was gone if he could buff and shine my head.  Gotta love them both, they are the loves of my life.

    Tomorrow there is no school for the kids or work for me, hopefully I will not be as tired and maybe we can do something together.

    TerriJo

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  • 11tyBillion
    11tyBillion Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2010

    Hi ladies!

     Our list of Sisters is getting longer and longer!  Wow.  There are a lot of us (too many of us) going through this right now.  It is kind of nice knowing that I am NOT alone in what I am experiencing.

     I FINALLY got caught up reading through the posts!

     Anyone else out there trying to decide what to do about Rads?  I am TN, had bilateral mx, and had one (the sentinel node) affected lymphnode.  The other 11 they removed were clear (thank goodness).  It seems as though my doctors are kind of split as to whether or not I should have rads.  I am trying to get out of them if rads will improve my statistics (as a TN) OR if rads are jsut part of the protocol.  If they are just part of a protocol, and have no statistics on whether or not it will help me, it will make the decision hard to take the rads.  

     Any one of you guys in this same boat?

     4th (and final A/C on Wednesday), then moving on the T.  I hope this A/C goes better than the last .. .the last one really kicked my ass days 3-5.

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies:

    Well, after a brutal weekend I am feeling a tiny bit better today.  I just wanted to die over the weekend.  I felt so bad for my BF as all I did was lay on the couch and cry.  I know he felt helpless.  I don't know what I would do if it weren't for him.  I was not able to walk my dog at all over the weekend.

    I am putting together a shopping list, but don't know if I will be able to make it to the store today.  We are supposed to get more snow tonight.

    I hope some of you are having a good day today and if you are not, that hopefully you will feel better soon.

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  • mslrg
    mslrg Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2010

    So sorry that so many of you are feeling bad right now. I almost feel guilty to share that I have had 2 good days in a row, and I feel good this morning as well. I planted and extended my vegetable garden yesterday, weed-whacked a load of tall grass, took a yoga class, and went out to dinner with my family for Valentine's Day. My turn is coming, though, as my next infusion is on Friday! Hang in there evrybody.

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  • pumpkinsoup
    pumpkinsoup Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2010

    badgerfan--When I was first diagnosed, I got very depressed and couldn't stop crying. I didn't want my three year old to see me crying all the time and asked about antidepressants. My nurse told me that many, many women where I'm being treated are on antidepressants. I mean look at the sh*tty turn all of our lives have taken. I am now taking Lexapro and it has helped tremendously. I still cry at times, but it's not as often. Now, I did cry when the day after I shaved my head, my 3 year old saw me and said, "Mommy's got a big bald head!"

    I dread my next AC infusion. Just the thought of it makes me nauseous, but we will all get through this--day by day.  It stinks big time.

    Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day! 

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  • Issymom
    Issymom Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2010

    Hi all - I have been reading but haven't had much to say.  I am day 7 after my 3rd AC and I am hoping to feel OK finally.  I tried to motor through the nausea and headache this weekend but then I would crash.  I hoped pretending that I didn't feel so crappy would help.  Didn't make me feel any better but my kids were happy.  Yesterday, I woke up with a sore throat and the sniffles.  This morning I have a bad headache (not chemo headache).  I feel there are vice grips on the side of my head.  I don't know if it is a cold or allergies (if you watch the olympics you will see what our weather is like in Seattle - trees are budding a month early).

    Pumpkinsoup - I so understand your dread of the next AC.  I said the word Cytoxan to my husband yesterday and a wave of nausea hit me.  I have a bad that I have been taking to chemo and I am going to have to donate it to Goodwill when I am done!

    11ttybillion - AC is tough but after Wednesday you won't have to have it again!!  You are a week ahead of me.  I am hoping for better luck on Taxol. My diagnosis is very similar to yours, however, I had no lymph node involvement so I didn't need rads.  I have a friend who was diagnosed in early Jan.  Her tumor was over 3cm and one lymph node positive.  She had a bi-lat and after chemo will be having rads.  She is NOT TN.  I wouldn't want to have to do rads but with little else than chemo for us TN, if it will help even a little bit I would do it.

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  • VegasDiva
    VegasDiva Member Posts: 109
    edited February 2010

    mslrg don't feel bad that you are feeling well now, I'm glad you had a nice weekend, sure sounds like it.  Hopefully we will all get our up time.  Don't you find yoga terribly refreshing?  I love it.  Unfortunately I have not even been able to force myself to do anything lately.  I nearly passed out when I went to take the dog for a walk this afternoon and I only went around the block.  Frown

     I stopped at my mail box and to my surprise was my franceluxe scarf.  This is the one I got.

    France Luxe

    It is so beautiful, so soft and silky against my head.  My only question is??  Are any of you other ladies having a hard time keeping it on?  I guess with so much hair loss, maybe I have a small head.  Even when I pull the knot as tight as can be it slips around.  I feel a bit like a pirate!  Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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