Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

writer - Thrush, I had called my onc the day following my tx, because I had told her that after each tx I was getting this weird 'lump like' feeling in the back of my throat and it would last for many days, sort of sore but more like there was a lump there.  She said that it was likely thrush that didn't come up all the way to the tongue.  However, when I looked this time, I could see some white stuff in the very back of my mouth and the lump feeling went away within a day of taking the swish.

faithfulc - Neulasta in the stomach!  I would get it my arm... I will ask my friend who gives me the shot.  The bone pain was only bad the first time around, now it comes as minor aches in different locations each time.  The eyes and tearing, I am going to make an appointment to see a Dr. about them after my 4th.  Drinking more water has helped with the crusty eyes and so far no 'tearing' or twitching.  Haven't had any numbness or tingling yet...and my nails also seem ok, but they don't seem to be growing...so a little nervous about what will come up...thinking I will do the ice during Taxotere for the last 3 txs...still been exercising, working and doing most things as before, but needing more rest and quiet time:)

This is a such a great place to share information, to vent, to really say what we feel and think about this crappy disease!!!  Here you are 'safe' without any worry!!  Thanks for having me in the February group!!  You are all amazing and strong women!!

Leta

I got my hair buzzed yesterday at the hospital. Two of my sisters came with me. We all have (had) very thick strong Irish hair. The stylist couldn't believe the amount of hair we have (had). She helped me with my wig and then we went out for margaritas! I had nothing to do in the shower this morning! And nothing to do between make-up and dressing! I think I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow. I'm trying out different headcovers. Wig for work, hat at home (we still have snow on the ground) and I'm not sure about scarves. Second treatment tomorrow, so quiet weekend coming up.

Mofend-my period after my 1st treatment was a week early and heavier than normal.  Doesn't sound like it was as brutal as yours.  HOpe you Doc calls you back soon.  Sorry you are having to go through this!

MakMak3030-interesting article on vit d.  I know that my vit D has been low for a few years.  I was even taking supplements and it was still on the low side.  I have wondered if my cancer had anything to do with my low Vit D level.....

I am not surprised about the Neulasta shot in the belly. I'm a diabetic and we are supposed to inject into fatty tissue. They usually recommend switching out and alternating between the thighs, the backs of the arms, and the belly. But I have nothing but lean tissue on my legs. (I was a runner in high school and up until about my 40s, so I have mostly muscle tissue there.) and I can't REACH the backs of my arms! LOL. I guess techincally I could just do it in my upper side arms, and they are pretty chunky, but out of habit I solely inject into my belly.

It's less painful, too.

I was warned about diarreha, too, but have been fortunate to have bypassed that. I've been told the steroids and the zofran (anti-nausea) meds can cause constipation, so I've been pretty diligent about taking 2 Senokot-S every night, except the night before, during and after my treatment when I up that to 3 Senokot-S. I get loose stools, but so far (knock on wood) no constipation.

My glucose numbers are off the chart, however, whenever I take the steroids.  My last reading was 414 !!!! I HATE the days I have to take steroids! Seems all I'm doing is checking my glucose and injecting with inuslin!!

Oh, in case I didn't mention, I just had my 2nd Chemo tx today. So far SEs mild, except for those coming from the steroids.

PS: I think Vitamin D is probably not a bad thing to take, but it's hardly a silver bullet or, well, we'd all be standing in line for the silver bullet cure.

Ezscriiibe- Thanks for the tip I have been doing that for the last 2 day and it seems that the spasms are going away.I was always a big water drinker... so the fluid's are okay, not constipated. Who knows after I am done with chemo they want me to get my ovaries out... LOVELY!!!!! Today is day 15 for my...Just thinning of the hair... My daughter is home on spring break, but she leaves for Florida on Sunday with few of her girlfriends. Today is a fill for me. I will try those shake .....it might be good for me in the morning.

I hope everything went good for your round 2. I wish you little to none of those  SE that are packaged with it..... Be healthy. Enjoy the weekend.

Donna

hi everyone, its 4.30am here and i couldnt sleep, drowsy but not strong enough for me to hit back to bed yet. i remembered my first period was heavy on the 2nd and 3rd day, with few "clumps", however not painful and went off in 3 days time.

its my 3rd day after my 2nd tx, still trying to get back my appetite and strength and concentration cos all are so droopy cos of the drowsy meds to curb my nausea, feels sucks at times when you just want to stay awake in the day to do something but just feels drowsy......anyway, any vent from me

Otherwise, wishing everyone doing well here!

Me2u, sorry you are having trouble sleeping. Did they give you Ambien? It really works the best for me, and although I hate to become dependent on a drug, I hate not to get enough sleep more!

lindee629, I haven't had any trouble with my port. Do they have you put the EMLA cream on it an hour before your injection? If not, get some. And you might ask them if you could use it at other times that it is painful. No reason to suffer needlessly!

As for me, my husband shaved my head this morning. He smiled bravely and told me I had a beautifully shaped head and I burst into tears. I just couldn't stand the thinning any longer -- huge bunches falling out all the time. So now I'm sporting my jaunty purple cap because it is pouring here and a bald head is cold!

I'm on day 3 of treatment #2 and so far no SE's but I feel more tired. Not sure how much of that is due to the cold and hacking cough, or the stress of losing my hair, or all of the above, but I'm grateful not to have more to deal with.

I hope you all have a good and restful weekend!

After having very few SE's thus far (1/2 way), I woke up this morning, day 8, with some strange things!!  My ears, palms, knees, elbows and butt cheeks, were all red hot and itchy!  My one palm hurt like I stuck it on a frying pan!!...Went in to get looked at and was given Benedryl which cleared it right up and will take some more tonight...My onc wasn't in today, but the one I saw didn't think it had to do with my TC, she thought it was dermatitis (sp?) or an alergic reaction to something in my house??  Not so sure..we shall see....I also was diagnosed with Strep Throat...the thrush cleared up but was still left with a raw throat, so on antibiotics.  Slept most of the day b/c of Benedryl, but overall feeling better now than how I started the day!!  I still have 2 weeks before my next tx so hopefully I will return to feeling normal to enjoy these 'up' weeks:)

Glad this week is almost over.  Very scary with the unrelenting bleeding - not to be too disgusting but I was passing clots the size of plums for about 24 hours.  Ended up in the ER because my OB/GYN was very scared that I was going to bleed to death.  Blood levels were right above needing to be transfused so they sent me home to bleed some more, which, other than emergency surgery, which I couldn't have done because of my levels, I really had no choice.  Had the most emotional and gut wrenching evening because I hadn't slept for three straight days, due to the bleeding, and I was convinced that if I went to sleep I would never wake up, due to the bleeding.  The scariest night of my life, by far.  The bleeding finally subsided yesterday afternoon and my levels that were taken yesterday morning were incrementally higher, so hopefully I'm in the clear on this one.  Still bleeding, but not nearly as much.  Going to have to have the OB/GYN and Onc talk to see what to do about this - the Onc is convinced it will stop (well, yeah, when I die, I'm sure it will!), but I just don't know - very confusing time due to limitations on procedures, etc., due to the chemo.  So, that was my fun week!  Finally slept last night and am planning on relaxing all weekend and will hopefully be up and about by Monday - I'm not good at being down and out, that's for sure.  I hope you all have a stressfree, se free weekend and can enjoy some good family time.  Thanks for listening to my woes - you've all helped me so much - Mo

Mo - how scary.  ANd then not to sleep on top of it.  Glad you are doing better.  Rest and relaxation is the prescription for the weekend.

VMarie - I can't agree more.  I hate waking up each morning to see how I feel.  I've been lucky with my first round and relatively few SEs, but I can't help worrying about round 2.  If this is LUCK, I would hate to see the alternative!

Mo - What a terrible experience!!!  Good to hear you are on the mend!! 

Me2u - I take benedryl too to help me sleep from time to time, it knocks me out, but for some it has the reverse affect and keeps them up.

VMarie - You aren't alone in the sobbing department, it is coping mechanism, and it is better to go with it then fight it!!!  It amazes my DH, that one moment I am having a major melt down and then BAM, it is over and move on.  I know from everyone on here, that I am not so crazy, that it is part of the emotional side of this disease, that many don't understand.  Hang in there, we will have many more good days:)

Well, today I physically feel much better...We don't know what the trigger was for my allergic reaction, but clearly the benedryl kicked the weird pains, redness and itchiness I was having and the antibiotics seem to have already improved my throat and inner ear pain.  Hoping to go out for dinner tonight with friends, no kids, so hopefully I will be well to go!

thanks salsoda62, verene, faithfulc and donna. was much better after taking the activan. managed to get additional sleep during the night. day time was like zombie with the kids around, anyway, the meds will be finish today so definitely looking forward to tomorrow (mon here) for a more alert and full of energy day. i have mexalon (antinausea, drowsy), kytril (antinausea), dexamethasone (antinausea), daflon (piles) and activan. will check on ambien on monday, thanks 

hi verene, you are not alone, i asked the same question myself too yesterday while showering. why me again? and i quickly brushed them aside and think/focus on the what i will do with my kids/family/friends when i recovers. ok to have a meltdown, however dun dwell on it too long, ok to cry it out, hope you are feeling much better. Will pray for strength and hope to be filled upon you

hi mofend, glad to know your bleeding has subsided and you are catching up on your sleep! the tough ones are over now, take your time to have enough rest ya and eat well before your next tx.

stubble are finally falling off especially when i am showing however not fast enough, like some said, it looks like a rotten fruit, patches here and there. its so difficult to get a nice skin head..will try to brush the stubble off again later in the morning and evening, additional workload now.

Aside to all ladies, chin up, we are almost way through with mar and our journey will be over soon (not for me though, haha, till jul). when we think back, we know deep in our hearts, we are all a group of tough cookies! thanks once again to this forum

Oh, mo, what a horrible experience with your period. It's been over 2 decades since I've had a period, but I remember one of those and they can make you feel so frightened and weak! Hugs to you!

verene, I think our meltdowns are part of our body trying to flush out the negative emotions. We need to cleanse them out sometimes, to vent and cry and give it a good go every once in a while. I know I usually feel better for days after a good one!

Colleen, about the only thing I can do is taste salty stuff! I used to never eat chips, now I seem to have a bag of Ruffles open 24/7! Plus, during the 3 days of my infusion (day before, day of and day after) I'm on those damn steroids that increase my appetite, so it seems I should just tie a bag around my neck and munch away like a horse! LOL

Laura, it's so funny you would say that about the borg! My husband went to my treatment with me again this week and made the same reference when they "plugged" my in. He said with a big stupid grin, "Resistence is futile!"

I feel a little guilty because after this treatment I hardly have any SEs at all. Just a little fatigue, but no pains or nausea. Which suits me fine because my husband and I drove down to Nashville from Louisville (about a 3-hour drive) to attend the SEC college basketball tournament there. I've attended every game that our team has played in, and then went back to the hotel to rest, and my husband went back for some of the other games. I was really worried that I'd be spending the entire time in the hotel room, but we're having a great time and I feel almost "normal"!!

Hugs to all my ladies and I will be heading to bed soon. We have the final game tomorrow (yes, our team made it to the final! University of Kentucky Wildcats)

Oh, and I mentioned this on another thread, but we went to PF Chang's to celebrate the win today and I went commondo (nekkid chemo head). At the end of the meal our server came to tell us that our meal was complimentary; they were pleased and proud to have us as customers and our meal was on the house! And I can promise you, I don't go cheap when I go to PF Chang's, even when I have chemo mouth!! 

Plus, it's handy to have a permanent excuse for anything I don't want to do! Everyone totally understands, and I'm not pressured to do anything. I've told my kids (20 and 17) and my husband that they can use me as an excuse, because it even works for family members, and they have. My parents got out of a dreaded social obligation early because I was coming to visit, and everything stops for Cancer Daughter!

 We might as well make the best of this..... 

Good morning... I have a cold..   Been congested for 3 days and kept hoping it's just a SE.. but now since I'm also congested have to face reality.... so keep hoping it just takes its course and then goes away... I guess not going to the office this week so I can just work from home and get better... Here is my dilemma... I have my Look Good Feel Better tomorrow afternoon and have been REALLY looking forward to it.. Do I go or cancel for risk of getting someone else sick???  Also, my next tx is on Wed.. will they do chemo if I have a cold?  UGH.. too much to worry about.. of course that and trying NOT to get my baby or anyone else sick in the house.. Should have not gone into the office last week.. everyone around had colds...

Marina