March 2010 Chemo Start

Hi everybody!

I've been feeling much better the past few days. Had my lab work done Friday and all my counts were good.

Anybody on Taxotere having hand problems yet?  Mine are burning/itching so much I feel like sticking them in a vat of benadryl!

llm822, I think I know just what you mean. I'm worried I'll get totally slammed for saying this, but when I could feel the cancer in me, it felt sick and 'wrong,' but still like me. The chemo is just wrong. It's poison, it's toxic, and while I keep trying to tell myself it really is the best tool we have for the job right now, nothing about it feels right. My body only feels like mine some of the time. The others it feels hijacked, invaded. If I knew the cancer wouldn't spread I would choose keeping it over holding chemo drugs in my body. Sigh. But it does spread and I want to live the other half of my life!

Anyway there's my rant.

Hi all, this is my 4th day post-1st TC. (Same as Dublin!)  I made it to work today, a little tired and definitely feeling "weird" but I made it.  I also feel gross, llm822.  I actually feel horribly bloated.  Like my belly wants to explode.  I have been eating very small meals, mostly bland food, but whenever I eat or even drink anything, I feel bloated.   I'm not really nauseated; I think the Prilosec has helped a lot.  I also have been taking Claritin and think that has helped avert any bad SE from the Neulasta.  (I've had some mild body aches but ibuprofen helps.)

It's been cold and rainy here all day, but the SUN is supposed to come out tomorrow and it's going to warm up, so that should help me feel better over the next few days!

hereandnow--good for you for trying the different hair color!  That's a good idea!

hi llm822, I felt that too, and I think I put it down to the steroid - have you tried an ativan? A shower helped too, then a nice non-scented moisturiser. The feeling went away at day 8 for me. take it easy. you'll feel better soon.

Lisa

I too experienced the gut thing....bloated, bloated, bloated.  When I explained it to my Dr. Onc, he attributed it to the Decadron....prescribed Prilosec.  I have not had any hand or nail issues, although I have only had 1 round of Taxotere and Cytoxan. 

My labs came back today and I was told I had great bone marrow...gee, I have never been complimented on that before!  Sort of like being told I have a great looking colon....too funny.

When I read "elen" saying she can smell it, I have to tell you, I know what you mean.  I visited a friend of mine on Sunday and she adopted a dog whose original owner died of cancer.  Well the dog went wild with me.....all over me, smelling, nudging...something she has never done to anyone else, and my friend thinks it is because she smelled the chemo....same chemo regimen the original owner was on......something to think about at least....

Take care and peace to all.

FMLA .. family medical leave act ... going to take it on the 9th . .my one year anniversary date .. and take the opportunity to do a little job hunting.  (Not that I"m likely to be hired without hair . but what the heck)

Basically, FMLA protects the job and, more importantly for me, my insurance ...

Hello fellow Marchers ~

I'm Day 5 after my 2nd treatment (TC) and got back to work today.  Claritin did make a HUGE difference for me.  It did not totally take away the bone pain but made it much, much better. I took it the day I got my neulasta shot and every day since then.  I did find my fatigue was worse this time (not tremendously worse) but I've been told by others that each treatment gets more "challenging",

I debuted the wig today at work and got lots of compliments.  A few of the guys actually thought I'd just restyled my hair and thought it looked great. What a great ego booster!  I'll take them whereever I can get them!

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

Hugs, Charley

frosty1 -- I have the same hair problem -- buzzed it, only lost part so far, 1/2" hair everywhere.  Sleeping in a soft cotton "sleep cap". 

Had treatment #2 today (AC), and no SE's so far, but was sent home with 5 syringes of neupogen to self-administer starting tomorrow (white count a bit low), to be repeated for the remaining 2 AC treatments, but not for Taxotere when it starts up after that.

Good thoughts to all Marchers!

tryptophan = turkey ???

Good morning to all our Marcher Ladies!  A bit of historical trivia: in old Anglo-Norman Britain, trusted lords were appointed by the King to guard the borders between England and their unfriendly northern neighbors Wales and Scotland. Since those areas were called the "Welsh Marches" and the "Scottish Marches", these strong and powerful guardians against invasion of England were called the Marcher Lords. Not so very different from what we Marcher Ladies are doing right now with our chemo!

 I had my #3 yesterday, one day ahead of schedule because they were already double-booked for today. I was able to bring my RBC count up over the line to 'normal' with some diet tweaking during the past six days, so no worries there. However, my WBC dropped from last week; from 4.7 (within normal) to 3.8 (low); likewise my neutrophils from 65% and 3.1, to 57% and 2.0. The neutrophils are still within normal (42%-75%, and 1.4 - 6.5) so no real issues there except that I would rather not have seen any drop at all. I am hoping that the WBC drop is due merely to not having the extra day between the weekly treatments that I otherwise had/will have. 

 This time instead of drinking just water the morning of my treatment, I had 8 oz water, 8 oz of Pedialyte (for electrolyes) and 8 oz of apple juice (for sugar). Also had a banana muffin before leaving for the onc's office, and a cup of diced pears while getting treatment. I had a hunch that the slight dizziness I experienced during and shortly after completing the chemo may have been due to something lowering my blood sugar temporarily. This time I experienced no dizziness at all, so my hunch may have been right. I kept my total fluid intake for the day to 3 1/2 qts, 2 qts being water and the rest being 1/2 qt each of Pedialyte, fruit juice, and homemade soup made with veggie broth, beans, and, chopped veggies.

No hair loss yet anywhere although I expect something should happen between now and #4. My onc did say that on weekly Taxol it usually doesn't start until at least week 3. Since I've already got 1/2" of new hair from my pre-emptive pre-chemo#1 buzz-off, I'm going to go back on Tuesday and get rid of what's here so that when it does start coming out it won't be uncomfortable.

Although I have to limit my computer/sitting down time because of a major sciatica flare-up, you are all in my thoughts and good wishes every day! 

Hi ladies,

day 3 after 1st treatment, have had terrible headache since getting chemo, But I have been sleeping all night.  My problem is loss of appetite and not being able to drink much.  I try and I switch it up but just can't do it.  Nothing tastes right not even water.  YUCK!  I may try the Prilosec, stomach is a bloated and weird.  Not really nauseous, so thinking I have some reflux?? Oh who knows. 

Wishing everyone a good day!!

Hello all

Day 7, still very nauseous unless I don't move or I take compazine, which makes me sleep. Does the nausea last the entire months and months of treatment? I'm going to ask the doc tomorrow when I go. Got the icky taste thing, but I woke up without muscle pains which felt great. Also without the horrible headache. Want to go for a walk, but I stand up and the queasies start.

RE: the stomach stuff. My onc put me on pepcid and told me to take it every day for the entire treatment. She strongly feels there is no need to deal with that pain, it's not necessary. So maybe it's just a treatment drug? I know the chemo does in the stomach & intestinal cells, so why not protect ourselves? I haven't had too much stomach pain, just a couple of nights, so I'm pro-pepcid or prilosec or whatever.

Good day to all and big hugs,

Toni

I am on my third day out from my 1st chemo treatment and have found ginger ale to be soothing for me.  I was quite nauseous on day 1 and compazine did nothing.  Zofran has been my saviour.  I had a great deal of trouble sleeping last night, as a matter of fact, I don't think I slept at all and my face is extremely red.  My nurse told me that both were most likely a result of the decadron.  I feel extremely tired and also having a tough time drinking enough water at this point.  Hoping to get some energy soon.  Hope you all have a great night!

Hi everyone,

I hate my wig.  I just needed to say that.  I hate it hate it hate it.  It's itchy and foreign and wrong.  I have gone out in public wearing it about 3 times, and I feel like I look ridiculous.  I feel like I'm trying to hide my identity or something.  I know the people who see me who know what I really look like, like at the grocery store & places like that, have to be thinking, what's that on her head????  I feel so self-conscious.  I wanted to go with a wig instead of just the scarf because I am a very self-conscious person anyway.  But I don't think the wig is making me feel any less self-conscious.

Tomorrow I go for treatment #2.  I'm wearing a scarf, I at least want to be comfy for treatment.

My hair is about 3/4 gone. 

Anyway, just venting.  Thanks for listening.

Melanie B.