Starting Chemo in June 2005

Brenda-I'm planning a party too, but it won't be until fall next year, when I'm done with Herceptin. It's gonna a be a celebration for one year out and a thank-you to all the wonderful people in my life that have gone above and beyond their abilities to make my struggle a little easier. Fall has always been my favorite time of the year so a big bonfire/weiner roast is in the making!
My 5 year old is in his "first memories" time frame and I sure don't want them to be about mommy being sick. So we've been trying to make some fun memories for him too. So I say good riddance to parts of 2005, but not all.

Hi everyone. First time on site. Started chemo (herceptin and zometa) for met bc. Have had lump, mast, and now tumor on spine and ribs. Second time on chemo first one was taxol and herceptin. Other than being tired and having flu like symptoms I have encountered some neuro damage (numbness) in my fingers on the left hand, especially the pinky. Has anyone else encountered this problem? They say that maybe B6 would help. Enjoyed the site. I will be back.

Jo, I tried to throw some pots today, and I just felt like a complete klutz. I don't have any numbness in my hands, just felt like hands were being uncooperative. I threw several pieces away, then gave up and went out and worked in the yard. To tell you the truth, I don't think I can blame today's ineptness on taxol, just a clumsy day. I'm taking DS out to buy new career clothes this aafternoon. He's got an interview on Thursday, and he's lost a ton of weight since Christmas. Man, he's looking buff! Makes Mama proud!

Hi Mindy. Thanks for responding to my post. I am from Kankakee, it's just 60 miles south of Chicago. I did get a second opinion on this 4th bout with cancer at Rush in Chicago a lot of great people there. I have started taking B6 as recommended by my onc, hope it helps. Looking forward to hearing from others on the site who have had some similar challanges. Have a great day!

Rebecca, taxol #2 was much better for me than #1, BUT, my onc recommended I take the dex. by mouth to abate the pain. It worked, but if you hate the dex, you may prefer the pain. It worked much better than Advil. I started on day 3, two pills in the am, day 4 2 pills, then one each day for two days. It didn't make me so jumpy taking them first thing. I was dubious about using them for the pain, but they really helped a lot. Pain was much the same for me as you describe, mostly going to my thighs, shins, and feet. Sort of like an electric shock to the bone, really, really weird and bothersome. Good luck, I have #3 on Friday, moved up from next Monday because of the holiday. but I get to feel crappy for the weekend, which is predicted to be gorgeous here in Cleveland.

Poor Jo, I too hate Taxol. But #2 was better than #1, so I'm hoping 3 & 4 will be ok. The pain is so insidious, it's deep, and electric, and you can't dull it away because of the very nature of it. I did find that the diminishing dose of dex. helped me to deal with it a lot. Have you tried it? 2 pills for two days, then one for two days, then 1/2 for two days, is what my onc recommended. I didn't do the full regime, though, after I got through days 3 and 4 it was pretty manageable. But, this is worth a try - I hate the antsy feeling of the dex. and was very hesitant to try this, but believe me, next tx I'm on it pre-emptively!

My first taxotere was on Thursday. Pain started Sunday night and lasted pretty much through this morning. Does it come back again, or am I done for this round...really hope it's gone until next tx...it is nasty stuff.

Liz

I'm pretty much on the same discomfort schedule as AC - that is, days 3 and 4 are the worst. It's just altogether different. For me, the fatigue has been the hardest to deal with overall (even though I might say differently during days 3 and 4). Are all of you ladies doing radiation afterward? I have to admit, I'm scared to death of the skin effects. For me, a burn is just the worst kind of pain, and I'm afraid I'll get a bad one.

And, where is everybody?

I'm here!
I read posts almost everyday, just have nothing much to say. I go for last AC today. Woo hoo! 1/2 the way done with chemo.
AC hasn't been that bad for me. (knock on wood) I'm not saying it's been fun, but nothing too bad. It's my personal belief that if you don't dwell on every side effect and keep busy, you'll have a better mental attitude.
You can't expect to feel 100% with all this crap being pumped in!
That being said, I know I've been fortunate in not having a hard time with AC like some are. Taxotere is around the corner and who knows what that will bring!

Brenda, I've got rads to look forward to probably after the 1st of the year. Most people don't get burned so I'm clinging to that.
Maybe I"m just optimistic but it's got me through this fine so far!

Peace JuneBugs!

Oh my Sweet Junesterettes!
My heart aches to hear you are hurting so and having such a rough time with Taxol. Remember- if one type of taxane bothers you too much you can switch to another- like Taxotere to Taxol and visa versa.

Some thoughts....
Ask about taking the steroids all the way through= a lower dose might help take the edge off...
Ask about Toradol- it is a fantastic non narcotic MEGA anti-inflammatory- it got me through my spine surgery - I can't take narcotics so it was pretty rough until I found Toradol...
Ask about VALIUM- it is a muscle relaxer AND tranquilizer. A combo of that and the Decadron might get you through in one piece...they prescribe valium for severe back injuries...
Ask about Skelaxin- a non dopey, non narcotic muscle relaxer... it may help...
Ask about Glutamin or Glucosamin (sp?) powder supplements that you can mix with juice- I know it has helped a lot of girls...
Also on the natural front: Bromelaine is a wonderful anti-inflammatory made from Papya and pineapple and Arnica tablets under the tongue several times a day keep severe body aches away.

I wish I could help you more. I am sorry for the pain. It is almost over- with each one you have one less... but it is hard to think about that when you are hurting.

Big gentle (((Hugs)))

My day has been crappy. First, my WBC was very low so I got Neupagen today and I have to go back for shots the next four days.

Second, the sides of my tongue and my cheeks are all funky, making it hard for me to talk (not that my family minds terribly) and eat.

But the worst is that my son is in the Junior High Band and they had their first football game tonight. I'm too achy to sit in stands and I really don't need to be around all those people anyway. AND it's hot and miserable here. So my daughter and I parked on the street as close to the stadium as possible so I could just hear the band and imagine watching him. How pitiful is that?? We could hardly hear a thing, either. My husband is stuck working in PA and I'm the woman in the bubble. I feel horrible that my son didn't have either of his parents there for his first night in the Junior High Band. In fact, I think this is the worst thing to happen since this crappy mess began in May!

That settles it. As soon as I pick him up and get both kids into bed, I'm going to have myself a pity party!

Jen...that must have been really hard for you. You have been doing a fantastic job of juggling all that is on your plate. I'm sure your son understood and it sounds like they are great children. I think just having you as a Mom makes up for a lot of the things that have to be while you are going through this.

Went for blood work yesterday...white counts good, but platelets low. Got a prescription for the "Merry Mouthwash" and my mouth feels better already. Also got a prescription for sleeping pills...cracks me up...the warning label says "may cause drowsiness". I actually got a decent night's sleep last night. Joint paint has been minimal and Advil works for it. I'm really hoping for a little energy over this 3 day weekend...would be nice to feel like a normal person for a couple of days!

Good luck to all that had treatment this week. I have two weeks of freedom before # 2.

Liz

Jen , you hit on the really painful thing.....
My daughter left for college on Sun. and although that was hard I didn't really get sad until she called later in the day in distress.
It is the awful feeling of not being able to be there for my child. I feel inadequate....I never know how weak I will feel or wether or not I am really engaged in her concerns or am I busy chasing side effects and managing my own treatment.
I just don't feel like a Mom on top of her game.
I have spoken to her on the phone and things sound a bit better.
I keep thinking if I didn't have cancer everything would be
"do-able".
These last few days I have been unable to see very well at all. My eyes are full of glue.
I suppose I have it much better than the people in the hurricane zones.
There is so much pain to obsorb....I can't watch T.V. for long without feeling huge amounts of pain.
My last Taxol is Weds. I want that day to come quickly.
My mother left for the winter months so the next month will be more of a challenge.
I have to believe I can do it since I have come this far.
Hope you are all coping better.

Just got back from my Neupagen shot. I have the lovely thrush. The nurse has called in the prescription for the Magic Mouthwash and if that doesn't take care of it she'll call in Diflucan. Yea.

Brenda - I'm sure I'll look back at this time in my life and wonder how I managed without my husband here. But I do have my parents nearby and an incredible church family and friends. I really don't know what I would have done without them!

Liz - such nice words! He assured me last night that it was okay and that he'd rather have me miss his games and have me healthy. He expects me at every one next year, though. lol.

Watson - I do have a friend who will tape the performances for me. I just waited too late last night - I kept thinking I was going to go anyway - but realized that would be stupid. I'm hoping I'll be able to make the majority of the games and be able to tape him myself for DH.

JoMac - you said you "don't feel like a mom on top of her game." That's it! It's a horrible feeling. But thankfully our kids (even mine at 10 and 13) are old enough to understand why. I'm very thankful for that and my heart really goes out to the moms with the younger children who can't quite grasp what's wrong with mommy.

On another note - I live in a community not too far from Little Rock, Arkansas. We have tons of Louisiana refugees here and I'm amazed at the way the community has come together for them. Serving meals, bringing clothing and diapers and all that sort of thing. Several of the big churches have worked out a schedule to open up their buildings for some type of recreation during the day for these people. Several families have already registered their children in our schools and are now looking for work - they've lost everything in LA so they're going to set down their roots here. I've either worked from my home or been a homemaker for the last 10 years and I want so much to go and help these people. Serve them meals. Play with their kids. Do whatever I can - selfishly to make myself feel better about everything that's going on. But I can't. At least not this week. I guess I'll just continue to pray for these people and give where I can.