March 2010 Chemo Start

sarikasd,

I had the urinary tract symptoms too - had a urinalysis and no bacteria found, so my doctor recommended Azo Standard.  It's just an analgesic, you take it for a couple of days.  The cystitis usually resolves by itself within a couple of days with or without treatment, but the analgesic makes it a little easier to tolerate while you're waiting to get through it.  Get checked to see if it is bacterial, though, especially if you're had infections in the past.

For mouth sores I tried glutamine in powder form.  You mix it with juice and swish it around in your mouth and swallow it.  It's gritty and not very pleasant, but doesn't taste bad, and I thought it helped a bit.

I agree with you all....having your kids and husband watch this is horrible.  I found that the gum helped as well, although I did not have major taste issues (yet).  I am a week+ out and feel normal.  Now the bad part is next week I have to go back.  Keep moving FORWARD and remember it is the se's are TEMPORARY!

Have a great day!!!!!

Looks like I may lose my job also     I'm a full time bedside nurse so MD not in a hurry for me to return due to risk of infections and my Job who before were saying no problem we'll work with you, are now saying if you can't return 100% you can't come back and if I don't make it back before 5/28 My job is gone FMLA rules even though I'm approved for disability till Aug. 19th. At this point I don't care if that is how they feel after 9 yrs faithful service there are plenty of nursing jobs out there. And I think this may preparation for a new job anyway. Had a great Easter with family. Exhausting but a good day. My youngest Son arrives tonight for a week long visit , just got back for a 1 yr tour in Kuwait, and resides in Wy so looking forward to his visit. I'm glad this is my "good week" so I'll have energy.   Let's keep fighting ladies   Thanks for listening    

I took a short ride on my bike!!!  Struggled getting my boot on my right foot due to the swelling and the pain of the cellulitis...but I did it!  Only rode about 16 miles total.  It really did my head good.  Put me in a better place mentally.  So many emotions and thoughts whirl around in my head and I am not good with the whole "sharing" thing.  Never have been. 

The antibiotics seem to be doing what they are suppose to....cellulitis is much less "angry" red and the diuretics seem to be working on the edema that developed...I now have ankles again...Many trips to the bathroom these few days....LOL!!

Took my Decadron this am...Taxotere and Cytoxan tomorrow morning.  I also have taken Prilosec (to deal with the stomach woes), Colace, Peri-Colace (to help deal with the constipation), and  am just trying to get through another day. 

I have never taken so many pills in my life......this one is for that, that one is for this, and on and on and on.....

I have very little hair left and everyone is so freaking concerned with the wig thing in my world.  Yes, I bought one.  No I have not worn it.  I am more comfortable with the scarves and hats....they are not as comfortable....or so it seems. 

(Gee...I did not realize I was so angry about all this, but this post sure makes it seem like I am.)

Thanks for all your posts....reading them keeps it real.

Peace to all of you....

Tid Bits From the Other Side of the Drip

My wife had her second round of TCH this Thursday and the experience is getting more profound and ugly. I have no idea how you ladies keep up your good attitude while going through the chemo. On Thursday, within 10 minutes of getting into the infusion area I saw our Church's former administrative assistant come in. Turn out that after going through a round of chemo for lung and bone cancer, she was really disorientated that morning and they decided to give her some IV fluids. I talked to her husband and learned that since the DX she has come down with alzheimers, what bitter pill to swallow. Then later while talking to a lady next to me, I find that her husband (getting chemo next to the wife) was told he was terminal last week. Later I find out that the really perky older lady across the treatment area is also terminal. A real bad day in the chomo chamber. 

Wifes hair had been falling out all last week and her hairdresser came by the house on Saturday to do some cutting. Basically nothing could be done and I got to watch her get a buzz and cry. Daughter was there and also started crying. I just had to leave. 

 Her SE's are increasing this go around and she seems to be more tired than the last time. 

I feel really bad, there is nothing I can do or say to make anything better. I am also feeling really guilty about getting tired of this whole process. This is the third month of the cancer and it really gets to you after awhile. I feel like I should be more upbeat, but all I have to do is look at my bald wife, I don't see the spark she once had and I know she is feeling bad. No denial of whether she is sick now, it is written on her face. 

Thought I would chime in with how it looks from the other side. 

Lesinindy:  Yes, each "chair" in that chemo room has a story.  Most (all?) of the stories are not good and all of the stories are anxiety provoking. My stomach churned just reading your post.  I find it helpful to remind myself that the chemo is the medicine...it is working for me, your wife, and all the ladies in our group...it is not the bad thing, its' the good thing!  As I see it, if I"m going to put the poison in, it better damned well work hard, kick ass and if, no hair and the other s/e's have to be handled, then so be it.  Like we say here...temporary...we CAN do this....your wife CAN do this and so CAN you...is it hard? Yes. Can we still do it?  YES.

Also, I must have missed it, what, if you don't mind my asking, are your wife's stats?

Yes, StaceyT, strength in numbers.  We move forward. 

mamof3bugs:  happy to hear you are feeling so great today!  I share in your happiness at "seizing the day"!  

Grace and dignity, definitely. 

Week 2 and 3 after first treatment - I thought "hey this isn't so bad".  Then on day 13 when my hair started falling out, I FREAKED out.  I felt helpless.  I wasscared. I was nervous. I felt that the sickness was taking over.  One of my best friends is also my hairdresser and she made the whole shaving the head experience a fun one - if you can imagine that.  I'm the 36-year old mom of two that never grew up. So, I was excited to finally get that long-desired mohawk!  Even if it was for only 10 mins., I felt I rocked that mohawk   She finally buzzed it all off and I actually wasn't that sad.  I was glad I wasn't gonna wake up and lose handfuls of hair.  Kinda liberating.  Best decision I made.

Easter was awesome.  Celebrated with my entire family 30+ and everyone was very complimentary of my wig and then when I changed into a scarf (as the wigs are VERY uncomfortable).  I have gone shopping and to restaurants in both, and feel very confident.  I sometimes forget I'm in a headscarf until I pass a mirror.  Far less stares than I anticipated.  Not sure if that's good (that it is so common in society due to illness being so common) but I'm glad I don't feel freakish at all.

Today was treatment #2.  The process was as uneventful as the first, however the nausea and tiredness kicked in almost right away.  The Zofran isn't working as well as it did last time.  That is making me VERY nervous.  Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come.  I was so optimistic this would be as "easy" as the first.  I may be wrong  

Prayers and Hugs to all of the ladies here.  Your stories are inspirational to me.  I just keep thinking I am not alone in this.  We are all fighting the same demon and we will get through this.  

My kids D-8 and S-5 are being champs through this all.  The word "cancer" scares my daughter, but I think she is finally understanding that momma is going to be ok :O)  My son thinks the big bandage I wore from the mastectomy is my boo-boo and doesn't really understand why I'm getting sick.  Way too much for him to understand.  BUT the best part is that they are both extremely cuddly now and I am reaping that benefit   I love the rewards of being a mom.

WIll check in tomorrow - here's to everyone having a SE-free night!

I just had to let you all know what an inspiration you are to me. I don't understand how reading your rants makes me feel better, but it does . I am very thankful for this group.

I spent the entire weekend in bed crying with the pain from 2 days in a row of neupogen shots. I must be really sensitive to it -- worst pain I've had so far in this whole lovely journey...Anyway, I moped into the doctor's this morning to get my bloodwork done and prepare for another shot -- but I DID IT! I grew a whole boatload of white blood cells, they couldn't believe how fast it was. Probably why it hurt so much. I skipped out of there and went straight to Target--I haven't been allowed out of the house since Thursday except to doctor's, I can't believe running an errand to Target made me so happy! 

It's day 12, I'm not in pain, and my turn for the hair meltdown hasn't come yet. I, too, am enjoying the moment

Hugs to all, wishes for little or no SEs and also more unexpected inheritances

Hey Charley,

 I wanted to let you know, you aren't alone in the land of tissue expansion. I am going in for my 4th fill on Thursday. I am finally feeling comfortable, able to sleep on my side and I am going to mess it up again,lol. I am hoping after a couple more fills I will be where I want:) How many fills have you had? How many more do you think you want? Just thought we could cheer each other on through the discomfort.

teemee: I've not been keeping up with the posts, and am very sorry you are having such a bad time, but glad it is getting better. Just wanted to let you know my Dr. told me to start Claritin before the N shot. and my nurse gave mine to me in the belly. I had very few aches from it. I do remember how my husband used to hurt from them and it was very painful. His was given in the legs. and he was given hydrocodone for the pain, which did not seem to help. I don't know if I was just lucky or if the claritin and the injection site made a big difference. My nurse said it had less SE's when given in the belly, due to the fat absorption and  it was dispersed better. Don't know if this helps or if yu already knew; if not hopefully it will help next time.

I have felt good this past week with the exception of the hurting scalp and hair loss. Even though I knew it was going to happen, it affected me more than I thought it would.  Tears have come easily!  I still have some hair left, but not enough that I would feel comfortable in public without a hat or wig.  My sister-in-law has made 3-seam turbans for me and I have a big brimmed straw hat. Tomorrow I'm going to try on a wig.  So many of you have said that you bought a wig, but never wear it because it's so uncomfortable.  I'm anxious to see how it feels. I hate to make the investment, but suppose I do need one for church if nothing else.  

My next treatment of TC is on Wednesday.  I'm not looking forward to it, particularly since I've been feeling so normal recently.  At least I will have 2 out of 4 down.

I almost forgot to ask if any of you have had shortness of breath.  I really get winded just walking across the yard.  I'm going to ask my Onc about this on Wednesday.

I keep telling myself that this is doable and temporary....can't wait for temporary to end for all of us!

Charley, SGJ05 & hereandnow-

I too am have TE.  My doc told me the same thing as Charley exchange can happen one month after you are done with chemo if you are ready.  I have had one fill of  a 100cc.  During surgery he got less in the he wanted to because he said my chest muscles were to tight.  I did not find the fill to be painful at all.  I did have a little fluid build up on one side last week that he had to drain, he said it is very common.  Put me on an antibiotics and it looks great this week.  I go today to recheck. 

How many weeks apart does anyone get fills?  My PS is doing it 3 weeks apart....just wondering?

How about bras?  What are you guys using????

Lillyc and Ana1973-I'm getting ready for round two also. Ana the percocet should really help your pain, I too had a lot of bone pain with my 1st treatment. I have bone mets but it made me hurt ALL over. I haven't got brave enough yet to shave my head yet either. That will most likely happen this weekend. I did it before and honestly it was NOT nearly as bad as I anticipated. For me it was less traumatic than having it come out by the handfuls. Mine has not started doing that yet, but I am definitely shedding. Lilly as far as the wigs go, it's just a personal decision and everyone is different and feels comfortable in different things. I have 2 wigs from before that I faithfully wore everyday without any discomfort what so ever. I got a short one for the summer and longer one for the colder days. You will find what suits you best. Wishing you both very MINIMAL side affects from tomorrow's treatment. I'll be thinking of you both as I too will be in the chemo chair, and just think you'll have 2 down already. I know from prior experience that it does fly by and it's ONLY temporary. The hair will come back and you'll feel good again. Hang in there!

Suzanne E.