March 2010 Chemo Start

Well it looks like the neulasta shot did its magic on Carolyns WBC today, but we are getting into other issues. She has been in a constant state of flu like symptoms since the TCH last week. We went in for her weekly hercepton infusion today and they had to give her fluids and some steriods to get her going. I suspect that her days of pretending to be ok and working every day may be coming to an end soon. 

For the first time I looked at her today and really saw the effects of the chemo. She looks like a concentration camp survivor. The thought came again today that there is a possibility that she might not get through this (I know that is not a positive thought and might not be a 100% outcome, but that was my thought). She looked old today, she looked like the other folks in the chamber. Gone is her bright smile, bouncy disposition and positive outlook. She turned 58 this year, but she now looks much older. That is a hard thing for a spouse to see and comprehend. I have a picture in my office from our cruise the first week of Feb this year and you can really see the change. 

She does not go to this site so I can say these things here. Ladies check in with your significant others, they also may be getting really depressed and thinking the same things I am.  I am so damn down today I can't stand it, but will pull my better face on when I get home tonight. 

Getting ready to do my 3rd A/C next Tuesday. I was about "this" close to telling them I wasn't going to do it .. I was SO sick each time despite the compazine (sp?) and the other meds .. but I went to the endocrinologist in the hopes that the diabetes is contributing to the nausea as I didn't really know how to deal with it during chemo. 

Other than that .. everything is going pretty well. I received payout on my cancer policy so, even though I'm not working because I've been put on FMLA leave, I can still support myself for the next year  (asked for intermittent leave but was informed that wasn't "productive" - have an appt with an attorney tomorrow to see what my rights are when I return) ----

(I've bought a wig and intend to do some job-hunting while I'm off..  So, if anyone knows of an HR job in NW Florida/SE Alabama .. let me know .. LOL  ..

I do not seem to be able to really find a starting point for this last adventure so far, but here goes.

A couple of weeks ago I developed cellulitis on my right shin.  Was treated with Erythrocycin 333 mg 3 X day.  Seemed to have done the trick....well, 5 days later I noticed redness again and contacted my Oncologist.  He put my on another round of antibiotics.  I took the first pill on Friday evening after supper and within 2 hours my left ankle was sooo itchy....I chocked it up to a black fly bite since I had been outside.  Well, within an other hour the itching had spread to my upper left arm, then my chest, then my hands.....huge fluid filled hives, some the size of a football, wheezing, shortness of breath.....Off to the Emergency Room.  Anaphylactic Shock.  Spent until yesterday in the ICU.........miserable...Still have hives moving all over my body, itchy as hell, swelling in hands and feet, face and eyes swollen, I am taking all kinds of pills....I am just so miserable I could jump off a tall bridge.  My hands and feet are like balloons, I have hives coming and going all over my body......Chemo Treatments are cancelled for now...............gotta get over this.

I am so discouraged...I cry, I itch, I take freezing cold showeres, rub anti-itch cream all over myself....have to carry and epi-pen with me at all times, and an inhaler......Is this worth it all??  I really wonder.  I have never been this miserable in my entire life.

Dear Lesinindy,

I am also undergoing a TCH regimen and have suffered from chemo-induced flu-like syndrome two out of the three treatments I've undergone so far. My heart goes out to your wife and I want you to know that her bounce, her color, her vivaciousness will all return in time. The side effects of chemo can knock us down, but I trust that they will neither take me nor your wife out. It's just hard in the interem. Keep being supportive and educating yourself -- sounds like you're doing a fantastic job, so kudos to you for that -- and know that she'll come through and will shine once again.

 On another note, anyone else experiencing swollen lymph nodes in the neck from chemo? Earache?

Wow, Janice, you've been through the ordeal of a lifetime. As if bc isn't enough. You are lucky to be alive, and anaphylactic shock can move very quickly. We're all routing for you to get through this miserable time. I found myself getting itchy just reading your post. Be good to yourself, wait it out, your body needs love at this time - it's doing a lot of work, so hug yourself and remember you'll come out the other side. Keep us posted. xxoo

 AnneMarie, yes, I've had both swollen nodes and an ear ache. Since my onc told me it isn't side effects of my chemo, I've treated both with otc sinus meds and lots of fluids, and it's subsided. The pollen nation-wide is higher than normal this year so maybe that's the problem. You should check with your onc to see if your drugs cause this, and if not, what you can take to prevent a full-blown infection. Hope you feel better soon. Heat on the ear and chewing gum or munching on gummy bears helped me, too, as I had a little fluid in the eustachian tube and it moves it around. xxoo

Janice - I am feeling better today ... and I have had so many people offer to help me since DH is out of town, I am beating them off with a stick!  ;-) I, too, have had bone pain from the Neulasta and also body aches --flu-like symptoms from the chemo. Usually starts about Day 3 for me and lasting a little bit longer with every treatment. I have had to take pain meds for both of these SEs which helps. I don't particularly like taking pain meds but I don't like suffering either. Rest as much as you can and drink lots of water.

Hugs,Charley

Happy May Day everyone, the first day of summer according to Wiki*.  Frosty, that makes you our Queen of the May.

*The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian times, with the festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers, and the Walpurgis Night celebrations of the Germanic countries. It is also associated with the Gaelic Beltane. Many pagan celebrations were abandoned or Christianized during the process of conversion in Europe.

A more secular version of May Day continues to be observed in Europe and America. In this form, May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May. The day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While February 1 was the first day of  Spring, May 1 was the first day of summer; hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was Midsummer.

In the Roman Catholic tradition, May is observed as Mary's month, and in these circles May Day is usually a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this connection, in works of art, school skits, and so forth, Mary's head will often be adorned with flowers in a May crowning. Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets and/or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps.

Hello lovely Marchers, we are now Mayers, yahoo. Groundhog, that was a fascinating bit of history of May day, thank you. Here of course, it's getting chillier and darker, but I can feel the warmth coming down from the Northern Hemisphere.  I'll be back in the chair in just a few short hours, and that will be my halfway mark. I'm not as scared now for number 3, just want to get the damn thing over with, and get home.

Janice, I hope you're feeling better and the itchiness has settled, and LSF, welcome, ask questions, we're all in this together, and someone will probably be sharing the same things you are going through. I know I get so much comfort from sharing this with all you guys, hugs to all.

Lisa

Good luck to you Lorrhaw!  Every treatment is just a step closer and a victory in itself.  You are over a 1/3 of the way done! Just keep going. As Winston Churchill said "If you're going through hell, keep going." And onward we trudge ...

I will be enjoying the next 3 days of feeling good before I go in Wed for #5. The days of feeling good are getting fewer between treatments so I am enjoying each good day. DH should be home by then although probably a zombie from the long plane ride home the day before.  Should fit in nicely with the rest of us zombies in the chemo ward!  At least the nurses are friendly and perky ... 

Hugs to all, Charley

hereandnow and lorrhaw; 

Sending you good thoughts your way. 

This is one of my favorite quotes regarding treatment & I use it as my mantra for dealing with SEs.  "All side effects are temporary, but wellness is something we should plan on keeping for a long time." 

Fondly, Heather

Hello Ladies,

Janice, you hang in there it will get better.

Les - I know when my DH doesn't know what to do, a simple hug and kiss from him warms me to the bone and puts a smile on my face.  You also hang in there it will get better.

Go for my 4th and final cocktail tomorrow, so only 2 more weeks of feeling blah from chemo.  Then onto surgery and then rads.  Had a wonderful weekend away watching my lil sis get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Russel Sage with my family.

I am thinking of you all - those who have treatments this week, those who are dealing w/SE and those who are just joining.  Hugs & prayers to all.

Yeshua4Me, call your doctor RIGHT AWAY. Retaining fluid is one of the nastier side effects of Taxotere, and can be dangerous. Please let us know how you are ok?

Well I had a disaster of a day. Woke up so groggy, it almost felt like week 1 instead of week 3. A big film between me and the world. I went to work, worked in the studio a little bit late because I just couldn't seem to move well. And then driving home I completely rear ended someone. Car won't drive and is 30 miles from home. $500 deductible -- I know it could be so much worse but there is just no money, no extra to take from, and here I smash the car up. Very upset at myself.

Thank you for the vent. Some things were nice -- the young girl I hit wouldn't even leave me alone until the tow truck got there, no one was hurt (except my car), and 3 gangbangers appeared out of nowhere to re-route traffic for 30 minutes .

I feel a little better now. Whew.

Best to all having tx this week. I go in again Thursday.

Hugs,

Toni

Toni - I am so sorry!  I had a little accident in our building's parking garage after my first treatment - week 2. I pushed the gas instead of the brake and ran into the wall. (Never, never done that before and I was totally freaked that I did it.)  Thankfully only left scratches but I have totally changed my driving routine.  I do not drive during rush hour and I do not drive myself anywhere at least the first week after chemo. This week is the first week I have driven and I am almost 2 weeks out.  I just don't feel that I am alert enough -- chemo fog.

Yeshua4me - My doc told me that fluid retention was one of the SEs from taxotere.  Definitely call your dr about it.

Hugs, Charley