May 2010 Chemo

Hello Strong Ladies,

Summer - I love, love, love your co-workers.  The story brought tears to my eyes.

Yesterday was TC#2.  Unfortunately I had to go alone because one of my twins woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and DH had to stay home with her.  I was feeling a little bummed until one of my friends showed up at my treatment unexpectedly.  Some of you may remember that my first treatment was on 5/5 and I dubbed it "Chemo de Mayo" and brought non-alcoholic margaritas for the staff.  Well yesterday I had planned to do a "Finding Chemo" (based on Finding Nemo) theme.  I just didn't have the energy to make cupcakes like I had planned.  So my dear friend Jenny showed up with a cake made of cupcakes with Nemo and Dori on it that said "Finding Chemo" and a giant stuffed Nemo and a bunch of little plastic fish and bubbles.  Basically a party in a bag.  The staff loved it.  Now I am on the hook to think of 2 more good themes for my next 2 treatments.  Any ideas?

I did have a reaction to the Taxotere this time.  I leaned over to pick something up and suddenly got nauseous, face flushed, shortness of breath.  They immediately stopped the Taxotere, gave me more steriods IV and an Ativan by mouth.  The discomfort only lasted a couple of minutes and they were all on top of it.  The pharmacist even brought in a whole slew of vials of meds I might need and said "Every time I bring these magic meds in the room, patients get instantly better and don't need them."  It was true. So they waited a half an hour and restarted the Taxotere at a slower drip, increasing gradually.  All was fine.

I did use my home made ice packs on my eyebrows before and during the Taxotere in the hopes of keeping my brows.  We'll see.

Hair update -- I got my buzz cut last Friday and by Wednesday night I was so patchy with bald spots I could not stand it.  So last night I used my dog clippers and my razor and did the best I could.  There were still some hairs I could not get, so this morning I went to a local barber shop and had him give me the "mr. clean" look.  The sweet man did it free of charge.

So now I am walking around totally bald and out there.  I have started applying a little eye make up and found a couple pairs of my grandmother's clip on earrings.  I wear a long scarf around my neck to warm me up.

I did try to wear my wig last week.  I picked up the kids from school in the wig then took them to the library where I started having hot flashes.  I was so hot I took off the wig.  How odd it was to be carrying around a wig.  So I just stuck it under my jacket!

Ah, how life changes.

Jen

You all are so inspiring!   Pacjen, I love your chemo themed ideas and your new pic is amazing.   Summer, your underwear bearing (not bare all ) friends are so awesome.  Day,  really I am so sorry.  It takes a lot to be emotionally ready for a chemo session. In the best of circumstances, it is hard. I hope you are able to get better care soon. To all of you with children at home, and those who are working outside the home, I really am so impressed.  Nanaoftwo, I am Mimi to my 7 month old granddaughter.  Her name is Nadia Simone, she has a head full of black hair,( both my kids are redheads)! JennyB, I am so glad to learn more about you. Tell me about your kids when you can.  This disease makes no distinctions.  I am 62, and I can't imagine going thought this earlier in my life.  Heck, I can't imagine it now.  Before BC ( BBC I guess), I took no meds, did all the"right" stuff, and what can I say.  Last year my mammogram was clear, this year, Stage 3 Grade 3.  8/12 lymph nodes positive.  What a shock!   Anyway, everyday I think of all of us, and all of our collective wisdom, love, feminine energies, trials, tribulations. I think of all the people who love us, and those we love. In spite of it all, or because of it all, this group that none of us ever wanted to join, is really very, very beautiful.  

Hi All - Had TC#2 today and it went well.  Both my sisters came with me this time and it was nice to spend the day with them, notwithstanding the chemo. 

Summer - your coworkers really are awesome!  I haven't really told too many people at work, not sure why.   I don't really mind people knowing, but just don't really want to talk about it, either.  Except here, of course!  Actually, I had a clean mammo 4 months before I found the lump myself, so I have been telling other women to feel themselves up, just not at work!

Day - I can't believe all that you have been through.   I'm not sure how I would take a delay in chemo.  I hope things improve for you soon!

packjen- I love reading your posts.  You have such a great attitude and handle all this with such good humor.  Sounds like you have some awesome friends, too! 

Drim and others with treatments next week - Good luck, I'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts!

packjen you look so good nice head shape!   love all you ideas about your Chemo trips...

Hi Everyone!

Jen, I'm going to start the iron pills, definitely. Onc said they were okay to take the last week before chemo, so starting next week I can take them. Are the Slow-FE available in drugstores?

njbhwgirl, Hm, she didn't say whether it would be w/ or without contrast. From what you're describing, it sounds a lot like an MRI...

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'm off to my son's baseball tournament. Fun! I just hope my wig doesn't blow offf...  

Hil adies. had my second weekly taxol chemo yesterday in addition to daily study group medication (neratinib). today is my 9TH day of treatment and I still have no side effects. COULD THIS IN ANY WAY SUGGEST THAT MY TREATMENT IS NOT WORKING? HAS ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE? PLEASE ADVISE.

My blood work was ok except with the Doctor's concern about me being slightly anaemic(strange to me). I also need advise if you've had a similar experience and it was remedied.

LOVE YOU ALL.

cleob - I dont' think it means that - it just means that your body is more resilient and can cope better with toxic substances. Remember cancer cells are not exactly your body's cells anymore (not sure if that makes sense). When are you scheduled to have your blood test? You will see then that it's nto really with no SE, your blood counts will be off.

Hey everyone.  Hope your day has been SE free.  For me, it is the 8th day since my neulasta injection and I have had a lot of bone pain, including(anyone ever have this?) swelling over the rib cage on my mastectomy site.  My ankles, legs, hips, back and almost every bone I can think of hurts.  I have gotten some relief from tylonol, but mostly from watching 8 episodes of Jane Eyre.  Ha.  Nothing like the Bronte sisters to create a mini vacation for me.  Second only to Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility.  Anyway, I bravely kept my yoga practice and walk, although it was difficult. I am on a two week A/C chemo schedule, so I am scheduled for #2 this coming Thursday.  That should be about the time I loose my hair.  I plan to buzz it very short.  I already have a wig, and some scarves.  I did not want to shop for these things when I was feeling  so emotional.  My yoga instructor left a surprise at my door, carbonated water  and  fresh mushrooms.  How nice are theses  little surprises we get from our friends and family! Nanaoftwo, how great that your coworkers wore scarves, and that you got some pictures  of this !  

patricia48, so sorry to hear about the pain from the neulasta.  I have not had the shot yet, but everyone seems to get the pain, so I am not looking forward to it. Feel better...I too love watching those type of movies.

Day, I still cannot believe what you have had to go through.  Is the new Onc. from a bigger cancer center?

Leanna, good luck working this week and have a great time at Disney.  Everything Disney does is first class and fun, so I know you will enjoy it. Glad to hear about your blood work! 

Leanna:  have so much fun in Disney...My favorite place on earth...That shall keep all SE's away form you.. Do try to avoid too much sun and stay cool.

well my neighbor finished buzzing my hair. Now my wig is slightly bigger so I had to adjust the tabs. For anyone getting a wig, try doing so after you cut it, I think makes for a easier fit.

5th day after treatment and I feel UGH..

feel like novacaine head...hopefully better tmrw

Hey there everyone.    Still here with the neulasta back pain.  Nanaof2, I got a rash and itching from percocet, after my surgery.  Are you using any pain meds?  I am back on it for the pain today and last night.  As long as I do not take too much, I can take it without incident.  I called the on call oncology line today because my pain seems unrelenting.  The dr. seemed to think it is the neulasta, but said it might only last a few days.  Anyway. my oncologist   teaches at a medical school, so I can talk with the  on call oncology residents 24hr a day.     Wishing you all the best.

Patricia, I haven't taken any pain pills recently, but will keep that in mind.  I have not been given the Neulasta shot yet. Hoping I never need it.  Everyone seems to suffer such pain from that, they sure don't put than in the commercials.

Round 2 for me tomorrow afternoon, I will see the Dr. first, maybe he can tell me what to do for the rash.

Sacphotomom, I love lemon pie and love that you made it so you like the taste~

Have a great Memorial Day everyone.

Hi All,  I'm 3 days out post TC#2 and my period has started again! And it's heavy....again.   My ovaries are so confused and now I'm getting worried about becoming anemic again.  Hopefully not, but could really do without a heavy period every 2 weeks.  Ugh.  Otherwise, just the usual fatigue.   Nuelasta shot tomorrow because of the Holiday today, but I didn't really have any SE's from that last time, so hoping that will be the same this time.  Last time, day 4 was the wost fatigue and it got better from there, so thinking I'm about to hit the worst of it tomorrow.  I had a bit of a rash on my chest yesterday, but no blisters and it went away on its own.

Leanna - Have fun at Disney!  that should be a great distraction!

Sacphotomom - love the idea of leamon pie.  I bet that would be great...it's really hot here in MI this weekend and lemon pie sounds perfect!  But I don't have the energy to make it

nanof2 - That was so great ofyour coworkers to do that!  I love hearing about such supportive friends!

patricia48 - a little of the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice always makes me feel better, too!

GolferGirl and Drim, how old are you? My period is going nuts, too. After TC #1 it was heavy, but then it didn't stop. Spotting until...well, today. Haven't seen anything today yet! Anyway, I'm 39 and I don't know what's going on. I had an onc appt on Thursday and he said, "Do you want me to check you?" I said, "Uh...no, thanks." So he told me that if it didn't stop, email him to let him know. 

I'm exhausted. Baseball tournament all weekend and I'm just beat! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I love hearing the stories about the awesome coworkers.  I also have awesome co-workers.  They formed a relay for life team in my honor.  It's this weekend, June 5-6.  Pray for good weather, no rain.  They also came to my head shaving party to support me.  They have also offered to go with me to my chemo treatments. 

I am so sorry to hear about those of you who are having problems with your  periods.  I was very irregular prior to my treatments and now I haven't had one at all.  My onoc said that if I was menopausal before chemo I will be for sure after.  He was right. 

Leanna I hope you are having fun in Disney.

Day:  When do you start with your new onoc?  I hope you have better luck with this one.

Everyone getting a treatment this week will be in my prayers.  Good luck.

I have my 2nd treatment on Thursday.  I'm a little anxious about it, but I did great the first time so I am hoping to do the same the second time.  Did most of you doing TC have the same experience the 2nd time as the first time? 

HAve a great week everyone!