Chemo June 2010

Sherry - I hope you enjoy the lint roller as much as I did :-) (It won't take out all the little hairs, just the ones that are ready to come out)

tmarina - I'm taking the strongest probiotic capsules I can to counteract the negative effects of the antibiotics. you just need to make sure you don't take them within 2 hours of taking antibiotics (which is challenging for me because I am taking antibiotics 4 times a day). I had already decided to take the probiotics, and then my gp called to make sure I knew to take them too.

northerngirl - i'm sure you'll love using your port. especially since you have a long time for it to settle in before you use it. I used mine 3 days after I got it, and it was sore because the whole area was still sore from the surgery. I'm expecting it to go much better for me next time. but anyway, even if it is a bit sore, it's far better than digging around looking for and bursting veins each time!!

NorthernGirl- I'm so proud of you for how you handled the situation with the receptionist! That's great. I too have had to deal with extremely insensitive people, unfortunately, in my own family... my estranged sister who's now pregnant told me "she can't deal with the extra stress while she's pregnant"... and I haven't heard from her. Oh well. People are so weird. Luckily the rest of my family has been amazing and here for me constantly.

Jackie,

Warm salt water and baking soda rinses every 2 hours.  1/2 teaspoon naking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 8 ounces water.  Stay away from acidic foods for a while too.  Fear of SEs is pretty normal I think, I was given a 60 page NCI booklet loaded with SEs and reasons to call the onc.  why wouldn't we all be scared!  My next treatment is Monday and I'm already starting to feel some trepidation. 

Julia

To ALL the members of this board.

THANK YOU.  You make a painful, scary, sickening situation actually tolerable and fun.  I have never laughed so much at something so horrible..

I too have had my share of insensitive, stupid comments from people.  I try to remember that they really don't mean to be cruel or unthoughtful, they just don't know how to handle it.  The thing that amazed me most, was finding out how many people really care about me.  People that I thought were just co-workers, casual friends, extended family.  Even my husband's previous wife has been a strong suppporter and visits often.  I would never have known how wonderful and caring all these people were if it weren't for this journey.

Please keep me laughing, it is clearly the BEST medicine.

Love and hugs, Mimi

I agree about all the SE possibilities that can make us crazy.  I loved my chemo nurse's advice.  When she handed me all the drug info sheets on my chemo and meds. She said she wouldn't necessarily read them.  She would have them on hand and IF I had a SE, then look it up and see if it was a normal SE.  It has helped me not anticipate or look for SE, which thankfully sometimes don't come.  Not to mention, most of us probably know more about what to expect than even the doctors as we are truly talking and sharing all day long!

RS711-  That must be so hurtful to have your own sister not being able to deal with your cancer.  I'm glad the rest of your family is supportive.  If your sis "can't deal with the extra stress when pregnant", she might be in for a rude awakening when she gives birth.  Nothing like kids to up your stress levels.  Can't help but smile at the reality check she is in for!

grneyed-  There is an over the counter mouthwash that I hear is very good called Biothene.  If it gets really bad, Onc can prescribe one, I think it is called Magic Mouthwash.  Good you are staying on top of it.

Bon-  Bravo for your great attitude.I think you should e-mail Brett and ask him for a bandana!

I may not loose my hair on CMF, but it is shedding and it may thin.  In preparation, I got my free headwrap from gailafund.org. I will buy another or send a donation to help fund their wonderful organization. The headwrap is beautiful.  It is sort of in the style of those fabulous headwraps that the African women wear, Imagine a baggy bag with attached ties.  It completely covers the head, then you wrap the ties and tuck in all the extra fabric. It looks smashing.   www.gailafund.org

Had my 2nd AC treatment yesterday. Went much better than the first time. Nurse found a vein for the IV with no problem and no mention of a port. Yeah!! I'm a bit more nauseous this time. i think from the antibiotic probably already doing a number on me. Took the extra Zofran last night, which I didn't take at all last time. My DH set me up a pill schedule on the computer. Between my BP meds, antibiotics, anti nausea meds, probiotics, claratin and xanex when I'm really stressed, its very confusing!!

Going for the head buzz today and leaving with my "new hair". Strangely I'm not freaking out yet. Maybe later. Got a bunch of hats and turbans I ordered from TLC. Two hats look silly. Two are good. One nice turban with scraf wrap. Sleeping cap. Swim cap (I look like Ester Williams!). And a terry cloth turban to just wear around the house - my 13 yr old son says I look like Lucy in that one. Also bought bangs and side hair pieces. Don't know if I'll use them. I just wanted some options to start with.

Hope you all have a good day. I love this thread and keeping up with everyone. Feels so good to not be alone in this! Oh yeah, got Chinese food 2 nights ago and my fortune said, "Never give up." How perfect!!! -Donna

dsa deb-  welcome back!

About supplements Actually, my Onc told me to take NOTHING other than a multi vitamin.  When I asked her, she said I could take acidophilus.  In my "normal" life, I am quite health conscious and lean toward preventive, complementary approaches to health.  I'm glad you brought up the supplements question because I am JUST starting to research what I can do to optimize matters after treatment.  I think I understand why we are not supposed to take all kinds of things to strengthen our systems now.  A dear friend who has lupus has responded amazingly to proactive, healthy steps.  However, even she said that when in treatment, you don't want antioxidants and supplements that prevent cell damage.  After all, we are TRYING to kill those blasted cancer cells.  Having said that, I know there is a LOT of collateral damage being done to our bodies.  I want to be armed and ready to build this bedraggled body back up when I am through blasting everything that I can possibly blast.  I would love to start brainstorming with everyone to see what they have found out.   I have heard Glutamine and Vitamin D are important.I like Dr. Weil's site.  He is a medical AND complimentary doctor and shows a lot of research data on matters.  Just today he had n article that seems to prove women who take fish oil supplement have 32% lower chance of BC.  I know green tea reduces chances of BC by 50%. If the pharmaceutical companies had a pill with those stats, we would all be paying big bucks to eat it!  I think it is smart for all of us to use ALL aproaches to get and stay healthy.  Now if I can just get motivated to start exercising!

gin2ca- I have the same issue with gassy feeling, my onc said that it is because the chemo kills the cells along the lining of the digestive tract, he recommended staying away from dairy...

I did chew ice chips constantly during my first Taxotere infusion and i switched to Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste too.  I have had no mouthsores at all, one small sore on my tongue last week after eating lots of really crunchy crackers and some cherries, the baking soda/salt water rinse took care of it immediately.  I plan to keep doing the ice chip thing, and i'm putting ice packs on my nails during the infusion too.  So far my nails are fine. 

Julia 

DSA Deb, the chemo causes major heartburn.  It doesn't help that I got into the chips and dip too!  I take Gaviscon liquid (icy mint) for it.  It tastes like the sludge floating around in the gulf but it sure does the trick with the severe hearburn.

My onc was ok with Vit D, Cal Mag, but no fish oil, which I have taken for 5 years and didn't obviously help with the breast cancer at all.  It is just their opinions we get most of the time. 

Gin2ca, definately ice chips.  My onc nurses always give them to me thru the adria and 5FU infustions and I have very little trouble with mouth sores.  The majic mouthwash fixed the one I had in 1/2 day of rinsing.

Bon, thanks for the quote about not having to be brave, it really touched a sweet spot in me.

Blessings, Mimi

Wow--lots of postings to catch up on! I switched from TC to CMF last Friday (July 2) and am doing well with it so far. It was a busy weekend and I was tired, but not too bad. I have been able to work this week and feel good.

My onc said that one of her goals with chemo was to put me into menopause (chemopause?). I am 45, done having kids, and that is just fine with me! I had my period a couple days before I started treatment, and I am now a week "overdue." I have been regular as clockwork since I had kids, so I am wondering if it really has stopped just like that, or if I my cycle is just thrown off by the chemo. About midcycle I had really bad menstrual cramps one evening, but then nothing since then. Anyone else shut down like this?

does anyone out here run a fever?  i always seem to be in thee 99..7 range, i freak but onc says not to call unless 101.5 thats a true fever.. i dont know why, could it just be chemo fever ??? im always worried..

Bon:  I love your "brave" quote... can I borrow it?

RS711:  ouch... your own sister can't be supportive? that's cold. Hey, can we be your sisters for the next little while?

Latte: thanks for the vote of support about the port. I don't want to repeat the experience in my veins... still I feel a little freaky having this thing in my chest.

Cheyenna: I get hot and flushed, but no actual fever. My temp has been below normal. Not sure why.

Meliss:  Menopause seemed to hit immediately with first infusion. Weird. Those drugs are so scary powerful...

TMarina:  It's hard to know how careful to be. My doc gave me a handful of masks to use particularly on days 7 to 14 when he said my wbc would be lowest. I haven't actually used them, but I am really aware of staying away from people who seem sick. We've changed many things around the house, in an effort to prevent more illness for me.

Well, it's been 2 weeks since my last infusion, and it's great to feeI "normal"

I have a few sores on my head but witch hazel seems to help. I spoil myself with naps every afternoon. I feel for those girls who have little ones and have lots of demands on them. I really enjoy my naps and I feel like my job is to take care of me.

Good night

Hello all my lovely June 2010 ladies

I thought I'd make you smile with a bit from our NZ national newspaper today ;-)

I quote 'groundbreaking study by a NZ neuro-scientist suggests that "cancer patients may benefit from seeking out mild stress which curb tumour growth"

 seeking out ...SEEKING OUT ... duh ... I think we can all assure this scientist that no additional search for stress is necessary.  Hurry girls - just in case you don't have quite enough stress with diagnosis, chemo, SE, hairloss ..run off and find some more. haha xxx

I can't take credit for the quote.  "You don't have to be brave. You just have to show up." was said to me on another of these forums (I am terrified of chemotherapy) by Jayne_in_UK. (I originially gave credit for this quote to someone named Joyce but I was incorrect). I started that forum and many people responded. But Jayne's words have become my mantra since that day. I think it should be an anthem of some sort, celebrating our resiliance and determination. 

Cheers to Jayne_in_UK!  And to all of you for showing up again today. Hope it's a good one for everyone.