Chemo June 2010

NorthernGirl and Everyone- thanks so much, you ARE like sisters to me, like I've never had.

isla, hahahaha, thats too funny!!! yess i think ill run out and try and creat some stress for myself.... hmmm, where can i find some stress?!?

Rs711, im gonna be on Taxol once a week for 12 weeks, my ONC said the SE were much easier on you once a week, i just want whatever is faster!!!

Rs711-->My onc said the same as Cheyenna's--easier se's.  But for some reason neuropathy can be worse?  Because I still have neuropathy from my last chemo (which ended 6 months ago), I might have to do Taxol every 2 wks instead.  I'll be starting taxol end of Aug., and we are waiting until then to decide what to do.

dsa - I have terrible acid reflux - from Emend and other stuff - so my onc prescribed Ranitidine, which is generic for some well known acid reflux drug.  It has been god-send.  I tried Priolosec but it didn't hep me.  Also make sure you don't get thrush (if your tongue is white, you may have it) - and if you do get your onc to give you pills that you can suck.  Both of them helped me a lot with eating, etc. 

 To everyone - Just got AC#3 yesterday and feel like I got hit by a truck, but nausea is under control thank goodness.Staayiing ahead of the nausae with medication sure helps.

I'm joining the Hair Club for Chemo Sistahs this morning.  I keep telling myself "it's only hair" but so far it ain't working for me lol.

 I gave myself an all-over haircut to about 2" this morning and it doesn't look bad (in front at least, no way am I looking in a mirror at the back!) I think tomorrow will be the day for the big shearing party.

 I hope today finds everyone well and as free from SEs as possible. Have a great weekend, Pink Sistahs!

Allright got a funny bald head story for you all  I have a tendency to for go a hat or scarf on while I  am in the house.  I am home alone most days and it's much cooler without as many of you know.  Well, I have a tendency to "forget" my cover (hat, scarf or wig) when I go to the front door.  Last week I scared the UPS guy when I answered the door.  His reaction was priceless - "Jackie.....um it is you right?"  (yea he comes by a lot)  Well, today I didn't think about it and marched out to the mailbox to put mail in it.  Not only did I scare the guys doing some yardwork at the neighbors next door with my beautiful gleeming head I managed to get something on my head.  I just brushed it off.  Well, guess what it was a mosquito.  So, now  I have a big knot on my head.     Well, at least it doesn't itch!

Keep smiling ladies! 

cheyenna-  My Onc said to call if my temp was 100.4.  Haven't you been running a temp for quite a few days?  Has it been 101.5?  I would call your Onc and let them know.  They may want bloodwork.  If they don't, at least they are aware of your temp.  I just saw on Dr. Oz to place used teabags on cold sores (like when you make a cup of tea).  I think the tannic acid in the tea helps.  Worth a try!  Hope you feel better.  Don't hesitate to call your Onc, even if it is just to get reassurance.

brat352-  Good for you!  Thanks for sharing.  I couldn't tell you weren't wearing makeup, never saw you with makeup!

grneyed-  Hah!  Nothing like shock effect.  I hope your neighbors, UPS people, postman have strong hearts.  The thought of it made me giggle.

Oh DesignerMom, I got a good laugh!  As if we don't look bad enough bald or balding, now we have to stick teabags on our faces? LOL, will the indignities never end!

Julia

Good morning. I did ask this question before and didn't get any response, but I thought I'd try again....did anyone experience debilitating headaches after Cytoxan and Taxotere+ Herceptin? I also got Decadron IV that first day, along with Aloxi for nausea. The headache started day 3 after the first round and lasted until day 11. I've now had 4  days without a headache, today makes day 5. And I have another chemo scheduled for this Wednesday.

Someone suggested on another blog that it might have something to do with the Decadron dosage and sudden withdrawal. Whatever it is, I just can't take the headaches and stiff neck for another 3 or 5 rounds. I truly won't make it.

I get violently ill from morphine, Demerol, codeine, Darvon, percoset (SP) etc. They tell me that oxycodone can potentially do the same thing to me and that Darvocet may work, I'll take that this go around.

But did anyone else get these headaches and stiff neck?  Thanks for any suggestions you may have.  Bon

iHi. just had my first TC (total 4) on June 24th, next one July 15th

Designer Mom,

I had tempreture on day 3,4 and 5 after my fisrst TC. Itwas 37.8 (sorry dunno what is in terms of 100s) I also had rash and what i found out that the tempreture was because i develop an allergic reaction. while i was still taking steroids on day 1 and 2 it was fine, but as soon as i stopped the steroids i got temp. it was very unpleasant - i even had to go to emergency to check if i got infection. Anyway it turned out that as soon as i got back on steroids(3 more days) and some antihestamine  for another 7 days - i was fine,- no rash no temp.  

cebsmom-  Wow!  I bet you are confused!  My first thought is make SURE they sent you the right report.  Look for your name on the Oncotype test.  The Oncotype lab is VERY nice and helpful explaining the report. Their phone is on the report.  I don't know if they are there on a Saturday, but it sure is worth a try.  I would also think that this would be a TOTALLY legitimate reason to call your Onc's service on the weekend and tell him your concerns.  Especially as you are scheduled for chemo Monday, he will understand.  You need this all clarified before proceeding with your chemo ESPECIALLY if you might have to change.  This must be awful for you.  Let us know what you find out.

chey-  good your are tracking your temps.  You will get through this, just like all the other things!

Bon-  I could see how that would not be easy to take.  I know a lot of ladies have as bad or worse SE from the steroids.  As you appear to be sensitive to meds, it could be the steroids.  I'm wondering if there is a thread on here for Cytoxan, Taxotere+Herceptin users.  You could get a lot of long-term info if there is.  I know the CMF thread has been going since 2006 and I have learned so much there. 

For CEBsMom:

I don't blame you for being scared, but try not to panic and do not google Triple Negative  BC. A lot of the information out there is terrifying but out of date. Also, the error could as easily have been by the oncotype test as by your original pathologist, so you may not be triple negative.

I am triple negative and am on the exact same chemo regime as you. I notice we are both Stage 1, so perhaps this would have been your course of treatment anyway? 

Can you reach your onc on weekends? I think something this unsettling justifies a weekend call.

 Hugs,

Kaycee

DesignerMom:

Try the "Report This Post" link on any post on the thread. It "should" give you an area for explanation, and you can ask your question about contact info there.

Thanks kacee, DesignerMom and Julia for your responses!  I am a little calmer now.  It just blew my mind they would mail me something like that w/o talking to me first.  I'm seeing them on Monday so they could have waited and gave them to me then w/ an explanation!  I didn't ask them to mail them--just asked for copies.... 

Again, I appreciate your kind and quick responses!! 

Back to the more mundane things like shaving my head!  It's amazing how priorities shift so quickly w/ this crappy dz!!!