May 2010 Chemo

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  • Redbarb804
    Redbarb804 Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2010

    Hi May Warriors:  I quickly read through all the posts I missed while on vacation.  Didn't realize how much I would miss with being away for so long. 

    Congrats to all you who have finished your treatments over the past week and Good luck to those of you who are starting Taxol or Taxetere. 

    My final treatment was uneventful.  No reaction and no SE this time.  I was so relieved because of going on vacation.  Vacation was fun, alittle tiring but fun.  I have been napping a lot since I've been home.  I see my BS on Friday.  I have to talk to him about another surgery to make sure of clear margins and also to talk to him about the internal rads.  I found out my rads. onco. does internal radiation ( I forget the name) where the surgically place a balloon into your breast and then shoot the rads into the breast that way.  I still need to do more research on this.  My onco said he doesn't know if my rad. onco will do it though because I am so young and it is not the proven method of rads. ( I think this is the only time in a long time I have been refered to as being "young") 

    I am so gald to be done but am alittle nervous about rads.  Those of you who have started how is it going?  any SE? 

    I am glad to be back and talking to people who get what this is all about.  I aplogize for not commenting on everyones posts but I normally have problems remembering one page worth of posts let alone 4 pages.  Hope everyone has a SE less week!!   Talk to you all later.

    Barb

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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited July 2010

    (((((HUGS)))))) to everyone!!  This seems to have been a tough week all around... this has been my worst long-feeling icky week... with me literally sleeping or crying ALL day Sunday... Monday, a little better... today, I am a person (almost), and of course, that means chemo tomorrow!  It is my last taxol... which is great, but brings this whole new emotional roller coaster of starting AC and neulesta.... Paxton, I'm covered in zits... spitting menstrual stuff from my vjj... and my tumor 'hurts.'  On a high note, there are a bunch of mosquitos in my neighborhood who have been cured of cancer, but I was left a bumpy, itchy mess. 

    G'nite all!!!

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  • patricia48
    patricia48 Member Posts: 121
    edited July 2010
    Good Morning May Friends  Welcome back Barb. Congratulations on your final treatment.I have not heard of internal rads.  This is interesting.  My good friend just finished rads.  Her worst side effect was fatigue.  She had a non invasive form of cancer, and did not have to have chemo.  So perhaps it would be different for us, but she drove herself every morning and tried to take a nap during the afternoon.  She did get a burn, toward the end of her 7 week. I do know know how avoidable that would be.  I certainly hope it is.  Paxton  I hope we have all been sensitive to the fact that this is a reoccurrence for you.   I hope you can talk about that if you feel like it.  PacJen  I sometimes think, well, I know how I will most likely die now.  I want to live to see my granddaughter grow up, and my daughter have children.  We all have so much to fight for.  I am trying to change so many patterns and aspects of my life, and I do realize that no one has any guarantees.  There is just today and the choices for today.  Leanna It has been a tough week.  I am glad you let the tears fall, and maybe wash away  some of the hurt and fear.   I hope you can enter A/C remembering that there have been a real variety of responses to it (here with all of us).  Try to visualize minimal SE.  I  visualize how my body is going to  use the drugs to kill the cancer, then flush out all that is no longer needed.  We have helped each other.  I was so afraid to start Taxol, but you all helped me, by reminding me you did it, and you are still here with  your families, doing fun things, getting through it.  Remember those of us who have been here through A/C, walking, taking vacations, working,  cooking, laughing. All that goes along with the difficult days, the crying, the fear.  We are all more than these damn treatments!.   Tomorrow is my 3 Taxol.  I will go by myself as my Sweetie is needing to be at his house this week.  If I feel good, I will drive over to his house  this weekend(110 miles).  It will be the first time, since I started treatment. This is exhausting for our families and support system too.  Daiva  I relate to you. I am usually such a positive person, and this has made me snappy with my Sweetie, and he has been so very very understanding about it.  Heck, he even encourages it, saying I need to get it out,  be more assertive,  express all my negative feelings. We all need that.   Hugs to everyone,   Patricia   
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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for the lift, Patricia!  I have been having a rough week.... I think it's been obvious from my posts... sorry, I have been down!!  I'm frutrated... 11 taxols and no palpable difference in my tumor.  Headaches that won't stop!  I can't wait to start AC (and am scared) to see if I get a response from chemo.  I meet with onc next week and am curious since she saw no tumor response from taxol... why we continued... I thought the point of neoadjuvant was to see tumor response... to see what works.  Hmmm.  You are such an inspiration, always!  Thank you!  Smile
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  • KimLovesDachshunds
    KimLovesDachshunds Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2010

    Packjen  Humm banana split -- that does sound like a marvelous dinner and I am with you -- hush up and eat your food -- like do you know how much I slaved over fixing that!  Laughing It is very stressful to know of all the cancer in your area.  It would weigh heavily on my heart too.  I've had to fight the image of getting cancer again in my future since on my Dad's side, there is ALOT of cancer -- his father (my grandfather died of it as well as several of my grandfather's brothers); my Dad's sister died of cancer so it has hit every generation and now me.  But I also tell myself to push past it because that type of thinking can only maximize your body's stress levels to the point of not fighting off BAD cancer cells.  I am reminding myself to LIVE life and not live on the edge of death thoughts -- but at times it is hard.   

    Paxton -- gosh, HUGS to you for all your little body is doing to ya -- glad your Dad is coming into town and you can have some help.  

    x-raygirl -- the steroids make me wacky -- brain racing / hot flashes worse -- UGH!  LibraryJenn  Here's to continued reduction of the lump -- positive prayers on that end. 

    Day -- good points.  

    I plan to take time to read back over some of the advice and positive words.  Most times my brain has not been able to take things in and process well.  Tongue out   But then I have that problem a little bit on the average anyway -- ADD??? 

    YES --- My last chemo is tomorrow and while I get anxious right before due to the drain on the body the week or so afterwards, I am glad to know it is my last and then three weeks and onto radiation and back to work.  I am anxious about working and wearing the wig / and/or hats -- I got into downtown Atlanta -- and thus, it is a different climate than the relaxed nature out here in the burbs!  The last 2.5  months I've gotten away with just hats/scarfs.  I am reminding myself of how much fun it will be to see the NEW hair coming in and cheering it on. 

    Prayers and positive vibes to you all as we move into different areas of ridding our bodies of these bad cells -- GO NINJAS!  MUCH LOVE -- Kim   

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  • LibraryJenn
    LibraryJenn Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2010

    Leanna - I hear you about it being a rough week.  I spent more time than I usually let myself down in the dumps.  I get nasty cold sores on my chin (have for years) and one sprouted up night before last - makes me feel even worse, now I'm bald and have a huge sore on my chin.  Now I'm on anti-viral meds so I hope they work fast.  I swear that having eyebrows would make me feel better right now!  I'm too tired and nauseous to really exercise yet, and even if I wasn't, my GI is so bad that I can't really leave my house.  Nothing like feeling bald, fat, and ugly on top of having the runs and cancer...(although I am REALLY trying not to think that way, sometimes it's a lot harder than others.)

    Sorry to hear that your tumor hasn't changed.  Mine also hurt.  It helps me to think of it as a "good" hurt - that it was the tumor dying and the blood returning to the tissue.  Kind of like when your hand is asleep and "wakes up."  I told the nurse last time, and she said that happens sometimes after surgery...which is great but I haven't had surgery yet!  I heard somewhere that AC and Taxol attack the cells differently, so here's hoping that it will only take one AC for you to notice a difference.  I don't know about you, but I can't wait for surgery.  I just want this stupid thing cut out of me.  Are you going to do herceptin too?  I noticed you were HER2+ too.  I'm doing it for a year starting Aug. 13th.

    Patricia - you always know what to say!  Just reading your posts makes me feel better in my day too. BTW - I have black beans soaking right now and am going to make rockin' black bean soup for supper with a side of sweet potatoes.  At least that is the plan.  I'm still pretty nauseated, especially when I'm working in the kitchen.  I can't even see dried fruit or I start gagging.  It's what I took for a snack on Friday to chemo - now I can't think about it and even had to get my DH to take it out of my purse for me as I couldn't go near it.

    Sorry for the rant guys, I feel pretty bummed out right now.  I just want to be normal and leave all of this behind me.  I'm even tired of reading and I'm a friggen' librarian!  Thank God for you guys.  It helps so much to know I'm not doing this alone. 

    (((((((HUGS))))))

    Jenn 

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  • paxton
    paxton Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2010

    I ended up eating 2 bowls of bf's corn pops for supper last night and I was grateful.  Not exactly the healthy track I'm trying to be on, but being able to eat something that didn't taste like rotten meat was just so exciting. 

    My onc isn't in today, but I made the call and talked to her nurse about how I'm feeling about quiting the Avastin to get the ball rolling.  So, we'll see how that goes. 

    My energy level is ridiciulous.  I had to take a long nap just from getting up to eat breakfast.  I think I'm going to start taking the Decadron tomorrow like I would on a normal tx week even though I have tx off this week.  It helps with the energy and I want to enjoy the weekend of camping we're planning even if I'm just propped in a lawn chair.  BF is grilling ribs friday, doing some fishing Saturday and having a fish fry/bday party for the baby sunday.  BF's mom wants to have a little cake tomorrow night because its actually Gage's bday tomorrow.   

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  • njbhwgirl
    njbhwgirl Member Posts: 295
    edited July 2010

    xraygirl....my name on this site is nj beach haven west girl...that is where my house is at down the shore in NJ....there are bumper stickers with BHW in Nj that people put on there cars. okay so I am a little lame but I ike it there. It gives me peace

     packjen:  I have been having hot flashes for 7 years now...yes that long...black cohosh is a no no for us but after your treatments talk to your dr. my sister got a drug that helps tremendously. she too went into menopause instantly when she started chemo. and yes both my sisters and mom had breast cancer. seems our family never gets away from this awful disease.  till then...put fan on your face...it does get better, i love banana splits.. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and we went to woolworths...you picked a balloon and inside it had a price of $.01 to $.039..and that would be your price for the banana split...wow am I dating myself  lol

    Leanna:& library Jen  Oh no...you were always so upbeat.. hope your day today is going better...hugs hugs to you 

    patricia: wish I could take less steroids...I take 10 prior to taxol treatment..probably why I am so high for the next 36 hours and crash later...

    Congrats to all who have finished their treatments.. hopefully I will join your club at the end of August....

    Okay here is my rant for the day...and I know I am a big baby but I bowed out of the casting for recovery program. I spoke to both the local director and nurse . I just wanted my own room. I told them I would pay for the room or could go home and come back the next morning. The hotel is only 30 minutes from my house. They refused saying sorry that was the program. I cannot see what the difference is if I go to room 112 or room 113 when lights are out.  I am very self concious about my no hair and no breasts. I whip my wig off when I am home and I want to be able to do the same thing in my own room. I also need it super cool in the room and I am in the bathroom all night . Not to mention that I don't sleep well and usually have the tv on most of the night. I do not want to bother the other individual. So I have to ask you all.. Am I being a baby? Should I just of sucked it up?   

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  • Redbarb804
    Redbarb804 Member Posts: 299
    edited July 2010

    Jeanna: I am so sorry you are having such a tough time right now.  I'm also sorry that the tumor has not changed.  I will continue to pray for a change and that you start to feel better.  i know you have heard it before but you have to stay positive!!  I truly believe that positive energy helps to heal us. 

    Kim: good luck with your last treatment and CONGRATULATIONSLaughing!!!  You're not alone with the ADD thing, but I think I have the H which makes me ADHD!  I do have a son that has ADHD so I am familar with the symptoms.

    Patricia: You always know the right things to say.  Even when I don't think I need a pep talk I read one of your posts and feel better.

    Jenn: Don't apologize for ranting, it's what we are here for.  If you can't rant here then where can you rant?  I hope your day gets better. 

    HUGS to ALL MY SPECIAL SISTERS

    Barb

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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited July 2010

    Kim - HOORAY for getting done!!!!!  You did it!  :)  Hopefully, it will cool down a little here in the south before you have to go back to work and wear your wig... which I'm sure, is spectacular!!!  I still have yet to wear my wig out!!  :) 

    Jenn - Thank you for making me feel better!  I can't wait for surgery either... and yes, I just want this thing out of me as well!  I am also on herceptin.  I will not get it for the 2 months that I am on AC... so I am also curious how they will count my "year" on herceptin since I have been on it for 3 months; will be off it for 2 months; then back on it.  Will I continue for 2 months past when I started it??  Hmm... will start a list of questions for my onc next week!  I always hit her pretty hard with questions since I only see her once a month!! 

    Paxton - Your weekend plans sound awesome!!  I hope you enjoy ALL of it!!  And, I say, if the steroids will give you some energy.. then take them, darnit!  Smile  And, Happy Birthday to GAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Jersey - Well, holy moley!  Your family did get a bumb deal... sorry!  Have any of you had the BRCA test?  I do not think that you are being a baby about wanting your own room... not at this point in your treatment.  Maybe you can do it later when you are feeling better, and sleeping better... is that a possibility?  At this point, I would not want to be with anyone overnight except my family either.  Sometimes I am up late at night just because, and I would hate to bother someone else... I know where you are coming from!! 

    Barb - Embarassed  I know... positive thoughts!!  Positive thoughts!  Thanks!!! 

    (((HUGS)))

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  • KimLovesDachshunds
    KimLovesDachshunds Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2010

    njbhwgirl -- I am in agreement with you.  I am very sensitive about my baldness too.  I have gone limited places since dealing with all this.  That is a main reason that I am nervous about going back to work on Aug. 19th in Atlanta.  I have had trouble with IBS the past 9 years and certainly this cancer hasn't helped me in that regard so I know how hard that is on your psychic -- totally depressing at times!  So I TOTALLY get what you are saying.  It is a shame that they did not.   I must admit a lady at my office had breast cancer back 2 years prior and when I heard she was having difficulty with the lost of her hair, foolish me thought -- well, she is having her life saved so hair doesn't matter.  But NOW I do TOTALLY get how it steals a sense of who we are!  So HURRAY for you taking care of yourself!!

     I took my dex today prior to chemo tomorrow and boy, the hot flashes are running wild and free over my body.  UGH!  One last chemo though so I know to HANG TOUGH!

     I probably will be off line for several days as it knocks me down pretty good.  I will be thinking of you all and hugs and much love for the weekend plans -- hope you each have peaceful, loving weekends!    Love -- Kim

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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited July 2010

    Leanna - I'm so sorry you're feeling under the weather. I only wish the best for you. I'm so glad that even though you are feeling crappy you have not lost your sense of humor - mosquito's cured of cancer - very funny!

    redbarb - welcome back from vacation!! We missed you! So glad you had a good time. With regard to rads, I just had my simulation on Monday which I thought was pretty cool. I was having insurance issues which delayed that for a while but I found out today that the insurance company settled with my health care provider so no more insurance issues!! YAY! Now I just need to finalize plans for my start date (hopefully 8/11) and my daily time. They wanted to give me 7:50am but that's the time I get up in the morning so I'm hoping to get a later time. I am very much an night owl and would sleep until noon if I didn't have to go to work.

    packjen - I think you've made us all hungry for banana splits! YUM!!!

    Kim - good luck to tomorrow - it's your last one!!! VERY EXCITING!!

    njbhwgirl - Rant all you want. I think your requests are totally reasonable.

    Patricia - good luck tomorrow. You have such a wonderful attitude. You are definitely an inspiration.

    Good night my friend! Pleasant dreams!

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited July 2010

    Just stopping by to say hi. I am not able to focus much on anything still (only day 4) but by the time the week-end comes I will be good enough to write and write and write.

    Hugs all

    Day

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  • Ca1Ripken
    Ca1Ripken Member Posts: 1,254
    edited July 2010

    Kim - Sorry, I misread your post before, I thought you were done... but you'll be done today!!!  Congrats!!   Hopefully, you will have the easiest SE ever this week!!  :)

    Drim - I'm so glad you got the insurance issues worked out... I know that was concerning for you!  So, when you pick you time for rads, you go the same time everyday?  And, how long does it take?  And, you go straight through the weekend, right?  How many days are you going?

    Hi Day!  We'll be here waiting for your words of wisdom... we know you are full of them when you are able to focus!! 

    The steroids have kicked in today, and my entire garage is clean!  My DH is going to be surprised when he gets home!  I think I need a nap now though... but I'd like to stay up all day so I can stay on a normal schedule and sleep at night.  With DH working, me sleeping late is not an option!!  He also has to go to Pittsburgh next Monday-Tuesday for another interview with a different company.  He feels really bad because Tuesday is my first day of AC chemo....  He was particular about who could go with me... so, it's going to be one of my nurse friends.  I also meet with my doctor that day, so I know she'll be close. 

    ((HUGS)) all!!!

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  • KimLovesDachshunds
    KimLovesDachshunds Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2010
    Today was my last round of chemo.  The bad bad shot tomorrow -- ugh -- then a week of feeling like no energy.  But it is DONE now.  YES, will be seeing onco radiologist Wednesday week.  Have changed my profile to show my bald head.  Now in about two months the poor hair can start to grow back and not worry about chemo zapping it.  :)  HUGS to you all as you go on your journey here.  Nice to be seeing a light at the end of the chemo tunnel!   LOVE!  Kim  Kiss
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  • njbhwgirl
    njbhwgirl Member Posts: 295
    edited July 2010

    Drim: hey...glad insurance worked out. How is your hair?  Are you able to wash it more frequently now that you are off the chemo?  Wish I followed your path.. the wig is a drag and the thought of wearing it 9 more months..well...I hope I can do it.

    Leanna:  you sound better today  except for the dreaded highs from steroids.  boy I know that well.

    My onc. just called and said they reviewed my cat scan of my lungs. They are concerned about inflamation and they want me to hold off on my treatments for a little while. I whined and now they are going to take another xray on Monday and if things look better I can go as proceeded. I truly do not believe the Taxol did this to my lungs. I was starting to breathe bad prior to my first taxol. I think it was a viral thing. I improved dramatically with antibiotics and was able to get my 2nd shot of Taxol.  If taxol was the enemy don't you think I would of been getting worse???

    I have good thoughts for Monday..I know it will be alright. I think my experience through all of this is that nothing seems to go smooth. I am not alone though for I look at all of your mishaps along the way and guess it is just part of the journey.

    Have great afternoon all

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited July 2010

    Leanna - words of wisdom? I feel like a bus ran over me, left then came and ran over me again.

    I had a very hard time with the steroids this time - Monday (the day of the tx) I couldn't sleep at all. the interesting part was that I wasn't as dizzy as for the other treatments, so yeah, I know what you mean with the garage clean. I did laundry, cleaned dishes, straightened around the house - then couldn't sleep till close to 5 am. I think I said earlier how my Tuesday went. Since then I am in a weird schedule - no schedule whatsoever that is, when it comes to sleeping. I am very tired, and the Neulasta pains are different now - no pain in thelower back or tailbone or hips, but lots of pain in my femurs and knees. To the point that my legs almost give  up on me when I walk. Can't really focus on much, but I am in a little bit of mental hyperactivity - how does that sound combined with chemo-brain? 

    Anyway, this time I have a mild nausea, not to the point of throwing up, just ... you know, my stomach doesn't feel very happy. Water tastes horrendous (and all other liquids too), the only thing that does seem to go down a little bit better is if I put some Propel powder in the water. Oh, and also I had a glass of coke. Just one, the next one tasted yuck. A good thing though, it seems this time I don't have the "burned mouth", or at least not yet. So I can taste food, but this time I have the mild nausea. Sigh. Last times no nausea but couldn't taste food. I was a little scared as in the secodn day after chemo I passed almost black stools. I'm fine now. Good part I didn't have any GI problems, no diarrhea, no constipation (well I do have the tendency to get constipation from the Percocet, but I'm taking Doq-u-lace or something like this). Hot flashes seem to be better too.

    And it has been so nice outside! After the heat we had, now it's been in the max 91-92F, and that only late afternoon, and I couldn't be outside!  And I was looking at the forecast, of course, when I will start feeling better we get a heat wave again. My two furbabies are outside right now, it's not extremely hot and they are laying in the grass sunbathing.

    My hair is really growing. it's about 1 1/2 cm long right now. Not very thick, but it's there, and it's definitely curly. I have finished preparing Monday one of my herbal recipes for hair growth, it should be perfectly macerated in two weeks when I will start applying it. If you guys want to try it, I can write it down here. It does involve a strict adherence to applying it though. I know it works wonders, from my own experience. 

    I have a horrendous craving right now for.... layered chocolate cake. And I'm by myself - my sweetheart left this morning and he won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. I'll try and see if I can get one of my friends to get me some. If I can stomach it, I swear, I'll eat the whole thing in one sitting!

    Ok, enough whining. Hugs all

    Day

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  • sacphotomom
    sacphotomom Member Posts: 366
    edited July 2010

    Day Chocolate cake sounds wonderful.... wish I could taste it..every thing taste watered down to me ..chocolate is one of my favorites  but all I can taste of it is the bitter.....if you can taste your chocolate cake  have some for me . 

    KIm loves ...I don't think it will take 2 months for your hair to start growing back... I  have some hair growth on my head after waiting 3 weeks to start Taxotere..little tiny hairs are sprouting on my head...but I think they will be gone with the Taxotere..so I'm trying not to get to excited...those little wandering and lost eyelashes are sprouting on my chin too...I really didn't want to pluck them ..crazy wanting any sign of hair growth.. made me feel bad to pluck them....lol  and YEA to last chemo! 

    Oh my! My husband would love it if I had cleaned the garage out...I really think he would wonder what was else was wrong with me....

     I was lurking in the Exchange Forum and some one there had this quote ..made me laugh

    Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says...

    "OH crap , shes up!"

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  • Summer38
    Summer38 Member Posts: 253
    edited July 2010

    Hi all, here is my "catch up" hope I don't leave anyone out...

    Patricia- I too am normally a very positive, easy going person and I find that for the first few days after treatment I'm very snappy with no patience. Thankfully those around me are pretty understanding.Thanks for your great posts. LibraryJenn- I agree that going through this has made me look at life, see whats important and focus on that. Sorry you're having a rough week, hope it gets better. I do have a funny story that you can relate to... Early in my treatment I was very eager to stick to a walking routine so I would get up around 5:30 and walk for 3 1/2 miles. Well one day after I had walked almost a mile I felt the dreaded GI pain in my stomach and thought uh-oh, better turn around! So I started walking back home and by the time I was about 3 houses away I had to start running - thank God it was so early and none of my neighbors saw me, I barely made it inside. That was my last walk!Embarassed Sacphotomom- I hope your WBC stays up and no more neulasta! I get my last shot today (after Taxol #2) and I really hope it doesn't intensify the bone pain I felt with Taxol #1, I don't think I could take that. Redbarb - Welcome back! Hope you had a great time. Internal rads sounds interesting, let us know what you find out. Leanna - getting that positive spirit back? Sorry you were feeling down, I hope today is better {{{HUGS}}} Try not to worry too much about AC - honestly for me it wasn't too bad. So sorry you didn't get a response from the Taxol but my fingers are crossed that the AC kicks A**!!! Kim - Congratulations on last chemo & I love the new picture!! Paxton - If Corn Pops make you happy then ENJOY! Sounds like you have a great weekend planned, have a great time. Happy Birthday Gage! NJ- I Don't blame you for not wanting to share a room, all are valid reasons and it's a shame they couldn't accommodate you. So sorry about your lungs, Hopefully everything will be clear on Monday. Glad you pushed for treatment anyway. Drim- Glad your insurance issues are cleared up, what a pain in the butt! Did you get tattoos for radiation? Just wondering where they are located. Day- Ugh, your leg pain sounds awful, hope it gets better soon. "Mental Hyperactivity", LOL Love it! I can't believe your hair is growing already, Lucky! I wish I lived closed because I be glad to bring over a chocolate cake and share it!Laughing

    So, had my 2nd Taxol yesterday and I had another reaction - tightness in chest, can't breath, turned bright red, etc... They stopped it and gave me more steroids and restarted fine. They decided to have me take the steroids the night before and the morning of (I know a lot of you do that)as well as in my pre-meds and they're hoping that will eliminate the reaction. They also had to do a ultrasound on my legs because my left leg is more swollen than my right and they're afraid of a blood clot. It came back clear but now they want to watch that too. Now just waiting through my crazy hot flashes for the dreaded bone pain. Gonna go out to dinner with the DH while I can still enjoy it. Hope you all have a great weekend of no SE's!

    Sorry such a long post Wink

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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited July 2010

    Leanna - I wish I had the amount of energy you have. I'm working full time (which is like 10 hrs. a day) but when I get home I'm exhausted and I can barely get up in the morning. As far as the rads, once you get a time you do stick to it for the whole 6-7 weeks. The appt itself is supposed to be pretty short - get undressed, get positioned into machine, get zapped, get dressed and leave. Once a week you're supposed to spend some time with the doctor. While writing this post I got a call that they were able to give me a better time/date/location - woo hoo!!! So I will start rads at 8:30am on August 10th. I get back from PR on Aug. 9th but thankfully I won't be home too late. I have herceptin right after rads on that day which is nowhere near the radiation place. Then off to work - boy I'm exhausted just thinking about that....but so happy I got a better time for rads.

    njbhwgirl - I hope your lungs will be all better in time for your next treatment. It does sound like it's a virus and not from the Taxol. As far as my hair, it's all there but it's really gray and dry too. But I'm still thankful to have it! My eyelashes, although no great shakes, have held up. The brows are funny - not quite sure what's going on with them but I've been filling the missing spots with pencil and to me they look fine. The left brow is really sprouting hairs. The right brow, not so much.

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  • Drim
    Drim Member Posts: 302
    edited July 2010
    Summer - glad to hear from you. Our posts crossed paths since it took me so long to finish mine (darn work interrupting my posting). I'm so sorry you're having that reaction to the Taxol. I took 2 steriod pills (morning and night) the day before and then as an infusion premed. Hopefully the extra steriods will help or perhaps they can slow the drip. As far as the tatoos, I have 3 of them. One in the middle of my chest (you would be able to see it if I wore something low cut), one right below my breast, and one about 2 inches down from my arm pit. To me they look like blackheads. I hope they fade over time.
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  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited July 2010

    All I can say is "chemo brain"!!!  I've read the posts the last couple of days and am having a tough time keeping track.  I just ate 2 drumsticks and a pack of ritz crackers - oy vey!  I had a wonderful massage today and feel like flubber.  Sending love to all of you....   will post more tomorrow when I'm fresh.  You're all in my prayers tonight!  ~  Daiva

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  • patricia48
    patricia48 Member Posts: 121
    edited July 2010

    Hi Guys,  I am back from Taxol number three.  This is the first time I drove myself (70 miles round trip).  It was wonderfully uneventful.  I had only 1 at home steroid. The next time only the premeds. My RBC was going down, and they mentioned another transfusion, but onc said not yet.  I almost maintained from last week, eating red meat, raisins liver,  I hate red met. Sacphotomom  I can hardly taste anything.  I am like you with the chocolate, I only taste bitter. It is the only sugar I eat, a small piece of  dark for the antioxidants.  I tried some no sugar sherbet and it tasted like some kind of rice filler. Thanks for the quote. I loved it. Drim Regarding the tats, my friend how just finished rads says hers are gone.  I already have a  tattoo. I have a lotus in the small of my back.  It is the belly dancing influence.Ha.  I am planning to  get a tattoo around my scar, since I am not considering reconstruction.  I haven't decided on the design, but I will draw it myself, and it will be part of my celebration when I get through all this the end of November. Leanna, Wish I was motivated to clean my garage!I am so glad you are feeling better.  NJBJWgirl I hope you are able to get your lungs clear and have your treatment. Summer I am sorry about your reaction.  I think the at home meds will help.I love your walking story.  I have has a couple of close calls too. I thought I would have to drop behind a shrub once, and once I was in front of a historic tavern and barely made it to their bathroom.  Lucky I knew where it was.  Day- You do have words of wisdom.  Claim it for yourself. I think you are amazing!  BTW I do want the hair growth information. I am pretty dedicated to anything I try. Kim  I love your new pic!  Congratulations on completing chemo.  Yeah!  Paxton  I hope your weekend is wonderful and that Gage's B'DAY celebrations are  fun for everyone. LibraryJenn  I hope you liked the black bean soup.  I enjoy the avocado on top. Sweet potatoes yumm.  I can still taste them, and so healthy.  Redbarb   Thanks for the compliment.  I get so much from all of you, and this has been a really wonderful place for all of us to share..  Today during treatment, I was thinking how much I would love to meet you all.  You are such beautiful and amazing women, and you are so inspiring to me.  Sorry this is so long.  I just want to converse with everyone.Hope everyone else is resting and hope to hear from you soon. Patricia

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  • LibraryJenn
    LibraryJenn Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2010

    Hey ladies, I'm having a much better day than yesterday!  I woke up this morning and said "enough is enough, I'm cooking today!"  I made the Rockn' black bean soup (so yummy,) avocado cream (not a big fan but I suspect my avocado wasn't ripe enough,) spiced toasted almonds (a great snack,) ginger tea spritzer (will be my new go to drink for nausea - it's awesome,) the poached salmon (I made it with steel head trout, it was very good), and the basil lemon broccoli (so very good!)  Needless to say, my DH is very glad that I'm feeling better!  He is a good cook too, but doesn't have time very often.  I can't say enough good things about Cancer Fighting Kitchen - it's full of great recipes!

    Leanna - that's great about the garage!  If I did that, I think my DH might fall over in shock!  I hope you get to sleep tonight.  Day - hope you are feeling better soon.  I feel for you.  It's 32 here today (not sure what that is in your temp.)  Too hot for me!  I hate not having hair when I sweat :)  I hope you get your chocolate cake!  RedBarb - I'm so glad you had a great vacation!  I bet it was worth being tired.  Patricia - you are so courageous for driving yourself!  I don't think I could (it's about 270 km round trip so a bit farther.)  Summer - your story did make me laugh!  I've had Crohn's disease for awhile now, so I'm used to the "uh oh" feeling :)  We always make sure we have a roll of tp in the car when we go on a road trip!  I've been lucky so far, just had to go behind the bushes a few times.  That's very scary about your reaction though.  I know I have to take the steroids the night before too when I start on Aug. 13th.  Sacphotomom - I love the quote!  I will remember that if the chemo brain lets me lol!  njbwhgirl - good luck on the scan on Monday.  It sounds like a viral thing to me too.  I also agree that it was too bad you couldn't get your own room.  Drim - glad to hear you got a later appointment time for your rads!  I'm not sure what I'm going to do when the time comes.  It's a 3h+ round trip for me and I have a toddler!  I can't imagine working 10 hour days right now.  You inspire me!  Kim - you are the reason there is the saying "Bald is Beautiful!"  Looking good!

     Night! Jenn

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  • cleob
    cleob Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2010

    Hello Ladies,

    Nice to be back. i tried to keep abreast of most of the postings.

    Leanna9: We are all too familiar with the pain associated with this monster of a tumor, but you need to remain positive that you are in capable hands. You are not alone in this journey, hence the outpouring of concern from all concerned. I am also in a similar situation with you. I have had 9 weekly taxol teratments and my oncologist had since about five weeks ago felt the need to switch treatment because the tumor seem to have either increased in size or remained the same following an MRI prior to my fourth treatment.. However, the treatment was continued until last friday and it was followed with another MRI this past tuesday. The decision has been made to switch me over to AC starting tomorrow and i am excited that another treatment option has been offered.

    As painful as the tumor could be, no matter how frustrated you feel, you have the power to overcome. I have refused to feel bad about my situation because this too will come to pass. we made progress in the first three treatments and after then things changed. I am tempted to attribute mine to reduced dosage of my weekly taxol since my third treatment due to infection but nonetheless, i have adopted a very positive attitude to my treatment ad believe the medical team will do their best. 

    To others who feel down and low, please also know that you have the power to overcome. let us look forward to a very happy weekend.

    Lots of love.

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited July 2010

    I got chocolate cake! One of my friends read my whining on facebook (lol) and came later with a bowl-full of nice fruit and chocolate cake! I am so happy!

    Here's the hair re-growth recipe. I got it in the family (from my grand-father who was a herbalist) and I saw it working on people who had chemo (the old style chemo, the nasty one) and I also saw it working on a young lady who had lost all her hair due to shock (apparently the hardest to grow back) - 6 months later she had hair to her shoulder and all nice and wavy! It works on the males too, not just on females.

    Take walnut leaves (pecan works too but not as strong) as well as walnut green shells (the ones encasing the nut itself). Get a Dollar store big pot (it might become very stained and you wont' be able to use it for something else). You will need about 2 walmart bags of leaves for approx 1 1/2 gall of water. Boil the leaves in the water until you are left with about 1 quart of liquid. Strain and let cool. Take clean 12 oz jars and fill them about 2/5 with this liquid. Then take grain hard alcohol (like everclear - it MUST be grain alcohol not another kind and it has to be at leat 90 degrees)) and fill the jars another 2/5. For each jar use 2 heads of garlic or 1/2 head of elephant garlic, peeled and MASHED (not pressed) in a mojar with a pestle. Put the garlic inside, shake real good, cover the jar well and let sit in the fridge for 2-3 weeks - ypu might want to shake it again like every 2-3 days. You will notice that it looks quite gooey (from the very first time when mixing the leaves decoct with the alcohol) and looks kind of gross (almost like buggers) - but hey! we've been through so much I personally can take a little bit of gross if it makes my hair grow back faster. You know it's macerated when the concoction smells more like alcohol than like garlic (in the beginning the garlic smell is overpowering). For two weeks, every day, on a clean scalp, rub a thin layer of this, let it dry, then wash it off (don't worry, it won't smell like garlic after you wash it off). Then take a two weeks break. Repeat for as long as you have potion in the two weeks on-two weeks off pattern.
    As a medical explanation -  the hair follicles are still there, they just become weak and can't poke through the skin anymore. There is a medical explanation why this potion works: the alcohol "thins" the skin, the tanins and iodine in the walnut (pecan) leaf and the garlic strengthen the hair follicle. The only "downfall" is that the hair might grow curly. And also, be careful, it WILL color your hair, in a very pretty chestnut brown color, and it might also color your skin (from the tanins and iodine).


    This time of the year is the best to collect the leaves, as the concentration of tanins and iodine is the strongest.  In Romania the fresh walnut leaf decoct (as well as the fresh stinging nettles decoct) is used when you wash your hair, as a rinse, not just to give a nice chestnutty color to brown hair, but to strengthen the hair roots.

    P.S. good thing I had the recipe written down, I am not sure if I would have been able to write it correctly right now, lol

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  • paxton
    paxton Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2010

    I had to go to the ER during the night on Thursday because of fever.  So frustrating, but they actually let me go with antibiotics this time so I didn't miss the birthday party last night.  We let Gage dig into his cake and gave him a bath after it was over.  Fun!  It was the first time my dad has seen him since he was a month old.

    Right now they're in the process of packing up campers and boats to head over to the lake.  I've vowed to just take it easy and let everybody else do it all.  I'm borrowing one of those anti gravity lawn chairs from a friend and I can also lay in the air conditioned camper off and on.

    I was able to talk to my onc about not doing the Avastin.  She understood and was fine with just finishing with the chemo.  She wants to give me next week off to recover from whatever this fever is about.  All these weeks off here and there keep pushing the end farther off, but guess I won't complain.

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  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited July 2010

    I am so sorry you had to go to the ER. Good thing you didn't miss the party and was able to have a little bit of fun. Just rest and get well.

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  • njbhwgirl
    njbhwgirl Member Posts: 295
    edited July 2010

    Paxton: so sorry about the fever. I have been there.  What antibiotic are you on? I was on levoquin...it seemed to work... hope your better soon

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  • KimLovesDachshunds
    KimLovesDachshunds Member Posts: 177
    edited July 2010
    Paxton:  Sorry to hear about the ER visit but glad little Gabe got to dig into his cake and the celebration still happen.  You are a strong and GREAT Mom!  Hugs to you!  Day:  Thanks for the recipe -- will give it a try!  Sounds very cool!  Am glad you got CHOCOLATE cake!  Chocolate always makes things better.  Laughing  Drim -- keep us posted about the rads as I think mine will start around August 19th -- haven't got it set yet -- meet up with onco radiologist on August 11th to meet and get things rolling -- will be starting back to work on 19th and with the drive -- it makes my day be from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  UGH!  Hoping my body will go with it.  Embarassed  Patricia -- you are inspiring us -- go girl on the tatoo.  I have been blessed that ALL my stuff -- surgeries, chemo, radiation were done only 15 miles from my home in Conyers.  (My hard part is my job in Atlanta -- 43 miles away -- thus been out on short-term disability these 3 months.)  You gals inspire me on handling all that you handle with such a drive!  We do what we have to do but whew!  MJBHWgirl -- prayers for the lungs to clear and your feeling better.  Taxotere does have side effects and I was given steriods to take the day before / part of it in my iv during chemo / and the day after to help keep under control side effects of both Cytoxan.  But it probably was something else like the others are saying.  X-ray girl -- hang in there with the chemo brain -- we understand it well.  I imagine tomorrow will be a big DOWN day for me after chemo yesterday.  We at least know it doesn't last forever.  HUGS!    EVERYONE -- a friend sent me this -- I hope it attaches itself!  Much love and prayers for each one of you to heal and feel back to your normal selves very, very soon!  Kim P.S.  A friend sent this to me -- inspirational -- hope you enjoy --   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zeb2h5QodY&feature=related
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