Chemo June 2010

hi tmarina,

thanks for the anaemia info. my platelets are low too, but better than yours still (140,000). and my wbc are dropping but still in normal (not chemo) range.

i am also eating fresh fruit and veg - but trying to wash it well first :-)

Here's an article about the gel gloves i used during the taxol tx: http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/195676873.html

 Hi ladies

I feel a little as if I'm running along last in the chemo race at the moment !!  Loving hearing about all of you having your last treatments (especially the AC-gang cos I'm a member) but as mine were only x3 weekly, and I had a week delay because of my neutropenia I've only just had #3.

Until now I've had really boring side effects compared to the wonderful array of rashes, bumps, and other weird and wonderful things happening to others - it seems there is just no end to all the unpleasant 'additions' that go with this treatment.

For the first time, this time having previously (rounds 1 +2) only had mind numbing fatigue and that steroid face congestion / nausea sensation the chemo-gods decided it was my turn for full blown vomiting.  After a morning kneeling at the white throne my oncology nurse advised it was time to come in for a few hours for fluids and the anti-nausea medications via a drip.  Dr said that chemo had quite a cumulative effect in the body so you dont really actually recover fully between cycles, which might account for why all of a sudden I got this bonus!

However, now 5 days out I'm feeling brighter which I'm hoping will continue.  My 17 yr old is performing in a major music event out of town this coming weekend so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I'll feel well enough for the weekend away to sit and bask in some reflected glory!!

What to say - I think WE are all very brave.  We solider on, through all these hiccups, trying to stay positive, trying to become our own best advocates in our health decisions. We deal with stupid receptionists, daft comments, being bald yet keep supporting each other... I think our June 2010 ladies ROCK !!

Latte,

I'm on Taxotere and I use ice packs for my nails, hands and feet.

Bon,

I wouldn't be happy either.

Julia

Ladies, I called the onc today and asked for a script for the anxiety.  I admitted that just the thought of sitting in that infusion chair was causing me anxiety and if he didn't do somethng I didn't know if I would come back from Sturgis!  With that said then I headed over to geth my MUGA (nuclear cardiac test).  Guess what, the minute they started trying to find a vein I got that terrible taste in my mouth!  Ugh....then they blew the vein three times.  I know have two terrible bruises.  Good thing I have the break in chemo huh? 

So, I am packing my bags and going to be patiently waiting at the front door on Wed when my hubby comes home.  I am going to Sturgis SD and party like a rock star.....or maybe not but I am going to relax and pretend that I am NOT battling the beast and have a good time.  I am going to see Mt Rushmore and Deadwood and pretend I am a gunfighter.  I promise to get pictures and share when we get back.  As for the riding my motorcyle - no due to the chest construction process I can't ride my own right now.  So, we are trailering Harley's out and I will ride with hubby.  I can get more pictures that way!

I want you all to hang int here and keep fighting! 
Hugs all around.

it's 6am here and i haven't been able to get to sleep tonight - must be the steroids...i'm not worried or tense, just wide awake. my daughter will be awake soon, so no chance of any sleep until later in the day. hope i last till then.

hope you are all doing OK! I love coming online and reading about what everyone is doing/thinking/going through - thanks June 2010 warriors!

Jackie-->  glad you called and got a scrip!  We suffer through enough--there is no reason not to get help with the anxiety!  Can't wait to see pics!

Julia-->That's GREAT that you had a much better experience!  That's the way the nurses are SUPPOSED to treat you!  Good luck making it through the next few days!

Latte-->hope you can get a nap in!

Janny-->yay for finishing the TH!  Hope you feel well during your break!

Isla-->sorry to hear you had such a rough time.   Hope you continue to feel better! Enjoy your weekend away!

Northerngirl-->I'll be thinking of you on Thursday!  Take that Ativan if you have it!  It really helps with the "infusion" anxiety!  ( I know I keep pushing it--but it really helps!)

Hope everyone has a great day!

Tina

angelwoman-->keep us posted on how it goes as many of us will be starting Taxol soon!  I will be getting it every 2 weeks like you, and the shot the next day also.  I'm wondering what reason you were given for having it every 2 weeks instead of weekly? Did anyone explain the differences in se's?  I have to have it that way because of my neuropathy.  Do you only have to have 4 tx then, like me?

God bless you too, and I'll be praying it goes well!

Tina

TMarina- The onc says it takes me 2 weeks to recover from the AC,and the AC is shrinking the tumor he did not want to change anything because it has been working so well. The nurses told me the Taxol will be easier on my body, I will still have Fatigue. The side affects are allergies,rash,nails,pain in joints for 48 hours. Now this is what I have been told. hopefully some of the people on this side can give us some additional information on this. I do get this 4 times every 2 weeks. When does your start?

Pam

tmarina and jackie- I'm so happy you are both getting a real life vacation as well as an away from chemo vacation.  Take some big bites out of "normal" life!

latte- I wish I could be there to help with your little one so you can have a nice nap.  I say plug in a lovely loooooong kid video and snooze away.

Enjoyed a lovely Sunday with DH and my funny son in the Park.  The Monarch butterflies are everywhere, getting ready for their long migration.  Nothing like having a 190 acre front yard...and not having to mow it! 

ok so i awoke at 200 am this morning due to my lil guy being sick< both ends! and a 99.3 fever all nite was like that. its now 1030am and he is holding things down, maybe something he ate yeasterday, he ate a lot of buttery popcorn before bed. i dont need to get it this weekend beings its my low... im a bit worried.. he is feeling fine now????

Okay, I did send my Onc photos of the itchy thing on my butt.  She agrees that as I used to get cold sores, this thing could, indeed, be a herpes outbreak caused by my supressed immune system.  Joy!  She wants me to see my regular doctor to see if it warrants being put on an anti viral prescription before my next chemo.  I asked if chemo could cause more severe herpes outbreaks, she said it could.  I really don't want to take more meds, I have so many chemicals in my body already.  Anyone have any thoughts?

Ladies:

I start Taxol on Thursday - every 2 weeks. No Neulasta shots anymore (I had them duiring AC).  They say side effects are minimal - mostly fatigue, hard to predict how much and for some women have body aches, they think can be handled with Aleve. They down-played the nail thing, but I'm moisturizing them anyway!  I have to take a bunch of steroids tomorrow night - so I made  them give me Xanax so I could sleep. Trying to stay positive. A question I have- do you all have your appetites back?  I feel like there are still lots of foods that I don't want to eat.  Wonder when that feeling goes away?  Anyway--- Hope you all have a good night with minimal SEs. Toni  

chey-Oh how I would love to click my heels and get us all out of this mess!  I do know "there's no place like home, there's no place like home".  Thank God for our loving families, can't imagine going through this without them.

I put a call into my primary doctor today as my Onc wants her opinion.  I'm not holding my breath.  Last time it took her a week or so to call back.  As I am not convinced I need treatment for my itchy spot, I am not pushing it.  As this is likely due to my suppressed immune system, I think I'll look into what complementary things might strengthen my system.

TMarina:  I had 3 FEC100 treatments and on Thursday I start the first fof 3 taxotere infusions 3 weeks apart. I wonder why some of us are on weekly, some bi-weekly and I am on 3 week cycles. Actually I start Herceptin on Thursday, Taxol on Friday. They are doing the infusions separately for this cycle to check for adverse reactions. If all goes well, the next infusions will be done together.

I met with my onc today (it's an 8 hour round trip and my appointment was less than 1/2 hour long...what a long day) .The doc explained that the taxol has quite different side effects than FEC, and there's a strong chance of allergic response. It still causes the low white blood cell count that patients experience on FEC or AC.

Good luck to you girls who are experiencing infections and rashes and other side effects. This just sucks, but there is an end to all this. We will dance again.