Chemo June 2010

That was the quote I have been looking for today - I knew I had seen it somewhere but couldn't find it.  It says it all!  Giddy Up girls!

DesignerMom

I had a similar lesion on my butt about a year ago that just wouldn't go away or respond to any kind of salve. This was before I was diagnosed with BC.

It turned out to be some kind of spider bite, which whas what my PCP said it looked like. That was clear after I got an identical bite on my thigh. 

I never found the spider, and moved away from that house shortly after for other reasons. This was in an area where black widows were prevalent, but I didn't have the usual symptoms from a BW bite.

Just a thought.

Chey, honey, I am so sorry you are going through this terrible time, with seemingly no help at all.  I am keeping you in my prayers in the hopes that you can get some much needed help, whether in the way of a support group or medication or both.  Just don't abandon posting on here.  We're all here for you.

 BIG HUG!!!!

Sherry- Have you had any of the "tingling" fingers and toes?

I had treatment yesterday. 2/4 taxol, was very anxious at first.. Had nice conversation with onc.. Explaining more in details about my treatment and my options.. He informed me that the next two were up to me if I wanted to continue or stop.. He understood all my concerns and told me that having all three completed the A/C and 2 Taxol only increases my chances of it not returning by three percent.. Since I already had 4 of A/C and two of taxol then I have increased my chances by 1 1/2 percent..we decided not to do the Neulasta shot this week and see how my body feels.. He also suggested that I could come once a week for treatment but that would extend me out 8 weeks instead of the four that is not an option..the every two weeks to be done On September 16 works for me.  If I continue I will be completely done on September 16. If I return on September 2 and my blood count is not up then we will have to wait another week.. Which might not be as effective..

He stopped the Neulasta because it causes bone pain along with Taxol, so I was in double the pain.. Hopefully I won't be in much with out the Neulasta.. I am going to think ahead and start with the Tylenol and Motrin..

 @Cheyenne, and Sherry, if I have not learned anything from these posts is that you are not alone.. I actually started up a discussion on my own, it is titled help me please... I was feeling so many emotions and no one that I talked to seem to understand why one minute I would be fine and the next one I would be a nervous wreck.. I too locked my self in my room on many of days.. I was off of work during my first two months of treatment and I think that was the worst for me i had nothing to do but lie in bed all day and think of all the horrible things that has happened to me over the last year.. I lost my mother in October of 09 and was diagnosed with cancer in March of 10.. I will give you one advice that has helped me on this long journey TALK..TYPE what ever you want to call it.. but talking to others that have gone through or are going through what I am seem to help me find strenght that I didn't know I had.. so many times I wanted stop and give up early in the game.. but I would log on and read and read all the encouraging words..

For those going through taxol.. I take xanax with the steriods to help me sleep the night before and the night of treatment.. The benadryl has me drowsy but it doesn't put me in the sleep good state. the xanax takes me there.  

I send to you lots of hugs and encourgement that was sent to me..

Hugs and smiles.. hang in there.. one person told me that Cancer was for the weak and it was time for me to put my big girl panties on...LOLOL.. WELL I PUT THEM ON..

i went to my own DR today and she put me on Wellbutrin and took me off the Zoloft, i called my ONC office to tell them of the new med and make sure they knew since i have chemo early monday and of coarse no one called me back, im due to start taking then tomorrow...i dont know what to do, they should know. i dont like that office.

tmarina - i just did a bit of "boost" research - apparently, a radiation boost is an extra dose that is targeted to the site of the tumor itself (as opposed to whole breast radiation) and is used in women who have a lumpectomy to help prevent reoccurrence in the same breast. it is very rarely used for women who have had a masectomy (because the tumor site is gone). hope this helps a bit.

DesignerMom - you never cease to amaze me.  I don't believe I have ever heard of anyone emailing photos of their buttocks to their physicians.  That is a first and it would have to be you!  I will try eating more juicy fruits and hope they taste good.  Citrus and sour things do have a better taste than sweet things or water right now.  I like lemonade, but find I can't drink a lot of it. 

Chey - you ARE going to make it.  At the beginning of my chemo, every week when time to go for tx I would tell my husband I couldn't do it - that I wasn't going to make it to the end.  And now I only have two more tx's. (I think and hope) Those days where I didn't think I could do it another time seem so far away.  As my onc told me, don't look so far ahead in the future.  Just do it one day at a time.  We'll all be here for you and will give the biggest cheer when you reach the finish!

Rest and a little laundry are the only things on my agenda for this weekend - mostly rest!

mitymuffin-->my hemoglobin has been low the entire time I've been on chemo.  My onc did a ferritin test and that came back ok, so I don't need iron pills (like Latte said).  I've heard people say they felt better after eating a big steak!  Also I think spinach is really good for iron?

Sherry-->I like to drink orange juice, Country Time Pink Lemonade, and Kool-aid!  Plain water tastes nasty to me too while going through chemo.  The lemon in water idea is good too!

Janny and SKD--> hope you are both feeling better!!

Latte--> thanks for the info on boosts.  I haven't taken the time to look anything up yet on it.  I think I may have had them last year, but the rad. onc. didn't really explain them to me.  But I do remember something about radiating a smaller area my last few txs. 

Chey--> I'm so glad you went to your regular doc!  Smart girl!  Hope the new meds help.  It usually takes a few weeks for them to really kick in, so give them some time.   Didn't you say you have a little boy?  How old is he?  How are he and your hubby holding up?  I think you mentioned a sister too--is she still able to help you out?  I hope you can get out and do something fun this weekend!  I've been feeling really good lately, so have been getting a lot of stuff done and having lunches with friends!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!!

Tina

Chey-  I started chemo on Wellbutrin.  So, my guess is you'll be OK. Glad you talked to your GP.  We will make it through!

janny99 What is wrong with that man?  You certainly don't need his nonsense right now. 

Good to hear from everyone.  Taxol is making me very tired and a little nausea these last two days.  Dry mouth makes eating a little tough.  Been drinking lots of boost and forcing myself to eat and drink.  I remember feeling very similar after my second AC. 

SKD feel better.  I'm sure that was a scare.

Toni you and I can be couch potatoes together

mitymuffin-good luck with the RBC

Everyone has such good advice today.  Nice and cool here today me and the dog will be napping.

Latte and TMarina, thank you for the information on anemia. I thought there might be a reason they hadn't mentioned taking iron.  I just so much want my old energy back.