Chemo June 2010

Some side effects have settled in from the Taxol. A bit of pain in my hips. Some pains in my right thigh. And an odd sensation in my knees - kind of tingly, kind of a tightness, followed by them just feeling weak. Strange. I slept really well last night but i'm definitely very tired today. I was getting frustrated that I had no energy to do anything and told my husband I didn't understand why I was so tired. He said "because you're on chemo! Don't worry about it. Just take a nap." So I did. Sometimes I need to be reminded that its OK to be totally wiped out.

mittymuffin - I had stopped eating red meat when I was diagnosed in April. After my AC treatment wiped me out really badly I had a steak. Felt a million times better. Whenever I get that weak feeling again I eat some red meat. Helps me. I was trying Ginseng for energy too but someone posted that Sloan's website says it may be bad for breast cancer. Haven't had the mental capacity to research that yet but now I stopped taking it. My onc. is from Sloan and he suggested it for energy so I don't know!

kittycat:  The half moon things are called "Beau Ridges" and they are from chemo.  I have them too!  You can actually see where each treatment began and ended.  But someone else very early on in this thread mentioned to use Revlon "Post Trauma Nail Treatment"  This stuff is FANTASTIC.  It's very pale pink and it is expensive ($7.00/bottle), but this stuff really works!  My nails have always been less than desirable as they would grow so long and then either break or start peeling.  I have two full hands of long, growing nails!  And they are very hard and durable.  Love this stuff!  I'm going to continue to use it even though I'm through with chemo.

Bon:  I always have to take 2 OTC Prevacid/Priolosec instead of 1 to get relief.  And after taking Rx Prevacid for over a year, I only have to take OTC Prevacid/Prilosec when needed.  I guess by surpressing the acid reflux, my esophagus has had time to heal, now I only take one when I have eaten something that has upset my tummy/intestines(?) 

And I went and did it again!  Had a new couch delivered yesterday and opened the door to the delivery guy bald-headed!  Then I put on my little hat - he just smiled.  Oh well, won't be seeing him again!

Now I have to see the dentist tomorrow as a chipped tooth has finally broken!  I'm assuming that chemo has ruined my teeth.  The dentist is going to take one look at my mouth and see dollar signs!  I will have to tell him to just fix the broken tooth and one molar that has a big cavity in it.  I'll have him fix everything else after rads are finished.  Just can't afford anymore bills!

I go for simulation for rads on Wednesday and am hoping that they can do the rads while my boob is hanging down through a hole.  I have heard that this type of treatment allows them to more precisely aim for my breast tissue and keep it away from my heart/lungs.

Well, off to the pharmacy to see if I can find some dental putty to put on my broken tooth until I see the dentist!

Have a great day ladies!

brat - i also broke a tooth and it's because of chemo. a girl who i sit next to during tx also told me that she broke a tooth because of chemo. where I live, dental tx is paid for by health insurance during and one yr after chemo. I also saw a posting by someone in the USA that their insurance paid for dental tx because they agreed it was caused by chemo - don't know if this is maybe somehting you could look into.

anyone know how low your counts can go before they postpone a chemo session? mine are pretty low and i'm waiting for the call to tell me not to come in tomorrow because they are too low, but maybe they are still ok?(I phoned the onc office but they said it would take them a couple of hours before they could check them and let me know)

My sister got something called GC MI paste plus from her dentist for me to use.  I  smear it on once a day to cover the parts of my teeth that are being exposed as my gums recede (thanks chemo!)  I put it on at bedtime.  I've only used it a couple of times. I am hoping it will prevent further problems.  Maybe you ladies can ask your dentists about it.

cheyenna- Remember, "you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up".  We'll be right here for you! 

I just saw this posted by a newly-diagnosed sister.  Her little daughter told her "I do not have to tell God how big my problem is, I have to tell my problem how big my God is."  I think kids are smarter than we are many times.

Chey - you are going to get through tomorrow.  Hang in there and just keep telling yourself every tx puts you closer to the end.  We will be there in spirit - cheering you on!!!!!!

Question for you guys getting ready for rads - have you finished your chemo?  I was wondering if anyone ever does the radiation stage before they finish up the chemo?  Not that I really want to combine themn but I am just so ready to be done that it crossed my mind I wonder if I can do that last 4 weeks of Taxol along with rads........

Chey and TMarina - good luck tomorrow with the Taxol. You'll do great!  I am such a big baby, so if I can do it, anyone can!!!

I'm doing OK. Just tired a lot but very different from AC. No chemo fog to speak of. I can function with a nap. I do have some joint pains: hips and knees mostly. Everyone talks about their toes, guess it hasn't worked that far down my body yet! So far it seems like Taxol is easier than AC. Keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way!!

Chey and Tmarina Thinking of you both. 

Last chemo tomorrow.  Just finished my huge doses of steroids to keep me from reacting.  Not too keen on that, lots of potential nasty SEs, but what're you gonna do, my last infusion went great so I guess I just hope for the best.  This time tomorrow hopefully it will all be over.

Julia

brat - thanks for the info on the nail polish.  I will have to try that.  I've been using Tree Tea oil on my nails, since starting Taxol.  My husband is getting pretty used to stopping at Walgreen's and picking up some crazy thing I need for chemo!  First it was the Sea Bands, then the Tree Oil, now it will be the nail polish.  I have really strong nails, but I'm going to use this stuff anyway! 

Julia2 - congrats on your last day of chemo tomorrow!!  WooHoo!!!!!!!

Up and pacing in the middle of the night...still suffering from GI issues. Taking Prilosec 2X/day, Pepcid AC, Tums and Gas-Ex. Thought it might be working but apparently not well enough or I'd be sleeping now instead of clutching my stomach. 

Reading all your posts and hoping the Taxol goes well for all who are about to start or just started on it. I hope this regimen is virtually SE free.

Which is what I wish for all on this board...some time in the NO SE zone.  Wishing it for myself, too.  Have 4th and final Cytaxan/Taxotere coming up on Wednesday. Will be glad when it's over and I can concentrate on gettting a GI consult to get this gut thing under control before moving onto radiation.

Thanks ladies!  BTW, I went to Harry and David and bought a box of individually wrapped truffles for my Onco nurses thank you gift.  That way they can share with patients if they choose without worrying about germs from other's hands.  Had I been more organized this week I would've ordered the gift pack of Montana Monster Cookies http://www.mtmonstermunchies.com/product/1/1

they are totally fantastic and wrapped in packs of 2 for 24 cookies total, but I ran out of time to order :-(  Just a couple ideas if anyone else is looking to do something similar.

 Julia 

My soon to be 89 year old Mom was diagnosed yesterday with Salmonella after nearly 3 weeks of uncontrollable diarrhea.  It was most probably sunny-side-up eggs she ate at a local restaurant.

I have an app on my iPhone from the FDA regarding recalls. Not only have they recalled eggs in the past couple of weeks for Salmonella contamination but also some pistachios, alfalfa sprouts, and frozen mamey pulp (a tropical fruit often added to smoothies and other things).  All for Salmonella.  It's getting scarier by the minute.

Vicky- I'm with you. This second Taxol has made me so tired - I almost couldn't move all weekend. Thanks goodness I took today off from  work but I am wondering if I can put in a full day tomorrow. I don't remember the first one wiping me out as much.  Congrats to Julia for being done! Toni

Oh congratulations to all you ladies who are finishing up this crazy chemo dance!

Bon- Dang! I am with you about worrying about eating everything.  Just eating is like avoiding toxic waste!  I'm so very sorry about your mom, that is so scary, especially in the elderly.  When this recent egg recall hit the news, I researched the codes on my egg carton to make sure.  For anyone who wants to know, the first four digit number is the plant (you can go to FDA and find out location).  The second set of numbers is the day it was packed (0-365 one for each day of the year).  My carton date is 203, which means it was packed on the 203 day of the year, July, 24, 2010.  I think the site said they can be sold for 45 days after packing.  Now that just can't be good!  Gosh!  I'm avoiding dairy and chicken (hormones), gave up beef years ago, now eggs.  You would think I would be a twig! I'm actually a size 8, I just keep it well padded so it doesn't get scratched!  Hoping all your stomach problems go away soon!

kitty- I'm with you.  I think we should both pay cheyenna's Onc a visit.  Maybe we should bring grannydukes!