Chemo starting in December 2010

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    karebear76, wooohoooo!! great news!! congrats!!!!!

    watching the colts game, drinking a beer, i never liked beer till i started chemo, what is up with that???

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  • joystars
    joystars Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2011
    hdangelbaby, Congrats of your test results! :)
    Mine will come some time around May. Crossing fingers!

    karebear, wohoo! Glad your insurace approved the shots! No more travel for you ;)

    msjag, about the hair... aaah I have the same question as you. So December chemosisters, any advice? About juice... my mom insists on me having this thing called NONI, a "juice" like with tons of nutrients and vitamins.... not sure tho if I can take such thing, will ask my onco on Wednesday.

    It's Sunday here in Oslo, surprisingly for this time of the year we are having over zero temperatures! We are 2°C! Which only means one thing for everyone.... let's go out!

    But it's not gonna be easy when I'm loosing tons and tons of hair and my head is so itchy! Still, I have a good bunch of hair on the head but if you met me before you could tell I have less volume now. I  have mixed feelings about this process, one part of me would liek to go in the bathroom and get rid of eahc single hair at once! But the other part of me is saying: Nooooo no noo! don't give in, if stupid chemo wants your hair, it has to fight for it! STUPID ME! I KNOOOOOOOOW!!! :( I thought I could be ready for this moment, I'm not I'm not!


    Oh my, ok sorry for vent here all this frustration about the hair loss.... is just really more than what I thought,

    Good Sunday everyone! Keep kicking!

    2nd chemo round is on Wednesday, I'm hoping everything goes fine and that


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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited January 2011

    Hopefortomorrow, don't have issues with my feet, but have twinges in left foot big toe. could it be a sign of neuropathy? Let your onc know.  I use ice during chemo on hands and feet, bring in a foot bath and my friend brings a cooler of ice!!! hey, if it helps, I'm doing it!!!  I see many people on here use l-glutamine or acetyl cartinine (something like that) which I was tiaking, to ward off neuropothy, I will ask onc on Thursday.  Also heard that some go back the next day for calcium/magnesium iv drip the next day to hydrate and to help with any signs of neruopothy, I'm asking about that too!! Poor onc is gonna get hit with so many questions her head will be spinning!!! 

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  • nolaa
    nolaa Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2011

    hdangelbaby - I had the same bad acid feeling in my throat after the first DD AC - doc recommended prilosec.  I take it every single day.  Said to take it through the end of AC.  Has worked great - I haven't had any other heart burn/acid type feelings since then.  I just add it to my daily pill box.

    msjag -  I can't believe your doc said no fresh/raw foods!!!!  That's insane.  Fresh veggies and fruits have so many vital nutrients that we really need right now.  I can understand something like no raw eggs.  I think you should go buy out the entire fruit and veggies section at the store and juice it all up.  

    My head still isn't completely bald.  Is anyone's?  I have stubble from the shave.  It seems like all the brown hair fell out and and only the blonde/red is left (I was strawberry blonde so I have three different hair colors).  

    I'm STILL suffering from the nausea and fatigue from the AC on Tuesday (it's Sunday).  I can't shake it this time.  Anyone else finding it harder to get rid of this time? 

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    nolaa, thanks for the prilosec advice. will heed!

    msjag, hmmm. my onc said no fresh fruit or veggies only if my counts were down. i'm on neulasta and haven't had a count problem yet. although i don't own a juicer, i do drink a big huge glass of v8 on the days i can't think about eating veggies. stay away from sushi and raw eggs though till end of chemo.

    i still have stubble too. my doc suggested duct tape! can you believe it? my husbands eye lit up with joy when the doc said that! lol! we went home that night and used packing tape instead. it did take quite a bit of the "nubbies" out, next day my head was sore though. but hey it does work!

    nolaa, what cycle are you on? this is my 3rd, and although i did have a few days of yuck, it seems like i bounced back a little faster this cycle. i still take compazine all through the weekend of my treatment week just to be sure any nausea stays at bay!

    Have a wonderful day ladies, and break out some packing tape and get those nubbies outta your head! lol!! (((HUGS)))-angel

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    Hey all.

    I am not as tired this round which is surprising. I am not as sick either so that is great. My hair is falling out a lot now. It really started yesterday and I am starting to see very thin areas. I buzzed my head so it isn't as bad as if I didn't, but I fell asleep in tears last night about my hair. I know it will grow back, I guess I wasn't as prepared for that as I thought I would be. I just had my 2nd treatment on Thurs.

    hdangelbaby: I had to laugh about the duct tape!!! Not sure I could do that!!! LOL 

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited January 2011

    I think I better ask onc on thurs about fresh foods, maybe I misunderstood and she also said when counts were low.  Thanks everyone!!!

     hdanglebaby, love the duct tape/packing tape, just don't want a sore head. I know I'm probably imagining it, but it seems like some of this stubble is growing, while some patches are falling out!!

    I know I should be thrilled that thurs is my 3rd, next to last  chemo treatment, but this one is making me so mad and anxious, I guess it finally hit that after chemo/rads, I have nothing else to prevent it cuz of the triple negative.  Gonna stay positive though, I know this chemo is killing any cell that may have gotten away!   Another snow storm on its way on Wed in MA, I usually like winter here, but not this year!!!

    Going to eat some fruit!

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    does fruit count if you put it in a cobbler??? lol.. just wondering!

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  • bambi380
    bambi380 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    My protocal for Steriods is the day before TAC, the morning of TAC and the day after (3 days). Then I go back for the "N" shot the day after TAC. The 1st treatment they had to hydrate me with a liter of fluids the 2nd day. So a 30 second "N" shot turned in to a 2 1/2 hr. pit stop. I was told that is not uncommon and I may be one who must get hydrated the day after TAC. I also had to go in last Thursday to receive another liter of fluids. It is a very fine line for me to stay hydrated b/c I frequently urinate. I think it is an absorption problem. I am mixing Gatorade with water to try and stay hydrated. Very lucky that I am only 5 miles from the cancer clinic where I am receiving all my treatments. Houston is a good place to live and battle the cancer beast.

    The steriods have not altered my sleeping pattern. No insomnia here!  Monday will be the 2nd treatment of 6 and I will try the Claritin to battle the "N shot aches". Hope for me it works!

    Keep the faith gals...........

    BambiSmile

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  • bambi380
    bambi380 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2011
    I hope cobbler counts b/c I had a huge pile of apple cobbler topped with Bluebell tonight. Good preparation for chemo. I will let you know if it wards off the side effects! Wink
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  • lindaa
    lindaa Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2011

    I'm with you nola.  Still have lots of stubble but I do see more bald spots here and there.  I also am very slow to recover from round 3.  I'm eating mostly pineapple, watermelon, and shakes.  Avoiding sugar is not possible for me right now.  I haven't actually thrown up, but I have also been taking my companzine every day.  My port wound is still healing too, so that doesn't help. 

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  • prayersareanswered
    prayersareanswered Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2011

    Dear all,

     I have been MIA for a while....have been having hard time, especially emotionally. the SE from the first chemo really depressed me. Felt like i was totally out of control and miserable.

    my hair started falling out on tuesday and my husband just shaved my head n wednesday. like most of you, still have lots of stubble from the shave. It is getting messy when and after i shower.

    My older son (4 and a half) was a bit upset about my hair. i explained that the doctor said i should cut my hair but that it will grow back. he was very curious to see my hair after my husband cut it, so i just showed him a very samll area, he went "oooo wouahhh". the i had my wig on and he said 'is your hair stuck now?". but i tend to think kids are mre resilient than we think...after a couple of days, he totally forgot about my hair, would not mind seeing me wearing scarf at home and having the wig when going out.

    everytime he sees me tired and laying in bed, when it s time to eat, he tells me: you have to get up Mommy, come on, let's eat!". and you know what ? he manages to give me the energy !!!!!

    started noticing that my nails started turning black/grey yesterday. A girl I met in chemo this morning said I have to put on dark nail polish. anybody had this problem ?

    I am actually writing from my infusion chair. I am having my second treatment. I really hope and pray that this goes better. The nurse told me to be proactive this time by takinf medications ahead. I am the kind of person who would not even take an aspirin for a headache. I guess this time I have to accept the facts that medicines are helping me and I need to take them to go through this.

    what is apple cobbler ?s it the same as apple pie ?

    i have read that laughter yoga is helping lots of cancer patiens.

     big hugs to all

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    prayersareanswered, one phrase to get you through treatment and hopefully to get you to laugh during this time, that we are all going through, it is very traumatic. and the meds they give you to help the nausea need to be taking ahead of time, even if you are like most of us and don't like taking aspirin for a headache. there is a mantra across these boards and it is " better living through pharmaceuticals" take the meds, they help. if your sick, take your anti nausea, if you are in pain, take your tylenol, or painkiller whatever it is. if you like apple pie, eat the hell out of it. whatever makes you happy, do!

    i am 29 years old, and when this happened to me, i never went "why me?" i know this has a reason and purpose behind it. the SE are awful, and i was told they are especially awful in younger patients. so , the weeks i feel bad, i take my meds and try to ride the wave. the week i feel better, i go out to the bar, see my friends, go to the place i work and visit with people.

    try to make the most out of your good days. we all have that dark period after each chemo where we get down. it's all the chemicals being pumped into us. but it does get better, and yes, laughter helps a ton!!!

    also, enjoy not having to "do" your hair, i had almost waist length hair when all this started. we didn't do the "short cut" when it started falling out, we shaved it all off. felt liberated and haven't cried since. but not everyone feels that way.

    this too shall pass.....

    many many hugs-- angel

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  • bambi380
    bambi380 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    I am so enjoying not blow drying my hair or shaving my legs. Yahoooo!

     Cobbler = pie in farm country 

    2nd infusion is done and it so darn cold here in Houston I will add keeping warm to the side effects I battle. Wink

    Bambi

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    agreed bambi!!

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  • dlcw
    dlcw Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2011

    Hi All - I am getting my first dose of the 2nd cycle today (gem/carbo/PARP).  Had a good week off and enjoyed every minute of it.  Saw the oncologist this morning before my chemo appt - my tumor has shrunk from 4.0 x 2.5 cm to 2.2 x 1.7 cm - YEAH!!!  That's as measured from the outside - I know it's not the accuracy they would get with a scan-based measurement, but she and her assistant both measure it the same way every visit and they both got smaller measurements.  It feels smaller to me too so it was nice to have them confirm it.  The one enlarged node I had that was positive on biopsy is about half the size as when i started.  It's so nice to know there's some response happening - it will definitely help me when I get in my irrational mode and start imagining that every twinge or ache is a new tumor....

    bracing myself for the next few days of SE's - hope you all are doing well.  

    Prayersareanswered - hang in there.  HOpe you have less SE's this week and are able to stay on top of them with the drugs.

    dlcw

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    Hang in there Prayersareanswered. This board has been great with all the info, suggestions and support!

    I had a weepy day today. My hair is coming out by the handfuls now. It is buzzed short short but I am seriously almost ready to do the duct tape!!! Or just lean over the tub and scrub my head like crazy!!! I am NOT handling this as well as I had hoped or thought I would. One step at a time and we will each overcome this! 

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  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Member Posts: 465
    edited January 2011

    Does anyone else have dry mouth so bad it's make their throat dry too, sometimes I think my voice is hoarse?  I am drinking gallons of water, but it doesn't cut through it.  The biotene gum helps, just wondering if I am alone on  this symptom......

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    lisamomoffour, i get dry mouth too. especially overnight. i use the biotene mouthwash before i go to bed, and use some chapstick on my lips before i go to bed too.

    doesn't help that it's cold, and we have a pellet stove, so it dries everything out anyways even without the chemo!

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  • nolaa
    nolaa Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2011

    lisamomoffour - I also get relief from the dry mouth with biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, plus chapstick.

    So this time, my 3rd AC, it took me a full FIVE days of nausea in bed to recover.  Take was taking compazine and zofran constantly!  What would it have been like without it??  I can't believe it took so long.  I would vomit every time I moved and was dizzy and out of it the whole time.

    I spoke with my homeopath today and she suggested that maybe my liver wasn't flushing everything properly or well enough.   After summarizing my symptoms to her she said, "It sounds like you were drunk!"  Which would explain the liver not working well.  Anyone know of any good liven cleansers?  Milk thistle?  I need to investigate so that next time isn't so bad.

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  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011

    Okay, I have to weigh in on the hair thing. When my hair started to come out by the brushfulls This was the week before my 3rd AC treatment.  I decided it was time for a short boycut. My hair at the time was below my shoulders. Well, the boycut lasted two days. Hair was still coming out and I didn't want to cook because i was afraid my hair would be all over the food. I asked my oncologist and she said it all depended on what I wanted to do- she said she knew women who actually pulled their hair out. That night I discovered my hair was endlessly shedding and I would just gently tug and the hair was in my hands. Now I understood the pulling their own hair out thing. I didn't know about duct tape, but I took great delight in using a sticky tape lint roller brush and then stopped when my head started to feel sore. I decided I had to buzz it when I showered and hair was all over my hands. So hubby buzzed it. I liked the shape of my head at least...I looked a little bald in spots and had stubble. Well now I have lots of stubble! I realized it is continuously growing! I do expect more periods of shedding, but it is reassuring it will be back!My husband and kids noticed it is getting longer! It is itchy..but not willing to buzz it again yet unless I start shedding again!

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  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011

    After my third AC this last time I was down at least five days too. I still have bouts of fatigue and nausea. I have learned that if I overexert myself I usually pay for it the next day.

    Joanne, my mother-in-law warned me to watch for tightness and swelling in my lower legs.. (She is a retired dialysis nurse) 

    I call my boss from time to time-(I am on leave for the time being) and she is the voice of gloom! She told me I better be rinsing with the mouth wash or my teeth will fall out. On my last call she told me I need to stop lounging or I will get bloodclots in my legs and or get pneumonia! It is just the way she says things to me! She means well. Needless to say, for the time being I think being on leave is good for me.

    I told my oncology about my burning feet and they said that I should watch for open sores. They told me if it continues to mention it to them again on my upcoming visit. I got the impression that I might have to live with it. They suggested heavy lotion and cotton socks, to avoid friction. I haven't gone out much, but the burning does seem to increase with walking and standing.

    I have my last AC treatment after you Lisa, on Thursday, I will be glad for that. On to taxol next. I am encouraged by what some of you are saying about it.

    Hugs to all! Cathy

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  • joystars
    joystars Member Posts: 95
    edited January 2011
    prayersanswered, hang in there woman! I know SE can be very tough but if you have the medication to prevent them, take advantage of this. Seriously! I'm very very thankful that the medication I got for the FEC side effects is doing its job properly. Just like you I hate pills! The days after my c-section, nurses needed to literally chase me to be sure I was having the painkillers prescribed. I was so damn busy and worried about my baby at the NICU that hardly had time to think about pain (if any)...
    What a bless your little boy gives you the strenght and power you need to keep going. big hugs for you both!

    dlcw    , great news! Glad to hear that chemo is doing its job properly!!! Hope you are doing fine and not too bad SE.

    karebear, I'm with you on the hair thing. Was hoping to handle it better but to be honest I've been a mess, just like my hair is these days.Got new head scarves, a wig and a hat... will see how it goes. In a way my baby is keeping myself quite busy but on days like yesterday when hair was falling out the most... I cried a lot and then stoped it right there, stupid cancer you took a part of my body already and now my hair but you can't take my smile everytime I see the eyes of my baby. Oh well, they say this too shall pass...

    bambi, good point about not drying the hair.... now what is taking my time is how to tie properly the silly head scarves!

    Tomorrow is my 2nd round, will see how it goes. Hoping my body is fit for it. So far all ok.

    Hugs!
    Joy
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  • ShelMel
    ShelMel Member Posts: 207
    edited January 2011

    Hi all my sweet December sisters!!

    I've been MIA for a while now. Took my 2nd TC treatment on the 28th and it took about a week to recover. The SE's were milder this time around, it felt more like the flu. Even with the neulasta shot. I was soooo grateful! It took me 5 days after that treatment to realize that my pain meds may help the SE's, and they did. I just felt like I had the flu and was waiting for it to go away. LOL I forget that that the pain meds help those symptoms. I'm weaning myself off the pain meds now (taking only 1, maybe 2 a day) until my next round. I will definitely take the pain meds immediately this time. 

    All my hair fell out, except the blonde. I've got blonde stubble now, but I swear it's growing! I through about buzzing all of it off, but I've got sores all over my scalp. I've been using a steriod cream every day (2X day) and it's helped but it hasn't resolved it. Oncologist thinks I'm having an allergic reaction to caps/wig/etc. I've never been allergic to any materials until chemo. Weird. 

    I'm doing good. I'll have another treatment on the 18th. It's such a weird experience to make yourself go to chemo knowing how horrible you're going to feel afterwards. 

    I'm sorry I've been gone - - I think I just needed some time away to refocus on living instead of existing with breast cancer. Does that make sense?? 

    For those of you taking treatment this week, I'm praying for minimal SE's for you. 

    Sending all of you much love and hugs!! - Shelle

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  • mommafluff61
    mommafluff61 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2011

    Hi All!

    The conversations have been great! Here are just a few things I was thinking about as I read your posts...PLEASE share what you have learned....

    Dry mouth...biotene, (rinse, gum & mouthspray)
                      rinse mouth after eating with a mixture of salt, baking soda and water
                      lemon slices in your water or tart lemon candies

    Alcohol???I thought we weren't supposed to have alcohol while on chemo...can you tell I'm
                    craving a bud light?!?!?

     Antioxidents??? I was under the impression that we were not supposed to have these during 
                             chemo because the hinder the work that the chemo is doing for us?

    Fresh Fruits/Vegetables? Lots of Antioxidents....was told that chemo does a number on your
                                         digestive system and eating these can cause a lot more irritation...

    Finger Nails/Toe Nails...during first chemo I brought 4 bags of frozen peas, one for each foot and
                                       one for each hand...kept them on my nails during chemo and for a few
                                   hours afterwards...no discoloration yet!!! Using lots of layers of clear polish.

    Fast & Easy Apple Cobbler...peel and slice apple (s) put in pie plate or 8x8 dish. Sprinkle with
                                              (dry) yellow cake mix. Melt a couple table spoons of butter and
                                              drizzle over the mixture...bake at 350degrees for 20-25 minutes
                                              until apples are soft...YUM! can be served with ice cream...

    We moved in 2002 from TX to NV...I miss bluebell icecream!!!!! And Babes Fried chicken and chicken fried steak...YUM...can you tell it's almost lunch time!

    Let's do Lunch!!! Have a great Day!

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2011

    mommafluff61: Oh no you didn't post that recipe!!!!! It sounds soooooooooooooo good!!! I have to go to the store later. I may be getting apples and cake mix!!!

    My dr was concerned about my iron levels so we are having Red Robin for dinner!!! A nice juicy hamburger should help right!!Wink

    I shaved my own head today. Hubby will have to clean up the spots I missed but I was so done with it falling out!  

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  • nolaa
    nolaa Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2011

    I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with stubble - and stubble that is actually growing!  I went to Look Good Feel Better yesterday and came home with a wig!  That was a great treat.  I recommend everyone go do the class.  There was a woman there with very thin, very long hair.  Maybe that's what we would look like if we hadn't shaved.   

    On the antioxidants - my onc has a machine called a biophotonic scanner

    http://s129638273.onlinehome.us/pharmanexmd/index.shtml 

    that measures your antioxidant level.  Two weeks ago I was 48,000 out of 100,000.  They said that was great and that it would probably go down through chemo.  Apparently they don't want it higher than 60,000 as that is where it might interfere with chemo.  

    Now, mine was 48,000 and I eat fresh fruits and veggies constantly -- I eat kale, kale, kale, broccoli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, carrots, apples, bananas, blueberries, oranges, etc. etc.  I also take tons of antioxidants as supplements.  Since chemo drains your body of nutrients (including antioxidants) there is practically no way we can maintain good levels.  And I think it would be near impossible to have levels that are too high.  I do know that our bodies have a harder time digesting due to the chemo, but if your stomach is feeling well I can't see why fruits and veggies would ever be bad for us. 

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  • hdangelbaby
    hdangelbaby Member Posts: 731
    edited January 2011

    mommafluff61, my doc said only time not to eat fresh veggies is if  blood counts were low.

    and alcohol, my onc also said as long as the liver enzymes don't go down, and as long as i wasn't drinking a case of beer, and as long as it wasn't the day before, of or after chemo it was ok to have a couple beers or glasses of wine. although it does seem and i have seen it on this thread, different docs have different opinions about that. i am also 29. don't know if that has any reasoning  behind my docs giving me the green light on that one.

    i say if it sounds or smells or tastes good, while on this journey, partake. everything is ok in moderation! they are in fact pumping us full of yuck, so why not have that bud light with some apple cobbler!

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  • hopefortomorrow
    hopefortomorrow Member Posts: 193
    edited January 2011

    I am so glad you posted the apple cobbler recipe! My MIL canned apples this past fall and I am sitting on a whole harvest! Now I have something to do with them!

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  • sunflowerE152
    sunflowerE152 Member Posts: 83
    edited January 2011

    karebear, I shaved my head and got a wig today also.  Right on schedule on day 12 it started falling out and I decided I wasn't going to fight it and try and endure hair falling out by the fistfuls.  I found a great salon and got a wig similar to my natural style.  I took a friend with me and my family says it looks great.  I am a teacher, so I will get plenty of reaction at school tomorrow.

    I am feeling good, the taste in my mouth is getting better, and I love Starbucks "Refresh" green tea.  Before chemo, I loved my coffee and wine - both have tasted terrible.  Glad to have found at least one substitute.

    Hope all goes well for those getting chemo this week.  This regimine does make one appreciate the days of feeling good:)

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