Chemo starting in December 2010

I just started chemo and I am in the crappies!  Your post gives me hope.

Thank you!!

Angel, glad everything went great with the pics

Joystar, you are such an inspiration to all of us.  Here you are going through the same thing we all are, and with a beautiful two month old to care for.  Your amazing.

Today I was surprised with a "its your last chemo " party.  Friends that didn't even know each other called my work, neighborhood friends, because they heard I had been down, emotional. It was wonderful and certainly cheered me up and I am so grateful.  But like karebear said, its different than being here with all of you. Thank you all for your posts and support. It's what is getting me through the rough days.  Funny, everyone kept saying one more and your done, not realizing this will be on our minds longer than the last chemo or radiation. 

I also recieved a beautiful gala, what a great organization.

Sammolisa: So sorry taxol didn't go well for you. (((HUGS))) That is crazy that they didn't get you meds cuz it was the weekend. My DH would be livid too!! If I lived closer I would totally give you some of my left overs from other things! I know that is wrong but hey if you are in pain!!

I have my LAST A/C on Thurs!!! I am actually excited to have the A/C done!!! Not looking forward to the SE but will be glad that 1/2 is done!!! Then on to 8wks (every other week) of Taxol. Not crazy about seeing how that will treat me but at least I will be 1/2 way to done!! 

sammolisa -  So sorry to hear Taxol was bad for you.  Was the feeling in your ankles the peripherial neuropathy they talk about? My oncologist told me to take alpha lipoic acid and l-glutamine powder. Go rush out and get some too in case it can help!

I've been kind of worried about this phenomenon -- all the medical people say, "Don't worry, Taxol is much more mild than AC."  Since they've never been through it they fail to say something like, "If AC feels like your soul was sucked by the devil, Taxol only feel like one of his demons stabbing you in the heart."   Gosh that sounded way more pessimistic than I wanted it to.  I guess I just mean that the side effects do sound like they can be miserable.  Nausea and vomiting are included!  And since I had such a terrible time with the AC I'm worried that Taxol won't be walk in the park that they seem to promise.  

My first of 12 weekly Taxol's start tomorrow morning.  I'll find out soon enough.   

hdangelbaby--I had my first taxol yesterday and I was like you, very nervous even though I'd been told the Taxol would be easier.  It was just the unknowingness of it. But it really wore on me before the treatment.

The treatment went mostly smoothly.  They gave me benadryl by IV as well as dexadron by IV and i think Zantac for the stomach.  Of course the benadryl would have put me to sleep if I let it but I was with a good friend and we were talking and laughing, so I pinched myself to stay awake. 

I didn't get any allergic reaction to the Taxol but shortly before the IV bag was emptied, I began to feel nausous--not like I was immediately going to throw up.  The nurses came in and asked if I wanted something for the nausea, and I though of waiting for 5 minutes to see how it went.  I sat up and did some deep breathing and in about 5-10 minutes is passed.  

Went home and sleep the benadryl off, then ate some dinner and to bed again.  During the night i must of had 20 hot flashes, like I was on a conveyer belt.  The covers came off then on again, then off. And my bald head was a good surface area to dispel the heat!  I also felt a nauseau about 3am and breathed and put more pillows under my head and back to keep me up.  Nothing works so I took the trusty Ativan.  After a while, the nausea left and the Ativan put me to sleep. 

I don't feel hungover from the Ativan this morning and if everything continues like this I should be able to get some work done despite the snow predicted for Long Island.  

Best to all,

Maria 

just had my first of 8 taxols today. it went better than I thought! the benadryl really knocked me out though, at the infusion and again at home. i was nauseous too at the beginning and they gave my kytril for that.

i don't need to have neulasta for this unless my counts go too low, then i can have neupogen. keeping fingers crossed they don't dip too low, onc said taxol isn't as harsh on the bone marrow as AC.

my onc put my mind at ease about doing the 8 weekly vs. 12. vs dose dense. he said i am getting the same amount as he 12 weekly, but in 8 doses. this will get me done faster, so i am excited for that. of course i asked him bout the b6 and l-glutamine. he said it doesn't work, but later in the week i'm going to go get some anyway.

anyways, still a little benadryl groggy, so gonna go find something to eat!!

hope all is well! -angel

karebear 76, i do not have a cycle anymore cause i am on ovarian suppression in addition to chemo. will be on suppression for 5 years

karebear76- I'm similar. I had mine right before first treatment, was hoping second would disappear but instead it was late and VERY VERY heavy.  It's been another month so now I'm waiting to see what happens.  I went pee during my Taxol infusion today and there was blood, but now it seems to be gone.  Not sure what that is all about.  My body still seems very confused.  My onc said that chemo doesn't stop everyone's periods, only some people, so you might be one of those "lucky" ones that has to deal with them until it's time for official ovarian suppression. 

msjag - I haven't heard anything about melatonin, but Ativan should work.

I've also had problems sleeping.  Basically no sleep the last 4 nights.  Not sure why since normally I love sleep and can't get enough.  I think part of it is the hot flashes.  Any else getting those yet?  I lay in bed shivering and then a few seconds later I'm drenched in sweat and then the cycle goes round and round all night long.  For some reason it seems to happen primarily at night. 

msjag, i take ativan with melatonin. there is one out there that has "thiamine" in it. it is supposed to decrease the anxiety insomniacs feel when laying in bed thinking all night. (hello! that's us ladies!), i tried 1 mg of ativan and i melatonin with thiamine. seems to work, except that i still wake up with hot flashes and chills. i don't think anything helps with that!!

hope this helps!

Haven't checked in for a while.  One week out from my 3rd A/C, have my last A/C in one week, so I'm beginning to get nervous about Taxol, like the rest of you.  This last treatment really knocked me out fatigue-wise.  I have been sleeping and sleeping... helped by the fact that we are totally snowed in right now, and were without any electricity for most of last night with this crazy blizzard. 

I am worried about the fatigue for next weekend, right after my last A/C.   Two of my children have a music recital on Sunday, we have two sets of family coming in to see them from out of town, so we are hosting family, and I need to make it to the performance!  Since it's family visiting, they will help, I am lucky to have a very easygoing set of family members

I posted this in the TN thread but wanted to share here too:

last weekend I attended a memorial service for a friend of my DH and myself who just lost her battle with BC after recurrance mets everywhere. Because of her 2 daughters (11 and 13), she insisted on a family oriented, upbeat, life celebration.  The church was packed full, lovely stories were read (the 'Waterbug and the Dragonfly' was one), a childrens choir sang, it was really touching and she did get her wish because it was not as sad as i thought it was going to be. 

The night before I went out to dinner with DH and daughter/SIL.  An older couple were seated next to us.  I wear a cap instead of a wig, and my shoulder still hurts from port surgery, so i had a little of the patient look going.  As I got up to leave, the woman patted me on the back.  When I turned around she took my hand and said, 'me too, 25 years ago today'.  Then she got up and hugged me. We exchanged a few more words, but when I left, I couldn't help but feel that the meeting was not random.  She could have been seated anywhere, it was a big place.  And I had never been to that restuarant before. It was encouragement I needed to hear before going to the memorial service the next day.