Chemo starting in December 2010

 We all have come quite a ways together haven't we?

Linda, I totally believe things happen for a reason. How nice for you. I always like to hear people's stories.

I know the one day I was in the grocery store with a scarf on a lady went purposely out of her way to give me a big warm smile and a hello. I knew she wanted to say more. I just knew.

I am totally living with hot flashes... hot, cold, hat on, hat off... blankets on, blankets off. I don't know of a full night's sleep either. I have blamed it on having to go to the bathroom all of the time! I do drink alot of water, but it seems like alot more comes out! I sometimes take ativan and get four hours.. or benedryl..but I have also napped so alot of the time I think, "Well I just must not be tired?" My husband the other night got irritated with me trying to get out a tums for heartburn. I was trying to be quiet, but it did seem like the bottle was especially noisy!

I go for my taxotere tomorrow. I am kind of disappointed I was switched. My fingernails and toenails hurt- feels like someone is squeezing down on the nail. I hate the idea of them getting icky! Why don't the onco nurses suggest ice mitts? I feel kind of silly in a way doing something I haven't seen anyone else doing in that huge chemo room? There are like 20 chairs where I go. I have had soreness through my ribcage and back, occasionally aches in my hands and feet. Can I take you guys with me? ;-)

3rd round of FEC done!

To be honest this time I've been feeling pretty miserable! The nausea is there, right there haunting me... if I don't eat small snacks every now and then or take my medication or the Afripan (which I can take anytime the nausea strikes) ..... I can feel pretty miserable!

On top of having my 3rd round (3 more to go, we are half way if I wanna see it in a positive way) the exact same day I had my MRI in the evening... uuugghh!!!  AND MY PERIOD IS BACK!!! (After my pregnancy, first time, so it means quite heavy bleeding and uncomfortable cramps!) How on earth do they do that to me?

I wanna thank my DH for all what he did that day for me, he woke up early to prepare me some breakfast and give our baby the morning bottle, we went together to the blood test (when he always gets his hand so daaaamn squeezed from me as I don't like needles) then appointment with onco. Onco didn't notice I was wearing a wig.. he actually thought it was my hair... funny guy. Then the round of FEC.. this time it went very smooth but oh boy! It really hit me when we arrived home... what makes me more upset about it is not really much the nausea is the fact I'm useless to look after my baby   Bless my mum and DH who have been in charge of a 2 months old baby for the past 2 days...

Ok, off I go, feeling nauseous right now... better to stop it right here.
Big hugs for you my bc sisters and linda I do believe things happen for a reason. Lovely that you share that story with us. Thank you!

how do you guys post pics? i have tried everything and can't seem to get a pic uploaded on here! i've tried to insert image, copy and paste, none of it works!!! any suggestions?

angel, I read on another thread that if you have Facebook you can simply right click on the image you want to share and posted there and hit copy image and then hit paste in the box where you type.

BTW that last picture is me and my wig. Girls, I need your honest comments about it... What do you think?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=607060&l=59afa49630&id=100000325103961

ok hopefully this pic works!

Linda: I believe that God gives allows things to happen for a reason. He knew that you needed that encouragement to get through the memorial service. (((HUGS)))

I am HALF way through!!!!! So excited!!!! But crazy about the amount of steroids I have to take with Taxol!!! YIKES!!!

I am also lucky to get a lupron shot. Temporary Menopause OH yeah!!! LOL I have had my period for 12 days now and it was flooding a lot. So this is their plan to stop it!! I get that tomorrow with my neulasta shot. 

Hey ladies! Just popping in to give you this info on a free cleaning service for women going through chemo. Hope it helps...

Cleaning for a Reason 
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/ 

 

karebear and joystars, you both look so beautiful! can't tell it's wigs! and you ladies would be beautiful even without them! just want you to know that!

now... if i could get my damn pic in here.... lol..... having technical difficulties all day! lol!

or chemo brain.

i'd rather blame it on the chemo brain!

by the way, had my first of 8 taxols tuesday. i am surprised at how I feel, got pounding headaches, but no nausea! yay!! we will see how the other 7 go!!!

hopefortomorrow,

you will love the port, it is a godsend. at least to me it is. a "one stop shop" of sorts. no more sticking and poking for veins, you get one prick, then they take your blood, give you your chemo. they have a great numbing cream to put on before you go too. I wish you well, and really think you will love the port!

holy cow... I am finding on taxol I am sooo fatigued all the time. I had my first one on tuesday and since then i sleep about 11 hours a night, and during the day, i have zero energy. no tinglys yet, but this fatigue is nuts!!! I am thankful I am not nauseous though all the time. Just very very tired. 7 more weeks of it!

thanks karebear, just woke up from a 2 hour nap, in addition to my 11 hour sleep fest last night! lol!

i just finished my third a/c treatment the 28th. it knocked me out pretty badly i could hardly get up until this past thurs without feeling really ill. is it a normal side effect to feel really tight in the chest area, like around my sternum and up towards left upper chest area or is this in my mind. the bones in the area literally feel tender....and the whole acid/ gas thing is full on:( tums doesnt seem to be working, any suggestions?

Dreading the start of taxotere....one more a/c treatment then it switches to every 3 wks for 4 tims taxotere:( 

peacebear - sorry to hear the ac is so bad. Mine were too.  For the acid, my oncologist told me to take Prilosec every day until ac was done.  It worked well for me.  On the few days when I still had acid I just took over the counter Maalox and that seemed to help a lot.  As for the tightness in the chest, I never had that but it did have the severe tenderness in my ribs.  It felt like they had been bruised.  That's probably from the Neulasta and will just go away with time.  Although try taking Claratin a few days before and after the shot next time and that bone pain should be much less.

Joystars - I had the same problem with water.  I couldn't drink it for weeks and weeks.  Try adding some lemon to it and see if that helps. If not, just drink juice, tea, a gatorade-type electrolyte beverage or anything else that is fluid.   I literally drank no water for weeks - just other fluids.  To make the bad taste go away mix baking soda (soda bicarbonate) in water and rinse in your mouth all day long.  It's supposed to work.  I only got partial relief, but some is better than none!  And as far as I can tell, there is pretty much nothing you can do about the hot flashes.  Sorry!