February 2011 chemo pals

13567…91

Comments

  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Paula,



    I am here waiting for my infusion to start....

    The major hints I had for prepping :



    Drink a lot of fluids/water /broth the 2days prior so you are fully hydrated. Broth has electrolytes.

    If no port make sure hands are warm.

    Eat lightly day of infusion nutritionist suggested hard boiled egg multigrain toast and cantaloupe

    Bring lite snacks for during infusion and mind occupiers (book, laptop, iPod etc)

    eat easy to digest foods day before. Soups good.



    I took the claritan today as well, as was told it could not hurt.

    Will update tonight.



    Stock remedies for just in case needs and hope you never need most of them:

    tums, Tylenol,advil, saline drops for eyes, saline for nose, thermometer, unscented moisterizer, tissues, biotene mouthwash, toothpaste and gel ( I have yet to find the gel.) a&d ointment.



    Hope this helps.

    Good luck tomorrow.



    Thanks everyone for being there. Good to walk the walk with my cyber buddies.



    Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Jean for the tips.  Good luck!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Ha! Bosom Buddies. I lke that!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Salma1971
    Salma1971 Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Ladies for the insight... I hope we all have an easy Chemo Journey, Laura... I am so glad I came across someone who's had the same procedure I did... I too had a bilateral Mastectomy with silicone gel implants on the 18th... and I am still suffering--- I feel much better... since then. However, I still cannot go too far with my exercises..the fake boobs feel so hard and weird... and I cannot even start to look at the wounds... They have not scheduled my 1st chemo session yet... but I really want to start so I could get it over with... Hope you heal well... Good luck Febgang... and keep us posted..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited February 2011

    Well today brought a new side to this.  I have been constipated even though I am taking a stool softener and fibercon.  I am switching to a different stool softener in as the doctor said it might work better.  Also today I have been more tired.  But all in all I can't complain.  I will take it one day at a time. 

     Laura  Don't blame you for waiting. 

     Going to put my feet up and rest.

    Cindy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    I forgot about the constipation.  Thanks Cindy for the reminder.  I went and got a few supplies, but I am gonna wait on the others.  

    Salma I looked at mine and it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.  I fought the PS put 200cc in my TE and when I saw I had cleavage I was upset.  Im like great they left some of my boobs.  After the med  fog lifted and a chat with the nurse, it was then I relized why. 

    Hope all is going well for Jean.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Hi Feb buddies,



    I am home now the count is on- 1 down 7 to go!



    so far so good, more sensitive to smells than I anticipates, poor DH had to chuck his food cause I could not stand the smell today.



    Right now tired but sister here with chicken soup so going to try that.



    Good luck to you tomorrow Paula.



    Hugs to all,

    Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skhartley
    skhartley Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2011

    Much love to all of you!  No one is doing carboplatin and tamoxifen (?)  and I don't think anyone else is on the same one as me?  I have a second opinion for treatment on Monday (hormonal treatment and ovaries are still on the table).  Hang in there!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Hey sk.  I will do tamoxifen when Im done with chemo.  She will have me do  it for 5 yrs.  Ovaries are something that Im thinking of removing. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Hey grrrls. I just looked at this big zippy bag of meds and my heart sank. I don't think I've had 6 seperate prescriptions in my entire life, much less 6 all at once.

    Whaddya say we compare? I have: Compazine, Kytril, Ativan, Emend, Prevacid and Emla cream to numb the port. Wheee! What fun! What's in YOUR chemo wallet? Hey, why no pain meds? I feel cheated!

    I've read through the entire December 2010 chemo thread (suicidal, I know), and I just can't wrap my sorry head around the fact that that will be me soon. They are a strong bunch of dames. And we are too. But I know I'm going to feel weak and sick and emotionally strung out, and that's what scares me. I can deal with the hair loss. I know it will grow back. But will my physical and emotional self grow back? Will my spirit grow back?

    What are the rest of you feeling?

     Michelle 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mcsushi
    mcsushi Member Posts: 174
    edited February 2011

    Hey ladies! Just popping in to share this info with you. Hope it helps... Laughing

    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/ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Michelle I do know that its normal to feel like this.  When I first learned I hd cancer I wanted to through 7.5 yrs of no drinking and 1.5 yrs of no ciggs, but it wasnt going to change the fact I have cancer.  Thats when I deceided that I was gonna go ahead and have whatever feeling there was and know that it was ok. I was gonna feel it all.  I was gonna be ok.   My gma survived this crap and it was on the 50's.  She lived another 35 years.  My aunt lived another 11 yrs.  My sissy is still going strong after 10 years.  I know if this chics can do it I can to.  So can you. We are all fighters and we are kick a$$ chics of 21 centery.  If you ever need someone just pm me and we can get each other through this. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lbreedl
    lbreedl Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2011

    Hello feb. ladies, I wanted to pop in for a minute and give you guys a little encouragement. I started my chemotherapy one year ago yesterday. I had 12 treatments of Taxol & herceptin and 4 FEC, a lumpectomy & radiation. I finished herceptin a few weeks ago. It was a difficult year to be sure, but it was doable. It really wasn't all that bad, just long. looking back I can see so many blessings that came out of it. My family became closer and I've mellowed a lot. I take a lot more time to just smell the roses than before. I take time to rest and listen to my body when it needs rest. I found strength in my faith. I've used my experience to get other women to get mammograms and made lots of friends along the way. Life is getting back to normal now and I'm going to just getting checkups now! So I just wanted to tell all of you that you can do this & you can come out on the other side better & stronger! We women are amazing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Thank you Paula. I'm just feeling a little pathetic tonight. Just wait until the damn holding back the pathetic really breaks! Damn that damn!

    Are any of you FabFeb ladies keeping journals? I decided to buy myself a nice one, blank of course ;-), and keep track of stuff starting the day before my first chemo. I also have a blog going, though I'm a little erratic about keeping it up (2 posts tonight. Woohoo!) Vikki is a subscriber. My one subscriber. YAY Vikki!

    I've had this Barenaked Ladies song running on infinte loop in my head. The lyrics are: "The Ninjas are deadly and silent. They're also unspeakably violent. They Speak Japanese, they do whatever they please. And when you pull off their masks they'll be smiling". So maybe I should think of the chemo as "The Ninjas". 

    Swet dreams everyone. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Paula,



    I am with you I am with you we have to live life, we have a bump in the road, well a really big hill but we can do this we are warriors we can kick it. I agree we have to enjoy, maybe more moderately in some ways. I too am convinced it will be better, my mantra has been we have a rough year ahead but then back to normal. Take each step as it comes and don't stress about things that may not happen. Be educated, know your body and have a medical team you trust, more importantly trust yourself. We will have good days and bad, up and down moods, days we want to take on the world and day we want to curl up and make it go away, we are entitled to all of those feelings and more. Build that network of love and support it does help. Encourage laughter - we are
    lost if we don't find humor in this some where, find those bits of silver lining "easy hair maintenance, no shaving" ok maybe too Pollyanna like now :) exercise when we can- that one is proving tough with the snow and ice piled outside....they are learning more about BC every day so who knows what is in our future and our Children's future....ok time to get down now....



    Still hanging in there, mild headache Tylenol helped, tired....may seriously impact my posting ability. I was thinking of changing my name to night owl since I always seem to be posting late at night after life calms down for the day....



    Also for the constipation on the January board a concoction of prune juice with a sliver of butter has helped a few of the ladies...even when colace did not work.



    Michelle,

    I think knowing what to expect helps I have been following the January ladies since the beginning and have read lots. As long as you don't convince yourself that you have all the symptoms. :) I feel better know what others have experienced and then if I have a similar experience feel relieved that it is part of the new normal....



    Thank IBREEDI for the encouragement.



    Summer I also have a least a year of tamoxifin after chemo, may switch to another after that depending on estrogen levels...



    Michele, my chemo wallet:

    compazine, Dexamethasone,Emend 3 PAC,magic mouthwash,Neulasta,drisdol(vitamin d) northeast winter decimated my d levels so they want to bring back up. That's what I have at home from pharmacy, add the OTC meds and what goes through IV more anti nausea meds plus chemo itself....definitely my biggest med bag ever....



    And yes we will get our Spirit back! Especially with the support of each other.



    Hoping for a good night's sleep...don't feel steroid rev so may have a chance.



    Paula good luck tomorrow....



    Best to all the Feb warrior sisters,



    Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Jean!  Its good to see your doing good.  Prune Juice,hmmm.  Why is it know that I have read all about the drugs, I foget about the tried and true stuff that has been used for yours. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Thank you, Jean.

    Hey Paula, remember that song, "No matter how young a prune may be, it's alway full of wrinkles. A baby prune is like his dad, but he ain't wrinkled quite so bad. We have wrinkles on our face, but a prune has wrinkles EVERY PLACE! No matter how young... etc. etc." Repeat ad nauseum. Ear worm!

    Maybe the prune song just replaced the Ninja song. Wait...nope. Still got Ninjas.

    Don't forget to eat your prunes, chicas. 

    Michelle

    PS: I meant "sweet" dreams, not "sweat" dreams. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Salma1971
    Salma1971 Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2011

    Good morning ladies (I live in Jordan, the Middle East) I start my day as  you end yours ;-)

    lbreedI... thanks so much for the encouraging words... I do agree with Michelle, what really worries me... is getting over the emotional scars... I am worried about my children... they are 3 and 6.... What should I tell them... would they understand? Would they feel rejected by me because I am too tired, too withdrawn... too sick?!!! Because other people are taking them to school, birthday parties, activities... Should I show them my head... I have always had big long curly hair... Should I explain.. I do not like to lie to them.. and I cannot live a lie inside my house...? It's so confusing.. I try to rationalise my fears...but it does not always work... Take care girls... Cindy and Jean I hope the side effects stay managable...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited February 2011

    Good morning all.  Feeling better this morning.  Once the stool softener worked it was so much better.  Took a nap yesterday and went to bed early.  When they say drink, drink and then drink some more they really mean it.  Helps to flush the "poop" out of you....  That and some good stool softerner and I also take fiber con.  Have a regular doctors appointment today and then will come home and do what needs to be done and if that means a nap well so be it.  I am just doing whatever my body tells me I need to do wether it be sleep, eat, read, watch tv, use the computer.  

    Jean hope your day today goes good for you. 

    Paula  thinking of you today and hope it goes well for you.

     Hope we all have a great day.  Will check in later.

    Cindy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited February 2011

    Wig or Scarf or just plain bald? I'm curious what everyone is choosing.  I was feeling anti-wig last week and ordered some cool scarfs, and a hat, which I'm still waiting for.  I figured that if I'm going through this and it's affecting my daily life, then why hide it and pretend to have hair?  But this week I'm feeling more pro-wig, thinking that it might be a good idea to wear it to work, so as not to remind everyone of the illness. 

    What is everyone else thinking of doing?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited February 2011

    For work, I'm probably going to do a hat.  I work in a special needs preschool, and I can just see a wig getting tugged at and pulled off.  I like the selection of hats at Headcovers Unlimited; there's one called the "Mimi" hat and a similar one, the "Roller" hat that I think would suit me.  Another more casual one for the summer that I like is from "Just In Time", with pleats and a wide cuff.

    I'm not a fan of the scarves for me.  For one thing, they remind me of my mother's generation. And I think there'd be some slippage with those, too. 

    I will also purchase a wig for some occasions.  My son graduates high school this June, and I think I will want to be wearing hair for graduation ceremony photos and his graduation party.   

    I'm not sure if I will ever go bald, but certainly don't have a problem with other women going that route. For my loved ones, who are the ones who will be looking at me because I'm not going to be looking at myself all day, I just feel it's too stark of a reminder of the cancer battle I'm going thru.  Headcoverings would seem the better way to express my personality. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Hi Salma, and all...

    My feeling is to be totally open and honest. Kids need to learn that people, even their infallible super-moms, get sick. I honestly think my daughter needs to learn, in her own disabled way, that I will be sick, that I will lose my hair (trying to get her to play with my new short hairdo), that I won't want to play sometimes, that I will feel sad and tired and that Grandma will probably take her to school and to parties.

    We already have a birthday party invitation for the Saturday after my first chemo. I have NO idea how I will feel. Not great, I'm expecting.  

    She keeps signing and saying "work, work" and I tell her, "No, peanut. I'm not going to work." Then she says, "Doctor!". I say, "Yes, I have to go to the doctor." Then I try to explain that I'm sick, even though I don't seem sick. It's a concept that's too abstract for her. Maybe she'll begin to understand more when she sees me looking and feeling sick.

    When I was resting at my mother's house after the sentinal node biopsy and port placement, she busted into my room crying "Mama! Mama!", got into bed next to me, and waved bye-bye to my mom! LOL! I was so achey and sore, but I let her haul all her crayons, notebooks, games, puzzles and stuffed buddies into bed. I ended up teetering on the edge of the bed, as usual, :-)

    Maybe that's what helped me feel better faster.

    Michelle 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Hey FabFeb Gals... I got a clue about uploading pix to this thread. Let me see if I can do it, then I'll TRY to tell you how.

    Here goes...

    My new hair cut!

     The lighting is terrible. Thanks Mom!

    Did it work, or did I crash the whole breastcancer.org website. OOPS! Wouldn't be the first time I've crashe sumfin!

     Michelle 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NJvictoria
    NJvictoria Member Posts: 119
    edited February 2011

    Your picture looks great! I'm always asking my daughters how to upload pictures, and they always say "oh mom!!!". I'm just not computer saavy :P

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited February 2011

    Gorgeous, charmamma!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited February 2011

    Um, I also like the sound of the song lyrics you posted.......

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Michelle picture works great, I have managed the photo upload using photo bucket and copying and pasting HTML link, my issue is uploading avatar. The box is grayed out, need to try from desktop instead of iPad.



    Ayone hear how Paula did today?



    Day 2 still ok, mild headache but gone, still abit wobbly in legs - nurse says probably the steroids when had my follow up call, dry mouth biotine rinse and riccola lemon mint drops and water and more water helping that, had to take a nap this morning, but got 6hours of sleep last night even with the steroids, not bad. Not as queasy as yesterday, a little pain in IV arm, considering list of


    possibilities not bad, bracing for days 3-4 which I am told can be the toughest.



    Receives a great care package from my hair salon, put together by chemo comfort. It was full of those wonderful items that make things a bit easier. Silk pillowcase,fuzzy sock,teas, lozenges, sleep cap, journal, meditation cd, gingin candies,candied Ginger. One of those nice surprises, support from unexpected places.



    I am going with a mix of wig and scarves depending on the situation. I work full time and could wear either to work but think the wig will go for any days meeting with outsiders or when I just don't want to be a cancer patient. I always loved scarves so plan to use those with family and friends, I order wraps from gaila they will provide one free of charge to verifiable cancer patients, see the head covering thread lots of great links.

    Nite all my Feb warriors,

    Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Michelle,BTW love your blog it definitely will be a rollercoater year for all of us.

    Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Salma1971
    Salma1971 Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2011

    Michelle... I love your haircut... I don't know how you looked with long hair...but short her is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous on you!!!

     I really appreciate your spirit. And I totally agree with you.. Honesty is the way to go... I watch my boys playing happily infront of me.. and I am thinking... I am sure they will be fine.. And I want to be fine!

    Take care fabulous ladies...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skhartley
    skhartley Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2011

    Michelle, your hair is gorgoeus!  I'm thinking about a similar do.  I have a ton of hair - so it's so weird.  To all you other mommas, thank you for posting your experiences and fears.  It makes me feel a little less crazy.  Mine (3 and 5) have adjusted to having a one-boobed mom Tongue out.  Will hasn't asked me for a few weeks "when are you gettin' yo boob back Momma!?!?"  (plans for recon are on hold until after chemo).  I have gotten really comfortable wearing the "chicken cutlet" and wear it pretty much all day.  I have not talked to them about chemo yet.  Ugh.  I know over all that they will be fine and will soon forget this time, but I hate to see them scared.  I also teach 3rd grade, so I have to decide when and how to tell a bunch of 8-9 year olds that I have cancer.  Yippee!!  Sign me up for a root canal!!  I have my second opinion for treatment on Monday, so hopefully I will have a plan then. 

    Did anyone else hear that chemo only worked up to 8 weeks post op?  This is making me panic because this is my 6th week post op from my MX.  I really don't understand why it is 8 weeks MX post op and not from the biopsy.  The cancer was all removed during the biopsy - so wouldn't that be when those rogue cells would have set out?  Paula, you were in my DecemberMX group - did you hear that or anything similar?  My nurse said that if you get the flu or something crazy happens, and you can't start chemo on time that they just won't do it.  

    I hope ya'll have a peaceful weekend! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories