February 2011 chemo pals

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Good luck tomorrow Lee and MrsM.  I know the feeling of the unknown.  You gals will do great Im sure. 

    I know this is just as much a mental battle as well as a physical battle.  My sister went thru this very fight not once but twice.  She had to do it back in the day when there was not much around for the physical yuck that went along with it.  I look to her for that inner strength when I think of my upcoming treatment.  I still get a bit nervous but I know this is normal and I will get thru this.  You strong and mighty warrior women will too.  Good luck all my chemo sisters in the up coming days. 

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  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited March 2013

    Charlottesmom and Paula66,

    Thanks for the support! I think I'm overly nervous because this is the first tx and I really don't know what to expect. I was really scared going in to my first surgery but found it wasn't bad at all. My second surgery in Dec, to remove the rest of my nodes and get the port,didn't go well at all for me. It took me weeks to recover.  I wasn't expecting that.  So that kind of threw me for a loop. I am hoping chemo for me won't be too bad and won't have too many SE's.  It really helps to connect with others who are going through this right now and in the past.  Glad you are all here.!

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited February 2011

    FEC-D Start: Jan 28/2011 Cycle 1/6 Day 19

    Lawteach..I had such a laugh when you mentioned walking around with 40-60% of your hair if you used the ice cap..the visual image of that just tickled me.

    Thundershowers..I too had a multi-focal tumour removed...I was told that's not that common. Also had 2 nodes involved but I went for the lumpectomy with rads to follow chemo.

    My 2nd treatment is Friday unless the oncologist decides otherwise. Supposed to have a tooth pulled tomorrow if WBC's are okay. I'll be so glad to have the freezing to relieve the pain I've had for 4 days. Makes chemo not seem so bad.

    Wishing you all good luck having treatments this week..with minimal SE's. Hang in there everyone!

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  • Lawteach
    Lawteach Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2011

    Hi, All,

    it did turn out to be the lack of saliva, so I am going with soups and foods that can be buried in Greek yogurt sauces, esp. tsatsiki.

    I can't edit my bio to get my cycle and day. Help on that?

    NeyNey, Thanx for advice on how to go out and about.  I'll stick to off hours to shop, and we just gave our regrets to that big wedding I mentioned.  The parents of the groom understood completely.

    No serious SEs despite all my fears.  Tomorrow the fatigue shout hit.  Will report on that as it happens.

     Happy and healthy week to all of you!

    Lynne 

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Hi Lynne and all~ To edit your bio, go to Discussion Boards, log in, go to My Home and Edit My Profile. Scroll down to Signature and edit away! It is different and separate from the Diagnosis line, so you can show both. Hope this helps!

     Sweet dreams, if at all possible! Undecided

    Michelle 

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    hi everyone,



    good luck and{{{HUGS}}} to Lee and Mrs M for treatment and low se tomorrow. Try and get some rest and eat light breakfast tomorrow.



    Cindy glad things are going well. just try and get the rest you need.



    I am in that try and get ducks in a row before next treatment stage at home and the office. The second week after treatment I have felt pretty normal...dealing with cramps which I thought would be so over by now. I lost weight the first week easily since food tasted ok but sweets etc not especially appealing. second week concentrating on trying to eat healthy. I need to lose weight and think it is not a good time to try and lose but making healthier choices is always good and there is lots of incentive to do so. Healthier body helps fight this.

    Cindy,

    I also like to think of this as our journey toward wellness, it may get tough but we can do it especially with such a wonderful support group to travel with. That and a good dose of laughter will get us through.

    Lee,

    you do need to itemize deductions to take the medical deduction. You should log everything related to medical and dental for the entire family. Don't forget to log your parking fees and other travel expenses for all your medical expenses this year. You have to reach a thresold of 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before medical expenses are deductible but it is much easier to track as you go and do for everyone in the family if you think you are going to exceed the amount of expenses. My mom used to keep a small notebook with a pocket in her purse to log everything and hold receipts so she had a record.



    Mrs. M I am really appreciating how good my insurance is these days, last year DH had his knee replaced and this year with me having BC we have given it a workout The PA said the shots are $3,000 each!



    i am hoping this weekend the weather is warm enough to get outside and walk. the sidewalks have been so icy that it has been impossible.



    Lynne,

    I am doing EC as well. Doc said it is virtually same as AC. Right down to the bright red color! My doctor is also on the don't live in a bubble plan which suits me fine, i have gone to mall but stayed away from crowded situations. I didn't go to a work related concert tonight since I felt the crowd may be too much and didn't really need the late night just before round 2. I am going to the office every day beginning themonday after treatment. I did go to church when I felt up to it but admit to choosing my row more carefully that I would usually. I had to laugh about the 40% Hair....I actually dreamt about it falling out last night. According to the normal schedule of things that should start this weekend...should check wig status, or I'll be rocking those hats and wraps for a while. I could not even imagine wearing the ice cap for 3 hours in the winter to possibly save 40%. My doctor said they do not have a great track record and in any case by protecting follicles you are giving cancer santuary areas, if I am doing CHEMO I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE THOSE CELLS ANYWHERE TO HIDE.



    Ney Ney, I also wanted beef the second week. Not going to be able to give that up completely.



    Lynne,

    click on your name at the top of the board and edit profile. go to bottom where it says signature and type in the chemo stats. it will appear above the diagnosis line if you have that printing. you will need to edit before you post each day to update the day count. use the right arrow to get to the end of the line. hope that helps. fatigue hiot me hardest on SUnday- day 4.



    hang in my Feb warrior sisters.



    Jean



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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited February 2011

    Hi everyone,

    This cancer thing is never - ending.  I was supposed to start chemo Thursday 2/17 but am unsure if that's going ahead because of more concerns about my bloodwork.  I had a PET scan today and more bloodwork and am keeping my fingers crossed for no more bad news.  But it's nice to be in good hands, and have the oncologist crossing every i, dotting every t because chemo is so traumatic to the body, you need to go into it with good health.

    Laura

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2011

    Hi All,

    Good luck tomorrow to lee7 and DivineMrsM. 

    Jean, sounds like your 2nd and my 1st will be the same day.  Laura, let us know what happens.  I remember thinking we would start the same day.  I am still in the running around mode getting ready.  Tonight I went out for Thai food with a friend who lost her mother to BC and ovarian cancer 5 years ago.  She is a comfort because she understands, I can tell her anything, she has a medical background and a great deal of insight.  When I was first diagnosed I was afraid it would make her sad but unless she is hiding it well, she has been upbeat and very supportive.  Anyway it was nice to get out and have some spicy food because I think that will be out for the forseeable future!

    Glad everyone else is doing well, or at least as well as can be expected!

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  • lonneta04
    lonneta04 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2011

    Lee7, I did not get Neulasta. The first two days were really good , them wham..it does feel alot lot having the flu and what i eat really makes a difference on the way i feel.Hope your day goes well

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  • lonneta04
    lonneta04 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2011

    I got the port for only 4 treatments.only used it once. so far so good

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited February 2011

    Good luck to Lee and Mrs M. on your treatment.

    Thanks Jean.  I am doing things a little different this time to see if it helps.  Last time I didn't take my extra nausea pill that they said was just if you needed it.  Well this time I am using it.  I didn't think I had nausea as I always felt like I wanted to eat to help my head and stomach.  Never had an upset stomach.  But Dr said that what I had could still be a form of nausea.  We will see. Speaking of laughter Jean, my friend just sent me a beautiful card and a laughter book.  Laughter is such good medicine.  I try to keep a positive attitude.  I also have 2 grandchilder (ages 2 1/2 and 9 months) that keep me focused on how worth this all is. 

    I was wired yesterday.  Think the steriod kicked in around 5 in the morning and went till about 2:30 yesterday afternoon.  Had my nuesalta shot yesterday.  So we will see what happens with my WBC next week.  At least it bounced back this last time.  I am so thankful for that.

    Hope everyone has a nice day.

    Cindy

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Good morning! Thinking of you ladies who are on your way to your first chemo "date" today.

    I'm thinking of doing an aqua-aerobics class 3 mornings a week to help keep my weight stable (I want to eat everything in sight!). Do any of you ladies swim or do water aerobics with a port in place? I think it's ok, but it does feel weird.

    Thoughts? Suggestions?

    Michelle 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2011

    Michelle -

    Are you worried about dislodging the port or waterproofing it?  You could put some tegaderm over it to seal it.  I was given no particular guidance about movement, or told to be cautious about that.

    I think it sounds like a good idea and easier on possibly sore joints!

    I am nervous about tomorrow, but the sooner I start the sooner I am done.  I am getting all my anti-SE stuff ready and getting my stuff to take with me to the doctor's office.

    Kathie

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  • countingmyblessings
    countingmyblessings Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2011

    Hi, I'm Liza. I'm a first-time poster, but longish-time lurker since my mid-November diagnosis. I just had my first of 6 chemo (TAC) treatments yesterday. It took a total of 5 hours, but no complaints because everybody on the staff was kind, gentle and took the time to explain everything. We took it slowly and thankfully I had no infusion side effects. I was super, super sleepy towards the end, that's about it.

    Today, I took my meds (that's a job, isn't it, to keep track of what, when, how many, how often?) and I still feel fine. I'm thankful but also hoping to be able to continue to be thankful in the days to come. I understand that it's still early.

    I'm off to get my Neupogen shot this morning. In the stomach, I think? While I still say BOO to needle pricks, it's a small price to pay to make sure everything that needs to get done gets done. 

    A couple of interesting tidbits I learned yesterday: Adriamycin makes your pee cranberry-colored. I never heard about flushing twice after chemo treatment (for the first 48 hours?). I guess our California drought slogan, "If it's yellow, keep it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down," gets put on pause for a couple of days. Sorry, TMI. 

    Even though I have just been checking out posts and not interacting, I have been around enough to feel the bond we wish we didn't have to have, but are thankful for just the same. I'm thankful to be in your company and look forward to giving and receiving support as we are on this leg of our journey.

    Love and light,

    Liza 

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  • NeyNey
    NeyNey Member Posts: 33
    edited February 2011

    Cindy,

    I, also, skipped the extra anti nausea meds given to take at home "if needed".  I, as well, had the low white counts the week following my treatment.  Let me know if it helps you this treatment, I'm planning on taking it my second as well.  You are a week ahead of me , with the same TX so I especially enjoy your posts.:)

    Michelle,

    Water aerobics is such a great way to exercise....I used to teach them.  Movement shouldn't be an issue with the port, I wouldn't think waterproofing would be necessary since we shower and wash, and the pool is highly chlorinated, however, check with your medical team first...  Exercise helps me feel better-getting all those endorphins going gives you more energy!  I like to spin at home since I don't have easy access anymore to a gym.

    Hope all goes well with those having treatments today...."big girl panties on and hiked up to the chin'!  (yes, I'm southern girl!) 

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited February 2011

    So far so good, just returned from my first chemo; DH and DS went along.  Am glad they did as I don't think either had any idea what it was all about.  A very calm situation, I was not in any pain, sat in a nice lounge chair and all medical staff were quite kind.  I feel fine right now, a little sleepy because I was given a benadryl drip first to prevent reaction to the chemo meds. Will get the neulasta tomorrow and see how that affects me.

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  • Babyswim
    Babyswim Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2011

    Hi everyone, glad to hear you are all hanging in there through the beginning cycles. I've got my first date with the drip bags tomorrow :-) Was supposed to start yesterday but insurance issues re: Nuelasta postponed things a few days and unfortunately it is still not totally resolved.

    Michelle: As far as getting/having/swimming with a port, just wanted to chime in with my two cents:

    I am very dehydrated so finding a cooperative vein has been a challenge from the start. For all of my blood draws and the contrast dye scans it was taking 3-5 needle sticks, so a port was really necessary for me.  I am quite thin and bony so it took three attemps during port surgery to locate a good vein for the port and there is no body fat at my collarbone area, so I can feel this thing and it sticks out right at my brastrap line. I am hoping over time the benefits will outweigh the negatives. I hope there will come a time when I can forget about it, but I seriously doubt it :-(

    As far a swimming or going in the water, since that is what I do for a living, I am told whenever I am ready to get back in the pool for work the port will not be any problem ( I was actually worried the babies might grab on to my neck and dislodge the thing) 

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2011

    DivineMrsM,

    Glad things went ok today. I know that this is just the beginning of chemo for you, but at least know it's not an "unknown" as much. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

    Lee, hope you did ok today too. 

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2011

    Divine M, glad things went well for you today.



    Lee, Hope you are doing ok too.



    liz a & Cindy sounds like you are doing ok too!



    Sounds like quite a few us are tethered to the Chemo machine tomorrow. Good luck to all.



    My scalp is starting to feel tingling all over, it feels like my scalp is allergic to my hair. I have been told this is the signal the hairs is getting ready to go. Right on schedule, treatment 2 is tomorrow, so this weekend hair starts to go...should be interesting.



    As a heads up my period was extremely heavy this month with cramps the week after the first TX, I actually thought the nuelasta pain was starting again in my back until I realized it was cramps, after checking with the January girls it seems to have happened to quite a few of them. I actually thought I was done, body decided otherwise.



    liza, some of my friend were told to flush twice and close the lid after FAC, and AC for the first 48 hours. I was not.It definitely seems to depend on the doctor and the treatment what restrictions/instructions you get.



    good luck tomorrow specialK, baby swim, and maybe Laura. Hope I did not miss anyone. I'll be thinking of all of you.



    Off to pack my bag for tomorrow.



    Jean

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited February 2011

    Hope all goes well for everyone having treatments tomorrow.  Will be thinking of you....

    Cindy

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2011

    Hello,

    Welcome to the newbies!  Glad all who had TX this week are hanging in.  Babyswim sorry they had a hard time with your port.  They put my sub-clavian in during my BMX on 11/1 and it really bothered me at first.  I am also bony accross my chest, even more so because of the BMX.  At first the port area stuck out because it was very swollen but eventually it has receded and it does not bother me so much.  At least not as much as regular IV's would.  Because of the complete node dissection my only usable arm is my left and it has developed scar tissue from all the surgeries back to back so I am now a "hard stick" as they say.  I am thankful for the port.  Anyway, good luck tomorrow.

    I am getting ready for tomorrow - just like you Jean!  Although somehow the getting ready included baking banana bread.  Not sure how that happened - had funky bananas that needed to be used, so off I went.  Nervous energy I guess.  Good luck to you too Laura, if you go.

    I will be thinking of everyone and drawing strength from you all.

    Kathie

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited February 2011

    Babyswim, SpecialK and everyone else going tomorrow - my thoughts are with you that it goes smoothly and easily.  You'll be one treatment closer to being done!

    So glad to hear that most everyone is having manageable side effects.

    My chemo for tomorrow is off. My oncologist wants to make sure the liver is healthy before starting, so she's awaiting PET scan results.  I am hoping that there's a simple explanation and nothing major.

    Laura 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2011

    Laura,

    Here's hoping it is indeed something simple, nothing major.  I will be thinking of you...

    Kathie

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited February 2011

    Good luck to you all tomorrow.  You all are strong woman and can get thru this. 

    Welcome to all of you new gals.

    Take care everyone. Have a good night all!

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  • LisaGH
    LisaGH Member Posts: 242
    edited February 2011

    First chemo today- TCH. 6 1/2 counting labs & PA visit. Better than I thought.

    Got home 3pm. Took dogs for a short walk. Took a nap. No appetite, so had a few bites of family meal and then drank ensure for my dinner. Doing well on drinking mostly water.

    Tired, no appetite only symptoms so far- starting to feel a mind heartburn and hoping that's not what that is but sounds 'typical' of many others.

    Will be on the extra steriods for post taxotere/ nausea prevention too (got aloxi iv and emend iv). have my phenergan bottle at the bedside.

    Nothing tastes quite right- everything is just bland- not metallic- just dull tasting? Did yall have that?

    Also, when did your side effects get worse? Thanks for the support.

    Lisa

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    Banana bread! LOL! That's something I would do. Gotta use up these bananas...

    I have had a wierd experience today. Wonder if anyone else has... Lower back throbbing spasms that come and go. Never had lower back issues ever before. They kinda take my breath away! Wooh! Came over me late afternoon. Took oodles of Motrin and seems to be under control since. I didn't lift a 50 lb bag of flour or anything. Neulasta maybe? Very strange... Kidneys?

    hmmmmm.... 

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  • countingmyblessings
    countingmyblessings Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2011

    On my day 2, I was able to drive myself to get my Neupogen shot and run a few errands. Uneventful day...until the evening. I had an allergic reaction to one of my meds. I started out by calling my provider's 1-800 number but my tongue and throat swelled as I was waiting, so I hung up and dialed 9-11.

    When the paramedics arrived, they administered Benadryl through an IV and the swelling subsided in a matter of minutes. But the 20 or so minutes from start to finish, needless to say, were scary. It turns out that I had a "dystonic reaction" to the Compazine, one of my anti-nausea meds. The reaction is not to be confused with an allergic reaction, but the swelling can be treated with Benadryl. I had already taken a total of 8 pills; but the doctor said it could have happened with the first pill or the 20th pill.

    I was a little loopy after the Benadryl (pleading and begging for a picture of me in the gurney for my Picture of the Day) and then dizzy and sleepy. I'm fine now. I just wanted to share because that's the first time I've ever had any kind of reaction like that, and now I know to recognize the symptoms (I started to talk funny, my neck was flushed, my eyes were watery, and then it felt like my throat was getting fat and tight, and my tongue felt like it was filling up my mouth--and those last 2 things came on pretty fast!). So, sisters, we need to recognize those early symptoms.

    Lesson learned. I need to make the time to really read all the paperwork that comes with the tons of meds I'm taking, at least the list of the side effects.

    Love and light,

    Liza 

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited February 2011

    But Liza, did you get the picture????

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  • countingmyblessings
    countingmyblessings Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2011

    Yes, Michelle, I got the picture! Actually, I got the pic of me AND I took a ton in the ambulance too! :D

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited February 2011

    Good Morning everyone.  This is day 4 for me and was when I started last time not feeling to good.  This time I just seem a little more tired but so far no feeling like I want to eat all the time and no headache yet....  Hoping by taking the extra nausea pill will help.  Time will tell.  My daughter and granddaughters are visiting today so that always cheers me up.

    Hope everyone is feeling ok.

    Have a good day.

    Cindy

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