February 2011 chemo pals

hi Feb Ladies

Just back from round 2. all went well, headache now will read and catch up later but wanted to let you know.

hope everyone else ok.



jean

Chemo - TCHX6 Start 2/17/11 cycle 1/6, day 1, next TX 3/10/11

Hi All,

Just back about an hour ago from 1st TX.. Long day, got there at 8:30 a.m. and home just before 4:00 p.m.  Had CBC done first, appt with onc.  I asked about pain from Neulasta (tomorrow at 9:45 at the office) and asked about Claritin - he said def do it - the pain emanates from long or large bones because the Neulasta stimulates the bones to produce blood cells.  The bigger the bone the more potential for pain.  They went really slow because it was the first time or all 3 drugs so they wanted to monitor.  It smarted to put the line in the port.  It has been there so long unused it probably had rust in it!

I am feeling OK but a little tired - Benadryl I think.  I will not be taking any steroids other than what was in my cocktail today.  I was only prescribed anti-nausea and the lidocaine cream for the port.

Geez Liza - how scary for you!  I have a tendency to be allergic to meds but mostly antibiotic.  I will be alone all day tomorrow....maybe I will need one of those "I've fallen and I can't get up" buttons, ha!

Michelle - I wore yoga pants in your honor today!

Glad everyone is doing OK - I am sure glad #1 is under my belt, certainly not as bad as the anticipation, and now I am 17% done!

Kathie

This is day 2 for me. Tired today. My leg was a little almost asleep for a few minutes early today. Feel weak. No nausea (was given IV aloxi and emend during chemo). Have my phenergan by the bed- but have not taken any.

I have zero appetite, but was able to eat 2 small meals. Drinking ok- not as easy as pre chemo and while at chemo to make myself drink. Think I might take a liquid supplement before I go to sleep. The ensure girl again...

Got neulasta. Took claritin an hour before in hopes that will help. Neulasta does burn going in, but it's short & fine once it's in. Hurts less than any IV i ever had and I've had alot of those this past month (thank goodness for having a port now).

I am starting to get more tired. Tomorrow is my last dose of steroids. I am scared that tomorrow is going to be tough and the next few days after if what I am reading, hearing, etc is true.

 One day at a time. Feels good to be home in my pajamas. I can easily focus then on any work.

Woke up at 445a this morning & haven't napped since. Hopefully more sleep tonight!

Love to all my fellow warriors,

Yours truly,

Pink Flamingo Warrior aka Lisa

KATHIE:  Funny about the "I've fallen and I can't get up buttons," but I did think to myself today that I should be very vigilant about keeping my phone next to me at all times, especially since it's just me and my kids here at home...

LISA:  I have the bland thing going on too. I've been looking forward to eating, only to have my food have a faraway kind of taste. The last two meals, I wolfed down and tried to use my imagination to taste the flavor...I had heard about people developing a dislike for things they previously liked, or vice-versa, and also about taste buds changing. I'm wondering, does the taste bud thing last for the entire chemo treatment period, or only for certain parts of each cycle...? 

Hi girls.  I just wanted to sy welcome to our new sister.  Im soeey we have to meet here but this is a great group of warrior sisters.  We will do our best to get each other thru it. 

Its good to dee the gals who have had treatment this week doing good.  Hang in there you do start to feel abit normal for a time before the next TX.  Atleast I did. The week up to my next TX food tasteed good again.  Still was eating a whole lot, but atleast it was quality food.  Im being a big girl and doing some small changes to my diet, UGH.  Twizzlers oh how I long for you.  Prunes have made way into my diet because I have a few issues.

Today is my 2nd treatment and I have to get my mind into this.  I have to get into a mind set that this TX will be different.  Its gonna be better afterwards.  

I went back to work this week.  I had been off for my BMX since Dec. 29.  What a Valentines, I got to go back to woek, lol.  I cant work in the shop cause my job calls for alot of heavey lifting and the PS wouldnt release me.  Well my friends in the office worked it out that I would be their gal Friday.  Wow I never knew paperwork was so hard, lol. 

Have a great day all and enjoy the sunshine. 

Good Morning

Paula  Wishing you the best on your 2nd treatment today. 

So far this 2nd treatment has been better than the 1st one and that one wasn't that bad.  I am noticing since yesterday more of the bland food taste.  Even water doesn't taste good.  Not quite as much foggy brain so far but that may come tomorrow.  Last night fell asleep and dozed on the couch from about 7 - 9.  Went to bed and slept until 5 this morning.  Don't like waking up that early.  I also have had some heartburn this time which I did not get last time. 

Have a good day everyone.

Cindy

Michelle since I have no bosoms, Ill be your TE buddy, lol. 

Well day 14 on the dot and my hair is coming out.  I didnt think it would come out in the way it is, but it is.  If things go well this weekend I will go ahead and get it shaved. 

Thanks Cindy!  I hope your feel better soon.

NeyNey its coming out in small to medium clumps.  My sissys says soon it will come out in larger clumps.  Thats what happened to her.  I got some turbans and a scarf from tlc also,  We musta been on the same wave lenght about the brooches.  My mom and I were looking at the turbans and I said o those will be nice with brooches, lol.  We will rock the brooch world!!!!

I had my hair buzzed and so far nothing is coming off the top of my head and I am on day 18.  My hair is very very short so maybe I am just not seeing it but I stand over the sink and rub my head.  I am sure it will happen very soon...

Ney Ney  Yes I already had something here at the house for hearburn in case that happened.  Glad my doctors had me get everything even if I might not need it.  So far that has helped.  Said I wasn't too foggy but that seems to be setting in now.  I hate that feeling..

Cindy

After reading SpecialK's posting I had a question for all of you who have gone already, about work. 

Do you think it's realistic to sit in an office and interact with people the afternoon after chemo, or at least the day after?  Is there any real reason to need to skip a day of work the next day? I'm talking about a sedentary job indoors, sitting at a computer but in a busy office with meetings, etc. 

I know everyone reacts differently, but is there anyone who has done that, or thinks it would be possible?  

I went ahead and wanted chemo on Friday so I have the weekend to rest.  They also told me that if I am still feeling flu like that taking that monday off was ok.  I just went back to work this week.  I dont know what its like right after a treatment.  I went for mine at 9:30 and didnt get done untill 2:30.  I wouldnt have time to go back.  My sissy says a woman she knows goes right back to work that same day.  I think it all depends on what you do and how you are feeling.  Me I just dont want to push it.  I wish I had the magic answer but I dont. 

2nd TX down.  I fill pretty good.  The doctor did get me straightened out as far as the anti nausea goes.  I know its gonna work. 

Hi Feb Chemo Girls,

Turns out last night's nap was for the night,I slept most of the night from 5 ish till 7:00 am with a few short breaks.  I did end up taking the Compazine this round felt a bit more than queasy and the big advice the doctor and nurses gave was don't let the nausea get too far ahead of you, the meds work best before it gets bad.  It worked like a charm and only needed one pill. the headachache came on faster this time, almost immediately after the TX, nausea slower probably because I avoided smells more this round (we learn each time), i took the compazine around 9:30 pm on one of my sleep breaks...

Woke up feeling fine and actually went to the office for a big meeting.  I was glad I was able to go, the meeting probably lasted about 2 hours more that I was good for but i left had a small snack of figs, crackers (for some reason this has become one of my favorite settle the stomach snacks, a new snack for me) and 2 Tylenol and then stuck it out until it was over at 2.  I had soup when the lunch came in not really ready to try eating more than than especialy when not home.  I left immediately after and in fact never turned off my away messages on phone and e-mail, so I was sort of incognito. Came home, ate lightly thanks to mom and slept again for a few hours.  I actually went to bed to nap, which is big for me usually I just doze with my fuzzy blanket in a chair in the living room.

Moma,

I have Chemo on Thursdays which seems to take all day as I go into NYC and have to allow for traffic, and I give myself Neulasta on Friday afternoons so I want to be home for that, although the Chemo nurse says there is some flexibility there it does not have to be exactly 24 hours after Chemo.  The first week I stayed home Friday and went in on Monday, and think this will be my norm. Today was an exception because we had a big meeting with major suppliers ans I felt better being there for it.  I am pretty connected to office when home and can access e-mail and files when needed and have a wonderfully supportive team.  My DH is a Stay at Home Dad and my DS is 15 and pretty self sufficient all of which makes working easier for me (even before BC.)

Welcome Lorenar,

I too follow both the January and February girls, it helps to have WWWB (Women who went before) so I get that by checking in on January and I am a WWWB for the Febs...Also on Febs there are women on my schedule and that helps to share the journey, so even if all different people and cocktails it helps to compare notesand share SE info.  It had meant so much to me to travel the road with these ladies.

I find foggieness worse in the mornings, althought today not bad.  I definitely schedule things that require more brain power in the afternoons at work.

Kathie,

Make sure you check with your doctor about B6, my nutritionist recommended against B vitamin supplements because they help cells grow so she felt that works against the Chemo.  Not everyone feels that same way.

Welcome MSK

I am on the same treatment schedule as you and have just fininshed round 2 so I can be your WWWB.  My TX are on Thursdays and pretty much takes all day since I leave my house at 10:15 and get home between 3 & 5 depending on how far behind the are at the center. Yesterday we hit no traffic so I think I was early check in for both doctor and Chemo and was home by 3, first time much traffic arrived on time but did not get into chemo until 3 so not home until 5.  I plan to take Friday's off, but did not today, I think you will need to play that by ear, I have friends that found Friday's no problem, I think I would prefer to work from home so I can take it easy that day.  I do not seem to get the steroid energy rush - or if I am don't want to know what I would be like without it!  I have been OK working starting Mondays but tend to go in a bit later, absolutely need to eat breakfat just before I leave the house and bring healthy snacks for mid morning and mid afternoon.. I usually order a salad with some protein or soup for lunch.  The first day back after first cycle I was done by 4, after that 5 and by Thurday (day 8 was back to feeling like me again no am fog).

I had a couple of times when water tasted off to me and I was always a big water drinker, I have tried lemon slices and iced green tea lightly sweetened on those days and it seems to work and usually can switch back to water after 1 -2.  I have also used gin gin candies with the same effect.

Lisa,

So glad to hear you are doing OK. I am also adding ensure to my first week diet plan Mom brought in her first care package on the recommendation of one of her friends who has been through Chemo and it turns out to be what I eat as soon as I get up before I get dressed and have breakfast.  I did for the entire 2 weeks first round, but will probably try dropping the second week this round and see how it works,I find I am repeating the foods that worked last round fairly closely especially day 1-2.  Mom even came to check on me again today and made scrambled eggs just like last Friday,,,I could get spoiled.

Lisa and Counting,  

I find I do have to force my self to eat the fist couple of days they slowly returns to normal.  By day 8 was hungry again and needed to watch so I don't gain anything, I already needed to lose weight and don't want to add steroid gain on top on what I have.

NeyNey,

I found Motrin/Advil or Aleve work better for my back pain than Tylenol but check with doctor some have a preference for which painkiller you use with which Chemo.  Different chemos and pain killers are processed by different organs and some want you to use opposite organs. If chemo is processed by liver, take painkiller processed by kidney and vice versa.  MIne is OK with either but you should check with yours for your cocktail.

Welcom PejKug3,

Sorry you are a member of the club, but you have a great group of warrior sisters to take the journey with here.

Paula,

I too am becoming a member of the prune fan club, the first week I seemed to go from one extreme to the other so decided to try prunes and colace earlier this round to try and avoid that particular roller coaster!

I also felt like me on Day 8 and had a full good week before round 2, week one was not bad, but not fully me.  Glad your job was able to accomodate you, Mine has been very supporting as well giving me the option to work at home when needed even though they are not really of the work at home mentality in general.

Divine,

Chest pain can also be from the Neulasta- my doctor warned me beacuse lots of women worry they are having a heart attack.  Mine hit my back but chest and hips are also common.  I had the sore throat first week as well, found biotene rinse works well to help prevent and alliviate, biotene gel was also suggested but I don't have in my arsenal- It is called oral balance and I did not see on my last drugstore run.  My nose also has been dry and a little bloody, saline spray has helped that and the nurse suggest AYR saline gel at night to help that sounds like another pharm run.  I alway have a water bottle by me bed to take a swig whenever I wake up as it seems to help as well.

Cindy,

 I was more sleepy round 2 than round 1, more nausea, I did take the compazine which is my breakthrough med, which I did not use last time but it worked like a charm and no quesiness today so I think I will take it faster next time,,,at this point what is one more med....

Paula, NeyNey & Melanie Ann,

I have also started down the baldness road.  The head starting tingling and small clumps are coming out today. Tomorrow is supposed to be turning point according to my doctor, he said good bye to my hair yesterday. (Turns out it was only that first visit where I felt rushed all others he has been great.)

I love the brooch idea to add more style to our scarves, hats and wraps, I have collection already. If we are rocking the bald let's do it with style!

Melanie,

 so glad the wig arrived on time, maybe if you bring it to you hairdresser she can style it to make it feel more like you, I called the wig lady to check on mine since I think I will have some serious bald spots by Tuesday when I need to go back to the office, She says it will be here on time....but I have the scarves on standby, have a feeling may be more comfortable.  My DS really wants me to do the mohawk for fun, he is camping this weekend so not sure I would keep for more that a few minutes ---photo may be all he sees,

Michelle,

I got bad back pain the second week as well but then the next day had my period so not sure if it was the Neulasta or cramps....will know this week as Chemo starts to shut ovaries down soon so do not expect to get any more periods, althought was not really expecting the last 2 either so we'll see.

 Glad to hear everyone doing ok.

{{{HUGS}}} to all

Jean

Day 4- feel like I am sliding down the hole.

I have a killer headache- just took something- tylenol just won't touch it. Did sleep. Weaning off steriods- but no energy rush from those at all. Making myself drink.

I just can't eat much- but am drinking a supplement at least daily. And am doing popsicles, etc. 

 Does anyone get any tightness in their TE w/ chemo? Mine feel full- not hurting- just like the fluid is there too on both sides.

 No nausea, but this headache is bad. Probably as they are giving me max sterioids as I was so fearful of nausea- and am so prone to it. I have not had to take the first nausea pill so I'd rather have a headache than nausea. If I couldn't drink I know I'd end up in trouble.

 Day 4 feels pretty rough so far. I did sleep- waking up off and on w/ this headache.

Feel flulike as you all say. Hoping for nap then to start the day. Just feel so weak. 

I know this is cycle one. Thanks for the support from you all.

Lisa

IDC- 1/11; Bil Mx w/ TE 1/22; 1st round TCH 2/16 

Good early morning Fab Feb Warrior Sisters! 

LISA, Yes! My TEs feel different. Tighter, and I'm more aware of them. A little achier underneath, near my armpit area, and more so on my lymph node dissection side.

It's 3:45 a.m. and I'm wide awake, since I conked out last night probably around 8. Today is day 5 for me. I spent the days 1-4 up and about, running errands here and there. I'm wondering when to expect to get totally kicked in the butt... 

I have been waking up in the middle of the night with either 1) the sensation of an upset stomach, and then not having to go; or 2) an upset stomach. No nausea, just that so far. Has anybody else just had GI problems and not nausea?

I'm planning on buzzing my hair this coming weekend. It's not necessary to go totally, totally bald, is it? A super short buzz cut was what I was thinking. I had also heard about using a satin pillow case, but can't remember why, something about the hair getting pulled...? And, we start using Biotin shampoo for chemically treated hair too? On our bald head? Does anybody know?

SHINE ON sisters.

Love and light,

Liza 

Hi Ladies!

It has been a while since I posted but for those who remember, I fell quite ill following my first treatment of TC.  Day 4 I got a high fever and was nauseous for 3 days. I assumed these were the 'flu-like symptoms' they mention.  Welll... I was wrong!! You are not supposed to feel that way! They admitted me to the hospital last Wed and after a CT scan of my chest and abdomen, a surgeon came in telling me that I needed an emergency appendectomy at midnight! Are you kidding me?!?! My appendix was about to rupture and it was completely UNRELATED to cancer or the chemo!! Just really horrible timing and luck! I had my 4th surgery and they kept me in the hospital 4 days!! Ughhhh. I feel much better now - just really sore from the surgery!

Fortunately, I was cleared for my 2nd treatment next week on the 24th!  It is day 16 though and my hair is falling out! I am just do devastated and wish I was as strong as you all and could just shave it!! I am just so sad! I have fabulous wigs and scarves, etc.. but it still doesn't make it easier to do it! My hair is shoulder-length so I have a bandana over my head to try to 'preserve it"   I have not washed it since Monday and I am so fearful that will be it! Any suggestions for me?

Thanks ladies - so nice to know we are not alone!

Mary