February 2011 chemo pals

I still have eyebrows too! and even better eyelashes, they are pretty pathetic to begin with, hoping they don't come out. My hair started coming out by the handful around day 17 so shaved it that weekend. Now it just stays the same, the stubbles don't seem to fall out or grow. The hair under my arms is gone, but I was hoping the bikini line would disappear...some annoying facial hair has disappeared though so that's a positive!

My last AC is next Thur (3/31)...my DS's 14th b-day! Congrats to those who have finished that hurdle!

You know what smell gets me? When they put the saline in my PICC line, ICK! it's like it comes into my nose internally. 

For the nausea I get Emend w/ decadron first three days and then I have compazine and zofran as needed. I haven't had much of a problem. The Emend is not cheap though!

With the taxotere and icing fingers and toes...do you keep the ice on through the whole treatment? Taxotere is not supposed to come with the nausea right? Have a great weekend everyone!

Jenn - I get Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin, and yes - there is nausea.  Start icing your toes and fingers and try to held ice chips in your mouth starting 15 minutes before the Taxotere goes in and then keep it on for 15 minutes after.  Mouth sores and lifting of nails is what you are trying to avoid.  I use small bags of frozen peas.  I just bring them in a soft sided cooler with an ice block, and I bring the ice chips in an insulated cup.  I get Taxotere first so I just lay the peas over my socks at the front and hold the peas in my lap and kind of dig my fingers into the bags.  The hardest part is getting the ice chips into my mouth fast so I can put my hand back in the peas!  Some centers have ice gloves but many places discount the icing all together.  All I can say if you are doubting is go look at a member named lago - she posted pix of her nails.  You will be icing after you look at them. 

Hey all and welcome back Fuzzy!!!  Um, I didn't shave my head, cut a ponytail to attach later, brushed the rest out, had baby hair and a few cowlick strands left.  After that initial hairloss two weeks after Chemo #1, it took my cactus head about another two weeks to quit hurting.  My suggestion is quit buzzing and see what happens.  I get shot in tummy, could be that's what that discomfort is, but one lady wrote her discomfort spread to thigh and I think they wound up seeing doc for infection, so as long as it' s just sore across tummy, okay, but if it gets out of hand, let doc know.

I went thru a mental challenge this time, side effects better with change in meds, altho feet will not stop hurting.  I lost my mind a little and decided I wanted to stop everything and go to surgery.  Cried for two days, screamed two more, yelled at a nurse, will see doc next week just before AC #4 March 31 (just missing you April Fools) and let him decide in view of my 50,000 concerns (Sukie, my surgery follows chemo mid-July).  But as it stands, I'm continuing.  Hugged on my biggest dog for long time, ate some grits, felt better once I let it go.  Can I bring my French Vanilla icecream to the pool party?  Everything else tastes and smells terrible.  GG 

Thanks girls!  Im glad my smell issue isnt just me.  Hubby is sweet to me but he just doent understand awhole lot.  Its one of those you gotta go thru it to understand it.

That's so strange. The center I go to has me ice my mouth just for the Adriamycin. But I opted to ice my fingers and toes myself and the nurses asked me why. So I told them and they are all for it. The 2nd time I went, they offered to make ice bags for me.

I'm also getting Taxotere every time, so here's what I did last time. I took four bags of peas. I had them make me two bags of ice. I put my feet on top of the ice bags, and the peas on top of my toes. Then I hold the other two bags over my nails, all while trying to eat a popsicle. (also provided by the center). I look so ridiculous, but so far so good. No mouth sores, And my  nails still look nice. No ridges or anything. I will say though that I took my toenail polish off the other day and my big toes have big white spots in the nail bed. But I don't really care about my toes. Easier to cover up. I also put my feet on top of the ice bags because the first and second rounds I had really bad neuropathy on the soles of my feet. So the last time I used the ice on the bottom too and didn't have a problem. 

Happy icing!

Hi ladies,

also on the AWOL list....busy week at work and recovering from ec4. Taxol starts 3/31- sounds like quite a few of us are on the same alternate Thursdays!



Hair: the wig lady cut it short when I picked up my wig, very very thin you can see my scalp but not shiny. Still have eyebrows and eyelashes but doc has warned that they will probably go when I start taxol. Also experience the hair not growing back after shaving a nice plus. Nose hairs almost gone always need to have tissues at hand.



Anti nausea drugs: I have a 3 pack of emend take first 1 hour before chemo and then smaller dose with breakfast next 2 days. Decadron given to me by chemo nurse just before I start chemo 12 mg and continues for 3 days ( last dose is split ). Aloxi in IV. I have compazine for breakthrough. Nurse says they all work differently and when I felt nauseated after last treatment had me take compazine immediately. Looking forward to that all going away with taxol. Anti nauseas have been giving me headaches as well.



Nuelasta: I inject myself and was instructed to rotate injection locations between thighs and stomach. Stomach is easier to do and seem to be less painful. Arms are good site but hard to do yourself



IPad. Charlotte I love my iPad and use it almost exclusively now instead of my notebook. I love the portability and the instant on. That said this site in particular is not completely iPad friendly. For example if I am not using a keyboard with iPad like today I cannot update my signature- no arrow

keys to move cursor. You do not have access to spell check or emoticons or anything in the bar on top of entry field.

Trying to move around in entry field required hitting return and they deleting which explains my spelling at times, also it make some strange substitutions for words when trying to anticipate what you were trying to type. If you want to watch movies I would go for the largest storage you can get. I went for wifi only but can see how having the option to turn on the 3G connect would be nice. With AT&T you can turn on and off and needed for a month.



Congrats on finishing treatment Michelle, glad ton hear the cold did not stop it as I have one as well and don't want to delay treatment want that last day to be may 12.



Congrats to all finished or almost finished with part one. Onwards we go!



Hugs to all

Jean

Hey!  I'm back from the field trip!  So tired but soooo happy!  They love to visit places that are on Food Network and we hit a breakfast spot this morning, then did a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory!  Ate Jelly Beans all the way home!  It's so funny ... but I talk about my sisters like I've known you for years ... I love my friendships here and I talk about you every day!! 

5FU ... that sounds so ironic to me ... the "F U" part 'cause whew that's what it feels like!  And, I think my belly is a little better today ... may be a little backed up ... not too sure ... I'll be having a lovely cocktail that tastes a little like glycerine tonight and see if that helps

Yes ... I am officially an employee of the Chemo Spa!  Talk about a place with BENEFITS!!  LOL! 

Welcome back!!  Missed ya oodles!  All you need to do is eat gelatin ... Jello ... yep.  Totally awesome for nail and hair growth and strength.  I don't know about you, but I looooooove Jello...

Fuzzy...I thought about the FU part of 5Fu too..and how FECking awful FEC chemo is..( pardon my language) Really..who comes up with these chemo drug names. Glad you are feeling better...

mamaoftwo..yikes..can you wear a mask around the kids so they won't give you something?

charlottesmama..I am so happy for you!

I'm in on the spa idea!!

Funny story...I was in Walmart today at the deli counter and a mom comes up with her young daughter riding in the basket. The little girl looks at me with my bright scarf tied over my head and my silver hoop earrings and she says, "Are you a pirate?"   Her mother looks at her in mortification and tells me, "I'm so sorry"...I said, "That's ok, don't worry about it!" Then I turned to the little girl that was looking at me with such awe and said, "Yes, I am a pirate!"...lol best part of today!

Mama,

I am at MSKCC as well, doing chemo in the breast center in NY and rads up in Westchester.



I think I succumbed to cold that hit both DS and DH...as long as it does not delay the next session I will deal, definitely sapping the energy levels on my feel good weekend



Enjoy Sunday, I will be dropping DS at airport for his return to college.



Jean

Yeah Michelle. Your the first to pass. I hope that's it for you. 

I've been up for hours with the worst case of heartburn ever. I'm really starting to feel so old. My nose just started running all the time, I still require two naps everyday. I went back to work this week but a 4 hour shift is the most I can manage and I'm done for the day. My eyesight is going and my memory is failing. I can't even use the bathroom without a little something extra to help it along. GRRRR. Just needed to vent. I know your all feeling my frustration. A day at Emily's chemo spa sounds so nice. I'm supposed to be boarding a plane next week for my best friends wedding in Cuba, instead I'm staying home to get injected with toxic waste. Knowing I'm going to feel this way for another 4 months is no comfort today. I know it could be worse, but right now, in this moment, I'm just plain old TIRED of it all.

Sukie10 - I am sorry you feel so bad.  Are you taking Prilosec or Prevacid?  I had really bad heartburn until I started taking OTC drugs for it.  Now I rarely have to pop a tums, things are much better.  Are you getting a good nights sleep and still needing two naps?  I take two ativans about one hour before I go to sleep.  I've had a lifetime of sleep deprevation that I'm dealth with the the DR said it was more important than ever to get sleep now.  The Ativan seems to know me out and I get a could rest most nights.  I do try to find time in the late afternoon to rest or just lay on the couch if I don't think I can take a full fledge nap.  I know some people don't like to take any more meds than they have to, but during this time, if there are drugs that can help you feel rested, get rid of yucky symptoms, or at least make them more bareable, I say take them.  You can deal with moving away from them after your treatment is over.

 I know everyone has told us this, but I am now drinking more water than ever.  I carry a bottle everywhere and even have it next to my bed if I happen to wake up.  I feel like that has also contributed to my SE diminishing this round.  Also, with being more alert, I have been able to increase my exercise, which I truly believe has an impact.  Just the stamina to be able to take a brisk walk several times a week can make a difference..... phyically and mentally.

 I hope you are able to find some relief.  I was told that chemo today is so much easier to manage than even five years ago, so I continue to tell myself that and keep my ears open to anything that might make the next round just a bit better - and it seems to be working.

Good Luck!!! 

I've been on heartburn meds since round one of chemo. Tried a day or two without them this round but big mistake. I had never had heartburn like that before so glad to have a drug to take. Mine is called rabeprazole. As for pills, with the antibiotics I'm taking I have to keep track of about 10 pills a day...I HAVE to write them down because otherwise I'd be lost. I have always hated taking pills but a necessary evil right now I guess. And the being tired is really frustrating..so much I'd like to do if I had the energy.