February 2011 chemo pals

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    LOL!  I am proud of you too .... I can't remember anything lately!! 

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  • LisaGH
    LisaGH Member Posts: 242
    edited March 2011

    Hi yall,

    I ice my hands & feet w/ taxotere- my nails are really the same. I am hopeful they won't get bad- thanks to so many who have recommended that- I have done for all 3 tx of TCH.

    I am on FMLA intermittent leave rather than full time leave. I end up working most all days- and am allowed to telecommute for meetings that have conferencing for many and even for me to call in- very appreciative of the support. And I do spend more time at home working ALOT to keep up so I am trying to be very productive and feel I am. I now know about not exactly when I am able to work since I have had the first two cycles w/ similar days- though the second cycle knocked me down a day or so longer. And I expect a bit more of that possibly as the next cycles move along (That 'cumulative' word again- it's a word come June I'll ban from my vocabulary!!!!). I am not sure if all employers allow intermittent leave- I thought it was part of federal FMLA laws? Not sure or certaiin though. My doctor was fine w/ that & my boss. Very very thankful.

    I had TCH #3 today. Ok tonight except heartburn. Neulasta tomorrow, then here we go again...

    Good luck & best wishes to all doing chemo this week. One more down- that's how I look at it. I dread it- then when I get in that chair- that's my thinking- one more down. YES!

    Lisa

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  • ruffy
    ruffy Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2011

    Jennh- goid luck tmrw on your last AC :)

    I'm also a bit freaked out about all the steroids prior to taxol, bit I guess it's better then the alternatives. Thx special k for the ice instructions. Cindy, hope you're still feeling okay. Fuzzy, you always make me laugh on this board, thank you for your funny, positive attitude. It really helps :)

    Sukie, I hope your night is easy and goes by quick, oh, and your drive was safe!!

    Hope everyone is having a good nite. :)

    Sara

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  • Melanie_Ann
    Melanie_Ann Member Posts: 414
    edited March 2011

    I've had 3 cycles of Taxotere and I've iced every time, but this time, my fingers are a little sore. So I would definitley recommend it. I'm going to keep at it.

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited March 2011

    I've got my drugs to take in preparation for Friday's taxotere..scarey dose ( 8 mg 2x day for 3 days) of decadron..yikes.Is anyone else going to be taking gabapentin for neurpothy/nerve pain?

    I was told today the nurses would have me icing my nails for the taxotere on Friday...

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

    emily - do you already have neuropathy?  Gabapentin is a pain reliever not a neuropathy preventer as far as I know.

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited March 2011

    Hi everyone,

    Was so happy I was catching up with everyone in a long post and the laptop froze and it is gone...will try and redo this weekend.

     Good luck to all the Thursday girls tomorrow - I am starting taxol and appreciate the advance info from CIndy and SPecial K

     Met with RAD ONC this morning - about 3 weeks after CHemo start 25 Rads with 5 boosts so 6 weeks 5 days a week.

    Spent too much time at work tonight trying to get everything in order to be out the next 2 days, Curious if my schedule needs to change with the Flu hangover symtoms coming later, will know soon.

    GG so glad you decided to continue - keep up the fight we are doing all of this to beat Cancer in the A**.  Talk to all the docs and social worker you need to and we are here whenever you need to vent.

    Got to get some sleep - apparently my doctor does not do th e decatron the day before - it will be in th e IV with the benadryl - I am told you sleep for the first part of the infusion due to the benydrl.

    HUGS to all

    Jean

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited March 2011

    Lisa GH - I am also doing the FMLA intermittant leave - it is part of the law. you can take the 12 weeks of leave and it does not need to be consectutive. 12 weeks over 52weeks.  no guarentees of paid leave though.

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

    Good morning girls, my chemo yesterday went fine.  I don't have a port, the iv goes into a vein in my hand or wrist,  This is my 3rd one and I've had no issues not having a port.  The oncologist confirms the chemo is shrinking my tumor, which I could tell that it was.  Today I will take the hour drive to Pittsburgh for my neulasta shot.  Days 3 and 4 after chemo seem to find me much more fatigued but today I am feeling reasonably well.  I take about a week off from work after each chemo, that seems to work for me.

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

    Good Luck Thursday Girls!!!  I have you all in my thoughts today!

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited March 2011

    Hi I am still feeling ok.  I do have a few stomach pains every now and then.  Also even though I am taking b6 and L Glutamine I can feel some tingling in my finger tips. 

    Jean  I did get tired when they put the benedryl in the IV but did not go to sleep.  The nurse told me some people sleep through their whole infusion and some don't go to sleep and some sleep a little bit...  I felt very relaxed....  I take decodron 4 hours before my infusion and then they put more in my IV. 

    Cindy

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  • LisaGH
    LisaGH Member Posts: 242
    edited March 2011

    Thanks- I feel intermittent leave has been great for me. It allows me to do what i can as much as I can when I can, but the ability to miss w/o being calling in sick. And I can predict more now after 2 cycles (and now on 3rd). I work my schedule to plan to be out of office and just working from home on phone/web on certain days now. It helps my employer and me.

    Intermittent leave is good too- as the days don't all add up- I was worried w/ chemo through June- then another OP surgery for a few days out- it would use all the leave up AND hurt my job. I didn't want either.

    Lisa

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  • Thundershowers
    Thundershowers Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2011

    I've had 2 treatments of TAC so far and my 3rd will be April 6.  Last time I saw my onc the nurse asked how I was doing on chemo and I told her it was tolerable. She told me - "Well, it will get much worse by the 4th treatment"....   it was like she wanted to make sure I wasn't too comfortable with it.  Now I am scared!   Anyone know what to expect by the 4th?  I am now terrified!  

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited March 2011

    I just wanted to ask those who have started Taxotere if you had been told that with the tearing that comes with taxotere you are supposed to blot the tears right away with kleenex or the chemo tears can stain under your eyes. I hadn't heard that one before.

    SpecialK I don't have neuropathy... yet ..so I am going to have to ask tomorrow if I am supposed to take the garbapentin right away or wait until I need it. I will also ask the onco pharmacist tomorrow abou tL-glutamine.

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited March 2011

    Hi ladies! I'm still here. I was down and out for a few days with a cold that I couldn't shake. Saw my PCP on Tuesday and she immediately ordered a chest Xray and blood work (I was running a fever and had a nasty cough). Everything is clear and I'm on the mend. Taking HUGE antibiotics. UGH. 

    I tell you, I got a smidgen of a sense of what so many of you go through each time. Damn.

    I'm going to take some time to read through the thread and catch up. Hang in there, gals! Almost done. We'll make it.

    Love ya!

    Michelle 

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    Welcome back!!  You were missed dearly!

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    Oh boy ... round four is getting closer...and closer (tomorrow) ... trying not to freak out, but I'm kinda freaking out.  Just had to get that outta my head.  Hugs ...

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  • dogeyed
    dogeyed Member Posts: 884
    edited March 2011

    Fuzzy, I have NO IDEA what day it is. Smile. One good thing is it's your last AC (I think?). When I went in for my third one, I was a nervous wreck. A little stuffed bear husband gav me, I held on it so hard up next to my neck, my wrist was cramped for a couple days. And folks, the "bear" in my avatar is a puppy, a real puppy, here's the link to his video, he represents us all: http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/cutest-sleeping-puppy-ever.html

    Sukie, I think we must be related, I just go up from a six-hour nap. And I laffed and laffed how you spent forever with makeup and closely interrogated Walmart on prices, gosh that was hilarious!!!  My dear Jenn, thank you so much for sharing your experience about our IBC situations, helps me so much.  Love to all, GG 

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited March 2011

    Hello GG -

    Yes, final devil tomorrow!  Ugh.  I tried to open the link but it shut down my computer ... that puppy is soooooo cute!!

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  • ruffy
    ruffy Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2011

    Good luck tomorrow fuzzylemon , last one, last one :)

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited April 2011

    Thanks Ruffolo!  One step at a time....all I have to do is show up.....last one, last one....crapity crap crap crap....see ya all next week...

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited April 2011

    thundershower,

    I am a Jan girl (our threads are very quiet so I read Feb and March too).  I am on TAC, and have completed 4 of 6 treatments.  My 5th will be on April 8th.  Your onc nurse is not very nice, everyone is different, but in my experience the 1st treatment was the worst, now I know what to expect.  I am more tired, but I expected that.  If anything I felt better after the 3rd treatment just knowing I was 1/2 done.  After the 4th, 3/4 done, etc.  My onc suggested I just take each day at a time.  At one time I thought of asking to quit after 4 treatments, but realized I was being a whimp (mostly wanted to quit to get hair back sooner, I know that's crazy).  I also decieded to enjoy my good weeks more and that has helped too.  Okay, I am rambling, bottom line, your doing well, forget what the onc nurse told you!

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  • Thundershowers
    Thundershowers Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2011

    Christine - thank you SO MUCH.  You just made me feel so much better.  I was thinking by treatment 4 I would be crawling on the floor.  I think I will let my onc know what she told me and how she said it.  I have been worrying about it every day now.  Thanks again!

    Susan in Vegas 

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited April 2011

    Thundershowers,

    You are welcome.  I just got home from a dinner out with friends, everyone said I looked great (not sure thats true), but I do feel good.  Even had a glass of wine and desert.  I will check in with you after your next treatment, good thoughts your way, positive attitude helps too!!

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2011

    hello FAB FEB FEMMES,



    TAXOL #! IS DONE! CIndy I was one of those who slept through the entire 3 hours we with a few peeks to check time left. I did not sleep well last night so feel much more refreshed. i also started at 3:00 which is always my tired time-even before Chemo. I had a little spasming in vein but they added more saline and it improved a lot, not a big issue. My doctor does the decatron in the IV to prevent the sleeplessnes the night before. I also get benadryl and zantec in the IV before the Taxol starts. I feel so much better than i did after the EC, no nausea, no headache a bit tired. SE can come later (I have heard days 3-5 may be flu like.) May have to adjust my schedule. All that benadryl seems to have helped the rash of spots that has been spreading over back of hands arms,neck and back. doctor said they are probably from EC and will probably go away but is having me see a dermatologist that specializes in chemo side effects. meanwhile hydrocortisone cream will help. The spots definitely look less red to me tonight. I am hungry tonight and ate chicken- my usually first night after EC was soup. Now to try and maintain the weigh loss and keep it going. :)



    I am also using intermittent FMLA- Federal law allows 12 weeks of leave in any consecutive 52 week period for medical. It has been working well for me and my employer and I plan my work schedule around how I feel. Will probably need to make adjustments with the new cocktail. I have not been traveling while on treatment. will probably need to work in a trip between Chemo and Rads. I am trying a personal trip in April to visit DS at college to see him in a fencing tournament -he started in college so I have never seen him compete so am looking forward to it.



    Hope the other Thursday Girls are doing OK.

    Thanks Cindy for keeping us posted on how taxol was treating you.

    Fuzzy and the other FRIDAY FEMMES GOOD LUCK.



    HUGS TO ALL

    Jean

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  • JeanH
    JeanH Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2011

    LIsa,

    I also find teleconferencing, calling in for meetings and working odd hours at home are helping me manage my workload. I also get work e-mail on my iPad and I can access my desktop through logmein or VPN.



    Jean

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  • Thundershowers
    Thundershowers Member Posts: 36
    edited April 2011

    Christine - I haven't had wine since my dx in early Jan - but I will next time I go out to dinner.  I feel as though I have punished myself enough.  I love wine and maybe drank slightly too much in the past...so thought I couldn't have it any longer.  But, I will indulge in one glass before my next treatment as a special treat.  I appreciate you checking in on me and please let me know how your next treatment goes.  I am excited for you that you are nearing the end of chemo.  :)  

    Susan 

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

    DivineMrsM,

    I was thinking this was #3 for you this week, but wasnt sure. Glad that it's shrinking the tumor and that, all things considered, it's been a do-able situation.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers (all of you ladies are really to be hones).

    I recently experienced a wonderful retreat when the leader talked about taking the hard times in life (he referred them to whitewater river rafting) and said we need to try and put those hard times "under the blessing, not the curse"

    So many of you, whether conscieously or not, I can try to do just that. And I know it's not always easy. Infact it can be one of the hardest times in your and you families life.

    Warm and peaceful thoughts 

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  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 247
    edited April 2011

    I am also on intermittent FMLA. My boss suggested it before I started chemo since we didn't know how much time or if any I would be taking off. So far I have only taken off the day of treatment and I use vacation time for that since it's just once month. When I start herceptin that is going to be weekly for a year so I don't know how that is going to go. I start taxol on April 19, told my boss some of the se from it and she said that is the reason we got you signed up on FMLA. I'm hoping I don't have many se from it, but you never know with chemo.

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited April 2011

    Hi Feb ladies,  

    Well, I got through EC #3 today, one more to go of these nasty red infusions.  It was uneventful there, and spent some quality time with my father, who drove me this time.  He was busy reading, checking the Yankees scores, and napping while we were there, but still good to have his company.  I have been nauseated for the past 3+ hours and just laying still in bed, afraid to shake things up, as silly as that sounds.  The nausea isn't severe, but enough to keep me still and away from food.  I'll look forward to the morning when hopefully this has passed.

    There's a breast cancer and complementary medicine conference at the college in my town on Sunday and  looks really interesting.  If anyone is in the New York area, it is worth checking out - there's an agenda at www.breastcanceroptions.org.

    Hope everyone sleeps well and feels good. JeanH and Cindy- I'm glad to hear your side effects from Taxol are minimal so far!  Excellent.  Please continue to keep us posted.

    Laura 

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