February 2011 chemo pals

I hope so ... but, if I know how this work stuff goes...it'll be more like on the weekends ... luckily I can still read the posts!!  So technically, you're all going back with me

Yesterday was my third ACT - this time I had adriamycin instead of epirubicin because the shortage of Adriamycin has ended.  Feeling ok so far but usually the third day is when it hits me.  I am at work today but plan to rest tomorrow. Just got my Neulasta shot a little while ago.

Oh I do take a PPI. I have for almost 10 years probably...I even took two on Saturday and it just wasn't cutting it. I'm better now though!

Melanie -   sorry to see you had such a rough time with your last TAC, so sorry.  I am still on the Protonix and have had to double dose several times this round. I also found it helpful to sleep with your head on a least a few pillows, keep the acid heading the right direction.   You are almost done, just 2 more to go!! 

Thanks ladies for the advice and encouragement. I love comparing notes and often wonder why some ONCs do things so different. Although, I do know that every person is different and we all have different stages and types of BC. I've got 2 more to get through! I may throw a party when it's over.

Lorenar, I also have a bad back, and AC #3 chemo made it much worse, and this goofs up my thinking, which is how come I am disabled.  So, when I talked to my doc, he doubled my pain meds, and he also told me that the chemo won't hurt my back, which was a relief, cuz I got scared like you.  I think what happened is, when the side effects of chemo get rough, we tense up our bodies and cannot relax well during the worst of it, and this makes hurts worse.  I have tried various stuff to relax, but it's all SO out of my control.  Stretching helped somewhat, but I really need a massage.

Pejkug, several of our group have had emergency dental work in the middle of chemo, you could check back maybe ten pages and pick up a couple of those.  I need several teeth removed, but am waiting as long as I can... it's a clinic and they won't pass out antibiotics, but I suppose my doc would give them to me if I wind up in dental chair as emergency.

Fuzzy, ahhhhh, the work world.  Hope you can stand up to it, the physical exhaustion from chemo may unexpectedly visit you once in a while, just sit right down if you're walking some distance and can't make it, until you catch your breath, the more the boss sees you trying to cope, the easier it will be to leave early sometimes.  If you're going over to Taxol, your feet may be sensitive, get some cushy things for bottom of shoes (or wear slippers!) and prop them up when you can.  I actually put mine up on a pillow and I'm already laying on the couch!  But that's what pain meds are for.

All, I went to get my end-of-AC heart scan at hospital yesterday, endless day, I told off one scan tech who was talking endlessly and loudly, I said that this was a hospital and people are sick, and I was sick of hearing him.  He was quiet for about five mins.  I figure it's payback from all the times I got so chatty as a schoolgirl and drove everyone nuts.  I am now home for one week, thank heavens, we get free HBO with satellite this weekend, God's "Tender Mercies" (good movie).  GG 

M1nn1e - Taxotere/Cytoxin - is my chemo also. I had my first treatment Thursday. No problem til Sunday night. Back pain. I haven't slept for 3 nights, so this is normal? I took 2 tablets of diphenhydramine-sleep aide. Did not help. Before chemo, I could take 1/2 a tablet and I was out like a light. So, my back pain could be a SE? and it won't last forever? I hope it is an SE then. Tell me everything, I want to know what to expect and what I can do about any SE you have had and every one else on Taxotere/Cytoxin as well. I love you all!

I'm on Taxotere/Cytoxin and Adriamycin. I had reallllly bad aches and pains the first time around, but since then I have taken Claritin the day of and a few days after. I also get Neulasta so I thought that was contributing to it too. The past two times I haven't noticed any aches or pains. However, I do twitch all over. I'ts rather strange but it usually only lasts a day.

I am pretty much like you MelanieAnn. I have loss of sensation in my fingers (and my feet somewhat too- even my left leg some- the chemo nurse called that side the 'sock effect'). I don't have pain or soreness- and my nails are ok for now. I keep them cut very short.

Having a little heartburn today from my herceptin- that hasn't happened before.

Melanie, I had 4 AC treatments, but after the 4th the tingling in my toes and fingers was at its worst, I wouldn't say no feeling, but more of a numbness. Taxol tomorrow, so worried that will get worse yet.

Alison- I never thought of doing something like that. I have terrible problems with nausea and I wonder if trying something alternative afterwards would help. In addition to the meds of course. I wouldn't stop those for the world. I have it bad enough and I can't imagine what it would be like if I took nothing. You'd probably have to scrape me off the floor.

Emily- I'm on Taxotere too and my hands looked the same for the first two rounds. It was kind of a rash but it didn't itch or anything. At first I thought it was dry hands, but I spoke to a nurse and she said it was just a SE of the Taxotere. I didn't really do anything special for it. However, I don't know if it was exactly the same without seeing it of course, so if you believe you need to get it checked out, then I would. But I've had two more cycles of it and haven't had any. I also started getting Benadryl IV for the 3rd and 4th cycle so that may have something to do with it. It's hard to tell. 

How's everyone doing in regards to chemo? Anyone finished? I have 2 more to go. 5 more weeks. It seems like forever, but I'm sure it will go by fast. 

Have a good day!

Also, I was wondering about acupuncture and lymph node removal. Do those count as needle sticks? If so, I'm not sure I would take the chance but I would love to try it.

Mama of two use the copazine it helped so much and I did not notice side effects.

I need to do some serious catch up reading. The taxol was much easier regarding side effects, I will take aches and pains over nasueasa and headaches any day. I was able to work a full day Monday feeling like me.



I am extremely busy at work now, working to late and tired when home. Only thing I was able to do was pay bills.



I am in process of getting my second taxol now. After this only 2 more, I am 3/4 done!



Hugs to all and good luck to my Thursday sisters and Friday sisters who are scheduled this week.



Jean