April 2011 chemo

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2011

    Linda --

    Don't feel bad about the festival, take care of you. I live where we have tons of snowsbirds and I haven't dared to go to church that past two weeks in fear of catching a cold. 

    Is anyone taking complementary suppliments? I'm on COq10 and Maitake...dr likes to call them my magic mushrooms. haha

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011

    i think today the bad taste set in!!! i couldn't finish my lunch...sucks bad. my husbands coffee even smelled funny.how long does the aches from the shot seem to last?? mine seem to be better today but i got the shot tues??? i hope in the future it will be easier i heard??? i hope everyone is having a great saturday!!! we had bad storms last night but no damage, thank god!!mostly trees down around our town...hugs to all!

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2011

    Jodie --

    I feel kinda like I am pregnant with smells and foods! I usually like my coffee but no way not today!

    The whole nothing looks appetizing has hit me big time. I'm just going to stick with the BRAT diet for right now. It seems like if I drink more water the funny taste leaves. I was drinking Power AIDE and stopped that...didnt sound good anymore.

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited April 2011

    I am also on day 3.  The most creushing blow - diet coke tastes horrible!  One way to get me out of that habit I guess! 

    The worst for me - I dont feel good but I dont feel horrible.  Still woozy and sleepy.  Feel like I have dragonflies in my chest. Visiting dtr from Vermont has made me lots of soups and smoothies! Nothing processed tastes good.  Dtr made me "sassy water" - water with sliced cucumbers and ginger.  Tastes pretty good and is refreshing.

    Why do they give the benadryl?  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011

    Kg: I am doing four cycles of dose-dense AC, aka Adriamycin/Cytoxan. (I always clarify that the C is cytoxan since some people are getting carboplatin.) I get a Neulasta shot after every dose.

    I will be getting my second dose on Wednesday. 

    Food tastes fine to me. In fact, I have a ravenous appetite. But I have no energy and could sleep all day. I also feel slightly depressed, which I did not feel before I started chemo.

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  • trail2
    trail2 Member Posts: 98
    edited April 2011

    proffbee,  thanks for the wig advice,  my son and i went out today looking again.  hoping that one they ordered will come in this week and will work.  Today I have felt really weird.  Lots of stomach pain off and on, and starting to ache in back and hips.  When I took my shower, it even felt like my skin and my body were not connected?  I am resting now.  I had my surgery in march, and my son's only request was that he wanted to be there, so he was.  We had family there, and I got to see him before I went in, then they entertained him, and a friend took him shopping.  He came in after I was finally in a room, and even though I was sick, he didnt seem to get scared.  I just think his fear was being left at home away from me.  Hope when your time in the hospital comes, that you will be able to relax and know that your son is ok.  Good luck, and hope you are feeling ok.

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011

    Thanks so much, Trail2!  Yes, I think most of what bothers my son is that we're away a bunch.  He's an only child, and he is not used to babysitters at all.  So, it's been the 3 of us together all the time.  This is certainly an adjustment.  I took a quick photo of myself in my wig--no makeup or anything!  LOL.  I'm going to see if it will post here.  

     

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  • Sudzinvermont
    Sudzinvermont Member Posts: 70
    edited April 2011

    Hi All, 

    The more I read here, the more I think I'm going to have to get a wig. I was thinking just hats and scarves, but you guy's are making me think twice! More decisions....

    Visit with my onc went well Thursday, he said I handled the Chemo well and everything was great. But....he decided to give me a week to get over the infection and rest a little before the next round. I was supposed to have TCH #2 on Tuesday, but we are waiting until Monday the 25th. 

    I feel great, but I'm still holding fluid on my mastcetomy side. It's uncomforatable and I had it drained a Wednesday and Thursday but it seems to be going away. The Dr. said it was my body and white blood cells gathering to fight the infection and pooling in the Mastcetomy side where there are pockets. Yuck.. and I'll say it again Yuck.

    Today is day 18 fro9m tx #1 and my hair is still hanging on. I could tug it a little and it will come out, but not flying by in the wind yet. Here is my surprise..it kind of hurts. Like you have a giant bruise on your head. Running your hand through it, moving on the pillow, putting a hat on or off is all a very strange sensation. Not really pain but uncomfortable.

    Thought I'd have to shave if by now, but I think i'll get one more day. But I've got to tell you all that I feel pretty good. Smile and I'm happy to hear everyone else is doing well. For those having some issues.........tomorrow is another day to try something else........whatever works right?

    Hang in there.

    Sue 

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011

    i might need some sassy water!!! sounds good!

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited April 2011

    Count me in on the April chemo. I am starting on April 20 with 4x TC.

    I did 6x CMF last year and now just found a positive B-B in my arm pit.

    Anyone else doing TC or any one who has done it want to give advise?

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited April 2011

    Lots of activity on the boards. My first chemo is in two days and I'm getting anxious but reading all your posts has given me an idea of what to expect.

    I saw my onc the other day and have lots of nausea meds to take on the day. I'm having 4 x AC and 12 x TAC - 24 weeks in total.  Seems a long way away!

    I have an appointment tomorrow with the wig shop. I'm quite looking forward to seeing the options. I keep teasing my girls that mummy is going to have lots of different wigs - blond one day, ginger the next, maybe a blue Katy Perry wig!  They are horrified!!

    Has anyone done their post mastectomy bra / prothesis shopping? I am now 6 weeks post my mx and I've not sorted this yet. I've been waiting for the tenderness to subside. I'm now thinking it's probably time.

    Axtella I am taking complementary supplements. One of my friends is a naturopath and has given me a "plan". I'm just doing what I'm told and taking it all. It can't hurt I figure. Most of it is designed to help your  body cope with the chemo and help organs such as your liver which has a hard time processing the chemo drugs.  Also quite a few to support my immune system and help the white blood cells recover.

    Here's my list - warning! it's huge!

    Astragalus Complex

    Withania Complex

    Echinacea

    Silymarin

    IsoWhey

    CoQ10

    Intestamine

    Multi Vitamin

    EPA/DHA Plus (fish oil)

    Vitamin C powder

    I've only been taking these supplements for 3 days now. I have to take about 5 tablets morning, noon and night. I also have to juice and make smoothies. I've bought a plastic container with compartments and sorted each day into 3 doses to make it easy. I plan on filling it up weekly and then popping them as required.

    It's a beautiful day here today and I'm about to pop out to enjoy the sunshine. Have a good weekend everyone.

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  • shoema
    shoema Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2011

    kg1234 - I am exactly where you are. Got up and walked, vaccumed, grocery shopped. Ate bland things. I felt normal except a little high and too full of energy. I think the first round is hard because we just don't know what to expect. I sent home the "babysitters" and hope I don't live to regret it (they were for me). I just want this first week overwith so I know what to expect for the next 17 weeks!

    Artiecat - I believe the Benadryl is a precaution in case you have an alergic reaction to the Tax.. part of the meds. 

    I am doing T/C with neupogen, would also like to know what the Neupogen is like for some of you. That's the daily shot, right?

    What causes the "high" or spacy feeling? I took my last steroid pill last night and am hoping that was it. I also am planning to not take my 12 hour nausea pill tomorrow morning, (been taking them preventatively). Is that a stupid idea? The nurse told me to take them through today. I was hoping I was one of the lucky ones who wan't going to get sick. But if it's going to show up on day 4 or 5....... 

    Going for ACS wig on Wednesday. The one I liked at another shop was $300 and my insurance doesn't cover it. It's hot here in southern California and I probably won't wear it much anyway. Good to have just in case. 

    Sherrie 

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  • ---
    --- Member Posts: 197
    edited April 2011

    Hi Everyone!  I last posted on this forum on March 25th and whoa!, so much has happened since then.  Unfortunately, it seems like I will be off the April-Chemo list.  My pathology results turned out to be sentinel node positive and I had to undergo Axillary Dissection yesterday (April 15th) to remove all lymph nodes.

    I am anticipating chemo to start in 3 weeks for me, so that will put me in the May-Chemo group instead.  I wish everyone having their chemo this month best of luck!  Reading your posts helps me prepare well.

    Take care everyone!

    Laureen

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2011

    Hi Kg I am on day 5 and still feel cruddy.  Sick to my stomach almost constantly.  I think battling a probable sinus infection isn't helping either.  I did not have bone pain with the nuelasta shot.  I was mostly very fatigued and still am.  I am down to around 185 from about 200 when I got surgery.  So I guess this is the only plus side.  I think I would rather eat!

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011

    Sorry, I couldn't post the picture of me in the wig--you have to use one of those internet picture hosting things, and I don't have one of those.  Sorry!

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2011

    profbee you can sign up for flickr.  it is easy to use and free!

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011
      Geo, I think I did it!  This is me with the new wigWig Pic" mce_src="Wig Pic" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="" />
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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2011

    profbee-- 

    Is that your wig??? You cannot tell it looks awesome!!!

    kiwimum --

    I'm right there with you on the suppliments!

    My heartburn has got to be the worse so far! 

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011

    Thanks.  Yeah, that's my wig.  I still have my hair at the moment, but I went and got the wig.  I had long hair--and it's pretty thin, so a lot of the wigs looked HUGE on my head.  The lady at the wig place took a really LONG wig (because they tend not to be so big out the sides y'know?) and cut it shorter, and put in some layers and thinned out the bangs so it wasn't so much hair on top of my head.  It's totally my hair color too.  I'm pretty happy with it, but I don't have the courage to wear it yet...I think I'll have to wait until I"m bald.  :)  

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  • axtella
    axtella Member Posts: 88
    edited April 2011

    profbee -- Well it looks really good! I have 4 wigs now but still have my hair. One is very long that I will have trimmed as well.

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited April 2011

    Profbee - LOVE your wig! It looks great on you.

    It's very similar to my hair now - without the fringe.  I want one just like it so I look like myself. What brand is it? The wig shop I'm going to today sells Raquel Welch.

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011
    it looks just like mine!!! so cool!! so cute!!Smile
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  • CarlaB76
    CarlaB76 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2011

    All, I feel a little late to the "party", and this is my first post on the site, even though I have been reading a long since my dx.  I started my chemo regime on 4/11.  I'll be doing 4 rounds of AC (every three weeks), followed by 12 weekly treatments of Taxol.  On March 2nd, I had a left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (TRAM flap). Overall, I'm feeling ok.  I was very tired last week and I'm hoping that my energy rebounds a little this week.  I so not used to needing two naps a day!  And then have that be followed by being awake from 2am - 4am every night.  I've started back at work- full time- but working from home as much as I can.

    I've had an incredible amount of port drama.  I was originally scheduled to start chemo on 3/31, and had the port placed on 3/25.  I got to my first chemo session and after 3 (!) access attempts we could not get a blood return, so I got sent to the hospital to investigate.  Come to find out that the port flipped and I needed a second surgery to correct the port.  It ended up delaying chemo start to 4/11.  When we started treatment last week it took 3 attempts to access again.  They've ordered longer needles and we will do a blood draw on Tuesday to see if that is the problem.  If not, I'll likely need to go to another surgeon to get a new port. (sigh!)

    I'm curious and have a question.  My hair is way shorter than in my profile photo at the moment.  But my scalp feels incredibly sensitive to the touch.  Is this a precursor to losing my hair? I should be expecting the hair loss about 10 days after the first treatment, right?

    Off to read the whole thread and "meet" everyone.

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  • pawprintgirl24
    pawprintgirl24 Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2011

    hi there!! we started the same day!! they have had problems getting my blood too but not to the extreme that you have had to go through..poor thing you!! i'm doing 6 treatments of TCH 1 down 5 to go with herceptin every week. i go for that tomorrow.hair doesn't feel strange yet my dr said 2 to 2 1/2 weeks and it would start falling out. my book i have said 7 to 21 days??? not looking forward to that at all that will be my next emotional break down i guess!!!

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  • BernieEllen
    BernieEllen Member Posts: 2,445
    edited April 2011

    Hi to everyone, starting my chemo wednesday A/C once every three weeks for 6 cycles.  Had my lump removed and node biopsy in march.  Bit worried now, i'm bipolar, with a tendency to mania and the are saying that the drugs could make that worse.  Does anyone know anything about that?

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  • artiecat
    artiecat Member Posts: 257
    edited April 2011

    BernieEllen,  be sure to talk frankly with your psych doc and your oncology doc...the more you know the better prepared you will be.  Have them hekp you with a plan for handling any psych SEs.  Good luck!

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  • bonnieandcleo
    bonnieandcleo Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2011

    i AM STARTIMG FRI 22ND AND PORT IN TUES 19TH aPRIL i AM HAVING NAVELINE AND AVASTIN i AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PORT OR THE CHEMO ITS MY FIRST ...I WAS FIRST DX IN 1984 NEW REACURRANCE 2005 AND 2010 AND NOW THIS MONTH ...VERY SAD.

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  • geocachelinda
    geocachelinda Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2011

    Profbee that does NOT look like a wig!  I love it!  You look great!

    I have been feeling a little better and eating a little.  Got constipated and then the big explosion came right after.  Talk about TOXIC!  Woooohooooeeeeee!  My port was bothering me a little yesterday and having some bone pain but not too bad.  The stomach and bowels just keep being the main issue and fatigue, but that is getting better!  Lets hope the new meds help next week!

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2011

    Hi, gang!  Thanks for all the compliments on the wig.  Y'all know how to pump a girl up!  :)  

    Carla, welcome!  That's a LOT of port drama.  My first day of chemo was the absolute WORST (long story short--my son had a seizure up at school 2 hours away from me and my hubby!), and I just keep thinking that EVERYTHING can't go wrong!  :)  My mom said, "What goes around comes around" the other day and I said I was due for some good stuff to come around.  It sounds like you are too.  

    pawprint--today I started to get the "acne rash" on my face that is likely with the Taxol/Lapatinib I"m on.  Hubby said he didn't care how I looked...still I know the emotional breakdown will come too.  It's hard not to look good even when you know you're focusing on what's more important.

    Bernie, I have no advice to offer, but welcome and best of luck.

    Bonnie--SO sorry about your recurrence...damn that just SUCKS.  I'm sorry.  We'll be in it together this time.  

    Geo--Hilarious.  Yeah, I'm having the SAME tummy roller coaster ride.  ugh.  My legs feel like I ran a marathon, and I'm so tired I can't stand it!  My throat is sore too--but nurse (I called) told me that it's likely just a sore throat and not a throat sore, so oh well.  I was pretty successfully ignoring SEs, but I think this is the week they are going to catch up with me.  Is it only Monday???

    Hang in there, friends!   

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  • scc218
    scc218 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2011

    Feel like I lost a week or two somewhere....LOL....   Keep meaning to get back on here but time seems to disappear.  I've managed to do fairly well with SEs so far, although I' ve had a few bad days.  I started A/C on 4/8 and felt great over the weekend (4/9 and 4/10).  I had a Neulasta injection the morning of the 11th, and then I "crashed" into a brick wall.  Felt like pure hell all day Monday and Tuesday -- super tired, nauseous, and just generally crappy.  When I felt nauseous, I would take a Compazine.  However, it turns out I should have been taking them on a regular basis, like every 6 hours, and that might have kept the nausea away.  Next time.  I felt pretty good the rest of the week except for being REALLY tired, which I am SO not accustomed to.  Yesterday morning, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with the most excruciating low back pain I've ever felt.  The Neulasta nurse told me the Neulasta had a 7-10 day peak period, but I didn't really understand what she meant....until 3:00 a.m. when it PEAKED.  She also told me that if I experienced bone/joint pain, it would be most prevalent in areas of previous bone injuries (I fractured my low back a long time ago).  The pain lasted all day yesterday but was gone by this a.m.  I just kept taking two Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release gel caps every 4 hours, and that made things bearable.  I feel really good today, and my husband and I just got back from kayaking -- first time since my mastectomy on 2/25.  However, now I'm really tired and must go take a nap (also something I am SO not accustomed to) before I get to work on my transcription.    Hang in there, everybody.  I think of you all the time.  So nice to have such a great place to come to where we're all "in the same boat."

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