2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006
    Graycie,
    It's 12:30 and by now you have probably just finished today's Taxol. I truly hope you feel okay with this one.
    ravdeb,
    thanks for your kind words. Today I am feeling a little better. I remember reading - a while back - about your bacterial infection and all the problems it caused. Is it something that will eventually subside? I truly hope so. As if you don't have enough to be concerned with... Hope your hands and arms start to feel better.
    Laura
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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2006
    Just wanted to check in with you all. I have Taxol #2 in two days on Jan 12th. Number 3 is Jan 26th and finally, #4 is on February 9th. That is the schedule if all stays on track. I plan to ask the onc to decrease the dose a bit because the pain after #1 was so bad. She had given me doses of A/C based on my ideal weight, not my real weight and I will ask if we can do that for the Taxol. If not I will literally beg for more Vicodin and maybe something else to help with the aches and pains. Even though the most severe pain lasted only 4 days, I have occasional sharp pain in my fingers and toes, a permanent sore right heel, and my hands and fingers have begun to itch.

    Does anyone feel like they are drying out from the inside? I think someone mentioned Taxol is dehydrating. I feel that way. On the other hand, the skin on my face is clear and soft. Much more than in the last few years. Almost like pre-teen skin. Speaking of pre-teen, I have returned to that state in other ways, due to all-over-the-body hair loss. Kind of startling, to say the least. But, I still have eyebrows and wouldn't you know it, my chin hairs are still growing. What's that all about??

    Still, I am able to work every day and knit every night. Not all is lost. The house is a mess, I just try to keep the dishes washed up, and leave all the rest to my husband. Bless his heart, he is doing all he can. He washed the kitchen floor over the weekend. Not perfect, but took off the top layer of dirt for a start. We are going to have a whale of a spring cleaning this year come May! I figure I will have some energy back by then - after the radiation days.

    Best to all!
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited January 2006
    Just back from first taxotere, onc did not order Benadryl or Pepcid... but nothing happened so I am glad I'm not doped up.so far I have no se, tonight I will take ativan to sleep as am on Decadron 8mg twice a day for three days then taper to off.
    Have MUGA and MAMMO tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
    Ravdeb I finish in mid maech too, glad to have someone on the home stretch with me
    Fists up!
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    Hi Laura...
    The arthritis I'm suffering from is supposed to go away in time. Could take up to a year. I did read that a small percentage of people who suffer from this end up with chronic arthritis but we won't go there yet!!!! I have to say that if I didn't have the arthritis symptoms I would be feeling quite well and could continue with my hour walks I would take daily before the infection hit. I guess this will all pass in time...
    WE REALLY CAN DO THIS!!!!!
    ravdeb
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    Great Mary-Ann...we will get through this through March together!!!
    ravdeb
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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2006

    i am finding that i have completely lost any endurance or strength in my body. i used to dot he exercise bike for 45 minutes every day (the uphill program). ever since my 3rd taxol, i have no energy. i just tried to do the bike and was sweating and breathing hard after 10 minutes. couldn't catch my breath. i feel so out of shape. how am i going to lose the 15 pounds i've gained from chemo? any suggestions?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006
    Amy,
    I think you are being too hard on yourself. Instead, you should give yourself a (gentle) pat on the back! The fact that you're still trying to exercise and stay in shape with all you've been through is remarkable. Do you think that maybe you should/could put aside the weight issue until you regain your strength and stamina? It's possible that you may just automatically/eventually lose the 15 lbs. and possibly even more after your last treatment. Also, since you said you were sweating and breathing hard, I worry that you might be pushing yourself too hard, too soon. After all, we all had to have the MUGA test for good reasons. Maybe it would help to talk to your Onc. about this. Try to be patient and as always, hang in there.
    Laura
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006
    TO ALL OCTOBER CHEMO GIRLS:
    Question:
    I am curious.
    If we were all given an opportunity to meet each other, in person, all together (let's say travel/hotel expenses were not an issue) would you want to?
    Please post or private message me (if you don't mind) with your answer.
    Laura
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006
    ravdeb,
    I am so happy to hear that it may go away! And, yes you are right - we really can do this!
    Laura
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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2006
    i definitely would want to meet you all you have helped me so much. what would i do without my october ladies!?
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006

    I would love to meet but I have to still work full time and have weekly Taxol til the end of March!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006
    How many Taxols do most of you have?? I have had 2 and feel great. I did have a little bone pain for about 2 days (at night actually) but no vomitting!!! hurray!! I am hoping the next 10 go as well.

    One good thing about the Taxol is the amount of benadryl I get! I actually sleep for the whole 3 hour treatment. About 15mins into treatment I am a goner!
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  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2006
    Laura,
    Taxol took around 3 hours this time. I got home around 1:15. I came home and fell asleep probably because of the benadryl. So far I don't feel too bad but now I am wired and I hope I can sleep tonight. That's why I hate taking naps. I got the shot for the RBC so hopefully I won't feel as tired this time around. I am just worried about the bone pain that should start within the next couple days especially after I get the Neulasta shot. I will keep you posted. Graycie
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  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2006

    Terry, glad to hear you are doing good on the taxol. I should sleep duing my treatment but I am to nosey as to what is going on around me so I fight it every step of the way, HA... I end up falling asleep when I get home. I am not doing as well as you with the bone pain. We will see how this one goes, I just had #3 out of 4 today. I think Dose Dense has more side effects. Graycie

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited January 2006
    My doc did not order Benadryl. I did inquire about it but he does not generally use it unless there is a problem... well luckily I didn't have one.My first Herceptin and taxotere started today. Now I have to see what comes!
    Ternysmom am the major wage earner and haven't worked since Jan. I am self employed and insurance,such as it is does not start until Jan20. yup I'm on the edge financially. So don't think I'll be making it. Would hve been nice though.
    Fists up!
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    Amy,
    This chemo stuff is hard on us. I am wondering if you need to be a bit more patient with yourself. I know the frustration...we all do. And there are days when I am not sure I can tolerate the weakness I feel. I used to exercise every day and I feel like it will take me forever to get back into shape (and I do believe I'm a bit older than you, so it will be even harder). But, I try to remind myself that this is a pause in life and when it's over, I will slowly build my strength.
    Try to be patient!
    ravdeb
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    Mary-Anne...
    wow...no antihistamines? They drown me with them...I get a little pill and then something in my IV along with dexemethesone.

    Graycie..I don't sleep either as I, too, am too nosy about what is going on around me!!!! But, I fall asleep in the car going home!!!! Saw my doctor just after my treatment last week and she said I looked so tired...DUH!!!!!
    ravdeb
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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    terynsmom,
    I'm getting 12 weekly Taxol. I've got 10 more to go, too! My 3rd one is tomorrow (Thurs.). I'm doing okay except for the crash by Sat. from the steroids and a very achy left arm. It's doable....
    ravdeb
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006

    To all the ladies doing the T part of the treatment: I am in the sidelines cheering you on! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can see it as I move farther away from the A/C (my last treatment was 12/19). As you go through the T, just think: you will never see A or C again. Hip hip hooray!!!

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited January 2006
    Thanks for the cheering section, Brenda! Hip hip hooray!
    ravdeb
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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2006
    Hi October gals;

    Laura: Sure, meeting you all would be great. I am thrilled that we have an international group with contributors from Canada, Isreal, Australia, and the United Kingdom, along with the US.

    Terrysmom: I am receiving 4, bi-weekly Taxol treatments. Will be receiving #2 tomorrow. Not sure why the difference between weekly or bi-weekly. Plan to ask my onc tomorrow.

    Amy: I have also begun to notice diminished endurance and strength. Yesterday, I came to work 2 hours late and had to park in a lot that is further away and uphill from my building. In the evening, walking to the car, I found myself getting out of breath and feeling spent by the effort. I was okay, but I noticed a lack of energy that I would not have expected at other times of life.

    I hate to tell you, but I have lost about 30 pounds in this experience of chemotherapy. But, I was way overweight to begin with so 30 pounds is like a drop in the bucket of where I need to be. Still, it has been a start and I am determined to keep the scale moving in a downward direction even after this is all done. Cancer has finally knocked some sense into me. I hope to buy a bike this spring and ride along the Erie Canal path near my home in Western New York in order to get strong again. Have any ideas about a good brand or type of bike for asphalt paths and sidewalks?

    So, gals, we are quite a group and I am proud to "know" you all. I have been strengthened and enlightened by you and wish everyone Godspeed in this week's treatments or adventures.
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  • marymelodi
    marymelodi Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2006

    Oh, by the way, I will NOT be eating any cookies at treatment tomorrow. I plan to ask my husband to bring me fruit smoothie thing from the cafeteria as my treat. Don't want to have another "cookie episode."

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  • Paula15089
    Paula15089 Member Posts: 373
    edited January 2006
    Well, my last A/C is in 4 hours!!!
    As i am not getting Taxol, this is the end of chemo for me. I can't believe i am already there!
    I have a suspicion this one will kick my butt, as i was at my lowest after #3, but it can only get better from here.
    Thank you ladies for all your support, and yes, i would love to meet all of you in person!
    take care,
    Paula
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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited January 2006
    Will you be getting Rads Paula? If so Good Luck and do report back.

    Mary Melodi good idea about the attack cookies!

    Ooo Brenda you are done too, lucky! I think I will be the last one done chemo. If all goes as planned that will be March 14...seems eons away!

    MUGA and mammo both good today, thank God!
    Fists up!
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  • Paula15089
    Paula15089 Member Posts: 373
    edited January 2006
    Mary-Anne,
    yep, sure am doing rads, so will be seeing everyone on rads forum.
    Dont worry, March will come round sooner than you think and you will be done with chemo.
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  • daydream
    daydream Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2006

    Yay! I had my last treatment about a month ago. It did kick my butt, so take extra good care of yourself if that happens. Good luck with rads.

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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2006
    paula....congrats on being done with chemo!!!!!! my last one is in a week exactly and i'm counting the minutes

    can we all stay on this thread during rads? i don't want to leave the october ladies
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2006

    Well Monday was Taxol and I got a headache yesterday and it is even worse today!! Anyone else getting headaches from this???

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  • Graycie
    Graycie Member Posts: 839
    edited January 2006

    I had a headache with my second taxol but I thought it was sinus but I am not sure if it was or not, it lasted about 3 days. I heard a lady complaining about a headache at the infusion center when she was getting her chemo so it may be a side effect. I have been OK this time so far....

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  • ake
    ake Member Posts: 684
    edited January 2006
    hi ladies.

    i had my simulation planning thingee for radiation today. i officially start radiation on february 6th....today, they mapped the areas (4 fields) and gave me 4 little tattoos (little black dots) for the areas that will be radiated.

    it's so crazy to say, but i was so happy after leaving. i think it was from the idea of stepping into the next phase of treatment, which makes me realize that chemo is almost over. radiation doesn't seem scary to me at all...it was actually interesting...nowhere near as scary as chemo was at first.

    hope everyone is doing well this week!

    -amy
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