Chemo May 2011

Helo ladies, welcome Margie - I have found so much support and knowledge here- it is comforting to know that all of us here know exactly what you are going through - I find it empowering to know what is to come and prepare mentally for each step we face!

Day 8 post first FEC and feeling tired but more normal! I can condense it in my mind now to One week feeling poisoned, one week feeling tired and hopefully one week feeling good! anything improving on that is a bonus ! It is easy when you feel blah nauseous (even with all the meds emend-zofran steroids) and sick to feel down but if you can trust that next week you will feel better then it feels more like a tunnel rather than a brick wall! Sense of Smell is returning to normal rather than everything having a chemical mouldy citrus tang. Much better for the appetite!

Food is tasting better! The poisoned week was a challenge - light breakfast cereal (high protein/lots of sugar) , mashed potatoes, cheese, crackers, cold chicken was good  - the white diet seems to be popular here! Water with lemon, lime slices and a tsp sugar by the side all the times and helped to keep up fluid intake to flush out toxins and funny tastes! Scalp is tingly/crawly so know that I may not be a medical miracle and retain the tresses. I am not a hat person but even less of a wig woman! I did but four nice silky lined caps and knits yesterday for the style - now I can see them sliding right off.....lol

Have a great day ladies - one day at a time!  Robyn

Hi Laureen, I had AC on fri, sat (24 hour drip) so I guess this makes me at day 3, they gave me nuepogen on Sunday, couldn't believe they were open. I have been tired and depressed and not hungry, a bit nauseous also. I am having chemo before surgery, so I am really hoping it is working. Do you you get a shot everyday? I only had one. Are you going every 2 weeks?

Glad to hear everyone is hanging on!

Sounds like everyone is doing ok with the SEs.  I totally understand the getting hit by a truck.  A/C knocked me out for days!  It was nice to have the break in between weeks.  I go for weekly Taxol #4 tomorrow - it's emotionally difficult to gear up to do this every week.

Hang in there everyone - we are strong!

Add me to the May group for chemo.  My first chemo will be on Monday the 16.  I will be getting Taxotere and Cytoxan.

Had a scare today.  am 4 days post first ac. Have been doing ok, walking 20 to 30 minutes daily, but mostly taking it easy, not working, just minor household stuff. Today I was feeling good, got in the shower and was enjoying a long hot shower. I started to feel weak, so I sat on the edge of the tub, felt better so  I stood back up and finished rinsing off, and started feeling weaker again. Turned off the water, sat on the side of the tub and slipped off onto the floor. I think I passed out. My husband came in and helped me back to bed and dried me off. I feel fine now, did I just over do it? I am famous for my long showers. I am a bit shaken up now. I hadn't eaten or had any water yet, so maybe I was dehydrated. This scared me quite a bit, as I thought I was doing good.

bkj66  I hope your feeling better, did you ask your doctor what could have caused it?

 I called my doc but they never called back:( Didn't expect that! I feel fine now, just tired. I am thinking I took too hot of a shower on an empty stomach? I have an appointment on Friday, so I will ask then unless it happens again.

bkj66 - I did almost the exact same thing with my 3rd round of A/C.  Had it on Wed and passed out Monday am when I tried to get ready for work.  Just over did it - exhaustion.  Only happened that one time and doc said it was exhaustion, dehydration, etc.  You'll be ok!

Thank BKJ66!  I've been reading your posts faithfully since I noticed we are on the same meds and you started a few days before me.  Hoping tomorrow is a better day for you!

  2nd treatment down....so far still no SEs....my white count has dropped to half of what it was so I get neulasta shot tomorrow.  No chemo next week, but will get my Xgeva shot for the bones.  BKJ, Very poor of your doctor's office not to call back. 

For you with the bad SEs....getting the pain and nausea meds is a big deal....they just have to get the amounts right or the chemo can really hit you hard. 

Candice, I myself would rather have it be BC, than to have to be dealing with lung cancer or another type along with BC....just my opinion.  Best case scenerio maybe it is just a little infection  or some scar tissue.   Have a fun day with your daughter.

Sleep whenever you can and drink water to flush this nasty stuff through.   You are all goin to learn to love your ports.  

tomorrow is my big day - day one of TCH.  I have cleaned the house, done the laundry, got my hair cut short (have my long ponytail to donate), had all my pre-chemo test and have all my drugs lined up.  Now I am going to trying and work all day and not think about the 5-6 hours I will be there tomorrow.

Laureen - my 3rd day after A/C was always the worst.  I used to say the same thing - they poisoned me so I was on the brink of death and then I'd come crawling back.  I hope the other SEs are manageable - the nausea can be pretty bad on A/C too.  They don't call it the red devil for nothing!  REST, REST, REST!

Cyborg - glad to hear you are crawling back too! 

Margie - I work too so I can try to avoid thinking about it all.  I have #4 of 12 taxol today and I'm at work until noon.  I'd go crazy if I stayed at home waiting to go.  Good luck tomorrow and the weekend with the SEs.  I hope you fly through it!

mccrimm - hang in there too.  Next week will be here before you know it and then you'll start feeling like me - "I have to do this again?"  UG!

Anyone else I missed - prayers and support to you all! 

We are strong!