Chemo May 2011

It isn't too much info, it's just a sad fact of life that seems to go along with chemo.  I have been constipated on navelbine, gemzar and now halaven.  I have done miralax, sennaS and just generic laxatives....IF I take them every night when I go to bed, most days I will go, IF I am lucky.  When this lst happened I thought oh great, I am turning into my grandmother and now my father because that was always a major complaint of hers and now his and he feels like he needs to share this info with me. Since I am doing the same thing myself now, I am afraid I am not too sympathetic and usually say Jeeze, Daddy, take a laxative!  I did do one med that caused chronic diarrhea and that was no fun either....in fact I think it was worse....so for the time being I think it is just something we just have to live with.  Do take something every day though because one thing you do not want to do is get really jammed up to the point where it is painful. 

Sorry you are having a rough time of it Cyborg. 

Today started out good, felt better than I have for awhile! Went to get my neupogen shot this morning, my 3rd one in a row, found out the one I had the day after chemo was actually neulasta, not neupogen. Have had slight bone pain before from shots, but now it is getting bad! That just sucks, because today I actually have energy, and now the pain! I might have to try the claritin, but might be too late for that to work, the tylenol is not touching it. The rest of the week should be pretty good, and then it starts all over again on friday:( I am going to enjoy this week! WHat fun things are all of you doing? We need fun!

As I was doing laundry, my dog, PT, a border collie mix came in and did a human sounding yawn with a big sigh at the end! It was too funny! He is a very energetic dog and is not liking my laziness at all. My other dog, an overweight chihuahua (Harley) has never been happier! He loves laying around all day under the covers!

I have a Hoover and a Harley.  Hoover is an austrailan shepherd and Harley is an Austrailan Sheperd mix.  We got him from a rescue, sweetest dog in the world, so hard to imagine how someone could have abused him but now he lives like a king.

Ha ha that is funny! Hoover and Harley! My Harley is a Hoover! He hoovers all food that he can possibly find! PT is a rescue, and Harley, well, my husband wanted a chi really bad, and we ran into someone who had a mamma chi ready to have pups, I think he is pretty much a chi, but might have something else mixed in him. He is very stocky and cute, with the best personality, he loves kids and basically everyone he meets, just doesn't care for big dogs that he doesn't know. Oh, I love aussie's, my border collie mix has aussie in him, but he has short hair. I could go on and on about my dogs (I have 2 other big lab mixes, also pound puppies). Marybe, how cute, a silky terrier also named Harley! I also have 17 chickens and 6 goats, an african grey parrot, blue front amazon and 3 cockatiels. I think it is because I never had children of the human variety:) No wonder I am tired all of the time, it is not the chemo, it is from taking care of all those crazy animals! But now my husband has to do all the dirty work, I just feed and walk them! Yes, I even walk the goats, but not the birds! Oh, and we have 2 spoiled farm cats, I can't leave anybody out!

Hi May Ladies,

I'll be in the June group, but wanted to give you some info.

Neupogen came first and then neulasta. Like someone said previous, the neulasta is one shot that lasts longer. They used to have a commercial that stated to expect mild to moderate bone pain. It was more then moderate for me. Did this stuff seven years ago. The whole idea behind the two shots is to encourage your long/major bone marrow areas to kick it up and improve your white counts. That's where the bone pain comes in the femur, hip carriage, spine and sternum.

The chemo attacks fast growing cells, the blood cells are fast along with the hair follicles and the GI tract.

As far as constipation, prune juice with a splash of lemon or try eating some raisin bran.

Wishing you all well, -m

Hello all-

I'm from the Feb 2011 chemo group.  Is anyone in this group interested in a hat with wrap around ties that has a beautiful southwestern style fabric?  I got it months ago from Gala Foundation, and really love it, but could never wear it because my head is just way too small.  I would love to pass it (for free) on to whoever is in need of it and figured you all are probably losing or on the verge of losing hair.

I'm having trouble posting a picture, but if you email me at lmwongpan@earthlink.net I can email one.  Or you can find a picture at www.gailafund.org.  It's called "Carnival colors in cotton."

All the best, Laura

mebmarj,  I am confused on what you wrote re the neulasta and two shots?  I am supposed to get one of these shots every two weeks, on the Thurs after my chemo treatment on Wed.  IF my white count is too low inbetween those times, I will get it before then.  I would rank the pain I had with it a severe...hit me like a ton of rocks.  I thought it was over yesterday since I was only hurting in a few places, but I am still getting these little jolts of pain here and there.  I talked to one of my friends who got procreit (sp) shots and she said they really caused her the same SEs that I had with the neulasta.  I see the onco on Wed. for bloodwork and my Xgeva (for my bones) and am going to ask him exactly what his recommendations are for preventing SEs since they did not tell me anything last time and I was fortunate enough to be on the board and learned about the claritin (too late, but now I know)

Steff66, Did you have a BMX or just the one side?  I hate to scare you, but in most cases I know of (two of them local friends) they do both since with lobular it is very likely to show up in the exact same place in the other breast....read about lobular and it talks about the mirror image.   I think chemo is a good idea as a follow up regardless of size also.....mine was not even a cm yet, I was not yet Stage l, and no nodes were involved and I did not have chemo or tamox and it came back and was discovered 8 yrs later....knowing what I know today, at the very least I would tell them I wanted to do tamoxifen since you are ER+.  I am not saying any of this to worry you, but you did ask for every comment.

Hello all! Hello Robin_S, thanks for the advice on keeping on top of the constipation, grrr don't like it, pooped the day before, didn't poop today. 

Cyborg Hope you're feeling better today.

As for me, well today was a better day. Hubby bbqed (made carne asada) and i ate very well, was very hungry and really enjoyed it. I am still having trouble w/ constipation, got some colace and will probably take it today. My biggest issue right now is heart burn, uggh now I know why its called heart burn, cause it burns like crazy, had never had it that bad. Have taken tums for it and compazine seems to help w/ it a bit. Need to call the dr. today to see if he suggests anything. Felt better yesterday. My sleeping pattern is totally off. Was seeing the apprentice w/ my husband last night and I fell asleep, couldn't stay awake, then I woke up at 2:30am and couldn't get back to sleep. I have been sleeping but usually in increments of 4 hours and not always at the right time, I am awake right now.

I saw the comments on pets, ohh I have a very sweet dog, his name is Simba, he is a 2 yr old pekingese, I love him so much, he is heaven sent. I suffer from anxiety, 2 years ago I started getting panic attacks and became agoraphobic, I am way better now, thank God, and in part because of my little companion, Simba. He is the best gift I have ever gotten. I know he senses it when I am having an off day and he supports me w/ his love.

Well everyone have a good day, hoping everyone starts feeling better and better everyday. God bless.  

In reference to the two shots- I was referring to the neulasta and the neupogen.

Neulasta is a single shot usually given day or so after chemo to prevent low WBC and neutropenia. Neupogen, the other type given, is a series of daily shots.



In my first round a few years back, they weren't sure what my counts would do. When I had blood work about a week to ten days after, sure enough I was way low. That got me the neupogen shots for a few days in a row. After that they decided to prevent the low counts and gave the neulasta day after chemo.



Hope I clarified that, sorry for the confusion. Yep, the procrit reaction is similar. More pain in my femurs with that one, whereas the neupogen and neulasta were all over bone pain.



I think chemo is the way to go. It sucks, but there are so many other factors to consider. Wanting to zap any stray cells, that's the way to go. Best wishes everyone.

My hair has been gone since February.  My first A/C was January 26th and my hair started falling out in chunks exactly 14 days later.  I wore it in a pony tail for 2 days until I could pick up my wig and have it styled.  Not gonna lie - it was not an easy few days.  But, just like everything else being thrown at you, you will get through it with our support.  Hang in there!

HI All - wow, this is a busy forum...lots to catch up on since my last login.  For the constipation SE, I found that diet just wasn't enough and used Miralax and colace - I concur with everyone that says don't let it get bad - start some form of treatment as soon as you think you need it...the Miralax takes a couple of days to work.

bkj66 - my last dose of the trial chemo was on April 14 and I had surgery May 9, so 3 weeks and 4 days.  They checked my counts to make sure platelets and whites were ok prior to.  I wanted it asap so was pushing for it as early as possible in the post-trial surgery window - could have waited a couple more weeks if I had wanted to.

Hope everyone has a good day with minimal SE's.

dlcw

hi all - with regards to constipation. i have been total opposite from a lot of you. i had massive diarrhea for about 6 days post treatment. not the way i planned to lose weight (i'm down about 5 pounds). in anycase...ginger! ginger tea, ginger soda, etc. i found a great raspberry flavored ginger ale at the health food store. it comes in a 4-pack of bottle and i kind of feel like i'm drinking a chemo-forbidden beer.

today is my first day back at work without hair, but with a scarf instead. i am humbled by the response i have received from my co-workers (even 2 of the "bad-ass" neurosurgeons i work with gave me a hug, etc). they've made such an awkward experience for me even better. i am sure you all with have a similar experience.

 treatment #2 on wednesday. nervous since the first one sucked.

Really cyborg?  Can't you get a break?

Afternoon all.

I had surgery this morning (actually 12:05pm) for putting in my port. Rescheduled the oncologist from this wednesday to next tues (24th). I have my biopsy this wednesday.

I am tired and a little looppy.

Not sure what to write, cant think

Candice

I had diarrhea with the chemo.  My onc gave me pills to stop it, and I took them as I needed to.