Chemo May 2011

Cyborg · June 2011

I was told the shot would cause the ache in the bones. Have u tried Claritin? Helps a lot. That is for Neecee.

Neecee, I have a small cup if coffee when I wake up. I think when I feel better physically the energy increases. I think at times- especially in the evening--- it hotsmemore that I am fighting CANCER. It's weird. I did settle diwnn after about five hours .

--- · June 2011

cyborg,

i hope the anxiety has subsided. i get extra energy from the decadron, but that's about it. i know you're on it , too.

Laureen

--- · June 2011

bkj66,

i'm sorry to hear the side effects hit you immediately. i'm on the same boat every treatment session. try to rest up. we're all here for you.

Laureen

--- · June 2011

Patriotic,

Thank you so much about the info on ACS and housing assistance. I will contact them and inquire.

Laureen

Sue53 · June 2011

Cyborg, my anxiety is worse in the mornings and by evening I usually feel better. I think it is from sitting here at home watching awful TV. Having my family around in the evening is more like normal and I find myself relaxing more.

bak94 · June 2011

Im feeling a bit more normal now, had to take my meds and went back to sleep, then went and got my nuelasta shot.

Candice, I think we all respond a bit differnet to the shot, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, as it is probably the shot. I did not have pain until about a week later, that is kinda odd, but I think it was the extra nuepogen shots they gave me rather than the nuelasta.

Laureen, Im glad someone gave you good advice on housing, keep us posted. It can not be fun looking for a place feeling like this!

blondelawyer · June 2011

Prescription is working...yay!

bkj66: I'm getting treatment at Swedish too (but at the cancer institute on madison). I've been happy with the care there so far.

A group of friends threw a surprise fundraiser for me today--I was shocked and humbled and so many other things. It is hard to accept the kindness, but I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life!

40-years-old-now · June 2011

Thanks for the advice. I was worried that it might be something else. Like I need that. I feel like I have been run over by a truck then they backed up and did it again.

So tired today too. Nothing sounds good to eat, just been a miserable day.

Thankyou all for your support.

Candice

Anonymous · June 2011

Candice, Sorry you are having such a lousy day....the only good thing about those is it makes us really appreciate when we feel good. I am not totally sure if it was the claritin, the reduced dose or the fact they say the lst time is always the worst, BUT the 2nd neulasta shot did not make me feel bad at all!!!! Hope the rest of the weekend is good for all of you. Next week is my treatment off week so all I will be doing is having blood work and I think it is the next week we will check to see if the chemo is working.

Cyborg · June 2011

Hey Laureen. I take the Decadron the day before and the day after only and get the decadron intraveneousky the day of chemo.

I hope everyone is having a good night.

bak94 · June 2011

blonde lawyer, my doc is at the swedish tumor institute, but my ac is in the hospital because of the 24 hour drip ac. Once I am on taxol, I will be treated at the institute, Did you say youare doing taxol first? We might meet up one of these days!

Katarina · June 2011

Merilee - My Neulasta shot really gave me hip, pelvic and major bone aches for 10 days straight. I'm not sure if it's helpful or causes more harm. Vicodan barely helped and it wasn't until I was thrown into the hospital with Sepsis and they gave me Dilaudid that the aches went away.

Try Claritin. I didn't last round but will next.

bak94 · June 2011

Is sepsis a blood infection? Could that have been the cause of pain?

I am having bone pain today from my shot yesterday, usually doesn't hit me till later. Im trying to stay positive, but this round 3 has been rough on me. I am having a ct sometime next week to see if the chemo is working, so fingers crossed. Once again feeling sorry for myself as my friends are doing the Susan Komen walk and here I am in bed feeling yucky. They are doing it partially in my homor which is sweet, but Id rather be there running or walkin with them.

neecee · June 2011

It is so interesting to read how each person responds mentally, emotionally, and physicall to treatment. I'm feeling physically fine the last couple of days, but have been battling the blues. Weird.

bak94 · June 2011

NeeCee, when was your last treatment? I feel frustrated when I can't do the things that I want. Here it is a beautiful day and all I feel like doing is staying on the computer and sleeping. Sorry for the serial postings again, but it helps me feel better. Myhusband is off this weekend and I would love to do something fun with him but just don't feel up to it. Next week will be better...

DebRox · June 2011

Neecee and bkj66:

I feel the same way. Physically I feel ok, emotionally I do not feel ok. I feel like I cannot do the things I wish to. It's beautiful outside and I'm in bed. I can't garden, go out etc. Worried about WBC.

My life feels on hold right now. I had to cancel our family vacation which was supposed to take place June 18. We had a huge trip planned, been in the planning for a year, now it's cancelled. Well my hb says its merely postponed.

I feel like I cannot do anything, I'm just waiting for treatment to be over with. Its just hard. And yes I'm feeling sorry for myself and venting.

jackifp · June 2011

Linda614: I teach high school, also, and, yes, the kids' responses are uplifting. From the silliness of "can we see you bald head?" (I laugh and whip off the day's hat/beanie) to the 2 boys who shaved so I wouldn't "be bald alone", it's been a ride. Not to mention I took the opportunity to create a PowerPoint for my bio classes on cancer. I've felt bad for the number of subs they've had to endure, weekly for my poison days, and other days for appts.

bak94 · June 2011

Jackifp, I reallly admire you for being able to work, especially the type of work you do, that can't be easy, physically and emotionally. The kids sound great though, and Im sure that helps! you have a great attitude and perspective on things, maybe some of it can rub off on me....

Katarina · June 2011

Bkj66 - Yes, Sepsis is a blood infection and it essentially pushes the infection through your entire body via the blood stream. I may have gotten it from having my BMX drain tubes in for too long and /or port placement, etc. You never know where it comes from but it has to be managed fast and first signs are fever and vomiting. However, the body ache that kicked up at the same time was in fact the worst symptom. It was like being in labor with pain spreading throughout my body. I wish it on no one.

My Onc said he thought I was reacting to the Neulasta shot but I am skeptical. I think the Neulasta shot didn't help but wasn't root cause.

Jackifp - I think that you must get a tremendous amount of love and support from those children. That two boys shaved their heads just to keep you company is so incredibly endearing. I'm sure your students love you.

It's good to go where the love is. That will always help cure the blues. At least it does for me.

Hugs and More Hugs to all.

blondelawyer · June 2011

I also have that feeling that my life is on hold--and that drives me crazy. My career is literally on hold as I was not working regularly when this happened. I was taking a case here and there and had planned to decide what I wanted to do and take steps toward that this fall, after a nice long trip to Europe. But now with my diagnosis, I feel like I can't look for a job and am in limbo land. I am so used to being a doer and had to stop some when my husband got sick and died, but this prolonged stoppage is getting me down. I am trying to focus on my writing and thinking of that as my "job" but right now it isn't working so well.

Steff66 · June 2011

Dear all, I am five days away from my second FEC 60 treatment. I feel like some of you - physically fine, mentally it is a battle ground... I try new approaches every day and they seem to work for a couple of hours and then anxiety sets in again. Had a nice weekend though. Hair came off Saturday morning in the shower, so off we went... they shaved my head in the shop and I put on the whig...not as bad as I thought, just weird and a bit tight. In the evening we went to see Seinfeld live here in Oslo with about 15000 other people. It was a treat, I was so happy I could go even though I am going through chemo, but so far no real SEs. If I could make my head as well as my body feels right now life could be ok. But it is a struggle to get up every morning and face a new day with cancer... being diagnosed two months ago. Before that life just was...what is it now? I don't know. Wish you all the best these months... (on wikipedia it says chemo only has a 1,5% effect in bc - then why are we doing it? And who wrote that wiki?)

MamaV · June 2011

Just a quick note to tell you all I'm right there with you suffering emotionally. I toggle back and forth between depression and axiety. I knew this would be tough physically, but for me the emotional battle is much worse! Hugs to all!

Vicky

Cyborg · June 2011

Emotionally, it is difficult. I was dx on February 23,2011. At first, I was all over the map emotionally. It's hard to believe that was 3 + months ago. I think just leaning I to my feelings helped me get trough to the other side. It took a long time( at least to merit did) to get the chemo started and I am so relieved that chemo has begun. I'll be on the third out of four treatments on the 13th. Gonna fast before and after. I have been using distraction as a coping tool. I have seen two movies in the last two dayys: Bridesmaids and Midnight in Paris. I still feel anxious and freaked but it is sometimes vs. All the time like it wAs.

jackifp · June 2011

Bkj66: treatment 3 kicked me hard and earlier, too. I'm on TCH. The first day was fine, but then it was fatigue, heartburn, nausea, awful taste, and now the last 3 days I have no voice. It's probably a cold, altho I can't tell with my hay fever. Okay, enough whining.

I've got cabin fever mighty bad - can't go to work with no voice, and the stupid cold and rain here in northern CA is driving me batty and keeping me indoors. Then I read all your postings, both sad and glad, and don't feel so bad no mo'...for me, #3 was the halfway point of TCH, so cause for celebrating as soon as these se's ease up.

Laureen- my son lives in Emeryville at the Oakland line. I'd offer you the empty room at his place if it wasn't that it's a houseful of late-twenties musicians, but the image but cheer you up

rondajean · June 2011

To all the wonderful ladies!

I had a wonderful weekend. I didn't really talk much about having cancer Tonight, I was sewing some of my head scarf fabric I purchased last week. I have over 20 different patterns and I am making two of each. I wanted to be able to give some away to people I meet along my hairless journey. I think the unk is worse than the known. I know that I will survive and I will be here to encourage others I know down this path. There is a larger plan for me, just waiting for it. Wishing all of you a side effect free week. Hugs and kisses.

Ronda

blondelawyer · June 2011

Trying to gear up for a busy week. Tomorrow is chemo #3 and I also have some more appointments in the morning, so it is going to be a long day. I am seeing the onco-psychiatrist and naturopath this week too. And I have a biopsy and MRI this week (for the study). Appointments every day. Ugh...not really looking forward to all of this. I feel like I need to start being more stingy with my time and refusing so many appointments. It is just exhausting!

Hope everyone has a good week!

Lisa

Cyborg · June 2011

Blondelawyer: best of luck this week with the biopsies and MRI. Sounds like u have a well rounded treatment team. Lots of love and a big HUg to you.

40-years-old-now · June 2011

I just woke for my nap/sleep and the pain is quite a bit less. I still have a little tinny bit but if the pain form the shot only last like this I might make it threw treatments.

Still sleepy, but want to waint until 3am to take pain meds so I am not playing with pain later.

Candice

Patriotic · June 2011

Glad you're feeling better, Candice. Hang in there.

I have round 6 of 12 Taxol on Tuesday. Day 3 after Taxol seems to bring a few, minor SE's but, otherwise, doing good.

Steff66, everything I have read indicates that chemo drops recurrence risk by 1/3. Does anyone have any other pertinent info on this? Even if the percentages aren't as high, I would still do it.

Blonde lawyer, the study MRI's seem so LONG. Good luck with it and the biopsy. I'm with you. I am going to work unless I physically can't. I desperately need the distraction. I refuse to make my entire life about BC!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

lifelover · June 2011

I have so much to catch up with on this thread. I had a rough first chemo and was basically sick in bed for a week. When I finally felt better though, I really had lots of energy and was able to cook and clean and garden again and feel good about it.

My first FEC was the 23rd of May. My scalp is starting to tingle and as I pull my fingers through my hair I'm getting several strands out. I'm feeling sad but I'm ready to deal with it.

I had thrush and sores in my mouth but the meds they gave me sorted it out in just over a week. I suppose I'll get this everytime now. I'm going to take the advice given here and try gargling with salt and baking soda.

I used to get panic attacks and severe anxiety but now take Cymbalta to deal with it. You can't take Cymbalta and some anti-depressants with Tamoxifen though so I'll have to switch to something else once I start finish chemo and start Tamoxifen.

Thanks so much for the wonderful advice and support on this thread Ladies.

Life is well worth the fight and I remind myself of this all day .

Chemo May 2011

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