Chemo May 2011

Candice, glad you are feeling better, sounds like you have a great plan.

Blondelawyer, we probably see the same oncology therapist, I also saw a naturopath and really liked her. My first month I got so tired of all the appointments, my schedule has slowed down now, as I am not in a study.

Cyborg, it is crazy to think how drastically and quickly our lives have changed. I must admit that I have met some amazing people during this journey, including all my online friends.

Patriotic, glad you are feeling good on the taxol, i am worried about it because the last time I did it I had a hard time. Hope I can convince doc to try the abraxane on me instead.

Lifelover, sorry you had a bad chemo week, but glad to hear you feel better. This week is my bad chemo week, and seems a bit more rough than the first 2, just patiently waiting to feel better. I still take my walks, just not as far and much more slow, but it does seem to help.

One of my dogs just farted and I think I might get sick.....oh, im ok! I better let them out!

Hello May Ladies, it was good to read the posts again. I am doing fine, but yes anxiety, or what i think is anxiety got to me this past week. The first week after chemo I too have the SE and they are not fun. Hubby had his vacation and he tended to me and well I did practically nothing, didn't do the basic things I usually do so I am thinking maybe that brought on the anxiety even more since I would eat, see a bit of tv, computer a bit then sleep again, over and over. He went back to work on Sunday and on Saturday I went to check the mail and throw some trash w/ my pup and I felt weird, like I do sometimes, unbalanced and weird, but I did it anyway, maybe a 3 min walk, but when I got back I felt better and I was thinking, could it be that I was in bed too much? Maybe lack of exercise, so lack of oxygen has made me more anxious. I hadn't gone out at all since Tuesday, so was home from Wed to Sunday, and just one short walk. I seem to be better today, a bit of heartburn and tummy ache but thats it. 

Ohh another great thing is that I got the scarf from goodwishes, aww its awesome!! And along w/ it came a very nice card signed personally by all these great ppl. I don't have to fold it or anything it's already in the shape it should be and its really nice silk one, retail price 72.00. I will definitely wear in to my next appt. If anyone is intrested google good wishes scarfs and just email them w/ your first 2 choices and they will send you one of the two.

I also got my wig from the American Cancer Society, its really nice. Don't know if I will wear it but still like having the option of having it, just in case. The bad thing is that I missed my nieces graduation and my sons girlfriends graduation this last week cause I wasn't feeling up to it. But, they know I love them and wish them the best.

Every time I get chemo during day 2 or 3 i try to talk myself out of it, saying to myself, uggh how can I agree to get poisoned, next Dr. visit I will tell him I'm through w/ this, but then the first week is over and I'm ok, maybe i can do this. The second chemo, uggh I let my husband and son talk me into this, grrr, i will tell the Dr. i will quit, lol. Then I get renewed and think, God I can't do this, but You can, help me not give up. We can't girls, we must not grow weary, we must get through this, and w/ Gods Grace we will. Here's to us going on and getting stronger day by day!!! God bless us all Amen!

Beaglesgirl, I still have stubble, wish it would fall out.

I am sad, I tried to go out to let the chickens out into their run and I got really tired and weak and didn;t even make it outside, just went to the kitchen and took more anti nausea medicine and lorazapam. Also bummed because we usually have family over for the fourth of july and my chemo treatment is 3 days before the 4th, so I will most likely feel like I do today 3 days after chemo, so that means no 4th of july party for me.

TXladysara: thank you for saying what you did about talking yourself out of chemo. My brain is doing that to me as well. I know my husband and family will talk me into going. I want to quit, but I know I must not grow weary and continue. God will help me.



Neecee: I'm right in the chair behind you on June 14. Starting to feel anxious about it now. I certainly look forward to putting 2011 behind me, emotionally it has been the worst year I've evert dealt with!



You guys who work thru treatment are my heroes, I don't know how you do it. Bc seems to be like a part time to full time job, managing appointments, tests, ses etc.



Hang in there everyone. I'm sure this is the toughest part!

My friends are telling me that getting better IS my job right now.

 Beaglesgirl:  can I assume you love beagles? I have a 10 1/2 year old

I had my 3rd treatment today--infusion went fine.  Somewhat bad news is that my breast is swollen and red.  The oncologist doesn't think that it is infection and the blood results don't point to infection.  He thinks that my tumor is growing and pushing on stuff.  It's early in my course of treatment, but he is considering changing things already.  I have an MRI this week because of the study, so after those results are in we'll decide what to do.  The swelling is pretty significant and the whole thing is red.  I'm on abx in case.  I also restarted the study drug today, so hopefully the diarrhea doesn't come back with a vengeance!  I'll know more about what the plan is on Thursday.  The MO said that he might switch me to AC now, but I'm not sure.  I am going to try to stay distracted for the rest of the week.  I did reschedule some of my appointments because I just don't want to do so many!  I am doing art therapy tomorrow though, which I am looking forward to. 

Glad to hear that it does get better.

MamaV- I have to work for financial reasons, and I choose to work for mental ones.  I call it work therapy.  For a few hours every work day, I get to think about something else.  Bliss!

Blondelawyer - glad to hear your docs are actively working your breast symptoms.

To everyone - my shedding has begun.  I feel like one of my pets - I leave hair everywhere I go.  I have a lot of hair on my head, so I think it will be a while before anyone notices, unless the rate of shedding increases or I start losing it in chunks.

HI all

I haven't posted in a while. Since my counts were really good my Dr oked for us to take a planned vacation to Jamaica May 29-June 5.  It was so nice to get away with friends and just relax.  Of course my hair started coming out Monday May 30 on Thursday my good friend came to my room and used our clippers and cut my hair really short.  I still have hair just thin (my hair started coming out on day 17 from my first TCH treatment).

Yesterday I went to see my Dr and had chemo round 2.  I am doing chemo prior to surgery and yesterday my Dr could barely feel my two tumors.  she was very excited as was I. 

Word of advise to anyone having chemo without a port.  (I currently do not have one since I had a trip planned.  I will be getting one at some point.)   advise --  drink a ton of liquids for a couple of days leading up to your chemo session to plump up your veins.  I did that prior to session 1 but didn't get in as many fluids before session 2 and they had to try twice to get my IV line in.

So far I am symptom free from session 2.  I am doing everything I have been told by my Dr and it has been working for me.

Hope everyone has a sympton free day.

MamaV, I am lint rolling my head, thanks for that tip!!



Blond lawyer, yes, I love my hounds. I have three rescued beagles 5,6 & 7 yrs old. I love the senior ones tho -- give yours a big squeeze from me. I just think they are so loyal and affectionate.

bkj66,

I finished #3 yesterday.  You're right, today is my 2nd day.  Last night was bad - as my immediate side effects were always bad.  I had sinus headache, nausea, and queasiness.  I just woke up feeling a bit better.  How are you doing now?

Laureen

mamaV and beaglesgirl,

I used a lint roller as well on those days when almost all hair were shedding off.  It was frustrating to see them drop all over the place and my skin!

Laureen

Got this week's blood work results back.  Everything in the normal range except my hematocrit, which is slightly below normal.  Onc's office doesn't seem worried about it.  That is what I get for giving up red meat!

Blondelawyer - Have they let you see your MRI? I understand scans and MRI's are best way to see cancer versus non-cancerous areas. I haven't seen mine yet and want to. Good to hear they're taking care of you and you are getting PT.

Has anyone experienced memory loss so far?  I've noticed I struggle with names of things that are simple - like couldn't think of the word "sunblock" to tell the RN taking my blood that I had it on my skin. It was frustrating. I just can't get the word recall, or I'll ask someone something and forget the name they gave me within short order - that could be just failure to listen and pay attention to the answer, but I'm not sure.

Glad to see everyone doing well.



I had a question about migraines and tension headaches. I have never done acupuncture. Does it help those? What else can it help with?



I, too am suffering from occasional "CRS Syndrome." LOL. I almost forgot a meeting yesterday. Thank God for the stupid Outlook calendar!

Patriotic:  Acupuncture is wonderful for migraines and tension headaches!  I had a tension headache for about 3 days and it went away completely in about an hour after acupuncture.  I have a friend who had frequent migraines and now with acupuncture never gets them.  I highly recommend it!