Chemo May 2011

Hello ladies,

Is chemo brain a result of the lack of oxygen that is being carried to the brain due to the red blood cell loss?  I see the term a lot, but don't really know what it means.  I forget some things occasionally too and when I tell people it's "chemo brain," I want to know what I'm saying.  :-D

I also would like to give you all big HUGS and encouragement.  Take care of yourselves and don't ever feel guilty for needing to rest.  Your body needs it to recover.  It also needs food and water to recover.  So, please eat and drink water - especially when you don't feel like it. 

{{{BIG HUGS}}}

Marcya - I really needed to read your encouraging post today.  I have such nausea from the anxiety and depression that I sit at work all day and don't feel like eating nor drinking.  I just chugged a bottle of water and heated up some noodles and chicken that I brought to eat.  I'm eating it right now!  I have lost 25 pounds since my diagnosis in December and I didn't have any to lose. 

Thanks Cyborg - I understand what you mean about the chemo.  I have 5 more to go - in the chair tomorrow - but now am starting to get major anxiety about radiation.  I just can't stop my mind from racing and worrying!

MamaV, I'm happy you were able to eat and drink.  I also drink Ensure Plus to get my nutrients and I recommend it for those days/times when you don't feel like eating a meal or food.  It does help you gain some strength and energy.  It may even help build your appetite.  Plus, remember - during chemo - you must drink 2-3 quarts of water a day.  You have to flush the toxins out of your body so they don't hang around wreaking havoc making you sick.  Sure, you'll pee ALOT, but it's a small sacrifice for the greater good.  (SMILE)

Beaglesgirl - It's temporary.  You will get all new ones and better than before!!  Cheer up sister.

Take care ladies!  {{HUGS}}  

Good night.   

Side effects knocked me out today!  I was feeling fine and went to get an acupuncture treatment and then had some lunch.  Basically had to RUN home to get to the bathroom and I'll spare the details, but it was not pretty.  Cleaned up and showered and then laid down to rest and woke up 5 hours later!  I'm so bummed that the diarrhea is back, I was hoping that the letting my colon calm down for a few days would help.  I'm not sure what the doctor will do about the study drug now.

 I'm still anxious about the swollen, red breast, but have my MRI in the morning and will meet with my oncologist after that to talk about the results and options.  There haven't been any changes in the breast that I have noticed this week.  The onco-psychiatrist prescribe a different anti-anxiety medication to hopefully keep it on a more even keel, but I haven't made my way to the pharmacy to pick it up and am worried about it making me too tired given the fact that I am already exhausted!  

 And since I am whining...my sunburn does not seem to be healing very quickly and hurts  Ugh. 

Mama V- Rads are easy, I started rads and chemo on the same day.

Big things to remember when they do the simulation make sure you are in a comfortable position, a very comfortable position, if something does not feel right have them fix it.

Have fun if they do the tattoos, I say that I am really into stars so I decided to have constalations. (they are little dots that dont hurt more then a prick when done).

Give up modostity (your rad tech will see the area no matter how they try to be nice about it)

Play rag doll if they want, ask but my techs want me to let them position me, works great.

I have had 5 doses of rads. Side effects are very minimal.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Cyborg.  My oncologist doesn't think that it is an infection (and my blood counts don't indicate that it is) but has me on antibiotics in case.  His suspicion is that my tumor is growing in spite of the chemo--it is an aggressive bugger!  I'll know a lot more after the MRI and discussion with my oncologist tomorrow.  It's just nerve racking!

Everybody ok?

I go for Taxol today at 12:30pm - ugh!

cotrinh76:  Thanks for the tip.  I am in desperate need of a pedicure and was hoping to go either Friday or Monday when my immune system is the strongest.  I am back in the chair on Tuesday.

I will purchase my own tools and disinfectant as a precaution.

Incidentially, my nails stopped growing (or slowed down) for about 10 days post tx.  They are growing again.  I am sure this is normal. 

Beaglesgirl:  Doing ok, starting to get anxious about round 2 and taking pre-meds.  I hate the feeling from steriods!

MamaV:  HAng in there, you are in inthe home stretch.  I face rads after as well, and am stressed about that.  The rad onc office keeps calling me to find out when I am finished chemo.  I have told them numerous times.  On their last call I asked them to just leave me alone.  I will contact them when I am finished, let me go through one thing at a time PLEASE!

Neecee:  Glad to hear you are doing fine. Your avatar is cute.  Im right behind you in the chair - ugh!

To everyone:  Keep eating and nourishing your bodies.  Especially those that are dropping weight.  I am in that category and try to keep eating despite lack of appetite, we have to keep our bodies strong and in recovery mode after each knockdown.  I love the Ensure idea and will add some to my smoothies. 

Love and hugs to all!!!

Blondelawyer:  Wishing you the best with the MRI and Onc visit.  Keep us posted.

Regarding chemo brain, I remember experiencing similar symptoms while pregnant. I personally think it's just that this cancer treatment BS feels so all-consuming that the other less important crap tends to get pushed to the sidelines.



Yesterday, I was applying lip gloss in the bathroom, rushing to meet a friend for lunch, and I threw the tube in the garbage because I momentarily thought I had paper towel in my hand. Needless to say, you begin to wonder if you're going crazy!



Does anyone know if I can add an avatar to my profile on the iPad? Can't figure it out.

Patriotic, I'm afraid not I had to get on someones laptop to upload mine.

Oh, blonde lawyer, I am so sorry to hear that. But, at least you found out EARLY and are switching regimens. I am sure it can't stand up to AC; nothing can!! I know it's scary. Thankfully, there are lots of other options. Also, you might not feel positive about doing neo-adjuvant because of the growth. But imagine you had done surgery first and didn't know the taxol wasn't the best option for you? Big hug.