Chemo May 2011

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  • ---
    --- Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2011

    Question to Everybody:

    On days during "chemo-on" weeks when you feel strong but mentally drugged from all the meds, what do you ladies do?

    I am beside myself looking for things to do!  I find myself going nuts not being able to do anything.

    Thank you,

    Laureen

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  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited June 2011

    I actually started chemo in March ,but like to read this board too.

    My dr told me no mani's or pedi's, or dentist visits until at least 6 weeks after chemo.

    On my chemo on week, i dont do much of anything other than play on computer or read a book.

    The nxt week I start feeling better.

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  • 40-years-old-now
    40-years-old-now Member Posts: 309
    edited June 2011

    That is interesting I didnt relise until just now that I completed my first week (of first chemo) today.

    Chemo Brain fart!!lol

    I didnt do much at all except be in pain. I have a lot of pain  from the leg and arm. Yesterday they put me on new pain  that seems to help.

    But now my WBC is only 3.6  as of today. I dont know what I should do about that. I am already avoiding people.

    Any suggestions of what to do about my WBC let me know.

    Candice

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  • DebRox
    DebRox Member Posts: 437
    edited June 2011

    38YO:  WBC of 3.6 is pretty good a week out.  4.0-10 is considered normal.  So you are nearly there!

    9 days after chemo my wbc was only 1.2.  I had it tested yesterday which was 16 days from tx and it is only 2.9.  I go for another tx on Tuesday and hope it is normal by that time.  BTW I did not have neulasta.  My wbc is recovering on its own.

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  • 40-years-old-now
    40-years-old-now Member Posts: 309
    edited June 2011

    Deb Rox- I did have the neulasta, I am not sure if it was good or bad (lots of pain). The doctor says there is another shot that I can do over 8 days the pain will be less on any one day but would be over the 8 days not 3.

    I wish my WBC was in the normal range. So I didnt have to worry so much.

    Candice

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  • ---
    --- Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2011

    ksmatthews,

    thanks.  i find myself doing the same thing on chemo-on days.  i'm just way too bored at home so i thought i'd ask you guys what keeps you busy on days like these.

    thank you,

    laureen

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Blondlawyer: I am with Patriotic--good to know as early as possible what is not working. GO AC!! KILL THAT MO FO CANCER! GET AWAY FROM MY GIRLS!!!

    Laureen: I watch TV. I go to starbucks and relax in the morning. I slept a lot this past round. I do one chore a day, such as drive to the grocery store, or do a load of laundry. I also go on the boards when I am not sleeping. Best wishes to your nails, Laureen. I will keep you posted on my nails.

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  • Katarina
    Katarina Member Posts: 386
    edited June 2011

    Migraine Headaches --- the RN's told me they use Excedrin Migraine OTC for theirs and they've found it works better than prescription meds.

    Chemo Brain - yes, I think it's stress/trauma related but also the many drugs interacting like a cocktail that just messes up your focus and ability to think straight. I take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs and while I think they help me relax from stress I wonder if they contribute to the foggy brain.

    What works best for Heartburn and Indigestion?   I had my round yesterday and suffering from these SEs now more than anything. 

    NEULASTA -- they cut my shot dosage in half. I had WBC around 12,500 yesterday just before getting in the chair which is too high. The Neulasta did little last chemo round from keeping me out of the hospital with Sepsis and a WBC of 42,000. I wish my WBC were normal range or below like the rest of you. When it's higher than normal that's also a risk factor. I'm sure my ONC will get this right and I have confidence in him.  I think the extreme body pain that only Dilaudid helped with while I was in the hospital was due to Neulasta. I'm not feeling any pain yet but then just had my shot today. I'll stay hopeful.

    Blonde lawyer -- I'm sorry to hear your tumor is not shrinking but all the ONCs have said that knowing what protocol does work before surgery is a big part of winning the battle. You sound like you are in good hands and getting the support and medical help you need. Hugs and best wishes to you. 

     Hang in there everyone. I'm near bald but not caring about it too much. 

    Hugs.

    Kat 

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Yes, I am glad that they found out early that taxol will not work for me.  I am just frustrated with everything and so very tired.  I miss my husband and wish that he was here to help me through this. I'll get through it...today was just not a good day.  

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  • DebRox
    DebRox Member Posts: 437
    edited June 2011

    Katarina: I started taking prilosec at the first sign of indigestion. I didn't have any problems. I took it for about 5 days.



    Blonde lawyer: sorry to hear you had a bad day. This journey is a roller coaster. Hang in there. They will find something that works for you! You will get through this, we are here for you!

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    Laureen - I am working through my treatments, and that fills my days.  Then I come home and crash!

    Katarina - I use Maalox for the heartburn and indigestion.  Works like a charm for me.

    Blondelawyer - Great that they are proactively changing your treatment.  You can do this!

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited June 2011

    Laureen, I feel for you and your nails! My hands feel weird and my nails are super sensitive, I think this usually happens with taxol and not ac, but I guess not for us! Mine haven;t turned black, they just hurt. My nurse sugggested neosporin on nails and cuticles and then put on cotton gloves to sleep in, I might try it. I get bored on the days I don;t feel good. I sleep, watch tv and post here, plus I have my animals that I have to take care of. I have to let the chickens out of the coop into their run, let the goats out into the pasture, and let the little dogs in and out about 4 times daily, don't know what they do when I am at work. I work a couple days on my good week for about 4 hours and that helps a bit but wears me out, I don't know how you do it NeeCee!

    Blondelawyer, sorry to hear your news. I have a ct scan on wednesday to see it my 3 treatments of ac have done anything. Were you on taxol only? I thought you had said it was taxol and something else? When Im done with 4-6 ac they want to do taxol/carbo on me. I am thinking if the ac shrinks everything that I should have surgery, rads  and then do the taxol/carb, but I guess they wouldn;t know how it worked then. I have inoperable internal mammary nodes, so it;s up to the chemo and rads and if they start growing, well that thought scares me too much.....

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  • ---
    --- Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2011

    neecee,

    you are at A/C, too right?  how is it possible that you are able to work during chemo?  I am literally down during chemo-on days and can't possibly do any work!  You're a superwoman my dear!

    Laureen

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  • ---
    --- Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2011

    cyborg and bkj66,

    thanks for sharing on what you guys do during chemo-on days.  i'm just going crazy here at home!  Today is my 5th day post #3A/C.  My goal is to drive out today. 

    Laureen

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  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    I guess my nails turning black on the a/c has hit me harder than the hair loss. Partly because I was so prepared for the hair and not the nails yet and partly because bc just keeps taking and taking. It's been a million degrees here and so I don't even want to sit on my patio.



    So polish on or off?

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  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Laureen my goal is to drive by day 6 post tx .... By that time I'm losing it stir crazy! ;)

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    Laureen - no, I am on T/C. 

    Beaglesgirl - Why not paint them dark?

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Paint them dark- I agree! Use non- acetone remover and be gentle.

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  • MargieC
    MargieC Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2011

    Hi All

    For those of you working through chemo what have you done to deal with the stiffness from sitting too long?  I had TCH #2 Mon and my Neulasta shot on Tues.  Yesterday I was at my desk for 10 hours only getting up to go to the bathroom and last night I had the work hip/leg pain to the point where I only slept for 2 hours.  (I work remotely so I am at my home which does make things easier).  

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    MargieC - I am working through treatment, but can't be much help with your question.  I work in retail, and am on my feet for 8 hours.  I do find that I have trouble sometimes with pain when I have to bend or squat, and have to brace myself going both down and up.  I take advil for the pain.

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  • MargieC
    MargieC Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2011

    Thanks Neecee....  I am a project manager so spend a lot of time sitting on my butt working on the computer.  One of my staff suggested setting an egg timer and getting up and moving around everytime it goes off.  I moved around a lot more when I got my first shot and did find it helped.  I just need to remember to get up and move.

    Have a great day and weekend.....

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    MargieC - that is a good suggestion.  Give that staffer a raise!  Or at least a chocolate bar!

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  • MargieC
    MargieC Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2011

    Neecee----  I am lucky to work for a great company with a great team......

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  • CiaoVino
    CiaoVino Member Posts: 15
    edited June 2011

    Nails...

    i was it would be "ok" to get my nails done in the few days before chemo. i'm the girl that gets a mani/pedi EVERY week so this news kinda sucked. BUT...i've actually done my own thing (and did tell my nurse what i was doing). I bring my own supplies. and switched from my neighborhood corner nail place to a spa in a luxury hotel. that way...i know it's super clean. chemo screws with too much...i want to still have nice nails. ha. oh, the small things....

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    I was on Taxol and an experimental drug (as part of the iSpy study).  I'm out of the study now because of all of this. So, I'll do AC (either 4 or 6 DD treatments) and then something else I think (yet to be determined).  

    I'm feeling a bit better about it today, though still discourage and frustrated with all of it.  I'm just overwhelmed and exhausted with cancer and all of the other stuff. 

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  • DebRox
    DebRox Member Posts: 437
    edited June 2011

    CiaoVino; that is what I was going to do, but then I got scared. My nails haven't been done for over 3 weeks now. They did slow down in growing for about 10 days. Now I'm in desperate need to a mani/pedi. If I go, it will be on the weekend, my next tx is Tuesday. Ugh. Btw are you giving up wine permanently? I'm looking forward to a nice cab once I'm done this tx!



    Everyone; I'm staring to get anxious about infusion number 2 on Tuesday. I'm breaking down and crying and worrying! I don't want to do this, don't want to be here! I hate this @&$/:; disease!

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    {{{blondelawyer}}}

    {{{DebRox}}} 

    Ladies, you can do this!  You are stronger than you think!

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  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited June 2011

    I use the new otc med Zegerid for my heartburn, and occasionaly eat a tums.  This works for me.

    I take chemo day and the day after off at work, then work only pt.  I rotate between sitting and standing.  I feel the more I keep busy the better I feel.  (after those first few days).

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    Margie - I'm still working FT, but take the afternoon off for chemo.  I didn't have much soreness with A/C nor neulasta, but am experiencing more back pain as I get more Taxol txs.  It helps so much to take a walk at lunch time and then after dinner too.  Even if you have to stay at your desk, stand up and move your legs around every hour.  (Do you use Outlook calendar?  Set a reminder on there!)  Good luck!

    DebRox - I wish I could come to you right now and give you a big hug and cry with you.  Yesterday I had my 12th of 16 treatments and I'm sorry to report that I cry before everyone damn one of them.  I used to get so anxious that I was having mild panic attacks about it too until my MO gave me xanax.  Don't be afraid to ask for something.  It may not stop the tears, but it'll calm the nerves!  And, yes, I hate this @#$% disease too!

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    blondelawyer - sorry today's not much better.  Wish I could come hug and cry with you too!

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