Chemo May 2011

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    For those of you on AC, what do you days following the treatment look like?  With Taxol, days 3 and 4 were my worse side effect wise.  I hear that AC side effects are worse and last longer...what days can I expect to be miserable?

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited June 2011

    Hey ladies, Finally had my first treatment yesterday,  Don't think I like the steroids that much.  Had a headache for a day and a half.  Other than that I've felt good for the most part but am feeling flushed & hot & a little queasy this evening.  Just wondering, is this normal? 

    Blondelawyer - since I'm only on my day two I really don't know what to expect but I had Taxotere + a/c yesterday and the nurse said that Sat and Sun were going to be my worse days, this was also what a friend on the same cocktail told me.  Hope that helps.

     Take care everyone.

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    mccrimmon324:  I felt flush for the day or two after my taxol treatments--my oncologist said it is from the steroids.

  • txladysara
    txladysara Member Posts: 52
    edited June 2011

    Hello May Ladies, Sorry about those going through so much today, Blondelawyer, hang in there. 38-yrold/Candice, sorry to hear that you're in pain, I hope the Dr. can prescribe something to ease it. The rest of the Ladies, hope that as the day progresses it will get better. I have had a pretty hard week myself, my dear brother is in the hospital really sick. They wanted my parents to sign the DNR. It was horrible but God is good and he pulled my brother through. :) But my stress level is so high. I want to cry! But hey we must go on. The problem I have now is discharge, vaginal discharge plus constipation still. I am wondering if anyone else is having this issue. If it doesn't go away by Monday I will call the Dr. So my tummy hasn't been feeling good.

    The good news, I got an email that I was "adopted" by two angels, lol. It's a program called chemo angels where they send you little notes of encouragement and little gifts. I should get something in the mail within 14 days. :)

    Well, i'm looking forward to dinner, hubby and I are going to make fried rice and a chicken stir fry w/ frozen veggies since I guess they are safer for me than fresh veggie. I am so looking forward to it.

    Everyone have a blessed day and here's to the days going by fast and we can look back soon and chemo be something in the past!!

    Bye, Sara 

  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    mccrimmon324 - I am on Taxotere and Cytoxan, and had a headache from the Cytoxan for days.  I was also flushed after treatment from the steroids.  Nausea started for me about 24 hours after treatment, and I felt like I had the flu.

    blondelawyer - I am on TC, so not quite the same, but my worst days were 3 and 4, then 7 and 8.

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

    Blondelawyer, Idid ac and taxol 8/9 years ago and I had an easier time with ac. This time ac is kicking my a**. Doc said it would be harder on me this time and it is. Plus I am doing dose dense this time and I did every 3 weeks last time. I feel good the first day after treatment and then bad for a few days, gradually improving after day 5. I ger a 24 hour drip, which nobody else seems to do and that might make my timeframe a bit different, but Laureen and I seem to have the same timeframe for bad se's except I think she feels bad on the first day after. The second week I feel almost normal, just get tired quicker when doing normal activities, but that might change with the cumalitive affect. treatment 4 on wednesday, he keeps shorting me a day because of his traveling schedule. He gave me the choice, short a day or add 3, I was not about to add 3 days longer without chemo:) Although I would have a good weekend if I did!

  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Blondlawyer, I am on dose dense A/C and I have had a really hard time with it. I'm 2 tx down 2 more to go. I have bad SE for 5 or 6 days and then I am just tired the second week. But able to do one or two errands a day.

  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Went to the step son's graduation. Worn out now and the family went out . I'm alone and I feel sad and scared. Ugh. Like I am hoping I will make it to the other kids graduations. Crazy. Wore my wig to the graduation . Had a few chuckles with my boyfriend how I looked like I was in disguise with the wig and sunglasses.

  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg - sorry you are feeling sad and scared.  It unfortunately comes with the diagnosis.  I keep reminding myself that I am doing this for the future.  I totally understand about the wig thing - it feels so unnatural to me, like I am in a play or something.  I keep flashing to movies and TV shows where the actor puts on a wig.  I feel much more honest when I am wearing a scarf or a hat.

    We went out to dinner tonight and I wore a scarf.  I caught people sneaking a peek, and I am thinking they are wondering why I have no hair. Or maybe they were just admiring my beautiful BeauBeau scarf!

  • Sue53
    Sue53 Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg, I hate that sad and scared feeling...seems to creep up unexpectedly too.  I didn'y get a wig because my head gets so hot, even in scarves but am thinking it would be nice to go out and not feel like m head is out there for everyone to see.  

    Neecee, what are these beaubeau scarves? 

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited June 2011

    My husband found this site for me.  They will send you a free scarf of your choice.  I just sent an email to them but they seem legit.  Let me know if the link doesn't work

    http://www.franceluxe.com/i/goodwishesscarves/GoodWishesScarves.html

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    Blondelawyer, I had my 2nd cycle of dose dense AC last Wednesday.  I go once every two weeks.  I receive a 25 min IV drip of Cytoxan first then my chemo nurse administers 3 syringes of Adriamyacin into my IV line.  I'm done in 45 minutes.  With each cycle, I have had minimal SEs.  My major complaints have been the heartburn, constipation and fatigue that sets in on day 6/7.  Hair loss occurred on-schedule about two days after my 2nd tx.  I hope you breeze through with no SEs.

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Marcya: thanks for the info.  I'm also doing DD.  My oncologist said that the infusion will take a lot longer than yours though.  I guess I'll see on Monday!

  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg I totally understand those feelings. The hardest times for me are when I'm alone b/c I'm too worn out or sick to join the family. Sounds like you and I are suffering similar emotional issues from this darn disease. Hugs to you.

  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    Blondelawyer - along with pre drugs, my AC took 2 hours. Worst days for me were 4/5 but I did every three weeks. Not sure if that means my dose was smaller or larger than yours will be. Look at it this way - not everyone gets to plan when they will have the flu! It's gonna be tough but so are we! You can do this!

  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited June 2011

    Sue53 - they are pre-tied scarves designed for women with hair loss.  They come in a variety of colors and either silk or rayon.  They are nice because you can wear them several different ways for different looks.  The website is 4women.com

    Hugs to everyone feeling sad, scared, anxious, depressed, or just plain sick of stupid cancer!

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    I am an emotional mess today too.  I miss my husband so much and am having trouble finding my reason to fight right now.  I hate this!

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

    Just me being whinny. Edited to knock it off.

    Diagnosis: 4/5/2011, IDC, 2cm, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2-

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Thanks bkj66.  I lost my dad to cancer about a year ago and haven't scratched the surface on grieving that one.  I feel like I have just had loss after loss piled on and am so exhausted.  I just want me husband here to hold me and instead I'm alone.  With the loss and trauma of the death and now cancer...it makes total sense that I am a mess, but knowing that is is normal doesn't make it any easier.  I am just venting tonight :(

  • cothi76
    cothi76 Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2011

    @blondelawyer   I've been emotional wreck today and feeling like cr@p for the 1st time since my 1st infusion on tuesday. Big hugs to you!!

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

    Hi Everybody,

    I have been reading mixed messages with varied emotions on the thread.  I hope eveybody is hanging in there.  I managed to drive out today as planned!  I went to the supermarket to buy my cravings and Macy's. 

    I have been having muscle and bone pains probably from the neupogen shots but nevertheless, feeling better now.  One noticeable thing though was my limited energy level.  I was pooped after roaming around a floor in the mall. Hugs to everyone!

    Laureen

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

    blondelawyer,

    i read your message about your loss of dad and now the cancer.  it does sound a heavy pile up of grieving.  i hope you take your time mending your heart and taking care of yourself.  we are all here for you.

    laureen

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited June 2011

    ((blondelawyer)) hugs to you!

  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Laureen:  I also lost my husband seven months ago--that one has been the hardest.  It seems unreal that so much could happen in such a short period of time!

    Thanks everyone for the support! 

  • Patriotic
    Patriotic Member Posts: 281
    edited June 2011

    Well, now the persistent headaches seem to be a staple on day 3.  It's minor compared to what some of you are going through.  I am going to try Acupuncture, as several of you lovely ladies have recommended.  We shall see.

    I hope everyone has a nice weekend. 

  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    {{{{{blondelawyer}}}}}

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

    Edited because I never meant to hurt anyone's feelings, just don't always know the appropriate thing to say. Sorry.
    Diagnosis: 4/5/2011, IDC, 2cm, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2-

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited June 2011
  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited June 2011

    bkj66

    Sending hugs to you and hoping things will get better.  We are always here for you. 

  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Oh bj66 and blonlawlawyer I understand completely. All I can tell you is you can only do your best which is work on saving your life. To he'll with the rest of it. I lost my 6 figure a year job after my last wrestle with the grim reaper and I thought that it would leave me depressed but it was such a joy to wake up and be alive. My career was over but I was not defined by it I was defined by my kids and dogs and my friends. It sounds impossible when your in the thick of it. 2008 when my healthy husband had a sudden cardiac arrest and died in front of our youngest child and then I suffered a massive stroke at his funeral I though I too would die of the pain. 3 kids, widowed, suddenly disabled, we lost everything.... We get up and rebuild one brick at a time.



    And I'll do it again after B/C is done knocking me on my ass..



    Have hope in yourselves, the strength is within you... It's out instinct to survive. Go with it



    Love to all

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