Chemo May 2011

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  • DebRox
    DebRox Member Posts: 437
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg: so sorry to hear that. Hope you are ok? I'm not sure what cellulitis is, do you have to go to hospital?

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Debrox - a type of infection. My meds are at pharmacy and hopefully David ( the husband like figure I have) will pick up these strong antibiotics for me. No fever. Thank god. But my breast is pink and it gets hard. A bummef, but the meds help!!!!

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  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Keep us posted, that is awful... And painful :(

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

    What's causing the cellulitis Cyborg?  Sorry your feeling so bad!

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    ITi's weird. I haven't thrown up on chemo during the past 2 rounds.I felt nausea but not this. Antibiotics are on the way. Thanks for being there. You guys are there like no other.

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  • dlcw
    dlcw Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg - hope the meds are there and you are able to keep them down - I know antibiotics can be hard on an empty stomach - hang in there and I hope you feel better soon and the cellulitis is knocked out quickly.

     I had my first Taxol today - 11 to go!  I opted to do the 12 weekly and start with the Taxol.  I was surprised at how much the benadryl impacted me - had an incredibly hard time staying awake in the chair - then I started to feel really restless and had to stand up and pace around the little cube I was in...wierd.  Came home and took a really long nap and now am feeling great.  I've read that Day 3-4 can be no fun so will wait and see.  I'm really happy to be back on treatment and moving towards finishing up and putting this year behind me!  I have an appointment with a nutritionist on Friday and am focusing on eating right and exercising (a bit and need to do more).  I read the book 'Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life' and figure it can't hurt to do everything I can to fight this in addition to the drugs and radiation.

    Blondelawyer - hope the A/C starts to shrink the tumor right away and you get the emotional boost of that - I know when I was on the trial and my tumor measurements were going down it was an amazing positive feeling.

    Hang in there everyone!

    dlcw

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    DebRox - stuck in the nightmare is exactly right.  Before I started all of these chemo treatments, I read how physically it was going to try to kick my butt.  Nothing prepared me for the emotional battle that IS kicking my butt.  Today I cried and prayed all the way home from work - felt better actually :)

    Cyborg - OH NO!  On throwing up the meds and the infection again.  That just stinks!  I wish I could say something that would help - but I've been there on AC and know it's really something you have to just get through - one minute at a time if necessary.  {{HUGS}}

    dlcw - That is EXACTLY how I react to the Benedryl.  I have had 8 Taxols so far (#9 tomorrow) and reacted the same way every time.  My awesome nurses actually unplug my IV machine so I can walk around the suite.  They tease me and say goodnight when they start the Benedryl and joke that they'll see me on my walk.  As for days 3-4, I haven't had much trouble at all.  I get tx on Thursdays and have a slight backache on Monday and Tuesday - nothing advil doesn't knock out.  Heating pad and walking help a lot too.   Keep us posted.

    You guys are the best!  Hugs and encouragement to all - so blessed we have each other :)

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

    Mccrimmon, my wig has never slipped off, just felt like it when I tried the liner, didn't like it so I go without. It gets itchy occassionally, but when I am busy I forget about it and it is fine, but at the end of the day I whoip that thing off! I only work 4 hours at a time, all I can do right now.

    CT news-my scan showed 99% of the tumor was gone, at one point the radiologist said there was no cancer to be seen where the metal clip was! Nodes have shrank to 2 to 3 mm, that is from over 1 cm, i think one was close to 2 cm in the internal mammary chain. Doc thinks there may only be dead tissue there now because the nodes are so small. This was after my 3rd AC, 3 to go and then on to taxol/carbo. I still think I am in shock, a good shock. It hasn't sunk in yet that I had just a good response already. Maybe my doc is really on to something with this 24 hour ac drip?!

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Bkj66 that is fantastic . What a loft.

    Dicw and mamav- thank you for the love. Was nauseated before antibiotic and now I have just slept for the early part of the evening. I don't know why I am nauseated this time. I have a feeling I will feel better tomorrow.



    I hope everyone is feeling better. I thinking about blondelawyer too.

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited June 2011

    Today was the worst so far for me. It is my nadir day from my 4th Taxol. Diarrhea, tired, spacey, sad, lazy, achy. just not happy at all. had a to do list and got very little done. my little tattoo shop is doing well this week so collecting cold hard cash can make the day a little better.

     blondelawyer, i hope you are doing well...

    wig wearers, i have a very flat head in back and am trying to use toupee/wig tape to help hold wig down since there is no ridge to catch the cap under. does anyone have any tips on using the tape. if so, consider me an idiot and start from step 1. do you put the tape on the inside of wig 1st or on head first? do you put it in the scant hairline or below the hairline... front and back? any tips or tricks will be so greatly appreciated... really...  

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  • Patriotic
    Patriotic Member Posts: 281
    edited June 2011

    Bkj66, that is awesome news. So happy for you. This makes starting AC next month seem more reassuring.



    Dlcw, yes the darn Benadryl stinks. It's the worst part of the process, IMHO. I feel like I've been drugged and in a bit of a stupor after.



    Everyone, we are making it through another week. :)

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  • Patriotic
    Patriotic Member Posts: 281
    edited June 2011

    Cyborg, what did they suggest to keep your anti-nausea meds down? Ugh. I hope you are feeling better soon.

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    I think it was a fluke. I got those meds down. I feel better.



    Twisted steel sorry u r in the funk.

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Patriotic:  I only got through 3 DD Taxol treatments, but started AC the next week.  My oncologist actually considered starting it earlier but he decided not to because of the SE I was having from Taxol and also some concern that it would be too hard on my blood counts. 

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    That is amazing bkj66!!!

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    I'm doing okay.  Went to PT today and that was fine.  Started to get fatigued by late afternoon, which is similar to how I felt with Taxol.  I'm not sleeping as well as I would like, probably because of the steroids.  I'm anticipating that tomorrow might be a bad day (day 3 was hard on taxol, and now I'm on AC).  But, we'll see.  Nausea has been manageable so far and my mood is okay.  I think that the new anti-anxiety meds have been helping.  I am also going to see my regular therapist next week and try to keep on top of this.  The mood part is really hard and with the fatigue, I can't just keep myself busy to avoid the pain.  

     I have been thirsty like crazy though and can't seem to get enough to drink.  Could this be the dry mouth that people complain about?   

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    bkj: How does your 24-hour drip work?  Are you admitted to the hospital?

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  • Beaglesgirl
    Beaglesgirl Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Twisted, I don't have advise. Just empathy. :( I have worn my wig 2 or 3 times opting for scarves, hats beanies ....



    BkJ66: YAY YAY YAY Great news!

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

    Bkj - Woooo hooooo!  Great news!

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  • Robyn_S
    Robyn_S Member Posts: 197
    edited June 2011

    Hello everyone,

    Great news Bkj66 that's the way to kick it to the kerb! It gives a boost to hear the success stories and shows that doing this s$&;y tx can make a difference!

    It seems like everyone is battling the different SE demons this week. Day 3 post tx, mine are nausea and fatigue but not too bad and brain fog abating. It was the last FEC and onto taxotere in 3 weeks so will appreciate any advice from those that have gone before. I am particularly worried about losing fingernails. They don't advocate icing nails at my centre so wondering if anyone has any thoughts on that. I haven't lost my eyebrows or lashes yet so maybe should feel lucky so far!

    I have reason to fight hard and celebrate as I found out that I am to be a grandmother for the third time! I have a 6 month old grandson, nanna to my fiances 3 month old grandson and my daughter (mum of 6 mo) is just expecting again after having a dream baby who just sleeps, eats and smiles.

    By the end of the year I will have my hands full and treatment over! That will be something to aim for past all this! The light at the end of the tunnel!

    Goodnight everyone! One day at a time! Robyn

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

    Blondlawyer, I do have to stay at the hospital for a little over 24 hours. They do iv liquids, then premeds, then the chemo. It is kind nice, have room service and people taking care of me, willing to give me anything if I start to feel even a little sick or whatever. The down side, it does get boring, I have some visitors, but most friends and hubby are working. This 24 hour drip is something my doc has been doing for a long time for certain patients. I wonder what your doc thinks about it as he is also from swedish, it would be interesting to se what he said. I have never heard of anyone on these boards getting this treatment, but needless to say I am sold on it. Hope I am not speaking too soon, as I know cancer can go resistant at any time. Oh, I saw the bill for hospital stay, it has ranged from 40,000$ to 30,000$, times that by 6-scary expensive, maybe that is why most don't do it plus scheduling time.

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

    Cyborg, glad you are feeling better!

    Congrats Robyn S, that is something to fight for and look forward to, you will get there!

    All of you an benedryl, do yoiu feel it burn as it goes in? I remember that from last time, burned more than any other drugs, but I did not have a port at that time.

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    Let's see ...

    Cyborg - glad the nausea is passing  Sleeping it off is the best!  (I was on 3 anti-nausea meds and still felt like crap).  Only one more after this one, right?

    bkj66 - great news - shrink, shrink, shrink!  And no burning for me with Benedryl but I do have a port.

    Robyn - congrats!  What great motivation to keep plugging along!

    Twisted steel - I've been wearing my wig since Feb.  I've gotten used to it.  It has shaped to my head (even though it doesn't touch the top of my head either).  I originally started with wig tape just above my hairline in front.  I would put it on my head and then stick the wig to it.  Now I don't need tape at all.  Good luck!

    As for me - it's Taxol day. I'm at work faking that I'm ok and getting ready to head out in about 40 minutes.  I HATE this damn disease and what it has done to my life.  I am so blessed to have you guys.  I joined this site in April (even though I started chemo in January) and have found you guys to be the most supportive and honest group.  Hugs to you all!

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  • lifelover
    lifelover Member Posts: 553
    edited June 2011

    Hi Robyn S:  Just want to say that I just finished my second FEC and then will be doing Taxotere after the 3rd one and I haven't lost my eyelashes or eyebrows.  The nurse was surprised that I haven't lost any fingernails yet and they don't seem to be affected in any way.  I use jojoba oil on them and rub it in several times a day - maybe that helps or I'm just lucky.  I hope you keep doing well!

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited June 2011

    Eyebrows and lashes 100% gone here after 4th A/C.  Sucks.

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Glad to hear blondelawyer that your mood meds are assisting you.

    Robyn congratulations on your new grand baby.

    I feel better. Still have eyebrows and eyelashes.

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  • blondelawyer
    blondelawyer Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2011

    Busted out a hot pink wig today--decided I better have fun with it if I can!

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

    UGG.

    Just got home from the hospital. Went in Tuesday night midnight. with 102.7 temp was 101.8 30 mins earlier.

    They have no idea where the infection is comeing from.

    Nurse at hopital gave me some masks so I did not have to go get some.

    When I went to the hospital neither leg wanted to work so we ended up calling an ambulance.

    My mom came to our house and picked up my daughter at 1230 at night. Hubby had her last night.

    But I am home and feaver is broke. So that is good.

    Candice

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  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited June 2011

    Candice I hope you get to feeling better soon.

    Blondelawyer love the pink wig lol!

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited June 2011

    Got out , but mood issues persist.

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