Chemo May 2011

I am so sorry that you had a bad day at work yesterday Bak94.  Don't worry too much, you need to just let it all slide, well at least try to. You can't be stressing too much. Just think to yourself... This too shall pass.  It's only a season we are experiencing. I don't even know how you have the energy to go to work, I can't get going most days, too many side effects. My house is a mess and well sons help but not much. I try to think, a messy house isn't going to kill me, I need to get rest, rest is more important than having a sink w/ out dirty dishes. I get things done but later instead of sooner, LOL. I try not to stress, I try. Why not see a funny movie? That usually helps me, or I like seeing the Golden girls, or any funny tv show I enjoy. 

I got this on facebook from Pastor Joseph Prince, hope it blesses you Bak94: Have you ever been frustrated or depressed by situations in your life? Jesus wants to be the center of your life. When he is the center, every other thing we need falls perfectly into place. Be freed from sadness, grief, disappointment and discouragement as you hear more about His every lasting love for you! Jesus is heaven's remedy for all our earthly ills!! Amen!

Wow, I couldn't copy paste had to type that. I get emails from Joel Osteen and Joseph Prince all the time and also have them on my facebook and they always lift me up. I also joined chemo angels and I get cards from my angel at least weekly that too helps lift my spirits.

Hope you feel better soon Bak94 and all the May ladies having a hard day.  

mamav and beaglesgirl,

i need more info about taxol, if you don't mind giving me.  my #2 taxol was cancelled last monday due to possible liver damage.  ALT and AST were both significantly elevated.

then, my fingernails are hurting and coming off the nailbeds.  what should i do to help alleviate the discomfort.  i thought of taping them off so they won't move and come off, hehe.

thanks,

laureen

Laureen



The nail SE was one of biggest fears. I don't recall the thread but I think the lady that was on it and lost her nails was Lago. Maybe PM her and see what she did. She is a year behind us and has already survived all of this.



I never ask to look at my labs, I know I should but if there is a problem they will approach me. I am so sorry that you are having this problem, maybe they will just put you on weekly which appears to be significantly easier than the dose dense you are on.



Blessings to you, I wish I could give you a hug, your journey has been so challenging.



Laura

Laureen, start using a nail OIL everyday twice a day, toes and fingers. you need to keep them moist. i know a couple girls who did tape the nails down when they started to lift..

im so sorry this is happening.. you can get throught it.. The taxol will start to fly by... i did AC x4 and Taxol X 12..

love to you Chey

Laureen, did your doc say that you would be able to continue taxol if your levels return to normal? I don't know anything about that. I start abraxane in a couple of weeks.

The nail thing is painful. My nails started lifting on ac, but just at the very top. It feels weird and gets worse after work as my hands are in water. I did put some clear nail strenghtner on, but don't know if that does anything. Not sure about taping them. Have you been taking l-carnitine? I think that has helped mine.

Thank you all for your support. I know the work thing isn't directed at me, but it feels like it since I'm the one being moved around. It's just because I am not there very much, just thought the problem would be resolved by now, but should be good by next week. I'm the type of person where I want everything in its place (at least at work) and consistent, it stresses me out to be working at different stations and out of a box, but I guess it is a small thing and will pass.

Thank you txlady! I love the message.

Everyone,

Thanks for all the info.  I am still awaiting pending lab results.  I am to continue Taxol once my bloodwork goes back to normal.  Nails are still hurting, will communicate with my doctor about it.  Hope everyone is doing well.

Laureen

Back from pet/ct a few hours ago. Good news! 90% reduction in mammary nodes and no activity seen in breast! My mo is now telling me no carbo, just abraxane/avastin and zometa plus hormonal therapy eventually because I am 3% er positive. I don't know why he changed his mind on carbo, and he even mention herceptin, even though I am only her2 +1 which is normal I thought. Maybe he is retesting me or waiting for path report from future mastectomy-he is retesting my tumor from 8 years ago to see if it was actually er positive at all by todays standards.

Laureen-2 weeks I will be joining you with abraxane. It will be interesting to compare notes. Do you have any hair growth?

Where is blondlawyer? Already in HI having fun? I hope so!

Bak, that is really great news! We will keep praying for positive news.



Laura

Lifelover, I am thinking of you and hoping you are starting to feel better. I sent you a pm. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hello May Ladies, Well I go in for another Docetaxel tomorrow GRRRRR! I had a horrible time the first time, this will be the second time and don't wanna go but know I must. The latest side effects are.. my fingers have been peeling, the tips are all peeled, they don't hurt. Constipation is way better but yesterday I started having pains in my right rib area, it's not the ribs but underneath the middle of my ribs. I am thinking gas since i have been eating beans several days in a row. And wow I have been waking up w/ my head all sweaty!! and no period this month, does that mean I am now menopausal?? Well have a happy Sunday ladies, God bless.  LAUREEN glad its not hepatitis, hope your liver gets better soon.  LIFELOVER hope  you get well soon and are out of the hospital soon .  BAK, NEECEE, BEAGLESGIRL, MARCYA, CHEYENNA, CYBORG, MRDRN, MAMAV, AND THE REST OF THE LADIES, here's to enjoying today!! have a great Sunday Ladies. It's been 3 months already wow, time does fly God BLESS!!

Beaglesgirl - know EXACTLY how you fee.  My SE sound exactly the same.  Frustrated with not being me.  I can't do what I want, and the steroids make me crazy.  I cry over the "day I had" which was treatment day. Thankfully my husband understands.  He's had some illnesses that required heavy use of steroids and he knows how they affect the brain and emotions.  Sometimes though, when he rubs my bald head I want to smack him!

Blondelawyer - are you planning on wearing a mask on the flight to Hawaii.  My onc didn't want me to fly to Denver in Aug (week after last treatment) but she was more worried about fatigue at the altitude.  I'm stubborn....going anyway.  Have to see my grandson before school starts.

I'm going to try a bike ride tomorrow morning.  Leg pain from Taxol/Neulasta is just about gone today and I should be ready. Wish I could do my triathlons, but maybe next summer.

Weight gain - good lord yes!  And they give me meds to INCREASE my appetite.  Like they expect me to waste away to nothing.  No chance of that !!

TXladysara - the irritated eyes are a SE  -less allergy and more due to dry eye - it  will make them itchy swollen and watery. I use a lubricating eye drop several times a day to help and it works better than using an anti-allergy eye drop.

The taxotere last week kept me very low this weekend -  fatigue is still easier than nausea although everything tasts a bit off at the moment. Cannot believe how much a person can sleep and still feel tired! At least the aches are easing! It is annoying to be so puffed out over little things! Glad I only have one more to go and then 25 rads....in the home stretch now!

Laureen - fingers crossed for a healthy test result! - the taxanes are powerful lil drugs -  just think what it is doing to the bad cells!

For reference I had a small wart on my arm before chemo that has all but disappeared like magic! so I just imagine that any stray  BC cells have met a similar fate!

txlady-I hope all goes well for your next chemo! My doc told me to get a b complex vitamin, glucosamine and to keep taking my l-carnitine while on abraxane, did your doc recommend any supplements? I always hear not to take supplements during chemo, but he is the one telling me to so I guess it is ok. Maybe it is just the anti oxidants we are not suppose to take.

I am 2 weeks and 2 days past my last ac and I do still get tired very easy. Funny thing is my mind says since I have a 4 week break before starting abraxane (2 more weeks left) that I should be back to my normal self-but my body says NOT SO! I can walk 3 miles with out getting too tired but I can't change the sheets without getting tired! It seems as if bending and moving my arms are involved I get tired very easily! Anybody else feel this way?

Robyn-you are on the home stretch! Just a little warning, as I had rads 8 years ago, I got very tired on rads, the daily trips plus the se's of rads were exhausting, even though I did not burn. So plan on taking it easy (still better than being on chemo). I think sometimes we expect too much of ourselves when what we need is to rest! I am not trying to be negative, but I had thought I would gain back some of my energy on rads but boy was I pooped!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpWWERMV67Q&sns=fb something my daughter sent to me and its so true.

txlady-I hope this treatment goes smoother for you. Lasagna-sounds good, enjoy!