August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!
Comments
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Chrys- Here w/ ya. I for sure have the aches and pains. I feel like crap, fall into whining frenzies. Am now going to peruse the friendly-sounding "Taxotere is a Nightmere" post. Seems like the place for me.
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Oh Chrys you are not alone in this, I have felt so bad I couldn't even get on the computer to whine about it. I must have slept all day yesterday and the aches and apins are horrible. I can't imagine this gets worse each time, I don't think I could move next time. However, I am sorry you are feeling so rough, just if it helps to know, you are not alone in it. I too feel like a baby whining on here when others seem to be doing better. But we do have different tx and different bodies that react differently, so I think it's ok to whine. Just waiting for the day when I wake up and say oh ok, I'm back again for a bit now. I hope you have lots of support from family & friends?? I couldn't imagine being alone thru this.
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VTellen Grimbo & Chris , so sorry you are not feeling great after TX 2 but if its any consolation a friend of mine who went through Chemo a yr ago told me her second treatment she didnt do well on but the rest were fine. hope this is true for you guys ,
Sarah1970, I do agree with you re: the TE issue I had a lot of discomfort after first TX but it only lasted a day or two, I am sure it is something to do with the chemo, hope the pain eases for you .
I had a wonderful day woke up this morning and didnt freak when I saw my almost bald head , cant believe I am taking it so well, as this was my BIGGEST fear of all , I then went for a lovely 2 mile walk on the beach, and had my wig it was so windy and my wig didnt budge TG ,went to a restuarant for lunch and didnt even feel bad with the wig granted noone knew me there it is so much more comfortable with no hair under it , I really think knowing I have so many supporters through this has made it so much easier and my Hubbie just loves my bald head LOL he spent last night rubbing it . and my Son loves my bald head LOL
I cannot beleive my second TX is on thursday (bring it on ) then I will only have 4 more to go , if the time keeps flying by this journey we are all on will be over before we know it ,
Best wishes to all having Tx in next few days ,
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VtEllen, Grimbol & Chrys23, don't feel at all bad about whining. We are all here to support each other. If it makes you feel better to vent, please go ahead! I feel very fortunate that I've been able to tolerate the chemo well so far, but I also realize that could change with every treatment. The worst thing for me has been fatigue in the 3 to 4 days after tx. With my daughters back in school this week, I'm planning to get out for a long walk every day to see if that will help. I've also got some new yoga DVDs to try out.
Jenn and Dianamaps, I also went to the fair on Friday. My girls love to go and I didn't want to disappoint them. The worst part was the heat...it was almost unbearable. I even went on a few rides. I wore one of my scarves and didn't feel like I was getting any odd looks or anything. I guess I'm getting used to it all.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.
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Chrys, Grimbol, Ellen...the muscle aches are the worst part for me. I can hardly move around today. Hoping this is short lived this time. Sorry to whine!
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Can I join the whining please. Already had one melt down. Stayed in bed all day yesterday just so tired and kept taking the ativan. Woke up feeling little better went to church but then camje home and it hit again. Just waiting for the day I wake up feeling normal again. Still horrible test in mouth and nothing taste good. I feel like a big baby, I hate being sick. Sorry to whine. Thanks for listening.
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Whine all you want Capinva! You make me feel like I'm not the only wimp! Sorry you aren't feeling well either! I cried today...and I'm tough. I tell myself that this isn't something to cry over. But I've cried twice now after the chemo. And only maybe a handful of times over this whole nightmare!
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{{{Hugs}}} to all my bc friends that are going through hell right now. I hope you are all feeling better soon.
I am having what I refer to as a 'neutral' day. It is day 7 of my 3rd treatment.
Someone mentioned going to the state fair. That sounds great. I think when the experts say to stay away from crowds, I feel like they mean indoor crowds. Not outside in nature.
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vtEllen, Grimbol, Robyn -- Oh man -- feel better ladies! We should start a "Aches & Pains during Chemo" group.
It's funny, but it's not! Grimbol: I do have support; thank you for asking. My hubbie has been great and my sister too....they know that these are my 'bad' days now. I'm going to drag myself and go out to dinner tonight with my hubbie; I've been craving seafood and a baked potatoe, so that's what I'm going to do; even if my whole body hurts. Capinva - I hope you feel better too!
Thanks for the support ladies; it's so good we have each other to lean on (literally) LOL
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Hi All - Sorry some or you are having horrible SEs. I know after my first tx I was really tired and crabby for at least 5 days. I had an awful headache that comes and goes still. Does anyone else get headaches? I asked my MO and she said it may be from one of the anti nausea meds that they administer pre-chemo. She gave me an RX for zofran to help my nausea, but said that sometimes gives people headaches. Does anyone get headaches from the zofran? The compazine doesn't seem to help me much and I don't want to take the ativan during the day cuz it makes me so sleepy.
On a different note, I haven't taken the ativan the last two nights before bed and have had some really crazy dreams! Anyone else experiencing this?
Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. TX #2 for me on Wednesday. Kids start school Tuesday so at least I will be feeling good for the first day of school.
Hugs to all.
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I was dragged out for indian food last night, time to get out of the house sort of thing.. It was delicious and I completely pigged out! Then, had a maple creemee! Which sounds gross together, now that I think of it..... Anyway, Go for it Chrys!
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A couple weeks ago, I was drinking a bottle of Honest Tea and there was a quote on the bottle from Winston Churchill that said "When you're going through hell, keep going." I think that is so fitting for all of us! I try to keep that in mind every day.
Hugs and love to all of you!!!!
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JMULL - count me in for headaches and crazy dreams! I had really bad headache days 1-4 (no zofran) and REALLY crazy dreams up to day 6 (I don't take any meds for sleeping). I remember the first night after the normal sleep I was so happy those went away! I was afraid to ask about that so thanks a lot for asking and TG I'm not out of my mind yet
My second one is on Wednesday as well and our daughter starts university on Thursday but at least she's 18
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Hi all. I too get bad headaches for the first few days after a treatment. Tylenol helps though, one of my nurses at the infusion center said that it was from one of the premeds.
I went to the Blue Hill Fair today, lot of walking but I have to share with everyonee two things that happened today. I wore a bc bandana on my head. It is pink with darker pink ribbons imprinted on it. So I am walking around and on the way out this older lady stops me and asks if I am in treatment. I said yes, 3 of 8 done. She says to me, "I am a 4 yr survivor" I am glad yoy cae back this way. I gave her a big hug and congratulated her. She wished me luck with my treatments. She said the hair will grow back.
The other one is: I was wearing a pink bc braclet, the rubber kind. I got off the pink ribbon store. I had gotten 5. So on the way out this older gentleman stopped me and asked where I got the bc bracelet. I told him online. He had been looking all over the place for one, because his wife was just diagnosed with bc. I took it off and gave it to him. He had tears in his eyes and gave him a big hug too. He immediately put it around his wrist. I feel I will be her angel. I started crying on my way out. I made a little difference iin someones life,. HOPE, COURAGE, LOVE!!
Hugs to everyone that has to go throug what we go through. jenn</p> -
Jbagely: I bet you feel awesome after those experiences, I had a beautiful experience yesterday a guy I met through my brotherinlaw whom I have only met 2 times but is on my facebook page sent me a link to show me he had shaved his head to support me I didnt just have a huge smile on my face but also a smile in my heart , I am finding that as hard as this experience is for all of us there are so many people out there to support us and this WILL get us through ,
BIG HUGS to all of you who are suffering with bad SE's , I may be there with you as my next TX is on thursday and although the first one wasnt bad I dont know how my body will handle this one.
Have a good day everyone , !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jbagley- when my mom lived in Me., she used to go every year to the Blue Hill Fair. She would get me a clump of great smelling Sweet Annie Artimisia. Grew it myself this year, and harvested it last week.
Kasi- thanks for the quote! It is very apropos for us.
Helped me yesterday to focus on killing the evil cancer invaders, and not my discomfort. I actually envisioned cornering one of them and let some anger roll out! I have been taking more of a deer in the headlights stance since this all began. Time to saddle up and fight.
My other thought of the morning is: do you think that it is the same strength dose each time? Just kinda wondering. It certainly fels stronger. BUT, it is now 1 week from dose (had it mon.) and it is still early, but I have hopes for a more normal and active day!!!!!
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Summergirl, just seeing the look in the older gentlemans heart when I gave him the bracelet, melt my heart and did put a smile on it as you said. I made his moment. There are still good people out there.
Good morning all, hope s/e aren't too bad. It is pouring here, newport maine. Prob willl all day!
I go for #4bc tomorrow, have to be there for blood draw at 740, that's the earliest yet. Gotta get zach to daycare then abby on the bus then scoot to lafayette cancer center which is about 30 min away.
My s/e usually start day 2, nausea, icky feeling, then on day 32 I am so fatigued, I have a had time getting up over my stairs to get to the bathroom. so we all have s/e but we are all different. I whine a lot and cry a lot after chemo. I think it is the chemo, it has happened after every tx I have had. I sometimes just start, sometimes I don't even have the enery to cry.
Hope everyone has a safe holiday. To those who are post tx, you are in my heart, sending healing energy to. (Reiki energy). Soon to be reiki 2.
Jennifer. Hugs,</p> -
jbagley, great stories! It rained here most of the day yesterday. - Looks like it has travelled east to you today. It's a bit cloudy here and I just hung some laundry on the line so it will rain for sure now!
vtEllen, I'm pretty sure it's the same dose every time, but it builds up in your system so you get a bit of a cumulative effect.
Today feels like a bonus day for me as I should be having AC #3 today but it got moved to tomorrow because of the holiday.
Enjoy the Labour Day holiday everyone in the US and Canada!
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Good morning everyone..Sorry to hear that some of you aren't doing so well
I feel my positiveness is slowly going out the window..I just want to hibernate till Dec.6th!! I have 7 tx to go!!! How are you all staying so strong?? I thought I was doing ok but this weekend all I did was cry when no one was around...my kids start school tomorrow and they dont want to leave me..
Thats great summergirl!!!
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Taylor, for the last week I have been just waiting for "bedtime" when i can take my little ativan and zone out in the dark. I cry a lot, as well. Quiet tears, loud tears, weak rolling down the cheeks tears. I am a goal-orientated person. And this treatment would be WAY easier to get my head around if I knew for sure it was a cure. If I knew for sure, it would really work. So, I am trying to learn to accept and let go. It will definitely be MY biggest life lesson. Of course, while I am trying to be profound and write this, my border collie is going around in circles biting her own tail. Haha! Love my dogs!
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Has anyone had a persistant headache, like 4,5 days in a row?
i've been having a bad headache every single day, and im on my 12the day after my 2nd treatment.. just hoping it's a common side effect and nothing more serious.
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After the first tx I did have headaches, but I do tend to get them in my normal life! This time so far I haven't had any to speak off. Sorry. Extreme exhaustion and horrible bone aches but no headache.
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Hi Everyone, I've been eavesdropping on your conversations for a few days and just got up the nerve this afternoon to join in after I read the last post from vtEllen: it was like I had written those very words. I couldn't express how I feel any better. Although I'm not feeling as nauseated during this 2nd round as I did my first, I feel like it's one nasty SE after another. I thought losing my hair was the worst that could happen; then suddenly a couple days ago my face and neck broke out in a very unattractive rash. Geez, could I feel uglier? I don't know if it's the chemo, the steroids or my own out-of-whack hormones. Anyone else dealing with this? I'm also curious whether anyone on Taxotere has had any allergic reactions during infusion. I didn't during my 1st infusion but did during my 2nd. My onc RN said they'd had many, many more reactions since going to the generic Taxotere from Doxetaxel, but insurance companies won't pay for the Doxetaxel anymore.
Thanks, everyone, for lettting me read your words and join your community. Peace.
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cupcakies -You are not alone! I had bad headaches after AC round 1. Felt like my head was in a vice. I had these pretty bad the first few days and they have come and gone since. I am guessing they subsided by day 10, but I still have light ones. My MO said it could be from one of the pre-meds they use. She also said that others have complained that zofran gives them headaches. I am not on zofran, yet, but now have an rx for it. Just don't know if I want to use it if it makes my headaches worse.
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Debinutahi--i have bad breakouts on my chin and face after every treatment, then it takes about 230 weeks for it to clear then another round. Another breakout. My headaches are bad too.
I got the courage to shave my head, I had just little sprigs on top. It def looks better shaved. My kids love it.
Tomorrow is tx day, #4. Might not be on for a few.
Hugs to all. Minimal s/e all.
Jenn -
Well, I finally did it. I buzzed the hair. It started falling out on day 13 just like you said it would. Since i was wanting to donate it I buzzed it before it thinned. I think I'm going to send it to locks of love. Maybe it'll mean something to little girl.
I'm sorry you are having SE. I lucked out round 1 with only 2 days of fatigue and nausea. Round 2 is next Monday. I hope and pray you feel better tomorrow.
Jen -
Hey DebinUtah- welcome! sorry about the rash. So far not one of my SEs, but have seen it mentioned. Not sure what to suggest. Hope that your allergic reaction to taxotere wasn't too scary. I know it happens on the 1st or 2nd dose occassionally. I am thrilled to say that I have worked past the big C (took a week this time) and am now into metal mouth and lip numbness.
Good Luck tomorrow, Jbagley! Hope for minimal SEs for you,
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Good luck tomorrow Jenn!!!
Welcome DebinUtah!!
Wishing everyone a S/E free week!!
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well done J Bagly and Jendon on shaving the head, its hard but I bet you feel a lot better now its done and over with,
I have been having a good time until tonight, feeling confident today I decided to go out to my local with my wig on, and although I walked in with my head held high and feeling good aboyt myself , it wasnt what people said that bothered me it was what they didnt say, I contunued to be MYSELF laughiing and joking but left very disheartened, My hubbie said he thinks they may have just not known what to say, as most of them knew I had shaved my head and had a wig on, but I have to say it did knock me back, does anyone else feel this way that there are certain people who would normally talk to you but since DX they just seem to avoid you , I dont like that feeling because as a person I dont feel any different but when people act this way it really brings me down , I hope tommorrow I will have a more confident day I am trying to not let this upset me but its hard.
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Taylor and vtEllen--thank you for the good wishes.
Summergirl--don't take it personally if someone you know doesn't talk to you at first. Some people (I said some), they don't know what to say. I think they are afraid to say something thinking you might cry or be offended. People just don't know what to say. I work in a doctor's office as FNP, I have only had 4 people come to visit out of 20. These 4 people are "strong" people.
Good luck everyone this week.
HUGS, FAITH, COURAGE, STRENGTH, LOVE.
jennifer
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