August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Welcome Missey29! I think it's great that you've already been wearing your wig - I wish I had been able to do that to mentally prepare myself of what it would feel like to be out in public with a wig. It took awhile for me to get used to and I still don't like it. Dreaming of the days when my long hair is back again, LOL! Hope #2 goes well for you!

Mary - We are on kinda similar schedule. AC #4 on Thursday and then Taxol but I am getting it dose dense 4 times. I am going to buy some L-glutamine and B6 complex before Taxol starts. I want to pre-empt any neuropathy. I'll have to see what my onc says about taking them (some say ok, some say no) but I will try to fight for it if she's not on board. All set with numbness in my extremities.

vtEllen- So funny you mentioned Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. One of my coworkers was talking about them this morning. I've only heard of them, never heard the music, I'll have to check it out. 

lstreett - Thank you, good to know! I am going to ask her next time. What was the dosage your onc recommended for each of them? I am DEFINITELY all about hoping that the Taxol is better than the AC! And we're almost done with the red devil - yay!

Hi All --

Been out of pocket since the UTI last week.. Yow -- I'm feeling better, but I had the weirdest symptoms (sorry if this is TMI) --- burning pain when urinating (which is normal), but  at the same time, I had pressure and 'soreness' in my lady parts and heiny. It was awful trying to use the restroom -- so uncomfortable..  Does that sound weird??! Could it be the bladder and everything else is close together and was inflamed??  The Cipro antibiotic was very strong and by the 2nd day, it had eased considerably, but it took a good 3 days for all those symptoms to go away. *sigh*.  

I go back to work on Wednesday and my 3rd T/C treatment is 9/21 -- then I'll be out the week after that once again.

I haven't caught up with the posts, but I hope everyone is doing ok!

Crystal

Thanks lstreett! I will be looking into that. I heard that the l-glutamine is expensive but it's worth it to me.

Crystal - So sorry about the UTI, I am glad you are feeling better! OUCH! I used to get UTIs like mad and did the whole antibiotics route with them but they always came back. I found out that antibiotics don't always get all of the bacteria, hence the recurrence. I tried this thing called D-Mannose...it's a natural sugar that washes out any clinging bacteria. I took it after my last UTI, it cleared it up and I never had one again. No joke. My last one was in 2003. Something to think about just in case it comes back (and I hope it doesn't):

http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-D-Mannose-Powder-3-Ounce/dp/B000HCMK90

Taylor - my onc explained to me that my radiation would primarily be aimed at the axilla area since I had lymph node involvement.  I also had a mastectomy, so there's not really much there to radiate though she said it would zap any microscopic breast tissue that might have been left behind.  It might be worth pushing a little so you at least understand your doc's reasoning better. Good luck tomorrow - I'll be joining you, #3 for me!

 Lucy

Thanks Lucy I'll be bringing it up to my Onc. forsure!! Wishing all the best for tomorrow...:)

DebinUtah..lol..I cant even remember the last time..I think my husband is scared that he is going to hurt me he doesnt even bring up the subject..thank god!! Thats awesome that your almost half done!!!!

Summergirl - I have the same experience with the tissue expanders - after a chemo treatment they get sore again and then after 7 days it eases up.  I think that is strange.

My husband for the first time since surgery (7/25) tried last weekend in an off hand kind of way the sex thing.  He quickly got the hint nope, it's too soon.  Men!  LOL.

I have to say I don't particiate in this forum a lot and I want to change that but I really enjoy reading about your experiences.  So many thing have happened or are happening to me. 

On my darkest days you guys give me hope and make me feel like I am not going through this alone.  Thank you! 

Anybody from Virginia on here?

Kasi.LOL I feel the same (so attractive haha) but I guess we need to realise our hubbies love us for us and I try think of it as a NEW look to spicen things up LOL. 

Finally feel like Im coming round today after TX 2  of 6 TC , its been a yukky few days , but hopefully over the worst of it  

I feel so quilty being sick and having everyone worrying about me, and cant wait for this journey to be over with ,(sigh)  

Kasi,

I talked to the chemo nurse yesterday about extra vitamins.  She mentioned that a lot of people have success with the B Complex addition. She did not mention l-glutamine, but I plan on taking it. I think it may be hard for the onc to recommend any supplements.  I feel they have to go by what the AMA says; and I think their stand on it would be to say that most Americans get all the nutrition they need from a balanced diet.  I say hooeey.  It was the nurse, not the doc, that gave me the heads up on the taking Alavert with the Neulasta shot.

My Taxol schedule of 12 weeks is because I did not fit into the parameters of dose dense treatment.  I have to go with the old standard. I really have no choice, but Ihope it works out well because my dd27's wedding is October 14 and I want to feel the best I can be for it!

Had #4 AC yesterday.  The effects keep building.  One of them is the dryness, all over, including vaginal.. if you are se*ually active, you need to get an unscented lubricant, like K-y.

summergirl - I totally agree! I figure that if my husband is still even interested, well, that makes me feel better. Although I don't think it takes much for men to be "interested" - LOL! 

Thanks Mary! The reason that I say I am going to ask my onc about the Vit B and L-glutamine is because they tell me EVERY TIME that I have to tell them everything I am taking. But instead of asking I think I am just going to tell her that I am taking these things. What are the parameters of DD treatment? More aggressive tumor? Oh, and the dryness with AC. One side of my mouth is cracked even though I put chapstick on 24-7. But so far, not dry anywhere else. I use emu oil on my face and a really hydrating body moisturizer by Alba Organics.

Michelleo - LOL! Falling asleep in the middle! I found that I was tired a lot longer with AC #3. Took 10 days to almost feel normal again.

Grimbol -  I think it makes perfect sense that it's hitting you now, since it didn't initially. My onc's NP said that the chemo is a really emotional journey and not to be too surprised when emotions come up. When I was diagnosed, I cried more than I ever have in my LIFE. Cried all the time, major crying jags. I find that I cry less now since I think I got a lot out in the beginning. But I still cry.

Kasi -- thanks for the info on the D-Mannose. I saw some positive and negative reviews of it.

In any case; I'm having all kinds of new and weird s/e's this late -- overall body itching, (no rash), my head is now itchy like a mother-father!!  Also, a lot of gas pains and heartburn after eating. So strange. My onc's office called today to check on me and I told them this new batch of stuff. UGH, and I have to go for number 3 next Wed!! Jeez........

Anyone experiencing this??

Thanks everyone for your posts about sex. Kasi, you're so right; I just need to forget my body and get my head into it.  I need to trust my husband when he ways he loves me and finds me sexy (regardless of my bald head and my scarred boobs). It seems like it's much easier for HIM to dismiss those "non-essentials" than it is for me!

Grimbol--for me, the emotional rollercoaster has been as bad as the physical effects of chemo.  Some days I feel mentally strong and relatively happy and the next I feel anxious or angry or just so very sad.  Even 3 months after dx, I still grieve so much for my BC (before cancer) days; I grieve for the me of the future who will always have this fear hanging over her head.  I loved my BC life, and now I'm so scared things will never be as good again. Anybody taking anything for the depression or anxiety?  My doc put me on a very low dose of Prozac when she took me off my birthcontrol, but sometimes I wonder if it's helping.  

Love and strength to Taylor777 and everyone having infusions in the next few days!

Hi ccjj, Don't be terrified - it's not too bad really, you can do it.  Just stay in touch on the board and we'll all help you thru the SEs.  Some people have more than others, depends on your tx and your body.  I work, but I take a week off for tx and recovery then crawl back for a couple of days then I am back to 'normal' whatever that is, for about 10 days before the next tx.  However, I have only had 2 txs and I am finding the second a little harder to bounce back from, but I have a few other things going on at the moment too which I think are affecting it too.

Hope this helps.  Can you get some help with your twins though.

 Whoa ladies..you're making me feel like the non person..You all mention crying and feeling down about it..since TX..All I feel is numb and trying to get on with it..I know I'm in depression , but haven't cried once , not one time...Maybe I'm an unemotional person when it regards cancer? But still...it's me , I bottle everything up...I try to control everything...but you're making me feel like I'm a robot , which worries me...

  Still a little nauseous ,  and I'm 8 days post tx...I managed to eat lunch AND dinner tonight though , which is a major success!Feel sluggish still though , and since I have TWO weddings to attend before next tx , I wonder how I'll manage to get through them - Greek Orthodox weddings also have a lot of incense , which even pre BC I was fainting from the smell , I can't begin thinking how I'll cope this time...

 Can't avoid the weddings , first one , Sept 17th is one of my first cousins' wedding ,  and if I don't go , I'll be considered selfish and immature..aaargh.I'm already considered a little , bc I didn't go at the engagement party....Well  , I wasn't invited!! But people talk..Big Greek Families are a headache , believe me! EVERY bit like my Big Greek Fat Wedding ( except the Windex bit ) is TRUE for my family and extended family.Second one is one of my closest friends' one.I really want to see her getting hitched and all , but the timing's the worst...I have chemo tx the day after , and I'll be at a different side of Greece....UGH , the travel back is going to be a nightmare! 

 Next tx...28th Sept...