August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!
Comments
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Missey29, sorry you are having a hard time emotionally, I feel similar not so much moody but the slighest thing makes me cry,, they did tell me that chemo causes us to go through menopause or they call it (chemopause) guess this is why we are having menopausel symtons, (so much fun !!!) and VTellen is right I dont like needles either but I just turn away and try not think of what they are doing and it seems to help, I saw a counseler yesterday and she thinks I am doing fine and says it is a VERY difficult time for any of us so not to be too hard on ourselves , I just keep thinking that in a few short months I will be hopefully back to my old self again , and have hair LOL so keep ur chin up and we will all get through this together (big hugs to you )
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Thanks so much ladies (Ellen & Summer Girl).
You guys are both right. I know. Hate being so emotional. Not at all like me.
Ellen - I will definitely ask about the butterfly needle.
Have a great weekend!
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Hi All --
Just got home from a loooong day....I was done with my 3rd treatment at 12:30, in which I started Adriamycin as my new chemo, but when I went downstairs to have lunch in the cafe, my right leg started to itch a teeny bit and my lips were a little tingly. So, my husband said we should go back up and let them know before we drive an hour home to NJ. Hate to wait a bit for my Onc, but he came to see me in between being SUPER busy with other patients and quickly examined me. He thinks I'll be ok, but to take Benadryl or the other itching med they gave me if I start to show signs of a rash again.
I popped a Bendadryl right there and then! So far, my tongue tastes funny (started right when they did the Red Devil push in to my IV). Today -- I had sterioids (orally) first, then Zofran via IV, then Emend in my IV, then Red Devil thru my vein, then Cytoxan via IV. This is SO different than the long taxotere treatment.
I have to take steroids tomorrow and sunday, but that's it. Still get Neulasta tomorrow, which I'll do at home.
DianaMaps: Congrats on finishing your A/C! Ybooker1: I hope you are well; thanks for the prayers!
I'm going to lay down -- I pray I won't have any more allergic reations. Take care everyone and I'm sorry if I missed anyone; not my intention. So tired, I need to sleep as we left at 7:30am and just arrived home. xoxoxo
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Missy- you might have to be a little insistent about the butterfly needle. For whatever reason, cost or because they tend to be a little slower to draw, sometimes the techs are hesitant to use them. So, be firm and threaten to barf if you have to. Or faint, that would work, as well! Ha!
Hey Chrys- How did your new chemo go? Hope you are feeling OK!
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Ut oh -- just got a tiny hive down by my ankle. My right leg is starting to itch a teensie bit and tingle. WTF!!!!!
I'm taking the itching pill and see what happens. I can't believe this sh*t!!
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DebinUtah your right the husbands just dont get it do they, but you know what please dont feel sad when you look at yourself in the mirror, think of it as our war wounds for fighting such a hard battle, and being strong, I know its hard though, and Im sure you are beautiful and Im sure your husband thinks so too. as far as the wig goes Im taking it in baby steps at the moment. I am ok around my family and some of friends but just not ready to go into a large crowd with lots of reaction at once, but Im gonna have to do it soon cant stand having no social life. (hugs to you)
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Hello all. Thanks to everyone's well wishes for my hubby. He is doing ok. His last day nurse before he was discharged sat down and talked to him about being the support partner. Her husband had colon cancer and was on chemo. She sat right down with him and told him he needs to get involved with some type of support group for the spouse. I was really impressed because he is taking it all serious. He is the type to hold it all in. I have emailed him a couple of threads from this site for caregivers.
I had the taxol on Monday without any reaction. I was good on day 2 and day3 which was when my hubby was in the hospital. I kept it together pretty good. I was in "nurse" mode. Day 4, I crashed. My whole body ached really bad. Even my fingernails hurt. I now have some numbness in toes and fingers. Not too bad, but noticable.
Vtellen, I am still praying for you. It could just be a plain fluid filled cyst, since the taxotere isn't touching it.
Hugs to all and everyone who had tx, praying for minimal se.
love u all
jennifer -
Hi Everyone..Sorry I havent had a chance to read all of yesterday's posts. I decided yesterday morning that I wasn't going to stay home and be depreesed so I went out. This morning I awoke with a sore throat!!! I'm starting to panic bec I have tx#3 on Tues!!! If I'm sick do I miss chemo?? Should I go to a clinic this morning and get antibiotics?? The cancer centre is closed today so I cant call them!! Help!!
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Hey everyone -- Seems, though -- I had a reaction after my first round of Adriamycin yesterday
I arrived home late yesterday (see my "Ut Oh" post above) and I got a little hive on my right leg and my mouth/lips were tingling. This is just awful. I slept all night and took my anti-itch meds, but today I feel off, a bit queasie and I'm scared that I'll break out again -- especially since my Neulasta shot is this afternoon. It seems my body just doesn't tolerate this stuff all too well and I only have one more chemo treatment to go. I guess I'll have to see what the next few days bring and pray I can finish on Oct. 7th.
I am so, so sorry to never have any positive news and I'm sure some may think I'm a complainer or cry-baby. Believe me; I'm not. I can say it's frustrating that my body doesn't tolerate medicine well, especially something to help fight cancer. Thanks for listening.... Prayers please.....
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I'm sorry Chrys....you are really having a horrible time.
I will pray for sure you can finish up on oct. 7th!!!!
I was just informed of this and wanted to pass it on ASAP.... Make sure none of your close friends and family get the nasal flu shot this year and than are around you for the days following. Supposedly the spray consists of live bacteria and germs and can really get anyone with compromised immune systems really sick while it's "active". The regular shot is okay, it's just the nasal spray one that we need to be careful of. Yet another reason to feel like living in a bubble!!! UGH!!!!! -
Thanks for the info, Madismommy. I will be on guard!
Chrys- please stop apologizing. Don't be ridiculous! I am surprised that I am not in your shoes, I really thought that I might be. I can say, though that I have had the tingling lip thing every treatment. I totally have it going on now ( plus bone aches, sore fingernails, ) so hopefully it will just fade for you after a few days like mine does.
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Chrys23 - So sorry to hear that the Adriamycin didn't mix will with you. As we will all say, there's no need here for apologies. This website, and this forum, were designed for honest sharing. There is no safer place just to say what's on your mind as we go through these unnatural drug experiences.
Sometimes it feels good just to complain and not even expect a stranger from around the US or the world to respond with prayers or virtual hugs. As important as this particular forum is to me these days/weeks/months, sometimes I feel just like venting emotions. I may start a new forum called "Venting/Kvetching/Bitching Only, for sometimes we just need the act of expressing how much we dislike what we're going through." No replies to the postings necessary or expected. Like a closet you could go into and scream, and feel better just for having let it out.
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Thanks Ellen, Madismommy and Dianamaps -- your words are much appreciated.
I called the on-call dr to just keep them abreast of what is going on. I had a small hive appear on my left cheek and my face feels 'puffy'. The doc said my reaction is totally NOT typical and it is very strange. Even above my ankles 'tingle' as well as my mouth and tongue.
They are most worried about shortness of breath, tongue swelling and throat closing. I am to switch back to Benadryl every 8hrs (stop the Hydroxyzine) for now and see if that helps some. But to call back if ANY of the symptoms get worse and/or go straight to my local ER. It's all very upsetting to say the least....thank you all for listening.
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Hey Taylor--every onc seems to be different. I had a BAD cold before my first infusion, and they still gave it to me. But I've had friends who've said their docs won't touch them if they're sick. I can tell you that my cold made that first time much worse than rounds 2 and 3 since so many of my tx SEs feel like cold symptoms to begin with (sore throat, congestion, etc.). Let us know how you're feeling and what your onc says. I'm sending good metta (my version of prayers) to you.
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Hi, does anyone have good ideas for heart burn that isn't really in the right area, but rather in your throat? It isn't a sore throat, but I've never had heart burn before so I'm not really sure what this is, excpet nasty!
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Grimbol--after my first tx I had really bad throat pain--felt like a little vomit burning in my throat all the time. My doc said it was acid reflux and put me on Prilosec. I had to take it morning and night for about a week before it started to work; now I just take it at night. My onc says this kind of acid reflux is one of the most common SEs of chemotherapy and definitely needs to be treated or it can cause permanent damage to the esaphagus. You can get Prilosec over the counter if you don't want to wait until Monday for an Rx. Good luck!
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Hi Everyone hope You are all having a S/E free day I start 1st round of taxatore Monday it will be treatment # 4 .Taylor i went to family Dr wed got an antbiotic for a large ovarian cyst acting up went to the oncol the next day he said the chemo will cancel the antibotic and it wont do any good.Its hard to believe who is right meanwhile I am not happy with my oncol bedside manner.I wish I would have asked for a different oncol in the begning I dont think im getting proper treatment.Just hope it all goes well.
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Thanks Deb, appreciate it, sounds like that is what this is. I will dispatch DH to the store!!
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Hello everyone, thank you for you support and ideas--you are helping me travel this road with you. I am on day 9 of my second round of 4-6 every 3 weeks of Taxotere/Cytoxen -- doing pretty well this time except for aches and pains and tiring very easily. I am not working a regular job right now--I have 3 lovely private students on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; a 2 1/2 hour marathon--no break-- orchestra rehearsal Tuesday evenings (the conductor and the other musicians are wonderful); a graduate class an hour away Wednesday evenings; and church choir rehearsal Thursday evenings. I am so impressed with those of you who are working. I don't have the energy for it.
When I went through 4 rounds of A/C in 2000 they used to prescribe a drug called Procrit when people had low RBC counts. I never had it but a friend did many times. Is the drug still being given? Gotta go to the Apple Store to learn more about saving my CD's to iTunes--I've had 2 sessions already but need another. Old dogs can indeed learn new tricks but it just sometimes takes longer. -
Best to all of you and no SE's this weekend!
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Chrys--hope you are doing better. I have not mentioned this before but I had a friend who had to be rushed to the ER after her first round of A/C in 1999. She had had a mastectomy and her doc decided to not give her any more chemo and she went into remission! I haven't been in contact with her for 2 years (DH issues) but she was fine then, 10 years out. We are being given strong stuff, ladies! Best to all of you and no SE's!
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I am debuting my wig today - going to take my kids out to lunch. I feel like such a fraud in it, so I've just been wearing scarves so far. But I like the idea of being more anonymous in public, so I'm going to give it a try. Preparing for AC #4 on Tuesday, and then on to taxol - can't wait to be done with it all. Hope everyone has a good SE-free day, and remember we'll all be done soon!
Lucy
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Chrys23- I'm so sorry your having S/E's but dont ever apologize for complaining, bitching ..thats what were here for, I feel so bad that your going through all that your in my prayers.
Congrats to alot of you who are done A/C! I have 2 left.
I agree good riddance to Summer 2011 worst summer of our lives!!!! Summer 2012 we'll be our summer the best yet
I've been gargling with salt water to get this sore throat gone by Tues..Dec 6th can't come fast enough so sick of the tears, depression ..just want to get to my old self again.
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Chrys I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. Hugs and prayers to you.
I have been really down and tired this time. Going to bed at 6:30 each night, still cannot eat or drink, horrible taste in my mouth so nothing taste good. Didn't get to work at all last week and that's the first time. Part of it was because I didn't have a weekend to recoup but even a weekend wouldn't have helped this time. I just want to quit this NOW! My tumor has shrunk and it is hormone driven. So to me if it has shrunk then take out the breast and let's move on. I'm a very happy person except going thru this and I hate the way this makes me feel emotionally. I want to hide now from everyone and just stay in bed. If I get up I feel lousy but if I sleep I don't feel so bad.
Sorry ladies, it has been a really bad week. Suppose to go to church this morning and work tomorrow. Hope I can get there. Thanks for letting me vent. -
Chrys, I'm so sorry you've reacted again! Hang in there! I've been really flushed since my 3rd treatment on Friday, taking Benadryl twice a day just in case!
Grimbol - I'm having a terrible time with heartburn, indigestion and reflux and my oncologist has me taking Pepcid at bedtime AND Prilosec in the morning, plus all the Tums I need to get through this! I've been drinking carbonated stuff...seltzer...just to keep burping some of the air out! It's helping some!
So far so good, though. Only day 2 but no bone pain yet. Off to the grocery and drug store this morning while I feel like I still can! Three down, ONE TO GO!
Hope everyone's S/Es stay under control!
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Jbagley I hope your husband is still doing ok.
Capinva I know how you feel this whole thing sucks really bad!! Were going to get through this!! There is an end to all this madness!! We have to be strong and we can do this!!!
Robyn wow thats great only 1 more to go!!! Yay!!!!!
I know the heartburn sucks!!Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!! Best wishes to all having treatment this week!!
Tanya
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Hello all. Long time no post. I do catch up on reading your posts tho. I just finished my last A/C last week!!!! I'm so friggin glad. But this time I really struggled with nausea, much more than the others. All night kept waking up. Also the heartburn/indigestion. I've still got some hair (got it cut verrry short about a month ago) but its getting time to shave. Ugh.
You are right, nothing tastes right. I've dropped at least 15 lbs (it needed to go
but I miss the taste of food. I have to eat really light around my treatments, and I go to bed dreaming of what foods I want to eat! Its terrible.I start Taxol next Wednesday. I'm told there will be less side effects than the A/C. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. They said more hair loss, and tingling in extremities. I don't usually have allergic reactions to things, but I'm a little fearful with this stuff.
No matter what we are all going thru, we are getting closer to the end. Just keep thinking that. I really appreciate everyone posting, whether its advice, or just bitching!! We all need to vent, and know we aren't alone. Hang in there....it will be here before you know it!
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Hi All -I had my last AC on Wed and I am still struggling w/tiredness and lack of appetite -guess thats par for the course? I have been extreemly sensitive and cranky; haven't done much but go from the bed to the couch.... Just can't wait to get back to my old self! Is it true the Taxol is easier?
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Allformy4, 46 MD, I had my fiirst taxol last Monday, today is day 7 if you count infusion day. I was good on day 2 and 3, felt like a million bucks, the best I felt in 6 weeks! Day 4, body aches, flu like symptoms, no nausea. I had to use my pain medication with aome tylenol. And felt a bit better.
I have just been weak and achey for the last few days. I would say I would take taxol anyday over the 'red devil!' Rather have body aches then that severe fatigue where you can't get out of your own way. Rating has been good. I didn't have any reaction while the taxol infused, but that doeant mean the second dose wont. I also have tingling and numbness in both fingers and toes.
I have an appoint wed with Dr. Szal, radiology, for radiation. Will get treatment schedule onc chemo and surgery is done.
Hope all have minimal se.
Hugs and love to all!!
Jenn -
Meant to write, eating has been good. My phone sometimes sticks in different letters
jenn
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