For those starting chemo in June

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  • Sevenley
    Sevenley Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2004
    Wow Mary,
    I'm sorry to hear that you've been so sick. Please take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. I hope you feel better soon!
    Lee
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  • mary1220
    mary1220 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited July 2004

    Hi all, Did a two and a half day rest in the hospital.Mouth and throat swollen bad could hardly swallow and blood count down too low so had to be in isolation sorta.Had fever and so weak could hardly walk and was dehydrated. I was better on Sat. and Sun. but Mon all heck broke loose so went in Tues. a.m. Onc. said they are going to cut my dose of a/c because its too much for me. It was mostly reactions from chemo. So all they could do was help get rid of symptoms but got antibiotics and more nup. to get blood count up. Feeling much better now. Gee, just in time for my final a/c.Well better get busy cleaning while I can. Wont get to go to work this two weeks so I will work on my house. I feel so sorry for my husband. He has been so good through this and he was sooo scared I was dieing he wouldn't leave my side. He is wearing himself down.Now I am better I hope he gets some rest.He works nights so he doesn't get a lot of sleep.I am greatful I have him. Hugs and good luck to all, Mary

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  • Cathy_34
    Cathy_34 Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2004
    Mary- take care of yourself and don't over do it with the house. It will be there. Rest when you need it. Thank goodness for your husband. He sounds wonderful. I'm glad your almost done with the a/c.
    Feel well [Smile]
    --Cathy34
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  • mary1220
    mary1220 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited July 2004

    HI GIRLS, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.I am feeling much better now, just some mouth sores going on but we have delt with that. My daughter is home from San Diego for a week and we are having a good visit.She came in Thurs.eve.We are going to relax and maybe of course do some shopping. The grandkids will be here to see her all wk. end so I will just relax and watch them all swim.Good luck to you all on #3 and 4. We are almost half way there.I am so murphys law. Anything that can does when it comes to me. Everyone have a great week end. Hugs and prayers, Mary

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  • PJB
    PJB Member Posts: 2,615
    edited July 2004

    Mary, Glad you're feeling better. Hope you continue to get stronger. Sound like you've been through the wringer.

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  • janie44
    janie44 Member Posts: 1,460
    edited July 2004
    Mary,

    So glad you are doing better.

    Anyone else going for AC number 3 this week? I scheduled for Tuesday.

    Hugs to all,

    Janie
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  • rlswkndr
    rlswkndr Member Posts: 148
    edited July 2004
    My #3 A/C is Thursday. It has been nice to be able to taste food again! Steak last night, fresh raspberry pie today from a friend!
    Has anyone not lost ALL their hair? I have some in the back and alittle on top yet.
    Renee
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  • PJB
    PJB Member Posts: 2,615
    edited July 2004
    Renee, I have a little hair left still after No. 3 (about to go in for No. 4 in a couple days). I guess I could shave it, but my son seems to like the sight of me with at least SOME hair. And I figure I'll hang on to what I can as long as possible.

    Good luck with the treatment.
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  • Dawnt
    Dawnt Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2004

    Renee I still have some hair.I buzzed cut it on the 20th day after my 1st treatment & it still looks the same & I had treatment #3 last week.I also didnt lose all the hair on my arms.

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  • mary1220
    mary1220 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited July 2004

    hi girls, I have some fuzzy hair left too. I have some on my legs and under arms too. I understand the taxol will get the rest plus eyebrows and eye lashes.Oh well, In for #4 Tue.Good luck all.

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  • shelliks
    shelliks Member Posts: 54
    edited July 2004
    Janie, I'm having #3 AC on Tuesday as well. Although I am dreading it, I can't wait to say, "15 down, 1 to go!" I already did 28 rads so this is it for me. I am actually looking forward to my 3 surgeries this fall.

    Mary, I'm glad you are feeling better. I have been taking 1000mg of l-lysine and have not had mouth sores. My gums are a little tender but not awful.
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  • Sevenley
    Sevenley Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2004
    Hi everyone,
    I had #3 last Friday. I made sure I drank more fluids this time. It isn't as bad as #2. I'm trying to be a bit more active too. I'm taking small walks at the local park.

    My onc. prescribed Emend after treatment this time. Much to my disappointment I couldn't get a single pharmacy to fill it. I called 4 pharmacies in my town and they all had to order it. It wouldn't have been in until today -- 3 days after treatment so I decided to skip it. Have any of you had this happen?

    I hope you are all doing well. Just praying for all of us to get this over with.

    hugs,
    Lee
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  • mzsandy
    mzsandy Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2004
    Hello all,

    I lost most of mine before my second treatment. I do still have some fuzz in places. I had it buzzed short. I haven't had to shave the pits in awhile - glad about that. The leg hair is still there - just not growing as fast. Down south is pretty sparse as well. I think my eyebrows are starting to thin out as well.

    Mary - glad to hear you are feeling better.

    My 3rd one is next week. Got some Emend to help fight the nausea.

    ~Sandy
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  • MaryKB
    MaryKB Member Posts: 13
    edited July 2004
    Mary, so glad you are feeling better. That is a tough thing to go through. Sounds like your husband is a gem. I know this is hard on all our husbands if we have them.

    I get #3 tomarrow, Tuesday. I changed to Tuesday because today is my birthday and I just could not have chemo on my birthday. I'm 47 by the way. Sounds old but I don't feel it. At least not today. May be tomarrow.

    Mary
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  • Tine
    Tine Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2004
    MaryKB,
    happy birthday. I wish you all the very best and many many many many...... more happy years to come.
    God bless you.

    I can't believe that some of you didn't get their meds at the pharmacy. Mind you my local pharmacy had to order my mouthwash in as well. As they make it on the spot.
    I know our cancer institute has a pharmacy, so maybe you guys should check that one out.

    My hair is pretty much gone except for a few stubbles. So why is the leg hair still hanging on?? The same with under the arm and down south. It pretty much thinned out but still there. Mind you I only had 2 treatments so far.

    Did anybody else get itchy eyes?? I don't know whether my allergies are acting up at the moment or whether it is from the chemo.

    So far I have been doing good with number two. Day 7 was the pits and my worst day to date. I was so exhausted that day that I could barely move and the next day , it was like magic, back to pretty much normal.
    I guess I better enjoy the last week before round 3. Yuck, just the thought is enough to make me feel green around the nose. Oh well, gotta get it done.

    Glad Mary that you are feeling better again too.

    Best of luck to all you you ladies out there.

    Can't wait till October when all of this is done.

    Christine
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  • shelliks
    shelliks Member Posts: 54
    edited July 2004
    I flunked the cbc. No chemo today. They have delayed it a week. I am not happy about it. I was counting the days until my last treatment and I was hoping to avoid the Neulasta.


    uggghhhh
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  • janie44
    janie44 Member Posts: 1,460
    edited July 2004
    Hey everybody,

    Got the 3rd treatment today. Doing really well. Of course, I have enough drugs in me to start a pharmacy.

    Eckerds have to order my Emend every time so I have learned to reorder the prescriptions at least a week early and tell them I will pick up everything at the same time. They receive a couple of orders a week.

    I still have a little hair. It is a different texture.

    I get the shot tomorrow. I hope my cbc's don't bottom out again, now that it seems to be working.
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  • PJB
    PJB Member Posts: 2,615
    edited July 2004
    Well, my last AC is tomorrow. I'm taking popsicles since I can't fathom eating ice for 40 minutes again. And I'm drinking lots of lemonade, etc., instead of water — which I can barely stand any more. Bracing for a weekend of feeling awful. I've had folks to help out with my son after prior treatments, but this one I'll be pretty much on my own. I see a lot of watching Spongebob in my future...

    I'll be seeing the onc. tomorrow, as well. I plan to grill him on Taxol, what I can expect and what they can do to remedy side effects. I kind of made him mad last time I saw him (which was actually before I started chemo. He was out on vacation for weeks and I had to see another doctor) because I asked lots and lots and lots of questions. I'm interested to see his attitude this time.

    Hope everyone's hanging in there and feeling good. How about this? Now even my WIG is losing hair... Sheesh.
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  • Dawnt
    Dawnt Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2004

    PJB I am so jealous of you.My last week is 2 weeks from yesterday.Maybe by thanksgiving we will be wigless.I dont wear mine very much since I'm home alot.I had a muga scan today.I get very sick with the chemo so I cant wait for it to end.I'm having radiation next & some other pill not Taxol but does start with a t.Good luck

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  • mary1220
    mary1220 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited July 2004

    Hi girls, I am done with the A/C THANK Heavens!!!!!!They cut my adramicyn by 25% and gave me e-mend. Its better but both red and white was down so got nup and procrit this time. I rode to St. Louis airport with my husband to take my daughter. My grandson is staying helping me he is 7. I am really wore out but I think its the blood counts so should be better tomorrow. I am a little sick to my stomach but not as bad.I have slept most of yesterday and today.Slept all the way to airport and back. Its about a two hour drive.Good luck we are half way there.Hugs to all Mary

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  • Darl
    Darl Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2004
    Hi everyone,
    I am new to the discussions. Just found this site today. I have had 4 A/C and 4 Taxotere, Very large Tumor was completely gone when surgery was done on right Breast, only 8 lymph nodes removed instead of the 15 they thought. A few cancer crystals left, so now I am in radiation for 28 tretments. Liz, I did the wig thing. Was great. Really helped me. I live in Colorado and there is a place called "In Care of You", in Colorado Springs,ran by a dear lady, Bobbie. She is a survivor. One thing I recommend to anyone, the nurses told me that my hair would all fall out 2 weeks after my first treatment. Christmas Day, and they were right. I went to Bobbie, before it started falling out, she gave me courage. A "good" wig is worth it's weight in gold. When the hair starts to go, call your hair dresser and have it shaved. Trust me you don't want to mess with it coming out the way it does. If you are getting a wig, go in person to a quality shop, and have one picked for your hair color. Of course before it falls out. Check your insurance policy, mine paid for it. I then took mine with me when I had the ol' head shaved, and my dresser thinned and shapped it around my face. Best thing I did. Hats are sometimes hard to wear, depending on what you are doing, and hot in the summer, even if it is vented. Bobbie told me, the most important thing you can do is, take care of yourself, pamper yourself, have you nails done, do your makeup, sometimes this is hard, but it sure makes you feel like yourself again. Take time just for you. Read, meditate, pray, what ever comforts you. Let your friends, family and others help you. This was hard for me, I am 55 single and very independent. But as you get tired, let others clean, do the dishes etc. They will feel needed and it's a way for them to help you. I wish all of you the best, where ever you are in your treatments, and as was passed on to me by a survivor, you are a survivor from the 1st day you are diagnosed. The very best to you all. DC
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  • Darl
    Darl Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2004

    Mary hope your 3rd treatment went well. Sorry you were so sick. I have had all my chemo and yes what does not go, goes with the taxotere. My brows and lashes went with the taxotere. Although, my hair went the 1st two weeks of A/C. It started growing back after the 2nd taxotere treatment, my onc said that is common. But not much came back, peach fuzz. You get really creative with your face. Most people did not know I had no brows or lashes. Best to all of you. DC

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  • PJB
    PJB Member Posts: 2,615
    edited July 2004
    Mary, I'm with you on being done with AC. I'm so glad. I couldn't eat much ice (had a couple popsicles) during the adriamycin infusion, so i'm hoping i don't get the mouth sores. i guess we'll see.

    Hope everyone with treatments this week is getting along well. I'm waiting to get my usual flu-like junk on saturday. i've got a full day at work tomorrow, so i hope it doesn't start earlier than usual. back to 8 shots of neupogen this round, too.

    Asked my chemo nurse about taxol. she said the first infusion could take FIVE hours. any of you hear anything like that? apparently, since i'll be doing it every two weeks instead of weekly, it takes much longer and the chance of side effects is greater. wonderful. i just keep looking forward to that last one, sept. 16.

    DC, I'm worried about the whole drawing my own eyebrows thing. i've never been much of a makeup person so i'm afraid i'll ljust look silly. the local cancer center doens't have another look good feel better thing until after i start my taxol. how long does it take to lose the eyebrows/eyelashes?
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  • Tine
    Tine Member Posts: 58
    edited July 2004
    Did all of you loose your eyebrows??
    Boy than I am in trouble too as I think I would probably accidently poke my eyeball out before I could draw my eybrows in. [Smile]
    And why is it that I still have to shave my legs but yet my hair on the head is gone?? go figure.
    Well number 3 is just around the corner (Tuesday) most of you will be done way before me.

    Hope you continue to do well.

    Tine
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  • janie44
    janie44 Member Posts: 1,460
    edited July 2004

    I hear that the Taxol regimen gets the rest of the hair and the brows and lashes.

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  • mzsandy
    mzsandy Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2004
    Good Morning Ladies,

    Question - I get my 3rd A/C this afternoon and got new Emend pills to take. Have any of you taken the Emend and also had take any other pills - like Zofran? What about after the Emend is gone - how did you feel? Any side effects from the Emend?

    ~Sandy
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  • shelliks
    shelliks Member Posts: 54
    edited July 2004
    Hi Sandy. I take Emend and Zofran. I sometimes have to take a compazine four or five days later. I can't distinguish which drug causes which side effect!

    I've had 2 A/C and have never thrown up. I feel very foggy, tired and weak though.
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  • mary1220
    mary1220 Member Posts: 1,246
    edited July 2004

    Hi Girls, This is 8th day after 4th and last A/C. Feeling o.k. but I am getting blood counts checked today as I am very tired so will get a shot and feel better by Fri.I haven't had the mouth and throat sores as last time so guess cutting the A helped. I have a little swollen and sore throat and food still has no taste but I am soooo glad that crap is done. Don't know what the Taxol will bring but it has to be better than the A/C on me. I hear the Taxol can cause numbness in hands and feet.I will be loosing my eyebrows I guess shortly so God knows I will look like Tamy Faye Baker I can hardly write my name. I will have to become a face painter now, Oh girls, I have not an artistic bone in my hands..We have been getting tomatoes off our vines for 3 weeks now but they are tastless and mushy tasting to me so I hope I will be able to eat a BLT by the weakend and taste it.I still can't stand the thought of water or water based products. Hope that gets better.I never liked water but I get sick just looking at it.We're planning a 6th. birthday party for my grandaughter on Sunday. She always has a swimming party at our house so I have a lot to do. My husband thinks I should take it easy, I could slap him silly. Thats all I have done and when I feel good I want to do as much as I can. I am going nuts being laid up for a week at a time.Hope PJB is doing good and we are half way there.GOODY,GOODY,GOODY.Hugs and good luck all, Mary

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  • MaryKB
    MaryKB Member Posts: 13
    edited July 2004
    Tine,

    We have the same chemo day; Tuesday will be my 4th A/C. That means I will be half way done; you too. I am slowly going down hill with my energy level. I am not bouncing back like I did after the first 2 chemos. My appetite hasn't decreased however, so I must make sure what I eat is healthy so I don't gain weight. The food tastes the same but there are certain foods I will stay away from because the thought of them make me sick.

    Question to everyone: Has anyone considered not doing rads when chemo is over? I am in the "grey zone" which means its my call to do them or not. My concern is the long term side effects or radiation. Any advise?

    Mary
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  • rlswkndr
    rlswkndr Member Posts: 148
    edited July 2004
    I had my 3rd A/C on Thursday. Wish I could taste something(I wake up dreaming of food!). I usually like water, but ugh.. I'm sick of it. I'll try Crystal Light like recommended by this great group of women.
    Had a bit more acid reflux this time, but no thrush or sore throat. The whole body soreness was worse too, so I've been getting plenty of reading and napping in! Thank God I have my own business and hours, I can't imagine going to work 8 hours a day. I love sleeping in till 8:00!
    I am going to Nashville in August and have to fly. Do I need to worry about lymphedema? I had SNB- 6 nodes out.
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