October 2011 Chemo group

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2011

    I went and had a pedicure today.   I was told we really should not get them during chemo....but I hope my feet will look good if nothing else does ha !  Plus they make my whole body feel better...

    Got a short hair cut on Sat...will go every Friday till it falls out and my hairdresser said she will  wash and trim/or shave as needed - she told me this was for free and her way of helping me feel better...I figure I have one or two apts at the most, but I thought that was extremely sweet and supportive of her.  People have been so kind to me, I am so blessed for this,

    I am eating light and bland today - and made a Walmart run.

    I am trying not to think about my first chemo on Tuesday - and just try to catch up on things around the house.    Last night I noticed I could sleep on my side of a bit (small victory) - I will take them. but it felt good to roll over just a bit..I have pillows propping me up every where.

    My port site is itchy, I just hope it means it is healing up...

    As for my hubby, I cant complain, he has worked his ass off for me (I have had to lower my cleaning standards just a bit and try not to nag to much about it)    Anything I want he has gone out of his way for me, but I can tell he is stressed.  He had a few happy hours last week and that is not like him to have a cocktail during the week.      He will have to leave in a week or two to go overseas (work) - but he needs to work to and I know he is trying to do what he can before he goes.

    Praying that all of us have a peacefull week and feel well to just relax and enjoy being !

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  • Normandy18
    Normandy18 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2011

    cfdr:

    My husband has been very supportive, but he has his moments too. He does the cooking and cleans up afterwards. I do have a cleaning person come in once a week only because my husband would try and do it all.

    He is really afraid and bottles it up--I can see it--and sometimes it gets to be too much and he blows up and nothing is right. I ask if there is someone he can talk to (to vent) and he says there isn't. He doesn't want to go to support groups, or talk to his family or friends about it. I think he feels very isolated. Our friends and family will ask how I am doing, but they often don't ask how he is and that really bothers him.

    He thinks that I am doing too much and that I should take it easier, but I work and feel pretty good after my first chemo. He is a fixer and he cannot fix my cancer, so he feels helpless. He makes it up by doing as much as he can for me--until he gets exhausted. I am emotional at times and he came home a few days ago in the middle of the day to pick up some supplies and found me in tears--which doesn't help him much. He carries his cell phone everywhere (and actually has it on) just in case I get a fever, or something happens.

    cfdr, I am so sorry that you are having to deal with all of this while you are feeling so awful.

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Good luck to you ladies who are going in for your first treatment tomorrow. Mine will be Wednesday and it's really starting to hit me. No haircut yet but I'm calling tomorrow. Had my chemo class this morning. My port was installed last Friday. Had Umx on one side and port in the other. My bad arm has now become my good arm as I can't do much with the port side now.

    Hope everyone has a stress free week and peace in their relationships. We can all use it!

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  • Maya847
    Maya847 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2011

    That's interesting Maggiestatus, cause my onco said the heavier period, severe cramps etc are most likely because of the chemo.   I had chemo on the 4th and I am still bleeding on and off today the 17th.  :(  My incision from the port was well healed and no problems and now today it is red and burns.  Has anyone had this issue?  Have to go back to surgeon tomorrow to have him ck it out.  I have second chemo next week....  Hair is starting to fall out today, so will get it shaved it tomorrow.  It's all good, after next week, only four more.  :)

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  • Carla9112
    Carla9112 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2011

    Hello everyone - well today was a scarf day at work.  I wore my big loop earrings too.  It's funny - I kept humming "Gypies, Tramps and Thieves" all day.  Laughing  I don't think I will ever wear the "dead animal" on my head again.  The scarf felt so good.  I haven't tried to scare my cat with my wig yet or to see if she'll play with it.  At least if she would play with it I wouldn't have wasted my money.  I was laughing so hard at all of your comments about the wigs. 

    For all of you starting chemo tomorrow I hope all goes great and there are no side effects.  Remember - you shouldn't feel nausea. It took a week and three different drugs before they found the right one for me.  Started taking Ativan and never felt nausea again (or the headaches that I got from the anti-nausea). 

    For all of us having another one on Friday we're just going to hold onto our big girl panties and get through it with flying colors. 

    Okay - for Halloween - my son took me to a store called "Halloween Express" yesterday.  I've never seen so many wigs.  I think I'm going to pick out the craziest one I can find and wear it to work on Halloween.  Actually they had some wigs that looked better than the one I bought and they were only $14.99 - go figure?!!  If I had not just given up on wigs I might have bought one.  I also like the idea of "decorating" our heads.  I saw a picture of a man that was clearly balding and he had a fake tattoo of a man pushing a lawnmower in the bald spot on his head.  It was too cute.

    I'm just glad that we can laugh while fighting this horrible disease.  I hate having cancer but refuse to let it stop me from laughing and living.  Laughing just makes me feel better.  I've even started watching World's Funniest Videos again so that I can just have at least dose of good laughter each day.

    Take care everyone and talk to you soon.  I'm off to aggravate my cat with my wig!!!Smile

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  • bourscheid
    bourscheid Member Posts: 718
    edited October 2011

    http://youtu.be/tNOY4cS_k7A

    This is a link to a YouTube video on making a t-shirt head wrap.  They are so easy and comfortable and free (a great way to use those old t-shirts hanging around the closet).  I skipped the scarf at the end because I have a tiny head but no one ever knew I was wearing a t-shirt on my head!  I even wore them to work!

     If the link doesn't work, just go to YouTube and type in "how to make a t-shirt head wrap".

    Good luck ladies!  Hang in there!

    Hugs and blessings!

    Lori 

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited October 2011

    Thanks for the feedback on the husband thing...and for listening to me vent. :-)

    I asked him once if he was scared or anything about my cancer, and he just shrugged and said no. So he's either lying, in denial, or really is that confident. My prognosis is excellent, but not 100%, either. 

    I think he just wants everything to be completely normal, and treat me like I just have a bad cold or something. He's great about picking things up at the store, but if he's not hungry it won't even occur to him that maybe I should eat and don't want to wait until 9:00 to do so. So I end up having to ask, and feeling needy because of it. But he does better with clear direction. I'm thinking it may even be preferable to have a plan for each day or evening ahead of time so we each are on the same page.

    On the good news side, I felt the most energy I have in a week! This is day 11 for me. I think I would have felt better sooner if I hadn't gotten a throat infection. I'm looking forward to almost 2 weeks of feeling somewhat normal before tx #2!

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    Tappy, had to laugh, as my bad arm is now my good arm due to the port placement

    Carla, thanks for the heads up. I'll get what I need to be comfortable. No hero here!

    cfdr=I am coming from a totally different perspective after having my DD go thru treatment all of last year. My DH and I were a fantastic team. Now, not so much. I don't know if it's 'cause it's me, or he's just exhausted. He can't really take off much work seeing as we are still playing catch up on our bills from last year when he was on FMLA. So, he's working like crazy, and doing most everything around here. I know he'd like to be w/me tomorrow for my 1st chemo, but he is needed to take DD to clinic (2hrs away) for counts and check up. I just don't think we've found our groove yet. Here's to all of us settling into a good rhythm w/our families!

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2011

    I took my steri strips off my port tonight (they were about to fall off anyway)

    I will bring the numbing creme with me, but I am not sure when to put it on.

    I am forgetting all my chemo tips ! LOL

    Are we supposed to eat ice during chemo ?  Seems like I read that some where.

    I hope they have that sort of thing in the"chemo room" - it is hard to know what to expect.

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  • Yumaira
    Yumaira Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2011

    Hi ladies, well im also starting my chemo tuesday, I had my port put in today, well hope all goes well and good luck to all you ladies that are also about to start...

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    Welcome Yumaira to the group nobody wants to join. Sorry you're going thru this, but hopefully us gals working as a team will make it a bit easier. I know it has for me. Good luck w/your chemo. I also am starting chemo today. what is your treatment schedule? Will be looking for you on here w/in next couple of days to see how you're doing. Hugs!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2011

    Hi all,

    I start chemo tomorrow. oct 19? wed. I'm feeling more sane at present. this chemo thing seems to be scaring me more than anything.

    I get 4 cycles of AC every 2 weeks. then start on once a week T? for 12 weeks. he said that part would be easier on me.

    I can't go to work..this will be 5 months of chemo for me. I've allready been off since august when I was dx. I work prn. my manager said I will have a job when I get back. Unless she gets fired. who knows. I realy don't care. I am having a hard time thinking about being a nurse again. just don't think I can do it. want to forget everything I know about nursing. Have been told to cross that bridge when I get there. will not think about that. 

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  • Terry71
    Terry71 Member Posts: 293
    edited October 2011

    Welcome YumairaL you have came to a good place with lots of great girl, lots of laughs and lots of help and support.....  Good luck with your first treatment, Im sure all will go well :-)  

    Carla9112: let us know how much your cat loves your wig LOL The lawn mower thing is way too funny and a great Idea!!!!! We all need to laugh right.

    My hubby has been great through this, he is supportive, comes with me to every Onc app, dental app, and chemo treatment, I cry sometimes and he holds me close and says everything is gonna be ok. when he is at work my son is at home with me, he doesnt like me to be alone especially the day of and a few after treatment... I too feel Needy sometimes and dont like it as I like to do things for myself and feel pathetic sometimes but it passes and I glad I also have my chemo nurse to talk to any time, we have each others cell numbers and we talk all the time she even comes over to see how Im doing and to check on me.... Brought her lunch yesterday made home made soup, she Loved it :-) Our hospital is small and very tight knit Onco unit has 2 chairs so its very personal and calming..... Next treatment is Oct 27th then LAST one Nov 17TH and DONE that part......... have a great day ladies and remember to LAUGH 

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  • NancyJill
    NancyJill Member Posts: 218
    edited October 2011

    CFDR: My DH acts like a real piece of work when he feels powerless. When he couldn't handle what I asked him to do for me, I called my sister for support and asked my 10-year-old for help instead. You need to turn to someone else if he can't handle it. I'm trying to get him to go to our cancer support center for some help, but that is hard to schedule with his work. No, it is not too much for you to ask, but perhaps too much for him to handle. And it's not fair......

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  • NancyJill
    NancyJill Member Posts: 218
    edited October 2011

    Thanks for the information here on when to expect my hair to really drop out (after day 21 and treatment #2?). I'm putting off the head shaving until the last minute! It is thinning a lot now on day 15. I know I will want to wear a wig because my head is huge, too, and I will look silly without hair! Regarding allergic reaction to Taxotere, I don't know what I'm getting instead. I had a delayed reaction of hives/tiny itchy blisters on my hands/wrists after Day 3.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited October 2011

    Well, I am not officially a part of the group.

    I went to Sloan yesterday and got my first infusion of CMF  or is it CMT.  Chemo brain definitely begins with diagnosis!  Who can think straight?

    I woke up this morning feeling fine.  Then my nose started to run.  Like a faucet!  And I sneezed a bit.  Looked up side effects and it can be an allergic reaction.  Hope it's not a cold.

    Has anyone else had this SE?  otherwise i feel fine.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited October 2011

    I meant I was now officially amember of the group.  Chemo brain or wishful thinking?

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  • Yumaira
    Yumaira Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2011

    ok so I just got out of my first chemo treatment (T/C) it went pretty good, i just got home about 1/2 and hour ago and i feel fine, i wish it would stay that way...so all you other ladies that got it today let me know how it went for yall...

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2011

    Got home after having the first  A/C.

    Just kinda tired feeling....i know I am not out of the woods for  side effects...they told me I may not feel sick today, but maybe wed or later in the week. Anyone on A/C have insight into that ?

       I do go back in for the neb shot on wednesday ...so should I take the claritin today or Wed ? or both days

    my chemo nurses were wonderful.What angels...they must love their work.

    I did notice I was the youngest person in the room (and I am 51 ) !!!

    Nice calming rain today...good for napping.

     Hope everyone has a peaceful and restful day today....

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    I too had my first A/C today. Good to get that first one out of the way. I also get my shot tomorrow. I asked everyone I could about the Claritin and spread the word! My MO brought it to my attention that I would be hairless by Halloween, and maybe I could do something with that. He laughed when I told him some of the ideas on here (esp. the lawnmower).

    Good news, all of my tests were good. Chest x-rays clear, bone scan clear (except for the nasty arthritis in my knees), blood work good (a bit anemic tho), ultrasound on abdomen showed all organs functioning the way they should, and the echo on my heart showed very good chamber and valve function. The septum is not as active as it should be, so we will keep a close eye on it.

    I think my lunch and the drugs have caught up with me. So glad to hear the other gals that started today are doing well also.

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Hi Fran, I have my first chemo treatment tomorrow, i am also having the AC treatment.



    So glad to hear from those who went today. I have been a wreck all day. I get the shot on Friday. I don't understand about the Claritin. What's it for and when do you use it???

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Hi Fran, I have my first chemo treatment tomorrow, i am also having the AC treatment.



    So glad to hear from those who went today. I have been a wreck all day. I get the shot on Friday. I don't understand about the Claritin. What's it for and when do you use it???

    Diana

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Hi Fran, I have my first chemo treatment tomorrow, i am also having the AC treatment.



    So glad to hear from those who went today. I have been a wreck all day. I get the shot on Friday. I don't understand about the Claritin. What's it for and when do you use it???

    Diana

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Hi Fran, I have my first chemo treatment tomorrow, i am also having the AC treatment.



    So glad to hear from those who went today. I have been a wreck all day. I get the shot on Friday. I don't understand about the Claritin. What's it for and when do you use it???

    Diana

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  • Lady-di
    Lady-di Member Posts: 150
    edited October 2011

    Internet acting up and posted 4 times. Yikes

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited October 2011

    Thanks!

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited October 2011

    I'm getting my port tomorrow.  Cut my hair short this weekend.  Scheduled to start AC next Wednesday.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited October 2011

    Gee I notice everyone seems to get TC.  That's what my chicago drs do too.  Sloan dr felt CMT is milder.  So far nothing, a little tired but that's not unusual.  Seems anticipation was the worst part of everything.  The surgery, the chemo, everything.  Hope it just works so I can put this behind me soon!

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  • TAPPY
    TAPPY Member Posts: 283
    edited October 2011

    My lunch is giving my bad heartburn and drinking water only makes it work.

    The nurse stressed drink drink drink (no diet cokes) - so I am drinking apple juice - bla !!!!!

    What can you drink that does not have tons of sugar in it.

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  • Carla9112
    Carla9112 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2011

    Hi there - first of all glad to hear that everyone that had treatment is doing okay.  Tappy - I had terrible heartburn and started taking pepcid for it.  That helped.  I kept drinking my beloved diet cokes but during the first 5 or 6 days it didn't taste so great.  I found that water with lemon was about the only thing that didn't taste terrible.  That bad taste didn't last for me - just about a week - thank goodness.

    For the Claritin question, it doesn't work for everybody but it did for me.  I took a pill the day before, the day of and for a week afterwards and I never had the bone pain that can be experienced from the neulasta shot. 

    Lori - so good to hear that all of your tests turned out good.  I know that you and everyone else were just ready to get started with your treatments.  That's how I felt.  Now I'm ready to get Friday's behind me. 

    Welcome to the new folks - I'm so sorry that you're here but we'll keep you company as you go through this process. 

     Hope everyone has a good night.

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