January 2012 chemo

Okay, stupid question here but I'm in desperate need of advice.  My skin has turned to a desolate desert - that is, no matter how much lotion I slather on, my skin is still dry.  I can live with that on my body, but my face is really starting to bother me.  I'm so used to have oily areas that I have avoided lotions like the plague for years - can't do that anymore.  Any suggestions for a good facial moisturizer that won't clog my pores?  Any advice will be so greatly appreciated!

Thank you for the kind words Nancy.

I've had dry skin issues since I was a child and have been using Lubriderm for years, it has worked for me, is gentle and rehydrates well.  You can get non-scented which is also nice.  Hope it helps!

Carol

Does it seem to you all that "fatigue" is a word that doesn't quite capture what most of us are experiencing? I'm lucky that fatigue is the only SE I seem to have after my 3rd AC, but it feels worse than it sounds.



I feel tired when I wake up.

I have a hard time getting a solid night's sleep

When I force myself out for some errands or a walk, I feel ancient when I return.

It's getting to take a gun to my head to get me out of the house.

I'm having a hard time caring about much of anything.

It's hard to nap, even feeling tired

I can take care of myself, but life has been stripped down to its simplest form



I see that many of the symptoms are also symptoms of depression, a condition I'm familiar with and can feel is not what's going on here. But like depression, I can see the longer the fatigue goes on, the harder it is to challenge the limitations it imposes. And that's what I hate - the limitations on what had been an active life, my life. On the other hand, fatigue forces me to get the rest I probably need to allow the chemo to do its best work. Who knows.



Still, with so many nasty and annoying SEs out there, I am grateful I'm not more uncomfortable. Just freaking tired.



That's my whine for the day.

Annie

Exactly. It's impossible for others to understand.

I'm not just tired; I'm emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually exhausted.  I can start something, but often can't complete it.  I'm good for about an hour, then I need a long rest.  I've worried that I'm using it as an excuse, but I just don't think I am.  I've been told repeatedly that this is what Adriamycin does to us, and that in about 3-4 weeks post final treatment, we will find out strength and stamina returning to near-normal levels.  I am hoping and praying for that.

I've been using Clinique Moisture Surge for the last year and have loved it - but it's not touching my skin right now.  I'm going to go back and see them tomorrow I think, and see about alternatives.  (Clinique has been my one indulgence).  My skin feels hard, almost - much thicker and dryer than ever - and my pores always look clogged.  Hands and feet, but I'm using Nivea cream religiously for those (with socks at night) and it seems to be helping alot.  My onco nurse suggested Udder Cream today, but I don't know if I can use that on my face.  Thanks for your suggestions - I'm going to check them all out before I make any final purchases.  

Nancy -  I have been using Hydron for years (you have to buy it online) and my skin on my face is as soft as butter.  Now, my feet are another issue.  It seems no matter how much I slather on they are still dry.

The fatigue is awful - some days I just can't even think I am so tired.   

Mini wheat- you are being honest with your feelings! Keep doing that! You are not whining or complaining and so what if you are-it's justified! I finished my last AC and will have taxol this coming Tuesday. I have been a wreck. Feeling bad, complaining about every pain, crying that nobody cares. I cried for two days. Then my friend came over and cleaned my bathrooms. She cares and that cheered me up and I like clean bathrooms.

Nancy-my face has aged 10 years since chemo started. Oh the wrinkles around my chin and mouth. I think those wrinkles came due to losing a few pounds and I've noticed that I don't smile much. These are frown wrinkles and I hate them. I like my neutrogena products. First I use an anti wrinkle then an oil free moisturizer. I may need to switch up though since that doesn't seem to be working for the wrinkles or the dry skin.

Jenn~Funny you should mention that, as of this afternoons meetings with both Doc's, they now feel I had Hand and Foot, what threw them for a loop was the Lightening shooting down the arms and out the hands that happened first, for weeks...which is still categorized as that rare neuropathy...The Neurologist was thrilled that it is no longer a neurology issue, since the lightening turned off 5 days ago and I haven't taken a Lyrica since. My MO wants to sweep it all under the table since this (The hand & Foot part can not happen again, as I am done with the AC.. I found out my Hand foot issue is a direct chemical reaction to the AC-there are apparently several types of Hand Foot and parts of mine make no sense...she wanted to discuss the Taxol coming...and I get that, it's just that I suffered so much this past session and she wanted to "Blow This Off"..well I was so upset...I actually said that to her...and she said that she was "Not Blowing This Off"..IT sounded like it had never come out of her mouth before this day....humorous now...I Realized I was going to get no where and moved on to the Taxol. My MRI came back perfect, no pinched nerve, Xray was good and the various rare cancer blood work all came back negative. They were really leaning toward the rare Cancer, I found out....which I never really gave a second thought to, to be honest. My Heals are all healed up, but my Right hand is still badly burned, with rock hard Finger tips that are pealing and very sensitive (Just like a real burn). I told my Neurologist my nails really hurt at the tips of my fingers...He Said "I bet they do".  I think my MO was upset to miss the diagnosis, but I did have 2 things happening at once...I'll get over it.

I am not depressed at all, more pissed off at all of this and so looking forward to the life I had before. We were supposed to move in a 2 years, but I'm thinking the Cancer put that off to 3 years.  I am very emotional, but not depressed, I'm going through one of the worst times of my life, but I chose the ACT chemo myself, I chose the double mastectomy, I'm doing everything I can...although these Hot flashes really suck, and I also can't sleep, and showering with my hands in balls to avoid the hot water really suck too, and you know I have had some seriously nasty rare SE's but, it all just pisses me off.

Jenn - Thanks for the update!  I have my first taxol tx in a few hours and you certainly calmed most of my nerves!  I always have a few negative thoughts before any new medical event, but my big worries have gone away.  The fact that you could eat a pb&j sandwich during the infusion is very encouraging.  I haven't been able to manage anything more tasty than saltine crackers.

PCBarbie66- You certainly have experienced some strange SEs!  I'm glad that the hand and feet problems have been identified and you are on the way to recovery.  Its been a rough ride for you.  I can't imagine not having full use of my hands or fingers.  As a teacher, I write all day long or use a computer.  Hopefully your burns heal quickly!

Janet

Jenn - thanks for the info!  I'm meeting my daughter for a day of shopping on Saturday ("day" = a couple of hours before mom falls over into a comatose nap) and I'm checking out the Clinique counter.  I feel guilty when I spend money on face creams - I'm such a low-maintenance girl - but I'm using chemo as an excuse. I'm getting *something* positive out of this damned disease!

Gayle - thanks!  I'm looking forward to getting out of the house for something more than a routine trip to anywhere.  I've been avoiding crowds like the plague, and now I'm planning on spending the day in a huge mall, which kinda scares me.  But my lovely daughter (she's 24) is understanding and patient, and will be more than happy to take me to Bath and Bodyworks for new supplies of hand sanitizer!  :-)

Nancy

Barbie: your work guys sound so caring! And thanks so much for the Taxol updates (keep them coming). I start in two weeks and even though everyone says "manageable" I am so worried that with tx every week I'm going to struggle to maintain my work life...



Visit with the gynae today. Yes, my handy dandy used uterus is currently of concern so it's off for an ultrasound and then likely a D&C in the next few weeks. Liked the doctor a lot didn't like his "it's probably not cancer" comment though. I've heard that before somewhere recently... So, one more thing to worry about - but heck I'm already on chemo so what does it matter?



Jenn

Well taxol tx #1 was interesting.  My mo appointment was scheduled for 9:30am.  Infusion began around 11:00am.  I was finished at 4:00pm. long day!  The first 30 minutes of tx I received pretaxol drugs - benedryl and xantac through the IV.  I also took 20mg of a steroid (dex). The nurse began the taxol around 11:30.  Within three minutes I realized that my chest was getting tight and I felt a strange pressure at the base of my throat and upper rib area.  The nurse immediately stopped the drip and called for backup.  Within seconds three other nurses came to the room.  My vitals were taken and I was given more benedryl  My NP from the MO's office was there within minutes. I was monitored for 30 minutes and more steroids were given (hydrocortisone).  The MO covering for my MO came to clear me. The feeling went away and the taxol was tried again. This time I noticed a weird muscle pain in my shoulder.  The taxol was stopped again and I was watched.  The pain did not go away, so it was determined that it was not related to taxol.  Most likely a reaction to the other meds given.

Tx was resumed once again.  This time everything was fine and I finished the full dose at 4pm.  Next tx we will start with the higher levels of everything.  I will take 5 steroid pills the night before and five more before my appointment.  More will be given during the infusion.

The premeds caused some restless leg syndrome. I was jittery as is from the steroids. Weird day!  But they promise that the SE will be much less trying than the AC SE.  Typically SEs show up 3 - 4 days after tx. .I will be having the neulasta shot after the first 2 txs.  We will see...........

Hope everyone has a much more boring taxol tx!

2 Full days after 1st Tax of 12 and I just feel tired from the Steriods wearing off, no nausea at all.  Achy, like I pushed a car up a hill.  Finger nails hurt, but I wonder if that was from the Hand-Foot I'm still getting over.  Other than that nothing new, nothing bad.  Just a quick update for the ones worried. I had asked if the side effect would change from the AC to the Tax. like if I was never nauseous before would I start now...my Nurse said no...and she was right, so far.  Ill keep you all psoted.

My last AC, I recovered enough to go see the guys on morning of day 6, I would have been better faster if it wasn't for the "N" shot.  #4 AC by itself (Shot not included and my rare SE's most of you never had) was the esiest of the 4. 

Janet~sorry you had a rough time with your first of 4 "T"'s, I also had the "Restless Leg Syndrome" I was slamming them on the gound in the chair, to make the feeling going away (Said it was from the Benadryl drip) it didn't help, but was gone after the infusion was over and it never came back. I also was very wired the next day as my Tax is at the end of the day and it is dark by the time we leave Thursdays.

Thanx for all the well wishes, so glas to be done with those SE's...Gonna relax and work on taxes all weekend.  Barb