March 2012 chemo

Kam - hope the compazine works again for you.  Yes, I have read take the anti nausea meds even if you feel ok!  

Clumps no fun. 

Masserz, I noticed there were a lot too.  When I went to my oncologist the amount of people in the waiting room for chemo was depressing to me.

onvacation....u r so right....about so many people in the waiting room...plus the ones that were in the treatmant cubicles.  when i went to "chemo class" we had 15 people in class...then on the tour of the facility there were two large rooms filled with people.

Amy, sorry you are achy, hope that gets better.  Is your temp over 101?

Katycb: I asked this question yesterday during chemo and they said since my counts are low and I'm having to get neulasta now I should not eat any raw fruits or veges, I am so craving a salad. They said it's not worth taking a chance. So I agree. I don't want any setbacks! The nutritionist came and talked to me and said even frozen fruit was not safe. She did say if I wanted some carrots or crunchy broccoli I could peel carrots, drop in boiling water for about 45 secs and it would kill the bacteria/ germs and still remain crunchy, same with broccoli. She said even peeling thicker skin fruits after washing was still risky because it does come in contact with actual fruit when you cut through. It kind of sounds a little extreme but like I said I don't want to have any extra SE or setbacks! I want to get better ASAP!! On the flip side: I think if all your counts are normal you don't have to be so cautious.

Katy I asked my MO about eating raw fruits and veggies because I do a lot of green juice etc, and he said yes that was fine.  I think if you get an infection they don't want you to eat the raw stuff.

Just stopping in to say hi.  Day 4, tired, brain seems in low gear.  I was thinking about getting a wig, my Mom doesn't really know, she is a snow bird and by the time she comes back up here my hair will be gone.  Thought it might be less of a shock for her if I had a wig.  My question is whether you just order them online or do you need to get them fitted?  Hope everyone is doing well.  I agree with the looking forward to new hair and new boobs.  Oh and the having been hit by a truck. 

I went to a wig shop.  They were so nice and helpful and I tried on several to find the best fit and style!  If you have one near you I would vote for that, but I have read lots of ladies order them on line and are happy with them.

KatyCB...I think it would help if we could support each other with our exercise efforts.  My doc said any exercise with weights or resistance has been proven beneficial during chemo.  I think it's two fold...the normal benefits like energy etc., but also with bone and muscle loss.  I'm not sure if the bone loss is just a concern for those of us on herceptin or all of us.  I know I had to get a bone scan before starting chemo.  I'm open to posting on this thread or starting a new one, depending on how everyone here feels.  Please chime in everyone.  With fifty-one (?) of us now want to make sure no one objects.  Oh, we have to get Muscles in on this lol.

 Welcome Muscles and all the other new Marchers!

 Fifty some people for our March 2012 thread and it's only March 17.  So unbelievable and sad.

I've been wondering if anyone chewed ice during their chemo and if anyone put anything cold on hands and feet.  Chewing ice is supposed to help preserve taste and prevent or reduce mouth sores.  I did chew ice, and never lost taste.  I don't know if it was coincidental or if there is benefit to it.  Also putting ice (frozen bags of veggies on/under hands and feet is supposed to help prevent neuropathy and can also preserve nails.  I have read postings and heard stories from women at a support group at the hospital where there nails turned black and peeled back and eventually some of the women lost nails on hands and feet.  I don't know which chemo they had though.  I believe there is definitely something to this as I have heard some hospitals give cold mits out for hands and feet during treatment.  Mine is not one of them.  Just wondering if anyone else is doing this.

Msbelle...I would love to get some of these docs/nurses in the same room.  I was told I could eat any vegetables as long as they were washed well.  They did say it was important to wash all vegetables and not to think it was okay not to because you would  be peeling skin and mentioned what you said about the knife cutting through could contaminate inside of vegetable but again just said that is why you have to wash the outside well.  They did say that I should stay away from all salad bars and not order any salads out because I would have no way of knowing if the vegetables had been washed.

Holy crow, I had no idea there might be restrictions on raw produce. I drink at least one veg/fruit smoothie daily. I'll have to ask my MO about that...



Regarding fevers, my mo warned that Tylenol can mask the true extent of a fever and that if I get a fever I shouldn't take it as it will make it hard to judge how high it truly is. I was told to call in if it's 100.5 or higher. It's frustrating how we all get different information....

Hi Bev...someone said peanut butter helps with counts. I hope you will not have to deal with those side effects as well.  Do you have to go for more frequent blood work when counts are low?

Brax:  Count me in for discussing exercise.  I started back exercising as soon as the fog lifted from first chemo & I do feel good.  The topic might be a bit much in this thread unless everyone is interested.

Galena:  My period started the day after my first chemo & it freaked me out.  For some reason, I thought chemo would put me into immediate menopause.   I thought something was wrong.  I'm now curious to see when (not really if) it will stop.  Sorry to hear about your cold.  The last thing the Drs. want is for us to get sick.  Hopefully, it doesn't delay your treatment.

I just started getting drenching night sweats again.  I'm beginning to wonder if it is related to my starting to eat dairy and chicken again.  I had went almost vegan when I was diagnosed and they tapered off.  Anybody else experience anything like this?

Good morning ladies!  I would love an exercise thread!  I am going to do my best to do something everyday!  I know it will make me feel better!  It makes me feel better when I do it now, so it must be true!  I had some weird dreams last night about chemo etc.  Counting down to the start of my treatment.  I am ready to get it started, deal with the side effects and live!

I'm not sure if this has happened to others, but I was talking to my cousin last night who has stage 4 lung cancer and she was telling me how bad I was going to feel and not want to eat etc etc etc, I told her I was going to do great, I was going to work out, work and eat right and feel decent.  She poo pooed me and said well I guess you have a good attitude but not being realistic.  Love her to death, but I don't need any negative talk right now!  maybe I am just being sensitive!  I am not under the impression this will be a cake walk, i am just trying to stay positive and believe I will get through this with minimal side effects.  The mind is a powerful thing! 

Onvacation and everyone else, we definitely are better off being positive. I also have found that many people who have gone through or are going through chemo seem to be "experts" on the subject. I think all of us have found out that not all chemo drugs are the same, not all treatment regimens are the same, and most of all, not all of us are the same. I think if we eat our small meals, even when we're not hungry, take a short walk, even when we feel like crap, take our anti-nausea meds, even when we don't have nausea we will do the best that we can do. I'm on Day #12 and did all those things, and really believed it helped. I did stop taking the anti-nausea after the first week and did okay, but I think it's a good idea to take it at least during the first week after treatment.

In defense of your cousin though, her situation could be very different from ours. Stage 4 is pretty serious and they are probably loading her up in treatments. The drugs used could be really different than ours. it's unfortunate that she wanted to scare you when she should know that what she is going through is not necessarily what you will go through.

As someone who has gone through one treatment and heading in for a 2nd on Monday, I think you will do just fine. Yes, you'll feel lousy, especially that first week, but you have the right attitude about eating and exercise that will make all the difference in the world. Good luck.