March 2012 chemo

tick tock...tick tock...going on thursday for first chemo of A/C...

Wow, I would love to get hooked up with that Wellspring program, that sounds amazing. Good for you to have started a walking program. Must. Find. Some. Oomph.

Hi everyone!  Went for one week check-up today.  My white count was 29!! (normal is 4-10) So I guess the neulasta shot worked.  Today is day 8 and I finally feel normal.  So exciting.  My onc said I should be feeling fine now til tx 2 which will be Wed Apr 4. Also, she said as far as veggies/salad fixings I could eat anything.  I guess because my counts are up... I know that was a hot topic the other day, so I thought I'd mention it.

Myleftboob - you are 12 days past chemo tx right? Just wondering because I would love a glass of wine, wasn't sure if it was allowed... Did it taste ok?  My taste is dulled/fuzzy.  Not sure how else to describe it.  

Karri, hope you get to feeling better.  I was a little down when the steroids wore off, but mostly because I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.  I sure hope you don't get that. Hope the tornadic activity passed you.  We got home just as the system passed. I'll check in with you tomorrow.

Caitlin! Welcome!  Just wanted to tell you that I was born and raised in Green Bay; most of my family is there.  Love the climate in Arkansas, but Green Bay will always be home.  Have a Kroll's hamburger or Sammy's pizza for me, miss those the most! You look so young, so sorry you have to be here, but there is a lot of support on this board. 

Amy, you and I were posting at the same time...glad you made it home ok.  Since your white count was so high, what did they say about going out.  My youngest has a DI competetion on the 31st which will be on the 13th day post TX for me...my mom doesn't think I should go because of so many kids.  I guess it all depends on how my labs look next week.

Karri, my onc said I could go anywhere.  She actually said, and I quote, "you could rub noses with anybody and be fine!" She's a little quirky but I love her (but planning to keep my nose to myself!) I think your count will be up and you'll be fine to go.  

Welcome LTR227 - I have young children also, my littlest is 3 1/2.  You are in the right place, lots of support here.  Do you know what chemo drugs you will be getting? 

Jeanne - I had my port put in Monday and it was fine!  no pain, just a little tender.  We start our chemo the same day also but I'm doing T/C.  

From what I have heard fresh fruit and veggies are fine if your blood count is good!  No worries!  My MO told me you get germs from yourself not others, so wash your hands often!  I have no plans on wearing a mask!  I will go to work, be careful and carry on! 

Tx2 Day 3.  I've been feeling indigested or nauseous since I got my treatment, and have had almost zero appetite.  But on a positive note, I haven't vomited since Day 1.

I haven't been able to move around much since I got my treatment.  Aside from the nausea feeling worse when I move around, I feel like my heart is beating harder than normal, and it's a little harder to breathe than normal.  So I've been on my butt watching TV or reading.

Can't wait until the worst SE's pass.  I'm sure I'll feel closer to normal in a few days.

I hope you're all doing well, and will hopefully see you in the exercise thread too.  But I'm heading back to bed for now.

(((((hugs))))) 

Starting chemo march 26th with AC.  How do I get added to the list? Thanks for any help in this!

CaitlinB

Welcome! Your hair may hang in a little longer than you think,  Mine didn't get really bad until after the 2nd chemo but then I had it buzzed off.

Amymomto5

I assumed that it would be zero alcohol during TX.  My MO said it you want to have a drink, go ahead but obviously not to over do it.  I would think because if dehydration and yes since I'm 12 days out.  I can't imagine even wanting one the 1st week after TX since the tastebuds are off and feeling the most tired etc. I hydrated alot yesterday and today. 

kitb04

Abbreviate away !!

Ladyfighter

I personally have only been eating bananas, organges, avodaco because they have a thick skin.  I've been cooking all of my veg even if it a quick blance.  I only get my bloodwork done the day before TX so I have no idea really what my counts are.  Re the Clariton:  I used 24 hour Clariton on the advise of someone on the Feb thread.  I started taking in the day before TX then everyday for a full 7.  I had a huge improvement  over my first TX.  I haven't had to resort to wearing a mask.  I lay kind of low for the 1st week after TX anyway.  If I knew I had to be around someone that was sick mabey I would consider it.

triplem67

Welcome.  You are in the right place alright!

Masserz

That's wild that your hair did that.  I have to say though just before I had it buzzed it felt really dry and gross so I can understand what the hairdress is saying. 

Galena

Glad to hear that your a bit better and hopefully will be more and more every day.

LTR

Welcome too.  Good lord this list grows everyday!

Myleftboob, thank you!



Welcome newcomers, good luck with new journey.



10 min left of midnight deadline no food or drinks until after port surgery ! -__-



Good night xoxo

I MISS COFFEE!!!  Sorry for yelling like that just had to vent.  I think it is more fustrating to be able to have something and not taste it that to just not have it at all.  Most things still taste pretty normal but my morning coffee.  Why? 

Hello to all the newcomers.  I hope this board helps you as much as it helps me. 

Galena-sorry to hear about the fatigue, if you come across anything good to watch let me know.  I am running out of things to watch.

Mas- had to laugh, sorry.  I tried to dye my hair blue before chemo.  It didn't take so my hair is very odd.  Striping the original color made it stiff, the blue just stuck to the very roots and the rest is a yellow/orangish mess.  I have been far to tired to fix it.  I look like Einstien.

 As for germs, my Onc told me today day 8 thru 13 are highest risk.  I am receiving the highest density combo they give.  He also said most risk comes from myself (infection and bacteria).  Then hospitals.  But that I should go out and see people.  Just remember that if my temp is 100.5 or over I need to call him immediately.

Good night everyone. 

Corky

P.S.  I would love to see some pics of the wigs.  maybe we can do a fashion calander.

A/C tx #2 yesterday went well. I'd been in exile for the whole week previous due to "extremely low" neutrophil count. When they checked my blood before going ahead with chemo, the count was up to an acceptable amount - it was 6.9. I asked if he could tell me what it had been when so low, and it was - ZERO!! Well, now, I'd say that was extremely low! Good thing I put myself on house arrest.

Chemo went well, I took Compazine when I got home to ward off nausea. Appetite just not there again. This morning I feel fine, except I'm drinking ginger ale this morning instead of coffee. My beloved coffee just doesn't taste appealing to me right now. 

I go today for the Neulasta shot, have already taken Claritin (just Claritin, no "D"). The nurse at the infusion center asked if I had any pain with the last Neulasta & when I told him no, he asked what I did if anything to prevent. I started to tell him about Claritin, but before I said the word he beat me to it, so he'd heard of it as well. Don't know how that one got started, but it's one that seems to really work, and such an easy fix! I got the generic Loratidine at Sam's for about $5 something for two bottles each containing 200 tabs, so that's pretty cheap too. 

This afternoon I see my hairdresser for the buzz; hair is definitely shedding now. I'm not thinking I'll have her shave it, just buzz it down really close. I'm taking my wig with me, and will have her do any trims it might need, though I don't really think it will.

If anyone is looking for something to watch, and you have Netflix, or Amazon instant video available, I highly recommend Downton Abbey - what a wonderful BBC series. There have only been two seasons so far, and I've watched both seasons twice now, but I'm ready to go back and watch some more. That and the Discovery channel Frozen Planet, and Planet Earth series are my go-to things that I never tire of watching.

While I'm not experiencing any bad side effects, I sure have no energy for doing any more than just existing - my gym membership is sure not being used now. I have faith that it will though, so I'm not going to cancel it. I bought a recumbent exercise bike for home, and I'm looking at the parts of it on the floor right now. You know, "assembly required" - think I may have to call on my son for help with this one. Maybe I will be able to do some 5 minute segments here and there and at least get in some movement. 

My admiration for you all is huge - you're doing so well, and we will get through this!!

Karon

Hello All

Just a tip about the coffee.  While I only have 2 all day.  I remember one of the posters from February saying how it tasted off and she couldn't enjoy it so she stopped drinking it altogether.  She was experiencing really bad headaches and realized she was going through caffiene withdrawals!!  I've been lucky it still  tasting OK so I'm still having my beloved 2 morning coffees but I hadn't thought about withdrawals.  Years ago I was drinking way way too much coffee and gave it up cold turkey so I remember how crappy I felt for 3 full weeks.  Got lured back about a year later but really cut it down.  Mabey try a tea or something?