Ohio Chemo Sisters

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited March 2012

    Sew,

    Thanks for asking...I haven't been on much with all the AWESOME OHIO WEATHER!!  lol  Who woulda thought in March??  WOO HOO!.

    I still have a lump in my neck....Onc appt was pushed back until the second week in April.  I had the OB look at it last week at my two week post-op appt.  She said the lymphs under my jaw were really swollen and if they didn't resolve by the time I saw the Onc to demand some kind of imaging.  Well, I think they've gone down to normal now.  Whew.

    But that lump in my neck discovered during a massage, is still there and painful, tho the OB said she couldn't feel it.  But when I turn my head a certain way, you can see it....weird.

    I'm getting another massage next week from a different provider, I'll have her check and give me an opinion.

    Other than that....what's bothering me worse is this little bit of swelly belly that won't go away.  It's mostly gone, but still a bit sore and swollen.  I can tell it's swollen because I can't suck it in or move it with exercise...well, I can jiggle it! lol  It's very annoying.

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  • leslie612
    leslie612 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2012

    Hi Munnybunni,  How did your first A/C go today?  I've been thinking about you and praying that all went well.  Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited March 2012

    Hi Kelly,  Thinking of you and wishing you good luck with your last chemo tomorrow. Praying that your side effects are minimal and that you are able to enjoy the weekend.  Let us know how it goes.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers     Hugs  Eileen

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Eileen!  I am looking forward to it being my last (except for Herceptin) but not looking forward to feeling like crap for the weekend.  Of course the Ohio weather is gonna mimic how I feel and get poopy over the weekend.  Oh well, if there is any way at all I will be planted on the deck or in my swing in the yard.  I'll keep you all posted and thanks for the thoughts and prayers!  You'll get there sooner than you think!

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited March 2012

    Off topic here..but how about 4 OHIO teams in the Sweet 16?

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  • kdking
    kdking Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    Titan...awesome!! I love college basketball! I'm cheering for Ohio U! That's where I went.



    Hope everyone has been enjoying the weather! I feel like a swollen cow! I don't know what is happening! I'm hoping for a water pill or something. I start my rads Monday!

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited March 2012

    What is sweet 16?

    Lol

    Actually I don't follow sports...very anti-buckeye I know...but oh well. 

    Looks like cooler weather will return next week.

    BOO!

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  • leslie612
    leslie612 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2012

    Rooting for the Buckeyes down here.  My DD and DS graduated from OSU and my DS was in the OSU marching band so I don't feel like I have a choice!  

     I realized that I had a calendar malfunction and thought Munnybunni had her tx yesterday -- it was today.  Hope it went well. 

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited March 2012

    Yeah!! Congrats on finishing TCH Kelloggs!!

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  • kdking
    kdking Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    Finally got my water pill today...feeling some relief already. My muscles hurt though and I haven't been doing much. Maybe from Herceptin??

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited March 2012

    Hello Ohio sisters!  I had my final TCH yesterday and everything went well.  My platelets were actually in the normal range finally so I got the full tx.  I still have to go back to the center every three weeks until December for Herceptin but I definitely feel like I crossed a threshhold.  I know that the SE's this weekend will be the last and it will all uphill from here.

    Thanks so much to all of you for the support.  I will still be on here of course but wanted to express my gratitude for the silent and voiced support.  This site has meant so much to me and gotten me through this tx process!

    I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that this Ohio weather isn't as crappy as they are predicting!  Love to all!

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  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    I went to chemo yestery 3/22 appt was at 12:30 suppose to be three hours.  NOT.....

    Between the little bit of paperwork and the nurses not being able to find my muga scan I had back in february it was a hoot.

    Nurse Karen put my IV in while Nurse Tracey was at lunch...they recommended to MO that I get a port...as my veins are for crap.

    Sooooo...when I go in 10 days to see MO she will give me a date to get the port put in. 

    After they put IV in they suck 2 vials of blood...one vial takes about 15 minutes to get results...the other vial takes over an hour...so you sit and wait and lay and wait (i had a private room to begin with)

    After the results come back they mix your potion and the red stuff (adriamyacin) and is in like two needle looking things and they put it in the IV...SLOWLY....takes 10 minutes for a total 61 CC's  to go in.  Then they give me Cytoxin as a drip for a half hour.  Unfortunately, I was there from 12:30 to 5:30 for the whole ordeal.

    Should be shorter next time.

    Everyone was nice and my friend Debbie told me about taking popsicles...so i did and left them there after I ate a couple during the infusion.

    Frankly, right now...I am kinda sorta tired...feel like I can hardly keep my eyes open...I am pretty sure it is from the Benadryl...as I takes chldrens benadryl..or used to.   I guess I will have to ask about that as I have glaucoma and benadryl is a no-no for my eyeballs...forgot to mention that when we all were talking.

     got the sweats and pulled a nudie in bed....my eyewinkers were so heavy i hit the hay early

     thanks for listening to me.

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    Hey girls!

    I have been trying to catch up after being out of town.  The Punta Cana trip (my reward for finishing rads) was terrific.  And then I come back to 70 degree weather in Canton, rock on!  My daffodils are up, my forsythia is a blast of yellow in the back yard.  Grass got cut today.  It is spring in NE Ohio.

    Munni - -yeah yeah, eat the popsicles when they push the Adriamycin.  I did that and had no mouth sores.

    Lumpy - your treatments sounded so much like mine (I had 6 TAC Sept thru Dec).  The Emend and Decadron, Aloxi, Benadryl ... all that other stuff they ran with the chemo helped, I had very little nausea.  The decadon blew my face up like a balloon, but I guess it was worth it.

    I had to go get my eyebrows waxed today (I do not see well enough to tend them myself) - the girls in the beauty shop were happy to see me, they all wanted to rub my head (I have about 1/4" of fuzz now). 

    Kelly - Max was home from OSU this past week for spring break and we played Sunday night at Ogre's (the old Noturno's there by Tip Top).  It was a good music night.  You will have to let me know when you feel good enough to come out to a Rafters Wed night jam.  I am feeling good enough now, I will start going out to play more with DH.

    When I had  my MO follow up last Friday she put me on Arimidex, I have been on that 10 days.  A couple hot flashes, no other major SE so far. 

    I wish for all of you progress in your treatment, and NO SIDE EFFECTS!  Have a good week, love you all.

    Debbie

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited March 2012

    tomorrow is my last DD A/C !!!!!

    wait a month i guess for lumpectomy then RADS....

    i have really enjoyed this weather however i have to say that the heat on Thursday tried to kill me!!!!!!!

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  • Jaytee
    Jaytee Member Posts: 1,211
    edited March 2012

    Yay lumpynme, almost done with that darn red pop!!!!!!    and also to you Kelly, you did it!  Chemo, done!     Best wishes to you both for the rest of your treatment.    May your hair grow back, lovelier than ever!    

    Think the weather got a bit too hot too!  I love the spring, but not ready for summer temps just yet.  We are going to have a freeze warning Monday night down here in central Ohio.   Thats not good either, but par for the course for Ohio weather, isnt it?   I can't remember when we had a normal spring.

    Debbie.........glad you had a good time on the trip!!  

    munnybunni........that port is going to make it so much easier for you.  Keep hanging in there.  I did not know about the popscicles, but was lucky not to get any mouth sores.  Had a real fear about that.

    kdking.........are you feeling better?   Hope so.  Did your doc ever get you an appt with a cardiologist?

    Just wishing everyone a good Sunday--------and a good upcoming week. 

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  • kdking
    kdking Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for asking Jaytee! Looks like we are back to reality with the weather! I was getting used to the warmer temps...but hating the intense hot flashes that are increasing everyday?? I am wondering if my periods will return or will I just go into menopause??



    I am feeling somewhat better with the racy heart..they are going to put a Holden?? Monitor on me for 24 hrs starting Wednesday morning. I was able to get a water pill script from my MO and that has helped the swelling in my hands feet and legs.



    Starting radiation tomorrow! Will have four fields radiated?? Didn't realize they will be zapping my back too. Can anyone relate to this? I have plenty of Aquaphor and went and bought some men's white tanks...I think this scares me more than the chemo did!



    Hope everyone has a good week! Munnybunni.... Having a port is a dream! Oh...I am growing some fuzz on my head!! Thick in some spots but very sparse in the bang area..kinda looks like my hubby's hair pattern!

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    Munny - I LOVED MY PORT!  I still have it in.  None of my docs are in a hurry to take it out, and it does not bother me.  I just have to have it flushed every 6 weeks.  I got it after my first chemo after a hospital stay blew out all the veins in my right arm.  Early on, it would "pinch" every now and again ... but it is so worth it.  I am spoiled, the nurses at my MO are pro's at using the port.  So much better than getting poked.  Some people have theirs numbed a bit before the poke.  I just have them count 1-2-3 when they are going to insert the needle, and I blow out on 3 and that works for me. 

    Re the heat last week ... I think I was having hot flashes from the Arimidex but it coulda been the heat!

    Deb

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  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited March 2012

    Hey ladies, haven't been on much since my surgery and scans but met with my oncologist today. Does everyone get a port? I understand the pros and cons but I really don't want one. I tried to put my foot down but it must be little or invisible because I got shot down, big time. I've heard nothing but " you've got great veins," and "wow, what a gusher," so I was really hoping to avoid the port but yet I'm scheduled Monday for placement.



    Any advice?



    Also my chemo regimen is 4 doses of Adriamycin and Cytoxan every other week and then 4 doses of Taxol every other week. Anyone else do this? I'm also part of a clinical trial which will add some other medicine normally given to her2+ cancers despite my her2- status.



    At my appointment she said that they're "throwing the book at me" because of my age. Lol, sounds great :) happy birthday to me.

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited March 2012

    ihatemyboobs; i had a PICC line by choice- less invasive-still put in at hospital but not by BS--in radiology dept by one of their surgeons........did the trick and i'll do it again!

    today was my last DD A/C...i posted below about what is to come!

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited March 2012

    so today was tx #4 !!! yay me..done with chemo................................NOT

    seems that due to my lymph involvement they will put me back into chemo after my lumpectomy and before my rads (and yes-kdking-the rads scare me more than the chemo did) . chemo nurse and i are presuming it will be taxol after MO said every 3 weeks and i am HER2-  we'll see...

    they did take my PICC out today--i'll get another put in before i restart chemo--was having some issues with itching and the tapes and bandages--this gives it a break-maybe i can tan meantime!!!!!

    that wind was sure bitter cold this morning.brrrrrrrrrrrr

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  • kdking
    kdking Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    Sarah..I've also "had the book thrown at me" or so I've been told. GET THE PORT!!!! You will be so glad you dd. I too had 4 AC tx followed by 12 Taxol with Herceptin. (that is put on hold for now). I start my rads tomorrow and am having four fields radiated. Which means they will be doing my back too. All this and I was still told only 1 in ten chance this will work?? Ugh! When I asked why they are going at this so aggressively I was told "because you are so young"

    And yes lumpy me..it was cold this morning...think tomorrow will be worse! Ugh again!

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited March 2012

    I'm triple negative and had the book thrown at me too...4 ac and 4 taxol dose dense plus 38 rads...thinking back I'm so glad they threw the book at me...I didn't like it then but I sure do now...

    Go Buckeyes in the Final Four..I sure was hoping OU would win..they are an awesome team....I loved them...

    It's OK tonlee to be antibuckeye..everyone to their own...Almost everyone in my family went to OSU...its kinda ingrained in me..my son is there now..he is going to New Orleans..while his mama (me) sits home and freaks out..

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited March 2012

    It's amazing how much you can miss on these threads when you are absent for even a day or two!  Yes, the weather has turned in Ohio...just in time for me to spend yet another TCH recovery period stuck indoors.  Sure wish I could have been out on my swing or on my porch.  My final tx kicked my ass as expected.  I took yesterday off work and didn't move from the recliner.  I am back today, weak and tired but ready to get out of the house.  Hopefully, I will start to feel better every day.

    I have a PET and ECHO on 4/5 and then Herceptin on the 12th.  We will decide from there when or if I will start rads.  I am just glad to have a little rest.

    I hope everyone is having a good day!

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  • Eileenohio
    Eileenohio Member Posts: 460
    edited March 2012

    Kelly,  I have been thniking of you. So sorry that your last treatment was so rough. Thank God it was your last.. I go for treatment #3 tomorrow. I am already getting anxious. I have been lucky so far. I have had minimal side effects. Hope my good fortune continues.

    Glad that you feel good enough to go to work. You continue to inspire me.  Don't overdue it!!!

    Hugs Eileen

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Eileen.  I am so glad you are doing well and having minimal side effects.  I know this was a very scary decision for you and I am glad it has worked out.  I can take whatever chemo throws my way...because now I am DONE!  I'm sure I will feel stronger and better every day.  I'll be keeping you in my prayers tomorrow!

    Hugs

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  • leslie612
    leslie612 Member Posts: 17
    edited March 2012

    Sarah,  I did the 4DD AC & 4DD Taxol and so wish I'd had a port.  It took 3 stabs (literally!) at my 1st tx to get the iv started.  My MO said if they had trouble at the 2nd tx I would need a port.  Of course, I had wonder-nurse at the 2nd tx and no problems with the stick.  Not so lucky with tx 3-8.  I've never had an aversion to needles... until now.  I debated a clinical trial which would have been 12 taxols w/Herceptin and then Herceptin for a year.  Is that the one you're participating in?

     I think you'll be happy with the port -- it should make the txs easier.  God forbid I have to go through this again but if I do, I will put my foot down and demand a port!

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  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    cant believe how tired i am....never have felt this way...today i took a sip of milk and yucky it tastes

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  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    Munny - all I could drink during chemo was milk and water ... carnation instant breakfast tasted pretty good.  I ate a lot of Wendy's Frosties, too.  Then the MO turned me on to fruit gatorade, that helped me get more fluids down (get the G, not the G2). 

    Kelly - so glad you are done!  My #6 (last) was the worst, but I seemed to recover faster from it than the others, and I think it was a mental thing because I needed to get feeling good so I could jump right into my radiation as soon as I felt good.  Plus just the psychological knowing it is the last one (hopefully forever).  I felt less antsy recovering inside when it was cold ... if it had been nice I would have been stressing about what needed done in my gardens. 

    Ihatemyboobs ... the placement of the port was not bad, they did not even knock me out.  I was alert and chatting with the doc & nurses while they did it.  So that made it better for me, I hate anesthesia.  And I have had very few issues and am very grateful I have it.  I am not averse to needles at all, and I am still glad I got the port.  If you ever need a CAT scan, if you have a purple power port they can inject the isotopes right in thru the port, too.  The minor inconveniences here and there are far outweighed by the good.

    Much love to all ...

    Debbie

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited March 2012

    munnibunni,

    I went from drinking regular tap water, then to filtered water and when I couldnt stand the taste of that bottled water.  I also drank a lot of ginger ale. No diet pop. Couldnt stand the taste of the artificial sweetener. Keep drinking though, you need to get the stuff flushed out ASAP.....

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  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    thanks sewingnut....i figure i will graduate to all sorts of drinks...i cant have anything but diet as i am a diabetic...tomorrow i will try my glucerna...as my blood sugars have been horrbile

    from one treatment to the next does one have to drink drink drink???

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