March 2012 chemo

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  • FightingforA
    FightingforA Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2012

    I have a quick question for you all. I'm wondering if any of you are experiencing a lot of breast pain and/or pain in the lymph nodes. My breast is still very swollen and painful, and there's a node in my armpit area that now hurts when I raise my arm above my head. I'm thinking about calling my BS in the morning, but am wondering if any of you are experiencing this too.

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    I have had little sharp pains periodically. Refresh my memory. What have you had done so far? Just testing and biopsy? No SNB?

  • FightingforA
    FightingforA Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2012

    All I've had so far was testing and biopsy. It was an incisional biopsy (about a 2 inch incision). No nodes yet. Most of the breast pain is towards the bottom of the breast (although I get some sharp stabbing pains around the biopsy site).

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    I think anytime they go digging around in there you may have pain even if it isn't in the same area. Wouldn't hurt to call your BS just for reassurance but like I said I have all kinds of weird pains!

  • FightingforA
    FightingforA Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2012

    Thanks. It gets so tiring worrying about everything! Ha! I'll give her a call in the morning just to see if she has any other insight.

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    I hear ya sister. I caught myself worrying about my ribs all day yesterday. Then I had to slap myself in the face and tell myself the reason they were hurting was the fact that I have spent every waking minute slouched in the corner of the couch watching tv the last few days like some hunch back person. :)

  • tellie_savalis
    tellie_savalis Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2012

    Hello Slak.  Good luck tomorrow, I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes well.

    Well I had an excellent day yesterday, my Uncle is out from Colorado and we went and visited him and a bunch of other family.  I (and DH) were surprised at how much energy I had and how well it went.  Seems I am paying for it today though, tired and can't seem to stop crying.  Weird, I am not a person who normally crys.  I am not even sure why I am crying.  Guess I am just over tired?  I have read a couple of others seem to be feeling a little blue also.  Maybe it's just another stupid SE of all the stress and chemo and crap.  I don't know.  I'm just glad you guys are all here so I don't feel like such a freak, although you know I wish none of us were. 

    Love to you all,

    Corky

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    Corky I cry over everything. I cried today over hummus. Specifically that DH wouldn't drop everything he was doing and go buy me hummus. Then I got over it and took a shower.



    Btw I eventually got said hummus and it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

  • tellie_savalis
    tellie_savalis Member Posts: 121
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Karri.  I am glad you got your hummus even if it didn't taste as good, and your post made me smile

    nsmolen- I get like needle pains in my breast and armpit.  I did have a palpible lump in my armpit before chemo that was biopsied as positive.  I would, however, call your BS tomorrow.  Thats what they are there for!

  • Masserz
    Masserz Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2012

    My friend Laura that I told the story about told me that she also had those times where little things were too much to handle or she was just down and cried a lot. I think we have to go easy on ourselves. Not only are we physically going through exhausting treatments and procedures, but we have been diagnosed with a disease that can change or end our lives. Many of us haven't had a lot of time to absorb that before being thrown into treatment. No matter how strong and brave we are, we need to allow ourselves to grieve for what has been taken from us and to be mad about what is happening to us. I think in the end we will all grow from this and be better people, but we have to go through the whole process which includes the not so fun stuff now. I don't think wallowing in negative emotions is good, but I also believe that if you don't go ahead and feel them, they'll eat you up from the inside. I don't know if that helps anyone, but I've been through a lot in my short life and I know that it's okay to be sad sometimes. I do hope it doesn't last long though! Being happy is way more fun.

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    Very good points. I think that is the problem a lot of people have with the fluffy, cotton candy, pink culture that you are almost under pressure to say "oh I'm fine and everything is going to be okay" when you really don't feel that at all. That said I agree it doesn't do any good to wallow but if we need to cry, we need to cry. (((hugs))) to us all.

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited March 2012

    Well said Masserz.  If there was a like button I would have clicked on it.

  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    ????  1st tx march 22 a/c...first couple days ok....today i called mo and told them i had burning and belching from my stomach...been drinking my brains out..

    they told me antiacids and zantac i could take

    on the first day i peed a little red stuff out from the adriamyacin but since then been clear...does it only happen once like that or should i be concerned

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    Btw that Nyastatin mouth rinse was NASTY. The one thing I could taste today. :)

  • kltb04
    kltb04 Member Posts: 1,051
    edited March 2012

    Yes munnibunny it can be that way for a couple days. No worries.

  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    whewwww.....i thought maybe i wasnt drinking enough of water or liquids.....thanks

  • Masserz
    Masserz Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2012

    Lol Karri...I have that problem too. The only things I can taste are the ones that taste bad.

  • journey4life
    journey4life Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2012

    Amen to your post, masserz. I agree with everything you said. For a few minutes this morning, I mourned the loss of my breasts (again). Sometimes its difficult to remember why we're doing all of this - LIFE. Our new normal is facing and dealing with each day, not knowing how we'll feel tomorrow.

    On a positive note, the nystatin/benadryl/hydrocortisone magic mouthwash worked. My tongue feels soooo much better!

    To the Marchers with tx today - best wishes and hugs to you all. WE CAN DO THIS!!

  • brax
    brax Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2012

    Sissydi...sorry you were feeling down.  Hope you are feeling better today.

    Everyone...Wishing good days ahead and minimal to no SE's for everyone!

    Is anyone still using toothpaste or has everyone switched to the baking soda mix and mouth rinses?

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited March 2012

    brax

    I've been using Arm and Hammer Sensitive.  So far so good.  It has baking soda in it.

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited March 2012

    Good morning ladies!  Made it to work, though moving slowly!  Drinking my green juice and hoping I have enough energy to get through my meetings today!  Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited March 2012

    Does anyone take supplements?  I used to take several before all of this started, but was never told if I could continue on with them?  I am thinking they would help my energy level?

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2012

    I'm off to my first chemo today. I think my hubby is more nervous than I am. I'm scared but definitely want to get this beast in me shrinking.



    Masseurs-loved your post. I think for some of us it's hard to show when we're down.because we're trying so hard to keep those around us uplifted.



    Have a great day all and I hope the SE don't pick on you so much today!

  • tc9876
    tc9876 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2012

    TripleM:  Best to you on your infusion.  May it be uneventful.

    NsMolen:  When I was first diagnosed and going through biopsies, I had all kinds of tinglies in my breasts (both sides although only one side was positive).  I think that the boobs get a little upset from all the poking and prodding.

    Onvacation:  I take supplements.  I've toned them down since starting chemo upon the advice of my integrative Dr.  I take a multi, digestive enzymes, probiotics, circumin, fiber, protein in my green smoothies, L-glutamine (prevent neuropathy), vitamin D (will never stop this).  I think that's it.  I used to drink wheatgrass (as well as chlorella) daily but I've slowed up since chemo...will probably start again after all is done.

    Masserz:  Well said!  I often want to curl up in the fetal position.  It's tough being strong all of the time.

    My update:  Day 5 after TCH#2 of 6.  I feel pretty good.  Staying on top of constipation is key for me.

  • Westwoodmom
    Westwoodmom Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2012

    New to the group so Hello everyone! I was diagnosed right after I had my now 4 month old baby boy. I had lumpectomy, port put in and have completed 2 out of 8 chemo sessions with radiation to follow. This has been a great placed for info for me so thanks so much for sharing your tips and advice. We can beat this thing! Best wishes to all going through this!



  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited March 2012

    One treatment down...7 to go...not a great weekend but back among the living...

  • Love74
    Love74 Member Posts: 175
    edited March 2012

    Onvacation - Yay on making it to work!  Its hard but just keep yourself busy and you'll make it thru.  I just cut back to 5.5 hours per day after working full time thru the first month.  The afternoon nap has made a world of difference.  Make sure you take care of you first...even a 20 minute nap on your lunch break will help.  Check with your Onc on supplements...my doc said some may interfere with the chemo drugs.  He told me that multivitamins were okay to take.  I don't take any other ones so I only asked about the multi.

    Welcome Westwoodmom and congrats on being a new mom!  You should post a photo of your little guy!  I don't know about anybody else but looking at baby pics always makes me feel better!

    Day 18 of tx2...I feel good.  My eyes are still puffy and watering but no other SE's.  I bumped my port on the weekend and it started to bleed...its been in for 6 weeks so thats a little weird.

  • khintul
    khintul Member Posts: 33
    edited March 2012

    Day 7 of cycle 2, and my energy level is in the basement! Yesterday was a gorgeous day here weather-wise, but I could barely drag myself out of bed. Spent way more hours in bed than out yesterday, and today's shaping up to be much the same.

    I don't feel really bad, just don't feel good, and just feel soooo tired. My strong suspicion is that my blood count numbers are in the tank again, I'll find out tomorrow when I go see my MO and get blood work done. 

    So glad I don't have to take care of anyone but me, and nobody needs to know about the really low spots, because I know they'll pass. 

    A pattern is beginning to emerge - first few days after chemo, steroid buzz gives me some energy, then it seems to start the downward plummet. Then a few days before chemo again, starts to come back up just a little. 

    You all have my undying admiration for all the grace and grit you show!

    Karon

  • Amymomto5
    Amymomto5 Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2012

    cmclean - I have felt a little blue too, which is not like me.  Maybe it's all that's going on, maybe it's the chemicals in our systems...

    masserz - thanks for summing up our feelings so well.  I don't think our families/loved ones "get it" but we can support each other so well because we're all in it together.

    brax - I am still using toothpaste.  My fuzzy tongue sensation has gotten better somewhat, but tastes are still dulled.

    triple67 - good luck today with first treatment!

    westwoodmom and other newcomers, welcome.

    Well today is day 14 for me and hair is coming out thick!  I tried to baby it when I fixed it, as I have 2 appts today and 2 tomorrow.  Also still fighting off hives.  Some throat tightness during the night, and this morning my lips were swollen.  I see my dermatologist today, and was able to schedule an appt with onc tomorrow to discuss how to proceed with chemo since I am obviously allergic to something, probably taxotere.  I'm concerned my next infusion I'll have a bad reaction.

    Hope everyone has a nice day; sun is shining here! 

  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited March 2012

    Good luck to all those having treatment today!

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