March 2012 chemo

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited April 2012

    KCB - so sorry you're having to deal with this issue on top of everything else.

    Second TX has been far worse than the first in terms of SEs for me. Lots of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. I've lost almost 30 pounds since my BMX on Feb 13; of course, at any other time in my life, I would be happy about this. But so far, today seems better. I actually ate a little breakfast.

    The hair is gone now, and I hate my wig. So just wearing the soft cotton knit hats everywhere. They're comfortable and I got a few of the little elastic braided things in different colors to go around them.

    Hope everyone is having a good day so far.

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

    ladyfigher

    You have to post them from an online source like Photobucket or Facebook.  There has to be a URL associated with the pics so you can't just upload from your own computer.Using the buttons above you can link to it.  Good luck and I look forward to your pics!

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2012

    Had tx 2 Monday and have done nothing but sleep. Going to shave my head tonight. Tired of it falling everywhere, especially drinks and food! Im just going to look at it as my right of passage with this f$&@?& disease. Will post pics tonight.

  • CAYH
    CAYH Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2012

    Can't recall who said it recently, but more than one have commented on how their Neulasta/Neupogen shots burn going in & after a bit.  You can ask the nurse if they can slow down the injection to see if that helps - I've been giving myself daily Neupogen shots & found that out real quick - if I pushed the plunger down too quickly, it burned.  No burning sensation at all during or after if I proceed slowly.  Figure on how teeny that needle's orifice is that the solution had to be squeezed out of...
     
    Worth a shot anyways!  Wink 
     
    Will be thinking of you "in the chair with me" tomorrow Januaryice & Stilldaddysgirl -
    hope you both do fine!  
  • CAYH
    CAYH Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2012

    Hope you feel better & get your energy back soon, triplem67 - I'll be buzzing soon, too.

  • tellie_savalis
    tellie_savalis Member Posts: 121
    edited April 2012

    Lanagraves- I am sorry to hear you are having a worse time of it.  Hope it gets better.

    Ladyfighter- Sorry Easter wasn't better for you.  I have to say I love your "voice".  I read your posts and it is like hearing someone talk, rather than just reading words.  As far as seeing BS, right now I only see MO, I won't see BS again until after chemo is done (unless I want too). 

    ktlb04- fingers crossed on the x-ray.

    As far as eating goes- I ate half a tub of onion dip and about half a bag of sour cream and onion ruffles last night!  After dinner.  WTF? Felt like when I was pregnant.  I am going to look like I am pregnant at this rate.

    Okay, so I am thinking of going back to my martial arts dojo.  I haven't been since my DX.  Before that I was among the top of the class, preparing for my test.  Now, well I am bald, slow and weak.  I know it sounds like ego, and I suppose it is, but I am nervous to go, to see the looks on their faces.  Right now only the chief instructors know why I have been missing.  A few of the upper ranks know I was slowing down towards the end (one of my first signs something was really wrong).  I miss the dojo, but should I go? 

    Positive thing of the day- Ladies, it is APRIL!!!  Heck almost the middle of April.

    Corky

  • galena_79
    galena_79 Member Posts: 107
    edited April 2012

    Tx3 Day 3. The bad smell and taste is really bothering me this time around. Need fresh air all the time to prevent nausea. But my appetite has been a tiny bit better this time.

    I had a good long sleep last night, and then did a little exercise this morning. Now feeling a bit bloated and exhausted, so I'll head to bed soon.

    Still have ostrich hair, lol, but I wonder if the last will fall out soon. If not, I think I'll go back to the hairdresser to buzz it again.

    I wonder if I should start taking Gingko biloba, to help thin my blood out a little before my next tests are needed... but I don't know if it could interfere with all the other drugs in my system.  Do any of you know?

    Michelle- They used ultrasound to place my port/catheter, but I didn't get an x-ray afterwards. The catheter goes in the right place, but it moves around when I move. When I cough and lift my arm up it works better. They said it can happen with a PICC line too.

    Sissydi- I have been weighed every 3 weeks, and it's stayed reasonably stable. But I definitely lose some in the first week, and then gain it back when my appetite kicks back in.

    Tellie- I had cramps for a couple days, thought my period might be coming on... but it didn't. Not sure what it means.

    Kltb- Good luck for the x-rays!

    Jeanne- You have been dealing with so much. Glad to hear you'll be losing the cast soon. :D

    Lana- So sorry that you've been feeling so nauseous. :( Is there anything more your MO could give you for next time?

  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited April 2012

    kcb: i am so sorry to read of this latest development. my hubby had to be bagged in 2005 -he was able to get reattached 6 months later. his was due to massive amounts of steroids that he had. also kindof an irritable bowel.

    i haven't been on the site for a few days- have my surgeon appt tomorrow- waiting to see when surg will be scheduled for (LX and lymph nodes).

    sending hugs and prayers to all....miss my hair! i'm tired of this.....

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2012

    Galena - check with your doc because I've heard a lot of herbs interact with chemo.



    Corky - you should go if you feel up to it! My fat butt has been sleeping for 2 days and as I'm sitting here I'm eating mini chocolate donuts.



    Dealing with the fact that I have to shave my head has me a little freaked out. But needs to be done. Looks like a small pets been murdered with all the hair around here. Was kind of angry and down today but feeling much better. Have a good day all.

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

    Sore. Sooooo sore all over from the shot. Expecting it this time so I am not as freaked out that I cannot move without aching.



    No results on X-rays; called about noon and told not to expect results today. So I spent the afternoon worrying and obsessing. Funny thing is that once I know I won't get a call (once the office closes) I relax a little for the night.



    Still have appetite and taste for now.

  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    Ktlb04......I'm sore too.......first time from the shot! Had the shot two times before...no problem....now third shot, and I hurt all over, yuck!



    Son that was here for weekend has strep now; great, now I'm freaked out about coming down with that!

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

    Good evening ladies!  Tomorrow is my second treatment and I think I'm ready.  Hope everyone who is getting their juice tomorrow has a good day!

    Cheers! 

  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2012

    Onvacation- good luck tomorrow. You'll do great. I just got back from my 2nd tx today. Things went really well. I did have some stomach issues later in the day(once all was out problem taken care of :)

    Feeling great right now but preparing to crash within the next couple of days.



    I do have some eye issues nd my dr got me right in with eye dr. Eyes are all blood spot but he thinks they are really dry from the chemo. At one point I thought it was pink eye!



    Good luck to everyone tomorrow !! Please let us know how you do.



    Munnibunny

    Did you ever get results from pet scan for pain in back?
  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2012

    Cayh and silldaddysgirl - how did it go today!! Thinking of both of you. Maybe we'll all be surprised and this one will great. ;))))



    Can't believe day 14 of 1st tx and still have my hair!!!!!! What is the record?

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

    Januaryice

    Re the hair thing, mine hung in although thin until day 23 but I cound't take the sore scalp and the droves of hair in the brush so I had it buzzed.  Even the MO was a little surprised on day 20 when I saw him before TX2 so you just never know.

    Good luck to all getting Tx tomorrow and remember 1 more down!!

  • lostinmo
    lostinmo Member Posts: 922
    edited April 2012

    Good luck to all getting Tx's today.  This is my last good day..TX2 tomorrow, so heading to the store to stock up on some food the guys can cook.  Then sitting outside to collect vitamin D.

    Januaryice I was wondering about the hair too.  Mine hasn't seemed to changed much or started falling out.

     Kltb-about the size change, I haven't felt around much either, my bra just doesn't pull to the bad side as much as it was. Could just be that I'm not swollen from the biospy anymore.  But still hoping for shrinkage! 

  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2012

    Hi Ladies. Just want you to know I am following and thinking about you and sending you all the positive vibes I have. You are inspiring and awesome and soldiers.

    I am tx 2 day10. Day 5 in hospital. Neutrophils were at 0.1 yesterday do the plan is to keep me in IV antibiotics until neutrophils get to 0.5. Of course today the tech couldn't get a vein to get blood from on my good arm (which is now black and blue from blue everyday) they will try again later. Surgically speaking I am coming along, started solid food yesterday, and am heading the right direction. Bit they won't send me home unles the count is heading upward.

    Lumpynme: thanks so much for sharing about your husband. As with the cancer journey,of course I know I am not the only person in the world this has happened to but it really really helps to be reminded. Ineed to find a board like this for colostomy!!!

  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2012

    Oh, and: as of the middle of last night, add me to the list of women still getting periods. Charming.

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

    KCB

    Oh honey you have really had you fill of it.  Did you not have a port iserted????  What hospital are you being treated out of?  I'm being treated out of Credit Valley.

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2012

    Kcb - I started my period yesterday to. Was hoping it would stop, but guess not. Hope you get to go home soon. This journey is hard enough without having to be away from home. I worked as a nurse for years and saw many reattachments so don't worry. Sorry you have this to deal with on top of cancer. Stay strong and will keep you in my prayers.



    Shaved my head last night. Thought I was ready but still cried. My hubby kept it entertaining though and had me laughing in no time. I'm on day 4 of tx 2 and really hope I can stay awake today. Haven't had any nausea issues, just sleeping.

  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    KCB, so sorry you have this sidelined hospital stay! Praying for you, that you get home soon, and resume your schedule.



    As far as periods, mine always come during the worst time, like during my mx! That's all we need is blood loss on top of low counts. It's rough being a woman!

  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    Tripem, I've had nausea and sleepiness....had no sleepiness during the past treatments, so this is new. Still struggling to eat; drinking Ensure, and water when I can, but getting food down? Hmmmmm.....

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2012

    Sissy - I've been thinking about getting ensures but wasn't sure about the taste. Are you able to tolerate them okay? I also didn't have the sleepiness with last tx, bit big time this go round. They say each tx gets a little bit harder so we'll see.

  • khintul
    khintul Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2012

    When my mother was in her final years it was very difficult to find something to keep her nourished - we used Boost, which I think is pretty much the same as Ensure. I never tasted it, but she really liked it. FWIW.

  • khintul
    khintul Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2012

    Saw my MO yesterday, neutrophils at 0.6, so I'm essentially under house arrest again. My last A/C will be next week, then on to Taxol. He's strongly indicating that he's going to change my Taxol to weekly, for 12 weeks, instead of bi-weekly for 8 weeks. I have real mixed emotions about that. On the one hand, I want this to be over as quickly as possible, but on the other hand if the lesser amounts spread out over a longer period will be easier, that's attractive too.

    I guess 8 weeks or 12 weeks is just a blip in the overall scheme of things, so whatever he decides will be best for me is what we'll do. 

    Right now my main SE besides the ungodly tiredness, is that one nobody really wants to talk about - constipation, and along with it, painful hemorrhoids! I'm barely, and I mean just barely being able to keep up with this. What fun.

    Karon

  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    The milk chocolate Ensure is really good, especially if it's chilled. If I can't get food down, I can at least get this down.



    Karon, I'm doing the 12 weekly Taxols as well.

  • Msbelle
    Msbelle Member Posts: 235
    edited April 2012

    KCB: praying for you. I just had my 3rd tx and was suppose to start my period at the same time. I'm 1 week over so maybe the 3rd will be the charm for you too. I hope mine are gone forever! The hospital should have a Colostomy RN spend some time with you before they discharge you home. They are usually really good because they have specialized and only do this. I do a lot of colostomy care/teaching in my job so if you have questions send me a PM. Sorry you have to do this on top of everything else. You get an extra jewel in your crown!!!

  • MichelleMassey
    MichelleMassey Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2012

    Sissy - im going to have hubby pick some up. I also am having 12 taxol. There's also an article on this site how 12 weekly are not only easier but there's also an increase in survival rate. Only by 3 or 4% but I will take every little increase I can take.

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

    Will try to get caught up in a bit just popping on to say X-rays were clear - huge relief. Still super sore but I can deal with that much more than the mental anguish!

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

    kltb04

    That's great news!

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