March 2012 chemo

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

    Man, I am fading fast today.  Had my shot today, and so far no pain, but I can barely keep my eyes open at work.  Just told my boss I wouldn't last the day and that I was fading fast.  My first treatment I didn't feel this way till Saturday evening.  Guess eveything is so unpredictible!

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  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited April 2012
    I will also share my bald head whoas....shedding began on day 15 of tx#1. I buzzed it but didn't shave to skin (per docs advice). The stubble left pricked me in the head a lot... and my head was so sore and itchy! I tried coconut oil and castor oil... and probably the mistake of Bert's Bees body oil... because I ended up with a rash. Drove me crazy! I was in my "nader" period... lowest WBC count. So not screwing around with what srarted to feel infected.

    Had appointment with physicians assistant (never again) and she perscribed VAGINAL CREAM. I found out at the pharmacy when publically being warned that it was vaginal cream I was being told to put on my head. (ya gotta laugh.. cant make this shit up) . Pharmacist smartly chose to speak with doc first... it was after-hours...so I went home with no relief... had to wait.

    Next day... after several phone calls to pharmacy and docs... I went and got the vaginal cream. Get home and it states on tube "not for topical use". I call doc again. Get o e of the other MOs and she explains that the vaginal cream is the same ingredients of what was supposed to be percribed to me... just stronger. (huh?). So she fixes it and I go back to pharmacy to exchange vaginal cream for "Clindamycin Phosphate Gel 1%" ... for topical use only. So we're good right? Nope.

    I used it twice and my head hurt SO BAD. It hurt even when touched gently. I couldn't sleep because I literally could not lay my head down without pain or extreme itching. And cant sleep on my stomach due to the TE.

    Next day the rash on head progressed to pimpled bumps filled with white fluid. Yay. Doc put me on antibiotics... which worked! cleared it up.

    Now... I still deal with itchy after hot showers... I have benedry anti itch gel which helps a little.
    Nurse gave me some Aquaphor healing ointment to use after showering ... haven't tried it yet.

    So... if any of you have tips for keeping head moisturized without breaking out.. please share!
    And I hope my experience will help you avoid similar running around.

    Oh because of all the discomfort... I've gotten used to wearing beanies. I layer a thin one under a thicker cotten and it looks ok. I love the "butterfly beanie" from online site "Hats, Scarves, and More". Bought and returned a few halos. But woman from this site just ordered more... she says they're thinner and lighterweight. My homemade halo is most comfy so far.

    Love and light to everyone!

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  • CAYH
    CAYH Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2012

    Januraryice - how'd you get a day ahead of me in tx2 this week?  Glad your's went well - hope you don't "crash" too much.  My eyes have been watering a lot - I've had that the past few years mostly in harsh winter winds, but it's really intensified since chemo began.  I just keep using the saline eye drops & keep a tissue at hand at all times.  
     
    Tx2 yesterday went very well - there was a party going on in the chemo room next to us - all were having great fun & someone got to bang the gong too, so all was very upbeat!  My WBC was a bit high, so am going to do only 8 daily shots of Nuepogen this time.  That's halfway through A/C -   felt great during, after (even had company last night)  & still today!
     
    kltb04 - glad to hear your xrays were clear! 
     
    ladyfighter - you rock!  And you have one of the most genuinely beautiful smiles! 
     
    onvacation - looks like you & I have the same tx days then if you're going biweekly, that is. Glad to hear it went well for you too - hope you get some much needed regular sleep soon! (you too, lana)
     
    CaitlinB - that Red Warrior is mighty powerful stuff - hope it takes care of that 100%! 
     
    tellie - consider writing a note to your dojo telling them honestly how you felt when that all happened.  Some people just don't get it...some are completely immobilized when they don't know how to respond or even ask someone how they're doing during times like this.  They don't call simply because they don't want to "bother" you if you're not feeling well or more often because they have no words to help.  Now we know full well how to treat someone else who is facing these kind of challenges...
     
    As far as icing during Taxol goes, I asked my nurse yesterday if anyone had been doing that & she said no - I don't care if others think I look silly, I'm going to try it anyways.  If that little preventative tactic helps alleviate any neuropathy down the road or even helps my nails then I'm full speed ahead - neuropathy can be an awful thing to put up with!  Maybe I'll start a new trend in our center even...
     
    shera - the difference in costs for Neulasta/Neupogen is staggering:  your one Nuelasta costs $9K while my ten day supply of Neupogen yesterday cost $1,992.10 + $9.45 dispensing fee  with $2 copay only by me.  My first round was printed out wrong on my label:  they apparently got the decimal in the wrong place when typing it in 'cause it said $199.22!  I thought that sounded too good to be true when other's prices were 10 times higher plus - ha!
     
    I remember your vaginal cream tale, but it got much worse since!  I am definitely not putting anything on my head but water until well after the stubble all falls out - after that, only coconut oil to moisturize.  Thanks for the heads up (groan!)  I did save my ponytails to try to make a homemade halo - will see how ambitious I get.
      
    Right afte tx yesterday we went straight to my sis' salon to get buzzed & it was actually quite fun - very liberating!  Those of you who've posted shots before made it so much easier!
    So, here's some shots of me:
    Before - notice the gray roots growing in - might as well buzz it off 'cause it was coming out in handfuls the past couple of days, so no more of that nonsense... 
     
    Before
     
    After - my "skinhead" look - surprising to me that I'm actually not totally gray:
     
    buzz 
     
    And my new "do" just after getting my wig all trimmed up & fit this morning.
    It's got 4 different shades in there & feels so lightweight:
     
    Wig
     
    Am testdriving it today to see how comfortable it is after 6 hrs or so...
    This is how I've wanted my hair to look for a few years now so this is a bonus!
    (I can wear it smooth or even much flippier all over - this is the semi smooth version)
     
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  • Masserz
    Masserz Member Posts: 92
    edited April 2012

    Hi everyone - I have been out of commission for a while and am WAY behind on reading posts. I will try to get caught up and see if there's anyone needing help that I can support.



    Shera- I did see your post about needing a moisturizer for your head that won't make you break out...a couple of suggestions would be to just use the same one(s) you use on your face. The top of my head is peeling for some godforsaken reason so I've been using my there and it doesn't seem to be causing me any problems. If your skin isn't super dry, try an organic, pure aloe gel. That's what I use on the areas that aren't overly dry and it feels nice and doesn't irritate my skin at all. It's pretty soothing. I use a whole plant aloe...much better (just like eating whole produce is). I hope you find something that works better for you...not that anything could be worse than vaginal cream! ; )

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    Just some FYI I learned today...didn't know the Nuelasta shot could cause stomach pains! I called my onc nurse today because of this horrid tummy cramping, and she said gas-x for that, but also could be caused by Nuelasta shot! Had my shot Tuesday...I don't take Claritin because I thought it was only for the muscle aches! Wow, dummy me........before all is said and done, and I figure things out, chemo will be over!

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  • Sissydi
    Sissydi Member Posts: 516
    edited April 2012

    CAYH, love your wig! It's so cute!

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

    Shera

    The difference in the price of Neulasta is amazing!  Here as confirmed by my NA is $2700.  I hear prescription drugs were cheaper in Canada but by that much???  That's crazy!  Sorry to LOL about the vagina cream. Can you imagine actually having to use that stuff on your actual vagina??!!!!!  OMG!!

    CAYH

    That colour is amazing on your!!  I was blond for a long time and about 6 months before being DX went back ty natural medium brown colour and really liked the change.

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

    BTW Ladies

    I want to thank for your kind words of support.  I've made my Avocado Salsa, picked up a bottle of wine and will be joining the party regardless of if those two attend or not. Haven't heard from either one of them. Never let it stop me before  and it certainly won't stop me tonight.  Its a girly party a neighbor of mine throws every year and its a blast.  She's from St. Vincent so you just imagine all that island food and music.  Bob Marley's going to be blasting LOL!! I would imagine there should be at least 25 of us there.  I'll be raising my glass in toast to you all!!

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  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2012

    Cayh- love the wig!! You look great in it. I decided not to go that route and only use different types of hats and scarves. My tx day changed to Wed. The first tx they do over two days. Blood work and ONC and they wait until the next day. After that first one, it's all done on the same day. With all the extra meds I am on this one soooo far is not too bad. Only had that pain in my back shoulder blades. Hoping the 4th day iis not too bad also, as it was the worst one for me in tx 1. Only 6 to go!

    Hope everyone else is doing great! We can get through this.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited April 2012

    onvacation - My second treatment had the same effect on me. First treatment, I was fine till the third day. Second one, it set in much faster. Ugh, hope yours gets better soon, and I'm hoping the third treatment is easier. I'll know next Thursday, I guess.

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

    MLB - your party sounds fun - love St Vincent - the people are so friendly!  Just had a nice little nap, and feel a little better, just have to go with the flow!

    CAYH - love the wig! 

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  • tc9876
    tc9876 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2012

    Got my results from my genetic counselor and I am BRCA 1&2 negative!  YAY!!  I needed some good news.  This is day 2 of my 3rd TCH (of 6).  I got my Neulasta shot today.  I took my Claritin last night and I'm going to take another one before I go to bed.  No pain, no drowsiness, feelin good.

     But then, I usually don't start feeling a little crappy until Monday.  But I will enjoy the sunshine until then.  

    Take care, everyone!

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

    tc9876

    Thats good news that BRCA is negative!!!  You're schedule after TX is almost exactly the same as me!  Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

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

    TC9876 woohoo on test results and your last treatment!

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

    tc - Yay on the negative test - my MO has mentioned it in passing but we haven't gotten to that point yet.

    MLB - hope you have a blast tonight.  Have a drink for me!

    Sissydi - I have decided everything unusual can be chalked up to Nuelasta, lol.  

    Masserz - good to "see" you - hope all is well.

    CAYH - love your wig - I wish mine was more layered like that and less "bob" ish.  

    shera - ugh on the rash - I remember seeing someone on another board mentioning they had something similar - have we talked about coconut oil here?  I can't remember - anyway, several people on other threads have mentioned using food grade coconut oil (it is semi solid at room temp I believe but warms to an oil) as a moisturizer.  Found in grocery or natural food stores.  I haven't tried it yet but plan to.  I get dry patches on my face anyway and thought it was worth a try.  I would definitely test it in a small area first though.

    Speaking of the head, I still have the stubble I had when I shaved a week ago, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere...not really bugging me I guess too badly but I may try to shave the rest of it off tonight.  

    Starting to get a couple sores on my tongue but still haven't lost sense of taste like last time.  Not super hungry so I am not eating much during the day...made up for it tonight with 2 big pieces of pizza.  Body soreness (aside from the "weird rib/side soreness that has no explanation") is better I just get exhausted like others have mentioned.  I did fold a load of laundry today and need to get caught up with more tomorrow and get some ironing done.  I don't dry any of our "good clothes" as far as shirts, tops, etc...to prevent shrinking and fading so I end up having quite a bit of ironing to do.  If I leave it for too long, my mom will do it and I don't want her doing any more of my housework than necessary!

    Got a DVD player to put in the bedroom so I can watch movies in there now...like I said, my DVR show supply was getting low so I am happy to have something else to watch...rented The Descendents from the redbox tonight so I am going to watch it tonight.  

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited April 2012

    Ladyfighter and CAYH, you rock - and you look great!



    Did any of you have surgery before chemo? My first treatment on 4/20 will be right about one month after my BMX. I was wondering if chemo aggravated anyone's postop soreness/nerve pain or not. I'm getting A/C.



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  • Amymomto5
    Amymomto5 Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2012

    Hi girls, I'm still around.  True, no more chemo for me.  I will PM doxie back.  I was out of town.  Yesterday I saw an endocrinologist.  Since chemo is done, am following up on other issues.  My CT showed (according to BS) an "enlarged" thyroid.  Well, actually I have 2 nodules on my thyroid.  Probably a good thing I didn't know that or I'd have been obsessing about it since the CT in Jan. (For some reason "enlarged" didn't concern me as much).  The endocrinologist did an ultrasound, and I thought I'd be getting needle biopsies, 3 per nodule, but she decided they didn't concern her.  One is fluid-filled.  She said 40-50% of women have them.  Follow-up in 6 months.  Add that to the ever-growing list of follow-ups!

    myleftboob - I sooo hear ya about friends!  You totally find out who really cares about you.  A wise person once told me to surround myself with the people who love me and whom I love, and forget the rest!  Hope the party tonight is wonderful!

    sissydi - On that topic of friends,  I agree that this (bc) teaches us to be sympathetic.  I thought I was before, but now as the sick person, and experiencing what people do or don't do, I have vowed to be way better when family/friends are sick.  Now I know first hand what should be done.  I have a couple friends who have been so good to call and text me daily to check on me, and others I haven't heard from since diagnosis!  I agree with you about leaning on the Lord.  There have definitely been many times on this journey that He has carried me. So much fear and darkness with breast cancer. He is my light.

    CAYH - that is an adorable wig!  You look great in it!

    IndigoMont11 -  I did chemo after BMX, but I was 6 weeks out.  (I still had a drain 4 weeks out). I didn't have any worse soreness, at least not that I noticed.

    Masserz - Good to see you back.  I was starting to worry about you.

    Hope everyone has a great weekend, and minimal SE's!!

    Amy 

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  • Msbelle
    Msbelle Member Posts: 235
    edited April 2012

    Indigo-I started chemo 2 weeks after my BMX. Not had any problems. Healed fine.

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  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2012

    MLB: that's the way!! You go and have an amazing time and enjoy every minute. Cancer can't keep you down and neither can those two!!

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  • munnybunni
    munnybunni Member Posts: 156
    edited April 2012

    just had my 2tx of a/c...yesterday ....also had my port put in earlier...it was not very pleasant as dr hit a nerve in my arm and said my viens are crap...but they finally got it in...so i went to chemo afterwards.  then later in evening blood was all over the dressing...by morning itwas really big...so i called and went back down and they redressed it and said to keep more ice and upward with the arm.  then i went at 4:30 and got neulasta shot today....took claritan day before and for 5 days they said.

    when hubbie buzzed my hair on easter...and i went to chemo ...my MO said to use duct tape or lint roller to get the rest of as i call them prickles off....it works pretty good....going to duct tape it some more tomorrow.

    hadnt been able to get on here as my browser kept telling me it was down for maint....finally got it working

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  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2012

    Hi All: home from hospital, in my own bed, in my own house, surrounded by my own beautiful family. I am a bit nervous, you get used to being monitored so super closely, but it's good to be here. Wishing a good comfortable night to you all.

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

    KCB - glad you are home - enjoy your own bed and your lovely family!

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited April 2012

    KCB! so glad. Praying for your continued recovery.

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  • Amymomto5
    Amymomto5 Member Posts: 73
    edited April 2012

    Katy, so happy for you.  Enjoy your family, and I pray you get to feeling better soon!

    Hugs, Amy 

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  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2012

    KCB - so glad you're home!! I hope each day gets better and better for you.



    Munnybunni- did you ever get results from cat scan? Also are you getting back shoulder pain with this 2nd tx? I had my 2 tx of AC on wed on that is the SE that is still bothering me. Just wondering if it's the same for you.



    Hope everyone else is having a great day!!

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  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2012

    What is the record for keeping your hair on AC? Day 4 of 2nd tx and I still have it!

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  • lostinmo
    lostinmo Member Posts: 922
    edited April 2012

    Good Morning everyone!

    I have news!  The Dr came in to examen me yesterday, pulled the gown back and said "wow".  My DH asked "is that a good wow or a bad wow?" The Dr said he could see a difference!  I HAVE SHRINKAGE!  The tumor has gone from being 6x7 to 4x5!!  So bye bye hair it's OK. I just had to share with you guys. We celebrated by getting movies to watch, that I prompty fell alseep watching.Laughing

    KCB I'm so glad that you have gotten to go home!

    MLB hope you enjoyed the party! 

    Have a great day everyone!! 

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

    Good morning ladies!  Happy Saturday!  Feel pretty good this morning so far, hope to get some errands done before I crash!  Shaping up to be a beautiful day!

    Hope everyone has a wonderful day with minimal SE!

    Cheers! 

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited April 2012

    Good for you, lostinmo! That must be amazing. Other ladies are saying they can feel it working - can you?

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  • slak
    slak Member Posts: 179
    edited April 2012

    Congrats lostinmo!  That is wonderful news!!!  It is so good to know that going through this rough treatment really can make a difference.  Have a great day!

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