March 2012 chemo

nsmolen, When I was "backed up" after chemo, I was told magnesium citrate.  It comes in a 10 oz glass bottle (98 cents at Walmart).  Take half the bottle, wait 6 hours.  Turns everything into liquid, with nooo cramps (sorry for the TMI).

Hope that helps,

Amy 

Nsmolen - I was given a prescription for laculose but I haven't tried it yet because as I told him and I picked up the prescription I started having the opposite problem. I seem to only get constipated the few days after battle juice and then I have the opposite problem.

Indigo - lol on the TB!  Glad you got your fix!  I think you can lay off the antinausea and just take it if you feel you need it.  I remember not taking mine for a few days then getting really nauseous after getting up and taking a shower so I just took another - just as needed.  The compazine definitely made me tireder than the zofran but nothing like the phenagran.

Sissy - I feel the same way on week 3...like oh, I am feeling good and then I think, oh yeah, next week this time, not so much!  and Michelle - hope things went well this morning...A/C #3 is next week for me.  

MLB - yep, sounds like the same test...that is the day I was feeling like death and had to have the head CT/Muga/port surgery all one day.  They could have taken my heart out and measured it and I wouldn't have felt any worse for the wear than I already did.

nsmolen - I know it isn't funny but I read that post of yours while I was in my MO office today and totally LOL...delicate subject of poop....I had that issue first TX and had the bleeding on two occasions.  I started taking one stool softener every night (generic of Colace) and also when I drink Mylanta or Maalox that helps moves things along.  Stool softeners take several days of regular use to get your system moving.  But if you are already stopped up so to speak, sounds like you may you need something stronger like Amy suggested.  And maybe try more water, even with something flavored added.  

Love - sorry about the sweats - no A/C     Not an option here!  We have been running ours since March.  Indigo, when we stayed in CO last summer, we didn't have A/C but never needed it there in the mountains...such a foreign concept to me!

And babies that made me smile.  I was just walking by the baby dept in WM today and saw some itty bitty bathing suits

Maxine - thanks for stopping by - it really helps to hear from those who have BTDT!

Ok, I am going to post this before I lose it and then update on my day.  I already accidentally closed it out once!

kltb04:I use coconut oil for everything.  I put it on my skin and hair.  I use it to cook my eggs (fried, it tastes funny to me in scrambled).  It's great!

Hello everyone

I had my third FEC infusion today and I am pleased to report that I only got a slight headache when the Cylcophosphamide went in and then disappeared.

Hope this offers some hope and encouragement to those of you who are going for your third infusion.

Best wishes

 Alice

***nsmolen  Had the same problem with stools.  My happy medium is white seedless grapes.  You have to eat few everyday.  Keeps everything running smoothly.  And very natural too.  Not additional chemicals in the body!  I also drink alot of water.

Glad I found this thread.  Sharing our information has really helped me.  Beside my medical team, I had no one to share with.

Since tx 2 knocked me on my butt I was really worried about 3 today. So far no problems. Not very tired so I'm thinking the steroids are kicking in. Oh well, broke out the crocheting! Lol!

Triple and Alice-- good report fromTx! Yea!!

 I had #4 of TAC today. WAsn't in a great spot emotionally going in and broke own after all was done and just cried. They'd, docs and nurse, hadn't seen that before so we're going to re-evaulate and meet in 2 1/2 weeks before deciding to do #5. MO said 6 is standard,but not everyon'e standard and he's not attached to doing all of them. I'm on getting my hopes up but OMG would it be great to have this be the last before surgery. That would mean my surgery would get moved up and we might miss a Memorial day trip we'd planned to the Bay Area to look at scools for son. That's one thing that's a little unsettling...is scheduling, or trying to schedule things.

Docs gave me an adivan for anticipatory nasea and to help me zone out. I got home and did just that and then napped and then of course ,sweated. I hate the smells coming out of my body, but am trying to keep drinking to get it out of me! 

Oh also talked about adding a bit of estrogen, I'm ER+ andPR+ to my girle parts to help with avoiding UTI's (had one last week) and get vagina into more balanced state. It's called an estring. Anyone else using one? Thoughts? 

Night,night all. Going to try and sleep a bit.

Edited to add-- I'm listing my personal blog here for your perusal. It had been private and it's still not on the blogger rotation, but of all people, you here might gleen something from it at some time.I've realized that part of this journey for me is also to share of myself more without losing myself, the blog is a small step in this direction.  Let me know what you think: http://tentwenty-six.blogspot.com/

Mornin' All,

Wanted to address a couple of side effect issues with some info I've found helpful:

Laxative Types & Use 

Also, a really good, in depth thread here:

Constipation 

For those experiencing  constant watering eyes (my worst SE so far) which Adriamycin is known for (makes your eyes too dry causing them to tear up)  there's a couple of things you can do at home, beginning with a video for "massaging" the oil glands:

Meibomian Gland Expression 

Warm Compresses to help stimulate oil production & open up the glands

How to properly insert eye drops

When buying OTC eye drops, try to avoid any with the preservative "benzalkonium chloride". Some find using just sterile saline solution helpful even (0.9% sodium chloride).

A helpful consumer's listing:

Consumer's Guide to Eye Lubricants 

Wowie - the sun actually just came out after 2 days of heavy clouds/rain - yeehaw! 

Hi ladies - I'm finally back among the living after TX number 3...UGH, definitely a cumulative effect. But I feel a bit better now. My MO swears the Taxol is way easier than the A/C. I sure hope so...this has been AWFUL! Never thought I'd say I'm looking forward to a chemo but I am.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. I've been out of the loop, so to speak, for a few days.

Here she is.... our super-hero.... based on things I read in this thread. She should looked more pissed off.... but this is what I got. Now...she needs a good super-hero name.    

Bald, in her pajamas and booties, our super hero is on a quest to zap out every last cell of effing cancer as she faces Taxotere equipped with meds and a stocked BPA-free water bottle. If you get in her way — you will get a taste of the hot flash tazer gun! 

Shera- That is awesome.  I love seeing your pics!

MLB-  you inspired me with your party story and I went back to the dojo, after texting and explaining what was going on with me and what I needed from him.  Thank you for your inspiring actions and for posting them!

Thank you everyone who responded with sympathy and advice to my dojo story.  It was very helpful and encouraged me to keep trying.  I will have as normal a life as is humanly possible! 

LynnM- I am on TAC as well, although dose heavy 4 rds instead of 6.  TAC sucks, but heck, all Chemo sucks!  Going into chemo reminds me of when I was a kid and my Mom made me bend over for a spanking...

On Tamoflaxin- My MO told me today he would probably start me 2-3 days after my last dose of chemo.  Which is 5/15/12, yeah! 

I am making the decision on what surgery I want, MO says I will probably need at least a UMX, but I am thinking BMX.  Any advice?  I know I talked to someone about getting more info when I was futher along, but today was TX #3 and I am a bit out of it.

I haven't been posting much or keeping up, Chemopause hit pretty hard with the mood swings...I read a lot today.  Sorry to hear some of us are having bad SE's.  Also glad to hear some of us are finishing up.  Please keep posting so we know what to expect with recovering from this crap!  As for things not to say, I think stories about people they know who have had cancer should be added to the list.  I am tired of hearing second hand how someone else dealt with it.  Especially, and my niece did this to me, when the ending was not a happy one.  WHY, WHY, WHY, tell me that?

Well take care everyone and "talk" to you soon.

Corky

Love it Shera!! I told my best friend if she wasn't nice I would get me a " hot Flash razor gun" ....haha

Just a note on Gummy implants- just read they are available in U.S.  But, they are not yet widely available.

IndigoMont11- I will find the 6 fingered man!  hehe.  Thank you for you response.  If you don't mind- are you/did you have radiation treatment?