April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Love you Velutha!  You sound so much like me!  If you run away to Jamaica can I go too!

Hi Everyone,

 Starting the first of my 6 TCH treatments in the morning.  Will be having Herceptin each week in between the chemo every 3 weeks.  Nervous and anxious but looking forward to getting started to get that much closer to getting it finished.  Hope everyone is doing well and feeling good and keeping possitive.

Lori

@dance: True, dulcolax is a stimulant.  I used it during a/c b/c constipation was an issue then, haven't used anything during taxol.  Osmotic sounds gentler, but in my experience, that isn't necessarily the case -there's a reason it's what we use for colonoscopy prep, and I've seen some  dehydration in the ED from miralax.  I'm sure my negative experience was dose related (I don't actually know what dose was given to me, it was long ago, and as for people in the ED, well, who knows?).  I had the same experience w. dulcolax you had w/ miralax -didn't do a thing w/ one small dose.  During a/c, if I took it once daily day 1-4, had no issues, just bms as normal every 1-2 days.   I think the important thing isn't the drug, it's just not letting constipation get out of hand, it really can make you miserable and it's harder to fix the longer it's lasted.

Indigo, I get my cupcakes @ trader joes.  I highly recommend them if you don't care about gaining weight!  Would bring them to your door if I could!

Stacie - Doing ok. Really tired of feeling nauseous after I eat. None of drugs really take that feeling away. Having constipation issues, got suggestion from dr. Shaved my head last Saturday, couldn't handle hair falling out in clumps. It actually was much easier seeing my head bald. Found some great scarves and hats so don't mind going out.



Having 3rd treatment Monday, April 30th, not looking forward to it and feeling like crap all over again.



Feeling a bit on my own these days. Husband always working. Seventeen year old daughter doesn't even bother asking how I am feeling. Fifteen year old son doesn't say much but helps out alot.



Thank goodness for friends and this thread!!!



Thanks for asking about me, how are you doing??



Kim

Hi daisylor and welcome to the thread.  I am doing TCH as well.  Have my 2nd one next Tuesday.  Best wishes to you!!! 

Aaaaaaah!!!! Now it's gone from just spotting to pretty much a full-blown period!    This after my "normal" period had started the Sunday before my first treatment last Friday (and never really stopped completely).  My very first period ever, a hundred years ago, ended up lasting two weeks... dare I hope that this could be the last gasp? 

Velutha...i would have gotten chemo no matter what since Im triple neg.

Stacie yes aux node i think. It was right near the incision. Im so glad the surgeon talked the oncologist into a pet scan, but Im so scared that this will up my chances of it coming back even though With TN that's not true.

Melrose...prune and apple juice I may be able to handle. Never thought of that.

Took the clairitin. Ready for the shot tomorrow. Will take nausea med tonight before bed.

Diana, that was the toughest to swallow. Stage 3. I was 1mm over stage 1. Now stage 3 just like that! Totally sucks. I teared up when she told me, but then she said put your cancer fighting hat on and kick butt. She's right. I saw on pinterest the other day, a sign that said "you don't know how strong you are until you have to be" i think that applies to every one of us! We are strong strong women. We just keep taking everything that's thrown at us and keep going.

Im getting tired and dont remember who I didnt reply to. Hang in there ladies! Love you all!

I so love this thread and reading everyone's comments. Most of my family and friends really don't know what to say to me anymore....I don't know why! But it feels good to know I can log on here and see the bond that's being built. Thanks everyone for all of the tips and positivity.



Getting ready for bed. Meeting with my oncologist tomorrow and having round 2 of AC. My port is a little achy tonight for some strange reason...I guess it knows it's about to be put to use in the morning!

Csmommy, that's how I felt for the last couple weeks. I had my muga and pet scans last week and started yesterday so you will be ready to go soon! Spend this time stocking up if you haven't. Ginger ale tissues, soup, etc.

I tried the ginger gum and Im not really sure it did anything. My stomach definitely felt fluttery. They said I should have been fine. I did not do lots of small meals. ill do that today and zee if it helps. I went to bed at 11, which is really early for me. Woke up at 4:30 to pee. I was all jittery. Guess Im up now! Stomach is growling so I better go eat something small.

Hope the rest of you are faring well.

Dancetrancer - just had second treatment yesterday....I spoke up about sick feeling and they told me to try Zofran....also Claritin over next few days to offset back pain from shot on second day ( today)



I'm staying on top of nausea meds this time...feel good so far but cautious about what's to come. Haven't lost my hair yet...as soon as it starts to go Im Shaving it off...wigs for work ...hats for home.



I find keeping a journal really helps. I can look back and read about how I felt and see what works and what doesnt. Got Ambien this time too which should help me sleep when I need it

Good Morning to All !!!!

Welcome to those who have just joined our very supportive chemo group!!!  I'm only day 2 out of my infusion #1 so I'm still in the okay zone.  I'm eating small meals and trying to keep track when I eat so I eat at the same time everyday and drinking drinking drinking water, juice whatever I can get down.  The prunes and prune juice/apple juice definitely help me.  I get those Sunsweet Ones which are individually packed prunes which are still moist and sweet.  The only thing about those prunes is that if you are experiencing low white blood counts, you can't eat raw or preserved fruits during that time.  You can cooked fruits though (cancer cook book I have says that).

Sandik- I got some of those nausea wrist bands from Walgreens.  I plan to put those babies on today and wear them for a while to see if they will help ward off the nausea.  Oh... these little science experiments one has to try on one's self.... lol!!!!  Eat those little meals and keep on track with the nausea meds.  I'm here for you twin!!! 

Kim - Always come back here because we will support you no matter what.  When I first found out my diagnosis, one thing I told my children (21 yrs-college girl & 18 yrs hs senior boy) was that the best way they could support me and help me would be to stick with their school schedules &  work (21yr old was ready to come home from college from out of state in this past Feb) and continue with their routines.  I told them I would still need help doing things at home and never give me the look or the attitude.  For the most part, they are to carry on with preparing for their future lives.  Our journeys have dramatically changed what was once our now old routines and so we have to begin new ones with everyone participating in the household.  It's never easy to talk about our journeys/feelings with our husbands and children but it is a skill of communication that we can keep working on.  If I lived close by, you know girlfriend, I'd be there to help you just as I would be for anyone else.  You are never alone!!!!

Sade-  I told my infusion nurse yesterday that when my veins here a nurse/tech coming to poke me, my veins and now port just sink in my body so they can't be found!!!!  My port is a little sore today after my Tuesday infusion because it had to cleared since it was the first time it got used.  I had it put in 3/14 so it had been a while since it was placed. 

Sending lots of HUGS, positive calming & healing prayers, thoughts and energy!!! 

Drink, drink, drink that water!!!!  Minimal SE's is on the agenda for today!!!!

Stacie - I am beginning to hate day 2.  I can't wait for AC to be over.  Only 2 more treatments to go and then 13 weeks of Taxol.  I have been told that it will be much easier than AC, I hope they are right.

Sometimes I just wonder where these kids came from?  I know I gave birth to them but what happened to their sensivity?  Hope your today is much better.

Melrosemelrose:  Thanks for your comments.  It always helps to have someone else see things in a different perspective.  It just would be nice once and a while to hear:  Mom, how are you feeling today?  Can I help you with anything?

Hope everyone has a good Thursday!!! 

Hi Ladies,

 I had my port put in yesterday and I am supposed to start my first TCH today. My port felt ok last night I guess because it was still numb.  But in the middle of the night and this morning it hurts like heck.  It isn't red or inflammed, very bruised though.  It hurts alot worse than if looks.  Is that normal? The port sight, the neck spot and over towards my arm hurts... ouch 

Eeeks lisaG65!  Oh, I understand...I had to run to the bathroom and had many close calls myself after my first TCH!   Many times I thought it was just gas, too,...but surprise!!!!    I'd probably cancel that doc appt and lay in bed if it were me (assuming the doc appt is routine).  I'm kind of a wuss, though.  LOL!!!   Feel better soon and take it easy on yourself. 

Ladybug my port was really quite sore for 4 or 5 days.   I couldn't use my arm normally or lay on my side, etc.  It did improve greatly after about a week, and I barely notice it now.  I believe it is all normal.   Good luck with your first TCH today!