April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

fairweather, I sure do feel for you.  I had rads a few weeks prior to chemo, and it does start to wipe you out the farther you get into it.  Doing it at the same time as chemo has got to be TOUGH.  You have every right to whine.  We all do!  This is tough stuff!  So whine away, it helps to get it out! 

I understand the work comment, we talked about that earlier, and I feel very fortunate to not have to push myself through this while working.  My fatigue level is so bad the first week.  No way I could do my job (lots of lifting of ill patients).  

If you don't have much of an appetite, I would highly suggest you try the Ensure high protein shakes.  Sooooo yummy, instant energy boost, easy on the tummy.  With rads AND chemo, your body is needing TONS more protein to rebuild the damage that is being done by the treatments.

Regarding constipation, I am having excellent success with probiotics once a day and prune juice several times a day.  So far, haven't needed Miralax like I did after my first TCH.  You have to tread lightly with the constipation/diarrhea thing - it swings for me - Big C, then quickly to Big D.  It's a fine tightrope/balancing act for me, at least.  So I'm real happy to find a gentler way that so far seems to be working.  Talk to me in a day or two...I'm only on day 2 post my 2nd TCH.  Last time big D hit me bad the night of Day 4 and continued for several days (Big C hit me days 2 - 3, but so far, fairly regular this time with my new approach - just slightly on the D train, not too bad).  Knock on wood.  

Those blisters hurt!  I'm using the baking soda water wash after brushing my teeth after each meal, plus at bedtime.  So far, keeping one that feels like it is forming on the roof of my mouth at bay.  I iced my mouth during Taxotere to try to prevent this, but they are pretty persistent buggers!

If your tongue is white, get thee some Nystatin or Magic Mouthwash from the doc.  Will fix it right up.

Your eyes likely are dry from the chemo, once again i recommend the GenTeal eye GEL (not drops).  Makes your vision blurry for a few moments, but then it clears up and eyes feel so much better.

Hopeful, MD And said no AC-TH for me b/c I had radiation prior to chemo (not the typical order).  They said Adriamycin tends to bring on radiation recall more frequently than TCH.  I'm glad they made that recommendation for me, b/c gosh darnit I'm getting rads recall (mild) even with the TCH.  With both treatments my L breast has turned completely pink in the rads field again.  It stays that way for 3 or 4 days, and I just up my rads creams. I can only imagine how much worse it would be with AC-TH for me.   So weird what this stuff does to your body!  

Glad to have you here with us!!!  

And yes I do believe MD And is more aggressive in treatment recommendations.  I am sure they see the worst of the worst and want to prevent that for current patients who have a great chance of no recurrence with treatment. 

Day 1 post chemo and i feel the same as yesterday. I'm sure it's the steriods still in my system. I'm waitign to see what happens tomorrow once it starts to wear off. I drank so much water yesterdya it was crazy. i'ma big water drinker anyway and my bottle does have a measuring side. So in total i drank about 144oz of water. Today i'm not as good but we'll see. my arm bruise is looking a lot better today. I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt and I DARE anyone to say anything to me. I liv ein south florida and it's arround 90 Degrees here.

Petagae - my DH freaked out about the ugly bruises that the blown veins left me from my first tx - I am fair skinned and they looked like I'd colored on myself with a magic marker, lol.  DH said he was afraid someone would think I'd been abused!  I, on the other hand, went out with short sleeves when it got hot, and the heck with what anyone thought.  I still think if I got stares it was more because of my flat chest...! 

edited to add - I did smear sunscreen on everywhere, though, you probably already know to do that, too!

I'm using a combo rinse-- baking soda and salt and warm water.  I accidently bit the side of my cheek and ouchie.  That seems to have helped!!! 

I maybe using a little more salt.  It seems to have helped the texture of my mouth.  I also used the Biotene toothpaste and the Biotene mouthwash when I recently had a sore on my tougue before I started chemo.  That also helped.   

Had a cancer sore this morning right before lunch. Ran to the grocery store, got some baking soda and salt. Did the rince and it's now gone. Whole mouth is feeling yukky. Film on my tongue. Yuk! I'm going to try the rinse a couple times today. If that doesn't help, Im calling the dentist tomorrow for a prescription. I've been using Biotene mouthwash. Guess it's not working. 

SandiK, if that film starts looking white/funky color, could be thrush.  Onc will give you Nystatin. 

I hate the taste if baking soda so I just do salt water rinse and that seems to help (touch wood).

Indigo,



My hair is coming out in full force too. I felt like I lost half of it yesterday between the shower and the blow dry. My hairdresser is shaving it tonight. I was too scared to wash it today, so I took a shower and just didn't wash my hair. It has been in a little bun all day. I can't believe I'm actually going to shave my head. UGH.



I did my 2nd A/C treatment on Monday so we are on the same schedule.



Rose

Rose  My 2nd chemo was last Wed so we are close to schedule too.  My DH shaved my heard last night. I did not like it too much either but it will grow back (as much as I hate that phrase)  Get a pretty wig and/or scarves for yourself. Hugs

Pretty amazing, mine is shedding almost exactly on schedule - today is my day 14.  I now understand what people mean when they say it hurts - my scalp feels sore/tender, like after a sunburn.  A huge wad came out in the shower: I have no idea how much is in the trap yet.  I freaked and didn't bother with conditioner or blow drying.  Just waiting until DS#1 wakes up from his college-induced coma this p.m. and going to ask him to buzz it.  Does it hurt less once it's buzzed off??

I've read where it hurts less once it's buzzed.  

Melrose - Boys are great like that (well, I say that as a mom of two boys/no daughters).  No fuss, no drama - and they stand by Mom, no matter what.  At least you will get to see him in his cap/gown, if you want, and that's great about the video and all.  My son's graduating class was somewhere in the neighborhood of 400, I think - while I marveled on the one hand that the entire ceremony - speeches, songs, awarding of diplomas, and everything - wrapped up in 2-1/2 hours, unfortunately the two young people who spoke were -- well, only their parents probably enjoyed their speeches.  We enjoyed better all of us eating together later that day, by far. 

Why on earth would they have an outdoor ceremony in Houston?  Heavens.  

I am at TCH#! Day 8.  I think I might be getting a UTI... anyone else get one of those yet? 

Fairweather- Another idea for the Big C or Big D is to eat on Activia yogurt everyday.  That helps to regulate both ways:)

IndigoMont- You might also try Biotene mouthwash.