April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

@rn4babies - my brothers best friend has been fighting leukemia for 10+ years (I don't even want to think of how many rounds of chemo he's had) and the first thing he told my brother to tell me was to take the Claritin.  I got the Claritin! 

Do u usually do neulasta shots after taxol too? Trying to plan for that stage well ahead. And will I be tired during taxol?

Dancetrancer...thanks for the tip on the wrist bands, never would have thought of that.



Does anyone know if you have to continue taking steroids with T treatment?



Btw....the experiment stretching out the steroids from 2,2,2. To 2,2,1,1. I don't think made a difference at all. I don't recommend it.

Krazy: I did not use neupogen/ neulasta w/ taxol. My counts were always good, though. You do get steroids- they give you a ton w/ the first taxol to prevent allergic reaction. If you don't react then they back down on the steroids. I got mine down to 8mg day 1 by taxol 3. No taper. You pay for it in crash, but the insomnia, heartburn, etc was a lot better.



FYI all you a/c then t people, I am now day 13 post chemo and I felt like a person yesterday! Not quite myself, but almost.

Port people: area where port was feels bruised after removal, similar to how my biopsy site felt. Not bad, but feel it when I move my arm. This is day 3 without it.



I never did figure out how to draw a decent eyebrow, even w/ LGFB. At least I didn't lose all of mine. They seem to sprout overnight every night now.

I am just wondering how many ounces of fluids are all of u drinking? I try to drink no less than 80oz a day hoping that is enough.

Husker123- I would just encourage you to keep in mind that we all respond differently.  My onc has made some changes to my pre & post med regimine and I am praying that it works tomorrow for AC #3.  I am repeatedly reminded on these boards that if we are experiencing nausea like that to talk to the oncologist.., we should not have to suffer!  Husker & chapter4, I would encourage you to do the same-talk to your docs!  It comes from the heart of the women before us.  Keep fingers crossed fo me tomorrow please!

Have great day all!

Day 4 of the big D. Lomotil not working. Lab results won't be back until tomorrow. Had chemo on Monday. IVs on Tuesday and again today. Still feeling dehydrated. Blah!!

Sitting here eating my sandwich that I cannot taste and drinking my tea that I can. haha Im so afraid to eat anything spicy or fruit after my ride on the D train. So, Im stuck with stuff I can't taste. 

Stacie, that sucks that your insurance would not pay for the testing. I hope that since I am 41 they pay for mine. My bills are starting to come in. Because of my stray node, the MO wants to see me every time I go for an infusion. Every time I see her it's a $50 co-pay, on top of everything that wasn't covered by insurance.

 I went to my niece's birthday party last night. She turned 5. She told me my hair looks like a boy, and my head is bumpy and she wants me to grow it back. But she still loves me. haha A friend of mine is in charge of the bald barbie movement on facebook. The bald Bratz dolls come out in June. I will be buying them for both of my nieces. 

 Im getting really sick of water, which is weird. It was always my go to drink. I was averaging about 80+ oz. This round I did a lot of juice and tea, which probably contributed to my stomach issues.

Indigo - I feel the same as you.  I pretty much knew everything they went over but it was fun to meet the other ladies.  There were only 3 people including me so it was small and fun.  I got a teal green eyeshadow.  I have not looked it up, just figured it was no loss since I did not pay for the products, only my time!  LOL 

Sade - My toenails have turned an ugly yellow but as long as they don't come off I can live with that!   

Having a hard time getting in that much water!  I know I need to but boy is it hard, especially when you have that awful taste in your mouth!  Is everyone just drinking plain water or are you adding stuff? 

Stacie - Do you drink hot or cold tea or both?  I know that steroid high can be so deceiving! 

I have my 3rd chemo on Monday so yesterday I was feeling very good and went to my karate class last night.  When I got home and talked to my mom she about flipped out.  I said Mom do you think I am supposed to sit around waiting for bad side effects if I feel okay, I am going to do whatever I want!  I feel like she calls me everyday just to find out if "anything has changed".  I know she cares about me but this really irritates me!  I just want to continue life as normal as possible!!! 

Climbing down from soapbox now!

Got my port yesterday, feel like I've been hit by a truck!  My shoulder and muscle area above my shoulder blade on my back hurts the port area is just minimally sore. They must've had me positioned in some crazy way when they put in the port, feels like they tried to dislocate my shoulder or I was doing some serious weight lifting while I was under anesthesia.  Otherwise the port was no big deal - checked in at the hospital at 7:30 and was home by noon eating a grilled cheese sandwich and then slept most of the afternoon.  One more thing out of the way, before chemo starts next week.  Wonder if I'll ever stop being nervous before every procedure, the anticipation makes me nuts and when it's over I want to thump myself on the head for getting so worked up ahead of time.

rgina- From the very beginning, I had HUGE panic attacks on the way to EVERY appointment of ANY kind.  I'd be nauseous, shaky, and nearly in tears.  My blood pressure would be high (for me) and my husband would have to hold my arm to steady me on the way in.  No matter what happened during the appointment, I was fine after.  I named it PDAS.  Pre Dr. Appointment Syndrome.  Giving it a name and talking about it made it better, somehow.  The PDAS still existed, but naming it gave me a bit more control over it.