April 2012 Chemo Starters?

I just want to reassure all of the AC team out here that there is hope!  After 2 grueling infusions, I met with a new oncologist and he has truly come through for me.  I had my third AC yeaterday afternoon and was able to get up out of bed today, go to work and function without a HORRIFIC headache and nausea (for the first time in 3 infusions).  I am so releived and so grateful to have found an onc who listened to my concers and addressed each and every one of them.  It is a testament to the support I receive on this forum and all deserve equal credit as I kept hearing it repeated over & over in my head "you don't have to suffer!" That said, the onc tweaked my pre-meds and shifted arond some post meds and so far so good.  I can't even believe the difference.  Needless to say the pre-meds knocked me out but I'm okay with a good nap during infusion.  I am hopeful for a peaceful weekend  and I wish you all the same.  

Maria~I have continued to work full time to the best of my ability since diagnosis in Nov. 2011.  I have attempted to schedule appointments and tests outside of the work day and save sick days for procedures and post-infusion setbacks.  My bosses have been extremely supportive and understanding but I'm also confident that that doesn't mean they want me absent from work too much.  I am fortunate that I work with kids with special needs and the joy that they bring is a welcome distraction!  Just do what you can do.  Review meds with onc and see if you can get the nausea under control and the crash on a schedule that won't interfere with work too much.  Best of luck to you!

Jryan. The probiotics have helped but I am still having stomch issues, I feel full all the time & cannot get food or liquid down me. I have to force myself. I am hoping my stomch comes @ by next Wed when I have my last AC treatment.

No fear- He added Ativan to my pre-meds and some Dexamethasone for the day after.  Infusion (#3/4)was yesterday afternoon and it's the best one I've had yet.  Not saying I'm up for a bike ride or anything.., can't even bring myself to clean a little bit in prep for company tomorrow.  But, the last 2 AC's were absolutely horrendous and this one managable in comparison.

I am so happy for you that you will be having your last AC this Wednesday.  I can't wait to celebrate my last May 31st, if all continues on schedule.  What's next for you after the AC?  I had Taxol first.  I'm off to surgery (BMX) first week in July after chemo. {sigh}

Talk to your onc again, tell him/her your side effects and ask if there is anything they can do.  Best of luck to you and remember the mantra "we shouldn't have to suffer!"

Is anyone experiencing vision problems since startng chemo?    My eyes are definitely getting weaker ...I had to buy stronger readers.

I think I will have to check out the probiotics....my stomach is a mess.    And I agree, the constipation is unbelievable.  Of course I take Claritin, so that dries me out too.  It is just one thing after another...I've never had so many prescription bottles on my dresser.......

Finding something to eat is my biggest challenge now.  The only thing that was tasting half way  normal was tomatoe dishes and now all that acidity is causing me some major reflux.

This forum is such a good outlet for all our pain and suffering.    No one who has not gone thru this can understand it.    

Yes, I noticed vision issues. I'm having trouble reading texts on my phone and cooking instructions on boxes and I wasn't having these issues before. I'm wondering if chemo is creating a vitamin deficiency which I know really impacts vision and there is something that can be done.

I showered yesterday as soon as I was allowed to, and am having a lot of problems dealing with my port.  I'm only a little sore around my collarbone now, though an incision in my neck is still quite painful.  Seeing the port was very traumatic for me, I felt very woozy and had to take an anti-nausea pill.  The doctor said it would hardly be noticeable- but it's so big.  

I know it's a minor thing in the whole scheme of things, but still... very upsetting for me.

I slept most of the day Friday, and had a good nap today, as well.   

I too am having serious issues with my eyes, it's bad enough I needed new glasses anyway and I've been told to wait until after chemo is over for a while before getting new ones. This time I won't be going to a cheap fly by night company-the ones I currently have I never really got used to in the first place-I thought it was because they were bifocals. I am now post 12 days of my 2nd TC and really am doing OK my stomach has been touchier- and I really need to watch that-but other than that the migraines hit about every day or so. I take 50 mg of imitrex with 1/2 of a vicodin.

Have a nice Sunday ladies-looks like I'll be staying home with my dear 9 y/o son that has an ear infection.

It sure it a day by day thing. Today I felt OK between A/C treaments physically but my partner who has been supporting me in all of this completely lost his shit telling me he is not sure he can continue and handle all of this. It made for an unbelievably miserable day. I'm not the gorgeous blonde executive top dog athlete he fell for with perfect natural breasts...as he told me so many times, I guess. I'm bald, can't work, and can workout like an old lady in severe financial duress with chest expanders where one has flipped and is in the totally wrong place. For tonight we are still together but his words today felt as poison as chemo entering my veins. I don't think I would be too hot on the dating market these days like I was. Still to me I am me regardless. Cancer and chemo really suck. My job, my home, my relationship and a constant fear of reoccurence. But I know many have it worse and I know it will get worse ahead.

Mariasnow - that totally sucks about yur partner esp at a time when u need him the most. Is he just venting, becuz being a care provider is just as hard but for different reasons. This journey is not an easyo one for the person w cancer & the family/friends that surround her. Do u have family/friends that can help out more and relieve yur partner? Know that today is just a point in time & that it will change & get better, it just doesn't feel like it right now. This is an adjustment but it is temporary as many former sisters have come back to say so. Hopefully yur partner will come back @ & is able to hang in there & support u. Stay strong.

I have 3 sisters who know him and know me and are trying to help. My sister gave me some tough love this morning. I'm just trying to take it in. She thinks I'm being so dependent on him, so needy, so depressed and not showing any spark or hope that I am contributing to the problem too. I have 3 siblings who have had malignant cancer. My sister's 20 year marriage broke up during her cancer treatment - 2nd recourrnce.



I downloaded Lance Armstrong's book today. Maybe my sister is right that 2 solid months on the pity pot is enough for a while. I don't know. My boyfriend told me the constant crying and whining is too much and he wants to be with a badass. Still, I definitely don't believed deserved how he acted yesterday by any means...but for today I am willing to look at what if anything I can do to turn things around at least for this week.

Maria...I have to agree with sissydi......he was being a total jerk to put you thru that when you have enough going on in your life.    If he wants to freak out...do it in private and then be there for you. .... But I also think you need to try to pull yourself up.  When I sink to the bottom, I don't like it there and I will do whatever it takes to get out of the "funk".  My friends help a lot.   Good luck to you.

 I went in to work today and was able to put in almost 8 hours.   It actually was good to get out and do something because I felt better.   Still don't know if I will get my treatment Thursday but I couldn't stay in any longer.  

All the girls I work with had on pink shirts with hope / love on them.   Really means a lot to have the support.

Came home and am cooking supper for the husband. 

Been a good day.... for a change!

It's been a crazy ride, isn't it Maria? Your doing all the right things....we can't control what others do or feel, but we can change and empower ourselves....good for you! It's soo easy to stay in "the dark place".

Boy am I glad to hear some of you say Taxol isn't quite as bad.   If I get my treatment  this week,  then I go to 4 Taxol treatments after that.

Two step, this is my first week on Taxol, and I can honestly say its so much better than A/C. I'm three days out.....having some bone and muscle pain, but it's manageable! Let us know how you do on it!

Keep hanging in there.....I've had my share of down days.   I think a good cry is good tho....helps get some of the hurt out.

I'm also having some SE's that I haven't had b4.  All of my fingers had the skin peel off and my thumb split.    I've been putting gold bond on my hands constantly.  I also notice that I can't go barefoot comfortably any more.  It's like the the padding on the balls of my feet isn't there.  I asked the ONC about it and she said it is one of the SE that some people can get.  I did get to finish my first 4 weeks and got my Neulasta shot yesterday.  I definitely notice the drop in energy today. 

I need something to look forward to so I told my husband we will be going to Florida when this ordeal is all over.    Probably take till after the first of the year so I'm going to book May.   There's just something about the ocean that is so soothing to me.   Gives me something to research at 2:00 in the morning when I can't sleep.

Good luck to all of you.  I hope your SE'a are minimal this week.