April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

kjliberty - there is a thread somewhere that showed how to make one.  I know you can buy them easily on TLC but I decided that I would try to save whatever hair I could just in case I decided to get crafty.  If I don't use my short ponytails, I had already bought some fake hair pieces that I can easily take apart and use in the hair halo.  BTW --When I cut off my waist length hair this past March, I saved that long pony tail.  In fact, I already had two other long pony tails of my hair since I've cut it short before.  I quite decided what to do with all of that long ponytail hair yet.  I may have some extensions made from it. 

Activan- The only time I have Activan is with my chemo infusion.  Fortunately, I am able to sleep 6 to 7 hours straight at night.

I'm so glad you checked in.  I've been wondering about you today.  Glad you are resigned to being where you can get taken care of.  I hope you get to go home soon (because you're ready.)

vballmom-Hope you get better very soon!!!  You are so right that you are where you need to be right now.  Sending lots of (((GENTLE HUGS))) & positive healing and calming prayers, thoughts and energy.

mistym - Talk to your onco about getting some Activan in your IV.  I didn't know mine had put it in my chemo orders so I could have it if I wanted it until I got to my 1st infusion.  Good luck!!!!

Dancetracer, thanks for the tip about the moisturizer and socks.  I told that to my mother and she said that over 40 years ago when my brother was small, she did something similar for him for some reason. Great tip, I'll keep in mind. 

Mary71, I'm glad that you do not have financial strain and can recuperate during the summer without any worries.  I'll be fine too, it's not just me, so I'll be okay.  And working in the jail system..yup,full of germs! Glad you can separate yourself and stay as germ free as possible. 

I'm trying to get my mind around losing my other breast too.  First the right one 12 days ago, now finding out I need Chemo, then the second one taken after Chemo regime and a few months of building my body back up.  Too bad they did not know what they know now.  I wish MRI's were more sensitive and could tell more of what was there when this whole thing started...all I can do is focus on upcoming Chemo and deal with the rest when it happens.

I go into tomorrow for my first expander office visit.  How do they do it?  I have no idea what to expect...any thoughts?  I know I'll be a tad bigger when I come out.

Vballmom...our thoughts are with you!! Take care and be well!! 

vballmom, so glad you are feeling better, and you're right, you are where you need to be. 

As for me, tomorrow I get this blasted drain out!!!!   Three weeks is too long.  Plus, I get another expansion.  Butterflylady, they will put a small needle in the expander and just inject the fluid.  I didn't think I was that much bigger.  I didn't feel the needle go in, but I did feel the expansion.  Was uncomfortable, but not painful.  That being said, I HATE my expander.  I know it's only been three weeks and I need to give it time, yet I still just hate it. 

Drain out means SHOWER!!!!   So very happy at the thought of a proper shower. 

Nance, I am at St. Francis in Hartford.  I'm being treated very well here.  I also had a UMX and am pondering removing the other.  I had extensive DCIS that did not show up on mammogram, ultrasound or MRI. A lumpectomy, re-excision and finally a UMX showed DCIS in several quadrants.  I wonder what is lurking on the other side.  The thought of another surgery is too much to think about right now, but it's a possibility when (and if) I choose to reconstruct.  I am getting used to my flat side and the other breast is just annoying right now, since I obviously feel anything but sexy these days.  I am sure I will find my way back to being feminine again.  Even the boy-short hair cut makes me feel less feminine, although hubby loves it (or so he says...)

Okay TMI alert:



Newest SE started yesterday. Semi loose stool, solid but ragged on edges and burning like fire, and tinged with bright red blood on t.p. when I wipe. After bowel movement the pain of red hot poker remains for about 10 minutes and then disappears. Never had this before. I am 6 days passed treatment 2.



Should I call my doctor about this or is there an easy home fix?

Krazycat, I would call to see what the doc recommends - but that sounds like a hemorrhoid. If you had trouble with the big C you could have irritated or torn a hemorrhoid. The bright red bleeding and burning pain sound like same problems I've had off and on with mine. In my case, they healed up on their own in a day or so, but that was before chemo. Don't panic! I think it's recommended that you soak in a warm bath, and you can try Tuck's or other OTC stuff.

Stacie, I have had issues after my ALND too. I don't know if the 7 nodes they took were all of them or not. About 9 weeks from surgery, the numbness is still there down my underarm and back of my arm, but I haven't noticed the sunburn-like pain in awhile. I'm watching my arm for signs of swelling (so far, nothing that I can see) and if it even starts to feel heavy or achy, I raise it and open and close my hand.



Honestly, after my surgery what has bothered me most are muscle contractions on both sides of my chest. I can't really figure out what causes them, but they tighten up without warning and it feels like ropes around my chest. Some of the LE self massage techniques help, but mostly I have had to either ignore it or take a pain reliever.

Fierro,

    All sounds like what mine felt like. My surgery was March 13 and last week I was still feeling some pulling in my arm when I stretched. I only had 3 nodes removed, so if you had more, it may take longer.

Yesterday was my crash day. Had to go for my shot today since everything was closed all weekend. Also have to go to the cardiologist today for a checkup. So tired! Will check back later. 

Hope everyone is doing well.  

Danctracer and indigo: thanks for feedback. I'll contact my onco nurse but in meantime I will use some tucks. Ugh, hopefully it goes away soon!

I thought I was the only one having a not so good weekend with that high fever......  Fever is down but still feel hot once in a while.... OMG does that mean hot flash or is it my period coming.... who knows?  I usually get a little hot flash right before my period so I'll see what happens next.  I jsut got a call f rom my onco--- looks like I'm getting a Neulasta shot after my next round next Tuesday!!! 

Krazycatlady- I had a hemorrhoid flare up after both of my infusions which have been manageable.  I developed the hemorrhoid when I had my first child 21 yrs ago.  You may want to call you onco just to let your doc know you having this side effect.  I use those Cottonelle personal wipes when I have the flare up and also have some Prep H wipes and ointment to use.  My onco told me to let her know if I need a prescription med for it.  So far, I haven't.

dancetrancer - Your poor little tummy--- what are we going to do with that digestion system of yours!!!!  I hope you start feeling better pronto!

vickilind61- I can definitely relate to the finally getting a shower instead of bathing a la camp style.  I didn't get to take a shower for 6 weeks after my UMX and emergency surgery!!!! I know why the breast surgeon delayed my showering--- I developed a breast infection at my lumpectomy site about 7 days before my UMX.  So in order to keep infection down to a minimum after my UMX, I was told no showers.  Then I had to have mergency surgery which meant a longer period of no showers.  OMG-- when I finally got to take that shower was like the best thing that had happened to me in a while.  I'm doing the happy dance for you for the drain removal and shower!!!!  Enjoy that shower!!!!

vballmom-Try to keep your spirits up!!!!  I know it isn't easy when it feels like another mountain to climb over.  As your onco probably told you before the chemo, no one really knows how one will react to the chemo until one has it.  Now your onco knows how your body reacts and will hopefully find ways to handle your side effects.  As for the physical changes you are going through and have been through, we all are going through major physical transformations and each of us deals with the transformations differently.  I hope you will find some peace and calm soon with those physical changes. 

kjliberty-skin rashes are a side effect of our chemo regimen (Taxotere/ Cytoxan).  Call your onco this morning if you have the hives!!!

IndigoMont11, Stacie & Sandik- I've got nothing but wonderful thoughts about you since we've been travelling together for a while.  Each of you has made my journey just a little bit easier and brightened my days!!!!

Wishing everyone a good week and minimal side effects!!!!  Time for a giant GROUP HUG!!!

Thank you all for the support and encouragement.  It really means a lot to me!  

Melrose, I was right there suffering with ya this weekend.    You know, I've been getting really hot several times at night, too - but no fever this time (thank God!).  I'm 4 days late for my period...so I'm kinda wondering if I'm going into chemopause, too.  Only time will tell for us.  I'm so glad to hear you will be getting the Neulasta shot after your next round - so much safer!

So I just got back from the docs office. Bright news - white counts actually ok - starting the Neupogen earlier was so smart.  My ANC was 2692 - above normal (2000).  Normally on day 6 I'm in the 700's and heading lower.  We will continue injections over the next 2 to 3 days b/c that is my nadir and the whites will drop low without it.  The guidelines on Neupogen say to continue it past the nadir until > 10,000.  I feel so much better knowing my numbers are in the safe range - much more peace of mind this time!  

Hemoglobin up a tiny bit - still low but hanging on and hoping no transfusion will be needed.  Fingers crossed.

I'm so hoping my afternoon and evening are better than the last two, with regards to the heartburn.  That definitely is my major issue now.  The ear ringing continues, but I am getting better at blocking it out.  Yay! 

dancetrancer- Just want to make sure I have it right about taking the Claritin-- I should take it the day before, the day I get the Nuelasta shot and for 5 days after shot?  My onco said I'm getting the  shot to make sure I don't get a fever after round #3.  She also let me know that she rarely has patients go to the ER.  What a relief!!!!  To me, the idea of sitting in the ER waiting room is like being put in a germ incubator. 

I don't know if we are on chemopause or not ..... just getting those hot times like I did right before my period.  Oh joy.... but hey we are together and hanging in there!!!