April/May 2012 Chemo hang out
Comments
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dancetrancer - Thanks. I think I will do the clinical trial protocal. I'm getting the shot next Wednesday, the day after my next chemo treatment so I'll take it the morning I get the shot. I know I will have enough drugs floating around in me on Tuesday. I love science experiments!!!! So here's is the next one for me!!!!
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Dancetrancer.... What treatment are you on right now? It sounds like you're having such a hard time.
Can they give you anything that will help the heart burn? I have that too, bit it's manageable. -
Good morning ladies.
Drain free and showered.
Also, had another expansion and so sore and exhausted from it all. So, here I am with all of you.So many of you struggling with SE's and I am so sorry for you. Really hoping they go away quickly and you start feeling like yourselves again.
To my PS I start my chemo next Friday and he was fine with that. I might get one more expansion next week, but we will see. I am selfishly hoping my SE's will not be as severe as so many of you are experiencing, but we will see.
As for the arm thing; I had 4 nodes removed and still have the tingling and "weird" feeling under the upperarm area. It bothers me, but I am hopeful that with time, it will fade.
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krazycat: I wound up having a yeast infection in the area down there after my first treatment.
Hives: They have gotten worse. I called my MO, and they wanted to put me on steriods, but I am going back on them next week for tx#3, and wanted to avoid them. I came home from work, and am taking benadryl along with hydrocordisone cream. If not better in 24 hours, they wil put me on steriods. My body looks like big welts. I want to scratch and scratch! Ugh!
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Chapter 4 - Thank you for your empathy! I'm on TCH. (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin) Unfortunately, I'm on the max meds that can be given for heartburn. Double dose of Protonix (proton pump inhibitor) and double dose of Pepcid daily, Carafate (liquid suspension I take that coats my digestive tract to protect it), Zofran (as needed - can help w/nausea sx I get with reflux as well), and Green Cocktail (as needed - mixture of Mylanta, lidocaine, and Donnatel which is a GI relaxant and has phenobarbital in it).
Despite ALL of that I was up every 2 hours taking the Green cocktail last night. My symptoms are way over the top. I had an endoscope done last week to make sure no ulcers. None. "Mild" irritation of the esophagus seen, and a hiatal hernia. My esophagus apparently is hypersensitized to any acid, and I suspect that the chemo damaging it further is not doing me any favors.
I have had pretty bad acid reflux - on proton pump inhibitors for 7 years now. I had weaned down to 1 pill daily over the last 9 months/year and was doing well, asymptomatic, on that level...prior to chemo.
Oh and yes I avoid all food triggers - no caffeine, acidic drinks, red sauces, spicy food. And I sleep with the head of the bed elevated.
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kjiberty, I had that kind of infection, too! I am selfishly relieved to hear I am not the only one.
'I'm so sorry to hear about the hives! They sound awful! I hope you can avoid the steroids - uggh. Isn't there some kind of oatmeal bath that helps with these kinds of things?
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Stacie: I am with you on the ALND discomfort. I had 23 nodes removed--along with the lumpectomies (2 sites--one fibrocystic only) Surgery was on 4/18. Barely any discomfor in breast, but the arm 'stuff' is so annoying. Still have some numbness on underarm, along with the armpit, of course! Upper arm, especially underside, had extreme sensitivity to touch, much like a severe burn. Thankfully, that part is gone.
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My hot flashes felt like a fever but without chills and the body aches (like with flu). I took my temp a bunch of times the first time I really noticed it and my temperature was always normal. I've had more of the hot flashes/night sweats after that one day, mostly at night. I hate them - but better than an actual fever.
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Just gotta love those ovaries for trying so hard to keep on function despite the chemo and us aging!!! It's always a wait and see what happens next with them!!
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On the March thread, the ladies were saying they were going to create a hot flash tazer gun to zap annoying people with. I soo now understand why that would work - LOL!
Since the period I had that overlapped tx#1, that lasted two weeks - nadita. No period, no symptoms of one starting. That period started on 4/15, so I'm guessing/hoping that this is it! As I've said, 40 years of it (almost 41) were way plenty.
So today is the big 30th wedding anniversary!! Since my *real* plans are on hold, I'm not sure what we'll do. So far DH and I have hung out together and i made us a hefty brunch including a totally delicious blueberry coffee cake (thank you, divascancook.com)! Glad my next tx isn't scheduled for a couple more days.
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to you too Melrose. -
Dancetrancer, I feel terrible. You are always so supportive and you're going through such a hard time.
I hope you can find some relief tonight...at least just being able to sleep a few hours straight. You are in my thoughts. -
Happy anniversary to you and your hubby, IndigoMont11!!!
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Dancetrainer: I had to laugh about our "infection in common". I was pretty embarrased when I had to show my doctor. I wound up going on two different antibiotics--one for the WBC and one for the infection. It's not fun.
Yes, I can take an oatmeal bath, I suppose. I have this fancy whirlpool tub I have never used (lived here 7 years). I hate baths. I feel like I am sitting in my own dirt. Haven't taken one since I was a kid. With that being said, I DO shower.
Indigo: Happy Anniversary!!!!
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So glad to hear that someone else has benefited from takethemameal.com. It's such a great site!
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Snickering over the hot flash discussion -thanks for making me laugh guys!
Indigo - huge congrats on 30 years - WOW!
chapter4 - THANK YOU!!! So far, I am better than I was yesterday at this time. Burping and some pressure behind the chest, but not as intense or painful as yesterday. Fingers crossed...it's still early...praying for a better night!!! I was definitely at the end of my rope in the middle of the night last night.
kjiberty, I burst into tears when I had to tell my onc's nurse about it...I was SO embarrassed. I was extremely relieved when they told me I could try Nystatin powder for two days, but that if it didn't get better by then, they'd have to "look"....ugh! I was soooooooooo happy it improved enough in two days' time. Definitely agree... NOT fun!
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IndigoMont11- Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby!!!! Enjoy your special day!!!
dancetrancer- The medicine for all of us is humor and laughter!!!! I just laugh everytime I've had to get a pregnancy test for every surgery and test I've had in the past few months..... I'm 56 1/2 years old and was having periods regularly until after my first round of chemo. The nurses always ask me " You aren't still having a period, are you?" and after I respond "Yes, I am", they always ask me "Are you sure?" You just have to laugh!!!!!
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Well I get in bed all cozy with covers, socks and sleep cap. HOTFLASH! CAP OFF SOCKS OFF THROW OFF COVERS. Hotflash passes. Put on cap, put on socks, cover up and snuggle. HOTFLASH! CAP OFF SOCKS OFF THROW OFF COVERS. Hotflash passes. Put on cap, put on socks, cover up and snuggle. HOTFLASH! CAP OFF SOCKS OFF THROW OFF COVERS. Hotflash passes. Put on cap, put on socks, cover up and snuggle. HOTFLASH...
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HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Stacie- That is one way to get daily exercise in!!!!! You are too funny!!!!!
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I returned to work today (for financial reasons...they are very patient, but someone has to pay the bills, and hubby doesn't make enough to do it alone. LOL) and I made it over 7 hours. I left a bit after 3, with all my coworkers cheering me on and telling me a. how great I did, and b. that my hair was cute this short. I love my coworkers.
I, too, feel bad when anyone describes SEs, but when it's dancetrancer? It just about makes me cry. In fact, I HAVE cried twice. All the research you do and advice you offer and, well, and everything! If you're going to work that hard and share with us, you shouldn't have to deal with SEs.
All of the rest of you who have researched and shared, please don't feel slighted. I'm VERY new here, and it seems that every time I do a "search" for an answer, there is DT, answering it. Sleep well tonight, my studious friend. Sleep well.
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@Stacie - HA HA HA!
@Fierro - I'm with you! I'm so glad to have Dancetrancer with us!! Congrats on getting back to work. I feel it helps keep my mind off everything else.
@Dancetrancer - we love you girl!! My primary care gave me hyoscyamine for those gas attacks I had last time (onc's office said go to pc for issues so I did! not like onc office was any help! GasX - really..you need a degree to figure that out!) I'm hoping they'll help me. Didn't know if that was something you could add?
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It seems we are all suffering from different se along this journey we are on. to add some positive & the obvious every treatment we get we are 1 more closer to being done. When I am feeling really drained from the treatment I recall the + threads the women post who have gone before us & finished. I also take into account that one thing for sure on this journey is that one point in time does not represent how I am going to feel in the next point in time. Here's to hoping everyone's next point in time is a good one.
I have had thrush after all 4 treatments & this time I was presc the antifungal pill diflucan has anyone else had to take this pill? My onc dr held off on presc me the pill bc he said it can interfere w the chemo?.....anyone else hear that. -
LOL Stacie!
Fierro!!! And lsharvey! You are making me cry now!!! (Which is healing, so that's good!) Thank you so much for the empathy. I cannot tell you guys how much it helps to have you all holding me up when I feel at my weakest. I've been in treatment since last July (misdiagnosed for 4 months, so chemo delayed until now)...it has really started to take its toll on me emotionally. I'm especially weak when I have two nights of interrupted sleep, and I just am so thankful I can come here and pour my heart out. Thank you all SO much!
AND...I.am.feeling.better!!!! It is now 6 p.m. and my heartburn symptoms today are maybe a 4-5/10 instead of a 10/10 the last two days. Let's hope this trend continues throughout the evening! Need to get through dinner and see what happens.
And Fierro congrats on making it through your first day back to work - so glad you love it and have great coworkers. That makes all the difference! I can't wait to get back to my teaching job (I teach part time at a physical therapy assistant school, in additional to my clinical work.). The staff there are great, and I so love teaching.
lsharvey - funny you mention the hyosycamine - that's one of the ingredients the "Green Cocktail" donnatel med, I think. It's some pretty effective stuff - just nasty to take at 11 pm, 1 a.m, 3 a.m, and 4 a.m. LOL Nothing like doing "shots" all night long...not my idea of partying, and I do know how to party when I'm feeling good. LOL!!! See, I am feeling better, even able to crack a joke now.
Oh and yeah, Gas X...right...so insightful. Thank goodness for your primary care doc! -
So glad you're feeling better Dancetrancer! We need you! Good to know I've got something better then Gas X!! haha!
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Hi everyone, and thanks so much for all the well wishes! I am going to talk to the MO on Thursday when I go for my appointment/tx#3 about traveling, and see what they say. I'm going to see if I can get more info looking ahead too (i.e., as far as the treatment plan for rads). But who knows? I might not wait that long. We'll see!
Melrose, thanks - it seems like forever ago that I first lurked on the forums because I was trying to work up the nerve to go to the doctor.... I am so glad we're still here together too! I've been wondering about Gabsbaba - she must be on another thread. Hope she's doing okay!!
Dancetrancer, soooo glad you are feeling better! I'm sending purple healing thoughts your way that the good trend continues for you. I'd never really had any problems with heartburn or reflux until the last couple of years, and the chemo/steroids sure ratcheted it up. I only wish there was a simpler fix for you; I was taking Zantac and Maalox a couple of times a day together, but the Prilosec OTC got rid of it entirely. Hoping you go back to improvement once you finish chemo.
Fierro, glad your day at work went OK. I hear you on needing to pay the bills - I am the major breadwinner of our family too. I just hope that Jaxson gets his pink slip really soon!!
Stacie (and everybody else with the hot flashes), we're just keeping the tazer guns charged!
I hope you all have a restful evening with minimal SEs.
I'm trying to get back to drinking copious amounts of water looking ahead to Thursday....
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Stacie----I wish there was a "like" button!! lol Love your hot flash scenario
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Got my first expansion today...50ccs! Couldn't look when he put the needle in, but we chatted up a storm. I like my PS, he's a a nice guy! It was funny, he told me he wanted to be a PS since he was 5 years old..lol...his father was a dentist, he has other doctors in the family, but wanted to take his own route!
Now as far as the SE's I can't think about those right now. I have appt with Onc on June 8th for Oncotype results. Then we'll decide what and when! I'm assuming I'll be starting the following week. Frankly, I'm NOT looking forward to it. I want SO MUCh to be able to keep a sense of humor through Chemo, but I don't really know how. I have a sense of humor, but when serious things happen I tend to go within. Logically, I know humor helps, but can you gals help me? How can I find the humor, when I am scared? HELP!!
Vickilind - I am drain free and showered too. Yippee! Feels great doesn't it?I held off a few more days showering because I wasn't sure I could get stitches wet yet and today doctor said yes. Feels so good to stand under the stream of water...Ahhhh!
Dancetrancer - So glad you are feeling better now. You've had a tough road so far! I've had acid reflux before and it's no fun. I really hope mine stays under control during Chemo. I do not want to go back on antacids..they mess with your gut and the natural balance of your system. Healing thoughts to you!
Monday I have my next expansion...
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Well , going into round 3 tomorrow, hope it is no worse than round 2...meanwhile my thrush came back about 3 days ago, nystatin didn't get rid of it. Doc prescribed Diflucan today. I'm stressed about taking it because I made the mistake of reading the insert. Don't want to react to it and get sick! Want to have a nice morning before chemo in pm ! Called pharmacist and she said she had never had someone report problems with it. I know I am over thinking this...want to wait until tomorrow but worried. Aargh! Small things trip me up now. Anyone taken this drug?
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Well , going into round 3 tomorrow, hope it is no worse than round 2...meanwhile my thrush came back about 3 days ago, nystatin didn't get rid of it. Doc prescribed Diflucan today. I'm stressed about taking it because I made the mistake of reading the insert. Don't want to react to it and get sick! Want to have a nice morning before chemo in pm ! Called pharmacist and she said she had never had someone report problems with it. I know I am over thinking this...want to wait until tomorrow but worried. Aargh! Small things trip me up now. Anyone taken this drug?
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Just checking in to cheer everyone on. Dancetrancer, you are so helpful to everyone. I'm sorry you are suffering so! I am praying for you. Vballmom, I'm glad you 're getting better in the hospital and I hope things get figured out so you'll have a better time of it from now on. Sandik, I love your posts. You are so encouraging in a matter of fact way, love it. Melrose, your compassion always shines through. To other posters, your posts have made me laugh and cry. Vicki, I remember how I felt when I got my last, stubborn drain out. I, too, hated, hated, hated my TE's. I was constantly pulling on my stretchy bra, thinking it would make my rib cage feel better. Nope. But now at 300cc's, they feel much better, if weird. Hugging me is like hugging 2 bocce balls, they're so hard. I have one or two more fills to go.
I started CMF on Friday and feel pretty good, just some nausea that Compazine helps and some constipation. We'll see how "cumulative" the SE's get over my course of treatment. I have 23 more to go (weekly) with a break for rads in the middle.
This thread has so much good info and encouragement on it. Thanks to all!
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