April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

A little bummed, I finished 4 rounds DD A/C last Monday, met with surgeon today to schedule lumpectomy, and he said I have responded well, tumor is half the size, but he would like to see more shrinkage due to size of my breast...so he recommends more chemo....ugh...I was so disappointed

I didn't sleep great last night, but I did manage to OVER sleep.  Sheesh.  Anyway, time to catch up: 

mistym - my port was put in while I was in for the MX, so I was there overnight anyway. I have to say, I wasn't asked any questions about where to get it, whether to get it, or anything. I was just told that they'd be putting in a port. I have had zero issues with it and am so thankful to have it. I know not everyone has had the same results. Your mileage may vary.

vballmom - I'm a bit freaked about losing my hair, but other than that, I feel the same as you do. You surgeons do the best you can for me, and I'll follow your lead. So far, I haven't been lead wrong in any way.

rgina - I was given Prochlorper. I wonder if I should do the same? She only told me "as needed." So far, no nausea. I did have a light case of heartburn a couple of times, but Tums fixed me up.

DorisMarie and Marcia1111 - I never drink water but after joining here and being told by my MO that I needed to drink a lot, I'm forcing it down. Tons. I also cut down coffee and Diet Coke. Today I got some Crystal Light packets with no caffeine. I hope that helps me keep slamming the water.

Gemmie - I asked my MO's nurse about it and she said, "I know some people have good luck with it, and it won't hurt anything to try." She suggested only the day of the shot and the day after. I guess I'll do that this time, and if it doesn't work, I'll go longer next time.

Tweetyb422 - What a blow...thinking you were done and finding out you're not. I'm sorry.

Help - I have reddish bumps on the back half of my tongue (my tongue is sore too).  Nothing white.  I don't know if I should be concerned or not.

Thanks Indigo.  Me too!  I'm 2 weeks out from my last treatment and had stopped using the baking soda/salt rinse.  Guess I was premature on that!

Day 3 of AC #4. Getting tired! Tomorrow is my crash day, so I think I may give in and just go to bed early!

I'm wiped out, but not sick.  I've had a bit of heartburn twice, but Tums fixed it.  I had NO desire to eat.  I forced down some crackers this morning to take my Dexamethasone, and I ate maybe 5 animal crackers at noon to hush concerned coworkers.  I wasn't sick or nauseous, I just wasn't hungry.  And I'm pretty foggy-feeling.

I made it through 4 1/2 hours at work, and left early for my Neulasta shot.  I just didn't think I could make it another minute.  I arrived early, and they got me in a bit early.  Win.  

I also got everything straightened out between PS and chemo.  I'll go on Tuesday morning for blood work on the way to work.  They'll fax results to PS nurse.  If I'm a go, I'll go Wednesday morning for a TE fill, and then straight to my infusion.  I really hope this works.  If my counts make PS nervous, I won't get a fill.  I trust them.  I just want to keep things moving.

I also hope I can get 40 hours in next week, since every-other-week is consumed with blood draw, TE fill, chemo, Neulasta.  I'll be lucky to get 20 hours in on those weeks.  I want the off week to be good and for me to feel good.   High hopes, huh? 

Finally, I haven't had a fever, but my face feels hot.  Even with the fan on and my legs feeling chilly, my face feels hot.  I'm sure it has something to do with a medication.  That sounds like a lot of crap to spew for day 2, but I didn't think it was too bad, other than the foggy feeling and the slight headache that still lingers. 

m4babies, I had 7 neupogen injections.  The bone pain was so bad it was the worst pain ever in my life.  I think neupogen is similar to neulasta?  The weird thing was that the pain didn't get severe until two days after my last injection.  I woke up in the middle of the night with my whole body in spasms from the pain.  Nothing I took for pain helped at all.  After I spent a whole day in bed and taking T3s the pain got better.  So the day after bed rest, I went about my routine as usual with walks and chores etc and surprise terrible pain came back.  So I spent yesterday in bed all day and today is better.  I did go for walks today but didn't overdo it. I sure hope the Claratin works with round 2 because the pain is unbearable.  If it doesn't work, I will definitely be asking for some heavy duty pain meds.   I will keep you posted as my 2nd treatment is on June 19th.

Hugs,

Misty

Thanks everyone, I had a good cry, so I feel a little better...will call oncologist tomorrow and see when i have to get back in the big girl chair

Well I had planned on going to a support group tomorrow am w my sister but I had to cancel. I feel like crap just really wore out/drained & I am so frustrated. I have 3 more treatment & I have no idea how I am going to make it. I am also waiting for my presc for an antidepressant & I have heard nothing. I called the cancer care center & they said they will tx to the den& get back w me tomorrw. I need a relief I am so nerves up.

Sending big hugs to you nofear2012.  Hang in there.  We will all get through this together.

Misty

Oh I forgot about my stock of baseball caps!  I'm glad I have the wigs just in case, but I doubt I will wear them in the South Florida summer!

omg Marcia - I can't imagine!  I thought my head was going to boil last weekend in a baseball cap here in Maryland!  the other thing I like about them is people are used to seeing people in baseball hats so it helps to blend.  Obviously if you look close things are a little different but when I'm going thru the grocery store I really don't think anybody looks that close!

m4babies I suppose it is possible that whatever pain I have been having could be related to the chemo and not the neupogen at all.  Maybe after round 2 I will have a better idea?  I wonder if the claratin will help with neupogen.

Misty

Nofear:  Hang in there!  Sending hugs your way!

 Marcia:  Sounds like you are well equiped.  My wig is reserved only when I go to work or out in public.  Love my Buffs.

As far as the Neulasta injection:  I took Claritan the first time and had my second injection on Friday.  I wound up having sharp pains this evening and hoping they go away soon.  My MO says they could just appear up to 10 days after the injection.  Gotta take the Tylenol now.

Sandik:  Hope you're feeling better soon.

Fierro:  I hope you can do the 40 hour work week.  I know I could not.   

The basic difference between Neulasta and Neupogen is that the Neulasta has a chemical component that allows it to last longer in the body than the Neupogen.  That is the reason that the injection for Neulasta is so time specific and given only once (24 hours after the chemo treatment) whereas the Neupogen injection is administered daily for the number of days the onco prescribes.   There are no guarantees that the Claritin will prevent the bone pain from occuring after the injection of Neulasta or Neupogen; but always least worth a try.