April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

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  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited June 2012
    Stacie - I'm sorry everything flared at once last night, but I know how cathartic a good cry can be.  I hate to cry, but many times, when it's passed, I feel so relieved.  I, too, miss the days when my body was just my vehicle to get where I was going and a tool do what I was going to do.  Now it is aches, pills, treatments, side effects, worries...and thank goodness, this support group.
  • sandik
    sandik Member Posts: 482
    edited June 2012

    Just woke up. Slept most of the day. Still tired too! Waiting for hubby to bring dinner, then back to bed. Have a wedding Saturday.

    Fierro and the other 1st timers, hang in there! Keep drinking!

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited June 2012

    Just a quick reminder of how far we all have come since this thread started in March 2012 by Stacie

    We are now on page 100 which means we've done a lot of talking, venting and supporting of each other.  I know some of us are just completing their chemo (YAY!!!). some are somewhere in between, some are starting a new phase of their chemo and some are just beginning.  No matter where you are on your chemo journey, it has been an enriching experience for me to be a part of this thread of strong gals who wear kick a** boots and continue to push and move forward. 

  • Lynnbea
    Lynnbea Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2012

    Tweetyb422: sorry to hear you need to do more chemo; you've been strong, you can do this; we're here for you

    Fierro6: you're doing right to eat what you can when you can; even if you're not hungry you don't want an empty stomach.  the hot face is probably from steroids

    dancetrancer: congrats on your last TCH...hopefully the next few wks won't be crappy..no SEs

    I had my last TC last wk.  Had been running a temp since then. Ended up in ER on Friday. They didn't find anything. Got a call from hosp on Tuesday to report to ER immediately. They finally diagnosed it...asceptic meningitis. Been on anti-virals 3 days now and I feel soooo much better!

    lisa2012 :glad the IVs are working out for you and you haven't needed a port; hopefully #4  will go fine too. my doc told me I didn't need a port because I was only getting 4 treatments. the head onco nurse took one look at my veins and told me I'd probably need a port by the second treatment. so I went ahead and got a port before starting my first treatment.

    Well, I'll be checking in from time to time. What a journey from diagnosis in Dec to surgery in Feb to now. Next step is reconstruction.  Wishing everyone smooth sailing, minimal SEs, and may BC never, ever return. Bless ya! 

  • FightingLikeAGirl
    FightingLikeAGirl Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2012

    Okay so had my benedryl, steroids, pepcid, herceptin, taxotere, and now my carboplatin and of course fluid the whole time... Almost done w # 3...yay!



    Hope everyone is doing well.



  • KristyH
    KristyH Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2012

    I am wondering if anyone else received this anwer from their oncologist.  I am receiving a total of 4 treatments of T/C, then will be put on Tamoxifen for 5 years.  I asked today before my 2nd treatment, when and what type of scan and/or xray I would be gettings after the last treatment.  He said I wouldn't??  I would only receive this if "new" symptoms warrant the tests.  I am thinking that if the cancer has spread after treatment is over, wouldn't it be beneficial to "catch" it early??  I will discuss with him again next treatment but I must say I was taken aback with his answer.

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2012

    Fierro-Thanks...



    Melrose-WOW 100 Pages. I was hoping I wouldn't be alone when I started tge thread. Thank you all so much for being here/you.



    Kristi-My doc said 6 mos between scans.



    S

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2012

    Sandi- I hope you feel way better by Sat.

  • Husker123
    Husker123 Member Posts: 101
    edited June 2012

    I'm done with #3. My appointment card for the July 5 one say LAST CHEMO!!!  Hooray!

     They opened a new room at the center I go to. Downstairs, much quieter, each chair has it's own tv. Very nice.  All went well, my port behaved this time! Still didn't get out of there until 2 even though we got there at 9:30.

     My stomach doesn't seem as happy this time. Think I will be hitting the nausea meds.

    Hope things went well for Onvacation & Rachell11 today. And anyone else who was in the BGC today.  Minimal SE's for all!

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    KristyH - I asked that question and got the same answer.  Seemed strange to me too but both my first and 2nd opinion said it wasn't needed?

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    Woohoo Husker!!!  Almost there!

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited June 2012

    Husker:  Congrats!

    Stacie:  Thanks so much for starting this thread.  What a great group and ladies and friends. 

    LynBeaL  Congrats to you as well and hope you start feeling better soon.

    Sandi:  Hope you are feeling well enough for the wedding this weekend.  I can only imagine how tiring it would be. 

  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited June 2012

    I took my 1st lexipro antidepresssnt today to help w leveling the emotion & side effects are upset stomach. So now my stomach is more upset now then be4 I took the pill. Is there no relief.



  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    ugghhh!! sorry your tummy hurts Nofear!  side effects are the main reason I avoid most drugs like the plague!  but of course, we don't have much choice now! :(

  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    Thanks all so much for all the congrats!!!  I've been getting so many congrats from friends/family - been so busy replying to everyone, plus planning summer trips (Southwest has a big sale that ends tonight)...that I'm super behind on this thread!  

    It's just day 1 post my 4th TCH, so I'm still flying high on my steroids.  Only sx are increased tinnitus again (pulsates at times) and loss of appetite at dinner time tonight.  

    I can't keep up with all the posts tonight (kinda scatterbrained from the steroids, I think)!  But Stacie, just wanted to say I'm so glad you had a good cry and your hubbie was able to be there for you.  It can be so healing to get out all the overwhelming feelings...they do build up and then ya bust!!!  Hugs, glad you were able to sleep better after that! 

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    Dance - I'm so happy for you!!!  but don't leave us!  we need you!

  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    Lynnbea - WOW!!!!!  So glad the antivirals are working and you are feeling better! And huge congrats on being done! 

    vjm - I know you are up for your last TCH tomorrow in the big girl chair - you go girl!!!!  Marching forward!!!   

  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

    I'm not leaving you guys - not for a minute!!!!!!  Love you all!!! 

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    We love you too!!

  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited June 2012

    Hi all, seems like I'm always playing catch-up, saw DS#2 off to Wyld Life camp with his middle schoolers, spent at least 30 minutes in what I pictured as a germ infested pharmacy waiting for Rocky Mountain Mouthwash, and worked the rest of the day.



    Gemmie - probably do the rinses 3 times a day, with a solution of 1 cup warm water,

    1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda. I confess that I was lazy this time, didn't do it much at all, and the sores are worse this time.



    Positivity - did Ethan join you yet? Wishing you all the best!!



  • rgina
    rgina Member Posts: 100
    edited June 2012

    Evening all,

    Dance - congrats and ditto what lsharvey said.

    Lynnbea - hope you are feeling better - how scary.

    Nofear - darned if we do darned if we don't - hopefully this is just a short term SE, can you take any of your anti-nausea meds to help?

    Stacie - my thanks to you too for starting this thread.

    Husker - you are almost there - go give your horse a hug!:) Hope you feel better.

    Vickilind - have fun gaming tonight, I'll just have to stick with my Facebook Slot games - no gaming in Texas:-( Good luck tomorrow.

    Kjiberty - loved Dallas wonderful 2 hour diversion:)

    Had a crazy insane day at work and then cleaned house like a crazy person, just in case.

    Tomorrow is my trip to chemo-land for my Tx#2 "TCH" cocktail.  Friday's and chemo-land puts a whole new spin on the old adage TGIF!  Everyone else in the BGC tomorrow, hope for us and everyone that we have a "NO" SE weekend.

  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited June 2012

    @Rgina - I'm hoping tomorrow and the next couple of days are smooth sailing for you!!  I know those critters need you! :) Are you able to ride any?  I haven't even tried...stupid work!

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited June 2012

    Rgina:  Hope tomorrow and this weekend goes well for you.  Thinking of you.  Thanks for the heads' up on Dallas.  I will DVR it tomorrow night.

    Dancetrancer:  We love you too!  Hope the next few days go smoothly for you! 

  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited June 2012

     Thanks so much all! 

    rgina - hope all continues to go smoothly for you tomorrow, with continued minimal SE's!

    kjiberty - love your new profile pic!  

  • mary71145329
    mary71145329 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2012

    rgina--good luck in the big girl chair tomorrow

    dancetrancer---we definitely need you to hang around!

    kjiberty--love your new pic!

    nofear--sorry to hear of your tummy troubles. Did you try taking it on a full stomach?

    Indigo--I can't keep up with all the posts either!!lol

    sandik--keep resting!

    fierro--such a great forum for venting and discussion! I agree!

    stacie--thanks for starting this thread! Can hardly believe it's up to 100 pages!

  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited June 2012

    Chemo Number 4 is a go tomorrow!!! Lab work (except for hg at 100 - no wonder I'm huffin and puffin and not powerwalking anymore!) is good and onc pleased (altho watching heart with added blood work and ECG today). I am happy happy happy to be getting done on schedule and in 3 weeks my DH and I depart for a much earned holiday (music festival in Courtney and off to Lake Okanogan, Penticton for more music, kayaking, and floating.... did I mention that that is wine country.... taste buds return pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease) after 6 months of 2 surgeries, 20 radiations, 4 chemos and 5 herceptins! Will continue Herceptin upon return and start Tamoxifen x 1 year. Thank you everyone for your support - I have learned so much on this site and, although not a frequent poster, I am here for you all. I, like Dancetrancer, will not be going anywhere and will continue to follow your journeys!!! vjm xo

    ps did I mention that I get very wordy and busy with double dose of dex today?)LOL

    pss thanks Stacie for starting this thread!

  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2012

    Okay, so I got my butt kicked gaming tonight, but man was it fun!!  Got my pink mohawk done today.  While I am in the BGC tomorrow, I will have my daughter help me load it up and make it my new avatar.  It is EPIC!!!  Kristy, is that the back of YOUR head with the ribbon in it?  Way cool!

    Lynnbea, wow, sorry things have been so sucky for you and glad you are back on track to health!

    Hope I can sleep tonight; I have had such a sharp pain at my shoulder blade all day, going from the left to the right and making me miserable.  No more Ambien so sad panda.  Frown

  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited June 2012

    I think it's time to ask for a sleep aid for the days I'm on steroids.  I haven't gotten flushed since that second dose, but I am an 8-9 hour a night girl, and this 4-5 hour thing is for the birds.  I did great at work yesterday, but when I came home, I was exhausted.  I finally went to sleep shortly before 10, and was awake at 2.  And there was NO way I was going back to sleep.  *sigh*

    I guess, now that it's 3:15, I'll just get up and get ready for work.  Today is the last day on the steroids.  I think that means I'll crash tomorrow, if I'm understanding what many of you have said.  I hope I'm recovered by Monday so I can get back to work under somewhat normal circumstances.

    Going, first thing Saturday morning, for the pixie cut.  I got 8" or so cut off 3 weeks ago or so, and had this set up to do when I was ready.  I'm ready.  My ex-sister-in-law is my hairdresser.  I know that's weird, but we're really close and she fits me when when I show up, helps tell me what I need to do, and keeps me from freaking out.  Before-middle-after pics by Sunday, I hope.  If I'm awake.

    I'm certainly awake NOW, huh?  Sorry for the babbles.  Stupid Steroids. 

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited June 2012

    Fierro For two nights I have to take a mild xanax to bring me back to earth and then ambien. I take the ambien alone thereafter. I'll wean off after. I am Bipolar Type II which makes me succeptible to mood changes from lack of sleep and causes mild mania in the day. I am making sleep happen. I will wean off after my body is off all these chemicals. Just awoke at 0400, took another pill and its beginning to take effect now...zzzxxxx

  • vballmom
    vballmom Member Posts: 426
    edited June 2012

    Oh, how I adore you all!!!  I am loving the new avatars - we are all so brave to post our beautiful bald heads.

    Yesterday I had the BEST DAY YET since starting chemo.  I went to work, then had my parents over for dinner.  By 8:00 pm I was in bed and sound asleep, but a joyful sleep knowing that I actually had a day where I felt like me for a change.  I know Monday I will be knocked down again, but I am so happy just know that there will be good days amongst the bad ones.  My daughter has Titanium on a playlist for me.

     I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose fire away, fire away ricochet, you take your aim fire away, fire away you shoot me down, but I won't fall I am titanium you shoot me down, but I won't fall I am titanium


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