April/May 2012 Chemo hang out
Comments
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Yeah, I now carry backups in my purse and car. Thank God I am a) work from home a lot; b) my office is 13 minutes away. Needless to say, I drove very quickly home.
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Misti I SO feel for you on the gross CT beverage! Maybe take anti-nausea meds before drinking it. Please let us know about the CT results and if you need support waiting bent here. Waiting on results is scary.
So glad you're ok Sandi! Scary.
Welcome newcomers we are a busy bunch. You won't get lonely here.
My most bothersome SE is fluid collecting in my ALND site. Had it needle-aspirated last week and it's filling again. Gotta redo. It hurts!
I've lucked out (thus far) and only had taste changes round #1. I am post #4. No icing. Only one small fingernail crack I filled with clear polish weeks ago and it hasn't spread. Two mouth sores only. No icing there either.
Yikes Mary on the bone pain! Mine is moderate. I empathize. -
Fierro - all aboard!
kjiberty - oh no!!! That must have been an awful thing to deal with.
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Oh yea.....I went to the bathroom, cleaned myself up, threw away my u/w and then said I had to go home, that I was "lightheaded".
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Stacie: Sounds like you're recovering well after this past tx. Sending warm thoughts your way!
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kjiberty that's awful! Id rather do the faceplant! haha
Fierro, just started using them a little while ago on a reccommendation of some friends. We get a lot of looks when we go somewhere and have the lenticular wallets on display!
Stacie, glad you are doing well.
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Hey ladies- my onco nurse called today and said I was nutropenic? My WBC was 1.9? They called in an antibiotic for me to take for seven days. I don't really know what that means but they said to stay away from sick people. Haha-- I work at a credit union and am in constant contact with people.
Well I am off to bed, not feeling so well since I took the antibiotic
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Tomorrow decadron, blood draw, first visit with physical therapist to increase mobility post-BMX. Then big girl chair on Weds. Last one. Then Neulasta. I am glad but also feeling blue. Am I headed for a shorter life? My sons are
almost 24 and 25. How much of their lives will I get to see? Bla bla bla... how serious is this? I was tired today and my legs are hurting!! Thrush started to coat my tongue again, grrrr.
Well, tomorrow will be busy- and maybe the decadron will give me those 2 days of increased energy!! -
My heart is with all of you who have been coping with severe bone pain and other nasty SEs. Sandik, though, I think you won the prize this past couple of days! I am drinking a glass of water as I type this.
A/C #3 is winding down - this Thursday is #4 - and at this point the worst SE for me is just this rotten canker sore - but it hasn't really stopped me from eating (only being able to kiss DH very well or whistle for the dogs). Certainly not an 11 on the 1-10 scale. I can't remember now who it was exactly who suggested the Kaiser meditation/visualization sites, but mostly because of emotional stuff - I just feel lately like I need to be re-motivated - I listened to the chemo one and the pain one - and I really liked them a lot.
Stacie, I am thinking about talking to the surgeon's office as far as whether I should have needle aspiration. It's been almost 3 months since my surgery and on my right side I still have a swollen spot that is apparently fluid. It didn't bother me all that much really, until I wore a bra (and prosthetics) again recently. Now it's sore, even though I haven't worn a bra for the last two days. I don't really want the needle aspiration, but I'm wondering if this really will go away on its own.
lisa2012, at least the light is on at the end of your chemo tunnel!! I got Rocky Mountain Mouthwash - not really sure I had full-blown thrush, didn't see white coating, just blisters and the one sore, but the rinse has helped everything but the canker sore. Those I have always just had to tough out.
Mistym, sending you good thoughts, that this tx goes better than the last one.
Fierro and kjiberty - oh, that has to be the worst. I'm glad at least you were able to make exits - but getting home must have felt like forever for both of you. I hope your experience is like mine has been, and that the tummy stuff is pretty much back to normal by day 7.
Melrose - I am going to dig back into the thread to find your famous instructions on icing nails, before I start Taxotere next month. I haven't had any real taste issues on A/C - but I drink ice water the whole time I'm getting the infusions. Hoping that works on Taxotere too.
It has been really hot here (high of 100 in Denver today, believe it or not, to those of you not in Colorado!). I am planning to go into my office again on Wednesday, and if the heat hasn't broken, I just may wear one of my buffs. We'll see if I stay brave or not...
TriChick - I have never been an athlete but a huge admirer of them. What do you think about during triathlons to keep you going? I'll bet that same motivation will help you power through treatment. If there's any of that you might pass on, I'm listening - I am fighting, but sometimes lately my motivation needs a boost. I looooove watching the Olympics - and this time I think I'll take even more from it.
Wishing everyone a restful evening. Love and purple healing!
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Rose d. I'm took weeks our from my first taxol and I too developed a rash. It on my arms and legs...I just left it alone and it went away in about 4 days.....
We're you in the sun? It looked like a heat rash but maybe it is some sort of reaction....I'm back in the chair today for round 2. Bring it! -
Just awoke early and was thinking some of us are finishing chemo and going on with life, while others (like me) have a couple/few more rounds, some have longer chemo treatments, and not all of us will do RADS. But this thread will remain as a check in point for all of us for years to come. For those of us beginning RADS next, we need a thread to capture us all in spite of our varying chemo end dates here. Most should start July or Aug. So I thought I would start a "SUMMER 2012" RADS thread so we can all land there when we get there. I start in August but want to stay with you who are finishing here before me.
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I won't start rads until I have one more AC and then 12 weeks of Taxol. I will hunt you down!!!
Thinking of you today, chapter4.
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Just started the thread under the Radiation Forum
It is called SUMMER 2012 RADS HANG OUT. I put it in my favorite topics so I can monitor when we get active. If you are on this thread, moving on to RADS and want to stay together, post on the new thread anytime. In a few weeks I'll be on a count down to my last round so will be starting to read more on RADS and what to expect, getting prepared etc. See you here and see you there. Hope y'all don't mind me taking liberty and starting the thread again...I am mighty attached to you and don't want to move on without those of us heading to RADS having our own place... -
Misti-Suggestion, when drinking those "yucky" drinks for those pesky tests, I pinch my nose closed so I do not taste them going down & then they usually give water to wash away taste. I dread those CT as well. May it go quickly for you!
Kjiberty-you must be a very strong person to go to work as you do. I feel guilty sometimes being on disability, but the other option of work wouldn't be possible with all my SEs. Hats off to anyone working at the same time you are going thru chemoland._
Mary sympathies on the bone pain. Thankfully it lasted only one day! Two extra strength tylenol helped me sleep through some of it!
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Indigo - I listened to the chemo one, thought it was great. I too am thankful to whoever recommended that site. I really like the immune system one, too. Meditation/yoga/stress management etc. apparently can help reduce recurrence risk, along of course with diet, exercise, and social support. I've been reading Dr. Schreiber's famous book - AntiCancer: A New Way of Life. For anyone interested in doing complimentary approaches to help reduce recurrence risk after traditional treatments, this book is excellent. I like it b/c he believes in integrative oncology - that you should do all your traditional treatments, but then look at what you can do on your own to further help boost your fight against the cancer coming back. He says we should not feel hopeless that there is nothing we personally can do to help our odds. He also reviews all the literature for his recommendations so it is very evidence-based. Fascinating book, inspiring man.
Hugs to you, you sound like you need them and some purple energy being sent back to you, too!!!
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For those doing rads - my biggest suggestion is calendula cream. There is little evidence out there for what creams work best, but there are some small studies and calendula was shown to be helpful in a few of those. I did really well with calendula (you can find it in a natural foods store). Also, start moisturizing a few weeks BEFORE rads, to pre-condition your skin. I am still using calendula 2 x a day; I finished rads in March. RO said to keep moisturizing for 4 to 6 months post for the best results long-term.
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I'll start rads in August if I can stay on track. I've heard mixed information about reconstruction after rads? Also, is anyone under 50 doing partial breast radiation? I was told under 50 can't but then saw something recently that says a study showed it's just as effective?
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Bloodwork post Taxol #6 with no Neulasta shot was yesterday. Counts are all good! Phew! I did not miss the bone pain and do not want to do another Neulasta shot...ever! I have 2 treatments left and recon on July 27 - - counting the days now.
My worst SE are from the Neulasta and the steroids, so I am told by my OC and the NP. I have humming in my ears that just is annoying, floaters in my eyes (again annoying). My severe fatigue wears off slowly after day 4. I nap several times a day, I like to call it sofa surfing.
I am not sure how all you women who are working full or part time are doing it!!! You are my idols! I suppose you could say I work part-time. I own a coaching business, I coach runners, cyclists and triathletes and I work from home...on my own time, my own schedule. That is very different from being held accountable to be somewhere, at least in my book. I was working part time at a local bike shop doing professional bike fitting when I got my diagnosis but my husband insisted that I quit. I was asked to come in to work one busy weekend at the bike shop back in May and I literally made it 4 hours and had to go home! I have been able to schedule and complete only 4 bike fits since chemo started....I guess my husband was not too successful in insisting I quit the bike shop!! haha
IndigoMont11 I do believe my experiences as an athlete has helped me. Through all the training and racing you MUST believe in yourself and you MUST believe in your plan. I tell the athletes I coach - you have to trust the plan for the plan to work! That is key - and obviously believing in yourself and your success. There is a mind-body connection...it is critical to success in every way, shape and form! I have traveled all over the world to race and I will again! I have completed 4 Ironman triathlons, my best showing was 3rd overall (a long time ago!). I have completed 2 marathons, my LEAST favorite event of all time ever! Including the Boston marathon. Being my least favorite event I often compare chemo with a marathon! You start out feeling okay and soon realize "what the hell did I sign up for, I have 26 miles to go?" You get half way done and you still have 13 miles to run!!! That is so far! You get to mile 20 and you are so, so, so tired and your legs hurt and they want to cramp and you want to quit BUT you have come so far and trained so hard and you want that finisher medal so bad! So you press on...you look to the crowd for encouragement, it is there (like this thread!), your family and friends (and your future!!) await you at the finish...so you press on! I have not finished this race yet, but I will...we will and with a big smile...my question is why the hell don't we get a medal???!!!
On another note I ordered this shirt last week...and you better believe it!
http://www.cafepress.com/mf/57536685/cancer-you-picked-the-wrong-bitch_tshirt
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lsharvey - recon after rads is definitely more challenging, but I know women many have done it. I get the impression that flaps do better (b/c you are transferring new tissue) than implants (b/c of higher risk of capsular contraction and difficulty with rads skin tolerating expansion). I fortunately had micro fat grafting done (2 sessions) PRIOR to my rads. I'm small (A cup), but I have a good outcome cosmetically and no pain, etc. Fat grafting definitely can be done after rads, as well, but you need multiple surgeries. I doubt I'll go back for more rounds, but who knows how I'll feel a year from now (need to wait to consider anything further til my port is out, have herceptin until ~ April 2013).
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trickchick - I LOVE the marathon analogy!!!! Perfect!!! Although, I've never even come close to a marathon...5 K was my limit, LOL!!!! Running is hard!
That shirt is HILARIOUS!!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Chapter 4 - I am now COVERED in this stupid rash which itches like crazy. It started on my chest but has spread to my feet, face, shoulders, back and is on it's way to my legs and arms. Ugh. I'm heading in to see one of the dermatologists at the cancer center today, I hope they can help!
It's weird to me that it started a full week after the treatment.
I was out over the weekend but it wasn't particularly hot here and I stayed in the shade so I don't think it's heat related. Makes me very nervous for Taxol # 2 next week.
I really wish it weren't on my face!
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I am 49 and doing radiation but have yet to meet with a RO so I don't know what I'm getting. I had a mastectomy. I am planning on delayed reconstruction - most likely a flap, since I have plenty to spare in all the right places.
Trichick - my daughter is an All-American volleyball player and she just finished a class on Sports Psychology. The guy that taught it just won the national championship with the men's team. She LOVED it. Her major is speech therapy, but she's into the psychology of winning. She has self-appointed herself my positivity coach and reminds me daily, "There is no try. Trying is presupposed failure."
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All this inspirational talk reminds me of something I saw on FB the other day. Hope this pastes correctly:
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Stacie- Thank you for starting the rads thread!!!! I still don't know if I'll be having rads since my weirdo case(encapsulated bc) has to go before the tumor board again to make its recommendations. However, I'll be joining that thread soon anyway!!! Sorry to hear your LE is acting up.
IndigoMont- Yes.... I love that icing for Taxotere, especially since it seems to be working for me!!!! If you get tired of trying to track the icing tips, let me know. I will pm you what I've done for the icing.
Dancetrancer- I'll be with you on the Herceptin couch until April 2013.
Trickchick-Although I'm not a runner, I've viewed my time in chemoland like I was running a marathon. I can hardly wait until I reach to the chemoland finish line and rest up for the next phase of my journey.
Wishing minimal side effects for all !!!
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Indigo, sorry you are still having problems from your surgery.
Stacie, thanks for starting that thread. I was thinking that most of you eill be gone when I get to RADS. I still have 12 weeks of taxol then a month off before RADS, so that will take me to mid Oct. But Im crashing the summer one anyway. Haha -
Hi all - I am brand new to this board and don't know all the lingo or abbreviations yet, so bear with me. I was diagnosed on 5/1/12 (abnormal routine mammogram, then biopsy) and the Dr. suspected it was caught very early. Had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node surgery on 5/24/12 and the pathology report showed it was much further along. 5.5cm and 3 of 4 lymph nodes, so stage 3. Finally found an oncologist I am comfortable with, and I will start on chemo on June 28. The plan is for 4 cycles of AC, every 2 weeks, then switch to T, every week for I think 3 months. Then a mastectomy and then radiation. Went for the MUGA test today to check my heart, and going this Thursday for a CT scan and bone scan. Getting a mediport on Tuesday, 6/26. Tomorrow I go for chemo education with the physician assistant, so hope to get a lot of questions answered. It looks like this board will be a good resource too!
Thanks for listening,
Debbie
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Welcome Debbie! Lots of strong, awesome women in this thread. Keep reading. Drink lots of water!!!!! Chemo is very drying to skin, mouth, eyes and everything else. You'll also want to read in the chemo section about getting ready for chemo. That helped me a lot too!
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Welcome Debbie! As sandik said, lots of incredible women on this thread!
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Sandik - I'll be finishing Chemo in late September, and then evaluated for the (probable) rads after a month. I'll crash with you!
Debbie - This community has helped me more than I'd ever imagined. I didn't think I needed to join because my support system is very strong already. However, I joined and lurked and read and was blown away by the kindness, compassion, camaraderie, and most of all KNOWLEDGE of the members here. It has been a God send.
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I have not been on here in quite some time, so I apologize if my question is a repeat of what you have already discussed. I am done with AC and will have my first Taxol treatment on June 28. I want to know specifically how to ice my nails. Has anyone had success with this? And any other specific recommendations for this chemo treatment would be great! I could go through all the hundreds of threads but I honestly don't have time. If anyone would like to PM me I would appreciate it. Thank you and blessings to all of you going through this awful journey!
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