Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

Thanks, Melrose.  I'm still here in my bathrobe, surfing the internet and feeling lazy.  I am getting up now . . .

Goodmorning Ladies, You gals impress me so much.  After my second tx I only had enough energy to get to work.  My brain was so tired. Ive been reading your post but I couldn't put any thoughts down on words.  I had my 3rd tx last Tuesday, and I'm feeling so much better today. I'm rushing out to work this morning, but I will keep in touch. Ellebee has me inspired that taxol isn't as bad.  I will be doing 4 tx every other week. I have one more a/c on the 18th.

Pam and Ellebee- love your new pictures

Marcia- I'm jealous, wish I was in my bathrobe.

oh, found a

website on house cleaning, it's pretty cool. It only has you focus on sections of your house at a time. flylady.net

Have a Great Day!

No, I haven't done anything to prevent the neuropathy. I might start Special K's cocktail now. Plan on messaging her soon. It's really mild at this point.

having faith - there is an organization called Cleaning for a Reason, here is the link:

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

It is free housecleaning for those undergoing cancer treatment.

elle - here is the anti-neuropathy deal - 30g of L-Glutamine powder (10g 3 times daily dissolved in a drink), 1500 mg Acetyl L-Carnitine, 50-100mg of B6.  I had TCH every 3 weeks and would do this for the week after tx - if you are doing weekly Taxol just do it all the way through.  I found the powdered L-Glutamine at Whole Foods or GNC.

Special K just reminded me about the house cleaning thing. My sis-in-law, who has taken me on as her special project, signed me up at www.angelscleanhomes.com a few weeks ago. They called and are ready to schedule 4 free cleanings. All I need is my onco's office to fax them a note stating that I am undergoing chemo. Go for it girls! There aren't many perks to this thing.

I had #3 yesterday.  Little drowsy, but today I feel great.  Thurs., Fri., Sat., are coming though when I will feel the fatigue.  Thanks for the water reminder, because that makes a big difference and I've been slacking, too.

Marcia1111--drink up!

Pamelahope -- Water tastes good to me again.  I had a cookout and lots of extra plastic cups left.  I used my water bottle on the weekend, when I went out, and the water tasted like it used, too.  So, I was tasting the plastic - change of taste I guess.  Never noticed that before.  I know what you mean about the insurance out of pocket.  The Lake George trip only costs $85.  That's why we're going.  Bigger trip next year, but haven't decided where.  I'm still wondering how much the port surgery is going to cost me.  I have no idea, but must be expensive!

ElleBee, Amazon also has the L-Glutamine powder; it can be used to help with the mouth ulcers too.  Make sure you get one w/o fillers in it.

KeepMoving, I'm glad it helped.  It wasn't quite enough for mine (but it did help if I used the rinse every time I eat).  The magic-swizzle stuff you can get a prescription for was of limited use in my opinion because it just numbs you for 5-10 minutes and that's it. so I'm researching some other options to talk to my MO about this week.

Thanks for all the info on the cleaning; I'm going to check on this too. 

Steelersluver, the ice chips when the ON is giving the adriamycin really helps.  I don't have any mouth sores or soreness.  Yesterday, she and I were talking so much, that I forgot to chew ice until she was about halfway through the adriamycin.  We'll see if I get any this time.  I hope not.   

Ellebee, Steelersluver, SpecialK, Marcia1111 -- sorry Marcia1111 for not including you on my thank you for the scan info before.  You gave such good info.  I asked my MO if I was going to get any scans, and she said she's not big on scanning.  (I should have asked why not.)  She said she gave me a regular chest x-ray and all of my labs were ok, especially the liver ones, so she didn't think it was necessary.  I'm thinking that maybe they'll decide to do it after I have surgery.  I had that positive lymph node and it worries me.  I'm going to ask her more questions next week.  But thanks everyone for your replies.  I just wanted to let you know what she said.  

Hi Radioactive, my MO said my tumor was significantly smaller.  I think she told me that just to make me feel better.  She thought it was funny that I was afraid to check it.  Guess she figures I already have cancer, what could be worse.  Maybe she didn't realize that I am afraid to hope that it will shrink.  I finally did check it myself and it seems softer and smaller.  Wish it would go away. 

Pamelahope, thanks for letting us know that first it gets softer, and then shrinks.  

pamelahope - Sorry about that second link - not sure why it didn't work.  Here it is again:

http://marnieclark.com/tips-tricks-and-support-for-hot-flashes/

Hope it helps!  Thanks for your kind words about the first article, I appreciate it.

Love and hugs -

KeepMoving, Thanks for the ice chips tip.  I'll give it a try this week.  I drink a lot of water while there and kept a cup of ice with me anyway to put in my water, so that will be easy. I thought I wasn't going to get them, but they hit about day 9 or 10 after.  I loved my morning coffee before this, but it has been hard on my stomach and mouth, so I've been doing without more days than not.  I can't tell you how many times I filled a cup up because I wanted it, only to dump it out because I couldn't actually drink it!  Maybe I'll find a tea to switch to.

Hello Everyone!!

Long day, had #3 AC, left 7:30 AM, home 3:30 pm.  Everything went well.  I have a Powerport and so far have had no problem, but I do know another lady who got a clot in hers.  Not sure of the brand.

For those of you who have a hard time getting answers from your onc., I got a call last week that my onc. had to be in a meeting this morning, and I needed to change my appt.  to another day..... I really wanted to stay on schedule so they said I could see the NEW nurse practitioner.  So I went for that.  I am in a group of onc. The np was absolutely great, very informative, had worked 25 years in a cancer center and moved here getting ready to retire... somehow we had the idea she would be just starting I guess because they used the word NEW.  So if you havve a chance to see someone else, give it a try.  I always feel things happen for a reason sometimes.

I usually take a list of questions that I jot down during the 2 wks, my reg. onc. usually just answers briefly.  This gal went on and on.  Here are some things she said that may help you

mouth sores, I asked if Magic Mouthwash is just numbing or did it have some healing medication in it.  She said there are different formulas, there is nothing on the bottl listing ingred., she asked if it is pink, Yes it is.... then it has some medication for healing also.  I told her I was using a baby toothbrush and soda, she said get this little finger thing, it slips on your index finger and you would use it to rub the babies gums, even had baby toothpaste in the one I got tonight.  She said even those soft bristles can cause little cuts.

stomach, she said the mouth is just part of the GI tract so it is all involved.  Take Zantac am and pm, and maalox now and then and especially at night as it coats the stomach while sleeping for protection.  If Zantac doesn't get it under control call and they will change it to Prilosec.

the onc nurse also agreed with what you posted recently about taxol, it is easier on the stomach, but has it's own se, like bone pain, possible damage to nails  but easier on stomach.

I cannot believe how thin my skin is, wore some cute summer shoes that pushed a couple of toes together and toenail cut into the other toe, very sore.  Soaking in betadine/water solution, using neosporine and then going barefoot in the house to let feet air out.  Also, several paper cuts from just opening the mail and handling papers. 

comments on some of your posts.....

specialk, if I will be on Taxol every two weeks starting in August, when do I take it.  AND the onc nurse said to suppliment with the same things you said, so I am excited to have this formula.  thank you

My hair fell out badly starting day 13 for about a week, now has stopped and actually I agree with some of you it looks like it has grown a little!!  Unreal!!!  Looks like baby hair.  I also hae lost a couple of eye lashes in the last few days.

Another hat/scarf idea.  I really like wearing a baseball cap, always have.  When we were up in the woods I wore one with a bandana underneath, daughters thought it was fine.  I really wanted a stretchy headband, only I knew it wouldn't be wide enough to cover up the back and sides........ so, what do you do in the woods for a headband.  I cut the sleeve off from one of my husband's T sshirts. (think he'll notice???)  and it worked greaat just besure to have it high enogh in the back to cover the little hole where the adjustment is.  I will use the rest of the t shirt to experiment with a wrap.  I know the hosp. cancer center has something like this and also saw them in a wig catalog.... much cheaper to make your own.

I think that's it for tonight, I will probably think of something else later.  (which I did, had to edit twice) chemo brain..... oh, and did I mention I left this morning WITHOUT my purse, too far to go back for it..... also, have managed to lose my ins. card.  (probably sold by now on the blackmarket and someone is getting a face lift on me!!!

Good night all, bless you.  Stephanie

SpecialK,Thanks for the ginger tea suggestion.  I did use ginger candies and they worked well.  I didn't know there was ginger tea, so I will look for some before tomorrow. I'll have to ask about the caphosol because the ulcers stuck around for about a week and are just clearing up now in time for the next go-round!

Stephanie, for something stretchy under your baseball hat, did you consider a buff (like Survivor)?  I put one under my sunhat and it worked well.  They come in UV coated and insect repellent versions.  I think LL Bean also makes their own version of them.  There is also a buff headband, which is just like a shorter buff. 

I just did my last round of taxotere/cytoxan. And this one was the worst... It usually takes 2.5-3 hours same as usual but it seems I never felt better from #5 and was already back in the chair. Fatigue is a word I never knew so well... Anyone doing radiation? Now that surgery is done( still have an expander) the surgeon and onc are now telling me to see radiation ? I thought I was done.