April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    Tomorrow is my last round of taxol & then I will PFC, glad to be able to say that, but I am freakin out already. I wish it was here already to get this behind me. Good luck to all the gals in the BGC & minimal se.



    Vicki I hope u feel better soon.

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

    Fierro - glad you are feeling better!

    Stacie - holy crap you have a lot going on.  Hope things settle down soon for you.   

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

    nofear - wahoo!  Almost there, almost PFC!

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

    Yay Melrose!

    Fierro, I'm in the same boat - still dealing with this lousy fatigue and some joint/bone/muscle pain, and cramping.  I keep waking up thinking "today it will all be gone!" but it's leaving me a lot more slowly than that.   At least the cramping, etc., hasn't been a ride on the D or C train, so far.  Trying to think in terms of baby steps, and except for the fatigue, the rest hasn't been constant.  

    Stacie, oh my gosh!  I hope they fix that A/C pronto!  You have sure been through a lot with mother nature - I remember you started with the frickin' tornadoes!  At least you've almost gotten to PFC.  Thanks before I forget for pulling us all together.  

    Nofear, what Dancetrancer said!!  

    Hugs everybody!

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited July 2012
    Thanks all and good news the AC is fixed and it was a $60 electrical problem.  I called the hotel lobby and asked for super late check out so I can work in the comfort and go straight to my doc appt w/o paying for another day.  They said  yes.  I admit I played the cancer card which I am none too proud to do for comfort. I have a little time to play more work catch up and out to my MO.  Wish me luck that my MO thinks my leg pain is fatigue or neulasta but NOT neuropathy.  I can't tell it all hurts and it all causes the same sh##$.  Surprised
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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited July 2012

    Getting last chemo treatment now....taxol. About an hour to go! Yes! Thought this day would never come...started chemo in April....8 treatments later....phew!



    It's been a bumpy road. Four AC's were rough...side effects kicked my butt at times...taxol was much easier for me. Steroids....well they suck....



    What I liked about chemo...



    I haven't had to shave in months

    Saved a ton at the hair salon

    And on pedicures

    Found my inner bitch

    Saved on hair products

    Takes me far less time to get ready for work

    When I wear my scarf...people hold the door and smile

    Got to skip the dentist

    No more tampons etc.

    Don't have to clean the shower drain

    No bad hair days (who cares if it rains)

    Guilt free vanilla milk shakes

    And naps

    Most of all.......I have a new appreciation for life and that so many people care about me....and Ive learned never to take life or those I love for granted.



    ( there's a long list of what I hate about it....but I think I've posted about that since April so I won't make you suffer)

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    Hi all...I am on the June chemo thread. I hope you don't mind me asking a question about your experiences with taxol. I am scared of neuropathy. Has anyone here did the supplements? From what I am read it seems everyones experiences with neuropathy have been mild.

    I bought b6, acetyl l carnintine, and l glutamine. I want to be conservative with supplements. I want to try an ice to but I am getting cold thinking about it!!!!

    I just finished my 4 a/c and now getting scared over the next step.

    Thanks,

    Pam

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited July 2012

    Love the list Chapter. My last is tomorrow. I want hair, but don't want to care for it LOL. And no razors was cool too. My inner bitch has some making up to do... after a particularly bitchy moment I kept telling myself "if I live through this we can talk about it later". Well it's almost later... ut oh. I might live to be responsible for myself.

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

    Hey chapter4!  I can relate to all but not having to clean the shower drain... well, if I nagged enough, I'm sure someone else would do it!  But I love the list too!  I'm sitting here today still feeling kind of lousy and trying shake off the side effects, and thinking how nice and smooth my face is.  Who'da thunk??

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

    Chapter 4 - huge congrats on your last tx today, and love the list, esp. discovering your inner bitch...LOL!

    stacie - wow, just one more to go for you, too!  So exciting!

    Hi Pamela - I didn't get Taxol, but did take supplements for Taxotere.  I took B6 and acetyl-l-carnitine.  

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  • CSMommy
    CSMommy Member Posts: 95
    edited July 2012

    What a great and positive list, Chapter4! Congrats on your last taxol!

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

    Back from Round #5 and looking forward to getting my Neulasta shot tomorrow.!!!!  My case goes before the tumor board next Tuesday since it is controversial and a gray area as to rads in my case.  I did talk to my onco about my concerns about radiation hitting my heart and lungs.  She said that the marking process is so much better now and with the CAT scan, the target areas should miss those two vital organs.  She knows that I would rather not have the rads if I can avoid them but knows I will do what I have to do get healthy and stay healthy.  She said everything looks good.  My red blood count went down a little but  it takes a while to get it back up through diet.  So I just eat whatever I can to help that.  WBC numbers are good.  Hoping for minimal side effects with this round.

    Wow with Number 5 done,,,,,, I am looking forward to the last one in August.  I'm not ready to post the last chemo date because I want to make sure it will actually happen.  So during the next three weeks, I want to stay healthy and keep my numbers up so the last treatment can become a reality and something to celebrate!

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

    Stacie- Glad you went to a hotel to camp out while the A/C is being fixed.  No reason for you or anyone else to suffer in the Texas heat.  I know what you mean about having pain.  Sometimes I can't tell where it is coming from or why but i just find its periodic presence just plain annoying.  I had sporadic rib pain after #4 but not it never lasted long and not long enough to take tylenol/advil to stop the pain.  I told my onco about it today but she wasn't worried about it since it was a prolonged pain.  Fortunately, my pain and cramping fingers last only for a few minutes and go away except I do have to stretch and bend my cramping fingers or else they would stay in a locked position.  Hoping your last chemo will be an easy one for you.  It's been a long haul for all of us.  HUGS to you, my friend.  No matter what has come your way, you have always managed to forge through with grace and courage. 

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012
    Chapter4- What a wonderful list and congrats on the last chemo!!!!  Happy dance in your honor today!!!!
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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited July 2012

    Yay Mel - one more down, one more to go!!! 

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  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited July 2012
    IndigoMont- Feeling any better today, sweets????  Hopefully your fatigue will subside shortly.  I know that I may myself get up and move when I am so tired.  I sometimes will drink a small coke to help perk me up.  Other times, I just lay in bed and read and nap.  I do know fi that red blood count is low, I feel especially lethargic.  Wished that Taxotere hadn't hit you so hard.  I don't know what I can to do to help you but if there is anything you know I'd be there at your door doing whatever I could to make you feel better!!!!  Take it easy and let your body get used to the Taxotere.  HUGS!!!!
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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited July 2012

    Melrose, celebrating one more tx down with you!  Today I'm still trying to shake it off - the fatigue I can deal with, but I have pains off and on all throughout my body.  Even my port and the area where I had my BMX hurt. Frown  It just seems like anything that was already sensitive or sore is now hypersensitive.  The MO's nurse was sympathetic yesterday and offered me a scrip for Vicodin; I'm trying to avoid narcotic stuff so I can keep working, since I'm able to at least sit at my computer and all that, so I said no for now, and am still coping with what I have and reminding myself that it is temporary.

    I have been working today and that distraction helps, and I had to run a little errand this afternoon, and my energy seems a little better for getting out.  I am really wondering now if the Taxotere hit me because I was already knocked down from A/C, even though I didn't have SEs like this before, and the low counts, etc., coming early have been harder.  I'm taking heart from people saying the worst usually passes in 7-10 days since I'm almost there, and hoping next time it will "catch up", so to speak! 

    Thanks for caring!!  I think I'm going to tighten up my boots a little - and then maybe take a nap.  Wink

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  • vballmom
    vballmom Member Posts: 426
    edited July 2012

    Pamela, I started Taxol today and did a bunch of research.  I'm certainly no expert and welcome other input.  I am taking L-glutamine at my request and my oncology nutritionist's approval.  Also, B1, B6 and B12. 

    There is research to support 300 mg/vit E twice a day but it also appears to have blood thinning properties.  This study shows that vitamin E effectively and safely protects patients with cancer from the occurrence of paclitaxel-induced peripheral nerve damage.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16939848

    I listened to a podcast on aceto l-carnitine and the APRN said the results are inconclusive.

    I'm also looking into milk thistle.

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited July 2012

    I HAVE UNEXPECTED NEWS. I AM PFC! My MO and I agreed we have reached maximum benefit with limited toxicity with my 5 rounds. We cancelled #6. I am past the worst SEs and waiting for my hair to grow! The scheduler will call me soon with my appt with the RO. On to RADS.

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

    Oh my gosh - HUGE congrats Stacie!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    Vball, Interesting about vitamin E. I would take but I am also on blood thinners. I may up my content of vitamin E based food based on the study. Let me know how taxol treats you! Good luck.

    Stacie, I stumbled on this thread but that is terrific news. So nice to be finished with chemo!

    Pam

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  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited July 2012

    31 July, Sharon will be getting marked up for radiation treatments. It was decided to continue to beat the BC into submission and do the exchange later...an excellent choice.



    The chemo to rads wait time was shortened because Sharon's blood lab numbers were barely affected by the chemo. They will do a CBC right before starting the actual rads, but everyone thinks her blood work will remain OK.



    She's getting there......



    Eric

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited July 2012

    Fighting the fight news good news Eric keep us posted.. we have another "hang out" thread for RADS.

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

    Stacie- Yippee!!! Congrats to you!!!!  Hope you now have time to recover from your chemo rounds so you can get on with the rads!!!!!Kiss

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

    Yay Stacie! I'll bet that news made your day! So glad for you!

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  • LyndaMarie
    LyndaMarie Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2012

    Hi all~

    Six days into AC and I definitely find it harder than Taxol. I am tired unlike I have ever been tired before. I even slept through steroids. My hemoglobin was low [9] when they infused so I am thinking it might be anemia. I get up, my heart races, I get light headed, I sit down. I will not be able to take this for eight weeks so I hope it starts to improve in the next day or so.

    I have decided zofran is my friend. I also may add prilosec to zantac as the heartburn is still there a bit. I have one mouth sore but it is way in the back and not too painful. I have been lucky to not have any bone pain from chemo or neulasta. Had a massive craving for macaroni and cheese so I induldged.

    Congrats Stacie!!!!

    I had Taxol weekly for 12 weeks. I did ice my hands and did not get neuropathy. Was not as diligent with my feet and have some neuropathy there but not too bad. I also took glutamine supplement.

    Hope everybody is having a good evening with minimal SE's!

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  • bcbarbie10
    bcbarbie10 Member Posts: 319
    edited July 2012

    How do you take l-glutamine? Powder or capsule?

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited July 2012
    LyndaMarie, sorry the A/C is being rough.  I hope the Prilosec works as well for you as it has for me.  As for cravings during chemo - I am now of the school that if it sounds good to you and tastes good, then you should probably go ahead and eat it!  I'll bet you are right about anemia; I would ask the doctor about what to try since it seems like a fine line with getting enough iron and maybe too much.  Hugs, purple healing energy, and hope you feel better really soon!
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  • LyndaMarie
    LyndaMarie Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2012

    I get the glutamine as a powder and mix 10mg into water three times a day. I try to keep up most days.

    I called the oncologist nurse line and they are concerned that I am dehydrated. I have not been super diligent about fluids since the weekend. With taxol I was always really careful to drink  tons the first few days to flush my system and then didn't think too much about it. Evidently, with AC, I need to get 64 ounces a day always. She said the adriamycin is dehydrating. Hopefully I can drink my way out of this and don't need to go for IV fluids. It is more the hassle factor than anything. One more trip to the hospital plus the hour sit for the fluids. So, today I need to drink about a gallon of fluids and then see how I am tomorrow.

    Hope everybody is having a good day!

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  • vballmom
    vballmom Member Posts: 426
    edited July 2012

    LyndaMarie - I really struggled to drink (and eat) on AC. My tummy was so miserable that nothing seemed to work. I think my husband bought me every drink in the grocery store.  I finally settled on tea or iced tea.  I started Taxol yesterday and it is so different. I have no problem drinking water today, thank goodness. Feel better soon!

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