April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Good for you, Stacie! Sounds marvelous!



I have been thinking about getting a massage; haven't since my port was put in.

Well, I should have just gone for the fluids yesterday. My heart raced all night and I am off to a doctor appt and likely IV fluids. Hoping the constant pulsating in my ears will subside.

I also have the weirdest gum thing going on. They are a strange color, a bit swollen and tender. My teeth hurt last night but not too bad today. Has anybody had that happen on AC? I have been flossing and brushing gently using biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. Started Salt/baking soda/water rinse last night in case it is a precursor to mouth sores.

One last question for all of you who have already survived AC and neulasta. My infusion was a week ago today and the neulasta shot six days ago. My back is quite achy today. Is that likely neulasta bone pain or would that have started sooner.

Stacie - so happy for you!! Glad you are done and enjoying PFC

nofear - congratulations on last infusion! Hope you have minimal SE's and smooth sailing!!!

Lynda

nofear - Neulasta it likely is then. Thanks! I have taken tylenol and hope that takes care of my sore aching back!!

LyndaMarie - My gums felt funny last week, but it's better now.  I use the Biotene several days a week, but haven't done the baking soda/salt rinse since the first infusion.  I hope yours goes away.

stacie - Congratulations!

vjm - Your trip sounds great!

Yeah for beign PFC!!!  And for main/pedi and massages!!  I cant wait until I can get those :-)  I also cant wait to plan a vacation.

Oh and Chapter - I made a list of the top 10 things I like aobut chemo hair loss.  I'm still putting the finishing touches on it, but it will be posted to my blog soon.  Here is a preview:

10. Showers go much quicker since there is no hair to wash/condition/dry.

9. Save the earth by not using a blowdryer.

8. Hair doesn't get caught in your necklace.

7. If you are cold, just put a hat or scarf on for instant warmth.

6. No hair to clean up on the bathroom floor or in the shower drain.

5. No hair in your face.

4. No hair in food.

3. End the curiosity of what your scalp looks like.

2. No hair "spiders" from the dryer - ladies know what I'm talking about, the clumps of hair that somehow find each other in the washer/dryer and look like spiders when they fall on the floor.

1. Save money on shampoo and other hair products.

I am still struggling with AC . . . but do find that the more water/powerade I drink the better it is.  I am also able to drink tea and apple juice, but nothing else sounds good to drink making it harder as I am getting sick of water! although adding a couple drops of lemon juice does help.  I also have a lot of heartburn so I am taking it easy on the acidic foods . . . I cant wait until I can eat spaghetti again.  But mac and cheese has been one of my staples . . . and I am also  on the "if it sounds good, eat it" diet . . . the only problem is that one day something sounds good, then it doesnt sound good the next day.  It drives my hubby crazy, but he is starting to get it.

Sorry if i am rambling, but I am on day 2 of my last ac and am still struggling with the ac hangover . . . not to mention I had a major breakdown in the BGC and I cried through the whole Adriamycin push.  But I am headed in the right direction now and I hope Taxotere is better.  My doc doesnt reccommend any supplements and has even said no vitamin c or vitamin e as they can reduce the effectiveness of the chemo . . . but I may do b6 and glutamine anyway.  So hard to know what to do. 

Im starting Taxotere this tuesday. With AC, i always had constipation the first three days. Will this be an issue with Taxotere too?



Radioactive, i love the list, esp #8 😃

Bcbarbie, I had some constipation with A/C but so far, the opposite with taxotere. It wasn't horrible though; I mean, only a couple of times a day. Hoping it's over by now.

Uggh, Indigo - hope you feel better soon!

Hugs to anyone else who is suffering SE's this week - hoping it passes soon and time moves fast...we need a fast forward button for chemo!  

Went in for IV fluids. They also checked CBC and found that I am neutropenic [my new word of the day]. My WBC is 0.7 and my hemoglobin is 7.4. The bad news is I am essentially on quarantine as my counts are so low but in reality I am just too tired to care. I have to go in for blood transfusion tomorrow.

I took tylenol for the bone pain and it did help. Just took some more. Going to continue the biotene and hope for the best.

vjm - sounds like you are doing well and enjoying pfc! Good for you!!

CSMommy - I always felt completely high after they hung the benadryl. Many shots is right!!!

Indigo - Hope you are feeling better soon!!

Now for the exciting news of my evening. I just ate bug popcorn. My daughter made a popcorn snack which tasted good. My son went to make more and found bugs in the popcorn bag. Alot of little bugs in the popcorn bag. Gross. Hope they don't carry germs as I have no immune system!!! LOL

Lynda

Can't blame the popcorn company for this. The popcorn was in a ziploc bag that clearly was not closed properly. That said, the DH is going to have to go through the pantry with a fine tooth comb. Bug microwave popcorn is one thing, but now we have to check cereal, pasta, baking supplies, etc.....

Lynda

LyndaMarie-I wondered if this pulsating in my ears was related to chemo (oh, wait, I guess everything is related these days, isn't it?). Hope ours goes away soon, so annoying.

Had my first Taxotere this week, and body aches , bone pain, and wobbly legs. I done think its from the Neulasta, as I didn't have it before.

Hoping MO is right, and it only lasts 3-4 days.

luvBngGma- One of the side effects of Taxotere is body aches/bone pain.  Hope you feel better soon!!!! The info below is from the chemocare.com website founded by Scott Hamilton, the former Olympic ice skater and cancer survivor.  It gives you a little info about Taxotere side effects.

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxotere.asp

The following Taxotere side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxotere:

• Low white blood cell count (this can increase your risk for infection)
• Low red blood cell count (anemia)

Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.

Onset: 4-7 days
Nadir: 5-9 days
Recovery: 21 days

• Fluid retention with weight gain, swelling of the ankles or abdominal area.
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in your fingers and toes) may occur with repeated doses. This should be reported to your healthcare provider.
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hair loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Infection
• Nail changes (color changes to your fingernails or toenails may occur while taking Taxotere. In extreme, but rare, cases nails may fall off. After you have finished Taxotere treatments, your nails will generally grow back.)

These Taxotere side effects are less common, meaning they occur in 10-29 percent of patients receiving Taxotere:

• Vomiting
• Muscle/bone/joint pain (myalgias and arthralgias)
• Low platelet count (This can increase your risk of bleeding)
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  These return to normal once treatment is discontinued. (see liver problems)

Infusion-related Taxotere side effects (symptoms which may occur during the actual treatment) include:

• Allergic reactions (rash, flushing, fever, lowered blood pressure).  Happens rarely, usually occurs in the first or second infusion.  Frequency is reduced by premedication with corticosteroid starting one day before infusion.  You will be monitored closely during the infusion for any signs of allergic reaction.
• Infusion site reactions (uncommon and generally mild, consist of darkening of the vein, inflammation, redness or dryness of the skin, or swelling of the vein).

Not all Taxotere side effects are listed above, some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here.  However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Marcia1111--I was given something similar, but it was foam, and was to protect port site from car seat belt. Sounds a little different , but could be what it's for, tho the connection to Neulasta isn't clear.