Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

EllBee- glad things went well with the bac today!! Praying those se stay away. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I don't rember who said they paid for not drinking lots, but I have. Had the same experience with my last treatment.



Keepmoving- thanks for the hint on the whitening tooth paste. I do use the whitening type and I will try switching to see if that helps.



Went to see the mo today and he said since I will be having my last chemo September 14 I will have mammo after to check progress, then surgical consultation, followed by surgery in October. Glad to have a plan in place. Feels like the end is insight!

He was also VERY pleased with my attitude. I have been rocking the bald head and being proud of it! He said I looked beautiful, that most patients come in and look and act defeated and that having a positive attitude is very powerful. Have I mentioned I LOVE my mo?

Maxip333, they won't infuse at my cancer center if you have an empty stomach.  They provide snacks and lunches.  Make sure you eat beforehand.  I think that helps prevent nausea, too.

SpecialK, where are you?  I miss your expert input

Had my turn in the BGC today. Due to complications with my incision I will be on antibiotics for the rest of chemo . Plus apparently I am diabetic and didn't know it. I'm now on metformin for it. I just realized my dr did not give me a refill on my emend. I worried about how tomorrow will go. I think I will call them bright and early in the morning. Anybody have swelling in feet and hands?

KeepMoving- Congrats on finishing your last AC. I finished mine last Wednesday.  I also have thrown away a lot of food lately. The only thing that seems to not change in flavor is watermelon...so iv been eating a lot of it.

Hi all - just reading and catching up on your posts!  I have been up in Washington DC for a BC vaccine trial for Her2+ peeps.  I spent a week up there - appts. on Monday for blood draw and skin testing (2 injections to the left thigh), then Wednesday 2 injections to the right thigh and vitals every 15 minutes for an hour, then Fri to check the injection site.  I will be going once a month until December and getting the injections.  This is phase II of this trial, and the phase I results show a 50% reduction in recurrence, so I am hopeful that I am getting the vaccine.  This is a single blind trial so the placebo is sargramostim (like Neulasta) so that is beneficial all by itself since it strengthens the immune system.

Look for toothpaste that does not have Sodium Laurel Sulfate in it - it can cause mouth sores in people who are not even undergoing treatment.  I use Jason - got it at Whole Foods, and I love it.  I am prone to mouth sores, as is DD, and we both have had success with it.

maa - sorry about the platelets being low.  Your platelet count changes daily - platelets completely regererate very rapidly, but if they trend down and stay down you may need a platelet transfusion.  It is a pretty simple process - much easier than what happens in the BGC!

kimmie - sorry about the diabetes!  May also be inhibiting your wound healing, so good that you are on Metformin and the antibiotic.  Consider that the antibiotic is also protecting your immune-compromised system and may be keeping you safe from an opportunistic infection.  Taxanes cause swelling - it is one of the reasons for steroids (which also cause swelling - kind of a catch-22!)

radio - my BIL the gastroenterologist recommends Miralax, gentle and effective.  I never needed it as I had the Big D all throughout chemo and part of the way through Herceptin - until I started taking a probiotic daily on the recommendation of one of the onc nurses.  Made a huge difference. 

keepmoving - skip the beer - it would taste weird, lol!  Enjoy it later when the taste buds have made a recovery.  As an aside, my MO told me prior to chemo that I could have an occasional glass of wine if I wanted - I tasted some and it was hideous, so I never did have any.  I did drink a glass of champagne at my MIL's 80th b-day party a couple of weeks after the end of chemo and it did taste palatable, but not great.

As you proceed through chemo it is entirely possible that you will see a downward trend in RBC/WBC/platelets.  This is a normal process considering the effect of chemo.  Many of you may come close to receiving either a blood or platelet transfusion. Continue eating red meat and iron rich foods as frequently as possible, especially the deeper into treatment you get - fortified cereal and leafy greens, spinach, etc.  You may see a stairstep situation with your counts, i.e. - they drop and then recover, then drop again a little lower - this is normal. Generally speaking, most docs want to transfuse blood at a hemoglobin of 8 or below, or if you are symptomatic - light-headed, dizzy, lethargic, confused, short of breath.  Note that it is the hemoglobin number they will be looking at, not the RBC number.  If any of you do need a transfusion, ask here or PM me, and I will give you all the details regarding this - before BC I worked in Transfusion Services in the hospital I had my BMX in.

Hi, all.  I ended up with an infection last week, so I've been a little out of the loop.  My temps hovered around 100 for a while, then I noticed my big toe was swollen and had a little goop on it...no idea what happened to it as I don't walk around barefoot much.  Anyway, I've been on an antibiotic and have been cleaning it out with hibiclens and am doing much better.  On a positive note, the antibiotic took care of any constipation issues in rapid fashion! Now I'm tired, and have the mouth sores like this time last cycle, but they seem to be a little reduced this time around; the L-glutamine or chewing ice must have helped. I've been able to maintain my weight better, which should help with the fatigue.

I also got my free head wrap last week and as others mentioned, the signed card was such a nice touch!  Ellebee-my head is too small for mine, so I guess between the 2 of us we'd have the perfect sized head!  I used a hair clip to gather in the back of mine a bit.

My center also tells us to eat a light meal before infusions.  They provide box lunches for anyone who is there for a while, which is very nice as I usually get my blood drawn, then go see the plastic surgeon, then come back for the infusion. 

Thanks for sharing the info about your trial special k...it's really interesting to hear how it works. I hope you are getting the vaccine!  Will they tell you for sure when the trial is over so you know? 

Pamela- i'm sorry to hear that you're feeling down.  I've had a harder recovery since my 4th infusion also.  Nothing terrible, just more tired and also a little down. 

steelersluvr- sorry about your toe, but that's so funny that it cleared up your constipation!  Another silver lining!

I'm so glad everyone is getting their scarves from Best Wishes!  Mine is also a little big, but not too bad.  It's such a nice company.

Specialk- Good luck with your trial. I think I would be learning how to read upside down also.lol

KeepMoving -I didn't catch what happend to your mom. I hope she is doing well!! Im on day 7 of my last AC and I would say that tx 2 was my hardest of the four. I was told that my platlets were low when they did my lab work right before #3, but they did bounce back up on there own.

Pam- I know what you mean about not letting your mind go to the what if's. For some reason I've had a hard time with that also. I think its the fatigue. Glad your feeling better. Good luck tomorrow on your first taxol.

Tammie- Glad you were able to get rid of the infection. 

At my center, if you are there at lunch time they come and ask what kind of sandwich you would like and they bring it over from the hospital. I have only been there once for that.  It was my first tx.

To eveyone- take care today.

ElleBee - Your notes are always so uplifting, even when you're talking about poop!  Thank you for the heads-up on Taxol.  I am a little nervous about starting a new regimen, I must admit.  How exciting to register your son for pre-school!  It seems a lifetime ago when we did that.  Next year we will have to start seriously looking at colleges!  I am so glad that this stupid chemo didn't mess up your family!  I guess we can be thankful for that.  I'm trying to use SpecialK's neuropathy elixir because I have a little and I haven't even started Taxol.  I am having a hard time with the L-Glutomine too.  I don't think I've managed to have it more than twice a day.

Pam - Good luck with Taxol tomorrow!  Hopefully you will have fewer SE than you did with AC.  I'm right behind you in a week.

havingfaith - That is so nice that they provide a sandwich.  At mine, they provide snacks and juice (I think).   I thought that was pretty nice, but it doesn't compare to lunch!

I am laughing out loud over the "no more poop"!  I'm with you Ellebee...haven't thought this much about poop since my kids were in diapers!  As for the sandwiches, depending on what time the sandwich lady finds you, you can usually pick from ham, turkey, roast beef, or tuna.  They come in a brown bag with a fruit cup and juice box.  They always have more drinks if you want them too, and usually some crackers. Good luck tomorrow Pam...you're in the home stretch!

I hope everyone's moms are doing ok...this group sure has had a bad run of "mom health".  I'm lucky that my mom takes me to all of my treatments. I think she feels like she dodged a bullet....tons of relatives on her side of the family have BC, but not her (and my BRCA came back negative, so it's just plain ole familiar connection as opposed to genetic).  My dad died a few years ago from lung cancer, and we literally had only a couple of weeks from the point he was diagnosed, so I know this really bothers her to get hit with another family member having it.  She's been a huge help though. 

I have spent a lot of time talking to the trial coordinator because I was coming from so far away - I think she wants me to know that I am getting the vaccine so I feel like it is worth it.  I am planning to wear my reading glasses the whole time next time I go so I can REALLY see what she is writing in my chart!  It is possible that they will tell me when the injections are over - not sure.

Claritin - regular Claritin, not Claritin D - take it an hour prior to the Neulasta shot and for several days following at 24 hour intervals.  I particularly liked the one that dissolves on the tongue because I was tired of swallowing pills.

For the ladies taking the L-Glutamine - do the best you can - I found it easiest to tolerate in something flavored to disguise the taste, it doesn't have to be water.  I love the reference to the "neuropathy elixir" - I almost spit my drink on my keyboard, ha!

dorismarie - platelets are regenerated by the body quickly, completely every 5 days.  It is not at all unusual for your counts to fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, during chemo.  Usually you just need an extra day or two to have them go back up, but they can't give you tx when they are low.  Glad that you are set now!

How nice that some centers have sandwiches!  I read somewhere on this site a long time ago that a center had massage and manicures!  How awesome would that be?  I go to the same practice as Pam, different location, and we had the crackers.  I usually just brought snacks from home - yogurt and trail mix.

I am envious of you ladies with young ones - mine are both in college!  I miss the days when I always knew where they were!!!

Have not been on for a couple of days.  The last few days of A/C #3 I felt almost 80% of normal energy.  Had last a/c on Tues.  both onc and nurse mentioned this was the lowest for blood counts and I would start rebuilding now.  Taxol is not as bad and I should feel better.  I mentioned the supplements for neurapathy and they were familiar with it and said go ahead.  My energy has been zip.

Finally have the constipation, acid reflux, mouth sores under control, but usually mouth is worsee the second week. 

Ellebee... that is great about your son and starting school, the first day of school I took a pic of each child going out the dorr and the day they finished high school, I was waiting with the camera..... so I have the beginning and the end.  I always remember out youngest daughter, going out she was so cute pig tails all braided, cute blue skirt and sailor top, coming home..... hair unbraided, clothes dusty.... she had a wonderful time and she looked it!!! 

I'm sorry about all the problems some of you have had with your Moms, nd family members..... my heart goes out to you.  Seems like we should get a time out while we are in chemo!!

Hope everyone has a blessed day.   Stephanie

DorisMarie - The only time I had bone pain from the Neulasta was before I started taking the Claritin.  I do exactly what SpecialK reccommended.

 radioactive - I hope you can have children when you're ready.  I struggled with  infertility when I was in my mid 30s and I know how hard it can be.

Pam - I'm sorry the waitress upset you.  Is she young?  I guess she just didn't know how to handle the situation.  Let it be her problem, not yours.  

KeepMoving - You made me laugh about wearing the  same shirt.  I do that all the time!  I had an appointment with the MO today.  When I was checking in, the receptionist said, "Were you here last week?"  I had to laugh.  I am there at least once a week, sometimes 3 times a week!  I don't think she noticed if I was wearing the same clothes or not!

Stephanie - I hope you are taking it easy and allowing yourself to rest.  I took longer to recover from my last AC also.  I finally feel "almost normal" today on day 7, when usually I only need about 3 days to recover.  My MO also said that Taxol will be easier.

My 16 year old had all 4 wisdom teeth removed today.  He was very nervous about it and I found myself drawing on my BC experiences to help him.  Mostly that the anticipation is wworse than the actual procedure/recovery.  I guess I can consider that another silver lining.  BC has helped me be a better mother.  He isa very strong young man and won't take anything stronger than Tylenol, even though he has a presccription for Vicadon.  Not like his mother!  I am a firm believer in taking what the doctor prescribes for pain.  I don't like pain!

I hope everyone is having a good day with minimal SE!  Pam - I'll be thinking about you tomorrow! Good luck!

Marcia