April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

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  • luvBngGma
    luvBngGma Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2012

    IndigoMont11--I know what u mean about the fatigue. I had 3 naps today! My DH went out for a while and cam ehome to find me asleep, again. :-)

    I went in to infusion Mon, for fluids. C- diff test was negative. No explanation for the fever that comes up in afternoon. Tonite was still under 101. Doctor said hopefully its just from the Taxotere. No pain pills today, but I will have to take some tonite to sleep. Still have sore throat, and mouth sore on one side, other pain of concern is pain in my left side--opposite of surgery. Feels like gas pain about waist level. Sometimes hurts all way up to collarbone, bus stays pretty constant. When I asked about it before, they said to use OTC meds for gas.

    Anyone else have the gas pains? How long did they last?

    Hate that food doesn't taste good. Having a hard time eating enough to keep my potassium up, especially when I have to take a 'thiazide' for blood pressure.

    Anyone else have vision changes. I have worn GP contact lenses for years. Find that neither my contact prescription, nor my 'emergency' eyeglasses give me any clear vision. Dr said it will probably revert to pre-chemo, but I wonder how long it will take. Going to eye doctor tomorrow for a short term solution, that will not cost too much.

    Hoping everyone has a good night, and tomorrow makes the light at the end of the tunnel look much closer. Thanks for all your comments--every one of you is an inspiration to me.

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  • radioactivegirl
    radioactivegirl Member Posts: 52
    edited July 2012

    Rachel - HUGS!!  I have no idea how you are doing it! You are amazing!   I think cutting back a few hours a week is a good idea.  Do you also have a few vacation hours available?  That might also help.  Oh and I hate the crying and being emotional too - I am so even-keeled that I dont know how to handle being this emotional.  It is horrible that your disabiltiy coverage is so bad. I am using mine, and most of it is from the state.  I feel it is payback for all of the taxes I have paid . . . but I know we have all paid a ton of taxes and should be able to use it when we need it the most. And if now isnt that time, I dont know when is.

    Joyce - my eyes are changing too.  I normally wear glasses but find them annoying now.  My prescription isnt that strong, but I do feel it is off.  It still helps for driving, but not that much.  I think it is because my eyes are so dry because using eye drops seems to make it a little better.

    SpecialK - your study sounds very interesting.  And it sounds like you have a really good nurse. 

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  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited July 2012

    My normal job cannot be done from home.  I do usually find projects that I can work on from here on a weekend or evening if I come up short on hours.  They've been great to work with me in that respect.

    I think I'm better today.  Heck, I was fine all day yesterday until I got home and got in my PJs.  Maybe I accidentally put on the crying PJs.  I'll be more careful tonight.  Wink 

    Today is 4/4 A/C.  Halfway done after this.  Then we move on to 4 Taxol.  Sometimes it seems like it's all flying by, and sometimes it feels like it's dragging.  I will be done September 19.  That's not so very far away, now is it?

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

    Fierro6- You go girl!!!  Wow--- last A/C!!!!  Yay!!!!  Yes, your time in chemoland will be over before you know it.  Keep moving forward..... Wishing you an easy time in the BGC and minimal side effects.  Yes..... I think it's time to retire that particular pair of PJ's and replace them with some new non-crying kind!!!  HUGS!!!

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  • luvBngGma
    luvBngGma Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2012

    Vision f/u: Had on my scarf, when they asked if my medical history had changed since last visit, i just laughed. The assistant who has been there for years, came sat beside me, and said she was a 23 year BC survivor. who knew? She was so encouraging. Got a new Rx for soft contacts. Less expensive option for short term use for me. Hoping they will go back to pre chemo. I am trying 'mono' vision-- only one lens in. Can read and see distance, so far. Not as well as readers over contacts, but it could be do-able.

    No pain pills so far, today. Almost feel normal, just tired. Still had fever last evening, but MO wasn't worried, unless goes higher, or have chills with it.

    Lookin forward to my 'good days', and going to the Windy City for some sightseeing with daughter's family. Grand kids 4&5 :-))

    To you who are in the BGC this week, hope your SE's are teeny, tiny. :-) keep fightin'

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  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited July 2012

    Gma- My husband tried mono vision for a year and HATED it.  The next  year, I told the eye doctor that I wasn't going to try them because he never got used to them.  She told me to do what I wanted to, but that everyone's different and I should at least try.

    I tried, and three days later, loved them!  Never turned back.  You're right, they don't replace readers for up close, but they're a close second.  Other than tiny print (pill bottles, anyone?) I can see everything I need to see. 

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  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2012

    Dance and others doing only herceptin- I am trying to plan ahead even though this is 6 weeks from now. What SE's do you have on herceptin. Can you drive yourself back from herceptin infusion? I have to travel for my work in October and wanted to plan ahead? Is this doable? It will be 4 weeks PFC. Thanks

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited July 2012

    Hi Stacie

    Sounds like you are being a great adopted mother.

    Kudos!

    Alice

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited July 2012

    I am now 4 weeks post chemo and am feeling better every day.  I do have slight meuropathy in my fingers and pain in my calves, but the walking and exercise class are helping the legs so the improvement has given me hope that it will go away completely in time.  Not much change in the fingers, still hopeful, but it is slight and doesn't cause me any difficulty doing things except counting cards, I kept counting two as one Laughing  My head is MUCH more clear and my moods have stabilized.  Oh and my hair is just beginning to fuzz, you can see it in the light.

    PS Get my port out Friday.  RADS next week.  Scheduled a cabin at the lake with hubby. 

    Just wanted to have good news about the future.  It's so bright you gotta wear shades. Cool

     Dx 2/24/2012, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 2/13 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Stacie: Sending hugs your way!  Have fun at the cabin!

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  • Fierro6
    Fierro6 Member Posts: 224
    edited July 2012

    Stacie!  I'm shocked!  You know counting cards is illegal.

    Seriously, I'm glad things are going in the right direction for you. 

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

    STACIE-So happy to hear things are progressing along and you are feeling better!!!!  Wonderful to hear you and your hubby are planning a getaway.  You are so right..... better and brighter days ahead!!!

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

    luvBngGma - gas pains - yep -mine were cramps, very sharp across my stomach - lasted off and on an entire evening/night when I had them.  My onc told me to take Magnesium if they happened again, which I did - helped them resolve in about 30 minutes.  You could ask your onc about that in case it happens again.  Sounds like you are doing better now! 

    Hopeful - I have only mild indigestion during my Herceptin infusion, otherwise - no symptoms at all.  I hope it is the same for you!   I drive myself to/from without issue.  I started out with Benadryl prior to it, then weaned down to no benadryl without a reaction, so I'm no longer sleepy afterwards.  Initially I felt kind of "flu like" and tired the day of Herceptin, but last week and today feel just fine after it.  So I believe some of that is still recovering from chemo and the Herceptin just knocks you a little bit on top of that.

    Traveling at 4 weeks PFC - most likely should be able to do it if you recover like me (my hemoglobin is still low at 6 wks PFC, but improving gradually).  However I doubt you will be full energy yet - try to plan for rest/recovery time.  I don't think you'll feel 100% yet.  

    Stacie - great report to hear from you!  

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Dance:  How's the thrush?

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

    kjiberty - thank you for asking!  Still have it, but only on day 2 of Diflucan.  Doc wrote script for 10 days, but nurse practitioner said that is so I have a few extra pills if I need them.  They want me to take them until it is gone then one extra day after that.  

    So for those of you have taken Diflucan, how long was it prescribed and how long did it take for it to kick the thrush?  Did you take it for a certain # of days after the thrush went away? 

    My white count was a little lower this week, still normal, but just above normal.  Hemoglobin only went from 10.2 to 10.3, but hey, it's up, LOL!   I feel better and better each day, so I guess my body is getting more and more efficient at extracting oxygen from my cells!  

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  • hopeful123
    hopeful123 Member Posts: 191
    edited July 2012

    Thanks DanceT

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  • lsharvey822
    lsharvey822 Member Posts: 257
    edited July 2012

    Is it ok to have a nervous breakdown now that chemo is over?  My anxiety about the future seems to increase each day.  What will happen to my kids, my husband, my house, my animals, etc if this recurs?  I feel like my original chance of having this at 43 was 1 in a million but now I'm dealing with recurrence chances that don't look nearly as favorable.  I try to be strong in front of everyone around me but I'm scared!  Sorry to be negative.  I'm usually a really positive person buts it's 1 am and I can't sleep and I can't even blame it on steroids and I know nobody else will even begin to understand where I'm coming from.

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

    Lisa, I know.  It IS scary.  One thing I know is none of us are promised anything.  We could get in the car and die in an accident - sadly, happens to people all the time.  If we can take our life lesson from this and turn it into something meaningful - so that we actually appreciate our healthy, family, life more each day than the normal person - then we turn this awful thing that has happened to us into something positive.  

    Sounds easier on paper and it IS easier on paper than doing it in practice. I had trouble falling asleep last night, too, thinking about "stuff"...but I caught myself and started my mantras to myself.  One that seems to work the best is that worrying isn't going to change the outcome - either something bad will happen or it won't.  We can't control it, and we will deal with whatever happens, IF it happens.   I also combine it with some meditation I learned from those tapes - breathing in "I am peace" and breathing out "I am calm" (with one hand on upper chest, other hand on belly).  If you do this enough, just putting your hands in that position recreates a feeling of calm/healing. 

    Hope that helps.  It ain't easy when we start feeling better and the "fighting" part of active treatment stops...too much time to think!   

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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    Dance - I only took the diflucan one time for 7 days. I took it while I was still doing chemo so the thrush came back. I might need it again since I have stopped chemo but I am hoping it goes away as I heal.



    Isharvey - I have been feeling the same way & unfortunately I do not have any answers. What dance said it good & true, but our emotional healing is a process just like our physical healing. It will take time. We are right there w u. Maybe a support group, I know that I am going to start going to one.

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  • lisa2012
    lisa2012 Member Posts: 652
    edited July 2012

    Hi all , wow, lots going on. I am doIng ok pfc, still muscle aches in legs but no joint pain. One week Of Arimedex, no issues so far. Worried about exchange surgery, mainly if it impedes my smooth return to work and start of school year. Plus wondering how my MO know my chemo even worked since I did it after surgery. Hair: I see a few whites hairs about half inch eaving around but still pretty stubbly as I have been for months. Eating more carefully to dump the 10 lbs I gained!

    Hugs to all, familiar folks and new.

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  • Rose_d
    Rose_d Member Posts: 144
    edited July 2012

    Hi all,



    My MO warned me that for many people the time just after finishing chemo is tougher emotionally than during treatment. I'm sure it has to do with you being so focused on the physical symptoms during the chemo that once those start to get better, you are forced to deal with the emotional side of what we are going through.



    I know that I personally have not really dealt with the emotional side of this mess. I'm sure I should be talking to a counselor but I'm really just not good at that sort of thing. I'm much better at focusing on how my kids are doing and just getting through things. I'm sure it will all catch up with me at some point...



    I'm feeling the steroid crash today (day 4) and am trying to remember that this is the last time!!



    Rose

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  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited July 2012

    Fierro - You do have a positive attitude!  I will be done September 6 and I keep thinking that it seems so far away.  I need to think more like you.  It just feels like it's been forever.  Good luck with today's infusion.

    luvbngGma - I have definitely noticed vision changes.  I have an extremely strong prescription (-12 in right, -11 in left) and do not replace my glasses very often because they are so expensive.  I really need a new pair, but I'm going to wait untilI'm done with chemo.  I find small print impossible and am having a hard time with street signs.  So far, I'm managing.  I never thought of getting a short term prescription for my contacts, though.  Maybe I will do that.

    lsharvey and nofear - I am so sorry that you're feeling this way.  I think it's true that when we're going through the treatment, we have that to focus on.  

    dance - one of my friends makes beautiful quilts.  On her latest she has a meditation - Breathing in - I am home.   She sent me a picture of it and it is now the screen saver on my iphone.  She explained the I am home part as being at home in my own body.  It really does help.

    I have been really good about not hugging or kissing anyone besides my mother, husband and kids.  I will be going back to work on August 14th and am nervous about having to reject a whole new group of huggers.  I'm sure they'll understand once I explain.  I am worried about my students, though.  I usually give lots of hugs to the children who need them, and since I work with 3,4, and 5 year olds, a lot of them need them, especially the first few days of school when they're dealing with separation anxiety.  It will be hard for me to not hold them.  Of course, there's also the issue of runny noses and parents sending them to school sick!  I guess I'll figure it out.

    I hope everyone is feeling well today!

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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited July 2012

    Hey ladies,



    For those who underwent a mastectomy....are you hyper sensitive where your breast used to be? Whenever a doctor touches me...even puts the stethoscope there...it feels awful....it's numb, sensitive, tingly...it's been 5 months since my surgery and just now my docs are telling me I need to massage the area to get the nerves going.....I've been avoiding the area at all costs....hard to even put on scar healing cream.

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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited July 2012

    Chapter 4 - I had a bilateral mast. & my chest area is not hypersensitive, numb yes, but not feeling awful or tingly. I was never told to massage the area by anyone either. Do u have a spacer in & has yur ps started filling it yet?

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

    Chapter 4 - I went through a stage of hypersensitivity during month 1 to 2 after BMX.  I couldn't even stand for the t-shirt to touch my skin.  It got better on it's own, though.

    Some scars become very hypersensitive for longer periods of time, unfortunately.  You may want to work on a desentitization program - find materials that are less noxious (maybe a cotton ball or silk, etc.) and gently rub the area with those materials several times a day.  Then try other materials/creams, etc.  Not a fun process...hope it gets better soon!!!  

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  • bcbarbie10
    bcbarbie10 Member Posts: 319
    edited July 2012

    SadeSuevivor25, God is indeed bigger than our cancer and He will get us through this thing!

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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited July 2012

    Thanks ladies...

    I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday....I'm about to start radiation and the team agrees I will need to wait 6 to 9 months before they can reconstruct....they want to use the muscle from my back because the radiation will leave my skin damaged and then put In the spacer....plus to complicate things...I will be having my right breast removed in a few months after radiation on the left side and they will put in the spacer right away.....



    I was hoping for just one more surgery but plastic surgeon wants to start on the "good" breast before tackling the radiated side. He says it will reduce chances of infection.

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  • Pauletta
    Pauletta Member Posts: 54
    edited July 2012

    Good morning evreyone!

    I finished my 4 A\C treatments and today I start the 1st of 12 taxol and herceptin. I am worried about it, because it is knew and totally different than the other. I was told that this would be much easier on me than the other 4. I hope I was told right. I will have it every friday for 12 weeks.

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Take care! 

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  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited July 2012

    I posted that I will be done on September 6th.  I counted wrong.   It looks like it won't be until Septemmber 13th.  Oh well. I guess it was wishful thinking.

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

    Hey Marcia!  I'll have my last tx on 9/13 as well!  Be there with you in the BGC all the way.  Next tx is next Thursday; crossing fingers it's a lot easier than the last one.  I hope that the fact that I was on the rebound from the A/C and still on antibiotics from the finger splinter at the time I had tx made it worse that time. 

    I read your post about starting school; wishing you strength!  My mom is a sub for several public schools and works a lot with early childhood programs as well as special needs.  She talks about many of those children as if they were her own.  At least, I am hoping that after you are PFC you'll be able to get back to business as usual, including hugs!  

    But here's a cyberhug for you today.  

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