Sept 2012 chemo

Timbek- Sorry to hear about the nausea.  You may want to call your onco and let him/her know that you are still nauseous.  Your meds can be adjusted.  You just have to let the onco know.  You may want to try eating some boiled rice with lots of water ( very soupy and the rice is really soft/mushy).  My onco asked me before I started chemo if I had morning sickness when I was pregnant.  I thought that was a weird question at first but she told me that it may be a predictor of whether or not i would be nauseous while on chemo.  I didn't have any morning sickness when pregnant and did not have any nausea while on chemo. For the constipation, try some of those Sunsweet Ones prunes ( individually packaged prunes really sweet and moist).  You can find them in a plastic canister at Target for $2.  I ate 1-2 of those after every meal to avoid the "C" train.  Hey, I know the idea of prunes may not sound appealing but these beat the alternative!!

As for the absence of periods, welcome to chemopause.  I did have one period right after my first chemo which was when it was supposed to show up.  Since then, I haven't had any.  My ovaries sometimes tweek to let me know they are still there but nothing.  You may also start having hot flashes which are more noticeable at night. 

Hope you feel better soon!!!

Cindy74 ....we are big babies here!!!! who saids they not....shut i put that cream 20 times make sure i dont miss a spot!!!!!lol

Cindy74b  yes some plastic would work i put it on before 30 minutes and i apply extra while im waiting!!!!

Cheerio I am right there with you, I woke up this morning and it became clear not another day with this mess of shedding hair. I made a appt. for this evening with Salon Steve..aka...DH ....I also am nervous but The ladies here have inspired me that everything will be okay.



JoJo you look beautiful bald, and yes my nose is also drippy.



Cindi thank you for all your hard work on updating the list even on your down days. That is wonderful that you have found some wigs you feel glamorous in, I haven't been as lucky. I think I will end up being a scarf lady . I went to the Look Good Feel Better and it was a pretty good time, and learned some great tips.



It is a absolute gorgeous day here, I sat outside and had a beer, I felt like my old self for a while.



Well it looks like there are lots of us either starting the first chemo this week or off to the second one. I am praying everyone has minimal SE ....



Have a super week everyone!

Is anybody else noticing that the eyes are sensitive and watering when outside.

Butterfly.....its going too be a piece a cake you'll see i promise!!!!!!

Cheriooooo.....cherioooooooo......cherioooooo.....cherioooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! welcome to monthly baldyyyy!!!!

Thank you so much for the quick reply. She is 79 years old and tolerating the chemo ok. The part that is difficult is not knowing what exactly is next. The doctor himself likely doesn't know until he sees better progress. He said he may send her to the radiation oncologist next before her third CAF but she may not even need the rads. They may go straight to operation after the fourth CAF. He said he won't do more than four tx of CAF three weeks apart.



I was told last time I went with her to be patient. I guess with the c word we have to be patient and let the treatments do what they're designed for.



Thanks again for the information. It sounds like cutting into muscle doesn't sound as debilitating as I had imagined when first hearing about it.



I wish you the best as you start the chemo. It'll be fine. It is doable. My Mom blacktopped her driveway in between sessions if that tells you what it's like. You feel crappy for a couple days around day four to six after the tx. After that you build back up the strength.



My recommendation for anyone going thru it is to google foods that increase white and red blood cells and eat 'em up. Carrots, spinach, kale, red meat, beans, kiwi, pomegranate juice, etc. Get tons of antioxidants in you. My Mom says I'm her nutritionist. LOL. I swear by this aspect of treatment for bc which is so often not discussed.



Take care all,

Carol

Thank you Melrose, my vision has been a bit blurrier, it's good to know this is temporary.

I see the doctor on Tuesday and will be sure to mention it. I haven't had any eye twitching yet.

Hi ladies,

  I need some hope!  I had my chemo session on Tuesday - and felt fine until about day four.  Today I am still super sick- nauseous, headache, tired, stomach feels terrible.  Trying to eat little meals, but everything tastes awful.  Then I read that the second week is worse than the first!  Help.  Someone please tell me that I might start to feel better soon.  I am getting super depressed thinking about doing this five more times:-(   My daughter was  crying in the living room asking her daddy why mommy won't get out of bed.  This completely sucks.  I need some encouragement desperately.

-mariposa

Mariposa- HUGS to you because you just need them right now!!!  Tomorrow, please call your onco and let him/her know about your side effects especially the nausea.  Your meds may need to be adjusted for nausea.  Ask for some help with the other side effects ( stomach, headache).  You just have to let the onco know you are having problems.  Don't be afraid to call and ask for help; it's part of the onco's job to help you.  Yes, your taste buds may already be on vacation.  You've got to push through the taste and get some nutrition and fuel in your body.  After chemo, I ate what I call the "white meals"--- mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice, mac n cheese, baked fish, baked chicken, turkey.  Things that just don't have much taste but filling.  I can't tell you if the second week will be worse because I didn't have the same chemo regimen as you.  You may to read/post to the Taxotere,Carboplatin & Herceptin thread.  There are some veterans on that thread (SpecialK & Lago) who may be able to help you. 

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/578284?page=488#idx_14633 

I know you are having a rough time right now but hang in there!!!!  You will get through this hard part of your treatment.  Chemo is hard physically as well as emotionally and staying positive is not always easy.  Please be easy on yourself and keep moving forward.  You can do this.  All of us here are supporting you and holding your hand right now.  Sending you lots of HUGS and positive healing and calming prayers, thoughts and energy!!!!  Get some rest and call your onco tomorrow morning to get some help.  If you don't feel like you can wait until tomorrow to talk to the onco, call tonight. 

Patricia and Damiana, I am 11 days after my first chemo, finally recovering
from paralyzing fatigue. A prescription for you if you are at that stage.  Tell
your hubby or significant other that you have achy bones and joints that a
massage on your chemo drying skin with some creamy lotion would help. Then light
a candle, put on appropriate music, turn out the lights and relax. So
therapeutic.

For those having chemo this week, wishing you easy times in the Big Girl Chair aka BGC and minimal side effects.  I know the anxiety is high but you are not alone and never alone.  All of us are here to support you!!!

For those recovering after recent chemos, minimal side effects for you!!!  If you are having side effects that are not subsiding, please call your oncos and get some help and advice.  Don't suffer and think you can ride it out.  As for being tired and fatigue, some of that is from the chemo because it is hard on your body.  Please keep trying to eat well, rest whenever you can and get some exercise or a walk in. 

HUGS to all of you ladies on this thread!!!!  I know it isn't easy times for you right now but I am sending positive calming and healing prayers, thoughts and energy in hopes you will feel a little better. 

Thank you Melrosemelrose! So lucky to have you guys!

I'm starting chemo tomorrow and I'm scared out of my head. What will it be like? How will it feel when I'm in the chair? How sick will I get? All kinds of crazy thoughts and fears rushing through my head.

I've been doing really well holding it together and staying positive, but last night I had a total meltdown, just cried and cried until I felt empty.

This weekend I shaved my head because I didn't want to watch my hair fall out. I sort of like the brush-cut I have now.

I am just so scared I don't know what to do.

Kimber

DX 07/20/2012, IDC, 1CM, Stage I, Grade3, 0/6 nodes, ER-/PR-/Her2+, Surgery 08/03/2012 lumpectomy right, Sentinel node dissection, 08/17/2012 reexcision, Chemo 09/25, Adriamycin, Citoxan, Taxol, Herceptin