Sept 2012 chemo

Options
16263656768165

Comments

  • cheyenna
    cheyenna Member Posts: 379
    edited October 2012

    QueenKong, please call your Dr about the mouth sore!! A/C is common for mouth sores, and thrush..please call and let your ONC know!! Please!! Use powder L Glutamine, i used 1 large table spoon in about a half a cup of water, 3 times a day. I did not get neuropathy. Who is to say if that was why?!? But i know many women that had the same results :) use a good nail oil twice a day, you want them to stay moist, not hard! Taxol is hard on the nails, the dry and crack, keep the oil on them all thru Taxol.. Mine came out really good. Though the discoloring has to grow out, at least mine did :(



    Dont shave, you dont want to cut yourself! Remember you are so vulnerable to infection,

    I hope this helps :) you will be in my thoughts :)



    <3 Chey </p>

  • Neta69
    Neta69 Member Posts: 203
    edited October 2012

    Last TC chemo done today, yay! Recover for a week and on to radiation Nov 5th.



    Jojo, so sorry about your tumor growing. Praying Taxol will get it.

  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2012

    I never was able to grow nails.  Quarter of an inch out they broke, cracked, or chipped.  Then, when getting a pedicure (old people find it harder and harder to bend to cut toenails,) my manicurist talked me into paying 30$ plus 6$ tip for gell nails.  They lasted almost three weeks and, although occasionally one would begin to break at the edge, she showed me how to use crazy glue to stop the split.  For the first time in my life at 74, I had NAILS.  Then, a hairdresser in a tiny town in TN told me I could buy the light and everything I would need to do gell nails at home from Wallmart.  Wow.  Bought the light kit for about 39$, and got primer, base and top coat, lintless wipes, cleaner and small bottle of one color for around 20$.  The gell polish is about 10$ a bottle for up to 5 colors.  I do it myself at home, and it's much cheaper than the shops.  The receptionist remarked how perfect my nails were Wed, and the polish had been on 3 weeks without a chip.  In fact, the biggest problem this time has been getting the last bits off.  It began to peel yesterday,  just past 3 weeks, and I peeled all but a few patches off last night while taking a bath.  Then a 15 minute soak in acetone today to get the rest off.  It has never been this hard before.  I put suntan lotion on the skin portion around the nails with a cue tip, and file and soak my nails in shampoo and warm water before starting a manicure.  Even with the start up costs, much cheaper than the shop.  I don't cut cuticles or anything like that.  It's important to polish the ends of the nails with the base and top coats as well as the polish.  Then no chips.  I ice my nails while doing chemo.  So far no discolorations or ridges.  I just forget the toenails and hope they don't fall off.  Sorry if I bored you with this, but I have really enjoyed having pretty nails for the first time in my life.  When I told one daughter in law, she said it just takes too long.  Primer coat.  Base coat,  30 sec. light.  polish coat, 1 minute light, polish coat, 1 minute light, top coat, 30 seconds light.  Clean before and after with cleaner.  You can only do four fingers at a time in the light and two thumbs, so it takes a while.  Still--3 weeks!

  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited October 2012

    Jojo:  I am so sorry about your tumor.  You will be in my prayers that the taxol works its magic.

  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited October 2012

    JoJo all the highs and lows of BC, just when we are happy and hopeful another kick in the gut. My heart is sad for your tumour growth. Hang in there, Taxol might kick it down again. The surgeons will still get it all, not to worry to much....stay safe with hurricane Sandy bearing down on you east coast sisters!..((HUG))..

  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited October 2012

    YAY!!! Neta, so happy for you. You are a few weeks ahead of me, hope rads are not too bad. You can start the new year, done!



    Cindi, ...I bet those nails look great, my DD's and 14 yr. old Grandaughter all do the gels, at the salon.....I am a bit of a cheapo, so will check out Walmart and try that...right now my skin on my hands is so dry, way to much hand sanitizer. Hope you feel good, did you get a full dose?

  • kidsandlabs
    kidsandlabs Member Posts: 138
    edited October 2012

    JoJo, sorry about your tumor. I hope the taxol does it also.



    My mammo was clear!

  • Megroy23
    Megroy23 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2012

    Hi Cocobean, you and I are on same track except I'm doing chemo first, just finished second round and I was so sick the first time but they tweaked my anti nausea plan and I did great but the Neulasta shot caused me enough pain where I planned to talk to dr about not doing it anymore but if you are fighting infection, I'm thinking twice. I have school age kids although I think I could quarantine myself well enough to manage. And the seven day levaquin antibiotic after chemo and Neulasta tore my stomach up! I did not start the levaquin this time- my own decision but I guess I will continue Neulasta. WE do not want to delay our mission remission any longer than necessary. I hope the infection doesn't set you back and you are feeling good! Hope to hear how you are doing. I'm doing double mastectomy as well although it is just left side now.. Docs said I could get a whole new episode on right side down the road and that's all I needed to hear! They came as a pair, they will stay a pair. :-)

  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited October 2012

    Thank you all (i am southern)! Got a new measurement from ultrasound so we will follow it closely with taxol. I could just see the cancer cells n my breast laughing saying you think you would kill me with that red stuff....Not!



    Asked MO bout icing with taxol. She said AC is much tougher on nails, so if I made it through AC with good nails should be fine.



    So far and this day 1, Taxol was easier with the exception of premeds. The benadryl made me so sleepy and i took some naps. I had zero reaction to it and was so happy. No neulasta! The nurse did say I will have lots of aches regardless. We shall see

  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited October 2012

    Kidsandlabs, great news about the mammogram!

  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2012

    Bearcub

    I suppose I will be continuing with the 20% reduction of the A/C.  Probably because of the WBC pbm.

  • cgesq
    cgesq Member Posts: 319
    edited October 2012

    Jojo, 

    I hope the taxol kicks the sh#t out of your tumor!

    Kidsandlabs,

    Great news!

    Cindi,

    Its nice having nails every once and a while.  I too have never had good nails, but I'm afraid to put on polish during chemo.  My nails usually get very dry and brittle the few times I've had nail polish on, so I will stay away.  

    Have a great weekend, everybody!!

  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2012

    Praying for you, Jojo!!!! Hoping tax does the trick.

  • Timbek2
    Timbek2 Member Posts: 204
    edited October 2012

    Jo. Keep us updated on the taxol! Praying for major shrinkage!!! Everybody have a decent weekend. Lets all kick some cancer butt!

  • whenlifegivesyoulemons
    whenlifegivesyoulemons Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    Jojo - Sorry to hear about the tumor growing again, that's so frustrating.  I've seen some pretty good shrinkage on Taxol and hope you do too.

  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited October 2012

    Good morning, what a difference in how I feel from AC to Taxol day 2 morning. I have my steroid red face and some mild aches but that's all. My legs last nite felt like I had ran a marathon though. Took my steroid pill, but don't feel nauseous so haven't taken anything more. I know it is too early to be excited, but I am enjoying so far. Hoping everyone has a great SE free weekend. We are preparing for the storm today.

  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited October 2012

    Hope everyone has a SE weekend.



    It's snowing, it's staying this time.....I am definitely in winter mode now, getting wood everyday for the woodstove....trying not to think of driving to town everyday when I do rads this winter....but I look just like everyone else again wearing a wool hat.



    Life is so good!

  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited October 2012

    Jojo I am so glad to hear thatTaxol went better so far then AC

  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2012

    Jojo,  here's hoping Taxol does the job.  Did 3rd A/C Wed. and fatigue and chemo brain fog seems to be setting in day earlier.  No pain or nausea, so all OK.  Keep us posted.  You are in our prayers.

  • Foreverchanged72612
    Foreverchanged72612 Member Posts: 223
    edited October 2012

    Yay, Jojo! So glad to hear so far so good with Taxol! I know for me, it's just the steroids that give me negative SEs. Here's to hoping the same for you!!

  • whenlifegivesyoulemons
    whenlifegivesyoulemons Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    A must for those days when your self-esteem could use a little boost:

    http://emergencycompliment.com

  • Mariposa123
    Mariposa123 Member Posts: 267
    edited October 2012

    My six year old asked me tonight if I was really tired because I was acting very cranky.  I think I am already anticipating my infusion next week and it is totally bumming me out.  I don't want to go:-( 

    thanks Whenlife- I totally love the emergency compliment!  I posted it on my facebook page:-)

    Hope everyone had a nice Saturday and has a great Sunday!  I am meeting with my interns tomorrow.  It is the only part of my work that I am still doing.  I can't wait to see them.  Hopefully I won't be cranky!

    Jojo:  Glad the taxol is bearable:-) 

  • Cherioo
    Cherioo Member Posts: 305
    edited October 2012

    Mariposa my daughter and husband said I was moody today and I bet it is because I go next week as well . Anyone still get tired doing little things . I go to the grocery store and I get tired when I come home . Sucks

  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for all the well wishes! Last nite my legs were very achy and my left knee woke me up hurting. I guess this is taxol joint aches. I don't have an appetite, but am not nauseous. Still much better than AC!

  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2012

    Wisihing all  no power losss  from hurricane.  Am not fighting fatigue.  No church  todayl  Just newspaper and TV.  Bad taste in mouth.  3 A/C down and one to go.  Then Taxol.  What a year.  Hugs. no SE. Cures for all.  Have a calm weekenf.

  • allurbaddayswillend
    allurbaddayswillend Member Posts: 355
    edited October 2012

    Jojo, I'm EXPECTING Taxol to kick your tumor's A$$! Take that Effing cancer! I use a heating pad on my aching joints and after 8 infusions, I am handling most of the pain with Celebrex as prescribed by my MO. Every once in a while I get a jolt or a zap of sudden pain esp. in my right leg that surprises me but the steady aches have been controllable. I also still have some hydrocodone left from surgery that my MO ok'd for Taxol pains. I will take a half of one of those some evenings. Yes, it's still way better than AC! I agree. Hope you can keep on top of the SE's. (((HUG)))

  • Omeggo
    Omeggo Member Posts: 275
    edited October 2012

    Hi Everybody. 

    I'm a newbie to chemo and to this thread.  Your posts clue me in as to the realities of having chemo and I thank you for that. I started last week and feel pretty crappy, more now than in previous days.  I also had a fever last night.  My DH and I ended up going to the ER and getting my bloodwork done.  Gratefully, the bloodwork looked OK.  The fever is manageable today (with Alleve) but my GI is a mess.  All part of the fun, right?

    I think up until now I've been relatively unaware of just how the SE's wil impact my daily life.  I've been logging everything because of some events coming up after chemo #3.  Other than that, I work out of the house and am self employed and only need to work about half time.  If I can really hook in to the things I'm grateful about, it helps.  Today, as my intestines feel like they will pop out of my abdomen, that is no easy trick.

    Anyway, thanks for being here and letting me bitch. I'm sure I'll be back.

    Good luck to those of you in the storm's path.  It looks like a doozy!

  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited October 2012

    Jojo- That is crazy that your tumor grew.  I really wonder why some doctors do chemo first, then surgery, and others do it the other way around.  I hope Taxol kills that tumor off.

    I was feeling really good earlier in the week.  Now I am getting more tired and my legs feel very weak- like I just got off a treadmill after running for 30 minutes!  This is a new thing, I haven't had it with the other cycles.  It kind of sucks because I was actually thinking of going to the gym next week because of how good I was feelin- now I am too weak :(   I got my labs this week- WBC were super high- yeah!  But my hemoglobin was really low- she told me that if it goes any lower I will have to get a iron infusion or blood transfusion (not sure which one I would get)  I am supposed to eat lots of iron rich foods, but she said even that will only bring my numbers up a tiny bit.  I am thinking that the low iron is maybe causing my leg weakness.

  • butterfly14
    butterfly14 Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2012

    Cindi - I had AC #3 on Tuesday, and still cannot get the horrible taste out of my mouth. It has been driving me crazy. Must be something about AC #3 and this awful taste.

    I hope everyone has a good weekend.

  • QueenKong
    QueenKong Member Posts: 154
    edited October 2012

    Halfway through the weekend and thinking about how this storm is going to ruin Halloween for my kid and me. I had travel plans I was so looking forward to. I don't think I can do it now :(

    Plus, I feel like yuck. Last AC was so rough on me. I think I'm having acid reflux. I'm not sure what to take. My esophagus feels swollen. I couldn't sleep the night before last even with 3 sleeping pills. Last night, I did sleep but I blew off taking the steroids. My teeth hurt, blech just all over feeling bad and the non stop hot flashes. I'm whining. Hope you all are feeling better

    Reading that long post about the nails was amusing. I was told not to paint the nails so they can observe nail bed. I love pedicures. I miss Summmer.

    Jojo - taxol will get it. 

    Welcome newbies! and look at the top at the first post. There is a list of chemo tips.

Categories