Starting chemo November 2012

Skimommi-I have done weekly acupuncture from diagnosis and continued since starting chemo. I went in on day 6 after first tx, had body aches and flu-like sypmtoms from Neupogen. Came home from acupuncture and felt so well I didn't even have to take meds that night. Chemo #2 last week and I felt well days 1-3, sick on day 4, and had acupuncture on day 5. I went in not feeling so hot because I was nauseous from day before and hadn't eaten in more than 24 hours. After acupuncture, I felt so well I called my DH and had him meet me at a favorite restaurant for a big lunch! I am amazed at how much it helps me.

Yes definitely have the itchy scalp and now red bumps which look like pimples. It's a bit hard to tell holding one mirror above my head and trying to see in the bathroom mirror! I'm assuming this is yet another SE...

Hi Ladies,  Started chemo Nov 16th.  4rounds of AC foloowed by 4 rounds of Taxol.  I have the Nuelesta shot the day after the AC ., and for my 2nd chemo Zometa was added because I have bone mets.  Anyway it has been going pretty well, lost my hair on Monday andaccepted it better than I thought.  But Wednesday I woke up to my period after an 8 month absence.  I am 52 and in peri-menopause.  I just didn't expect my period during chemo.  I feel pretty wiped out.  Any thoughts?

Crazy though it might sound try and walk. I get fatigued all the time but find that getting some walking in seems to help..

Avitan makes me sleepy.  Extremely sleepy.  I was given it as one of the nausea meds. 

I'm really getting worried about our 5Luvbugs.  No post for the past several days. 

I have round 2 tomorrow at noon. 

Thx ill try the Ativan too.



I sent 5lovebugs a private message - hoping it goes to her regular email. Let's hope she is just having a good time cookining holiday treats - or her wifi is down...



Xo

Ativan does not make me super sleepy but it does help me sleep.  I was give it for insomnia, nausea, and anxiety.  I take it when I need it, and I quite feeling bad about.  

Can we talk hemorrhoids.  I went from constipated, to diarrhea in about 48 hours.  My rear HURTS.  On Monday I got tucks, generic prep H.  I called my ob today, who is also my friend, actually I sent her a cryptic text saying I may die from bottom pain.   I now own a sitz bath, and brand name extra strength prep h.  I took some advil and it helped too.  She mentioned maybe needing to remove it.  Has anyone had this done?  I love her, but having my butt cut on is not something I want to do.   Both my babes were sections so this is a new issue!

Accupunture sounds lovely.  I wonder if there is some place around here that does it.  

My MO said to do what I could, but to not push myself into exhaustion.   I work about a 40 hour week, but it is from home.  Still stressful at times, but not the same demands that out of the home used to be.  With that and the kids it is enough.  I feel like I am operating on 65% most of the time.  Nothing is ever completely done.  Fatigue can lead to longer recovery, so if you need  a doc's note to not push your self over the edge get it.

Texas june bug and politico mama i dont know how you can manage work let alone kids right now! My onc and nurse said treatment is my jjob now and to do everything possible to help it along.

I scaled back work as much as possible which is easy because i am mostly freelance but hard because i pay all my own benefits and bills so am into my savings now even before all the extra medical bills. But I dont want my almost grown girls to freak out any more than they already are by cutting back with them too much --and since the doc said to rest as much as possible and only exercise to half the old extent - i hope i will get better faster and not delay any chemo rounds, so may save money in the long run.



That said, i worked 8 hours yesterday including prepping to teach a 3 hour class with a 90 min commute (i got a ride) but i have to think on the spot so wanted to have notes in case of chemo brain.



Today i am in bed paying for it, exhausted and getting a cold but have cancelled further teaching and consultation projects so i can prioritize other projects at home - my mothers finances and promo stuff for my novel coming out in may) during the rash of good hours each day or so, building up toward the third week before the next chemo. But no new creative work, that part of my brain is dormant.

I lay here thinking of you gals....

Happy to see my hairs its 7 day of chemo. Had mastactomy on 8 nov need to buy prosthesis. cant see myself in mirror Missing my breast tooo. No clothes are looking good on me good bye my breast

Txjunebug, your boss sounds like a bit of a moron. Does HR really have to explain that you have cancer and need some support? Geesh.

I am working F/T, but quit doing any overtime. Cancer, kids and work is more than enough! So now I walk out at 5pm. I also cut out all meetings on the low immunity days, and my boss has kindly brought in a consultant to absorb some of the extra work to take the pressure off (used to do a fair bit of OT to keep up). You must be exhausted with the OT and the commute. I also found the first round totally exhausting - it didn't go away after a week. I hope you have the space to take a break if you find you are getting really tired. It seems unfair to have that kind of pressure on you when you are in this situation.

Sickofpink - tell us more about your book!

Where are All My Girls???  I'm BACK!!!!  Junebug & SickofPink, got your messages and it's so good to know you missed me, I love you KIDS!!!!  You could all be like my daughters (maybe a few younger sister thrown in here and there but remember, I'm still the Mom....

Anyway, the reason I haven't been posting is my "Chemo Brain", although my daughter says it's my normal brain, I just use chemo as an excuse =but I know you girls would set her straight!   I've been having an awful time staying focused and my husband says I'm having bouts of "Touretts", I have been losing my temper and using those words - you know.  Bet you've been down that road once or twice yourself 

I see lots of the same issues we've all had popping up here..fatique, hair loss, Constipation, diarrhea, hemmoroids poor Politcomama in her sitz bath (suggestion - get a little spritz bottle and mix the baking soda and water that we've been using just squirt this one  "wherever your on fire down below"  Ahh , instant relief. As far as the butt pain, I put some cold clear Aloe Vera on it and that helps alot - it will get better... I'm trying to walk like Leslie because I feel all my muscles are getting week and I trip over my own two feet....TLYM I'm glad you perked up and went to a nice restaurant with the man.... and you Teacher - what the heck -your period but I remember someone else got hers last week!! That sucks!!!  And where's our leader Michelle? She was really under the weather for awhile, are you OK Michelle,,

 Looks Like we are all having longer fatique issues.  Gotta try that Look Good Feel Better class like Paula went to, looks like a lot of good tips.  So far everyone loves my wig and says I look 10 years younger (I'll take that compliment) its a reddish brown and a short bob .  I think I'll be losing the rest of my hair soon, last time it was 15 days after treatment..  Milkyway, stick around, this group will perk you up no matter what you lose - right girls?  Megan, I don't know how you are managing going back and forth - in our chemo unit we have seperate little cubby's and TVs but everyone pretty much stays put, if you want to take a guess, you might say that I am the talker of the group - surprised!!  Megan and SickofPink how's is that Ativan working for you girls..

   I was down until Tuesday but then last night Wednesday - I perked right up - my son and daughter and their spouses and my 5LUVBUGS came over, I made dinner for everyone and was soooooo happy to have all my grandkids all here again, germs and all - it was loud and noisy and crazy, just like it was before = I loved every minute of it (but it was nice and quiet when they left and after I wiped down everything with clorox wipes.  Then I threw up from coughing so much every time I laid down but I found the good old fashion natural solution = parts, honey, whiskey and lemon - it's a natural cough, cold cure all - I actually used Canadian VO from 1983 < I didn't want to use the one from 1967, that's the year I was married - Yikes)!!!!

I'm getting that online shopping done and now I will wrap some of those gifts that arrived at my front door..Ahh life is good!!!

Good Night Kids and have a great day tomorrow. Love the Mom

Woohoo!!! Our 5Luvbugs is back!!!  Missed you!!!

Wondering if my attitude was part of the problem at work.  I've been in somewhat of a give me a break mood.  My HR Director stopped me this afternoon and asked how things were going.  He told me to come see him next week to discuss how tired I'm getting and whether he needs to have a chat with my boss about working from home or what they can do to help me during treatment.  Nice that someone gets the picture. 

I will be discussing my work hours with the doctor tomorrow and if needed I will have her put me on a limited schedule.  Chemo #2 for me at noon tomorrow. 

5LuvBugs~It's so good to have you back. We were getting worried, but also thought you might be dealing with SEs. You really cracked me up with your comment about Tourette's.



I got 12 inches of my hair cut off for LOCKS OF LOVE tonight. Chemo starts in the morning. I keep hearing that drinking plenty of fluids helps to flush the toxins out.



Be Blessed

Paula

A refugee granny with tourettes who drinks whiskey and cooks up a storm? Now THAT's a granny every kid would be lucky to have.

What was on for dinner, 5luvbugs? Tempt us!

Paula, good luck. The actual chemo infusion isn't so bad. I only started feeling rotton this morning, day 3. Chemo day and day 2, like 5luvbugs says, you just drink, drink, drink. And pee, pee, pee. Let us know how it goes.

Txjunebug, I agree you have to play up the attitude of having a rough time if it helps to take the pressure off. Good luck - and rest up.