Starting chemo November 2012

Everybody sounds so brave despite all this suffering. Seems like we're getting used to it just as we spy the exit. I haven't posted because of the taxiTEAR problem - better, but still hard to focus, - Megan, thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to add interactive website stuff for What a Mother Knows and publisher wants blogging but I can barely write emails, so..(btw, if I get to make final changes before the May release, I will thank all my bc pals in the acknowledgements) And the chemo brain! Argh - I keep scrolling up to get your names right and forget by the time I get back to this posting box! So if I forget anyone it's not for lack of good wishes.

Luvebugs, oh no! I hope you kick that pneumonia and can get that last chemo done. Michelle, congrats on the wheels - a diff kind of stress - and welcome to the other Michelle. Keetmom, I can't imagine staying awake on all that benedryl, so good luck with the hives. TxJunebugs, my neuropathy seems to be lessening, but may return  - Loafer, it started on tips of fingers then toes, knuckles are stiff, but who knows? Tastebuds coming back too - I'm eating everything in sight now, carbs especially. Thanls for the reminder about Claritin. And yes, exercise does help...but after a few hours, bam, pooped.

 You Buckeye gals, I can picture those drives since I'm from Columbus and fingers are crossed that the roads are not icy.

Thursday is my halfway point with #4 of 6 more of the TCH chemos to go...Busy week for many of us, godspeed...

xo

So glad you are finished chemo loafer - sorry you had to deal with the constipation but now that that's over, isn't it time for the nasty diarrhea?  Does it ever end....

Don't have the results of my xray yet but I don't think I have pneumonia - I think it's more bronchial - wait and see

Girls I have a QUESTION- do you think I'm being overly cautious.  Most of us are germaphobics these days but:

1.  I don't encourage visitors because I worry that they are sick and also that I may want to sleep, don't want to have to entertain anyone, don't want to have to put on a happy face when I feel like shit!!!

2.  I need to exercise badly, I was like pudding - now I'm more like tapioca!!!   OK, so you had your laugh... I have trouble using my arms because of the surgery on one side and that freaking port on the other, when I stretch, bend or lift I still feel that it's going to come through my skin,, Can't wait to get this sucker out!

3.  Going out - I don't and I'm so bored walking around my house.  Sometimes I just need to get out but when I get there I just want to come home because I'm tired. 

What are you girls doing?  Some of you have jobs, some have young children, some are home like me - how do you feel in general - most have some SE's but do you have "a life"? Don't forget I'm 65 and no spring chicken, in fact my spring has sprung!!!  I guess it's just my bitch and moan day because I'm upset that my last chemo for today had to be postponed...Just let me vent = who else would listen,,thank you girls

politico mom I finally realized why I'm so depressed - I miss my 5 Luvbugs!!!!  My house is too quiet, I have no childrens laughter and I'm not cooking meals for the family..This is boring.....

2 of my grandchildren andmy daughter in law have the same bug as your baby - throwing up!! One more reason not to have them over.....I also have a sign for the door for my 7-12 day lows..

Guess I don't have pneumonia after all because I think the doc would have called me right away...So that's a good thing...OK chat later

Tricia

Paula--thanks for the welcome!  I was so happy to get the AC done and over with.  The last one I was dreading but at least that part is over.  Hopefully tomorrow goes well with the taxol.  I was extremely nervous with my first one but it wasn't so bad.  I'm kind of afraid of the cumulative affect over the 12 weeks. 

I find it helps to get out of the house.  Sometimes I don't feel like it but my husband will make me and I always feel better after going.  I work from home so I'm always at home and am a homebody.  I have to push myself to get out when I feel up to it.   

Michelle, welcome.  I teach from home.  What do you do.  It is easy to become a homebody when you spend so much time in!

I do medical transcription from home. I'm self employed. Yes, I find myself working in my pjs!!

MeganB~ about 12 days or so after my first treatment I had a mild itchiness down there. On the outside, so I didn't think it was a yeast infection. I started using aloe baby wipes after each urination and it cleared up within a couple days. I thought maybe it was from the constant peeing when steroids were leaving my system, but I didn't get it for several days after the steroids waved bye bye.



Tricia~I'm so glad it doesn't appear to be pneumonia. I hope you're feeling much better today and regaining your strength. I know you miss those babies.



Blessings

Paula

Loafer~Check out the thread for the SOLUTION TO PAINFUL INTERCOURSE.



I'll bump it for you right now, so it will be at the top of the Active Topics List.



Blessings

Paula

The itch.... glad someone posted about it.  Yes, and then it was almost like I was gaulded and then it peeled.  All on the outside. Gross, Sorry.  At first I was using Gold Bond, but then I switch to Anti Monkey Butt Cream as that is what we use on the baby.   It is still dry, but not nearly as itchy. 

And can I just vent for a second....  now hubby has the stomach flu.  The daughter had a stomach ache when I left her at her grandparents.  Baby is better... puke and fever free for 24 hours now.  

I am so worried about getting this.  Not so much about having it, but the damn fever er rule.  I feel like I may as well lick the floor on the way into the ER.  The place is a germ factory.  I mean if I need to I will, but man.  

Vent over.  

Luv, glad it wasn't pneumonia!

Politico my son's family is running the same course as you..now it's going through all 5 of them...Lot's of puking at that house = No one better show up at my door..!!!

Hi Everyone,

I started chemo on Nov 13th but just found this forum.  I was diagnosed with ER+, PR-, HER2- ILC and took letrazole to postpone surgery until after my daughter's wedding in August.  I had a second mastectomy (first 14 years ago for extensive DCIS) and bi-lateral expanders in early September.  When my brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, I did a lot of research and have been working with a nutritional consulting group, Nutritional Solutions, on diet and supplements.  They base all of their recommendations on research, your blood work, your cancer, your therapies.  The amount of material they send is a bit overwhelming (I couldn't look at it for days), but their consults are amazing and I've been able to incorporate many things over time.  I ate well to begin with, but have made major changes in my diet to make sure  that it is anti-cancer: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenisis, no sugar of any kind, no white flours, mostly organic, no processed foods, just a bit of organic chicken, high in protein since chemo can waste your muscles (I use a high quality whey powder that I add to my morning hot oat bran with ground flax and blueberries).  I wasn't sure how my onc would feel about my taking supplements, but I do take Vit D (high doses), omega 3, zinc, selenium, l-glutamine, astragulus (a Chinese herb - my decision - onc doesn't like herbs), and a great product called Greens First (15 fruits and veggies and many other super foods and probiotics in a tasty green drink).  She didn't want me to take Vit C and E since they are highly anti-oxidant and the research on anti-oxidants and chemo suggests problems.  These nutritionists have a slightly different take on it, but I decided to try to get more food-based vitamin C and E and forgo the supplements.  (I would never, never take supplements on my own without being under the care of qualified nutritionist who has lots of experience with cancer patients -there's too much you can do to really hurt yourself) I also see an acupunturist once a week and he alternates between a stomach treatment (I dont' have a great stomach and have some acid reflux) and an energy treatment.  He is starting me on high doses of Acetyl l-Carnitine to try to help avoid neuropathy.  I try to walk every day and do gentle workouts with a trainer once or twice a week for balance, strength and stability.  I'm also in  great place mentally, which also helps - my theme song is "Put on a Happy Face" for those mornings when I just want to cry and so I sing it at the top of my lungs in front of the mirror, dancing (my kids think I'm nuts), watch funny movies and laugh a lot with my girls.  I also see a great therapist.

So why the long story?  I have already had four rounds of AC with a shot of Neulastim a day after each and aside from being more tired, having chemo brain (but less when I get more sleep) and losing most of my hair (I live overseas and have never heard of Cold Caps) I have had no side effects.  I do take Prilosec twice a day for my acid reflux but have had no nausea (well just a bit but an acupuncture needle in my ear did away with that) or other stomach problems, no pain except for a bit of back pain with the Neulastim which didn't need pain meds, some early attempts at mouth sores that I helped to ward off with salt water and brushing after every meal and an herbal mouth rinse that my acupunturist gave me. I work with three oncologists and all are amazed at how I'm doing but none want to read the nutritional materials I have.  Too bad, I'm convinced that everything I'm doing (plus I'm sure some good genes) are really helping me.

I just started my four rounds of mega Taxol this week and yesterday when my hands got red, swollen and the skin was painful in places and rough I decided that finding a forum and looking for others who have had this issue might be good for me. And for me to share what's gone right with me.  I'm very nervous about getting permanent neuropathy - I think that's been my biggest worry all along.  And I pray that this isn't starting to happen after my first Taxol treatment.  The onc said if it happened it probably would start after the third treatment and that they might have to put me on a different form of Taxol which causes a more dramatic hair loss (just learned in this forum that it could be permanent!) would like to know what others are doing to avoid this problem.

Good luck to everyone and what you are all going through.  I have not been able to closely follow all of the threads on the 50 pages, but I can see that we are all just trying to cope with the situations we find ourselves in, offering support and advice and there is nothing more important than knowing you are not alone.

For those trying to cope alone (I'm also divorced but my kids are young adults), I found the Lotsa Helping Hands website very useful.  I have friends who accompany me to chemo in shifts (some take a few hours off of work once a month or so), friends that walk with me, friends who cook for me.  My kids are terrific but it's just too much for them to do everything.  Rally  your friends to help  you.  This website let's you organize everything!

Blessings to all,  Elcee

for those with taste issues, a zinc supplement may help.  I take 50 mg 2X/day with food in the morning and evening but I won't recommend an amount.  I do this under consult with onco-nutritionists. 

I am SO tired today..the city is coming in to reassess our house today and my house is a  mess....think I should answer the door with out my hat on so the guy feels sorry for me and looks past the mess! 

I did do grocery shopping this morning by myself for the first time since surgery...it was tough and Im sure I forgot a bunch as I am walking around in a fog...but it is done and now I sit for a while!