December 2012 chemo group

Hello.

My mother started with chemo on 21st December and now 10th of January they've found she has a lot of bacteries in urine, probably urinary tract infection. Did anyone had something similar?

My concern is that they will postpone her chemotherapy (FAC) and it was scheduled on 28 cycle period and also, she heard that some1 said that chemo doesn;t have effect when you have this type of infection?

Can some1 who has more info tell me more?

Tx 2 went okay on 1/2 went okay. Just crawling out of the chemo cave now. This one was more difficult in part because I was inpatient to feel better! I kept forgetting what day it was and comparing it to my last Tx to see when I would be feeling better. Any recommendations for getting through the worst part after Tx? The s/e ie tiredness are worse this time around, but the first 7 days were a nightmare!

Fight like a woman, I am on different chemo than you and have finished 3 rounds (4th scheduled this Monday).



I get chemo every 14 days. Since round 1 I have had only 4 normal days each cycle (nausea and fatigue the other 10 days. It sucks. I feel for you and hope that your next round is easier.



As for solutions, I just have to remind myself that this is temporary. I also have hired a cleaning person (first time in my life) to clean just the bathrooms and kitchen. That takes a lot of burden off. Basically, I lower my expectations of myself and have had to ask other people to do the same.



Peggy

PeggySull ~ my experience with AC is the same as yours.  10 days of queasiness, fatigue and achiness and 4 days of "normal".  I just traded in my normal for the start of round 2 a few hours ago and I'm feeling that slippery slope downward already.

I almost had to defer treatment today because my neutrophill count (mature white blood cells) was crazy low yesterday.  I was really bummed that they called me 1 hour before my infusion time to tell me I might have to defer.  I had the option to come in and do another draw today, with the understanding that if my levels had gone up I could proceed with the chemo.  Fortunately today my numbers rebounded significantly from yesterday!  Yay!!!  I got to be poisoned AGAIN!!!  

The lesson learned is that my trough levels happen later in the chemo cycle than my doctors projected.  It seems kind of counterintuitive to me because for the few days I have been feeling really really good (almost pre-chemo good).  Apparently how I feel doesn't really have any bearing on how my white blood cell count is doing.  I will have to do more nupogen shots this round and start them later.  Hoping this strategy works because I'd really like to stick with the dose dense schedule.  I am all about getting it over and done with as fast as possible.

Basking in a glow of deep appreciation for a friend who brought us dinner.  It helps soften the creeping queasiness I feel.  Wishing everyone a good night (and wishing myself the ability to sleep!)

volleymom -  I am right there with you. This last tx has knocked me for a loop. Stomach issues and mouth fuzzies started earlier than usual.

I hope the rest of you are feeling ok.

I am always grateful for the first day after chemo because I still have some energy and can do a big shopping trip.  I lay in supplies like we are preparing for a blizzard.  Then I know that when I reach the "don't really want to get out of bed" place, I and the rest of the family will be fine.

Part of the downhill slide for me seems to be an inability to sleep much past 4:30 a.m. or so.  I recall this happened the last round too.  I'm sure it's not helping with my overall fatigue but I can't go back to sleep after my early morning potty call.  Ah well, my DH is taking my DD to her counseling appt this morning so I guess I will go back to sleep then.

Wishing everyone who had tx this week a comfortable weekend and wishing wonderful energy to those of you in week 2 or 3 after tx!

Volleymom, yes call and get them to call something in. Sorry you're feeling so yucky. I felt worse after my second TCH, too. Tastebud issues lasted 1-1/2 weeks this time. Having a hard time not overheating when things taste good again. This time I have the breakout but on my scalp instead of my face. Also the burning and peeling, but on the sides instead of the backs of my hands this time. Wonder what will happen after #3 on the 18th.



Nicole, you are so smart to stock up on supplies. I will try to do that this time. Even before chemo, I have problems planning ahead efficiently.

Sandra60 - How's the hair going? Mine is still strong on day 16!

Lee - I am 4 days post tx3. SE's started earlier this time around. It probably is a cumulative effect. I seem to have more body numbness this time around, but it is better this evening than it was this morning. Also the mouth fuzzies started  sooner. The stomach issues got better this afternoon and I hope they continue to improve. I was able to resolve the constipation issues from the tx a bit sooner this time which always helps.

I can't beleive how quiet this board has been! Hopefully that means most of you are doing well.

Okay... When I say topless I do mean without a wig not without a shirt!!

I am 6 days past tx 2 and am feeling moderately crappy. No energy or motivation. I am not having the stomach problems I had last time though, which is good. I read a book on what to eat during treatments and have tried to eat more carefully this time.however, that has involved making comfort foods like tapioca pudding and chicken and dumplings and pasta carbonara. I am afraid to get on the scale. I have also been taking this Calm magnesium supplement which has kept things moving normally. We had a big snowstorm here and it is very cold, so that is keeping me from getting any fresh air or exercise. Did do a little snow shoveling today though! I am bored of being cooped up but don't feel like going anywhere.

Hope everyone starts feeling better in the next few days!

I have been wondering if we will look back on the treatments for breast cancer in twenty or thirty years and marvel at how barbaric and primitive it was. First line of treatment is amputation, then they poison yOur entire body in the hopes they will get those nasty sneaky cancer cells, then throw a mega dose of radiation at it. And you hope you won't have debilitating permanent after effects from it. And of course , that is really our only options, since it's that or your life. That's just my negative attitude coming through. My husband thinks I am not positive enough. Guess I am just a little bitter.

Sophiafred78, Sandra60 (and everyone ahead of me on the chemo schedule)

I'm curious about the order in which your hair loss happened.  At the risk of being too personal, have you lost hair anywhere else on your body?  I am 2 days post second AC infusion (Day 17) and I am starting to notice a few strands of my Sinead O'connor hair starting to go but nothing dramatic.  However, in the shower this morning I experienced a dramatic loss of hair at my pubes (sorry if this is TMI) so I assume dramatic head hair loss is next.  Just wondering where head hair is in the lineup of hair loss.  I'm just hoping to hold onto eyebrows and eyelashes as long as possible.

I agree Julie, it is barbaric, but it is what it is, and at least we have a choice! It's hard to be positive all the time and usually our SO sees the side of us that we save for home, the side that can't put on the brave positive face all the time. I have a friend who tried to cheer me up in the first week after chemo by suggesting I do more and stop sitting around. I told him I was actually really happy being me till cancer came along, but he knows how active I was and associates my cancer grump with my inactivity. I can't wait to get me back, after more chemo and surgery and maybe radiation, but at the moment I'm only climbing metaphorical mountains. What makes me angry is the cancer, not people thinking I should be climbing mountains, but if I shout at them and not the cancer, its because they are there and they love me, and they can handle it, and I need them!



Rant aside it's a hot muggy day in the city. We have been out for lunch and I'm feeling really good. One week till chemo 2. My hair comes out in my fingers whenever I check to see if its still there though!



I hope you are all feeling as good as you can. And feel free to shout at someone who loves you when they try to help and they miss the mark by miles, they know you're really shouting at the cancer.



Xx kk

You ladies are all so right. I am not negative and angry all the time but I still have the why me moments and I want my old life back. My husband gives me those looks like he thinks I should be upand being more active but I mostly ignore that. I know when I feel good, I get busy and when I don't feel so great, I don't. I feel like I am in semi-hibernation and looking forward to spring! As to hair loss, mine pretty much came out on the 14 th day. Haven't shaved my pits or legs at all. The pubes are hanging on, but thinning...I still have my eyebrows etc but don't know for how much longer.