December 2012 chemo group
Comments
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Hello all,
It sure has been quiet on the December boards - guess we are all getting closer to the end of our treatments and SE's are more managable. The only SE that has really seemed to increase this 3rd TC round for me is I seem more thirsty all the time. Still trying to drink 8 qty or more 8 oz glasses of liquid a day but it does not seem to be enough!
Yes - the DH and I have a little way to get through the chemo without too much sex pressure - hope I didn't offend anyone with the vibrator talk
- it just seems to work for now ....Did my first ever Bible Study group today ! A friend of mine asked me to join a ladies group doing a Beth Moore Series - called Beyond Mercy. We listen to her on a DVD and reference to Bible Passgages etc and fill out a work book - we even have homework. The only reason I bring it up here is that I think this BC "Journey" we are all on takes us in new directions sometimes that can be very positive. I am trying to look at new hobbies, ways of thinking etc because of all of this and trying to keep busy.
Thank you all for your help and support over the past two months!!
Sandy
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I've really enjoyed reading the last few pages on here. Thank you all for posting and sharing your experiences.
I'm quiet, day 4 of round 3, feeling crappy and sorry for myself. DH wants to get a dog this weekend, one just past the chewy puppy stage, to look after future babies, wtf!? I think he deserves a special friend and now i know we could sure use another focus in our lives.
I too tried to journal but know I won't be interested in it later so decided to stop.
Nicole I hope you're feeling better, I have read that any mucosal membranes struggle during chemo, that's stomach, mouth and vagina, as the cells divide and reproduce so quickly. I hope that's some consolation.
DH working nights so having him here during the day has been a blessing and I can relax on my own in the evenings. It's good, we can sleep in too which is nice, I don't like waking up alone when I'm feeling bad.
Wishing you all the best.
Xx kk -
Sandra I have done a couple Beth Moore Bible studies and enjoyed them. I hope you enjoy doing the study. I had to give up Bible Study after DX because I knew I woud miss more of them that I would be able to get to. I hope to start again in the fall.
Kiwi, sorry you are feeling so bad. I hope you find a cute adorable puppy with a great disposition.
I am having a good week, so I plan to enjoy life and food for the next few days until tx5 next Wednesday. I know I only hve 2 more to go, but I am surely not looking forward to them. I know the SE's only last about 10 days each time, but this last round was the worst and I don't want to repeat it!
Wishing you all a good day with mild SE's and the strength to carry on to through whatever the day brings.
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Happy Valentine's Day to my beautiful chemo sisters! I am happy to report that with new medication, my body feels like it is returning to wholeness and my spirit is following suit. It helps to have a gift of beauty from my DH ~ makes me feel beautiful. (New red shawl in my avatar). Wishing you all moments of feeling your own beauty today!
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Thank you for that sentiment Nicole. Today especially is a day to feel beautiful and loved. It is a good day to remember that we have a beautiful spirit too, if even it is suppressed for a moment in time.
Kiwikid, oh how a puppy makes the world a better place. Our dogs bring such laughter to our lives everyday. And it is so important to find a way to laugh through all of this.
Wishing all you gals a great day and a very happy Valentines Day.
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Hi All,
I have not posted in this thread for awhile. I have pretty much held up in my chemo cave. I just finished big TX 4, so I am getting closer to the end of the chemo part of this nightmare. I feel pretty crappy most of the time and my insecurity about my looks is bothering my husband. I wish he could understand why my "security" has taken a hit. I am bald, my face is red and growing rounder. There is a distinct possiblility that I may be without boobs for awhile after the surgery. And I may not be able to give him children when all is said and done. Sorry for such a down post.
I hope everyone is going well on their chemo journeys :-) Love to all my BC sisters and happy valentines day!
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Hello, fight like,
The good things about these boards us that we're all here for each other, whether we're having bad, good, or in between.
Small things come unbidden at times, moments of grace or moments of hell.
Coming so close to the end of chemo, fantastic! Even if you don't feel fantastic you have fought hard to get where you are in treatment.
I have two more dose dense taxols and then I'm preparing for mastectomies and reconstructions. Don't know if rads are in my future. Won't know really until the post surgery pathological report.
Struggling with a UTI and bone pain from the taxol today. Tomorrow will be different, although in what way I won't know until then.
Well I am rambling but I wanted you to know I always read your posts and learn something from them.
Peggy -
I guess I missed the vibrator mention... I may have to do a search for that one.
Nicole, the red shawl is beautiful! What a great gift! Most of all, I love hearing that you're feeling better!
kiwikid, I have really fought against the urge to get another dog during the darkest days of chemo. They are such company and bring so much joy - yet, my husband and I made a vow this past summer "no more dogs" (or pets of any kind). I bet the new addition will bring you both lots of happiness and laughter. There's not a day that goes by that we don't talk about or mention our dearly beloved girl who we finally had to let go of this past summer. She was with me for 15 years and with the two of us for 14. If you end up getting a puppy I hope you'll post photos!
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Hi... Just wanted to say that I'm here too
I'm having severe "chemo brain" so my english may come off even worse than usual. And my wrist hurts like hell, can't even support my arm properly on it to use the keybord. My veins are total crap and on Monday (AC #3) they had to put the IV on my wrist again, right on the most painfull spot.
I've been enjoying your posts too, for me it's the same, it's really hard finding a connection with people outside our little "Dec chemo group". And I've been very isolated, I feel that going out and watching others having their normal lives (specially lots of friends with newborn babies - touchy subject for me right now) makes me even more depressed.
I'm sorry about your dog, LeeA, I know how hard it can be to loose one, I've always had cats and dogs and they truly are the best companions.
Take care friends
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Nicole I am glad that you are feeling better, and the red shawl is beautiful!
Fight, BC and all it's various treatments really do a number on our self esteem and how we feel about ourselves. I think it is hard for men to understand because their self esteem is often tied to what they do and not how they look. Our society puts such an emphasis on womens looks it is hard to look at the TV or read a magazine without being reminded of it. At times like this, it seems very unfair. I am sorry that you are having such a down time right now and I hope you can find peace with the beautiful person inside that I am sure you are.
Peggy and Sophia, I wish you a better day tomorrow. One that has less pain and more joy.
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It's so nice after a long day of work and chemo brain and no tastebuds to come to these boards and know everything I am going through is normal and shared by all of you!
I'm writing on my phone so can't address individuals only topics. About sex... Haven't had any since chemo started and really appreciate my DH for being ok with that. This is all temporary. I thought going hairless down there would be great but I don't like it. It feels weird and maybe the opposite of Nicole (I think it was you) as it seems almost swolen. And very dry. Chemo vaginal changes... Lovely.
After two days in the couch in my gloom I bounced back and am back to feeling good (well except for all the SEs!).
Kiwi, I have an old dog and a cat but as soon as I started chemo I knew I needed a kitten. It was a great decision and I know little Annie has helped in my chemo recovery. And these animals do bring such a normalness back to our daily routines. And it's hard to feel sad when a kitten is stretched out asleep on your neck! -
Today, I had the final chemo!
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yananma ~ CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Wishing you all the best now that this chapter has come to an end!
Be well!
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Peggysull, I always got the feeling of a UTI on days 5-7 after Taxotere (similar to Taxol). But it wasn't actually a UTI, at least I don't think. I just drank extra water those days and it's always gone away on its own. I know the chemo takes our kidneys for a loop, so I figured that might have something to do with it. I also got bone pain with my last two tx (no Neulasta shots).
yananma, congratulations on your final chemo!! what a relief, right?
kiwikid, good call on the mucosal membrane thing. And Nicole, glad to hear you're improving
Kiwi, a puppy would be so much fun! Maybe a nice reprieve and change of pace from the whole cancer thing. I hope you start feeling better soon.Ifightlikeawoman, I feel you on the insecurity thing. It's easy to put on the brave face for the rest of the world, but it's exhausting to keep up and I know I let my guard down at home. My husband sees the real me--pain, insecurity, worry, good, bad, ALL of it. I pray your husband can find a way to understand you better, and that you will find the confidence that you are still you regardless of how your appearance has changed. I struggle with it too, feeling like a bald, fat man does nothing to make a woman feel sexy and confident about herself!
Happy Valentine's Day to all of my chemo sisters. Keep fighting the fight and running toward that light at the end of the tunnel!!
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4th chemo tomorrow praying all goes well been hospitalized 2 out of 3 treatments, going to rest and pray all goes well this round. I am doing a total of six then surgery most likely in may, my mass was shrinking but feels like not much of a change lately..... I am very nervous need to think happy thoughts.....
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best wishes volleymom.....I pray you do not need hospitalization this time around and that the SE are manageable.
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Happy Valentines wishes to all you nice ladies !!! Your big hearts have helped me so much and I return here daily for support - I am so thankful for all of you (((hugs )))) . U know we are all really anonymous on these threads but sometimes I wish I could reloy physically hug u all
Volleymom I do hope this next tx is easier on you - did not realize u were hospitalized ! Have u tried water with some electrolytes added like diluted Gatorade in water or the nuun electrolyte pills . This time - tx # 3 for me - I chugged water and electrolyte drinks - diluted and it seemed to help the toxins through so much better . Not sure of your specific problems but that extra hydration really seemed to help .
Nicole - love that red shawl - your DH has very good taste !!
Bren - this Beth Moore series has a workbook and I have home work - boo hoo ! Oh well - it will take my mind off other things and love the sense of new beginnings it is bringing me .
Kiwi kid - so happy u can look forward to a new puppy to cheer u . I have a Shiz zu named Petey - he is so laid back I call him Garfield most of the time - more like a cat than a dog . But when he wants a cookie he sure acts like a dog !
Yanama - woo hoo - so happy for u !!! Peep back in on us in a couple of months and tell is how the hair is doing . I think we all need to post pics when we have a full pixie grown in this summer or fall !! -
Congrats yayanma! So glad you are finished with the chemo part of your treeatment!
volleymom, I hope this round of tx is much kinder on you. You need an easy one at this point!
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Finally went for a walk today for the first time in weeks. It wasn't much but damn did it feel good. I crossed paths with a woman with a really short haircut and a pink sweatshirt with hope written on it and we smiled. I suspect she was a kindred spirit a couple months ahead of me in this journey. There's a lot of us out there which although that's a sad observation there is also comfort in knowing how many survivors there are. Enjoy your Friday ladies!
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volleymom - I really hope this tx is better. That is great it is shrinking. What has made you be hospitilized? Dehydration? If so ask for fluids each day the week of tx, it has made a world of a difference for me. I might have to have a transfusion if my hemoglobin numbers don't come up by Tuesday. I really don't want to do this but of course I will.
yananma- So happy for you...you reached the milestone....celebrate....congrats!!
My son, Andrew, turned 3 yesterday - I can't believe my baby is 3. My DH took him to a traveling dino museum and he had a blast. We are taking the kids mini bowling on Sunday, should be fun fun fun!
Getting ready for treatment on Tuesday - #4 of 6. Today I treated myself to a massage...AMAZING. Just what I needed. She rubbed all over my head and everywhere!
Have a good weekend my friends - think positive and chins up we are almost there!
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jenjen, glad to hear you are doing well
friendgwen, I plan to get out and walk today. I did it twice last week and felt so good afterward. I'm on a mission to drop the 15 pounds I gained since starting chemo Dec 4....and maybe 15 more on top of that!
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1st hospitalization was dehydration stayed three days then doc did start to schedule me for fluids and Neulasta shot 2nd hospitalization was after third chemo turned out to be the flu B and yes I had my flu shot, however they believed it was meningitis so I had to have a spinal tap too, and two pints of blood for low red blood cells was in the hospital for one week every one had to wear masks when they came in my room. The worst was the head ache doc gave me oxycodone never had it before and it barely helped my headache. So be careful luckily no one in my family got the flu just me. So hopeful all will be better this time, honestly I am more nervous about my surgery should be some time in May. Then radiation plus herceptin.
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Steiner - I went for a 3 mile walk today with a GF - it was wonderful. I seem to be handling this tx better ( it is # 3 for me ) - no fevers and no mouth sores to speak of. Hope my final # 4 - on 2/28 goes as well.
The one SE I am having I thought i woudl ask all you ladies about is my left eye is developing a quiver or twitch when I read a lot. I looked it up and it does say wtih Taxotere this has happended. It does not hurt -it is just irritating. Has that happended to anyone ?
Taking my husband out tonight for a B-day dinner - nice seafood place/ steak place called Land-Ocean. I think I will order a fillet and some oyster ( cooked of course ). One for red blood cells anad the other for white - I heard oysters have a hight amount of zinc that can stimulate wbc .
Hope you all have a good weekend !!
Sandy
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Sandra, apparently this is a not so common SE of taxotere. I was not aware of it until I read someones post about it on the TCH board. I don't have the twitching but I sure do have the contstant eye watering!
I have been trying to walk a mile 5 times a week. Either outside, if it above 40 degrees, or I do a mile walk excercise "class" on cable. It really does seem to help, but I do get very out of breath. MO said it is an SE of having low blood counts and should get better after tx is finished.
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Sandra, I have eye twitching too. My left eye gets so twitchy sometimes I feel like others can even notice it. It's annoying but not too bothersome to live with. I might bring it up with my onco next week when I meet with her.
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Hi all - I just joined site today though have been looking at it for a few months now. I am 2/3 done with 6 cycles of carboplatin, taxotere and herceptin. Also get Neulasta shots from 2d dose on since I got neutropenic fever after first dose and neutrophils were critically low. Luckily got through that and Neulasta seems to work quite well (along with Claritin!).
It doesn't really seem that other than looking at tumor marker bloodwork there is really any good way to see if the chemo/herceptin is actually doing anything. Does anyone's onc plan on doing a PET scan post-chemo to "check" around, particularly if you are early stage and/or not in lymph nodes?
Also, my CA 27.29 (CAG27) score jumped to 60.7 U/mL just before first chemo, when presurgery baseline was 28.9 U/ML. My doc says "refererence range" is to be under 38.6. I dropped back to 42.7 before Chemo#3. Just wondering if anyone else is monitoring this number. My onc seemed unconcerned, said sometimes the chemo causes the numbers to jump around a bit.
alternatively, my Carcinoembryonic AG (CEA) scores have all been less than 0.5 ng/mL, which appears to be normal range.
Not sure which (if either) test is more important and am curious what others' experiences have been.
Overall, side effects seem to be more prevalent from about day 3 post chemo to about day 12-14 post-chemo, with fatigue, some fever, metallic tastes and less saliva, hot flashes, constipation and that kind of thing. I feel lucky no nausea.
I've been trying to drink a lot of water, eat healthy and walk at least 1-3 miles a day (I was running half marathons before being diagnosed, but running seems beyond me right now). I'm not perfect at it, but that's my goal. And staying active with my 15 year old and 12 year old. I did decide to take a short leave from work to minimize my stress, and that has been a good decision, although I still work a little bit from home. Will likely go back to 40 hour work weeks once I finish last chemo.
So interested to hear from others and appreciate so much all that eveyone shares. i'm not really a support group kind of person, and so the message boards are wonderful!
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Welcome Amelia. I am not a support group kind of person either, which I found out after joining one after my first dx. These boards are wonderful though. Very helpful and encouraging.
I am getting an MRI 2 weeks after my last chemo, but I do have node involvement (at least 2 in the axilla).
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That is a big fight me and my oncologist are having right now...post chemo monitoring. He says he won't order scans unless I show symptoms. My response is I didn't even know I had it to begin with. So, we are having it out. I like him, he takes my shit but I'm not a fan of his.
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I have the eye twitching!! It feels so huge but when I look in the mirror I can't even tell. It's the silliest SE!
Ok back to sewing a pillow case. It's the first little craft I've done in years and a result of cancer/chemo/empty nest time to do things for me! -
I have the eyes watering issue. My onc said it's the chemo irritating the eye duct so to rinse with natural eye drops.
I've been doing some crafting too FriendGwen - I made new curtains and put new fabric on my DD's art table and chairs. I always feel like I am nesting.
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