Starting chemo November 2012

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Oh yeah Michelle - Be happy, Be very happy...

    Smile

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Macyhen are you sure you should be taking those vitamins?  my docs said no supplements, not even juicing!!! Just regular healthy food is fine...So glad you found us againKiss

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Well this board is dead tonight, does that mean all you girls are having a romantic evening or wild sex? 

    Well, you see where I am so you know I'm not!!!  No matter what you do or did, enjoy your night -chat later.. As for me, I'll have a cup of tea...night night.

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  • milkyway2
    milkyway2 Member Posts: 259
    edited February 2013

    5 chemo next thursday getting ready bought grocery. Stuff for kids lunch. It feels like it will never end. This time my chemo will be reduced to 20 percent so lets see how worst its gonna be.

    You know what is the only positive thing about this disease. You can see who is your true n sincere friends. You dont want to see the faces of some of relatives i m glad that i have found real friends

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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    5luvbugs I told her all the supplements that I am taking. She said no fresh fruits or veggies no undercooked meat, but that vitamins are fine. I will ask her again to make sure, I will take the bottle with me so she can see exactly what's in them. Thanks for the info, I want to be sure that everything I take is ok. Xoxo

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    Is anyone else taking Ritalin to combat the chemo fatigue and chemo brain?  Doctor suggested it and it has been made a difference!!!  She said if you are not ADHD it actually gives you energy.  I haven't gotten my energy back to normal.  It's better but not back to pre chemo days. I have noticed it helping with the chemo brain.  I can actually accomplish stuff at work again without it taking me three times as long as with chemo brain. 

    Michelle - I say celebrate the last chemo!!  I plan on it.  Can't wait for the 28th to get here and be done!!

    Once my hair grows back and I don't need the wig, I think I'm going to have a big party and burn the wig.  My way of saying I've made it thru this hell.

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  • maryah930
    maryah930 Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2013

    Just out of curiosity ~ how many of you wore wigs during chemo and how many just went bald?

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    I wore a wig most of the time in public but around my house I wear a little turban/head covering.  I get too cold if I walk around bald. 

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Maryah , I am mostly bald from chemo but I love my hats and turbans with the little velcro bangs, they make any hat or scarf look good...check it out..  I velcor them too any headcover and then put the hat on top (it's still cold weather here in  NJ)  http://www.headcovers.com/380/201-extra-wide-bangs/  . At home turban or bald . As for  the wigs, yes I still wear a wig in public (otherwise I look like my father - he's 91 and bald) actually.........

    if you Girls want a good laugh, the other night I got out of the shower and was sitting on the bed facing the mirror (still naked)- I saw a man staring back at me, thought it was my dad - I gasped in horror and suddenly I realized I was looking at myself..Surprised    OH NO!!!!

    More Hair Info today is 1 month since my last chemo and my hair is growing 1/4 " gray hair is peaking through...Yahoo, I should have 2" by summer... 

    FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!!! Oncotype DX Score 34
    Dx 8/29/2012, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Hormonal Therapy ArimidexRadiation Therapy ExternalSurgery 09/13/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Chemotherapy 11/06/2012 Cytoxan, Taxotere

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    5LuvBugs~Thanks for the laugh! I can just see that happening to me! Lol



    I don't know if I mentioned on here, the horrible pain I was having in my left foot & calf. I went to OSU this evening and its a blood clot in the femur. So, taking 2 injections daily and 1 pill. I hope the injections are temporary. 5 days worth are $400. I had to leave it at the pharmacy, but meeting with a social worker tomorrow to see if they can find coverage for me. $400 is my Medicare co-pay.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Ritalin, tx? Hmmm. It has taken me all week to write an essay/bog that would have taken an hour pre chemo...

    Soteria, good luck with that leg - and getting it covered

    I wear a scarf at chemo, wish I had more good ones for home, but usully wear caps. Felt too ugly to celebrate (even though its my favorite holiday) yesterday, but the sun was out and things got better after I threw on a wig, finally. Promised DD some romance, so...drank a bunch of wine, despite the lask of taste - made brownies that I kept throwing into the fireplace, what a waste of calories!

    My legs and feet have blown up again and eyes still tearing even after having eye doc open my tear ducts again with probes...hard to read and write, but used to fingertips and nail pain now.

    glad you are back, macy.

    And milky - you are so right about friends. I hate it when people say I am courageous, ugh.

    Lovebugs, thanks for the encouragin news about hair!!

    One week til last triple cocktail......

    tgif (as if that makes a differnce - though I do feel better about relaxing or working bed with legs up on the weekend....

    I think of you gals all the tiem, even when I'm not posting...xoxox

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Oh Paula, take good care of that leg - I had an embolism (blood clot) like that when I was 27 years old - it's painful and scary and I can't believe the meds are not covered --- I consider myself so lucky because so far my highest copay was 39....

    Sickofpink, sure do hope you start feeling better real soon  - I worry about you, really now who throws brownies in the fireplace??? Cry Take care of those legs and feet and now your fingers...

    Have a good night ladies (it's almost 3 am and I woke up just to see if any of you were online...) going back to bed for a few hours, have to be at RADS by 8 am to make up for one of the days the machine was broken...

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    SickofPink - It is an off label use of Ritalin.  Doctor said to be sure to not take it late in the afternoon or you won't sleep. I don't feel revved up just able to function better.  Are you doing anything for the neuropathy in the fingers and feet?  My nails are sore on both.  Wondering if there was something we could do.  Pads of my feet are going numb. 

    Going to a party this afternoon for my friend that was diagnosed 2 months after me.  We're having a Mad Hatter party.  Everyone is bringing a hat, scarf or head covering for her to use now that she has lost her hair.  She has 4 rounds of AC then 12 rounds of Taxol.  6 months of chemo.  Makes me thankful I only had to do 6 rounds of TC. 

    Paula - I'm sorry to hear about your blood clot.  Praying that you get the meds and soon!

    Hope everyone has a good weekend.  It's supposed to be in the 70s down here in Texas! 



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  • Loafer
    Loafer Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2013

    Congrats Michelle on final chemo!!!



    Junebug - glad you found Ritalin to help you concentrate on the job!



    Luvbugs - I've had the same problems with a broken machine and a two hour drive to rads in the snow



    Paula - I just realized you are a Bella. Hugs to you on a speedy recovery for those blood clots. Praying social worker finds a solution for you.



    You gals are all getting closer to the end of chemo. Hang in there!!



    Ginny

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    Girls~Thanks for all your well wishes concerning the blood clot.

    Tricia~I had no idea how much pain is involved in this until I had it myself. I'm sure it's indirectly related to chemo, in that because I've been so inactive the past 6 weeks because of SEs.

    I went back to OSU this morning to get 4 of the injections I needed. The social worker had me call her cell as we were arriving, then brought the meds right out to our truck so that I didn't have to walk. How kind!
    I have to call the hospital pharmacy rep on Monday to get help with the remaining 6 injections.

    I have Medicare D. The 10 injections were $1000 and my co-pay was $400, which I didn't have.


    Blessings
    Paula

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  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 982
    edited February 2013

    soteria -Glad that you are getting attention and I sure hope your blood clot gets better soon. What are the injections that you are getting? This chemo is not for the faint of heart! 

    I got my taxol #3 today and praise God it went smoothly and I did not have another allergic reaction. They slowed down the rate of the infusion - I was there for over 6 hours - but better that than another bad experience. Now I have to wait and see what the side effects will be this time - not looking forward to all that joint and muscle pain.

    You may have said it before on a previous post - but are you getting your treatments every 2 weeks or 3 weeks? I get mine every 2 weeks, so I have to take Neulasta to bring up my white cell counts - so far they have come up nicely each time and thank God I have never been sick even though I carry on with all of my usual activities e.g. going to choir, church, fitness etc.

    Hope the pain eases for you - will pray that the meds do their job.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    Adagio~Thanks for the prayers. The injection is called Lovenox, but I'm getting the generic.



    I got AC every 3 weeks and just got my final AC a week ago. My only SEs this time were the funky tastebuds. Surprising, because AC #3 really cleaned my clock. I don't get the Neulasta because I have an extra week to ounce back.



    The injections are pre-filled syringes that I give myself in the stomach 2 X daily for 5 days. Thank God I have some experience in doing that. I have a 24 year old son who has been a Type I Diabetic since he was 6. He does 4 injections of insulin daily.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Paula - I think we all hear you regarding being and illegal and getting "everything" for free and it's getting worse!!!!  Take care of that leg, I know it hurts...

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  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Txjunebug, I'll ask dr @ ritalin. Nothing can be done besides lowering the dose to stop the neuropathy but i am trying massage and accupuncture and might get to a yoga class this morning- nails hurt and foot pads going with fingertips, but not sure if those things help. Maybe just with swelling- hard to get shoes on.



    Thanks luvbugs for the kind wishes, i am feeling better- sunny weather helps. I also pulled on a wig and went to dinner last night - drank several glasses of wine. , but am feeling guilty about it now.



    Soteria, i dreamt i had a blood clot in my hand last night -scary- hope your real one is better.



    As for $, my bills and insurance are crazy, told DD i cant help her as much but didnt want to blame bills and scare her - although she seems used to this now, expects my recovery- but did not go over well...



    2 hours in the snow to get to rads is awful! How are SE's?



    Taste buds almost back, maybe ill celebrate by baking cookies - aren't chemicals enough to make it ok for sugar, maybe cut it out after? Feel like splurging and so hungry!



    Enjoy the day, ladies.

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  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 982
    edited February 2013

    soteria - I also have a son with type 1 diabetes - so know all about the shots. My son was diagnosed when he was 19 years old - so he was able to do his own shots right from the start - but believe me - I would have taken every shot for him if I could. It is tough to watch the young ones with a lifelong disease - but I am amazed at my son's cheerful outlook on life - it doesn't seem to hold him back - he is a true inspiration to me.

    Hope your leg is feeling much better.

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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    Hi everybody hope everyone is having a good day today. I have a question, What is nadir?

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Macy Nadir is your low point during chemo, when your blood levels are low and easy to get infections (at least that's what the girls on here tell me)

    Well I have a crock pot of crab gravy going and I invited the kids/grandkids over for crabs and spaghetti - yum, can't wait to eat - that's the last of them until next summer....Let me go get the water boiling, hope everyone is having a good weekend and Sickofpink, make the cookies and eat as many as you want - you deserve a treat, heck dip them in wine if you want!!!Wink

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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    Thanks 5luvbugs. The lowest my wbc has been since I started chemo is 7.4. My mo hasn't given me Neulasta so I guess that is ok.

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  • txjunebug
    txjunebug Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2013

    Sickofpink - Cookies sound yummy!  Which kind?  chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin???  - the oncologist did a slight reduction in the Taxol/Taxotere on round 5 because I had grade 2 almost grade 3 diaherrea and toxicity in the feet after round 4.  Apparently the chemo likes to seep out of the capillaries in my feet and it burns the surround skin tissue.  Causes the skin to look sunburned and layers of skin peel off.  This round has been better but she did say around 5 and 6 would cause the bottom of my feet to be numb. 

    Paula - hope your leg is doing better!! 

    Survey question --  what's the one side effect you wish your doctor had told you about before hand??  Mine would be the twitchy watery eyes! 


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  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited February 2013

    Mine is the unbelievable fatigue. And the non stop hunger on days 3 and 4 after my weekly taxol infusion. Also the dark fingernails and toe nails.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    txjunebug~I'm getting ready to go back to OSU now to pick up more injections. I just found out from the social worker that because I'm on chemo my onc wants me to continue with them instead of stopping after the initial 5 days. Oy!



    I still have some pain in my foot, but its surprisingly easier to walk when I wear shoes, which I never do at home.



    Hopefully, because of the incredible price of the injections, the pharmaceutical company will help. They're usually pretty good about that.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • maryah930
    maryah930 Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2013

    Twitchy eyes and drippy nose!  I expected the rest (nausea, diarrhea, constipation, hair loss, etc), but not those two and 3 weeks after last chemo, I still have the twitchy eyes, although it is resolving.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    I found out today when I went to pick up the rest of my injections for dvt at OSU that my onc wants me to continue with the injections because of being in treatment for BC.



    I thought I only had to take them 2X daily for 5 days, but they had talked to my onc who wants me to continue.

    I did some research and found that people getting chemo are much more likely to develope Deep Vein Thrombosis. (Blood clot).



    I see my onc on Wednsday for follow up. I hope they have a plan for me to get these injections, because they are darned expensive.



    I hope you're all doing great with minimal side effects.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2013

    Paula,

    I wonder if they can bill them like they did my nuelasta?  It was a drug like chemo, not like a script.....  no subject to script copay.  If not find the manufacturer and talk to them.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2013

    Wendy, that's what we're doing when I see the onc on Wednsday. I mean checking with the pharmaceutical company.



    I thought I saw on another post, that you'll be at the Stephanie that day. I have a 1:30 appt. I'd love to meet you if you're still there.



    Blessings

    Paula

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