January 2013 chemo group

Skigirl, that is funny!  Here is a link to the wig I got.  I felt that it came in shorter than it looked online, but it's close to my previous natural hair.  I do have another wig, but the ends are fried on it.

http://www.voguewigs.com/samantha-lace-front-wig-vivica-fox.html

Hi ladies

I'm seeing the surgeon today for some skin changes above my surgery site. The skin is pink and feels slightly warm and thick, just a bit harder to pinch than the other breast. Does anyone else have slightly thicker skin over their surgery site?

Will take another chill pill and hope for the best.

Xx

Hey girls, I just read this about switching your anti-nausea meds. I have been on zofran and companzine to use post chemo. (They give me aloxi on infusion day and the steroids for 3 days too.) I complained last time about the HORRIBLE constipation I get from just a few days of zofran, but I was told that it really was the best at preventing nausea. Is ativan in that same class of drugs? Does it cause constipation too? I'm just wondering if I should ask about that for my next round? I completed round #4 last week, and it was by far my worst one. Not only did I have the terrible constipation again, but it coincided with diarrhea cramping and pain. I couldn't even pee without my bowels cramping up - but nothing would come out! My poor body was so confused, and the folks I talk to at the doctor's office don't seem to understand. It takes many days of misery to get things straightened out again. Am I the only one whose body does this to them each time? Does anyone else have to combat constipation and diarrhea - at the same time? I didn't even know that was possible. Until now. But then again, I didn't know a lot of things until now. Just curious if I am a freak of nature. Any advice?

And by the way... so far I have tried Miralax, Colace, Dulcolax (BIG mistake!), Senokot S, and Phillips Milk of Magnesia. All with only marginal success. Once the constipation grabs me, it's like my bowels are in a vice grip. Nothing moves. Ugh... 

duckiedee, I had vicious constipation for round 1 of AC. I start colace (250 mg capsules) in the morning before tx. I take one then, two in the evening, and two each morning and evening (yep -- 4 a day!) for the next 5 days. I start taking Miralax the morning after tx and take one dose a day for 4 days, which is about the time that I start feeling confident that things will keep moving without it. With that much stuff going in, and trying to make sure there's a bit of fiber in my diet, too, I've been able to stay regular for tx 2 and 3, and 4 seems to be going okay so far. I never had issues with diarrhea, though, so I'm not sure about how juggling treatment for both would work.

Names: I had a friend in college who was born on Hallowe'en and had the last name Coffin. I also had a high school algebra teacher named Richard Bender, but he went by Dick instead of Richard. Seriously. Who does that?

I had the standard BRCA test and it took about a week for the results. They told me 14 days too. My BS called me when they got the results and told me over the phone. I don't think I could have waited to make an appt and go hear the results in person. Just tell me dammit!!! I was negative. I had already figured I had two choices. 1. path negative- The TRAM reconstruction that I went with... or 2. Path positive- remove both and get implants, no hesitation. I read all the material they give you and that's how I basically decided what to do. I am going to look into the other genetic testing for radiation risks... or at least ask my MO at the next appt.

Have any of you ladied receiveing TC experienced tingling in fingers and toes?  I started it the evening of my first treatment, then got better to where I really didn't notice it unless I paid attention to it.  Same thing with second tx yesterday-got increased tingling last evening but minimal by morning again.  My onco said they may need to adjust my doses.  Both the tingling and decreasing a dose make me a little nervous.  Just wondering if anyone else has had this particular problem?

I envy some of those trips I see mentioned above!  I am excited though for the trip we have planned the beginning of June!  Going to the Outer Banks in between finishing chemo and starting rads!  I can't think of a better pick-me-up from the chemo!  I'll just have to be careful with my naked noggin though, it will not be easy because I love that sun!  Just thinking about the whole thing keeps me going! 

bcfree, I also had the BRCA test come back negative. I had no family history, so the only reason they ran the test was because of my age (42). Fingers crossed that your test comes back negative, too!

LisaMM, I haven't had neuropathy because I'm just finishing AC so far; I understand it's a common side effect with the taxanes (Taxol, Taxotere, Abraxane). Like most side effects, it should clear up when you're done with tx. How many rounds do you have?

Mandy, I'm so glad to hear that you've found the right cocktail! It's about damned time something went right for you! Here's a happy dance in your honor:

Bryona- just had my second round yesterday. Same tingling with both tx. Still feeling it now only it's minimal. At least it's no worse than the first round . I guess I'll see what they have to say about it next time.

Skimommi, your crop duster cough has made me wet my pants. I had a girlfriend that used to talk about guys that wore too much aftershave "Man, did he put his aftershave on with a crop duster?"  I have never heard anyone else use the terminology before.  Re beach-going, I have been in my bathers with my plastic wrinkled boob several times this summer.   I wear a one piece these days (a 1950’s style pair with lots of tummy suction) so it hasn’t really been too obvious.  I only had one saline injection (2 massive syringes with no numbing).  That was fun.  I still have bruising at the site 6 weeks later.  My mum thinks it’s because I have no lymph nodes to drain away the blood in the bruise.  I might have to start massaging it but am terrified I might dislocate or puncture the expander.  Neurotic I know.  I am not having radiation so hopefully I can have the reco sooner than later but I know I will need some time away from doctors’ rooms and hospitals after chemo too.

My son’s gastroenterologist is called Barry Lipschitz.  A poo doctor with $hit in his name.  Hmmmm…

A family friend went to school with Ida, Bob and Neil Down.  What sort of loony calls their kids that?  My brothers went to school with Andrew Ness and Peter Ness (A.Ness and P.Ness) Hysterical.

I have dead skunk taste in my mouth today 16 days after treatment #2.  It came back out of no-where.  Weird.  Dry eyes too. And LisaMM, I have had a little bit of tingling in my toes but nothing too major. I too her it is very common. 

Heading to the county to visit my Mum this weekend.  Making the most of my last weekend off before treatment on Wednesday.  Can’t wait for someone else’s cooking and a sleep-in.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Xox 

Skimommi- By my count we are going to need 26 of those cabana boys.... oh dear! And the picture is an accurate depiction of our 'ideal' specimen... We better place an ad soon!! We got to round them all up!

LisaMM- The Weekly Taxol Group on here is posting about L glutamine (30g per day in 2 doses) and B6 to combat neuropathy. It's working for a lot of the ladies. I am going in for my last AC next week and plan on getting a firm grip on how much and when to take all of it. Seems the l glutamine is just for a few days surrounding TX and B6 is all the time. I heard somewhere about B12 also, but, that might have been in regards to growing hair.

The one SE I wouldn't mind is no where to be found. Where the hell is chemopause? I had the mirena IUD for almost 10 years and no periods!! Now, since having it removed at the request of the drs, I've had 3 in 6 weeks... REALLY???? Not cool.

Good luck today, kingboo!

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Chuckling at all the names!

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My next treatment is Wednesday and I guess I tried to do too much this week.  I am worn out and my legs feel like burning lead weights when I go for my daily walk.  This, too, shall pass and it could be worse - I just wasn't expecting it this late in the cycle but as ywheels said - strangers in our own bodies.

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Have a great weekend everyone!