Starting Chemo February 2013

Tangles...I feel the same way about the pity party! My husband says that my positive attitude is how we are going to beat this. I am very positive, but still what we are dealing with is so hard! Every now and then I need to cry and I will wait till my husband isn't around. I don't want him worrying about me crying, because I may cry for an hour, but I will still stay strong!

Thank you all for your encouragement. I got sick with a chest cold cough and low grade fever. That is probably why I feel so run down. I have an anti-biotic. I am on day 4 of being in bed. It is hard but I know it will be over. I am half way done, with 4 more Taxol to go, which everyone says is far easier. That's what I am praying for.

Thank you for understanding. All of your words really help.

Hello to my February sisters. I had my last tc treatment on February 18, so I have recently been where all of you are now. I just want to give you a little encouragement since you all are right in the middle of the worst of chemo. I am here to tell you that time DOES pass and you WILL feel like your old selves again. My cancer journey isn't over yet, but I am done with the chemo and the rest should be easy!

My advice is to rinse your mouths with the baking soda-salt water mixture, take acidophilus and eat yogurt to prevent yeast infections and thrush, drink lots of water and be easy on yourself. Don't feel guilty if you are laying around a lot. Your body needs rest to fight back! We will get through this and we can pat ourselves on the backs for being tough as nails!

ywheels22, I can relate to how you felt, somewhat for sure. I was running a lot before my surgery too. I did my first half marathon a month before my surgery and had been running 15-20 miles a week. My times were no where near yours, but I was happy with my progress. I barely have the stamina now to run two miles (at a 12 min pace!). My running buddy is also giving me updates on the races she's doing and that pisses me off a little bit too. She's not bragging or anything, I just feel like you did about throwing it in my face. She brought me a running book when I was in the hospital, like I wanted to read about what I can't do anymore! I certainly don't think they're trying to make us feel bad, they just don't realize how we feel from where we're at.

BUT, we will get better and back out there and you will definitely beat 24 min! I'm planning to do two 5ks in April. I won't be setting any records, but I don't care. It will just feel good to do something "normal". I hope you're feeling better!

-Susan

Dizzy and Lisa: Thank you! I know she didn't say it on purpose to be hurtful, but you are both right. She has no idea where we are at or how certain things will hit us. I did. 3.3 miles of running, walking on the treadmill. It took me 40 minutes! I was very winded so I have a long way to go on getting back to a 25:37 let alone any better. But it will come and your words remind me of that when I am feelng pretty low. Thanks!

I have been battling a cold, congestion, low grade fever since Saturday. I have not been feeling well at all, going on day 5 of sleeping endlessly, coughing, runny nose. My NP did give me a five day antibiotic. I am on day 2 now so here's hoping it works quickly. This has really run me into the ground.

I hope evereyone is doing well!

Tangles: Treadmill was last week, the day before treatment. I was not sick then. I got sick starting Friday, which was also the start of my bad days. There is NO way I could do anything at all right now. I can barely walk up and down the stairs either without feeling exhausted. I will not be at the gym this week for sure, or at work or anywhere else for that matter.

I had my follow up blood work today and despite being sick all my counts were above normal once again. MY NP is astounded at how well my counts have been throughout, especially my hemoglobin, which was at 12.2, which is good. I still feel like crap though. The antibiotic should kick in by tomorrow. The thrush is just hanging on and due to that, I have lost 4 lbs. in a little more than a week. I'm hoping my Taxol tx's will be better and I can start on the upward climb of feeling normal.

They told me my first Taxol would take 6 hours!!!! Are you kidding me? Who has time for that?

ywheels that makes more sense! Well I feel your pain. I am going stir crazy laying on the couch. Every time I get up my heart races and I have to lay back down. I hate it! Hoping next week is better. For some reason I have no bone pain from the shot this time. Not sure if its yet coming or my body just got used to it or the clariton is working not sure but not complaining. I have also been taking probiotics and so far no thrush, just a nasty taste in the mouth. WOW 6 hrs of taxol?? yikes, for how long?  I guess I don't understand why everyone has such different treatments. I have the same cocktail 6 times 3 weeks apart. Counting down each and everyday until it is over with.

Tangles: I have dose dense Taxol x4. Then done. They said the first tx takes the longest. By tx 4 it will be 4 hours. Still a long time. My cold is still hanging in there, still feeling like crud. Hoping these antibiotics start working soon. Glad you had less bone pain this time around. That is great news.

LisaMM: I have not exercised in a week. And I don't think I'll be doing any in the next couple of days. My NP said to lay low, no working or anything and just rest. My counts were very good so I am happy about that. I have to listen to my body this time and just let it rest. I have no energy anyway.

Being sick on top of chemo really sucks the big one! I know some of you have dealt with this in the past. It's like getting kicked in the head when you are already down. I hope all of you are well!!!

IamNancy: your incision reopened?? That would freak me out. Lumpectomy or port? My port incision still hasn't completely healed. The port looks like it is just sitting there on top and the skin is pulled really tight over the top of it and still hurts. I have been hoping it doesn't just pop out one day and then I read your post and made me think that it very well could.



By the way, no exercising for me either. The stairs are enough. I have been working 8-10 hour days though but that's just sitting.



A few of my fingernails feel a little weird when I type. Kind of like I have mashed them or shut them in a door. I'm hoping that's not what they feel like before they come off?? Anyone here with fingernail pain?

Karen: Ouch! I am so sorry to hear that. That has to be painful and terribly inconvenient too. I hope it heals up for you soon.

Nancy: How scary for you. You definately shouldn't have had to go through that too. I hope it heals soon. As for the nail pain, I hope we both get to keep ours! I don't want to loose them too!

Oh, I hated those drains. I feel for you ladies that are having to deal them still or again. I had mine for 8 weeks after my surgery and thought I'd never be rid of them. I hope you both heal and stop draining soon!

BTW, I went to the Look good feel better class tonight and I definitely recommend it to any of you who have not attended or registered for one. If for no other reason than you get a really nice complete make-up  and skincare kit of high end products. I'm literally throwing all of my old (cheap) stuff away. I usually wear little to no makeup and pretty much look like a corpse, so it's nice to look a little nicer every now and then! But it was really fun and the other ladies were all so inspiring. It was a nice time.

IamNancy and Karen JB, im so sorry you have to go through this added hassle, what we all have to endure makes me realize how strong we are. We will beat this nasty disease and grow from the experience!

Going for tax #4, but my first taxotere. Spent the WHOLE night awake, I think from the pre meds I had to take. I hate the insomnia,should be a fun day. I'm a bit nervous about possible SE, the neuropathy and finger/toenail stuff, but I know that it will beat that cancerous lump to mush, so bring it on!!

Hope everyone is doing well,Shari

Shari - hope all goes well with you today and you, too, Karen.. I have my treatment today too.. but after this one, I only have 1 more left.. yippee!!