Starting Chemo February 2013

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  • Sunday1856
    Sunday1856 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2013

    You all are awesome and I gain courage and strength from each of you!!  We can do this!

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    IamNancy Good Luck today I'm one week behind you and cant wait to say I have 1 or 0 left. Thanks to everyone who shares their stories I learn so much from all of you.

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  • McKatherine
    McKatherine Member Posts: 300
    edited March 2013

    LW - my nails look strange (redish ovals at the top and a cm or so of white right next to the nail bed line)but still feel mostly okay. The tips of my fingers are definitely less sensitive which makes typing interesting.

    Also - you asked about chemopause. My last period started the day of my first chemo and dragged on for 12 days before stopping (used to be a 5-7 days). I figure if we're going into chemopause there had to be a "last one" and it makes sense that it might be longer.

    It hasn't come back, yet. And now I'm having hot flashes - so I think I'm in chemopause.

    Sorry you're dealing with cycles on top of chemo! :(



    Started having a Mimi freak-out today thinking about radiation after surgery. Daily rads+kids at home+summer seems like a yucky combo. Wonder if I can wait and start rads after my little one starts Kindergarten in Sept??

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    Melody - thanks - today went well - I should have had a port as everytime the nurses go crazy trying to find a vein and they stick me at least 2-3 times before they find a good spot.. but not complaining as only 1 more treatment... so far feel ok except my legs feel like lead..nit sure what that is all about..good luck to you for next week :)

    Sunday1856- yes we can - we can all do this..

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Tangles: What probiotic are you using, how much, how often? My thrush is not going away, even with the liquid and pill medications. Just keeps hanging on. Thanks!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2013

    Oh I am sooooo JEALOUS of you gals that have one or are done. I am only half way there.

    Ywheels- The first 2 Chemo I had the thrush and took 5 days of diflucan. This round I am taking a probiotic I got at a local small town pharmacy It is called carepro advanced probiotic it is a multi strain blend with 2 billion CFU. I am also trying to eat a yogurt daily. I do still have a film and taste buds are shot, but I dont think I have the thrush this time. I do think I have had less nausea this time. Not sure if it has helped that? Odd I have no bone pain from the shot this time either. The only thing I am doing different is taking the probiotic.

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Tangles: thanks. I got a probiotic today and hoping this will help. I will not need that dreaded shot during Taxol so I hope I am done with that kind of pain. I am glad you did not have it. Your body is adjusting well!

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    Iamnancy I refused to get a port for 4 treatments and I'm doing fine, really glad i didn't get one and the nurse is a specialist finding veins. Odd though I offered to get a picc line and they never said to get one.

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  • Rdrunner
    Rdrunner Member Posts: 309
    edited March 2013

    wow youre lucky as far as I know I still have to get the neupogen shot while getting taxol. This cycle of AC is really tough.. my kids were a bit scared yesterday, my son said its the first time I looked sick since starting chemo.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited March 2013

    4th chemo went well, although I felt quite nauseated right at the end. Happy I was actually able to sleep for about 5 hours last night, as it was a very long 11 hour day yesterday. They had me ice my toes and fingers which wasn't as bad as I thought, hope it works.

    Rdrunner, it's funny about you saying your kids say you look sick, I noticed last week I developed really dark circles under my eyes and even with makeup, people were asking me if I am sleeping ok or if I was feeling alright-has definitely made me look less than prime! I do feel the same so I guess it's just another SE. Boy wait till the brows and lashes fall out :(

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Rdrunner: my counts have all been above normal so as long as they stay that way I won't need the Nuelasta shot. Also I only have 4 tx's. If the WBC goes below normal I will have to get but the MO is thinking it will be unlikely. Of course who knows. Even while I am sick with this horrible cold my WBC was high.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    one think I have noticed is I am developing wrinkles on my face I didn't have before.. around my mouth and on my chin...I guess its all the dry skin.. I need to find a good face cream I guess.. Is his happenning to anyone else?

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited March 2013

    My skin has changed dramatically. I bathe in lotion twice a day!



    Chemo 3 was Tuesday. Neulasta yesterday. Doing ok except weaker and still having gum tooth pain even with no dental problems. Hope I can say the same after this!



    Port wise - I think it depends on how many arms u can use. I only have one, so I got the port. A friend didn't and one loose drop of the chemo and she has a burned vein and a rash running up the arm. I'm still not a fan of my port as it pressing on my collar bone but I'm glad I got it. I will get it out when they redo my reconstruction that hasn't worked out in June. Yea.



    Best to you all. You are all doing great.

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2013

    IamNancy, me too! My skin is very dry and I can't keep enough lip balm on. I am still getting lines around my mouth like a 3 pack/day smoker, ugghh! I hope this is temporary, but I too am looking for a good creme to use around that area. Let me know if you come across something good. Hope your SEs are bearable this round!

    -Susan

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  • Heidi9256
    Heidi9256 Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2013

    Sitting here plugged in for TCH #3 out of six. Halfway! I've had just about every SE in the book and had to make the obligatory trip to the ER once - apparently chemo can tick off your liver enough that you can still produce gallstones even though you no longer have a gallbladder. Go figure. I've not had sx yet so I get to see the tumor shrink (DIE TUMOR DIE!). And there's been shrinkage. From 5.7 to 2.7cm. So, as bad as it is. This stuff does work and it's worth the suffering. Someone remind me of that next week when I'm hugging the toilet.

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2013

    Heidi I see we are on the same Chemo. I too had two trips to the ER and a ten day hospital stay after #1. I had Chemo#3 last Friday so I am only 6 days ahead of you. #3 has been much easier on me. I was VERY tired Sunday, Mon, Tues. Yesterday got better and today I feel not real bad. I have had less nausea and no bone pain this time. My taste buds are shot again and I have had some slight headaches.  Not sure if my body is getting used to it or what?? Who knows maybe the next round will hit me.(I hope not) I hope for you that this round will treat you too mild side effects! 8 weeks from tomorrow, not that I am counting down the days to the last CHEMO!!!!

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  • Heidi9256
    Heidi9256 Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2013

    Tangles: my last chemo is (hopefully) May 30 - 63 days! But I'm not counting down or anything either. The first one was horrendous. Let me be clear on that: HORRENDOUS. The second, while still significantly crappy, was not as HORRENDOUS. I'm hoping this is a trend. I know the weakness and fatigue is cumulative but I can take that over nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc any day.



    I also am looking more wrinkled in the face theses days as well. And I'm kind blotchy and pale (grey during during chemo) in general. I'm hoping these will correct themselves after chemo is done. If not, I wonder if insurance will cover cosmetic treatment related to chemo? Yeah, right. They're trying their best not to cover the cancer.

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  • Sunday1856
    Sunday1856 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2013

    Heidi - I am in the Denver area and start the same treatment on April 3rd!  Hang in there and don't look back.  You will be yoursel again!

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  • LW122713
    LW122713 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2013

    I too am looking a bit dead. Darker circles under my eyes and wrinkles. I've been fortunate to not have any until now but over the last couple of weeks they've started showing up and are more concentrated under and around my right eye which just so happens to now have a constant twitch that started early this week. I've noticed my hands too are starting to look old, wrinkly and dry. They've always been smooth. I'm hoping it doesn't get worse, I go for round 3 next Thursday. After that I'll be 1/2 way but don't want to have aged 20 years before this is over with!



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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2013

    I was at my daughter's school for her Easter party. A mom who I have talked with many times before apparently had not seen me since my hair fell out and didn't recognize me with my wig. Asked if I was my daughter's grandmother Frown  Nice boost for the old self esteem there.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    lw122713 - my hands have aged too..but it is really bad around my mouth and the chin - i am trying to slather my face with thick night cream to see if it helps


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  • LW122713
    LW122713 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2013

    DizzyMom: Oh no!! I am so sorry. I can imagine how you felt. That really stinks. Go out and by yourself a new outfit or shoes or both! It will make you forget about the stupid things people sometimes say. That's what I do shopping always makes things better.



    Nancy: I went to the Clinique counter at the mall and loaded up today. I now have eye creams, night time repair serum, moisturizers, the works. One of these bottles has to help.

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Nancy: I'm a fan of Lancôme and Oil of Olay products. I use tea tree oil on my fingers and toes.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    ywheels - i like lancome too.. but i bought a lloreal night cream cause it looked thicker.. tea tree oil - where do you get that? i sure need it especially for my toes - looking so dry.

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited March 2013

    I got tea tree oil at my local drug store it really helps

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  • kkmom
    kkmom Member Posts: 54
    edited March 2013

    Dizzymom,

    Lord - that was something else for that lady to say.  Hang in there.  I have lost a lot of weight from this chemo adventure and I noticed the other morning, the skin on my arms are very saggy.  For a moment when I was looking at it, I thought this sure does look familar.  Then I realized it was the same way I remember my grandmother's arms looked like when I was a kid....but I am only 54 years old, not as old as my grandmother was....yeaks......

    I am planning on going to one of the workshops - Looking Good, Feeling Good - sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  I understand the makeup and skin care products you receive are great. 

    Everybody have a great Easter weekend. 

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  • LisaMM
    LisaMM Member Posts: 120
    edited March 2013

    Happy Easter ladies! Hope you can crlebrate it with minimal SE!

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited March 2013

    Same to you LisaMM! with minimal SE it could be a Happy Easter.. Smile

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  • ywheels22
    ywheels22 Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2013

    Nancy: I got the tea tree oil at my local drug store. You can also get it at most health food stores. It smells but it supposed to help with preventing neuropathy.

    I start dose dense Taxol, x4 on Wednesday. I am glad to be done with AC. Here's hoping to miminal SE's on Taxol. The final AC really did me in and with the cold on top of it, which is still hanging on 8 days later, I hope Taxol is a bit kinder.

    Happy Easter everyone.

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2013

    kkmom, I did the LGFB class last week and really enjoyed it. The products you get are great. I hope you enjoy it. Have a nice weekend everybody and Feel Better!!

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