April 2013 Chemo Group

WELCOME Kimham! Kind of sick, but we are all in this together, like it or not

                                                              Heather

Once the IV meds wore off I took a few of the prescription pills on and off for just a few days. I had two nights where I woke up with awful stomach cramps. Both nights I took the severe nausea pain med that melts on your tongue. (Zophran? Sp?) That's a miracle drug! Within minutes my stomach was fine and I was back to sleep. I was back to normal by day 7. I lost 3 pounds the week of chemo, then gained it back the next week. Both weeks I craved fruit and made lots of fruit

smoothies. For a few days I

couldn't taste them, so that was

sad. I had to put salt on foods that I wouldn't usually salt, like sandwiches and cottage cheese. I drank a lot of water, but found it was harder to get down the second week. I guess that's it for now. My infusion is almost done. I need to come back in tomorrow for the white blood cell shot (neulasta?) then I'm good to go for two weeks.

Had my first treatment with Taxotere April 3, and today my scalp is a little "tingly" and has a weird sensation to it.  My hairbrush seemed to have more hair in it today than usual, not sure if it's my imagination or not.  Like the rest of you, I am absolutely dreading the hair loss.  Nothing screams unhealthy like a bald woman.  I'm on a three week cycle with my Taxotere so my next treatment isn't until the 24th.  Had a blood checkup a few days ago, everything was ok.  My WBC was like 25 though, compliments of the Neulasta.

Woke up Friday with a stye on my left eye!  Coincidence?  Chemo related?  Anyone ever heard of that before?

Hi Ladies!

Well, Chemo starts in a week so I am off to find wigs.

I wish I could just not do this. You know back out and run.

THinking good thoughts for all of you.

Kirklandgal~I'm experiencing the same with dryness (except for the eyes). I think the chemo sucks a lot out of us including hydration. I felt like I was drinking a lot, but I guess not enough. I've had a headache every day for a week, blood when I blow my nose, and definitely dry mouth and skin. I found the Biotene mouthwash helped with the dry mouth.

I'm a day behind you and am starting to feel the tingly scalp too

Feeling the dryness too - especially the last few days.  Nose and upper lip mostly.  

Started experimenting with how to wear scarves this morning in anticipation of losing my hair.  Quite a challenge for a non-fashionable person as myself!  Here's hoping that I learn how to wear them with style....

Let's talk fruits and vegetables a bit.  I know there probably is more info on another board, but thought I'd start here.

I have info that says to cook vegetables for bacteria purposes, but then also says to eat fresh lettuce/greens, etc...  A little confusing.  I am not much of a cooked veggie person so am wondering what i can/should be eating.  I've been eating salads with fresh crudites (washed, scrubbed), but am thinking maybe that's not so great.  

Frozen corn, peas, green beans, carrots should be ok?  

What to peel?  

Second chemo today - and again the nurse asked me why I didn't get a port. I told her the doctor said I didn't need one and then she proceeded to tell me why they are so nice...don't ruin your veins...blah, blah, blah   She's the third one that's done that. Makes me a little nervous. Otherwise ok, noneventful visit. They were actually really nice and friendly today.

Fruits and veggies - My MO said to just avoid certain things (leafy stuff, soft veggies/fruit or that has any sign of rotting even if you cut that part off) when my WBC/Neutrophil counts are low. What I've read says to avoid any pre-prepared stuff (cut up apples, lettuce mixes, etc) and stuff without skins, light skins, or difficult to wash. Wash skins really well before cutting anything. I have used apple cider vinegar 1:10 with water to wash fruits and veggies before, so I'm thinking that might be a good idea. I've also read not to eat any soft cheeses, take something to keep stuff cold/frozen at the grocery store and on the way home till you can get it in the fridge. Some veggies are actually better nutritionally when cooked, like carrots.

Drying - I had trouble with my sinuses, mouth and eyes the first go-round.  Saline spray worked ok for my nose, but I'm thinking I might try to use some kind of ointment/balm, too. I bought some Aquaphor ointment that was recommended on one of these boards and then realized it has petroleum in it after I got home and my doc's paperwork recommends non-petroleum based lip stuff, so back to the store. I also go "miracle mouthwash" rx from my MO and that really helped and I plan on using the Biotene mouthwash also.

Nausea/heartburn - I am just adding a couple of things to try, since I already had GERD before the BC and have learned a few tricks.  Chew gum after eating - it helps you salivate and saliva helps with digestion and also sooths your esophagus. Don't drink liquids with meals - it slows digestion. You can take some sips if you want but wait a while after eating and then drink something. I also sometimes drink ginger tea, slippery elm tea and drink aloe.

Cummulative effect - From what I've read it does seem to get worse as you go, but I'm hoping that I (and all y'all) will prove that wrong.  I'm really trying to use that week before the next chemo that I actually feel ok to boost my strength and eat stuff that will help raise my blood levels back up.  We'll see...

Just returned home from my first chemo. Started at 9am so it was a long day but I DID IT..... What a relief to have the first one down. Now that I know what to expect, I think the anxiety will not be nearly so bad for the next time.

Maybe some of you can relate to this and get a giggle. The chemo suites are arranged in an elongated half circle and centered on two nurses' stations. As a first timer, you are placed front and center and watched very carefully for an adverse reaction. Not accustomed to this much attention, it made me think of an inmate in prison. As the day wore on, and their attention never waned, I began to think they must have heard the inmate could be a runner.  

Warm hugs to all my BC sisters. Sleep well.

LOL the inmate could be a runner!!

Hope you have a restful evening.  

Well...1/2 day work is better than not at all I guess...boy did I pick a day to try and go back~ Craziness all around...felt very lethargic and in slow mo the whole time...we ending up on have 10 min of a news cast..Thoughts and Prayers for all those in Boston....was going on dinner break to get a better laxative....had a little movement there..but none today...and just decieded to hit the couch....think some good rest and a nce 'movement' well make me feel better....we shall see....chillin on the couch....<sigh>

had some brown rice with quinoa and a few beets for dinner...hope everyone has an easy night....

Congrats Onawing for not running!  I had flashbacks of a movie called "Coma" (way back) where they had all these people hooked up to tubes. I often get this feeling like it's not all real.  I suppose that's the chemo brain working, or maybe a defense mechanism. It's weird though.

Favorite current saying: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." 

Hushkat - I also have a sty and one eye has been twitching a lot (opposite eyes). Both of those things happen periodically, so I don't know if its from the chemo. But the eye twitching usually only happens for a day or so, off and on, but it's been every day, almost all day since I started the chemo.

Deb3kids - Sorry you are feeling so poorly. Here's praying, hoping and crossing fingers that you and everyone on here has a restful night's sleep and things will feel/better tomorrow.  Does anyone else have trouble keeping up with all the posts - remembering who said what? 

I hada a great day. I worked 8 hours that help keep my mind off of things.

I went to a support group tonight. We were to have a guest show us how to apply makeup. A look good,feel good. We got great makeup bags, but unfortunately she never showed up? Don't know what happened, maybe she got the wrong night. So with just three of us and our nurse, we sat and talked for 1 1/2 hours. So nice, the two other ladies have had chemo. One had her second this a.m., they other had her second last week. They both have shaved there heads. So I learned about what to expect, how to wrap scarves. Wearing caps at night to keep the ol noggin warm. I tell you my perio menopause makes me HOT, I. Might be glad to shave the head!

We talked about so many things. Two of us have the same doctors, surgeon, ps and oncologist. All three great! The other lady has not had her surgery yet, she is planning a prophylactic bmx. Chemo now to shrink her lump. It's great meeting new people, even greater that they are fighters! Make me feel confident, as does talking to you friends!

So first chemo, 9 a.m. I have my snacks packed. Nuts, cheese sticks, oranges, frozen grapes, iced green tea caffeine free, H2O. I have my books, a magazine, my get well cards, going to get those cards put in an album. I'll take my IPad, music, pillows and a blanket. I would LOVE to sneak my dog Whiz in, lol. He is a cuddlier! I bet he could be there snuggling with me and no one know! Of course the other two dogs at home would be mad!

Well friends, it's getting late. My prayers, my positive thoughts and my hugs to you all!

God Bless!

Deb3 I agree it is hard to respond to every post. I too would love to, and yes it would take all day

So I have been awake since 3:30 a.m. Can't sleep! Ugh! It is 4:30 now. I gave in and got up. Thank goodness my dogs follow me downstairs to the couch. They are great company. I am not anxious today for my " cocktail" chemo. I am just ready to go in there and get it started. I feel good aboutmitmtoday and know this is not long term. This isn't hurting me. This is "medicine" to make sure I stay healthy long term!

I was online last night looking at al kinds of cute hats. I'm not the girlie girl, but some werer adorable. I'm a simple country/ farm, gardening and camouflage kinda girl. I love cleaning up and looking pretty, so I like the idea of cute hats. Bandanas and scarves maybe not so much, will have to experiment.

I think I have already started in my mind at least. The countdown to hair loss, sounds inevitable. So today is the 16th, hair starts to come out 12-14 days after 1st round. That would put me roughly around May 1st. One lady I met last night, her girlfriends had a "HAT" party for her! How fun, I had read about that idea.

Great way to get a few different looks without spending a lot $