April 2013 Chemo Group

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2013

    Hi ladies.  I've been reading but not posting much.  Yesterday was Day 11 after first chemo & the first day I felt I might make it.  Today I had my first food outside of the BRAT diet - even it if was only poached chicken breasts. 

    Thanks for everything you've shared.  It really helps.  My thoughts are w/those who have another treatment this week.  I'm going for a much shorter hair cut tomorrow & looking for a wig & "hats w/hair" on Tuesday. 

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    Hi all! Sorry for the long post here. (Get a cup of tea! lol)



    I am totally overwhelmed by all the postings here and wish I had the bandwidth to keep up better. I'm reading everything -- and by the time I'm done reading, my brain is fried. And I feel so much emotion.



    Welcome to our newcomers! Sorry you have cancer. It sucks! But I am finding peace as time goes on, and I wish that for you, as well...along with some joy and laughter.



    Last night I asked my husband to remind me about the times during our 20+ year marriage when he did something so "stupid" that it made me laugh until I cried. He indulged me, remembering many more instances than I did. And as he reminded me, almost reenacting those moments, I laughed until I cried, again... And again, by myself, later in the evening, as I relived the moments in my mind.... And again, right now. God, I love to laugh. I think he remembers every single time he has made me laugh that hard. Partly because of his embarrassment, and partly because there is little he enjoys more than making me laugh. Ahhhhhhh.......



    Tips and chemo thoughts:



    2nd round was easy during infusion.



    Because I was soooooo constipated after chemo #1 (5 days!!!) my MO changed/lowered my anti-nausea med during infusion. I was prepared for more nausea, but it was totally manageable with ativan, .5mg, every 4 hours, at slightest sign of nausea (or the pre-nausea gurgle I seem to get).



    I took senna beginning the day before chemo, morning (2pills) and night (4 pills!!), plus miralax and psyllium husk fiber (3T. over the course of the day). And I had good results -- no loose stools, either. I'm a tough case in this department! Now I am tapering off the senna. OK so far.



    I expected sinus problems this time (because they were horrendous with chemo 1). So, I am doing a regimine of twice daily nasal rinses, plus taking plain mucinex to keep the mucus thin. It's working great.



    I bought disposable vinyl gloves at Target and use them so that my hands don't get so dried out from frequent washing. That had been driving me crazy! And I wash my hands well, whenever I get home from somewhere and before I handle food, or eat. I use Purrell, too.



    I sleep more, using meditation CDs if I'm mentally restless. I think it's helping the fatigue.



    I walk 4 times a day for 10 minutes, being sure to get my heart rate up--bare minimum.



    I drink tons of clear liquid. I think this makes a huge difference!!



    My liquids regimine:



    Wake up, drink 10 oz. warm water with a few drops of apple cider vinegar, and take my probiotic



    Then, I drink my one cup of coffee... Yum!



    Next, over the course of the morning and afternoon, I drink 3, 24-oz containers of clear liquids-- usually water with a splash of either organic bottled lemon juice or unsweetened cranberry juice. Sometimes I use warm water to give me more variety. Plus it goes down more easily.



    I drink a cup of hot herbal tea in the late afternoon.



    After dinner, I finish my 3rd cup of flavored water, if I haven't already.



    Bedtime, 20oz. of hot peppermint tea with miralax in it.



    Sorry if this is TMI. Just thought more detail might help someone.



    I have a big speaking engagement, and two trainings to give later ths week in Massachusetts. I'll have to fly to get there, and stay in a hotel. I'm preparing the best I can and trying to stay healthy so I can deliver! It's the only event I have kept on my schedule during chemo tx. Wish me luck! The people who hired me know I have CA and and that i'm getting tx. They are being wonderful about it.



    Wow, sorry for the book!!!



    Best wishes to all who are getting chemo this week, to all who are dealing with icky SEs, and to those nervously preparing. You'll be ok. This is totally doable!



    I'm at peace with my shaved head now, but no tips.... I've probably exceeded my word quota! Lol



    Xxxxxxxoooooooo to my sisters! You ROCK! So brave, strong, and kind!!







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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    you can NEVER EXCEED your quota here Katie....it's OUR SOAP box when we chose to and even things YOU don't think about MAKE a HUGE difference. I have become a WATER FREAK....in 10 days since I got my home water deli every I'm on my 3rd jug...that's 10 gallons of water in 10 day, JUST @ HOME ..i drink water at work too...this was a GOOD week...I worked M-S.., 6 days...I told them at the station, TAKE ADVANTAGE while I feel good. Even though i live alone, I get text, calls and video chats with friends from ALL over. My college buddies even created a private group on FB...A Healing Circle for A Friend.....

    And it's like I have Chemo BALLS...i can say things to folks I"D NEVER get away with...My journey started with the death of a HS friend @ 50......scared me ....went for a physical and Dr said...GET A MAMMOGRAM.....well before a vacation, I went to one of the mobile units by my house ...and THAT started my road....

    Yesteday I called my friend who passed mother, she's NOT DOING well AT all.....mostly stays home and cries...UNDERSTANDABLE, but Terri died in Dec....Carolyn her mom has another daughter 5 grands (one who's getting MARRIED this summer) and a GREAT grand Terri had gotten custody of the summer before she passed. Well I told Mrs Carolyn now TERRI (her daughter) was with me EVERY day and standing over my shoulder when i got my treatments...I FELT her there......Mrs Carolyn cried, so did I, but I think I SHOCKED her when I told her Terri KNOWS and SEES everything and she needed to LIVE FOR THE LIVING....her FAMILY and Grandchildren NEED her....i would NEVER say that to her in the past...and a Friend who has family and alcohol issues tried to go on a RANT with me about how awful her family is airing her dirty laundry in public...I listened but then sent her a PICTURE of the HAIR ball i staved from yesterday...i Swear it was like having a CAT again....HAIR EVERYWHERE....well that picture SHUT her up....and made her THINK...others might have it WORSE...and believe me I KNOW I am BLESSED and others have it A LOT worse off than me.....

    Ok Here's the soap box BACK....and Katie....Laughter IS THE BEST.....I love to laugh till I CRY~

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  • heather214
    heather214 Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    Jen987 & 6cats: I finally experienced "THE" headache". Last week I literally had a headache for 3 days. It was unbearable. Nothing seemed to help, Motrin, painkillers, nothing. I was a nightmare to deal with! What is that? It finally went away, thank God!

    After my "head on fire" experience last week, I also used a razor to take ALL the hair off, it feels so much better. What a relief! My daughter says I now have a "baby butt head" whatever that means, LOL!

    WELCOME newbies, and hope everyone is doing well and had a good weekend. Chemo day on Thursday, and today is when I usually start the dread. Dose-dense SUCKS!  No time to recover at all, I feel like I get so few "good" days, but as someone pointed out at least it will be done faster. Still having a lot of breast pain, I am hoping this means the pre-chemo is working, and not because it is NOT. It is getting harder and harder to not just want this out of me now, but my Drs. assured me the cancer will not spread while on chemo. I am sure hoping they are right. It does seem like my breast is shrinking some, so maybe?

    Thought for the day: Cancer SUCKS! =) Hey, it's Monday....

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  • Tricia81
    Tricia81 Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2013

    My daughter caught a cold at school. Needless to say it got passed around the whole family including me. I had to go to ER yesterday bc my temp was 101.2. The ended up admitting me. I was hoping they would discharge me today, but they are keeping me at least another night. My MO came to my room this morning and said that from now on I'll be getting the shots after chemo. Not what I wanted to hear! I've heard so many bad things about the side effects. Anyway sorry for complaining. I just want to go home! Actually I want life to return to normal. I miss normal!

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    Tricia, sorry to hear you're in the hospital! I just wanted to let you know that while the neulasta can cause major pain, many peope do not have that SE. I have done just fine with the neulasta. Little to no pain. I take Claratin every day, not just on shot day. So, here's hoping you'll do ok with it. And we're here to support you no matter what!



    Heather, my head pain was horrible when my sinuses got too dry after chmo 1. I'm sure that wasn't your problem, but just thought I'd mention it. I want to shave my head completely. But I don't know how! Lol



    Take care, all!



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  • blessed_buttafly
    blessed_buttafly Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    Hello All,

    This is my first posting, and I am blessed to be able to join you. I am a 35 year old african american female, I was diagnosed with invasive stage 1 and insitu stage 0 in jan 2013 in the left breast. The cancer was ER+/PR+/HER2-, I had two lumpectomies in which we achieved a 4mm clear margin, thank GOD for his blessings, I am now having chemo once a week for 12 weeks(Taxol), then the big 3 for 4 treatments, then rads for 4 weeks, then tamoxifen for 5 years. I've had two chemo treatments and so far so good, no major issues, seems normal, just a little tired at times. I'm a police officer and the only time ive taken off has been for a week with the surgeries. Ive still been patolling the streets feeling fine. I recieved the results of my genetic testing which advised no mutations found, thats BRCA1&2, thank GOD for his blessings, I have three beautiful daughters, that my husband and I are raising, and I'm glad to know there are no DNA mutations. Back to my chemo, I had very long beautiful hair, that always grew fast. I cut my hair to about 1/2 inch all over (it's quite cute on me) just in case it started to fall out. Well I haven't lost any as of yet, I hope I don't, but if I do, so what, its hair, it will grow back, I love my life more than I will ever love my hair. I want to do the blog thing,I just need to figure out how to get started with it, I want to share my story, my journey, this brief walk with breast cancer. As far as I'm concerned, we all became survivors when we were diagnosed and decided we were going to fight!!!!

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  • heather214
    heather214 Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    Tricia, so sorry you were hospitalized! Prayers for a fast recovery...

    Virginia, I just used a standard pair of clippers to start, got me to about a 1/4 inch. Then, I used a regular razor to shave that off. The little "buds" were falling out anyway, I was able to scrub most of it off with a washcloth before I used the razor. As far as the headache, it was almost like a migraine. Indescribable. Just relentless, like some of the others on here. My sinuses have been awful too though (I already had chronic sinusitis with 2 surgeries since 2000 to try to clear them out).

    WELCOME Blessed... I hear you about the BRCA, I have 2 daughters and will take the test this week. I am worried for them.

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for the head-shaving tips! I want to do it..... Could be fun ;)

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    WELL it is DONE

    and I feel like with each pass of the clipper, my burden was being lifted a little at a time....NO tears...and with Friends....on of my besties even had Flowers Delivered...

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  • kobrien
    kobrien Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2013

    Maybe a little off topic... But does anyone on here smoke? I do.. Having such a hard time stopping.. Probably what's causing my wound to heal as slow as it is.. I want to stop.. But so so hard!! Any tips, ideas- suggestions? All will be appreciated..

    Thanks!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2013

    Kobrian:  There is a great Stop Smoking Support group on the threads.  It's under Help Me Get Through Treatment.  My system won't let me copy & paste, but if I've typed it correctly, here's the link       community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/727307.

    There are women who are long time quitters and always members working on quitting.  Good ideas & good tips & support. 

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  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2013

    Tomorrow I get my third AC treatment. Hoping this go round will be kinder. :) G'night everyone.

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    Hope it's kinder for you too Rosina0015

    just found this article a friend of a friend wrote on Working with cancer...interesting read....

    http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/04/25/cancer-career-working/?iid=SF_F_River

    the OUT POURING of Love and Support I got from sharing my journey on FB has been OVER WELLING~~ hearing from friends near and far...it's just crazy.....Feel Fine, but have my next treatment Friday...go Thursday for blood work....hope everyone has a peaceful day...

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  • dingaling12
    dingaling12 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    Hello, This is my first time on any type of forum. I had my first Chemo, Taxetere, Carboplatin, Herceptin on April 22, 2013, and then the Neulasta shot on the 23rd. I took the Claritin everyday, but I was afraid my stomach wasn't going to handle the pain meds (ibuprophen, tylenol, and etc.) so I had all over pain, non specific for about 3 days. It seemed like it moved. My biggest thing is diarrhea. I ended up in the emergency room on Sunday 4/28/13 to get fluids. It started on Thursday and is continuing even today. I am so hungry when I get my stomach to calm down, but can't eat anything substantial because of the diarrhea. I lost 8 lbs the first week. I ate like a pig the days I had the steroid, then it all went downhill. Is anyone or has anyone had this problem and was there something special I can do to get this diarrhea under control so I can eat?? 

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  • shipsgirl
    shipsgirl Member Posts: 264
    edited April 2013

    Here we go again.  Off to do blood work today and round #2 begins on Thursday.  Still have my hair (cold caps) and finally feel great again.  It seems "wrong" to do this to myself when I feel so good.  lol

    Blessings to everyone today.

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  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2013

    Really. Why do I have butterfly's in my tummy. My #3 chemo appt is in an hour....I should be ready for this right? Does it ever get easier?

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  • heather214
    heather214 Member Posts: 142
    edited April 2013

    WELCOME everyone!

    Virginger, you look great! Awesome job on the confidence too, love it!

    Rosina, I have no idea if it gets easier. I have #3 this week, and I always start the "dread" the Monday of that week, because that is usually just when I start feeling better and then BAM. I hope today goes well for you and that you do not have any/many side effects.

    I am noticing (because I am a perceptive person and love to watch people) that people are so much nicer to me when I go out without my wig. My daughter hugged me after going into a restaurant last week because she "loves how confident I am", that meant a lot. I am getting more comfortable going out with just a hat. I hate to say it is "sympathy" but hey, I will take kindness where I can get it. I am having a hard time just "accepting" gifts and kindness from my friends, which I know is absurd. I had a friend send me several hundred dollars this week, and I was mortified. It is meant to enjoy Mother's Day with my girls, as she knows money is tight. But, I agonized over returning it, etc. I don't know why, I am used to being the one helping I guess.           

               THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    Happy day all. Remember to keep your chin up, your heart open, and your mind uncluttered.

                                                                                          Heather

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  • shipsgirl
    shipsgirl Member Posts: 264
    edited April 2013

    Hi Heather, I have to chime in here.  I so get what you are saying about accepting help and gifts and kindnesses.  I think we all do.  But consider that in your accepting those things, you are actually GIVING back.  People want to express love and support especially when we are facing something big like this.  They want to help and they want to give.  It's more loving of you not to deny them that opportunity, than to graciously decine.

    I have been overwhelmed with offers too and I had to make a conscious effort to let people do this.  For them.  It's not that they see me as needy, it's that they want to show me they love me.  Every time it's difficult for me to accept, I remind myself that it's a gift to them to do it.

    I'm thrilled for you that you have such loving, caring support.

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  • Gardengirl33
    Gardengirl33 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2013

    Good afternoon ladies. Wow everyone sounds so confident with their heads shaved!

    I too hope I will have that confidence. Today I'd day 14 after my first chemo, my hair is coming out a lot! All I need is give a slight tug and pull, and out it comes! Question, cut it within inches, or wait? I'm buzzing it in just three days. Just winder how. Messy it will be in shower, brushing and combing? Tis morning I brushed I tout really, really well. The. Again after shower, but three times today I can run my fingers through my hair and look a magic trick!

    I too dread the chemo a week from today, it easy last time during treatment. It's the fatigue afterwards! Blah

    Hugs to all.

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited April 2013

    It was so freeing. I have it on YouTube if you'd like to see....it was to me like WORRYING about losing my hair GAVE it POWER...and ME taking control of the whole thing ON MY terms...AT MY time...I HAD the POWER....

    Plus it's one step closer to BEING DONE~

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  • Gardengirl33
    Gardengirl33 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2013

    Virginger, wow! You make it sound easy! One moment I feel confident and ready, th e next ready to ball my eyes out.

    My rational adult says, " it's only hair, just h-a-i-r. Then there's my inner child crying, " noo don't want to."

    One step closer to being done, yes! I can do this.

    I have also been blogging sure helps pouting out of the emotions and thoughts.

    Yes! Your You Tube would be a great inspiration! Thank you.

    Ok, logging off. Going to walk my dogs! That'll make me feel better!

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2013

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T9ofL22e2c

    and here's the story our Sports guy did last night...sorry for the Commercial before, but Hey, that's the cash register baby....

    http://www.wcnc.com/video?id=205452571&sec=552547

    they interviewed me Live today for the 4pm show...still havn't see it but will post the link once  I upload it.....ah..the life of a workin girl...

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  • indenial
    indenial Member Posts: 504
    edited May 2013

    Virginia thank you for sharing!! That made me tear up & laugh all at once. I can't believe how beautiful you look bald. I also had a big AHA moment, why didn't I use an electric razor??? 

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  • Rosina0015
    Rosina0015 Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2013

    Heather- I've been home for about 5 hours and just feeling sleepy (SE Zofran), eaten lunch and dinner just fine and for the first time I have NOT vomited today. Took a 2 hr nap. Yes!! Not sure if this has anything to do with the extra IV fluids I asked for. Taking it one hour at a time.

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  • CarolA5587
    CarolA5587 Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2013

    Hi, all!

    Rosina, glad this is starting off easier this time for you. Maybe this will be a walk in the park! I'm already dreading my next one and it's over a week away. You dread it when you don't know how it will be and then it seems we dread it when we are afraid we do know what it will be. Hmmmmm.

    Love the video, Virginia. You are beautiful. Hope I look half as good. I'm wondering when that will happen. Strangely, it's been 14 days since my first treatment and I haven't detected any hair loss. Didn't have very thick hair to begin with.

    Yesterday, my fever finally vanished. I discovered that if it started to rise, then I would start chugging the fluids, and my temperature would start to back down. I know they tell you to drink plenty of fluids with a fever, but I don't think I ever understood how much that could affect it. I'm convinced that fluids may be THE most important thing we can do in this process to keep feeling good.

    Hope all of you are doing well after your treatments. Keep us posted.

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  • Speedy4
    Speedy4 Member Posts: 136
    edited May 2013

    Tricia~sorry to hear you're in the hospital! I was in the same boat after my first treatment. I had my 2nd treatment on Friday and the Neulasta shot on Saturday. I've been taking Claritin and so far haven't had any SEs from the shot.



    Very cool video Virginia!

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  • PamelaKay
    PamelaKay Member Posts: 107
    edited May 2013

    Today was supposed to be chemo number 2. Because my surgical wound isn't healing as it should, my MO cancelled this treatment. It is NOT a relief. I just feel stalled: I want to get this chemo over and done, not have it go on forever. I just can't help feeling that 2013 is just jinxed to be my unlucky year. Because of the wound not healing (plus a minor infection on my cuticle--lesson: don't do cleaning without gloves), I am on antibiotics for about the third time this year. Two long weeks to wait and try to heal.

    The good news it the mouth soreness is better (went away about day 10 after my first chemo). I still have my hair, but am definitely shedding. Not sure what will happen to my hair with the month-long hiatus between treatments. 

    Someone mentioned feeling irritable, and yes, I certainly have been. I think the steroids do that, plus making me want to eat everything in sight and feel slightly manic.

    I'm also curious: I was told not to take Ibuprofen and Naproxen (Aleve), but only take Tylenol. I notice several people mention taking Ibuprofen and Naproxen. Perhaps there is a difference depending on what chemo you are getting? 

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  • OnaWing
    OnaWing Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2013

    Virginia, you rock!!!

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  • Virginger
    Virginger Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2013

    Rosina...rock ON sister...LOVE the LOOK.....I've still got peach fuzz...LOL

    PamelaKay so sorry it's being prolonged for you..that really DOES suck.

    Glad ya'll enjoyed the video...I look at it as PAYING Forward...and think of All of you, even though we've never met, but have touched me more than you can know....

    Hope everyone has a happy and peaceful Hump DAY~

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