Chemo May 2013
Comments
-
Good morning Kate, hope all goes well for you today.
Deb I'm sorry about the liver tests and that you have to wait till next week to know more, hang in there.
Jenna I didn't realize Neulasta pain could take this long to show up. Wasn't prepared. I had to take dilaudid a few times through the night. Now I will keep on top of it. It's like no pain I've had before. But it can mean there is increased activity in the bone marrow. So that's good but enough already! -
Morning Ladies,
Had my second treatment yesterday which was uneventful. I did get to hear someone ring the bell! That was exiting...to actually see someone finish their long haul - gave me hope.
Cleaned house last night until 1:00 am in my steroid frenzy but slept well afterword with ativan. Woke this morning with some GI issues. Think I'll lay off the stool softener for today! Otherwise feel pretty good and am chugging fluids. Hair is finally giving up the ghost. Thinning at scalp along top of head. I could get by with just wearing hats for a while but the "fall out" of hair gets pretty annoying...finding it everywhere so am shaving it off this weekend.
Kate, have a wonderful day and weekend with the festivities. A major family milestone that you will remember forever. Enjoy it!
Goodluck to all who have had a recent treatment and are waiting on, or working through their SE's. Just remember, one more down and one less to go before we get to ring the bell!
Annie
-
Does your pain feel really sharp too, Lily? The day it started I got out if bed and almost fell to the floor. Was fine the day before. And it left as quickly the next day as it came.
Round 3 of A/C today! I caught my toddler's cold this round but never got any worse than a normal cold. I hope they let me do treatment and my blood counts are ok.
Has anyone had a worse time emotionally since treatment started? I spend so much time googling recurrence rates and survival and worrying I won't see my daughter grow up. I thought I would feel more power during treatment. Like I'm doing as much as I can do, if there's any cancer in my body it's getting killed most likely. I should feel safest now. I guess it's because chemo makes me feel and look like a sick person with cancer. I posted a picture of me looking healthy and radiant on my Facebook. It was from october snd In it I had cancer but didn't know it yet. Then I posted a pic of me bald, fatter, bad skin and said this is someone without cancer (assuming like the docs do that it was all removed with my bilateral). Doesn't make sense to me. -
Good morning ladies
3rd round ac finished yesterday. Horrific headache after. Maybe sinus maybe chemo? Anyone else experience this?
Deb so sorry to hear about liver tests and delayed chemo. I know it is easier said then done but hope you can relax and enjoy the weekend.
Jenna I too find the emotional side hard. I was told to stay away from Dr google so I do. But then I see people on the boards who went from my stage 3A to stage 4 within a year of treatment and I get scared. I can not imagine what it would be like to go thru this with young children! My youngest is 18... my biggest fear is never seeing my grandchildren. None on horizon so might have long wait! I try to take one day at a time but this cancer sucks big time!
Kate again Mazel Tov to you. Has your family all arrived from overseas? Enjoy every bit of this most special weekend!
Lisa -
JennaJMU - I can so relate. When I was diagnosed, every one from surgeon, oncologist, BC survivors etc told me that my bc was caught early and they had great treatments for it. I would have a tough year of treatments and then with 5 to 10 years of tamoxifen, I should live "to a ripe old age" I was so relieved and passed on the good news to friends and family and have had a good and positive attitude. Just one tough year and then get on with my life. I can do this.
But the doubts have started to creep in, probably because we feel like crap from the chemo etc, but also because my ears are tuned to hearing about every women who has a reoccurance, or suddenly finds she has mets and becomes stage IV overnight - or the ones who finally lose the fight. The scary part is when I see this happening to women with the same "early stage" as mine is. So I keep looking up survival and reoccurance rates and tell myself that even though I was told over 90% survival for my case...that still means 1 in 10 women will still die within 5 years. We hear about those but don't really get a good focus on the 9 who make it. So I think our perception is skewed a bit. I'm trying to focus on talking to the ones who are 5, 10, 20 years down the road who are doing great and are true survivors. I think they are the majority and we most likely will join their ranks. I have 2 teenagers that I want to see launched into the world and their lives...and know they will need me around as a home base and hopefully wise counsel. And I also want to be able to enjoy some "me time" after 19 years of raising kids as a mostly single parent...long haul, let me tell you!
So I try to keep it in perspective and flip the percentages around and think of the 90% instead of the 10%. I've been told that as time goes on, especially after treatment is over and you do get back to a "new" normal life (and have a few clear mammo's and scans under you belt) you really can distance yourself from the fear....it never goes away I'm sure, but it grows smaller and doesn't color every thought. So heres to getting there sooner than later!
Annie
-
Hi I know how you feel. I had bc seven years ago and started chemo two days after my sons bar mitzvah and now I got it again, don't let that freak you out, I had a double masectomy and in my fifth round out of six from chemo, bald etc and my daughter is getting married August 18. You need to look at the positive that we are here now and not think about the future plus while everyone is worried about how there hair will be mine will be perfect, Mazel tov and enjoy the day.
-
I'm posting a you tube video for your smile for today. For all of those dealing with SE and treatment right now. This 6 year old boy is autistic and just fantastic. I don't know if you know someone who is raising an autistic child, but it's very challenging. I have a friend who's son is sweet and full of energy, but gosh, I don't know how she does it and keeps a smile on her face all the time.
-
Hello Ladies,
The second round for me was eventful! Finally, day 7, post infusion I feel better again. Almost landed in the hospital for that fever that lasted for three days of 101. WBC down to 3 and ANC was low, so were worried about a neutropenic fever, which by the way will land you in the hospital. My MO gave me the largest pill I have ever seen full of antibiotic to treat me if I had an infection and gave me two days before another blood check, if counts were not up I was hospital bound! My WBC climbed from 3 to 15.5 in two days!. Girls that Neulasta shot, even though expensive, works wonders as you can see. Saved my butt! Makes the bone pain tolerable, I would rather have that than land in the hospital! BTW a hospital stay would be more expensive than that shot!
Itiswhatitis- I have huge veins, but when I enter that infusion room they duck and run for cover. Its just like you said- My body goes oh no you dont.......no more poison....... just try and find one of us! What is a pic line and how can I get one? Where do they put it? My really good veins are in my, do not touch, arm and the good ones I had are now no where to be seen? I have two more infusions and do not know where they will put them!
Its beautiful here in Maine today! Bright blue sky, and totally clear in the low 80's which is what we call wicked hot! Its feels so good! Think I will go to Freeport and do a little retail therapy!
Have a good day ladies, you all deserve it!
-
Jenna, I can totally relate, I was doing great, happy, smiling, my thoughts would travel sometimes, googling, looking at stats, but I was ok... I had the second treatment tuesday and all of a sudden I am so emotional. I have two teenagers that need me so much and cant help but worry. There is so much good going on around me, my eldest is graduating high school and is receiving all kinds of awards and scholarships and I'm trying not to miss any of the celebrating, my little one just made confirmation and is graduating 8th grade, having her birthday pool party tomorrow in theyard. There is so much to be thankful for, I just need to refocus on all the good.
Our chances are very good, we need to look at the positive. I know its so hard sometimes. One day at a time. My doctors keep telling me over 85% of all cases survive well. May God Bless us all and keep us safe. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!
-
Gully my veins are in hiding too. I had two treatments, two to go, not sure what they'll do. I had neutropenic fever, not fun. spent 2.5 days in the hospital. This time they gave me neulasta. Hopefully I will be ok this time. Have a great weekend and feel good everyone.
-
@Jenna, I go through the days of despair where I worry about not being here. I also have small children and worry about not being here for them. The numbers are 1 in 10 and I think why shouldn't it be me. It could be anyone I'm not different. The only thing that keeps me going is my faith and I truly feel that God showed me this disease at a early stage and why would he do that if I wasn't going to beat this. My cancer was so aggressive if it had not been found early I don't know what would have happened. The scariest thing for me is that all of my mammograms and US came back normal and I was told I wouldn't need to have anymore mammograms until I was 40. That would have been 6 years I don't want to even think about it. After my mastectomy the pathology report stated that over 40% of my breast had cancer, how on earth can that much cancer be missed?
Gully, a PICC line is a peripherally inserted central catheter. We use them in the hospitla for patients who need long-term IV treatment but don't have veins to support the treatment. They are generally inserted above the elbow, they are usually put in while you are awake with a local anesthetic. They are different from a port in that they are always "accessed" you will have IV tubing coming out of your arm with a dressing covering the insertion site. The dressings need to be changed frequently usually by an RN. They make life easier if you are a difficult IV start. When you shower you would need to cover it with plastic wrap and tape and I don't think swimming would ever be a good idea.
-
Lisa - had an ever so slight headache after my 1st chemo yesterday. Wasn't sure if it was the chemo or that I fasted for 40 hrs.
184 Jones - Weight gain with steroids is not uncommon.
UKKate - If it's stubbles from your head coming out, I read somewhere using a rubber type, kind of jelly type round lint remover works. Roll in on your head. Sorry, I can't remember the proper name for it. It seemed to work for one or more people. One person claimed it didn't work for them. Can't remember why.
Lisa - Had an ever so slight headache after my first chemo yesterday. Wasnt sure if it was the chemo or that I fasted for about 40 hours before chemo.
Deb - Glad life is good! That's good.
. May good continue.Jenna and Annie - When I do a lot of researching at one I get high anxieties. When on the occassion I do so, I then try and shake it off and try to get back in the moment and remember all of my blessing. Often it works.
MCGIS- Had my 1st chemo yesterday. Dexamethasone was also used for me. It was part of a trio that was used for nausea. Not one bit of nausea for me yet
fingers crossedTori - They gave me the emend and dezemthsone also. There was one more they added for nausea, Palonsetron (aloxi) The nurse said it is the best of the best combo that they've come up with. I have had 0 nausea. It is about 19 hours since the i.v. ing In regards to your friend saying something like "maybe when you have more chemo sessions, you will look worse too". Maybe somehow she was trying to make herself feel better not realizing the effect it could have on you. That would have an effect on a lot of people really. So many don't realize what they say can affect us. I wonder how many times I may have unknowingly said something hurtful. You may stay the same as you are through the whole process.
Kobrien - sounds like maybe it is your 1st time posting on the May board?!? If so welcome. I too have a cytaran and taxotere chemo cocktail. A note just in case you didn't know, taxatere can cause neuropathy. They say vitamin b6 is helpful for that. It has been mentioned that icing hands and feet during taxotere is helpful for neuropathy. I went in prepared for the icing on my feet and hands. the nurse told me she seldom sees neuropathy with taxotere. My left wrist had the i.v. in it, so I just iced my right hand. Got lazy on doing it on my feet. Also thought it would be interesting to see if my right hand ended up feeling different from the rest of the extremetes. So far no neuropathy anywhere. Also, just in case - for mouth sore reduction, ice chips in mouth through both chemo drips. Good luck.
Patty - Nice "For on Hand" at home list and thanks for "Good Wishes" link.
Lorrie - Sorry you had to go through 2 nurses and 4 pokes - YUK! I two am using a vein. Do you know of anything to do for the vein besides lots of water to help heal it? Maybe massage it or something? Hoping you are feeling fine after chemo yesterday.
Lorrie - Funny prank. Would have been good on video.
Kate - Have fun, fun, fun. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Gully - Enjoy your day in beautiful Maine today.
Worrywart 9390 - Ugh on 2.5 days in the hospital. I too hope you will be o.k. this time. Good wishes to you.
Peace through this journey for all - Carla
-
Carla, you gave me a good laugh that you could remember all our posts and respond to each...lol i'm lucky enough to remember one with my fuzzy chemo brain......
Hope your side effects are few. Enjoy the weekend!! Beautiful here in New York!!!!
Hugs to all!!
-
Worrywart, where in NY are you? I just woke up from a 2 hour nap, stuck my head outside to let my husband know our daughter wasn't getting off the school bus and when I put my head outside I thought the rest of my hair would fall out from the SHOCK of how hot it is outside!
It's 94 degrees. I'm melting just thinking about it! Lol. I'm in Westchester.
My daughter has Girl Scouts tonight,I think I am packing up the "to do" bag and sending it to my co-leader. Heat puts me in a nasty mood. Last thing I need is for 12 loud girls in the heat. Instead I get to sit and watch hubby and the boys in the pool. What a trade off!
Pat -
94 in Westchester? I'm headed there in 10minutes - Grand Central express. It doesn't look that hot outside of my office window. Braless be damned, my coverup is coming off! Tank-tops r' us.
-
It has dropped down to a balmy 92, you might want to keep the coverup on!
Lol -
Hot as hell in Florida!!!😁
-
Yeah, but you Floridians are used to "hell".
-
Hot here in Maryland too and I am cranky. Day 2 for neulasta then 3 hrs of fluids makes me cranky! Believe it or not I prefer chemo day to fluid day!
Hope all have a good weekend. Mine will be sleeping
Lisa -
Seems though SEs are going differently this time.... Woke up with a headache this morning and started getting nauseas this afternoon. I had no nauseausness afte first round. Popped an anti nausea pill and just took claritin for the upcoming pain that started 3 days in last round. Not feeling as good as I did after #1.... having an urge to cry, but my new grandson will be the remedy for that tonight!
Have a good weekend all
Happy thoughts
Lorrie -
Have fun with your grandson Lorrie. Hope the nausea goes away. Those nausea meds usually work pretty well.
-
Round 3 done and done! Feeling a little nauseous tonight, that happened last cycle and it went away over night! Hopefully it goes that way again!
Hope everyone has a good weekend!! -
Hope you feel better!!!! 💜 Does everyone go back for fluids??
-
Oh, bummer, my post got eaten. Grrr.
So, it's been awhile since I checked in here. I hope everyone is feeling ok, and holding up from the SE's.
Just had my second infusion yesterday. Doing ok today, just tired as all get out from lack of sleep. I have the worst time the night before my infusion, I just can't get my head to stop worrying over everything, and the steroids I'm taking certainly don't help.
GoWithTheFlow: I tried applying for the Cleaning for a Reason program but there were no openings in my area. Very disappointing, but a great service if you can get accepted.
Carla53: Hope you're doing well after your first chemo. I'm on TC as well. I don't know if it's true that it rarely causes neuropathy, but it can also cause terrible nail issues, which icing can help with as well. My cousing did TC last year and her nails turned yellow, thickened, and started lifting. I've heard others have actually lost nails completely. I tell you, I'm iced from head to toe when doing chemo, cold caps, fingers and toes!
ItIsWhatItIs: I'm in the same boat as you- Nurse was able to get the vein well enough, but suggested that I should get a picc line before the next round, as my "veins are pretty tiny". I also found it to be more uncomfortable this time around too. They're using a vein close to my wrist which makes it difficult to manuever and I'm always bumping it against something or bending my wrist in to it and making it hurt.
Gully: Same here with my veins-- the good ones are in my "do not touch arm" too. I was told the picc line would be inserted in my upper/inner arm. It requires a little more attention than a port as you need to keep it flushed if your infusions are more than a week a part, and just in general, not yanking it out, or getting it dirty. But it's a simple procedure to insert and remove, nurses usually do it, and it can be taken out as soon as your done with your final infusion. You don't have to get another painful procedure to get rid of it like you would with a port.
Debwarrior: Ouch, on the liver. Crossing my fingers for you that its nothing serious. I noticed on my bloodwork just prior to my second treatment that my liver panel numbers are all on the rise, but not so much as anyone is concerned yet. I just wonder if they're going to keep going up, or just stabilize now.
Jenna, I know just what you mean. I think about it often, that I felt fine before I knew had cancer, not sick at all. And now that I'm being treated for it, I look terrible, feel terrible, and am stressed out. It's all backward from how it should be, right? -
I had my port placed on Wed and chemo today. I had twilight and found it very comfortable...I turned into a chatter box but have no I idea what I was talking about ;-)
I am very thin and so there was not much body fat to put the port into and yesterday I was surprised at how much pain I was in. I called the MO office and asked if there was something they could do to reduce the sensitivity prior to accessing the port. They called in a script for Emla that I applied about 1 hr before my infusssion. Worked like a dream, I din't feel the needle at all. Today the pain is 90% better.
I was very anxious getting the first infussion and the nurse gave me Lorazepam which helped but it really knocked me out. I came home and went right to bed. Then the nausea and stomach upset hit hard. I have gastroparesis which causes; chronic nausea; chronic constibation; vomiting and lack of appetite. I was hoping that with chemo it wouldn't get worse but no such luck. I tood another lorazepam and domperidone (for the gastroparesis) and it helped :-) I even got up and tood the dog for a walk and ate some applesauce.
Iot to get better at controlling these symptoms...this is 1st day. I'll be doing the BRAT diet for a while.
-
Hi all,
Been lurking here for some time, first time posting. Had my first round of AC on Wednesday, doing 4 of these every other week for 8 weeks, then 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin, then Herception once every three weeks for the remainder of the year. I had no idea what to expect but this is sooo strange. I just feel like I am in a huge fog and kinda depressed. Just shitty...I can't really think straight, putting thoughts together is so hard. I spent a lot of today, when not asleep, sort of staring into space. Thank goodness I have lots of friends and family to help with the kids! Is anyone else experiencing this? I've been feeling so positive up till now, but am just sad today.
-
Hi Robin and Shannon - sorry to welcome you to this group, but I hope we can provide some of the support you need during this time.
So, I'm up typing an entry at 3:30a the morning after I was my absolute tiredest so far. My DH and I were laughing last night as we ate dinner (well, I didn't really have the energy to laugh) that I was only moving my lips slightly and my eyes were about half open. Phew! Talk about zombie. And despite that (and half the dose of steroids this round) I am awake now after 5 hrs of full sleep and 2 hrs of laying in bed. I took my Ativan about 30mins ago, and hope it puts me back to sleep shortly. Ah well, I planned for a weekend of sluggishness anyway.
Alibeths - I do not go back inbetween my dose dense A/C chemo treatments. I was just told to drink 2 liters of fluid every day (at least half water, and then suppliment if needed with lemonade, iced tea, popsicles, watermelon, soups, broths, etc.). I also take my neulasta shot myself (in the work bathroom!) 24hrs post the end of my chemo infusion. I think the prep and follow-up around a chemo infusion is a little different based on what hospital you are using.
I think someone asked a question about feeling sinus issues after an infusion (lpc?), and I get that after they finish up the cytoxan. Nurse said it's a side-effect, but goes away after an hour or so. Mine always develops in the last 10mins or so, even though they slowed the infusion down this time, it didn't matter. Feels like I have to sneeze - itchy in my upper nose and around my eyes, even a little headache.
Deb - I'm thinking about you. The waiting is so hard! Hoping your treatment gets on the fast-track again, and that your counts are good and stable, and your liver is healthy.
Kate - is today the big day? I hope you are getting a great night's rest, and have a most fantastic time.
-
Shannon57 are you in the trial for the Herceptin for Her2 low women?? Your treatment schedule is exactly like mine and I'm in that trial...
-
Good morning all
Day 3 post dose dense ac is my worst. Thank God only one more to go. Mo says the taxol is easier. Woke up to take my claritin and to check in before more sleep.
Alibeths my mo insists on fluids second day to flush bladder faster. I would much rather drink at home. 2 days in the chemo chair make me cranky!
Shannon days 3 and 4 are always a waste for me. By day 5 am back to work. Family and friends have adjusted to this schedule thankfully which makes life much easier.
Ljaeger I mentioned headache to mo. We are pretty sure infusion of a was too fast. Will definitely make sure it goes much slower next time. First 2 doses no problem then bam worst headache ever.
Kate hope today is beautiful and you are able to post some pics for us next week!
Great weekend all
Lisa -
Hi Jenna - No, I'm not in the trial, I'm her2+, however our treatment is the same. It's strange to me how many different treatments there are out there. Just getting up to speed on everything here.
LJaeger - Thanks for the welcome! It's nice to have a place to come to
I'm hoping that I'll feel more myself after today (day 4)...this fog is killing me! Driving was horrid this morning, I feel like I can't focus on anything and I feel so bad for the kids. I have no energy, no patience...just nothing.
Here's to a better tomorrow!
http://youtu.be/CpF3326_b5g
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team