Chemo May 2013

I went to the Dr yesterday to have my in between chemo treatments blood work done.  My white count was REALLY low, if it doesn't come up enough before my next treatment (14th) then they will have me do neulasta.  Not too crazy about that because I had really bad joint pain and muscle aches just from the chemo, now they might want to add bone pain.  Ugh! 

I take two steroids the day before treatment, one the day of and two the day after.

I used Tylenol this last time, the aches got worse as the day went on and made it hard to sleep.  They said if I need the neulasta shot they can prescribe me something for the pain so I can manage it better. 

Does each chemo treatment get better/worse/the same/varies...? Just curious if I can prepar myself each time in a better way.

When your hair falls out does it hurt? My scalp and hair hurt. I'm on day 10. I hear day 14 is typically when it happens if it does. How does it come out? In clumps? I'm clueless.

Has anyone had stomach issues after chemo in that you feel gassy/crampy/almost like hunger pains and then you go to the bathroom ALL the time. My bum bum hurts!

And I never thought water could taste bad!

I took Tylenol for my achy legs, they also said I could take ibuprofin.  My legs hurts worse the longer the day went on so by the time I was ready for bed it was BAD!

Water tasted bad for me too.  I add just a little bit of juice to my water to give it a little bit of flavor.  Made it easier to get my 2 liters in a day. 

ItisWhatitis-it seems like a downer anytime I check the SEs on any of the treatments ahead of me. Can only research a little at a time and that's almost too much. Although knowledge is important. Re tamoxifen, I was freaking out a bit too because 1. I didnt like the SEs and 2. FOR 5 yrs. Heard of a couple of people who were on it and their main SE was hot flashes. So I am hoping mine will be minimal too. Now for the eyelashes, that is something that is probably coming up soon. I just have this feeling my eyelashes and eyebrows won't grow back.

Robin-Glad your lungs and heart look good. It's all pretty overwhelmingly sometimes.

Patty-I'd say day 5 the red spot appeared. Today is day 7. It's not itchy. It's red and warm to the touch, just a little painful and my hand is ever so slightly swallon. It started off migrating to different areas on the back of my hand and lower arm. It settled on the area where the iv went in. It's grown a bit today and now have one that has settled on the side of my arm. My onc prescribed antibiotics.

Elkatho-Hope it continues to go o.k. for you this go around. It's great that your hubby has a fishing tournament. Sound like fun. I wish him well with it.

Teresa-In re to the neulasta, just in case you didn't know, taking 24 hr clariton for several days has helped many people with bone pain. You can take advil also. If you still have severe pain, there is another option for the next go around. A few days after treatment your white cell count would be determined. If low a shot is given. Each day for a few days your white cell count is determined, if you need a shot that day, then it is given.

Mcgis-In re to mouthsores. 1 cup water w/ 1 tsp baking soda and salt.swich 30 seconds and spit. Several times a day. I also read swiching with benadryl. But if it's really bad, maybe you can be prescribed something. Good luck with it.

Itiswhatitis...Loosing eyelashes has been a big concern for me, more than my hair on my head. Looking forward to hear about the process.

Hi ladies



Wondering if anyone else is dealing with major sinus problems? I am dealing with post nasal drip which is making me cough til I am gagging. Apparently it is keeping whole house awake. Dr says claritin...already take everyday. Tried nyquil no luck. This is driving me crazy and lack of sleep is wearing me down!



Appreciate all suggestions.



Lisa

Lisa-have you tried a saline rinse either by netti pot or spray? The salt water drys the passages for a while.

Anyone get massages while doing chemo?? How about acupuncture? Thanks!!!

Pat..

I didn't go to the class.. but have looked up the tips for being creative with the eye makeup....

 I just really want to have lashes.

Rockermom...

I'm not going for extensions.. would be a waste of money as the lashes are falling out. LOL... I'd go back and say.. "they only lasted a few days! I want my money back!"

I am going to have her put fake ones on. A gal my sister works with went to her when she was in chemo for BC (Small world!) and said they look completely natural, last quite a while, but can be spendy. I figure, the money I'm saving on hair products can go to making my face look normal! haha

Sorry about the cough Ipc... I felt like my cough was due to thick saliva with my mouth issues... I'm not having any sinus issues and it's totally alergy season here in OR, especially with the nice weather we've been having.

I hope everyone is have the best day possible!!

Happy Thoughts!

Lorrie

ItIsWhatItIs2013 - Ok, I wasn't sure what you were up to! The strips should be ok. I think I will be looking at getting some too when the time comes
I know lash extensions can be WAY more expensive! My client this morning had a fresh set on, it looks so pretty.

Well....

So it turns out the gal thought I WAS talking about extension... Had an apt set for tomorrow morning. Then she texted me this evening asking for a pic of my eyes to better prepare for the "extensions" ... I told her, "no... Fake lashes to replace the ones that are falling out"....

Long story (& 20 texts later haha) short. I'm better off going to Sallys beauty to buy them.. She suggested getting the 'whispies' or 'Demi whispies' by Ardell. They are the most natural looking. She also said to get clear or black waterproof glue. The lashes cost about $6/set and can re-use them for up to a month, but doesn't suggest showering or sleeping with them.....

Oh bother! Why can't something as simple of this work out? I don't care! I'm going to go to Sallys tomorrow! I can't bear so many changes to how my body feels & now to how I look! I still want to look like Lorrie, dammit! Hair gone, fine! But my face is gonna be ME!



Michelle,

Thanks, but I think I'll pass on the class... Kathy (I'm sure you know her from the C Institute at the hospital) visited me at my first chemo and suggested it as well as support groups.... It's just really not my cup-o-tea... Kathy is an AMAZING lady though! Are you going or have you been to the one here?

Another thing... My Onc office called me the day after my last treatment to let me know that they wer referring me to get that picc.... No one has called. I'll call the Onc office on Monday but I told my hubby (now that I'm feeling better again) maybe I'll try another IV try... Haha funny how quickly we forget how horrible things can be!

No, I'll call to get the picc in.



FYI.. I'd say that more than 75% of my stubble is gone.... Leaving white! White.... Splotches all over my head! I'm so glad I buzzed before seeing the hair come out like this...



At the bottom of the back of my head/neckline, I'm getting an itchy rash. It may be from stubble rubbing the wrong way under my hats? But my sweetie is drilling a well for a guy that runs a "med dispensary" and brought home some grape seed oil with THC... I rubbed it on & OMG........ No more itch! Aaaaagh!



Considering a medicinal med for my bad days.

My sweetie is a smoker, but since back in my college days I dont care for it.... I may try it next round after talking to so many that it has helped. I told my boss about it & he says, " if you need to smoke dope to feel better, do it!"

I love my boss! Hahahaha



Haha we'll see if I do it or not. My sweetie brought home a thing... "bong?" that should help me from coughing a lung up.... OMG..... Life really deals us a variety of things .... doesn't it? If I decide to do it after next round, I'll let u know if it helps?!!!



Happy thoughts!

Lorrie

mcgis: I too am having a lot of scalp pain! I thought I was the only one! It is extremely painful & I don't know what would help. I'm about 16 days out from my first chemo treatment. I still have a full head of hair (although I don't think its gonna last). I got it cut short, but it sure isn't helping with the pain. I also have a very sore nose & throat. Mostly I have been thankful that the side effects haven't been worse. I was told by my two oncologists that with the super strong cocktail of chemo they have me on that my hair would fall out within days & that I would have severe joint pain, nausea, etc. So, far, so good. My blood count has been borderline, but they haven't ordered anything special yet. Oh, I do get the neulasta shot after the chemo, so that is probably helping some. Most of my issues actually seem to come from the actual treatments. They have a hard time accessing my port & I seem to be allergic to everything! The first treatment caused me to have some sort of allergic reaction. I got really hot, sweaty & turned bright red and became pretty much immobile. It was pretty scary, but everyone reacted fast & it turned out okay. They had to turn the IV into a super slow drip, so I was there for over 9 hours. Unfortunately I've been reacting to everything, so I get to take lots of steroids & benadryl - which then causes me to not sleep for days, feel very anxious, and jumpy, yet exhausted at the same time.

I haven't been allowed to return to work. When I asked my doctors about it; they laughed & told me I had a great sense of humor. I wasn't meaning to be funny. I have 3 kids to feed, house payment, etc. But my job isn't the sort of thing that can really be done part-time. And I have treatments every week and will continue to do so for a year. Plus I'm looking at several more surgeries. So, I'm not really sure what to do. It's not like I qualify for unemployment or disablity or anything. I try real hard not to worry about it.

Luckily I work for the government, so they can't fire me - at least not right now, so I still have medical benefits.

Take care my bc friends!

Thanks for all the sinus suggestions. I have tried saline spray will have to try the neti pot.



Lisa