Chemo May 2013

Hi ladies. Feeling a little better this morning. My onc called in antibiotics for me yesterday, and after going to bed early and getting 10 hours of sleep, I am starting to feel human again. Am hoping we can keep my chemo on track for tomorrow - no idea what they will do if my blood counts are wonky.



Kate, am so sorry you are having such a tough time with this. I tried holding off on taking an Imodium and learned the hard way that waiting just made things worse for me. But I only take 1 so I don't end up making more trouble. I have been faithfully taking a probiotic supplement - no idea if it is helping, but I am honestly afraid to stop taking it to find out.



Sorry everyone else is having such a tough week, too. My daughter has her dance recital this week, and with chemo on Wednesday, I am worried about making it through rehearsal and two performances with her. Let's just say that daddy sucks at doing hair, and you'll feel my fear. LOL. We'll get through it with help from the older dancers and other moms, but I am feeling awfully guilty about her having to go through all of this with me at the age of 10. But it is what it is, right?



Am thinking about taking a slurpee with me for chemo tomorrow to try to keep the mouth sores at bay. Have any of you tried that successfully? Would like to avoid the painful mouth and throat, but I also don't want to block treatment if there is anything in my system there. Guess I am just getting so tired of over thinking every little detail and worrying about all of this - am really struggling this week to find any inner balance. Deep breath, it will all be okay, as my hubby says, I suppose.

My daughters dance recitals are next week.  She looked at me sad and said you'll be able to be there won't you Mom.  I've never missed one and don't plan to now.  She is 25 and doesn't NEED me there, but I am always in the audience supporting her.  She has been dancing since she was 2 1/2.  She is on what they call the college team.  Basically those out of high school that don't want to give up dance.  They get married and even have kids and just keep on dancing.  I think it is great.  They do some extremely hard routines and I won't miss it for anything. 

Redhedd I am sure you will have tons of help from the other mothers at your daughters recital if it is anything like my daughters dance studio, it is more like a family. 

Oh I missed a couple. Darn.

ReddHeddMomma-Enjoy your darling daughter's residal in any compassity you can. Sounds like you will have plenty of willing, capable and caring people around that can take care of the physical aspect. It's got to be emotionally and physically tough having a 10 year old child and going through this. I bet she will always remember how brave mom was during the big C time and will always admire you for it. In re to the icy and mouth sores. During my last (and only so far) treatment, I sucked on ice for the entire 2 hours the chemicals were being administered. The next couple of days the checks on the inside of my mouth had a slight fuzzy feeling, but absolutely no sores.



Carla

Regarding PICC vs IV  I have been doing some research about Lymphedema one of the risk factors is "the number of cycles of chemotherapy administered through the arm on the same side as the breast surgery".    I would take this into consideration when you have IV placement.  Sometimes there are only so many veins in one arm that could take an IV.

Also I have seen many PICCs placed and none of the patients ever seemed to be uncomfortable and when it came time to remove it the PICC nurse would just remove it at the bedside.  The patient would leave soon after.  I have never had a patient complain about a PICC they are just happy they don't have to be stuck over and over again.  Again I have a port so no knowledge of a PICC being placed in me, everyone is different I guess.

Haven't posted in a while - just been busy with work and stuff.  Find myself wearing my wig to work, but can't wait to take it off - hot and itchy!  Have worn a scarf a couple of time but that gets hot too.  Anyone have any better suggestions for keeping your head cool?  I have to wear a business suit to work with pantyhose and it's hot outside so wearing a wig/scarf is just making me hotter.

Have chemo treatment number 3/8 tomorrow...keep counting them down.  Just 2 of AC left and then I'll be on Taxol for 4 treatments.  Shaved my head, but still have a little stubble on it - find that to be uncomfortable...anyone else find that is the case?

ReddHeddMom-thanks.  That is actually helpful.

Here is my picture with my short hair.  I am holding a breast cancer quilt my Mom just finished for me.  I love it!

Teresa you do look great with a buzz. Lucky girl. And the quilt your mom made you is really pretty. Very cool.

Most every day I pull on my hair to see if I'm beginning to shed. Well today, day 12, I pulled my hair in one spot and there it was. Hair gone bad..or at least gone. Repeated it in a few spots with the same outcome.Was hoping somehow I would escape this part. But I am looking forward to two of our girls coming over tomorrow and having a buzz party.

Lorrie - Hope all goes well with your iv next Thursday.



Good evening to all and a really great tomorrow -Carla

Lorrie



Dh had it in for 2 months. Radiologist put it in with no pain. Nurse took it out in our living room with no pain.



Hope this helps.



Lisa

So, regarding periods, If all falls a normal, I should get mine today or tomorrow..we shall see. One thing I can tell you for sure...I am surely PMSing....I feel like ripping someone's head off. Should be a good day at work:)



Keri...12 days is about the same time my scalp started hurting. For me it felt like my scalp was sunburn. The scalp would hurt a little when I moved my hair. It stopped hurting and felt good after I shaved my head and left a little stubble. It is a difficult process but you can get through it. I have always worn hats on weekends so I treated myself to some hat shopping while I still had hair.



Itiswhatitis...good luck with the IV placement.



I am happy I had the port placed. There was pain after the procedure but I took pain meds and relaxed that afternoon. Had chemo the next day. It was sore for about a week ...more like stiff. I would keep it forever...if I could...well maybe not but it sure is convenient. Do not even feel the pick when they access it.



So glad we have this site to vent.

My scalp started tingling at about day 10, hairs started coming out at day 13 and continue coming out now.  You can see more and more of my scalp each day.  My scalp started hurting at day 16.  I have been using an all in one shampoo and conditioner so I didn't have to do be rubbing on my scalp more than needed.  Wondering if maybe a baby shampoo would be better.  Any thoughts?

I did mine at 3/4" I wanted a little hair there while I still had it.  Personally I don't think I would go shorter than 1/2" but that is just me....

Teresa I was using baby shampoo. I told my beautician and he told me to stop immediately. He says it is the worse shampoo on the market. Something to do with whatever they add or delete so baby's don't cry. I cannot remember the details but the panicked look on his face made me stop immediately. He told me to use it to take ring around the collar out of shirts....what!

Happy to report that I was well enough for chemo this morning. My bloodwork all looked good, which was a nice surprise, given that I had to ask for antibiotics just a few days ago for an infection and fever. Had a reaction to the taxotere today - felt like an elephant sat down on my chest with a horrible burning sensation all the way up my throat, and I stopped being able to take a decent breath just out of the blue. My face turned bright red, and the staff came running over. They said this was not unusual, gave me extra steroids and benedryl and something else, and then we waited until everything had completely subsided, and restarted - no hiccups after that. They told me they will have to up the benedryl and steroids at the start next time to try to prevent a stronger reaction, but I am just so glad that we were able to finish this one that I don't care. ( although I may never sleep again...LOL)



So, infusion 2 is done. Two more to go if all keeps going well. Even with the crazy reaction today, it feels really good to be halfway done.

Redheadmom: so glad you made it through your transfusion reaction today. It is very nice you are half way done! I go for round 3 at 10 tomorrow, assuming I pass the blood test of course. I have had an intermittant rash after round 2 so I am a bit freaked out about having a reaction to the taxotere tomorrow myself. My brain is telling me I have to go though another two rounds but my body wants to run away. Maybe they should put seat belts on the chemo chairs...LOL I will defenitly need a pep talk from someboday tomorrow.