Chemo May 2013

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    GWTF.. I feel your pain! Everything I've gone into has been a surprise with something... From biopsy ... To surgery.... To treatment.... It seems like at every apt. I'm saying "wait a minute! No one told me about this!" even down to the dressing change on my picc.... I thought the picc was suppose to make things better!



    I'm sorry it was rough!

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited June 2013

    Hey ItIsWhatItIs...you and me Sista! Tommorrow is my #3 so we are in sync! Half Way done - I figure it's a slide to the finish line from here. Good luck tomorrow and keep your eye on the prize. August 22nd for me and hopefully for you too!

    Love and hugs to all the wonderful ladies here that are on this wicked ride. I just keep telling myself the "drugs are my friend, the drugs are my friend, the drugs are my friend"...well you get the idea!

    Annie.

    03

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited June 2013

    This is a terrible time of the year to have cancer isn't it - with all the school graduations.  I had to go to my daughter's 7th grade graduation last week - less than a week after chemo.  I felt terrible - I literally sat in my chair like death and a few hours later was back at the hospital for IV fluids!!!  I was glad to be there because she got the award for Best Academic Acheivement.  And next Thursday is my son's 5th grade graduation (27th) and I have chemo on the 25th but I HAVE To be at his graduation. I hate the thought of being in school around so many germs, and I might have to sit there with a barf bag!!!  My Kindergargen kid has a "parent picnic" on Monday but I already told him that I can't go to that as I just can't keep taking off from work when I just started back.....

    After next week they will all be done with school.  (Then I'll be wishing they were back probably!)...

    Thanks for the tip about the thrush.  I emailed my onco and told him to call me in a script for Diflucan.  He said he didn't see any thrush when he looked in my mouth but I told him that it could've been way down in my throat where he couldn't see it and he told me that would be very rare.  But he sent the script anyway!  I was coughing a whole lot less last night.

    Okay - off to work - I think I'm actually going to manage a full 40 hour work week this week!!!!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie,

    I thought you only had 4 like me....I think you absolutely made the right call getting shot glass! I wanted that picc for just my last two!



    Glad your sis is there for you. My "evil"twin turned the other cheek when I told her I had cancer. Our birthday is next week...I guess I will send a card, but nothing with "how much you mean to me" in it! She is a Pain in the ass anyway. I think she is an alcoholic. She gets on the phone and its all about her ALL the time, when my dad was dying, then when my mom broke her back and then my cancer. I'm enjoying the break from her nasty know it all comments! Told my hubby if I got hit by a bus tomorrow to NOT invite her to the funeral, that's how pissed I am (sounds mean, but I don't think she should be there, she says very inappropriate things and my children would have to live with it!). Ok, apparently my stool softener is giving me diarrhea of the mouth! Lol



    I wonder if they would give you more steroids for all that itchiness? The darn side effects are so random from person to person. I hope this next round is waaaaay smoother for you.



    Pat

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie,

    I get really itchy too on my hands and feet, and also mysteroius rashes come and go on my back, torso, heck, arms, legs, head, you name it. I had this last round starting on day 11 after round 2. It mysteriouly went away the day before infusion 3 last thurdsay. I am travelling soon to my daughters graduation in Missouri soon and am so worried it will come back. Does yours last all the time or just during certian days into your round? BTW why do some people get 6 rounds of TC instead of 4 TC? Do they change their mind after you do 4?

    My new symptom is Heartburn, never knew what it was before! it sucks. I have decided not to eat much as a rememdy. I feel much better when I only eat a little at a time.

    Carla are you still hangning in there? Thinking about you! Hugs to all!

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Img getting 6 t/c...... Jealous ofbyou guys doing 4! Haha



    Yep Annie... Aug 22 is the last one for me too... Wanna walk together at graduation? Hahaha



    Gully, the itch rash itch started a few days ago I'd say. Completely random?? Hands, feet and random spots here n there... Behind a knee, elbow... Waist...



    Pat, that sucks about your sister... Twin? I always thought twins were in sync with each other... Maybe you're getting her back right now if she can feel your SEs... Lol

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Gully,

    I should mention that when I take benodryl...it gies away and may show up diff times of the day... Woke up about an hour ago with none! That's what I meant about random, but I got my pills in my purse along with itch cream...

    FYI.... I've had to purchase a larger purse for all of this new stuff... Oh shucky darns... The one time my sweetie didn't give me a hard time about buying a new handbag. Lol



    Have a good treatment, Annie & everyone els... Make it a great day!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Hmmm, new purse for holding meds, why didn't I think of that!

    Too late for me...I took an empty medicine bottle and added a couple of Zofran(nausea med) pills and TUMS (for the heartburn) and stuck it in my pocketbook.



    Lorrie, try the tums, if not do Prilosec daily for the heartburn....heartburn sure sucks,I never experienced it much...well, unless I drank cheap wine, which I won't do any more!



    Evil twin feeling all my side effects for me....I like it! (Not that I really want to wish ill on someone....)



    Gully, I think these doctors would lose a lot of trust if they suddenly decided on round 4 to say we have to go 6 rounds! I think there would be an article about me in the news if they tried that!



    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Here we go, here we go..... Off to the half way mark with shot glass at the ready! I haven't done any ice chips for the mouth issue, but I think I'll take a slurpee with me today... I get the taxotere before the cytoxin, so it shouldn't be melted down to koolaid and be useless! Haha it'll be interesting to see if it helps with this round. (fingers crossed).

    I'm going by myself today.... Joked again with the sweetie about when he DOESN'T go with me, it turns out bad (another surgery... Surprise procedure, etc) but when he DOES go.... All is well & uneventful.

    He offered to go with me today, but I'm gonna break that chain today! All is gonna go well!!!

    Have a good day all and hugs to those that need them!!

    Happy thoughts!

    Lorrie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Lorrie,

    Good luck!

    Suck some ice chips too! Can't hurt...and consider icing your fingers and toes to avoid neuropathy.

    Hope your plan to leave hubby home doesn't backfire!



    I left mine with instructions how to seal the deck....I was half way done last year but the weather prevented me from finishing. I opened up the deck stain and nearly hurled the smell was so bad with my chemo nose. I specifically said "leave the deck door closed so the smell doesn't come in the house"....came back from running an errand and you can guess the rest!



    Pat

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited June 2013

    Well...#3 done and over! Half way Yea!!! Uneventful, restful time in the heated recliner. Still think of it as my spa day as no interruptions from kids and work.

    A fellow BC sister completed her chemo and rang the bell  - to a lot of applause, hugs and goodbyes. Brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart that there really is an end to this roller coaster ride.

    Now hoping my SE's are mild this go round. I've been lucky the first 2 rounds but know it may be worse as I get the line. We'll see.....

    Everyone hang in and have easy days and tolerable side effects. HUGS to all

    Annie

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    Annie,

    Congrats on the half way mark!

    How exciting to see someone ring that bell!

    Praying your SE are minimal.

    Pat

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    WooHoo #3 done & uneventful with no pokes! I walked in and the receptionist asks "how can I help you?" I said, "I'm here for the cocktail party..." lol



    Nurse was more concerned than my Onc about the rash... Says if the benodryl doesn't keep it under control, then theyll refer me to a dermatologist. F that! No more doctors! I'll make sure to keep it under control!



    Good for you too, Annie!



    Now.... Da... Da... Daaaaaaa...... Let's see how this treatments SEs go...



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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Oh...

    Last time I was in treatment I thought I recognized one of the nurses but couldn't put my finger on it (chemo mush brain I guess) but today I saw her again... I finally asked another nurse if her name was Tammy...... It was... She was my OBs nurse when I had my second daughter almost 24 years ago! She use to be in famoly practice but has been at the hospital for 12 years now....We chatted for a bit.. I can't believe I remembered her when I can't remember if I ate breakfast...LOL

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  • elkatho
    elkatho Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2013

    Congrats Annie and Lorrie on your half way mark!! Next week Wednesday is #3 of 6 for me. I love that it will be half over but also hate that I am wishing my summer away.



    I do not know how they determine 4 or 6 treatments. The doctor I stayed with wants me to do 6 as long as all is going well (whatever th st means). My second opinion stated only 4. I have in my head to do 6.

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  • Ukkate
    Ukkate Member Posts: 292
    edited June 2013

    My doc said that if I had any positive nodes I would've had 6 treatments but the sentinel was negative so he stuck with 4 ( which he's changing now anyway!!)

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  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited June 2013

    Congrats to you too Lorrie...we're getting there!

    I'm doing six treatments of TCH (C being carboplatin) which was the recommended treatment by my onc. Not sure how they determine how many cocktails to do - I had negative nodes and clean margins...bur was HER/2 positive. I think that trumps eveything else because it's an aggressive tumor....but heck, if I've got to do this, I want them to throw everything they've got at this cancer. The more treatments the less chance of a re-occurance in my mind. So bring it!

    Annie

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2013

    Kate: Changing now anyway? I am with Pat, I think if mine changes his mind at the last minute, I will be on the news too. My internal filter is starting to falter anyway. I was just wondering what the difference is. IE elkatho has the same stats as mine and I am doing 4 and she 6. No positive nodes.

    That being said, I would so all go thermonuclear on him unless he had a really good new reason for the change. Kate I am assuming they have a good reason for your change.

    Congrats to all that are half way done! My running partner once told me if you can run there you can get back!

    Itiswhatisis: cocktail party .....thats a great one!!!! Will talk to the nurse next time about my rash also, the onc did not seem too sympathetic.

    Do they still make that joke itching powder? Too funny to slip some of that onto his keyboard and twirlling chair! Oh that was bad....sorry, told you my brain filter is faultySurprised Dont worry doc just take some benedryl and suck it up! NO BIGGIE...I am really not evil girls....hehehehehhe

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Gully!!!

    I love it.......! Haha itching powder for the doc....



    So doc... Hows that itch?



    It's really irritating....



    Really... It should be nothin. Suck it up!



    Hahaha

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Kate...

    What do you mean he's changing it? To less of a treatment because you've had such a rough go of it.... Or??

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    I found out today that I'm doing 6 due to the grade 2? but....

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    If it makes any of you feel any better, I had been scheduled for 4 AC, but only did 3 because of SEs.  THEN, I had 12 taxol treatments.  

    ((HUGS)) to all in chemo.  I found it was more of a big yuk fest (not feeling good, but not really sick) than horrible.  The worst part was dealing with all the side effects that popped up.  

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Lisa & Carla... Haven't seen you for a bit & hope all is okay!!



    Happy thoughts are with you all!



    I went to my cocktail party today & am hoping the hangover isn't as bad as the last one! Lol



    Happy thoughts! And hugs to those who need them today!

    Lorrie

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  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2013

    Itiswhatis: I am grade 2 as well, only 4 t/c....hmmmmmTongue Out Not that I want to do more.... j ust to do it all once. My Round 4 is on july 9. Guess I will have to ask....hohumm.

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    GWTF... How are rads treating you? I'm so glad you keep in touch here, even tho you're involved with the summer rads group!

    My sis in law... Who doesnt have to do chemo ... She was grade 0, stage 0 is only doing rads as a treatment... Invited me to one of her visits. I'm looking forward to seeing the process.... Maybe it will help ease the anxiety when I get to that point! Right now..... I'm just nervous about this rounds SEs....

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    Whiskers everywhere...... Hahahaha

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Itis,

    rads are fine so far.  Skin is feeling a little stiff, but okay.  They actually told me I didn't need to start using the radigel or whatever it is until the 5th treatment.  I used it once a day the last two days and twice today.  Am going to ask them for some aquafor too.  Hoping that will moisturize more than just gel it and maybe it won't feel so stiff.

    I don't even think I noticed whiskers coming out.  The other day though, I found a strand of my long hair on my shoulder.  Must have come off a jacket I hadn't worn in a while.  

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  • ItIsWhatItIs2013
    ItIsWhatItIs2013 Member Posts: 541
    edited June 2013

    GWTF..That's funny, cuz on my way to the hospital todaay I pulled a long hair out of my jacket... I laughed.... Almost called the hubby to say WTF? Haha



    I hope it goes well for you and you keep in touch on our group .... Please!



    A touching story...

    On FB there is a fellow that I didn't know, but through a friend he posts his cancer issues. He has rectal cancer and is finally... (after rads, chemo, etc)

    Going into surgery,.. He'll have to have a colostomy bag, etc.

    I PM him to tell him what I say at treatments... Jokes and stuff... And he thanked me for the humor that I put into my posts on FB... Told me my advise for positive attitud has been the best medicin in months... I'm still teared up! He's in much worse shape than the lot of us... And he's thanking me?

    I feel so humbled and selfish right now. Ther are so many going thru worse than me!

    A

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Itis, that's how I keep my chin up.  I know there are so many worse than me.  Reaching out to others with cancer really does bond you.  I had someone stop me at my son's swim meet last night to tell me she went through the same thing last year.  We talked about our rad techs, oncologists, surgeons, etc.  We had some of the same, some different, but even though we know we aren't alone, some days it's nice for someone to reach out and remind us.

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  • lpc
    lpc Member Posts: 303
    edited June 2013

    Hi all



    Have had very busy week at work along with watching friends cat. Developed thrush after this last round...had no idea it could be so painful! Hopefully medicine works quickly.



    Lorrie glad picc line is in. Really think in the long run you will be happy to have gotten it.



    Cant remember who asked about taxol and steroids but I start taxol next week and take 5 pills night before and morning of tx. I accidently did this before the ac with no adverse effects. I am more concerned with no neulasta after taxol. Meet with mo on Monday will ask him why.



    I too am looking to ward off neurapathy from taxol. I think it is b6 and b12 and glucosamine. Will check in on taxol forum for answer. Am guessing mo wont know but the bco ladies will. Lol



    I was feeling quite triumphant this week. Work was busy and hot so I shed my wig and worked in bball cap. Coworkers were wonderful and not a customer batted an eye. Will still wear wig most days to work but good to know I have the option!



    Hope all are doing well



    Lisa



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