Chemo May 2013
Comments
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Lorrie-Definitely prayers for your MIL. It's great she has loved ones that are by her side.
Patty-such a wonderful yearly get away. Bonding time with your daughter. Your boys and husband get their bonding time. And the ocean is always soul soothing.
Angieinohio-Darn, you certainly had a ruff time of it this go around. Hope you are feeling better.
Argynnis-"Staying Alive". That is a great name for the rock climbing route you took.
Teresa-so glad you are enjoying your family in spite of your nausea. Hoping you're geeling better.
Elkatho-Gosh, hopefully you will get relief very soon.
Robin-Blueberry Pancakes. Yum. Haven't had that in ages. Nothing better than spending time with family and friends.
Carla -
Teresa hope you got a little rest and were able to enjoy the rest of your evening.
Patty...Yea last treatment. I am doing a little celebration dance.
Itiswhatitis..how do you deal with your hives. I am not sure if that is what I have. I do not have any bumps just red marks that are itchy and red....it is driving me crazy. I guess if it continues tomorrow I will call my MO again.
Peaceful day to all. -
Hey Guys,
I feel like I've been absent for ages!!!
Pat - WOOHOO on just one more chemo treatment....that's awesome...
I'm sorry for you ladies who are itching - that's one SE that I've never had to deal with....
So my kids are all gone till next weekend and it's been so nice to just be lazy and lay around a whole lot and not feel guilty about it. We went to see World War Z with my middle son on July 4th before he left. I was feeling kinda sorry for myself about the 4th - it was the most "uneventful" holiday ever. I actually spent most of the evening on the toilet with stomach cramps and then was up most of the night
I was supposed to go to work on the 5th but couldn't make it in because I'd only slept for about 3 hours...4 more Taxol treatments to go. I actually went to my last chemo treatment alone and you know what - I kinda liked it. I just napped a little, watched tv - didn't have to "entertain" anyone. It was nice. I think I'll go alone to my last 4...
Not feeling too many SE this round although more nausea than the 1st round and less bone pain I guess. Ughh - I just wanna be done with it all and see my hair grown back and my energy return...
Question - do any of you have any pets? I have two dogs, a 13 year old shepherd mutt called Shana and a 2 year old chihuahua called Romeo! Sometimes they are more work than the kids!!!
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Crap just lost a long post!
I will give the short version this time.
It appears everyone is progressing along with treatments! Sorry to you all batteling side effects!. Chemo sucks!
I have been offline for about 9 days, and have traveled by car from ME to Md (12hrs) form MD to MO (16hrs) to see my daughter graduate from bootcamp at Ft. Leonard Wood. It was soooo nice to get to see her, and we are sooo proud of her! We spent two days together, and it was a wonderful break for me not to be the center of attention, and did not have to talk about the big C. I got to spend 4 days with my parents and also with my DH and twin boys. Of course we had to do the return trip 16 hrs and then 12 more hours. Needless to say I think I over did by quite a bit! My GI system is a mess,I have soo much heartburen, my entire skeleton hurts, and I have a wicked bad headache from not being able to drink enough water while travelling! But at least I did not catch a bug, which is what I was worried about the most. I had to delay my last treatment for a week due to the trip, but am glad for a little break.
Congrats Pat on your last treatment on Monday!, Mine is on Tuesday the 9th! I am sooo ready to be finished, I hope they are done with me and the poison!
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Kate: I have two dogs, a German shepherd named Freya and a mixed breen, beagle and something, named Max. They are alot of work and act alot like kids. But the shepherd Freya, follows me around where ever I go and is a source of great comfort to me. I go to the bathroom, she goes, if I go to bed, she lays down with me, sticks with me like glue. I love her so much. Max is older, and just chills most of the time. It is a battle to keep up with the pet hair though. I get my exercise by running the vacuum cleaner!
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Elkatho,
Benodryl has become my friend... Along with the OTC anti itch cream... I can see the red blotchiness start around my hands and feet & if I don't take a benodryl, I end up itching all over.... The benodryl seems to work well enough & I end up taking one about 3 times a day.... It's really random & strange... Good luck! -
Itiswhatitis....Thanks for the info. That's about what I am doing. I have one more steroid to take tomorrow. Yikes I hope it doesn't't get worse when I am off that.
My friends tease me because I have talked about getting a dog for years but cannot make the commitment. I would like a dog that does not shed and doesn't need a a lot of exercise.:) I will not want to go for long walks in the winter. -
Gully - that's how my shepherd is too - she follows me everywhere and will not come down from the bedroom til I get up in the morning. Sometimes it's SOOO annoying but mostly its very sweet and comforting. I wish I could bring her to chemo with me...
Sorry to hear about your GI troubles and SE in general
It's funny how getting out of the routine just intensifies everything for us...Elkatho - we never walk our dogs - we have a fenced in back yard and we just let them out there. The hair is pretty annoying though - you can't be too house proud when you have dogs..
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What is everyone doing for muscle weakness? I feel as though I'm wasting away.
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Has anyone had a low hemoglobin count? Mine was at 8 on Mon. last week. I started to eat high iron foods since I could barely eat anything the week before. I had it checked again on Wed. and was told they would call me if it was still low. They said I would need a blood transfusion. Yikes. I didn't get a call.
But, my body this time around feels like it is craving something. I don't know what though.
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Mine was low...I don't recall the numbers.
No recommendations were made for me.
I was told it "could" mean a blood transfusion.
I don't get my labs done between checks, just the day before....so if I am low next time they will do a transfusion prior to chemo, or so that is what I was lead to believe...I'm not thrilled with my MO, I'm thinking of changing.
Pat -
Blood transfusion? I haven't heard of any blood transfusions! I only get my blood checked two days before each infusion....
Pat... I hope your lab is good. It would suck to have to get a transfusion prior to your LAST one!!
Ukate.. I've been going to my treatments alone now... I felt bad that my sweetie would just read the news on his phone for 3 1/2 hrs.... -
Lorrie,
My energy level has been noticeably down. And I tire more easily. Trust me I am not complaining. If the blood transfusion would make me more energetic I will gladly give them my good vein! Lol
I think this third round of chemo has finally thrown me into menopause. Or is it chemo pause? I am late, and no, not pregnant! So I don't know if my tiredness /lack of energy is from that? Usually the day before I would get my period I would be inexplicably tired, couldn't keep my eyes open! And in bed very early. Now I am feeling like that almost daily. Whatever is making me feel like this, I would like it to go away! Lol. Someone has to do all the work around here!
As for my labs, after my oncologist last comment about Low hemoglobin I went to the nurses and asked them to give me a copy of all my labs. Then I came home and googled every result. I had better explanations from the Internet!
Ok,one more to go, the I assume a follow up visit in three weeks? I guess I will find out tomorrow. I will be taking tamoxofin., so I will have to find out when that starts as well! ,..I better start reading those boards more , I am sure there is a lot of stuff to learn.
Pat -
Pat...I will be doing the tamoxifen after as well... I started lurking on those boards and had to quit.... I'm not liking the side effects... For 5 years?? Not as bad as chemo, of course, bus some similar possible SEs... Achy.. Tired... Menopause.... Ovarian/cervical cancers are a possibility... All these drugs remind me of the stupid pharmasutical commercials on TV....
Take this pill to cure your warts... May cause liver failure, kidney damage, cancer, blindness.... Heck... I would keep the wart instead! LOL
I will be doing more research!!!
I probably won't start till after rads (I think??)
One gal posted that she had her Rx filled and had been staring at the bottle of pills for days and hadn't garnered up the nerve to start them....
Best of luck tomorrow.... I go in Thursday for them to try and kill me with #4
Happy thoughts to all u ladies!!!
Lorrie -
Lorrie, my kids hear those commercials and want to know why anyone would take those pills!
Did you know tamoxifen is now recommended for 10 years? There was a study on it. I had read the link for the study on these boards. My oncologist must have too! Lol
I had read of the side effects, but I am also often reminded that the people that come to boards do so to complain (look at me! Lol). ...seriously, I think those who have it going good aren't looking up stuff on the Internet to say "let me rave about the lack of side effects". Whereas those who are unsure if their newest symptoms are a side effect. Are looking it up on google and finding the boards to complain. Not saying there isn't some legitimacy to it! (Okay,I am trying to hold onto hope, can you tell!)
I did read where someone had cut their pills in half and took them that way for a while...I just don't remember if it was one week, two weeks, etc....I liked that idea. I was also reading where people said they had side effects only with certain manufacturers of the pill! Go figure! I guess it is relation to the fillers? (Do they really need filers?)
Also read the importance of getting a baseline vaginal ultrasound (or whatever it is called). Not liking the idea of ovarian or uterine cancer next!
I had read that steroids cause people to not sleep. Didn't have ANY impact on me for chemo #1 or #2. But for #3 it did, and now here I am for #4, 2:00 am and I can't fall asleep. So now which category do I fall into as far as side effects? I am currently 50/50!
Ok, will read a little more , not tamoxifen though! And go to bed (notice I didn't say sleep!)
Pat -
Just checking in to say all is well here. Spending time with son is wonderful! Fingertips still sore from taxol. Will be back later today.
Lisa -
I get my last AC tomorrow! A part of me is like Woot! I made it and the other part is like Really?! I have to do this one more time?!
I have been having tummy troubles for the past week. It feels like my entire intestinal track is on fire. Immodium doesn't help. Pepto Bismol seems to be the only thing that does anything.
Is anyone else dealing with tummy troubles aka cramping and diarrhea?
Not looking forward to Taxol. What is your experience now with AC vs Taxol? My Onc is assuring me the Taxol will be easier. Not sure I believe her.
Hey, most of us are about midway, right? We can do this. -
Ayra - I got the worst diarrhea ever with the TCH but with taxol I am constipated!!! The SE are much less bad on taxol
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Hi everyone - has anyone had a red mark which looks like a burn on their hand where the IV was? I have this mark about an inch long which seems to have moved and its where the IV was for chemo which was on June 26th! I called the docs and they said warm compresses as long as it's not traveling and my hand isn't swollen or anything! Any ideas/suggestions! My chemo is supposed to be done next week so of course I do not want to run into any obstacles!!
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debbiema-
I had gotten that as well iwith my first chemo. Showed up about about a week after chemo. It looked like I burned myself on the oven. I put antibiotic ointment on it and showed it to the oncologist. She suggested Vit E oil and also suggested a port for me. Said it was a chemo burn and that I may get it with every chemo. So, I got the port just so I wouldn't have these scars all up my good arm. It didn't hurt- but I was concerned it would be a potential source of infection. It is now gone, but I do have a faint scar. She did tell me its not uncommon with the Taxotere.
I had no problem with getting #2 through my port.
Good luck!
Kerri
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Thanks Kerri! Good advice. I only have one more treatment left so I'll remain hopeful that by next week, all will be well. I will also try to the Vit E oil! I guess they can use my other arm, but I wasn't sure since that's the side I had my lumpectomy!
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So I made it home from my LAST chemo.
They were able to use the "good vein" and didn't have to go to the hand. Yeah!
Instead of baking (and thank you for the trifle idea Lorrie but too much work for me!) I purchased Pizzelle cookies and made a batch of frosting and showed the nurses how to make a swirled rose using the pastry bag. I had done it on the cupcakes at previous chemos and they always admired it. Then I gave them their gift, which was a pastry bag and the appropriate coupler and tip. Tomorrow I will have to remember to bring them some of my icing recipes.
Sitting through the last session wasn't anything special to me. Don't know why! I know I still have the side effects to deal with and my surgery needs to be planned (will be doing a double masectomy with DIEP reconstruction). So it's not exactly "over"....I'm thinking this whole surgery thing will be adding another year of BS. And the tamoxifen will serve as a daily reminder for 10 years! (Wah wah, I'm done crying)
I go backin 4 weeks to discuss any lingering side effects from chemo and to talk about starting tamoxifen. I am hopeful that I have a surgery date set by then so the Doctor can tell me when I can start tamoxifen.
Wishing all of you the best for minimal side effects.
I have to go drink my gallon of water now!
Pat -
Ughhhhhhh steroid high! Why am I so freaked out about my 4th treatment tomorrow? Should be my last one! Wah Wah......
Patt: BMX surgery was not so bad. I only stayed one night in the hospital! Stay on the water because constipation has to be battled due to pain meds. Only bad part is not being able to pick things up over 1 pound for 1 month and not being able to reach over my head. Had my surgery in March and am now in physical therapy with pretty much full range of motion. Also am back to the gym with weights (light). My PS is very picky! I am sure you will do great with yours, you have already been through so much, it will prob seem like a piece of cake to you!
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Congrats Patty on finishing a leg of your journey!!!!
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Gully, my MO asked ifk was excited, I told her no, I was expecting her to tell me I needed more...I even whipped off my buff to show her I still have a lot of hair, even if it is thinned out! Keeps making me think the chemo isn't strong enough for me! You are almost there, hang in!
GWTF, thank you, yes, a leg on the journey...that's the way to think about it!
Met my sister for a celebratory bottle of water at Starbucks. She asked me when I am having my "fuck cancer" party. I nearly fell over, she is not one to curse! Lol. I hadn't thought of having a party, not with surgery on the horizon...so she mentioned to think about it for the spring, whenis feeling stronger. I sure hope I will be feeling stronger by spring after chemo and surgery...I have circles to run in! Lol
Tonight I sat down to a buffalo chicken dip, because I thought it would taste good. What was I thinking? 3 bites in I "burped" and could just taste the hot sauce coming back up....oh boy was that a stupid move!
Anyhow, when everyone is on a "good week" with no agita try the Franks Hot Sauce buffalo chicken dip. Here is the link. http://www.franksredhot.com/recipes/franks-redhot-buffalo-chicken-dip-RE1242
Personally I don't warm it up...it is absolutely delicious....serve with celery sticks cut to smaller than thumb size or also great with the Keebler crackers that are white (don't know if they are considered to be a saltine. I don't use the mozzarella cheese either, I use the
Blue cheese crumbles.
Feel good!
Pat -
Patty, you will feel great by spring. I'm less than 2 months from surgery and chemo, in the middle of rads, and already can feel my energy returning. I still have tired days (after running around thursday because we had a bbq, then driving 1.5 hours each way to go shopping on Friday to celebrate my halfway point of rads, I slept most of saturday). I seem to have 2 or 3 really good days each week, and they will come to you too!
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Thanks GWTF, it is encouraging to hear those words!
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Has anyone had issues with hearing loss? I believe it's caused by the carboplatin. So far, I have some neuropathy in my feet (mostly right), a slight tingling in my fingers, lots of intestinal cramping for about 10 days after treatment, and now, this cottony feeling in my right ear. Not to mention just feeling awful. Nails, eyebrows and eyelashes seem to be okay. The thought of permanent side effects scares me so much that I'm thinking I may quit TCH after 4 rounds and just get herceptin.
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Going in tomorrow for picc dressing change, then to shadow my SIL at her Rad apt, then blood draw and a visit with my Onc...
I'm gonna ask about the 6 treatments I'm getting vs the 4 some get & gonna ask again about my risk graph....
I'm really considering the risk/benefit to the tamoxifen in my case.... 1-3% benefit to the risks of the drug..... No thank you!
I hate that when I finally get a "good" week out of my three, my mind clears up and I start stressing about the next treatment and if it will kill me this time.,, and about the additional treatments... Etc. I hate it, cuz I let it take away from my feeling better...
Pat, I'm so happy you are done with chemo! You still have some more work to do, but I'm hoping it's much better than the chemo you just "conquered"!
Yay to everyone here surviving the journey! -
Pat...yea on last treatment!!! Will we see a posting on YouTube with you in your pink wig pole dancing:)
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