Starting Chemo July 2013

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  • GraceB1
    GraceB1 Member Posts: 213
    edited August 2013

    I spent all day yesterday with a revolving room. Any time I moved the room spun all around me again. Ended up geting sick a couple of times. My blood pressure is OK but I am neutropenic again. The docs think that I cought a bug going around locally. Its a viral labyrinthitis, disrupts the working of the inner ear making me have vertigo. They say is lasts for about 4 - 5 days. I'm hoping between the anti-nausea drugs and anti-vert I'll be able to keep something down today. I don't want to have to get a IV. Off to see another Dr. now.

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  • lark
    lark Member Posts: 61
    edited August 2013

    GraceB- that sounds horrible. Hope they can help you feel better quickly. Hang in there.



    I was just researching foods high in iron. Dr said I'm anemic but at this point hasn't recommended doing anything. Anyway, dried fruits are definitely on the list and of course good for the constipation too. Interesting note though, the body doesnt absorb the iron as well from fruits, veggies, grains and supplements as well as from beef and beans. But, vitamin C seems to help with iron absorption. The article recommended a lean meat with dark leafy greens or beans. I don't usually eat much beef, but will have some this week with spinach and dried fruit!



    Angela - thanks for the wake up call about constipation. I'm so sick of taking pills and almost gag when I drink anything with miralax. I'll keep forcing it down though. Hope you're doing better.



    Will catch up more with everyone later. Glad you got some smiles from the wig/dead dog story.

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  • TwoHobbies
    TwoHobbies Member Posts: 2,118
    edited August 2013

    I hope everyone is having a good day, or at least tolerable. 

    Rambo, if your first wig is too big, you can take it up a little.  My wig lady gathered about 4 wefts and put a stitch in each "band".  Not sure if that is the term, but the bands that run vertically.  This is done about 2 inches from the bottom piece in the back. 

    They don't always do scans, but I'm not sure of the exact protocol.  I didn't have any the first time because I had no nodes involved.  I am here because it came back in the skin of my breast, and then they did do a bone scan and CT scan.  All clear thankfully. 

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2013

    Lynn, head to the drug store and buy any heartburn/indigestion pills that have omeprazole in them or buy the actual generic.  The over-the-counter strength is 20mg, the prescription dose is 40mg.  Not being a big woman, I used the 20mg and by the next afternoon the burping, indigestion and heartburn was completely gone.  It's one pill a day for a few days.  Then I put it away until the next A/C infusion.

    What is happening is that the cells lining our stomachs are very fast-growing, just like our hair and the cancer, and these all get clobbered the same way.

    I had a PET scan just days before chemo

    Carol

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  • RealityCheck
    RealityCheck Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies, It's me again. I won't do the individual thing either like Mellie because I haven't been here. Had my second infusion and today is day 5 after. I am TIRED. I mean drag my butt, can't lift a finger to do anything cause it's just too much work. My mouth sores are back so I am rinsing, rinsing, rinsing, food tastes YUCK and the only food that even remotely sounds good is fruit snacks. Have eaten those little jelly gummies and feel like I'm in heaven. Hard to keep taking insulin while eating them but I really don't care at this point.

    Oh and the Prilosec OTC has been heaven too!! No acid reflux or none that I feel lol. I am drinking water only as I have been told by those who love me that drinking iced tea is not going to cut it. Well the iced tea tastes like heaven, water tastes like...water ya know? Yes I know the reasons for drinking water but I drank like five gallons last week during chemo treatment and three days after. I want the damn tea! So I'm sneaking it. I love my family, each and every one and I know they mean well but geez give me some credit for knowing what tastes good to me at this point. Ok off my soapbox.

    I have been reading about PET scans and bone scans...I don't believe I have had the opportunity for one of these yet. I had a scan before surgery to find my lymph nodes does that count? They shot my boob up with this dye stuff and waited like 2 hours before dye hit lymph nodes before surgery...when found I was whisked to the operating room. My Onc, Primary doc or anyone related to my case has not said a word about a PET scan or bone scan. I feel left out :( (Joke)

    If  I sound whiny and drippy nosed I'm sorry I just feel like a truck has hit me and just keeps rolling over me back and forth. I want my strength back. I want my independence back, I want to feel good for at least a little while. I don't want to wait until next week when wbc come back up. Screw that.

    I'm going to ask my best friend to sneak me a McDonald's mocha frappe. Good for the mouth right? LOL

    Love you all! Keep fighting the fight! Heal On Ladies, Heal On!! xoxoxoxox

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited August 2013

    Good morning, Firecrackers! I hope you're off having a good day if you're not here posting. RealityCheck - sounds like you are having an unpleasant day, but let's hope day 5 is the last end this cycle for you!

    I also had a small bout of vertigo my first cycle, Grace. Not nearly as bad as yours, by the sounds of it. I hope that's not going to be a recurring problem for both of us. 

    I know what you mean about the scan results, NC! I picked up a copy of my results to bring to my new oncologist (they were ordered by my original onc and I hadn't met him to get results at that point) - I opened the envelope to look at them and my heart was in my throat! What a relief to see negative scans! Phew!

    My man left for Canada today for business and to visit his family and friends. He is meeting my parents (for the first time!) tonight. We were supposed to be together, but I had to cancel for obvious reasons. It's a little weird for him to be meeting my parents without me. LOL! My mother is flying out here tomorrow to fill in for him for my next cycle - infusion is Thursday.

    This time, I'm trying a little fasting for the cycle. We'll see how it goes, but I'm limiting myself to 500 calories a day starting today and ending Friday. I woke up today starving, of course! LOL! I'm hoping this will help with the SEs, particularly with the constipation. I was going to try to get in a trial using fasting at USC, but my chemo regimen wasn't on the eligibility list so I'm winging it. 

    I got through yesterday with my wig on at work and it was okay but I got some strange looks from people who saw me for the first time - I think my "hair" looked way too full for my usual and too perfect. I had two compliments that my hair looked nice though. It seemed like my real hair had stopped falling out since I buzzed it Friday, but last night it started up again in the shower. I think I'm going to be having that post-haircut prickly neck feeling as the rest comes out this week. I hope it's done soon.

    I think some of you eventually shaved your heads because of that. Is that a good idea or did it make more/worse scalp issues?

    Have a great Tuesday everyone! Someone eat something for me. Laughing

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2013

    Hi All,sorry Grace about ur infection,sounds horrible,my thoughts r with you.Mellie what's this diet about?I've lost 18 pds and my doc is pushing ensure etc,I really have to push myself to eat the 5 days after chemo,don't you need the calories?Reality Check,i'm addicted to snapple ice tea,it's tastes soo good compared to anything else(especially water).Just got back from my docs,so my wbcs 1 week after 3rd ddac r high? 12.50,weird right? the last 2 infusions they were in the 3s,my onco says nuelasta doing it's job but i've never felt more awful than this last week,rbcs r 3.6 but hemoglobin normal,i feel like this must be a mistake,anyone else have such a strange rebound like this. I'm going to reseach alittle because this is just strange. Hugs to all,Angela

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited August 2013

    angela - this is based on research done in mice that is now being trialed in humans (see the link).  The previous case study involved water only fasting (plus vitamins) but there is a trial going on now with a meal supplement formulated for chemotherapy called chemolieve. I wanted to join the trial, but TC wasn't one of the regimens on the list. I've seen a few people posting here about fasting in past threads, so I thought I would give it a try this cycle - at minimum, I would think it would help with the initial constipation if I don't have a lot of food in me. I can't go without food for 4 days, so I'm doing 2 days before chemo, day of and day after with a maximum of 500 calories (I'm keeping track on myfitnesspal, which I've used extensively in the past to track calories to lose weight).

    The idea behind the research is to fast beginning before chemo to protect the normal cells from the effects of chemo while sensitizing the cancer cells to the drug toxicity. It's still early days for this research, but it seems to help people (anecdotally) with SEs and I'm willing to try it and provide another anecdote of how it went. 

    http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/071012/page5

    On a different subject, I don't think your WBC count reflects how you feel - or at least didn't for me last cycle. I felt pretty good when my counts were low last cycle and pretty awful in the days before they should have dropped. It's a funny thing (not meant in a humerous way).

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  • peace777
    peace777 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2013

    Can anyone tell me what is the longest someone has gone before loosing their hair??

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2013

    Hi Mellie,that's interesting,it actually makes me feel better about not being able to eat after chemo for a few days. A friend that who is 2 cycles ahead of me(we met in infusion room my first ac)she's gained weight and now she's started Tax she said our doc will triple the steroids which for her means more weight gain. It's strange how each person responds differently to chemo and meds,I have to say though her skin is glowing and she looks a heck of lot better then me,shrivelled up and wrinkled. Be careful though Mellie even with minimal eating i had that serious constipation issue this time,now disgusting bleeding hemorroids(tmi?).LOVE to all Angela

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  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Member Posts: 156
    edited August 2013

    Day 1 fasting went well. I had only coffee all day (kept myself very busy!) and had a dinner tonight under 400 calories with quite a bit of fiber (celery and some other veggies with a bit of chicken and broth). I've been hungry all day and I'm still hungry though, but I'm willing to be hungry to try for fewer SEs.

    angela - I plan to fight the constipation with a stool softerner and lots of hydration as well. I've got my senna laxative ready at the first signs of being slowed up this cycle. 

    peace - with TC, my hair started shedding at day 14 and was coming out late day 15 and all through day 16 so much so that I was worried about getting through the work day on day 16 (a Friday) with a full looking head of hair. Buzzed it that night and the shedding slowed, but it was already thinned to about 1/3 of my former hair. Last night (day 20), a whole bunch more came out that it is super thin now although still not bald.

    One of the things I did today in my keeping busy was a trip to the hair salon to get my new wig trimmed. It's called Brandi from Amore and I think it's beautiful, but too long and very full head of hair. I got it trimmed up to my former hair length (and blended with some new layering) and it's almost like I see myself again in the mirror! This is going to be my main wig starting next week. I want to finish out the week with the one I started so I can disappear for a few days with the weekend and my round 2 recovery before I come back with a different look. I have to say I also love this wig for comfort. My head is very uncomfortable still with the remaining hair, but this Amore one feels better than my Jon Renau lace front with it's double monofilament top (in case anyone is interested).

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  • m1970
    m1970 Member Posts: 337
    edited August 2013

    No fasting for me! I eat and drink whatever the heck I want. Water tastes terrible. Even chocolate tastes rather blah. Some sweet things taste too sweet. Spicy too spicy, salty too salty. I force myself to eat and drink, and I notice about 10 days after chemo things started tasting normal. I found peach white grape juice tasted good enough for me to drink it. Bought some cherry juice that tasted terrible, but a week later it tasted great! Glad I did not dump it out.



    I've been a gluten free diet for over a year and I don't do GF bread either. I remember eating French toast last chemo, and other comfort foods. Now I eat rice and its just not the same.



    Peace777, the average is 17 days for hair loss. I would not expect more than 3 weeks. Your head will feel sore beforehand.

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited August 2013

    Peace777,

    I started losing hair around day 13....before that my head was "tingly" and "tickles", not really that tight pony tail feeling a lot talk about. It was coming out in strands....no noticeable "clumps of hair".

    I had it cut really short and started wearing buffs because I felt my hair was thinned out.



    I have now finished my 4th and final round of chemo on July 8. My hair has now started coming out more. It seemed to have stopped after the initial falling out, all the way back after round 1! The rate it is coming out now seems quicker, though I wouldn't say I am even close to being bald, still just thinned out a lot.



    I still wear my buffs. http://www.buffusa.com



    My oncologist thinks my hair should start growing back in mid September....which would be about 9 weeks after last chemo. I find that interesting as I still have not lost all my hair!



    Pat

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited August 2013

    Hello Ladies,



    7 days out, taste still not too good, can't wait till get my taste back. I'm trying to keep myself hydrate, but water sometime taste blah!



    I am still debating between lumpectomy or mactectomy on right breast. I have to make decision by OCT.

    TIf I decided to go with mactectomy: Ladies that had TE-how long it will take till you replaced to silicone permenant implant?



    Thank you so much!

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  • peace777
    peace777 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2013

    thank you mellie,marsha, and patty for your info about loosing hair.  I havent decided if I will shave,maybe not. Pat I might just do what you did wear buffs and keep whatever stays. I might feel better about having some hair rather than no hair.   thanks again ladies.

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  • RealityCheck
    RealityCheck Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies!

    I am sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee. Can't taste it very well but I know it's good! Busy day for me and day 6 after treatment number 2. I woke up early this morning for some reason so I am just going with it.

    Have to move our sons things to him an hour and a half away. He started a new job. He's just out of college this year but still taking classes this fall to get his Bachelors degree. So proud of him!

    I am concerned about going, with today only being the 6th day after treatment. I am still a little tired. Hubby told me I could nap in the truck when needed. We are taking my pillow and blanket.

    Soriya - I have tissue expanders in both breasts currently. I will be getting my implants after all chemo treatments have stopped. My last treatment is September 19th, then have to wait for the side effects, then have to wait until blood counts are up enough to endure surgery for the exchange to implants. I am guessing end of November, first of December. My plastic surgeon is very picky and very health conscious (anything so he doesn't get sued lol). I might be being cautious so I'm not swearing to this time but just a guesstimate after chemo ends.

    Heal On Ladies! Heal On!

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  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2013

    RC - how have you found the TEs ??pain etc

    I am soooo. undecided what to do if anything after a UMx .... Very tempted to do nothing, otherwise reckon I will always be lop-sided

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  • Rambo50
    Rambo50 Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2013

    Mellie - I'v been eating lightly day the before chemos (1 and 2) then nothing morning of and only a little bit later on day 1 (like you said, veggies and protein, something light).  I feel like my side effects, especially gastric, have been minimal so far!  I go for round 3 today so we'll see if the pattern holds ;-)

    BUT, Marsha - I'm with you on the taste thing!!! I tried to drink some light Minute Maid pink lemonade yesterday and about spit it out - YUCK!  And many things I used to love are just not the same, candies included.  

    Even coffee, Reality Check!!!  Hooray for your son!!!  Be careful on your trip and don't overdo it ;-)  

    I've been adding small amounts of Crystal Light to my water - though I'd rather not use the artificial sweetners, and drinking Sprite Zeros like they're going out of style!  Again, I know those drinks don't really hydrate me so I may pick up some Powerade or Gatorade this round...

    One more thing about the head shave - I've still got little stubbies (fewer and fewer every day), but when they fall out it's not in clumps, and my sleep cap keeps them off my pillow :)

    Happy day, Firecrackers!!!  Hang in there ladies :)  

    I'm off to the chemo suite!

    Lynn 

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  • RealityCheck
    RealityCheck Member Posts: 57
    edited August 2013

    NoCompromises - I at first hated the TEs, they felt stiff, very uncomfortable and pressure UNTIL my skin stretched. After skin stretched they feel normal other than they really have no shape, just balloons filled with water and feel hard to the touch. There wasn't any pain per say, I attribute the pain to the healing after surgery. Took 8 weeks but not a twinge one now. I can sleep on my sides, on my belly if I want to and so much better than right after surgery!

    Rambo - LOL yeah the coffee has no flavor either but I have my memories of how it tastes!

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2013

    Hi All,Peace777,I didn't start losing my hair until day 17(marsha really knows her stuff and filled me in about that)but everyone is different and on different chemo meds(i'm doing adriamycin/cytoxan dose dense). My hairdresser convinced me to shave off at that point so my wig would fit better,but now i have half a shaved head and half bald,looks so horrible i try not to look in the mirror without bandana or wig. So glad u found a wig that makes u look like u Mellie,i'm still trying to find a red one that isn't maroon or strawberry blonde. I was at the bank yesterday and the teller asked me why i had colored my hair and cut it short,she said she loved my long natural redhair. so i told her my story(she is very sweet and wasn't being mean). She's in her late 30s and said her aunt died of breast ca in her 20s and her grandmother also had breast ca 20 yrs ago. I told her how my gyno had bugged me for years to get a routine mammo and finally told me he wouldnt see me again if i didnt go(and we all know whats happened since then).She said she's also put it off but would make an appt immediately after hearing whats happened to me.She said that this might be my purpose to tell other women to go get their mammos even if there is no lump and you feel perfectly healthy. The radiologist i had the mammo at is right across the street from the bank,she could go on her lunch break. This made me feel so good,if i could help even just one woman,think how many others i could share my story with. I'm not going to hide this experience anymore and encourage who ever asked to go for routine mammo if they havent. Hugs to all,Angela

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited August 2013

    Angela, you're so right, many women have no clue about breast cancer. Many of my friends think you only have breast cancer if you have a family history....so NOT TRUE. Since I got diagnosed last June, oh boy......my friends and family rushing to see their Dr for mammogram, do blood test n do more exerciss n stuff.



    Most of friends are in late 30 n 45 yrs of age. So even I never pay attention or thought about having mammogram till I hit 40 yrs of age. I am 39 yrs old n here I am....



    (Hugs to all)

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited August 2013

    Realitycheck thank you for TE info. Just to thnught about surgery already made me weak. But I need boobs, I love boobs....sorry ladies.



    Rambo, I hope round 3 even better than the 1 & 2. Mayb your body will get use to these poisons n you can manage it well. Will be thinking of you. (((Hugs)))

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  • Hannariggs
    Hannariggs Member Posts: 137
    edited August 2013

    Hi All

    Headed off to works since my last infustion(#3) on August 7.  All I can report is that for me #3 is alot more fatiguing with mouth sores. Hopefully will make it through the day.  I have another infusion on the 14th, so looking forward to a few "normal" days before the next hit.  Worried how long it will take to recover from #4  then on to taxol?  Seems daunting sometimes, but the days are counting down........looking forward to NO MORE RED DEVIL!!!!!    DEVIL BE GONE!!!! 

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  • angelanature
    angelanature Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2013

    Me too Hannariggs,the end to the red devil from hell!!!!! Angela

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies,



    I have questions? Any of u ladies eat bacons n sausages for breakfast sometime? In our situation right now, ppl say do not eat bacon or sausages cus of the fat...not good for u. I cheated once in a while cus I love bacons. Thanks!

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  • JeriGrace
    JeriGrace Member Posts: 128
    edited August 2013

    Hi all,

    Just catching up with all of you.

    Rambo, good luck today and the days ahead!

    RealityCheck, I smiled at your mention of fruit snacks. I took a bag with me to chemo and sat there and mindlessly ate the whole bag because they tasted so good. Big surprise when I got home and checked my blood sugar! Maybe I'll limit myself to half a bag next time. :)

    Peace, my hair story is similar to many others. Day 14 - strands, day 15 - clumps. Buzzed with clippers (#2) that night. The stubble continued to fall heavily for over a week and has now started to slow down (day 24) but I am very thin with just the stubble sticking up. Eyebrows are really thin now too - fortunately still enough to have a shape to draw on. Trying to stay positive but it is getting tougher to look in the mirror. Glad to have a nice wig to wear to work so I can remember what I looked like. :)

    Angela and Soriya, so glad you are sharing your stories and helping others. I am the poster girl for putting off my mammogram. Lots of excuses - no BC in my family, moved to a new area of town, need a new doctor, no time, etc. I was in my 50's and went five years without a mammogram! By the time I felt the lump my DCIS had developed into IDC. Still marveling at my stupidity.

    I am at Day 3 of my second infusion of TC. I went to work yesterday because it was the first day of school and I wanted to meet my new 3rd graders and help my sub get settled in. It ended up being a 10 hour day plus a trip to the doctor for my Neulasta shot. Needless to say I am totally wiped out today. I'm home now for a week and a half, then going to try to teach week 3 before my next infusion. It is so hard not to be at work but I think I'm finally figuring out that this is not a job that works well with chemo. I was trying to keep up with drinking water but then I didn't have any time to get to the bathroom. Only had about 10 minutes to eat a little lunch. Just really don't want to end up back in the hospital so I'm forcing myself to stay home. Maybe I'm pushing it because I'm still in denial about this whole thing. Thanks for listening and supporting. Couldn't do this without you all!

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  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 662
    edited August 2013

    JeriGrace,



    I can't even imagine chemo n teach at the same time. U and Rambo such a tough ladies. I am such a whimp, I don't go anywhere alone on chemo week, maybe because I was fainting on my 1st cycle of chemo n that scared me.



    Do what best for you, your health come first. Make sure u have enough rest.



    Always have all of you ladies on my mind and prayers!

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2013

    Grace B1-

    Hope all goes well. The Antivert (meclizine) may make you a little sleepy-that may help you get some rest. Good luck to you.

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  • bikergirl
    bikergirl Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2013

    OK JeriGrace-

    Going to be the nagging nurse that I am.  PLEASE take care of yourself.  Can't they give you some assistance or reduced hours?  You need to rest, eat properly, and drink lots of fluids/take bathroom breaks.  The chemo, as you know can cause crystals that deposit int eh urinary tract-also you don't need a UTI.

    Take care/take care of yourself.

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  • GraceB1
    GraceB1 Member Posts: 213
    edited August 2013

    I'm feeling better today. The Antivert has made me very sleepy but that's OK. I still get vertigo when I lay down, get up or roll over but at least I can sit  and walk now. Hoping to get something accomplished before the next treatment in 8 days. Laughing

    I can't imagnine working through all this - you ladies must be a lot stronger than I am.

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