Starting Chemo July 2013

Hi Ladies, This is embarassing, do you have armpits smell issue? It seems like this chemo made my pits smell so bad. I used dove brand. What kind of deorderant do you use? Thanks Ladies!

i must say since I lost my hair, I seem to have less smell.  But I use either secret or lady speed stick.  

THANK YOU ALL for the birthday wishes. It was a good day! T-minus 3 days until the last AC and RED DEVIL treatment! I'm with hannarighs! DEVIL BE GONE!! Then it's only 12 Taxol left! Yup, counting down.  

Chemo farts.. that makes me laugh everytime I read it.  I think DH and I could have a competition some days.... with me winning! LOL your not alone! dang toxins! 

funny at work today... near the end of the day I was calling myself '10 second tom'  OY If anyone has seen 50 first dates.. you know what I mean! LOL It was really good for a laugh.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Humpday Wednesday tomorrow and good luck with anyone who has infusions (hannarigs) tomorrow. 

Luv and hugs to you all!

Hi everyone- I haven't been posting much but trying to keep up with everyone. Tomorrow is my last round of AC. I'm feeling so depressed and stressed out this week. Dreading tomorrow. Everyone keeps saying "yeah, you're halfway through". But I'm thinking easy for you to say. I still have to go through the next week feeling lousy while my kids are starting school and theres so much going on. Plus 2 more months of who knows what with taxol. Sorry for being such a downer, but this is the only place I feel I can vent. My birthday was yesterday and I spent all day grocery shopping, getting school supplies, filling out school forms, all the stuff I won't feeling like doing after Thursday. Kind of felt like the kids were more caught up in shopping for themselves and not much thought of their depressed, discouraged mom on her birthday. Plus my sons opthamologist (who was very rude) is recommending that we do a more aggressive schedule of eye drops and patching to strengthen his weak eye. We've been doing this treatment for a long time with some success, but the dr says we have to increase it to a daily schedule. I've been so stressed out worried about how he can function at school if we do this. Taking him for a second opinion in a couple of weeks. I hurt my moms feelings on the phone when she was just telling me how many people are praying for me. Which I appreciate and believe in, but it just felt like she wasnt hearing how I was feeling. ThenI felt so guilty for upsetting her and thought of momx2 who would give anything to have her mom with her right now. Plus our air conditioner is broken. There! I put it all out there. I know I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and pull myself together. All the others things in our lives don't stop just because we have cancer do they? I usually have a more positive attitude, but this is all beating me down. It's good to know you all understand.

Hi Ladies

Lark - I understand you needing to put it out there.and happy belated birthday



I was really down on Monday stressing over my cellulitis and whether it would delay me getting #3 TC tmrw that knocks onto TC4 and then I would be unable to travel to UK and catch up with my mum. ( sorry momx2) as I haven't seen her for 6 years and the trip was booked way b4 BC crept up on me and if I postpone then daughters final high school year begins .... So out of the blue I just burst into tears at work and was pretty weepy all day REALLY unusual. Haven't cried much at all these last 2 -3 months. Probably needed too - felt dumb afterward but everyone was so supportive at work which was nice.



So i had blood work today and hopefully #3 tmrw - then ONE TC left woohoo



Good luck Hanna, lark and honeybunny on your last red devil - we don't get colorful toxins on TC regime - I almost feel jealous -



I said almost !!!!

Lark, we have probably all had those moments.  I know I have.  Everyday chores, whether it be getting the back-to-school in order or getting the AC fixed, are just overwhelming.  And to top it off, you didn't really get to enjoy your birthday.  It's hard not to get down.  Added stress, not feeling good physically or emotionally, and lack of fun is not a good combination.  Maybe you could think about a little belated treat for your birthday?

NC, how is your cellulitis?  Also crossing fingers everything goes on schedule so you can make your trip. 

Hi Lark - SO sorry for your stresses, and Happy Belated Birthday to you  I feel your pain with being a bit down.  I just came from getting blood work and counts are down - AGAIN.  PLUS I have hemerroids  Went to get my prescriptions filled (antibiotic and strong ointment) but my pharmacy was out.  They called other local pharmacies (same name) and the tech said, "Sorry, but no one has this right now.  I'll give you a call when it comes in."  WHAT???  I wanted to scream at her, "Don't you know I have CANCER???  I NEED this medication so that I won't end up in the HOSPITAL!!!"  Of course I didn't, just put my head down and tears started flowing down my cheeks.  I asked, "Isn't there any other way you can get this?  I really need it and can't wait."  Thankfully the pharmacist was willing to call outside the network and find a place less than 1 mile away.  

About Mothers not understanding... MINE is a true angel, BUT - she won't admit I'm sick. She doesn't want to hear that I feel bad (tells me to, "Pick yourself up and stop feeling down," or "Oh, well, you'll feel better tomorrow.").  I told her about the CRAP shirt I bought (BC pink ribbon with "CRAP" written across it - can't wait to get it btw), and she asked, "You're not going to wear that outside your house are you?"  WHAT???  I told her of COURSE I was, and asked why not?  Well, seems she thinks I'd be calling attention to myself and the fact that I'm sick - she doesn't like going places with me when I don't wear my wig either...  She points out or names people she knows who've "beaten" BC, and says, "If THEY can do it certainly YOU can!  Be strong!"  What the hell does she THINK I've been doing??? (sigh)

I really want to understand, but some days I just feel like screaming, "Yea!  Look at me!  I'm dealing with something that could take my LIFE!  I appreciate the thoughts (truly ), but you have NO IDEA what I'm going through right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  - those exclamation points felt good ;-)

Sorry for the rant - Lark, yes, I think we all DO understand {(hugs)}

Sue - glad your cellulitis seems to be getting better!

My brother came with me this morning and the lab drew blood for his BRCA test - positive thoughs and prayers that he's NEGATIVE (has 2 young daughters).

Good day to ALL of you Firecrackers

Soryia,123 That is so funny you asked, I was telling the Hubbs about the chemo fart's and I told him I was going to ask about my B.O issues. Every since my surgery no matter what I use I cannot stand myself by the end of the day. I have tried several things and none seem to really work. Glad it is not just me, been using dove today I will try degree my old standby and see if it works😄



Shary🌞

Hi all,

NC, fingers crossed that you stay on schedule. Your travel is too important to miss. About the crying, I think it does build up with some of us, especially when we're trying to be strong for everyone else. When the dam does finally burst it's often the smallest little thing that sets it off. Letting people see us cry kind of proves that we're not superhuman after all.



Rambo, I had a small pharmacy struggle this week too and I felt just like you. They could see from my scarf that I was a chemo patient and I was obviously barely standing yet they sent me on a wild goose chase. Whatever happened to empathy? Maybe your reaction will help at least a person or two to remember that they are often dealing with sick people who are relying on them for help. Sometimes I think the same about a few of the employees at the treatment center where I go. I guess it's just a job to them but I want to yell, "Look around you - we all have cancer and are scared to death and your job is to help us!"



Lark, this is the perfect place to vent. We all understand the ups and downs. I'm so sorry your birthday was such a bust. I think kids especially are so egocentric that they don't notice how others around them are feeling. Here's my birthday story. Four years ago my youngest brother passed away and the visitation was on my birthday. Everyone was in such shock that it took awhile for anyone to realize it was my birthday. I told them that I just wanted to skip my birthday and didn't want to think about it. When we got home after an emotional visitation I said, "Ok, you guys owe me a birthday." The next year on my birthday, my oldest brother came and picked me up in his fabulous motor home and took me on a cross-country trip to his home in Arizona where I stayed for a week and was waited on by my brother and sister-in-law. Today, I remember the sadness of losing my brother, but I also remember one of my most wonderful birthdays ever. So here's my suggestion. Put the guilt on your family by telling them what a crappy birthday you had this year and that they owe you a double special birthday next year! (You might have to drop a few hints as it gets close!) No doubt you'll feel much more like celebrating next year when this is all behind you.



I refuse to accept responsibility for my actions if one more person says, "You're halfway through!"



I was looking for something on my Facebook page yesterday and found what I had posted on my 59th birthday last year. I was thanking everyone for the birthday wishes and then I said (trying to be positive about my last year in my 50's) "Let's see what this year brings!" What an idiot I was tempting fate like that! I guess in my mind I was thinking maybe a new grandchild, a raise, miraculous weight loss, a fabulous vacation, a rich husband. . . Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would be CANCER! Lesson learned - be careful what you speak into the universe! LOL



Fight on, warriors!

Hi All, 

    Just got back from round 4 and had a pleasant surprise!   Due to the fact that I have, and continue to have strep and LARGE tonsils throughout my treatments, my onco advised that he would only be administering the cytoxin  today.  He said I had taken a full 3 rounds and rather than stop the treatments entirely he prescribed cytoxin only!  I didn't have any node involvement, but the tumor was hormone receptive and an aggressive type so I decided to fight fire with fire.  He felt at this point another dose of the "red devil" may do more harm then good.  Thus keeping the cytoxin.  He said he would only budge off the taxol if I have an allergic reaction. He felt Taxol more important than the AC at least for my type of cancer.  We had a party!  Good riddance Red Devil.   Still a long road, but I have crested the hill.  Just don't ask me that in 3 days. lol......Good luck sisters getting infusions this week.......

Lana, I am sure your timing is due to office scheduling. Standard is 24 hours later, but 48 hours probably won't make a difference and I doubt it would improve your symptoms. Some offices are experimenting with same day Neulasta. I ordered my Neulasta from my mail order specialty pharmacy and had it delivered at home so i Can self administer. It is such a hassle to drive all the way back there just for a little shot. It would not be affordable through a local pharmacy and most do not carry it. The trick for me was having them order a 90 day supply, which is 4 shots, enough for me to finish chemo, which had a $100 copay. It would be free at the limit, but there is the hour drive on a day. Don't feel great, with $25 bucks to me to avoid.

Just loved this quote and had to post.  Will post more later:

Round 3 DONE. Took 3 goes to get a vein !! Grrrr



Went factory outlet shopping afterward then out for a vindaloo curry !!!!

Onc didn't even ask to see my cellulitis !!!

Got my WBC s.

Rambo here r the figures day 20 post round 2 all in range and

WBC - 6.5. (ANC 4.7 w/ neulasta)

Hb hanging in there



I have a theory - no bone pain= less boost to neutrophils ???

Onc said they can blow out to 50000! Didn't someone here a high figure ?



I don't need to see onc before 9/13 infusions as she is on holiday and I dont want to delay 5 days. So since bloods are good I have a gold pass. YAY.



Hope everyone else had a good infusion day

Thanks Shary. I will treasure my 3 stars. - we all earn them

Xx

Good luck, Soriya.  It's pretty anxiety provoking to go through those scans, but praying for you that it will be good news.  Don't panic if you get no feedback from the tech.  I was hoping she'd say that it looks good, but I got nothing and everything was clear for me. 

Angela, I'm hoping since you are a nurse you'll have some feedback.  At my infusion today, the lady next to me was told she has c-diff, and she had used the bathroom right before me.  Of course I washed my hands in the bathroom, and washed them again when I got home and then took a shower and scrubbed down.  Gee, I hope that was sufficient. 

Just noticed I have a rash on both legs and a little on my face - not sure if anywhere else yet. Did anyone else get a rash? Do I need to be concerned? Thought I might call onc nurse tomorrow. Get worried with any SE! Lana