August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Glad to hear you'll be around Gavins! So how many more chemo's after this. Good for you finishing up #3! I am torn between wanting to get on and over with this and embracing my week and a half (of hopefully feeling good) before I have my next chemo. I hate the fact that I didn't get to enjoy my summer...I want to rush thru this and radiation, but then that means it's WINTER...which the older I get is less fun especially here in Minnesota!

I wonder if you might be correct about allergies. I have so many of them but usually don't get runny eyes from them. However my son does. I wonder if the kind of chemo I get combined with allergies is doing it to me. I will go looking for allergy eye drops and see if that helps.

Sharon, DON'T GO!!!!  You have provided such wonderful input with your natural remedies, hair ideas, etc... and TONS of encouragement!!!  I don't know you, but I love you!  Just sayin'!  One thing I think would seem true with the group of believers here is that even if you don't ask, we see what you're posting, know when you're scheduled for your treatments, see what SE's you're experiencing, see work, family, etc... issues which come up while going through this, and we are praying for you! This seems to be a group that has bonded over more than just having cancer and going through chemo.  I look at the pictures and read the comments and seriously feel as if I "know" you!  I've read through the September thread since the beginning and will continue to, but, come on! Cougar asked us to be "virtual" godmothers of her baby!  Just sayin'!

Well said Martie 1228! (12-28 that's my birthday...anybody else have to repeat that a million times when you go in for treatment?)

Last night I really needed to have a decent night's sleep so I took 2 Melatonin 10 mg each.  Rest was the best I had in a long time.

All day today I've been on the steroids!!!  Tonight sleep might be elusive . . .

I'm a born-again believer (as the pastors at my church say, "Christ-follower" since Christian is so sadly overused/misunderstood/negatively interpreted today) and plan to stay, too - but will sure be on the other "spiritual" thread because the support, caring and encouragement there is exactly what I need and want.

This thread has been great in giving me lots of information, ideas and answers. It's sad we can't have everything in one thread but we certainly can be creative, loving and caring for each other here, no matter what our beliefs. We're all in this journey together - none of us would have chosen but one that we will all survive and be stronger for!

Hi ladies!  I've been posting on the Sept thread since I started at the very end of August, but still here, too!  I have no intentions of leaving because of any reason.  I feel like if there's something I'm not interested in or can't relate to, I just skim over it.  I'm pretty tolerant of a lot of things, though, so maybe that's just me.  I will admit that although I am a Christian, I don't come here for support in my faith or anything like that, so I prefer the discussions to be more chemo-related.  But I understand that what is important to one isn't necessarily important to someone else.

Hope everyone is having a great week - TGTF!  

My mom has been here all week and I think it has done her some good to be able to see me and be with me and see me doing so well.  She hasn't seen me since before my diagnosis so it has been a hard two months for her.  I've been feeling really good this week and with her help around the house (dishes, laundry, getting the kids in bed, etc) I've been able to rest and read or whatever.  Plus my kids love having their Grammie around.

Nightime confirmation:  May our bodies rest in perfect peace tonight and fulfilling slumber meet + over take us.

Pleasant dreams on the wings of angels!

I'm 3 down one to go also.. We are amazing and we will get through this

Thank you. I have one more of the a /c. Then 4 taxol. How about yo?

Hello ladies...I know I came to this board late...I too would like to stay because i felt connected to this thread.  I will try to continue to post here and see if I am able to stay within the guidelines.  So I will post on both boards.  Hope you all have a wonderful day.  I read the threads but many times I can't keep up with it  all the time as far as commenting but I do feel like I am getting to know you all.

Question...did anyone else feel like the anti nausous medication was too strong for them?  Mine blurred my vision and made me talk slow.  I know I couldn't drive with it.  Because of the chemo do we need something that strong?  I just wondered what others experienced so I may ask my DR for a different kind next Monday.  Thanks Ladies.

I AM excited to receive my 3rd infusion today (I am clapping my hands + Praising the Lord)!

Declaration for Today:  The chemo will use its might power to kill + destroy EVERY rogue malignant cell that may be hiding in my body.  The chemo will be directed ONLY to its intended target; my platelets, white + red blood cells + all other parts of my are protect.  Success is mine today!

This nfusion will do what it is supposed to do and will treat my body with kindess + love.  I WILL NOT EXPERIENCE ANY SIDE EFFECTS + MY BODY + MIND ARE IN PERFECT PEACE!

The Word has been spoken over my life + is DONE!!!  This declaration is for all getting treatment today who receive this declaration for themselves!!

Cougar, I'm happy to hear that Nov 1st will be your baby's born date!!!  Much strength + healing + restoration to your body.  Your son's lungs are being perfected, strengthened + made healthy!!!

HVV, glad to hear that the maligancy in the nodes is shrinking beyone recognition.

lovewins, the nausea medicine does not affect me adversely.

Kate, I am in my 4th day today and feel fairly well. My new SE, which isn't too bothersome, is sweating. My chemo was increased from 100 to 128 units. I guess that's what is making me sweat. I am taking the anti-nausea medications as prescribed, the Claratin, and pain meds when needed. I am not having bad SEs with this second one. I hope you won't either.

I won't leave the thread. I don't know why I didn't see that I could post on both boards. I'll just get spiritual encouragement on the other. I do love all of you here, too. I'm didn't mean to change the nature of the thread. It's just that I have been a believer since the age of 9, and it is so much a part of my daily life, I never thought of it offending someone. Maybe they're not offended, but just don't have time to sort through all of the text to find the facts about chemo. I do understand and try to lead a faithful life to Christ. I'll tone it down.

HVV, what great news. That made you jump for joy, I'm sure.

lovewins, I got the email. Thanks.

I'm 2 down and two to go, then radiation.

Cougar, my birthday is Nov. 4 and it's not associated with Halloween like my husband's on Oct. 29. You made a good decision.

I will have to tell you the name of my anti-nausea meds when I think to bring them upstairs with me. The one that causes drwosiness makes me sleep 8-9 hours. I take a whole one rather than the 1/2 directed.The doctor said, "Did you sleep well?" Yes I did. I am going to refill those little suckers and use them for sleep a couple of times a week. I feel so much better having gotten a lot of sleep.

HVV: Thank you for what you said regarding this thread. I feel there is a time and place for all things and this is a place where I need to feel accepted but also one where I focus mainly on chemo and how to deal with that particular challenge.



And Sharonanne, as you've said there are many threads on the board to share all aspects of the effects of cancer and how we cope. We're fortunate in that.



That being said, I'll be here and in September and at the Fall Rads group, and who know where else!



Right now on the fifth day out after my third T/C, I'm really concerned that I have some significant diarrhea for the first time. I don't like the thought of getting dehydrated. I took Immodium and started the BRAT diet. Now to call the MO. Sigh.

I had a very interesting talk with my MO today.  I told her that 95% of the time I feel fantastic + can continue to do my every day tasks and then some.  She said that I looked great and I seem to be dealing with chemo well.  Lack of sleep is my biggest challenge, she said it was due to the steroids.

I mentioned to her that I was not getting the side effects I was reading about on a breast cancer forum.  She had an Oh boy look on her face and asked what SEs I was talking about.

I mostly mentioned mouth sores, dry mouth but maybe the L-Lystine was helping.  She said that a MOs nightmare is a patient who spends too much time on forums listening to the horror stories of others and adopting them for themselves.

She told me that Taxotere NOR Cytoxan gave mouth sores; Adriamycin can give mouth sores + dry mouth.  She asked if I was secretly taking Adriamycin; I said no.  She said than forget about mouth sores, Biotin wash, etc.  She told me not to take the L-Lystine anymore, either.

About water . . .

She said we are to stay hydrated + consume water.  She also said not to over do it because drinking too much water can also be harmful by eliminating needed electrolyes, minerals, etc.  I told her that I normally drink about a gallon of water a day, she said to drink what I normally drink.

They stress water to those who don't normally drink it.

She then asked if I were going to trust her as my doctor or have patients on the forum guide my care.  I said that I would trust her as my MO.  We laughted and oved on.  My blood counts were excellent!

She gave me the following word of caution:  When reading someone's SEs on the forum to first check what medicines that are taking.  If they are NOT taking the same cocktail as you, disregard their SE's because the WON'T apply to you.

She also mentioned that a person's general health  (or lack thereof) + other pre-conceived conditions can drastically affect their side effects and that should also be taken into consideration.

She basically said the same thing my sister said, to live my life and stop waiting for side effect to come upon me + overtake me and to stop focusing on would-be, could-be + might-be SEs.

SaltyJack, I'm glad your nfusion went well. 

My nfusion today was very smooth and uneventful.  I AM NOT EXPECTING ANY SIDE EFFECTS!!!

FMG - I agree with your MO to an extent.  Everyone is different, and even people on the same chemo cocktail will react differently.  However, I have learned SO MUCH from reading online, including many, many things that my doctor did not tell me.  When my MO asked me if I had any trouble from the Neulasta shot, I told him, "No, but I'm taking Claritin" he told me that that's good, and that they had heard from patients and nurses that something so simple helps so much.  So why didn't HE tell me?  Ugh.  So frustrating.  I'm so glad you are feeling good & no SEs!  

Lisa - Yucky for stomach issues!  Did they change up any of your meds, because this is a new SE, right?  Maybe just the chemo stuff accumulating in your system?  

Who was asking about the too-strong nausea meds?  Lovewins?  Maybe you could try taking half a pill instead?  I have prescriptions for both phenergan and compazine.  The phenergan makes me very sleepy, so I only take that at night or if I'm staying home.  The compazine doesn't really make me that tired.  So maybe you can try something else if what you're taking is affecting you so much.

Saltyjack - I don't really have any advice on the Neulasta.  I am doing dose dense chemo so I have to have it.  My counts are low by day 7 (about half of normal levels) and even lower by day 10... so I know I need it.  If yours are just borderline without the shot, maybe your body bounces back without it!