August 2013 Chemo Sisters

FMG, Sounds like sound advice from your MO, but I am on taxotere and cytoxan and I got mouth sores last time and have a little rawness in my mouth right now. It's not imagination. I use peroxide and that seems to be working for me. I agree that everyone's bodies and chemical makeup are different. We all have different ailments, allergies, genes, etc. but I take the advice as general information, not as cut and dry. Some things that have been mentioned work really well; maybe other's don't, but it's worth knowing about. I understand the MO's point of view, too. My SO didn't like it that I had been searching the web. Oh well.

I am in day 4 after the second chemo and I got the bond pain last night. Today, it was bad enough that I took a pain pill from my surgery and slept on the couch all day. I feel better, but will probably have to take it again. I can deal with anything but nausea, so I'm counting my blessings.

Lisa, I hate stomach pains, too. That's one of the worst SEs in my opinion. Hope you find something to ease it.

SaltyJack, If I'm not mistaken, the neupogen shot is given daily for a few days and the  neulasta is given one time 24 hours after chemo. If you have pain meds, the pain from it isn't all that bad. I can say that because I can stay at home if I choose and not go somewhere, but if you have to work or meet with a committee or something, it might be a problem because pain meds make you very drowsy. You don't want them to delay your next chemo. I've read that it's best to keep a smooth schedule and not have to wait a week or two.

I'll give everyone a warning about eating something way too sweet after chemo......DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My stomach is protesting. I knew better, but was craving my chocolate and peanutbutter. I put a glob of peanutbutter on a spoon and sprinked lots of tiny chocolate chips on it and ate it like a popcycle. I deserve to be feeling yucky. I'm happy though!

Gotta' go get back on the couch. It's calling my name. Thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it.

Returned from third chemo treatment. I do not have a port as it was recommended by my MO. It took over an hour for them to find a vein. They tried three times and could not get one. They started looking at my feet for veins. I was please don't put one in my foot. You can stick me all you want but not in my feet. Finally they found one. The nurses said I really should get a port for the last treatment as my veins are fried. I said no way I only have one more treatment and four more blood draws. So on with the treatment and the migraine kicked in. Taking pain meds and that seems to be helping bring it to be manageable. I really don't like the Neulasta shot, but will have that tomorrow. It comes with side effects all of its own. I have taken my claritin. We are all individuals and have unique bodies and the way our body reacts to these treatments. I have already been told by my MO that I am unique to the side effects and they could do a study just on me..... Lol They got to see today just a few during my treatment naseau, diarrhea, and migraine today. Some of these were leftover from last treatment. I take miralax when I get constipated and it finally decided to work today of all times. One more treatment I can do this!!! Thanks for listening to me rant. I am just getting very frustrated. I want my new normal life back. I agree with lisap I can't wait until this is all over. I should go to the other forum to say this but I need prayers!!!! Have a great weekend!!

Hello Ladies...Yes it was me LHL...that is what I did was cut them in quarters...I think I will ask for some compazine because I hate that really sleepy feeling. 

Lisa...I am sorry you are feeling sick I hope you feel better.

SaltyJack...I swear I got worse from the nuelesta shot but it was my first time so I don't know how it would of been without it.  I don't know what my counts are I will find out Monday.  Glad you have not had many SE's. and that you are doing well.

FMG...I agree with your MO but this site has been awesome for me, I need to work on my discernment and judgement but that is a good thing. 

Sharon...Hope you are feeling better soon...I know my 3rd day was like that.  I slept all day and then the next day was a little better.

Togetherness...One more treatment...that is awesome!  You can do this!  Prayer said.

Manka...hope all is well with you.

I am going to give a tip my SIL gave me that really helped when I had bathroom issue...she told me to put vasoline on the toilet paper when I wiped.  I know this is gross but it really helped me cuz I had it bad.  I am sorry if I left anyone out.  I go home on Sunday and my next treatment is on Monday so I will be spending more time online once I get home.  My Dad cut my hair off above the chin today.  I only cried a little, my hair was very long about 4 inches below my shoulders.  I didn't want to go to a salon.  Have a wonderful night and sleep well my friends.

I too am on Taxotere and Cytoxan and yesterday my MO even looked at my mouth and throat with a flashlight to check for sores... Maybe it's the dosage you are getting?



Went in for my Neulasta shot today with my only complaint being the steroid flush... Now I feel horrible.

lovewins, I hope I'm like you. Tomorrow is my 5th, which was the worst day the firts go-around. Maybe today was my worst this time. It wasn't all that bad, just unpleasant and made me stay on the couch all afternoon. The little chihuahua laid on my legs all day. She's so sweet and she helps me relax. It's my son's dog, but he allows her to come to comfort me for a few days. She weighs 5 pounds, is long haired, and is just the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I could eat her up like a little baby. Her name is Bailey. Someone gave her to my son when she broke her leg and they couldn't afford to take her to the vet. Did I tell you that not all of my hair fell out and that I look like a coconut? NO KIDDING. I don't know if it will all fall our or not, but it's not enough to go without a scarf or hat. My head itches constantly because I wear a cotton scarg/hat around. I live in town and people drop in frequently. I don't want to scare them out of their gourds, especially the children. See ya' all tomorrow. Sharon

Sharonannebaker, not all of my hair fell out either.  I still have about 15% to 20%; what was left kept it's lenght.  Since it looked crazy, I cut it down to 1/4 inch.

I still have my lashes + brows.  My MO thinks there's a chance that I will keep them.  We'll see.

HVV, thank you for your post. I have been following this thread for the discussions regarding chemo, that's what I came for.

Salty Jack, given a choice I would take the Neulasta and deal with the side effects. It beats the potential alternative: I had my first A/C treatment two weeks ago, and they did not give me Neulasta because they wanted to see how I responded. On Monday I had my CBC drawn and got a call on Wednesday that my WBC was 0.6 and my neutrophil count was .154.....way below the recommendations they are giving you. Last night I developed a fever of 101.4 and was instructed to go to the ER. When I got there my neutrophils were 0.1....even lower. And in the severe danger zone. I did not have any signs of infection other than the fever, but they admitted me. So now I am in the hospital receiving IV antibiotics (the big gun ones), and having multiple tests and cultures to try to find the source of the fever. This morning my temp was down, but by late this afternoon it was back up to 102.1. Blood cultures x2, urine, tap of the fluid in my knee (worst pain I have ever felt), and now WAITING. They will check my counts again in the morning. In the meantime I am in isolation, can't leave my room, have many dietary restrictions, and am generally miserable. I really wish they had given me the Neulasta. But today they did give me Neupogen in an attempt to boost the white cells. I will need to have it every day, in addition to heparin injections every 8 hours (which caused a nose bleed). And to top it off, I will now have to delay my port placement and second treatment which are due on Thursday. That scares me because I am triple negative and already had multiple delays over the course of the summer which pushed the chemo back to the edge of the acceptable window of time. Certainly it's something that you and your doctor need to discuss and decide, but at this point I would rather put up with bone pain (which I am now having anyways from the Neupogen) to avoid all the other garbage that I have to go through right now.

I wish all of you hugs and good wishes as you continue your treatments and make important decisions. That is the beauty of this forum, we can all share our experiences, frustrations and successes!

Martha

Salty Jack, even though you neutrophil count is not in the severe danger zone, make sure you are following really good precautions (and everyone in your family). Handwashing is critical, and food sanitation too. And drink plenty of fuids! I spiked to 102.2 around midnight last night, but they gave me some Tylenol and I really sweated it out overnight. This morning I was 98.8, the lowest I have been so far. So I am trying to be optimistic that this will end soon. Waiting for the results of blood tests they drew early this morning. I will feel much better if it is showing signs of increasing....

Wishing everyone a happy Saturday! Wish I was anywhere but here, but it's supposed to be a lousy rainy day so I'm not missing too much (although I had plans to do a bunch of sewing this weekend).

Martha

SaltyJack, the Neulasta shot could be considered as part of the process.  If you don't want the shot or don't believe that you need it, I touch + agree with you according to your prayer.

Yesterday, I asked the Onc Nurse if I needed the Neulasta shot because my numbers were always so great.  She said they could be great because of the Neulasta shot and would I want to take the chance of not taking it when I'm doing so well.  I will continue to take it. 

As a matter of fact I get it today @ noon.

Today I decree + declare that today's Neulasta shot will be only benefical for it's intended purpose and will not inflict any bone pain or discomfort!  It is Done!

Lisa, One of my new SEs is sweating, so I had to keep moving Bailey off of my lap. She is truly a lilttle 5-pound heating pad.

Rhody, you and I are sweating together. I didn't sweat the first time, but man, this time, I'm dripping all of the time under my chin and on my upper lip. That's not as bothersome to me as nausea or pain, so I can just sweat. I turn the AC lower and stand in front of it.

Everyone take care of yourselves. Have a great day.

3 weeks ago, after my 2nd nfusion, I was pretty much down . . . not feeling horrible, but just feeling off.

After this 3rd nfusion I feel about 90% and still on my feet; not feeling any pain after the Neulasta shot.  I'm thankful + grateful that I continue to BE well.  Earlier today I sought the face of God + started praising; I walked around my home for 45 minutes.

Did anyone walk today?

Sharonannebaker, I feel awefully warm, too.  I think I get heavier hot flashes for the 1st 3 days after chemo.  Let's think cool thoughts!

SaltyJack, You get credit just for showing; extra credit is give for the effort of walking the pups!!!

I walked today too!  After two straight days of rain here (in west Texas!!!), my mom, my daughter and I took a nice walk in the sunshine this afternoon.  It was only about 3/4 of a mile total, and with a 7 year old along, it wasn't exactly strenuous, but it was a walk!!!!

My mouth is killing me.    I have sore spots on the sides/underneath of my tongue back next to my teeth.  Swallowing and chewing is painful.  I've been rinsing and brushing like crazy and it's not better.  Wonder if I'll have to call for the "magic mouthwash".  

SaltyJack, I like that "sniff and stroll". That's what we do with Jackson.

Awww, Rhody, I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. I know what you mean about germs in the hospital. My dad is still in the hospital and I can't go during this 7-10 day period that I'm in. My brother and sister are going. I don't want to pick up a germ and compromise my health, even my life, walking in that place. I hope you get to go home. Don't worry about things that have to be done. They surely will wait on you.

FMG, cool thoughts it is. My fever subsided and I feel better. I thought it was the increase in the strength of the taxotere that caused it.

Shary, There are better days ahead. I hope your counts improve. I haven't forgotten you and won't. We're in this together.

I had an artist friend of mine come over yesterday and she did a henna tattoo on my head.  I hope the new avatar uploads so y'all can see.  This partially solves the problem of what to do for a photo I need to have taken for thing next week.  It was a lot of fun and we hadn't seen each other in a long while.  The paste had eucalyptis in it as well, so it felt neat going on.  She got the kit at Hobby Lobby if anyone wants to play around with it.

I'm so much better this last treatment with the lowered Taxol that I almost feel guilty, except for the fatigue of course.