Any Northern Virginia ladies on this discussion board?

Relocated - forgive me if you already know this, but I see you are starting chemo on 10/24. I will be having my 3rd session of TC that day as well. I just wanted to pass on that I have iced my fingers, toes, and ate popsicles during the time I was infused with Taxotere and so far I have not felt any signs of neuropathy or nailbed changes, which apparently happens. I've also had some taste dulling, but no mouth sores or other mouth issues. I am also using the cold caps so I am pretty chilly during the infusion, but so far (Day 31) I still have my hair. The other thing that I would greatly stress is to drink, drink, drink as much water as you can starting a couple of days before. Again you may already know all this, but I thought I'd pass it on. Good luck! Happy thoughts!!

A lot of places will have crushed ice as well, in case you run out of popsicles. Not as tasty of course. I recommend also taking a variety of hard candies. I did not have anything taste bad during the infusion, but for some reason I get the taste of Windex in my mouth and nasal passages during the flushing of the port. I always had a candy in my mouth for the flushing--which is when they connect to the port and send some IV solution through it.

I ended up having a pre-A/C prep of Ginger capsules and crystallized ginger in tea for 2-3 days before the treatment. Then when I got home, I started the anti-nausea pills immediately (Compazine in my case). I learned that the hard way the first time. Yes, there will be IV anti-nausea med, but works for some/many, not so much for me. I did not do any ginger after the infusion because it is so spicy and my esophagus was tender (fast growing cells there). I also drank a lot of water, but didn't have to force myself as my body seemed to require it. Once I'd return to work after a cycle, I always had to have a bottle with me at all times as I couldn't make it to work without it!

If you haven't read David Severn-Schreiver's book on cancer, Anti-Cancer--A Way of Life, which was the first book that one of the ladies here on the forum recommended to me, he says (and I've read it elsewhere) that the BPA's in plastics and the lining of cans are actually strong enough as hormone disruptors to interfere with chemo treatment and not make it as effective. Therefore, I cut out all canned foods during chemo. I felt so lucky to have read that before my chemo, so I always pass it along. I also eliminated uncooked vegetables but that was probably just my neuroses. I love salad and really enjoyed salad again once I was done. Just too afraid of getting a bad batch of it.

Hope this helps.

I am trying to change my medical oncologist in Northern VA. I have Nicholas Robert and now that I am finished treatment I want to let him go because of his bedside manner. I called Mary Wilkinson but she does not take transfer patients.

Can anyone suggest someone who is caring as well as knowledgeable?

Thanks,

Peggy

Peggy,

I've heard patients say good thing about dr. Denduluri (sp) at VA Hospital Center...clinical expertise and personal manner.

I am interested.

--Mary Ellen

relocated,

I so remember the nausea and the fighting to get through chemo. Some women sail through. I did not. To this day I can't eat a ginger snap since that was the only thing I could keep down with Coke for days after the infusion.

I have repressed the strong emotions from that time (all mostly negative) but I vividly recall all the physical aspects and am amazed I didn't quit half way through.

Thanks for thinking of me during this time. I am going to try and find Denduri (sp?). I hope he takes transfer patients and that my Internet can find him.

Hang in there. Take one cycle of chemo at a time. Cut yourself loose from all the responsibilities to others that you can so you have energy for yourself. Chemo has a finite ending, thank goodness. I held onto the end date like I had caught a falling star and hung it around me every day.

Hugs,

Peggy

peggy-are you going to make the munch next weekend too? I hope so! I just got home from my neulesta shot and am hqving a toasted bacon and egg sandwich! I'm suddenly starving. I have heard such dundu....whatever her n amed is spelled. She was on maternity leave when I first was referred to her practice or I wou ld have gone with her.

relocated (and Odie),

Yes I will beat the lunch! I also got an appointment November 12 with Dr. Dunderli (sp). I'm really looking forward to changing my aftercare onc.

If you have bone pain with the neulasta shot for a day or two, they will prescribe pain medicine. Catch the, before the weekend though because they can't call it or fax it in. You have to pick it up.

Hugs,

Peggy

Odie,

I can't make the lunch this month - I'll be away.

Relocated - I am so sorry you are having nausea. I had lots of issues with chemo, but not nausea. The prep drugs, during drugs, and after drugs really seemed to work. I have the regimen they gave me on my blog (see my sig line) if you are interested. Emend was very important.

Dear All: Fran (FrednTan) asked me to post the following for her today. She is restarting chemo tomorrow with Dr. Dicke of the Arlington Cancer Center. To give you a little background, both she and I found out about Dr. Dicke from another forum member, TectonicShift. We learned that Dr. Dicke offered different treatment for those fullly in to Stage III like she and I were. Also, he offers scans and tumor marker blood tests. So she went down there week before last, and I was there last week. We were both helped and guided greatly by TectonicShift. Dr. Dicke found bone mets in Fran that were exhibiting no symptoms, and that is why she is restarting chemo tomorrow. Also Fran wanted me to say that we have to do something about the "no scans" situation. I am looking into how/who to write to including people at ASCO. There is just such a greater risk for those of us who have had multiple lymph nodes involved. Fortunately, Dr. Dicke is wonderfully experienced, thinks outside of the box and about the person as an individual, and he will cure Fran. We are confident of that. Please of course keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she begins this healing treatment in TX and deals with treatment and being so far away from her home.

edith.. I will pray for you. I only had one night in the hospital.

Will pray for fran as well

Sent you a PM with my phone number.

Odie, i would like to join -- where is it this time ??

well I'm in VHC waiting for surgery to remove my left tissue expander. So depending on my release (tomorrow vs Friday) I really want to be at lunch. I'm also seriously considering pulling the plug on this whole chemo thing and taking my chances. Seriously.

P.S. Hope you are doing okay as you are waiting there. What a frustrating situation to have to have the TE removed and everything you've been through with your first chemo!!! Thinking of you!