October 2013 Chemotherapy

uds17 I've had the same problem with shakiness and having to eat often. I thought it would get better once my nausea went away and I could eat more normally (lots more protein), but I'm finding it hasn't. I go for treatment 2 tomorrow.

uds, same thing with me. My stomach gets really upset and I feel weak. If I don't eat every couple of hours I am afraid I will get nauseous, plus the cramps are there the first week of the chemo infusion.

Now i feel great, just tired. Next week I get my TC #3 and believe it or not, I am looking forward to it, after that one, one more and I will be done!

Ladies - I'm hoping someone has some suggestions for me on weigh GAIN.  At my 1st treatment, I weighed in at 119.  Put on 5 lbs in next 24 hours (water retention from steroids).  Then, dropped 15 pounds in next 5 days.  Obviously I was not happy with that but not having any food that settled well for me, I just avoided eating (I know, not good, but.....).  Prior to the start of chemo, I worked SO hard to gain some weight and put on 10 lbs by eating a lot of protein bars (tried Ensure in the past an it does nothing for me).  However, I cannot stomach any of the protein bars I have, which was my planned "go to" to keep weight on but they make me sick to my stomach while on chemo!

Discussed this at length w/MO yesterday wanting to make sure she knew this was a HUGE concern for me.  Having only put 3 pounds back on this last week, I can easily drop that in a days time and then it's just further downhill over the next 2 weeks.

I work with someone who used to work in Food Service and told me of a product called Resouce 206.  It's like a powder or liquid high protein/calorie drink or something you can put in your food to greatly increase protein and calories.  Has anyone heard of that?  If not, does ANYONE have any known products I can purchase that is, preferably, tasteless, that I can add to my fluids (like how Mirilax can be added to anything and you can't taste it) or something that can be added to food that doesn't change the taste.  Things that are high in protein and calories?

Note:  I do have bags of protein powder my daughter mailed home for me to try.  The intent was to use these in smoothies made with frozen yogurt.  Problem (and there has to be one, right?) I cannot stomach ANYTHING milk based AT ALL, still 16 days past first chemo.  Honestly, the sight of milk makes me want to run from the room - and the only thought in my head is that if that goes in my mouth, it will taste like sour milk - so it aint' goin in my mouth!!!

Ladies - anything you can offer me would be appreciated beyond words.  I used to be a nice, healthy 140 lbs but then my headache pain issues have gotten so far out of control the last few years and I''ve consistently and slowly lost so much weight that I was a meazly a105 lbs. when I went in for BMX.  This forum is so large and with such a diverse group of women, I'm sure someone has ideas out there that I'm not familiar with and I'm begging for info!

2nd chemo was rather uneventful - just like last time.  We got the time down to 2 hours vs the 5 hours the first chemo took and had no problems (well maybe one - I just don't know if it is related).  I suffered GI issues that had me wanting to get home ASAP within 10 minutes of leaving chemo.  But, I could not rush home; had a TE expansion scheduled and I was NOT going to miss it (missed last one because chemo ran so late).  Ran to PS, we were an hour early, but I explained to reception that I was just out of chemo, was feeling some unpleasant side effects and was wondering if there was any way they might squeeze me in so I could be on my way home post-haste.  They are great!  Within 3 minutes my nurse came out, got herself set up for my expansion, PS came in to peek at me and let me know everything continues to look great, expansion finished and I was out the door and on my way home before anything "embarrassing" could happen.  Phew! 

MO and I decided that Lorazepam should be used for the 1st 3 days following chemo for a 2-fold purpose.  The Compazine does nothing to relieve nausea so its out - Lorazepam DOES control nausea and has the added benefit of making me sleep (and I made it perfectly clear I didn't care if I slept for 3 days after chemo).  That should address, hopefully, the sleep deprivation issues that plagued me the last time.  Beginning Monday, if still feeling nausea and I'm not having headache flares, I'll switch over to the Zofran and hopefully get back to work.  IF I experience the same "my mind feels like it has been erased" feeling....then my MO suggested to either stop working or drastically cut back my hours.  This is the test for the week.....what will happen and if I experience the same chemo brain issue will make me face the whole SSDI issue.  My Care Manager told me this past Monday it was her suggestion to get that claim started and it will be based on the chronic, unresolved headaches that have been so debilitating to make me loose so much work in the last 2 years.  Adding in the issues w/cancer dx and chemo side effects might just bolster the claim.  I told her I really did not want to stop working - that's a huge thing to take away from me and I think I'd feel like a useless person who can't take care of myself - I need to work.  But if my body isn't able to let me do that, then that will be a huge, ugly, unwanted thing I must face.  Needless to say, I'm hoping for the best.

It is now almost 24 hours since chemo and I'm feeling really good.  Better than last time so hoping the new plan we have in place will make chemo much more manageable for me.  Now I just need to get the weight gain issue under control and I should do well. 

Again, any suggestions on weight gain anyone can offer, please do and know I appreciate it so much!

I considered getting one of those gel wig bands. I have a really small head (pinhead!) & the one wig I wear is sized *petite*. I do wear a little wig skull cap under.

Did you measure your head & choose a size wig when you ordered or was the wig *average* size?

Hello ladies! I have been away a few days. Getting ready for 2x Wed. I was quite tired last night and am starting to fade now. I am continuing to work through treatment as long as I am able. I need to keep things as normal as possible. I too have had the fuzzy weird feeling, in fact happened today and realized I had not had any water! Stupid! Once I started drinking it all cleared up - I suggest as much water as you can possible drink.

Schoolcounselor - worried about you. Hope you did not have to go to ER.

Thanks to everyone else for all the great information exchange over the past few days, it is always so helpful.

Hoping minimal SE's for everyone this weekend! I will know by tomorrow, if the chemo or the Neulasta shot sent me over the edge for my first treatment.

Stay strong!

Aw kittykate. that is a horrid day. To go through all that for nothing must feel sooooo frustrating. I can't imagine. Will be thinking of you

Kittykate -- thinking of you... That is a horrid day. You are right, it is a process, so keep putting one foot in front of the other... Gentle ((((((hugs))))))

Uds-- I am really tired days 6-10. It is mostly muscle fatigue. My office is on the 3rd floor of a bldg without an elevator, and I have to go up 8 stairs to each landing and then stand for a couple minutes to regroup. Sad thing is, the bathroom is in the basement!! I am a professor, so don't have to work 8 hour days... So I teach my classes, get a little prep work done, then come home and nap until dinner. After dinner I try to take a little walk, unless I have been up and down the stairs a lot all day, then I figure I have had my workout. MO says the fatigue gets a little worse with each treatment, and I have noticed that with tx 2 I haven't bounced back as quickly, even with the Neulasta this time. I will finish last treatment 2 weeks before Christmas -- already put everyone on notice that they will be getting gift cards this year! No way do I have spare energy for shopping! Lol!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to update a little. I didn't get my 3rd treatment this past Monday because I had a boil!! Yup.. why not? A boil on my upper inner thigh. Of course infections and chemo don't do well together, so my onco said no way to chemo! UGH... although it was nice having an extra week of feeling good and 'normal'! ( I am on A/C every 2 weeks X 4) I do tx on Mondays.. Tuesday I feel ok, Wed not so much, Thurs yuk and Friday and Sat I am able to go to work for a few hours. The following week I feel good... more tired than usual, but generally good enough to go to work.This extra week... well... I FELT SOOOO NORMAL!!! Even my wig looked more like 'me' before all this!

I am so sorry Kitty! I hope all goes better soon!!

You all have a great weekend!

kittykate - will be thinking of you on Monday. Think this way, at least you know what works and what doesn't. I had a lumpectomy, and will begin chemo next week. Not sure how I know whether chemo works to kill all the cancer in me. Just pray...

So my chemo Dose Dense AC+T starts on Tuesday. Any advice on preparation? I am just nervous :-(

Thank you all!

Kittykate thinking of you, what about Boost or Ensure shakes?

Chemo #3 for me today, met with my onc she is amazed at how well I'm doing. After only 2 tx my tumor has shrunk and my nodes are almost gone! 1 more A/C for me then on to the Taxol. I'm feeling pretty good today so far, but 7 days of Neupogen injections ahead! My employer is having an employee appreciation party tomorrow night, I'm going to try and go for a little bit. Good food and prizes! Lol! Hope everyone has a good weekend, thinking about everyone.

Also I asked about taking Turmeric and she said yes but wait until after chemo is over. She said B complex, B6 and B12 and multivitamins are OK now, HA! I've been taking those plus folic acid and vitamin D3.

kittykayr...I'm sorry, hang in there!!!

Yesterday night was rough for me, I started playing music and dancing to all these power and strength songs and then it went downhill from there. I guess I just needed a good cry, i think it was the realization that I could not taste my favorite gummy bears -haribo- which have been my go to comfort food for years.

This chemo thing is just not fun. At some point I started to bargain/plead with God, saying I will do this and more, please just don't let my two baby girls ever have to deal with this themselves.....

Life ladies, I am starting to understand why we are called warriors and survivors. This is no cake walk...., fight on ladies...we got this!!!!

Kittikate - my heart goes out to you.  Try not to worry; follow your MO's recommendations; and remember the headaches could simply be a side effect from chemo or at-home meds after chemo.  Don't let your mind go where it sounds like it's going, OK.  You and your MO do NOT know anything right now about that so keep it out of your mind.

I will keep you in my prayers, dear!  Lots of hugs your way!!!!!!!!!!!

School C,

I'm sorry it was so rough for you, and I have been there plea bargaining with God. I also have a daughter. I also love music. My 12 yr old recorded some for me. They are mostly funny a bit crazy like "Make PooP" look for video on youtube. And they do make me laugh.

With my 9 year old it's dance music and we dance. I like to listen to music during chemo. I listened to Andrea Bocelli last time, soothing romantic ballads, after I laughed through my sons music.

keep dancing,

Vivian

Good morning Chemo Sisters- Yesterday was my second TX, infusions went well, it took less time than on my first TX. MO prescribed more drugs to help me with SEs this time. Getting anxious about getting my Neulasta shot today, as I was previously on Neupogen (5 shots) ....

School C. - The same thought was in my mind yesterday....praying as well that my daughter & sisters will never have to go through this journey.....

Headeast - I agree with you we have to stay strong and remain focus in getting through this difficult challenge.

Jen Sf- How are you feeling since TX#2 on Thursday? I hope that the SE effect remains minimal.

(Hugs) to all

Happy Saturday everyone, my 2nd TC was smooth and straight forward. 2 hrs. My energy drained though even during the process. I turned in right after I was home. Pretty much rest whole day. Appetite ok. Drank so much but not much out. Turning point came after midnight and I woke up every 2 hrs (like clock work) and went toilet. Beginning yesterday morning, I felt much better. Energy was back. Did my 1st Neupogen shot this am. So far so good.

Confession, before my tx, I met with my MO. She was always very kind, knowledgeable and caring. She started off by asking me ' how I was feeling....' oppps....I broke down and cried. I did write her a few times during the past weeks about my emotional up and down. Cos while I was physically well post 1st tx, I felt lost from time to time. My MO came close to me, held my hands, held me tight close to her and said ' Jen, you will be fine. Do not worry about the future and your work. You have to focus on NOW. Focus on your Health.....that is the only single important thing for you and family.....'. She agreed to refer me to connect with a therapist just to have them listen to me. I told her I am not looking for sleeping aid or anti depressant. I just need someone to listen. I got an appointment now for mid Nov. No harm to explore more help and resources. She then walked me to the infusion room and gave me hugs and best wishes. She was a huge blessed Angel! I love my MO!

Today is a one week anniversary after I shaved my hair. I love it! To Vivian and for the rest of us debating, go for it! No regrets! It's so much easier and I don't have to worry about clean up everywhere. I used my wig one time to a friend's house. It worked well. Rest of the week, I just stick with my hats. So much more easy and comfortable. I just brought a few more beautiful hats last nite too.

Nicole, hope Neulatic will do better for you this round. Tell us more when you settle down.

Best wishes to all of us,

Jen

Ps. Come to think about it, I am going to blame the few steroid pills I took from the day before my tx. They must have stirred up my emotion and broke my reputation of being 'cool, calm and organized' to my MO.....hahaha..🌻. Next rounds I will be more conscious and take it easy.