September 2013 Chemo Group

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  • SouthernGirl1974
    SouthernGirl1974 Member Posts: 86
    edited December 2013


    Congratulations LHL sending you (((hugs))))

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013


    LHL


    You are so sweet to make them brownies , I'm sure they will LOVE that! Yay for your last day and I love the sign too! WOOOOOHOOOOO! It is truly a day worth celebrating!


    Special k- I got the emla cream yesterday...I was told to put it on an hour before going and cover it with saran wrap or something and am sortof freaked out that they poke the needle through my skin...scary.


    Thanks for tips on shirts...


    My shaved head is still falling out and the roller thing picks up SOOO much hair, I now have bald patches and some hair left...it is annoying...I am going to wear a scarf today as I got a cute one at Charming Charlies (got a few) and it is sooo soft, the hats I have been wearing sortof hurt my head when I wear them all day....


    I still have eyelashes and brows but willing to lose those if I can lose my period too :) That would only be fair right?


    MY darn leg hair is growing like weeds still- what is up with that!!!!


    The weather reporters overdid as usual, no storm or ice here yet - now supposed to come later today...maybe we will see.


    Going to go shower and get all 'ready' for chemo day #2-- halfway there!!! woohooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!


    Have a good day all!

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2013


    Audra - If you use the emla cream (and yes, cover it with saran wrap or it will get all over your shirt), you will barely feel them poke through your skin. I promise. I've used my port through seven chemo treatments, numerous blood draws and tests, etc. I think it's only hurt once, and that hurt is small. Good luck today! Where are you in Texas?

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  • kjsimpson
    kjsimpson Member Posts: 445
    edited December 2013

    Audra,

    You will do fine.  If you must bolt out of the room, best to do it BEFORE they hook you up.  I know this from experience.  ;-)

    I use the 24 hour Claritin and start it the day before chemo and keep taking one a day for about a week.  It doesn't have to be Claritin, generic loratadine (10mg?) is ok.  Personally, I prefer the Alavert dissolvable minty tablet.  Adds a little pep to my meds in the morning.  ;-)

    You don't need much emla cream.  Just a dime sized drop (max).  I put a bandaid over it instead of saran wrap.

    Good luck!  We are all here cheering for you!!

    PeacockGirl,

    You remain my hero!!  ;-)


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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013


    Thanks guys!!!


    I live about 40 minutes northwest of Dallas...

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2013

    Lhl and hockeymommy-congrats on your last one, May there be very few side effects and you feel better in no time. :)

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  • mankatostate
    mankatostate Member Posts: 231
    edited December 2013


    Lighthouse-interesting that you used saran wrap for the emla cream. I did that too because the breast center nurse who put my port in told me to do that. Every time I went in to my local clinic for blood draws or chemo I would get the weirdest look from the nurses...a few of them told me they thought it funny that I used saran wrap and I said that was what the twin cities nurses told me to do. They acted like it was the strangest thing they had ever seen. They even finally started giving me a clear bandage to put over it. I had started to think maybe I had miss heard the nurse or something. I find it funny how some of theses standard things we can find on the web or hear from our breast center nurses are so unknown to a lot of our smaller clinic nurses and doctors. (Mine had never heard of taking Clairton for the bone pain shot etc.)


    I so sorry but I am having a hard time keeping up with who is done or still doing chemo! But it looks like you, lighthouse and hockeymom are finishing up...Congratulations and wishing the side effects to end quickly and not be so bad! Enjoy moving on to the next phase!

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2013


    I am a chemo graduate!!! Treatment #8 of 8 is DONE! Here I am with the sign that my daughter made for me, and also with Hubby who has been by my side every step of the way. Now I get a few weeks "off" before surgery Jan 3.


    imageimage

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2013


    Great pictures LHL!!!!!! So happy for you!

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  • mankatostate
    mankatostate Member Posts: 231
    edited December 2013


    yay Lighthouse...What a great feeling when you are finally done! Enjoy your break and the holidays! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  • simplelife4real
    simplelife4real Member Posts: 563
    edited December 2013


    Knightzoo, we are on the same page in terms of treatment. For some reason, my blood pressure has been running on the low side ever since I got the AC. I kind of think it's the Emend that might be causing it, because I felt woozy as soon as I started getting it. The nausea has been okay, only very slight so far and it's been almost 48 hours now since chemo. I'm just really staying on top of the anti-nausea meds. I've slept most of today and yesterday. No bone pain (yet). I don't feel sick, just really tired. Good thing I don't have to do anything today.


    SpecialK, thanks for pointing out there is such a thing as a 12 hour Claritin. I didn't know that, I've sent a message to my MO to get clarification about which Claritin I should be taking twice a day. They are very quick at responding, and I will post here what I find out.


    Peacock, love the pose. Clearly you are a yoga lady!


    Whitehouse, I love the sign!! Congratulations on being done with chemo!!! Whoo Hooo!!!


    By the way, I forgot to use my Emla cream this last time, so they just sprayed me with the "freezy spray" and I didn't feel a thing! Good to know.


    Kay

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  • mercedes60
    mercedes60 Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2013


    positiveneg. Thks for the info, had my first taxol yesterday, it went well, i was a little freaked out before going, i think it was physcological the thought of beinghooked up again. Didnt know what to expect, hubby always takes me, they pumped me with pepcid,decadron and benedryl before taxol, boy let me tell you i could of flew home after i was do hyper. Lol, a little tingling but tired my red count is 97 very low the min is 120 so yes still very tired by the afteroon and yes taste is coming back. Yah! So need to get a good steak in.


    Peacock love that pose wow! I plan to start yoga when i get my strength up, i noticed i lost a lot of muscle tone lately, i was in ptetty good shape before, so i need a good beginners dvd, do not want to go to class, i look too strange. Can u recommend any? Thanks


    Lhl congrats on your last chemo and great picture


    Specialk. Hi any tips on how to get my red count up? Thks

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013


    Yay lighthouse!!! LOVE the photos and sign your daughter made! I'll bet the whole family is thrilled you are done with this!!!! Wishing you no side effects and just healing...keep us posted on your surgery and all that entails...it will be piece of cake compared to this..(I've already had that done)


    I used emla cream on port and LOVED the port! WAY better than them digging and poking me several times to get I.V. and the burning horrid pain after and during infusion. Today was awesome! My nurse told me to cover with saran wrap too but you all already had told me...


    Hoping this time with neulasta I will have more energy and not get so ill and tired feeling with wbc so low...can't wait to get it! I'm taking a Claritin now as my dr said take 2-3 days and 3-5 days after...I might not get it tomorrow if icey and they close..so then Monday...either way I will be covered..right? What's one more drug? Ha!

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  • lighthouselady
    lighthouselady Member Posts: 752
    edited December 2013


    Audra - they told me the same thing. If they are closed tomorrow because of icy weather, I'll get my shot Monday.


    I'm glad it went well for you. :-)

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  • josgirl
    josgirl Member Posts: 231
    edited December 2013

    LHL - CONGRATS!!!!  So happy for you and your family.  There is still more to the road but the chemo is in the rearview mirror.....

    Peacock Girl - I just smiled...what a spirit you have :)

    8 rads down and feeling ok so far.  So far worst part is the daily apt - just what I expected.  Will keep you up to date on other side effects as they come but after chemo....

    You are all such a wonderful group of strong and selfless women...thanks everyday

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited December 2013


    Lighthouselady - Congratulations on being done with Chemo!!!!

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2013

    Lhl-congrats. Whoo hoo, I am so happy for you.

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  • hockeymommy
    hockeymommy Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2013


    I am a chemo graduate too!!! I can't believe I did it!!! Now to look forward to two more surgeries! I know I can do that too!!!


    image


    My family!! We kicked cancers butt together!!!

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  • kjsimpson
    kjsimpson Member Posts: 445
    edited December 2013

    Way to GO, Lighthouselady and HockeyMommy!!  Following right behind you in two weeks with my last round!

    Audra,
    Glad all went well.  The port method is really nice.  I have had friends go through cancer that never used a port and their arms looked so beat up afterwards. 

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  • kjsimpson
    kjsimpson Member Posts: 445
    edited December 2013

    Hockeymommy,

    Beautiful Family!

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  • Viji
    Viji Member Posts: 195
    edited December 2013


    LHL, congrats!!! I know how it feels. You and hubby look lovely.

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013


    Yay Hockeymommy! LOVE your family and so happy for you!!! Now you have a great life ahead!


    You can do the surgeries for sure!

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2013

    waaaayy to go LHHL and   hockey.  faab pics

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2013

    audra icy hot and aleve help me in addition to claritiin....my wbc go in the 50s after neulasa and the heating pad is my friend post shot.  have a  great night

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2013

    vintage it is the herceptin that can be dangerous for the heart.  i get a heart scan every month.  hope that helps.

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2013

    Yay! Hockeymommy!!! So happy for you, beautiful family.

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  • PeacockGirl
    PeacockGirl Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2013


    ahhhhhhhhhh I love the pictures! Congrats hockey mommy and lighthouse lady you are done with chemo! Super cute families!


    Feeling good today, the nurse practitioner at my onco office is awesome...I will opt to see her as often as I can instead of my doctor. She did kind of raise her eyebrows at me for scheduling my port removal so soon (jan 8)...saying I need blood draws every 3 months for the next year and they will have to use my arm. PLEASE use my arm, those darn nurses don't seem to know how to access my port well anyway, I will take an arm stick over digging in my port anyday! Speaking of which ...had my labs done early today while I was there so they are ready promptly at 815am when I go for chemo tomorrow so I can cut 2 hours off my chair time :) my hemoglobin is now 10.2, up from 9.7 two weeks ago. No wonder I feel better with way more energy! Hope this uptick continues!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2013

    Mercedes - the way to get your RBC and hemoglobin up is to increase your protein intake, leafy greens, steak, chicken, seafood, fortified cereals, eggs, tuna, etc.  Try to eat red meat if you can handle it.

    Congrats to the ladies who have crossed the finish line!  Way to go and great pics!

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  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2013


    Hooray for LHL and hockeymommy finally crossed the finish line! It will just get better each day from here out! Great photos too.


    I am almost completely done with active treatment -- yeah! Next Thursday will be my last rad treatment. I will be jumping around for sure! I can't believe it.


    As I've said, rad tx has been so easy, particularly compared to chemo. My main SE is some redness and soreness, similar to a mild sunburn. The lotions I use help, particularly the 100% aloe.


    Here's wishing everyone few to no SEs for the foreseeable future.

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  • josgirl
    josgirl Member Posts: 231
    edited December 2013


    hockey mommy - congrats and beautiful family!!!!

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