Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013

Options
1…6263656768…162

Comments

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2013


    Re: the tape problems, there's a great thread called Adhesive Tape.... Lots of ideas that have worked for other folks and a good place to read if you have sensitive skin. I can't even use paper tape for more than 15 minutes w/o my skin tearing off. Luckily I can use Medipore or Hypafix tape.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2013


    Great picture Audra; the scarf is awesome. I am not coordinated enough to tie one!


    I love those blanket pictures! The blankets are warm and cozy, and you ladies are looking great. One step closer for so many this week. Hoping those side effects take the holiday month off.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited December 2013


    Audra, you look so gorgeous!!! I am jealous... i look ridiculous in my hats, scarves, etc. :( I am thinking i need the fringe "hair" - lol oh and your comment about having a "white" scalp cracked me up... I had that the last time, and I think I have it now (though I still have a bit of stubble up there).


    We are having a snowstorm.... so i called the doc and said i wasn't coming today for the neulasta... The girl at the desk (who i have had issues with) called me back and said, you are lucky we are able to "squeeze" you in for 11:30 tomorrow...i was like, 'really? it's for a shot that takes 5 seconds..." I was pissed at the attitude....


    Guess I have a fancy infusion place......have my own cubby. And actually yesterday, I could have had a private room with a private bathroom, but the tv only had CNN so we said no to that room lollllll


    Bluegrassharp- yayyyyyyyyy for the la-z-boy! I bought one pre- surgery b/c initially i was going to have the DIEP recon surgery, and a friend had said she had to sleep in the recliner for better than a month!!! I didn't end up with that type of recon, but got the recliner anyway, b/c i was going to be staying home recuperating this time. Best...investment...ever... And I totally sympathize with not being able to sleep on your side :( I am a side sleeper as well and only NOW after 6-7 weeks post surgery am I finally able to almost totally sleep on my side (albeit not totally comfortably yet...still hoping that gets better)


    Headeast- my sister and i always think that as we are walking through the infusion area....how soooooooooooooooo many people are affected by this horrible disease :( so sad......


    hugs to all!!! i feel awesome today and I'm really pissed that it's snowing and preventing me from taking advantage of feeling great - no christmas shopping :( bummer. guess i should clean....lol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bluegrassharp
    Bluegrassharp Member Posts: 96
    edited December 2013


    I, too, am also surprised at the number of people in the infusion center when I go. But a more positive way to look at it is to be consciously joyful that we have such good treatments for so many kinds of cancers today! In the bad old days, many of those people -- us, too! -- would have had much less hope for many, many good days ahead.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2013

    Todays' Dr visit went well. Heard " something" in my lung; got  a chest x-ray, but I think I am fine...blood counts were all good!  YAY!! Got a RX for thrush. bleh

    I think today I am feeling back to normal:) I said that yesterday, but feel even better today. whoo-hoo! I am trying not to think about my next treatments and focus on how good I am feeling right now.

    Have a wonderful week ladies with few SE's please!

    ((HUGS))

     


     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013

    You all are SO nice!  I feel sad today and maybe it's my lowering wbc?  Go to get blood tested tomorrow..

    When is the nadir of TC???  I thought 5-7 days??? or 5-10??  today is 5...but got the neulasta so that should compensate right?

    Hoping I get no period this month! That about threw me over the ledge last month!  YUCK!  And I still am growing leg and underarm hair while my top hair is baby soft and fine and almost all gone...this is so UNFAIR! I'm also noticing lots of facial hair that I never saw before...nice.

    Yes that infusion room is an awful place to see.  Reminded me of psych wards in nursing school...it was scary.

    But like HeadEast said it is amazing how many people have cancer.  It just seems unreal that is it so common.  My place is ALWAYS packed every time I have gone, the waiting room, the infusion room, it is like a starbucks...just amazing.  and sad...why do so many get cancer? 

    At least I am happy with my Dr, and the nurse is OK too, it is new facility hooked onto a hospital, it is close to home (15 minutes) and I am getting to kill any little cells that might have thought about being cancerous...so I am thankful.

    Wearing little burglar caps around the house, feel like a catburglar !  :) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013


    You look great Audra!! I has chemo in the hospital instead of my usual place. It was like a factory. Thank heavens I return to my regular place. Spacious, friendly and a lot of laughter. Went today for my neulasta shot. Also got Ativan. I also scheduled my exchange surgery for February 21st!!!


    Just tired today after chemo. Hoping for minimal muscle aches and no fever this time around!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited December 2013

    FYI:  The website referenced below is a website that was founded by Scott Hamilton, the former Olympic ice skater who is a cancer survivor.  I found this website easy to understand in its descriptions of the chemotherapy and helpful.

    Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.

    According to chemocare.com,  ( link: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/cytoxan.aspx ) the nadir period for Cytoxan is

    Onset: 7 days
    Nadir: 10-14 days
    Recovery: 21 days

     

    According to the same website, ( link: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxotere.aspx ) the nadir period for Taxotere is

    Onset: 4-7 days
    Nadir: 5-9 days
    Recovery: 21 days

     

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013

    Thanks Melrose!

    So we get days 5-14??? Whaaaattttt???  That's not good...I thought they were both different...interesting...that makes sense then that my wbc was 2. then next week 2.3...wow...hoping the nuelasta does something to counteract that. I don't love that it's that low and susceptible to germs for that long of a time frame...darn.

    Schoolcounselor-

    Wishing you a peaceful night and no side effects this time!  I am always so tired after chemo day I sleep very well. 

    I am religiously using my Ativan at night to sleep and I think it helps...

    I am on day 5 today and super tired and lazy all day, maybe the nadir thing?  Will post my bloodwork tomorrow after I get it taken...although I only got neulasta yesterday so maybe it doesn't work that fast??

    Tired of being tired...this seems to go on & on & on...and I've only got 2 down....I want to be me again! 


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2013

    Anybody have a solution for thrush besides a RX? I have a RX but seems like it is clearing up on its' own; I haven't started my meds yet and don't want to take any more meds than I have to. Eating yogurt.

    I think the WBC is what fights infection; the RBC affects the amount of oxygen carried in your blood and low counts can make you fatigued. Platelets are what clots your blood.

    x-ray was fine:).

    I hope you all enjoy your evening. Keep the SE's at bay! It looks like some of you are at or past the halfway mark!

    ((HUGS))


     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • indenial
    indenial Member Posts: 504
    edited December 2013


    Keepthefaith, I know genetian violet is often recommended for nursing mothers & babies with thrush. Not sure if it's safe during chemo. Also probiotics.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    Loving all the photos! Yesterday was a busy day in the BGC. I was in it, too. Good first treatment and minimal initial SE. Hope that continues in the future.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2013


    keepe faith... thrush in my mouth ... I had it for 2-3 days each round. I ate a lot of yogurt, brushed my tongue a lot...probably almost brushed it raw, but it made it feel so much better. i used baking soda and salt rinses, and also brushed my tongue with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water...that helped a lot...and then I rinsed very, very well with plain water afterwards.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013

    Ok all=

    I have severe headache...what could it be?  I haven't drank all liquids needed today, and had the nuelasta on Monday...either one of those???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited December 2013


    are you breathing deep?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013

    no...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited December 2013


    Audra - Have you taken any Zophran? If you are a bit dehydrated, that can cause headache. I seem to always have a slight headache days 2-3. Might be the come down from steroids.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    Audra - I'm guessing its hydration? I've been CRAZY hydrating and no headache at all. My onc nurse said "drink like crazy, we don't want you marinating in this stuff." Makes sense when you put it that way! Hope you feel much better soon. For what it's worth, when I noticed my intake was lagging I set an alarm on my phone to remind me. It helped.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2013


    My MO suspected Zofran caused my headaches and told me to hold off this time as long as I don't have nausea.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited December 2013


    ditto for me with the headache - last time it was horrible and my MO said the same thing about the Zofran... She gave me compazine for this time - but I haven't felt ANY nausea this time (yet) so I haven't taken anything :) !!! Yay. No horrible gas pains either (again yet) but last time my crummy feelings didn't really start til Thursday.


    Am hot cold hot cold and can't sleep lol,,,,,yay for a remote control ceiling fan and an iPad in bed with me lolll.


    Going for my Neulasta today as the snow prevented me from going yesterday...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joanmj58
    joanmj58 Member Posts: 68
    edited December 2013


    Day 3 after 1st TC chemo. No side effects yet! And no side effects yet after Neulasta shot. Have been taking Claritan day before, day after and this morning. Hoping for little or no side effects!


    Joan

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    Help! is it okay to eat probiotic yogurt? I think maybe not but could find my reference note again.


    Joan- I'm having a very similar experience so far :). Nurse said to expect more SE Friday/Saturday when the steriods wear off. Plan to enjoy and appreciate every moment of feeling good. Granted I only feel like consuming fluids and my normal mouth sores are starting to act up but that's so minor compared to what others are going through!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2013


    Probiotics are great! I ate tons of probiotic yogurt and i think it really helped. So glad to hear a few are having minimal side effects. I hope it continues!!!!!


    Audra, Dehydration can cause huge headaches! Of course, the stress of this whole thing can too, and for me, I get them when my hormones are messed with, etc. Hoping your headache has eased.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited December 2013

    Thanks you all!  I had bad night, woke up several times, diarrhea x 3 and headache still.  I chugged an extra 16 oz. after I posted the headache...took 2 Tylenol this am and it helped.  I think it might be nuelasta, that is only thing new.  I didn't take Zofran this time as it did give me a headache...I just read on neulasta side effects that stomach upset and headache are common...yay...I NEVER have headaches so when I get them I can't stand it.

    Got a lot done already being up at 0600 though..laundry, breakfast, daughter to school...all in all I am feeling more energetic so I think the neulasta is doing it's trick with wbc...getting tested at 1130 so we will see...

    happy day and thanks for tips!  I am so sick of water, uggghhhh....will try to overdrink today and see if that helps..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013


    Glad to hear Audra. I had the shot yesterday and just can't get out of bed today!! I started drinking juices and decafinated teas to help with fluid. My throat hurts and I'm a little achy but not much. Going to try to take a quick shower and eat something, despite the fact I can't taste anything.


    With regard to thrush. I bought about eight soft toothbrushes and use the for about three weeks and throw them out. Especially after chemo. I do also disinfect them with hydrogen peroxide but I don't want to take a chance of re infecting.


    Off to try to get up. Here's wishing minimal side effects to all!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    Audra, glad to hear you've gotten so relief! I couldn't drink all the requirements in water alone. I run about 2/3 Gatorade and mix in water, hot herbal decaf tea, and soup. Going to add smoothies since food hurts the mouth sores. Hope you find a hydration mix that works well for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2013


    Audra, i also mixed gatorade and water. i froze it and took it out partially frozen...slushies...hydration and it soothed my perpetually sore throat.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013


    Weird side effect. My period was about done when I got my first infusion. That night and the next day it came back with a vengeance and lots of clots (very unusual for me). Day 3 it back on its way out again. It was weird and I thought I'd put it out there in case it startles any other newbs who might have it happen. Hoping that's my body's last hurrah for a period!


    Great slushie idea Kbee! I'll be trying that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited December 2013

    Quirkygirl- Jello and fresh or frozen grapes and watermelon count as fluids.  Time to get that blender out and throw in some ice cubes, some juice and frozen fruit.  That smoothie/slushie will cool you down and help with the fluid intake.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2013


    I had my final chemo last Friday, and it's been a rough week. Lots of stomach troubles, more than the last few chemos. I'm loading the water/fluids but it's not helping a lot. I figure a couple more days of this and I'll be out of the woods. Next week on Thursday I go for my big radiation appointment to get that set up, then next Friday 12/20 I get the port out. I'm finally feeling like things are wrapping up a bit. Five weeks of radiation starts in January and then the five years of hormones, but none of that can be as bad as the chemo!


    Sorry to hear about all the snow and ice in other parts of the US and Canada. It's cold here (for California) but no snow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories