October 2013 Chemotherapy

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  • uds17
    uds17 Member Posts: 183
    edited December 2013

    axg24- I hope you get some relief soon! Thanks for sharing your experience. Your side effects have been worse than mine. I've had some hand tremors and just after treatment 3 developed some numbness in my finger tips and toes. I'm also noticing my hands are weaker- for example, it's harder to get a good grip and open jars. My biggest concern is that after treatment 4 this coming Thursday (I'm on the same schedule as you) I won't be able to write. I write all day long at work and won't be able to do my job if I can't. 

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013

    I get to the MRI with my dosage of Xanax only to learn that they cannot do the MRI with tissue expanders in me !!!! Grrrr!!!! The radiologist was very kind, but there wears a risk of them burning my skin or moving so no MRI. I have to talk to my PS and MO who are on vacation until Thursday about alternatives. Ack. I am just going to keep taking Vicodin and Ativan as needed..... I just can't believe this. My expanders so not come out until February 21!st. The saga continues....

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

    school counselor - you can have a PET scan with expanders in, and it will show anything suspicious.  Also, chemo itself will elevate your tumor marker tests.  I had a normal (for a cancer patient) tumor marker at the start of chemo, but when I had another test done at the conclusion of chemo it was twice the high normal limit!  I had a lot of inflammation - as it sounds like you do too - and this can skew the test.  This is the reason a lot of oncologists don't use tumor markers - they are good for trending information, but not as an isolated piece of information.  My tumor markers were repeated at two week intervals after I finished chemo and they eventually returned to a normal (for a cancer patient, lol!) level.  Try not to worry, and ask about a PET scan instead.

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited December 2013

    Axg & Uds -- I had neuropathy in the middle three toes on both feet -- mostly just tingling and numbness, some burning -- this week I have noticed that it is much better.  I do have some peeling on my feet this week, mostly on my bunions, which were inflamed during chemo, and on the bottom of my big toe.  

    SC -- I can't believe no one thought to tell you in advance that the MRI was not possible with expanders!  good grief!!!  I am sure there is some kind of scan they can do, as SpecialK suggests so that you can have some peace of mind.  Meantime, breathe and keep the positive mantra going.

    SpecialK with great info once again!  Thanks so much!!  I was wondering why I never heard of this tumor markers thing.  Guess my MO doesn't do it because the chemo skews the results.

    So here I am at 4:15 am, up all night with DS who seems to have picked up food poisoning.  Poor puppy!  He's 18, but I still can't sleep while he is sick, even after he has been away at college for 4 months.  Can't believe I got all the way through chemo without puking and he gets hold of a nasty piece of lettuce or something and is this sick.  I checked on him a few minutes ago and found him asleep on the bathroom floor under a couple of towels.  Decided to leave him there, sleeping is probably good for him now, and will try to get more fluids in him when he wakes up.  So here I am on BCO, catching up on posts I missed, with one ear open for anything my boy might need..... 

    Truly, though, it is nice to feel like I have the strength to take care of someone else for a change....just realized it is the first time in over 6 months that I am not the patient.

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  • uds17
    uds17 Member Posts: 183
    edited December 2013

    schoolcounselor- you can have a bone scan with expanders in place. I'm sorry you're still having to deal with the unknowns. xoxo

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013

    Thanks Special K. I'll ask my doctor. about that.

    The funny thing is I told them when I booked the appointment that I had tissue expanders you would think the radiologist office would have said something.

    I'm just not going to worry about this anymore. MY MO and PS are on vacation this week. MY MO comes back on Thursday, which is my next chemo, so we can talk then.

    This BC thing is just such an adventure...... thanks ladies for your support

    Oh and Today is my birthday...45! Started the day with a massage at a spa, it was wonderful!

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited December 2013

    Happy Birthday SchoolCounselor!!  Wishing you many many many more!!

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited December 2013

    Happy Birthday, SC!!  What a great relaxing way to start your special day!  Glad you have gotten to a place where you aren't worried.  You got this, brave adventurer!

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013

    Thanks Pam and Kim!!! I had a lovely day. I have also figured out what I can taste, so I had a gyro! I have not had one in years!

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  • Malakies
    Malakies Member Posts: 40
    edited December 2013

    Happy Birthday SchoolCouns!! Wishing you the very best! Funny you say you can taste a gyro! My son and I have a gyro fast casual restaurant, and I have NOT eaten one since my chemo. I love love love a gyro (we make it on premises no frozen meat here) I am afraid to have one, cause I've been told by a couple of friends who have gone through chemo that everything that tastes good to you before chemo wont taste good during... and never will after... so I am not chancing it! LOL!

    I hope all you ladies have a great New Years. Tomorrow is #2 Taxol (of 12) The first one went well...no serious SE to talk about.

    Is this over yet?? UGH!!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited December 2013

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Sounds like a good day!

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

    Happy Birthday SC! Mmmmmm Gyro!  Sounds good.  I am glad you were able to enjoy yourself.  I hope you get answers from your MO this week, and in less than a week, I believe you will be in the chemo chair for the last time!

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  • Gramof2boys
    Gramof2boys Member Posts: 194
    edited December 2013

    Happy Birthday SC! Hope you had a great day!

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited December 2013

    Happy  birthday, SC! Enjoy your day!

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

    schoolcounselor - Happy Birthday!  Here's to many, many more!  Glad you had a nice day!

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  • uds17
    uds17 Member Posts: 183
    edited December 2013

    Happy birthday, schoolcounselor! Glad you were able to enjoy your day! 

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  • axg24
    axg24 Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2013

    happy birthday schoolcounselor! That's so awesome that you got to pamper yourself on your special day. 

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  • relocatedtarheel
    relocatedtarheel Member Posts: 159
    edited December 2013

    happy birthday SC!!!!!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited December 2013

    Tomorrow I got for Taxol #7. Hubby always brings & sits with me me since Tuesday is his scheduled day off. But our son has the day off from work (rare) & has been telling me he is going to hang out with me. He keeps mentioning ordering lunch from the hospital caf LOL Anyway I think it is great he wants to do this. Makes me feel good.

    BTW he is 37, heheheh not a kid!

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited December 2013

    VintageGal - good luck tomorrow! That's great that your son wants to join you, I hope all goes well and you can make the best of your time together!

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited December 2013

    Thank you so much for your well wishes. I hope for minimal SE or everyone. Went for blood work today. Chemo on Thursday, there is a big storm coming and I will be driving in it because it is my last one! woohoo! My back still hurts and I am still taking Vicodin for the pain since MRI is not possible, he has to figure something out. I'm focusing on the positive because as many of you said to me worrying wont change it, which could also be interpreted as , ignorance is bliss.

    Hope you are all doing well, Hoping for a Happy New Year for all of us!

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  • Furfriend2
    Furfriend2 Member Posts: 299
    edited January 2014

    SchoolC,

    happy belated bday-hope it was awesome and you did something nice for yourself Smile

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    Happy New Year, Chemo sisters!  Thanks for getting me through the dark days for 2013 with your friendship, advice and support.  I am so grateful for all of you!!!  Here's to a healthier, happier 2014 for all of us!

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    For what it's worth...  I have been struggling with SUPER dry hands and feet since chemo.  Tried all kinds of creams -- Eucerin, Aquaphor, Vaseline intensive care, etc.   Today I was cleaning out a drawer and found a tube of something that is finally helping:  L'Occitane Creme Mains Dry Skin Hand Cream,  It contains  20% Shea Butter, plus honey, almonds extracts and coconut oil, per the label.  Just an FYI in case any of you are having this problem too.

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  • Gramof2boys
    Gramof2boys Member Posts: 194
    edited January 2014

    Happy New Year ladies! 2014 has to be better for us than 2013! Good luck everyone and I hope 2014 brings good news to all! 

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited January 2014

    Happy New Year brave soldiers.  2014 is a healing year.

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited January 2014

    Happy and Healthy New Year to us all!!!!!

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited January 2014

    HAPPY NEW right back at ya! 

    2014 will definitely be better for all of us!

    I had chemo yesterday so last night & today are my really feel good days....but no plans! LOL I did get hubby & son to haul up an old Hoosier cabinet this morning from my cellar inventory & I got that painted & new hardware on it. It will go into the shop Sunday. 

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited January 2014

    Tomorrow is go back to work, yay! I miss being normal!

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited January 2014

    congratulations Headeast.  I hope you have a good day.  Great way to start the year.

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