Starting Chemo in December 2013

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  • beths1
    beths1 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2014

    yeah water dog that is awesome news.   Believe and anything is possible.  I just finished round 2 pf AC and felt I was crawling out of my skin...not sure if it was because of decadron or neulasta.    Today is day 5 and starting to feel more normal

    No nausea ......this round thank god!

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  • Amazonwarrior
    Amazonwarrior Member Posts: 485
    edited January 2014

    Good morning ladies!

    I ordered my temporary breast prostheses from the Canadian Cancer Society yesterday. They will mail it free of charge. This is actually part of the Peer Support Programme that connects bc patients to a support volunteer who has had the same dx and treatment. I am quite excited to chat with somebody about their experience and exchange my pinned sock for something that actually resembles a breast! They can also give advice about places to get free wigs in your local area. Here is their number for any Canadian ladies who are interested:

    1-800-263-6750

    When I was talking to the Programme coordinator on the phone, my hubby just came home during his lunch break. He overhears her asking me about my breast size. I tell the lady I used to wear size B, but now with a different bra I could even go down to an A. Then my DH jumps in saying: No, you are more like a C!!! I said: No way! Have you seen me lately? Yes, I have. Which side are you talking about? ... We talked loud enough for the lady to hear our married couple argument. Then she cracked up over the phone. Happy

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited January 2014

    enjoyed my birthday, day two after chemo and I hope how I feel stays...no nausea, no pains, no constipation, tired yes....but so far round 3 is better than previous ones...praying it stays.

    Craved tomato macaroni soup and grilled ham and cheese for my birthday dinner...my awesome family and I indulged with me for my carb crave meal...I think frozen coconut yogurt will be dessert!  

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  • DJJ
    DJJ Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2014

    Does anybody else get sore feet?  The bottom of my feet feel raw and my big toe on my right foot has what looks like a pea size bruise that is really tender. It happened with round 2 but is a little worse with round 3.  I wonder if it's the Neulasta shot or the AC.  It doesn't stop me from moving and exercising just annoying.  It was gone by the second week of round 2 so I forgot to ask my MO about it at round 3.  Will definitely be asking about it at MO's appointment this Friday before round 4.   

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited January 2014

    I've been having problems with sore feel and sensitive palms.  I developed two tender dots on my feet that are limiting my walking.  My regular shoes - super brioken in - seem to have created them.  Going to ask my MO about it too.  Hope they have an answer for you DJJ.

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  • oranje_mama
    oranje_mama Member Posts: 260
    edited January 2014

    no sores on my feet but I do have mild swelling in both feet & hands, so a little tender when I get stand up in the morning. It really doesn't bother me much at all but MO is very fixated on this SE. She says I need to watch it carefully and that it is a SE of the taxotere. If swelling increases they will hold or ultimately reduce taxotere dose.

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    I had 2nd round AC on wed.  I feel like crap still!  I've had nausea, I also had a port put in that day too.  That makes me queasy too every time I think about it!  I started getting a head old last night too.  Boo-Hoo, I feel shitty.  I have zero energy, I can't wait to feel better, ok there's my poor me rant.

    Anyway, the Pats won:)

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    head cold, not old ;)

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited January 2014

    NEskir99. If your head cold is a constant runny nose and some sneezing it my be the Cytoxin.  My nose runs esp in the mornings but it is just clear with occ blood if I blow too hard.  May also be loss of nose hair up high In the nose and dryness,  the nose hairs no longer filter the dust and stuff and sneezing is more common. 

    Hang in you will fell better, just in time for the next round LOL.  The port will become your best friend soon. 

    now 10 days after round 2 DD- . AC finally feeling more energy, if it does not rain I hope to take the dog for a long walk today. Found the fatigue lasted longer after round two. Getting a sore tongue today. Feels raw, no spots, like thrush, doing the baking soda rinses but not much help except for a few minutes. if it gets worse tomorrow I will call for some Magic Swizzle to dab on it. 

    Barbara

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited January 2014

    morning day 3, headache and sinus pressure, got up and took the claritan and Tylenol...feels better.  Have some fogginess, but odd this time no big C, yet the opposite...I think the senna smooth move tea works...I want those poisons out of me ASAP!  I did feel sensitive skin areas last night around my rib cage and stomach...just like a tingly nerve pain...odd.

    My MO watches for fluid retention, I'm sure that is why I'm on a low dose daily coumadin...seems to be important, so please mention it to your doctor.  Feel better everyone...we are rounding that corner of getting done with the red devil 

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  • Blessedw2
    Blessedw2 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2014

    Good Morning Ladies,

    I started the ac portion of my chemo December 19 but just found this site. I am so excited to find a group that is going through this simultaneously and look forward to getting to know you all!

    Amanda

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited January 2014

    welcome Amanda!! I go for round 2 AC a week from tomorrow. This is a great site. Tons of info and support. Welcome. 

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited January 2014

    welcome Amanda to a group no one wants to really be in but is very supportive. I also started my AC on 12/19 as well as several other women. I am getting dose dense AC every 2 weeks for 4 doses then low dose taxol weekly for 12 weeks.  So far tolerating it fairly well.  Much better then I ever expected to.  You like most of us have gone through the hair loss period. I love my new wig, better then my normal fine thin hair.  Went to a dinner  banquet this weekend and several people did not recognized me at first. 

    Are you getting your AC every 2 or 3 weeks?  Hope you are having minimal SEs so far. 

    Barbara

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  • Blessedw2
    Blessedw2 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2014

    Thank you for the warm welcome Barbara  and rhgsr!

    Barbara- I am on the same schedule as you as you are for a total of 16 treatments. I am having a terrible time with the se. From reading on here I have already gotten a few ideas. Glad to learn about the runny nose, I have been trying to stop it and other head issues with sudefed unsuccessfully. I cut my hair short, then shaved it when hair started falling out on day 14. I couldn't handle waiting for it to slowly fall out. I have thick dark hair and it was EVERYWHERE. I felt like scene from a bad movie. 

    Amanda

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited January 2014

    what's the difference between AC every 3 weeks versus every 2 weeks?

    Just curious :0)

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  • DJJ
    DJJ Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2014

    Welcome Amanda! This group will definitely help you through.

    Deb

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  • Mikesgirl17
    Mikesgirl17 Member Posts: 260
    edited January 2014

    Hi Amanda.  Glad you found us.  Question ladies?  Anyone else have a rash?  Upper chest, back.  Plus Eyes and head itching like crazy.  It's driving me NUTS!  I am going for my last a/c on Thursday.  (YAY!!!)  Every 8 days after chemo I usually break out in stress bumps/ pimples in a couple spots on my face.  Not this time.  Rash instead.  It is better than yesterday so I'm hoping it's almost gone by tomorrow. I have really dry skin on my forehead and around my eyes.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited January 2014

    rhgsr, I'm not on AC, maybe one is dose dense and the other not...?

    mikesgirl, maybe you should call your MO in case it's an allergic reaction...I am not sure if the regimen you are on can cause one, but I know taxotere can.

    welcome Amanda! I hope your SE's calm down for you soon.

    jackieak, I think coumadin is usually prescribed to prevent blood clotting. I'm not sure if it can be used for other purposes. I guess you could ask your MO.

    I hope you are feeling better, neskir!

    Have a great week, everyone~

     

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  • nursemom
    nursemom Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2014

    I got a rash in my skin folds with each treatment. Cleared up pretty quick with over the counter hydrocortisone cream. My bald head itches all the time, I actually asked my plastic surgeon last week what I could do about that and she told me to put a little olive oil everyday. Surprisingly it really helped.


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  • beths1
    beths1 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2014

    don't feel bad.  We all need a pity party from time to time .   Today is another day.  Hang in there

    Are people using a straight razor to shave their heads?   Mine is itchy also.   Will try the olive oil.

    Love chatting with everyone

    Getting ready for dose # 3 in a week.  Hope I do as well as jackieak

    Anyone heard they need more than 4 red devil treatments?

    Beths1

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  • beths1
    beths1 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2014

    Denise.  Do you find the SE from the decadron last long?   I am not sleepy, jittery and feel like I have the restless body syndrome.....can't relax read, sit still.  Weird.  I know it helped me with nauseau but not sure these SE are worth it.   Anyone have thoughts on this?

    Beths1

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  • beths1
    beths1 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2014

    charusa.  Are you taking Ativan/ lorazepam for anxiety?   Made a huge difference for me

    Beths1

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited January 2014

    foot sensitivity ! yes... I am having a bit on the balls of my feet by my toes, it just feels irritated.  welcome to the new gals ..

    Im just randomly trying to remember some of the things I just read, I use a strait razor on my head, well I get my husband too.  I just got him to do it again the other day, I do find there is some stubble hanging around, Im not that shiny bald person.

    feeling a bit better today, SE's have been ok, but you know you just want to feel normal, and not feel like you are pushing yourself all the time, which I know we must do.  I should be coming on the tail end of this one soon and have some good days.  round 4 will be by next one in a week from today. I'll be half way...

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    feeling better, thank you.  I guess it was day 5 I started to feel "normal".  I had my husband help my razor my head last night, the stubble was irritating & patchy.  When I tried to sleep it felt like Velcro on my pillow.  Silky smooth now! I'm going to do the oil to keep it that way.  My skin is DRY!

    I was on 2 week AC, but with complications I'm about every 2 1/2 weeks.  MO said its fine, both 2/3 weeks just as effective.  I wish I could be put to sleep for the 5 days after treatment!  I find the nausea & restlessness horrid.

    Port still makes my a bit queasy, under my skin.  I'm trying to ignore it.

    I will say this about cancer, it's given me a sense of presence & patience that I have never felt.  My teens also, I feel have been really wonderful and loving (most of the time)

    Anyway, hope you all are feeling comfortable.

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  • oranje_mama
    oranje_mama Member Posts: 260
    edited January 2014

    Round 1, I was also very dry!  Worst SE was terrible nosebleeds (from dry nose).  Now I have a whole anti-dryness regimen that seems to be working: steam humidifier in bedroom, saline spray/gel for nose, put on moisturizer as soon as I'm out of the shower, and then again during day, and before bed, Systane drops in my eyes before bed and when I wake up.    

    Anyone suffering from mouth issues?  Round 1 was bad for me.  I had mouth sores, and also a terrible burned feeling in my whole mouth & throat (hard to swallow).  Finally cleared up around Day 14 or so.  This time round I was prescribed Magic Mouthwash, but I can't stand it.  The lidocaine in the mouthwash gives me the feeling that everything is swelling (tongue) and like my throat is closing.  Makes me gag.  I've been using salt/baking soda rinse, hoping that's helping (last time mouth problems really took over as worst SE only around day 7 or so, so I'm not sure what's coming!).  I discovered kind of by accident that sucking on Tums seems to help.

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    I did, orangemama, I had bad kankas, I used oracle & rinsed with baking soda & water. I hope it doesn't happen this time.

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited January 2014

    orajel

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited January 2014
    I use Biotene mouth rinse. Haven't had sores-just thrush.
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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited January 2014

    I use the Biotene mouth rinse also. No mouth sores, but on and off swollen, bleeding gums. I have to admit the mouth rinse tastes horrible to me. :/

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited January 2014

    the dose dense AC is given every 2 weeks and rather then waiting the third week for the bone marrow to build up enough on it's own, to repeat the chemo. The Neulasta is given to get the marrow back up sooner so the dose can be repeated sooner.  Can give the entire course (probably the same total dose either way)  over 8 weeks instead of 12,  less time in between for the little escaped buggers to hide I guess. Really I think it is a personal preference  of the oncologist.  Mine wanted to be aggressive since I had an aggressive lobular cancer type which was already in the lymph nodes. 

    got tired of the  stubble on my scalp, stuck up through the scarves, i could feel it but  no one could really see it. Bothered me enough that i got out my razor and shaving cream and now head is as smooth as a baby's bottom.  This way I can tell when the hair starts to regrow.

    Two more days of feeling good I need to go out and get my car inspected and oil changed today.  At least I can concentrate now long enough to read a book while I wait for it.

    Barbara

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