Starting Chemo in December 2013

End of day 2 after my first low dose Taxol.  Oh if only the other 11 will go this smoothly.  I hardly notice that I had chemo on Friday.  I took Ativan before bed Friday and last night and slept through the night... unheard of!!!! I haven't slept through the night since my first AC.  I had just a smidge of nausea this morning but I seem to get that worse than most and compared to the AC It's nothing.  I do notice some body aches, neck and just took an hour walk with the dogs and now my hips ache.  I'll take Jodi's advice and take Claritin.  Fingers crossed the rest of the week goes this smoothly. 

Lorreymom I hope your ultra sound went well and I'm sorry about the shots.  The burning shots are the worst!

Kim, sorry you had a rough night.  My MO said after the first two Taxols without an allergic reaction she would back me off the steroids. 

DJJ - it is good to hear how well things are going for you.  Perhaps this will be your magic bullet - imagine a drug that does what it needs to without making you miserable.  What a thought!!

Kim - sorry you had such a hard night.  The nights can last FOREVER whenever you're hurting and just want to sleep.  Did you manage any nap/rest today?

This round has hit me hardest (TAC#3).  No more nausea, but I am REALLY wiped out and weak.  Moving slow, feel like an old lady with no strength.   Yukky thrush.  Taxotere pain in my knees, Neulasta pain in my neck and toes, which is where it seems to like to live.  Starting to look at my face in the mirror with losing eyelashes, and see an old man's face looking back at me!     On the good side…  the sleep aid my dr recommended plus a bedtime foot rub from dh gave me several hours of sleep last night, which I have been needing, and I still woke up with a pretty clear head.   And I made it to the Riparian with my 13-hr old to walk (slowly!), watch the birds, and read a book in the sun.   I'm from AZ, and today made me realize I really need to be sitting outside on these hard days.  It was very good for my spirits.  

These days are tough, but God is still good.  

RHGSR - thanks.     The sleep prescription is Temazepam, 15 mg.  It's supposed to be very mild.  I didn't sleep all night through - maybe 5 hours or so.  But even tho I was waking off and on until morning after that, I felt rested and clear.   

My goal now is to sit outside with a book every day.  Why didn't I start this earlier??  Feels like free therapy.  And the days are coming when hot flashes and Phoenix heat will kill me, while the rest of you are enjoying your sweet spring days.  

Sending a prayer out to those of you with chemo this week, safe travels and easy time with SE's.

Mikesgirl - I am glad to hear that your rash is going away.  Are you starting Taxol this round?  Low douse or douse dense?  I cannot remember.  My first round of douse dense was about 5 hours, they add a couple more premeds and the Taxol was administered pretty slow.  

Cramping and upper leg ache still here.  My ovaries hate me, no period since December, it feels like my body is rebelling.  Not unbearable, just uncomfortable.  I was able to sleep for about 6 hours last night.  My heating pad really is getting used a lot with the chemo.  

Count it all joy - I might ask for some sleep meds with my next round, not used to having the extra steroids.  When is your next round of chemo?  

Kim

Count it all: I am all for some sunshine therapy! Now that I'm done with my first part of treatment (FEC), I could even start thinking about it.  I was much more careful about being in the sun earlier because one of the chemo drugs called Fluorouracil makes you photo- sensitive. 

After my surgery in October, I used to just sit outside and soak up the sun while doing a few physiotherapy excercises or I would lay in the hammock in the backyard under a big wallnut tree. Ahhh! That was great! I can't wait to do that again!

Now I have to wait for some warm weather as I don't feel like sitting outside when it's - 10 C. Oh well, something to definitely look forward to in the spring!

just seen my oncologist, all is a good tomorrow for Taxol......yikes...I am a little nervous. 

count it all joy- yes I used fluconozole as preventative and it worked the last 2 times

Dragonfly- I'm sure you will feel better than you do know but we may all have a new normal. Talking to others- It took some several months to really feel good again. I guess it takes a while to get all this chemo out of your system but I know many people expect you to feel fine because chemo is over and aren't you excited. If you felt well you would. No one can really understand unless you have been there.  Hang in there

I image it will take quit a while to feel normal again.  Hopefully no long term chemo brain effects. 

Went to the LGFB class today.  It was fun to get all made up. Got some nice cosmetics including a full sized bottle of Estée Lauder makeup similar to what I have bought in the past. All the products were full sized and from various upscale companies.  I even got one of my wigs trimmed while there. It was a little long in the back and she shaped it up nicely.  Also got a bottle of wig shampoo.  Highly advise going since you are there with woman going through the same stuff you are and it is just fun. 

Wishing everyone a good night' sleep. Amazing how one takes that for granted.  

Barbara

RHGSR and Kimmie, good luck with new round of chemo. 

All the other ladies started Taxol, I am glad to hear most of you feel it's easier than AC. 

Finished 4th AC last Thursday. My tongue still feel burnt. Nausea is getting better and I am so relived this is the last round of AC. I am starting taxol on 2/14, weekly for 12 weeks. Got my premed last week for taxol. The nurse told me to take 20 mg of steroid the night before, then another 20 mg 2 hours before chemo. It scares me to take this much of decadron for taxol. It seems to be quite extreme and a lot higher dose than AC. Is it normal for everybody getting taxol? Thanks!

J4DC-

I asked my MO about premeds for my first weekly Taxol next week, He said I will get the steroids in the IV and I did not need to take any before then.  Seems like most people are getting steroids the night before.  I am a bit scared because of risk of allergic reactions. Good to hear that those who started already are tolerating it better then the cursed AC.   expecting a five hour visit to the infusion center for first Tx. Question for anyone taking B6 or glutamine, how long before starting Taxol did you start?

 Day 5 post 4th AC an finally feeling a bit of energy returning.  Hope anyone in the NE will make it to treatment on Wed. with the snow coming.

Barbara

dragonfly - sadly, I'm sure 3 weeks is not enough time for your body to recover from all that's been done to it   I'm thinking keep eating well, sleeping when you are tired, walking… pamper yourself, and don't expect that you can quickly pick up the pace again.  I'm sure I'll be in the same place when I finish chemo, and want to pick up more of my old schedule, but your body is still busy about the work of repairing itself, and that takes a lot of energy.  Give it lots of good material to work with, and it will be faithful to build you back to health in time.  Our bodies are amazing things. Hang in there. 

jackie - you mentioned using apple cider vinegar for thrush.  I've finished my 3 days of fluconozol, and not gone yet.  How do you use the vinegar?

Taxol girls - hoping for sleep for you all, lots of steroids flowing out there!

Had an unusually normal family day yesterday for post chemo… helped my daughter with her science project, packed lunches for today, watched a Cary Grant movie together…  went to bed tired and achey, but not bad for day 5!  

Mary

jackie - already on the yogurt thing… (unsweetened with sliced bananas and nutmeg tastes great, even with thrush!) - got my vinegar, will rinse NOW.  crossing my fingers and thanks!

yay ! first Taxol treatment done, it was a long day I got there at 845 left at 130...my only issue was I was so hot while getting it, maybe I was having a long hot flash I don't know but it drove me nuts, that and I peed constantly but I always try to drink a lot too.  Should be interesting to see what the next few days have in store, I can do without the bone pain and neuropathy......xo ladies

Chicopeach, I'm nervous, my last AC is Monday2/10 I'm still feeling lousy from last Monday (1/27).   Last week I felt I couldn't do another!  Good for you being done:)

I'm making "special banana bread" for nausea.

kimmie- glad to hear it went well. Was it the Taxol that made you so hot? Did you do any of the hand/feet icing? 

Had my follow up and blood work today. 3rd AC on Thursday. I'm a little behind y'all since I started on Dec 30th. 

Have y'all found the 3rd and 4th ACs being harder then 1 and 2?