October 2013 Chemotherapy

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  • 2timer
    2timer Member Posts: 590
    edited February 2014

    Warning: Vent post, lost of self pity and whining.

    When oh when will I start feeling better?  It's only been since last Thursday that I had my last DD taxol but I still feel lousy.  I hate taxol and the side effects.  I had it much easier with Adriamyacin (sp?).  The bone/muscle cramps, the fatigue, the intestinal issues ... seems like it's going on forever.  Doesn't help that it's winter, a particularly cold one and just looking at the ice and snow make me tired.  I'm going back to work part time Monday and I dread it but I know I need to start getting back to my old life.  I was told 4-6 weeks till I start feeling better and I should excersize and walk to recover better but I don't feel like moving at all.  I just want to sit around and feel bad (and sorry for myself).  Thanks for listening.

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  • naiviv
    naiviv Member Posts: 535
    edited February 2014

    2timer,

    I hear you and feel you.... and sending you a huge huggggg.  I feel that way now and still have one more TCH to go. As much as I am dreading it, I also want it to happen no matter what the se's,  so I can say I am finished with that part of chemo. I'll still have Herceptin til October. If it weren't for my 3 kids, I can see myself in bed 24/7 and I have come close. And if that is what you need to do with a blankie around you know that I am thinking about you and praying you feel better soon....try and find your calm (helps heal better than stress) because from these boards and wonderful ladies that have gone before us , we know that it does get better it just takes time.

    Today I choose to give myself a little kick in the booty... 

    .... Here is what I have done and will do today, got up and put all the lights on downstairs...closed the kids doors (but they have slept through a hurricane) then I got out my CD collection and put on Donna Summers  Disco music loud....started laundry of my sheets and bed stuff then went to make breakfast of mini omelettes and made my Grandma's Cuban hot chocolate(1 million calories) . Kids got up had breakfast  and are doing their chores ...each kid does their own bed laundry and cleans/picks up room while washing and drying.  I fold and they put away. then do rest of house. Once finished.

    I am going to do a mani and pedi in bright cherry red...tired of keeping nails without paint looking for side effects and I am going to dye  again my new hair  growth have about 1/2 inch now in places and I see white growth  and I took out my makeup and going to start wearing it at home. I look better to me when I have my eyebrows filled in and mascara on my lashes and  a little lip gloss .

    Is there music you like to hear or a scent that make you relaxed even if its just daydreaming can you go to a happy place for a little while to get a little relief....do you have a hobby is there a friend you haven't talked to in a while...if you were closer I'd offer to go paint your nails.

     Sending you sunshine.......Vivian

     

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  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Furifriend, I have seen a lymphedema PT, so I will tell you what I know.  They will measure the arm of the surgery site and compare it to the other arm. That is how they know how,bad the lymphedema is if you have it.  Sometimes you can actually see the swelling in the hands and fingers.  My PT taught me how to do a lymphatic massage that directs the fluid to other parts of the body.  If you do,it everyday it helps prevent.  I also,got a sleeve for,travel, exercise, etc..   Lastly, some friends in a support group I am in recommend a mini trampoline called a rebounder.  They say if you use it for,5 minutes a day it moves the fluid around and really has helped them.  They paid like $200 for,their rebounders.  I saw a mini trampoline on sale for $25 and I plan on setting it up today.  That way if it doesn't work I haven't invested too much.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited February 2014

    2 timer

     vent away, it's okay!

    My last Taxol was Tuesday & by Thursday I had to cancel my plan to go to an auction. I made it to the surgeon Friday but yesterday I was down again. We planned to go to a breast cancer awareness hocky game & I was too wiped out.Taxol at first seemed so much easier than A&C but it sure is cumulative, cause this last one kicked my butt.

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  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Vintage, did you get the DD taxol?  Tomorrow I am having my 3rd DD taxol treatment.  So far it hasn't been too bad, just some aches and pains.  I have felt fatigue more and more.  So is there anything I should expect for these last two treatments?  DH wants to get me away from this cold and go to Fla the week after my last chemo and I hope I am not over the top exhausted.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited February 2014

    smrlvr

     my Taxol was weekly. And was such a breeze at first I was surprised how the SEs started to hit my the last 3 treatments.

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited February 2014

    I have now been in the hospital since Wednesday with no end in sight. You know that strength that they say of we dip down and find it? It's there.... I'm still looking for it. I have unraveled in a wAy didi not think possible. Cancer and all that is part of it SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

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  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Schoolcounselor, I don't blame you for unraveling.  Cancer sucks, hospitals suck, everything we are going through sucks!  We are all here for you.  Don't forget that.  You are strong, you are doing this. Hugs to you.

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  • lgkgde13
    lgkgde13 Member Posts: 164
    edited February 2014

    SC-  I  thinking about you.  So sorry to hear you are still in hospital.  Praying that you will her better and bust outta there soon!!!

    2timer-  you definitely can have those days.  I still have sad days and I am 2 months out from treatment.  I am finding it hard to readjust to my life as it was before cancer.  It has changed me so much!  I will tell you I do kiss my baby girl (haha she is 7) so many more times a day she is prob sick of it!! Ha

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  • SchoolCounselor
    SchoolCounselor Member Posts: 452
    edited February 2014

    The verdict is in. Surgery tomorrow to remove the affected TE. Then do nothing for two months, until I am fully healed. I am going to be lopsided!

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited February 2014

    Best of luck with surgery SchoolCounselor! Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way!

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited February 2014

    SC -- sorry you have to lose the TE, but hoping the surgery goes well and you can just heal and feel better.....  Blessings!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2014

    schoolcounselor - my left TE was out for 7 months, right one stayed in so I was also lopsided - you will be okay, don't worry.  Once it was removed my skin healed (I did not have an infection, but had necrotic skin that kept tearing) and when the TE was re-installed everything went very smoothly.  See if you can get a prosthetic, mine went a long way in helping me feel I looked even in clothing.  I know this is hard, complications in an already hard situation seem insurmountable, but you can do this.  Feel free to PM me if you want, I'm here.

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited February 2014

    SC, I am sorry for losing the TE. On the other hand, whatever we need to do to keep moving on in this long and filled with events journey.

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  • relocatedtarheel
    relocatedtarheel Member Posts: 159
    edited February 2014

    SC...I lost my left TE in Oct...a week after my first chemo treatment. I found an 'enhancement' gel filled insert (im a B on a good day) at Macys and it looks great. You'll be ok...I know its hard now but you'll feel better soon.

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  • lonnie713
    lonnie713 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2014

    SC, so sorry. Hang in there.

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2014

    SC  sorry for the bad news about your TE.  

    I had my 3rd Taxol on Friday and my MO's office called today because my blood sugar had apparently shot up.  It's been running high the whole way through chemo but it jumped into the 200's this time.  I have to go in for a fasting check tomorrow to see what it's doing.  Anyone else with crazy blood sugar??

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  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    kcat, the same thing happened to me.  Did they give you decadron or dexamethazone?  My glucose shot up to 250 and my pcp called for me to do the fasting test.  After doing some research I learns dexamethazone is a glucocorticoid and It will elevate glucose levels.  I have refused all steroids since that first taxol tx and my levels are back to normal.  

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited February 2014

    My blood sugars were running higher during chemo as well.  I also have had a fasting blood sugar at PCP office - just waiting for results.  

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2014

    smrlvr  I do take decadron, both the night before chemo and in my premeds on chemo day.  I did a little googling and noticed the connection between it and high blood sugar so I'll see what my MO has to say about it.  I only have 1 more chemo left so I'm not sure how she'll suggest we handle it if my fasting glucose is also high.  Did it take long for your levels to go back down after stopping the steroids? 

    Pam  how many more treatments do you have?  I'm hoping my fasting isn't high tomorrow, but with a 219 the other day I'm not hopeful.  (I think it'd been running in the 150's before last week)

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  • Pam358
    Pam358 Member Posts: 294
    edited February 2014

    Kcat, I am actually almost 4weeks PFC (post final chemo). When my numbers were higher than normal 126-156 the nurse said they probably wouldn't do anything about it during chemo. The blood draw right before my first Taxol was a 291 and the nurse said  it was because of the high doses of Dexamethasone I had taken 6 & 12 hrs before chemo.

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2014

    Pam  4 weeks PFC sounds great!  I'm thinking my high numbers are decadron related also, so I'll see how my last treatment/meds play out.

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  • SyrMom
    SyrMom Member Posts: 862
    edited February 2014

    Yes, any steroid can affect glucose levels; usually temporary until no longer on the steroid.  Diabetics usually are told to adj their insulin amts.  If not diabetic, not usually treated, don't believe.

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  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    kcat, I took dexamethasone the night before my first taxol and the bloodwork before chemo,showed the elevated levels.  So I didn't take it for the next one which was two weeks later and my levels were back to normal.  For me the side effects of the steroid were worse than the taxol!  I am glad I no longer take it.

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  • naiviv
    naiviv Member Posts: 535
    edited February 2014

    Last TCH tomorrow. Finally over. Pretty soon no more SE's from chemo.....Yeah !!!!

    Hugggs to all and good night

    Vivian

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2014

    Yay Vivian! Last time at the chemo bar!

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  • Goosie
    Goosie Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2014

    Hi Ladies!,

    I'm sorry I have not been on here lately. I have been extremely fatigued. Just had Taxol/ Herceptin # 7 of 12. Over all this chemo has been so much easier than A/C. But I am feeling the cumulative effects of all the chemo I have had since October. The fatigue lasts longer. I have been slightly anemic and they have increased my nuepogen shots to 3 per week. Chemo Monday and shots Wed, Thu, Fri. 

    I have not iced my hands or feet as I have been told by my chemo nurses that it really doesn't do any good. The purpose of 12 treatments vs. 4 DD is to minimize the SE.  I have some tingling in my fingers and smaller toes but my Oncologist asks me every week about symptoms and has adjusted adjusted my dose after the first week of treatment.

    I will finish the Taxol on March 17th, 2014 but will continue herveptin every three weeks until December and will also have to start Anestrzol (sp) for my er positive tumor treatment.

    I met with my plastic surgeon yesterday who told me that I will have to have a Lat flap procedure on my left side due to not a lot of skin left to work with from mastectomy. My chest is very tight from surgery. My right breast will come off at time of lat flap and will have an implant  while the left will have a tissue expander.  So the journey continues.


    OH!!!! My hair started srouting a few weeks ago. I have no idea why, since I am still mid chemo, but I have fuzz all over my head!!!


    All I can picture in my head is what am I going to wear this summer while in the midst of all this surgery and treatment, to be cool, comfortable and covered!

    I live in Michigan and I am soooo ready for winter to be over!  Have a good day...Aimee/ Goosie

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited February 2014

    Hi Goosie

     you're not far behind me. My last Taxol was just over a week ago & I will have Herceptin through November. I didn't feel much for side effects (fatique/pain) the first few Taxol but yeah by #9 it was starting to add up.

     I saw my BS last week & see the plastic surgeon next week. I am so flat chested I wonder if I will have enough skin after BMX for the TEs??!!!

    What's with the hair? LOL Funny I have read a few gals start seeing some mid way through. I am in NH so it's been cold & snowy so I wear a hat all the time. I have a few fabric scarf type that tie in the back which will be ok for warmer temps I think. Ebay.

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  • naiviv
    naiviv Member Posts: 535
    edited February 2014

    I am officially thru with TCH, just herceptin to finish.

    What a day a friend also a BC patient surprised me with a bouquet and congratulations balloon. The chemo nurses gave me an orchid with a beautiful note.  Then had a muffin from family member of another chemo patient then a pastry. It was a very happy, amazing and humbling experience.  

    I usually spent my hours there walking around and talking to patients during most of my tx days.  And I tend to see some over and over as we share same dates . Word spread it was my last chemo and they all started coming to me  to  thank me.  Wow , what a day of blessings.  I'm so awed that  I don't think even the crummy SE's will matter this time around.

    Group Hug  to all my amazing friends here  as I mentally send you a piece of what I received today via the air-waves....

    Vivian

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  • Headeast
    Headeast Member Posts: 619
    edited February 2014

    Vivian, wow! What a great way to close this chapter!

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