Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

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  • audra67
    audra67 Member Posts: 521
    edited February 2014

    Amazon- Glad you are doing 'better'... the icky taste has to be Taxotere I had it til 3rd week EVERY time NOTHING sounded good to eat or tasted good..I ended up eating spinach and fish and everything 'good for me' so I could have good iron and all...

    Your Dr sounds like mine..I just got home and he basically said ' I need to find a new me and decide how I will live ' as the 'old me will never come back' !  I didn't like that at all then he  told me I can avoid everything 'cancer causing' which is all guesses anyway or live without worrying...he said today he can tell me I am healthy and cured but each day will tell...and he gave me a prescription for Tamoxifen for 10 years!  Told me all of possible side effects his patients complain of : join pain, severe night sweats, weight gain and in 6-18 months dry vagina and infections...NICE!

    smrlvr- I think taking each day and NEVER going into the future is the only way...NOT that I seem to be able to do that but that's what I'm hearing from my psychologist/ oncologist/ husband...etc..I have read a ton of books through all of this and they help for a few days...

    lisa- you sound like my middle daughter who can sleep anywhere...I haven't been able to nap at all through this and sleep - on a good night- 8 hours at most...I used to LOVE sleeping...I wake up probably 6 times/night with night sweats already...can't wait to see what Tamoxifen adds

    VirginiaNJ- I guess you can take another day off and not go back yet :)  We are at 70 today after freezing all weekend!

    Jab- I LOVED your eyebrow story- funny!  I scour for information when I'm worried and will pick out a good thing or somehow it will hit my right and then I can calm down and not worry...weird...

    I asked my MO about my liver scan that was unclear at diagnosis and I had worried about this whole time but forgot to ask about as worried going to chemo each time- anyway he said he had it looked at by a radiologist/colleague and they were hemangiomas and he wants to rescan at 1 years time....interesting as last visit he said scans in 2 years...my husband took that as great news and I did too but it is hard to shake the worry or trust a DR 100%...seems like I can pick parts out to worry about now...I used to NEVER worry at Dr appt...I used to be a nurse in a Dr office for heavens sake...now I panic going there even!  UNREAL!

    BigT - happy birthday to you!



  • wallymama
    wallymama Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2014

    Big T, Happy Birthday! We'll be doing birthday dinner Sunday also. Mine's next Thursday and my 'gift' from hubby is dinner on him for the family at my fav Italian place. Since I start taxotere on Monday, I figured we'd better do it the Sunday before instead of after.

    Quirky, I was complaining because we're supposed to get more snow tomorrow, but since it's only supposed to be an inch or so I'll stop complaining. Although I am so very tired of winter.

    Phebe, so sorry you're feeling so bad.

    Jab, I was actually ON vacation when I got the dx. On a cruise ship with the rock band KISS. Kind of sucked. But it did help hubby come to grips with it easier, since he had so many other things to do. He's going to do the KISS cruise again this year, only with a friend. Getting the dx then is not the reason I'm not going again, but I did wonder if I could do it again and have any fun, or just be thinking about the last one. I'm glad his friend is going with him instead of me.  

    Amazon, a friend of mine is a 16 year survivor. According to her, you really do stop thinking and worrying about it all the time. It just takes awhile. One day we will not wake up and go to bed thinking about it, and going through all the what ifs. It may take a couple of years, but it will happen. And I have not heard anything about another biopsy for neoadjuvant therapy patients. I really don't want to go through that, then have surgery. I'll have to ask my MO about it.

    Smlrvr, Lisa, I know someone who had to redo their bathroom after he had chemo. Just going in there made him throw up until they repainted and got new curtains. Maybe a small change or two will help you feel better about your houses.

    Audra, I really wish there were some magic words that would help you not feel so down. I could tell you to not worry about the liver scan, but really, it wouldn't help. Just try to find something that takes your mind off things for a little while at a time and maybe it will work up to a longer time.

    Made reservations to take my darling hubby to a really nice restaurant for V-Day dinner. We can never remember our anniversary, so I try to take him some place really nice for V-Day since Hallmark won't let you forget that day. Yes, we both forget our anniversary, we even forgot the first one. I always tell him it's because that isn't the only day of the year that we pretend to like each other. Our anniversary doesn't seem to be that important to either of us because we treat each other special all year round.

  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    Audra - after a horrible life event 10 years ago, I stopped living in the future and much more in the now.  I think there is a healthy balance we can all find.  Good to live in the day but also good to envision what you want your future to be and take daily steps to get there.  Cancer makes many things harder but it also clarifies what you value you most and how you want to spend your life.  I'm starting now to outline a vision of that for myself and there will be some definite changes.  Good ones.  I hope the same holds true for you and all the ladies.

    Last chemo tomorrow.  Very ready to close this chapter in my life.

  • jab
    jab Member Posts: 220
    edited February 2014

    image

    This is a picture taken tonight about 500 ft from my house. The snow has just begun - The ice fishing shacks are multiplying by the day and yesterday a hockey rick was cleared. It is very pretty.

  • Phebe38
    Phebe38 Member Posts: 197
    edited February 2014

    I was at the hospital cuz the doctor said My white blood cells are very low. They came and took my blood work every now and then last night. My temperature was high but return to normal in the morning. I was quarantined I was let out the next day. Now I have to go for another blood work tomorrow. I'm feeling a lot better than before still have a sore bum and abit of sore mouth . My cheekslook like I have rash. i ask the doctor what I can use. he said just vaseline. today he prescribe antbiotics for my rectum also hemmorids H . I believe in time I will get better

  • Bec65
    Bec65 Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2014

    Hi ladies, 

    I had my radiation mapping appointment today.  I was a little anxious going in -- and I still am a bit -- but I think I'll relax after the first week.  This was my first day out of the house in a week; I've been so rundown after my last Taxol.

    The whole simulation was pretty easy.  I was positioned on the table with butt, leg and arm supports to keep me from moving.  Then they put what seemed like sticky twisty ties all around the left half of my chest.  I had to turn my head to the right to keep my spinal cord and esophagus out of the radiation field.   My RO's resident was there, and he was great about answering the questions my husband and I still had. 

    They did some trial runs of the breath-holding drills I've been practicing.  I've been practicing for 20-second holds, like my instructions said, but they wanted 30-second holds.  Slight panic, but I kept it under control since I was lying there half naked in front of a room full of people.  At first they wanted me to inhale at 60-70% of a deep inhale and hold.  That didn't seem to puff my chest up enough, so they had me do a deep inhale and hold, and that seemed to make everyone happy.  

    Then everyone left the room so they could start the CT scan and monitor the machine as it did the necessary measurements while I did deep breath holds.  That took about 10 minutes.  After that, they all came back in.  One of the techs took off the sticky things and made permanent tattoos -- one at the top of where I used to have cleavage, one about 4 inches lower, and one on each side of me.  And that was it.  

    I'm having the combo plate of rads -- left chest/axilla/supraclavicular areas, as well as mammary nodes if they can get them without damaging my heart.  Go big or go home, right?

    JAB, that's terrible that you have to wait for that report.  At least your appt. is tomorrow and not a weekend away.  

    Amazon, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better.  I am not fond of your MO...."time will show"...what kind of c**p is that to say to us?  Arghhhhhhh!

    Smrlvr, I hear you about a project.  I think a good house project is what I'll need later this spring to feel like my old self.  

    Audra, your hate list is perfect!

    Phebe, are you doing any better?

    FairyDogMother, mirtazapine works for me for sleep.  I used to wake up after 3-4 hours, then be up for 1-2.  Now I sleep through the night.  It supposedly has weight gain as a SE, but I haven't experienced that.  

    BigT16, did you have chemo today?  How are you feeling?  Happy BD!

    Quirky, I hope you get your last done tomorrow and it goes well. 

    Paulette?  I miss you.

    I hope everyone has a nice night.

  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    thanks for the update, Bec, I know I've been wondering what that's like.  Glad the breath holding worked out in the end.

    Phebe - hope you feel better soon!  Vaseline works wonders.  

  • lisa137
    lisa137 Member Posts: 569
    edited February 2014

    Bless you, Phebe. Yes, you will absolutely get better. Hang in there! Hugs!

  • BigT16
    BigT16 Member Posts: 100
    edited February 2014

    Bec- With all the snow I did manage to get to Chemo.  Thanks to my husband.  He has a 4x4  pick truck with aggressive tires. He decided to bring me to chemo instead of going to work.  Every thing when well.  Tonight I can't sleep.  This the norm for me with round, weather it's the steroids or chemo now sure.

    Phebe glad your feeling better.

  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    east coast hugs to you BigT16!   I can't sleep either and mine is the steroids. So glad your husband was able to take you to chemo.

  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Bec, thanks for,that report.  It sounds doable. How long did it take? I think I am supposed,to,have the full plate, too.

    Phebe, sorry you were in the hospital.  I hope you feel better soon.  You just need to,rest and drink fluids.

    Jab, here's hoping for a good report.  I am sure it will be fine.  The waiting is the worst part.

    BigT, I am glad you were able to have your chemo.

    Paulette, where are you?

    We now have another foot,of snow on top,of the foot,we had last week. We are snowed in until DH clears the driveway.  Can't wait until spring.  Have a happy valentines day.

  • Amazonwarrior
    Amazonwarrior Member Posts: 485
    edited February 2014

    I had a pretty rough time last night. The bone/ joint/ muscle pain finally hit me. I had a restless sleep waking up every 1.5 hours and having some wild dreams. It felt like I was sleeping on pins and needles. I took some Tylenol 3 last night, but this morning tried Aleve and Ibuprofen. I might have to go with Oxycodone soon, because I still feel very achy all over. Even my neck and my right axilla feels swollen and painful. I feel like a hundred year old woman. I am only 42, but can only shuffle my feet!  I am too wiped to do anything, but doing nothing just seems to add to the awful feeling. Yesterday I still had lots of energy. I even baked some Valentine cupcakes with my son for his class. Today is a different story, because I have hard time even getting out of the chair.

    All: How long do the Taxotere pains usually last?

    Quirky: Sorry you have hard time sleeping. This seems to be a common SE with most of us. Are you taking anything to help you sleep? Today is your last one, yay!

    Bec: Thanks for sharing with us your rads simulation. It's helpful to know about the breathing technique. 

    BigT: Glad you were able to get to your treatment with all the snow. Happy BD!

    Phebe: Happy to hear that you are out of the hospital. How are you feeling?

    Jab: Nice pic. Thanks for the heads up about Taxotere. It's certainly nothing to sneeze at! How many days did it take for you to start feeling better after the infusion?

    Wally: I admire your courage to go bald! Love the pic! I hope that one day I'll reach the point that I will not worry about what might happen and live more fully in the now. 

    Aurda: I wonder if our DR's are being cruelly honest with us, or just plain insensitive at times. 

    Bluegrassharp: Thank you for praying for us. It must feel great to be done with chemo. And yes, I have to remember that this is time for me to do less. 

    Ellen: Thinking of you today and sendig you a virtual hug. The photo is a true testament of your love!

    Lisa, kimmie: Lately, I have been having the same problem with body temperature. Like you, Lisa, I keep various blankets and sheets on my bed and just pull them on or off as needed.

    Pat: Nice wig! It must be nice to see some growth coming!

    Paulette: We miss you!

  • Bec65
    Bec65 Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2014

    Smrlvr, it took about an hour.  I forgot to add that they also took photographs of my arm placement, leg placement, etc.  And, I just realized this morning that for the first time EVER, I didn't get weighed at a medical appointment!  The actual radiation appointments will be in a different room and should take about 15 minutes, start to finish, unless it's one of the weekly appointments when they do a chest x-ray or I meet with my RO.  I start on a Thursday.  It seems weird to me to not start on a Monday, but the techs said the mid-week start is because someone else finished and a slot opened up, and it's okay as long as I get two treatments in before a weekend break.  Also a tip:  I didn't bring a bag to hold my clothes, which would have been useful, so I'll do that from now on.  (I had to carry my shirt and bra with foobs with me in a pile!)  

    Does anyone have any good info on nail polish that's good for protecting Taxol nails, covering up the spots and yellowing a little, and is safe to use?  I'm not going to get all girly about it, but I'm looking for something that might subtly help as the damage grows out.  All I can find is the usual info about the toxic trio of ingredients.   Oddly, Opi's Nail Envy is usually recommended for us, but it has formaldehyde, the one bad ingredient that causes cancer.  What to do....  

  • Bec65
    Bec65 Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2014

    Amazon, we must have been typing at the same time.  So sorry you feel so crappy!  I was on Taxol, and my aches and pains lasted a good week after each treatment, for what that's worth.  

    JAB, I forgot to say how much I love your pic!  It looks so dreamy for those of us in California.

  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Amazon, after my taxol t. On Monday I had really bad bone pain hit me on Tuesday night through Wednesday.  I was like you; slept one hour at a time and I felt like crap on Wednesday all day.  I still  feel achy in places but not enough to keep me down.  I did stay in bed all Wednesday and I think it really helped so yiku should give in to it.  Stay in bed, drink tons of fluid and let your family take. Care of you.

  • Amazonwarrior
    Amazonwarrior Member Posts: 485
    edited February 2014

    smrlvr, bec:  Thanks for the heads ups and the advice to stay in bed and drink a lot. So this can take days to a week to get better? That really sucks! But eventually the pain goes away?! Even a day of this sounds like an eternity! 

  • lisa137
    lisa137 Member Posts: 569
    edited February 2014

    Amazon, I've only had the one taxotere treatment so far (next one is Monday,) but for me, the bone pain actually only lasted about two days. I tried ibuprofen and such for the first half of the first day and then decided it was silly to be so miserable and tried 1 half of a hydrocodone, which knocked it right out for the rest of that day. The next day I took half a hydrocodone that morning when I woke up with some pain, and another half that afternoon --- more "just in case" than anything else. After that it was just very light aches that I could handle with no pain killers at all.

    Of course, Monday's treatment may bring me a whole new story but I plan to ask for a new script for hydrocodone just in case, since that was all I had. And of course to make sure I'm stocked up on anti-constipation meds because with this chemo thing it seems like one thing ALWAYS leads to another, doesn't it?

  • Phebe38
    Phebe38 Member Posts: 197
    edited February 2014

    any suggestions on what I should use for my face. This happened on my 2nd treatment of Taxotere.

    image

  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    Amazon - I needed 4 ibuprofen and Percocet after my first dose but later infusions only needed the ibuprofen and the pain lasts 3-4.  I take meds at the first hint of pain. Important to need that evil in the bud.

    Phebe - I had something similar my last treatment and just suffered through.  My the time I went to see my regular doc it was getting better so they didn't give me anything. She thought it might have been rosacea.  It was weird that it eventually spread to my eyelids.

    I'm in the BGC for the last time!  My MO reduced my Taxotere by 25% due to neuropathy concerns.  I also had a CT of my chest to see if clots were caused my breathing issues.  No clots :). I'm hoping the dose reduction means some of my other SE will be milder.  MO says I seem to be particularly sensitive to treatment.  

    Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day and minimal SE. 

    Ellen - thinking of you especially, you're almost through this week.  Many hugs.

  • jab
    jab Member Posts: 220
    edited February 2014

    Hi Ladies,

    Well its been a seriously crappy day. I met with MO to discuss CAT scan results and next infusion. I am not sure what it all means yet, but it seems I have 'activity' on my non-mas side, including nodules in axillia, chest wall, and lung as well as a potentially infected deep seroma and on my mast side. I'm being refered back to the BS for further investigation. Wow, am I seriously tired of this.....

    Happy V day ladies

  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited February 2014

    jab - Hugs. Could it be some sort of infection? I hope they figure it out for you soon. Hang in there!

  • Veronica37
    Veronica37 Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2014

    phebe- I used benadryl(pill) and cortisone creme when I got a rash from taxotere. I took bennadryl before chemo each tome also after I got the rash from the first one, it seemed to help me. Of course check with your MO first.

  • Bec65
    Bec65 Member Posts: 312
    edited February 2014

    jab -- If your med team is like mine, bad news makes them jump fast.  So, I'm going to take the fact that they sent you home and will contact you for an appointment as a sign that whatever it is isn't urgent, which is good news in my book.  Look what you've done so far.  Whatever this is, you are strong, strong, strong and will deal with it.

  • Amazonwarrior
    Amazonwarrior Member Posts: 485
    edited February 2014

    jab: Sorry, you have to go through this! Thinking and praying for you!

  • ellenkc
    ellenkc Member Posts: 173
    edited February 2014

    Jab -- So sorry to hear about your bad day. Hopefully this turns out to be only a small detour. I'm with Bec in figuring that there would have been a call to action if there was an immediate threat. As hard as it seems, I hope that you will find some way to put this aside (at least a bit) and get some relaxation this weekend.

    I had an oddity at the other end of the spectrum today. When I went for radiation, they also wanted to do some prep work calculating for when they do the boosts. Strangely, they can't locate the site of my lumpectomy on my CT scan. Seems it has healed so well that they can't see it. I must admit the external lumpectomy scar looks like a very slight 1-inch cat scratch that didn't break the skin. Anyway, the RO had to go by feel, and he located a small depression near the scar. As a result, instead of the usual tightly focused boosts, mine will be about 3 inches in diameter, just hoping to hit the right spot.

    Anyway, just about halfway through -- today was the 10th treatment; 5 more regular rads to go, then 6 boosts. And I am not even pink yet! I teased them today that maybe they weren't even turning on the machines. This is going by way faster than chemo!

    Ellen

  • Phebe38
    Phebe38 Member Posts: 197
    edited February 2014

    one of the mistakes I make is I didn't watch my bowel movements. Next time I will watch them so it didn't get so bad like it did. OMG! I suffered constipation like I never did before. At day 4 I tried using all kinds of medicine to stop the constipation. So I finally went to see my family doctor. He explained what he was going to do. He was going to use Vaseline to take it out manually. He said it sitting at the edge plugging any that's trying to come out. He told me he's going to do it now so if it's trying to come out just help it along. It was very uncomfortable and I was moaning and yelling. Finally he was done and it kept coming out. I was trying to stop it to come out completely. He said no no just let it come out. My stomach seemed so full so I decided to just let it all out. Wow! I j just exploded and it went all over the place and I just miss the doctor. Lol. He came back and said you just missed me. He was laughing. I said oh my goodness I'm so sorry I didn't realize that I messed up so much. The doctor said they worry about the mess. We will clean it up.it seemed like with taxotere or Tylenlol 3 I get constipated.

  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited February 2014

    Phebe- I'm sorry you had to go through that.  I take Colace starting two days before chemo and for at least five days after.  I also start Miralax the day after chemo and continue until I have a bowel movement.  But for me once the initial constipation is over I move into days of intense diahhrea.  The best of both worlds! Lol.  It really has helped me to have a "poop management" plan.  I hope you can find one that works for you. 

  • smrlvr
    smrlvr Member Posts: 422
    edited February 2014

    Phebe, I am glad you got it all out.  You must feel,better.  Sorry that happened, though.  I eat a few prunes every day and they seem to help.  Plus they have protein for red blood cells. Also, I had the rash on my fact after taxol.  It didn't itch, but I had a burning sensation.  I took,a benedryl and it helped.

    Quirky, congrats on your last chemo!  I hope your SEs are minimal.  

    Ellen, I hope you had a good week.  Your Surgeon must be pretty good to make an incision that healed so well,

    Amazon, I think taxol and taxotere are similar so what I experienced may be different, but it usually have bad bone pain for,two,days.  Last time I took a hydro, which also,helped me sleep.  After that it lessens every day and moves to,different locations.  An Advil helps also.  I had some nausea this time too.  Of course, after you start to,feel,better it is time to,go back again.

    Jab, I am so,sorry you had a bad day, and the waiting is the hardest part.  I will be thinking of you and praying for you this weekend.

  • Phebe38
    Phebe38 Member Posts: 197
    edited February 2014

    quickygirl, that's what happened to me too. After constipation then intense diarrhea, then we have to take pills for diarrhea to stop. Lol. Now I can laugh about it now

    . Bigt16 belated happy birthday. Mine is coming up 4 days time. I'm going out with my husband. I'm going to dress up on this occasion. Hope my cheeks clear up by this time.

    Bec65 thanks for telling us the process of radiation

    Paulette hope you're reading this I'm praying for you. You encourage me a lot when I first start coming here, to keep posting and not give up on myself. Know that prayers are constantly going your way. Hugs

    Jab, I'm so sorry to hear all this. Prayers going your way. I find that I can pray for others but I have a hard time praying for myself. That's why it's great to have all of you so se can encourage each other. this site is so great we can all pull together no matter type of treatment we're receiving

    Veronica, yes I'll take the info you gave me re meds to my oncologist. I need to be on guard after infusion

    Ellen great that that rads are going well for you

    This is the second time that my taste buds went out of control. To me some food that I eat taste like rubber. I was very selective on what I eat.

  • wallymama
    wallymama Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2014

    Just decided to not work today. Need to get a few things done around the house before the next visit to the BGC. We were supposed to get 2-4 inches of snow yesterday (I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some of you, but 4" of snow is a big deal around here) so they called off school for the day. Surprise, we only got about 1/4" and that didn't start until about 7:30pm. Bet the school people feel like fools. If winter doesn't give us a break soon, the poor kids are going to be in school until the 4th of July.

    Quirky, congrats!! I can't wait for the day I get to say I'm going for my last one. Four down, four to go.

    Bec, thanks for the radiation info. Not sure I can hold my breath for 30 seconds though.

    Phebe, hope you're feeling better now. Prunes, bran flakes, raw veggies, that's what helped me to  not have that problem more than once. When's your birthday? Mine's Thursday. Going out with family and friends tomorrow to celebrate. Have a great birthday.

    Jab, the fact that the MO is sending you back to the BS later instead of right now sounds encouraging. If he thought it was serious he probably would have sent you RIGHT NOW. Try not to worry, hard as it sounds, and have a restful weekend.

    Ellen, sounds good that your scarring is so slight. You must have one heck of a surgeon. I can get a scratch and it leaves a scar. It's also good to know that radiation is going so well. Really nice to hear that some part of this is a breeze.

    I am so dreading starting taxotere Monday. All the SEs so many of you are having is almost scary. Trying not to get to worked up about, and mostly not doing so, but the evil thoughts creep in  once in a while. Then I think that I had it mostly so mild with the AC that the taxotere may just do me in. Those thoughts won't help anything, might even pysch myself into some strange SE, so I'm really trying to not think about it.

    Hope everyone has a pain free, snow free, worry free, happy weekend. We all sure as hell deserve it. 

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