Starting Chemo in December 2013

Keep the faith: hyster was done in 1999. Left the ovaries. So just laparoscopic oopherectomy would be needed. Not really concerned as I put them on the table for discussion again. After the two pelvic ultrasounds after petscan,  OBGYN said she will take them, my decision. They are polycystic so show uptake on petscans which can be nerve wracking. 

Any one else feel like we are fighting to survive chemo, the cancer itself seems secondary?

Holli, I hate that you have to change Dr's while dealing with everything else. Maybe you should contact the American Cancer Society and see if they have resources that might be able to help you with transportation, gas, etc...or contact BCRC.org. , Breast cancer resource centers of Central Texas. They are a local non-profit. 512.248.2645. There is usually a social worker at the cancer centers also, that may be able to guide you.  I know there is a "road to recovery" program thru ACS.
Where do you live again? Sry, chemo brain...!:). haha!

I felt the same way about chemo. It seems that most of my SE's were minor, but they happened all at once and that made it hard to get through on a daily basis. As far as pain, I think you should stay somewhat active, but don't push too hard. I know you can't be laying around when you have kids to tend to, constantly. I hope you all feel better soon!

I am hanging in there with AC.  So far so good. I set my phone alarm for my zofran and the other one.  Didn't get my C medicine yet- tomorrow!  I read when all else fails there go to black molasses.  Let's hope I don't get there.  Thank you for all the advice.  My appetite has been normal.  I had fajitas yesterday!! I just knew that was going to haunt me but it didn't. 

As for taxol!!  I asked my MO about the leg pain bc last week I felt like I ran a marathon.  My calves were the worse!  She said it is normal:(

hi all, I don't check in here all the time. So glad we are getting to the end. I had TCH #5 yesterday. Last one is April 3!  I'm only on day 2 so haven't hit my moaning/bitchy/complaining days yet !

I've had really bad bouts with bloody nose and the Big C - this is what has helped me:

For the nose: 1st chemo I had an awful 1/2 hour long gusher out of my nose (and mouth with post nasal drip). I had to call MO on Xmas day.  Ended up going to ENT who cauterized my nose which helped A LOT. But after chemo #3 got it again (not so severe). Back to ENT - didn't need to cauterize again, so I paid $40 for the following advice. It's worked awesome for me, hope it works for you:

1. Do not blow your nose, ever.

2. Use Bacitracin (or neosporin) in your nose (not aquaphor or ayr gel). Your nose can not dry up with the neosporin there.

3. Use a humidifier in the bedroom.

4. Do not use Nasonex since it will dry out your nose (use Claritin or other oral antihistamine for allergies).

5. If you have a nose bleed, spray the inside with afrin and pinch to stop the bleeding.

For the Big C:

I had a terrible experience on chemo #2. Hate to get graphic here but suffice it to say I was in terrible pain, ended up with internal hemmoroid, bleeding for week+. Maybe I am extreme, but this is my anti-C game plan:

1. For the two days pre chemo, and days 1-4, I am very careful with what I eat. No fatty or heavy foods. As long as my mouth / taste buds are up for it, I try to eat leafy greens, beans, lots of fruit, nuts, dried fruit, fruit juices. For protein fish & egg. 

2. I start with miralax on the night before chemo and continue through day 4. If I haven't gone by 4pm the next day, I take a dulcolax suppository. I learned the hard way not to take the suppository too close to bed time. I was up all night with trips to the toilet! (I do not take senekot, it gives me terrible cramps and bloating).

3. Heat helps. My 35 yr old brother gave me a Sootheze bear for Xmas. It was ny best present! You heat it up in the microwave.

3. If you do get a hemmorhoid, use prep h suppository. I know, yuck, I am not some creepy fan of suppositories, but when you need serious help they work.

4. Some exercise, even if just around the block, seems to help.

Now that I am almost a chemo veteran, maybe I can help someone. It was on this boards that I got the advice about dulcolax suppository, such a lifesaver!

Are we done yet !

I took a Valium last night to get me to sleep, got a good 4 hours...better than last week, even the 4mg steroid is tough.  The fatigue is catching up to me, worked 6 hours today and came home to rest, of course I'm wide awake, the low back pain is worsening, it comes and goes, exercise helps while doing it, but the pain comes back.  

I did however plan two trips today, booked 2 weeks in an Oceanside condo in Maui for Sept, booked Vegas for Memorial weekend and one more trip I will take in July to SD to see my mom...made me feel better to have things to look forward to.  That big red circle on May 1 is looking closer and in reach...it's not over yet ladies but it will be!  

Jackie, have you taken any Immodium D? I was having all day Big D for 2 days of each cycle. MO said to take the Immodium, worked well for me. It is hard to stay hydrated when battling the Big D. Has your MO suggested anything for it?

I am riding the steroid roller coaster too.  My son has a track meet in the morning and we have a St. Paddy's Day family party tomorrow.  Sat. after chemo is usually my crash day... hoping I won't feel as bad since I didn't have to have the Neulasta shot.

Holli - Have you checked the insurance plans open with the Obama Care?  Wondering if they might have a plan that would work and keep you closer to home.  I had to change insurance in Jan. as Healthnet pulled out of my area.  I got an individual family plan with Blue Shied, not through the Obama Care, but they had to take my preexisting condition.  Keepthefaith has a lot of good info.  Keep us posted.  Good Luck.

Kimie - So glad to hear that your last Chemo is Tues.  Will you be doing rads?

Barbara - I am sorry your counts are down.  It is so frustrating.  

Jodi - Wishing you minimal SE's with the AC. 

Jackieak- A lot of my family live in SD... small world.  

Kim

Kim - yes I am doing RADs........uugghhh its going to be tuff only because its an hour each way for me ... brutal...for 6 weeks...

I am anxious to get the last taxol behind me, hoping the neuropathy doesn't get worse, I will ice again this treatment.  I cant believe I have gotten through the last 16 weeks, when my MO told me 16 weeks of chemo.... I thought omg that's so loooonnnggg from now.... and here I am almost done with chemo.  All you ladies are what got me through some shitty days... I may not post everyday but I read everyday.

Jodi - sounds like you are tolerating your first AC much better then I did, I had a terrible time.

I am anxious to start acupuncture on my hands and feet to see if it helps with the tingling.  Its not bad but its there.  My MO told me I couldn't start til I was 3 weeks out.  pisses me off as I know there are cancer centers that have acupuncture right in them, but here they are so freaked out about infection etc, you can hardly move without telling them.

Happy Saturday..:)

jackleak-great idea about planning a trip. One of the best things about planning is the anticipation

DJJ-hope you have a great time on your date! Yes, cancer changes what we see as important in life.

I will never take feeling good for granted and hope I can continue to find joy in small things

Djj, have fun on your date!

Jackie, what a great idea to plan for trips! I am hoping to take the whole family on a short trip after 5/2, my last day of taxol, then reunion with my college friends' families in summer after Rad. Something to look forward to. I had a great time on the cruise trip around Thanksgiving last year. I was just diagnosed and had lumpectomy.  But we planned that trip months ago. We still went and it was so much fun!

I keep reminding me that what is really important in my life especially after this whole new experience. However, I am sill upset about "small" things, stress out about pressure at work... I wish I were the one not take everything so seriously. Sorry for venting. It was a stressful week at work. 

DJJ - I hope that your date goes well.  He sounds like a really great guy.  Keep us posted.

Mikesgirl - Tomorrow is your happy day, last chemo right?  Hugs

Kimie - I am excited for you too.  So nice to be finished with chemo. 

Holli - A lot of my areas of pain from Taxol were like yours.  I didn't have as much cramping with the 3rd dose and none with the 4th dose.  Legs have stayed about the same.  I did not have the Neulasta shot with my last chemo, #4 and it made a world of difference.  Hang in there you are getting to the end of this.  

Jackieak - Love your post.  

Hugs to you all,

Kim

Mikesgirl, yay! last chemo!!

Holli, sorry your pain is so bad from the Taxol. 

Date was great! We talked non-stop and cancer was barely mentioned.  It was so nice to feel like myself again and not have cancer be the center of everything.  Not only is he big on traveling and hiking but he kayaks too! And he was considerate making reservations for an early dinner so I could get home early for bed since my energy is down.  He already called today and we are definitely going out again. 

DJJ, so happy that your date went well! Nice to have something good happen in the midst of what you're going through!

Holli, I hope your pain eases up soon.

Mikesgirl, Congrats on your LAST and final chemo! Whoo-hoo! Will you be doing rads? I was happy and hesitant all at the same time. Every day post-chemo, I would tell myself: this is the last day I will have to deal with that again. Now I am 4 1/2 wks out and feeling almost normal. I have definitely gotten more sleep in the past few weeks and haven't felt guilty about it!

Mikesgirl,   so good to hear tomorrow is your last day.  so many are finishing up. I feel like I will be on taxol forever!

DJJ,  sounds like a great date.  Nice to live a normal life for a while.

Holli, sorry you have been having such a rough time. You have anything strong for the pain, at least so you can sleep?

I really need to think about planning some travel. I have just one thing set up for the end of Sept. A group of us get together each year and rent out a B&B in New Hope, PA for a 4 day weekend.  We all have the same rare breed of dog, and it is just  gals and dogs together.  We have been doing it for the past 8 years and always have a blast.  Hopefully I may have a couple of inches of hair by then also.

Good luck for everyone at chemo this week. Those done with chemo , now we need to know the RT experiences 

Barbara