Starting Chemo in December 2013
Comments
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so happy for you Kimie!! DJJ that all sounds awful to switch up the order and go back on chemo! I would scream NO as well.
Crazy,,,I have a glass of red wine at least twice a week, usually 4-5 days after chemo so I can taste it, hasn't messed up my liver test, MO said it was fine, just drink water as well. We are 6 down this week and 6 to go....the end is in sight...can't wait to have that wonderful feeling like so many of our sisters on here are.
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I haven't had any wine or coffee since chemo started . . . wine because of the acidity (continuing problems with mouth sores, etc) and coffee because my taste buds rebel. During 2 weeks after chemo, can't eat salad, or any veg not cooked to death, only bland white bread, potatoes, etc. Right now everything is super salty (as if I swallowed a mouthful of sea water.
I am sooooooooooo looking forward to food & drink post-chemo. I think it's been the hardest SE for me. Maybe even harder than losing my hair. Not sure what that says about me!
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just last night when I ate dinner it tasted over the top salty!! I haven't had any alcohol either. I stopped everything 11/14/13 and that includes smoking:(. I can kick myself for doing that so long! It became a time out for me to go sit outside on the porch. When this is over, I am going to try to look on Facebook outside. A new habit and I still get a break from my three amigos inside;)
I went to a therapist at MDA and she asked me specifically if I had drank or smoked. I said of course not, they went hand and hand lol! She then said I could drink on special occasions like 3 times a year. They probably were thinking I would start up again if I drank. No way!! I have scars to remind me of not being so stupid. Therapist told me to stop blaming myself however, because there is no proof that smoking causes breast cancer. To basically get over it and live better now. I had a lot of self blame for doing this to my family. It did make me feel better! Then she said- do yoga! What were those yoga tapes y'all were talking about?!
This morning I wrote a new status on my FB page Cheer for Jodi. I think y'all would like it and agree! It's called Knock Knock- it's cancer. I talk about how cancer is like a visitor, then crazy family, then teenager etc! It might make you laugh or say damn right! Hugs and love ladies!!!
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Jodi- I'm glad you mentioned the smoking. I smoked when I was younger. I quit once I became pregnant with my first baby (she is almost 10). I've probably smoked 3 cigarettes in the past 10 years. One was at my hubby's 20 year reunion this past July right before I found my "clogged milk duct". We had a night to ourselves, some drinks, and I smoked one. I constantly feel guilty about whether or not the smoking contributed to this. But we could beat ourselves up searching for what "caused" this and never really know. I think the hardest thing to grasp (for me anyway) is that there is no rhyme or reason for it.
I do t have Facebook. But my mom does. I'll try to look at your page through her account.
Keep fighting ladies!!
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Just look at all of us that didn't smoke and we are fighting the same battle. You didn't cause this, we do not have control over getting it, we can only control how we fight it.
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Jodi, LOVE your FB page. Thanks for sharing your perspective for all of us! I guess it rings true for so many things in life, especially BC. You are inspiring!
I do indulge in a glass of wine now and then. Haven't really asked my MO about it. I trust that as long as it's in moderation, I am okay. I am not going to take all of the small pleasures out of my life. I used to smoke also...so glad I quit! I guess it used to be "cool"....I didn't like coffee at all while on chemo, but I do drink decaf sometimes.
Have a great week, ladies. Keep the SE's at a minimum!
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keepthefaith-thanks!!! I will be drinking come football season! I told her that:). That is a special occasion right lol!! I think with me it is the dynamic duo I paired together they are wanting to me to stay away from both now. I mean really? I can not imagine anyone smoking during or after this. I know it happens but I can't see it.
I hope we all stick together through reconstruction!! I know after that we might abandon the boards because we will not want to think about this anymore! But, I love this group! It will be very educational for all of us to stay and post throughout he whole deal! We will always be December 13 chemo sisters regardless of what phase we are in!! Everyone stay and post about rads, surgeries Etc or simply annoying family/friends:)
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My MO said it's fine to have occasional drink just not 2 days before or after chemo and no binge drinking. (duh, wasn't planning on it) but I do like a glass of wine or cold beer sometimes
Yea Kimmie! Another one of us done with chemo!! There is an end
DJJ-prayers that you get to finish your chemo with minimun se from reduced taxol. My taxotere was reduced by 20% and it took care of my worst side effects
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well oops, my cheating glass of wine was 2 days before taxol day. I did pass on the wine this afternoon at a co-worker's retirement reception. Tomorrow I will ask my MO specifically about alcohol. Must also remember to ask to get the decadron dose reduced again, forgot last week. Guess I should make a list so I do not forget these things. Mind feels like a sieve at times, but not anywhere as bad as when on the AC. At least tomorrow I get to tick off another weeks treatment done.
I agree with Jodi, would be nice to keep the group going once we are all done, even if just checking in off and on and up dateing on how the new normal of life is treating us.
Barbara
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so my 9 year old sees a advertisement about a lady who championed the importance of breast self exams tonight. The end of the TV blip states that if caught early, 97% of breast cancer survivors live more than 5 years. The way it was worded made it sound like youre lucky to live 5 more years. That's what it sounded like to me and obviously to her too since she was deeply disturbed and said she needed me to live longer than. 5 years. That I needed to live long enough to see her little brother and sister get to college. What is up with those statistics?! Why put that on TV. Ugh. That frustrates me in so many ways.
Edited to add - I think they were talking about that "big bam self exam" program. I just wish that would have been worded differently.
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rhgsr, I agree with you! The ad sounds very insensitive. I am sorry that it upset your daughter so much. There are so many people live a long and healthy life after bc diagnostic. I hope she is feeling better now.
Oranje_mama, everything tastes super salty for me during AC and bitter during taxol. My tongue feels burned. I am also looking forward to the end of this. May 2nd, almost there!!!
Jodi, it's a great idea to stay in touch. My December 2013 sisters are all so inspiring and help me get though all this. I can't image doing this without your support. Take care, everybody!
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holy Eff another snow storm today on the east coast of Canada, happy first day of spring.
I still loose my taste on the taxol too, usually starting tomorrow I will start to feel the bone pain and the aches that come along with it, come middle of next week I will be feeling normal, just fatigued and my stamina is weak, doing stairs etc makes me feel 95.
My dad is not doing so well he has been in cardiac care since sunday, loosing my brother took so much out of him.
Jodi - you seem to be handling the AC much better then I did. My first dose was horrible they ended up reducing it a bit I was so sick.
RHGSR - Im calling bull shit on that commercial, what a not so encouraging ad. They need to do a little more investigating clearly.
As for the occasional glass of wine I think we are all entitled to that.
hugs my friends
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So happy for everyone that is through with chemo! My last treatment is April 25th, I am counting down the weeks.
My taste buds on taxol leave me about 2 days after for about 2 days, then they start to slowly come back. Tried a glass of wine the day after treatment and it tasted horrible, it was one that I usually like too. Sometimes the day before I'll have dinner out with my daughter and get a beer, that is when I know it will all taste good.
Have a wedding to attend on April 5th, reception is at a Sweetwater Brewing Company in Atlanta, not going to have much but I will be tasting some beers, chemo or not. Not sure what to wear on my head, tempted to get a pink page boy wig just for fun.
Kimie - sorry to hear about your Dad, my thoughts are with you.
DJJ - to start and stop and start again would totally suck! Hope the reduced dosage works.
Have taxol tomorrow, another one bites the dust
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right there with you Chicopeach, #6 today here I come,,,half way there now, I think there are 3 or 4 of us on today, and several tomorrow. Seems like I live in that chair but also seems it doesn't go fast enough!
My neutophils have doubled from two weeks ago, I think that cold I had was the culprit, I'm just happy to not have that neulasta shot, the RBC continues to drop, it was fried oysters for dinner last night, need to get those back up there as well, so trying to keep iron rich foods in my diet daily without the supplements that cause big C.
I agree we keep checking in when everyone is done, let's make our own statistics, because ours will be 100% success, because we are all kicking this cancer shit to the curb for good!
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Hello ladies -
One more chemo out of the way for those of you sitting in the chair today. Hoping you all stay strong and have minimal SEs.
Kimie - I am so sorry to hear that your father is having heart problems. Praying for your father and you.
I smoked off and on from the age of 16 to 27. I quit completely after my 2nd child was born. I have to admit over the last few years, I was probably drinking too much red wine, but my diet was good and I exercised a lot. I have decided to limit my alcohol to special occasions. What about spreading out drinks on those special occasions? I have been reading that sugar is bad for us? Is eating a piece of cake as bad as drinking a glass of wine?
Chicopeach - I like the wig idea... funny, but do you want to be the woman with the pink hair in the wedding pics?
RHGSR - Statistics are old. I read somewhere that those of us who are in survivor groups, that's us, live longer. So there you go, we just added more years to our lives. I hate some commercials, they are stupid. I remember when my oldest son was 4, there was an anti smoking campaign stating, "Don't be a butt head, quit smoking." My 4 year old would call me, and everyone around him, a butt head when he got mad.... pissed me off. Find out who is putting on the Advertisement, we can complain to them.
I meet with the RO tomorrow morning. I have not done any research on rads yet. I will go over to the rad board and try to figure out what questions I should be asking the doc. If any of you have suggestions, please let me know.
Kim
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good luck to everyone getting taxol! I am a week out from AC. I don't go back until April 2nd, so a long break for me. I guess I am out! Just moved a king bed out of a room, and move a queen in there instead. Then moved LuLu's new toddler bed in Ellison's room. They will share- and it used to be two rooms until the wall was removed. That was before we bought it! I would have never done that. My DH will probably fuss at me when he gets home, and he sees what I did. But! I feel productive and I guess it is Spring cleaning sort of! Still have a mountain of laundry to do. I HATE LAUNDRY!!
Diet- the sugar thing makes sense when you compare cake to wine. So maybe it is all nonsense about the wine? DH is so confused about it because they say drink a glass for your heart, but then on the other side say it might cause cancer? Really- seems like anything or everything causes it seems. One thing I know for sure for me was estrogen. I'll avoid anything that helps produce that. Anything else- is guessing. And I refuse to give up cake!!!!! Can't the scars and fake boobs be enough! And the nightmares and hot flashes! Stop taking stuff lol!! Am I right?
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Kimmie, sorry your Dad is on the hospital. Saying a prayer he is all better soon. It snowed here as well. So over this winter!
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Kimmie, I hope your Dad recovers soon. Prayers and good thoughts for you and your family.
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Kimmie- I missed your post! Sorry! Sending prayers to you and your family!!!
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Hi ladies. Getting through hopefully the last se I will ever have from chemo. Cold/hot, cold/hot. Hat on. Hat off. I didn't need a Neulasta shot this time and it has made a HUGE difference. I've only had minimal pains here and there that haven't lasted. (So far.) Tomorrow will probably be a different story. I am going to live my life still enjoying the things I like. I think everything has the potential to cause cancer so I don't think we should worry all the time and be hyper sensitive about every little thing. Obviously, trying to make healthier decisions, but not obsess. Our environment is the leading cause of cancer, in my opinion. I am trying to regulate my body's ph with drinking lemon water with apple cider vinegar once a day. Spinach smoothies etc. I NEED to start exercising. I know it will make me feel better. I found out when I had my initial bone scan that I am riddled with arthritis. Espcially in my feet, and back so exercise usually ends badly. I am determined to try new things and suck the joy out of life. I hope everyone is having a good day.
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prayers to you and your family Kimmie
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ladies, I need to share. My friend may have cancer again. My heart is breaking for her. She had BMX with DIEP last year. And radiation. But found a blister on the non radiated side. She's waiting on biopsy. The fear is IBC. Please pray her fears are false.
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chicopeach - my last one is april 24th. I'm counting down with you :0)
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I am finding that this last chemo wore me out physically. I haven't been sleeping well these last few nights, which isn't helping. My eyelashes and brows are looking pretty sad... enough already.
Mikesgirl - What are the benefits in regulating our body's ph? Nice to hear that you are having minimal SE's. That Neulasta shot was a real tough one, even though I am tired, my body doesn't ache as bad as it would have with the shot.
Jodi - I agree with you re staying away from as much stuff as possible that produces estrogen. Unfortunately that is pretty much everything.
Kim
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WOO HOO- taxol #6 done, half way through it now. Woke up to no eyelashes at all on one lower lid, and just a few on the other. eyebrows are almost invisible with just a few stray hairs. used lots of eye line above and below the eyes and I am getting better a drawing eyebrows on.
Asked the MO about alcohol. I fessed up to drinking a glass of wine Tue and he said a glass now and then is fine, only warning is that it may add to the neuropathy but no real problems with taxol. He was concerned about my neuropathy getting a little worse and now getting pain behind my knees, like where the muscles attach to the bones. He suggested trying coenzyme Q 10 for the muscle part of the pain. Any one taking this and what dose, he really did not have a dose to suggest.
WBC drifted down another 1,000 (seems to go down that every week) to 4.5 but he said in the oncology world that was still LOTS of WBCs. rest of blood counts were stable and OK.
Also got the decadron down to 5 mg this time, benedryl still at 50 so slept 2 hours after I got home today.
Still all in all this is more tolerable then the AC.
Best wishes for no or minimal SEs to the rest of you this week. Kim, hope your Dad is doing better,
Barbara
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Just got home from last chemo.... Surreal! I really wish I could bring all of you with more to go across the finish line with me! MO says to remember to take it easy as it will still be a month or so before my energy starts returning but says he thinks it will come back pretty quickly when it does.
Gained about 12 lbs. since first TX .... boo!
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Kj, I've read a lot of research on alkaline verses acidic diets. Alkaline is more natural foods, easily broken down by the body. Acidic is more processed food, meat etc. Lemon and vinegar are on the alkaline side. It all affects your body's ph balance. The more stable your ph, the less likely for cells to grow out of control. I look at it like this....Picture your body like a it's a swimming pool. When the ph is off, fungus starts to grow. This continues until you stabilize the ph balance. I just figured this is something easy I can do every day. Plus, apple cidar vingar is great for all kinds of things, including weight loss which I need desperately. It tastes awful, the lemon helps mask the it. Rhgsr, sending up a prayer. Hopefully it's nothing. Very scary.
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congrats one Texas day !!!
Mikesgirl- that's what that nurse behind me in line at the pharmacy was talking about it. He mentioned a ketogenic diet and some sort of alkaline water.
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Yay one texas day!!!! Congrats!!! RHGSR you can make your own alkaline water just with lemon. If you go on Pinterest and type in alkaline all sorts of info. pops up.
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Pinterest scares me !! Ha ha. I feel so incompetent when I look on there !! Ha ha. Ill venture on there in search of alkaline water :0)
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