Starting Chemo in March 2014

I have not posted in awhile. But I have been reading the posts. Sorry for all the side effects wearing on everyone. I was neutropenic round 1 and liver tests shot way up so they lowered my dose for round 2. Round 3 will be the higher dose so I am making the most of my good round.  

Cbg4- I felt anxious for round 2 because the first was so rough. The only way I made to the second was thinking long term survival and an Ativan.

Medicmom- get the PICC checked. I wish they had listened to you in the beginning.  It is not like you haven't had experience with your veins and lots of others. 

Lgoldie- the rapid heart rate may be related to some dehydration.  Drink water and rest between activities.  I had a few days of that even with drinking enough water.

Cancerjourney- I hope you have a better week after the double whammy of pneumonia and shingles. The fear of neutropenia and how it leaves us open to infections is hardfor me.  

I hope this week is better for everyone. 

lgoldie, my biggest SE last round again was rapid heartbeat and great and I mean GREAT difficulty breathing.  I think it even would have been worse, but I went in for fluids the day before chemo and the day after.  This time chemo's on Thursday and I'm in for a round of fluids tomorrow and again Friday after chemo.  It seems to help a bit.  But last time even with that, my heartbeat was out of control and so thus was my breathing from Thursday through about Monday.  I mean, I felt like a fish out of water.  Told MO, she said to stay on steroids longer, take 1/2 one day more.  I think that would just make my heart beat faster so I don't know what will happen this time.  I'm currently drinking 5-6 17 oz. bottles of water a day, plus other things:  popsicles, milk in cereal, etc.  You'd think that would be enough, but it's not. Right after chemo I go in about twice in a week and a half for fluids and now it's down to a weekly right before I'm going back.

Cbg4, I am also anxious about this next round....I got different SE this time...like blisters on the bottom of my feet....its always different and the heart/breathing really has me worried because I have a PICC line in there, too.  But one day this will be over and life will be good again...just hang on to that and the good things in your life.  I'll be sending good things your way!

I also have a PICC line.  It gets a surface infection now and then.  I've used it for two chemos, two CT scans and about 6 rounds of fluid so far.  It's always itchy and seems to get red once the dressing is changed, although I can't see anyway an infection is getting in there because I watch her with a mask on also and I don't see any inlet for germs.  It's a realy pain in the $*@) to have to flush every day (Do you have to do this, too?  Last time I went in for fluids, I was told by a nurse some people just get them flushed at the onc's once a week, but apparently I get to be special).  I have to do it now and although it doesn't take long, I'm tired of doing it.  It's hard to tape up those extensions again with just one hand.  But it is convenient for all they have to do, and it can come out right after chemo's over.  

I have also had a dry cough after each chemo.  Doctor said lungs can get slightly inflammed or something.  Anyway, she didn't do anything about it since I didn't have a fever or wasn't coughing up "anything."

I think there are less posts here because a lot of gals are probably now on Facebook which I don't have the desire to do right now.  I just don't want to have the same conversations there that I'd have here or sign on to another thing.  There's info about it above, somewhere.  Have a good night everyone.

cbg4, round 3 was harder for me too. I'm not sure why.  I was more naseaus,  I'm more cranky and I'm more tired.  It was hard to sit there, I feel like I have been crying since last Thursday.  But,  I will get my butt there for the final round, that's what will get me there,  it will be the LAST ac!!!!!  I understand that Taxol is easier - if you are doing weekly.  Not happy about going every week but hopeful that the tradeoff will be that I feel better.

I'm having trouble drinking too.  I was a rock star first cycle.  Now stuff tastes bad. And ice pops give me the heebie jeebies since I suck on them for the red devil.   Maybe lemon Italian ice?  Ginger ale works and I've been adding crystal light ice tea powder to my water. 

No heartbeat issues here but I was having trouble breathing last night.   Still not sure if it was emotional or related to blood counts.  Will watch it today.

I will say that this weekends weather definitely helped me.  I got out to watch soccer on Saturday and walked twice yesterday.   If I push to do anything its to get outside.

Headed to the look good feel better workshop today.  Then I have to work this afternoon.   Will likely be an early bedtime tonight! 

Jmg- I am also not on facebook.... i like to come here for this and to keep that healthy and happy.  

Lgoldie, I too have a fast heartbeat with activity. It's about 60-70 normally but some days when I walk up the stairs to my bedroom my pulse gets up to 120's. My BP has been running a bit low as well so I don't take my BP/water pill on those days. It probably is  from dehydration.

Medimom, if your picc is sore and at all red make sure to get it checked, you know you don't want a blood infection!!!

Has anyone else had trouble with their eyesight? During week 2-3 of my chemo cycle my eyes get very fatigued almost like the eye strain I had in college(100 years ago) and I have trouble focusing. 

I am back to record the wife's latest status after round 3 on TAC.  You may recall that rounds 1 and 2 basically incapacitated my wife for 3 days with nausea.  She slowly worked her way out of these early slumps of nausea throughout the week, and awas feeling herself again around day 8.  

I am happy to report that they changed my wife's nausea meds to include stemetil, this time, and also increased her steroid to 4 full days instead of 2 full 2 half.  The effect is that she only had about 8 hours of feeling crappy and nauseous after the therapy.  The rest of the time, she has been just feeling weak, not herself, but without the nausea.  We walked the day after her chemo (Thursday last week - as it was closed Good Friday), and have probably been out walking 4-5 times all weekend.  Impossible for her to do after her first couple of treatments. She has been awake and alert for long stretches.  I am not saying it is good, just a lot better, in her own words.

Wife has also been rather symptom free this time.  Dry eyes being her main complaint and a little pain in her shoulders - expect from neulasta.

Fingers crossed but hoping in a few days she will have herself back to normal and we can have similar results for the last 3 treatments.  Today will be day 5 and she's been eating like a horse and well on the road to feeling right again. Hope you are all doing as well.

wife bought her wig back in week 2 and she has not worn it once.  It sits on its stand looking lonely.  She wonders if she should take it back or donate it to someone.  She's been wearing her scarves, and to me, she looks just as good with the scarf on and I am not sure I am ready to see her with hair yet.  Least of all hair that is not her own.  I don't think she is ready, more importantly.

We're basically half way through this crap now, so hopefully the rest of the treatments will be similar to the last one.  Taking the kids to Toronto after her next round.  We usually go to Florida in May, but her condition makes it impossible.  When this is all done, we will be spending some quality time on a deserted beach sucking back a couple of drinks with umbrellas in them.  Can anyone take our 4 kids for a week 😜?

Jen with kids - my 40 year old wife had her period during the first round and hasn't had one since (about 40 days now) so I guess, depending on your treatment, you might expect them to stop soon. How old are your kids?  Our 4 are all under 12 - so this news has all been rather shitty to be fair. The kids all know what mummy has, and see her bald head, and think nothing of it.  Keep your chin up mother.

WifeWBC:  So happy to hear she's doing better this time around...that's terrific news.  So is halfway there and the upcoming vackay!  Maybe I can stowaway?  They used all my PTO, and I was SO looking forward to a vackay after this....have an umbrella drink for me!

Jenw4kids:  I wanted to go to one of those and each one is always the day or two after a chemo and I'm not up to it!  They do sound like fun; glad you enjoyed it!  I am thinking maybe this time (#3) I will lose my eyelashes; my eyebrows and lashes seem a lot thinner and lighter colored, too, for some reason.  I'm glad you found the reason for tears; I hope that helps alleviate it a bit (but I don't know what my excuse is!)

Medic2mom:  Glad at least you know what the problem is; now you can take care of it.  NOT having an infection is a good thing!  I hope the clot is taken care of and gone right away!  Sending tons of good thoughts your way!!!

I stayed home today; like Jen, still have the blues.  Can't seem to get out of it for two weeks now.  Going to pack up for chemo on Thursday.  It's downtown and we (my boyfriend and I) always stay at a hotel for three days:  chemo; neulesta shot; next day.  Not looking forward to it at all, like I said before.  Really worried this time since I've felt ill off and on after 2 more than after 1.  Also, the hotel is "fancy" so it doesn't have a microwave (or else they just want you to order room service)....I wish I could just heat up an instant soup or mac & cheese in a microwave...the food there is really expensive and never tastes good....just seems like so much work.  I wish the hospital were closer.

Hi- Haven't been on for a while, but am so glad I was able to check these messages tonight. I've noticed rapid heart beats after chemo too, especially if I do anything strenuous, heck even mildly strenuous. It's like I hear it in my head, the beats and rush sounds. I will drink more water- I bet that will help. 

My first chemo was complicated by getting my period, and they've been monster heavy last 6 months, just due to my age/hormones (no fibroids, endometriosis, etc). So I had to get a transfusion because I got so low, and couldn't breath very well, and it turns out those red blood cells are important! I've also had 2 IVs of iron, and we're hoping I'm tipped into menopause soon. It's the one chemo side effect I WANT to have!

My second chemo started off better, but then I got a cold over the weekend, and of course that meant fever, coughing, head pounding, etc. (Because it can't be a mild cold when you're on chemo- of course). Wiped me out, but I recovered, on my own without antibiotics. I'm wondering if it's the neulasta that kicked in and helped with that..? Who knows but hope something they're doing is going my way.

Hair's out. Mostly went to scarves. Totally don't mind looking like a chemo patient when I am one. I'll be glamorous some other time. Honestly I don't mind looking like I'm not feeling 100% when I'm not. But I'm lucky to work in the cancer field and to have coworkers that get it, and have a patient population that looks the same way I do, and I get to see different stages of this journey- I get to see so many patients coming in for follow up appts that look GREAT-- so healthy. It's encouraging. People get through this.

I feel the same way about scarves. Even sometimes they are too hot. I figure i am a chemo pt and if me wearing a scarf makes you uncomfortable, then let's trade!!   :-)

I'm with everyone on the rapid, pounding heartbeat. I do tend to get dehydrated because water tastes awful!!  Also, trouble with my eyes. Vision seems off and my eyes are easily fatigued when I read.  I have round 3 of TAC on Tuesday, so I'm busy getting prepared for downtime. I didn't find the Facebook group, or I probably would follow that. It's nice hearing from all of you going through the same stuff. 

If anyone wants to join the facebook group, private message me. The thing we like about it is that it is easier to respond to each person's posts, than it is on here.  I know facebook is not everyone's cup of tea though. There are only about 20 something women in the group.

Heroldman, I wasn't even aware of wig caps. I'll look into those. Thanks! Glad to hear your wife is doing overall well!

Sinsin. http://www.paulayoung.com/product/cotton+liner.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=      Here is a link to the "wig cap" she is using. It is called a cotton liner on this site. I am not endorsing this company, this is just the best way for me to show what she is using. I was afraid the liner might be too hot for her but so far that has not been a problem. She got a nylon type cap but she did not care for it.

I did not have it genny; mine was 2.8 and I decided from the beginning to have a double mastectomy, so they said just go ahead and do that asap.