February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    Jules this is what I do for yeast infections… been doing it for years. Go get some acidophilus capsules. I usually remove the top of the capsule and insert into your vagina. You might need to use a panty liner but much less messy than the OTC treatments. My old gyno taught me this. Non irritating too.

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    Thanks lago, Just got back from target with Monistat and yogurt. I'll remember that though, I'm sure there will be a next time

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    must remember to hydrate!!!!! Why is that so hard!!!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    You can also use the yogurt instead of the monistat too but it can get messy. I can't use Monistat. I find all that OTC stuff irritating. 

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited April 2014

    For those starting taxanes or battling neuropathy, read this article. Be proactive as much as possible

    http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2013/06/complementary-therapies-for-chemo-neuropathy/

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    our local news interviewed me and the story aired last night on medical use of marihuana! 

    http://www.myfoxorlando.com/video?clipId=10103831&topVideoCatNo=237186&autoStart=true

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2014

    OMG OMG!!!!! Jb. That was awesome!!!!! You are awesome!!! Gah made me cry when you described AC! Is it weird to say I'm proud of you????? I am!! 

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  • megomendy
    megomendy Member Posts: 141
    edited April 2014

    JB, you were wonderful on tv! Enjoyed seeing you. Does your AC drip thru an IV? they push mine in from a big fat needle.

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    Thanks everyone!   I was concerned the news would put a weird twist on it, but they really did a good job.  It's gone somewhat viral on Facebook !   

    my AC was IV drip, I have never heard of it going push before!  Intetesting!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    wow just caught the video. jbokland you were great! You sport the bald great. And you have eyelashes! You really looked awesome too. 
    BTW I thought you were about 35. You are about 1 year younger than me. 

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  • princessrn
    princessrn Member Posts: 370
    edited April 2014

    jb happy birthday and great video!! 

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    Lago. That was shot about a month ago. .,My lashes are down to about 3 on each eye!!! That was the first thing I noticed!

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    thanks Princess!

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited April 2014


    JB-Loved it!! How did you get picked to do this spot? You are a brave person for "coming out" about medical mj. ((hugs))

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  • JoTro
    JoTro Member Posts: 57
    edited April 2014

    Following you Feb ladies, seeing where you are at now (if it gets better at what time kind of following...)  I'm a march chemo endurer.

    Jbokland awesome video, yep you do look 35!  and it helped demystify the whole MJ thing (still totally illegal here in NZ and in OZ I think)  Amazing the people who have offered it to me though.

    Keep well Feb ladies

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  • 3doglady
    3doglady Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2014

    JB: Great job on camera!

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited April 2014

    I nominate JBok president of Feb sisters club! 

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    tang- I do a lot of work with a local organization -Libby's Legacy -that helps uninsured/under insured women get free mammograms and provides support if they are diagnosed. I have so much support,family,  resources  and good health insurance, it HAUNTED me to think of women out there who don't have resources.  I've met young single moms with NO help or support. I met one lady who's asshole husband left her right before BMX.  Recently a 24 year old who has just started her career as an artist and a 31 year old with stage IV and has no local family.  both these ladies have minimal support and insurance. Both without cars.    How can anyone get through this without help??  No one  should have to go it alone or try to take care of yourself after surgery. 

    Anyway, the news reporter asked the org if they knew of anyone who would be willing to tell there story...

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited April 2014


    JB-sounds like a wonderful organization! I too can't imagine going thru this w/o support and I am grateful for my insurance. I actually got hired in July and had insurance by August...my dx was in October. Prior to that it had been 5 years since we had health insurance for my husband and I. I have often thought that if I had felt this lump in say May or June I probably would have put off going to the doctor since we didn't have the money.

    Anyway, that is a whole other issue...the no insurance deal. I'm glad you found somewhere to serve :)

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  • gatorgal89
    gatorgal89 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2014

    JB - well I was weepy today anyway. The Red Devil....made me cry even though that part is over. Excellent interview. You rock!

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    JoTro-  So nice to see a NZ member.  I just moved back from Sydney   (very sad to have had to leave!).

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    jbokland just to let you know I have a chemo buddy from the October 2010 chemo thread from AU. We are facebook friends and have even skyped. She says we are twins separated at birth.

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited April 2014

    Lago  - There are no better people on earth than Aussies!!

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2014

    My Assie sister is awesome

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  • Sicilian
    Sicilian Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2014

    jbok, GREAT video! Happy, happy birthday! You're my hero!

    I went to the radiologist and had my consultation. Then I went back yesterday for my CT scan. They told me I would have to be on my stomach and that my left (healthy) breast they would put in a sling, since they want to make sure they don't hit that one with radiation. The CT scan sets it all up so that they know where exactly to hit you with the radiation. Well, they put it in a sling which has straps that wrap around your back and then get fastened to the RIGHT side. I have to tell you, I almost lost it. There I am, flashing my boobs to yet ANOTHER stranger and all I could think was how many more indignities this insidious disease would make me suffer. Small pity party, and I'm over it now. Anyway, next week I go back to get tattooed and then I start treatments on the 19th.

    Tang, I always made sure to eat Greek yogurt to help with the thrush. Also, when my white count went low and my onco put me on an antibiotic to avoid an infection, he also gave me Diflucan to make sure I didn't get a yeast infection.


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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited May 2014

    Thanks Sicilian!

    Seems we spend most if our time managing SE!   

    I am very surprised that I just had 7th treatment if Taxol and my hair is growing!!

    Anyone else?

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  • Jules_NY
    Jules_NY Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2014

    Jbokland Woohoo on the hair growth!!!!!! Quick ques you needed a transfusion right? Around what tax# was that? My counts are dropping now, not enough for a transfusion yet. I know everyone is different, just trying to gets ref range. 

    Anyone have a port put in before surgery? And did you have a mastectomy on the port side? I still don't have one. So far finding a vein has been ok but I'll need herceptin/perjeta for a year. My MO is not a fan unless I need one but the infusion nurses keep bringing it up. 

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  • 3doglady
    3doglady Member Posts: 50
    edited May 2014

    Dont know if it has been discussed already, but wondered if any of you have had tooth/teeth pain?  I noticed a couple of weeks ago that my teeth were 'shifting' that my bite was not the same.  I told my onc and she said "Already?"  with a surprised look on her face.  And now, when Im sleeping, I must grit my teeth and Im pressing them together, and eating anything hard, like bacon or something I have to chew, aches my jaw teeth.  


    Through the chemo process, ever since the AC I noticed my gums throbbing.  Usually started by the Friday after my AC infusion and would continue through the weekend.  Now, since Im on the weekly taxols, I still notice the throbbing.  I have general bone pain, but minimal.  I would say the muscle pain was worse.

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  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2014

    My gums did hurt on AC, but then it stopped after I started sucking on ice/popsicle during infusion. Maybe you should try it with taxol. 

    Just had taxol #4, no hair growth yet. I do have muscle pain, alleviated by Advil. Any other side effects people are having from taxol? Oh yes, and my nose keeps running. MO said my sinuses are inflamed, might have a virus. 

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited May 2014

    Jules-

    I can't believe I have growth!  Weird!  I have white/platinum hair...this peach fuzz looks almost transparent!

    My transfusion was after Taxol #1.  Probably more a result of the AC.  I had 2 doses of Procrit and so far my Hct 29 & Hg- 10.3 are stable   (low, but acceptable).

    3doglady- I used the Biotene (spelling?)  mouth rinse during AC and it kept most of the problems at bay.  I do find my mouth is more 'tender' even during the Taxol.  I am sometimes a little raw after I eat an orange or other citrus. Also, my dentist made me a night guard to keep me from clenching when I sleep, it seemed to help.

    I am a big proponent of icing your hands and feet during Taxol. I initially had 'hand and foot', where my skin started to slough off my feet and leave me very tender. My heels felt like I had a over-zealous pedicure!  I have a little bit of dark spots appearing under my fingernails on treatment #7.  The lady in the chemo chair next to me is on treatment #6 and her nails are all dark brown.

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