Starting Chemo in March 2014

JoTro · May 2014

Recovering from #3 TC infusion, first 6 days have been much harder, bone aches, extreme fatigue, you know the usual symptoms. Reading through and catching up on all the posts here, and feeling a bit sad for us all. JMG, sinsin, txplanner, jenwith4kids wishing you all an easier time over the next few weeks... stupid crazy SE's and stuff that is just a great big unwanted complication.

The fears we all seem to have and the anxiety, hopefully we can all get better and move forward over the upcoming months. I'm planning some holiday time for later in the year, and a big holiday overseas that's just a total dream at the moment. It keeps me focused on anything but cancer.

Hugs for all of you going through this.

Jo

Lovemysons · May 2014

Halfway through #3 - adding carboplatin to the THP mix this time. Praying I tolerate the side effects well.

Sinsin · May 2014

Ugh! So is anyone having terrible bone pain from chemo? My back and ribs hurt so much that I'm popping my left over Percocet from my mastectomy which helps some. I had a bone scan and it didn't show cancer mets but I'm scared it's in my bones now they hurt so much. Hope everyone is doing better than me!

Jenwith4kids · May 2014

Sinsin, are you taking l-glutamine?

Sinsin · May 2014

Jen, no I'm not and I was just at Whole Foods seeing if they had it. They didn't. I'm about to hit Bartell for Claritin to see if that helps.

MJHJAN1014 · May 2014

JoTro,

I found TC#3 to be tricky also. had a hard time eating and ended up in ER with low potassium, fever, viral bronchitis. It was ugly and I really lost my sense of humor for a few days. I mustered for my 4th and last treatment today. Hoping for an uneventful cycle before beginning the crawl up out of chemoland. Six more days at the most and you'll be feeling more human. Hang in, may the force be with you.

MJHJAN1014 · May 2014

SinSin,

I had horrible leg pain my first TC treatment. I finally called in and got the OK to use the oxycodone that I did not need for my lumpectomy. It took the edge off and I got through the weekend. It was severe. I have had some leg pain each time, but tylenol/ibuprofen worked. I did have some hip pain last time. I think mine is caused by Taxotere. Is the percocet helping? May the force be with you.

TxPlanner · May 2014

Nice pic, Lovemysons. It shows your resolve.

Someone at work told me they think I'm handling this so well and really I'm not "handling" anything. I'm just rolling with it because.. what else am I going to do? I don't want to have this or be doing chemo or losing my hair, but I have to get up every morning and be me. There are no other choices!

One foot in front of the other. That's today's motto!

Sinsin · May 2014

MJHJ, no the Percocet isn't helping. I took a Claritin and some ibruprofen and that has helped some. Now I'm hoping this glass of wine will help me sleep relatively pain free. If I'm still miserable tomorrow I'm to call my oncologist.

JoTro · May 2014

Lovemysons good to see your doing OK MJHJAN thanks for the support. Just feel everything s getting worse. Sinsin the bone joint pain is almost crippling. Need help getting up of the couch. Its improved heaps by day 6. Ladies now having vision issues. High pressure and neuropathy in eyeballs. Could lead to glaucoma. Its steroid receptive. Also have some bladder issues; low grade uti. Sent off sample this morning. Keep strong ladies - we need to beat this and recover - sooner the better.

MJHJAN1014 · May 2014

TxPlanner, you go girl!

jmg58 · May 2014

TxPlanner....I feel exactly like you do. People try to help and be encouraging, but they just don't know what to say. I like the "you're so brave" one. What the heck am I supposed to do? I cry like a baby half the time, but I still have to get up and force myself to sit in that chair.

Today I wore my (bad) wig for the first time to work. Was all hepped up after the Look Good Feel Good thing yesterday. It was nice. Came home, tried on the wig, said "Not so Bad." Then wore it to work today am thinking, "yes, it is so bad," A lot of comments about how I looked good in hats...lol.

Sinsin · May 2014

Joytro, hang in there! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's what I do. I live by what I call the Nemo mantra, just keep swimming. 😉

Jmg, I mainly wear hats and scarves. I pretty much only wear my wig for like nights out. I'm happy with my hats and scarves.

srdc2013 · May 2014

HI everyone-- Txplanner I heard the same thing this week and it made me laugh out loud! And I too haven't worn my wig out - it looks like a wig, I don't care what anyone says and I'd just rather wear my scarves! I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's side effects.Chemo sucks. I've already experienced moderate hearing loss and the ENT is worried that if I continue on with my chemo regime that it will end up being severe. I did a quick search of the boards and didn't find any mentions. For most people it seems to happen after chemo not during so my Dr is exploring options with me.

Xrayalli · May 2014

JoTro- what does the neuropathy in the eyeballs feel like? I'm having neuropathy in my hands and feet, not fun at all.

Srdc2013-that's interesting about the hearing loss, so sorry you are experiencing that.

I am getting this comment ALL the time-"you look great, you don't even look like you're going through chemo!" I don't even know what to say so I just say, thanks and say I guess I look better than I feel, lol! I think people just like to see what I'm going to wear on my head because I change it up everyday, I can't do the expensive wig, it's not me and it itches, my wiggy wig is easier to wear but.....it's wiggy. My favorite is my hair halo I can out in a baseball hat and a scrub cap for work.

Had Taxol #9 today, checking'em off.

TxPlanner · May 2014

Hi there..

So, Xrayalli you're doing Taxol first and then AC, and is your Taxol weekly? And for you and anyone having "neuropathy", what is that symptom-wise? Burning? And what alleviates it? I will start Taxol May 28 and have heard it's common to get neuropathy of the hands and feet, and I have no clue what that means. I have only to wait a few weeks and I'll know full well. But it's nice to get the scoop ahead of time.

I'm going to ask about seeing a lymphedema rehab person in advance of my August surgery. I'm worried about the effects on my arm after having 2 levels of nodes removed and radiation therapy afterwards. I've heard there are exercises I could be working on now. Anyone else doing/considering this?

AKJ · May 2014

TX Planner, I didn't go ahead of time but right after surgery I went to a lymphedema specialist. She gave me stretching exercises and worked on my arm. She's now doing lymphatic drainage and told me how to do it at home. So far no huge problems, just some slight swelling under my armpit. I had 2 levels of nodes removed. I think it's best to be proactive.

JoTro · May 2014

Alli, Neuropathy of the eyeballs does sound a bit funny doesn't it, there are no symptoms according to google but my eyesight has been off lately, and a few headaches. It's damage to the optic nerve from steroids and taxotere. However I have high pressure in my eyes, which leads to Glaucoma if untreated. The pressure I had checked again today, its come down a bit. so another check next week, then referral to a specialist.

Jo

linda505 · May 2014

Txplanner - neuropathy of the hands and feet start off with a tingling sensation - kind of like when your foot falls asleep and the blood starts to flow and you get that tingle. Then it goes to a burning numbness - makes it painful to walk and type. It is nerve damage. I am diabetic so I am doubley prone to neuropathy and had some mild neuropathy in both my hands and feet after my first treatment. It lasted about 4 days for me before it subsided. It does concern me and I will be talking to my MO about it before the 2nd treatment to see if maybe he needs to reduce my taxotere. In some cases, that neuropathy can become a permanent SE so if you experience it - it is one of the things that you really need to tell your MO. I am taking, with their blessing and encouragement, B6, B12 and LGLutamine - as powder mixed in a drink three times a day 10 mg each dose to help with the neuropathy. It is thought that people with low VIt b are more prone to neuropathy. I am also icing my hands and feet starting 15 minutes before Taxotere and continuing for 15 minutes after. Taxotere and Taxol are cousins and both have basically the same SE's

Xrayalli · May 2014

TxPlanner-it started with all my finger and toenails being sore and sensitive. Then some of my more used ones started tingling. Then from treatment 8 to 9 the painset in drastically and it was very difficult to type ona computer (this touchpad isn't bad) to push buttons on the mammo control panel which are take a lot more pressure than a computer. Even grazing a surface that you normally would never notice sends shooting pains in my nails enough to make me shake my hand and swear loudly. Pretty much unbearable so I am taking Gabapentin, I so hope it helps. There is burning and coldness in the affected fingers.

Yes I am Taxol first the AC, my MO follows MD Anderson breast cancer treatment protocol I've only come across a couple of us on this board with this regimen. There was a study to show there are better tolerance rates and less reoccurence rates by doing it this way.

I had no lymphadema but you are smart to look ahead since you will have surgery and radiation. I am having range of motion problems and forearm issues due to babying my left side so long. I just hate to take more time off from work for PT but I just gotta get this checked out.

Jodi040812 · May 2014

alli- it get it looked at:). If you start now, chances of lymphedema is way lower. I have swelling in my hand and especially my thumb. I wear the gauntlet and sleeve a lot and it helps so much. My range is also troubling. My shoulder isn't rotating all the way causing some nice neck and shoulder pain;). The therapy really helps. I am having my last chemo AC Wednesday. Then I am starting rads June 10th and that can also cause some swelling. You can get sleeves on amazon or order from lymphediva. Everyone should get one before any air travel. They are not a pain.

What number if taxol are you on? Someone on the December board had to skip a few taxols due to neuropathy. Sending you happy thoughts!! And AC wasn't that bad after taxol. I was scared about it, but not that bad:)

Sinsin · May 2014

Ok, so does anyone have extreme fatigue at night? I am fine during the day but usually around 9pm I am falling asleep just sitting and watching tv or even when I'm at my computer! It hits me like a ton of bricks and I can't keep my eyes open. I would probably fall asleep standing too.

Xrayalli · May 2014

Thanks for the advice, Jodi. I will get going on that, it hurts too much to ignore. I just had Taxol #9 yesterday. The Gabapentin has started to take the edge off the neuropathy, hoping when it gets all in my system it will reduce the pain even more. I cannot delay!

Jenwith4kids · May 2014

I think PT is a must after AxIllary Node dissection. I had to ask for it. I have full range of motion (surgery was in feb). I think the PT should see you before surgery to get baseline measurements, not sure why they don't automatically do that...

Sinsin · May 2014

I had axillary node dissection and thankfully, didn't have any issues with range of motion or heavy pain and didn't even think of it being a possibility. Yikes! I think I got lucky because I only had 3 nodes done. I'm sorry some of you are having trouble from yours. I hope the PT helps!!

heroldman · May 2014

I want to wish all you mothers a happy mothers day. I hope that you all get to find some peace and joy on this day that celebrates all you wonderful mothers.

About 3 days after my wife's 3rd infusion she started to have foot pain and swelling of the ankles and feet. There were a few blisters and callous type places on he feet. She had a hard time walking for several days. Her MO said it was hand and foot syndrome. I was afraid it was neuropathy but it is different. She did not have any hand problems. The MO removed the Adriamycin from her 4th infusion. The foot problem is starting to get better.

My wife has not missed a day at work but it has not been easy for her. She comes home very tired and is not able to do much but eat most of the food I fix for her and then try to rest. After a nights sleep she feels like going to work but this is starting to take a toll. Her MO thinks she is pushing herself a bit too hard and I agree. She is very hyper and really does not get much more rest on her off days. She is done with chemo till after her Rads treatments. 5 weeks of rads. Then she will be on to 4 Taxol infusions.

Best wishes to all.

Xrayalli · May 2014

Happy Mothers Day to you all and Heroldman, thank you My neuropathy is not improving much with the Gabapentin. Seeing my MO this week to hopefully get a referral to PT for my arm pain and something different for the neuropathy. I had no idea neuropathy was painful, wow. I can't even scratch myself, lol.

princessrn · May 2014

X-ray alli........ Im having it too. Ugly. I got a special cream made at a custom dosing pharmacy. That I put on 3-4 times a day neuropntin is in it and pharmacy guy said greater tissue absorption to fingers this way. I have only used it few days but I notice a big relief when I put it on.

sarahsarah43 · May 2014

If you feel depressed, don't think you are imagining it. I have very well controlled bipolar disorder and have been on depression meds for the past 8 years. My carefully medically maintained mood has gone haywire since beginning chemo. And as is typical with depression, I didn't recognize what was going on because I assumed everything was just really hopeless and shitty. And while everything may indeed be relatively shitty, my perception was off so I couldn't feel anything EXCEPT shitty. Anyway, once I realized I was depressed, I felt so much better! I am on TC every three weeks and have noticed (roughly) the first week I am sick, the second week I am depressed, and the third week I feel pretty good.

So, if you feel horrible and hate yourself, try to remember it is very likely your brain is not acting the way it should and it isn't your fault.

I'm going for my last TC tomorrow. I'm equal parts thrilled and want to hide under the bed.

Good luck, y'all!

Jenwith4kids · May 2014

Thanks for sharing Sarah. I'm feeling so much better now that I'm taking prozac! But still having bouts of tears that I can't really define. I'm trying to roll with it.

Starting Chemo in March 2014

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