Starting Chemo in April 2014

Swissmiss, I had a pretty bad cold just before my first infusion that led to a cough.  I coughed for about a month.  Since I never ran a temp more than 100, my MO didn't think it was a big deal.  He listened to my lungs at each visit, but there was no treatment from him.  Because the cough was driving me crazy, I went to my PCP, and she prescribed me a super duper cough medicine containing antihistamines and decongestants.  My MO was okay with me taking it ,and the coughing eventually stopped.  The ER is so full of germs, I think I would avoid it unless I was running a temp of 100.4+ or if I thought I had strep, but it's really hard not to go when a nurse tells you to.  Good luck, I will be thinking of you.

Cold, I love the pink! You rock.

Timbuktu, yay, on a clear scan.

Clarrn, yay, for finishing AC. I go for number 3 of 4 next Tuesday.  I can taste it just thinking about it, yuck.

Mompv and Cammychris, I really feel for you. The decisions and waiting are so hard. I had high ki67 and high oncotype scores so chemo for me and lots of it, 6 months.  Although my MO disagreed, my BS called me from home just before the oncotype score came back to tell me that if it was his wife, he would want her to have chemo unless the score was very low.  The two opinions muddied the waters a bit, but my oncotype was so high it didn't matter in the end.

So, my heels have been stinging and have been really, really itchy. I called my nurse and she said it was likely neuropathy cause by the cytoxin.  Has anyone else experienced neuropathy with cytoxin?  I knew taxol and taxotere had this side effect but not cytoxin.  :-(

Thank you everyone for your feedback on my cough. Ugh, I wish this wasn't happening during my usual "feeling good" week. I do not have a fever, just the cough for now.  My daughter is counting on me for her recital tomorrow, so cross your fingers that I'll still be ok to watch her dance. Of course I'll be the one coughing like crazy and getting dirty looks I'll have to stop by urgent care tomorrow, I think. I just have the feeling it's going to get worse I'm wondering if this could prevent me from getting my first round of Taxol on Wednesday.  Thanks again, so nice to have you all here for me

Cold, Looks really great, Thinking Pink!

This is a "good" week. I feel this huge sense of urgency, in other words I am rushing around trying to get things done.

Swiss, I think you should go to the doc in the box.I hope you feel better.

Have an easy day today, Ya'll.

I took 2 aleve every 12 hours. Dd. 

Jamie, that is the pits. I am seeing how unpredictable chemo can be now. I felt pretty much ok for the last two weeks, at 8 out of 12 Taxols. Recently I am having heartburn despite a daily Pepcid, a lot of fatigue and ever more disappearing hair. Hang in there.

thanks Jaimieh, I will try that. Here is me in my chair on Wednesday. It's been a blur ever since . Getting better now though,

Dd I hope it helps. 

I have decided my new name is hot mess. Yup, I am a hot mess.   Tomorrow's another day I just sure hope it's better. 

MameMe: I too have some nasty heartburn, and I'm even on a break week. I am doing Pepcid, but I am thinking of asking for something stronger, if it exists. I was wondering if it was because of the doxycyclene they gave me for the nasty acne I have on my head, but I guess it could just be the taxol. I have also lost 90% of my eyebrows at 6 of 12, and about 90% of the hair on my head - - I have a little peach fuzz and that's it. Looking forward to getting this done!!

MommyQ: Ice cream is the best medicine.

Ddkath: my MO gave me ativan to try to sleep on chemo nights since the ambien didn't do a thing. Have you used it for that?

Cute pic, Ddkath. I'm also fan of Ativan.  

Jamieh - sorry you're having a rough time.  It's no fun at all.

Jhodro and MameMe - my onc nurses told me to use OTC Prilosec for heartburn / reflux.  It's stronger than Pepcid.  I find I've got bad heartburn even in Week 2 and 3 after TC no.2 if I eat anything spicy at all.  Prilosec takes care of it.

LovebeingNana - glad you checked in, was wondering how you were doing.  Sorry to hear No. 3 is starting out so difficult.  Hopefully the antibiotics will take care of things and glad your fever broke.

I dreamt last night that I threw a temper tantrum when they were trying to give me the IV for TC No. 3 next week ...

I'm not sure what else Prilosec goes by - it's sold over the counter as Prilosec.  It's definitely stronger than Pepcid, but so far I've had no ill effects from it.

Thanks Sharon. Miki, sorry to hear about your uncle, although its wonderful that he lived such a long time! 

I just had an almost fainting episode, just leaning over to pick something up and then whoosh, practically passing out.  DH is gone til tonight, and its scary to feel that vulnerable. I am going to be really careful the rest of today. Man, this whole thing is for the birds. : (

That's scary, MameMe.  Being careful is best.  My DH was planning to fly to Maine for a few days to check on our house there, but I think he's concerned about leaving me alone.  

Mikishelly - sounds like your Uncle lived a full life - 90 is pretty awesome.

For neuropathy my MO gave me the go ahead on L-Glutamine powder 30 g a day - I do it 10g at a time mixed in juice - he said only the pure cause some of it is mixed with antioxidants which in his book is a no no during chemo.  He also gave me the go ahead on B6 and B12 - but I think the best thing he did for my neuropathy was reduce the carboplatin by 15% - both taxotere and carboplatin can cause neuropathy and he thought in my case it was the carboplatin - not sure why he thought that - but it was much better the 2nd go.  I also have been doing the b6, b12 and L-glutamin through the whole cycle this time which I was not the first time - so who knows what worked or didn't.

Ddkath70: The white stuff on your tongue could be thrush. Call your MO and describe it. If it is thrush, they can prescribe either Fluconazole, a single dose pill, or a prescription mouthwash that can get rid of it.

Ddkath70: You're welcome! I hope the Rx clears it up for you.