Starting Chemo in April 2014

Timbuktu - keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  My MO only ran those once and will not run them again on me.  I had two active cancers - one in each breast - this is before my BMX and/or any treatment.  My tests were normal.  He said that they are not very dependable and that inflammation anywhere in your body can cause them to rise.   Are you have any symptoms of anything?

Hey Merg - yes the steroids will mess with your sugar big time.  I am type II diabetic and mine goes high for the steroids days.   I have cut my steroid intake way down - with my MO's approval.   

High blood sugar is relative.  If the test is done and not a fasting test - then normal for a none diabetic could be anywhere between 80 and 120 ish depending on how long it was before the test that you ate.  A non diabetic rarely will get above 120 and will quickly return to normal, no matter what they have eaten and when - unless you are taking steroids - then you can throw that out the window.   In my case, I am a diet controlled diabetic, I don't take any meds - my normal fasting sugar - first thing in the morning is 90 ish.  On my none steroids days if they test my sugar, whether I am fasting or not, I am usually still under 100 as I eat low carb, use no sugar and therefore rarely allow my sugar to get above 120.  On steroid days - even if I am fasting - it has been as high as 200.  I can feel it when I am that high - but I return back to my normal levels a day or two after I am done with the steroids.   Chemo can cause temporary diabetes and can also cause permanent diabetes in those who may have been pre-diabetic prior to chemo.   If you are interested in testing your sugar, - Walmart has an inexpensive tester and inexpensive strips that work quite well - It is there Relion brand.  But in general, unless you are going really high I wouldn't worry about this during chemo but I would monitor it after chemo to make sure that you return to normal.  

Thanks Sharon for the well wishes.  I considered going on metformin during treatment but decided I wanted to see how out of control it got and for how long - I really was trying to avoid going on diabetes meds prior to BC - but I may end up on them anyway - there are some studies that metformin MAY be beneficial in preventing a recurrence- but last I read on it wasn't that hopeful that it was actually helping.  I am going to try to see my endo next week and have her run an A1C and a few other blood tests and talk to her about the met and see what she thinks.

Have some energy this morning, so thought we could use a little pick-me-up going into the weekend. Note - still waiting for some pics of our lovely MameMe and Brigadoon

football nut I hope you got out the door. . 

I actually got out and had lunch with a fellow breast cancer survivor. It was wonderful. The best company and I just LOVE hanging out with my friend. . I am still a little drained today but better than yesterday. I did find out that my big toe is infected already . So soaking it is now a must. Chemo the gift that keeps on giving. . 

Happy Friday the 13th ladies!

I wanted to do a quick scan and see how all of you beauties are doing.  I should confess that I thought I would be doing chemo again with all of you (starting in April) but I decided to do a clinical trial instead (no placebo) and am doing well on it. 

I noticed some low RBC comments and hope everyone is eating as much protein in your diets that you can stand.  I would say I just about doubled my protein intake during chemo.  Adding greek yogurt, protein bars and nuts helped a lot.  It was the one thing I felt I had control over in my life. 

Timbuktu- 67 isn't extremely high, but its the trend they should be looking at.  What does your MO say about it?  I would be asking for a scan about right now.  Be a squeaky wheel.  If you need to be changing treatment wouldn't you want to make that change now?  Does anyone else get cancer antigen drawn? I get CA 27-29 and CA 125 and I find them to be very accurate for me (based on scan evidence).  One exception is during radiation, most RO's wouldn't do them during radiation as it is blasting those up and will show a very high number of those proteins in your system and it will not be an accurate.

You guys are an amazing team!!!

Went to work today only made 1/2 day. I had to work so slow so I posted properly!!! I am a bookkeeper, and the office manager! I am trying to drink 64 oz of fluid, wondering if a banana smoothie counts since I am sick of waster and the sparkling. Oh well. 

Did eat a hamburger patty for dinner and and added Greek yogurt to my instant breakfast smoothie and a banana. Should be good protein. 

I plan on taking claritan tonight since I have my first neulasta shot tomorrow morning. 

I hope everyone is resting and doing what they are supposed to. 

My youngest dd, who is 21 just did a complete Lysol spray of the house...,she is so paranoid I am going to get an infection. Well it shows she cares!!!!

Good night all. 

Hey Ya'll. Thank You Chemo for all the bad pain in the last 2 days. I feel so much better. Owww, it really has been hurting. I'm just having a pity party & anyone can come. Sorry for the whining. Shoulders, neck, arms are also whining.

And I forgot to mention that my chemo tongue says thanx. yuk. sorry.

Merg, you never have to apologize here. In fact, I'm declaring this board an apology-free zone. This is the place to whine, complain, throw a tantrum, and cry without guilt or apology. Pity parties welcome!

What a beautiful angel, indeed, LongIsland.

I hope you can find a way to celebrate your birthday today and find a silver lining. I remember not turning 50 with grace.  It was more saying the age out loud than being 50 that bothered me  I didn't feel, don't feel, middle-aged.  I got over that quick and turn 52 in August and now I say bring it on!

Wishing you the ability to have the taste buds to enjoy some cake and ice cream or a nice glass of something to celebrate this great age.  

So far so good for me.  Not nearly as nauseous with this final round of AC.  However, had DH bring me home from the grad party circuit because I was just too tired and didn't have it in me for idle chit chat for party #3 Went to bed at 9:30 and have been tossing since 3am with no dog to walk like LongIsland.

I could smell the chemo from Tuesday lall night through the pores in my skin.  Wasn't wxactly night sweats, or maybe it was...but, yuck! Couldn't stand that odor all night! I seem to get it every time but this round was worse.  Glad to be done with AC.  Bringing on the taxol in July.  What a fun summer!

Wishing those of you waiting on tests, not feeling well or generally in need a pick me up a weekend of sunshine and distractions to get you through.

LongIsland - I am glad you were able to make your trip without too many SE's.  Twenty-two is so young and she was a lovely girl.  It makes me feel lucky to have had a full life even with the BC. 

You will soar at 50.  I find the older I get the more honest I am with myself and the less I care about superficial things and other peoples opinions.

Happy Birthday from VT.

LongIsland - Happy Birthday! And Yes what a beautiful Angel!

Good morning ladies- My post chemo report- I am now week and four days past my last chemo. The Neuropathy is still hanging around. It has moved into my lower calves. The MO put me on Gabapentin 300mg three times a day, so far it is helping with the pain a little. The fatigue is sticking around. I can still only do so much each day before I am exhausted. Other than that I have no other changes. Oh and the I can't taste or that tastes like poo poo mouth has not gone away. I am dying to have a Sushi feast!

LongIsland, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your niece, and appreciated your sharing of the family event in her honor. What a picture. Beautiful.  

As far as your 50th goes, the best of wishes for a year that gives you more of what you want. Hope you can celebrate in some good way, not necessarily moderately, either!

well since we are allowed to whine here I come. I soaked my toes yesterday like the PA at my oncology said and now both big toes are infected. . So I have earned the oncologist office a call tomorrow on a Sunday because of my stinky toes. . Grrrr. 

Great thing is I made it shooting an 8 hour wedding today with only one back cramp and one Charlie horse in my hand.   . This was a huge boost to the ego and three people who have meet me before told me how great my hair style is.