Starting Chemo in April 2014

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    My turn to whine…..I had #4 (my last chemo) on Wednesday…well in the week before that I had started to get hives. My MO didn't think it was from the chemo because they came so long after I had chemo. SO he checked my thyroid which came back perfect. Now yesterday, after my chemo Friday, the hives are here with a vengeance. Last night I was covered from head to toe in massive hives and swelling. I ended up going to the ER and they gave me a shot of solumedrol and beaneryl - It took a long time to help but it finally calmed down. He also gave me a prescription for a prednisone taper down and for pepsin. I guess I should call my MO and make sure it is ok to be on more steroids??? I woke up this morning itching like CRAZY. I am really at my wits end. I have a bad feeling these hives could last a while. ANy suggestions?????

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2014

    Call the oncology dept STAT. 

    Allergy to chemo is important to address with them.

    Good luck, keep us posted!

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2014

    Sharon, This is a little off topic, but can you share some more pictures of those adorable pups of yours?

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  • mikishelley
    mikishelley Member Posts: 83
    edited June 2014

    Nana Congratulations Welcome to the "I'm finished club"!

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Thank you MameMe, I called my MO. He wants me to get in to see my oncologist ASAP. I called them and they can't get me in until July 2rd. Is it just me? I have a long standing relationship with this dermatologist and they are making no attempt to see me any earlier?? Maybe I am just too grumpy…but that doesn't seem right.

    Oh and thank you Mikishelley. 

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    LovebeingNana - I am sure there are some vacation days and a couple of tee times filling up the schedule - Fellow Grump.

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Right???? Brigadoon I am so frustrated. I mean she did not even try. She was short and uncaring. Not what I needed today. SOOOOOO I called my PC doc, she said give me 5 minutes and I will call you back. I now have an appointment at 2:40. Hmmmmmmmmm.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    Allergies can be dangerous.  Hives are the least of it.  I'm glad you got the app.  I've found that you really have to be agrgessive.  The nurses and clerks try to protect the dr.  You have let them know that they have to deal with you.  In general people will do as little as they can get away with.  It's so awful that when you're sick you have to fight for yourself but that's what I've found to be true.  Good luck, thank goodness there is benedryl!  So sorry you had to go through this!  My itching was minor by comparison but as soon as they would start I'd pop some over the counter Benedryl just to be safe.  I have a lot of allergies and when they go into asthma, they are scary.

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Timbuktu…as of yesterday Benadryl was not touching this. Even after steroids, IM benadryl and pepcid I woke up itching. When my lips swelled last night that is when I got really nervous.

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  • ColdInCanada
    ColdInCanada Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2014

    For you Ladies! This has been my theme song from the beginning of this journey. We are Overcomers. :)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw

    P.S. Nana, my son has a peanut allergy and what you're describing sounds very much like a serious allergic reaction. Sending prayers your way. Be FIRM and TOUGH and DEMANDING with the docs. Oh, yes, it's time to be THAT patient. :D 

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    Nana, congratulations on the last treatment, and boo for the more aggressive hives.  I'm pretty worried about them as mine have not gone away and my MO prescribed prednisone, along with OTC benedryl.  This helps only mildly and for short bouts of time.  If I miss my benedryl, I start itching again.  My MO, also thinks that because of the delay (10 days later) it can't be from the chemo, but I have not changed anything in my life, as far as soaps and food.  Argh!  I have my 3rd chemo on Monday and am really concerned now.  I've been taking pics to show my MO on Monday. I hope you feel better soon.  I know how bad this itching can be.

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    Clarn.  Well said.  You said everything I'm feeling.  I hate that this cancer has already taken so much from me, and fear that it could take more.  I've decided to just let go, and give it to God. 

    Cold, you are right, in that it can be way worse, and I am thankful everyday that it was me and not anyone I love.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    I wonder if you need more steroids?  I only get 8 mm the night before and 8 the morning of because of my ulcer and diabetes.  They tell me 20 mg the night before and 20 the morning of is the norm.  I get none in the IV because I once had a terrible steroid reaction that way...my heart when crazy.

    Good luck to one and all and here's to the day that this is all in the past!  I don't know how I could have gotten through without you girls.

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    nancybel after my third TC my hives start on Day 10 and my MO said the same thing. They started to improve by the time I went for #4. Now after number 4 the hives came on fiercely in under 24 hours. I hope your MO listens….this is terrible. 

    Thank you Cold…I definitely got pushy and now feel a little embarrassed, I'm sure the receptionist is not happy I went over her head. Uggggh 

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited June 2014

    I'm so sorry to hear some of you are having really bad reactions and side effects. Isn't it enough to deal with the drama of cancer without having to deal with the drama of the side effects? I hope you get some relief soon.

    Being a warrior is exhausting. 

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited June 2014

    Football, I don't want to rain on your parade but as a friend I want to mention that my MO told me no swimming.  Worries of bacterial infection... :( Just felt it my responsibility to mention that.  Hope you have a nice wknd away.  Mike & Molly is funny and I can bet he's great doing standup!

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  • ColdInCanada
    ColdInCanada Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2014

    Nu-uh, Nana. No way. Do NOT feel embarrassed or guilty or ANYTHING like that for taking care of yourself. I think one of the hardest things we have to learn on this journey is how to put ourselves first. This is a foreign concept to most of us; we spend our lives putting others' needs before ours. But NOW is the time to put OURSELVES first. It's not selfish. It's self-preservation. So YOU GO GIRL. Get pushy and demanding. YOU are worth it. 

    "Being a warrior is exhausting." I'm stealing this EverForward. It just sums everything up so nicely, right? A friend of mine (and fellow cancer-survivor) said to me: "YOU are a tiger, and we're going to hear you ROAR. But even tigers need a rest now and then." Oh, YES. Because "being a warrior is exhausting." :)

    We have SUNSHINE here today Ladies! I am going to SOAK IT UP (as much as one CAN soak it up under a sunshade and layers and layers of sunscreen, but SEMANTICS, right?) and enjoy my GOOD WEEK. By the way, Round 3 WAS the worst round for lingering SEs. Round 4's Dark Place was worse, but the SEs let up right on schedule, and other than being a tad more sleepy than usual, I feel pretty awesome. The Good Days are so, SO good. :)

    Sending hugs and prayers. Hang in there Warriors! 

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  • Sunshine36
    Sunshine36 Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2014

    Nana - im so sorry and mad you're dealing with this reaction!!!! Like, im kinda pissed for you!!! You should be celebrating your last chemo and working out those se's , not hives and appts! Im sorry , but hopefully theyll figure out what it is and you'll get it out of your system soon. Hugs!!

    Hey cold - did anyone ever tell you that you should be a writer?! You write in the best narrative, so witty and funny, but real and entertaining!  You have a gift for writing and I love reading your posts and msgs!!

    Love u ladies

    Jen 

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  • nancybel
    nancybel Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2014

    Nana I agree with Cold.  Do not be sorry for standing up for yourself.  I will definitely make sure my MO hears me out.  Thank you for the information.  Stay strong and try and rejoice in the fact that once these SEs go away, you are free. :)

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Thanks so much friends. Cold you are so right and how you put it made me cry….good tears. :)   It is all sooooooo exhausting and everforward I love that too. 

    Sunshine I hope they figure it out soon too….I have seen on these board that if it is from Taxotere is could last 3 months. :(

    I agree Cold, you should write a book. I LOVE reading you. :)

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    Yes Cold, I agree.  You have a talent!

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  • ColdInCanada
    ColdInCanada Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2014

    Aw shucks, Ladies. Thank you so much. Confession: When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. Who knows? Maybe that dream still has a chance. :)

    Here's a little something to make you smile. This is my knitted foob:

    image

    It has a nipple and everything. So. Awesome. :)

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    That's amazing.  I hadn't pictured anything so (sort of) real.  

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  • Mompv
    Mompv Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2014

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bLvVjJ4MA

    Cold and other who are leaning on God! This is one of my songs! 

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited June 2014

    Cute foob, Cold ( psst - you already ARE a writer!)

    Checking in to see how LovebeingNana made out at the dermatologist's.  Hoping the reaction has been resolved.

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  • EverForward
    EverForward Member Posts: 242
    edited June 2014

    Spending the morning catching up on medical bills. The good news is I've just about reached my annual out of pocket maximum. The bad news is my insurance company hasn't yet paid for my first round Herceptin so the provider added that to my bill - $6,000! According to the insurance statement, they asked the provider for more documentation, so I hope that will be adjusted soon. 

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  • LovebeingNana
    LovebeingNana Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Sharon….it was a bit frustrating. He said with hives you just don't know how long they will last or exactly what is causing them…although it is a good guess it is the chemo. So I will stay on prednisone, benadryl and claritin for a while…..and with all of those I still have hives and I'm itching. :(   And my back went out. Not my week.  Sorry to be a Debbie downer

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    LovebeingNana - I have a terrible time with itching at night.  No hives or rash but enough to keep me from getting into a deep sleep.  The cumulative effect is tough.  I have empathy for you.

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited June 2014

    Actually I also itch, although i haven't seen hives.  Sometimes I take Benedryl and sometimes Ativan so I can get to sleep.  But its nothing compared to what you're describing.  All of this will pass...eventually.

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited June 2014

    Timbuktu_ Does the Benadryl work for you?  I still itch.  I have a script for Ativan but having trouble getting it filled as my prescriptions have to go through ExpressScripts and my MO doesn't send them electronically.  I have to mail them in and then the wait is two weeks.

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