Starting Chemo in April 2014

That sounds amazing!  Good for you!  Yesterday I managed to get to the movies and for 2 hours escaped my reality.  I've been trying to gather up the strength to go again today but still have not made it.  Managed to brush my teeth just now, a major accomplishment.  Round 4 has really whipped me and I'm thinking it might be my last.  The heart palpitations scare me.  The neuropathy too.  I obsess 24/7.  I'm not a risk taker but there is no way out of this risk.  

I keep thinking of going away too, but I can barely sleep in my own bed, I don't see myself enjoying a getaway...yet.  Off to shower and the movies!!!

everforward- Good for you. Glad you enjoyed your spa day.

Football- Your side effects are exactly why I called Taxotere taxoterrible. It did a number on me last time. I would go from C to D in a matter of an hour. . I hope you get some relief soon. 

Timbuktu- it's a hard decision about treatment but I think whatever you choose is the right one for you. 

As for me I have been feeling up and down.  The neuropathy comes and goes constantly. I feel okay almost normal followed by I can't get out of my own way. . This Tuesday will be infusion 5 of 12 and I am hoping that I can keep the neuropathy at bay. I use my hands as a photographer .   I have also been pretty consistent with the D and of course it likes to hit at the worst time.  This weekend it hit when we were in traffic. . I can't wait to feel normal again. 

My fuzz is still growing but not colored yet.  I keep thinking that maybe this would be the week that I will get some color but it hasn't happened yet. 

footballnut - I am worried for you. Taxotere can cause some awful body pains, but what you're describing sounds extreme. Is there an after-hours number you can call? Here in Calgary, for evening or weekend problems, we're instructed to call Emergency and ask for the MO on call. I would try to reach someone soon - just to make sure there's not a serious reaction happening. And even if it's not something serious, you should NOT have to suffer like this.

Swissmiss - I have pain and pressure around my port for a couple of days after infusion. Every time. I was told it's normal. The good news is that I think I've finally gotten used to the darn thing. Other than the post-infusion pain, I hardly even notice it anymore. Which is good, since I'll have it until next Spring.

Longisland - SO SORRY you're having such a rough weekend. I totally know how you feel. I missed out on all the Canada Day festivities this year, and my last infusion is THE DAY BEFORE my 17th wedding anniversary, so I'll be missing out on that too. HOWEVER, I comfort myself with the knowledge that losing this ONE summer should give me AT LEAST 40 more to enjoy with my family. So BRING IT.

Everforward - Just. Awesome.

Timbuktu - I love your comment about brushing your teeth being a major accomplishment. I read about my FB friends doing all this STUFF everyday, and I'm all like "Oh yeah? Well, I took a shower and DID NOT take a nap afterwards. So there. "

In other news, the hair on MY LEGS is growing back. I'm not sure if I should celebrate this or not.

BTW, I loved Jersey Boys too.

no icing for the neuropathy but I do take l glutamine which seems to be working and vitamin b complex. It is almost gone by the Monday before the infusion and having already had 6 taxoteres I think I am more susceptible. . I will ask tomorrow about icing. 

Woke up this am to a horrible belly again. . Hopefully I can manage to go to the pool today with my kids. The stomach issues are the pits.  

Swiss, I'll answer for Cold, since we're both doing the same cocktail. Although the chemo is only 6 rounds, the Herceptin (which is technically not chemo, but "targeted therapy") will continue for a year from the start date.

Sharon yay for having water again. . 

So has any of the weekly taxol ladies started growing any hair. ?  I have this crazy looking fuzz all over my head. You would think that I would remember this from last time but I don't. .   You can see it if you zoom In. I am ready to pull out some hemp dye to give it some color.   I know it's vain but I am tired of the bald head. 

Wrapped up Taxol and carboplatin. Did my first A/C and got that pesky shot the next day. Man, I think I'd rather keep doing Taxol than get that neulasta shot. 1 down 3 to go. I can't believe I'm almost done with chemo. What a ride. How's everyone doing? Hope you all had a good 4th. I was in bed. Got the A/C on the 3rd. 

coopdizzle- did they talk to you about using Claretin D for the Nuelasta?  It did wonders for me!

sisters

I wish you were all here with me!  I finally took a Percocet last night helped a bit. Then I woke up in pain and hubby gave me an English muffin and 2 percocets at 3:30 this morning. I didn't wake up until noon. Felt light headed like I would pass out

My hubby came home from work . My stomach started to get watery. Talked to my nurse. She said that I must take the percs and if I can't get fluid into me that she will order an IV

The percs do help with the pain but I feel so lousy and light headed as a result of taking them. I know that I have to eat but just don't feel like it. I did  manage to eat another English muffin and some almonds. I am going to try Rice Krispies soon

Was drinking g2, apple juice and water plus ice chips

Now the pain is coming back so I'll have to take 2 more percs. Atleast it seems that they are lasting 12 hours. 

I feel so bad. This morning I just wanted to die!  This pain is brutal and I hate taking meds

So I'll take my percs and hope not to pass out

My nurse asked me to give her an update tomorrow. She said if I'm not feeling stronger then she will order an IV

Tx for being there!!

Football, what a relief to hear from you.  If the percs are workin' then just go with it. 

My stomach is a bit better today.  But now I have SCREAMING hemorrhoids! Never a dull moment.  I am still feeling sick & defeated but did manage to do some laundry and change the bed sheets.  I plan on feeling better tomorrow (maybe if I plan it, it will happen!).  I've got to get back to work.  And I have some things coming up over the wknd.  Heading upstate to visit my sister.  It's now been a month already since our sweet Lexi passed away & I need to spend time with Sis and make sure she's okay.  My older daughter is taking the trip with me, so it should be good.  Tomorrow is my FU with the breast surgeon.  I need to talk with her about the followup MRI I need in August (to check on something the last one picked up in my right breast) as well as genetic counseling.  Ladies, did your insurance pay for the genetic testing?  On Thursday I follow up with the MO (whom I haven't seen or heard out of since our first consultation prior to chemo).  I have a recurring fantasy in my head that he will cancel my final infusion, hahaha yeah right.  I am anxious to find out how soon I begin rads after the final infusion.  Hoping it's all said and done before my daughter's mid-October wedding...

football did they give you Norco?  I take that when the pain gets to be too much and it helps me sleep too.

Today I went out to eat with husband and could sit and talk and had NO pain!  How is it that the body bounces back?  It's beyond me.  

Did you check your pulse?  I get lightheaded and palpitations.  I went for a check up today and was amazed that my pulse was 112!  The nurse gave me something to drink.  She said the heat can cause that.  I did feel better after I drank a big glass of water.

hello all

Just popping in ... Sorry to hear of all the bad SE ... But we WILL get through this!

I had bad joint and muscle pain again 2 days after my second Taxol dose .. I getting DD so every two weeks.  Tylenol seemed to help but am going to ask if there is something else I can take when I go in for bloodwork and weekly Herceptin tomorrow.  Just want something to help me sleep!  

I have been struggling with the big C off and on since my surgeries (and some lovely painful hemorroids to deal with - yuck) Yesterday, had the big D! That was a first!   

Overall, my brain is clearer on the Taxol and taste buds are more like normal, but the fatigue is getting worse.

And I also think my hair is starting to come in! Seems to to be more stubble there than what I had.  But am preparing myself for it to fall out again .... I'm okay with it :-). Haven't had to shave legs or underarms since May, and I am very okay with that as well :-)

Only 2 more treatments for me ...keeping fingers crossed that bloodwork behaves and I can continue on as scheduled.  WBC are behaving now (kept tanking when I was on A/C) but hemoglobin is slowly going down and now platelets as well.  Am anxious to see what they end up being tomorrow!  

Meeting with radiation oncologist next week ... Want to get that going ASAP.  In my mind no reason to not do the tattoos and set up more sooner than later :-)

Best wishes to everyone and hope that those of you in this new heat wave can stay cool! 

Hello everyone! Having a low-key couch potato day here on Day 6 post TC#4. So out of breath, so I can't do much else, but happy the muscle aches from the Neulasta have gone away, and I'm not constantly napping like I did all 3 days of the July 4th weekend. Chest muscles are crazy tight over my TEs still. I guess that's the price I have to pay for wanting to have boobs again.

Everforward: Good for you in spoiling yourself with a spa day. You deserve it!

Footballnut: Glad you were able to find some relief with the percocet. Hope you continue to feel better as you get this chemo out of your system.

SwissMiss: My port isn't painful, but the muscle under it and my shoulders ache for several days after each infusion.

Timbuktu & Cold: I love the comments about brushing teeth & showering and not needing a nap being big accomplishments for us these days. So true! Today's the first day since Friday that I haven't napped (I had my chemo on Wednesday), so I was so happy! I actually read some and watched a movie ("Kinky Boots" - it was ok...something different).

Timbuktu: My pulse is high for about 5 days (runs over 100 at REST) starting on the 4th  day after each infusion. I just try not to do too much to keep it down. If I just do something mild, it's over 120 bpm easily. I find myself constantly out of breath. It's the anemia.

jbokland: Thanks for posting pics of your port removal surgery. It's good to know it's not a big deal. Whew.

SharonDe: Glad to hear you have water again. Yay!

Sandra: Hang in there. We all hate that we have this disease, but at least there is a treatment. We will get through this and get our lives back!

LongIsland: My insurance covered part of my genetic testing with Myriad Labs, which ran about $4,000 USD total. I ended up paying about $350. 

LongIsland and MakeLemonade: Are y'all doing conventional rads? Have you looked into Proton therapy? It sounds safer for the heart and lungs, so I'm going to ask my MO about it. Just trying to find out if anybody else is considering it. It's not available everywhere yet, but more facilities are currently being built.

hi all

I hate taking percocets. It makes me feel foggy, light headed, nausous and spacy. Went to bed last night at 10:30 with a bit of pain. Thought I could handle it. Woke up at 1:30am crying. Hubby got me applesauce and I took 2 more percs. Woke up at 6:30. Had Rice Krispies with some milk. Had aome more apple sauce. Nearly threw up but didn't. Bit of d. Drank g2, apple juice and water

I've lost 4 pounds since Saturday. Called nurse to let her know where I'm at. Still have no fever

Felt better lying down. It's 9:40am and I just woke up again. Going to try to eat eggs and toast with a banana. Eating just doesn't appeal up me. My tongue is on fire but I have no sores

What I hate is taking the percs. When I have pain I don't feel foggy, nausous or dizzy. Just hurt. When I take percs I have these other SEs

I can't imagine having to have two more rounds of taxotere. I just don't feel strong enough. A friend of mine had these pains for a week before they subsided

Hard to believe that this will pass as I'm also hearing of so many women feeling crap with tamoxifen and I'll need to take that too. How will I have a good quality of life with this crap?

I have to be able to exercise, play my guitar, sing.....

On top of everything else I got an email from my company hr rep asking if she could give my personal email to my GM and director of HR. That really stressed me out. This is the same GM that hit me up on linkedin a few months ago as I'm getting treatment. I deal with my insurance company who deals with my employer. Even as a manager I was told that I could not deal directly with any employee who was off on disability 

Every time I hear my GMs name I cringe. He couldn't care less if I live or die. I know that our a/r results have tanked in the months since I've been off. I'm going to tell them that I will continue to work through my insurance company and that they can do the same

It's all I need right now

Sorry to be so down all. You're really helping me with your virtual hugs. It's so hard to sit at home alone all day with my hubby at work knowing that he's worried about me and I'm too weak to give him a strong face

Hopefully this will pass soon. I can't take much more!

Trying to focus on nfl tickets going on sale for my jets tomorrow so that I can buy 2 tix for jets vs broncos. That same evening the rangers open their season against the toronto maple leafs my hubby's team. Hoping to get to both games!

Wishing all of you a great day!