Starting Chemo in April 2014

MommyQ, why are 5 and 6 optional for you?  My onco didn't want to give me more than 3 and I can't figure out why.  I'm getting 5 on Monday.  

Yes, I havep seen many posts to that refer to that symptom.  

Ahh clarn  so sorry that you find yourself in the hospital but glad that you have a nice room and a stable potty chair .   

Hopefully this will bring a smile to your face and to others. 

Clarnn hope you are doing better. 

Congrats to all of you wonderful ladies finishing up chemo. You are my inspiration  as I finished taxol#3 on Tuesday. Only 9 more!  I find weekly taxol much more "taxing" on my emotionally and sometimes physically than the AC.  This round of SEs include a weird numbness in my face and tongue. Could it be neuropathy starting?  I think my fingers are tingling more than usual, too. Energy is better, though. Two days without a nap and even got a good workout in. However, the weight gain gas started. 5 lbs in 3 weeks. Yikes !

I was coughing and peeing my pants during chemo!   It all went away PFC.  Hang in there!!

Timbuktu - My MO said that the recognized standard treatment for my diagnosis is 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan. There is no scientific proof that any more cycles will improve my outcome, although she said new research is being done to see if 6 is better than 4, so I guess some think there's a possibility it's better.  Due to my cancer being advanced (3 cm tumor and 3/16 lymph node involvement), she'd like me to do the extra 2 cycles, as long as my body tolerates it. She figures that in case 6 is better than 4, she'd like me to get the 6. So, while I'd love to stop now with 4 done, I guess I should go ahead and do the 6.

linda505 - LOVE that card, LOL.

Makes sense to me Mommy.  Better safe than sorry.  I can't figure out my onco.

BTW, I can't express how much this group has lifted my spirits.  You are all amazing!

arg.... temp remains up... They want me on the antibiotics for 2-6 weeks IV!   

jhodro - I promise the feelings from chemo go away. Not in a day but they do. I am worried about the rads also. Just hope the SE's don't linger from it.

Clarnn- that stinks. . Where do they think you have an infection??

Congratulations Cold!! Yay for last chemo and boo for reaction, but hey YOU ARE DONE!  Love the sign.  Hope your dark place isn't so dark this time and it goes by quickly. 

clarrn - do you have to stay in the hospital for the antibiotics?  

Footballnut - how was the concert?

Decided to stop whining about fatigue and do something about it.  Started a regimented daily walking program today - no excuses unless I just pass out or something.

Clarnn, so sorry. You just can't catch a break.  Do you have to go to the hospital for daily antibiotic infusions or stay there ? I hope you can get out of the hospital. You are much safer from germs at home!

Jhondro I get the emotional roller coaster approaching chemo day. It starts on Sunday for me and lasts until my infusion on Tuesday. I have Ben overly sensitive on those days and want to kill my husband, yell at everyone at work and the world irritates me. I have a friend coming from out if state to visit me for a few days. She is very dear to me so I am praying that the black hole stays away from me this round so I can enjoy her visit 

On another note, I have officially had a thumb nail lift through my shellac painted nail this weekend. Ewwwww. I am afraid to take off the polish to see what is under neath the paint and the status of the other nail beds. Oh, and I purchased a dress this weekend for my niece's wedding August 1. Two sizes larger than BC.  The joys of chemo. :-(

Clarrn: sorry about the port. Best of luck. Maybe it'll make the rest of the process easier for you…hopefully.

Sharonde: Yay you on the exercise program!!! I want to do the same as soon as the foot pain diminishes for me.

Mmtagirl: Your description nails the emotional roller coaster to a T. I am having trouble getting back at work - I have zero patience for stupidity (and right now everyone seems to be acting stupid). And my husband tends to get on my last nerve - I've had to tell him about 600 times that I can't drink citrus or can't eat something. I say I'm tired, he says why. It's not like he isn't trying, but I'm not easy. And then you have the whole responsibilities of the kids. Sorry about your nails. I think I remember you saying you were icing? 

mmtgirl, what a comfort to come on here in the morning and read that I'm not the only one.

Tommorow is infusion number 5 and I was up most of the night.  The anxiety seems to get worse each time.  I even took an ativan and it did little good.

But as I said, it's nice to know that I'm "normal" in this very abnormal situation,

hi ladies! Love that card Linda. Congrats to all of you warriors who have conquered your chemo with determination and perserverance.  I'm just wrapping up the dark place of number three. The swamp water taste and aches are gone, but the fatigue just won't let up. Is everyone else feeling like you have cement shoes and no stamina? It's so depressing. Even if I wanted to go out, I don't think I would last long. And then I look in the mirror and say "oh yeah, your still here" . Lol. I really never got over the bald thing. I must have purchased 29 different hats and scarves, and 2 wigs...just can't feel comfortable in my own skin no matter how hard I try.  Anyway, I'm coming up on my last treatment and while I am elated, and psyched,  I'm also worried. I'm worried that maybe I should do 6 treatments , what??? Do I hear myself? I asked the dr when we were deciding which regimen was right for me she said both ( 4 of TC, OR 8 of AC-T) were suitable for my cancer. I said, so should we meet in the middle and do 6? She said that there's no research that oroves one is better in my situation. Will we ever give ourselves a break? Will we be able to breath deeply again without thinking the ground is going to fall out from beneath us? 

I'm sorry, I'm so whiney and down, but I read your posts and you get it. No one around me gets it. 

Thanks for listening. And I love what Cold said. Doesn't matter what SEs come this time, because there will not be a next time. I WIN!!!!!

Dd