Starting chemo September 2014

Really rough day for me today. I took it easy yesterday, and did nothing but lay around on the couch watching tv between loads of laundry. Took several naps and got a full night of sleep. Woke up feeling queasy, and before I could even get to my pills and a bite of food, I threw up! My poor six year old was so freaked out. I managed to choke down a banana and some crackers and my pills. Hoping the Zofran kicks in fast.

Walked to the little store at the corner to get some milk, and I've determined that I am going to be housebound today. It is 55 degrees and damp, and I just can't imagine sitting outside to watch a football game. So I will be missing my oldest son's alumni band performance, and disappointing my youngest who was really excited to watch a football game. I wish I could do it--I absolutely hate that this stuff is robbing me of experiences with my kids! I keep trying to tell myself that I am adding years to my life, but it's so depressing when doing so takes away good days!

Sybil, I had a friend offer to procure some herbal remedy for me, and I must admit, I gave it some strong thought. It's been 30 years since I touched the stuff, but I remember that feeling! LOL! In the end, I decided that it was probably best to avoid it, considering the divorce, custody issues, potential drug test for employment. 

So I am headed back to the couch. Think the little man and I will have a Pixar marathon today. It's a good day to snuggle up with our blankies, and watch Toy Story.

Those of you who want to see Gone Girl, I highly recommend it. I had not read the book, had no idea what it was even about, and I loved it! It was very good, and let's face it, staring at Ben Affleck for 2 hours never hurt anybody! 

poppy, can you have someone video it and watch together?  

Bad hair.... I know it seems huge today.  Now that mine are in college, they don't remember a time when I missed a tournament, really. 

You two women are incredible moms. Please know that....

Kicking this cancer to the curb together

Giggle....a friend is bringing family dinner but I done think she will stay long as my SE of gas ran folks away from me earlier at the mall

Nausea is much better this afternoon. Nurse came and changed my bandage, and it feels so much better now that it isn't itching. My little guy made a point of telling her "My mom puked! You need to make her feel better!" LOL! I do have some compazine, but I don't take it automatically, so it slips my mind that I have it.

A friend dropped off a gift card last week for pizza, and said to use it on a day when I couldn't face cooking dinner. Bingo! Ordered some pizza, wings, subs and a salad. That should last us for the rest of the weekend. That and paper plates means I can use my very limited energy to play a board game with the kiddo instead of standing in the kitchen.

Poppy, I know what you are feeling. I have made it to all but one soccer game, and all the scouts meetings, etc. But I think the time has come to admit that I am not Superwoman, and let his dad deal with some of the activities. It's just hard to relinquish the control, and to admit that I can't do it, or that it isn't healthy for me to do it.

The munchies side effect of the MJ would probably help me! I need to consume more calories. Wonder what the effects of eating copious amounts of Doritos is on cancer cells? LOL!

Toby, I have a friend that means well, but when he comes to help out or do something for me, I have a hard time getting rid of him. Maybe your SE is the answer to my dilemma! I don't want to be mean and kick somebody out who is trying to help, but sometimes I am just not up to hanging out for a long time. I wonder if a bad case of the toots is what is needed! (In all seriousness, I hope you find some relief!)

Or blame it on the dog... cat... whatever pet is around!

When people overstay, I just tell them I am tired and need a nap. Then I walk them to the door. If it is someone like my MiL, I have to wear pajamas so she will go home in a reasonable amount of time.

Jean, so excited for you! Are you going to do something special to celebrate your last tx? If I lived closer, I would bake you a fancy cake with a tiara on top! 

Sorry to hear about the rash. I don't know if this would work, but I used Aquafor (in the big tub) on my little guy's tushie when he was in diapers, and it seemed to keep diaper rash at bay. Might be worth a try?

I threw up again this morning! This is like being pregnant! Ugh! I woke up, went to the bathroom, walked in the kitchen, and before I could even grab a bite to eat or a drink to take my pills, I was heaving into the kitchen sink! So gross!  I had taken Zofran at midnight, so it had only been about 7 hours, so I guess I thought it would hold me over. Any suggestions?

This is mild compared to what some of you are going through, but I will ask anyway...the skin on the bottom of my feet is literally falling off in giant chunks! My feet feel like sandpaper! So far, I have tried Aquafor, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula, and some fancy OPI skin quencher. I tried saturating my feet and putting white socks on overnight. No results. In fact, it keeps getting worse. I would love to get a pedi, but my onco says no, due to risk of infection. Anybody else dealing with this, or found a solution? I know in the larger scheme of things, this is whiny and ridiculous, but it's driving me nuts! 

bad hair.....I take the Zofran every six hours.  Someone here said their MO said it may mimic how you felt when you were pregnant?  With the morning sickness. I thought of you and Poppy....I was so set on going to church with my boys this morning.  One goes back today. Felt like a truck ran over me. Did not go. Still feel guilty!!!!!!!  

Will make myself go get a picture of them in pumpkin patch today......tradition strong for 20 years 

Hi Everyone! Sometimes I think I am the Queen of Too Much Information... and Nausea. But if we can't share stuff here, where can we?

Jean, I am so happy for you! If I could, I would do a happy dance....but that is something NO ONE wants to see! Regarding the "diaper rash". Is it similar to diaper rash, or more of a dryness? The reason I ask is that peeing out these chemo drugs is very hard on our delicate lady parts. Many wipes are drying, too. My DH bought some coconut oil  for me. It can be used internally as well as externally to eliminate the dry, itchy feeling. Ok, TMI... but you definitely don't want to have a tear or infection down there.

Badhair, There is absolutely NO reason for you to suffer with nausea and to throw up. Every 8 hours I am taking Zofran, then 2 hours later Compazine... around the clock for the first week after infusion. I also wear a Scopolamine patch the first week. Call your MO and see what they can do to help you. My feet are dry, but don't sound as bad as yours. I keep them moisturized and wear socks 24 hrs a day.

Toby, Sorry you feel so poorly. Hope your going back to bed helped revitalize you. 20 year pumpkin patch tradition... absolutely awesome!

Sybil, have you gone to one of the "Look Good, Feel Better" classes sponsored by the cancer society? I went to one this week and received some excellent cleansers, moisturizers and so on. They are free, so it is worth looking into.

Poppy

I feel like crud. This crap is kicking my butt! I have literally spent the entire day on the couch, sleeping and watching football. The nausea is fine, as long as I have something in my stomach, but I feel so weak and tired and like somebody beat me up. These miserable tissue expanders are aching like heck too. I thought about wrapping up the picc line in some press and seal and taking a hot bath, but even that sounds like a ton of work. I'm sick of listening to myself complain, so I am sure everybody around me is too. I knew I could come here and moan and groan and not be judged for it. So over this...

Poppk- I mix the to anti-nausea meds.  Only I take Zofran every 12 and compozine every 6 if needed.  I have found that I am really exhausted and I have gotten achy bones.  I will start physical therapy to avoid lymphedema next week.  I have seen how that looks and it is painful so I am trying to be proactive.

I can no longer eat chicken or fish, and have gained 20 pounds since september!  I am freaking out but everyone says that I will lose weight once I am done with chemo.  Is it true or not.  One more thing this bloated belly on the side of my mastectomy is crazy!  Okay, I am done venting..

Always, Sistar

Jean, congratulations on your last A/C!!!  As far as the rash and itching, it has alot to do with the loss of hair. Baby powder with cornstarch works and loose clothing.  Some say try vaseline but the powder, loose clothing and cranberry juice worked for me.

Hope this helps!

badhairday-  Do you have a picc line or port?  You must be careful with those picc lines because they can become infected.  I have also been on the couch today as a matter of fact since Friday.  However, I did manage to get up and do a small portion of a heart walk.  Only because I had to get my neulasta shot a few hours afterwards.  I am accustomed to being busy but have come to the realization that right now I am always in control and its okay.  I try to get my family to "keep it moving" even when I complain because they cannot fix it.  It will get better and you will feel better!

I think the worse thing for me is "chemo brain"  I pride myself on being very articulate but with each treatment I lose a bit more of my thought process.  I catch myself in the middle of a sentence just forgetting whatever I was talking about.  How frustrating but not embarrassing. Everyone is so understanding!

Moan and groan all you want we are here for you!

Yay! No morning sickness today! I might be turning the corner, I only feel slightly tired and beaten up today.

Last night, the dry itchy nasty feet were driving me nuts, and I decided to dig through all of the lotions and potions in the linen closet. I came across a bottle of  Johnson's baby lotion, and figured what the heck? So I slathered it on, put on my socks and went to bed. Ladies, I may have accidentally found the solution! My feet are already looking and feeling better! Plus, I smell like a baby. Love that smell!

Going to try to get a few things done today. After laying around for a few days, my bathroom and kitchen could use some attention, and the rest of this place definitely needs to see the business end of the vacuum cleaner.

Hope each of you have a good and easy SE free day. Sending special thoughts and prayers to Jean for her last tx! So proud of you, and so thankful to you for sharing your journey with us, and inspiring us to be strong! God bless and rock it out!

Badhairday - Feeling like crap just sucks. Poppy and the other ladies are right, there's no reason for you to have to suffer that level of nausea. Mixing Compazine and Zofran can help, or ask your MO for other alternatives. Poppy and I have different kinds of patches, and I know mine required a preauthorization before insurance would pay for it, but it has been a life saver. I've also gotten used to the idea that I'll have 2 days of total fatigue, where I don't even want to get out of bed. Just getting over that now, from my last tx last Thursday. Sounds like you've turned the corner for this round, hooray!!

SiStar - When I did TC in the spring, I gained 20 pounds. I'm already overweight, so I hated that. It was mostly water weight, and I was surprised at how easily it came off. I even took off another 10 pounds before having to get back on the merry-go-round again.

Jean - Congrats on your last AC!! I've still got another week and a half for mine. Any special plans? (((HUGS!!)))

LArock- Could it be a mouth sore? I had "something" in my throat and it was a small sore. Just wanted you to be aware that mouth sores are a common SE of C/T.   

You go, Badhairday!

Sounds like you have raised a real man!

My boys will always be my babies, too!