Starting Chemo October 2014

Mandy, I didn't say your clots won't go away, I said the Coumadin will not dissolve them. Dr. Google it. Your body has to reabsorb them. Unfortunately, if it doesn't it forms a scab over the clot. The surgeon said not to worry, but I feel that will make the blood flow lessen.

Leto, your headache and dizziness could be from a clot in your jugular. I was dizzy from mine also.

Nancy

I really hate the Neulasta! I know it's helping me, but wow. Three hours later and I'm already hurting.

Round 2 is done with just a slight headache. That "red devil" is an interesting mix. I got clumps of hair coming out here and there, glad to be shaving it tomorrow. Although the red when I go to the bathroom is still a mind blower. Got to say the port is a game changer, glad I got it and will pray I have no problems. It cut out my time by an hr and some change from the last infusion. So the doc says I have 4 weeks with the AC, then 6 weeks of taxol and should be finishing up between 14 -18 weeks from now pending how I do. Then a month to let the body do its thing, then surgery. I say that to get it out so I can see there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Because my next treatment would be the Friday after Thanksgiving and the offices are closed the following Monday December 1st the day before my bday. And I was wondering what to do this year.lol

They want me to start taking laxatives which I really don't want to but I know I need to. Any natural remedies folks trying that are working? I eat prunes, have apple and raisins in my oatmeal, sprinkle Metamucil on food....I even had a milkshake and being lactose intolerant you would think it would work. Happy Friday!

Tks Leto baking soda it is. I know baking soda has a lot of uses, never knew about that one. Just bought a new box yesterday for something totally different. Looking it up now.

Round 2 is in the books for me. Trouble with the IV line today. Had to do a new one after the pre-chemo meds. It was swollen and my nurse wasn't comfortable doing the chemo I the vein, so we had to switch. I have thick skin, and even after hydrating, the veins don't pop. Neulasta shot tomorrow. Date of last treatment is being changed to Dec. 29, was supposed to be Dec. 26. Now I don't know if I have an excuse to miss the annual trip to the in-laws 😭.

For all you ladies with constipation, I'd trade places in a second. Last round I had 6 days of diarrhea which resulted in bleeding hemorrhoids and a UTI. Hang in there ladies!

Becca, I also have an ongoing queasiness ... not quite nauseous, and ongoing diarrhea. I am at Day 9 following my second TCH infusion.

Wishing a peaceful weekend for everyone. I have my 4th and last AC and Neurlasta this week before 12 weeks of Taxol and another discussion thread to follow! I'm exhausted thinking about SE's. I hear you, ladies! Constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, nausea, no appetite, funky tastes and smell, back and hip pain, insomnia, anxiety and steroid crazies. Luckily, I find sympathy and remedies from you. Wouldn't want to do this without you.

Nausea - it is with me most of the time. Not severe, just hovering. I work around it and try remedies - trial and error. Sometimes the remedies are worse than the queasy feeling, you know? ,

On infusion one, I had a bit of an upset stomach the first night and then just unsettled for several days. On round two, they gave me an iv of compazine after all the chemo. Since then no upset stomach or anything close to nausea. However, My appetite is crazy. This round on day 5, I am non-stop hungry. Trying to eat protein and healthy foods, but it's a bit weird to go from not much appetite to starving. I take Zofran starting day 5 and take it at least one through day 7 which seems to do the trick.

Just got a call canceling tonight's Look Good program. The facilitator has the flu and is not able to reschedule until January. Really disappointed that it will be such a long wait. Feeling really down today. Had a rough weekend with exhaustion and bone pain.

I am so sore, just poking myself in the arm hurts, it's almost funny. I hate not being able to get a massage. Yesterday during my lunch break I think I dozed off at my desk I didn't even realize I was that tired but that little 30 minute power nap revived me for the rest of the day. Everything taste funny, people keep dropping by the house bringing food that I can't really taste unless its over seasoned. I know they are doing what they can so I don't want to say stop, and at least my husband gets to try new things. Since I am still mobile and able to cook I find it a bit strange to have people sending food or bringing food. Maybe after surgery it would make more sense. My stomach was not feeling good, just blah heavy and off kilter not to make me nauseous but icky I finally decided to just eat like I normally do with bad stuff when my stomach feels like crap and I actually feel better than I have since I started this. I just had lunch at my desk which consisted of grits, eggs, bacon and cheese and for the first time in 2 weeks no heart burn and no indigestion...who knew my body craves grease. I hope everyone is finding some silver lining out of all this chaos, I know some days are harder than others. My goal today....at least a 30 minute workout.

Ilovecoasters, sorry to hear that the program was cancelled. Ironically, I attended one on Monday morning. They didn't have a cosmetologist, but we did get some free products from some very nice names in cosmetics. I received a Lancôme moisturizer that alone is worth $45. It was also nice to meet some ladies going through similar challenges. I hope that they are able to have the next one for you. It sounds like it is tough to get volunteers

Ilovecoasters, Sorry, your having a difficult time. I would talk to your MO again. I am on the same chemo regimen and mine told me to avoid crowds not all public places i.e. don't go to a large concert where there are a lot of folks coughing and sneezing that you can't avoid. She said I could go shopping etc. I am doing things like shopping Monday thru Friday when it is not so busy. I also use anti-bacterial hand wash and hand wipes a lot more than I used. I do stay home a lot as I am not working but I would go crazy too if I couldn't do anything for five months. Good Luck,

Ilovecoasters, I'd check with MO for clarification. My doc said the same, but she explained that I don't want to be around large crowds of strangers. I've been working, and I go to Mass on Sunday. I just decline to shake hands and I avoid sick people. I've even been to the movies and a restaurant. I wash my hands obsessively. Are you getting Neulasta shot? As long as they're not sick, you should be able to have visitors at least

Avoiding crowds and public places does not mean to sit home isolated. You can go for walks and you can have visitors that are not 'sick' life is still going on and you are still part of it. I hate crowds anyway and that is really part of my job but with this I have taken a less active roll with the public. I have all these little projects that I wanted to do so I have been kind of setting them aside like doing a shadow box, to dyi around the house and crocheting and knitting. I have yet to actually get a walk in but I have it on the docket for my next bit of time off. I am trying to save up some stuff for after surgery when I know I will be a real pill to deal with. Just 3 days at the house and I am looking out the front window like a cat ready to make a break for it. Be prayerful, be safe and be you, everything else will work itself out. We do have somewhat of an immune system even with the stuff they are constantly shoveling in us, our bodies were truly designed to help us fight against things that harm us it's just over the years the things that can harm became an overwhelming number. I am actually contemplating skydiving for my birthday in two weeks....can't wait to hear what the doc says about that!

Ilovecoasters - I hope you will talk with your MO and take some of the advice given here.  There are lots of things you can do to get out of the house and still avoid huge crowds.  Taking a drive, going through the drive-thru for some food, taking a walk around the neighborhood, going to see a friend that isn't sick...I hope your days will begin to look up!