Starting Chemo January 2015

hi mommacat4,

I am sorry to hear of your side effects, I to noticed around day 5-8 that I broke out all over my upper body in pimples (even on the top of my head, very painful to sleep). I just keep telling myself that must mean the chemo is working. It is crappy that we have to deal with the SE, loss of hair, etc., but then to throw acne into the mix is just the topping in the cake.

Glad to hear you are starting to feel a bit better, hopefully your 2nd injection will go easier for you!!

Rest up and take care of yourself!

-Teri

Mommacat4, I woke up thinking I would ask how you are doing and same for Cherylfg.

Cherylfg, what a cute story about your kids!!!

Mommacat4, I still really think you need to get that hard heartbeat checked or they will not want to inject you next time!!! I am sure your onco would want to know!!! I think it may explain the extra fatigue... Do keep us posted on that...

Loriekg, if I make it to Austin for tennis bootcamp one day (i will) I shall make the detour to play tennis with you lol. Where in Texas are you?

Patty, I am an absolute fan of alternative medicine and am trying to combine several approaches but I try to think that chemo is our insurance policy!!! I don't want it either but I am trying to break it down in smaller pieces to make it liveable: 4 big AC, then it will be April 1st then that means spring. If you are like me just the THOUGHT of spring gives me a little boost. Then the trees will get tender green leaves, then the sun will also be a pick me up, AND the birds will sing!!! Then I will rejig my database for the last 12 treatments, then it will go so fast as it will be less waiting around (since it's every week for 12 weeks). Then it will be June. Then I will have a huge cake at work to celebrate. Then I will move to my new condo. Then I will have a housewarming/end of chemo party - YOU ARE ALL INVITED LOL. Then a one month break. Sigh. Then I will adjust again for Rads. Then I will be done with this circus lol.

Yes, I am already a different person: I feel that I am starting to live at the "right" pace and that for example, being late now - oh well I won't die and I refuse to take any form of undue stress. I have stopped piling it on too. I now "try" to enjoy couch surfing lol. I feel I am moving at a good pace and that everyone around me is rushing Like mad and I smile at the lesson learned and hope it doesn't take cancer to teach them the relave importance/unimportance of everything!!! I also don't get angry at small issues during the day - I call it keeping all my little cells zen, positive and happy. I enjoy people more than ever - I notice all the little attentions especially from people not that close to me - and small details like the perfect texture of a piece of bread - with butter lol. Am I going crazy???

Enjoy the weekend - sans SEs is what I wish for all of you!!!

Marjo aka Tennisfan

G'evening ladies ...

Kristin, thanks for the advice ... I just rested yesterday, kept my fluids up and ate small meals and this morning I felt much better and even managed to go out and do some grocery shopping :-)

Rest of the day has been a bit of a downer for me ... think reality has finally struck ... but I have decided that I need to put my big girl panties on and keep on trucking xx

Mommacat, how's your port feeling, hope it's okay ... I noticed when I looked in the mirror this morning after my shower that the tube in my next has become really noticeable ... think I may be starting to lose a bit of weight (the first place it always goes is my neck and chest).

Tennisfan, thanks for the virtual vanilla pudding ... I raise you a chilled pot of applesauce xx Going to try and green smoothie tomorrow morning ... my daughter made one today and I have to admit, it did look like pond scum but she said it was very tasty ... will add a bit of protein powder and see how it goes.

I am going back to work tomorrow ... as we live in the Middle East, our weekend falls on a Friday and Saturday so I have agreed with my boss that I will work Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, chemo on Wednesday and then have Thursday, Friday and Saturday to recover. I am not sure whether I will make a full day tomorrow but will just take it as it comes.

Right, I'm off to bed to read my book and settle in for the night ... I hope you all have a great day.

Take care Di x

Hi ladies!!

Dimccleland what a great picture!! thank you!

First infusing in 'in the bag' and so far feeling not too bad. Had small issue at the end of the Cytoxan yesterday when I all of a sudden got hit with sinus pain and light-headedness. The nurse said they would inject that one over 45 mins istead of 30 next time. Will be very grateful for the port--took 3 tries to get in a vein because my skin is so pale and light the nurses were underestimating how deep they were. Port will be put in Feb 16th, so only one more 'portless' infusion to go. Had nausea yesterday after and then 'wham!' got hit with a huge wave of it at 9 pm, so 915 I took my second rounds of drugs and went to bed. At 5 am a drunken neighbour started throwing things or something and shaking the entire building and THEN thought he should come knock insistently at my door to apologize at 6 am. I told him to go sleep it off, but the nausea was awakened, so I took my day 2 meds and went back to bed. Right now I am having a coffee and only thing I am noticing is a foggy head and my stomach feels filled with rocks. I am also a little shaky.

Here is one for you--last night I noticed as I was eating that I had to make a conscious effort to swallow. It was difficult to swallow at all, but I really had to convince my body to do it. Anyone else experience that? I wasn't even eating, I was drinking tea and gingerale and sucking on popsicles.

As far as chemo itself, now that I have seen it and done it (and sorry if this seems politically incorrect, but not meant to be), I think of it as a big 'red army' (A) infused with superpowers (C) taking up position to attack and root out all the dangerous black cancer blobs in my body. Oh, and of course the red army is led by none other than Hellboy lol. I see yesterday and today as staging for battle and the next few days the attack followed by a re-group and strategizing while awaiting reinforcements.

Could be the military coming out in me lol, but that is what I find useful to get through this.

One piece of good news I got yesterday--because I have been gradually losing weight for such a long time, the nutritionist said there is no need to modify my diet as long as don't lose more than an average of 1 lb/week (if I do we will make adjustments to slow things down). I know I shouldn't be worrying about weight loss right now, but this is most stressful part for me--and now it can be managed.

I received my 'fitbit Charge HR' yesterday and so far like it a lot. I can track so much, like calories burned, calories consumed, fluid intake, sleep patterns, heart rate, and weight. This also helps me feel much better and motivated to get through all this to the other side.

Jenn

Dimccleland - what a wonderful picture, thank you for posting!!

Jenn - sounds like we're vein twins (unfortunately). My nurses and I decided that a port was necessary before my next treatment as my left hand/wrist is a bruised mess now. Ugh...

I finally had my port put in yesterday morning, which was quite an experience considering I've never had an IV put into my body before let alone had surgery. All in all, it went well. When my surgeon came to greet me prior to surgery, I had the frame of mind to ask about sizes of ports (aside from other things) and I'm glad I did. Based upon my incessant internet searching, it seemed as though there were different size ports and the surgeon was able to confirm that there was a smaller-sized titanium port, which he said would be an option. I was a little nervous about it being so visible underneath my skin considering I'm keeping this matter extremely private.

I was awake the entire time and did not feel any pain. However, in the middle of the surgery I became overwhelmed cried a little thinking about what having a port placement meant. The nurse was extremely attentive and was able to get me out of that state of mind very quickly with her words, thankfully!

After surgery, physically I felt completely normal initially - even to the point where I went out to a restaurant for lunch with my parents (who were both there and have been to every appointment with me. I feel beyond blessed and thankful for that also.) Once I got home, the pain hit. I was extremely sore: laying in bed and sitting up was extremely painful. It's amazing to realize what muscles are used doing the most simple things! I was told I could take off the gauze dressing this morning and I could shower, which I did. I can't see the port 100% because of the steri-strips covering it, but it's not as pronounced as I thought it would be. I'm still in pain/have soreness in the general area surrounding the port, but I'm hoping it goes away before the start of the work week.

I've also been told that the first AC infusion will have to be done through the veins because the port site typically needs 2 weeks to heal before using it. Agh! I'm a little frightened by that as I know AC is hard on the veins. But, I'm glad the port is finally in; Im one step closer to getting through this!

Hey Y'all

Checking in after my first infusion AC on Thursday. Love all the photos and the writing about courage! I am calm now that I am moving through treatment, what a relief. The waiting is the hardest part!

First, I would like to share the info my PT gave me about lymphoma. This is info from the American Cancer Society: in order to keep LE at bay you do not want to cause ANY inflammation on the surgery side with missing nodes, LE can start from something very small and seemingly not harmful: no cuts, no hang nails, no scratches, no working out to hard and feeling sore the next day. Inflammation overloads your lymph system with fluid but with fewer vessels and nodes, it may not be able leave on it's own. If you have numbness in your arm, rest it above your heart, with support and open and close your fist 15 to 25 times. Breath deeply 10 times before to make space in the nodes along your side. This simple movement helps the push the fluid down your arm and drain in the the lymph channels that you made space in with deep, relaxing breaths. As the fluid drains, you may get more feeling back in the places surgery has left you numb. Please be so careful Wendy! I have more info if anyone wants it, just don't want to bore you all to death.

Feeling OK on day 3. I made a huge pot of ginger water by peeling and cutting a big ginger root and simmering it for a long time. Put some in with my water when I drink. Yesterday I felt like I had a terrible hangover, headache, blah, nausea. Got better as the day went along but I stayed quiet. I am taking tums and chew on fennel seeds settle my stomach. Prune juice is doing it's job. Giving my own Neupogen (sp) shots, 1 a day for 5 days. No bone pain yet. Easy to do the shot at home, I think I prefer it to getting it all at once. Walking, walking, water, water, water, walking, water, water. Made ice cubes out of apple/cherry juice. Yum. Can't eat much, feel full so quickly. The many small meals as suggested seems to be the way to go.

This is going pretty well. I have no regrets about doing chemo. I feel fortunate b/c the spot on my rib may be cancer, my onco doc was very honest with me; she said she just did not know when I checked in with her before chemo. But the chemo should kill it and a blast of radiation will do the rest if needed. I still have a very good prognosis because I can do this tough treatment and it is my first treatment. So I am grateful: for my job and health insurance, for the support of my family and friends, and for all of you. Together!

Hoping you all have a peaceful, healing Saturday as I am. Doggie is curled up at my legs. I am in the eye of the storm where it is quiet. Sweet relief. Keep going ladies, keep going! You are all brave and beautiful!

Warm Regards, Dana

Hey Cheryl,

Just started my AC Chemo on 1/20...so far so good..a few dizzy days and some fatigue, but other than that, all is well. When did you end up starting and how is it going for you? What a roller coaster ride! I'm looking for some Homeopathic help as well...something to take/do alongside the chemo to let it be as effective as it can be while helping my inner strength remain solid...any ideas/sites you can send me to? Blessings...Dede

Ladies, what a week it has been for all of you! I love all the new looks, please post the wigs and hats also. All of you have come a long way, and the hair issue is tough. I am still in my wig, but a huge time saver. But I know how hard it is to get the cut. I will be going back to chemo again, sometime after rads. And since my hair is now a 1/2" long, I get that same feeling about doing it again already. You are all stomping out the side effects, and pushing forward. I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend and feel well to battle on.

Great pics and words of inspiration here ladies ... But I have learned to expect nothing but the best from this crew! I completed my first 3-week cycle of THP last Thursday(yeah!) but the intermittent and often severe stomach cramps have got pretty bad (boo!) and frequent My poor GI tract... I keep apologizing to it and asking "her" (Gladys) to hang in there with me. What have you found to settle the tummy down? Your wisdom would be much appreciated.

By the way ... My DH walked in tonight while I'm saying "come on Gladys, work with me" and he responds "who's Gladys?". Anyone else naming their body parts? 😃 Or should I prepare for them to come take me away in a straight jacket soon?!! The way I figure it, whatever gets me thru...

Good morning LakesideWLabs, I haven't named any body parts, but I did name my wig, McKenzie. She is a pretty blonde. Crazy maybe, but who cares! LOL

twinkymom, my MO suggested Senokot -S or regular Senokot to relieve the constipation issues. The chemo and pain meds may cause the SE, which is very miserable and unwanted! I took Zofran like clockwork starting the day after chemo, and for 4 to 5 days as needed and I never had a problem. Better to stay ahead of the SE, it's too hard to control them once they start. I also switched to decaf coffee in a limited amount, and did not drink anything with carbonation. The bubbles killed me, and I miss my Pepsi!! I drank mostly water, milk, and 100% grape juice. Then I had a lot of fresh fruit, popsicles, and jello to top of my liquids for the day.

I would get the red flushed face on Taxol for about 24 to 36 hours after the infusion. Oh joy to have color in my face!! But it would go away on it's own. I hope this helps!

Yes I took Claritin and experienced no bone pain. It wasn't until a week later.

I haven't named any body parts but I did name my tumor Olive. Also whenever I get the diep flap surgery, my boobs will become stoobs (stomach boobs).

Hi all,

kjybaby, I had my port put in on the Monday and used it on the Tuesday ... no problems at all, just a little sore and tender. Funnily enough I found that that it was actually a bit more painful the second time around. Good luck, hope all goes well.

I must admit that I am struggling a bit ... my next weekly dose of Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta is due on Wednesday and I am still struggling a bit with the side-effects from the first dose. I guess that it's really just a case of taking one day at a time. I'm now on Day 6 and found that the two hardest days by far where day 3 and day 5 (yesterday). I managed to come to work yesterday morning but only lasted a couple of hours. Today, I will work a full day - 08:30 to 4:00 and will see how it goes. We have a scheduled fire drill at work tomorrow and will need to evacuate our 60 storey office tower via the fire escapes - we're on Level 32 and I have already decided that I will work from home to avoid the stress of having to walk down 64 flights of stairs the day before my next chemo. Such a baby, I know.

What I am really battling with is working out what to eat ... whilst I've had very little nausea, I've had a lot of severe heartburn and diarrhea which is not helped by a dry sore mouth. Have had to cut out coffee and also a few dairy products - milk, yoghurt and cheese are just not working for me and I find that fruit (except bananas) are playing havoc with my stomach. Red meat etc is also not great ... will try some chicken for dinner tonight and see how that goes.

Beachbum1023 like you, I have also had to cut out all carbonated drinks - for some reason the taste of plain water makes me feel really nauseous but I have found some fruit flavored water which is quite palatable for me so I am drinking a lot of that and think I might also add in something like gatorade to make sure I stay hydrated, am also going to make some jelly tonight to see how that goes.

Guess, that it is all very much a process of elimination and that if you find something that works for you, ginger snap biscuits for me, then stock up :-)

Keep smiling ladies - will check back in later

Di x

Where are these nurses coming from? Tortylass, did they tell you to take Claritin (starting the day before neulasta shot) for the bone pain? I think you need to talk to your doctor about taking a pain reliever. Your nurse apparently never had a patient on chemo. That bone pain can be hell. These side effects are so debilitating and sleep is our only escape. I have Norco for pain. I did not use it yet, but it is here if I need it.

Sorry, I'm a b#]¥~%!