Starting Chemo January 2015

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  • spookisgirl
    spookisgirl Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    Hi all,

    Back home after round #2 of AC. Feeling ok so far, a little 'drugged' and light-headed and warm, but not too bad. Nausea drugs seem to be working. Had a little scare this morning as at first they couldn't find my bloodwork, but then they called the clinic and had it faxed right over and all was good to go. Infusion was a little better this time, only 2 needle pokes to get a vein, instead of 3 :) Had a slower drip on the Carbo, and that kept the wasabi feeling down. Relaxing at home now and drinking lots of water to start the flushing.

    Noticed my hair is now falling out in droves, the shower was full of little red hairs when I got out, and when I touch my head it just comes off. Done one round with the lint roller, will prob do another later.

    So glad to have gotten this done today. Port placement on Monday, then maybe back to a 'new normal'. Is there such a thing??? LOL

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    lots of activity on the board today- yahoo. Sweethope and marjo you are both goin strong, so glad. Cheryl and Lori, you make me smile :)

    Day 3 post AC . Weds (infusion day) and yesterday had ridiculous roid driven energy. This morn felt like a semi hit me. Nausea too. I got overly confident and did not set alarm for nausea med- not wise ... Meds helped pretty well once they kicked in. Big d today but no cramping or discomfort. Also pain in remaining breast and some spotting must be going to have one last period before chemi-pause kicks in. Going on a gentle walk with my husband and my pups. It is a beautiful sunny day here in Montana at 50°F all the peaks have snow all around town and sky is blue have to get out and enjoy this while I can.

    Like the spa idea, Sweethope! Let the planning begin.

    Kristin

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  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2015

    I second great journeys moments. Your group has helped me so much as a member if the. Feb group. It helps so much to be able to project what might be occurring and how soon. Hadn't even considered the pain of stubble! Am ready with my conditioner and lint roller!

    Wondered if the runny nose is from one particular chemo? Thanks so much! Susan

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Beachbum, what a great job you did raising those boys...and being a stepmom to boot! I know that was very challenging. Thank you for their service.

    Loriekg, you are a hoot!

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  • TortyLass
    TortyLass Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2015

    Spookisgirl - I'm a day ahead of ya. Had round #2 of TC yesterday. Glad you had an easier time with this IV. they used my port (got it last Thursday) and it was a breeze. No pain, no fuss. :) Yay ports! lol

    thecolorpurple - I ended up getting my period when I got home from my infusion yesterday. I was very offended by Aunt Flo who I was told would be likely packing her bags and leaving for the duration of this party! lol "Really? Over THESE next 5 days? Of course you did...."


    to ALL of us.... Yay for making it through January! **group hugs**

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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    I'm glad M's Lego story brought some laughter. I laughed pretty hard when I realized what he had done. Luckily, he is pretty laid back and wasn't phased by the whole situation.

    I'm tired today but I managed to get the boys to the library and to the park. I'm pretty proud of myself for getting all of us out of the house.

    Cheryl

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  • RV6gal
    RV6gal Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2015

    Cherylfg, good for you for getting out with your boys! I managed to get just myself out for a 20 min walk today but it felt good too.As far as the heartburn goes, I take mostly Tums but have tried Pepcid AC.Don't find that helps at all really.Is the Prilosec prescription only?If this continues much longer, I think I will have to ask my oncology nurse about something else.It really makes it tough to eat and even drink water! I too had a chuckle about your son's Lego adventure.I remember when my son was that young and the interesting adventures he got himself in to.I loved his curiosity!!

    Loriekg, loved your wig story!!I wore mine out to the grocery store last night because I couldn't find my hat and I'm super conscious about it too.It isn't a bad wig, it's just me!I actually prefer hats and I am looking into find one online that has a bit of a brim to it.Sort of like a baseball cap but not so much cap in front.

    Spookisgirl, I am so glad for your that chemo 2 went well. Good luck with the port on Monday!!I found the process relatively quick and painless.It took a few days for it to settle down afterwards (sleep was mostly affected really) but once it did, it has been great and hardly noticeable.I wish the same for you!

    Marjo! Glad to see you are back posting!!I can totally relate to the cave feeling!Enjoy your tennis and couch surfing this weekend!

    I wanted to add my congratulations to us all too for getting through January! Hurrah! And now just about halfway through February with all of our ups and downs! Wishing us continued Ups!

    I too like the idea of meeting up and celebrating at the end of this!I think both ideas are great!

    Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Valentines to us all.

    Wendy

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Happy Valentine's Day Ladies! I hope everyone has a great weekend.

    Only 14 more days to MARCH!

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    TortyLass ,

    I am right there with ya, double whammy of Aunt Flo and chemo SE mostly nausea this time for me. Taking my meds round the clock, but still pretty uncomfortable. I know these feelings will dissipate soon, it's just well, icky. Hope you are having a good weekend, all!

    Kristin

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  • JustKeepSwimming44
    JustKeepSwimming44 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2015

    Happy Valentines day ladies. Had final AC on Wed. Not early as bad as number 3. But dealing with severe room spinning when lying down. Anyone else deal with this?

    Thanks, Sarah

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  • Tennisfan
    Tennisfan Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2015

    Sincere congratulations JustKeepSwimming - big milestone in the journey! Hope you celebrate with something nice :0)))

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Justkeepswimming, Sorry to hear about the vertigo. Mine was several years ago, not related to BC or any tx, but an inner ear condition which is common. Please check with PCP because it can lead to nausea which you do not want right now. Until then, stay upright.

    I join Tennisfan, and I am sure everyone else, in congratulating you on this great achievement.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    JustKeepSwimming, Congrats on such a huge milestone! :)

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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    Yo can buy Prilosec over the counter. I have a prescription for it and I'm not sure if the strength is different. It really helped. I was eating Tums like candy but they only gave me relief for a few minutes. One day on Prilosec and my heartburn was gone.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    My MO suggested Prilosec OTC, but I never used anything but Tums.

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  • TortyLass
    TortyLass Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2015

    My MO Gave me a script for 20mg of Prilosec per day as soon as I met with her before chemo, especially for the Taxotere. It's cheaper for me to pay my copay than the OTC price. (You can get the 20mg pills OTC, but not sure about the 40mg pills

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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    I take the 40mg prescription and it was cheaper for me to get it that way too.

    I just threw-up all over myself taking my morning meds. I guess my gag reflex kicked it! Sigh. This day is not starting off well.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi Cherylfg, Have you finished the AC? And sorry about your tummy issues this morning. I am having a lazy day since we have whiteout snow and wind chills headed below zero. A good day to play catch up around the apartment.

    Happy Valentine's Day!


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  • RV6gal
    RV6gal Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2015

    Gee Cheryl, sorry to hear your day is starting off like that!Hope you are able to get it under control and the day gets better!

    Thanks everyone for heartburn suggestions.It is continuing to aggravate me this morning so will try the Prilosec OTC and see if it offers any help! If not, I will contact my oncology nurse for something stronger!

    JustKeepSwimming44 – congrats on completing the AC chemo.That's a huge accomplishment.I sincerely hope you have managed to get the head spinning feeling under control. If not, you should definitely let your oncologist know as it could be caused by the chemo. Low blood pressure can cause this too.Maybe sure you are staying hydrated!

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Happy Valentine's Day Ladies! I know if I don't drink 4 to 6 bottles of water a day I feel light headed. But I also have low blood pressure issues, and heart issues. But drinking water is first pick for me. Anything else I call the MO, RO, Cardiologist, 911........geez this is a full time job! Hope you all feel better!

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    justkeepswimming ,

    Congrats on completing AC ! What an accomplishment. I hope you got the vertigo figured out? Keep us posted.

    Cheryl,

    I am so sorry you are sick. Did things get any better after this morning? Nausea just plain stinks. I have struggled with it a lot this round. Take care,


    Kristin

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  • JustKeepSwimming44
    JustKeepSwimming44 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for the congratulations on finishing the AC. Just a quick update on the room spinning. Hubby and I went to the ER and spent Valentines receiving IV fluids....very romantic. ..he loves me in a hospital Johnny! All blood work normal. Diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. Gave me Meds and exercises and sent me home. Resting today while hubby digs us out. Thinking of all of you (((hugs))). Stay strong.

    Sarahimage

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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    My day did get better. The crazy part is that I felt totally fine before and after.

    Sarah- I'm glad you are feeling better. Vertigo is no fun!

    Cheryl

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Sarah, thanks for the photo. Stay snuggled up with DH cause that blizzard looks brutal on TV. Sorry that your Finished-Chemo-celebratory-cocktail came in an IV. Hope the vertigo ceases tout suite!

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    hi my friends,

    My iPad says it cannot download pictures and that I will have to do it from the laptop or PC.

    So, I am wondering if you can see my picture as it is a picture of me in my new wig. Originally I posted a picture of my bald head and I still would like to post that but I don't wanted to be my profile picture necessarily. The wig looks pretty much like my normal hairstyle although it is fuller than my naturally fine hair. This is kind of a fun aspect to having a wig. It's still really hard for me to see myself with no hair. Although I will say that Brandi looks adorable and you all look so cute ... It is just that my head is really large and I guess I'm still self-conscious about it. Jim keeps telling me how beautiful I am as I walk around the house with my bald head. He is trying so hard to help me get through this.


    I have had a lot of nausea for the last three days and I'm still struggling with it a bit. Despite this, I am going to try to going to work tonight and tomorrow night. Work gives me a sense of normalcy and I have so many close friends there as well. I plan to just wear one of my cute hats to work tonight as I am not sure if the wig will be scratchy and hot. Hopefully my patients won't be alarmed by the hat. As I've mentioned before, I work on an inpatient psychiatric unit as the charge nurse at night so I will have 12 hours tonight and tomorrow night and I just want to make sure I'm comfortable

    Hope you all have a lovely night. Thinking of you all and wishing you a comfortable restful evening.

    Love,

    Kristin

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    Cheryl, I'm so glad that your bout of nausea was very short-lived. I have to say the nausea aspect of the AC is the hardest for me to contend with. Does anyone know if the Taxol causes nausea at all? I am praying that this side effect will go away when I am done with AC treatment! Just 2 more ACs to go just just five more weeks and then I'll be on the weekly Taxol 12 treatments. I can't recall who of our cohort is on every two weeks AC (4 treatments) and then every week Taxol(12treatments) for a total of 16 treatments?

    I was thinking about our plan to meet up to celebrate the end of chemo and radiation and then I realized that some of us would be completing their regimens at different times. My treatments will all be completed sometime in September I believe. After my 16 treatments I will have a three week hiatus where I will have my oopherectomy and then straightaway go to radiation for six weeks duration. I do believe that puts me somewhere in mid-September for completing all of this. Just curious where we all are on this journey...

    Kristin

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  • TortyLass
    TortyLass Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2015

    justkeepswimming- ah yes, good ol' BPPV. I had that a few years ago. One visit to the doc, he took me through the various head positions and it fixed it right up. Crazy stuf

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  • Tennisfan
    Tennisfan Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2015

    Cherylfg and others, in case this helps: my onco first wanted to prescribe Prilosec to me but changed his mind and prescribed Losac instead . When I asked why he said that it is because Prilosec sometimes gives nausea as a secondary effect. The difference between the two I believe is you take Prilosec when needed while I must take Losac without skipping everyday until my treatment is over!!!

    Hope this helps, Cheryl!

    Marjo

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi everyone, sounds like the battles are being won, slow and steady!! I had Taxol dose dense X 4 so I did not have the nausea, but more of a tired and icky feeling but I could at least eat. My hair started to grow after the first dose of Taxol, and looks good so far! I did lose my eyebrows and eyelashes after the second Taxol. I am still dealing with all the issues left behind with AC. But my eyebrows are almost back, and my lower lashes are back. The top lashes seem to grow slower but I can wear mascara now so almost there! It is so nice to be able to wear make up again. Next I am hoping my hair is long enough to go topless for summer and swimming! But I can always go to another beach where they don't know me, lol.

    Carry on Ladies!

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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    Kristin- your wig looks great! How did it feel wearing it? I have a little cap I wear under mine to keep it from feeling itchy. It looks like it a nylon but is small and soft. The place wear I bought my wig gave it to me. Maybe that would help. I hope work is going well!

    I am also on a dose dense (every two weeks) of AC and then 12 weeks of Taxol. I have one more AC this week and then a break for three weeks. Then I start weekly Taxol.

    Marjo- thanks for the suggestion. The crazy part is that I didn't feel nauseous or sick at all. I just threw up. It totally shocked me and I felt fine after. I think Prilosec is just particularly hard to swallow and I gagged on it. Is Losac small? Prilosec is a huge, plastic coates pill.

    Cheryl

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