Starting Chemo January 2015

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

    Tennisfan, I believe! I stopped after rads today to pickup Caramel Gelato, and it is -1 degree in Cleveland tonight with a windchill of -20. And I need Gelato?? Well it was on sale.......

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  • RV6gal
    RV6gal Member Posts: 331
    edited February 2015

    I have been mostly lying around and dozing these last few days. The medicine I got seems to have a good handle on heartburn but may now be contributing to an upset/gassy stomach with occasional bouts of diarrhea.Grgh.. one thing seems to lead to another but taking it one step at a time! I have noticed some darkening on my finger nails now too.I'm not sure I will do the ice on my nails on my first Taxotere chemo (scheduled for Mar 3), however, I will paint them with some nail hardener product I have and hope that will help.I try to be very careful not to bang them up when doing things and also I keep them short. I started using gloves when washing dishes too as I find my skin is so dry and my fingers are sensitive to the warm water...On the food front, my taste/smell is really off still. I seem to crave salty foods or pasta or potatoes. Really a pretty bland diet.I think today though the taste buds are starting to return a bit.Fingers crossed!

    Marjorie, Congrats on getting to 1.5 and avoiding the Neulasta!! Continued success with that too.

    Dimccleland, like Marjorie I use Notepad then paste into the website as I have lost posts or it types so slowly which is really frustrating too. Thanks for the little chuckle on the ear temp differential! LOLHope that you are able to beat that URTI right away!And Yes, I can totally relate to the "plans" post.I have an app on my iPad that I use as a checklist of tasks, errands, and wishes.I keep re-dating them for another day lately...LOL

    Kristin, I hear on the biggest complaints with the taxol/taxotere chemos is fatigue and chemo brain.I'm already there so I'm not sure what more could possibly feel like.I really am just taking things day to day and if I spend an entire day on the couch.So be it!

    Jenn, hope the port is settling down for you! Do be careful with your hot showers!

    Loriekg, I don't know what is causing it but I feel exactly the same way – hot then cold.The hot is the worse cause it takes longer to edge away sometimes.I have an overhead fan in my bedroom that I have running all night so I can throw off the covers and cool off as quickly as possible.When I'm cold, I bunch up the covers around my neck so I can't feel the fan's airflow.This goes on back and forth all night.It is definitely worse during the week after my infusion though.

    TeriMP, I had never heard of this serum sickness before either.Wow, I hope the itch lays off more quickly even if the hives are there for that long.The heartburn you describe is exactly what it felt like to me too.I couldn't even eat even though I was starving for 2 days. Wishing you better luck NOW!

    Beachbum1023 – thanks for the gelato laugh....Well it was on sale..... Love it!

    Have a good night ladies!

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

    Hello Ladies, I hope anyone in the freezing States can stay in and stay warm! Cleveland is -1 degree right now!

    RV6gal, try to use cuticle oil on your nail beds, and around the nails as well. It does help. I use the oil to buff my nails as well. The funky chemo colors are almost all grown out from 11/25. I keep my nails short right now and use a clear sparkly polish to hide the funk. I really don't think it was a big deal. But strangely my nails are very hard, so bonus.

    Now the feet - I had a lot of issues on Taxol with super dry skin on the bottoms of my feet. The heels were really dry, and the skin around my toenails peeled off. But I am still fussing with the nasty colored nails. My toenails are brittle and dry, they break in chunks, and most of them had a new nail grow in under the funky nail. The two big toes are the worst, I will lose both of those nails. I also had skin peel off in sheets on the bottoms. I also have numb feet, neuropathy. Be very aware of your feet and nails, I had all kinds of issues with them on Taxol.

    I used Foot Therapy from Sally's to soak my feet and used plenty of cream to keep them soft. And they have all the nail and wig supplies too. I can just go there and pick up whatever I need for all of my spare parts, and repair parts too!


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  • mommacat4
    mommacat4 Member Posts: 215
    edited February 2015

    Hello Ladies

    I love reading about everyone. I hate all the issues we are all having I wish we didn't have to go through this. But honestly I think this is making me a better person. With all my downtime I have time to reflect on the things I would like to do when all this is over. When I have the energy. I just hope I will be able to do them during the day and sleep at night. It seems that most nights I have a difficult time sleeping. Like tonight for example. It's almost 3:00am here. Of course dh works nights so I am the only adult home.

    For some reason I have been super cold tonight. I can't get warm. I am not running a fever. I turned my heater up to 75 degrees and I am curled up under the covers shivering. And I live in Arizona. .... that's crazy, I think I live in the warmest state of all of you. And I am freezing.

    I started having dizzy spells last night but they weren't bad. I only had 2. Then tonight the freezing. And my hips are aching tonight too. Still fighting the battle of the big C and the big D. I might be dehydrated. I just thought of that. I also started my menstrual yesterday but it's only a small out.

    Cherylfg, my A/C chemo cocktail #4 is Wednesday February 25th. I am not looking forward to that treatment because it seems that the fatigue hits harder and faster and lasts longer with each treatment.

    Thank you for the brow tip. Ironically, I still have those. My lashes have thinned out but I still have some. I am afraid to put mascara on them for fear the weight will make them all come out. Lol.

    I too have been craving cheese. And potatoes but I bought a few sweet potatoes and I bake them and just eat that. Otherwise I will eat mashed potatoes With lots of butter. I have also been eating raw veggies but not every day because my jaws still ache. I have been craving a strawberry banana milk shake. I will have to get one tomorrow. And pizza. I still haven't had my pizza. I feel guilty for wanting to go buy food out when I have leftovers that need to be eaten.

    Ladies, take care and love yourselves. Good night

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Good morning everyone. I am sure sorry to read about more SEs...URTI! Serum Sickness! ... On top of everything else. We all need a recess and go outside and play...oh wait!...it's one of the worst winters ever...€#~*¥^!

    I spent Mardi Gras here on the couch reading BCO discussions and keeping up with you all. I kept the parades on TV and only turned up the volume when a good band was passing. I love the drum cadence. The gals on "Starting Chemo In February 2015" remind me of us. It is heartbreaking, but our Beachbum has been doing a great job of comforting them and answering questions. Sure wish there was an easier path for them (and us) on this journey.

    I woke up at 3am yesterday in a panic; remembering I forgot my appointment for bloodwork. This chemo brain is amazing. Those little electric sparks inside my noggin just fire up at the weirdest times. I can't wait to see how I did on preparing this tax return!

    In two hours I get AC#3. So I've got clean sheets on the bed and clean sheets on the couch. Bought a new bottle of stool softeners and prune juice, so, I am ready. Please stay safe and warm. XOXO, Becky

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  • Tennisfan
    Tennisfan Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2015

    Just a thought for Cheryl who is going for her last AC today if I am correct

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  • Tennisfan
    Tennisfan Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2015

    Just a thought for Cheryl who is going for her last AC today if I am correct? DONE you are DONE with the red devil!!!

    And one for Becky too - you'll be 75% done brave woman!

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    Becky and Cheryl,

    Good luck today, my friends. I hope you know we are here for you in the days to come. Much love to you both.

    Kristin

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    Hey Cat,

    I would like to hear what your plans are when you get done with all this! This might be a fun topic for all of us.

    One of my plans is become a total health nut :) juicing, tons of fruits and veggies and back to running and lifting weights. Whatever I can do to prevent a recurrence, I will do.

    But now, eat what I can, often carbs :) and be very gentle on myself. I will have energy someday and not have constant nausea and I will never take feeling good or even neutral for granted again

    I also am so excited about future career aspirations ( already love my job) but I am in school to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner and I only have two semesters to graduate, when I am able to return to school either in the fall (perhaps overly optimistic) or spring with graduation that summer.

    I also want to spend lots of time with family and friends and take a vacation now and then to see friends and fam out of state

    If I have time I want to learn meditation and get back into yoga for relaxation. Like Marjo I have been on some crazy race all my life and it's time to learn to breathe. Maybe I can actually learn this now. I certainly have some extra time on my hands at the moment.

    Love to all of you and thanks, Cat, for bringing future goals into the discussion.

    If anyone is up for sharing their plans after this journey I think this might open up areas so we can get to know each other even better. If you just feel like ick and want to tell me to take a hike for even asking this, forgive me!

    I do know Marjo wants to play lots of tennis and Jenn wants to dance, dance, dance :)

    By the way I still feel like doo doo. Ugh. This dreaming for the future is providing some respite from the constant cough and malaise... Whatever works.

    Kristin

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    Becky,

    How were the parades? What's the best bands you heard? Of course I know all the area schools. Did St. Paul's school play at all? They used to be a lot of fun. I went to their sister school st scholastica in Covington.

    K

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  • TeriMP
    TeriMP Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2015

    Thank you everyone for the well wishes!! This stupid allergic reaction has definitely sent me back mentally a bit. I know I'll get through it just so frustrating, I should have listened to my guy and not taken it. I had never heard of serum sickness before either, but because it is you immune system trying to fight off the drug it causes the allergies to stick around longer. I do have some Topical Benadryl cream that I have been using, the hives are still here today but they haven't been too itchy. I try not pay attention to them or else I'd scratch my skin off. :)

    I am with you ladies as well in that I have been craving carbs like crazy. I find it to be very comforting. Ice cream and choc used to make feel I'll so I never used to eat it, but now my body craves it!! It's funny how our bodies change during chemo. :-)

    Good luck with round #3 today Sweethope!

    I like Kristin's ideas of what our plans are once we are done our treatments. I like her also plan on getting into a work out regime and getting in shape/healthy. My husband has already started and is becoming a health nut. I do have a juicer and juiced when I first found out about my cancer but if have slacked off doing it as I am just too tired to get up to do it (gotta get my butt in gear and get back at it). My favourite is juicing carrots, oranges, apple and beets together. The carrots are known to fight cancer and stop cells from spreading and the beet is a good kick start for the liver.

    In regards to my job, it is a very stressful job that requires a lot of time. I sacrificed a lot of quality time with my husband because I was working late, going in early or going in on my days off. I need to put family first and work second. I will always be able to make money but never get back the time I lost with my family. I will be making changes when I do go back to work and maybe look at a different field. I don't want to lend/sell mutual funds for the rest of my life.

    Once treatment is done my husband and I are planning a long vacation, he wants to do 2 weeks in Florida as his dad has a time share there and then we will be doing one week at an all-inclusive some where, ladies have any suggestions?!?!

    I'm wishing you all the best!!

    Teri

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  • spookisgirl
    spookisgirl Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2015

    Hi all,

    The carbs seem to be helping and I am thinking of adding just some juice with all the water I drink as that seems to help. Feeling much better today (so far only up 30mins though lol).

    Best of luck to those with treatments today!!

    Jenn

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

    mommacat, Don't worry about those eyelashes too much, I lost all of mine on Taxol, but they came back in fast. The bottom ones came in first and the top lashes are about halfway back. But they are fuller and thicker. So not a bad thing I guess. Hang in there!

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Hi! I am back home from Chemo, and the first thing I wanted to do was check on you all.

    Kristin, I didn't see St. Paul's playing but I am sure they were there. My favorites are St. Aug and the Marine Corp Band (so gorgeous!). I'm pretty happy hearing any band, but I have an issue with the female dancers marching with the bands. They are mostly high school bands and these girls gyrate and contort like they are auditioning to be pole dancers. Enough rant.

    I have planned my celebration trip already. I know I posted about my love of trains. Well, Amtrak has a route from New Orleans to New York City that I am very excited about. The trip ends in downtown Manhattan with the best of the city right there. On the return ride I want to stop in Washington D.C. for a couple of days at the Smithsonian. I hope to do this between Thanksgiving and Christmas to see all the beautiful decorations.

    A shorter jaunt is an Amtrak day trip from Denver (8:00a.m.) to Glenwood Springs Colorado (4:00p.m. +/-). Then 3 days at the Hot Springs being pampered with Spa treatments. Then fly home (only stressful part of the trip).

    I love planning trips now. Being a military family and raising 5 kids left nothing in time or money for vacations. No complaints, there were enough field trips and college look-sees to keep us happy. But now, in retirement, to plan a week-plus adventure is so much fun. Once DH retires at the end of this year we will be hitchhiking on C130's and, if lucky, a nice military jet, to far off lands. Ooooh, I just love planning these jaunts!

    Thanks for all the caring and kind thoughts, and right back at cha! You all are so dear. I hope all those lurkers out there (readers that do not post) are having SE free days and sleeping well at night. You are included in all my best wishes and gentle cyber hugs.

    XOXO, Becky.

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    A selfie from my Sleeper car on the City of New Orleans a month before dx.

    image

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  • LCH033
    LCH033 Member Posts: 83
    edited February 2015

    Hello All, sorry I'm a little late to the "party" as my first A/C chemo was January 15th and I just had my 2nd one on the 5th of this month. The fatigue and chemo brain are really kicking my butt this time and took me a full 10 days to feel anywhere near "normal" and able to work. I still can't keep focus, I forget everything, and I get tired so quickly, almost like I hit a wall!!!

    I have 4 total of the A/C then I start the Taxol and Herceptin; I'm half way done with the "Red Devil" thank God as the SE's have been hard on me and the anti-nausea meds and steroids give me horrible bouts of constipation and insomnia! They keep trying to "tweek" treatment to fix one or the other and it's just wearing me out!!

    I lost weight after round 1 and then gained it all back after round 2; LOL...I have to admit I feel uninformed as to the possible SE's with Taxol so does anyone know what they are or could be? (as I avoid Dr. Google) Lol

    On a good note I came in to work today and the entire company wore pink in support of my battle with BC; it moved me to tears as I am blessed with an amazing circle of love and support; my boyfriend and Mom even shave their heads when I lost my hair.

    One of the ladies here made a continuous BC ribbon to make an "L" for my name.

    For you ladies up North, you are in my prayers as you deal with such a harsh winter!! I'm a wimp with cold as 50 degrees and windy and I'm pulling out my coat! Lol

    This site has helped me so much; and I know even as I feel I am going through my own hell it could be way worse and I see my silver linings and blessings in the darkness.

    Any thoughts or advice on the Taxol and herceptin is very welcomed!

    Good luck ladies in your fight and experiences....much love and respect, Lara xoxoxo

    image


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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Lara, good to hear from you. So sorry that AC is being so chitty to you. I have no advice on taxol or Herceptin but did you see the exciting news today on Herceptin, perjeta, docetaxol cocktail for both early and later stage BC that they are having amazing results with?

    My trial nurse said that at the end of an initial trial of Herceptin, they discovered that many of the participants were HER2 negative, not positive as originally dx'd. The negatives had great results also, so now they are publishing great results with this cocktail. (I would have jumped on that trial, but it was already full.)

    XOXO, Becky

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

    LCH033, Welcome to our little party! Sorry the side effects have been kicking your butt, but I've been there, and you can do this! So go to battle and drink water, 4 to 6 bottles a day. I did with chemo and I still drink that much. But it works. Try to exercise, even a short walk will help. Sleep when you need to, it helps also. I kept my normal routine, up in the morning to shower, do make up and wig, look good. Truly it makes a difference when you look like you. Are you eating enough? Protein, fresh fruit and veggies are so important. I dropped weight the first infusion, but gained it right back. Worry about that one later, you need to take care of you!

    All the meds will cause constipation so be ready before it happens. I always took Senokot-S the night before chemo, and I took it for the next 4 to 5 nights just to keep the Big C away. Also baby wipes are easy on the tender parts when you need it. The fatigue got me too, but I just slept when I needed to. I always started the anti nausea meds the morning after chemo and kept taking until I felt better. Usually 4 to 5 days, I just kept a schedule for the meds. And I never had to vomit so it worked great for me. Chemo brain does get better, keep a small notebook and write everything down if you have to. Stops the frustration when you "forget" something. In other words pick your battles, and find a way. I felt so much better when I could control the side effects. If you have meds that don't do the job, tell the MO to switch it up.

    Biotin will help with hair and nails. I had my hair start to regrow after the first Taxol. My hair is almost an inch long and I finished Taxol 11/25. Just be patient, it will grow back and be super soft. I washed my head with Johnson's baby shampoo, and I put Pantene conditioner on it just because it smelled good and it was nice on my head. My eyebrows and eyelashes fell out after the first Taxol, but they are growing back in thicker than before and look good. I would suggest that you look for the ACS program Look Good Feel Better. They have a great program to instruct patients how to put make up on and feel great about it. The make up kit is really nice,and it is a lot of fun! My nails are almost all grown out, and are very hard. Nice bonus on that for me.

    I could go on and on, and so can all of the other Ladies here. They know the in and out of side effects, and we will all offer suggestions to get you through this. I also did Taxol dose dense X4 so if you need some ideas I can offer hints for that. I had very little nausea with Taxol, and actually ate very well! Small victory, but it still counts!

    Please do let us know what we can help with, you will meet some amazing women here! Take Care!

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

    SweetHope, The train trips sound amazing! My grandfather worked for the B&O Railroad and was a pipe fitter on the steam engines at the round house in Brewster Ohio. So I've been a few trains over the years. The ride is so calming, and you see everything. Have a magical journey.

    I hope you are feeling ok after your AC. Was today #3? Get ready for the side effects, just pull up those cancer killing butt kicking boots and have at it Game On! That's a rough combo, so take care of yourself, and pamper away for the next couple of days.

    I hope you have a very comfortable evening! I'm going to hunker down with a soft furry blanket, it's going to be -9 degrees below zero tonight. The wind chill is headed to -20, and we should break the low record!! Yikes who cares, I don't want to win that one!!

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Oh Beachbum, I sure wish I could blow some warm southern winds your way. Right now it is 48 here and I bet that would feel balmy to you!

    Yes, today was AC #3. Yeah, me! Tomorrow, Neulasta UGH! Then the surprise of what SEs will I have this time? I have been very lucky so far, Big C and lots of sleeping. My WBC counts are still excellent.

    I listen carefully to all your good advise and I am water, water and more water. The one thing I noticed you start nausea meds after chemo and I am to start Zofran (pill) a half hour before going to each Chemo. I covet my nausea meds because they have worked for me. Now THAT should be the pill the Drugs Pushers should get top dollar for. Neulasta ...why?...has anyone gotten a good buzz from that?

    Your lucky, lucky Grandfather. I love all things trains. I loved watching Thomas the Train with my DGS. I love hearing that whistle blow about a mile away from here. I spoil myself on the rides by having the Porter deliver my meals if I'm not in a sociable mood. But most I love cocooning up in those crisp, pressed, sheets and being rocked like a baby all night; the whistle hardly audible and too soon not even noticed. You can't do that on a plane or car.

    Please take care and stay warm. Hot chocolate is a liquid, too.

    XOXO, Becky


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  • Cherylfg
    Cherylfg Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2015

    I'm happy to report that I'm done with AC! I had my last infusion today and I start Taxol on March 12th. I'm so relived to be done.

    Cheryl

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Cheryl, That is fabulous! Hope this infusion is SE free. Celebrate with DH and Dkids on the couch for a few days, then get that Happy Dance going.

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  • Tennisfan
    Tennisfan Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2015

    Go Cheryl, go Cheryl!!!


    Sweethope, hope all is weell with you toi? I missed that yesterday was cocktail day for you too...

    Bonne journée et bon weekens sans SEs, everybody.

    Marjo who is stuck in the subway lol

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  • thecolorpurple
    thecolorpurple Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2015

    Cheryl and Becky,


    Hope you are both feeling well today!

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

    Cheryl - Congratulations that is such a huge milestone!! I hope you feel well and I hope you enjoy the break until Taxol.

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

    SweetHope - Congratualations 75% in the bag! You are almost there, You can do this!

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Marjo, Stuck in a subway!...hope it is warm. I've never ridden one. Is it like NYC subways which I've seen on TV?

    I'm doing fine...knock on wood. I drank LOTS of water, a glass of prune juice and took stool softeners which worked great. I'm going to keep up that routine until I am off Zofran and hopefully keep the BigC away. My steroid shot really made me chatty yesterday. I talked the ear off my 1st husband who called to check up on me. I doubt he will be calling back until he has a few hours to spare. And I texted for 3 hours last night with my sister in Florida.

    Today at 2:00 I get my Neulasta shot. Previously that put me to sleep for several days. Loved it, as I am a light sleeper, so I will hopefully catch up on needed zzz's.

    XOXO, Becky

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  • Mary59G
    Mary59G Member Posts: 139
    edited February 2015

    Becky,

    Well #3 is done, hope everything is going well and very little SE's. 1 more to go right! You are such a strong person and I so appreciate all of the encouragement that you and all the others give here.

    Mary

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

    Good Morning Tennisfan, Please tell us you are above ground and out of the subway! We are freezing here across the lake. I live on the shores of Lake Erie South of Point Pelee and Leamington. At night I can see the lights, and on good days I can see the red lights along the shore. If we get really lucky we can actually see the shoreline but doesn't happen very often, mostly Spring and Fall. It's hard to imagine that I can see that far, but it is pretty all summer.

    I hope you are feeling well today, I hope you feel as good as your picture looks! Have a great weekend!

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  • Brandi999
    Brandi999 Member Posts: 143
    edited February 2015

    Sweethope that's funny about the chatty thing! I think I got that way on the steroids too because they made me feel really anxious inside and and when I get anxious I get diarrhea of the mouth. LOL!

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