Starting Chemo January 2015
Comments
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Hi beachbum, you are a dear you just are.
I have an oopherectomy and 6 weeks of right chest and axillary rads after eleven more weeks of taxol.
Has better weather come to ohio?
Love
Kristin
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Cat,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am very self conscious about my baldness as well. I need to start taking the biotin. I get a little scared because my hair is so fine and thin anyway and I have the shiniest circular bald area at the top of my head, on the crown with stubble all around. What if that area doesn't grow back? Eek. Let me go find that biotin....
Kristin -
Noor,
I am sorry about your bad joint pains. Are you taking the 24 hour Claritin each day? Are you getting Taxol weekly or every two to three weeks? I hear the pain is worse when you get it every few weeks as opposed to weekly. Some women have to take narcotic pain medication the pain is so bad. Thinking of you,
Kristin
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Hi all,
Doing ok after my last AC. Got a 'steroid high' yesterday but it was certainly not as much as I am used to getting (like only 25 cups of coffees instead of 50!), but I will take what I can get! Got out dancing last night, but very much took it easy. Waiting to see if dancing is in my future today or if I am going to crash. It's about 50/50 debate right now, but we will see what some meds and coffee can do.
I am glad to hear people are having an easier time (although different) with the taxol. I too am hopeful my hair will start coming back and I am going to get my hair dresser to shave the little that didn't come out just before my first taxol infusion so that if it does start coming back, it won't be jagged and uneven everywhere. I am getting a lot of tingling in my head again for sure.
To celebrate the end of AC a friend and I are going to have a spa day on April 11 at a spa here in town that specializes in spa therapy for chemo patients and endorsed by the cancer clinic. Can't wait. Will almost be halfway done at that point
I hope the taxol goes quicker than the AC. Sometimes it is hard to believe this is only the beginning of week 10 of 24....on the other hand it's week 10 of 24!!
Best of love to all and hope the weather is warming up where you are if it is still winter-like. We don't really have winter here, more like a really long spring.
Here's to manageable SE's!
Jenn
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That's what I'm thinking....that I'm almost 10 wks out of 24! I finished my 9th Taxol on Friday (did Taxol first because I'm doing chemo before surgery.) -
Thanks MommaCat. 2 weeks PFC tomorrow. I am weak and shakey. Did get to the store though. Nausea has passed. Thank goodness. Trying to take vitamins and can eat again. I have lost 15 Lbs. do not want them back.
BeachBum. I am so glad your hair is growing!! I have hope. I am taking Biotin but it will be a long time. I still have my eyebrows and some eyelashes. I guess they could still go? There is a thread on here called Hair Hair something and there are pictures posted. Check it out. I hope your BP gets better!!I don't take my meds anymore mine is low too. pineapple cake yum!!!
Kristin I am sorry about your DH and your Neutropenia. I hear you on the falling apart. I ache all over and feel 80. I just figure we all will start to feel better. We can't feel worse!! I am still facing surgery in the next month.
Hugs to all for a restful Sunday!
Patty
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Beachbum
As soon as I can, I am coming over to your house for dinner. Yum! Thanks for all your empathy and kind words, you amazing. I am always broken-hearted when I think of how your tumor spread on Taxol. I hope spring warms the Great Lakes area soon and you are able to walk and walk along the beach in pretty sandals because your B/P has normalized, eating pineapple upside-down cake, but still losing that 9 lbs, leaving crumbs wherever they fall, with your hair cut in a fabulous pixie-cut.
I am now dizzy and light-headed from Taxol but no longer mad about having to take it. I think it is a real mind bender to be injected with poison, confuses the emotions and opposes my will to live. Started to have muscle/joint pain late last night, realized I forgot to take my dose of Zyrtec before bed, that knocked it all away! To clarify, Tennisfan, the information I was given by my medical team was that, brand name (not generic) Claritin works (sometimes) for people with muscle pain caused by the Nuelasta or Nuepogen shots.
For the muscle/ joint pain associated with Taxol, Zyrtec works best, my MO said. You can use the generic version, cetirizine. I take one 10 mg tablet 1 hour before the infusion, then, starting the day after the infusion, one 10 mg tablet at night right before bed. Common side effects are: dry mouth, feeling sleepy, feeling tired or weak. Sleepy is good to go against the effect of the steroid. This drug can affect your lab work so let your medical team know if you are taking it. Avoid alcohol, be careful before driving. Etc. the usual crap.
I have light tingling in my feet but drinking a small ocean of water seems to have helped that. I will start with Glutamine and B6 as well.
Working today so I better get back to it! Have a great day everyone!
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dstar I am so glad you wrote what you did. This is the problem I have with chemo. It messes with my mind to allow and pay someone to inject me with poison. It's so counter intuitive. It's the thing that makes me the most mad about all of this.
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ken burns documentary on cancer is on pbs tonight and next 3 nights. Three episodes. 6 hours. It is callled cancer the emperor of all maladies. Really good so far.
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Dstar and Brandy, yes it does feel wrong to be okay with being injected with poison. I think it even more feels so if you have chemo after surgery, because normally they already got it all. Since I have neo-adjuvant chemo and the tumor could not be felt last tuesday, at least I know it is working so it is easier to accept.
I still have musclespains after a week and when I am on my feet more than half a day I have to lay down. I also have a very dry mouth and sore throat. My nurse suggested to swallow 2x a day a spoon with oil. I tried that, but it is really disgusting, so I stopped that. What is working for me is drinking at least 3 cups of tea with fresh ginger, my throat hurts less and even my mouth feels a bit less dry.
My allergies are also much better since yesterday, because I got a prescription for Aerius (Desloratadine).
Kirstin, thanks for the info on that documentary, gonna watch it
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Happy Tuesday Everyone. That Ken Burn's document last night was fascinating and sad. Those precious children! Heartbreaking! I couldn't even stand to see the mice injected...I kept thinking it might be AC. We have come a long way, but can we keep ahead of the mutations? Is cancer smarter than us? Hopefully, treating genetic mutations will be the answer, and soon!
I had a lovely, long talk with my MO yesterday. I expressed my frustrations and disappointments and how I felt a disconnect with her. Everything was resolved and I walked out with my lymphodema therapy referral in hand; and a better understanding of her, and a schedule for Taxol beginning next Monday.
My main issue was my Oncotype score which showed no benefit for doing chemo. MO has explained several times in the past that the score was based on no positive nodes. Yet the paperwork clearly states "...with 1 to 3 positive nodes." My chemo brain could not accept that this score was a small extrapolation from the original trial, and that was why my trial is needed to clarify those results. (Did I make that understandable?).
Because I recently lost my DBIL to a cruel prostrate cancer I wanted to be very aggressive in my treatment. I was excited that I was randomly picked for chemo. However, I have been having second thoughts since I was seeing my body bloated and exhausted with AC. And each Neulasta shot was worse than the last. This fourth one really was horrific. And after a break between 3 and 4 I felt so much stronger and I thought I would tolerate that last Chemo much better than I did.
So the MO patiently explained everything again to me and said I could stop the chemo and trial. What a scary thought! Especially since I do not want to do radiation because of left side issues and the lymphodema. When she said okay without any hesitation to no rads, I knew immediately I wanted to finish chemo to, hopefully, be rid on any wandering cancer cells. Plus being 99% ER positive, I think my best defense will be hormone therapy and fat loss. So I will be patient and wait for that to happen after Taxol.
Thank you all for your support. You know how complicated these decisions are, and I value this opportunity to share my thoughts with those that truly understand. I am normally not this narcissistic, but it necessary now. Even so, I feel all that you are dealing with and think of you as much as I think of myself.
Hope tonight's Ken Burn's episode doesn't show any more children suffering (or mice).
XOXO, Becky
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Becky, I so agree with you on the Ken Burn's show. It was so depressing in some areas but so promising in others it really shows how bad this cancer is and what a crap shoot we are all in. I thank you for doing the study for humanity you are a brave lady. I wasn't so brave I opted out of the chemo when it rolled me that way, sometimes I feel so bad about it. But as you have said many times we can't look back we have to continue going forward. Wish it was all clear cut but it isn't.
So sorry about your DBIL. Glad your MO was more considerate. I too understood that the study was with llymph node involvement. Which I had 1/42. I will never know if I made the right choice but I have to keep going forward, good luck and hope things turn around soon for you and you will feel better or shall i say the "new normal"
Hugs,
Mary
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Mary, So good to hear from you. Never feel bad about your correct decision. Your Oncotype score of 9 definitely shows you did not need chemo. Plus you would really put yourself at risk for some nasty SE's without any benefit. And your score was too low to participate anyway (minimum was 18). Yeah, Mary!
But how did you avoid Rads? And how are you doing on Arimidex?
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Well the computer rolled me to the chemo, but after lots of thought I declined and opted out, then it was on to the radiologist. She explained to me that it was not needed with a score of 9 (again up to me if I wanted it or not). She said the SE's were not worth the risk. So I ran out as fast as I could lol.........just like the chemo.
The Armidex, I started on 3/18 and so far no problems other than a terrible cold but that is not from the pill. The only change I notice is that I sure do sleep well!
Funny thing after the computer flipped me to chemo, and they explained everything about it. The following week I rec'd a bill from my insurance (paid in full) for the Neulasta???? 9000.00 WOW
Mary
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Hi Mary, my Neulasta injection was billed and paid for at $4,780 each X 8. Wow is right. But sad.
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Hello All. I had my MUGA today. I will get the results on Monday before my next chemo infusion. I am trying to stay positive but worrying about my 5th infusion and if it will be better or worse than the 4th. I didn't see the Ken Burns documentary. I am not sure that I want to right now. Did anyone see the 60 Minutes segment on the polio virus being used as a treatment for cancer? It was very interesting with promising results. It may been in trials next year. Could you imagine a world where cancer is treatable without chemotherapy?
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The strangest thing was I never rec'd it!! But they sure did bill it out.
Like I don't have enough bills to match up.........
Mary
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Dstar – I'm not sure if icing prevents any damage to the feet but it sure relieves some the burning pain so for that reason alone, it's worth it to me. I thought last time that the hot bath I had made it worse and I still think it did but since I got pain (mostly in the heels this time) I believe Taxotere is the main culprit period.I will just have to see if this gets better later.My fingers are super sensitive too but so far no damage noted on them other than the pruny look that Brandi mentioned.I have to ask for a lot of help opening things though as I don't seem to have the precision or strength in my fingertips at all.
Brandi – I had a good chuckle about the sarcasm as a second language.Love the way you express yourself!My challenge is that I seem to be getting more impatient as time goes by.I'm even noticing some irritation with fictional TV characters.Ridiculous I know and I can shake it off pretty quick, but it amazes me that little things can subconsciously seep into my head. Part of this I think is just because I'm used to be busy and now I'm not.So I will assume this too shall pass!
Tennisfan – hope you are managing well after your last AC.Congrats on completing that!We are all getting closer to the goal line bit by bit. I hope you are able to keep up with your tennis but on the flip side going for weekly Taxol would make that time pass pretty quick too.
Stillstruggling – very happy to hear you had a fabulous Saturday.It's nice to get those breaks from time to time.It's that little extra breath we need sometimes.I wish you the best for good results from your MUGA too.By the way, I watched the first installment of the Ken Burns documentary.I'm not sure what is in store in the 2nd instalment tonight but I found episode one contained a lot of historic information about cancer.The personal stories are very sad and hard to watch though.I had to skip over some of them as I get too upset.I didn't catch the 60 minutes show but did see the HBO special – Vice Killing Cancer.It has some promise to be sure.
Beachbum - I too used Codeine this time for the Taxotere muscle/bone/nerve pain I get.It hits me on day 4 and is very bad for 2 days at least.The codeine totally helped with the pain this time but knocked me on my butt for those 2 days.I spent the 2 days in bed – sleeping on and off.That's totally exciting to hear your hair is peeping out from under your wig!Proof we will get there too!!
Jlstacey – has your blood pressure stabilized?Sorry to hear you are getting another cold! Could it be a runny nose only?I have that going on from time to time and just when I think a cold is coming – it stops.I am really dry from the Taxotere too even though I drink as much as I can.Sometimes my nose is stuffed up yet running at the same time.Sorry you are dealing with the watery eyes and swollen gum too. Hopefully you get some relief from your PS and Dentist.These are the things that someone not going through chemo can't quite grasp.It isn't one side effect but so many cumulative ones plus they can be different from time to time.I don't even try to explain these things to others just here.
Mommacat4 – I'm getting a headache it seems from the Taxotere too.I seldom got headaches before but have noticed this during the last 2 chemos.Taxotere really upsets my stomach too so it is possible that is what is causing my headache as well. It isn't a strong headache but persistent. Sometimes I hate taking all the different drugs but I did take regular Tylenol last night and it did help.I have to admit that I do go out bald sometimes.Not because I really want to but because my head gets so hot sometimes.There is a small part of me that likes when people look at me and I see the wonder in their face. I always look them head on and give them my biggest smile!
Kristin – I hope your husband is doing better!Wow, everything at once sometimes!! I know what you mean about quick aging too.I walked to the mall that is 3 blocks from my house last night and then around the mall just a bit.I might add at a very slow pace.I couldn't believe what a struggle that was. The muscle pain doesn't help either! I just tell myself that I will have to work at it to regain some strength later on.
Noor46 – I have that very dry tongue and throat issue as well.It is at its worst on day 4 for me and then slowly gets better.Like you, I find keeping it moist really helps.I also use biotene mouthwash.The cancer center originally recommended a baking soda mix but to be honest I was too lazy to make it all the time.They recommended it be made fresh daily.I find the biotene refreshing and soothing.I still have on and off muscle pain/spasms for about a week as well.I stop taking the pain medication though as I can tolerate it better than worrying about the constipation caused by the medication.They are like twinges of pain really.Glad you got some relief for your allergies!Did that clear up the rash you got as well?
Sweethope – I'm so happy for you that you were able to resolve the problems with your MO.I'm sure that in itself was a huge stress relief.It's done now and hopefully won't happen again but clearly communication isn't always a strong suit with these medical people. It is wonderful to have this forum to bounce all the information overload we get, isn't it! Now back on plan for you plus therapy for the LE!I hope you are right not seeing suffering in tonight's Ken Burns documentary but just in case I am recording it so I can get through those parts quickly.
I managed to pull myself out of my weekend funk and head off for my radiation consultation yesterday.I couldn't take my codeine so I was worried about the ongoing pain I had.To be honest, it got better as the morning went on thankfully!
So, I am looking at 25 radiation treatments starting around mid May.The RO was great but so much horrible information too that it makes it difficult to commit with 100% faith you are making the right decision. (That for me was the biggest eye opener about cancer.No clear cut solutions!!)
I am going to go through with it hoping that the RADS will take care of any local unseen traces that could have remained. She did warn of possible thyroid, lung and permanent skin damage but I will have to have faith that any side effects will be minimal. I am very concerned about my skin as it has always been very sensitive.She assured me that they will help me every step of the way with that. You are there every day too so it will be easier to have any concerns dealt with.
Goodnight ladies!!
Wendy
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Wendy, I am sorry you are having issues using your fingers. That must be so frustrating. Good for you for walking the mall. That is quite an accomplishment.
I wish you were here watching the Ken Burn's documentary with me. I watched it alone and found myself talking to the tv a lot. Especially to the Onc when she had such good response to her chemo. But did you notice she got a comfy bed with a pillow for her infusions; not our stiff, hard recliners? Must be good to be Queen. And the info about Herceptin was fascinating. (My Onc said that studies show it is very effective on Her2-, too. Apparently, after the initial trial, they discovered that many were not Her2+ but still had a positive response.). But I was so disappointed that they did not give the drug to anyone who needed it because it was still in trial. That has to change.
Someone made a profound statement during that show. "We are a Sisterhood of Hopefuls". I loved that.
Take care, Sisters, and any Brothers out there. Becky
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Becky and other friends
I was blown away by the doc last night. So much history on br ca, the most researched and funded of all the cancers. The herseptin debate was fascinating. Those protesters rocked Genentech! The early trials of infusing 5 x the dose of chemo and then injecting the women with their own bone marrow, killing one third of them and offering no benefit was heartbreaking. The surgical oncologist's private battle with bilateral br ca was incredible. Re the bed and cushy surroundings she had, at the center where I get my infusions they have rooms much like the one she was in. I choose to get mine in the big open area with the stiff chairs and leave the cushy rooms for people who really need them. I usually make a friend sitting there. Anyway, the takeaway message I get from the ken burns doc is that we are so fortunate to be alive and fighting this today and not ten or even twenty or more years ago. I hope all of you get a chance to watch the doc. You can stream it on pbs.org.
I am getting my taxol infusion #2 this morn. No side effects last week other than mild bone pain and the neutropenia. My wbcs are up today and the differential has not come back yet, but I can only assume the neutrophils are up too. Good old neurogen. My mo is on vacation and her partner told me this morning that babying the arm that had the axillary node dissection is not indicated. He said studies have been done that show women who even are in a regular weightlifting program have no more lymphedema than those who don't but have a better quality of life. Wow. I am going to look up these studies because I love resistance exercise and it is a huge part of weight loss and staying lean.
Thinking of all of you Br Ca sisters of mine.
With love,
Kristin
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Noor- I hope your joint pains are better and the rash is better. Did you get it checked out on Monday?Spookisgirl- I'm glad your AC went well. A spa day sounds like a great way to celebrate the end of AC! It's so great to have that done. I think Taxol will be easier on you. The first one certainly was for me!
Kristin- How are you and DH doing? I'm sorry you have double the stress right now. It's so hard when both you and your spouse are having serious medical issues. I really hope that you have a good support system.
PMR53- You are done with chemo? Is that what PFC means? If so, I'm going to do a happy dance for you! I hope your shakiness passes and you start eating again. I too have lost 15 pounds. I anticipate more will come off before the end of chemo. I just don't have much of an appetite, and what does appeal to me is generally healthy. In the past, I loved a lot of fatty food so I had gotten overweight. I anticipate my eating habits will be different permanently after chemo.
dstar- I have a little bit of dizziness, but mine has been from low blood pressure. I'm not sure if my blood pressure has stablized because I don't have a cuff to check it. I'm less dizzy that I was before my first taxol infuion though. I'll find out tomorrow if it is still low. fI think I am getting both zyrtec and benedryl as part of my infusion. I could swear they told me that. My taxol treatment last week has become a blur because the benedryl made me very tired and fuzzy!
Sweethope- I'm so glad you had that conversation with your MO, and got some answers. When do you start therapy for your lymphedema? I'm glad you have been able to remove the stress of that situation!
stillstruggling- good luck on your Muga results! Try to relax (ha, so easy to say, right?) and not fret about the what ifs of the results. I have to keep having this conversation with myself about recurrence. Being triple negative, it scares the heck out of me that I won't have any kind of therapies for the longer term.
I have not watched anything related to cancer, including the Ken Burns documentary. I just don't think I'm emotionally ready. I wish I were. I've not been reading any research because I get sick of seeing the words, "triple negative breast cancer has the worst prognosis", "most aggressive", "survival rate" etc. I don't want to be reminded as I have been struggling to keep a positive attitude. I'm mainly on here, and looking at my reconstruction options for later this year.
I did decide last week to go with a double mastectomy. I haven't decided whether to do implants or have a diep flap done. Right now I am leaning toward a DIEP flap. I have a consult with a PS regarding implants in a couple weeks, then two other consults with surgeons regarding DIEP.
Wendy- I too am having a hard time opening things now. I haven't asked for help yet, but I'm getting there. This morning I was struggling to pull off the safety seal on the L-Glutamine powder I bought. I have soreness in my fingertips and less strength I think. I can see some fingernails getting a slightly yellow tint, or maybe it's the nail bed. It is on the fingers which have been sore.
I went to the dentist this morning. All is OK. My inflamed gum has gotten better but he gave me a topical antibiotic to use because it is still a little swollen and red. Luckily I don't have an abcess where my jaw is sore. He thinks it is probably a sore muscle from grinding my teeth due to stress. I'll take that over a problem with my teeth!
I have been very lucky with Taxol I think. I got some achiness, but it was never intense and it never last a long time. I had it all over my body- different places at different times, but it was very manageable and I didn't need Tylenol. I was lucky on Neulasta too though. They are halving my Benedryl dose tomorrow because I had restless leg in my left leg, so the after effects of tomorrow could be totally different!
I have to get my kids from school in two hours and forty-five minutes, but I plan to rest and read until then. Bliss! Have a great day everyone!
Jena
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Hi jlstacey, I get the scared to death thing. It's really easy for me to go there, and hard to get back. The good thing is the longer this goes on the faster I bounce once I go to my happy place. I remember this is all I got for as long as I have it, so better be present for it. I just have a hard time getting people to understand that I NEED to go to my happy place alone. I can process things and let go there. I'm not going off the edge, I am getting back from there. Having been through chemo and surgery, and rads I just need that me time without any appointments, scans, drips, pills, anything! Then I can breathe again. I see the RO on 4/24 and back to the MO on 4/28. Until then I am free..........
I hope you have a great evening, and get a little rest in between! Cheryl
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Kristin and Jena, if you have Restless Legs from the Benedryl (or whatever) try 5mg of Melatonin. It gave me almost instant relief. I take the cherry flavored, melt-in-your-mouth type that works so fast. Do you both get the Neulasta shot? Since I a doing dose dense I have to have it. The Claritin did nothing for me, so I'm switching to Zyrtec.
Jena, I totally get that you don't want to watch anything about cancer. There are parts of this Ken Burn's series that are hard to see, but what I came away with last night is how research is now bursting with great advances in genetics and chemo compounds.
Jena and Cheryl, The Onc patient Kristin and I talked about was diagnosed with different cancers in each breast...very rare. On one side she was triple negative, and I can't remember the other side, and she had numerous positive nodes on one side. She had BMX and ALND. They didn't say, but you could plainly see she was being treated with our Red Devil, so I am assuming she is on our AC+T regime. Spoil alert - She had complete response to her treatment and is back at work living her life as wife and young mom. So please keep that positive attitude and know that I am totally convinced you both will have a positive outcome, too. We won't let it be any other way!
XOXO, Becky
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Jlstacey, talking about bad prognosis, I think mine is the worst: IBC. I just try not to think about it to much, because it is only statistics, and for everyone here there is only one of two outcomes, either you are lucky or you are not. And nowadays most women are on the lucky side (but maybe with some nasty lasting se's from treatment), so why not all of us?
My joint/musclepains are still there. They are bearable, but I have to take things slowly and I am still very very tired. For the rash I got medication. No more itching and it slowly fades away. I am a week past chemo, but I hope I will get more energy soon (i have been reading some horrible stories on Dr Google about women who where tired and had muscleweakness all through taxotere).
Kristin, I tried to watch the Ken Burns film, but I it is not allowed in my country! So I ordered the book, which is also very good I have heard. Good luck with taxol #2.
Beachbum, enjoy your freetime without appointments!
Wendy, I didn't even know rads where necessary after a mastectomy for a 2cm tumor. It is quite scary all the possible damage it can cause, but the technologie is so much advanced these days. I have an aunt with BC who had radiation about 17 years ago and no se's.
Noor
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Noor, You are so right...either you are lucky or you are not. I know nothing about IBC but it certainly sounds like the most painful BC. Please stay away from Dr. Google.
Can you post your avatar as a regular photo? It looks so interesting but it is too small to really see details.
Do you celebrate April Fools Day in Lot? It's not quite a holiday here; just a novelty and a way for kids to play a practical joke without being punished.
Hope your energy level rises and the Taxotere is gentle on you.
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Just stopping by to say hi and see how everybody is doing. My cough is finally almost gone and I am feeling much better. That was a nasty virus! I have dose #4 of Taxol this week. I've also been having dizziness but I think mine is partly related to low blood pressure. I tend to run low and it was low at my last infusion. I've been struggling to find something that I like to drink, so I don't think I've been drinking enough. It seems like most things I was able to drink during A/C, I can't stand now and water still tastes bad.
Cheryl
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Cherylfg- have you tried drinking lemonade? When nothing else tastes good to me, lemonade still does. I don't know if it's the tartness or what, but it still tastes like lemonade. As much as I would like to drink only lemonade, there's too much sugar. Lemon-lime Gatorade is good too. The first few days after chemo I like to drink these things. I'm trying to up my water intake as well.Sweethope, Cheryl and Noor- you are right. I am trying to remember the positive and just stick with that. I broke down in tears one afternoon about a week ago and can't explain why. I was just so sad and had my husband come home early. I decided I had to change what I was doing and starting going out more. I was spending too much time alone. Since then I have been better because I have changed my attitude.
Sweethope- did you take the melatonin at night? My restless legs lasted about an hour or so while I was getting the taxol infusion, after benedryl. I thought you weren't supposed to take melatonin during the day because it messes with your circadian rhythm? I am getting weekly Taxol, so I don't get Neulasta. I am interested to see what my numbers are tomorrow for WBC and Hemoglobin.
The birds are out singing today, and I heard our neighborhood woodpecker pecking away in the woods behind our house this morning. It is so nice to hear the signs of spring finally! We often get a duck couple that comes to our neighborhood for the spring as we have a river behind our house in our woods. We also saw the deer we have in our woods a couple days ago- I hadn't seen them in a few weeks. I love the wildlife we get here. It entertains my cats too. I just bought a couple bunches of tulips too to make it feel like spring in the house. Signs of spring make me happy!
Jena
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HI all,
checking in as I slowly emerge from AC #4. Fatigue and nausea is the name of the game this week, but it's slowly heading on it's way, today was much more energetic though than the last few. Interesting thing is this time I have almost no appetite compared to previously when I wanted to eat the entire fridge after treatment. It's actually a nice change, I don't feel like a hunter and gatherer lol.
Cheryl--I also had to start adding lemon juice to all my water after round #2 and found it worked for drinking. I also drink diet gingerale to help with the nausea, but am finding lately I am not liking it as much. I hope the lemon juice keeps working once I switch to Taxol.
Jenn
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Jena, I need two 5 mg melatonin to sleep. So I plan on taking one if my legs start jumping...I just hate that squirming. The Onc Nurse said that IV Benadryl is very different from the bottle form. So I'll probably be snoring in the chemo chair anyway.
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Bonsoir ladies!
Rest assured that I have read each and every post but I think that I really need the Easter break... So I cannot wait for the 4-day hiatus from work!!!
Albeit I am terribly curious about the PBS show I too choose to pass. i have a difficulty watching anything related to cancer but particularly when it comes to children... And I am sure that they are showing us children...
On the newsfront, albeit my last neutrophiles count was at an alltime high for me (2.4), I was told that I have to take the infamous Neulasta/Neupogen shot. imagine me, the needle phobiac?!?!? I tried not to think about it, inserted the needle the first time and, to my surprise... Nothing. Fear typically paralyses me until I experience things - but I am really good at talking myself into things so once I am in it I don't mind... I have been lucky enough not to feel any bone pain, so I was ready with my Tylenol 3 for no reason lol.
This week has been the worst in terms of cravings and eating up the enitre fridge - this is my third lasagna night and I absolutely NEED a Cadbury egg McFlurry tomorrow at lunch albeit I hate fast food (it's also been ice cream week). Hopefully this will all subsided by week two.
Now, while we are on the topic of being injected with poison... During my last AC, the onco nurse, while starting to inject me, had a dropplet - noto a drop - a dropplet of Red devil touch her labcoat. She stayed all calm, told me not to worry, that she did something reslly bad, and that she would be back soon. Ten minutes later, she reappeared with a clean labcoat. All this time I am wondering what is happening. Then she told me that she was lucky to be wearing short sleeves, so that her top wouldn't be contaminated with the - dropplet - of AC, and that it would also spare her entire laundry from being destroyed. I seriously think she went to dispose of the labcoat using some serious medical hazardous material process. And that, my friends, is what they are injecting INTO ME?!?!? Oh well, no choice, I guess. So I still wonder how I remained calm and watched her finish to inject the three red syringes into my IV. YUK.
Wising you a lovely rest of the week,
Marjo
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