April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Littleblueflowers. I asked my MO about sex and was told that the chemo chemicals can affect partner's skin and therefore condoms are a must.

Lynne. My thoughts are with you for tomorrow's infusion. Will be praying that everything goes okay.

I am now 6 days out from chemo #1 and my energy is returning. Worst was having my period start on the same day as my first chemo! So energy drained in both ways. Things that I found helpful were staying super hydrated, eating small meals, activia yogurt and berries, walking everyday. Mindfulness techniques were critical to get through anxiety and fear. These chemo drugs. Will target all cancer cells within our bodies

Pretty similar for me. I've manged to walk every day except the day after my port site acted up. (And I'm eating Greek active culture yogurt.)

I agree - I've stuck to all the food mentioned and have walked everyday - day one and 2 fine other than being very thirsty and bloated- to be fair it has been hot here and I've been pretty active and out in the sun - i hope this trend continues work tomorrow so we will see how it goes!

Good morning everyone!! I hope today finds you rested after a spring weekend and ready for the week!!

How's everyone doing? I'm day 7 after AC#1 and feel good! Have an onc appt today to just check on things. Because I haven't missed enough work lately hahahaha.

Hi ERNurse21 - Welcome, sorry about the circumstances in meeting with you. Best wishes with your treatment today. You and Copperlisa have the same 1st treatment day, there are a couple others that are having the 2nd round (I think - if they are on 2 week rounds) today. We have a cheat sheet, and I've added you (it's sorted by date of treatment): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Goesf6x_13...

I'm waiting for a call back from the center on whether I'm supposed to be taking steroid or not. Seeing as it's 10:16 AM EDT, I've basically missed the "morning" dose. Oh well. I'm going to not stress about it.

Melissa, I didn't think about that, but I'll have the same issue - most days I spend hours with headphone on for conference calls.

Tina, so glad to hear that you are doing well - gives us all hope that SE can be managed.

-Lynne

I had a great day yesterday. Was feeling almost my old self and hubby and I went to a nearby lake and had a very nice walk around it. Since we both do photography, we had our cameras with us and were able to photograph cute little baby ducks and geese. It was a beautiful spring day! It felt so good to do normal stuff!

Stacy you look great! I think we had our first chemo on the same day and I too have gotten the buzz!

Beachbum, I love frozen grapes! When I was a child we had a grape arbor in our backyard. It not only served as a great source of yummy treats, but my sister's and I also used it as a play house. Frozen was my favorite way to eat those grapes! They taste like miniature popsicles! Thanks for bringing back a good memory... I think I'll be adding them to my menu 😋

Stephmoen, I have been using a salt/baking soda mouth rinse after every meal and it really helps. My mouth was pretty sore right after my first tx. Also just will go rinse if my mouth starts getting that metallic taste and it helps with that too.

Ankledolphin, that is funny! Similar story, I wear a little cap to keep my head warm to bed.... then dh talks to me and I have to fold it up over the ear to hear him!

Melb44, good luck with your biopsy and port placement today.

Sheila

YES! To the 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda in water bottle. Leave in bathroom, rinse every time you're in there. Had a sore for round 1, cleared up quickly, and none this time. And Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash.

Hugs! Arlene

Mamajen

Seems like our s/e are all so different. My nausea seemed to be under control with the meds cause I didnt have much or any nausea. I had my Neulasta shot 24 hours later and didnt get bone pain but did take the Claritin day of and for and thru Sunday. Much tiredness and fatigue which is to be expected and slept on and off for the first few days. One sleepless night because I didnt take the Ativan but took it the next night and again was up every hour on the hour. Today in late afternoon Im feeling a bit more energetic, mind you "a bit" but I hope it continues. I am forcing myself to drink flavored seltzer (hate water) as I hate water so this is hard for me. So far my appetitie is really good and I hope it continues to be because I cannot afford to lose 1 lb.

Im glad we are here for one another and pray for all of us to get thru this as easy as possible.

(((hugs)))

Welcome ERNurse

As we all hate having to meet this way it is good that we have found one another. I have learned so much here and have gotten so much support I dont know

how I would get thru this. Sending good vibes your way with your first tx!

(((hugs)))

Stephmoen

I havent gotten any mouth sores yet but my Oncology nurse did give me a bottle of Magic mouth rinse just in case......maybe you can ask for it.

I try to rinse my mouth each time I go to the restroom with Baking soda and warm water to sorta keep from getting sores......hope this helps

(((hugs)))

There is a low calorie Gatorade. My MO is requiring me to drink a small bottle a day. I'm brushing my teeth 2-3 times a day, gently, with a soft brush run under hot water to soften it further. Spot-flossing once a day as needed. Rinse/gargle 3 times a day with warm salt and baking soda water. Follow with Biotene.

Add in the oils and moisturizers on the incisions, and the nail care, and the peeing constantly, and it's pretty much a full-time job!

Well had 1st chemo Friday and today went to work. Yikes a few side affects today. Suddenly felt foggy brained, extremely tired like I just wanted to sleep, metallic taste and nothing tastes right. Then tingling in my fingers at times. I notice I also have an acne breakout around my mouth. I got thru my day of work as a medical assistant took off my wig and had a rash back of head! Now to the Dr. In the morn to see what that is about. Hope all of you are hanging in there. Wondering if symptoms and energy level change day by day. Hard to know what to expect. Geeesssh

It's day 6 after my 2nd AC and I am finally feeling a bit better. It's a lot harder this time around. I had a fever for two days (>101F) a few days before my scheduled chemo. The MO asked me to go as scheduled since the fever has gone. After the blood check, he said it's ok to have the chemo as scheduled, despite that I still had phlegm and running nose. After the chemo, I had shortness of breadth and stuffiness in chest for several days. Felt like I couldn't breathe. The sore throat also returned, I started coughing a lot, and had low-grade fever for a couple of days. Feeling extremely tired and couldn't even keep my eyelids open.

Just want to share my experience so that in case you run into similar situations, don't let your MO push you when your body is not ready.

So sorry for what you are going through. Sounds like it is on the downside and I hope you feel better soon. Keep sharing. We are all here for you.

Hi, just wanted to send good vibes to those going for #2 tomorrow, I have: Lisa, Peggy, mamajancoz, and saraab - if they are on 2 weeks schedules ( I know mamajancoz is). I'll be thinking of you when I am at the bar - I'll toast you with some pineapple water.

I think I'm ready - I have bag all packed except for cold food I'll add before I go. I bought some of those zero calorie waters - they are fizzy, but not super carbonated like seltzer. They have fun flavors - I like the tropical pineapple because it reminds me of a rum drink. They had them at target for .85 and .88 cents each. I don't usually like to buy waters - I just refill my bottle, but I figured this will help me get it down.

My bf just called me, she has been so great - she set up a sign up at signupgenius.com for people to bring dinners. I know everyone wants to help. She is going away to Maine in the middle of May, and she invited me to come since she found out she was going. I have told her that I really cannot commit because I had no idea of when I'd be going to chemo. She keeps asking me, and even though now I know when I'm going, I still don't know how I'll feel. I have a treatment that week, and I don't think I'll be in any condition to drive to ME and be good company. I have tried to say that nicely without turning her down, but she still keeps asking me. I'm not sure what's going on there - maybe she feels guilty about going away when I am going through this? I don't know, but I told her tonight that it's more likely that I will not make it. I would have to take time off from work, and I feel like if I am feeling good, I should work so that I have vacation time when I'm *really* feeling good. Or I might need to use vacation time to cover sick time. I just think it is interesting how people act/react to this whole thing.

It's school vacation in MA, and my 13yo daughter asked me today if she can have a friend come over tomorrow an hang out. I am just dumbfounded. I said no, then felt bad as she was walking away - I wondered if she didn't remember, so I called her back and reminded her that I was going to have my treatment, "I know" she said. I don't know what she is thinking? I'm either not going to be home or if I'm home, not exactly feeling like supervising. Then I felt so guilty.

So, how long do you all think I'll be there tomorrow? My appointment is at 11. I figure blood work, hooking me up - I may start first infusion by 12? The NP said that the C takes about 45 min, and the A about 1 hour. I think they give me meds before they start the chemo - another 1 hour? So, I'm up to 3 hours 45 minutes - does 4 hours sound about right?

-Lynne