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

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited April 2015

    Arlene, what about kale or swiss chard in a juicer???


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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited April 2015

    Linda

    Welcome, and hugs for you. This group will help you every step of the way. I am so sorry about your Mom, and understand why you would feel sad and afraid.

    Side effects can be managed...call your MO whenever you need to...and come here Any time! This site has gotten me through so much, and will be here for you anytime you need us.

    love, arlene

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2015

    still stuck at the hospital pretty bummed my wbc count is 1 but my baby neutrophil count is 0 so that's not good.. I'm upset this will push back my treatment I'm upset I didn't just get the neulesta shot from the beggining if it could prevent all this or that maybe my body won't handle the chemo and I won't be able to get what's going to save my life.. Was just hoping for an easy road but I guess cancer is never easy

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen - I'm so sorry you're stuck there, hopefully your counts will come back quick and you can progress forward!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    Hope your WBC counts come up soon, Stephmoen! It's awful to be stuck in the hospital. Hoping you have a short stay!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    I have had a soreness/tender in my left armpit (opposite side of LX and SNB). I don't feel a lump or anything, but tender when I walk, and if I palpitate it, sore like a bruise. I thought maybe a swollen lymph node, but I don't feel anything (not that I'm trained to). Just curious what you think it might be or if you've had anything like that.

    Lynne

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen, my neutrophils did the same thing when I was hospitalized on TC. I was able to continue treatment, just had to get Neulasta. It took 4 days for my counts to rebound getting Neupogen every day while in the hospital. They hung at the same spot for 3 days and then skyrocketed up.

    Linda, Welcome! Sorry you have to join us. You have found a great group of gals to plow through this bumpy road with. Don't assume the worst with chemo. You may do very, very well. Life goes on during chemo. My mom had BC 20 years ago. Thankfully, she is a survivor. Meds have come so far since then. Assume you will do well. You seem to have a great MO who is on top of things. Perjeta is the newest thing for HER2 positive, and it has made a huge difference.

    Gingerchi, I hope they get your port issues resolved. How terribly frustrating.

    Arlene, great list. I do break a lot of those rules, but in general, I am very, very careful about what I eat, I drink a lot (including lots and lots of decaf tea), and exercise is my sanity saver.

    My neutrophil count was below where they wanted it, and below normal, but it was at the exact low cut off where they will stretch things to allow chemo. He thought about delaying it, but I pleaded and he agreed to go forward with it. Unfortunately he is off the week of my next chemo so I need to see someone else. I am bummed because that's when I will get instructions for Taxol, premeds, etc. I think I will just have to e-mail him all of my questions so I get his instructions and not the ones from the doc I see next time. Glad I get to continue on schedule with the AC. If I get a Taxol delayed, no big deal, but I want to get these ACs out of the way and move forward! Hoping my counts do not continue on their present free fall. Other than Neulasta and delaying or reducing the dosage, not much else to do! They are not reducing dosage this time either...glad about that.

    I hope everyone is having a good day.

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  • Karen30
    Karen30 Member Posts: 135
    edited April 2015

    Hello ladies, finally feeling human today and actually able to function at work- so yay!! Stephmoen so sorry you are in hospital , hope you counts are up and you can head home soon. Hope everyone else is doing ok. Welcome Linda. Im usually on my phone so im sorry i dont always get everyones names right, it hard scrolling back and forth on that small screen.

    My Genetic testing came back positive for BRCA2  and so rather than the simple lumpectomy originally planned i will be having a BMX and reconstruction- im leaning towards the DIEP proceedure, any one  have any experience/knowledge on it? Seriously it just feels like one bad result after another at the moment. Im still waiting for PET scan results but with my luck so far who knows what they will see on that!! Sorry i dont mean to complain, sometimes i guess one just  needs to vent a little.

    My prayer is that those of you headed to the "SPA" experience minimal SEs and those of you not enjoy your week of feeling a little bit better. I head to #2 on Friday, also thats the day my hair is coming off and being made into my wig- should be a blast right?

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    Anyone get shortness of breath? Not sure if its anxiety or my port? HMMM....

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Karen, Sorry about the testing results, but I am glad you got them befoer your surgery so you could change your plans. I have 2 friends who have had DIEP. It is a long surgery and a long recovery, but both are very pleased with the results.

    Alibeth, It could be low hemoglobin. If it continues, MO may want to check your blood levels.

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen- The same thing happened to me. I had a fever, sore throat and WBC was .8. The also pumped me full of saline and antibiotics. While I was there they gave me Neupogen and that helped bring by counts up. It is so frustrating that we have to end up going to the ER and then get hospitalized for the Oncs to realize we need the shot. I get my second treatment on Wednesday the 29th and I am for sure getting the Neupogen shot. I am a little more apprehensive this time even though I will have the Neupogen because I got so sick so fast. I feel like I need to be hermit, just to stay away from germs. Making me paranoid because I don't want to end up at the hospital again.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    Ugh, nauseous all day today. Dehydrated? Not eating enough? Off schedule with the ZCA? This is so frustrating! I can't figure out what is different except normally I would be having my period now, but as predicted that has not arrived....

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited April 2015

    Karen I had mx with immediate diep. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Recovery is long and difficult but for me St 4 weeks I saw a huge improvement. You just have to be prepared for recovery. I like that my breast is all 'me' and is warm and soft. At this point I just had stage 1 and the shape is not perfect, but I could easily wear a bathing suit or low neck top.

    Stephmoen I'm sorry about your counts. I'm hoping the neulasta brings them up quickly do you can get home.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen, so sorry that you're still in the hospital...Praying they get your counts up and you'll be back home soon! Have you talked to your MO yet about getting Nuelasta from here on out?? I don't blame you for being so frustrated!

    Linda, welcome to you!! I can only imagine what you're feeling after all you've been through. It's so over whelming.....but there are many knowledgeable and understanding ladies here.

    I saw the surgeon about the power port....he didn't find a problem with it and was able to get good blood return. He said the nurse might have been at a weird angle?? I can't imagine....but go back tomorrow morning to try again. The surgeon was a little concerned over the incision itself...he doesn't think it's infected but it's red and he wants to recheck it on Thursday.

    In other thrilling developments, my hair started shedding today. If my stylist was open today I'd go get it buzzed!




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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2015

    thanks everyone of course my mind jumps to the worst I think what if I had a uti that I didn't treat fast enough and it's spread into my blood stream and I'm septic..I know Im pessimistic I knew chemo wouldn't be easy but I wasn't expecting all this waiting on cultures until then fluids and more antibiotics for me thanks for letting me vent I'm just scared and miss my kids

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited April 2015

    Littleblue - what treatment are you on?

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    SueH, I'm doing AC right now...latest dose was last thursday.


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  • fmmbw
    fmmbw Member Posts: 41
    edited April 2015

    Well here's my story and I'm sticking to it! Was going to start chemo end of March, but had some other MO had some other concerns such as 44lb. weight loss, loss o appetite, slight hair loss, etc. She thought pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism. Did tests, had a 2 day hospitalization had 2 EUS, so far results look good will confirm on Thursday, and hopefully start chemo

    My port has been used 3 times to give fluids, as veins had collasped, 2x were awful, 3rd time the nurse was pretty good with the insertion. I want to start this chemo (4x) over the anxiety, but that damn port worries the hell out of me.

    Help me!

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen, you are going to be just fine. Take a deep breath. We are all praying for you. Its good to vent! Keeps the fighting spirit strong! I know what you are going through, when I had a post surgical bleed and lost 3 units of blood after my BMX, I missed my family so much! I even cried for my cats...it's natural and it helps us process all those hormones like adrenaline that come with fear. And then, there was the devastatingly handsome oncology nurse who had to help me stagger to the bathroom, allroped into ivs and bare ass in a gown. Ex marine, oh man. he was almost as handsome as my husband! So anyway, there is no point to my story other than trying to cheer you up I hope it's not to intrusive. Big hugs lady! You can do this!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Lynn, The lump could be a lymph node. Even something like an ingrown hair or a pimple or folliculitis can cause that. Kee an eye on it.

    fmmbw, I hope you can start this week!

    Stephmoen,, they will treat you with good strong broad spectrum antibiotics until they get the cultures back and see if they need to change anything. Keep us posted. Your levels should start to rebound tomorrow. I am so sorry you are still there. It sucks being in the hospital.

    littleblue, you are in the "worst days" part now. I hope tomorrow is a better day

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2015

    littleblueflowers thanks for the story made me giggle I needed that! I'm trying to stay positive we are all strong girls on here God doesn't give us anything we can't hsndle!!

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited April 2015

    SueH58

    I am thinking if it's a fruit or veggie, and can't be peeled or scrubbed clean, I wouldn't eat it, especially if I am in the middle of a cycle, when my nadir (point at which wbcs are lowest) occurs. I do eat tomatoes and grapes at the beginning and end of a cycle, after rinsing them really well with the sprayer.

    Arlene

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  • Positive_spirit
    Positive_spirit Member Posts: 218
    edited April 2015

    imageimage

    Stephmoen - those WBC will come back! One baby step at a time, as we want you in the best shape for the next treatment. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and my WBC are about to have serious talk with your WBC.

    Was sweating tonight after chemo this afternoon. Starting drinking glasses of water per recommendations from all of you in this group. THANK YOU...sweat is gone, body temperature is self-regulating.

    Haircut was successful and sooooo funny! My daughter cried and laughed; son said I looked like a supermodel!

    I am thankful to be among you. Such gorgeous women, with humor and pizzazz even as we trek through chemo.


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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited April 2015

    So I was thinking a juicer would be a healthy investment, but it seems as though there are so many fresh produce items that need to be avoided that it may not be worth my time or money....

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  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited April 2015

    Hi Sue

    I use my Nutribullet. Just while on chemo, make sure everything is clean, or peeled. I use apples, avocado, carrots, bananas, pineapple... Stuff like that, and add some chocolate protein powder or even Carnation Instant breakfast. Believe me, I am usually one of those who drops a grape, kisses it up to God, then eats it! Lol. Just being extra careful during chemo. The berries and lettuces are really the only things I am skipping for now

    Arlene

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  • Lobster731
    Lobster731 Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2015

    Hi Gals,

    Thanks for all the support. I needed that. I felt so much better.

    Tomorrow will be my second TCHP treatment. I am dreading it but then after tomorrow, 4 to go.

    Linda

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  • saraab
    saraab Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2015

    hi everyone

    tomorrow is my 3rd chemo for Halavan ,the last 2 wasn't so bad just getting tired so much and little nausea ,the biggest problem and fear i had and have is my hair it start falling from 2 days ago a lot and i am crying for the past 2 days continuously i was hoping this time it will not ,since it was a chance of 45% not fall ,i had lost my hairs in 2012 in my first chemo and it was very much acceptable and not felt bad but i cannot handle it this time again it took me 2 years to feel good about my look again and now i am back to the first step .

    i really don't know how am i able to accept it and i don't know why this time is so hard for me to handle it ,i can't stop crying .

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited April 2015

    Saraab: So sorry for your feelings and round 2. You have every right to the sadness and crying. It is good to let that all out. So glad you are sharing here with us. But...we also want you well to help all of us in this group. Please call your Dr. TODAY and let your oncology team know how you are feeling. The Dr needs to know and can get you feeling much better. Come back and post here and tell us how it goes. There may be more of us reading that could benefit from your shares. Take it one day, or hour, at a time. Blessings Today!

    Renee

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited April 2015

    Saraab, I'm sorry too. It's all so hard especially when you face it again. I'm facing it a second time as well and for me the hardest part has been the reality that it's back. It took a lot of effort to get on with my life after 'C' but once I did I was totally done with It. I was sure it was behind me. I think that as women, losing our hair is just a very real physical sign that reads 'I have cancer' and who wants to wear that sign? BUT you can do this! You know what to expect. I have an inspiration board in my bathroom and on it I put 'first time was for practice, I got this down pat now'

    It's good to vent those feelings. Cry. Get it out. Come here for support and have a safe place to express. We get it and there is great strength in our numbers!

    Hugs xxx

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    Cut my hair last night to about 1 inch. I thought I was ok. Now I can stop crying, as stupid as I know it is, I just hate it.

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