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

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    does anyone take anything for depression. This is the second time for me as well and I'm having a hard time.

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited April 2015

    I take Lexapro. Helps with no SE

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  • Fran2014
    Fran2014 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2015

     
    Stephmoen-Hang in there hon! Our bodies just seem to have a "mind of their own" sometimes and as much as it sucks-we have to roll with it. I know all you want to do is go home to your kids and hopefully it won't be much longer until you can do it. From a lot of the recent posts it seems that others have been down your road..ugh!

    Saraab- I'm right there with you! While I am a generally a positive person, this "second time around" thing really rocked me to my core as well. At first I just thought, "this has to be a mistake", then "Oh hell, NO" then "OK... now how do I kick it's butt yet AGAIN?" Whatever you are feeling is valid and genuine. Please let your mo know just to be sure that your thoughts don't get the best of you and start spinning you downward into a funk. Sending out positive vibes!!

    Lobster731- Sending out positive vibes to you :)

    To all my chemo gal pals-Wow! Between all of you- you sure know a lot of stuff!! I never even heard about the lettuce & berry thing at all-I think I'm going to take a break from salads for a bit-thanks for the tip!

    Yesterday I went for my 3rd "fill" in my expanders-one word-"ouchie!" I feel like a 7th grader who got the large wire of her braces tightened-only it's my boobs!! Then, woke up this morning and started doing the "countdown' in my head as Thursday is rapidly approaching...ugh! I seriously checked the weather for next week to see if it was going to rain next week so I don't have to feel all down and bumming about being stuck on my couch. Of course, it looks like it will be sunny and warmer (but then again the weather people seem to get it wrong a lot so maybe I can count on some rain to brighten my spirits..lol!!)

     

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

    Saraab, (((((HUGS)))))

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited April 2015

    Anyone found a May chemo group? I though I saw one yesterday, but cannot find it today.

    I have been reading all the posts on March and April chemo boards. I am starting to get REALLY nervous about starting chemo

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Yes, here:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...


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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2015

    Big hugs to those of you who have to experience this more than once!!! Youare so strong and an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your experiences and being such a big help to all of us!

    I'm in the chemo chair! They decided the nurse probably had the needle at the edge of the port yesterday and that's why they had problems. AC #2 is almost done. YAY!!





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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Cherie, that's what I was going to say. I was going to ask you if she tried it more than once. On my first treatment, the nurse wasn't getting a return and thought she was on an edge, and she just took it out and started over (this was my question about whether I should be paranoid about face mask and gloves, because she took them off and palpitated port for a good 2-4 minutes) and the 2nd one was fine. It also hurt a lot more going in, and I figure that meant that she hit the spot. (I didn't have the Emla because it was still bandaged from surgery).

    Lynne

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

    Another tip about fruits and veggies, I have a spray bottle filled with vinegar and spray everything with it then rinse. Vinegar is a good antiseptic. My MIL use to wash lettuce in water with vinegar but I'm not sure I would risk it.

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  • melb44
    melb44 Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2015

    Hi all made it through my first AC. They had a bit of trouble with my port but when I raised my arm it would work. Finally they got a pillow to hold up my arm. I am trying the cold caps so I am still here for the last few caps. I look ridiculous but happy today went fairly smoothly.

    image


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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited April 2015

    Thank you greenae for all the great tips! I start my chemo in 2 days and thanks to you and a lot of other fighters here I feel reasonably prepared. :)

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    GingerChi, yay!

    I was awake in the night feeling very upset for those of you whose doctors didn't order Neupogen or Neulasta. I have a question for you: Was that decision made medically or because of some aspect of your insurance coverage? Now that I'm awake, I'm still ruminating and angry!

    I'm a little loose in the innards today, so I'm eating rice porridge. Here's an easy recipe, but you can make it with just the water and rice (or use leftover rice) and season it how you like: http://chinese.food.com/recipe/easy-rice-congee-76... . I miss the soy sauce, but so what? Made it with fish sauce instead.

    Post TC #2, day 5:

    image

    Edit: Melb44, great!

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited April 2015

    my doctor simply didn't like the side effects I guess she thought I wouldn't need a neulesta shot well she was wrong my ANC count was literally at 0. They gave me 1 neupogon shot the first night I was here and none since even though you are supposed to recieve 3. I have no idea what the deal is at least at my hospital of being so damn stingy with these shots its pissing me off! My wbc count is up to 1.9 and my ANC is 0.13 so apparently they are going up on their own but until then I'm stuck here for at least 1 maybe 2 more nights.. I will be routinely be getting neulesta shots after the rest of my treatments!!

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen :-( Hugs, that is horrible that you'll be in the hospital for another 1 or 2 nights. I know that the Nuelasta shot is like $3k a shot, but still - that's probably less than 1 night admittance in hospital. I have read about some people having really bad side effects, but I think the majority have some minor bone pain/aches when taking the Claritin.


    Do you guys think that if I take the Zofran again it will get rid of the constant burping with the constant nauseated feeling? I mean, obviously it's for nausea, but I didn't think I'd still need it 8 days from treatment, and I don't feel like I'm going to throw up, I just feel nauseated and no appetite (but I can eat when I have food). Also, script for the Zofran was for only 12 pills - I only have 3 left. If I had continued to take it, I would be out of it yesterday - if I had taken it as prescribed, I would have been out of it probably last Friday.

    Lynne

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  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Forgot to say, ksusan, you look great! ;-)

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

    Stephmoen, Sorry you are still there. A lot of MOs seriously u derestimate how much taxotere lowers Neutrophils. Since they see you on day 21, they don't get the true picture of how low your counts ge. I do not like te, playing Russian Roulette like that.

    ksusan, You look great! Thanks for the recipe!

    AndreaC, What chemo regimen will you be on?

    melb, I am interested to see how the cold caps work. How did you tolerate them? I hope you are feeling good.

    Gingerchi, How frustrating that it was such a simple port solution. Hope you're feeling good.

    Fran2014, If it is nice next week, pick a cozy lounge chair and park it in the shade to relax and enjoy the weather outside.

    The Princess, (((HUGS))) I am so sorry it was so rough. I hope today is a better day.

    Saraab, I understand the frustration of a recurrence. How are you feeling on Halavan?

    Lobster, How'd it go today?

    Positive Spirit, I love the pictures. Haircut is cute. Hope you feel good.

    I had AC #3 today. I got home, waled a few miles, and may take a half hour snooze before kids get home. So far, so good again. Hoping my good luck continues, but know the other shoe will drop soon. I also scheuled ahead my next2 because I know it will be hard to schedule around Memorial Day.

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  • melb44
    melb44 Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2015

    @kbee - It really wasn't as painful as I anticipated. It is cold but a tolerable cold. I was lucky to find someone who has 10 years of experience with the caps who came to help today and train my mom to do the changes. It is a ton of work and money so hopefully it works! It doesn't work as well with AC as it does with TC so I am a little nervous. I will lose some hair but hopefully can keep enough.

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  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    Mel, I am using them too!! THEY ARE SOOO COLD..I got nauseous...

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

    Lynne, it sounds like you and I are in the same boat Stomache wise...my MO said to try Prilosec for weird nausea like this because it is caused by your stomach is raw from the chemo. I have been taking it in addition to the ZCA and it may be helping. Worth a try anyway! I still have breakthrough nausea if I don't take my Zofran or Compazine on time though.

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

    Shedding prickles! Aughhhhhh! Now I know how dogs feel in the spring....😬

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    Stephmoen - hope you get sprung out soon!!

    KBee - so glad you're feeling that good!!!

    I hope everyone is feeling good and not having SEs today!!

    Thursday is my trip for AC#2. Yay?

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  • georgie61
    georgie61 Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2015

    I woke up with terrible throat sores today. It hurts to even swallow my own saliva let alone eat anything. I'm forcing myself to drink club soda even though each swallow is painful. I'm taking L-Lysine and using Biotene dry mouth wash and toothpaste. Do you have any other suggestions? I'd like to get well before Friday for my second sit in the lovely chemo chair.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    Call your MO. S/he might add somerthing liker acyclovir depending on what's going on.

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2015

    imageStephmoen- I am sorry that the neupogen isn't working faster to get you back home. Good thing your counts are going up though. Once the infection is at bay the counts will shoot up. They even sent me home with antibiotics.

    Ksusan- My Onc just basically said I won't give that shot unless you need it. Well, I needed it.

    Did my pre chemo labs today and all is good. Higher than when I started.. WBC total 8000 and absolute neutophils 7600 yes! I wonder if my Onc will do labs during the Nadir to monitor. Good question for tomorrow.

    Lbf- I am shedding prickles too. My DH cut it to a number one last weekend and it hurt so bad that this past Sunday I had him take off the guard.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    Rockerwife--Smokin'!

    I just rolled my head with the (clean) lint roller again, to good effect. I think sleeping in a bandana is more comfortable than the satin pillowcase, at least at this point.

    I feel sort of non-specifically achy/heartburny, so a bath is in my near future. I appear to want only Gatorade/mac & cheese. Totally unlike me.

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2015

    Ksusan- thanks you look hot too. I hope I look as good as you post TC # 2 tomorrow. Oh I am sleeping in a Buff. Still getting so sweaty. This chemo has made me have awful night sweats . Anyone else???

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

    Dang,Rockerwife! Smokin hot gypsy 'do! I need to go buy another lint roller...used up the one with tape!

    Georgie, you should definitely call your MO about the throat, and have you tried gargling warm water with baking soda and salt? If it's caused by post nasal drip from the chemo flu, and not infected, that's what my MO recommended. Again, though, definitely call them!

    Well, other than feeling like I have been beaten by a gang of tiny elves from the inside out and left for dead, not feeling too chemonasty on this, the 6th day since my last dosing. Low grade nausea and fatigue. Trying to avoid crowds for the next few days until my WBC counts start to rebound. Hiked up the trail behind my house..more tired and achy than usual, but I expect it's normal for this time in the cycle.

    Hope everyone is feeling OK this evening! Minimal SEs are my wish for us all!

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

    ksusan, I use a lint roller or tape daily too!

    rockerwife, wow, you look fabulous!!!!

    georgie, call MO's night number so they can call in a prescription while pharmacy is still open. The may put you on an antibiotic and an antifungal.

    Princess, 2 days and AC will be 50% done.

    Little blue, I never thought of the dog comparison! Thanks for the smile!!!!!!!!! My dog is right next to me (shedding everywhere).image.

    That's me during AC. I usually do not wear my wig, but I came from my kids' school. I took it off and put my ball cap on about 5 minutes later

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  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2015

    Lbf- thank you. I am wearing a chemo beanie. I love them. The company was founded by two sisters that both had breast cancer. They slip right on and are comfy. I do wear a light cotton cap under for more coverage. This one is a little see through and it gets super windy here.

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  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    KBee you look great! I eat those during chemo too!!

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