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

Rockerwife I have been so hot and sweating at night I feel line I want to combust- my HRT was stopped so I've been putting it down to that but it's probably a combo of that and chemo- not sure there is anything to be done for it I'm afraid:(

Otherwise I continue to enjoy feeling semi normal this week- my PET was normal so yay finally a little good news - a few of you ladies have asked about my wig- there is a wig maker here who makes the wig from your own hair - I go in Friday morning- he will shave my head - then I will head to the "SPA" for AC #2- after which I will go back to him and he will have my wig ready - people who have used him rave about him- it's a little pricy but insurance will cover most of it

I'm sorry some of you are feeling poorly- it sucks I know - Definitely ask your MO about sore throats etc they have an arsenal of drugs and ideas to help-

Stepmoen, so sorry you are still in hospital. Hope your numbers improve and you can go home tomorrow. Feel better. (((Hugs)))

Ksusan, looks like a tasted recipe. Can't wait to try it!

Gingerchi, so frustrating about your port. Glad they were able to resolve the issue and find it fully functional.

Saraab, I'm so sorry for your recurrence. It's my second time also. My first time was 13 years ago and I assure you, there are new and better treatments today than back then. It is a progressing field even though it doesn't always feel like it. Please take heart and know that you have found a great bunch of ladies all fighting the good fight and there's hope for each and everyone of us here. God bless you and keep you strong.

Kbeee, another one down for you! Hoping you continue strong and avoiding major SE's.

Lynne, mmaybe just add in something otc until you can talk to Dr tomorrow. I have been having horrible heartburn issues, but a couple of Tums usually takes care of it. I also take the zofran and compazine on a regular schedule for about the first 5or 6 days just to keep all to a minimum. My MO says better to take it regularly and not let the nausea get ahead of you or you'll find yourself playing catchup with vomiting instead of preventing nausea.

Littleblue, sorry your stomachs still rebelling so much. Soon better I hope..

Georgie, I've only had the sores in my mouth, not throat, but salt soda solution healed them in just a couple of days. I don know how far into your throat they are, but maybe if you gargled the solution?

I'm pretty much getting back to normal after last Thursday in the chair. Still have a bit of raw feeling in my my mouth, diarrhea, low appetite... I did get antibiotics for my uti and am feeling no symptoms of it at this point. I had blood work done today and suppose my MO will tell me tomorrow how that all is...

To all of you lovely ladies, (((hug)))

Georgi, I heard that CVS makes their own "magic mouthwash". I think it requires a RX from your doctor.

positive spirit- I've had this since probably day 3 post 1st AC - it's everyday night all night and on and off during the day - but not nearly as bad during the day- my next AC is Friday - between getting up to pee and this heat/ sweating issue not much sleep is going on that's for sure!!

lovlilynne- I am going for TC # 2 tomorrow. On a 3 week schedule

Positive - spirit my night sweats began the second week after TC #1, They have continued since with intermittent severity. Some nights soak the sheets other nights I just wake up before it soaked through. It is gross and even with 2 fans it continues . It is forcing menopause on our bodies. I was premenopausal before and never had night sweats like this. I was always freezing cold. I did get my period right on schedule during my first round. I doubt it will show this second one

Lisa, I have that you started on a Tuesday, so that's why I missed you. I wonder if jat017 or crossmom are also going tomorrow on 3wk? If so, sending the love.

Also, I love your Chemo Benie, but anyone else annoyed that we have to pay $25 for $2.50 worth of fabric for something we'll probably want to burn when we are done? I know I won't be wearing these caps again. I actually looked on ebay for used ones - I mean, there must be women who go through this and don't need them anymore? I went to a wig/prothesis shop today and bought this simple black cotton cap for $20. I'm not cheap, and I can afford it, but I just don't like spending money on things when I rather be spending it on something else. I also think about the poor ladies that can't afford $20 - $25 caps.

Everyone looks so good in their caps and hats, and I realize that this look is not flattering to me at all. So many of the choices have patterns and stuff - even the Buffs, I've only seen them on line, but it looks like most of them are patterned. I don't want to wear a pattern on my head - my hair is not patterned. Besides, then I have to coordinate my outfit to the pattern somehow. That's the last thing I want to spend time on. I want to find a cap close to my hair color - which will be pretty neutral - and I'll wear that 99% of the time. I bought the black one because that's neutral too, and I wear a lot of black, but generally it will be harsh against my skin coloring. I'm a fall, not a winter.

Enough rambling about caps. Time to put the night one on :-)

Lynne

I got one of these. Cheaper, and cool.

ETA: Still patterned, but following the Amazon links might find you non-black solids.

Morning Ladies, I'm sorry for all the SE I'm reading about. Stephmoen, I'm hoping you get sprung today and can be home soon!

I go today for TX -2. I'm on two weeks on, one off schedule. I'm getting a ride with a volunteer so DH doesn't have to take so much time off work. I'm so grateful for this service.

Several of you were asking about hot flashes. I was put into immediate chemopause 2 years ago with my first TX. Sweats were horrible often just running down my face and chest, but gradually over the last 2 years they have been lessening and quite manageable- until- surgery! For some reason it's like I'm starting all over again :-(

I asked my MO and she didn't know but suggested it may be a reaction to the anesthesia, but that was 7 weeks ago! Aww, the joys of menopause!

Rockerwife I love your beanie! I'm not sure if I'll loose my hair with this chemo- it may just thin, but I'm bookmarking these, they are so flattering!

Positive spirit, that's so interesting about tears! I need to cry more- I almost never cry and probably hold way too much in.

Lobster731, I hope your feeling ok, I've heard it is much better to have a slow infusion.its suppose to decrease SE.

Well I have to get ready to visit the spa! Can't wait to see my 'drips' consuming all those nasties!

Hugs to everyone!

Sha

Alibeths, I couldn't drink water either.I bought a soda stream maker and drink soda water (no salt) by the gallons! For variety I'll add a bit of juice- cranberry, raspberry or just some lemon juice. I find this doesn't upset my stomach the way water did and doesn't sit so heavy in my gut.

As far as tastebuds, I know a lot of women go for "white" foods, rice, potatoes, bread etc. but I was the opposite craving very spiced foods. I guess it allowed me to actually taste things. Surprisingly as longas I stayed on top with meds, it never bothered me!

Hello, I just had my second round of chemo today. Found out about this page a couple of weeks ago and I decided to join you April girls! I live in Norway and cant find a similar website over here. Its sad reading about all you have to go through, but I realise that it also helps a lot knowing that Iam not the only one facing BC.

I started on 8th of April and will be having 6 rounds every 3rd week. My hair is falling off now, and Im trying my best to deal with it. I got really sick on round one, and having to travel with a train for like 6 hours back and forth to the hospital didnt help much.. This time I got some new anti nausea drug in my bag before the chemo. I pray that it will work!

Im glad I found you girls and wish you all a non SE day

lovlilynne, Im on Somac for the stommac problems of reflux and it helps a lot for blurping and so on. The cemical name is pantoprazol, it slows down the pump that makes acid in your stommac.

Ksusan, you look terrific😀😀😀

Getting new hope about shaving it all off ☺my hair is 16 " kopper red and has/had a lot of volume. But leaving it on until now at TX2 I hope has given my soul some time to absorb the fact that it will be gone, and that the long haired times are over....

I'm glad people are doing well with this week's treatment so far.

I read the March chemo thread and it seems like a lot of those folks are feeling unhappy/depressed. This leads me to ask here: What are you doing now to keep your mood stable enough? (I'm not suggesting that unhappiness isn't an okay emotion at times--I'm asking what everyone is doing now to keep emotional balance.)

Hi ladies! Hope you all are well. Sorry for those with side effects...hope they diminish soon.

I'm heading back to the bar on Friday for tx#2.

I saw this story about Shelley Smith, an ESPN reporter who is going back to work after being gone for several months having chemo and radiation. She's covering the NFL draft and should be on tonight and tomorrow. She's going commando -- bald! What a brave soul to do so on national TV in a traditional man's world!

Edited to add: I tried posting the link and it won't work.

You'll have to Google Shelley Smith to see the story. But here's a quote that I found interesting:

"I never once dreaded going into chemo or cutting my hair or walking around bald. Yea, some people stare. But I want them to know I'm fighting." -- Shelley Smith

Great attitude!

Hi Ladies, Don't know about everyone else, but this cancer bullshit is getting me down in the last few days! I fucking hate that it has taken our hair, our boobs, and our peace of mind. I'm great ful for chemo but it's stolen our lives too, or at least hijacked them with SEs. 10 more weeks after next week's treatment....then Rads. Balls. Balls to all of it. From phantom breast sensations...yep had mine cut off...to permaflu, to where is my period, i havent had any hot flashes its just gone, to going from running 30 miles to slogging 2..to whatever the hell else we are all dealing with in our real lives....wow. And we can never say it's enough, it's to much, I can't deal with it, because life goes on around us. And we will win. There is no try, there is only do.

On a completely different note, the above photograph is of Shangri La basin in Glacier National Park, aka my office. It's a bit of a goat hike, but I'm extending an invitation to climb up there next summer to each of you. Next season, when we are back to our own strong selves. Come on, you know you want to! I can promise you, I can get you up there and back safely. Love to everyone and thank you for being here! Dang, I'm an emotional rollercoaster.....sorry!

Lynne - interesting - my day 7 number was 2.0 and they said that is in the range of LL they expect? I also got the shot.