Starting Chemo March 2015

hi March chemo group

I finished # 3 of 4 AC yesterday and still doing ok. They give me Aloxi which is great as Zofran gave me bad headaches and really didn't help. I can really relate to all the posts about mood swings. I am doing pilates 2x a week and started sobbing there one day. Was soo much better after working out my frustrations. I also have pet therapy with my almost 2yr old lab as we walk 60 min every am and I just fenced backyard and we are so spoiled to be outside in nice weather. I think I have chemo brain as apparently I ordered 10 lilac bushes and have no idea were they are going . My sister is threatening to take CCs away. Told her no way. She took my pup for a while saying I couldn't take care of him, when I had HA after first AC, and I went crazy.

Anyway thanks for listening. I read all your posts but do not post to much. I was obsessing about reoccurance for a while. That has settled down a bit as well. Also have thoughts of not liking MO but love his NP so not willing to change. Have a good day all. Off to walk Oliver the lab then putter in the yard then nap time!

Maureen

avmom: That wig is very flattering! It's always nice when you can look in the mirror and see a glimpse of the pre-chemo you. It's also a nice reminder that this phase of treatment will pass.

maureen: I love me some Oliver! I've always wanted to get involved in training therapy dogs. We are active in local animal rescue here, and I can't wait to return to it when I'm not so susceptible to every little germ at events.

I look forward to the day when my life doesn't revolve around medicine and appointment reminders.

I got some serious sticker shock. I have 2 allergies to lower tier puke meds, and the Aloxi, Emend, and Zofran still haven't been enough to fully help me. My MO called in a new oral script for me to try. The cost, after insurance, for one dose (one pill!) was over $225.00. They're filing an appeal to see if we can get the drug reclassified as a preferred brand since we've exhausted several less expensive options. If not, I'll pass. Crazy!

Plus, all of these nausea meds have really clogged my pipes. I've tried a stool softener for 3 days, and I took ex-lax with a cup of coffee this morning. Still no help. It's literally been almost 6 days, and I'm so uncomfortable. The NP doesn't seem too concerned since it's a common side effect of the med. Do any of you know if magnesium citrate is safe to try? If I can stomach the taste without throwing up, I may resort to that later. Something has got to give - literally. :-0

Wow, busy board yesterday!

I am thinking that there must be a little emotional valley that is normal (if there is such a thing in the cancer world). Hmm..I don't get the autocorrect on the c word. I have thought about antidepressants myself but I tried them once and couldn't sleep a wink. I find if I am busier, it is helpful. And the exercise. I do it as much for my mood as my health, probably more. I am guessing you get your diagnosis, deal with that, get your treatment plan, get started and deal with losing hair and get through that. Then you see that this 'journey' aka shit sandwich has a ways to go.

I was feeling very stressed last night. My daughter who has major ADD is making me nuts. Trying to get her to do something as simple as get ready for bed or shower is a major ordeal. Thankfully, my younger daughter is becoming more self sufficient, getting ready for bed completely on her own. My older daughter had me so stressed last night, I was dreaming about getting her ready for school. (but it was a nightmare) This was supposed to be the year I tried to figure out ways to treat her ADD that weren't medicine, but I just don't have the energy.

I did feel somewhat better about the heart thing. It wasn't jumping around a lot last night. But then I got a PM from another member who DID have heart damage and quite frankly, it scared me again. I keep thinking that why would this thing be worse in the week after infusion and fine the second week. And this 'patch' on my chest makes me feel like a science experiment.

Indygal: Thanks for sharing your blog. I think you have a healthy attitude. Allow yourself some pity, then pick yourself up and dust off and get back in the game.

Diane: I hope the lower dose helps. Uneventful spa day = good

Sue: I don't care for my MO but she is convenient. I get the feeling switching doctors in the same group is frowned on and with the hospital 5 minutes from my house, it makes no sense for me to go anywhere else at this point. I might switch in the future.

Theresa: I am so glad you have your grandkids. And your good hubby.

Bekah: It is great that you have your church for support. Sometimes I wish we had that but DH is Catholic and I am not and he refused to consider any other church.

Joanna: I am glad you are well and having the small victories with your son. Since I have 2 (sometimes difficult) girls, I know how much those small things can help. It is good you have Puerto Rico to look forward to. And good you got your insurance issue resolved. When do you start Taxol? It breaks my heart when I hear about a kid with cancer.

Carrie: I understand EVERY SINGLE FEELING YOU ARE HAVING. I am sorry you are feeling you have no one to talk to. Can you maybe find a counselor to talk to?

Eheinrich: I hope today is a better day for you.

Bekah; Your dog is just beautiful. I am with you. I wish I could take a day (or 6) off of cancer. I love the airplane story. It reminds me of when my DD was a similar age and we were driving the hour to my MIL's and at one point she said 'all done sitting'. We still laugh at that one.

Avmom: You look great! Very real looking wig.

Hi Maureen! Nice to meet you. Thanks for posting Oliver pic.

I swear, I can't tell you people how much I love the dogs (and cats). When I get through this, I am getting a dog. We probably would have gotten one this spring but DD is allergic (long story). I think she can be ok with one of the smaller dogs if it is bathed regularly. DH doesn't want a dog, which is why we don't have one already. I just see how much these animals help during this tough time. Just the pics make me feel happy.

Indy: ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING? $225 A DOSE? I would be calling the drug company and giving them a piece of my mind. I will give you my constipation summary. Prescription med linzess with a dose or 2 or 3 of miralax daily. Saved my sanity.

Wig:

The wig even has a cowlick in the same place I do. Should I cut it shorter?

Also, I am not great at editing my profile but my name is Allison. I will try to. I know it is hard to remember names when they are not in the profile.

Haha. Thanks, Princess. I feel like I am wearing a dead animal on my head.

Allson- it is so great to put a name and a face with all of your posts: You are beautiful! The wig is indeed a terrific match. You could cut or not. Looks really good.

Sorry about the frustrations last night. C just stops your life. Puts it on "pause". I'm sorry your plans to help your daughter deal are just not able to be squeezed in right now. I'm not saying this right. I just mean I feel bad you don't get to live your life as planned.

Indygal- FWIW, due to chemo and the fact I'm still using pain meds, constipation is a constant battle.

I take 2-3 colace and 2-3 senekot (OTC both) every day. Never have stopped since the first chemo clogged me up. I had a terrible 6 day drought after surgery and didn't want a repeat. I've noticed a lot of doctors tell you to take one or the other, but they do work in different ways. Colace is a stool softener, and Senekot (senna) is a natural and gentle "mover". You need both to get relief. Good luck

Happy hump day ladies!

Allison I like the wig, looks so similar to your real style. What is the science experiment, a new type of port?

I love the photos of the cats & dogs - can't imagine not having a furry friend.

Theresa - I say go with your friend to the fair, maybe she just doesn't know what to say/do, she may have felt so sad that she couldn't do anything. My closest friends cried more than me with my dx and they still cry, I have to comfort them  If I lived closer I would go and do a couple of shots of JD first.

Bekah - I guess congrats on moving, since you know the home it should be an easier transition. Love your dog photo, reminds me we need dog food.

I have the prunie fingers now just notices yesterday, blah another SE. Not looking forward to my next spa day on Monday!!! I'm going shopping since it is my best therapy.

Trvler, both lengths look great on you. But I can see why you did the slightly shorter look for your natural hair. It is a little more perky. Also, just wanted to say, I have the heart jumpy thing and racing pulse the first week after chemo. So I'm keeping fingers crossed that in your case it is a normal side effect of chemo and nothing more.

Maureen, love the Oliver puppy pic. But I love puppies period. Sometimes I think we just need to have a melt down. The worst one I had was at the beach with my hubby and totally unfair of me. He got mad at me for something and said forget it, I can't talk to you, and I said well fine, maybe this time next year I won't be here for you to worry about talking to. Totally unfair, I know.

Indygal, my MO said don't go more than three days without pooping. Six days is a long time. I “stimulate" everything with magnesium, seems to work great for me. The risk is as, avmom said, you can get hard dried constipated pebbles and everything will back up behind that. So don't let it go too long. Six days is too long I think. I am religious about taking magnesium and potassium and have no pooping issues and have taken no laxatives, etc.

Maryellen, Trvler, Katy and the others that responded to my question, I texted my friend yesterday and said I would go. I'm being dumb. After 8 years, I will just kick her butt and tell her she needs to be around more. We have that kind of relationship. I'm thinking it may be more that she just doesn't know what to do or say because I have already been viewed as the invincible one. Even my son said that when I told him of my diagnosis.

Bekah, love the doggie grin. I don't think dogs care where they are going. Any car ride is awesome for them. My hubby takes our little Jack on car rides up and down the beach area sometimes just to break up his day. Yes, our dog is spoiled, hubby takes him for car rides for variety so our doggie doesn't get bored!

Avmom, your wig is great. The little curl at the end around your face is very flattering. How long do you have to wait for results on the thyroid test?

The frickin' weight gain thing sucks. I'm up 5 pounds consistently, even with all the working out I do. And I swear, around steroid days, I could probably eat pasta until I explode. The hunger sensation never turns off on steroid days.

beautiful pics ... Thanks for letting us in on your blessings. How could we mind

Allison,

Love the wig! It looks perfect on you!

I have my final AC Chemo tomorrow!!!! YEA!!!!!

One of my coworkers asked me today if I was gaining weight. I wanted to kill him, but in the end laughed it off because yes I have (eating comfort food and not exercising will do that to you). In all honesty I could give a damn right now how much weight I gain. It happens and I will deal with it later. My other coworker who heard the first comment came in my office and asked "how's the ton of fun accountant doing". I was cracking up.

So over and out. I might be gone for a bit. Depends on the SE.

PS ... I got this!

Ninjamary, that is hysterical. Only a man could get away with that kind of comment. I might have been tempted to say something like "well yeah, but your ass is looking kind of fat too and you have no excuse." Love the "ton of fun" comment. Best of luck tomorrow, and in the week after!

Been a week or so since I've posted, I was experiencing issues with pain in the nether regions and have found that something as simple as vaseline is helping big time , it keeps the area moisturized and pain free!

Round 5 coming up on Friday and I'm scared shitless it's going to cause severe muscle and joint pain like it did the last time. I'm seeing the doc the day before and intend to get something from her that dulls the pain. T 3's did nothing and I had about 10 of them in a 12 hr period.

After that , 1 more left. Can not wait!

Love the pics!

Avmom- well done! Thanks for the very much needed comic relief

and TMarie too! I missed that pic at first. Funny! Thanks! Lo