Starting Chemo March 2015

Options
1…99100102104105…390

Comments

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited April 2015

    I keep telling my husband about how great everyone says coconut oil is. He is like, um yeah, whatever. He has been sick for the last week and a half too making me not feel so badly that nothing is happening in the bedroom at all of late.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    Visiting from the April chemo thread to cheer you on!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    KSusan- thanks so much for stopping by....seems we allkind of needed that this week!

    Are you almost done?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    I'm halfway through TC x 4, then on to radiation.

    Are you in the Portland area? I'm getting my chemo in Beaverton.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    KSusan- I am on the Oregon Coast. Halfway through TC x 6. Love my MO and love my girls here. We have had our ups and downs, normal I think. We just all happen to be a little down the last couple of days, but you'll be seeing us bounce back. It's already started

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2015

    Same in the April group. I'm pretty annoyed not to be gardening, but 50 SPF, long sleeves, and a giant hat sounds more sticky and hot than pleasant. Lying in a shaded hammock drinking Gatorade.

    I'm glad you've got a good MO. I was unhappy with my option in Lane Co., which is why I went to OHSU instead.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015


    Here is Jack in the garden today

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    I tried and tried to post s short video of Jack snd I enjoying the garden. No go. Here are s few stills.

    image

    image

    image

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited April 2015

    He looks pretty happy to me. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited April 2015

    I find it interesting that many of us are up a few pounds during treatment (10lbs here). I was concerned I was going to lose weight due to chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited April 2015

    My MO said most women gain weight - stupid steroids I guess. I feel fat as hell.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited April 2015

    Beautiful gardens, Katy. Lovely calla lilies. In my part of the world, at this time of year, calla lilies are house plants. We can't count on being frost free until the second or third week of May. Some of our neighbours, not tucked into a valley and with microclimates supported bysheltering plantings, are just about there now.

    Of course, Jack remains his dashing, handsome self.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited April 2015

    Don't hate me but I haven't gained any weight. I was down about 3 pounds during the last cycle but gained it back. I am about right back where I started. My MO did tell me I would probably gain. I find myself not snacking nearly as much as I used to.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited April 2015

    I've gained 5 pounds, but it feels like more than that. It's like the gut area got more smooshy or something. I feel like a fat eunuch lol. Just call me Jabba the Hut.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited April 2015

    Some of my added poundage did come prior to chemo - 2 foot surgeries last year - but I have NO desire to do anything about it right now (except find it really yucky).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    Trvler you made me ROFLMAO. Thought of that old hair commercial. "This is Ruda Balenska. Don't hate me because I'm beautiful". I was like who the FUCK are you? AYFKM? I don't hate you I don't know who the F you are and you ain't all that great anyway. Good laugh. Probably nobody knows what I'm talking about. "There goes Katy the WHAAAAACKJOB"!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IndyGal35
    IndyGal35 Member Posts: 340
    edited April 2015


    Allison, you look absolutely beautiful in that wig.  In fact, I haven't seen a bad wig pic from you gals yet.  I'll have to take a selfie the next time that I spiffy up.  I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss my deep widow's peak.  Ha!  It's the only way I can tell the difference between my real hair and my wig. 

    Goodness, Theresa, look at those sweet little faces.  Those kids have one badass grandmother!  Ella is so close in age to the little girl that we are trying so hard to adopt!  I treasure those little kisses.  She doesn't know or care that I am sick.  She only cares that I can blow bubbles with her and color.  :)  Kids are so much more resilient than adults.  Their fresh perspective on everything can really brighten a day.

    Thanks for all of the advice for the GI trouble.  All of the Ex-Lax and Dulcolax I took over the past few days hadn't done a thing, so I followed Bekah's example and had my second cup of coffee since I started chemo. POW.  That was all I needed.  I have been cramping up all day and making frequent, painful trips to the bathroom.  Sheesh.  I learned my lesson the hard way - no pun intended.  I just wish I could find a balance between the big D and this awful constipation.  I'm taking screenshots of your recipes and picking up supplies so that I can try to prevent this next round. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited April 2015

    I'm down about a net 10 to 15 pounds since diagnosis. I lost about 10 up to surgery, and dropped another 10 in the first 10 days after my first cycle of chemo. That caused a bunch of concern, and my dear friend and "cancer buddy" (he has been a stage IV patient since before I first met him 22 years ago) has been very insistent that while it is all well and good to want to lose some weight, you DO NOT want to lose weight to cancer, or during treatment. So, I eat. I eat a lot, whether I am hungry or not, and whether anything tastes good or not (mostly not). My weight stabilized after round 2, but has bounced around after rounds 3 and 4. Depending on the day, it varies by a few pounds.

    I think I've seen statistics that about half of Breast cancer patients gain weight during treatment, and about half lose. Luck if the draw. As I see it, it's just another unpleasant and unpredictable SE. Heaven only knows what all these chemo cocktails do to our base metabolism

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited April 2015

    IndyGal, I hope with all my heart you get to adopt the little girl you speak of. It put tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat to compare myself with Ella to you in your current situation. I can't imagine not being able to scoop her up whenever I want to. I don't understand why they won't let you guys proceed. I mean, you have a husband too, right, and he doesn't have breast cancer? I've always thought it is dumb when they keep a child away from a nurturing home environment for stupid reasons.

    You made me laugh out loud at work about the coffee. Still laughing. But hey, whatever works, right?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2015

    I dropped 7 pounds since chemo started. BUT the only steroid was a little Decadron in my pre-meds. Now starting Taxol tomorrow and I'm supposed to take Dexamethasone 4 mg tonight and in the morning for each weekly Taxol treatment. I think if I gain weight - it will be diring this course of treatment. We will see...

    Bekah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited April 2015

    Is this just the coconut oil you get at the grocery store (by the popcorn?), or something special from a health food store???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    Sue- it's not like an oil you can pour. It is semi-solid, and melts in your hand slowly when you scoop it out To apply. I got mine infused with lavender to help me sleep (I put it everywhere, including the basement to my bald head). I bought mine on Amazon, and they have lots of others, but this particular brand was recommended by a sister in this thread. She gets hers at Whole Foods. For sure health food store, but I think it is becoming quite common. Here is a picture. I tried to show the label and how it looks inside. Good luck! Theresa and Bekah (and others) made a convert of me.

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited April 2015

    just make sure it is organic. I think even regular grocery stores carry it. I'm not sure about the lavender for the basement area, though. Katy, it is ok there too? I only have the plain kind. It is also good on bleeding butts and peepees lol. You only need a tiny bit because when it melts it really spreads. Post chemo treatment, I also smear it on my gums and tongue too, seems to help. And on my lips. And on any cracking or peeling areas. I am a coconut oil junkie I guess, but I think it really works. Oh, and on my head.....

    It is anti fungal and antibacterial. My tongue was white post chemo and the coconut oil combined with a tongue scraper got rid of the whiteness and my mouth was pretty much back to normal in four days.

    And it is great for sex, you can ask Bekah, she seems to get a lot of use for it in that department lol.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    I love the lavender infused, and even put it on my sore bottom that never seems to completely heal. However, I can see that it could be possible for the lavender to irritate sensitive skin. I always have so much trouble sleeping, especially with the steroids, that I couldn't stop myself from buying the lavender one.

    But maybe for a first try, just plain would be good. I'll never be without it in my household again!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited April 2015

    I infuse my coconut oil with lavender essential oil. Lavender is a 'cool' oil so it doesn't burn. I've experienced zero vaginal irritation with the lavender infused (but I used only a few drops of my own essential oil - not commercially done) and no problems in the mouth either.

    Bekah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • so-she-did
    so-she-did Member Posts: 202
    edited April 2015

    image

    Two of my goofballs!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited April 2015

    aw www. Cute

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited April 2015

    awesome! I love it when parents do silly things like that with their kids. One of the joys of life is play

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lovemylab
    Lovemylab Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2015

    Beautiful flowers katy. Too early here for most of those but a few tulips and daffodils are up. I am staying the same weight wise but don't see how as I have no appetite and exercise a lot. I feel like I am getting a chemo gut if there is such a thing. Certainly no a beer gut as I haven't had a drink in mos. not much before that either.

    Love the tummy pics and just to add to bottom soreness concerns, Desitin rapid relief is my go to for all skin break down down there. Not for dryness of course but since I am single, that is not on my radar.


    Have a good day all!

    Maureen and Oliver

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meme117
    Meme117 Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2015

    Katy your garden looks wonderful. I'm hoping to get some planting done this weekend as its tonnage sunny and 70s.

    I lost almost ten pounds after dx but it's all back, MO was happy but I'd prefer it stay off. Strange as I don't eat or drink as much and everything runs thru me.

    Amy such a cute photo! Love a fun family!

    Theresa your family is adorable!! Miss having little ones around.

    I also infuse the lavender, only used the coconut oil on my head so far, but love it and will try it on other areas if needed.

    For those who do organic- can you recommend a good mayo? One of the few foods I tolerate is chicken salad but I'm not happy with the organic mayo.

    Found this interesting and relatable www.canceristhenewblack.com especially this from her 4/11 post "This is the place I live. Some mornings, I wake up and for just one delicious second or two, I forget. Then it comes washing back over me and afterwards, all the day long, I drag a heavy backpack full of thoughts about where I am around with me..."

    I received 2 more letters from my chemo angels, if you haven't signed up it really is a wonderful service. I absolutely appreciate these women who give me an unexpected lift. One is in Ireland right now and has sent me 2 postcards and the other sent me the cutest little sign that says I love dogs.

    Have a great day ladies

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories