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

Options
1…3132343637…204

Comments

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

    renee, that's such a beautiful view! More please!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Vanmama
    Vanmama Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2015

    Hi, all. Welcome to all the new ones. I'm sorry you're here but you will learn so much. I don't post often but I read every single day.

    I am on Day 15 after my first full chemo infusion of CMF. Two weeks before that I had a major anaphylactic reaction to a thimbleful of Taxotere. I have had side effects from Day 3 after the T.

    This week I am really struggling with being soooo tired all the time. Yesterday I noticed a few times that I was just a bit unsteady when getting up from my chair. I have had a headache for a week--nothing horrid just annoying. Oh, and I'm going to throw up sometime every day. It's not always at the same time of day but it will happen.

    I'm assuming they are normal side effects, right?

    I've been thru the nausea, sore tongue, bathroom issues, no energy...it's kind of like a Ferris wheel, where I get a new issue every time the wheel goes around!

    My next infusion is May 7th.

    Laura

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fran2014
    Fran2014 Member Posts: 140
    edited April 2015


    What amazing pictures!! Definitely helped to remind me of all the beauty around us & I'd love to go hiking there. HOWEVER, my favorite pic of the day goes to SueH58!! That shirt says it all-EXACTLY how I've been feeling all day! Had another "fight" with my stupid wig (actually tore a small hole in the skull cap part-I'm hoping I can sew it up) and my "expanders" have been so uncomfortable all damn day. Most of all, I have been dreading tomorrow-round #2 at the chemo bar. Then I read some of your posts and realized that I need to kick myself in the butt and get out the door tomorrow. Stephmoen-I really, really hope they let you go home tomorrow!!!! Kbee and Lynne- you two are truly inspiring women!! Thanks to everyone for keeping us posted on your days-it does help! Good night all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Fran, After tomorrow, 1 more behind you in the rearview mirror and one step closer to the end of this crazy road. Hoping for minimal side effects.

    Lynn, I am not good on links on my ipad. The BCO freecycle is in the Day to Day matters. section. Not sure what all is on there.

    Positive spirit, Love your fundraising idea of the shaving. A bunch of my coworkers shaved wit me...and my husband, and my son. It was a hoot. It was fun making such a rotten occasion int someting ositive and turningit int a good memory. mWe shaved mohawks first, and shaved some of the young guys into "old man" receding hair line haircuts first. It was a hoot! I think you will have great memories of your head shave.

    Littleblue, My MO ordered antinausea meds with my fluids. If I do not need them, he said just to tell the nurses. He encourages coming in for fluids often. That is a contrast to my former MO who did not have me come in even after I passed out. It is amazing how different MOs can be. Do not be afraid to be assertive and tell them you need it. I learned the need to advocate for myself the hard way.

    Renee, When my counts plummeted last time, I felt flu like and feverish. I do not know if it is the same with everyone, that was just my experience.

    Alibeths, I hope you are getting fluids often with that BP; if not, call MO soon!!!!

    Sue, I hope the CMF went well. I hope you are feeling good.

    Cheris and Pegsurri, Welcome! So glad you ladies have found us. Sorry Cherish that you have to do AC every third week due to Neulasta. I hope though that you can enjoy that extra feel good week, even though it extends things.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited April 2015

    I don't start chemo until May 14, but have been reading every post. I am really scared, but all of you give me courage. Question, when you say "nausea", do you mean throwing up all the time?

    And, count me in on the hike ......summer 2016, right?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rockerwife
    Rockerwife Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2015

    image

    imageHad TC # 2 today. Sent me home with 7 days worth of Neupogen. My Onc said it might be over kill, but he feels this will help prevent me from getting hospitalized. Although nothing is a guarentee, it worked to bring my WBC up in the hospital. Had mild chest pains when they started the Taxotere. So they stopped and gave me more Benedryl. I was good after that. Here are some goofy selfies of my sister and I at chemo.image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Vanmama
    Vanmama Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2015

    my sunshine, nausea, for me, doesn't mean non-stop throwing up. Mostly I have just had an upset stomach. Recently, I've added in the throwing up at some point each day, but it's not constant and it's not the whole contents of my stomach.

    Nausea, for me, is more just feeling queasy on and off.

    Laura

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

    Positive spirit, very nice idea!

    Rockerwife: YEAH!

    All: Keep up the good work!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    Mysunshine, yep! Summer 2016! And nausea can mean barfing, or just mild upset tummy, or debilitating nausea flat on your back but not barfing. That last is my personal fsvorite. I just found out today that I've been taking roughly 1/4 the amount of antacid meds that I should have been taking, and acid stomach is probably what causes the long term nausea according to my MO. Wish they had clued me in a week earlier! Of course, then there is constipation........or diarhea...cause those meds stop things up like the Hoover dam...

    Kbeee...yes! I need me some extra hydration now that my Stomache is wrecked and I can't drink much....thanks for the advice!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited April 2015

    Kbeee...I will be on cytoxan and taxotere...I notice that you were on that in 2013. How was it?

    Got my PICC line inserted today...this is becoming very real. I started the steroid today as well so I am a little wired. Something tells me I won't be sleeping too well tonight. Where is that Ativan??

    Andrea

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • greenae
    greenae Member Posts: 540
    edited April 2015

    hi AndreaC

    I am on taxotere and cytoxan, my 3rd infusion is May 7. I have to say it has not been bad. Just be sure to drink fluids! 64-80 oz a day starting the day before the infusion, and for 3 days after. I hope your MO has you getting the Neulasta shot 24h after the infusion. That will keep your wbcs up. I take claritin for 3 days, to help counteract the bone achiness/painthat I feel for a few hours on day 5 and 6. All of the nausea meds (zofran at home for 3 days, compazine if I need ( i havent), have kept me from feeling sick. I try to get in 30 min a day of exercise, even if I am tired. I think the fluids and exercise are the keys to beating the SEs. For metal mouth use biotine toothpaste and mouthwash. Rest when you feel tired, eat small meals every 2-3 hrs til the 4th day after infusions. I feel fine for most of the 3 weeks between infusions, and I hope you will, too! I read here and the March thread everyday, and send hugs to all! I dont post as much as I would like as I am now having eye troubles (scleritis-painful), and am being worked up for an auto-immune disease. I told my opthalmalogist--No Way--cant have that now--please jus fix my eyes!

    Anyway, everyone here is great--and so very helpful. You'll do Fine! And kick the sh&t outa this BC!!!

    Hugs, arlene

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Laura

    Sorry to hear of your side effects and allergic reaction. I will be starting Taxol in about 5 weeks and hoping I dont get any allergic reaction. Did you get the reaction as you were being infused? I've heard reactions can hit at any time and that is what I worry about . Hope your s/e lessen up each day. Sending good vibes your way


    (((hugs)))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Mysunshine4

    I dont think anyone here was as scared as me as I was thinking about not even doing the chemo but the wonderful ladies helped give me the strength and courage to go ahead. I've only done one tx on AC on April 15 and had my 2nd yesterday. Few s/e not as bad as I imagined and Im hoping this tx will be the same or even less. So far today I feel better than I did on this day than I did last tx. Good luck and think positive!!

    (((hugs))))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited April 2015

    So just read a very disturbing article about Keurig machines and the little plastic cups are estrogen producing. I love my Keurig often having 1-3 uses daily over the last five years or so. Now I'm wondering and questioning if I should ever use this again. I have estrogen + cancer and I'm sure there are many environment and my own gene contributors I sure don't want to knowingly ingest estrogen.

    http://www.realfarmacy.com/kicked-keurig-curb/

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Ladies

    I havent been able to post much but want to say my 1st tx with AC on Apr 15 was not as bad as I expected. I did get very fatigues for about 6 days and on day 8 or 9 I did get some bone pain from the Neulasta injection and headache but nothing I couldnt handle. Appetite was great and even gained 2 pounds. My biggest problem is hydrating myself. I hate water!!! I've tried cutting some juices and gatorade but still am not drinking enough. I will find something, thing is I'm never thirsty........

    So today being day 2 I feel better than I did day two last 1st tx, hope it continues this way as I want to go pick up my wig today. I had a synthetic one but hate it so decided to get a human and Im hoping I will be thrilled with it. Will let you know. To all the ladies going for tx's good luck to you all and just "think positive"


    (((hugs)))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited April 2015

    Anewbeginning please try and find something that you can drink! It's so import to hydrate yourself and flush the chemo which can be hard on your bladder, kidneys and liver. I can't drink water but soda water goes down easily for me. Adding some juice or frozen berries adds variety. See if you can find low salt soda and give it a try? Got some reason I have always found that water sits do heavy in my stomach.

    Anyone else getting headaches from meds? I had 2nd tx yesterday and have had an annoying headache since. Extra strength Tylenol doesn't do much. I hate these steroids- they make my face puff up and really screw with appetite/sleep. Last time I put on almost 20 pounds and finally just lost it. Only to put it on again probably. I was awake last night from 2:00 am. #*^€ I hate cancer!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    mysunshine, for me, I just get a little queasy right before my next Zofran dosage. No vomiting (yet). For others, it is very different.

    Rockerwife, love the pix!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Andrea, I did well on TC. Side effects were more annoyances than anything horrible. I had some pain days 3-5, but took Ibuprofen which helped. I got a fuzzy tongue around the same time, and all food tasted like dirty gym socks mixed with pond water. Blah. I did exercise each day. The biggest problem for me was that my (former) MO refused to do Neulasta "because I was young and healthy" and would not even let me come in for a blood draw when my temp was borderline. I developed a neutropenic fever after round 3 and was hospitalized. Several of our April gals on Taxotere have had a similar experience. Taxotere is known for causing neutropenic fevers, so make sure you get Neupogen or Neulasta. You may have to advocate hard for it. A lot of us have learned the hard way how hard you must advocate for yourself. TC is very doable. You can do this!!!!!!!

    AJ, So glad you are doign well. You are 1/2 way done with AC!

    slv, I have always had a rough time falling asleep, so now the first week after infusions, I just sleep on the couch with my ceiling fan going to help ward off night sweats and something boring like the weather channel on TV. It distracts me just enough from all things cancer, that I sleep very well. Not sure it'd help, but thought I'd mention my quirky get some sleep method!

    Wishing everyone a great day. I am off to get my lymphedema sleeve redone. They measured terribly off last time and I can't even get it on. When she used rubber gloves to get it on, my hand turned blue. She tried telling me it would stretch out. Not a chance lady! Remeasure and make a new one! From there, I am headed to a local City park to take a nice walk. MO knows how much I like to walk and told me I HAD to get to this park this time of the year. Apparently it's beautiful. I am excited to check it out! For there, it is off for fluids. Good thing since my BP dumped a day early this time and is already very low. No time to be slowed up by low BP...I have kids' concert and track meets to get to! Thankful for my MO who so strongly pushes getting fluids and just generally cares about how I am doing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wrmbrownie
    wrmbrownie Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2015


    Checking in. I am recovering from my first A/C from Friday. While I felt ok on Saturday, I was laid up in bed for a couple days afterwards. Yesterday, I felt better and today, have more energy, thankfully. I haven't been that fatigued...ever. Luckily, I took Zofran around the clock and didn't have any nausea. Trying to stay hydrated.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    kbee, the fluids Realky make you feel better??

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    All you acid Stomache nausea sufferers out there, I think I finally got this figured. My MO said you can actually take prilosec 2x a day, and the prescription stuff...sucracalfate? 4×....on the same day! I was so sick yesterday when I called them that I had barely been off the couch. It was day 6, so big time skin sloughing in the GI tract. Sure wish they had told me sooner to up the meds...I had been taking just one prilosec. Course, it will probably constipated the heck out of me, but it's worth it! Anyways, worth asking about if you are still nauseous by day 5 or so...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2015

    imageThe view from Shangri la basin looking down on Lake Josephine and the lodge...again, I didn't take this picture. Are we stoked? All this is waiting for us!

    Also, sorry for posting so much, I go back to work in 20 days,, I promise! But I won't be hiking this summer 😠

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Hi - question about bone pain, what does it feel like for you? I stopped the Claritin yesterday, and today I starting having these stabbing/throbbing pains in my lower back and spine. It hurts to sit. Getting a horrible head ache too. Of course, Claritin is at home, and I'm at work - but I took 2 ibuprophen. Will Claritin help if I've stopped it and now have pain? Man, this is torture. Figures, the day started off as one of the more normal feeling I have had since day after transfusion.

    Lynne

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Karen30
    Karen30 Member Posts: 135
    edited April 2015

    Lynne your description of the pain is pretty consistent with what I had- I took Tylenol a couple of times that day which helped and by the next day it was better- I never took any Claritin my MO didn't advice me to and I was ok without it- I did get a cold and still sound a little congested but nothing terrible . Hope you feel better soon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2015

    Lynn, The back pain is what I get too.

    Littleblue, Love the pictures!!!!!

    Alibeths, I am getting fluids now. I will let you know if they help!

    Warm rownie, Hope your energy sticks around now

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ThePrincess
    ThePrincess Member Posts: 424
    edited April 2015

    AC#2 is in the log!! 50% done with AC! YAY!

    Blood labs looked good - WBC was a 6.2, on my very first day was only 4.8!

    Hope the other ladies going to day went smoothly!!

    Ladies that already got meds this week, hope you're feeling great too!!


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

    Congrats!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alibeths
    Alibeths Member Posts: 656
    edited April 2015

    Hi ladies! Does anyone else on carbo feel SUPER fuzzy?! I'm so fuzzy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lovlilynne
    lovlilynne Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2015

    Thanks for responses - the ibu kicked in thank goddess! I have never felt anything like that before - like being given shocks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fmmbw
    fmmbw Member Posts: 41
    edited April 2015

    Just left the chemo bar after my first TC. This was supposed to start in March, so I slipped in end of April. About 4 hours start to finish. Of course I feel good, just because the anxiety is over. Go for Neulasta shot tomorrow.I'm going to stay positive, prayerful, hydrated and medicated. I get my strength from God and all you survivors. I wish I could get all my days and hours of worries back, but that wouldn't be me!

    Add to to April chemo list!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gkodad
    gkodad Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2015

    Did my first A/C dose dense chemo this morning, and so far, I'm only experiencing a mild headache - like the tail end of a bad hangover.  But they dosed me with IV Emend, and suggested I take my  Zofran at bedtime just to make sure the nausea stays away.   So here's my question - I was hungry after chemo [what a surprise] so my husband and I went out for lunch to celebrate the first session being over.  That's all fine, except between lunch and all the water I'm drinking I feel too full and don't really want to eat tonight.  Any suggestions?  I'm inclined to go with what my stomach is telling me - keep up the fluids and don't worry about dinner tonight.  Thanks!. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories