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

Options
1…7071737576…204

Comments

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

    I don't think it's unusual, Addie. It's just us bad kids who don't want to eat who lose weight. As soon as I started taxol my nausea cleared up and I started eating like a horse, so I bet I gain weight from now on. From all my obsessive surfing of this site, it seems most gain 20 lbs or more rather than losing...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    yikes I refuse to gain 20 or more. No no no not happening.

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

    Addie, With breast cancer chemo, it is common to gain weight from the steroids and from fluid retention from the taxanes.

    For those of you who tend to follow your lab values, which ones have been off, and has your MO been concerned about any? Of course this is the week tha I had chemo and did not see MO, and I see my BUN/creatinine ratio is really high, my Blood urea is high, and my calcium is low...in addition to thstandrad low heogobin, RBCs, WBCs, etc. I will ask him next week and am not worried per se...just wondering if anyone else is starting to notice things are off

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

    I was promoted at work and went to the celebration today--only one person had to tell me about someone dying of metastatic cancer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ankledolphin
    ankledolphin Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2015

    ksusan- wow! wish i kept some type of list of things on what/when i took and how i felt after xyz....

    i feel left out of the rads group since I am no where near that yet..

    i have 2 more rounds of chemo....6/25 and 7/16. On 7/9 i have a meeting with my sureon to plan out the lumpectomy, since I have two tumor markers that need removing and at least 1 lymph node, but need more detail on what my mo/surgeon want to really do. then when healed, I should start rads maybe in September...but will still be on herceptin for at least 6-9 more rounds...not sure if staying on perjeta...so my port is going to be around a lot longer then I would like.

    adee - i havent lost weight or gained....it just stays about the same...some days i feel bloated, others i dont.

    Everyone says i look just like i always do (just with no hair - i wear a hat!)....and many are amazed that I am still working 40 hours a week...i think my mo was surprised i still am doing what i am...but i pay the price at night i think....but i tell people, if i stay home and do nothing but stare at the wall and the dog and the tv...i wont want to get moving again,

    With my daughter...i need to make things as normal as i can with her since she turns 5 tomorrow and i can see slight sadness in her on things....so that is why i keep pushing and moving....

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

    Congrats on the promotion ksusan! And to that insensitive person...well...)•(...that's me mooning them.

    Fluid retention is stupid! No! Just no. 😠 Retaining cookies now, I'm OK with.

    Don't feel left out ankledolphin! My last chemo isn't until July 17. Just..gotta...survive....until then....

    OK gonna go retain some Milano melts cookies in my Buddha belly...

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

    Kbee, I had my blood test today in prep for treatment tomorrow. Most of my labs looked good, but I did notice my glucose is up to 130. I guess chemo can raise your blood sugar, but to what point do they consider it chemo related and safe?

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

    Mine was 144 once, and they said "eh" although I'm diabetic. No neutrophils? "Eh." Substandard hemoglobin? Eh.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • allicat1214
    allicat1214 Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2015

    I noticed my glucose was high last time but I hadn't fasted before the test, so I didn't think it was too much to be concerned about.

    Do y'all fast before your blood work?

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

    Nope, because I had to eat at 5 am at home to have time to get to chemo in another town at 9 am.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • melb44
    melb44 Member Posts: 130
    edited June 2015

    Heading in for my last AC today. For some reason I am super nervous today. They couldn't get blood return in my port for over a few hours last time. Not looking forward to putting those cold caps on my head either. However, it is nice to still have hair.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gingeel
    gingeel Member Posts: 102
    edited June 2015

    Morning ladies! Feeling good, day 6 after last AC treatment.

    Haven't been sleeping good the last few nights, was wondering what that was about, until it just dawned on me....hello!? I've been drinking a ton of Peach Snapple Iced Tea! Duh. Hopefully tonight will be better. The hot flashes aren't really helping either....

    Co-hosting my 2nd grade daughter's picnic today. Gonna be a scorcher here in NY. So, glad I got my energy.

    Have a nice day ladies!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    Yay Melb44 on finishing your last ac today- good luck and I hope your se are minimal.


    I'm thinking that chemo-pause is finally happening to me. I was due for Aunt Flo to visit about 4 days ago and still nothing- but I've been having horrible horrible hot flashes and last night was horrible. I don't wear a hat to bed and usually just a t shirt- sleep with the ac and fan on and still woke up sweaty. Oye. My husband I'm sure was freezing.

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

    Lynne, Happy Birthday!!! I hope it's a great day and a much better year ahead.

    Gingeel, So glad you are feeling good! Is Taxol next?

    melb, congrats on saying goodbye to the red devil. May your side effects be few.

    Allicat, I do not fast before bloodwork. I think the glucose numbers assume you are faating, so they will not worry about them unless they are really high.

    Ankledolphin, I won't be finishing until mid August, so lots more time left! I do think keeping things as normal as possible for the kids really helps. The are creatures of routine. I have cut back my hours, but working really helps distract me from cancer. I will not be starting rads until September either.

    ksusan, Congratulations on the promotion!

    Happy Wednesday to all. Another week is about half over and in another week, the month will be about half over... just that much closer to the finish line



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

    are any of you ladies having sex??? I can't imagine it, but I do feel so bad!!!!!! I may have to grab some lube and do it!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    ha since chemo I have only twice.

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

    3 times on AC..gonna try again next weekend if at all possible.

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


    Addie- yep! I still wrap my head in a towel as soon as I get out of the shower-it's almost comical if it weren't so damn sad at the same time. I too, had long hair and as the days go on-I do miss it more and more. Rationally, I know that in the scheme of things-hair is just hair & it grows back BUT emotionally-I miss my hair!! As far as the weight loss (or non-weight loss), I actually asked my MO about it & it seems that a majority of women who receive chemo for breast cancer do not lose weight (you would think with all the freakin side effects and the crap it puts our bodies through-we would at least lose some weight as a bonus!).

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


    Oh and by the way, the margarita and fried ice cream tasted great last night! Most importantly, spending an enjoyable dinner with my DH and kids made it perfect! Sugar or no sugar debate aside-I was just thrilled to be around to celebrate another bday!! :):):)

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

    Headed to Last TC in a bit. I think Lynne asked abou getting set up for Rads. At my 3rd TC I asked Onc to put referral for radiation Onc. I met with her in between TC 3 and 4. Then rad Onc set me up for mapping where they mark you with sharpie where tattoos go. Tomorrow, day after chemo, to get the tattoos. I am starting rads 3 weeks after last chemo. I have 20 sessions with boosts that will just focus to on the incision. Probably because the tumor was so close to the skin. I was pushing to get started because I wanted to be done before school starts. I have to be back Ist week in August and didn't want to drive an hour plus in traffic after school to finish rads.

    The sex question. Yes I have done it just not as frequently as before chemo or cancer. Too many changes down there. Honestly, my nerves shut down due to chemo and I don't have sensitivity back until around day 12 after chemo. Plus it hurts and it never did. Even with lube. Thank you chemo. I was a nymph always the one attacking DH. Now he gets to be the instigator . I want my sex drive back.

    Oh yes water retention here and weight gain. I eat healthy and walk 3 miles almost every day up and down hills. I look preggers. Makes me mad! Gained 10

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

    My non-fasting glucose was 134 last visit - with previous 4 draws at 97, 98, 100, 105, so looks like a significant jump.   However, I had blood drawn after lunch last time compared to morning draws and probably was still in the 2 hour "digestive" window, so 134 would be normal.   Apparently chemo can also push up glucose levels especially with steroids as part of the package, but my doctor was like everyone else..."no big deal". 

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

    Good morning all! I haven't been checking this group much in the past few days but just read all the posts. Interesting discussions!

    Re rads: I saw the RO last week (between TC 2 and 3). Radiation is to begin 4 weeks after the date of my last chemo infusion (July 2)...so it should start early August. I will have 28 sessions, approx. 6 weeks - because they want to be gentle on my skin since I want reconstruction. I have to have radiation on both sides since I had bilateral BC.

    I still am having trouble coming to terms with being bald, too. I avoid mirrors and still lean over the tub to dry off, even though I don't have to. I haven't wrapped my head in a towel though.

    Re sex: I am totally uninterested. I don't think we've done it since I started chemo. My hubby is okay with it. At least, I think he is!

    It is strange where you lose hair and where you don't. I have lost almost all my "nether region" hair, which is kind of cool...and my underarm and leg hair. But I still have eyebrows and eyelashes, although I think my eyelashes are thinner.

    Re depression: I have clinical depression and have been on Paxil a few years. It has changed my life - without it I do not think I could go through all this.

    Re water: I was never much of a water drinker to begin with but I do force myself now. I also buy Crystal Light iced tea and love it! It is sweetened with aspartame though so I don't drink gallons of it.

    Re weight: I have been gaining, and I was overweight to begin with so now I feel like a big ol' whale. When I say to my doctors that I should try to lose weight the response is always "that is the least of your worries right now".

    I am loving the humour here! Some of you crack me up!

    Today I started on dex and I have my blood work. Tomorrow is TC#3 - ugh. Not looking forward to chemo fog and fatigue. My mantra during all this is "This too shall pass"...

    As a good friend of mine is fond of saying, keep your pecker up!

    Andrea

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

    Hi - just a quick note, been so busy this week, not much time to post.

    Thank you for the birthday wishes - definitely glad to be getting older. I'll never complain about getting old again.

    Thank you for the info about rads - I think I will set up my appt. with RO when I'm at hospital on Monday. She is a friend of mine, so I know she'll see me whenever. I want to start no later than 4 weeks after last Taxol.

    Sex - we have done it once since chemo started. It was all fine (with lube) until it was over and I burst into tears. Such a turn on!

    Melissa, I can't believe you are working 40hr a week. I've been working about 32-35 on a treatment week, and 40 on a non-treatment week, but like you, I have nothing left after I get home. That's why I've decided to go out on MLOA starting next week.

    More later,

    Lynne


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

    No sex here and a very understanding husband.    He knows I don't feel good physically and emotionally, don't think I look good, and am coming to grips with the significant changes going on in my body.  I always say 80% of sex for a woman is in her head, and even if the nether parts were functional,  my head is not working well.  But lots of warmth and physical affection.  We've been married almost 30 years, so sex is nice but not the most important part of our relationship.   We've been through a lot together, including his prostate cancer two years ago, so he totally understands the physical and emotional demands cancer places on you.  

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

    Fran, Glad your birthday was a happy one! Mmmmmm, counting down to that margarita!

    I've been looking at the March thread...it seems coconut oil is great for all of our abused parts, including the lady bits? When we have had sex, I oiled up before hand, and then also used a gallon of lube. Honestly, it did nothing for me physically, but mentally it was important to reconnect with DH that way. Its really really hard to get in the right frame of mind when you feel crappy, you almost died, your bald, and have no boobs...So when we did try, I put on a wig, lingerie, the whole bit. Totally faked everything except the fact that I wanted to reconnect with DH. I miss my sex drive!


    Andrea, Keep your pecker up!!! LOL...you should make that your signature!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    Just wanted to share a photo of a wreath a friend made me. A friend that I haven't seen since high school. So over 10 years.


    image


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

    No partner sex, though at each stage of this deal (after surgery, after first chemo) I've checked the works to be sure I can still have an orgasm. Not a lot of libido, though. I figure I'll be up for more romantic touching after the port is out--nothing like ongoing discomfort and fear of having that area touched to kill hugging.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited June 2015

    my husband keeps asking about sex- honestly I haven't had a strong sex drive in about 6 years (since I had my 2nd child) we will have to put time aside and find a baby sitter to actually do it- having 3 kids can put a damper on the mood

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

    Addie, I love the wreathe! That is awesome and so sweet!

    Andrea, Hope all goes well with chemo tomorrow and that the side effects stay away.

    Rockerwife, Congrats on completing your final chemo! SO happy for you! I hope the side effects are few.

    Fran, Sounds like a great birthday!

    Misfortune needs to go elsewhere; Tired of it here. My son called from cross country practice today. Mishap there, hurt his foot. I'll say. He broke all 5 bones straight across his foot. :( They'll decide tomorrow after a CT if they need to do surgery or not. He was supposed to leave to go to Michigan tomorrow with friends and was supposed to start driver's ed the following week. I feel horrible for him.

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

    Poor kid!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories