Starting Chemo May 2015

tjh -- that sounds so good!

klanders--having suspected celiac disease that I'm supposed to be tested for once my bc treatment is done makes it easy for me to skip the empty carbs other than ice cream. Normally, I don't eat a lot of ice cream but with the chemo mouth, it is one of the few things that I can stand to eat right now! For the last week, I've been pretty much living off of corn tortilla chips with salsa and ice cream.

I got a new wig!! Klanders- I'm dreading #3 on Wednesday, because I feel so fatigued. With round #2 I didn't get outta bed for 6 days. When I did regain some energy I mowed the yard, and cleaned the house good. I felt great this past weekend, and am feeling good today. I saw the Oncologist yesterday, and he said my blood count is beautiful, and he asked me how I felt. I answered, "I feel great-- just in time for you to knock me back down!" He laughed. I didn't. LOL

I'm sorry about your nail. I was paranoid, after reading how I might loose my nails, (about my toenails) because I've always picked them. In fact, I didn't have any ever that I can remember!! When I was a teenager I'd bite them. Anyway, I decided to not touch them in hopes I wouldn't have problems with them with chemo. For the first time in YEARS they look beautiful. Well, compared to how they looked before. So, I'm hoping to paint them pink soon. Maybe I should wait unit after Wednesday to see if they hang around a little longer.

(TJH) I too have been having night sweats, but I would have them occasionaly before chemo. I don't mind them, because I feel like 'GOOD! Let's sweat this crap out!!" I know my tumor was estrogen fed, and I am so close to menopause anyway, and I know that all these toxic waste meds are going to kill my ovaries, so I am prepared, in as far as that's possible, to go thru menopause. I'll deal with it when the time comes. I guess night sweats are part of it.

Like you Klanders, I could live on patotes, and I love sugar too. However, in the past few years I've been trying to eat healthier. Don't get me wrong- I'm no genuis at it; I'm slow, but I get there. Of course, everytime you think you're doing something right a new report comes out to make you rethink. Like I've been eating lots of chicken and turkey meat these past few years only to recently learn how most chicken we buy is pumped with chemicals/preservatives, and their living conditions are less than desirable (can't be healthy), so now I'm challanged to watch how the chickens were raised, and what they are fed, and to read the ingredigens on lables (the longer the list, the worse it is for us and stay away from preservatives), and I'm trying to buy farm fresh eggs, grass fed butter, water instead of sodas (no sodas), fresh vegetables and fruits (no canned food), and wild caught fish. I cut out breads (LOVE BREAD). I try to eat more protein, but my son insists my beef be grass fed meat, and I'm still trying to understand that one, but that's a whole new level for me and I'm not there yet.

NOW that I'm having chemo- I'm eating TOAST, CANNED soups, freezer pops (SUGAR), pizza (BREAD), and I ate a whole pint of ice cream (Haggan Daz- coffee) for the first time in over 10 years. Oh! And, I'm guzzling Schwepps Ginger Ale (haven't had a soda in over 10 years either) like crazy, and, etc.. lol epic fail! But, these are the things I can taste. Anyway, it costs a little more to eat healthier foods, but not as much as meds and chemo! I don't know-- I guess after chemo I will try harder to watch what I eat though I don't think we can know, at this point, what the hell has caused the cancer, so it makes it harder to fight back. I started my period early in life. I got pregnant with my first child late in life (I was 28/29). I smoked until July of '98. I enjoy a glass of vino every evening (sugar), and have done that for the past several years (never drank anything before). I lived on potates and bread trying to diet. I couldn't breast feed my first child because I had a severe infection and did not produce milk (my tumor began in my milk duct). So WHO KNOWS. But, we shall get thru this. This too shall pass.

thank you so much, Magnolia83!! How are YOU feeling?

marlanab- Thank YOU!! They give me a copy of my blood work when the results come in. I looked at them. I tried to compare them from week to week. I looked at them some more. I have NO idea what they heck they mean. But, I'm happy for you that they are up if that mean you won't need one more shot. This morning I'm getting ready to head in for #3. Had a 20 oz glass of water, and some scrambled eggs. Say a prayer for me. I'll pray for you Ladies!

Shanan , the nurse administering my chemo explained the blood work report to me, she outlined exactly what they were looking at. She was great

thank you, catsRus- I will ask the doctor to go over it with me when I see him next time I see him. TJH- I'm very happy for you that you'll be done soon! I'm sitting in the chair now, and toward the end of June I have to have a Muga scan/test. One more of the Red Devil (July 1st), and I can say I'm done with phase one. Yippie. Then I go 4 rounds of 'T' which, I'm told, side effects are less severe. Hugs to you each!!

I know exactly what you mean klanders. After round 1 it seemed to take me about a week to get back to normal'ish, after round 2 it's taken almost 2 weeks - SEs were generally milder but lack of energy and fatigue has definitely lasted longer. Resting in between doing anything, however, minor has been the name of the game. I have a week until round 3 and I am expecting a progression of the fatigue. It is easier to deal with than nausea, etc., but I agree it is weird when you feel okay to do something, until you actually try doing it!

Take care all.

Shanann--hopefully all went well w/ #3 for you. I'm due for #2 TC Thursday afternoon. Kaiser has a great website for keeping track of blood work and other tests. It even graphs all of the results. But the high WBC is not necessarily good because it indicates that I have an active infection (bronchitis) so I'm hoping that my treatment won't get postponed.

klanders--other than the first few days post #1, I haven't had too much of a problem with fatigue but I have noticed muscle weakness. I'm normally a moose and can lift pretty heavy stuff but when I lifted my dog's crate up today I could barely lift it and it only weighs around 35lbs.

Roses--I have the fuzzy head, too but I've been wearing a slouchy beanie cap to work--the wig is too hot and itchy so I've decided that I'll save that for special occasions. Maybe your mom's telling everyone that she had to be with you because she recognizes that something is wrong with you?

Roses--at least you recognize that you have a problem and are getting help. As for staying away from the nursing home, I had a bout of antibiotic induced C. diff a few years back and the only place that I can think that I picked up the bacteria was visiting my grandmother when she was in a nursing home for the last 4 years of her life--I read an article that said as many as 75% of residents are carriers.

rosesrx, My mom (96) passed away this year, right before my diagnosis. She had Dementia and Imunderstand the difficulty you are facing. After dealing with this for several years, my sister and Imlesrned to just go along with anything she said. Agree. Sometimes difficult, but she truly believed what she said, or was not in her own world. At one point, she had a baby and wanted to know who was taking care of him. So, I said I was. That made her happy. Hang in there.

I too lost my mom (95) right before my diagnosis. Actually I had to postpone the mammogram that started it all from January to late February as I was in England where she lived and died (I'm in Canada). She spent her last two years in a nursing home after breaking her pelvis. We were lucky in that she always knew who we were, even though she saw me very infrequently but her short term memory was practically non-existent... If you walked out of her sight, then back in, she was surprised to see you again. She would happily look at the same half a dozen old photos over and over again, talking about whatever event it was and telling the same stories each time. Towards the end, the old memories were fading, but she still knew her family. Sadly I didn't make it to England to see her one more time before she passed, she died in the morning as I was flying out in the afternoon. I miss her and know she would have been by my side through all this if she could.

Scarlett, I had similar symptoms a couple of weeks ago and the oncologist hospitalized me for 7 days. I was very week and after the first day my white cell count dropped to 2. I was on oxygen for 3-4 days and too week and antivirals, antibiotics and IV for 7 days. I am allergic to anti-inflammatories, so iced cloths are the only method of keeping my fever down perhaps that is why I was admitted, but I really think you need to follow up with your medical oncologist, fevers can be deadly when you are on chemo.

Finished TC #2 about 2 hours ago. I didn't have the immediate headache between my eyes but I feel like my brain has gone swimming. No neupogen this round because my neutrophils were so high so that's a plus.

glad to hear Scarlett152.... nearly done! I'm one week behind you and can't wait to be done!

Stay well and take care.