Chemo in July 2015

Hi everyone I've been reading your posts and it has helped I'm not alone in this. Last week was my " off" week so feeling pretty good right now . Tomorrow is treatment day it will be the fourth treatment and the beginning of the second cycle. I shaved my head last weekend because it was coming off in chunks. This time I'm more prepared as I know what to expect

MissBee - I am so sorry you are so miserable on Day 8 - I agree with staying ahead of the nausea but for me that caused horrible constipation that I finally got some relief (not much) today! I am starting with similar issues in Tasting and Swallowing and just finding the colder it is I am good - just had some orange sherbert that my husband got me and I have not had since I was a kid and it was very yummy ... maybe try cold things like that. Hang in there - it really does just suck

I am on Day 5 and today feel like crap - not terrible but not good - just overall total shakiness a feeling that has been with me since Day 1 and finally told nurse. Noticed sores on the back of my tongue today - just red not white and not hurting yet .. increased rinsing - UGh! Still have this feeling like I am getting a upper respiratory cold or something - not labored breathing but can hear it when I take deep breath .. also told nurse. For Constipation nurse is taking me off Zofran and trying new Nausea Med for AC Round 2 - hoping that works.

Ruth - so glad you got your treatment yesterday and you seem so much better! Glad they changed your meds and it seems to have helped - hope it stays that way for you! Great news on the weight - hoping to drop some too and constipation not helping that LOL

FreeandFlying - you are hilarious and if I ate what you ate my stomach would have exploded - I increased my Dulcolax and got some relief - will do it again tonight and hopefully be in the clear - have not taken Zofran since Sunday which is what caused it .. was going to use Smooth Move Tea but holding off since I am going som .. don't want to turn it into the runs

Suzanne - glad 1st one down now for you - hope you have no or min se's

adarkadaptedi - hugs to you as you dance with Red - not fun - hope it goes well

Suzanne1971 - I suffer from heartburn brought on by allergy sinus issues and take Omeprazole every morning along with Pepcid and Tums when needed .. mine is prescription but I think you can get it over the counter at Walmart maybe

Stay Strong - for some not easy - I have been having those moments - I read an article last night about a woman who felt so guilty beating the disease while so many others do not and her line at the end has helped me and she said "We have to be strong and beat it for those who could not before us.." I always feel guilty about complaining knowing someone has it worse than me - that is called Irish Catholic Guilt - this resonated with me - hope it helps and if too much - sorry!

Hugs to all

Mary

Having a rough week. Had a bad allergic reaction to the taxotere. Swelled up like a toad and couldn't breath. They are now giving me Adria... which is making me very nauseated.

Ginger ale or pedialyte were my go to drinks along with baked potatoes. Later could go back to tea with lemon, but still cannot stand the taste of diet coke, which is probably good. Also can drink plain water with or w/o lemon. Had little nausea & kept in control with only a few prescription med doses. One key was not allowing my stomach to get too empty. Peanut butter & crackers & low salt almonds were already my go to snacks, so a few can help ward offnany hunger pains. Already had familial IBS, so took a prescription dose of Lomotil along with generic Imodium for the bad, big D. Hope these tips may help you too. Good luck with your treatments.

Cheesequake- you deserve unconditional love and unconditional support, not only from your husband and loved ones but also from yourself.

This experience is stripping us bare to the core, exposing the deepest of vulnerabilities and rawest of emotions. Much of it is either excruciating or daunting or terrifying, but there are moments of light where there can be liberation from the old attachments and hope for change if we want that for our future.

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I knew it was coming... today my hair let me know it was time. I had a few ladies over and we toasted the lost of my hair, then drank the rest of the wine, and buzzed it down to a quarter inch. It's not as bad looking as I thought it would be. Tomorrow morning I go for my 2nd round of chemo. Will be kind of nice not to have to worry about messing with my hair this time.

sorry the writing is a little blurry. Hope it helps. I'm still reading. Thanks, Ruth

here is recipes for sore mouth and difficulty swallowing. If anyone wants the recipes, let me know and I will get them to you. You could also email me, cuttingquarters@comcast.net

Hope this helps

I agree Suzanne. Just got it yesterday...

Gretagirl--Yes. I've been using Ayr Saline Nasal spray, which has really helped: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010NSC1U?psc=1&...

Ruth--Thank you so much for the flavor enhancement suggestions. I'm definitely in the "everything tastes like cardboard" wagon. It's so disappointing to sit down to a delicious looking meal and taste nothing. For things that are meant to be salty, I can definitely use salt, but I'm stuck for foods that aren't meant to be salty (salad, vegetables, fruit). I used to love dessert so much and, despite my new found weight loss, it's sad to not really enjoy it anymore.

MissB123 does lemon water help at all with taste? My mouth just felt fried. The magic mouthwash really did help me.

Peabrain you look great!!!! I am day 14 and so far have a full head of hair but it's been itching a lot lately!

well I had my hair buzzed about 4 weeks ago. Did fine with that. Last night in the shower my short buzzed hairs kept coming out. I had hair all over me. It was not a nice experience at all. Took a good 30 mins of shampooing my hair to get most of it out. Very emotional time. Maybe the emotions were coming off the steroids too. Doing better today.

Greta- I had two bloody noses about a week after my 1st treatment, so they sent me for bloodwork. It came back fine, thankfully. Prior to that, I would have a little bit of blood when blowing my nose (and my nose felt really strange). Now I'm a week out from my 2nd treatment, and having the same issues, minus the bloody noses.

Looking good peabrain!

As for hair loss- I shaved it down (for the last time) tonight. I am well beyond the normal window for hair loss, and while it's started to go (it's really really patchy), I still have quite a lot of hair. I know this is difficult for many of us to deal with, and I hope you are all able to get through it. I find peace knowing that it will grow back, and it's a sign of my fight for my wellness.

Went for my 2nd round of AC today, and although my labs were good, they pushed it off another week because I'm still on oral antibiotics from the fever last week that landed me in the hospital. I'm happy to have a week of feeling good and being able to eat good food, but I'm sad about the pause in the treatment schedule. I want to slam it with everything I've got!

courtleboo I was shaky, too; felt like I had had about 12 cups of coffee. I think it's all the steroids but it did fade for me.

Peabrain Your cowardly pubes quote had me in hysterics. Thank you. I like your buzz! You look terrific.

FreeandFlying Thank you for the commiseration. Like you, day 10 seems to have been my magical day for recovery! I feel like a newborn fawn trying to get my legs to work. I've never been so elated to feel "just fine" in my entire life!

adarkadaptedi Good luck with treatment! Hope the SEs were minimal.

mdoc524 You are right about temperature: the colder the better! I have found exactly 3 things that have taste: soft fruit (nectarines, plums), refried beans with cheddar (must be the southern California girl in me), and Carnation Instant Breakfast chocolate shakes. Other than that…nothing. Salt quit on me, too. I tried salted eggs with buttered toast and was so frustrated by its lack of taste I threw it out. But at least there are few things I can eat, so I'm sticking with those for now.

Gretagirl For liquids I'm pretty much on water only. Juice tastes terrible and my beloved lemon juice flavoring has started to taste soapy lately…no idea why.

Zuwali Good luck with your recovery. I can't imagine how uncomfortable that must be. Sending you some good vibes!

Flaime Love the buzz! Honestly, it suits you.

Herceptin went well yesterday. Just kind of tired today. My labs took a nose dive though. WBC red cell hematocrit and hemoglobin platelets all dropped from last week. Trying to eat iron rich this week and more protein. This the normal for anyone else? I can't say that I feel bad though just a little tired