Starting Chemo in October 2015

This round (#3), is kicking my butt. Why can't every round be the same so I know what to expect? It's day 7 and I feel really yucky still. Like I have a constant touch of the stomach flu. Weak, shaky, and I feel sick when I eat. At least I have a longer break this time because of Thanksgiving.

Livingthis, I plan to have a party also! Mine will gave to stay in for a long time though because of herceptin.

Autumn1211, I just waited out the shedding. It took about 2 or 3 days before it stopped.

igay1ord, don't scare me about radiation! I thought this was the worst of it?! Glad you signed up for the class, I think you'll like it. And glad you get a little extra break before next chemo!

Hi Ladies

I went to a Look Good Feel Better class today, and happy I did! Such supportive volunteers there, I learned a bit and got some bling too! My daughter came with me, but had to sit away from me, as they had all the ladies sit at tables in a circle, no room for companions. Disappointed about that, but it was a good experience. Hope you are all having a side-effect free day! Hugs!

Kim

Woo hoo- my counts were good and I'm gong to Italy! Bringing some antibiotics just in case. I have been very fatigued today and yesterday, so really hoping I can keep up! I'll try to check in but just in case, hope you all have a great week and happy Thanksgiving!!

AmyBeader, I'm so happy for you! I hope you have a great time and no infections.

AmyBeader: Enjoy the trip and be safe! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

Jclc83: I read with interest your post on peeling skin on TC. I am one week post second treatment TC...put on my glasses at work, today, and noticed that my skin is peeling from under my fingernails and going around the fingertips.

DurhamGirl: You are rocking that new look. How cute you are

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my bald look! I'm getting used to it, but my 9 year old son still won't look...he runs from the room when I take off my hat. Some of my girlfriends threw me a hat/scarf party last night--just a small get together--so I have a few fun, new hats and scarves to wear.

My sister said I look like Mr. Clean, so I took the picture below, which I am calling "Mr. and Mrs. Clean." :-) We have to keep laughing, right?

Good luck to everyone having round #3 this coming Tuesday. I hope we can all enjoy a nice weekend before the next round.

Jennifer

Hooray Amy! Safe travels and have big fun!!

DurhamGirl...maybe you're Mr Clean's beautiful sister or spouse....but definitely not Mr Clean.

Sometimes I forget I am bald and then I catch my reflection in something odd like a shiny dinner table in a restaurant or a window....oh yeah, I'm bald!! A patient I saw yesterday (made sure he wasn't feeling sick first) had no idea what I'm going through and told me he loved my new haircut!

Wishing you all the best today Kim! Hooray for your last AC! Hope you sail right through it and it feels like a round of placebo. I have not have any weird eye pain, but get random weird pain elsewhere. Usually in my chest somewhere. I'm using my regular face lotion now - CeraVe. They make an AM formula with sunscreen that I use if going to be outside a lot and a PM formula without sunscreen that I use more often. Only my body skin is truly dry and gets a little flaky (does every winter) and I use Aveeno lotion (especially right after a shower), but my face is usually insanely oily (Italian skin) so now it is less oily...but still not dry yet. There are so many great lotions out there, but keep in mind you may be more sensitive to additives such as scents.

Is everyone that was getting night sweats after first chemo still getting them? I am...Every freakin' night. So tired trying to regulate with how many layers of sheets/blankets. Not sure if this is normal for chemo or that it put me in menopause (and is this typical for menopause?). You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

Happy Friday! Hope you all have a wonderful day and weekend! xo

- Andra

Good luck Kim! Little milestones add up! Unfortunately, I'm one of those who has very dry skin year round...even without chemo! I can take a shower, immediately put baby oil on, and 20 minutes later still be flaky! But on the bright side, I never had acne and really don't have many wrinkles for being close to 60! I really don't have any aches/pains either. But I'm dealing with major heartburn/acid reflux! I have to take my Prilosec pill every morning, or there will be hell to pay later in the day!

Andra...no night sweats here. I'm just on the other side of menopause! Thank goodness! I was one of the fortunate ones who never had any hot flashes or night sweats! I had the complete opposite problem...I could not get warm to save my life half the time! I sit in my office every day with my little heater running under my desk.

My only issues I'm having right now are the insomnia (waking every night around 3:00 and can't get back to sleep) and nosebleeds. I've had a couple of pretty bad ones lately. Something I'll have to deal with, I guess.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday (assuming you don't count Halloween as a holiday!). I'm always thankful for this fantastic life and being able to be so active and participate in all the things I love to do! Until this cancer, I've been super healthy....actually, I still consider myself to be super healthy! Cancer has made me even more aware of how fortunate I am to be alive and have this life!

Finger crossed I am going to finish chemo on Monday by noon and fly to northern California later that day on an early evening flight. I'll be meeting much of my partner's family next week and celebrating with them. Should be interesting! Hoping I can participate in the hike the following day too.

Kahlua sweet potatoes is my signature dish.... sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and Kahlua = Yum!

Hoping I won't be too nauseous, and still have reasonable taste buds Thanksgiving day!

Thanks Kim! xo

Did you get your last AC yet today? I don't know what time zone you are in.

Kimmer....I have had the eye issues also. Especially at night. My eyes are so dry and they do hurt. I got some eye lubricating gel at the drug store and I use that several times as I am getting ready for bed. And it does help immensely. It's not so bad during the day. And I find that I can't read like I used to. My eyes get tired and the words get blurry.

Andra...I have had severe night sweats following chemo. The first night is the worst, then it diminishes each night. By the fourth or fifth night, they are pretty much gone. I still get a little bit of the sweats on random nights....just around my neck. I am past menopause, but I don't remember the sweats being this bad. By the way, the Kahlua sweet potatoes sound great.....is there a recipe?

I'm not really celebrating Thanksgiving this year. I've had lots of family want to come and people wanting to bring me food, but my taste is so off and nothing tastes good. And I don't want to take the chance of someone bringing in a virus or bacteria and risk getting me sick. I am near the end of the AC and I don't want to do anything that might delay the finish of it. And I don't trust outside food. I've become a real germaphobe in all of this.....I never know when my white count is going to drop and I do not want to get sick. So I've become a bit of a recluse. For Thanksgiving, I am going to fix a Stouffers turkey and dressing, watch the Macy's Parade and It's a Wonderful Life and be thankful that I will only have one AC left. And I am okay with that!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Hooray Kim = you are done AC!! woohoo!! hope you feel well this week!

I find it very weird that my side effects (GI symptoms, night sweats) get worse at 2 weeks, then get better again. The bad sleep is all the time. Wake up after a few hours and it is hard to fall back asleep....except right before alarm for work of course. I also became a germophobe this round since I didn't get neulasta. Had to go buy antibacterial products which I used to avoid. bleu!

ncsue927: Candied sweet potatoes (my Aunt's original recipe): for every 4 med sweet potatoes you will need 1/4 cup Kalhua, 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter. Par boil the poataoes with skin on for 20-30 min. Coll, peel, cut into quarters. preheat oven to 350F. Dissolve butter and sugar in pan (needs to be 2" deep). Add Kalhuia. Add potatoes. Cook covered with foil until done/tender. if desired, uncover and raise temp to broil for 5 minutes. I always uncover toward the end and broil to caramelize them more (be careful not to char/burn). I also baste and flip them over a few times during cooking. Yum!! Don't think I've ever made less than 12 poataoes and 2 big pans, so I have to quadruple the recipe. Adjust for potato size as well. You can also use the brown sugar/splenda mix if you need to keep the real sugar down.

Have a great weekend everyone! xo