Starting Chemo in October 2015

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited December 2015

    I hope you feel better soon

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  • AmyBeader
    AmyBeader Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2015

    Oh yuk Homeschool! I hope you all feel better soon. I know it's miserable trying to take care of sick kiddos when you are sick yourself. :(

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  • AmyBeader
    AmyBeader Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2015

    How were your labs ncsue927?

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  • AmyBeader
    AmyBeader Member Posts: 90
    edited December 2015

    Andra-I hope you let your partner know your feelings about Facebook! You need support not more stress. Is your chemo today or tomorrow? I hope it goes smoothly.

    I had round 3 yesterday, and I am definitely feeling the side effects sooner that the last 2 rounds. I think the cumulative effect is in place. :( Had the Neulasta shot this morning, so anticipating the bone pain this evening.

    I would love to share a video or 2 with you all from Italy, but I don't want to post here as it would be public. So if you are interested just send me a message and I'll send you the link. ;)


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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited December 2015

    Amy - I was Ok with the pic my partner's friend posted on FB (it really was a great picture!), but just wasn't expecting nor prepared for the questions that came after it by people I didn't think would notice. All well meaning and supportive people, but you know how you don't want the attention and also just get tired of talking about it? I will posting many pics the first week of January to summarize all of 2015...but then I'll be ready for any onslaught of comments or inquiries.

    Would love to see some highlights from your Italy trip!!

    My round 4 is next Friday Dec 11th (labs permitting)....3 days early so I'll have 10 days before I hopefully am able to fly to Panama.

    I'm just not bouncing back well this round. Feel kind of sick every afternoon (right now), yet here I am at work (though taking a few minutes for myself to catch up on this site - yay!). Feel best in the morning and can still exercise for about an hour each day if I do it early, but something is really off everywhere. I'm also in the middle of my abysmal labs now. This will pass. I know that. Also can't wait for food to taste better - this round is the worst for it. I may just start keeping sriracha sauce on my desk and dab it on my tongue every 10 minutes - ha!

    Hope you are feeling better Homeschool!

    xoxo

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  • marylc
    marylc Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2015

    I have the same thing--chills and low grade fever a couple times a day. Can't get warm. Found taking Tylenol 1000mg twice a day makes it go away.

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  • marylc
    marylc Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2015

    My wig has a 2 hard areas that go right in front of my ears--help to keep it straight. I also have 2 telco straps that adhere in the nape of the neck--you can make the wig cap bigger or smaller. I let it out as much as possible so its not so tight. Good luck

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  • ncsue927
    ncsue927 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2015

    Had labs yesterday...WBC was .7, so I got my two neupogen shots (I always get 2 because I am very tall...6 foot....and one just doesn't help) and my hgb was 9.6. The neupogen should get my WBC back up and I will be okay for treatment on Tuesday. My last AC!!! This week has been really bad. I am so tired, my tummy is upset, I have no appetite, everything tastes awful, my eyes are dry....etc, etc. I just want to get through this last AC and be done with this part!! I'm guessing this is all the accumulative effect of these awful drugs. My MO keeps assuring me that Taxol will not be so bad. The AC are very strong drugs and they are hard on everyone. I hate to be a whiner! But this sucks!!!

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  • DurhamGirl
    DurhamGirl Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2015

    This is definitely the place to whine! This all sucks, and I believe we should all be able to whine. Wallowing doesn't seem helpful (at least to me), but we all need to whine and vent on occasion

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited December 2015

    Today, right now, I am angry. It started with getting angry with something at work (government system bs) but then I found myself angry that I have cancer. Not sure what to do with it. Hoping it passes quickly, I'm sure it will. Not used to being angry since I'm generally happy at my baseline regardless of anything. It feels terrible to be angry. Likely it is because this round it hitting me hard and I'm also in my window of bad labs. Doing my best to hide it from my staff and friends/family - I don't want to focus on it since it will pass.

    Thanks for letting me vent this here. The bad feelings are already subsiding. I think I needed to say (or type in this case) it out.

    You are all so amazing! I draw so much strength from you knowing you all understand and we are in this together!

    So glad the weekend is coming....

    Andra xo

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  • TinaB71
    TinaB71 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2015

    Hello, do not be ashamed of your feelings, here has every once furious days. This is completely normal.

    It is important that the positive thoughts and feelings predominate. Sending you strength from a distance !!!

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  • LivingThis
    LivingThis Member Posts: 38
    edited December 2015

    Bucket list items:

    -snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef

    - hike to bottom of Grand Canyon and back (with a guide - Wildland Trekking)

    - run a marathon (or half)

    - publish the book I have always wanted to publish


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  • BellaV
    BellaV Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2015

    The things that strangers will ask and what comes out of people's mouths!  OMG they must not think AT ALL about what they are saying.  I have had perfect strangers ask about my cancer, what type, when will I have my mastectomy (already did), which side (?!!)  OK, so everyone must stop looking at my chest NOW!....

    Also, the stories about the relatives they have who have died of cancer, suffering first with their chemo DO NOT HELP me, thank you.

    The best one was the lady who told me it might me my "time to go".  NO, IT'S NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sorry for the yelling, but it is absolutely ridiculous what some people say.

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  • ncsue927
    ncsue927 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2015

    I'm so glad you are all here. It is so comforting to have a place to talk freely and know that all of you understand. I've gone from whining yesterday to mad today. Went for follow up labs after my two neupogen shots on Tuesday. White count is down even more!!! I don't know why I'm surprised; this happens after each treatment. My white count is .4. I have so few white cells, I'm going to start naming them. My MO said that my body just doesn't like these drugs and this is how it shows it.. I am so done with this crap!!! So....two more neupogen shots today and back on Saturday for labs. Hopefully, I will be up and able to get my chemo on Tuesday. Or, at the most, two more shots on Saturday. This is my last AC. I just want it done.

    On the up side.....I love my MO. Even though he is very busy, he takes time to talk to me each time I go in. He even gives me my shots and apologizes because they hurt. On the day after Thanksgiving, I had to get labs to see if I needed Procrit. Well, he had given the staff off, so when I go there, he as the only one there. He took my vitals, drew my blood, ran the CBC and gave me my shot. He is awesome. Today, he let me vent about my white count, but assured me that he would get me through all this. I totally trust him.

    So, I will not look back; that's not the direction I'm going. I am going forward.

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited December 2015

    totally with you BellaV...tired of hearing other people's breast cancer death stories. not helpful. It makes me second guess my outlook and attitude that I am going to have a normal lifespan. I can't believe someone told you it might be your time to go. I'm trying to think of how I would respond if some ever says that to me....it won't be nice now that I've had time think about it.

    ncSue - I had a blood draw today and my white count is abysmal like yours. I just have to wait it out, no shots because they think I'm allergic to them. My primary provider put in the lab order and came to find me personally (we work in the same hospital and he' s a friend too) when he saw them because they were so awful and he wasn't sure I knew. I had already printed them and faxed them hours prior to Oncology (5 hrs away). Soooooo happy this is your last big bad AC chemo!

    Time to hit the road soon...5 hours to see my love - Yay! Need to rest before the drive though, so I'd better leave work ASAP.

    love and hugs to you all!

    xo

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited December 2015

    hi ladies

    I took a break from these forums for a week or so for personal reasons, some of the boards were just getting too depressing for me and I need to protect my mental health. That said, i am not sure how often i will let myself on here, but just wanted to let you all know that i am here and care about all of you and your struggles!

    I go for #5 chemo tomorrow, the first Taxol. Super nervous about the benadryl prior to the Taxol, i dont know why, just heard really bad things about the effects of it. Also very apprehensive about the new batch of side effects Taxol brings with it.

    For what it's worth, i skimmed over some posts from a couple days ago and some of you were talking about your #3 AC treatmentand how hard it is to bounce back. For me #3 was my worst AC, I actually thought i was going to die i felt so horrible. But it's amazing how our bodies can bounce back, mine took a day or 2 longer than the last one but when i woke up i couldnt believe how much better i felt and it only got better from there.

    All the best to everyone!

    Kim

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited December 2015

    Kim - so glad you are on to a new med, it's one step closer to being and...I'm thinking positive that it will be so much better than AC! The benadryl should just make you super sleepy....that happens most commonly.

    Bella V (and everyone) there is a discussion board topic called "stupid comments" under the IDC topic header....you can search for it. I read a lot on it right after surgery...pretty funny to read the ridiculous things others report people saying to them (you get a free boob job, we all have cancer in our bodies, you got cancer because you did x, y, or z, the government created cancer...). Nice place to vent it. The 'it might be your time to go' would be a great addition.

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  • PatRN10
    PatRN10 Member Posts: 332
    edited December 2015

    Hello everyone,

    Just checking in #3 TC on 11/19 kicked my butt! Had a nice Thanksgiving but just exhausted. I went back to work Monday and feeling better just in time for round 4 on 12/10! I am also taking 2 on-line classes this semester doing OK but not as well as I would have liked. Very interesting writing chemo brain papers!

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited December 2015

    PatRN how many rounds of TC are you getting? I am getting six. Round three kicked my butt too I had mine same day as yours so two weeks ago Yesterday I had a terrible bout of shortness of breath and terrible sweating It last about fifteen minutes And I thought I was having a heart attack But then it went away, thank goodness I always have a dull headache and now I finally have neuropathy in my toes. It's funny how the SE's change every round.

    I hope everyone has a good weekend. I used to be so glad it's Friday lol. Now I have to be reminded it's Friday


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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited December 2015

    Ugh I hit delete by mistake.

    PatRN how many rounds of TC are you getting? I'm getting six. I had round 3 two weeks ago, same day as you. It kicked my butt too.

    Yesterday, I had terrible shortness of breath accompanied with heavy head sweating. It lasted about fifteen minutes. I thought maybe I was having a heart attack. Thank goodness it went away. I finally have symptoms of neuropathy and had more nausea this time. There is always a dull headache too. I can't wait for round 4 next week.

    I hope everyone has a great weekend. I remember how glad I was that it was Friday. Now I have to check if it is Friday lol.

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  • ncsue927
    ncsue927 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2015

    Jclc83, I'm glad I'm not the only one asking myself what day it is! I truly admire those of you who are working during the AC or any of the other heavy hitters.. Maybe it's my age, but I could not have worked. Especially since I work for a medical laboratory and my white count plummets to .2 every other week. I've been a hermit for three months trying to stay well so I can finish this mess. I am planning on going back to work when I start Taxol in January. Hopefully I will be able to manage.

    PatRN10, you are amazing! Hang in there!

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  • igay1ord
    igay1ord Member Posts: 193
    edited December 2015

    I've been lurking through the holidays! Had a great Thanksgiving with my hubby since my MO pushed my 3rd treatment to Nov. 30th and I had a lot of energy, thank goodness! Actually got to taste Thanksgiving dinner!

    Had Round 3 of TCH on Monday and Neulasta on Wednesday. It has come down to the fatigue for me. I ended up going to bed yesterday around 2:00 in the afternoon and got up at 12:00 noon today. I just couldn't get up to save my life! I'm having some major issues with my port these days. It seems swollen and just aches something fierce where the catheter goes into my vein. My MO sent me for an ultrasound just to make sure I didn't have a clot somewhere backing it up. No clot, but still aches and is swollen.

    Yes, I am one of those who continues to work! I took this week off since I have so many doctor appointments and had to put 2 of my fur babies down. I have to work since the company I work for is a very high-paced, intense construction company (interstates, airports, power plants, etc). We're like #3 in the nation/Canada, so it's pretty much ingrained in us that if we're not dead or dying...we're at work. I tend to believe it's due to the fact we're all Type A personalities!

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  • malonejen
    malonejen Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2015

    anybody here who has finished for dose dense rounds of AC and still has some hair left? I move on to Taxol now with about 45% of my hair left

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  • tshire
    tshire Member Posts: 239
    edited December 2015

    finished chemo today with all of my hair!


    image

    image

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  • LivingThis
    LivingThis Member Posts: 38
    edited December 2015

    I finished 4 rounds of dose-dense AC 2 days ago (no hair left). I worked through my entire treatment (missed one day due to port insertion). I had one day where I felt like I would pass out at work, but head between knees was effective, and I left a bit early that day. I have a mentally demanding but not physically demanding job. I have had days of hot flushes, shortness of breath and palpitations that were a bit anxiety-provoking.  I was able to work due to Neulasta.  My white counts were actually excessively high prior to each round of dose-dense treatment. I am hoping that days 4, 5 and 6 are better this time around during my last days post-treatment, since these were my biggest challenges las time. Hang in there ladies - we have got this!

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2015

    Igay1ord, my port gives me issues as well. I thought I was the only one! I have neck aches and pain around the tube in my neck every day. I am always worrying about a clot too. Rubbing my shoulder seems to give some relief.

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2015

    Malonejen, I fished AC on Tuesday and have only some stubble. 8 have 1 friend who said her head hair started growing back on taxol, but she lost her eyebrows and eyelashes.

    Tshire, congrats!! Are you done done now?

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  • homeschool4us
    homeschool4us Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2015

    Living this, I am on day 5 post last AC and feeling really yucky. Ugh. I'm really hoping this is it and I'll feel great tomorrow.

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  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited December 2015

    Congrats tshire. Your hair looks fabulous.

    Sending love and light to all those struggling with SE at the moment.

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  • tshire
    tshire Member Posts: 239
    edited December 2015

    Yep all done!

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