Starting Chemo December 2015

has anyone decided during the course of chemo that they didn't want to finish? i.e. Supposed to have 8but only had 4... Is this even an option?

Really, really tired today. Was up many times during the night with cramping which would produce gas and a small amount of stool. Sllloooowwwwlllyyy I am getting my intestines to empty. Stopped taking the Zofran last night, and just feel fragile, not queasy. Just got up from a nap where I slept like the dead, but feel a whole lot better than I did. This is Day 6.

hi everybody, I am starting chemo next week! I will read back and see what some of your first month has been like, I hope you're all doing well. I have one question now. My husband will be taking me to my first chemo infusion, I'm wondering if I will likely to be able to drive myself home from the following month. I will be doing the fEC-d regimen?

Brithael and anyone else with GI problems. I have irritable bowel syndrome - caused by my first lot of chemo. I had it almost under control just before this dx - I take probiotics. It took a bit of trial and error to see what worked for me, but I take 2 in the morning and 2 at night now and my diarrhea is sooooo much better this round of chemo, I know you are struggling with constipation, but although they are different, they are the same - if that makes sense? It might be worth experimenting with. I found that the ones that you have to keep in the refrigerator don't work as well for me, but they might for others.

I went to the onc today and he's changing me to two weeks between the next two AC treatments. That shocked me a bit, but now that I'm getting neulasta he says that we can have a shorter interval and it will be more effective.

Wenrisa - I couldn't finish my third Taxotere treatment the first time round - if it's too much for your body, then stopping is an option. You can also consider a different chemo that may be gentler.

LovesToFly I did FEC-D the first time round, and here in Australia they wont let you go home if there's no-one to drive you. I wouldn't have been able to anyway - too shaky. See what your centre advises and how you feel.

Hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected.

Trish

xoxo

No problem Wenrisa, here's the list from the label - mind you I'm in Australia so not sure you can get the same thing there. The brand is Faulding.

Lactobacillus acidophilus 6.25 billion

Lactobacilluvs casei 6.25 billion

Bifodobacteruim lactis (2 strains) 11.88 billion

Bifodoctereium bididum 0.625 billion

Hopefully I've spelled them right, the writing is very small lol. Since I've been taking these I've been able to include a small amount of lactose and gluten in my diet, something that would make me vomit if I had it before. I'll stress though, that I tried a few different sorts before finding this one worked well for me.

Good luck! And let me know how you go

Trish

xoxo

Mvspaulding - Sorry you've had such a rough 24+ hours! Hopefully everything is much better now. Glad it didn't appear to be a heart attack or a clot anywhere. I haven't had any of those symptoms, but I am taking Neupogen injections (the 2 consecutive days before each chemo) and no Neulasta.

LovesToFly - Like people have already mentioned, the chemo effects everyone differently. I've found that the Decahedron (pre-med) usually kicks in about the time chemo is completed and I have plenty of energy to safely drive home. It's nearly a 90 minute drive for me.

Birdie - Still thinking of you often. Hope you are feeling much better and perhaps have found a different MO.

Well girls, I finally took the plunge and did a very short lived Mohawk/punk cut immediately followed by a buzz. Completed Taxol # 4 on Thursday and the hair loss kept rapidly advancing. I couldn't handle the excessive shedding and feeling like I kept having to remove a new fur collar and scarf every few minutes. Hated to see the hair go, but at the same time, it was a relief to have that part over and done with! Felt good to take control. Now on to finding ways to use my inexpensive wig and hats. Guessing I won't wear the wig at all at home or even out & about too much, but feel that I should try to at least while at work. Took the day off work to find a good "work style" and to get more acclimated to the temporary "new me" before I have to field questions at work from well meaning people. Husband was so great through the whole ordeal. Kept telling me I'm beautiful with our without hair. It does help!

Until later.....Keep up the good fight. Wishing you all a great day and little to no SE!!!!!!

Karenbo, thank you. I am feeling better today but not great. Thankfully I can work from home. I shaved my head over a week ago and have only worn my wig once. Around the house and out to the mall once I just wore beanies and doo rag. My husband too has been great about it and even says he loves my bald head look. I'm kind of nervous about going to work in wig as I have been off worksince I shaved.

Like a lot of you, I've been lurking and reading for a few months now and figured it's time to introduce myself. My name is Kathy and I was diagnosed on 10/9, exactly one week before my 47th birthday - seems to be several of us getting this birthday gift! I had a lumpectomy on 11/6 - with a reduction (on one side! - will do other AFTER all this). First AC treatment was on 12/16 and second on 12/28 (doing 4 treatments over 8 weeks). Was a bit nauseated after each treatment, but not something I couldn't handle. First time lasted most of 2 days - second time, most of 3 days. Only 2 more of these to go! After that I go to 12 weeks of Taxol - every week. My hair started coming out New Year's Eve and I cut it to a VERY short, VERY unprofessional style on New Year's Day. Not my best look! But I have a wig, and scarves. Today is my first day back at work since the hair issue and I wore my wig - takes getting used to! Had to switch to scarf around lunch time because it was so uncomfortable! UGH!

Chinacat, I'd rather have my period then these hot flashes. They suck.

I feel you Chinacat. I got my period on what was supposed to be my good week and it was so heavy it made me feel awful, plus the fact that no tampons are allowed made it more awful.

I too have kept my nails painted a dark color the entire time and they seem to have no changes so far. Not sure why it is supposed to help, I just got the advice and took it. Can't hurt right, plus it has made me feel a little feminine since the boobs are gone and the hair as well lol.

Chinacat I have no idea why it helps lol - but if it does I'll do it I'm sure there's an explanation somewhere though

myspaulding--- do you know if none of us are supposed to use tampax or is that in your specific case

Oh no, chinacat, I wasn't implying anything, I was just doing my own complaining. Sigh. The gravity of the situation has been wearing in me lately.Long day...

hi everyone!!! I feel like I am playing dress up in my wig. It feels like Halloween without the candy😞 China Cat, my dr told me my nails would probably change and start to look "wood-like" lol, I'm just waiting for that to happen;) I have not got my period but I also just had my IUD removed a few weeks ago. I'm sure I will be getting it. Thanks for the Tampon tip, I would not have known that either. My worst SE right now is my skin. I feel like I am breaking out like a 16 year old boy. I am using the Lindi face care and it seems to work but my 2nd week after treatment is my "breakout" week. I am not sure what is worse, my diarrhea week or skin issue week. At least nobody sees the diarrea problem, I just can't trust a fart😉 Overall, these are bearable SE's. Also, I think it's ok for all of us to be pissed as long as we keep on fighting! Stay strong ladies!!

Morning Ladies ...

On round 2 of FEC-D and feeling like a bus hit me ... zero energy, the dreaded GI issues and of course blinding myself in the mirror with shiny head peeking through.

Does anyone else get heartburn issues ... feels like I have a gravel in my chest  for the food to pass over when I swallow   Have called MO , just wondered if there were some relief measures in the meantime

Love n hugs to you all .