Starting Chemo December 2015

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  • NewDay123
    NewDay123 Member Posts: 71
    edited March 2021

    birdie and redrock, love the wigs :)

    Thanks chinookmom.

    KHMinD, thanks. I'm every other week. this is now my recovery week.

    Last week was bad. Morning is the worst, it seems. Yesterday had a decent afternoon, I thought I was able to do something about it. More naps, more protein (nuts).

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  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 2,112
    edited February 2016

    I get the big D too, and it's no fun. I take probiotics that help, except when it's really, really bad, then immodium is all that will stop it.

    I've finally finished my third cycle of AC and start weekly Taxol on Thursday. Everyone is telling me it's a lot easier, and I'm finally believing everyone and looking forward to an easier time ... AC kicked my butt lol.

    (((hugs))) to you all

    Trish

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  • KHinMD
    KHinMD Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2016

    Hang in there NewDay123. Make the most of your recovery week. I'm doing the same. I have 2 recovery weeks, but only the second week feels like a true recovery.

    Sammy3 - I asked my nurse about what SEs to expect when on Herceptin only. Unfortunately, she said one of them could be diarrhea. Of course, there's also the cardiotoxicity. She also mentioned some patients experienced dizziness, but they weren't aware of it until after they were off the Herceptin.

    Karenbo - I find out next week if I'm in chemo pause. Hoping for good news.

    I tried out an eyebrow pencil for the first time. I have a feeling my eyebrows would be gone if they weren't thick to begin with. I'm not familiar with wearing makeup, so I thought I would be in over my head. It wasn't too bad.

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016


    I'm having a hard time of this last chemo. Turns out i was anemic before even starting chemo so that fatigue get hit extra hard with.. racing heart etc. I was so out of it that a messed up my dosage of my Decadron (day before, day of & day after Taxotere) & by mistake only took 1/2 my dosage the first 2 days.. Ugh..really made me feel terrible. So many drugs to keep track of when you head feels foggy.

    some days it seems doable and others can't imagine getting through all of the chemo. i know it will get better day by day. but it really sucks. my recovery week too..

    redrock75 ~Love the pink wig! looks great on you. Love all the wig photos. i have only 1 and it needs to be cut more.. i've never worn it. I have only been able to do some work from home and haven't gone out much and just have been doing scarf or beanie. but i'll be bald plenty of time to wear it i'm sure.


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  • redrock75
    redrock75 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    well, last AC is in the books!! So glad to have that over with!! I asked my MO if taxol requires more steroids and she said no, that I would get the same steroids in my premeds that I always got with AC. So, good news!!

    imageBye bye AC!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    good news Redrock! You are rocking the pink wig

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited February 2016

    Yeah Redrock!

    I went to the Look Good, Feel Better seminar yesterday, and while the cosmetologist was sweet (and a volunteer,) she didn't do a lot of instruction, mostly read out of the book. However, the bag of cosmetics was epic! I was amazed at the brands, and the fact they were full size, not samples. Worth going just for the bag of goodies! We didn't get any instruction on wigs or scarves, although the book had some good info on tying scarfs etc. I also found out that we can get a free wig, and there's an app where you can put in your picture and "try on" the different wigs they have available. Overall, time well spent.

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  • Sammy3
    Sammy3 Member Posts: 136
    edited February 2016

    KHinMD - thanks for asking your doctor. I guess I will keep my fingers crossed. I do remember one of my onc nurses telling me that the Perjeta was pretty bad for D, so maybe it will get better?? Hopefully. I am also going to ask my MO about the recurrance risks and numbers that we talked about last week here.

    In other news, my super smart 8th grader was suspended from school for 5 days starting today. I am SOOO beyond mad, and honestly feel like "what else!" can happen? This morning my mil called and they took my fil by ambulance to the local hospital. So ya.....looking for the sunshine under all these clouds today.

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  • lawyer180
    lawyer180 Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2016

    Congratulations Redrock, so happy for you!


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  • LiLNutmeg
    LiLNutmeg Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2016

    Morning Ladies .... Spoiler alert ... this post will be about poop!

    I'm done my 3 cycles of FEC and about to start the 3 Dpcetaxel  cycles -  Have to admit the FEC kicked my butt in more ways than one - was anemic before starting and took the Neulasta shots each round but got hit with massive headaches and diarrhea/constipation.

    For the last 3 weeks I've tried everything - Imoduim, sitz baths with Epson salts, probiotics, buscapan, plenty of water, tucks, prep h, Metamucil, even Tramadol for the intense pain after what I describe as the white knuckle moments clenching the sink and toilet bowl as you wait for the shards of glass to pass the volcanic lava.

    Is it possible to have constipation and diarrhea at the same time ... this past weekend after what was a week of painful diarrhea for the last  3 days I emptied what only a mother elephant could be proud of giving birth (sorry for the visual .. but I'm pretty sure I was making trumpet trunk noises as well!!)

    I'm not as nauseated now .. definitely feel better ... but the bottom is very sore.    Is this the regular course for FEC? ... I start the Docetaxel next Monday and am hoping it isn't as rough

    My rant for the day ... all pooped out ... pun intended ...

    Love you guys ... thanks for the support  / B 

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    imagenumber four here we go!!

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2016

    #5 is underway

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    Half way

    image

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  • redrock75
    redrock75 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    twirp I love that shirt!!! I need it!!! You look great!!

    Lou and chinacat, also looking great! We are all kicking ass!!!

    I am feeling like shit! AC #4 is the worst I have felt and the neulasta pain in a nightmare I went right back to bed today after my MIL came to take my kids to school. And I'm still in bed. At least this was the last one.

    Love to everyone!

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  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited February 2016

    You ladies are crushing it! Very inspiring pictures. Exactly what I need to see as I head to the halfway mark of my chemo this Friday.

    As I type this my apartment is getting scoured by a free maid service from cleaningforareason.org. If you are not familiar, we can get free maid service while in treatment. Please take advantage if you can.It was a little awkward to have strange ladies cleaning your house but my place looks and smells great. And I conserved energy to go into the office tomorrow. Also I will not be crabby later when my fiancé gets home lol.

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  • redrock75
    redrock75 Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2016

    I looked into that Angtee but there were no services available in my area! Glad you are able to take advantage of it!!!

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  • puremalarkey
    puremalarkey Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2016

    Whoa, I went from doing pretty good to ICK ! I had my third treatment Jan 26th. I saw a different oncologist that day because mine was on vacation. I had swollen feet the weekend before and told him about it. He said to call in if it got worse especially first thing in the morning. So I did the chemo that day. My toenails really hurt but the pain was mixed in with the burning feet and neulasta pain. My toenails started changing colors like they were bruised and white patches you could see under the two great toes and red areas around the toes. So I called in Monday to the triage nurse and she checked with my dr. and since he didn't think my type of chemo would cause nail loss they advised me to see a podiatrist. He also called in an RX for Levaquin. I got an appointment the next day with an podiatrist surgeon. I had abscesses under both big toenails. So then and there he removed my toenails... Ow ow ow Now I know why they pull nails to torture people. He also tested my feet and told me I have peripheral neuropathy. Tomorrow if I feel better my plan is to call my oncologist and see if I can go in to see him next week ahead of my next treatment on Feb 15th. Since my fingers are also tingling we need to talk about this last treatment and neuropathy.

    Ladies y'all are looking great in your photos!

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    lou53 and chinacat, looking good!!! Let's pray not many side effects. The one that I hate the most is the 2 days after, my emotional craziness!!! Grrrrrr... Hoping it doesn't happen this time. It's Mardi Gras weekend here on the gulf coast. Also a little upset that I am gaining weight:( I guess I'll worry about that when I'm done. My tastes come back the last week or so and I just PIG OUT!!!😜😜😜😜😜

    Angtee15 I have applied for cleaning for a reason. I'm waiting to hear from the next available cleaning service;) why not right???? Do you tip them???

    Restock 75, I got this shirt online at a site called chemo chicks. Be warned though. I thought the shirts were ladies sizes. They are very large. I had to cut and se up sides to make it look more "sexy" lol.

    Puremalarke, sorry to hear about your toe nails!!' That seems like a crazy thing that they don't think the chemo caused it. I would definitely see your oncologist about neropathy.

    Keep fighting ladies!!! Appreciate you all!!!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    you all are strong wonderful ladies. Keep fighting. Glad to see you back Twirp.

    Puremalarkey, that sounds awful about your toenails and painful. I was told to keep dark polish on my fingers and toes during treatment. I have no idea if that worked but I did it because I was scared of losing my nails.

    Hope you start feeling better Redrock


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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2016

    imageAM I the first one to lose my brows? They're barely there. I'm ordering eyebrows tonight. My lashes are hanging tough but thinning.

    First taxol treatment today. Fingers crossed.

    I am dealing with the same bottom issues as LiLNutmeg. Ugh! My whole day revolves around pooping. Lots of anxiety.

    I also have dark nail beds on my thumbs and big toes. My other nails are starting to get a hint of grey. It doesn't seem like they'll fall off. They just look dark and thick. I added pics below.

    Cleaning for a reason wasn't available in my area but I found another local service but I ended up declining. I feel bad taking the help. Crazy I know. I hate asking for help. One of my weaknesses;)

    I am also gaining weight. I eat lots of ice cream and bread. Not my usual diet. I have not been going to the gym and before all this I went 4-5x per week so I expected this. I'll just have to work hard after this is through. I used to feel like I kicked my own ass every time I went but after this crap the gym will be a breeze💪🏻

    Love and light my friends💕

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    I am still freaking out on them pulling off your toenails Puremalarkey! Ooooooch. 😟

    My thumbnails are a wreck as are my hands. It looked like I had second degree burns for awhile. Also getting quite a few nosebleeds that don't want to quit. I go down about two days after chemo and am a wreck for about two more days. My legs are like jello and so sore which makes climbing the stairs at work brutal. Still holding on to my hair nubs and it seems as if some of it is growing!? Hoping to hang on to my brows and lashes but I hear that I will most likely lose those after I am done with chemo. *sigh*

    I do have the cleaning service available but I just can't have someone cleaning for me either. I too, have a hard time asking for help.

    Here's to us all for having to endure this crap. Feel better and stay strong ladies! 👍

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited February 2016

    Lou53 - have you ever used cocunut oil for your skin and maybe in your nose? I have used coconut oil as a moisturizer since before chemo as well as for makeup remover. It works great. I use it after my shower on my face and head. A little goes a long way. I even use it on my son when he gets eczema. I would only use organic though.

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    China, I do use organic coconut oil and i love it but it didn't seem to help my hands for this one. I haven't tried using it in my nose. I got some nose spray for dry noses but am afraid to try it! Been using a vaporizer the past couple days. I got some lotion called "My Girls" for when I start radiation which seems to help the hands more than anything right now. My hands look like I am 90

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    I tried the cleaning thing but it wasn't available in my Area either. If it had been I would use it. You all should, nothing wrong with getting help.

    Does anyone else's hair seem to be growing in between treatments? I still have my eyebrows. My lashes are getting sparse. I have been using this conditioning gel called Brian Josephs for lashes/brows.I think it has helped.

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    chinacat, my eyebrows are thinning. I need to use a pencil on them. My lashes are also thinning. I have some fake brows I ordered. I'm sure I will need them at some point. I have fake lashes too but they look obvious, I need more training;) lol. Your nails look pretty good!! They are long!!! Lou53, my legs and arms also feel like jello. It is such a strange feeling!! Also, try emu oil on hands. It is pretty healing:)

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  • Lou53
    Lou53 Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2016

    Mv, I am using the Brian Josephs's Gel also but it says to continue for 60 days after treatment is done. The one has lasted for about 5 weeks or so and at $50 bucks each I would need a few more so I don't know that I can continue that one. I am also using their shampoo which is amazing! It healed my sore stub head within days. Why is everything so dang expensive?

    Twirp, I will check out the emu oil. Love the tips

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  • chinookmom
    chinookmom Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2016

    Love all the chemo photos!

    I went to my local Cancer Support Community today and did a Feldenkrais and Osteoball class which were a nice break but wiped me out.

    I'm a week out from #3 tomorrow. I now have oral flush (yeast infection in my mouth). Doing a swirl and swallow prescription oral medication and Fluconazole.. Had this after chemo #1 and it took about a week to go away. Mouth and throat burn and hurt.. can only eat gently soft foods. Trying to get in to see a cardiologist to double check that my chest pain and rapid heartbeat is only the anemia.

    My cancer is in my right breast (surgery after chemo) but I often get pain in my left breast. My Oncologist said she has heard this from many patients of the years.. anyone else also feel this way?

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  • chinacat
    chinacat Member Posts: 78
    edited February 2016

    Lou I plan on using coconut oil with radiation as well, but I will try the My Girls if it doesn't work.

    Twirp, I fill in my patchy brows with a cream and little brush. The hairs fall out while I'm filling them in. Flashback to day 16 or 17 when I said screw it and shaved my head. I ordered some so once I receive my "new" brows I'll say goodbye to my current ones:). My nails are so strong and long. They never look like this. The pic was to show everyone the discoloration. It's obvious on my thumbs but still faint greying on the cuticles of the others. That's how my thumbs started too.

    Chinook I have not had any breast pain except from thebiopsy, the dye injection for sentinel node and surgery.

    On a good note, my spirits are back to glass half full! Just want to live life everyday to the fullest! Sometimes that means Netflix binging and ice cream! Whatever it takes to see all that's good in life!

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  • Twirp26
    Twirp26 Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2016

    chinacat, your nails look better then mine pre-chemo!! Lmao!! Paint those bitches pink girl!! Have a great day!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    lou53, I am on my second order of the gel. It is expensive but I wanted to keep my brows. I got the shampoo too but I haven't used it on my bald head I was waiting to use it when I'm done hoping it will make my hair come in faster. What is this about fake brows? Didn't know there was such a thing. I use Younique 3D+ mascara and it gives me the look that I still have lashes.

    China, I think if you paint your nails it might help but not sure if that's a proven fact. Just advice I got from someone.

    This week is kicking my butt. I have worked every day in the office and can't hardly keep my eyes open when I get home at night.

    Have a great day everyone.

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