Starting Chemo December 2015

PezGal, I am so sorry about the loss of your dog. She was beautiful. My loss and diagnosis also happened in September. I have considered getting another dog but I just don't know if I am ready yet.

I am also sorry about your setback with chemo. I know that I would be devasted. I take the Neulasta shot but if you are getting weekly infusions you get the Neupogen. It has helped me a lot and my counts have been ok enough to continue treatment so far. I found this regarding boosting your white blood cells:

Here are some things which can help prevent low immunity and keep white blood cell counts high: - Avoid sugar and keep sweet stuff to a minimum. Sugar prevents white blood cells from being their strongest - Eliminate unhealthy trans fats. - Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins - Exercise is a proven immune system booster. Exercise is best in moderation, however, since too much exercise may wear the body down and create immune system problems. - Avoid stress and try to relax. Too much stress invariably leads to a lowered immune system. Carrots and other red, yellow, orange, and dark-green leafy vegetables contain beta carotene which helps protect the immune system A cup of kale will give you your daily requirement of vitamin A. This is an antioxidant that helps your body respond to invaders. Garlic is another good anti-bacterial, immune-boosting food. Supplements can play a big role in boosting immune function. Some examples: - Astragalus root helps boost immunity and enhances production of the important natural compound interferon to fight against viruses. - Zinc is necessary for white blood cell function. - Vitamin C is an immune enhancer that helps white blood cells perform at their peak and quickens the immune system response. - The trace mineral selenium is vital to the development and movement of white blood cells. - Both Siberian ginseng (eleuthero) and Asian ginseng provide support for the immune system. - Mushrooms such as reishi have also been shown to boost our natural immune system. - Green Tea is another good one.

Don't over do it just because your parents are there. I am sure they will understand. Let them help!

Each day is one step closer to the end of this!

mvspaulding I am in Chicago and left the wig at home today for chemo. The wind insane!

Pezgal I have had consistently good blood counts throughout Taxol. I mainly work from home and have stayed away from the subway and other crowded scenarios when possible. Occasional movies (wear a mask), eat out once in awhile, and have kept shopping mostly online. The chemo nurse today thinks that is a big part of my numbers. I know my quasi recluse approach isn't doable for a lot people or even appealing though. I also take a couple spoonfuls of black strap mollasses and drink a sh*tload of water. I read on here on some thread that the Molasses helped their blood counts. It tastes awful but I just chase it with more water.

Good luck! I have the dreaded AC next.

Right? I had a very bad image of it in my mind lol. I work downtown Cincinnati and we went out for lunch today. So glad I had my hat onha

I wish I could eat I'm in that phase where I'm hungry, just can't eat. Ugh.

My friend was diagnosed 4 years ago and still drank during chemo (she cleared it with her MO). She still enjoys her wine and other alcoholic drinks to this day. We usually have a couple of bottles of wine available at our cancer support group meetings.

I cleared wine with my doc too. But I have really good numbers and I'm not getting of that Herceptin stuff, I just have a tax / cyto. I have packed on the pounds so my next goal after my final 2 is start dropping the weight!

mvspaulding, that stinks. I have been trying to keep a journal of my side effects and when they happen. It seems like week 2 I get red bumps on my face and head. Mine are not painful but just annoying. Just let that last dose run its course and I bet they go away!! Gone forever red head bumps!! 😝 Hope they don't hurt too bad. Hang in there!!!

Hey we should have a Midwestern get together this summer! I am north of Indy!

In other news, sorry I need to have a pity party. My husband did yearly medical screening for work, and low and behold his blood sugar is in diabetic range. I can't believe it. Guys, we are 44, don't drink excessively (like I'm lucky to have a couple beers a month), never smoked, never did drugs, are in decent shape (I weigh 130, he's somewhere near 200 and works out EVERY DAY at lunch). WHAT THE HECK!?!? I want to cry. I feel so lost and don't understand why our bodies are failing us Today we went for breakfast while the kids were in Sunday school (eggs only!!!) and there were 3 million old people around complaining about medical stuff as only old people can do. And I wanted to scream "At least you are OLD!!!"

ugh. Not feeling the love from the universe. I'll be better tomorrow.

chinookmom - I am with you! Same protocol & I have two left. Funny at the beginning it seemed to go fast - now it seems to be taking forever. I want to be done so badly. It's probably why I am more down and keep having pity parties

Jealous of your mild LA weather - maybe us midwestern girls can come visit you!

OK ladies - lets have a good week. I am ready!!!!!

Must be the curse of the 4th visit because I am not doing so hot either. I was decent until yesterday. I have no energy whatsoever. Slept most of the day yesterday and couldn't even make it to work today. Getting so disgusted with this crap. My legs are nothing but mush and I get out of breath walking across the room. Really feeling down.

Ladies definitely report those symptoms to your oncologists right away. Are you anemic?

Not to be alarmist but I was experiencing extreme shortness of breath and heavy legs walking seemingly short distances and it turned out I had blood clots. My MO kept telling me the shortness of breath was normal.

Hi All, so my last treatment (2nd taxol) didn't go great and we had to stop it. I met with my MO today and he said I could be allergic to paclitaxel but I am most likely allergic to cremophor, the chemical used do dissolve the paclitaxel. The new plan: I'll be starting abraxane, which doesn't use cremophor to dissolve the paclitaxel. on Wednesday. These are weekly rather than biweekly so I have 6 to go. On a good note, it's a 45 min infusion vs the 4 plus hours for taxol. For the first infusion of abraxane I'll also get steroids and Benadryl as we aren't 100% sure that it was the cremophor that I was allergic to. If I don't have a reaction then it was the cremophor and I don't need the steroids and Benadryl anymore. Has anyone else had abraxane?

Hi Twirp I didn't feel it in my arms. Just my legs. Going up the stairs was the hardest. It would come and go but I started to get a little winded just sitting and talking! Thats when I went to the hospital. Other symptoms I had (but dismissed) was feeling light headed and I had a high heart rate at times.

Hi all!!!

I had #12 Taxol today!!! I'm finished with that part of my treatment. The last week I have been terribly fatigued in arms and legs. I told MO, and he said it was probably from steroids. Has anyone been told this? I assumed it was a cumulation of Taxol finally getting to me. Anyway, I have 8 days until I go back to work. I am going to start part time for a bit and see how feel. I'm having a hard time with endurance and need to try and build it back up.

My Mom, sisters and daughter surprised me at chemo today with balloons, flowers and cupcakes. I am so blessed to have these wonderful women to love and support me!!!