Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

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  • Hope88
    Hope88 Member Posts: 55
    edited December 2016

    Hey Ladies,

    Hope everyone is doing ok. Had my 3rd AC yesterday...whew one more to go. I really enjoyed the Look Good, Feel Better class. It was fun and the best part was bonding with the other ladies, the free makeup didn't hurt.

    Even though I am not on Taxol yet, I am feeling some nueropathy issues and my hands and fingers are getting darker. So my MO recommended using Udderly Smooth several times a day. I hope it helps.

    Is anyone feeling more tired and weary when walking? I am really having difficulty and leg pain walking up steep stairs (at my school). I know this is a side effect from chemo, but the walking issue will definitely keep me out of stores shopping for Christmas. Oh well, gift cards and money here I go. Also, I did some online shopping this year. Now that can get addicting...lol.

    Ok Fellow Warriors...Fight, Fight, Fight!!

  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    Has anyone had swollen feet and ankles since starting Chemo

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    I haven't Dianarose, but I know fluid retention is one of the side effects of the drug I start in January. I hope it isn't being too bad for you.


  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited December 2016

    Leslie- What are you starting in January? I am on just Taxol right now.

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Taxotere (docetaxel). I'm in Canada...I just did my 3 FEC, now I start the Docetaxel on January 4th.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited December 2016

    Nfullblume - Prune Juice and Oatmeal - Now that's my regular ole kind of meal. I hope you're enjoying it dear.

    I hope everyone is doing ok.

    Thinking of you all.

    (((hugs)))

  • Nfullblume
    Nfullblume Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2016

    Marie, I finally managed to get my fiber mix right this time. Wahooo!! I'm very excited to start Taxol and not have to deal with the anti nausea meds and their side effects!!

    Have a great week,ladies!!!

  • fromtritotam
    fromtritotam Member Posts: 29
    edited December 2016

    Hi Ladies-

    AC 4 weekend yuckiness is over! Still feeling nauseous but that's because I chose not to take the Zofran yesterday or today. I didn't want to deal with the C, The MO and all of the nurses said that the Taxol will be easier as far as the nausea goes but Taxol can still cause digestive issues. I am doing dose dense so the first infusion will be about 5 and a half hours. I hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there.

    Have a great day,

    Kelly


  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Glad it's done Kelly. My last FEC weekend is done too. I'm ok today, not 100% though. I've done pretty well with the FEC and as happy as I am that it's done, I'm actually nervous about doing the D part now...because FEC has been ok, I don't want to change!!

    Going out for dinner tonight with some dear friends; hope I'm good with the restaurant smells. My son is home from college for the break, so it's nice having both my kids home.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited December 2016

    Nfullblume - I know that's right.

  • aterry
    aterry Member Posts: 290
    edited December 2016

    I'm getting infusion #4 tomorrow. It's Yule so that will keep my spirits up a bit. As others have mentioned I'm happy to be finishing with AC. Cycle 3 was a repeat of 1 & 2 except I've had a drippy nose, on and off, and the thrush in my mouth & throat popped back up despite the Nystatin. I'm guessing my sinuses are irritated by the chemo and that causes the dripping and the dripping leads to the thrush. Maybe it's just a light cold but it doesn't feel like a cold and I've never gotten thrush during a cold.

    My MO will be doing tests before deciding which chemical to move onto next.

    My chemo book this time Is The Age of Innocence by Wharton. I've never read Wharton and have always felt slightly guilty. With hours in the infusion chair now's the time.

    I've switched to wearing a soft bandana for sleeping. I tie it in the front so the knot doesn't irritate my neck and back of the head. First I tried a warming cap but that slipped off during the night. Then I added a do-rag over the cap but the do-rag but the do-rag has seams. The bandana is my best approach, so far.

    Good luck to other who are infusing this week and everyone heading into the holiday activities.


  • Nanpop
    Nanpop Member Posts: 75
    edited December 2016

    How is everyone overcoming fatigue? It's been hitting me on the fifth and sixth days. Any special foods that help? After AC # 3 it worse than before.

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Aterry - may #4 be uneventful for you!!!

    Headwear - I've misplaced my most comfortable around the house hat. No idea where I put it. Although I have a ton of toques, I need to find some "nicer" winter hats to wear. I have one that it nice for wearing out shopping and stuff, but I'm laughing at myself...all the hats I have been wearing are getting stretched out and misshaped...my fat head/all those brains are destroying them. They won't last the the winter at this rate.

    Nanpop, I've just been taking naps when I'm tired. Sorry I don't have a better solution.

  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited December 2016

    Hope88--You asked about leg pain, I don't have pain but I feel some sort of fatigue with my legs. I work out regularly and the past couple workouts I can barely get through. My leg muscles feel incredibly fatigues. I was running 2.5 miles two weeks ago, now I can hardly run .5 without stopping. The elliptical is worse. My legs feel like I can;t go on. Anyone else stay active and been feeling like this?

  • fromtritotam
    fromtritotam Member Posts: 29
    edited December 2016

    Pamela and Hope- I was very active until AC number 3. Leg (quadricep) pain and fatigue are not letting me exercise for long periods of time. My goal is 30 min a day and at this point I'm not even close. Hoping I can exercise with the taxol- don't want to deal with the neuropathy. Hang in there!

    I hope everyone is having a good day!

    Kelly


  • Annie16
    Annie16 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    Hi Leslie - it was recommended that I take Claritan the day of the Neulasta shot and then for two additional days. I did that the first time, but had pain on the 4th day after the shot (more than the other days) so the second time, I extended my course of Claritan and took it for 4 days. Seemed to work I would get these odd 'zings' of pain here and there, my neck bothered me sone, and I was TIRED, but no horrible bone pain. Best of luck to you!

  • Annie16
    Annie16 Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2016

    Leslie, the D (Taxotere) is a part of my chemo (TC for Taxotere and Cytoxan) and, while it is impossible to sort out the effects of these combined medicines, it hasn't been horrible. They do watch you the first couple of times to ensure you are not having an allergic reaction (and you will take steroids), but apparently it is less likely than Taxol to cause neuropathy and I haven't had any nausea. (I do get nausea meds in my infusion, but have not needed to take any after the infusion. I hope you far well. Age of Innocence is wonderful. I'm going to start the Elena Ferrante series (My Brilliant Friend is the first in the series.) with my next infusion on 12/27 - things have been well-timed to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas during 'good' weeks!

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Annie glad to hear about the taxotere since I am taking that next! My MO just told me no "pounding" of hands and feet...he said comfortable shoes and no running etc.

    Leslie, My nurse told me to take the claritin for 10 days after chemo, It helps a little with the aches and pains, but I also have a little cold right now and she said it will help with those symptoms too.

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    So I've been fighting a cold, congestion for a few days now. I called my MO on monday to see what I could take and they said Robitussin was ok, so that has been helping with the congestion. I left work early on Monday and stayed home yesterday to recouperate. I am back at work today, still not feeling great but a bit better...no fever though thank goodness. I"m hoping to kick this before the holidays! I tried to wrap some stuff yesterday when I was home but I did about 5 gifts and was so tired I had to stop...I told my husband he has to wrap while the kids are at school :-)

  • Nanpop
    Nanpop Member Posts: 75
    edited December 2016

    Hi Ladies,

    My emotions have been all over the place. I am so glad we have this place to chat. AC 3 did make me more tired then ever. I hope Taxol is not as bad. I'm not good at pretending everything is ok in front of my family. I try for my girls, they are teens but it's hard. Any yips

    How much hair loss have you experienced? I thought it was supposed to be 100 percent. I still have about 15 percent. I started with a lot of hair. I also have tiny growth on lip and legs. Anyone else finding this?

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Thanks ladies. I took the claritin for 4 days, not sure if it helped or not, but I know it didn't hurt, so I'll do it again next time.

    Also thanks for the info on the docetaxel. I don't know why I'm so freaked about the switch, but I'm nervous.

    Time to put it behind me and just enjoy the holidays. Today I'm going over to see my students (left work Nov 2) and say happy holidays. I'm looking forward to seeing them. I hope they show up! Then finish shopping for Christmas. The next few days will just be wrapping and relaxing. I hope.

  • amw5
    amw5 Member Posts: 189
    edited December 2016

    Hello all my dear, sweet, pink sisters. I hope everyone is doing ok.

    I usually have a good appetite on my non-chemotherapy week, but not so much this time. I enjoy a veggie omelet for breakfast, but the rest of the day, I don't really want much. I'm still drinking lots and lots of water to stay hydrated. I will probably have some oatmeal or cream of rice around lunch time (with a few prunes).

    I get my 4th A/C (and last A/C) chemotherapy on Tuesday. I'm so looking forward to being done with the brutal A/C. For some reason, when I think about it, it almost makes me a bit queasy. Anyone else? Maybe I just despise it that much. I'm still hoping the 4 Taxol treatments won't be too brutal.

    What is everyone doing for the holidays? My husband and I will just have a quiet and low key Christmas dinner at home (it's what we usually do).

    Thinking of you all. (((hugs)))

    ~Marie

  • javamama
    javamama Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2016

    I just had my 3rd AC yesterday. I'm really starting to not enjoy my cold capping. I do enjoy having hair, however. So I will just suck it all up. Very tired with this infusion. Almost immediately. I was starting to fall asleep 10 min into my change of cold caps during chemo day. And today has had me drowsy as well.

    My labs look good. And apparently, my body responds really well to the neulasta because my WBC number shoot way above normal every time I get it. The infusion nurse said that's probably why I'm having so much bone hurt and impact. My poor bones are jam packed with white blood cells. And my marrow is pumping them out fast as can be.

    amw5- my two sons are home from college and my dad is visiting from Alaska. I pre-ordered an entire turkey dinner complete with fixings and dessert to be picked up the day before Christmas. I plan on ordering pizza on Christmas eve and not cooking the entire day. Christmas eve and Christmas day fall on my bad days. So, really low key at my house. Now, I will be on a good week and weekend when New Year's Eve falls. Which makes me want to take my hubby out for a night of revelry. I want to celebrate the fact I caught my cancer in time to eventually kick it's ass completely. I want to celebrate how much I appreciate seeing the next year arrive. And so, I'm really glad New Year's Eve falls on a day that I can go out and be merry... in my own hair, damnit!

  • Hope88
    Hope88 Member Posts: 55
    edited December 2016

    Hey Ladies,

    Marie, I know what you mean about the 4th AC chemo. I am dreading getting it. The tiredness and leg pain continue, but now I have a few new SE's. I thought my heart was hurting and aching, but thankfully after an EKG, they think the pain is related to the cancer and chemo. My hands and especially palms are getting darker. Has this happened to anyone else?

    Nanpop, my husband shaved the rest of my hair which really helped with the scalp pain. You are fortunate to keep 15% so rock it! As far as your kids, try to be as honest as possible unless they are super-sensitive. My daughter is older, but we have grown closer through this experience. Sometimes she thinks I am sad when I am just tired or trying to push on. I find in general that people don't want to know our every ache and pain.

    For the holidays, we will just be celebrating with our immediate family (husband, son, and daughter). I am grateful for this Christmas since last Christmas and New Year my husband was in the hospital. At least this Christmas we will all be together.

    I wish all of you a peaceful and restful holidays!😍😊🤗

    Gail

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016
  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    Good Morning everyone! I have been fighting a cold for the past 4/5 days...I stayed home one day from work, probably should have stayed home yesterday too but I got through it (it was an easy day) today I feel much better but have no voice LOL my students will be very happy :-)

    I'm ready for tomorrow to be over so I can stay home for Christmas vacation

    Last night my toes were tingling, I"m worried its neuropathy....today they feel fine, but the balls of my feet hurt...so I"m wearing sneakers to work (we're not supposed to, but I don't care anymore LOL) I will call my MO and see if there is anything I should do, take for the tingling.

    My sister had bc 3 years ago she said she had the tingling in her hands and feet but it went away not long after treatment ended...so I"m hoping its the same for me (if I get it worse) Another friend is in the radiation stage of treatment and said her hands and feet also tingle...but it seems to be getting better for her...

    I hope everyone had a great holiday with their families...we will start at home with the kids opening all the gifts, then go to my sisters house (about an hour or so away) to celebrate with my whole family....It will be a bit sad this year since I lost my dad last January, this is our first Christmas without him, and between that and fighting bc I have been pretty emotional lately...*sigh* 2017 will be a better year!! It will be the year I slay the cancer beast!! <3

    Oh and the high school I work at amazed me yesterday!! The social worker came to see me and brought me a gift bag FULL of gift certificates to local restaurants and supermarkets!! There must be over $650 worth in there!! this will help out immensely with meals during treatments, esp on my "bad" days my husband (who cooks lol) can get stuff to make or pick up some take out for the kids and him...They also gave me a beautiful snowman mug and a box of tea....I truly work with some amazing caring people and I am so thankful for them!

  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited December 2016

    oh and if anyone else wants to join the Facebook group let me know!! Its a nice group over there and totally private.

    Its easier to follow and comment on peoples posts

  • Leslie2016
    Leslie2016 Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2016

    Oh BG their gift was so nice!! I've been overwhlemed with people's caring for me. It's so amazing how little things like a meal ou don't need to worry about make such a big difference.

  • aterry
    aterry Member Posts: 290
    edited December 2016

    Thanks for the cheery wreath, Gimmph!

  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited December 2016

    BG46TN-- What a wonderful gift. I have found these types of things appear when we most need them. I've had more good days than bad days but this week I had a couple bad days in a row, more emotionally bad caused by some of the lingering side effects, like being tired of being tired, etc. Wouldn't you know it, I got 3 cards in the mail, one with a gift card for a restaurant and yesterday I came home to a gift on my doorstep of a beautiful crystal necklace that has St Benedicts cross on it. It's amazing how others can lift your spirit and make us feel less alone. There's always support at the beginning but I feel blessed to still have the love coming my way only halfway through. I hope all you ladies have little angels where you live, lifting your spirits in even the smallest ways.

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