April 2017 Chemo

Dodgersgirl: Glad to finally hear from you, I've been thinking about you . Yes, day 3 was rough and I've been very, very weak due to NO appetite at all. Saying a prayer for you right now that God will bring you through the rest of the day. I managed to drive to my BF house today and he made me supper, sure was good, but feeling like a stuffed pig, lol. Ready for Taxol to begin on June 1st, we can do this

tonyaberryman-- feeling better so far today (Sunday). Sometimes I think some of the SE are from the anti-nauseous meds as I seem to start feeling more normal once I stop taking them. But definitely want to fight the nausea feeling so it's just what it is for a few days.

Sounds like you had a nice dinner! I am having Halo ice cream for breakfast (it's not a dairy ice cream and is loaded with protein) It is cold and creamy. Yum. (It's what sounded good this am)

We are planning a big BBQ day Saturday to celebrate the end of AC.

hi everyone, I am trying to get caught up with all the posts. I have my last AC tomorrow and am dreading it. I think when all this is done I will have anxiety over Mondays. Ugh. I know it will go fine, but I dread hell week and starting to think about Taxol. Tomorrow is my half way mark and that is cause for celebration. I hope everyone has a day of no SE's. I am so grateful to have all of you.

thanks dodgers girl. I have already develeped that connection to water after the first treatment. I totally understand. One of the things I am dreading tomorrow.

Dodgersgirl - Good for the BBQ celebration! Taxol is right around the corner and I'm not gonna lie, I'm dreading it, but can't wait to get it over with.

Annabee- I'm totally sick of water, it reminds me of chemo.

All - Don't know why I'm so blue lately? Could be because I'm always alone pretty much..... only get to see BF on the weekends, unless it's his 7 days off which is right around the corner. I have an appointment for another papsmear , last one came back abnormal .....worried I have some type of cancer down there. Always worried.

Hello All,

This is my first post here although I've been following along for a few months. (Does that make me a stalker?) 👀 My chemo treatment plan seems to be most like Kdarner, DazzlingEagle and BallandCheerMomofFour.

I go for chemo #3 of 6 tomorrow (today now). My worst side effects are heartburn, which I've learned to control with Nexium, constantly dripping nose, tinged with blood - so annoying when in public, loose bowels/ diarrhea- I take Imodium, fatigue - I take naps lol, and the worst is that I'm almost constantly hungry but can't find any food that's consistently appealing until my third week. I have had luck with angel hair pasta with marinara, microwaved (because I'm lazy) mini-potatoes with very well done broccoli, Olivio, cheese and sour cream, soups...not much to choose from. I find that I'll think something is going to taste good, prepare it, take 3 bites and not be able to stand it because of the texture. Weird. It doesn't hurt my throat, I just don't want it. So unappealing.

I also at times have swelling above my implant - I had mastectomy and lymph node removal 2/27/17. All of them removed on that side. I am seeing an OT for lymphedema prevention along with scar management and range of motion exercises. It helps a lot. I haven't figured out if the swelling is from using my arm too much, not using it enough, or perhaps a too-tight bra. :-/

And, I haven't gotten over the loss of my hair yet. We cut/shaved it as a family just before my second chemo, around April 25, because I couldn't stand losing several strands every time I ran my fingers through it. I don't go out of the house without a wig, ball cap if exercising, or sun hat. Insurance paid for a beautiful wig that looks a lot like my hair did. I also got a "hat wig" which is a cute beige ball cap with hair attached. So easy. With my dressy wig I always have to play with it and put a barrette in to keep those itchy strands from bothering me. But sometimes when I pass the mirror at home and see my hairless self, I get blue and just want to be normal.

That's my biggest mental/emotional issue is just wanting to be normal. Wanting my old normal life back. And then I feel ashamed of myself because my ordeal is supposed to end before too long and I know there are people who suffer devastating accidents, like becoming paralyzed, and they just have to accept and get used to it for the long term.

I love all the support, encouragement and camaraderie I see here. I know I always learn a lot, and hope to be an encouragement to others as we go along.

🎶 I'm no longer a slave to fear - I am a child of God 🎶

Just checking in. I hope everyone is doing well. This last AC on Monday has hit me harder than the rest. Not sure why. Hopefully it passes quickly.

Thanking of everyone!

This one hit me worse than the others Not sure why? Trying to hydrate more. We have not celebrated yet but did buy a new camper for when I feel a little better. I am excited to get back to camping. We used to al the time when the kids were younger. We decided not to put it off buying one and enjoy life more.

I don't know if this will help those on or starting taxol, but I have just had my 2nd dose of TC (which is taxotere (cousin of taxol) and cytoxin. I also have the nuelasta injections, and they told me to take Clariton to help with the bone pain on the day of chemo and to take for 5 days. It did reduce the pain the 2nd round.

There were also able to reduce (very slightly) the steriod dosage in the 2nd second round, and I took my second dose by noon (instead of 2 pm). They also increased my ativan dosage for sleeping just in this period of time. The first round I did not sleep for 4 days. The second round I got much more sleep with the modifications.

Has anyone had any issues with rashes due to hair loss? I have a great wig, and halo pony tail, however, I am developing rashes and inflammation on my head - so I can't wear anything but a bamboo cap without it getting irritated. Talk about discouraging. The hair loss has been isolating for me too. I did find it ironic that as my hair was falling out in clumps in the shower, I was shaving my legs and bikini line. That doesn't seem fair!

Do we continue to lose hair throughout the process? I did not lose my eyebrows (at least after the 1st treatment), so I thought maybe I won't. It sounds like I may not be out of the woods with that?

I am the same way. Still have eye lashes and eye brows. Thank goodness. I have not had to shave my legs or anywhere else. I usually where a bamboo hat so I have not had irritation. Hoping Taxol will not make the eyebrows and eyelashes fall out. I am not sure is we continue to lose hair.

Mimi- love that hat!!

Ksusan- 4ACs done. 5/31 starting Taxol for 12 weeks