April 2017 Chemo

Hi Metamorphosis,

You and I definitely seem like we have lots in common (unfortunately.) I'm glad you posted.... this is only my second post here, but I visit 👀 Often! It def helps to see that others relate to same issues.

As far as the appetite issues: I feel like I'm worse than a pregnant woman! I get "cravings" but then after a few bites decide, never mind. So you are not alone! I just eat when I want, what I want! The same goes for me on the timing. The first week or two after treatment I don't eat very well at all. I usually make up for it the last week before treatment.

I've come to embrace my baldness for the most part. I'm definitely not going in public without a cap, but around the house I usually stay without anything on my head. I'm just thankful I still have eyebrows and eyelashes so far!

I'm very curious.... if you don't mind! what was the explanation for doing your surgery before chemo? My Drs have all expressed to me that I needed to wait until after all 6 rounds of chemo before having surgery. I am also ER/ PR neg, HER2 pos. It is so scary having this mass still inside me, even though I know the chemo is shrinking it. I appreciate any info you may have.

I meet with my plastic surgeon this week to discuss options. I'm a mixture of so many emotions about it. So ready to be done with the next 3 treatments so I can move on to the next phase of recovery! My surgery is supposed to be 3-5 weeks after my last treatment.... so around end of Aug/ beg of Sept.

first of all thank you ladies for letting me be here ( I started my chemo in late March)

Well, weight loss continues even though I eat regular food a lot smaller portion of course. I temporarily gain 1 or 2 and then lose 2 or 3. No complain whatsoever. I am looking forward to tell BS about my progress in late Aug. Maybe regular exercise helping even though they are only walking and stretching. Maybe even scar massage counts.

Still soul searching about my life. I know one thing for sure that my maker has a plan for me. Everytime I get depressed. I pray by saying "whatever you have plan for me I will follow"

#2 DD Taxol on Tuesday. My 28 slots pill organizer has been populated for the next week. Determined to get some pain killer prescriptions. Thyroid consulation on Wed and we will be rescuing our beagle from a short exile at her cousins place.

Can't wait to have my port deported!!!

Had my third chemo May 17th. Halfway done now! All my blood counts were still pretty good too.

Well, I did not know it at the time but right after this third chemo, I started getting neutropenia. Instead of feeling a little bit better every day, I just felt fatigued and never got to my "good days."

I now know that I should have at least called the chemo nurse and let her know I still wasn't feeling good.

So what happened was I developed a fever and I felt the kind of sick where you just know you need help right away. I did not even bother calling the on-call oncologist. I went to the E.R., was admitted from there to the hospital for three days with neutropenic fever and the infection that overwhelmed me was severe sinusitis. My heart rate was unstable and my blood pressure was so low the machine couldn't measure it. They had to check it manually. My fever kept going down, then back up to 103. It was terrifying.

Everything got stabilized and after just one neupogen shot, 24 hours later, my neutrophil level went up to a 6. They discharged me earlier today. Aside from the sinusitis, one of my biggest problems is something called odynophagia which just means pain when swallowing. Makes drinking and eating pretty painful. Hopefully it will resolve quickly. Even when you're sleeping, you wake up every time you swallow because it hurts so bad. It's hard to describe because it's not the same thing as a sore throat.

Back when I had the third chemo, the blood work was all pretty good. The red blood cell count had been getting just a little below normal and that was going to get discussed at my next doctor's appointment. I don't think my medical oncologist expected the neutrophil numbers to drop from nearly normal to zero in ten days.

I had darkening fingernails and toenails. 4DDAC folllwed by DD Taxol.

Someone mentioned tea tree oil. I only apply whenever I remember but the oil does wonders. No pain when i want to open something w my nails. darkening slowed down even got lighter

question for you guys -- now that we are in air conditioning season, are you noticing you get cold more often now that we are bald?

I am sitting at work today, A/C running and noticed I was getting really chilled. (No wig or scarf, etc) just bald head. Took my temp. 96.6. Recalling all the stories growing up how you need a hat in winter to keep heat from escaping your body, I felt the tip of my head. COLD. So I put on a slouchy baseball like hat and do feel warmer.

Anyone with similar stories?

waiting for #6 out of #8. DD Taxol #2!

Spelled it out to Onco I could not sleep more than an hr at a time for the chemo week. She gave in and gave me a script for 30 qty low dose hydrocodone w tylenol. Huge relief. Pain killers w ton of epsom salt I am ready to take this beating.

Steroid kicked in i ate all morning even before weigh in. Lost more weight cum weight loss since 03/21/17 is 18 pounds dang it wish I did not eat before weigh in it could have been 20!

Steroid is powerful! WBC 24.48! Just w neulasta mine was at 9 at least. I think it is overkill but then again what do i know

After this just two more beating or two more trips to principals office!

tonyaberryman-- tomorrow is my 1st Taxol. You are scheduled for Thursday, right

tonyaberryman - anxious about tomorrow. Really hoping the bone pain others talk about are doable. Then there is the deal with these being weekly so you don't a week of feeling better between treatments. And lastly, my port didn't want to work last time. Hoping for better luck tomorrow.

Nice of your BF to go with you.

My hubby has been going with me from the start. We will be icing feet and hands for Taxol so hubby will be more involved with these next 12 sessions.

I'm anxious as well Dodersgirl , but let's remember we fought the red devil and won! We can do this, we are women and we are strong . Please let me know how you are doing later today, I'll check back for updates on you

Sorry about the port Dodgersgirl ,so glad to finally hear from you though . Hoping no SE for you , I'm fighting off an anxiety attack, lump in my throat. We can do this...... right

tonyaberryman and annbee -- one other thing I was told today is that most people start to see hair growing back during the 12 weeks of Taxol. Said it would be like fuzz but would continue to grow back

hair growing back? That would be the best!!

annbee- MO said it will be fuzzy and may not be all over the head at first but that I should start seeing growth!

Ref the port, apparently it is fairly common to have troubles with blood draw in ports. Nearly 1/3 of people will have issues that require further investigation. One thing that can happen is the port could slip and not be in the right/best place as not every surgeon stitches it in place. MO acts like what I am going thru is something fairly common and they have things to do to correct issues. None will stop Taxol. If needed, they can administer in a vein in arm. I can't explain why all of this has me so worked up.... it just seems as if I know there is an issue with the placement of my port but I really don't want to have to have another port installed.

Thanks Dodgersgirl, I'll check in later

Annbee- Thanks so much for thinking of me.

Dodgersgirl - How are you doing today? I still don't feel like I've had a chemo treatment of Taxol, this is totally weird, lol