Starting chemo August 2017 - would love some moral support!

So sorry for those of you who have gotten infections and have to use antibiotics. I hope they are kind to your stomach and keep,your infection at bay.

K what a nice wig. I just ordered one from TLC. They assured me it was returnable so,how can I go wrong.

I am back in the land of the living for sure today. I got in some good exercise and caught up,with some visits.

You are all so right about staying ahead of the nausea. Compazine just did not cut it. Zofran it is for me from now on. I don’t intend to have that mess again. I’m not worried about the constipation because I have some remedies.

I do still feel tired but I get through the day. It looks like we are moving through ladies and before you know it we will all be done. I can’t wait.

Have a good day tomorrrow

Hi! I have a ponytail headband from Headcovers.com in Expresso color that I will send to anyone who wants it. It is nice quality, but just not for me. I hate to have it just sitting in the drawer. Let me know!

Hoping bloodwork is good so can do last AC infusion today

DodgersGirl - I sent you a pm

Cherry,

I have been laying low. Had AC #3 on Friday and it did me in. I slept for two days straight. Other than that though, I can't complain. How do people work and do this? The mental component is debilitating enough, the physical is just one more thing layered on.

I have to say that #3 hasnt been so bad and I'm hoping #4 is the same. The hardest part has been keeping my daughter happy/occupied when I have absolutely no energy. We are kind of new to the area we live so I don't have friends that can take her and do stuff with her. I will try to make the most of this weekend so she has fun and then maybe when I'm down next weekend she and her dad can go see a movie or something like that.

How are the weekly Taxol folks doing? I'm eager but nervous to get started on that.

rdeesides, sorry for your SE, although just take your time and sleep, your body needs it. I agree with you, I admire people who are working through it. I am working 25% from home but mostly because I need to know what is going on but I cannot imagine showing up at work right now. I myself am taking naps in the middle of the day and to deal with emotional problems I have been prescribed pills because otherwise I was not doing good. I really hope they will help.

Some computer games for your daughter? Just for now so she is happy and you have time for yourself. Good time to introduce a new book. I know, dull advice, but it will be over soon.

Now I have not done anything but weekly Taxol but it was manageable so far. I had an allergic reaction once but they were very quick and stopped at once and now they run it slow in the beginning every time. I think I got neuropaty in one of my fingers, it sort of come and go. I am icing my nails even though they told me that it was not necessary but I wanted to do it anyhow. I also suck on the ice bits and wash my mouth with salt and baking soda mix. My heart is racing sometimes the days after the infusion but otherwise it has been doable, but as I said I have seven more rounds to go. How many will you be doing?

Paulette, after taking a good look at myself in the mirror and seeing how much weight I put on I had to do something. I'm the type of person that does better with group exercise so this program came at the right time. I have to admit that I almost cancelled the program since I have chemo scheduled on 2 of the planned workout days, but I thought I'd at least start and see how far I get. If I had weekly chemo, I would definitely wait until after my treatment is over to start this type of program. If you can get a walk done during the week, you've accomplished more than I have in the past 2 months. I think you will like PT. It really helped with my range of motion, and felt good to just have the area massaged.

VL22, are you allergic to anything else? They say that the risk to get an allergic reaction is higher if you have any food allergies, Taxol is plant based.

My first one went pretty well, I had a piccline and already when they set it in I told them that I could feel it beneath my throat, so before my first Taxol they draw it out a bit and I did not feel it anymore. When they started the second infusion I just felt the piccline again, it was like my throat got tighter but since the nurse has been watching me closely I only got my hand to my throat and told her that I thought I felt my piccline again and she said no, this is not a piccline, turned it off and pushed the bottom on the door, turned to me and said that a lot of people will get in now, do not be afraid. They checked my oxygen level and blood pressure that just went up and told me that it was a mild reaction that actually was over as soon as they turned it off. I got more cortisone and was actually sitting there sipping coffee and thriving on a cinnamon bun meanwhile they added more cortisone. So in case anyone will be so unfortunate and gets it it is usually over as soon as they stop it. All other times it worked fine. Taxol in my understanding is manageable.

I had my second TC two weeks ago and the allergy reaction to Docetaxel kicked in on the 7th day -- hives head to toe, hard to swallow ... it was terrible. I was prescribed with 6-day steroid. Didnt help for the first three days, the hive came back easily. I eventually found a way to ease the hive: put on a lot of lotion, two pills of benedryl every 6 hours. I switched to Zyrtec later to avoid taking multiple pills everyday and it worked. I also suffered from the SE of the steroid by having horrible heart burn. So I was put on another medication to protect the stomach... felt so bad but I'm glad I'm recovering ... want to share with you so you can learn from my experience. I am pretty sure the reaction is rare but in case you have it, don't wait, call your oncologist immediately!!!

My oncologist will use a better Texotere medto replace Docetaxel for my next infusion. He mentioned that the only reason they didn't use the better version is that the insurance company won't approve due to higher price ( 4 times higher than Docetaxel). The insurance company neeeeds evidence of allergy reactions to approve the pricy one ... I am really speechless about it.

PaulletteK- I didn't get the brand name clearly... will keep you posted once I see the actual med name :

Sorry to hear about all of the brutal side effects/reactions! I hope everyone gets some relief soon.

Rdeesides, I'm working 16 hours a week, some of it from home-I only go in when I feel well, and I think I end up feeling even better with the distraction. I thought my brain may not be up to the task. Even though I definitely have some chemo brain going on, I can do my work, it just takes a little longer. That said, if you don't feel up to working and don't have to work, it all matches up.

How old is your daughter? Mine is 13, definitely a mama's girl, and I feel guilty regularly for not being even close to supermom right now. We are definitely letting her watch more TV than usual. I think they understand, and it's a great lesson in empathy and seeing us as real people.

Well darn! Missed out on a free cap and ponytail deal. That's ok, got other more distressful and serious news regarding Heather to share with you gals.

I debated on even mentioning it until we get Heather over this huge situation, but also want you all to be really careful with even the most minor cuts or bumps etc. also avoiding UTIs at all cost as we've had someone with one in here not long ago. Sorry, this has been a long day and the name left me again.

I know or thought I'd told you about the bumps on Heather's she had picked so bad they got red and swollen. The NP wanted her to come in Tues. to be be seen. So my darling hubby took her to this appointment. They drew labs. & sent her home on levinqun antibiotic, no medicated face wash or ointment was give . Well yesterday the fever was going up so we took her back in for fluids and a steroid injection that made her feel like going full trottle all night. I was mad because when I saw her numbersI freaked and said they didn't admit her? Lenny said no to call back if anything changed...

Her temp was hovering around 99.9 to 100.3. At 3am I said, "Heather you cannot shampoo the rugs upstairs until we get them vacuumed good and it's 3 am go to sleep please. I must have finally fell asleep but could here her going through stuff and trying to straighten up upstairs. For her that means pull everything out from where it makes sense to be and put it in places you'd never find it. This is one of her OCD and ADD issues that ends in Lenny and me taking days to try to reorganize everything for her to be able to have a place for everything and know where things can be found.

Yes, I'm exhausted from not sleeping but the few hours I did sleep I awoke to my hubby trying to find a big bandage for this second head directly on top of her head growing (so swollen and red). He'd cleaned it good but wanted to cover it to keep her hands off of it. I came in to help and touched her and she felt pretty warm. I took the temp and when I saw 101.6 I freaked out and told her to get ready we're going to the oncologist office. I called the office and they said take her directly to ER. They'll get things done faster. Well we got to the ER and although not many were in waiting room the ER was packed. I explained to the receptionist that she was a chemo patient with fever bad headache, stiff neck and body aches she shook her head and nicely just sit down we'll get to her when we can.

After waiting 45 minutes a lady in registration asked me if she was a chemo patient and I was upset we're in a bad area to be waiting said, "Yes and apparently they think it's ok for her to wait here. She said come over here and will get things moving. So she did and 5 minutes later they come and get her while saying we had to get a private room emptied to put her in that's why it was taking so long.

So the nurse came in and was casually asking her different questions and my daughter is lethargic from the fever so we were answering them. She said, "I really need her to tell me" so my husband and I shut up and after Heather rambled on a bit, I finally said can we tell you what's going on? She asked what her temp was, we said at home 101.6 but it's been 1.5hrs nowand no one has checked it yet. So she did and it was up to 103.4. She said we'll get her some Tylenol and the doctor will be in soon. The doctor was a very sweet young lady and came in very compassionate and spoke with all of us. They took blood did a chest X-ray and then her blood pressure was 70/48 so low. Her redblood cells were low and hemgobin at 6.3 or something.

Needless to say we're like how did all this happen so fast? Again I think with her counts from the day before she should have been admitted but what do I know. Her lungs and urine were clear, and the culture won't be back 24-48hrs. They told us she would need to be admitted. So I'm making phone calls and letting friends and family know via FB what was happening. They said she'll need at least 2 pints of blood but they'd give those when they get her to a room. The admitting doctor came in and went over a little history of when everything started going south and we told him. He also felt Heather's tummy and it was super tender and she's been nauseous so he ordered a CT scan when she gets transferred to the "ICU". I said ICU, freaking out like crazy but holding it in. He said because her blood pressure was so low they have to get her stabilized. I'd say it was 5 or so before they transferred her and their ICU until was full so they had to put her in the CCU unit. I mean that hospital had patients in hallways. I asked if there was an epidemic we need to know about.

So here I am home and delirious and trying to explain to you all to be careful about whatever it is she's actually experiencing. They've given her diladed (spck) for pain from headache to stiff neck to the common bone pain she's had. She's been given broad spectrum antibiotics until they get the cultures back regarding the exact type of infection and I'm praying it's not sepsis. She's been nauseous but not vomiting so they given her Zofran, something for anxiety and we had to leave before the cr scan was done or the 2 units of blood given (which the doctor wrote down but forgot to get it ordered so that was going to take them longer to wash it they call it for chemo patient receiving blood.

We got home at 7 and we're trying to get clothes together or pjs she could wear along with undies. Lenny did this for me as I needed a beer to calm down and I don't drink usually except 1-2x a year on vacations. So I was worried and just couldn't stand not taking her the blanket my mom had made for her to have during all this, so I put one pj set together, some panties a book she's been reading called "Crush cancer" and headed back to hospital.

She was sleeping when I walked in so I just covered her up and sat quietly until I could ask the nurse a few questions. Apparently her temp went up to over 103 again but was 101 when the nurse checked it with me there. I told them to call me if anything goes up or down or sideways I wanted to know what is going on throughout the night since we couldn't stay. She said she would call me. She had the first pint of blood going in while I was there and magnesium and potassium in addition to the antibiotic. It looked like so much but she was finally sleeping again when I left.

I asked what causes the low blood pressure and they said sever anemia can cause it and also an infection and losses of some nutrients unfortunately she's going through it all at once so it's a combination. They did say the blood should help that to start getting better. But they also have a med to increase her blood pressure they may give her if it doesn't stay elevated back to acceptable pressure.

So yeah, felt I needed to share not to scare you but to make sure your super careful with everything you come in contact with, don't pick bumps and maybe add some supplements like magnesium and potassium if you don't already take these and notice yours beginning to drop. They gave her calcium too. They said she'll definitely be in the hospital through the weekend most likely but hope to stabilize her blood pressure so she can go to the cancer wing to finish healing up and get through this infection.

If the blood she receives doesn't help I'm afraid she'll have sepsis and we all know how bad that is for a healthy person to fight.

So sweet Warrior Women, don't do a wait and see if anything is out of whack with you! Call oncologist immediately and go from there.

I really don't want you to have to go through what Heather's going through. Love & Light and prayers to all. When I know what the exact infection is I will definitely let you all know🙏🏼

That's all I've got for now. I have to get back to hospital before 7 am so I don't miss the doctor doing rounds. I'm hoping I can sleep. As tired as I am I'm worried.

Sammi

OMG Sammi what a nightmare! Speedy recovery for Heather, I'm so sorry to see her suffer so much. Prayers for her and you. Sleep tight and rest up

Leatherette - I have 2 boys 13 and 16. In the beginning I was so worried how this would affect their well being. Obviously, it has and sometimes I see a fear in their eyes that is heartbreaking. However, I also see such compassion and empathy and strength. They go out of their way to do so many things for me. We've always spent a lot of time together, but now they come in to room when I feel sick and just sit and talk. My 16 year old gives me temples rub every day!

I'm very proud of them and it brings me great comfort to know I'm raising boys who will be great men and wonderful husbands.

VL22, Hugs, they are just wonderful! This is one of the hardest parts how it affect our kids.

Sammi, it is so hard for you to see your daughter suffer, I think Heather is going though so much at young age, she must be holding a lots inside of her.

LoJo 💪 So happy for you!

Just finished my second taxol, still have 10 to go!