Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

I feel like a lurker, but when I get uneasy I can read everyone's post and relate. I seem to of had every side effect known to man with my AC tx's. My mouth is so sore and nothing tastes good so eating is actually boring. IowaCindy I can relate with your upsidedown digestive tract. Mine is horrible, I had IBS before BC and so that is a battle of its own. I see my Onc. this Friday and I suppose get the regime for the 12 taxols awaiting me. I don't know whether I am having a yeast infection or UTI right now. Everything on me seems broken, even my vision has periods of blurriness! My bald head has stubble, does that mean it's trying to regrow?!?! Another question... AC was very rough on me, severe flu symptoms for days afterward, is the taxol going to be rough too? I feel like a prisoner in my own home and would like to go back to work. No way would AC allow that.

Nancyab and Kids123,
Glad you both started posting. Sounds like I am on almost the same track as both of you, just finished 4 rounds of AC and next the Taxol. Everyone tells me the Taxol is milder, but from what I have researched it still causes nausea, fatigue, all those things, plus there is a risk of allergic reaction, not just in your system but also in the vein where it is delivered if it should leak at all. And they told me to be sure someone else drives the first time, because you are given a high dose of Benadryl intravenously and it may leave you too drowsy to drive. I guess I would say I'm going into it hoping for the best but trying to prepare for all the possibilities, and not expecting to be a miracle of energy that first week. I do hope the metallic taste is less with Taxol, like all of you I'm also very tired of the metal mouth.
Mizsissy, party hearty! It may be a small group physically, but mentally we will all be there toasting with you.
Mrs. Shay, I hope you can get a second opinion and then just go for the surest hit on the cancer. It's true you only do get one chance to blast it early, that was the big thing in my own decision.
Nancyab, I get that blurriness too. I made my first trip to the library in two months today and then stood there squinting, trying to read the book spines. And the stubble on my head feels like Velcro, I don't know if it's trying to finish falling out or grow. I would swear it's starting to grow a bit however. I still have eyebrows and lashes, amazingly. Greetings to everyone else, too many posts to answer all but I so appreciate everything you all write.
Hey, has anyone else had people trying to sell them Limu, a Hawaiian seaweed that is supposed to cure cancer? It's sold on a pyramid sales plan, and from what I've researched is expensive quackery, but someone who found out I have cancer has started a bunch of agents emailing me sales pitches. I just delete, but sheesh! - Skye

I'm wondering if anyone else here is doing weekly Taxol?

Initially our plan was dose-dense biweekly 4xAC + 4xTaxol. Yesterday I had my last AC. Now my oncologist says research shows that weekly Taxol is more easily tolerated by patients, and doesn't require Neulasta injections. Instead of biweekly for eight weeks, I will be receiving Taxol weekly for twelve weeks.

Is Taxol most commonly done in weekly cycles, or in longer ones? Maybe I misunderstood, and weekly is the most common way of doing it. If not, I'd be interested in hearing what it's like for you doing it weekly.

Skye what a perfect discription of our stubble, it is like velcro, I have a hard time getting a turban on! I have notice the blurriness when watching TV, do your eyes water profusely? People always think I'm crying. and Oh my how my nose runs. I have been through boxes and boxes of tissues! Anyway good luck with the taxol I'll let you know when I start, I know I have that and 33 rounds of rads to go. I just turned 49, bi-lateral mast. 19 nodes removed ER+ PR+ her2-.

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Hey, has anyone else had people trying to sell them Limu, a Hawaiian seaweed that is supposed to cure cancer? It's sold on a pyramid sales plan, and from what I've researched is expensive quackery, but someone who found out I have cancer has started a bunch of agents emailing me sales pitches. I just delete, but sheesh! - Skye

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Hi Skye, no I haven't heard of Limu yet, but do have some relatives who sell something similar and I'm sure will come at me when I see them next. The stuff they sell does everything from manage your diabetes and blood pressure, to help you lose weight. Snake oil--and they are making a fortune off of it as they got in early.

I am so offended by these things. I know that if it weren't a money maker, they wouldn't be hocking it. And let's face it, if *they* had cancer or any other type of serious condition, I seriously doubt they'd take this sh*t rather than go to the dr. AND, if this were truly a miracle cure, the top-of-the-pyrimid folks would sell it to a big pharma. company in a heartbeat.

Of course there are things that do work, but somehow I don't think my cousin is mixing up a cancer cure in her kitchen.

Amera

Hi All,
Micheled, I have to have 12 weekly taxols too. My dr said that he is treating me as though I were node positive b/c I am triple negative, so that's why he suggests the taxol. He also says the weekly treatments are less difficult to tolerate than the denser ones. I must say that the prospect of going weekly for three months is upsetting, but I am tracking my treatment from diagnosis, so am halfway thru. I know that is probably a mind game, but I have to have something to hang on to! He says just muscle aches from taxol, but I am going to refill all my anti nausea scripts just in case.

Joni, so glad you husband is ok. I broke some ribs about 10 yrs ago after a bad fall from a horse, and that is very painful. Poor guy.

Skye, I agree with the "ignorant" types of statements that imply this is just a tiny glitch. I am confident we will be ok, but this is life changing and traumatic. I would not wish it on anyone!

I hope everyone has a good, safe day.

Melia

skye - Thanks for posting about the "you'll be fine" folks. While I hope it's true I don't think I'll ever be the same and I'll always worry about a recurrence. I am so sick of hearing about so-and-so's friend/sister/mom, etc. who had bc and are just fine now. I know they mean well - but like that man said I think they are just trying to reassure themselves as much as me. I hear comments like this all of the time!

Dar1 - congrats on your last chemo! Hope you veins hold out for you.

Good morning friends. Nancyab, I know what you mean about the watery eyes. I'm dabbing at them right now. They water all the time except when I'm sleeping, then they go dry as sandpaper. Lynn, I forgot to mention I'm also a March birthday, I'll be 56 on the 20th. A solid baby boomer. Dar1, a toast to your final chemo, that's better than a birthday. And to the others who have had the "you'll be fine" speech, I guess I'm not surprised to learn it's universal. I hope to goodness I never said that to anyone. I think my friend's c comment about "having the lumps popped out" as if they were teenage zits was probably the worst form of it I've heard. As my surgeon explained it to me, having a lumpectomy is like cutting a piece out of a pie, then trying to put the pie back together to make it look round again. It does make me think about how I can be more sensitive to others in different tough situations.
I do think those trying to sell miracle cures to cancer patients are in a special class of lowness, however.
Mizsissy, thanks for alerting us to Mrs. Shey's need for prayers.
Right now I'm watching three deer ten feet outside my window, munching on corn we left for the turkeys. Time for a moment to appreciate the small stuff! - Skye

Jan, I have stayed pretty close to my starting weight but last time had gained a pound. I had thought it might be a good chance to try and lose a few but my onc said he would be very mad at me if I lost any weight so I just force feed myself even when I don't feel like eating. I know the steroids will make it easier to pack on the pounds too. I just don't want to have to buy bigger jeans when this is all over. - Skye

I have lost about 8 lbs, but that's good as it was weight I had gained since summer .... would like to lose another 10 or so, but my appetite is so finicky that I eat what sounds good. Am trying to ration the ice cream though! I guess I feel that this is a tough enough road without depriving myself of any food I want, which isn't much these days. Alcohol tastes awful, and I used to love having a drink after work. Now it tastes like acid. I guess that is a good thing?
Melia

Hello all:

I have found something that actually works for my red, itchy, runny eyes. Novartis Tear-Gel, it keeps them moisturized a lot longer than normal drops. Also, it helps a bit with the runny nose.

Also, do any of you have peeling skin...."fruit of the Earth, Vitamin E Skin Ccare Cream is realy helping me, and it has NO Alchohol base. Also I have the Fruit of the Earth Gel as they say this will help when you have radiation treatments. Jan can you check that out with your Mom.

I have lost about 15 pounds since this cancer thing started. I think I shook them off in the first few months after I was diagnosed, because I was so scared. Since starting chemo I have only lost about 3 to 5 pounds. Right after chemo I'm hungry for a few day, but then I have 8 to 10 days where nothing tastes good, especially water. I live on fruit, apple pears, oranges, bananas, green grapes...etc.

My girlfriend here in Calgary that took Taxol had a much easier time with it than A/C. She did say that they gave her a lot of Benadryl, so you definitely need someone there to drive you home. She took that Glutathione for neuropathy, and also rec'd B12 shots, and has had no problems. She finished her chemo on Dec 27...and her hair is coming back in rapidly now.

Miss Shey...sending you prayers and hugs.

Dar, Amera, & MizSissy...proud of you girls all finishing up chemo this week. Get rid of that nasty cold MizSissy.

I have had someone trying to sell me something that is suppose to be a cure too....but I think it is called GojiJuice or something like that, and it is very expensive.

Brenda my heart goes out to you with a Stage IV dxn. I hope your onc considers this a chronic disease, and sets you up with a game plan that works well for you.

Skye, I loved your note about the deer. If hubby is better this weekend, we are taking a drive up to Banff, only about 1 hour out of Calgary. Elk, Moose, Big Horn Sheep, and Baby Deer would be lovely to see. It is really suppose to be a nice weekend here in Alberta, so looking forward to it.

Welcome aboard Nancy, Michele and Brenda.

Darling Hubby is home today, as he's still pretty stiff and sore.

Maybe we should all put in our birthday, and I'll add it to MizSissy's list...that way we can all know who's day it is.

Hugs to all.....Joni

** No Love, No Friendship can cross the path of our Destiny, without leaving some mark on it Forever **

Francois Muriac, author

Hi all,
Unfortunately my weight is exactly the same as before I was diagnosed. I thought I would atleast lose a few pounds. Figures.....
Skye,
My left eye is the teary one. It will not stop no matter what I do. At first I thought I got something in it and used eye wash. Now it is just running constantly too. I am sick of everyone saying that I will be fine.
Joni,
I am glad that your hub is ok. Take good care of each other.
Lynn,
I know it stinks to have the chemo the day before your birthday.. Go out a few nights before and celebrate!
Dar1,
Congrats on your last treatment!!
ilene

Wow, tx # 2 of AC really was a bearcat to get over, and I am going for # 3 on Monday. I am still feeling really tired and still have a rotten taste in my mouth, had a killer headache for about 10 days. Drinking lots of water with lemon.I would like to hear from those of you taking AC. Were tx 3 & 4 progressively worse or about the same ??

Just got a call from my oncologist's secretary. She left a msg so I don't know the details, but...I know the onc will be out of town on the 22--my 4th and last A/C. She said her NP would take care of me but didn't have the schedule yet. She said the secretary would call. She did. And said that they want to schedule me on March 28th--a whole week later!!!!!!! I am panicking. I want this over and done with. No delays!!!!

I am hoping that this is just a glitch or misunderstanding. I cannot put this off. I have to get this done. The ending date has been in my head for weeks. They cannot do this to me. Ackkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!

Amera