Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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Sky - she always hated nursing and spent the last 7 years of her career as a disability assessor for Canada Pension Plan! Discouraged everyone she could from going into nursing.
I'm wondering if the chills some are experiencing are due to bone marrow activity? I think I've had that mid-cycle - kind of a clammy unwell feeling. -
Feeling a bit better today, and like Dar says the weather here is beautiful. Hubbby has to go back to the doctor today, as he is still not doing well since his fall. He keeps getting these spasms, so off to the doctor he goes.
RitaJean...good luck with your chemo today.
Jan, love your avatar, and how you tied your scarf.
Mizsissy, boy oh boy you've been thru so much, hopefully this set of antibiotics knocks all the bad bugs out of you. I think they should have done a throat swab to figure out what is going on.
Iowa Cindy...good luck with your results.
Rebecca,I haven't had any periods since I started chemo, and for that I am grateful, but these hot flashes are crazy. My face looks like a tomato and I don't care where I am, I whip my hat off, because I can't stand it. I actually scared an RCMP officer the other day, by taking my hat off...they did a double take.
Melia, glad to hear you have your mouth sores under control, I think I finally got my cold sores under control. What type of Vitamin D tablets are you using?
Dar, your SIL is an A**. I could just punch someone that said that to me.
Amera, have fun in Maine.
Shorti, good luck with Taxotere on Monday.
Hope Dan is feeling better tomorrow, as we're suppose to go for a drive to Banff, and the weather is going to cooperate....suppose to be 11 C...which is about 55 Far.
Hugs to all...and Happy Birthday to Susan tomorrow. March 10.
Joni (Tomato Face) -
Hi Joni
I just bought the generic vit D capsules at Target. Remember I didn't run this past my onc first. But it works, and I lost 4 lbs the week I couldn't eat, plus I felt just awful.
Happy birthday Susan!
Melia -
Hi all,
I have the sore tongue too. It feels like I burned the tip of it. I just called the onc for a prescription for magic mouth wash. It hurts to eat anything with any spice to it. It seems like the third treatment my tongue got alot worse. I have had my left eye twiitching non stop. Is that a symptom of this too? Fun, fun.
Mizsissy,
I am glad you are on antibiotics. Skye, good for you working out!!
ilene -
Everyone, thanks for all the heads up. I'm still kind of low today...thank god I got the antibiotics going because it's obvious to me now that my body was getting overcome by infection. I feel like I'm recovering, just very tired.
Dar, I think some nurses get hardened by their jobs. She probably didn't mean anything by that remark. I've run into a lot of nurses lately; some are very compassionate and some are utter witches. There are just some women who shouldn't be nurses; it makes them worse.
Talk about awful things relatives can say: my MIL, who has always been something of a competitor of mine, came with FIL in January, presumably to see me because of the DX and so forth. On the way home from picking them up at the airport, MIL suddenly decides to start talking about *HOSPICE* how "wonderful" it was, etc., etc. I told her I had no intention of dying of cancer and least of all in a nursing home, and they could just euthanize me when the time came...and she said victoriously "But's that's what it is!!" I told her I didn't want to discuss the subject anymore but she still wouldn't shut up.
Then we listened for the rest of the weekend about all HER ailments. She actually didn't want mine to take center stage.
Now tell me why I don't trust this woman!!!!!
PS Amera, where you going in Maine?!! That's my favorite place in the world (except maybe Tuscany)!!! -
Hello everybody.
I just got home from chemo #3 which went well and I still feel just fine. My white blood count was down to 2.9 so I have to go in tomorrow morning for a Nuelasta shot. Is there anybody who didn't have severe bone pain after this shot and what should I expect? How soon does the bone pain start if I'm going to be one of the unlucky ones. I am really dreading this.
Thanks,
Rita -
Hi Rita!
Glad you are feeling good so far...keep your spirits up and you will be fine, I am sure. To answer your question I do get bone pain from the Neulasta. It usually starts about 24 hrs after the shot is given, and (for me) lasts in its most intense form for about 1 day. It is usually MUCH better the next day. If it gets bad, I recommend taking a pain pill and going into la-la land. Sometimes I get recurring aches in my bones later, but they are never as intense, and they could just as well be from Taxotere as from Neulasta. Everyone is different in there reaction to these things...so this is just my own experience.
Happy birthday Susan!
I just came back from the post office and picking up my kids, and I wound up talking to the guy behind the counter for a bit. He looked at my box (returns to Headcovers unlimited) at my scarved head, and my pink ribbon pin and was able to put it all together without even asking me. He smiled at me, and said that he understood, and he pulled aside his uniform vest to show me HIS pink ribbon pin, worn above his heart.
For his wife.
I asked him how she was doing now, and he looked down, and then calmly told me that she had died two years ago. She lost her battle, and he said that it was because she procrastinated and become too complacent after treatment was over. It came back with a vengence, and she missed her shot the second time.
This encounter was so different than all of those annoying encounters with people who knew "so and so who had BC and she is fine now". Those are so false and meaningless. Those people have no idea what they are talking about. This man had been personally touched, and he exuded sincere caring sentiments. I almost hugged him out of both sympathy and gratitude for his kind words. I was touched by his concern. I take his implicit warning to heart, and I share it with you, my sisters: never forget that this has happened, because it can come back. stay vigilant, dig in your heels and FIGHT, never give up and you will win. -
Watch out for those dry eyes. I accidently got something in my eye (eye shadow, I think, to make up for the eyelashlessness). Without the tears, my cornea was scratched. Talk about painful! So, eyedrops yes-- eye makeup no!
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PS Amera, where you going in Maine?!! That's my favorite place in the world (except maybe Tuscany)!!!
I am visiting my parents in Kennebunkport. Love that place. It's really quiet in the winter. They live right off the square. Cannot wait for a walk on the beach. Have a great weekend everyone.
Amera -
Hi Ladies,
Well, I thought I was going to avoid the mouthsores but I'm feeling a couple of sore spots in my mouth today. It's been a week since chemo #3, is that usual timing? I guess I'll finally switch to the Biotene toothpaste/mouthwash.
Boy am I sick of these nose bleeds. I have at 1 or 2 every day. I have a runny nose but everytime I blow my nose, it bleeds!
My neighbor is having a Mary Kay make-up/skin care party this evening. I don't really need any make-up but am going anyway. Hopefully I'll find something to buy.
Amera, have a great time in Maine, the weather in New England is finally warming up this weekend!
Joni, hope Dan feels better so you can go on your trip.
Rebecca, that story is touching. Really makes me want to keep fighting this nasty disease.
Happy Birthday Susan!
Well, time to go get ready, have a nice evening everyone!
Lynn -
Rita,
Out of the eight times I had Neulasta, I only had pain once. It was in my lower back and my legs. It wasn't severe. I had pain in my fingers and legs when I started my Taxol treatments, but again it wasn't severe. I took Ibuprofen and relaxed. Take care and don't worry. As a nurse told me often, everyone reacts differently and you may not experience the bad side effects. She was right. -
Thanks Carol and Rebecca for your replies. I am such a baby. I have done so well with the chemo that I guess I expected it to continue in the same pattern. I have a lot of lower back pain anyway and was really upset when they said that I needed this shot. The irony of it all was that I was sitting between two people...one with colon cancer and one who had been taking chemo for nearly 2 years..and here I am blubbering about a neulasta shot. Now that is indeed "being a baby."
Thanks again for your encouragement.
Rita -
Man, I'm glad I started this tread but miss one day and your out of the loop.
Three down and one to go of my four rounds of AC. They are trying to talk me (not recommend) into doing another set of another type of chemo which has way more harsh side effects. Yeah, money, money, money....
I had already made up my mind before. My last dose is March 29th and I'll start my radiation in April.
Still studing about all the long term side effects of Tamoxifen. That ones gonna' be a toughy to decide on. -
RSheehy,
Did you get anything out of the skin class info that I posted???? -
Hello everyone
Well it's the day after chemo for me - slight nausea set in this morning, but I am taking the anti-nausea pills. Had some vegetable barley soup with saltines - dropped off by a friend this a.m. - was good...
Rebecca, thank you for your story about the encounter with the postal worker who lost his wife to this crap. We do indeed have to be vigilant, and hit this monster with everything we can.
RitaJean - how are you doing? I hope you are feeling better.
Mizsissy - I hope you are feeling better as well. My MIL is the same - her ailments are always worse, harder, longer time etc. etc. It's always been about her - but I refuse to listen much anymore - She's actually been a bit better since my dx - but still manages to worm in about her stomach, her arthritis ( boy , I'd take arthritis any day!!)
Amera, I hope you are having a great time with your parents in Maine.
Joni, hope Dan is okay, and you too of course.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend - My almost 18 year old daugher is off to the Domincan Republic tomorrow for her high school grad trip - I'm a bit anxious - she's a good kid, it is chaperoned, and she knows she cannot leave the all-inclusive resort - but still, you know how it is when these kids get out there partying... I'll be happy for the week to be over.
Caya -
Hi everyone, how's things going? I went to my Onc. today and I have an infection in my eye ( explains the pain) and we set up the taxol schedule. Start next Thursday and I am really scared of this stuff, I mean what I have read it sounds soooo toxic. And it will be weekly for 12 weeks. EWWW I'm Shivering at the thought. I do have a question, There is a surviors walk here in my town on May 19th. the sign up forms were at my Dr's office I'd like to participate but I am wondering am I considered a survior even at this point of treatment, or is this something that is strictly for patients that have been through treatment and are cancer free? I just don't want to sign up for something that I am not considered yet. What do you think?
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Nancy, of course you are entitled to go on the walk. You ARE a survivor and the stage of your treatment is irrelevant. Many long-term survivors are still having treatment.
Good luck with your Taxol. Remember that people have quite different reactions to the same drug and you could be one who experiences few side effects. I hope this is the case for you.
Meanwhile, enjoy being part of a very special walk. -
Happy birthday, everyone!
Good news today and more questions.
My scan results are good. No evidence of disease anywhere. My liver and spleen are normal, Everything good except for a noted 'mild colonic diverticulosis'. Well yeah, I knew that - it's been weeks now since I've had a normal BM. Maybe by summer after the toxins are out of my body will things calm down.
The nurse doesn't think my muscle twitches and spasms are any part of menopause. She believes it's from the Taxotere. Part of a neuropathy reaction. I'm to discuss the muscle problems and the severe mouth problems next week with the doctor. They may decide to try a minimal reduction in the drug. The usual change is 10%.
I've lost two pounds this week. She encouraged eating and drinking but it has been hard. I've discovered if things are very, very cold - on lots of ice - I can drink better. The jelly beans are working in cutting through some of the metal taste.
I'm so tired tonight. I've managed to work 13 1/2 hours in three days. I feel like such a weenie.
I'm hoping for a good night's sleep and a better day tomorrow. -
HOORAY! We're done with AC. Tae had her last infusion today. She will start Taxol in two weeks. We had a long talk with onc today re the value of Taxol. He said it is the "standard of care in this country". He claims a 1-3% benefit of no recurrance with the Taxol. Tae was wondering about ending the treatment without the Taxol, but he said give it a chance and if she can't stand it she can quit because the bulk of the benefit was from the AC. He admitted the SE are scary cause of the possibility the neuropathy could be long lasting. But, of course, everyone is different.
Rita and Rebecca, did your onc say anything about Zyrtec to prevent bone pain from the Neulasta? Tae had some bad SE after her first Neulasta, but had Zyrtec since then and no pains. She had to take it morning and night starting 3 days after infusion and lasting 5 days, then stop until the next tx.
Who has had the BRCA test? Tae has a referral to a geneticist for an interview to determine if BRCA is appropriate for her. If so, she will get the blood test to see if she has that gene.
Mizsissy we sure hope you are feeling better now.
Best wishes to all of you strong ladies. We are so very thankful for this site. I told the onc nurse today that the support and infomation on this thread had been a source of strength for Tae during this entire ordeal. Just to know that other women are sharing her concerns and fears has been uplifting and invigorating.
Terry 4 Tae. -
Skyedivine and Tae, I just had my 2nd Taxol and I feel much better than after the first. Here is what I learned. Moving around helps the muscle pain immensely. It hurts much more if you just lay or sit. Get up and just walk around the house. Also with the second I started taking Ibuprofen the day of my chemo as a preventive (800 mg prescription) and so far the muscle aches are not as bad. They also said you can take Tylenol along with the Ibuprofen as they work differently. There is no reason to be in pain. Third, I have been taking Glutamine (health food store) 4 to 6 tsp mixed with milk or juice to prevent neuropathy and so far so good. They also said B6 works. My carpal tunnel in my wrist is acting up a bit but they said that is because with Taxol you retain fluid (like PMS) which causes that (and maybe a little weight gain). This is much easier than AC, no fog, no nausea. I might even go to the gym today to walk on the treadmill. Good luck.
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Hi Tae & T4T...we haven't seen you for a long time!! Congratulations on finishing AC! It will be interesting to see how you compare it to Taxol.
Happy Birthday Aladora!
IowaCindy...I wasn't aware you were having tests, I've been in a blur, but I am glad everything is AOK.
I wish everybody were done like me. You know, it is hard to believe it is over. I was beginning to think chemo was a way of life. Everything had been wed to to that schedule of infusions & shots they handed me, and now it's done.
Yesterday I went out to get the mail. There is still snow everywhere, but it was in the 40s, the air was clear and the sun was shining...the air smelt so fresh and inviting I got seduced and had to go for a walk, sick or not. I realized the beautiful yard we're lucky to have will soon be green again, and trees and bushes will start flowering, and I don't have any plans but I don't need any. All I have to do is live here in this house, open the windows, let spring in, putter in the yard planting flowers. The kittens we got last fall are now cats and they will finally get to enjoy the yard...we have an ideal place for cats, quiet neighborhood, no traffic, lots of trees, woods, wetlands. All we gotta to is figure out some way to ward off the coyotes!!!
I'm kind of glad we don't have any travel plans until August. It will be nice just to enjoy spring at home out here in rural Michigan.
Mizsissy -
Mizsissy, I know what you mean about spring (as only a northerner can!) We had a cold Jan-Feb here, and I thought sometimes that chemo would be easier (?) in the summer, but now it seems appropriate that the earth is coming back to life and so am I. I am searching for the perfect butterfly pendant to mark the end of active bc treatment (I still have at least 5 years of Tamoxifen/AI).
Joni - I hope you made it to Banff and Dan is feeling better.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. -
Hi ladies,
Mer, thanks for the heads up on the Taxol. I was also given instructions to take glutamine but it sure is expensive and not a covered prescription. It does sound better than AC so now I'm not so nervous about starting Monday.
Rita, my experience with Neulasta was worst the very first time I had it, and generally I feel it most the first and seventh days. But for me, two extra strength tylenol works very well so I can barely notice it. I haven't had the severe pains with it, but as everyone notes, we are all different.
My plan to try another exercise tape yesterday didn't get very far, I had to go out and that used up all my energy. Same thing will probably happen today. I seem to be able to do one or the other; exercise or go somewhere. At least I'm off the sofa either way! Susan, happy birthday! - Skye -
Hi Folks,
OK...my post chemo party is shaping up for next weekend. I'm keeping it small, perhaps a total of 8 people. It is going to be a big deal just for me to get the house clean; I'm really washed out, not just from chemo, but from all those infections, which are going away S L O W L Y. I'm not going to have to steam to spend two days cooking beforehand.
Any ideas for easy finger food or small plates? I want to keep it easy and simple, but healthy (nachos and brownies are out). It needs to be dinner as well as dessert. Maybe I'll get something catered. I feel bad about asking people to "bring things."
Mizsissy -
Thanks ladies! I'm taking it easy today since I'm still not 100% after Monday's chemo...more like 75%. Going out for dinner tonight and then shopping with mom tomorrow.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend!
Susan -
MizSissy,
I was going to have a PRE-CHEMO Party and have everyone bring hats and scarfs. I never did it. But, I think that's a great idea!!! I never thought of a post chemo party.
Hey, don't feel bad about asking people to bring something. It's the least they can do for what you have been through. If everyone brings just one little thing, then it will save you a lot of stress and it will help out a lot. Let me know how it goes. -
Quote:
I do have a question, There is a surviors walk here in my town on May 19th. the sign up forms were at my Dr's office I'd like to participate but I am wondering am I considered a survior even at this point of treatment, or is this something that is strictly for patients that have been through treatment and are cancer free? I just don't want to sign up for something that I am not considered yet. What do you think?
Nancy,
Of course you are considered a survivor while still going through treatment. I plan on trying to do one of the 60 mile walks next year (Avon or Komen?) I think they both have one.
Lynn -
Thanks for assuring me. I really want to do it. I want to become more involved with the cause. I was my Mom's caregiver when she went through it, and now I have a much greater understanding of what this s#*t really feels like. I hope I can help more. I have donated for years in honor of my mom. And that has proven effected, The differences between my treatment now and my mothers in 1990 are already so vast. It's amazing!
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Getting back to normal today, just normal chemo fatigue, not infection.
Too bad that when they give you your diploma for finishing Chemo they don't also give you back your HAIR. I still can't get used to idea I'm really *bald*. With the scarf or turban on my head, I keep thinking it's time to take my hair down and comb it out.
Tried on both wigs and turbans yesterday, so that DH could help me decide what to wear to the concert this afternoon; he really likes the turban. So we wasted $400 on wigs!!! Egad!!!
So strange packing for a trip and realizing that I wouldn't need a hairbrush!!!! Or, going into the shower and seeing shampoo and conditioner sitting stupidly in the corner.
Is there something I should be doing to encourage hair growth, Nioxin? Rogaine? Hey RobbinJaye, what about dry skin?
Nancy, sorry you have to do this now and hope it doesn't bring back sadness about your Mom...your chances of recovery are so much better!!
Mizsissy -
Mizsissy, I hear you about the hair! Now I notice commercials for hair products, articles in mags for hair styles etc. like a hungry person looks at food ads! Chemo is over (yeah!), but my hair sure doesn't know it yet. I bought the Nioxin shampoo/conditioner/scalp treatment and some Biotin vitamins. I plan to start using them in a week or two. I don't know if they'll help or not - and I won't know, because I've haven't been bald since I was born! But I figure it might make me feel better, so why not. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Go and enjoy your concert!
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