Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
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I have Taxol #3 tom, 2nd from last. Nancy, have you tried Colace for your bowel problem. I found that works much better for me than the Senokket. You can get it over the counter.
Good news for Mrs. Shey and also for Amera with her last treatment.
I've been kind of down this week with problems with my husband's business. When it rains, it falls, doesn't it?
I baked some oatmeal raisin cookies for the lovely nurses at the dr's office for tomorrow. My last treatment is at a different location so it will be my last time there for awhile. They have really been great.
I dread the leg pain of Taxol. This time I had an extra day of it. Just two more!
You guys are worrying me though about the prosthesis! I haven't had my surgery yet and my sister in law said hers was fine. I hope I get a good one. I won't consider reconstruction until after rads.
The good news is my nose stopped running. For me, it was an AC thing. Taxol doesn't seem to affect that area at least. It was funny at the gym trying to blow my nose and catch my drips and not fall off the equipment.
Good luck to everyone. I envy those getting away for the weekend. My dh and I are going to Houston on 4/13 for a long weekend to see my son but that seems so far away.
Keep a good thought. -
Hi everyone,
Finally here is my avatar. I am wearing the straight wig, which dd said she likes better. Mrs. Shay - congrats on not having to do chemo.
Amera - you lucky girl - it will be over - I can relate on the eggs,noodles etc. I mostly live on soup, saltine crackers and gingerale.
Rebecca, and anyone else who is not feeling that great, I hope you will feel better soon.
A quiet day for me here, will go watch American Idol soon.
Best to all
caya -
Caya, that wig looks great.
On the foods, it's funny...there aren't any that I think I'll be sick of, but I've developed a strong aversion to my blue space monkey socks from wearing them to every AC treatment. I can't even look at them, giving them to Goodwill. And hallelujah, I'm getting back my taste for chocolate!
Amera, it's good to see someone else lighting the path to the chemo grand finale. You go girl! - Skye -
Hi Ladies,
I had my last ac today, am going to bed; it's eight pm in Calif. I am so glad to be done with ac but still have 12 weekly taxols. My husband, who is a marathon runner, says to look at it one at a time, not as 12. He says when he runs, he can't think of how many miles are left, just of each mile passing. I think that's a better way of looking at it and am going to do that. Anyway, the ac is over, the surgery is over, my dr talks of "cure" and not "ned" so I am going to comfort myself with all of that, and not worry about what is next. At least not tonite!
Sleep well all. You are each of you in my prayers.
Melia -
Good Morning Ladies,
MrsShey, congrats on no chemo! woo hoo!
Amera, best of luck with your last tx, we're so happy for you!!!
Melia, congrats on your last AC!!! Way to go!
Rebecca, hang in there and hope you feel better soon. My muscles seem to be tight as well and plan on asking my onc tomorrow.
Mer, best of luck with your tx today! Hang in there!
Did I miss anyone?
Caya, so glad to see your avatar, wig looks great.
Viddie, have a great time in Maine.
Skye, lol about the monkey socks.
I woke up this morning and it seems like my nose is swollen. Kind of puffy on both sides and a crease which makes it look even worse. Wonder what that's all about. I also am starting to get myself all worked up about my next TC tomorrow..I tend to do that.
Hope everyone has a nice day!
Lynn -
Mer, Thank you for reminding me about Colace!! I saw that at the Dr.s office several weeks ago and I couldn't for the life of me remember the name. I will definately get some, heck I'll just add it to my collection of Senokot, Imodium, and all the other meds. I've never had so many drug store items. From special toothpaste to butt paste LOL!
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I've really noticed a change in the mood of this thread over the last couple weeks...I think the chemo is beginning to wear everyone down and more frustration is showing.
I dreamed last night about having mismatched prosthetic boobs that kept popping out. I was wearing a very ugly black sports bra with straps close to the neck over a strappy sundress, and everything looked hideous. I was embarrassed in front of friends and family. And I have both boobs...I must be getting empathetic!!!
The positive thing is that we are getting more *graduates* all the time. CONGRATULATIONS AMERA!! Come on over to the spa club. IowaCindy may be shortening her chemo as well. I almost consider MrsShea a graduate because she had the courage to go get her port in, which is now really uncomfortable for her, poor thing.
I've been "done" since Mar 5 but I don't really feel done because of my infection. The only way I can control symptoms is by drinking *massive* quantities of water. I have an appointment with a urologist on Monday and I'm just hoping she can do something before rads start. Another BC friend suggested I try some D-Mannose, so I'm going to hunt that down at a health food store today. She said she had to *self-catherize* after surgery, geez I hope it doesn't come to that!!!!
Mizsissy -
Listening to NPR this morning after dropping the kids off at school I heard that John and Elizibeth Edwards have a press conference scheduled today. Speculation is that it is related to her breast cancer since she had a follow up appointment this week. (Her dx was 3 years ago and she's been OK since).
Anyway, this just hit me so hard. I hope she hasn't had a recurrence. I loose so much sleep worrying about cancer coming back. I just felt totally crushed to hear this news this morning. I feel like to can't escape cancer. I came home and mentioned the news story to my husband who was on his way out the door to work and then just suddenly broke into tears.
I also have a bump on my arm that developed suddenly yesterday. Maybe it's just a bug bite? I don't know but it's about and inch across and painful. I put a call into my oncs nurse. She probably thinks I'm crazy. -
Good luck with your treatment this morning Amera! I hope #4 is a piece of cake. It does get better.
Good news Mrs. Shey! When do you get your port out?
Jan, I think we are all pulling for everyone who has had cancer. I wish and hope that everyone would NEVER have a recurrence.
I'm feeling better each day - more like myself, just a bit shaky, physically and emotionally. I feel vulnerable and bald, but so happy chemo is over. And I would do it again - I just pray I never have to.
I stopped in at work yesterday. I wonder too if it would have helped to work a bit during treatment. But I work for a public accounting firm, and it's tax season! They are all stressed and overworked and I just don't think I could handle it right now - I'm scared to start and fall flat on my face. So I booked our trip to Tofino - not Italy, a town on the west coast of Vancouver Island - I'll start back to work in May when everything is at a more relaxed pace. -
Hi Ladies,
Jan, it's always hard to hear that "R" word, but just remember it doesn't happen to everyone. Having the HER2, I had a weepy week or so recently thinking about it too, then I finally made a decision to interpret the odds in my favor and stick to it. Though I know that's easier said than done.
Nancy, Colace is something I haven't tried either but I think I will. My intestines don't know whether to waltz or polka, and I have TX 2 coming up.
BTW my eye blurries are just as bad on TX as they were on AC.
As to working, I'm doing it but only because I'm able to work on my own schedule, on the sofa, and even then had to push a book back a year and may still end up farming it out. I could NOT have kept a job teaching elementary art and library, no way. I could barely do that with fibro and rosacea, let alone cancer, so I'm lucky to have changed careers when I did. I would just be home, on leave, if I still had that job. I don't think anyone should feel bad about taking the time needed to get through this and then heal. This is some serious doo-doo. And we need our rest.
Mizsissy it does seem this thread is fraying a bit at the edges. But I'm glad everyone is using it to vent and testify. We HAVE to do it here because no one else gets our problems like the others on this group. As long as we keep sharing the good stuff too I think we will be ok.
Have good safe trips, those others of you leaving for the weekend. My dh's arm is still in its sling of course so we are taking turns driving to keep either of us from getting too exhausted. It does make us laugh. I'll try and send a photo of the best thing we see after we return. And I'll have my laptop along so will check in when I can. Now to go pack my giant pharmaceutical travel bag - Skye -
Thanks Syke - you all always make me feel better when I allow myself to fall into panic mode. (However, I will be ducking out of my office at noon to watch that news conference and will probably have another good cry).
On a happier note since chemo is on my birthday next week we are celebrating this weekend with a lobster dinner at my house. I can't wait. My appetite should be back by then. I am originally from Halifax and lobster is probably my favorite non-chocolate food. My daughters always get a kick out of "playing" with the live lobsters when we bring them home. Exactly like I did as a child. My 6 year old loves to eat them - but my 3 year old thinks we are quite insane for bringing home live food! She was offended last time and wouldn't touch them after we cooked them. Anyway, it should be a really fun and relaxing day with family.
For those with tx this week I hope all of you get some rest and good sleep.
For all of those going out of town I hope you have nothing but fun and relaxation. -
Good Morning Everyone!! Sorry I have been so silent this past month,but I have been soakimg up the posts and getting my daily encouragement from all of you.
Mizsissy-thanks for your personal concern.
My second ac treatment left me with a sick headache and vision problems that lasted 2 weeks. When I went in for the 3rd tx, I told the doctor and they changed my meds for the nausea drip, and slowed the drip down. Have no problems this time except for low white count (which happens every time)and extreme weakness. The last few days have been much better as for energy and will take my last tx on April 2. So anxious to put this all behind me, and to feel normal again. Hang in there everyone, it does get better.--Nandy -
Hi All,
It does seem that some of us are dragging a bit, but I think that's to be expected as the cumulative effects of chemo, and the emotional wear and tear, add up. I do believe we will be fine, but this is a difficult battle. I am feeling ok after yesterday's ac, just tired. Which brings me to the whole issue of work ...
I have worked the whole time, haven't missed any at all. BUT I have a desk job, very independent, in a kind, supportive company. I was bonused the two weeks I missed for surgery, have been told repeatedly to do what I need to do, have felt very nurtured. Only the owners know. They have backed me on my preference not to share the info, they just tell me to do it my way. Not telling means that i am treated normally. I have been here ten years and bring in half the annual sales, and I am sure that factors in, but they are good people.
There is absolutely no way I could do a physical job, such as teaching or dental hygiene or ???? So I can feel like a hero, but I am NOT. And I can go to bed at 8 pm since my husband is supportive and there are no kids at home.
I find this board to be so critically important, whether I am feeling good or bad. I thank God everyday that I found all of you, and I thank each one of you.
Melia -
Quote:
So I booked our trip to Tofino - not Italy, a town on the west coast of Vancouver Island
When are you going to be on the island and are you passing through Victoria? Long Beach is so nice, I hope you enjoy yourself on VI!
I'm just checking in after a posting absence. I've been reading but not posting a lot. The last few weeks have been busy and challenging. Busy because my little guy has really turned into a toddler. I had a job offer that luckily I can put off until after my chemo is over but now have to find day care! We are first on the wait list for a facility near us, but they can't guarantee a spot for TEN months! There are 351 people on the wait list, it's insane!
TMI coming up!
Chemo #3 really knocked me out, it took 8 days before I really felt like myself. Now, I'm dealing with one of the less pleasant (as if there are ANY pleasant) side effects, bowel issues. I've read about some ladies here dealing with constipation and I keep thinking that I'd LOVE to trade problems. This started last Saturday and I was going to call Monday but then it started to get better. Of course, it has not gone away but now I have an appointment tomorrow for my pre-chemo checkup so I'm just going to tough it out until then. I feel really dumb because I should have called Monday.
Has anyone had this problem and found something to help? I'm trying really hard to drink lots of water so I don't get dehydrated, I've also cut out all high-fiber foods.
It's funny, there are certain topics that you would not normally discuss with friends but here it seems okay.
Congrats to everyone who has reached the final chemo milestone, I'm jealous!
#4 of 6 is on Monday and I am dreading it. -
Hi everyone, I started chemo last week I'm at stage II, I too am concerned but not concerneda bout my hair phyically I'm handling chemo great so far. The hair thing has me, I do'nt want to was it becasue if it's going to come out in about two weeks what's the point, I did'nt feel so good after chemo, I would not have to go to work and I would have a good reason not to fix my hair, I think once it starts coming out I'll be ok, just like once I started chemo I was ok. I have to do 23 wks of chemo, a few weeks of radiation and take a pill for five years, anyone else with this on their plat?
cs -
hello everyone
caya good to see your avatar you look cute !
me no wig i am a scarf person too , gots lots of em and use my special soft ones when i go out , they are a bit bigger than my home bandannas , then at night its kojak time .....
mshey i have a port and it took a while to get used to i do not feel it anymore and do not intend to get it out until i get an all clear , which could be a year from now . But again i have had 2 surgeries and was in iv foods for 7 days when i had my colon resection . Do not worry about it you will not regret it . They should give you some gel to put on it to freeze the spot before you get your infusion .
I have just come off of one of those emotional weepy few days getting friggin mad at this BC swearing and slamming doors , punching pillows and calling it every name in the book . It was good to get it out I was afeared if my neighbors heard me they would have thought me a mad woman . The dogs certainly did
Getting out the anger helps we have to do it ....... chemo does suck ........ but it does end and it does go a course that now after 4 treatments i can pretty well judge .
Sleep , poop, sleep , poop , fart (can i say that ) try to eat .... yuck what the heck ewwww mom you stink flutter flutter ...... back on the couch to rest .... hey i did manage to get the dishwasher unloaded .... good job !
Now to try and type .....ha i can't see the puter ... where the heck are my glasses ....... ok here now .......
oh oh ........ chemo fog ......... ok ...... hubby says hey ..... wake up there kiddo ..... oh ok ....
here i am posting away .......
WE ARE NOT ALL CRAZY ........ IF WE WERE WE WOULD NOT BE HERE ...........
Everyone have a good day -
Shorti, you are funny! I think the week before my last chemo, my dh thought my head was going to start spinning, I was so mad most of the time!
Aladora, yes we will fly into Victoria. My oldest friend lives there as well as my bil and his wife - beautiful city! I also had more diareha than constipation. I would take several doses of Pepto Bismal and that would get it under control by noon!
And the gas! Unbelievable - I thought I would float away. This is embarassing, but one day I was sitting with my grandaughter in her little indoor tent and I let one go (and not the odorless variety either). She's 2 1/2 and her mother is trying to talk her into using the toilet - she will have none of it! Anyway, she said "Gramma poopy!" several times. I probably set her back - if gramma doesn't need to use the toilet, why should she? -
Have you tried Zantac? It helps a lot with gas.
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Well, back from my last infusion...yippee! Feel tired and out of it but so far, so good. As we all know, the yuck doesn't hit for a few days. I have yet another anti-nausea med to try. Raglan or something like that. It's an as-needed med. She said Compazene doesn't work for a lot of women so we are trying this. Hope we get it right this time.
Oh, I spoke with the NP today as the dr is out of town. She said that I should check with the radiation oncologist before taking daily vitamins. Many will advise you to lay off the anti-oxidants while doing rads. Interesting.
Anyhow, off to put on my sweats and hit the couch. Hope you are all well--I will try to post in the next few days but it's too hard to edit my work for all the typos that happen in my chemo fog. Cannot stay away for long though.
Amera -
Congratulations Amera!!!!...and soon we'll can add Nandy, RobbinJaye, RitaJean, and IowaCindy to the list. I feel good and bad about posting this...good for the people who are done, but bad for the rest of you like Shorti, Melia, Lynn, Aladora, Nancy, Dar, Rebecca, Jan and everybody else who isn't done and who's just about had it. But I'll tell you a secret: THERE IS LIFE AFTER CHEMO. And it's waiting for you..ALL OF YOU!!!
I'm feeling better today. I ran for the first time since chemo. I ran during chemo, but always inside on a treadmill. About two hours ago the sun came out and I ran in the fresh air, and it felt terrific!
I've started Biotin and I've ordered some Nioxin. I can feel but not see the hair on my head, because it's gray, gray is actually a misnomer for "colorless." But when it gets long enough I can color it and actually see some hair on my head...probably about 4 months from now. -
Jan,
I just saw the press conference with John and Elizabeth Edwards. They said she has a recurrence in her bones, and that it is incurable. It hit me really hard too. She has to be on Chemo for the rest of her life. I know that she was diagnosed as Stage III like some of us. It is heartbreaking, and my prayers go to her.
Does anyone have advice about reflux and heartburn? I just went and got Zantac 75 and Pepcid. I really didn't know which one works better and faster. I have been taking Tums and they really don't work.
Congrats Amera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I hope to still post after today, when the decadron wears off. I am in day two of TAC #4. Hope to talk to you all soon. ilene -
Amera, Congratulations!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{Amera}}}}}}}}}}}} you did it!
Lynn -
Wonderful news on your onco test results.
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Congratulations to you, Amera!
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Hey Ilene
We had our TAC on the same day. UGH. Are you finding this one more painful than the others? I am in agony this time, and have actually been having trouble walking. This from someone who normally gos from morning till night and LOVES to go on long walks. Frustrating. OH...and EEEEECCCCCKKKK last night when I got home and was getting ready for bed, and brushed my teeth and wouldnt you know it that my toothbrush came away with a PINK TINT (from the adriamycin, I assume). I guess that explains the disgusting taste in my mouth. I had heard that it discolors your tears as well, but I have not observed that so far.
I have yet to take anything for the heartburn...it gets so buried in the discomfort that it never even registers.
That is so awful about Elizabeth Edwards. I feel so bad for her.
Yay for your Amera!
I am off to try and find something appetizing to eat. Hard when even your saliva tastes like medicine.
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No more AC.
Even when I'm down and feeling my most vulnerable, I can come here and have the future confirmed. There is an end to chemo.
Thanks, sisters. -
Ilene - my onc gave me Nexium for reflux and it works - but there's no generic. My Rx was over $100 - but it does work.
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Quote:
I just saw the press conference with John and Elizabeth Edwards. They said she has a recurrence in her bones, and that it is incurable. It hit me really hard too. She has to be on Chemo for the rest of her life. I know that she was diagnosed as Stage III like some of us.
I just saw that too. I feel terrible. I didn't know what stage she was before. However, they did a long segment on it here with Dr. Tim Johnson and apparently it is incurable but *not* untreatable. Of course, the media is really hyping it, playing into everyone's fears and not telling the whole story. I think she has the right attitude. Not sure I'd want my husband traveling all the time, but hey, that's her life and it sounds as if she doesn't want to sit around and feel bad. -
Had my second from last chemo, taxol, today. Dr gave me Celebrex for the pain, let's see if that helps. Good for you Mizsissy for running today. And I know what you mean about your hair being colorless. I was looking for a picture to post and almost didn't recognize myself. Let's see if the picture shows up. I'm not that great on the computer for that kind of stuff.
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Mary, yes, we can see your avatar, nice picture. Also, nice to know your name instead of calling you mer!
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