Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?

Belated Happy Birthday Terry!! Hope you had a good time. I have been struggling with 5 and 6 lb. weight flucuations. I actually came out of the hospital after surgery weighing 12 lbs more. It was fluid from IV's. But then when I started Taxol, I can gain 5 or 6 lbs between visits for chemo. It is very discouraging. But I keep telling myself when I start A/C I may drop back to my normal weight. My friend put it in perspective by saying she is so glad to see me looking healthy and not emaciated. My decadron puffy face caused my nail person to ask if I had had "work done" on my face. LOL. She asked if I had had botox. Guess that is the bright side of steroids, chubby face, fewer wrinkles. Keep your chin up. Remember we are all in this together. Hugs your way, Sammie Kay:)

P.S. to my note to you, Vegas. My dh has to be in meetings during the day, but I am free. I always hang out in the room and read and rest or go down and donate to the slot machines. Will remind you when the time for a trip arrives and maybe we can meet f2f. Sammie Kay

Fellow Cruisers,
No "last" chemo for me on Thursday. My onc. didn't want to take a chance with my shingles. They are drying, but I'd sure hate to irritate them any more than necessary. I'm kinda relieved, I haven't felt as well as I usually do 3 weeks after chemo.
I'm scheduled to go in Wednesday, and try again. I've finished my Valtrex, the nerve pain is alot less, and the lidocaine spray and hydrocortisone spray are helping the local pain....darvocet is my pain pill of choice and it along with advil work really well.
I've taken an new job. I'm an old ER RN, but can't work with patients because of my white blood count, so I've taken a job as 'trauma coordinator in the hosp. I'll still be working closely with the ER staff, just not the patients.
I'm lucky to have gotten it really, but it's a little stressful at first, especially since chemo didn't go as planned. It's hard to plan your life around cancer sometimes, isn't it??
Hugs to everybody, I'll get back to you guys on Wednesday...Send some prayers and hugs please...
Tracy

Leah, I was so happy to read your good news a few days ago that I forgot to answer your sweet (suger free) offer about Ricola drops. I have a good supply right now (sent by my sister). I try not to use too much of those (although the mint ones are really refreshing) because of the sorbitol they contain which gives you belly aches...
Have a beautiful sunday.
Hugs,
Catherine

Good morning!

Tracy - hope you recover soon. I'm glad to hear that it's becoming more manageable. Congrats on the new job!

Hillary - you and I have to stop this getting up at 3:00 in the morning business! DH has learned to go back to sleep now as he knows I'm not sick, just wide awake. The dog and cats are another matter! Thanks so much for the SE update. Again, we seem to be on the same page. What has started with me is a tingling on the bottom of my feet that I can ignore. My thumbs and forefingers have that slammed in the car door feeling, but I can ignore it for the most part. But I'm starting to get the tingling in my hands too. Did you have any of that before the Taxol? I will let you all know if the Taxol makes it worse. If it stays at this level, I'll manage fine.

Oh! I almost forgot! I don’t know if any of you use Philosophy skin care / make up. It is wonderful stuff. All of their products are made for extremely sensitive skin and those that are sensitive to heavy fragrances. Their products have a light clean smell and are not heavy or sicky sweet. I received their news letter yesterday and they have a new product called Shower for the Cure. 100% of all the proceeds are donated to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund. I’m seriously thinking of buying several bottles and using them for birthday gifts for my girlfriends this year. If you want to check it out, you can read about it here: https://www.philosophy.com/web/store/pro..._-shower%20cure


Enjoy your Sunday's all. Talk to you later.

Carynn

Ahh - Thanks Hillary. Can one have a blond moment if they are bald? Forgot that by showing my time in MST it shows everyone else in MST as well. Guess it just shows that I really am a natural blond.

Just sitting here beside the fireplace, the rain slapping the roof and skylights, and reading your posts. Sounds like a few of you are dealing with the Taxol SEs...I'm sorry to hear this but hope they remain manageable. Marsha, Hillary, others -- I keep telling myself that whatever SEs pop up, this too shall pass. I'm up 3 lbs this morning so I'm thinking, like you SammieKay, I'm starting to retain fluids...ack! My bones are okay - no aching, no sore fingers. I have a sore baby toe (which manifested pre-Taxotere) and that seems to have intensified since Thursday. My eyes are making me nuts...watery, stinging...my lashes are pretty sparse as are my eyebrows. I skipped two of the decadron tabs, one because I didn't get the prescription on time the day before Tx and the second because I figure I can do without too much in the way of steroids. My appetite is good I just don't want to gain a bunch of weight right now. One of the few good news items for me lately has been my weight and if that changes I feel like I'll go into a downward spiral. Terry, hope your birthday was a pleasant as can be. Vegas, thanks for the info. I'll email back later today. I don't feel like doing much of anything today. Carynn, I don't sleep very much either...I wish I had the energy though to be doing something productive, like work. Instead, I surf, write, chat...generally waste time. Actually, I find it therapeutic....mindless. Catherine, I'd go for a walk today but I might just get washed down the street.

Hugs all around.

Good morning everybody (9:45 am, Denver time)... stay dry out there, in the East...

Phyl: Denver was completely "missed" by the storm... a few flurries, no real hard freeze (I had covered everything I could for nothing), not even some needed rain... The weather people were very much on the defensive, since a lot of people had taken the day off for not being stuck in this expected foot of snow...:) It's going to be in the low 70's this afternoon...

Abraxane SE's: even if the method of administration is different and pre-meds not needed (no steroids, no benadryl), Abraxane is definetely a taxan (from ew trees, right?)... I am following exactly the same pattern as you Hillary, Marsha, Phyl: skin feeling tight (like old leather) in fingers, not as bas as "slammed in the door" finger pain, but definitely "nettle burning/tingling" (although much milder today). Bone pain has settled in (hips, lower back, mostly), uneasy legs at night (deep in the legs, like some blood circulation issue, but went away). No tingling in toes, but tender feet when I walk barefoot. I still slept fine with all this, not taking anything. Even though I get up at least 4 times to go to the bathroom since I drink so much, and from night sweats (chemopause here, too...:)), I manage to go back to sleep relatively fast. I hesitate to take too much advil, so I decided to wait to see how bad it will get (I feel it easier to "pace" yourself when you stay aware of the SE's... nothing unbearable so far. The nose SE's are better (less runny, less watery eyes, less puffy), but nose bleeding (light) from Avastine (the other tx I get with Abraxane).
We are expecting beautiful weather today again. Yesterday I raked the leaves protecting the few rose bushes (thick layer) and cleaned all the dead stuff from the roses (not much left, as it turns out) and from the lavender, and I found the exercise extremely tiring, although I was sitting on the ground, warming my back in the sun... I feel less energetic this time around, as if I did get Neulasta (but did not)... I have been walking everyday, though, and will go soon... I believe it helps me, but these SE's are different from AC's... Also, my tongue is really sore and my mouth is uncomfortable (do not taste much, but not the metallic taste post-AC, something different this time... go figure...).
I see that you mention Motrin a lot: dear nurses out there, could you tell me what the difference between Motrin and Advil??
Well, hoping the healing fairy will have taken the opportunity to ride the jetstream and go around swiftly to make your day pain free...
Hugs to all,
CatherineH

Hello All,

So I hear everyone talking about SNB. I am so glad that I had mine done the day of my surgery and my surgeon before hand explained to me the procedure and I was dreading the pain. Good thing for me the anesthesiolist was in the room when she was about to start and said that he was ready to start my IV an if she waited 5 minutes I would feel anything. Thank God for him.

Regarding the fingernail soreness, I too experienced it. I could hardly close my buttons it hurt so bad. I keep my nails short for this reason. On the fingernails of my thumbs around the cuticles I have dark streaks. Anyone know what this is from?

So I went for my 2nd Taxol Thursday and I was unable to recieve treatment. My liver enzymes were elevated so I have an appoitment on Monday for new lab work and hopefully Thursday I can reciev treatment. I was really upset that I am now a week behind. I was looking forward to having my last treatment on my wedding anniversary- May 10th. Now it will be hpefully May 17th. The pain in my legs has gotten better. I have taken Extra strength Tylenol. I figure with all the drugs in my system, I don't want to add anything more.

I'll update you all on what is going on.

Good Luck to all.

By the way is anyone doing the Avon Walk for breast cancer near their city?


Kim

Tropicmom --

So good to finally hear from you, but sorry that you're feeling so blue. You know that your February sisters are here for you. We'll continue the journey with you and with Leah.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
-- Hillary

Leah, I am a bit behind with the Easter stuff: a dear friend of mine dropped by last Sunday, with Easter goodies which I have "sampled" slowly all week... and today was the turn of the chocolate Easter bunny... and as I was munching at its ears first, I was thinking of you with a big silly smile on my face...
CatherineH

Monday - Vegas
Tuesday - SammieKay (10th Taxol)
Wednesday - Karen (1st Taxol)
Thursday - Carynn (1st Taxol)
Friday -

Hillary, I will definetly check with doc about lab work for kidney function. Tonight I believe the shortness of breath is related to asthma. I used my inhaler and it is better. Now I have the back "heebeegeezies", that is what I call it when my back hurts and my legs feel like they have to move. Several people speak of taking tylenol and motrin. For some reason, the pain doc doesn't want me to take much tylenol. Something to do with it being hard on the liver. Along with the chemo etc.
BTW, someone ask about the difference between motrin and oops chemo brain. Can't remember the name of the other drug, but I do remember they were the same, both were ibuprofen. Stay warm with that nor'easter blowing.

Catherine, glad you missed the big snow. I am having the same back issues as I mentioned above. I am sitting with an ice pack on my back. Took my pain pills. Walking seems to make my back pain worse, but I need to do it for my peace of mind.

Marsha, do be careful. Don't want to add concussion to SE of Taxol LOL. Seriously, take care of yourself. Will remember the number 23 when in Las Vegas.

Twink, hang in there, as Marsha says the water weight will be easier to lose. Since I am not dense dose, I only get small dose of decadron the day of Taxol. LIke 2 milligrams. So I am thinking maybe it is the Taxol that is causing the weight gain.

You are all amazing. I share with you what someone told me, " don't be hard on yourself about not being productive, not having energy etc." Just give yourself some slack. We are all doing amazingly well. I hear from all of you, the things you do, work, walk, play with you children, take care of family, go to events and on and on.
All this while taking toxic chemicals into your body and fighting cancer. That is pretty awesome in my book. God bless all of you and be very, very kind to yourself. Love, Sammie Kay

Can you believe we are in the middle of a Nor'easter in Boston? It has rained over 4 inches, (would have been like 40 inches of snow) and the winds are fierce. I don't know how the runners are going to run in the Marathon.

Had a nice weekend for the first time in a long time. Went with DH Tom up to Burlington VT to see DD Lauren. It was cold and cloudy up there too- they actually got more snow yesterday. Winter seems not to want to give it up. I had put away winter clothes whe we had a spate of warm weather, but they are all dug out again. Even needed gloves on Saturday! Sheesh..Carynn, your description of 80 degrees makes me jealous. Obviously, vacation is just a memory!

Anyway, we were home for dinner on Sat, and then Sunday morning had company for pancake breakfast. My favorite brotherinlaw and sister in law. It was the most normal we have been in a long time. **Sigh**. I can handle this!

I started reading the radiation thread too. That seems to be next. Same range of "no SE" to "many SE"- still reflecting the differences in our bodies in treatment.

Thought you might want a report of 1 month after treatment and what is still/not happening:
-hair fuzz is growing! it is not white anymore- it is brown. I think the white was the roots from my old hair, but that seems to have been replaced by brown fuzz. It is sticking straight up and I love to rub it. Kind of prickly. Interestingly enough, it is not growing in uniformly. Seems to be more in the back, and the pieces framing the face seem to be growing differently than the top. Weird, but interesting.
-nail streaks are new, thumbs and index finger. Guess that keeps happening
-nose still dripping somewhat, though I seem to see cilia in the nose
-metabolism has totally changed. I am hungry a lot, but can only eat small amounts at a time. Back up to starting chemo weight (I had lost 5 lbs during AC). Oh well.
-vision still not totally right. feel eye strain after reading. Could my prescription have changed since September due to chemo?
-all other "systems"- bowels, etc. back to normal.
They are still monitoring me for RBC, and I had to get a procrit last week due to a 11.7 reading. Hopefully this week it will be 12 and I will be done with that.

Not sure if we ever talked about the fact that one of my main supporters is a guy who is also my boss/colleague. Well, 2 weeks after my diagnosis, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage IV with 6 months to live (age 49). Well, he found some great doctors, and just finished a course of chemo with drugs that were just approved in the last year for that type of cancer. He will have a CT scan on Tuesday (no blood tumor markers for that cancer). I am so hopeful, yet so fearful for him. He has really been there for me, though he has basically taken off for the whole course of his treatment. But, as he says, we are in the club, and can talk to each other about things that no one else can really understand. So as we go through the restaging thing together this week, there seems to be a bittersweet layer on it all as I already got a sneak peak at my results, but he won't know anything until Tuesday afternoon. If you have any prayers left, could you add Jeff to the list?

Well out into 60 mph winds. Hope I (and my wig!) don't get blown away!
Have a great week all!

Hillary, you could be describing me in the above. Other than the fingernail things (so far!) My 24 hour rash was on the left hand. My DH is also doing what you describe. I am so lucky, he has taken on everything in the household, working, shopping (doesn't want me in grocery or drug store LOL germs) and says he just wants me to concentrate on getting better and giving me the luxery of doing that. On my good weeks he would rather I be doing things I've always enjoyed in the past, you know, normal stuff! So I realize how very lucky I am and tell him and others just that every opportunity I have. Yesterday he dressed in a tux (tails no less) and helped our catering friend at Taste of Ocala which is 50+ local restaurants competing for the best awards. WOW Jim looked really hot and my friend won for Judges Best All Around! Great fun had and lots of tasty samples to try.

I find it very interesting how we are all falling into line with each other. From the very beginning we've all seemed to experience the same or similar SE at the same time. Sometimes I get a little panic attack when I think about what is being pumped into my body. Anybody else can't get that off their minds at times?

Leah, this is not a short term friendship! You will not be continuing on alone. As we all know, once you are affected by BC, you are for always. I for one would be disappointed to lose contact with all of you! So sorry about your friend, at least you have each other. My friends love me but will never understand what I am truly living with 24/7 now. And unless you have been there, you can't truly know.

Sammie Kay, yes, I agree with you, we have to give ourselves a break. Baby ourselves if you will. Who wouldn't be fatigued, achy, and all the rest with what we are going thru and having put in our fragile bodies? At first I wanted friends and family to think "Wow, she is so strong, she's handling this so well" and now, well hell, I'm tired, I ache and I'm just counting down! LOL

Thinking about everyone visiting the bar this week. Hugs all around.......Marsha