June 2007 Chemo

Hi galnok , No , I'm not taking any steroids. I have been feeling anxious and took a xanax and did sleep better last night. Thanks. No nausea so far today! Also no headache as of yet. I thought maybe it might be due to a herniated disk problem I have been dealing with since April. I am taking nurotin and it has improved a great deal(pain in neck and arm) since then. Well , hope all is well with everyone.
Cheryl , that really sucks. Migraines suck!
I have no suggestions for your child. But you are deffinately in my prayers. Take care.

So many posts to catch up on! I got some bad news on Thursday, my Dad, went in for an angio and ended up being sent to another hospital to have bypass surgery yesterday so it has been so stressful. I feel bad for my Mom having to worry about both of us. Dad is recovering well, ended up with a quad bypass. Doctor said it was a life-saving procedure because these are the blockages that people just drop over dead from with no warning or symptoms. So, I decided that we BOTH had life-saving procedures this year

Cheryl, I've suffered from migraines for years. The only nice thing about vomiting is after that point, you know you're on the downward slide, at least that is the way it was for me.

Glad everyone that is starting chemo without too many issues. Bummer to think this is my last "normal" feeling weekend for the Summer.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Susan

Good morning everyone,

Susie, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, but my dad had the same surgery, quad bypass, and he recovered so well. He was like a new man. I hope your dad does the same.

Has anyone had dreams about the chemo? Last night I dreamt that I was receiving chemo in my living room and my husband was trying to help me and the drugs kept leaking onto my favorite chair and burning it! My first treatment is Monday, so I guess my anxiety is finding its way into my dreams as well.

But all in all I'm just ready to get on with it. Thanks to all of you ahead of me preparing me for what is to come. Each experience will be a little different but it truly helps to hear what everyone else is experiencing.

I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm going wig shopping today!

xoxo
Kathleen

Thanks for the good wishes, Dawn. I plan on telling them all of my stats just to be sure everything goes well on Monday.

By the way, a few days ago I ordered a cheap wig online. I picked out a color I thought was similar to mine and a short style since my regular hair is short. Well, it came today and I put it on. I thought it looked ok for a cheap wig; but my husband and my daughter had a fit! They didn't like the style or the color...who knew? Anyway, back in the box it went, and they studied the catalog and picked out what they are sure will look a lot better. We will see how well they did! I really don't plan on wearing it much anyway, but thought it would be good to have one if I need it. I much prefer the turban hats and scarves. I ordered on line because I just couldn't get interested and energetic enough to go try on a bunch of them.

No doubt about it, this bc trip leads us into strange and mysterious circumstances. Never thought I would buy a wig! My 6--year old grandson kept asking when I would take my pill so my hair would fall out! We've been telling him my medicine was going to make me bald, and I guess he thought I was just going to take a pill.

Gotta go run errands. Take care,
Debbie

Checking in again and hopefully can keep up now that the wedding is over and guests are gone!
I see a lot of new names, welcome to all!
I hope the ones getting ports inserted soon do well. I've had mine for almost two weeks and it feels so much better since I removed the bandage on Friday. Before that, my dr had recommended covering it with saran wrap and duct tape to shower (I was told it had to remain dry)....what a site to behold. I'm sure my husband was laughing hysterically after helping me tape up....at least he had the courtesy to wait until after he left the room...LOL
Anyway, it's barely noticeable now except for a light pressure in my neck. The incision site is healing nicely too. So, to all of those waiting for your ports, it isn't that bad and trust me, I was being a huge baby about this!!
I start my first chemo tomorrow at 9 AM, I'm pushing fluids today and plan on making a chart for my pills. My brain is on vacation for the summer I think and don't want to risk missing a dose. I've got a few books packed and plan on snacks and drinks too.
Last week I purchased Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash just-in-case. The tips on the board have been immensely helpful.
I know someone else is starting tomorrow, Debbie?, I wish you well! (I'm having a hard time keeping names and facts straight and will apologize now for future mistakes. ;-) )
I look forward to posting and reading about everyone's experiences, what a great group!

Debbie K - Same thing here..doctor said to leave it on for a week but I did have some bleeding and it wasn't sticking well and started irritating me so I took it off last night (3 days after insertion) and it's healing fine. I really thought the port area would stick out more and up higher on my chest but because I'm a little chesty, you can't even see it..you can feel it but not see it.

Dad is doing pretty good today...wow, what a scare. My Dad has always been so strong and he was sooo upset when I told him I had cancer and this just threw him for a loop. But, he was up walking today. I'm amazed how quckly they have you up after open heart surgery.

I also had my MUGA scan Friday and that was no problem...I don't have the results yet but they said they would call if there was a problem. They did have to find a BIG vein as they use a large needle but fortunately, my tech was really skilled and got it right away.

I'm going tomorrow for my wig fitting from a gal that has a hair salon in a nearby town. She is a b.c. survivor herself and started this business due to her online ordering of wigs when she had chemo. She said she hated everyone she ordered and found the fits challenging and there were some tips she never got until afterwards. She is a breath of fresh air and I'm hoping I'll find one! I'll probably do mostly scarves for summer but will like hair for working or a night out!

Susan

Hi Everyone,

Terry and Debbie, I'll be starting my chemo tomorrow as well. I'm drinking so much water I think I may float away. I'm also packing a bag to bring along, with the ipod, books and maybe some knitting. I'm a little fearful of not having a port, but I'm sure I'll get through tomorrow just fine. I'll be thinking of you both and hope your day goes well. Were either of you given Emend to take an hour before treatment? Those were my instructions. Should help with the nausea.

Linda, I've been confused about vitamins and supplements as well. My husband bought me some protein powder to add to smoothies, but it's made with soy and I think I read somewhere to avoid soy during chemo. Hopefully, I will learn more tomorrow about what we can have and what we need to avoid.

I'm feeling really great today, and so happy to get the show on the road. I hope you all had a great weekend.

xoxo
Kathleen

Hi everyone,

Susieswan, I am so glad your father is doing well!! Adding the stress from your fathers surgery with what you are going through is alot. As I found out my son has to go for another surgery (this is number 4) in the middle of my chemo. Since he is only 5yrs old I can only imagine the stress we will be going through.

I am going to look at more wigs tomorrow, and I think I will start to drink my water tomorrow (I can't stand water) hopefully by Thursday (1st chemo day) I should be able to drink the 8+ glasses without feeling sick!!

I'm glad to hear that there hasn't been too many issues with the girls that already started. (I am begining to get a little scared and anxious...not a good combo)It always feels comforting to read how everyone else is doing, it seems to make me forget a little that I will be going through it by the end of the week. Anyway time for bed...


Keep smiling

Allgone, what kind of surgery is son having if I may ask? Hopefully your hubby is really helpful! That's another big struggle of mine (as well as most Moms/Wives) is that I'm always the caretaker and I make the household run as efficiently as it does. If I'm not feeling well, it doesn't seem to bother anyone else that the garbage is overflowing, dishes are in the sink, shoes on the floor, dog hair on the carpet, etc.,...

Kathleen, Debbie & TerryNY, I'm thinking of you guys today and hoping it all goes very well.

My port site is still bruised and very tender..I sure hope it settles down before Thursday.

Susan

I am back and it went so much better than I anticipated, that's the hardest part, the unknown.
I'm glad the onc dr pushed the port for me, I was against it all the way but I can see his wisdom now.
The nurses were great and explained each procedure before starting. The adriamycin gave me a slight metallic taste in my mouth but not too bad. If that's the worst side effect I'll be a happy camper.
I'm already peeing in color! LOL
Kathleen and Debbie, I hope your first treatment goes as smoothly as mine. And thanks to everyone for the good wishes sent my way, they are truly appreciated.
Dawn, I agree with you, I can't imagine dealing with this with younger kids. Mine are 24, 20 and 18 and have been a big help throughout the ordeal. My hat is tipped to those raising youngins and dealing with BC.
Susan, I totally understand your Captain of the House comments, I am the same way. But I figure this is a temporary situation and most things can wait....if I can stand it! I hope your port settles for you too, make sure you tell the nurse that you are tender. They sprayed mine, lightly, with a numbing spray and I didn't feel a thing.
I go for my Neulasta shot on Wed. And I'm having an MRI done today because I'm having drainage from my nipple from the orginal lumpectomy done in March.
Allgone, I wish the best for your son.
Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Hello Ladies;
I'm glad to hear that those who have started their chemo are doing well thus far.....keep up the good work girls!!! I know we can all do this!
I had my PET/CT scan this morning; now just have to wait and pray that they are both a-okay. I go for my port next Tuesday and hopefully that will be uneventful.
As some of you have mentioned, I too am "captain of our ship" I keep things running smoothly around here. We also care for my 81 yr old father, who just did a stint in the hospital (came home this am) for pneumonia. He has COPD and is diabetic. Luckily I have a supportive husband and 2 teenage sons; and also 1 older brother and sister (I'm from a family of 8) who have stepped up to the plate to give us a hand with my Dad!
Hope everyone continues to feel good (as good as we can anyways). Thanks for being here!
Bonnie

Hi everyone, it sounds like we are fully underway. I'm impressed with everyone's strength and positive attitude. I'm 4 days out from my first chemo treatment and cannot complain of anything but a bit of fatigue but just slows me down to other people's 100%. I bet you all see the same thing when you think about it. Just compare how you operate normally to others and when you slow down it is a challenge for you but you are still moving mountains compared to the average Joe.

I have experienced no mouth blisters, no nausea, no bone/joint pain from the Neulasta (my worst fear) and no insomnia (Tylenol PM every night). I did experience the constipation but I have uncooperative bowels. The sennakat is a miracle pill and supposedly natural. It doesn't have to be all bad. I realize the next treatment may be different but probably best not to compare from one treatment to the next.

Monday chemo ladies, did you find there was enough steady activity that it wasn't really possible to listen to the iPod or get into a book? At least when I got the Adriamycin, it was in those big tubes that the nurse had to hand inject into the infusion set up. The cytoxin was probably the best lull with it taking 90 minutes. And did you find how nice everyone is? I'm already thinking about what gift or goodies to bring in.

Terri, I so appreciate you offering up what's happening with you right now. The hair coming out in clumps has to be a bit freaky. When are you going to zip it or is it done aleady? :-)

Allgone, how sweet the way you handled the situation with your son. I suspect he's a pretty resilient child given what he's been through. And you and hubby are too. That's why you'll do so well.

I don't know about others but I had the chemo and Neulasta shot on the same day. I was handed one script for the Compazine to take for 72 hours. Otherwise, I'm taking nothing more than the Tyl. PM and the Sennakat. Pretty exciting. :-)

My treat for me is that I was able to run/walk for 50 minutes tonight. It was heaven. I found the right bra/camisole combination that holds me tight but doesn't rub on the port area. I too was told no shower for 48 hours and then keep area covered with new bandage after each shower for next 48 hours. BTW I make sure I get extra of those bandages like the clear tape that sits over the gauze from the doc. They just count up a stack that should cover the number of days.

It'll be great to hear from Terry, Debbie and Kathleen. Hope your day was 'uneventful'. :-)

Cheers,
Debbie C.

Debbie, you sound great! And you are right about the action. When I got settled in for my treatment, there was a guy snoring to beat the band. Apparently, his treatment is truly an all day process. They start him early and he's the last to leave. Makes me count my blessings.

Did anyone else have sandwiches and soup brought up around lunch time? What a deal?

Have a good night.

Debbie C.

Congratulations, Gracie on your test results! That is wonderful news. You will get your first treatment the same day as my second one. If you are like me, you are anxious to get on with it. Try not to worry too much before the 18th. I'll be thinking about you. We will all make it through this together.

We June gals are going to kick some cancer butt this summer!

Debbie

Hi Everyone,

So many great posts and updates! It's 8 p.m. on the West Coast and my treatment (#1) was at 9 a.m. I'm feeling really good. I have a slight headache, but not nauseous. I was home by 10:45 and yes, Debbie C., there was no time for an ipod or books! Just lots of information from a wonderful nurse. I don't have a port and I didn't feel a thing. I know that will become more difficult with time, but so far so good.

When I got home I walked my dog with a friend for about 45 minutes and then hung out with my daughter who just came home from college. We're watching all the Ocean's 11 movies to get ready for the new one. But can we go to the movie theater? I forgot to ask that question today. My husband made dinner, but I'm just eating small snacks every two hours instead of any one meal. Between all the mini meals and water I'm drinking I feel like I've had plenty.

I guess everyone is different. I go for my Neulasta shot tomorrow. The nurse recommended I take a Claritin tomorrow and for two days following which should help with the bone pain.

I feel so fortunate that my children are 18 and 20. I know it must be difficult to care for little ones, keep the house running and still be able to take care of yourself. I admire all of you with little the ones and/or parents you are caring for.

So it's one down, seven to go! To those of you waiting to start your first treatment, it's a huge relief once it's underway! Now I'm sure I can do this, we all can do this, and I think a gathering of our June 2007 chemo group is definitely a must in the future!

xoxo
Kathleen