June 2007 Chemo

The one thing I WAS looking forward to this summer was not having to shave my legs....yeah, well, the hair gods thought otherwise. Or should it be the chemo demons? LOL

Joanne Elizabeth, I did reply to your post asking me if the vacation was worth it but it didn't seem to post. Overall, it was because my family had a wonderful time and it did give us some "normalcy" for the summer since we had planned it before I was dx. I didn't have the greatest time but that could also be because we were with my husbands family and while I love them, they are kind of overwhelming (big Italian family) and even under the best of circumstances, I sometimes feel like an outsider.
As far as your sister, WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?? My sister has not said anything that insensitive but she is capable. Her daughter, who I was very close to, has not even called me in the 2 months since I was dx (she lives in another city). She told her mother she didn't know what to say. But she used us as a reference while buying a new car last week. So the car dealer at least called me .
I had someone ask me how I was feeling early in my tx and he said "I hope you're not losing your beautiful hair". I cried for a whole day. I think there are people out there whose mouths work independently from their brains...
Cyndi

Good Morning Ladies,
I hope everyone is doing okay. I have a question, it might have already been touched on.... I can't remember. Is anyone else having issues with headaches? I have my 4th AC next week; the past 3 mornings I have woken up with a slamming headache! Yeaterday and the day before were so bad I was sick to my stomach and in bed for most or all of the day. This morning I got up at 5 to let the dogs out and it was pounding a little, so I just stayed up, had my coffee and kinda of slept sitting up on the couch. I think I've managed to fend it off (I hope). Now I do normally get a migraine around day 5 of my period.... but I don't have my period right now. You think maybe its from going into "chemopause"?
What do you girls think?

Bonnie

Mikeysmom, that is simply unfathomable! I am so sorry that happened to you.
I did email my sister and told her she was insensitive and she called me up and said I have to understand that people innocently say offensive things not understanding they hurt us. I didn't let her off the hook. I said sometimes that happens, but your comments about bikinis are over the edge. I said google mastectomies and then you might understand why you can't wear a bikini. She said oh I have.
I have read on TC forum that others do get severe headaches. I get headaches, but not severe the first few days. Some are saying it could be from the Neulasta shots?

I am so sorry to hear that everyone is having headaches. So hard to figure out what they are: chemo, Nuelasta, chemopause...I am still planning to ditch the Nuelasta shot for round 3. Then if the headaches go away, I will know it was the shot. But if I still have the headaches, I will know it's not the Nuelasta.

I'm in Philly visiting my parents. The flight went well. I wore the arm/hand sleeve. I also wore a scarfy thing, and I felt really self-conscious. Like a neon cancer sign. I know I shouldn't care, but I did

My arm is a little tingly now, not swollen though.
Talk to you more after my trip!

Hi, Gracie, we'll celebrate together on our last AC tomorrow. I too am worried about Taxol, mainly the risk of allergic reaction. How common is that, anyone know?

I hope Debbie K can enlighten us tomorrow, I think she's the first to go in this group with the Taxol drug.

Lisa, enjoy your visit with your parents!

Dawn, I have very dry eyes and mouth. Eye drops help but not for long and I've been sucking on ice chips for the dry mouth. If it isn't one thing, it's another....

I wish everyone the best this week with their treatments.

I forgot, I get headaches and they prescribed Fioricet works pretty good for mine.

Kiddlegirl, Cabo sounds fabulous. I had friends years ago who took a yearly vacation there and always raved about it. I'm glad you had a good time.

Cyndi, the teary eyes is caused by the dryness, yeah, sounds contradictory I know. Mine continually tear up and my nose constantly runs too and my mouth is sooo dry.
The eye drops help for a short time. I use Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye formula. Maybe try some?
Good news about your headache!

Hi all,

Just checking in after spending 5 days in Colorado. I was able to go there after TH#5 and did fine. Will go there as well next week after TH#6. I am finding Taxol/Herceptin much easier than AC. Though I had a year of Herceptin & rads inbetween AC & Taxol, so my experience is different than most of you.

I did have an allergic reaction the first time - felt like heartburn. But the next day was able to have the treatment. I had some serious stomach problems for the first 2 treatments. They were side effects from the Zantac & steroid, not the Taxol. Though I haven't had any stomach problems since, so maybe it was the egg salad sandwiches I had during the treatments?

I am starting to experience a little neuropathy in my fingers and feet. I've heard weekly Taxol is easier than every 2 or 3 weeks. Is that the schedule everyone has?

take care, Anna

Hi all,

I'm just about to leave for my first Taxol/Herceptin treatment. I'm like Gracie. I feel sick just thinking about it! I know it should be better than the AC, but I am nervous. You just never know. I'll let you know how it goes.

Debbie K., I hope we hear from you too. I think you are starting Taxol today as well.

I'm thinking of you all and you are always in my prayers. Have a great Monday.

xoxo
Kathleen

Hi everyone. Wow , away a few days and I can't believe all the posts to catch up with!
I called my onc , since no one called me back. So I called Thursday , and they ask me to come in at 3 that day. I was at work and my onc called and asked me to tell him everything. So that made me think no one told him anything until the day I called them back. So I told him and he said he believes it is or was an infection , and if I would have seen him that Monday , he would of prescribed and antibiontic , but seeing that it appears to be clearing up , he will check it out this Wed. when I see him for tx #4. The pain and redness has disappeared but I can still feel the lump. So we will see what happens Wed.
I also have horrible dry eyes. I do suffer from allergies and with all the rain we have had it seems worse. My eyes are kinda gunkie and tear alot. My nose runs off and on. And I also had bad headaches after my first treatment , but has lessoned the second and third.
I also have had my share of insensitive remarks. Some people don't think before they speak. I just ignore them. But it does tell me alot about that person. I am getting so tired of people daily , especially at work , asking "how are you" and some add to it after my reply with " no really how are you" What!?! Sometimes this bc trip is sooo exhasting...
Well , good luck to everyone. I will post after I see my onc Wednesday. Say prayers for me that all is fine. Hugs and prayers , Melody

Hi All!
Well the headaches have gotten better, have just had a slight throbing in the back of my head, but a little Excedrin Migraine seems to be taking care of it. My 4th AC is scheduled for Thursday this week instead of tomorrow.... I am in the process of switching oncologists at the cancer center.... not my doing; my onc left at the beginning of July and all month I've been waiting to see the other guy. I did see his nurse practioner last time. Maybe I'll see him on Thursday. I am so glad to be getting finished with the "red devil", and like some of you others a little anxious about the Taxol. Hopefully we'll all just breeze right through it, and we'll be done before we know it! Hope everyone has a good week, feel good!!

Bonnie

Well, I safely made it through my first Taxol infusion; one down and three to go!! My doctor had me take two dex. pills last night and two this morning to ward off allergic reactions. Then they gave me more before the unfusion and included benadryl. I had no allergic reaction at all but the infusion took three hours! It was a long day. So far I feel fine tonight and just had a nice dinner. The doctor said the side effects usually include aches and pains for several days after the infusion. He said I could take ibuprofen or call in for pain medication. So I will see what I need.

I hope you are all doing well this week. Today was easier than I thought it would be; I will keepyou posted as the week wears on.

Debbie

Melody/Honeygirl my eyes were real dry and I was rubbing them all the time, the onc office told me to by eye drops that do not have saline in them. I bought a bottle of "Tears" and it really helped.

Hi all
I go for #3 AC tommorow, so not looking forward to it. But I am going to eat good today since I probably won't tommorow or Friday. By the way, my period was regular and on time this month. I thought that was odd.