I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

Donna
I have the same problem sleeping as you. Nick at night, has Cosby, 3's Company and a number of other old shows on all night.

Hi, haven't posted in a while glad to see everyone is doing well. Finished my last AC last Monday it went well, but I've been feeling extra tired and little down in the dumps probable due to the fatigue. I have my first T on Monday DD for 4 tx, not looking forward to the steroid but hoping not to have nausea.

Good luck to everyone, we've come a long way.

Pat

Hi--I haven't posted in a long time and thought I'd write a quick note. I'm glad everyone seems to be progressing pretty well. I have my third treatment on Tuesday, so I'll be halfway home, as far as chemo is concerned. I am wondering, however, about Taxol. My doctor has never mentioned it--does everyone have to have it? He said that after my final chemo treatment, there would be a 2-3 week "rest period", and then I'd start radiation. I'm just wondering if Taxol is something I'll have to have, and if it will interfere with the "schedule" that I've got going in my head. I'll ask him when I see him, but I'd appreciate any info anyone here has in the meantime.

My depression seems to be getting worse and worse every day. I'm sick of the whole thing--the sickness, the port, and especially being bald. In addition, I've just about had it with my friends saying things like "well, I really shouldn't complain about work/husband/etc..I mean you're WAY worse off than I am." I know they're all trying to be nice, but I'm a little tired of being the "worst-case scenario"!!

In any event, I'll continue with the anti-depressants and just count my blessings that with any luck, by the time 2008 rolls around, my hair will be coming back!

Have a good night, everyone!

I'm having some depression issues as well. I think it has a lot to do with looking towards 12 Taxol treatments. I keep telling myself they'll be easy but - once a week - geez!

What drugs is anyone taking for depression? I tried Paxil and had a crazy reaction to only 1 pill. Violently ill for 3 days with vomiting, dizziness, tremors. Ended up in the ER. They gave me Xanax which I sometimes take, but makes me really sleepy. I'm kinda afraid to try a different antidepressent, but I probably need one.

It's a long time until December!

Hi, Thanks for your responses. As for anti-depressants, I've been taking Wellbutrin. It's helped me in the past, and I started taking it again a couple of months before I was diagnosed (kind of makes me wonder what I had to be depressed about before my diagnosis!). In any event, I'm taking that as well as seeing a therapist, which also helps. The circumstances are just overwhelming sometimes, I guess. I'm still SHOCKED that I'm going through this. Every time I take my wig off and look in the mirror, I can't believe what I'm seeing. When I see myself in the mirror, that's the only time that I'm thankful to live alone. I'm totally self conscious about my appearance right now, so it helps that no one else sees me without the wig.

Thanks again.

HI....

I REFUSE to look in the mirror!! When I wear my wig, I look in the mirror, and think "WHO IS THAT??" I still think I look like a freak, even with my wig on... sigh... it will probably take a couple of years to grow back, and I look absolutely HIDEOUS with short hair!! Every time I have cut my hair, it seems it NEVER gets to the length it was BEFORE the cut, so I am terrified that I won't even be able to get it to grow out to shoulder length again!

HARLEY

Harley - One of the things I keep telling myself is that this is a good lesson in what's really important. BF Cancer, I was probably a very vain person....Spent a lot of time on clothes, hair, makeup.

Know what? No one but me cares about the hair. My kids still love me, my DH still finds me attractive.

Yes, I still get a shock looking in the mirror as well. Bald I think I look like a female Lord Valdemort (from the Harry Potter movies). But I'm sure you aren't HIDEOUS and it will grown back eventually. ((((HUGS)))

I cut my shoulder length hair off a month or so pre-chemo to ease the transition and decided that I LOVED short hair. No muss, no fuss. A little gel out of the shower and I was good to go. My hair will NEVER be long again.

Harley - Any SEs to the Effexor? I'll be doing the Tamoxifin thing too. I'm still not convinced I'm ready to try the anti-depressant thing again. My Paxil experience was really bad.... once burned....

Just keep breathin', gals

Abby,

Thanks for the encouragement, and the kind words!!

Effexor has been no trouble so far. I've been taking it now for about a month. My ps doesn't like it, but I told him that since I need to take Tamoxifen, I don't want anything interfering with my effectiveness of my treatment, so he shut up.


I WILL say that I'm concerned because some se's from Effexor, in the patient info. are that it may raise your blood pressure, and since mine's been fine, I don't want to do anything to mess it up. That is about a GOOD health issue that I have - GOOD blood pressure! Also, it may raise cholesterol levels, so when I have been taking Tamoxifen for a year or two, I think I may switch to a different hormone treatment, one of the AI's. But for now, it seems to be working ok.

Good luck with finding an anti-depressant that works for you!

You REALLY do look SO cute with your head scarf, in your pic!!! I wish I was as cute as you!!

HARLEY

Abbi,
I don't think that putting yourself first is selfish. It just isn't something that we (women) are very good at doing. It is healthy and if not now, when?!
I sent out an e-mail to my 8 best friends and asked each of them to sign up for a day of my bad days after chemo. They will come over and just be whatever I need them to be. I may ask them to do my dishes, run an errand, listen to me complain, walk with me around the block, or whatever. So it is just a 1 - 2 hour commitment one time for each of them. They were all thrilled to be asked and to know what I need.

Also, the Look Good, Feel Better class I took was great about teaching us how to have fun with scarves, hats, make-up, and jewelry. I don't know if they are all as good as the one I went to but it is free and you get great stuff and great ideas. So, if any of you have not gone yet, go!

I am drinking a V8 as I read your post. No, I am not having cravings for white foods. But I have not lost any taste in my mouth either and several of my bc friends have. My 11 year old, on the other hand, has the same cravings as you and has all her life. Maybe your body is just wanting to be a kid again!

Initially, I too, craved white foods. Eggs and grilled cheese with tomato, and oatmeal, were my staples. Now, after 3 TAC, everything pretty much tastes like crap. I have a bitter taste in my mouth that will not quit. All liquids are putrid. I want a frigging beer!!! Too bad they are not even wort drinking because they taste like ocean water.
Do You think I am disgusted??? You betcha!!! My energy is way down this time, although I can function, somewhat. Went shopping today. I needed a new hamper/clothes basket for the kid's bathroom. I made the mistake of going to Walmart. I figured since I was there I might as well pick up some items I know are cheap there. BAD MOVE. Everybody and their kids were school shopping. I stood in line, and after 20 minutes, I had had enough. I did something that I have never done before. I walked out, simply leaving the packed cart in place. Went down the road to a Wegmans's where a bright, friendly cashier was very happy to ring up my order in a timely mannner. Never did get the hamper, though.

Have any of you ladies experienced any neuropathy? It has started in my fingertips and feet(heels and toes) It is only annoying at this point, but my doc is watching closely. I've had enough, I'm seeing my counseler tomorrow when I go for my blood count. I am one weary individual, but still I cling to some threads of optomism.
My best to all, Rose

Okay. I think I'm going to scream. I just lost my post for the second time. Third times the charm?

It seems like many of us are having treatment this week. I have my third AC this Thursday. Good luck to all.

Wig? I can't stand mine. It itches. I wear it all day to teach in and I can't wait for the end of the school day to pull off the wig and put on my hat on the drive home. Oh what a relief. I much prefer the scarves. I'm tired of being bald, but I'm used to seeing myself that way. I look forward to some hair growth.

White foods? Yes, I do stick to them for the few days after treatment. I have zero appetite for 3 or 4 days after treatment. I'll eat white noodles, boiled potato, cottage cheese, etc.

Alcohol? Not much taste for it. Haven't had a drink since diagnosis. Prior to DX I enjoyed a glass of wine with a meal.

Sex? Not a top priority. Frequency way down and limited to taking place in a "good week". Having an understanding and patient husband has helped a lot.

Support groups? I have found it helpful. Talking with others that have been through cancer makes me feel like I'm not going crazy. They have the knowing look and nod in understanding. Like the ladies on this board! When I read your posts, I'm nodding in understanding as well.

Port? Sometimes mine tugs in the heart area. Almost like a muscle strain. It doesn't happen often, but I think it might have something to do with how I hold my head when I sleep. I had to give up my weightlifting machines because the port will tug and I don't want to aggravate it. Right after it was put in, I was having the tingling down the arm. It was aggravating, but that stopped and it happens very infreqently. I now take daily brisk walks (not so brisk on some days) as exercise and will be glad to get back to my regular exercise routine when this is all over.

Taxol? Kind of anxious about 12 weekly treatments. Being back at work full time makes me wonder how I'll feel the day after. I've been encouraged by the reports that the SE's are much less than the AC's. I can only hope!

Good luck to all this week, treatment or not. We will all get through this!

Jane

Hi, ladies, I'm in the June group. I've been keeping up with your posts though. I'm on TAxol now, and I've had a much easier time with it. No nausea at all, no headaches, no dizziness, slight bone pain, LOTS more energy, I feel almost normal. Taste buds are coming back, have my apetite back. Can just do so muhc more than I did on AC. Granted day 3 through about 5, I'm tired and on those days, I find I have to rest alot, but other than that,..its' SO much more doable than AC. So hang in here, ladies, the great majority of you (I hope ) will feel better on Taxol. Some people do still get sick on taxol, but the posts I've read of the people who have done them before, that is a minority...the majority seem to do better.

Blessings,

Gracie

I believe there was several of us having our first taxol this week. Just wanted to let everyone know mine went fine I'm doing DD instead of weekly. I've heard it's accumulative, but it's nice to get the first one out of the way with none of the side effects of AC. I haven't had nausea or anything yet, it's nice to get a little break. Hoping everyone having treatments this week are doing well and everyone else is having a good week.

Pat

Hello ladies, checking in after my first taxol. Wow, it is so much better then the nasty AC. I haven't had any nausea and with all the steroids I took before and for pre drugs, my appetite is back (went from starting weight of 110 to 104) so I have been eating alot. And it is so nice not to feel sick or have to take the nausea drugs that knock me out for days. I have been tired but am able to stay awake for hours at a time instead of being knocked out for 2-3 days like I was on AC. The muscle pain is tolerable. I took the l-glutimine the first day but didn't settle well so I stopped taking it. I am taking advil for the pain and so far it helps a little. It's weird because I have pain in my chest, neck, shoulder and tricep area but anything below the chest is pain free....so far. I do have a terrible headache but I think that is the nasty neulesta shot that I still get. I know it helps in the long run but man it makes me feel terrible. 5 down 3 to go. They gave me a large dose of benadryl (sp?) in my premeds and it knocked me out. The taxol took about 3 1/2 hours and I slept for most of it. But again....so much better then AC, I will take taxol anytime. I haven't lost any feeling in my fingers or toes but have noticed that my finger nails are much more sensitive. It hurts to button my kids school shirts or tie shoes.

Hang in there ladies, we can do this!!!

Ginger