Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

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  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2007
    Hi Everyone,

    Ok.Here goes: I just got back from tx #2. Handled it well. My onc said reaction with aches and fever was definitely neulasta and i probably will get it again, but take advil as soon as I feel it. Kaye, I'm so glad my info. helped you.

    I think this site is the best thing that happened to me since my diagnosis. I think and pray for all of you every day.I talk to my hubby and family as if I really spent the day with you girls.They even ask for everyone. I thank you all and will be soooo happy when we are all done!!!!

    Debbi, I know I won the race, but sure enough, this morning
    (Day 14) all my hair started coming out.I'm going tomm to get totally shaved and p/u my wig.I'm finally accepting it. I hope you did okay with your treatment.

    My onc also said if I did so good the first time, it's an indication. But, the nurse told me it might be a little worse. Who knows? They don't. Well, I have to deal with it any way.

    Harley, I hope you start to feel better and the neulasta really helps you. Hang in there!!!!! When is your dh coming home for good? Sorry, I forgot. I know it's soon.

    Thanks, girls.

    Hugs, Jackie
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Jean -

    This is not the time to panic, this is the time to get more information. This is probably nothing, but I can see your concern. Have you called your onc? or his nurse? Do. If it helps, my last (out of 2) lumpectomies on my left breast was 6/25, and JUST RECENTLY my breast has begun to ache, and the seroma under my arm seems to swell up and be as hard as a baseball, then two days later is softer again until it swells again...Each time, I fight fear. Get information from people who do this every day for a living. They can assuage your fears, or they can bring you in for a test. Either way, you win. I know you're afraid. We're afraid for you, too. But now is the time to gather information.

    I care, and I've been praying for you most of the day. Let us know what you find out.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Hi Nash, I've pretty well resigned my "chemo week" to be a week of fighting that headache, too. Day 8 today, and it's pretty much gone! Computer work makes it worse. I've wondered if it's inflamed at the base of my neck, because an ice pack or cold wet washcloth seems to help.

    Ahhhh, the mouth-funk. Yeah, I get that and use Biotene toothpaste and Biotene mouthwash. (OTC at Wallgreens, Albertsons) It seems to cut that stuff. It's "Bio-Active Enzyme Protection" works. (whatever that is.)
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Jackie, you're so right! My dh and I talk about you girls and your progress every day...the good news gets celebrated, the trials get prayed for. I don't know what I'd do without you all either. (Make my husband insane?)

    We're forming bonds that will probably last for years. Thanks for going through this with me.
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007

    How'd it go today Emg?

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  • tembgrewe-2007Jun08
    tembgrewe-2007Jun08 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2007

    It went well today. Had a little back pain with the Taxotere, but she slowed it down, and it subsided. Just wondering when everything will hit??? thanks for thinking of me.

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  • emg326
    emg326 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2007
    dont' know why that name came up. tembgrewe is me but emg has always been used. so the previous one was me!!
    Eve
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007

    Hi there, WIbeaglemom,

    My 1st wasn't bad at all, just a little dizziness, and some diarrhea... but the 2nd one, yesterday, after wards I was SO tired, and kind of fuzzy...

    Also I had trouble when my wbc nose dived the 2nd week... but this time, I got Neulasta the second day, today, and I just have a headache and am kind of tired still... Still, it could be worse, so all in all, it went ok.

    I am NOW halfway finished!!! YIPPEEE!!!

    Take care!

    Hugs
    HARLEY
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007
    Thanks, Kaye. I'm using the Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, and I'm wondering if I should already ask the nurses for some "magic mouthwash" to go with it. I can feel things getting worse just from this morning. And just when the nausea was dissipating enough to eat....(sigh, whine, groan).

    Glad to hear the headache goes away after the first week. That's encouraging.

    I have a big experiment tomorrow. I'm an adult competitive figure skater, and I've only gotten to practice once since my surgery (last Thursday, the morning before my afternoon chemo. I was determined to get to the rink, dang it!) So although I feel dizzy and barfy just sitting in my recliner, I am planning on somehow dragging myself to practice tomorrow. Insane? Probably, but I'm gonna try anyhow. Maybe it will make me feel better. If nothing else I'll just sit there and inhale Zamboni fumes and enjoy being in an environment I love.

    And yes, this board and you ladies are an absolute godsend. I've never felt comfortable posting on boards before this one--this really is a special group.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Kaye,

    since I am here alone, I have to do the cat boxes, but I wear a mask and gloves, and it seems to be ok.

    Thanks, it did seem to go ok, the 2nd tx. Only I was kind of fuzzy from the pre meds, and just tired... I have a headache today, but will probably take Relpax tonight, and maybe it will help me sleep... AND get rid of the headache!

    Thanks for the info... I'll try to remember.

    We'll get through this together!!

    It is GOOD to know that I'm halfway finished!! I want a melon ball to celebrate, but I'm too darn tired to even make one!!! Pitiful, huh??

    I got a call from my ps today, and my reconstruction is scheduled for November 7th at 7:30am!!!! YIPPEEE!!!

    Hugs
    HARLEY
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007

    Hey, Eve, glad it went OK today!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    Nash

    I don't think so as I have not had any nodes removed. I am to have my mast in 3-4 weeks. I had an excisonal biopsy in June. The golf ball size tumor was removed but no nodes. My "former" onc wanted me to have 3 tx before surgery, then changed it to 6.

    My new onc said I should have had the mast before any chemo. He would be happy to see me, if it would make me feel better, before chemo. (I saw him Monday) I will be having tx #3, final TC, this Friday. I see the PS around 11 and my chemo is at 3:30, so if my Onc can squeeze me in between, I would feel so much better having his expert opinion. He did say this was the reason he wants me to have my surgery ASAP.
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  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2007
    Hey Harley,

    I'm so glad you got the nuelasta. I really think you will see it makes a big difference. Just think, you'll have new perky boobs to look forward to!!! You are halfway through and that is wonderful. Stay strong!!

    Hugs, Jackie
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007

    Jean, glad you'll be seeing the doc soon for the node pain. Fingers crossed!!

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Jackie,

    Thanks so much for all your support!

    I was starting to feel kind of discouraged, after my WBC dropped after the 1st tx, but the Neulasta wasn't too bad... I just felt kind of fuzzy and tired after my 2nd tx, and after the Neulasta, I felt achey, and tired, and feverish, and I had a headache. I took 2 Ibuprofen and went to bed last night. My temp. was 100 degrees, but I feel better now.

    Yes, the new breasts will be nice!!

    I hate that I had to go through all this bc crap, but I somehow feel that it is making me a stronger person... And I just KNOW that it is GOD helping me through this, every step of the way!!

    We CAN do this!!

    Hugs
    HARLEY
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  • Alishar
    Alishar Member Posts: 74
    edited August 2007
    Once more, thank you all. Every day I learn something new from your posts (I hope I still have time to log on daily once I go back to work).

    Nash, let us know how your experiment went!!! We applaud you either way just for trying!

    Harley, I have a kitty also and I clean his box every day, so I will do the same and wear a mask and gloves when I start chemo.

    Irma
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  • emg326
    emg326 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2007

    Still feeling okay. Just waiting to see what happens. Slept well and worked out this morning. Thought this was cute: My kids and I talked about when my hair would fall out. My 8 year old son thought I'd come home bald afte the first tx. I explained what would happen. I told them they could help shave it when the time came and they can draw tattoos on my head. My 10 year old daughter said, "Why don't we just draw hair on your head then you won't have to worry about it." That just made me smile. They keep me going. Just hope I can get to my daughter's soccer tournamnet this weekend.

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007
    emg--that's too cute! I know my kids are stressed about my hair coming out--I'll have to tell them what your's said.

    Irma--thanks for the encouragement! I just got back from the rink, and I have to say I felt better on the ice than I do at home. So I was really encouraged, and hope to be able to keep this up as much as possible. It really cleared my head and boosted my spirits.
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007

    Irma,

    When do you start your treatments? Which kind are you getting and for how long?? I'm getting Taxotere and Cytoxan, only 4 txs, and I'm halfway through!!! YIPPEE!! Reconstruction starts November 7th!!!

    Yes, we DO have to be careful, but I think as long as we take precautions, we will do fine...

    Kitties are such comfort when we are going through this, feeling scared and they seem to know when I need them to be near to me...

    Hugs
    HARLEY
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  • Ggma
    Ggma Member Posts: 97
    edited August 2007
    Hi everyone!

    I think I had sympathy pains for you all this week. My temp went up to 100 and I felt all achy and terribly tired. The funny part is that everything was normal each morning and then the aches, pains and temp would start every day as soon as I came home from work! I didn't get a neulasta shot and this was my 2nd week post treatment (next tx is Weds. the 5th). I called dr. last night and they said not to worry as long as it didn't go any higher and it kept going down by morning! How strange!!!!! I've actually been able to work all week this week...not even one dr. appt. to get in the way! Yay!!! This was the first time in months to be able to work a whole week.

    Debbi
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Hi Girls,

    Hey Nash, I’m impressed. I’ve been hanging around the house the last day or two, and today I thought I’d experiment myself…by taking a shower! I’m intrigued – how does competitive figure skating work? Do you do it for a living, or fun? (The breathing of Zamboni fumes might be just what the doctor ordered! Lol!) How great to feel NORMAL and get back into your “natural habitat”…I’d love to go outside for a walk, for pete’s sake but it’s been 120 degrees here. And humid. (Somewhat like hell, I’m assuming, though I’ve never been.) I’m looking forward to going back to work next week until Tx #3 on the 12th. I’m SO grateful I can stay home when I need to, but it will feel good to be a little normal.

    Anybody doing rads after chemo? Now that I’m halfway through chemo I’ve been looking up the threads, “data gathering” for possible start date in Nov.

    Emg – your daughter sounds like a girl after my own heart. Very practical. (And why are we even laughing? It’s a great idea!)

    Anybody having any bloating? If so, what are you doing about it? It's better, but not gone. Cheese seems to make it worse, but I don't know. I was wondering about the whole probiotic thing...?

    Take care girls, someone on another thread said it best: “there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s NOT a train.”
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    KAY

    Try Gas-X. I used the strips you put on your touge last treatment, but got the chewable for tomorrows TX. They worked great and very fast, in a couple of minutes the bloating was gone.
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007
    Hey, Kaye--

    Thanks for asking about the skating. I do it for fun--U.S. Figure Skating has an entire adult track of tests and competitions. It's a real hoot and very therapeutic. I started skating when I was 7 years old and have just kept going.

    I was really happy to be able to go to the rink today. I felt sick in between elements, but fine while I was actually executing things. It was really weird, b/c I usually walk 3 miles every morning, too, and that hasn't been going well at all since chemo started, so I couldn't imagine how I was going to skate. But I did, and I'm happy. I hear ya' on the heat--it's not as hot as the desert down here, but we're still supposed to hit 100 degrees tomorrow.

    Haven't had a gas issue, but Jean's suggestion sounds like a good one.

    Everyone have a good evening!
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007

    Oh, forgot to mention, yes, I'll be doing rads after chemo, too.

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  • Ggma
    Ggma Member Posts: 97
    edited August 2007
    Count me in for 6 weeks of rads after chemo, too! Wednesday will be my 2nd tx for the AC and I'll be half way done with that part!!!!!!

    Hey there Nash ~ The whole figure skating thing sounds like lots of fun! Way to go that you had the strength to do it! Good for you.

    Debbi
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  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 669
    edited August 2007
    hi girls,

    I got my hair cut off today. No offense to anyone, but i look very butch and especially with no breasts! I hate the feeling of the wig on my head. my 13 yr old son asked me to take the wig off and he told me i looked like halley berry!boy, did he score some big points. that was a big lie, but very much needed and so sweet, especially because i am white, with freckles and 4'11" and overweight.LOL

    Kaye, some of your posts just make me laugh so hard. you have the greatest sense of humor. i will be getting rads after chemo also. that heat sends horrible.

    Have a great evening, girls.

    hugs, jackie
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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2007
    Jackie,

    I had my hair cut last week, on Thursday. It is hideous looking! The guy at the wig shop shaved it to about 2 inches short, so it is STILL coming out, but I am trying to ignore it... I just have a bandana on or my wig most of the time, and I guess I'll try shampooing it, til it all falls out...

    I did SO MUCH better with the Neulasta!!! I was feeling kind of fuzzy after the 2nd tx, and more tired this time, too. Then, yesterday, after the Neulasta shot, in the early evening, I felt achey and feverish. My temp was 100 degrees, so I took 2 Ibuprofen and went to bed.

    I FEEL so much better now!! I had so many errands to run today, since I was kind of out of commission for 2 days... not really, but I didn't feel like doing very much. Yesterday, I went to the pharmacy to get all those Rxs filled!!! I hope I won't have to use them!!!

    Just thought I'd update everyone!!! I think being halfway finished is helping me to feel much better about all this chemo stuff...

    My ps called yesterday, and my reconstruction is scheduled for November 7th... please forgive me if I have already posted this, as I will have to blame it on chemo brain!!!

    Hope everyone is doing great!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!!


    HARLEY
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  • katoMato
    katoMato Member Posts: 645
    edited August 2007
    Hello ladies,
    Jean - you are wonderful. Thanks so much for the GasX tip. I'm sure it's going to be better than doing nothing. I tried to hold my stomach in today but i gave up because my back felt like it was going to break.

    Nash - That whole skating thing sounds so fun. How great to have a hobby like that. I'm so glad you could do it. It's encouraging to remember there was a life before and there will be a life after this stuff. I even picked up my guitar today for the first time in weeks because of your post. I put it away quickly because i couldn't remember what end to play. I was afraid of it.

    Jackie - you are so sweet. Thanks so much...My mom used to make me laugh when things were stressful, so I've been permanently scarred. It's the only way I know of to cope.

    BTW, congratulations on your son. You've trained him well, ObeWan.

    I doubt you guys look as bad as you think you do....but I know what you mean. I always run into this little fat, balding old man in my bathroom. He gives me such a start, and my brain is so slow I have to remind myself that "little old men seldom break into peoples houses to use their bathrooms. So it must be somebody else. But who?" Keeps me busy for the better part of an hour. We've become good friends, the gnome and I.

    Have a good evening - And Jean, I'll be praying for you tomorrow. Hope it goes well. let us know.
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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited August 2007
    Kaye, I'm glad if my foray to the rink rekindled your musical spirit. You are such a crackup--I look forward to your posts!

    Jean--how'd it go at the doc today?
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  • mtlion322
    mtlion322 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2007
    Hi everyone, it has been awhile since I have wrote, so much has happened! Before, I start how is everyone doing! I know I have alot to catch up on, but I just got home from the hospital today and at least wanted to check in and tomorrow I can go back tto I has my port surgery, that went well and I have used it a couple of times, it is nice! Then I had my muga test and they said I passed with flying colors! Then came to the biggest "unknown" the chemo! That went pretty much as expected, I went into my chemo coma and came out of that with a few surprises! My daughter found out right after my chemo, that the pastor that was to marry her backed out. I wish I was not sleeping so much, I would have been there to help her, but thank gold my mom was there! Right when I thought I was feeling good I started having trouble breathing, I went to the physicans office and he thought it was a reaction to the neuprogen. A couple of days after that I started with thrush, fever and chills, well guess what back to the hospital to be admitted for neutropenia! Boy what a fun first time and I only have 5 more treatments to go, just can't wait! The next one is scheduled right before my daughters wedding, I am going to ask them to pospone from the thurs before to the mon after since I kinda of know what is going to happen !

    God never gives us more than we can handle

    What does not kill us DOES make us stronger!

    Stay strong, Live hard and Love forever!
    Cindy
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