Chemo in Nov 07

Georgia,

I have a wonderful boss he tells me just to work when I can.  I would rather not have worked through this but it has helped me to keep my mind off of things.  I don't know if WV employer rules are the same as california, but you should look into them to see what your rights are. 

We already had Thanksgiving here in Canada but I have been thankful since before then and continue to be so. I have had love and friendship from the least likely sources and found out sadly in some cases who the real friends are or are not. I know I am showing a different person than I used to - no facades, no being who I "should" be or who "they" think I should be. I get to be the real me. I am pretty cool (kewlll mom, says my teen). I finally learned how to live in the moment. Rather a harsh way to get the message but if there is one thing I will impart to anyone that ever asks - it is to enjoy each day like there is no tomorrow. (If the cancer don't get ya, ya might get hit by a bus anyway) That may sound morbid but to me it is the best gift I have ever given myself - and although I have to drag me exhausted piano butt to work every day, I am so grateful to be able to do that at all. Georgia'smom... my work made that insinuation too - they were worried about me meeting my "obligations" during treatment. Three tx later I am still going strong (well errr.. you know what I mean) and now they just ask how am I doing? instead of, you sure you can do this? I guess, as they are a business, I am a bit of a liability... I told them I don't intend to miss any work - will work flex hours if I have to but I don't intend to get the flu, or break my leg, or slip on the ice either - there is always the unexpected in life and anyone of those things could happen to anyone of them too. I am meeting more than my obligations (I am a stubborn capricorn workaholic) but they were the only one that put questions in my mind about "what if". Now I just think.. NOW IS and right now? I am making it and sometimes, I fake it till I make it - but I am also very real about where I am at, who I am, and what I am about in here <----- SO the point of this was something or other that chemo brain has robbed from me for the moment - oh yeah.. I am thankful for many things - and all of you is definitely one of those things! many of those things? hehehe, I don't know how to pluralize y'all! There that works.
Karyll

Hi everyone,

Had my first TAC treatment yesterday.  Lasted longer than expected, 5 hours, that  was with no complications.  Thank God for no complications.  Was tired and achy, like a cold about to start, last night.  Took some Tylenol PM and that helped me sleep.  This morning I woke up with nice red face, chest, and arms kind of like sunburn, but doesn't hurt.  Don't need any blush at the moment   Also have a slight rash on the right side of my chest.  My nurse thinks its because I am still healing from my double mastectomy, that was a little less than 3 weeks ago.  I also have some mucus build up, so taking Mucinex every four hour, watching temp. and making sure no coloration to mucus.  Have had a small amount of nausea, but nothing that has stopped me from eating   Energy level is still pretty good, haven't felt the need for a nap yet, and I do say yet  Sounds like a lot, but I am actually doing good.  I go for my neulasta shot this afternoon.  All in all everything is good.

Cheryl - I hope you are feeling better.  I am going to get me some pumpkin pie today, that sounds sooo good.  I am not looking forward to losing my tastes, that is the best part of eating  At least it won't be forever and the benefits definitely out weigh the sacrifice. 

Sue how did things go for you yesterday?  How are you feeling?  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

georgiasmommy- unfortunately I think a lot of employers try and do that just to cover their butts.  Don't let them make you take the leave unless you really feel like you need to.  They are thinking more about how it is going to affect them instead of thinking about your needs.  Don't let them do that to you.  You will know if you need to take the time off, and you may, but you should be allowed to make that decision and not them. 

Keep laughing everyone.  In the end we will get the last laugh.

Love to all,

Jenny

Hi everyone -

I hope you are having good days, my last few have been really rough.  The Neulesta after-effects are killing me!!  I know it is for keeping up your white blood cell count.... but I am seriously wondering if I can do without them.  The muscle/bone pain has been really bad - I'm taking percocet now for the pain and it helps, but puts me to sleep.  This is day 3 and 4 after chemo and it is knocking me totally down.  Has anyone heard of others who DON'T do the shot??  I need to speak to my Dr. about it...

Also, having problems finding things I can drink (because of bad taste in mouth) - eating isn't too bad, but drinks are much worse and I know they are so important!!   Tried ginger ale, ice pops, coke, orange juice, etc.  They all taste really nasty! Any suggestions??

Jenny, so glad your day went well yesterday - and I hope it continues to go well with you!!

You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Janet 

Ginny,

Glad to hear you are doing okay.  Also, that you took that step to cut your hair short.  I know this is really hard on you, but it will get easier I promise.  I know what you are going through as I went through it back in Sept. and really thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown.  I think the hardest was for me to go out in public with a wig on.  I had natural curly blonde hair and none of the wigs out there looked good with the curls so I went straight and darker in color.  Good Luck to you

Janet- The neulasta shot pain only lasts 3-4 days, so you should be thru the most of it.  It is worth it!  My dh went thru chemo 6 yrs ago without the shot, and it was very hard to keep everything sterile so he wouldnt pick up an infection and he had zero energy.  Had to take a 2 hr nap after his morning shower! The shot builds up both red & white cells so you dont hit bottom without energy or immune system.  There are alternate shots you can do yourself that are lower doses, ask your onc about them.

I found out the hard way (hours sitting on the potty sick) that chemo made me lactose intolerant so I cannot do milkshakes, etc. but I make 4c green tea and it goes down easy.  Since I am diabetic i buy the "light" instant.  it doesnt have any carbs or calories so I drink my 100oz a day without a problem.  I also bought some sour gum and it works to take the taste away.

Jenny- I am glad your tx went uneventful.  I crashed hard on day 4 and was a dishrag until day 7.  All i wanted to do was sleep for 3 days! But, by day 8 i was feeling alive again and by day 9 almost normal.  We are all different but prepare for the worst and be surprized by the best.

Cheryl

Sue,

You cannot get a good wig through the Cancer Society, I as well went to a wig shop, but got lucky because they were discontinuing there wigs so I got mine for 1/2 off still the cost was a little over $100.00.  Did you go to a Look Good Feel Better Class yet offered through the Cancer Society?  This is a really nice class and they give you a pkg of different make up that is probably around $300.00.  They will give you wig tips, make up tips and tips on how to wear scarves etc.  You might want to look into it. 

Go Red!  If this will give you a better outlook please do it for yourself.  We half to find ways to make ourselves happy through this time.

I am sorry you are not feeling well.  Did they give you anything for nausea.  I know when I was going through the AC I asked them to cut down on my steroids seemed like it helped.  I only felt bad really the first round as far as being nauseated then by the second treatment I was just really tired.  They also gave me Amend with the AC and I hear that you should not get a lot of steroids with getting the Amend because it just intensifies the steroids so I think I was down to 10 on the Steroids.  Now that I am on Taxol they have bumped me back up to full Steroids and not having any problems with nausea just pain. 

I am so sorry that you are going through this but please trust me when I say it will get easier.  I go this Friday for my 2nd Taxol tx. and have 2 more to go and have never been more excited in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good Luck to you

jdg - thanks for the encouragement. They did sign me up for the class and I plan to go, free high end make-up was enough to convince me. I think I will get the red wig. They did give me the Amend, too. Actually, fell asleep after I posted and was some better after that. I'm happy for you that you are nearing the end. Is Taxol easier to tolerate than the AC? That would be nice to think it gets easier. Are you still so tired?



You have a Happy Thanksgiving and we'll connect again soon. Sue



Crystal - This site is an awesome place for support and education about your disease. Lots of encouragement here and I'll be thinking of you and praying it goes well. Let us know how you are doing.

Blessings,

Sue

Everyone,  thanks for the tips, I will try the juicy fruit gum, milkshakes and red zinger tea!  so far, hot and cold tea have been fine.  Even coffee this morning was good.     I still had some muscle aches this morning, but definitely better.  Haven't really felt worn out or tired, except as effects from the percocet which I'm taking to combat the muscle aches!  Whew!  so much stuff!!

Best to all - hope you're all enjoying a wonderful holiday time and RELAXING wiht your family.  Remember what's most important!  

janet 

My dh took my hair down to a 1/4 inch this morning. I instantly lost 2lbs!  Today is day 22 after first tx.  I asked the onc yesterday why it is falling slowly, shedding like a dog, but lots still firmly planted. He said it was because i was on tch and not ac.  It is milder on the body and works a little slower.  My head feels a lot better, the scalp was aching like a too tight ponytail. I figure we will shave it over the weekend if my pillow has the little hairs on it by then.  I did post my new look, the first time I have seen all natural hair color for 30+ years!

Happy Thanksgiving all, enjoy this day with your family and friends and take the time to count all blessings.  I am very thankful for these message boards and all my new friends.

Cheryl

crystal- yes, I do my tx every 3wks on thursdays, did the 2nd on wed due to the holiday today. I do go for herceptin every week though, my onc believes it is easier on the body when broken into smaller doses.  It sounds like you are well prepared! I am sure you will be fine, you can come here for encouragement or just to whine, we love you no matter what!  And we understand what you are going thru.

Enjoy the long weekend

Cheryl

hi everyone just finished my secound a/c yesterday. Doctor umed and arred wether to have it as my blood count was low. But they went ahead and I have to have a blood test every 7 days to watch my count, they have ordered an injection to give with the next round.All i remember is that the doc said it hurt after. They wanted to up the steriods because of my nausea but i said no. So they have given me added drugs for the stomach. Personally i think just the chemo is enough for my heart without extra strain from steriods.I made this decion as i have to also have a year of herceptin after all my chemo. Have a happy thanks giving, good to see everyone coping as they can. Take care all of you.Hugs.

Cheryl, would you like some cheese with that whine?!

I, too, will be going weekly for the Herceptin....at this point, I can hardly keep everything straight as it's just words on my treatment list. When I can say "That one wasn't too bad...that one made me sick..." then maybe I can keep everything straight. I just want to get it overwith! (As I'm sure everyone does!!) But I do appreciate your support. Everyone around me has been great, but when they haven't been through it themselves, they just don't completely understand all of the fears, I think. If one more person who has absolutely no idea says "Oh, you'll be fine", I think I'll scream. Does that sound self-centered? I don't mean it to..

Take care, Crystal

Hello everyone!

First, I'd like to retract a statement I made in my last post. I told Lou that I was "glad she joined us here" and just realized that didn't sound very good. I had read a post that she had written under the "taxotere and cytoxan" thread. she said that she was starting TC in November and was asking what to expect. I replied that she could join this Chemo in Nov 07 group since we had several members that were going through the same treatment. Looking back, what I should have said was "I'm sorry that you had to join this club, but I am happy that you found us." Many apologies if I offended anyone! 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about your employer's and taking disability or working through treatment. Jen, I think you are right. I get the feeling that they are thinking more about how this will affect them instead of how it affects me. I had a baby a year and a half ago and they were falling over themselves to accommodate me. Now, instead of six weeks, I think they see this as "the beginning of the end". While that may sound WAY too morbid, a co-worker of mine passed away a month ago from breast cancer (right after my surgery) and she was in and out of work for several years. I can't blame them for being guarded, but it sure does feel like they've given up on me already. Karyll, I'm making you my chemo "career hero". I'm a workoholic too. It's not that I feel like I have to prove something to them, it's that I have to maintain a sense of normallcy for myself. You have maintained such a wonderful, and positive attitude through all of this.

Cheryl, your new look is just BEAUTIFUL! I haven't seen my natural hair color for about 15 years. I'm looking forward to the change.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful, and restful, weekend with your families and friends. I find myself thankful for many new things this year...including every one of you. Thank you for being there!

Sharon