Chemo in Nov 07

Hi Susan - nice to meet you!  I understand the tiredness - I've had six of my eight treatments and am feeling pretty wiped out.  I was lucky enough to go on disability leave when I started my chemo and I would strongly recommend being off work if you can, so you can just pamper yourself and rest as much as possible.  If you can't get outside to walk (which I can relate to, living in Toronto), what about getting a yoga DVD or something like that?  Yoga might also help with the sleep issues.

I initially had problems with heartburn, so my oncologist prescribed Losec, which was very effective.  Did your oncologist/nurse tell you about rinsing your mouth five times a day with the baking soda solution (1 cup warm water/1 teaspoon baking soda)?  Sometimes it feels like you are rinsing your mouth constantly, but it really does work to keep the mouth sores away.  And apparently they can prescribe a more potent mouthwash if the baking soda one doesn't work.

I agree about mandatory vacations - I spend a lot of time daydreaming about summer holidays!

Best wishes and good health to everyone,

Sam 

Mia, what wellness centre did you go to?  I'm getting my treatment at Sunnybrook and wondered if you went to the Wellspring Centre there...

No, I haven't - I would like to, but my chemos are only two weeks apart so I don't have much "up" time in between.  I thought I might try it once chemo is finished and before my surgery/radiation - supposedly I will have at least a month to recuperate, so some wellness would be in order!

Happy New Year Ladies!  I just popped over from Nov. 06, to say Hi and to tell you that this time next year, all of this will be a blur!  You'll even have hair!!

It looks like you've got a nice group here, and are supporting each other.

You are being prayed for!!!

Wow - as usual it's taken me a while to catch up on the posts.  Good news - I am done with chemo ;-)  Don't forget, I started with neo-adjuvant chemo back in March, so this was my second go around sop I only had to suffer through 4 cycles.  I'll be taking it easy, building up my strength again as I prepare for rads next month.  I hear it is a cake walk in comparison!

It's funny because I did taxotere and Xeloda my first 4 cycles and AC the other 4 cycles and most people are the opposite.  Everyone's treatment is different.  I sure remember the steroids getting me wired, but feeling tired at the same time and the bone pain - ouch!  My onc said it was okay to take paid meds if it got too bad.  Don't be afraid to ask.

So many of you have expressed that they're ready for the periods to go away and it's not that I'm not ready to be done with them, but I'm afraid of the consequences.  I've already got the hot flashes and night sweats, but I'd like to continue to have a "loving" relationship with my husband so to speak, and I'm worried that being pushed into menopause from chemo will have a negative effect - if you get my drift!  I've heard so many women say they lose interest in sex after bc and chemo.  At 47, I'm not sure I'm quite ready to be one of them...

hugs to all,

Lisa (in CA)

Is anyone still out there?  No one has posted in four days.  Is everyone doing okay?  I have been having a lot of bone and joint pain in my legs, but other than that doing okay.  I will be having my 4th TAC treatment on Monday.  Hoping that everyone is doing good with their treatments.

Keep laughing,

Jenny

Hey Lisa,

I will have my 4th TAC on Monday.  I did fine with the first two treatments, but #3 has kicked my butt.  I have been having a lot of soreness in my knees and leg muscles.  My arms were sore for the first week, but that went away.  Now it is just my legs.  I have had some water retention.  I started doing my exercises to help with lymphedema as well as upped my water intake and that seemed to help.  I have also found since this last treatment I am hungry all the time.  I have tried to watch what I eat, but I know I have put on weight.  I have a total of 6 treatments.  I am praying that all of this will go away once the chemo is done.  My husband told me not to worry so much about the weight until after I do radiation and then talk to the ps, I may need it for my new boobs

When is your next treatment?  I am glad that you responded.  I was getting a little lonely.  Hope you have a great weekend and you side effects are very few.

Keep laughing,

Jenny

Hey Lou,

Don't feel bad because you haven't had that many side effects.  I think it is great.  Congratulations on almost being finished.  I can't wait to be there with you.  Great job on being able to work through this.  Some days my energy is good, but many others I am lucky to take care of the necessary things around the house and help the kids with homework.  I am definitely ready to have my hair back.  Not just because, well its hair, but because you don't realize how much colder you get with no hair.  I honestly don't have a problem going around bald, and believe me I am completely bald-not a piece of hair to be seen, but it is too cold to do it.  I usually even have to wear something on my head in the house most of the time because the top of my head gets like an ice cube.  The only time it comes in handy is during the wonderful hot flashes I have been having with the chemo   Take care and good luck with your last treatment.

Keep laughing,

Jenny

That is so funny, I do the same thing at night.  It seems like just as soon as I get comfortable and start to get good and asleep the hot flash rears its head and the blankets and cap have to go.  I bought 3 different wigs, I was lucky and hit a sale.  I have on long black, one long blond, and one shoulder length brown.  My pre-chemo hair was light auburn and was a couple of inches past my shoulders.  I didn't want any wigs that look anything like my original hair.  I decided that right now this isn't me, so I didn't want to be me again until I was done with treatment.  I have worn the wigs a couple of times just for fun.  I still can't use to the feel of them.  My kids think they look good, but it is still strange to me.  I usually wear a scarf or hat of some sort. 

I have an appt. with my onco tomorrow and I am afraid to get on the scales.  I know that I gained weight.  Isn't it sad with all that we are going through that same female problem still rears its head, how much do I weigh?  Sometimes the female mind is really a pain in the butt   Take care and I hope you have a great weekend.

Keep laughing,

Jenny

Wow, this board is slow.  Where is everyone? 

I saw my primary doctor today.  She's worried that I might get addicted to the Ativan.  I don't think I am addicted and I don't think I need it anymore as I'm done with chemo and the shock and stress of the diagnosis have subsided.  My problem is can't sleep at night (night sweats, racing mind, etc...) so I'm getting very tired and cranky.  My primary suggested trying Melatonin or Valerian, but should probably discuss with my onc first when I see him next week.  If those don't work, then will try to Lunesta or...  my chemo brain has stepped in and I can't remember the other sleep aid.     

Hope everyone is doing well,

Lisa (in CA)

lisa- i swear by my tylenol pm liquid caps at night.  Without them I lay awake for hours, by taking 2 i am asleep in half an hour and stay asleep at least 6 hours. They help with the aches from chemo and the neulasta shot also, and not addictive. I hate the druggy feeling i get with prescription sleep aids and pain pills.  I have them if i am really in pain, but usually the tylenol works just fine to help me drift off to sleep.  Try a good meditation disc or tape to slow down your mind, they do work.

Today while at the clinic getting my weekly herceptin tx I was seated next to a really nice man with liver cancer.  He removed his ball cap and showed my dh and I how his hair is thinning out from the chemo; I took off my cap and showed him my bald head and said "mine too", it was a good laugh for all around.  I usually wear little knit caps cuz I hate my wigs. Even going to work now I wear a company logo ball cap over a bandana or scarf.

Cheryl

I had trouble sleeping before the diagnosis and chemo, not it is much worse. I am on a prescription sleeping pill and just use ativan before going in for treatment of some other stressful situation. With the prescriptions sleeper, I don't ever get a full nights sleep. I have never been one to doze off in the car or anything like that. I guess if I get hooked I'll have to deal with that at another time, not now, too much else going on.



The Taxol, so far, appears to be kinder to me that the AC was. No nausea, and so far no bone aches. But, I just had the treatment yesterday afternoon. So, we'll see what the weekend brings. I did have a terrible time settling down after the steroids kicked in. Even last night sleeping was a challenge, I was up wondering around in the middle of the night. My hands feel some swollen today. When I go in for the Neulasta shot it will be interesting what my weight will be with all of this going on.



Everyone hang in there. Have I miss Sharon's posts or has she be MIA for awhile. What about Crystal? Some of the regulars have dropped somewhat out or sight. Makes me wonder if the are alright.

Keep looking up.

Susan

I am having my 4th TAC treatment tomorrow morning.  I am a little more nervous this time than I have been the last three times because I had such a bad time with the third treatment.  I had awful pain in my legs and joints from the time the treatment stopped until present.  I am taking ibuprofen every 6 hours per doctor and that has helped some.  I am just worried that the pain will increase with each treatment.  I am hoping and praying that last time was just a fluke, but I am so nervous.  Thanks for letting me vent.

Keep laughing,

Jenny

I had terrible trouble with taxotere (taxol's sister) with foot pain during the first dose. To make a long story short - I had an adverse reaction to the tx. So the second treatment of Taxotere had me wearing ice boots, and ice gloves. The foot pain is not very bad now,although I still have some numbness and tingling in my toes. I am due for my third and final taxotere next Thursday. I will be wearing the ice boots and mits for the whole procedure. I also found that ice or cold worked better for my joint pain. I was very tempted to soak in a hot tub of water but that was very uncomfortable for my feet, so I made a sight hanging my feet over the edge the whole time. However, cool or cold seems to bring much more relief than heat especially for my feet. My hands have been unaffected although I notice my shoulders quite achy most of the time. I just keep telling myself, one more to go...... (then rads) Sorry for just jumping in here, I am usually in the Sept, and Oct. group... just can't help myself for being nosy... lol

Karyll

Jenny,

I'm thinking about you.  Wondering how it went for you today.  With my first Taxol, I just took the over the counter stuff but with this last one I took the pain meds they gave me and it really made it much easier to deal with.  I slept alot this weekend and my body sort of adjusted to the drug and was better able to actually function today without passing out.  I was told more than once by more than one person that this pain would be cumulative.  That much I can probably handle as long as the pain meds work, but this numbness really has me going nuts.  I am afraid it won't go away. 

Lori,

I'm still here.  I guess I am about typical with the way Taxol is affecting me.  It is some nasty stuff too.  I have broken out in bumps on my head and my koooch. (sorry but I don't know any word for that area that sounds nice hahaha)  I have only read about that particular side effect once.  And the pain was tolerable this time with the hydrocodone the dr gave me.  I think I only had minimal mouth problems because I drank so much.  I haven't been to the bathroom (another not nice word) in like 3 days or something.  Even with my metamucil and stuff, I am stopped up I guess.  My fingers are driving me crazy.  I read that it can be permanent.  I will think about that another day. I have given in and started to take the Ativan to help me sleep.   My skin is very dry and I am retaining a little bit of fluid.  I will tell you though that with the first treatment, I started to feel pretty good around day 10.  I had more energy on the weekend than I have had since all this started.  I am hopeful that will happen again this time.How are you doing with your AC's?  Still pretty good?

  Susan,

How did your Taxol treatment go?   I hope you didn't have a reaction like some do.  I was the one that mentioned a party for all those that helped me.  Everyone I know is so busy all the time so I was thinking about having brunch and saying my thank yous and thats about it.  I am afraid that most wont come so that is why I thought I would keep it simple and short and in the morning.  I have people that I haven't been in contact with for a couple years that have stepped up to help me and my girls.  It has been a great thing for them to witness.

Does anyone have any advice for the hotflashes?  My onc won't let me take anything right now, but after my ovaries come out (2/29) I know that I will have them probably worse than I do now and I will be able to take something then cause my txs will be over.  Anyone try the black cohash or soy or anything else? 

Hopefully I will get my expanders sometime in early March.  Very excited about that.

Well, I am going to pop some pills and hopefully dream about boobs, sunshine, a healthy body, a head with no scalp showing and vacation.

Warm wishes to you all,

Lisa in VA