Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Hey, I just found you all -- I guess I can join since I started my first chemo 12/31/07 -- happpy New Year's, huh?  I am super new at this message board/ chat room stuff -- thought that was for my teenagers....

I'm 49 with no history of any cancer anywhere in my family...I found a lump in my right breast after getting hay down my bra (horses and goats).  My last mammo was 5 months overdue (17 months)Diagnosed Nov 07 with 4 to 5 centimeter tumor, invasive ductal carcinoma (does that sound right?) Estrogen positive, but had not spread beyond the breast.   I had 2 lymph nodes biopsied (negative), three breast biopsies plus a skin punch for inflammatory (negative) I did not read up on all the things I could have on the WEB, but my husband has and I just didn't want to terrify myself...

I joined a clinical trial with Taxotere plus Xeloda for the first 4 treatments -- I just had session 3 yesterday.  Then  I will go on to another PET scan then on to more drugs -- Tax plus cyt? 

I see that some of you have talked about se etc.  Can we ask not to have the steroids?   I hate the bloating constipation, etc.  It's miserable, plus the no sleeping.  No wonder they say we'll be fatigued!  Yuck!  I am a very outdoors person -- as I related in my discovery of the tumor =] -- and hate being tied down and feeling crappy...

I've been reading til the cows come home, or in my case, the goats and horses... just feel like a slug.  Sorry to gripe so much, but is there anything you guys can suggest?

I did find two things that have helped -- one is paperbackswap.com where you can get credits by mailing your old paper backs to other members and get free books in exchange.  The other thing I have signed up for is a "look good feel better" class for makeup tips, etc.    I mean, what earrings go best with bald?  What shade  of lipstick flatters pale and puffy?  These are critical ?'s, eh, ladies!?!?

thanks for the chance to vent -- xoxoxo denise

Hello Jewels!  omg i've been trying to catch up with the posts this evening while my seven year old has been trying to pull her tooth.  distracting to say the least but she did it.  guess the tooth fairy better go find some money.

happy belated to D1!

i had a miserable weekend after tx2(even got to throw up this time..yippeee) but feeling much better today.  i found out my fuzzy brain after first tx was due to ativan so i eased up on that this time and though i felt like crap, at least i could process a thought.  i still had the jitters i guess from the steroids but haven't worked that out yet. 

is anyone else having cravings once the nausea passes?  i feel like i'm pregnant again between nausea and cravings.  yesterday it was chicken salad so i got some today and ate it like i'd been starved for months.  what se is that?  since so many of you are ahead of me, i'll be looking forward to the neuropathy and acne breakout in the next few weeks....seriously though, it helps to know what's potentially coming.

sunday my dh got clippers and clipped me to about an inch.  then he shaved his entire head.  he's nuts.  this morning so much hair fell out of my head in the shower that i just had to do it.  i have joined my glorious bald sisters.  thanks for blazing the path.  don't know if i can do a picture though.  and how the he** are you women surviving in those freezing temps?  we were supposed to move to maine (dh job promotion, was supposed to leave 1/07/08) before all of this bc crap unfolded.  i don't handle cold weather well anyway and with no hair????  definitely sheros!

i have to tend to kids but i hope everyone has an se tolerable evening.  fubc. fuse. 

Just popping in to wish Carol good luck tomorrow with the tx! Hope the WBC's are good and you won't need the nasty-lasta shot! Just remember, if you do have to get it, taking Ibuprofen has helped me and some others head off the bone pain so far. Worth a shot! (no pun intended!) ha ha ha

Glad to hear from sista and Jenn51 again!! We missed you girls! Sorry you had a hard time with the last tx. Hope the se's get better soon. Sista - that was so sweet of your dh to shave his head! I mentioned it to mine that I thought he needed to do that, but then he reminded me how "square"' his head is and that he has lots of scars on his scalp -- he and the neighbor kids apparently had lots of "rock fights" when he was growing up! I told him to forget it after he reminded me of that - ha ha! And YES to the food cravings!! After two weeks of basically eating nothing after my last tx, I pulled chicken out of the freezer and made my dh grill and bbq it!! I was dying for it and it was SO good!!!

Kathy - my onc had originally prescribed Reglan and Ativan for the days I wasn't able to keep food down. He now wants me to start both of those immediately the day after my tx. He thinks that will help with the vomiting if I have it built up in my system - I get the delayed nausea, so I do ok the first 5 or 6 days (other than sleeping constantly!), then the vomiting starts. Who knows -- worth a try. I really think the Aloxi intravenously a second time will be the big help -- it's when it wears off that I start with the vomiting.

D1 - your cake sounds wonderful -- but if I were to eat a bite of it, I would end up with a face FULL of zits!! If I go anywhere near chocolate, I immediately break out --- it is NOT a "myth" that choc can cause zits - I am living proof of it!! Luckily, my tx so far haven't had that lovely side effect you're all talking about - good thing!

Welcome Denise! Visiting and posting on this website will become your next "time passer!" It's totally addiciting and these women you've found are wonderful!!! Make sure you go back and read all the posts -- there's some great advice for those se's you mentioned! And pretty much any subject goes -- as you'll find out if you read some of our posts!

Dana -- you sound like you're in a really good place right now. Keep the positive attitude, girl -- it will come back around! Hope you get some good news from your doc and ins soon!

Kimberly -- I get worn out just reading about everything you do!! Please heed D1's advice and don't overdo, dear! Glad you're having so many good days, though (ok -- and a little jealous!)

Kris -- don't worry too much about joining the "Baldacious Babes" club! It's not as bad as I thought it would be! My dh was one of those that did the "hair test" as mine was starting to come out -- he'd come up to me and tug on it and then say, "Just checking!" He's lucky he didn't get punched!

Well, Jewels, I'm off for now. Hope you all have a good night!

Julie

Good Morning, Jewels,

Just woke up from a lovely 5 hours of uninterrupted cough-free sleep. 'Course I'm making up for it right now, but it should ease up after the cough med kicks in. .Still in the recliner, but at least I'm making progress!

Jenn51 and Sista2- we are so glad to hear from you girls. I'm sorry the FUSE have sidelined you. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to chemo. As our wise Gems here keep saying: listen to your body.

Okay, all of you gals with cravings- add my name to the list. Between tx 1 and 2 it was fresh fruit. This cold has prevented any cravings this time. Between the chemo and cold I haven't got a taste bud left!

Denise- welcome to the Jewels! Since it will take you awhile to get thru the posts and find the info you need, I'll recap the constipation advice. Many here swear by Miralax taken once a day from the day of treatment thru day 4ish(?). Others of us take Colace during that time. And don't forget to stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water--it helps tremendously.

Kris- here's hoping you need no more abx-- we have enuf to worry about w/o yeast infections!

Carol- happy treatment day. Kick some bc bootie today!

I had a very nice surprise yesterday at work. All the ladies that I work with joined my classes in wearing hats in my honor and at lunchtime they presented me with one of those edible bouquets (fruit arranged to look like flowers--it even had choc. covered strawberries!) I have a couple of pics to share later. I wish all of you working gals had a work environment like mine. It makes this journey sooo much easier.

And speaking of work-- gotta finish getting ready and head out!

Have a good one, Sisters!

Paula

a quick good morning to all.. I hope you know, i'm currently in slow mode..it seems someone let a semi into our house and ranme over last night.yay day 1 se's strike again.... finishing my cup of tea (caffiene!!) then back to bed.happy humpday Jewels!

Kris 

Good morning Jewels!  Ok, so it wasn't just me up last night!  I woke up at 2 AM with some "lower GI distress".  Where did that come from??  Reached for my bands (as the nausea hit at the same time), headed for the bathroom, then got some ginger ale.  Seems better now, but I'm freaking out a little, hoping I haven't caught something God knows where.  I'm laying low again today.  The ice is gone, replaced by mud and rain.  Yuk!  dh works late again tonight, so I'll be fending for myself with the 2 rugrats all afternoon and evening. 

Sista2:  Sorry the SEs hit you hard.  Round 2 seems to be pretty tough all around.  Funny you mention pregnancy... I've been saying to my friends for sometime now that chemo is very much like being preggers (but no cute baby at the end): you feel nauseous, gain weight, retain fluid, crave weird things, aches, can't sleep, breakout-- what's going on here?  I've had cravings for soup and p'nut butter. 

Paula:  Your co-workers sound so cool!  I've gotten one of those fruit bouquets before and they are sooo good.  Enjoy!

Carol:  Ditto on your co-workers.  Just as nice getting clothes!  Good luck today.

Julie:  Interesting what your onc will be doing.  I hope it works.  And I agree that the extra Aloxi might do the trick.  It's really more of an anti-emetic than Reglan (which is a motility drug:  it moves things through your stomach faster, but doesn't really address the "vomit center" of the brain that I know of.)  We used to use Reglan a lot in peds for kids with severe reflux on top of zantac.

Kris60:  love your sense of humor!  your posts had me LOL.  ride out the SEs today-- hope you feel better soon. 

Deb:  Hope your pooper slows down.  Hang in there and eat some yogurt!

Good morning, all,

Well, I'm on day 3 from tx 2, and so far I still feel reasonable human.  I wonder when the truck will hit??  It's been more than 24 hours since I got the Neulasta...

I also laughed about the comment about the similarities between having chemo & being pregnant.  One of my coworkers is pregnant, and we are constantly comparing symptoms.  I think we're having a Gatorade contest - who can drink the most?

Paula - it's so awesome that you have so much support at work.  My coworkers are fabulous as well.  It sure does make it easier. 

Sorry also for you all having pooper problems, I'm with you.  With my stomach bug last week I was pumping Imodium, and now I'm doing the laxatives and so far not much luck.  You just can't win sometimes!!

Golfer Carol - if I'm not too late, hope it goes well for you today!

CHJ 

I was diagnosed 5 years ago and my Mom, my Sister, and my Moms two Sisters were all dignosed within the last 5 years. My mom, sister and I were tested for the gene and we are BRCA 2, and so is my one Aunt. The only thing I got out of knowing if I had the gene was that my 3 daughters have a 50/50 chance of having breast cancer.

Hey Suz-

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time and that your family has such a bc history and the BRCA2 gene. The good news is that knowing will alert your daughter's to be vigilent in taking care of themselves and getting their annuals.



So, I'm assuming you just finished chemo...we're all in the throws at the moment. But, we just had a discussion about the depression thing as something to be prepared for...after having your life pretty much scheduled with all the doctor appts, chemo, and rads etc...and all the support...it's hard to deal with the sudden shift. Finding your new normal is the key...and talking about your feelings. If your sadness lasts for too long, a month, without letting up, you need to get into your doctor for an antidepressant...but if these feelings come and go and get better with talking it out with friends or family or us...then, you'll be out of your funk in no time as you work your way through this transition.

If you can get outside and walk...that is an instant mood booster...and of course, know you are not alone.



((((HUGS))))



SIS KImberly

Yeah, had my "MF" chemo today.  4 down and 8 to go!!!  My WBC was back to normal today, go figure since yesterday and today I'm not feeling that all chipper.  Oh well, I'm just glad nothing was postponed or I'll be still hitting the chemo chair when most of you are on to your next phase of this adventure.  Had a great nurse today, we gabbed up a storm, and between Kimberly and D1 and the nurse today talking wine, my tastebuds we're salivating.  My nurse was kind enough to tell me that when I'm on my 14 day "holiday" a little wine would be okay.  She hasn't seen the size of my stemless wine glasses!  I think I'll try to "be good" and make it to the end of May.  God knows my liver could use the break from the past 20 some years.  Oh, note "MF" actually is not what your first thinking, you FUBC'ers! 

My Miralax commercial for the day, don't wait until you need it to take it.  I with all my wisdom said, uhm, everything seems to be working fine so I'll quit taking my friend (Miralax), well that was a big mistake, atleast on my regimen of having to take those 6 lovely cytoxan pills for 14 days.  I say maybe you can tweek the dosage but if you have even an inkling of maybe needing it (TAKE IT), as it seems to take a couple days to kick back in.  "Whew" glad today was kick in day!

Suz, I was under the impression with the BRCA test that it also has a big red flag that is raised in regards to the chances of getting ovarian cancer.  I'm not sure if that goes for BRCA2 as well as BRCA1 mutations or not.  I was fortunate to have had a negative result on my test.  Maybe a good question for the genetics people or especially your onc.

Oh, the goodie bag I received with the "lace" was from another shop on the base, they do have women in their shop, although the guys in my shop thought they we're pretty neat.  No fashion shows yet though!

Got the dh a V-day gift, he commutes part way to work on a bicycle so stopped at the bike shop and picked up some "biker" clothing to add to his arsenol.  He would like practical first!

Thanks for the well wishes, I'll be snooping back on line tonight,

Jennifer, your shirts went in the mail today!

Carol

Hello Jewels

Welcome the new sisters to our "club"

The diarhea thing has taken over again..the past few days have been weird. Do the side effects last the full 3 weeks? I hope not!

Really effects me in the morning and at night.

Does everyone eat fresh fruit? Somewhere I read that It can mess up your stomache. Then I read somewhre that fruit is good..who do i believe? I was eating grapes and bananas especially bananas to help with the sharts(thanks D1) also applesauce..poor dh doesn't know what to make anymore for dinner..the ham tastes like crap and had mash potatoes(which I love) that is all i have been eating and eggos again..pretty soon I will look like mrs potatoe head!!!!!LOL

Jewels I wanted to ask..chemo question i had 6 bags of stuff

bag 1 saline

bag 2 aloxi

bag 3 benadryl

bag 4 pepcid

bag 5 taxatore

bag 6 cytoxan

Is that what you all got too? I thought it was alot but they said it standard procedure...

Happy Valentines Day to all of "Sisters in Survival"

Hope everyone is well, 2 more days to treatment 2...getting anxious and praying the se's are not as bad and also preparing myself if they are worse

sorry venting gain....

hugs to all...xxxoo

D1 - funny about the grocery store incident.  I do worry about freaking people out with my new "look" sometimes.  I need to get over that. 

Vettegal - I get all the chemo bags you mentioned, with the exception of the Pepcid.  I hadn't heard you could get that in a drip.  I have had some indigestion/heartburn problems yesterday & today (from chemo Monday) and the Pepcid tablet seem to relieve that.

End of day #3, and still not feeling terrible.  Still waiting for the truck...

CHJ 

Hey hey Jewels,

Stayed after school today to help my students train for competitions. Will be doing that a lot in the next month... Kimberly-- not to worry, I'm not "really" sick. My cold is mostly a night nuisance--don't seem to have many symptoms at all during the day.

Suz- sending you a big (((HUG))). This is a great place to share your feelings. I'll be thinking of you!

Carol- glad your tx went well. Your gift at work sounds wonderful--isn't it nice to work around thoughtful people?!

D1- Liked your grocery story. Strange how people react, isn't it? My daughter's boyfriend came to visit over the weekend and caught me without a topper on. He was surprised but he recovered quickly--he might as well, bc I'm sure it won't be the last time! Even at school I have trouble making it through the whole workday without taking off my hat/scarf/cap. And I can't make it more than an hour in a wig!

Vettegal- your list sounds about right. I have my port accessed and a minibag of saline started, then Decadron and Aloxi injected, followed by the Adriamycin and then my Cytoxan drip to cap things off. Sorry you've been having the other extreme of pooper problems. Hope you can get that under control.

As for the fruit, I don't know about it messing with your stomach, but I know that fresh fruit can be risky if your WBCs are low bc of the risk of bacterial infection (I have a friend who is an infectious disease doc). I'm extra careful about washing fruit well b4 eating!

LJ- here's wishing you a good MUGA scan tomorrow. Hope your SO gets well soon for both your sakes!

AZDonna, Diana63, Julie, and Sherry- looks like you all are on for a V-Day Chemo Cocktail. Hope you all do well tomorrow!

By my count there are 6 of us lined of for this Friday. Is it just me or is it getting busier around here?!

Happy, happy Valentine's Day to all of you. You're all sweethearts in my book!

Paula

Denise, your quick lesson,atleast this is how we refer to each on this post ...  small cap dh = dear husband, and you will at times see a capital DH = Dick Head.  Lets hope we can keep them to the lower case!!!!

Just took a hot tubber, taking a Lorazepam next and hoping that the steriod high stays away for the night.  Hoping to be at work tomorrow, just a quick shout out for mellow days and easy nights .. .

Carol