Starting chemo Dec 2007
Comments
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Hi all! Well, if you cand believe this, I'm sitting in the infustion room getting my Taxol right now. Here it is my 7th (of 8) visits and I just found out today they can give you a keyboard and let you have axcess to the internet right from your recliner via the TV. How cool is that?
I talked with the nurses about the peeling toes thing and they brought in the nurse practioner and now they are going to get the oncologist to look at them. They have never heard of that happening but they do agree it was from the Taxol. So, I guess I'm a freak of nature! LOL
We are getiing quite a bit of snow here and it made the drive in a bit tricky. Hopefully that is cleard up by the time I'm ready to go home.
Just thought I would drop a quick note! Hope all are well! Just think...Amy, is getting her final chemo now too! How exciting! Have a good day. Lori
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Wooooo Hoooooooooooo Amy, You did it ! We are all doing the 'wave' from our homes across North America ! Way to go !
Lori, you big show-off with the internet access !
LOL ! I hope it helped pass the time by during #7 ! You are on the home stretch !Sal, hope you are holding your own, and not feeling any worse. Glad you got "the package"......xo, thanks again for the cards.
Well, so far........I am not a big fan of rad tx. Two of the days the machine broke down and there was a huge patient back up.....another day there was a very upset bc pt in the waiting area, on tx#32, who wanted to tell me all the 'not so good' points about rads and then......she showed me the full Monty (her breasts ), so I could see how much she was burned, peeling,scabbing and inflamed ! Then today, another patient wanted, and did show me her fresh scars from her lung surgery........eeeeeeegads.........I just wanted to be in my cone of silence. Just want to check in, get zapped, and get out. Does that make sense? I want to be anonymous/invisible. I am even carrying my book and ipod with me everywhere........but it does not seem to deter. I sound like a snot......but I am just emotionally spent, and don't want to rehash? Am I being entirely insensitive and selfish? Blah Blah Blah
TGIF !!! Yahooo! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. xo cindy
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No Cindy, you aren't being a snot! You're being someone who needs to get past this mess and it's overwhelming at times and like always, we women, just don't know how to say NO! I DON'T want to see your injuries, or your burns, or scars or hear your stories! Goodness, we all know when someone gets pg and the idiots that like to share with a first timer how they went through 48 hours of hard labor and so on. IT's nutty!
{{{{{HUGS}}}}Hope this evening and weekend are relaxing for you!
Lorianne! You go girl! Posting from the infusion room! Too great!
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Hi all! Well, #7 is history!! One more to go! Time for the mantra..."Better days are coming!!" And they are coming soon!!
OK, so about the toes. The oncologist took one look at them and said we need to cut my dosage of the Taxol. By the time she came and checked them out I would say I was 2 1/2 hours into the 3 hour bag and she had them stop it right then and draw some out and saie we would reduce the dosage on the last one by 25%. She said it was to much toxicity in the body. It just seems weird to me that it happened on the first one and not on the second....well, actually that might not be true....we do see some new smaller blisters so maybe they are from the 2nd one. Anyway, my first question was...does this mean we have to add any more sessions...answer: No! Thank goodness! Then my next thought was...gosh, I don't want to reduce the dose..it won't work as well!! So we talked about that and that is not the case...but I'm still glad most of the bag was gone before the drew some out with the syringe! I'm sure you all know what I mean! My thoughts were "no, sock it to me..continue to kill those suckers! Make em' pay for even thinking about setting up camp in my boobies"!! LOL Then reality...OK, too toxic. Don't destroy my other healthy organs, thank you very much!! LOL
So anyway, ONE MORE TO GO! Then the next set of appointments..Last chemo, March 14th, one week later another MRI, 6 days after that meet with surgeon and set up date. She said it would be the first week of April and I'm ready! Minimun of 2 weeks off work and I hope to control the pain well, blob in my recliner that I set up in the bedroom and hopefully enjoy some warmer spring air flowing thru the window! Oh, that sounds good!
Sorry this post seems to be all about me, but I'm just so happy to know that I am done with chemo in 2 weeks. It really feels like the end is within reach and it feels really good!!
Cindy, I know exactly what you mean...You're so close to the end and you just want it to be done as soon and as easy as possible without seeing or knowing about everyone else's sufferings! We've been thru enough of our own and I know by the time I hit rads I'll be having tunnel vision! Just let me get this last thing done ASAP and let me deal with my own SE's without hearing about how bad it might get! Couldn't get that out in words quite well, but I do know what you mean!!
Oh, we also discussed, in depth, a plan for controlling the body aches. Sunday I will start OTC Motrin every 4-6 hours and then move to the Motrin 800 (she wrote me a new script) every 4 hours (but not more than 4 in a day) and if that is not controlling it I can move to the Darvoset left over from my port sugery! I'm hoping the Motrin plan alone works good enough to leave off the Darvoset but it's good to know I have it if needed! No writhing on the couch come Monday evening for sure!!
Hope you are all well! Love & Hugs to all!! Lori
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A big, warm, congratulatory hug to you Amy, for having FINISHED chemo!!!!! I am so happy for you, you have really had an intense run and have paid your chemo dues, big time!!!!
I just got home from visiting my girlfriend, lying on her couch and chatting and watching movies (and napping a bit). That was about all I was up for. I feel quite crappy this time, not sure if it is because of the Neulasta, but the stomach is still not happy and I generally feel lousy.
Sal, I wish I could send you some of my "feel good" days! You, too, are paying heavily with your chemo regime and I cannot imagine having to tolerate all the stuff you've had to deal with. I would be beyond miserable after 6 days of feeling lousy, not to mention cycle after cycle. I wish I could recommend something but frankly I am the biggest wimp around when it comes to feeling lousy. I get really miserable. I just hunker down and sleep a lot because it's the only way to escape feeling crappy. OK. one good thing...You have only one more Neulasta shot to contend with. That will be the LAST. Then after that you will have only one more tx, and that will be the LAST. You will get through this, and we are all here with you, side by side and cheering you on. I hope you can plan something special to look forward to, to celebrate finishing chemo. You WILL feel better and this will be behind you. (((((HUGS)))))
Lori, cheering for you having only one more poisoning ahead of you. I will be very happy for you to end this taxol, toe peeling adventure!
Cindy, I can absolutely relate to your desire to put on the blinders and just get through your rads. You're not being insensitive and selfish - you're doing what you need to do to get through this. I really look forward to rads, only because I know it's the final phase of the treatments. I am also looking forward to not having to be in there for almost the entire day of tx, as it seems to work out that way for me with my chemo and bloodwork. Getting in and out in less than 1/2 hour will be something to look forward to, even if it is every weekday. I do have some fear that the light at the end of the tunnel might be a freight train, but I will just deal with what comes, when it comes. That's all we can do. Keep listening to your tunes and reading and before you know it, it will be over.
Love and hugs to all
Laura
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Thanks for all the congrats, ladies--I was quietly beaming all day yesterday. My onc came in with a big grin, and was super positive, the nurses gave me a little diploma ("for having suffered in silence (ha!) with good blood counts, courage and determination"), I got my favorite room, with the lovely windows, and I had a nice long chat with my dad--we agreed that we needed to make time to get together just the two of us for some other reason now, it's been so nice to have our weekly hang-outs. The only negative was that they had to weigh me, and I've gained 12 pounds! Ack!
Anyway, I'm dreading the final bout of yuck, but feel ready for it, knowing now that I get to start feeling better without the old "I get knocked down..." chorus clicking in as soon as I head uphill. My nurse is extremely worried I'm going to "overdo it" before I'm ready, and keeps warning me to be ready for it to be at least a few months before I really feel back to myself, but I think it will be earlier than that for the pain and the taste, and chemo-y stuff like that, which will be a giant relief.
Cindy, I am exactly like you about the "cone" you described--I usually have a pretty effective one (a book, no eye contact, and no more facial expression than a short polite smile), but I do hate it when people bust through it. I'm very private about this stuff, and though I understand people who aren't, I still don't like to be exposed to it. And you know, everyone is different-- you have no reason to expect the worst. Hope it's better next time.
Lori--yikes! I'm sure your onc is right about cutting the dosage--you can still get those little suckers without having your toes fall off! If your body is that sensitive, it makes sense that you should have less. Kinda scary, though, the way it went down! One more!!! Go Lori go!
Sal--how ya doin, girl? I've been thinking about you. Are you getting more snow today? This has certainly been one of the nastiest winters I remember. Hope you're hunkering down and making cozy, and not feeling too crummy.
Hugs to all, and thoughts of spring...
A
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Amy, Congrats on being done! A big hug sent your way. Hopefully the next week will be easy on you knowing you don't have to do it again.
Lori, It must feel good, only two more weeks before your final one. Hope your starting to see that light at the end of the tunnel.
Sal, Hope your feeling a little better and more comfortable. Its tough when you don't at least get a few up days between treatments. Gentle hugs sent your way.
The cards arrived yesterday and are beautiful. Thank you so much and please thank your sister for me.
Cindy, Hope this coming week is goes easier on you during rads. I use the ipod as well when I'm feeling "do not disturb".
Laura, Hope your feeling a little better this weekend. I'm noticing its taking longer to recover each time as well. I can't imagine working through all this. My hat is off to you.
I have been so tired and down these last few days. Not sure if its chemopause or the length of time not being Me. I cry at the drop of a hat and nothing sounds appealing to do. Everything seems to require energy I just don't have. I hope this changes soon.
Big hugs to everyone and looking forward to us all being done.
Love Suz
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I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but when I had my taxol last time, I had a strange reaction which they still have not figured out. Friday my right hand (the back of it) looked as if someone had burnt it. My left hand was the same on the thumb and index finger. Just on the back of my hand. It was strange. by Sunday it was just itching. Now it has been determined it was a burn, but they are not sure how it happened. The onc wanted to know if I had gotten in the sun and I had told him no. He then told me if I had another bad reaction that they may completely quit taxol. This bothers me. I don't know what to do. I'm just praying it doesn't happen again on Wednesday.
Kate
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Kate, I too will be praying for you to have an UNeventful Weds treatment. I know Sal is having a time with Taxol too. Suz, I too had a very teary week. It is so hard to focus on the bright and favorable future sometimes. I hope the blues pass for you soon. We all try so hard to be 'up', and sometimes it sure does take allot of faith and strength. I say, let the tears flow, get in a good cry, this is not easy!
Bottom line is that we are all still kicking some serious bc ass, and for that, we should be PROUD!!!!
xo to all you ladies. cindy
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I've been very teary this weekend; it seems to always happen following the taxol treatment. I think there are just no coping skills left and it feels like life is just passing me by. It takes everything to cope with the treatment and how overwhelming the whole bc trip is and what happens from here. It does take faith and strength; more than I thought I would ever have to gather.
In the next couple of weeks I'll be finding out about rads and if there are mets to the hip bone. Having faith in the middle of all the continued uncertainty is the test. I'm ready for spring and sunny days and energy to enjoy some living again.
Thank you all you strong ladies for being here to share this journey and help shoulder each other's weariness.
Susan -
Ladies, sorry I haven't posted, but have been checking on you all and keeping you all in good thoughts and prayers often
Sorry to hear about the SE's of some, but glad to hear about the good things happening in your lives too!Just wanted to share that the problems with my hands appears to be brought on by the treatments (most likely the steriods from what I've read this far). It's a form of psoriasis and is getting much worse the past week. I see a derm tomorrow, and hopefully get some relief soon. Just beware there are other problems out there that these treatments can cause with your immune systems
Hoping none of you ever has to deal with it, but knowledge being power, wanted to share it.Keeping you all close in heart and mind.
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Susan-- I was so angry when I read what one of your nurses said about the mets... "don't worry, you could live 10 years"... that is incredibly insensitive!! And how is that supposed to be encouraging-- incredibly rude! I will be praying for you that things work out for you no matter what happens.
And Cindy-- regarding your experience at your rad tx... I hear ya. I've had a couple instances of people telling me all the horrible things they experienced and I just want to smack them. I didn't ask. And I don't need more stuff to worry about, thank you very much. But the show-and-tell is a new one on me... what were they thinking???
Go git em Suz, tomorrow. One more to go after that!!!!
Good luck, Kate, for Wednesday. You've had it rough with the Taxol. I hope this one goes without a hitch.
Lori, you are a God-send... thank you for your story about the lower dosage tx and how that isn't going to reduce the effectiveness of your chemo. I needed to hear that. I've been worrying all weekend about having to make this decision on Wednesday when I go in for chemo and that was one of the things I was worried about... "does a lower dosage mean the cancer cells win?"
Thanks, ladies, for all your thoughts. Had to limit my time in front of the computer because sitting hurts worse than any other activity. I'm still in pain (day 10, but who's counting) and have resigned myself to being in pain for the duration of my Taxol treatments. Have to split up my day into chunks of "sitting" "standing" and "lying down" so I can give different muscles a break from my weight. Any task that requires more than an hour of either action has to be done in piece-meal. Had to cut my work hours in half. But I am hopeful that my oncologist won't be a jerk and will recommend a lower dosage this next time... obviously my body can't handle the normal dose. Got my fingers crossed for Wednesday.
How are our "done with chemo" ladies doing? Let's hear a big cheer!!!
Hugs, Sal
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Sal--I hate to hear that you're "resigning yourself to pain"--I hope you can make your doc take you seriously, and I hope he recommends a change in treatment you can be comfortable with--mentally AND physically. It seems like, given your small body type, maybe they're just giving you too much...? I wonder, too, whether you could switch to a regimen like mine (lower dose, more frequently)--which, though it was kinda relentless, caused me less discomfort, I think...I have always been able to manage it with meds. Anyway, I've been thinking about you and hoping you're ok.
I am still feeling crummy, but hopeful. My MIL left today, which is a type of pain relief in itself... (oh, I'm so mean. but really. she is hard to have around under normal circumstances). I'm feeling like I'm READY to get "back to normal" and already impatient that it isn't happening yet.
I had a crazy dream last night that my hair grew back in one day, with a crazy-looking dye job...and that I was running up these big hills in a hilly city, like San Francisco... it was a nice dream--and not very hard to interpret.
Susan, I'm with Sal--your nurse should think before she speaks. I'm also hoping for the best for you--check in and let us know. I totally get the teary-ness after treatment...I've given up trying to decide if it's psychological or physical--it doesn't matter. It's so hard to be patient.
Love to all--
Amy.
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Hello My Friends,
I hope everyone is keeping as well as can be.
Cindy thank you for the kind words. You're such an uplifting (kick ass) inspirational woman. I'm so glad your on our team. I took a few days and put on a pair of sunglasses and went trail walking with the the dog Kleenex in hand and just let the tears go. It took a lot of the stress with it.
Susan, I agree with Sal, that was insensitive, innapropriate and just plain old wrong for the nurse to be diagnosing you. I hope all goes well with the scan results. A big hug and I hope there are some sunny spring days soon for you.
Sal , Hope everything goes better tomorrow and they reduce your dosage. You shouldn't have to deal with so much pain. Good luck and you'll be in my thoughts. Just one more after this, we're almost done so you hang in there.
Kate, Lets hope the burn se's were a one time occurrence and they don't interrupt the rest of your tx's. Good luck as well tomorrow.
A big hug for both of you.
Amy, I've only had my mil stay overnight once, hmmm wonder what I did
(kidding) I get along great with her and visit when we get a break in the work load. She lives on the island so its a two hour ferry ride each way. Makes for a really long day. Hopefully you're gonna start to feel like yourself soon and get rid of all the nasty se's and fatigue that goes along with them.Wiw, Thanks for the heads up on the psoriasis. I'm sure the dermatologist will find something to give you some relief and hope it's only temporary. Its odd I've had eczema since I was 5 and the chemo completely cleared it up. Will have to see if it comes back when tx's are done.
Well it was my 2nd last chemo today and everything went ok. I brought along my laptop and House season one dvd's to watch. Made it only halfway though an episode before the benadryl kicked in and I started seeing double. Had a wee nap and then the room filled up. We get 3-4 people per room plus guests. Tx took about 4 hrs then I picked up my last round of neupogen inj, boy will I be glad to see the last of those horrid little bottles.
I'm already noticing the tingling in my hands and feet this round and it's now started on my lips, cheeks and forehead, thats a new one for me so I hope its normal. Was putting some cream on my scalp this evening and it seems I'm loosing whatever stubble that was starting to grow back
It wasn't much but I thought I was gonna have a bit of a head start on the hair thing. Otherwise I feel pretty good, I'm so wide awake and its 1am, wish the steroids would back off a bit. Might just take a sleeping pill then finish watching that House episode.Hope everyone that hasn't posted in a while is well. Sending much love and lots of hugs to all. Suz
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*ahem ahem* *mi mi mi mi mi*
(to the tune of "Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go")
Hi ho, hi ho
It's off to chemo I go
In the wind and snow
This is Maine, dontcha know
Hi ho, hi ho
Hi ho, hi ho
As far as dosage goes
We want it low
so my body won't "owww"
Hi ho, hi hoHi ho, hi ho
As far as chemo goes
After today
Only one to go
Woo ho, woo ho!!!!
Now everyobody sing... -
Sal, you rock. You are a super good singer. Woo ho, indeed.
Yeah! After today, only one!!! Suz--I love House! I have a huge crush on Hugh Laurie. I have the numbness on my lips, too--never heard of it, but I'm guessing it's "normal"...feels so much like the fingers and toes.
hm, looking back at that, it sounds like Hugh Laurie has something to do with my numb lips... sigh...i wish...
thinking of everybody.
a
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I love everyones upbeat attitude in this post! You go girls!!!
I also had this burning skin type rash on my hands after my first treatment. My brother in law was here and is a PA, he gave me a topical antibiotic to treat it with and it soon cleared up. I have not had it since. I have never had the numbness or tingling in my fingers or toes but do get a sort of wierd facial numbness that lasts maybe a day or so and then disappears.
I am on a different treatment plan than you ladies though. Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin all at the same infusion every 3 weeks 6x. I have my 5th of the 6 treatments tomorrow. I cannot wait for this chemo to be done, done, done. The week of feeling blech is just getting so annoying LOL.
I love House too!!! great show.
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Hello friends! Hope you have all been well and staying warm...as usual! Come on with some warmer weather already!!
I've been lying low since my last tx and staying on the Mortin plan of pain relief and it has worked!! I still had plenty of aches but nothing that caused the writhing on the couch like last time. A heating pad on my back helped too! I actually used the heating pad in several spots! Again, Monday and Tuesday were the worst and today I've not even taken the Motrin, though I'm a bit achy and actually, I'm gonna take some right now before it gets worse...which was also part of the problem last time! So, on with the countdown...9 more days til my last chemo!! Yahoo!!
Susan, sending you all the good vibes I can for good news! Hang in there....We are with you!!
WishI were, Hope your trip to the dermatologist helped with your hand problem! I wouldn't put it past the steroids! I just know that they are EVIL!! I hated them!! LOL
Sal, Good luck tomorrow! I hope they can reduce your dose a bit too and that this one won't be so bad! And yes, even with a reduced dose, those stinking cancer cells don't stand a chance!! Loved your little song...and you know I'm singing...afterall, it is Disney!! LOL More exciting news for me, my niece got accepted into Disney's College Program and will be working there from August thru January so my sister and I are going down in December (3rd-9th)...so now I've got Vegas in June, Disney in September and again in December! I must admit...I'm feeling a bit spoiled by it all!! I've never been during the Christmas season though and can't wait to see the decorations!!
Amy, I hope you are feeling better today! I'm sure we are all looking forward to that "feeling normal" again feeling and it's just around the corner! Keep on plugging along...I know you can do it!! You will be running free with wild hair in no time!! LOL
Suz, Hope you are still feeling good today and that all the se's are kept at bay! Hope you can get some good rest too....as I said before...Steroids are EVIL! The benadryl sure does it's job well though! The nurses gave me a little tip about benadryl....The active ingredient is the exact same one (and dosage) that is in Tylenol PM and also the same ingredient that is in products like Unisom, etc. except those are a higher dose. Well, those products are alot more than benadryl so I went and bought the Target brand of benadryl.....100 pills for about $4.25! Even the Target brand of Unisom was $4.85 for only 32 pills! I read all the labels and sure enough...same active ingredient! Sneaky drug companies!! So, like my nurse said, if you just want to sleep but don't need the pain relief (as in the Tylenol PM) just take the benadryl! I took one on Saturday night and 2 on Sunday night and they worked like a charm (against the steroids)! Course, sleeping pills work too but I never had any of those! LOL
Hope all the rest of you are having good days too! Hugs, Lori
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Just a quick check-in (since sitting still a problem for me... I'm writing this standing up)
Yesterday went well. They reduced my tx by 20% and will do the same on my last one... overall, I'll still be receiving 95% of the original intended chemo txs, so my husband and I felt good about that.
As for my pain, the dr said it sounds like sciatica... sciatic nerve which runs from back through hip/butt down legs is getting damaged. Between my being a skinny Minnie and the Taxol aggrevating it, it's become inflamed. He gave me some medication and willorder physical therapy. Everything I read yesterday said it can be treated easily. Yippee. Suppoedly the medication also can help with hot flashes!!! And it can help you sleep. That sounded GREAT, but if last night is any indication of how it will work on ME, then I'm screwed... worst night of sleep I've had since my surgery... in pain, not sleepy at all, hot flahses every hour. Blah! Oh well, was only the 1st one.
Slight metalic taste in my mouth this morning. Glad that SE took so long to kick in.
Only one more to go! Yeha.
Big hugs to you all.
-Sal
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Great news Sal ! 95% for a skinny Minnie is over 100% in my book! You are clearly getting therapeutic levels of the chemotherapy, and that is all you really need. AND.....one more to go! Hoooray! What did the doctor give your for your sciatica/sleep/hotflashes ??( I want to buy some stock in the company, LOL) My hfs and nsweats are driving me crazy. NO sleep. I was just telling my dh that I have to get ahold of my insomnia, cause I know it is not good for me and my full recovery.
You asked how are rads...........well..............painless, easy,.........but I am still dreading the trip each day. I am not counting 'how many' until I get into April. Physically it is easy duty, but for me, the mental part is starting to get to me. Hey, but the sun is out this morning, and I am determined to enjoy the day, and keep positive! It is just so hard when you are going to and from a CANCER center each day. I would much rather be checking into a day spa !
I am sending love to all of you ladies. Really, I think about you all every day, many times. xoxoxoxoxo cindy
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Kimbly- Do you know what the name of the cream was? My rash is returning again....aaaaaaaaaaaaa.. Right now they have me on cortisone.
Suz-Thanks for the hug. I am taking oxycodone or something like that for pain this time. I took one today because he told me to start taking them now before the pain and continue until Sunday when it usually stops. I am feeling pretty woozy/drugged right now.
Cindy- I am so happy for you. I can't wait until I can start rads. Just two more to go. I think I'll be the last to stop the chemo. MY last is on April 2. Day after April Fools day.
Sal- I hope things get better for you. Hang in there, your almost done!!
How's the weather there? We up in Caribou area are getting tons of snow. Another large storm coming on Saturday they say. I had to go get a neulasta shot today as my white counts were down some. The only bad thing about that is my pain may be worse, but we'll see.
Anyone else get horrible hot flashes with this taxol? Also, emotions that go up and down. My whole family must be wondering whats going on. I couldn't find my tylenol in the middle of the night last night and I started crying over it.....hehe. I was glad everyone was already in bed.
Well, tomorrow I'll see what the pain is going to be like. Take care all and have a great night! ((HUGS))
Kate
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Sal--I'm curious what they put you on? I am so sick of these hot flashes! Though what I want to do most is just DETOX! Anyway, I hope whatever it is is helping, and that you're feeling a little less miserable this time around. At least here, we've had actually sunshine for two days!!! I feel like a new woman.
*later*
I just went to talk to my onc and sorta "debrief" from chemo--she said no more lupron, so in 6-8 weeks the hot flashes should start going away, and my periods will (hopefully) come back--never thought I'd be looking forward to that! (And Kate, yes, lots of us seem to have trouble with hot flashes on Taxol. Sorry to hear they're getting you too!)
It was nice to go in on a Friday and NOT be getting chemo!!! The onc was so encouraging and positive--and SO good at listening and answering my questions in a way that makes me feel confident--I do love her. I feel really lucky to live in this area--the docs are amazing.
And, it's a warmish (45 deg?) sunny day, and I took two laps around the little reservoir in our neighborhood, at a decent clip!
I am having a very nice day. And I'm thinking of all of you who are in the home stretch--it won't be long! It seems like those last few weeks are endless--I got more and more impatient--but they will pass! Spring will come! We will trade our boots for sandals, and grow hair as the grass grows!
love to all--
Amy.
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Amy, you sound WONDERFUL
!!!! Just got back from rads.....boy do I REALLY love Fridays now, more than ever !!I have been trying some Primrose for the hot flashes/night sweats, but so far I have not noticed any difference. I'm with A, let us know if there are some secret weapons that work. I need a full night's sleep!!!
Have a great weekend girls! Love, Cindy
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Morning ladies,
The medication he gave me for the sciatica is called Gabapentin. It's used for people who have seizures and also shingles, so I'm not quite sure if it is a pain medication or an inflamatory med. Anywhooo, I've been taking it for a few days now and haven't noticed any difference in my pain yet... of course, I got my Neulasta shot Thurs and it's my "aches/pains" weekend, so I'm guessing they are going to cancel each other out... I probably won't notice anything for another week. As for the hot flashes, I asked my husband if I heard the dr correctly... "he did say it would HELP with the hot flashes, right?" because so far I've had double the number of flashes at night. Aaak. But again, I'll wait and see (what else can you do?)
I start PT for my sciatica next week. They were going to wait and do that after I finished chemo, but I said let's do it now... I'm in pain, I've had to cut back my work hours in half (that sucks) so I have time to do it, so let's get this party started. Man oh man will I be glad when I can sit down whenever I want and not try to "budget" my "sitting time." It's getting really old spending the majority of my day either standing/walking or lying down. But sitting is still very painful:-/
Don't get me wrong, though. Overall I'm in great spirits. I definitely can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I thought of you, Amy, yesterday since it was Friday... "I wonder how Amy feels since it is a Friday but she doesn't have to go for chemo... wow!" I know I still have several weeks to go before I'm through with chemo, and it'll be months after that while the drugs get out of my system and I get back to "normal" (and my other minor surgery), but I know that I can make it now. I know I'm gonna be ok. Wow, what a feeling.
I'd write more and want to say individual "hey"s to everyone, but my butt says it's time for me to get up. The butt is in charge these days
Huge hugs to all of you... I'm thinking of you.-Sal
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The cream is made by a company called Taro. On the tube it says Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate. It could be cortizone but this is prescritption. My brother in law gave it to my son and husband to treat their exzema.
When is your last treatment. Mine is 27th of March and I am so looking forward to that. I am 2 days post chemo 5/6 right now and just cannot wait to get over the 'icks' and know that next time I won't be knocked down again.
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Yeah, things are pretty good. I definitely crashed later on yesterday, and my tummy, wierdly, was really bad in the night...but over all, I'm already feeling a little less "chemo-y", things taste better...ahh...
I'm starting a health kick of sorts--trying to change my diet (more fiber and veggies, less fat and sugar); trying to walk whenever I feel up to it (though it's gross out today, so I'll dance around the living room or something)...nothing very rigid, yet, but enough to still feel like I'm "doing something" now that the taxol is done. In a couple more weeks, I'll ramp it up a bit...
Sal, so good to hear you're feeling more positive...if not better physically. You are doing really well--you can do it!
Gotta go play "war" with the 5-yr old...ahhh, rainy days....
love--
A
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Sal, Gabapentin works neurologically, its supposed to help with nerve pain. I started taking it on taxol #2. It hasn't helped with my hot flashes/sweats though. Woke up a few times last night soaked. What I'd do for a comfortable dry nights sleep.
Taxol #3 is really taking its toll. My right foot and leg went numb, felt like it had fallen asleep for two days. Also have had pain all through the thighs, groin, butt and lower back. I start my neupogen shots today, thankfully its the last round of them. I am definitely loosing my hair (stubble) again, also eyelashes and eyebrows are getting way more sparse. Just have to keep telling myself only one more to go. OK finished whining & complaining
Amy, Its so nice to here your feeling better already. You sound better as well, I will be so happy to join you on that finished chemo line, nine more days till last tx.
I hope everyone is keeping safe & warm that has been bombarded with all that snow and ice storms. Makes me remember why I moved to the west coast 23 years ago. But our forcast is not so hot for the next few days, rain, rain and more rain
. I'll still take it over the big snowstorms.Big warm
to all, Lots of love and stay warm. Suz
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Keep forgetting to mention this, I am being tested for the BRCA1 gene. I have two uncles and two cousins who tested positive for the gene. One cousin has had 3 surgeries the other only one. I have been really nervous about this as it opens a whole new door and decisions I have to make in the near future. One she suggested as almost a must is an oopheractomy (sp)The results will take about another 5 wks. Thought I would share my light with you.
.
Love Suz
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Suz, I had completely forgotten that you had recommended the Gabapentin!! Duh. Although I'm still having trouble sitting, and now can't even lay on my back comfortably (the weight on my butt just hurts too much), I do think the medication must be helping with the pain since this was supposed to be a "bad" weekend (since I had the Neulasta shot) but it wasn't all that bad. I also kept moving a lot (usually just laid around like a lump on my "bad" weekends), since that is supposed to help with sciatica, so perhaps that helped with the pain too. Who knows. I feel like I'm just winging it as I go through chemo and trying any combination of meds/activities that will relieve the SE's. Sometimes I get lucky
And I echo Suz... no relief from the night sweats on the Gabapentin. That was obviously a delusion on someone's part. Between the pain waking me up and then the night sweats waking me up, I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I'll be glad when I can at least get the pain under control.
Suz, good luck with the BRCA1 test. I have nothing but awe for those of you that have been brave enough to do that. Maybe some day I'll work up the courage. Do let us know what your results are, Suz.
I had a pretty nice weekend. Got to see my little 5-year old niece. I was lying on the couch at my mother's house with one of my funky hats on, but it slipped off a bit. My niece came over and poked it up and said "Hey, where's your hair Aunt Sally?". I told her it had fallen out because I was taking some medicine. She asked if the hair would come back, and I said yes, after I finish the medicine. She said "Aunt Sally, don't take that medicine anymore." Man, if only I could follow her advice
Soon, very soon!! Picture of me and my niece, taken this weekend.
Big hug to everyone. Special hug for those who are bounding back from chemo... you're livin the good life!!
-Sal
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Sal--what a cutie your niece is! Adorable! It's so hard to explain to kids why we do this without freaking them out--I've been amazed by how accepting my kids are of my explanations, but they're boys--they don't do a lot of "reasoning" as we like to call it. My 5 yr. old talks a lot about "when I'm done having 'rest' cancer"--ha ha.
I have had bouts of sciatica, particularly in pregnancy. I don't think mine was ever as bad as yours, but I did find that the yoga "cat stretch" could help...do you know that one? You've probably tried everything... You get on all fours and hunch your back way up, and then go flat (but not arched backwards)... It kinda pulls the vertebrae apart, I think, and takes the pressure off that disc. Oh yeah, you took a yoga class, didn't you? Well--owie--poor you.
You SO deserve a giant party when you're done.Oh--and as the resident pill-pusher, I have to recommend Ambien as a sleep aid. It gives you a better quality of sleep than any of the over-the-counter stuff, and the CR version has given me a pretty reliable 6 hours between wake-ups/hot flashes. there is a little worry that it gets harder to sleep without it, but I was getting desperate for sleep, so I'll deal with going off it when the hot flashes start to go away...
Suz--I was tested for BRCA before my surgery, to help me make decisions about that. (As it turned out, I decided before I got the results that I would keep my "good" breast one way or the other...but I was seriously considering the oopharectomy, just because ovarian cancer is hard to screen for and scary.) As you know, my dad's mom died of breast cancer quite young, so that made it a good chance that I would have the gene--but nope, I was negative. I was really surprised. It's really hard to wait: mine were "rushed", and it still took about a month. Fingers crossed, and keep us posted.
I actually put in a call to my onc this AM because my tummy pain has been getting worse, along with a dull but strong ache in the middle of my back--it's woken me up in the night a bunch of times now, and I'm worried some internal organ is damaged somehow, but I have no idea what's even in there (pancreas? gall bladder? what do they even DO?!)...anyway, not exactly what I wanted to be doing this week, and hopefully they tell me to suck it up and it will go away.
Blah.
Anyway--love to all--
Amy
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