Starting Chemo May 2008
Comments
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Hi Ladies - I had my 4th & final dd AC tx yesterday! But I'm not done with chemo. - I'll be moving on to 12 wkly tx of Taxol + Herceptin starting on June 10, assuming OK results from the Muga I'll have done on 6/2 (with respect to the Herceptin, anyway). (Assuming the Herceptin's a "go", once those 12 tx are done, I'll continue on Herceptin once every 3 wks for about another 9 mos or so.)
I've been really fortunate so far, since my SE's from AC have been minimal, manageable, & tolerable. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for similar SE levels with the Taxol & Herceptin, but I'm afraid that I won't be so lucky - just feels like too much to ask for or hope for!
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Hey Ladies!
Just got back from treatment #1. Everything went smoothly. Hoping there aren't too many side effects--guess now it's just wait and see! I'm so glad I have the port--made it easier since I'm a hard stick--my veins love me now! Just 9 more to go!
Good luck to the rest of the Wed. crew and to those who go tomorrow!
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Carmen-Congratulations on a successful first tx! Hopefully your SE's will be minimal. I drink the Special K protein water and I like it. It's cheaper if you buy the powdered version of it in a box (Walmart) and add it to water. The only problem is that it only has 5 grams of protein. Have you tried Myoplex Lite? I get it at Walmart, and it has 170 calories and 20 grams of protein. Comes in chocolate and vanilla, at least at Walmart.
Susan-Way to go on finishing your AC! Major session over with! Also, so glad that it's been a fairly easy ride for you. I hope the rest goes well, too.
Well, I got tired of my hair falling out everywhere, so this morning, my hubby cut it REALLY short, and he actually did a good job! It's as short as Jamie Lee Curtis in her Activia yogurt commercial! I'm guessing that in a couple of days, we'll have to buzz it off, but this is fine for now.
~Sharon~
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I have a Net-Pot and I have the squeeze bottle version of the same product line. I like the squeeze bottle a LOT better than the pot but both are great in my opinion- I have major allergies and sinus issues all year round! I boil water on the stove for 5 minutes and then keep it in the frig- warming it up before I use it- be sure you dont use tap water!
Kristy
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Hi women,
My name is Eddie (really Edna, but I go by Eddie) and I am seeking carcino-pals. My diagnosis was 4/4/08. I had a mastectomy 4/16. Left breast (I think you all need the full picture...
). I am ductal carcinoma estrogen positive her2pos; stage 2A --took three nodes ... no cancer there. I am on dense dose of A and C for four shots once every two weeks. Then, if all goes well, I move to Taxol and herceptin for four more dense doses each week then herceptin for 40 more weeks. My first chemo was May 22. I am floored and shocked by how much has changed so quickly and I am having some trouble accepting this emotionally. I totally get it intellectually. So, am I in? Can I join the group? Do any of you have drymouth? Feel like you've been drinking hard, but haven't? I am in a state of fog. Let me know if I make the cut. -
Hi Nancy,
My name is Eddie. My first chemo was last Thursday. Welcome. Take it easy. I hope I can be part of this group.
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I am not sure how to use this site yet. So...I will check back to see if anyone is reading this. My comments go at the bottom instead of the top which is fine, but then how does one know one wrote? More about me...I live in Seattle. I am married with two sons -- one is 15; the other is 11. I work full time and I can't believe how hard it is just to get through the day for now. I am hoping this is adjustment period and that I will start to normalize a little soon. My hair is changing texture and, I guess from what I am reading, it'll come out right after chemo #2 next Thursday? I deleted a comment from before because I thought I was answering Nancy, but it just appeared at the bottom. I will learn how to use this site soon.
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Hi ewesterman. Everyone is welcome here. I think that everyone has trouble accepting this emotionally, I know that I did. I was dx the end of Feb. and still have difficulty believing it. I tried to explain the mouth thing to someone the other day and that is exactly what the way I described it = a night of too much drinking. I don't usually feel like I'm in a state of fog, but I know that others do.
I'm not sure what you mean when you ask how does one what one wrote. AFter you submit, what you just wrote will be at the bottom. The tread that was last commented on will appear first on the page - once I submit this, starting chemo My 2008 will be first, until someone else submits. The title of the thread is the first column, the person who started it is the second column, and the last person to respond is the last column. The third and fourth are telling how many people have read it and how many have responded.
Things will even out as you go through this. Ask for and accept help from all who offer it. There are going to be good days and bad days. I'm not even trying to work through this. I am lucky enough to have the time to take and since I teach, don't want to deal the the germs. Middle schoolers don't use the best hygiene sometimes. I'm not sure about the hair with AC. I am on Taxotere and Cytoxin, my hair didn't chair texture, but it begin falling out on day 14.
Again, welcome, I know this isn't the place where you really want to be, none of us do, but the people here are fantastic and very supportive. When you need to talk (type?) someone will be here to listen.
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Welcome Eddie. Of course you are welcome to join in on this thread. There are a great bunch of women in the May 2008 thread and I think we can all offer each other a tremendous amount of support.
Being a message board, and not a chat room, you can't tell who is online and who isn't. I read often during the day, others might read the messages every few hours. Usually you will see activity at all times of day and night.
I'm across the water from you in Bremerton. Last Wednesday was my 2nd round of A/C (4 rounds dense dose A/C followed by 4 rounds dense dose of Taxol), my hair started to fall out on Saturday (basically day 17 from first treatment) and continues its mass exodus still. I too noticed a change in texture the week before it started coming out. It seemed stiffer and not as much body.
We are all on that same emotional roller coaster. I never did like roller coasters! When it seems like you have got your mind wrapped around one thing, you then have to face another. For me, I think hair loss is my current dilemma and I just can't bring myself to shave it off because then its "out there" and something that I can't pretend doesn't exist. And frankly, I don't think I'll look good bald.
I don't have dry mouth. I don't know for sure if it has to do with how much water I drink but I believe it does. I drink a minimum of 70 ounces of water every day. Chemo day, its more like 115 ounces. At least 32 of those ounces is during chemo. I also use Biotine toothpaste, which is supposed to help with dry mouth.
Please post often. We are all here for each other. I have learned so much from these message boards.
~Adrienne
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Hi all, I too started chemo 6 weeks ago. It is interesting how the time frames differ. I am looking at every 2 weeks a/c then adding taxol sometime at their discretion. I had a very large tumor which we are trying to shrink for a lumpectomy.... so am looking at surgery yet down the road and they are recommending radiation, which I will look at when the time comes!
So far, the emend has helped and the other anti-nausea drugs also. I still have kind of a lump in the throat feeling and just kind of feel a little punk.
I was a hairstylist and had just retired, so am grateful I don't have to work through this.
Wigs!? Well, human hair are always cooler, but they are a lot of work. You have to shampoo and blow dry them just like your own hair. You really don't have to pay a fortune, though you can find them for reasonable prices even under $100. Shop the internet. Also, the synthetic ones are easy, but hot. In the big picture of "LIFE" it is just hair! I always told my clients this and it is so true. The hair loss is the least of my worries! Hats, scarfs, they all work, it is just that your head gets sensitive and I find I take them off all around the house, where ever I happen to be when I have had enough!
So far chemo isn't the horror that I had thought it would be. I try to think of it like a song of I'm gonna Wash those cancer cells right out of my hair.
God Bless You all, and just remember to check out complimentary therapies as well. They make a lot of sense!
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Hello, Eddie! There is another thread "Tips for Going through Chemo" which I'm going to "bump" that thread (so that you will notice it as an "Active Conversation") and make it easier to find. It may offer you some pointers to help with some of the side effects. I'm also on a dose dense A/C; I started to lose my hair on Day 16 after chemo (it also started to lose its shine and feel like fake hair!), and it began coming out in earnest on Day 17th. It was hard, hard, hard at the time. But now, I'm okay with it. (What a difference 2 days make!)
I can see why you're reeling! It is a lot to wrap your head around in a couple weeks. (For instance, I found my lump on January 11th, but only started chemo on May 7th.) Hang tough, and know you are in the company of truly lovely and supportive women.
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2grace, cristine,kristy & randie and anyone else i forgot
good luck to all of you as we make our way to Maui tomorrow with drink umbrellas and sun hats in hand. Will be wishing you all an uneventfull day except for a maybe a chance encounter from a cute cabana boy!
Will check in with everyone tomorrow when all is done,
angel hugs your way
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Hey you women,
Thanks for welcoming me. It has been a rough day and I think I just found a few new pals. I promise I am normally much more chipper. This was just a rough day. Meanwhile, I saw familyrocks, that you are from Bremerton. Washington rocks too. So, I will learn and read and thanks so much beachmom and rockthebald and I look forward to learning together with you all. So, a little shower (have to still cover that life-saving port) then a bit of time with kids then sleep. Thanks.... really. It means the world to me. And to those going for chemo tomorrow, good luck and may it heal smoothly. Hawaii, huh? Sounds pretty good. Cheers
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Thursday morning I am going to raise my glass of low-sodium V8 to everyone who has chemo on Thursday (Angels, 2, Grace (#1!), Randie (#1!), Kristy and everyone) with a special strawberry probiotic yogurt drink to Cristine for her long-awaited, long-delayed FIRST DAY OF CHEMO. (Is it really happening?!!!)
Really, people, I hope it goes smoothly and uneventfully. Know that as you paddle across the pool to the chemo bar, the rest of us are waiting for you and cheering you on.
Cheers!!!!
(Lenny, Becky, Grace -- how are you feeling?)
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O.K. ladies, let's all hold hands and jump in!! I've got my hat and my sunglasses and my little snacks. I also rented "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" for my dh and I to watch (I got a portable DVD player for my b-day) while we wait.
My only worry (only - ha!) is that I have had a slight scratchy throat yesterday and today. I'm hoping it's only allergies, but they will take my counts first, so we'll see. It's very odd to hope that I can have chemo tomorrow. LOL. Maybe the onc will just plan to give me the Neuopogen instead of wait until next week.
Grace - glad things went well for you today!
Rock - Cheers back at ya! (chug, chug, chug)
Eddie - Welcome! You'll get the hang of it. I find it easiest to mark this as a "favorite conversation" (check the box at the bottom of the original post) and then when you sign in, go to "My Home". It will tell you if there are new posts and who posted last. It's just an easy way to check in!
Well, time for my Xanax!
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Welcome Eddie,
Of course you are welcome here. My timeframe has been really fast also and I had a meltdown on Sunday May 18- it was exactly 2 months from dx and I had done major surgery, 2 chemos and 3 herceptin treatments - it hit like a ton of bricks how all that could happen in 2 measly months.
I walk a lot- outside and on a treadmill and I think it helps physically and emotionally and in some cases- just to start moving and get my mind off all the other stuff. I am hoping to help offset the cardio effects of the chemo and herceptin and also continue to lose weight- I was working on that pre-cancer and dr said OK to stay on track as long as I did it in a healthy way.
Im going to Maui today with my strawberry drink. I had pineapple with dinner last night to set the Maui mood! Now, which hat iwll look best on the beach chair today........
Kristy
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Hi girls,
Round two f AC went well on Tuesday. My expander fill yesterday was the last and hardest (literally). My kids were teasing me about a full moon, ha! Welcome Eddie, a few of us have AC and herceptin scheduled, I know Kristy and myself so. She;s quite a bit ahead us of so she has alot of good advice.
Day 16 and my hair is coming out in handfuls, time to cut it back.
Good luck to all the girls with treatment day, Angels, 2, Grace, Randie, Kristy and anyone else I missed.
Roxi -
Sending positive thoughts to all the strong ladies off to Maui today.
~Adrienne
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Hi to All,
Tx#2 went fine Tues. Counts still ok so no Neulasta this time. Hair is nearly all gone, but scarves are fine. Wig ok too for few hours, then I get migraines.
I blew brake lines on my car on way to Tx tuesday. Glad I was already at stopped at red light! No crashes! AAA towed it home and Dx is fixing it. Wasn't needing that extra stress, but feel lucky it wasn't much worse.
I was on Ensure and Viactive yogurt pre-surgery. As long as I was eating real food, Onc didn't want me on them during chemo. And I was told calcium only but No daily vitamins. Seems like docs all have different ideas. No wonder we get confused (besides chemo brain??) Should I ask again? I liked idea of having extra protein, and probiotics help with immunity too.
Today should be my last fill. Depending on my PS's vacation plans, my exchange is set for Sept 9th. I don't feel in a fog, but still can't truly believe this has happened. Helps alot to have so many friends here.
Welcome to the new friends and good luck to all for a mild day and restful night.
Enjoy Maui. Maybe if its crowded, our travel agent could book us for Aruba?? (Never been there either but heard beaches are great!)
Janice
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Janice - so glad you are ok! Sheesh...blown brake line. Hello? knock, knock...I have enough on my plate! My goodness.
I'm curious...what is the concern with protein? I haven't worried about it as I get enough from my food but wondered if I'm missing something. My Onc has never said anything about multi-vitamins being a no-no. I take Flintstones Complete ("adult" vitamins make me feel yukky)and he had no problem with that.
Aruba? Hmmmm. That could be an option. I was going to suggest to rockthebald that we head off to Australia next week but I think they are into Fall so that wouldn't work. Perhaps a trip to Micronesia...there are some of the most beautiful tropical islands and so untouched by commercialism.
~Adrienne
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Okay, hopefully I take the plunge at 2! I see my surgeon at 10:40 to make sure the abdomen looks hunky dory and then I sit around and wait! I am leaving the dh at home with the kids so they won;t have a whole day of just them since I won't get home until 7ish...
I told my med onc about the Claritin/Aleve and she had never heard of it...hmmmmm...lol....she told me to go ahead and try it and they will use me as the guinea pig b4 they recommend it as an option.
Getting ready to start drinking like mad... started last night and I had to pee all night...then the alarm went off at 4 am....my bad, so I tossed and turned for an hour then got on here and read!!!
Love, hugs and little pink umbrellas for all my pool-mates!
randie
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Wow Randie - you have a long day ahead of you! Make sure you have water and food/snacks packed to help you keep your energy up.
Fingers crossed that you can get started today!
~Adrienne
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Adrienne: "My" people keep saying no to multivitamins (and I keep asking because it makes sense!) because they have anti-oxidants in them which offset the desired effects of chemo. But perhaps they're cautious because my cancer has been pretty aggressive/tenacious.
I was told a serving of probiotics a day is an okay idea for me because my GI tract tends to get out of whack very easily.
Other things that were mentioned to me (I'm on dose dense A/C): I should drink a lot during and after chemo to help flush the chemo out of my system. Don't hang out with a full bladder; go often! (And close the lid and flush twice...) Using a moisturized wipe those first days when you urinate can help reduce irritation.
And Micronesia! ooooooh... I like that idea.
Have a great day, people.
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Adrienne,
Thanks...as soon as the fam gets up I will start putting it al together!
My Sammy, my 5 yo calls them my cancer food and is always asking me if he needs to get me some cancer food...lol...I had to explain that those were Mommy's snacks so the hungry horde wouldn't eat them as soon as they hit the cupboard!
Yup, it is a long day, but a girlfriend is taking me so we'll go out and have a nice lunch and then watch a dvd...
randie
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Well sheesh...finding out whether I get Barney, Fred, Wilma, Betty, BamBam, Pebbles or Dino made my morning! LOL
I'm thinking my Flintstones aren't giving me too much of a bad thing but I will address this concern AGAIN with my Onc on Wednesday morning. I certainly don't want to go through all this "fun" only to hinder any single micro part of it.
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if fred and wilma are offering you a megadose of vitamin c, i'd def steer clear...Here's a journal article that discusses some of the issues (I confess, I skimmed it) http://www.alternativehealth.co.nz/cancer/chemo/chemo1.htm
(frankly, just typing "fred and wilma" gave me a burst of energy.)
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Another suggestion for anyone on Adriamycin: suck on ice chips or popsicles while you're getting your tx. It seems that by keeping your mouth cold, which slows the blood flow to your mouth, you can prevent or minimize the occurrence of mouth sores. (Your mouth may still get somewhat sore feeling during part of each cycle, but you may be able to avoid getting actual sores, which could be much worse than just a sore feeling.) Supposedly this has not been conclusively proven, but I'd heard this from several sources, & it worked for me, for all 4 treatments.
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rockthebald - thank you for the link and the crossed-eyes...OY.
I take this away from it : "A large percentage of cancer patients undergoing active treatment take supplemental antioxidants in addition to a daily multivitamin-multimineral preparation probably with the belief that, at the very worst, they can do no harm. However, more research is needed before definitive positive or negative advice can be given about the use of antioxidant dietary supplements as adjuncts to cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is recommended that a daily multivitamin-multimineral supplement containing quantities at the levels of the DRI can be used safely as part of a program of healthy nutrition. Taking dietary supplements containing levels of nutrients with antioxidant properties much greater than the DRI is not recommended during chemotherapy because higher levels may have adverse effects and interfere with efficacy of treatment. Patients should not be discouraged from taking folic acid at the level of the RDA because this has many other benefits for health."
From what I can gather, the concern is the supplements that people take above and beyond the RDA. Vitamin C tabs, etc. I think I am safe with Fred and Wilma but I will still address this concern with my Onc. On the other hand, I know that I have a well balanced daily diet (thank you Weight Watchers) and wonder if I really even need to take a supplement...chemo or not. Something to ponder.
~Adrienne
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~~~This is an updated start date list that I posted originally back on page 7 or 8 of this thread. Please check the list below and let me know if I have missed anyone or have your date wrong. Cristine seems to be keeping track of where people are weekly -thanks for that. Hope this helps in keeping track of one another.
March 27: LorenaB
April 3: Otter
April 14: susanblues
April 22: angie27
April 23: Beachmom
April 24: Kristy, lewing
April 25: clg47, tiff2008, annie39
April 28: The Other Half
May 1: RobinK, mpellot2004, Leeayn
May 2: eyesotex
May 5: eak2863, crafty gal
May 6: sharonf
May 7: familyroks, rockthebald
May 8: Angels, cbme123, haykat57
May 9: lilwebb
May 13: Roxi
May 14: cstock39, tomato juice, Lenny
May 15: Diane0803
May 16: dsub, nmjohn
May19: collector
May 20: wondering7
May 21: Jeano 77
May 22: rogam, gogators, KinAZ, LisaLA, jule, ewesterman,
May 24: beergirl
May 27: karebear43, danismom
May 28: Gracie713, MsKarin, Becky--IL
May 29: flyrzfan, 2grace, ranD, drcrisc
May 30: Desi NJ
June 4: Kking
~~~no dates noted for Laureg, Lani, corkyandme, Sandeelou, Kpopperwell, Stepeliz (for mom)
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Thank you Robin! I was having a hard time keeping track. I've now printed this list.
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