Starting Chemo May 2008

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited May 2008

    westie:

    lol...I have this mental image of you dancing around and singing that song...lol..we are only a year apart and I can still remember those commercials..my kids are amazed at how much theme music from the 60s and 70s I can sing to them...

    rock: way to go at the party...so that's what I can do with all the wide awake time.. one of my friends was telling me to wrote a book as I am going thru this...yeah right.....one more project

    round 2 for me is on 6/12..at 10:30 and hopefully I will be in there andnot have another 2 hour wait////

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited May 2008

    Hi all,

    O.K., I was good yesterday until about mid-afternoon, then some fatigue set in.  Have had on/off queasiness (Zofran takes care of that but then gives me a headache) and this morning woke up with abdominal cramps, constipation, sore throat, and weird taste issues.  Yes, the burping, too.  Bought a big box of Pepcid yesterday.  Just basically feel semi-flu like.  Yech. 

    I think part of it was I felt so "normal" yesterday morning that I tried to have a regular Friday (grocery shopping, picking up kids, taking them to gymnastics, making dinner, etc.).  Wrong!!  O.K., lesson #1:  Do not act as if you didn't have chemo yesterday.

    Randie:  My oldest dd is still having a hard time and probably will all the way through.  One of the earliest clues that it was affecting her was (about 6 weeks ago) she said:  "If I ever find a lump, I'm cutting it off.  Do we have a chain saw?"  Funny, but it got my attention.

    Otter:  Hope you're feeling better. 

    Rock:  You rock!  I bet they loved your bald head!

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited May 2008

    I think we could all write a book. Just back from a three-mile walk. If I go right in the morning (on weekends when I can) I feel like I added some units to energy as well as took a few away. It's a worth-it trade-off.

    rogam, gogators, KinAZ, LisaLA, jule

    Are you four on dense dose --A/C for the first four? If so, are we on the same schedule? This coming Thursday? If so, let's connect before and after and check in to have our own virtual chemo tour...I am thinking since it is our second one, we ought to just "go" somewhere with waterfalls, a good breeze, lots of green and no bugs.

    Rockthebald, I am thinking for my next dose of Alka-Seltzer, I am going to try the, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing.." ad. Cheers. 

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited May 2008

    Rock - I am so glad that you made the decision to go!  Sounds like you had a great time and it was all well worth it!

    Yukko on the Alka Seltzer.  Just thinking of it I can remember the taste!  I am glad, however, that it worked for you Eddie. ~Alka Seltzer to the rescue!~ (I remember that jingle as well..lol)

    And Rock...I'm working on which island in Micronesia we should hit this Wednesday ;)

    ~Adrienne

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited May 2008

    So, there are other burpers out there!  That has been my weirdest side effect, too - it was very pronounced after my first tx, but I've noticed it to some extent after all three of my ACs to date.  The chemo nurses said they'd never had anyone mention it before. 

    My news is that I ran in the Detroit Race for the Cure today.  I considered myself a representative of "Team April-and-May Chemo," and I'm pleased to say I represented us pretty darn well.  I finished the 5K in 21:48 (about 7 minute/mile pace).  I wasn't expecting to run nearly that fast, but somehow, I did.  The cap I was wearing blew off at around the first mile mark, so I ran the rest of the race proudly bald-headed.  (I say "proudly,"  but I guess if I were totally honest, I'd have to admit that I was mainly concentrating on (a) making my legs move and (b) not passing out.  Being bald did earn me some extra cheers along the way, though.)

    I ended up being the second-place survivor (the first place survivor was diagnosed last April, went through chemo last summer and looks GREAT now . . . with a nice head of hair, too) and got a pink gym bag and hoodie (hoodie is now dd's) for my pains.  I just wish they'd thrown a cap in there!  

    I thought some of you might get a chuckle out of the contents of the race goodie bag that was given to all survivors:

    * "tea sampler" from a local HMO . . . I'm keeping this one; the "peach ginger" might be soothing after chemo.

    * pink highlighter click pen from a local furniture emporium . . . keeping this, too, as one never knows when one will need to highlight something in pink.

    * long scarf with an abstract design in shades of pink, courtesy of Ford Motor Company . . . very nice, but not quite long enough to function as a viable head wrap (believe me, I tried).

    * pocket-sized spray bottle of hand sanitizer from a local cancer institute . . . way cool!

    * "pick your deal" free or discounted ticket to watch the Detroit Shock women's basketball team play on Sept. 9 . . . umm, ask me later.

    * advertisement for "hand-crafted breast cancer awareness items" w/ the promise of a 10% discount . . . I'll pass, but the website is www.cdbyyjmj.com if anyone else is interested.

    * card worth $20 off 2 months of Jazzercise . . . interested?  PM me and it's yours, first come-first served!

    * gift certificate for a cool $250 off any fine Tourneau watch purchase of $1,000 or more . . . in the market for an expensive watch? again, PM me and it's yours!

    A good weekend to all. 

    Linda

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited May 2008

    Hi, I'm Julie and I haven't posted on this thread yet.  I had my first T/C tx on Tuesday and I thought I was going to die yesterday.  I don't even know how to describe how I felt.  My dh picked up hydrocodone for me on way home from work on Thursday and onco called on Zofran for pick up yesterday.  It was like I was in panic not knowing what was going to happen.  I thought I was prepared since I've been reading everything on this web site, but I guess you don't know until you experience it.  Will my second tx be this traumatic?  Can I expect the same se's at the same time?  Do you think this was the worst day for this first time?

    I appreciate all the support and tips that I've been getting here.  It's great.

    I've been using Prevention Oncology Mouthwash from Walgreen's.  The taste agrees with me better than the Biotene (saved the sample from the cancer center for traveling).

    Count me in on any vacations to exotic locations!

    Julie

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited May 2008

    Julie, everybody's different but for me, the first few days of the first (dose dense A/C) chemo were the hardest.  For me, everything has been easier side effects and coping-wise since then. (I am going in for Chemo #3 on Wednesday. Lets hope I didn't jinx myself!)

    I realize that "try to be calm/try not to stress out" is an extremely unhelpful thing to say.  So might I propose that you figure out what you enjoy doing or what helps you to relax the most (dancing? watching funny movies? having sex? taking a loooong bath? napping in a hammock? watching tv while someone holds your hand?) and doing a lot of it! 

    Heck, you might even give yourself a computer vacation.  While these are very helpful threads, they can also ratchet up the anxiety as we read about what can go wrong.  Really, this is a time to be as kind and gentle to yourself as you can.

    But welcome to our thread! You're in most excellent company.

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited May 2008

    Thanks for the kind welcome, Rock the Bald.  I would hate to think that I thought I made it through this only to have next week be even worse.  I will try to take a vacation - maybe without the kids.  My 9-yr old dd is paranoid about whether I'm going to throw up, etc.  She was surprised that my hair didn't come out after day one - any maybe a little disappointed.  She is a drama queen.  My 12-yr old dd is more quiet and hasn't said too much.  I don't know how much is from the dx and how much is from being 12 (she's 5 months from 13).  My little one woke my up this morning just to make sure I was alive and is quizzing me on math facts.  It's terrible that a 9-yr old is already worried about chemobrain.  I think I started that a long time ago.

    I read a few posts back that you really did "Rock the bald".  That is so cool.  I'd like to think I can be strong when it happens, but...

    I do have a wig ready - I think more for my family's sake than my own.  The onco nurse said it could start coming out in 10 days or maybe not until after the 2nd or 3rd treatment.  That will have me in a panic, too. 

    Thanks for your support,

    Julie

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  • nmjohn
    nmjohn Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2008

    Wow, I just spent the last ½ hour catching up on the posts since I was here last.  That will teach me to stay away for a week.  Welcome everyone new and hi again to everyone else.  I'm so sorry for those of you going through rough patches and thrilled for those experiencing minimal s/e's.  I'll pray that things improve and stay the same, respectively.  A lot has happened to me in the last week.  Everything is fine w/wbc, etc, so that's good.  TX #2 is scheduled for next Friday, 6/6 (the day before my 53rd bday - oh well, 54 will be better).  And then there's my hair, or lack of.  It began coming out in dribs and drabs a few days ago.  This morning my pillow was covered - so much so that I gasped when I saw it.  I thought I was prepared, but not for that I wasn't.  I've had the clippers poised for a while now and after the pillow incident, I decided today was D-day (do-it day).  And I did.  I covered the bathroom floor w/newspaper, plugged in the clippers and bbbbzzzzzz, away it went.  I started on the sides.  While watching in the mirror, I had a strange déjà vu type feeling.  . . .

    When my oldest son, now 23 and living in Chicago, was 16 and going through a particularly rebellious period, he came home one day with his hair cut in a large and very pointy mohawk.  I absolutely hated it.  I tried not to make a big deal about it but, of course, couldn't help but comment occasionally.  Those comments, I'm sure, made him more determined to keep it.  It wasn't bad when he wore it down, but most times he'd put gelatin - yes, the stuff you cook with - in it and it would harden into rocklike spikes that stood 7 or 8 inches high. Now, I'm a pretty liberal person and always liked my kids expressing their individuality, but this  was horrendous.  I took many deep breaths and chanted my maternal mantra often, "This too shall pass".  I have 2 boys 20 months apart, so I did a lot of chanting through their teenage years!  Then one day (after a year with this do), as unexpectedly as the mohawk appeared, it was gone.  "It was a pain in the butt", he said very casually.  I looked to the sky and whispered "thank you, thank you, thank you".  Kevin and I have since laughed together about that "phase".

    Back to this morning . . . I started buzzing the sides (you see where I'm going w/this?).  As I progressed I thought - wouldn't it be a hoot if  . . .  so I did, I gave myself a mohawk.  Not only did I cut a hawk, I took pictures.  Not only did I take pictures, I emailed a couple to Kev.  The email read, "Either you'll find this hysterical or I will have, once again, scarred you for life.  Love, Mom".  I'll let you know when I hear back from him. 

    My mohawk is now gone, along w/the rest of my hair, so it's done.  I tried on my wig - its fine I guess.  I keep reminding myself that this is temporary.  We all have to remember that. I'm back to my mantra - This too shall pass, just like the hawk.

    Wishing you a peaceful and s/e free weekend.

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited May 2008

    JulieC

    I had a panic couple of days a few days back. Each day at a time. It's amazing how much better one can feel a day later. Welcome. We are all going to get through and I can see where this group will be very helpful. My friend, Dottie, went through chemo a year ago and turned me on to you all. She and several of her groupmates just met in Orlando. So there are virtual vacations and there are celebrations as well.

    Nnmjohn, my hair will start coming out anytime after Thursday. My friend, Larry, will be my designated shaver.  I plan on shedding some tears, but I am intrigued by the idea of swimming in lots of cold lakes bald this summer. 

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited May 2008

    Hi, all---Let's see....where should I start?

    RanD, my infusion center has crushed ice.  During each of my tx's, someone has offered me a little can of juice and a cup of ice.  No one ever mentioned tht it might help with mouth sores, and I guess I'm skeptical.  I just don't think you could decrease the blood flow to your mouth that effectively by chewing ice or sucking on a popsicle.  It feels good, though, and we're supposed to drink a lot of fluids; so I always ask for the juice and ice anyway.

    For everyone who is burping or has the hiccups:  I had nonstop burping/hiccups during my first round of Taxotere/Cytoxan.  I also had terrible indigestion at that same time.  During round #2 I got the indigestion under control, and VOILA!  No more burping or hiccups.  For me, the key to the indigestion was a stronger med. Pepcid 2x/day did nothing.  My onco told me to try Prilosec (omeprazole, available OTC/generic everywhere).  The OTC label dose is 20 mg, but she said to double it.  That worked beautifully during round #2.  I had a little breakthrough indigestion during round #3, but Tums took care of that.

    Eddie, the Alka Seltzer story is funny.  Yes, as soon as I read what you were planning to do, that tune started bouncing through my head.  Effective branding for sure.  (OK, all together now:  "See...the...USA in your Chevrolet!")

    I never did buy any Biotene.  Once the mucositis/sore mouth develops (and that's inevitable on TC), I just swish with salt/soda water every few hours, as per my onco's instructions.  I also kept using my ordinary toothpaste--Colgate Total Advanced (something) gel.  It's fairly mild and non-abrasive.  I brush after each major or minor meal with Colgate and an extra-soft toothbrush.  I get an overall sore mouth and sore tongue, but after 3 cycles of TC I have yet to get a mouth sore.

    I admire those of you who have been able to stay with an exercise routine.  Between my sore feet and my woozy-headedness this cycle, I've been lucky if I could run up the stairs to answer the phone.

    Yesterday I drove to town and visited the department where I used to work.  It was a ground-breaking event--the first time I had gone anywhere since my hair fell out, that I was likely to be recognized.  I wore some hoop earrings and a "TLC" (35-inch) scarf that made my eyes look really blue.  I don't have the chemo makeup routine figured out yet, and I've always been a minimalist, so I suppose I looked pale.  It didn't matter, though.  Everyone seemed glad to see me and nobody acted weird.  Then I went grocery shopping; and by the time I got home and put the groceries away, my butt was dragging.

    JulieC, days 4-6 of each TC cycle are my absolute worst.  There are other yucky days, but those 3 days are, like you said, hard to describe. I did not know it would hurt so much.  It's not just from Neulasta/Neupogen--the Taxotere causes a lot of the achiness.  The good news is that you should feel much better by the middle of next week.  Are your treatments every 3 wks, or every 2 wks?  Mine are every 3 wks.  I was pretty much bald by the time I went for my 2nd tx.

    OK, that's all I can come up with.  I do think this stuff is cumulative--I am still feeling foggy-brained, and it's almost time for tx #4 (last one--yay!).

    otter 

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  • gogators
    gogators Member Posts: 39
    edited May 2008

    Eddie:

    I am doing TAC x 6.  So, I don't have another tx until 6-12.  I'm hoping that gives my poor mouth enough time to heal up from this mucositis and I can try to keep it from happening next time. 

    Tina

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited May 2008

    tina,

    I will be thinking of you on the 12th. Meanwhile, hope your mouth feels better. My husband just brought home a &*^%load of biotene toothpaste, mouthwash and gum. 

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited May 2008

    I gotta say, for all my whimpering and whinging about losing my hair -- baldness DEFINITELY has its perks.  Showers are so much quicker!!!!  It has taken me a week to get used to it.  

    Nancy, D-Day is actually June 6th (which I bet you knew). Which is MY birthday, the day before yours! (and two days after my Chemo #3). For some reason, I am oddly cheered by us sharing a birthday week.  I applaud your mohawk spirit. That's very typical of us Geminis, wouldn't you say?!  (??!!)

    P.S. TMI warning: I had sex for the first (and second) time without hair. "Foreplay" included me blubbering for an hour (snot streaming, courtesy of hairless nostrils, ALWAYS sexy):  "But I don't want to look like a girl who is trying to look like a boy! I don't want to look like a space alien!"  And him saying things like "Pleaaaase take off the stocking cap. I feel like I'm about to have sex with a prowler."  (He said a lot of other, nicer things. But mainly he just handed me Kleenex. I think I was scaring him.  What with looking like a prowler and all.)

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited May 2008

    Linda - -7 minute pace? WOW.  I don't think there's anything I can do in 7 minutes!  Wait! I can type! I can type about 600-700 words in 7 minutes!  (whew)

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited May 2008

    Otter - Thanks for the encouraging words.  I don't want to go through too many days like yesterday.  I'm feeling much better today.  My treatments will be 3 weeks apart.  I go on Thursday to get the WBC checked and then we will schedule the next tx.  Should be around June 17.

    Rock the Bald - It might have been TMI, but I loved the story and was laughing - glad my daughters weren't here to ask why I was laughing so hard.  Our 25th anniversary is Wednesday - may be the last chance before we are in the same situation.  My husband has a lot to look forward to.Laughing

    I read what everyone else is going throught and know I can do it, too.  I have to.  I don't want to lay around every day.

    Hugs to all,

    Julie

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited May 2008

    Rock,

    You crack me up! My hair came out in handfuls starting on Wednesday and got the Jamie Lee Curtis style today. My hubby loves it!I figure I'll be clean shaven by next weekend if it hangs on. Welcome Julie and it sounds like everyone is doing okay with their txs. So sorry I spazzed out about work the other day but how much drama does a girl need in her life?



    I was at the casino last night and had a couple of beers. Any idea how the Oncs feel about us tipping back a few? They didn't taste as good as they used too, but it sure helped me fall asleep.



    Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.



    Roxi

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  • robink
    robink Member Posts: 336
    edited June 2008

    Julie - welcome and I'm sorry your 1st trip to the chemo bar left you feeling so lousy.  What anti nausea meds does your onco have you on?

    Many of us take something (Zofran for me) around the clock for the 1st 3 days and also have another medication for break through nausea.

    As for the pain from the taxotere, my onco says take ibuprofen several times daily and take percocet if the pain gets severe.  He also advises L-carnitine (an amino acid) 500 mg twice daily for 7 days starting chemo day.  This is to help prevent or reduce muscle/joint pain and peripheral neuropathy.

    Otter - I'm getting those bumps on the back of my head.  Yesterday I wore a wig most of the day and wonder if it irritated the stubble on my scalp.

    Roxi - I liked it when my hair was 1/2 inch long.  It was kinda fun, in an odd sort of way.  My dh and I went out for margaritas and chimichangas last night.  It all tasted good!  My onco didn't completely restrict alcohol but advised minimal.

    Rock - way to rock the bald!  Between chronic health issues for dh and my current situation sex hasn't been happening here for a while.  I say go for it!!!

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited June 2008

    Here's A Toast to Otter

    And Treatment Chemo Number Four

    We All Raise a Glass of Water

    (Or Maybe Something Stronger

    Heck, It Might Help Us All Live Longer!) 

    And Say "May Otter Live Forevermore!!!!"

    Otter, I'm very happy for you. If I had it together, I would say this on the actual last day of your chemo but I don't want to risk this slipping my mind.  Honestly, I feel quite fortunate that I happened to overlap chemo with you.  The depth and breadth of your (reliable) knowledge is matched only by your warm and generous spirit, which you somehow managed to sustain even when you have felt like c**p.  Thank you.  I hope you live forever. Or at least for many, many happy and healthy more years. 

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited June 2008

    I am so glad that I am not the only one who has been burping!  At least the metallic taste is gone and food does now have some flavor. 

    Today is day 4, I feel pretty good, except for being tired. Slept most of yesteday, but did manage to get a couple loads of laundry done. No problems with the Neulasta shot so far.  The Zofran and Phenergan doing a pretty good job at keeping the nausea under control.  Taking Zantac for the indigestion.  Don't have a great appetite, hoping that will pass. 

    Have any of you had any "cravings"?  For some strange reason, I want baked spaghetti--I have never made it, and it probably wouldn't be the best choice of food right now, but I want some. 

    Ordered my wig and waiting for it's arrival.   Figure my hair will start falling out around the 12th or so.  Had my head shaved last week, (not completely, but close), so I'm getting used to the scarf/hat look.  

    Hope that everyone is having a good weekend! 

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited June 2008

    A lint brush (with the velvet, not the tape) can help remove loose hairs from a rapidly shedding shaved head. 

    Aveda toner (and moisturizer) feels great on a bald head. 

    Disclosure: After I sent Aveda Corp HQ a letter praising Bridget, the Aveda stylist who cut my hair and helped me find a wig and then styled it for me (at no charge), they sent me a toner, moisturizer, and cleanser and a really nice letter.  I liked their unpretentious approach before, but now, they have made me fans for life.

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  • nmjohn
    nmjohn Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2008

    Rock - I'm honored to share my birthday week w/you.  We'll have to have virtual celebration sometime next week.   I agree that the mohawk spirit is typical of Gemini's.  It's apparent you posses such spirit in addition to obvious strength, independence and the all-important unique sense of humor - all Gemini traits as well.  I laughed out loud at your snotty-nosed prowler sex story.  BTW, congrats for scoring.  You're advice about the lint brush is right on.  I decided to try that when between the cat and me we were clogging the Hoover.  It worked great.

    Linda - What an amazing accomplishment.  Running 7 minute miles is something to be proud of under normal circumstances - while undergoing chemo treatments, just amazing.  I was a regular runner until about 3 years ago when my achilles popped.  It eventually healed, but I'm still very wary of running, plus I'm just way old!  I always ran the Hartford and NYC Race for the Cure and my best time was around 26 min.  You'd obviously leave me in the dust!  I don't think anyone can dispute that exercise, in whatever form is comfortable, is a huge benefit through this process.  You should be very proud of yourself . . .keep up the good work!

    Roxi - The woman in the chair next to me, also her 1st tx , told  the onc nurse she had a very important and pressing question.  She asked when she could have a glass of wine again.  Donna (the nurse) laughed and said she could have some wine the following day.  I always loved a glass of wine w/dinner.  I was at a friend's the other night, had a couple of sips and I agree w/you, it doesn't taste nearly as good as it used to.   I haven't had a real hankering for it anyway.  That first really great tasting sip, when it happens again, will be a nice surprise.  And if it helps you sleep, all the better.

    I'm venturing out of the house today - I stayed in all day yesterday which is very unusual.  After the buzz cut I didn't feel like facing anyone or anything.  I'm in a better frame of mind today.  My son, Sean, is on his way over.  We're headed to the nursery and he's giving me a hand w/some yard work - should be a fun afternoon.  He's a big help and always manages to make me laugh.    Tomorrow will be interesting, the 1st day at work w/the wig.

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2008

    drchris, thanx for the kid news...last night Grace didn;t throw up, but she decided that she needed to sleep in our bed...so I spent the night on the couch.  But woo ooo...actually got in 5-6 hours of sleep.  The dd walks in while I am taking my morning drugs and complains that her dad snores so much she can't sleep....lol...welcome to my world!

    Stiill feeling really queasy this morning, but seriously, reading these boards takes the edge off as I sit and eat graham crackers, red white and blue goldfish and some ginger peach tea....

    Sent the whole fam to church this morning, then with a LONG list of to dos...sneaky way to get complete peace for a few hours...but it is more restful without all those cute little faces checking on my breathing, and tugging at the hair!!!

    will try another burping remedy nex tx...since pepcid does zip...and i will try the ALka Seltzer one later today after they get it for me....

    ranD

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited June 2008

    Women, I wanna run something by you.  (Did I ever have any idea how much I would come to value the insight and support of strangers? Wow.)  I'll spare you the details, but basically I wound up accidentally and publicly bald-bald yesterday (was helping set up for a party, room was hot, removed cap, and then had to run out for masking tape). And I lived.  That, and a couple other moments (e.g., my little sister in Alaska says there are 2 women in her office who underwent chemo and reported to work bald-bald and it was no big deal) made me contemplate the prospect of just not wearing anything on my head except SPF 70. 

    I am NOT saying that other people need to do this as well. I'm just throwing it out there.  What d'ya think? (And "enough with the hair already!!!" is a completely acceptable response!)

     Reasons I'm Going to Try to Rock the Bald:

    1. It's infinitely more comfortable than even the softest scarf.
    2. I can forget that I'm bald when I have nothing on my head to remind me.
    3. It's natural.
    4. It's not like I'm kidding people when I wear a hat/scarf.  
    5. It's a big step toward self-acceptance.
    6. It might make other similarly situated women feel more comfortable about their own hair loss.  (I know if I saw more bald women out and about -- and I don't just mean those who look like supermodels -- I would feel better.)  
    7. The world needs to get used to and accept the idea that some women are going to be bald, and that's okay.
    8. It will challenge existing standards for what is "feminine" or "beautiful."
    9. It will make the transition smoother when my hair grows back.
    10. It doesn't hurt anybody.
    11. It's not against the law.
    12. I have nothing to be ashamed of. 
    13. I'm curious.
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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2008

    Hi all,

    Yesterday definitely got worse before it got better.  The taste thing was too weird - I could not taste anything sour/tart.  I discovered that because I was having a constant "morning breath" taste, so decided to try a Jolly Rancher to perk things up...and it was almost sickly sweet!  Weird. 

    Had the abdominal cramping and other stuff on and off.  And last night, I didn't get actual sores in my mouth but it had an overall soreness/tenderness.  That could also have been from the popcorn.  Probably a bad idea.  Biotene helped. 

    Today is definitely better.  Nausea is down, although I will be refilling my Zofran (I only get 9 at a time), just in case.  My biggest issue today is **Warning - TMI ahead** (but not as much fun as Rock's TMI):  CONSTIPATION!  I can't seem to get anything "out" and feel like I'm pregnant again.  It took me almost an hour just to catch up on the thread because I'm in the bathroom every five minutes...waiting.  I've taken 2 doses of Miralax (Senecot gives me cramps) and still nothing.  Grrrrrrr. 

    Randie - My dh is at work all day today and I sent my oldest dd off with her friend to church.  So it's just me and the little one, who is a breeze by herself.  I could probably take a nap because she's watching a movie right now and is pretty enthralled. 

    Rock and Nancy - Happy Birthday!!  Have to say it now, before I forget...lol.  And it's my oldest dd's b-day on the 10th, so we're having her party on the 7th - wanna come?! 

    Otter - I hope your 4th and last (yay!!) tx is the smoothest yet. 

    And I love all the stories of those embracing their baldness!  I hope I am as brave as you all in a couple of weeks!!  Laughing

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  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited June 2008

    Mint gum, perhaps?

    There are also little bottles of Biotene Dry Mouth (a special liquid) that is easier to tote than the gallon jugs of Biotene. 

    Constipation:  Prune juice is all I got that worked in my arsenal.  (And eating more fiber before chemo...)  Rats. Cris.  That is TOUGH.  I had it for 2 days and Did Not Feel Like Myself. 

    Further proof that great birthdays are had in early June. 

    I think my reaction (24 hour meltdown) was anything but brave, but it was what it was. And now I'm okay.

    (I hope you're not reading this because you're sleeping.)  

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  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited June 2008

    As I prepare to lose my hair (I get it...no one can fully prepare) I am intrigued, as I think I have mentioned before, about swimming this summer in cold lakes and feeling that sensation on my bald head. Lake Washington is good here in August and I do really well in cold water . . . sooo...I am laying some hopes on that. Happy birthday to you June 1 babies. We are heading out to lunch with a friend of mine for her birthday today. I walked five miles this morning and am feeling quite accomplished though the laundry is still sitting in that basket downstairs. Anyone doing chemo this Thursday at all? If not, I am approaching the bar for round two on my own, but will be expecting the rest of you to toast me with wine, ice chips, ginger tea and anything that helps you through chem se.

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2008

    Rock - I found little "travel size" bottles of the Biotene which I think I'll stock up on.  And it did help my mouth issues.  I ate dried fruit yesterday (and the day before), but maybe the juice is better.  Sigh.

    I just called in my Zofran refill and when I walk over (Walgreens is literally across the street - that's one good thing!), I plan on getting some eye drops.  Had "crusty" eye this morning. 

    Nope, not sleeping.  Maybe later.  Mom came by and now she's back with lunch - she feeds me and it makes her feel better.  It's an Italian thing, even though she's not Italian!!  Smile

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited June 2008

    Hi, everybody!

    First, let me thank all of you for your encouraging words.  Rockthebald, you ROCK!  That was so thoughtful of you to write me a poem.  I'm even blushing.  No, maybe that was a hot flash...

    Your reasons to go bald-bald are very convincing.  Also, unless you photoshopped the pics you posted on your blog, you have a beautiful bald head.  Some women have just the right head shape, complexion, and facial features, to make them look intriguing when they're bald.  So, I say, go for it!

    Roxi, my onco said wine and beer were OK unless they messed with my stomach and added to my indigestion.  Even so, I've decided to abstain until I've finished chemo.  I figure my liver is being stressed enough by the chemo drugs and the drugs to combat the SE's of the chemo drugs.  I didn't want to add recreational chemicals to the mix.

    Cristine, you need to be really aggressive about the constipation.  It will make you miserable (just ask Angie27).  And be sure to keep drinking lots of fluids, so things in there stay moist. It's those sanity-saving anti-nausea drugs that cause the constipation for most of us.

    Gotta go--it's time to start working on supper.  I'll check back later this evening, before the Nat Geo "Stonehenge" special.

    otter 

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2008

    Evening all!

    Rock and Nancy - Happy Birthday!

    Cristine - I hope you can get some relief real soon.  That just sounds so miserable.  Have you considered adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil to a salad or a yogurt or something?  I know everyone has different ideas as to what might work, so this is just another idea.

    Roxi - Wow...I haven't had the nerve to approach a casino.  I could just picture me spraying all the slot machines with Lysol.  My husband doesn't even let me push the grocery cart when we go shopping together...lol.  On the beer/wine, my onc says no problem though he indicated I may not want it.  He was right to a degree.  The first week following chemo, wine tastes horrible.  But come week two it tastes just fine.

    DH shaved my head Friday morning.  He is such a trooper.  It feels so much better than having the loose hair falling out in large quantities and walking around with hordes of hair attached to my clothing.  And Rock is right...showers are so fast!  I do feel better about it than I thought I would.

    That being said, I'm not quite at the Rock the Bald state of mind.  I'm fine within the confines of my own house but not out in public.  Not yet.

    Now I have a cold to get rid of by Wednesday.  No matter how hard I tried not to get my sons cold, it just didn't work.  I assume if I'm not running a fever and my bloodwork is good that it won't be a problem having treatment.  I'm just glad I got it during my good week and not the few days following last treatment.

    Otter - I hope you enjoyed the Stonehenge special.  We are dvr'ing it and will probably watch it later tonight.

    I hope everyone had a great weekend.

    ~Adrienne

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