Starting Chemo May 2008

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited June 2008

    Linda,

    "who stuffed my mouth full of cotton?  And what do I need to do to get rid of it?"

    "Biotene Moisturizing Mouth Spray for Dry Mouth Relief". I haven't needed it so I don't know how it works. It was one of the things from my chemo class list to have on hand through chemo. I do know that using the Biotene Mouth Wash along with Baking Soda, Salt Water has protected me from mouth sores. Good Luck with it.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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

    TMI ALERT TMI ALERT TMI ALERT TMI ALERT TMI ALERT TMI ALERT TMI ALERT

    The only reason I am posting this is in case someone else can avoid the experience altogether, or -- if you experience it -- you can be spared the horror. But it is not a post for the squeamish. Feel free to ignore it altogether.

    Woke up this morning, went to the bathroom, stood up and there was a (this is not an exaggeration) toilet bowl full of bright red blood. Apparently, "bleeding hemorrhoids" are a not uncommon side effect of A/C and the constipation brought on by antinausea meds.  I have been eating a lot of fiber, and drinking lots of water, but apparently, I need to take in more more more fruits and veggies.  I'm off to buy some Colace.

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2008

    Geez...are we not going through enough torture?!  I am so sorry to see that you are having even more issues.  How scary!  That would've given me yet another reason to cry.

    Definitely add some fruits and veggies, along with the fiber, water and protein.  Many fresh fruits and veggies will also provide you with a good source of fiber.  Canned fruit is totally acceptable if its easier.  More important that you get it in than it is worrying about fresh or canned.

    Besides what we get in our IV's and the Emend, are you taking other antinausea meds?

    I hope the colace helps quickly!  You deserve a good day and more.

    ~Adrienne

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  • EyesOTex
    EyesOTex Member Posts: 194
    edited June 2008

    hugs to all going through this hellish week.  Bali sounds like a winner to me, even though I am now not scheduled until July 7th.  I can't speack to taxotere alone as i had it along with the a/c, but the s/es just weren't fun.  this tx on the 7th may be my last one (i'm on cisplatin/gemzar) because at my last app't w/ the onc he said he can see it is really dragging me down (NAWWWW!!!).  So he offered to stop tx with 2 more left.  what should i do?  I dont want my kids to think i'm not fighting with all i've got, but...   he's scheduled a pet scan for july 16 to see if this has had any effect on my CA.  i guess that might answer the ?, huh?

    angelsaboveus, what a beautiful view.

    rock, funny, i had that happen this morning but not so much blood...there's never too much info when there's knowledge to be had.

    i have found out, i think, that zofran is not my friend, but i don't know what the answer is.  taking prilosec, phasyme, either reglan or phenergan...still feel like alien is trying to get out.  but zofran makes me goofier than normal, which these days is pretty goofy!

    i know there was more i wanted to say...but good luck to those at the bar today; hope your drink is mixed juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust right.

    eyes

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  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2008

    Hey all,

    This has been  really crappy 2 weeks here as well.  I am going in for my bloodwork in an hour....keeping fingers crossed.  BUT, I have spent the last 2 weeks feeling nauseous and overall cruddy.  Maybe it was the full moon......Plus, I now have to cross all fried foods off my list.  I get a quesy stomach and I swear I can taste the oil in the back of my throat.  yech....

    Tomorrow I join y'all in Bali...then its 3 AC down, 1 to go....and on to the "T" part of the tx....

     As far as my son goes, they released him yesterday, liver enzymes are still high, but going down and he sounded much better.

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  • EyesOTex
    EyesOTex Member Posts: 194
    edited June 2008

    ranD, that is good to hear about your son; hope his liver enzymes will continue to improve now that the hospital can't OD him on tylenol (kidding!).  keeping fingers crossed for your bloodwork and hope you have a good day in Bali.

    eyes

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited June 2008

    I passed my blood work and even really liked the substitute ONC- my doctor is on vacation in the Galapagos Islands with her dermatologist husband and two kids- so onward and upward to tx #4 tomorrow in Bali!

    Kristy

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

    Wow, you guys (a word used generically in this situation), there is enough sucky stuff going on here to qualify for a post on Traci's thread.  You do know about Traci's thread, I hope...

    For once, I don't have any advice about SE's that hasn't already been offered.  Bad eyesight, bleeding 'roids, cottonmouth, general yuckiness...  If I go back a page to pick up the rest, I'll lose my post.  Anyway, it sounds like most of you are either near your graduation date or are being promoted to the next phase of chemo.

    For those of you going on to Taxotere, it's so hard to predict what it will do.  My cocktail was Taxotere & Cytoxan, so I had the pleasure of experiencing Taxotere along with one of our favorite alkylating agents (think "mustard gas").  Taxotere causes some odd problems that are characteristic of the taxanes but quite a bit different from what you'd get with Adriamycin.  So, nausea is less likely to be a problem, but numb fingertips and peeling feet are possible, especially toward the end of the tx calendar.

    Bali?  I'm not wearing a bra lately, so no thanks.  Oh, you meant Bali!  I don't know ... I think I might rather go visit Deb C up in Alaska this time of year.  The king salmon run ended early, and the bugs are even worse than in Minnesota (or so I've heard), but it's a beautiful place that is so much grander than anyone in the "small states" realizes.

    otter

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  • Debbiem425
    Debbiem425 Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2008

    Hi everyone

    Just got back into town - wish I had been here for the venting and deleting.  When I am in the mood I will have to tell you a story or two about my mother (maybe they went to the same parenting class?).

    How do I get an avatar?

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited June 2008

    Well I am FINALLY a little better in the crying department- the substitute oncologist was great and my wonderful coworker sent me home today with a pasta casserole and a smiley gift- new washcloths in various shades of pink and a really cool bar of soap. She said she bought it a long time ago knowing that at some point I would need a feel better gift!

    I am currently making bar cookies for the nurses tomorrow- they smell great but I am staying away from them since I just finished my 90 minutes on the treadmill (60 morning minutes and 30 after work) - I definitely will NOT manage that kind of walking for the first 6 days after chemo so I had to get it in today!

    Fresno State just won the college world series in baseball- they are the lowest seeded team to ever win a National Championship in ANY sport- I dont have anything personally for Fresno- I think I just liked the under dog (go figure for someone going through chemo lol).

    Good Luck to all the Thursday and Friday Bali and Alaska visitors - hopefully I will make it back online this weekend but that is not always the case when Im high on steroidsm compazine and ambien for 3 days!

    Kristy 

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2008

    Wowwee!! Have I missed a bunch of sucky stuff!!  My dh is on vacation and has been living on the computer doing his online stock learning program. 

     But...I did my blood work today and was cleared for a "go" tomorrow, so I'm there with you Kristy and Randie and whoever else is up - sorry, couldn't keep up with the list this week!  Cry

    This probably belongs on Traci's thread, but I may not get there tonight, so my sucky week has been work-related!  Next week, I'll have the sucky chemo week and then I'll be all caught up!!  lol...

    I'll try to check in tomorrow afterwards...

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  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited June 2008

    Hi all,

    My final treatment of AC was Tuesday. All went fine, feeling good. I start Taxotere and herceptin in two weeks for four rounds. My SE usually appear later, day 4 or 5 so I guess it's just wait and see. Okay, I have one for you all. I noticed some swelling above my collarbone and asked my Onc about it. He said it probably wasn't a concern and just keep on eye on it. He attributed it to my expander. I actually have swelling under my arm near the expander as well. Of course, I'm worried my cancer has spread through my nodes. I'm tempted to see the Plastic Surgeon and see if I'm having any leakage or get his thoughts. I've asked for scans but they don't think it's necessary. Am I paranoid? I'm also going to a local support group of breast cancer gals tomorrow night. Never been to one, have an acquaintance that hosts it and has asked me to come a few times. Thought I'ld check it out. Good luck to the rest of the vacationers this week.

    Roxi 

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  • beachmom13
    beachmom13 Member Posts: 313
    edited June 2008

    The trip to Bali was great.  I missed out on some of the "fun" because the benedryl seemed to be a bit more effective than normal and I slept a lot.  This could also have been because my entertainment (dh) wasn't there.  His dd is here from CA and I felt like they should spend the time together since she got in yesterday and will be leaving Frid.

     We began celebrating last night with dinner out with my kids and his.  My ds has a new girlfriend and she came along with her 3 year old (boy have I forgotten how much energy they have).  I really think she loved my lack of hair.  Although I have wigs, I am much more comfortable in ball caps.  DS told her to take my hat off and rub my head.  This, along with "love bites" became her favorite thing to do. She'd rub and giggle.   If massaging/rubbing the head helps the growth, I should be in great shape.

     When I left the center the afternoon, the nurse gave me a big hug and said I had been one of her easiest patients (I hope she wasn't making me feel better).  I think she has been unbelievable.  I would reccommend my onco (who is good), just because of her.  She told me she wanted me to check in with here on my visits with the onoc so she could check on my hair growth and see how things are going.  I think I'm going to have dh make some his killer (the good kind) of molasses cookies to take to her. 

    I'm off to rads  on July 7 if the blood work is good, so I won't be making any more trips with you, but I want to hear about your visits.

     Hope everyone has a terrific week.

    Lee

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  • Gracie713
    Gracie713 Member Posts: 302
    edited June 2008

    Morning everyone!

    My bloodwork yesterday was normal-I am so glad that the WBC didn't drop like the last time, guess that the Neualsta shot is working.  Onc told me to still be careful.  

    The heat here is getting worse, along with the humidity-I'm not tolerating it like I used to.  Thank goodness for airconditioning.  

    Thinking about going back to work mid-July, after my 3rd treatment.  They will have to modify my job--I used to work 12 hour shifts, but onc says have to change to 8, so I will probably be doing a lot of paperwork--yuck!

    Hope that everyone has a great day--if you had a treatment this week, I hope your SE's are minimal. 

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  • Jeano77
    Jeano77 Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2008

    After tx #3 I also had the same feeling of being tired of the chemo . . . also to simply say "chemo" would turn my stomach a well.  It is comforting to know that I am not alone on this journey.

    Over the weekend, I discovered a lump on my 3rd rib, just off of my right breast (had a left mastectomy).  It was about 1" in size and visible in the mirror.  Spent the day at the doctors on Tuesday and discovered that I had lost enough weight that the visible lump was my rib.  I felt silly about it, but they commended me for noticing the change and having it investigated.  Scare avoided!  Whew! 

    Bald picture attached.  Lost lots more hair since it was taken.  I am holding my loyal chemo companion - my yorkie Sydney.

    Good luck to all going through treatment this week.  Jean

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2008

    Wishing an uneventful trip to Bali for Cristine, Kristy and Randie!

    YAY LEE!!!  WOOHOO!  I'm so happy for you.  I so can't wait to be done.

    Roxi - so glad to see that your final A/C treatment went so well.  Rock and I had a rough time with our #4....not sure why :(   No you are not being paranoid!  You know your body better than anybody.  If you have a concern, I say have it checked out until you are satisfied with the answers.

    Gracie - So glad your bloodwork was normal.  Neulasta definitely does its job! 

    We're finally getting Spring/Summer over this next week, here in the Seattle area.  Its about time!   I'm tired of having a cold head and nose.

    Rock - How are you doing today??

    I hope everyone has an easy day and that all of us who have had an awful week start to see some improvement. 

    ~Adrienne

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  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited June 2008

    Jean - so many of us can relate!  I found this morning that reading posts that had the whole word of the A in A/C (see can't even type it)spelled out made me skip right over the message.  It just makes me ill.  Silly maybe but totally real. 

    Don't feel silly about the rib lump!  Glad that you had it checked out and you KNOW that it is nothing.  We'll all carry these fears...probably forever.

    ~Adrienne

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

    I'm at work/my volunteer gig so this will be short.  But! I saw a podiatrist this morning about my feet/neuropathy issues. He took care of my cuticles, my callouses, my blisters, everything. He was really careful, too, because he knows my immune system isn't great.  He had several suggestions I thought I'd pass along here.

    1.  Don't go barefoot. Not even in my house. Wear "crocs."  My feet need arch support and protection.

    2.  He recommended wearing nylon socks when I wear sneakers. Nylon wicks away moisture better than cotton.  Thin socks are better than thick because socks can contribute to blisters on sweaty feet. 

    3.  Keep feet moisturized. They can pick up a lot of cracks which are then openings for infection.

    4.  He recommended a stationary bike or swimming as they don't require a lot of balance and reduce impact on my feet.

    5.  He gave me samples for some Voltaren Gel which may help if I develop a lot of foot pain. (I am going to check with my docs before using it) 

    6.  Never ever allow a salon to do my cuticles or soak my feet.  Let them paint the nails and nothing else. He's convinced that even the cleanest or most expensive nail salons are cesspools.  (He told me the last time I saw him, too, before I even developed bc.) Feet are esp prone to infections because the circulation is poorest.

    Jeano-- Great pic! And "whew" about the lump scare.

    CONGRATS to Lee and Roxi. ANd Roxi, my onco isn't keen on scans (for reasons that made sense when she explained it to me, but which fail me now!) and I respect that. But! I am a believer in having things checked out and followed up, ergo my trip to the podiatrist.  Where's the harm in having someone look at it and "record it" so that if there ARE changes...  Also, maybe a search (or posting a question/starting a new topic) of this website will yield some useful info.  

     Okay, I gotta go back to work. Cris, are you in Bali today?  I'm pausing to beam lots of positive thoughts to whoever is on the beach today...

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited June 2008

    Im back from the Bali beach- had a nie quick waitress this time- my total infusion time for TCH is 2 1/2 hours so I was there a total of 4 with the setup, dresing change etc - that was after it took an hour to get me started- so a 5 hours vist all together today.

    I took the nurses cookies so I got good treatment- I would anyway but I like the extra protection the cookies bring me! I take them to my onc and her nurse also- Its chemo so it must mean cookies - they all like that!

    I cut my ambien in half last night and am going to try that again and tomorrow nights- the nights I am on steroids- I felt a little less groggy this meorning when I got up so I am hoping that 1/2 ambien will help- I absolutely HATE the groggy feeling foe 3 days. I think I may still have some from the compazine but even a reduction would be nice at this point.

    My ANC was 7200 today, my 7 day check during this cycle (at the Herceptin visit one week after chemo #3, my ANC was 1900)- so it looks like Herceptin is really kicking in nicely for me. I think I will have it for the remainder of my chemos. So far I have avoided procrit and potassium IVS except for the first treatment where I totally crashed.

    My mental state seems to have returned - I mentioned to the nurse that I was depressed this cycle- she said that was normal and asked if I was taking anything for depression. Told her no and that I really didnt want too- just felt like it was the middle of the trip blues and for chemo #5 I will have the excitement of knowing there is only one more!

    Hope everyone has a great weekend and the other Bali girls come in as nicely as I have today!

    Kristy 

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2008

    I'm back tooooo!!!  Bali was lovely today and the beach was full!  I finished a little bit sooner today also than last time and feel slightly better (but I can't type, I keep hitting the "backspace" key) than the first time.  That could also be due to the fact that they reduced the Carbo by 20% (to keep the platelets from tanking - hopefully!) and the pre-med steriods by about 12% (I don't know why 12). 

    So, I didn't feel as "loopy" as I felt the first time, which is nice.  And I'm definitely going back in tomorrow for the f/u hydration, since I cannot be trusted on my own.  I'm preparing myself for the "hair thing" this time - it has definitely thinned, so I will be surprised if it can hang in anymore!

    My dh is going to be gone all day tomorrow, so that might be a little challenging as girls need to be picked up here and there.  But worst day was Saturday last time so I'm kinda hoping it stays that way.  And dh also decided he wants to go to a conference in Anaheim in 2 weeks, so we decided to take the girls on a suprise trip to Disneyland!  Woo-hoo!  (I'm just a big kid myself!)  The little dd hasn't been yet and she is going to be soooo much fun!!!  And Grandma gets to go too, but she'll be just as excited as them! 

     All in all, had a pretty good day.  I have missed my daily contact here, but since he's gone tomorrow, I'll have you all to myself again - heehee!  (O.K., maybe I am a little loopy...)

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  • tomatojuice
    tomatojuice Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2008

    Don't always post on here. Don't really know everyone, but would like to. Some of the names though are very familiar from other areas. Well yesterday was chemo #4. Doin fine so far. My Onc left to take up private practice in California. Will miss him, great guy, gentle, loving and funny.He told me to cut back on my steroids. Usually take one day before and day after. He said I don't need it. So I didn't take it today. So far so good. Two more trips and then rads.

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  • robink
    robink Member Posts: 336
    edited June 2008

    tomatojouic - hope you will be satisfied with whoever takes over you care.

    Cristine - glad you finally got your treatment.  Not that I wish this kind of stuff on people but dragging the end of this saga out is not something I want for any of us.

    Rock - you and your TMI alert made me laugh out loud!  Hope your _____ is healing. About the podiatrist, I've considered going to one as I have this funky big toenail that just keeps getting funkier.  I am actually hoping the chemo will kill off whatever is making it grow wierd.  Maybe that will be a good side effect!  I don't like the NO barefoot thing.

    Roxi - hurray for being done!

    RanD - sorry you've had two crappy weeks but good to know your sone is doing better.

    Otter - I wasn't familiar with Traci's thread so I checked it out.  Think I'll post here with my friends when I need to vent.

    Well, I'm off to bed.  Gotta take the 21 year old ds to the greyhound station at 4:30 am, he's headed to montana for 6 weeks.  $300 roundtrip compared to a $700 flight so needless to say the bus won.

    Robin

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

    RobinK-- Funky big toenail.  Walk briskly to your podiatrist!  While it doesn't work for everyone, there is this prescription she/he can give you that can clear it right up!  Lemme see... where'd I put it . . . Keralac nail gel.  (The bottle has a big label that says "50% urea" -- kind of an interesting addition to the medicine chest.)  I had nail issues after I dropped a television on my big toe. And then a futon frame.  But now (imagine a phony television announcer's voice): "After using Keralac nail gel, my nails are so shiny and healthy -- I swear I can see my own reflection!"    (Maybe your PCP will just write the prescrip w/o you having to see another doctor.)

    Cris -- Disneyland? YES. Just what the doctor ordered. 

    I hope everyone's travels -- to the oncos, Montana, and beyond -- are safe and rewarding this weekend! 

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  • angelsaboveus
    angelsaboveus Member Posts: 298
    edited June 2008

    To all my May travel companions hope everyone has a wonderful weekend 

    I am going to take this weekend and travel back in time and unplug from cancer and head to the cabin, no tv, no computers, just family and a good book. Canada day is on Tuesday so looking forward to the festivities and firework.

    Good luck to those who are still experiencing SE, hoping they are manageable, and those who can fill your weekend with rest and relaxation!!!! .....Innocent

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  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited June 2008

    3 down and hopefully only 5 more to go for me. Had #3 yesterday and I only got stuck once!!!!!!!!! <insert serious rejoicing here> Seems like they were missing the port all together and jabbing me in the muscle area!?!?!?! This time hubs stood and showed the lady how to insert it and it went in just fine wooohoo!

    Then the doc had to ruin it and say I might be on herceptin for a year! I thought he said before I would be done by september.... so he is having another test done to see if he can shorten it back down again. I really don't want to drag this on for that long. This sux.

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

    Angels -- ENJOY THE CANCER VACATION!  woo-hooooooooooo!

    Sable:  Congrats on the uni-sticking (I am doing that move where you put your fists together and then them around in circles while moving your shoulders in the opposite direction) and rats on the herceptin news.   That does suck.

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  • tomatojuice
    tomatojuice Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2008

    chemo#4 Nuelasta shot yesterday. Pains and aches all over-slight nausea. Can't seem to distract myself with anything.Having difficulty just getting past this day. Can't wait for tomorrow. Want to go out and walk around. Just feeling too sick.

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

    Tomatojuice, I'm so sorry. I hope it all lifts for tomorrow.  I have never appreciated having the energy and the wellness to just WALK AROUND the way I have over the past two months.  (Is taking Tylenol every few hours a possibility?) 

    I can't remember who suggested that I put drops in my eyes, (Adrienne?) but I bought some liquidgel for "severe" dry eye and it has made LOADS of difference.  THANK YOU. And my crocs arrived today and my feet are already happier to be attached to me.

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  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited June 2008

    Ok, I finally did it. Was going to do it last weekend but one of my daughters talked me out of it. Today my grandson called and said mom-mom, can I come over? He was just what I needed. I let him begin the head shaving party. It feels so much better, can't believe I waited so long. Found out I have a strawberry mark, lol. Here is a picture of Bryce cutting before shave. Ok, never mind, that didn't work.

    How do I put a picture from my computer into message?

    I am so glad that I let him share this with me. It turned what could have been a bad memory in to one worth treasuring. My new avatar is the results after his mommy shaved the rest.

    Enjoy the day, Karin

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

    Ummm, Karin, I am not just saying this because you spell your name the same way as my sister does, but -- being bald really looks good on you!  and "grandson"?  Huh-uhhhhhh.

    (i have never figured out how to post photos...I think it involves something called photobucket. Somebody somewhere on one of these threads tried to explain it, but I was too easily confused!)

    And you know what feels really good? Spraying skin toner on a bald head on a hot day. Yep!

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