Starting Chemo May 2008

Out of the mouths of babes......I have to share this because I laughed so hard that I cried.  I was talking to oldest DD this afternoon-she is staying with youngest DD who is 8 months pregnant with her 4th child.  Her youngest is 3 and is very possessive over Mom's belly--that is HIS BROTHER and only he and Mom will be allowed to hold the baby, (according to him)  I asked him if Papaw and Nana could hold the new baby when he gets here--HIS response--"Papaw can hold Brother, but Nana can't because her 'crazy hair' will scare Brother"  I haven't laughed so hard in ages.  This wonderful child has only seen me in my wig once, any other time I had a scarf/hat on.   I'm not sure if it was the wig itself that got to him or the fact that I could take off my "hair".

Taste buds have went somewhere--food either tastes 'funny', or has no taste at all today.  Hopefully they return tomorrow.   I agree with everyone about dreading the next treatment--when I think about the fact that I have 8 more to go I just cringe, but I know that it is all necessary if I want to be around to watch my grandchildren grow up and they are sure growing up fast!  (I'll have 7 grands when "Brother" gets here)

Hope that everyone has had a good weekend. 

Okay, I think I am back to the living. Spent the whole weekend sleeping and am feeling a little less wonky.  This tx really hit me harder, plus I have a sore throat this morning which means mouth sores...yech....rushing to Biotene right now....

On the plus side, a lot of the smoke is gone, so hopefully a nice outside walk can happen....

I am starting this week with a positive attitude....3 down, 5 more to go  37.5% done...besides I now am a proud member of the bald-bald club...hats are for the sun block only...yippee....

randie

Hey GUys - I wouldn't mind knowing if you guys are from Canada or US.  I think there is probably - definetly - a difference in treatment plans - my "cocktail" is CEFCyclophosphamide, Fluorouacil and the last one - I lost the sheet starts with an E - its red and its the one that makes your hair fall out.

I was diagnosed April Fools Day!  My treatments started June 2 so I hope its OK to be in the May group!  I had every side effect mentioned that first round and was told that that will happen.

My biggest advise to anyone - eat lots of fruit and protein before the treatment and right after.  I think what gives me the most trouble is the anti-nasea drugs - I get severly constipated and ended up in Er.  THat was probably the worst experience ever.  The good side - I lost 7 pounds!

My friends make meals for us that first week - the problem is that they are meat and potatoes or lasagna meals - the first 2 days after treatment - I would just eat what people gave me as I didn't have the enregy or thought process to care.  After going through this agony twice (yup I am a slow learner!) I am setting up a diet plan my family is responsible to give to me!  I have 4 boys - only three now at home and they range from 10 to 23. 

I live in Red Deer Alberta - I have to have 6 treatments where all you guys have mentioned 4 - just wondering why the difference!  I like 4 better!

Thanks Adrienne - I do try to drink lots of water - my falling grace this last time is that water tasted so bad I probably didn't drink as much as I should have - will probably try watered down fruit juice or try to make my water really cold!

I get to have 6 treatments every 3 weeks.  My problem right now is that with my hand and arm swollen from the last treatment and the vein in the crool of my elbow - can't get a needle in - not sure what the next plan of attack is!  I just know I am going to ask for an adavan before they come near me!

Sue Red Deer Ab

Hi Ladies,

I love you all!  I have the computer to myself for a while as my oldest dd talked her dad into taking her and a friend swimming and then to the movies this afternoon!  Woo hoo for me!!  Little dd is a grandma's and banned from home as she has a runny nose today - we are NOT sharing germs!!

The edema was better today in the foot (but weird?) and I did go into work for a few hours.  I have noticed I was/am much more fatigued this time around (I hear you, Randie).  Couldn't do anything yesterday to save my life and the only thing that tasted good were salty corn chips and Taco Bell!!

Randie - I also hear you about the air quality issue.  We are not far from the Monterey fire and there have been some eerie afternoons when the sky was much too gray-ish.  Yuck.  It is slightly better today.

Eddie - I thought about your post when I got to work this morning (well, it was 11:00 - ha!) and said "I'm just gonna do this and get through it, because I will."  I have to walk about 1/3 of a mile to get to my office from the parking lot and that seemed like a reeeeaaaalllllllyyy looooonnngggg way this morning.  But I did it and walked back to my car later (I did not stay the whole day) and lived to tell about it. 

Who's up for this week, by the way?   I know I have thoroughly lost track of that and it will probably be the same next week, as we will be in Disneyland on Tuesday.  This is what happens when I can't post for long periods, rambling nonsense...

Eddie - I hope you are feeling better today!

You know...I don't think anyone has picked a location for this weeks trip.  Where shall we go??

Sue Peet,  I am actually from the June group and I live in Canada.. Brampton, Ontario actually.

 I like to read the May ladies because they have some great advice and lots of postive feedback.

I am on the same cocktail as you.. FEC for 3 sessions and then Taxotere for 3 sessions.   Yes, the red one  (the red devil) it is a bit nasty.    Actually I have gone through 2 treatments so far and you can make it through it.   

I agree with the fluids being the biggest thing to keep everything in working order and getting rid of the stuff quickly.

YOu can always checkin with the June 2008 group as well.  Sorry to say, there are a lot of us over there as well.

Karen

SuePeet,

My friend, Nanette, is an oncologist. She just became a US citizen (after living here forever) as she needs to vote for Obama. Anyway, she said the Canadian protocol is different. We still want you on our thread. We have other Canadians and you all can get a few more as we are always interested in hearing about one another's cocktails. I promise I won't post a superlong post anymore, but see what happens when you get me going? Okay, I am up on Thursday for my last A/C. I think we need to go somewhere a little cooler so I vote for somewhere with waterfalls....perhaps Victoria Falls on the continent of Africa . . . somewhere in the middle -- I can't remember where. We could safari at the same time although that might be hot. If that's too much, there are nice waterfalls in Hawaii, but they are probably too dry right now. Maybe we could head to BC in honor of our Canadian friends -- I bet Kamploops area has some beautiful falls. It has to be somewhere warm but where when the mist comes off the waterfalls it feels good. I do feel better except for the (*&^ headaches. Went to yoga today...yoga for cancer ..it's free and it's very cool. You can just go and snooze if you like. That's it. Our younger son, Adam, heads for camp for a week tomorrow on the San Juan Island of Orcas....we could go there too. I know Adrienne is probably up this week, right? Talk to you all soon. 

(Sssshhhh. Don't tell anybody but I am afraid of chemo on Wednesday. It's my first Taxol. Plus, the last time my vein swelled up like a marble and they had to try another vein, so I'm anxious about that. Also, blood counts given my earlier issues. I've decided to go by myself and have a friend pick me up later. I'm not panicking. I'm not losing my s***. I am just scared and I am not used to being scared.  Mum's the word, okay, people?)

ROck... from what I have read of your posts - you are a very strong person - I know you will get through this!  Being a Canadian - our treatments are usually 6 treatments of chemo then radiation for 5 weeks.  Your protocol is different - would you mind expalining what Taxol is?  I think you should take your neighbor with you!  SHe will definetly keep your mind off being scared - you'd be too busy laughing!  Good luck to you!

SuePeet,

Here is a link to a place on this site that discribes the chemo drugs.

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/how_it_works/drug_classes.jsp

Enjoy the day, Karin

Roc,

Searching for a way to refocus your fears and make you laugh I ran across this. Think I might give it a try next Wednesday when I go in for my 3rd.

<<When you're at chemo and go to the bathroom, dance with your IV pole all the way there. When you see someone else getting up to go to the bathroom, get up and race them. Generally, most chemo patients are older, this makes it easy. I've been very successful at this, I've only lost once so far but I was racing a young person and she had a head start. Plus I think the benadryl slowed me down.>>

Enjoy the day, Karin

What is WITH me? As soon as I read you guyses posts I get a bit teary. It makes a big diff having people who are going thru chemo say what you're saying. 

Karin -- "Dancing with my IV pole" sounds like a great title for a book. (Did you see the post from the woman who literally did a pole dance with hers? Hysterical. Wish I wasn't blanking on her name.) 

And Adrienne -- EXACTLY. 3.5 HOURS being infused? More steroids?!  Allergic reaction possibility?  Plus, I can't help but feel that my "luck" is going to run out sometime. Even though that is completely illogical. We will get through this. A certain amount of dread is natural, and certainly understandable. Especially when the drug is labelled: "Fatal reactions have occurred in patients despite premedication."  It's almost funny!

You know what? I am a woman of action. I've decided to put in a call to the onco nurse and find out exactly what pre-meds I'll be getting, and ask them for more details about what to expect.

Okay, I did that and I feel muuuuuuch better. (I also learned that I like the Tuesday onco nurse a little better than the Wed one because she volunteers MUCH more info.) 

My pre-meds will prob be: Decadron, Benadryl (will make me super-sleepy which is why someone should pick me up), and Zantac. Afterwards, I'll still get Neulasta, but no Amend or Decadron.

Since I'm already having some neuropathy issues, the nurse recommended I ask Dr. T if she would write me a prescription or two for the foot pain, etc. in case it worsens.  She said I might expect more fatigue than I have had thus far. 

Whew. I feel better. 

Rock - say it isn't so!  More fatigue??  OY!  That is what I'm trying to get away from.

Rock: we all have bad ones, right? just remember that we are all here pulling and praying for each other.

My pity party?  I couldn't go to the fair this year so I missed funnel cakes: 760 calories, 44 g of fat, or 3 1/2 hours of walking to move it off of me....still, I WANT ONE !!!!!

lol,

randie