Topic: March/April Chemo T/C x 4

Apr 25, 2012 08:53 AM onvacation wrote:

Melrose - so glad the first one went smoothly!  Rest up, drink that water!

Apr 25, 2012 09:13 AM StayShiny wrote:

Way to go Melrose. Sounds like you had the royal treatment! Private room, private session, wig! I think I need to come to Houston. My place will give you a free juice + warm blanket. I thought that was nice but now I know what I am missing. My first time was the longest. Once they figure out how well you tolerate the drugs it will go a little quicker next time. Stay on top of those SE's. Like I mentioned above, day 3-5 have been my worst but everyone is different.

Apr 25, 2012 11:03 AM onvacation wrote:

Melrose - I love my vitamix!  where are you getting treatment?  I thought mine was nice, but yours sounds like the 4 season in comparison!

Apr 25, 2012 11:41 AM onvacation wrote:

Oh I hear that is nice!  I'm at oncology consultants on holcomb.  I do have a lovely view of herman park from the recliners.

Apr 25, 2012 11:47 AM onvacation wrote:

Yes!  I hope we can arrange a meetup with some of the other Houston ladies! 

Hope you feel ok after your treatment, get some rest! 

Apr 25, 2012 11:59 AM onvacation wrote:

Whip out that vitamix and make a smoothie!

Apr 25, 2012 12:24 PM onvacation wrote:

Melrose - I make a very healthy and tasty smoothie in my vitamix - it is called a glowing green smoothie - water, celery, cucumber, spinach, romaine, apple, banana and lemon juice.  It is very green!  My other fav is almond milk, protein powder, frozen blue berries, frozen banana and a big handful of spinach.  I haven't tried making any soups in mine yet, but that is on the list!

Apr 26, 2012 02:46 AM StayShiny wrote:

Kim, those smoothies do sound good and healthy. I make fruit ones often but need to start getting better about eating more greens. Seems like every anti cancer book talks them up. I wonder if my Kitchen Aide blender could handle the greens. How are those feet doing?

I am having a bad mood moment. Don't really know why. Just feel in a sad funk. Maybe it is the let down from tx. Can't seem to remember this happening last time but then again I think I had so many more appts that it kept me going. I think I need to soak up some sunshine if it comes out today.

Hope everyone else is doing well

Apr 26, 2012 06:45 AM onvacation wrote:

Stayshiney - the feet don't hurt today but now the little toe is a bit numb!  I tried to find glutamine yesterday at walgreens and couldn't find it - will check out whole foods this weekend.

janie - hang in there!  I know what you mean, I am generally an upbeat happy person, but I had one of those days yesterday!  I must say a little retail therapy helped me!  LOL

Hugs to everyone who needs one! 

Apr 26, 2012 02:07 PM Summer51 wrote:

Hi ladies.  Had my first TC March 22nd with a ton of SEs.  MO reduced my dosageby  20% for the 2nd round and it made a world of difference-minimal SEs.  Even the Neulasta seemed to have less pain associated with it.  Perhaps the Claritan helped the 2nd time around.

 Saw my MO today.  My red cell counts are dropping rapidly so she is trying to get my insurance company to approve Procrit shots.

I just read the side effects and I am freaking out.  The pharmaceutical company actually makes you sign a waiver before you receive the shot.  Want to make sure you know you are at risk for stroke, blood clots, heart attach and alerting you to the fact that "you may die sooner if  you are treated with Procrit".  Really???

If cancer doesn't kill me and I survive chemo and radiation, I still stand a chance of Procrit putting a nail in my coffin.

Has anyone heard of Procrit? Anyone try another course of treatment to raise red cell counts?

Any info you can provide would be helpful.

Diane 

Apr 27, 2012 12:38 AM Summer51 wrote:

Stay Shiny-Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Yesterday my RBC, HGB, HCT & PLT were all in the low range.  I have blood work done every Tuesday and Thursday and they have been slowly dropping.  My platelet count is down to 103-normal range is 150-390.

I'll do some research today and see what I come up with as far as alternatives go.

I see you are a triple negative.  Doctors are treating me as a triple negative. I'm ER-, my PR is only slightly+ (4%) and HER2-.

Are you doing rads and Arimidex after chemo?

Have a good day..

Remember "Yesterday is history...Tomorrow is a mystery..and Today is a GIFT"..Make the most of it!

Diane

Apr 27, 2012 01:23 AM slak wrote:

For those ladies looking for L-glutamine, I found it a GNC at the local mall.  It is in a big tub (powder).  I bought the 2 lb size and am a little less than half-way through it so I should have a little more than I need for 4 chemo sessions.  It was $70 but I got it on sale (just lucky timing).  If you don't have a GNC near you, try a vitamin/supplement store.  It is a somewhat uncommon supplement, apparently bought by body builders/weight lifters.

Apr 27, 2012 02:13 AM Melrosemelrose wrote:

Hoping everyone is doing okay and minimal SE's!!! 

Drinking water like crazy and burping like an old sailor.  The funky taste in my mouth is weird but seems to be better if I brush my teeth.  So I am brushing after every time I eat.  Last night's dinner was a "white" dinner--- everything was white colored--- a little baked fish, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese and a tampioca pudding.  Thank goodness for cafeterias since no way am I cooking right now!!!!!  My Vitamix blender arrived yesterday so as soon as I feel better, I'm going to start making smoothies and juices.  Something to keep me busy while I burp my way through chemo....

Have a good one everyone....... I really want to!!!!!

Apr 27, 2012 02:23 AM StayShiny wrote:

Summer51, Boy they sure do like to take your blood! Sounds like platelets are your biggest concern. It is my understanding that blood transfusions is a common way to bring those up. My mother had chemo for an extended period and when her platelets dropped that is what they did. Don't ever remember any kind of shot being recommended.

No further treatment in the plans for me after chemo. Yep, going to feel like I should be doing more. I had a BMX and clean margins so although I did consult with a RO, rads aren't necessary. Are you going to take Arimidex due to the slight PR positive?

Make it a great day!

Apr 27, 2012 02:34 AM Melrosemelrose wrote:

I got this Colgate toothbrush at Walgreens that is for extra sensitve teeth and has some little rubber nubbies to clean the tougue.  I'm using Colgate total toothpaste which leaves a really nice minty taste in my mouth.  I tried the salt/baking soda rinse yesterday and blah!!!  I almost would rather go brush my teeth a litle than suck on candy..... ok I'm a weirdo.... lol