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CMF Question

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Comments

  • Janina
    Janina Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2010

    Thanks again for everyone's input.  I do appreciate it!!

    My neighbor is a licensed hairdresser and told me to try TheraPro MEDIceuticals for my hair (thinning).  She said that she has seen many use it when they have had thin hair, burnt hair from overprocessing, etc and after just 2 weeks their hair looked beauitful.  I looked it up online before having her pick it up for me at the supply store.  It is made for thinning hair.  The average price is about $18/bottle.  I got the shampoo, conditioner and the Cellagen Follicle Stimulator .  I am going to start using it now (I'm only 4 days post 1st CMF).  The 3-piece kit is $49 online.  Here is the webside:

    http://www.theraprohair.com/

    Ladies,  I know some of my remarks about my hair and weight may seem vain...I am not trying to sound this way.  I am still in shock over the entire cancer thing.  I think I juast want to maintain "me" so not to see the cancer (hair loss, weight gain, etc.).  I am really a "down-to'earth" person...just trying to grasp all this.  Thanks to you ladies, you have made it much easier!

  • Judy1973
    Judy1973 Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2010
    Janina....I'm gonna go out on a limb here and speak for most of the women on this board and say NEVER apologize for feeling anything...be it VAIN or anything else.  We get it!  I don't want to gain weight either and I'm SO annoyed that it might be out of my control (as I am a definite control freak).  I think we're all, like you, just trying to find a way to make the negatives of all of this feel a little less negative...trying to make you feel better and ourselves!  Hugs to everyone!Smile
  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 291
    edited February 2010

    CurlyGirlNY, I did not have the Neulasta shots during treatments, which thankfully, I am DONE :) but the pain is probably just an accumulation of all the meds that built up in my system.  I am doing much better the last few days.  Still quite tender under the breast area (between my bottom on my breasts and where my stomach starts).....lots of bloating and puffiness....really tender to the touch but that's even a little better today.  Just hoping that it continues to improve as this stuff moves on out.  The hair thing.....I did have quite a bit of shedding but only myself and hairdresser noticed.  My worse shedding came after treatment #4 but remained pretty steady with even the last two treatments.  Seems to be getting better now.  Can't speak for you and am certainly not trying to but I had those same feelings about cutting my hair short and am happy that I waited.  Again, not trying to encourage or discourage you to do things one way or the other but do whatever will make you feel comfortable because only you know that but I'm just really happy that I waited.  If you have more treatments then I would probably invest in the Nioxin products and use them through the rest of the treatments and a few weeks after (which is what my cancer center advised)......just a thought.  Good luck and I know how hard it is not to worry.

    Janina, I agree totally with Carol (golfer779) and it really is all about getting healthy regardless of the weight gain, hair loss, etc.  None of it's fun or easy but it's certainly better to be healthy.  I for one am not happy about the weight gain since I was unlucky and gained quite a bit but I know that long term it was for the best.  I will lose this weight just like all the other wonderful ladies and if you're one of the unlucky ones and gain, then you'll lose it to because that's what we have to do :)! 

    Carol, hope you're still doing well........

    Merilee, you doing ok?

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited February 2010

    Cabmom

    I am doing very well thank you. Half way done and still feeling strong Whoo hoo!

    Janina- No apologies needed , we so get it! Cancer sucks, Chemo sucks, Side effects suck and there is a big no fair factor. All you can do  is take the best care of yourself that you can. I highly recommend the self spoiling as it is so working for me LOL. I thought about what I would do for my mother or daughter if they were in Chemo and have been doing all those wonderful nice things for myself. I think it has become a habit now and I have no plans of stopping when chemo is done.

    I like to think of it as a happy, long term, side effect LOL

  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 486
    edited February 2010

    On hair and vanity, please don't apologize Janina. One of the oncologists I consulted said to me that if a woman came into his office and said she was not concerned about losing her hair, he would know there was something seriously wrong with her (apart from BC). I had AC before CMF and had total hair loss. I was told it would happen at about two weeks and it happened on Day 16. At least then it was over with. In some ways it seems worse with CMF and you're left wondering whether it will happen or not or how much will it thin, and how can you disguise it. Once I got over the intial days of crying at my hair loss, I found it quite liberating. I'll tell ya, it makes it a lot quicker to shower in the morning. And one rub of the towel and my scalp is dry Smile.

    My liver enzymes were normal during chemo (and before) but have become elevated after treatment. The bloodwork I had this week showed elevated levels of AST and ALT. The radiation oncologist says she has seen this before in CMF patients. Wondering if anyone else on this thread has experienced this?

    CurlyGirl: love your new photo. 

  • golfer779
    golfer779 Member Posts: 410
    edited February 2010

    Janina, trust me gal .... just getting through a diagnosis and subsequent txts is more than the average bear will ever have to endure.   No way would anyone of us ever think of you or any of us as being vain  ... just trying to deal with the cards we've been dealt.  With your positive attitude and zest to stay healthy I truly believe you are going to cruise through your txts.   Remember lots of H20 !!!

    Mary, can't say I've experienced any big changes in bloodwork from txt time to now (I finished my 6 mo of CMF in June 08).   Only increase would be my cholesteral (probably from Femara) and I just introduced Fish Oil to my pill box !!!

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited February 2010

    One week and one day out from #3. I was tired yesterday but feel great today. I have a massage schedule for this evening.

  • Judy1973
    Judy1973 Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2010

    Well, I think I may have to accept that Decadron is more my friend than my enemy.  This week was much easier on me than previous weeks as far as exhaustion and nausea.  Actually, I felt pretty great almost the entire day each day.  We were SLAMMED here with snow, so we've been going out and shoveling when we can and thank Goodness my husband was able to repair our snowblower, so he was able to go out and do that instead of back-breaking shoveling today.  It is safe to say we have over 2 feet of snow.  Schools were closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  It was still snowing this morning, but it FINALLY seems to have decided to give us a break.  We can only hope it lasts....which is what I'm hoping is true of my much milder "chemo week", as I so affectionately call it. 

    Hope those of you still feeling some ill effects continue to improve with each day and those of you feeling strong and great...keep it up!  LOVE hearing that! 

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited February 2010

    Egads! 2 feet you poor thing. I am ready for spring!

  • colleen1960
    colleen1960 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2010

    Hello All - I have not been on in such a long time.  I see so many new names on this thread, I am sorry that you have to join us, but this is a great place to get and exchange information.  I am doing pretty well.  I finished my tx. (CMF every 10 days for 80 days) one year ago this month.  When you are going through the treatments you feel like it will never end, but believe me it does end and before you know if it will be a year.  I have been feeling pretty good, I still get tired easily, but otherwise I am doing great. It was great to catch up on so many posts and for everyone going through treatment now I wish you well and remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

    Rita, Mandy & Carol - So glad to see that you guys are doing so well.  I am so hoping that spring is just around the corner.  Way to much snow this year.  Just got another 14 inches or so yesterday.  We need sun and warm temps.

    Hugs To All,

    Colleen 

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2010

    Colleen: Congrats on your one year anniversary.  It hardly seems possible that time has gone that fast.

    Hugs to all.

  • js37
    js37 Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2010

    so a month in to the cytoxan pills & 4 mf treatments later - meat makes me feel "ick", vegetables outside of asparagus don't taste good, and the only thing i really want to eat is fruit - as in strawberries, blueberries, oranges, pineapple & grapefruit.  could care less about anything else. thankfully yogurt still tastes good.  have no taste or want for "carbs" though - except english muffins.  i've been trying to keep my protein up by snacking on laughing cow cheese and almonds, but the cheese is starting to not taste good to me either.  i guess i should be thankful i haven't turned into a sugar carb eating machine, right?

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited February 2010

    JS

    Ezekiel bread company make an english muffin that is packed full of protein. Its made with sprouted grain. Put a little organic butter and some buckwheat honey on it and have it with a  glass of juice and you have a very nutritious and delicious power packed meal. The other thing I use is a protein powder called Perfect Meal by Garden of Life. I mix mine in the blender with organic milk. It comes in chocolate and Vanilla. Very tasty and nutritious for those days when the appetite is low.

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited February 2010

    JS:  Between your almonds, fruit, asparagus, yoghurt, and english muffins, your diet is quite balanced though probably a little low in calories.  So just keep eating and don't worry about it.  I have been a vegetarian for years and my diet became quite unbalanced during chemo.  Nevertheless, my counts were fine (which surprised my onc since she thought without meat, I'd be the first to have bad counts).  I found that I could not eat my usual foods and like you ate alot of fruit, especially pineapple and grapefruit, and less protein than usual though for some reason I had one medium boiled egg every morning for breakfast.  If you are losing alot of weight, perhaps talk to your onc about whether you need to take one of those shakes that Merilee suggests.  Otherwise, don't worry--when you are off chemo, your normal tastes will return.

  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 486
    edited February 2010

    js37: I had a problem with meat too. I occasionally ate chicken toward the end of the treatment cycles but rarely ate red meat. The proteins I still ate were eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt. Have you tried beans? they are a good source of protein too.

    Please don't force yourself to eat a particular food as you may end up with a complete aversion to that food and never want to eat it again. 

  • js37
    js37 Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2010

    maryny - i did that with chicken early on!  it was one of my first mf treatments, i came home and my guy had ever so sweetly made chicken parmesean for me where he baked the chicken, and ever since then, chicken has just been yuck. :) 

     merilee - i love ezekial bread! i didn't know they did english muffins though, i'll have to look for them.  i've been afraid to buy it though, because when i read the ingrediants it either has flax seed in it or sprouted soy beans, & i don't know if sprouted soybeans are okay.  although the natureopath did say whole soybeans were fine so i don't see why it wouldn't be.  i hate milk, so the shake idea is out, although i guess i could use almond milk.  

    mandy1313 - there is this dried soup mix that i love, called tuscan white bean, but i don't remember which brand.  i buy it and then add a bunch of fresh vegies to it like kale, tomato & zuchinin, then would add some sort of meat to it as well to make it like a super soup meal.  but the idea of it hasn't been appealing lately. maybe i'll try again without the meat and see if it tastes better.  

    i haven't lost a lot of weight, only about 5 pounds. i think because those dove chocolates in the evening still taste good. ;p 

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Colleen.........so good to see a post from you and to hear that all is going well!  WOW!  It's your one-year anniversary!  Now........on to MANY more!  Come back and post more often.  I've missed you!

    Rita

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited March 2010

    Blood counts the morning were excellent. Better than before Chemo. That neulasta shot realy worked.

  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 291
    edited March 2010

    Hi all!  Hope everyone is feeling well!  I am feeling really well and still can't believe that I'm finally through with chemo.  I hope it also passes by as fast for everyone else that is on it right now.  Gearing up and getting ready for radiation........

    Merilee, happy to hear that your blood counts were good and thankful that the Neulasta shot didn't hurt you! 

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited March 2010

    Cabmom: glad you're feeling good again.

    Merilee: you are amazing. So glad that your blood counts were good.

    Hugs to everyone in treatment now (and to everyone else reading this too).

    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Merilee.........yea on those blood counts.  I was one of the lucky ones, too.  The neulasta shots didn't bother me at all and did the trick!  You're doing great!

    You other gals can use cabmom and Merilee as your models!  They are truly inspirations!

  • Judy1973
    Judy1973 Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2010

    WHOO HOO for good blood counts and feelin' good...let's hope it lasts for all of us.  I had my chemo followup & blood draw today and my counts were also good, so still no Neulasta shot for me.  The phlebotomist said she'll have to find a new vein soon, though, because my poor lil' arm won't take much more.  I think it needs a rest.  They might have to go with my hand for the next round of chemo and blood tests...we shall see.  She just felt bad, like she was hurting me, although she really wasn't.  She's great at her job!  My onc mentioned that I could literally be doing rads and tamoxifen at the same time as chemo, but he doesn't like to.  He wants to KNOW what potential side effects might be stemming from and with all that going on, it would be hard to figure that out.  I'm fine with that idea.  As much as I want to be DONE, the idea of doing chemo and rads AND starting tamoxifen all at the same time does NOT appeal to me. 

    I hear you all talking about all these great foods on here and I always think, "Man, I wish I LIKED that stuff."  I actually found a yogurt today that I like (Activia vanilla with cereal).  If you knew me better...you'd realize what a HUGE accomplishment that is!  LOL!  

    Hope everyone continues to feel strong and healthy!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Judy.......I'm with you on the foods.  I was a meat and potatoes gal and just ate the easily home-grown veggies or basic salads.  I've tried to cut back on the sugars (which feed cancers) and eat more green, leafy veggies, but it's been hard for me, too.  A good hamburger is really one of my favorite foods!   LOL

    Hang in there.  The nutritionist at my cancer center said to change your diet very gradually.  If you do a complete diet change, you'll probably not be able to stick with it and will revert back to your original eating style.  Gradual is good!

    Rita

  • labarbera2006
    labarbera2006 Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2010

    Hello

    I had my second recurrence in January.  I had to have my implant, the tumor and a 25 node dissection.  I also decide to have the other breast removes at the same time.  I am recovering great from sx.  I just started a regiment 6 CMF chemo txs yesterday.  It went as I expected, not any nausea as of yet, but last night did have bad lower back and legs aches.  What can I expect on day 3 or 4?  I had TAC first time and by day 3 I was pretty sick, but it passed in about 72 hours.  I also have Menerier's Disease so I think some of my side effects are simply from the effects of the tx. 

    Thank you for listening.

    Labby

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited March 2010

    Hi lababera

    I think you will find that if you stay on top of your nausea meds for a few days you will continue to feel pretty good. I drink lots of water and I think it helps. I buy myself flavored water so that I am more motivated to drink it.

    I have had 3 of my 6 treatments and so far I have not had to take any time off work.

  • labarbera2006
    labarbera2006 Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2010

    Merlee, nice to meet you.  Thank you for your reply.  Glad to hear you are doing so well with your treatment.  I really think the only issues I may have with CMF is it effect on my Menerie's, other than that I fell like I will do much better than with TAC the first time.  Again looking forward to getting to know you better.

    Thanks

     Labby

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 734
    edited March 2010

    Thanks Labby

    This site has been a great support for me and I hope it will be for you as well. Heres wishing you a complete healing this time and and easy time of it on top of that.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited March 2010

    Labby,  I am so sorry that you have to make this journey once again.  I think you will find the
    CMF a little easier on you.  There were times after the CMF treatments that I had no side effects and sometimes on the third and fourth day, I just felt a little "icky" and out of sorts.  Then I just took a nap or rested, but for the most part I maintained my usual schedule.  Everyone is different but the CMF is very doable!  Be sure you drink plenty of water afer your treatments to wash the chemicals out of the body.  We will be here to "cheer you through the treatments."  Come and post often and remember that no question is silly.  We've probably all asked that same question many times, so ask away if you need to as you mark these treatments off your calendar.  We've officially adopted you on this thread!   LOL

    Rita

  • js37
    js37 Member Posts: 47
    edited March 2010

    labby - cmf has been a breeze for me so far!  i take a cytoxan pill every day & just finished my 5th mf i.v. treatment.  i usually feel a bit "ick" the night of and the next day, but nothing terribly bad or unmanageable at all.  water is key i think.  i drink 2 liters a day.  but i'm a big water girl.  and i walk 5 days a week.  it helps.  

    so now i'm having them call i.v. nurses to start my line.  but the annoying thing is, even though i tell them, don't try to get it in my forearm, they look like they are big veins but they're not - the first nurse of course wanted to try.  i let her - because really, it's like training them every freaking week but if i get her again she'll know better.  so then she pages a second i.v. nurse whose been doing it for something like 30 years, and she went for the hand & got it in first try.  the ironic thing is, my veins are small, but on my right hand - the one they don't want to use - the veins are so much better & actually will "puff up" like they want them too.  oh well.  it is what it is.  

    so my blood work came back from the monthly work up they do - and despite taking 4000 iu's a day of vitamin d3, i was still at 28, which is 2 points below the minimum of 30...got to love seattle's constant lack of sun...so i'm upping it to 6000 iu's a day & told my guy we need a week in kauai stat. ;p 

  • labarbera2006
    labarbera2006 Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2010

    ritajean

    Thank you.  I am glad I found this thread.  I am feeling pretty good.  I am staying as upbeat as possible.  I think the chemo is going to be easier than last time.  My surgery was the hardest on me.  So each day I am getting better and I have a strong suuport system around me.  I am looking forward to getingt to know you.

    Take care

    Labby

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