Tips for getting through chemotherapy
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coni is your tongue white? my was really bad thrush the diflucan does not work well for me they gave my a mouthwash called nystatin that worked great.0
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Yes they did nothig and fluconazole also Mylan is like antiviral nothing works! Nyastin makes me nauseous i can't gargle at all I just drink it as if it was med I can't I just can't gargle... My throat also hurts and feel like I have blisters I don't see then but can feel it dosent help that I get hotflashes and acid is Sooo bad
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can you just swish it around your mouth you don't have to gargle my instructions were swish and swallow
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I'll try that for this chemo tomorrow I'll start today I'm drinking So much meds I have a schedule lol
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Hey Coni,
So sorry to hear about your troubles. I didn't really ask my onc for permission to take the Nux Vomica, she only told me no grapefruit in any form (as it intervenes negatively with the chemo meds) and gave me thumbs up for homeopathic treatments. She even recommended me to go see an acupuncturer and get as much help as I could the natural way. I know that stuff is kind of big in Canada too, maybe worth a shot? Maybe to go see someone that could help you, not only acupuncture style.
Apparently, if you take too much of a med (especially antifungal ones) you easily get immune. Maybe you can try another component/brand, that's what my pharmacist told me once when I was having problem with yeast infections. I had this non-balance in my body for ages (white tongue and bellyaches), and then my gynecologist simply prescribed pro-biotic pills; no more thrush on my tongue nor yeast infections since a long time. But we're all different...
Ick! I guessed moonface had something to do with steroids, I only get Zophren (anti-emetic steroid) in my IV. Docs say I can take other steroids to make all nausea go away, but just the word steroids makes me flinch. Your 'normal' face does come back though? Right? I know I'm swollen after chemo, but it subsides from day five normally. This time I got a new side effect though, (hooray) my legs are like superachy, and I'm not even on taxanes yet...The onc told me cramping is normal though...So I'm walking about, drinking water and riding out the storm...But no flames in sight with the new med I got, hehe (knock on wood).
Hope your third went well. XO
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Bump
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I remember those wrist bands from my sailing days. They work. So does ginger for about 80% of people. My food co-op has a drink called ginger soother. It is a strong flavor but I like it and it works for me. I am on day 4 after 1st AC treatment. Lucky to have great support. Good posts, very helpful.
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Bump for a newbie
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Thanks thefuzzylemon!
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You got it
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Ladies,
I have a question concerning FEC. Could your hands and feet get like supercold for a couple of days and then turn burning hot? My feet are the biggest problem, I expected this to happen on Taxotère, not now. I try to walk about 30 minutes everyday, because my left calf is sometimes screaming of pain, reminding me of bad blood circulation and the hours standing up at work. But whatever I do, my feet (even when I wake in the morning) are mostly red and very hot. A tip anyone?
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Hi carola30 sorry I haven't posted but number 3 got me Soooo tired but glad is over one more taxotere and I'm finally done!! Listen don't worry about moon face I thank God didn't get it, I did however only take the steroids the three days u need it to prevent the allergic reaction after that the pain u get (bones and joints) pretty much sucked it up, i take maybe one Tylenol but tried to stay away as much as I can from steroids....I also didn't retain water, (well I'm hoping stays like this cause I still have one more to go) I really can comment on fec cause I didn't get that....r u having surgery after or u did already?
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Bump
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Hey Coni,
Yeah I saw I had to take steroids three days, eeeek!!
I'm so happy for you that you're almost done with the taxo! I dream about the month of June....:-) My last treatment is on the 21st if all goes well, after what they'll leave me alone for a couple of weeks, then it's scannertime again. Hopefully the tumor will be regressing so they only do a lumpectomy (thats why I have the chemo beforehand, cause it's located just behind my nipple....should they do surgery right away they would have to remove it too....And I kind of like it to stay on!) Normally I should be getting radiotherapy too after surgery...
A good friend of mine told me that his girlfriend's sister didn't have to do radiotherapy though! She had 'the same' cancer as I, the same age, and the same protocol, and after chemo & surgery she was in 100% remission (this was three years ago); so exciting!
My legproblem has somewhat disappeared, I walk, walk and walk and massage my feet and legs...Guess it's working!
And you? What do they plan for you after this? Do you still have a sore throat and mouth or have you found something that helps? Did you lose your hair/eyebrows/lashes radically with taxo? I haven't yet lost my hair, I still have quite a lot actually, though I go outside with my wig to get used to it and hide the thinning parts. It seems like my body hair is growing back since a week or so though! I heard some people see their hair grow back on taxo, but I guess it's really personal..
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How many treatment have u had?and will have? Are u using anything on hour hair? I hope it stays on!! I've hear of the penguin cap, but didn't do it cause they don't like to it on hospital here....so my hair went
but it's exciting looking at it grow back...actually have they told you to take take of nails mine turn purple almost, wear clear nail hardener input lost!! and on taxotere ice them while they are giving you the chemo!! I've heard some loose their nails while others is painful thank God nothing like that happened just the color...
Mine is slowly growing back with taxotere however eyelashes and eye brows are very very thin..
Yes I still have sore throat..but I think it's the acid... But just one more although like I said this time was a bit hard kind of like the first time hoping last one is much much better!!
I will have double mAsectomy I never ever want to deal with this again, they also talked about radiation for 5 weeks after surgery... So still a bit of a bumpy road ahead of me to go but chemo will be behind me soon...
You will see before u know it it's June and chemo it's all over with! Do you have any lymph nodes involved I did... That's why I rather take the breast off and have reconstruction after...
As for muscles I'm in the dame boat as you, very sore but Im starting to go on treadmill, and walk a bit, if walk to much the. I get sore if I don't move I'm sore too never win lol...0 -
Hey Coni.
I’ve had three FEC so far, time for the fourth and last FEC next Monday. I hate when they clean the port I have under my skin, will def take up on the advice I saw in another post to hold my nose. Kind of stressed the days before my chemo, it’s like I remember all the vile odors and queezyness. Freaking Pavlov’s dog!
I’m using a vitamine E shampoo. No itchyness, dandruff or anything like I had a few weeks after my first chemo. I wash it with lukewarm water. Guess I’ll shave it off sooner or later though, never thought I would say this but it’s gonna be kind of interesting and (almost) funny! Like Sigourney in Aliens, hihi. Is yours any different?
My right eyebrow is getting thinner and thinner, which bugged me A LOT this morning, jeez, I had a real freak out over everything. Luckily my man was there to calm me down, love that man.
Did you try anything new for the acid?
Well, concerning the lymph nodes I’m not sure. I’ve seen people on the forum having like different lymph nodes situations, is it when the oncs ‘know’ that they’re cancerous ? They’re gonna check mine while performing surgery, with some radioactive substance that turn the first one blue; they examin it while I’m on the table, if the first one is ok they leave my armpit alone. It’s a trial procedure I’m thrilled to be part of.
Yeah, you’re right, time flies, it’s almost april and that’s great! Getting an elliptical trainer when I feel better next week. They’re kind of pricy though. Excited about spending the hours doing nothing sculpting my beautiful body instead (mouhahaha). No, but I hate having a sore back the whole day. I do some yoga and stretching exercises, but I see my thighs getting larger every month, eeeek! Atleast something I can control.
I'm gonna have a genetic test done in october. In France they want to remove the ovaries if its genetical. Do you get that kind of testing?
So great that you’re done soon. Gives me hope too.. I sincerely hope we won’t need radiotherapy, but then again I guess it’s ok compared to chemo..maybe..
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Carola30 well for acid I've tried alo Vera but Dosent do much starting to get use to it
As my hAir goes I only have a bit of stubble so can't see the diff Although seen a few white hairs which freaks me out I'm only 32!! It's slowly growing...I too have gain weight I started 91 lbs when first started with chemo I'm now at 99 not to happy I'm very small so i like being in the low 90's nmh fat goes to stomach so don't like it
Yes getting genetic testing should have results soon I hope and yes ovaries would go as well if positive, and mAsectomy..
I had four swollen lymph nodes under arm pit I could feel them and biopsy was done and came positive for cancer that's how they knew with mine so now they are saying rads are necessary I'm still waiting after surgery to ser if I really fo need it hoping not!!
I tried yoga but found that with taxotere if u work out u get more pain, I'm slowly walking on treadmlmbyt knees kill and back
Yes time will fly u will see, before u know it u will be done!!0 -
My onc told me I could get white hair aswell (I'm naturally very blonde) and maybe go curly, but that after a couple of months it would go back to 'normal' (Imagine half curly half straight...hmmm). Guess I won't really see if it turns white though. I don't think you should worry about it babe.
Was touching my armpit yesterday, and f***, the lymphs hurt..My breas tis a little bit sore in the tumour area, but the doctors said it was expected when the tumour starts to take in the chemo..Maybe it's the same procedure for the nodes..Bugging me not to know if they're good or not. They took a sample of one that was quite low, almost breast height if you see what I mean, and apparently it was o.k. I think I'm freaking out a bit cause they're gonna check everything in three weeks, to see if it's going the right way..
Yeah, you must be tiny! I started out 155 lbs (70 kg) and am now 147. But then again I'm 5 foot 8!
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Carola - yeah i had pain too when i started the chemo as well, i think its becase the chemo is working, my tumour and lymph nodes are pretty much gone, i will have ct scan monday for liver cause they had found a 2mm something, but im positive ill be fine cause the liver is working fine they just want to make sure..and will be having mri as well just dont know when yet...im sure you cancer will be gone as well you will see, chemo is very strong..stay positve and pray and you will be fine...
yeah i am very small was 91 lbs and 5 feet lol....i cant wait to have enough hair to dye it lol...yes they told me the same it could come out curly, at first i did want it curly but i think straigh is better...my hair was so long, healthy and black... but vey thin so i wouldnt mind having thick hair ....
so how is the weather in france? here is ottawa feels like spring is coming....well sometimes lol, others time is like still winter! so cold...i want to go to paris some day maily for the shopping lol love to shop ohhh and Italy too...you guys have the best fashion...Ottawa has nothing
two years ago one of my brother in laws was getting married it took me so long to find a dress, found this shop that get the dresses from Europe and now I need to go look for another dress for my brother in law because he is getting married next year... maybe ill go to USA, I dont know..i just want something really sexy, i probably wont have my breast by then so I want to atleast look sexy cause I might not be able to feel it lol...and hoping for hair by then atleast long enough to be able to put extension no way im wearing a wig....no way!! lol things i worry about really lol....but is better than thinking cancer all the time do you have msn we can chat there.. . you can add me coni_c@hotmail.com just send me a message saying is you....
my sleeping pattern is so out of wack now i barely can sleep, im always waking up in the middle of the night with hotflashes i was so glad that my period would be gone and i would have a break from it but oh boy, i think hotflashes are much worst, at least your period is only a few days, hotflashes everyday
my ovaries were very stubborn though i just lost my period in feb...oh well what can we do c'est la vie..(i think thats right) lol
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Carola I guess I do have the moon face
nurse told me today is the steroids..0 -
Moon face, go away! My face also gets round after treatment, always happy to see my cheekbones appear after a week or so. Guess it's gonna be worse with Taxo, as I have to take more steroids..Gggrrr. I added you on msn by the way :-)
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Lol I know I hate this... Also hate the extra pounds lol but they will go soon, thats for sure lol...
I didn't get the invite for msn atleast not on the phone I'll check when I get home...i also hot brown spots on face from taxotere I'm Latin so my skin is tan i hope u don't get it!0 -
Hmm..I'm not a msn specialist. Sorry!
I'm quite pale (get brown in the sun though, but these last years I've been careful with it) so I hope I wont get any spots, although when my sister was my age she got plenty on arms and back. My man saw my back the other day and told me I got some new ones though.
Where are you from originally? I've got Finnish parents but was born in Sweden, hence the pale skin and blond hair :-). With work I use to go to Mexico City, Caracas and Santiago at least once a month. Air France is opening a Cancun layover, so exciting when I get back to work :-) My best friends parents are from Chile, and she always laughs when I try to speak Spanish (as do all the passengers, but they are so sweet and correct me).
I don't know about Ottawa, but I know Montreal quite well and enjoy shopping there (cheaper stuff!). You're small so you'd find bliss in France (I have a hard time finding pants that are long enough!). And of course Milan has the best shopping ever! But noway I can find shoes in southern Europe, though it's getting better and better..
For my wedding I found this gorgeous black evening gown in New York actually. When I go to Canada or the U.S I go a bit crazy.. Before my sickleave I managed to do a 48 hour layover in Montreal, came back with my suitcase soooo heavy. My excuse was that I was 'preparing' myself materially, lol.
The weather here in Paris is so nice this week! Sunshine and about 70°. So great to grab a coffee in the shade with my summershoes on.
Was so scared my period wasn't gonna come back from last month, but this time it's like Niagara freaking falls..Strange but comforting (never thought I would say that.)
When I did an internal organ scan they told me I had a cyst on my liver, but apparently it's just a functional one...And as far as the sexyness goes, I try to atleast look nice, but jeez it's hard...I feel a bit nicer with my wig on as my blond hair was kind of my 'sexiest' attribute...When I cut it pixie style I saw that there was a whole new category of guys checking me out..not the usual sleezeballs, which was quite nice :-) You don't wear a wig at all then?
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Wow I love ur job i don't know what it is but sounds fun so much traveling, I'm from el Salvador ... Yeah Montreal does have some good shopping but i find Toronto is better... More stores like bebe! Love bebe lol... No i don't really wear my wig it's itchy... And a bit big need to fix
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I'm a flight attendant! I'm also a teacher for young flight attendant wannabees who have to have be certified (trained in safety/security and first aid. Real fun! I've been to Toronto once, but as they speak so funny French in Quebec I love to go to Montreal.
What do you do?
I'll try to go to sleep now babe. See ya!
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Oh wow I'm a bit slow u r a flight attendant actually I studied travel and tourism just so I could later become a flight attendant they showed as a video for the training that flight attendants take and there was this huge pool and they had to swim that turn me off I'm scared of the water lol so I said no to flight attendant lol... I did finish and got my diploma I worked a month on a travel agency but didnt like it... Lol I tried working at airport but because I'm not bilingual English and French it's hard to find anything in Ottawa...u r lucky get to travel! Omg but u r soo lucky i think if i were u that's all i would do is shop at every stop!! And u live in Europe with all this fashion... Wow u have a hard time cause everything is too short I have a hard time petites here lol always need to cut everything...nothing fits nice cause is meant for tall ppl.... We do have short ppl in Canada lol ..
Oh that's great u speak Spanish.. I think I'm too shy to try speaking French cause of the accent I have a hard time with the pronunciation, I always get the but French is so close to Spanish lol.. I should of learned now that I'm home lol I hear the French from France is different than Montreal ..
Yes as for hair goes that was also my selling point lol it is hard to look and feel sexy
Yeah my doc said the same about the liver not to worry cause the liver is functioning just fine but still hard not to, he said lots if ppl have cysts and don't know it until they do test like ct scans ..hope he is right0 -
i worked for a few government jobs (clerk type of work) but just contract which sucked, they called me back for one of them but had to say no because i was starting chemo so i hope next yr they call me back
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Bump!
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bumping for the newbies
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Jean, you rock sistah! THANKS for the bumps!
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