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Anyone starting Chemo in Feb?
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Terry, this year I may try some tomatoes... 2 young dogs in a yard, who want badly to "help", is a bit tough, so for now I am still trying to figure out what would do well here (the yard is fairly big, and we have a huge cotton tree which gives us great shade in Denver hot, and dry, summers... and send shivers down our spine when they announce snow while the leaves are out... very brittle branches...). I love dill (number one herb in Eastern Europe and Russia), and dilled pickles are great (I keep buying dill seeds... it is now time to use them, the soil is very moist, perfect, after all the rain we just got). I dream the yard, more than I "do" it (like I dream the patchworks I never put together... yet). I like perennials, because you have a rendez-vous with them every year and they fill the last weeks of winter with hope and expectations... I have a drawer full of seeds that I need to use this week... some won't bloom before next year (holy hock...), but I also persist in planting sweet peas and nasturtium, because I grew up with those always around in everybody's yards...
For those who did not try it yet (if you are lucky enough to have a small yard, deck or balcony), really planting and weeding and pruning makes you feel good, in touch with life. Get a nice cushion under your knees (boy, I sure need that), move around for not getting achy, and enjoy the outdoors (big robins are singing in the bird bath as they proceed to vigorous ablutions... fun to watch right now). An MIT study, years ago, concluded that "garden diggers" were ahead of the pack in terms of longevity, way ahead of marathon runners or other "violent" exercise... you are always moving when you work in your yard, you carry some weight around (bags of soil, etc.), you bend your knees, etc. complete workout, including for your mind... I strongly recommend it...
Well... instead of "talking" about it, I'd better go do it...
Enjoy your bulbs... there almost done for here, they were smashing this year...
Take care,
Catherine0 -
Hi everyone!
Put in a full day today and when I got home DH surprised me by taking me out to a late lunch / early dinner. Im just getting my taste back, so it was YumO!
Alyson How are you feeling today? Did you get some rest during the holiday? Some unsolicited advice on the 1st Taxol take some time and talk to your nurse about ANY anxieties that you might have. There is only one male nurse in our chemo room, and Id never had him administer my drugs before. He did my first Taxol and he was AWESOME (he also accessed my port better than anyone else ever had). Anyway, after talking to him I was totally ready to tackle the infusion and it was very anti climatic. Just be prepared to want to nap when you get home. But honestly, with me, there was no nausea, and none of that general unwell feeling.
Bone / muscle pain didnt set it until Saturday nite; it is almost gone today.
Hi Leah Hows things going in Oracle-land? We are sooo busy right now. Weve stood up so many servers that we filled up our Data Center and converted our old DASD room to a second data center! Were having fun now looking at some blades (we dont have any right now). Crazy, crazy time for me!
Hillary how are you doing today? Well I hope. How are you doing from the last Taxol?
Vegas I have a friend who moved from Phoenix to Vegas and lives at Anthem on the golf course in Henderson. I havent played in FOREVER (I would totally suck now, miss the ball, etc), but every time I talk to her I do get the urge to dust off those clubs! Maybe Ill do just that after tx.
Karen Im so glad that you were able to find a new Onc. Did you change offices, or just Docs? Ive been so lucky with mine; but I can tell you, especially after reading some of the horror stories, that it has strengthened my opinion about how important it is to like and trust the Onc. I wouldnt hesitate to switch if I wasnt happy. Do let us know how you like the new one,
Hi Steph hope you are doing well. I have opined enough about the Taxol, so I wont say anything more. well, ok, one more thing! I too have heard about people getting their hair back on Taxol, as well as people losing the rest of their hair and eyebrows/eye lashes. Im really tempted to start using the nioxin (sp?) during tx. I thought Id wait and see what happens after tx # 2 then decide.
Pat I havent pulled out the big guns either. The strongest thing Ive taken is Tylenol PM at bedtime. I havent taken the glutamine, in fact, Ive decided not too. I read somewhere that there is initial evidence that in some cases glutamine can make tumors grow. I decided that even tho its probably fine, since they dont know one way or another, Im not to take it.
Hi Terry! If it makes you feel any better, I only made it thru the 1st half hour of Idol. I think they are doing more of the special tonite, so maybe they saved the best for last and we didnt miss much!
Marsha How are you alter ego? Are you all set for #2? Let me guess, youve signed up to run a marathon after this one.
Catherine - my DH is an ol' farm boy. He usually puts in a garden or plants. He didnt do it this year, but it in AZ, our planting season is completely differnt from elsewhere. There's lots of good stuff we can put in in the middle of the summer! You've got me awful tempted to go out and try my (not so) green thumb this year!
Take good care all. Hugs to all
Carynn0 -
Like Steph and Pat was wondering about my eyebrows and eyelashes. I have been amazed that they are still there, though have noticed that in the last few days they have thinned considerably.Not that my eyebrows have ever been really thick although my eyelashes were quite long. the last couple of mornings it has been so much more difficult to apply mascara so have started to use an eyeliner pencil - I have always had to use eyebrow pencil as the eyebrows were not only thin but also a redddish blonde and not seen at all. I think that with the taxol they will go.
It is wonderful to hear of the spring growth as everything begins to die off here. It does remind me that spring will come again and by then I should be feeling so much better.
Pat, like you I had a radical mastectomy and started chemo 4 weeks later. The area around the scar gets very sore and stiff, especially in the morning. I am still having what I refer as my phantom boob pain - the pain runs down the whole scar and out to a nonexistant nipple.I also get swelling under my arm and at the breastbone end of the scar. The BS says that she will look at this once
I have finished chemo and radiation therapy.
Its nearly time for class so had better get organised. It is my final class for today so will head home for a rest.
Love and prayers for all who head to the bar today especially those who are having their first taxol. that will be me next week.
Alyson
p.s. Was timed out but remembered to copy this first.0 -
Hi everybody! I'm here and doing fine. I'd been popping in to read your posts and actually sat down and typed out a long one but forgot to copy it and lost it...that's one functional improvement I'd suggest for this board... (phew, that was one LONG sentence).
I just got back from a 2 night trip to Atlanta -- SAP's annual conference (Sapphire and ASUG) was held there this year. I'd normally find that quite exciting but I'm not exactly in a 'party' mood lately
My sister in law visited for a few days and we had fun running around spending money on stuff I don't need this weekend.
I am up for Taxotere #2 tomorrow, you're right Hillary. As for SEs from #1, slight soreness in my fingernail beds....somebody described it as recovering from having the fingers slammed in a door. I would say mine weren't quite that bad...but along those lines. My eyes are so watery they're making me crazy. My chin and the area surrounding my mouth is slightly numb...like the tail-end of dental anesthesia...it's an odd feeling. My energy levels are pretty good but like Terry and others, I have routine 'pity parties' (all by myself). My eyelashes and eyebrows have almost given up the ghost...they're so faint now I look invisible. Finally, I believe I am fully in chemo pause as the date came and went. I've had a few episodes of night sweats too...hmmmm.
The onc didn't order up Neulasta for me following my first T but my WBCs were at 20.5 (up from 7.7 the day of my first AC). I'll be interested to see what my counts are like tomorrow.
The appointment with the PS went well on Monday. I'm getting perky Cs to replace the droopy ones that I have
. Since I couldn't get in to see the PS until the week of my scheduled Taxotere #2, I'm carrying on with the full 4 DD T then we'll do the surgery within 2 wks of my last tx on May 24th. The PS said he wasn't concerned about my WBC being low with Taxotere and we could do the surgery very shortly after treatment ends. I decided to move forward with the bilateral mastectomy even if the lumpectomy option becomes available for a number of reasons: The right breast has dense tissue also and is showing microcalcifications. I don't want to worry about BC in the RB for the rest of my life. I'm Triple Neg and figure I need to be as aggressive as possible in dealing with this. Cosmetically, the clean slate of a bilat is easier for PS to deal with. I just want to be done with this...at least as 'done' as I'll ever be.
This PS routinely does immediate reconstruction with alloderm and chuckled when I mentioned 'one step with alloderm' saying something to the effect that 'now they have a brand name for it?' In any case, that's the route I'm going (thanks Vegas!). He says I'll be back to work no later than 3 weeks following surgery (possibly sooner). Nipple recon. will occur 6-8 weeks following mastectomy and reconstruction. In any case, I am happy with how the meeting went and optimistic about the results. Only a few questions remain...like will I need radiation (won't know until the nodes are dealt with) and, more importantly, shall I go for D's? Heheheh...I crack myself up
Let's see now....welcome to Windwalker from another Triple Neg. I count 7 of us here now...Carol Moore, Carynn, Theresa, Hillary, Mel, me and now you!
I have to say, it was heartwarming to read your posts asking about me... (BIG smile)... I really love you guys! Thanks for thinking about me when I was being a little flakey -- Catherine, Carryn, Marsha, Phyl ...thanks.
I was so pleased to read your news Leah -- it's so encouraging! Your comment about the IT women working through the treatment resonated... I'm one of those women -- IT and working through.
Carryn, thanks for the feedback on the blog...nice to know that you're checking in. About that alien...she's sure getting around, eh? Sheesh, scared the crap out of me!
Lisa, OOOH! That's quite a threat to the oncologist's jewels...made me laugh. I blogged about my wacky onc... he's getting better but I don't feel any connection with him. If he wasn't doing what every oncologist would do with me I'd be looking for another one.
Congrats to all those who've just finished their ACs. I noticed Steph and Tracy are amongst those ranks. It's nice to have that bad stuff behind you, isn't it?
Vegas, nice to hear that you've avoided the chemo...I agree, it's so important to be informed and participate in the decision making process.
My cousin sent me a sample kit of skin care products for chemo and rad patients. I'd never heard of it but thought I'd mention it here as I'm totally in love with this stuff now. I went online and ordered up a bunch of full size containers. It's called Lindi Skin. I especially like the citrus scented facial serum and the eye balm... so silky smooth. My skin just soaks it up.
What happened to Palms? I don't think I saw a recent post from her...I do have some catching up to do though.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! What's up girl?
You guys rock! Here's to all of us...(tipping my cup of tea) (erk..typed teat...heh)
Good luck to everybody up this week. I'm hoping tomorrow's treatment and the ensuing days are as relatively uneventful as the first round.0 -
Twink, nice to hear from you (I lost the link to your blog...). The "IT girls" amaze me...
I've managed to stay under the radar for work assignments... but I know that starting next month I'd better change gear... a radiotherapy/brachytherapy manual is landing on my desk for translation into French. Fortunately, I've been working on these machines for years so I won't have too much research to do... and it does not dwell on the details of treatment, just the software and how to operate the system... so not too gruesome...
Blood count: did not get Neulasta after first abraxane, and my wbc went from 13+ to 4.1 !!! Did not seem to bother anybody... my RBC and hemoglobin went down too, but still at 11+ (hemoglobin), which explain the absence of fatigue.
The bone pain is already kicking in (lower back mostly)... unless it is DH's bug... hopefully not (he went to teach today in the afternoon, but came back absolutely exhausted... but took the time to go get 2 tickets for a Mozart's Requiem concert next Sunday, where I'll take my sweet neighbor... at 4pm... first outing in a long time!! We'll ride the new train that takes us downtown from here in 10 minutes... I am very easy to please...)
You all have a good night sleep... with not too many sweats... (boy, am I going through that again, right now...).
Big big hugs to all,
Catherine0 -
Twink, so glad to hear from you and that your PS does the alloderm!! I do have a question though, some docs use alloderm with expanders but not in the true one step procedure which does NOT use expanders. Are you sure this is the one he does? If so, that is awesome! I only ask, as this is still a relatively new procedure and not a lot of docs are doing it yet and I want to make sure you are on the same page. Dr. Salzberg in New York pioneered the one step procedure and you can see it on the Lifecell web site at: http://www.lifecell.com/products/194/ Once the video starts click instead on "surgical procedures, and then go to "surgical approach 3" which has Dr. Salzberg's name on it.
Piper, there are DEFINITELY studies that have been done on AC without Taxol or taxotere. Perhaps you might want to get a second opinion?! I am concerned that your onc told you there were no such studies.
Carynn, I live in Anthem Country Club and am a member of the golf course - does your friend live in the country club or Sun City Anthem? Wouldn't that be a wild small world story if we knew each other?!! Dust off those clubs and come up and play with us - we can do hit and giggle!0 -
Leah, great news about your liver lesion shrinking and no other lesions showing up. Sounds like chemo has cancer on the run.
Hillary, good to hear that your SE are minimal. Just get rest when you can, I know that isn't easy with a 6 year old, but do your best to listen to your body.
Next week is my 12th and last Taxol. Do you think I will be more tired from the FAC? I am getting a little nerfous about SE of FAC.
Thanks, from me too, for the good job you do with keeping up the log. Carynn too, when she fills in for you. You girls are too much.
Carynn, so glad you are having an easier time with Taxol.
So, let me get this straight, the fatigue with Taxol is worse with A/C? I am starting FAC in 3 weeks. I have one more dose of Taxol. How bad is the nausea? The onc nurse told me nausea was the main side effect of A/C. I trust my girls here more than the nurse because you have been through it.
Anyone out there give me the low down on Emend. What are the pros and cons of this drug? The nurse mentioned they would give me that drug. Are there bad side effects from Emend?
Tracy, LOL "thank God for Xanax". Ditto from me about my hydrocodone. Keeps me ging with severe back pain. I am working tomorrow and Friday and again on Monday. Figure I better get in as many days as possible before I start A/C.
Glad you caught your shingles before they caught you. LOL Seriously take care.
Catherine, I think we caught the tail end of the storm this morning. One and one half inches of rain and lots of thunder and lighting, followed by bright sunshiney skies and a temp of 88. I think summer is around the corner. You know our seasons here as pretty much winter and summer. I wish we had four seasons. "Sun therapy" is the best. I can just see you and your pups out on the patio with your lawn recliner. Enjoy.0 -
Alyson, bless your heart. Thank goodness for a holiday so you can rest. Will you get "empty nest syndrome" with DD moving out? Glad you had DH,DS,DDs to do most of the moving. That is such a big job.
Marsha, Wendy, Hope you are both feeling good after you trip to the bar. Let us know how you are. O.K. Hugs your way.
Good luck and God bless StephJ,Piper,Terry,Pat and Kim tomorrow.
Vegas, thanks for the link to FORCE. My mom died, after a valiant 7 year fight with ovarian cancer. My dad had prostate cancer, which they are now saying can affect a woman's chance of breast ca. So, I have applied to my insurance company for coverage of genetic testing for BRCA1 AND BRCA2. Awaiting their answer. My sister and daughters would like to know if I carry the gene, as would I.
Karen, good for you. I hope your new onc is just great.
Pat, I have taken 11 of 12 doses of regular Taxol. I still have eyebrows (they were already thin from low thyroid) and eyelashes. I did lose most of my hair after 3 doses of Taxol.
Terry, sorry you missed Idol last night. Maybe you caught it tonight. It really touched my heart. When my DH came home and I was telling him about the people in Africa and Appellache, I just lost it and cried and cried. It just hurts my heart. It seems like such a huge task. I know there are so many needs in the world. We will try to do what we can to help and it seems like a lot of people are. Thank God for the opportunity to donate through of all things...American Idol.
Well, it is time to fold laundry and go to bed. I am working tomorrow, Fri. and Mon. Figure I need to get in as much time as I can befor I start FAC.
Hugs to all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sammie Kay0 -
Sammie Kay, hope you are able to use a lot of the info on FORCE. The women on that forum know all about getting insurance to cover the testing so if you need help there, just ask. I am so happy to hear that your sister and daughters want to know if they are at risk if you carry the gene. So many do not out of fear, but knowledge like this is true power.
I did not think the nausea with AC was that bad except for my first round when I did NOT get Emend. Emend is awesome! I don't know of any bad side effects from it and it really kicks some nausea butt. AC really dries out your skin and mouth, so I kept lots of lotion on and rinsed my mouth three or four times a day with baking soda and did not have any problems. After a while it definitely affected my sense of taste and everything tasted foul. And of course there is the fatigue. But you can definitely get through it, you are a warrior!0 -
Twink,
If you are keeping track, I am triple neg too.0 -
Good morning ladies. Dark, chilly, dreary day in central PA. 3rd day post Taxol #2 and still feeling great. StephJ - side effects are such an individual thing that it's pretty much a 'wait and see' situation. Except for fatigue and dead taste buds on A/C (and a bout of the flu), I really had no intolerable SEs. With the Taxol, I have only mild bone pain days 4 and 5 - very controllable with Motrin or Tylenol. I have had no fatigue at all and in fact have the energy I had pre-chemo. I think in large part it's dependent on pre-existing conditions and general body composition.
Catherine - I so agree with the therapeutic effects of gardening. My DH and I spent Saturday moving soil around to create a patio-type area between the house and garage, then pulled my molded pond out of the ground and had a backhoe come in and dig me a bigger, better one. Can't wait to start arranging my rocks, build a waterfall and get my surrounding plants and pond plants put in. Most of my flower beds are perennials so I have to wait a bit till they peek their tops out so I know what I'm weeding. Looks like you're going into a cold snap again
I'm a little behind on posting - hope I've read everything.
Welcome to Windtalker.
Hope the gals who had #1 Taxol are well.
Marsha - where are you?
Tracy, Linnie, Alyson - good to hear from you.
Pat - I also still have the tightness - feels like I'm strapped around the mast site. Thanks for the explanation. Hopefully, after reconstruction that feeling will go away.
Jan - loved the biker.
Twink - where are you doing your reconstruction? I have my PS appt June 7th. Also got my appt for rads simulation May 29. Just wanted to have a chat with the PS so I know whether he'll be able to do what needs to be done or whether I'll need to go out of network.
Well, back to work. Hugs to all at the bar today.
Phyl0 -
Some of you mentioned your local support are finding out they have cancer (pancreas?). My local inspiration (had a bilat masectomy few years back) who is taking me to rads this week had a biopsy on a open sore on her chin only to find out its a skin cancer that attacks scars. She has scars on her face from a car accident and glass hitting her face so they are watching the other scars now too. She said she's having surgery and plastic surgery May 14th. They have to take out a lot of her chin skin all the way to the inside and will replace it with plastic surgery as this is an aggresive cancer. I find it ironic that some of us are now supporting our supporters! Makes you wonder if the good Lord put you together for a reason in the first place. Its been nice to have her drive me in to rads and have someone to talk to especially someone even though she didn't have rads herself she did have bc and had the very same BS. She was thrilled I was able to get some donations for door prizes for our fundraiser poker run for motorcycles happening May 6th. The donors were pretty generous! I have to go back Friday to get 20 coupons for a free video rental from a video place...yes 20!
Since several of you and my friends loved my shoulder length brown wig I ended up bidding and winning another wig in the same colors but with longer hair. It arrived yesterday and my hubby said he likes this one best. I think its because its closests to what my own long hair looked like but nicer. Thanks to the free wigs from the American Cancer Society I got up the nerve to wear a wig and find some styles and colors that looks best on me while playing with them going to extremes in colors and styles. When I first found out I was going to lose my hair I didn't even want to wear a wig, had resigned myself to wearing hats and scarfs. It was a nice feeling to find you can buy a wig that looks so real without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. I'm thinking about going to the beauty shop this morning and getting the bangs trimmed on my two brown wigs as they come with them pretty long that they hang into the eyes.
The other night when the bad storms came through I oddly had pain in my left hand like I was getting the chemo via IV again. Wonder if this is temporary or something I will have from now on when the weather changes? Anyone else experiance this after having an iv in the vein? It hurt enough to really bother me for a couple of hours.0 -
Good morning all!
Nice to read all these long posts. I'll write more later today, but wanted to send out cyber hugs for our Thursday bar contingent. Also, Marsha and Wendy -- how are you?
Monday - Phy -- ACCOUNTED FOR, Jen (?)
Tuesday - Hillary Catherine, Sammiekay -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Wednesday - Marsha, Wendy
Thursday - StephJ (1st taxol), Piper (1st taxol), Terry, Pat, Twink, Kim (?)
-- Hillary0 -
OK gals, just spent an hour reading all the posts from the last couple of days! Had my #2 Taxol yesterday. Man oh man what a longer day that is compared to the AC. Got there at 10 am and out at 3:45. Geez......Had BNO last night here at my house, about 8 of us this week, I felt especially good, lots of energy (steroid high?).
My counts have been lower also. Will get the Neulasta shot today. I'm not totally convinced the taxol is causing more fatigue than the AC, I think since most of us did AC or FEC first our bodies immune system was compromised from the start of the taxol. SammieKay, if I remember correctly you had very little SE after the early treatments right? I will say tho, as soon as my day 5-6 were over, my "good week" was great!!!! WOW 2 more treatments to go for me, I am so on the countdown. 27 days LOL
Eyelashes are thinning and eyebrows are lightening up but not really coming out. I never lost ALL my hair on my head and that seems to be growing (slowly) and DH said he thinks some that came out are coming back in. Definate "stub" feel. Blond (OK white). My biggest SE is 2 days of fatigue and bone pain. My onc nurse didn't want me to do DD (screw her LOL) because of my size/weight, she said I would be prone to bone achy pain and neuropathy. Well, so far, no neuropathy, and I can live with a few days of bone pain if it means getting through a month earlier! Also had a few night sweats in the last few nights.
Hey Twink, you look like you could handle a "D"! teehee
Carynn, no girl no marathons, but why is it every thing is planned for right after my treatments? The theatre volunteer picnic is this Saturday afternoon (they do a wicked corn boil) and then a friend of mine is a having a "barn raising" party the same day/evening. She just bought two show horses. Then another friend wants to go to a Polo match on Sunday. We've never been to a polo match and we are on a mission to do stuff we've never tried before so yep, taking a blanket and picnic basket and going. (I hope I am up to all this).
Karen, good for you girl, remember I got rid of my first onc too. Stayed in the same onc center. Happy I did it, he is the one who changed me to DD.
A big HUG going out to all me dear chemo cruisers. Thanks for being here everyone. I have a pity party days too and manage to get through them by reading your posts and knowing I am not alone in all this. What special spirits you all are. XOXO Marsha0 -
Holding hands with Steph, Piper, Terry, Pt Twink and Kim today. WOW that's alot of cocktails being poured today!! Marsha
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SammieKay --
I can't tell you much about the F (perhaps Alyson can), but I can update you on the AC part of your upcoming treatment. Emend is a wonder drug that will pretty much keep most folks from vomiting. It is expensive but worth it. Many of us needed additional drugs to control the nausea and queasiness. Based on my rememberance of our rough poll, the following factors contributed to whether we were nauseous:
(a) bad morning sickness during pregnancy;
(b) easily getting motion sickness; and
(c) being a cheap drunk!
I suffer from (b) and (c) and consequently had a lot of problems with nausea and queasiness despite taking Emend and zofran. But some of our fellow Feb cruisers were fine. One thing to remember -- take the medicines on time, even if you are feeling fine. Once you feel sick, it is too late.
Another key thing with AC is to really, really, really force the liquids.
As far as exhausion goes, it is cumulative, according to my onc. Other contributing factors include depression and anemia. My Hb went down to 10.1, so I got an aranesp shot. We'll see if this helps.
How often will you be doing FAC? We'll still be around to answer any questions as they come up, much as you've done for us with T!
Hugs!
-- Hillary0 -
Piper --
I tend to support your oncologist's attitude about aggressively treating this cancer. For me, the taxol is much more tolerable than the AC. Good luck today!
-- Hillary0 -
Marsha; ditto to holding everyone's hand and a toast to minimal SE's! Girl...you have a lot on your plate. Make sure you rest up between "scenes"!
Twink; It's so nice to hear from you again! Last night as I stood in front of the mirror, I started laughing. DH of course was puzzled. I told him I couldn't help thinking of the movie old 30's movie "The Invisible Man". Isn't it odd that our fading eyebrows and eyelashes would make us feel that way? I have heard they grow back very quickly. Hope So. I think that I am also in chemopause now. Congrats on your recon date! I will also be doing the one step with the same doc that Vegas used, but I have been told to wait at least a month after chemo. I am thinking July for mine. Have you looked at any photos of your PS's one step girls?
Jan; My IV hand/arm hurts, but it is definitely not triggered by the weather! The drugs just really irritate my veins and I am always bruised from the blood draws.
Phyl; It is so nice to hear that you are feeling so well!
Sammie; Congrats to you and others that are almost done with Taxol. I hope you breeze through FAC.
Catherine; Ohhhh...I hope you are not getting that nasty bug from DH. I hope you and your friend have a wonderful time at the concert. I have only been to Denver once. It has been almost 10 years ago that I took my then 14 year old daughter and her friend on a 3 day Amtrak trip from Chicago to San Francisco. At the Denver stop we were warned not to go into the lovely town of Denver lest we might miss our departure and be left. I just couldn't resist. We walked a few blocks to be surprised by a wonderful Saturday Summer Market. We had such a nice time and came back to the train as everyone was boarding...loaded down with fresh flowers for our compartment, fresh fruit and delish scones.
huggz all around...0 -
Vegas; I haven't emailed you yet as I am still waiting to talk to Beth. I plan to be armed with questions for you once I have talked to her!
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SammieKay, good morning... Emend was prescribed to me and worked great (no side effects that I am aware of). It comes in packages of 3 pills: you take the high dose one before going to your treatment (when you leave), the second pill the next morning, and the last pill the third morning. During AC, they gave me Aloxi and decadron in the IV before the AC per se. I was also prescribed Kytril and Comprazine in suppositories (3) just in case... I never used any of those. And Ativan at bed time... which worked great (I would take it the first week... up to 9-10 days).
The queazyness was not too bad... needed to snack often (plain lowfat yogurt with fiber/inulin was the only thing I felt like eating in priority -- good for you GI tract). Minty things helped (I chew peppermint gum, sugarless, a lot, even at night when I sleep... BC may not kill me in the end, but DH might find me dead from choking on my gum in my sleep...!!!). And as you know so well, by now, drinking plenty is essential (ginger tea, especially cold diluted in cold water is really efficient, I thought, for me, including Raspberry gardens: green tea from Celestial). I discovered fresh and dried mangoes, too... and soft foods help against mouth sores (my main issue up to now)... and protein rich meals (salmon is at the top, over meat, tuna fish, too...). I have eaten a lot of boiled eggs... proteins are essential to your immune system, as you probably know. I did chew on ice during AC to protect my mouth from the drugs, but hated it... you want to rinse your mouth a lot (salt and baking soda works good if you keep at it). Well... can't think of much more to recap, but our friends out there will add their comments... If you enjoy walking (early in the morning before it gets hot...), that's another good way to alleviate symptoms of all kinds... worked for me, at least.
Take care,
Catherine0 -
Melanie, if you could see downtown Denver now, you'd be even more amazed at how nice it has become... especially with the new public transportation system.
I stopped in Denver for 2-3 days 30 years ago, as I was on a trip by myself, with my backpack, crossing the States on Greyhound buses from New-York to San-Francisco, stopping everywhere where I had friends or acquaintances. Denver was small and downtown, dreadful (gloomy). It is now much more built, but with a nice feeling to it... and interesting architecture. And blooming trees everywhere, right now, it is beautiful...
Have a nice day,
Catherine
ps: with some luck, DH's bug did not get me yet... just Abraxane pain (which goes away with advil)... and DH is back on his feet, feeling more normal, less tired... thanks God!0 -
Vegas,
I will ask more detailed and specific questions about the procedure over the next few business days. He told me no expanders. The conserve the skin, a small S-shaped incision across vertically across the nipple area, insert the implant, prop it with alloderm and close up. The reconstructed nipple will mostly hide the scar. I'll have another scar lower on the breast where the BS does his work (all assuming sentinel node is good). I'm going to ask for the specific details as well as pics of happy customers.0 -
Melanie, re: eyebrows and lashes...all I can say is thank somebody for makeup.
As for pics of recon results I'm going to ask that question next week...pics and testimonials...yep. The PS said that he could do his thing within two weeks of my last T as he is less concerned about WBC issues with T than with AC. We'll see.. now that I'm going to be back on the Neulasta, I think it'll be fine. I don't want to wait any longer than I would for my next chemo Tx...then the little b***ers will start reproducing.0 -
Okay girls, I'm done with T#2. Yay...that's 75% done with chemo --- 6 down, 2 to go. My WBC count was at 3.3, down from 20.5 two weeks ago. I did not have Neulasta after T#1 but guess what, I am going in tomorrow. The onc was sort of iffy on the need...said the WBCs were borderline. I said I do NOT want any delays in my treatment schedule, insurance pays for the shot and I want it. So I'm getting it. Hemoglobin was a little low and I've not had that Aranesp (??) shot so far but onc said we'll see 2 weeks from now...maybe then. Let's see...I told him about the numbness around my mouth..he had a name for it...peri..something. In any case, he said if it was really bothering me we'd do an MRI. It's not bothering me...it just feels odd. The good news is that after one T, the lump is definitely, assuredly, nodoubtaboutit, smaller. I had lots of questions on staging and prognosis. I'm still a little confused because of the treatment sequence. Diagnosis, clinical staging, treatment, surgery, pathological staging = what prognosis? His response was that staging takes place twice in cases like mine -- at diagnosis and following surgery. The most important prognostic indicators are tumor size (diagnosis or after chemo?), receptor status and node involvement. (audible sigh)...no pat answers for me.
The actual infusion was a breeze..about ten minutes in I felt a little tightness in my chest (somebody else mentioned this reaction...sorry, can't remember, my brain is mush). I started to raise my hand to get the attention of the onc nurse and found with my arm up, the sensation was minimized. Gave it a minute or so and it passed. No extensive bruising and multiple pokes this time. I have this inflamed vein on my left arm (about 6 inches above the IV site from T#1)..the nurse looked at it and said that she's seen that before. It may turn dark brown as it heals but so long as it doesn't get worse or start to hurt, I'll be fine. I put a hot compress on it during the evening.
I feel good so I'm going to see if I can find something productive to do...or maybe just climb in a bath.
Positive healing thoughts go out to all my fellow crusers, especially those recovering from their most recent trip to the bar!0 -
Hi Sammie -
I neglected to ask if it would be too presumptuous of me to ask for some of that magic dust you're sprinkling around with that wand of yours?
I only have experience with the AC part of FAC and I think I was one of the lucky ones who experienced limted side effects. Might be that I qualify as a negative to all three of Hillary's key points.
In any case, I received Aloxi via IV just before my AC...I'm told the benefits of this drug last for 3-5 days post infusion. This may be the same for Emend. I carried around a prescription of compazine and only used it once right after AC#1. I was over-reacting to a day full of eating too much dried fruit I think. I used the Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste. My mouth and gums did get a little sore and using regular mouthwash and toothpaste made the area sting. Other than being more fatigued than normal as the treatment progressed I really didn't feel too bad. Of course, the hair loss but then, we're all there, aren't we? Good luck with the next course of treatment Sammie. One more T for you and then on to FAC? 0 -
Marsha...re D's...ya'think? hmmmm.....
I never really lost ALL hair on my head either but decided to shave it nice and smooth during my bath on Sunday. It does feel better under a wig and looks nicer. Kinda like Mr. Clean or Yul Brynner as opposed to a fuzzy cue ball.0 -
Phyl,
I'll be doing the recon at Lehigh Valley Hospital or one of the associated surgical centers. The PS practice is local to the Allentown area. I'll PM you the details when I get the info from the PS next week if you're interested.0 -
Piper,
I'm sure I've read about studies of the effectiveness of A and C and T and combinations. I can't quote the sources though. I do recall reading that that combination therapy produces better overall results and prognoses. You may want to do a little research on that. Having said this, I am going for the T on top of the AC. The T seems to be having a positive effect, which is encouraging to see. Good luck to you Piper.0 -
Monday - Phy (ACCOUNTED FOR), Jen (?)
Tuesday - Hillary, Catherine, Sammiekay -- ALL ACCOUNTED FOR
Wednesday - Marsha (ACCOUNTED FOR), Wendy
Thursday - StephJ (1st taxol), Piper (1st taxol), Terry, Pat, Twink (ACCOUNTED FOR), Kim (?)
Piper and Steph -- How was your first taxol? Wendy, Terry, Pat -- how are you doing? Jen and Kim -- please check in, we miss you!
I'm starting to feel the bone pain, but so far the fingers and hands are OK this time around. I am experiencing some nausea, but a friend reminded me that I had this last taxol as well. I seem to be sensitive to all of these drugs! That's what comes from being a cheap drunk -- LOL!
All this talk about C's and D's. If I do the prophy and reconstruction, I'd be happy to go up to a B!
Hugs to all
-- Hillary0 -
Catherine,
I do love reading your posts about gardening and cooking and eating and.. and... I love all of those things. Do you like music? I suspect you do and seem to recall an earlier post on a few classical favorites. My current treatment distraction is my selection of Gregorian Chants.... talk about taking me away .
I've lost your website address too...could you repost? Mine is located here Twink's Blog . It's also in my profile for future reference.0
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