Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
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3girls mom and Sue,
I too have had terrible headaches post treatments. Here are some things that have worked for me:
a half cup of tea in the morning
not taking Zofran - took Compazine instead and overall didn't need much nausea medication
taking either Ativan or Tylenol PM at night those first nights on the steroid to help sleep since lack of sleep is a huge headache trigger for me
staying more hydrated than you think you possibly could
600 mg. of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours during the worst times
exercise - walking at least 30 minutes every day even if getting off of the couch is the last thing you can think of doing
try not to wear my wig for too many hours a day since it also causes headaches for me
This tx my chemo dose was reduced and Neulasta cut in half and I'm doing better but still having some headaches and after the first several days of flu like stuff, now have energy for only about half of the day. Definitely felt that low red blood cell thing a couple of days ago where I felt dizzy and lightheaded and short of breath at times, but it didn't really stop me from living life.
Best to all,
Diane
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Hi Ladies, Well today is I guess day four of my first TC treatment. I started n Tuesday. I feel terrible today. My hips are killing me, can't eat a thing, diarrhea, started my period, and just want to stay in bed and cry. My throat is killing me too. I must be a big baby, this is not easy for me...please tell me when I will start feeling better. My hair even hurts. Thanks for your tips!
Love,
Elizabeth
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Hello ladies,
Haven't been on for awhile. My second tx was much better for me. I only experience real bad gas and had a espisode where I was on the toilet trying to go and gas at the same time. Miserable feeling. I did have the muscle aches after my Neulasta shot. I never did get the metallic taste in my mouth this time, not sure why. I was able to walk in the Making Strides for Breast cancer walk on 10/11 and walk the whole 5 miles. My fatigue was probably the first 2 days after my 2 tx on 9/30 but nothing like the first tx. I guess the iron infusion is working somewhat. But my period started this week and I bled so heavy the first day, every hour in the bathroom and I have never had a period like that before. I do have fibroid tumors and have had them for about 2years and never had a heavy cycle. I'm pretty sure this may have affected my iron again but I won't know until 3tx on 10/21/08. I have a slight headache today but it could be due to my period trying to come to an end. I lost 4 pounds between 1st and 2tx but I eat like a pig. So I will see what my weight has done this past time. I will admit that I have been slack on drinking my water, I drink more the day before treatment and during treatment and maybe the day after. I will make sure I do better the next time around. I hope that everyone who has treatment next week everything will go well. Take care.
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Elizabeth ~ I just started my second round of TC yesterday, and I'm hoping things go more or less like last round. My worst days last cycle were Days 4 and 5, but I felt SO MUCH BETTER at the end of Day 5. I'm going to take Ativan tonight because it's very relaxing, and tomorrow I'm off the Dexamethasone, they didn't taper it as much this time (???), I got it late and didn't feel too good this morning, but after coffee and gallons of water and a donut and a smoothie (ice cubes, banana, yoghurt, peach and a little fruit juice) I felt MUCH better. I'm going to chuck the Tylenol every 4 hours around the clock if I need it tomorrow. Hair hurts because the cells are being attacked, it will start falling out about Day 14. It's sad but have fun with wigs, hats, scarves and stuff, decorate your new look! I also bought all new makeup, I don't usually do makeup much but it's a perk. I even got a little eyeliner to emphasize my eyes a little because with the hats and scarves with my glasses on you don't see my eyes anymore!!! Worked like a charm. So you will feel a bit better, go out and shop!
Pinky (Robichson) ! I was looking for you because you are so beautiful in your photo! I thought where is that woman!!!! Glad your second treatment went well - mine is okay so far but I am only on Day 2, and I was fine on Day 2 last time, it was Day 3 I fell off the planet. I am all ready for it though, 3 dozen popsicles in the freezer and a pile of books on the coffee table. I had a client chasing me yesterday and this afternoon for help with her project, which is a groaner but I finished it off quickly and won't look at any work all weekend. I do get to bill for an hour though, woo hoo!
Wink ~ I usually start lighting candles around the house around this time, it really helps with the getting dark early blues. Just don't let your chemo brain burn up the house. I light one then take it with me if I go to another room. Scented ones are divine. There's also a Glade wick candle that melts down and then just goes out. They're at the grocery store. Scented. Also very nice. You can also do Halloween lights too or go Moravian and put a little candle light in each window early and just keep them on a timer until March. They really cheer up the place. I am Jewish but those Moravian lights just go up on the window sills in December and stay, they work for me and I just add my dreidel hangers and I'm in heaven.
Birdsong ~ I hear ya but I need sweetness in my coffee right now. Any other ideas? Maybe try stevia? Or even fruit juice in there. I try to stay away from sugar in the food, but I do like it in my coffee. Well, I was using sweet and low but no more of that I guess. Which is worse, the S&L or the sugar?
Deanna ~ I'm so glad you're feeling better! Thanks for the scent tip. I found things taste different. I cannot take my normal vitamin C chewable at all, it is sooooo bitter! (Altho Vitamin C should not be taken in large quantities anyway by cancer patients, so its a never nevermind.)
Penny ~ Welcome to our group, that you would never want to join but it is lovely if you need it! Uh, oh, you are about to start shedding like your dog in Spring. Don't fuss about the hats, just run over to the Walmart or someplace and get a scarf about 30" square that you like. Or find a piece of fabric and hem. I love the bandanna look. (Didn't think I would but I do, especially for casual, with jeans, it's perfect and I look very cute, new avatar to come.) I also have a hat I knew I could wear. You can improvise until stuff comes. I waffled on a wig and wanted to try one on, but waited for American Cancer Society to schedule me for a fitting, and that is not until next week, and there's no hair practically left! I have my denim bucket hair for a filler ...You also have about a week and half while it is thinning and shedding all over the place, and it will be shocking to you that it is so thin but people won't notice, you will just look like a person with naturally thinner hair. Lots of people have thin hair!!! My avatar shows my hair pretty thin and I was wearing my hats outdoors because I felt like I had no hair, but it wasn't bad really, I could have gone out. Weenie moi.
Neulasta is to boost your white cell production in your marrow. When it kicks in it feels like something is banging around in your bones. Just get yourself some 8-hour Tylenol or Ibuprofen and that will take care of it. Why the 8-hour? So it doesn't wake you up every 4 hours all night like it did for me!!!
Claritin and Benadryl are antihistamines and calm down your side effects. Ativan is a muscle and all over relaxant, just don't drive with it. It'll make you feel calm and sleepy and relaxed. Well more so than before! If you had Dexamethasone in your IV and for after chemo, that will keep your side effects down pretty much for a day or so, then they tend to kick in.I also like warm herb packs for the aches and pains, they smell nice and you heat them up for 2 minutes in the microwave and they're good for nearly an hour. I take them to bed with me too. If I have hot flashes I get the terry cold pig out of the freezer (it was for my son when he got bumps and booboos) and put on my forehead. Feels good.
Drink as much water as you can. I just sip all day to avoid that bloated feeling if you drink a glass all at once.
Susan ~ I got Aloxi in my IV for nausea, and they said if I had any to try Ativan first, then Compazine, then Zofran, and then Emend. I'm sorry I got the Emend because it cost me $150 and I haven't needed it! If I'm all done I'm going to donate it.
One of my nurses said that the makers of Taxotere and Neulasta are having an argument which one of them is causing the bone pain. Ha ha ha!
All ~ I asked the nurse today about troubles many of you have with pain on Neulasta injection. She said she does it really slowly, and you know, it did take at least 3 minutes or so to get the whole shot in. She said it would really hurt if the injection, which is refrigerated and cold to start with, were injected like a regular shot. Plus it's irritating, so she takes it slow. I really like my oncologist's office, I am really lucky, they are the first recommendation I got and I went to a number of second opinions.
I am drinking water by the gallons. I think I drank 144 oz today. I had to go a lot of places - post office, Petco, Neulasta shot, bank and library and I peed at each place. I have a 24 oz. bottle that has a straw and I just sip it constantly. Works a charm.
Now I wore your ears down but thanks for letting me talk, it was therapy.
Feel good my dears, I'll be looking for your posts!0 -
Correction ~ denim bucket hat. From headcoverings.com.
Here are recommendations where to get stuff, I posted over on Chemo General but forgot to post it over here ...
It is Day 21 and I have been losing the hair since last week, so you all are right, about Day 14. I didn't have the heart to shave it, but it's very itchy as it's thinning out, my quote has been "I am my own dog." As of today it seems to have stopped falling out for the most part, not that it looks good tho! I am thinking the rest of it may go in a week or two. I bought a couple of hats at this site ~ very good site and great quality and made for us gals on chemo. Here is the bucket hat I got I wore today ~
http://www.headcovers.com/26/denim-bucket-hats
I also got some light hats and a red wool cloche with a flower, but that's too hot for the moment, it's been 76-78 all week. I got a large scarf from the Cancer Society site, but 36" happens to be too large, I was thinking elegant but it's just making my head look small. Here the scarf
http://www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-7747__dept-24.html
I am actually now wearing a napkin folded into a triangle on my head and tied in back, way too small but fine for sleeping in. 20", not enough coverage in back to go outside. I need something to catch the hair loss at night so I don't wake up in a pile of hair, he he. The lovely fleece night cap with moon and stars is too hot still but will be great soon.
I got three scarfs from over at AnokhiUSA, Cherry Booti, Indigo Lily Pads, and Rust Moon Flower. These are 30" squares altho you can get 15x72" also. I don't know how to wrap that for coverage.
http://www.anokhiusa.com/all_scarves/index.html
Just hoping before I go to bed to put a little fun into this conversation.
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Unique and birdsong ~ I've had the same concerns about sugar, both its' connection to cancer tumors as well as its' affect on blood sugar. I just can't drink my tea without sweetener. I use (and like) organic blue agave nectar. It looks like honey and tastes like it too. It's a low glycemic index sweetener so it's slowly absorbed into the body preventing spikes in blood sugar. You're supposed to be able to use it wherever you use table sugar. I use it in my tea but have not used it for cooking yet. My local health food store sells Wholesome brand. www.wholesomesweetners.com There's another brand www.blueagavenectar.com. Their website claims it's recommended by Dr. Oz. I had tried Stevia but read some warnings about it - can't remember what they were and it's expensive.
Hope this helps.
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Lani - I agree with you, I'm just going with whatever tastes good to me right now; I'll worry about eating better when this is all over. One of the things that has really helped me is gingerale - the full sugared kind, but it soothes my stomach and keeps me from having a hypoglycemic problem. I do need to back off on the Cape Cod Potato Chips (they tastes sooo good - and of course I buy the 40% reduced fat variety).
Elizabeth - you are not a big baby, you have had a day from Hell honey! You are going through some mighty big dodo right now! I felt HORRIBLE 2 days after my 1st tx; actually woke up crying I felt so bad! Started to feel better by day 6, went back to work a bit shakey, but was working full time by the end of the week. Second tx was not as bad - had killer heartburn (didn't with 1st); had a terrific headache the second day, but I believe it was from the neulasta shot. I think that our bodies take such a big hit from the first tx that it kind of causes all of our systems to go into shock mode. My liver and spleen hurt! Then I guess by the next tx we adjusted somewhat and the hit is not so powerful - just my opinion.
Pinky - sounds like you validate my theory regarding the 2nd tx! Way to go walking five miles in the STrides for Breast Cancer walk - my ex-sister in law may have been walking with you (she's my one and only favorite ex-sister-in-law). I have a daughter who lives in Brighton,TN - her husband is a tuba player in the Navy Band - go hear them if you get a chance - they're great! We have practically the same dx (except my tumor was 2.7 cm).
Annie - I took a trip to your website - you have some yummy stuff there Girlfriend! I love the scarves on AnokhiUSA website.... absolutely beautiful! I'm pretty particular about candles; they have to be made with essential oils; I can't stand any of the stuff that has "fragrance" listed as an ingredient (could be combination of ~200 different chemicals) - that can't be good for you! It doesn't get dark quite so early here in the Mountains of North Carolina - but I do love to spend an evening on the deck with lots of candles and a little fire in the fire pit...I love cold weather! Then I can break out all of the hats that I have ordered from TLC (~6 and a quilted hat liner in transit). I do have to keep ever mindful of the ChemoBrain and ChemoPause so that I don't burn the house down - yikes!
Makeup is essential for bald babes; I'm way into anything and everything Bare Escentuals. Love the way it goes on and feels on your face. My mom gave me a gift certificate for a facial and I think that I'm going to schedule it right after my next tx - and then let the esthetician do my makeup (they use all Bare Escentuals [Bare Minerals] there); something to look forward to that takes my mind off the BC for an hour or so!
Hope you all can do something nice for yourself - we all deserve it!
Happy, calm, sleeping y'all!
Donna
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I always thought that blue agave nectar was tequila
You can bet that I'll be looking for it (and the salt too ...lol). I'm trying to stay away from artificial sweeteners, so I'm will to try something new - like that it's organic too! Thanks Sandy! 0 -
Wink ~ you're right. Tequila is made from the Blue Agave. I'm just reading both of the websites now. I've been trying hard to avoid sugar for a while now and am still trying to figure out an easy way to take the agave with me when I travel or to a restaurant. I wish it came in those sealed straws like honey. I need a very small, sturdy squeeze bottle. You wouldn't want it to leak. It's sticky.
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Annie, you had a Neulasta injection that took three minutes??
Mine takes maybe three seconds, but it doesn't hurt.
Chris
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Hi Girls,
I haven't posted in a while, but I keep up with all of your posts daily... Thank you for being a part of my support network, even though you may not always know it!
With all of the SE discussion, I don't hear too much said about energy levels and the feeling of constant tiredness. That is my main complaint! I am having Tx #3 on Monday and I am worried that the tiredness factor will be cumulative. I am 49 and have been put into menopause by the TC. I have started to have night sweats which is contributing to my tiredness as it doesn't allow me to get a good night's sleep. I sleep much better when I take the Ativan, but I am worried about taking that too often as it is habit forming! (I do take it every night when I am on the steroids, though.) I am not working right now, so it's not that I am overtaxed... How is everyone else doing with this issue?
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Meg0 -
Herceptin
Tonight at 9:00 PM ET, Lifetime channel presents "Living Proof", the true story of UCLA oncologist and researcher, Dr. Dennis Slamon who helped develop Herceptin. The review I read recommends the movie, stating, "it's stirring, informative and ultimately bearing hopeful news".
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Hey girls! I am new to the site. I finished my second treatment 10/10. My biggest problem is "heart burn". I have never had heartburn but this seems different. The first five days I have to eat every hour or so to "feed" the acid or I become very, very, sick. Nothing really tastes good but if I don't... Anybody else have this problem? I am not used to eating like that and it is exhausting. The Doctor has rx Pepcid which I take twice a day and I can't tell any difference.
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Meg - Fatigue was my biggist issue after tx #2 (Oct 2); I felt like I was dragging around a 2-ton butt! Just these past few days I feel like I have more energy (just a 50 lb butt now). I take a 6.5 mg Ambien CR, a 25 mg Benedryl and sometimes a Lorazipan (1mg) to get to sleep. I'm working full time so I feel that it's more important to get in my ZZZZZZZZZZZZs while going through chemo. I will talk to my Dr about weaning off the sleep meds when treatments are finished.
JD (from W Virginia?) - I had pretty bad heartburn, but only after TX #2; onc prescribed Protonix; it's and industrial-strength acid blocker. Seems to work.
Chris - same with me regarding the Neulasta shot. My nurse took it out of the frig to warm up before injecting - she said it sting pretty bad if you don't.
Sandy - how is it measured per serving? Could you buy the smallest squeeze bottle of honey, store the honey in something else (glass jar?) and use the squeeze bottle for the agave? I would probably wrap it up in a zip lock bag because I thinking that it would make an awful mess in your purse should it leak
.Donna
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Sandym,
Thanks for the reminder about the show on cancer. I had it in my planner and didn't want to miss it. Also thanks for the information about Agave Nectar recommended by Dr Oz. As I said before I got a wealth of information from The Anti Cancer Book selling at Costco and am just reading Suzanne Summers book "Breakthrough" where she interviewed a number of doctors and is a breast cancer survivor herself. Also does anyone have information on make up and lotion that have safe rcommendation for you body since it is all absorbed when you use it. I understand some products can be harmful. Thanks Birdsong
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Donna - Thanks for your response and the laugh! Sounds like I am about three days ahead of you in treatment. Let's hope for no added fatigue in Tx#3 next week!
Neulasta in the stomach is the way to go. It was painless in my belly compared with the sting in the arm.
Elizabeth - ask your Onc about perhaps a reduction in the Neulasta shot. I only get 4cc's now instead of the full 6cc's. It has made a huge difference in how I have felt this Tx as compared with the first! My WBC's were in range, too, even with the reduced dose.
Meg
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Thanks for the information about the shows for tonight on cancer. I checked the guide and there are 2 shows on back to back with true stories on lifetime. Does anyone have informaiton about safe cosmetics to use , I understand some may have ingredients that aren't safe to use and I don't have any other information.Also, Sandym thanks for the information about agave nectar. That is great. Thanks , Birdsong
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I am feeling MUCH MUCH BETTER today on Rd2 Day 4 than I did last time. Tired, groggy head, stoopid, fuzzy tongue, but last time I felt like a bad flu and all my bones hurt. Not yet ... So I hope I'm one of the one who does better each time? Please?
SandyM ~ thanks for the Blue Agave idea, I'll try it!
Margaret ~ I had night sweats during menopause, and wasn't getting any sleep either, I just sort of hacked it and then hit a wall and went on Paxil for anxiety. This also fixed the night waking too. So I haven't had this trouble yet now maybe because I'm on the Paxil? Benadryl was the precursor to the SSRI anti-anxieties, this was fun to find out, they invented Prozac so it would work like Benadryl without making people sleepy. You could try Benadryl and see if that helps, it's OTC, not really habit forming and cheap as dirt. Or use the Ativan just for the first week of your chemo when it's the worst.
Elizabeth ~ how are you feeling today girl! Is it any better?
jdfromva ~ maybe just try munching crackers all day? I don't feel good if I don't sip water all day, at first it was a hassle to keep the water bottle with me plus make sure I had a place to pee every half hour LOL! But I'm kind of getting into the flow and not minding it now.
Birdsong ~ I got all new makeup, it was on the sheet I got from the onco, so you're starting clean. I didn't wear much makeup before, but I need it now! For base makeup I splurged and got Zia http://www.zianatural.com, it's expensive but goes on just beautifully and lightly, you don't feel like you have it on. For the rest I just went to the drugstore and got some Physician's Formula Organic Wear and it's very nice. Just a lipstick and powder, then a week later some eye shadow and an eyeliner because my eyes need some definition now WITHOUT HAIR.
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Donna, Thanks for the support, I do feel like a big baby, but if everyone else can do this so can I . Your words helped me and made me feel better.
Annie, Thanks for helping. You always look so cute in your pictures, and I can tell you are a very positive and happy person. Thanks for giving me the tips.
Meg, I am so confused about the "shot" I have not had one. Am I supposed to get this shot, because I sure as heck didn't get one and I am worried about that. Please let me know. Also, today is day #5 for me...is this the danger zone? I still feel knew with this, but I remember somewhere that I need to be careful days 5-7. Please tell me.
Deanna, I wanted to let you know that you are a very kind woman. There were two occassions when I read something that you wrote to me, and there is something about how you word things to me that comfort me. You make me feel like I can do this, and that I will be alright. Thank you
Thank you everyone, I am so happy to have you all!
Love,
Elizabeth...felling better than yesterday!
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Birdsong, Go to the Moving Beyond Cancer forum and look for the topic "make up hints". I remember a while back there were discussions about what make up was safe to use and which was probably not the best choice. I'm sorry I don't remember what page on the topic, but a little searching and you should find them.
Chris
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Elizabeth - day 10 post tx (they call it your Nadir = Nadir basically means low point) is supposed to be when your counts are the lowest. Most oncs will have a standing order for their patients on chemo to have a CBC (complete blood count) performed 10 days after each tx (The nadir time is usually about 10 days after treatment, although this may vary depending on the drugs given. The concern during the nadir time is that the body's first line of defense against infection, white blood cells (WBC) and the platelets, which help to clot the blood, are low leaving a person more susceptible to infection and bleeding.) The next dose of chemotherapy is given only after your blood counts have left the nadir and recovered to a safe level.
My onc does not automatically order a Neulasta shot with the first tx (some do); he felt that I needed one after my 2nd tx because my WBC dropped so low. My WBC after 2nd tx was 20 (twice the high normal), so I'm hoping to skip it after TX #3. For a reference, I will post the normal values for a complete blood count; hopefully it will help you to decipher your results - and make sure that you ask to sign a release so that you can get your lab results; I think that it's important to keep records of all of your procedures.
Donna
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Hi Elizabeth,
I think many Oncs do prescribe the Neulasta shot somewhat preventively to boost your white blood cells. They just assume that they will be low and give this med the day after your Tx to boost them up. Your Onc may be waiting to give it to you only if your wbc's fall low. When will you get your blood checked next? If they find your count low, maybe they will give it to you on your next Tx. I think your "low times" for wbc's is about days 7-10 (someone correct me if this is wrong).
You will begin to feel better soon, Elizabeth. On my first Tx, days 4-6 were yucky and then I started to feel back to myself. You will be amazed at what your body can do to heal itself!
Meg
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Oops, I think my reply overlapped with yours, Donna. Your answer is much more complete!
Thanks,
Meg
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Hi, everyone ~ Just skimming everyone's posts this a.m., and wanted to share a great resource for safe cosmetics. It's called the Environmental Working Group, and they test everything -- from cosmetics to bottled water, etc. Here's the link: www.ewg.org. If you sign-up for their email list, you'll get alerts re. warnings and any new info. They have a full section dedicated to cosmetics.
Elizabeth! I am so glad you're feeling a bit better. I was holding my breath when I read how crappy you felt yesterday -- praying you'd ride it out quickly, and not hate me for being one of the cheerleaders who encouraged you to do this. But I have to tell you, I probably read something in your earliest posts that I recognized because I'd been there myself. Bc survivor-friends helped me through that worry and fear, and you will be here to help others along, just as everyone here has supported you. By the way, where are you in California? I'm near Palm Desert, as is Gail/Desert Rider. We're already planning a 2009 get together with a few others on the Aug 08 chemo board. Will keep you posted if you're interested.
The shot everyone talks about is Neulasta -- a white blood cell builder given profolactically to ward off a dangerously low WBC, which makes you susceptible to and unable to fight any type of infections. From what I've read here, most onc's give it or a less-costly 7-day regimen (7 shots!) called Neuprogen. (Some health insurance coverage will not pay the $2500-3000 per shot for Neulasta if your WBC isn't already low.) However, some oncs do not give it unless your WBC falls below the normal range. Ask your onc about it. If he doesn't automatically give it, just be sure they check your blood once or twice before your next tx. to be sure you're staying within the normal range.
Annie... Love the new photo! You're definitely a hat girl!
Sandy... Thank you for the info about the show on Dennis Slamon. I'm being treated at UCLA, where he's obviously extremely highly revered. It will be great to learn more about him.
Take care all ~ Deanna
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Please forgive the length of this post
The WBC is part of a CBC (complete blood count), a test to determine your WBC, RBC (red blood cells) Hemoglobin (oxygen carrying component), Hematocrit (% of red cells in your whole blood [rbcs & plasma]) and PLT (platelet count - platelets are the first responders to repair damage in the vascular system). All of these cellular elements are fast to replicate - so they are effected by most chemo drugs. The WBC (white blood cell count) is a total count of 5 different types of white cells; neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, esosinophils, and basophils.
The WBCs that are most important in launching an immune response are the neutrophils. The ANC is the Absolute Neutrophil Count and basically represents the total number of neutrophils in your system. You may see it on a report as NE# = 1.0 (10 to the 3rd exponent per microliter) which translates to 1000 neutrophils. My ANC went down to 0.2 (= 200) and my total WBC was 2.1. Usually your counts will be their lowest on the 10th day after a chemo treatment - this is the Nadir. I will list the normal reference ranges that we use in our laboratory - each laboratory establishes their own normal reference ranges using an average from sampling their normal patient population; most reference ranges do not vary by much. Ranges for certain elements vary for male & female (I will note this using M & F).
WBC (white blood cells) M/F 4.5 - 11.0 (10 to the 3rd exp)/uL (microliter)
RBC (red blood cells) F 3.50 - 5.50 (10 to the 6th exp)/uL
M 4.30 - 5.90 (10^6)/uL
HGB (hemoglobin) F 12.0 - 16.0 g/dL
M 13.5 - 17.5 g/dL
HCT (hematocrit) F 38.0 - 46.0 %
M 41.0 - 53.0 %
PLT (platelet ct) M/F 130 - 500 (10^3)/uL
ANC (absolute neutrophil) M/F 1.8 - 7.7 (10^3)/uL
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Hi again ladies, I can not tell you enough how grateful I am to have you all in my corner. It is nice to have such a supportive and helpful group of friends. I am going to call on Monday regarding the lab draws and to see when my CBC will be drawn. I am almost SURE that they told me to have this done just the day before my next treatment...Nov 4, so I have to get this figured out. I feel much better than I did yesterday, so I am hoping it will just continue like this.
I feel bad for not letting the kids friends over this weekend, but I am afraid of any extra kid germs. Deanna, I live in Northern California, the Bay Area. It's sunny here right now, but surly not as lovely as you have it. Thanks for always helping.
Love,
Elizabeth
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Has anyone else noticed that Sandra hasn't posted since before leaving for Sedona, although she has changed her avatar to one I assume is from that trip. Sandra.... Where are you? Should we be worried about you? Hope you didn't get sick in AZ. Deanna
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This is an interesting website regarding safety in cosmetics;
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Elizabeth, it will get better! Ask your onc what you can take for the bone pain -- people on this site have used claritin, and some used aleve, ibuprofen or tylenol. Tylenol has never worked for me, but ibuprofen did. Elizabeth, I did the same thing with my kids' friends for days 6 through 14, though I started fudging with my last tx. Just carried around a bottle of hand cleaner and cleaned them every time I touched a doorknob. I was especially paranoid about the phone and wouldn't let my kids answer it. I didn't catch anything though they all caught colds and two of them had the stomach flu!
Pinky, good to hear from you again! Good for you, doing the 5 mile walk!
Meg, fatigue was my biggest issue for my last tx, as the onc explained that the RBC goes down with each tx. I was almost at the level of needing a transfusion, couldn't walk more than 20 steps without getting out of breath. The onc said my CBC shows that I have enough iron in my system, it's just the bone marrow that doesn't want to make red blood cells until it bounces back. The good news is that 4 1/2 weeks out, my RBC and hematocrit are starting to come back up, though still not in the normal range. There is hope!
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Lani, thanks for the reassurance about the kids. Don't want to bring them down !0
