Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Treatment #3 is done....so one more.
Steve - I had a very small tumor, but 1 positive node...onc said 4 would be enough...so that is what I am going with then 30 rads, and tamoxifen...I was pre-meno before I started chemo...they will check those again after....and if still pre, may take my ovaries...so much to think and decide...but they are a great bunch of docs and I am willing to take them at their word
Really tired during treatment today...slept almost the whole time...we did have a little snafu at first..my liver enzymes were up...so they had to check that first and we were delayed an hour....but it was ok...we needed some stuff at the store and we dont live far away
Yes, my hubbie is great! The only bad thing that has happened is that he created a rift between our oldest his wife - he is an army officer in Afghan...and has not been communicating with us...we do hear from his wife...anyway the dh is pretty pissed at him and let him know it...especially when he was on R&R in Germany and still did not call...I told dh to forget it...I just think Jason can't deal with being at war, being away from his newlywed wife, and his mom having cancer....
As I have said before...the only bad times I have is when I have Jason and cancer/chemo moments....but I love him to death even if I don't hear from him.
Number 2 Brandon - he is 21...I got a text almost the minute I left the hospital to see how I was doing...but he has had a hard time with all this...he did go to see a counselor and drop one class...so I think he is better about things now...he only goes to college 30 min away so has been home more
We will all get through...the hubbies, the kids and especially us...we will be different people...but probably more appreciative of everything...rememeber we can't change the wind, but we can change the direction of our sails....
off to bed...the benadryll is still working....night
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guitarGrl: I bought a couple of "barely there" bras after my surgery and they are really soft and comfortable with a little support.
Believer0711: I am doing the 5-yr. hormone when chemo is over. I have tx#3 next Wed. My onco told me that just because you are not getting your period does not mean that you are going through menopause. I have been debating having my ovaries removed. We'll see.
I had a reaction tx#2. Anyone else who had the same experience, did you have a reaction again tx#3 or 4. If so, does it get more severe? It was pretty scary but I will have pre-meds this time so maybe that helps?
Have a great night everyone!
Debbie
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KathyL, I did call onc's office. They think it is a combination of chemo fatigue and lack of sleep. I am starting Effexor for night sweats. I have tried sleeping pills and they do nothing to help me sleep so we are going to work at controlling the sweating. Hoping for a good night sleep!
Deb
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Hi Evie -- you're very welcome! Glad you like it :-> Save the "mother" for me, you just never know what my itchy palms will bring hehe
. Patty -- as CHJ and Debbie had indicated, it may not be menopause for us yet. Guess I'll find you and Debap in the Hormone forum sometime soon. So we may be getting Tamoxifen or Femara? I think if post-menopausal, Arimidex is the treatment? Shoot, can't remember! My memory has been really bad lately! I also noticed poor sense of balance and blurred vision especially in the morning - weird!
Tonight on our way out of the grocery, I ran into the sliding glass door and spilled my boba drink all over me and hubby! Ouch! The boba pearls were all over the floor. I've never been so clumsy in my whole life :-D
Sleep well my sisters! I'll be praying for you all tonight!
God bless,
Aurora
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Tx #3 was yesterday and went well. I'm one of the ones who had a reaction to CT during Tx#2. Onc changed my meds from Taxotere to Abraxane rather than increasing the meds to try to counter the allergic reaction. Only thing is they forgot to tell me that they would do the decadron as an IV so I had taken the oral version diligently the day before tx and the morning of. Nurse adjusted the IV amount but net effect is my sleep patterns have been awful both of the past two nights. Almost no sleep at all the night prior to tx and haven't been abel to get back to sleep tonight after a bathroom break. If course the hot flashes are not helping any.
Is it just me or do the steroid effects ramp up each time? Had little to no se from them first time out other than the red face, had some difficulty sleeping second time around but this time definitely have sleep disruptions, more sever hot flashes, feeling hyper, and talking a lot more.
Curious as to experiences with timing for the radiation mapping/simulation sessions versus the last chemo tx as well as how long after the mapping before the actual first radiation session. Trying to do some advance planning (yeah, right!). DH propsed that we throw a party after I end radiation to thank all the wonderful people who have been there for us during this journey. Sweet idea.
I, too, just picked up "Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips". Got it off off Amazon (used but new condition) for $5 delivered. Also picked up a few others for my future reading. Just finished "B.O.O.B.S (a Bunch Of Outrageous Breast cancer Survivors)" which I borrowed from the Resource Room at my Cancer Center. I needed a break from researching treatment options but still wanted to learn from others.
Are others doing support group meetings? I found a local group for BC patients currently in treatement that is very helpful. Much more focused on what I need currently than a general BC group which spans all the way form treatment to 30 year survivors. Though the ladies who went through this so long ago were and are amazingly strong.
Oh well, I guess since I am wide awake it is time to finish our taxes. Definitely will have DH go over them more carefully than he has in the past!
Take care all.
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Sharon & Jisman - hope you get through this round with minimal side effects! People think I dread going to chemo, but I find myself looking forward to the treatments, because it means I'm getting one more behind me. Guess that's weird. And chemo day is not "hard", it's the 5-6 days after. Chemo day gives me a chance to sit back & relax for a few hours.
Beegirl - I bought a black, cotton newsboy hat that I've tried on but have never worn. I just don't like the style on me. If you pm me with your name and address, I'll send it to you!
Hang in there everyone! At least it's going to be a bit warmer here in the northeast today!
CHJ
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Morning Ladies!
Is anyone out there in a position to know about radiation if you are also going through reconstruction? Kathy has an expander in place to get ready for a permanent implant. After four c-sections, she just wasn't willing to get the TRAM flap, and since she is a little lady the doc said there was only enough to do one side anyway! Plus, she liked the idea that if she ever has to have the right side done, she can get another implant and be balanced. But in your experiences, do they do radiation with the expander in, or wait for the final implant? Our plastic surgeon said that they might want the expander out to do the rads because there's a little metal ring inside, but said it would depend on the doctor and what was getting radiated. Any one have any experience with this?
Sharon - Regarding Jason, I know that as a man it would be very tough to be a newlywed, to be out fighting a war (which I hear can be very stressful all by itself!), and knowing that your Mom is back home going through her illness. He is probably so overwhelmed with his situation, especially at his age where he probably hasn't learned how to deal with all the crap that life can throw at you. Was he close to you and your husband before he went off to war? If he was and this is a new thing, I wouldn't be surprised if he just doesn't know how to handle it. Having said that, I completely understand your husband being pissed at him. My 17 year old still thinks the universe revolves around him, regardless of what Mom is going through, and I have to straighten him out with a little tough love every once in a while!
Debbie - Kathy is pre-menopausal (or at least she was when this started) but so far they're telling us that because she has no family history (they didn't even bother doing the genetic testing) it is unlikely that they'll have to take her ovaries. But she may want to do it anyway just to be sure!
Beegirl - Kathy's having 6 txs because they decided she was too advanced for just four. Doc is confident that this will work. Although she had node involvement, 16/20 were clean and the margins were clear on the tumor. He tells her (partly to make her feel better, I'm sure) that the surgery clearly got all the cancer, now all we are doing is a search and destroy mission on any of those little microscopic buggers that are floating around looking for a place to land. I pray he's right!
It is amazing to me how long winded I get once I get going here. I apologize for taking up so much space! I get this is kind of therapeutic for me too!
Have a great day, Ladies!
Steve
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SharonS: What an inspiring post. You are such a strong person. I'll bet it is very difficult on your oldest for the many reasons you stated, however, he should at least call or e-mail when he can. Steve gave you some great male insight!
It must be nice to write "one more to go". The end is in sight!
Debap: I had a taxotere reaction with #2 also. I did have it again with #3 despite premeds, but I knew what to look for, so I noticed the signs before it got as bad as the first reaction. For my last round, I got more premeds and did fine without any reaction. Your nurses will most likely not leave your side for this next round since you had a reaction the last time.
Gramadeb: I am glad it's nothing more serious. Get a good fan to blast on yourself when needed at night. Have you tried chamomile tea before bed? I also like Belleruth Naparstek's relaxation CD for helping to sleep. I got it from my cancer center's library, but she also has a website: http://www.healthjourneys.com/.
Jisman: My dh would also like to do a party to thank our supporters. I think we're going to do an open house soon where everyone can just come when they can and stay as long as they want. I also want to do a little pizza party for all of my daughter's preschool friends who had her over for playdates during my chemo down times.
CHJ: I totally agree: chemo days were the easy ones and a time to relax (and I always took a friend, so a time to socialize!). The days afterwards were the hard ones.
Steve: Don't apologize at all for your posts. We all find this very cathartic! Glad it is helping you.
My expander exchange surgery took place before chemo started, so I can't offer much advice there, I'm sure someone will chime in soon.
However, regarding ovary removal-- you might want to look into that more. Since your wife is premenopausal and may not have to remove ovaries-she may not want to remove them unnessarily. There are benefits to having them, such as helping combat osteoporosis. Chemo alone can increase the rate of calcium loss in the bones, ovary removal speeds up the process-- and prematurely if the woman is premenopausal.
Hope everyone has a good day!
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Hi Ladies (and gentleman!) - I just wanted to pop in and offer my two cents on the radiation. I just finished my 6th round (out of 25). So far it is not so bad. I am just starting to get a little itchy, but no redness or anything that I can physically see. I am very light skinned, blonde blue eyed - so concerned about burning.
My center gave me 6 tats. It was just one needle insert at each location. Some hurt a little more than others, but they weren't that bad and it was quick. They are permanent. Mine are blue, which is annoying. If they could make them brown they would just blend in with all of my moles. They use them to line you up with each round of radiation. They need to make sure they are going to the exact same spot each time. It is also my understanding that in case of a need for it in the future, drs would know the location of your previous radiation.
I haven't had a problem with fatigue, yet. I am trying to at least walk on the tm 3 - 4 times a week as with chemo. I think the exercise is a big help in the fatigue se. My dr/nurses have not said anything about underwire bras. So far I am still wearing mine and have not had any discomfort. I did by a few that do not have underwires in them, just in case I need them in the future.
My rad dr. wanted to start on the 4th week after ending chemo. I ended chemo on 3/7 and started my actual radiation on 4/3. I was actually supposed to start on the 1st, but had to redo the dry run because the other breast was in the field. They then had to make a cast to lift my body in order to adjust the beams. I thought the dry run was the hardest part emotionally because I felt like a science experiment.
I think we will all get through it just fine cause we are STRONG women!
Take care.
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PAlady,
Thanks so much for this post... so helpful to me in understanding the details! I just came from my consult appt with the radiation oncologist and made my appointments for measurement and scanning to set up for the rads. I am also quite fair-skinned and nervous about the burning potential... may I ask what creams/lotions you have used/liked?
Thank goodness for this board!
xox
C-Babe0 -
Hi all - thanks for the comments. Finally a sunny day here in Va...I think the warm weather will help me a lot.
Steve - I appreciate your comments about Jason...yes, we were always very close...and his wife lived with us for 3 months back in the fall, and we loaned her a car til she goes back to Germany. We will all get through this ...I just think he is in denial...b/c he can't add one more thing to his plate..and by the time we see him next..I will be through with treatment, and probably have hair...and he can pretend it never happened.
I hope your wife is doing well, when is her first/next treatment?
Hope eveyone has minimal se today. I am at work, but certainly don't feel great.
Sharon
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CHJ: I'm right there with you. First time around was fear, this time just want to get it over with. Pissed off is probably an under statement. I suppose the best thing about all of this is that this time I decided to search out for people going through the same thing, and not go it alone. Thank you all for being here and sharing.
Dh is my angel, and all of you are my angel-sisters of comfort. This time I have a better understanding of myself and challenges I'm facing. It has made me have a better outlook on the future. I hope to become more of a contributor to those that need someone to talk to when they are facing BC. My hope is to get involved. I am looking forward to the LGFB next week. In participating I also want details on how to provide LGFB my area. It may not happen overnight, but with the numbers climbing there is always a need for additional programs.
Steve: It really doesn't matter if there is a history or not. This BC can happen to anyone. Male or female. Some say that it is heredity, some want to blame current conditions of everything. As for me, I was adopted so don't really know ancestory. The one thing that we know it that no matter how BC or any other cancer occurs is that we have a much better chance of survival than those that faced this 20 years ago. So, chemo, radiation, surgeries all take a toll on the person going through it, thier families and friends. Thank God for progress in science. I also believe that prayer with faith is a good healer.
Sorry all, seem to be on a soap box today.
My se are not being able to walk very well. My legs, hips and joints are burning. Still need to go for a couple more neupogen shots, but do have energy. I just can't get around without wincing. Had to stay home today.
Believer: Good luck today. Last one for you!
Wishing all a se free day.
Also to everyone doing another round this week.
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C-Babe - My rad dr. said the best thing to use was aloe from a plant. I have one, but not near big enough to get what I need. I went to GNC and bought aloe gel there. It is 99.5% pure. You have to make sure you get some with no alcohol. I use that when I get home from the treatment. At night I have been using Udderly Smooth Cream as recommended by doc. I have been looking for some calendula cream or ointment that some ladies have recommended on the rad boards. I think I am going to have to order it online though as have had no luck finding any around here.
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cbabe....try to get aa natural of a product as you can. Remember no fragrance...this can cause irritation. If it is an essential oil it is usually fine since they use healing essential oil. I currently use all natural products on my skin and for cleaning the house. No scent to irratate me or my body.
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Sharon - It sounds to me like you have a pretty good hold on Jason's situation, and with all that's going on with you you can't worry about it too much anyway. You know, this is all very hard on us who care about you ladies too! We want to help, we want to make you feel better, we want it all to go away, we don't know what to do!
Kathy's tx#2 is Tuesday, 4/15. I'm very nervous now considering how well the first treatment and aftermath went. If they all go this well...but we can't expect that, so we're ready to do whatever needs to be done. She went out to buy some new hats and comfortable shirts today, so she's feeling good.
Goldi - You're so right about the progress in treatments from 20 years ago. Kathy always says that if she had to have this she's so glad that it's now and not during her mother's time, when they might not even figure out what it was until it's too late. And if they did find it, make you a guinea pig to figure out how to treat it. Thank God we now have excellent doctors, excellent options and excellent tools to try to minimize the SE's as much as possible.
PALady - We don't have a schedule yet for the radiologist, so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Excellent suggestion about the aloe plant though. I'll try to find a nice big one and hopefully Kathy can use that. She has VERY fair Irish skin ("frog belly white" I like to call her) compared to my dark italian skin. Putting the aloe on sounds like a great idea.
KathyL - I'm guessing the ovaries won't be an issue, but that is not anything we need to think about now. One thing at a time, one day at a time.
Oops, I better get back to work. Kathy is counting on my Health Insurance!
Steve
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Kathy - thanks for the info about camisoles with shelves - I had no idea such a thing existed.
bd: talked to a friend who's already been through rads & she said the x's aren't permanent - it's just a marker to tell them where to put the permanent tattoo which she said was very tiny. So you won't have all those x's forever.
Took a vacation from being a victim today instead of stocking up my fridge with the food I'll want after the treatment and doing other chores.
I celebrated the fact that I could taste food (one day is better than no days) and went down to one of my favorite restaurants. Had a mixed berry crepe while sitting on the patio & enjoying being away from the house. Then since I was in the neighborhood, I went for a long walk on the beach. Perfectly clear day, beach not crowded, just the obligatory surfers & a few families on vacation. The tide was out so the walking was easy.
The message for me, though it seems so obvious, is to be a person not a patient. Sometimes we can't do that, but when we can take advantage of it.
susan0 -
i knew this day would come - fall out day - started with scalp pain and a few strands, now I can pull it out. Even though I knew it would come it is making for a bad day. DH is on his way home and I think we are going for the shave.
To top the day off, I took my first dose of Effexor this morning - got extremely nausated. My onc's office called to see if I was doing better - told them what was going on, changed me to Effexor slow release and ordered a different sleeping pill - want me to take Effexor with a sleeping pill so I sleep and don't notice the nausea. My insurance company won't pay for Lunesta - that was ordered a few weeks ago. So now I got the order for Ambien CR - and guess what - insurance won't pay for that either!
So I feel like I am back at square one. I am glad I can come here and vent and know that you will all understand.
Deb
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Goldie and Chj... I took am a previous cancer survivor. I had cancer 19 years ago. Have been fine and dandy for 19 years and then breast cancer. I cannot believe how easy chemo was this time versus last time. I feel like it is nothing. I am a bit scared but my onc states that this breast cancer is "curable". I like the ring to that.
GuitarGrl..first of all your cat is darling. Good for you for going out and being a person not a patient....I love that saying. I did the same thing today. I went and bought some new PJ's to treat myself to something nice. I live in the OC..so a walk on the beach is a great idea. Funny how we can live right here and just forget how lucky we are to have such nice weather and beauty. Thanks for sharing.
GramaDeb..I am so sorry about the bad day. I totally understand. I did not want to shower yesterday for fear my hair would start to fall out. My scalp is sensitive as well so I know it is just a matter of time. This is the second time for me and you think it would get easier but when my scalp started to get sensitve I was thinking "Man this stinks". Hang in there it will grow back and mine actually grew back a tiny bit thicker and way more healthy.
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C-Babe - I went on the rad board last night and just read up on everything about the creams and stuff. I found the calendula cream and 99.5% aloe at Whole Foods. It was great. I also picked up up some Tom's no aluminum deodorant - I got the calendula version - hell I was on a roll. From the rad board, the women say you should store the aloe in the fridge and then take it with you to treatment.
PALady - my big bro is a 20 year Army dude, survived 3 of the latest wars, and still can't handle that I have breast cancer. My job is to make him laugh when we talk on the phone so he has some concept of what I'm going through. I think its that military code of toughness that is interferring with them.
GramaDeb- not sure if anyone has told you this...but its not only the hair on your head that falls out. Yeah, well no one told me that the I would lose the covering on the family jewels - still traumatized. Love, love that the hair on the underarms and legs fell off.
Didn't get too much sleep last night. Something I ate at dinner just swelled my stomach into one gaseous ball. But I did go out for most of the morning. It was good. Even flirted with a guy in the deli line at the supermarket. First time in many, many moons. We actually had the same hair style - he was also bald
Oh yeah, I have decided that I'm just going completely nude on top. It is what it is. As Guitargrl says: be a person not a patient. I'm also just damn tired of trying to match scarves with shirts. I was never a girlie girl so why am I trying to fake it now that I'm going through cancer treatment? I have found the perfect sized hoop earrings to wear. You know with the hoop earrings you're always 1 cm from looking like a pirate.
have a good night that is free of se.
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bdatlanta --
Thanks so much for the great info on calendula!
I am swollen, too -- belly full even after a full night's sleep. Face is a bit puffy, too. Gotta drink lots of fluids today!
Have a great one, all....
C-Babe0 -
Guitargrl: That crepe sounds yummy! And the walk on the beach must've been a nice respite.
Gramadeb: I remember the day my hair really started coming out in handfuls-it was horrible. But after dh and I took it all off, I have to say I felt better. Much harder watching it fall out en masse than being bald.
And don't you just hate insurance companies??? I love how they can dictate what you're "allowed" to take-NOT! Here's an idea companies... why not pay for what's recommended and actually works for the patient?!? I just found out my company doesn't want to pay for my hecerptin-they feel it's "not medically necessary"! It's about $5000. a dose. I've had 5 rounds of it already and still need 13. I certainly can't afford that. My onc office is sending them more "proof" of why I need it. Let's see.... maybe so I can live! And I've had 2 very reputable oncologists say that's what's needed. I could just pull my hair out (if I had any)!
Tigwin: Sorry to hear this is the second go-around for you. I hope I'm not being rude by asking, but is it the same type of cancer this time? I'm just curious-19 years is a long time inbetween. It must've been heartbreaking to hear that again.
BD: Your post had me laughing! I love your sense of humor and outlook on life. I agree... there are many days I look in the mirror and think I look like a pirate!
And on the flirting-you go girl!
I have to get going. Have a good day everyone!
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BD - you are a riot. I'm glad that your sense of humor is coming out. About the hair "down there" - I remember 13 years ago, that was the first hair I lost with AC. This time, it's not totally gone, but I was thinking the other day that if I had the time or the energy to go swimming, I wouldn't need a bikini wax!! Did I read somewhere that with rads you aren't supposed to swim? I need to investigate that more. I'll be getting rads for half the summer.
Kathy - sorry to hear about your insurance company issues. That's so aggrevating. It just seems so wrong. My onco wanted to do the Oncotype test for me, but the ins company only pays if your nodes are clear and I had micromets in the first node. I still would have liked to see what my score would be, but didn't want to pay. Whatever. The main thing about that test (per my onco) was that it would help make the chemo/no chemo decision, and the micromets made that decision for me.
Tigwin - you might have mentioned before that you are also in the "here we go again" club. (Brain fuzzy...) But you & Goldi & I have had the privilege of being long-time survivors before. We know what it feels like to get through it and live beyond it, and the feeling of appreciating every day of life!!! And we will do it again, eh?
I'm hearing more than one person talk about the heaviness in the gut. That has been my worst se during my chemo - the feeling that I have a softball-sized lump of pizza dough in the bottom of my stomach for about 10 days after I get chemo. I haven't found the right thing to take care of that yet.
Gramadeb - losing the hair can be traumatic, it's true. Everything else about cancer can be a secret, but your head is so visible, and I think that's why it's so hard for us. But it will come back. Mine came back the same 13 years ago. I'm anxious to see what it will do this time. We all feel for you!!
Have a great day, everyone. We're going to have another warm one in the northeast, hooray!!
CHJ
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Morning Ladies!
Well, Kathy's hair is starting its inevitable decline. She's at Day 18, so I guess that's right on schedule. She went to the mall to get our oldest a birthday present yesterday (he turned 17) and decided to try on some hats. Then burst into tears and had to leave the mall! She knows that all this discomfort and inconvenience is temporary, but there are moments when it's all too much...
Anyone have experience with expanders? Hers was very uncomfortable yesterday. She is small to begin with, so the doctor had her "inflated to size" in two trips. But she feels all stretched and sore, and we're wondering if it wouldn't have made more sense to drag it out for a third appointment. And she is still sore under her arm, I guess from the nodes coming out. Anyone else feeling discomfort from an expander or under her arm?
And what about night sweats? Last night was bad, or at least it was the first time she admitted to a problem. Is there anything that can be done to relieve that or not make it so bad?
I seem like I'm all questions today. Anyone need any answers? I'm pretty good at Jeopardy...
Steve
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Kathy's hubby - I started with intense night sweats this week. I was put on Effexor. It is an antidepressant but has been found to be effective for night sweats. Ask for the slow release med. I started with just regular Effexor and had nausea about 1.5 hours after taking it. Now I have been changed to slow release. Also changed my does from 75 mg once a day to 37.5 mg once a day. Last night was much better - only a few episodes of sweating - compared to all night long earlier in the week. One benefit - now that my hair is gone - if I get hot, I just take off my sleep cap and cool off really quickly!
My dh shaved my head last night - and like everyone has said - it does feel better to have gotten to this point - my scalp does not hurt as much and no longer worrying about clumps of hair falling out all over the house! Last thing I wanted was to wake up with a bed full of hair this morning!
bdatlanta - yep I heard the head is not the only place you lose hair - still waiting for that to disappear!!!
Deb
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Hi, all--
Just stopped in for a minute to see what's happening.
Kathy's hubby--I didn't have recon, but I do think the TC caused some pain where I haven't had pain for a long time. This is day 9 of my 1st TC cycle, and I'm feeling better today, but I had the full gamut of early SE's so far. There were a lot of aches and pains, some due to Taxotere and some to Neulasta. The one I didn't expect was pain over my mast/SNB incision and under my arm. Those areas are fully healed since my surgery Feb. 5 and haven't felt the least bit uncomfortable...until my TC chemo began. I don't know if it was my pain threshold that changed, or if there was slight swelling (edema) because of the Taxotere and it created pressure. Anyway, the pain is gone today. I wonder if that's what's happening with Kathy.
bdatlanta, I love your posts! Sometimes all you can do to stay sane through this is to laugh; and you've helped me tremendously. Thank you so much!
And I think I figured out the hair thing. Mine is due to fall in about 6 days (+/-). I was stressing about it a lot, but that was before the red, dry face; the painful mouth; the chronic indigestion; the persistent diarrhea; and wondering if anything (like water?) will ever taste normal again. I know this will all pass, but in the meantime, it makes hair loss seem less significant.
otter
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Guitargrl: The walk on the beach sounds so relaxing. Quite a few years back we lived in San Diego. We spent time in Pt. Loma and La Jolla. The beach and sunshine is the one thing I miss. I remember always seeing sea lions in La Jolla at the pier. The sounds of the waves have always been relaxing to me.
CHJ: Are you having chemo brain that seems to leave you instantly forgetting what you just mentioned or did? It seems like I am having chemo brain more than last time. It is so frustrating. Dh helps laugh it off, and a friend said that she's had chemo brain ever since I started with the chemo. I am having to verbally-out loud say what pills I am taking. Don't want to take more than I'm suppose to.
Kathys Husband: The night sweats for me are 24/7. Have had them since the first time around. I have had to rediscover how to keep myself cool when they happen. This time during treatment it seems like they are not quite as often. The drs have not been able to prescribe anything that works. I have tried everything Px and non-Px. My hot "HOT" flashes are taking the steroids, and when I am digesting a meal. Other than that I seem to now only have "flashes" every couple of hours. Taking the chemo has actually slowed them down. I have "flashed" every 20 minutes or so for the last 5 years. So I wouldn't go crazy I just decided that this is my life and deal with it. My remedy has been Fans everywhere. I carry a battery operated fan in my purse so that when I out I still have something to use that cools quickly. My purse fan looks like an ipod and has a kick-stand to set on the table during meals. The fun thing about flashing is the choices I've had with the fans. There are several types. I even have a Lipstick looking fan that people really think is lipstick.Got them at Walmart. I have small fans at my desk at work. At home I have a rotating/stand tall fan next to where I sit watching TV. In the bedroom I have a remote stand tall fan that when necessary I turn on and turn off once I cool down. Adjusting with blankets for dh was easier than both of us suffering.
Had to stay home again. Bones are heavy and hurt constantly. No longer achy, just pain. Haven't had this much pain before. Guess I'm just super sensitive. I have always had a low tolerance to pain and high tolerance to meds. Not a good combination. This will pass. One more shot today.
Have done some research on testosterone cream. Saw the TV show,"old christine" using the cream. That is the one and only remedy that I have not used. Will check with the dr next week on trying it. Seems like the se from the cream if used correctly wouldn't do any harm. Never hurts to ask. We really never talked about losing hair all over. This time it seems to not have completely fallen off everything. Just scarce in some places. It has saved on the every other-daily grind of shaving.
Time for more meds, wishing all a se free Friday.
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Hi all, just checking in after morning errands. I didn't have any night sweats, so I'm no help there. In fact, I only had chemopause for one cycle-- hardly even worth it. My body is too regular I guess, even chemo can't knock those girlie hormones down.
Steve: I did have expanders in for about 2 months. My ps expanded very slowly (30-50cc each time), but I had little to no pain that way. I took 400mg of Motrin every six hours for 2-3 doses after each expansion (took the first dose before I even went in the office). I think I had 5-6 expansions, done a week apart each time. The pain that I did feel was almost always on the sides where the pectoralis muscle attaches (near armpit area). Some people I know had the same pain along their sternum, which is the other side where the muscle attaches. Heat to the area may also help her if Motrin doesn't cut it. And there's always stronger pain medicine she could ask for, like Percocet.
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Goldilocks - chemobrain? Are you kidding? I'll get mid-sentence and forget what I was going to say. I've made a couple mistakes paying bills online, and I'm having a hard time keeping track of things. It's all disturbing because I'm usually a super-organized kind of person. And I agree, it's worse than last time, but then I'm also 13 years older, so I figured that probably has something to do with it also.
I hope you start getting some relief from the pain soon.
Steve - I can't help out much with your questions (no expanders) but I agree with gramadeb - taking the cap off at night when you have no hair does help me cool off!! I haven't had too many problems with sweats. Not sure if it's because I've already gone through menopause (I'm 53).
Tell your wife to go crazy buying hats or scarves or whatever she likes. It's fun. Check out tlcdirect.org, and my new favorite, hatsscarvesandmore.com. If there's a Look Good Feel Better class in your area, get her to sign up for that too. Once I got over the trauma of losing my hair, I started having fun with hats. I thought I would save a lot of $$ by not having to get my hair cut every 6 weeks (true) but I've more than made up for it buying hats...
CHJ
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Hello All...Hope today is a good one.
KathyL...you
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Hello All...Hope today is a good one.
KathyL...you
can0
