August 2010...anyone starting chemo besides me?!
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Hi Ladies, I am not in your group but still am going through chemo that began 7/28/10. I have had 3 tx so far of AC. I found using ice chips during tx was the best way to avoid mouth sores. You might want to try that.
On scalp and hair issues, I still have a very minimal fuzz of hair but really starting falling out in hunks at about day 21. My scalp got very painful like hair was constantly pulling so my hairdresser cut it about 1 inch all over with shaver. I found that a really soft sleep cap would keep most hair in cap instead all around my head and in bed. Also, I took soft cotton padding and wrapped my head inside cap so the scalp pain would let me sleep. Hope this helps. My scalp is not sore anymore but I am mostly bald now and am ready for the rest to just fall on out but it may not. There are usually shops in the USA where you can get free scarves,caps, and a wig through the American Cancer Society. You can contact them to find out if it is offered in your area. I got some really nice things from our local shop at our hospital that is all free to breast cancer patients. Even got two bras with prosthesis for free. Hope you guys can get all info and help you need but there are so many discussions that someone somewhere can help.
Sending good thoughts to all of you,LOL,gin2ca in SC
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wher--well, I guess I'm sorty of being "irrational" or maybe thinking too much. I read in the ACS brochure my doc gave me that certain chemos can cause other kinds of cancer down the road. And some side effects are permanent and irreversable. I know, I know, I have no choice - do NOTHING and I could be dead in 2 years from mets......but it's still scary and depressing.
I'm really careful about everything do put into my body - I only take pain meds when necessary, and I don't eat sugar or artificial stuff. Psychologlically just pumping something into my body that kills good cells is scary........ Does this make sense? Maybe not - maybe I'm being irrational since I have no choice (I do have a choice actually and I've already made it). I'm not questioning that choice - just a lot more full of dread about it all than I was before.
Bone and CT scans next wednesday, echo on Friday. Praying nothing comes back bad..... My 8 year old says i'll be so irradiated that we will save a bundle on electricity- won't have to turn the lights on for a while, she says!
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I am 33 years old, mother to two beautiful little girls age 6 & 8 and I have a wonderful boyfriend of 5 years and I was just diagnosed with IDC Stage 2, er/pr - and her2+, I will be starting chemotherapy this month as well,, they want to do carboplatin, taxotere and herceptin, every 3 weeks for a total of 6-8 times and the hercptin for 1 year. Not sure what the exact date will be, will be having a CT Scan and Bone Scan this week and then going to chemo class this coming Tuesday. Will have to have a port in place due to bad veins. I am scared to loose my hair, be sick and scared about my nails falling off. I am just having a really hard time dealing with all the why questions? why me, why my kids, my family, my friends, why do they have to watch me go thru this.
I am thankful for this board and website, I have been reading non stop for a few days now and although the reason that brought all of us to this board SUCKS, I feel like there is a reason we have all met and a reason we are on this journey together. I enjoy reading how everyone is dealing with this, their feelins and emotions, fears. God Bless everyone of you.
Tina
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Tina, your feelings are shared. I was diagnosed in Dec and still ask why. More for why do my kid(8,6, & almost 2)s have to watch their mommy be sick? why do they have to worry about me? why do they have to be afraid that I am going to die? I think my kids have been the hardest part of all of this yet they are also the reason I pull myself out of bed everyday, put a smile on my face and am grateful to be alive and watching them grow. My husband is my college sweetheart and we have been married for almost 11 years and I feel for him too. I know we said the "in sickness and in health" part of our vows but I certainly wasn't expecting to be dealing with the sickness part at our age(36). This whole thing does really suck and it makes me very sad and angry but as we all do, we will continue to face our fears, fight with everything we have even when we feel we have nothing left, and hopefully move through this part of our lives having gained more than was taken away(hair, boobs, etc).
I also did 6 rounds of TCH and I'm not going to lie, it can be difficult at times but I always tried to remember what my friend told me. She said "tomorrow will not be as bad as today". I just kept telling myself that everytime I was feeling bad from a chemo treatment and it is true each day you will feel a little better and before you know it, you will have put another round of chemo behind you.
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Welcome new ladies! As I've been reading through everyone's posts I'm surprised to find other people close to my age (I'm 32). For all of those pre-menopausal women here, I'm wondering if any of you are concerned about fertility and pregnancy following treatment? I got married almost 2 years ago and my husband and I both really want kids and were hoping to start a family in the next year or so. Of course being diagnosed has changed all that and I am concerned about the impact chemo will have on my fertility. I did meet with a specialist and we decided against freezing embryos but I am taking Lupron to put me into "medical menopause" during chemo with the hope that it will help me to avoid a permanent menopause from chemo. Since I am also ER+/PR+ it has been recommended that I take at least 2 years of Tamoxifen before stopping to try to get pregnant. It has been really stressful for me to deal both with having cancer and with the possibility of never being able to have kids. So many of my friends have been getting pregnant recently and that makes it harder. On top of all that I've started getting hot flashes from the Lupron treatment and it is not fun!
Anyway, let me end my pity party and I am sending out good vibes to all of the ladies starting their chemo this week and to the ladies getting their PET, CT, and other scans done!
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IOWASUE - I was prescribed 4 meds for stomach upset. I'm taking the Prilosec (Omeprozole) every day, the Ondansetrone 2x per day for 3 days, the Ativan (Lorezapam) at night, and the Prochlorparazine not at all. I'm also taking Senna, because many of these anti-nausea drugs cause constipation.
The infusion nurse told me that he has seen several people get in trouble by stopping the ondansetron too soon because they are feeling better. He stressed to really take it for the full 3 days, even if I think I'm doing okay.
They gave me a steroid with the infusion, but because I have diabetes and it can mess with my blood sugars, I'm not taking any oral steroids.
I will say that I have had very, very little nausea - just a little bit of heartburn which is totally manageable. And I generally have a very weak stomach.
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Youmomof3,
Could you please tell me a little more in detail about going thru the TCH, I am so scared. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for responding back.
God Bless,
Tina
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mstina- I completely understand why you are scared. I just had my first round of TCH on Monday. I cried a lot the night before. I was scared of the unknown - and the fact that no one could tell me exactly what was going to happen was maddening. Everyone keeps telling you "Every body is different, and everyone responds differently." Then I would come on these boards, as supportive as they are, and read about people's horrible experiences and I would start to panic.
I will say that every step on this trip through bc has been easier than I had made it out in my head. From the first biopsy, to the MRI, to the surgery, to now the chemo: My imagination is much more wild than the reality.
My first tx took close to 4 hours because they do everything slowly. They gave me Benadryl and steroids first, and the Benadryl made me a little loopy, which helped my anxiety. After that, they gave the Herceptin, then the Taxotere, and then the Carboplatin. The Taxotere took the longest because they were watching for allergic reactions. I didn't have any, but the nurse came by several times to ask how I was feeling. I ate lunch, listened to my iPod, worked on some musid I'm learning, closed my eyes and rested for a while. Then I was done. They sent me home with all the anti-nausea meds and a strict schedule to follow.
More than anything, it was surreal. I just kept asking myself "How the hell did I get here?!?"
The next day was the Neulasta shot. The shot itself wasn't a big deal, but it did sting just a little bit - contrary to what I was told. Today, my back and legs ache a little bit because of it, but I was able to do everything I needed to do yesterday and today.
I'm basically working part-time (I'm an actor and I'm doing a show, which involves 4-hour rehearsals every day). So, I'm taking the rest of the time to be good to myself and rest. I feel strong and ready to take on the next challenge, and I think the worst of it is over -- the anticipation.
Good luck to you! There are people who have very few problems with the TCH, and I hope you (and I) are 2 of them.
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Good day all! Your fearless leader is back with an update!!!!!
I just wanted to remind you all when I started this thread I knew this was not going to be the easiest road for some of us but I felt it necessary to bring us together. There is going to be laughter and tears and feelings of frustration, upset, pity, joy, a sense of triumph and the pendulum shall swing. I fully embrace that and I encourage everyone, everyday to come here and share. I just want us to remember the great words of FDR, as follows: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Try not to get yourself worried sick before things have started based on the deluge of information we get, albeit the preponderance of it is enough to make you have to change your underwear(!!!!!), and please try to focus on the fact that our choices, sadly, are very, very few at this point. If you were afraid of flying and you knew you HAD to fly, would you spend the days prior to flying reading every article about every crash and every bad thing that ever happened when flying? Of course not and, quite frankly, my BIL is alive some 10 years after being dx'd with lung cancer and that is thanks to surgery and chemo. Try to find the positive stories about chemo and hang onto those because negativity and fear only beget more negativity and fear. Try to think positive...just try it...you might be pleasantly surprised!
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:JUSTDUIT - AUGUST 19THADEY - AUGUST 17THLISAATTHESHORE - AUGUST 12CAROL0371 - AUGUST 6THALICEJEAN- AUGUST 13THGIN2CA - IN PROGRESSMSTINA1976-TBA&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Justduit: congratulations on making the correct choice for you because without a modicum of clairvoyance, I too chose bmx. The other breast was clean for me but for how long?! I did not need another terrorist hotel hanging off of my chest as I assigned cancer the voice of Cheech from "Cheech and Chong" and it goes something like "hey, we are running low on room in this hotel...do you have another one for us (this is the voice of the cancer cells in my body high on their take-over!)?" Sure I do...I have another nice, big fat hotel over here on the right for you all...make yourselves comfortable and don't forget to hide on mammo day!!!!! I have to make this fun...there is no alternative. So, in the end, welcome to our glamorous club!!!! BTW, I am on the cyto/taxotere train as well and I am no MD but I certainly think your onc is correct for you to have chemo. I will try this as fun as possible for you as I think we will be starting the same day!
Sohard: we will all be feeling weird with you. There is nothing odd about feeling weird on chemo but come back and keep sharing and we will support you every step of the way.
English: I know you started and am curious as to how you are feeling? We have only just begun and I think, as a way of celebrating we have only just begun our new lives when we are all done with chemo, is celebrate with a trip to Disney in February where we can really celebrate new fur, no more chemo, having enjoyed the holidays and our refreshed lives! Not to mention acting like children for a few days!!! I hope you are doing well.
Wherria: I am glad you went for a peaceful run in the park when you awoke at 5AM and a mile is a lot based on the hour and what you are going through! What I love is our collective spirit as it comes together and grows. We are all pretty committed to not letting this get us down even if on a bad day it just means walking around your property. We will redefine this fight and get through it together. I hope your lower back is feeling better, the neulasta shot is helping and good news on that store you found! Hang in there, chicklett (!), we are going to be ok
Jsw: glad to hear from you! I know the nausea etc.. might be a problem but it is not going to go on forever and it is also a very good sign that your body is trying to get rid of something it does not want. Overall it is uncomfortable but it is healthy nonetheless so fear not! I loaded up on Boost yesterday. I bought like 15-6 packs because I do suspect there are going to be days when my stomach asks me, as it manages the chemo in my body, to not give it additional work for the day! Keep posting and let us know what is going on. BTW, that is so cool that you knit your own hats! I am not crafty, I can't sew and I can barely cook but I can trade stocks pretty handily! I guess we all have our blessings!!
Lisaattheshore: welcome! Nice to have you join us! This is the "Cheers" of cancer bars! It is just nice to come to a place where everyone knows your name! Best of luck-
Adey: welcome and love the avatar! Beautiful.
Ladyinbama: I am really glad you had a fun day shopping! Make it fun...enjoy it...like my friend said he is going to he is going to shave his head as a show of solidarity and then we can go out as Coneheads for Halloween!!!!! Let's have fun with it!
Sohard and Zenith: sorry you two had challenges with the port insertion and SE's of that process. I will let you know after I get mine what my story is!
Carol0371: Four times is a lot but thank you just the same for joining us. It is a little hard to accept this is the path to a better life, certainly on time #4, but you have to hold onto that, if for nothing else, solace. Don't forget, sneaky cancer was trying to kill us and it will continue as that is all it knows until chemo comes in to do it's rendition of "cancer interrupted!" Sorry you have had to go through this so many times; it makes me wonder a bit about your oncs but you have to have faith. Best wishes to you, my friend.
English: you make a good point in that the best thing we get from each other is how each of us responds to the SE's and what we do to manage them. Very good point and that is one of the major goals of creating this thread so thank you.
StCards: thanks for your continued support and your wisdom as you have already gone down this path. I appreciate it and day 18 sounds about right on the shaving...I am still ambivalent on how I will proceed. I think once I get a date I will decide and I am a weirdo as I am looking forward to being bald!!!!!! It is something new for me and I am going to have fun with the hats and scarves! Some of the scarves are beautiful. One question: how long for your lashes and brows to come back?
Alicejean: welcome to our club! Nice of you to join us. Keep on coming back!
Calamtykel: going from IIb to IIa is actually good news so good for you! As the date approaches it gets more real so I encourage everyone to focus on the fact that we are all finishing up JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS so let's be happy we are starting now!
Gin2ca: I am welcoming you as a member and will put you on our list. We have a few late July starts who have joined us. Congratulations as you are in the process of getting better and putting this behind you.
Mstina1976: Nice to have you with us! This, too, shall pass! Keep us posted and I will put you on the TBA list.
Lisasinglem: thank you so much for reminding us that every step you have taken on this journey was worse in your head than in actuality. Those are words to live by.
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I am so grateful for all the participation and our new members! This is wonderful and it is just growing in the most positive manner every day so I thank you all so much for joining us and helping each other through this. It is absolutely amazing how much strength we will all find in each other going forward.
Welcome one and all and we should give a big thanks to Wherria for posting the nccn.org website. That was very useful information if we want to get more insight into our dx and what treatments are usually recommended.
This was a very necessary mid-week update! That is all, that is all!
Happy trails, girls!
Liz0 -
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY...
I AM TAKING THE SAME CHEMO MEDS AS YOU ARE...I TOOK MY FIRST ROUND MONDAY MORNING TOO...THEY GAVE ME AN INJECTION OF ZOLADEX TODAY...I AM TIRED AND I AM EXPERIENCING HEARTBURN...
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I want everyone to know I am glad to be apart of this group...A lil tired ,so i am not writing long passages...You are all in my thoughts...I need the support...and I am offering mine as well...
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Please everyone---send good vibes to the remainder of the "On Deck Circle" as they start their treatment and move to the "Already getting better" list! They are as follows:
Kathleen17, Mlv2356, Mmahle46, Carol0371:
To all 4 of you about to start: I look forward to your first posts at which point I will move you to the "already getting better" list but I definitely need to hear from you before I do that. I hope every one of you has a pleasant first day and best wishes to you all. If you notice our list growing, you have LOTS of company!
Beccabrite- how are you? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Adey: do I have the correct date on you? Just want to make sure.
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To everyone with children going through this process: My heart goes out to them but certainly remind them that by the time the turkey hits the table on Thanksgiving, you will be done! That gives them something to look forward to and especially with their favorite month of holiday celebrations just after Thanksgiving!! I think it might mean a lot to them, especially the younger ones, to focus on the wonderful holiday season and knowing you will be done with this by then. It is something for them to look forward to-
Liz
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Sohard: I am tired now....I might be the only person to get chemo-induced narcalepsy if I am tired already and I have not even started!!!!! Good to hear from you-
Liz
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Liz, please update me from TBA to start date of August 13 as I am now confirmed to start that day. Thanks!
Good luck ladies!
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lisa - you are amazing!
I think it's incredible that you're working even part time through this. I run an internet business along with homeschooling my four kids and I hope and pray I can continue to run things as normal, especially as things will pick up as far as orders once fall hits and Christmas shopping starts online! I'm feeling better - got on the phone with my BFF since childhood and she pep talked me. It's ups and downs and I'm doing better now. I can't wait until it cools off so I can run tonight. Almost got the courage to jump in the pool today but I'm still a little apprehensive about my sutures under the reduced breast and the incision even though all of it looks clean and the oncologist did some squeezing yesterday and didn't see anything coming out, etc. But who knows and I don't want to get an infection before I start chemo. But it sure was temping. So instead, long run and cool baking soda bath here I come!
A verse of scripture came to me today and I've hung onto it all day "Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. Isaiah 41:12" Going to hang onto that with enemies of course being cancer and all the scary things that cancer throws at us, both psychologlically, emotionally and physically!
I went over my treatment protocol and now I can't read her handwriting. I'm not worrying about it right now - going to talk it over once my scan results come next week. I have a good amount of confidence that she's working well within the national cancer guidelines I'm sure.
One thing I've learned through this is that even though the doctors tell you "this is the standard treatment" they don't always line up. For instance, the first oncologlist told me not to worry about going out and being in a crowd -- BUT my second one said yes, to avoid crowds around day 7.... they both seem to have given slight variations on the same treatment....and one told me to avoid soy like the plague; the other told me not to worry about soy because the amount is so teeny compared to how much estrogen a pre menopausal woman pumps out. My doctor said "no restrictions" so I went running before my drains even came out. She let me shower within 48 hours while some other doctors are saying no showers 'til the drains are out and no arm exercises. My doctor says a lot of the lymphedema causes are myths while other doctors have tight restrictions. An oncology nurse friend told me I should get a port - my oncologlist and nurse looked at my veins and said we should try it without first (I'm happy about that but willing to get it if I need at some point). SO many different opinions.
I'm very confused and at first it was very distressing But I'm coming to the conclusion that maybe it really doesn't matter because even with all the years and billions in research, there's no clear cut guidelines either way with so much of this . Each doctor is different and maybe in the great scheme of things it doesn't matter because it's just different means to the same end, as long as they line up with the nccn guidelines. Hope this makes sense. It's just something I've learned that I didnt' know before.
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Calamitykel - you are SO right. For every doctor or oncologist, there is a different opinion. It can be frustrating, but at the same time, it gives me the permission to make my own decisions. I will take everything I hear into account and then decide what is right for me. Before bc, I had been trying to cut back on meat products and had been eating a lot of tofu and soy products, and I was really upset when i heard people say NO SOY. After I talked to my onc, who said that there are no controlled studies that show soy has any hand in recurrant bc, I've decided to continue to eat it, but less than I was. I limit myself to 2 or 3 servings a week.
Sohard - I'm feeling alright. The Neulasta shot has my legs and back aching, but I went for a walk this morning which seemed to help a little bit. Otherwise, I mostly notice that I am moving slower than before, and I'm not as talkative or bubbly as normal. Even my husband noticed how quiet I have been. I'm not upset or crabby or even anxious, just introspective I guess. My heartburn seems to have cleared up - probably the Prilosec. Things are starting to taste a little funny. I had coffee this morning, and it wasn't bad, but it didn't taste normal.
What is the Zoladex for? Hang in there!
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I am starting chemo on the 6th... I am getting nervous all i know i am getting 3 meds- i find out everything tomorrow and will update....
i really am nervous- my port aches, i cant take the vicodin cuzz it makes me loopy lol...
Anyone eat really well before they started their chemo trreatments? (like what should i think to eat in the days leading up to it?)
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Calamtykel and others: My onc said the reason I should get a port is because I've got only one "good" arm and they didn't want to mess it up with all the chemo sticks. Makes sense to me (they can't use the left because that's where the lymph nodes came out; so maybe it depends partly on whether you can use one or both arms?) It really is weird to read how different doctors are. I was allowed to shower from the first day I came home; but on the other hand, they've not given me any arm exercises, they just keep saying "take it easy" and it's been a month! I really don't want to not be doing something that will help prevent lymphedema, which I am almost as scared of as chemo.
Regina
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calamtykel: I sure hope I didn't say anything to make you feel like you're being irrational. I don't think you are at all. I was scared of se's too -- well, I'm only on day 3, so make that I am still scared of them. Who wouldn't be?! I just know that I take some comfort in knowing that not all of the scary things will happen to me. I'm like you, also, in that I'm always very careful about what I put into my body, and chemo feels a lot like drinking a gallon of draino! Anyway, if I said anything to make you feel bad, I'm very sorry. But I'm glad to read that you're feeling a little better now.
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Calmtykel: I think your final paragraph says it all: after all these years, no one really knows. This is why I say it is systemic. The bulk of us run, walk, lift weights etc... and are all different nationalities etc... in addition, I have not had a fast food burger in 23 years, I hardly eat red meat (like less 5x's per year), I don't smoke, I barely drink...what gives, you know? Soy?! I think that is the least of your concerns. They really don't know what causes this and why and at a certain point I truly think it becomes educated guessing. I do agree with Wherria, however, that all of the SE's will never affect any one of us in their entirety. Every day is one day closer to finish this! Hold onto that thought
Ladyinbama: that is the reason I need a port as well due to having only 1 good arm and we both had nodes taken on the left. I am kind of happy about the port as I don't want them jabbing me all the time!
Overall we seem like a bunch of healthy people pre-bc so it does make a lick of sense and is terribly anomalous that WE have bc. I say live, enjoy your lives, eat what you want as you only go around once and they have no clue what causes this. I mean they have some concrete leads but if this was an episode of "Law and Order" this would undoubtedly become a cold case!
Keep smiling...it works!
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Liz-you are a great fearless leader. I like your attitide and it helps me realize that I have the same one so "walk it off" or "rub some dirt on it"! And yes, right now I start on 8/17.
May I see your license? Hey man, isn't it back there on the bumper man?
calamtykel-I'm scared too. I'm having second thoughts about the A in the TAC or ACT. I keep thinking chemo might not be worth it. I probably wouldn't do it if it was only me and no DH and 2 lovely daughters. Enough of that! I'm gonna suck it up, I get my port on 8/16 and start chemo 8/17 if able. I have a wound that needs to heal first and that's another (embarassing and laugh inducing) story.
wherria-thanks for the site I am definitely checking it out.
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Liz - to answer your question. On TCH my eyebrows started going around treatment #5. I was done 4/28. When I went in for surgery on 6/21 they were 3/4 of the way back. Same with my eyelashes.
TCH'ers Chemo induced heartburn seems to common for those on this one. It hit me after round #2, and onc put me on OTC Prilosec until about 3 weeks after my last Chemo. Stomach bloat was also very common on this one, and seemed to be gone by about 7 to 8 days after each cycle. As odd as it sounds, some form of exercise actually does help with the fatigue. I would walk inside on a treadmill at a slow pace. If you are giving yourself the Neulasta shot - I was told to inject very slowly so that it doesn't burn. It also should be warmed up to room temp before injecting - package says about 1/2 hour.
The most critical days for TCH were days 7 to 10 of each cycle, that is when body immune system is at an all time low. If someone was coughing or appeared to be sick around me, I headed the other way. Similar timeframe for the other every 3wk chemo combos.
Good luck to all those starting this week!
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Had my very first chemo today. I started using some tips from this forum and took a Clartian today & will for the next 3 days to help prevent bone pain. Since I heard you can get constipated I drank 1 cup of a herbal chocolate laxative tea called Smooth Moove just in case. When I got to my appt. I went in and got to pick my recliner. They did my vitals then accessed my port for the first time. I forgot to put my EMLA cream on an hour prior but the second I got to the hospital I ran to the bathroom to put it on although it didn't really have time to kick in. It didn't feel painful to me but It was uncomfortable. I think it was mostly mental thinking about what they were poking into. Within seconds the nurse drew out the first vial of blood and took my mind off it I was much better & felt nothing after that. Every time she took my blood pressure and every time she gave me the next bag she asked my name & birthday. She said that is to be sure they are giving the right person the right chemo. I tried to be funny and started asking her name every time just to be sure I had the right nurse. I had a bag or vial of anti nausea drugs first along with a bunch of pills. Some for nausea, Benadryl was in there to help with any hypersensitivity to the drugs. After waiting for them to kick in I was given Herceptin 1st, then the rest off my THC - 1 bag at a time followed by a bag set with a quick drip to flush. I kept lozenges & ginger chews in my mouth constantly to try to prevent a weird taste in my mouth which I never did get although it may have been better than the taste of the ginger chews. I suggest bringing different flavors. My Naturopathic Physician came in to meet with me and gave me a list of suggested vitamins and I thought I would fill them right there but they would have come to approx. $250. I am going to try the health food store first to see if I can get some there at a more reasonable price. I also saw the counselor and a Chaplin stopped by to chat a little. I asked for a chair right in the main part to people watch but quickly realized a little more quiet would have been nicer so my cousin and I could chat better. I thought everyone in there would be bald but it was not the case. Some had hair some didn't, some were younger than my (39) some older. I kept wishing I could know each and every one of their stories. You definitely can not feel alone in a room full of other cancer patients. I never had a side effect and could have easily driven home by myself but I let my cousin drive back to her house just to be sure then I drove myself back to work. I stopped to get my nausea rx's filled on my way and had to sit in the pharmacy there for about 20 minutes. I started to concentrate on anything that may be the start of a side effect but realized I had better quit so I got up and shopped around a bit and relaxed. About 4:00 I got 2 cases of diarrhea which I think was caused by the tea I drank earlier in the day. I will not drink the tea anymore unless I actually become constipated. Still have an appetite and everything still taste normal. I ate a full supper with no problem. It is now 8:05 my time and I still feel the same as I did before I went in. I am going to pray to feel just as good tomorrow. I will try to keep drinking ginger based teas to help make sure there is no nausea and will look for cheaper vitamins this weekend. I'll keep everyone posted and hope to hear more peoples experiences soon. I'll be praying for all of you. ((Gentle hugs.))
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I was supposed to start AC tomorrow but the bone scan I had on tuesday revealed a "spot" on my rib. the Onc wants me to get it biopsied. I have spent the last 24 + hours crying and miserable with pain from the port and just not knowing what to think or do or where to turn. I don't want to be stage IV. I don't want more test, more doctors..... I was resigned to getting chemo and even got a decent wig. Now what?
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Thank you for your info Wherria, I will be on TCH. I just wonder about all the extra stuff they give you. I tend to be anti- med by nature, I have rarely ever been on medication with the exception of recently I have had to take some migraine med. when needed. I was always under the impression that steroids blow you up like a balloon, maybe I'm wrong, I asked the nurses I work with and they said that too. The onc said I don't have to take them if I want. I probably question everything to much.
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Is anyone getting AC followed by TH regimen? I am terrified of the cardio effects of the Adriamycin. My onc says it has the best results and the probablility of cardio damage is small. but the idea that the damage can appear years afterwards has me scared.My DH , who has been very solicitous through my diagnosis & surgery, is tired of me worrying about the SE. His stoicism can be cold-hearted sometimes.
Hugs to all of you,
Margaret
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Hunt: check out Iherb.com for reasonably priced supplements. I order my raw coconut oil from there and the price is great, and my vanilla liquid stevia also (which i couldn't live long without!) They have free shipping over a certain dollar amount and usually when you add a bunch of stuff in your cart an additional discount comes up for some reason.
I'd LOVE to know what he suggested! I can't get an answer out of anybody- I can' t believe they actually had a naturopathic physician THERE! You are super lucky! I asked my oncologist yesterday about supplements and she gave me the blah blah about "We don't know how they react with chemo...." but then she sort of said on the side "But we SHOULD know - it is frustrating that we don't; so Im' not going to tell you to stop something if it's making you feel better......" Conversely, my nutritionist, where I get the supplements, his main concern is protecting my body from the chemo. BUT we don't want to protect the cancer cells, that's for sure, and that's MY concern! But since he's not a cancer specialist, I'm not sure what he knows!!
The supplements he's had me on, and my family, are from Standard Process and are all derived from whole foods (for instance, the vitamin C I'm on is from a whole C -not just ascorbic acid like a synthetic C - derived from buckwheat. When my oncologlist saw the list I brought - I'd printed out the spec sheets online for each of the specific things he has me on right now, she said "I think these things are fine since they are made from foods you could and should eat anyway."
But that's going to change once the chemo starts, so I'll have to hope that she'll work with me on that.
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Zenith: Hugs and prayers to you. Keep us posted.
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zenith: I'm sorry you have to go through this at this point. I think it downright SUCKS that many of our doctor's don't order these scans right off the bat, immediately upon our diagnosis. I would have rather had all the anxiety done with last month - but my surgeon refused to order the scans; she she wasn't "worried" about me....Well hello - I'M worried about me! And now that chemo will begin soon, the oncologlist just ordered them and I go Wednesday. I'm starting to panic now all over again. I found myself crying again this afternoon from fearing the worst. Then it will be more waiting.
But a spot on the rib could just be something on the film - it could be anything, not just cancer (Did you ever have an injury there? that can light up too.) And it's a rib and that's all that was flagged - it's not an ovary or colon - so just hang in there - you'll be in my prayers; keep us posted!
On a hopeful note, I have a close friend who had melanoma 15 years ago - mets in her nodes on her leg and to the BRAIN. So she was stage 4. She had surgery, chemo and radiation and is now doing just fine all these years later. Even had two more children after it! So try to just take it step by step......
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I agree about the testing, they need to scan the whole body, if nothing else for peace of mind. I have seen 2 oncologist and asked them both for a pet scan, mostly becase both of my parent have died from cancer. Both Dr. have said they didn't see any reasons to think it is anywhere else. I think to myself and can you see through my body, how often does it spread without symptoms??? I will just have to be more persistent. I have these horrible heads when I wake in the mornings and they just started back in March, and I can't help but wonder without overreacting, has it spread there? I don't know but a person can worry themselves crazy. I am one who has always been very in-tune with my body and anything being out of whack very early, the ocn even said she was surprised I found my BC so early.
Zenith....Very sorry for your recent unfortunate news, I think we would all feel as sad as you are right know. it just means you will have to step up your fight and your strength that we all know you have. Prayers and hugs
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