Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?
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Beth
I also was taking 500mg cap mixed in yogurt, the shake was too much for me, still have it in pantry. I take L cartinine now for chemo brain, not sure if it works yet. Need something to make me feel about 30 years younger, my joints feel about 80 yr old.0 -
Thanks! I may try a lower dose. My joints hurt alot. This is powered so I can start with 1/4/ tsp. I haven't taken it for 3 days and today, I don't feel so wiped out. I will have to ask my pharmacist and see if it mixes with my thyroid medicine.
I saw the PS today and he said the expanders were so tight that he didn't want to fill them anymore so I am set for my surgery on May 17th. I have been in a lot of pain since the last fill. The left side is the problem side and I cannot wait to get them out. No one told me this part of reconstruction and I didn't ask enough questions!
Take care and I'll check in again soon!
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c-squared,
Ditto to everything said before. I also had a neighbor make tea for me Haitian Star-anise tea. It helps digestion. Worked wonders for me the first few days after AC. I have done 3 with one more to go.
Can not wait and be done with this portion asap. I had AC last Friday and yesterday and today I am begining to feel like myself a bit more.
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
2 cups of water
pinch of salt
In a small saucepan add water, cinnamon, anise and allow to come to a boil. add pinch of salt and reduce to a simmer. After 5-6 minutes it should be ready. Add powdered sugar to taste.
Gentle day
Nel
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I've been in contact with the onc and my list of meds and what is being ingested into my system continues to grow. On top of everything I am already taking (Emend, Zofran, Compazine, Excedrin migraine, ginger tabs) she is proposing adding Dexamethasone (steroid) back into the equation. She also offered to get an infusion of anti-nausea.
I can't wait to get home to bed so I can just sleep through this. She also prescribed Ambien for that.
Hope you are all having a better day than me.
CC
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CC - Hope you feel better when you wake up.0
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C squared, I hope you are feeling better today. Rest well tonight!
I've had 5 tx of rads and am already swelling on that side. My scar gets red each time too. They, of course, say that it is too soon for me to have a reaction, but that it seems like one so they are watching it. I am using calendula cream and ointment and have ordered emu oil .
Bethu77, check with your doc about something called costochondritis. I had a lot of ribcage pain a few days after my last fill. It is an inflammation of the ribcage cartilage and I coulndn't sneeze, cough, move easily or take a deep breath. I was better in a day or two once I was on an anti-inflammatory. No one told me these details either! My surgery won't be til the fall, so I am glad it's better!
God bless everyone...
Andi
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OK I have one more AC treatment in two weeks. Did anyone else think about not doing them all. I am so done. Did anyone ask their onc how their statistics would change if they did 3 instead of 4. I feel like a big whinny baby. I was so tired last week and my stomach was off, but if that is the worst of it I feel like I shouldn't be complaining.
I'm tired. I began this journey 8 months ago and have 2 + months before I finish this round of chem and then 6 weeks of radiation. And then 13 X herceptin. Which will be relativley nothing but will take me into the begining of 2013. I have lost my sense of humor. I want my life back
OK doen whining, thanks fo rletting me vent
Gentle evening
Nel
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Nel I thought about quitting with 1-2 sessions left but I'm glad I didn't. I know it's hard once you get close to finishing. You can do it! Believe it or not I had a smile on my face the entire last chemo session even knowing the hellish side effects that were headed my way. I found it helpful to focus on smaller goals. Just focus on getting through the last one and enjoy your two months off!!
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Nel, You've been through so much and I wouldn't blame you for wanting to stop. My onco stopped my chemo early because I had some very adverse reactions, and I asked him if he thought I got enough and he said he didn't know. All the studies are very specific in the number of treatments for each regimen, so they don't really have any statistics for stopping early. But even though I didn't get to finish my regimen I feel I did as much as I could do. You're the only one that knows if you're truly to that point. That if you took 1 more treatment your quality of life would be diminished so much that you couldn't enjoy life, That the risks outweigh the benefits.
On the other hand it is just 1 more treatment. You're so close to the finish of this part of the journey. And it could be that the benefits still outweigh the risks. There's no doubt in my mind that you could do one more. You've proven that by all you've accomplished. But whether or not you should do one more, no one knows but you. We will support you in whatever you decide to do. What ever you decide will be the right choice.
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Nel ~ I can truly understand how you feel. I finished my chemo at the beginning of April, but I have to tell you that at more than one time I told my husband I really didn't know how I could make it through all 6 treatments. I am now almost 1/2 way through radiation (14 of 33 and counting!). Only you can make the decision of how much you can handle, but I have to tell you that looking back on what I have done to this point, I can't believe how quickly the time did pass and in spite of the MANY side effects I have had (and still have), I don't regret pushing myself to get through it. That being said, I can understand things may feel differently for you. The main thing is to go with your gut feeling and do what is in your heart of hearts. You know that all of us here will support whatever YOU decide. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you will find the decision you seek very soon. And, as GrandmaV said, it is only one more treatment and maybe you have the strength to get through it. As the saying goes...take it one day at a time! Hugs to you.0
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Nel ~ I got so sick during chemo (TAC) that I wondered if I was going to make it too. Like GrandmaV said, I really had to weigh my risk ~ reward options. I was way past being "uncomfortable" and well into "barely functioning." What helped me make my decision, ultimately, was this thought: If I ever have a recurrence, will I look back and wish I had pushed myself to do absolutely everything possible? I know now (having finished all my rounds of chemo) that I have left no stone unturned in my quest for health.
Also, once I decided to press on and not quit early, we did some investigating and found that my iron levels were so low it was dangerous. Once we got that under control, things actually improved for me.
Only you know what you can tolerate, though, so we will stand with you whatever decision you make. My only advice is, do what is best for you in the long run, not the short term. Believe it or not chemo does end, one way or another
Although when I was in the middle of it, I was pretty convinced it would never end, so I know where you are right now :-\Blessings,
SAN
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Thanks to all for the wise words. I have alerted all my friends that I want to quit, so if I am under the bed or in hiding they will pull me out on the morning of the 18th. So thinking I will be up and out a week from Friday, whether under my own steam or not. I know I don't want to look back if there was a reoccurance and go shoulda, coulda, wish I had. My friends have been great and one in particular gets that it has been a long haul. But folks here really get it and It does feel like it will never end. I know it will
Gentle day
nel
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Good for you, Nel, You can do whatever you set your mind to do. And just think, a week from this coming saturday and you will be done with chemo! YaY!0
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Nel ~ Once you emerge from that last set of SE's and you realize you NEVER have to do chemo again...you get this wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I sorta felt invincible for a couple of days =]
Don't hesitate to come back and rant some more if you need to. Whatever it takes to get you through...we're in it with you for the long haul too!
Blessings,
SAN
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Any insight for this rollercoaster ride? I had AC #2 last Thursday (5/3) with the awful headache Thursday eve and Friday. They prescribed me Ambien, which I picked up on my way home from work, and I went to sleep until Saturday. I woke up a little sluggish but not feeling to bad. I spent Sunday in bed due to a complete lack of energry for anything else and now Monday in bed. I'm feeling light headed and squeamish, mild headache and some dehydration (trying to hydrate), no apetite but know I have to eat! I'm curious why I was rather "okay" on Saturday and then went back downhill? Anyone else have this experience?
CC
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Csquare
Sometimes a bag of fluids is needed for rehydration, call nurse and ask. Helps a lot!0 -
Nel, you can do it. My first six rounds of TAC were easy, the 7th one not so easy, the 8th was like I was hit by a truck. Two weeks later, I'm perking up, doing things with my daughter, out all day running errands. Tired, but SO happy to be done. Maybe easy for me to say because you're going on eight months and I only had six. Be proud of what you've accomplished, and yes, getting through chemo is an accomplishment, You're in the home stretch!
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Nel, I so know how u feel, after having treatments delayed 3 times due to low counts, I was supposed to be done with chemo in April and surgery early May, but plans changed and here I am still having chemo in May, won't be done til 5/22, then surgery in June. I was so frustrated by the repeated delays that I emailed my surgeon and asked if I can have the last chemo after surgery or have chemo the week of surgery, or skip the last chemo altogether. She calmed me down and reminded me that the low counts was a sure sign that the chemo was working, so instead of being angry about it I decided to plan a weekend trip with my gal pals once chemo was done and before surgery to celebrate, being done with chemo. This has been a long process, being dx late Oct, chemo since Thanksgiving week til end of May, then surgery in June, and then radiation after that. Hang in there girl, u r almost done! I so envy people who get surgery and that's all!
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C-squared ~ I did have that experience during a couple rounds of chemo. I had AC & T together, but I think we probably had similar SE's. Typically, I was okay day 1, sluggish day 2 and then fell off the cliff on day 3. On a couple of rounds, I woke up feeling really good day 5 and then slid again (fainting twice) on days 6 & 7. Everyone is so different...just listen to your body and stay as hydrated as you can.
Blessings,
SAN
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Nel---I would cry because I was so tired and told my husband that I was done. I may have posted it on here too. There are a great bunch of cheerleaders on here and you will finish. Just think...only one more!!! My family would keep telling me this "only 1 instead of 4." I finished in February and I have my days especially if I overdo it. Hang in there!
Also, I have decided to not go back to my job. My director doesn't like me and some of the staff are mad because I got cancer---again---and have been off work a long time. I worked 9 hours a week during April and I think they were trying to kill me. There is a lot of stress associated with this small library and I can't do it anymore. I need time to really heal.
I went to church naked yesterday....No Headgear!!!! It was my first time and it felt great. Everyone said they liked my hair but would miss my scarves. I haven't been walking naked in our community yet...This has been so liberating! My hair is growing back but this is the strange part. I have a lot of facial hair. Thank goodness it is white but there is a lot of it! Has anyone else experienced this? I can't shave it, I don't want it to grow in black. Suggestions on how to handle this or should I just comb it and forget it???? Just kidding, it's not THAT long...yet!
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CC, I didn't have AC, but on TCH my SE's didn't really start until day 4 and then lasted until day10. If you've been drinking a lot of fluids it can deplete your electrolytes, so you might need some sports drinks. I found that for me when I drank a lot of water it really helped to add the sports drinks. Also if you're getting a large dose of steroids during your infusion, they wear off on day 3 or 4 and you can crash. That may be what you're experiencing too.0
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Beth, I haven't had the courage to go to my christian meetings without headgear, yet. I go just about everywhere else topless though. I don't have the white facial hair, but I have read about other women that do after chemo, so I think it's pretty common. I don't really know what to do for it though. I'm happy for you, that you're not going back to work. You deserve some down time.
Bonseye, Is tomorrow your surgery? I hope everything goes perfect for you. You've had so much to deal with, you deserve a smooth and worry free surgery. Let us know how you are when you can.
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Beth
I too have a lot of facial hair, I'm thinking dilapitory cream? I tried to wax a small portion and hurt like heck, gave that up now I bought new olay cream facial hair remover I'm scared it will be like shaving and come back more. I started a topic on it and everyone says it just goes away or wax it.... I'm just one step away from that olay kit, I'll let you know.0 -
FLislander--Please do let me know how it works. How does everyone like the new layout? It is confusing to me...0
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I have the facial hair thing ~ GAH!! Nobody seems to have noticed so far so I'm gonna give it time to go away. FLislander...I'm counting on you to give us the 411 on that Olay stuff
Bonseye ~ We are thinking about you...give us a shout to let us know everything went well
Beth ~ I too, finally, started going "topless." I was like, "Screw it." One day I just woke up and decided to OWN my look. The world can like it or lump it!
SAN
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Had treatment 10/12 today, can't believe I only have 2 more to go, yay!
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Way to go Julie! Only 2 to Go!0
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So many ups and downs on this journey. Hope you all are well this morning.
Rad #8 this morning. Skin is okay but I am still swelling on that side and feeling a little sunburn-ish. Scar is a little red too. Hair is coming in SLOWLY but it's there!
GrandmaV, I have been pretty comfortable 'topless' all along since wigs bothered me so much. I wear hats, but take them off if I'm too hot. We all have to do whatever we are comfortable with and so glad you are getting enough hair to enjoy going without coverups.
Bonseye, been thinking about you . Hope things go well!
Enjoy your day, everyone.
Andi
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Congrats to everyone finishing treatments. I remember that feeling. Now the aftereffects...UGHHH! I have a lot of pain under my left breast where the skin is expanding. I am going today to have my pre-ops done for exchange surgery next week-5/17. I walked in the pool at the Y yesterday and moved my arms a bit in the water. It felt great in the water but on the way home, I felt it.
I am fighting a lot of fatigue. Not just tired but so tired I cannot function. I finished my treatments in February and thought by now I would be feeling great. Not happening right now. How are you coping with fatigue or do you have it? I have heard that exercise is a good way to fight it. I am trying really hard to exercise in some way everyday.
I am meeting with 3 of my cousins for dinner tonight. We all had bilater mx in Oct/Nov of last year. We said we would get together in the spring and now is the time to see each other. I can't wait! My 4th cousin who lives in Virginia will be here in July and we will be meeting again. It's sad to become closer for something like BC but we are the ones who know how it feels and share a bond.
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Julie - Good for you. Let the count down continue
Bethu77, I have become closer to some of my cousins as well. Again sad that this is what did it, but grateful that we are there. I am excercising at the local Y in the Livestrong program. I feel great when I leave, more energized etc and it carries for a bit. But still fatigued, but still have one more chemo to go. I am tryingto give into it, our bodies need it to heal. I am an always moving person, so this makes me nuts. But I do try and nap when my body says NAP.
Boneseye, hope all is going OK
Wishing all a gentle day
Nel
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