Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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JeriGrace-Right behind you girl. Last chemo on Wednesday. Not sure when I start rads, haven't seen rad MD yet.
Ring that bell on Monday! Yay! Wish we all lived close so we could do lunch!
Nocomp-I have always wanted to visit Australia
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The bell is in the hallway outside of the treatment rooms. So you can ring it on the way OUT!
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Bikergirl ....looking over our shoulders ...For sure !!!!
AUS ? Bikes here waiting for you
JeriG - now i understand ....go girl for last one
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Well done Kbeee
just Look out for day #4.
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Hello everyone,
I am at my second injection, and this time, my major issue is my period. Although I thought periods stop on chemo, mine kicked in with a vengeance. It started a week ago as a light dark flow but it has evolved to be very heavy, red blood, continuously, a whole week after. In normal times, my period would be over after 5 days. I also have continuous right ovary pain, and my legs are weak. I got my injection 3 days ago, and neupogen shot yesterday. Is this normal, or should I call my doctor?
Thanks for any input!
Colette0 -
Welcome JeriG and Bikergirl to the Done Club. Do I hear there's a party at NCs house?
Colette I had very heavy periods on tamoxifen but none on chemo. I imagine it's just the chemo messing up your system but I always say bring it up. That's what docs and nurses are for. As for the weak legs,yep a few of us have had that.0 -
KBeee, glad your treatment went well.
Yesterday was my 3rd treatment of 4; it was uneventful (yay). Today is the Neulasta shot, I know this too will be a success without bone pain.
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Hi, haven't been on in a few days. Actually started feeling "normal" somewhat and have been wide open trying to get things done until the next time. I, also, hit my insurance ceiling and have scheduled every kind of medical appt I can think of. So spent half the day at Ear Dr for chronic inner ear infections. Its amazing..they have excercises that can cure it now!..I can tell you having your ears shot with hot water from spayer gun while metal probe scraping in your ear (this was cleaning!) is NO FUN..and was regretting it by the time I left..but I CAN HEAR! Everything is so crisp and clear!
Brown-It sounds like you are going through some hell! I hope today finds you better and temp down.
Kbee-Love the story of the "shearing" of your head ...and everyone elses! What great support! You have an awesome attitude about it and that is so great!
FormyGrand-Im glad the chemo went well Friday. I haven't noticed any dark veins..I actually looked down my arm when I read your post, as I had not heard that. I am having horrible night sweats about a week after every chemo and I don't take the shot. My onc said was the cytoxan.
Collette-Compared to monthlys before this, I have counted this as a positive of chemo for me..haven't had but once and it was for a week and a half. I agree with TwoHob, I'd still mention. Sometimes I've mentioned side effects to my onc RN just in passing, as I know they are coming from chemo and she will say..Oh! I can help you with that and write prescrip..for example, steroids in nausea meds made me horribly jittery..I would be sooo sleepy but steroids would have me walking the house..so she got doc to prescribe ativan..Now I sleep through first two days..(I hate that feeling worse than chemo..almost)
JerriGrace-How great that your son and his wife are coming to be with you! Will make it a double happy event (being your last one too!)
Bikergirl-I'm right behind YOU..lol..last one Thursday..
I have noticed with my last two treatments that the weekend before chemo is when I go into NADIR..I am soo tired again and last time, he had to retest my cell count as was too low for chemo again (had done my bld work the Friday before chemo instead of on Mon). Today, I am really tired and weaky. Has anyone had any trouble with remembering words? Especially on my real tired days, I'll be in the middle of a sentence and draw a blank on the next word. Also, has anyone experienced a change of taste. I've only had 2 things. One is sausage..I can't eat it at all. Has a rank taste now..I've tried different brands as we are breakfast people..but all are horrible..bacon is ok..and yesterday, we went to Fatz..who has wonderful steaks..I ordered a sandwich but Mom had steak and offered me a bite. I had to spit it out in a napkin..it tasted like..lord I don't know...the worst ever taste..I had to chew on a lemon to get it out of my mouth.
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Colette, about 2.5 weeks after my first round I started on my period but it was super light. Then I had my second round and was still on my period and it suddenly got super super heavy... I was constantly gushing, sorry for the TMI! I thought it would never stop! I did go to the ER when it got severe, and they gave me meds to stop the bleeding -- I ended up being very allergic to the meds so I had to stop taking them but fortunately the bleeding had become more manageable by that point and I miraculously still had decent red cell counts. All in all, I think that period lasted 20-something days, with at least 10 very heavy days??? And then it stopped and I haven't had another period in the ~6 months since then.
And I have heard of others with similar experiences. I guess it is "normal" according to my onc, like a last hurrah LOL. I believe my doctors came to the conclusion that they weren't too concerned as long as my blood counts weren't too low.
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Indenial=What has it been like being on the Tamoxifen? I start that next. I had endometriosis years ago and the treatment consisted of 3 shots of something that slammed me into menopause within 2 days. I was a raving lunatic! lol..It was horrible..horribly moody. I'm praying it won't be like that. I'm already scared of the awful side effects of Tamoxifen, but rather that then a recurrence!
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indenial, I, too, have had what could be considered a period in the last two months. My GYN did not seem concerned because I was nearing the end of periods and entering into menopause. I had a very light period for two weeks; it was so light that I only needed a pantiliner. But it is gone now. The benefit of the light period is that it diminished the hot flashes!?!?!?
Since I have fibroids I am concerned about Tamoxafin and it's effect on heavy bleeding with fibroids.
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Ckmoss & ForMyGranddaughter -- I've been on Tamoxifen 3 months now. I was already in "menopause" from chemo when I started this med -- and I had really intense hot flashes all through chemo! I found the hot flashes continued when I started Tamox and I also started getting nauseous during them, but the nausea subsided after the first month or two (for the most part... once in a while I still feel sick just before/during my hot flashes). The last few weeks the hot flashes have decreased in number/intensity, but that may just be due to the cooler weather.
I am only 30 so I should have been nowhere near menopause prior to cancer (though I did struggle with fertility issues & erratic periods & low estrogen, so who knows?) So far my period has not returned, but it may at some point.
The first few weeks on Tamoxifen I also had some really intense mood swings. I felt like a teenager, wanting to yell at everyone & cry all the time! But that has gotten much better since my body got used to the med (and recovered from chemo). I also had a lot of uterine pressure last month for a few weeks but that feeling has gone away.
I also don't sleep well but I never slept well before Tamox either so it may have nothing to do with that... but I find I am wide awake for 1-2 hours in the middle of the night most nights now.
All in all, I don't feel like it has been unmanagable & most of the side effects kind of come & go or vanish over time.
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CK congrats and come join the Done Club. Well we're not ever really done but done with chemo is reason to celebrate. Party at NCs house! Ha I'm gonna get a cease and desist notice from NC any minute.
Forgot to add I have the forgetfulness. It's usually names for me. And I had the strange taste but it seemed to go away. I got to the point where I would tell my husband to just give me a couple of bites because I might not finish something I normally like. I had cravings for pretzels and crackers and lemonade. Strange.0 -
Musics cranking. Neighbors are 200m away.
We are on 5 acres in the Hills so we can party on)))))))
YOLO.0 -
Nocompromise, PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999!!!
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NoCom=LOVE how you changed your DX to done! LoL..Not seen that!
Twohobbes-I have lived on saltines and hard cheddar after every surgery and first 4 days after chemo. I'm probably never going to be able to eat that again. I craved sweets during chemo SE..mainly because only thing to get past yuck taste in mouth. Once, I had a bad craving for the batter from a homemade pound cake (of course, I didn't get this). I haven't had it since I was little when my great grandma use to make them and save me some. Don't know where that came from.
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I am a year out from my BCT and radiation. I am seriously reconsidering chemo but not sure if it is even an option now. I feel like I am just sitting around waiting for it to come back ...any one start chemo after initial treatment ?
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curly68-I've not heard of anyone having chemo that didn't have to. I understand your fear and possibly you should talk to your oncologist about it or even get a second opinion. Looking at your DX, probably the reason they didn't do chemo was your lymphs were clear. I know if mine had been, I wouldn't had gotten it. My oncologist said that you want to affoid it if you don't need it. Normally, you weigh the long term side effects against what is going on now. Chemo is extremely hard on the body..after all its poisons you are putting into it..its hard on your heart, etc. As someone going through it, I look on the positive side of it..what its doing to make sure no cells got through my lymphs, etc..no shaving of the legs..but fact is..it plain sucks. I've never ever felt so unhealthy in my life. But, once again, I understand your fears. I think you would feel better talking to a different oncologist (as I am sure this one advised against it). Good luck and let us know~
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Colette-
Being as chemo affects our blood counts, best to contact your onc MD and let them know. Hope all goes well.
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My poor hubby. Last night while I was studying (yes I am working 30 hours per week on the non-chemo weeks, taking online classes and doing this). He had mentioned that a friend had said there is a bike run this weekend and we are invited. My last chemo is Wednesday and I know I will feel like sh--!!! I wanted to say "are you kidding me-have you not got how this goes?" I didn't, though.
I did say it would be nice to do something together-we have been out to dinner only once during this. It would be nice to go to a movie, dinner when I feel better.
Sorry-just venting. Just want to get through this last chemo. I know rads won't be a cake walk, but don't think it will be as bad as this.
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Bikergirl-I admire your restraint! Not sure I could have not said that to mine...who has been known to suggest things during the hell times, even said once..maybe you won't feel so bad (3 days after chemo!). I'm like "Have you met me???". lol. You should get out and do something on your good days. But be careful because counts are down. The week before I started chemo, we went to the movies...a kid threw up 4 rows behind us..ugh!...and the man directly in front of me was coughing without covering his mouth. I told my hub then...no closed rooms once chemo starts. But we do go to eat or shopping some...but go during non-peak hours and not when my counts are low. (not that I would feel like it then anyway).
We are almost done! Did any of you guys have a PET or MRI scan? I have not. He wants to do it when we are through. I can tell you that if it turns out there are still cells in me and I have to do more chemo..Im going to be on the roof! LOL.
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CK. I did scans before chemo. I hope I don't have to do any soon. Sometimes I don't want to know.
I'll warn you ladies that once you finish treatment your spouse and everyone will assume its over and expect the old you back. Yesterday I had to remind my husband my legs are still weak so I cannot carry the laundry basket up two flights of stairs. Then he helped but you will have to ask.0 -
Bikergirl, I admire your restraint too! I think everyone knows how we are counting down the days to the last treatment, but they forget that there are side effects from that treatment! It doesn't just magically infuse and dissipate! I do hope you can get out for a nice dinner once you are feeling better!
Today is day 4. I had to bring my cousin to the airpart at 4 am. I slept until 8 after I got home, then was a little queasy, so I slept until 9. Once I got up then, I was fine, did laundry, vacuumed, went to work to get things done for a couple hours, met a friend for lunch and then walked 4.5 miles. I am grateful that the worst side effects seem to have bypassed me so far this round. I know it won't be that way every round, but every good day is...well... a good day...and for that I am happy
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KBeee - if you can do all that on day 4. Then you ROCK. - you will kick chemos butt - you have the right attitude to sail thru - hope you do for all your cycles
Feel free to gate crash my party when you are done !!!! 😎😎😎0 -
CK-I had an MRI before surgery and chemo.
KB-You rock girl! Just be careful not to push yourself too hard.
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I don't know why my onc does things different from everyone else. He doesn't give the shot unless you get severely anemic..and I'm not there, but I think if I had been given the shot, maybe I wouldn't go into that NADIR zone so bad. The past two treatments, happens, for me, weekend before last one. Yesterday, was the worst...fatigue and weaky joints really bad..its like getting chemo again, but with that the only side effect. Bad enough! I had to do my blood yesterday for chemo..last time, I had to REDO labs as my cell counts weren't at the line they should be, but I had done labs on Friday..this time I did them on Monday..but as bad as I felt don't know if I will pass...which means putting chemo off for a week. This is last one..want over with!!
KBee-Almost everyone that I know that was very healthy and did a lot of excercise..before they were diagnosed...has breezed through this with min SE..I'm sure they are exceptions..and I only know about 3 people that were like that..but sounds like you may be one of them!
I get my prostetic today!!! Yeaaa! I'm doing DIEP, but not until next year as I am TIRED TIRED TIRED...and want to be as healthy as I can before that hard surgery..but it has been very very hard matching stupid fluff poof thing to my 1966 remaining breast!
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ckmoss- One reason that your onco doesn't give that Neulasta shot automatically is because the Neulasta shot is very expensive. Retail price of my Neulasta shot was $17K ( this is before the insurance network discount and final cost was $9K which was covered 100% by the insurance.) I started taking Neulasta shots after my 3rd round. I developed a high spiking fever/chills on the last day of my nadir period which was controlled by called in antibotics. Fortunately, I did not have to make a trip to the ER that day.
KBee- Love hearing the wonderful support you are getting from your co workers. As bikergal said, please be careful about pushing yourself too hard. Once you have done too much, it will take more time to recover than it did before you had chemo.
Love reading how all of you are doing and continue to support each other. Glad to see that everyone is moving forward and trying to stay positive throughout her time in chemoland. Many ((((HUGS))))!!!!
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ckmoss - my MO is not giving me the neulasta either. I asked about coming in for blood counts at some point so I know where I am at and how careful I need to be, but he just said that as long as I do not get sick, we won't worry about it. I have mixed feelings about that, but will just try and be trusting. I do tend to be anemic due to heavy and oh too frequent periods. Maybe they will disappear with chemo and that will balance out the drop in RBC production...I can only hope.
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Well great news..my cell count was just over the line..and Thursday will be my last time! Yeaa! Prosthetic..will not be in until the 10th. She one a bit too small and one a bit too big..lol..But not like I'm going anywhere. Chemo Thursday, I wont leave the house for a week and a half ..or thats how its been so far. One good thing, insurance is paying for 1 prosthetic and 2 bras..plus get 2 more bras this year, so I can go back and get them in Nov.
Kbee-He is checking your cell count before you do chemo right? I do my labs 4-5 days before chemo so they know whether I am up to next one. Generally you can tell by how you feel when they are at the lowest...very tired again. I still go places, though not as much and not when its busy times.
So, now getting ready for my "trip" (more like a bad trip man...lol"). I'll spend the next two days getting house clean..just hit the store and got crackers, cheese and orange juice. As I haven't bought orange juice in several years and just through chemo as is the only thing I can taste ..I'll probably never be able to drink it again. Which is ok..Last order of bsn Weds night..washing my sheets...got to have clean sheets for bed fest!
Oh..he ordered a MRI ...I really wanted the Pet scan..isn't that more reliable. He, also, said well you know you will be other things after this..radiation..I said..I don't want radiation..He gets this small smile on his face like he's looking at a 4 yoa that he's about to bend to his will...and he said Well, we will have a conversation about that...hmmpphh...I've done all the research from reputable sites..and I am just under the line..my RN said that my onc likes to through the kitchen sink at it..not happening.
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ckmoss - he will check them the day of chemo. I show up, go for blood counts, and if my counts are OK, then I go for chemo. I do know if they are ever low and I am not expecting it, I will hit the roof. I soooo just want to get this done with no delays. Having 6 seems like such a long road, though in the scheme of things, I know it isn't. Today has been a little more challenging. I began having some addominal pain last night and some lower back pain. I took Advil and it subsided last night and I slept OK. It hit earlier today, so I just took some Advil a few minutes ago, and hope it gets me through the next few hours. I have a class I have to be at for 3 hours this afternoon. If I can make it through that, then I can come home and pretty much just chill. If it still is hurting tomorrow, I will give the MO a ring to make sure I don't have a bladder infection. So far my temp has not been above 99, so that's a good thing (especially considering my daughter is just getting over pneumonia...Lysol is my friend). I am so happy for you that this is your last coming up. I hope you get a lot done in the next few days and then have minimal side effects after your last treatment. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, and for once, it's not a train! Yahoo for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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LOL..Thanks! I wouldn't worry about the 6. I, actually, think that is more the standard than 4. I ..but not pushing the issue..sometimes worry that 4 is not enough..so I am sooo glad he scheduled me a MRI..I want to make sure this is all gone so I can put it behind me. I had the abdom/lower back pain every time. Mine..we are all diff...got worse and graduated to kidney/back spasms. They did infection test after first time and all was fine..which was weird because the 1st time, thats what it felt like..even burned to pee. AFter 2nd time, every 2 to 4 hrs, I'd get what I thought at first was a bad cramp back there..that would make me yell and I'd have to get the heating pad. This last time he prescribed me Flexerill..which is the bomb! I didn't take it unless I felt one coming on..(ended up taking 1 a day for 3,4 and 5th day) but that sooo helped. I hope thats not what it is..but letting you know, so you aren't like me ...AND MY ONC..with no clue until after 2nd time.
Do you have yours every 2 weeks or 3?
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