Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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KBeee, was the blood in your urine or was it more like spotting (like a period)? Where are you in your treatments? And what was your period like before chemo? heavier, lighter, etc.?
It may be your period. My MO suggested that I call my GYN since the challenge was gynecological.
After my first nfusion I saw spotting sporadically over a few days. After my third nfusion (the next month) I saw spotting for two weeks. MY GYN said she was confident that it was my period going through it's menopausal thing. She told me to come in if it continued for more than two weeks.
I say spotting because it was not a flow; it was more occassional (I never needed more than a pantiliner). After two weeks it stopped and I have not seen it again (for the last two weeks). I'll have to wait to see what next month brings.
I hope this helps.
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Kbee- I had same thing exactly..swore I was having a major kidney infection..urnine dark, kidney cramps, felt like when I peed was thick and had strong smell..they did urine test 4 days after chemo treatment and came back normal. The onc RN said when I questioned that, that it may have been too soon to show up..so two days later, I went to my family doctor and they did test..came back normal. Then I spoke with a different Onc RN and she said that the cytoxan is hard on kidneys..that to remember that your kidneys and liver are organs that are filtering and getting it through your body and that was normal for some people. So every time I have a infusion, that happens but goes away after about a week and a half...if yours doesn't go ahead, I'd make them run another test. In my blood work, is kidney function test too and ...of course..that has been normal. It make me feel better with antibiotics..I've had kidney stones twice in my life..back in my 20's and 30's...don't want that happening again!
Hope you and everyone else are feeling well. Today my day 2 of my LAST ONE>>just want to yell that to the sky!!...LOL...feel ok..I know Sat and Sun will be chemo crappy days.
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I have been drinking a ton! I have a one liter water bottle which I refill with ice and water or ice and decaf iced tea, at least 4 times per day. I drink more water out of a glass usually besides. It definitely did not seem like spotting, because the color of my urine was a little off (not orange, but definitely not the color it should be with the volume of fluid I am drinking) and I could tell when I "wiped". I've never had a UTI in my life, so I was not surprised it came back negative. I think I will call my nurse navigator Monday for advice on how to approach the doctor since she likely knows them all pretty well, and I will also just call back on Monday and ask if there was blood detected in my urine on my lab report. If there was, I will let them know it will be a topic of discussion at my next chemo, because it sounds like MENSA given the same time as the infusion can protect the bladder in cases where there's been bleeding. Hopefully it'll not get any worse. This definitely is alerting me that I also need to also bring up the discussion of why am I getting 6 TC instead of 4, which is more common. Uuugh; I am so thankful to be feeling so good; just frustrated by all of the little things that keep coming up...I just don't want them to become big things!
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So I am day#3 after final chemo. Fatigue hit me a little early this time. But I just keep thinking that in a few days I will be feeling better. See the RO on Oct 10th to set up radiation. Keep looking toward the end of 2013-will be glad when it will be over.
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I just joined this group. I have my first treatment of C/T last Thursday. I have felt horrible the past days even had a fever and am now on antibiotics. I am also wondering about my hair loss. I feel like it coming out and is thinning. I am debatng on when I should just shave it off as I have a pretty wig and some hats picked out.
It sounds like most women loose their hair by 2 or 3 week??? thanks for all this input its very hepful:)
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I feel the same way. It is 10 days out from my first treatment . I can tell my hair is thinning but still able to pull back in a pony tail. I cant decide when I should just shave it off.... the waiting is a horrible feeling..
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Jo day12 I started to see a lot of hair in the comb. I cut my hair into a bob. Day14 I looked in the mirror and there was a clump of hair coming out and I buzzed it. It was more distressing to see it come out I think than for it to be gone.
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Jo-Hair started thinning about 2 1/2 weeks after #1 treatment. I view it this way-it takes me less time to get ready in the morning and I have accumulated a variety of hats and scarfs that my co-workers love. A couple have flames on them-I tell them it makes me look like I am walking faster.
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Thank you for all your advice! I will have my first chemo next Friday, Oct. 4th. This week I'm planning to go shopping for all the products that have been mentioned in these posts. These are some of the things I've read about from you all to help with side effects, and please let me know if there's anything else that would be good to have on hand! Thanks!
Claritan
Biotene
Tums
Visine
Colace
Immodium
Probiotics
Advil
juices, soups, prunes
Icebreakers spearmint mints
soft toothbrushes
Anything else??
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biker girl, I feel ya. Even though this is the last one, days 4 and 5 really sucked. Now on day 6 I'm so tired I can hardly move around. Trying to save my energy to go to my grandson's birthday party later this afternoon. One more week to rest up and then I go back to work, which is freaking me out. 2014 can not get here soon enough for me! Several of you have vacations planned to celebrate finishing and I definitely want to jump on that bandwagon. Just want to lay on a beach and relax - probably over winter break. Anybody have suggestions for a nice warm spot?
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bondsy, you'll also want to be sure you have a reliable thermometer. Be sure your MO gives you a prescription for anti-nausea medicine like compazine or zofran. As far as food, everyone is different about what tastes good to them. I ate crackers and peanut butter and cheese when I didn't have much of an appetite. Also applesauce, bananas, and Popsicles or fruit bars. Ginger is supposed to good and I munched on ginger snaps and drank ginger ale occasionally. You'll know more after your first treatment what sounds good to you. Take advantage of people wanting to help you. You'll need it and it makes them feel better to help!
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Packed, travelled and arrived in the UK Never heard ( or noticed ) so many people coughing and sneezing on a plane. Hopefully I have escaped any yucky bugs at day 15 post final chemo !!!!
Bondsy - I was given a whole load of frozen chicken soup portions and they were my lifesavers defrosted and microwaved on my blah days and one cycle I lived on chocolate brownies ( don't tell anyone that little confession ).
Off to keep holidaying - Bikergirl and JeriG so nearly ready to join the party - 😎😎😎
ckmoss. Way to go DONE awesome for you
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Nocompromises -- so glad you are posting about your travels. Helps me as the first infusion is approaching to visualize you kicking up your heels and being DONE. That will be me for Christmas! I was having a down morning pity party, and your post pulled me out of it! Thanks!!
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Bondsy I found my regular mint toothpaste to be a little irritating so I had to get some kids strawberry flavor.
NC enjoy your trip to the fullest.
I am going back to work soon and I'm finding I'm feeling a lot of anxiety about that. I'm not really feeling it if you know what I mean. It's not important to me at the moment and so how do I pretend I live and die for my company. Which is how they expect you to appear. Ugh.0 -
NC, so glad you arrived safely. Keep posting if you can. You know we're all living vicariously through you!
TeamKim, we've all been there with the pity party. You have climbed on a roller coaster that will give you a wild ride. Just know we're here for you and this is a safe place to vent.
TwoHobbies, I think you have helped me understand why I'm so anxious about going back to work. Before chemo all I could think about was my class of students who needed me and I couldn't be there. Now, after all that we have been through, you're so right, it's not the most important thing. I think we've expended so much energy fighting this that we don't have much left right now for anyone else. I guess we'll just fake it until we make it. And maybe I'll refill that Xanax prescription. ; )0 -
JG they say cancer changes you and at least for the time being it has changed me. I have been faking it till I make it for a while but I don't have the emotional energy to do so anymore. I think my strategy is going to be to lay low. And heck maybe I will ask for some Xanax. Does it help?
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It definitely helps but maybe because I use it in a limited amount. Don't you think people at work will understand if you lay low? Or are they going to expect us to just be the same as we were before cancer?
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TeamKim - love your name 👋👋
So glad I could cheer you up ..don't get me wrong I had some pity parties of my own along the way - mainly work related due to my irrational and domineering business partner.
(((((, but we do magnify everything on this journey and I hope part of my frustrations maybe more to do with me than her - either way I needed this break
My UK trip was booked long before my BC Dx and I was convinced it wouldn't happen ( my H was concerned I shouldn't go too) for awhile there. But once I had talked to my onc I was amazed it was still a possibility and it was eventually the carrot that got me over the line. Postponement would have been hard as my 16yo daughter and her best friend have come with me and they start their final year of school immed.on our return
Catching up with mum and my bro and meeting my 5yo nephew for first time is all great. I was worried mum (78) would look a lot older and frailer after 6 years. But she looks great still plays weekly tennis etc etc
funniest thing was at UK passport control when they figured out Jamie wasn't my daughter they wanted a parental letter of permission which I had never even thought about and certainly was charmed after 24hrs of travel - they decided she didn't exactly look like she was under duress and let her in
The chemo best advice I can give anyone.
1. don't try to second guess how your body will react to chemo.
2. Get out there and try to carry on life as normally as possible if there is something you really want to do then do it ( just plan the when)
3. Don't stay at home waiting/expecting for any S/E
4. Once S/E do come - go easy on yourself and once thru them go right back to life ( till the next cycle
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5. I found there was a slight cumulative effect but I think overall we TC girls are pretty lucky (???????) there are def. worse regimes out there
Now any one got a cure for 4am jetlag 😄😄😄0 -
Nocomp-
I agree, you notice people sneezing and coughing more-especially with you flying.
Enjoy your trip-you deserve it!!
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JG-
Day #5-better than day #4, still needing to rest between chores today. So glad we are DONE!!!!
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Bondsy-
Biotene makes a toothpaste as well as a rinse. A friend of mine is a dental hygienist and gave me a prescription strength toothpaste called Prevident. Did I mention Queasy Pops? This is an natural remedy for nausea-pretty effective-you can order from its Website. I have taken the compazine when I had to-but it has the SE of constipation, so I try not to.
Good luck girl-we are here for you.
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JG-
Lying on a beach in Mexico in winter would be therapeutic. January or Feb. vacation would be good for you. Seeing as we are both Midwest girls (I am from Chicago area), we know that Jan. and Feb. are lousy here.
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Oh darn. Today I noticed I do have neuropathy. Fingers are quite numb and so are my feet. I try not to think this way but what the hell else is cancer going to take away?
JG I think they will understand the lying low. I hope. I'm really worried about concentration and exhaustion both.
Bikergirl ah yes-beaches, aqua water, sand.0 -
I'm up + running. Today is day 9 after my 3rd nfusion. Feeling
!I worked really hard yesterday at a vending event the packing, carrying to the car, taking out the car, setting up, tearing down, packing, moving stuff to the car, from the car to the house . . . is a lot of physical work. I'm really glad I'm able to do it!!!
Making $$$ doing something you created yourself + love makes you feel great, too! Seeing people today at church who had positive things to say about what they bought was the icing on the cake!
Today after church I updated my facebook fan page, went grocery shopping, created + posted my blog + cooked dinner. I'll leave the dishes for my daughter!!!
I'm grateful that I feel good most of the time; however, I've made a decision to kick chemo's butt!
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NC- Sounds like a fabulous trip. So glad you are having such a great time!
Bikergirl- I hope each day gets better and better. How nice to not have any more downs. Each day will just get better and better! I am looking forward to that...in about 96 days!
Jerigrace and Twohobbies- I hope the return to work goes smoothly.
FMG- I am glad you are having a such a good day.
Team Kim- I had my first infusion a week ago Friday...on 9/20. It was uneventful. And I mean that in a good way. A lot of infusion centers are cold...and the icing makes you co,d. You may want to bring a blanket. They had thin ones, but I brought a fleece one and was glad I did. My next one is Oct 11, so I will always go in a week after you.
I had a great day today. Barely any abdominal pain, and I went out for a run...not just a walk, but I ran the first mile or so, and that felt really good. I didn't overdo it, but did just enough. I also didn't wear my hat with hair. I just wore a ball cap...and I was much more comfortable!0 -
Actually, KBeee, we are on the same day -- my first infusion, your second -- Oct 11. Glad to hear you had such an uneventful one. Blanket is a good idea -- did you ice fingers and toes?
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Hi, am on day 5 and starting to feel a bit better..but don't believe I could drive yet..head seems still a tad unclear. The one thing that is interesting about chemo is that it changes somewhat every time. The side effects can change and also when they will hit. Mine has been hitting hard on day 3..with day 4 pretty much as bad..this time, day 3 I just felt a bit tired..and actually got all smug that I wasn't going to feel any SE's..then yesterday around noon it knocked me down with a vengeance!
In ref to toothpaste, etc..before I started, I had went ahead and got all dental work I was needing done and my dentist gave me a tube of fluoride toothpaste that is prescrip..he said to make sure I used through chemo as it would give the extra boost I needed, but I can continue to use afterwards. It has been great. Maybe, you guys could ask your dentist about it?
Also, someone had mentioned in prev posts (sorry I can't remember who) that they took ginger capsules..as I don't drink any soda after chemo. I thought I'd give it a try. I took them through the first 4 days of chemo and never had to take a compazine..so whoever mentioned that..thanks! Was a great tip!!
In ref to constipation..I never had that..was the flip side for me every time. My onc Rn said that you will generally get one or the other since your cells normally divide rapidly in your intestines and they aren't doing that on chemo..she said you will most likely get what you are proned to normally. I've only been constipated once in my life..but the other way is common..and that is what happened. I generally just let that run its course as I feel its getting poison out..but after day 5 if I'm going out..I take immodium.
Kbee-So so glad your first went easy on you!! Let me know what your Dr says about blood in urine etc. I hope is nothing serious for you! As bad as that was for me..this time..nothing. However, I have took flexerill every 6 hours yesterday..to ward off the pain..but haven't so far today and seems to be ok. Its weird.
Twohobbes-when are you going back to work? My return to work date is Oct 25th. Hoping I am past all the fatigue..but if not..I guess I'll deal with it. I have 2 weeks of vacation time left..but when you have been out on disability, you can't use your time for 30 days..which makes NO SENSE to me..as not every day you feel bad!..Oh well, guess I can use through the holidays or roll over.
Are any of you getting reconstruction this year? I'm going to do the DIEP, but waiting till next year so I get my body back stronger and more healthy..as is hard surgery..and well, I'm just TIRED. I'm traveling to Charleston, SC to do it.
I hope that everyone is feeling as well as possible today. Healing hugs and healing prayers!
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TeamKim: I did ice my fingers and toes. I also sat my feet on ice and squeezed icebags in my hands hoping maybe it will decrease neuropathy. I have one black toenail that is still holding on, but so far. others are okay, and I have not had tingling in my fingers or toes yet, but I know this can be more cumulative. Because of my job, I really need to try and prevent the neuropathy, so I am taking B6, B12, and L Glutamine too. I also chewed ice the whole time. I did not get mouth sores, but I did get a slimy tongue and burndt taste bud feeling, and my throat has been raw the whole time. Pretty minor in the whole scheme of things.
ckmoss: I hope the side effects are easing up for you. The MO has not called back with the final lab/culture results. I may call later if they don't call. Thankfully, the blood in the urine has ceased.
Off for a walk/run in a few minutes. Trying to find motivation!
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Today I have had cold sweats really bad for the past 2 hours...this is new to me. I have had the night sweats and hot flashes ,...but not this cold sweat thing. Has anyone had this?
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ckmoss: Do you have a fever? I was told if I got cold sweats, with or without a fever, to call because it could be a sign of infection.
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