Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
Comments
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KBee good for you getting some running in. I was barely able to get a walk in and just now am able to do more without hurting for three days after. Rode my bike for the first time last night and almost couldn't get back home but I made it.
CKMoss I go back to work thur so at least I won't have a full week. I do have a lot of vaca too cause I hardly used any. My hubby has to use his so we probably will go somewhere but I didn't want to plan it and go back and say oh btw I'm going on vacation in two weeks. Nice to see ya but I'm outta here.
Ck you're not running a fever right? I only have hot flashes and sweats and they are pretty annoying. I'm taking two showers a day most days.0 -
I agree with KBee. Ck if chills still happening get yourself checked out soon !! Most probably an infection
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No, I don't have a fever..but after reading ya's post, have put in call to onc..Thanks!
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ck-I agree with KB-check your temp and call your onc if you have a fever.
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So glad that chemo is over. This one has been the worst. Day #6-able to get some chores done, but very tired and muscles ache today. It seems like I have good parts of the day and not so good parts of the day. Hoping tomorrow better. At least the nausea is gone. Was hoping to put a few hours in at work-not sure if I will be up to it. Thankfully, have a very understanding manager.
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Warning --- venting alert! --- Warning
My MO's office called today to say they are no longer doing Friday infusions and she needs to switch me to Thursdays. This after I moved heaven and earth to get my teaching schedule covered on the days I thought I had to miss and rearranging the syllabi for my 4 classes so that I could take Friday and Monday off each time. Just like that....
No big deal in the scheme of things, right? A normally well adjusted person like me should be able to make a couple of calls and switch everything around again. Wrong. I started bawling on the phone with the poor onc nurse, and could not stop crying for an hour. I drove home, tears streaming down my face, and DH consoled me til I had cried it out. What the heck?
All I can think is that I am clutching what little control I have so tightly that a minor inconvenience blew my fragile equilibrium all to hell!
OK, I'm done. Sorry -- but I knew you guys would understand.0 -
Just got home from spending the afternoon in the chemo room getting IV fluids. Was really hoping not to sit in that chair again. I had a low grade fever last night. So weird - I got a fever on day 7 for 3 out of 4 of my treatments. This one seems to be abdominal. Haven't been able to keep food in my stomach for 4 days. It just runs right through me. Lost 5 pounds and feeling pretty weak. This may be the last one but its still not easy!
ck, hope you've heard from your doctor by now. Our poor bodies just don't have any way to fight this stuff.
Right now I can't even imagine being back at work next week. Hope there was some magic in those fluid bags today!
Keep fighting warriors!0 -
TeamKim, just consider those tears a symbol of all the pain and frustration you have been holding in while you attempt to keep some kind of normalcy in your life. It takes a lot of work to be strong, not only for yourself but for everyone around you. Hope a good cry helped you feel better.
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TeamKim - I would have been livid. I would ask where else you can get your infusions since you have rearranged your life and schedule to accommodate them. Perhaps there is another infusion center nearby.
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Thanks JG -- I am feeling better now. You make a good point about the energy it takes to hold it together. I am so sorry the fever has hit you one week out -- IV fluids are the wrong kind of celebration cocktail! Hope it all recedes quickly so you can let the happiness of DONE soak in!
KBeee -- seemed like I felt too blindsided to get mad! but I did ask the onc RN if I could do the infusion somewhere else. She mentioned a nearby facility that is connected to the local small hospital, but I find that place a little sketchy, so that only made me cry more! The big regional hospital about 10 miles away has a cancer pavillion with infusion center, but she didn't offer that -- maybe my MO doesn't have privileges. Anyway, decided to just change to Thursdays, and feeling a little silly about the panic attack it all caused!
Biker girl - You too -- tho I have heard the exhaustion is cumulative, so it figures you would be tired. Also, JG's point about the energy it takes to hold it together may also apply -- maybe your body knows this is the end of the onslaught, and it needs R E S T.
So now I am doing a little retail therapy shopping for wigs and hats online. Has anyone used Paula Young wigs? Softcovers hats? Other sites you suggest?0 -
Ladies trust me by day 10 you will be back ready to face the world
KBee the day switch is a positive for the Monday as it gives you Sunday to be at your worst and the Monday still to recover.
My onc tried to delay my final infusion by 4 days ( cos she would have been on holidays !!!!!!!) and ( I would have had to travel on day 10 - nadir then ) apparently my friend who was with me said I ( me) looked like I was about to jump the table go for the onc's jugular In one lethal movement Think the onc sensed this too and quickly reverted back to original day with an 'advance straight to chemo ward ' card. No need to see holidaying onc. As long as bloods were ok
I know when in chemo (and still now at present ) as long as everything was going to plan I was ok but the MINUTE , no the SECOND I hit a speed bump. I would loose it emotionally. It was like I was on my absolute limit and I could just about cope with the expected. But. No surprises everything had to go to plan. Normally I am pretty relaxed about plan changes. But not then I had to be in absolute control
Hope you can fiddle your thurs / fri cos fri you will be good for work and maybe keep the Monday off ?? Am sure they will understand
((Hugs))
Ck how you going hope chills are finished they are I imagine almost worst for the body then a fever cos it probably can't keep the energy going to make the fever to kill the bugs. Hopefully u are either thrubit now or on some ABs.
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Wrenn...glad you came over here. Hope you're continuing to heal. We don't always hold it together...but we do hold each other up when we're down.
TeamKim... I found that Voguewigs online shipped the fastest. Around the house I wear skullcaps (do rags). I ordered them from bandanaworld online who was not only super fast to ship, but had incredible customer service. I also have a halo wig and hat that's really comfortable. This week I have been brave enough when I am out walking and running to just wear a ballcap. Soon it'll be cold enough here to just wear a regular old hat when I am out and about.0 -
My Facebook status for today is:
"Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of you know I had surgery and I am now going through chemo, winning the fight with breast cancer, since it was caught early. Hence, here's my one and only public service announcement... Girls, check your girls. Guys, check your girl's girls. Early detection DOES matter. That's it. Carry on."
The guys seem especially excited about the status, but since DH is actually the one who found my lump, I had to throw that in there! I also signed up fo rthe Race for teh CUre yesterday. It is at the end of October, 15 days after treatment #2. If #2 treats me like #1, I am hoping to be able to run the whole thing. We'll see. I ran 2 miles, walked .25 then ran another mile yesterday, so if I can keep it up, I should be able to; if not, I will be very content to be healthy enough to walk it. It's a 5K. My walks are what clear my brain and recharge me each day. My runs are my way of saying take that breast cancer, I'm stronger than you. I'm stubborn that way.
Hope everyone has a side effect free day.
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JeriGrace - I hope you're feeling better by now. You've had such a rough go with your cycles. I'm glad you're only doing 4 cycles and not another two more like some of us!
TeamKim - it's so easy to have a total meltdown right now. I'm not a normally weepy, emotional person, but it has been easy a few times for me to burst into tears. I think we are on the edge and crying is a manifestation of the physical and metal toll this is taking on us - even though we are normally well-adjusted people! Crying is coping, not a sign of weakness. I hope you'll give yourself a break.
KBeee - love the status. My BF also felt my mass first, that resonates with me too.
Went to see my BS yesterday since I found something new in the other breast. She whipped out the ultrasound and it was just a cyst. Phew! It eases my mind to know it's nothing. She said I can get it drained later if it gets bigger or bothers me but it probably wasn't a good idea to stick a needle in me to drain it one week after chemo.
Has anyone felt really cold at all, especially at night? I've had a couple nights (day 4 and day 5) that I was so chilly in bed, I needed to put on a second pijama top and socks! I'm curious if chemo has affected anyone else's internal temperature regulation. Last night, I was fine because I went for a soak in our community hot tub for my sore muscles and joints and got toasty. I have a thyroid problem too and I'm wondering if it could be that also - I should see about getting checked.
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Well, today is day 6 for me of the last one. and like Bikergirl, it has been my hardest..well, #3 was bad..but SE this time..totally different. Specifically, sweats and jittery nervous feeling. My onc RN called today and said that my onc had not heard of this side effect..I can tell you, this city is so far behind the rest of the world its not funny...She did say that if I wanted to come in and they do IV fluids it might push the chemo out quicker. I told her I would take a ativan today for jittery and if not gone tomorrow..sweats..that I would do that. As much as I want them out..I want them in me long enough to kill all the cancer cells. So don't want to rush them on their job! lol..
Kbee-love the facebook status! That is great!
Jerri-I sooo hope you are doing better! From my surgeries, I know what its like to think everything is done then here is another issue. Frustrating to say the least!
Mellie-I'm not sure if this is what it is..but when losing hair or have lost..my head gets cold at night..so that makes me cold..somehow putting on my sleep cap keeps the rest of me toasty...well that and the HOT FLASHES! LOL.
Also, in ref to hats/scarves/caps..there is a lady on Ebay that makes cotton night caps for chemo patients..she got into it by making them for a friend..she sells them for only 4.95. I bought 4 and wear them even around the house..they are light and cotton so they are not as heavy or hot as other caps. Here's the link if you want to check it out.
http://stores.ebay.com/English-Traditions-Chemo-Scarves.............I tried them because I was just wanting something cheap to sleep in.
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Oh! Theres also a website that you can go to and get a free scarf. You put in your top 3 choices. It says takes awhile to
ship, but I got mine within the week
http://www.goodwishesscarves.org/.
Its out of Washington..a group of people that do this non profit. I received a black and white silk scarf..is one of the nicest I own.
Oh don't forget when ordering your wig..Your insurance may pay for a percentage of it. Mine paid for wigs, camisoles, bras, prosthetic
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Hi all, I have been reading these posts for a while. I am on a couple of monthly forum and know some of you ladies already. I decided to post today because I have a specific TC treatment question related to neuraphy. I have read that some are icing their fingers and I decided to do that this time as I am having some pain in a few fingers that comes and goes.Right now I am in chemo number 3. I iced during the T part but am not during the C part. Should I be icing now too or when I get home? If so how long at home?
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Welcome Mankatostate! I believe you are just suppose to ice during the taxotere..I've not heard of anyone doing it at home. I didn't ice my fingers/toes--mainly because my onc said it could cause nerve damage..but he, also, said that about the mouth..after 1st infusion when my mouth felt like it was on fire for 2 weeks..I thought I'd risk it. Basically, what you are doing is stopping the drug from coming to whatever area you are icing. I think most also take the Claritin for it as well. I know one lady who smokes marijuana to help hers. lol..I think we tend to do anything to help ease pain. Oh..I used a clear Sally Hanson Hard as nails polish and haven't had any turn colors. I hope this helps and I hope you get relief from your pain.
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Mellie becareful with hot tubs if you have had lymph node dissection and are therefore at higher risk of LE. Hot tubs, saunas etc can increase risk of LE
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I iced 15 minutes befoer, durign the Taxotere, and 15 minutes after. I read here that others were doign that, so that's what I did. I do remember thinking that if cold cap wearers need to ice their heads all day, shouldn't I ice my feet all day...but I could not find anything on that, so I just did hte time befoer, during, and after. I have not had numbness in my feet (yet), and have one black nail. Everything else is A-OK for now. I am 12 days out from treatment #1.
I wish I didn't have to wait 21 days... I sooooo want to be done sooner. Patience is not one of my virtues. Must. Learn. Patience.
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Kbee-As you get further into it..you will be grateful for those 21 days..everyone that I know who is doing treatment ever 14 days..as it wears on..its awful.
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Thanks for the warning on hot tubs, NC. I have been for LE assessment and was told by the physical therapist that my risk is very low and just to avoid BP and chemo in that arm. I don't stay in the hot tub too long and I'm keeping an eye out for any swelling. I think the temperature in the hot tub is within the recommended range (usually between 98 - 102F). I have a follow up appointment in a couple weeks with the LE PT - I should ask her what she thinks about the hot tub for my situation when I'm there.
ckmoss - I am also wearing a sleeping cap. The nights I was cold, I had to pull it down as much as possible to my neck to keep warm. I was chilly when I went to bed, but later on, had a hot flash to heat me up too. Aren't those fun?
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Thanks for the quick answers on the icing! I wanted to be more prepared for last time...I kind of winged it this time.
Kbee- I know just how you feel you just want to get this whole thing over with.. yet I do agree as this goes on I look forward to that week where I am feeling almost normal. It's always spoiled though by the idea of the next chemo, which by then is just around the corner!0 -
TeamKim-
Completely understandable. We have hit with enough, so to add another thing that upsets our already upside down world, it is understandable to cry/vent/shout-whatever you need to do. I know that when I went in for my initial appt. with my MO, someone had forgotten to slot me in/they had just changed computer systems and my appt. got dropped. I sat out in the car and cried-but called the office manager after I settled down and they got me in right away!
Stay strong girl!
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Recovery after last of 4 chemo treatments has been slow-counting the days until I will feel more like myself-this is day#7-I know it is a cumulative effect, but I am very impatient this time. I did not go to work today-plan on going tomorrow.
Nocomp-hope you are enjoying your holiday. I did not know about the potential for LE with hot tubs-thanks for the heads up-wonder why no one has mentioned that to me.
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Don't know what's happening but I just got blindsided by a flood of tears. Maybe it was all those honest confessions of you all breaking down. : ) I was so happy to celebrate being done last week but for me, done is a relative term. Chemo doesn't want to let me go and radiation is lurking around the corner to get at me next. Just feel like I'm hanging on by a thread and don't know how much longer I can do this. I know quitting is not an option. But I am so tired of this. I'm tired of being sick, not being able to eat, having no energy, sitting here alone night after night with nothing to look forward to. Seems like any enthusiasm for life is gone. I'm also tired of being disappointed by all those people who said they'd be there for me. I know they all have busy lives but I would appreciate even a simple email that says I'm thinking about you. Are they scared that this is contagious? I'm tired of having to be strong for my family when it's my turn to be supported for once. My step-mother has not even called to check on me for 6 weeks. I'm tired of being such a burden to my children. I can see what a weight this is on them and I feel so guilty. And I hate that I will spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder to see if this disease is coming for me again. Tonight, it's just all too much. So I'll cry.
I won't apologize because I know this is a place I can vent and you will all understand. I can't say these things to anyone else. So thank you for listening to my dramatics. I know things will look better in the morning.0 -
(((((((((((((( JeriG )))))))))))))))
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Awwwww jeriG -- BIG ((((((hug))))))!!! We are here with you, you are never alone. We are, as they say on the Lumpies thread, "in your pockets." Imagine the pile of all us TC gals in there giving you the best hugs we can muster -- you've got sisters, my dear!
I just looked outside to see if there was a full moon or something. -- we all seem to be setting off the sprinklers! Seriously, my dears, we deserve to let it out now and then. JG, it will look better tomorrow! You are done with a big part. Get out for a little walk if you can. Wiggle your toes. Watch kids, or dogs (always makes me smile) on YouTube. Distract yourself with a funny movie. And we are there... In your pockets... Look for us.
Ask for help -- a lot of people say "let me know if you need anything at all," but then they stop offering after awhile. We don't want to be a burden, so we don't ask. But it takes all the support systems we can rally behind us to get through this .... Excuse me.... Crap. This week I tried just sending a specific email to someone saying "I need your help to proctor the exam for my class on October 11. Can you please help?" Quick answer was YES!! I was so heartened that I sent three more emails with specific requests. Three more yes answers! DH says "see? People want to help you, but they are waiting for you to direct them." Duh.... And I teach leadership....
But I digress -- My mission here was to send hugs and encouragement to JG and to thank so many of you for your words of reassurance and your hints on hats and wigs. Love you guys!!!0 -
Do you think....for I am Triple Postive...there are foods today i should add or avoid that are estrogen laden...??? I am thinking that if I can effect my hormone levels now...when I am only starting out that...maybe next year when it is time to start hormone therapy....I might have succeeded in changing the evidence of my E+ and P+ receptors. Such things have happened over the course of treatment tho I can't say why. Right now I am all over importance of food.....Experienced unexplained weight loss leading up to treatment and lost more when chemo first started...I have managed to put back on 10 lbs...with careful food planning....so am very pleased to see that I have those 10 lbs as my chemo buffer....
Feeling quite good on chemo so far...On #3. FEC-D
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{{{{JeriGrace}}}} Another big hug from me! I'm also thinking about rads, although I've got two chemo cycles to go still, and it is overwhelming me. To think about going day after day after day for so many weeks.
I have had people offer help in the beginning and not heard much since then. I called upon one of them a couple weeks ago to go to chemo with me while my BF was away. She said yes immediately and took the day off work. Others have no way to know what they can do to help.
I would also add it's okay if you want to call upon someone for help if that help is just to talk about things too. Let someone close to you know that it might be a big help to you if they could get together with you and have a chat. I had a horrible night one time with my boyfriend and called up a friend (in another state) who had offered to be an ear months earlier - she is a therapist. I felt bad calling her at first because she hates doing "work" with people outside work but she said she genuinely offered the help and wanted to be my support and that phone call was one of the best things that has helped me get through this all emotionally.
It's disappointing that your stepmother isn't showing more concern, but I want to also share something one of my students said to me. I told the students I supervise in the laboratory that I have cancer and will be going through chemo this fall and got very few responses from them. I was a bit surprised, but thought little of it since they aren't family and close friends. One of the students apologized to me a couple weeks ago and said that he didn't know how to react and deal with someone saying that they have cancer. He has since learned that is father has prostate cancer too. I'm trying to give most people the benefit of the doubt because they might not be prepared to handle this information in a way we might want them to, but it might take a little guidance from us to let them know what we need from them. In the case of my students, I ask them to do small jobs in the lab that require physical exertion (putting things up in high cupboards, potting plants, unpacking boxes) and they are glad to do it for me since that's how they can help me out in a way that fits our relationship.
JeriGrace - I hope what you are seeing is simply people not knowing how to respond and that you haven't really been abandoned by them - they're just hanging back, giving you space and waiting to see how they can help. Don't feel bad about needing a cry. You had a setback from the position where we all are - on the edge of what we can take! Your children worry about you so there is nothing you can do to lift the burden - but that's part of their love. Guilt isn't a healing emotion. Try to focus on the blessing of having your children through this. I hate the idea that any of us should feel guilty through this. We have enough to worry about with having cancer without throwing that onto the heap.
I will say one thing you can do maybe to change your thinking on this - you said you were sitting alone night after night with nothing to look forward to. You need to come up with something to look forward to! We all need that - some hope at the end of all this. When you're all done crying plan a trip or something fun to do in January, even if it's just a drive to a nearby park or museum.
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