Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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TeamKim, i will buy that tea today.
Chemo yesterday & I thought I could do a few chores with my DD right after. I was a mess later, but loved my time with her. Difficult balance. It doesn't feel like bone pain while still on steroids, but I find myself very weepy and darker feelings creep in.
Thank you so much ladies. momat927
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Regarding the dark feelings....I took Ativan when I needed a little help with queasiness or sleeping, but I found that if I took it too often, the dark feelings would threaten to overwhelm and the anxiety would get worse when I didn't need it anymore. So about midway through chemo, I switched to just taking it when I really needed it, and even then broke the tablets in half sometimes -- when I didn't take it on a regular schedule, it was easier to stop taking it, and the dark times receded.
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HI all-
Seems like we all have 'dark thoughts' ...mine creep in when I am at my lowest physically...weak, tired, sick feeling....then they come...I wonder about the Ativan too- I am only taking .5 mg which is low...but use it to sleep and usually once during day...
I have been listening to visual imagery and relaxation and praying a lot....I feel like it's getting better and NOT going to dark side anymore...but we will see as I just had treatment on Thursday...so my next week it will be interesting to see how I feel mentally next week.
SC- thinking of you today and praying your MRI is clear!!!
as Bluegrass says - I have some new back/shoulder pains too...and I think I am favoring the port side and my axillary dissection side is still sore and not as mobile as other side....so sleeping/ driving/ sitting around in recliners, etc...is all new and hard on our muscles...I can totally see that..
I am on antibiotic- Melrose- for a uti last week, it's about to run out...I asked my MO about being on one instead of nuelasta and he said it isn't preferred as then yeast infections and bad flora with the already compromised alimentary system...hmmmm.... So I got the nuelasta...didn't want to...hoping for few to no severe bone /body aches this time....
Wishing you all a great weekend!
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Thinking of each you and hoping for better days ahead for you. Keep your spirits up and push through the not so good times. One day you will look back and marvel at how far you have come and what you have accomplished. Hugs and wishing each of you a wonderful 2014 years and the many years to follow.
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Hi ladies,
I get to the MRI with my dosage of Xanax only to learn that they cannot do the MRI with tissue expanders in me !!!! Grrrr!!!! The radiologist was very kind, but there wears a risk of them burning my skin or moving so no MRI. I have to talk to my PS and MO who are on vacation until Thursday about alternatives. Ack. I am just going to keep taking Vicodin and Ativan as needed..... I just can't believe this. My expanders so not come out until February 21!st. The saga continues....
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SC, there is nothing harder to deal with than uncertainty, but I hope you can get through the next few days with faith and courage. When fears of mets to your sore back intrude, remember two things -- (1) Your "sentinel" (=watcher) lymph nodes saw absolutely no BC cells sneak by at all, so mets to anywhere in your body is highly, highly unlikely; and (2) read Matt 6:27 over and over, "And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?"
That bible verse is what daily keeps me from sinking into despair over my diagnosis/prognosis. I truly think my worst SE of BC is how hard it is to resist letting fear of the future rob me and my loved ones of joy and peace today. But I know we can do it together!
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Hi, although I am now finished with chemo for 5 weeks now, I remember that before getting the chemo the nurses always gave me pepsid and I even took an antacid every morning no matter if I went for chemo that day or not. I never had a problem. I hope that helps you..
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audra67- no worries! I had an old guy snoring for four hours!!!! I was so happy to finally sit beside another breast cancer sister this time around. She shared her popsicsles with me:)
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SC- OMG! That is SOOOO frustrating! I didn't even think of the expanders but yeah, they can't do it- I was told the magnetic thing would rip the expanders out of my chest! They should've asked you on phone..duh.
I got a small book/pamphlet almost...written by Joel Osteen's mother, she was diagnosed at stage IV liver cancer and did NOT have chemo or anything ....it is inspiring and has lots of bible verses on healing and believing and having faith...it has helped me tremendously this last week...has chapter on fear, letting go of past hurts/pain/forgiveness..
anyhow that's another inspiring good thing to read and /meditate on...
Wishing you peace and no worries! Bluegrass is right it will not help to worry...easy to say and not to do but we are rooting for you!
Minustwo- Thanks for tips...hoping my pain will be better this time..just very weary already on 2 day post chemo, usually it took 5 the last two times to start feeling like crap...
momat927- How are you feeling, I see you had chemo 27th??
Virginia- you are on Monday right?
Wishing you all well and glad we have a network of friends! The support and info. is wonderful!
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SC - sorry they couldn't do the MRI. How frustrating. Check w/your docs about getting a PET/CT scan instead. It combines a CT and a PET (nuclear contrast is injected). There's no danger with possible metal in your body like with an MRI. I've had several - usually alternating w/MRIs - but had both before my last surgery.
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Melrose - just wanted to say thanks for starting & maintaining this thread. We appreciate you!!!
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awwww, SC, how frustrating indeed!! I hope they can find another way to put your mind to rest. Maybe a CT scan as others have suggested. I know it is hard, but try not to expect the worst -- instead, put the positive vibe out there. You have had a rough couple of weeks -- we are in your pockets giving virtual (((hugs)))!
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sc, I hope you can get some answers. Sometimes it seems like just when we conquer one thing another thing comes up. Hang in there!
I hope everyone is having minimal SE's this week-end and that you all who are doing TX this week fare well!
Day 3 and I am achy and can't sleep; going to try some tylenol pm and see if I can solve that! I still have some hair hanging on, somehow:). I will be glad when my taste buds re-surface; I never feel like I am drinking enough these first few days bc everything tastes bad...and thrush does not help. So far, it has been about the same as first round, except ( I think) I may have by-passed the yeast inf and big C! YAY! thanks to Probiotics and colace...
Have a great week everyone!
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MinusTwo- Thanks......
Hello to All----Hope everyone has a good week. Keep hydrated. If you find yourself not wanting to drink 8 glasses of water a day, you may want to try this..... I would fill up 2 32ounce Nalgene bottles I got from Target every morning and would drink from those 2 bottles. For some reason just drinking from two containers was easier for me than drinking 8 glasses of water per day. I also would put orange slices in my water to help with the flavor. I drank Lipton's mandarin orange flavored green tea, ginger ale, an occasional mini can of Coke and ate watermelon, frozen/fresh grapes, jello, popsicles and slurpies/Icees. Those all count count as fluids. I know food does taste like cardboard and you may not want to eat. Just have to think of food as nutrition and fuel for your body and you need it to keep your body going and healing. If you are feeling light headed and dizzy at times, it could be that your RBC is low. When one is anemic, one can be lightheaded and not sure footed and a little unsteady. Be easy on yourselves and take your time getting up.
SC- Hope everything is okay . Thinking of you.
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Well I found out when I went to get the MRI that you can't have one with tissue expanders!! My MO and PS are on vacation and I think I am all worried out. No more energy to do that.
Today is my borthday also and a great massage helped me too.
Thanks for you support!
Hang in there Keep, hoping for minimal side effects for you and everyone else!
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School - Happy B-day. Glad you got a massage.
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SC- my surgeon gave me an ID card for my TE's that says explicitly no MRI's.
. I'm sorry that the test was cancelled. But as he others have stated, given your stage, grade, and lack of lymph node involvement (and the fact you ARE doing chemo currently) it's likely not something drastic. Hugs to you...AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!Audra- yes, I go for round 3 tomorrow. Just hoping I don't get scolded for the bruise on the back of my hand.... I'm pretty sure I will
dreading chemo but at least I can say 75% done tomorrow!!!Wishing everyone all the best!!
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SC- Happy Birthday!!!! Glad you were able to get a massage....
VirginiaNJ- Good Luck tomorrow. Wishing for an easy time in the BGC and minimal side effects. Good to know that you will have only one more after the infusion tomorrow!!!!
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Thank you so much Melrose!!!!! Interested to see what happens as some of the SE's were different with the first 2 (and some, of course, were the same).
Jeesh- wide awake (thank you steroid). Tomorrow is an 8 am infusion :O
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VirginiaNJ -- I'm in the chair, too, tomorrow for chemo4. I'm slated for 6 infusions so I'm half way done. I think SC will have a treatment this week, too. Anyone else? Good luck to all!
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SC -- Happy birthday! Hope you had a great day -- a massage sounds delightful -- and are feeling more optimistic about everything
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bluegrass! Best wishes to you! I will be sending you good karma from my chair to yours!!!
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Happy Birthday Schoolcounselor!!!
Bluegrass, I'm in the chair today, too. Going to be a tight fit getting us all in there at the same time. Having a pre-chemo coffee before the day begins.
Hopkins has the prettiest stained glass wall as part their meditation room in the main cancer center. Going to try to do it justice in a minute with a photo from the lobby.
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"meditation room' stained glass wall entrance at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. All the "clear" glass actually looks like giant swirling soap bubbles. It's absolutely lovely.
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Thinking of you all in the BGC today! Wishing minimal if NO side effects! That would be SO nice!
Happy Birthday SC!!!
Like the scarf Quirky!
Be strong! Virginia NJ, Bluegrass, Quirky- KILL THOSE CANCER CELLS!!!!
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Good morning everyone! At the center now receiving treatment 2 of TC. Have it 6x. Anyone out there who have to have 6x? Treatment 1 was minimal side effects but lots of fatigue! And bone aches from the neulasta shot. Taking Claritan before,during and for 3-5 days after. Hope all is well for us who have treatments this week!
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Virgina, Bluegrass, Quirky, Joan (SC, I lost track, are you having tx today too?) -- Hope the time in the BGC goes smoothly and the SEs are minimal. Pamper yourselves! Quirky, great pic of the stained glass -- what a beautiful way to welcome patients and set an atmosphere of serenity! Virginia, you look lovely in the BGC -- Is that a quilted bed jacket you have on? Did someone make it for you? What a great idea! And the crocheted blanket is nice too -- you must have crafty friends! Go girls -- one more tx to cross off the calendar!
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Good luck to all who are doing TX this week! One more down.
Thanks for sharing the photos everyone.
Happy Birthday SC:)
So far, this one has been better than the first, on day 4...very achy yesterday, but better today; I still have hair on my head and it seems to be staying put so far.
Have a wonderful week, ladies! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this forum to come to...it is very comforting to know that others are facing the same challenges and getting through them.
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