Cytoxan Taxotere Chemo Ladies- February/March 2013
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YOU LOOK AWESOME! I hope I look half that good when I get done. I start tomorrow and I'm stressing about it.
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Audra, I wish I were done, but I'm in a clinical trial where I get 6 rounds of TC, not 4. But I'm very lucky because I haven't had any truly evil SEs so far; and I'm expecting the longer treatment will wipe out all my stage III BC buggers.
So today, let's celebrate that idea; and YOUR upcoming last chemo in January (you will do fine!); and my last chemo around Feb 10:-)
(I think I'll go add my last TXs to my profile now!)
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Tobyholicdeb, so sorry you need to be here, but you will find this a comforting place to visit during your journey. We are all here for you!
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My former co-worker, a good friend from Argentina, me, and my hubby.
Chemo # 3 is done. One more chemo Jan 22, 2014! Today’s theme was a hit at the infusion center lots of smiles and pictures. AND my nurse gave me BENADRYL for my throat swelling, tongue swelling, and lymph nodes. She went rogue and asked my why the MO didn’t approve each time. I love this nurse, she says its protocol. Tomorrow I head to the throat doctor since MO didn’t believe I was having issues. I also meet another patient who fired my MO for the same reasons. Good to know I’m not the only one.
2014 is looking so much better! Fight on Warriors!
Bluegrassharp- Good thing you are doing well.
SchoolCoun- LAST CHEMO! Happy Dance.
audra67-I hope the pain will decrease. Are you getting sleep?
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FDM -- what a great picture and attitude! BC clearly has no chance in your neck of the woods!
PS -- where do you get all the darling costumes? If you make them, I'm going to feel truly like a slacker!
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Thanks ladies!
love the pic FDM!
Happy Dance for you SC !!! whoohoo! best of luck with your scans, etc. Keep us posted.
BGH, I think we all need to "vent" sometimes and this forum is the perfect place to do it. We can relate and sympathize.
I have been very lucky so far with SE's. It seems as though my seasonal allergies symptoms are not near what they would normally be with the cedar counts higher than they have been in three yrs, per the weatherman. Anyone else experience a decrease in seasonal allergy symptoms while on chemo? Maybe it just dries you up...? Hoping it will be permanent...probably way too much to ask for, though!
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SC -- Happy dance & pocket party! Love the sign!!! Doesn't it feel GREAT to kick that chemo to the curb? Glad the scans were ordered -- you are on the right path to feeling better.
FDM -- Adorable -- thanks for sharing the picture! I love your positive attitudes and the support of your friends and DH. What's the theme for next infusion? Hope the Benedryl helps, and that you get some answers to the throat and tongue problems -- thank goodness for practical and compassionate nurses!!
KTF -- I also had no allergies during chemo. The one and only good SE! Normally I have continual postnasal drip and sometimes am hoarse in the morning from the irritation to my throat. I take Zyrtec for it. During chemo, didn't have any congestion or anything. At first I thought it was the Claritin and/or Benedryl I was taking, but had no allergy symtoms even when I wasn't on those. So far allergies haven't come back, but I am not even a month out from last chemo.
Welcome Toby! I know you will find this to be the place where you can ask your questions and give voice to your fears, but also celebrate the milestones and find the caring support of new friends. We are all in your pockets -- you can do it!
BGS & Audra -- I am so sorry that you both are miserable -- ugh, this chemo is rough stuff! It damn well better work, is all I have to say! Hugs to you both, and be good to yourselves.
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Hello Sisters,
SC- YAY!!!! Tell us about life after chemo sometime !
Keepthefaith- tell Tatum Welcome to the World!!!
Teamkim, i will get cranberry pills. I drink so much juice and it helps but then some burning returns if i get forgetful of water and juice during the day. Snowstorm due tonight. If dr open, may just get urine culture.
Today, i went food shopping alone. My husband can care give for a few days, but then seems strained &exhausted. We are not spring chickens though i am a pretty young 65. So today, at Trader Joes, I kept forgetting what I need & even forgot the list & suddenly felt so weary i wanted to sit in the shopping cart. I didn't.... But I did cry!!! In the middle of a check out line!!! I couldn't go on one more second. Of course I tried to hide it from others and did pretty well but one observant woman kindly moved me ahead in line. Wow. It was a surreal moment.
Now i am on the couch and refuse to move. Here's to allowing oneself to veg.
Love to all, momat927
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forgot question! I am sure this was addressed somewhere on discussion boards-- my buzz cut is now departing. I have bald patches which i can live with, BUT i have a rash whever i am bald. Does anyone know about this & possible remedy? I have been using just Burts Bees Baby shampoo & wash on my head and then some Cetaphil or olive oil. The rash is tiny clusters of pink bumps. Thanks, momat927
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momat, I hope you feel better soon. Yes, do allow yourself to veg:). You deserve it! Isn't is crazy how this effects so many aspects of our lives? It has given me much more grace and compassion than I used to have when someone is out of sorts or even acts out...you just never know what someone else is going through.
good luck with your TX tomorrow Toby.
thanks for the info on allergies, Teamkim. Good to know. I have been worrying about getting congestion, sinus infection or bronchitis while on chemo, so maybe that's one less thing I'll have to stress about:).
((HUGS))
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KGF, what an adorable baby!
SC, yayayayayayay! Hooray!
FDM, awesome costumes!
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wrenn, is it rash? Do you see if it is where the pores are! I had that and head&Shoulders helped a lot!
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momat- I felt your pain about crying in store....and my husband is getting over stressed being the 'caregiver' and he went outside today and did some woodworking things and said how much he needed to get out of the house and felt so much better...it is so hard on them too isn't it? Makes me feel bad to be causing stress to my family...I am NOT a clingy person and usually he is much more 'needy' than I am and since this BC thing I am almost wanting him in the room with me all of the time....and I certainly haven't went out without him yet...he is like my rock...so that was HUGE to go by yourself to the store I think!
Welcome Toby- and good luck tomorrow, it's easier to get the infusion itself than you think...wishing you no side effects!
Bluegrass- I am SOO sorry, darn, I thought you were done!
FairyDogmother- you are darling! LOVE the gang and the outfits!
and no I am NOT sleeping well AT ALL...was using Ativan to sleep but it lasts 6 hours and I wake up at 6 hours...every night or sooner...then cannot get back to sleep....I called MO today to ask for advice or something else to sleep and didn't get called back...going in for blood work tomorrow and will ask then...I need more than 6 hours per night..then I am exhausted all day but cannot sleep....it is so weird...I was the BEST sleeper before this...I think the hot flashes waking me up all through the night do not help...
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Momat, I am reading the thread from the end up. I sued Head&Shoulders Original. I don't remember who shared that information before. It helps a lot. Also, use some Peroxide, just clean the area with a damp cotton ball. The pores get dirty now that you don't have hair. Try to wash your scalp often.
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oh thank you for responses. I guess i will live with rash unless gets out of hand. Snowing here. Going back to veging. Love, momat927
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I had a few head bumps as my hair left. Those may be clogged hair follicles. I used some Neutrogena T Gel Shampoo which helped take care of those bumps and also had a prescription for a gel antibotic.
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A couple questions i used tape to hold gauze on over my port scar now have red patches where the tape was and it has been days. Anything to put on it or leave it alone?
Also back of tongue has white patches but not otherwise bothersome is that thrush? If so what do you do for it? Thanks...
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kli, are you using Biotene mouthwash? It helps with the tongue issue.
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kli. he I had thrush, I used biotene and ate a lot of yogurt. It helped and I did not need a prescription.
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Momat -- when my hair fell out, I had a lot of bumps, I think they were irritated hair follicles. It used Cortisone cream on some itchy spots, and used a washcloth on my head for a little exfoliation. MO nurse told me to be sure not to use any soap or shampoo with any perfumes in it (no baby shampoo, for example), and she suggested Aveeno products, particularly the ones with oatmeal. I ended up using Aveeno Calming Cleanser on my head, which seemed to not irritate the bumps, and dove soap everywhere else.
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I use Aveeno, always have! So no bumps or irritated follicles. I do shampoo and condition everyday and put argan oil or shea butter on my head.
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thank you everyone. Great advice & suggestions. Momat927
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BlueGrass - pain could be from being in the same position. I slept in mt recliner for three months due to healing issues and developed shoulder pain that immediately disappeared when I moved back to my bed. I'd try mixing things up.
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KLI- If you have had some irritation from the tape, make sure you have removed all of the adhesive off of your skin. It may take a little while for the skin to recover after being irritated from the tape. You may want to try using paper tape the next time. You may also want to have your onco look at it that port scar to make sure there isn't infection and to find out if there is something you can put on the area to help it heal.
If you think you have thrush, you may need to get some Nystatin to help get rid of it. Call your onco tomorrow if you can so you can talk to your onco about your symptoms. You want to knock out that thrush before it gets worse.
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Momat: My dermatologist said to spread a light coat of original
Head&Shoulders and leave it on for up to 5 minutes before adding water & washing it
off. Works like a charm for me.KLI: Paper tape is a good thing to try but if your skin is really
sensitive, even that will cause problems. i can only use Hypafix or
Medipore. They have it at the hospitals but I have to take my own to the
infusion center. There's a good thread here about Adhesive tape problems.http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/767669?page=11#idx_323
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QuirkyGirl, I know you are right that being in one position is not good for muscle/joint aches. I move from bed to kitchen chair to recliner to computer chair to bed to recliner to bed, etc. After chemo started in late October, I just can't be in one position for very long day or night before something hurts, especially in the first week. Walking and working out at the gym helps, but sometimes (too often!) I'm too beat for that.
But now I think my right shoulder "rotator cuff" (?) problem got started right after my lumpectomy in late September, before I got my new recliner and could only sleep comfortably in bed on my right side. By the time I realized my right shoulder wasn't right, I'd started chemo and that has just made everything worse.
I am heartened that your issues resolved themselves, and hope mine will go away after chemo stops aggravating the situation. In the meantime, I'm seeing a physical therapist on Monday, and hope she can give me some exercises that might help. I'd like to think I could DO something about the shoulder pain -- which keeps me up at night and tired in the daytime -- instead of just waiting around for chemo to end. (Patience is not one of my virtues!)
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Wrenn: NEVER feel silly. I would have floundered w/o all the tips & tricks & support from BCO. All of us suffer from different things at different times but we sure can empathize & hold everyone in our thoughts!!
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Wrenn, there seems to be such a shifting array of SE's that one minute it might be a rash and the next bone pain. It seems like we are dealing with something that is like mercury and hard to pin down. It feels good to get control over even one problem!!!!!
Right now, like others of you-sisters- I had to move out of bed and wish i had a lounge chair but landed on the couch. Probably Neulasta making itself known like the Hulk stretching bone marrow.
I would be in trouble without all of you & on nights like this I am grateful to post & not feel alone. Nothing is silly. Love, momat
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I love that we support ourselves with everything. Some times I start to talk my my DH who is wonderful but just doesnot always get it. I'm learning that people who have not been there can't. Everything is important and all SE matter, we are trying to get back to the new normal. Which will be a challenge for all of us in different ways.
Today I get neulasta and I am not looking forward to it at all. Loading up on Claritin and since my picc line is out, Yeah, I can get in the whirlpool tub.
Next I have to notify my job that I am not returning February 2 as I said , but march/April. After exchange and Livestrong and Pysiatrist because I can't walk now. Also getting my PET scan next week. This is my new normal for now.
Today is a snowy day, great day to hang in with family, make chicken soup and do crafts!
Hope we are all hanging in!!
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kli, my Mo recommended probiotics for thrush this time, but ended up getting a RX bc they weren't helping. I would let your MO know before the week-end.
Stay warm and safe this week-end, ladies!
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