Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
-
Puffin, I don't have you on our list yet, what is your start date? I will add you.
0 -
My first chemo caused my diverticuli to flare up - diarrhea and abdominal pain. As a nurse I know I'm at risk for a diverticuli perforating and ending up with a colostomy. So I went on a low fiber diet for 3 days to rest the bowel and the Dr started me on 10 days of flagyl and cipro pills. Diarrhea and pain are gone and I'm almost back to a more usual diet. I've been lucky that nausea hasn't been a problem, just the first day and zofran took care of it. I get full quickly so I'm eating small meals often, and drinking my liquids in between. Concerned about getting through the next 3 chemo sessions without repeat flare ups and am looking into starting probiotics.
Other than the flare up, days 3,4, and 5 were the worst overall. My legs were like jello and it felt like I was walking through sludge, had to use my hiking stick around the house. I have a history of Perleche (sore at the corner of my mouth from drooling at nite!) which has returned. Luckily I still had the ointments I used to treat it the first time. But my strength is improving, I've even resumed my rotator cuff physical therapy (I was diagnosed with my breast cancer 5 weeks after my rotator cuff surgery).
I had the neulasta shot, took Claritin and Carnation Instant Breakfast I'd been told about, and have not even had to take 1 Tylenol for bone pain. Woke up a couple nites with some mild aching in my legs but it resolved by repositioning my legs. Don't care if it was a placebo effect, I'm not in pain.
0 -
first chemo was Jul 17
0 -
I had my first infusion yesterday, Thursday. A+C. Took exactly three hours. Got Decadron and Compazine tablets. Then they accessed my port with the Emend, some saline, then the Adriamycin, added manually by the wonderful infusion nurse, then a bit of a break, ten minutes and then the Cytoxan.
Thanks to the ladies here, I asked for Emla cream and slathered it on the port before I left for home, didn't feel a thing.
After we got home, I was exhausted. Fell asleep over my book in the backyard, then came inside, drank 16 ounces of ice water. Watched the news, and drank another sixteen ounces. Slept from 7pm to 7am. Peed about three times, and had more water each time I got up.
I am on scheduled Decadron and Compazine for three days. DH gave me my Neulasta shot this afternoon. I had taken a Claritin yesterday and this morning and continue that for 5-7 days.
So far, really my only side effect is being a bit headachey. Yesterday it was pretty much killer, today, kind of low level. Reading a lot. Hoping tomorrow is as easy, though I feel a bit guilty, reading how so many of you are having a tough time.
Love to you all...there is so much I learned here that I didnt hear elsewhere.
0 -
Mags - I'm in stiches thinking about your husband, the dog and a skunk and you in the fetal position. (I know it's not meant to be funny - but you have to love it). My husband has also been freaking out - I feel like telling him to suck it up (but I know I can't).
I'm 54 with four teens - so Pink - I can so relate to your post. Some of mine have been nice from time to time - but for the most part, they have been self-centered - it just adds to my angst of being a mom to teens. I am aghast most of the time with their behavior....it makes me sad, infuriated, frustrated, upset - you name it. Similar to yours, our son called me in the infusion chair and asked if I could bring a smoothie home for him. OMG. I can't tell if it's denial, or self-centeredness, or what. I think they think that I have super hero powers. And our teens have fought amongst themselves more (they fight anyway) - but it seems to have gotten worse lately.
Today I've been very emotional with my hair falling everywhere. (right now it's all over my computer). I guess hair represents to me that my life is not in my control right now. Is it time for me to shave it? (it's already short). Slappy Squirrel's cap is too small (can I send it to anyone? - it's the purple beanie one) - and I haven't gotten anything to wear on my head, yet.
I'm so sick and tired of these four walls - esp. our bedroom where I've been too much. I need a break from our whiney teens! My husband is playing golf tomorrow at a local resort (with a friend who is playing) and I told him that I want to spend the night there - even though we have little to no spare money (he is also losing his job - but he does get disability so our basic expenses are covered - try telling that to 4 teens....). More than a wig, or a make-over, or food, etc., I just want a weekend away!! I'll remember that for the next friend that has to deal with all of this....
Feeling whiney - but given how some of you are feeling right now - have no right,
IrishMom/Deb
0 -
MomtoIrishQ, I know it will be funny when I come out of the chemo coma, but I admit today's been traumatic for me even though I've been out of it. DH went on to work and then came home to take care of the dog, then went back to work and came home and took care of the dog. So when he left the first time (5am) I'm lying here in bed unable to move and thinking, cousin is going to get up and let the dog in because her smeller doesn't work well. Turns out he had thought of that and left her a note. DH still has skunk smell in his nose, poor baby. But he will not be going to bed without eating dinner any more, I bet.
0 -
What a day for all teenagers, parasites and skunks oh my! Another day in the wild. Lol at least it is a sure sign the world is still turning, from these four walls sometimes I have to look out to make sure it is!
Thank you for sharing
0 -
Well, my fever spiked, I went to the ER, and now I'm spending the night in the hospital with IV antibiotics etc. I was thinking it was going to get better ater the first week.
0 -
Mag, the skunk sorry made me smile. Sorry
0 -
Hello Ladies
I hope everyone is feeling ok or at least finding some relief... I am on day 9 and I must say... although I have read many posts about gas pains and diarrhea I guess I didnt expect it to be so annoying... I was fine until day 5 then became really bloated and still today 4 days later im having loose stool... I have been eating chicken..brown rice fresh fruit and yogurt smoothies etc.. I havent even drank coffee for days... today..day 9 im getting some dull shooting pains in my lower back... my question is.... Is this gas diarrhea going to be and get worse with every treatment? and not to sound gross but what color is normal . I am scheduled for round 2 on wednesday0 -
Well ladies, I am so happy to be leaving shortly for our family vacation in Myrtle Beach and I'm so happy cause I feel good (insert James Brown here).
I'm praying for all of you to have a great weekend with minimal side effects, no skunks, no bratty teens/kids, no parasite findings, and just plain relaxation and joy
0 -
joeysmommy,
I just prayed for you, feel better soon
0 -
These stories are really making me smile and feel better! And, yes, PinkNinja takes the taco with the poop parasites! Yikes!!!! I would have reached immediately for fire. :P
It's "good" to know that others have self-centered/whiny teens. At least we know it's not just something WE'RE doing wrong or that something is substantially unusual about our 17 yo daughter. I suspect we'd be having a lot of the problems we're having with her anyway; it's just hard-to-impossible to deal with them when we've got these medical issues to deal with almost every day. We try to keep the lines of communication open and let both of them carve out time to do things that are important to them. But... c'est ca! What else to do?
I'm almost 24 hours out of my first treatment and feeling well. My care team has had trouble adjusting the steroid dosage I'm taking. I'm 4'10'' and weigh about 103 lbs; initially I was given a dosage for someone twice my body weight. I couldn't sleep at all. They have adjusted it waaaay back, and I took an OTC Unisom last night and managed 8 hours.
Dry mouth, no appetite, and a feeling of "fullness" are my only tummy-troubles. No parasites in the gut so far. (still: big YIKES)
My wife (just FYI: we're a same-sex couple) is hovering a lot, understandably. My fear is that she will run herself ragged BEFORE I have serious side effects and really need her. (How's that for selfish?) We're both watching me like a hyper-vigilant hawk for SE. I get my Neulasta shot on Monday, then off to work!
Appreciate all the anecdotes here! (((big weekend hug)))
0 -
Thank you so much Pinkninja that was so sweet and sincerely appreciated... Have a wonderful time in Myrtle Beach
Praying always for every woman and family touched by breast or any other cancer ^j^0 -
To all of you ladies - I am on day 2 after my second infusion. I HAVE ONLY HAD A FEW MILD HEADACHES & NO NAUSEA. Sine I am HER2+ and my chemo drugs consist of Taxotere, Carboplatin & Herceptin, I also post on that discussion board of this website and would encourage anyone with my same regimen to check it out. They have really steered me in the right direction when it came to better communication with my onco. I took with me this last appointment some notes of the side effect reducing drugs that they are receiving in their IV's and found out that I was getting all but one - EMEND. I requested that it be added and now instead of being bed ridden with nausea for 2 days, I have.been up around the house, taking it easy but feeling better then I ever expected. I am wearing seabands for the slight wooziness and have only had to take Tylenol once for headache. Overall I am a happy camper, minus the skunk - thanks for the story Mags. Hope you all to feel as well as I am. By the way, I got my head shaved at the hospital beauty shop, after which they gave me a beautiful wig, scarf, 2 sleeping caps, bandana, wig cap, all for free. They also steered me toward a class sponsored by the America Cancer Society "Feel Goog Look Better" where they teach you how to do scarf tying, makeup, wig accessorizing....and they give you lots of free make up from Clinique, Estee Lauder and others. Gotta go plug this tablet in - the battery is getting low.
0 -
I had a lumpectomy when I was 27 for a precancerous mass in my left breast... they told me to have a mammogram every 6 months for a year then told me I was cancer free... now at 39 IDC and DCIS in left breast - estrogen receptive...
Dont know why the first time I was never tested for estrogen receptive or anything, was raising 4 kids at the time 2step 2mine was a busy time never thought to question the doctors
Now I question it all the time but cant change it so letting that go too
0 -
Well ladies I'm glad the skunk story amused you all, in hindsight it was kinda funny, though not for my poor big baby. He had to have eye drops too, his eyes were all irritated.
Big baby. Ain't he sweet?
Big D hit this morning, Imodium taken. Had scrambled eggs & protein smoothie but just having gut pain, still in bed.
0 -
oh Mags what's a cutie!!!! What I wouldn't do for my puppies... Truly are my saving grace on a bad day!
Heartburn sooooo bad can barely function been taking Zantac 150 and tums but nothing is subsiding the burn..... Any suggestions out there ?
Michelle
0 -
Hello ladies! Hugs to all of you. Mags I love your baby! Mines a Boston terrier and he never leaves my side. Gotta love them. I too cut my long hair last week. I donated 17 inches to locks of love. I figured maybe my loss can be someone else's gain. I've never had short hair so it was a little weird. I'm getting used to it now. Monday I go in for echo and talk to my MO. So nervous about chemo. Just want to get it over with. I also developed a tape allergy to the tegederm they put over the port. Called surgeon and was told to wash it and take benedryl. Still red and itchy so will have to tell nurses NOT to put any tape on during chemo. Surgeon said they could use coband to fasten the chemo Iv around my arm to keep needle in the port. Hope this won't cause trouble!
0 -
Big baby has a little sister, too, she is the light of my life, my Rose.
She has a heart on her tummy.
love my baby girl.
0 -
Mags - LOVE your fur babies :-)
Tooyoung - my MO wrote me an rx for Nexium for unbearable heartburn. Might be worth checking out?
Pinkninja - you definitely win. EEEEEEW. I've also traveled a lot in the developing world (mostly Asia) and this is my nightmare....At least they were dead?
0 -
This is my baby Charlie.
0 -
this is a silly question, but are you gals sleeping?? Do you take anything for it?? I'm on Imovane only 5mg which sometimes is ok, but I can't sleep past 5 6 hours. I really need to sleep more and I just want something that is effective. Melatonin does not work for me.
I know considering what is running through my veins with chemo, I shouldn't care about drugs!!
0 -
Mags and maiden, your pups are adorable! Thanks for the pics
I'm still in the hospital until at least tomorrow and those made me smile!
0 -
OK I will share my pups too.
My baby is the Australian Shepherd Gabby 7years, and Mr blue eyes Cooper Shepherd x husky is my new baby 1.5 with DH. Thought this was cute as they are holding paws
Jenkay hope you are out soon and on the mend.
Maiden your pup is adorable
Mags Rose looks like such a sweetheart
0 -
Mags and Maiden - I love your babies
They are so adorable.I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on Tuesday due to an abnormal CT scan. Hopefully all will be fine so I can get chemo started. Believe me when I say I really don't want chemo but I'm tired of getting abnormal test results which keeps delaying the inevitable. Enough already!
How have you ladies handled situations where your team of doctors disagree on a treatment? My BS and RO feel that additional treatment (not including chemo) will be needed. I had one sentinel node with multiple micromets and final pathology showed lymphvascular invasion. Because of positive node my BS and RO feel I should either go back in to remove more lymph nodes or opt for radiation therapy after chemo. Neither doctor feels that any more lymph nodes will test positive and it's not worth the risk of lymphedema so I've pretty much decided on radiation therapy. My MO feels radiation therapy is not needed and that I'll be over treating myself. I'm told over and over again by all my doctors that I fall into a "gray" zone and when my case was presented to the tumor board, there were many differing opinions because of this. Now I'm more confused than ever on what I should do.
Praying everyone has a lovely weekend and a relief from the SE.
0 -
too young - your babies are adorable too
Feel better JenKay - praying you make it home tomorrow.
0 -
Hi ladies, popped in to catch up with everyone. I really appreciate all the good advise I've been reading. Trying to get things sorted out around the house and yard, stocking the refrigerator and the medicine cabinet since I'm not sure what if any SE l will have. This is my baby girl, Dixie. Woke her up from her nap. Lol. Her bubba, Cricket is under the blanket snoozing.
0 -
Ok...this is the actual "Mumford"
0 -
JenKay, I hope you get out of the hospital soon and are feeling better! Too Young, tadover, and Mumford, your babies are so cute!
Wizard50, I am having trouble sleeping now, I can't imagine once the chemo/steroids start. I have used benedryl to get to sleep but like you I only stay asleep about 6 hours or so. If you hear of anything that really works, let me know. Went shopping today for SE supplies. So glad you wonderful ladies are sharing your up and downs. We are not alone.
0
