Starting chemo July 2014
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Shirley - got my present in the mail yesterday and I love it. Thanks so much! I will post my picture as soon as I "buzz" my hair.
Another newbie question: During my MO visit last week to do another check over before I start chemo we were discussing my treatment plan in more detail. She mentioned that there is a dose dense (DD) treatment and she explained in great detail that a dose dense is harder on the body and I would haae to take few additional meds. In my case (not high grade) she would recommend I stay on the every 3 week AC treatment than move to 12 weekly Taxol. Anyone else on DD and did your MO have the conversation on the two types of treatment plans? With me my MO would still only do X4 on either plan so if I switched to DD my chemo would end a month earlier. Any feedback is highly welcomed.
Well wishes to those entering into their next treatment and (((Big Hug))) to those experiencing SEs.
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Jennliza- oh man...It sounds like your future MIL has some issues- mostly with her son, not you : (. I'm so sorry - it's just another thing to deal with on top of all this. But I'm glad that you kept your cool and that it went well otherwise with the other members of his family.
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slappy squirrel,
I had a hysterectomy in December and there is a great website like this one, Google hystersisters.
I got so much knowledge and encouragement from those ladies and knew exactly what to expect.
Praying you recover soon!
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Jennliza, ouch! Sounds like she was trying to get under your skin. I hope she comes around as it is so much easier if you can get along. Something is eating her and I doubt it has anything to do with you personally. Good luck and make sure your fiance sticks up for you too! There is no excuse for rudeness, you don't need that. Hugs!
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hi boxsofrockstar...I am the other pregnant one in the summertime chemo groups. I took an early gestational diabetes test as a "baseline" that was over 200, so I officially have it again with this pregnancy. Last time I managed fine w diet, and I think it helped me not gain too much weight. This time too my blood sugars are averaging 100 ( they want you under 140 one hour after meals) so I'm just angry about the whole thing again. I fasted for the challenge test, which didn't help me at all. The three hour one sounds awful. I'm worried about poking myself to monitor the GD during chemo, immunocompromised and all that. It's the least of my problems right now, I guess. Went wig shopping yesterday. Depressing. Got a "normal" wig and a purple bob too. My mom flipped out, and. I said " I'm pregnant and I have F@&$n' cancer, I can buy whatever I want." One of my kids thought the purple wig was awesome, the other freaked out a bit.
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ladyb -- I'm doing neoadjuvant dense dose because of the size and grade of my cancer. (I haven't had surgery yet; my surgeon wants to see if we can shrink the cancer because it will give him better surgical options.) I guess it is harder on the body because it has less time to recover from each dose. I will find out soon; I will be having my second infusion tomorrow.
I have been lucky so far, with few side effects after my first infusion. But, that doesn't mean that I'm not at risk for infections and nasty side effects as my body gets worn down by the treatment.
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Haha, Gatomal, my mother said "you can cut your hair now and have it made into a wig". I said "OR...I could use the money I'd spend on that to buy 3 or 4 AWESOME wigs at Ricky's, and get a kick-ass haircut in the meantime". I also told her I was going to get a giant tattoo on my head while I was bald, and she almost believed me. I was thinking of a purple wig, too. I bet yours looks awesome. If I were teaching right now I think I'd get a realistic wig so as not to freak out the kids, but since it's just me and the toddler hanging around the playground, I figure I can at least have some fun with my look.
I am dreading tomorrow and this nausea-making test. Maybe I'll call today and see if I can break the fast a tiny bit to take a Zofran...0 -
So, my hair is really coming out. I have it in a bandana, as it is kinda scarry all clumpy and bald spots. BUT bandana looks odd, as there are some places without hair. I'm wondering if those wide headbands from http://www.hatsforyou.net/servlet/the-HEADBAND/Categories in brown (my hair color) would make it less odd looking. Anyone tried them, or are we all 'too soon'? I also saw some on TLC direct, but they were in 4 packs, and I'd want the beige and the brown, so I'd need 2 packs. Why beigh you ask, I bought the tan hat in the picture, not realizing it had a headband with it...
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Hi guys I have read everything but was crazy with some family that came over the weekend.
Today it's me my 2 chemo so 1/3 of the firs part is done.
Shirley I'm glad you are ok wish you a fast recovery!😘😷🙈
Mags good to see that you got your mojo back😉
I'm siting here doing my chemo and sending lots of prayer to all of you that are having tough time with the second or third infusion !
Just breed and we can do it !
Andy
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Pinkninja - My nose is drippy too and doesn't drip bloody but the mucous is bloody. I've tried false eyelashes in the past and could not seem to master the technique of applying them. If you put the shadow and eyeliner on first, then they won't stick. If you glue on the lashes and then apply makeup, the makeup gets on the lashes. Maybe there is a youtube on eyelash tricks.
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Knmtwins - those wide headbands look really cool to wear under a hat. You could probably make some out of t-shirt material if you have a sewing machine.
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Hello July sisters. This last week has been quite different from the week following my first treatment. I started to follow some of the same med protocol - mainly proactive on the nausea meds. Those meds really wiped me out, but apparently did the anti-nausea trick. I seemed to very quickly move to the Big D. My MO had suggested that I go directly to the Lomitil, which blocked me up immediately. I moved to softeners yesterday. My general condition since last Thursday has been a half brain dead immovable object on the couch or bed. Brain wise, I can actually find most of the keys on the keyboard today. Getting up the stairs to the bedroom felt like a 5 mile crawl. I've had full body aches and pains this time Has this affected anyone else's vision? Both last time and this time bright lights make surfaces look like they are covered in glitter.
A friend gave me a dill pickle because he heard they can inspire your taste buds...He was right. it was the best thing I'd eaten since Infusion day. My tongue is very sensitive and wants to get the white coating, so I am washing my mouth regularly with the soda, salt and xylitol wash as well as using the miracle mouth wash from the doctor. I think I'm staying ahead of it. I'm looking for a better day tomorrow!
Hope everyone is doing better.
So, Jujubes8: The answer to your question is "Nope." It was different.
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blown away, I was worried about how to stick the false eyelashes on once mine fall out, good idea about checking out YouTube videos.
Coyote,
Ever since my first treatment, my eyes are blurry and I can barely read the TV guide on my tv. It's freaky and I heard it goes away. I used the biotene toothpaste and brushed with an extra soft toothbrush 4 times a day and I rinsed with the biotene dry mouth rinse like 10 times a day and it helped. I also sucked on ice chips and Popsicles were awesome. Feel better
My second treatment is tomorrow and I'm praying that I'll stay ahead of the side effects. I kind of like how the steroids make me hyper and give me lots of energy. I shopped all day with my mom and am crocheting a blanket now
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Anyone here familiar with the website findagrave.com? It has a homepage for each cemetery that can have a photo of the gate, a map of how to get there. A memorial page can be created for each person buried in the cemetery. The memorial page can have personal photos, photos of the tombstone, their obit/life story, and links can be created between the memorial pages of spouses and parents and kids. There's a tab for someone to request a tombstone photo. Great web site for doing genealogy research. 116 million people have been added to the site, all contributions are done by volunteers. I've been adding memorials to the site for many years, and am one of the volunteer photographers that fulfills people's requests. Sometimes I just pick a cemetery and go up and down the rows taking a photo of every stone and then adding the memorials and photos.
Currently I'm working on Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. I've taken over 18,000 photos at Riverside, have about 5000 photos left to add to the site. Every month I go to the office and copy down who has been buried where in the last month, take the photo of the temporary marker from the funeral home, and then drive around and see which temporary markers have been replaced with the permanent stone.
So glad I felt good today and it wasn't too hot out, spent almost 3 hours taking this month's photos. Now I have a project to work on later this week when I'm hanging out in the recliner after my chemo, adding the photos to the memorial pages. If you check out Riverside Cemetery, my volunteer name is Sleuthesthedead.
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Puff you look great and I will soon post a chemo sister photo of myself. We must be seeing the same hair stylist!0 -
WhoaThere - first chemo July 16, second August 6
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pinkninja - how long do you take steriods for? My chemo is tmrw....same type as yours less the Perjeta. I took a dose this morning...I dont feel the steroids...I could use a pick me up
Last time, I had no problem sleeping....maybe they just dont affect me very much
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LadyB- I am on dose dense AC+T as well, but my MO said that he far prefers dose dense for AC (although in full disclosure I think he did a lot of the original research/clinical trials with this protocol). It did not seem to have anything to do with the grade or histology of my tumor. So far I've tolerated it very well with minor nausea and fatigue. Today was AC #3, so fingers crossed that it keeps going that way. I just look at it that it's a shorter regimen but same dosage and since I don't have a port, less needle sticks as well. For what it's worth, I'm also going with my MO's rec to do the Taxol portion dose dense 4 x 2 weeks rather than x 12weeks although the MO said same efficacy and better tolerated side effects for some on the 12 weeks. Again, less needle sticks, less time. I just want to do this once and just be done with it!
Gatomal and BoxofRockstar- I wish I could pull off the purple wig- although perhaps I will get me to Ricky's and see what they have!! I let my 3.75 yr old take colored hair chalk to my fauxhawk so she would be less upset about my cutting my hair- and she went bezerk with the blue and purple! I did feel pretty punk rock awesome though hanging with my babies in washington square park with the funky hair. Who's a boring mom? Not me! Haha...
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jennliza
I take 2 pills twice a day the day before, day of and the day after. It didn't affect my sleep last time but I think I took an Ativan that night.
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I'm seriously stressed! We are having new windows put in (all of them!) and the installers have been here since this morning and it's 8:30! They've been banging so loud! They actually asked my husband to order them pizza and wings and he did! I'm glad I wasn't home yet. Im gonna write the company a letter 😝
I finally had a meltdown and went into the bathroom and sat on the floor and cried my eyes out. It's seems so stupid but i was just so frustrated. They'll be back tomorrow to do stuff on the outside and I hope they're done when I get home from my chemo.
I finally took an Ativan and just prayed. I feel like a big baby but I know you guys understand
Oh yeah, here's my bald selfie!!
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Oh pinkninja honey, I think you and I have hit the meltdown portion of SEs. I have a headache from weeping over nothing today. At least you had an actual reason. I've had to quarantine myself.
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PinkNinja and Mags - Remember these are just setbacks - not even setbacks! Just a bump in the road to healing and getting better. There's no way you can go through everything we're going through and not shed a tear, or get frustrated with the spouse, or yell at the kids an extra time (ok maybe that one's me!). Let it all out, you'll feel better and know that things will get better.
But in the corner of suckiness comes my hair - big clumps coming out. It was just past my shoulders. I cut it with our kitchen scissors this afternoon and let my reluctant 10 year old daughter cut the back. It's right around my ears now. I was going to leave an 80's "tail" down the back for my husband to laugh about but decided my drastic new haircut was shock enough. Not sure he understands that i'm lucky to have any hair, and that by Friday I'm a baldy, I'm sure!
Took my big ol' chocoloate lab for a walk and felt a little better....
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Veruka, you are funny 😋
Pinkninja and Mags I hear you ....
I just had a melt down I want to leave my house and just get away for a week my hubby and my mom keep arguing for anything , let's correct that my hubby wants to argue with my mom so he comes to me and say that my mom blablabla that I need to manage her temper that I should put her in her place and so on . My mom keeps complaining about him all the time that he didn't do this and that.
I really till them that they need to resolve the issue buy themselves and leave me alone. I have no energy for this BS right now. Can you believe that they are these selfish !!!
I'm so over it😖
Steroids can't let me sleep ... I'm very tired
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Ah, Mommymel, your mom and my cousin would be a good match. I love her to death, and couldn't get through this without her, but sometimes she just needs to butt out! After 27 years of marriage, my DH knows when to steer clear, and she doesn't understand that he knows the storm will pass.
Apparently meltdowns are the SE of the day.
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I'm thinking you all must be right! Melt Down Tuesday. I didn't melt all the way down, just to good and cranky. I suspect that we are all "can do" women and get really tired of not being up to doing what we usually do. I am extremely independent - and I when I read what most of you have written, I think you are too. This is a pretty success oriented group. Chemo just takes away so much dignity (along with our hair). Tomorrow is a new day.I hope you all have sweet dreams tonight.
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wow, so much has been happening here! I've been skimming but not posting since I've finally been feeling like myself since Saturday so I've been running around and shopping and cooking and hanging out with friends and stuff. It's like I have to take advantage of feeling good, because who knows how long it'll last?
My doctor gave me twelve neupogen shots to start administering myself two days after my next chemo, so that will hopefully keep my white counts up, which in theory means that after the week of fatigue and weird food tastes that I had last time I should be in much better shape. Fingers crossed!
I've had a couple of meltdowns myself, both over things that seemed so trivial afterwards.
Coyote- funny you say that about the pickles. My neighbor works on a local farm, and I asked him to bring me a "handful" of cucumbers. Today he brought me about 10lbs, including a big bag of these little gherkins that look like tiny watermelons- I'm going to do some serious pickling this week, or at least the next couple of days before the tiredness from tomorrow's infusion kicks in
Jennliza, oof! She sounds like a real peice of work. Sounds like you know how to deal with her, but I wish you didn't have to.
Pinkninja, sounds like we're on the same steroids. I didn't have trouble sleeping last time, but I took my usual sleeping pills, so that probably helped. They do make me feel a little... Like my skin is extra sensitive to everything. It's weird.
Pinkninja and jennliza, we're all going in tomorrow!
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Wow, it was meltdown Tuesday!! The hard thing is the window installers have to come back today and finish the outside so hopefully the banging will be minimal. I plan on writing the company and making a complaint so we'll see how that goes. I have my appt with the onc at 12pm then #2 treatment right after. I'll probably get home around 5-6 and I hope they are gone or at least quiet with music.
Back to the balding conversation: I bought a mans shaver and shaved my head the other day and now I have very short stubble. It hurts! I can barely touch my head because it feels sunburn and I actually can't wait for it to all fall out! I've been wearing a bandana like a biker and think I will continue to when I'm out and about and I'll save the hot, itchy wigs for special events.
On the eyebrow issues, I found the stencils on Amazon and will order them. I was never good as using eyebrow pencil even though my brows are kind of thin anyways so hopefully I won't look like I have crazy eyes!
Hoping and praying for each one of you for minimal side effects, that kinfolk would wake up and realize that this is not about them, it's about us and they would get along, and as it says in the Book of Hebrews in the Bible, "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"
None of us wanted to run this race we are in but by God's grace, we'll get through it.
Well, I need to go pack my goodie bag with snacks, book, Bible, Ipad to watch movies on and of course my crochet blanket I'm working on. I already have 3 blankets done for Christmas presents!
I know Slappy Squirrel makes the beautiful chemo caps and I also make them. I know you're recovering from surgery but if you need a backup cap maker, I can make them too. Also prayer shawls or just shawls that will cover your arms when you're doing chemo.
It's amazing that I have been making chemo caps and donating them to Knots of Love who give them to cancer centers and here I am making them for me!
Have a blessed day and as my husband says, We are in it to win it!!
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today's treatment ladies: keep us in your thoughts and prayers
Jennliza – July 16
JoeysMommy – July 16
Kpmacmill – July 16
pinkninja9560 – July 16
Dancingdiva – July 16
JenKay – July 16
knmtwins – July 16
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I had a meltdown, too! In the middle of the night. I woke up with a leg cramp and couldn't go back to sleep and just got so fed up and angry with nothing in my body working properly.
Thinking about those of you doing treatment today. I just drank my disgusting glucose drink and had my blood drawn. 3 more to go! Hoping I can stay upright and nausea-free. Thank god for wi-fi.0 -
Today's chemo ladies, you're all in my thoughts today and praying for manageable SE's and understanding family.
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