Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
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JenKay: wow, what a difference in looks! Can't totally compare since one has glasses and the other doesn't, but overall I vote for the blonde, your complexion says blonde to me.
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JenKay, it's rare that a person can wear blonde or brunette equally well but your coloring is just the right shade for either. By the way, I am a San Diegan by birth, lived there until I was ten. Navy brat.
RainDew, grats on making it through your infusion, prayers & best wishes for minimal SEs.
I have been on omeprazole (Prilosec) daily for ages because I take Celebrex for arthritis, which can damage the stomach. So it has been working fine for me, no heartburn.
Pleased to report that the Bentyl seems to be working well to prevent the intestinal cramping & pain. Big D is holding off for now. Still having an annoying twitch/tremor in my left hand which may be unrelated to chemo, or perhaps like many things right now just aggravated by it. I have to tuck my hand underneath me to calm it. I may try my wrist brace in case it is related to carpal tunnel. I know, I am a hot mess of various and seemingly unrelated maladies!
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JenKay - Wow. You don't even look like the same person. What fun! They both look good, but I'm thinking you are naturally a blond. I do think the blue-eyed brunette look is really nice for you.
Too Young - I sure don't know anything about the lymph node question, but last night when I laid my head on the pillow a thought came to me. If the chemo is doing such a good job on the known problems, why wouldn't it be doing the same thing to the nodes on the good side if they were cancerous or pre-cancerous? Worth keeping an eye on and looking for answers, but maybe not worth over stressing or hitting panic mode.
Happy week-end to all.
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Dear July ladies,
I had my first round of TCH last Friday 8/8. Side effects were minimal, but I continue to get waves of stomach pain that I guess are gas pains. I make way too many trips to the bathroom usually by nine am. I wouldn't exactly call it the Big D, so I only took Imodium twice. I also then feel like I have a brick in my belly most of the time. I have no desire to eat, I don't drink my super light coffee anymore, tea and water only. Any suggestions? Did this happen to anyone else? I'm hoping someone can tell me it's going to stop soon!!!!! My next round is Sept. 2. I'm pushing it forward so my "bad" days are Sat. and Sun. I hope you are all feeling well and wish you a feeling great weekend! Donna
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Hi, Donna. I can totally relate to the brick feeling...I have had this twice after both rounds of TC...it seems to last a week or two and, when I'm not thinking about it, it goes away. The doc did prescribe Losec so I'll start taking that at the beginning of round 3 and stay on it right through to the end of chemo and last round side effects. Watermelon works to get something in you...very refreshing if your mouth is sore, too. Keep it in the fridge so it's nice and cold.
JenKay...I echo what others have said...blonde all the way. You look fantastic.
Coyote, I've had the same thought about chemo...that if I had any lurking things about to pop up elsewhere, they got zapped. I'm visioning that I will come out the other end of this chemo like a clean slate...a good time to evaluate everything that goes into my body and make sure that it has value and no negative possibilities.
Is anyone else gaining weight? What the heck???
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Coyote -- thanks for the tip re: Tums/calcium. I will definitely check with MO on Wednesday.
JenKay -- I think the blonde wig matches your eyebrows -- makes it look very natural.
Mumford -- I wouldn't be surprised if I gained weight this week. We had an awesome fajita buffet at work on Thursday, and I pigged out! My taste buds aren't always in good working order, but they were that day. Plus, I'm not exercising as vigorously since beginning chemo. I go scootering and swimming with my kids, but I've been taking it easy.
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Hi Donna! I have had the same experience with coffee! I, who love my morning coffee, cannot stand the taste of it! Though the smell keeps making me want to try, I've given up on it for now, and my go-to is Earl Grey. Also, I have had horrible pain and cramping. A friend with Crohn's disease suggested Bentyl and my MO prescribed it this week (3rd infusion). So far I'm having a bit of gas (Gas-X helps with this) and uncomfortable but not in pain. You might ask about that.
We welcome all comers to our thread, no matter when their chemo has been scheduled, and there is also a newer thread that our own ladyb1234 started for August patients to share their own experiences. I encourage you to check in there as well. I will also be in chemo September 2, my fourth round.
Never been much of a water drinker so I'm experimenting with different juices to find something I can drink in quantity, but everything starts to taste bad after the first few glasses, so I've been going the rounds – unfiltered apple and pear, now white grape. I used to drink a lot of orange juice but it tastes all wrong now. And I normally love kefir but can't stand that either. And ginger's supposed to be our friend? Always loved it, now it makes me retch. Wth?
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Mumford, funny should mention gaining weight...I've been mostly holding steady but in weirdest SE yet I seem to have blown up like a balloon this morning. Literally woke up 10lbs heavier than I went to sleep.
Clearly some kind of water retention. Not sure what to do other than keep an eye on it.
So bizarre. This happen to anyone else?
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Rain Dew...that made me laugh! I'm sure it didn't make you laugh...but the effects of chemo are bizarre. I picture you sleep walking over a large pizza and a six pack, or something. I guess we have to keep our sense of humour during this journey...
I'm actually wondering if it's some weird chemo-induced menopausal symptom. I'm 49 and still having periods, but for sure peri-menopausal before all this started. I've read that chemo can induce menopause in 60% of patients. I don't think we've discussed this on the thread for those of us in our 40's or 50's. Any thoughts?
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Wouldn't it be nice if each time was the same... Cycle 1, the little constant 'd' ended around day 11, Cycle 2 'd' started day 8. Big D, Cycle 1 early day 5, Cycle 2 early day 7, Cycle 1 day 1 night, water started tasting funny, Cycle 2 day 6 Oh, wouldn't it be nice if this was consistent....
Looking old - YIKES, deep wrinkles, the winkles if I bend my arm and squeeze, this is quite aging
Skin - port healing was hurting so I had to wear a bra 24/7 to help imobalize the area, well... I got a 'rug burn' on the inside of my arms from this.
Hydrating - I normally hate gaterade, but the punch one diluted by 1/3 - 1/2 is working. MO said, drinking water is great to flush things, but to keep blood pressure up and not get dehydrated, especially if D is occurring, need hydrating solution with sodium... so that is what I'm doing every time d happens. 5oz of that.
Constipation - MO said if day 2 no bm, drink half a bottle of magnesium citrate (fast, not over time). If that doesn't work then next 1/2 bottle. If day 3 nothing, call him.
Heartburn - keep asking the MO, mine now has me on Protonix and has an Rx in for next round for Carafate, seems to coat the stomach.
Thrush / Yucky feeling mouth 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1 qt water. Swish regularly, I have one by kitchen sink and one in bathroom. Every time I go there I swish.
Taste - I've heard it called a metallic taste, but I wouldn't describe mine as that, but everyone talks about switching to plastic utensils and that is supposed to help. Don't know, maybe I'll try next time, but it doesn't make sense if I'm cooking the food in a metal pot.
Wow - the tongue sore I've had Cycle 2, seems to have gone away... YEA
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haha Mumford - I WISH there had been a pizza and beer involved. At least some upside then!
Nope just random 10lb. Am trying to keep flushing with liquids for now. And neurotically looking out for any kind of infection of course...
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RainDew, what chemo treatments are you on? Some say expect a weight gain for the AC ones.
Water / Liquids - not sure if it was on this site or another, but a recommendation was rubber bands around your bottle / cup. Put the amount on you want to do that day, and with each refill, remove a band. That way you can keep track. For yucky flavor, I made a green tea, that I found somewhere as a 'toxic flush' tea. Green tea, freshly grated ginger then ground with mortar and pestal with sugar, juice of a freshly squeezed lemon and cranberry juice (I use frozen concentrate). My MO said it was OK. I like it, but it is different, therefore I don't think I notice the crazy taste so much. Also, I'm using more lemon than normal, and it is expensive this year, so bought a bag at Costco and keep them in the fridge. Still good 1 month later.
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Had to buzz the head today. Woke up with handfuls coming out. Will have to take a pic. My laptop needs to be fixed before I can upload anything. Feeling bummed and nauseous. And tired. Blah! Hope everyone has a good weekend.
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I too buzzed the hair today. It was driving me crazy shedding everywhere. At least it managed to stay in thru yesterday. I went on a first date with someone. I was praying the whole time a big clump didn't fall out. I had to double check to make sure he knew what he was getting himself into, lol. He must not have been too bothered, he called today to say he had a great time & wanted to do something again soon. I told him lets see how I feel after my next treatment monday and go from there.
I've been working around the house and mowing the yard, trying to get things done before next weeks treatment #2. I figure I better get it done while I feel good and am able. Hope everyone has a great weekend and your SE are mild!
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Those of you whose hair hasn't fallen out yet, ncgrl80 – July 25, Jujubes8 – July 25, Pat123 – July 28, tadover – July 28,,Mainlady – July 30, maidentiredofwaiting – July 30
Fallenmirage – July 30, Terri1975 – August 6, ladyb1234 – August 6, Wizard50 – August 7, Oceanbreeze1818 – August 13, filberta14 – mid-August, frenchiegal – ?
Hholmy - TBD, Nigelsmommy - TBD, Cinchacha - TBD, RamblingRose - TBD, WendyWinslet – TBD
the area where I cut mine short, like razor stubble, by accident is bothersome. The other areas, which I hacked about 1 to 2 inches isn't. Mind you, I look horrible, the buzz look is more unified and less terrifying looking, but, the short area is sharp and hurts to the touch, hurts my scalp not my hand. It hurts when my wig or scarf pushes on it. I'm waiting for mid to late week, when hopefully what I have left will fallout, from cycle 2's treatment, so it will be uniform, so less scary looking. I let my kids pull it out, they thought it was 'weird' then fun. They made mustaches and we took pictures. July 16 was Cycle 1 day 1, on Day 14 I noticed it, Day 17 really in clumps, Day 19 in the morning, I pulled out what I could, filled the entire bathroom sink, put it in a bag (would have clogged the drain for sure) then cut it. You might ask why I cut some so short, well, I put tape in my bangs, and cut it, so I could make my own halo. I also did this for the sideburn area (not sure what that is called on a girl). Not sure if I will make a halo or not, but...
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Mumford - I'm 49 too, as I'm ER+, I figured the period before chemo was my last one. If chemo doesn't do it, don't the post chemo meds??? As I had my last child 7 years ago, I'm done, so I never even asked...
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Are you ladies aware of this online class this Wednesday?
check out http://www.cancercare.org/connect_workshops, they are having a free class Wednesday at 12:30 PM central time that covers ER Positive, PR Positive Breast Cancer and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
I've registered and plan to use the online streaming
Here's the topics they're covering in the workshop: Workshop Topics
Overview of ER Positive, PR Positive Breast Cancer and Triple Negative Breast CancerUnderstanding the Role of Diagnostic Testing
New Technologies and Personalized Medicine
Standard of Care and Personalizing Treatment
Treatment Updates for ER Positive, PR Positive Breast Cancer and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Targeted Therapy Clinical Trials
How Research Contributes to Your Treatment Options
Practical Tips to Cope with Treatment Side Effects
Communicating with Your Health Care Team
Questions for Our Panel of Experts
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thanks for link Puffin...did not know.
I'm 42, always got regular period before. after cycle 1,after 2wks I started spotting, then kinda got a semi-period and then continued spotting. The whole thing went into the beginning of cycle 2 1st week. People seem to have it on off. For how long,who knows..will need to ask.
I have to say the "downtown" region feels wierd this cycle...irritated, swollen, itchy...no evident infection, but definately not normal. Nobody else has mentioned their regions.....
Hair is still falling out , but not in massive amounts so I look patchy and almost bald, but have not cut it super short.i like it like that, seems to not make head hurt.
Lots of people gain weight during AC. I have major cravings and am always hungry. Cycle 1,it lasted about 2wks.
Horrible time sleeping even with Imovane. Tonight I'm taking 2, I really need to sleep 8 hour and hope I get it.
Jenkay, I love the blonde!
Hugs and sweet dreams to all!
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Knmttwins,
My hair has been shedding the past three days. I think I have more out then in. U can see bald area by my part. I'm afraid to pull the trigger and cut it.
Got a wig, but not a fan of how much volume it has on top. I have thin hair and the wig looks like it has a lot of body on top. Worry about getting someone to cut it. What if they mess up?
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here it is...with wig And with the beautiful hat by Shirley! My profile pic is what my hair is normally like.
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mags, I changed my screen name so no one can find me. I only trust u guys with my pics!
Just got caught up w/all the pages. Love the G coverings Shirley, you are too talented.
Coyote-Love the bracelets especially the ones w/the pink charm--but I can't wear any jewelry due to my eczema
, but I'm sure everyone will love them. Same thing here w/the runny nose. Didn't lose any hair from my nose but it is running randomly throughout the day.
JenKay-I like the blond wig...very pretty and natural looking.
Here is too keeping the SE's at bay!
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Thanks everyone! My stomach has finally calmed down. Imodium with gas relief worked well.
Mags: I am a member of the August thread, but follow you all here to learn and be informed about where I am possibly headed. I am constantly inspired by the strong women in your group (my group as well!)
Best wishes to all for a feeling great day!
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My scalp is covered with tiny red dots this morning, several of you had mentioned using a gel for your folliculitis. What kind of gel?
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fallen -- there are women who are licensed to cut wigs. The woman who sold me mine has such a license. I don't know if she does a good job because I pretty much wear mine as-is.
Puffin -- I don't have folliculitis. But, my hairdresser advised me to wash my scalp every day with a shampoo that works to reduce dryness. I've just been using a medicated dandruff shampoo.
Mumford and dancing diva -- I'm 47 and I got a regular period after AC#1. Since I tested positive for estrogen and progesterone receptivity, I'll be doing 12 rounds of Taxol after AC. I fully expect that to end my periods for good, but who knows.
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Fallen 22 - The lady I used for wigs, who caters to people with chemo, said that fullness does go down with time. I didn't like it, so she offered me the sample, instead of the one she was ordering for me, as it had gone down some. I agree, too full for me still, but ... for $179 what can you expect. Hey, it will only be for 6 - 12 months, I think, so we can live with it. I actually think it is hot and to keep it in place I have to tighten it, so it hurts my head, so I don't wear it much. I've been wearing a bandanna instead, around the house, to support group, to chemo center. Fortunately I don't have a job outside the home! BTW- Five Below and the Dollar store sometimes sell bandannas, that is where I got mine.
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Fallen 22: that hat is adorable on you!
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DancingDiva - downtown region; on one of the boards I'm on, someone said they thought some of the issue might be backsplash from the big D. Also some might be hair getting ready to fall out. I felt like a slight yeast infection at the opening and a little UTI at that opening. I didn't have either, so wondering about backsplash and also, just getting rid of the chemo chemicals might have 'hurt' the ureter a bit. It went away and I haven't had any of that on Cycle 2...
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puffin,
I have massive folliculitis. I showed my dr last Wednesday and she prescribed Keflex (oral antibiotic) and also the clindamyacin gel and after 3 days of using them, mine is much worse. I have pus filled blisters all over my head and they are so painful and they itch like poison ivy. I actually cried yesterday because it was itching so bad. It also started spreading on both of my cheeks, not pus blisters but a very red rash.
I was going to go at an urgent care center today but called the dr on duty. He called an infectious specialist and then called me in 2 new rx's. I hope these work because I couldn't get to sleep last night. I've tried cortisone cream and spray, Benadryl, vinegar and water, which I googled, and. toning is helping it. I'm actually writing this with a frozen bag of peas on my head!
I finally got the horrible acid reflex under control and now this 😂
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Hi ladies,
Just want to pop to say hi and say that I love the picks !
Jankay you look good with both ... Such a pretty face😋
Puffin , thanks for the site tip
Fallen22 you look good with the wig very natural.
Ok new side effect:
Besides runny nose , watery eyes , big D and big C
New one Boil 2 big ones under arm !! Can't believe it !! I never had these ... I'm not sure yet , going to see the doc on Monday but mom says it looks like ... Ughhh hate it ....
BTW I also have lots of pimple like blisters on my head it's awful ....
I look up on the internet and both the boil and the pimples can be side effects from the steroids ...
Best wishes to every one
XO
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July ladies, greetings from the recliner! After two days in the pit, also two nights without ANY sleep, I'm hoping I have begun the turn. The Bentyl has been great, though it doesn't eliminate 100% of the pain! but does bring it down to an ache. Big D not showing up, that could also be the Bentyl. Appetite has returned, but tongue still feels raw, like when you've burned your tongue with hot liquid. DH has ordered PeiWei for dinner, we shall see how that goes.
Have not had folliculitis, that sounds horrible!
Dancingdiva, re: burning, I remember seeing somewhere to use a dispenser bottle (like for ketchup) to squirt water over the nethers to rinse the chemo chems that cause the burns. I got a pair of dispensers cheap but haven't needed them. I'm 13 years post menopausal so don't know about the other.
Fallen, forgive my chemo brain, tell me your previous name so I can change the list. Thanks.
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