Starting chemo July 2014
Comments
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Jenniliza - Im so sorry that this has happened to you. I would be crying my eyes out with frustration but you sound so strong. As I sit here soaking my feet in ice water to cool them down (chemo induced foot syndrome) I know that some of you are having a much worse time of it. Get well soon and I bet your fiance will be at your side in the hospital.
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Jennliza -- how frustrating for you! I hope the infection clears up ASAP.
It's been a frustrating few days around here as well, though I'm not in the hospital so I should be thankful. My sons (who have been potty trained for awhile) have suddenly started wetting their beds. Yes, they have autism, but I thought that was one area they had mastered. Now, I feel like I'm doing laundry 24-7. I've gotten to the point where I'm putting one of them in a night diaper, simply because it's so hard to change his sheets (top bunk bed). Ugh.
Still moving really slowly -- looking forward to Day 4, when my energy level picks up. Hope everyone's SEs are kind to them today. Hope you're surviving the heat, Mags.
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jennliza- fingers crossed that you keep your port! So glad you listened to your intuition too! Hoping you make a quick recovery.
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Puffin, good advice on the foaming...I'm seriously adverse to handshaking and hugging right now and I find that people want to come and give a big, sloppy hug. It's good learning for all of us to offer the fist pump before others go in for the big handshake. I still don't know what to say to avoid hugs without seeming harsh...I don't want to hurt feelings. Even when I tell people I'm immune suppressed, they look at me like I'm implying they're dirty, or something.
I feel like crap today.
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Jennlisa ; Aw.. I'm so sorry you are going through an infection. I gave myself the one I had before I started chemo, so be sure to foam your own hands too. It's amazing how vulnerable we are right now.
About the delays... most of us will have one at some time along this path. There are so many opportunities - low blood counts, infections, irritations and chemo intolerances. It's disappointing, but things just are not the way they were before BC ...yet.
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oh Jennliza - I feel your pain :-(
Fingers crossed the abx work for you and you can keep your port. And that you are speedily released to a few delays as possible.
Thinking of you!!
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Jennliza -- wow so sorry about the infection. I praying that you have a speedy recovery with the IV antibiotics so that your port can be saved and no delays in treatment. I am so glad you went with your intuition.
I am so obsessed with hand washing and not touching much and even washing my own hands multiple times a day, especially since I am still going to work.
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Sorry about the infection, hope all is improving and you guys are still having fun.
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I received this garden gnome as a gift, and have had so much fun this weekend painting him. Here's the before and after photo, he's so CUTE!
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Puffin, that's just plain adorable! My hairdresser & his wife have a collection of gnomes in the garden outside their salon.
Jennliza, I'm sorry you have to be in the hospital, and hope they are taking good care of you. You are in our prayers, as are all the rest of you.
Pinkninja, please check in. Haven't heard from you lately, unless it missed it.
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Definitely one of my "down" days, but that was to be expected. I spent most of the day out of it. Anti-nausea meds do that to for me. My brain will be out of order for the next few days also. I hope it is an uneventful time for everyone. I'll try to check in, but I'm not counting on it. See you all later.
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To Coyote and Shirley for your generous gifts, and to all of you for your ongoing support, humour, friendship...I made a little donation to Look Good Feel Better so other gals can enjoy some of what we have reaped from each other...with no artistic inclinations whatsoever, this was my little way of 'paying it forward'. Just wanted to publicly thank you ... N
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Mumford,
That's so sweet of you! Thanks! We have a great group here.
Shirley
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Ladies how's this one for pinktober?! :-) It's reversible with solid black on the other side. Too much? Would you wear this? Shirley
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Here's the other side of my Halloween hat! Slippery fabric, but very lightweight. Any takers? Shirley
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Same reversible hat pattern, tamer fabric. Shirley
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Shirley, those are adorable! I'm especially partial to the blue - that's my color.
Coyote, hang in there, honey, this too shall pass. Take care of yourself. Extra prayers.
Mumford, that was such a thoughtful gift.
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ugh...so I am still in the hospital....which is sooo ridiculous!!! The redness has gone down a lot and my white blood cell count is back with in normal range. Even my other blood work is better. So far nothing has grown on the cultures...so what ever bacteria it is, it is not aggressive. The Oncologist said she doesn't know what to do with the port...so had an infectious doc come to consult.
He walked in and said wow, your the healthiest looking patient I've seen in a month! He basically said that the antibiotic is a band-aid....that once it stops the infection will start again. He ultimately thinks the port should be removed or replaced. He thinks the port was contaminated when went in. Same thing happened with one of my tissue expanders....I had to take antibiotics for that...but it worked.
So I have a choice to be released tmrw and give myself the IV antibiotics 2x/day till fri...which I don't know how I can do that at work...or have the port replaced/removed...hopefully tmrw. I don't think my chemo will have to be delayed...but won't know for sure till everything is decided.
So just super bored lying in bed. The staff was nice and allowed my honey to stay in bed with me till midnight last night. But tonight he has to work
Watching trashy reality shows on Bravo.
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Ugh! Jennliza, there's nothing more boring than a hospital stay, and you don't even get to rest with all the interruptions. Is the food any good?
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mags, the blue one is yours if u want it!
Shirley
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Jennliza -- Sorry to hear about your port/hospital stay! Yep, hospital stays are B-O-R-I-N-G; hope you get out ASAP. Best wishes!
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wow Jennliza, I'm sorry to hear that! How much chemo do you have left? If it's more than a few, then maybe replacement is the way to go. That might be the fastest way to clear up the infection.
Have a friend drop off ear plugs and a sleep mask. It's the only way to get any rest in a hospital. When I had my hysterectomy almost 3 weeks ago, a man down the hall from me yelled all night. He kept the nurses busy, but at least I could block him with my ear plugs!
Shirley
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Jennliza, it sucks to be in the hospital. I wish I lived closer I'd come visit and bring trashy magazines to read!
I hope you feel better and chemo isn't delayed. Hang in there.Coyote, sorry you are having those down days. I hope you feel better too and take care of you!
Shirley, I love the Halloween hat! It's so cute and my favorite holiday. You are so talented.
I ordered a sodastream from kohls with the mix to make ginger ale and lemonade tea. Excited for it to come! I hope everyone is having a restful weekend and no SE. I'm getting geared up for rnd 3 of AC on Wed. Also same day as back to school visit day. Ugh! Would it be rude to wear a face mask, or maybe a hazmat suit?
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thanks everyone!!!
Update - I'm getting sprung in about 1 1/2 hrs.
So the Onc spoke to the Infectious Disease doc. They decided to give me some super duper antibiotic today that should last in my system longer than the Vancomycin. Then start me on Keflex and doxycycline tmrw till my port is removed/replaced. I will still get chemo on wed through the port.
They think (so far no growth) the infection is a very common strain of staph that people with normal immune systems fight. They think I got infected when we become neutropenic around 7-10 days post chemo...so they want to remove the port before then. I hope I can get the port replaced but if I can't I only have 2-3 more treatments depending if I do all 6 or just 5. I do have a year of Herceptin but that I don't mind getting through my veins.
So happy to be getting out of here!!!
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I'm thinking a bunch of us are going in this week for Cycle 3 of a 6 cycle rejime, so almost halfway there, YEA!!!!
So, had to start Xanex before bed, as anxiety is making it hard to go to or stay asleep...
Freaking about how to control the constipation first, then the D afterwards.
Oh, who is going to get my kids from school as I will be in a chemo chair... I'm sure I have friends that can do it, but I better get that scheduled. Yep, first week of school for my 2nd grader and twins in 5th grade. Now, that I've posted this, I need to go back and read the page I missed to check up on you gals.
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Coyote – oh yea, who wants to talk about H… a neighbor who was quite chatty once time
said the best thing to do was push it back up… yikes, but I have been known to
take a tucks wipe, cover my finger and do just that. Also,
will be dificut to get clean, so will itch.
Use squirt bottle, baby wipes then tucks pad, or witch hazel on a baby
wipe.Coyote – you posted about neo chemo and said, “She said it isvery effective
for TN's also. “ what are TN’sJennliza get those eggs.
– My twins are IVF. 11 years ago,
it was standard to put the best 3 in the first time. I got 2 out of it, and love them to pieces. There were about 6 other viable embryos, so
my fingers are crossed for you! BTW, I
did acupuncture along with it. Not sure
if it helped or not, but I got my babies.Blownaway – Sorry about the Foot syndrome. What does the ice do? For me, it was hand, and I don’t seem to have
it this cycle, I used lansinoh (nipple cream, so in baby section). It is pure lanolin, so even more emollient than
Vaseline. I think I might have a bit
with my feet, I can’t wear shoes and socks for long without them burning and if
I stand on the asphalt during the day, after a minute or two they start to
burn.Elaine There – I’d say pull ups are the way to go right
now. We need to focus on us, not
changing top bunk sheets (the WORST). It
is possible they will stop, once in the pull up. Also, this could be a psychological side
effect of your cancer. If it starts
during the day, then get them therapy. Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy worked for my child, who started wetting, 5 years after
being potty trained as a result of PTSD, she has food allergies and had a
reaction. Yep, they are real and almost
killed her, so to have another bad reaction, was too much for the psyche of an
8 year old.Jenliza – sorry you are still there. My husband ‘s and my secret passion are the
Orange County, Beverly Hills and NJ Housewives.
We also loved Cathy when she had the show that followed her and we think
Andy is a stitch.All – I’ve emailed PinkNinja to see where she is and tell
her we miss her and to post soon. If I
remember (chemo brain you know) we are on the same schedule, so her chemo day
is this Wed. knowing her she is off
doing mission work this good weekend.0 -
Wow, what a good feeling to know you are missed! I am actually doing great now but had a serious migraine for 2 days and was in bed. It was a doozy! I did pray for all of you though. Was so happy that I felt good enough last night to go to church. Today was a beautiful sunny 80 degrees so I was out for a little bit. Just saw the movie When the Game Stands tall and it was amazing!
I have #3 Wednesday and although the se's were a little less than the first one (other than the horrific acid reflex), I seem to get fatigued easily. Hope everyone is doing well today
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so I forgot to mention my horrible case of folliculitis is almost gone!! My head has a little fuzz left but not much which feels better. Now when I lay down I don't feel like I have needles poking my scalp! What is everyone using on their scalp? Mine is really dried out due to all the meds I was using. I bought Aveeno baby creamy wash and just used it tonight and I'm also using the Burts Bees honey Shea body butter.
Also, I'm on TCHP and I've had 2 txs with my next on Wednesday but I haven't had any issues with my nails. I'm really hoping I'll get spared at least one se! Please Lord!!!
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Pink - Glad you got out! Are migraines normal for you or a chemo side effect? I'm getting visual migraines, but fortunately no pain. I do have headaches constantly now, used to get about 2 a year. As to the acid reflux, are you on Protonix? It was my miracle, but hasn't been through a Cycle Day 1-3 yet. Some Rx plans don't take it w/out you doing others first, so check your formulary. As it is now generic, mine allows it. If you are taking over the counter, but in higher doses, ask for an Rx. The nurse practitioner at the MOs office had me on 40mg of Prilosec, over $20, when the Rx was under $2.00. The Dr. also prescribed a liquid to coat my stomach when real bad. It is called carafate. Your Rx plan may not do it, so ask for just a little, to see if you need it and if it works. My script was for 3 bottles over $100, so I asked the pharmacist to just give me 6 doses, which they kindly did.
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Just saw on another post, if you call your utility companies, at least in California, they may have a 'hidden' cancer/medical discount. The poster said, she got $120 a month off her electric bill. As for products, I'm using lansinoh (pure lanolin) on my cuticles and hands when they were pealing cycle 1 day 18ish. The MO said keep hands and feet cold so they don't get this. He recommended ice baths during one of the drugs, I think it was T but can't remember. I took my shoes off last time, as I didn't have ice. I think I'll bring some gel ice packs with me on Wed. Here is the recipe I found online. We don't use food coloring, as one has leaked, I now double bag, but might look in the closets for my 'seal a meal' thing.
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