Starting chemo August 2014
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Not a good day today. Day 5 after my second infusion, and I am just not feeling well. I have taken both my anti nausea medications and have not vomited, but still salivating and feeling on the verge all of the time. I'm spending most of my day in bed -- I can get up for a few activities, but don't last very long. Feeling shivery, but no temperature.
Hang in there, my friends
Marilyn
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My wig
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looks very good Kellya. How does it feel?
Mullerin, sorry you are struggling. So far heading into day 3 from 2 nd infusion, I'm still very, very tired. My face us bright red. Having some minor tummy issues, but nothing to bad . Mouth feeling funny. I just hope to get a good nights sleep. Last time, tomorrow is the day I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Hopefully that won't be to bad.
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Oh, Kellya, that wig is beautiful! If I can find one that good, I will totally wear it!
Has anyone else noticed the hot flashes are hotter after chemo? I was having them before, but they seem worse to me right after infusions. Extra sweaty. Eeeww.
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Day 2 after #2 is almost over and it was not too bad. No D this time yet which is great. My tummy has been feeling weird though...not nauseous but just kinda churning...Got my Nulesta shot today...no bone pain yet. I am a children's pastor w my husband so I go to church every week, but I am staying home tomorrow. Last time I tried to go and had to come home in the middle of service. I slept a lot today and if its like last time, I will be weak and tired for the next few days...hope all of you are having minimal SE's. Hugs...Amy
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justamy, glad to know your day 2 after #2 is not so bad. My day 2 after #2 will be next weekend. Oh, and fire that nurse, ok??
Kellya, your wig looks fantastic! I will probably be in mine by Monday. My hair is shedding more and more every day.
strongenough, I haven't noticed that my hot flashes are any hotter than normal. If that's a SE, I hope it doesn't linger...
Mullerin, I hope you feel better. Stay encouraged for brighter days ahead...
Thinking of you all!
One love,
tp4ever
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Mullerin - try sipping on ginger ale, it helped me. I also purchase ginger chews by gin gin people online. Anything w ginger helps w nausea, other then the nausea meds of course.
Kellya - your wig is really pretty. I always had wavy hair, so mine is very different. I will post a pic next time have a chance to take one.
Justamy - be proactive with meds as needed for SEs, especially now that you know what to expect. Prevention is my motto.
Purplgurll - I know you want to get this over with. Sounds like putting off temporarily was a smart move.
Today is day 8 after 2nd treatment. I have noticed new SEs tonight. I have bumps on the tip of my tongue. I have been using biotene faithfully, but knew my mouth would be a chronic problem throughout. Hoping I can prevent from getting worse after each treatment. I also have a rash or bumps on my scalp. They are itchy. Already lost most of my hair, just a few stubbles hanging on. I have been using aloe which does relieve itching temporarily. I guess I will have to call on Monday to see if any other suggestions. Luckily haven't had any fatigue for last few days. Just tired earlier at night.
Have a great evening and minimal SEs.
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Has anyone gotten their period while on chemo? I have after my 1st infusion and it is lasting forever. Not heavy, very light and now 8 days.
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suebe I still have my period. It is lighter than the days before chemo.....
Catie my hands were itchy and swollen up 7 days after 1st chemo. I took Benadryl and it's gone. Call your mo if it gets worse.
Kellya I like the wig,,, it looks so natural.
Amy, Ginger and bananas help me through the nauseated day too. I love ginger prior to chemo. I chew the crystalized ginger (have to rinse off the sugar), sprinkle ginger powder on my soups.hope you will get through this Sunday well.
Strong enough, I had hot flashes on Taxotere infusion didn't last long still tolerable .
Hope50 and Mullerin hang in there. Hope you are doing better today.
Stay strong August ladies....
Hugs
Shirley
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Now if you hadn't captioned that "My wig", we'd think you were just flashing a selfie!!! You look so natural and comfortable in it!! You've got this!!!!
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Catie57: I have been paranoid of getting mouth sores after witnessing what my late sister went through in her battle against metastatic BRCA. I have been rinsing my mouth a few times a day with baking soda, salt & warm water. Also, coconut oil is a natural antifungal. Since I cook with coconut oil and have it in my coffee, I've noticed that's keeping everything under control. I also made my own toothpaste using coconut oil, baking soda, stevia to sweeten it and pepperment oil. I just started that yesterday so I brush my teeth throughout the day and brush my tongue with it, too.
Very interesting reading about the benefits of coconut oil is "Coconut Cures" by Bruce Fife, MD. I downloaded it to my Kindle from Amazon. I must say, I use it as my face and body lotion. My skin has NEVER been this soft in all of my 62 years!!! Check out the other health benefits. Because I use it as my body lotion, I'm preparing my skin for when I begin radiation next year. It should help to minimize any burning of the skin.
Wow...sounds like an infomercial, huh?
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is the coconut oil the white solid stuff you see in a jar? I've thought about buying that often.
Sores in tongue--if the baking soda, salt water solution doesn't work, or the coconut oil, call them and get the prescription for BMX because that does work.
My wig-- I do love that it looks like my hair pretty much. It does take some getting use to. I keep feeling that the hair isn't where it is suppose to be, and I kept asking my husband. He said it always looked great. Each time I looked in the mirror it was fine. So I think I need to wear it around the house and just go about doing normal activities and look in the mirror to confirm it isn't tilted, etc. lol
My hair is just cut real short now, I guess a few days after the second treatment...tomorrow, is when I will start losing it?
I've been in menopause for about 7 years so no periods for me. But I was over the hot flashes and I do notice them now and then again.
Mullerin, hope you are better today! Do you think it's just the side effects?
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Yes Kellya, the coconut oil is the white stuff in a jar. I use to be able to scrub pots with my elbows they were so patchy and dry. Not anymore! The coconut oil has also helped with constipation.
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how do you put it in your coffee?
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Kellya i cut my hair short right after my first chemo. Had a really itchy head and light headache, so terrible when I tried to brush my hair. I started to loose a lot of hair in the shower on day 16 post first chemo. The drain covered by my hair when I shower , had to remove them twice during my 5 minutes quick shower.
Cjt511 I am a huge fan of coconut oil !!! I use it as my body lotion before this big C. I never thought of drinking it!! I will try it. Thanks for the info.
Kellya when the coconut oil placed on higher than room temperature it will be a liquid form. Looks like cooking oil. Coconut oil will turn to solid white (looks like shortening ) in the cooler temperature. The extra virgin coconut oil smells funny (my husband said so) but it is the real organic stuff. When I was growing up in Asia, I watched the process of how they make coconut oil. No added chemical and that is how the real stuff smells like.
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Kellya: a teaspoon or tablespoon at a time. We have adopted a low carb lifestyle since DX to keep my pre-diabetes under control and coconut oil has become a staple in the house. Google "coconut oil" and you'll be amazed what you can do with this oil!
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Coconut oil is great for everything. Hair,skin,body,and in foods. I also take Moringa. It is a herbal supplement. I swear by it. Gives you added energy along with many other benefits. You can get on Amazon. I take the capsules. I have been taking for months.
For skin the Africans Secret skin cream is super. Just use a little. Works well on dry skin and feels great. I try anything anyone recommends. My bathroom looks like a pharmacy.
As for getting my period. Stopped getting those last year. Felt like the oldest person in the world still getting their period. Never had a hot flash. Hope this chemo doesn't start them.
Big day tomorrow for me. Praying for ok WBC count. Lighting my special candle at work now. Healing candle.
P. S Go Ravens
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I will pick some coconut oil up today and look up some uses. I have the spray but this will be healthier. I love lite vanilla coconut milk.
Pangtidor, where are you from in Asia? We lived in Singapore for 6 years and loved it! Traveled around a bit. My husband traveled a lot there. Gosh I miss the food there! I did learn to cook some of it and luckily we have Thai, Vietnamese and Indian restaurants near us.
Hope everyone's white cells are staying high and SE's low!
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Marilyn, I hope you're feeling better today.
Kellya, your wig looks perfect! I wouldn't have known the difference.
No hot flashes for me yet, but my period that had started around the time of the first infusion is still hanging on, lightly. Pretty annoying!
I've got one sore spot on the roof of my mouth. I'm using Biotene and will check in with my MO tomorrow, just to see what they say. I also have very, very dry skin on my face, and what almost feels like cold sores trying to break out (none really have). I'm asking about that tomorrow too. I'm about 10 days out now from treatment #1 and have diarrhea for the first time last night. That surprised me. Took two imodium and haven't had problems today (knock on wood!).
I hope everyone has a very nice Sunday.
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Day 3 from 2nd infusion and I slept like a baby! Boy that felt good. Haven't eaten yet today. Gonna try and go for a walk and just take things easy today. I'm gonna declare it a great day for all of us. Gonna sit outside and enjoy the cooler weather and heal!!
I did notice my fingers feel a little numb. Hadn't had that before. Using mouthwash like crazy. Heartburn has not been near as bad as first round. I'm very grateful!!
Enjoy your day friends! Be back soon!
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Kellya from Indonesia. Love thai tom yum soup and all Indian curry. Lol
Cassiecat, big D is still my problem. Less frequency after day 6. I tried Immodium but made me horrible, gassy tummy pain. I just keep drinking water and change the diet.hope you keep feeling well...:-)
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you ladies that have buzzed your hair are so strong! My husband did mine tonight and it was gut wrenching. Maybe just the final straw that made me realize I have the big C. This disease sucks! Meanwhile I am day 3 post chemo #2. I am feeling pretty ok as long as I stay on top of my meds. I hope everyone else is doing good with minimal side effects!
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The thread has been busy during my down time --- soooo happy. I have a lot of catching up to do. Saturady, I planned to read the thread but my Mother came by to visit me. Loved her visit! She and my brother planted flowers, plants and spruced up my yard!! My house is usually surrounded by flowers. I gathered they noticed that my yard and plants were in bad shape and they came with the troops. I love my family.
I have only read page 28 so hopefully I can go back and round the other 2 pages tomorrow to catch up :-).
If I have not added you to our list , please PM me and I will add you ASAP. And again welcome to anyone I have missed.
Marilyn – hope you are feeling better today. What nausea meds are a you taking? MO changed my nausea meds for the 2nd
round and I am doing a lot better on the
new meds. My MO removed Zofran completely from my
regimen as I didn’t do well on it: headaches, severe nausea, no appetite, etc. and my MO didn’t want me to lose weight this round. I use
ginger ale, ginger chips and bananas. I also take Zantac to settle my stomach
down. So far the recipe has worked this
round and it was recommended by the MO and Onc Nurse.Kellya, love the picture. It really doesn’t look like wig,
looks very natural.Hope50, how are you
doing. Fatigue was by far the worst SE
for my after 2nd round. It
started a lot sooner. Day 2 instead of Day 4. Ask the MO about the numb fingers.StrongEnough , no hot flashes for me.
I do have a silver lining to brag about. I have very very dry skin, where I use Nivea cream and prescription cream to smooth any cracks or other issues. I have to say while on chemo my dry skin as almost disappeared and feels like baby skin. I have not only noticed it by my DH and daughter.
Wishing all minimal SEs or gaining control over SEs that maybe more severe. Those on the up swing enjoy.
Thinking of everyone going into thier 2nd infusion this week! Good luck and stay ahead of the SEs and as always plenty of fluids!
-Angie
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Caite57, I had two new SEs appear on day 9. The bumps on my tongue and also large black
spots and stripes on my tongue. Apparently
(according to MO), this part of the Thrush.
So I started up the prescription mouth wash (BMX I believe it is called),
which seems to have begun to work (day 11) as they black spots are disappearing. The
baking soda, salt and water or biotene mouthwash weren’t enough.CJ5, I will have to try coconut oil. We cook with it but haven’t used it for much
else. How much do you put in your
coffee? Outside of nausea and fatigue,
the mouth is my biggest issue with SE’s.Eileenpg, go get ‘em!
Kellogg, buzzing my hair was the hardest as it made me face
yet again (although we face it each day) that I have BC. But after the buzz I was glad it was
over.0 -
Justamy, my stomach churned up until day 8 after chemo and
is really just settling down.Now to your last nurse, interesting that I had almost the same experience with my nurse for my 2nd round. She was not as “pleasant”
as the nurse during my 1st chemo -- my nurse during my 1st treatment was just a jewel. After about 15 mins with the new Onc Nurse trying to rush, not tell me what she was doing and she just pushing me around I
had a very nice but candid talk with her.
I am proud to say she made a 180 degree turnaround in her bedside manner and we
were almost good friends for the rest of the visit. I will actually say she went out
of her way to help me and make sure I was comfortable. I really do not believe she was aware of how
she was coming across. She even helped me keep my fingers and toes iced. Pulled out my lunch for me since I was there a lone and suggested that I put on some soothing music (she found a album on my spotify) and take a nap. Go figure what I frank discussion can do. So glad....-Angie
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Mornin' Angie:
One of my nieces had told us about coconut oil almost a year ago. Started to do some research on it (gotta love Google) and I found a book called "Coconut Cures" by Dr. Bruce Fife. In the beginning, it was more for me to help control my pre-diabetes. Coconut oil is used widely in the low carb world. I have now replaced my over priced, chemically laden moisturizer for coconut oil. My skin has NEVER been this soft. It is also a natural antifungal. So I made my own toothpaste using baking soda, coconut oil, stevia to sweeten and peppermint oil for flavor. I brush a few times a day or just take a finger full and swish it around in my mouth. We put a teaspoon or so in our coffee every day and sometimes in our green tea in the afternoon. I am amazed at what this oil does.
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Hi guys- Wondering if you all have any advice-I have only had one infusion (Cytoxan & Taxotere 4X) I have noticed pins and needles coming and going...in both feet and one hand. Did anyone else experience this and did it go away after treatment , did it get worse? I did ice during Tax too!
Thanks for any help:)
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barremom, I'd give your doctor a call. I say that only because in the chemo handbook/instructions I got from my center, that's one of the things they want me to call about.
I haven't had that SE, but I am calling today about increasing mouth sores. I only have a couple, but I don't want the trend to continue if they can help me stop it now. I've got Biotene already and a very soft toothbrush, but it's still happening. I also had what felt like cold sores. I used topical OTC lysene on those spots and they never got too bad, but I think they would have otherwise.
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Angie, I am jealous of your skin! Mine has gotten so incredibly dry, flaky and sensitive. But, it's also still oily (such an odd combo) and breaking out in places! Ugh.
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Thanks Cassie- I will call. I had mouth problems last week..cotton mouth, small sore throat and a general fuzzy feeling. Turns it was Thrush. A script once a day for a week, cleared it right up.
Good luck with it I'm sure it's uncomfortable.
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