Starting chemo August 2014
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Going home from the hospital this afternoon after my next round of IV antibiotics. I will continue IV antibiotics twice a day at home. They tell me OK to have my make -up chemo session on Thursday since my white blood count is now back to normal and infection is getting better. Having this port has been super helpful for all the blood draws and IV's.
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Great news Purplegurll! For some reason, they don't use my port for blood draws. I thought that was kinda strange, but the phlebotomist said that they are instructed not to use the ports because it increases the risk of infection.
My appetite was much improved this weekened and I really ate well. Taste buds seemed like they kicked in and were somewhat normal, and I had less of that metallic taste. But I'm feeling a little depressed today. Maybe because infusion #2 is on Thursday. And I guess because more and more of my hair is shedding. I haven't been bold enough to buzz it yet, but the inevitable is here. My wig is ready, now I just gotta put on my big girl drawers...
One love,
tp4ever
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Sitting in second chemo. My WBC were super high. I go approved to go back swimming at my local pool. They told me no Aleve only tylenol and no herbal supplements and no green teas. I did not know this. Love my herbal supplement.
For pink4ever. Have not worn my wig at all. Went on American Cancer website. TLC catalog bought bandanna scarves. They are super comfortable and I get compliments. Think they just feel sorry for me. I buzzed my hair last Friday. So,glad that is over. No more anxiety anout my hair falling out.
Praying for minimal SE!!!!!! Have to work Friday,Sat,and Sun.
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Finally coming out of the fog from #2. I always feel like such a zombie on infusion weekends. I really hate it. Water did not taste good this time around so I will have to find other means of consuming fluids. Maybe popsicles and jell-o will help. No sore throat this time and my teeth were only minimally numb. Now, if I can keep yself out of the hospital I will consider this a successful round.
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I missed a lot in the few days I’ve been recovering from
tx#2 and nuelasta shot:LNMay – I had a reaction to the steroids in my first
treatment though I didn’t know it.
Flushed face and chest (warm) and rabid hunger and I thought of it more
as a racing metabolism rather than racing heart. But when I saw the MO for my 2nd
tx last week she said to reduce them and I’ve been much better. I’m not feeling perfect by any means but much
more manageable…!Purplegurl – love the photo!
So great to see and read your stories.
I had mine buzzed on Thursday and couldn’t look at it for a few days. Chemo was next day and shot 2 days later and
so I had another low grade fever on Saturday.
I had to tear the buff off my head it was so hot! Finally saw myself in
the mirror and I’m starting to get used to it.
Worried that I’d start scaring everyone that comes by but I’m letting
them know so they aren’t surprised. Felt
great to go “topless” all weekend since it was so warm on my head!And stay strong Purplegurl – you’ve had your share of bumps
but you will get through this. Hope you
feel better very soon.Jess1965 et al – I’m with you! Half way done…2 more
treatments to go! We can do this….!Barremom – we’re on the same treatment (TC) and I’ve had
mild numbness flashing in my feet. This
time it came faster than last time. It
did not stay long but this time we’ll have to see…I hope it goes away for both
of us!Eileenpg – I took a few Alleve during days after last tx,
and have been taking one daily since Friday.
My nurse said to take whatever I would normally take to feel better so
that still seems to be working for me. I have been taking one Claritin and one
Alleve since Friday before nuelasta shot.
Still had tail bone pain the day after but much better now.I learned quite a bit after my first treatment so the 2nd
is going a bit better. What’s worse is
the mouth but they gave me the prescription mouthwash so between that and
Biotene and baking soda rinse I’m trying to keep sores out. It doesn’t help that I had a sore throat on
chemo day and has turned into a nasty sinus cold – can’t decide what I’m
feeling. I go back to the Cancer center
tomorrow for genetic counseling, so I will ask a nurse to check me out.Also worse this time – my mouth is salivating badly at
times. I hear so much about cotton mouth
due to chemo but I’m not having that so much but the opposite. Anyone else have that?Hang in there ladies – we all need each other and you give
strength to all of us. May you all have less SEs after the next round. Big hugs to all
of you!0 -
One more thing - a little celebration. I make and sell pottery mostly at craft shows but I can't do anymore this season. Its too physically draining. Last week at chemo the nurses wanted to know more so I brought my pottery on Friday for them to see (they will continue to give me the nuelasta shot on Fridays). They went crazy and it felt so good! I sold quite a bit and took some orders too! These nurses and the staff were absolutely wonderful and I feel so lucky. I told them that I actually looked forward to coming back! I did not make a ton of money but it really boosted my spirits. I plan to give back to them after this is all over with...
(FYI my pottery shop online is at http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoldhawkPotteryEtc)
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hi all...
Eileenpg good luck with the 2nd round. I always stare at my drip and said to myself that I'm stronger than this two big C cancer and chemo. Hang on there...
Tp4ever, good luck for this Thursday chemo. You beat that chemo #1 so you could do it again!!!
Kellogg hope you do well today too:-)
Hope50, I have the same problems on the tip of my fingers, they wrinkle and worsen after I wash my hands. My MO told me I may have some tingling on my fingers and toes from chemo.
Ladyb, thank you for the good luck wish, will go for round 2 tomorrow.
Purplegurll glad things ok with the AB. I love my port too:-)
Jetgal&purranna I'm glad you are doing well now...
Hope everybody will have minimal SE and will do great today.
Hugs to you all
Shirley
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Purplegurll, I'm glad you're doing better and can get that next round of chemo going this week.
tp4ever, I hope you feel better as the day goes on. Every round we go through gets us that much closer to kicking it to the curb completely.
eileenpg, good luck today! I was told only Tylenol, so it is interesting to hear what others hear from their doctors. I'm going to check out the bandana scarves.
purrrrana, I hope you can find some other liquids that sound appealing. Maybe warm broth? Gatorade?
jetgal, glad round #2 is going better. I am hoping that will be true for me as well! And congrats on the pottery sales!
pangtidor/Shirley, good luck with round 2 tomorrow.
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I guess it's my turn. I'm going to have my dh shave my head tomorrow. I would do it today but my daughter wants to be here and she has to work tonight. I'm a little worried about wearing scarves and my wig...but I think once I go out a few times it will be OK. I feel kinda OK today. My nausea medicine gives me a terrible headache and I'm tired but for day 4 after#2 that's not bad. Hoping you all have minimal SE's today. Hugs Amy
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second treatment today, 2 down and 14 to go! All my blood work was great. Did a urine test and waiting for results. Not sure if it's a UTI or constipation. Miralax just doesn't work for me so will use Colace twice a day. Feel a bit more tired, but not dizzy! Maybe it was a bit due to low blood sugar last time. I brought scones for me and my driver so we ate those and I ate some pretzels and drank lots of water. Chewed on a cup of ice chips during the red devil and feel I again froze up my mouth well. Hopefully did well enough to keep mouth sore from showing or at that they will be minimal. After treatment we went to lunch at longhorn steak house, yum! Had loaded baked potatoe soup and half sandwich that had to Pimento cheese, bacon, and a fried green tomato. Now just lounging and taking catnaps. No personals today, I will catch ya all later. Hope you are doing well?
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Day 4 from 2nd infusion and my bald head is breaking out. What do you do? It doesn't hurt or itch just looks awful.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hang in there!
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just a quick note to say that I JUST got my head shaved. I started shedding a few days ago and it was just so gross. I was a bit nervous but I feel so much better and less disgusting! LOL. So that is just a quick bit of encouragement for those getting ready to take the plunge. It is a little weird but I feel better groomed now. I admit I did slap on makeup and earrings right quick to offset the Uncle Fester effect.
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this is a side view of my wig. I'm not very good at selfies ha
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cannot even tell! Looks awesome!
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Hi Barremon, agree with Cassie to call the doc on this SE. My MO and Onc nurses specifically ask me if I have this symptoms/SE during each visit, which I haven 't yet. They want to rule out neuropathy and your MO is the best to contact to ensure it is nothing more than a temporary feeling.
The July thread had a discussion a few days ago on this SE. You may want to stop by that thread if no one here has experienced it. Specifically since we are all just beginning our chemo journey.
Hoping it is nothing,
-angie
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Cathie, very cute!
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catie, darn autocorrect
Neuropathy scares me too.
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tabby, will you lose your eyebrows? I have a good chance so I have a piece of thin, clear stencil. I'm gouging to make a stencil of my eyebrows now by tracing the shape and cutting that out. Then I will figure a position marker so they will be the same each time. Eyebrows, eyeliner and blush and earrings. Simple morning reg!
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Catie57 Your wig looks great!!! I have yet to put mine on. Scarves only. I live in Florida and it is hot here. I also work in a cubicle with 2 people. So,basically no one sees me. We are the weekend team.
Got the ok to go swimming today. Swam for 40 minutes and felt great. Will go in am. SE will start Wed if I am on track. I go back to work on Friday. GOT to feel good!!!
Good luck to all!!!!!! Stay positive and have a great sense of humor. It works!!!
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kellya, your stencil idea is great! I never would have thought to do that!
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Purplegirl – glad you are doing better.
Thinkpink – good luck this week with chemo. Glad your taste came back. Mine
are still out of whack. So I am resigned to the fact no “good” tasting food in the
near future just cardboard and metallic J. Silver lining I can eat now.Eileenpg – I was also told no supplements as they are no “regulated”
and you don’t want to do anything to contract the chemo. I remember what my MO told me – she is trying
to poison me so no supplements, no antioxidants , and I stumbled on the fact that green tea was
a no-no. I was told only Tylenol also
. So glad you can start swimming again.Purrrana – Glad you are moving into the upswing. Hoping for continued decrease in fatigue and
SEs. I am with you plain water just wasn’t doing
it. I had to learn to make water fun. I
own a Soda stream machine so carbonate water and mix a lot of different juices with it. For plain water I try to infuse it with
fruits, lemons, limes, etc. But I love
my soda stream and it has come in quite handy over the last month or so.Jetgal – so glad to your post. Missed ya much!
That is such an awesome celebration and congrats on the pottery sale. I love your pottery!Justamy – go for it.
Can’t wait for the pictures.Kellya – I am with you 14 more to go. I am saying ½ through
the big “Red Devil”. Yay!Tabby—Alright! And LoL
on the Uncle Fester, I told my husband I looked like they guy from Fifth
Element. I have to say my morning reg has gotten a lot
quicker and my DH loves it.Catie – very cute! Love it.
Can’t tell it is a wig!Gatomal – how are you doing? How is the nausea with the babies?
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BTW, I went to the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) class today for 2
hours. I was just blown away by the class
and the instructors. The makeup that was
donated, make-up bag and goodies, Wow! I am already wearing one of the scarves styles the teachers taught us in the class.
I also received as a bonus
gift 5 makeup brushes by Mac and that
was one of many of the nice makeup gifts.
I will post more tomorrow it was awesome! If you haven’t gone to a LGFB
class I highly suggest going even if it is just for the support and tips. Hope your class is/was as good as the one I attended.I am off to make lemonade and blueberry soda with my soda stream. Completely natural. I don't use the soda mixture sold to use with the soda stream machine. I even make tea and then carbonate it. I really have to make water fun as I have at least 6 months ahead of me :-).
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Catie - that wig looks awesome! Enjoy it! I am now changing my mind and thinking about getting a wig too - especially since they give you at least one. I do have at least one public meeting soon and I'll probably be out and about on my good days soon.
Hoping for more good soon everyone!!
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Well, it's done! I'm basically bald with the exception of the hairs that still wanted to hang around after my daughter scissor-cut my hair and I washed it. Glad that part is over. No tears tonight, but I can see myself looking in the mirror in within the next week or so and busting into tears, especially on one of the chemo down days.
eileen, hope everything ended up well today. Yay for approval for swimming! I'll have to check out the bandana scarfs now that I'm nearly bald.
purrrana, I pray that you stay out of the hospital too. That's the goal for sure...
jetgal, so exciting about your pottery sales! Happy times are good right about now...
Shirley, thanks for the encouragement! I'm just a little nervous about #2, but also ready to get it over and done with!
CassieCat, you're right. More than anything, I'm ready to kick Cancer to the doggone curb!!
justamy, I'm one night ahead of you on the hair stuff. Mine is gone, gone, gone. Glad you felt kinda okay today. May tomorrow be better, my friend!
Kellya, glad things went well today. That lunch sounded so good. Are your taste buds still working?
Hope50, as long as it doesn't hurt or itch, it may clear up pretty quickly...
Tabbygirl, I literally lol'd at "Uncle Fester". Thanks for the encouragement. I didn't shave mine, but I'm as close to bald as I've ever been in my life.
Catie, your wig is beautiful. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to wear a scarf or wear my wig tomorrow, but I hope my wig looks as natural as yours does!
Angie, thanks for doing such a good with our thread! You're awesome, my friend!
Stay encouraged everyone!
One love,
tp4ever
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angie, so glad to hear some feedback on the LGFB class. I had to reschedule because I didn't feel well on the day I initially scheduled. Now I will be going on the 29th and can't wait!!! What an awesome class....
One love,
tp4ever
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hey ladyb...
so nice to hear that your garden is blooming once again. It's sure nice to have family around. My nausea was better today, babies look good on ultrasound last Thursday, 9 oz. each!
Wed. Is my second AC, getting scared again. I also find out the resukts of all my genetic testing two hours before chemo, and have some SEs to talk about w the RN, as the MO cancelled his clinic this week...travelling. I have had increasing breast pain in "cancer boob" but don't know if it's pregnancy related or tumor growth or shrinkage. The two days after chemo I felt the tumor get a bit less dense, but now I don't know. Anyone else have any info or opinions on tumor size, shrinkage, more pain, less pain? Today is day 19 after #1AC and I haven't started losing hair yet (cold capping) but know it's coming. Just want to get #2 under my belt. Lined up another MO in Reno in case I have any severe SEs when I am away from San Francisco, wondering how she'll be and if I'll get any differing opinion on treatment from her. She went to med school at UCSF and trained at MD Anderson, so it will be interesting to meet with her.
Hugs to all the brave August women shaving their heads, rocking their wigs, scarves, or nothing at all. You are strong and amazing. Good luck this week all.
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tabby love that uncle Fester. Lol. When I started chemo hubby and I joked on being uncle Fester and girlfriend Dementia for our Halloween costumes. Lol.
Thank you cassiecat!!
Kellya I was looking at the eyebrow stencil at tlcdirect.org ACS volunteer handed me the catalog. I am not sure if I could do it right.:-(
There you go tp4ever !! You could do it.
The wig looks wonderful Cathie !!
Gatomal, always think and pray for your babies. Glad they are ok.
Justamy, I may shave my head too in a couple of days. My wet hands will be covered with the hair when I ran my hands on my head. Lol.
Ladyb glad you had a good time in the LGFB class. I will schedule mine tomorrow.
Stay strong ladies !!!!
Hugs to you all
Shirley
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my LGFB Clara was from 4-6 yesterday so I didn't take that sine I was done with chemo at 11:15, had lunch and went home. I would have needed someone to drive me all the way back. So I think there s one on an off week coming up that I will sign up for. Any tips will help! Did they give you tips about drawing on eyebrows? I do min everyday, they are thin cuz of my thyroid. You just have to draw little feathery stokes and finish with a powder and keep the color lighter than hair color if you can.
Love the idea for fruit in water, I always do it for parties...I guess I will have myself a little party each day, why not.
I was told no supplements til taxol when I will take B6.
Gatomol I think of you and those babies often! Write down all your concerns, ten ask them all!
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Kellya I was just talking with my MO about supplement and herbal within first 7 days of chemo with my good renal and liver functions. I have stop any supplement or herbal if my renal&liver function numbers aren't good. The herb/supplement will compete with the chemo drugs in my liver/kidneys for the metabolism process. It may decrease the good effects of chemo or may increase the toxicity level.
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I am collecting my cute birds during chemo. They come with my lunch tray, sent by the local school first grader. I got yellow bird today.
I got blue bird at my first chemo.
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