Starting chemo August 2014
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I just went to the July forum and read a bunch of posts. I'm trying to find out what to expect for upcoming treatments, but basically what I've gotten out of it is, everyone is different with different issues. Even comparing with women on same cocktail. My MO told me from day one that everyone is different. I can relate to a lot of the SEs for sure. Instead of worrying about #3, just planning on medicating as I did with #2 when I feel any SEs coming on. Prevention is still my goal. I hope you all are doing well and listen to your body.
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Merrell: I'm doing as good as I can be for this point in my treatment. I have an 18 year old daughter and she is very supportive through all this but my son really doesn't understand and wants to forget it as much as he can.
I started losing my hair about 10 days ago and I had my husband shave it. It was less stressful to me than watching it fall out slowly. I have a wig that I like but I don't like wearing it. It's too hot. I wear scarves and hats when I go out or go to church. I don't work either so I'm at hope bald most of the time. I'm OK with it...I mean I want to get better and if that means losing my hair then so be it. It helps that my husband tells me how beautiful I am every day.
I'm mostly doing OK...I have ups and downs and dread the treatment weeks. My SE's have been minimal but at best you feel half dead that week. Thanks for reaching out. It means a lot to talk to someone who's been where I am before
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thanks ladies!
I'm going to work tomorrow, I'll try to make it all day. Friday, I'll just stay home. Thankfully, I work for a nice doctor who understands that I do my best to make an effort to make it to work. Hoping u all do well too. My friends had a hat and scarf party for me last Sunday, what amazing friends I have! I got about 15 hats and 35 scarves, I have only worn my wig once, not my thing. Anyway,take care ladies.
All pinked out at chemo today!
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Thanks SueBe!
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I was told third round of AC is toughest because this is cumulative in your body. Hopefully we have learned so tricks to help us deal with it
. Here's hoping anyway!Had a wonderful day with my mom today. Trying to do something fun each day til Monday, TX #3
Thinking of you all
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Gorgeous, Terri!
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Welcome to the new ladies! Can't wait to hear or catch-up on your story, share experiences and most of all support, encourage and get to Know you on this journey. I will add you to our list in the next day or so.
I finished round #3 and had somethings adjusted specifically to deal with GI issues. Put on Prilosec and told to step up the probiotics. I will also add the coconut oil. No headaches yet as they have completely removed the zofran. Told that #3 and #4 can be worse due to cummlative SEs of fatigue and others and to stay diligent on staying ahead of SEs that can be minimized.
Thinking of all that have or are going into tx #3. Hoping minimal SEs and stay ahead if the SEs get bad call your MO has they have something for it.
Those on the upswing or in your good week enjoy, have fun, relax and most of all take care of yourselves.
As always, ((((hugs)))).
-Angie
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My MO told me to take Zofran for 24 hours then compazine after that. I hope it helps. I had a headache for 5 days with little relief even though I can take IB or Tylenol last time...I feel like a baby for griping about a headache but I'm calling my MO if it last more than a few days this time. I'm going into this Friday believing the SE's won't be any worse. If I just have more fatigue, I can handle that...I don't work and my family can care for itself so I'll just sleep more.
LadyB: Be good to yourself and let someone else take care of the church when you need to. I know that's hard but you'll soon be back to full strength again.
Here's to minimal SE's and more good days than bad for all of us!
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Justamy thanks for the support. I am trying to let most of it go and be there for my DH and others without doing a lot of the heavy duties.
Terri love the photo and that color of pink.
Cathie the July group is wonderful thread and lots of input on the SEs they have experienced. One of the ladies Jennliza has been in the hospital for 12 days so let's keep her In Our thoughts that her medical team figure out what is going on.
Can I say insomnia! Urrggh. I picked up the house hoping it would tire me out no luck. Now on to reading which is really hard for me lately and one or my favorite hobbies.
Terri and Strongenough have Inspired me to post pic. I also tried some of the LGFB techniques :-).
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ladyb,
Great pic too!
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ladyB andTerri - Both of you looking beautiful and strong. So sorry you are suffering from Insomnia Angie. You look fabulous in pink Terri. It's funny how each infusion room is so different. I have been to 2 different locations myself, and they were both so different also. The one I'm going to on Friday doesn't have wifi. Bummer!
I have had the opposite lately, I can't get enough sleep last couple of days. I'm starting to worry that I'm not going to go into this treatment strong enough. I hope the steroids I start today will pick me up.
Wishing all the ladies that just did treatment and are going to do treatment minimal SEs.
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catie, I did the exact same thing, I went looking to find out how bad round 3 would be. Decided to enjoy this week and deal with I whatever next week. Everyone is so, so different in SE. Going to stay super hydrated the day before and day of!
Terri and lady...looking great! Hope you feel well enough today!!
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ladyb - beautiful! I don't know why I'm so worried about my hair when I see all these truly beautiful faces and spirits every time I come to this thread.
I too went over to July but decided, as others did, that the journey is too unique. I go in for round 2 today. Nervous, but already to be another cycle closer to the end. I've made notes to myself in my planner about what to possibly expect when and what to be eating, drinking or taking to help stay ahead of things. I know I can't plan for or predict everything, but I'm doing my best to learn from the first cycle.
p.s. I have a Fight Like a Girl shirt to wear today!
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Jaycee,
Thank you so very much for those details! My chemo has been put off once for a spot on my knee [from bone scan] or I would have already had one round of chemo. Yesterday for me was 8.5 hrs. long b/c waiting time between tests, etc. I had an MRI last so my Dr. could be sure what chemo drugs to give me. I have been told I'll get AC protocol so waiting now for results of MRI to see if it stays the same. My journey so far has been a lot of hurry up and wait. I do have a power port and love it.
I'm still learning to navigate this forum [bit hard] so I can learn as much as possible and Jaycee that was wonderful, thank you so much again!
Have a beautiful day/night ladies!!
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Ladyb, you are absolutely beautiful !! So sorry about the insomnia.
Logan
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Ladyb - you are beautiful and I love the pic. The insomnia sucks and I deal with it too. I have Ambien but I'm a bit apprehensive about taking it. I'm not one to take sleeping pills but the physicians assistant is pushing for me to try it since sleep is important right now. I told her I would think about it.
Finally home after my third infusion and once again it took 5 hours and 35 minutes...grrrrrrrr. It's just too long of a day! Because I keep having reactions to Taxotere the drip is slowed down and it takes 3 hours to infuse that one drug. Next time they are going to add another steroid along with the Dexa and hopefully that will help me from having a reaction and lessen my time in the chair. So far I'm feeling good but I usually do until Saturday evening. Since I had increased nausea after round 2, I was given Compazine to use with Zofran. I also have mild neuropathy which I need to keep on eye on.
Hoping everyone is having a good week and not suffering from too many SE.
Hugs to all
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Wizard, I think I take some generic form of compazine, sure hope it helps you. Sorry you have such a long day when you do treatments!!
Glad you found us fire-nice, lots of info here. Sorry you had such a long day too.
Went through closets for stuff to get to goodwill. What a job. But, it needed to be done. Lunch with friends tomorrow and then dinner out too. Hmmm, centering around food a bit, but I will enjoy the conversation
. Have a good night. Hope those who had their third treatment are getting along well tonight!0 -
I hope everyone had a good day today. Although I have been quiet, I've been checking updates here and thinking of you all. Hit a big emotional wall last week and went into hermit mode. I do want to let anyone on TH know that it has been very manageable for me. I reached the halfway mark this week, had treatment #6 of 12. The fatigue is getting more pronounced but I am still working. I started having stomach cramps and loose stool after I ate anything, so had to go to a very mild diet. I take L-Glutamine and B6 and so far have no signs of neuropathy. I had my Look Good Feel Better class and really enjoyed it and got lots of nice makeup! I have thick hair and it has thinned substantially but hasn't all gone yet. I'm feeling grateful for all that is going well and for all of you and your support. Many hugs!
Sandy
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Wizard= ask for a script for lorazepam (ativan) Ask for 1 mg and you can take 1/2 at night to start if unsure if 1 mg may be too much.. Works for sleep with no hang over. Also,helps for nausea. It is an anti anxiety often given at bedtime for sleep. Again, I have been using and no drug feeling the next day. Good luck. Sleeping has been tough.
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Welcome Pamelashawn! I am also taking AC at a pretty heavy dose and it is no joke. I have had my 3rd treatment. How are you doing with managing any side effects? We are here to listen, offer our individual experiences, support, encourage and most of all get to know you through this journey. I have added you to the list above.
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Tomorrow is AC infusion #3. I am dreading it more than ever...I think because that nurse told me in graphic detail what the red devil can do to you if it leaks...I know rationally that it won't but still not a pretty thought. Got to remember that God has this and I'll be OK. Hugs to all and minimal SE's to those being treated tomorrow.
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Justamy- I go import too for AC #3. And also not looking forward to it.
Ladyb, Terri and everyone who posted photos you all look great. I don't know why I am having such an issue with losing my hair! You all look so wonderful!
Had a visit with my plastic surgeon today. He says everything looks great and I don't need to be back until after Chemo is done. Which is great news. I still have some soft tissue swelling which he said he's not worried about. I asked how long before that goes down and he kept changing the subject. Finally answered me with 8 MONTHS. Seriously?? 8 months? So I wasn't happy with that. Just want to feel "normal" again. Sorry I've been having a rough week and not dealing with loosing my hair to well. I go out and get these sad looks from people then they get even sadder when they see me with my 2yr old.
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Kelly, thank you so much for the warm welcome! I know I missed being on the August chemo board, but hopefully I can have September chemo. The things you guys post for nausea, etc. are invaluable to me. I'm like Santa, making my list and checking it twice...LOL. My MO has already had me get Compazine and Ativan, so she seems to be very empathetic and also is really kind AND patient w/ me and my questions. I mentioned this board and she informed me she had actually checked it out numerous times and recommended it for moral support and a forum to bounce ideas off and maybe I could also help someone else. Dr. M said I would learn from you and I already have! As to hair loss I just want to survive, so RIGHT now that doesn't bother me, not saying it won't later, but I just take it a day at a time. My s-i-l has this brilliant idea to give me an "autograph the bald head party," and as I've never been normal I'm all for it. Hopefully I'll still enjoy it when it happens.
Thank you all so very much and I WILL get the hang of navigating this board. Gentle Hugs and butterfly kisses to you all. YOU are TRULY warriors!
Logan
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Going in tmrw morning for #3. Messed up my steroid tonight. Decided to go to a movie with my son and left them home. Ended up taking 15 hrs later instead of 12. Has anyone else done that? I will tell nurse tmrw, hope I didn't mess myself up too bad.
Hoping everyone that did treatments this week are managing SEs. I wish you minimal ones.
I'm not really a hugger, but for you I will step out of my comfort zone. HUGE HUGS to everyone!
Cathie
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Ladyb,
My first treatment is 09/23/14, thanks for letting me join this group, can't think of a nicer gang to go to war with!
Logan
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firenice: I was the same about my hair before Chemo. When it started falling out I was a little hesitant to shave it as I had planned but once I did it was all good. Now its really no big deal. I wear a scarf or a hat out. I have a wig but it's not for me. Welcome to the board! These ladies are amazing!
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I went in for round #2 today and it went off without a hitch. Just a long day (though shorter by about an hour compared to #1). Now I'm up at 1am with steroid insomnia. Yuck! Hoping to go back to sleep at some point. Otherwise feeling pretty good. A little achey but nothing too bad.
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cassiecat, i am doing #3 today, glad you are doing well! It hits me after the neulasta shot on day 3, then icky till day 10 or 15, to various degrees. I have to do BRAT diet now, had very bad D and nauseau last time. I feel you with the insomnia!
Our dx and tx are nearly identical too, so do you know when your surgery is? Mine is hopefully early December.
Hang in there justamy!
Hugs to all
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fire-n-ice welcome to this thread wish we could have met under different circumstances but glad you made it here to share your story and journey. Ditto that you found a wonderful group of ladies here and you are already one of us! Thanks so much for comment on the photo.
Thanks all for the comments on the photo. I am trying not to be so camera shy :-).
Cassie, Cathie, Wizard, JustAmy, Kellogg, Kellya and others that just went through or preparing for round #3! Cancer is our enemy, chemo is cancer's enemy, so chemo is our friend! You got this!
Those that will get treatment next week post and let us know. We want to support you.
Those that haven't posted but are reading let us know how you are doing. We miss ya! Donnanj, oceanbreeze, purrrana, lliz, random chance, etc.
Cathie I am a huge hugger and got a giggle from your post. ((((Hugs))) to all.
-Angie
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thinking about everyone who has gone for 3rd treatment this week or today and for us that go next week.
Stay strong, keep believing!! Praying for minimal SE for everyone. I heard the 3rd is harder on us. I'm hoping it turns out easier for all. If your really struggling, call your MO.
Let's us know how you are doing.
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