Starting chemo August 2014
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Cathie-- thanks for the hug.
bippy, I imagine we'll try for surgery late Dec. or early Jan. Last chemo, if the plan holds, is Dec. 11th. I would think we'd need some time to let my blood counts come back up before surgery. I meet again with my surgeon next month to check in.
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I only went in for #2 yesterday (I'm at the tail end of this group) but I wanted to reiterate what Hope50 said. Call in to your doctor and nurses if you're really having a hard time. My nurse yesterday reminded me of that and shared about how they can try to help with nausea and dehydration, for example.
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I am going for number#2 of CT. The first had little side effects because I followed everyone here's example and stayed on top of things with the meds. THis time I will take the Claritin tonight for tomorrow Neulasta's shot, which I am giving myself. Yikes!
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good luck for everyone who will do the next round....
Ladyb and Terri how's the days after 3rd round? Hope everyone who is still within the hell days after chemo does better.
The bottoms of my thumbnails are darkened now. I guess they will take their turns for the next SE. Lol. Bring it on.....
Cassiecat I see you are triple positive too. I wonder why I don't get the Perjeta. My TCH will be done on dec 2, and will call the surgeon 2 weeks after that for the surgery.
Hope everybody is having great day.
Hugs to you all....
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Good luck today SueBe!
pangtidor - I don't know. It's relatively new, compared to Herceptin. Maybe ask your oncologist?
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SueBe, I hope #2 isn't too bad for you. We're on the same cocktail, and I'm a week out from my #2 and it has been easier than #1. Let us know how you do. And you're brave to give yourself the Neulasta shot, well, any shot for that matter. I think I could do it if I had to, but I admire your bravery!
Hope50, my 3rd is in two weeks. I didn't know what to expect, but is it the cumulative effect that makes it harder?
One love,
tp4ever
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pangtidor-
Doing ok. Yesterday I worked until 3:40, I had to get my Nulesta shot. I was exhausted! I picked up from son from school and took a bath and went to sleep. I take lunesta to help me sleep and I took a Benadryl as well. Today, I'm just tired. I never get nausea, thank God! My MO gave me the go ahead to start diflucan yesterday, to help prevent the mouth thrush that I've gotten with both previous treatments. So, hopefully, I'll keep those symptoms at bay. Otherwise, all is well. LADYB, How are you?
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Just got back from #3 infusion. It went well and needle placement in crease of arm. Thank goodness! Benadryl always makes me groggy, so I had my eyes closed most of the time. Took my miralax as soon as I got home. Hoping to manage SEs as they come.
Bipsy - hope all went well for you today.
Suebe - I am also taking same chemo cocktail, and it was more manageable 2nd round. Listen to your body and take meds to help.
Sat next to a woman during treatment. She just finished 6 rounds of chemo and just coming in now for Herceptin. She said after last treatment is when her toe nails darkened under nail. I told her about the tree tea oil at Target. I imagine after nails grow out now that she's done, they will go back to normal.
Watched a video posted on FB about a young woman that finished her treatment and showed stages of her hair growth. Very cool! I wanted to post on here but can't figure it out. She had lost eyebrows and lashes but by about 18th week all back to normal. So this hair loss is temporary! We got this....
To all the ladies going thru treatment this week, wishing minimal SEs.
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Hope50, Suebe, Thinkpink and Catie57 - I think we're all on the same cocktail so hand in there for treatment #3 (or Suebe #2). I have my #3 next Wednesday, and happy this time I have blood test and meet with onco the day before. I was reading up in another thread about taxotere - something I think I have - taxotears..?? My eyes are watering consistently these last few days, but I thought it was due to the colder weather. Oh well, I have a constant tissue with me to either wipe my eyes or my nose. They both drip a lot! Other than that I feel good and have few leftover SEs.
Something I'll do differently for next week - I had medium constipation for about 6-7 days), so will start taking something before chemo day (dulcolax pill likely) and continue daily. Probably take a probiotic at the same time. I've been eating yogurt regularly but hoping these 2 things will help ease the several days of C that I had. I will also make sure to have ice chips and popsicles during the infusion of taxotere. I had nasty thrush last time, and now have some pills that will help but would like to avoid it. I also read that a mouthwash of half vinegar and half water can help, but we'll see. Also going to throw out my old toothbrush and start with a new one (soft). The Nystatin mouthwash did not work for me.
To all who are continuing on with 2nd and 3rd (or more) treatments, you are all warriors and I wish you strength to get through these days. Now I'm going to try to make my first pottery in 3 weeks!!
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JetGal23: I made my own toothpaste using baking soda, coconut oil, liquid stevia & peppermint oil. I brush twice a day and I have had NO problems with my mouth. When my older sister was battling metastatic breast cancer, she said you may feel like eating but the sore in the mouth stop you. That was my fear when I started by battle so I've been relying on coconut oil which is a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacteria. Google it...you'll be amazed what that stuff does.
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Catie57 - I think I saw that same video. It was really comforting to watch her transformation.
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So can people recommend where they're buying their scarves from? I don't want to pay $40 for a scarf now to cover my head that I may not use when my hair grows back? Yeah, I'm cheap!!! Do order online or are you lucky enough to have stores local. Thanks
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www.tlcdirect.org (american Cancer Society shop) is one place to look.
www.curediva.com - if you sign up you can get a 20% off coupon code for your first purchase (doesn't apply to things already on sale).
I got a cute hat at Target for under $15. I think some nice jersey scarves would be good too, but I didn't see any in stock at my local Target.
www.goodwishesscarves.org will send one free scarf.
www.softhats.com has some options.
I've done a lot of looking around online but haven't ordered from all of those places.
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I went to a couple of local Goodwill stores and found some great scarfs at a wonderful price. After a gentle wash and hang to dry, they are perfect!!!
One love,
tp4ever
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You are awesome...thanks so much.
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tp4ever - good tip!
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Well AC # 3 went fine but my day pretty much sucked. My liver functions are still elevated. There was talk of a possible consult with a specialist and a liver biopsy. Yeh I'm not really Into that. Also talk of weekly taxol instead of every two weeks. Weekly taxol is a 12 week treatment versus the 4 treatments every other week. I have a fatty liver which is my own fault since I am over weight. So diet starts now. Maybe if I can loose a few pounds things will get better. I was pretty upset at my infusion and my nurse set up a consult with the nutritionist for my next visit.
I hope everyone else going in today had a better day then me!
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Oh, Kellogg, I'm sorry you had a rough day.
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Kellogg, so sorry to hear you had a tough day. I'm on weekly Taxol and it has not been bad. Don't beat yourself up over things but take good care of yourself now! I hope the nutritionist will help and that you'll be able to avoid invasive tests. Extra hugs for you!
Amy, had you in my thoughts today, too. Hope you are okay and that your day was easy.
I'm super tired today which has been the pattern after Tuesday chemo. I've also had breakouts on my face and just felt some little bumps along the edge of my scalp. Maybe time to get a referral to a dermatologist. Trying to stay grateful and plan some weekend fun to shake off the sad feelings that I've been struggling with. It sounds like a lot of us hit some rough emotions recently and I hope you are all getting through them. A dear friend is in town so hope we will get together and have lots of laughs. Can't let this nasty adventure take away my sense of humor!
Healing thoughts and hugs to all!
Sandy
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Hi everybody how are we all doing?
see Kellogg is having problems with the liver sorry to hear that. Kellogg, I too am overweight and really need to drop some pounds, it's not easy. I wanted to do a raw food diet but find it impossible with the state of my intestines and gut right now, so I'm doing a lot of soups with organic vegetables cooked very well, but still do better with carbohydrates.... Rice, potatoes, bread, all the things that bloat.
I had Chemo three today and no problems, as you all know the problems start to creep up after Neulasta shot. Anyway I'm ready. Claritin and tylenol! Going to be doing a lot of smoothies, with almond milk bananas and maybe peanut butter if I can tolerate it.
Good luck my sisters, rest, hydrate, pray, meditate, cry, eat what you can, walk, whatever you need to do.....sending hugs to everyone!
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CJ: I am lucky to have a lot of local stores/beauty supplies that sell the scraves pretty cheap along with clip on bangs, ponytails and other attachments that work with the scarves pretty well. I can rock a new look almost every day. Keep people guessing :-). I also shopped at Ross, Marshalls, TJ Max and online at the same sites most have already posted about for hats and the buffer, etc. Plus got a lot of scraves handed to me from my Mom.
Kellogg, so sorry to hear you had a tough day. I will also have weekly Taxol treatments starting 10/29 after I finish my last AC (Red devil) and hope it is not that bad. I am pryaing that your consult goes well.
Cathie, I will have to find that video, I love inspiring stories as we go through this journey.
Today I am doing pretty good. Trying to fight back the nausea and stomach issues. No big "C" or big "D" yet. Still on day 2 of the steriods and waiting to see what day 3 will bring. With that said bring it on and I am ready to fight it and as someone here once said, pretend o that the SEs are not there or as much as possible don't focus on them and push through. I am staying ahead of the SE's by brushing & rinsing with biotene, rinsing with magic prescription mouth wash for thrush, taking priolesec for tummy issues and mylanta if I need it quickly. Still on the steriods and compazign. Also using Smooth Move Tea "Senna" for the C and D, as the OTC meds would have me switching between the two. The tea seems to make me regular and not so much volitality between the "C" and "D". I am doing the BRAT diet and also yogurt. Lots to keep up with but I have to say I feel better this round for day 2 after chemo than previous 2 rounds. To fight fatigue, I am walking keeping active and resting. We got this! Only major issues is INSOMNIA and food tasting like card board and metalic taste in my mouth...urggghhhh. I haven't taken Bendryl or any sleep aids yet, waiting to see if coming off the steroids will help. Someone suggested using plasitc utensils for the metalic taste. Did it help?
Wishing minimal side effects for all.
Angie
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I had my Neulasta shot today and am guessing that tomorrow is going to be the start of a few rough days. I pre-medicated this time with Claritin and Tylenol, so hopefully that is going to help! I'm feeling a little queasy this evening but am trying to keep it at bay with ginger tea and ginger caplets. My goal over the last few days and today is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I've done better this time around, but all of that liquid does tend to irritate my tummy after a while.
Hugs to everyone - stay strong! We can do this!
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POSTED BY C. KRAMER
It May Not Seem Like Your Hair Is Growing After Chemo, But It Is! Watch Nalie’s Transformation!
Read more at http://blog.thebreastcancersite.com/hairgrowth/#V...This is the website for video I saw on FB. Hope you can open it.
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cassie, ladyb, bippy, sandy and everyone, thank you for the support! Makes me feel better!
Sandyloveslucy- can I ask what part of ma you're in? I live in the Merrimack valley close to NH. Being treated at MGH.
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Catie57, thanks for the link to that video. Now I have some idea what I will look like at Christmas. I really enjoyed watching her transformation, how she got so excited as her hair grew week by week!
Ladyb, beautiful pic!
Jetgal, Hope50, Suebe, Thinkpink and Catie57, I'm on the same cocktail as you all, too. I go for #3 on Tuesday. Really dreading it, but ready to get on with this & get another one over with. So I will try to enjoy this weekend of feeling good. The fatigue has lasted longer this time, but the other SE were not as bad. Hoping for even better next round, no matter what they say about the cumulative effects!
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I have found a place to be me, haven't I? YEA! I have been keeping up w/ ALL of your advice, taking notes, etc., so hopefully I'll be ready Tues. You all will never know how you have already helped me, thank you so much, I don't feel alone now. My family is great but they seem to want me to act as usual and most times I try, but when I can't pull it off I come to you guys.
Justamy, you understand and I'm not much for wigs either. It may change but I'll deal w/ that when it comes. Thank you Kellya! ladyb thanks for the welcome and not kicking me to a September board, it would take me until Oct. to find it and on and on...lol
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I have been out enjoying my good 2 weeks, and I have felt so normal the past few days. My husband and I even had a date night. It was amazing. Number 3 is on Thursday and I am excited to be 50% done after that. I hope everyone is experiencing minimal SE's. I feel like I am geting better and better at figuring out how to deal with side effects. I went to my MO and told him about how I have been getting dehydrated. I will get fluids the day after and I have stocked up on flavored sparkling water ( I enjoyed it last time), gatorade, jell-o, and popsicles. Hopefully I can get a lot more fluids in me this time. Good luck to everyone next week and welcome to all the ladies that just joined.
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Kellogg, I live just east of Worcester, MA. Am being treated at an MGH cancer center in concord, MA.. I am halfway through 12 weekly Chemo sessions of Taxol/Herceptin, will have 33 rads after that. I'll also be on just Herception infusions, once every three weeks, for a total of a year. I travel through your area pretty frequently for my job.
ladyb, glad you have a routine that seems to work pretty well to help with SE's. I love that you are switching up your look with lots of scarves, etc. Your picture was great, LOVE that scarf!
Purrana, yay for days of feeling normal!
Fire-n-ice, welcome and good luck. So glad you found this group. There will be lots of orayers and good thoughts with you on Wednesday. As wonderful as family and friends are, they can't possibly understand what it feels like to go through this like everyone here can. Share whatever you need to here. Last week I tried to "tough it out" alone and that plan kicked me in the backside! It is important to have a safe place to vent.
Hope you all have a great weekend and feel well enough to have a little fun!
Sandy
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Hello, everyone! Had my second round on Wed. Followed by nuelasta. Feel much better this round this time. No idea why. Doing all the things everyone else has mentioned. I did eat ice the entire tx time and my mouth is almost 95% normal this time. Very little taste distortion or sores. Weirdly thus time, C instead of D. I'm talking 3 probiotics daily because of being on antibiotics since August 9 for implant cellulitis. Loved the posted pictures. Hope everybody has a restful weekend.
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read through the posts last night, glad to see mostly normal SE for everyone.
Kellogg, I'm so sorry you have the added stress of your liver!! Do they want you to lose weight now though? Be careful with that because you need to fuel your body with good food to feel good. I talked with a nutritionist at the beginning when I was having some stomach issues. She really had great tips for me as far as what foods to avoid and what to eat more of. I bet she can give you a list of healthy foods to try, but don't starve yourself during this. I will be doing taxol every Monday for 12 weeks after the AC.
Fire n ice, glad you are staying
I find it so interesting to see what everyone is doing to make it through all this. Even though the cocktails are a bit different,the reactions are similar so the information we gain is so helpful.Caitie, loved the video! Thanks for putting it here! I guess by mid June I will have a cute short hair style.
CJT, Angie, I only have one scarf and I can't figure out what to do with it. Maybe at my LGFB class in October they will show me what to do. I've looked online, but.... Anyway, I just ordered a baseball cap with medium length hair attached. I think I will love that. I find I'm wearing my wig a lot, I feel like me when I do. Although the first thing I do when I get home is take it off. Walk around with my bald head while I'm home. Lol
I've been pretty lucky with the neulasta shots. I take the Claritin for 4 days and that must work. I get a bit of back pain the following week for two days but Tylenol has worked for that. I gave the shot to myself the first time but went to the center the second time because they charged me $100 to give it to my self and it is free if I go to the center. How strange is that?!
Anyone I missed, sorry! Hope everyone is feeling better today! I will enjoy my weekend, Monday will be AC #3.
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