Starting chemo August 2014
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Justamy, I had the 'peeling skin' all over my fingers for a week as soon as I did my second round. Really dry, even the tip of my fingers numb and wrinkled. You know like the look and feeling when they are in the water for long time. I soaked them in the warm water and rub my hands to remove the dry skin, dry them and grease them immediately. I use coconut oil. I carry hand lotion with me all the time. I apply it after I wash my hands too. It worked for me. Haven't seen that on my feet yet. I do wear the diabetic socks (I'm not a diabetic) every time I go out. I only wear crocs (sale on the amazon) after my second chemo. I wash my feet with babysoap and grease them when I go to bed. And hydrate hydrate hydrate....:-)
Ladyb. Thinking of you today. PICC line will have higher risk of infection. The line will actually stick out just above your elbow. Talk to the MD or nurse thoroughly about the line care when you go home.
Hope50 hope you have minimal to no SE.
On my worse days, I squeeze lemons on anything I eat/drink.
Cassiecat and bippy , I do still work (a lot less hours than I used to) but I could feel that I won't be dependable anytime. It made me down first, I started to lay back after my second chemo and it feels good. I was so phsycologically unstable after my 1st chemo. Hubby was about to call the MO because he couldn't handle it. He said it's worse than my pregnant hormones days. Life is slower now but I start to like it...:-)
Eileen I will try the mashed potatoes for my next round.
Cjt chicken soup is my comfort food. I squeeze lemon or sprinkle a little bit of ginger powder if I couldn't taste anything at all...:-)
Jess hope you like your wig...:-) I like mine, my mother in law wants to order one for herself from the tlccare because she likes it.
Stay strong ladies.....
Hugs to you all
Shirley
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Morning ladies, I'm popping in from the July Chemo group. Last week was my last chemo. Have 2 things I wanted to mention to your group.
1. you can get a beautiful free scarf at
http://www.goodwishesscarves.org/request-a-wrap/
2. after your last chemo, sit down and go through that big stack of brochures, pamphlets, and booklets that you got from your cancer center and the American Cancer Society and pull out and throw away everything that is chemo related. It is SO liberating, and I found it to be a great first step in putting chemo behind me. So now I just have a little pile of info related to radiation.
The finish line is right ahead of you, you can do this!
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ladieb, prayers being sent with hugs. Sorry to hear about the complication, but sure you will come out fine. Glad at least about the minimal SEs! The BRAT diet really works.
I too have experienced much less side effects with round three, which to me seems so odd, but decided to not try and figure it out. Round one and two were much worse! Round one was mega dose so i get it, but round 2 was same as 3. No matter, halfway done!
All August beginners, we are halfway through! Keep going.
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lady b, good luck with your surgery! Hopefully it is not too awful and they just take it out and get you the pic. I've heard of infections in port, wonder is it how it's flushed?
Haven't heard of the peeling skin. Will look for you for ideas.
Feel more energetic this am, hope that continues. Off the steroid so I hope!
Hubby took the day off so hopefully we get out somewhere fun. Watching the Ryder cup now.
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peeling skin, rashes, says to call. Probably will be given a cortico steroid cream. So give then a call I say.
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puffin, congratulations on finishing chemo! Jan 5 can not come quick enough for me!
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Good morning Ladies,
Forgot to post a pic to two of my new wig which I am excited about.
Angie, hope the port thing works out and so sorry you have to deal with that. But it does sound like they are really on top of your care and doing just what is needed to keep you safe and healthy! hang in there! BTW, you pics from a few weeks back are just beautiful. You look like one strong, fierce, compassionate and beautiful woman!
Keeping you all in my throughts as you deal with SEs, upcoming infusions, and just "keep swimming" through this difficult time in our lives. Day 2 after #3 and I'm feeling rather ok. I think I've finally gotten the right does of nausea meds and am managing all that better.I wish you all the same (although I know that days 2-4 then to be worse so I'm bracing my self for that).
Lots of love to you all,
Jess
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quick question: does anyone have a pic-line? Any concerns with it or what experiences? I will also post question to July support group.
Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.
-Angie
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Ladyb=Just keep the area of the picc line clean. Wrap seran wrap around it when you shower to keep it dry.. Make sure it does not look red or infected. Other than that. Don't catch the line on anything. You don't want to pull it out by accident. A lot of times they place a stocking material over the area to keep the line secure so it does not catch. Thats about it. Should be fine. No worries. Sorry to read about your troubles. Have never had one. Have taken care of many people with one.
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Ladyb - remember to stay strong and positive. You are a fighter! I'm sending positive thoughts, prayers and hugs your way.
Round 3 was on 9/18 and even with the added anti-nausea meds I still had nausea all week. It's unusual nausea - not so much queasy stomach but I can feel it in the throat and gagging a lot. Fluid intake has been really difficult as well mostly due to horrible taste in my mouth. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, tastes good. Here's a new SE for me - I woke up this morning covered in hives. I also have a low temp of 99.6. I'm waiting for call back from MO.
Jess1965 - love the wig! It looks so natural. Adorable pic.
It sounds like most are doing well and managing their SE. Hoping everyone has an enjoyable weekend.
Hugs to all.
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Jess, you look adorable! I love the curls!
Ladyb/Angie, you are in my thoughts. I am so glad you are receiving such excellent care, and I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
Puffin, congrats on finishing chemo!!! Woo hoo!!!
bippy, I'm hoping that round 3 goes as well for me as it has for you. That would be great! I'm happy for you. Enjoy the good days.
Kellya, enjoy the extra energy! I had some today too and took a walk at the beach for about a mile and a half. Gorgeous day and just happy to be out there.
CJT, I hope you're feeling better and that your appetite is better too. The Neulasta shot is the worst part of this whole thing for me, in some ways. I told my dr. that I wasn't getting any relief from the Claritin and Tylenol, so I'm trying Norco and Claritin next time. Anything to take the edge off that pain! But I'm glad for the shots as my WBC didn't bounce back quite as well for round 2, so I can only imagine what they'd have been without the Neulasta.
Hope, you CAN do this. We all can! No need to ever apologize for a long note. That's what this place is here for - we get it. {{hugs}}
Amy, no skin peeling here for me. Maybe put a call in to your dr/nurses to see what they say? I find the more I stay hydrated, the better the skin on my face feels. But I have to drink a lot, and moisturize a lot more, too.
Gatomal, glad your husband can hang out the whole day with you. Mine will too, next time around. It's nice.
Wizard50, sorry about the SEs you've got and hoping the hives are nothing! Let us know.
I hope everyone has a great weekend with minimal SE and lots of time to enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy.
As always, feeling super proud to be among you all. What a group!A shot from my walk this morning:
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jess65...No WAY does that even look like a wig, especially in front. Looks like you just got your hair done! Awesome!
Cassiecat...love the pic of the beach, I grew up in so cal and it looks like that's where you are? My family still there in Palos Verdes and Orange County, well...my mom is up here now full time until this is all over!
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gatomal, I'm in Ventura but grew up in OC.
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Angie -- prayers for your recovery. I am surprised that your port got infected, but when I think of how clean and careful all these treatments must be I guess I understand. Hope the s
I had just read your post when I fainted in the bathroom and realized that I wasn't going to get up anytime soon. I waited until my housemate came in, and had him summon the neighbors. They called an ambulance rather than risk getting me down the stairs to the street. No news yet, other than dehydration. Wish I'd conked out while the infusion center was open.
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mullerin! Are you okay? Hugs and prayers that you feel better, please update us when feeling better.
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Today was a good day!
I went to my MO for my weekly appointment and all my numbers are great. No chemo this week so I feel pretty normal. Got a flu shot.
I have been fighting for disability for depression and anxiety for over a year and went to my hearing 2 months ago. I got my judgment and I will get disability and get backpay for almost 2 years. Also I will have medicare in addition to my private insurance starting in January which is when my mastectomy is.
Then my kids local school does a pink out week every year where they raise awareness and money for breast cancer. They give part of the proceeds to one person struggling with BC every year. This year they are giving it to me. I hardly knew what to say when they asked if I would be OK with it. It is a very touching thing for them to do. I love living in a small town( only 500 in the school preschool to 12th) where people pull together and pray and help each other in hard times.
Definitely a great day!
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I haven't been posting much but I do keep up with all of you, and continue to send good wishes to all.
Angie, so sorry about the port! Please let us know how you are.
Gatomal, I have also heard that sometimes you feel pain as the tumors die. It sounds oddly satisfying in a way but I know it must hurt. I hope your onc can confirm that is what you are feeling. Hugs to you and love to the babies.
Still catching up on posts. I love that this board is so active as we share our experiences. I have been encouraged so many times by all you.
Sending positive thoughts to all who are struggling with SEs. We can do this.
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justamy, great news! I too am going for SSDI for those reasons.
Mullerin, are you okay!?
Gatomal, yes i had and still get tumor tumor twinges. It is beautiful! My onco says it means tumor death!
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Mullerin, please let us know how you are! How scary for you!
Fed ex just delivered a black ball cap with mediUm length hair attached. Think I will get lots of use from it, looks like me!
Had to set the alarm for 7:45 this am. Usually I have been waking up at like 6:30 and almost didn't set it. Had a plumber coming to put in a radon system to get the gasses outside rather than in the basement, ha. Anyway, boy was I in a deep sleep! Would have been nice to sleep in!
We golfed 9 holes yesterday, boy my energy is just decreasing so much! I wonder if some will come back after the AC and the start of the taxol, sure hope so.
Well, off to watch the Ryder cup. Feel well!
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Has anyone else experienced light sensitivity? I'm on A/C and my eyes water alot but I just let the dog out and my eyes are super sensitive. I use magnifiers when I'm on the computer or I'm knitting. Hope chemo doesn't change the eyes much.
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CJJ511
My next door neighbor is an eye MD. She suggest doing natural tears drops. She says chemo really effects your eyes. I have noticed my eye sight is off at times. I do wear glasses. The tears have been helpful and my eyes feel better. I use the moderate natural tears individually packed. She also suggested I make an appointment to get my eyes checked. I have not done this since last year sometime. She said with chemo it is a good idea. Hope this helps.
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CJT: i haven't noticed light sensitivity but my vision is sort of blurry at times. I wear glasses but even with them on. It is worse right after Chemo then goes back to normal. I think its just a temporary thing.
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My eyes are real blurry but not all the time. I had TX#3 of A/C on Tuesday so I wonder if that is the cause. I don't notice it all the time but it is really bugging me today. ARGH!!!! Thanks for the response.
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I get some natural tears to see if that helps. It'll be fun trying to sing tomorrow morning in church if I can't see!!!!
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Whew! That was a bizarre experience. They let me go home last night, as there was nothing wrong. My blood work looked good, my EKG was normal, so I guess I just didn't get enough fluids down. I was pretty lightheaded for hours, so I'm glad I went in -- we'll see what my insurance has to say about the ambulance. Funny to end up in the ER instead of my usual oncology area. I thought twice about the port and on the recommendation of a nurse had an IV drip instead.
Sending love to you all as we go through this.
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Mullerin glad you are back home. How scary. Glad things checked out ok for you. Rest up and drink, drink, drink.
I am having vision trouble today after round 3. I always wear glasses and things are extremely blurry today. Very weird, haven't had it bad like this prior.
Had infusion on Thursday, things going ok. Tired feeling. Haven't eaten much. Gonna run to store before the crash comes. Usually late Saturday night to Monday evening is when I feel the chemo flu as my MO calls it. She said it can intensify as each infusion goes. So far I have gotten more tired and sooner and then my eye sight this morning is new.
One of my daughters was suppose to come by today but she went to clinic and has Strep. I told her she had to stay away. I can't risk that at all.
Everyone be very careful with sick people out there. We don't need any added problems.
Hope each of you have a relaxing weekend and feel loved and cared for. Do what you need to do to take good care of you.
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Mullerin, I'm glad you're ok! Drink, drink, drink this weekend.
Hope50, Saturday evening into Monday are my very worst days as well, after a Thursday infusion and Friday Neulasta shot. I got Norco this time around to help try and take the edge off of things.
Kellya, good for you for still getting out there. I think the more we try to do (within reason) the better off we are.
Amy, great to hear about the judgement and about your school. How wonderful!
I am hoping to meet a dog this weekend from one of the local rescue organizations. I was looking for a medium sized dog, older, female, who would be good with cats. Our dog passed away summer of 2013. Two of our cats knew him but our third is only a year old and never really knew our dog. Anyway, in looking online I found a dog who fits all of that. Best part? Her name is "Hope". Sounds like a sign to me!
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Mullerin - that was scary! Please take care and of course plenty of fluid intake.
Cassiecat - so happy to hear you are considering adopting an older dog. We lost our 2 mature dogs a month apart this past winter. Still debating over getting another.
CJT - after 2nd infusion my eyes and nose ran constantly. After 3rd not so much. I can't even suggest what can help, couldn't find a remedy, sorry.
Hope - glad you are keeping active. Hoping for minimal SEs for you.
It's been just over a week since my third treatment. Fatigue hit me quick and hard for several days. Thank goodness my energy level is back, because it is the most beautiful weekend here in NY. Took a walk with my daughter this morning, she had to push a little from behind. The hills are getting tougher these days. Lol I had bad thrush also which is no fun. The magic mouthwash helps but actually couldn't talk right away because numbed my mouth so much.
Wishing everyone a good weekend and minimal SEs.
Cathie
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Sorry I've been MIA for a few days! I am 5 days post #3 and have been feeling pretty well until this afternoon... Hadn't wanted to jinx it by talking about it too much! I was able to work full days Wed, Thur & Fri, and even went to a 5K on Sat morning with my hubby. I didn't run, of course, but was there to cheer him on & got some good pics of him and the scouts who ran and volunteered at the event. Just this afternoon I started to feel achey & feverish, but I have my antibiotics ready to go and scheduled for blood work tomorrow afternoon, so maybe we finally have this figured out... Of course nothing tastes good except potatoes and milk :P but other than that, round 3 has not been too bad so far.
We were invited to a nieghbor's house for a bbq this evening but we're not aware that there would be a bunch of other people here... I'm a little concerned, but trying to stay away from people so I don't get sick. We may not stay long...
Jess, LOVE the wig! I have 2 now, but not really excited about either one.
LadyB, hope you are doing well after your port fiasco!
Mullerin, glad you are ok, that is scary!
Amy, great news about your settlement and the school's gift!
I am down to the last 2 days of my booster tshirt campaign and am 3 away from my goal and have raised over $900. People amaze me! I have gotten donations from Relatives and old friends of my husband's that I have never even met, and from old friends I have not seen in 30 years. Just amazing. I'm overwhelmed once again.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!
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hi everyone, hopefully with the quiet here, everyone was able to enjoy their weekend. Man, the weather here has been fantastic, still in the 80's, although that will finally change this week, but it is fall!
Anyone else fighting tears now and then? What is that all about? So unlike me, but all of a sudden big alligator tears show up, I'm not depressed I don't think. I do just sit around a lot. I do wish I had more energy and could be out and about more, so maybe I am! Ugh!
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