Starting chemo August 2014
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ThinkPink4ever, how was the Birthday Celebration? Hope you had a wonderful time with friends and able to enjoy the food :-).
My liver enzymes are monitored weekly. So far no real problem, they were under the range until I started Warafin then went over a bit but MO said not bad and not to worry.
2 days after last AC. So far not to bad. Yesterday I felt normal. Today a little fatigued or foggy I should say and taste going down the drawn. I had steroid insomnia last night so will try to walk today if possible. I was up from 2am until 5am (after going to bed @ 10:00pm) and then got a little sleep between 5-8 so will probably leave work early today.
Cathy looking great! I agree with the your sentiments on the comment -- we have to kick cancer's butt.
I have a three week break before I begin Taxol. I had a quick course on what to expect. I understand SEs are not that bad but the infusion itself takes a lot longer than AC due to the SEs that occur when the drug is infused...i.e. spasms, allergic reactions, headaches. Any input from those already starting Taxol?
Wishing minimal SEs or managing those SEs that you are facing.
Hugs to All,
Angie
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I have never had a PET scan and I've been dealing with this cancer stuff since 2001. I think I need to talk to one of my doctors about that. Well, I'm a week and a day post #3. I was dragging butt most of the week - lifeless and fatigued. Got a little energy today, but haven't been able to stay out of the bathroom the last 2 days with the big D. And then, the nurse from my oncologist's office called yesterday and said that my iron levels were still low and they're putting me on another type of iron pill. Now I'll probably get the big C. Also, my gums are kinda rough feeling, and I'm not sure what that is. I've heard others talk about thrush, but I don't know the symptoms so I'm not sure if that's what I have. Taste buds are not too good right now. Food is still not nasty, but it's not good either....
justamy, sorry you have to spend so much time in the chair on Halloween instead of helping at the church carnival. But you have the right idea, my friend! gotta kick that Cancer's butt!
Wizard, you look great, and I know that you enjoyed having your friend there to keep you company. Believe it or not, I prefer to do chemo alone. I get alot of stuff done and enjoy some "me" time. I hope that your icky feelings are not very icky at all this time...
CassieCat, glad you're feeling good today. Praying that you continue with minimal SEs, and congrats on reaching the halfway point!
Tabbygirl, if you feel like painting your head like a jack-o-lantern, go for it!!!
Bippy, my doctor has not even mentioned anything about my liver enzymes, so I guess they've been at an acceptable level. And I've only had one alcoholic beverage - a peach mimosa - and that's been about 3 weeks ago. And wow, it's several of you that have treatment on Halloweeen!
Cathie, hope your #4 of 6 goes well today! And I'm glad you're listening to your body and resting. That's smart!
Angie, done with AC! How wonderful - that's progress, my friend!
Praying for us all! Stay encouraged and be strong!
One love,
tp4ever
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Angie, the birthday celebration starts tomorrow. We leave for the Alabama Gulf Coast in the morning. I'm so excited! I may post a few pics of the festival fun so that you all can pretend that you're there with me...
One love,
tp4ever
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Catie, YES!!!! 2 more to go! We can do it! We never get trick otr treaters either, so I may make one of those yummy graveyard cakes for the nurses. Got to celebrate somehow. Halloween and chemo, it just ain't right!
Had #4 today, no problems. Of course, they do not creep up till about day 3.... Already eating the bland diet to stop the Big D. Praying for no nausea this time.
Ladyb, enjoy your short break before taxol. Hope you do not get any SEs! I am wired too and will try to sleep tonight but it is not looking good for it.
Happy birthday thinkpink, and I know what you mean about weird mouth feelings and tastes. Ugh, hate that. The mouth rinses do help though, as does sucking on a lemon slice periodically to cleanse off the funk. Have a wonderful celebration!
Well, good luck with the neulasta pain train, those of us getting it. Got my claritin ready to go....along with a xanax chaser!
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Just popping again to say hi. So happy to hear about all of us moving through these treatments and making the best of it.
I showed my neighbor what little hair I had left - he asked - and he said he loved it! He'd never seen me with short hair and really boosted my self-esteem. I don't have much left, but I do have some. Can't imagine it'll hang on much longer after round 3. Though I'm still shaving my legs - so weird.
Have a great Friday evening everyone - I think about our group here often. We are a strong, strong group of fighters.
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tp4ever - there was something very reassuring for me to have that PET scan done. It helped confirm where the cancer was and wasn't, as best as that scan can do.
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The hair thing is weird...I have a bald head and don't have to shave my arm pits but have eyebrows (thick as ever) and have to shave my legs....go figure.
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Thinkpink4e= thrush is a white coating on your tongue.
I love who ever wrote about painting their head, I love that!!!! Maybe I will do that. I love Halloween. Best holiday. I hope I am up to giving out candy.
Sorry,I cannot keep everyone's names in my head. Chemo brain or just old. Good luck to all.
Wizard: Loved your picture with your friend. I go to chemo alone. My boyfriend would embarrass me by either singing or telling jokes to everyone. I take my computer and earphones. I watch a movie on netflix. The time flies.
Hoping all minimal side effects. Secretively I do not want to go back to chemo. Three more rounds to go. I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eileen
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Ok so round 4 done. I sucked on ice this time and so far mouth feels fine. I actually had a good dinner and feeling normal. I know after neulasta shot tmrw, it will be down hill. After 3rd treatment was hit with fatigue immediately. Not yet this time, but did have a sleepless night from steroids. Hoping all the ladies that just completed another round are doing well. Will let you know what tmrw brings.
Cathie
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hi everyone. So glad to see so
Many finishing up treatments and moving on to kick cancers butt!
I'm currently in the hospital. Spiked a fever this evening and was told to go to the ER. Turns out looks like I have a bit of pnuemonia. I'll be here overnight. So much for my sons scone birthday party tomorrow. We weren't having a big thing but I'm sad it probably won't happen.
Here to good health and minimal side effects to all. Thinking about everyone.
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Kellogg, thinking of you and hoping that you will be out of the hospital soon!
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Ladyb, I'm on weekly Taxol, not sure if that will be your schedule or what your dose will be. For my first infusion, they slowed the drip down so they could watch for symptoms of allergic reaction. Luckily I did not have a problem so subsequent infusions have been shorter, about an hour for the bag. The premeds take about half an hour. With blood work, pre-meds, T, and H, and port flush I am usually there for about 4-1/2 hours, longer if I see a doctor or other provider. Hope you are able to get some rest soon!
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Kellogg, I hope you're home soon. Thinking of you.
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ditto Kelogg, hope you bust out of hospital today. That sucks, I dread it happening to me too at least once before this chit is over.
Day after #4, not restful sleep last night but okay. Going to grocery store with DH soon, it is always an adventure! Am making 2 things this week, veggie beef soup and shepherds pie. Hope I can eat it too, but poor DH, i feel like I am neglecting him so want to try and cook normal. Cereal this morning was tasty cheerios. Already have all the BRAT diet stuff......feeling very fatigued, need a nap soon.
Loads of free kindle books downloaded, I shamefully confess to liking apocalyptic fiction with zombies. It is such an escape, and silly. And it feels fitting somehow, i feel zombie like so much of the time! Be assured though, their diet is a turn off...
Be well everyone, wishing minimal SE's all around!
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Kellogg, hope they get you out of there soon!! Feel better.
Pumpkin head painting...love it!
Kind of blacked out yesterday while we were out. Had to sit on the floor and didn't hear my hubbie talking to me. Couldn't seem to get hydrated the rest of the day. I'm till kind of dizzy today. Has that happened to anyone? I'm drinking Gatorade and water.
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Kellogg - I hope you feel better soon. Stay strong.
eileenpg - I would LOVE to go to chemo alone but my boyfriend and youngest daughter worry too much. My girlfriend has offered to come along several times so I finally said yes and it was a lovely visit.
Bippy - I also love the apocalyptic zombie fiction. It's so silly but I just can't help myself.
Steroid-induced insomnia has hit me three nights in a row. It's barely 8:30 am and I'm already dragging. Tomorrow the SE should start kicking in so I'm trying to get my butt in gear and enjoy my last day of feeling decent.
I'm thinking of you all and hoping everyone has a good weekend with minimal SE.
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Kellya, I haven't experienced that. Do your best to get well-hydrated today, and take it easy.
I had a fair amount of anxiety last night. I'm not sure where it came from, but I'm feeling better this morning. Typically it's this afternoon and all tomorrow that the neulasta pain really sets in, and I think that's what I'm anxious about. I'm having to miss my daughter's youth ballet's big fundraiser for the year tonight, and I'm bummed about that. I've gone the past 6 years or so, and it's always fun.
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kellya, yes, it happened to me. Did you have the big D? I had to get an infusion of liquids and zofran, as pounding gatorade did not cut it. So do not suffer, get the infusion if you do not improve. I tried to muscle through it and it did not work! It was worth feeling better and it works fast. Are ya eating enough?
Sorry cassie about missing the concert tonight. Hate how i want to do things but cannot at times too. Tomorrow is our neublasta, ugh, hate it. It signals the downfall! I am anxious about it too.
Wizard, haha, there are lots of zombie movies on SYfi this month, some are not bad. Today there was one with, yes, you guessed it, a ZOMBIE TORNADO. Priceless, oscar worthy film making! Naturally, i watched it.
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Bippy - I'll definitely check out SYfi and of course I'm all ready for the return of The Walking Dead tomorrow night
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thinking about everyone today who just had infusions. Hope everyone has minimal side effects. Just remember, we are kicking cancers butt. Drink, drink, drink. Pamper yourself.
It's the weekend before my 4th infusion. Trying to get things done, but being lazy. It's sometimes hard to not dread what you know is coming up. I feel like a zombie, maybe need to check out the shows.
Bless you all! So grateful to have all of your wisdom!! Have a great weekend to everyone.
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Kellogg+ GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL SOON and feel better!!!!
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meh, food tastes crappy already and feels like i have been punched in the guts. Was so hopeful to escape this time from the nasty stuff. Maybe better tomorrow? My mood is very low too, depressed as all hell. Think it is just hard sometimes, to keep being positive. so draining..... So for tonight I won't try.
I wonder if the key lime pie will taste good. Hmmm....no time like the present! Then melatonin and i give in.
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Bippy, I'm right there with you. This will pass. I keep telling myself that. And we will get through it all.
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Thanks everyone:. I came home this morning. Still tired and have no energy but feeling much better after IV fluid and antibiotics. My husband actually ran into my oncologist in the hallway at the hospital , he happened to be working over the weekend and came to check on me last night and this morning.
Stay hydrated, my husband is giving me lots of grief for not drinking enough Friday when I wasn't feeling well. Turns out that wasn't my only issue but probably would have made things a lot easier if I was hydrated!
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I am eight days out from tx #3 and still feeling cruddy. I'm running a fever about a degree and a half above normal for me with a headache, still with nausea today (I've been popping the anti nausea meds at least once a day since tx) and my mouth tastes horrible...I've really not had to deal with the bad food taste before this. I know they say chemo is cumulative but I guess I really did not expect this since the first two tx's I snapped back by day 5. I have 5 tx's still to go- one more A/C next Friday and then four taxol and carboplatin starting on Halloween. I'm having a hard time seeing the end of the tunnel tonight. I thank goodness for you ladies here on the board. I have good support at home and work from family and friends but I don't want to share with them that I'm feeling down. I don't post a lot but I read often. Thank you for being here.
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I'm sorry Bippy and cassiecat and purplegurll. I know how you feel. It will get better but when your in the middle if it, it's just crap. Hang in there. Some days it's hard to think positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I too don't let my family see what I'm really feeling sometimes. Sending positive thoughts your way ladies. Bless you all and hope you have a good nights sleep.
Kellogg so glad your home now. Take good care of yourself.
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Cassie, it is okay this morning. Felt better after venting here. I too do not want to really say what is going on with me to my DH or friends sometimes. One day at a time is what I need to remember.
Kellogg, welcome back! Stay well friend.
Purplegurl, the food changes and mouth issues suck. Hopefully, it will not be each subsequent tx for you. For me, Sweet things never have lost their appeal...you know, like cake!
Hope, thank you for the good vibes!
Hope we all have a better Sunday.
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I am doing better this morning too. Still achy, and now I'm achy from lying down for so long, too. I really hate the after-effects of those steroids. The crash is very hard for me. But I feel a little bit better physically today, compared to yesterday, so I'll take it. Maybe I can even go for a short walk at some point today. We will see.
I was an emotional mess last night - feeling sorry for myself and just basically like I couldn't do anything. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes, I agree, but I know it's there!
I hope we all have better Sundays. Be good to yourselves.
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Kellogg I'm glad you are home now.......:-)
Bippy and wizard50 WALKING DEAD PREMIERE TONIGHT!!!!! Woot woot.... Now that is a zombie world! Lol.
Kellya I passed out once on my round 1 due to big D and gas cramping (after took Immodium).
I finally could taste the food after 11 days. I was just drinking smoothies, milkshake, boost, and any other fluid just to keep me going, I didn't even read all the sugar GMO bla bla bla anymore. Anything that I could swallow. Had terrible cold and I guess that made my taste buds acted funny. I was cheated on my good days too. Dang, now I only have 10 good days till the next hell days again.
I'm really happy to see some will finish with their chemo soon. Chemo days are the worst !!!! I couldn't wait to finish this chit and will parade myself and boast to everybody ...... Oh yeahhhh.... This girl just finish those stupid chit chemo...... Oh well, 3 more to go.
Stay strong ladies.........
Hugs to you all
Shirley
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Already watching the marathon of reruns for the walking dead to get it fresh on my mind...lol...
Feeling drippy from my nose and eyes...like all the time and the nurse gave me the good news that my Taxol will make it worse. Also my vision is messed up and my eyes get really tired and hurt. I lie around with them closed a lot. I got my steroids today that I have to take on Friday at midnight and six. I have to take FIVE pills each time I take them...10 in 6 hours...I get very anxious ( like panic attack anxious) when I take any...I'm really dreading it more than Chemo which is a lot
. i guess I just need to say all that to someone...like many of you, I try to complain very little to my family, but this stuff does suck! We will get through and kick cancer's butt but it is a fight every day...0
