August 2015 Chemo Group
Comments
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Thanks for all the L-glutamine feedback. I didn't get a dose recommendation from the doctor, just approval that it would be ok to take it. I'll follow up at my next appointment to see what their recommendations are. For now I'll plan on waiting to take it until I start on Taxol, or if I start having neuropathy symptoms sooner.
So glad you are starting to feel better, SDCA!
Welcome to the group, Namechange and Carolyn62. Sorry you have to be here with us.
Great photos, Bluefrog, Michelle88 and Mom2aboy! Thanks for sharing!
Sloan, that soup sounds yummy!
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Just when I think that I am feeling decent under the circumstances, my body tells me different. UGH!!! And this just the first tx. I am glad to see that a few of you have been able to go out and have some fun time. Between the headaches and the constant ringing in my ears, I feel like my head is going to explode. Here is the before, the after and the before I donated 12 inches to the Pantene Foundation that makes wigs for women. Well, I am going to finish reading and then go lay back down. Wanted to catch up, but the head is not letting me. Take care everyone.
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@Ruska, I've got a schnozzola too! And big ears to boot. But I've decided I'm not going to be shy about having short or no hair, when and if that happens. I've worn my hair super short before, voluntarily. That was 20 years ago or so, so I had fewer wrinkles ... but I didn't mind my ears poking out like a cartoon character's, and no one seemed to run away after seeing my nose.
Besides, a bald woman with a prominent nose can be beautiful ... think Persis Khambatta from Star Trek. I'm sure you'll look beautiful too, no matter what.
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@tazbear89, I'm so sorry you're suffering from headaches too. I haven't experienced ringing in my ears yet. Sheesh. Is there anything this chemo spares us from? (Oh yeah, cancer,that's it!)
@Sloan15, I don't have a magic formula for the headaches, or any wisdom to impart, except that for me they seem to correspond to dehydration. If you can sip any water and keep it down, try that. It may help. So far I'm holding up okay and have gotten through about 4 oz of water so I'm optimistic, and my headache is finally starting to fade. Oh and my doggie's name is Milo. He's barely left my side all day. Dogs can be such good friends, can't they? I know some people don't believe in keeping them inside, let alone letting them sleep next to you, but I've had a dog since I was little and I can't imagine not having one to snuggle with. My chemo is paclitaxil, carboplatin and herceptin, I should update my treatment record for my signature. Infusion days aren't really all that bad, but I have this feeling I'm going to start dreading them as the weeks go by, just because of the aftermath. Maybe once I have dealing with SE's down it will help ease the trepidation a bit.
Anybody know what the deal is when you have chills like you have a fever, but your temperature is normal or even lower than normal? I'm under 2 blankets on a fairly balmy summer day, and shivering. But my temp's been under 98 every time I've taken it. Weird.
Everybody, I forgot to mention, yesterday I was shopping at Target and discovered that they have a store brand clone of Biotene! It was only about $4.50 for a big size bottle that was $8 in the brand name version. I'm still sticking with my Tom's of Maine for now because the Biotene (and Target version) had parabens in it, which I prefer to avoid. But for those of you using Biotene, I thought you might want to know there's a more affordable alternative.
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Hey ladies,
Just checking in. So sad to see that some of you are feeling so bad. Keep fighting. You'll feel better soon.
I'm bald. I think I'm ok with it.
Not looking forward to second infusion this week, but I hope that going back to work full time will help me keep my mind off of it.
I hope you all have a great week. I had a busy weekend, so I'm planting myself on the couch right about now.
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@KateB, I bet you look fabulous bald. Funny but looking at photos of Persis Khambatta made me feel better and seeing you guys looking so great is helping too. It makes me feel like no matter what happens to my hair I'll be okay with it. Thank you for posting your photos!
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It has been over a week since my first treatment and the SE's were not so bad. Had the worst headache for about 6 days, and motion sickness..... it was odd. So two days ago I noticed that I was having heartburn really bad.... today I don't think it is heartburn I think I have sores in my throat. None in my mouth. It hurts when I drink anything. Any ideas on how to make this better?
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Here's me right after finishing TC:
I wore big earrings and didn't get any cancer-related comments from strangers until my eyebrows thinned a few weeks later. I recommend eyebrow pencil if you don't care for those random cancer conversations!
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Oh--and here's another science fiction badass to add to your mental imagery:
Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in Alien 3.
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Well, I am Day 4 after my second infusion and feel like I have the flu. How did I forget the fatigue so quickly?! My nose drips constantly and my throat is sore. But! The diarrhea is not at all as bad as last time and so far I have stayed ahead of any nausea.
My hair is bugging me though. After my sister buzzed it I still had a head FULL of tiny little stubble--and it's hard and it hurts! I wash my head everyday hoping more will fall out and I can finally be bald. Yesterday was successful; today not so much. I feel like a porcupine.
Last week was eventful and this week is even busier--officially starting our homeschool year and my husband's office is moving back in the house. I am so wiped out, but we will trudge along. All progress will be good progress!0 -
Musosgirl, you might want to try a satin pillowcase or a cap if it's bothering you at night.
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I wear a cap at night, but it makes my head hot. It's not sleeping that's the problem though, I just don't like touching my head. Wish I had soft little baby fuzz...0
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The baby fuzz will be a post-chemo reward! It's like having a chinchilla perched on your head.
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@ksusan thank you for your humor, it helps! Also the great photo of Sigourney Weaver. I think I'll start a new thread called Bald Badass Babes for sharing photos of beautiful baldies!
... and I did ...
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...
Please contribute! Might as well have some fun ...
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I'm wondering if you all can help me pick a new name. I had picked one and I didn't like it. There is a warning about using your real name which I truly agree with. But I think I could find some thing better than name change. My name is Nikki and I am a serving police officer here in Ontario. I keep fish for a hobby. I would love to hear some suggestions. tHanks
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Maybe I should change my username!
As for the hair inspiration - I was telling people I was going to pull a Britney Spears
Hoping I would turn out looking like Natalie Portman ...
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Muso and Michelle, if you do end up shaving your head, shave downward. My understand is that is how the hair grows and when you shave downward, it won't hurt as bad. Hope that helps.
Need to go to sleep, but can't. I am either too hot or my headache is rearing it's ugly face and making my head pound like a jackhammer or queasiness sets in. Just ate a bite and took some medicine. Waiting for that to kick in and hopefully it will quickly as it should make me sleepy.
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Tazbear89: I already cut my hair! H buzzed it this weekand we currently have the same haircut haha. I'm donating my 18 inches to be made into a wig for others losing their hair.
Hope you can sleep soon. My nurse told me to take Gravol as it would help with nausea and help me sleep. It worked after my first treatment. I was weary of taking the Ativan that my oncologist prescribed. Good luck!
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gooseberry, I'm sorry to hear about the neuropathy & agree with the advice to contact your doctor right away to find out if you can try another medication.
MsBrompton, Happy Anniversary!
Bluefrog, what a beautiful photo! Love seeing you and your little ones & so glad you had a nice time at the beach.
Re: L-Glutamine, here's an article from Dana Farber about dosage: http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Alleviat...
Michelle, love the photo! You look very cute (as do your children)! I only have Emend in my IV prior to chemo drug infusions.
Mom2ABoy, glad you found something that helped your nausea! I also get those killer headaches a couple of days after chemo. They are so painful that it's difficult even to sleep. Love your ratty!
Taz, you look darling with the short hair! I hope you can get some sleep.
ksusan, I like the fuzzy wuzzy look.
And the chinchilla imagery is perfect. I certainly hope I'm not too identifiable since I have the unusual name of Jennifer...ha!! Namechange, let's see...Nikki, police officer, fish, Ontario...why not look at username generator? http://www.spinxo.com/
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@namechange, you could go with whatever sort of fish you keep. Certainly anonymous, and yet identifiable, to us and you, as "you". Plus they have such cool names. Danio, Neon Tetra, Angelfish ... I'm sure that the Latin names are even cooler, but I don't know any of those.
You'll find something you feel good about. I like mine because it reminds me when I post that someday my son may actually read all this, so I'd better behave, LOL. No, seriously, it actually reminds me of why it's important to keep my spirits up and beat this thing. So I'm there for him.
@JenPam, I'm a Jennifer too. Since everyone on the planet seems to have a sister, niece, best friend or cousin named Jennifer, I guess we could be anybody!
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What amazing ladies we are! Headaches suck. I will remember Pepto Bismol.
Namechange, I called myself after a bicycle so don't worry! My real name is Trish. Names don't matter.
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Nikki: I think "Officer (whatever fish you have) would be great.
I chose BlueFrog because when I was 11, I went on a Girl Scout trip to a dude ranch in New York. There was a mean, mean elderly woman who ran the arts and crafts. I wanted to make a little enameled blue frog, but she told me there was no such thing as a blue frog; frogs had to be green. She was so nasty to me. I was intimidated and made a green frog, which I hated. And I hated myself for letting someone make me feel bad about myself and my project. My Girl Scout troop went back to that ranch two years later. I had gone to the library and copied an encyclopedia picture of a blue frog in the rainforest. So when the same sour woman told me there were no blue frogs and I had to make a green one, I challenged her, armed with my research and 13-year-old gumption. She told me why my project would turn out terribly. And I was terrified, but stubborn. She backed down and I made a blue frog. Since then, it's been a symbol of being true to myself, doing my homework, and respectfully contradicting closed-minded, negative people. Cancer will not define me either. I will do my research, stick to my goals, and each day will look how I want it to be. There are no green frogs here.
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GO Bluefrog! Great story.
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KateB79: thinking of you as you transition back to work full time and hoping it is a wonderful distraction.
I resigned from my job last week and we are now operating on a very reduced income. We will be fine with savings and my husband's salary, but will definitely need to be much more thoughtful with money. So literally, in the four days since I resigned, our furnace/ac has blown and this morning my husband backed into the neighbor's car. I get it, I'm not in control. I think I've learned all the lessons. No more barriers need apply. So we laugh and hug and march on. Life is crazy, but I will fight with all I have for every moment of it.
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I love your name story bluefrog! And I also vote for Officer (insert name of type of fish)
Octogirl
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@KateB79 - isn't that the truth! Now I have mouth sores and thrush in my throat. Fun times! Next infusion is Thursday. Just when you start to feel "normal" it starts back over again. Not fair! But one good thing, so far I still am holding onto my hair, but I know that will be short lived. I will start my "drinking marathon" on Wednesday and try to last until Friday, so flush my system. I have been eating cantaloupe and honeydew and soups. That is so much easier. I am gearing up for round two.....bring it on!
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Thanks, bluefrog!
Cah21, my next infusion is Thursday, too. Bring it. After this next one, I'm 1/3 of the way done with this crap. I'm holding on to the idea that the first and the last are the worst two infusions (I may have invented this as a coping mechanism, but I'm going with it), so this one won't be so bad. Half the perjeta (last time was a loading dose) equals half the diarrhea, or so I hope.
I love the badassery occurring here--seriously, what an amazing group of strong women we have formed! One of my friends compared me to Ripley the other day (I'm tall and was physically fit before all of this), and I figure I'll take it. Maybe minus the face sucking aliens, though.
For throat sores and/or thrush: ask for magic mouthwash. It's on the scale of nasty, but worth it.
Have a great week, everyone! Just keep on keeping on.
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Bluefrog, I love your story!
I second (or third) the suggestion of Officer (fish).
JenPam, thanks for the link.
In an interesting twist of cosmic fate, my blow dryer died yesterday. Seriously? I only needed it for like two more weeks, tops.
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@ Joyceyr, I'm sorry you had such a rough night after a great day. The only thing I can think of to tell you is to hang on to that great day, there will be more. Venting is such a great word. "opening up the vents and letting the crap out, and the good light in" We should all open our vents now and then.
I've not thought about stopping treatment, but I did put a lot of thought into determining if I would take treatment, because like everyone else, I felt just fine prior to finding the little pea that started all of this stuff. I hope you feel better soon. 0 -
Thanks everyone, I think I have it. I often get typing quickly and if I move my right hand to the right on the keyboard I've sometimes spelled my name Mollo. I have some Molly fish in my tank, they are very pretty so there you have. Here in after, Molliefish it is. :-)
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