August 2015 Chemo Group
Comments
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I would think that would be the case. The smoke from burning it is hot and contains soot and many carcinogens. The vaporizers don't . Rather simplistic but if you google vaporizing vs smoking marihuana you will find an interesting article from a science publisher.
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Carolyn62 ad many others I am so humbled by your story - work, life (especially with kids), AND chemo. I'm an academic so can work from home, and my kids are grown up. I can see I've got it easy.
Off on weekly trip to persuade my mother in law that I haven't died yet, and get the inevitable comparison with her friend with cancer who did.
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Alice, welcome! You've found a wonderful little community here. We're happy to help.
Octogirl, it really is the combustion that causes problems. Vapor is absorbed primarily via the blood vessels in the mouth and throat, whereas smoke has to travel deep into the lungs. There are some concerns that smoking marijuana actually causes more tar intake, and subsequent lung damage, than cigarettes! I came to vaping (and eating) MM as someone who smoked cigarettes in her misguided youth (and beyond) but quit five years ago. I just wouldn't want to smoke anything at this point in time, if that makes sense. That said, a couple of puffs probably won't hurt too much. :
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Hey everyone. Thanks for the Neupogen/Neulasta info. Everything was covered 100% by my government/extended health plan and my Province also has a program here that covers the cost of either Neupogen/Neulasta if one isn't covered by other plans. I haven't had a chance to look into that program but I'm curious who actually covers it. Nonetheless, it is fantastic that it exists considering the monumental cost.
I had my first shot of Neupogen yesterday (day 3) and it wasn't that bad. I made H do it (we both were given the info session) No bone pain side effects so far, did it right before bed, so hopefully the jab will be the worst part.
I actually feel better this round of AC than I did last time. I think I"m managing my anti nausea meds better. (I.e. taking them earlier than later). I am weary about this whole low white blood cell count thing.
No salads? Fresh foods? I'm trying to steer clear of my little ones faces and hands.
I had my hair cut at 3/4 inch and yesterday in the shower it was coming out in clumps. I looked like a plucked chicken so H buzzed it down to the skin and I was sitting practically naked getting the rest of my hair cut off. I kept saying "shame...shame...shame..ding ding ding" (anyone watch Game of Thrones?). Laughing of course. I'm feeling sort of at my lowest, physically. My four year old just said - "you cut your hair again? I'm not scared. You're going to be bald!" Glad my kids don't seem to notice any difference in me aside from the hair
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@Rachel, are you thinking about doing the next Neulasta yourself next time? I get the neulasta with my other meds at the hospital pharmacy two days before chemo. I called my doc's today and because I have neulasta on the Saturday after chemo I'm restricted to the time I can get to the clinic to get the shot. I have to have it after three and the clinic closes at three. I called this am and they're going to squeeze me in at 14:55 so that by the time I get the shot it should be 15:00. I'm going to go at 14:30 and see if they'll teach me to do it myself. I'll only have two left after this and I've seen folks on video do it themselves. I've got a nice layer of subcue fat that I can poke :-)
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Molliefish:
Love your profile pic!
I would love to get the Neulasta delivered to my home to avoid driving into Philadelphia for what is a 30 second injection and having to arrange childcare and all that. My insurance company denied that. But my husband works for said insurance company and their chief medical officer has offered any help he an provide, so I'm hopeful we can get that waived. Also, the papal visit is happening when I'm due for my next Neulasta and the city and hospital are cordoned off, bridges and roads closed, etc., so it's a good time to make my case. I didn't spike the fever I had last time with the Neulasta, which I'm attributing to Claritin.
I had three hats with hair delivered today. I think they will be great for kids' soccer games, taking my Girl Scout troop places, etc. I love the wig, but it's a little too put together for my weekend life. It feels good to have lots of options, especially knowing the baldness is going to be pretty long-lasting. Pictures to follow!
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Thanks Kate and others for the info on MM...it can be acquired legally in CA where I live, of course, but there is no dispensary in my small town, so getting it might be a hassle. However, this being California, it is very easy to acquire the (nominally) illegal recreational stuff, and a friend is bringing me a supply this weekend, just in case. However, I am leery of both the fact that it will have more THC (and thus not be helpful on a weekday when I am supposed to be working) and of course of dosage. Which I am sure will be stronger than the last time I indulged at least twenty years ago. And eating makes the dosage harder to determine, I think, as someone may have mentioned, which is why I was curious about the smoking. Sounds like the concern with smoking it is the same concern that factored into my stopping smoking it in the first place, not something specific to use of it as a tx for side effects.
But still, since it was offered to me as a gift, I figured it was worth a bit of experimentation, as it were, to see if it helps. Will probably start with a LOT of caution and very, very conservatively, and then may look into official MM options if it seems to help. If it doesn't help, at least it may be something to distract me a bit.
Bluefrog, let us know what you think of the hats with hair as you use them. I am thinking one of those would be a good option for my morning walks around the neighborhood....any particular models/sites your recommend?
Octogirl
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Buzz328 buzz it!! It does feel good. I'm so glad I didn't wait for my 20 inch hair to clump out and now it's donated to a good cause.
Eyebrows/lashes are anyone else's eyebrows and lashes giving up too? Mine are still in tact but not sure for how much longer...
Bluefrog also interested in the headwear! My cancer unit had some donated hats and other stuff for sale but they were not my style. I may try some scarf action today now that there is nothing left on my head.
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For what it's worth, we get told a range of opinions from "No fresh fruit or veg, no salad" to "don't go to salad bars, clean fresh fruit and veg thoroughly." I ate fresh fruit/veg all the way through chemo, cleaning it carefully. I avoided salad bars, potlucks, kindergartens, and crowds. I washed my hands frequently and wore a mask if I needed to go out around people or to a medical office (and since pollen was high, I wasn't alone in wearing a mask, or conspicuous).
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*Sigh.... Why can't the leg stubble depart BEFORE the head hair?
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hey gals, I don't want the be the bummer here, but I'm quitting most of my chemo. I had my first infusion 10 days ago, have felt pretty crappy since, and ended up in hospital with a wbc of .05. I spent two night there, now I'm up to 5.5, but I honestly thought I was going to die. My plan is to stop the taxotere and carboplaten and just do herceptin then radiation. The thought of doing that 5 more times is unacceptable to me. I'm not convinced it will lengthen my life and the side effects are just too much for my body to handle. I know others do not have such a rough time. I've just hit bottom
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@RavenSally I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I've always been of the mind that we make the decisions that are best for us, knowing how we feel in our hearts, and you're doing just that. I wish you all the best as you continue along your path.
@ Bluefrog, thanks, I just got back from an obnoxious trip to get the neulasta shot. Last time I went to a clinic in the city where I live at the recommendation of the home care services who weren't permitted to attend my residence because the shot is such a simple thing. I thought this time I would go to my own doctors office, who happens to be in the small town west of my home town. I called, let them know I was coming and they said ok be here for 2:30 and we'll do the shot at 3:00 just before we close. I get there and the doctor refuses to give me the shot saying she needs to study the meds, she doesn't know what it's for and she's not comfortable. I told her the last time I had it done the doctor read the label and told the nurse to go ahead. The doctor still refused so I ended up having to go to the hospital emerge in that town to have it done. 55 mins wait for 45 seconds with the nurse
. I will make a complaint to my doctor who owns the clinic where I was refused, but next time my husband is just going to do it. The nurses at the cancer center told me there would be no problem self administering the shot so that's what we're going to do. He watched very closely and there really is nothing to it. Oh well... made for an adventurous afternoon. I'm going to have a nap now.
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@ Sloan I thought the same thing when I was shaving this morning
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michelle: did they ask you to take claritin when you do the neupogen shot?
I am worried my WBC is low this time and may need the shot afterward.
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Alice12. No they didn't mention Claritin but I saw it on here and various other sites with regard to neulasta. I decided to chance it and have the injection and see and it's been almost a day and no bone pain. Hoping it's the case for the remaining doses. Good luck!
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Raven Sally--You know your own body better than anyone, but for what it's worth, this was my experience. My WBC count was 0 and I was hospitalized for 5 days, felt like I would NEVER feel good again. I started chemo on August 17 and was hospitalized from August 25-29. I was just starting to feel OK on the 29th, and felt better every day this past week. I notice that you started on August 25, so you are in that period of time when I, too, felt the absolute worst. My next appointment is Tuesday, Sept. 8. I,too, was wondering if I could do anymore of this. However, after this past week of feeling relatively well, I think I can! I do not look forward to the next round, but think it is best for me. Good luck to you and with whatever decision you make. I hope you start to feel better really soon.
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Michelle: i hope the rest of neupogen will have no to minimal SE.
Raven: I am sorry to hear you ended up in the hospital amd wish you luck on the rest of your treatments.
I am enjoying this labor day weekend before Round 3 next week.
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i am scared of chemo and yet i am worried if my blood work isnt good for the next cycle.
Am i crazy having this kind of feeling?
ahh, chemo sucks but we need it.
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This scar is from my first experience with a tumour. I never thought I'd see it again. 0 -
my MO said not to eat seafood, I understand her concern about raw fish or mercury content inside a fish. What about shrimp or other type of seafood.
Does any of you ladies get this type of restriction?
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Anyone else have trouble with hair stubble splinters? It's bad enough having them fall everywhere, but I had one implant itself in my cheek!
I am also having trouble getting food down my esophagus. I missed one night of my anti-reflux med and the next had horrible spasms the entire day! Today is better but swallowing is still difficult.
Any one doing neo-chemo have their tumor completely disappear and not have to do ALL their chemo cycles? That's probably super-duper wishful thinking, huh? But my MO can't feel the tumor now. My surgeon does an ultrasound every time I see her, but I won't see her again till mid-late Oct.
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Alice, I did not get that warning (though I didn't eat sushi during chemo). In fact, the diet given me by my naturopath (with oncology specialty) had fish on it.
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I take one generic Claritin (loratadine) nightly and have had no bone pain from the Neupogen. I'm on my third full week of the shots.
Alice, welcome to the group--I hope you will find lots of support here!
Raven, I'm sorry you had such a rough time & hope your treatment improves as you try a new regimen.
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RavenSally, I wonder if you should think again? You've got stage 1A cancer which will be curable with the full treatment. You have just gone through the worst cycle - the first one hits your white count worse than the others. My white count is now in the normal range after an early dip. Your doctors will give you medication to prevent a major dip happening again. Of course it's your choice, but modern chemotherapy is really effective at killing cancer cells (it just has horrible side effects as we all know). I still HATE chemo and was in bed all day yesterday, but I'm sending you positive vibes.
Maybe ask to rest a month before resuming? (are we allowed to negotiate that??)
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I was given no diet restrictions except to eat well. I did see a nutritionist before starting chemo and she just recommended a healthy diet - she gave me the amounts of protein, fruits, carbs, etc I should be eating. It was all basic info - nothing I didn't really already know. No antioxidants - I was drinking Shakeology before starting chemo and they told me to stop that for now. Interesting how everyone gets different info.
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@RavenSally, if you are interested I will give you the information on my cancer clinic/doctor. They specialize in low-impact chemo - which is why I go every week and have fractionated doses instead of massive doses every few weeks. After my chemo day I have one or two good days, one very bad day, then I'm pretty much fine the rest of the week. I understand your reluctance to engage in anymore chemo, but I've been seeing miracles happen with some of the ladies I'm at the clinic with on Fridays - with much worse cases than mine. All through chemotherapy. So I guess I've become sort of a chemo convert. (Well, we will see how I feel about it in the morning, if I wake up a wreck like I did last Sunday. Sure hope not.)
@Molliefish, wow, thank you for sharing your photo and your scar - I think our scars are reminders of what we've been through, and maybe even badges of honor.
Finally starting to feel sleepy way too late at night (2am, sigh, back to my "normal" bedtime) so I think I can turn out the light and try to sleep. "To sleep, perchance to wake up barfy, aye, there's the rub ..."
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mom2aboy ... Love the Shakespeare reference. Methinks we could write a whole play in the bard's style... But would it be comedy, or tragedy?
Musosgirl, YES to the hair stubble splinters. Ouch! Is the only solution to shave it with a razor?
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KateB79, I tried to shave my head, going the direction of the hairs, and had some success in the back and on the sides, but the razor kept getting stuck on top. I think my hair is just a bit too long up there for the razor to get through. Not sure. It feels so much better in the back though! My mom said there are spots I missed--valleys or divots the razor didn't go into. She wants me to go to my dad's barber--I don't want to spend money on my baldness!
I am still getting used to the draftiness, but for the most part I completely forget I am bald until I see my reflection. I have jumped a few times going in the bathroom! It's bad when you scare yourself...0 -
The draft in the head is so unusual for me! Especially as it just turned cold out here. I feel like the Unabomber all hoodied up. Hats make my head too hot. Then when I take them off my head is cold.
Feeling a bit of hip soreness. Wondering if that is the Nuepogen kicking in. Still no major pain and H jabbing me with the needle isn't that bad.
I'm consistently getting up at 5am. My mind is racing about nothing in particular. My kids get up around 6 and always want to snuggle with mommy. Feeling a bit tired. May retreat and go back to bed....
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