Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Tessu - Feel exactly ZERO shame. You are making it through this, which = a 100% A+ grade.
My third round this past Tuesday was a misery. Four hours after completing infusion, I was home curled in a ball sobbing. For the next four hours. By far the nastiest SEs so far, they just obliterated me. I'm only just starting to feel even close to normal this afternoon.
Get some sleep - better day Sunday. XOXO to every one of you. - Lisa
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Jabe - I needed that today - LOL. I need that mug....
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Tessu it sounds like a lot of us are starting to crumble under the pressure of round 3 and beyond. You are in very good company lovely lady. I've been a bawling mess for days and it's taking everything I have to get ready to go to chemo on Monday. I'm so sorry your arm is so messed up. The SE do seem to be accumulating this go for a lot of people. God I hope its not too bad next week. It's not fun to constantly be a mental basket case. So I feel your pain sister and to anyone melting down this go round. We all deserve so much better including a beach vacation and a constant stream of margaritas.
(Hugs) my friends!
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tessu..not much grace here. Even on my good days, I look in the mirror (big mistake) and burst into tears. I should be grateful for those good days when they come but I still find something to make it bad...ugh..no one gets out of this unscathed.
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So sorry to hear several have had trip to the ER. Not a place anyone wants to be for sure. Thanks for sharing your SE and some suggestions. My chemo will restart on November 3. The infection and wound have healed Thank God. BS actually said I could get #2 this week but I'm scared the wound not completely healed and asked for an additional week. Fortunately my MO agreed. Now I have the gift of a week of feeling good as I lost the last 3 weeks to infection, wound care and fatigue.
Keeping all Cancer Champions in thought and prayer.
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Last night I ate 2 baked potatoes and a rare steak. Iron boost at least helped me get out of the chair to go up to bed.
Chemo tomorrow. I need to find some way to get into a better head space today.
Hope y'all have a nice Sunday.
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Sorry to hear of all the battles here.
I have yet to join with all my delays. Hope you all have a better day today! xoI found this site that also has recipes broken out by helping you with what ails you most. I don't cook but I'll look into the easy ones.
^^^^ I like how they have split the recipes out according to what you are trying to combat:
Main page:
http://www.dana-farber.org/Adult-Care/Treatment-an...
For fatigue:
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Recipes-...
Control diarrhea:
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Recipes-...
Trouble swallowing
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Recipes-...
Dry mouth
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Recipes-...
Taste changes
http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/Recipes-...0 -
Annie So sorry for what you went through hope you are resting!
Artista hope you are feeling well also!
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Hi ladies. Hang in there. Remember all this really sucky time is temporary. I have to keep reminding myself of when chemo will be done. I'll have radiation after which my cousin said is a breeze compared to chemo.
I'm finall having a good few days. My 3rd chemo is Thursday, so feeling good again won't last.
Took advantage of this rare moment of feeling normalish and got a babysitter and we went out for dinner and a movie last night. Actually felt like a human for one night (except that my freaking head was itching like crazy under my wig during the movie. I nearly ripped it off my head!). I seriously deserved the margarita I had.
Today I'm exhausted and have 100 lbs of laundry to do...
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For all of you struggling, it does end. I thought chemo would never end, and now it has been five months since last chemo.
Just keep hanging in there, it will end! Big hugs to all
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Hi everyone,
Whew. It's been a long couple of weeks since my fourth & final dose of AC. Only in the past 3 or 4 days have I managed to summon a bit of energy to accomplish a small task or two and to eat or drink semi-normally. Tomorrow I begin the first of 12 weekly rounds of Taxol and wondering what surprises may be in store from that. I know a couple of you are doing the same thing but others are getting the less frequent dose dense version. Have any of you started that yet? Anything weird to report?
Annie, I am so sorry to read about all the problems you're having. I hope you can find someone who can help and stop shuffling you all over the place. You have enough to deal with with the damn cancer alone!
Things I didn't do: Never took the full dose of the dexa steroid. After the first round, I mistakenly took only half the prescribed doses for the next 3 days since I paid no attention to the fact that the pills were 4 mg, not 8 mg. Apparently that was OK with the doc and so I just stayed with the single pill for the rest of the AC rounds.
I didn't eat or drink enough. I tried to force myself to eat and drink more since I know I was supposed to, but it was nearly impossible. I had several foods that I normally love prepared ahead of time, but after a serving or two, was just repulsed by them after that. During the second week, things got a bit better, but my mouth and throat started burning so much that even a chocolate milkshake was hard to get down! I don't know how some of you manage to consume 3 liters of fluid. I can barely manage one! Curiously, I seem to pee out more than I consume, so not sure how that works.
Other than a single Compazine after the first round, I never took any of the 3 main anti-nausea drugs they prescribed. Decided to stick with my tried & true "medical" MJ, which seemed to work out just fine. I have, however, been taking the Ativan, but not for nausea. It helps me sleep through most of the night, which makes a huge difference in how I feel the following day. I'm trying to be careful with it since I know I could get too dependent on it, so I try not to take it every night. I usually start out with melatonin and then take the ativan when I wake up to pee around 1 or 2 am. Took one at 1 am last night and slept until 7:30! There are way too many mornings I wake up at 5 or 5:30 and can't get back to sleep.
Ongoing issues: Runny eyes and runny nose. The MO did tell me I'd have a runny nose after losing my nose hairs. She did not warn me about how disgusting it is. I remember some of you were wondering about that. I'm hoping the runny eyes are just a lingering SE from the AC and that it will stop soon unless it's also an SE from Taxol. My eyes are kinda crusted together in the mornings.
Chemo brain. This is a tough one. I'm self-employed and work at home, which is somewhat helpful in this situation to be sure. And I've been lucky (sort of) so far since work has been slow but steady and not too hectic. It's about to get more hectic, however, and my brain is not 100%! My work involves me paying attention to details so am very concerned about details I might not notice.
I've rambled enough now. I've been keeping up with everyone, but haven't managed enough energy to say much. I will try to update you after my first round of Taxol tomorrow.
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Luzeelu - sorry to hear about your AC experience. I am on my 3rd dose. I was going to go the way of MJ but got lazy to find a medical dispensary in my area. It's legal here but the prescription gets you a good discount. Their drugs they prescribed seem to do the trick as well as some exercise like walking for 30 min daily kept the energy up. My age might have a hand in that as well. Hopefully taxol is better for you. On my first AC dose the woman next to me said it was so much better in regards to nausea and tiredness. I hope this works the same for you.
I'm signed up for dense dose taxol near thanksgiving. We have thanksgiving at our place every year. This year will be no different, I'm determined
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Luzeelu... I had my last of 4 AC this past Thursday. I start 4 of dose dense Taxol two weeks from the last AC so I too am wondering what I'm in for. It's got to be better on my stomach or I'm seriously gonna freak. I've been trying everything to control the nausea and while it's sometimes effective in the short term, I'd rather not have to have this be the focus of my life right now (insert extreme sarcasm tone). The taste thing is the worst though.
I do not have a port or pic line. The MO chose to go the IV route as I have good veins and 8 sessions scheduled. The first two were a breeze, with hardly a mark. The second two left me bruised like crazy. My last one was partly my fault. Wanting to get out asap, I didn't put enough pressure on the site and then carried my purse with that hand..duh, should know better. Long sleeve tshirts for me for awhile
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Southern, many years ago someone told me to never use pre-ground pepper but to grind your own peppercorns instead. Supposedly the already ground stuff is allowed to have up to 12% "foreign" materials, meaning bug carcasses, feces or whatever. Blecch! I have absolutely no idea if this is true, but I've been grinding my own pepper ever since! Salt and pepper have been two of the very few things I can use to attempt to add flavor to food these days. Can't give that up!
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Love and encouragement to you all. I love reading about recovering enough to eat a steak or go to a movie or do some laundry, so thanks for sharing your stories. They mean a lot to me. We're going to make it.
Like so many, I struggled with Round 3 A/C (this past Tuesday). But there is always a little humor: my hair has started to grow back! It's not enough to make any cosmetic difference, but it's amusing and a tiny bit encouraging some how. So here's the theme for my coming week:
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SouthernCharm, for my mental sanity, I wore my wigs until chemo was done. And trust me, 99% of people can't tell. I got tons of compliments on my new "haircut." Once I was done with chemo, I went to do rags/skull caps because then I was okay with people knowing because chemo was over, I didn't want the pity party crap during chemo, or feel like everybody was watching to see if I was going to fall apart or start projectile vomiting, or crap myself in public.
I loathed the wig, wanted to burn it after chemo.
Just wear your fake hair with attitude, most people will never know!
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my itchy and sore head has been bothering me all day. At one point I took the lint roller to it and 6 sheets worth came off. Later I was sitting putting on some makeup and I gave my head a big itching. I looked down and a ton of stubble was all over my shirt!
It's coming out like crazy...the dark hairs anyway. The gray hairs seem to be growing, they stick up higher on my head than the rest. My husband told me the hair has definitely grown since he buzzed me initially. I might let him buzz it again tonight to see if that might help make it feelbetter.
I'm in itch agony....
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my head is SO itchy too! And my stomach acted up yesterday and today too. Really?!? During my really good weekend. Harrumph! Round 3 is Wednesday (my birthday). Was feeling very good and super happy last week. Starting down the depressed anticipation of the next round
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me too, Jabe. My 3rd round is Thursday....
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Wow third round blues all around...me too this round hit me hard. We're tired, sore, itchy and generally fed up but we are one round closer to the end of treatment. Dig deep girls we will get there together. Much love and courage to all of you.
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round 3 tomorrow. The hair I have that remained is gray and has grown a bit. I say gray but it's really more like white. I hope the colored hair comes back and it's not just all white now.
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I just had round 4 and I'm not completely bald either. Can't say its growing but I'm not actively looking. I will take a look and report
Different chemo meds may affect us in the hair department so take that into consideration as well. Went out today as it was a beautiful fall day and I was too tired to go far..ugh..I'm actually looking forward to the gray days of November so I won't mind staying indoors.
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Round three tomorrow for me too. Anxiety and steroid buzz in full effect.
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I had round 3 last Tuesday, and I've stopped shedding. It's growing. No itching, no tingling. It's not pretty, but I have just enough to help keep a hat on my head. As I suspected, I'm too lazy for a wig. Hats and scarves for me. I've definitely been more tired this round. A 15 minute walk today left me wondering if I was going to make it home. If the fatigue keeps building, I might not leave the house after round 4.
I read the same thing about pepper and coffee. My husband won't buy ground coffee, and I rather like grinding it fresh. I used to like drinking it, but it has forsaken me.
Eyes on the finish line, ladies
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Good luck to everyone having treatment this week, may you have strength and few SE's!
I am trying to be non-chalant about wearing hats and turbines. Today I got the first "I feel sorry for you" look and extra firm hand shake from the Pastor at church!
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Round 3 for me tomorrow. Not looking forward to it but want to get it done. I'm really going to hate my chemo shirt by the time I'm done. I'm really looking forward to the burning party!
What little is left of my hair. (mostly grays) is growing but I don't notice any new hair coming back.
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For you gals on AC+ T can you tell me how that works?is it every other week for 4 cycles and then every week for T. It probably makes you feel quite tired and doesn't give your body much recovery time.
With the TCH I go every three weeks and so usually I have one good with without the big D?
I am getting ready for round 5 of 6 and starting to drag. Just very fatigued. Got to get myself to keep moving and make myself drink water.
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jabe / edwsmom / cinque / otherleft - My only advice for round 3 is "Be ready for anything." Hang in there; you will make it.
southerncharm - I was told the same thing: my MO said complete hair loss is "a given." I anticipated being 100% bald, no eyelashes or eyebrows. A ton did fall out, but in addition to my previous bald spots filling in with fuzz, I still have eyelashes and minimal eyebrows. And my nose hairs must have at least partially regrown: the runny nose has lessened a lot. Like yours, my few brave wisps that never fell out are growing.
scotland - For me as well, the fatigue seems to grow with each cycle. I slept 10+ out of the past 24 hours.
"Eyes on the finish line" - I love that, thank you.
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Hi there. Just getting ready for round 2. Had some hiccups last week. Will find out if I had a heart attack last week. Severe chest pain last week and of course, dehydration, nausea, and a serious drop in the immune system. My insurance company is giving me problems so I can't go to the emergency room. Called the nurse line but was told to go to my PCP instead of going to the emergency room. Went to work even though had terrible pains in my back and exhaustion. Have not lost my hair yet. Will probably lose the hair after tomorrow if I get chemo. I know I have to get it over with but every time I think about the Red Devil all I can do is collapse into shaking deep sobs. The head boss has been pushing me harder and harder and I can't keep up - especially on a chemo week. I am behind on my mortgage and getting desperate- I may have to sell my car. Not sure what to do. Will talk to the social worker.
I wish I knew how to load pictures- but there is safety in anonymity! Plus no one has has ever called me pretty.
To all going in for whatever round, "we about to dive in, we salute you!"
Southern Charm- how you doing?
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