Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Is anyone else just sick to high heaven of thinking about "me me me me me" all the time? It's all my food my sleep my meds my pain my my my my. I feel like a Kardashian, but I avoid mirrors and the paparazzi.
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I have girlie area issues as well. I could not believe you guys were talking about sex when I was in so much pain down there LOL!! That lasts from about day 3 to day 12 for me
I try bacitracin and panty liners and that can help. 0 -
Worse SE to date in order of OMGNESS...
- Constipation That Caused hemorrhoids
- Nuelasta bone pain
- Baldness
- Exhaustion
- Mouth and skin issues
- Nausea
- Random weird crap that just comes and goes
- Death of the taste buds
- Sporadic depression
- Having to think about this crap all the time
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SEX??? What's sex?
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Annie I love your list. Can we add heartburn/acid reflux
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and sweaty bald head hot flashes?
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I've been using the wet disposable Charmin wipes for the first few days after chemo. Haven't had any issues with sores, but the smell of the wipes is nauseating. I think it just reminds me that I'm not well and full of chemicals. That said, I highly recommend them to take away anything residual after wiping with tp.
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Shopgal I was thinking of those 2 under random crap that comes and goes.
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Annie, your posts crack me up, and that is exactly what I need right now. Thank you
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I also put a batch of home made wipes out the bathroom window. Ice cold wipes on a burning ass are AWESOME!
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Hugs tessu. We're going to get through it because even when you have issues poop problems are just rediculous funny when you talk about it out loud
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I started a pinterest board for short hair in wild colors. I'm looking ahead. It makes me feel better somehow.
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Annie - Thanks for the correction! My psyllium container says "compare to Miralax," so I incorrectly associated the two. I love you list of awfulness - our only choice is to laugh together. (Can we talk about my butthurt butthole? Srsly.)
All - Round 4 AC is in the books! I'm sure I'll be hit by any number of awful SEs shortly, but one hour after finishing, my only SE is raging hunger. (Thanks you, steroids!) So I'm taking advantage of that and EATING while the sun shines.
Hope my fellow Tuesday chemo ladies are having / have completed successful infusions. Eyes on the finish line!
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Oh man. Yeah, yesterday the Heartburn was the worst it's ever been. Prilosec isn't holding it at bay. Seems a little better today. Ditto on all the constipation stuff... EXCEPT: I had pizza one day and doubled down on the Miralax to make sure I didn't hurt myself later. No big D, but I didn't get stopped up either - thank God! Has anybody seen the videos for the squatty potty? My husband bought the 2 pack to help me out.
http://squattypotty.comHot flashes are starting to ramp up a little when I put my wool hats on (Woo baldness! Keeps me from overheating).
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Sweet Georgia Brown I am so ordering the squatty potty!!!
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I love our group. Hope the poo fairy visits all who need it. KatieJones I use baby wipes for sore parts. But I agree with the smell. Then again it could be the chemo odor.
MinnesotaLisa & sailorgirlcongrats on being done AC.
DLcygnet oh the heartburn. Mine left for a week then returned with a vengeance Sunday. I need it to go back on vacation. So tired of popping pills to deal with chemo SE's. And yes thank goodness for bald heads during hot flashes. I have been cooking make ahead meals today and have been a sweaty bald mess. I needed to actually wipe my head down. Oy.
Southern hope you are doing better. Edwsmom feel better.
Annie you make me smile.
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I used to laugh at my Grandpa when I was little because he constantly ran a hanky over his bald head. Sorry, Granpa. I totally get it now.
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Fourth and final AC done! I'm a bit nauseated and wiped out, and have made it to bed with the dog.
My MO told me to do miralax every nightbefore bed, and gave me a prescription for colace. She also said that constipation might be worse during Taxol. Oh, joy! I loved the Ring of Fire when it was just a Johnny Cash song. Now, not so much.
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Yay Scotland! And yes to constipation on taxol. Had my first DD infusion last week and it came back. I am trying to return it. I was not prepared for it. I thought the big d was a given with taxol. Gonna go back to my preventative ritual.
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Scotland - WOO HOO! Hang in there through our last AC SEs.
Thanks for the heads-up re: taxol constipation. I will keep up psyllium and high-fiber foods going into my first Taxol infusion Nov 17.
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Well, crap. My MO told me that Taxol tended to bring on the D! I was crossing my fingers and praying for that!
*sigh* Time for some Weird Al. (Tune: Complicated by Avril Lavigne)
Tell me
http://www.metrolyrics.com/constipated-lyrics-weir...
Why'd you have to go and make me so constipated?
'Cause right now I'd do anything to just get my bowels evacuated
In the bathroom I sit and I wait and I strain
And I sweat and I clench and I feel the pain
Oh, should I take laxatives or have my colon irrigated?
No, no, no0 -
OMG that was funny! And would anyone out in the non chemo world believe that we could wish and hope it's diarrhea instead?
Question: I'm having swelling issues related to bathroom issues. Is it feasible that an ice pack on one's taint would be beneficial? I never had a vaginal birth so I am unfamiliar with the care and maintenance of one's taint.
I hope strangers don't troll this thread
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Annie - freeze a pad and use it....it does wonders! Easiest way to use an "ice pack" down under
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After I gave birth, the nurses made ice packs out of newborn diapers. Ice diapers were the bomb.
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If you're in a hurry: Take a diaper, slice open the end, stuff it with ice cubes. Tape the end. Use accordingly.
Make multiples and keep them in the freezer for quick use.EDIT: Awwww... Scotland beat me to it.
Also, they had me use Tuck's Medicated Cooling Pads and Dermoplast Spray. I was wondering if it was time to break them out again. Who knew there was so much overlap... Crotch Care 101
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You girls are the best, the total bomb diggity!
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Just got home from 7 hours of being at the center. Had the refresher course on what to do and q&a. My favorite nurse Tammy was there and she's there every other Tues. The other one Monica talks too much and repeats little details that you get the first time around. So unless you are special needs, it's very annoying. Plus I like more quiet and not gabby once the infusion is going. Got all kinds of pre meds from ativan, 2 anti nauseas, benedryl decadron steroid and other stuff I don't remember. So it took about 1/2 hour just to infuse the pre meds. Then came the red devil, AC (Adriamycin & Cytoxin). Sucked on ice chips to help prevent mouth issues. Makes for pretty orange pee!
So far, mild headache and feel a bit unsteady. Nothing major yet. Got to keep up on the massive water consumption, min 64 oz. :O First 72 hours much more important to drink water than to eat cuz chemo is done an hour after the infusion. It takes 48 hours for it to break down in your body. So you drink to help get this out asap and not marinate in this shit. Have to take nausea meds on the clock even if feel ok. Need to swish a lot with baking soda water and biotene to help prevent mouth sores. Just a few things I have to stay on top of or you'll get worse.
I'm thinking unless I'm not doing well at the 2 week mark that I'll stick with it just to get Tammy. She tends to you like no other. Had a nice breakfast and a sandwich lunch there. Other folks weren't offering their pts as much as she was me. She and Shari are stars.
I was told generally, post chemo days 1-5 are the worst. Then you slowly build back up and go up and down. You have to be cognizant of the nadir period days 7-14 roughly to stay away from crowds and sick people as your immune system is more compromised at this time.
I'm trying to get some small things done before I crash. People say you have a few hours after chemo before you have energy like a stone. Great.
Tomorrow afternoon is the infamous Neulasta shot that insurance wasn't going to approve because I was going to do the every 3 wk plan. Thank God the center/dr/hosp isn't far since I'm driving myself. I'm sure my fellow drivers on the road appreciate it too! lolKilaru wanted to see me on Thurs for 2nd fill in my tissue expanders. I'm like I'll be shit on that day so it's for a week from Thurs now. Not going to kill myself when I know I have plenty of time to get these things filled before I start rads after chemo is over.
So day 1 is done. And head is starting to feel it a bit more now..
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When doing the baking soda water swish, do you just do one "gulp" or do you go through the whole 8 oz glass for each swish? It didn't say. Thanks
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Artista, you are in good company. I also spent 7 hours at the center today for #2 infusion.of course there was blood work and meeting with the doctor.
So far so good a little nausea my bad day is Thursday or at least it was last time...
thanks also for the mouth sores prevention I will try that too. I'll continue with my water regiment. Thank you for these lists....
Keep you posted on the next few days...Thanks again for all your posts
Very helpful!
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southern I may be jealous of your fro. I got nothin going on except baby fine stubble that has no color. My mo nurse told me last week I'd lose the new growth on taxol. I am wishing on the hair genie to grant my wish that it just comes back when I'm done.
Ariista glad you made out ok.
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