Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Thanks, Southern! I'm not sure what I would think if I showed up for a hearing and my attorney was bald, but I think it's all about the confidence you project so I'm going to have to muster some internal fortitude.
Annie, do you find your port hurts after an infusion? I get really sore on all my surgery sites after my infusion. I tell my husband it feels like I just came out of surgery all over again (port surgery included). And I HATE having it accessed. I just don't like the feeling, I don't like having the tubes hanging out, I just hate it. I'm a hard stick, but I still have blood drawn from my arm from labs.
So grateful for you ladies who make me laugh and understand all the tears. I lift you up in prayer frequently.
ETA: I cry like a baby when they access my port. There's something about having to have it that makes me feel like a really sick person and it doesn't take much to turn on the waterworks these days. I told my MO I felt "unbalanced" and he said, "You mean unsteady on your feet?" I said, "No, I feel MENTALLY unbalanced!!!"
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Shopgal, I'm so excited that you are almost at the end of the AC! I'll be interested to hear how the Taxol is in comparison. Are you having an echo at the end? My doctor won't do one mid-treatment because it's not "medically indicated" (unless I paid out of pocket) but said they'll check at the end to seek if/how much damage has been done. Egad!
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Grey - Yeah! Good to hear from you - how are you doing?
Southern Charm - WOO HOO! Wonderful how much better you feel after getting through a rough patch.
All - Times 1000 on the "gimme spicy foods." I have to moderate because hot salsa aggravated my (otherwise under control) mouth sores. But, man, sure does taste good.
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I broke down and had my "sip" this morning in the backyard. No one was home and thank goodness. It's been quite awhile and boy oh boy, bet I looked like a dumbass trying to light the thing..so glad no one was around to see me fumble, I'd never hear the end of it..hahaha..all that for 3 puffs (not including the dry drags) God, I'm hopeless
The good news is that it helped. I did spend the rest of the morning in bed napping but I needed it as I was up most of the night. The nausea this time around, day 6 from round #3 is brutal.
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Are you guys religiously taking anti nausea meds but yet still feeling nausea even with them?? I was told by my NP that nausea is the thing of the past and you should not feel much if any---if you follow the directions of taking them even if you feel fine. That was for when I thought I was going to be AC-Taxol.
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Cajun you make me laugh. I read your post about court and thought of your devil pic from infusion. Have you ever thought about henna on your head? I saw someone on you tube that did it and it looked cool. That could be a good court look like you are intentionally bald and not just from chemo.
As for an echo I had one done before AC that showed a small mitral valve issue that my mo said would be ok with AC. They said it happens with age. Guess I'm old at 45. I did see a cardiologist because my dad had the same issue but needed major heart surgery when he was 82. The cardiologist wanted me to do a stress echo last week but I canceled. Cripes run on a treadmill? I get out of breath panting after going up & down the stairs since chemo #3. Uh no thanks. They will do another echo closer to end of treatment, but when my mo says so.
And yup my port hurts after infusion also. It feels sore like it's had enough. Can't wait to get it removed after I am thin skinned on my chest so it sticks out even with my ample chest.
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Shopgal, it's funny you would mention that because my sister-in-law does henna tattoos for weddings and parties and what not. Her husband is from India, so she got into it and does a great job. My hair hasn't actually fallen out yet, but I think it would look cool once it does. I shaved it a couple weeks prematurely and it is trying to grow back, lol. Give up the fight!!! But then I wonder how sweat effects henna. Would I have plant dye running down my head during a trial? If it looked like blood, that might be fierce... I will BLEED from my head to win this case!
I can't wait to get my port out after my ooph/reconstruction. Mine sticks out too, I have nothing on the upper chest and it is really noticeable and every bra aggravates it. Of course, I can't even wear a bra because it rubs the holes from my 3 drain sites and makes them bleed. It's always something.
Artista, have you tried Tums or Pepcid? My onc. nurse said that what seems to be nausea can sometimes be reflux from the harsh meds. I tried this a couple of nights ago and it worked, I couldn't believe it.
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Grey: drink lots of fluids to flush out the drugs. General wisdom is 2-3 quarts a day, and caffeine and alcohol don't count. Bestof luck!
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Found the FB page. Make sure to search on groups
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I second the fluids, Grey! I had to go to the bathroom four times during my last infusion. I said next time, I'm taking the seat by the bathroom! I hope you feel well afterwards. This time around, I had 2 bad days and it was over. Praise God for that and just hang in there if it gets rough, there WILL be light at the end of the tunnel.
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I want to get a henna tattoo. They seem expensive. But I love the designs & I know we have a few henna parlors out here.
One of the guide bumps on my port REALLY sticks out and is noticeable. The rest of the port sticks out just a bit more than I'd like, but at least the skin makes it blend a little. Fortunately, bra straps miss the port.
Welcome to the party, Grey! You made it. Just gotta keep going.
Arista, I found that if I didn't eat or drink well, I'd experience nausea. Medicine: Zofran must be taken with Food or Milk.
If you fail to do so, you WILL experience nausea. Lorazapam/Ativan doesn't seem to care. Haven't tried the 3rd stuff they gave me. Also, to help the reflux - avoid carbs, sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Whole grains are fine. Whole fruits are fine.0 -
Cajun, I think that if I walked into court and saw that my opposing counsel was a woman rocking the bald, I'd need some Depends.
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Another early morning wake up. My toenails hurt, I feel teary and then the most wonderful thing happened, Grey is back, can't get the smile of my face and yes Im crying but they are tears of joy.
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Scotland, fortunately, I'd probably have some for you.
Cinque - hope you feel better soon! Sunday, I was so sore my eye sockets hurt. I didn't even know that was possible but it only lasted a little over a day. Hoping the same holds true for you!
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Sore eye sockets!!! My toenails hurt!!! Well at least chemo is creative who knew so many bits could hurt. There is a bird merrily chirping outside his life is oobviously fabulous☺ Im up now and intend to have a good day. Thanks Cajun.
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I have had mind altering constipation since day 1 this go round. I am in so much butt pain I can't even cough without screaming! I stopped taking all meds except tylenol and colace in an effort to stop it. I've eaten every kind of food that ever gave me the runs I could think of with mixed and still painful results. I must have damaged something. Geez that's all I need is yet another doctor fishing around in my butt. Why is all the cancer stuff so undignified?
Day 8- nausea, tired, constipated, butt pain, bruised all to hell, did I say tired?
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and my friend thrush is back..welcome old furry tongue/throat friend. I appreciate you visiting since I wasn't already having trouble tasting things. Glad my MO set me up with the script beforehand in case but one more med--bleh
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Sorry Jabe. Mine just left, so must have decided to go visit you. Please don't feel like you need to send it back.
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skittle: wouldn't dare. I'll ask her to go take a vacation for a while
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I feel you, Annie! My husband even suggested a drop of dish soap in one of my drinks if I was desperate. Thank god the copious amounts of oatmeal, fruit, salad, and prunes/prune juice did the trick. Flax seed is better than metamucil, btw. Of course, I'm sitting 2 weeks post AC. I'll let you know if a preemptive strike helps alleviate the Dexamethasone/Zofran constipation that starts in 24 hours. If not, my fissure is going to open right back up. It just stopped stinging yesterday.
Jabe, I've been sticking with the saltwater/baking soda combo. It hardly makes me want to throw up. Thrush/metal mouth seems to show up around day 4-6. How does the magic mouthwash compare?
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I found a recipe for constipation candy. I'm making it tomorrow. I
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Annie, have you tried Sena tea? For a stronger dose you can throw in chopped up prunes into the tea.
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besides the meds I think I did this to myself as I did not drink enough liquids this past week. The nausea put me off liquids completely. Every time I drank something I felt like throwing up. This round has been extremely mentally and emotionally taxing. I just cry at the drop of a hat or get angry and lash out. I need to pull it together.
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Annie, how many more cycles do you have?
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I have 2 rounds to go.
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no magic mouthwash. For full on thrush, I get Diflucan (mess that treats yeast infections). I do my multiple washings with baking soda/salt and also do ones with biotene but thrush just comes regardless. Feeling low as nothing tastes good and everything burns a little in my mouth where the thrush is. I know totally it's not the worst SE at all but I was just hoping I'd be upwards by today (day 7). Want to cry but not sure I have the energy.
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Jabe make a baking soda paste and rub it on the thrush parts it a q tip then scrape it off. It makes it leave faster.
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Annie- as someone feeling low now--you have a right to! Don't be down on yourself for being down. Remember that the adriamycin is probably way tougher on your system than TC from your first round so it was going to be different and that sucks and is unfair!!!
Group cry anyone?!?!?
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Just woke up from a Valium induced nap, the heat here is killing me. Adding a constant to sweaty feeling to all the other stuff I'm experiencing is overwhelming.
My head now resembles that of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Why the hair on my head would fall out so quickly while my leg hair holds on for dear life I will never understand. So unfair.
Have a good night ladies
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AnnieB43 - I am with you in Constipation Purgatory despite being on no meds (except coumadin which doesn't impact bowels).
Today's menu: oatmeal, fresh raspberries, green beans, psyllium, pinto beans, more green beans. It's ... been ... days .......
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