Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Round 2 of FEC yesterday morning. Felt like crap, so slept off and on through most of afternoon. Had good sleep last night and am feeling better this morning. Get Neulastla shot today. Not looking forward to extra SE. Didn't get given it with 1st round.
Buzzed my hair on Monday night. It's really patchy and still falling out but at least it stays in the hat instead of all over the house.
Hope everyone is having a better day today.
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DLCygnet, my husband brews with a friend. He keeps wanted me to taste things. Yeah, I'd like to taste things. So far, water and some tea tastes almost normal. I had just about gotten my taste buds back when I went in for treatment yesterday. They're already jumping ship. I had a huge lunch, which was fabulous. I'm thinking I'll pull the Brie out of the fridge and have some for supper while it might actually taste like Brie. The taste window is closing fast. Opening a bottle of wine would be a waste. Really dark chocolate is still working.
My wispy, little old man hair also seems to be growing. I suspect that more will fall out this weekend after my third A/C yesterday.
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Are we allowed to eat soft cheese? I thought that was on the off limits cuz of bacteria list.
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I was never told there was something I could or could not eat. As long as the Neulasta shot is doing its job, they thought I should be safe from infection. There are certainly foods that they mentioned would make the experience worse (Generally more concerned with excessive alcohol or caffeine, though - or anything that stripped mucus); but my nurse said that if a big bowl of chilli is what sounds good to you - go for it! They were more concerned about me keeping my appetite & strength.
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Dang I got a huge multi page list of stuff not to eat cuz it might kill me from germs and spores and bacteria.
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So I shouldn't brag about the salad I ate last night with blue cheese dressing? Or the sushi I ate over the weekend?
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The only thing I was told was to make sure any meat or fish was cooked through.
I've had sushi but I had a shrimp tempura roll and eel roll bc they are cooked.
I'm pissed bc I have a cold. If I get a fever of 99.5 I need to call in. If it's 100.5 they want me to go to the ER. Seriously the last thing I want to do is sit in the ER all night again. My luck I'll be ubering to the ER tonight. What will they do to me that makes me have to go to the ER? Can't they just prescribe an antibiotic I can pick up? Can I just go in the morning?
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I got azithromycin for the bronchitis. My fever never got over 99.5. I'm having breathing issues though so I got an inhaler. I'm just so tired of being sick. I've had 3 good days since September 8th. I haven't been to the hospital so I shouldn't complain, but damn!
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I got the same list. No sushi, meat done, and fruits I can peel.
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now I'm pissed about the bloody food list! I've basically been reduced to a college freshman diet because of it.
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I got the same list. The only good thing about it is that none of that sounds good anyway.
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I am still here just tired. I feel so fatigued. I have cycle 5 of 6 TCH next week. Haven't been sleeping well.
For those of you that are on Lupron? Does it make your chemo side effects worse? They want me to have a hysterectomy 4 weeks after Chemo. I am wondering if they will just put me on Lupron so they can start arimidex right after I finish Chemo. I am already having hot flashes and insomnia. Any other goodies that Lupron brings?
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Does anyone ever feel like just giving up on doing treatments altogether. I swear it's one thing right after another. It was just suggested very strongly that I go on disability at work due to my performance dropping and the fact that I've been missing 2-3 days each chemo cycle. I seriously need the income right now. I understand the company's position, but seriously. Ugh! Cancer takes everything.
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SoccerChick, that sucks about work! So sorry.
I don't want to give up on work, but I will admit, so far this round (Round three) is proving a bit tougher than the others. Felt some nausea today, which I haven't had much problem with yet, and the heartburn is really getting bad, which I didn't experience until just before this round started.. :-( I had to come home early today, just couldn't deal with it at work anymore :-(
Hope tomorrow is a better day!
Octogirl
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Southern Charm. I distinctly remember being given a pill after the birth of my first child in 1978. I didn't plan on nursing him so they gave me this pill to dry up my milk supply. I didn't nurse any of my other three children but I was not given the pill to dry up my milk from coming in. They said they didn't give that pill anymore as well as I can remember and that my milk would just stop coming in naturally if I didn't breast feed. I have thought about that pill I took and also that I didn't breast feed any of my four children. Perhaps that has something to do with my getting breast cancer. I am 63, though, and my youngest child is 29. You can't go back in time and redo things so I don't dwell on it . Breastfeeding is probably beneficial in preventing breast cancer but still there are no guarantees and you just have to deal with the hand you are dealt
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Octogirl- I will have my 4th and last round tomorrow. My first 2 cycles were pretty easy for me. My third cycle kicked the crap out if me. I ended up I the hospital for 4 days with febrile neutropenia. I was discharged last Thursday. I only started feeling better yesterday. So 2 days of feeling good before my last round tomorrow. I am hoping this last cycle is good. I almost felt like throwing in the towel and saying forget the last cycle. I hope you start feeling better soon. Sending you warm wishes and healing thoughts!
Soccerchick-I have not worked since before I had my surgery. I have been on disability. I am thankful that I can just take the time to heal. I don't know how many of you manage to keep up with work, young families and treatments. You are stronger than I am. I also work in a hospital and being immunocomprimised doesn't work for me. I need to stay away from all the germs.
Ladies hang in there. Enjoy the days when you feel good. We will all get thru this. I am looking forward to life getting back to normal.0 -
Octogirl - my first two rounds were easier too. I had round 3 last week (tc) and am bouncing back slower as well. Heartburn is main compliaint too. The prilosec daily ( 2 tabs)was not enough.So my onco prescribed nexium daily until my last infusion infusion. Sigh
I also had lingering skin reactions to my leukine shots. The injection sites were turning into welts/uticaria like and not fading as fast (usually next day) Benadryl/Claritin were not working. I was told to take one dexamethasone tablet and it seems to be working.
Bloodwork was normal but I guess this is thd cumulative effect I was dreading.
Deeratz- thanks for your encouraging words. Glad to hear youre better and yay youre almost done. Im two weeks behind you, my last tc is nov 2.
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SoccerChick- I feel like giving up on treatment all the time. Before my diagnosis I rarely got sick, and hadn't seen a doctor in years for anything other than a routine physical. Now my schedule is filled with appointments and treatments. I just want my old life back.
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Exercise...gu - I've only had one lupron shot so far. I had leg aches for a few hours. I'll let you know this Friday if that changes. I got the shot in the bum and they recommended moving around after to minimize any muscle pain. I didn't notice it adding to any chemo side effects on AC but let ya know if that changes.
I think I had leg aches cause I took a nap. 😆
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If I go for my last AC tomorrow I know for sure I'd be out longer than 3 days and have pretty much been told that I should take off until post chemo clearance from the company doc. It's definitely time for some soul searching. I don't have any idea what I'll do to make ends meet on top of bills from meds and copays. I never get sick and it's just not in the budget and especially not on a reduced pay.
At least I know I'm not alone in feeling like this.
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SoccerChick, have you checked into your FMLA options? I haven't checked in depth but I think you are allowed to take protected leave in daily time periods. Granted it is without pay but maybe it's better than nothing.
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I have been using FMLA for all absences so far, however my boss's boss sat me down with HR today to discuss options moving forward. As this isn't a workman's comp deal they don't have to give me light duty when I am able to work and since my performance has been subpar they strongly recommended disability so I would still be paid while off and I could use my time to recuperate. They were a bit hesitant to have me working at all through this, so they've been more than fair and gave it a chance. It's just not working as far as their expectations.
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I breast fed 3 babies each for nearly a year. I still got cancer. There are no silver bullets with this shit I'm afraid.
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I breast fed 4 babies for nearly a year with each as well. Had my first at age 25 and the rest within 8 years..so there goes that theory. I did take birth control pills off and on for about 10 years. The estrogen/progesteron levels were much higher back in the mid '80's to mid 90's. Might have some connection? Don't know..more likely its just bad luck
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I've been 99.6 and they tell me to seek help if it's 100.5. I go up and down with temp. Also no dietary restrictions. It's important to eat, basically anything you can and keep it down so no worries during chemo.
In other news, one of my bff lost her sis today to pancreatic cancer. The worst cancer. I quit talking to her about my stuff once I heard about her sis being diagnosed back in June. While we all have our fears and such, imo we should thank God that we aren't worse off. I know this has made me lose the fear of possibly being stage IV when tx is over now. Now to help deal with my friend who is beyond devastated.
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Super me- I work as an occupational therapist in a nursing home, so I have only even able to do Saturday on chemo week and Friday-Saturday on off week. I have chemo every other Monday.
Cinderella - I also breast fed 4 kids, had 2 before 30, but I found out that doesn't decrease your risk for ER negative breast cancer. I am ER negative, and PR positive only 30%, HER2 negative, so almost triple negative. About 80% of breast cancer is ER positive. And for that kind, supposedly breast feeding, early pregnancy, late onset of menses, have protective effects.
Soccer-what work do you do that your performance hasn't been up to expectations? Is it something physical? Hope everything works out for you
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Artista, I am so sorry for your BFF's loss.....sending huge hugs to you and to her!
Octogirl
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AnnieB43 and Hazel Nut, I'd like a copy of your forbidden food list please; I'd like to expand mine just to make sure.
About restrictions:
I was told all meat etc cooked well, peel fruit, no soft cheeses like blue or (sigh) feta -- that's been hardest; my FAV restaurant served heavenly Greek food (sigh); no unpasteurized honey because it can contain Clostridium spores (and I had just bought several jars from a local farmer
), and avoid buffet-type restaurant where the food sits out forever --- and regular restaurants if they're packed with people. Also no movie theaters, music center concerts, stores at rush hour, any other closed spaces that are packed with people. I'm not sure whether my restrictions sound stricter than a lot of others here because I've also been fighting autoimmune vasculitis for almost 15yrs and maybe that also weakens my defenses (I DO seem to acquire All The Headcolds as they go around. Oh -- no probiotic tablets/capsules, specifically no Precosa, which is a gut fungus that protects from travelers' trots better than anything else I've tried -- during chemo that can in rare cases cause infection (but hey I'm not supposed to travel either right now).And: carry a small bottle of hand disinfectant, use it after touching shopping cart handles, door knobs, using ladie's room, touching anything else out in public, then again before eating. But my infectious disease specialist friend said I can relax around my dear doggy, because "you guys have been SO close for over a decade, you've certainly gotten each other's bacteria long ago!"
Bracing for my third round today; my MO insists on checking me first even though my bloodwork came back ok, maybe because the SE love me? Maybe my age (59)? Too tired to argue, but not happy that means they won't hook me up until about noon, and it will be a Very Long day. But: today's dose will be 3/6 --- if I sail through ok, should "celebrate" the half-way point!
Wishing everbody an easier today than yesterday
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I would appreciate any information about side effects and when they hit during the cycle from anyone getting what I get switched to in November: C (cytoxan) E (epirubicin) F (5-fluorouracil) in apparently "hefty doses". Specifically GI issues nausea, vomiting, the big D. My husband has some ability to affect his work schedule and we both think it would be easier if he can plan his in-town days during my wors SE and travel days during expected lighter days. Thank you
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tessu, I am on those tx but not sure of doses. I get 2 syringes of E, a small bag of F, and a larger bottle of C. Everyone is different, but nausea seems to be worse for me on first 4 days. I had some constipation and only got D after taking laxatives or eating prunes for it.
I know you have LE. I don't have it, but do have some fluid on my left side and am using the massage for it. To me it seems that it swells up for a few days when I have FEC. So I hope it doesn't have that effect on you.
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