Starting Chemo April 2016
Comments
-
To the Batcave, Robin!
0 -
Round 2 done. Feeling relieved. I'm ok, but more tired this time. Drinking water like it's going out of fashion.No headache yet which is a relief. No nausea. Happy days.
However...
Hair really starting to come out now. Feeling crappy about that even though I knew it was coming. I swear that if another person says " don't worry, it will grow back" I will honestly punch them!
Going to nap for a bit now. Love and good wishes to all x
0 -
Gracie - I totally get that! As I've said before - the hair loss, even though I was prepared for it, was the most traumatic for me. I still have patches of hair here and there. I kind of look like one of those really ugly baby birds - kind of like this guy:
TWaz - here's hoping that you simply relieved you constipation! That's never fun, either...
Annie - glad you are feeling better!
NJR - my hair took a few days to get to the point where I needed it to be cut. You should be okay.
ARaven - as I said above - the hair is the hardest thing for me so far. I hate losing my hair! HATE it! So, yeah, I sulked, too.
Jovi - I'm so glad you trust your instincts! I read a similar story where someone did not and the results were not good. Beelzebub is a great name. Mine is named Lenny (for no reason other than a friend named him). Sorry you are have such a horrible time with SE's.
Kids - I go in tomorrow for round 3. Round 2 was easier than round 1 for me, so it is possible for them to be easier. Good luck to you!
0 -
Gracie congrats on another one in the books. Just trying to survive the side effects, get back to or hang on to what you can of normal and drag our sorry asses back in there until done for good. I'm up for round 2 tomorrow. Was really dreading it but I think the day before attivan and dex steriods are kicking in. Screw it, lets go. Trying to talk my husband to stop in at the casino on the way there or back probably won't work with the cold caps...ah well. I saved 3 oxy for tomorrow. I'll never know what happened between that and the IV benadryl. Enjoying a semi- spicey lunch since the taste buds go to rot for a week after. Think I'll try some ice cubes this go around and just turn up my electric blanket. My head is shedding fierce last 3 days. I would just like to show up at least one more time and get one more weekend out of my hair before I go to my standard baseball caps - rhinestones, sporting and plain for the next six months probably, unless this shed slows down and I mean like NOW. Upping our cold capping game tomorrow. It aint over til it's over!
0 -
Jovichick- wow! I thought my first round was tough. Your experience takes the cake! Lol on naming the tumor. I need to do that!
Araven- I wonder if my anti nauseas will be adjusted since they didn't work for me last time. Glad round 2 is better. I'm dreading it
0 -
Love that photo of the little bird CJSharma, my hair hasn't reached that stage yet, but well on the way I went up to get my wig cut yesterday before I went for the scope and the hairdresser wanted to take my hair down to quarter of an inch and I was just about to let her do this when I thought "I will be going in for that scope, lying on the bed with a head like that" so I couldn't do it. Now that I think back I could easily have done it and worn the wig, but I think you have to remove any loose objects before sedation. My hair is a holy show though, very scutty. I wore the wig today but it isn't quite right, there is too much hair to the front. I will have to go back and have it cut again. I am never satisfied with hair cuts as a rule.
0 -
I am feeling nauseous this week, raging, as I thought this would be my best week. I think it is the effect of the anti biotics I am on. Did you find this 1UNIBOOB1 ?
0 -
JOVICHICK83 - thanks for joining us. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience for your first round. There has to be an improvement on that for your 2nd round.
0 -
I wanted to remind everyone that we do have a super secret Facebook page as well. If you would like to join that, please PM me with your email address and I'll add you to the group. I promise not to publish or sell your email or identification.
0 -
JIB2016 - Best of Luck for tomorrow.
0 -
thank you. I have to prepare my stuff now, reality is setting in. Fingers crossed, first round and the rest are manageable. Expect the worst and hope for the best? I just took a nap to calm my nerves. Hope you are well
0 -
hi guys dropping in from Jan Chemo! I had terrible nausea and found chemo bands at Walgreens that saved my life. (I have seen them at most drug stores) They are for morning sickness, motion sickness and chemo. They saved me! Hope they help.
0 -
Cancerpickedthewrongone - thanks for the post about the bands! I am totally going to get that! I remember using it for seasickness. Very awesome!
Ladies, I'm so sorry about the hair loss and how bald=chemo/cancer patient to us. It is very traumatic, no matter what/how we try to ready ourselves.
In other cultures, bald women=nuns...there are some beautiful photos of Buddhist nuns on the internet that I turned to in an attempt to reframe it.
So glad to hear all the reports and seeing us progressing.
Chemo moment of the day - sitting with a client and my nose is running so I get a kleenex and blow - blood against the white kleenex! She sees it and goes "YIKES!" I'm like, "Oh, sinuses..." New habit, don't blow!
0 -
Today my mom had her first AC treatment... Boy was it an overwhelming day. Meetings with the pharmacists then off to the chemo suite... Information overload...
We went for a walk and relaxed post-treatment. Right now (9pm) She seems ok but "off". Restless but tired. I've been helping her as much as possible but I don't want to make her feels like she an invalent... She's only 53
She has a CT and abdo ultrasound Friday morning and receives her Neulasta Friday afternoon... I pray she will be ok to go to her tests Friday
0 -
weRwarriors - as I said - I'm 51 - so I'm your mom's age, and I so appreciate that you are doing this. My daughter was just there to help in anything I needed. I know she appreciates your help. You're an amazing young woman. I would suggest taking a notebook and just writing everything down. It's easier that way. I kind of felt that way post treatment - okay but kind of like I was stuffed with cotton. Just not quite the same. If your mom has Antivan - when she's ready to sleep, give her one. They are wonderful little happy pills.
Thinking of you and sending good vibes. Thank for the info CPickedthWrongOne! That's a great idea.
Annie - The latest Marvel Supervillain is bald. My daughter is after me to COS play her.
0 -
Three days in now and wow, am I a sleeping beauty. Today I think i was awake a grand total of 5 hours. Monday i felt good and yesterday i needed some meds for the queeziness but nothing crazy. Slept a bit during the day but not anything crazy. Went to bed at 8:30 last night and basically never got up. Im shocked at the impact it had on me but i know it will pass. Forcing myself to drink and get some food in. Im on medical leave from work -- ladies, i give you a lot of credit for working through it. I don't think i could if I had to.
0 -
hello everyone,
My mom just started her chemo last Friday. She's been having body aches since the chemo and terrible stomach pains for the past 2 days. I'm much more concerned about her stomach pain as she explained how it felt like and it's horrific. I told her to call the ambulance but refused and took medicine instead. She's going to see her doctor Saturday, so she wants to wait it out... I was wondering if anyone else had terrible stomach pain after chemo
0 -
NJNancy.. I too had to take a leave of absence from work because I was barely functional from the Se's. I thought I would be a little fatigued take a couple of days off and go right back to work. I totally underestimated this process. I thought that I was being a wimp because I read a lot of stories about gals who could work through it. As others have told me this is my new normal..at least for now. Hopefully round 2 tomorrow won't be as bad. I give major kudos all the ladies who can work through this.
hang in there I hope your SE's get better soon
0 -
Daughter of Mrs. Y - What kinds of stomach pains? I know some of the side effects are nausea and constipation - both of which can cause stomach pains. I would definitely talk to her oncologist. Most symptoms can be treated but you do have to talk to your doctor. Hugs.
And no one is a wimp. We all are effected differently. Some more than others and that's not a bad thing - it just is.
0 -
DAUGHTEROFMRSY - I would have had stomach pains, like diarrhoea pains, more like an upset stomach but it was bearable and did go away after a few days. I would definitely call her MO and just ask about it. No harm.
0 -
WERWARRIORS - that's great that your Mom is doing okay. It could happen that she feels her worst 6 days after the infusion, so if this happens don't panic. I imagine after she gets the Neulasta shot it will help her, but could cause aches and pains for a short while afterwards, that is normal too.
0 -
Anyone else get a sore throat. I got one last week and when I looked it up it was a side effect of low white cells, so I wasn't expecting to have it this week, unless it is an after effect of my scope. I find though when I eat and drink it goes away.
0 -
CJsharma, she said it feels like her stomach is being ripped apart. I couldn't ask more questions as she was in so much pain, she couldn't really talk. I called her hospital and they said she should come in. But my mom was irritated that I called, said she can take care of things on her own.
Numb- I told her to at leastcall but she wouldn't. Idk why! So frustrating (and heartbreaking of course) to see her in pain and try to wait it out.
0 -
Good morning everybody,
It's 4.35 am here in Ireland and Ive spent a restless night of tossing and turning and have decided enough is enough! I think its the steroids that have me wired. Other than that I definitely feel better at this stage of round 2 than round 1. Very encouraging.
Numb - I do get a sore throat and I think its cause of my dry mouth. It does go away when I eat/drink. The plan this time is to drink as much water as I can handle everyday. I think it will make a huge difference. The sore mouth towards the end of my last cycle was pure agony and I will do everything I can to avoid that this time round.
WeRwarriors - I'm delighted your mum has her first infusion done. I found that the waiting is the hardest part and once the first hurdle is out of the way you realise that you are actually doing this and managing to get through it. Its a great sense of achievement. I hope her side effects are minimal. Shes a young woman and with your amazing support will kick this thing into touch.
7of 9 - Thanks for your words of encouragement. Wishing you all the best today with round 2. We can do this!
JlB2016 - Best of luck today. You will do great I am sure. I know you're scared, but I'm absolutely sure that if our cancers had feelings, they would be totally crapping it. Lets go kick some cancer ass!
Cancerpickedthewrongone - Thank you for your tip regarding the bands. Well worth a try. Im going to get one.
Annie - Not had any nosebleeds of yet. Another amazing SE to possibly get acquainted with! I'll bear it in mind...
Nancy - Listen to your body and give it exactly what it needs. Sleeping is good and you have plenty of time to do it now. This is a brief moment of your life when you look at the grand scheme of things. Allow yourself to heal and get better. You'll be your old self in no time.
I dont know if anyone else feels this way, but Im amazed at how quickly things are moving along on this journey. Cant believe it's almost May! The time has flown since my initial diagnoses at the beginning of February. Im sure it will continue to do so and we'll soon be at the finish line. As was said before, the girls on here continuing to go to work through this have my utmost admiration. I take my hat/wig off to you all!
As I told you in a previous post I cut my hair really short in prep for hair fall out. I had it buzzed really short back and sides with a fun spikey quiff on top. Well... the top of my head is shedding at an alarming rate now. Back and sides not so much. I think some drastic action with the hair clippers will be needed today as the Dr Phil look is really not doing it for me... Oh the joys of chemo!
CJSharma - Love the idea of a FB group and have pm'd you with my details. Looking forward to meeting you and the rest of our amazing group there. On another note. I think the baby bird is very cute
You do make me laugh!Sending you all in the group my best. Have a great day everyone x
0 -
Daughter of Mrs Y - So sorry to hear that your mum is suffering. She really needs to go in and follow her doctors advice. We all react differently but she really shouldn't be suffering pain like this unchecked. Continue to nag her and get her into hospital. Better to be safe than sorry. She doesnt have to suffer in silence.
Best of luck to you both x
0 -
Daughter of Mrs Y - I did have stomach pain.They were more like cramps, they came and went quickly and I've had constant stomach burning like a week. I drank a lot of milk during that process and ate yoghurt (things that sooths my stomach). It is best to ask it to your MO.
Numb - I have sore throat in the morning when I first wake up. It's been going on for 4-5 days now and it is really frustrating. There's a spot close to my wisdom teeth and it hurts like hell. I'm concerned that it may be a mouth sore but not sure. I use mouth washes anyhow. Throat sore usually goes away after the mouth washes, or after I drink something.
0 -
GRACIETOO - that's good to know I am not the only one getting a sore throat. Yes, I agree with you the dry mouth probably causes this, although my mouth is not as dry as it was on week 1, what mouth wash do you use, I found Biotene better than the one I was prescribed as it coats the skin with moisture. I thought I was the only one who posted in the middle of the night.
DAUGHTEROFMRSY - Hope your Mom feels better today. Could she take a suitable pain killer. I was prescribed Tradol, but didn't need to use it much. Pain killers that lower the temperature are not recommended.
AGHARTA - Yes, I wake up with a sore throat, but after breakfast it seems to go away. I woke up in the middle of the night and it was there so I went down and got coffee and biscs and that eased it. Sorry you have this too, but glad I discovered I am not the only one. I was prescribed Mycostatin, an antibiotic in a spray for my mouth in case I got a mouth sore. I haven't needed to use it yet, but it sounds like you could use it. I am not having a good week this week, due to upset stomach, sore throat and feeling nauseous. I have taken anti nausea tablets for 2 days so far as I needed them and I have not needed them since week 1. So I was a bit disappointed with that. Can't imagine how I will feel if I get round 2 tomorrow. I don't know whether I am up to it but if my bloods are okay I will go ahead as postponing it will be a disappointment too. Are you ready for tomorrow yourself ?
0 -
Being a bit blunt here, but does anyone have ass problems? My ass is sore both front and back. I have to go for a smear test today and am going to ask for something to ease it. Certain antibiotics give me thrush, so that could be the problem, although I don't have full blown thrush at the moment, but it mightn't be far off. Then I had diarrhoea earlier in the week resulting in a sore anus. So this treatment is attacking me from every side.
0 -
Numb - sorry to hear about your added stress with problems "down there". Dear God, the fun never stops does it! Thankfully I have had no problems like that so far. Hope I don't also have that to contend with down the line... On the plus side, your appointment today should bring you some resolution.
Re: Mouthwash - I have been using saline and baking soda mix mainly. I was given "magic mouthwash" when I got the mouth ulcers. A mix of benadryl, maalox and lydocaine. Mad stuff! Numbs the mouth in seconds!
On another note, I got my period today. I had hoped chemo would stop it but hey ho! Another thing to contend with. I've been told I cant use tampons either as they can harbour bacteria. Back to pads, which I haven used since I was in my teens. Yuck! Not Happy
0 -
GRACIETOO - God yes, you might go through an early menopause, I didn't have to think about that at my age, but at least you are past the child bearing stage, so it probably wouldn't matter to you now. I know you said you started your period so this hasn't happened yet, and may not. So which is better, having the period or not having it ?
0
