Starting Chemo April 2016
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so it looks like I will be starting chemo june 9th. Just need to keep healing up from my BMX. Crazy how fast and slow things happen !
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Postive - I get that. And yes, the constrast is amazing. I have one friend who I've been friends with for about a year and we'll get together occasionally, but not like besties. She has offered to come to every single chemo treatment with me and sit with me for the entire time. She's coming with me tomorrow for the 4 hour taxol ordeal and she's happy to do it. We keep the nurses laughing. Amazing person. I buy her lunch after.
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Heathet - I can't believe I'm half way through chemo already, but then I sometimes can't believe I'm ONLY half way through. I'm meeting my Oncologist today to discuss surgery options. Then I meet with the surgeon, but surgery won't happen until August. It sounds so far off, but it will be here before I know it. So amazing how this all happens.
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Cj : Good luck for first Taxol tomorrow , enjoy the lunch .
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Met with my Oncologist today. She was really excited about the progress and I couldn't figure out why until she showed me the mammograms side by side. Lenny is a lot less dense. What was a solid white mass on the mammo now looks like a a galaxy viewed from space. The challenge is he's not a lot smaller so a lumpectomy would really cut out a big portion of the breast. As my breasts are dense, we're going with the BMX. I'm happy that this decision is finally made, and I know it's the right one.
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Hi everyone,
Going in for Round 3/6 tomorrow! YAY!
Had a great appointment with my MO. Some regime changes: IV Fluids on Friday morning. Steroids now 4 mg on Day 0, 2,3 and 4 instead of 8 mg Day 0, 2. Continue with extra WBC booster shots for my white blood cell army.
I also asked about getting my port out and he said I could after chemo. They don't even use it for the weekly blood draws except if its chemo day. He said to have the nurses look at my veins to make sure I'll be good for 11 IVs for the Herceptin. But Herceptin doesn't bother the veins. Boy, finishing chemo and getting de-ported will feel like a touchdown.
Anyone have problems with an antidepressant side effect of fatigue and tiredness? I started Zoloft a month or so ago and I'm wondering if I'm having that reaction to it. Hard to sort out the effects of the "cleanse" and the antidepressant.
Hugs
A
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Good luck today CJ - glad to hear you are at peace with your decision. I know it's been a struggle for you. Looks like even though Lenny hasn't changed much outside, alot has happened internally which must be good to know. This is working!
Almost 1/2 way Annie! Good Luck!
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Thank you NJR! I appreciate the support here! Such incredible women you all are!! I'll be back with info on Taxol and how it goes.
Good luck Annie!! WHOOT on the Half Way!
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I just thought of this one: You know you're a breast cancer patient when a normal BM really makes your day! Not that that one is about me or today or anything...
Anniekaja - Zoloft may be causing tiredness and fatigue, but it shouldn't in the long term. The question would be is it having a primary effect: if for anxiety, is anxiety less? If for depression, is depression less? I take Effexor now for depression. For the first few weeks it gave me a dry mouth, but that has gone away. When I'm not medicated, I ruminate over troubles in my life endlessly and usually when I should be sleeping. When I'm on Effexor, I can go over troubles once and then move on to something else. If your med is addressing the primary effect, maybe just be patient until you can judge SE without chemo. If it isn't, then there are others to try.
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Hi,
Can I get into this group? If it's a group. New to the site and wanting to connect with others who are on my treatment schedule. I started HCT on 4/25/16.
Thanks.
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PUPQUILT - Welcome aboard. If you fill in your profile and make it public it will easier for others to see what stage you are at and offer advice.
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I got my 3rd round AC a week ago tomorrow and still have not been able to get dressed yet. Found it very tough and long drawn out. Hoping to get out tomorrow. Drank the water but little relief there. Went off the Dexamethasone gradually but made no difference. Not looking forward to round 4 at this rate. End of moan
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Numb - 4 was easier for me than 3. Three SUCKED! I go on Thursdays, and it was until the following Sunday that I felt normal again. So sorry you are having the same effect.
Bagger - oh man, I totally relate to the BM thing. Totally.
Pupquilt - WELCOME! Always happy to have new peeps.
First thoughts on Taxol... LONG A$$ INFUSION! I sat in that chair for about 5 hours. Not fun. BUT, I did start with steroids, but I got 10 Mg, not the standard 20mg. I also got Benedryl, but no Zofran only Pecid AC as Taxol is very unlikely to cause nausea according to the nurse (Sue, I know you experience it though, so I'll keep an eye out). As Taxol can cause an allergic reaction and/or back spasms, I was told to immediately contact the nurse if my throat tickled or I had trouble breathing. Also if my back felt funny. I was fine. The Benedryl about knocked me on my butt.
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Numb - so sorry that round 3 is giving you a hard time. Sending good thoughts your way.
PupQuilt - welcome! This is a wonderful and supportive place to share!
Anniekaja - I take Xanax for anxiety. It helps to shut down all those nagging thoughts that can keep me awake at night. A friend of mine takes Zoloft for anxiety and depression. She says it helps her but I do remember her saying it took time. Talk with your doctor. I think bagger is right - is it having the primary effect for the condition you are treating. If not then maybe talk to your doctor about other options.
CJ - Benadryl knocks me out too!
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Reading through your posts, I can't help but think that each one of us is a superwoman. What we are going through is s really tough physically and mentally. When the going gets tough the tough gets Going
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I completely agree! This is about so much strength! I was thinking this last week about how much the archetype of the "cancer survivor" in the media, always seems to be shown as a bald women in a gown or jammies receiving chemo is way off base. All the living we do inspite of this is what the real truth is! Taking care of kids, hiking, healing, managing a trillion appointments and stressors, crying, laughing, loving, and supporting.
Well, speaking of, I am home from Round 3 which went well except my port clogged again….my body is wanting to heal it over. We're home cold capping and going to watch Doctor Strange. My blood work came back stellar again and I feel pretty lucky. Tomorrow I go for IV fluids – they said to plan on two hours there…ughhhhh…but I'll end up feeling good.
Bagger – thanks, it was for anxiety and depression relapse prevention really due to all this. I think I will hang in
Heathet – I took Xanax once for anxiety awhile ago. I'm on Ambien now for sleep and it really helps the anxiety. I'll talk to my doctor but I'm thinking today to not mess with it until after Chemo is done.
CJ – I think the first run on the new med is longer and they pack on the pre-meds to make sure you don't have a severe reaction. Benedryl was awful for me, I about had a panic attack but then it knocked me out. Thanks for the WOOT! I'm glad that you have made your decision and you're at peace with it.
Numb – Ughhhh. I'm so sorry. But keep up the walking and water. Remember, this will pass.
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Bagger-Agreed! I finally made it through a round of chemo without dwelling in both extremes of the constipation-diarrhea spectrum. Not exactly a success story you can share with most of your friends!
CJ- congratulations on your decision! It definitely feels better to have a plan that you feel confident moving forward with implementing.
Numb- I hope you start feeling more like yourself soon. The third round knocked me flat, too.
I hope the fourth round is kinder to all of us
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Checking in with Day 2 of Taxol. I took no drugs yesterday. Woke up, downed a glass of Glutimine and my stomach protested a wee bit, so I took some Pepcid AC. I'll adjust as needed. Coffee is sitting well. I feel pretty energetic. I'm not going to take my oral steroids. I will be very happy if I can get through this less medicated. If I notice any rashes forming, I'll counter with Benedryl (thanks for that idea Zo). Other than my hands feeling really dry all the time, even with lotion, I feel pretty good. And have already had a nice BM this am... (we do talk about the strangest things, don't we?). It was a bit loser than normal, but not enough to classify it as diarrhea.
JLB - I think we have an awesome team. Women are inherently strong, but it sometimes take something like this to truly show our true colors. Love to all!
Annie - I love the photo of Tracy on the FB page where she is wearing a buff and all sweaty after teaching a kickboxing class. THAT is my idea of a cancer patient. I get the other one, too as that happens, unfortunately, as well. But I would love to see more photos of all of us out doing things.
I take Taxol only and I have a very short list premed - just 10mg of steroid, Benedryl and Pepcid. I get a double dose than the others getting it weekly. It takes about 3 hours normally. But only 3 more!! Limno - I hope your 4th round is kinder, too.
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Dropping in to wish you all a good, not-too-uncomfy Memorial Day. Since you're in the thick of it, I thought I'd share a stupid photo you might appreciate--I'm doing a round of facial electrolysis (oh, Tamoxifen, oh, menopause).
New electrologist: "There's a prescription cream you can use to numb your skin. It's called 'EMLA.'"
Me: "Yes, I'm somewhat familiar with that."
New electrologist: "Put it on and then cut some strips of Press n Seal--"
Me: "Yes, I'm somewhat familiar with this use of Press n Seal."
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Checking in Day 2 of Round 3 TC+H. Had a good night, was so glad to get that last cold cap off and happy to have slept well. Proceeding with my plan for the day and I'm feeling fine. IV fluids this morning, 50 minute work out at the gym, grab lunch and go to work for an easy afternoon. Then a long weekend for days 3,4,5. Kinda excited to see how I do with the routine changes my MO gave me. I'm going to hopefully put some data on the other end of the spectrum for Round 3 being easier....muhahahahahahaha. Keeping up water, walking, exercise, and meds for symptoms. For Round 4 I hope to have some medical marijuana cannabinoid creams to use and the cream for saving some eyebrows.
Well, my support sisters, Day 4 usually starts my dread days so we'll see how it goes.
KSusan Heeee...wearing a glob over my port covered by a cut up sandwich baggie myself right now prior to IV fluids...
CJ - YES! The AC is leaving your body, having done its work. I'm glad that you are feeling better. I love that photo of Tracy! That's what I'm talking about - show the full spectrum.
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Good morning all -
I am Day 1 after round 3 of AC. I keep reading how hard #3 is so I'm hydrating, hydrating and hydrating some more. Round 2 hit me extremely hard, so if round 3 is the worst, I'm trying to do everything I can to arm myself. I go back today for my WBC shot and will be hydrated then as well so I really hope I can get through this round without feeling so much like a zombie.
As for food I don't really have a craving for anything, except for canned pineapple or an occasional serving of ice cream. Most foods turn me off right now, so I'm on a diet of soups (chicken noodle, beef vegetable, bean), yogurt, and of course, water. I don't think it's a taste bud thing, it's more of a smell/texture issue as to why I can't really bring myself to eat anything else.
The canker sores are almost gone, hallelujah!!!! I have one cantankerous mongrel behind my top left wisdom tooth, but thankfully I'd say he's about 85% healed - prayerfully by tomorrow my mouth should be clear.
Regarding TRUE friends, I've found it's during weddings, funerals and illness are times when people's true colors show. I've seen some real ugliness during my 45 years on earth, so my prayer is for the Lord to keep bitterness out of my heart and let love reign, and to bless those who have let me down, because they simply may not know what they're doing (or not doing). Easier said than done, but it really does work.
My MO did a physical exam yesterday and said that my lump felt smaller. I too am opting for BMX as I'm BRCA1+ and have dense breasts. I also want to go smaller (and higher!!!), so if I can get a tummy tuck through this ordeal, I. am. game. It would be nice if the plastic surgeon can also take some fat off my hips, thighs and behind too in the process. Oh, and my upper arms. Hmmm... my knees and ankles too. But just throw away all of that fat - I still want to go smaller (and higher!!!).
Continued strength to you all.
ps - no more heel pain!
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SusanBP - I took a page from your book and took the dogs for a RUN today! Okay, so it was a 2 mile walk/run and I went slow, but it was a run and I feel good! Thank you for setting a great example. I hope I continue to feel like this.
KSusan - you crack me up! There are big advantages to being blond. I tell ya.
Annie - thinking of you! Here's hoping you change the ROund 3 curse, along with 4Hymn!
4Hymn - sounds like you've got thsi covered. I'm hoping your hydrating does the trick!
Glad your lump is smaller, too. That's always a good thing! I will say that I feel really dry. Like I cannot keep enough lotion on, drink enough water, or anything.
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Houston 2016: the chest pain is typically associated with your sternal bone marrow being hyper stimulated by the neulasta shot. The two most common areas of bone pain after neulasta are the pelvis and the sternum. I had this pain with my last two AC treatments. Initially thought I was having heart problems and got an echo.
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Hi all...
Today I went in for IV fluids and had to sit there for 2 hours listening...next door was a really old man getting an all day blood infusion and a very depressive volunteer talking to him about trauma and loss. I felt overwhelmed with all the medical stuff when I left. Got to my car and had some tears. I thought "I'm just gonna go home" but then I realized that going home and giving in would not make me feel better. So I turned right and went to the gym, did a short take it easy workout, took a shower and washed my hair, went to the Food Co-op and got a kale smoothie and organic sandwich and went to work. I felt better! Had an easy afternoon with lots of breaks. I'm tired out but glad for turning right.
QUESTION...Steroids. So my MO cut my dose in half on Day 0 and then I got them IV yesterday on Day 1. My face was flush all day and it is just calming down. Today I actually feel less symptoms although I'm tired. I'm thinking about skipping the 4 mg dose...well I did skip it, its 7pm and I haven't taken it. I like not feeling so jacked up and suppressed...like pressure. Am I risk taking with this? I'm thinking of just going to bed and then taking 4mg in the morning. I'm wondering if the steroid side effects are larger than I thought.
Appreciate your thoughts...
Annie
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Anniekaja , good for you that you did not give in and went and to the gym and to work. Going home would have just depressed you. You sound like a fighter and good on you. I have moments I don' feel like getting up and I realize it's not going to help me.
I would not skip my dose with out s discussion with my MO. There is a medical basis for giving the steroids I am sure and I would not suggest you take the decision : risk on your own. You can certainly discuss it with MO next time .
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Positivepower - thanks, I just took the dose - good advice. Lets see how I feel on the 1/2 dose over the 3 days instead (MO's changes). That's enough of a change and maybe next Round we can take it down more. Thanks for your comment - last week when I was fatigue weary, I heard in my head "Annie, don't give in and don't give up." You are right about that it would have depressed me. Everything I did kept me moving. BUT I am looking forward to the long weekend to be lazy.
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I have to read all the posts, not up to date, in hospital, was feeling so drained with 3rd round of AC I was admitted yesterday, I literally couldn't function. Spoke with my Oncologist and she is cancelling the 4th round for me, as she says 3 of these harsh ones are enough, so my next round will be Taxol. Probably be in hospital until Monday, but after a night on a drip I feel like a new woman today. Thank God.
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Numb! Goodness - I'm so sorry! I hope you bounce back soon. Round 3 was horrid for me, too, but not like that. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better!
Annie - enjoy your lazy weekend. I'm excited as my daughter will be down.
Some things about Taxol:
Invest in heavy duty lotion - my fingers feel like I've been on a king crab boat off the coast of Alaska in the dead of winter - dry and chapped. My kitten rescue group gave me some socks with aloe in them and they are great for my feet. I'm also very thirsty. I drank over 100 oz of water yesterday, and drank another 20 oz last night (of course I was up 4 times last night to use the restroom, too).
I had trouble sleeping last night - but I had trouble sleeping one of the nights after the first round of AC. So I'm tired today. I'm blaming it on lack of sleep. I also have a head ache, but again probably lack of sleep.
Other than that, I do feel pretty good. Stomach is happy with no meds. I haven't taken any additional steroids from the 10mg in the drip bag. I don't have an taste change - yet. I still say over all, so far, Taxol is much easier. Probably won't go for a run today, though - but maybe tomorrow.
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Hi group, my name is Lynne, and I'm from the April 2015 group. I wanted to come by and give you some "over the rainbow" perspective. I'm not sure if it helps or not. I didn't ever think I wouldn't get to the other side, so that was a given. I was so focussed on the "now" that thinking of a year (or more) from now was momentary at best.
I remember that around this time last year, after my 3rd round of AC, my sister left me a voice mail that said she had dreamed of me, and was thinking of me, and knew that it must be really sucky, and she was sorry. I listened to the message and just burst out crying. I was driving to work after dropping my daughter off at school. I had been tolerating the chemo, but had that sick feeling - just unwell, and like I was coming down with something. It also fucked with my emotions. I am usually a strong person - at least that's what everyone tells me, but I blubbered like a baby with my sister's acknowledgement of the state of my health, my life.
So, as you have reached/are reaching that place in your treatment know that you not alone, and that it is very normal to feel discouraged, depressed, sad. It's ok. This too shall pass.
Today, a year out, life it 99% back to normal. I have residual side effects that make it difficult to get that 1% back, but I'm hoping that I'll get there.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, I'm happy to share whatever knowledge I have that would help.
Lynne
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thank you Lynn!!!!
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