Starting Chemo in July 2017
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Thanks Teese! She is at a facility one mile from our house, so we see her almost every day
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I'm so sorry about your mother-in-law. My beloved MIL passed from liver failure due to a congenital condition six years ago. I'll always be grateful for all that I learned from her, will always miss her.
I'm glad you didn't have a serious issue with your fever.
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leatherette- so glad that you are doing fine. Sorry about your mother in law, so much unfortunately things happened at once and prayers to your family. I know it is hard because I lost my parents.
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so sorry leatherette... sending love and thoughts for peace for you all....
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Thank you.
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Hi, just wondering if anyone else is having this: after my third infusion, not only am I not losing hair, but I can see new growth as well as growth of my stubble. I was expecting to progressively lose all of it. Of course, it could still happen, but that's not what it's looking like now.
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Leatherette- my hair is still shredding 😕😕
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Leatherette -- I just finished Taxol #2 and have seen hair growing. It's not a ton, and super spotty, but it's definitely growing. (I had one alfalfa-style sprout on the tip top of my head -- bizarre!) I lost 95% of my hair during A/C, and it was buzzed super short. I was wondering if what was left would fall out throughout Taxol, so I was really surprised to see growth!
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Hey ladies, just trying to catch up on everyone's updates. You all post faster than I can read! LOL
Leatherette: So sorry to hear about your MIL. I'll be praying for your family and the strength to get through everything.
Re: weight loss... I have been doing the opposite. I have gained 7 lbs since the start of treatment! I feel so fat lately and my clothes haven't been feeling right. My taste buds are way off, so everything tastes bland to me. So I feel like I'm always eating. I'm really bad with snacking too. Chips and bread are my weakness. The upside is that I started this Living Strong exercise program. The first actual workout was yesterday and I got in 20 min of cardio and strength training. Until yesterday, I had not done any consistent exercising, always making excuses (fatigue, getting winded, etc). But when I was walking on the treadmill I felt none of that. Mind over matter, I guess!
I had my #3 TC infusion last week. During previous infusions, I had major bone pain on day 5. This time, it was a lot better. I was thinking that it would be worse since chemo is supposed to be cumulative (??), but I took Aleve this time and I think that made all the difference. However, this time around, I had tummy issues SE yesterday. I had a good BM in the morning and by mid-morning diarrhea hit me. I took imodium and was better by the time I had to go to the gym. I still have this bloated feeling though.
After a month and a half of dealing with hair shedding, I finally shaved my head the other night! I don't know why I held off for so long... Maybe because it was something I was able to control somewhat. All my hair had not fallen out but I was looking like Beetlejuice with the messy, thin strands that were left. My brother did the deed, and I didn't want to get a super close shave due to the possibility of irritation, so I mostly have peach fuzz all over. Now I have to get used to the feeling of wearing my wig over the baldness. When I had hair, I would use a wig cap to hold in the longer strands, but today I went commando! Hahaha I use a wig gripper to hold the wig in place, but without the wig cap the top of my head tickles against the wig.
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I lost 90% of my hair and eyebrows are mostly gone also. I wouldn't mind to see some of my hair come back JenRuns! Especially my eyebrows.
Sunnyjay - my problem with appetite is even I'm hungry I don't feel like eating. I wish I can make myself to eat. With Taxol my taste buds changed again. I like to eat sweet can't stand salt.
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Morning all
Paulette my appetite is up and down now, mostly down. It's ok I just make sure I eat when I should, small plates so as not to make myself sick. I'll take this over the nausea any day.
Don't want to jinx myself, and I know this will change with each infusion, but feeling ok. Trying to stay busy so that I sleep well at night. Taste hasn't changed too much, however they're is a perpetual salty taste in my mouth. Frequent rinses help. BMs back to prechemo normal, which is to say I always had to eat a lot of fiber. Very slight numbness in middle three fingertips on both hands and the balls and toes of my feet that go away with walking.
Off to acupuncture this AM, read a bit about acupuncture and neuropathy, so continuing till the end. Then to the grocery store and then my son is coming to dinner, have to squeeze in a walk. That sounds like so little I know, but it'll be a full day for me. Won't it feel like heaven when we get our energy back?
Sunnyjay I've read several times that the earlier infusions had the worst pains, I'm glad yours are easing off. I hope we all have the same experience!
Leatherette continuing prayers for peace for your MIL, you and your family.
Gotta run,
Hugs and prayers
Theresa
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tesse, my onc said acupuncture helped nueropathy, i have done acupuncture in past and thinking on trying it now
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I'm going to see my MO I need to ask him about acupuncture. My appetite came back on day 5 so day 3 and 4 were bad days for appetite. Salty food doesn't taste right I will try to do more rinses on my next round of infusion.
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Good to know about acupuncture and neuropathy! I have some pain in my fingers & toes and I'm thinking it's the neuropathy starting... The edges of my nails are purple, but since they're painted I don't see how bad it is until I remove and reapply Nail envy. I haven't been icing during my infusions, and I have only one cycle left in 2 weeks. Does anyone know if neuropathy lingers past chemo? If so, how long after?
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sunnyjay - ms robin also mentioned in other threads that you can ask you MO for Neurontin/Gabapentin that will help out neuropathy.
I forgot to ask my MO about acupuncture this morning, I guess I can ask the nurse tomorrow during my infusion.
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Thanks for the prayers and good wishes for my mother in law. She has a beautiful private room and is resting comfortably, and is getting a lot of visitors. Not sure how aware she is of us, but we like to think she is feeling our presence.
She had a very interesting life. She grew up in Holland during WWII. Her house was occupied by Nazis, and the kids spent lots of time trying to trick and annoy them. Her best friend at that time was Audrey Hepburn, pre-fame. She went on to become an artist, painting beautiful still lifes, portraits and lots of birds, especially chickens. Her house was always artfully decorated, and she loved hosting dinner parties. And she was always great to me (don't think she liked any other of my husband's girlfriends!). And she made it to 88, and lived independently until she was 87
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leatherette- thank you for sharing about your MIL's life so that we could get a glimpse of her spirit. Very sorry you and your family are facing this tough time. Praying for peace and comfort for you all.
Know that your sharing a part of who your MIL is leaves us all with a piece of her to remember and keeps her in so many people's hearts.
Prayers and hugs sent your way.
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Leatherette- at my age I need to learn what's matter in life is the depth and joys not the length. Thank you for sharing your mother in law life with us, so happy she had a full life.
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Leatherette...prayers for your mother in law and your family. Many hugs as well.
1st DD Taxol is done! 3 to go!! My RBC and Hemoglobin is mildly low. Talked to my MO, it's not low enough yet to do a transfusion or skip chemo, still have about 4 points to go before that is considered. He said the chemo is causing it and not much I can do. Of course I didn't like that answer so turned to Dr Google when I got home 😊 Going to try upping my greens intake more (kale spinach etc) and lean red meat. Can't hurt and I just want to continue powering thru this and be done. Any other ideas?
I talked to my MO about acupuncture when I first started AC as there is also research that shows it helps with fatigue too. My MO told me no...his concern was there are chances for bacteria with the needle pricks.😞 I really like my MO but he goes by the book for everything and doesn't like to take chances. I need to bring it up again as my WBC counts have remained very high with Nuelasta and I will continue with Nuelasta during Taxol. I did reach out to my friend who sells Young Living Essential Oils...she mixed up a blend that help with neuropathy and dropped off this week. She also brought over pan away oil for bone pain, there is also another oil we can try if that one doesn't work. So will be doing that until I get the acupuncture OK. 😉
Happy Friday! Wishing you all minimal SE's and a wonderful weekend!
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leatherette-your MIL sounds lovely, she's lived a full life and now she has her family nearby at the end. She'll have a peaceful passing, a blessing for you all.
Runnermum- my hgb had hovered at 12 through AC then at the start of Taxol it took a big hit and dropped to 11.1. I was concerned as my normal s 14+. I'm sure this is where the fatigue is coming from. My MO said chemo hits the bone marrow and that means our RBC and WBC. Our WBC recover and make new ones quickly, but RBC take 120 days to mature. So they start to regenerate right away after our first chemo infusion but won't be mature and released for essentially 4 months. So we won't see any improvement till November in RBC. However we can try to increase our Hgb (iron) through diet. MO says they will not infuse till hgb hits 8.0. Good grief not sure how I'd still be on my feet with it that low.
My MO and the cancer center I go to are very open to alternative therapies, but I've read on here that many are concerned about any interference from supplements etc, who knows. I think with all that medicine knows, there's so much it doesn't know.
I asked MO last week why abraxane isn't used instead of Taxol, she said only because all the trials so far on abraxane have been in the neoadjuntive area and since all the info is on that and not adjunctive applications she and other MO's don't use it. Hopefully that changes soon. ( abraxane is taxol, but dissolved in a different solution. It's the solution it's dissolved in that causes all the allergic reactions in taxol)
They have limited research and until its studied no one wants to take a chance, even with vitamin supplements.
I'm sure if I were an MO I'd be just as careful with my patients, we just need more research.
Have a good day, off for my prechemo labs today, only two more to be drawn till I'm done. Woot!
Theresa
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Good morning ladies, today is my #2 taxol infusion hopefully my WBC and RBC are good enough. I know my RBC is getting kinda low reading from Teese it takes 120 days to mature so our counts will be low for a longtime.
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leatherette, thanks for sharing... thinking of you and your family.
My HGB was lower than usual this last time... red meat was the fix, according to the nurse. So, tomorrow we will head out for a good burger. And hope that fixes it! It's interesting to hear the science behind it (#days).
Had to get my new license today... new photo. I burst into tears when I saw it. Super moon face (gaining weight + steroid swelling) and a wig that's blonder than my real hair. Just another slap... all the things that are different because of damn cancer. Ah well. Cried in the car and went along with my day
Busy weekend for us ... marching band/football game tonight for the son, and homecoming #1 for the daughter (her boyfriend's school). Glad to be done with A/C.... never could have dealt with all the activity then. Taxol has its issues, but it's way better, so far.
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Yes that's what my oncologist shared about RBCs too Teese. I just can't ever take NO for an answer so I am going to try some diet adjustments too just in case! 😉 I am so stubborn. Mine were at 10.9 yesterday took a big dip between AC 2 & 3. Smaller dips (.4 each time since). Hoping it levels off soon.
The essential oils are mixed with a carrier and applied topically not injested but I should check with nurse too.
Jen we have a XC meet out of tomorrow and I hope to go to high school football game tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't have the fatigue with Taxol like I did with AC either!!
Good luck Paulette with 2nd Taxol today!!
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Runnermum, can you let me know what oils are in the blend you got for neuropathy? I have an account with doTerra, and I'll be placing on order soon. I would be careful with the acupuncture also because of the chance of infection, and might just wait until I'm done with my treatment. I can't afford to get another infection with just one more cycle left in a couple of weeks.
Interesting about the numbers. Thanks, Teese for the info. I was borderline anemic at infucion #2. My infusion nurse said turkey is also good to raise the level. So I made turkey sandwiches for lunch for a couple of weeks and all my levels were better for infusion #3. So I guess diet does work! Since I'm working, I have a tough time with fatigue. When the 3pm hour hits, I zone out. So I've been relying on coffee or tea to keep me up for the rest of the day. I know caffeine is not a good idea, so on other days I'll take a late lunch and take a nap.
Leatherette, I loved reading about your mother's life! My father in law is 92, and has some great stories as well. I live vicariously in the past through all these stories.
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When the day I can eat oatmeal I'm going to add protein, hope that will help out my HGB. Done with my #2 taxol today, ten more to go!
Hope everyone have minimal side effects for the weekend, and eat and eat!!
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Leatherette: Thank you for sharing the stories about your MIL. Will be sending good thoughts her way.
I'm sorry I can't respond to everyone... It has been a busy week at work (and fun!) getting things up and going for Fall.
Also, yesterday was my LAST infusion! I'm DONE with chemo! I haven't really wrapped my head around this, to be honest. I thought this day would never come, especially in the middle when I had so many allergic reactions and delays going on!
My husband and I celebrated with a nice meal and I even had a margarita (cleared by the oncology nurse to have one, given my liver is looking very good on all of the blood pull reports!).
With no rest for the weary, I had my 'calibration' appointment for radiation today. I now have my tattoos, my head/shoulder form and will start radiation Monday October 2nd. Actually, a friend of mine who did chemo and then radiation said that I'll feel so much better during radiation. Some fatigue, but not the ups and downs and various SE we get from chemo, so that makes me hopeful!
I'll still be around here. Ladies, you are amazing, and what a great group to have while going through chemo. Knowing I wasn't alone with the ups and downs and all arounds. You're all amazing and rockstars!!
I'll be joining the October Rads group when it starts. Maybe I'll see some of you over there!
Love to you all, and may SE's continue to be minimal!
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lojo100- congrats on finishing chemo!!
I should be starting rads in October, too, so see you tgere
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I'm so sad that I'm still around doing my chemo for the month of October and November. I'm happy to see all of you ring the bell, meanwhile I'm counting my red blood cells.
Let me know when you get your hair back so I can cheers with you all
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congrats lojo!!
I’m here with ya Paulette .... I don’t finish chemo until Nov 28.
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JenRuns 🙌🙌🙌🙌 thank you, we will hold hands and get thru this!!
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