Chemo starting October 2017
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I like the new name Neanie! Especially since it has significance from your sister.
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Big party noises here for you for finishing your last AC,Tri-Lady! (and any of you who I likely missed - and some of you who are half-way through your whole chemo tx!!) Making big party noises for me too since today was my last of DD AC. Woo hooo to all of us!!!!
I got my 4th DD AC done today and though I'm currently steroid awake and feeling more nausea than I really ever had, I'm really still just so thrilled I'm done with injections of the Red Devil!
It was such good news getting the green light with my WBC at 30.4 this morning after it was 0.9 last week. Thank you Granix shots 3x a week! I SO didn't want to have postpone getting this over with. I know most of you can relate, as I've seen many of you say the same thing.The first few days of this week were good because I could put in almost full work days at the office and even commitments after work, making them very long days but I hung in there!. But what a big deal after a week of feeling useless! Monday I was at a women's support group and then a business meeting, Tuesday at my improv class
for 2 hours (which I've been missing every-other week), and my office holiday party last night when I felt good, social and ate SO much healthy food, even a full plate of seconds - salmon, chicken, hummus, salad, cooked spinach, farro (ooops, I didn't realize it wasn't gluten free 
. However, I did indulge with 3 small slices of GF, Vegan cakes, one made with maple syrup instead of sugar, by my colleague who has an incredible talent with deserts and their decorations. And, I went capless most of the evening because it was warm. No weird looks and even a couple of compliments. Nice, huh?!I decided to consider the work holiday party as also my personal kick off celebration for my "Last of the AC." I plan to find a way to celebrate every day until the one day forget that AC exists. So today I was in such good spirits after chemo knowing it was my last AC, I offered a stranger in the grocery store encouragement who I sensed needed to talk. She was overwhelmed, with tears in her eyes, that I could offer her support when I'm dealing with something which she deems so much harder. I was feeling so blessed (talk to me in 5 days, though. Ha ha ha!) that I wasn't focused on my troubles. I wound up giving and getting a hug from her (Google "hugs improve immune system"), and then finding out we're both named Lea/Leah! That whole experience became a celebration in my heart! :-) Some of the upcoming days might just include a little dance alone in my pjs looking in the bathroom mirror. My sister wants to find me some sparklers. My mom just wants to feed me non-stop, so at least one celebration in about 11 to 13 days will be with me eating and her watching!
Got any suggestions or your own ways of celebrating the end of AC? ( Or Taxol or whatever chemo cocktail you'll be happy to see the end of). I'd love to hear them!
Ok.. Going to try to sleep so I can join in remotely on a webinar and a phone call for work in 8 hours. Nausea
be gone! Geesh I write a lot don't I? I call it "steroidity"... new word, feel free to use it when needed! I'm going to create my own emoticon. It will be vibrating, with extremely large eyes, kinda like {{{
}}}.Be well all of you. Thank you for your posts. This forum is so important for me. Hugs to all!
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Hello friends,
I’m sitting up at 4:30 in the morning. Taxol #1 is looming so I’m unable to sleep. Happy to keep this train moving though. I need to remind myself that I’m halfway through this chemo journey. AC was no picnic. If there was an SE that only a few people get I fell into the bucket of the rare case. Glad AC is behind me. Realizing I worked full time through it is shocking as I look back. Working kept me focused on other things but as I sit alone with my thoughts I’m realzing how tough some days were. All in all I got through it. I’m hoping Taxol won’t be too bad on me.
I will have a huge amount of time off this month for break so I will rest during that time and will spend time with friends
Well that’s all. Wishing you all the best as you move forward in your treatment. Have a lovely weekend.
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Hooray Violalia! Congratulations on finishing your AC. I understand the feeling of relief that it is over. So glad you were able to get through and put in some work time. And to all of us who are feeling the relief of being half way or almost half way through. We can do this!!!! 🙏 and hugs
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eighthoutof, good luck today with Taxol. It's a real accomplishment getting through AC. I'm so impressed with anyone who works full time through chemo. Congratulations. I hope Taxol is good to you.
Voilalia, I love your spirit. Congratulations to you, too, on making it through AC. Glad you found time to celebrate and love that you went capless. One day maybe I'll find the courage to do so.
I slept like a rock last night, which continues the trend of one sleepless night the evening of my Taxol infusion, followed by a really deep sleep on Thursday night. I can deal with that. I'm glad to report that this round I also didn't have any nausea at all on the day after the infusion. If this week goes like last week, this is the day I'll start getting "zingers" shooting through my body. I'm taking a B-complex vitamin now, so crossing my fingers that'll help. If not, I'll try Claritin, though I'm trying to reduce the number of drugs I'm on! So far, I'm taking my 2 BP medicines, a B-complex vitamin, and Prilosec. I think that's enough for my poor body!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday. It's so good to see all of you reaching the halfway milestone. Keep up the fight, ladies! We're making real progress now!
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violalia, what a fantastic day for you, and quite a party time to. love your positivity and your ability to support a stranger.
Eightoutof, I'm sure you will see a big difference with less work and hope you treasure friends time.
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New side effect. I sweatall night. Ugh!! Hubby will be on sheet changing duty today. I had a drug assisted sleep. Not too awful. Off for Neulasta today. That should be fun......
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Hi Ladies, haven't been on here in a few days but after reading threads, wanted to send out a WhoooHoo to those ladies ending AC treatments and on to Taxol. If I look back to where I started and I'm sure all of you ladies will feel the same, it's time to give ourselves a big celebration that we have made it this far. This journey has been tough and I know some days are better than others but we are together making it to the end. So Congratulations to all of us!
Learned a few things today. Seems the benedryl and pepcid is being pushed because there is a shortage on saline since it comes from Pureto Rico. I also asked about Neulasta and why I wasn't receiving it. If I understood correctly seems numbers have to be around 1.5 and most insurances won't cover it. It's so different in each state and between doctors.
AgathaNYC- A Big Celebration is due with your tumor shrinking allowing you to have a lumpectomy. So happy for you! Congrats to others ladies with the same victory.
Stage2ire - I too am having nail soreness and it just started last week. Feels like I stubbed all of them. You mentioned nail oil, any particular kind help?
KimCee- Welcome to the thread. These ladies are great! Seems you and I are on the same timeline. I started Taxol with Herception every 3 weeks on 10/12, so I think you are a little ahead of me. I too have a man size hunger, which I hate to say, since so many ladies on here aren't able to eat. I have gained 4 pounds, my eating habits have never been healthy, don't do veggies which is what most chemo patients increase. I am looking at it like I need to do what makes me sain now and will deal with the weight later. I have 3 more treatments of Taxol left and I will say I feel worse now than I did. The fatigue is awful, was in bed most of the past 2 weekends. I have more of a delayed reaction with meds so maybe its just the cumulative affect catching up with me. Also the fingernails have just started hurting. Any SE's you are having in the last days? Don't think there are many of us on here that are Her2+, know Simboddy is, but think she has just started her Taxol.
Ladies, have an awesome weekend and do some celebrating! I'll be drinking some wine for sure.
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Lisa - This is the scarf that my friend bought me. https://turbanplus.com/collections/chemo-fashion-scarf Lots of patterns to choose from, though I think you'll have actually order it on another site. Maybe headcovers.com or Amazon.
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Eightof - congrats on being done with AC. I'm sending positive vibes for your Taxol infusion today and easy SEs. It's great you will have some time off. I hope you let yourself really absorb the downtime and baby yourself!
LisaRx - so glad you had a good night's sleep. It really makes a difference! (as I write after only 3 hours of sleep Ugh!) And good news on no nausea so far. may it stay so! Thank you for your kind words and the cheering on for all of us!
Binnie - Thank you also for your kind words.
Sara - those night sweats can be really annoying, I haven't had them in a few years (when I was battling the worst of Lyme disease). So soaked, I had to change sheets and night clothes the middle of those nights. Glad you have your hubby's help. I've only experienced occasional hot flashes with the AC. At 51, I was in perimenopause for years anyway.Wondering if anyone else out there is finding Taxol ups the chemopause SEs. Good luck with the Neulasta. I ended up with a prescription for Vicodin to help with the worst pain. Low dose (325) and I try to use as infrequently.
7am here on the West Coast. Need to try to get in at least one more hour of sleep hopefully while my stomach finally settles with some compazine (1st time I've taken it) and rice crackers and this building is still relatively quiet. Maybe I won't be making that webinar after all. Too ambitious?
Ciao
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Well, now I have a UTI. No idea if this is a SE of Taxol but praying my Onc nurse will call me back. I don't want to go through the weekend in this kind of agony. Hoping it can be treated.
I'm going to a wedding tomorrow night and looking forward to getting out and all dolled up.
Please, please, please, phone - Ring
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How long does bone pain from Neulasta last?
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Congratulations to everyone finishing up the Red Devil!! Good luck as a lot of you are moving on to part two of chemo. Voilalia - I especially loved your post. I've taken my head wrap off a few times in mixed company when it's gotten too hot. People have been really cool about it.
I'm a week out from my first DD Taxol and happy to report the bad bone pain from the Neulasta only lasted 3 days. The only other new side effects are related to my fingertips: strange numbness and tingling, white bands at bottom of nails, some minor peeling of the skin on the pads of fingers.
I still have this stubborn sinus infection that reappears as soon as I finish a cycle of antibiotics. I am trying to get into see the ENT doctor today, but the referral has gotten lost in the shuffle. At least it's making me laugh - it's easier to coordinate cancer treatment than to get meds for a stuffy nose!
I'm hoping to get my Christmas tree and decorate for the holidays over the weekend. That's really going to keep my spirits up. This is my favorite time of year and cancer is just going to have to come along for the ride. I'm even thinking of crafting an additional "advent calendar" to count down to when I'm done with chemo: 42 days!
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Agatha. I considered making myself a rad advent calendar. lol. I like counting down for sure!
Sara
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I'm 67 days from when I started chemo and 67 days til I end.
Started the day feeling good, then took a real energy dip around 11. Ate a salad and half a hamburger but couldn't finish it, then took an hour nap. I'm once again going back and forth between being freezing cold and hot and sweaty. I wonder if body temp regulation is one of the SEs of Taxol.
Trying to drink more water as I think I'm dehydrated.
Today on on the Dateline shows I was watching, an American family was being held for ransom by an Islamic terrorist group in the Phillipines. The narrator said, "There's a saying: When you're going through hell, keep on going."
I thought that was an appropriate adage for us today. Whether we feel good or awful, we've got to keep on going.
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We went to husbands holiday party last night. First time I have really done a big event since diagnosis. Wore my too light colored wig, stood for 3 hours, ate not so healthy apps but drank a lot of water while everyone else was drinking their bar drinks.
Fell asleep for 2 hours last night then wide awake. First day post steroid. I debated to take a Ativan but I didn't, I hate being dependent on meds to sleep! I should of though.
Felt dizzy this morning (usually a sign of low RBC for me). Protein shake and some scrambled eggs helped some. Now just need a good night sleep.
Think the DD Taxol bone pain setting in my legs. Trying Claritin. I had little bone pain with AC, only twice for short period of time.
Oh and the night sweats. I think they are happening around my normal period time although I haven't had a actual period since AC #1 in October. I use to be so regular like clockwork to the day
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Hi 2brandy...thank you for your post! You are a head of me, I have 5 more Taxol. Oh I sure hope I don't become exhausted. I am a home care nurse and it is a long day. So far, so good on the nails. I ice during the Taxol. Not so much to save my nails, but to ward off neuropathy. Feel a little pins and needles off and on this week...eeek. I also take B6 to keep neuropathy away. I had taxotere in 1999, wanted that again. Did not want Taxol but I wasn't able to get taxotere due to her2pos. Darned her2,
Let's keep in touch here to help each other through. Hope you don't get stuck in bed and sleeping all weekend.
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@Binnie thanks went to fam doc 2x now on pills for heartburn etc..has helped but Still getting it through the 💊 i see my MO tuesday and last chemo wednesday but totally feaking out that chemo has ruined my esophagus feels burnt. Praying it heals. I will have to be better at drinking fluids thos last round.
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Hi ladies, just drop by and see how’s everyone are doing.
Simbovby, I think our immune system down so we are easily to get UTI, during taxol time, I drink cranberry juice, and now I’m taking cranberry pill so I won’t get UTI.
2brandy - nail soreness could be Neuropathy, that’s how mine started then my fingers started numbness. Once it start numbness you need to tell your MO, because neuropathy can be permanent not go away.
Keep walking if you feel fatigue, walking really help.
Good luck ladies, we can do this and there is rainbow on the end of the tunnel.
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"steroidity"... Wide awake when my body really needs the sleep. {{{
}}} (and when other people are around, I'm a motor-mouth... when I usually like to keep my trap shut!)
Simbobby - I got Uristat to help me deal with some urinary issues. Not the same as taking care of a full-on UTI but when you feel like you have to always go and it's painful to go, Uristat provides relief. Your post was 18 hours ago, so hopefully you've already heard from the Onc nurse and have it all taken care of.
Agatha - I love your idea of an advent calendar for the end of chemo. Making every day special and giving you something to look forward to day-by-day! (Sara - sounds like you had the same good idea!) If you come up with any good ideas of what to include for each day to celebrate, let us know!
Lisa Rx - that quote truly applies, doesn't it. We just have to keep going. Not really much option. Are you discovering that you are stronger than you thought you'd be entering into this? It's starting to occur to me.
Jennifer - glad you got out to your hubby's holiday party and indulged a little - while also keeping hydrated. Today was hard for me because I felt so sick all night (like you, 3 hours of sleep) into much of today. AND, I got my period. 2nd one in 2 weeks (last one a barely there, was it really?) At 51 years old! I'm so ready to be done with them, but the chemopause from AC is enough with the periodic hot flashes at night.
KimCee - I was going to post a question as to why the ice on the hands (and for some, feet). If it's for the nails or the neuropathy. My Onc nurse didn't know of any specific reason to do it, so I wanted to hear more from anyone currently doing it, so good timing! I'm inclined to give it a try, like I did with ice chips with Adriamycin. I had very little mouth issues, so I'll pass that one along for sure. If your sense is that you're only dealing with minor tingling right now seems a good sign. Anyone else have comments on icing hands?
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I, too, ice my fingers and toes during Taxol. I do it to fend away both neuropathy and nail lifting. My fingers were definitely tender to touch throughout the end of AC and the first Taxol infusion. I felt like if I tried to open up a pop tab, the nail bed would lift up. Since taking a B-complex daily vitamin, that has pretty much gone away, though. And the "zingers" that I experienced at this time last week have largely gone away. So I think the B vitamins are doing something.
However, yesterday was a bad day. I was freezing all day and running another low grade fever (100.1). I could function in the morning, then could barely lift my head off the pillow after noon. I believe I'm anemic, so I ate a bowl of fortified cereal and then another bowl of raw spinach for dinner. Then I slept from about 7pm to 5:30am. We were supposed to go out with friends last night, and I hate that I, we, weren't able to do it. I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board in terms of diet and try and figure out what my body needs with these weekly infusions. Taxol is supposed to be the "easier" drug but so far I've not tolerated it very well as I don't think that my body is recovering quickly enough. I can't imagine another 10 weeks where I'm out of commission both Thursday and Friday due to exhaustion.
Oh, and my nose is just one big bloody mess.
Have dinner plans with another set of friends tonight. Here's hoping I can make it!
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Two small joys. No bone pain YET from Neulasta. I slept. From 8:30 - 5:30. Joy. Joy. Joy. I’ll definatey make an Advent calendar for rads. I’m going to have my friends fill the bags I sew. As soon as I know how many treatments I’ll be crafting.
I feel for you ladies with Taxol every week. Be kind to yourselves, claim what you need 💕
tI get to watch this stunner today in her
clinic so it will be a good day. Cutting a 
Christmas tree at the neighbors as well. I feel a good day coming on. Plus hubby has coffee and tea on in the kitchen. I can hear it 
And. Hers my half way selfie with my mom. Joy. You all can figure out which photo is which 😘 Happy Saturday. 0 -
First of all, BIG Comgrats,to all of you and your daily, weekly, monthly accomplishments through these treatments!!
Lisa-- I am on TC, and with the taxanes, the battle of the extreme drop in blood counts is real-- all of them-- reds, whites, all the good which leads me to hope all the bad!
You mentioned helping your diet rebound your counts and I have found baby clams to be the magic food. Clams have a high amount of absorbable iron, and I consume them with a vitamin C-rich food to increase absorption. -- like broccoli and bell peppers. Be careful of the can/brand you choose, as many have tons of preservatives. Pay the extra $1 and pick the cleaner option. I eat a can of clams over the course of several days --but I cook it all at once-- sautéing them in olive oil with a ton of garlic, onions, red pepper flake... I then add zucchini noodles and some more of the clam juice....salt, pepper, and into a bowl it goes with a heavy sprinkle of fresh parm (love my parm!), and an extra drizzle of olive oil--& voila! Sometimes I add kale or Swiss chard to the sauté too. With all that said, I hope you like seafood/ clams! Let me know if not and I will share plan Iron B from up my sleeve.
Best wishes to all in finding joy during the holiday season! 😍🎄
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Finally got a photo of my wig, it is very similar to my old hairstyle, I did cut a layer of length off the back to make it more one length and added some bangs which is like my old hair style, I feel natural in it.
Had my second consultation with surgeon yesterday, and this time I know so much more about my cancer, so it was very informative. I switched surgeons, same hospital, but the head surgeon. The first one I met, she was not a communicator and although it took a lot for me to make the move to switch, I am so glad that I did. This surgeon and I clicked, and she took lots of time to explain everything, which was great. She said that she would have graded my tumor as a grade one. But because of the string of 3 tumors she feels that a mastectomy will be my best option. She said that the tumors spread over such a long area, it will be best. I am okay with this. The good news is if there is no cancer evident in the nodes, then I may not have to have radiation... which is something that actually bothered me more than chemo. She said that they will schedule my surgery 6 weeks out from my last Taxol to allow my white blood count to rebuild... Overall, a great visit, and I am happy.
Taxol #1: Day of treatment and day after, I was a steroid ball of energy... 3 & 4 very weak, in that I would get out of breath walking upstairs. I was so weak yesterday morning, I was wondering how I would make it from the parking garage to the doctor's office... but I got a second wind and did not have to sit down and rest... which I thought might happen! After appointment, I made it to the grocery store for a major shopping, got super tired at the end (and wanted to take off the wig in line at the store, SO HOT) but made it to the car and so hard to unload groceries... but that is how the 2 days felt. Today, my energy level is improved, so feel on the way out of slump. I too have the night sweats, most every night... did during AC too. I had not heard about B-6 helping with Taxol, I had run out about 3 weeks ago, still have B-12, but will get some B-6 today!!! Thanks for this info everyone.
Today, we are having our first snow, it has been nice fluffy snowflakes, and it is beautiful... only to accumulate to 2 in though, so just pretty, not so bad for travel, although I am going no where.
Best to everyone for the weekend!!!
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mamafelice, thanks for your recipe for iron along with red cells, mine dropped a bit and I don't like taking the tablets. I'd appreciate any other yummy sounding easy recipes
Simbobby, drink lots, and take your temp. Hope you get onto something soon for your uti
Hikerv your wig looks so natural. Do you have a cotton liner under your wig? I wear mine for work 8 1/2 hours. quite often on days off for a few hours also. I wear cotton liners. Definitely comfy enough. Have been told that some ladies soak them in cold water on hot days. There's also a sweat absorbing liner Ive seen for exercising with a wig on. but I can't tell you where from. Great news that you have a good surgeon now.
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Binniebin: Thank you, and I do not wear liners. I have one but it gives me a headache because I can not stand anything tight on my head. My wig is rather loose, but it stays put really well... I have read about soaking liners in cold water too, it must work!! My over-heating was from internal sweats... but I made it, even left the wig on when I got to the car, because it was cold outside 40 degrees and it felt good then...sometimes being inside and hot places do that to me... I like cooler temps.
I am like you, that Clam recipe sounded yummy, I am going to try it soon!!! Hope she shares more recipes.
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Hiker your hair is beautiful. My wig is similar. I know exactly what you are feeling when you are hot and want to rip it off of your head. Me....a Jersey girl recently moved to SW Florida, oh my gosh...was dying from the heat before this and now, it is so super awful. Such a lousy beast we are all dealing with.
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LisaRXCincinati I was disappointed too that I had such bad SE from Taxol. I thought the same thing...I am not going to make it if I feel like this every week!! With my first Taxol treatment and all my AC I had such severe nausea. I bed 3-4 days. I would have to go back to the hospital a few days after chemo to get more infusions of nausea meds and fluids. Couldn't eat or drink.
I had my second taxol on Weds. and my MO decreased my amount from 150 to 130. I have had no side effects except for a little back pain. By Thursday I could taste my food, No more yukky taste. I could eat and drink again. I had no nausea. This is the first weekend that I felt normal since I started in Oct. Nice not being up with my family during the weekend instead of sick in bed.
If you continue to feel that sick asked your Mo to make an adjustment. Weekly taxol is just too hard with no time to recoup. It made a world of difference for me. If my next Taxols are like this one it wont be so bad. 2 down 10 to go!!!!
Eight - I have to agree with trying to continue to work. Even though I cut to part time, i feel like the days I am at work I don't think about cancer. It forces me to get up, get dressed up, put some makeup on and out of the house and just feel normal. Just a break away from the cancer thing for a while.
Also love the saying about "keep moving" ..... Let's all just keep trying to move ahead. Each day we move ahead. we will be closer to our finish line. Thanks for all the support.
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Haven't posted in a couple weeks & just got caught up. Congrats to all who have completed AC and/or Taxol. I have AC #3 next Friday, with an echocardiogram scheduled for the following Friday to hopefully make sure there have been no ill affects.
After having such a rough start after AC #2 (nausea & vomiting followed by days of fatigue & minimal appetite), I'm happy to report my appetite returned last Friday and I've had a good appetite for the past week and can actually still taste food. I've even gained back the 3 lbs I lost after my first chemo. After the Neulasta shot last Monday my only SE seemed to be a mild-to-moderate lower back ache from Wednesday afternoon to about Saturday. Uncomfortable, but not unbearable. So glad I saw the recommendations here for Claritin. Had a blood draw yesterday and all my numbers look great. Also, it's been about a week and a half since I've had to use any sleep aids. So yay for multiple small victories!
Even though I'm alone, I put up some Christmas lights & a small tabletop tree earlier this week and went Christmas shopping for my young niece & nephew yesterday. It was nice to have something else to focus on & not think about cancer for a couple hours. In the past I've usually taken down the Christmas decorations right after New Year's day, but I might leave them up longer this year just to have some "bright & cheery" in the house.
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Yesterday, slept a lot during the day, then forced myself to get up and go to a dinner party with friends. So glad I did. I stayed up til 11:30, then slept til 7:30am, so a decent night's sleep. But so far today I'm feeling okay. Maybe I'm finally over the low WBC and RBCs of Taxol.
DKK, I'll certainly mention to my MO about what a rough time I've been having with fatigue and body temp fluctuations. A slight reduction would be a godsend if it'll help me recover more quickly. I'll also ask when I'm supposed to start discussing surgery with by BS. I'm a bit concerned that nothing has been scheduled yet. I want to make sure I got on her calendar!
MamaFelice, thanks for the tips about iron-enriched food. I actually had clam chowder yesterday so that should help. I'll add clams to my list to get at the grocery next time.
65 more days to go!
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