Starting Chemo in November 2017
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Hope - I’m still not any better this morning. I still don’t think my fall could have caused this much pain. Tomorrow at my 2nd treatment, I’m going to tell my oncologist that this is not a normal backache. I don’t think it’s my spine because when the Dr. pressed on it, it didn’t hurt. The tapping thing he used did absolutely nothing as far as relieving pain. The pain is on both sides of the lower back - which does seem like the muscles and ligaments are the culprit. They twitch sometimes too. The question is - could there be tumors in the muscles of the back? Even though my BC wasn’t metastatic, could some cancer cells from my bloodstream start a back cancer? Or is the chemo drugs irritating those muscles? Now I’m worried, because no blog topic has anyone suffering from a stabbing type back pain during treatments. My back felt perfectly fine before treatment. Again, I’m going to ask the oncologist to check with an X-ray or scan to my back. This just makes no sense.
I’m going to stock up on groceries today - in pain, and deal with this tomorrow. Can you tell I’m frustrated?
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Blair...I do hope your onco checks further. Hopefully, it is related to your previous fall. The pain that I had was a stabbing, gripping pain on both sides of my back, just under my rib cage. I couldn't get comfortable no matter how hard I tried. It was excruciating -- unlike any back pain I've ever had. It came out of nowhere. I was just getting up off the sofa and heading to bed when it hit me. I doubled over in pain. Oh yes...I can feel your frustration. I was in tears when I was going through this. Like I said, it may be nothing of concern, but until it's checked out further you won't feel unnerved. Please keep us posted. I felt several weeks were wasted with pain meds,muscle relaxers, ice and heating pad that did nothing to ease the pain. I am praying you get relief and answers soon!! Hugs!!!
Hope
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Blair, nonahope, should I worry if I have pain in my back or bone? both of you took taxotere is that right? I think this treatment make a lot of pain in bone. why you are worry to much? I'm afraid now. nonahope, did you feel this pain after 7 years or during chemo now?
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Thanks Hope, I’ll find out tomorrow what she thinks should be done. I can’t say this is excruciating pain, just a nagging pain that gets worse at night. The stabbing happens when i’ve been in one position for a long time, like sleeping, and then if I move to a different position. It would be unusual if it were another cancer considering my breast cancer is clinically non invasive. I can’t find any info that this has happened to anyone here other than, like you, years later, or with those with Stage 4 cancers where it has already spread. So again, it doesn’t make much sense. I’ll keep you posted. I’m so sorry yours turned into bone cancer - especially when your original chemo should prevented it. You ended up in that 10% of recurrence. Question- were your lymph nodes clear 7 years ago?
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Hope99....My pain started after 7 years....I do get joint pain from the Taxol I'm on now...but, nothing of significance.
Blair...I had all clear margins after my surgery (lumpectomy-left side). I had one lymph node involvement (sentinel?)...that was taken care of at that time. I agree, I think it would be unusual for you to have metastatic breast cancer at this stage of the game, but I do hope things are checked out thoroughly just to ease your mind.
Hope
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Hi All - Chemo #2/ Day #3
Feeling like crap. Lower back hurts (not the usual pain) - I feel for you Blair. I hear your pain. and I have severe cramping. Havn;t had cramps like this since teenage and had endometriosis. No energy. Little Nauseas - taking the Zofran / alternating with the compozine. This is completely unlike last Chemo.
I got a silk pillow case - for the sand paper head/ but I havn;t gotten it out yet. wearing the beanie works. My head gets cold. Can't wait to go to the Barber Shop and get my head the baby butt shave. (Smooth as a baby's butt) I'll go right before Chemo #3. Unless my hair falls out by then.
Since I have to find a new Chiro ( my usual won't dispose of the chemicals in the bathroom - its so strong it makes me sick) but I will "interview" this time around and find one that specializes in Chemo and women's needs.
mkn - you sound happy - good for you!
Take care everybody! Feel better Blair - hope you get to the root of your back problem. I know how painful that can be - trying to sleep. sit, grocery shopping... Everything.
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rljes...Feel better soon!!! You just never know how each chemo treatment will affect you. I'm heading out now for my 4th Taxol infusion and praying the side effects are not bad...have been very fortunate so far.
Hope
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Best to you Hope !
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I hope you ladies feel better soon.
rljes - interesting that you are finding reactions to the second treatment so different from the first.
Today is day 14 after the first infusion for me, and my gift for the day - I started shedding like a big dog. My head is absolutely sore. It hurts from the follicles being inflamed. Not responding to OTC pain relievers, and I'm at work so not taking anything stronger. I'm sitting at my desk with an ice pack on my head, held in place by a hat. My head looks gigantic!
And apparently, chemo exacerbates seasonal allergies. So my nose is stuffy and bleeding a little every time I blow, and my eyes are very puffy.
Cancer - the gift that keeps giving! lol!
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Infusion #6 was yesterday. Pretty much went home and slept the rest of the day and night. When I was awake, it was like I had the flu with muscle aches, joint pains, and chills. Even a fever that got to 100.4. But took Tylenol and went back to bed. Only to wake up to my 6 year old complaining of a stomach ache and then vomiting most of the night. At least it’s in the past now.
Luckily today’s a little better. The kid is definitely on the mend. I am at least awake without flu like symptoms. Just trying to fight off the big D. So, we’re both eating the brat diet today. Husband is complaining of feeling fatigued and I’m having a very hard time being sympathetic. This taxol rash has moved from my arms to my stomach and head. I am not happy about that. I’m already bald, why do I have to have a rash now? Ugh, I am having a very hard time trying to be positive. At least Christmas is just before my next infusion so I know I’ll be feeling better for that. Maybe I’ll get the presents wrapped in time!
Blair - i’m sorry that your back pains are still plaguing you. I really hope they can come up with something to help.
Nonahope- best of luck with #4!
Re: food tastes - i’m not sure if it’s the chemo effects or the congestion but today is the first time I started having problems tasting food. I was eating bananas and peanut butter and it was like eating white bread. Just no taste. I was/am disappointed. I’m hoping this clears up soon.
Re: humor - I am a firm believer in laughing over crying. I feel like crying causes more exhaustion and laughing is cathartic and healing. It may not always feel appropriate but most times it’s needed. Maybe that’s just my twisted sense of humor. Here is a comic I found that a man drew about his experience with colon cancer. There are a lot of parallels but I love how he presents his experiences. Not for the faint of heart or for those who don’t like things above PG13. You’ve been warned. https://cancerowl.com/my-cancer-story/
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rljes - thank you! funny how having cancer recalibrates what passes for good and bad news.
nonahope, good luck with infusion and i hope you're okay this week.
blair keep us posted with your back pain okay?
meowmmy, i’m sorry to hear about worse allergies. sometimes i wonder about protection when we’re losing hair (eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair... the ones that are meant to protect our face from dust and dirt hehe).
frozentoes, i fully agree with laughter.
oh and for food! try getting ginger paste of sorts. it's not spicy/hot. in singapore, they serve ginger with hainanese chicken. that ginger paste i mix it with steamed rice and steamed cabbage/carrots or vegetables and i love it.
it makes all meals extra tasty especially on days when i can't taste much. and then i have lemonade or a citrus drink with it.infusion today. dose 7 of 12. fingers crossed!
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Good morning...
Meowmmy....I am visualizing your "gigantic head" and LOL. We do whatever it takes -- hope the ice pack helps!!
Frozentoes...I am so sorry you are having so many side effects from the Taxol. I have practically none. My infusion #4 yesterday went well. My oncologist is very happy that I'm having little, if any, side effects. However, the liver enzymes concerned him. He was definitely looking for mets in the liver...thus, the ultrasound last Thursday (which was also my "off" day from Taxol). I didn't open the patient portal when I got the result because I'm too chicken and don't want bad news to spoil my "feeling great" days. So, I waited until yesterday to "hear" the report. Hallelujah!!! All was good....no mets/tumors, bile duct was fine, right kidney was unremarkable, as well as pancreas. Oh what a relief. He did say that Taxol is broken down in the liver and it was possible my diet could affect it also. He asked if I had eaten been eating heavy fatty meals during the week..I didn't recall that I had. My diet is very healthy and I seldom eat friend foods at all. Plus, I've been eating foods that are recommended for high liver enzymes since I got that lab result. So, he ran my usual CBC, and waited for the results of the CMP before starting the Taxol. Both my liver enzymes were down to almost normal!! Just a couple of points above the high normal. Go figure. So, it will be interesting what presents with this week's Taxol and next week. Hope my diet is helping. I will be seeing a NP next Thursday, so I'm hoping she has sense enough to wait for the results of the CMP before administering the Taxol. I feel fine today, I've been awake since 4:00 am and finally got up at 5:00. I am going to force myself to take a nap this afternoon. Oh, the onco told me that fatigue is the most reported side effect from Taxol that his patients complain about. He's amazed I'm not in that category...yet!
I LOVED the cartoon....Thanks so much for sharing.mkn...Wish you the best with your treatment today. Keep us posted.
Off for breakfast....
Hope
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Good Morning ladies!
Day 2 post infusion 2. Doing good so far, MO put me on lasix Wednesday and I have lost 6 lbs in water weight! Go me! Cut steroids down to 1 twice a day for 4 days then half of one twice a day for the next 3 days and so far no big C, I was regular this am. No nausea meds needed so far and I worked 11 hours yesterday will very little swelling and just a couple aches. Took ibuprofen and knocked those out to finish the day. Keeping my meds to min seems to help minimize and SE’s. I only take claritin, Prilosec, lasix and steroid in am and lasix and steroid in pm and it seems to be working so far. We will see by Sunday when my bad days seem to start in. Off today so getting last minute Christmas shopping done.
Blair I feel so bad for you being in so much pain, it’s not fair to have that on top of everything else.
Nonahope- good luck with your infusion!
Meowmmy- I have allergies SE something horrible. The Claritin is working, im taking it once a day and if I am and hour late the nose just starts running, sneezing and runny eyes. I agree it may be lack of hairs, but also your immune system is needed to fight allergies and with it being reduced there’s no extra to fight it. My son is allergic to dust and as a child his poor body couldn’t fight off anything because it spent all it’s time fighting his allergies. They checked him for HIV and Cystic Fibrosis because they were so sure he had some horrible disease, but it was all just allergies. Luckily he outgrew it, but his childhood was spent mostly in hospitals.
Mkn86- I’m the same way with foods when my taste goes. Orange soda is the only thing I can drink besides water. And I throw turmeric and ginger from the health food store into my water. Nothing with sugar substitutes tastes good. Potatoes and toast are a big go to food. Even peanut butter which I hate normally. And sweets...I live on sweets. Especially at work right now since we are overflowing with them from patients for the holidays.
Loving my baby butt bald head, but wish I could get some sun on it. There’s a skunk stripe tan line where my part used to be right down the middle. Wearing a Santa hat to work tomorrow!!
Tina
At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. — Jean Houston
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Tina...You sound like you're doing quite well! Keep it going!! Do they put Lasix in your chemo bag? There was a little elderly lady sitting a couple chairs down from me yesterday in the chemo room. I felt so sorry for her. She was up, at least, six times going to the bathroom in the 1-1/2 hours that I was there. I don't know what her chemo cocktail is (she has stomach and liver cancer), but I know there's Lasix in it.
Hope
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nonahope- no, they just gave me the oral pills, which are fine, a little inconvenient at work having to run and pee like Sea Biscuit every 20 min. Pushing 8 bottles of water a day and lasix is not the greatest combination! Speaking of water, so I left the clinic on Wednesday after my infusion and the nurse reminds me to push the fluids, which she just saw me drink 3 bottles of water while I was there. So I told her that and she tells me that it can’t be just water because it will reduce my sodium content. Has anyone been told this? I am a dialysis tech and have been for 13 years so I know how fluid balances and chemical leaching works, so I did look at her like she was an idiot. Apparently she isn’t aware that’s most bottled water has sodium in it so that isn’t an issue. Just my little rant for the day. She was obviously new to the chemo work because she had a hard time figuring out how to connect my lines between each bag.
Tina
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I had my second infusion yesterday. It was a long day but it went pretty well. I haven't had side effects yet but I know they are coming.
My Dr. said one of my liver values was elevated. She is keeping a close eye on it, which means more blood tests for me and maybe a sonogram. I confess I was drinking lots of soda, which I never do, but someone was trying to be helpful and brought a bunch of ginger ale over. It was there so you know the story. I read that any sort of soda is one of the worst things for your liver. Sugar in general is hard on the liver. Unfortunately friends and family have been trying to comfort me with sweets. That's got to stop. I'm not overweight and in general I have a healthy diet.
Nonahope I was so happy to hear about your wonderful liver test results. What foods did you eat to enhance liver function?
Tina, thank you for your thoughts re hair loss. It's a tough issue and I really admire the way you are handling it. The santa hat sounds fun!
Magari, I cold capped this session again and it was easier this time. I'm sticking with it even though I've lost quite a bit of hair. Using a couple of timers made the process better. Hair loss created severe matting in my hair the other day. I sprayed it while dry with a hair shine/glosser and was able to detangle it. Just hoping for less shedding this cycle but we shall see.
Blair, I join the others in hoping you find answers and relief for your back pain.
Hope everyone has a good day.
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klvans...The list of foods I found were: Water (so important 8-10 glasses a day), eggs, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, all leafy greens, asparagus, celery, radishes, apples, plums, all whole grains, oats, bran, brown rice, walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, citrus juice. I'm sure there are many more. I don't know if this was what brought the enzymes down, but it sure didn't hurt. I'm leaning towards Taxol being the bad guy.
Hope
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Blair2- I saw this on FB today and I know the properties of ginger and turmeric are amazing, but this is all second hand so idk really know if it works or not. But someone was going through back pains and they started a regimen using this supplement and they got relief the first day. So I thought I would throw it out there. I know one more pill sucks but if it works it’s worth it. The picture is what they had and they said you can take up to 2000mg per day. But maybe do a little research on it and see what you can find. If anyone tries it let us know.
Tina
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Thank you Nonahope for the list. I appreciate the list. Their are many foods I really like on it.
Tina and Blair, I've heard good things about the anti inflammatory properties of tumeric. Perhaps it will help with the back pain.
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Hi Everyone - Chemo#2/ Day #4
Still feeling bloated, not sure which way its going to go (Big C or Big D) think I'll switch back to Maralax instead of Sienna. Stomach gurgling, and little iffy. Same as yesterday - not feeling well. Like I said, its strange, different than last time. Hopefully I'll feel better. Get the crappy feeling out of the way and clear sailing... ?
Meowmmy - Sorry your head/ hair hurts. Mine did that on Day 16. I just got out the scissors and cut to about 1/4" and poured VIT E all over. It helped. I even have a satin pillow case in case my beanie gets too hot.
Using Ayr Nasel Gel is so smoothing. My Nose has been running and I've been sneezing - but the Gel feels so good. Then I got all kinds of Energy Day 15-19/ I was shopping and feeling good! then my energy dropped just in time for round #2.Frozentoes - Sorry about your rash - does it hurt or itch? I still have my 'Thermal Nuclear Winter Coat' I got when lived in MSP. Can't wear it unless its below zero.
mkn - I've heard ginger is so good for you. I shall try to get some. You sound great!
Nanahope- Great Liver news for you! Fantastic! I spoke to my nutristionist and she said not to shock the body by drastically changing my diet until after chemo - but I am trying to add in good things. I tried Oprah's new soup Line - Way to thick. I tried the broccoli/butternut squash. Maybe if I could water it down a bit it might be better.
Mom4gma - how again did you get your 'baby butt bald Head'? I could scroll back, but I'm lazy today. I'm planning to go to the local barber shop right before Round #3. This sandpaper buzz cut isn't cutting it. I want the look of GI Jane - Demi Moore! And I will add Turmeric/Curcumin to my CVS regime. Sounds good.
Yikes, your new RN doesn't sound too confident. Some of the things people say!Klvans - good for you feeling ok for your round #2 / hope minimum SE's. and best of luck with cold capping!
Take care all!. rj
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NonaHope~I'm so happy to hear your good report! Hallelujah! That made my day!
Mom4~I have a friend going through bc who uses Tumeric so I bought some, have been taking it but want to know more why it is so good in fighting bc.
Congrats to all you girls who finished Round Two!
I will be doing Round Three next Wednesday on the 27th. Round Two SEs weren't as bad as round one. However, I feel like I've had a lot more fatigue this second go around. It will be interesting to see what #3 holds as I have be fore-warned that SE's are cumulative. I hope that isn't the case!
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Yesterday... Hat holding an ice pack on my head.
Today... Vicodin! Feeling much better! Taking Claritin, so that eye puffiness is less today, too.
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You look BEAUTIFUL Meowmmy! Glad you are feeling better!
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meowmmy65, you are beautiful.
nonahope, I'm happy for you, no mets in liver. hope you will be fine.
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Awesome picture - Your so Pretty Meow! I'm a believer in pain meds - whatever helps.
Lizabeth - It will be interesting to see how you react to Round #3/ Round 2 is kicking my butt, and i too hear its cumulative. I'm behind you by 2 weeks. I too will get the Turmeric. Can't hurt, right? Though I have a hand out of herbs/supplements NOT to take, I need to take a look at it.
Anything on NETFLIX worth really watching for an afternoon? I'm restless and bored, which is very unusual. Nothing complicated - attention span is zilch!
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Glad to hear all the check-ins, and that most are doing fairly well.
I myself haven't had many side effects from Round 2, other than being a little woozy and extremely tired starting two days afterwards. I've gone to bed around 8:30 the past couple of nights and took a 40 minute nap mid-afternoon yesterday. Did wake up this morning with some small red spots on both my face and chest that looked almost like mosquito bites. They calmed down a bit after a shower and some lotion, but I took a Claritin as well figuring it might help and couldn't hurt.
Still fairly low-energy today, but managed to change bed linens and take a walk to pick up a few stocking stuffers and a loaf of bread. One of the biggest issues I am having is that the chemo seems to be negatively impacting my surgical healing. Much more swelling and bruising now than I had a month post-surgery. My oncologist said that is to be expected, but it is both uncomfortable and discouraging.
Since were not doing much in the way of gifts this year I will wrap the stocking stuffers so that there will be some things to open on Xmas morning. We belong to a seafood CSA (CSF) and received Dungeness crab yesterday. So I'm making crab bisque from the shells for dinner, which is a nice holiday treat.
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nonahope - Yay! So happy to hear that the liver was just acting up. Silly organs.
rljes - not sure about Netflix but amazon prime has the marvelous mrs maisel which looks really good, although i’ve only seen the first episode. And if you were in MSP, this is the time of year you’d need that coat. Christmas Day’s high will be 3 above zero and low is expected to be -10.
Today on my way home from work, I had to take off my beanie and put the windows down because I was having a hot flash that seemed to be centered on my poor bald, rashy head. Good thing I’ve got heated seats so at least my butt could stay warm. Oh, and it’s only 23 F out. But it felt great on the noggin!
Ok, time to pound some coffee and make a last ditch effort to Christmas shop while I have a burst of energy today. Wish me luck!
And I’m really glad that everyone seems to be weathering these rounds pretty well. Hopefully the holidays will give everyone a bit of a break.
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Oh goodness - so many great ladies to thank here:
Rljes - Hope you’re feeling better today. I expect to be sick on Christmas Day, maybe as miserable as you were, but you should feel better by then.
Meowmmy65 - Hope your hair pain goes away. I never noticed any sensation with my hair loss, but could be due to different chemo drugs. My nose has bled off and on (my blood thinners also contribute to that), and I have noticed my nose runs a lot on the sick days.
Frozentoes - Oh my goodness - let’s hope you don’t get your son’s virus, and I hope he is doing better. It’s hard to care for a sick child when you are trying to care for yourself. Not fun at all. Bless you both.
Nonahope - That is wonderful news on your lab results! I can imagine how relieved you were. Now all that worry is behind you. March on in good spirits! That is a true blessing.
Mkn86 - Hope your dose went well today - no surprises is all we want.Your food sounded very interesting. Would love to taste it.
Mom4gma3 - Thanks so much for the photo of the Termeric/curcumin. I will definitely check into that. I bet you still look beautiful with that baby butt bald head, and glad it feels better.
Kivans - I too was drinking 7up and I did away with soda after my bypass, so like you got pushed into drinking it, but it’s only temporary. I hope you liver levels straighten out. Our bodies are confused with our toxic cocktails, and OCDs, so hopefully these side effects will eventually go away.
I had my second infusion this morning and it was uneventful. By Christmas Day - I know the worst will happen. I did complain (in a nice way) about my back problems. My OM feels it’s inflammation of the back muscles, but she didn’t know why. She said it wasn’t a common side effect from chemo drugs, but I’ve read a lot of other blogs outside this site where a lot of people feel it’s from the chemo drugs, so don’t know. She wants me to take either ibuprofen, Aleve, or Advil 3 times a day for 5 days and if it doesn’t improve, to let her know. I asked if there was any possibility of it being bone cancer and she said breast cancer that causes bone cancer happens through the lymph nodes, not bloodstream, and she was sure that isn’t causing my pain. So I was a little relieved, but now I have to cram more drugs into me to see if they work. The muscle relaxer is for muscle spasms and doesn’t do well for inflammation, so I have to try the anti inflammatory drugs through the holidays and see. I hope she’s right.
The neulasta pod is on my arm again - will blend into my neighbors star lights once again blinking along with the Christmas cheer on my bedroom walls
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rljes...Sorry you are still not feeling well. I am adding things to my diet each day. I love most veggies and I eat a lot of salmon, chicken. I only eat beef once a week -- usually my Sunday treat. So, I've always eaten a healthy diet, just adding more fruits and veggies and cutting down on bad carbs. I'm not big on fruit, but I've been eating an apple a day -- even though it won't keep the doctor away!! My nightly treat has always been ice cream...that will not change!!
Lizabeth...Thank you. My Taxol is cumulative, as well. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop. But, when I asked the onco yesterday, he said most of his patients just complain of fatigue. I've been ok in that department and really only had a bit of bone pain with my first infusion. It has been easier with each infusion since then....now, that I've said that, I'm probably jinxing things...LOL
Meommy....How cute!! You look fantastic.
Hope99...Thank you. Are you feeling better as the days go by?
Magari...Oh your soup sounds so good! I love crab. I love most seafood, but especially shell fish. It's salmon for me tonight.
I was planning to take an afternoon nap, since I've been awake since 4:00 am. But, I'm not tired. I will probably be in bed earlier than usual.
Have a good evening, ladies!
Hope
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Frosentoes....Great suggestion of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Amazon Prime has some great movies. I also subscribe to Acorn....love, love it!! It's well worth the $5.00 a month. I just binge-watched the new Doc Martin series which won't be shown on my PBS stations until January. They are so good, I watch reruns of old ones every week on TV. Hope you got some shopping done.
Blair...I'm glad your infusion today was uneventful...that's always good to hear. I hope the Advil helps with the pain. Advil always worked for me for everyday aches and pains, but not with the backache before I was diagnosed with metastatic disease. I couldn't take Aleve...it made me feel really funny - like my head wasn't attached to my neck! That is interesting about metastatic BC. I've never had any swollen lymph nodes to suggest a problem. I learned something new, thank you!
Hope
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