Starting Chemo in November 2017
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Nonahope - It’s got to so frustrating to have to wait again on a clear report and have more tests. I went through a nuclear heart scan last June, and didn’t like the fact they radiated my body with a liquid radiation shot. It’s not painful or anything, but like everything we have to go through, a bit of a scare. It’s suppose to be safe. I sure hope the spots are healing spots they see so you can relax. Do you know when you’ll have the scan done? I’ll be praying for you! The good news is your liver and lungs are clear, and since they aren’t sure there’s true progression, there’s more hope.
Proud to spin - you are so lucky to have a cleaning lady. I’ve been taking two days to clean my house, because of my back. I’m trying to push my body to move. I really need a yard man as my yard is covered in weeds due to the fact I can’t stay on top of it. Here in FL we are in the 80s! It’s killing me I can’t get out there and do things.
Rljes - I don’t blame you for drinking that beer - actually sounds good to me, but I like it with sea food. When I lived in Louisiana in my younger years - seafood and beer were the best! This hip pain of yours just has to go away. I just cringe in my own pain imagining how you must hurt. I’m not positively sure, but I think my back is slightly better, but like everyone, I run out of energy and my back just nags at me. It’s like having a monkey on my back all day. Sometimes he’s good, then sometimes he’s bad.
I did manage to lay down on that simulator table and I told them I would be slow. Getting off was harder as there’s nothing there for your feet to push on to help you sit up. The table is narrow and has this 4” cushion on it. I hope it won’t be a type of thing to aggravate my back since this will be an everyday thing.
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Blair, a cleaning person is really not that much money. I have her once a month and it js about 100 dollars, realize too this is new jersey and more expensive than lots of other places. Best money spent.
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Iris...I didn't know you had a tumor on your spine. Did you just find out recently about that? Is there anything else they can do since you can't have surgery? Hang in there, girl.
I don't have a cleaning person. I'd have to "clean" before she got here...LOL! I just do a little something on a daily basis. I just don't worry about a spotless house. By the way, I found a box of Celestial Seasoning tea with a variety of teas in the box. Off to make one now.rljes...Enjoy that beer. I enjoy a glass of wine most evenings.
Blair...My scan is scheduled for Monday. I hate that you have to have the injection and come back 4 hours later for the scan and then try to lie still for an hour! When I had the one in September, that's when my back hurt so bad I could hardly move. I never thought I would make it through. Glad I did though, as that's how they found the metastatic lesions. My oncologist is anxious to compare the two. I will see him next Thursday for results and see if my treatment changes.
Hope
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Blair: Have you heard of cleaningforareason.org? They offer free housecleaning by professional cleaners to women while they are in treatment for cancer. You go to the website, register and they will see if they have volunteer companies in/near your zip code. I registered and within an hour got an email response. Unfortunately, they didn't have any matches for my zip/area code. But this might be one of those times you allow someone the blessing of helping you.
Take care,
Mindy
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Hope, no surgery on the tumor since it is at the very top of my spine. I saw a boatload of neurosurgeons and it is just one of the complicated things for me. Have done radiation, one nuerologist said point blank that the location was too risky, course this was before the cancer reoccured, so my onc now has me doing pt which helps but not doing much hiking around any more
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hope, i think i had one of those mixed flavor boxs of tea, enjoy finding your personal favs. This my tummy was unhappy so i went for a mild one , tummy liked my choice!
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Nonahope - yes, it’s hard to keep perfectly still with these tests. I believe my nuclear heart scan took only 20 mins., but they had to redo mine again because I didn’t have enough fluid in my body, so they made me drink a whole can of soda and some crackers. I could barely get it down - I just don’t drink soda - especially early in the morning! I forget why that was necessary. I was comfortable on my back with a wedge pillow under my legs. The MRI took a good hour, but I got to listen to music of my choice to drown out the dong and binging noise of the machine. You would think all this exposure to radiation would make us worse. I’ll be thinking of you Monday and next Thursday.
Iris - not sure what they charge here in FL for cleaning. I’m ok so far with it, I just take it slow. I’m trying to make myself move more, but I take several breaks.
Mindy - what a wonderful organization to offer cleaning services for people going through cancer treatment. If radiation makes me any worse, I might have to check it out. Thanks for letting me know about it.
I’m still running a low grade fever in the afternoon hours - it’s so strange, but it goes away by evening. I had to take a Tylenol for today’s back ache for just making a trip to Walmart. Came home tired of course. I went ahead and bought some plain aloe gel and a small jar of Aquaphor cream (hoping it won’t be too greasy) for upcoming treatments. I’m thinking I will have to buy some baby wipes to wash off the lotions before each treatment, because they don’t want you to scrub your skin with scrubbies or washcloths. I’m going to have to change my bathing routine
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How are you ladies? hope you will be ok. I had a bad day after Taxotere infusion in previous Monday. now I'm in 5th day and still feel not ok. just I want to ask you if you faced or you know someone faced like this issue: Today I check my right nipple (which tumour is their) and I found a yellow spots on the surface! I'm not sure if there is a little discharge or not. but the yellow spots looks like there is some liquid become dry! it's removable spots. did anyone face something like that during Taxotere or any type of chemo?
remembering that, I did ultrasound before 5 weeks or less to check the respond of my tumour with neoadjance chemo. the report not show something strange. yesterday I feel breast pain all night, specially in the tumour location. .no ideas if there is relation between pain and yellow spots.
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morning group! Woke with a nasty tummy ache, sharp pain and of course i blamed it on the cancer jju k, then i came downstairs and made coffee, and got breakfast yogurt, then i check the bag of some crackers ji was snacking on yesterday, they were hi fiber and dumbo here has diverticulitis, no more fiber crackers today!
This cancer is hard!
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Nanahope- what you said about cleaning before the house cleaners got there made me laugh. My mom did that.
Blair, can you take an Ativan before Rads to help relax that back? I have Ativan in my IV when I go to chemo. The more the merrier. ha. I have only 2 more chemo's to go, then I will too have to navigate the RAD world. I have a consult with my well respected brilliant Dermatologist next week to ask his opinion re Rads with my skin disease. My RO said he was going to consult with my Rhuematologist and found out he did not. But he's the only RO in town.
ITS SNOWING- YEAH !
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please any replay for yellow nipple spots. I'm nervous
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Hope99 - I have no experience with nipple spots/discharge. But if you are nervous about *anything,* for any reason, during your treatment, PLEASE call your medical oncologist's office. It is their job to evaluate your symptoms and do what they can to alleviate them and allay your fears. Or refer you to someone who can. Someone should be on call 24/7 to answer the phone. We are here to support you, but are not doctors. Please don't just wait and worry; make that call and get the answers you need.
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Hope99 - I have never read anything about chemo causing a yellow discharge on the nipple. It could be an area that’s irritated by the drugs, but I’m not a doctor, so just don’t know. Definitely call your doctor, or his/her nurse and let them know you are experiencing this Problem. If you have a weekend emergency number - call them and see what they say. I don’t think anyone here has had that problem.
Rljes - I haven’t touched my Ativan (lorazepam), since I busted my lip on it. It’s what made my legs collapse! I might roll off the table like a drunk - lol. It could be that the combination of chemo with that drug made me doubly weak. I had taken it prior to my first treatment to relax my nerves, and did just fine on it. I didn’t seem to hurt in the prone position - it’s just getting myself on the table and getting off of it that’s hard. They may have to pull me up some how to get me off. Getting on the table I stood on my knees, then used my arms to come down as if I was doing a push up. I’ve got another week to heal, so maybe by then my back will be better.
Iris - hope that tummy straightens out. Watch out for those high fiber crackers!
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AC started this week and so far so good. A bit fatigued but it’s offset by the high dose of steroids I’ve got for other things. So far, if I keep up on my meds, there is only mild nausea and no other SEs yet. Oh, except irritable bladder. If there isn’t a bathroom near by when I feel a slight urge, then I am in BIG trouble. I’m really hoping that isn’t the norm. I may have to get some depends.
I am ravenous. Steroids always make me hungry but my gosh this is almost like i’m insatible. So I decided to try roasting Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. It turned out well but I’ve eaten all of it already. I suppose if there’s veggies to graze on vs Girl Scout cookies, I should go veggies.
And I’m really bored. I feel like I’ve read the whole internet a couple of times over. I’m too nervous to go out to stores because of the flu. It’s freezing outside. I really wish I had a bungalow on a beach somewhere.
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Hope99 Good advice from Blair and Magari re calling your Dr.'s office. Please don't continue to worry; it's so much better to get the answers you need from your Dr. Take care.
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Hope99...I agree with the others. Call your doctor's office. There is always someone to take your call.
Iris...Hope you feel better. I know what you mean...every little ache and pain I blame on the cancer. Hope we're wrong!! How long will you be on your current medication?
Frozentoes...I only have steroids in my Taxol pre-meds. But, they do make me ravenous...and I usually crave something sweet. Plus, I am up late that day...usually until 2-3 am watching TV. It only lasts for a day and, in all honesty, it's nice to be able to stay awake that long!!
Time for breakfast....
Hope
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i agree to call docs office when concern about a new siymtom
Ok so haid lunch wiith paul but kept thingsi lo fber! Silly me, pain in tummy is just my normal pain! So it snowed last night but rumor is it is going to hit 60 in a another day, think i will watch,iit melt! Sides my balance is not good enough to shovel
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Good morning, all. Just checking in after a few difficult days of dealing with what I think of as "secondary" side effects.
I've had skin issues throughout chemo, and intermittent rosacea before that. But last week I developed a rash on my cheeks which was extremely red, inflamed and rather painful, with tiny white pustules. After a couple of days of attempting to treat it on my own (Metrogel, cortisone cream) without success, I called my MO's office and was prescribed Doxycycline. 5 days later it has pretty much resolved.
A pinched nerve in my left shoulder/trapezius (which turned up the same day) became painful enough that I broke out the Norco for a day or two. By yesterday the swelling had reduced and some of my PT stretches helped enough that I was able to enjoy a date night dinner out with my husband last night. Still a bit tight and sore today but *so* much better, thank goodness.
This is good, because I am back in for Round 5 this coming week. My chemo day is usually Monday, but due to President's Day I am scheduled for Wed this time. Which means that I will have to pick up the dry ice for my cold capping on Tuesday myself, since my husband will be at work. Hopefully one of the guys there will help me get the cooler into the car because it's nearly 60 pounds loaded and I don't think I can manage it on my own even without the shoulder problem.
Cannot say I'm looking forward to another infusion, but once I complete this one I'll be able to say I have only one left!
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Magari It sounds like you've had some challenges this week. I'm glad your prescription from your dermatologist is working. The skin on my face has also gotten red and irritated plus my eyes are a bit bloodshot. Slowly it's getting better. A pinched nerve sounds uncomfortable. I hope the PT helps it. I bet you'll find help in loading the dry ice. People have a way of showing up when you need them. These secondary side effects can be hard.
I totally understand the ambivalence about infusions; knowing you'll feel crappy for awhile but also getting closer to completion. You are getting closer so chin up! Good for you for getting out with your husband. Anything that smacks of normal is a plus in my book.
This Thurs I go in for my radiology marking appointment and the week after I start radiation. I will be 3 weeks out from my last chemo when I start radiation. It feels too soon as I still feel fatigued from the chemo. I need to get my enthusiasm going to motivate through the third leg of treatment which will last 5 weeks. I don't look forward to the daily drive but have scheduled a few massages to reward myself.
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.
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Hi Everyone - Went to the Chiropractor this morning for my left Hip. After examining me, she said my left hip/pelvic area wasn't moving. (something like that) She twisted me like a pretzel and POP - oh what a relief I felt. Instead of a constant sharp pain, its now down to a dull ache 60% of the time instead of 100%. Going again on Friday. Shame on me for not keeping up my maintenance with Chiro. I Used to keep up. Served me well.
Magari - I too will be on my 5th chemo on Tuesday. I've never seen anyone cold capping - best of luck.
I have no bladder control anymore. I hear water, I see water, I think water - I'd better be wearing a pad. Can't even make it to the bathroom - no notice. (just a dribble) but enough to make a mess.Frozentoes - I agree with you about not wanting to go anywhere afraid of catching the flu. when I do go out I have either my mask on (oh the looks!) and a bottle of Hand sanitizer used every time I touch anything. Oh how I wish it was below 32 degrees out! Its 60 today and tomorrow almost 70 degrees and Rain. We are to have 3-6". To think of the SNOW if it was colder! That would make me smile.
Take care everyone - rj
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rljes What great news about your hip! Sounds like you've found a solution and are on your way to healing. Hooray! I'm really happy for you. Rain doesn't sound that great but 60 or 70 degrees sounds good to me. It's been cold here and I have to force myself to go on my daily walk. Usually I enjoy it but lately it has been nothing but a chore.
I agree with you and Frozentoes, the flu is scary. I don't get out much due to the fear of catching something. I don't wear a mask but I carry hand sanitizer and wash my hands frequently. I also hesitate to go out because I'm self conscious about my appearance. And I have this irrational fear that I won't get my hair back...it's always something...
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Hi Ladies,
Nothing much for me to report until next week when radiation begins. Thought I’d try to get someone out this week to trim my tree branches before they start blooming leaves. Always something that needs to be done around here, and I’m so far behind. I’m off of back relaxers and still take an Advil or Tylenol for back pain when needed. I got groceries today and came home totally tired, and back was bugging me enough to ice it, but managed not to take any NSAIDS. (Probably will soon) My cough is slightly better, but it causes the back pain to stab every time I cough. I forgot it was Presidents Day, and ended up dodging people and kids at Walmart. Anyway - I thought I’d have more energy than this after 6 weeks post chemo. I do feel a bit more normal than I had these last few weeks. Just can’t find my energy level to get anything done. I move like a 90 year old woman and part of me really doesn’t care!
Magari - I’m glad the Doxycycline worked for you. I had taken that many years ago for acne, but it somewhat nauseated me, so I switched to minocycline. Tetracycline was the best, but it was one of those drugs that sky rocked in price. Good luck this Wednesday!
Kivans - Wow - they aren’t wasting any time for your radiation treatments, but it will speed up the finish line for you. I hope it won’t make you more tired, but I’m still tired, and I think that’s bound to stay a while regardless. (And I didn’t have near the drugs you all have had.)
Rljes - that’s great your chiropractor relieved that hip! Good luck with your 5th infusion. Despite all of your headaches - you are are getting it done girl. I admire your perseverance - even if you did slack on your chiropractor visits!
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klvans - I keep forgetting I am bald when I go out in Public and when I catch someone doing a double take or staring at me - I often wonder why. So I stare back at them - then it dawns on me -
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rljes That is so funny! Thank you for the chuckle. You have a great attitude!
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Rough weekend for me. Yesterday, we said goodbye to our sweet Gertie-bird. It's never easy. Even when we are prepared. I am grateful that she was part of our family. I will miss her forever.
Back to chemo and side effects... I thought I was the only one having bladder control issues. Sorry others are having it, too, but glad I'm not alone. I also have a general numbness throughout my skin. Today, my hands feel a little tingly. Weird. Two more chemos and it's done. Counting down is good!
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Oh Meow - so sorry for your puppy loss. I had to go through the same a little over a year ago with my dog, and it’s the hardest thing about owning a pet. It can’t be easy especially when you don’t feel good to lose a baby. Gertie-bird was a beautiful dog, and I know you’re going to miss him.
Don’t feel bad about bladder issues. I woke up one early morning (maybe two weeks after last treatment) and hardly made it to the toilet - it was as if it fell out without any control (my bladder wasn’t that full either) - messed my pants of course - I never had that happen before, but I knew it was good ole chemo wear on the body. It’s never happened since, but I guess these drugs must create a muscle issue in the bladder. Articles don’t list enough side effects. I guess we should do Kegel exercises like when we were pregnant.
Everyone - hang in there
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Meow I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet Gertie. It's such a hard thing to go through on top of this journey. Blessings to you and your family.
Some people say icing or keeping the hands and feet cold helps prevent the tingling. I didn't ice but I did freeze two small water bottles and held them frequently to keep my hands cold. I took my shoes and socks off during chemo which was enough to make my feet cold. I kept my feet bare for a few days at home. My nurse told me to drink lots of water to flush out the chemo toxins, which is tricky given the bladder thing. I hope you feel better soon. As for me, no bladder issues but twitchy eyes which I'm sure makes me look a little crazy... You are getting closer to the end, yeah!
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strange, i have had bladder issues for many years, i take vesicare to help, thing is,the chemo i am needs me to stay hydrated and drink lots, now, think i could stop the vesicare as less leaking
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Meow...So very sorry for your loss. Having to say good-bye to a pet is never easy. Hoping your next two treatments are not too taxing on your body.
I don't have a major bladder issue, but I do find I need to get to the bathroom quicker these days....those little mini-pads help a lot. I do have a bit of numbness in my toes and tips of my fingers. I always wear shoes - even in the house. I do find that massaging my feet in the evening, while sitting and watching TV, helps quite a bit. I've never tried the icing.
Hope everyone's week is going okay, all things considered. I will see my onco on Thursday to get the results of my nuclear scan and see what's ahead for me. Not looking forward to this visit.
Hope
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I’ve set up my laptop about 20 ft from my bathroom so I can make it in time. I’m at about once every 1-2 hour frequency right now. Part of it is trying to stay hydrated and the other is the bladder irritation from chemo. My bladder was never the same after pregnancy but at least there was still a warning or time before bladderspolotion.
I’m happy to report that my liver functions have been within normal for yet another week! Yay, liver, I’m proud of you!
I was going to go into the office tomorrow because I need some adult interaction. I love my 7yr old but I want to talk about something besides Roblox or YouTube. But two more people came down with the flu this week so no office trip for me. I just don’t understand why people go in when they don’t feel well. My office has a phenominal sick leave/PTO package and we can easily work from home at ANY time. It’s such a bad work habit to make yourself go in when you don’t have to. I really wish it was easier to change habits.
So, quick question for those who’ve had surgery already. Have you had problems with lymphedema? I am really nervous about it. Since I’ve had a lot of lymph node involvement, I’m pretty sure they’re going to take all of them. Any advice
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