Starting chemo February 2018
Comments
-
sharonk0711- I am so sorry that are having an awful week. Nausea is so overwhelming. Your MO should be able to give you a scrip for a different antinausea to try to combat it. Go ahead and call. Why wait and continue to suffer. They should have warned you about bone pain with Neulesta. A lot of doctors recommend taking a regular claritin once a day the day before Neulesta and about 5 days after. Also Tylenol or Motrin can help if your doctor approves it. Buzzing your hair must be tough. Our hair is such a part of what we see in the mirror. It seems cruel to have that taken away, if only temporarily. Know that it will come back, for many people even thicker than before. Don't ever feel guilty about not being able to function the way you are used to. This is the time when we do it all moms need to let others in to help. Your children know you love them and are there for them even if you are not doing your usual routine. When this crazy chemo is over, you will be back to being the busy Supermom you expect to be.
0 -
worriedme77- so glad to hear from you and that you are okay. We all were worried. Glad you made it through round 2. Love the pic
0 -
Sharon-let your MO know about your side effects, they can alter the chemo protocol to include more saline for hydration or stronger anti emetics (and if they aren't already giving you those with chemo ask for them). Take claritin starting the day of neulasta and keep taking for 4 or 5 days, that will help with the bone pain. And try to let go of that mom guilt. Your job is to get better. To hell with the dust bunnies.
And I thought you guys would appreciate this wig cap model I found on amazon. She obviously has hair and was paid to do this but can't really get into the role. Her face says WTF?! You and me both chica! lol
0 -
sharonk-Im sorry to hear that you're having a really rough time with round 2 of chemo. Is neulasta for the purpose of increasing your white blood count? My heart goes out to you. It is difficult dealing with all the cancer crap plus you moms have to cope with your kids. I hope you have plenty of support to assist with your needs and your kids. This to shall pass. For your sake I hope it's very quickly.
0 -
cbok- the picture of the wig cap model was hilarious. I cracked up laughing. You're right she has this look on her face like WTF.
0 -
I have been sifting through, and peeking at, all of your posts for quite some time, but it is only now that I feel mentally strong enough to join in. I am 61 years old, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 11th, 2017, although I knew I had it by the reaction of the lady who performed my mammogram the week prior to that. Trust me, she'd make a lousy poker player. (The mammogram I had 16 months prior to this one missed the cancer completely -- blame it on very dense breasts.) I had a lumpectomy on my left breast on January 12th. The tumor ended up being 3 centimeters, with clear margins. The breast also contained a 1-centimeter benign tumor -- thank God for small favors. My two sentinel lymph nodes were removed, and one of them had two tiny specks of cancer in them -- I forgot the exact term my surgeon used. However, it did qualify me for chemo. No other lymph nodes were removed.
I had my first round of chemo on Monday, February 19th, receiving both Taxotere and Cytoxan. And I ended up in the Kaiser ER that night, as I was retaining vast amounts of water and could not pee it out. I was admitted, and my doctors spent the next two days trying to level out my sodium levels. I will be having 3 additional rounds of chemo, spaced 21 days apart.
My most bothersome side effects so far have been fatigue (I feel like I have the flu, but without the fever) and fairly mild nausea. I am taking Compazine for the nausea, and, so far -- knock on wood!! -- it's helping a lot.
I learned how to give myself injections of Zarxio into my stomach to force my bone marrow to product white blood cells. By the fifth injection, I was a pro!
I will be getting radiation for 20 days after the chemo ends. And then I will be put on anti-hormone meds for at least five years, as my pathology shows the tumor had both estrogen-positive and progesterone-positive receptors.
The HER-2 tests (all four of them so far) have been inconclusive. The term they use is "equivocal." I am hoping that the fifth test delivers either a positive or negative result. But I'm not betting the farm on it.
I am blessed with a wonderful, supportive family and friends. I also joined a breast cancer support group -- through the Cancer Support Community -- in Redondo Beach. My fellow "pink sisters" have been invaluable to me. I am honored to be included in this wonderful group of ladies.
One of the few positives that has occurred during my little breast cancer adventure is that I have had the opportunity to meet and experience the caring and love of so many people whom I otherwise would have never met -- be they new friends or professionals at Kaiser. My doctors, nurses, and case manager have been wonderful. They patiently answer my questions, allay my fears, and give me much-needed reassurance.
As I have been advised by several women who have walked in these same shoes before me, I am taking it just one day at a time. That's really all I can do. And pray a lot.
0 -
Sharonk so sorry you're feeling so badly I said it before and I'll say it again I can't imagine having children at home while you're going through this chemo mess heart goes out to all of you. Had my last dose this last Thursday so I'm 4 days out if you count chemo day fatigue is major appetite low nothing tastes good you girls know what I mean but I will say this round has been less traumatic for me then last gives me hope I can get through this. Hoping the best for the rest of you girls hang in there we're all in this together
0 -
Mom loves her kitties Welcome to our little group you have wise words for us all and I'm glad your experience has been somewhat positive
0 -
Sharon- I second what the girls are saying about the Neulasta and sorry you had to experience the bone pain without help. I manage it with Claritin and Advil. I still feel it but it's tolerable. For me it lasts about 4-5 days. When my MO compared my WBC counts b/w my first and second rounds of AC, the counts were the same with the second a little higher. I attribute that to the Neulasta. I hope that offers at least some comfort that it seems to be doing its job - at least in my case but I hope most of us.
Cbok-that picture is hilarious!
And something that I hope would lift your spirits as it did mine: I just read on another thread a lady say that the best SE if going thru chemo was "being alive with no cancer" that made me smile!
0 -
I started dose sense AC on Feb. 27th (5 days ago). I finally feel good today. Thank goodness. I have an awful raw throat, though. I don't have fever or chills. I plan to call the oncology nurse tomorrow to find out if a raw sore throat is normal but wanted to ask you ladies here too. I hope to be more active here as my treatments progress ❤️
Amanda in Fort W
0 -
IDC_TX a sore throat can be normal but certainly is not fun makes it even harder to eat if it hurts to swallow. It can also be sign of thrush so be sure to call if the salt water and baking soda gargle is not helping. You might also try some Biotene mouth rinse and throat drops. As crazy at sounds eating cottage cheese may help also.
Sharon so sorry the did not let you know about the Claritin I buy the generic walmart brand the box of ten and take them starting the day of my infusion until the are gone for less than $3.00 a box for me it is well worth the cost. I had tons of issues with nausea as well they actually had to give me some drops to put under my tongue for a day to get it under control. Then they added ativan for me I take compazine every six hours Zofran every twelve starting on day two and Ativan if i get any break through nausea every 6 hours. I am on round two and have not had to take the ativan yet this round although the nausea did not become a real issue for until I stopped the steroids if it happens that way again my MO said we may think about keeping on the steroids a couple days longer. I will not stop taking the meds at day four will keep them up until day 8 and see if I can stop them at that time. If a feel even a hint of nausea I am to keep right on with the meds. I can say the Ativan was like a miracle for me within 30 minutes no nausea.
0 -
guys any of wearing compression sleeves or experiencing seroma?
0 -
WORRIEDME! At least you're doing it in style, Cutie pie. ;-)
Sorry SHARONK that chemo has been so difficult so far. I keep you in my prayers for less SE next round.
Not sure I'm allowed to post outside links but here's a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoIPtsu83VQHaving a rough day today and a good cry. I live in a smalling town 10,000 people about. My son also lives here with his girlfriend. I have had a lot of help from friends with walking my dogs when I'm too exhausted and meals and such but today I was just super sad. Since the chemo started 6 weeks ago my son has come by about 2x to pick up stuff or borrow my truck and stayed about 5 minutes. Anyway, It's been snowing all weekend and I tried to shovel but I just can't do more than about 5 minutes. There are people I can call but really, I'm just sad that my son who is 27 years old cannot find anytime to help me out. I called him last week to help with the dogs and he said he might be able to work it in Thursday and then Thursday came and went and he just didn't follow up. Today when I called about shoveling at around 11am, his reply was yeah sorry snowboarding today and tomorrow so can't fit it in until tomorrow night. Makes me feel sad that I've raised such a self absorbed and selfish individual. I guess I feel angry too but mostly, I feel sad. I hate having to depend on others, I hate it!
Sorry for the rant. Someone said earlier that they think the chemo is causing mood swings. I hadn't noticed so far but maybe????
0 -
CBOK hahaha for the wigcap model. Now I want to change my online name to "wigcapmodel" WTF is right, right?
MOMLOVESHERKITTIES welcome from wigcapmodel formally known as Indahood!
0 -
indahood, i feel u .. my son is 28 and he is married and busy doesnt even have time to check how his mom is doing ..he wasn’t this way but i loved him the most than my daughter so i can totally relate how it feels for u ..we raised them with utmost love and care and still now it hurts to have a thought of even they dealing with anything painful and here we are no one to really care about.. my daughter is with me apparently.. i have wbc 3370 which is low and i am having my infusion because doc said its okay..
I am stressed coz i have a slight seroma and its like there and my surgical doctor just blasted me for not doing alot of work and gave me compression garment.. to wear she was pissing off .. ruined my mind before chemo..
0 -
hi ladies! First off, thank you so much for all your encouraging and helpful comments about my son. (mom of two, 22fightfor, amburt, indahood, jlove1821, debsmisto), I'm lucky that his teacher is very helpful and cares a lot about him. She's been trying to reassure him at school and is keeping a daily communication with me about him. I'll look for some information at the cancer center and see what the psychiatrist has to say tomorrow.
22fightfor - congrats on your PET scan results! What wonderful news!
Moth - so happy your doing better!
Cbok - you look beautiful with your new wig!
Amburt - so sorry you are having so much trouble with your new port. You are brave! I hope it gets better!
Indahood - i love you new hat/wig! It looks fabulous! I’m sorry about the way your son is dealing with this. You could definitely use his help. And I know how hard it is to ask for help. I hope he can start helping you more and stopping by to see how you are doing.
Debsmisto - so happy the wicket D hasn't come back! I'm glad you were able to adjust the treatment to help out.
Sharonk0711 - I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time with SEs. I too recommend you call your MO to ask about a stronger anti nausea med. I have zofran and Ativan. I haven’t taken the Ativan at home yet but was given it during the infusion and it sure helped out. I totally understand about the mom thing, myself going through this with a 21 month old and a 5 year old. But I keep telling myself that this is temporary and that the best way to get back on my super mom feet is to take care of myself. This isn’t like having to be mom while having a cold. This is much more intense and as result i need to take care of yourself. The more I rest the better I feel. If I rest well while the kids are at school, I actually get to play (within reason) with them for about an hour or so when they come home. I have given up on household chores. During my bad days the sink is full of dirty dishes, the laundry doesn’t get done, and toys are everywhere. Yet, after I rest, and with the help of my husband, these chores get done at some point. You will get better and you will get back to being super mom. This is temporary.
About probiotics - my MO said it was ok to keep taking them while on treatment. I'll ask again as I'm now worried about infection. I agree this is a bit frustrating when you have MOs saying different things.
Wishing you all a great week! May we all have our SEs under control. Hugs
0 -
sharonk- I also get the momma guilt, I am a go go go mama and I hate slowing down and got angry at the end of my last round bc it waas school vacation and got annoyed at all the fun things the other kids were doing and mine couldn't. Once i got over the anger and disappointment, I realized this is just a blip in time for them and they know how much I love them. Also with the nausea I made sure I got aloxi and emend (the big guns) bc im prone to nausea. And took Ativan, compazine around the clock. Hope you are feeling better.
Indahood- sorry to hear about your son, could he be doing it because he doesn't want to acknowledge what his mom is going through, too much anxiety maybe and easier to deal with it out of sight? I feel like sometimes until kids get there own kids they may be very self involved and not get It? Still not great, but maybe if you tell him how you feel? Hugs
I have round 2 on thurs, not looking forward to the steroid no sleep, and hoping that by not stopping the claritin daily my achiness is better from the neulasta. Im shedding body hair and my hair is coming out in strands all over my clothes, but hoping my cold capping holds most of it in!
0 -
Hey ladies,
I read some sad posts recently.
Laurie I am hoping that your son will come around with his behavior. Maybe you could be more explicit about your needs? Sometimes this might be the only thing that will catch their attention.
Sharonk0711, I am also sorry to hear that you have a hard time with SE. For me, the SE of medication taken for SE are sometimes worst.
Yesterday, i broke my fast and took nausea medicine to be on the safe side while starting eating again on top of Claritin but both make me so drowsy it had been hard to drive my daughter back to cookies both after her sport. I had to call my fake husband to sub for me at the cookie booth. I still don't eat a lot and feel super weird like weak and my legs cannot support me like I am 9 month pregnant. I think that if I am eating more I'll be nauseated. I feel just doing nothing because it seems my brain is in a fog.
On the positive side, no bone pain, no mouth sore, no big D nor constipation.
We can all go through. Cheers ladies
0 -
little pain explosions in my chest back and hip takes my breathe away.
This is Taxotere, Nuelesta or Neuropathy?
I’m only on round 1 😞
Tracy
0 -
Pbello - 21month old? Chicks like you make me do chemo. I figured if you guys do it who am I to quit?
You guys with toddlers are my heroes. 💪
Tracy
0 -
tracyne - thanks for your kind words!
it hasn’t been easy. That’s for sure. I think we are all heroes. This is a very difficult treatment to get through. We all have our personal issues we’re dealing with at the same time. Life doesn’t stop so we can get better. Yet, we all have the strength to keep going and get through this. I read about all you guys are doing to get through this and it gives me strength to keep going. This chat group has been amazing! You all rock! Many hugs 🤗
0 -
Laurie, I have a 28yr old son, I've seen him maybe twice since my bc journey began, I believe he is in denial and I also think a lot of people think bc is not a big deal as cancer goes, I'm here to tell them it is. This ain't for sissies lol and it's kicking my butt but I'm gonna kick back and win this fight yet, and so will all of you. Here is hoping you're all doing OK.
0 -
totally agree with debs..
Its my secnd day .. i tried to take my meds before SE began but yet its kicking my butt like last time .. biggest SE i have is vomiting and nausea 😐 which lasts for 2-3 days.. i hope its just ends by today..
0 -
Thank you all for the clartin tip and all of your kind words. Today is a better day, i actually could hold stuff down. I think it might be the parnoia but does anyone else feel strangers stare if you go out without a hat, scarf or wig? I picked up my 10 year old from her girl scout meeting and some if the moms kept glancing and whispering. I wanted to be sarcastic and say something but held my tounge. Thank you so much all of you make me smile and i feel safe here. Unfortunately, my so works graveyard and with a 24 month old at home and everyone else i know works during the day my post chemo recovery rest time has been minimal. I'm hoping round 3 of red devil won't knock me down as bad.
Good Luck to all of us. If I'm not outline is anyone else doing adjuvant chemo, instead of neuadjuvant?
Take Care love to my pink sisters from Las Vegas
0 -
Goodness, I thought I may be alone in having a son who is in denial about how ill I really am. My son is 40 and although he calls has not been by to see me since I was diagnosed. He calls and checks on his little brother who is disabled to see how he is dealing with me being sick but does not talk to me as often as he used to. Not at all like him I assure you. I have to wonder if it is harder on our sons to face the fact that Mom is mortal? My girls have been troopers so great. They have a system going where one of the three calls me every day and lets the others know how I am doing. They are making sure that easy meals are being kept in the refrig for my self and my son who lives with me. Lots of wonderful meals to just warm up and because it would upset them if I did not use them it I am sure making me eat more than I might other wise. I would just heat something up for David and not my self if it was all up to me. I am sure in time our sons will get it and we have to let them deal with this in their own way I guess even though it sort of hurts right now.
0 -
My neutrophils finally climbed up to 1.0 today! They're so slow. I'm not sure if I should be worried about how slowly my bone marrow is working.
I'm meeting with my oncologist tomorrow to see what he thinks and whether we can go ahead on Thursday.I'm suddenly kind of anxious about everything. Ugh. I want to wake up from this nightmare and be told this is all a huge mistake.
I'm still not totally bald. I'm in that awful phase of about 20 hairs per square inch & an awful lot of shiny scalp. I had a chin length blond bob & not to get political but I could do impressions of a certain president going up the airplane steps in the wind.....
Those of you with nausea or vomiting, you might want to look at this British Columbia protocol, compare your meds and see if you can get your physicians to add / change drugs. Page 2 has a list of drugs & then later, there's a flow chart on the last page where you can see a bunch of different options the doctors have if things don't work. My chemo nurses all said that their goal was NO nausea/vomiting and that if it was happening to let them know asap & they would definitely change the protocols. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/chemotherapy-protocols-s...hugs to everyone
0 -
I totally agree it would be great to wake up from this nightmare! To have hair again.....☺️
The last 3 months or so since my diagnosis have been very lonely. I have a great husaband, many friends, 4 grown children, 3 grown step children and 28 grandchildren. (9 lb Noah born today in Seattle!)Since they all have jobs, spouses and children, I rarely see any of them. Coupled with flu season and constant runny noses, they keep away. 4 of our children are sons. I was in the hospital twice since chemo start. (I had chemo first, surgery next week) I had to quit working.
I did want to mention, my husband's mom had cancer when he was a teenager. Even at 59, my husband recalls, for decades now, how selfish he was during that time. He feels guilty he didn't help her more.He has beat himself up about it for decades. I think now that I'm going through this, he sees the kids just don't get it and we empathize with them a little.
Even my friends can't really grasp how traumatizing this is and how vulnerable we are. Try to forgive sons, daughters are better at facing things like health issues. I think boys, like in my husbands case, just avoid things that make them feel helpless. They are probably more scared than they show. We are mom and for the most part, the one who provided security. The situation may be something they are not ready to face. We are in a trying situation for sure!!! Reading the posts has helped me more than anything. We are not alone.....
0 -
Oh my everyone, there is so much power in hearing that my sons reaction is not out of the ordinary and that many of you are with me in this. Thank you so much for your stories, they help. I do have some amends to make to him now though as I lost my cool today and resorted to name calling, self absorbed, selfish. He was mortally wounded of so he seemed. lol. I'm sure he'll survive but your posts did put me in a better spirit to at least clean my side of the proverbial street. Through my hurt, I was reactive and immature. I'm tired of being a warrior so can you ladies warrior on for me for a few days, I'm going to have a good cry and a rest from being so damn strong.
0 -
And SHARON, my chemo is adjuvant therapy. TC every 3 weeks, that's Taxotere (docetaxel) and cyclophosphamide.
0 -
Cupcake you absolutely said the right words when you said going through this is traumatizing and makes us vulnerable. In times like this though I'm truly glad that I am a woman, because I believe our vulnerability brings us strength. Each of us on this Feb board felt alone, and we reached out to each other to build ourselves up. This is a skill unique to women. As Cupcake also said (you are such a wise lady) men will try to avoid things that make them feel helpless. Men are doers and fixers and standing by while their loved one suffers- especially when this is happening to their momma- is especially tortuous for them. Laurie please give yourself some grace, as all of us Feb women have given you grace. I'm sure you raised a fine man, but for him to come help you when you need it right now would be for him to face that his strong independent momma (who admittedly hates to ask for help) is just a mortal woman. And that's hella hard for anyone's child to face.
I could keep going but I should try to turn my brain off and get back to sleep. The nausea woke me up, and although I don't have a schedule of meds like Moth has outlined (what a thorough and patient-centered plan that is!), my onco set me up pretty well with a couple of prescriptions. While I've been typing out all my deep thoughts enough time has gone by for me to pop another pill. -Although I find I can also manage some of this nausea with a sleeve of saltines, pill time is such a relief.
Ladies take care of yourselves, and I also wanted to add how grateful I am for all of you!
0
