Starting Chemotherapy March 2018
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It sounds like it was a rough week for all. The third round for me was tough on days 4 and 5. Feeling better today though my taste is really messed up. I cannot taste salt, only sweet. I started eating tomato based soup for a little tang but even that is extremely bland. One more left.... Has anyone found TC Round 4 more difficult than 3?
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Hi everyone! I haven't checked in for a while, but had round 2 of TC last Tuesday. I worked on Wed and Thurs, then took Fri and Mon off. That seems to work, so I'm home on my "down" days. I had basically the same s/e as last time - stomach ache/gas, diarrhea, bad taste in the mouth, but still no nausea. It seems as long as I eat something small every couple of hours for the first week, I feel OK. I was very tired, but the exhaustion didn't seem as bad this time. One thing I am experiencing is a rash on my scalp. It's super itchy and I've been scratching. I asked my hubby to look last night and he said there are lots of little red bumps all over. My scalp has been itchy and sensitive since the day after my first infusion, so I guess this is more of that, but just easier to see. Not sure what I can do. I put some Cortizone on a small area last night and it didn't do much. I still have a bit of wispy hair that I've been wanting to shave off. Not sure if this will help or make it worse. Wish I would have mentioned it to my MO when I saw him on Monday :-)
I'm glad to hear that most of you are having an easier time now. I'm hoping for the best for those of you who are still having a rough time. We'll get through this and be stronger for it!
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So far I think my SE's are a little better than last time. The first week it's mainly being tired, achy bones, and headaches that are my issue. And on top of that I eat like a cow and can't stop choosing BAD food. If I don't have it in the house.. I'll leave and get it. It's almost like a pregnancy craving that you NEED TO SATISFY. 😂
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Hi ladies,
Just venting a little as it has been a BAD week on my end. 2nd of 8 rounds was on Friday April 13 (maybe I should have known?). The following Monday my 5 year old had a puking incident, better in 24 hours. Wednesday my 2 year old had explosive diarrhea, better in 36 hours. Wednesday night I felt awful, figured it was chemo and went to bed early. Thursday morning the diarrhea hit me and after 3 hours of my entire guts pouring out I had to literally send my husband an SOS text message as I thought I would die right there on the floor of the bathroom, pulling him out of an important work meeting and upending life yet again. We went to the cancer center urgent care, which is a pleasant name for an overcrowded ER situation filled with people in all kinds of misery -- including me since the immodium I gave myself to get there wore off and they wouldn't give me any more, so I was going to the bathroom every 5-10 minutes for hours. Cancer takes away a lot of our dignity, doesn't it? I was admitted overnight to a limbo called "Clinical Decision Unit," tested for a ton of different things, treated with fluids and electrolytes, finally sent home end of the next day, Friday. After a weekend spent recovering at home, on Monday I dragged myself into work because we had to put our beloved family dog of 15.5 years to sleep that day and I just couldn't be in our house while my incredible husband took her to the appointment. (It was scheduled, and honestly, we probably would have done it sooner if I hadn't been diagnosed in January, she was very sick and suffering.) While I am happily in a bit better shape physically by now, it has been a hard, hard week emotionally. Like what happened to my really nice life before all this?
Thanks for lending an ear.
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Bec-ky - I am also eating crap. Yesterday, I ate double my normal healthy oatmeal breakfast plus some watermelon. Then when I got to work I was still hungry so I went to Starbucks and got coffee and a scone. But that didn't cut it so I went to Taco Bell. All that was before 10am. Then at lunch I got some kind of chocolate whipped cream roll from the cafeteria, then some fruit salad, then I went back to Taco Bell again! And of course it was the same cashier from two hours earlier at the drive thru window! The worst part is that the food isn't even very enjoyable! Before all this I was on a vegan no processed foods diet and had no problems sticking to it.
2002chickadee - I'm sorry you've had such a crappy week. And so so sorry to hear about your dog, it's just one more thing on the pile! I wonder what happened to my life all the time. It's like I crossed into an alternate universe where my life sucks now.
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Hapa- Omg i I am 😂 laughing so hard I'm crying!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Chickadee - things shall look up soon. Weeks like that are tough on the mind... For sure.
Sorry for your rough week and soooo sorry about your dog 😭 I dread that time for our dog.
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Hi, ladies
Hope everyone is feeling better today.
SE question, does anyone else have random pain from your boobs at random times? Both surgery one and healthy one? Boobs as well as just on the edge of boob and rib cage. Different than the pain post surgery, so wondering whether it is anything to do with chemo and the shots. I am on TC.
I have them from time to time and doesn’t last long, can be almost sharp but last only seconds. Location is inconsistent.
Oncologist didn’t seem to pay any attention when I mentioned
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Nvdobie - funny you say that.... Just today when I was laying down I felt some sharp almost phantom pains from where my sentinel node biopsy area was. But it was just a few times in that moment and I haven't felt anything since.
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Bec-Ky - big macs have been my go too. Rarely eat them normally.. so, I am right there with you in the bad food... 😂😭
It sounds like every is adjusting and finding their Grove!!!😊
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Bec-Ky - big macs have been my go too. Rarely eat them normally.. so, I am right there with you in the bad food... 😂😭
It sounds like every is adjusting and finding their Grove!!!😊
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Hi all Happy Friday!! Has anyone experienced the chemo rash? My hair is still falling out but last Sunday we shaved it really low. The next day my scalp hurt to touch it or wash it. All week it has been pretty tender, sore, and I could feel bumps at the nape of my neck. I finally looked in the mirror and saw a red rash all around the back of my head. I don't know if it's the rash they ask me about at my weekly treatments or is it from the head shaving. Either way it's annoying and painful.
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NVDobie - I occasionally have random pains from my boobs, and after the first infusion I had general aching of my cancerous boob and armpit for a couple weeks.
I'm declaring my cold capping a failure. I went for a wig fitting today and ordered a wig that should be in next week. It's super cute. Every wig I tried on was cuter than my real hair has ever been.
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Hi Kanona - I've got the scalp rash, in the exact same area. I read on another thread that tea tree oil helps with itchy scalp, so I've ordered some, but it won't arrive until tomorrow. I'm hopeful, but not really sure it will help. Today, one of my co-workers ran over to Whole Foods and got me some aloe gel. It has helped a little, but it's still itchy and painful. My co-worker Googled it after I was complaining about it and said there was lots of info, but I haven't tried looking it up yet. I have not shaved my head. I cut my hair really short, then most of what was left fell out on its own. But I do still have a bit of hair left. I had been thinking of shaving it, but with the rash, I'm worried that would make it worse. My scalp has been itchy and tender since right after the first treatment, but it seems worse now. If you find something that helps, please report back, and I'll do the same. It's making me crazy!
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Yep. Same for the rash. I have red bumps on the lower part of my head. I attributed that to shaving it and wearing my wigs...
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Tlow- I had a big Mac immediately after my first chemo.... 😂
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hi ladies, hope everyone is doing well. I was reading and catching up on all the posting.
Thanks to everyone who posted about sun burns. I was trying to enjoy the sun but I squint more withought sunglass. Eye senitive to sunlight I guess.. need to look for large brim hats..All is still goin well for me with 3rd infusion this coming Thursday. . Over the half way for first phase. I still remember the words chemo is do able.. first time I heard the phrase i thought whats, "Do able "mean or who uses that phrase? Well after going thru chemo I completely understand the phrase, do able. Rather not but can manage and everyones support is much appericated..
Rash I've had and found my hair/head was very senitive so bad that I tossed and turned when I lay ed down on my pillows. now I put a soft /plush blanket over my pillows to make it easier for me to sleep.
My Chemo crave is ice cream so bad I have 2 different types of Ben and jerrys prior to all this I've never had ice cream in my freezer or a craving.My body would react to ice cream as if I lactose problems.. now, I have daily dose of ice cream..lol
Wishing all a good weekend, hugs !!
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urdrago71 - same on the ice cream! I never have it and if anything I’m a frozen yogurt girl. However, since chemo I now know the Mr. Softie Ice cream truck schedule by heart. I’m trying to limit myself to 1x a week...
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May-🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
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Bec-Ky, that's hilarious... Glad it's not just me eating big Mac's... 🤣
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Hi Ladies,
I hope everyone got a good rest this weekend! I am day 4 of my 4th and final dose of AC!!! Can't believe I am halfway done already!!
I start Taxol in 10 days and just wondering what the common side effects are in comparison to AC? I have heard it's easier. But, my doctor also told me that the fatigue will catch up.
Any advice on what to have on hand or be prepared for would be awesome! I plan to ice my fingers and feet (going to be a long 4 hours) to help with the nerve pain.
Happy Sunday! I hope it's bright and sunny where you are! This was yesterday here, raining today!
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I wanted to report that the aloe gel is really helping with the scalp rash and itching. It's so much better in just a couple of days. I still have a few spots of rash, but it's way better. Down side is it takes about 15 minutes for my head to dry after applying. First time I applied it, I smeared a big glop of it on in the bathroom at work, then had to wipe a lot of it off, then sit there for a long time before I could put my cap back on and leave the bathroom :-) Hope you are all doing well this Sunday morning!
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Happy Sunday ladies😜
Thanks for the tip MarlaM! I have used coconut oil with tea tree oil to help soothe the discomfort and pain of the rash. I finally shaved the rest of my hair off today and that has seemed to help. Now the question is what do I use to cover up this bald head tomorrow at work. It's still to painful to wear the wig.
This week will be round #5 for me. No more steroids with infusion which I'm stoked about. I must say the side effects have been pretty manageable so far but unfortunatly I can't take any over the counter pain medication for bone pain due to my liver enzymes.
Good luck to all that have treatment this week!!!
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Thanks for sharing the pretty scenery Tlow! I love mountains. Of course, I live in one of the flattest states....sigh. Glad everyone is doing well and we are all getting closer to finishing our regimens. Y'all are killing me with the Big Macs. I haven't had one in 25 years, and now....it sounds really good. My craving over the weekend was tortilla chips with melted cheese, salsa, sour cream. I had to make myself 2 plates. WTF. I can not seem to get enough salt. I am glad I haven't had swelling issues, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
Looking forward to the upswing this week. For whatever reason, I thought this round (3) was worse as far as bone pain. My paresthesias in my fingers had completely resolved prior to my 3rd infusion (I was giving total credit to my B6, biotin, fish oil, and lysine), but is now back with a vengeance. I hope it subsides again. I took the claritin faithfully, and I guess I'm not getting the spasms like I did first round, but I am headed off to the tub to soak. Trying some limited ibuprofen. The sweats were worse this time too. On the positive side, I haven't gotten my period...it is over a week late. Maybe, just maybe?
Regarding the boob pains - I have noticed this as well, and at first I freaked thinking it meant there was cancer everywhere I was feeling pain. I discussed it with my MO, and we think it is related to dropping estrogen levels. We have ligaments that support the breasts (cooper's ligaments), and as our estrogen levels drop, they stretch. So great. The pains are my boobs actively sagging. At this point, I DNGAF anymore what they look like. I find it morbidly funny now how upset I was when I though I was just facing radiation and tamoxifen and how I didn't want to do that...seems so minor now. I will do whatever it takes to beat this. Fight on, my fellow warriors!!!
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Yeah I had a big Mac yesterday... And I swear today no matter what... Im going to eat healthier!
I swear.
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Hello Ladies,
Just dropping by to read all updates, glad to hear most of you are moving forward with chemo cycles..I'm still waiting till Friday for my 2nd since I got a week delay.
Hope y'all had a great weekend..Hugs to all.
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All this talk about Big Macs...thanks a lot ladies! Lol! Now I want one and I don’t even typically like them! 😩
All my chemo SEs have been gone for a few days now but I have been battling a cold that just won’t quit. The sore throat seems to be lingering and even ibuprofen isn’t helping. No fever or anything but I have a call into my dr just in case...
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Has anyone had their eyelashes fall out? Eyebrows?
I haven't and I'm more bummed about the potential for that, than I am the loss of hair.
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My eyebrows & eyelashes have really thinned. I've lost about 30% of eyebrows and about 50% of lashes.
Can't wear mascara anymore as the last few lashes just make a clumpy mess & emphasize the gaps. I need to get some falsies.0 -
Hi ladies!
Bec-ky, I am 3 down on TC and while my lashes have thinned (and they were sparse to begin with), my brows have held up pretty well. Hoping that lasts. I do still have enough lashes to wear mascara, but have only done it a few times and been really careful about removal. I've been doing a lot of heavy eyeliner instead and no one has really noticed.
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