Cancer Survivors Network

The stress of the unknown is awful! That is good news too that you only have one left..I have exactly 5 weeks of Rads too! but nobody said anything about a month off..maybe they just haven't told me that part yet..haha..I guess next blood test will show really what I am doing..maybe I get switched to 3 weeks also, who knows? Thanks for hugs, sending them right back at ya!

I plan on taking the anti-nausea pills right alongside the other 6-11 pills I have to take twice a day so no big deal to had a couple more..haha. Also, I found out that I can get my blood drawn (from my port) just before chemo and they get the results in 15 mins! WOW! I am done with needle sticks in the arm for awhile..YAY!

Ports--Yay is so right. It's quick and easy having the blood drawn from the port. As sensitive as the port area is, I'm so happy to have this port. At the end of chemo the nurse flushes it with a saline solution which brings up a rubbing alcohol taste. I found out how to counter act that, I suck on a hard candy when she flushes and there is no after taste. I learn a new way of handling effects after each chemo. Of course I've taken several ideas right from these boards. Hang in there Tracy, and thanks to all you ladies for sharing your strengths and weaknesses. Each and everyone of you are a true blessing.

I know what you mean about gaining weight! Geez! I also have gained 15 lbs since diagnosis...I look in the mirror and see an incision on my masectomy that is not quite healed yet, a swollen right upper arm, a bruise and incision on my neck, a very bruised port along with another incision, oh and LOTS of FAT! hahahahahaha! I am disgusting! hahahaha..you have to have humor right? Wait till the hair comes out - that will be even more disgusting..haha

I keep saying that I am going to go back to the gym and that certainly hasn't happened yet...maybe when I can start wearing a prosthesis, I will feel more comfortable about changing?

It is 4:50am the next day and still feel fine, (a bit of nausea at 10:30 last night but not bad) am planning on working today. Thanks for writing Marlene!!! Keep in touch.
Tracy

Yes, thank GOD for a sense of humor. I HAVE lost the hair added to everything you mentioned. I was scared that when I looked in the mirror I would cry, but instead 9 times out of 10, I laugh! My dad told my mom when I was born I looked like a monkey, so I think about that a lot, and also that I thought I looked like my mom, but now I look like my dad, HAHA!!

Tracy I saw the other post first. I am glad all went well. Heed the water, we all repeat it because it is so important. I pushed to hard too quick in the wrong ways. I hurried back to a stressful job, with an hour commute and fatigue and low wbc got me. So listen to the exercise advise also and remember to pace yourself. Take car of you. Most of us on here by nature are used to taking care of everyone and everything else. It is time for you to concentrate on you. Become your own project. Keep us posted. I will continue to be wishing all the best for you on this journey.

becky

Speaking of mouth sores, before they started the adriamycin, they asked me if I had a tendency to get mouth sores and I said well, yes, I have gotten cold sores before..ok, so they said I should suck on some ice chips or popsicles while they are pushing the adriamycin thru. Ok, I will have some popsicles..what color they asked? I said red. So they brought me back 2 red popsicles and started pushing the red devil through...Well, I had those 2 gone before she was 1/2 way done!! hahahaha...she yelled to the other nurse to go and get 2 more popsicles..she resumed pushing when I got 2 more....the other nurse told her to push faster!!
hahahahahaha..they were laughing at me.

I don't have a problem eating ever - (I am actually hoping it slows down!) and yes, I will try to exercise.....Thanks Linda for hugs....right back at ya!
Tracy

I am so glad your port worked better for you! That is good news! It is too bad they cannot draw blood..I hope mine continues to work but who knows??

I know what you mean about having to start eating better! Man! I am also eating like there is no tomorrow! haha.. I have no excuse either!!

Did you just finish your 2nd or 3rd, sorry can't remember..my next hurdle will be the hair and as often as my hair has been turning out lately, I am kind of looking forward to just
putting on a wig and not worrying about it!

Take care Laurissa! Keep in Touch!

Tracy

Thank you for the prayers, they definitely helped with my first one! I have heard that each treatment can be cumulative so I hope each one doesn't get worse and worse.. :(

Congrats on finishing up treatment on Oct 1st!!! Wow, that must feel really good..If everything goes right and stays on schedule I figure mine should end around the middle of April??

Wishing you the best also Brenda..thanks again.
Tracy

Wow! I hope the rest are easier..that would be great! I am trying to drink alot of liquids but it is hard to choke down water..ick. But I can do it! Do you know if Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi is ok? I like that.

Thanks for the well wishes...I don't really like to post too much unless it is super important or a milestone..haha..

Good luck to you!
Tracy

I'm not sure about the Diet Pepsi but my gut tells me it's not as good as water. Maybe you can "flavor" the water with Crystal Light or something like that. I'd ask your doc about the Diet Pepsi question. Good luck!

How great it is that you are finished with treatment!!! Congrats! When did you finish? That is great that you didn't get sick! I am hoping for the same. I do like ginger ale, thanks for that suggestion.

Best of Luck to you in the future and thanks for sticking on this site to help give good advice to us newbies!

Tracy

Hi Tracy
I suppose I'm an old hand at this I finished the chemo and rad 6 years ago. I hope this gives you encouagement and lets you know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Be positive and you will get through this. Sending you best wishes.

Lesley

That certainly does give me encouragement! If you can do it, so can I! Thanks for the good vibes! I figure I may be done the middle of April? if everything stays on track.

Tracy

Pleased to be of some encouragement, thats the best way to be stay positive. Only thing I would say don't stick rigid to the date you think you will finish I ran about 2 weeks later than I expected due to my blood counts. Hopefully though you will finish on time or as near damn possible. And as you said if I can do it so can you , you go girl. Best wishes if we don't speak before let me know how next chemo goes. Thinking of you.

Lesley

I dont think the diet pepsi flushes out your system as well you can see. water flavored with jusice gatorade which comes inlow calorie etc...

Maybe I better just stick to water these first few days...I will check that gatorade out tho..what is it called - "jusice"?? Is it carbonated?

this will be my cocktail every 3 weeks for 6 doses when I start chemo next month. Anyone on that combination? I was curious because my oncologist said I would notice my hair falling out but would not lose all my hair...is he right???? I want to prepare before I start. Maybe a new haircut :}

Sounds like everyone has different side effects. Thanks for all the good advice.

Kim

I was on cytoxan and taxotere and had my last one on Oct 5. My hair started falling out about 10 days after the first treatment. I had a few strands left. My head looked like the top of a bald man's head when he tries to comb the few strands of hair he has over to make it look like he has hair. My husband went ahead and shaved what I had left off. So, I guess your oncologist is correct that you might not lose all of your hair, but I didn't have enough left to do any good!! My hair is just starting to come back in. My head is just kind of fuzzy right now. It's strange though, it seems like I've lost more eyebrows and eyelashes the last couple weeks. All in all, the chemo wasn't really too bad. I didn't really mind too much losing my hair. I figured it was temporary and would grow back. Of course, everyone is different so maybe you will be the one not to lose it.

Thanks for writing. I hope that I do as good on my future sessions - I have 3 left for AC and 4 of Taxol. I heard that the effects may be cumulative so I am a bit worried that way but I have learned already not to stress out BEFORE you have any problems...it helps!!

Best of luck to you also Moopy!

Tracy

Just a note - I was told that soda does not count toward fluid intake. . .it makes you retain water rather than flush. It also depletes your bones (the phosphorous that makes the bubbles). So you'd need to drink something else - juice, broth, herbal teas, etc. - to make up the "lots of water" everyone tells you about!

Good luck!

Lori

Danactive??

I think it is a yogurt that is supposed to strengthen your body's defenses...

I still feel good, although the 3rd day my vision was a bit blurry...but better at the end of the day I think..we'll see what tomorrow brings...hugs, Tracy

I have definitely experienced that! Natly had a post a little while ago about this and I believe she said she found out that it returns to normal after chemo. Thank God for that. I wear reading glasses and I've gone from a 1.5 to a 2 in just two treatments! UGGHH!! As if everything else involved with this isn't expensive enough!