Crawling back up towards the living after chemo 2

I went into chemo two so much better prepared (or so I thought), and it still drug me down into the hole.  I kept ahead of the nerve pain until yesterday, took Narco during Saturday night and it must have helped a little because I slept 2 hours at a time.  However, yesterday, I didn't want to take another so I tried to outlast it.  (It won, but I still kept going with Advil only).  I'm feeling like the rest of this treatment is moving forward, but I also feel druggy on just vitamins and Advil.  I found myself reading old threads on here, and got kind of sad to read of all the ladies that thought they were doing great, only to be told they recurred.  Dang, I sincerely hope those I don't see posting anymore have made it and simply just stopped following this forum, althought I know in some cases that's not fact.  Does cancer always win for those of us with stage 3?  I know, I'm probably feeling the after effects of the steroids and it is making me less optomistic, sorry, I'll snap myself out of it soon.

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Comments

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    I'm always amazed when people

    I'm always amazed when people going through chemo are ok.  It kicked my butt!  But, I've seen women with Stage IV NED for many years so yes, I think women with Stage III and IV do make it.  I'm sorry you have to go through this chemo hell.  It's been almost four weeks since my last chemo and my hips and legs still hurt at night along with other side effects.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member

    I'm always amazed when people

    I'm always amazed when people going through chemo are ok.  It kicked my butt!  But, I've seen women with Stage IV NED for many years so yes, I think women with Stage III and IV do make it.  I'm sorry you have to go through this chemo hell.  It's been almost four weeks since my last chemo and my hips and legs still hurt at night along with other side effects.

    Love,

    Eldri

    Live for the Good Weeks

    You will get through this! And, it isn't easy but for most doable. Trust your body to know if enough is enough (like Eldri) if necessary.

    You will also learn to get your strength for the next one during the "good week" or so between treatments.

    Glad you read the older threads too. Lots of great information in there. Also, if you haven't already... the newer thread titled ladies going through chemo describes a lot of journeys.

    Sending you lots of positive energy.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    I think we are on a

    I think we are on a rollercoaster!  Sometimes it takes longer need to make that turn and head uphill.  I am stage IV with 2 recurrences and even though cancer treatment is a major part of my life, it hasn't gotten me yet and it has been almost 3 1/2 years.  I have many more good days than bad.  I usually have a day or two of feeling "down in the dumps" after each treatment and then I get a better attitude back again.  This time has been one of my harder times. Heartburn has been bad and the pain in my back and legs is still around particularly at night.  I don't like taking Hydrocodone are even Tylonal, but I might give in tonight.

    Hang in there it will get better.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • Lou Ann M said:

    I think we are on a

    I think we are on a rollercoaster!  Sometimes it takes longer need to make that turn and head uphill.  I am stage IV with 2 recurrences and even though cancer treatment is a major part of my life, it hasn't gotten me yet and it has been almost 3 1/2 years.  I have many more good days than bad.  I usually have a day or two of feeling "down in the dumps" after each treatment and then I get a better attitude back again.  This time has been one of my harder times. Heartburn has been bad and the pain in my back and legs is still around particularly at night.  I don't like taking Hydrocodone are even Tylonal, but I might give in tonight.

    Hang in there it will get better.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

    Thank you Lou Ann

    Thank you, I just needed someone to be a shining star, someone who is around after the initial diagnosis.  You're my inspiration!  Hugs back.

  • Sandy3185
    Sandy3185 Member Posts: 228
    Chemo

    For me chemo was terrible! BUT, it's almost 2 years since I finished chemo and I am still NED. I recovered my strength and my health and I am enjoying life and hope to continue a cancer free life for many years. I was diagnosed stage 2 grade 3 in October 2013. I had a radical hysterectomy in Dec 2012 and chemo from Jan thru Apr. I had a really hard time with chemo- a lot of aches and pain, especially in my joints, neuropathy in my hands, legs and feet. I always felt like I had the flu! I know that I needed to take hydrocodone to sleep more nights than not. Definitely not an experience I hope to repeat, but it did work. Please keep your eyes on the goal and know you can do it! This is not a death sentence!

  • ncg007
    ncg007 Member Posts: 138 Member
    Will I ever gain my strength back?

    I'm a 8 days out from chemo #4 which was my second round of carbo/taxol, first 2 were Cisplatin; this round has kicked my butt!  I've gotten past the nausea and tiredness, but I have absolutely no strength to even walk a short distance in the house or stand in kitchen.  Last round I experienced this same weakness but recovered by now.  Will recovery time lengthen with each round, any tips to boost my strength?

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    ncg007 said:

    Will I ever gain my strength back?

    I'm a 8 days out from chemo #4 which was my second round of carbo/taxol, first 2 were Cisplatin; this round has kicked my butt!  I've gotten past the nausea and tiredness, but I have absolutely no strength to even walk a short distance in the house or stand in kitchen.  Last round I experienced this same weakness but recovered by now.  Will recovery time lengthen with each round, any tips to boost my strength?

    Neulasta Might Help

    NCG007, have you looked into getting a Neulasta shot? I get one after each chemo treatment and it helps me bounce back quickly.

  • ncg007
    ncg007 Member Posts: 138 Member
    Kvdyson said:

    Neulasta Might Help

    NCG007, have you looked into getting a Neulasta shot? I get one after each chemo treatment and it helps me bounce back quickly.

    Neulasta

    Ive considered it, but the list of serious effects scare me!  Has everyone experienced positive results?

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    ncg007 said:

    Neulasta

    Ive considered it, but the list of serious effects scare me!  Has everyone experienced positive results?

    I only took Neulasta one

    I only took Neulasta one time. While I did have less fatigue, the bone and muscle pain was horrible. So, I refused to let them give it to me after that.

    There are other ladies that have had positive results with it.

  • joannewtta
    joannewtta Member Posts: 43

    I only took Neulasta one

    I only took Neulasta one time. While I did have less fatigue, the bone and muscle pain was horrible. So, I refused to let them give it to me after that.

    There are other ladies that have had positive results with it.

    neulasta

    I had six shots, took Claritan and had no problems.

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,677 Member

    neulasta

    I had six shots, took Claritan and had no problems.

    6 shots

    only had discomfort the first time

     

     

  • giggs100
    giggs100 Member Posts: 91 Member
    I only had Neulasta once time

    I had a Neulasta shot one time after my first application of chemo.   I had some bone pain for two days and that was it.   They changed to Neupogen because the Neulasta shot spiked my white blood cell count up to 51.8 (five times what it should of been).   It came back down to 13.9 before my second application of chemo otherwise if it had stayed too high it would of stopped my second application of chemo.    I just had a blood test yesterday and will have another this coming Friday to see what the Neupogen will be doing to my white cell count.  I did notice a bit more tiredness this time after the application of chemo but still energy level picked up 4 days after chemo.   So was able to start doing normal things again.   With the Neulasta shot energy picked up 3 days after shot.    So not much difference in energy factor with either one.   What I did notice was hardly no pain at all after shots.  But there is a draw back with the Neupogen I have to have this shot for 5 days in a row starting on the second day after chemo.  Now I am anxiously waiting to see what the wbc (white blood cell) count is.

    Jerri

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    ncg007 said:

    Neulasta

    Ive considered it, but the list of serious effects scare me!  Has everyone experienced positive results?

    No problems

    I will be getting my 19th Nuelasta shot tomorrow with the new on body delivery system and I have never had any problems or side effects from it.  I do have bone pain but I m sure it comes from the Taxol.  It does keep my white blood cells up at a decent level.  Lou Ann

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    ncg007 said:

    Neulasta

    Ive considered it, but the list of serious effects scare me!  Has everyone experienced positive results?

    I had one Neulasta shot after

    I had one Neulasta shot after 2nd round of chemo but the pain in my hips and pelvis was awful - it felt like they were vibrating in pain.  It's been four weeks since my 3rd chemo and I still have pain in my bones - hips and legs.  This might be from my chemo or a lingering side effect from the Neulasta.  Today my chemo nurse got me a presciption, Gabapentin, to help with the pain in my feet - it feels like they're on fire with needles poking in them and it's much worse at night.  At least my fingers are just numb - no pain or tingling.

    But....a LOT of women have made it through chemo with minimal damage or discomfort.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • ncg007
    ncg007 Member Posts: 138 Member
    ncg007 said:

    Neulasta

    Ive considered it, but the list of serious effects scare me!  Has everyone experienced positive results?

    Neulasta

    thank you all for the feedback.  I'll review options with dr.

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member

    I had one Neulasta shot after

    I had one Neulasta shot after 2nd round of chemo but the pain in my hips and pelvis was awful - it felt like they were vibrating in pain.  It's been four weeks since my 3rd chemo and I still have pain in my bones - hips and legs.  This might be from my chemo or a lingering side effect from the Neulasta.  Today my chemo nurse got me a presciption, Gabapentin, to help with the pain in my feet - it feels like they're on fire with needles poking in them and it's much worse at night.  At least my fingers are just numb - no pain or tingling.

    But....a LOT of women have made it through chemo with minimal damage or discomfort.

    Love,

    Eldri

    I use Gabapentin and it does

    I use Gabapentin and it does work for me.  I also use Lorazapam and that makes it work better.  it is not usually subscribed for Nuerapathy, but my dr is letting me try it.  he originally gave it to me for my stomach and my feet stopped burning. LOL.  I hope the Gabapentin works for you.

    I so hope that your wound starts to heal correctly now.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    Lou Ann M said:

    I use Gabapentin and it does

    I use Gabapentin and it does work for me.  I also use Lorazapam and that makes it work better.  it is not usually subscribed for Nuerapathy, but my dr is letting me try it.  he originally gave it to me for my stomach and my feet stopped burning. LOL.  I hope the Gabapentin works for you.

    I so hope that your wound starts to heal correctly now.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

    Any side effects from it, Lou

    Any side effects from it, Lou Ann?

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member

    Any side effects from it, Lou

    Any side effects from it, Lou Ann?

    Love,

    Eldri

    No side effects

    no side effects that I can tell. Health food stores also have things they say work for Nueropathy.  One is an oil that you rub on.  It does work but doesn't last long.  also a pill called Alph nepoic acid.  It is supposed to have all natural ingredient.  I have a bottle but haven't trird it yet, since the other seem to be working.  I can't stand the idea of putting one more pill in my mouth.  Lou Ann

  • Hopeful162
    Hopeful162 Member Posts: 82
    giggs100 said:

    I only had Neulasta once time

    I had a Neulasta shot one time after my first application of chemo.   I had some bone pain for two days and that was it.   They changed to Neupogen because the Neulasta shot spiked my white blood cell count up to 51.8 (five times what it should of been).   It came back down to 13.9 before my second application of chemo otherwise if it had stayed too high it would of stopped my second application of chemo.    I just had a blood test yesterday and will have another this coming Friday to see what the Neupogen will be doing to my white cell count.  I did notice a bit more tiredness this time after the application of chemo but still energy level picked up 4 days after chemo.   So was able to start doing normal things again.   With the Neulasta shot energy picked up 3 days after shot.    So not much difference in energy factor with either one.   What I did notice was hardly no pain at all after shots.  But there is a draw back with the Neupogen I have to have this shot for 5 days in a row starting on the second day after chemo.  Now I am anxiously waiting to see what the wbc (white blood cell) count is.

    Jerri

    No shots

    FYI, I never had a neulasta shot,  yet during chemo for three or four days each round of three weeks, I had terrible bone and joint pain in my hips, thighs and knees, which I attribute to the taxol. I also had neuropathy in my fingers and toes, but that has completely resolved. However, a little more than eight months post surgery I did get significant lymphedema in my left leg which has improved greatly with eight rounds of physical therapy and compression. (I had 13 lymph nodes removed during surgery for UPSC.)

    Martha

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    Nancy, how are you

    Nancy, how are you doing???

    Love,

    Eldri