Second chemo was Friday

hopeful girl 1

Too all my friends,

Had my second chemo on Friday-my doc tells me the 2nd and 3rd should be easier than the first. (First I had bad joint pains). So far I feel ok, tired. And this time no diareah so far, but I am afraid I might go the other way-constiptated.I seem to be having some trouble there now. I hope not. I had such issues with that post surgery and it took a long time to get straighted out. Does anyone know if constipation becomes an issue on chemo can we take miralax? I am going to have to ask doc if continues.

I am still feeling encourage in that my doc told me my CA125 dropped from 300 post surgery to 20 after first chemo. My doc seemed quite pleased and said is a good sign.
So, that has allowed me to relax alittle, as everyday I worry so much about everything.
So I am grateful that I can relax alittle bit.

I am stage 3 so I hope this is encouraging to others out there.

I find that I feel better when I drink a lot of fluids and also my protein drinks-I picked up a tip on these boards and now mix the protein powder with orange juice twice a day.

Peace, happiness and healing to all.

Cindy

jazzy1

Wonderful News on CA 125
Cindy, That is such a relief when that number goes down. My doc could use mine as a guide as before treatments it was 400 and during treatments it kept coming down. Last treatment it was 3 and has been there ever since. Some docs can't follow this for patients, but luckily in my case yes....might be same for you.

Possibly I was the one posting about OJ with protein poweder twice per day. What I've been doing for years as it helps our bodies rebuilt what the chemo has broken down. Also yep lots of fluids and that will help with constipation too, if you're edging to that side now. I know it's always something with our bodies and how it reacts to our treatments.

I've got uterine 3C....and you?

You're doing great, just remember it takes one step at a time and before you know it your hair will be all grown in and you'll be doing your every 3 month checkup and tests.

Jan

norma2

I am a worrier too, Cindy
Like you, I worry too. I have found those things that I devote my time worrying about seldom happen. I waste a lot of time worrying. Guess it is better if we just go with the flow. Let things take their course. And do the best we can to stay healthy.

Chemo for me was uneventful. Except for the hair loss. It was the abdominal radiation that was the most challenging.

If you are constipated, try drinking lots and lots of fluids. Water is best. I put a squeeze of lemon in mine. I also love iced tea with lemon. Decaffinated. Might try putting sprigs of mint in the ice cubes. Pretty and gives the tea a nice refreshing minty aftertaste.

Like Jan said, soon this will all be behind you and you will be going for your three month check-ups.

Songflower

Hang Tough!
You're doing great! Rest and be good to yourself! The first chemo is the hardest with carbo/taxol. You're having good results! You can us miralax with carbo/taxol. You're doing fabulous!

Diane

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Wonderful News on CA 125
Cindy, That is such a relief when that number goes down. My doc could use mine as a guide as before treatments it was 400 and during treatments it kept coming down. Last treatment it was 3 and has been there ever since. Some docs can't follow this for patients, but luckily in my case yes....might be same for you.

Possibly I was the one posting about OJ with protein poweder twice per day. What I've been doing for years as it helps our bodies rebuilt what the chemo has broken down. Also yep lots of fluids and that will help with constipation too, if you're edging to that side now. I know it's always something with our bodies and how it reacts to our treatments.

I've got uterine 3C....and you?

You're doing great, just remember it takes one step at a time and before you know it your hair will be all grown in and you'll be doing your every 3 month checkup and tests.

Jan

Jan
Hi Jazzy 1-Jan!

Yes, I think you were the one I noted the tip from -the oj and protein mix. I do that twice a day as the protein is 23g per scoop.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I am a bit tired from the chemo this time (2nd round) but tired is ok. I did go for a walk last night with my guy and it seemed to make me alittle sore right away so not sure if I should have waited a day or two. Is it good to push ourselves to do that?

I am also uterine 3C. MY surgery removed all of the tumor and we are treating for microscopics.

Have a relaxing week-end.

Cindy

hopeful girl 1

norma2 said:

I am a worrier too, Cindy
Like you, I worry too. I have found those things that I devote my time worrying about seldom happen. I waste a lot of time worrying. Guess it is better if we just go with the flow. Let things take their course. And do the best we can to stay healthy.

Chemo for me was uneventful. Except for the hair loss. It was the abdominal radiation that was the most challenging.

If you are constipated, try drinking lots and lots of fluids. Water is best. I put a squeeze of lemon in mine. I also love iced tea with lemon. Decaffinated. Might try putting sprigs of mint in the ice cubes. Pretty and gives the tea a nice refreshing minty aftertaste.

Like Jan said, soon this will all be behind you and you will be going for your three month check-ups.

Norma,
Yes, you and I seem
Norma,
Yes, you and I seem to be worriers. Here is some good advise I received from my chemo nurse on Friday. Forget the little things, and just worry about the big things or big symptoms.

PEace and healing to us!

jazzy1

hopeful girl 1 said:

Jan
Hi Jazzy 1-Jan!

Yes, I think you were the one I noted the tip from -the oj and protein mix. I do that twice a day as the protein is 23g per scoop.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I am a bit tired from the chemo this time (2nd round) but tired is ok. I did go for a walk last night with my guy and it seemed to make me alittle sore right away so not sure if I should have waited a day or two. Is it good to push ourselves to do that?

I am also uterine 3C. MY surgery removed all of the tumor and we are treating for microscopics.

Have a relaxing week-end.

Cindy

Cindy
Protein wise, is it Whey protein? That's the better one as really told to avoid as much Soy type protein in powder. My nutritionist and many other professionals are commenting about female type cancers and to avoid the powder soy.

EXERCISE -- Don't force yourself as you can really be whipped out. Take small walks and see how you feel. Just add on as you feel better. Our bodies need the rest to rebuild and do it when you feel up to it. I found after chemo the next day was generally my off day with walking or exercise. Usually the 2nd day after chemo I was up and walking a bit. Remember I've always been an exerciser (big runner entering races), so it was easier for me to jump in. Don't know your past history with exercising either. Take it easy!

You're 3C and no cancer found except in uterus?

Enjoy your weekend too...we're really hot here..
Jan

maggie_wilson

norma2 said:

I am a worrier too, Cindy
Like you, I worry too. I have found those things that I devote my time worrying about seldom happen. I waste a lot of time worrying. Guess it is better if we just go with the flow. Let things take their course. And do the best we can to stay healthy.

Chemo for me was uneventful. Except for the hair loss. It was the abdominal radiation that was the most challenging.

If you are constipated, try drinking lots and lots of fluids. Water is best. I put a squeeze of lemon in mine. I also love iced tea with lemon. Decaffinated. Might try putting sprigs of mint in the ice cubes. Pretty and gives the tea a nice refreshing minty aftertaste.

Like Jan said, soon this will all be behind you and you will be going for your three month check-ups.

add me to the worrier list

sisters,

i worried so much before my 6 month ct scan, that i could hardly believe i had only one questionable node. it taught me not to sweat every new twinge and pain, even though my chemo doctor had already told me she wasn't "impressed" with my pain, so not to be concerned....now i take my new pains with a grain of salt.

i had a difficult first chemo with taxol/carboplatin--had some obstruction that resolved in the hospital when i had an ng tube inserted through my nose. instant relief! because my blood count numbers were low, i actually spent a week in the hospital, but since i wasn't in any pain, and was being well taken care of, it was kinda relaxing, strange to say. then got those neupogen (sp) shots from thereon after each chemo, and all was fine. just needed a little boost.

my gyn onc recommended brachey therapy, but because there was so much controversy amongst all the doctors whether i needed any radiation at all, to some, to more, to the entire pelvic/abdominal area. i just elected not to have any. geeze, if 4 doctors and a tumor board can't agree, someone has to make a decision. actually, the tumor board convinced me chemo doctor that i shouldn't have radiation, so that helped make my decision.

as for constipation: that was my biggest pain during chemo. i found that taking two stool softeners and 2 ducolax (laxatives) before bed did the trick, along with lots of fluids and prunes/juice. prior to chemo, i'd never taken any laxatives, etc. mild exercise also helps.

sisterhood,
maggie

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Cindy
Protein wise, is it Whey protein? That's the better one as really told to avoid as much Soy type protein in powder. My nutritionist and many other professionals are commenting about female type cancers and to avoid the powder soy.

EXERCISE -- Don't force yourself as you can really be whipped out. Take small walks and see how you feel. Just add on as you feel better. Our bodies need the rest to rebuild and do it when you feel up to it. I found after chemo the next day was generally my off day with walking or exercise. Usually the 2nd day after chemo I was up and walking a bit. Remember I've always been an exerciser (big runner entering races), so it was easier for me to jump in. Don't know your past history with exercising either. Take it easy!

You're 3C and no cancer found except in uterus?

Enjoy your weekend too...we're really hot here..
Jan

Jan
Jan,
I am 3C. It had spread to ovary and also to aorta lymph nodes all of which were removed during surgery. The surgeon is wonderful, he is also my oncologist. He said he got all of the cancer and we are treating for microscopics. He of course told me that if I were to do no treatments it would definitely come back. I have one more chemo, then 25 radiations, then 3 more chemos. My CA125 dropped from 300 post surgery to 20 after the first chemo, I just had my second chemo on Friday. So I am tentatively happy, and hope to continue to drop.

I enjoy your postings-it seems you and I have had a similiar experience.

Thank you for all of your encouragement! It means so much!

Peace, happiness and healing!

Cindy

nempark

about constipation
Hi: From day one I started juicing every type of berries. Fruits instantly became a part of my routine. I blend a small beet, carrot, black berries, blue berries, straw berries a piece of apple and I use pure cranberry juice, or pure apple juice. You will never be constipated. Hope all goes well with your treatment. Think positive it will soon be over then we will all look back and talk about what we HAD!!!!!Hugs!!! june

hopeful girl 1

Songflower said:

Hang Tough!
You're doing great! Rest and be good to yourself! The first chemo is the hardest with carbo/taxol. You're having good results! You can us miralax with carbo/taxol. You're doing fabulous!

Diane

Diane
Diane,

You mentioned you can use miralx with carbo/taxol. Did you use?
I may ask my doc about this. I am still a bit constipated after 2nd chemo
but I am still going. I had some prune juice this morning which seemed to help a bit.

Would like to hear your feedback.

Thank you.

hopeful girl 1

nempark said:

about constipation
Hi: From day one I started juicing every type of berries. Fruits instantly became a part of my routine. I blend a small beet, carrot, black berries, blue berries, straw berries a piece of apple and I use pure cranberry juice, or pure apple juice. You will never be constipated. Hope all goes well with your treatment. Think positive it will soon be over then we will all look back and talk about what we HAD!!!!!Hugs!!! june

June,
I love how you say
June,
I love how you say think positive and we can then soon talk about what we had!
I pray for that day!

Songflower

hopeful girl 1 said:

Diane
Diane,

You mentioned you can use miralx with carbo/taxol. Did you use?
I may ask my doc about this. I am still a bit constipated after 2nd chemo
but I am still going. I had some prune juice this morning which seemed to help a bit.

Would like to hear your feedback.

Thank you.

Miralax
Yes you can use miralax. My GI said it is the best laxative out there. Very safe. It's good to keep everything soft when going through this. Do you know why women are like tea bags? They don't know how strong they are until they get in hot water!

Diane

Songflower

hopeful girl 1 said:

Diane
Diane,

You mentioned you can use miralx with carbo/taxol. Did you use?
I may ask my doc about this. I am still a bit constipated after 2nd chemo
but I am still going. I had some prune juice this morning which seemed to help a bit.

Would like to hear your feedback.

Thank you.

Yes you can use miralax
My GI said it is the safest laxative out there. It's OK to use. I used it all the time. Do you know why women are like tea bags? They don't know how strong they are until they get in hot water! You will make it through this one day at a time!

Love,
Diane