Ladies going through chemo - how are you doing? Or those just starting or curious

could you direct me to what studies your were refering to? very interested in reading about it.

Thanks for such a quick response, Nancy! There's so much to look into and think about isn't there? These discussions are so helpful for sharing what each of us as learned and benefited from and what to be cautious about. I'm probably out of time to check these out today or tomorrow, because of appointment with a genetisist that's a ways away from where I live, but I'll definetly read them soon. 

Thank you ladies. This is all great info. I have a garden so I eat organic. My friend raises chickens and eggs so I have organic protien. I like the idea of watermelon. I have those growing. I also juice and drink local honey with vinegar in water. I hope I can continue to do this. Sounds like hydration is important.

My 2nd chemo treatment was about a week and a half ago. Side effects were a little rougher this time than last. I was constipated for almost a week--so I now know that I need to start earlier with the stool softeners and laxatives next time.

I've had more pain in my feet and have started to have some pain and numbness in my hands. This worries me most of all because I don't want to be taken off the Taxol. The neuropathy is not constant, it comes and goes, so that gives me some hope.

I've felt a little more fatigued this time than before. I thought my blood work was good, since most of my numbers were still high, but my doc says I'm slightly anemic, so I'm trying to make sure I get as much protein as I reasonably can every day. (I forgot to ask her if I should take iron supplements during chemo. Does anyone have experience with that?)

My hair had been coming out quickly, then stopped coming out just before the chemo. Now I think it's about to start coming out fast again. I got what's left of it cut very short last week, and I love the cut. I also went to an ACS Look Good, Feel Better session, and that was a great pick-me-up--even for someone who doesn't normally wear much makeup. I definitely recommend that women in cancer treatment consider attending one of those.

Would be interested in hearing how others are doing who have recently started treatment.

beccabtown said:

Update on me & checking in with others

My 2nd chemo treatment was about a week and a half ago. Side effects were a little rougher this time than last. I was constipated for almost a week--so I now know that I need to start earlier with the stool softeners and laxatives next time.

I've had more pain in my feet and have started to have some pain and numbness in my hands. This worries me most of all because I don't want to be taken off the Taxol. The neuropathy is not constant, it comes and goes, so that gives me some hope.

I've felt a little more fatigued this time than before. I thought my blood work was good, since most of my numbers were still high, but my doc says I'm slightly anemic, so I'm trying to make sure I get as much protein as I reasonably can every day. (I forgot to ask her if I should take iron supplements during chemo. Does anyone have experience with that?)

My hair had been coming out quickly, then stopped coming out just before the chemo. Now I think it's about to start coming out fast again. I got what's left of it cut very short last week, and I love the cut. I also went to an ACS Look Good, Feel Better session, and that was a great pick-me-up--even for someone who doesn't normally wear much makeup. I definitely recommend that women in cancer treatment consider attending one of those.

Would be interested in hearing how others are doing who have recently started treatment.

Iron doesn't work fast and can be constipating, so you might want to talk to your doctor 1st about it before taking any. It can also make your stools black and that can be scary if you're not expecting that.

Ask your doctor what kind of bowel regimen he would recommend for you, because that's probably the key to dealing with that issue.  I was told lots and lots of water every day (2-3 qts.), and Miralx twice a day. I still don't go the first three days after a treatment, but it keeps things from getting too uncomfortable. I'm also on a low fiber diet because fiber can actually cause a blockage when chemo messes with how your bowels normally work. The drugs affect the nerves in the intestine too, I'm afraid, not just in our hands and feet. Sucks!

I'm signed up for the beauty class in August. Sounds like a nice excuse to get out of the house. Not sure my eyes can handle eyeliner and fake lashes, though. 

beccabtown said:

Update & a question

I had my 3rd round of chemo last week. Side effects generally have been comparable to the previous rounds. Pain in my hands and feet has been a bit worse, but that is going away now. I managed to avoid becoming too constipated this time. Hair has started coming out in handfuls again, though I still have enough to sort of cover the bald spots.

The big change this time is that I've almost lost my sense of taste. It's so frustrating to still have an appetite but not be able to taste anything. I'm getting by, finding that salty tastes and crunchy textures are best for me.

My question is how long this side effect is likely to last. Does it go away fairly quickly, like the pain does, or is it likely to continue until chemo treatment is over?

The 3rd chemo marks the end of Phase 1 of the sandwich regimen (the first slice of bread?!) for me. Even though I have a looong way to go, it feels good to be able to check one thing off the list. I'll find out tomorrow when my radiation treatments will start. I've been dreading that more than the chemo, but I'll be glad to have a change of routine.

I hope that others who are in treatment are doing well. Would be interested in hearing from you.

 

I lost my taste at about 7-8 days after chemo every time.  Taste for salt was really affected.  It usually came back at about 2 weeks.  I also lpost my appetite a lot and things I really used to like I couldn't  hardly stand to eat.  Both taste and appitite seem to get worse over time.  I am off chemo and on immunotherapy for now and my appitite is starting to come back

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Lou Ann M said:

Taste

I lost my taste at about 7-8 days after chemo every time.  Taste for salt was really affected.  It usually came back at about 2 weeks.  I also lpost my appetite a lot and things I really used to like I couldn't  hardly stand to eat.  Both taste and appitite seem to get worse over time.  I am off chemo and on immunotherapy for now and my appitite is starting to come back

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Thanks for answering my question, Lou Ann. It sounds like this situation may go on longer than I hoped. I feel like my mouth is full of Novocain because of not being able to taste much.

I'm glad to hear your appetite is returning! Hoping for the best for you.

Had my first chemo 2 weeks ago. I am booked for 6 rounds of Taxol plus carbaplantin every 3 weeks. While I getting the first chemo, I realized that I was coming down with a cold. Rotten luck. I got a bad cough, which kept me from sleeping at night. I had a doctor’s appointment after one week, and when I complained about the cold, she gave me prednisone, antibiotics and codeine for sleep. If I stub my toe, I am going to ask her for heroin and cocaine😂.

aside from the cold, my side effects have been minor. I took a couple of anti nausea pills a couple of times because I felt a little off, but had no nausea. The biggest impact was fatigue. I could barely sit at the table long enough to eat dinner. My appetite went down, and soup appealed to me most. My bowels were weird, I felt urgency, but had trouble moving them. My doctor suggested Peptobismal which really helped to settle things. But I started using maxi pads because I was having trouble with some urinary incontinence. I found this to be a big relief. This was perhaps because I was really trying to stay hydrated. I felt very dehydrated, and started using vaseline on my lips which worked better than lip balm. I realized that my lack of activity was causing me to feel very stiff and achy. I remembered that in the hospital, they insisted on getting peopke up walking around right after surgery, and it makes a huge difference.

After two weeks, I feel pretty good, but really out of shape. Today, I went for a dog walk with my husband. I did not get far, but sat in the car afterwards while he ran them. It was nice to be outside in nature.

I finished mine April 30th after having the last treatment delayed twice because of blood problems. Chemo was rough on me. My blood levels tanked and I had to have 4 units of blood transfused over a couple of weeks. I am better now but I'm not sure if I could go through it again if it came to that so I hope it doesn't.