Breast cancer

[Ian S]

Sorry you're dealing with constipation. Interestingly, the regular dose of Miralax is 1 17g dose per day. That means the standard 8.3 oz bottle of the stuff would last you two weeks. My G.I. doctor uses a colonoscopy prep that starts with 4 Ducolax pills followed a few hours later by an entire 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax mixed in 64 oz Gatorade. That concoction has to be drunk at the rate of 1 16 oz glass every half hour until gone. Surprising how much Miralax your body can actually take without it causing harm!

 

[ziggy29]

Yikes! I've been away for a while and just saw this. Certainly all my thoughts and best wishes are with you.

 

[simple girl]

Oh yes, prevention - you may want to ask your doc about taking a stool softener for several days prior to your next chemo.

 

[W2R]

Today (Sunday) I am feeling a bit better and not so weak! Wahoo! I sure hope this keeps up so that I can get to my oncologist appointment on Wednesday. Yesterday I could barely stagger 3-4 feet, but today I walked probably 20 feet (edited to add: twice!). Frank brought me the last DD muffin in South Louisiana (I think?) for breakfast. We decided to nap until lunchtime. Got to conserve what little strength I have re-gained. Those of you who have been on chemo probably know exactly what I mean.

 

[Dtail]

Good update. Pleasant dreams.

 

[pacergal]

Glad you are feeling better from your first chemo. Definitely keep up with either mirilax or a stool softener, such as colace, while on the chemo and any narcotic pain medication due to the constipation risk.
Take care! We are all here for you!

 

[FloridaJim57]

When my wife was on chemo she used to drink canned Nutrament drink which she digested pretty well. You may want to try it. It contains lots of nutrients, tastes pretty good, and helped her keep weight on.

 

[Koolau]

Just think how far you have come so far, W2R!

We're very proud of you and Frank for hanging in there. Hoping for great results. Thanks ever so much for keeping us in the loop. We care for you more than you know.

 

[old medic]

DW chemo was usually on Tuesday morning and would go back to work that afternoon. She was dragging by Friday and spent the weekend with the bed.

 

[W2R]

I have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday morning, which I thought was for the second round of chemo- - - but I was wrong. Frank pointed out to me that it's just an appointment and the second round of chemo isn't for another couple of weeks. Whew! Thank goodness.

So, between now and the appointment I am working on "Miralax Miracle #2" which I think may help. I had started to feel super-exhausted and all dragged out again, but this should take care of it like it did the last time (I hope). Honestly my admiration and respect for all those who actually managed to make it through chemo has increased by about 10,000 times. This isn't an easy task! I was thinking that maybe I should call it off, but maybe in two weeks I'll have more energy. Also Frank says my oncologist may have some ideas or drugs that will help me find the energy to keep at it.

Sorry that I have nothing else to talk about! I had NO IDEA that chemo would consume my every waking thought, but it does. Love to you all.

 

[simple girl]

I have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday morning, which I thought was for the second round of chemo- - - but I was wrong. Frank pointed out to me that it's just an appointment and the second round of chemo isn't for another couple of weeks. Whew! Thank goodness.

So, between now and the appointment I am working on "Miralax Miracle #2" which I think may help. I had started to feel super-exhausted and all dragged out again, but this should take care of it like it did the last time (I hope). Honestly my admiration and respect for all those who actually managed to make it through chemo has increased by about 10,000 times. This isn't an easy task! I was thinking that maybe I should call it off, but maybe in two weeks I'll have more energy. Also Frank says my oncologist may have some ideas or drugs that will help me find the energy to keep at it.

Sorry that I have nothing else to talk about! I had NO IDEA that chemo would consume my every waking thought, but it does. Love to you all.

Yes, it is standard to have blood drawn about a week to 10 days after chemo, if I recall correctly. That is typically when your counts tend to be the lowest, so they need to monitor you for any possible intervention required. Be easy on yourself. If your red count has dropped, that can make you feel exhausted.

Most of the chemo regimens I was aware of for breast cancer were every 3 weeks, with the exception of Taxol, which if I recall correctly, was weekly. I recall feeling really crappy until the last week...then another round, blech!

Hang in there. It can be really hard for some people - and yes - all consuming. No need to apologize, gracious!!! I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Hugs!

 

[W2R]

Yes, it is standard to have blood drawn about a week to 10 days after chemo, if I recall correctly. That is typically when your counts tend to be the lowest, so they need to monitor you for any possible intervention required. Be easy on yourself. If your red count has dropped, that can make you feel exhausted.

Most of the chemo regimens I was aware of for breast cancer were every 3 weeks, with the exception of Taxol, which if I recall correctly, was weekly. I recall feeling really crappy until the last week...then another round, blech!

Hang in there. It can be really hard for some people - and yes - all consuming. No need to apologize, gracious!!! I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Hugs!

Thanks for understanding, and information, Simple Girl! I didn't know about the blood drawing but that makes a lot of sense. You're probably right that my red count may be down. At least, my pulse oximeter only reads 95-96, whereas before it was more like 98. Like you felt (back then), I feel really over-the-top crappy and was thinking of calling off any more of this. But now I think I have enough hope to continue trying to get through this and go for round 2 (yes, they are 3 weeks apart, so I discovered this morning! Thank heavens for that).

(hugs back)

 

[steady saver]

One down, you're taking it bit by bit and you are persevering and doing it. Look at how much you've already done and how much you have behind you. I think of you often and keep you and your health in my prayers. Even yesterday when I was on the tractor (!), you came to mind and I was thinking of both your optimism and also your honesty about the challenges of it all. You are going to get through this, one step at a time. And you have so many of us who care and are rooting for you.

 

[oldtrig]

You have lots of great support here W2R , including me.

 

[Richard4444]

I just saw this thread W2R and prayers have been sent - Best of everything to you - may you be as good as new! You have always had such a positive attitude - admirable!

Rich

 

[Koolau]

Heh, heh, my Chemo for Thyroid cancer made me too radioactive to be in polite society. I couldn't sleep with my DW and I had to "socially distance" just to watch TV with her! Every trip to the john, I had to do a quick clean so DW could use it later.

I thought maybe I was gonna have to carry a big sign that said "UNCLEAN!" Instead, I had to carry a card in my wallot for 90 days if I planned to go through TSA security. Apparently, I would have been setting off radiation detectors at the airport! Of course, I was on a short leash with my oncologist, so I wasn't leaving the Islands until he gave me the go-ahead.

Chemo is all different and it all sucks. BUT, so far so good. Of course, I'll still be poked and prodded and groped and CT'd and ultrasounded for the rest of my life. BUT, it's all worth it. It really is!

Hang in there and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You've got this!

Continued blessings on you and Frank.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A few of my close friends have been through chemo and they all have been in remission for years so felt the pain was worth it. They said just about the time they felt good it was 3 weeks later and they had chemo again. You are a tough woman and can do this!!

 

[W2R]

Finally, Miralax (and prune juice) came through for me this morning and at last, I have bit more energy and feel a little better. My plans are to sleep and recover today.

So, barring the unforeseen I'll go to my oncologist appointment tomorrow. Then round two of chemo is on August 21st. I think I can do this. One step at a time.

 

[MichaelB]

So, barring the unforeseen I'll go to my oncologist appointment tomorrow. Then round two of chemo is on August 21st. I think I can do this. One step at a time.

We know you can.

Finally, Miralax (and prune juice) came through for me this morning and at last, I have bit more energy and feel a little better. My plans are to sleep and recover today.

 

[Calico]

A few of my close friends have been through chemo and they all have been in remission for years so felt the pain was worth it. They said just about the time they felt good it was 3 weeks later and they had chemo again. You are a tough woman and can do this!!

This mirrors my experience with chemo 100%.

For the first ten days after each chemo infusion I felt like cr@p. For the next ten days I slowly began to feel bit better everyday. By day 21, I felt good, went to the next infusion, and began the cycle again. I lived that "groundhog day" scenario for a few months. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I was not surprised to feel so poorly; my oncologist advised me that I would. I definitely was fortunate that I never had one minute of pain during my treatment. (Maybe because I never had radiation?)

I just felt like I had been run over by a truck for months on end. And I lost all sense of taste for a few months - fun times.

@W2R - I found it useful to say to myself "get through today; don't worry about tomorrow." I did this day after day for months, and eventually I reached the last day of treatment. If I had looked forward and wondered "how will I get through this?" it would have been too much to deal with (for me). It's true what they say - the best way to eat an elephant is "one bite at a time!"

 

[Lsbcal]

W2R, wishing you all the best. I was totally unaware of your health journey until I came to this part of the ER forum today. You are a strong lady and I know you will do your very best!

 

[W2R]

I saw my oncologist this morning. She says I'm doing well and it's time to step things up. I said, "but, but!", because this chemo has been kicking my b*tt... but then again she's my oncologist, not my mommy, and it's her job to be tough on me if that is what it takes to keep me alive. I know that. It's still not easy.

As tough as my first chemo treatment was on me, she told me it was intentionally milder than usual and we'll stay on the same time schedule this next time (chemo#2 starts on 8/21). No sympathy, oh well. I think she must be a direct descendant of Atilla the Hun or Vlad the Impaler.

She wants me to cut back on salt.

I have been spending the rest of today doing what light household chores I can do before collapsing, then falling back in my recliner and napping until I can do more. More later. Hope you all are having a nice day.

 

[Calico]

I had forgotten that (it's been six years) but my oncologist did the same for my first treatment - he liked to start patients out with the minimum required dose of chemo the first time, to see how they tolerated it. Come to think of it, I don't remember if he made any changes to the protocol for the other three infusions - I never asked. They all made me feel equally bad; that part I do remember!

It sounds like you trust your doc, which is so important - I'm glad you have a good relationship with her.

 

[Dtail]

Keep up your spirits. We are all with you every step of the way.

 

[aja8888]

W2R, I've been gone for a while and missed this happening to you. I wish you the best and I know you will beat it.