Dexamethasone

Hi Mich

Great that you got all your things done on your list. But take it easy and don't over do it.

I hate the DEX, it does give you such a "buzz". But I hope the pain doesn't come and you have a lovely restful time.

Take care honey and sending big hugs Julie XX

Hi Celeste

I am so glad I took advantage of the Dex yesterday.  Not buzzing quite as much today which is a shame as I need to get a pile of shopping done etc. before a doctors appointment.  At the moment I am just thinking will I get through this day.  If it wasn't that Dex also gives me panic attacks and aggitation I might consider popping another pill hee hee. 

My body is paying for my extra zealousness yesterday but it felt soooooo good!! at the time.

Mich xo

Hi Celeste

I am so glad I took advantage of the Dex yesterday.  Not buzzing quite as much today which is a shame as I need to get a pile of shopping done etc. before a doctors appointment.  At the moment I am just thinking will I get through this day.  If it wasn't that Dex also gives me panic attacks and aggitation I might consider popping another pill hee hee. 

My body is paying for my extra zealousness yesterday but it felt soooooo good!! at the time.

Mich xo

Hey girls

I can say I was soooo grateful for my Dex today as I thought I not going to let this sucker have the better of me so I thought I am going to run with the buz and extra Energized Bunny feeling so I cleaned my house from top to botton.  Mind you I had to take a couple of pain killers to get me through but it is done and it is gleaming once again even if for a very short time period but I did it all by myself..  I am pleased and I am now ready to go to bed and hopefully sleep for a much deserved good nights sleep.  Fingers crossed that sleep will happen.

Tomorrow is another day.  One day at a time.........

Mich xoxo

Hi girls

While I think of it.  Nausea - I was given a script and got it filled for ZOFRAN from my GP in preparation for nausea for my daughters wedding.  I did take one the morning of the wedding cause I was feeling a bit queezy (nerves I think) but I haven't had to take them since but I understand they are a bit of a magic pill.  They are not cheap........I paid $35.40 for 10 wafers but I didn't care.  I just wanted to be able to get through my daughters "High Tea" and Wedding feeling well and I did thank goodness.  They were magical days and nights and every time I think of the high tea and wedding now it gives me warm and fuzzies :-) which we need lots of them don't we?

When I think back now I did find the FEC a lot kinder than Taxotere. BUT on saying that I am getting much further into the whole chemo thing and my body is taking a bit belting on the chemo as we all will be going/have gone through.  I have had a lot of side effects but I must say FOR ME!!!!! and please remember we are all so very different.  That for me a few days with FEC I was comatose (and I not joking when I say that) and then I did improve slowly.  With the Taxotere it is a different feeling and a different set of side effects.  Some side effects are definitely the same but I do find (and again this is personally) that the nerve pain and bone pain is quite debilitating for a long time of my cycle.  I did not find Panadol or Panadol Osteo even touched the sides of my pain (taking it from the start and regularly every four hours as suggested).  That is why I have had to bring in the big guns in preparation for this onslaught (should it arise). 

I also give myself a Neulasta injection for my low white cell count the next day after chemo and I know that also adds to my pain.  I have never bothered to formally have myself diagnosed with arthritis but I am quite sure I do suffer from it and I feel that the pain seems to grab those areas where I feel I have arthritis.  My sisters suffer with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis so I know quite a bit about it's problems and symptoms.  The pain for me is not in one area of my body it seems to go right through every bone and nerve throughout the day and night making it hard to use a heat pack etc.

All I can suggest is to use the information through this wonderful site from all your pink sisters and also from your medical team and "be prepared" !!!!!!!!!  

I really hope that has helped you girls as I know it is the "unknown" that is soooooo scary. 

You can often access beanies, hats, scarves etc. through the cancer council, McGrath Foundation (if you have one over there) and wig centres.  We have a Wig Service through Cancer Council here  in W.A. where you can borrow wigs and all the above things for as long as needed and you just return them washed and in good condition FOR FREE and it is a wonderful wonderful service.  We outlay so much through this journey that if we can save a little somewhere it is worth it.  I don't like turbans, scarves and beanies on my funny face/head so I tend to wear hats and wigs when I go out.  Nothing around the house YET but getting colder now unfortunately and I throw a hat on to answer the door if I need to.

Sending you some warm and fuzzies and healing hugs your way girls.  I am lucky that I am having a "good day" so far.  Must be the Dex hee hee

Mich xo

I'm just about to have my third FEC and must admit have found Cycle 2 quite kind really.  I only had nausea for the first couple of days (cycle 1 I had it basically for the whole three weeks), then a terrible cold and sore throat, I found Day 6 to be my doona day.  The last two weeks I've felt pretty fine on a whole.  I'm used to not having any hair now (although still  have a lot of spiky bits, especially the middle section like a mohawk LOL) and used to putting on my wig everyday!  I need to get some warm hats or headware though as it's getting cooler hear in far north NSW!

I've heard taxotere is far worse with bone pain and the like - have you experienced that so far Mich? I did suffer terrible insomnia night 1 & 2 and didn't realise that was from the Dex so thanks for enlightening me!

Tammy x

I'm just about to have my third FEC and must admit have found Cycle 2 quite kind really.  I only had nausea for the first couple of days (cycle 1 I had it basically for the whole three weeks), then a terrible cold and sore throat, I found Day 6 to be my doona day.  The last two weeks I've felt pretty fine on a whole.  I'm used to not having any hair now (although still  have a lot of spiky bits, especially the middle section like a mohawk LOL) and used to putting on my wig everyday!  I need to get some warm hats or headware though as it's getting cooler hear in far north NSW!

I've heard taxotere is far worse with bone pain and the like - have you experienced that so far Mich? I did suffer terrible insomnia night 1 & 2 and didn't realise that was from the Dex so thanks for enlightening me!

Tammy x

Hi Ann

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.  I did survive today with no hiccups so that is always a bonus.  I am hoping this cycle will be a bit kinder to me, we can but hope.  I survived Taxotere #1 and I know what I am in for now so I am sure I will survive Taxotere #2.  I am starting to feel I need some sleep so I was told today by Oncologist if I need a sleeping tablet than do so as the Dex is a shocker for lack of sleep.  I also don't want to get any of the panic attacks like I had after last chemo so I was told to half my Dex dose tomorrow and the next day.  I am lucky in that I didn't suffer from nausea this last time.  I also didn't have hardly any hot flushes which has been a super bonus.  So there is some good points on Taxotere.  I am also prepared with good pain killers this time and have been told to take them as needed backed with a laxative :-)

So I hope I am going in to this cycle a little bit more prepared.  Only one more cycle to get through so I am on the down hill ride of chemo thank goodness!!!!

How are you travelling.  How many FEC do you have to go?  I hope you are going well and not suffering too much.  Have you given work away for the time being?  I have accepted there is no way I can work currently and I am trying not to feel guilty about it.  I will get myself well and get back to it as soon as I can should I want to.

Take care and thank you again for your love and support, much appreciated.  If there is any advice I can offer you please don't hesitate to ask as I am here for you.

Mich xoxox

Thanks Kathy for your support.  It sounds like you did it pretty tough going through your treatment and Dex.  I glad you doing well now but have learnt that baby steps are the way to go. 

I need to accept the go slow swagger for a while and try not to beat myself up tooo much for a while.  I am sure I will bounce back eventually but it just takes time I am finding out.

This bloody BC journey is really putting all of our wits and strength to the test and hopefully is making us a better and stronger person for it.

I am sure I will start feeling that once I get a bit of my swagger back and can shake that booty while I work.  :-)

Kepp on pottering cause that obviously works for you.  I am glad you have been able to find help in the Zoloft to get you out of that deep dark hole you were in and hopefully you are enjoying your life again.  Suicide is not a good place for you and a much worse place to put your loved ones in I can assure you of that.  So I am glad all of that horrible thoughts are in your past.

I live approximately 400klms north of Perth in the country but near the ocean so most of the time I believe I have the best of both worlds.  I do love it down South as it is such a beautiful place but just a bit cold for me to want to live permanently.  I love my sun and the beach too much.  We are having magnificent weather up here at present.  I wish it could be like this all the time but know that is not what the farmers want to hear.

Take care of yourself and thank you for being their for me.  I wish you well for your recovery.

Mich xo

I remember the mornings sitting at the computer "talking" to others who were also unable to sleep.  Isn't it good to have "friends"??  It is now nearly 1 year since my last chemo.  At the moment I feel so well and in such a good place.  Girls, it does take a long while to get your mojo back (Tonya's word).  You will have spasms of energy and think "Heh I am on the road back"  However, don't be mislead and do too much otherwise you will "Go back to Start"  Softly softly catches the monkey!!!  It really is best to take baby steps for quite a long while.  It will happen........XLeonie