Last Tues was chemo. 
 
Ate pretty much normal Tues/Wed.  Thurs through Sunday had to force myself to eat.  Yesterday afternoon (Monday) I started getting hungry... today at noon it started again. I am starving, have snacked and cannot wait till dinner.  Could it be the decadron?  One nurse told me it only has effect for a day or so but now I am reading it might stay in the system longer?  Last one I took was Friday at dinner time.
 
This happened all three rounds -- got hungry a week after chemo and ate like a piggy....  I still do not have a weight issue (a little down from the start) and really want to keep weight within a reasonable gain (or loss.)  Oh, and will they be giving me Decadron with Taxol too??? 
 
BTW -- waited an extra day for blood counts and they were fine today (WBC 4.9 vs 2.2 last time)!  Knew the neulasta was not kicking in till a full week passed; I could feel it start in my back last night (very tolerable pain).  Bordering on anemia so will have chicken livers over buttered toast for dinner (I am a VERY picky eater but LOVE this meal - oddly!) 
 
 

Nancy
DX 7/15/09, IDC at age 47
Tumor 3.5 x 2.5 x 3 cm
ER/PR +, HER-2 -
Right Modified Radical Mastectomy w/expander 8/27/09
Stage II, T2, N1 (3 of 9 positive)
BRCA1/2 Negative with strong family history
Dose Dense A/C + Taxol (8 rounds) starting 9/28/09
28 Rads, Winter 2010
Prophylactic left mastectomy and oomph 2010
Longer term - Tamoxifin (2 yrs?) and AI (7 yrs?)

Thanks for posing this question!  I lost over 50 lbs on Weight Watchers (It was my lose 50 by 50 campaign--but lost more like 60 or so).   I just turn 52...so that means I've kept all this weight off for 2 years...and I don't want to start gaining in back now!!  AHHH

I actually gained weight after treatment #1 when I didn't eat for 3-4 days!!!  I'm trying to maintain the idea of eating small meals throughout the day...and continuing to eat the healthy way that became a habit on WW.

Being home this week, I noticed it even more.  In WW we learn to try and assess whether we are really hungry...or just bored...or eating due to emotion.   I think this week may have been a bit of the first two!  Of course it doesn't help that so many ppl are sending food--and somehow they think "comfort food"--stews, chicken dishes with gravies, etc. is the way to go!  (Not to mention sending me "treats" to make me feel better!!)

My parents came to visit yesterday...and I told my mom to bring NO food!!!  She brought Phila. Soft Pretzels (to make me feel better); a pound cake (she had them ice it, so they could write "Happy B-day"; yogurt (excpet she thought it would be a nice "treat" to have the "halloween" ones that come with candy!!! instead of the healthy ones I always eat!!)

If I'm feeling up to it on Sat., I'm going to my WW meeting!  The talks are always good...and it will be a reminder to eat healthy...to eat b/c you are hungry...to eat for health--not boredom, emotion, etc.

I was wondering about the decadron, too.

Yesterday, I did stop at the Wellness Center and walked on the treadmill.

I'm anxious to see what responses we get!

Karen

BTW...great new pix!!  Did you try the "lint brush" hint that someone posted.  It works well.  I'm considering using my son's electric razor...the little stubbles seem to be catching on my headcovers.  I'm also going between being too hot and too cold.  I'm so glad this is winter...

~WillowMother
46 Married 23 yrs. Mother of two, Early Childhood Educator
IDC Stage III 6cm. 5nodes
ER+PR- HERs2 3+
Neoadjuvant
9/17/09 12wks Taxol/Herceptin
12/09 FEC/Herceptin x4 12wks
3/2010 Surgery followed by Rad & Hormonal Therapy
no family history of bc

I'm that way too!  I think its because I can't taste most of what I like so I munch on everything until I'm able to get satisfied, that's my theory anyway...

Hugs,
Paula

Paula

2/26/09 DX Invasive ductal carcinoma multifocal, solid and cribriform type, 6 masses total, largest 2.0 cm
4/15/09 Bilateral mastectomy, skin sparring, tissue expanders, 3 nodes removed, clear, Grade 1, Stage IIa
5/22/09 DIEP
5/26/09 Emergent removal of left flap, TE placed
7/2/09 Left Lat Flap
8/10/09 Started 6 rounds Cytoxan & Taxotere 
A MAMMOGRAM SAVED MY LIFE, START AT AGE 40, DON'T LISTEN TO THE 'NEW' RECOMMENDATIONS

Me too!  So far I haven't lost my appetite or taste buds.  I actually had someone at church say to me that "well, at least you will lose some weight!"  (Yes, I am a chubby girl, but come on!?  People can be so insensitive!)  Artlab raises a good point that I'm sure some of the eating is emotional.  Be healthy but don't overstress about it - we have other battles to fight! 

50, in Maryland, two "sons", 2 Bengals, 1street cat from Boston,
Married to One of the Top Ten Best Husbands in the World
Stage IIB, Grade 3, Diagnosed 3/26/09, Breast reduction surgery 5/11/09, HER2+++ , 24 nodes removed, 1 positive
Chemo 10/29/09 - Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin - 6 xs
Herceptin - every three weeks for yr , future treatment TBD

Pink...regarding insensitive comments...I have 3 things I am using to journal.  One is my www.caringbridge.org site (karendelgado1)...which is my therapy.  Keeps me accountable since I know so many are reading it.  Then, I have two journals I bought off of the Borders bookstore sale table.  One is pink--I'm keeping a listing of all the kind things ppl are doing from me--big and small--just a list--nice and easy!!  THEN..the other happens to be black in color...that one I'm using to list all of the silly/insensitive/comical/etc. things ppl say.  It is hysterical to read back over them!!!  It reminds me of when I was pregnant and everyone (including perfect strangers in the grocery store) felt they should make a comment/suggestion/etc.  I should entitle the book--cures for cancer!  I swear ppl think chocolate, comfort foods, etc. are the cure!!

The truth is, for the most part, people mean well.  Especially if this is their first time ever knowing someone to go through treatment--some are nervous, unsure what to say.  With my one sister it's a matter of "consider the source"!!!  (She's the one that told me I looked like a lesbian with my short haircut!...and then proceeded to go on and on about she thinks men just inherentaly like long hair on women!!)  Believe me, that one is my first entry!!  Of course, I teach 7th graders--who mean well--but same some of the funniest things!  (Their parents would be mortified!) 

Laugh about the insensitive comments...rejoice in the blessings!!

:)

~WillowMother
46 Married 23 yrs. Mother of two, Early Childhood Educator
IDC Stage III 6cm. 5nodes
ER+PR- HERs2 3+
Neoadjuvant
9/17/09 12wks Taxol/Herceptin
12/09 FEC/Herceptin x4 12wks
3/2010 Surgery followed by Rad & Hormonal Therapy
no family history of bc

Willow - thats the BEST news!!!!!  So happy for you.
 
Karen, I agree.  Don't think people are ill intended; at least I certainly hope not.  I have a few of those with my family which I cannot get over; I should really try harder.  I know I am being overly sensitive with some folks.
 
On a positive side, how many small nice gestures do we see?  Here’s one… I was at Joanne’s Fabric this weekend getting orange fabric to make dog bandannas (it’s hunting season and our dog loses them all the time) and some light fleece to make myself some cover-ups (meaning cut.. no sewing here.)  She asked me what the fleece was for, when I told her she spent extra time making sure both ends of the fabrics were cut EXACTLY straight.  And the folks behind me did not mind either!  If I asked her to cut it into squares I’m sure she would have!

Believe it or not when my hair comes back it will be a discussion with Arnie.  When my friend did the first buzz on my hair he was there holding my hand... and he liked it!  Said the short hair made my eyes pop out - and believe me, he does not just say things to be nice.  He also likes the speed in which I am ready to go out...  not sure if he understands that if I keep shorter hair it WILL take as long to prep as longer hair (or perhaps even longer...)  it's just now I don't do anything :)
 
Off to find something good to make for dinner… thinking if I make sure we eat some broccoli perhaps can justify some of the mac and cheese I have in the freezer… or really splurge and make the boxed kind (my fav)???  I did pretty good not eating last night past dinner (although I did polish off a few choc covered pretzels)
 
Karen – how does the house look???
 

Nancy
DX 7/15/09, IDC at age 47
Tumor 3.5 x 2.5 x 3 cm
ER/PR +, HER-2 -
Right Modified Radical Mastectomy w/expander 8/27/09
Stage II, T2, N1 (3 of 9 positive)
BRCA1/2 Negative with strong family history
Dose Dense A/C + Taxol (8 rounds) starting 9/28/09
28 Rads, Winter 2010
Prophylactic left mastectomy and oomph 2010
Longer term - Tamoxifin (2 yrs?) and AI (7 yrs?)

Oh, forgot about Pink and Paula! 

Paula, you seem to have it worse than most of us with losing your taste, makes a lot of sense to me to experiment.

Pink, same with me - have not lost taste except for mushrooms - very odd to only have that one thing which does not appeal to me (as of now)

Nancy
DX 7/15/09, IDC at age 47
Tumor 3.5 x 2.5 x 3 cm
ER/PR +, HER-2 -
Right Modified Radical Mastectomy w/expander 8/27/09
Stage II, T2, N1 (3 of 9 positive)
BRCA1/2 Negative with strong family history
Dose Dense A/C + Taxol (8 rounds) starting 9/28/09
28 Rads, Winter 2010
Prophylactic left mastectomy and oomph 2010
Longer term - Tamoxifin (2 yrs?) and AI (7 yrs?)

When I was out this AM, I decided to stop and order an egg (protein)...it tasted like plastic!  I spit out the only mouthful I had.  I mentioned it to the owner...not sure if it was me...or what he had cooked it on.  He assured me that the eggs were fresh!  ????????????  I usually eat an egg each morning!

My husband was at the dentist...and I decided to take a walk through town...this was a bagel shop I have never eaten at before...don't think I'll go back!

On occasion, I've noticed that coffee tastes odd, too.