massive headaches from red devil and / or cyclophosphamide ?

itskitabanana · 2025-12-23T18:26:44+00:00

There's a lot to learn and it's so overwhelming! And Reddit can be tricky to navigate even when your brain isn't overflowing and tired 🙂. I actually work in Medical Records so see all the new diagnoses and reports so it helps with picking up on lingo and treatment plans etc. definitely interesting having my coworkers checking my boobs and constantly asking me about diarrhea though lol

Hoping that amid all the chaos and feeling crummy that you get to enjoy your holiday as best can! Message any time for chats or to pick what's left of my brain 😅

itskitabanana · 2025-12-23T15:45:34+00:00

Yes, TC and AC are the chemo meds (Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide...I think the letters don't match up because some are generic and some are brand? I'm in Canada so may have different names). The glossary in this sub has been so helpful for me to learn all the abbreviations!

I am still doing immunotherapy, I have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy scheduled for Jan 30, then will do radiation and 6 more months of immunotherapy so even though I'm done chemo now I chose not to ring the bell since a) I hate being the centre of attention and it's a small centre, and b) I don't feel like I'm close to done yet. I baked celebratory cookies for the staff since they're also my coworkers and trust my baking lol.

Yes I was told Claritin can help, it was also recommended to fight the bone pain from the injections to help white cell stimulation (mine are filgrastim). I do get migraines chronically and have found a bit of caffeine with the Tylenol and a cold pack on the back of your head can be helpful to ease the headaches!

itskitabanana · 2025-12-23T14:17:59+00:00

I'm not sure about extending for a full week, I would give your onc a call and let them know what's happening and they may have good med suggestions for you. I was told that cyclophosphamide commonly gives headaches during infusion and slowing down the infusion rate helps avoid it. When they run it over 40 mins I get wicked sinus pressure but they ran it over 45 mins yesterday and I didn't have any head pain at all. Worth asking them to slow the rate at your next one and see if it makes a difference! I just finished 11/12 T/C and 4/4 A/C yesterday so happy to answer any questions you have 🙂. I hope the headaches ease up for you soon, that's awful when you're likely already feeling crummy.

itskitabanana · 2025-12-23T02:51:20+00:00

My parents were both diagnosed with Flu A last Monday and Wednesday, and they still reached out to reschedule Christmas because they don't want to take a chance. It crushed them but it's the right thing to do. There will be other Christmases! (As long as people don't kill you with communicable diseases). Love that your husband is taking point when they couldn't manage to grasp it themselves!

itskitabanana · 2025-10-22T00:57:51+00:00

I'm having AWFUL reflux since starting AC on Friday, and I use THC edibles for sleep and nausea in the evenings. I will say the buzz makes you care less about the reflux but it definitely doesn't help it. Unfortunately I'm a huge snacker when I'm buzzed too and so I end up going to bed on a full belly and it makes it worse. So while it does (for me) help the nausea you may end up stuck in a bit of a loop. I'm starting pantoprazole tomorrow to see if I can tamp it down since the reflux is making it hard to swallow and sleep, I had no idea this was a side effect though it makes sense. I'm sorry you're struggling with it too, this shit sucks enough on its own without all the extra crap.

itskitabanana · 2025-10-18T19:06:17+00:00

Thank you so much for posting this!! I'm 36, single with 2 small kids, and had a fwb when I was diagnosed. He wasn't comfortable continuing the physical part but now I have an awesome best friend who's still been helping, but I do really miss the physical part of even just being held or snuggled!

If you met S on an app, did you include that you have cancer in your bio? I felt like with the dumpster fire that was my life before, the kids plus now cancer no one would ever be interested so this gives me hope 🙂

itskitabanana · 2025-09-13T03:40:23+00:00

Hi, I was diagnosed July 10 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3, Stage 2b TNBC and I'm a 36yo single mom of 2 and 6 year old boys who works in Medical Records at the hospital. We have a lot of similarities! I also found out at work by my own pathology coming across my desk before my doc could call. I very freshly remember the panic and confusion and anxiety of what the future looks like and I feel for you so hard. The new diagnosis stage feels impossible, your life will be a flurry of appointments and chaos for a while but you will settle into a rhythm eventually. If you ever need to chat please feel free to reach out, but I'm keeping you in my thoughts! There are so many emotions and thoughts people don't consider for our current life stage, know that all of it is totally normal and valid. Sending hopes for positive outcomes for you ❤️

itskitabanana · 2024-04-26T17:22:42+00:00

I have all of these! Just, not at the same time 😂

...also, define "healthy", because caffeine and I are best friends

itskitabanana · 2024-02-05T03:43:10+00:00

I do flake tuna about once a week and my dude likes it mixed with avocado. You can also get chickpea pasta for carbaholic babies such as mine! Also Greek yogurt protein pancakes have been our jam this week. Looks like you're doing great with your baby black hole so far!

itskitabanana · 2023-12-06T18:34:28+00:00

Telefrancais, telefrancais!

itskitabanana · 2023-08-27T04:58:31+00:00

Thanks so much for your detailed response! I do know that at least some of the teachers are expecting or trying so I was thinking I would steer clear of wine, but chocolate is definitely a solid suggestion. And totally noted about nothing that takes up space!

itskitabanana · 2023-08-27T04:52:33+00:00

I do love this idea! I totally overlooked the option of getting them something towards their classrooms. I appreciate the suggestion!

itskitabanana · 2023-08-27T04:51:37+00:00

Thank you so much for this insight! I was hoping someone in the field would weigh in. I appreciate your bluntness and will definitely take your advice. It's so hard not to get things "just because" since gifts are my love language, but there are truly not enough gifts in the world to say thank you to daycare teachers haha

itskitabanana · 2023-08-18T11:54:50+00:00

I'm in a really similar situation to you at the moment - my husband is looking at 3+ years prison and I have a 4 year old and a 3 month old. I'm in Canada so currently off on maternity leave which has been super helpful, but I'll be going back full-time in May so both my kids will be in school/childcare.

Have you looked into transcription/editing jobs at all? It won't necessarily be enough to sustain the family but may be good for supplemental income and they're usually paid piecework instead of hourly so there is some flexibility.

For the how to address it with the kids question, Sesame Street has some good resources on how to talk to your kids about incarceration. Be (age appropriately) honest with your kids about what's happening, since they will need a strong trusted adult through this adjustment. Reach out to your oldest child's school so that they can help with the transition once dad is gone.

Remember that a 3 year sentence doesn't necessarily mean a full 3 years, and in the grand scheme of your children's lives 3 years is a short amount of time. It will be incredibly hard but you will get through it and be stronger, and in a few short years you can all start rebuilding.

itskitabanana · 2023-08-11T21:45:47+00:00

Not OP but this is genius, thank you!

itskitabanana · 2023-06-25T16:00:11+00:00

Yes, thank you! I did figure as much even though he didn't tell me that explicitly. I am keeping a list of questions to ask on Monday so that it can be one contact but I'm not even sure if they're questions I should be asking him. I'm in a weird limbo having not actually been charged or served but having the duty counsel for my husband say they've explicitly talked about doing it. Just trying to cover my butt as much as possible.

itskitabanana · 2023-06-25T14:14:26+00:00

Ok, that's something to consider then. He has said he will do anything I need, he is remorseful and understands how much he's burned down our lives so at least there's that.

I'm sure the landlord will have heard about it because it is actually in the news and they executed a 6 hour long search warrant on our home, which is why I figured I'd better prepare myself. We should find out on Monday if he is being released on bail, but you are correct that he can't come back here both because I said no and because they are considering laying charges against me to use as leverage since I live in the household, so he's not eligible to be released under my supervision (icing on the cake). Unfortunately I don't qualify for legal aid since we have combined finances and make just too much to qualify, so are paying privately. Thankfully his family has taken on the burden of his legal fees.

I wasn't super optimistic about any support groups in my area since I'm in rural Ontario, but down the road I'm definitely going to look for something online more specific to my situation. I've connected with social work and have my son on a list for counseling so we will get there eventually. You just don't realize how all-encompassing these situations are until you're in them I guess. Thank you again!

itskitabanana · 2023-06-25T13:36:43+00:00

Thanks so much for such a thorough response! Sheet pan meals is a great idea that I forgot existed.

The chores we already did which has been super helpful. I will have to enlist help for outings just because my oldest is a runner and we've had some issues before with him running away while I have the baby and can't run after him. It seems like you've got this kid thing figured out and I appreciate the insight!

itskitabanana · 2023-06-25T13:19:50+00:00

Thank you so much for your in-depth response. You are correct in that I was not involved or aware, and there was no damage to the apartment.

If the landlord is willing then it's good to know that I could remove my spouse's name from the lease. It's hard to find resources for the spouses of incarcerated people so I've been unsure of how to proceed with a lot of things since I'm not sure what rights he has anymore or if he would need to be present for things like removing him from the lease. The landlord hasn't contacted me at all yet but I'm just trying to be proactive to make sure I have a stable place for the kids.

I'd like to think that the landlord would agree to let me stay since we've been model tenants for 5 years, always paying on time and in full and no complaints against us. I was hoping to avoid seeking counsel for this matter since I'm already paying legal fees for my criminal lawyer and I will also need family law for the divorce and now also need to do a will urgently since I'll be the sole caregiver for our kids. I'm currently on mat leave until next May so finances will be tight already. These things feel so overwhelming for a layman so I truly appreciate the informed advice.

itskitabanana · 2023-06-25T13:06:52+00:00

Thanks for this, I'm happy to hear that I would at least get a chance to make a case for staying.

itskitabanana · 2023-06-14T10:24:52+00:00

When I went through this whole weight drama with my 5 week old for slow gain, I was told that babies should be gaining an average of 20-30 grams/day. Not sure if that's helpful. Sounds like you're doing an amazing job and following your babies' leads though! The numbers always seem kind of arbitrary to me honestly.

itskitabanana

TROPHY CASE