2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

mjsherrill

Tracy (in my favorite city of Seattle),

Thinking of you today - prayers and a hug. You can do it - hang in there!

sherryhaire

yesterday the Onc added adivan to take with the Compazine how does this affect taking it during the day if I need to go to work? any feedback

Anonymous

Hi MJ,
Thanks for asking. I am doing okay. Not great, not horrible. I have pretty bad body aches, and a headache. Was in bed yesterday most of the day. The port area (put in last Monday) is still very painful. Stitches come out this Monday. Good luck to you with round 2 next week! Please let us know how it goes. I'm trailing behind you by just 1 week, Dose Dense also.

TracySeattle

Hi All, 1/12 hours until my first treatment. I had a minor "breakdwon" this morning realizing that these are the last few hours that I am probably going to feel really good for serveral months. Took some Ativan and I am over that now and ready to GO FIGHT!

(((HUGS))) to all of you, expecially those of you who are having or have had treatments this week. I will be with you in a few hours.

I love the logo and T-Shirts (or even hats) are a great idea!

ake

Tracy,

You don't know for sure that you're not going to feel good for several months...you might end up feeling better than you think. chemo might not be that bad. it's all individual. even if you feel bad...probably tired.. you will feel better some other days. i think the uncertainity of how your body will react is the worst. just remember...this is the biggest part of you fighting the cancer back. you're kicking it straight in the butt. those chemo drugs are going nuts in your body and getting anything that is shady and not supposed to be there. feel powerful.

i had my 2nd ac treatment yesterday and it was a million times better than the first...i feel good and i expected to feel worse. you never know with this chemo. i'm wishing you lots of luck from here...pleae let me know how you do....like it says under your name...you're a warrior queen!!!

-amy

sagwa42

Hi OCPs,

Zowie, chemo #1 is done! It was a long day at Mass General (Oct. 27th) but it is over. My good friend took me up and back and sister came to visit. We had a beautiful view over the Charles River and watched a red tail hawk catching the updrafts right in front of our window. We had lots of laughs and I have a wonderful nurse named Jill who will stick with me through all my eight treatments.

So far so good. No nausea or any other side affects although I do feel a bit lightheaded which could be from some allergies or the adrenaline surging through me. I am on anti-nausea medications so I hope they keep me healthy! I was able to sleep well and get up this morning, do some exercise and mediation, have a healthy protein shake (yum!) and off to work. Now mind you, I am not out of the woods yet, it is still early but I plan on keeping optimistic about all this. I have to give myself an injection of Neulasts this afternoon.

I donated my hair last night after my chemo and I have a pixy haircut after years oflong hair. This is how people are reacting to my hair cut (spread over 5 minutes of time).

Oh…..wow….its so short…………um……………....I'm not used to you in short hair………….(silence …………. Hold it …………… hold it ………………. Don't say anything……………..don't tell her what you really think………………….. Hold it………don't say anything…………hold it…………think of something else to talk about ……………………….hold it …………..don't say anything). Hey, it's kinda cute. It make you look so young. …………………………... And it makes your face thinner. …………………..Just wear a turtle neck or something to cover your neck.

Anyway, the hair will be gone soon anyway. For the next couple weeks I will be "mod" and wear big hoop earrings and pretend I am an artist living in the South End. Hey, we have to reinvent ourselves sometimes.

I LOVE the logo. It is happy and nice and wonderful and it makes me smile and glow, just like I feel when I visit this site. I wish you all the best with your treatments!

Katie
Age 42, rt. mast 9/7/05
4cm idc 1/24 nodes pos.
ER+/PR+ HER2-
4x AC, 4x Taxol

marymelodi

Hello, gals. I also had the first A/C treatment yesterday. No problems so far. I was just coming off a bad chest cold and wondered if they would go ahead and do it. Yup, they did. I guess being on antibiotics and getting better every day made the difference. I am taking Kytril, Decadron, and Emend. Also have a supply of compazine to take if needed. So far, feeling just a little extra awareness of the stomach area, not even pain or nausea. Been drinking lots of liquid and keeping something in my stomach so it is never completely empty, even though last night I didn't have much of an appetite. Today, off work, have had the energy to clean up the kitchen and do some other light housework.

Also been knitting a pink cotton triangle to use when I go bare-headed. I'm planning to donate my 35" long hair to Locks of Love during next week. Lucky, the volunteeer organization at my hospital, where I also work, has just received a donation of wigs, turbans, scarves, etc. from cancer survivors (I suppose). I stopped in there yesterday to see what was in the shop that they run and the very nice volunteer that was there showed me the 5 wigs they received and she said I could have one at no charge. My husband was waiting on me so I didn't stay to let her fuss over it with me, but I'll go pick it up when I reteurn to work on Monday. How is that for an amazing blessing on the first day of treatment. My insurance also covers wigs so I may just end up with two of them for a change of look from time to time. I am the secretary for a department in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry so when I am at work I will probably use a wig most of the time. Sometimes I might go with a pretety scarf, but all in all, considering our patients are children and adolescents, I think I should look as "normal" as possible. When they come to use for treatment the focus should be on them and not on the lady with no hair behind the desk.

Well, I've got to go change out of my sweats and put on public clothes. Got an appointment at 4 pm for the first Neulasta shot. yesterday the nurse had trouble getting my vein raised for the chemo and so she is going to tell my onc that I need a port. I thought it would come to that and so don't mind. That will keep both hands free for knitting during the infusions.

Thanks for all the information, sisterhood, and encourgement to be found here. I love the pumpkin logo. Good luck to everyone. So far, so good.
marymelodi
Rochester, NY

debbie444

Glad you are feeling ok mary!
I am from the uk but know Rochester - we stopped by in 2003 - i think we went to the zoo there! Small world.
Wear a wig , wear a scarf, wear what you want - at the moment the most important person is you - dont forget that.
Love Debbie

Graycie

Hi Mary, I am glad to hear you are feeling so good after your first treatment...I hope they all go as well for you...So far I think you live the closest to me.....I live in Buffalo, NY.......

Graycie

I was wondering the same thing as you. Why are there two starting chemo in oct...I also went to the other one and I did read about your sweater problem, HA......I wrote you back on the other one....I guess we will have check both or get them to come over to this one......

spirit

Hi guys!!

It's been 9 days since my first A/C treatment and I'm still going strong I think! I guess I heard all the ugly rumors of how sick one gets and determined I was NOT gonna do that! *lol* I haven't...not one time.

However made a trip into Atlanta today and out to lunch with a close friend. That's where I discovered that I have a sore throat. Just got in and have gargled with salt water...YUCK! Still have my tonsils, so have to be careful. No fever though...

hugs,
kate

TracySeattle

I'm home from my 1st treatment and prety pleased with how well it went! Everything went fine and so far no side effects, except for being tired. I think I will take a nap! We wll see how the next few days go!

spirit

Go Tracy Go!!!!!! Yay!!! Only 5 more to go!!!

lots of hugs,
kate

Graycie

Good for you Kate, glad you are feeling so good...Mind over matter must really work...Try gargling with baking soda and water instead of the salt water.....I have been doing that and my throat feels better...I do it everynight before I go to bed.....Grayce

spirit

Thank you Grayce.....

I am soooo relieved that I haven't gotten sick. It's taught me a HUGE lesson really. I guess I've always kind of taken it for granted, but I rarely do get sick. Now, every morning when I wake and I'm not, I am soooooo grateful.

Thanks for the suggestion about the throat. I have kind of been sniffly this week and was chalking it up to allergies with all the ragweed around. But it just may be that I have out and about too much...crowded stores and church, etc.

I think it's way too early to be down on my WBC, but am having bloodwork done on Mon. for the Onc. so we'll see...

Peace & hugs,
kate

mjsherrill

Laura,

Interesting you said you have a headache. I haven't taken as many Tylenol in the past 5 years as I have taken since my first round of chemo. I have had a headache that goes from the very least, a dull headache, to a real ache at times.

Interesting.

Graycie

I don't know where you live but I have been sniffly too and I am chalking mine up to the weather and allergies .....I live in NY state and the weather here stinks......

RoseMarie

Thursday (Chemo #1) went real well. I was more scared of the actual chemo and didn't really think about side affects...kinda dumb. I felt great until about 6:00 and then felt icky but never actually got sick. I went to work today and had a great day. It was a crazy day in 3rd grade! Fall party, pajama day...etc...I felt great all the way through dinner and then started feeling ick again. I just took some Prochlor-something or other and I'm hoping I'll not only feel better, but that I'll start to feel SLEEPY as well.

Sherry - hope all is well!

My best to all of you...

sherryhaire

Slept most of the day yesterday feel somewhat normal today just tired but no headache!! so far no nausea. Hopefully Mon or Tues I will know the results of the ultrasound and can put that past me.Going to take it easy this weekend Monday have a big work load can't afford to miss Hope everyone here has a great weekend and a great halloween with no surprises!!

TracyNY

I had my first treatment about 10 days ago, it went uneventfully, I stayed home for the week to see how it would affect me. After 7 weeks off work I am heading back out on Monday after bilateral mastectomy with expanders.

Yesterday I developed the worst indigestion I have ever had in my life. I feel like I'm choking to swallow anything and my esophagus is burning like pepper. Anyone else experiencing this? I reckon that if this is all there is to it, I can handle chemotherapy, but it sure is painful.

Anonymous

MJ,
Same here...until chemo I always bragged about never getting headaches. Funny how things come back to haunt you. The nausea set in yesterday afternoon. Started taking the pills to combat that. They're helping but not eliminating it. This morning it's a little better. And, Thurs. & Fri. I did nothing but sleep (and take all the anti-this 'n that meds). Did you have the body aches and severe exhaustion? I hope you're feeling better than me at this point.

Graycie

I think that is the only side effect I DIDN'T get so far.....but I am on stomach med's for acid reflex which probably helps. It sounds like maybe you may need some, ask your doctor so you don't have to suffer.....Grayce

Graycie

Hi Laura, I hope you feel better soon......Been there with the nausea,headaches and tiredness.....It does get better but unforunately once it does it is time to start again with the next treatment.....10/31 is treatment #2 for me. Not looking forward to it, infact I am already feeling a little panicky thinking about it but it will be one more out of way.

marymelodi

Hi, everyone:
Day 3 after first A/C treatment on Thursday, 10/27. Has the first Neulasta shot ysterday. No nausea yet thanks to the drugs, I think. But, am getting the headache that has been discussed. Taking Tylenol and trying to distract myself with other activities . . . doing the dishes, making an appointment to donate my hair to Locks of Love, reading e-mail. As I expected, when I went in for the shot they informed me that the onc took the nurse's suggestion and scheduled me for a Medi-port placement on Tuesday. I agree. After seeing the other people getting their chemo with a port I thought "that's what I want, too." The searching for a good vein thing was just not going to be a good long term approach.

I have hair about 32" long so it's going to be a sizeable donation. The great thing is that the salon will do it free of charge. Copays are starting to mount up and I don't need another expense. I am so, so, grateful for my very good health insurance. I looked at the EOBs for the treatment so far and it's up over $10K. That scares me to think what I would face without a good job and excellent insurance.

Graycie: thanks for the greeting from Buffalo. I work at Strong Memorial Hospital, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Dept. and I am getting all my treatment at the Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong. My husband works at Strong also so it is really convenient for us with all the appointments and such.
Where are you being treated?

Next time up is Nov 10 for me. So far, so good.
marymelodi
Rochester, NY

Anonymous

To the OCP's having a rough time, hang in there. It will be over soon. Really. To the OCP's waiting their turn, keep away from germs!! You do not need an infection right now. To those who are on their way to get the dreaded A in the A/C cocktail, suck on a popsicle while they are manually infusing you. I did this and did not get mouth sores. NoSurrender said something about this, and so did the author of the book called Just Get Me Through This, which is, by the way, a perfect book for all of us here and even more perfect for anyone who was just diagnosed.

spirit

Hi Brenda...

How do you manage to keep the popsicle from melting while you wait for them either to get to you or to inject/drip in the AC??????

I didn't notice a 'fridge' while I was in there last time!!

I develoed a sore throat yesterday, but temp. is only 97.7. The last time I had tonsilitis was years ago and my temp. was 104!!!!!

So what's going on here????

hugs,
kate

ake

so far so good on my second AC...the stubble on my head is falling out....like little eyelashes everywhere, so my husband razored my head again. it's like all of a sudden, every focile for every hair on my body decided to let go...even little hairs are falling out of my nose! this is such a bizarre experience. so bizarre.

if anyone feels like being cheesy, but feeling empowered...my new favorite "pink power" song (i made a mix for chemo) is "invincible" by pat benatar. it can be downloaded on itunes and it definitely pumps me up when i get scared or overwhelmed

glad everyone is doing okay!

-amy

Serendipity

Quote:

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Jane how are you doing when or have you have 2nd treatment?

---

I had my 2nd treatment yesterday. The Oncologist ordered half the IV steroids as last time due to my prior sleeplessness and sweating. I felt okay during and for a time after. I did have a small headache and took some Tylenol, which helped, but the headache never went away completely. I went to dinner with some friends at a Mongonlian Bar-B-Q place and I was feeling real good. I had chosen lots of vegies with just a little chicken and some rice noodles. Toward the end of the meal, I started feeling bad, so stopped eating.

I went home and started feeling very nauseous and my headache was getting worse. I took more Tylenol, but it didnt' seem to help. My husband got our daughter through her bath and ready for bed as I just wasn't up to it.

At around 9:00pm, I started feeling really, really bad. I never actually threw up, but was feeling so nauseous, I was getting flushed and hot, then chilled- (but no fever) that I started crying (I'm a big baby when I'm not feeling well.) I took one of the Phenergen tabs that I had never had to take after my 1st treatment, but it did help within about a half hour. I started feeling better.

I took an Ambien and I slept on the sofa. I had to get up a couple of times to go to the bathroom (all that water I was drinking) but finally slept from 2:30am until about 8:15 when my daughter got up. I felt a bit nauseous at first.

I went ahead this morning and took a Prevacid, the Kytril, just one steroid tab (as per onc.) and a Phenergan and I feel okay. I ate a small breakfast, and feel okay--just very tired and somewhat nauseous but not too bad. My headache seems to be gone. So, I'm hoping the worst is over.

Also, I had noticed last time a reddish rash on my reduced, but non-affected right breast. The Onc didn't seem too concerned about it last time. Well, it's back and now I also have a small reddish, rashy patch to the left and up from my port. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not??

So, that's my update. How about you, Sherry? How did your 2nd treatment go?
Jane

mjsherrill

Well - just when you think you are the only one feeling one way or the other! It is amazing to go back through all the posts and read about this or that side effect. I have not been sick at all - and this is Day 10 out. Chemo #2 is next Wednesday. But the headache, the acid reflux (which for me is more like my whole esphogus just hurts but a Tum or two helps), the sore throat. And this morning I woke up with more energy than I knew what to do with, so I cleaned and waxed all the kitchen cupboards! Really felt jangly and hyper - so I tried to work it off!

This is Day 10 and I woke up and pulled on my hair - it is still there, but for how long is the question???????

Hubby is taking me out for dinner tonight and shopping for some hats since it is getting pretty cold here and I don't have faith that the hair will be here much longer to insulate my head!

Everyone - have a great, great weekend!

mjsherrill

BTW, Brenda's suggestion to read the book: Just Get Me Through This - great book! I didn't take a popsicle with me but rather a huge glass of ice cubes. Kept pouring my water on it and sipping and sucking on the ice cubes all the way through treatment #1. No mouth sores!