Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Rebecca

Mizsissy

You have to do something about this!!!!!!!!!!

have you spoken directly to your onc? Did you try to contact the onc nurse you spoke to yesterday? I really thing that you need a straight answer, and NOW. I can not imagine why they would withhold supportive meds like this...I am horrified by your experience and my heart is breaking for you. hang in there, and keep us posted.

Lynn12

Mizsissy,

Now that your Onc office is open, can't they give you the shot? So sorry you are getting all this run around, as if all this isn't hard enough. I had a runaround a few months ago with the ER when I brought my daughter, seems like they need to get their act together (not that I have any disrepect for ER staff, I'm sure it is a really hard career to have). Good luck, hope you are feeling better and get the care you need.

Lynn

irelandmb

Good Morning Ladies.....
Well we certainly have a lot of different Dr's approaches going on here.
Mizsissy, so sorry to hear you had to endure such a circus. I hope you gain some relief soon. If you don't get what you want why not go straight to the ONC Dr.?
Viddie, I hope your finger pain goes away, but it could be just a side effect of Taxotere or Neulasta? I had a pain in my small toe this morning and a pulsing in my leg. I asked the office nurse if this was anything to worry about and she said it was normal. My husband joked how amazing it is that every ailment that would normally be a thing of concern, is now a normal thing during chemotherapy......
Gilrodie, Hang in there. I am sure we are doing the right thing. It is just those bad days where we question whether we are doing ourseleves move damage than good.
Lynn, Amera, I am on a three week cycle of TC and they are giving me the Neulasta also. They did say though, that they will reduce the dose next time.
My next session is not until 2/19/06.
RitaJean, thanks for offering such great support to everyone.
Stay strong....

irelandmb

Hi all,
Don't know about all of you, but my taste buds are defintely affected by the metalic taste I have from the Chemo. Things I normally would love, taste really bad. Well someone suggested eating things you normally would hate and you might be surprised,they could taste better. Well, I normally hate dark chocolate and seeing that I am feeling a little better I thought I would treat myself and give it a try. Well guess what, it tastes good. I find that so funny because dark chocolate always tasted like poision to me in the past. I guess it's time to try new things.

Anonymous

It just occurred to me that since my picture is not in my avatar that maybe I should post one. So here it goes...

Me before dx: http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/jeml82/hair1.jpg

Me with my new and temporary hair cut. The first time I've ever had short hair. I took this with my cell phone just outside the hair salon.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/jeml82/hair.jpg

And, I just can't resist adding a pic of my girls playing dress up:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/jeml82/IMG_0107.jpg

OK! So now you all know what I look like - when the hair goes maybe I'll be brave enough to post an update! Now I am really going to go get some work done, I've been stalling all morning.

Lynn12

Thanks for posting Jan, you look great in that hair cut! What cute girls!

What about everyone else? Who doesn't have their photo so we can see. Come on girls, it's so nice to see what everyone looks like!

Lynn

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

OK Folks,

After a lot of confusion this AM, and my getting upset and testy on the phone with more than one nurse more than once...the new nurse that started all this confusion actually got things straightened out. I think it was her first day yesterday. I can go for Neupogen at 2 pm. But my poor husband is missing practically another whole day of work.

So we're hanging around here waiting.

BTW, I have a WONDERFUL FRIEND here named Mena who's the darling of this entire website; she's at later stage than we are, but she's on chemo. She's been around her for a few years. She's hysterical, she's witty, she's funny, gritty, and one of the most positive, supportive people I've ever known. It almost makes having BC worth it.

I've told her what a wonderful bunch of enlightened, proactive, positive women we have here and she wants to come over. How about it?

Mizsissy

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Jan, what a darling you are, and I love your girls. Hey, I rather see you than your dog!! (He's cute too).

xxxooo

Mizsissy

Lynn12

Mizsissy,

So glad to hear you got everything straightened out and hope today is a much better day for you.

Sure, I'm fine with anyone joining our wonderful group no matter where they are in their journey.

Lynn

Amera

Jan, those are great. It looks like your girls are the same age as mine--9 and 4. I cannot figure out how to do an avatar. I followed the instructions, but it kept saying the photo was too big. Have to figure out how to do this. I read Mizsissy's detailed instruction but still cannot figure it out. Will keep trying.

Re: hair...I still haven't buzzed mine yet. If I touch it, it comes out. But I still have enough that most people wouldn't notice--and I can still hide it with a hat. I wonder how long I can keep this up?
Amera

ritajean

Jan........neat pictures of both you and your girls. Hey, who knows....after this is all over, you may decide to keep the short hair. It's very becoming!

Although I love my grandsons, I'd love to have a grand daughter. I only had one child, a son, and now he has 2 adorable little boys. Maybe one of these days they'll present me with a little girl that I can spoil (not that I don't spoil my little boys!) Anyway, Jan, your daughters are adorable! Enjoy them as they grow up way too fast.

Mizsissy...today is the day that things are going to get straightened out for you and things will get back on an even keel. :-)

I am going to get a shower before I meet some friends for lunch and am finally going to try out my Nioxin hair products. Glamour is calling! Catch you ladies later.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Rita

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Hey Lynn...when do we get so SEE that fabulous wig?

Do you need help posting?

Mizsissy

Amera

ACK!!! Just got an answer to my own question. I think there was more hair in the drain than on my head. I am truly looking like an old man now. Sort of shocking how much came out. It's funny how it appears to be coming out in your typical male pattern baldness way. I have a huge receding hairline but the back is fine. This is so weird. Time to get the clippers out.
Amera

Anonymous

Mizsissy - the more the merrier in my opinion.

Amera - I really feel for you I can completely picture myself in the same boat. Good luck with the clippers! I am going to PM you with my email address. Send me the pic you want to use for your avatar and I will resize it for you. That way it will be much easier for you to upload.

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Amera---DO NOT LOOK--egads an *old man*???

You know, I've been bald for three days and I haven't even seen myself yet.

Get that head adorned...NOW!!!

Robbin65

Been reading all your posts and I am a bit confused. After what I just went through with my WBC...

Lynn, they should draw your blood the day before chemo and they should also be keeping a close eye on it during your treatment.

I can't believe some of these doctors, clinics, hospitals and insurance policies. This system is really messed up!!! There seems to be no middle class anymore. It's either the extremely wealthy (government organization) or the lower class. Which now includes US.

If don't have money your treated like.... *@+#*!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not our fault we all got cancer.

Anyway, I'm at least glad we have the internet and this site!!!

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

There are angels in heaven and oncology.

Today started OK but it got worse. My 10 am appt for neupogen was changed to 2 pm. By 12 pm I was feeling wierd again, lightheaded, faint, dizzy. I said to Erik, let's just go and see if they'll get me in early. The oncology in Brighton is right next door to the ER, just in case...but I wasn't going to the ER there unless it got really serious. On the way over I felt really wierd, but after a while, it got better.

So we got there at 12:30. Amazing the office wasn't closed. Could they take me now (I said my husband had to go work). Sure...we'll be right with you.

A few minutes later the ANGEL appeared in the form of a buxom, middle aged kindly looking woman, named Kay, my nurse. She started to usher me into the consult room, but I was feeling faint, so she took me to a very nice room with a bed with a clean sheet and laid me down. She stood there with me, held my hand, and said, "Honey, you've been through the mill, but I'm going to give you your shot and I've got your schedule all fixed up for you " and she proceeded to talk to me and pat me comfortingly on the arm.

She said, "the bad news is that you'll have to come every day," and she handed me a schedule that covers the entire period of my chemo, told me she would be my nurse from now on, and said, "these shots are a nuisance, but you'll see, they won't bother you a bit."

She nodded her head knowingly and rolled her eyes when I told her I had gotten stuck with a new nurse who was a little disorganized and said, "I've been around here for a long time, I know the ropes and I know how things work."

"You need an ativan, you go home right now and take one and take another when you go to bed..." I said, how about a glass of wine "Sure...you go right ahead and have a glass of wine...it won't hurt you a bit."

So she gave me the shot, and on the way home Erik bought a bottle of great red wine, decided to kill the rest of the day, so that's how we're spending it.

There are angels in heaven and on earth.

carolinin

I can relate to sleeplessness! From dx on! Anyone else ask Dr for something? I was using tylanol pm but onc offered restoril for the duration, its wonderful. no drowsness. Tossing and turning all night everynight would just be too much!
Carol

carolinin

Please don't worry about bone pain, you may not have it!
I had some discomfort from neupogen at the same time my dau. was having baby and i was staying 24/7 at hospital but after that, barely even anything. Be encouraged and hopeful that it will work without pain, not everyone has it!

Have you considered asking for something to help with good rest? We need our beauty sleep!

Hang in there! Carol

ritajean

Amera.......I LOVE you picture. Thanks for posting it!!! Wow! You young gals don't have any wrinkles at all! I'm envious!!!

Keep drinking that water today!!!

Rita

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Sexy lady Amera...WOW...what a great bunch of women we have here. The last thing I wanted to do was get in with women who want to feel sorry for themselves and have nothing to do except lie around and eat pink M&Ms. Sharp..buff..I love it!!! And that goes for the rest of you too...I love being part of such an attractive group..OK, vanity is one of my weaknesses. Another word for it is self-esteem.

Now Lynn...when are we ever going to see....that WIG!!!

carolinin

For those who haven't had neupogen or neulasta yet, don't worry. Its probably becuase you don't need it (yeah!)

If you don't already do so, you might consider recording all the info from your cbc each time you go in, better yet, ask the tech to print you a copy. I keep mine in a notebook I take each time to keep all my records together. This way I can compare all my levels ...anc/neu (wbc), platelets, hemoglobin, bp, weight etc and track my health.
Protocol seems to be when your anc/neu gets below certain level, you get neupogen the first round (daily) until it rises to acceptable level. Most insurance won't cover neulasta until its "proven" on round one (or a subsequent round of chemo) that you will require it. Neulasta the day after the next chemo insures that your anc/neu level will rebound, however, it may get low! Mine was 0.2 7 days after neulasta! The onc office goofed a bit and gave me neupogen, but I was told later that was a mix up and no no! (didn't hurt anything, just not needed)
From now on, anytime my anc is too low on day 7, auto neulasta. apparently if you are prone to low, it stays that way...and for me I feel great, its shocked me both times I went in. Having low anc/neu/wbc level has no correlation to how you feel (I was told) The hemoglobin level is a better indicator or predictor of fatigue (and i get aricept every 2 wks-lost lots of blood on initial biopsy and never recovered)
Anyone else been told to wear mask? When your count is low, it pays to be extremely cautious-I have been using gloves, scarves etc to open doors since dx.

Carol

irelandmb

Hi Ladies,
Not sure if you saw this, thought you might find it interesting.

irelandmb

New test for recurrance.
MammaPrint® applies only to patients who meet the following criteria:
Below age 55.
Stage I invasive breast cancer with ER+ or ER-.
Stage II invasive breast cancer with ER+ or ER- and lymph node negative


http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01555.html

http://www.oncotesteva.co.il/services.html#mammaPrint

viddie

Hi all,
Jan- love your pictures of you and your children.
Amera, Quite savvy!
I will try to post a picture when I figure it out.
Mizsissy, I hope you have a great night tonight- You deserve it!
I spent the entire day at the cancer center. When I spoke to the nurse, she told me to come in to see the doctor.
Apparently, I had a very low white blood count. Since my finger appeared to be infected, coupled with my low blood count, he decided to put me on an antibiotic intravenously. I have to go tomorrow to get another boost of antibiotics intravenously. I guess it is to avoid more infections.
My regular oncologist's day off was today. He wants to me see her tomorrow. I do not think he wanted to give me a shot because I was not his patient and since my onc will be in tomorrow, he told me to see her tomorrow. I am just guessing, I did not ask him why, I just followed orders and received the antibiotics. The administering of it (levaquin) took one hour, but all in all, I was there for 5 hours. Now I am going to relax the rest of the night.

Amera

Yeeeowch! What have you gals done about the sore head after your hair falls out? It really hurts. I'm sure it's because it's never been exposed before. I am wearing a scarf. Even that's rubbing the wrong way. How long does this last? Gads!
Amera

Robbin65

Today, as I was brushing my hair, guess what? The first sign? An unsuaual gob of hair in the brush. Normally, I do have hair in my brush from brushing my hair, but this was not just the regular few strands.

You can't really tell yet by looking at me. But I can tell from when I brushed my hair. Today is only my 14th day of my first chemo.

Oh no not yet!!! Is this a sign? Is is starting all fricken ready?

My head does not itch or any of the other symptoms you all have. I have very long hair and this is not gonna' be fun for me.

Great---Wah...........................

NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING

Ok Robbin & Amera...we're into serious hair loss here.

Robbin, yep, that's just how it starts. Then it starts to get sore and itches. Then you want to cover it up, and that makes it hurt worse. Then it has to come off so you buzz it. You're right about the long hair..it will hurt. You can have fun over the next few days cutting in off to different lengths to see how you look in different hair styles. Take photos of yourself. You might be surprised that you like your shorter...here's the one your chance in your life to experiment.

Amera...yes, your hair hurts...the only way to make it stop hurting is to get it off. We did kind of a partial buzz cut and what's left is still bothering me but I'm putting up with it because I can't stand the idea of having either my husband or I having to look at it again.

Mizsissy

Rebecca

hi folks,

well, I am just home from spending a luxurious afternoon in the chemo lab. My onc was very pleased with me, and told me that I was tolerating well. I feel a bit strange with the crazy cocktail of drugs rushing through my system. Before this I was the kind of person who did not even take medicine for a cold, so this is a real change for me. I have to say that I like the communal nature of the lab, I get to meet lots of nice folks, and we keep each other company. It is rather disheartening to watch them come in and then finish up while I am sitting there but such is life. I think the strangest thing that I noticed is the purple basket filled with munchies on the shelf that was advertising "Marinol". Got a chuckle out of that one.

I think I weathered Chemo 2 fairly well, but I think I am going to go lay down now. I have found this discussion board comforting to read, and I look forward to getting to know you all...thanks!

skyedivine

Hi all, I'm in the second week of my second two week cycle of AC and cytoxin, and seeing myself in so many of your posts. I have to get the Neulasta shots the second day as well, and between that and the chemo I'm pretty well wasted days 3-6. The bone pain from the Neulasta is manageable for me with tylenol but it seems to keep coming back at odd times throughout the 2-week cycle. I am in awe of those of you who are able to keep working. If I were still an art teacher I would have to take a leave of absence for sure. I have a lot of trouble with both wc and rc counts, too. However, I still look at it as my healing therapy and am grateful the treatment exists and that everyone is here on this board to share the travails and tips. About the hair, mine started coming out day 4 after the second treatment so my husband gave me a buzz cut day 5 and it was so helpful to just get it done. I just wear inexpensive soft velour hats most of the time, and got a free wig from Am. Cancer Society as well in case I ever go somewhere besides the house and hospital. They want me to wear a face mask in grocery stores but I'm not about to do that. Has anyone else? - Skye