Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

CindaD

Mimi, I was sooooo glad to hear everything went well.  Just think girls, by the end of the week most of us will have one chemo tx under our belts!  This week can't get over soon enough for me!

Heathersmom, everyone says working and taking tx  is possible, I think we just need to listen to our bodies and if we need a day of rest then we need to take it.  We started to scale back our spending in anticipation of my taking days off without pay.  I look at it as 6 months out of my life (that includes rads), we have to put ourselves at the top of the list for now.

Good luck to all the ladies who start chemo today!  I've been reading the Anti Cancer book and the author lists foods that help fight cancer cells, most of it is common sense, but it does promote dark chocolate, so now I can eat a piece each day and not feel guilty!

BreastCancerDiva

Hi everyone.    I'd like to join your group too!   I was diagnosed on 11/13 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and then a week later a biopsy showed DCIS in my left breast.    I'm starting chemo on Thursday, 12/4 to shrink the tumor and will have surgery after that.    I had a port put in last week, and my doctor gave me a lidocaine gel to put on it before I come to chemo so that part should be relatively painless!   I'm a real wimp when it comes to needles!  

Best wishes to you all.   Great to read all the great posts!

Robyn

havehope

BreastCancerDiva:

Please check "Diary - Starting Chemo DECEMBER 2008". You are included on the list.

Texas357

Hi ladies, just checking in after being chemo-sick for a week! I had my first FEC treatment a week ago. Spent two days absolutely nauseous and the next three days so fatigued that I couldn't lift my head from the pillow. I called my oncologist on Thanksgiving day (we missed Thanksgiving because I was so sick) and he confirmed that the severity of my side effects are NOT typical.

Oh Boy! For once, I just want to be NORMAL! But I've been feeling great for the last few days and today I'm working full time again.

December 20th is my official "Bald is Beautiful" Day. I've got an appointment for a final wig fitting, and of course the big shave. Yes, I'm nervous but I know it's temporary. Just another aggravating aspect of BC, right?

mmliv

Well back from my first treatment. All OK and now just waiting for the SEs to kick in. I've got a meeting that I need to attend tonight - and am just now getting ready to go out for a walk (29 degrees and snowing) - think I am nuts! 

I like the approach where we want to stay strong and the BC gets weak. 

Mary 

colleen1960

Hello Ladies:  Yea!! One tx down and 7 to go.  I had the 1st dense dosage today.  So far I am feeling pretty good.  I was a little delayed at the hosp. it took a little longer, something about waiting for my papers to be registered.  But the nurses were wonderful.  I was so hungry when we left that the nurse suggested to my husband to take me to lunch.  So we did and I am still feeling good.  I am leaving in a few minutes to catch my daughers 1st volleyball game.  I figured she only plays a few games as long as I feel good now I may as well go and see her.  I am not going to sit around and wait for SE.  They also told me to keep active without over doing.  If my body says it tired then I should try and relax, but right now I am ok.

Texas357 - I am glad to hear you are feeling better and were able to get back to work.  I hope that will continue.

Breastcancerdiva - Welcome to our group.  Everyone here is very supportive and will help in any way they can.  You will do ok.

CindaD - I am with you a piece of dark chocolate sounds great!!!

Mary:  I am glad things went well for you today.  Walking sounds great that is what my nurse told me also.  And also to drink plenty of fluids.  She said it does not just need to be water, juice, water, broth etc.  She did say not to drink to much caffenine.

Well I hope everyone else did well today also.

Be Well,

Colleen

berrypatch

OK simvog!  Move me to 12/9! 

I had my first chemo treatment today.  It lasted all of 5 min!  They started the Taxotere, and I got very flushed and red in the face also short of breath.  So....I am starting all over again on 12/9, still with Taxotere and Cytoxan, but with a different schedule.  I have to take 20 mg Decadron on Sunday nite and Monday night.  Then they are doubling the dosage of Benedryl in the IV. The Taxotere will be infused more slowly.  They told me that this is not an uncommon reaction, so I will still be having chemo, they just have to make sure that I have more than enough Decadron and Benedryl in my system before they run the Taxotere.  I must say, all I have to do was say "something's wrong!" and I had 4 nurses and Dr. Sobel right there, shouting orders, get some oxygen! Do this! Do that!  I felt very well cared for.  As soon as they turned off the Taxotere, I felt better.

Needless to say, I am VERY DISAPPOINTED!  I had to move my hair shaving date from 12/9 to 12/16.  One good thing tho!  I will be feeling good for Christmas.  You know, I had my entire month planned around these treatments, and now this!  You live with these dates on your mind for an entire month, and now this!  Now I have to deal with first time nerves all over again. 

Hope that you all have better luck!   {{{{{Hugs}}}}}}     Carol

havehope

Updated list:

Texas357                1-Dec        FEC+Taxotere

mimiwhite                1-Dec         4xTC

gts                          1- Dec 

Colleen1960             2-Dec        CMF

mmliv                      2-Dec        4xTC

msbusdriver             2-Dec       

LindaBusEd             2-Dec        TAC 

vtmama                   2- Dec       4xTaxol+C 

Brenny                    3-Dec        4xTC

zuffa                        3-Dec        6xTAC

Catrenae                  4-Dec       

Lainey64                  4-Dec        4xAC+4xTaxol

CindaD                     4-Dec        4xTC

BreastCancerDiva      4-Dec

lisasayers                 5-Dec        4xTC

simvog                      5-Dec        4xFAC+4xTaxol

cebula                      8 Dec        6xTC

sdavis                      9-Dec        4xTC

berrypathc               9-Dec        6xTC 

ShondaE           #2  9-Dec         AC 

Meg511                   10-Dec      6xTC

Bkokie                     12-Dec      4xTC

Firni                               

busqueen

mimiwhite              #2- 22 Dec  4xTC

colleen1960

Carol:  I am so sorry that you had that experience, but like you said they were able to catch it and they were all there to help which is good to know.  I know what you mean about building your schedule around the treatments.  I do the same thing.  I really hope that everything goes well for you on the 9th.  We will get through this!!!

Colleen

BreastCancerDiva

As I'm getting ready to start chemo, I asked my onc if there was anything I should eat/drink/take or avoid.    I was expecting to hear "no caffeine, no alcohol" etc.   Instead, he said "stay away from anti-oxidant vitamins".    Has anyone else heard that?   I know I need to drink a lot of fluids, but what other hints do you have?   

mmliv

Carol/BerryPatch - I had the same effect with the Taxotere; fortunately they were able to give me benadryl and slow the infusion rate and I was immediately better. So they continued!!!!!!

Colleen - Enjoy the volleyball game - I hope I am still well for my daughter's choir concert tomorrow nite. As the rest of you have stated: I too plan on being proactive with the medicine to lessen the SEs, I do have a life besides this cancer. 

BreastCancerDiva - where do you live in OH? I live on the border on I70. 

Welcome to all the new members - Unfortunately it is getting to be quite a crowd, this BC stinks. 

Mary 

mimiwhite

Oh, Carol, so sorry for your disappointment, but glad you have a new plan.  So good that you had great care today.  Hugs to you!

Colleen, congratulations!  I wish you a restful night. 

Mary, yeah for you!  So good for you to walk, too.  Good way to get the anxiety out.  Have a good night and stay warm. 

Texas357 glad you are feeling better.  Great job on going back to work.  Strong girl!

mimiwhite

Sherry hope things went well today.  I am thinking of you.

Robyn welcome to the group. 

If I missed anyone I hope you are doing well. 

12/3 girls you are in my thoughts and I wish you all strenght and peace.  Drink water.

xoxo

Mimi

P.S. no side effects...yet. 

vtmama

This is my first post and I had my first cytoxan and taxol chemo today.  I am confused by all the intials for the different treatments but really found all the information useful.  One down, three to go.  I wanted to post because last night after reading just about all the posts, I was scared silly to go there today but wanted to let others who will be starting this regime know that my first went very well.  They gave quite a few medications prior to starting the chemo drugs.  A long acting anti-nausea beginning with an a (alenia?), zantax for acid reflux, steroid, benedryl, and tylenol.  Then they did the taxol first and used a very slow infusion gradually upping the rate after they were sure I was tolerating it well.  Then the cytoxan which was also done on a slower infusion to minimize bladder irritation.  I also drank a lot of water before the session and sipped ice chips during. No problems at all and I even ate crackers.  They sent me home with compazine (?) and lorazapan for nausea if I need it after the long acting one wears off.  Go in for nuelasta shot tomorrow.  Will keep you posted on side effects which are sure to come.  I know that future treatments might not go as well but was very encouraged that the first did.  Thanks to all for the great information you all posted.

Firni

It sounds like that except for a couple of you, things are going pretty well as everyone starts their treatments.  I got a call from my onc's nurse today.  She said she wasn't scheduling the MUGA for me as my onc isn't going to do the A.  He'll be using something else.  I have no idea what.  But for now I'm pretty excited about no A.  I see him tomorrow morning to finally find out what is going on.  

I'm so glad that everyone is just kicking butt!  

Texas, I am sorry that you were so sick tho.  Hopefully you'll do better with the next one after your meds are adjusted.

Carol, that is a drag that you are now waiting to start again.  All any of us want to do is get our schedule and get on with it and our lives.  

I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow brenny and zuffz !

msbusdriver

Hi all! I have been home and well for a while but my internet is out so i am using my phone to post! I had my 1st cytoxan and taxotere today. 3 more to go. I got plenty of anti nausea meds in my iv so am feeling pretty good. No problems yet. I have to go for a neulasta shot tomorrow as my blood count was borderline low. Glad to hear from everyone. I hope the best for all this week.

EleanorJ

Firni - That's great news, I know you weren't excited about A. Looks like we both worried sick for nothing

Firni

Isn't that how it goes?  Why can't we just learn to roll with it?  I guess that would go against human nature.  Ha.

Sherry, I'm glad you're another one that is doing ok.  What cocktail are you on? 

ShondaE

I had my first A/C treatment on the 25th, and slept most of the next three days thanks to the nausea meds, I am starting to finally not feel nauseated all the time.  Yeah just in time for tx #2 on Tuesday.  I did manage to go into work on Sunday and Monday of this week so that was nice to just get out of the house and focus on something besides treatment.

I saw my Onco today for a 1 week follow-up after chemo and she said she can already feel a reduction in the tumor in my breast after one treatment, Man i was very happy to hear that, funny enough I have been afraid to touch the area that the tumor is on since I started all of this, I guess I didn't want to feel if it was getting any bigger.

I'm glad to see everybody is doing pretty good with your treatments,  I will send positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Shonda

msbusdriver

Hi Firni, I had Decadron, Aloxi, Taxotere and Cytoxan.  I will have 3 more rounds 21 days apart.   Next one falls 2 days before Christmas!  I hope the SE's are few for my family's sake!  The only thing I can complain of is lack of sleep from the Decadron, or at least that is what my Onc. nurse is guessing it is.  I have one more day of taking it and if it doesn't get better after that, I will ask for something to help me sleep.  I cannot make it withou my sleep!

Shonda, it is good to hear that your Onc. can tell a difference already!

I'll be thinking about you Dec. 3 girls.  So far the worry was worse than the treatment.  You can do it!  It feels good to have the 1st one behind me.

Brenny

Well, at least one of 12/3 girls can't sleep tonight!!  Thanks all for your posts; they really do help (both the scary ones and the reassuring ones!).  Went this evening and got my long hair cut -- it actually looks good (at least even strangers at the salon were telling me it did...makes you wonder how bad you have really been looking and didn't even know it!!!) and picked up my wig (Betsy is her name).  So I am "armed and ready" for the Christmas holiday! The trees are up, most of the presents are bought and wrapped, but not bowed -- this may be the "Christmas without bows" at my house--when it comes to wrapping, I am a lot like Martha Stewart, so it is quite a production.

I bought eight pink/white crystal stretch bracelets -- gave 4 to my really good friend who is like a sister to me and has helped me face this -- we take 1 off after each tx is finished (4 TC treatments). 

Have the bag packed -- going to take a shower and see if I might get some sleep....will report back tomorrow night! Have been obsessing about flying back to work on Mon -- finally decided I will just wait and see how I feel -- they are not giving out any blue ribbon attendance awards to my knowledge!

Brenda

LindaBusEd

Well ladies

Had port put in Monday. I had to take the heavy duty pain pills when I got home. They must have sat on my shoulder while implanting it.  I was kinda nervous prior to the nurses putting in my IV on Tuesday but it went well.

Was at Onc from 9:30-3:30 Tuesday. All went well there; they gave me 2 bags of nausa medicine prior to the TAC.

I had taken 2 stool softeners on Monday after I got home from surgery, 2 Tuesday morning, and 2 Tuesday evening. Fine in that department so far.

Have to give myself the shot(My insurance said it would be okay to give at home) sometime today (it is 2:35 am here now); have to take 3 nausa pills today. Waiting for the inevitable is the worse. I have been having heartburn. I have been drinking water which I hate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not eating too much! Haven't had an appetite but getting down some so my DH will not harp on me. He has been great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!However, I am sending him to work today!

Go back to see doctor next week for a checkup and will have #2 sometime the week of Christmas.

I am thinking of all you wonderful ladies! Linda

CindaD

Berrypatch, I'm so sorry your first run didn't go well, I'm sure you're disappointed and I'm also sure your doc will load you up with more meds for next time.  I think the waiting and the anticipation are the worse part (after the bc dx)!  Try to do something fun this weekend, the 9th will be here before you know it.

Ladies, I love hearing your reports after chemo, it's like you went into war and came back to the troops to report.  What a bunch of strong women you all are, you should be very proud. I'm feeling better about tomorrow.  Good Luck to the 12/3 girls.

About this hair thing, I can't get past it, I have an appt on the 16th to either get it cut very short or just get it buzzed, what do you think?

Cinda

Texas357

My 'wig lady' works with many cancer patients. She says that most women begin losing their hair 2 days following the second treatment.

I'm a week past treatment #1 and so far nothing. I'm scheduling my complete buzz for day #3 following the treatment, simply for convenience sake. That will be December 20th and I want to enjoy Christmas without worrying about clumps of hair falling out while family is visiting.

mmliv

Cinda, I haven't really decided but my thought is like Texas357; get it buzzed so that I don't have to worry about falling clumps of hair messing up my day! I'm getting my hair cut 9 days after treatment.

Good luck to all the Dec 3rd ladies! This Dec 2nd lady is still doing OK, some minor side effects but nothing really annoying. I am following the doc's recommendations and keeping active. 

Mary 

mimiwhite

Hi CindaD and all,  I have decided when my hair starts to fall out I am gong to first get it cut to my chin, and just go from there.  I am thinking I will let my hair tell me what to do.  That doesn't really make sense, but I feel the hair loss will be the final hurdle.  After that it is only going to get better, because we are healing.  I have no control over a lot of things, but I can control my thoughts (for the most part), diet and exercise.  I wish you the very best for tomorrow.  Keep hydrated today.  I am still doing very well.  We are kicking some A**!!! 

Love to you all,

Mimi

Lainey64

Hi ladies.  I am thinking of the 12/3 ladies today and hoping it goes well.  I am trying to read through all of the posts that I've missed since yesterday.  There are so many of us... it really stinks!  As tomorrow gets closer for me, I'm finding it harder to sleep.  I even took something last night and I still layed in bed until after 1 a.m. trying to fall asleep.  I'm so anxious about tomorrow.  My mind tells me it's going to be OK but something inside of me is really scared.  I can feel my heart racing right now.  Today I am going to see my hairdresser and she's going to cut my hair short.  It's already above my shoulders, but I'm going to get something short and daring!  You know, the kind of haircut you normally would never get but since it's going to fall out anyway, I'm going for it.  That is the only thing I'm looking forward to at the moment!  I'm praying for all of you and you're all in my thoughts.  This is the only thing I can think of! 

Love to you all,

Elaine

Catrenae

Well tomorrow is the first chemo treatment. Feeling a little stressed out. I'm just worried about the possible side effects. Of course I guess I shouldn't worry about something that I can't control, right? I just have to get through it....

 Went online yesterday and bought a couple of "soft hats" so I'll be ready when the hair falls out. I'm not really a "girlie girl" and don't think I can pull off wearing scarves... it just wouldn't be me. But, I can't wear baseball caps at work.... so... Still need to get a wig I guess, but just not sure I'd be comfortable wearing a wig.... I still have a couple of weeks to figure it out..

 I was impressed to see how many of you have gotten your Christmas trees and decorations up. I think we're going to try to get something up this weekend, although I doubt if I'll be much help! But then again maybe I'll feel fine. 

Lainey64

Catrenae, I'm not a girly girl either and don't think I'll mess with scarves too much.  I'm not very coordinated when it comes to tying them and stuff!  My first TX is tomorrow too.  I don't think I'm worried about my hair loss.. that's a sure thing, but like you, I'm worried about all the other side effects.  It's just so unknown!    I did get a wig already and it's strictly for work.  Since it's almost winter, I'm stocking up on ballcaps and wooly caps and couple of cheap wigs to wear under them.  Something fun for the weekends!  Where is Simonton?  I live in North Dallas and have never heard of it. 

CindaD

Texas357, Mary, and Mimi, thanks for the input.  My appt is 12 days from my first Chemo tx, so my hair may be coming out by then and the decision will be easy. I always wondered how my hair would look short so I guess this is my chance!

Elaine, I think it's normal to be scared,fear of the unknown, we've never done this before.  I'm apprehensive and I'm a nurse!  Just think tomorrow afternoon we'll have the first tx under our belts.  I can't wait to put a big X over the day!  Let us know how you like your hair, maybe I'll make my appt earlier.  Keep your chin up!  Tomorrow is Kick Cancer's Butt Day for us!

Cinda