Starting Chemo February 2009?

webwriter

It's a bit early yet, but I just ran into Donna2001 over in the January group. My chemo keeps getting put off, so the absolute earliest I can start will be January 29th. I figured I might as well kick off the February one so Donna can get the support she needs too.

Come one, come all to the Fabulous February Furies!

Our membership so far includes:

KerryMac  -- January 16th, FEC -T x6

Carol0371 -- January 27, Tx12 + Avastin
Artemis     --January 27, ACx4, Tx4 dd

Webwriter -- January 29th, TCx6 dd
Apple    --     January 29th, T + Avastin
susan13  --    January 29th, Tx4

SUE50  -- Our Missing Link! January 29th, ACx4,Tx4 DD

Donna2001 --  January 30th, ACx4, Tx12 dd

Gizzie-- Frbruary 1st, AC, T

Terri42  --    February 2nd,  ACx4

Jaimieh -- February 2nd, TCx6+H

gcpommom -- February 3rd, ACx4. Tx12

Grace4me -- February 4th, AC, T
Lisa810 --     February 4th, ACx4, Tx4 dd 
TwillNW  --   February 4th, ACx4 dd,  Tx12
csbsk123--    February 4th, CTx4

MicheleS  --   February 5th, ACx4, Tx12 + Avastin
flmomof3 --   February 5th, TCx4
DoubleMammyWhammy -- February 5th, ACx4 dd

marlomom --  February 6th, dd
suzmarks   --  February 6th, TCx
 
Kelty    --      February 9th, ACx4,  Tx12 dd 
kisblessed -- February 9th, TCx4

dsige       -- February 10th, ACx4, dd

living4today -- February 11th, ACx4, Tx12
Bethie1    --     February 11th, ACx4, Tx4
Stillme      --    February 11th, TCx4

datadruge   --   February 11th,  TCx4

nancyb7912 -- February 12th, ACx4, Tx12
dmoore2009 -- February 12th
xpextmiracles - February 12th, TCx4
denali     --      February 12th, TC+H

Travelgal -- Februaru 12th, ACx4, Tx4, DD

lbrewer -- February 13th
kmn0701 -- February 13th, TCx6 + H

Gramof3 -- February 13th, ACx4; TXx12

Mom_of_Boys -- February 18th, TCx4
Jancie            -- February 18th ACx4, Tx4 dd

MaryB-- Feburary 18th

LisaBarr --       February 19th, TC +H+A
KathyAlex -- February 19th, ACx4 dd, Tx12

jdeking -- February 20th, TC

bcpreggo --February 24th, TAC x 6

KathyAlex1960 -- February 26th, ACx4, Tx12

gpd      -- February 26th
ipursuit -- February 26th
elizzim  --  February 26th

ndweiss -- February 27th

Kat4pink -- March 11th,  ACTx6

Triciaski    -- Mid-Feb, AC
btatmom -- TBD

chemogirlwarrior: ?? TCx4+A+H

Beverly11: FEC

MRSROCKYTOP: 

Calgal1943:

Carol0371

Hi webwriter,i need this group too.I finish 25 trtms of radiation Mon Jan 19-see my onc.Tues Jan 20 to see about starting date for chemo.About me-1st dx 2002-mast.chemo radiation-Arimidex.2nd dx 2007 in neck lymph nodes.surgery 9 wks chemo.Last dx Nov 2008-surgery radiation-now 12 wks chemo,maybe hercepton,depending on last path report.Sorry we all have to be here,but glad to have others going thru the same thing.Others just don't get it.Some days I really don't know if I can do this for the third time-would like to go screaming down the street.

gcpommom

Hi Webwriter and Donna

I won't know an exact date until my appt. with onc tomorrow, but will probably start chemo right around the same time as you guys.  My bi-lat was 1/9, they wanted to give me a few weeks before starting chemo.

Glad you started this thread; it will really help to talk with others going through this.

Judy B

donna2001

Hey....I am glad to know I have you and others to go through this with!!!  I truly am a nervous wreck.  I just don't know what to expect I guess.  I am in Opelika, AL......Good to see another Alabama girl on here.  Maybe we should start an Alabama thread.  "Nervous in Alabama"  ...<grin>

Donna

webwriter

Wow! More of us than I thought! That sux, but it's awesome!

I gotta run at the moment, Sunday is kind of a special day at our house, but I did want to jump in and say welcome. It's a wild ride, but we can handle it. TOGETHER!

Anybody working on their chemo kits yet? I'm finding it distracting, which is never bad these days. I'm also practicing my chemo brain. I swear I forget something on a daily basis!

Lisa1964

Webbie, I won;t be a part of this group as I FINISH chemo in Feb. But I have been following you since you joined this BB and I wanted to wish you well.  You have a good support system at home and a good attitude, you will be fine.  I know it sounds trite and pat, but the more upbeat and active you can stay, the better off you will be.  Yes, you are allowed to be grumpy, bitchy and lazy.  But move when you can, smile as much as possible and this crap will be over before you know it!  I have tx #5 of 6 in the morning and I can't wait!!  Yes, I will feel like crap for 10 days, but that means I am just 21 days from being DONE!  You too will be there too, soon!

Good luck and God bless

Lisa

PS, get the chemo kit together now!  Makes you feel in control.  I did not need 90% of mine, but I was glad I had it.  Kinda like a security blanket!

living4today

Hi to all you February gals!  I thought I was going to be starting in January, but my magical date is Feb 11.  AC every two weeks x 4, taxol weekly x 12.  Had bilat w/expanders on Dec 24th.  PS wants fills completed before chemo, so getting fills once/twice a week.  Started making my lists of things to get done before the big day.  Too be honest, chemo scares me, but triple negative scares me even more.  My heart goes out to all of you who have had to fight this battle more than once.  Sure am thankful we have each other to walk this road!

kisblessed

Hello All,

I'm scheduled to start chemo 2/9/09. TC x 4.  My surg will follow chemo.

Boy, the time seems to be ticking faster each day until then. I'm really glad to have the support of each of you during this time.

ktym

OK Lisa, those are the most helpful words I've gotten in weeks.  "I'll feel like crap for 10 days but then I'm 21 days from being done."  I've been part of the chemo forum in January as that's when I had the first round.  I was beginning to think I was the only one who felt so bad.  Everyone else is back to work, talking about how it wasn't near what they thought it was, and I had stopped checking in because I felt like there wasn't anyone there who wasn't superwoman and working through chemo like all they needed was a bottle of purell. More power to those who can do that, I admire them all, but it just depressed me because that sure wasn't me. Today's day 11 and I feel good today.  Not to scare those going into it, the bad days aren't all bad--I've still gotten around and exercised a bit everyday--but I was a LONG way from working full time. Lisa, I think I just felt 100% better just having someone else say they didn't feel good for 10 days either.  I like that, 3 weeks from now I'll have felt like crap for 10 days, but I'll be 1/2 done--Thanks Lisa

Lisa1964

kmmd, each treatment has been a little different for me.  #1 was awful!!  My body had been assaulted.  #2 was not too bad and neither was 3 - I had learned to slow down by then.  #4 was rough.  By then the blood counts were low and I allowed myself to get dehydrated - bad move. Today I will be requesting a transfusion if my hgb is below 8.5 and I will be requesting precautionary IV fluids.  Remember, this stuff has a cumulative effect in the body.  You MUST rest the first few days after a treatment and you will be better in the long run.  Then, try and push yourself some some you don't suffer to much muscle atrophy. 

My schedule is:  Chemo week - stay home.  I went to work with the first 2, bad idea.  Week 2, go to work (I only work Mon, Tues, Wed.) Thursday rest, Friday ride my horse 8 to ten miles. Week 3, work and repeat horse ride at the end of the week.  That final Sunday, rest and re-hydrate for Monday morning chemo.

It is hard to feel good when you can't eat due to sewer mouth!!

My s/e's have been sewer mouth, bad indigestion for 10 days, nausea controlled my Zofran, fatigue, steroid gut, muscle atrophy, shortness of breath associated with low blood counts and dehydration. And of course, I'm bald!

You guys can do this.  Trust me!  I am off to get ready for the chemo room!

Lisa

webwriter

CHEMO SURVIVAL-LIST From The February Furies of  '09!

This post has been edited to reflect what we Furies have learned through our chemo journey. While the original post has been preserved, in italics, our original list followed. Because it was already on the first page for easy reference, it made sense to add to it as we learned. We hope it helps you as much as we have been able to help each other.

Best Wishes to All--

The February Furies of '09

_________________________________________________________________________________

Chemo Day Kit:

• --Blanket & Travel Pillow if your facility doesn't provide them. (Many have warm blankets and recliners making this item unnecessary.
• --Aquaphor or Eucerin
• --Purell
• --Chapstick
• --Kleenex
• --Water Cups as large as possible
• --Crackers/Nuts/Snacks
• --Books/Games/Puzzles/Knitting

Chemo GO Kit:

(Works well packed into a make-up style bag so it can easily go with you in purse, glove box, bedside, wherever.)

• --Aquaphor or Eucerin
• --Purell
• --Bandaids & Neosporin
• --Chapstick
• --Sunscreen (Those face sticks work great on bald heads!)
• --Kleenex
• --Eye Drops
• --Travel Size Lotion
• --Gum/Candy/Biotene Spray for dry mouth
• --Thermometer
• --Pain Reliever of choice

Have on Hand:

• --Sleep hat w/ no seams
• --Flushable Wipes
• --Squirter (like for ketchup) if you are on Adriamycin. Urination can burn, sometimes a quick rinse with water is less painful than paper or wipes.

Side Effects and Coping Tricks:

• Constipation-- Begin Senekot or Colace the day of chemo. Continue as long as anti-nausea meds are in effect.
• Mouth, Metal taste, Burnt Feeling-- Eat with Plasticware, rinse often. (See Below)
• Mouth, Sores--Biotene Mouthwash and/or toothpaste OR 1 tsp Baking Soda in 8oz water (optional 1 tsp salt)

Helpful Links:

Wigs:

Hats:

Great Sleep Cap at headcovers.com

Scarves etc:

The Most Versitile Head Piece EVER at PlanetBuff.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey all! Everybody doing okay today? Lisa1964, it was very kind of you to come over here and fill us in with some details and encouragment. Looks like you've got kmmd feeling better too. Always good.Carol0371, this is your THIRD go 'round? Oh heavens! How utterly unfair! Have you been on the same TX each time, or does it vary? You are certainly quite courageous. I'd be whining my butt off if I'd been through what you have! Let us know how it goes with your Onco tomorrow. gcpmmom: How did it go with your Onco today? Let us know how you're doing.Donna2001: There are actually several different Bama Babes running around in here, all at different stages of tx, but all as amazing as can be. I was kind of surprised by how many. Wonder if there's something in our water down here!  living4today: You are on the exact Tx my Onco wants for me. We're arguing about the A at this point. He wants it. (He can HAVE it!) and I don't. Of course, he has a little more clout than me in the end, haha! Pesky positive nodes just mess EVERYTHING up, don't they?kisblessed: Welcome to the fun house, where squiggly mirrors make you look funny, death defying drops scare the crap out of you and the testing roller coaster of go-wait-go-wait only contributes to the nausea all the more. Oh yes, you're in the right place! Let the fun begin! We'll make it though. Already, in just a couple of days, look at all of us banding together. As Lisa has so aptly suggested, it's not really very fun. But it IS doable. Each of us is different and we'll each react our own ways, but before it's over, we will have learned something and hopefully, even made a few lasting friendships into the bargain.

kisblessed

webwriter And I thought I was too grown-up for fun houses and roller coasters!  Thanks so much for a very warm welcome. It's great to have others who understand where you are with chemo..not that I would want ANYONE to have to go thru it

The list is already being used to gather things I need. There is so much to think about, it's great to know where to start. Being proactive is always better for me.

I am a southerner..living in TN although I will be having treatment in California.

Stay strong

Lisa1964

Chemo day check list:

Water, Water, Water - does not have to be cold, but can be flavored with no caffiene

Snacks!! Granola bars, ginger cookies and some form of protein.  Boiled eggs, peanut butter, nuts, etc.  Remember, 36 to 48 hours after your tx, sewer tastes starts, so eat now!

Hand sanitizer, napkins.

When you pack your food, please be respectful of food smells and other folks in there sicker than you.  Young and healthy shoud be repsectful of taking up too much room with guests to allow for  old and/or really sick that need family members there for assistance.  Rule of thumb: If the room is full and you can get you and the pole to the restroom alone, don't have hubby or girlfreind take up space for a care giver to someone that needs constant guidance.

Laptop with wi fi or card

Good book(s)

Most chemo rooms provide pillows and bankies, check with yours.

Remember ladies this is a looonnnggg day!!!

Hang tight!!  Love ya!!!!

Lisa

living4today

I love rollar coasters, but surely wasn't prepared for the rollar coaster of emotions...haven't had tears for a week, but bet they will resurface before too long.  I ordered my wig today.  Actually my daughters, husband and I had a really fun time trying on all the different wigs, hats and scarves--building the memories. After my appt, my 13 yr old daughter had to have an IV placed for a followup MRI procedure and she had a few tears and said, "I don't want to be sick", oh, I told her, I can so relate.  Praying that her MRI turns out okay, I don't know if I could handle a double rollar coaster.  Haven't started my bag yet, but love and appreciate all the ideas. 

Webwriter re: the "A"...I told my oncologists that I only want to fight this thing once...so lets conquer it.

This morning was I declared I am not a cancer patient, I AM  A SURVIVOR!!!  Hoping all of us Fabulous February Flurrie's will make this our motto!

Carol0371

Hi kmmd,had to send you a note after I read your note.I'm getting ready to do chemo for the 3rd time.First time I worked-it was really hard.So-o-o tired & felt like cotton in my brain.Second time I went on disability.I was so dizzy sometimes theres no way I could have driven to work much less gotten anything done.First trtmt last time really kicked my butt,.next 2 weren't as bad but lots of laying around.Some days from the bed to the couch & back again.You wake up in the morning & wonder is this the day I'm going to feel more normal?Ive been looking for a job because of being laid-off,so that's on hold til this is done.Quitting my part-time job because you have to be on your feet the whole time.Can't do it-don't want to try.So please know you aren't alone in the way you're feeling,Carol

gcpommom

Well I met my onc today.  He was nice enough.  Pretty much told me that he wasn't really aware I was coming in today, and did not have a chemo plan in place for me since I am only the 10th MBC case he's had in his 25 yr career.  Said he wants to talk with other oncs across the country to see if anything new is in place for tx.  So, that was strange.

that being said, he wants to see me in a week, at which time he will discuss which chemo I will receive.  And I could possibly start that same day.  So I could be starting next week, sooner than I had thought.  However, another nearby hospital is having a trial I would like to take part in, so I plan to talk to them in the meantime.  Then I will decide where to go.

I am really sad today.  He pretty much told me that with MBC recurrance rates are approx 1 out of 3 or higher.  So I turned it around and figured that's 2 out of 3 MBC patients that won't get a recurrence. 

Stupid me trips and falls today, had to catch myself with my still-very-sore arm, ouch.  So will be taking it easy tomorrow, it was a long day today.

Hope you all are feeling fine, and keeping your spirits up.  We are stronger than we think.

Judy B

donna2001

What is a chemo kit?  I have seen several comments about these kits but I didn't know what it was or why I needed it.  I start chemo in February....so if I need a "kit"  I want to get one. <grin> 

Carol0371

Saw my oncologist this morn.Will start chemo Jan 27.Taxol every wk x 9,Avastin every 2 wks.Had Taxol before but not Avastin.Hopefully because its every wk side effects might be milder,doesn't hurt to hope.My test was negative for her2 so hercepton wouldn't help.Don't know if thats good or not,but wasn't looking forward to doing that for a whole year.Need to get this all done so I can go back to job hunting.Have a good day,Carol

webwriter

Hey Carol0371! At laset you got your dates, right? I hate all this waiting! I'm not too familiar with Avastin either, but have done a ton of homework on the Taxanes. It's interesting to me to see what all the different docs use as their weapon of choice. Glad you won't need the Herceptin after all. Cheers to getting on with the hunt!

Donna2001 Chemo kit can mean a lot of things. What Lisa1964 is referring to is a little bag you can pack and take with you to your treatments. Those more experienced that we have determined a list of things we might want to have with us. The biggest item in our arsenal is water, again as Lisa1964 for kindly emphasized for us. Seems like every month, one or two dehydrate and wind up in the hospital. Water is critical. Keep it on hand and drink it often, hate it or not. My chemo kit list, however is more for home and travel away from home. It's full of things I might want to have on the go-- whether that's working in the upstairs bedroom, at ballet recital, a day at teh park, or at treatments. For example it is rumored that some combos make even your nose hair fall out. This requires more kleenex than normal. I'm stocking each room in my house with a little basket of goodies so what I need will be on hand. Then I'm putting one "kit" into a go bag that will live in my car. It'll have a few extras in it like the biotene, a toothbrush, a thermometer, etc.

gcpommom OUCH! You have to be nicer to yourself than that. We're supposed to be playing the "cancer card" and taking it easy, not tomorrow, BEFORE you fall! (haha) I don't know what MBC is, would you mind explaining about it? I'm so new to this whole thing, I can't believe how much I don't know. A one in three recurrence rate, tho I love the way you made it a NON recurrence rate, sounds a bit daunting. But to tell you the truth, from what I've been reading, those are pretty much the odds no matter how you slice it--once we're talking about lifetime risks. All we can do is our best. The rest is up to modern medicine and fate, I suppose. Good thing modern medicine is working fast, haha! I know I'm changing my lifestyle dramatically. But that's really all I know to do to help myself.

living4today: I hope your daughter is okay! How frightening for you to have to watch her go through some of the same tests you've had. I like your attitude about being Survivors. I don't feel like I've survived much yet, but have a feeling that's about to change, haha! For now, I guess I'm preparing for war--that old 80's song keeps going through my head for some reason. (I AM A WARRIOR!) Showing my age. OUCH! Sounds like you had a ball with the wigs. I wish I could bring myself to wear one. I've opted for ball caps instead. Dad's 101 Airborne hat arrived today. I just can't believe he sent it. That'll be the first one I have my picture taken in for sure. I'm also day two smoke free. I dunno how, but man, it IS kinda nice to wake up pretty sure I haven't swallowed an ashtray! I miss them tho. Probably always will. Hope all you Furies are doing well out there. It's too danged cold out here for me to stay long tonite, but I did wanna check in and say "Hey! I'm thiking of you all!

living4today

Hi all you furies!  Webwriter, I only plan on doing a wig at first as it is really cold here and think it might be more appropriate for work.  But time will tell.  I know that once spring/summer comes, it will definately be more baseball caps.  We are such an outdoors family, that I am sure a wig will get in the way.  Just curious on how many of us are planning on working through chemo...

webwriter

I'm baaaack! I'm having a "smoke" break with watermelon candy. TV is driving me bananas, husband is driving me insane, daughter's monitor is driving me ballistic. Yeah, and the taste of watermelon is none too pleasant tonite either. Anybody got a spare Xanax?

Now, why didn't I ask Doc for a script for VALIUM before I started this stop smoking campaign? DUH!

My Oncotype score comes back tomorrow. I have lymphedema (prevention) PT in the morning and then straight to Onco for the Adriamycin fight. BTW, livingfortoday I really admire your "take no prisoners" approach to it. I feel that way to a point--but in my case, there are cicrumstances in which the "Red Devil" could potentially harm me more than a cancer recurrence. I don't mind throwing the kitchen sink at this bastage, but as Seabee said in other thread, "Why-- if it isn't going to do any good?" (Paraphrased) My adaptation of that is, "What if it misses and comes back on me instead" That score is my ammo in my fight against "A." Tomorrow doc and I will have numbers to hurl at eachother instead of studies. Should be fun, haha! 

I admire those of you who are going to work through chemo too. I'm no slouch, never have been never will be, but no way could I work right now. I haven't made it through more than 6 hours with my kid and my house since surgeries. I tried to work yesterday for about 4 hours. I did okay, but the rest of the day I was DONE for. You have courage. You have guts. You have amazing amounts of strength. I will be pulling for all of you-- no se's and no late work days!

I'm unlucky in that my little girl is so young, but incredily lucky that we can give up my income. It hurts, don't get me wrong, but my brain just isn't up to it and my body isn't there either. So I'm going to  concentrate on changing my lifestyle entirely instead. As hubby says, that IS my job right now; learn everything I can, heal and teach the family what I learn so we can all benefit. 

(Yes, he did stop smoking with me. Yes, he is as grouchy and rambling as I am! You people are a captive audience. He can drown me out with boxing! Why else would I still be here? It's FREEZING out here, did I mention that?)

webwriter

P.S. Donna2001, You might want to have a look at the thread Rock started to continue the suggestions through 2008. You needen't read through the entirety of it, since Rock kept her word and even updates it-- still in the opening post. However, the conversation is great too and contain much advice. It might help you get a better idea about what to expect. It apparently hits us all totally differently, but some things are pretty universal for most regimens. Once we know our regimens, others here will fill us in totally, all we have do to is scream help. Works everytime around here

living4today

Webwriter, I applaud you for giving up smoking at a time like this.  I also think it is awesome that you are making life changes.  Unfortunately, I am the breadwinner in our home and carry the insurance, so I basically don't have a choice about working.  Fortunately, my employer is awesome and has set me up to be able to work from home when needed.  I started back at work 2 weeks after surgery for a few hours a day at work and than a few hours at home.  Today I made it 6 1/2 hours, working through lunch so I could get another fill.  The most ironic thing to me about getting cancer is that I am a nurse/wellness coach/disease management coach...and try to practice what I preach.  My younger sister said~you have always been the "goodie, goodie" one, just proves that cancer has no respector of persons.  Good luck at your appts tomorrow.  This cancer makes going to the doctors a full time job!

ps...exactly how cold is it?

donna2001

Wow.  Thanks webwritier.  Those were some great suggestions and advice. It sounds like chemo is going to be awful!!  I cant imagine working through it....but I cant afford to lose my job.  The unknown is really getting to me.  Thanks for helping me become more informed.

webwriter

Hey living4today, I hope you didn't feel I was downing your necessity to work. Especially because you are the breadwinner in the family, it makes all of this so much harder! I can't imagine it and my heart goes out to you totally. As close as I can come is caring for my munchkin and that just wears me totally out without adding chemo to the mix! I'm hoping, hoping, hoping that you have a relatively easy (is any of this actually easy?) time of it and that both you and donna2001 come through with flying colors at work. Thank the great IS for good work environments that can adjust to fit your needs. What an amazing gift! Sounds like you are going to be a heckuv an asset to have for our February group! Your professional skills will be of huge help to us all!

It got down to 27 here last night. Can you BELIEVE IT? In SOUTH Alabama! I hear (from Lories) that things are better in ALASKA! Okay, okay, so I'm a wimp. I know the rest of the US has it much worse than I do. Still. I have cancer and I'm not smoking. I'll whine if I wanna! haha!

Donna2001, That thread is truly amazing, isn't it? This isn't going to be a piece of cake but don't let it scare you. The one thing I keep hearing over and over again is: It's Doable. And the one thing I've learned is that when our backs are against the wall, we just climb it and keep going. We have to, so we do. We'll get through it. I promise! 

So, my Onco score was relatively high. I expected that. (With a positive node, how could it not be?) But at 28, I expected far worse. Doc left the chemo tx up to me. If it had come back above 30, I'd have reluctantly gone for the Adriamycin too. But it didn't and I have GOT to protect my heart with my particular family history. He said he wouldn't let me do anything dangerous, but that since I could easily sign up for one of the ongoing studies and get randomized to it, he was willing to go with just TC x 6. We're still doing it dose dense tho, which makes me feel better about having fewer treatments also. Man, I hope I'm doing the right thing, but from the beginning I felt this was the way to go. The numbers bore me out. Now I just have to trust my decision and stick with the plan.

Easier said than done. I broke down and smoked between my appointments today. The nerves were just too much for me. So, I'm starting over again. Dang it. But I WILL lick this thing. I will, I will, I will!

How is it going for all of you?? 

living4today

Webwriter...didn't think anything at all.  I am one of the lucky ones where it is easier for me to work, than stay home.  I definitely work harder when I'm home...so my hats are off to you.  One thing this journey has taught me is not to be too sensitive...have the rest of you had people say some really dumb things to you?  The day after my surgery, I had an aunt go to me "it's always sad that the good die young" ok, so I start being bad or something...and than my coworker (who is also a nurse) said, you are planning on a recurrence aren't you...like, what???  DUH>>NO!!  I believe all of us February gals are going to kick this thing 100%!!! 

Donna2001, I think if we didn't have fear about chemo, we may add mental illness to our dx.  It is okay to be scared, it is okay to cry, it is okay to be angry, it is okay to believe in yourself and know that you are a survivor and next year, this will all be a distant memory.  (ps...I am giving myself the same pep talk, as there are times the fear almost paralyzes me...but we weren't given the choice of getting BC, we do have the choice to fight it with everything we got.  I hope that we will all be able to help give each other the fighting spirit when we can't find it in ourselves. (I know that I have had some of those times.) Ps. had a fill yesterday and planning on another one on Friday...somedays I wish I wouldn't have had to have the discomfort from these expanders. 

Webwriter, you can whine all you want!  I think we reached 30 degrees today, expecting high of 5 this weekend...just hoping it snows so my hubby can go remove some snow ($$).  Also, hope your giving yourself some grace re: smoking between appts...sometimes a girl has to do what she needs to do...

gcpommom

Hi everyone

Just wanted to check in and say hello. It is very cold here in Michigan, too.  I really need to move somewhere warmer; 3 months of summer just isn't enough for me.  Schools were closed last Friday because the wind chills were -25 degrees.  Ugh, I hate it.

I am also contemplating the return to work.  While my first choice would be to stay home, DH will be laid off at the end of the month, and we will need my tiny little paycheck (I only work 2 hours a day/4 days a week, tutoring).  But that tiny little check pays for our health insurance, so..... 

I had read that nicotine gum/patches can interfere with Taxol, so even though I actually quit smoking over 9 years ago, I am still chewing nicotine gum.  I don't even crave an actual cigarette and haven't for years--I just love the gum!  I actually chew more gum now than when I started....and now I too might have to give it up during chemo. 

Is anyone here having a post-surgery problem of ITCHING???  I'm going nuts here, I itch top to bottom, side to side around my chest area.  All day.  It's driving me crazy!

We're getting closer, girls, we can do this if we help each other through.  Deep breaths.....

Grace4me

talked to my onc yesterday, they have set me up to start AC, then T on Febuary 4th. I had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders January 7th. I'm still dealing with the drains but am healing up pretty well.

living4today

Hey everyone! 

Grace4me, looks like we are on the same plan, you are starting exactly one week before me.  I sure will be praying for you that day.

gcpommom:  I had some itching, but was greatly relieved when I started using aveeno on breast area (careful to avoid incisions).  Now I just have more burning and back spasms, but am getting fills once or twice a week.  Thankfully last fill is next week.  Say, I read up on MBC, I can imagine that is pretty scarry, but remember odds and percentages are just numbers.  I was getting so hung up on numbers being triple negative that I was driving myself crazy.  Numbers were wrong as none of us were supposed to be here!  We will get through this. 

webwriter:  what's your temp today?  We made it to 40, DH and I are going to go for a walk in a bit, as I hear that a cold front is coming tomorrow and we will soon be subzero again. 

Carol0371

Hi all,just finished catching up on the posts,Haven't been on for a couple of days.It's cold too here in Illinois,this weekend highs in the teens.Thats Jan. normal.

webwriter-Avastin has been used for colon & ovarian cancers & was approved for use in breast cancer not too long ago.Side affects are high blood pressure,kidney damage, blood clots.So of course will be monitered closely.Hope it helps keep this away forever or at least longer than a year & a half.This weekend is my last weekend of working my part time job-all I was able to find after being laid-off from my fulltime job.You have to be on your feet the & deal with the public-no way I can do it.I'm 58 yrs old so my girls are grown.My heart goes out to woman going thru this & raising small children at the same time.They need you to have so much energy.

I'll get my chemo bag ready this weekend for Tues,Hope everyone has a good day,Carol

MicheleS

Hi there!  Joining this grp. I start dose dense AC(+ avastin) X4,  and then dose dense taxol (+avastin) X4, then more avastin (every other week or every 3rd week) to round out the year... on 2/5.

I'm excited to get this started but am terrified.  I'm the sole wage-earner in our family so I'll be working throughout.  DH is a SAHD.  

Right now, I'm struggling with the port vs PICC decision... any ideas/widsdom on that??

 Oh, and I'm an alabama girl myself, hi to you Donna!! I went to Auburn for a time so I know Opelika well!  My oldest (now 13!!) was born there in the local hosp.  I remember it as being a nice place with great nurses.

Oh... and a chemo kit? Huh?  I guess I need to get reading!

Michele