**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

marshall2000

why are these post so wide tonight it is bugging the shit out of me

marshall2000

chemo induced OCD kicking in, i'm not normally organized and stuff normally rolls off me like water off a duck's back. i am driving everyone crazy, control issue i think. good luck to everyone tomorrow.

ginagina

Oh, I forgot to mention that through all this I currently have "Angelina Jolie lips" (but more like a botox session gone terribly wrong)! Not so attractive.  Ha Ha!

I will say though the steroids are already working wonders (it's been 5 hrs since I took the first dose). My head and shoulders are back to their normal color and you can only see the outline of the splotches that were on my arms, legs and torso. Jeeze I wonder why other kind of muck this stuff is doing to me. Oh well. 

Marshall - what's wrong with the post size? I don't understand you comment at all, but it made me laugh!

Francine - HaHa! Love the monkeys.

Sakura - love the head wrap. Seriously. Very cool. 

Saja713(Staci) - welcome! I keep hearing the positives of claritin, but haven't had the neulesta shot or bone pain to try it. ...but others here have, so I am sure they will chime in. 

Paula3558 -ditto! Lots of other gals here going through TAC. Lots of commiseratin' and info sharin'. 

Sessna  - thanks for the posts that stop and make me think. 

Oh, new antihistamine recommendation from onco - better than Benadryl...wont make you feel like you are flyin' high in space. Chlortrimeton. So far, so good. 

Hugs to all getting TX this week and staving off those nasty SEs. 

New gals....So sorry I have been distracted. I will catch up and update class list tomorrow.

My spelling is crap. I have no attention span. Those dag rabbit steriods!

night-night.

McLouLou

PattiB - I had my second chemo the same day as yours.  My wheels started falling off day 2 in evening, then day 3 (Saturday) I was in a fog... better Sunday.  Napped.  Today will try to get to the health club.  Got up at 2am, but will try to get a little more shut eye.

I can see my pictures - they are posted April 3 at 7:45am and 7:52am.  Shoot.  I thought I had it figured out.  Any one know why I would be able to see pics but you can't?

Good night will check back.

Dawnmrn1

ginagina!  So sorry to hear about your SE, it is so hard to go thru this, but maybe they will change your cocktail, and make it tolerable for you. You have my thoughts and prayers!! Let people help ypu I know it's hard when you are the Mom!! Take Care!  Dawn

luvtosing!  Do what makes you happy, it's all about you now!!! Let someone elase take the lead! Dawn

didle20Diane

marshall......i know what you mean about the silly screen size changes.  I hate when that happens.  it did it to me this morning.  OCD control freak me.....I have it and it magnifies on the steroids.  drives me batty. 

if you can't see pictures you may not be logged into the bc site.  I figured this out even though i set my computer to keep me logged in all the time...which somehow has disabled itself and now I have to manually log in each time i open the laptop up for viewing.

gina.......jeeze louise another reaction?  i hope they find something that will work for you so you can get this behind you.  keep us posted but glad to know you have drugs on board.

luvs2sing........good for you for singing this weekend and as far as chocolate cake?  absolutely go for it.  I have had cravings myself almost like i am pregant again.....wish i was pregant and not going through BC......i plan on dealing with diet issues AFTER chemo is over. 

rachel hope you are doing well....sorry no caffeine  

cyndi hope you are feeling well and you enjoy your visit with your sister...i am thinking of you.

patti see you on FB

everyone else......please take one day at a time thorughout all this....we will get through it and maybe even get a cool tattoo from Miami Ink! 

hugs

Diane

bethr

Hi All,

You're all so active on this chain and your posts are so, so helpful to me.  I want to thank you all.  I'm on day 10 after my first TAC treatment and my three days of living Hell ended last Thursday and I'm feeling so much better.  I even worked on my lawn this past weekend.  I was so happy. 

 MOB - Thanks so much for the encouraging words after my last 'vent' post.  I was more scared that those awful three days were not going to end and I had no idea how I was going to deal with it.

My sister and here boyfriend came over this weekend along with one of my dearest neighbors and shaved my head.  I'm not bald yet and have colored my hair for years and now I'm in aw of all the grey hair!!!!!   amazing.....  ha ha ha   Oh well, it's a sign of wisdom right....

 Crusader - thanks for the bad hair day pic.  It's my first day at work with my wig and I hate it more and more.   I am liking the scarves though....

I hope you all have a very Happy Easter Holiday !!!!!

I wish you all the best!!!!!

Beth

kim40

I think that this is the busiest topic in this whole BC forum!  I can't keep up!!!  Great job ladies in staying in touch!  Gina, great job to you in keeping this all straight.  I don't log in for a day and I got a week of reading to do!!

jdeking

Hi all!

 It is amazing what missing a few days does to this board! I had about 4 pages of reading to do to catch up!

I survived #3 of TAC, with a huge decrease in the decadron. It meant a little more nausea and vomiting, but the blurry vision was so much better! Here I am on day 5 feeling mostly back to normal, which is fabulous! I am now officially halfway through...yippee!

Tatoos - can't believe I am late on this topic. I have 2, both attained at age 19 when you think tattoos are the coolest, most hardcore thing in the world. I have a celtic design on my rt upper arm and a vines/purple roses circle around my navel. My mom cried when I told her, but my younger brother has like 7, so she has become accustomed in the intervening years. I think the Miami ink thing is a wonderful idea, though I personally do not want any more.

 Gina - so sorry about your reaction to Abraxane, and I hope they find another cocktail for you. Are you able to do Adriamycin?

Glad to hear that most everyone is doing well, and I hope it continues to be so! Good luck to all having treatments this week!

Anonymous

Apr 5, 2009 10:18 pm, edited Apr 6, 2009 10:21 AM by Mom_of_boys Mom_of_boys wrote:

My night routine pre-BC:

1)  Take bubble bath.  2)  Clean face.  3)  Moisturize body.  4)  Brush teeth.  5)  Take sleeping pill.

My night routine post-BC:

1)  Take bubble bath while worrying if onc instructions REALLY meant I shouldn't take a hot bath.  2)  Clean face with free cleanser from Look Good Feel Better.  3)  Brush teeth.  4)  Inspect tongue and mouth to make sure no white spots or sores.  5)  Rinse mouth with Biotene.  6)  Put special lotion on lumpectomy scar.  7)  Put cream on liver spot (yep, developed one since chemo).  8)  Take Ativan just because.  9)  Put Tree Tea Oil on finger and toenails.  10)  Evaluate whether I think I might have hot flash... adjust night clothing accordingly.  11)  Moisturize entire body while wondering if it is okay to start back exercising.  12)  Look to see if Pube Fairy finished the job she started.  13)  Look to see if new pimple looking things have developed on head.  14) Put Aquaphor on hands.  15)Take sleeping pill.

Other changes in anyone else's day or night routine?

~Jan~

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

Oh!  Oh!  I missed this the first time around!  The Pube Fairy!  That is great!  My number one favorite from the boards is "boob heaven," but the Pube Fairy is great, too.  The envy of the bikini wax fairy, kind of.  Who knew that the Tooth Fairy has so many sisters?  Do ya think a few of 'em were collecting money on Wall Street over these past years?  Maybe diamond mines are actually old coal fairy stashes from the depths of time.

Love in Christ,

Sessna1

7timewinner

jdeking: so happy for you that you are half-way through!!!

I am gearing up myself, both physically and mentally, for my second TC treatment on Thursday. I was so confident after my first...until I hit that darned nadir period and caught pneumonia, lol!

But know I understand how things will probably work, and that the nadir period is no joke for me. Gotta be vigilant about protecting myself at that time. And of course, my onc has decided (in his great delayed wisdom) that I need to get a Neulasta shot with every treatment. So, I'm hoping this time will be smoother.

I'm sure you all understand when I say...this board has made a HUGE difference in my current life. I have so much love and support from family and friends, but nothing compares to the support of others experiencing the same things at the same time.

Blessings to all, and good, SE-free vibes...

Nadine

crusader1

Well ladies I just wrote long note and it went into BC limbo. Now what did I say...

Gina- Sorry to hear about your problems. I do hope the onco finds a solution to your allergic reactions.

5TIMEWINNER- I also have a large support network of family and friends. But I too say no one can be more supportive than women going thru the same thing as you are. This is the greatest group of Warrior Princesses..

MOB- Chemo tomorrow. Good Luck..

JDEking- Glad you made it thru the chemo and are feeling better . Isn't it great when we know we are feeling like oursleves. No hair doesn't change how we feel or who we are ..

Chick- How are you doing?You have been quiet.

I too had the screen size changes yesterday. I thought it was my computer.

McLouLou- For me to post pictures I must go out of AOL , on the interne explorer and then to http://www.photobucket.com/. Here are the directions I follow.

How do I add an image to my message?

To add an image to a Topic or a Post, click the image icon in the Post/Topic toolbar. A popup will appear where you can enter the image's URL (see note below), description, and dimensions. Click "Insert" to add the image.

Note: The image you wish to insert must be saved online somewhere, such as http://www.photobucket.com/ or http://www.flickr.com/. Each of these sites explains how to share your images. You should select the HTML code option for the image you want, and paste it into the "Image URL" box.

Have a great day all. My Maj Yong ladies are coming over very soon. I have had bad luck in winning these past weeks. Hope I do better this week. I have lost all of my money...5 dollars each week. Wow Big Bucks ...

Hugs to All.

Francine

PattiB

Bethr - Glad you are feeling better, I'm right with you there on the wigs. I haven't had mine on since last Tuesday at work.  Yeah Buffs!!!

Good luck everyone having treatments tomorrow!!!  Say "No to SE's". !!

bwbly

Just home from 3rd tx of taxol/herceptin. as usual, still reading <sigh> beginning to wish i was a speed-reader LOL.

both drugs went in at a faster rate today .... 1 hr for the taxol and 30 minutes for the herceptin. the taxol made me feel light-headed this time, but nothing i can't handle .... drove myself home.

when i finish these (9 more), then i will do ac once every 2 weeks for 4 rounds.

here's hoping i do as well on the ac as i am now.

hope everybody that's been down and out is feeling better.

Bunny

chick717

Hey Francine, thanks for checking on me...I sorta hit the wall yesterday after the decadron wore off.  Been on the sofa with heating pad on my achy joints ever since.  I don't wanna complain because I feel like other people have had worse SEs, but ok, THIS SUCKS.  Feels like flu - just like last time.   I keep trying to concentrate on work, but I get distracted.  

I plan to feel much better tomorrow. 

Janet0527

Patti - My car is a 2 seater, so Mikey is up front with me - he's a 65 pound pit bull. I leave the window up and keep his leash on just in case he gets frisky at a red light or something, but generally he's good with the top down and just sits there sniffing the air. He loves it.

Marshall2000 - Count me in for Miami Ink!

Gina - So good to know that you're having some relief finally.  I'm sure they'll figure out a new cocktail for you.  Hmmm, "cocktail" sure don't mean what it used to, eh?

Today I finally convinced my evil non-compassionate downtown client that it takes me 90 minutes to commute to (one way), that I really could work at home now and then without them having to worry that I was going to bill them for time spent watching Oprah.  Yee gads what a struggle this has been, but I not only get the day off tomorrow for chemo - yippy skippy - but I can work from home Thursday when I have to cut out mid-day for a followup with my surgeon and a drive by to the onco for a Neulasta shot.  Oh the perks of cancer.

Today, I have the energy level of an 80 year old woman who just hiked the Grand Canyon, but, I *am* going salsa dancing tonight.  Will I fall on my face?  Perhaps.  But, since chemo day is also one day that I *don't* have to get up at 5:30am, I see it as an opportunity.  As for tx 2 tomorrow, well, we'll see what fun is in store for me with that one. 

Chick - "I plan to feel much better tomorrow."  I like that attitude.  Let's all do that.

Janet0527

Hey, me again.  Okay, can someone on dose dense AC please explain to me exactly what to expect with the hair?  My tx 2 is tomorrow, so this is day 14 for me.  Just today, it's starting to come out like 3 to 5 strands at a time if I pull on it.  Why would I pull on it?  Well, that's a good question.  I think I'll stop that, lol.  So, is it going to all of a sudden pretty much all come out over the course of the next few days?  Is it going to thin considerably, but still look normal enough to go out in public?  Is it going to hang in there until I wash it?  I've read about people shaving their heads long before anything approaching all or most of their hair falling out - why is that?  Is it just too much of a pain to be shedding all over?  Does it just get really patchy and ugly?  Once you shave your head, does it keep growing back in while also falling out?  Do you get to a point where it's pretty much really all gone and you don't have to keep shaving?  Since I'm at the very very beginning of this just now today, I'm just wondering what will probably happen tomorrow, over the weekend, etc.  I realize everyone is different, but it also seems the hair loss on Adriamycin is pretty darn consistent across the board from what I've read.  Thanks in advance to anyone who feels like really spelling this one out for me.

Kimmom

Ok  AC sucks!  I know this is doable but geez....My blood pressure has been 80/40 since yesterday. I had the chills so bad yesterday that I spent 2 hours under the heating blanket in 90 degree heat with no fever. I spent the whole night in the er until they admitted me at 7 am this morning with a bladder infection. Thank goodness I only have 1 more ac left, hopefully the taxol only is not so bad.

and I too plan on feeling better tomorrow.........

laurie41

I feel like my oldself  this week and my 3rd TC is on Monday and I'll be back to feeling crappy again. But at least I have only 2 left and then it's on to the radiation. My father-in-law is getting radiation now and he told the people at the hospital that I'll be coming soon and that they better treat me right. I thought that was so sweet. He's battling cancer and he's looking out for me. He's a great guy. 

ginagina

McLouLou and Everyone: try going back to her original post and see if you can see it now?

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/730884?page=26

I use a Mac, couldn't see her pics but could see that there was "something" there.  I did a right click and picked OPEN IMAGE IN NEW WINDOW (in both Safari and Firefox). I got to see her lovely smile! Today, scrolling back to page 26, I can now see the pics in the post. Don't know if there was a hic-cup on bc.org or what. Give it a try. Sorry, dont have access to a PC to figure out the equivalent. 

Laurie - so glad you are feeling better!!!

SEs: SUX...as sooo many have said.  I am totally dumb founded how NORMAL I feel today. Can't imagine what the steroids are doing to my system. My skin looks scared from the rash...hopefully that will just fade. So my husband says "why don't they just keep you on the Abraxane but give you heavy duty steroids to avoid the reaction?" Um, I have no idea.  Worth asking.  I am also wondering if I am just a total wimp here. How is it that some gals (I know you are reading!) end up in the ER with the most horrendous stuff over and over again. I don't know how you all do it? I feel relatively fine (sure a couple of BLAH days) no vomiting, no diarrhea, no constipation, no neuropathy, no bone pain...but look like I have been living in a leper colony for a week, when I ask my onco (whom I do LOVE) for something for relief... it changes my entire treatment plan. Just wondering. Out loud. Maybe I should shut up and take it like a woman. 

buddy1

Hi gang.  I just got home from my bi weekly check in with the Onc.  He made me stay for IV fluids..  I thought it would be a quick 20 min check up.  I did not realize how dehydrated I was.  He knew by lookin at me.  I felt so much better when I left.  He said if I get like that again in the next few days. to come back for more.  I still cant find anything I can tollerate to drink.  I am trying cherry Icee's now.

stacyj4

Hey everybody, this is my first time on, I have been reading your discussions for a while and have decided to pose to all of you my predicament.  I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction with latissimus flap on January 29th, all went well and began chemo on March 29th.  After being there for 5 hours the nurse asked me if my breast was always that swollen.  The answer was no.  She was worried that my port was leaking.  I had a herceptin treatment a week later and two hours after the treatment the same thing happened.  Today I had a port study and there is no leaking, however, two hours after that guess what, my left boob is swollen, filled with fluid????ANYONE, it is a little nerve racking, so any help is appreciated.

stacyj4

Buddy1 Nice picture girlfriend, you rock, I am glad you are feeling better

buddy1

Stacy.  Its me Lisa.  I am so sorry they didnt figure out what is causing the swelling.  There are so many wise wonderful women here I am sure someone can give some advice.  What does the plastic surgeon say.  Can they do a MRI.   

stacyj4

Lisa I love your look and the plastic surgeon says everything is ok, but nobody can tell me wtf is going on.

ChrisC433

Hi everyone:

Just got back from a few days in Atlantic City.  My son had a blast at the pool and walking on the boardwalk.  We actually got to walk on the beach!

Buddy1:  I have my third AC tomorrow (Wed).  I haven't had any problems with unusual tastes yet.  I've heard of the metalic taste, but haven't had it.  I know what you mean about not finding anything to drink.  Water just sounds awful!  I've relied on red Hawaiian Punch.  I mix it 1/2 and 1/2 with water so I am getting more fluids.

My hair began falling out on day 14.  Days 15 and 16 were heavier.  On day 16 I shaved it to about an inch.  My scalp hurt really bad so I had my DH shave it all off.  I have taken an electric razor to it a few times since.  I think it continues to grow in patches, but I shave it because I had the feel of the stubbles against my scarves.  Some areas are completely bald, wear I lay on the sides and in the back.  Hope this helps!

Just want to throw this out there....what do you consider the best anti-nausea drug?  I'd like to have doc switch what I get in my IV to put off SE alittle longer.  Reglen and Zofran are what I take 3 times a day.  I still vomit and feel like crap for a week.  Just wondering what you ladies find to be the BEST!!!

Warm wishes for all....

Chris

sakura73

Hey Chris,

 SOrry to hear you have had so much nausea and vomiting. I relied on Zofran and Maxilon (got Emend before my infusion and the next morning but it made my heart go weird so I won't be getting that again) plus a couple of injections of Kytril when I was in hospital having my heart monitored. The Zofran and Maxilon kept nausea away provided I took them religiously, and I did not vomit once. 

I know lots of people swear by Emend - maybe ask for that, or maybe you just need larger doses of what you are getting?

Anonymous

Dear ginagina -

I know someone has hijacked your signature and is posting for you.  I shall alert the proper authorities.  "Take it like a woman?"  You are doing it like a lady's lady - and you think womanhood would make you stronger?  You don't want to look like a walking un-person.  Beautiful women are used to looking beautiful and getting compliments on their features - you know it's true.

Once again, the phrase that my handsome neurosurgeon of years ago first had me hating, but now I accept it, "Everybody is different."

Everyone starts out from a different base of terror (none - some) in this journey, everyone starts out with different ancestors, gene pool, support group, environmental factors, cancer cells, and stress toleration factor.  Some people are fighting for "more" than others - and if not "more" than others, more "vehemently" than others for the same thing, okay?  God has a different plan for us all - and if I don't survive this - which I don't intend to do, I believe that it was in His Plan for me - and that someone else will take up where I "left off."  In my opinion, regarding my faith, the best way to fight Satan's crap is to serve God even more.

They are pumping our bodies with poisons to kill bad stuff.  How "should" we feel, physiologically, about that?  I wouldn't be surprised if a cancer support group commandeered a hospital wing and demanded some recognition before surrendering for 48 hour observation.  The best you can do is poison me?  No.  C'mon.  Really?  You're kidding right?

But they are not.  Poison to fight mutation.  Worse to fight bad - and sometimes it works!

My worse SE is the shortness of breath.  Sometimes I just want to yell at one of my dearest friends - "Get OFF the phone.  I'm not up to this.  I'm tired, cranky, my tummy hurts every six hours like clockwork, and all food tastes awful for 2.5 weeks out of 3 - then I go back and let my onco nurse serve me up again.  I love you.  I love you a lot - and part of the reason you are not in my inner support group is because you are not strong enough.  That doesn't lessen my love for you - just be nice to me for now, okay?  Just be still, be considerate, and let me direct our relationship for a while.  I know you are used to me being the strong one - it hurts me too, but I don't have a choice.  It hurts me that you don't have a choice either.  I can choose to avoid you - if only you were a better listener, but you never have been." 

Oh rats, this post hit too deep.  I dedicate it to Britt.  Hi Britt!

Love in Christ,

Sessna1

sakura73

Can I just add, on the subject of mouths and funny tastes - I really really really recommend Biotene. I have been using it and using it, and here I am on day 9 with all my taste buds intact again. Really they were back 3 days ago. Water tastes normal, all foods taste fine, I had a great bit of grilled organic steak last night which on day 2 would have made me chuck for sure. It might be because I have only had one treatment, but I do think the Biotene is really helping my salivary glands recover.

maidmarion

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Here you go gals! Miami Ink...I think its a great Idea. What a great way for us to meet up as well after all this, I am sure they would do a program on it! Not saying I would have one, but I would be a TAT "buddy" you know, hold someones hand while they were having one. Photo courtesy of my Daughter when she visited me last year, sorry it's a bit big, Just pleased with myself for working out how to do it!

GinaGina Glad to hear you've got the nasties under control.....got a visit myself Sunday night from some not nice little itchy areas on my nether regions! Had an appoitnment with My onc for Blood and such today so I showed her and she wasn't quite sure what it was but gave me some Mycolog cream and said she thought it would clear up almost as soon as it had appeared, fingers crossed!

I second what Sakura says about the Biotene, I would highly recommend it, I also use the toothpast and I carry the gum with me to chew on while I'm at work, once or twice I when have felt like things in my mouth feel different I either gargle, or if out, chew some gum, so far so good.