Starting Chemo in July 2009

Hopeful-1

Hello Triple J's,

Welcome to all the newbies.  I'm actually sad to see you hear because every time I hear another person has BC is saddens me.  As you can see my SE this week is some slight depression, but I try to quickly get over it.

I liked reading all the posts and catching up on how everyone is doing.  I also find the personal stories and backgrounds very interesting.

Today is my Day 11 since my first chemo. 

I developed bright red pimples on my shoulder and head.  I found out the pimples are not serious and are due to steroids .  I also found out most if not all of the side effects (sleeplessness and constipation) experienced this last round are from Dexamathosone (the steroids).  So my doctor is cutting the steroids given by IV and pill in half since I had no nausea last time and I even forgot to take Emend the 3rd day.  He said I did great through the first round and when my blood showed all normal range he was really happy.  I thought it was very strange!  I'm expecting all these bad or side effect things to happen and most are not.  I should be thankful and happy, but I told him I was concerned the chemo was not doing its job.  He told me not to worry.

Well I get my next chemo Monday at 1:15 so I'll see how this round goes.  I still have a full head of hair so I'll have to prepare myself for the coming week.  Who knows... maybe I won't lose all my hair.. wouldn't that be nice. The doc said whatever I'm doing keep on doing it.

 My advice for avoiding mouth sores and mouth issues is suck on ice chips during chemo. 

Glad to hear Triple J's with first chemo treatments are doing well. 

God bless everyone!

Connie

Ladyblue68

Hi everyone.  Yesterday I went for my first round of AC.  It seemed so long.  I got there and had to go to lab for blood work. Then I went up and they hooked up my IV with saline until the blood results came back.  They came back good so they ordered my meds.  They gave me pre-meds for nausea and a steroid in my IV.  After that, they hooked up a bag of Emend as well, to help with nausea.  Happy to say that I had no nausea whatsoever.  After that, I got the Adriamycin first.  They pushed it thru from two big syringes.  After that, they hooked up the Cytoxan.  All in all I was there for a couple hours or so. I had no SE's at all last night.  Took some Ambien and slept real well.  Matter of fact, my fiance said I snored alot last night.  LOL!

Today I went in for my Neulasta shot.  It wasn't too bad.  Stung just a little bit but otherwise, it went well.  No SE's too much today.  A little nausea, but I took the meds they gave me and it went away.  I just feel a little tired sometimes, but other than that, I'm doing good.  I've been drinking lots of water and my mom just went to get me a banana-mango smoothie.  Yummmmm!

LindaSueH-- Getting the TE's expanded didn't hurt too much.  They put in 120cc's during surgery.  I went in and could only take 80cc's the first time.  Since I didn't really feel any pain, I went for 100cc's the second time.  That one I felt!!  Around the the third or fourth day, it got a little painful.  My last time I went for 100cc's again, but didn't feel it too much except in one spot.  But it's all good for now.  Good luck to you when you go.  Only take as much pressure as you can stand.  Otherwise it will be painful later.

Hugs to everyone!

eliz46

all of you are so great with your answers to question,  My chemo dosent start till tuesday but im soaking all this in ......gathering info....... today i found and bought the biotene mouthwash tastes good. also bought gatorade . also had a call from look good fell better i signed up for the program. my port is healing i was told to remove big bandage the day after and than let the steri strips stay for 3 to 4 days .......feels normal i have the power port 300 psi it like 3/4 of an inch round under the skin ....the name.sounds like a computer part

sheila888

Biggggggggg Hello Everybody,

Since I joined the group on July 2009, I didn't post a lot.

As your honorary member I want to introduce myself officially. I read your posts everyday at least 3 times a day, I am sorry I don't remember all the names I know who you all are.Like I said when I was DX, didn't have much support except family and good friends yes It was wonderful but I didn't feel understood like you all do here because we all are in the same shoe.

I apologized for joining to to this wonderful group of woman little late ( 4 years late ) but i feel very

 fortunate, all the sense of humor, some of you make me laugh.

Triple J'S I am so glad to be with you here ( Of course none of us chose this path.)

My name is Sheila. I just turned 58 years young in May.

I am divorced from my DH. I have 2 daughters age 32 and 28. My younger one moved to Hawaii ( Honolulu ) this past January, have a very close relationship with them.

I had my first lumpectomy on April27, 2005. Margins weren't clear but my daughter was graduating so i postponed the second surgery until May 19.

July 7 my port went in. My big day was on July 20, 2005. I had 4 cycles of AC and 4 Taxol treatment.Herceptin was given to me with the Taxol and until September 12, 2006. I also had  6 weeks of radiation. I kept a detail journal until the day every treatment was finished. I am on Femara for over 3 years now, SE is minimal almost none. Port is gone, so I understand every step you are going before you know it everything will come to some kind of normalcy.

I forgot the most talked about topic HAIR. Became legally bold 20 days after my 1st chemo, and May 2006 on Mothers Day i had my full head again, shorter but the same color and texture.

Hey Ladies I hope I didn't bore you with my BC journey.

God bless all of us.

Thanks so much again for making me a honorary member. Keep writing.

Hugs

 Sheila

Kathy16

Wow! It was great to catch up and read everyone's posts! Just got back online after working this week. I live a little over an hour from Eliz46 in another suburb of Philadelphia. I am 48 and have been married 26 years with 2 kids - 16 and 14.



White 929 and I are on same schedule to the day (hope you are feeling better by now) and for me also days 4 and 5 were terrible, but it took until about day 8 when I felt stronger and worked without difficulty. This time I'm taking a week off after the chemo.



White 929 - I hate to tell you this, but my hair is shedding. Is yours? Can anyone give advice on how many days from when you "shed" - notice hairs in shower, on your shoulders, etc.? Last night I went to "Look Good" (which is every bit as great as everyone says and I received a make-up kit they valued at $200-300 with Estee Lauder, Lancome, etc.). The ladies at LGFB said they didn't think my hair would last a whole week. Today I called my wig stylist and she is on vacation until Tuesday. I'm mainly worried about next Mond-Wed. when I have to work. After that I have chemo and am off a week.



My hair is very thick (was it Dianne who also said she had thick hair and it was just thinning?). So I still have a full head of it, but today was nervous so put a scarf in the middle of my head (not over whole hair) sort of like a fashion wrap thing and got compliments from co-workers who don't even know I am going through chemo.



Any advice on how many days would help, although I know most people shave it before it starts to become noticeable.



Hugs and prayers to all getting ready to go for 1st chemo & the rest of us pushing ahead!

mnikityger

I am new to this journey. Diagnosed on June12,  had left breast masectomy on July 6th. and if all test go well will start chemo on July 27,2009. Felt very blessed to have found this site. Helps to keep spirits up to know we are not alone in this battle.  Thank You all

RajinCajin

Hey All,

I have joined your July Chemo Club.  I was dx w/IMDC IIIB on June 5th (Happy birthday to me - June 19th).  Due to the size of my tumors I have to have chemo before they will consider surgery.  2cm, 5cm & 6 cm.  The 2cm is in my left breast, the other 2 are in my lympnodes under the arm. 

I had my first Chemo treatment on July9th.  My regimen is A/C for 4 rounds, every other week, and then Taxol for 4 rounds every other week.  The treatments will be followed by Neulasta the next day. 

I had Port placement on the 22nd of June, but we have not been successful in being able to use it much.  I was able to get the pre-drugs, but then had to go to the bathroom.  Well, when I got back and they tried to flush before introducing the Adria, the blood return was muddy and I could feel the fluid pooling around the port. Luckily they were able to locate a vein in my arm, first stick, and i was able to get my chemo.

SE from Chemo, day one, nausea and dizziness.  Didn't work, couldn't.  Slept instead.  Day two, felt much better, still lightly nauseated, but no dizziness. Worked from home in the morning and for about 2 hours more in the afternoon. Got my Neulasta shot around noon thirty.  Worst part of the Neulasta shot?  Falling down in the garage going back to my car, in a pair of white capri pants on a dirty oily slick surface.  Battle scars? Just a scrape on the knee and bruise pain on the back of my heal. 

Day after Neulasta, started feeling pretty puny around 24 hours after the shot.  Didn't seem like bone pain, more like the aches and pains of the flu.  Neck shoulders, upper arms.  Felt like my glands were swollen in the neck.  No fever.  Even sent hunny out to get two brand new ones just to be on the safe side. 

4:35 am on Sunday, woke up with blinding Migraine like headache.  Took Tylenol and tried to sleep it off, but no better by 730... was much worse.  CAlled HemOnc on call and he advised to to the ER. Spent 8 hours, Cat scan, blood work, Lumbar Puncture, several "shots" of Dilaudid and all I got out of it was, probably SE of Neulasta, and great pain relief frrom the Dilaudid.  Went home with Dilaudid pills.  These did not work, within 5 hours was right back in ER, and admitted to Hosp. Monday consisted of continued shots till after noon, then back on pills.  As long as I took the pills every 2-3 hours, I had great releif from the pain and the nausea meds were a must.

Tuesday, asked for my reg daily meds of BP, Metformin and Claritan along with my pills.  No more pain pills after that. Went home shortly after lunch time (but ate lunch at Taco Bell -felt good to be hungry). 

I had read on these forums that taking Claritan the day before your Neulasta and for several days after, along with Aleve, would help lessen the bone pain.  I have to admit, I forgot to take any of my morning meds the day of the shot.  That will not happen this next time.  I plan on doing it by the book - at least the forums book- and hopefully having slim to no SE's. 

I have not yet started losing my hair, but have ordered my wig and my sister has bought me a few hats (cloth ones) to wear.  She came to visit the day of the Neulasta and will be leaving next Wednesday.  She will be back though, when I have my surgery. 

While I haven't been allowing myselft to wallow in misery over this dx, I do find myself worried about the surgery part.  I hope that that decision will become easier the closer I get.  I have to decide, what type of surgery, and who performs it.  I have a surgeon who has done many, who placed my port, but I am just not sure about the Breast Surgery part, for me.  I also have figure out if I will have reconstructive surgery.  From the pics I have seen online. I may not want to do the mastectomy at all as a first option.  Will have to wait and see how the chemo is first though.

My Thoughts and Prayers go out to all of your for your courageous and persisten battle to beat this nasty disease.  God Bless and Keep you Safe.

DeniseM808

Hey there! Just found you all and I'm glad I did. My first DD of AC is next Thursday, July 23rd. Just like Hopeful-1 it will be 4 doses every 2 weeks, followed by 4 doses of Taxol every 3 weeks.  I'm having a chemo counseling session on Monday, July 20th with the nurse who will be in charge of administering my doses. I hope that she provides lists and written tips as even without the Chemobrain thing I'm already a little forgetful when my anxiety level goes up. And there's no denying that BC has made my anxiety really high before I can rebalance my mental state.

AmyIsStrong & JosyBee - thanks for both your lists. Need to do some shopping now to make sure I've got everything before The Day.

Kathy16 - really appreciate the biotene tip because the stress has already given me a few cold sores. Good thing my WBC is still good and treatment will not be delayed.

Love & Aloha,

DeniseM

White929

Good Morning Triple J's!!!!!  Welcome newbies!!!!!

 Kathy 16:  Great hearing from you again!!!!  No, I'm not losing any hair yet  Not sure why except my best friend just wants to be right.  She said, maybe I won't lose my hair and I said my onc said there was a 0% change of that!  I have very thin hair so maybe I'm skipping the "thinning" stage?!?  I'm 43 and our 25th wedding ann is 9/29 with one clueless 22 year old son and my pride and joy, my grandson who is 3 and lives with me.  My onc said day 14.....so maybe we will get some replys of others experiences.

Good luck next Thursday with tx 2......then we can say 2 down 2 to go!!

I had my neulasta shot the day after and my girlfriend gave it to me.  Wasn't too bad, a little pinch and then it was over.  I really didn't have any SE's from it.

RajinCajin:  Welcome!  Sorry you are having such problems with the port and the SEs you are experiencing.  ((((HUGS)))))) All you can do is find out as much as you can about the surgeons and docs you are seeing and pray for all to go well.  I had a lumpectomy and did not have to make as many decision as you may have to make.  Be sure to read lots of posts as most of us are pretty open to answering questions you may have.  Good luck to you!

Don't forget girls to order your FREE scarf!  I had a hard time choosing there are so many neat looking ones!  I decided on Jungle today...I'll call for mine later....as a reminder...the site is franceluxe.com....they are really nice on the phone as I inquired about them a couple weeks ago!

Hope you all have a great day!!!

PauldingMom

Welcome all you newbies! We love having you here even though it is a bittersweet. If I could find a four leaf clover and just wish this all away for all of us I would in a heartbeat. This is a great place to get information, but please talk with your doctors and nurses before starting any new drugs, even over the counter. 

For my hair pulling group, well today was a little difficult. As much as I have tried to prepare myself for this I just can't get to that point 100%. Did the shower tug and the results were in my hand. Okay, I told myself, I still have a couple days. Then when I combed my uber fine hair with my uber large comb there were about 20 strands just hanging there. Took my anxiety pill and just wept a little. No break down just a couple tears. I'm going to be very careful and let it air dry. Feeling better now. Scalp has felt like it has a sunburn for a few days now. 

Tonight my neighbor, who is the sweetest ever, is bring us dinner. Ham and al the fixins. She is very southern so I'm guessing beans and cornbread which suits me fine! I'm also off to get weekly groceries and then some simple yard work. Got my Spf 50, large floppy hat and good gloves. 

 RajinCajin: Sounds like youv'e had some rough bumps in the start. I can tell you a bit of good news that I hope will help. My Neulasta shot gave me the worse headache ever too. I had some strong pain meds here at home and called the nurse. She doubled me up on it and I felt better the next day. Then just he other day she told me that the next time I have the shot (July 28th)  the effects would not be as bad!!! I'm clinging to that with both hands.

If you are new to this forum read back through and find all the other wonderful sites recommended. There some great ones here. For some reason I can not copy and paste here. (Google Chrome)  If anyone wants to send me a list of al these great sites I will add it to the opening post for all our new friends.

Hang Tough Ladies! and have a great Saturday!  

RajinCajin

PauldingMom (looks like we pretty much are the same with our dx, except for lymph node involvement) and White929. 

Thanks for the responses.  Yes, I did have some rough starts, but I truly hold out hope that this next one goes better.  I, too, have the strong hitting stuff at home, so even if I do get the headache, at least this time, I have something to kick it's butt with, without having to incur $250 in additional copays unnecessarily.

I will googgle that and have already been reading some of the forums.  There is just so much that it sometimes seems to overwhelming to try and read. 

I do, at least, have a promise from my HemOnc that if it does stay that unbearable he will switch me to the 3 week treatment where I won't need the Neulasta.  I just really want to try again though, because I don't want any further delays in my treatment.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and remember I will be saying prayers for all.  God Bless

tougherthanithought

Good Morinng Triple Js?

I just want to report back about my first treatment.  Thursday, I had pre meds, then the AC tx.  Pretty uneventful during tx, but felt nauseas about 3 hours after it was finished.  I took a Zofran, but threw it up about an hour later.  The on-call Dr. called in a Rx for Decadron and Ativan, so I took that and vomited that about 15 minutes later!  Call Dr again and he said to take 2 more Decadron and 1 more Ativan and to call him in a hour.  If I continued to vomit, I would have to come in for IV meds .  Luckily, these pills stayed down and I was able to go to sleep.

Friday I felt a little better, but took a nap in the afternoon,  My sis-in-law came over to give me my Neulasta shot, and that was fine.  I did take a Claritin about an hour before and I plan to take another one today.  So far so good...no bone pain!

 This  moring I felt a little nauseous, but after brushing my teeth/tounge, my gag reflex took over and I threw up again!  Unfortuately, I'm very familiar w/ this nausea/vomitting.  With both my pregnancies, I was nauseous around the clock, from moment one through delivery.  BOTH TIMES!  That really sucked!  I was throwing up 4-5 times a week, but my Dr. wouldn't give me any anit-nausea meds b/c I was gaining the minimun amount of weight.

So I have to look on the bright side...This will be less time than a pregnancy, and hopefully will lessen as the week goes on (until next tx!).   We'll just have to see what meds will work for me.  My Dr. said for next tx we'll try EMEND.  Has anyone had success with this? and did you also have to take other pills at home/ (Zofran?)

I hope everyone is feeling well! 

Sherrill

rebilla

hi everyone,

i'm writing from here in england, after seeing your discussion board.i hope you ladies don't mind me joining in on your talks.i need someone to talk to about my nausea. i had my first chemo session on july 8th and have felt so sick since then. to date i have lost 11 lbs in weight.i am on my 4th different anti sickness drug.none of them help much.my sense of smell is overwhelming,i can even "smell" my own skin.even fruit and water have a "funny" taste. is anyone else out there in the same boat,or am i the only one going through this.

LeapFrog39

ok...my hair started falling out, just a little bit on Monday which is day # 12 for me.  By Wednesday I could just reach up and pull it out by the roots no problem (which is a great party trick ) and I was starting to find hairs all over the house, which was driving me crazy... so I had a shaving party last night and I am now bald.   My friends all brought hats and scarves and we had a fashion show.  It was actually fun.  The only thing missing was the margarita's, but I'm not much of a drinker anyway and I didn't think alcohol was a good idea, at this point......maybe later (hehehe).  Anyway seeing myself without hair is really weird, but not as traumatic as I thought it would be.  Kudos to my friend Beth who did the shaving and managed not to nick me more than half a dozen times .  July the 17th will now be known as Bloody Hairless day......or maybe Bloody Bald Day....I haven't decided.

Did anyone else go to the Look Good Feel Better class?  I did that Thursday and it was kind of fun, plus you get a bag full of free, expensive makeup, stuff I would NEVER buy myself because I refuse to pay more than $10  for foundation, etc.

Well, I'm feeling really good this week.  The only noticable side effect that I am dealing with (other than the hair thing) is fluid retention.  I gained 10 pounds in 2 days! crazy!  My Dr put me on lasix and that seems to be helping.

Round #2 coming up next Wednesday......

LeapFrog39

Pauldingmom: My surgeon used a few stitches and that superglue stuff....  Did it really hurt more than the lumpectomy??? Well.....come to think of it,  I had a single node biopsy done when they did my lumpectomy and that's what hurt the worst. my armpit was sore for a month.  I guess I don't remember the lumpectomy site really hurting at all.

LindaSueH

Sherrill,

I am also on AC, but every 3 weeks....and I also was VERY nauseous abou 3 hours after. I worked through it with the Zofran, but I am going in for blood on Wed and going to see if they will give me something else prior to my next trmt, as they told me there is NO reason for me to feel sick!  I finally feel like myself again on day 9 after trmt.  It feels good to be back to me!

Hugs,

Linda

LeapFrog39

I totally miscounted....I started losing my hair on the 13th day after the 1st infusion.

PAP

SHERRILL....Yes....use the EMEND!  It is a wonder drug for nausea...very expensive, but worth every penny!  I too had terrible morning sickness with both pregnancies and any anesthesia makes me vomit.  They gave me Emend before surgery and I had no nausea nor with the chemo. Patti

Eph3_12

Early on I remember somebody postng about not swimming because of infection possibilitiies.  Does anyone know about that for sure?  I'm going to a friend's house tomorrow who has a great pool/hottub combo & I'd love to relax in that for a few hours.  All incisions etc. are healed.

Joni 

gillyone

Joni2 - I remember reading a post somewhere about not swimming - but have no official info about it.

I took your advice and took off the port dressing in the shower. The incision looks good - just several steri-strips there. Fortunately it is inside my bra strap area so I don't think it will cause me any problems. The hospital gave me the instruction  manual for the port - as if it's an appliance I bought!!!

How are the Wednesday port ladies doing?

Shaesallah

Hi all-

I may not post much, but I do read up everyday.  I am starting to get nervous as I start my chemo this Thursday the 23rd.  Doc has me taking a steroid the day before, the day of and the day after my treatment, then he has me taking an antibiotic on days 7 thru 11 after treatment,  there is the eyes drops for dy eyes if neeeded plus Ativan at night for sleep if needed, oh and some long spelled name for anti nausea.  And since I have have high blood pressure there is another 3 pills I get to take.  Also get the Neulasta shot the day after.  I feel like I am going to be a drug addict after all this. 

And since chemo is getting so close I want to cut to my hair.  But I am having trouble to getting myself to go and get it done!  It is not that I have this great head of hair, mine is long past the middle of my back and straight as a board (I used to get asked who ironed your hair in the 60's).  I did have my partner take a couple of pics of it down my back. 

Any advice or words of wisdom of how to get thru this week with cutting my hair and starting chemo is really needed.  I honestly can say I am as scared now as I was getting my bilat mast. done.  At least I do have a port in for the chemo.

Stay safe all

My Prayers for everyone

Shae

    

Hopeful-1

Hello Triple J's,

I went to Look Good Feel Better class and this is what I got was a free wig and  a nice red bag that contained: Tom Ford Estee Lauder Collection Eye Duo, Estee Lauder Private Collection Brush on power compact (absolutely gorgeous gold compact with stones inset on top), Shiseido makeup, Chanel blush, Aveda lip glaze, Almay Mascara, Clinique Lip color, Merle Norman Liquid Kisses Lip Gloss and a Lip Liner, Mary Kay Gentle Cleanser, Avon Moisture 24, Aveda Lip Glaze and Eye Shadow, Physician's Formula Concealer Pencil and an Eyeliner Pencil, NYC Brow Pencil, Udderly Smooth samples of Udder Cream and Qtips, Sponges and applicators.  Also, included Instruction Book and How to Pamphlet.  It was fun and only last a little over an hour since there were only 3 of us.  I got the medium bag and the other too ladies got the bags for light skin.  Most of their products were different than mine.  We had a lot of fun, but the other two ladies were already bald and lost their facial hair so it was easier for them to learn the techniques (illusion of having eyebrows and eye lashes) and try on the wigs. 

My hats off to the cosmetologist who had cancer 20 years ago and started the program.  Also, special thanks to these companies who donated their products and the American Cancer Society for hosting the class. 

I'd recommend for other to go if you have the chance. 

Connie

Kathy16

I went to the Look Good class Thursday night. It is really a wonderful program. I thought I would receive a tiny makeup bag like the "freebies" you get once you spend a lot at the Estee counter, but no -- it's actually more like the size of a medium purse type bag filled with creams, cleansers, moisturizers, all kinds of makeup -- very name brand as you said - Estee, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, etc. The woman in charge of the class said the makeup is valued at between $200-300. I loved the make-up but I actually enjoyed the comraderie and socializing with others even more.



Tougherthan - The Emend saved me from the nausea and once it ended after day 3, I had a harder time and had to have IV. Next time they're going to give me Emend and a nausea patch, so if the emend isn't enough, apparently there's a patch too.



Shae - I'm sure everyone's prayers with be with you too. Not sure how or what advice to give - or whether it would even be right to try, but many of us have made it through at least one and you will too. They do give you a lot of drugs before the chemo cocktail, so you might feel a little less nervous depending upon what pre-drugs they put in your IV. The benadryl in mine almost made me fall asleep. And the chemo nurses (at least mine) treat you like a queen - making sure you put your feet up, offering you pillow, blankets, drinks, snacks, anything you need. I think most of the chemo nurses seem to take really good care of the patients from what I hear, so I hope that is a comfort to you.

PAP

SHAE....I too was terrified with my first infusion....I've now had two.  I really worked on changing my attitude and learned to embrace the infusion by calling it my "magic juice" fighting the beast.  It really helped me to calm down and consequently got through both treatments with no adverse affects.  This is just what is working for me........ Good luck and our thoughts will be with you.  Please let us know how it goes for you.  Patti

Eph3_12

The unknown is always frightening!  I was petrified before going in on the 9th, but it was so much easier than I could even say-I don't even know why I was so worked up now, other than just that unknown factor.  I'm not saying that the treatment is a piece of cake, it's not, but it's certainly not the trauma I had built up.  The medication goes in, begins fighting any bad stuff left behind & for that I am grateful & willing to put up with quite a bit!  Shae-on fusion day, find your "happy place" (mine's imagining I'm hangin out with Antonio Banderas) and stay there for the time the infusion takes.

Twinmom77

Well, I'm new to the club.  I start my first round of TCH on 7/21 and I'm pretty nervous.  I hate having to be here, but I'm glad I'm not alone!  I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible, but reading about all the side effects really puts me in a bad mood!

mnikityger - I was diagnosed on June 12th too and I'm in Ohio as well, in Akron.

mnikityger

twinmom77 Hi to another Ohio girl. Wish it was under different circumstances but all the same am glad to meet you.  My brain has been so rattled this last month I actually put down wrong dates. My biopsies were on the 12th  at which time the dr. told me what she suspected but didn't actually get the confirmed DX until the 16th of June.  Have been in the Akron area a couple of times on my way east.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you as we go on this journey.

ssimmons66

HEY EVEYONE,

 I had my first chemo tx on wed july 15 at 9:00 am and I was scared to death it took 5 hours but the nurses were great and made me at ease.  I was told to drinka lot of water during the tx and I did!! I drank 6 8oz bottles of waters in 5 hours...NOW I did have to get up and pee about 10 times durung my tx LOL which the nurses kept laughing a me about.  But I have had very to little side effects at all, so far!  I went to work right after my tx and went to work the next day all day.  Now friday I was feeling a little tired and I did ave some stomache cramps but I didn;t know if that was from the chemo or the Nuela. shot they gave me thur??  Anyway I went home early on friday but I have been up and wide open ever since I just pray that it all goes this smooth!!! 

I have always had very full and pretty hair it has always been my best feature and it was bothered me so bad that I am going to loose it so right after my first chemo session on wed I went and got it cut short..not buzzed..but short expecially for me.  I think I look like a boy but my husband says he loves it (at least he is givening the right answer) LOL .

But now that it is short I think I will be ready when it comes out!  I hope all of you are doing well with your tx too and remember this is God's plan for us and we need to give him the glory!

PauldingMom

Shaesallah-You don't have to cut your hair yet. I'm sorry if any of my post scared anyone, but I know I am not alone when I say the hair thing is a big deal even if it is very vain. You probably won't start to loss any hair till about 2 weeks after your treatment. I cut mine kinda short with my Mom because she was getting a mastectomy 2 days after my lumpectomy, and she knew she would not be able to do her own hair. 

That first round of chemo. is so scary, but your fears are bigger than reality.

Eph3 12  I remember reading in another forum about swimming. I guess it's because of all the bacteria in pools. I googled it and found both yes and no responses. You know my theory, when in doubt as your doc. or nurse. I was afraid to use our own Jacuzzi tub here at home because sometimes mold (yuck) gets stuck in the tubes and doesn't all come out. I ended up pouring bleach down all the tubes, then running the tub and running the bleach through before I filled it for my bath. It really did help with the bone pain.  I also spray down my shower after I am done with a weak solution of H20 and bleach to keep bacteria down. Anyone else doing this? or am I paranoid?

Welcome again to you new girls! Check out the opening post for some great sites. By the way ladies, the hats I received from Heavenly Hats were all brand new and came from designers. Not a bunch of  used baseball caps. All really cute!  

Let's rock this day!!  I got a ton of left over ham if anyone wants to head out this way.  

tougherthanithought

Good Morning all!

Linda- I'm about 3 days out and still feel nauseous.  Still taking Zofran, but it's not helping much.  I'm afraid that by the time I feel better, it will be time for another treatment!

Patti- I am hopeful that EMEND will work, b/c this really sucks...

Kathy16- Thanks for letting me know about the EMEND patch.  Good to know!