Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited July 2009

    Hello Everybody,

    I know some of you are having a busy week, and some less busy because you are off from chemo, and all the nine yards.

    I am wishing every one of you to have an easier time than last week.

    God Bless to all, we are lucky to have each other.

    I am very sorry i am not addressing by individual names. But I am sure you can forgive me, after all I just turned 58 even tho I don't have the chemo brain, i know some of brain was chemotized few years back.

    Good Night and the very best to all Triple J's.

    Big and Sincere hugs

    Wink Sheila Wink

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  • sopris
    sopris Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2009

    I've been away getting a second opinion.  What I discovered is that everybody has their favorite combo of poison to give us.  I start Taxotere cytoxan herceptin tomorrow morning 7/20.  I am having trouble sleeping tonight with the steroids and the jitters.  But here I go!

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  • LovingLifeToday
    LovingLifeToday Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2009

    Hi Everyone!!  My chemo starts this morning at 9:00!! AC

     I read a few post back that someone mentioned that they had 'morning' sickness 24/7x9 months... been there too!! The only thing that I could do to curb that was lemonade.. it has to be made with real lemons not just flavoring... 15 years later, I read somewhere that it helps.. maybe word got around Smile  You don't have to make it real sweet, you can even drink lemon water.

    I wish you all a blessed day!

    (((Hugs to all)))

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  • tougherthanithought
    tougherthanithought Member Posts: 454
    edited July 2009

    Good Morning!

    LovinLifeToday-Good luck today!  And, yes. I was the one who posted about the horrendous "morining sickness:.  For me, nothing ever worked: ginger anything, pressure point wrist bands, etc. I will try the lemonade, since I  have some fresh lemons in the house.  I had a feeling I wasn't going to be able to escape this wicked nausea, based on my pregnancies.  I'm calling my Dr. today and asking for the EMEND pills that others have said works well.  Gotta keep trying to find something that works!

    TwinMom77- I have young children, too, and I worry about this being a burden on them.  I hate that they have to see me in bed, feeling sick, and not being the normal, active Mom that I usually am.  They have been very sweet and doing thoughtful things for me.  My daughter has a favorite bear/blanket that she still sleeps with, and the night after my first chemo when I was getting sick, she wanted me to have it so it would make me feel better.  Also, yesterday my husband and kids were at church and my son asked my husband for a dollar so he could light a candle for Mommy.  God, I'm so lucky to have such sweet, caring children. 

    Do you have help w/ the kids?  People really want to help when you are going through something like this, so don't be afraid to ask.  When I had my surgeries, we had so much support and help w/ the kids.  It seems like everyday someone was taking them out to eat, to the movies, to the boardwalk, to the playground, etc.  It was good for them, but when we finally had a day home, they were asking,"Where are we going today?" Their social calendars were a little too fullSmile.

    Good luck to everyone starting tx this week and hugs to allCool

    Sherrill

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Jacee-best of luck today! They told me 5 hours too, but it only took about 2 hours for the actual Chemo. paperwork, counseling, and lab work ate up about 2 hours. 

    quarter405-Sorry to hear about the tummy problem. I can tell you, privately of course, I would have made a sailor blush with the gas I had. Pretty bad when you're in the other end of the house and the hubby yells back, "What the hell was that?" Just finished you're other post and I can soooo relate.

    Welcome Balsie, love the name! You are going to fit right in with our group!

    TwinMom-Wouldn't this be a great time for the twins to get to know Aunts, Uncles, Grandma's and Grandpa's,even close friends? I don't think you will "scar them for life". Think of it as a life lesson, Mommies get sick too. 3 years old is old enough to learn this. Take naps when they do, let them fetch your Gatoraid, and rub your head. Let them be part of the solution. I am sure they will learn to love helping mommy get better.

    Welcome  Kathry55 Welcome and if you have time take time to read past post. Great info. here.

    O2behealthy-Thanks again for keeping us posted.

    As for the headaches-I too feel like I'm just about to get a bad one all the time. Like it's just sitting there waiting to erupt. I am now on day 14 after first treatment. I feel pretty normal. I still need an afternoon nap if I wanna stay up past 8:PM at night. I do get up early, 5:00, and when I do take a nap it's a good one!

    Still have enough hair to look okay, but I've taken to brushing it over the sink as about 30 fall out every time I brush it. I'm just about ready to do it to it, but not quite yet.

    As per the pool. I am going to play doctor here (I DO watch House and Scrubs) I am going to assume that the Chlorine is hard on the skin as is the sun. Public pools, waterparks, ect. have lots of bacteria that can cause diarrhea. It is very hard to kill this bacteria with out alot of chlorine. I mean ALOT of chlorine. This is probably why docs. don't like pools. As for the ocean, I have no idea. I guess it would depend on location. My concern would be aquatic critters or cutting my foot on a shell. Of course there is always that irritation from my thong bikini and the mix of sand..Embarassed

    Sure is great to see all the new post!! Hugs to allKiss 

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    One more thing.

    I found this on another web site (TLC) where they were selling Count Down Bracelets. You buy one for each time you have Chemo. and wear them on one wrist. Then as you complete treatment you move them to the other wrist. My daughters, Mom and Sisters thought this was cute, but we didn't want to fork over the $$$, so I took my coupon down to Michaels and for a few bucks made similar bracelets. I made some while doing my first round of Chemo. to share with another Chemo. pal. 

    www.tlcdirect.org/products/sku-8027_dept-86.html   If this link is wrong, just check out the sale items at tlcdirect.org 

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited July 2009

    Hello Paulding mom,

    I want to share something with the group. The first day of my chemo which was 4 years ago today I wanted to do something to cope I planted lemon seeds in the flower pot,( which i have done it before and it works) if it grew i was going to be okay but it didn't. 2 weeks later i sow grapefruit seed from the fruit itself. Today I have a 2 feet plant. In winter months i keep it inside.

    I learn 1 great lesson from this experience

    DON'T EVER GIVE UP.

    Good luck everybody

    Wink Sheila Wink

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    How adorable!!!

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone /today is my pet scan and also ct scan. been fasting since last night .drinking 32 ounces of thick stuff mixed in water.....tomorrow i start chemo im so nervous just can't seem to settle down i do have pills to take today for chemo tomorrow but i havent taken them yet i am not sure if they will make me sick or not. i dont want to miss getting the pet scan ..the pills say take with food .....thank you for all you posts ......

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited July 2009

    Morning everyone,  Good luck today Joni1-I'm praying for ya!

    PauldingMom-you just had me laughing out loud just now, sitting here at work.  Your post re: gas & thong bathsuit just CRACKED me up!  I ended up at my friend's home yesterday.  Her pool is a salt water pool & I got on a floatie in my roaring 20's skirted bathing suit, HUGE floppy hat and guaze cover-up and floated around the pool.  it was WONDERFUL!

    Joni2   

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited July 2009

    Good Morning All -

    Joni1, Sophris & Carole, TwinMom, Shae, Denise, Eliz: wishing you all smooth infusions and best wishes this week with your first chemo tx's

    PauldingMom: thank you for the laughs...

    Joni2: I am soooo jealous - cannot wait for my incisions to heal completely, I too have a friend with a salt water pool and I cannot wait to float lazily around the pool...

    Eliz: good luck with your PET/CT Scan today...

    TwinMom/TougherThan: I worry about my children too - I have a 10 yo daughter and 14 yo son who are unfortunately old enough to understand more about what I am going through and each is dealing with their own fears (my daughters favorite teachers passed away in March from ovarian cancer and she is scared I am going to leave her) - I am trying to keep things as normal as possible with friends and activities...my son was my helper when I went to Cancer Treatment Centers for a 2nd opinion and photographer when I cut my hair...my daughter was my DH nurses assistant and helped in the shower and with my drains... my hubby and I are open and honest with the kids (putting a positive spin on the information), we always ask if they want to go to appointments or if they have questions on what to expect with each stage...It is so hard knowing if we are doing the right thing for our kids...

    Shelia: Thank you for your tips and words of wisdom...

    BIG Thank you to all those who have gone ahead of us and for sharing their experiences and tips...

    <<<<HUGS>>>>

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  • stef58
    stef58 Member Posts: 288
    edited July 2009

    Hi Everybody,Been away after the 2nd chemo. This one was harder on me. Day 3-5 all I could do is sleep/. The nausea medicine they gave me makes me very sleepy. Still ended uo getting sick on days 3 and 4. I felt betterSaturday  that i spent my oldest daughter birthday riding an old train with the grandkids and hubby. The rest of the day I slept in the car off and on. Sunday it was like the shot kicked in like the last time, energy plus in the afternoon. the pain last night in the hips keep me up most of the night. Finally slept about 2 in the morning. Going to get blood and some thing to help sleep. Hope all  is good.

    On the hair thing, finally shaved it. it was liked a great relief.  Go for the bald thing. Thinking about losing your hair is the worst part of this but after I cut it. It was like  a new strength in me. hope it is that way for all of us.  Bald is beautiful . Grandson thinks it is great grandma wears caps just like him. the thoughts of a 6 year old. Only they can find something cool in being bald.

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2009

    I am shaving my head tonight.  I am going for empowerment!!!!!!!!!!

    Linda

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  • LovingLifeToday
    LovingLifeToday Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2009

    Back from my first chemo!! Nothing to it!!!  Thanks everyone for the well wishes!! 

    I'm a bit tired... I'm headed to the recliner :-)

    Joni1~ I'm interested to hear how your chemo went today.

    Sherrill~ That's the same reason I feel like I will be hit hard with the nausea too!! Hopefull I'm wrong!!

    (((hugs)))

    Elizabeth~LovingLifeToday

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009
    You guys are so brave and SOOOOO inspiring!Laughing
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  • Carole01
    Carole01 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2009

    Just finished my first chemo.  1 down 7 to go.  Better than I thought. I think all the post I have read really had me prepared.   A little tired but its mostly cause I was up half the night worrying about it.  I had plenty of nausea meds so hopefully I won't have to worry about that.  Just ate a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, think I will take a nap.   

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  • balsie
    balsie Member Posts: 391
    edited July 2009

    Hi chemo friends~

    Today is day 11 and still going strong!  I went in and had my new wig trimmed to my liking.  So cute!  It is a Raquel Welch one style "bewitched"  I looked at a ton of wigs and these are the best.  I still have my hair but wanted to be prepared.  Google Raquel Welch wigs and check it out.  I hope everyone is having the best possible day!  Stay positive!  Kiss

    healing wishes to all

    Balsie~ 

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  • Niknak0320
    Niknak0320 Member Posts: 138
    edited July 2009

    hi girls!  i'm joining in on this thread, I just hope I can keep up with you chatty ladies :)

    I had my first session on July 6th - I'm doing TAC for stage 2b breast cancer.

    My hair started to shed pretty heavy yesterday (day 13 after first treatment) and I'm wondering if I should go ahead and shave it or if there is any chance that "heavy shedding" is as far as it'll go as for hair loss? I hate to jump the gun with the clippers but I also don't want to wait until I have literal clumps coming out at the scalp. Oh decisions, decisions LOL. 

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  • balsie
    balsie Member Posts: 391
    edited July 2009

    Sopris......The chemo you are getting tomorrow is what I am having except I am not having Herceptin.  I did fine.  I know what you mean by not being able to sleep..I was up until 4:00 in the morning before my first treatment.  My husband said he thought my personality was X7 also....so I must have been extremely out going.  I hope all goes well

    Balsie~

    Why is it that I can only post 5 times in a 24 hour period?

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  • nowaynotnow
    nowaynotnow Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    Niknak0320 Welcome and finally someone else that is on TAC!!!! Not that I'm happy that you are here but I was starting to wonder why I'm all alone on TAC here. I started on July 1st, next tx is this Thursday. I'm on 6 cycles, how about you? Sorry to say I think the heavy shedding is wishful thinking. I started shedding around day 14 by day 16 I got out the clippers. It's not as bad as you think, once you make that decision it is very empowering, plus shedding gets very old very quick. How have the se been so far? I've been very lucky, I hope it lasts! Looking forward to swapping stories.

    Good luck

    Julie 

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  • tougherthanithought
    tougherthanithought Member Posts: 454
    edited July 2009

    Hello friends!

    I am finally feeling a little better today.  Dr. called in Compazine, which seems to be working pretty well.  I also have the EMEND pills, but they want me to hang on to them for the next chemo session...I'll get it in IV form first. 

    LovingLifeToday...I hope you are able to stave off the nausea/vomiting...but if not, just keep trying different meds until you get some relief! 

    I'm planning to have my head shaved a little earlier than I expect for it to fall out (this Wed., just 6 days from first treatment.)  I have an appointment to get my wig fitted and I just want to have it off and take it off before it does it on it's own.  I hope that's the right choice.  It seems that many of you felt empowered after the buzzer came out, so I hope I feel that way too!

    Love and Hugs to allCool

    Sherrill

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2009

    IAll of you are so good for me. thank you for asking about my pet and ct scan everything went very well....just was so so hungery when i got home. didnt eat since last night till 3 today feeling much better now..still quite nervous for chemo tomorrow but if you woman can do it so can i.... my appt is at 9:15 ......my son who is 21 is coming with me i do have four children 25,23.21.17.they have planned on 1 coming with me each time ..i am having 4 treatments of tex/cyc.....everyone have a nice evening.....eliz

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  • lorijo1993
    lorijo1993 Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

    Wet noodle, is the term I would describe my self, I went to Walmart to buy all the things I have been craving since Chemo 5 days ago and another cheap bra (all my bras are DDD) and had to sit on the old peoples bench twice just to gain the strength to go on, my 14 year old daughter took charge and got me past it, I plan to go back to work at the end of this week 12hr shifts and can't even handle Walmart. I am drinking enough, eating enough and here I am still weak.

    Anyone who wants to make your own bracelets, go to the craft store and buy a clear cord called Stetch Magic, buy the 1mm (smaller tends to break) you can buy crystal or glass breads in the craft stores, also I always use a silver bead with a big hole for the end piece (to cover the knot) and the trick to the knot is to stretch the cord as you are tying and tie it in different directions tightly.\

    Now i want a lemon seed, DH just brought fresh peachesand watermelon , maybe a peach tree or watermelon tree(HAHA).

    I could not handle all this without all of your posts,

    God bless you all

    Lori

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2009

    Joni1 - I took ice and flavored water with me in a large insulated cup; however, ice chips, drinks, water, chips, cookies and nice warm blankets were all available in my chemo bay.  Also, nice reclining chairs and TV at each chair.  I'll probably take my large insulated cup with me again, then I don't have to ask for ice chips if I give out.  They really try to make patients feel as comfortable as possible.  I'm on several vitamins and a couple of prescriptions, and took everything as normal - especially the BP meds as this entire ordeal has made BP rise.  I was also advised to eat a light supper night before so I made chicken and rice soup and made enough to have for a couple of meals in case I did not feel like cooking.

    I think the food idea is nice for your family -did not go back to see if you have children at home.  My dear man friend is very particular about his food - used to be a total vegetarian.  Does not eat beef or pork.  So we eat a lot of poultry, seafood and pasta.  I have learned to cook for him - just a matter of using the proper sugar, flour etc.  Don't know how much cooking I could have done on day 3 and 4.  I took the compazine for nausea and pretty much slept those 2 days away.  I had cooked up soup, meatloaf, pasta salad and some other items for us to eat and we made out fine.  I returned to work on Monday - though was glad to see the clock strike 4:00.

    O2bhealthy - I purchased the Biotene and then my oncologist gave me a prescription for something called "magic mouthwash".  You swish it around 30 minutes prior to eating and then are supposed to swallow it.  - have not been able to swallow it yet - it's not that the taste is awful but it's like swallowing your mouthwash and you know you're not supposed to do that - guess it a mind game.  I think what I had was an inflamed tastebud - better now since using the mouthwash 4x a day.  I was having trouble with my Crest Prohealth toothpaste tingling a bit much so I purchased the Biotene toothpaste and it's great!

    Lorrijo 1993 - My dr. recommended Sennacot-S for constipation and it works well - has a stool softener which also helps.  They told me to take something if I had problems after 3 days.  This time, I'll probably take something sooner, cause I know what's going to happen.  I'm normally pretty regular, so I know when my body is doing something crazy.  The C went away after about a week.

    Elizabeth - what a beautiful story you have to share. 

    Wanda - I agree the lidocaine is wonderful!!!!

    Gil - My dressing was a type of water-proof bandage that stayed on over a week until I went back for my checkup and then dr. removed it.  I was told it was OK to take a shower after 48 hours - just don't let water pound on the bandages.

    Loving life today - I love OJ but went cold turkey after the first treatment and started drinking Cranberry/Apple or Cranberry/Grape juice.  It's good for you cause it does not have the acid that OJ has.

    Linda Sue - Did they give you something for nausea in your IV prior to infusion?  I got that, and also began taking meds that evening.  Felt nothing until Saturday (infusion on Thursday)

     Sorry for the long post - trying to catch on my reading

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited July 2009

    Balsie -  only new posters are restricted to the 5 posts per 24hours. I think when you get up to 25 you can post as often as you like. Not sure why this is - maybe to keep out the riffraff! Ha! Little do they know.

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2009

    Eliz46 - The Biotene toothpaste is also very good.  My dr. prescribed something called "Magic Mouthwash" for mouth sores.  I purchased the B toothpaste because my mouth seemed to get sensitive to my Crest toothpaste - very tingly - almost uncomfortable.

    Best wishes on your treatment tomorrow.

    Kathy16 - I noticed my hair shedding a bit on day 13.  This is day 19 and I'm still shedding.  I wash it every day .  I see a lot  in the drain and then have to get the vacuum cleaner out after I dry it.  My hair is very fine, and I still have hair all over my head - just getting very thin.  I started wearing my wig to work on Monday, day 12, because I thought it would start to fall out that week anyway.  Since your hair is very thick you may be OK until your stylist returns.

    Mnikityger - welcome to a great group - just ask anything....

    Shae - I think we are all terrified of that first infusion.  However, once it was over, I slept better that night than any night since my diagnosis.

    Pauldingmon - I agree with the ginger ale.  I also purchased some ginger snap cookies that I plan to try this time.

    Lovinglifetoday - I hope you had a good day and SE are minimal.  Something that has been good to me is the Crystal Light mix.  I buy the individual packets - however, can't use an entire packet in my water - that makes it too strong.  I enjoy the orange.

    Sherill - I also take compazine.  I still experienced some nausea, did not want any food - just wanted to sleep on Sat. and Sun after Thursday treatment.

    Eliz46 and Twimom77 - Good luck tomorrow - you are in my prayers for a smooth 1st time!

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  • mnikityger
    mnikityger Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    Thank you pdaw for the big welcome.  I don't have my first chemo tx until next Monday 7/27 I am soaking up all the info everyone is offering right now. Have a shopping list started of all the things I will need to have on hand.  Most I wouldn't have even thought of.  I did think about the ginger snap cookies when someone mentioned ginger helped the stomach problems. Thought if I have a sore mouth I could always dunk them in my tea to soften them before eating them.  I think we are all amazing women for our strength in dealing with all of this.  I had my hair (have always worn a little below shoulders) cut to about 2 1/2 inches in preparation for the buzz cut. I have DR. appt. all week, tomorrow is a bone scan & staple removal from my mast. If they give me many more dates to remember I will need a secretary (HA  HA). My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you fine women.

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2009

    Eliz and Twinmom--I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. (((hugs)))  You'll do fine--and wonder later why you were so concerned.  The nurses at my infusion center are great--I imagine yours will understand the anxiety and see that you are comfortable with the procedures. 

    Twinmom, Eliz, O2B, Sherrill,  You are spot on about involving your children (young and older) to the level of their understanding.  My sons are grown (38 and 35) and I involve them the least I can get away with.  It's not their level of understanding--they just drive me nuts when they go into overprotective mode.  However, I do involve my 2 granddaughters (8 and 5) and they handle it well!  Not that this is for everyone (and Grammies can get away with more silliness sometimes), but in facing the baldness part, I got Sharpie markers and let them decorate my bald head--as long as they stayed within the wig margins.  They had fun, got used to the baldness, AND the markers washed off in three days. 

    Triple Js    What a wonderful group...rock on.  Helen

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited July 2009

    I Love the sharpie idea-my 14 year would think that's da bom'!

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  • hopingforacure845
    hopingforacure845 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2009

    I admire all of you ladies! I'm new here- I do not have breast cancer but I have been doing a lot of research on behalf of my mom. She is my best friend and she was diagnosed at the end of May. She is 48 and I am 20. She has ILC, 1 cm, stage II, 1/13 positive notes, ER+/HER2-. 

    I have read each and every one of your posts (it took me a long time- you are a very chatty bunch!) I am inspired by your strength, courage, and your sense of humor. I hope you don't mind if I tag along with you. I feel like I am going through this with my mom. Her biggest struggle right now is the emotional one-  she hasn't gone a day without crying, and my heart hurts for her. I wish she would come to this site or join a support group but she does not want to know any more than she has to because it makes her anxious. She started chemo last Wednesday and I was by her side. It is not a fun journey but I believe it will make our family closer. She is doing A/C for 4 cycles (2 weeks apart) then T for 4 more cycles, also 2 weeks apart.

    I wanted to introduce myself because I may post again later for some advice on ways I can help her with whatever struggles she may face. So far her SE's haven't been too bad- luckily no nausea but she is very jittery (from the Decadron I think) and restless, and claims to just be feeling "bla" and very fatigued. Not looking forward to shaving her head because I think it will hit her hard... Undecided

    Anyway, sorry for blabbing. I wish everyone here the best of luck and the best of health. Stay strong. I'm thinking of you all.

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