Starting Chemo Aug 09

dimc

buccaneersdj - note, I've only taken Advil not Aleve, I don't have any experience with how well that works.

buccaneersdj

dimc, Thanks so much, I think I am as ready as I can possibly be!! Off to bed I go!! Hugs...Donna

2acdmom

Hello ladies, I just dropped in to the board today after a long absence and wanted to give you some encouragement. I'm almost five years out (diagnosed on 8/20/04), bilateral mastectomy, started chemo 9/30/04 4 dose dense AC, 4 dose dense Taxol, Neulasta, reconstruction with expanders, and then to top it off had a hysterectomy with oophorectomy (not sure I'm spelling that right).

You can do this! It isn't going to be fun but it is doable! Some hints:

Stay well hydrated during chemo. I always brought plenty of water with me.

Buy some probiotics and let one dissolve in your mouth if you start having mouth sores. The technician who did my MUGA scan, who is also a survivor, gave me this hint. I was never bothered by any mouth issues but I also dissolved two probiotic tablets in a protein shake for breakfast every morning (and still do).

Sleep issues... When I was going through chemo I had terrible issues with sleeping, my onc prescribed every single one of the standard sleep medications and none of them worked. I finally took a Benadryl with a glass of wine and was able to sleep. Go figure.

Do not expect yourself to be Superwoman during chemo. Toward the end of four months of chemo, the fatigue was something that no one who hasn't been through it can appreciate. I did manage to work all the way through but that was pretty much all I did. There will be days when you feel really depressed; they will pass.

Don't listen to all the horror stories. I had some side effects from chemo but they were bearable.

To wig or not to wig--I bought two of them and had a blast trying on every wig in the shop. Since I worked full time through chemo, I wanted to look semi-normal. As soon as I got home in the evening, the wig came off.

Definitely buy a cap to wear to bed. You have no idea how cold your head will get with no hair on it.

Good luck to you all and feel free to ask questions, I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Alex, diagosed 8/20/04, IDC, 2.5 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Kim09

Hi all,

 I will be starting chemo this Friday and decided to join the group.  The journey that brought me to this point started in May when I felt a lump.  Since then I have had all sorts of tests including a PET scan.  Based on those test we thought my tumor was only going to be 3.5 cm so I was only expecting to do a lumpetomy and radiation.  However reality doesn't seem to like me at the moment because not only did the sentinal node tracing not work (all that pain for nothing, he ended up taking 25 nodes) but the tumor was 6 cm and he didn't end up getting clear margins all the way around.  So last week we scheduled more surgery to go for clear margins for this Thursday.  Two days later the surgeon himself is calling me to say that he and my oncologist had talked and the oncologist wanted to start chemo right away so we change Thursday surgery to be putting in a port.

I get the feeling that if the port surgery had been scheduled for the morning the chemo would have started in the afternoon.  Needless to say the other surgery is now postponed for a few months.  Luckily my dentist was able to move my cleaning up so it got done before the chemo started.  Unfortunately he found a cavity but because it was small and there was no time before the chemo started he said it could wait until my 6 month clearning in February to get fixed.

I tell you I would just like to have a week were things aren't constantly changing.

My chemo coctail is Cytoxan and Taxotere once every 3 weeks for 4 sessions.  Some co-workers, who have been through this recommened having my cheomo sessions on Thursdays so I asked to have my other sessions on Thursday.  That way I can go into work M-W and work from home on Friday.  If I can't work it will drive me nuts. 

Sorry if I rambled.

JanetH77

Hi, I'm Janet, age 65.  I had my first chemo 7/28, so thought I could be part of this August chemo group.  I will have four treatments of Taxotere and Carboplatin.

I discovered my tumor in late April, had a needle biopsy 5/12, then had a lumpectomy 6/9.  I found out the next day they did not get clear margins.  I had 19 lymph nodes removed, had cancer in 2.  I then decided on a bilateral mastectomy, which was done 6/26.  I am triple negative, stage 2, grade 3 tumor.  I don't plan to have reconstruction.

So far, I am not experiencing any side effects from Tuesday's chemo, but was told day 5 will be the worst day.  Also told Taxotere may not cause total hair loss, but that Carboplatin will cause 100% hair loss.  I have a wig, several bucket hats, bangs, and a hair halo ready, also some turbans for wear at home.

I'm up at this weird hour (2:00 a.m.) because I am having trouble falling asleep.  Looking forward to sharing the Auigust '09 chemo experience with all of you in this thread.

mkk050709

Hi, this post is great!  I am starting chemo this morning at 830am est.  I am very nervous...up early...can't sleep.   I was diagnosed not even a week ago and my onc wanted to start chemo right away.  I am glad there are some other TN in this group.  My chemo actually starts in July, but thought this group would be more in line with me than the July group.  The plan so for is to do 4 cyles of AC then double mastectomy, then 4 cycles of something else, then a month of radiation.  I am very young, 29 and I have three kids (4, 2, and 4 mos).  Emotionally, I have been everywhere, thought every negative thought I can think.  I am starting to move past that.  I am really nervous about losing my hair...mostly for my kids sake.  My husband and I haven't talked to the kids yet, we are not sure how much to tell them since they are so young and won't understand most of it anyway. 

Wish me luck!  I will let you know how the first treatment goes this morning.

NavyMom

Hello everyone, I am new here and very happy to find this site.  I am TN as many of you are.  I am scheduled for my port on August 7 and first Chemo tx  (TAC) on August 18.  I am leaving this morning for Pensacola, FL to see my Navy son!  Will be back on August 4.  A big Hug to all of you.  I am looking forward to getting to know you.

I

kristin09

Hi all,

Karen - the mastectomy decision is tough.  I had decided to stick with the lumpectomy and radiation initially because, as a scientist myself, I understood the research that showed that a lumpectomy w/radiation is "equivalent" to a mastectomy. However, when my re-excision came back with DCIS and dirty margins, I became uncertain.  In fact, I had decided to go the rout of a double mastectomy based on a discussion that I had with a breast cancer specialist at the Mayo Clinic.  After that, my surgeon, radiation onc and medical onc both here in Kalamazoo as well as at U of Michigan (went there for a second opinion) all said that I am a borderline case and could go either way.  For me, it's not as much about peace of mind as it is eliminating the gray.  If both breasts are removed, then I will have a full understanding of what was there in the first place.  If both are clear then I can feel pretty good about my prognosis (although it's not a guarantee of no recurrence); if additional cancer is found, then I'll know that I made the right decision and my doctors will have more information for treatment.  I'm still leaning toward the mastectomy but my decision is now delayed until after chemo.  I have to admit, however, that I'm dreading implants. I met with a plastic surgeon and he indicated that they have quite a high failure rate.  Plus, my medical onc likes to do radiation even after a mastectomy which will make reconstruction difficult.  I wanted to do the flap procedure because I liked the idea of using my own tissue for reconstruction, however the doc said that I would only end up with A-minus cups because I don't have enough belly fat.  I suppose that's good news, eh?  You have to take the good with the bad!

Manue - Sounds like we're in a similar situation although the results from my genetic testing aren't due until Aug. 10 so I'm not sure about the gene situation.  I wrestled with the clinical trial idea as well, however the decision was taken out of my hands because I have had melanoma in the past, which meant that I'm not eligible.  The scientist in me really wanted to do a trial for the sake of science, but the mom in me didn't like the risks involved so we eventually decided that, even if I was eligible, we would not participate.  However, we should all be thankful to those that do decide to participate as the benefits from such research are immense.

2acdmom - thank you so much for the encouragement!  While I am feeling pretty positive right now, I'm sure that I will need to revisit your post a few times over the next few months!

Mkk050709 - Wow, only 29, I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  Our kids are 9 and 6 and we have been totally open with them about everything but your kids are pretty young. However, kids are very perceptive and I was amazed at how much our 6 year old picked up on even before we officially told her.  Your 4 year old might hear more than you think.  The fact that they might not understand may make it easier for you to be open with them.  My husband and I were ready for a long, sad discussion but we made it sound so positive that when we were through they were wondering what the big deal was!

Smile ladies, we'll be over this soon enough and on to encouraging others!

K 

jenn3

Good morning - welcome Reni, Manue and Tara ...................

Tara - I had really bad pain under my arms and along the back of my arm for weeks.  The dr said it wasn't normal to have that kind of pain - what is normal???  I was told the pain are from the nerves - they are growing back/reconnecting.  Keep doing your exercises at home and the mobility should return soon.

Donna- I haven't had my shot yet, but read that you should take the Claritin an hour before the shot and the Aleve/Advil 30 minutes before the shot. 

Manue- Sorry to hear that you couldn't visit your Mom and don't want to upset her with this.  Rather than think of the visit as being cancelled, think of it as delayed. I don't know if you've made your choice on treatment, but there is a website with information on the drugs used for chemotherapy - chemocare.com .  Another website that may work is the one with information on various clinical trials - cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/ - if this doesn't get you there let me know and I'll look in my files again.

Or..... does someone have a better website for information on clinical trials?

Reni - I'm sorry you have to go through this again.  What did you have the 1st round in 2001?  I am also triple negative, but did have lymph node involvement- I think we have a few TN  in the Aug 09 group.

dimc - I've read about the water/hydration.  Am I right in assuming you should try to start drinking a lot of water before chemo?

YoYo - how did your first treatment go?  Karen - how are you feeling today?

Y'all may have found these threads, but I wanted to let you know about them.  Pinned at the top of the forum Chemo-Before-During-After are "Tips for getting through chemo" & "Pre Chemo Shopping list".  They have various suggestions from people who have been though this.  Also, the Triple J's in the same forum have some wonderful links to various websites - they are under the July 09 thread I think. 

Today is more a less a free day for me so I think I will try to organize my "cancer" book/folders/files, etc.  I'm a bit OCD and like everything in place and planned out.  I am really having to learn to "let go" let me tell you it's not easy.  Shoes in the middle of the floor - dishes in the sink - papers piled on the counter - ugh!!! So not me and I know there are more important things in life than cleaning - although I would not have thought that a few months ago. Now my wonderful family can leave a cup on the end table and not have it picked up as soon as they turn their backs to it.

jenn3

I am sorry - I completely missed a page somehow.

Welcome Kim09, JanetH77, MK050709 and Navy Mom  -

NavyMom-Enjoy your visit to Pensacola - maybe try to hit the beach or the boardwalk if you can. I live in New Orleans, but have a friend that lives there and I just love running over for a visit every now and then. TN...... , we have quite a few in this group.

mk050709 - is the date in your name your dx date? another TN.......   I'll be thinking of you today - and will look forward to hearing from you.

janetH77 - I did the bi-lateral masectomy, but my doctor told me he didn't want me to do reconstruction or have the expanders in until after I get "cancer free".  I do have to say in a strange way, it's nice not wearing a bra right now.  But.... I do think I'm going to get the silicone prosthesis in Sept when the surgeon feels it's okay to let anything "rub" in the incision sites.

Kim09- I know what you mean about everything changing.  My dentist thought I was crazy calling more than once to confirm my appt.  So many things kept changing that I couldn't remember the appts I had............

2acdmom - thank you for popping in - it's wonderful to hear from people who have been through this.  I do plan on going back to work and will work during chemo. I've been off because of the surgery, but can't wait to get back to work to feel somewhat normal again.  Luckily my office has been supportive and said I can work when I'm feeling good and leave or not come in on the bad days.

As I'm typing this I just got a phone call from the nurse running the clinical trials - I'm in - Whoo Hoo..... and my chemo date has been moved for a third time, my start date is now Tues, Aug 4.  

Okay - two long post in a row - I'll give it a break and check back in later. Have a wonderful day everyone - Let's hear it for the Aug 09 group!!!!!!!!!

gillyone

Donna - my port was used for my first tx last week and it worked like a dream. My poor arm was getting black and blue from all the poking.

I counted up my medical appointments for July and it was 13!!!

Welcome all the new ladies. Jenn is doing a good job of keeping track of tx start dates. There are a lot of TN ladies!

Today is day 8 from first tx and i am still doing good. Yesterday was the only day so far that I have not felt ok. I had not taken any nausea meds as I was up to the "as needed" part rather than stuff I had to take. I took it today and am fine. We can do this!!

I had a really really short haircut this morning in preparation for the big fallout and lunch with a friend. All is well.

buccaneersdj

Ok, I did it arrived at onc. office @ 9:30 and left @ 3:00, yes they were behind and yes it took a long time for the nurse to locate a "good" vein because I don't have the port yet. She started of with the red one, Adriamycin, but she called it "The Red Devil", that one she had to put in slowly by hand then came the next 2,Cyclophosphamide and Taxotere slowly by iv pump. All is well so far, filled prescription for Reglan for nausea. So far I have alot of gas, meaning burps. Already took a Pepcid. Oh yea my husband (would someone please tell me what DH means) found it very comical that on the way home I could have sworn my hair was already falling out! He then reminded me that I shed like that all the time. Tomorrow I will get a Neulasta shot wish me luck!

Jenn, I am glad your date is moving in the right direction for you, If your anything like me you aren't looking forward to it but really eager to get on with it!!

buccaneersdj

I forgot the part about anti-nausea drugs and steroids that they put in thru the iv before any of the chemo, sorry, real tired not from chemo from real long day!

gillyone

well done Donna

manue

Mkk050709 - When I was diagnosed with BC I kept thinking about my children, my two boys are 4 and 6! I had long hair and decided to go for a relatively short haircut before the operation. My boys thought it was great. I think when I'm about to lose my hair we might do a family trip to my hairdresser... I might get some funky colors to color their hair - washable of course - anything to laugh!

My husband and I decided to told our children what was going on. We said that mama had to go to the hospital because she had some booboos in her breasts and those had to be removed! They came to the hospital for two visits and were concerned about me but I kept reassuring them that I was OK. They loved the bed going up and down, loving the machines surrounding me and wanted to press the buttons...

When I got home because they came to the hospital they understood they had to be careful with me. My youngest one saw me coming out of the shower by mistake the other day and was concern about my "cracks". My boys are big fans of the Magical School Bus" and the show has a DVD on the human body... when my 4 yrs old asked me if my antibodies were fighting my cracks I had to laugh!

Hope this help, Manue

jenn3

I'm having another sleepless night, so here I am rather than watch something crazy on the television.  However, I'm not feeling sorry for myself this time, just can't sleep - guess I'll have to hit the Benadryl again. Maybe I should keep it on the counter until I talk to the dr on Tuesday.  Since I'm up with nothing to do, I'll share our dinner story for tonight - My family and in-laws have been cooking for us a lot, which has been just wonderful because they are wonderful cooks. Today both my cousin and my mother in-law called to say they had dinner for us.  They both made the same thing.  Jambalaya. Oh, how I love a good jambalya....................  I am from the south, New Orleans to be specific.  Thought I'd let y'all know because my post have references to food from this area and the writing in which I add y'all to my conversations. Can't help it - tried typing you all, everyone, etc, but y'all just feels better

Donna - DH (dear husband) Sounds like you did great today.  I had to laugh about the hair story......

Gill - I saw that you said you were a little weak/tired, but otherwise doing good - I'm really glad to hear it.  I've heard that everyone has different reactions to the chemo

MK050709 & JanetH77 - how did chemo go? 

Kim09- I'll be thinking of you today, it looks like you start today.

Mk050709 & Manue- My children are 17 & 25 and telling them broke my heart and were the first tears I shed.  However, I can't imagine having young children during this time and my heart goes out to you.  I'd love to hear some more funny stories, like the one about the cracks.  I'm sure with little ones there are plenty. 

Well - I'm off in search of Benadryl in an attempt to sleep.  I don't want to look too bad tomorrow, I'm going for a visit at my office - I really miss my friends at work, but want to look as good as I can without boobs.  And it will be noticable because I was a D, now I'm flat.................

Talk to y'all tomorrow - hope everyone else was lucker than me and slept well.

buccaneersdj

Jenn, I hope you are sleeping by now, I was asleep but woke up at 3:30am, ughh! I took two Benadryl which knocked me out for about 5 hours, wide awake now! Still feel good so far , Neulasta today not looking forward to that. I also lived in NOLA when I was little, we had a big trip with friends planned there for this weekend to celebrate my 40th which is not till Aug. 11. I had this trip planned since early January. Don't you know then came CA, I knew I would start chemo around that time so I just cancelled everything! I hate CA!

Manue, reading about your cracks, cracked me up, kids have a gift, unknowingly, of adding light to any situation. I can't help but think while you are worried about your kids, that they will be the ones who carry you thru this! I think dying your hair a funky color with them is a great idea and mabye let them give mom a mohawk right before you shave it off!

kristin09

For the sleepless out there, while I have not yet started chemo, I had some trouble sleeping after my surgeries and I have been taking Simply Sleep (it's basically Tylenol PM without the Tylenol).  I started off taking two tablets and now only take one and only on nights when I think that I may have trouble sleeping.  It has worked very well for me and has no other medicine in it to worry about so it's not addictive in any way.

I have a "kid story" as well . . . not necessarily funny, just noteworthy.  I took my 9 year old son to a birthday party the day before my second surgery and when I picked him up, the birthday-boy's mom told me that my son had brought everyone up to speed on my situation and told them that I'm going back to surgery tomorrow because the doctor didn't get all of the cancer the first time!  At first, I was a bit horrified, but then I realized that if he can tell his best friends about it, then he's probably handling things okay.

On another note, I went wig shopping yesterday and picked out a great hand-tied, human-hair wig that can be cut to my current style.  Just one hitch -- it is $1400!!!  So much for that idea!  I wasn't pleased with the other wigs in the shop and have decided that wigs aren't for me (I wasn't keen on one from the beginning anyway).  So, my husband and I have picked out some cute hats and wraps.  Who knows, maybe I'll go with a simpler wig just for fun sometimes.  I joke with my staff at work that I'll just wear a rainbow wig!

dimc

buccaneersdj - Don't worry about that Neulasta shot.  The SE's won't kick in until tonight or tomorrow and I hope they're minimaly for you....don't forget your Claritin

mkk050709

Thanks for all the encouragement!

Jenn3-the date in my name is actually the birth years of my three kids. 

Chemo yesterday went ok.  The physical part of getting it was fine.  Nausea and vomiting kicked in rather quickly though.  I was vomiting most the night starting around 7pm (chemo was at 830 am).  I even took all the nausea medicine that I was prescribed.  I am going in this morning to get my Neulasta, I hope it goes well.  So far today, day 2, I am feeling better.  I actually drank some Ensure.  The prospect of eating makes me sick.  I saw a commercial on TV for food and it made be puke!  Sorry to be negative.  Hopefully day one was a combo of the chemo and stress of anticipation leading up to it.  Day on done.  Day to much better.  Going wig/wrap/hat shopping today.  I missed all the tips for Neulasta.  Any quick suggestions for prepartation of the shot?  I wish everyone well!

buccaneersdj

mkk, I don't know if you have already left for  your shot, but I was told to take a Claritin about 1/2 hour before I go and Aleve. I hope things are better today for you!!!

jenn3

Decided to check in before I get going for the day. 

MKK050709 - I've heard taking Claritin one hour before the Neulasta shot and Advil and/or Aleve 30 mintues before helps with the SE.  However, I haven't tried it yet - but will next week when it's my turn. Don't be sorry for negative - the reason for this thread is to help each other during good and bad times.  I've read that if you're still suffering with nausea and vomiting that you should ask the dr for something else because not all anti nausea meds work the same with people.

Kristen09- I love the kid story.  When my daughter told me she had told ALL of her friends I was a little taken back, but then I thought who else can she relate to her age?? I too think I'm going to end up wearing scarves or hats. 

Donna- Glad to hear all went well with few SE's.  Plan your trip after you get through all of your treatments - it'll make the trip that much more special.  40th Bday and end of treatment celebration!!!

Hope everyone has a great day !!!

lindal52809

Hi Everyone,

I'm still kinda new around here, not on much. SO much to read about. Very helpful.

Well, anyway 

I'm scheduled to start my chemo the 14th of august.  I am getting my Mediport placed next Friday. I had my surgery back in may. It had been delayed due to a couple of incisions that hadn't healed. It's been a long 8 weeks plus going thru the process,  with the wound vac and all.  I'm happy to finally say I have the date scheduled. Now, I am about to deal with what I've been avoiding thinking about for the last 2 months. Not completely avoiding it, but keeping it all in the back of my mind. It's actually going to happen and I'm am feeling relief above anything else right now. I'm sure that will change, but I have to take one feeling at a time.  Just wanted to say Hi to everyone, and hope to stay in touch.  Thank you for sharing your experiences here.

Best wishes to all. 

Linda

buccaneersdj

Welcome Linda, Sorry to hear you had such a rough go of it. At least you can get the chemo going now. I feel the sooner I get started the sooner I'll be done! Just had #1 yesterday, so 1 down 5 to go!

manue

Mkk - I hope you're feeling better today, sorry to hear that you got so sick on your first day of chemo. Big hug to you and try to have a relaxing weekend!

Jenn3 - Sorry to hear about sleepless night. I can't stand TV either, it can be so negative and you don't need that right now. My friends gave me a lot fun movies to watch and I'm reading romance/suspense novels! My nightstand was a pile of book on BC and AUTISM (my older soon has very mild symptoms) but I'm done with that for a while... I've got my little light ready if I wake up from the pain of my operation!

Mickey32

I am also starting my TC (4 cycles) next week!  What a sisterhood we have!  I had a double mastectomy in June, personal preference, with reconstruction as a 'maybe' for now.  I am very nervous about what to expect, I am terrified of getting sick.  The doctor gave me a Sancuso patch to wear for 7 days as well as some Zofran tabs.  All of the posts I have read have made me cry...I have realized we are all so strong and we are the greatest cheerleaders for one another!  I am a nurse practitioner, found my breast cancer by total accident.  Glad to have so many of you to talk to!!

gillyone

Welcome Mickey - so sorry you have to join us on this journey. But you have reached out to a wondeful group of ladies who will help you get through this.

jenn3

Welcome to the group Mickey and Linda - the circumstances aren't the best way to meet, but I'm glad you found us.  We do have a wonderful sisterhood here..............

Manue - I normally read Mystery, but every now and then read a good story that doesn't involve crime solving.  Right now I'm finishing up "Time Travelers Wife", which is really good and while I was on vacation I read  "Crazy Sexy Cancer", which I enjoyed a lot. 

Mickey-What day do you start next week?

Linda - sorry for the rough start, but I know what you mean about ready to get started on chemo.  As hard as we know it's going to be, waiting for it to start seems to be torture.

Kim - how did today go?  are you feeling okay?

Today I went for a vist to my office - I got there about 10:30am - and stayed visiting until 4pm.  I couldn't believe it-5 1/2 hours.  I was exhausted when I got home.  All in all it was a good day, one that didn't involve being at the dr office and felt almost normal. 

Faith316

Just wanted to offer some encouragement to those of you getting ready to start chemo.  I was dx April 2008 with IDC.  Had lumpectomy and axillary node dissection (2 of 8 nodes malignant.)  I had 4 rounds of AC followed by 12 weekly Taxol and Herceptin.  When that was finished, I continued Herceptin every 3 weeks.  I have had an echocardiogram every couple of months and my ejection fracture has remained in the normal range.

 Chemo was MUCH easier than I imagined.  I never once vomited.  I felt queasy some and weak some, (day 5 was the hardest day for me while on AC) but actually the treatments were not that hard to get through.  It was hard to make myself drink a lot of liquids in the first few days after treatment.  I just couldn't hardly do it.  I ate lots of popsicles, jello, and Italian ices to help get some fluid in me. I did lose my hair, of course, around day 20 or so. My hair was really long, so that was traumatic.  But, I did not want to wear a wig.  I am hot-natured and knew it would be hot, so I never bought a wig.  I bought several scarves, etc., but actually ended up wearing a ballcap 95% of the time.  Cheap entertainment at night was using duct tape to pull out all the remaining "prickles' as we called them that did not fall out by themselves.  They were not attached to the scalp, so the tape just lifted them out without pulling the skin on my head.  Pretty weird!  My hair actually started coming back in while I was on Taxol.  

I did have sore, dry hands and feet with Taxol.  Lots of little cuts in the tips of my fingers.  Used lots of lotion, but my hands were pretty rough.  The palms of my hands and the soles of my feet got pretty red.  It took quite a few months after Taxol ended before they got better.  I bought some white cotton gloves and socks and at bedtime I would use a real thick, greasy type of lotion on hands and feet.  The Taxol also caused nosebleeds, but not severe.  My cheeks would also get bright red on day 2 of each chemo cycle.  My legs ached but not severely.

 Unfortunately, my cancer came back in June of this year as IBC.  I am now taking oral daily chemo -- Tykerb and Xeloda. They are easier to tolerate than the drugs I took last year, and other than lots of diarrhea, I feel pretty good.

Hang in there.  It really is do-able and you CAN get through this.  Good luck.

2acdmom

Mkk--when I had chemo, I got Aloxi in the IV before any of the chemo drugs, and then Compazine to take for a couple of days after.  I don't know if I was just lucky or what, but I never had any issues with nausea or vomiting.  If your doc isn't already prescribing one of the long-acting anti-nausea medications (I think another one is Emend), you may want to ask him about it. 

You ladies are all doing great, I love your positive attitudes!  Continue to laugh, spend time with your loved ones, and don't sweat the small stuff!