May 2010 Chemo

Ca1Ripken

njbhwgirl - thanks.  I think I will wait on my wig - that's good advise.. I have very thick hair too!!

Nanaof2 - I got a little rash on my hands this weekend - but figured I got a little sunburn... not sure if that could be it.  GL at treatment!

Patricia48 - I hope it goes away SOOOON!!!!!!!

Sacphotomom - LMAO.. really LOL about the friggin' taste buds.  I made tacos that tasted like cardboard, and everybody said they were great.  I can only taste extreme tastes and alot of salt.  Blah.  My taste buds leave Friday and come back on Wednesday!  That leaves 1 day and my treatment day!  Glad you were able to have a nice walk!! 

MNLinda - thanks for the hope for no probs with the neulesta!

GolferGirl - me too with Aunt Flo... just stopping - as if I could afford to lose more blood.. this one came early and was fierce!  Just looking like its stopping now after 6 days.

Drim - GL tomorrow!  Hope its not too crowded - I hadn't even thought about that this week, but I guess that's why I have a later appt than normal on Thursday.. which is also the day we're leaving! 

JennyB - hope it stops soon and you get some energy back!  This is all exhausting enough! 

RedBarb - Thursday will be great (as it can be!).  That's awesome with your co-workers.  Mine formed a group to organize dinners, rides and chemo buddies if I need it.  We named it the Leanna's "WTF" Caring Committee!  Everyone agreed that this was a "WTF" moment in life! 

Everyone take care while I'm gone!!  I have a feeling I'll be a little under the weather Saturday and Sunday - my 'bad' days, and in the cool hotel room - so I will probably check in!!

Good luck to everyone having treatment this week - SE free - pain free!!  (((HUGS)))

Shrek4

Getting ready emotionally for tomorrow, the #2 delayed TC. I honestly can't wait to be out of this onc's office. I have the appointment with the new one on the 7th of June. That's next Monday. Phew!

Oh yes, I got my period too two weeks after the first treatment. My period is the headache of my BS, because my BC was so aggressively (98% both E & P on the IDC and 80% E-88%P on ILC - I didn't find any note on the  ICC so I have no idea). I'm 49 years old (48 when all this started) and until April of this year I never skipped a beat! (In April I skipped two weeks so I was hoping that with the chemo I'll be in menopause). I asked this onc and he said "chemo usually stops periods but not for everybody". I guess again I'm that small "happy" percentage heh.

Soooo... got my steroid pills this morning, this afternoon re-shaved my head (gettign 5 o'clock shadow daily I guess) and set the alarm clock to be ready when my boyfriend comes hoem from work (he works nights) so we can just hop in the car and go. Hopefully I won't have the bad reaction and then I'll have the same small amount of SE as for the 1st one. I'm supposed to get the Neupogen shot too.

Wish me luck.

Summer38

Hello ladies,

Hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend!

Drim - the men loved having the panties hanging all over! They kept walking around pointing out their favorites LOL.... a little awkward!

Leanna - Have a great time in Disney!!!

Getting ready for AC #2 tomorrow and also have my wig appt - hopefully both go smoothly.

Good luck to all getting treatment this week!

njbhwgirl

Patricia:  sorry about pain from shot. so far I have been good but seems have every other SE possible.

2nd treatment seems little tougher to come back from. In work now still dizzy lightheaded.. usually by eay 4 it is all over..hopefully tmrw will go away

 Drim:  good luck on treatment... hope is all well for you too. my mom still in hospital. I miss her but afraid to go see her because of germs..hoping she gets to rehab this week..thanks for well wishes

Sacphoto:  mmm lemon pie sounds good right about now. for me I cooked italian yesterday. did ziti, meatballs chicken parm...and then what did I eat for dinner  ...a doggone hamburger on the grill...go figure...  My head is itching too!  someone mentioned benadryl but maybe we have to check with dr. before we do that..Also someone told me to put gel band on your head before the wig which kinda lifts wig off your head so not to itch...DARN why couldn't we go through treatments during the cold months(lol)

and why oh why do I still have a full head of hair on my legs...upper and lower I may add.. Is there no justice in this world (lol)

GolferGirl

JennyB- I'll be 44 at the end of July.  I've always been very regular and maybe with 1 or 1.5 heavy days each month.  So this superflow every two weeks is a bit much!  My onc said there was a 40% chance I'd go into menopause, but my gyno said she has seen people in my age group stop for months due to chemo, only to have it re-start later.   So far, it's not stopping.   

Redbarb, Drim, Day, Summer, Leanna and all with treatements this week, Good Luck!  I'm Day #4 post TC #2 and so far, so good.   Tired with a heavy period, but really can't complain.  Very similar to how I reacted to the last treatment, just the period started sooner this time.  Oh, and somewhere along the way I have gained 5 lbs!  I'm hoping its mostly water weight, but it's stuck around for about a week now.  Not sure what I'll be able to wear to work tomorrow!  Nuelasta shot today, so I can be comfy in shorts for one more day.

fotopet

Hello all!!

T/c1, Day 15 - - Back from the mountains. It was a relaxing, very normal getaway.  Hot and humid most of the time.  I even indulged in one (just one) ice cold beer.  Yum.

Very little in the way of SE's -- just some tiredness and hair shedding all over. It is coming out in clumps in the shower now. Not sure how much longer I've got until it will drive me nuts and I will buzz away.   I think I am ready to rock the scarves.

DH offered to shave off his mustache in support.  That sounds weird, I know, but he has actually NEVER shaved his mustache (ever ever - even when he first started shaving) so the offer was touching. Of course, I declined the support.

I have developed a bit of a phelgmy cough.  Even though I don't feel sick and it's not really bothering me, I have called the onco office.  Just hoping it won't put off chemo next week.

Day - So glad you are starting with a new onco office.  It is so much easier when you have confidence in your docs and nurses.

packjen: Love the buzz!! I hope I can carry it off even half as well as you do.

cleob - if you are still concerned about chemo maybe not working, I would call your onco and ask.  I doubt that's the case, like others have said, you are probably just a bit more resilient.  You might also want to check for a Taxol specific group - they might have answers for you that the rest of us (those who are not doing the same protocol) don't have.

leanna9 - I am drinking dirt-water too. But have found that lemon helps. Just have to make sure to squirt it in rather than leaving the pieces in the water, or I get heartburn.  And if I want just a "water" taste, distilled water seems to be ok.

nanaof2 - I had the neulasta pain but it was manageable with ibuprofin and a bit of stronger stuff at night.  And went away within 48 hours.  I think the trade-off was worth it.  This time, I will be taking Claritin, so we will see if that helps.

packjen

Thanks all for your kind words about my bald head.  I have really come to terms with it and don't mind it at all.

I must say that hot flashes are much easier to deal with when you have no hair.  They come and go much quicker and it's easier to regulate your temperature.

Speaking of hot flashes I have a new theme song or jingle.  It is very simple.  It goes "Hot Flashes" sung to the notes of "Hot Pockets" (those disgusting little meat and cheese pies they sell for teenagers to snarf after school).  OK, this may be lost on many of you, but it makes my husband and me laugh.

 

RedBarb -- I did have a new reaction on my 2nd TC.  The taxotere caused shortness of breath, flushing and nausea.  They stopped the drip and gave me steroids, waited a half hour and restarted at a slower pace.  My medical team was so on top of it that it did not scare me, I just have to remember to tell them to take it slowly next time.

 

Is anyone else out there injecting themselves with Neupogen?  Starting this cycle I have to inject myself daily from day 4-9 in the hopes that I don't end up back in the hospital due to low WBC.  The injections are totally painless, but about 2 hours afterward I start getting the bone pain from my knees down and the flesh on my back and neck feel quite bruised.  This has made sleeping much more difficult.  Ambien no longer works.  I am taking Clariten and now Norco for the pain.

 

Anyway, I am still in awe of those of you who are actually working.  I have brief moments of energy where I can do something useful like empty the dishwasher or fold a load of laundry.  I have a feeling that getting back my strength after this whole ordeal will be a long, hard road.

 

Best wishes to all who are in treatment this week.  Hang in there.  Take it one day at a time.

 

Jen

Irishtess

Hello all you lovely May ladies!  I just finished reading the last few days' of posts & I'm awed by how much good there is in the world, despite the problems some - Day, I really hope things improve with your medical team - are having.  Summer & Packjen:  Loved the co-worker stories! I also love your chemo celebrations, Jen!  Redbarb:  I have my 2nd treatment on Friday, so I'll be thinking of you.

With apologies to all you youngsters:  Before my 1st treatment, I took my script for the foobs to the breast center's boutique.  The fitter said she'd select "age-appropriate protheses."  "What do you mean, age-appropriate?" I ask.  "You see how there's some give to these?"  I nod.  "Well", says she, "they'd be harder & firmer for a 30 year old."  I just wanted to smack her!!

Shrek4

Irishtess, that was hilarious, I am sorry but it was, as rude as it was, it was so stupid it made me laugh with tears.

I'm finally back home after the chemo. It took a whoopign 6 hours. Even pre-medicated, and with a medium drip, I still had a reaction, not as strong as the first one but still was there. So they stopped the IV, gave me 50ml more of steroid, and restarted after half an hour with a VERY slow drip. Sooo... it took 6 hours for 1 benadryl, 1 steroid, 1 antinausea+steroid, 1 other steroid, 1 taxotere and 1 cytoxan. The cytoxan went like a dream, real fast and took only 30 minutes.

 I'm pooped. Literally pooped.  I hope I can sleep. Last nightI only slept 3 hours because of the steroids - couldnt' fall asleep before 4:30 am and had to wake up at 7:30.

cleob

fotopet: you may be right that i am probably a bit more resilient not to have experienced any SE after two tc (9 days after start of treatment). I probably spoke too soon. However, by the next day, i experienced a minor stomach rumbling which was contained within 24 hrs (yesterday). my next treatment is on friday.

aside from this, i had a wonderful weekend looking after my 13 months grand-daughter whose nanny had the weekend off and my daughter and her husband were holidaying in the Dominican Republic- all came back this morning. my little princess, my only grand-child sure made an impact, she was a handful and i made up for the lack of exercise in the past few days.

to all those that journeyed out of towm, welcome back.

MNLinda

A comment on the menstrual difficulties some are having - if you have very heavy periods, you may be having anovulatory cycles.  It's an indication your ovaries could be on the way out.  My OB/GYN explained it - in a normal menstrual cycle, your ovaries should be producing an egg about mid-cycle.  Then you get a release of progesterone, and the endometrium stops building up for the next two weeks or so.  Then you have a period.  If you have an anovulatory cycle, your ovaries fail to produce an egg, so there's no release of progesterone, and you continue to get a buildup of blood in the endometrium for the second half of your cycle, and then you get the gusher.  The hallmark of an anovulatory cycle is very heavy bleeding with no cramps.  Often you become anemic.

I had periods after the first and second treatments, nothing since.  Most chemo drugs are pretty effective at shutting your ovaries down completely within a few treatments.

LauraM

Jen -  I think you look BEAUTIFUL with your bald head!   I buzzed my hair last tuesday because it was falling out in clumps and it was making me naseaus just to think about all the hair. I felt much better once it was gone.  I have a wig that I wore that one day when I picked up my daughter from school.  It has been hot here so I have been wearing wraps ever since and go around my house without anything.  I will probably be completely bald soon since what is left is still falling out at a pretty good rate.  I went to the kids school to day in my wrap today and boy did I get lots of strange looks.... from the parents.  The kids didn't seem to notice.  I thought my dd would say something about me not having my "hair" on  but she was fine with it.  

I will have my 3rd AC treatment on Thursday

Have a great night

sacphotomom

Leanna9 its just unfair to have no taste buds till just before chemo again...mine are not all the way back and Chemo is tomorrow...

LauraM...I with you 3rd treatment on Wednesday..tomorrow.....this last one the tiredness was really bad..My Onc say that the next one will probably go easier...Why? I ask... she says it happens that way sometimes...I sure hope this is my sometimes because I am not feeling up to this next one only had one day of feeling really good....

Packjen OK I understand the Hot Pocket song.. last Sat we got off on a" Welcome to the Chemo :Lounge" kick at at restaurant.. With a little how would you like your cocktail...Yes I know it wound weird now but it was so funny at the time..funny the thing you can laugh at when your going  through this...

njbhwgirl I haven't had to shave my arm pits for the last 6 days.. no calf hair  but the thighs still has hair.. and my left arm still hairy .....really strange...

Hair up date.... Today I decide to try to wear my wig (Brandy)  to see if I could stand it for any length of time... Had an appointment with the surgeon because of strange pain where left breast used to be..turns out I had pulled the muscle and have some water there...this to shall pass...then my ONC visit..any way back to hair.. I had almost a hour to pass while I waited for between the appointments so I went to the Starbucks....When I was in line a woman says "Excuse me but can you tell me who cuts your hair... I have been trying t find someone who can do a good job and I just love your cut!"   I was puzzled at first ..because I felt like LOOK AT THIS WIG ON MY HEAD!  I told her thank you ..you just made my day! and said its a wig..she was embarrassed and said Wow you cant tell at all..it a great cut and love the slight frosting on it....I just thanked her..

OK back to hair  I think I'm starting to loose my eye lashes ..I keep getting them in my eyes...dang it I really hope it just because I had on mascara this weekend..

Shrek4

Well, I am going for my Neulasta shot this morning. My first pair of ear hoops bought on ebay arrived in the mail yesterday, so I will go for the first time with a scarf only, without the wig. It's getting so hot here in Oklahoma! Getting ready to take my Claritin and start getting dressed, sorry I didn't write much yesterday. I was so exhausted after 8 hours of chemo. I'll be writing more detailed after I get back and rest a little (we're supposed to do a bit of grocery shopping after we get out of the dr's office)

Hugs and love all

Day

LauraM

Sacphotomom - I hope your treatment goes well today. I was a lot more tired with my second treatment also so maybe we will both have it easier this time.   I had really bad mouth sores this time which really suck, when I go tomorrow I will ask for a prescription for a mouth wash. 

I am off to the store today to buy some claritin.  It is worth a try since I had a lot of muscle soreness last time and would love to not have that this time.

I have a team walking this weekend in the Relay for Life here in my town.  I am looking forward to it, I hope the weather is good.   I think there are about 30 people who are walking with me... Great friends I have.

TriciaB

Morning Ladies.  I had AC-3 yesterday; Neulasta shot in a few hours. It was quite crowded in there, presumably, as Drim pointed out,due to holiday on Monday.  I am still pretty lucky in the SE department (basically no nausea or fatigue.  Yet.)   Also, had my hair buzzed on AC-2/Day2.  The really good news is that, because my chemo is neo-adjuvant (prior to surgery), we can see how the tumor is reacting to the chemo.  My oncol measured yesterday (after 2 AC treatments over 4 weeks) and, apparently, Mr. Tumor does not like the "medicine" we have been giving him.  He has shrunk by almost 50% (I'm melting, melting do you hear me?).  So for those of you who already had your surgery and wonder if the chemo is working, I'm here to tell you that, even those of you who think you should have worse side effects so you can be sure it is working: The Chemo is Working!!  It's not fun.  But it's way less fun for the BC cancer cells that may be lurking.  Chemo will hunt them down and kill them too!   The vibes I am sending out to all of you are so good you can't believe it. Just saying.

JennyB100104

Tricia, your post made my day! I really needed to hear that today, because lately I've been struggling with the "Is this really doing anything besides making me sick?" question...sigh. I know there's a chance it's not working at all (esp because I'm ILC, ER/PR+), but there's a good chance it is, too!

hugs,

Jen

fotopet

Hair is falling out all over now, although with the no-part cut my hairdresser gave me a few weeks ago, it's not too obvious to anyone but me.  So today I am sporting a headband-style scarf, kind of as a transition.  I doubt I will make it through the week.

Onco thinks my cough is from allergies and regardless, is nothing to worry about.  All in all, feeling basically normal except for a bit of fuzzy tongue, deadened tastebuds, and the damn itchy spot from the reaction at the infusion site. I am back to working full-time, back to the gym, and back to most normal stuff.  Feels kind of good but mostly just feels tiring.

packjen - Franly, I wouldn't be workig if I had the resources to stay home.  But, I am the primary breadwinner and no disabiliity so, I am kind of stuck.  Luckily my boss is pretty good with it.  On the flip side, I thinnk working keeps me active, which helps the SE's seem less daunting.  I know when I stop (like the weekends) I tend to wallow, which makes it feel worse.

And for DH and I, it's the theme song from the 70's movie "Flash Gordon" It's by Queen and kind of goes "Flash - ah ah. . . " Gets us every time.

Leanna - Enjoy your vacation!!! I LOVE Disney.

Tricia - Ditto what JennyB said.  It's great that you can actually measure the change!

sacphotomom - Love the wig story! 

irishtess - "age appropriate" my ass.  I think we get to be anything we want after going through all of this. I probably wouold have been tempted to smack her with her "age appropriate" foobs!

patricia48

Hi May Ladies.   Today my hair started falling out. This is my 13th day post lst a/c chemo.   I was talking to my son on the cell phone and there was a dropped call.   When I brought the phone down, my hand was full of hair. When he called back I told him it was a hair raising conversation   He said that he and my daughter would shave their heads in solidarity, and I laughed and said do you know how likely your 25 y old sister, who takes 2 hours to get ready to go to the grocery, is to shave her head?   Not before  buying a closet full of wigs anyway.  We both had a chuckle about that, but hey, they are both great kids.  

Tomorrow is my onc appt, blood work, and if all goes well, my second a/c chemo. It will be a long day.  I am praying to avoid the 8 hours of acute nausea I experienced with my first session.  Do any of you eat differently  on the day before or chemo day?  I am eating well, but already pretty bland, since I have a lot of nausea and indigestion.  I have given up coffee my favorite vice ( Loved the Starbucks story sacphotomom) and that has helped.  Anything acidic is a killer for me.  Anyway I  wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to have a better experience on chemo day.  Thanks for all the support.  I love reading everything that is happening. Irishtess, what a story about our  "Mature breasts", as Iprefer to think of them.  Remember that Matisse painted some very beautiful Mature Breasts. ( in the future referenced as MB) So there is nothing wrong with a beautifully dropped breast.  Perky is not everything!   What we all have experienced here in chemo/universe.  A book of "dark chemo humor" may be appropriate.  Good news from my world: My significant other is driving down tonight from 110 miles away to be with me again for chemo.  He is so devoted, and such a great nurturer.  I am in good hands.  Also,one of my dear friends showed up at my door today, vacuum in hand and announce that my cleaning woman had arrived.  She spent 4 hours cleaning my house, and sitting with me to talk. I am so blessed to have supportive friends and family, the best.  Wishing everyone SE  free days and the easiest chemo sessions.  Tricia, thanks for sharing the evidence of how these drugs are working.  In all my reading, I have heard how important it is for all of us to  also remember, that it is our own bodies that are working to heal us.  Chemo is a very very powerful helper, but in the end, it is our own  body   that make it all work, and we must believe in it's strength and ability  to heal these "misinformed, confused, irreverent cells.  Love to all, Patricia

njbhwgirl

? of the day

my onc. called and wants me to do a cat scan to see if drugs working?  have any of you ever heard of that or been asked to do it.   I politely refused... I am so done with tests. I have been testing for 4 months and quite honestly I don't want any more unless medically necessary or until my treatments are done.  what do you think?

Tricia:  Thanks for sharing... makes me feel like this poison in my body is killing any critters that may be lurking...

Patricia: besides the tons of water they suggest, I was told lots of protein. This past weekend when I was feeling lousy, my son made a burger on the grill...darn if it didn't stop my nausea and dizziness.. try eating steak.  see if it helps.. my onc. nurse told me eat tons of protein

packjen:  I am with you.. if I could take a leave of absence from work I would.. but I manage to do my treatments on wed..feel lousy sat. sund.. go to work on monday but feel horrible..come back alive on Tuesday..only to go to PS on wednesday for a fill. thankfully only 3 more to go. and btw I think you are beautiful

Day: know how you feel about the heat...thank goodness I have central air...going to proba.an..bly stay inside most of summer...feel better. btw does claritin help you better than advil? if so will try next time

fotopet:  mmm..ice cold beer is what I need right now...think might have one this weekend.....

sacphotomom

So my second treatment didn't go as non-dramatic usual ..when the nurse tried to access my port she said it flipped over.. Let me get nurse Michelle over here to turn it back over..I'm like what the hey? OK so Michelle comes over and cant feel the little nubby things that show where to put the needle...then there is this strange prick like a needled where they keep putting their finger trying to feel the port up.  I have never felt that before and told them..so the call goes out to the surgeon he says I need to walk over there Building is next door..the surgeon starts looking at it and says its in the right place..so he tries to put the needle in to see if it is working right..cant get any blood..takes it out and say damn needle is to short.  breaks something by the needle ands says tell them they need to use a 1 inch needle..and proceed to put it back in me and say there it works he used a lot a pressure.....tapes everything on me and sends me back...Nurse Michelle say I have never used a 1 inch needle on you.... but then realizes that after all his pushing on me it is turned back to right side up...go figure that...what about the prick..he says I don't know what that would be!  and to tell you the truth I don't feel it any more and if it was there before I couldn't tell you because of the lidocaine I put on 1 hour before they use the port..soo ???? Then the rest was a normal day at the Chemo Lounge.....actually slept during the 1hour 20 minute Cytoxan drip...and it still messed up my sinuses..thats the lord there is only one more!

Trishab  Congrats on your news is wonderful 

pattricia48  I too was told to pack in the protein before and eat a high protein breakfast before the chemo. and tons of water. so the chemo is quickly flushed out of your system  So our ritual now before the Chemo weekend is mostly fish and one big steak night before.. like njbhwgirl I was saved by a burger  ..It was wonderful.but didn't actually make a sandwich, ate it without the bun. that is more meat then we are used to here.... 

njbhwgirl  Didn't they do a cat scan before surgery (if you have already done that)  they did one on me to make sure that there was no other cancer in my body because of the lymph nod involvement..

 OK off to my Chemo induced nap time...

While on the Chemo I feel like a cat fall asleep anywhere and everywhere.

westiemom

Day your treatment sounds very much like mine, but I don't receive benadryl, they gave me a new med in my iv for nauseau - emend, worked great. My treatment (4 rounds every 21 days of cytoxen/taxotere) takes about 4 hours and I go back the following week for a shot of Neulesta, now that stuff gave me a headache, stomach ache and fatigue but no bone pain. I couldn't sleep after the 1st treatment, spoke to my onc about it, he prescribed me ambien 5mg and it works great for me. I absolutely hate treatment but it sounds like we have two more to go. Take care, lots of hugs to you, we are going to get this banana mess behind us and enjoy our lives! Told my husband this time next year I want to be in Nappa toasting all of us on this board. Have a great evening! 

nanaof2

Hi Ladies, didn't get to write yesterday.  Had my treatment but was late, the port developed a clot, so they had to flush it several times and sent the blood to be tested, only to find it still had clots. So, reflushed again, did get a sample that was good. Just took more time for two blood tests.  Good news, was the blood tests were good. Still no need for neulesta.  That was treatment number 2.

Best news, was from you Trish.  Thanks for sharing that, I know it boosts everyones spirit.

Will write more tomorrow. Had a long day at work, interviews all day.

Good night Ladies.

Judy

Shrek4

I have to confess that I feel bad for not addressing each and every one of you as you reply, but I am afraid that I will make a blunder or something, and write the wrong name for the wrong reply. I feel very confused and dizzy, to be honest, and the Neulasta gave me a headache. You know, the kind where it seems you got a rock sitting on your forehead.

 Westiemom, they give me benadryl because my body is trying to reject the Taxotere - that is why I have all these reactions. I looked in the copy of my treatment yesterday - took 2 1/2 hours to give me the Taxotere only, it was on such a slow drip. I got Decadron with a steroid, then one more 50 mg steroid, then after the reaction another 50 mg of steroid then the Taxotere then the cytoxan. They started teh treatment at 10:20 am and finished it at 3:40 pm. It took forever!

I have a question: did anyone get any kind of irritation, you know, in the nether parts? Seems that since my new "nakedness" right after the treatment (and continuing today) I am kind of burning when I go to the bathroom.

Redbarb804

Well I have my second treatment tomorrow.  I am alittle nervous about having a reaction.  I have realized that te steriods that I take the day before is what is giving me the heartburn.  Time to take  tumms.  Thanks for the advice on the protein.  I will remember that for breakfast, a little late for tonight. 

Tricia: I loved the wig story.  I guess they look a lot better on us then we think. I felt the same way when I went to church on Sunday.  Thanks for the news on the chemo working it's nice to know that we are going through this ugly stuff for a purpose.

Day: I'm hoping my treatment doesn't take as long as yours took.  that must have been a nightmare sitting there so long. 

westiemom: It's interesting that you get your neulasta shot a week later.  I go the day after.  It is so weird how we can be on the same cocktail and things can still be so different.

Hair update:  Hair I shaved short is still coming out pretty badly, but I can handle the short hairs much better than when they were long.  I haven't lost hair down under yet.  Have most of you lost that hair?  I haven't had to shave my legs as often so it isn't growing as fast.  Eye brows and lashes still in tack. Same with arm hair.  I figure since the hair on my head has fallen out that the chemo is working. 

Did anyone else hear the news about the vacine that has been developed to prevent breast cancer.  Apparently it has been working on animals,  All they need is the funding to get started on humans!!!  I heard it on the news the other night.

Hopefully it is true!!

Have a great Thursday!!!!!

sacphotomom

Day  I'm there too for me it happens about the 5th day I thought it might be a badder or yeast infection but they tested and it was clear...I my new Brazilian is to blame also...

Irishtess

Day:  Glad you got a kick out of my story - my non-bc girlfriends also thought it was very funny!

Patricia48: I love your idea about a dark chemo humor book (& thanks for the MB comments!).  When I was first diagnosed, I read "Cancer on $5 a day (Chemo not included)" by Robert Schimmel (a comedian).  Much of it was really funny!  Other than that, the other "survivor" stories & books are more serious and factual, so why not?  Any interest in this?  I'd be willing to start pulling some our better material together!

fotopet:  That was my reaction, too!  Redbarb: Good luck today.  TriciaB:  I agree with the others - it's a comfort to hear from someone with concrete proof that this stuff is working!  Njbhwgirl:  I also had all my scans pre-surgery.  However, if my doc wanted to check something out now, I'd err on the side of caution & do it (that's just me).  Westiemom:  I hear you about being in Nappa next year!  My destination is Ireland, downing many pints of Guinness & shots of Middleton's Irish Whiskey!  Nana, JennyB, LauraM, Packjen, Summer, Leanna & sacphotomom:  Thinking of you also & thanks for the posts.  [Sorry if I missed anyone].

Humor for today (I'm Catholic & my husband is Jewish, & this is one of my favorite jokes):

A priest and a rabbi happen to be sitting side by side during a flight.  After briefly reflecting on their respective beliefs, the priest turns to the rabbi and says, "Rabbi, pardon me for asking, but I know that your religion has a prohibition against pork.  Have you ever tested your beliefs and tried pork?"  The rabbi, being an honest man responds "Why yes Father, I did try pork once and I am ashamed for allowing myself to be tempted."  The priest nods his head and says "I understand."  Both men sit in quiet contemplation for a while and then the rabbi says "Father, pardon me for asking, but I know that your religion requires priests to be celibate.  Have you ever tested your beliefs and made love to a woman?"  The priest responds "Why yes rabbi, I did have sex with a woman once and I am also ashamed for submitting to temptation."  The rabbi nods quietly and after a minute responds "It's a lot better than a ham sandwich isn't it?"

I'm off to NYC tomorrow for treatment 2 - will check in next week.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Summer38

Hi ladies,

2nd AC yesterday and everything went smoothly. Nothing very exciting to report. Did notice on day 13 (after 1st AC) that my "down there" hair was falling out pretty quickly and today if I run my fingers through my already shortened hair I get about 15 strands in my fingers. Almost time to shave it, probably this weekend.

On a slightly sad note, My 11 year old daughter has her 6th grade trip to Boston today and we've been planning, since Oct., that I would be going with her. Well, we decided a few weeks ago that bc it was so close to my treatment it wouldn't be the best idea. So we set it up that a very dear, "hip" young (26) friend of ours would be her chaperon and everyone seemed to be ok with that. Well, at 5:30 this morning I dropped them off at the school and waited to hug/kiss her till she got on the bus. At this point I realized I was not "ok" with it!!! Walking back to my car and all the way home I cried like a baby - and even now as I type it! I hate missing these special things with her! I feel sad for her being the only one without a "parent" but I feel left out too! This sucks!!!! I am truly grateful though that we have such good close friends who are willing to give up their time and step in.

Ok sorry to vent, just a little emotional today!

Cleob - So glad you had a nice weekend with your granddaughter!

Tricia B - great news on "melting" the tumor!

Hope everyone is doing well and all treatments are going smoothly!

JennyB100104

Hi everyone,

Day, my onc told me that burning/pain during urination was one of the side effects of Cytoxan. Drink, drink, drink. But sounds like it could also be a potential UTI.

Summer, I totally relate. I have an 11-year-old too, and two younger ones. I feel like I'm really not there as much for them at the end of this school year than I should be. Hugs.

Tess, that was a cute joke! LOL!

Patricia, your son sounds great, but I don't think he should be speaking for your 25-year-old daughter! I bet she wouldn't appreciate that!

Rebarb, I hope they're on to something with this vaccine. For my daughter's sake if not my own!

Has anyone else just felt like they're in a fog all the time? I'm doing such ditzy things, it's unbelievable. I'm just not all there lately. I really hope this goes away after chemo. Ugh.

Drim

Hi all,

Day - so sorry to hear that your infusion took so long. I don't blame you for being pooped and not feeling like you can respond to everyone.

Patricia - that is kinda funny that your son spoke for your daughter. I'm sure it would be traumatic for you to see your daughter with a shaved head. Somehow for boys it doesn't seem like that big a deal (I guess depending on what kind of hairstyle they currently have).

nanaof 2 and sacphotomom - so sorry to hear about your port issues. Hopefully that doesn't happen anymore. Glad they finally got it straightened out for both of you.

Tricia - the wig story made me cry. That must have made you feel like a million bucks to hear that wig compliment.

Irishtess - I noticed that you said you are coming to NYC for your treatment.Where do you go? I live in NYC. Do you need any help with anything?

Summer - I'm sorry you could not be with your daughter. I do not have any kids and I can't imagine going through all this while having to worry about kids too. God bless all you parents out there!!

Hair stuff: I am doing the penguin cold caps so I'm not losing the hair on my head. The only other hair I seem to be losing (Day 24 of TCx4) is the hair down there. It fell out a bunch around day 15/16 something like that and then it stopped so perhaps in a couple of weeks it will all be gone. I haven't noticed any other hair loss but it does seem like the hair is growing in slower like under my arms and legs.

I also got the irritation down there about a week after my first treatment. I thought it may be a yeast or bladder infection but I just think it was the cytoxan irritating the area and then it went away completely in about a week. This time I'm making sure to always wipe with wet wipes so it doesn't happen again. Also - drink drink drink water. I've finally had to resort to lemon flavoring in the water because the water is starting to get boring after 4 weeks of massive drinking.

Hope you are all well!