Calling all TNs

Cathytoo

Simplelife4real......I love your asparagus story. I hope the day will come when you have enough to feed 10 people‼️

'Twaz......LOVE,LOVE your hair. Enjoy it while you can‼️

Everyone.......Have a fabulous weekend.

HausFrauMi

Twaz you can see what I did before chemo started in my profile pic then after 2 wk of week I went shorter but shaves it several days later since the handfuls of hair while showering drove me crazy! I have it buzzed super short now but several spots still have my original hair and then there is peach fuzz everywhere else after 4 rounds of AC.

Welcome Newbies hope you find lots of support and answers here! I known have been comforted and reassured by many posts!

Started my taxol today.....1 down. The Benadryl knocked me out for a long afternoon nap and sent me to the potty about 4-5 times while I was getting my infusion -- which made it hard to nap during treatment.

LillieRose

congrats Alhusband! 3 years is amazing! I hope you and your family had a wonderful time celebrating

Meadow

Wow I love seeing those faces! Twaz and Haus, you both look wonderful.

Shorfi, so glad for your fat necrosis! So happy for you.

Shopgal2

Haus you look beautiful! Good luck on taxol.

Valstim52

Haus, Twaz you guys look beautiful. Sending good vibes for you on Taxol Haus. My last one is Monday. Then on to surgery.

anotherNYCGirl

YAYYY shorfi!

sending BE WELL and FEEL GOOD wishes to everyone here!

SA8PG

Haus -Beautiful!!! Taxol 1 down. Woooohoooo!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone. April is half way over.

Hugs

G

Twaz

Two days til chemo! Actually, two days until I see the oncologist for the first time. Glad they aren't messing around because I feel like my tumor is bigger. I see the MO at 8, then go to the chemo area. I have zero instructions, don't know what kind I'm getting. I assume it'll be the same as all of you- the AC + T. I'll have to do some research.

So-- pros, what advice do you have for a first timer?

Valstim52

Twaz

What still helps me is the chemo thread for your month. There is a starting chemo April 2016 thread. It's really helpful.

HausFrauMi

Twaz-- you are starting chemo and haven't been told what is going on?!?

Some times they give diff meds depending on stage/Tumor size and if you have any previous heart conditions or concerns. There are some clinical trials that some TNBC qualify for as well.

I agree to also join the April chemo group. It helps tremendously!!!

Twaz

Yep. They're rushing me in. Thank you TNBC. I'm young (43) and healthy, so maybe that's why they're just going to get me in. If the MO finds something, I'm guessing they'll delay. My regular doctor is in the same system as my hospital & cancer center, so they have access to past physicals & such. I was there last in January.

I'm already in the April Chemosabes! 

LoveMyVizsla

I'm jumping the gun here, but started doing some research on radiation last night. My question here is, have any of you with early stage, 3cm or smaller tumor been offered accelerated partial breast irradiation (versus whole breast radiation)? Just wondering if it is an option for us TN girls, before I get my hopes up.

PurpleMinion

Twaz, advice for the first timer: relax. You will probably get a "teaching" before you actually get the infusion, where a nurse will go over all the info about side effects etc. and when to call if you have any problems after you go home, and on and on, whatever they want you to know. You should have some immodium and some senna or miralax on hand at home, as well as water and gatorade as hydration is really important. I find chemo infusion days to be quite calming. I have usually gotten a benadryl pre-med which really makes you relax. I like to bring my own water, styrofoam cups make me gag. I also bring someone with me and scout out the food options in advance (at a new place) then send them for lunch or snacks once we are settled in the chair. I always bring an ipad (with two sets of headphones and a splitter so we can both watch) and stream some stupid comedy or something, definitely not a show that involves a lot of thinking though, that's too frustrating on benadryl! Or, maybe an ipod and just close your eyes.

MoreShoes

Shorfi, great news!!!!

Twaz, you look fantastic!

Shopgal2

lovemyvizsla my tumor was 9mm and I asked my rad onco about the shortened Canadian protocol that does 16 treatments. My rad said it was better to go with the whole 30 breast as a TN.

Twaz you can call your mo office on Monday to ask what type of chemo. My mo gave me info sheets on the chemo I was supposed to have before I signed the consent for them to give me chemo. And I totally agree with joining the April chemo group. It will be an additional support to what we will give you here. And best advice I got was take it 1 chemo at a time and think little side effects. The side effects thought was a good idea because it helped me be less scared and helped me not freak out over every little thing and think it was awful. Chemo sucks but having a positive mindset helps.

4everStrong

just sharing a thought with everyone.

I feel cancer treatment goes on for so long! did any of you use counselling? was that of any help?

shorfi

I did with my second bout...but it was useless...

MoreShoes

4everstrong, YES! I started counseling in 2008 (first time cancer) and I still see my therapist. It helps a lot. I can cry without being judged, she gives me some pointers and in general I can't imagine not seeing her.

HausFrauMi

I have done counseling for other things in the past but didn't get much out of it. No life changing a ha moments or realizations. So not looking at doing it for this. My son is going because he is a worrier and needs to learn some coping mechanisms. Not to say I wouldn't consider it in the future should the situation go downhill

Cathytoo

Regarding counseling...It has made a major difference for me in how I'm dealing with having breast cancer. But, I think that what's most important is the therapist.

placid44

Twaz,

My blog (not really a blog - more like a static info download...see my signature line) has a topic on my experience with ACT chemo...what they gave me with it, etc.

Cathytoo

Yellow spot on breast - Paget's Disease? This morning I noticed a roundish yellow area on my other breast, not touching the nipple but above it. Immediately I consulted Dr Google and what came up was Paget's Disease‼️ So, now of course, I'm frightened and I'm sure this is what I have. I'm trying to be rationale and stay calm. Have any of you had such an experience? I'm wondering if it could be from the TC. Just hoping it disappears over the next few days. I just can't handle another BC issue. But, I guess this is the future...worrying that every little thingis BC related.

Praline

Had #10 chemo treatment today. Two more to go. Came home and slept for 5 hoursI have been pretty good except no hair...and not just on my head...just thin eyebrows and eyelashes left. I should invest in stocks in the Kleenex company .Nose constantly running! And I feel like I am 150 years old. No energy , I take a shower and get dressed and it it time to rest. And no appetite either, nothing looks good.

HausFrauMi

Praline-I stocked up on Kleenex yesterday! I have to use the lotion ones because my nose is sooo sore. at least you can see the finish line! Had my 1st taxol last week and I am just tired.

I hear you on the blahs. Nothing seems interesting. I eat because I am hungry but I'm not excited about it. Showering is TIRING. I think it's the heat.

Cathytoo- I have noticed discoloring to my armpits but more of a darkening. Could you have gotten a bruise??

PeggySull

Hi, first time chemo patient:

What I wished I had done was a) get Taxol weekly instead of biweekly) and b) freeze my feet during the infusion. I now have permanent neuropathy in my feet from not doing the above. This is really bad--my balance is permanently affected. I have tried everything--from supplements to acupuncture. Also, if they prescribe ativan for nausea and sleep, be careful to take it sparingly as it is very hard to come off from when you take it regularly like i did.

Wishing you the best,

Peggy

Meadow

Praline, hang in there. You are almost done, you warrior. Just rest, drink a lot of water, repeat. Hopefully you are able to eat small amounts several times a day. I remember waking up in the night about 2 or 3 am...just ravenous. My son was 19 at the time, we raided the fridge together! But during the day just ate small amounts. Keep up your strength for healing ahead. Hugs to you.

Milwmama

Praline, I hear ya. My weeks when I get cargo I feel horrible after the first two days. Food is awful, as is water. Nose is starting to slow down, hair is starting to regrow and fuzzy, but eyebrows and eyelashes are very, very thin. I'm very weak as well. Tomorrow is probably going to my only good day this week. Then Thursday I go back for Taxol. Hopefully it's easier, no double whammy. Sad thing is my counts will be low, but just good enough. Then next week, they will be too low and I will have to skip a week. Ugh!! Frustrating, just want to get this over. Have 8 more including this upcoming one.

Meadow

Hang in there you too, Milwmama!

WannaCruize

Yes, I have been icing my hands & feet for my taxol infusions (every 3 weeks x 6), and so far (knock on wood) no tingling, no neuropathy, no nails lifting. I also keep dark nail polish on because I head that keeping the light off the nails helps avoid the discoloration. I start icing 15 minutes before the Taxol starts, and keep icing until 15 minutes after it is done, switching out ice packs as they warm up.

I found some info on making my own DIY ice packs, very cheap. Instructions are here, if anyone is interested: http://www.instructables.com/id/Water-Bead-Ice-Pac...