August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!
Comments
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Madismommy, Thanks for the wig help. I have decided to get one,because during chemo day, one woman had a hat and the other had a hat w/ false ponytail. I exclaimed to false ponytail " Oh! you haven't lost your hair!" She was thrilled, I think....I have to say the "hair" look was cuter.So, at home scarves, out wig?
Madismommy, my tummy was doing loud warning gurgles. So. I immediately took 1mg ativan and compazine. Was able to eat plain noodles an hour later ( so I could take my steroid) Did not throw up. It was more of a morning sickness, fair ride feeling.
So, my mentor (Kitty stage III 2 yrs ago- doing fantastic now) Said zofran for the first 2-3 days. Then compazine as needed. Good plan. I will be off board steroid-wise today, so I expect more fatique maybe? Anti nausea pils increase that feeling.
Doodlebug12- My energy is decent until the late afternoon, around dinnertime. But, before then I manage to walk dogs ("long loop") on our 66 acres, paint some on our mudroom/bedroom renovations, do laundry, do dishes, make lunch, etc.... You will want to get out of the house! My almost 19 yr old is helping me out a lot, I love it! She can't wait to go back to college, but she is being awesome since chemo started! And, Doodlebug, I feel more relief than SEs since chemo. It is a good feeling to have help fighting any remaining evil lurkers!
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Happy Saturday everyone!
Bought a wig yesterday, got it home and decided it wasn't really me! So I went online and found one that is almost identical to my new short do, so I ordered it. I'll keep the other one in case I decide a different look is needed one day.
Hope those who had treatment this week are coping okay with the the S/Es.
I'm off to Toronto this afternoon with my sister to see Billy Elliot. Last outing before starting chemo on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
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Michelle...have a great time! I love going to broadway shows!!!
What a great way to enjoy your weekend and take your mind off Monday!
Ellen...that's my plan, scarves at home and my wig or halo/hat combo when I'm out. I just know I won't be able to rock the scarf mentally every where I go. The wig I chose should be really easy to put on and in place, so it wont become a chore to wear. I'm going to have a harder time keeping my 8 year old from announcing to everyone "my mom has on a wig!" lol....
Doodle...hope my info helps! Have you looked anywhere for wigs yet? I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and styles....definitely wouldn't know it was a wig if I didn't share the info.... We'll see. And regarding going out and about, I plan on working during treatment....and intend to do my normal stuff (grocery shopping, dinner out with family, daughters school functions) so long as my s/e are cooperating. I don't think there's any reason we have to be cooped up if we feel good ? :0) -
Good morning ladies.....I feel great today! Im 10 days out from 1st AC tx and going to take my girls school shopping.....they'll be thrilled to know I feel like me again ;-) I've been blessed to have minimal SE....mostly just the fatigue. Here's to a blessed SE free day for everyone....enjoy!!!!
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YAY Yvette...that's awesome to hear, enjoy your shopping day, sounds like FUN!!!
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ohhh, you chicas sound as tho you're handling everything so far fairly well - SO encouraging!!! i loveloveLove your energy & humor!
had my port placement thursday the 4th - not a fun experience but only because i had a bad reaction to either the anesthesia or pain meds. couldn't keep a Thing down til my youngest arrived w/gingerale to save my life & it worked nicely! [i dont normally drink soda so we dont keep it in the house - guess that'll be changing!] other than that, the port's really not a big deal.... even went blueberry-picking for two delightful hours this a.m. & enjoyed Every Second!! Yayyy. i just Love when the anticipation turns out to be a bigger issue than the actuality, don't you?
on the wig topic, has anyone looked into tlcdirect.org? the ACS sent a catalog and i checked them out online - went a lil crazy & bought enough scarves, hats, bands, the works for different looks practically every day til this is Over!! ya. i know. anyways, their wigs are really attractive as well and very reasonably priced. i ordered a really cute lace front that was on sale [the lace fronts are a little steeper priced.] as well as a couple shorter "normal" [i.e.lower priced!] wigs. they're all pretty nice looking - except i still have Way too much hair to try them on comfortably. i've been practicing my scarf tying, following directions from YouTube & might Even be good at it by the time i need them!
oh, also go here: http://www.bandanas.net/special.htm for some Outstandingly Beautiful scarves/bandanas for cheap as well as freebies. i almost can't Wait to start wearing them - how bad is That??
michelle, your short do is adorable! i hope you thoroughly enjoy your weekend.
ellen, i can't help but get psyched for you w/all that great energy!! hope it lasts & lasts & lasts.... thanks too for the anti-nausea info. after the heaving i went thru post-port, i'm fairly certain that's Not something i want to repeat. GAHH.
doodlebug, you break my heart, woman! it seems as though your family is trying to dictate how you should live this treatment....it's Your body & Your life - please stand up & be counted!! if you feel that you'd be more comfortable & happier w/your self-image w/a wig, then Dammit, get one!! the idea that you need to sneak around shopping for something that would make you feel better during this crapola just ticks me off!!
yvette, go ahead & stimulate our economy - whatever helps, right? & Yay that your kids get to enjoy the Real you!!
have a sweet rest of the weekend, dear friends.
rox- out
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Hi All, had my wig appointment yesterday and was pretty upset that the wig I ordered 3 weeks ago is on back order and they dont know when it will come in, so I had to settle for my second choice ,its ok but I have so much trouble trying to get the parting in it to sit right , looks like I will have to take as long as I used to getting my own hair right , got the synthetic one as its much lighter than the human hair ones , it was quite emotional for me leaving the shop as it really sunk in that I WILL lose my hair, cryed for a while but then felt a lot better.
Madismommy, I had my MX with (AND) 5 weeks ago and I still dont have full range of motion either it will take time Im told , keep up the exercising and it will feel better , Im still not sure if I can use deodrant on that side or not have you being using it Im just so terrified of Lymphedima. but cant stand not using it.
Carol - TC starting 8/18 x 6 treatments for ILC
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Hi ladies! Thank you for all the well wishes and I am feeling better. I was hit with the nausea just three hours after my infusion and it wasn't even time for me to take my at-home stuff but I did. They gave me emend through the IV and I have compazine and Ativan for the nausea at home. I was drinking fluids like it was my job. That's why I was so surprised it hit me so hard and so quickly. But I am feeling better. I went to get my Neulasta shot yesterday and they gave me some fluids there and that also helped. I've been walking and napping and eating toast with PB. I think I finally feel hungry right now for the first time since Thurs nite! I will ask about Zofran. Thanks ladies, hope you all are well!
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And Madismommy - my nausea was like a hangover. My head hurt and I also had diarrhea. I thought I was going to throw up a couple times but not to the point where my head was in the toilet. The on-call dr told me to up the Ativan. He said to take one then and one an hour later and if I really needed to, I could take 4 in a 6 hour period. I didn't need that many. I woke up on Friday without nausea but a lingering headache. Drove myself and my mom to my shot and also picked up my bro from the airport. So it first felt like it was the repercussions of a bad bender but now I am pretty much fine. And no bone pain from the Neulasta. I asked the on-call dr on Thurs nite if it was normal to get hit so quickly after the infusion and he indicated that it was kind of rare but everyone is different. I think I went in a little too cocky, convinced I would be fine :-)
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Hi everybody
Hope that you are al doing ok. Interesting day for me today. I grabbed the bull by the horns and ordered wigs and head cover and hats and basically everything that I could find on a website to do with hair loss. Have had such fun!!!@roxessence.. I will be eternally grateful to you for your encouraging words re family. You are right, they are driving me crazy and I decided today that I have devoted 22yrs to them all without so much as a moan and for the next 6 months I am taking some "me time" they can sort themselves out. The 2 gir,s and my husband are big enough and bold enough to learn how to look after themselves and as for my little man (8yrs) My mother will make sure that everything is in place to keep his life as normal as can possibly be....
@kasi I am delighted that you are feeling back to normal (ish) just think you are now 1 down and only 7 more to go
@summergirl -
@summergirl I too am in Ireland and the websites that roxessence recommended are fantastic. Are you having your treatment in Dublin. I am attending the hermitage clinic in Lucan
@michelleo13 I love your new haircut. I am getting mine cut very short in the morning -hope that you are feeling positive for Monday. I will be thinking and hoping that everything goes great for you
Xxx M -
Hi Doodlebug, I am going to St vincents Hospital, in Dublin , living in Rosslare so its a bit of a track their each time, my family all live in Dublin so they are there to help me out , when do you start your chemo, I start on the 18th and am terrified. I will look on that site you mentioned Thxs. I went to Roches in Dublin for my wig heard they were great but I wasnt that happy with them they were nice but I always felt rushed , talk soon x Carol
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Thank you, Doodlebug!! I appreciate that so much!
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@summergirl. How hard that is for you to have to travel so far for treatment. I start my treatment on Tuesday and like you I am really scared. I actually feel very well this last couple of weeks and am dreading the down that is to come. I hear you about Roche's, I don't think it was the fact that you felt rushed... I think that you are probably like me and just didn't want to be there. The whole process can be so overwhelming at times don't you think... That's why I chose to go online for a wig. Couldn't cope with strangers telling me how "natural and fantastic" a wig looked on my head. (not) haha.. I hope that we can be of some support to each other through this.. I feel that I can't talk to anyone else honestly about this process because none of my pals have been through anything like this (thank god). Let's try together to not be scared or terrified... We can both do this and will come out the other side stronger and better.
Take care
Xx michaela -
Just home from a great day out with my sister. Billy Elliot was an outstanding show. Just what I needed to take my mind off things.
Kasi & Yvette, glad to hear you're feeling good today!
Roxessence & Doddlebug, thanks for the compliment on my new short hairdo! I actually do really like it myself. I said yesterday that I may never grow it long again when this is all over! It's also much easier to practice tying the scarves and trying on wigs without all that long hair in the way!
Doodlebug, isn't Rosslare in Wexford? My Mum was born in Wexford and most of her family still live there...Ballyconnick/Cleariestown area.
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I'm joining the August group. Four AC infusions every two weeks followed by 12 weeks of Taxol, then six weeks of radiation and five years of Arimidex. My first treatment is on Thursday and I am a nervous wreck. On Monday I am scheduled for an echocardiogram, bone scan and CT body scan. Has anyone else has to have these tests as well? I feel like it's a little overkill, but maybe it's the norm. Although I wish none of us had to go through this, I am so glad I have you all with me on the journey.
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Michaela,/Doodlebug
Im right there with you , I am also the same dont know anyone who has gone through this and although everyone is lovely they just dont understand the fear and anxiety involved , All i get from everyone is stay positive youll be fine, I know they mean well but there are times I just want to cry but have to hold it together just so I dont upset them, I wore my wig today for a while as I was told to get used to it , but it just doesnt feel right I guess it will take time, you are more than welcome to contact me anytime you want to talk/laugh/cry/ @ 087 7948137 even if you just need someone to rant to believe me I will totally understand and best of luck on tuesday. xx Carol
Michello13 , its me that lives in Rosslare and yes it is in Wexford , Cleariestown is not far from my house thats so funny,
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Welcome justina....glad you found us!!! We're all going to help each other get through this, I know I need the support daily for my anxieties.... I should start in about 2 weeks. I had the bone and CT scans already and going for the Muga this week to check the heart. The worst part of them so far was drinking the yucky drink before the CT. my onc. is a little overboard on testing too, but it has brought me relief along the way with the good results.... good luck!!!
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good for you, doodlebug/michaela [i Love your name - does everyone call you micky?]!!!
i'm real proud of you, girl! doesnt it feel fantastic to grab that steering wheel & DRIVE?!? you even Sound more confident, bless your heart. kasi, thanks for your excellent description of your S/E's & how you handled them. funny how life finds ways to take us down a peg or two when we start getting cocky, isnt it?
keep it up, chica - you sound like a powerful Strong woman!michelle, i'm hanging on every word as your treatment looks identical to the one i'll be getting - i'm TN too. have you checked out the TNBC thread here? i've tried but i Just dont have time to constantly read, absorb, comment on many subjects & still have a Life!
anyhow, i am Bushed - been a gawdawful long day, up since 4:30 a.m. due to more nerves. BAH. toddling off to beddy-bye shortly!
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Welcome Justina. I had a bone scan on Thursday and have the CT scan and MUGA scan booked for this week. The ONC told me they're standard staging tests that everyone has. Your DX is very similar to mine...even one day apart. I start A/C on Monday. I'm a bit worried about the CT scan and drinking the yucky drink the day after my first chemo treatment but I guess I'll survive that!
Roxessence, I have checked out the TNBC thread on here. Some good information there but sometime it stresses me out!
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Madismommy,
Please excuse the comparison, but truth be told, I'd equate the nausea to feeling like the poop shoot got backed up creating lower abdom cramping and feeling like I needed/wanted to go but couldn't. Had husband go to pharmacy and get enema, that worked great and felt great relief after that. For the remainder of the day, certain food odors bothered me, like husband's coffee, quacamole, canteloupe. The only food I could tolerate was wheat toast and crackers, black tea and water was good too. That only last about 24 hrs and later that night I ate hot roast beef sandwich with mac & cheese (small portion), go figure!! That was yesterday, today I had no queasinesss and even ate at a fab Italian restaurant in NYC! This too shall pass...
Eileen
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Eileen.... So, I better add a stool softener and/or laxative to my list of stuff to have on hand? I'd rather feel like I'm "backed up" than head in the toilet "that was a great frat party last night" puking.... Although an enema could not have been pleasant!!! So glad you're feeling much better!!!!!! :0).
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Summergirl,
I'm not wearing my wig till I have to!! I want to stay as "normal" as possible and then slip into that wig which will look as close to my "look" as possible when the time comes, which will be in about 14 days. I'll have plenty of time to get "used" to it then. The ones who tell you to stay positive, you'll be fine are right, but they've never been through what you're feeling. You have the right to feel however you're feeling at any given moment and that's OK. Cry if you want to, laugh if you want to, be mad if you want to, I DO!! It's all OK. I will remember you in my prayers tonite and tomorrow, the day after and the day after that, God will give us the grace and perserverence we need to get through this.
Eileen
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Madismommy,
Yes, even with a diet full of fruits and veggies, it can't hurt to have Senakot in your bag. I've been using it for a while now, sometimes with Miralax, but I've had this problem since April with all my surgeries and the stress, and I think a big thing is lack of exercise to get things "moving". Enema was not that bad, however it sure beats the constip/nausea feeling. It's been sooo hot on the East coast this summer so I haven't been keeping up with exercise and I'm kinda germ phobic since this diagnosis so I haven't been to the gym either. Walking is just not great for me either as I get shin splints and that throughs my hips out due to chronic bursitis. Wow, I really feel old with all these complaints! Being on the "other" side of 50 has its downfalls I guess. It really does feel good to vent though, thanks for listening!
Eileen
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Sometimes I tell the "stay positive" people in my life to back off a little.... I have every right to be upset at times.... I have a couple relatives that anytime I try to say any emotions I feel that aren't "YAY, I have cancer....rah rah rah" they shoot me down with "hey now, none of that....stop it". Even when im joking....which is most of the time, it's how I deal with things a lot..... It aggravates me that I'm not allowed to voice my fears and anger to them, it's only natural for us to be a little pissed.... What the heck did we DO to end up here????
So, my point in all my rambling, there's nothing wrong with crying, screaming, laughing, cursing, etc.... It's all part of this crazy emotional rollercoaster that we ended up on together!!! -
Eileen... I've had all the same bathroom issues as well, since my diagnosis from stress and than all my pain killers and antibiotics from 2 surgeries.... And I won't even tell you what almost happened after several non working (so I thought) laxatives.... Honestly, I thought all modesty went out the window after I had my daughter and went through pregnancy/birth.... This might actually take the cake before it's all said and done. LOL. We need to remind each other of our "poop" talks next august when we're living life "normal" again..... I don't even remember what it feels like to feel good anymore, I just told my husband that today.... I sleep horribly, my chest hurts, I have bathroom problems, I'm exhausted, I have scars everywhere, my left arm is numb and tingly and barely moves, I get winded walking up and down the stairs in my house..... WTH??? Ok, I'll stop my whining now....
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Hi Everyone day 13 of 1st treatment nausea was like a hangover goes away after a few days though.Ask for emend I did not have it but will ask for it next treatment.Only S/E today is scalp is very sore I thinks thats because i hav'nt cut my hair yet and its probably starting to fall out.I had C T scan Muga Scan they are easy I think most Dr's order them.So far the Chemo experience is not nearly close to what I thought it would be.It is very Doable im suprised.Hope Everyone has a good evening.
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I hope everyone is recovering this weekend. VTEllen thanks for the advice. I am gearing up for the SAVI radiation procedure. It is funny I think because I feel like I am in some sort of denial right now underplaying the gravity of how much my body is getting ready to endure. I have my hats and wig and meds etc. Current chemo GFs thanks for making me feel like this can be endured. I know I am taking different drugs than most of you so the SEs may be different.
I went to a children's film festival and saw some funny short films. It was good to laugh. I must remember how healing laughter can be. We have a laughter yoga class at our cancer center but I can't quite put my mind around what you do in such a class. Anyone ever attended one?
Madismommy I hope you have a enjoyable trip and it sounded like wise planning making the dates work.
Peace to all. -
I sometimes find that too much information is stressing me out, even though I know, that knowledge is power.
Michelle...I loved Billy Elliott! Superb dancing! As far as the hair, I am pretty sure I won't go back to highlights. Maybe just home color. Not sure, because I don't know what color is coming back!
Justina...I received the same recipe as you! The cardiac tests are norm.
Jenn...definitely have a bottle of stool softener. Generic is fine, too. And yes, it's just fine to get pissed off. You deserve it!
Eileen...I feel the same way. That's why I feel differently when a fellow cancer buddy gives me support. I am finding that it doesn't matter to me, if that support comes from another cancer survivor, breast or not.
Musical...yes it's good to laugh, isn't it? I can't imagine that type of yoga class. But, I can't imagine going to one of those hot yoga classes, either.
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Ladies I have been reading this thread for awhile. I love the strength, spirit and humor you have all shown. I am waiting to find out if I need chemo. I had my Oncotype test done 11 days ago. Tick, tock.....frustrating. I am hoping to hear in a few days at the latest. If I have to have chemo not sure when I will begin. If late August I cannot imagine belonging to a more wonderful group. I feel like I know many of you through this thread. If no chemo for me, I will still read and follow your progress. You give me strength!
Many soft, gentle hugs to all of you. Wishing all the best and a positive happy outcome for all.
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