Starting Chemo in Nov. 2011...anyone else?

Tipnas

Sorry, I feel like I'm talking a lot! Blame those steroids again!  My 16 yr old daughter just texted me from the gym and said "there is a lady exercising here who's lost her hair and is wearing a scarf.  You can do it too!!"  Losing my hair is worth it for all the love and encouragement I'm getting from her right now!!

linnyhopp

Terry ~ I know that it will be traumatic and I keep looking for hairs on the pillow even though it was only Monday for the first chemo.  I wonder if it would be better to just get it shaved when I pick up my wig on next Monday? 

Deb ~ Since I was diagnosed in August, I have had 2 haircuts...had stylist cut it shorter, but it seems to grow faster right now just to defy me!  LOL!  I haven't had color since then so it's drab, and as I told everyone, I am trying not to LIKE my hair.  Unfortunately, for me, the style is exactly what I have wanted for years so hopefully by buying the wig that looked most like it the transition won't be as traumatic...NOT!  But, I will kick, scream and cry and then move on I guess.

Tipnas ~ I know your wig will be great.  Patty really does have a knack with people who need her.  Tell her I will see her on Monday morning!  Sounds like you are at the point where the wig is going to be used right away.  Like I posted above, I don't know what to do about shaving my head or waiting through Thanksgiving.  Decisions, decisions.  Sorry that you had to go through the meltdown.  I am sure most of us do and I am definitely not looking forward to that time.  I have gotten the sense from so many who have been through it already that the anticipation is the worst...that's what I am hoping for.  I have a picture of me in my wig when I tried it on and it looks pretty good... hoping it isn't just my imagination.  So glad your daughter is so supportive of you.  It helps when people you love are there for you.  I truly know what you mean about the hair making it seem so real.  Somehow even my surgery scars don't seem as real as thinking about the hair loss.  Seems kind of trite in the whole scheme of having BC, but I think the mirror shows things that make it all too real.  Somehow, I know we will get through it, but feel the same as you.

Hoping everyone is doing well with minimal side effects.  If I can get through with just the sore throat thing and the fatigue, I will consider myself lucky.  And since that xanax worked for sleeping last night I have another thing to be grateful for...take care to all and hugs your ways.

Terry71

linny- Hun that is totally up to you and  100% your call..... The way I looked at it was I was In control, I decided when it was going to go........ When it started to fall out in chunks GONE!!!!! I will post the one and only pic of my head when it started to fall out..... Let yourself know its YOU thats in control of what happens and when....  

GrandmaV

bethu77, My stomach is great now.  Thanks for asking.   I was able to eat normal food today. Including meat  and fish.  I didn't get a neulasta shot, so can't say when the bone pain comes, someone else might know.

bahamamom, I had my port put in when I had my surgery, but I know others have had it later, and were awake.  I think racerdeb could probably tell you more about that.  I think you'll be fine and glad you have it. 

Tipnas, I know what you mean about feeling good.  I know I'll never take it for granted again.  I had a square of dark chocolate  after dinner tonight and savored every bite.  The little things are so good.  BTW, like YaYa I didn't feel anything with the numbing cream on.  I just looked the other way and took a deep breath when they told me too and pleasantly surprised when she said, "it's in".  I haven't started loosing any hair yet. It's day 12 so I know it's coming.

Terry71

bethu77

I had my meltdown this past weekend. I cried all day Sunday but this week has been better. I very seldom get sick and these side effects are getting to me. My plastic surgeon says, "this too shall pass" and I need to believe in these words. We all need something to hold on to. Blessings to all of you. I hope each of you have a great night's sleep!

linnyhopp

Terry ~ Thanks for posting the picture.  I don't know if I can handle the "big hunks" thing.  I will see how I feel as the time approaches.  A friend of mine said the hunks falling out really bothered her.  It's such a personal thing.  My hair isn't as long as yours was, but still...thanks, again.

Terry71

You are very welcome linny.... and remember ITS YOU thats in control...... You have it, it DOESNT have you ((((((((Linny))))))))))  that pic is after 2 hair cuts 24 inches cut off then shaved....

linnyhopp

Terry ~ Wow, girl...you had some HAIR!  And you are right, I have to remember as you pointed out that I have control!  ((((((Terry))))) back atcha!

attypatty

I had my first chemotherapy treatment today - dose dense AC. I was given Zofran, Decadron, and Emend before the treatment and took another dose later at home. I finished chemo around 1pm. It's now 7pm and I feel nauseous. Does that seem a little soon? Maybe I'm just a fast woman? Maybe the kids in high school were right!

 

Terry71

darn right baby, ITS ALL YOU !!!!!!!!!!! 

Terry71

This is Me, my daughter and my grand daughter 

GrandmaV

attypatty, everyone's different.  Do you have more than one nausea med?  If they prescribed more than 1 kind you can take them on top of each other.  Otherwise, my suggestion is ginger.  You can take it in capsules, or tea, ginger snaps, and the one that did me the most good, ginger ale (make sure it has real ginger in it).  I hope something helps.  My onco prescribed Zofran and compazine.  I've only taken compazine for every 6 hours day and night for the first 3 days for break through nausea.  I haven't had to try the Zofran, yet. 

racerdeb

bahamamom,

I had my port implanted last Wednesday.  They gave me a light sedative through an IV, along with local anethesia in the implant area.  I was awake, but sleepy (didn't actually fall asleep).  They made me turn my head to opposite side and covered it so I couldn't see what they were doing. I didn't feel any pain throughout the process. 

I had some minor pain in my neck that night, but I just took one of my post-surgery Hydrocodone (Vicodin) tablets.  I was fine the next morning.  I hope this explanation helps.  Feel free to send me a private message if you have more questions or need additional information.

I really like having the port, especially since they had such a hard time threading my IV for the port implant procedure (took three tries).

I did fine with the spray when I got my x1 yesterday.  But I'm not very fearful of needles. Several years ago, I was awarded a five-gallon blood donation pin (that's 40 pints, I think).  I'm finding out that's probably a great strength throughout this BC ordeal.  I've been "poked" so much in the last two months, it's almost routine to me.  Like I said, I'm very lucky in that category.

Good luck with your port and chemo treatments.

attypatty

Grandma V - thanks for the good advice. I have heard ginger helps, so it helps to have it confirmed by someone with "practical" experience, I have the tea kettle on the boil now and some ginger tea with crystalized ginger to add to it. I have Compazine to take as needed, but with everything else I am taking, I'd rather avoid another med if I can.

Thanks again! 

GrandmaV

attypatty - I hope you get some relief.  That's so miserable.

racerdeb

All of the feedback and help from this message board continues to amaze me!

When I spoke to the nurse about my disorientation, she said it was probably temporary and probably due to all of the fluids running throughout me body, draining my electrolytes.  She also suggested the sports drinks.  She didn't think my pulse was a problem following all of the stress from getting my treatment yesterday.

So, thanks for all of the advice, grandmaV and others!  Like I said, I'm learning so much from all of you!

So far, I'm still not having any other SEs, but that will probably change by this weekend (hope not).  If so, I'm almost fully armed for battle with all of the suggestions from this message board.

GrandmaV

racerdeb,  I hope the sport's drinks helps.  It makes it so nice when there's an easy fix.  And thank you for the detailed account about your port placement.  I'm sure that will help those facing that procedure.

Kim137

Hello ladies! Wow this post is jumping today! I missed a lot since I was away having a CT scan, bone scan and meeting with my oncologist. I was so happy to hear that my scans all looked good! No signs of metastasis! She did say I have a seroma built up in the underarm that I had the lymph nodes removed from, but since it's not palpable and I'm not having pain it will hopefully resolve on it's own now that I'm able to move it more. My oncologist went over everything again today and asked if i had any questions. My response, "Yeah, are you sure you wanna do this?" She smiled and reassured me that the anxiety is the worst part. I also asked her about my staging since technically my path report showed pure DCIS with micro-mets in the sentinel node. According to the tumor board I am now officially a Stage 1. Funny, I always thought getting a higher ranking was a good thing....apparently not in Cancer World.

It's so good to hear that most of you are fairing well after having treatments this week.

Gamer girl, I'm the palest person alive so looking like a tomato might be a welcomed change for me! lol! I hope you're still cruising by with minimal SE's.

GrandmaV- yes, I do start A&C tomorrow at 11:30. I wish I had thought to ask my MD how long I should plan on being there. She said "all day", but I've heard varying times from 3 hours-7 hours!! I'll pack a bag of magazines and have my iPad charged for sure. Any last minute tips from any and all are always welcomed here!!! I'm such a planner

Terry71

Kim, bring SNACK, drink water, Lots of water!!!!!!! Most clinics have snacks but bring things you like to eat..... Gingerale works wonders too....... Just sit back, relax and think 1 down,   Will be thinkning of you tomorrow while I am In the chair too for my LAST treatment.... I know Im gonna cry tears of JOY !!!!!!!! I made it, I did it.... 18 weeks and No reduction is dose and No delays....... Big hugs Kim let us know how things went

Kim137

Thank you Terry!! You are such an inspiration! It gives me strength to know that you're doing well and have made it to the end. I'll be thinking of you crossing the chemo finish line! You should jump for joy, high five all the nurse, form a pyramid and do spirit fingers! Lol! You deserve it!!!!!

Terry71

Aweee  thanks Kim...... Im gonna do cartwheels, ok maybe just in my head.......LOL It all boils down when you really dont have a choice if you want to beat it to to all that is thrown at you and go at it head on..... Iended up in the hopsital once from Sept 22nd to the 28th My white cell count went way too low and was neutropenic, so stuck in Isolation in a private room for those days until it came back up... had treatment the following thursday.... and Now DONE   Big Hugs to you girl ((((((((Kim)))))))

GrandmaV

Terry, Congratulations!  You made it to the end.  That's got to feel great.

GrandmaV

Kim, I hope all goes well tomorrow and that you have few SEs to deal with.

Terry71

GrandmaV- Thank you so much it feels GREAT to know I made it, Good luck to you... I will declare myself done when the se's end after 10 days LOL I hate that part 

Terry71

Kim- I will be in the chair at 10AM here and thinking about you xx

el-jaye

Getting ready for round two on Friday!  The past 3 weeks have been a roller coaster ride, that is for sure.  Bone crushing pain for a week, in the hospital for a week, two types of anti biotics, nuepegen shots, ultra sounds, ct scan. 

saw my Onc on Tuesday and talked about how to prevent some of the SE.  So I start taking Gabapentin tomorrow for the pain.  I start the neupegen shots the day after chemo.  All of this together with my arsenal of steriods and anti nausea meds, and round two should be much better than round 1!!

Hair fell out in huge chunks on day 14.  I have a few patches left and am rocking the scarves and turbans!   Got to go back to work this week.  Felt great to be back at my desk.  I did find it hard to do anything in the evening however.  8 hours at the office is apparently my limit!!!  Hopefully with round 2 I wont miss so much work.

So glad to have all of you to encourage me as I get ready for the next round.  Hope you are all doing well.  Keep up the good spirits ladies.

Tipnas

Kim, all the best tomorrow.  I go for my second treatment tomorrow.  I also had micromets  in one of my sentinel nodes. I got two second opinions and they also put my case before the tumor board.  They all felt that biologically, my "early stage cancer" did not behave the way they way they expected it to.  I have peace with my decision to do chemo.  I know there are no guarantees, but I wanted to do everything I could to prevent a recurrance.  I think you are definitely doing the right thing. I'm officially stage 1b T1 N1mi M0.  Great that your CT scan was clear! I see you're HER2+.  I posted a couple of things today over on the TCH forum that you might find interesting.

Thank you all for the encouragement on the hair loss.  I'm coming to terms with it now and I know it will be okay.  I know there are ladies on this list dealing with so much and it really helps put things in perspective.  I am truly blessed.  Linda, I'll tell Patti our story on Saturday.  Good night ladies and sleep well.

Kim137

Tipnas- It is so good to connect with another woman who has the same staging as me! My original diagnoses changed from Stage 0 because of the micro-mets. I was disappointed to learn I'd be having chemo, but agree with my oncologists and the tumor board that we need to be more aggressive because of my age and HER2+++ status. I will definitely be reading up on the other posts. I hope that your second treatment goes well tomorrow. Good luck & Thank you for reaching out to me. I'm finding these boards to be so helpful and comforting.

Terry71

el-jaye:  I had gabapentin for the joint pain and jusst a heads up it DIDNT work for me at all, Im starting Celebrex today to see if that works...