Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

markat

Mardibra- I would tell them the only way you will do it is if they all bring the food and do all the clean up.



Stupid question...so I'm supposed to put the numbing cream over my port Monday morning. Do I just put it over the steristrips?

Mardibra

I will ask my sister in law to do Xmas. No way I'm doing it!!



Can't help on the numbing cream. I didn't have steri strips just some surgical glue covering the wound area but not the port entrance. Nurse used an alcohol rub to rake off a bunch of the glue and then sprayed some numbing stuff on. Didnt feel a thing.

Peacock

Hi -- I start chemo on Friday with 4 rounds of A/C.  Then T for 12 cycles thereafter.  I am terrified and worried that my battered 45-year-old body won't take it -- but I hope that we can support one another. 

 My biggest fear (today) is getting sick, catching something from my kids.  

 Yesterday I went wig shopping.  I took a friend, a strong friend, and vow that I will do that same favor in the future for anyone who ever asks. It wasn't easy. 

Gator65

markat - 2 things, Don'y worry about your big ole' head because I jhave a big ole pumpkin head and I am prouf of it. LOL! I had to custom order my wig too. Most of the turbans, etc. look wird on me, so my MIL knitted me some caps. We can unite in our big headedness! I would call your doc about the steri strips & the cream. I wiould think that the strips would need to be off for the cream to numb the skin. Trust me, you want numb skin.

As far as hair shaving party, I am not having one, When it starts to go, the place where I got my wig will buzz it and then they give a massage. How cool is that?

I really don't feel all that bad. Yesterday, I went to a "Tough Mudder" competition to watch a good friend who I call fire jumping super girl compete. It is a 12 mi. course fill with mud and had over 20 obstacles. She had to jump through fire, climb 20 ft walls, crawl through a pipe in the mud. She is tough!!  Well, I had to walk about 3 miles total to see this feat and I am glad I did.

  

Gator65

Hey Peacock, got you by one year. I am 46. have 7 more of AC then 4 T. If I can do this, you can do this. It is not as bad as my imagination thougjht that it would be.

My MO told me to have anyone close to me get flu shots, so that is what I did. So far, so good. 

Mardibra

Peacock - well I'm 45 too and and I had my first of 8 AC tx's on Thursday. I feel pretty good! You will do just fine and we will all be here to support you. A wonderful group of women. And yes, wig shopping was tough! Now that we are entering flu season I have the same fear of catching something. I think I wash my hands about a thousand times a day.

bc50

Hey Peacock,

I'm 50 and I have the same fear.  But, I'm in pretty good shape for my age so I'm hoping I'll handle it well.  I'm sure you will too. My doctor told me to make sure that the first thing everyone does when they walk in my house is to wash their hands. 

I bought two wigs last week but am not sure if I like them very well.  I also bought several hats and scarves.  I have a feeling I'm going to be the "Imelda Marcos of cancer headgear"!

markat

Gator- thanks! You are so right.



Mardi- I totally don't blame you. I'm supposed to have Christmas Eve at my house. Its going to be very low key. My oncologist let me schedule my treatments so that I will feel "good" on Christmas.



I just took my first Decadron. I kind of feel like cleaning the whole house. Anyone else have to take 2 the day before? Maybe it's just for the taxotere.

Mardibra

I was instructed to take the decadron with the Emend starting on chemo day. Couldn't sleep a wink for about 30 hours. My house was spotless by the next morning! One positive SE I guess.

3girls

Tomorrow's the big day finally!  Going out with hubby for Chinese and a Mai Tai!  Feels like it;s my last meal!  To those who are starting tomorrow and continuing this week good luck!  Hoping for minimal S/E

Mardibra

Best of luck 3girls! Keep us posted.

tammie

Mar tell them hell noo!! Well unless they r doin all cookin and cleaning!! I think our families seem to forget sometimes that we r sick i swear..I hope the fatigue gives you a break soon i was beat tired all last week feel energy pickin up this week finally

Yes Keloggs this is a busy thread to keep up on with chemo brain kickin in i often lose track despite readin all posts you all

Gator65

Question, are the mouth sores like canker sores? The top of my gumline feels sore and I feel someting like a canker sore starting. Lucky me!

Mardibra

Ya, no way I'm doing Xmas! As far as the fatigue, it's real! I'm sleeping roughly 14 hours a day when I normally get about 6 or 7. I have a crazy work schedule this week so I'm sure I will do nothing but work and sleep. Second AC is next week so I will start all over again. I have not had many other SE's except one ....constipation. OMG...it's bad. Senekot, Milk of Magnesia, water, water, water. Nothing seems to help. Next time around I'm starting often and early. Have not had any mouth sores but I'm told cankers are what to expect. I've been rinsing every day with Biotene. Not sure if it's doing the trick for me or not but I'm sticking with it. They make toothpaste too.



Happy thoughts to all!

3girls

As I posted earlier I am supposed to start chemo tomorrow- I have a terrible sore throat and the beginnimgs of a cold.  I don't want to mention it to my MO because I don't want it to intefere with the chemo. Do they let u get chemoif you are sick?

Mardibra

I read on another thread that as long as you don't have a fever you should be good to go. Definitely mention it to your doc. Better to be safe. Good luck!

rachelvk

Good luck 3girls... and anyone else starting this week!

markat

Good luck 3 girls!! I start tomorrow too. I'm so wired...hope I can get some rest. I have all the kids stuff ready for school and the babysitter.

Mardibra

Best of luck Markat! You will be fine.

bc50

I'm also starting tomorrow.  Good luck to all of us! 

Mardibra

Oh my gosh...I'm forgetting all that are starting! Good luck tomorrow bc50!

seacretgardn

To the ladies beginning tomorrow, 3girls, markat and bc50, will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way. 3girls, hoping you can rest and fight off that cold.



Gator and Mardibra, were either of you given ice chips to help prevent the mouth sores? If you don't mind me asking, did you need a ride on day 2 for the Nuelasta shot? I'm hoping to be able to take myself.



I wasn't given emend, but a generic for zofran. Think I should be worried?



Darlam and Rachel, thank you for your tips on wigs. Getting a Really short haircut tomorrow.



While it makes me sad to see this list so quickly growing, I thank you all for your support and willingness to share.



Laura

Mardibra

I drove on chemo day and on Nulasta day. No problems at all. There was ice cream and Popsicles and all sorts of other food available for me but I didn't have anything more than water. I was anxious. But, next time I'm going to try the ice or Popsicles.

kenyohunt1

Hello ladies I am meeting with my Doctor today to discuss my treatment .Port will be placed on Thursday. Probably will start chemo that following week. Nervous about chemo too. I have never slept well and am sleeping even less. Onco who is great by the way, he has a sense of humor which is a must requirement for me, he did give me Xanax, it works hit or miss for me, I think my stress is stronger than the meds right now. I will be thinking of you all and praying for no SE. Don't want to say it out loud don't want to jinx you all.

I wish this site had a like button I keep trying to like peoples post....lol that is when you know you've been on Facebook to much.

tammie

My goodness alot of ladies are startin tomorrow good luck to you all!! You will be fine and also find once first once done it feels like a big hurdle done!!Much luv and hugs to you..

Gator im fighting canker sores on tongue and roof of mouth, they are a pain and that stupid taste oo such fun it tell ya..I use the biotene as well hoping it will do it for me,,

Mar you go get them with the Christmas spirit..The fatigue is improved this week last week after tx was serious sleeptime..

Hope you feel better n can get your tx tomorrow 3girls do be sure to talk to the Dr first though to be safe...

Much love to you all looks like most of us are under way on this journey now..Tammie

seacretgardn

Kenyon like you, sleep just evades me. I didn't know I could get by on so little. I'm weary though. Gave up on the sleep aids. I didn't feel they improved my rest and left me feeling foggier.



I am very nervous to begin this Thurs. Will see the onc Tues for additional questions. She is in a different hospital on Thursday's.



Will most of you meet with your onc prior to each tx? Or a covering dr?



I stretched earlier and felt as if the right TE moved higher into my chest. I get nervous-that's the port side and I don't want it disturbed.



I hope most most of you are sleeping well, and to those who are awake, thank you for listening.



L

markat

Seacret- I met with my reg onc last Thur and then will see her again this Fri for a post tx appt. I chose to use a closer tx center than my onc's office.

I've been taking the ativan they gave me pretty regularly. It definitely helps me sleep.

Good luck and hugs today ladies. Hopefully my phone works at the center so I can update.

FLislander

Hi Naan

I too started Nov 22,

8x AC, 4 x T DD then lump, rad, and a few more at the end 

Let me know how it's going, are you DD, i'm going back tomorrow, trying to clean and prepare today so i'll write in next few days. It is so nice to be in these discussions, to know there are people along with us on this journey. Thanks to all, hope you have a great Monday.

Gator65

I will try the biotene. If if were not for the nausea, I would be fine. I have Moran and I am piggybacking it with compazine. I an getting nowhere. Argh!

ckk

Hi all. I am starting TC on December 22. I am 3 weeks post lumpectomy with one SN removed.  My oncologist feels as though at my age (51), tumor grade (3), and LVI, that it would be advisable. I am nervous, and not sleeping well. Some questions: is anyone else battling constant fatigue?I am trying not to worry that it's due to possible spread, but from recovery and psychological factors. Also, is anyone else here trying the Penguin Cold Caps to keep their hair? I just ordered mine today.

 Good luck and hugs to all of you wonderful women. These boards have been terrific for me post-diagnosis!