Sept 2012 chemo

jojo2373

Welcome to all our new sisters! I am sunning my bald head as we speak!

damiana9

Bearcub- how exciting that they are that close to a cure for some!!!

I went to my daughters dance class today without my wig on.  The dance teacher came and introduced herself because we hadn't met before.  But we had- I am there every week  I know I should have been ready for that and I am sure she felt akward but it made me want to just cry.

Joemommy

Aliasismo:  Yes, I am single.  Definitely have to learn to rely on friends!  I have no family in the area and also have sole custody of my 4-year-old son.  It's so great how much people are willing to help.  I'm very touched and blessed.  I was so worried!  I couldn't do it without them.

sherbab

Bearcub - I am with you today...got my 2nd chemo on Wednesday, went to work yesterday and haven't left my bed much today, just too tired but everything else is ok.

I am 43 (44 in a couple of weeks) and have a husband and no children.  I found mine myself.  Went to my OB/GYN on a Friday and he said yes, it is a lump but I am not worried, just get in to get your mamogram within the next month or so....thank goodness for woman's intuition, I was bothering me so called from the parking lot got in the following Tuesday and by the end of that week I had my diagnosis. 

Cindi - I hope you get to feeling better!

Welcome to the new ladies, I think there are a few of you I have read about today. 

 Hoping for a SE free weekend for all!

Mariposa123

Hi ladies,

  I am feeling super yucky.  The constipation has set it- and my stomach just feels horrible.  What have you all been doing for constipation?  Yuck.  I just want to roll in a ball and not move.

   My doctor found mine.  I have always been super lumpy, so I stopped checking.  Wish I had paid more attention, but oh well.  I didn't get a mammogram for several years because  I was either pregnant or breastfeeding.   Everyone in my office has had a mammogram now!  

-mariposa

butterfly14

Hi all, I just got the call for a 545 AM port placement on Monday, and first chemo on Tuesday. So nervous, but reading trough the posts I'm sure my imagination is worse than what reality will be.

I think I answered before but just in case I'm 44, married and have three boys 16, 18 & 21. Oldest two are in college, one just starting his 1st year and my oldest should graduate from Florida State in July 2013.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and thanks for the informative posts.

Carla 

whenlifegivesyoulemons

Round 3.  Me and my 10:00 and 10:30 tumors, Taxol and AMG386, a lazy-boy and my chemo playlist.  

Sixty and sunny, and all the leaves are changing. 

Drip, drop.

Tick, tock tumors.   

Cherioo

Good Afternoon all. Last night was sucky finally fell asleep. Today I went for shot and have been in bed all day . No appetite at all but feel better . Goes to show you that each treatment different symptoms . Well guys going back to bed to rest . Everyone have a great day

Cherioo

Mariposa123 I had constipation the first round and my pharmacist recommended smooth move tea it worked great. It is all natural

Cherioo

Mariposa123 I had constipation the first round and my pharmacist recommended smooth move tea it worked great. It is all natural

Joemommy

I'm sorry this round was more difficult for you Cherioo.  Hope you continue to feel better!

Toastiecat

Thanks Foreverchanged! Yes, I'm doing the weekly protocol. I worked myself up into a bit of a worry about the allergic reaction potential, but it was all fine. A xanax before leaving the house helped too .I'm glad to hear you're having minimal SEs. I hope that continues! Are you taking any supplements to prevents SEs like neuropathy?

Now I'm completely wired from the steroids. I'm working out my arms with some small weights to burn off energy. Maybe by the end I can look like Michelle Obama, lol. I asked for ambien for tonight, which I'm glad about. It looks like I'll need it. 

Are we keeping track of dx stories on here? I'm 28. Didn't have a lump, but had bloody nipple discharge. Went to the doctor right away, and the rest is history.

Melrose, I really like your idea about keeping a diary of SEs, medicines taken and foods eaten. I'm going to start that right now. (Oy, can you tell I'm slightly manic from the decadron? I wish I had some massive organizational project to do!)

Hope everyone is feeling as good as possible.

xoxo

Melrosemelrose

Sugar free lemon drops- Try Walgreens.  i bought some there.

Constipation= NO FUN!!!  High fiber foods (wheat bran, fresh veggies & fruits, apples, raisins, prunes , etc) plus lots of water help.  Drinking apple juice and prune juice can also help.  I just ate 2 Sunsweet Ones Prunes ( individually wrapped prunes moist and sweet) with every meal to help with the little constipation I had from the Zofran (anit-nausea med) I took and also prevent it.  I also ate every morning for breakfast rolled oats oatmeal with wheat bran sprinkled on top plus bananas and blueberries plus milk.   If your onco says it's okay, you can take some Colace or Senekot  (stool softeners).  There are other OTC meds to help with the constipation that you should probably ask your onco about to get his/her recommendation.  If you are still having problems, call your onco or the doctor on call over the weekend.  Don't wait and let the situation get worse.

Foraging for tasty food- I know the difficulties of finding something to eat after chemo.  I know some of you aren't hungry but you still need to keep eating so you can take your meds and avoid nausea from the meds and the chemo.  Having something in your tummy will keep the stomach acid down and maybe help you from feeling crummy.  Try to avoid eating your favorite foods right now so those foods can stay your favorite foods after you are finished with chemo.  I did find that fresh fruit and veggies tasted the best to me.  When my taste buds were on vacation, I found it difficult to eat foods with butter and salt.  Some foods left a thick creamy feeling in my mouth so I avoided those foods.  I know it's hard to eat and frustrating.  Sometimes I cried at dinner because the food I was eating didn't taste like I knew it should.  After my little crying spells, I would just laugh at myself because I knew that under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be crying like a little kid over food.  Chemo does a number on your emotions and tears just seem to flow without rationale reason.

Glad so many have made it through the first round of chemo and learning how to manage the side effects.  Wishing everyone a great restful and easy weekend plus minimal side effects.  HUGS to all of you!!!!!

Melrosemelrose

Toastiecat- Glad I kept that food diary/drug diary/se diary.  I could look back and see what I ate so I could figure out what worked and what didn't.  I also marked the caps of my pill bottles so I wouldn't get mixed up or forget to take my drugs on the right day and time.  I used some large circle stickie labels and wrote what the drug was and when I supposed to take it and dosage.  I used a different color label for each pill bottle.  (Those steroids sure do give one a lot of energy.... it's like being the pink Energizer bunny!!!)  Hope you get some rest tonight!!!!

jojo2373

Boy this round of chemo has done a job on my intestines! 2 full days of diarrhea has left me exhausted. The pain that goes along with it is not like anything I have ever had either. No wonder my DH said - are you ok? My dark circles under my eyes dont lie.



Hoping all have a restful evening!

Mariposa123

Hi all,

   Thanks for the information regarding the constipation.  It has been horrendous.  Stomach cramping like labor pains.   And now I am vomitting too:-(  Just took my temperature and it is over 101, so I had to call a friend to come and watch the kids (who are all sleeping) so I can go to the ER and get bloodwork done.  Yuck.  I was really hoping to have minimal SEs.  

Hope everyone else is having a better night than me:(

Anonymous

Hi ladies,

My name is Justine and I am 23 years old. As you can see from my signature line, I was originally diagnosed with DCIS. I had a BMX on 8-8-12 and was diagnosed with IDC shortly thereafter. My lymphnodes were negative during surgery so I did not have an axillary lymph node dissection. However, afterwards isolated tumor cells were found in the 2 sentinel lymphnodes removed. I am starting dose-dense AC followed by T on 9-28. I am so nervous and scared. Last night I chopped off a large majority of my hair since I wanted to feel like I have some control over this. 

jojo2373

Mariposa are you better?



Justegan, Welcome, however so sorry you are joining us at such a young age. There are ladies here of all ages. Please read our threads if you haven't as there is a world of very helpful information. We were all at your spot at one time. Feel free to vent or ask any question here. Hugs to you.

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

butterfly14

Hi Justine, I am so sorry you are dealing with this at such a young age. I am relatively new to this as well, but I am starting the same chemo treatment that you are on the 25th. I will let you know how it goes. Are you getting or have they already placed a  port for you? My understanding from the posts here, the port is the best way to go.

Thoughts and prayers for you.

 JoJo & Mariposa, I hope you are both feeling better.

Carla 

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i missed you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i cant complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!

patriciahurtado

Good morning Cindy74...thank you for all the support ...i been so tired from chemo that i havent event had time to be here ...i miss you my sisters...i had my neulasta shot and my bone have been hurting not as much but i can complain cause had just small side effects!!!