Starting Chemo October 2012

alcb70

Queeny- I told my family up front that there would be times I would NEED to do things for myself to keep a feeling of normalcy.  They understood. I knew from my previous surgeries that I would need that to keep me going. I totally understand your feelings!

Noranelly - I hope your daughter is feeling better.  I hate that you had a freak out, but glad they let your family in with you. My chemo room is usually pretty perky. Last week I went on Halloween. All the staff were all dressed up, and even a few patients. We had Elvis there getting chemo.  I know it's strange, but I think everyone tries to make it as pleasant as possible. Sometimes when you put on your "gameface" (it's what I call that mask of a smile and upbeat attitude even though you feel like sh*t we all wear from time to time), it sticks, and you really do end up feeling better. I'm glad it ended up going ok, and I hope the next one goes even better now that you know what to expect.

I hope everyone is doing well today! My mom is coming from Raleigh Monday to stay for about a month. It will comfort me, a but make my poor husband crazy! She'll go with me to my tx's, and to my appts w/MO & PS. I hope she'll be ok with it all. Hope it doesn't freak her out.

Have a good evening!!   ~Andrea

MsTori

301724- thanks! I was feeling good most of day. Think I'm going into chemopause now. So hot, cold, hot ect. Lol! I did enjoy the warm blanket after icing! It was cozy. Now just eying to keep hand and feet moisturizer. The ice seems to zap it put. Glad your feeling better. I just took a 1/2 Ativan, so rady to zonk out.



Queeny- I still need to take the lint roller to my head. Ouch, it's tender at times tho. I try to stay independent. But I just get so fatigued sometimes. I try to do as much as I can. But driving is not one of them. I'd be all over the road! Lol! But I say, do as much as your body can. Listen to your body. You don't want your treatments delayed because you over due it. I have a favorite hat I got on sale at old navy last week. Love it, but it needs washing. Haha! To each there own, but hats are comfy. And I'm really looking forward to my buffs arriving.

MsTori

Alcb- glad your mum can come help out. Moms are the best!



Schoolmom- had my tx yesterday and used the EMLA cream. Didn't feel a thing. They are so fast! Even when they took the needle out. So, just see what works for you. I use emmla because its what my dialysis patients used before I cannula yes them with 2 15g needles (huge). And they swore by it. So I figured, why not. Prayers for your first tx. We are here for you.

schoolmom

My port was put in Friday....can I use a cream on it so soon?

marianelizabeth

I have been poked each time for my 2 cycles so far and honestly, it is a teeny prick and then over, no need at all for the EMLA cream I bought. I would not bother because you have to use it 30-45 minutes in advance and cover it with a Tagaderm, saran wrap or other and I suspect all of you have had way more pain that a tiny prick before looking at all the surgeries! It is nothing compared to a blood draw in my estimation and honestly I am a scaredy cat!

schoolmom

The port is really tender and bruised.  I have been taking ibuprofen and it stops hurting for a few hours. Needle pricks dont bother me....IVs, blood draws etc are not a problem.  Just worried that it is going to be sore during chemo.  Thanks for the reassurance.

MsTori

Schoolmom- really, like Marian said, it is a small prick. They used mine the day after they put it in. Lol! I was nervous! But I think it was still numb from the surgery. But really, it's so fast that I don't even realize they cannulated. I do use emmla, not difficult. But my meds are free through VA. So why not. I throw a dab on tegaderm and slap a piece of paper tape to hold it on. But again, see how it goes the first time. You may realize you need nothing at all.

LouBar

I'm back in for blood work and hopefully chemo #2 on Tuesday and will be getting Neulasta to help out my low WBC.  As my treatment is mid week and SEs for me are the first 4 days, my sister is flying in for the week from out of province. I didn't want her to feel obligated and having to leave her family, but really glad she'll be around

I am wondering though for those of you who had the full axillary lymph node dissection, if your arm is still sore? I have my range of motion back and stretched daily so my shoulder is just as mobile.  But it seems that the tightness that runs down my arm to my hand still comes and goes (i.e. I feel the tightness of the cuff of a shirt when I put it on or roll it up on my arm).  I still stretch and it doesn't seem swollen as I keep it propped up when I sleep worried about lymphodema.  Anyone else? This surgery for me was about 7 weeks ago.  

 

CelineFlower

anyone out there not using any numbing cream for the port? my team said they dont use it here...

ive been touching the port to try to make sure the skins not to sensitive ...next treatment is wednesday

PatinMN

Celine and school mom, I don't use numbing cream on the port. I had my first treatment the day after the port was put in. The nurse has me breathe deeply in and out, and on the "out" she puts in the needle (or whatever it's officially called). The prick is minor and only momentary. You'll be fine even without numbing cream!

CelineFlower

I had treatment also on first day with the port...didnt hurt.. but  nurse mentioned i was probably still frozen at the time...

I dont have an issue with needles usualy.. ive had bad veins all my life so i got used to it ...i also get chronic kidney stones....i guess its just the unknown factor..

thx for the encouragement Patin

Mrsrenicka709

Hello Ladies, I have a question? When are you considered a Survivor and when do you become cancer free? I was diagnosed with Stage II Grade3 DCIS, Triple negative July 2012, I had a lumpectomy In August with one re excession to clear my margins. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy TC x 6 every 3weeks. I considered a Masectomy because of the trip neg. dx but I'm negative for the BRCA gene, which I found out during chemo. Now I'm not sure if I still want the mastectomy. Either way I would like to know at what point exactly do I become cancer free since my cancer was supposedly removed when the lump was removed and my margins were pronounced clear? Is my survivor anniversary the day I had surgery or after I complete all of my treatment? Don't mean to sound silly but i got to get my most important dates and titles correct...CANCER FREE and SURVIVOR! Stay blessed

Mrsrenicka709

Also I have completed my 2nd treatment on 25-26 October, I get the Neulasta on the second day so I'm the say schedule as few of the other ladies. I am doing well today, this treatment was much easier than the first cause I knew what to expect. I was silently in the background reading all of the post and using the great advice giving, thank u all so much!

MsTori

Mrsrenick- not sure how to answer the 'when one becomes a survivor.' Some count it after their surgery, after chemo, different times. I'm sure others will pipe in soon.



Celine- I think it's just all a personal choice on the numbing cream. Each person I'd different. So, whatever you feel comfortable with.



Haven't heard from Poke in awhile....pray all is okay with you.

Poke

I haven't had much to say lately, but I'm still here with you ladies. Losing hair is taking an emotional toll on me. It's short but it's still coming out so quickly and it's probably time to shave it. I am taking this much harder than losing my breasts! I think it's the gradual-ness of it all ... every morning when I wake up I get to see how much hair cancer stole from me and donated to my pillow or my shower drain. Yes, it's probably time for it to go so I can start to move on. 

Much love to you all, just feeling a little down the last few days. Round two anticipation is also creeping up; nervous about the Abraxane and hoping it is easier on me than the taxotere. Wednesday is the day. 

xoxo

CelineFlower

Poke.. i can relate...

i didnt realize how hard ths would be...

trying to figure out in my head why my identity is so connected with my hair..

or does having a bald head.. "label " me...

in my heart i knowwe are all beautifullll hair couldnt possibly take that away..

or.. does it?

*celine hugs poke *

MrsCich

We had this discussion on the "2012 sisters" thread. From what u understand you are not considered to be cancer free until your 5 year anniversary. Also, you are a survivor from the time the cancer is removed from your body. I asked the same questions. When someone would ask if I have cancer I say, I'mOk, I didn't think I would do the 30 days of being thankful but I for one, am thankful for many things so here goes (and not in any particular order).



Nov 1- I'm thankful for catching the cancer early. For listening to my gut and not the first radiologist that said it was a ridge of breast tissue. For no positive lymph nodes and side effects of chemo that hasn't laid me on my ass (yet).



Nov 2- I'm so very, very thankful for my husband. He knows me like no other and loves me unconditionally...faults and imperfections included. He has picked me up when Im down and can make me laugh like no one else can...even when I think laughing and even smiling is far out of reach. 9 1/2 years later, I'm as in love with him (if not more) than I was in the beginning. "I'm currently in treatment for it" because I never knew what to say.



Mrsrenicka, I don't have the BRCA gene either but I had the BMX because my Onc told me my chance of getting cancer in the other breast was 85-90% within the next 5 years. My onco score was also 24. You and I have the same chemo regimine. I'm getting TC every 3 weeks for 4 treatments and then 10 years of hormone therapy.

MrsCich

We had this discussion on the "2012 sisters" thread. From what u understand you are not considered to be cancer free until your 5 year anniversary. Also, you are a survivor from the time the cancer is removed from your body. I asked the same questions. When someone would ask if I have cancer I say, "I'm currently in treatment for it" because I never knew what to say.



Mrsrenicka, I don't have the BRCA gene either but I had the BMX because my Onc told me my chance of getting cancer in the other breast was 85-90% within the next 5 years. My onco score was also 24. You and I have the same chemo regimine. I'm getting TC every 3 weeks for 4 treatments and then 10 years of hormone therapy.

Marlene18

I totally hear you Poke. I tried so hard to build up the hair loss thing so it wouldn't be so alarming when it actually happened, but you really can't be ready enough when you are finally forced to confront your own gigantic scalp every day in the mirror...

Couple that with my stupid OB inventing problems for me because "you have cancer" - um, no I don't actually. Early stage cancer is gone post-surgery, as confirmed by my MO - there's a big difference between adjuvant treatment following removal of a tumour and treatment for cancer that is still detectable. (I disagree that you can only say you are cancer-free after five years.) Maybe he is just trying to be as cautious as possible but I get a sense of glee from him every time he thinks he's come up with a solution to an imagined issue. 

I'm really tired of people telling me how hard everything must be for me. You know what's hard? Having people treat me anything besides normal when I'm feeling mostly fine. If I say I'm okay, what's the point in responding "well I know you're not okay"?? Suggesting to me that I'm denying reality or something doesn't seem especially supportive.

Sorry for the rant, it has been an exhausting week...

MsTori

Poke- always here for you. I feel the pain of watching the hair going down the drain. I'm in a cap most of time now. It's hard still. So sorry. I did shave mine to an inch last Sunday. I cried, but I also felt a little liberated. I should have done itnsooner, as it was harder to watch clumps coming out. Everyone is different. Also, I too was on edge a few days before my second treatment. Just had it on Friday. Just go with your emotions. And know, we are all here for you. You can come vent, cry, scream, or whatever. It's all good. Praying the abraxaine works better for you. Hang in there Poke. (((Poke))).

MsTori

Marlene- rant away!

CelineFlower

i dont wear hats or scarves...only a tuque outside when im cold...

i never like hats or scarves before... not surprised i dont know eitheir 

CelineFlower

my sons (22 years old )comming today... will see me like this for first time

hope i dont scare him... was hard enough to get him to come visit...

MsTori

Celine- isnt your noggin cold up there? I'm in Florida and mine is chilly. Lol! I'm sure your son and you will have a great time. Just remind him that he was once bald too and you still thought he was beautiful. :-)



Ladies, I think maybe if we view all this hair loss as a renewal, it may help? And a surprise of what it will be when it does come back in. Positive notes: no need to shave or spend money on all that shampoo and conditioner. :-) cheesy grin. I haven't shaved my legs in days.

MsTori

Poke- your in Sarasota. When all this is done for us, we should do lunch with some other great ladies in the Tampa area that I've friended on another board.

CelineFlower

lol good point mstori.. i will use that..

well yes and no... in my house not at all... only when i go out..

but i expect as the temp drops .. its 4c here today... it will be more needed..

hats give me headaches... and i was starting to wear them, cuz i felt in public i "had" to for others...

silly flower...lol

so.. i decided id only cover up if its to stay warm or protect from sun..

my husbands says its sexy... who am i to argue

marianelizabeth

Marlene, I figure hiking to Dog Mtn, means you are "keeping on trucking." BTW I should have noticed it was not Black, but there are similarities. I hike and snowshoe to Dog and can't wait for snow to do it this winter, chemo or not!

My DH and kids like my balding head and so do I!

marianelizabeth

OK, am working on uploading a photo from FB but not sure what the ? will produce. whenlifegivesyoumemons gave me step by step advice and I was hoping a photo not a question mark would show up. I am posting to see. 

marianelizabeth

No dice, only question marks. Back to PM for more advice.

Toots

New to the forums too, started chemo three week ago, 4 weeks after surgery to remove lump and evacuation of all lymph nodes on right hand side, had heart, CAT and bone scans in the last 2 weeks second chemo due this week.  Was determined not to lose the hair to the chemicals, FEC-T chemo, decided to pre-empt it and turn it into something useful, got sponsored to raise funds for cancer research great result £1500 raised to far, felt so much more in control doing it myself! Had lots of side effects to the first lot of chemo, including all body hair gone, even the newly growing again shave on the head disappearing fast, mouth ulcers, indigestion, felt nauseous but touching wood never sick.........feeling better about the next lot as everyone tells me first is the worse and have done that now........here's to trying turn all the negatives into positives.............