January 2013 chemo group

Denise-G

Encouragement - I started Chemo one year ago yesterday on Dec 27, 2011.  It was the scariest day of my life, but it did not need to be as the Chemo nurses do so much to explain and put you at ease.  I wanted to let you know, one year later I made it through all the treatment.  I am doing well and feel good.  I was Stage 3a - and they were on the lookout for Stage 4.  Some days were better than others.   But you can and will make it.  I was such a medical sissy before all of this began - couldn't even stand a blood test.  Now I am tough.

I wrote a Blog with every detail of my journey.  You will find it particularly helpful for Adriamycin A/C Chemo and Taxol insights.  If you get a chance, check it out.  If you have a question, I have an answer.    http://denise4health.wordpress.com

If I can be of any help or assistance, please feel free to PM me.  It is my passion to help others on this journey.   PS:  I lost my hair on Jan 14, 2012.  It is now 3 inches long and getting cute!  It is much nicer than my old hair - thicker, more texture, more body - it is weird to have someone else's hair on my head, though!   BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL!!!

Anonymous

Bryona, you are so right! The trip is taking on a whole new stress level of its own. A friend just called me and said she was dropping some things off today. Someone at her place of work had given her a gift certificate to a spa to give to me. A random act of kindness, as I have never met this person. Well, guess what I will be doing hopefully before the big day next week??

I did go to my cycling class and it felt so empowering and good to be back on the bike. That is be best I have felt in over a month. Although I know gyms are horrible germ factories, I really hope to try and keep going throughout chemo. I will just take extra precautions, and avoid it days 7-14 when MO says blood counts are typically their lowest.

Fighter69

Hello 

I am not new to the threads but I am new to chemo. My story is in the December 2012 section for surgery in which I never got it . Meet with Onc doc Jan 9 . My question is can you work and still recieve chemo or any type of treatment? Even though I was diagnosed with IDC in Aug-Sept of this year I managed to go to school and now I am ready to work or return to work . I am so determined that this thing will not destroy me that I have resumed my studies as there is an exam that I must take to become certfied in Cisco. I for whatever reason was not motivated but I completed the class and now must take and pass the exam which is $300 but luckilly its already paid for . Its keeping my mind off of the cancer and I am so happy that I have not quit . 

Ladies , we can do this and most of you are which is my greatest inspiration . 

Fighter

Bryona

skimommi, I'm glad the cycling class helped, and hooray for random acts of spa-related kindness!

Fighter, I know a lot of people work through chemo, although usually people say they have to take off some days because of fatigue and other SEs. I think a few people in the Jan chemo group plan to do this; I know I do. I imagine part of the question for you will be which regimen you'll be on and how frequently you'll get it. You might also think about asking the Nov chemo group for information about working through treatment, since they're already in the thick of it.

I'm sorry about your awful experience with your not-quite-surgery. I hope things start looking better once you've met with your onc. Good luck with your exam!

Denise, thanks for the encouragement, and for sharing your blog. If I end up on AC-TH, I'll know where to go!

Sandra60

Hi ski mommy , bryona and all !



I feel remarkably normal day 2 ! Just a bit of constipation and still a bit hyped from the steroid pills but I took my last one this afternoon . The infusions went fine - no complications at all and the nurses were all so nice and comforting . I went for a short walk today win dh and feel fine. I hear I may get more tired days 3-4 but right now I fell normal - no nausea btw and I only took 1 anti nausea pill after the chemo . I think want they give u in the Iv before the infusions for nausea is so good u almost don't need the pills !!



Ski mommy - so glad u planned a Florida trip but like bryona says do something fun and laugh - best dedicate ever ! I am so sorry to hear Bout your mom and what she and your family must have gone though. It sounds like it has been a bit stressful in your home too and I hope all works outwith your dad . He will understand if you need your peace and quiet during your recovery !

I had just joined a road biking club this,spring too - we are the bbb's bodacious biking babes ! 3 out of the 40 plus women have had bc and have been very supportive - best excecise ever and we have a wonderful 40 mile bike trail here in the Sacramento area along the American river !



So ladies - I am giving u a good news report that these treatments are tolerable ! We can do it together !!

Sandra60

Yes fighter I think it is possible to work - but u will need some sick days off too ! Let us all,know what your onco recommends. You can do this - sounds like your strong and determined - just remember to take good care of yourself and get excecise while u can before starts !

Anonymous

Fighter, I will be working through treatment. While my company offers some teleworking, it isn't available full-time. So, we shall see how this all works. Many people have said it is very doable. You will just have to take it a day at a time. That frightens me a bit because I am so much of a planner, needing to have everything laid out in advance. We will be great though. It will give us that little push everyday to get up and moving forward. 

Sandra I love the name of your bike club! Was it by chance that you met up with other BC survivors, or how did you find such a club?

As you ladies can see, I'm not sleeping. My hours lately are all screwed up. I'll fall asleep early on the weekends and then get up in the middle of the night and watch tv. And this is with no treatment yet. Can you imagine all the mid-night messaging I'll do once I start on steriods?

Well, I am going for a wig fitting in the morning. Wish me luck! I can think of so many other things I'd rather be doing . . . biking, yoga, watching paint dry. LOL

nellas36

Hi,

I'm new to the board..first chemo appt. scheduled for 1/8/13.  Got port placed on 12/19 and that totally sucked, but I'm getting past that. Already bought the wig and lash/brow conditioner. I've been praying to get through the next six months of treatment with some sense of "me" once this is over. I had a great Christmas with my family and am now taking some time to mentally gear up for this stage of the journey.  I've been regularly reading a ton of posts on this discussion board starting the day after my diagnosis...in addition to my Bible. I find the forums/topics/comments quite comforting; yet at the same time really disconcerting that there are so many of us who are dealing with this. Anyway, just wanted to slide in on the Jan '13 chemo group. Thanks for letting me join.

Because of Grace,

~S 

nellas36

Hi,

I'm new to the board..first chemo appt. scheduled for 1/8/13.  Got port placed on 12/19 and that totally sucked, but I'm getting past that. Already bought the wig and lash/brow conditioner. I've been praying to get through the next six months of treatment with some sense of "me" once this is over. I had a great Christmas with my family and am now taking some time to mentally gear up for this stage of the journey.  I've been regularly reading a ton of posts on this discussion board starting the day after my diagnosis. I find the forums/topics/comments quite comforting; yet at the same time really disconcerting that there are so many of us who are dealing with this. Anyway, just wanted to slide in on the Jan '13 chemo group. Thanks for letting me join.

Because of Grace,

~S 

nellas36

Still working through my profile...just posting to test if my dx shows up in signature...

sheryls

God morning to the newbies and the alumni!

I have to agree, alumni is such an odd word to use, but as of today I'm officially a chemo alumni.  Yay!!

For everyone that is totally psyching themselves out for your January start dates I'll go through a few things I learned on my chemo journey. 

1. Everyone is TOTALLY different but:

2. If you're starting with AC get Emend anti-nauseant pills.  They are little miracle workers.  I never once had to take my as needed pills.

3. Hair loss -  on AC it started the third week of the first treatment.  The fastest growing hair goes first - pubes and legs, immediately followed by head hair.  When I switched to TH after 4 treatments my head hair started to grow back.  So exciting!!! Then 2 days after my first TH I was shedding so fast you would have thought I was a St. Bernard in the tropics.  And now my eyebrows and eye lashes are almost gone.

4. Nose hairs will probably go.  Always carry kleenex.  Who knew nose hairs were so important for preventing drippy nose?

5. Fatigue on AC.  The first week was death.  I could barely lift my head but it improved after day 5.  And each treatment it was a little better.  ON TH fatigue has been way better.  I've been able to do a few 10 km walks (pre cancer I typically walked 5+ km a day) but it requires a couple days of recovery.

6. Chemo brain - it really does exist.  My short term memory went out the window and so did my ability to focus.  It has been slowly returning but still not great.

7. Joint pain on TH starts on day 3 almost always.  Walking may or may not help.  I haven't decided yet

8. Check out the personal blogs, I found them really helpful.  See beingcancer.net for lists.

9. Start a blog for your friends and family.  I did and it really helped (you can check it out at nspip.blogspot.ca).  I don't have to relate the same boring chemo story 80 times before you have to recount the next chemo 85 times!

10. Don't stress too much.  I know that is hard to do, but like Nancy said the anticipation was the hardest part.  And with the drugs these days I really don't think it is like the movies in the 80s and 90s.  And once chemo started I was SO relieved to just be started and to be actively fighting.

11. Insomnia - I got it with TH.  Especially the night after the infusion due to the steroid pre-med.  It's 3 am right now so if some of this is goobledegook that is why, I was up at 8:30 amFriday morning for bloodwork.

12. You may possibly have a random assortment of other odd side effects - weird smells, lack of taste, improved sense of smell, bone pain, carb cravings (trhis was a biggie for me).

I hope this helps!  You ladies rock and the support on this site is great.  And your infusion nurses can answer any questions that may come up during each treatment.  And most cancer centers should havea nurse line to call with questions between infusions.

Big, sloppy, alumni hug to you all!!

Sheryl

Fighter69

Thank you all for the information as there is so much to learn but I wont know anything until I meet with the onc doc as far as what type of chemo and how often the treatments will be . I am so happy to be here and take part in this journey . It also helps to know that I am not alone even though at times it may feel that way .

Fighter

ziffy321

Going for a second CT scan on Wednesday!  My first CT scan (in October) showed some spots on the lung which may be metastatic disease or may be just benign scar tissue.  Docs hope the second scan will tell the story so that I can get the appropriate treatment.  I just want to get on with it! 

In anticipation of hair loss, today I bought myself one of those Peruvian-style knit hats with the long ear laps and fleece lining.  Mmm, it's soft and warm, and covers the entire scalp.

Bryona

skimommi, how did the wig fitting go?

nellas, welcome. (If that's the right word. That's not the right word, is it? We need to coin a special word that means, "I wish you didn't have to be here, but since you have to be here, I'm glad you're here.") Sorry your port procedure was rotten. Are you healing up okay? Mine apparently did not go smoothly, but since I was under for lumpectomy and SNB, I missed out on the fun.  Hubby told me it took an extra hour, but all I got was soreness where the catheter goes into the vein, which has mostly resolved now.

ziffy, fingers crossed for excellent and speedy results for your CT scan. B9! B9! B9!

ziffy321

B9?  BINGO!!!  

Fighter69

Yes I am rooting here also that you have positive results Ziffy.

Fighter

Anonymous

Ladies, the wig fitting went better than expected. I think I really have a block in emotions, so I don't tend to cry easily or show a lot of emotion.  But my bff could tell I was just not comfortable trying on the wigs at first.  The boutique was very welcoming. The women that owns the shop is a quite attractive 52 year old women, with long hair and an amazing figure. Come to find out she is a 21 year survivor.  She really knows her stuff and knew just how to help me and when to have me come back to make a final decision. I tried on several wigs. While most really did look and feel like wigs, there was one that made it honestly look like my own hair.  The only thing I wasn't crazy about was it is much shorter than I've worn my hair in decades. Point be made though that I will be cutting my hair pixie-style next week in prep for the hair loss; I also anticipate wearing a lot of hats/scarves/whatever, so no hair length to be shown; and it will take months for any length to grow back anyways. So, I think a short wig it will be. It was actually quite cute, plus comfortable. And the biggest thing of all . . . I didn't feel like I was looking at a stranger in the mirror when I had it on.

Byrona, you make a good point and I think we adopt a new greeting for the site. My particular fave is Ciao Bella! It simply says "Hello beautiful!"   So, Ciao Bella to the ladies I haven't personally greeted yet.

lawgirljenn

Hi everyone!  I'm starting chemo in January as well, but won't know the date or my treatment details until January 4th when I go see my oncologist again.  Just wanted to say hi.  I haven't been diagnosed for long, and have never posted before, but I feel like this is going to be the hardest part for me so I'm seeking support.  Can't wait to get to know all of you.

Skigirl72

Welcome lawgirljenn   I was so strong through my diagnosis and surgery. I also am finding this chemo part to be the thing that is turning me into a bag of mush... My dear sweet boyfriend is so supportive of me. He listens to be bitch, cry, moan, whine, and helps me find a little humor in all of this mess. Please go and read the past posts. I have found them really helpful.   I poured over this womens blog on here and I was so relieved that someone documented in detail the experiences of all this... Her name is Denise-G. She is on this feed... Nice to meet you...

nellas36

@ Bryona:

Port pain is A LOT better, it's been 10 days since I got it and a few Tylenol later, I can honestly say that. Yeah, welcome isn't the exact word, but knowing that this discussion "space" exists is welcoming. I do like Ciao Bella, works for me. Today I had one of my dearest girlfriends stop by for a visit...such a treat to see old friends. I look forward to sharing and hearing how others are getting through those January start dates. The information from sheryls as an alum was really helpful...thanks for posting.  Hope everyone has a great evening, I just popped some popcorn and plan to enjoy some mindless TV for the rest of the night with my sweetie. 

~S

klaudiak

Hi, I am starting chemo January 7, I got my port Thursday, and sucks.

Bryona

klaudiak, I'm sorry you have to be here, but I'm glad you've found us. What happened with your port?

Ciao, bella!

klaudiak

Just feel a bit weird, and I'm feeling really uncomfortable with it, thanks for asking

Bryona

klaudiak, I got mine a couple of weeks ago, and the spot where the catheter goes into the vein hurt A LOT the first few days. It's settled down now, though. I'm sure yours will, too. It is really strange having this thing under the skin, though... especially since they just went to all the trouble of taking a different thing out!

Hang in there!

klaudiak

Thanks, for the information, I am glad to have found this place.

Sandra60

Hey January chemo ladies ! Just checking in after a weird day . The steroid high definitely trailed off and I've felt quite agitated and have had a weird taste in my mouth all day ! Craving water and protein and some carbs too - trying to eat as many veggies as possible but I think I will have to resort to juicing them - just not that appetizing right now . The TC regime is tolerable - sure hope it is helpful !!!

Can't wait till next week when I can hop on my bike and zip,down the trail and feel the health coming back into my body getting rid of these chemicals ..... I know they are helping just feel a bit toxic right now !!! Sorry for the rant .... This is day 3 For me btw - Xanax will be my friend to sleep for a while I think

Fighter69

Hello Ladies 

Not sure if I will be getting a port inserted or not but what is the procedure like . Is it outpatient surgery? Meanwhile I will be reading up on it and find out everything that I can so I wont be surprised when and if I need it . 

Hope you ladies are doing great today !! 

Fighter

Lauren15

Hi everyone - This is my first of many posts to this group, that I am so happy to find.  I was diagnosed Dec 20th with IDC w/lymphovascular invasion detected, 3 cm+ tumor, grade 3, and I'm triple negative.  At the moment I'm Stage 11a; however, I'm getting a PET scan on Wednesday, and that can get me to jump to Stage IV if it has spread (which I pray doesn't happen).  I still don't understand how I'm at this stage if lymphovascular invasion is noted.  Interviewed two surgeons so far (both with opposite treatments and diagnosis), then went to a MO, who advised since I'm triple negative, chemo is a no-brainer (only option).  I will be getting the port put in sometime soon with chemo to start sometime early January.  He said I'd probably be getting TAC with a shot of something beginning with an "N" the day after to bring up my white blood count.  I heard 3-5 days after that the pain is excrutiating.  I really need to keep working and am lucky I can work from home from time-to-time.  There is so much to learn, and like some I've been doing so much reading, especially being triple negative.  I'm going to make this forum a favorite, and I'm so glad to know we can share and go through this together.

Fighter69

Lauren 

I am sending prayers to you that there is good news for your Pet scan mines is on the fourth since it was done 3 months ago and they want to make sure that it has not gone any further than my lymph nodes. Praying for us all .!! 

Fighter

Lauren15

Fighter:  Thanks!  It's weird, when I first heard the diagnosis, I thought, no big deal, I'll get a mastectomy, reconstruction, they'll blast it out, and I'll be fine.  What an education I've gotten in a week.  Now I realize it's a fight short term, and hopefully long term.  I'm ready and glad we've all got each other now. : - )   -- You're lucky the insurance company is paying.  I'm still waiting for approval.  If I don't get it, they will do three separate tests (I think a CT scan/e-rays).  I'm in a fog.  If you know of any important questions, please let me know.