August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Anonymous

Hello,

I will begin chemo on August 1st and didn't notice an August group.  Anyone else heading to chemo camp in August?  I will begin taking AC x 4 and then T x 12.  Anyone else?  This is also my second time around chemo and breast cancer so I'm not buying as much as I did last time in preparation as some symptoms were bad and others passed me by.  Of course this is a new set of meds so all can change.

Happy Summer!

V

beeve

I was supposed to start July 30 but it's been delayed a week so I'm your first chemo sister I guess.  I'm scared, I'll get my port on Thursday.  I'm not worried about that, but I am afraid of the chemo.

Happy Summer indeed.

beeve

Anonymous

Hi Beeve,  We are in this together then. I am sorry that you are scared.  I totally get that; me too.  I have been through chemo before though I can tell you that initially it is fine then gets unpleasant but it is very doable for almost everyone.  I am a III stage person also and am not sure when early next week my port is getting put in but I am the schedule for Thursday August 1st chemo and that will happen.

Hang in there and pick up some mirolax for constipation.

WE are living!

V

ali68

Good luck ladies, any questions you want to ask please feel free to ask us stage 3 girls.



Alison xx

Anonymous

Thank you Alison!  I really appreicate it.  I am new to stage 3.  Cannot even type the letter because its so upsetting.  

Please let us know how you keep putting one foot in front of the other.

V

JellyK

Hi, I haven't gotten a start date for my chemo yet but have my post-surgery appt w/my oncologist August 20, so I'm assuming I'll be an August chemo lady :-)  Based on my initial consult w/him before my surgery, he was planning dose-dense AC + weekly taxol, which seems to be the norm?  I'm not as scared of chemo as I was when I was first diagnosed (fear of surgery replaced it, lol), but I'm definitely anxious.  I plan to cut my hair soon, but denial is preventing me from making the appointment.  I like my hair short, but I keep thinking what if I go in on the 20th and he says no chemo...but that's an impossibility.  And honestly I would fight to have chemo if he said that anyway, but for whatever reason I still can't make the appointment...sigh.

Stage III is crazy...I'm letting denial do it's job though, and just moving forward with treatment one treatment at a time :-)

Anonymous

Jelly, I am with you on the denial!  ;  )  I am praying and moving forward but when I think about whether I'l be here in 3 years, I scare myself sh$%less.

I'll have ACT the same way as well and then radiation.  Next weekend I'll cut my hair.  I try to keep fornt and center chemo is my dear friend!

V

JellyK

I've tried to keep all thoughts of survival percentages out of the picture - I get annoyed when doctors talk about 5-year survival rates, because when I think about survival rates I'm thinking in terms of 50 years, not 5.  I'm 38 years old with children 3 and 7, so there isn't a non-survival option, lol.  That's one area that I don't even call it denial - it's just common sense.  I will survive this and take the lessons cancer has to teach me with gratefulness.  Individual treatments and side effects, on the other hand, scare the crap out of me :-)

Women have come out of the woodwork since my diagnosis - women diagnosed with cancers much further advanced than mine - and they are still here, most of them cancer free since their initial treatments.  Just think of them, and put yourself on their team.  We will beat this - chemo is just a part of our arsenal of ammunition :-)

JellyK

V, you say you're getting your hair cut next weekend - how short?

Anonymous

Well, last time I waited until it had started to fall out and so got it cut 1/8 of an inch and it washed off within 2 days but this time I will get it cut 1/2 to 1/4 inch.  It depends how far you are from your first treatment and when your specific med will cause you to loose it.  This varies.

How are you feeling after surgery?  I will be doing radiation and then surgery after the chemo.  Where are you beign treated?  I'm in NYC at Columbia.  Have you checked out the list of suggestions for what to have on hand when you are beginning chemo?  It was very helpful to me first time around.  I found I did not need everything as I was having TCx4 not more aggressive chemo but now with ACT it is more likely to be important.

V

peace777

Jellyk   that is a great attitude...spread it 

candi07

Joining the August 2013 Chemo Sisters. I was just told yesterday that I will need chemo AC x4 and Taxol x4 every 2 weeks, starting 8/16. I'm afraid I will be sick most of the time as I won't have much time to recover between treatments...not sure though. I have vacation plans labor day weekend, doc said she would delay the 2nd chemo treatment by a week and that I would need to go on antibiotics for coverage while I'm away. I have to do staging studies and need a port. I feel like my life is turned upside down. I am so scared and cry everytime I think about it. I'm trying to be brave but scared of the unknown.

candi07

Hi Hvv, where can I get a list of things needed for chemo?

Anonymous

LOVE that attitude Jelly - youa re absolutely right.  I just heard about a 35 year survivor of stage 3...!

Anonymous

Hi 

This is the name of the page that gives great tips for gettign through chemo:  

More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo

Just place that name in the search function.

V

CruiserMay

Hello everyone! I wish I didn't have to be a member of this group, but let's try to make lemonade out of lemons, right? HVV, I also will get AC x4 followed by T x 12 weeks and I start on 8/1, so we'll be on the same schedule. This is my first time thru this so I am anxious-- especially about losing my hair and gaining weight.



I had my port inserted on Monday and I feel like I have a little alien protruding below my shoulder. Lol



In any event, let's motivate each other, fellow August 2013 sisters. We'll have both good and bad days, but let's remember to make the most of the good days.



...and remember, the difference between try and triumph...is a little "umph"...



Wishing you all the best and looking forward to sharing experiences and learning from others.

JellyK

CruiserMay your quote just made me cry :-)  Thank you for sharing it, I really needed it today.

V I'm feeling...ok.  Today's a crappy day because I took a shower and apparently taking a shower takes up all the energy I have available for one day, so I've been wiped out and useless to my kids all day.  I've been through other types of surgery before (shoulder surgery with me, back and wrist surgery with my soon-to-be-ex-hubby), so I'm familiar with the recovery process, but it's still frustrating.  My kids want to snuggle with me but they end up wrestling with each other and I have to kick them off the bed or couch.  I have to sleep on my back, which means I need an intricate set of pillows and Valium to make it happen.  But that said, I'm doing really really well - my plastic surgeon is thrilled about my skin recovery and I only had to have the drains for about a week.  There's a surgery section on here, when you get closer to your surgery date you can join that months thread - those ladies have been invaluable to me.  I will definitely check out the pre-chemo list, thank you!  There's one for surgery too :-)

Today has been hard because I'm exhausted and emotional, and if this was any other surgery I'd be able to look forward and know that it will get better each day.  But as soon as I reach a decent level of functionality they're going to start the chemo, and everything will go downhill again.  And after chemo is radiation, so rinse, repeat.  I guess today represents to me what so many days ahead are going to be like, and that scares the crap out of me.  I don't want my kids to have these memories of sitting with their sick mother and begging me to come play, but there's nothing I can do about it.  I just have to hold onto the idea that this year will suck, and then it will be behind me.  My kids are young enough that any memories they have of their sick mother should stay distant in their minds.

Ooh question - those of you who have your ports already - did they put you out to do those or was it a local anesthetic?  And is it painful for very long?

Strength and healing thoughts to us all :-)

Anonymous

Hi,

So from my pervious experience I just want to say:

Get your last pedicure and manicure now as you will have to be very careful about germs once you begin chemo and probably don't want to take the chance.

Re: hair loss: there are many choices.  I found the time leading up to the loss frightening but once it was gone, it was okay. Not great but really okay. I went with a friend who likes to wear wigs and with the comfort that I developed based on trying on many samples, I was able to buy solid quality but not extraordinarily expensive wigs online because I had learned about the quality of different brands during my visit.  I found that I wore the wig for a month during which I had most of my professional meetings and then turned to scarves, hats, etc.  This time I am feelign that I will scarve/hat it but also am considering going without anything as this feels more authentic to me.  I know; not for everyone and maybe not for me weither.

Re: weight gain: I gained a lot of weight and just finally lost it; 1 year later.  This time I will be eating sparelly and nutritiously throughout.  I feel confident of being able to do this as 1: I now know that for me most food tasted terrible soon after the second infusion except bland carbs (rice, oatmeal, bread) that I'd rather not eat unless necessary.  2: With 20/20 hindsight I now feel able to make the conscious decision to juice, eat veggies and fruits and lean protein knowing that this will help my body be a better recipient for the chemo that will be saving my life and the other choices do not taste any better; 3:  I will spend much more time drinking water or other liquids rather than mindlessly munching on food.  I had been told by another survivor to keep something in my stomach or else I would feel sick.  Perhaps; but you may well feel sick even with something in your stomach I found.

Thanks for listening and for being a great support team.

V 

Anonymous

Oh, most important.  constipation and diarrhea happen.  So use mirolax. 

candi07

I have tips and acrylic on my nails, my MO suggested I leave them on and just let them grow out. Has anyone else been advised on this topic?

peace777

Well I kinda have one foot in July and the other in August. I start chemo tomorrow july 30.  I have got a bucket full of info from July sisters so maybe as I go I can spread it to August sisters. Although  I know a few of you have already gone through it.  Sorry you had to go through it a second time.  I know you are full of info too and can help everyone through this.

Anonymous

Hi Peace,

Share your July info.  It will only help. I hope that everyone is doing well.  Has anyone come across a nutrition website that will help count nutriotion.  Fitday is not working for me .... my computer doesn't seem to liek it.

V

JellyK

V, I've used an iphone app called Lose It for years now - it's intended for weight loss but I used it long after I reached my goal weight because it's so handy for tracking calories and nutrition.  

Fear is such a big barrier for me right now, and I'm curious if anyone has found any methods for managing that fear that worked for you.  I was talking to a pregnant friend recently who is using hypnobirthing as a birthing method (I used it for birthing both of my kids too), and it sparked an idea as to whether those concepts couldn't be useful in mentally preparing for chemo and rads too.  Does anyone have any history with a method you liked to conquer any fears of these treatments?

Lily-f

Hi there



I am also starting on August 9. My legs are a little wobbly. After reading everyone's session amounts I'm concerned that mine aren't enough. I feel like I'm going bonkers. I should feel better that I'm having a lighter schedule.

Anonymous

Lily, your disease may not warrant more (very likely!) or you may be (very very unlikely ) being treated with less than the standard of care (extremely unlikely but if you are concerned get a 2nd opinion) or your physical status (perhaps an underlying illness or allergy) means that you shouldn't get the same drugs as others and are getting equivalent meds that will help you perfectly fine.

Anonymous

Hi,

I am struggling with fear as well because I am no longer at an early stage. AND I did everything I was supposed to do to stay at the early stage. BUT I am reminded that I am loved and can only work hard to get better and forget the things that stress me as that will only harm me.  What if I live 35 more years but spend 34 of them with fear?  No thanks!  I choose life; not the dark alleyways or enclosed lairs.

I made appointments with 2 two exersize programs (one is the livestrong program at the local Y; the other is the moving for life program for breast cancer survivors; and also asked my former yoga teacher to get back together.)   also I've been eating super healthy breakfast through early evening and then have whatever dinner and snack I choose.   This is way healthier than my previous choices.  Weight loss is not the goal but has happened.  Healthier is the goal. So I'm contributing to my health.  I hope to add more tea and other healthful choices soon.   Working on these issues makes me feel better.

Living!

V

gavinsgrandma

Hi Ladies I am a August Chemo sister as well, I was going to start a thread and had not done so yet. I got my port in last Wednesday and I start chemo on August 15th, very nervous about it, trying to educate and prepare myself w/o scaring myself to death!!!!!! My surgery was and my infusions will be 3 hours away in Carson City, I did my PET scan last Thursday and we are traveling north tomorrow to get my Echo on Wednesday to make sure my heart is ok, sounds like AC can be hard on the heart so they want to make sure everything is ok before staring on protocol.



Hug's to all of us, Shary🌞

candi07

Hi gavinsgrandma, we are a day apart with chemo my first is August 16th. I haven't had my port put in yet. Your port was put in so early, mine isn't even scheduled yet. So sorry you have to travel so far. I'm waiting for my staging studies (bone scan, CT scan of chest, abs, pelvis and echocardiogram) to be scheduled, I had my blood work up last Friday and ALL of my numbers are within range. Praying your PET scan and Echo come back good.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night

JellyK

Hi Shary, I was going to suggest this thread and here you are :-)  Do you know when you'll find out the results of your PET scan?  That was just as scary as the biopsy for me, I was so terrified of the results.

Candi07 I'm glad to hear your blood work came back within range, it sounds like you've got a flurry of appointments in the next couple of weeks.

V, that's a really good point about living 35 years with 34 of them in fear, I need to think about that.  That's got to be so frustrating to deal with this again and feel like you did everything you were supposed to do.  It sounds like you have a good attitude, and good resources.  The size of my support network has surprised the heck out of me, I'm shocked at how many people have come out of the woodwork to offer support.

gavinsgrandma

Hi JellyK, how funny I was going to do the same and saw you here😄 We are going to Carson City tomorrow, that is where my BS and MO are and that is also where I will do chemo and rads, so I am stopping by MO office in the morning for the results and Wednesday I have an ECHO scheduled to make sure my heart is ok to start my chemo protocol. I just retired in May after doing hair for 25 years and I will probably shave my own after the 1st treatment, too bad I was not near everyone or we could have a buzz party😥I plan to order some scarves, have any of you ladies done that yet? Sorry I just realized I repeated some of my info, oh well. To all of us August chemo sisters we will be there for each other.



Shary🌞

Cutiekool

Hello ladies, I too will be starting my first chemo, in August, when I get back from vacation. A/c 4 cycles 2 weeks apart and tamoxifen 4 cycle 2 weeks apart. I am freaked out a out hair loss, weight gain and fatigue. My cancer is Is. Stage 2 a. Can my stage get worse? I am freaking out,im not sure if my Xanax is working for me anymore. I ordered wig, sleep cap, fake bangs and a halo. I too will be looking to eat healthier, someone told me. No raw veggies or fruits that do not have skins....b/c bacteria. My head is swimming. Ughhhhhhhhh.


God Bless....