Starting Chemo, November 2013 Group

Sunny4Days

Thanks QuirkyGirl for your feedback about CaringBridge. That is a great tip about sharing the link for the journal posts on Facebook. So far I have been able to keep it off of Facebook, but I know there will come a day when someone will post something. In the meantime, I am trying to let everyone know that I don't want to find out through a random post. I think the site is going to work really well for me.

QuirkyGirl

MN_MOM - that's what I did initially and with really important updates. I tell the select group first and then do the caring bridge update and Facebook link. Works like charm.

Gina-B

MN Mom, I did a similar site called mylifeline.org. It is wonderful to be able to write everything out and not have to continuously talk about it. And you can be as detailed as you feel like. This is your sounding board, and you may find it to be therapeutic, i know I do. It has been a great way for me to get my emotions out and also inform people about my status. And by having it you are chronicling your journey which one day may help another woman facing BC. I kept it off Facebook for about a month but too many people were posting things regarding my health so I finally put it out there and now do what QuirkyGirl does. Good luck, I hope you find the site to be a helpful tool as I have!

Stonesmama

Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself.  I just had my first chemo treatment on Monday.  Everything has happened so fast I feel like I'm in the middle of an F5 tornado.  I was diagnosed on 11/5/2013, saw a breast surgeon two days later, saw an oncologist the next day, the next week I had a port put in, a PET scan, and an echocardiogram, and then started chemo on Monday.  Whew!!  So far I feel fine.  My head has felt a little fuzzy, but so far I haven't had any other SE.  I'll post more soon.  There is still so much I don't know.  The breast surgeon and oncologist disagree on a couple of things so I am waiting on the results of another biopsy. 

I did buy a wig and a couple of caps.  It's all happened so fast, I didn't really have time to shop much.  I am going to start looking online for some things.  I had my hair cut super short on Saturday in preparation. 

Thanks for all the info and support.  I hope to be a member of this community and help each other get through all of this.

QuirkyGirl

Steriods SE question: did anyone else have pinkness or inflamation in fully healed breast surgery areas? I had an oncoplastic breast reduction with the lumpectomy. Both reconstructed breasts healed fully many weeks ago but tonight parts seem inflamed and I only had two doses of steriods yesterday, nothing today. If this is just from the steriods, I can see why my MO is concerned what they and TC will do to my skin and still healing wound.

Welcome Stonesmama, you're in the right place!

Palameda

Stonesmama, welcome. In this age of 24 hour stores, you can probably buy anything you need at at any time, so that's nothing to stress about. Au contraire, since I had a ton of extra time waiting to start chemo I went out and bought anything and everything that anyone recommended. I even have plastic plates and cutlery...we will be able to use them someday for something. Your whirlwind didn't leave you enough time to get yourself worked up into a dysfunctional state of panic. Rejoice in that. On the other hand you're hitting the chemo bar without much chance to get to the point of acceptance. Speaking for myself I would be still questioning how I got here and whose Iife was finishing playing out. I was able to make the "all in" decision with little doubt that my choices were for the longest possible life to live. I hope you get a chance to pick up Dr Susan Loves book."read it for a calm wise read full of information that we can digest as our systems allow (mentally and emotionally). What to do to find absolutely logistic help,handling career, handling family members,, handling money.

You will need to communicate serious stuff to keep your own head healthy. And finding yourself in charge of serious decisions to make, that while they are yours to make, may have strong effects on your family. There is a lot of talk of Big Girl Pants and its so true. The ditz drama queens make only rare appearances here, we are too focused on critical path decision making, and concern ourselves with our families coping and future to was our time on extraneous matters" . We are ready to cope with the lack of medical consensus, financial and work pressures, relationship issues, logistical issues, finding assistance parenting, facing what small amounts of control remain with us to decide our treatment course. You've got tears, and depressions, and righteous anger to process as vest you can.

We really will do Our best to add to your support.

Veronica37

QuirkyGirl, I had redness, no inflamation over my expanders the night of and day following chemo, MO said it was from the steroids, that has cleared up however I developed acne like rash that I have to take bennadryl for, MO said its a reaction to taxotere, yeah, I look like I'm going through puberty!

VirginiaNJ

I too noticed a slight redness on my right side yesterday (had my infusion Monday). Was my previously radiated side only --- seems to be gone today....

Slept horribly Monday night, then had forgotten to take the 2nd steroid yesterday until 8:30 pm so I figured I would be wired, but I slept better than the night before...

Welcome Stonesmama- u are moving super fast - are you having chemo before surgery??? Best wishes to you!!

Sunny4Days

Day 14 - My hair is starting to come out. It sucks.

Paulette23

smrlvr....I understand. ....those headaches...I normally get migraines so this doesn't help. was it u that said like vicegrips at temple....this is so true. my migraines are at least one sided! the fluids really help me...don't know if an option. I have blackout curtains in my bdroom TOTALLY DARK.I'm feeling really punky today....headaches, pain Iincreased and nauseous. took meds and gonna lay back down. hope everyone in the HOT SEAT are well!!

audra67

veronica 37- I got rash too on hips weird... and this iv site infection, feel awful today just no energy and going to get blood checked as 6 days out..

Mn mom-

so sorry I am dreading the day but only behind you by a week...so I will be bald soon too..

I am trying to tell myself it is a good thing- the chemo worked at killing those cells so it is killing any others that are trying to divide quickly right?

you can do this!!!

VirginiaNJ

MN_Mom - I'm so sorry...hugs to you!!!

QuirkyGirl

Audra and MN mom - hugs to you both!

gia444

Welcome stonesmama,     Your treatment has been fast.    I was dx in July and only going through chemo now.      Started in Oct.      I was complaining because it was so slow.    Maybe because up here in Canada there seems to be such a long waiting list for surgery etc...

Paulette23,   I know what you mean about going somewhere for Christmas.    I like to be in my own bed if I am not feeling well.     Also if I feel sick it is not much fun being around a lot of people..   My biggest problem is fatigue.    No energy.     I really do admire all the ladies that can work through chemo....

Paulette23

audra, quirky, virginia....looks like were on the same timeframe. next week should be interesting! I ?postspostpospop gettinggettingettigettgetgeg pbmspbmpbp havinghavinhavihavhah elseelsele anyoneanyonanyoanyana is

Paulette23

see what mines doing!!not seeing yalls post either! feel like I'm invisible! !! on the hair watch to! started 13 nov!

VirginiaNJ

lolllll Paulette! Wha happened! That post made me giggle!!!

I am not feeling bad at all....mild headache - walked 3 miles.

My next treatment is Dec 9th. Yesterday, the chemo nurse said 21 days for my hair to fall out but last time it was 14 days to the day.......my sister shaved my head bc it was tingly and uncomfortable. I SWEAR I already feel my head tingling -- my hair follicles dying

NorthwindsGS

One down, three AC to go.......I had major anxiety however when I asked for the Ativan nurse stated my doctor doesn't like to prescribe it. Made it through the infusion fine, feeling a little fuzzy and have a headache however no nausea. I don't think the anxiety will be there next time now that I know what to expect. Only major problem so far is the insurance doesn't want to cover the Emend for nausea. Nurse is working on it so hopefully it can be filled by tomorrow morning before I go to work.

Thinking of you all!

wallymama

Feeling kind of down right now. Had an MRI and teach last Friday, port on Monday, echocardiogram yesterday, was hoping to start the chemo Friday but it doesn't look like it will happen since I haven't heard anything from the doctor yet. Pretty sore from the port but still want to get this show on the road. Looking at 5-6 months of chemo, plus recovery time already puts my surgery at sometime next June or so. Need to get started so I can feel like something is getting done about this big ugly on my chest (and I don't mean the port). I've got the snacks, water bottles, mints, lip balm, etc. all ready to go but nowhere to take them. Since my husband and I both work for drugstores anything else I need for any side effects won't be a problem so I'm only preparing for the first trip to the big girl's chair. Don't really want to wait until next Friday which was my oncol's next choice. Feeling like the tunnel is getting longer all the time. Need to be doing something about IT instead of just getting ready to do something. I've bought several hats, can't really see me in a wig but I may get one just in case. Just need to vent a bit I guess. Not happy to hear headaches may be an AC side. Finally stopped having migraines when I hit menopause so I'm not looking forward to that at all.

lisa137

Port placed today. Hospital visit remarkably non-traumatic, in fact, the entire thing was kind of fun and full of laughs. That was a first.

Now, however, a few hours later and after a nap, what I want to know is, did someone get the name of the engineer that was driving that train that hit me? This sucker is SORE! Holy ravioli!

Paulette23

trying a new doo!! you will laugh when u see "me"

gia444

Cute picture Paulette23

Paulette23

thanks

Paulette23

my d aughter son in law said OMG U BETTER do blond when this is done.funny story about wig....gotta recharge

Paulette23

my d aughter son in law said OMG U BETTER do blond when this is done.funny story about wig....gotta recharge....lisa make sure they give u numb cream for inserting port line!

Paulette23

virginia..that's wjat we meed giggles! hi wally .lisa.north....hang in! my battery goning to die! praying for yall! engineer!!! hpw bout monster ship from outer space! with fulton torpedoes! !!

QuirkyGirl

Paulette- love the blonde wig!

Wallymama - I understand your frustration. I should have started chemo in late September and waiting is rough.

I'm wondering if my MO is trying to prepare me for the possibility of getting minimal chemo. Trying to wrap my brain around that.

VirginiaNJ

super super cute Paulette!!!!

I put my wig on yesterday and I looked horrible

Palameda

Paulette, how darling! Lisa137: yeah, the port aches like hell for a few days. After that, it'll be fine. I played drama queen today, my cat bit my arm yesterday morning, and now I've got cellulitis in my forearm. I thought it was maybe an allergic reaction so I dropped by the MO this morning for the nurse to look at it. Got an emergency visit to the infectious disease dr out of it. I'm just on oral antibiotics, but sheesh. I've been so careful to avoid the usual vectors of germs, who knew my crazy cat would attack me out of the blue. I'm not used to being so darn fragile! If it gets any worse I have to be hospitalized. This is ridiculous.

Paulette23

I had my d july 1......delay....delay...delay.....argh. then when they finally referred me to MO..... had five days to prepare for first treatment. ...don't fret....it just makes the waiting worse. vain imaginations suck an just stress u more. try.....I know its hard....try to distract yourselves. it makes it worse thinking about stuff....go enjoy life! eat your fav foods since they will be ick for awhile! stay in the now ....love u family ...ENJOY LIFE!