Starting Chemo January 2015

Tennisfan

Phew - ladies - so many good news all around so let's keep the positive outlook, everybody!.

Back from ovarian surgery today and glad to report that all went well. As I experienced major issues with the last anesthesia and post-op medication I spoke with my surgeon about it and we decided that just taking Tylenol should be fine for me. So far, so good. Again, more fear than actual pain!!!

Congrats to all the ladies who started today. I am now starting to wonder if I should get a port or not. Had tons of time to think about it while waiting (i was called to show up at 6:30 am but was not in surgery before 10:30). I think I will try the AC part with IV (4x) and T (12 weeks in a row) with port maybe?

I had to have blood drawn today and it took three pokes with a butterfly needle but the anesthesist got it in the first time with the huge IV catether so I think it boils down to experience. Whenever I good for blood test at the blood test centre they get it at the first try... We'll see but I might just become a convert after once or twice, like you Cherylfg (and BTW thanks for checking on spinach and probiotics for us!)

Dstar, so nice to hear from you and dmclelland as well. Welcome to all the nee ladies that started posting this week.

One special mention to spookisgirl: i went thru 2 rounds of antibiotics so it's not unsusual. As mentioned previously prone to urinary track and yeast infections so I took probiotics AND intend on taking them through my entire chemo ordeal. You might want to consider for the antibiotics round as by the third time your body flora will really be down... Of course just a thought and you should ask your doctor first.

To answer your second post, yes, I am very scared of weight gain because I think that in part at least my previous job which was stressful likely contributed to my cancer growth also made me gain 25 pounds. I have managed after a lot of effort (diet and personal training) to shed it over a period fo 2 years. I really do not want to go back there especially since I don't want to have to buy new clothes again. Buying 1-2 sizes down is alway fun but not the reverse... So I have moved my stationary bycicle in front of the TV and hope to watch my favourite series (I watch 4-5 hours of television per week) while cycling away. Less hard than just cycling, killing two birds with one stone AND not having to go out by -25 celsius lol. Could you easily access one or borrow one from a friend?

Ok. Time to call it a night for me (unusual as I am typically up til midnight).

Au reevoir, les amies...

RV6gal

Spookisgirl, Sorry to welcome you to the group but glad you found us here. I like Tennisfan's advice about her exercise plan. I am very concerned about weight gain too as I have to lose 60 Lbs as it is. I am working at getting more active but not dieting through chemo. I try extra hard to make good food choices right now. I did gain about 8 LB my first week following chemo but a lot of that was actually water retention. I'm back to my start weight now. I just weigh myself every morning now to keep an eye on it.

dimccleland.I think that is great news that you retested as Her2+. It is my understanding that they have Herceptin (trastuzumab) regimen that interferes with the protein and gives you extra protection against recurrence.

So glad to hear that chemo went well today for your Cheryl and MM! Keep drinking lots of water and try to keep as active as possible. I know you are on a different chemo regimen than I but I think these 2 things are very important factors to feeling better.

Cheryl, thanks for checking on the spinach/probiotic issue. Glad to hear you are a Port convert now. The more good information I hear the more satisfied I am with my choice to get it.

I hope everything is going well for cubbieblue, lovesbostons, LakesideWLabs, and GoldenPaws too. Speedy recovery to Tennisfan on your ovarian surgery. Glad it went well.

Lrwllms, hope your first chemo tomorrow goes smoothly. Wishing you the best on your scan results as well.

Dana, So glad to see you back with good news. It does feel loads better knowing what the plan is.

I am now on Day 11 and I'm honestly feeling pretty good. Taste buds coming back to normal but I do get a lot of heartburn. It is kind of an all day thing right now but gets worse as the day goes on. Water seems to help ease it as well. I don't see things getting any worse at this point so I'm hoping all goes well with my bloodwork on Jan 16 so I will be ready for Chemo #2 on Jan 19th. Sounds crazy but I'm looking forward to that too! LOL

Take care everyone!

Krynko

hi my name is Kolleen. I started my first treatment December 30, 2014. I am having Taxotere and cytoxin. How are you feeling?

mommacat4

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to chime in here for a moment. I had my port put in on Dec 30th and it is just fine now. The day of and the day after I felt like I had a pinched nerve in my neck. I couldn't drive then but now I can. I have to either put the seat belt under my arm or put a small pillow between myself and the seatbelt. My port area itches a lot because my body is trying to heal. I use eucerine to rub on the skin. That helps the itching.

I was also told to use arnica after my bmx. It works well I had very little brusing considering I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction. That was in November.

I went to my chemo class on Monday January 5th. I was to start my chemo on Wednesday January 7th. I still needed my blood test and echo before I could start chemo. I got a call from the finance department at the cancer center on Tuesday January 6th. She told me because this is the beginning of a new year all my deductible and out of pocket costs need to be met before my insurance will pay 100%. I told her I know this. She told me I needed to bring in $1800.00 tomorrow (Wednesday) when I come in for my 1st treatment. Then the next day I will need $763.00 for the cost of the Neulasta shot. Then in 3 weeks I will need to bring in $368.00 for my 2nd treatment. And the next day the cost for the Neulasta shot. And this will continue until my deductible and out of pocket costs were met. I told her I don't have that kind of money just laying around. Who has that? I asked her if she had that kind of money laying around? I asked for a payment plan. I asked if they can bill be on a payment plan. She said no because the chemo drugs have already been paid for in advance and the doctors need their money. I asked if the doctors already purchased this medicine wouldn't they have a say in when or how they get reimbursed? I spoke to her for about an hour. When I got off the phone I put my head in my hands and just cried. My 19 year old daughter has never seen me lose my composure like that before. She was scared and didn't know what to do to help me. Then it dawned on me that none of my 4 children have ever seen me very ill or crying like that. Now I wonder even more how they will handle the side effects of chemo more so than I worry how I will handle it.

To make a long story short I spoke to the finance department rep about 3 times On Tuesday. In between talking to her and my insurance company, I got a call from the scheduling department saying my echo was scheduled for that afternoon. So I made it and completed that. Then I called my oncologist and asked for anxiety meds.

Wednesday I still have not gotten my blood work done and the finance lady and I have not come to acceptable terms. I ended up cancelling much 1st chemo treatment and rescheduled it for next Wednesday. I am trying to find other financial aid through other resources. I have my best friend helping me fill out applications for assistance with different places. At this point anything will help.

I hope none of you have to experience this anxiety just so you can get treatment.

I told the lady at the pharmacy who was filling my anxiety meds that it is less expensive to have a funeral than to front all this money for treatment. My oncologist was not happy that I cancelled my appointment but what else can I do? Now I have to wait until next Wednesday to start.

I did cut my long hair and donated it to locks of love. My 15 year old daughter also cut her hair (about 17 inches) and donated it as well. Her hair was almost to her waist and now it is above her shoulders. I wanted to do that before I tainted my hair with chemo. I figured if I couldn't keep it at least someone would get some use out of it. Lol.

Thank you all for being strong and positive. I love reading all the posts. Take care and keep us posted on your journey. I am interested to see how chemo effects different people.

spookisgirl

Thanks very much for the info and tips--I am glad I am not alone worrying about weight gain. When I said I danced, I should clarify--before this all started I danced 10-15 hours/week on top of weight training, so I am/was very active. I am slowly working back up to that level, but expect to have to bring it back down during chemo, and to modify my dance to less cardio and more focused on technique. I work at a studio, the gym and practice at home in my living room (which I guess would be like the bike suggestion). I am very worried my activity level will go down to much for me to maintain my weight. I have even heard that some chemo protocols have weight gain as a side effect.

I have elected to do a double mastectomy/reconstruction after chemo and my plastic surgeon advised it would be best if I was a close to my goal weight as possible before the surgery to make it the most effective. This is also going to be a reduction for me as I will be going down 4 cup sizes.

I am nervous about seeing the oncologist on Monday, not because of what she might say, but of what she might NOT say. I just want to know what is going on and have a plan in place. I feel like I am having to put my whole life on hold for this until I know when chemo will be so I can schedule everything else around it. I keep telling myself I will have a plan on Monday, and I am not sure what I will do if I don't get at least an idea of one.

I also have a CT scan on Tuesday that is making me nervous--I haven't had a 'normal' test result since this started, everything has come back with something unexpected.

Thanks for the tip about probiotics! Being on my 3rd round of antibiotics is certainly taking it's toll in that way, so it's a great tip! There is finally some positive signs of healing in my breast incision so I am hopeful it will finally heal completely soon. I should have my MRSA test results back tomorrow, but looks like the antibiotics are now working, so perhaps that will be my first 'clean' test result

For those going through chemo now--thank you so much for sharing your experiences, it is so helpful. I look forward to hearing more and hope your experiences continue to be manageable!

Tennisfan

Hello fellow Canadian aka Spookisgirl,

I guess napping on and off most of the evening interfered with my sleeping pattern so I will take a moment to reply back to you. I do not know what your course of trestment is but my oncologist was quite adamant that ACT can cause weight gain, but more importantly that it would not cause gain loss for sure. That's why I am prepared for exercise and hope to continue playing tennis (this is as much for my mental sanity lol) through treatment.

By now I have read so many books and forum discussion postings highlighting the benefits of exercise during chemo that I can only think that as much as my efforts will be reduced, I will still do "something".

I found my inspiration in reading a book where a lady was explaining how crappy she felt physically but that she nevertheless decided to start karate lessons. Of course we all have different experiences, levels of energy, and other factors but I figured that I would certainly give it a try before I call tennis quits for six months. I thought if she can drag herself there so can I. The cycling is the easiest way I found to be closer to the prescribed walking everyone is talking about without having to leave my house. I also know people who have found private trainers specialised in breast cancer/oncology patients.

Check with your hospital oncology resource centre: mine offers exercise classes and maybe if you can't go you can be referred to someone to adapt your program?

Also, most importantly, we've ALL experienced the fear of the unknown and the anxiety of waiting... But you are almost there (Monday!). Only a few days and you will hopefully be able to sleep better... I, as many others on this thread, started sleeping better after I was able to put all the dates of my treatment in the calendar. Then I spoke to my tennis coach to skip the week I get injected, and pushed back my tennis lesson to the end of weeks two and three. If all goes well similar to RVgal, I am hopeful that I will be able to attend on my 7 day... And if not I will skip week 2 and go twice on week three of my cycle... You get my drift...

Time will tell... And knowlege is power so hang in there - you are hopefully close to regaining at least a little bit of control... I am a total control freak, but this journey has taught me to behave a bit like if I am constatnly resetting my brain, similar to a computer or an old database. Instead of planning things and getting upset if they don't work out the way I want, I do make agressive choices/plans but have come to terms with letting go and constantly reajusting the plan, since I was diagnosed. As a recent example, I did not like the fact that ovaries removal was going to involve poking 4-5 wholes in my lower abdomen - enough scars already (I was told they would be small but I scar badly). I expressed a wish to the resident who visited me before surgery and when I woke up... I had only 3 holes including one in my belly button, which really makes it only 2 visible holes - so clearly you win some, albeit sometimes trivial or small, but those are the ones you need to focus on, in my humble opinion, to keep sane during what I call the circus...

So I am learning not to be discouraged by new negative information (I went from possible lumpectomy with no chemo and no rads to double mastectomy in a couple of meetings, because of genetic history - then learned my right breast was also under attack) but to take every new information and reset my brain to process it and deal with it in the best possible outcome. Two holes, no cancer left in both breasts due to mastectomy, small "unremarkable" mentions coming out from my scan that will nevertheless be taken care of by chemo, so like dstar now I fully embrace my treatment plan lol).

Hope this helps, if only a little bit!

P.s. Mommacat, I am so sorry to hear about your financial ordeal - thanking the universe for being born in Canada and our healthcare system (another positive for us, Spookisgirl). I sincerely hope speaking to a different person/supervisor will help sort this out - it is insane!!! Now, not sure if there is a thread for this particular situation but I have read other posting where ladies found positive outcomes to their financial situation in the US. You can't be alone in this... Had your oncologist ever heard of this situation before? Bonne chance - you have several days left to figure it out - fingers crossed

RV6gal

Sometimes I wish there was a like button on this website. I would like like like your comments Tennisfan!

RV6gal

Mommacat4, I am very sorry to hear about the financial anxiety being added to your plate. I am very fortunate to live in Canada as that is the one thing that I don't have to worry about at all. Being Canadian, I'm afraid I don't know the US system enough to offer any suggestions either but I sure hope you are able to find ways to get some financial help and ease this burden.

mommacat4

Thank you tennisfan and rv6gal for your support. I think it's great that we can be so far geographically and still be so close using this thread. It is nice to have the gals here for support.

Are either of you trying to work through your chemo treatments?

Is anyone else here in the US going to try to work during their chemo treatments? I guess it would depend on the work you do and if you work from home or not. Please let me know about work. Right now I am on short term disability through my work. I don't know how long that will last. I work in a department of my company that is production based and I fear that I won't be able to maintain my production goals if I am off work too much because of chemo side effects.but of course that is one of those unknown fears. I won't really know until I start chemo.

Take care everyone, good night!

RV6gal

Hi Mommacat4,

I am not planning on returning to work until treatment is over. My oncologist told me that it takes about 2 months following treatment (chemo and radiation) to feel/heal well. I am really lucky that I have long term disability as my short term leave is up in February. Some people do have to work but take whatever time you can get for yourself.

mommacat4

Thank you Rv6gal. That actually helps me a bit because I was thinking I am a wimp for taking time off and not being "strong enough" to work.

Tennisfan

Dear Mommacat4, you're not a wimp at all! I am choosing to try to work because I returned to work after three weeks instead of thr prescribed 4-6 weeks following my BMX and will now likely walk in after 4 days instead of 10, as my doctors agree that I am strong enough. I almost went crazy during the third week at home last time... But I am built that way... And this is absolutely no contest nor about bravado as some osome people might think...

But as far as chemo goes the MINUTE I think it is not working out I will go on short-term disability. I truly wish to work to keep my mind focused on something else but certainly not at the detriment of my physical health so this is an experiment and if I have to stay home, I will. By the way my doctor said very few women work thru chemo and that he doesn't recommend it at all. But I am hoping to be part, as usual, of the exception... I was just born stubborn what can I say!

I have also beefed up my diet with every possible trick I can use and am in the bestest shape of my life because of all the tennis playing so I have hopefully built lots of strength and stamina but from what I hear it may not count for much so then call me delusional lol.

In any case I will start two days after you on the same course of treatment so we can compare notes...

Looks there were a few insomniacs up late last night ;0)

TF

P.S. I found thi site from US narional cancer institute to be very good about nutrition and cancer: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/002903-pdf.pdf. Very long but comprehensive!

Cherylfg

Hi Mommacat4- I'm sorry to hear about your financial stress. I don't know what state you are in but is it possible to apply for your state's insurance plan? I'm happy to help you research if want to pm about it.

I cut my working from 3 days to 1 day. The one day seems manageable and it allows to keep my health insurance. I did also cut back the amount of work I will have to do. I'm teaching a class I have taught before so the prep work is minimal and I decreased the work the students will be turning, so I will have less grading.

Day 1.5 - did not go well for me. I tend to get sick in the car anyway, and the combination of chemo, being a passenger instead of the driver, and rush hour traffic, was a very bad one. By the time we got home, I was really nauseous and had a terrible headache. I felt great when we left the clinic so I was surprised to see how quickly I felt so bad. I took more of the anti-nausea and pain pills and waited a bit. Two hours later is wasbetter but still bad. I called the triage nurse who told me to take one more pain pill (my headache was causing most of problems) and then I felt great.

I slept through the night and woke up hungry. I feel fine so far today.

Cheryl

PMR53

Mommacat4

I am so sorry to hear of all this frustration and bs from your insurance company. It makes me so upset for you. Like you need that on top of everything else. I sure hope you can get this worked out. I don't have that kind of money laying around either. I do know there are places to apply for financial help. My Cigna case manager gave me these numbers. You can try them.

American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345. Helps with copayment assist, gas card, money for utilities,

Patient Advocate Foundation 1-800-532-5274 helps with co-pay and mortgage

Cancer care 1-800-813-4673 not sure what they can do

I think Cancer is a full time job at this point.

I am definitely off work for many months. I am too anxious, tearful and stressed to work at this point. Plus I work in a hospital. Too many germs. I start chemo Monday. My husband and I were going to try and do something fun on Saturday.

I did go to a Naturopathic Doctor yesterday. He is going to follow me and assist with chemo s.e. I think it is important for all of us to be taking real vitamins and eating the most nutritious food we can. He said to me "your Immune System is waiting and wanting to help you!"Give it everything you can to do its job and visualize it also.

Cherylfg sorry you got sick. I have a commute too better bring barf bag. Ugh

Ladies have a good weekend!! Hugs to All

PMR53

dstar

Mommacat - also try LiveStrong.org. They may have some financial assistance. I wish I had 25k to give you just like that! No one should have to face treatment and that kind of financial pressure. I agree with tennisfan that you might talk to your doctors about the situation. They may have some suggestions. But generally, it stinks!

I am planning to work all through treatment. I have to because I support myself. But I work for a wonderful non profit and can work from home (accountant) so I will get my 40 hours in however I can. We do what we must. And I am concerned about weight gain. I am walking walking walking. I meet with a PT next week to see what kind of excercise I can do while receiving chemo. And trying to eat simple, healthy meals, put my sweet tooth away for a while. Cancer is a great motivator.

MM, thanks for all of your good thoughts, I really appreciate you!

Tennisfan, your positive attitude helps me to stay strong. Constant adjustment and adaptation is just what is needed.

Cheryl-sorry you got so sick. Good to know it passed. What did they give you for your headache? I am curious because pain medicine was not included in my meds.

PMR53-Did you start chemo? Maybe I missed your post. How are you feeling?

And spookisgirl, I have been scared out of my mind in the past two months, possible mets, everything worse than originally thought, many of us here have that experience. I am beginning to learn how to ride those waves: I take it one step at a time. Look back and see what you have already moved through, know that you will move through the rest, not all at once but one day, one test, one hour at a time. Whatever it takes. Get a prescription for Ativan. This disease requires huge buckets of patience. You are strong. I have been scared and sad around my staging uncertainty, bursting into tears while washing dishes, but even in the midst of that, I believe I will have another good day, spend time with people I love and do things that I enjoy. I am happy to have this chance to beat cancer, my mother died when she was my age. Her cancer was untreatable. I know she would want me to never give up so I say, bring it on, I will give it everything I've got. I am as stubborn as hell. My nickname as a kid was Badger because I would not back down. When my fighting spirit is up, my friend Susie says, "Badger is in the house"! And she is. We are here for you.

Beachbum1023

cherylfg, I had the same chemo and got "sick" headaches the first time. I took ice blocks and put them on my neck during infusion, and no more headaches for the rest of the treatments! I drank bottled water, and took small snacks to eat so my stomach had food in it. I had pudding cups, celery, mandarin oranges, pretzel sticks. Just small amounts of each but it worked for me. I hope you feel better, but one done!!!!

You CAN do this!

Lrwllms

day 1 for me and it's going great so far. I'm just going to the restroom a lot!! My port is a lifesaver, it didn't hurt at all. I'm almost done with treatment #1 yeah!!!

dstar

Lrwllms, YAY! good to hear!

Tennisfan

Ladies: This list of 25 tips for a better life in 2015 was sent to me by a close friend who got it herself from a dear friend who is just finishing chemotherapy and was reflecting in a recent blog post how cancer has changed her life for the better in many different ways. Hope you like it - going to put this on my fridge,poster size!!!

25 Tips for a Better Life – 2015

1. Take a 20-60 minute walk every day. And while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Make time to practice meditation.

3. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

4. Live with the 3 E's — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2014.

6. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 10.

7. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

8. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. Eat local. Eat organic. Join CSA.

9. Clear clutter from your house, your car, and your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

10. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

11. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

12. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. What other people think of you is none of your business.

18. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and your friends will. Stay in touch. (This I know too well.)

19. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Purge, purge, purge.

20. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

21. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________ Today I accomplished _________.

22. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

23. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can't change.

24. Call your family and friends often, tell them you love them and mean it.

25. Know that the best is yet to come…

spookisgirl

Awesome post tennisfan!!

RV6gal

I agree with you spookisgirl! That was a great post Tennisfan! I'm adopting it

goldenpawsKim

I survived my 1st treatment yesterday. Yay for me. Glad to hear others did well too. Wasn't nearly as bad as anticipated and I'm cold capping so a lot more stressful. Did great and still feel good. Got my neulasta injection today. Took my Claritin so I'm hoping I'll do ok throughout the weekend. Keep the posts coming. .. always nice knowing I'm not alone. ♡♡

lovesBostons

Hi everyone. .

First treatment down!!! Yesterday was a bit rough. No port or picc line yet so the infusion was quite uncomfortable. Will be having a picc line inserted before the next treatment. Am thankful that nausea has been kept at bay by the drugs. I am a wimp when it comes to nausea and vomiting. Had more trouble with headache but Tylenol kept It manageable. I gave in to going to bed and sleeping rather than fighting it. Best decision I made. Today was unexpectedly good. Minor headache but no nausea. Was really anxious about the neulasta injection but it was not bad at all. I can do this!

Mommacat4 I am so sorry to hear about your situation. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray for a quick resolution to this problem. You have enough to deal with as it is. I too am hoping to work during treatment but that being said,I will just have to wait and see how I feel. Like most of us I have always put other responsibilities ahead of me. As my daughters keep telling me, it is time to look after myself. Hard to change.

Tennisfan thank you for the post, so true

Spookisgirl, stay strong. It does get easier to handle when all the tests are in and there is a plan of attack. I was in limbo for awhile and it didn't feel like I slept for weeks. Now that treatment has started, I can sleep. I hopethis will be true for you too.

Well, goodnight friends. God bless. Stay strong, one day at a time.

PMR53

I wish we had a like button. I love your attitudes and spirit. !! This is my last weekend. Got a short hair cut today. Will start chemo Monday, port is healing well. Love and hugs to all!

PMR53

Beachbum1023

Good morning goldpawsKim,

Good to know you are feeling good after treatment. I had the Neulasta shot as well. I took the Claritin for 3 to 4 days after the injection to keep the bone pain away. Everyone is different, so I do anything I have to do to stay at my "normal" during treatment. I hope you feel well all weekend!

Tennisfan

A lovely quote found on Facebook to further my point from yesterday. Got a call from the hospital asking to show up at 8:30 on Monday for a colonoscopy - not worried as I know I have a sensitive intestine and that's what they want to check but not excited to go into my tummy which was just visited elsewhere just two days ago. Sigh. 24 hours of liquid diet only. Thank God for jello and pospicles!!!

cubbieblue

Hi Ladies,

Hope everyone is doing well after treatment.  Cherylfg, Beachbum 1023 and LovesBostons, my Cytoxan experience sounds similar to yours. My sinuses felt inflamed, my teeth and face hurt all day, and then I got a sick headache.  I  took some meds and went to sleep, woke up the next morning feeling better and starving -- looking for the dinner I had declined the previous night due to nausea.   I did not like that experience at all, and I wonder if it is going to happen with each treatment. 

Hello Krynko (Kolleen), I'm also on Cytoxan and Taxotere, so I am wondering what your experience has been with those two drugs. GoldenpawsKim, how did Round 1 of Cytoxan and Taxotere go for you?

Mommacat4, yes I am going to try to work through chemo.  I have a daily commute on public transportation,  which is not easy because the weather in Chicago has been just brutal.  I am also worried about being on the trains with it being flu season. But I need to work and am going to try to do it as long as I am able.  I also had a similar experience as you with the financial lady and my treatments. At first I was really angry that she was asking me to hand over almost $2,000 a few days after Christmas, for services which were not even completed yet and were to be completed in a completely new coverage year no less!   I mean, I've been using that facility for 20+ years, and if they search their own records they would see that I pay my bills.  I know she was just doing her job, but asking a cancer patient for pre-payment on services -- when I know there will be other patients who receive the services they need without being forced to prepay, and the facility will never recoup a penny from them afterwards -- well it just really rubbed me the wrong way.  She did however seem to understand enormity of what she was asking, and agreed we could continue discussing payment options.  Who needs this kind of aggravation on top of everything else?  Ok, rant over. ;-)

 

 

lovesBostons

Hi Ladies:

Well, Day 3 not as easy as Day 2.  More tired and the nausea still there.  Spent the whole day so far resting.  Am able to eat small amounts and try to keep drinking to flush everything out.  I keep telling myself, one day at a time.  This first session hopefully will give me  a blueprint of the coming cycles so I have an idea of how to plan activities.  Take care everyone, stay strong.  I am so glad I have somewhere to voice my concerns and feelings.  Just wish we weren't all in this situation.  Stay strong

Hugs to all,

RV6gal

Welcome to the January 2015 Chemo group Hydranne. I have had one chemo already through my veins but I too am getting a port done on the 14th. Hope that goes smoothly for us both.

lovesbostons, we are on same chemo regime. For me each day got a little more difficult with day 5 being the hardest for me as far as nausea and tiredness. I did just like you are doing and took one day at a time. Do keep up the drinking as it will help you feel less tired, keep your mouth moist and flush that stuff out of you more quickly. It does get better.

Tennisfan, sorry to hear you have to go for a colonoscopy on Monday. Loved the quote though!

Hope everyone is having a good day!

mtowne

Me! Just started on Jan. 7th with Neulasta on the 8th. Day 4 has been full of bone pain. Yesterday was some strange, intense rib pain. This is the first of 6 cycles for me. Lots of people tell you what to expect, but in the end it's really just a day by day thing I guess.