Chemo in July 2015

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    hartrish - welcome & good luck on the 9th!

    WannaBePositive - I am getting port placed on 7/27 & was told it will be on right side in chest! With TE's in I am thinking will be added uncomfort - did not know they could put ports in the arm ??

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  • theearthlaughsinflowers
    theearthlaughsinflowers Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2015

    inkster- I did it. I wasn't sure how I felt about it until my kids (son- 18 daughter- 15) came home and loved it! I'm feeling good now. : ) They didn't have time to bleach it~ I'm doing that on Thursday. How much did it hurt your scalp? And did it take a few tries to get to the level you wanted? I start chemo the next day and don't want to begin uncomfortable.

    I got my Buffs and love them! The caps I got might be going back. And found 1 scarf so far..

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  • inkster
    inkster Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2015

    theearthlaughsinflowers - yay you! That's awesome! :) My natural hair color is just a shade off of black, so it took hours and multiple applications to bleach. And it did burn my scalp. It didn't hurt the next day, but was a bit itchy for a few days after the blonding. I did it a couple weeks before chemo so I wasn't too worried - I might have taken a different approach myself closer to the date. You will be gorgeous whatever you decide.

    I ordered two buffs (and that was with some restraint - the colors are amazing!) and took back all the scarves I bought. I do have a few other scarves that my SIL brought back from France and some sleep caps coming (love Etsy), so I'm more than literally covered. Need to start controlling my retail therapy before I go broke. :P

    Good luck on Friday! I go in on Monday. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens. ;)

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  • tinaw4227
    tinaw4227 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2015

    I am so glad to here that it is possible to keep Acrylic nails during treatment. I have always had bad nails. But, lately they have gotten very healthy and long. I was thinking of acrylics when they started telling me about possible nail damage due to chemo.

    Thanks for the info.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    Welcome tinaw4227 -let us know if you are starting chemo this month if you want to be added to our list. And if you need anything else! I plan to continue my acrylic nails - hoping no issues!

    Great for you theearthlaughsinflowers - you are brave 👍🙌😀 I am going to cut my "very thick long" hair the week before chemo to be as short as I can take & have my husband buzz it when it starts to fall out! I have a dream that it will come back in not gray so I never have to dye again and straight like Jennifer Aniston hair - a girl can dream 😎

    Happy 4th to all

    Mary

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Definitely, dreams are important We're thinking of you all!

    Happy 4th to all those in the US!

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  • Kazzy115
    Kazzy115 Member Posts: 122
    edited July 2015

    hi ladies. Stopping to cheer you all on. You can do this! I had dose dense ACT and finished last August. I worked throughout and even travelled too. I had minimal side effects which I believe was largely due to great hydration 2+ liters of water each day and a heavy duty probiotic. During taxol I took glutamine to avoid neuropathy. It worked. Had some with first treatment and then began supplement and had nearly none.


    Also I did not have a port placed. All my chemo was done in one arm and my veins held up well and no real pain or problems.

    Thinking of all of you and know you'll find great strength and many positives that come from the experience. Have faith in your spirit.


    Sending healing energy, love and light.

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  • Want2Bcamping
    Want2Bcamping Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2015

    I'm here to join the club as well. First round July 8th. Scared but ready to fight this crap

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  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Hi. I've been lurking for some time, but I'm here now to join this club as well. Thanks Michele123 for starting this thread! I am 56 years old, married with one daughter, age 15. I was to start TCHP July 2, but MO didn't get my echo report back yet, so now I'm rescheduled for July 9. PET showed two spots on vertebrae and pelvis, so now I'm also being scheduled for a biopsy. Hope all is well with my heart, so I can get started with my treatment. I'm anxious to start zapping this crap because I'm tired of all the tests and waiting, waiting, waiting!

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  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2015

    My first chemo treatment was ok for the first day. My port was put in during my surgery so I didn't feel any pain when they inserted the needle. I was hooked up from 10:30 - 3:15. Not a fun way to spend the day. But friends from work came to entertain me for awhile. I felt good going home that day but the next 3 days weren't as enjoyable. Constipation, diarrhea, and dizziness. Today I feel better.

    Has anyone had any effects with their face breaking out? I have red bumps everywhere. What kind of face wash/body wash is everyone using?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Hello to both bjsmiller and JillyB, and welcome here to BCO.

    bjsmiller, we sincerely hope that there is nothing more, and that you can soon start your treatments!

    JillyB sorry it was so tough, and that you have had skin reactions. Have you been exposed to too much sun or heat? Here are some suggestions, if so: http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/ask_expert/2005_0...

    We're all here for you, and please keep us posted.

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  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Me, too! Thanks so much for the welcome. I appreciate all the valuable information I am finding on this site!

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  • Want2Bcamping
    Want2Bcamping Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2015

    Has anyone had a spouse who didn't want to sit with you during treatments? Mine says he will go but maybe not for the whole 4-5 hours. I have my first session in a couple of days and really wanted him to be there.

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  • rosesrx
    rosesrx Member Posts: 458
    edited July 2015

    Want2be- my infusion center limits 1 visitor at a time for 5 min only. So not an option. After the benadryl the drowsies set in but not much sleeping because there are 20 recliners in a big room with pumps beeping constantly. Plus 2 chairs for shots. I situate myself away from the main door. (And 1 bathroom, whoever designed that should be fired) 1st time is usually the longest. Wish I had someone to bring me something to eat but didn't know how the smell woulld affect me or others. So I just pack snacks and liquids. Since I am feeling pretty good dinner out is usually in order.

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  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2015

    Want2be - my husband came for the first 1/2 hour and then went to work. Even though I wanted him to be there. It was better that way anyway since you get pretty tired after the Benadryl drip. I just brought my iPad and read and slept. Also because there wasn't a lot of patients I was able to have a few friends come (and bring me lunch and snacks) and visit. As long as the seats are not needed they could stay as long as they wanted. Good luck to you.

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  • Want2Bcamping
    Want2Bcamping Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2015

    Thank you rosesrx and Jillyb. Appreciate the feedback on this. Sometimes I feel so alone and don't want to burden anyone. Partly why I joined on here.

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  • courtleboo
    courtleboo Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2015

    JillyB my first round was July 1 and my skin is breaking out terribly too. Feels like cycstic acne. Had my hubby pick up Cetaphil, only thing I could think of that is gentle. I've been laying low because I am so fatigued. Took me 30 minutes to recover from a shower this morning.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Hi ladies, just jumping in from the March thread to wish you good luck! You can do this!

    Want2be, my husband hasn't been to a single one of my treatments. Do you have a good support system aside from your DH?

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  • melinda531
    melinda531 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2015

    Hi Everyone,

           My name is Melinda and I'm due to start TCH Chemo this Thursday, July 9th.  I'm stage 1 but triple positive which is what is necessitating the chemo.  I'm scared and nervous to start treatment this week!  I'm 44 years old and have 2 great kids, a 15 year old son and 11 year old daughter, along with a great and supportive husband.  I'm so glad to find this group as it has been especially helpful to talk with other women going through all these crazy emotions I've been experiencing over the last month or so.  Now that it's time to get started I feel both relieved and terrified at the same time!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Hi Melinda,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We hope you are finding the forums helpful and easy to navigate.

    Its understandable for you to be feeling these emotions, but the women and men here are very helpful and supportive.

    If you have any questions or concerns please dont hesitate to contact us.

    warm wishes

    moderators

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  • Thunder7
    Thunder7 Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2015

    Hello July 2015 ladies,

    My name is Thunder7 and I will be starting TC chemo on July 23rd.  May I join you?

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  • JillyB
    JillyB Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2015

    Thanks Courtleboo. I will try Cetaphil.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    Welcome Thunder7, melinda53, Bjsmiller & Want2Bcamping - glad you found us - We will get thru it together!

    Powerthruit & inkster - good luck today! Thinking of you! ❤️❤️

    Michele123, surecat, JillyB & courtleboo - hope you all are fairing OK since 1st treatment last week! Hope some of your SE's are better today! Your skin issues scare me as I already have horrible skin - keep us posted if the cetaphil helped - really hope it does for you!

    Kazzy115 - thanks for dropping in & for your tips!! Can you share which heavy duty Probiotic you took??

    Littleblueflowers & rosesrx - thanks also for jumping in - all the support is awesome

    Want2Bcamping - maybe your husband needs some support or having hard time dealing with your diagnosis - hope you can find some support - you got it from us here😀 I read an article that friends / family want to help but don't know what we need so maybe if you have a friend offering help ask them to come to chemo with you! I have to have a friend take me on my 1st day as my husband has to care for our kids at camp & will meet me there after chemo has started! The friend that is taking me kept asking if there was anything we needed so I took her up on her offer - just sharing in case that helps ....

    Hope everyone has a great week - side effect free 👍👍😎💪🏻

    Mary


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  • kdcjjc
    kdcjjc Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Hi there everyone!

    After surgery in April my HER2 went from biopsy negative to positive for the larger tumor so Oncotype test and repeat FISH held up decision on chemo. My port placement is July 13, 3 days before first TCH. MO says 6 cycles but I wish it was only 4 like my surgeon said it would be. (But then my surgeon said I wouldn't need chemo, just radiation.) Worried about Taxotere side effects.

    I too want to keep my acrylic nails. My breast center has a wonderful cosmetician who will shave my head and help me with the scarves. Already ordered a synthetic wig with her help.

    All the advice and encouragement is greatly appreciated. I have a wonderful, supportive husband and 2 boys in college, but not many close friends to help me through this so I was really glad to find this forum

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  • Sandi211
    Sandi211 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2015

    Hi...I'm Sandi 52, lump surgery June 2nd. Port put in on June 17th, First chemo session scheduled for this Friday, July 10th four rounds of AC, then 12 rounds of Baby Ts.. Kind of nervous....
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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Dear Sandi211, Welcome to the BCO community. We are glad that you reached out here and we here your nervousness about starting chemotherapy. We hope that you will connect with others here who can offer support, lend an understanding ear and answer questions. This is a vey caring and knowledgable group of women and men with shared experiences. Stay connected and keep us posted about how Friday goes for you. The Mods

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  • Kazzy115
    Kazzy115 Member Posts: 122
    edited July 2015

    I used Renew Life's Critical Care. Available at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and via Amazon.

    http://www.renewlife.com/ultimate-flora-critical-c...

    Best to all of you strong women. One day at a time and you'll get through it



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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    welcome Sandi211 & kdcjjc - glad you found us! We are all here to offer support as we go thru chemo together - WE CAN DO THIS 👍😎

    Normal to be nervous and quite frankly I am scared shitless of chemo - had the Bilateral Mastectomy in the hopes that would be it & 2 lymph nodes were positive 👎! From everything I read and all the awesome support here - chemo does not seem to be as hard as it used to be! I believe that will hold true for us

    Good luck & keep us posted on how you are doing and if you need anything!

    Mary

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  • powerthruit
    powerthruit Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2015

    Hi Everyone,

    Wow. A lot of ladies have joined since I last posted. Welcome to all. I had my first TC infusion today. I feel fine at the moment. I'm sure the next 24 hours will be interesting. The nurse joked that she always gets super prepared for any reactions patients have during the infusion and usually nothing happens. Love to hear that!  Bring your water, water, water, crackers, cheese, apple slices. I took a 36 ounce water bottle with me and sipped through out. In my case about 1-2 hours. Thinking of Inkster up in Seattle.

    On food in general, the breast clinic coordinator gave me the tip that when you do eat, don't drink a lot of water with your food. Do it 20 min or so before or after. Filling up fast and large can be upsetting.

    Inkster and theearthislaughingflowers, I did the pixie too. I wish I would have thought of platinum. I just let my hairdresser pick a color. I ended up with kind of a reddish-brown, it's ok, but I'm not worried about it falling out. ;-)

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  • Batesburg
    Batesburg Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2015

    Hi!

    I have just been diagnosed with triple negative and have just finished my second dose of chemo. they are doing a "newer" drug/treatment...I am doing carboplatin plus taxol every third week with just taxol weekly in between for 12 weeks and then AC every other week for 8 weeks.

    Anyone else familiar? Also, wondering if on this treatment plan, when does hair fall out?

    Thank you! Best to all!!

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