Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

sailorgirl15

I feel like I got run over by a Mac truck on Day 2 which I heard was supposed to be good day! 😟

Threw up twice and can't figure out anything to eat. Will be getting a little exercise when I go out to get the Neulasta shot.

How did I ever think I could go to work today???

DLcygnet

*hugs sailorgirl* Everybody is different. I went back the next day, but they also pumped me full of steroids and gave me something amazing like Dexamethasone to keep the steroids rolling. Oncology team was all about taking anti-nausea medication before you think you need it. They packed me a lunch bag full of Zofran, something I can't remember, and Ativan (great for sleeping!).

Still collecting hats, borrowing 1 cosplay wig from friends, but I also happened across this article when I was feeling anxious about the hair:
http://www.boredpanda.com/henna-temporary-tattoo-c...

I swear I'm going to get a henna tattoo at least 1 time before everything starts growing back. Love the designs! Also, I'm thinking about investing in one of those big faux fur Russian hats. Might as well go big and bold with this!

fidget

Whew. Eight hours of chemo center done! First infusion went so very well. I told my nurse chemo is deceiving. I felt fine all day except for the boredom and getting sore from laying around in that recliner. But I know a couple of days from now I will probably feel like poo, and she confirmed. I drank so much water that I feel like peed a million times which brings me to my port--so much easier than in the arm! My port was sore this morning, but with the cream I felt nothing! Loved having my hands free.

Shopgal--thanks for the injector info. It was just as you said--not a big deal. The nurse put extra tape on it because I'm a bad girl and things always go wrong. LOL.

Twiggy--the injector sounds way worse than it is. After the nurse removed the sticky and placed it on my arm, the darn thing beeps then ticks then injects a tiny catheter. I could have lived without the warning sounds, lol, but honestly it was no worse than someone flicking my arm. It should inject the neulasta tomorrow night at 7 pm and they said for me to wait until 830 pm to take the thingy off. Now lets see if I can sleep with this thing. I already hit it on the wall walking through the kitchen. I knew I would! It didn't budge though.

Did you guys get a schedule for check-ups? I thought I wouldn't go back until my next infusion in 21 days unless there was a problem. I have labs Sept. 29, labs Oct. 6, MO visit Oct 12, Chemo Oct 13, and my first Echo because of Hercepton is Dec. 1. I need a new calendar.

Well wishes and hugs to everyone!

AnnieB43

Sailorgirl. I've been living on mostly milkshakes. I can't really taste anything and my stomach has been so gross that milkshakes are it. They are cold and filling. I just miss taste really bad. I love food. I mean LOVE food and I can't taste a thing anymore.

twiggyOR

Annie, i can't taste much anymore either. Unlike you though i am starving all the time. The only thing i really taste is a rush of metallic every now and then.

Fidget, i do not go back until my next chemo. I have labs, appt with MO, and then chemo.

AnnieB43

Me either, I don't have any appointments until my next infusion on the 28th. Blood labs on the same day before chemo then nuelasta the next day.

AG3

Annie - I have a human hair wig that doesn't look 80's. I may have to have it thinned a little because I have a petite head.

Please check out the halo's in tlc.org. they are thinner and look good with caps. lots of options! Bangs only, long, short, curly. you just have yo keep trying.

When I wore my halo and cap with attached hair, people at the treatment center thought it was my real hair.

AG3

Carolina Amy and annie, just saw the hats. Love it!!!

fidget

I guess I should like that I'm being followed so closely, but what a pain. I was wondering why the girl at the desk told me I could pay my co-pays up front instead of weekly. At that point I had no idea why she told me that. Now I know. Ugh. I'm getting a headache. Decadron I guess.

fidget

Also, you guys look fantastic in your head covers!

TFoxy20

I am jumping in here. I tried to comment before but it isn't showing up. I start on Sept 25th for TC every 3 weeks x4.

I am still trying to catch up on all the comments. I see some familiar names from my surgery group. Two different doctors recommended two different regimens. I had to choose and I hope I will be happy with my choice.

CarolinaAmy

Annie, I think that's the trick. A brim looks "fuller"instead of the chemo scarf look, the dangly earrings do the same, and I just ordered another lipstick so I can keep one in my purse. Simple way to add color and girl-ness while this is going on. 😉 I may need to get more lip gloss....

My hair is finally jumping ship on day 20. As I run my hand over it, my hand is covered in the stubble. I took a bath to try to get as much off as I could do it doesn't get all over my bed and pillow. Heaven help me, the tub looked like a crime scene! 😱

octogirl

Annie, that is really cute! Yours too, CarolinaAmy!

Octogirl

octogirl

Fidget, In addition to the treatments every three weeks, I have a check up at one week after each treatment. My MO has his own lab for routine blood work, etc, so the blood work on WBC and the rest is done at the check up and before each treatment (nice not to have to make a separate trip, especially since I live 60 miles from MO office in a small town...)

Octogirl

AnnieB43

Amy someone suggested running a lint roller over your head to catch the little escaping traitors. I used some tape today and that worked well enough. I'll

cajunqueen15

Is anyone else just feeling down tonight? I've been eating all day trying to recoup the 20 lbs I've lost since diagnosis which does not feel good since I'm nauseous all the time. Tired from back to back surgeries and just feel gross.

I put my trio to sleep and cried.... I can't lose them, I just can't. Whatever chemo has for me (and I know they don't call it the "red devil" for nothing), it has to work. It just HAS to.

I look like a mutilated anorexic alien already, hair is going soon, scars and bruises everywhere and I'd do it ten times again to see my children grow up.

Feeling so scared tonight.

octogirl

welcome to our group TFoxy20! I added your name and start date to the list. I think you will find lots of great support here.

Octogirl

CarolinaAmy

Liz, 💕 Hold on, sweetie. It isn't going to feel like this forever. And we are both fighting the battle of our lives for the sake of our babies. This is not for nothing! And you are not alone.

AnnieB43

Cajunqueen I've had more nights like that than I'll ever admit. I have 2 special needs boys ages 4 and 6 and my husband is a disabled veteran. I refuse to die cuz who would take care of them? We can beat this. This is survivable. All this poison shit we have to take will kill it. It just will because there is no other alternative. After chemo I have to have radiation then I have to have a hysterectomy. I'd cut out every organ I have in order to live for my kids.

Keep coming in here. Cry when you have to. I find it easier to get over those times by clinging on to my mad. Cancer sucks and it will not beat me. God delivers miracles and I know in my heart I will get delivered through this even if it nearly breaks me.

teacherhikermom

Canjun - It's one of the worst parts of this whole thing isn't it? The fear of leaving your kids when they are still littles. It's almost unbearable.

Artista928

I love the head cover options on this site. So many cool stuff to wear.

http://www.headcovers.com

Pattiecakes

May I join? Had my first chemo today (9/22). TCHP protocol.

octogirl

welcome, Patticakes, I added you to the list.

Octogirl

Lila-claire66

Welcome Patticakes! you will find our Sept group of wonderful brave ladies and a hubby or two to be full of advice, great listeners to our whining when we need it, and having a great sense of humor too.

I was offline for 4 days and it's taken me more than an hour to catch up on all the posts. so sorry for those of you having difficulties. Congrats on shrinking tumors, new grand babies and cute new hats!

I have found a great way to make a scarf head cover stay on. I use a wide head band (bought several at the drug store) along with a skull cover (bought at the wig store but could be ordered on line), it's soft terrycloth and fits snugly then I try various scarf wrap ideas I found on line. I am also using the wide head bands with some cute hats. I am really glad I buzzed my head before hair started falling out. I have my second chemo tomorrow so know the fuzz will start coming out soon. Found this cute red hat at Cracker Barrel for $20!

Special healing Karma being sent to all of you!

octogirl

I love that red hat! Styling, Valerie!!!

edwsmom

well...I'm just finishing up at the ER.

I've had 3 days of diarrhea and a low fever all day today so they had me come in.

I'm dehydrated. So just finishing 2 bags of fluid.

Chest xray, blood tests, urine tests. I'm exhausted.

I hope the diarrhea goes away now that my fluids are back up. Fingers crossed.

tessu

Greytmph2: I got vaccinated against pneumococcus (causes sepsis and pneumonia) two weeks before my first chemo dose. I'm going to ask about flu shot when I meet my cancer doc next week Tjirsday right before my next dose.

Edwsmom: I hope you start to feel better soon. I bounced in and out of the ER last week a few days after my first chemo dose (fever and awful headache), scary place because of all the other sick infected patients in the waiting area). The Oncology ward nurse gave me a paper face mask to use next time I have to go to the ER --- said it won't protect 100%, but it will help me feel psychologically better.

Wishing everybody a better day today than yesterday

twiggyOR

Grey, i got a flu shot the week before starting chemo. My MO nurse okayed it as long as it was NOT a live virus. I would call your MO and ask. I would think it would be better to get any shots prior to starting chemo.

Even if you start in October you can stay here with us of you want.

CarolinaAmy

Valerie, you are ROCKING that hat!!!!

AnnieB43

i got a flu shot a few days before chemo started.