Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

Anonymous

Hi BG46TN,

Welcome to this thread. As a start, you may quickly browse thru all the pages of this thread to have a comparison with those ladies with similar chemo regimen such as yours. You will learn a whole lot from all the posts here.

Next is to surf and try to learn about the chemo drugs you will be using, especially the side effects so that you can plan ahead and know exactly what to do in case you experience them.

In order for you to follow the threads here which interests you, just click on the "Add to my Favorites" button found below the last post in a thread.

As for your signature and diagnosis, click on the "My Profile" button found on top of this thread and you will be guided from thereon.

I hope this helps.

Talk again soon,

gmmiph

livin-on-a-prayer

Hi I think I will be joining the chemo team soon. I am very nervous about this and didn't expect the recommendation from my MO and really needed time to process. Currently waiting for my onco test score, but onc believes it will for sure be intermediate to high. Pmevans50 your pathology seems similar to mine ER+,Pr-, HEr2- ; I haven't seen anyone else like that so far on these posts. Do you know if this is a more unique pathology? I think it seems this pathlogy as well as a grade 3 tumor is why chemo before radiation is being recommended.

Also does anyone know about a suggested window of chemo therapy starting after surgery?

Thanks, didn't want to join the team, but now that I am here glad for the support from ladies like all of you

Leslie2016

Oh my goodness!! I go to sleep for a few hours, wake up and I can't catch up!!! Yikes you ladies are talkative this morning!

Ok, not going back for all the names (sorry) but welcome to our new people!!

Someone asked about:

Hair - I like Nfullblume am on day 11. I was told that within 10-14 days all my hair would fall out, so me being me and being proactive I shaved it all off on day 5. That said, my stubble is still there, so it hasn't all happened yet. I did notice some thinning even before I shaved it, which made me nervous I wasn't even going to get to day 5, so there ya go. I do think my nose hairs and possibly my "moustache" and legs are a little thinner, but that may be my imagination.

What do do before chemo - I was told just to make sure I hydrated the day or two before. The more hydration the better for the couple of days before and 3-4 after. Other than that, no prep required, just take a book or music or something with you for something to do. I now carry a water bottle with me everywhere. Well, I kind of did before but now I double check I have it. I just got up the morning of my first chemo and took all the meds they gave me for nausea at the required time.

Window from surgery to chemo - from my reading around this site and others I've seen it say just a few weeks to heal up from the surgery, then chemo can start. My surgery was Oct 7 and I started Chemo Nov 2.

Hope that helps!

BG46TN

Thanks for the advice! I do usually have water with me all the time too, but I will definitely be MORE aware of it now! I have a Petscan tomorrow so today I do the 'diet' high protein, no carb, no sugar, lots of water....I currently have bacon in the oven for breakfast LOL I also have my nurse educator appointment tomorrow...

How soon after your first chemo did you feel sick? or is that too specific to each person?

I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Leslie2016

Hi BG!

Since I have 3 different anti-nausea meds, I can honestly say I didn't really get nausea with my first treatment. I took all 3 the morning of my first chemo, one of them 12 hours later, then 2 of them in the mornings for 2 days after my treatment. I was told to take gravol "as needed" and not to be stupid...if you feel like you are starting to get nauseous, take it right away, do NOT wait until it was bad. Also, one of the people I spoke to (I spoke to so many in a short period of time, so I can't remember if it was my nurse navigator, the dietitian or who) also said a lot of the time when you start to feel nauseous it's actually because your body wants food...but people think, ack! I'm nauseous! so they don't eat, which actually makes it worse, then you can't eat...etc. Vicious cycle. So, even if it's a couple of crackers, put something in your stomach first thing in the morning. It may help. I did take gravol twice...but it was more because I wasn't sure if I was becoming nauseous or not, so I took it as a precaution. The nausea meds they give you these days are amazing compared to what I remember family members going through.

pmevans50

Livin-on-a-prayer -- Hi!

I'm glad you joined the group. I almost didn't but it was highly suggested. I'm so glad I did. You'll be amazed at how helpful it can be. You don't have to post very much if you're not comfortable. Just knowing there are so many of us fighting together is a comfort.

You're right. Not many on this post have the same pathology. I'm doing AC once very two weeks for two months and then taxol once a week for 12 weeks. Everyone is different. I don't know why chemo before radiation, but am glad you asked because now I'm going to ask my MO.

Anyone else have an idea why chemo before radiation??

Also, according to my MO the suggested time frame she was comfortable with between surgery and chemo was 4-6 weeks. Again, everybody is different. Mine was stage 2 but very aggressive.

I have had only to deal with nausea for several days (got sick only once because I drank too much water at one time) and anti-nausea meds really help. It's day 10 for me and still have all my hair down to the middle of my back. My sister is ready to cut it and to shave my head, so I'm thinking I'll be doing that next weekend.

I hope you fare even better!

fromtritotam

Happy Sunday ladies!
Just got caught up on all the posts. I was told chemo before radiation because chemo focuses on your whole body and any potential metastasis while radiation is localized to your breast/ lymph nodes. My chemo started 4 weeks after my re-excision.

My hair is hanging in there (day 10) but it's very wiry and frizzy looking. The clippers will be out soon.

Good luck to the first timers and those of us starting round 2 this week.

Kelly

Nfullblume

Morning all, welcome newcomers!

We do chemo before radiation, because radiation can change the fluidity of the veins on the tumor side. But also because chemo is killing all the cells around the body first. Then radiation is targeted just to the tumor. Most women doing neoadjuvant chemo (prior to surgery) see the biggest results from the chemo. The radiation is more like fine tuning.

Bg46tn, you're going to hear "everyone is different" a lot in the next few months. And it really is the truth. Every woman's body and psyche can deal with things differently based on previous life experiences. Every woman's tumor is different and many doctors prescribe different drugs to combat the SEs. Hear what the side effects are, but don't predestine yourself that it will occur for you because you dwell on them. Like Leslie, I had zero nausea, just bad headaches. I go for #2 on Wednesday. I am also working full time, more than 40 per week. Keep yourself occupied and busy, if side effects pop up, deal with them. I will caution you about constipation, also known as C. Most of us are learning to take something to counteract the nausea meds. I will take miralax every day that I take nausea meds. I drink 120 oz of liquids every day to pee out the meds faster and to keep your intestines lubricated. So many before us have survived the next few months. Remind yourself, this chemo is curing me, not saving my life!!!

LIvingonaprayer, not having the progesterone receptor doesn't change much, just you hormonal therapy after chemo and surgery.

Natster Latinmxy, good luck tomorrow and Tuesda, can't wait to hear how it went!

Hey everyone, I bought the cookbook "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen!!" Check it out on Amazon! It's killer! Recipes are created based on the side effect you're experiencing!

Pink91316

welcome BG46TN, this is a great group of ladies, completely supportive and full of great tips and advice. I had my first treatment this past Weds, fairly uneventful beside my mini meltdown, but I got it under control. It was just fear of the unknown and my port was still a little tender. I took a blanket, IPad (although the center provides movies), my lunch (treatment is 3 1/2 hours). Try not to stress, you will do great!! The diagnosis info provided under names is updated in your profile and then you make it public

Best of luck!!! You got this!!!

aterry

I admire so many of you who are good at responding to specific posts. (I admire you for your helpfulness, too!) I haven't been able to absorb all the names but I'm trying to follow as best I can. I'm on day 4, of my first cycle, and feel better than I thought I would. I was a bit dizzy, nauseous, woozy the first 2 days. And tired. Slight headache. And shaky in the mornings. I thought I would feel worse after the IV anti-nausea drugs wore off but I'm OK. The dexamethasone makes me too woozy to drive so I have to be careful how I time that. Today is the last day for it this cycle, though, so that's good.

I try to keep something in my stomach all the time, even, as Leslie said, if it's a few nibbles. Too much food makes me a bit nauseous. Too much water makes me nauseous. Nibbles and sips. I eat a pretty healthy diet normally but I've tweaked it. More cruciform vegetables, though they don't taste as good as before, less dairy, less meat, no sugar. I happen to be an excellent baker and my husband is a bit bummed that there will be none of that (to eliminate sugar). At night I get a bit of a pinched stomach as my last tiny meal doesn't last through the night. I need to think of something that digests really slowly to eat just before bed.

My scalp started tingling about an hour ago so I think the hair is about to start going.

Let's see if my profile pops up on this post. I've filled out the fields twice but the last 2 posts--no profile.

Leslie2016

aterry, I had the sig line problem too...after you have entered all the info, then you have to go to a different page...under your dashboard, I think? And tell it to make it public there.

As far as the food not lasting through the night, until you find the right one, just keep a couple of soda crackers or melba toast on the bedside table...eat one or two in the middle of the night to calm your tummy. That's what I was told to do, anyway. Didn't need to for the first round.

Anonymous

Hello November Chemoladies,

I hope you're all fine. So many wonderful posts. This thread is so active and so far, none of us seem to be having serious side effects. Notice the pattern on this thread:

1. Anxiety

2. Confusion

3. Support

4. Information

5. Decision

6. Actual chemo

7. Side Effects

8. Hair cut

9. Wigs, hats and turbans

10. Courage for the next chemo session

Battlecry - Kill Cancer!

Objective - Survive!

Benefits - Information, Friendship and Support

Have a Cancer-free and Stress-free life, Ladies! No guts, No glory!

God Bless All of Us,

gmmiph

Anonymous

BG46TN

Thank you for the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know everyone...My sister had triple neg bc 3 years ago...she is now cancer free! yay! She has been a great resource and support (as well as my 4 other sisters lol) through this...She started out on a group in here as well :-) they ended up moving to a private FB group eventually...maybe we can consider that down the road.

Thanks for all the advice, after my appointment tomorrow I will know which day I am starting this week...I appreciate all the tips on what to pack in my chemo bag :-) As much as I am not looking forward to it I am happy to get things going so it can end LOL

Now lets see if my information comes up on the bottom LOL

Anonymous

Congrats BG! Your info showed up at last!

You are not unfamiliar with cancer anymore, your sister is cancer-free according to you. Cheers for that.

Now it is your turn, I wish you all the best on this.

gmmiph

aterry

Thanks for the middle of the night tip, Leslie2016, and for the tip about getting the signature to pop up. I've gone back into my profile and found a "make public" button so let's see if it works this time.

natster

BG46TN, as a TN I'm so glad to hear your sister is doing great. You will too. So will everyone else in this group!!!

Hopfull2

hi ladies. So today is day 4 post my 1st chemo. So far so good. I am a bit more tired than normal. My eating habits are the same. I do get these ugly stomach cramps in the morning but it's tolerable. And I feel as if my sense of smell/taste faded a little. It's almost like the feeling when you have a head cold but I don't have a cold. I've been trying to keep hydrated. I drink an emergen-C every morning and feel it helps. And I'm taking silica and vitb6. I hope everyday stays this way. Hope u ladies have a good day

Leslie2016

Yay Aterri! You did it!!!

Hey Hopfull2...not to rain on your parade, but I was specifically told I couldn't take emergen-C while in chemo because huge doses of vitamin C could interact with the chemo. Was also told no B6. You might want to check it out with your doctor to make sure.

THDailey

I just did my third chemo treatment Nov 9th and I am four days post infusion. I drink water and then more water, drink your water and use your lotions and make sure you tell doctor when you have pain or any symptoms. I am on TC too so I get it my friend. I do every 3 weeks, but only have 1 more treatment left, thank goodness. It's hard but manageable. Keep your life as normal as you can, in my opinion

Nfullblume

Cheers to normalcy, THDailey!! You're almost to the finish line!! Wahoo!!

Hopfull2

Leslie2016, thank you. I will ask but I did ask him about vitamin c he said it was ok. And I asked the oncologist nurse if I can take emergen-c she said yes. But I'm going to double check tomm. Thanks.

Leslie2016

Hey! If you got the green light, go for it! Glad you already checked it out. I'm in Canada, so I'm getting a few different drugs than you are. It may be one of them they said it would interact with.

BG46TN

What is everyone planning to wear once the hair comes out?? I am going to get a wig (next weekend hopefully, my insurance covers it) I definitely want to wear one for work (I'm a teacher and don't really plan on telling my students unless they ask..its high school) I have a few head scarfs (pre tied) in my Amazon cart, plus a cotton hat...

Just wondering what everyone else is planning...and if you have something already, do you like it? hate it? reviews are welcome.

I did sign up for a free head scarf from www.GoodWishesScarves.org It won't arrive for 4-6 weeks, but if anyone needs one go request a scarf!

My sister also recommended www.FightingPretty.org and www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org they have classes you can attend and they give you free makeup and teach you how to use it...all for cancer patients.

Hope this can help someone else :-)

Leslie2016

I have my wig, one pre-tied scarf, and a couple of head caps that I'm rotating at the moment, until I figure out which I like best. I have one that is made of bamboo...very smooth, almost like silk. Was recommended for sleeping in as it slides along the pillow and doesn't get stuck with friction. I am not comfortable with the wig yet, but I'm going back to the wig place tomorrow...I think I goofed it up somehow, like, put it on sideways, changed the part, and now it doesn't sit properly when I wear it, so the few times I've worn it, I'm very self conscious of it. Hopefully tomorrow's trip will fix that.

My mom also gave me a bag full of different hats she wore. Most of them are winter type hats or toques, so I'll get into those soon as the weather is changing.

I'm choosing to look at the head thing as a positive...I get to try out many different looks and see what I'm most comfortable in!

amw5

The best thing in the world happened to me today. My hair care specialist (yes, my hair stylist - but she's so much more than that). She's a very dear friend of mine. She's also a Christian, and she's a very dear, kind and compassionate young lady. Well, I had my hair cut today (bald). After she cut the length of my hair, she picked up the hair clippers, and then she put them down and said 'amw, I want you to know that I am here to support you one thousand percent' and after she said that, she pulled off a wig and a scarf and her head was bald. She did this for me. We both cried like babies. We hugged. We laughed. We prayed. It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. My heart will forever be touched by the kindness she has shown me and joining me in being bald. I will say this, I have always had long hair. When I shampooed my hair yesterday, it was such a task. I also told myself, this would be my last time shampooing hair this long, as I intend on keeping my hair short and curly once it grows back. I will be 50 in June, and I have wanted short hair for a while now, and my time has come. My hair care specialist is also doing a cancer fund raiser event in December. She asked me if I would be her guest of honor. I told her I wouldn't miss it for the world. God has truly blessed her, and she is blessing people in return.

BG46TN

amw5 that is beautiful!! You are so lucky to have such an amazing woman in your corner!!

SleeplessinCO

amw5, That story made me smile. My hairdresser has also been amazing. She refused to let me pay for my last cut and color in September after I was diagnosed. And the woman I bought my wig from was also amazing. She booked me a full hour appointment to privately try on wigs and then she styled the one I chose as well. I could tell she did this from her heart and it made the process so much easier. I start my chemo the day before you on Tuesday. The same AC + T. I'm now getting scared and hoping I can stay strong. Reading these posts have helped so much. 36 hours to go (not that I'm counting or anything).

Good luck to all of us this week!

Leslie2016

Amw, that is beautiful. I'm so glad you are finding some positives in all of this, and being reminded of who around you is beautiful also.

I'm proud of you agreeing to be the guest of honor at her event. You go and rock that!!

I work at a high school and have helped organize our Relay for Life event for the past 2 years. I'm off work now, so I won't be there to help organize it this year. I have every intention of being there to do the survivor lap, in front of my students and colleagues. My daughter is also a graduating student from the school this year, so it's going to be very emotional for me, as I've known quite a few of the grade 12's since they were 4 years old. My hope is by my being there they will know that all the research that they help raise money for IS making a difference. I will be a survivor because of that research and my hope is with further research it will be even easier to get to the other side in years to come.

Leslie2016

Sleepless....you are going to be fine tomorrow!!! You can do this!!!