Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

Sorella

I know we all have suggestions coming out of the wazoo but let me add one more though it isn't free. I have been doing acupuncture and it's has really helped with the headaches!

Leslie2016

Becky, I'm waiting for my results. I have a thread going in the Gene Test Positive group where I've been asking questions, if you want to check it out. What you just said is actually my next question I just posted tonight...If my testing comes back positive and they/I want to do the double M....do they wait until my chemo is done to do it? I would think so, and/or I think I would request it that way...I just want more info. As always. Sorry you got a positive, but yes now that you know, you can deal with it and decide with informed next steps.

BG46TN

Thanks Leslie, I just posted in that group

when did you get your testing done? Mine took over a month to get the results...I think I was tested around Oct 18th or so...

Leslie2016

I was only tested 2 weeks ago, but they put a rush on it. She said she would call me in about 2 weeks, so I'm expecting a call some time this week.

Pamela23

So happy for you Leslie! What a relief!

Eileen-- I hope it went well, hang in there!

pmevans--I'm having more problems with dry lips and raw throat today. Although lately when I wake up, I can't wait to brush my tongue!

Anyone else have an itchy neck? This is the 2nd day. I'll try to put neosporin on it. I'm only on ibuprofen at this point for the achey bones. I think I'll try the warm bath although it seems to increase night sweats. So much fun with these darn side effects!

Nfullblume

Pamela and Patti, that could be early signs of thrush on your tongue. You may want to let your MO know. They may give you an antifungal. I'd start with some yogurt!! Also Pamela, I'd let your MO know about the itching too. Some ladies do get allergic reactions to the meds.

Eileen, thinking about you!

Leslie, what a massive sigh of relief! Phewwww! Hopefully your genetic testing turns out ok. I had to wait on that as well. Good luck tomorrow!

Becky, sounds like it may be double bmx and oopherectomy. I was really worried about the mutations because of cancer in my family too. After chemo, your BS and MO should lay out your options. You may get to skip radiation and hormone therapy if you opt for those surgeries. So there are pros along with the cons. I'm staring at 10 years of Tamoxifen. Blegh!

Sorella, I may look into acupuncture. My headaches only last 24 hours, but man are they intense.

Kb870, we all agree, finally getting in motion and leaving all the waiting behind was such a good feeling. Good luck on your first treatment.

2blessed2bestressed

One down seven to go! It wasn't bad and a masseuse came by to massage and meditate with me towards the end!

My MO is great, but her nurse is so knowledgeable that I feel like she should get a medal!

The gave me a steroid to take tomorrow and Thursday mornings. And an anti nausea and a sleep aid to take as needed. I know many of you recommend getting ahead of the SE's by taking the meds before symptoms surface. Do you think I should start now while I still feel good?

Also, the nurse told me scrap the Tylenol and go for ibuprofen instead.

Thanks for the advice in advance!

P.S. I'd like to donate my hair if anyone knows of a good charity to recommend?

Anonymous

Congrats s 2blessed!

You have to take all your prescribed take-home meds to avoid problems later. Any SEs you feel, tell your MO immediately. You look good in the pic

Try donating your hair to the wig shop where you will be getting your wig They might give you a discount. Mine is coming off in clumps today, Day 19 after chemo. Gonna save some to tickle my DH and son's ears.

Pamela23

My lower back pain tonight was getting intermittently intense tonight, enough I'd stop and breath like I was in labor. Whoever suggested the hot bath--you are a lifesaver!!! I feel great!

Nanpop

sorella How often are you doing acupuncture? I did it prior to my first treatment. My friend who went through this said it helps with fatigue too. She doesn't remember how often or when she did it.

I am concerned about doing it during my low white blood count days. Did your MO give suggestions? I really want to go back. It's great for anxiety too. Make sure they use new needles. That is important.

SleeplessinCO

pmevans50, I have the hairy tongue too. I have to brush my teeth after eating anything. So annoying.

Sorrlla, I will definitely try the acupuncture for the headache. Thank you

javamama

pmevans50- I bough my tongue in the morning. And I've noticed I have to do it at night now as well. Also, having some baking soda and peppermint to swirl seems to keep some of the fuzz at bay. But still... The mouth issue is GROSS.

Two days post 1st chemo- Still feeling pretty good. Woke up with a headache. Started feeling more congested last night and it feels like a sin headache today. Only I'm pretty sure it's chemo sinus headache and not pollen related. Ugh. I'll take my claritan again this morning. Not that it's doing anything for this congestion. lol

On a side note: My TOM came on Monday right before my first chemo. My ovaries were all... they I hear these drugs might turn Javamama into a menopausal bitch. We have to give her one last hooray, just in case. Cue the heaviest TOM I've had in YEARS. Now, this could be because I cut my estrogen/progesterone positive tumors OUT which impacted how much hormones was available for uptake by the rest of my body- my first TOM after surgery was brightly colored where it had been getting darker as I got older. I know, too much TMI. But I swear it all plays into my crazy chemo mind. So the only thing I was looking forward to during chemo was the loss of my period. Period. The only thing. And now it's here, all brightly colored and just MORE since I have had my tumor cut out. Chemo drugs be damned, because not even the infusion on Monday did anything to lessen anything. So there's that little bit by my body trying to make things so much more interesting for me.

SleeplessinCO

Sorry for your rough week Javamama. I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there

aterry

That's wonderful news, Leslie. I'm so happy for you.

aterry

Becky, I admire the spirit in which you're dealing with the news from genetic testing. I had testing 3 weeks ago but have not gotten results. You spoke with the genetic counselor but not your MO, yet? Or did I miss that? I agree that the information is very important for other family members.

amw5

Pamela23 - Try baking soda mixed with warm water for a mouth rinse. This has been working great for me

Leslie - That's great news.

BG46TN - I had genetic testing done. I tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Pamela23

Javamama--That's exactly how it feels those couple days--like a sinus headache. I promise everyday gets better, but also different. What you were complaining about yesterday will be gone tomorrow but there will be something new to complain. I think I'll keep a journal of the side effects each day so in a couple weeks I don't forget and can manage some of them better proactively.

Amw5--I did the baking soda/salt /warm water thing last night that Nfullblume recommended previously on the site. Made a HUGE difference!

BG46TN

Aterry, the genetic counselor called me first, then she is sending my results to my surgeon and MO...I will make sure he has all the information before my next chemo, in case anything needs to change...

the way I see it is "it is what it is" I can't change my genetic make up...but I can help my sisters be aware and get screened and my children be diligent in screenings etc...

I think its funny that my oldest sister, who also had TN BC 3 years ago never had genetic testing done...just the BRCA test...she says now it probably would have made her get a mastectomy or hysterectomy at that time..now she is not so sure she wants to go do it now...

AMW5 did you get other tests done or just BRCA?

amw5

BG46TN - Yes, I also had other tests done as well.

pmevans50

2blessed2bestressed - Locks of Love is an organization to donate hair to. I did that a while back when my hair was really long. www.locksoflove.org

I hope everyone is doing well and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! Gobble! Gobble!! :-)

Pamela23

I called the oncology nurse today about my itchy, bumpy neck. It started being red and itchy on Monday and yesterday it looks like raised flat bumps . She said it may be a reaction to the steroids they gave me. Anyone else experience this? She suggested Benedryl and to rub cortisone cream on it. Once I thought about it, I stopped taking the Claritin on Monday. I wonder if that was keeping it at bay until then.

Anonymous

pamela,

most probably it is the claritin

Sorella

I know I am not the first and will not be the last, but my hair is going. My daughter came over and shaved the back today as it seemed to be starting there. I had much hair cut short in preparation so that part wasn't bad. My scalp feels so odd and feels more comfortable with this cotton head cover I bought. My husband would do the rest but I think it will upset him more than my daughter so waiting till she's back from thanksgiving. I insisted she go to a friend's for Thursday and we will do a small one Saturday with my oldest a dearest friend, my daughter and my husband (my son is studying in Italy but plans to come home for Xmas) Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Nfullblume

Pamela, reactions to steroids are very common. You should buy some cortisone anti itch cream at Walgreens, you'll know if it'll work right away. I have crazy sensitive skin and have it on hand. If you take Benadryl it could make you really tired.

Javamama, my period has gone wild too. They've jacked my cycle all up, between putting me on all active birth control and then removing from birth control after taking it for 20!years. My MO told me I would still have my November period but that would probably be the last one. So far, November has started and stopped twice. Lol. I feel like my ovaries are sputtering smoke. Lmao. Ce le vie! Hopefully this is the last I ever see of that devil.

My hair is almost completely gone. Sparse patches left now.It's chilly in Florida, so I'm getting some use out of some hats.

pmevans50

Javamamma, Nfullblume, - I got my period, too! Two days after the PA said I wouldn't get them anymore!! SMH!!

Leslie2016

Had chemo #2 today. It went well, no major events. Went by myself today. It worked for me; think I even napped a bit. The nurse was concerned about my blood pressure today; I've always ran on the low side, but today it was lower than normal. I'm not dizzy or anything, so I don't know. I'll figure it out later.

I have a bit of a headache tonight so I took a couple of tylenol at about 5. Now I was eating and was having problems swallowing. Don't see that as a side effect though. Not sure what that is...going to have to read some more. 2 down, 4 to go.....onward.

Coupon

Pamela23, me too, I started having few tender pimples on back of my neck and close to hair line, 1 of them hurts the most. Called the chemo clinic and under observation for the time being, the nurse said it's related to immune system.

Does anyone experiencing skin pigment change after chemo treatment? It started after day 5 and my face turns darker in patches & look terrible.

Leslie2016, good to hear that your 2nd treatment went well, hope your swallowing issues fade away soon.

Coupon

gmmiph, best of luck with your 2nd treatment.

Anonymous

thanks coupon! i hope you do well in yours too. we have the same regimen

LatinMixy

hello ladies! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday with their love ones. On Tuesday I had a very bad episode of fatigue and nausea, with multiple syncopes. I did not want to go to the hospital just for that, but my husband was determined to take me to the ER, and he did. The doctors found out I have a pulmonary embolism (small blot clot in one of my lungs). I spent the night at the Onco Unit, while they developed my plan of care.

Just wanted to put out there my issue and warn you: listen to your body and and neverunderestimate what you feel. I am blessed that my husband's stubbornness overshadows mine.

I am back home and will enjoy thanksgiving with myfamily.