Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Hi Mary~ my hair dresser ordered my wig for me.  She is working on getting a grant so she can provide wigs at her studio.  I am pleased with it.  It is synthetic.  I have been told you should not cook or bake with synthetic wigs because they melt!  

Have a restful night

Mimi 

Hi All:  I spoke with onc. and I will be starting my treatments on 12/2.  I am very scared, but I think like some of you that the anxiety is worse.  My 13 yr. old daughter is very worried about my treatments.  But I think it has to do with the unknown.  I have tried to prepare both kids of what may happend, but like I told them everyone is different and I may not get any of the side effects or I may experience different side effects.  My nurse told me that some people on the treatment I am doing CMF only have thinning of the hair.  But like I told my husband, my hair is already thin, so I don't know what will happen.  But the way I have to look at it is as long as this prevents the bc from coming back or spreading, you do what you have to.

I was so looking forward to Thanksgiving, but my mom was admitted to the hospital last night.  She is 87 and God love her she is unbeliveable.  She has had so much going on in the last couple of mths.  She lives in Florida and she lost her house and everything in it with one of the hurricanes over the summer.  Then she was so upset about me and came and stayed with us to try and help.  She was just starting to get things back to normal and get back to Florida when she had difficulty breathing.  They say she has fluid in her lungs that they need to get out and hopefully that will make it easier for her to breath.  But it was very lucky my sister was in Fl. and she took her home to NJ so we will be able to take care of her here.  If you guys would not mind, I know everyone is going through a lot, but please keep her in your prayers.  Well I will let you know what happens and I hope all goes well for everyone who has started chemo or will be starting this wk. 

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

Colleen

Mary:  Thank you for your prayers.  I spoke with my mom a little while ago and she is doing ok.  She was waiting for the Dr. they have to drain fluid from lungs, but she is on blood thinners and her count is still to high so it may be another day or so before they can drain.

My son's play was great.    Thank you for asking. I was so proud of him.  It is amazing when you are 10 and you are so sure that this is what you want to do he told me he would give up all his other activities.   I was even more proud of my husband.  They needed another character and my son asked him to take part.  He was equally fantastic and I thought it was such a special memory that they both will be able to cherish.

Be Well,

Colleen

Colleen,

I am doing the CMF course of treatment for 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off for 6 months.  This form of chemo is not as toxic as others and I have had little to no side effects after the first two treatments.  If you have any questions, I would love to help!  There is also a thread on here with all kinds of incredible women going through this tx., or have successfully completed it.  Great source of info!  Good luck!

Colleen, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom.  I will say a special prayer for her.  If it makes you feel better, a good friend of mine's mother was going through the same thing this past summer and she is just fine now.  The doctors will take good care of your mom!

Lisa, welcome to the December group!  I'm glad to hear your BRCA test was negative.  I also had the BRCA test done and it was negative as well so I know what a relief that is.

I had my reexcission and my port placed yesterday. She put the port in during surgery.  I was disappointed to find out that the port was placed on my right side.  Oh well, I propped pillows under my legs and under my head so that made sleeping better.  But I woke up this morning feeling like I was shot in my right shoulder.  Yesterday it didn't feel bad but I guess the numbing meds have worn off.  How long can I expect to have pain from the port placement?  My BS said it should go away in a couple of days so I'm hoping that is true.  I really hate taking pain pills but that is the only thing helping right now. 

Big hugs,

Elaine

I just heard on the news that they say the bc diagnoses have decreased.  Evidently know one is looking at this site.  It seems to me that bc is on the rise.  I live on Long Island and it seems that there are so many new cases. 

I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and for those of us that will be starting our treatments early next week have a long and great weekend with your family.

Brenda:  You can ask your Dr. to prescribe something for you.  They may be able to give you something to take the edge off a little.

I will be away for the next two days.  My mom is still in the hosp.  We are hoping she will be out tomorrow, but if not I will spend the day with her in the hosp. 

Be Well & Enjoy Your Holiday,

Colleen

Brenny, I'm sorry to hear you had so much trouble with the nausea.  I had mine put in during surgery so it wasn't so bad but I still get a little nausea from being put under.  My port is hurting pretty bad today.  But it's only been 24 hours.  I hope it gets better.  The pain pills help but now I don't have a "good" arm to use.  This morning I had a headache to boot so I felt like I had beaten up from head to toe.  I don't know how I'm going to handle the chemo either.  It starts a week from tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it.  I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for my good doctors, my wonderful partner and for the good company I work for. 

Happy Thanksgiving ladies,

Love, Elaine

hello ladies,

I just logged on and read the topic.  I feel so uninformed.  I went to the dr. today for my first checkup after a mastectomy of my left breast.  He said it was 2.5 cm with all negative margins and that I had micromillimeter specks in 2 of the 29 lymph nodes removed.  He said I would most likely not need radiation (he couldn't speak for my regular surgeon, who was on vacation), and that because of my age, 42, and the type (hormonal) that I may not have to have the heavy chemo--though I will do chemo of some kind. My husband was so excited, but I am afraid the onc will bust our bubble next week when we go.  I cautioned him against getting so excited, but he is so afraid of my getting even more sick.  I have allergic reactions to everything, and the chemo scares him.  Anyone have any thoughts on what I should expect.  I know each person, each case, and each treatment is different, but any info helps.

 thanks

Donna

Well...count me in too... I start 6 cycles of TC on 12/10 & herceptin for a year.  I had a double mastectomy on 10/29 with tissue expanders.  My nodes came back clean but because I'm HER2+ & the size of the tumor, I have to do chemo.  I am extremely fortunate to have a terrific husband and family by my side through this. My friends are amazed how well I'm handling it, but you guys know - it's freaking overwhelming.  My head is spinning.  I get frustrated because my doctors and their staff spew info out like I should be understanding it 100% but all I'm hearing is the mom and teacher from the Peanuts cartoons.  I'm not a message board kind of person, but I came across this in early November trying to make sense of what I was being told during my appointments.  I've learned some great - and scary - stuff, but all has been helpful so far.  Looks like I'm in some good company!

Hello all. I am about to turn 40 on the 6th of December and start chemo on the 9th. I have a son who is 5 and a black lab that is driving me nuts. lol

I can answer a few of the questions as this is my second go around with bc. I was diagnosed in 2004 and had a radical mastectomy of the left breast and chemo x8 reconstruction in summer of 05 with saline implants on both sides ( I had the right side removed proactively). We found a new lump on the left in Oct of 08 and I have had it removed along with the implant on that side and a bunch more tissue. I will have 4 treatments of TC every 3 weeks. and Radiation after that.

Ports are a great idea, they save your arm veins from being ruined and dont hurt much after the first few days. Have your nurse use a numbing cream or spray and you wont feel a thing.

you may want to include a bland snack in your chemo bag. plain popcorn or crackers work best, lots of water. our chemo room supplies bottled water but I know not all do.

In case no one told you yet you should not have fresh flowers due to the standing water and the possible exposure to fungi and bacteria. Unfortunately this includes real christmas trees. they are a no no this year. small exposure is okay for example at your in-laws house for a few hours but you dont want it in your house.

All food should be cooked beyond bacteria range - mushy and dead.or peelable like bananas. no apples unless you take the outer inch of flesh off, no grapes or blueberries. No yogurt -active cultures- no bean sprouts.

I can tell you that doing it for the second time is just as scary because every drug is different. For those of you doing AC/Taxol you will find that when they switch drugs you have different side effects. One thing that will remain constant is the need to pee as you need to drink as much fluids as possible. it helps flush the toxins out of your system.

Okay sorry about going on and on, You can do this each of you are strong enough. As a friend said today this is just a bump in the road of life. Have a positive attitude and find something each day to laugh about even if its yourself. And your lucky enough to have found this site so you have the support of others so you can bitch when you feel down or celebrate when there is good news. I wish I had had this site four years ago but am so glad I found it this time around.

anyway have a great thanksgiving and forget about the impending toxic injections for a few days.

Sue

Hey Meg I see you are a Buffet fan!  I love that song and have been saying those words to myself more and more.  Here's the thing, I'm a nurse so the medical jargon is easy for me, but you have to speak up for yourself and get your medical team to explain things so you can understand.  Keep at them..... be a bulldog....until you understand what they are saying.  It's important that you understand your choices and treatments.

 Mimi, take the leap and cut your hair after your first treatment, before it starts to fall out.  I know it's hard and that it's just hair, I'm feeling the same way.  I'm going to get my hair cut really short (I've always had long hair) after my first treatment.  If I hate the cut it won't matter because I'm going to buzz it at the first sign (I hope) of my hair falling out.  Then I'll probaby cry and then I'll use Meg's saying and breathe in....breathe out.....move on!

Remember girls, we have cancer, cancer doesn't have us, this is officially kick cancers a** month!

Blessed Thanksgiving Day today -- I vow to remember all the things that I am truly thankful for (bc is NOT one of them)! 

I survived the nausea caused by the twilight drug used for my port and really the port does not hurt -- just a little stiffness is all and a lot of bruising.  Not sure what I am wearing for dinner today to hide the higher incision.  Between this scar and the lumpectomy scar (both high) -- I will be wearing high collars the rest  of my life (which I hope is long!).

Mimi - My hair is also long --going to get it cut on Tuesday to start the transition.  Thought this morning while washing it that in a month I probably won't have anything to wash -- deep breathing and got through that.  As my friend says, put on my big girl panties and deal with it!

I too am panicking over first treatment on Wednesday -- my answer is sleep.  Slept most all day yesterday -- maybe just overtired from the reaction to the port placement, but now I am wide awake and it is sometimes hard to breathe.  The nurse who did Chemo 101 training this week was not particularly warm -- didn't see any need for prescriptions to take with me out of town (just in case of side effects), ice is just a myth - didn't work on hair, doesn't work on nails, better locate the nearest emergency center to where I work out of town.....what a bundle of warmth! Meet with the oncologist before my tx on Wed -- am asking him for his opinion. Showed me the chemo room and that was depressing to say the least -- a whole lot of sick people in there it looked like! Oh well, I will be joining the group on Wednesday.  In the meantime, have a good turkey day -- enjoy the food and the friends and the family!

I read the Favre book also -- it is very good.  Now I am reading Bald in the Land of Big Hair. 

Sue You are from Gladstone!!!! I grew up north of Manistique (in fact my pic is me by the beach at Pictured Rocks)- I still go home in the summers. In fact a couple of BC survivors from my church are encouraging this now Hoosier. It is really nice meeting and learning from everyone on this blog.

Caroline After looking at your diagnosis, you and I seem to be pretty close. I chose the TC because of the heart risks and the efficacy of the two (as explained by the oncologist) are equal.

As far as hair, I've scheduled to get my hair "cut" about a week after my first treatment. I bought a wig Tuesday - my daughter who is a senior in high school selected it for me! I've never been that color but we agreed that it will look great and be fun. I've enrolled in the Look Good, Feel Good class and my daughter will be working on me; I'm not much of a makeup person so this should be a hoot. Fortunately my DH is amused by all of this and is taking the mother/daughter activities in stride.

As for having an antiseptic house....... how clean is it supposed to be? I've read various thoughts and while you won't be carried out of my house by dust bunnies, it is probably not safe to look under my refrigerator! And it is not going to get better before my first treatment - house company and Thanksgiving activities!

Well, off to work on dinner. Am taking 4 dishes to a sister's house for a big family dinner this afternoon. All have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Mary 

Mary....Sorry I'm too late with the wig suggestion, but I ended up getting mine at TLC (American cancer society) You can Google it. The wigs are soooo much more natural looking than Paula Young's. I'm a hairdresser so I trimmed around on it and nobody could tell it was not my hair.

mimmi...Where in Wi are you? I'm also there. Good luck everyone and my prayers are with you. You'll look back and be amazed at how fast the time will have passed.

Hugs and well wishes, Artsee

Mary, so glad to meet a fellow yooper transplant to IN. I lived in Ft. Wayne for ten years and graduated from IPFW with a teaching degree in 97.  I moved back to the UP in 2000 and have decided no matter what we are not moving away again. I want to raise my son here. I just feel safer. My husband is a student at NMU right now and I work in home health, helping others with disabilities. Not alot of teaching jobs here in the UP.

Marquette General the hospital I use almost primarily has a wig salon that gives people who need a wig one free of charge along with hats, scarves and turbans. They have a liscensed beautician fit you and trim it perfectly. I love this program I used it 4 years ago and have made an appt. for Dec 8th to pick out a new wig. My old one landed in the burn barrel during a "thank god its over" celebration.

I hope everyone had a full, satisfying and wonderful thanksgiving. How many are doing the Black friday thing? I am not going out until about 8 am but I will be hitting the local mall. lol which has all of 4 stores in it. and probably hit the walmart. not looking for anything special just why not get out while I feel up to it.

blessings

Sue