Starting chemo January 2009?

Good evening ladies,

Looks like I will also be joining the January group, This is my 3rd recurrence and hoping my last. 1st dx. Feb 06 did 6 rounds of TAC followed by 33 rad treatments, followed by 10 monthly infusions of Herceptin when the beast returned in Nov of 07, had mast. in Dec 07 then onto 6 months of CMF. In Nov of 08 was dx. again and will start 6 months of Xeloda/Tykerb. Please feel free to ask questions as I was the queen of SE's.  Chemo is definately not fun but doable. I thank god for this website as it has been my support these last 3 years.  The ladies on here are wonderful and I could not have made it through without them.

The most important advise I can give is please make sure you drink lots of fluids before, during and after each treatment.

WE CAN DO THIS!!

Jill

Pam, the story of your 3 yo crying abut the germs broke my heart.  Hope she's doing better today.

Lisa, congratulations, so happy for you that the USN was good

Hotbolt, I think the living will question may need to go under the worst things someone said to me thread.  Yes, JACHO makes them all ask, but certainly a little descretion in timing would be everything.  

luvmyself, sorry to see you joinging us, but you are quite an inspiration.  First round yesterday, your comment not fun but doable made me feel better

Patti, sorry it will be such a long weekend.  I'm wearing out the light on our TV with my 1:00-2:00 wake ups myself.  I have the late night programs for the cable channels memorized right now 

Mamasarah--Hope you are feeling better today.  I am trying to make a switch to a new cancer center 20 minutes from my home.  I had to find the name of the oncologist and had to make an appt and then had to make sure she was talking to the other doc and then make sure I carried all the paper work, and films and orders to the new doc.......It is a pain, but I think I cna handle the switch once I am happily driving myself to tx and then driving home instead of staying over night in a lodge --nice place, but......

KMMD--I've heard about the hairnet as well.  The cancer center i attend gave me a soft net to wear at night and under the wig.  I've heard the scalp pain is typical.

Well, January warrior sisters, I start chemo Jan. 15-gulp and at the same time happy to be on it!!!I will have three tx of FEC and then three of taxotere.  News is the taxotere will kick my butt in terms of fatique--easier on my heart, but taxing in other ways, I guess.  ANY BODY else on the regiment??????????

I also feel quite relieved after talking to my boss about the BIG C!  She was very supportive and has offerred a ton of ideas about how I can go through tx and still work.  She said I can come to work even if there is a sub and she will use the sub elsewhere, hence I don't have to use more sick days.  I am soooooo relieved. 

Hi all!

Patti: Sorry to hear that you're going through so much. Maybe you have a small bladder infection. I think the AC can cause that. I'm scheduled for my 2nd AC next week. The worse SE I've had that I can't even feel is that my WBC went really low Thurs. I hope it is climbing back up. My energy is good. The Neulasta shot didn't work for me, although I felt like I had the flu the next day with arm and neck aches. I also had a terrible headache the night of chemo, and my nurse said that's a reaction to the steroids. I asked my nurse practioner if the first round predicts how I'll feel for later ones, and she said probably. I've read elsewhere on these boards though that the 3rd is the worse. I probably shouldn't borrow trouble. I just hope I can get my next tx on the 15th.

A hairnet sounds better than a shower cap, which is what a chemo friend advised me (and I better get one soon...)

Jess-glad your work is so accommodating. My dist. said they'd email me my accommodations form, but didn't Friday.

Mammasarah-good luck in finding a closer place. That's a huge commute. I have a friend getting Herceptin for DCIS HER2+, Seems like it should be standard of care from what I've read.

Well, just saw DH and daughter off to his counsin's wedding, which I would have gone to if my WBCs were higher. Oh well. Another cousin next week, but I probably won't have as much hair!

Happy day and hugs. kim

Hi January Jewels,

I am Day 8 post first TC.  Tired..... think my counts are dipping.  Blood work on Monday will tell how far.   I'm increasing my protein intake to help my body recover and start making new RBCs/WBCs..so I stocked up on fish and meat.  I read you can increase the protein in milk by adding powdered dry milk and then use that with ice cream to make smoothie - will throw in some frozen fruit - see what I can create.  

I am a germphobe normally - but now am over the top.   i work in a hospital and was visitied by our our infection control nurse, armed with alcohol hand gel, masks, disinfectant wipes, tissues, etc and firm instructions not to let anyone infectious come near me.  Really sweet of her.  An infection about now would be the pits!   Am limiting my exposure to people/crowds til I know my counts are coming back.  Read to that during this time of low counts I should avoid salad bars, fresh vegies and fruit - only cooked and frozen --- anybody else heard that?   

Well, I too will play the chemo brain card---am losing track of all of you and where you are in your treatment---except the Jan 2 Jewels -mimi07 and AZStacy2008 -- we three started the same day and I remember and think of you often.   I hope everyone is having a good day today... everyday is one step closer to seeing all this in the rearview mirror!

Kathy

Hi all--Well now I am really in a panic.  I read about someone on FEC the first 3 txs I am getting and it was horrible for her.  Yikes!  Then after I have my mini panic, I go back to what the chemo nurse said during my training.  She said-in my paraphrased fashion- tolerating the chemo is a mind game.  You take control of it and know you will be through this. Yup, she's right...I think! I am ready and not ready , next I cry and then resolve to overcome my fear and finally I take a deep breath, and hope I can get trhough this all.

<:AtomicElement>Kathy you are right, emerge from the puddle, back to the strong person you are....!!

Count me in with those having trouble keeping track.  There are just so many of us.  I expect it will get worse as chemo brain kicks in.  I attended a BC networking group at our local wellness community.  It was really good.  There were about 10 woman and we are all in different stages. One was dx in December had a lumpectomy but the need to take more out.  Me, who will be starting chemo soon, one woman just had her first chemo a few days ago, another recently finished her course of sugury, chemo and radiation, another is 5 yr out.  Ages ranged from 41 to definate grandma age.  One thing that came out was that it is not uncommon to not really loose it emotionally until you complete treatment and finally have the time to "feel" your emotions.  During treatment we are so busy going from appointment to appointment, making decisions and handling our SE that we may not really experience the full emotional side of this.  Not wanting to scare anyone but just don't be suprised if any current strenth is a bit of a illusion.  But then you recover from that emotional stuff as well.  The moderator said they they strongly encourage people to attend a weekly general cancer support group where you commit to come every week and to stay for 18 months.  Apparently 18 months is just this natural point where cancer is no longer the most important part of your life and you are ready to have it be just a part of who you are.  And after we finish all these treatments that have us so frightened we get to be scared shitless when we are told no more treatments you are on you own, just check in every 6 mths.  Fun, fun, fun.

While I was at the wellness community I picked up the AMC "tender loving care cataloge of hats and wigs and other stuff and it is really good. Not only for finding these things but for pointers on choosing and wearing a wig and how to wear make up while going through this.  

I want to start putting together a chemo day bag.  Any suggestions on what to bring with me other than a book and IPod?  Slippers, candy, blanket, pillow???  Once again this remindes me of having a baby and packing my bag for the hospital.  

Hi all. Sorry I've been AWOL for a while, but I've been through the nosedive after the first TC treatment and have made it to day 14 already. Just as predicted by so many who have gone before, my first handful of hair just came out in my hand. I thought I was better prepared for this, but still find it sad. My ever-lovin DH cut my locks short just yesterday and the good news is, I think bald will look even better (girls don't wear sideburns!), but still.................  Have the wig, some scarves, hats & some thrift store t-shirts cut up for turbans like they teach in the "Look Good Feel Better" class, but still feeling a bit discouraged right now. I'm trying to remember that this is only temporary... Off now to look for that adventerous spirit I once had about this experience...  Are we having fun yet???

Side note: I just remembered some treatment advice given many years ago by my then-doc to a friend of mine who started losing his hair from alopecia...  My doc suggested, among other more conventional treatments, that he could inject some Elmer's Glue and hope it found it's way to the "right spots"...  I'm sure there's a reason why that treatment plan has not become more common.

PS: My hands are rather itchy. I'm thinking this must be some kind of se? Anyone else have this? Hand lotion doesn't seem to help, so I don't think it's just dry skin. I'm hoping anti-histamines will be OK and will help. Have a WBC check again tomorrow so will check with the "pros" then.

Golly, I wish I were on the other side and anticipating scalpal regrowth already...  I'm sooo glad this thread is here to share... Sorry for the dump and thanks for listening...  Cheers??? Sigh.

kt57 - re: the raw foods.  my med onc and dietitian told me not to eat any raw foods, no salads (definitely no salad bars), no raw veggies unless peeled, no raw nuts, to only eat cooked foods because of the bacteria that our immune system might not be able to cope with. also was told to thoroughly wash all fruits (was told to avoid grapes, which are so hard to wash carefully) and to thoroughly wash all veggies before cooking. i'm hoping i'll want to eat lots of homemade chicken veggie soup! my dietitian recommended a daily high-protein smoothie since diagnosis and told me to increase the protein content once i start chemo (this coming wednesday).

the smoothie: one cup organic plain yogurt, one cup frozen organic blueberries (he said that even though blueberries are an antioxidant, it's okay to have them in this smoothie during chemo), one heaping tablespoon organic flax oil with high lignans, one heaping tablespoon organic flax meal, one scoop whey protein (22 grams, and will increase to 44 during chemo), half a cup of calcium-fortified orange juice, one scoop L-glutamine (5 grams, which i will increase to 10 or more during chemo - this is to prevent neuropathy).  i don't really think it matters if all these ingredients are organic; i just find it more reassuring to buy organic and everything is available at whole foods.

renrel - my nurse navigator gave me some advice about a chemo bag, and this is what's in mine: a "drug journal" where i will record every injection and dosage and mention any SEs, a blanket, pillow, 64oz container of filtered water (supposedly we're supposed to hydrate ourselves at least 64oz a day before and during chemo, every day), iPod, journal and pen, purell, tiny lysol spray container (for door handles in the car, bathroom, etc), earplugs (so i don't have to hear theTVs in the chemo room), eyeshade, larabars, mints, ginger crystal candies (for unexpected nausea), kleenex, hand lotion, soft cap for my bald head, and small camera. i might bring a laptop at some point. my son will be in the chemo room with me the whole time - he makes me laugh and comforts me (he's 28). 

so glad to have this group - thank you, everyone!

ddlatt--thank you so much for your info. 

<:AtomicElement> 

Hi Jrgolomb

               I started my first chemo Before surgery had 2 treatment of A/C it disolved my tumor completely so I did not have to do a third...but my oco called me friday night and said Oh by the way since you did not complete the A/c lets do 4 weeks of that and then 8 weeks of Taxol.............so as life goes on they say it will only increase my reoccurance by 13 percent is that enought to even bother??????????   Help me with my decision ladies please!!!

Jill: Thanks for including me in the group!! Have a great weekend Pamela

Hi luvmyself,

  I know I already wrote you, but I wanted to ask where you go for treatment, I hope all goes well with you this time!!! Pamela 

DD...thank you for the smootihe recipe!  It looks like something I will love!  I will get all the stuff I need so I can have smooties blending on 1/21!!!!!

Eeeeekkkkks! I'm a little scared, bought 2 very cool Roxy scarfs yesterday.  They're oblong and rather long.......I think they are for wrapping around your neck.....like you see all the stars doing.  I'm going to try making them look truly chic!!!  Uncancer like if I can...maybe I will start a new trend out here!  I am thinking kind of like African women wear!  I'm not African...but they always look so stunning on African women......you never see an African woman wearing one and think she has cancer..right?  I foound a gal showing how to do it on You Tube....maybe we can start a trend in the January Jewels group...any takers!? 

Welcome Silverlining!  What a great attitude you have.

 Alo123, I am definitely going to try the African-style headscarf thing. I bought some scarves and fabric before I was even diagnosed, with the idea that scarves would cover my drippy head festively during our hot summers - now I have another reason to learn how to get up those stunning do's.  You tube is a great source.  Also, one of my surgeons was wearing a bouffant scrub hat that someone had made for her that looked great, so I googled and found a sewing pattern. I have a hairpiece/ponytail to wear with baseball caps.  I am avoiding the wig decision until I see how the rest goes, because I've been told they are hot and I don't need the heat.