Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Majanumba1 · January 2009

Hope every one who is having treatment today escapes the bad SEs. Happy Monday with beautiful snow! I love it. It is day 8 after TX # 3 and I still feel pretty bad. Mostly just fatigued and nauseous. Otherwise not many complaints...ha! Herceptin this afternoon and then probably home to rest again. I have pretty much decided to do what my body is telling me and that is rest.

Does anyone go to a support group at their cancer center? I haven't been yet but I am thinking about going this evening if the weather is not too bad. i have made some friends at chemo undergoing tx for BC and it is great to share with them as it is with all of you.

Is anyone else vegetarian? I started before I was diagnosed and find that I don't miss meat at all. I do eat fish on occasion. I am pretty sure that I had a high level of inflammation (arthritis in my knees etc that triggered alarm but couldn't understand what was happening to me over the past 2 years.I went to several Dr.s but never put anything together until the BC tx. I think that I was bit too easy to dismiss what my body was telling me. I hope that I never do that again.

Lisa is so right in saying we need to take care of ourselves before we can really take care of others! We all need to take that advice to heart and teach it to our daughters

Thanks you for being there for me. Never, ever give up hope...... Carpe Diem!!!!

Lainey64 · January 2009

Happy Monday, Divas. I hope it's a happy Monday or can we at least ask for a "bearable" Monday?? Gosh darnit, this last A/C has had me down and out. Yesterday I was feeling better and today I'm back at work and still doing ok but definitely feel the SE's of all the drugs. Someone asked me earlier how I feel and I said I feel good but that's always relative to the prior day. I'm sure you can all relate!

All my lashes are still there but my brows are thinning. They are becoming perfectly shaped. Such a shame that they are going to say adios to me sometime soon. I start my 4x of Taxol this Thursday. I'm both anxious and nervous to get started. I'm going to start taking L-Glutamine to hopefully help with the SE's. I received "Waking the Goddess Warrior" over the weekend and have been reading it. So much good information in there and I'm going to incorporate most of it into my lifestyle. I'm going to hit up "Whole Foods" after work to get started with some necessities. I've been eating so bad lately that I really need to clean up my act.

Good luck to all of you with your SE's. Remember, you're not alone! And best thoughts to those getting TX's today and this week.

Love, Elaine

Brenny · January 2009

Majanumba1 - I attend our BC group meetings when I am in town at our center. They are really a great oppy to network with others - just like our forum, except they always seem to have some info on local resources that I wouldn't know about. Topics have been of interest and often one of the ladies brings a friend/sister/daughter.

I also attended the LookGood Feel Better class offered at our center (thru the Amercian Cancer Society) and that was excellent. I would enourage you to go!

Firni · January 2009

Hi Ladies,

I've been trying to get to a LGFB class for the past month. Every time I have one scheduled we have a blizzard and the the woman with all the stuff won't drive in the snow!! I had one scheduled two weeks ago. Snow. I had one scheduled today. Lots of snow. Now I've rescheduled again for next Monday. That will be my last chance locally until the end of March. You would think a place as large as Denver would have more opportunity for this class. At least reschedule classes that are snowed out. I've pretty much decided that if it snows next Monday, I'm going to give up on it. Three strikes and I'm over it.

Elaine, I'm sooooo glad you're done with the AC. I hope the Taxol will be kinder to you. Do you get that weekly?

I haven't gone to any local support groups. I think after I've spent time on here, I'm ready to not deal with cancer. My surgeon was supposed to refer me to Reach to Recovery when I had my surgery, but I guess he never did. At first I was disappointed but now I'm fine with it. I really do want the bulk of my life outside of my house to not have anything to do with BC. I have been getting cards from my chemo angels which has really been nice, since most of the people who had been so supportive in the beginning have pretty much dwindled away. Otherwise, you ladies are all I need to keep my sanity!

It's really rotten that so many of you are having such a hard time with SEs from the last Tx's. What's up with that? My SE's aren't as bad this time, but they are consistent and lingering. Mostly just fatigue and nausea. I'm Day 6 Tx 3.

BonnieK · January 2009

Good Monday morning, Divas! I'm at work this morning and feeling almost like a normal person except for this goofy wig on my bald head. Everyone at work thinks it looks great (or they don't know it's a wig), but it feels like a big old racoon, or something worse, on my head. Oh well -- I hope to forget about it as the day goes on.

My sister brought me a bag of goodies this weekend and the book "A Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors" was part of the gift. At first I was thinking, "Oh no, another book about this awful illness!", but the book is actually very uplifting and the individual stories are interesting.

My next Tx is this Wednesday, Jan. 28th -- #3 of 4 (TC). It's exciting to be past the halfway point and to be basically okay so far. SEs were worse after #2 than #1 Tx, but I can at least hope they won't be worse again with #3 and #4. My best wishes to everyone else having Txs this week -- may the side effects be minimal.

Take care, everyone.

Bonnie

havehope · January 2009

Update list:

horsercn #4 26-Jan 09 4xAC Laughing +12 Taxol+Herceptin

Mandy1313 #4 27-Jan 09 CMF

iktracey #3 27-Jan 09 4xTC

apfuentes #3 27-Jan 09 4xTC

bkokie #3 28-Jan 09 4xTC

mary5454 #3 - 29-Jan 09 4xTC

Lainey64 #1T 29 Jan 09 4xAC Laughing +4xTaxol

busqueen #3 30 Jan 09 4xAC+12xTaxol

Colleen1960 #7 30 Jan 09 CMF

mimiwhite #4 -1-Feb 4xTC Laughing

Grancy11 # 2 Feb 6xTC

LindaBusEd #-4 3 Feb 6xTAC

mmliv #4 3-Feb 4xTC Laughing

zuffa #4 - 4 Feb 6xTAC

Brenny # 4- 4 Feb 4xTC Laughing

Catrenae #4 5 Feb 4xAC Laughing +12xTaxol

lisasayers #4- 6Feb 4xTC Laughing

bobcat #4- 6Feb TC

sdavis #4 9-Feb 6xTC

cebula #4 9 Feb 6xTC

Majanumba1 #4 9-Feb TCH

horsercn #1 9 Feb (TH) 4xAC Laughing +12 Taxol+Herceptin

Colleen1960 #8 9- Feb CMF

Bold #3 9 Feb 6xTCH

Firni #4 11 Feb 6xTC

ptjen #4 11 feb 4xTC Laughing

DrDecker #3 11 Feb 4xTC

CindaD #4 12-Feb 4xTC Laughing

swest #4 13 Feb 4xTC Laughing

simvog #4 16 Feb 4xFAC Laughing +12xTaxol

Lainey64 · January 2009

Bonnie - your post made me laugh. I feel the same way about my wig! You described it perfectly.

Firni - I will be getting my Taxol treatments every 2 weeks. I am scheduled for my LGFB class next Monday. I hope I feel good enough to make it because I hear they are pretty great.

havehope · January 2009

Lainey64 how many tx of taxol are you taking?

Firni · January 2009

I've heard a lot of good things about the LGFB classes too. What I need more than anything is help with eye makeup when lashes and brows are gone. I really don't know what to do with my eyes. Foundation, blush, lips are pretty standard. But not my eyes! I'm sure without some help they'll just disappear into my head. I do have a friend that draws her brows on every day. If push came to shove, I guess she can teach me how to do that.

I feel the same way about my wig too. Every single wig I've put on feels like an animal nesting up there. I do trust my DH's opinion and he told me the wig that I finally bought looks very natural and anyone who didn't know it's a wig wouldn't know. I try to wear it as much as possible to get used to it. Well, while I'm out anyway. Just can't want to wear it to hang out at home. Or to get chemo. I want to be comfortable for that.

BonnieK · January 2009

My wig gets worn to work only because it is so uncomfortable. Maybe wearing it more would help me get used to it, but who wants to get used to having their head in a hairy vice? Most of the time the wig resides on top of an empty hair spray bottle in our closet and my head enjoys the freedom of a scarf or a comfortable hat.

My recent experience has been that when I go out in the wig or a hat, people don't pay much attention, but last week I went shopping in a scarf and people reacted differently -- looking and then averting their eyes -- it was subtle, but very noticable. Guess it's time to start going out more in my scarves and trying to engage people in at least a "hello". Or, I could just pull off my wig and do a nice bow or something. (Sorry!)

My eyebrows are getting really thin and pathetic looking, so I'm thinking of ordering eyebrow stencils to see if that will work. Eyeliner around my eyes, plus mascara on what's left of the lashes still works pretty well. I don't think false eyelashes are in my future -- they are way too difficult to put on!

Take care, everyone.

~Bonnie

colleen1960 · January 2009

Hello Everyone: I hope everyone had a good weekend. I am finally feeling better day 6 from tx 6. I actually did a lot outside the house today. I also heard from the Cleaning For A Reason and someone is coming one wk from Friday. They will come in once a mth for 4 mths. Hey every little bit helps. My house is a mess, my dh has been working 6 days a wk with this weather and is too tired to do much when he comes home. He has been keeping up with the shopping etc. but he also needs to sleep and take the kids to a million places. I go again on Friday for tx 7 and I am really getting anxious. It is so weird, but I really get naseous just thinking about going. Everyone keeps saying just 2 more and I know I am happy about that but the se have been getting worse. So I don't have many good days before I am back in bed again. Sorry I know I am complaning about being close to being done, but I know my family does not understand, hell I not sure i understand. Sometimes I think I just crazy!!!! Well Thanks for listening as always!!!! I have to wake my dh for him to give me my neuopgen shot. Have a good night!!!

Colleen

EleanorJ · January 2009

Colleen, they're a real blessing. They came today and the house was SOOOO clean, it was nice. Enjoy it

Firni · January 2009

Hi Colleen, Don't ever apologize for complaining here. It doesn't really matter if there is 1 Tx left or 3 or 4. When you know the SEs are accumulating and you're going to go do something that's going to make you sick, well, it's cause for concern and a bit of panic. It's good to hear the Cleaning for a Reason will be helping you out. I decided not to use them because my dh is in his slow time with his business and has plenty of time to clean and shop and whatever else I need him to do. No kids to shuttle around either. Actually, I have it pretty easy compared to many of you.

EleanorJ · January 2009

Firni, you should use any services that is available to you. They came in here and scrubbed my entire house in an hour! It smelled good when they left I figured hubby gets a break once every 4 weeks now.

mimiwhite · January 2009

Colleen I could not post a better reply than Firni did. I totally agree with her. I will be thinking of you on Friday.

xoxox

Mimi

Romiles · January 2009

Hello,

I was diagnosed with IDC, Stage 2A last September 24, 2008 and had my mastectomy of the right breast last October 21, 2008. The lump's 2.2cm and my lymp nodes are all clear and I am thankful for that. My laboratories resulted to ER - / PR + / HER 2 -. My onco gave me 4 chemo cycles which started last December 15, 2008. But before i had my chemo, just like many of us, i shopped for a wig that will fit me best... But it's so hard to try wigs if you still have your hair on... After 2 weeks of my 1st chemo, and my hair started to fall, i had my hair shaved... Then i went shopping for a wig again when i was feeling well.... It's not really comfortable to have wigs and scarfs feels good to our head... But it adds to our esteem if we wear wigs.

I'm done with my 2nd chemo last January 15, 2009 and heading on to my 3rd cycle on February 5, 2009. My 2nd cycle pulled me to bed longer than my first, i wonder if my 3rd will make me feel worse...

I'll have my last cycle on February 26, 2009 then will undergo series of laboratories again...

It really feels good to know we are not alone in this world... With the new discoveries in science, i do belive we will all be doing GOOD.

- Milet

colleen1960 · January 2009

Milet: Welcome to our group. Everyone here is so very helpful and understanding and it is a great place to pour your heart out if you need to. I find it very therapeutic to just type away every once in a while. I am sorry that you have to join us but welcome. I understand what you are saying about feeling worse on the 2nd then on the 1st. That also happened to me and some of the others on this site. But some had it bad the first 2 and then the 3rd was not as that bad. Everyone one is so different and if effects everyone different. The only advice I will say right now is to listen to your body if you are tired try and rest and also drink plenty of fluids and take your meds before the se effects come on. I wish you luck on the 5th with little to no se. Smile

Colleen

Brenny · January 2009

Hi All,

I did buy the eyebrow stencils at Sallys Beauty this weekend....just to have on hand. Amd bought some Cover Girl brow thingy. Just reminds me of the 50's eyebrows that my mom's friends used to pencil on - that perpetual look of surprise on their face! Thankfully, my wig does have bangs, which will help some. Also am doing big earrings and necklaces -- feel that anything to distract you from looking at my face should help! *smile*

Isn't it "funny" (ok, not funny at all) that as we wrap up our txs, people seem to think we're finished.....not like we have upmpteen radiations treatements (some do) or five years of hormones (some will).....but am already getting the comments....just one more tx and you're done, doesn't that feel great????? No......it's just one stretch of the road.......

Brenny

horsercn · January 2009

Welcome Milet...you will get alot from this site....we are all very different but we are in this together...stay strong.

Brenny....I'm right there with you on how people think that you finish chemo tx that is over....far from it. Nice to hear someone else if also feeling that way

Tricia

Lainey64 · January 2009

Morning Divas. I hope everyone is doing well and managing SE's ok. Millet, welcome to our group. I'm sorry to hear you are going through this but this is a great place to come for support and a laugh or two when you need it. I'm feeling ok today. We have an ice storm coming into the area this afternoon so I have my fingers crossed that my office will be closing early.

Simvog - I have 4 TX of Taxol. Starting this Thursday and last one is scheduled for March 12. I'll be getting them every 2 wks.

I agree with Brenny but in a lot of ways I'm so looking forward to being done with the chemo. My Onc says that the rads will be a "walk in the park" after this. Let's only hope!!!

LOL - I only wear my wig to work too. It definitely feels like a small furry animal on my head. That is the perfect way to describe it.

Have a good day everyone. Love and hugs to you all!

Elaine

zuffa · January 2009

Brenny - you are so right...the first time I met my oncologist, he said to me "this is not a sprint...it's a long distance race"... he was so right!

Hope everyone is doing well. Lisa -- great news about your sister ( I know I'm a bit late with that...). I

swest · January 2009

Hello everyone!

Day 8 after TX 3 and back to normal. Yea! Only problem is I am restricted again on being in public since I'm not taking the Neulasta shot. I get stir crazy!

Y'all are killing me about the wig & furry animal on your head. LOL! I can barely stand to wear a hat, let alone a wig.

Welcome Milet! I hope you find these ladies as inspirational as I do!

I hope all who is having TX this week has no SE's!

havehope · January 2009

Day 5 TX3. I had been better with TX 3 than Tx2 no more nervous breakdown. As with my first tx, the worst days were the 4^th and the 5^th. So far, yesterday was the worst. Fatigue, nauseous but no headaches this time around.

Swet:

I am not taking Neulasta either. How is the WBC before treatments? Mine are going lower with each treatment and I hope I can make it for tx4. Last time the WBC was only 4,700.

swest · January 2009

Simvog, I did not ask what the count was last time but they said it was high from the decadron I take 2 the day before tx, 2 day of tx and two day after tx. I guess you are not needing the decadron since you are on FAC?

Sonia

havehope · January 2009

swest

I take decadron only the day of treatment via port. No pills for me. My onc told me decadron is to prevent nauseous. She said except for neulasta shots there is nothing I can do to improve my wbc.

Lainey64 · January 2009

Simvog - I get the Nuelasta the day after each TX. My WBC count before my last TX (12 days ago) was 11,000. The time before that it was 7,000.

havehope · January 2009

I am not comfortable taking Neulasta. The fact that I have to put into my body a genetic modified organism that will force artificially my bone marrow to create extra blood cells doesn't give me any piece of mind. I am trying without it and I am looking for natural ways to improve the white ceils. Unfortunate my onc is not into natural ways at all, so I am struggling on my own. Sometimes I feel my onc is against me. I cannot wait to be done with chemo!

EleanorJ · January 2009

Elaine, why are you taking the shot? 11,000 seems plenty that you wouldn't need it? I have yet to take it, they told me that insurance have specifics criterias to meet to pay for it and if the counts are good then they wouldn't pay. I'm just curious. I try to put as little as I can in my body, chemo is enough.

TX3 DAY10. The rash is back I took a muscle relaxer & anti-itch before bed last night. Well, it knocked me out but I've been feeling drugged up all day. I've had a bad muscle pain on my shoulder blade that goes under my arm as well, tried skelaxin for it last night (GREAT muscle relaxer) and it didn't do anything. It's been hurting since day2, I'm just so tired of calling them for every little thing and getting more pills, I really don't know that they can do anything about it. Now the rash is coming back and I just don't want more steroids right now!!! It's not that bad yet, I'll wait a few more days and see how I feel.

swest · January 2009

Simvog, the onc. nurse said the decadron I am taking (pills) will increase your WBC. It is my understanding that there is nothing you can do naturally (other than time) to bring up the WBC. I don't blame you on not wanting the Neulasta. My onc. said that I was border line after Tx 1 day 7 so it was up to me. I told him I would limit my exposure to the public during days 7-14. Also, I have to restrict fresh veggies and fruit.

Go Lainey! Did your doctor check your WBC after the first treatment or do they give Neulasta as SOP?

Cebula, I am so sorry the rash is back. I too feel like I am calling for every little thing. (broke my fingernail better call the onc. nurse. Ha Ha ) It might be better to catch it before it gets angry. I will be sending you anti-itch thoughts Wink

bobcat · January 2009

Ladies -

My onc doesn't like to give neulasta if he can help it. After my first TC, day 10 my WBC was 90!! So he prescribed an antibiotic for the 2nd week after my infusion. The WBC on the day of 2nd TC was off the charts(as in good) and the same at the 3rd. So he thinks the antibiotic plus vitamin supplements and eating right do the trick. Also, he's fully aware of the insurance issues and SE's. I think I'm getting the right advice - I haven't been sick but I'm super careful in public and about handwashing.

Caroline - I am sorry about your rash. What is that about?? I have read about others with rash but so far not me. Try Calendula cream from the health food store or drugstore.com. Has anyone had eye twitch? I have had that about a week after each infusion - outside, lower area that twitches and waters like crazy. Not a good look when your only adornment is eye makeup ;o), lipstick and earrings. I too, hate putting more drugs into my body than needed so using just generic drops but that doesn't stop the twitch.

Welcome Milet - you will find love and laughter and tears here.

Brenny - yeh, almost done - in 5 years!! "You look 'mahvelous' with your bald head", don't forget 'cumulative', and "it's almost over for you - great". It's not a horse race, it's a long slow distance. Thanks Divas - you are all jewels and I am feeling down tonight. I think bed is not far off. Snow is on the way in the northeast and the SO is still working. I asked for extra attention last night but he wasn't interested so I am feeling progressively sorry for myself today. I need to sign off.

Hugs and love to all, Bobbi

Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

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