Starting chemo January 2009?

KMMD....you did cut the steroids in half for the second treatment?????  That's what I am hoping to do next week.   How did you reduce the dose? I take 2 dexamethasone 4mg in am and pm day before ....day of and day after?  Is this the same as you?  Did you just take one pill at each time?  Are you less jittery?  I am very curious to hear your results....how about the nausea??? 

Same here on the hair...achy scalp and strands...no clumps today but afraid to wash it....I have a work thing tomorrow and want it all intack.....eecckkks!  What to do?  Going to buzz it Friday, I can't take the anticipation and ready to ge on with the new look....whether its my  wig or my hats or scarves.....I'm just ready ad tired of waiting for yet one more thing!!!

Alo, in half, yes we did--for the follow up doses.  Still took 12 mg IV at time of infusion.  Then cut the 4 mg tabs in 1/2.  Instead of 4 mg twice a day for two days, then once a day for 2 days after chemo, this time it was 2 mg twice a day for two days, then once a day for 2 days.  Much less jittery, and less of a "crash."  I had no difference in nausea.  As a matter of fact, I took less compazine afterwards this time then last time.

39: I do understand.  Sometimes by telling you only positive things, or saying "just stay positive" its like people are negating the seriosness of the illness or the pain you're feeling.  I know it will make me stronger, better, etc. but to have othes say it somehow makes you feel like "what, I wasn't a strong good person before?"  I think it makes them feel better and helps distance them from it, or they just don't know what else to say.  

I just finished my first shower since the hair started falling out and it was not bad at all.  I was more interested than depressed over how clumps came out if I pulled.  There is alot of hair to go so pulled out a bit is not that scary...yet.  But I spent some time working on the worlds most painless braxilian sans wax.  Not quite all gone but that part was rather fun since I have gotten a brazilian wax a few times as a treat for DH (That was my wedding night suprize for him.  Having lived together since we were engaged a year earlier I wanted some thing new for that special night) and it has always been a bit painful and embarrasing to do.  I wish I could just pull the hair out of my legs as well but it is just to short.  Maybe I will wax it in a few days and get the most benefit out of this damn hair loss thing.  I think it was a special gift yesterday when I met that young woman going bald proudly.  I am keeping that image of her beautiful and peaceful face with me.  I think she had ovarian cancer so she his facing a much harder battle I believe and doing it with a great deal of grace.  There was also a young woman there dealing with brain cancer.  She was not doing chemo, just waiting to see if the surgury would be enough.  It helps me keep things in perspective when I meet all these woman dealing with much harder diagnosis than I am and at a younger age. 

jrgolomb. I'm with you. My hair hasn't fallin out yet but itches like crazy. I went to this salon that works with cancer patients. A wonderful lady. She couldn't bear to shave my head, so she gave me a pixie cut. Hate it but it will be gone soon. I ordered a wig from my hairdresser and she trimmed it and put it on my head. I love the style (pretty much how I wear my own hair) but I think it looks fake. My husband and daughters like it. I guess I just have to get used to it. I just wear it when I go out. When I'm at home I don't care. My husband still thinks I'm beautiful. My older daughter also had her hair cut really short. It is so cute, but she wears her wig that she ordered. I am also going for #2 Fri. I have been feeling so good and I dread feeling so bad again this weekend. Its the nuesta that i can't stand. I can't move for a couple of days. I have 4 trmts with this chemo, then I have 3 weeks off (yeah!) then 3 treatments of taxotere, then I will have a mastectomy sometime in May. It can't be June. Have too many commitments! After surgery I will have radiation for 5wks, Mon-Fri twice a day. That will not be fun. Had radiation yrs ago. It just zaps your energy. I don't know what will happen after radiation. Hopefully reconstruction. Take care. Sounds like you have a lot of support. I also have people from church and friends, family and GOD to get me through this and I have been keeping my spirits up. Haven't been depressed in days.

Berkleykim, Renel, Misty, brendafromflorida, kmmd, rsben70  bobcat - Its reassuring to hear that others are feeling the same emotions.  I will take the suggestions to sing along with the radio, focusing on family and friends and not allowing myself to dwell in this depression for too long.  Not productive at all.  I think I also have to not have so high expectations of myself.  I know what you mean about people saying to stay postitive and "you're so strong".  I feel like I have to live up to that and not be down.  This discussion board has been a great place to vent since everyone understands exactly what you're going thru. 

For those of you losing your hair, after the initial "trauma" it gets better.  For me, it was just a nuisance to have hair falling out all over the place.  Eventually I just shaved it all off and it has been great.  Its kind of nice not having to shave my legs, shampoo my hair or fuss with my hair in the morning.  My scalp had sore spots also but it eventually went away.  I wear a wig (which I love) when I go out and to work and a bandana at home.  Not quite brave enough to go bald.  Kudos to those of you who are "embracing the bald"!

Hi everyone: Had a great weekend.  My daughter came from Texas.  Two sisters and two nieces  from Boston.  Had small baby shower for daughter.  I felt GREAT all weekend.  Was so grateful.  After 2nd  treatment SEs seemed to take longer to hit, but were worse and lasted longer.  I was miserable on Thurs. which was day 7 after treatment so I really thought my weekend was going to be horrible but Friday  I felt fine.  Even able to go out to dinner Fri. night.  

I have been able to work everyday this week.  Of course, 3rd treatment is tomorrow p.m. and I am dreading it.  Really don't want to do it.  

SALLY - I was given antibotic to take after second treatment.  Ended up  in the hospital for 4 days with fever after first treatment so dr. gave me antibotic as preventive measure.  Guess it helped...no fever after 2nd treatment.  Not sure if he will give me them again after third treatment.

DIANE - Can not believe you have not lost hair. Maybe you are going to be one of the FEW who don't lose it.  I have heard that for some it just gets thinner.  I do know what you mean about worrying that it means the chermo is not working though.  I have felt so good these last few days that I was wondering the same thing.

My skin in drying out really bad.  It has been  cold here so I am sure that does not help, but this is a different kind of  dry.  My face is also breaking out with weird spots.  Not acne more like red welts.  They are hard to cover with makeup.  I also have a red pimply rash on my upper chest and my belly.  I am going to ask about  it tomorrow when I see dr.

I have had the neulasta shot after both treatment and I am not sure how much of my SEs are from that and not the chemo but the way i see it who really cares.  I was not given the impression from my dr that the neulasta was an option.

kt57:  Yes.  it is going to be the best May ever!!!  I too was really glad to see Feb. come.  Seems like time is passing quickly since dx but also feels like I have been dealing with this FOREVER. I was told at the beginning by several different people that it would take a year before lilfe would seem normal again.

I have come to grips with my bald head.  I can look in the mirror now without crying.  Actually went to my hairdress on Monday to have her cut my wig and halo and bared my bald head in public!!!  My hairdresser told me I have a great head and look beautiful bald..How sweet of her. She said he has seen some really ugle bald people who come in to have head shaved just because they want to and she does not understand them but thinks I could pull off bald if really wanted to...I am not quite there yet.

Hang in there.  Will let you know how treatment 3 goes.  Will be thinking of others who  I know are going tomorrow also.  God Bless.  Patti

Hi Lisa... I have a bunch of those store-bought Boost protein shakes in chocolate and strawberry.. they're not bad.

Hi all:

Well, was pretty wrecked today, but did some work at my computer. Still putting off teaching...can't get the paperwork together. How do you all do it?? Just driving to work takes major concentration and energy. Tossed and turned last night, so I'll take Ativan tonight to get some good zzzzzzs. Have blood count test tomorrow and Neupogen shot.

For protein shakes, I've just been adding a scoop of whey protein to my yogurt smoothies, and also eating almonds that I've baked (been told not to eat raw nuts). Whey protein is supposed to help immune system too. Pumpkins seeds are supposed to be good--not sure if they're for protein. I'm eating eggs again. I guess I'll worry about cholesterol later.

Am getting pimples on my 53-yr. old face (from AC?), plus my skin is dry. Head hair almost gone, but leg hair still there. Holding onto eyebrows for now. Have NO sense of humor today. Gotta take it a day at a time, and remember yesterday was good for me and holding hope for tomorrow (and the next frigging 3.5 months of chemo and a few weeks of rads). Better go look at baby pictures (and then there's Lost tonight!)

Speaking of protein drinks, I've been doing Boost and Ensure with high protein, which are fine.  I do worry about the Soy Lechtin ingredient, though.  Forgive my nutritional ignorance but does anyone know if that counts as soy?  It's right in the middle in the list of ingredients.  The cc nutritionist said if soy is one of the last ingredients then it's ok.

 Lisa810

Like you, I don't like hard candy. I'm an M@Ms kinda person! But I bought some butterscotch and lemon drop candy and it helps alot with the dry throat. As for protein, How about tuna or some other type of fish. Its healthy and good for you. take care. Hope this helps. PLUTZ12

Goodness, REKoz!  3 on, 1 off!  Just when I think I know about this stuff, along comes someone on a different regimen!

Dairy has not been a problem for me but crunchy, roasted vegetables (of all things) has.  I haven't been sick, but the smell of them, even in my good weeks, makes my stomach turn.  For me it was because I was feeling all cocky a few days after my first treatment and didn't take a nausea pill before I went to bed.  Big mistake.  I woke up to the smell of the veggies we had for dinner and that was the end of that.

I hope you can get past it...but if not, think of how yummy all of that stuff will taste in May when it's over!

Hang in there and feel good!

Diane 

Hi Everyone,

         Gracie thanks for dropping in, I am doing much better, sorry for being a crab!!! I start taxol next thursday at 1100, and was going to work Friday, I may now just take the day off!! 

                    Renral glad your doing better, sorry but I can't keep up with all of the names, I have started a mental count down April 1st I will be done,

                I have decided I am not doing radiation, just  don't think I can deal with it, there was No cancer in my breast or the margins.....just 3 nodes.................

       Thanks for all of the kind thoughts, and someone said I look young?? I am 55 and that is my wig, no one seems to notice and I get complments all the time, I suggest a wig with highlights.

                       Hope you all have a great week!! Pamela 

Lisa810-Thanks for the wishes. I felt a lot better today, but had really low neutrophil count again pre Neupogen shot, and I'd got all dressed up to visit my students. Was told--NO!!!

Brenda-good news about the blood counts.

Pam-that is a cute picture! I know what you mean about the rads. I need to ask what the benefits are--but I've got awhile since I don't finish chemo til sometime in May. I'm really worried about how it will affect my "bad" arm that's still stiff since my Nov. surgery. Not sure it's worth it.

Lisa-LisaI think the soy lethicin is ok. I'm going to ask the nutritionist if she drops by my next tx. I asked about the fish oil that has it, and she said that's fine. She even said I could eat a couple servings of soy a week--and I need to ask more about that as I'm strongly E+

Anyhow, re diet, I thought I was doing well and eating enough protein. Guess not. I always felt that I was really healthy and had great control of my diet. This disease makes me realize what little control I have. My nurse today said that it's just what the drugs do to us. I'm taking mushroom supplements, accupuncture, eating as well as I can, and still the counts tank out.  I had good counts after tx2 and thought I would again. So get Neupogen again tomorrow and Sat, and maybe Monday if counts are still low.  Came home, kicked back, and read most of This Boy's Life (saw the movie, and my daughter took a class with Tobias Wolff), so can't complain.

Hello January Jewels-Have you seen the February 09 thread?  They call themselves the Fabuous Furies-I think that 's good too!

I had my second tx yesterday and felt more nauseous this time.  I hadn't eaten anything till I got there and took the emend only 1/2 hour before the chemo.  I think the time for nausea/no nausea is crucial.  Thank goodness I have a day off at school and then PD day next Monday.....Thank goodness for comprazine and atavan.  They helped me to sleep and through I felt groggy, I didn't feel so sick to my stomach.

The only chair I had to sit in yesterday was a group of people undergoing transfusions and blodd platelet infusions-They all had some sort of blood disorder and my gosh they were a wonderfully warm and funny bunch to be around. One woman was on her last tx and she felt so good she is planning a huge gathering and local trip with her family. 

I hope all is well with everyone.  I am off to the center this afternoon to get my neulasta shot and then the rest of my scalp buzzed.  No more hair swoops to cover the bald!!!