Lets get to know each other :)

Hello Ladies......I'm new to this thread and fairly new to the boards.  My world was turned upside down on 2/05 with dx of IDC and DCIS.  I had a lumpectomy and SNB on 2/18 and had my first chemo treatment on 3/31.  Will have 3 cycles of FEC, 3 cycles of Taxotere plus Herceptin, which is to continue for a year, plus rads after chemo.  No port yet but getting put in the day before my next treatment, 4/21.......know it's a good thing but more scared of the port than the chemo!!  Faired pretty well after the first cycle of FEC.  Got my head shaved on Good Friday and now having some fun with some cool hats I picked up!!  No wigs for me......at least, not at this point.....  

Enough of the bad stuff.....I've been with my partner for almost 11yrs and she has been my rock!!  We have two cats who figured out a tag-team system to take care of me....the female takes the day shift and the male takes the night shift!!??

Good to find this thread........warm thoughts and gentle hugs to all of you :-))

Hi Beach sorry you had to join us!

I had the same protocol you did--FEC X 3 and Taxotere X 3. I won't have the Herceptin because I'm a triple negative.... Now on rads, #18 of 33 on Thursday. 

I found the T to be more difficult than the FEC. For me, the 4th and 5th days were the hardest. THe T made me very fatigued and I also had some bone pain. The worst SE thougth was thrush--a mouth infection that was painful. I think if I had been more careful about frequent brushing and mouth rinsing I wouldn't have had that. I don't mean to scare you--just to let you know what I experienced. 

You probably know this already, but DRINK LOTS OF WATER!  Not only does it flush the chemo out quicker, but the chemo can be dehydrating. It doesn't have to be water--tea (hot or cold), gatorade, juice...lots of liquids. 

Glad you have a supportive partner--it helps so much to have someone who will support you through this. Not to mention the kitties!

So here's a question: I'm venturing out to the club tonight (I rarely go, and haven't been in months, since before my surgery in Setember). DMy hair is very short--between 1  and 1 1/2 inches--and ll grey/white. Do I go with a hat? Beret or baseball cap? Or do I go "commando" (i.e., bare head)? I'm tempted to do the latter, but not sure I have the courage for that yet. On the other hand, it could be empowering.... I'll be with friends, and I'm not worried about rude remarks, it's the looks... I have always worn a hat outside the house (except this morning when I took the garbage out). 

Well, I'll let you know what I do and how it goes! Gulp.

Happy Easter Everyone!

D - Thanks for the warm response and kind words ...... doing okay with my new G.I. Jane hairdo .... was actually a bit of a relief to shave it all off coz it felt quite lifeless since the chemo.  Not sure if I have the guts to go "commando" yet :-)) ...... still adjusting to all of the hats!!

TorchSong - Thanks for your response and sharing your SE's.  It really helps to know what to expect since I'm sort of a "newbie" here!!  Yes I have been told to drink lots of fluids....even brought ice chips with me to my chemo treatment and the nurse told me that this would help to prevent mouth sores from forming....worked the first time and hopefully for the rest.  Sorry to hear about your experience :-(( !!  It's interesting to learn about your SE's with Taxotere only because so far I have only read about the T + Herceptin combo, so I don't know which is causing what SE's for these women.  Good luck with the rest of your rads......more than half way through :-))

I was just going to ask what you decided for your night out last night.......good for you to be so strong !!!!  I haven't been out in ages......did you enjoy yourself?? 

Nice to meet you Amy.....

I do know how lucky I am to have a supportive partner, plus my family and an amazing group of friends!!!!  Not forgetting my kitties, Pitu (female) and Milo (male), who just have this incredible way of comforting me......it's quite fascinating how in tune they are!!

Your soon to be tat sounds pretty cool.......I never had the guts to get one.....guess that will change with the rad mapping tats :-))  Is this your first???

Enjoy your Easter!!! 

Amy,

That's what one of my friends said too........he's now on his 10th/11th??.....I've lost track, LOL!!!!

oh jeez beach..... don't tell me that..... I want this to be my last one LOL.

Hi everyone.  I had my first fill today.  Not bad at all.  I am a little uncomfortable but its not as bad as I imagined.  I really am hoping it just continues to be like this.

Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Teresa

Teresa glad it wasn't too bad!

D~I'm sorry for your complications... I hope it gets easier for you.

I do have pain pills and I decided to switch to lortabs because the percosets are just too much I think.  Oh yea, Dee I love a hot bath too.

Torch, thanks for the sympathy...awful sweet of you.  I hope your skin holds up until the radiation is over.

Take care,

Teresa

The more I think about it, the more I think Im going to slow down this process.  Maybe a fill every week is too much.  Im going to talk to my PS on Monday.  Dee did you fill every week?  I keep tell myself that Im only going to be 3 weeks post op on monday so expecting no pain is probably crazy. 

Teresa

I understand that need to feel normal again.  I did some spring cleaning to day and just cleaning the windows was a bit uncomfortable.  I go tomorrow for the fill.  Im kinda nervous.  If I am as uncomfortable as I was last week I think I will ask to do it every 2 weeks.

Ill let you know

Teresa

Hi Dee

Well it definitely isn't as bad as it was last week.  I am sore but nothng like last week.  Thank goodness.  Its so funny to watch myself grow, Im like 7th grade now.  Hoping for 8th grad next week.

teresa