**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Hey Everyone, just checking in.  Like Francine said, Friday was my 4th of 4... it was AC this time.  SEs so very different from TC (first tx) or Abraxane/C (second and third tx).  This time, nausea (thank God I was able to take the Emend) and extreme fatigue.  I took three naps yesterday.  

I don't quite feel that celebratory sense of relief that I thought I would.  I think maybe when the SEs wear off and I get to feel better without another "smackdown" - then it will sink in.  One hour after the chemo was finished, I was meeting with the rad onc.  Begin rads May 19, with two appts in between for "marking" and "dry run" (my terminology, not theirs).  

I am so grateful to everyone in this group who keeps me sane and on track.  Sometimes I need reminding that  I'm not the only woman going through this, that I'm fortunate to have a good support system, and that we will ALL be on the other side of this soon.  

-Tracy

Chris - I love the Buffs, they sell them at REI stores (outdoor gear), or planet buff.com

Hi Gina,

I am a Gina also in Kansas City, Missouri. I have just completed my 2nd round of TC no port, with two to go. I was reading your information and I was just wondering how you are doing on the tc and what round you are currently on. I have had some problems with stomach pain and breathing for just a few days afterwards then it gets better. I also seem to have some nerve twitching in my eyes but I have not read where any one else has had issues with twitching. All and all it is going pretty good. Have you had round 3? Thanks I am new to this group but have had a great time reading all of the stories. My next chemo is 5/13

GMK (Gina) ... I'm doing 4 rounds of TC as well.  In fact, you'll find a lot of useful information on TC on a separate thread within this chemotherapy section.  Stomach pain/cramping is one of my worst side effects the weekend after chemo.  AND... my left eye twitches a LOT these days.  I mean a LOT.  So, don't think you are the only one.  Welcome to the boards!

MOB

BC with small children is really not so different from anyone else's struggle to get through it. The biggest concern is always, "how will this impact my babies?" But truthfully, most people have others in their lives whose response to a BC diagnosis is a point of concern. Otherwise, it's all about finding people you trust to spend time with your kids while you do what you have to do

And I found out quickly that my children (3 and 1 years old, respectively) take it all in stride. My 3-year-old talks sometimes about Mommy going to the doctor to feel better. And she likes to rub my fuzzy head. Little ones keep it simple, it's nice

So speaking of hair...I noticed that even though the hair on my head is clearly growing back and my body hair is still in place, my eyelashes are thinning already! So much for losing the lashes after chemo ends, lol! Eyebrows are still hanging around, too. No rhyme or reason...

Cheers,

Nadine

Nadine... I was thinking about the random hair loss this past weekend:

1)  Losing eyelashes... eyebrows ok.

2)  Leg hairs gone... arm hairs ok.

3)  Hair on head gone... private hair about half gone.

Janet.....  IT is so true.. this week i have not had to shave.. what a good se and yet wierd. I too wash my head and put a towel around it as if i have hair!!What do you wash your head with?  I have been using Neutrogena's TGel.. for someone in forum suggested that?

Francine.. I also heard that the eyebrows come out AFTER tx's.My are getting thinner and my eyes get itchy as maybe some lashes are getting into the eyes as well.

Start my DECADRON tomm for WED;s treatment #2.. here we go again for the RED face! Hoping this time around will go as ok as usually days 2-6 are my really down and sleeping days.

Good luck to all in treatment this week!

Donna

Dawn,

I had serious leg cramping round one of TC but the past 2 treatments none.......same with eye twitching.....first round, yes, 2 and 3 no.  I don't know if it was the decadron...I didn't have to take it before tx 2 and 3 and they only gave me 12mg IV on my last tx due to my glucose going through the roof.

hugs

Diane

Hi All,

First of all..Glad you are out of the hospital Buddy..Any news on Wednesday

Hair..after three TC.s - Eye lashes are thining. Eyebrows going...Underarms = sparse. Legs- no need to shave. Facial hair- none really. My head - Kind of like a peach.Down below--No brazilian wax for me --sparse also.

I have put away pony tail holders, hair brush, shampoo ...Showers have become very fast.

5Timewinner- I do admire you going thru this with your young children. I have no one at home except for my husband and if I am tired and need to rest I am able. Diane , our wonder women also has young children.

Three cheers to all the young mothers going thru this.

I went to my oncologist today. They took my blood from my finger. She said my red blood count was very bad., But she said if she took it again from my arm it might be better. So that was what she did . My numbers were okay. She said she did not think I needed a tranfusion as I look very good and am not really tired. I was soooo happy the numbers went up.

Yes next Monday is my last TC..I also asked about how bad I feel day 4 and 5 after the TC. She said it was from the decatron and I could try Ativan.That's what I will do.

Yes my stomach bothers me. my tongue feels funny.little appetite for spicy food.bland is good .my nose constantly runs but all are manageable. I am not complaining...

Diane- I see you are feeling better..

Donna- I don't get tired but feel blah ...Days 4 and 5 I feel sick..then i start to slowly get better.

Oh yes someone talked about percentages. Yes that is how I tell others I am getting better. almost 80 , then 90 per cent and finally 100 per cent back to normal.

Arnie--great graphics.

Hot in NYC.

Welcome GMK.

Hugs to all..

Francine

GMK - I also, have one eye that sort of hurts, doesn't twitch, I tend to rub at it.  I really thought it was just my bad vision bothering me - maybe not.    Also, 1 foot in the toe meet ball of foot, feels really fat or kind of numb, but isn't swollen. Fuzzy mouth feeling always start within 4 days and lasts to about day 7 or 8.  I do still have lashes, brows, pubs, leg hair, and of course as to the fuzz on my head - the grays seem to be a bit longer than the rest, which really hasn't changed much since after 1st TC.

Michelle..  I sub also, but have been off  since this is so up and down in tiredness and all. How do you feel a whole day of subbing.. for me, it is hard to handle the job as  sub when i am at my best form..lol. GOOD for you!!!

Francine.. like the way you define the percentage of how you feel better!!! BTW,, i see you are from Ardsley, NY.. I grew up in Peekskill, NY and my DAD is still there. Will always be a EAST coaster in the heart.

Getting a massage today .. a major treat as i want to see if it helps before taking the Decadron and for tomm treatment.  If one does ok on the first treatment , can you expect the same for the next???

HI  Buddy... keep resting and know that tomm will be a good thing to have done.Here for you!

Hope all goin thru treatment this week will be ok.

Sessna: More poems please, and i am glad you have worked things out for yourself. this is an excellent forum for all of us,you too.

Buddy: glad your home from the dreaded hospital. I hope you get surgery tomorrow,but if not you will get it when your body is closer to being up to par so to speak,which will make your recovery better.

I wish everyone a great week.

p.s. when i lay down at night, i often find myself  reaching for my hair scrunchie to let down my ponytail before i fall asleep. OOPS!

Morning all!

 I have finished tx #4, only 2 more to go! I wish I was done, and that #4 was my last... but at least the end is starting to be near. This round was strange. I finally decided to ask onc to try Emend, so he ordered it, but I didn't actually get to take it until about 25 minutes prior to infusion, so I think it was a little late. I was ill most of Friday evening as a result. I woke up feeling really good Sat, and felt good mostly all day. So it was such a major letdown to wake up feeling bad on Sunday! I spent most of the day in bed, a first for me in this chemo journey.

I am finally feeling a bit more normal today (70% is a good number!) and am am back at work. I have developed a huge aversion to the smell of my laptop, so cannot log on on the weekends. I think it is from using it during previous treatments... now I just cannot stand the way it smells!

 Glad to hear most of you are doing well, and sorry for those of you feeling down! Buddy - hope you are doing better!

 Congrats to Chick, and those of you finishing up last treatment this week! I am so excited for you all! Can't wait for all of us to join you on the flipside!

Janine... Glad to see you're at least up and around now!

Francine... I understand that one of the reasons our noses run during chemo is that we lose our nose hairs as well!

Janine,

Glad you got the EMEND!  You should have gotten a 3 pack which you take one day of chemo ( I bring mine with me and wait till the nurses tell me to take it), and 1 each for day 2 and 3.  I also get a shot in my port of something...name escapes me that wards off nausea and vomiting for 5 days...this is also the drug that causes constipation......I am sorry I can't think of the name of it now.

Diane