Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

Hi everyone ... I haven't had a chance to review this thread and get to know everyone, but I start my chemo tomorrow.  I can see from a quick glance that there are lots of others out here that are feeling (or felt) the same way I do ... scared, nervous, overwhelmed.  I expect I'll be spending quite a bit of time here for support, and I hope maybe I can be of support to some of you as well.

 As many have said, I'm so sorry you're here, but I'm glad to not be going through this alone.

Hi all, i am Tania aka Titch from New Zealand (aged 36).  I am married with 3 kids (son 18, daughter 14 and 10).  It is nice to meet with other people who are starting chemo in May 09 chemo starters, with similar situations to me.

I found my lump in my right breast Mid Feb, I saw my GP who sent me private for my first ultrasound  the lump measured 2.5 cm and they also discovered it was in my lymph nodes, I had a fine needle biopsy and it came up with "abnormal cells", then had to wait to get into the public hospital system (which was 6 weeks) when I saw them 15.04.09 the lump had had grown to 5.5 cm, and they did a core biopsy.  I was officially diagnosed with IDC 29.04.09, my surgeon was looking at a masectomy 18.05.09 but as my cancer is aggressive (grown quickly) so I saw oncologist 05.05.09 to check whether I should do chemo first, it was decided, they needed to stop it growing and try and shrink the lump, so I started my Chemo May 12 2009.  My chemo drugs are Cyclophoshamide and Doxorubicin. I am having for 4 sessions initially (every 3 weeks), so 3 to go.  My masectomy has been postponed to see how the lump responds to the chemo.  I will also be having radiation and further chemo after surgery and hormone treatment.

My first day of chemo was Ok.  I was attached to a drip and spent about 3 hours in the chemo day room at the hospital, getting my drugs.  I felt ok afterwards, just a lil tired - they gave a sedative with the anti nausea tablets.

The next day was excellent, I went to work and worked a full day (8.5 hours) thankfully I got a office job so it is pretty cruisy.  People were shocked at my attitude and my energy at work.  But Wednesday night, I had less sleep and woke on Thursday feeling like I had not slept at all, I feel real warm even though my temperature is normal.  But since I am trying to maintain as much normal life as I can I went to work for  5 hours and was literally shattered the whole day. So came home and rested / slept most of the night.  Today has been a good day, and I went to work again. 

For me I have not suffered any side effects so far except the tiredness, and everything I eat taste (eat or drink) foul. I am not certain if that the anti nausea tablets though.  I have been told my hair will start falling out in 2 weeks, and I collect my wig next Thursday. I am getting a portacath installed next Thursday also, to make it easier to have the chemo administered.

 All my thoughts are with you all as we go thru treatment.  I know my diagnosis has rocked my little world  but I am remaining positive and prepared to fight for the long haul.

Kia Kaha (translated~ "Be strong" in maori)

huggles to you all

ohh have not watched grays yet!! thinking of closing my door and watching it here at work!!

feeling much better today - trying to enjoy the nice weather but dear god i'm in pain everywhere

CS34- Thanks for the clarification.  I have let the anger out.  One of my friends told me the other day that I was so brave and so strong............I have to say I am kind of tired of hearing that because I don't feel like I am either.  I am scared SH*%less and cry probably every day.  I told her it was simply that I was too big of a bitch to let it beat me!  So, reach for your inner 'bitchdom'!!  I didn't scream or yell either, I think it came out in tears (I cry when I am so mad I can't do anything else) and sadly for my husband and son it came out as me being VERY difficult for SEVERAL days.  Have you tried journaling??  I know if I write something then it is gone for me...well as much as this can be anyway...  Those are my 2 cents.  Good luck and you will feel better if you let it go..............find your inner bitch. 

I received my beautiful free "its a wrap" scarf in the mail and I was very surprised at how beautiful it is.  They attached a card with it that several at their company signed wishing me the very best.  If you would like a head scarf too, give them a call.  I was having such a tough day yesteday at work, I'm in a 100% commission job (mortgage loan officer) and feel the weight of the world trying to produce, make a paycheck and deal with issues at work, and walk through all of this at the same time.  I cried when I left work just to release tension and after such a tough day, I got home and there was this lovely package with my gift and card.   It so touched my heart and it made my day I wanted to cry again.   When you think you can't make it, an act of love and kindness touches you and you know all will be okay for the moment. 

Yesterday, my hair started coming out.  I have so much hair I'm not sure how long it will take to completely come out.  My wig and new head scarf is waiting.....

Everyone have a great weekend!!!!!   Next chemo treatment 5/22/09.

Hi,

I'm Kim, and I started chemo last Monday (the 11th).  I'm 31 and am on the CEF regimen in an attempt to preserve my fertility.  I felt ok on Tuesday.  On Tuesday night, I started to feel a little light-headed, and on Wednesday I did not feel well at all.  I was nauseated, light-headed and achy.  I managed to make it to work on Thursday, but I felt bad again this morning.  I woke up this morning at 4 a.m. with major bone pain.  I'm guessing that this is from the Neulasta.  I was told that younger people have more bone pain, and I'm sure it doesn't help that I do lots of heavy lifting at work (since i probably have more bone density from that).  It's just so frustrating to not be able to go to work or to the store.  The bone pain seems to be tapering off tonight, and the nausea is almost gone.  I can eat despite it.  I'm hoping I can work a full shift tomorrow because I'm tired of being useless.

I hope everyone else is doing ok with their treatments.

Take care,

kim 

Hi,

mom2twins-I had the same treatment this past Tuesday and felt nauseous on Thursday afternoon/night. I was vomiting for several hours, but felt better yesterday. Hopefully, you won't experience the same!

Got my haircut short in anticipation of losing my hair, but haven't gone for a wig yet. Maybe I'm hoping it just won't happen? Going to force myself to take care of this in the next few days,

Hoping everyone is doing well and enjoy the weekend. 

Hi mom2 and NYMom:

I'm on TCH also but I was told that the nausea usually hits within the first 24 hours.  I took Zofran beginning the evening of tx and for 3 days following as suggested by the Onc.  I had no nausea at all.  I do have the heartburn though but I was told that's because I have a problem with GERD in general.  Who knows. 

On the wig front, when I was first diagnosed I had my hair cut really short (sorta a pixie kinda thing) and went for the wig which is....well.....a wig.  Thus far, my hair is hanging in there (I'm at day 11) but I know it won't be for much longer.  My plan is to buzz it when it starts to fall out, have my little meltdown and get it over with.  I haven't had a good crying fit in a few weeks so I'm thinking I'm due anyway. 

Anyone doing their own Neupogen shots at home yet?  I'm going to learn how to do it this coming Wednesday (my third tx) and I'm petrified!!  Thank God my DH is willing to learn as well.  I think I prefer him coming at me with a sharp implement than doing it myself! 

Welcome to all the new May Chemo Sisters and the very best to everyone.  We can do this!!

(((HUGS)))

Kathy

Hi Kelly,  Glad and also sad that you are here.  I'm glad you found us, but I'm sorry you had to find us.  There is lots of good information here.  I start treatment same day as you do.  I dread it, but ready to get it over with.

Ohhh starting to really shed.  Don't know if I should cut it short or buzz it, but hair is getting everywhere.  It seems to be coming mostly from the back and sides so far, and not the top yet.  Ugh......The hard thing is that my wig doesn't fit with my hair.   Don't know what to do so far...all new territory.

Hello laides!

I am at day 12 with FAC and no hair loss yet.  A couple of weeks ago I got my hair cut the shortest I've ever had it as an adult.  It turns out that I really like my short hair.  I went wig shopping with my husband and sons today.  I got a synthetic wig that is pretty close to my current cut and style.  I like it fine.  My 8 year old said I look like a babysitter...whatever that means.  I also bought a sun hat, a night cap and a stocking cap.  The saleslady said that the stocking cap will help me to not have to wash the wig as often.  My college roommate has just been through bc and she is giving me all of her wig paraphernalia...so I didn't have to buy shampoo or other stuff.  She has a hat with hair that is brunette and I'm blonde, but I think I'll use hers rather than spend the $350 on a new one.  My family will buzz my hair when it begins to fall out.

I have a couple of questions:

I am supposed to go to a birthday tea for my niece tomorrow.  I have heard that one of the babies had immunizations 3 weeks ago and that there is at least one person who will be there who has a cold.  I bought a mask and was planning to wear it since I think the nadir for at least one of my drugs is right now.  Does anyone have an opinion if that's a bad idea for me to go and risk it?

Also, my onc had me take compazine, steroid for days 2-4.  Then I could alternate compazine and ativan as needed.  I never took any anti-nausea drugs after day 4 because they made me sleepy and I wanted to drive my kids carpool.  I have been nauseated and remain a little bit nauseated even now.  Have any of you taken the anti-nausea drugs on the optional days?  Is it okay to drive while on compazine?  I don't think I could drive reliably on ativan and wouldn't attempt it.  I will ask my onc when I see her before my next treatment on 5/26...but I'm just wondering if this has been harder than it should have been because I didn't take the anti-nausea drugs for as long as I should have.  Any opinions?

Luv - I was good for nothing today and feel down too!

Hope you all had  a good Saturday.

luvtheocean, I know this sounds stupid but take a box of Bounce dryer sheets with you.  Wipe yourself down with one several times a day.  It's amazing!  If you want other tips with what you can do with them just holler.

Happy camping!

Nancy

Mom2twins--I didn't have any Neulasta s/e for the first two shots, then with the last one, I had aches/pains in my shoulders and hips that started about 6 hours after the shot.  It lasted about 10 hours, but Tylenol helped.  Hope you have NO s/es at all!   Helen

luvtheocean- So sorry about the hair. I know it's coming, but the day it actually happens will be one of the hardest days in all of this for me. Big (((hugs))) to you!  I'm glad to read you are going out on your boat. I plan on spending my time in our pool this summer no matter what. I bought some 70 spf sunscreen and I will cover up from head to toe if I need to, but swimming and hanging at the pool is one of my greatest pleasures. Cancer will NOT take that from me! So, I hope you enjoy your time at the lake!!

I posted this update on another thread so will just copy it here. I finally have a definitive start date! Here's the update:

I start chemo on the 26th. I can't remember how much of the story I have told here, but I am doing the Avastin clinical trial. The clinical trial nurse has been setting everything up and it has moved pretty slowly and there are conditions that had to be met for the trial. Anyway, she had wanted me to start on the 25th until I reminded her that was a holiday. The clinic is closed that day, so that was out. We moved it to the 26th, but then she called and told me that my chest x-ray and EKG that were done right before the surgery might need to be repeated if we wait until the 26th. She wasn't sure and was going to have someone check on it. She suggested then maybe starting on the 19th. This past Friday afternoon I had not heard from her and I was getting pretty anxious about it. Knowing that I might be starting on the 19th but not knowing anything for sure was really stressful. When I hadn't heard from her by 2:00 Friday afternoon, I called her. She told me the lady arranging everything and who could answer if the test results would still be valid on the 26th was out with a sick child. I have all the sympathy in the world for that, but I needed an answer! Finally she told me that to make things easier and since I really needed to know, lets go ahead and start on the 19th. I was pretty freaked and felt really rushed, but agreed to that. A few minutes later she called me back and told me the 19th wouldn't work as they might not have my drugs in by then. She wanted to move it back to the 26th and if we need to repeat the chest x-ray and the EKG then I would just repeat them. They are no big deal anyway. So after much back and forth and indecision and run-around...yeah, I was pretty frustrated by it all, I am definitely starting on the 26th. I will have DD AC x 4 and Taxol x 12 (weekly) plus Avastin or the placebo. I haven't even had my chemo training yet so I was really freaked about starting on Tuesday! Now I will have lab work this week and chemo training and I won't be so rushed after all. I feel much better about it. I'm ready to get started though so I can get it over with! So, that is my long story!

I am just glad to have a plan in place and a start date. Tuesday I am getting my hair cut very short to prepare. I'm going to the dentist this week to get that over with before I start and will probably schedule an eye exam also since they told me not to have one during chemo. Looks like another week of doctors and appointments. Story of my life anymore.

Shell- Are you out there? I saw on Facebook you were having a rough time. How are you doing now? (((hugs)))

I am starting to look into cruises or vacations for when this is all over. I'm going to have to go somewhere really good to make up for this!  

Hi TexasRose, I believe I have talked with you on another thread.  So sorry you have gone through such a hassle.  It's bad enough that we are dealing with bc and time is of the essence.  I'm glad they have finally worked something out for you.  Good luck with your trials.  I'll be doing my second round of T/C on the 26th.  I'll be thinking of you! 

I also cut my hair very short in preparation.  I experienced quite a few crummy se's but the waiting for my hair to come out was the worst thing.  I read that day 14 was the magic #.  I had my ds buzz it on day 5 to make it easier and to get a better idea of how a would look as I don't plan to wear a wig.  On day 10 I noticed a tuft of hair at the crown of my head that was longer than the rest and thought we must have missed that.  By day 13 I was actually getting a little PO'd that it wasn't coming out. On the night of day 14 my oldest son called me.  He's still pretty broken up about his separation and I was nervously tugging at that tuft of hair until I realized I had enough hair on the floor to stuff a pillow.  EUREKA!  Then my son had to switch places and coach me on how to shave my head without hurting myself.  I have been having to wear little fleece hats to sleep in because our weather turned cold again. 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise and I am wishing you the very best as you begin your chemo!

Sukiann, good luck to you on your second round!  I am gaining weight as well.  So now I am bald, chubby, 55 and an Amazon.  I hung up my bow years ago but wonder now if I would be a better shot.

I think I need to clarify for lovetheoceanthat the dryer sheets are for keeping the bugs away.  They will repel bees, gnats, flies, ants, mosquitoes and spiders and moths. 

Best wishes to all!

Nancy