Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • nowaynotnow
    nowaynotnow Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2009

    Connie,

    I noticed in one of your previous posts you were considering have the other breast removed, have you made any progress on that? I only had the right done but now I'm contemplating doing the left as well. At the time of surgery the surgeon didn't recommend it, he felt it was too drastic for my age, I'm 42. My reasoning is the obvious, I don't want to do this again. It is not the mastectomy that bothers me so much it is the removal of nodes. I had 12 removed on the left side and feel that that arm will be forever compromised and I don't want to deal with that on the left side as well. I'm going to discuss it with the oncologist today and get her thoughts.

    Feel better and I hope you get some sleep soon!

    Julie 

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  • oldstudent
    oldstudent Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2009

    Hi, all! Made it through A/C one with flying colors. Feel good today. Energizer bunney from the antinausea meds. Bit of heartburn/acid. I found a suggestion here to try Briochi, and it really did help a lot. My friend also bought me ginger Altoids and ginger candies they sell in the coffee shop by the oncologist's office. That plus ginger ale and crystallized ginger all have helped.

    I drank so much during chemo that the nurse finally told me to slow it down! Thanks for all the suggestions and info guys, it really helps. Thanks HopingforaCure on the kind advice about teens and worries. I'm letting them see what I'm up to so they know I'm doing OK. I told them dad and I are "farblunged" (yiddish for all mixed up) and keep losing stuff around the house this week So they know we are not at peak performance and they are cooking dinner tonight.

    Prayers to all for a good day.

    Hugs, Deb

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited July 2009

    Hello Triple J's

    Happy Birthday Stef58

    Good luck to all of you starting chemo today. Whatever you do remember to drink, drink and drink some more!

    KarenVW love the idea of the chemo drugs as ‘hired gunmen' to save us all from bandits!

    Nowaynotnow I second what you said about buzzing the hair off. I quickly had enough of hair coming out and my scalp hurting when the wind blew my hair. As soon as my hair was buzzed off I felt so much better. I think it was partly because it was my decision when to lose my hair. The stubble still comes out but it doesn't annoy me anything like as much as when it was longer.

    I had my second round of chemo yesterday, FEC. I don't have a port, they just use a vein in my hand. At the hospital everyone says I have good veins, but when I went to my dr's surgery for a blood test the day before the nurse had 2 attempts to get a vein, couldn't do it and got her colleague to come and have a go. The second nurse managed to get the sample. Today I feel OK, glad that I have 2 down 1 to go on the FEC. I had minimal side effects on the first round and hoping for the same this time. Then I will have 3 rounds of Taxotere 3 weeks apart. My chemo nurse told me that I should paint my fingernails and toenails black when I have Taxotere because it can make nails photosensitive.

    Hope you all have a good day. ((((((Hugs))))))

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  • snowprincess007
    snowprincess007 Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2009

    Hey gals from the land down under.

     Wow you don't come online for a few days and you miss so much!!!!

    Day 14 today and still not much hair loss on my head but bizarelly enough lots from "downstairs"  PauldingMom I keep thinking of you tugging on it in the shower and it makes me laugh!! Am praying that it stays this way that I just lose it all down there and none on top!!!

    o2bHealthy - am thinking of you and hoping you are feeling better

    PS173 - Love your attitude girl - kick butt

    Joanie - I too had a decision between port and PICC and have chosen PICC because less maintentance and less obtrusive

    Hopingforacure - I get what you are going through.  My mum has had both breast cancer (I was 12) and bowel cancer (I was 25) and I am only 28 and going through it myself!

    Gearing myself up for treatment two next week and thinking of you all

    Hugs and kisses

    Meg

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    WOW!!Surprised SO many post, where to begin!  Cool

    Wishes to everyone that today is a great day. Looks like we have a bunch starting today. You all take care and I am sure all will go well. 

    Welcome Joan! Good info. here! Take the time to go back and read past post. Sorry to hear about your WBC. Bleach is your friend!Laughing I'm hoping it goes back up right away and you stay away from illness. You are the first person I have met that I would say, "go with the PICC" I think ports are great but I don't see that the positive out weighs the negative for you.

    Carole01-have heard that lemon may help. Try squeezing some into a glass of H20. Hope it's better soon.  

    Mnikityger-Understand your delimiah, decisions, decisions. From day ONE! Besides the waiting it's been one of the hardest things for me. Hang tough sweetie. My experience has been that IT IS easier after that first Chemo. session.

    lorijo1993-AH HA! Grapefruit juice is the debil! Wink I've also heard that it can increase your chances of dehydration. Personally I am stuck on cranberry juice and blends of it. I hope you are feeling better very soon. 

    Karen VW-you crack me up with your Mag 7!

    Hang in there Balsie-today may be my day to shave too. It's driving me nuts at night falling out and getting in my mouth. UghTongue out

    Sahe-Trust that you will do fine. Bring something to do if you don't want to read. or just watch TV. Tomorrow you will be grinning thinking how nervous you were.  

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009
    I just found out my Mother is going to have Chemo. also. Taxotere and Cytoxin. She will probably start first week in August. Cry She has waited a long time to find out if she was going to or not, and she just told me. Please send prayers that she does good with this. Her name is Sally. Thanks all.
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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    Paulding mom - I have a dear, sweet mother-in-law also named Sally, so that will be easy to remember in my prayers. 

    Balsie - I cry with you - I wasn't so focused on my losing hair, but when it happened it hit me hard.  Each day I hyperfocused on my hair, headbands, scarves, how could I disguise the loss until I could get a wig appt.  After I cried, I laughed and told my husband I had become "Shallow Hal" - instead of worrying about other people or world peace my whole world was this hair!  Hope whatever your strategies to cope, that each day will get a little easier.   

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited July 2009

    Hi team Js!  I enjoyed all of the positive posts.

     I had #2 AC treatment yesterday, July 22.  I asked for 1/2 the steroids and they gave me 5ml vs 10ml and I only took 1 of the decaxxxx steroid.  Im doing ok.  I have my neulasta today at 2 and took the claritin in preparation for it.  ...I think the claritin effects individuals differently.  It keeps you up when you really want and need sleep but I know the only day that I didn't take it during the first week, I was on my back and very sore to the touch.  I also have a broken back due to a horrible auto accident and I feel that anything that I can do to make it less severe, I am willing to try. (except surgery- up until now since Im a pro).  I take Calcium, magnesium and the claritin for this and it has worked so far. I also get the inulin from the kefir which helps the calcium absorb in the body.  I had all of these approved by the nurse.

    Connie, congrats on round 2!!  Yes, more gas than normal here as well.  Same nausea.  Hair is coming out more than a typical shed.  I hope it lasts to next week since I have lunch plans.  ..also I was able to drink one gallon of water/gatorade yesterday!  I need to do it today too. I was worried that the chemo would get washed out of my system if I drank that much water but the nurse said it goes through your blood stream and then your cells, the water pushes it to all the cells and then also flushes it out of your system so it doesn't stick to the fat cells and cause havoc.

    snowprincess - Im sorry to hear that you are going thru this so young.  I have a friend of an acquantience who went thru (two actuallY) one at 22 and another at 28.  If you want to PM me, I have other ladies you can touch base with - me- 35 but Im still going thru it. Another friend of a friend at 32 when dx.  Now cancer free.  If you have any questions about fertility, etc, PM me.  Hang in there!  (at first I thought I read 12dx for you!) not good.  This site is awesome and encouraging, but down right real to the bones.  not a lot minced.

    Twinmom - yes, it is much scarier before you go and the anticipation seems endless.  Congrats on round 1!

     Bethie1 - woot woot, congrats on getting through it!!!  I will take the advice on the aloe when the time comes.  Thanks for checking in and giving us some insight about the benadryl!

    Hang in there triple Js!!!!  :) peace

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited July 2009

    Paulding mom, I am so sorry about your mother.  She has a great support group here!  Tell her to hang in there.  She is lucky to have you right there for her to support her every step of the way. 

     Shes in my good thoughts and prayers!

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  • backagain
    backagain Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2009
    Good Morning Ladies - I'm posting a link to last night's So You Think You Can Dance segment that had a powerful dance depicting a woman's struggle with breast cancer.  SO moving!!  If you haven't seen it, check it out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKxoCxalyWw  It will leave you speechless!  Love and hugs to all!
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  • oldstudent
    oldstudent Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2009

    PS73, thinking of you and hope you have a good week.

    Paulding Mom, sorry to hear about your mom, Sally. Will add her to my prayers.

    On the topic of losing hair down under--I figure I'm getting my just dessert there. I gave my daughter a lecture last year about how terrible I thought Brazilian waxes are--that it's one thing to have a bikini wax so you can wear a hot swimsuit, but going entirely bare there seemed to me to pander to pedophiles. So, after that whole lecture to her, here I am anticipating an unwanted Brazilian wax.

    Oh, well! Now she can laugh at me!

    Deb

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Backagain- I loved the video!!!! I checked out the full version from practice to voting so I could see the whole thing. Wonderful and inspiring. 

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2009

    Hi JoaniLaughing

    How low were your counts???

    Mine were at 1.8 yesterday.

    Linda

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  • Twinmom77
    Twinmom77 Member Posts: 303
    edited July 2009

    Hi glassist - I got zapped with you on the 21st!  How are you feeling?

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  • joani
    joani Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2009

    LindaSueH

    My WBC was 1.5. I am OK today. I am staying in my house and away from anybody. My granddaughter wanted to come over yesterday and I said no, today she woke with strep throat. So glad she didn't come over!!  

     I hope everyone did OK today on their Chemo. I have another week before I go again. Whew.

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  • KarenVW
    KarenVW Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone!  I am hoping and praying you are all doing well. 

    Backagain - thanks for the beautiful video.

    PauldingMom - sorry to hear about your mother - I hope she will be joing us.

    It was fun seeing the insomniacs last night.  If I had known you were up I would have chimed in.  I am definitely wired on the steriods.  Perhaps we can start a late night steriod group  :)

    Today was a VERY bizarre day for me.  When I stepped on the scale in the onco's office my phone rang, and for some reason I answered.  It was my mother-in-law telling me my ex was in the ER trauma unit (we are friends).  He passed out while driving and hit someone head on. My first thought - is this God telling me to run out of here??  When I confirmed he was not going to die, I decided to go ahead with the chemo given I postponed starting last week, and then headed over to the hospital.  He is pretty banged up (collapsed lung, broken ribs, serated spleen, etc), but quite frankly lucky to be alive.  And of course, we are concerned about why he passed out.  The irony is he was supposed to take the kids on vacation this Saturday, so THANK GOD this didn't happen with the kids in the car.

    Overall my chemo went very well.  Not what I expected though.  I figured I would listen to my meditation tapes and go to sleep in the comfortable lounge chair.  Instead I met some amazing women and we gabbed and gabbed the entire time - all of us strung out on steriods.  I feel good - no side effects yet - drinking lots of water, sucked on ice chips during treatment, trying to eat lots of protein.

    Take care everybody!

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited July 2009

    How are all the chemo starters today?

    KarenVW, sorry about your other news, but your chemo sounds like it went well.

    Mine was fine too. The port worked a treat. Took my laptop but didn't get it out. Took a book, didn't read a single page. Took some sudoku puzzles, started 2 but didn't finish either! It was pretty busy in the chemo room and I chatted, ate lunch etc and the three hours went pretty quickly.

    Lisa, sorry about your Mom. Is she going to post?

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  • balsie
    balsie Member Posts: 391
    edited July 2009

    hello chemo friends~

    I had my friend Shave my head today...it was coming out like crazy (day 14) My niece came over and I have to admit I cried like a baby and then I went to the phone called my friend and hair dresser to shave it off.  She told me what time everyone would be out of the salon and we took care of it.  I was sad but now I feel like that is over with and lets move on.  My niece God bless her...told me I was still pretty.  My husband was out on the golf course...so when he got home and saw me ...he had tears in his eyes and told me he was sorry I had to go through this and thanked my niece for going with me...he has been so sweet&supportive  through this whole thing. (he also told me I am still the prettiest lady he has every laid eyes on)Kiss   Losing my hair was hard on me and I am sure many of you feel the same way.  I somewhat feel relieved that this is now taken care of.  Tomorrow is a new day and I am not going to feel bad anymore! 

    I hope everyone is doing as best they can tonight...

    You are all in my prayers and well wishes,

    Balsie~

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Karen W. So sorry to hear about your Ex. but also worried about you going to the hospital. You be sure to wash those hands when you leave and use hand sanitizer. Don't make me come over there! I pray that they find out why he passed out and he heals up quickly. Saying a prayer of thanks for those babies of yours too.

    GillyOne I told Mom to post, even sent her a link, now I know she had to work yesterday and has alot on her mind but I still hope she gets on board with us. She has her first Chemo. on the 29th. so she will be a Triple J too! Ya'all are gonna like her. She is a wonderful woman and we are practically twins. 

    Balsie-I teared up at your post.Cry I am struggling with this damn hair and know you are braver than I. My husband keeps telling me it doesn't look bad yet and I guess it doesn't but when I comb it in the morning it's really creepy. Have to clean the sink, counter and run the vacume. The other night, for no reason I caught him looking at me and said, "What?" he replied, "ya know, you got a real pretty shaped head." I guess he is working on dealing with it too and he really made me happy to hear him say that. 

    I now have three wigs! But only one I like. The other two were given to me and neither of them fit my pin size head, nor are they the right color or cut. I ordered a petite from TLC yesterday. Can't wait to get it. Perhaps that will help me have more courage to shave it off. 
    I hope all you first Chemo. gals are doing great this morning. Remember to try and eat, I promise it will make you feel better if you can. 

    Hugs all around,

    Lisa

    P.S.  MOM!!?? Where are you??? 

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  • KarenVW
    KarenVW Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2009

    Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers.  I am still feeling good today, just a little constipated.  Going to get the car accident stuff cleaned up while I have the energy. 

    PaulingMom:  You are absolutely right - I am taking the kids today to see their dad and then my hospital duty is done.  His whole family is off to Myrtle Beach for the week (and my kids are still going to go), but my sister and others will cover the hospital as needed.  Thanks for your concern.  It's a long drive from GA, but I sense you'd do it if you had to.  :)

    How did everyone else do yesterday?

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2009

    Helloooooo Triple J's!!!!!!Tongue out

    Well, yesterday was tx #2!!!!    I was nervous about getting the blood count first as I was talking to someone who was leaving that didn't get to have her treatmentYell and I didn't want that to happen to me!  Took my senocot last night and had a great nights sleep.  Will go to my BFF's house this afternoon for my day after shot.  I woke up with cotton mouth and have been drinking lots of water.  I got about 8 hours sleep last night, but still feel kinda tired.

    My BFF had shaved my head on the 19th day as it was coming out pretty good and I was tired of cleaning it up.  I told her to shave it all the way down, but she couldn't do it (I think she was having a harder time with than I was!).  Anyway she took me down to stubble.  I have a wig and scarves, but I never have liked hats on my head at all! So, I said screw it, I'm not wearing them (for now), and I haven't.  I have had several people tell me I look like GI Jane.  Also have heard "well at least you have a nice shaped head".  At least I'm cleaning it up all the time.  I will update my photo so you all can see me.

    Hello Newbies!!!  So many of us...I can't seem to read and scroll down and post, etc.   So for today I will just say that it is not as bad as you think before starting chemo.  It sucks, but it is doable. 

    How many of you are having radiation treatments following chemo?     I will be getting 36 tx that will start about September 24.

    May God bless you all and keep you safe from this beast.  I think the devil has something to do with the whole cancer thing.  He will not win!  We will survive!!!

    Have a great day everyone!Smile

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  • Kathy16
    Kathy16 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone,

     It sounds like everyone's chemo went well yesterday - Karen - so glad you still were able to go forward with your chemo, but after that phone call I hope they gave you Ativan or something cool in you IV.

    I'm happy to say I'm out of the insomniac group (I hope) b/c I told the doc that the steriods kept me up for almost a week despite valium and ambien.  This time they gave me Ativan pills - I took 1 mg. and woke up once at 3 a.m. and then slept until 6.  Total probably 7 hours sleep which last cycle on sterioids I got 1 or 2 hour catnaps in the night and was up for the rest of 22 hours. 

    Balsie - today is my shave and wig style day and I can't wait.  I have plenty of hats and scarves but I'm look forward to having hair that isn't falling out! 

    Gilly - sorry about your mom - another triple JJJ to add to the prayer list.

    Hope everyone else is doing well.  Enjoy the wonderful weekend if you live in the east - looks like we have nice weather today.

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    White 929 I am doing radiation after chemo. too. Pain in the butt because the closes place to get the therapy is about 45 minutes away. It will take about 3 hours ever stinking day for 35 business days!  I wish they could send the machine home with me so I could do Rads. in my basement. Something tells me they won't go for that, wishful thinking. 

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2009

    Still doing ok here thank you for all the tips, i went to work today but came home early just got really tired all of a sudden, i am on day 4, yesturday had such a headache just layed around and tryed to sleep.. those steroid are strong........its like you sleep but your awake,  i am a light weight so 1 anti nausea pill knocks me out,  Feel great today ......Balsie i am going through the hair thing too, i have an appt next week to have it cut short... i think i might just be one of those empowered woman and just were a cotton cap from tlc..i have tryed wigs just can 't find the right one ...oh ladies this will make you laugh......i am a chef in a very busy kitchen..can u imagine the chef coming out to say hello and the wig is all singed ......lol   remember the wigs are very flamable

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2009

    Morning All...

    Well, I hate to be a downer, but my first A/C on July 20th has really knocked me down a few notches. Nausea every day except the day after.  Today is a little better (day 5). Onc said worst days would be 3-5, as far as how I feel...wbc would be lowest day 8-11. Really don't feel myself, weird smell all the time, nothing tastes right. Hoping for some relief soon.

    White & Pauldingmom...I will be on 36 rads as well, but I have 6 months of chemo, so will be doing rads about mid January or so.    sighh!!

    I have been cold since my day one treatment..anyone else notice this?

    Also, wondering if anyone else is NOT getting neulasta or neupogen? My onc is waiting to see how my count is.

    Michelle, thinking of you.

    Joni1

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  • Carole01
    Carole01 Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2009

    Jacee,

    I feel your pain.  7/20 was my 1st day too. Day 3 & 4 sucked day 5 have been sleeping a lot but feel a little better.  Not too much nausea but can't figure out what to eat nothing taste real good.  Bad metal taste in my mouth.  Have had a lot of pain in tummy area from swelling saw PS today he said that was normal.  I have not been so much cold but have been having  severe hot flashes like crazy.  Tomorrow will be a better day.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited July 2009

    Hi ALL,  I have been reading and reading to prepare for my 1st next week...words cannot express how grateful I am to belong to such a strong and compassionate group...I am soooo ready to get started so I can finish Laughing

    Paulding: your mom and I will start on the same...what is her cocktail?

    Eliz46: thanks for the PM

    Joni1: I am sorry that you are experiencing so much nausea...I have been thinking of you too

    you are all in my prayers...

    Lots of HUGS and WELL Wishes to all

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited July 2009

    Jacee and Carole01 - so sorry you are not feeling good. Hope things improve soon.

    I will be having rads after chemo. No idea what that will involve - will deal with it when I get there. I had my first tx yesterday (DD A/C) and will get the neulasta shot today. With DD I believe the thinking is that you only have 14 days to recover so we might as well give those white blood cells a boost.

    I have a question about all the fluids we are supposed to drink. I was recommended 3 liters per day. Now does this apply every day (I understand it can do me no harm, but...) or only on chemo days and a couple of days after? It is hard to imagine doing it everyday, but perhaps that is why you more experienced gals mention different ways to drink fluids.

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited July 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    I'm going to the hair-cutter & I'm gonna get sha-a-a-ved, goin' to the hair-cutter today (sung to "Going to the Chapel)  Help, my lint roller is not keeping up; gonna shave it all off at 3:30PDT-I will be crying tonight I'm sure, but damn-I do not like the hair clean-up thing!!!

    For those of you not feeling good or have bad tastes in mouth, try Wint-O-Green lifesavers.  They have seemed to help me quite a bit.

    Hope everyone has a better than bad, greater than good day!

    Joni2  

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Eliz46-Yeah a wig doesn't sound like the ansewer for chef. Besides don't you have to wear a head covering anyway, like a chef hat?

    Jacee-My mom's Onc. isn't doing Neulast either. He does the wait and see approach too. Odd isn't it. Hope you feel better real soon.

    O2behealthy-She is getting the same as me, Taxotere, Cytoxin 3 weeks apart X 4. No Neulasta unless needed. 

    Eph 3-12 (one of these days I'm gonna look that up) You are braver than me. I just can't bring myself to do it yet. I'm starting to think my hair looks very old and I have to cover spots with poofing and hair spray, not a problem for us 1980's girls, we have poof and spray down to an air form. You crack me up with your songs.

    I just got more beads to make more bracelets for my mom's chemo. If this keeps up I'm gonna need longer arms! 

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