Starting Chemo in July 2009

PauldingMom:  That stinks that you have to go 45 minutes away for rads!  Can't wait to get through the whole dang thing!  I only have to go about 15 minutes to get rads.  I travel one hour to get to chemo in Chicago.  That is where my onc is at.  I'm pretty tired today, but trying to drink down my wonderful water.  I drink, I pee, I drink, lay down, get up, pee, drink, etc.

I guess my onc is proactive on the shot to help with the counts.  It worked the first time!

Eph3_12:  I understand the hair thing as I shaved mine down to a mear stubble on Tuesday.  It's not the easiest thing to see yourself like, but it could be worse.  My DH tells me how cute I look all the time and that it doesn't matter what it is on the outside, it is what is inside that counts.  We have been married 25 years this Sept and are just as in love with each other now as we were then.

Nothing tastes good, but I keep trying to eat.  Keep brushing my teeth and rinsing with Biotene which helps. Days 7-20 are the best I think.

Good luck to all starting Chemo and all that are along with me!   (((HUGS)))

Joni sorry to hear that it knocked you out.  ..but glad day five is a little better. 

I had heat sweats on m first round but my second round is everything my first round was but earlier and a little more SEs like acid reflux.  First round, day 5 hit me hard.  Second round day 3 (today) is awful.  I can't open my mouth, my throat hurts so bad.  My body is sore to the touch and of course the emotional aspect of shaving my head today.  My DH thought it was sweet to put a little mullet action on the back of my neck and ears so that when I wear a hat or scarf it isn't as noticable.  ...now I have to go back and re-shave it bc he used the number 12 blade and that is about an inch of hair that keeps falling out everywhere.  He was very sweet and came home and brought me soup but I couldn't get off the sofa to have him shave off the rest.  Maybe tonight bc not only is it a mullett, but its a mullett made of knives.  Joni 2, Im with you, shave the shit off pronto!   ..the only hair not falling out is my leg hair and where exactly is the justice in that?

 Just want to raise a glass of milk of magnesia to the ladies who are going thru these awful SEs and work right now.  Cheers

jacee.....

I'm on AC and not getting the neulasta shot either....didn't have to do blood until 10 days after my first chemo.  My blood count was low, but she siad it is working and that is what it is supposed to do.  I go for my second trmt on Wed and I am not looking forward to it!

Feel better....

Hugs and prayers,

Linda

LindaSue,  I've had first tx and next is 8/5. That is when my wbc will be checked.  Were you given explanation for checking it about mid-way after first tx?

Welcome shelclaire!

Yes we all we wish weren't here, but if we have to be, this is a great group of ladies to go through this experience with. Look forward to getting to know you.

Hi Ladies~

I wore my wig out today...got a lot of compliments.  Really anybody looking for a wig..check out Raquel Welch wigs on the inter.  They are light and real looking for not a bad price at all.  I have to go to a staff party tonight...1st night with my co workers.  I will be glad to break the ice before school starts in the fall.  You ladies understand that ...right?  It is a whole new world out there. 

If you are scared about shaving your head don't be....today I felt good about walking around my house and not worrying about dropping hair everywhere...It really is a relief. 

eliz46....I am not taking a neulasta shot either.  My onc. said I didn't need one right now.

I have chemo again next Thursday...I meet with the onc. on Monday.  I will ask him about the neulasta shot.  I am also going to ask if the side effects are cummulative....do they get worse or

better as it gets more in my system. Do any of you know this?

Well I am off to a party....I will try to behave myself.

healing wishes to all

Balsie~

Hi shelclaire - I started TCH on the 21st.  It's nice (in a weird way!) to see another ER/PR+ HER2+ on here.  Makes me feel not as alone! I feel pretty good actually and I'm hoping it stays that way, other than I'm hungry but nothing sounds good to me.  I too have a Vitamin water addiction now!

Hey Shelclaire-  Welcome...it looks like me and you are on the same sch my first TCH was on July 15 also...I use to be a diet pepsi only drinker...but just like you it burns my throat!! Now I am drinking gatorade and I have come to really like it.  I guess we can go thru this together, the only other really bad SE I have had has been stomach cramps. I hope your SE are not that bad!! I see your from Jacksonville...I love that city it is so beautiful at the Landing!

Hi Everyone-my avatar shows the back of my head as of this afternoon!  Been doing some major crying.  I look STUPID and scarves, hats, etc. don't make it any better.  But tomorrow's a new day, right?

Joni2

With ya Joni 2 - I shaved my head today and cried cried cried.  I feel much better now though, the anticipation was not so great.  Im sure you will look beautiful in scarves, hats, turbons, wigs and all the like.  Just got to battle through this my dear.  ..we are all with you.

Puppy likes to walk on my port and lay on my GI Jane head.  How do you say bad dog, don't walk on mommy?  hmm.  Hoping for a better day tomorrow.  The round 2 SEs kicked my ars today.  Im on DD as well so I take the neulasta - the claritin didn't help or did just was more severe this time, who knows. I was told by my nurse that I could expect the SEs to be the same as the first round but so far they are stronger and earlier so I guess yes, cumulative.  So be it.  

Would love a Mr. Misty Cherry Vanilla shake right now.   ..wonder if Dairy Queen delivers at 3:15am?

Hi ladies (mostly of magnificent 7)..started cytoxan/taxotere thursday..brought a bag and never touched it. turned out i knew a few of the nurses there ( i was their kids school nurse) and the time and treatment flew by. went for nuelasta yesterday and had h/a and heartburn and had to recline in the afternoon.haven't slept between 3-6 am in days since starting dexadron and have to take it 2x day until tuesday. i too will be having rads right after 3 more cycles of c/t so when that group starts i'd love to keep in touch with all of you,too. getting the haircut today..always wanted a buzz!!! so great to come on here and laugh and cry with all of you. hope the ladies that started together are ok!! have a nice weekend ladies..i think of you all the time

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.  i am starting to feel myself again those steroids really hit hard like your the go go bunny.  im on day 5 and feeling good, drinking lots of water with ginger .....i am a chef ...my recipe is an alkaline drink, it dosent burn the tongue or the mouth. feels good .....i went to the store and bought a bag of cristalized ginger it has sugar on it and stuck it in a bottle of water ..plus the ginger helps with nausua..awwwwww relief finally .......eliz

oops I mean next Monday, Chemo has fried my brain already.

Happy Saturday Ladies. I pray everyone is doing OK today. I just came from having a full body massage. It was so wonderful. I had concentrated so much on my hurting and/or numb body parts that I had forgotten there are many parts of me still not hurting! It re-commected my body. The foot massage was the best! We have a local group that volunteers every Saturday to provide this and other alternative procedures free of charge to all B/C patients. What a wonderful group. They also put out all kinds of vegies and fruits freee from the farmers market and we can all sit and eat and talk. I just wanted to share my wonderful experience with you all. I am doing great today. Take each day as it comes.