Starting Chemo in July 2009

Thank you for all the info and Kim I hope you are feeling better.

Faith over Fear

Kara

PauldingMom I'm really glad you are feeling good with your hair gone. I know I did and most people around me were expecting me to be terribly upset. We may as well get to enjoy what we can about this. It's good that your daughter was able to help you with it too.

LOL at gas, BO and clown lips! I have noticed some BO, not so much gas as yet, not very sexy but also not bothered. Hang in there, we can get through this.

Did not a great weekend, just wanted to run away but had nowhere to run to.  Went to onc today WBC was extremely low and had to be put on antiboitics plus I was dehydrated had to be given fluids.  One more week to 2nd tx and then the hair goes.  I can't wait. 

On a brighter note, My Hubby made me virgin lemonade daiquiri's it really helped with metal mouth and hotflashes. 

Hey everybody,The people who losing hair let it go. you will be surprised how liberating you will feel. i dreaded losing mine and I felt so much better after it was done. #3 chemo is Wednesday. Anyone else going that same day. I am just ahead of most because my first was the last of June. This month is flying by. I have decided that I am going to run my life and cancer can just fit it. I am  chemo sickness and the SE. Anybody else feel the same way.

Jewlls about the shakes, it is from the steriods. I had the same thing. Strength and attitude are all the difference in this disease. You fight it with all your might and never give up. What are you taking?

Strength and Hugs to all Dianne

stef58 - love the attitude!!!  I am so with you on that!  

My hair goes tomorrow- I'm tired of cleaning it up!  

Can anyone help me with sending a private message.  Tried to send one but couldn't type in who it was going to. Not only due we have to deal with all this but computer wants to be difficult.  Just keep smiling I tell myself over and over. I have an attitude tonight, I think that is what happens when you drink bubble-less, warm,ginger ale. I keep telling myself not to complain it could always be worse.         For all of you who shaved this week or are going to shave  Remember You are BEAUTIFUL.   Good luck all with your SE. Hope and pray they are mild..You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  We are strong !!!

Oh Pauldingmom - please don't tell me I now have to worry about BO!  I don't remember that on the list of SE's!  You are too funny tho. 

I've been telling my daughter (15) some of the witty things I've read on these boards - she says cancer people are funny.  I said, yup - it's laugh or cry - might as well try to find the humor in it.

After lurking on these boards since January when I had a suspicious mammogram and was hoping to be in the 80% that end up being benign (no such luck), I've finally gotten up the nerve to post.  Looks like I'm a Triple J with you ladies - finally started 4 rounds (3wk) Taxotere/Cytoxan on July 13th with a shot of Neulasta the next day.  Actually did pretty well - just some heartburn from the dexamethasone and some bloating and constipation.  Tired on day 3, but that was about it.  Did have some foreshadowing of things to come with some scalp sensitivity later in the first week, but that went away until last night.  Did have some soreness in the fingernails I didn't expect so soon though.  Thought that was weird. 

But I think the hair is starting to go - it's day 15 for me.  Onc said 3 weeks, but I don't know - I think it's starting.  Was pretty freaked out thinking about it last week - but I've calmed myself down.  Not enough to shave it though.  I think I will remain in some state of quasi-denial until it looks so bad I don't have a choice.  It's slightly longer than shoulder length.  I don't like the way I look in short hair - I don't even like the way I look in a pony tail - so bald is definitely going to be a problem for me.  I need my hair to take some attention away from my face - I'm not terribly attractive as it is - AND I've been having problems with my skin for much of the last year - so this is going to be a challenge on many levels.

It's so nice to be able to commiserate with you ladies.

Hi Seyla888 - I get confused by the staging as well.  I think when people break down stage 1 into 1a, 1b, and 1c, they are referring to the AJCC staging system with TNM definitions - tumor, node, and metastases and I think they are referring to the tumor size.  For example, my tumor was 1.5cm so I was T1c.  My nodes were clean so I was N0 and I didn't have any scans for mets, so I was MX.  Technically, there is no stage 1a or 1b as far as overall staging goes.

Here's a link on the AJCC staging system:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/HealthProfessional/page4

This web page shows what TNM classifications fall within each of the overall stages. 

Hope the link works - hope it helps clarify things. 

Having my second round of AC today. Hope the SE are not as bad this time on my stomach! Been feeling normal for the past 4 days and could'nt believe how good I felt yesterday which makes today a little harder knowing I will not feel that great for the next week. But got to get this one down and two more to go of this stuff. Will have to catch up on the posts I am behind on reading them. Hugs to all when up to it I will be back to see how everyone is doing.

Edie

Kathy 16..glad to hear you are ok..tricky with the laxs and diarrhea but i feel i'd rather have it eliminating then festering! i still have h/a despite increasing electrolyes. thrush all over my tongue and 2 bloody stools later waiting for my onco to call..hoping i can make my appt tomorrow. MAG 7 members...where you at?

Think of you all, all the time

Hi Steph58

My 3rd chemo (having 4 of AC & 4 Taxol) is Wednesday also, followed Thursday with the neulasta shot. Hair is gone, started falling out on day 14 after first treatment, 3 days later had it shaved cause I couldn't stand it all over the place. The first chemo & shot were the worst for me, 3 days after neulasta shot I was in bed all day with headaches and my breast hurt the most. 2nd chemo & shot was not as bad,no headaches only a lot of pain with the breast & breast bone. Has anyone had reconstruction with tram flap??  If so, do you have a lot of pain at the site after your neaulasta shot. It seems since I started the chemo & neulasta it hurts a lot more. 

  Were all kicking cancers butt, Hopeing everyones treatment goes well today, there are so many of us,  went for my blood count today. things still going well.  

Good morning, JJJ's. Well today is #13 since first chemo hair is going fast, hair down there started yesterday and today my hair on my hair is coming out fast, Will let  14 year old daughter shave tomorrow. My hair is very thick, so, maybe I will lose a few pounds, .

Hope every one is well, I plan on going back to work on Friday, have been holding off because I didn't know how I would handle 12 hour shifts, only going to work 1-2 days a week and taking a week off after chemo, next chemo is in 1 week.

God Bless, Lori