Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • DeniseM808
    DeniseM808 Member Posts: 32
    edited August 2009

    Michelle - Re: Employment    The lbbc.org (LivingBeyondBreastCancer) had a recent podcast that covered employment concerns quite well. Look under the LBBC News tab for "Living Beyond Breast Cancer Teleconference Covered Employment Rights After Diagnosis". The information may help clarify some issues you may be thinking about right now.

    Love and hugs!

    DeniseM

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  • Shaesallah
    Shaesallah Member Posts: 33
    edited August 2009

    Hello Ladies-

    Just a few lines to say HI!

    I am feeling so much better now that the bone pain os over (for now anyway).  I went last Thursday and had my weekly blood test, my white count was at 13.1 YAY.  So the Neulasta shot did it's job!  I feel very lucky that I have had some SE's but I can love with them, of course the bone pain was the worst SE I have had so far, Knock on Wodd!!!

    I Pray everyday for each of you to to get make it thru with the best of all lofe has to offer!

    On a more personal note, I have a grandson (almost 17 the end of this month) his name is J.R. He has been a runa away more times than I can count in the last year and into drugs.  J.R. really is a good kid, just lost his way in the last 1 to 2 years.  Currently he is in Juvenile Lock up so he is off the drugs.  But, they had tested and he is positive for Hep C.  This kid has always been my favorite (I really work hard not showint it since I have 10 grandkids).  But he knows how I feel,  Since ny daughter had to tell me about him and the  Hep C I have been devasted to say the least.  I feel so damn helpliess being stuck here in Kansas and the them in San Diego. 

    I get so damn depressed with all the personal life crap, mostly finances sucks and that is when we have money for the basics.....but now this just seems like one more thing to break the camels back!!  Too many nights crying to sleep with worry. 

    Thanks for listening....

    My Prayers for all

    Shae    

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009

    Good morning Triple J's. Greetings from a grey and rainy UK.

    I am on day 14 of my 2nd round of FEC and feeling good. This 2nd round was a little harder on me than the 1st, I had more fatigue but could have been a lot worse.

    Kim I hope the antibiotic is working on your sinus infection. I also had some pimple type things appear on my scalp. What I did was wash the area with an antibacterial wash I have been using anyway that has aloe vera in it, then I took a cotton wool ball moistened with water, put some 3% hydrogen peroxide on it and applied that to the pimples. I saw the idea on another thread, can't remember which one now. So far that seems to have worked for me.

    Michelle I had to laugh at the thought of you opening your own pharmacy :) Like you I hardly ever took so much as an aspirin before BC and now I have so many different drugs. It is still hard for me to remember to take the correct pills at the correct time for the first few days of every round of chemo. I have to make a chart and tick them off as I take them. Even then dh has to remind me sometimes.

    I am trying to psych myself up to go out for a walk in the rain, I know I'll feel better for having the fresh air.

    I wish you all a very good Tuesday. Hugs to all.

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009

    White-I hope your infection is getting better. I'm also wishing that all of you with SE, especially infections, are doing better today. 

    Shae Prayers added for you young grandson, you and your family.

    On a lighter note-I noticed that there is a "Starting Chemo in August" topic now. For some reason I feel like some kinda old pro at this chemo stuff. I'm gonna go pay them a visit.  

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

    Goodness Gracious...The east coast and UK is posting and I haven't gone to bed yet!  I am soooo going to regret this tomorrow...opps! TODAY!

    Wishing everyone a SE free day!

    Lots of Hugs -

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited August 2009
    <<<-------Just for fun!!! Hope you are SMILING!EmbarassedSmile
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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited August 2009
    PauldingMom I love it! Certainly made me smile Smile
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  • josybee
    josybee Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2009

    I will be having my 4th AC next week (8/12) 4th neaulasta shot (8/13) Then I will start Taxol and Herceptin ( Taxol every other week X4 and Herceptin every week for 8 weeks. Afetr that I will be on Herceptin for 1 year every three weeks.  Anyone having the same kind of treatment or know anyone that has done the Herceptin???

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited August 2009

    hahahah love it Paulding Mom!!  awesome!

    Josybee - I am on the same regimine but you are a little ahead of me.  Congrats on being almost done w/ AC.  Only difference is I will go on taxol/herceptin weekly for 12 weeks. 

    Im NOT looking forward to tomorrow at all - 3rd tx of AC - uuuuuggghhh.

     I heard the herceptin is the 'easiest' in terms of immediate SEs.

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  • glassist
    glassist Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2009

    I know this has been mentioned several times, but I got this link from another site and I found it to be very interesting on the subject of Vitamin D and cancer prevention.

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2009

    Shae....

    Sending HUGE prayers your way!!!

    Linda

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

    Paulding:  I love the Pic!!!!! Made me LOL...

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  • joani
    joani Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2009

    I had my 2nd A/C yesterday. I am feeling pretty good so far. I also had my PICC line put in yesterday. It was a piece of cake and took  no time at all. No Pain. And it worked like a charm. I was eligble fora PORT, so this is better than my veins. Just hope I can always keep it dry! I wish my mastecomy scars were better. Has anybody else had any trouble with the scar tissue being thick and lumpy? I go to P/T once a week but I don't see much improvement. I massge the are and exercise all day long. I am a but discouraged. My other side still has a hematoma in it. I see the surgeon again tomorrow to get more drained off. Very discouraged with the slowness of healing. Thanks for listening.

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2009

    Joani...

    Did you have tissue expanders placed at the time of surgery???  I had a bilateral mastecomy June 4, with tissue expanders, and have not had any problems.

    Linda

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

    Paulding-you bear a striking resemblence to Mr. Bill of Saturday Night Live fame!!

    I'm thinking that the steroids the onc had me take this time around becuz "I'm supposed to", but were inadvertenly left out of the regmine back @ tx #1 are responsible for the ass-kicking I've been experiencing.  I'm telling her no way Jose (or Ivan since she's Slavic) next time.

    Joni2 

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2009

    I havent been here in a few days. been very busy getting thing done. my second treatment is aug 11 its coming fast, my hair is going too, i havent figured out what to wear on my head yet, the wig thing is just not me im going for gi jane look .........just not to sure what im gonna look like.  i have always been known as the girl with big hair.lol

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  • joani
    joani Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2009

    Linda Sue H  I had my bi mast on June 16. I did have have any expanders or anything else done at this time. Right now I am glad I didn't. I know the hematome would have made me have trouble with them. I saw the physical therapist today and she says some of the scar tissue is better than it was last week when I last her. Didn't seem like it to me, but she could notice it. Said I was making baby steps. I am discouraged however with the slowness of my healing. Nothing hurts anyway!

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2009

    Joani...

    Will be praying for that scar tissue to heal.....No pain is a GOOD thing!!!

    Linda

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2009

    Connie - you are very strong to be taking, I believe, the every 2 week treatment.  What do the ice chips do to help?

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Hello Triple J's

    Hope all are doing well.

    Carole - I hope your feeling better after TX2.  I also hope you have minimal SEs this round.  I will be thinking of you and praying for you.

    PS73 -  Hope your doing well after TX3 of AC.  Just think 1 more and your done with AC. You've come so far and before you know it you will be done.

    If this helps any, my TX3 that I got yesterday is much easier and I'm feeling good to great.  I sucked on ice chips so food tastes fine.  I'm drinking a gallon of water and vitamin water each day.  Dexamethasone was cut in half for TX2 and TX3 so no more red dots on my head and shoulder.  No SEs this time except for the passing of gas out my _ss.  No more sleepless nights thanks to taking one 4mg dexa earlier in the evening followed by 2 benadryl.  No acid reflus thanks to daily Prilosec.  The only SE this time which I mentioned to my Onco Nurse during my Neulasta was a flatulence issue - well at least it gave my Onco nurse, my husband and me a lot of laughs. 

    Well one more AC followed by 4 Taxol every two weeks and if all stays on track Oct 12 is the last day of treament - Yippee!

    To those who are looking for employment, I'm not a professional resume writer, but I've had 5 amazing, high paying jobs and I voluntarily left 4 and still work for my 5th employer.  I would be happy to try to help review, enhance or give feedback on your resume. If your interested send me a private message and I'll try to help you with your resume. I've been working every day remotely for my employer via phone and computer so I can only try to help during evening hours.

    I hope everyone has minimal SEs and I pray for all of us to heal as quickly and easily as we can.

    Connie

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2009

    Shae - I am thinking and praying for you to have strength to get through this.  You must be selfish at this point and concentrate on yourself and get well.

     PauldingMom - will probably also check in on August group as I'll be completing AC on Sept. 3 and then starting up the taxol weekly x 12.  I first joined the June group and learned so much from them - i started treatment july 3.  Your experience and your wit will be an inspiration to those just starting out.  Love the smile!!

    glassist - what is the site?

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Pdaw - I was told to do ice chips all during Adriamycin and Cytoxin.  I suck and chomp on 3 cups of ice chips through treatment.  I have had hardly any changes in taste, no mouth sores and no white tongue.  I also rinse the first 3 days about 6 times per day with biotene.  The Oncologist have visited the chemo room and saw that I was the only one sucking on ice but gave me the thumbs up and said I was doing the right thing to avoid SEs in the mouth.  My mom is a 12 yr BC survivor and had no SEs until bone pain from Taxol.  Now the docs have the purest form of glucosamine to help with the bone pain from Taxol so that might not be an issue for me.

    Back to the ice chips, it constricts blood flow to the mouth area and according to the docs, I don't need chemo in my mouth so limiting it in my mouth area is fine and will help avoid the SEs in the mouth.

    Hope this information helps you and others.

    Hope you have a wonderul night!

    Connie

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  • SallyMae
    SallyMae Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2009

    Hi tripple JJJ's,  Its been a busy week so far.  Felt better on Monday so went to the "Lood Good, Feel Better" group that was meeting.  Boy oh Boy did they give us a lot of stuff.  Creams, lotions, make up base, lipsticks, eye liner and shadows.  You name it, it was in there.  Also met some awsome ladies.  They went through how to take care of a wig.  How to put it on.  How to make a turbon out of an old T-shirt, scarves, etc.  My head is getting very sensative so I am expecting the old grey hair to start falling out.  We will be visiting with my daughter next week and I think I will  let her cut it all off.  So get the clippers ready, Paulding Mom.  Our oldest daughter will be visiting also so I think we will make it  a "shave the old ladies head " party.    Got me some pretty new bra's today.  It is nice NOT to walk around lopsided.  You look better in your cloths also. (Ha Ha)!!!

    Well girls keep your chin's up.  WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!

    Love you all.

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited August 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    I need all the support I can get. I went to see the oncologist today. And she told me, that my treatment will began 8/6/09.  I'm so nervious. My hair is very long. I didn't get a chance to cut it short. And I will be starting chemo this week.  I'm very depressed I don't have much time to get a hair cut.  PLEASE HELP ME.......  Also did anyone of you ladies work while you were going through your treatment...My doctor told me and I can work, but the day I'm getting my treatment she suggested I don't work that day, because I will be were weak and tired...

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  • Carole01
    Carole01 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2009

    You are in the right place.  The ladies in here a very positive and give you a lot of info.  Just reading their post has helped me a lot.

    I along with several others here have not had our hair cut. Mine is long and thick also.  Several here have kept hair around the hairline and look like they have hair when wearing hats.

    Be strong you will be okay.

     Carole

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  • Hopeful-1
    Hopeful-1 Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2009

    Hello Tara35,

    I also had very long hair and donated 12 inches to Locks of Love on July 4th (2 days before 1st chemo).  Something good can  come out of something bad.

    I also worked full time since i've been diagnosed May 26 and have used minimal sick time for surgery and treatment.  I am fortunate that I am able to work from home using my computer and phone so that helps me put in almost 40 hrs per week. I switched my chemo appt from 9 am on Monday every other week to 1:30 pm on Monday so I can work online from 7 am to 12:30pm. I'm able to work full days every day after chemo.  My coworkers say they are amazed that I'm working full time and it helps keep my mind off the BC thing.  I think working for me is good therapy and keeps me productive. 

    Although i understand the depression which only affected me during day 5 and 6 after 1st chemo, I hope you stay stong, positive and talk to your doctor about the depression.  I think if you can try to keep a positive happy outlook during this difficult time can really make a difference.

    I feel for you during this difficult time and if it's any consolation I just finished roung 3 of AC have 1 more to go followed by 4 Taxol and I feel great.  My only side effect this time is uncontrollable flatulance.  It is giving me and my husband a lot of laughs even though it is quite embarrassing.  Don't think I'll be leaving the house too much this week and I hope this SE is temporary.

    Hugs to you and I wish I could help you overcome that depression.

    Connie

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  • BlessedOne2
    BlessedOne2 Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2009

    PS73 - your tx plan is the same as mine.  I will have #2 of 4  A/C tomorrow. Then taxol and herceptin weekly x12.  This will be followed by endocrine therapy and possibly a clinical trial for bone strengthening.

    Eliz46 - the wig thing is not for me either.  I had long, thick hair that I cut in June.  My hair has been coming out since day 15 post first treatment.  I will probably get it all cut off tomorrow before I go for tx2.  It is tough trying to decide what to go with (hats, scarves, caps or all)  especially when I didn't do either before BC. It's time to experiment with some new looks and styles.Smile

    Shae - You are in my prayers.  Try to let go of your grandson's situation and Let God handle it. He is still in control. The worry isn't going to do YOU any good.  I know b/c I've traveled a similar journey.

    Tara - You're definitely in the right place for support, encouragement and guidance.  Hair usually doesn't fall out immediately so you have some time to get it cut between your 1st and 2nd tx.  It may help to get it cut twice so that it isn't so overwhelming for you.   What chemo will you be starting with?  I have having my second tx of A/C tomorrow.   Be strong for me and I'll be strong for you.

    Wanda    

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2009

    Hopeful 1 ....I too am still working also ......just 1 day out ..bad headache day 4, otherwise all has been good .i seem to get tired fast ,but my work is working with me,  i go for my second round on aug 11 ....i to drink at least a gallon of water everyday with electrolites or lemon juice and also ice chips during treatment time, i am also sure to take asodolpholis capsules. which is the cultures in yougurt ...Thank for the update on your treatment. I can't say enough how wonderful this whole group of woman are were making it through all of this with flying colors ..we need to put all this info in a book ..i to pray for minamal se to everyone,  were speeding through august......have a great night

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  • KarenVW
    KarenVW Member Posts: 92
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone!  Hope you are all staying strong!

    Thanks for all the tips for managing hot flashes - lock up in a small cool room, ice on your inner wrist and cold towel on back of your neck.  I will try all of them when they return.  Seems like I only get them the week after treatment.

    PaulingMom - love the pic and big smile!

    Jayne/Michelle - I was also taking zero drugs before BC.  Now I am amazed at all the 'stuff' I take and have on hand 'just in case'.

    Eliz46 -  I too am the girl with the BIG hair.  I did however find a wig that works so don't give up.  I'm still trying to determine whether or not I will shave my head.   I am day 13 post 1st treatment and my hair is starting to come out when I brush it.  But because my hair is so thick, it is not at all noticable yet.  I think I'll just keep brushing and see what happens . . .

    Best wishes to everyone!!

    Karen

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

    I am day 13 out from first treatment and nothing is happening to my hair!!! (Except I'm getting compliments for my temporary short "sassy" cut). Who has gone the longest from first tx for hair fallout so far?

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