Starting Chemo in July 2009

My hair started to shed on day 15. Still have some hair with a bald spot at back of head.  My thick, curly cut is now thin and mostly straight.

Pauldingmom- I love your smile!

Hopeful-1- just realized that you and my mom were diagnosed the same day and even have a very similar diagnosis, except she has ILC 1 cm, not IDC. I'm not sure of the grade of her tumor but she had 1/15 positive nodes, ER/PR+ and HER2-. Her treatment plan is also the same as yours- 4 A/C and 4 Taxol. I had never heard about glucosamine but I am going to look into it for the bone pain she may experience during Taxol. I'm glad to hear your SE's are reduced after cutting back on the steriod. Same with my mom, it seemed like most of her SE's the first time around were from the steriod and not the chemo!!! How ironic... Anyway, I am thinking of you and hope that the transition to Taxol goes well for you! Keep us posted!

 My mom is working through chemo and I think it's really good for her because it gets her mind off everything. She works from home the day of chemo and even does some of her work emails while actually getting the infusion.. I am so proud of her. So far, the Friday after she has felt too crummy to work but otherwise, she is working full time and her boss has been very good about everything. I'd advise any of you who can and who feel up to it to work when you can so there is still some sense of normalcy in your life! For my mom it is almost therapeutic, and I hope it is the same for some of you.

It's sort of relieving to see that my mom isn't the only one who didn't shave her head. I bought her the clippers like she asked me to, but she hasn't had the courage to let me shave it yet. Can't say I blame her- but I am ready just in case she changes her mind. There is hair ALL over our house and she has a few bald spots. It's been a rough couple days for her emotionally. She has strep throat and just can't seem to shake her cold, so she's been staying in the house when not at work. She's very motivated and a definite do-er so I think it's making her crazy to have to stay around the house, watching TV, etc. I think her new appearance and the fact that she isn't doing as much is making her feel like a "sick person," as she says.. I try constantly to cheer her up and to help her out with housework and dinners. I can't wait until she is feeling better because it bums me out so much to see her down.

I got an email from Laurie Erickson saying she sent my mom her free "It's a Wrap" yesterday- what a wonderful person she is. Her email was so sweet it made me cry. For those of you who haven't gotten your free scarf from France Luxe, I definitely advise you to do so.

As always, I'm enjoying keeping up with you beautiful women and am thinking of you all. Wishing you luck and minimal SE's as you are getting these annoying chemo sessions out of the way!

I meant your head will be chilly and cold in winter time, not in summer months.

 Sheila

Hi all you Beautiful Triple J's.   Hope everyone is having the best day possible.  Life is stressful and so is having B/C.   We  need to remember stress is harmful to our recovery and do what we can to eliminate it.   Vitamin D - laugh laugh laugh !!!  It isn't always easy I know.  Paulding mom loved the head shot  (it gave me my laugh).     Hoping has your mom had her throat ck'd?  It might be thrush rather than strep.  SallyMae I know what you mean about being lopsided- I received my temporary prosthesis today and can't wait until I can use it. Although my girlfriend tells me it is hardly noticeable ( I have never been very big breasted). The Surgeon wants me to wait 6 weeks post surgery so I have a while yet. And then I am going to strut my stuff.  Hoping everyone keeps their chin up and has a great day.  Prayers are with all of you.

Hello Triple J's,

Woke up today after a full night sleep thanks to 2 benadryl.  Hope everyone has minimal or no SEs and feels good or even great today.

Eliz46 - I admire you for working while your going through treatment  It's definitely not easy, but I really do think it helps me keep my mind off the BC worries and stuff.  Coworkers are constantly emailing me and calling me.  My supervisor is constantly telling me to take time off when I need to and the only time I really consider doing it is when I have an appointment or if I feel fatigue late in the afternoon.  My doc says sleep and rest is essential to getting better after each chemo TX.  Good luck with TX #2 on August 11th, I'll be thinking of you.  During TX2 I got acid reflux so keep an eye out for that SE if your getting AC.  My doc prescribed Prilosec 1 a day everyday during AC,but that was after I already had the acid reflux for 2 to 3 days before I called the doc.  The Prilosec is working, but I wonder if that is causing my flatulence. My doc also cut dexamethosone in half for IV on chemo day and next doses for 3 days because that caused almost all side effects from Chemo #1 (red dots on head and neck, constipation, sleeplessness, burping,etc.)  Since he cut my steroids in half, I don't have hardly any SEs, but he would only do it if I have no nausea which I don't thanks to Emend. 

I also see we have similar diagnosis. I'm on AC every 2 weeks for 4 cycles then Taxol every 2 wks for 4 cycles followed by hormonal therapy.  I want to remove my right breast and ovaries as a prophylactic measure and I hope to have that done after my last chemo on Oct 12.  My docs are supportive of my aggressive approach to prevent any reoccurrence.  Then hoping I can get DIEP flap sometime between Feb and May, but don't know if I have enough fat. 

 Hope you let us know how you do through TX2.  Good luck.

Connie

Gillyone - Lost my hair between days 17 through 20. I used a comb, the upholstry tool on the vaccuum and a lint roller on my head to avoid hair all over the house and speed up the process.  It didn't hurt and actually felt good. Hair hung on around hairline so when I wear hats or scarves you can't tell I'm mostly bald on top. No loss of facial hair or leg hair yet.  I don't love wearing a wig in 90 degree weather so the hats and scarves are much more comfortable.

 HopingforaCure845 - The over the counter medication that my Oncologist office recommends for bone pain is called Pure escapsulations l-glutamine powder hypoallergenic dietary supplement 1 teaspoon per day and my doc said I can start taking it anytime. Cost was about $25.  Your mom is so lucky to have you and I'm so proud of you for being there for her.  I'll definitely let you know how each TX goes since I'm slightly ahead of her and our treatments are similar. 

Wishing all a beautiful day.  Live, Love, Laugh!

Connie

Hi gals.

Thanks for the support.  Today is round 3 of AC then only one more in two weeks.  Ill be happy to have it behind me. 

Connie, you cracked me up with the flatulance, glad its not the nasty heartburn like the last round that you had.   A little gas (or big gas) is welcomed compared to the other SEs.

Blessed one, we are on the same regimine - Im one AC round ahead of you.  Drink lots of fluids.  I hated my tx 2 and am hoping 3 is better.  Been juicing all week in hopes it will be better.  cept have a bad back which flared up yesterday bc of nerves, am hoping the neulasta dosen't kick it into gear.  Joseybee we are also on the same regimine.  How are you doing w/ the treatments, you are one ahead of me on AC.  My nurse told me the 12 weekly taxols are better tolerated and the hospital is only 20min away.  Its a pain to get a ride weekly but Im so nervous about the taxol.  ...again, anticipating it like going for my first AC.  We ar kind of pros now aren't we?  I also like to look into the natural girls posts about alternative treatments and get an idea of what they are drinking and eating during tx - smart gals.

Tara, my hair fell out day 15 and continued until I shaved it to a buzz.  It was painful to have hair coming out but more in the physical sense bc it was a short hair cut and it hurt.  Day 10 I got a cute pixie (it was past my bra) and donated to wigs for kids.  Five days later I knew it would be gone and it was.  So far I have my eye lashes and eyebrows ...and lots of leg hairs.

Stay strong JJJs!

Seems like there are a few of us on 4xAC followed by 4xTaxol, on the 2 week plan. Then I see people on 12xTaxol. I wonder how they decide?

I should have kept my big mouth shut about my hair. Last night my scalp felt all tingly. I told DH it's going to start coming out today. He thinks I am nuts predicting it. But I've listened to you ladies. It's about the right time.

Tx2 tomorrow.

Keep well everyone.

PS73, Yes I am one ahead of you so I guess I will let you know how the 1st Taxol treatment goes when I have it. Next week (the 12th & 13th) is #4 AC/Neulasta. What is the Natural Girls Post???

Tara - what kind of treatment are you scheduled to take?  Don't worry about the hair just yet.  I'm on AC (adrimicin and cytoxin) every 3 weeks.  My hair began shedding more than usual on day 13.  it appears that most of us notice something around day 14.  My first treatment was july 2 and I still have some hair.  Yes, I'm wearing a wig, cause it's very thin especially on top - but when I wear a baseball cap there's still hair (though thin) peaking out from under the cap.  You have to choose the right decision for you.  For me, I thought that I could shave my head - but could not bring myself to do that.  My hair is fine anyway.  Now, I'm glad I did not because of what hair I still have.  Now, the rest might fall out within the next few days, but I'm only seeing a little bit each morning now when I wash it.  I would advise you to go ahead and get a wig if that's what you plan to do, so that you will have time to have it styled and have it when you need it.  If you just joined us for the first time, make sure you get your free wrap.  If you don't know what I'm talking about let us know.  If you have time to read all of this, you can find great tips for getting through this from the other posts.  But, most of all you will be grateful for the support from this group of strong, loving, praying women!  I have worked every day, except for treatment days and one other day when white blood count was low.  I actually went back to work after the last treatment and finished out my day.  My office is about 10 minutes from my cancer center.  I sure would not plan to work the first day because it's so stressful physically and emotionally.  I felt fine - just tired.  Like Connie, folks at my office are amazed that I'm able to work.  One of my doctors - advised me to not think too far ahead.  That works for me.  Another said think about looking forward to holidays - by Labor Day I'll be finished with AC and by Thanksgiving I'll be through with Taxol.  Like Connie also, I've had to deal with very few side effects.  Everyone is different and that's the disturbing thing - cause you don't know how it's going to affect you until you have that first treatment.  I slept really good the night of the first one - just to know it was behind me.

Wanda - good luck on 2^nd AC

Hoping for a cure -  my wrap was beautiful - but the note, signed by everyone in Laurie's office made me cry also!

 Pam

marielf - I am so sorry that all this has happened to you two as newlyweds, but I wanted to let you know that my sister had kidney cancer - contained and she needed no chemo or anything - over 16 years ago and she has been just fine.  She does take exceptional care of her other kidney, though - doesn't take any medicines that doctor warns her not to and said she would never drink tap water again [her water at the time of her cancer was well water and she believes she was surrounded by farms and the farm chemicals might have leeched into the ground and contaminated surrounding properties].  I hope her story gives you much optimism for your husband and also that all of our stories also give you optimism for your treatment.  All the best.

Tara - I was very afraid of the chemo and the people on this site and other threads really helped me by listing ways to prepare - items to buy (like biotene mouthwash, etc.) and it helped me feel like I had some control.  Everyone supports each other and if there's a side effect to be had, probably someone has had it and has suggestions, so I hope everyone's responses comfort and help you.  Also - my doctors have been amazing and tweaked my nausea meds and plan so that I'm as comfortable as possible.  I do not feel great during chemo week, but I don't feel like I suffer either. 

Also - for everyone worrying about the employment.  I originally thought I'd have chemo on a Thursday and come back Monday.  Yeah, ok, right!  Turns out for me days 4-6 are my worst days.  It just didn't work out, so I asked my employer if I could take intermittent Family Medical Leave (see website above for FMLA information), taking the week after each chemo off (I have them every 3 weeks for 4 cycles).  I've exhausted my vacation time, so now it is without pay, so it doesn't really inconvenience them and they know ahead of time when to expect the next chemo.  Employers are supposed to make "reasonable" accommodations and mine have been great.  I come back to work after the chemo week a little tired, but really feeling better and able to give them a fair week's work - it's fairer for them and me.  The only thing I'd add is that my regimen is Taxotere/cytoxin and a friend I know who had the Adramyacin said she absolutely couldn't have worked any of the time during her treatments, so everyone is different.   If you know your body and how it reacts (if you've had one or two treatments) then you can probably predict which days would be best to take off.  That's just how I've had to deal with it to keep my strength and still feel like I'm doing a competent job for my employer.  Hope your employer is understanding and it works out for you. 

ladies I am having a super bad, bitchy day!  I started taking zoloft when I was diagnosed but I'm thinking I need something stronger!  If you are on meds for depression/stress/anxiety since breast cancer can you share with me what it is and how well it works for you?

Also, I see tons of you posting about constipation...I am having the opposite problem - every BM I have is loose and acompanied by stomach cramps. 

thanks Pam!  I should run right out tomorrow for imodium   I'm having bloody stools too but that is compliments of the baby I just delivered LOL!  Treating hemorrhoids is actually on my list of things to ask at my next appt

Niknak:  My onc gave me ativan for anxiety, its kind of like the relaxation you get after having a drink.  She calls it my wine pill.  It really helped when I got keyed up plus it hekps me sleep.

Good luck,

Carole