Starting Chemo Aug 09

Goodmorning Ladies,

Well, I actually got some sleep last night, AMAZING !!! The nerves did not hit me until this morning. I did so much housework to prepare for this week, my arm is a bit swollen this morning and sore, should have paid better attention. I still forget sometimes that the littlest things can do that.

Buccaneers- Happy Birthday to you !!! I too will be celebrating my 40th. I bet you never thought this is how you would be spending your 40th birthday. Well, me either. But we can do it together

 I was under MAC anesthesia for my port installation and only remember being taken back there and coming out, but I was home within a few hours as well, it all went very good. Good Luck !!

Well, here goes ladies, I am off for my first day. Bag is all packed and I am ready, I think ?! Hope to talk with you later. Tara

Happy Birthday, Donna.  I am so glad to hear that you are feeling well and hope that your day tomorrow is awesome!

Tara & Reni - best of luck today, we're all thinking of you!

Karen - how are you doing?  We started on the same day and I am anxious to hear how you're feeling.

I am at work today after my first treatment on Friday.  As I said in an earlier post, I am feeling very well.  No nausea, good appetite.  Primary SEs are dry mouth (only slightly sore) and a bit of sinus pressure that responds well to Aleve.  We went to the beach yesterday and had a great time;on the way home we stopped for pizza at my favorite place and I couldn't taste it!  Aarrgghh.  It looks like my taste buds are going.  Not good for the head of a Sensory Department, eh?  Oh well, at least I was able to save myself from the calories of the brownie sundae that I ordered - tasted like nothing!

Today is probably my worst day only because (WARNING - TMI coming) my bowels completely emptied out this morning.  It happened shortly after I arrived at work and I am now very light-headed.  I'm in a bit of a fog and waiting for it to wear off.  Otherwise, feel very good.  Tried sleeping without Simply Sleep last night and that didn't go too well . . . will definitely take it tonight.

MCKitty - how are you feeling?  Are you ready to start?  We're thinking of you.

K

Kim_ I had the same rash. Told the same by nurse. Now after treatment 2, my skin kinda blisters and peels in places, Mostly on my hands. I was told it was just my bodies way to get rid of the Taxatore.

GillyOne- do you want my recipe for "Magic Mouthwash"  Some of you may not be aware of this but some insurance will not cover this. My sores were pretty nasty and caused me much pain. I talked to my onc. nurse and she called my pharmacist. They came up with all the active ingredients in the stuff, all covered by insurance and we mixed it with some OFT stuff and viola!!! Works like a champ. I can give you the ingredient list and you can get with your doc. if you want to. Biotene helps but in my case just didn't cut it after my first round. 

As for the port, I was out, but only lightly and I felt like poop that night. Don't know if it was the pain med or the anesthesia. They said they will remove it with a local right in the doc. office. Kinda worried about that but after all this is over I'm sure I' be glad to get it out.

Happy Birthday Donna!

When I first started researching B.C. I thought it was an older ladies disease. But I have learned now that it generally strikes between the ages of 40 and 50. Just some info. I thought I would pass on.  

Yes, thanks Lisa. I am doing ok on salt rinses and Biotine so far, but it helps to be prepared.

On the mediport. It has been more uncomfortable than the lumpectomy! But I'm glad to have it because I understand it helps dilute the A/C as it goes into your body and this helps with SE and hopefully helps prevent damage to heart and veins. A friend told me to ask for Emelin (sp?) cream to put on the port 1/2 hour before each treatment. It is a numbing cream and you don't have to have that big "ouch" each time. Good since I'll be at this for over a year with the Herceptin.

Found out that it just takes time for your body to get used to the mediport. I had it placed July 1, and it is feeling better, not perfect. A suture poked its way out and that was driving me absolutely nuts. Today at chemo the nurse asked if I wanted to clip it off. Woo hoo! Feels much better--doesn't catch on clothing. Still not sleeping on my left side because of the port, but oh well.

Hi Karina,

I am also ER+/PR+ and Her2+ and was given the same choice.  I chose TCH and am not looking back.  I did quite a bit of research and reached out to a few specialists who said that my case didn't warrant the toxicity of the ACTH (my tumor was less than 1.5 cm and I am node negative). I must say, however, that I am surprised that doctors leave such a decision in the hands of their patients. It's not like choosing what color car to buy!  I went to a local university for a second opinion and they gave me much more detail on the differences.  The onc that I saw tends to favor ACTH but only because it is traditional and is what she has had the most experience with (she admitted as much).  She was comfortable that the research showed that they are both effective and spent time going over the research with me.I started TCH last Friday and have been doing well.  I did leave work early today because I was very light-headed and not thinking clearly.  But I got home and went for a walk and am feeling better.  I'm planning on working a full schedule.  As far as college . . . you can do anything that you put your mind too and you will be serving as a role-model for many other students/women! You might just have to limit the all-nighters!BTW, how do I control the font on these posts?  I tried using a moticon and it put everything after it in italics! 

K  

Kristin and JENN3 Thank you.

My diagnosis Grade 3 and I have one node positive in addition Margin involvement -Focal.So because of this maybe AC it's more efactive for me, Howewer I will prefer TCH because like I understand it's have less SE, but my delema is What is the effective tritment in my case..

Hello to Karina and Deb.  Reni-Glad they were able to finally find a vein and get things started for you.  Kristen--I have no idea regarding the font.  I am a slow learner on this computer.  Geez, I just learned how to copy and paste 6 months ago!  Jenn--glad to hear you are feeling better.  And August Amazons sounds just fine.

Well, I went and picked out a wig today.  Stayed with my current color.(Blonde)  I then had my hair cut.    About 10 inches cut off and into a short shag.  It looks fine and my husband liked it too.  I thought it would be a difficult day considering I am 49 years old and haven't had a short hairdo since the third grade.  But it wasn't.  Just another thing that needed to be done.  Only other thing to do this week is a fill with the Plastic surgeon on Thursday.  

Hoping that everyone is having a restfull night. 

Navy 

Hi all of the August group.  Hope all are doing as well as you can. Keep those spirits up .   MaineCoonKitty Love the Harley tattoo.  I had my first treatment of AC on July 27 and  am just starting to lose my hair, (which is day 15).   I had the head tingles for several days before  hair really started to fall out.  I have a hard time remembering who ask what so please don't be offended if I don't use your name.  I have a port it was put in under a local by a radiologist.  No pain, a bit off pressure,    and after just a couple of days was able to sleep on that side.   Everyone has to go with what they feel they need.   Good Luck all !  Will drop in from the July group  once in awhile as I started my treatments so late in July.    Laughter is the best medicine!!!                              

Reni, I've had one treatment of taxotere and carboplatin, done 7/28.  I felt normal for a couple of days, then had mouth soreness and some tummy distress.  Fatigue and sweats hit on days 7-10.  Have felt normal since.  What were you told about hair loss with this TC regimen?  My oncologist said I have about a 50% chance of not losing my hair, or of just having it thin out.

Hey Kristin - I'm doing really well today.  I don't have that much energy but I'm feeling fine beside that.  No nausea anymore and I'm eating and drinking well again.  Good luck with work.  I can't imagine going back right now.  I'm a secretary in a hospital so I want to avoid that place right now except for appointments anyway. 

Jenn, I hope you are feeling better.  You haven't had much luck this round.  I hope the sinus infection eases!

Renee, thanks for posting your video.  I have not been able to move on the the hair cutting stage yet (although I got a short cut) but watched your video finally and I cired as well but thought it was great.  Thanks for sharing that.  You look wonderful, with and without hair and clearly it's your spirit that we see.  I am very much trying to tackle the here and now after I have made decisions and that is keeping me on a good track.  But I am now noticing the odd hair coming out so I am starting to think about the next step.

Scoobydoo, sorry to welcome you to our club, but it is a great, strong group and we will do this together.  We are the Amazing August Amazons after all!

I am not a fighting or aggressive person either but I'll be darned if some lump is going to get the best of me!  Funny, I thought I was totally healthy before all this too.  Virtually never took sick days and had no aches and pains.  Goes to show you I guess.  But it really is true, I have found, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  I have never seen a more positive, proactive, strong group as all these bc survivors.

So, Donna, I did make it on line after all (had a meeting at the office cancelled so saved the commute time and can work at home all day) so Happy Day!

Karen, glad to hear your doing well!  How wonderful.

Jenn, glad you are doing better too.  There need to be some good days!

July ladies, it's always great to have visitors from our more exerienced sisters.  Bethie, it was great having you chime in too.  Talk about the power of many!

NavyMom, glad you are working down the list.  I plodded on with most things and got them done but sometimes I hit the wall.  Then later I was irritiated that I hadn't done those things already.  (like re-book my double booked dental cleaning.  Argh!!  Now I cannot go until who knows when.  Grrrr. My bad. )

Karina, good luck with your decisions.  One thing I have come to grips with is after I decide I have to let it go and quit second guessing.  Will just drive myself nuts. (or more nuts??)

Kristin, I know exactly what you mean about the choices and options.  I was a little surprised but also glad in some ways to be able to participate in my treatment decisions.  My doctor reassured me the choices he offered were all equivalent outcomes but the considerations were order and SE's.  I did a lot of researching too to be able to ask intelligent questions and understand but finally I did have to say to myself that I trust his expertise and judgement (after grilling him for about half an hour mind you!    My husband said he was glad we weren't being charged by the question.)

Have a good day everyone!

Karen - glad you're feeling better, I hope it continues.  Shall we race to see who's hair falls out first??  We're on different drugs, so who knows!  Care to place a wager??!!  )

Reni - hope that you're doing well today.  Yesterday (day 4) was my worst so far on TC and it's primarily because my system dumped on me and completely emptied out.  Warning - don't overdo the stool softeners! 

Janet - is your scalp hurting with the hair loss?  Day 15, eh . . . I'm getting prepared!

I am at work again today and feeling much, much better.  My fog has lifted and I am able to read and think clearly.  Just a few minor aches but Aleve has helped.  We'll see what the next few days bring.

K