Starting Chemo Aug 09

Hi all,

I missed you all and it's only been a few days since I posted!  As others have noticed . . . so many new folks - welcome!  Just spent time catching up on everyone's status and glad to hear that, for the most part, all are well.

This is day #16 for me and tx #2 is this Friday.  I feel great and have been working and exercising regularly.  Reni - I'm with you with respect to the exercise.  I have my first session On Wednesday with the personal trainer that I was assigned for the study that I'm in - I can't wait!

My hair started coming out yesterday (day 15) and I'm trying to decide whether or not to shave it. I could probably go a few more days but don't see much reason to put off the inevitable.  We'll see how I feel tomorrow.  I had a very rough morning this morning, emotionally, my first rough one yet.  The hair loss on top of an annoying hematoma in my breast that is draining like crazy (I don't even have a drain . . . my incision broke open slightly during a follow-up mammogram and I have a half-inch hole oozing blood).  Fun, eh?  Anyway, the combination of the two was leaving me feeling less than attractive.  My DH was doing his best to console me - he's awesome, but I was having a bit of a pity party.  I'm over it now and figure that it's okay every once in a while. It's funny, I should have been consoling my DH because he just had a vasectomy yesterday since I won't be on birth control anymore.  What a guy.

Anyway, enough about me.  Luddy & Jenndogs, I am on TCH as well and am a bit ahead of you two.  So far I have tolerated the treatment very well and have been working every day except weekends since.  I have also rarely missed a day of exercise.  Early on, my body couldn't decide between constipation and diarrhea, so be warned.  The most persistent SE, as many are experiencing, is the dry/sore mouth although that has been much better this last week.  Good luck to you both!

Karina - I noticed that you're Her2/neu+ and on AC; I chose TCH but was offered AC.  We'll have to compare notes!

Smore - I see that you're on TCH as well and it sounds like we have similar SEs.  Hang in there, girl!

Karen -  my treatment buddy!  I read that you're shaving today . . . that might just inspire me. We started tx on the same day, may as well shave on the same day too, eh?

Sheila - I had to laugh when I read your post about referring to your port as an outlet.  I tap on mine every once in a while and say "testing, testing" like it's a microphone.  It's in the right place for one and it makes me feel like a secret agent!  Okay, maybe not a secret agent, but you know what I mean!

Sorry for the long post, just catching up.  Hope that you all have a great finish to your weekend!

K 

Thanks ladies for the welcome.  I am doing more reading than posting at the moment trying to make some sense of everything that has transpired this weekend. Just wanted to report today was a good day energy wise, feel more like myself.

Hi again all, hope you are all keeping well

Thoughts are with any of you suffering from SE today and hope for a better day tomorrow......

A quote I found prior to my first session of chemo, that is so true for us all "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway" ~John Wayne.

Hi Titch:  I love the quote.  When they started my chemo I said to my husband...this is the point of no return and laughed but we do what we have to do to beat this horrible disease.  I hope your treatment goes well.  I have had no side effects yet but I have to admit I am bound and determined not to suffer like I did with the lumpectomy and am doing everything in my power to prevent any of the side effects I was told I may encounter.  I brush my teeth 4 times a day with sensitive toothpaste with flouride and then with baking soda (my chemo nurse old me not to use salt with the baking soda as it is too abrasive)..  I use Aquaphor on my lips and gargle with 10 drops of Gly-oxide twice a day.  I also  drink 3 liters of water a day.  I ordered folinic acid which will be here for treatment number 2.  I am on CMF and it reverses the toxic effect of methotrexate one of the meds in my chemo that causes sores in your mouth.  I  have tried my best to get some kind of exercise every day.  I also take a multi vitamin that has folic acid in it but I also take another 400 mcg a day to rebuild red blood cells.  I will not let this chemo get me.  I just think we all have to dig in and be proactive in our own treatment.  You have a great attitude and I am so glad to be in this group with you as well as all the other brave ladies.  Take care and God Bless all of you. 

We shared so many ideas in the May chemo thread, of what alleviates the SE.  I was very blessed the first time to be so well and whilst I did have SE of the drugs  it was not a hinderance and definitely manageable to where I was able to work full time. I was definitely one of the lucky ones. 

I highly recommend:

Omega 3 vitamins (Fish oil)

Vitamin D

Calcium vitamins

Orange and apple juice

Ginger beer /ale

Avoid sugar

Mouthwash regularly (helped with teeth and gum probs)

Good morning everyone,

My hair is officially gone!  I woke up yesterday morning and my scalp hurt quite a bit, not to mention the amount of hair on the pillow. I kept waking up in the night with hair in my nose or mouth! So, DH shaved it off while the kids peeked around the corner. After it was done, my son thought that it was pretty cool because I look like Asajj Ventress from Star Wars - The Clone Wars (gillyone - I had to think of you because of the Star Wars reference!). He wanted to play Star Wars so he could be Obi Wan and we could battle. I actually felt very strong and very proud when the hair was gone. It made me feel like I'm facing things head-on and ready for anything.

Afterward, however, I went to do some shopping and that was a strange experience. I wore one of my new hats and was never quite comfortable. From now on, when I'm in public, people will know that I have cancer and it's a bit strange. I got home and wasn't sure what to do: should I keep the hat on? Take it off? So, after taking the hat off I went upstairs and cried for a while. DH keeps telling me how pretty I am and how lucky I am that I can pull off being bald. He's so sweet.

Other than the hair, I feel great. Rode the bike, as usual, this morning and have a strong appetite. 

Karen - yep, #2 on Friday.  We'll see what that one throws at us, eh? 

Titch - thanks for all of the tips; it's amazing to think of all of the knowledge we've gained in such a short timeframe!

Have a great day!

K

Hi Ladies,

I woke up yesterday morning with a swollen bottom lip. It is still swollen but not as bad as yesterday. My family and friends put together a hat party for me. It was very lovely but I felt like crap all day. I had flu like body aches and 99.9 temp. Just felt crummy but managed to have a nice time anyhow. I am feeling alot better today. This afternoon I go in for my TE fill. Only 3 to go after this one. I am dreading it as I ache each time they fill me. Still no word on if I have a stomach infection or not. My stomach is still not back to normal yet.

jenn3 - You poor thing! I hope you are feeling better hun! I am glad they are monitoring you closely.

kristin09 - I admire your positive attitude. I fear having a meltdown when my hair falls off. I pray I am as strong as you.

Take Care Everyone. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Yasmin

Chocolate can help fix just about anything!

Hi! I'm 5 days after chemo, doing well, hopipng it will not get worse.

Somebody can tell me, each time after AC treatment it get worse?

Thank you.

Karina - I am on dose dense AC and had tx3 on Wednesday. No it does not necessarily get worse with each tx. I have done pretty well with SEs - constipation, heartburn and mouth sores. I know how to handle these and keep them under control. The thing that is uncontrollabe is fatigue. I seem to have one day between txs where I am wiped out. Otherwise, yes I am more tired but just do what I can each day.

What still tastes good? chocolate, apple/cranberry juice, soup, potatoes (in any shape or form). But I am disappointed that I am not enjoying the tomatoes from our garden! Oh well, DH assures me they taste good.

Kristen09...thanks for the update and candid feelings about your hair loss.  I read on TCH it takes 14-17 days and you were right on schedule.  I have circled 9/1 as my " hair watch" day given my tx schedule, so we will see.

Any one have any suggestions for indigestion?  I have been taking generic Pepcid and it is working for short periods of times.   But it seems everything I eat is giving me indigestion.

Wow! It took me awhile to catch up. I was in Lynchburg visiting my 99 year old granddad - still living on his own.  I took my kids up to see him and they all enjoyed each other. We helped out in his garden (although the 1yo just eats all the tomatoes!)  I missed reading all of your encouragement but had to admit that I went on facebook first and posted all my pictures of the wigs to get a vote on which ones everyone liked.  I have curly hair so, of course, I went straight for most of the wigs - ha! The lady at the shop said that curly hair doesn't do well in wigs.  The "80s" look - did it in high school. Not doing it again.  The one curly wig I had no one likes so far! Does that mean no one likes my hair now??!!

I get the port placed tomorrow and the chemo on Thursday this week.  UGH!  My son heard me talk about it to someone and asked me today - I almost cried telling him what was going on, but he just said that he didn't care and after looking at the wig pictures, he said I looked good in all of them, but couldn't figure out how they took my hair off and put it back on after??  I couldn't cry after that - just laugh.  And he is getting ready to start kindergarten next week!! Love him to pieces!

Manue:  I am starting chemo Thurs too, guess we will be chemo dates. HA!  I am getting TCH.  Are you getting a port, or just the IVs each time?  How are you feeling?

Luddy:  I am taking notes on you...  It will help me no doubt!  (Thanks) Can you take Tums for indigestion?  It has a lot of calcium too.  When I was pregnant the dr. recommended it for both reasons.  However, the taste might not be so good for you? 

By the way, does anyone have any suggestions for certain foods that they like, I know everyone is different but I want to go grocery shopping before I get too sick. 

Kristin:  Your DH is awesome!  Hope mine proves to be that good but he has to take care of the kids AND me.  Let me know how the personal trainer goes. I tried getting on that website (Lance Armstrong) but couldn't figure out how to see if I could get in that study.  I hope I can keep biking. I put my daughter on the back of mine now, and we just go for an hour or so  - she loves it, I hope I don't loose that time.  I am going to work hard at not loosing it but with work starting and days getting shorter, I have to really push myself!  Needing encouragement for this.

Reni:  I am looking to keep up the exercising! I know how much it helps my mind now and in the past so it should do the same.  I have figured it might not be good to go to the gym during all of this due to germs?? Or am I being too worried? 

Kim09:  I am going to ask tomorrow about the swimming, although as I asked Reni, not sure if I should even be in a public pool?  What do you do? 

Titch: You are awesome! Thanks for the encouragement and do you mind if I use that quote for myself now??

Jenn3:  I hope your heart is o.k. At least they are watching it!  Keep us posted.  I know the rain doesn't help moods especially when you want to get outside and exercise!  Sounds like you are on the East Coast too with your weather.  My thoughts are with you.  Enjoy the foods your friends give you, very special!

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow!  One of my kids I used to coach several years ago when she was in high school wants to come over and cook my family dinner. She is only 21, whoever thought a 21 yo would be that thoughtful AND she is only in town for a week in between college break. I am touched, some of my old kids even offered to shave their hair with me!  Good kids!!!!

Good night.

  Sorry I have not posted in a while, I have been keeping up with you guys on my Blackberry but feel so far removed. A few of you will remember my head shaving party that almost never happened on August 15th, well One of my good friends did come up and helped me, my DH and son all shave our heads. Sadly later that afternoon my sister-in-law called us frantic to come to my mother-in-laws house 2 blocks away. They had arrived at her house for the weekend only to find her deceased in her car still running in the driveway, no warning. My mom-in-law was only 62, my DH is devistated wandering what else can be piled on him. I had a housefull of family all week and my TX#2 on the day of the funeral, needless to say my worst chemo yet. The family has been gone since Saturday and I have been in bed ever since. I am more sore than ever and so nauseated , nothing smells good or taste good. Turns out my mom-in-law had heart disease and never knew it, at least never told us of any symptoms, she was a nurse and never went to the doctor. My mom died in 2006 from breast cancer and she was the closest thing I had left to a "mom". I hope I don't sound too greedy but really don't care if I do but this is hard to go thru without a mom!

Big hugs buccaneer

My thoughts are with you and your family.........

This is so hard to be going thry treatments, ......  I do think both your moms are watching over you and making sure you will be ok.......  You have gained another angel to walk alongside you everyday and every moment. 

Whilst we are not your immediate family, just know we are here for you too, you are not on this road alone gal..... we walk together........

Jenn 3-Thanks for letting me know about the heart racing issue. I've had the same problem and keep a blood pressure monitor nearby. Nothing to abnormal just elevated 124/82. But it goes down. Since I had some minor heart surgery about 2 years ago, I will mention it to my doc. next visit.

You all are becoming old pros at this Chemo stuff. It's good to see all are doing well with the loss of hair. It really puts a face on cancer. It's like wearing a big shirt that says "I'm doing Chemo."

Done with my 3rd treament and one more to go. I'm amazed at how happy I feel when I feel normal. It's a lesson I will not soon forget. Normal Feels Great!!

Ya all hang tough. You are getting it done and doing really really well.