Starting Chemo October 2009

Sido : Wining. Isn't that precisely one of our cyber sisterhood's mission to support each other in their more difficult moments? Get it out! vent, cry, shout, it is part of the treatment (!). We go through so much that we are entirely allowed to have those feelings.

On Friday, it might be difficult but believe in yourself and your courage.

Hi all well Ive had my big cry for the day and i moved on to enjoy my mummy and daddy, they bought over more more meals for us and they wanted me to go away with them for 4 days to an farm like cottage , it sounded lovely but had to decline 2s company and 3s a crowd .And as much as i adore them 3 days is a bit to much  they are going on a bus with everyone  60 plus

.                                 oh i love my mummy and daddy

A question  how long after your chemo TX do you have to keep on washing your self after the loo

its not fun anymore and i don't think i want to be doing it everyday for 5 mnths 

Joanne, the chemo leaves your body in about 48 hours according to my onc nurse, so it should be ok if you only rinse after for a couple of days.  

Onty, hope the anti-nausea med issue gets resolved.  Damn insurance companies!

All - I have lots of cheese to go with the "whine" - so let's whine away!  This is a safe place to do it.

Peace... 

Onty, the September girls might be the group to ask about comparing A/C to Taxol.  Some of them are ahead of you and might know...  As for me, since Abraxane is Taxol, just in a different delivery method, I can say I take one compazine before drugs and that has been it.  I filled a prescription for more and kept it here at home but haven't taken one.  I got close on round three, walked in and smelled McDonalds bag my teenager had eaten and it didn't sit well.  But that was the worst of it.  I have had indigestion and nothing tastes right, but the nausea has been minimal.  Of course, since Abraxane is different than the Taxol you will be getting that may/may not be relevant.

Sido, I have to think that your second round will seem like a cakewalk compared to your first.  I'm sorry, but the accident was tragically timed and while it took your mind off of chemo, it was horrible itself.  Now you only have the chemo to deal with, you know you can do it!  And people should absolutely come here to whine.  Everyone has their times to be overwhelmed by it all.  By the way, I notice mine tend to come when I'm staring at another round, so maybe that's a lot of it.

Brenda, there's no reason that you can't see your kids!  Ask your doctor to explain when your most vulnerable time is (from what I understand, it's 7-14 days after treatment).  If you and your family are vigilant about handwashing and keeping things clean, like computer keyboards, doorknobs, faucet and toilet handles, phones, etc., you should be okay.  When I was in the hospital, the nurses said it was ok for my kids, ages 12 and 14, to come and visit me.  You need your family around you at this time, all the support you can get, don't deny yourself the opportunity to be with your kids.

I hate being bald too.  I get cold far too easily, and it's still so glowingly white.  And the lack of energy is really getting to me also.  But, I have to remind myself that it's all about getting healthy so I'll have a long life ahead of me.  We can do it!!  

BIG HUGS  (((((((Brenda Sharon))))))))) 

Brenda Sharon, HAVE YOUR FAMILY AROUND!!  Just make sure they understand the rules.  Think about it, many of us have children that age...we don't have the option to be away from them, they live here too.  If they aren't feeling well we keep our distance, otherwise they stay out of my bathroom, we all wash our hands, I wipe down counters and doorknobs more....and enlist them to help when I don't feel like it.  Teachers continue to teach, people continue to work, you can see your family.

I don't know what to say about the long road ahead.......I'm feeling it too!  Somebody told me to make a list and check things off.........but the list looks so big compared to what is done, that sometimes I get overwhelmed.  Still, each check does feel good. I remember when my husband said, well, one treatment down, 19 to go.  We just laughed.  Now we're at 7 down, 13 to go.  (We're counting my weekly Herceptins during chemo in there.)  13 still seems like a lot. 

Come by any time...........HUGS for you!

Azdiva,  we want to see pictures of your nre TAT...Have fun in Mexico. Be careful.

Michele

OOOPPPSS I ment to say ment....OMG I am having trouble typing..

Hello everyone

I was in Seattle for my first treatment and am so happy to be home.  In case anyone else is in Seattle, I just wanted to share a resource for complimentary buzz cuts.  I was the first patient at Gary Manual salon on 2nd avenue.  They have started a new program which was inspired by a bc patient on their staff.  I decided to have my hair cut in Seattle so I could return home with a new do.  They were so wonderful and supportive through the whole process.  I thought it would be traumatic but they guided me through it, although it did help to remove my glasses so the whole cut was a blurry vision.

My wbc counts were so low that my onc wanted to reduce my treatment.  She's worried because she can't monitor me as well from a distance.  We did manage a compromise so we'll stick with the original dose for the second treatment and see what happens.  I never imagined be so worried at the possiblity of not receiving the strongest chemo available.

I scored a h1n1 shot yesterday so that's one worry that has diminished.  Wishing everyone a good week.

Mary Ny - I had irritation/itchness with my port and I really think it was due to the bandages. I'm sensitive to chemicals.  It went away after 10 days,so hopefully yours well too.

txstardust, hopbird, unklezwifeonty

Thanks for the encouraging words from each of you girls this morning!

I believe it started my day off right!! I got more encouraging news as the day went on, so I will share! I've shared this with all the November girls as well. Us warriors need all we can get

Girls, as you know, I started out my day sort of BLUE and just in general depressed!!!

BUT, as the day went on, besides all the moral support I get from each one of you, I got more exciting news!!!! I got a call today from my "Hip-Hat-Hair" order that I placed last Wednesday, I had my hair cut off right before chemo. Anyways, they said it will be shipped tomorrow, so I'll have my hair back to wear under whatever hat or scarf I choose> I'm so excited. When I get my ole hair back I just know I will cry of joy!!~~~~~~

For all of us!!!!     I would have never believed it true, but I went to this per site advice of another sister. The site was  (francelux.com)  I picked out a scarf/wrap at the cost of $72.00. I sent an email to Ms Laurie, and low and behold I received a confirmation email from the Lady herself , Ms. Laurie Erickson and she said she was pleased to met me and would be sure to send the piece I had picked out. She is just super!!!!!  She requested I pass the information along to all my other sisters, so that is what I am doing. these scarfs and wraps are made of luxurious silk. Imagine how good this will feel on our heads!!!!   This is the email address below that i used to request the scarf from Ms. Erickson 

goodwishes@franceluxe.com

Also, for all of us, I had sent a request to HeavenlyHats.com and they confirmed that my order was received and I should receive it sometime very soon. They said they where behind as they had 750 orders just for this month alone. It's just unbelievable how many this -C- is affecting.

All these hats!!!! Too exciting, as I know I still have a long way to go~~~~~The few I've already purchased, I'm already tiring of them. Day in and Day out!! So Ya-Whooooo!!!!~~~~~

 (((((HUGS))))) Brenda

 SIDO  &  MARIE

Extra Smiles to both of you today!!!! You got me ROFLMAO~~~~~~~

Sido,I just kept picturing the lint roller, although bless your heart, how long did you hang in the bathroom waiting on DH to come in. I know it actually probably hurt. Toooooo Funny!

Marie,With the hip-hair for hats, the Starbucks group who might Loose their JAVA!! (Ha-Ha)That is what I'm talking about, too too funny!!!! I'm waiting on my hip-hair now, I'm using my own so I had to first wait to cut it first, which was chemo TX#1. I just hope I don't get so comfy as you say and I take my hat off in public. I'm kinda used to wearing caps and hats already and don't think I'll screw up, but here lately the mind isn't always all there or here, kinda here and there!

Thanks for the laughs!!!  Really I was rolling on the floor laughing my a@@ off!!!

I hate to come here just to whine, but my port site is infected!  It started hurting yesterday, then more this morning.  I called the oncologist's office and went in, and the doctor said, and I quote,"Yikes!"  She said that when it gets infected like that, it's usually a staph infection.  So now I've got antibiotics.  Ugh.

Brenda, thanks for the tip about the scarf--they've got some gorgeous ones!  (franceluxe.com).  I just e-mailed.

Hi ladies.

Brenda so glad you are feeling better!  This is the place to come when you are feeling down and just want to whine.  We have to have an outlet for that sort of thing or we will go crazy.  That is so cool that you can use your own hair.  Mine was only shoulder length and they told me I couldnt use it.

Meredith - sorry to hear about the infection.  At least they caught it in time and it didnt progress. 

Onty- I am glad you are on both threads as I really appreciate your encouragement.  I am also on both threads and will remain while I go through chemo and afterwards to cheer others on.

Sido- Wow you are so active.  Must be youth. Hmmm lint roller.  Hadnt thought of that one.

Marie - when I start feeling better I start eating.  Ugh.  No weight gain or loss yet.  However, I am already overweight so that is not a good thing.

Well thank you all for your well wishes.  I am feeling better today.  I actually worked from home.  Still tired...whats new, but the acid reflux has gotten a little better.  Not as sicky feeling either.  Tomorrow will probably be a much better day.  We all have a lot of ups and downs we will go through on this chemo journey, but in the end we will survive.  We can do it.  Just take one TX at a time, one day at a time.  This is the hardes thing I have ever had to go through in my entire life.  I know I will make it and so will all of you.

Marie, the lady who shaved my head for me at the wig shop suggested that I use a mild facial scrub on my scalp (I use St. Ives), I guess this keeps any ingrown hairs from popping up and she said it keeps the follicles clear.  She also said you can use essential oils as long as they are diluted.

Meredith, you poor thing!  I hope the antibiotics do the trick - it's no fun being even MORE sick.

Scooby, I agree that this is a difficult journey.  I'm just glad that we have each other to help us along.

Lainieo, hope you get to feeling better soon.

Joanne, of COURSE you can blame chemo for anything - might as well get something out of it!

mary, I know how frustrating it is waiting for those steri-strips to fall off.  I was very impatient and pulled them off when I saw that the scabs were forming.  I couldn't wait to rip them off!  Oh - I finished TX #2 today!

Everyone, I hope you're feeling well as can be.  I get my first Neulasta shot tomorrow - gotta go get some Claritin!

Peace,

Shelby