November 2009-Starting Chemo

Good morning to all my sisters! I was so glad to read that Shel, Suzie and Reglau were doing pretty good considering they are one down!! Alright, you warriors and you slept!! It's so great that your families ,husbands and friends are there for you, cause as one of our sisters said it does take a village to get us thru this mess!! BrendaSharon is doing such a great job managing this November warriors board and we so appreciate that she is doing this on top of being into her treatments already, hope your feeling good!  Are we like 20 strong now? I haven't seen any posts from Mommy2two I hope she is doing ok .Coolbreeze, you go on the 9th to the onc and will find out all you need to know about your chemo cocktails, good deal, it's hard to rest till you know for sure. Did you get your MUGA scan yet? Alicia, I'm sure that the constant hunger is from the steroids, are they giving you steroids? I've had them before for asthma and they made me gain weight because of the constant hunger. But it is good for you to eat because that way you keep up your strength for the rest of your TXs. Jkwick, how you doing today sister, hope your ok on your 3rd day out!

ANN,welcome to the November warriors. As the other sisters told you, you will find untold help, comfort and good advice and tips here. I just wanted to tell you that research is the key to your decision regarding Dbl. mastectomy versus lumpectomy. I know what you mean about wanting to make your decision and then moving forward with your plan. This BC puts us out of control, but if we make our decision and move on then we have taken some control back . Always get a second opinion. Go with your gut, if you want a double and diep flap then go for it, it is your body and your life. The doctors can suggest, but many of them are men and don't have breasts or cancer and are not facing the possibilities of recurrence. I chose bilateral mastectomy and recon. I wanted a little peace of mind and didn't have anyone in family with history. Since you have history in your family ask about Braca testing. I understand you trying to protect your family from stress, cause I'm doing the same but at some point we all have to have the discussion with them and let our feelings out. Thats another reason why I am so grateful for this board because we can come here and let it all hang out, if we cant do it at home. I feel it is inappropriate for me to cry and carry on at home cause I have my daughter and 2 grandkids here and don't want to freak them out!! Go to the forums and search out other women who have had bilat. & recon. Ask all the questions do your research, make your decision and find some peace. We send you love and hugs, hang in there. It looks like we don't have any sisters starting today so all my prayers and hugs go out to the girls who are dealing with SEs from their 1st TXs. Hope today will be good and try to rest, drink fluids and enjoy your families!!! Big Warm Cozy Hugs for you all today!!!!! 

Hi Warriors!!!

Just wanted to say that I hope everyone has a nice restful weekend!  

ccnai - I'm fine, I've posted a few times in the last couple of days but now that I'm feeling better, I've been working extra and trying to get caught up on my homework for school so I haven't been online as often.

((((HUGS))))

Toyah

Hi Girls !  I hope everyone has a good day today with little SE's.  Today is Day 6 for me and I feel pretty good.  JUST really really tired.  I am going to try to get out with DH and the kiddies today to run some errands.  I want some ICE pops ~ 

Hugs my Fellow Warriors!!!

Alicia

Mouse6694, thanks for the neupogen/clariton question.  (This is the first day I've been on the site in several days.  Had a sister here to help the first days of chemo and hadn't had a chance to get on.  She didn't really even need to be here since the "effects" have been manageable, but she did start me on some good habits, like drink, drink, drink, and watch what I eat, ie go for calories.  I am definitely one of those that has absolutely no appetite.  I'd love to crave some KFC or banana bread!!!)  I do need to get caught up on the other posts...but

I did have my hair shaved while my sister was here.  Felt I had to start getting use to the no-hair look and adjusting to the wig/wraps, etc.  Feel like Joanneasiata that it better all fall out now!

And lastly, does this all still seem surreal to anyone else?  I keep thinking I'm going to wake up one of  these days from a really bad dream...

Doronet,I completly feel like you that i am just going to wake up from a bad dream.  And I keep wondering when do you get to the part where the first thing you wake up to isn't "oh my god i have breast cancer"  I am also having my hair shaved off next week, that is at leat one thing I can be in control off.  I will be having my own hair made into a fringe wig, i think thats what its called. 

I just was wondering if anyone else is on the same treatment as me.  i am on ACD, the first 4 treatments are doxoribicin(adriamycin) and cyclophosphamida.  And then 4 treatments of Docetaxel.  Anyways day 2 of first treatment I am having a really hot face, flushed and feels hot.  I have taken my temp.  and its normal.  Could it be a hot flash already?  From what I can read on the info I was given from the nurses/doctors it doesn't look like this is a common side affect.  So just wondering if antone has any help.  Otherwise I'm doing fine, a bit of nauseau when I woke up, but took my pills ans am fine!!

justmealecia.. I am going to send my husband out for ice pops... mmmm am really craving those now!!!

As others have said, this site is a life-saver.  At my 1st TX last Tuesday, I asked my chem-nurse a question re: something I had read on this site...told her I'd never posted a message on anything, after being computer literate for eons, and she immediately said, "You have to be careful with some of those sites, as you'll get lots of 'doom and gloom.'"  I said, "Not on this site.  I've gotten tons of encouragement and support, it has been truly a life-saver!"  Thanks, too, for those who pop in from the been-there-done-that.  That helps a lot.

As for some of the SE:  I had the constipation, even after having taken Miralax the night before TX and the night of TX.  Took another dose last night (day 4) and it has helped. My dr. said to "call the office" if constipation lasts more than 3 days, but figured I'd try the Mir. first.   BrendaShar was right about the Compazine helping with the nausea.  I'm typically the can't-sit-still, high energy type (I'm 56 but felt 26 until this), but this TX is like I'm running in a lower gear.  Glad to know I'm not the only one.

I am having such a great day.  My brain fog is less then yesterday.  Yeasterday these same sentences took me 5 min of redos.  Today almost no use of the backspace key. :)

Today I have no nausa.  I got to go into work with my sweet hubbie today.  He drives a gravel hauler truck.  It was fun.  Short day but beautiful weather.  We are going to go out and sit by a big bonfire.  I hope everyone is enjoying this day.

Oh in regards to hair falling out.  What about eyebrows and eyelashesh?  Is it like you wash your face and then your eyes are naked?  Just checking.  And does anyone else feel like there teeth and moving.  I feel like back when I had a retainer and my teeth would shift when I removed it.  It seems strange but I sometimes feel like that when my sinus are full also.  Just checking. 

Keep strong.  Love Kimmy   (((((((HUGS)))))))))

Really quick.  The nurse at chemo told me about a web site that would email updates for me to everyone and all I would have to do is go to one place.  I am unable to find it in the big book they gave me.  Does anyone know what that site would be?  Thanks Kimmy

Hey used2b

Am sending you a Private Message.Go to the top of the page to retrieve it.I am in Melbourne.

jezza

HI November sisters

All the SEs that everyone is having , Ive had them all as well, I'm doing my 2 TX next Friday the fatigue was the worse for me it seemed to come with a depression as well  , I think the eye lashes and eyebrows are the last to fall out  around 3TX , and the wind ,comes out of both ends my poor husband was so shocked  to hear all that coming out of me ,and the foggy brain  my reply to everything was I DONT  CARE ,this was going on for around 1 week then all of a sudden it lifted and boy i was feeling great   so don't worry it will go and you will have your old self back again       UNTIL NEXT TIME yuk.

USED2Be

 I'm also from Australia i dont think they do things differently over there , and we all have the same fears and the same SEs  it would be good to meet up with some of these wonderful women one day and you know what  thats NOT impossible you know .

WELL GREAT WOMEN  ,have a lovely week end

All my best wishes to you all

Joanne 

HI, all! I forgot to give my stats last time -- I'm 49, married to an amazing man for 15 years.  We have one daughter, 10, who is adopted -- I have been wondering whether the fertility drugs I took doing IVF years ago had anything to do with my BC.

 We had a gorgeous day here, and I spent the day shopping with DD. It was the first day I didn't feel comfortable going out without a hat...I lost a good, large handful of hair in the shower this morning. I am hoping to keep as much as possible through tomorrow.  We are going to visit my dad, who is in his 80's, and I really want to keep everything as normal as posible for him. I feel totally normal and pretty energetic, but don't want to LOOK sicker than I am.

reglau -- I was absolutely flushed and hot the first couple of days after tx.  Not sure if it was the chemo or the steroids.

Hope everyone has a relaxing and peaceful Sunday!

 Pam

Hi all you TROOPERS!!! boy you girls are something very special. Big shout out to our Aussie sisters and your cracks about wind coming out both ends rolled me over!! Seriously I've been real worried about those bodily things since me, my daughter and two grandkids live in very close quarters. They are not used to their nani passing gas, burping and having accidents. I'm wondering if i'll get caught not making it to the bathroom cause I'm too blown out to even get up!! Does anyone know anything about all that? Some sisters say their constipated, but i have read that others have terrible diarrhea. I guess I'm concerned about the tiny bit of dignity thats left and not grossing out myself and everyone else in the house. Did your DHs have to help you girls to the bathroom? Wow girls we have some very long term marriages and sweethearts on our rolls. Thats what I hope for, for my kids, grands & great grands!!! Wouldn't that be great if one day we could go to Australia and visit I have watched so many movies about the Land Down Under. 

Sorry Mommy2two, guess my mind is slipping and I'm glad your doing ok and going out with family. Hope your gonna be doing this well all the way thru!! 

Good nite all you warriors sleep tight and have good dreams!!! 

Good morning to everyone.  The weather is beautiful here in Michigan -- 60 degrees (16 Celsius  for all you down under - it doesn't sound so warm in Celsius).  I may have overdone it a little yesterday with a very long walk with my sister and my dogs.  I am planning a much quieter day today. 

I am also getting face flushes and I am postmenpausal.  I do think I have heard about the before -- chemo blush I think it was called and should only last a couple days.  My biggest mistake was not to take the laxative immediately.  Lesson learned for next time.

I am so happy to hear that those of you a few more days out from your treatments are feeling better.  So great for you and such positive news for me.  Thanks so much for that.

Wishing you all a good day!  Shelley

Am with you!  First FEC this Thursday Nov 12th.  After lumpectomy end of Aug, ALND mid Sept, port placement Oct 2nd, I am aching to get to the finish line.  After 3 FEC, I have 12 weeks of Taxaine (?), then 6 weeks RAD, so May 14th can't come fast enough.

So, I have my Emend on hand, my Neulasta syringe, some compazine, hard candies, and the lidocaine cream to prepare my port site for the infusions.  So I am about as ready as I can be!

Last nite, I took some scissors to my hair and now it is a kinda cute spiky 1-2 inches all over.  I think I actually like it!  Decided to get a head start on the drugs.

So November Girls, lets go kick some cancer butt!

Best wishes to all!

Good morning, all you warrior chicks!!!  I see it's going a little better for those of you who had 1st TX just days ago!! Bravo!!! I'm trying to keep a running list of these SEs and what you girls are doing to counteract them. Mouse, I'm making a note about the Smart One Prune, that sounds like a natural and good solution to constipation without taking another pill or 2 or 3..I'm glad your feeling better today. BTW, you, me ,doronet and cafelovr are scheduled for TX on Nov. 17th. For me and Cafelovr it will be our 1st and you and doronet will have your 2nd. 

I wonder what has happened to Cafelovr, no posts lately. Aroninmia, how did you get all your meds in advance? My onc won't see me until the day of my chemo and they have already told me that Emend is too expensive and they only order it if other stuff doesn't work. They also told me that Neulasta is too expensive and only give it to you if your white count crashes.  I talked to my pharmacist and they said the docs have to put in an application in advance to my insurance to get preauthorization and that it takes at least 1 week. So on Monday I'm callling my oncs nurse and telling her I want them to put the application in for Emend and Neulasta or Neupogin in advance.  I was so mad when they told me it was too expensive!! I told the doc I didn't give a flying leap in a donut hole if it's expensive, cause if this country can spend millions every month on wars, they need to re-direct some of that money to taking care of our own right here!!! Charity begins at home. I told him that I am worth whatever the price of that stupid drug is and that I shouldn't have to be a guinea pig or have to suffer from extreme vomiting and stomach SEs and crashing white counts cause they want to save a few hundred dollars. Sorry for the rant sisters but I have been following your notes carefully and remembered specifically that many sisters insisted on Emend and Neulasta, so I'm going to get tough with them. I don't want my grand children watching while I'm throwing my guts out, too traumatic for them not to mention for this old body!!

Doronet, they never let us know stuff in advance so how were you to know about the weights, I wish they would communicate a little better and spell it out for us, they just assume we know what they know. Shel, I'm making note of the chemo flush so I won't be scared thanks for that tip.

I'm hoping that brendasharon, alicia, kimmy, ann, portergirl, menevermind, used2b, reglau, coolbreeze, mommy2, malinda  and our aussie sisters are all good today. I know there are so many of us that my brain needs to be refreshed repeatedly. I'm wishing your Sunday will be warm and cozy and spent in the company of your families and or friends!!!! Have a wonderful day today warrior chicks!!!