November 2009-Starting Chemo

Hello to all my brave warriors!!! WHY AM I STILL A CHEMO LADY IN WAITING?????? Ladies i just can't seem to do anything the "NORMAL" way!!! I guess I'm just " TERMINALLY UNIQUE " They cancelled my chemo for today because there was still a pinhole opening in left breast. They called in the plastic surgeon and decided to reopen the incision clean it out and re stitch it. They didn't want to take a chance on chemo with that breast not completely healed! Put my chemo off for 2 weeks!!!!  Well, SHIT!! I was all psyched, so full of water I could have drown in it and ready to go!!! This SUCKS!!! I guess you guys will have to kick me off the November Warriors cause it looks like I won't be starting till Dec. 1st!! I'am hoping you'll give me  a SPECIAL PERMIT??? cause I am not looking forward to being with strangers thru all this!!! CAN I PLEASE STAY WITH YOU GIRLS??? Enough of this rant, cause I have alot bigger fish to fry right now.

BRENDASHARON, and ALL MY SISTERS, I wasn't kidding when I talked about the " Center for Health Care Rights". They are nationally known as HICAP. Their number in Florida is (local) (850) 414-2060 or (800) 963-5337. This is for Florida, each state has their own numbers, which I would be more than glad to provide for you gals. Brenda Sharon, I was devastated to hear about the MRI, and have my rosary out and praying hard that this is just low white or red blood cell count or just another nasty side effect from the chemo. All us sisters are united today in lifting you up and wrapping you in angels wings!!! We are with you right now sister. You are in our hearts. You will beat this, whatever it is, and we are standing firm that this will only be a terrible SE!!! and nothing more!!! We are sending you so much love!!!  WARM TIGHT HUGS!! 

CAFELOVR, DORONET, & MOUSE, We all send  WARM TIGHT GROUP HUGS to those drip rooms, and you are in our hearts today!!! Big wishes for 0 or minimal SEs , can't wait till your home!!!

Second Rant!!! I'm so pissed off at the ONCS, NURSES, & INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!!! They let our LEADER down when she needed their help!! Other sisters have needed the best meds and can't get them. What is wrong with this picture?? And now they want to raise the age for mammography!!! NO, THEY DID NOT GO THERE!!!!! My BC was not even a tumor, so it could not be felt at all!!! Many breast cancers are MICROCALCIFICATIONS, they can not be detected except by mammogram, sonogram or MRI!! Girls this is all about money!! I heard them talking about how they have to perform 1,900 mammos in order to catch 1 breast cancer, to save 1 life, so it is not cost effective!! REALLY!!!??? As sister ALICIA said and I quote, "WTF"!!!!??? All breast cancer patients on this site need to organize. We need to send E-MAILS EN MASS to the White HOUSE and to our Congressmen!! I'm wondering how many women there are on this site and all the others. Maybe our moderators would know how to start this movement!! How do we contact them?? I listen to a progressive station on A.M radio and they had a guest speaker from USC, Los Angeles, which is the breast center where I go, and she was outraged by what she called the " NUMBERS CRUNCHERS " who are spear heading this inhumane movement. Can I get a confirmation regarding this from all my sisters??? END 2ND RANT!!

Mommy2two, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts, maybe theres a reason why I'm not supposed to be there today, though I don't know what that might be!! You may be bald but you are BEAUTIFUL!!! and you are very much alive and kicking!! Happy Birthday, One of Many More!!! HUGS & LUV

KIMMY, so glad your feeling good lets hold onto that thought sorry your head is itching but we all know the drill by now, got your wigs?? Get ready to rock them!!

COOLBREEZE, I'm so sorry you can't sleep. I know the expanders are uncomfortable, have two myself, I sleep on my back, ouch, and prop myself with pillows. Maybe that would help you.

MELINDA41, so glad to hear that the dang compazine works since they are so stingy with the Emend, cause thats the one they will give me if i ever get started. Still it ticks me off that we don't even get the best drugs. As long as it works for you its all good!!

Sherri, I had a chip placed during core biopsy, it is called a tumor marker and they took it out after surgery. It shouldn't be too bad sister. just hang in there!! HUGS

ALICIA, # 2 down!!! So very sorry you had a bad nite, yeah what is that low body temp thing. Again, maybe from low white or red blood cell counts. Perhaps when they give you the neulasta shot that will bring them up and you won't feel so cold, meanwhile use your leopard snuggie and drink lots of warm tea, maybe cinnamon to warm your blood! Yikes, they had to stick you twice!! Thats not so good!! but they finally got it and that is good!! alota luv sis and hugs 

DORONET, you got that one right my sister!! CONTRACTS going out as scheduled from all us WARRRIOR PRINCESSES!! I'm with you in that drip room sister, with my arms around you !!

Shel, so good to hear your feeling good today and hoping it stays that way!!!

Jeeza our aussie sister, glad to see your post and nice to hear from you. How are you and all the Aussie girls doing?? No word from USED2BE?? kind of worried about that sister!! lots of HUGS!!!

New Warrior PRINCESSES!!! WELCOME!! BOXERSUE, SHARA D, LITTLEBIRD75 !! BOXERSUE today is your first TX!! 1 down, we all pray for minimal SEs, and smooth sailing. You are in our hearts today. HANG TOUGH SIS!! SHARA, our leader will need to know your stats. as in your diagnosis, tumor size, what type of breast cancer, stage of cancer any nodes positive etc. As for your questions re being new and needing info it looks like you will be doing TCH, which there are a number of us her2+ girls here doing this treatment. It's much easier on the heart than AC+H or the others. They will test your heart ie MUGA SCAN to determine if you can withstand the Herceptin!! Good that you have two docs!! We will remember to post on THANKSGIVING about the meals, and you may even feel like eating that day, because from the posts of the other sisters treatment one is usually ok for days 1 and 2. Lets hope they are giving you good anti nausea meds!! LITTLEBIRD75, please post your stats, so that when BRENDASHARON gets back she has your info. If BrendaSharon wasn't having an MRI today she would be on here welcoming you girls with open arms, as have all the sisters!! We are sure she will be back in a minute and with a good report!! So from all of us we can say for sure that we will be here for you and will answer any questions we can.. For now research your chemo meds on line find out all you can. Search out your kind of BC and Your Stage of BC and any other info you have. All the info you need will be in your pathology report so learn it by heart and use it to ask the right questions. There is a list of stuff you will need for chem on this site. GROUP HUGS FOR OUR NEW SISTERS!!!

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Hello Ladies,

 I have been reading your posts ever since I was diagnosed on September 28, when my new life started. You are very inspirational and strong women.  Mommy2two,  it sounds like we have very similar situations.  I am also 35, and a mother to a 6 year old.  I found the lump myself and pushed for a mammogram and here I am!!!!   I meet with the Oncologist today to set a day next week to start Chemo.  What a great week to start Huh!!!  Anyways, if anyone has suggestions on how to prepare,  I am listening.

Oh my sisters what a relief, just the thought of having to be out here with strangers was freaking me out!!!  Love love love that spaced out happy face!!! How did you do that??? I still don't know how to put up a picture or anything!! Just digitally handicapped. I just want to remain with my sisters and as your so called backup, though you definitely don't need one!! I feel like we are all family here, cause to tell you the truth the kids don't truthfully want to know all the stuff that we know about this Cancer stuff. I think they are very scared of this too!! SOOOOOO glad you are back and posting BRENDA!!!

JENNIFLOWER  Welcome from all the WARRIOR PRINCESSES!! Go back and read this thread from the beginning, it will help you to find alot of good info. Glad you get to start right away to hit this stuff hard!! Let us know what your treatment is, the chemo cocktail, and then all the sisters can help you to know what to expect. Again a warm welcome from us all!!!  

Ccnani, that stinks !!!!!!! grrrrr ~ but better you get that boobie healing, don't want to risk infection or anything.  AND kicked out ~ LIKE mommy2two said NO WAY ! 

BrendaSharon, I am glad you got your MRI done.  Thank god I didn't have to call your dr. and verbally abuse them.  I will be praying for you sista.  *****HUGS>...... 

And...yes I am wired have been up since 4 am.  Went for my Neulasta shot, then walked into town with hubby for some lunch.  Now running the kids all over, and I have the Look Good Feel Better seminar tonight at 6.  I sure hope sleep is in store for us tonight Brenda !!!!

Alicia

HeyLittlebird75, I guess we're the only ones up tonite, probably cause we are out here on the west coast. Are you ok lil sis? Which chemo cocktail are you getting? If you can tell me, then me and the other Warriors can give you heads up about side effects and what to expect. I see your ERPR+ and Her2- so you have alot more options for treatment, which is a good thing. I went over to read your poems, hope you dont mind. They were excellent, very melancholy and dark, like this place we find ourselves in. I will tell you that as the days move on and you familiarize yourself with your diagnosis, your pathology and your chemo you will find yourself reaching some kind of acceptance. I don't quite understand why you were staged IIb if you had no nodes positive, unless that was a mistake. Anyway, which ever chemo you get there are certain things that are pretty universal as SEs, which they give us meds for . Nausea is a big one, mouth sores and sores in the netherland area, as well as the hair thing, usually head first then privates , the nose and lastly possibly the eyebrows and eyelashes. There are other various an sundry weird stuff like headaches, sinus pressure and dizziness, low body temp etc.etc. ad infinitum. HOWEVER, No one ever seems to get All the possible side effects and some people get very Few if Any at all. Thats why you just need to prepare for the possible ones so if they come you are ready, and if they don't you throw a party!! There is a list here on the site that lists all the things you need to take to your chemo TX and all the stuff you need at home to combat any side effects. Stuff like Imodium if your bowels get loose, colace and prunes in case you are constipated, babywipes and medicated pads for the netherlands, a squirt bottle with warm water to clean your bottom when you go 1 or 2, warm salt water for rinsing your mouth frequently, sugarless gum for saliva production because of dry mouth , saline nasal spray to moisten your nasal passages thera tears for your eyes and on and on!! but all this stuff will come in handy just in case!!! Check out the list!! It's perfectly normal that you would be very emotional, as we all have been and still will be at certain times!! Let the tears flow when you need to, don't stuff your emotions or your feelings. Let yourself grieve, and then you may have to grieve again. It's like when we let go of something and we think we are done with it and then all of a sudden its there again and we have to let go again. With BC, it seems that we have good days and bad ones, one minute up the next higher and then the next down. All the sisters here are great and they have alot of experiences to share with you, just keep coming here and posting, ask your questions and give us information so we can help you. There are alot of sisters from earlier groups who have tons of experience and they pop in every once in while to cheer us on or answer questions that we have. Take your time and read the your other sisters profiles too!! You are entitled to loose it whenever you need to, it's goes with the territory!! People mean well and they really do feel bad when they find out we have BC, but only people who are walking in your shoes can feel the depth of your loss, grief and fear!!! We all have felt that way and even if I don't feel that way this minute I might wake up with that "thing" in bed with me!! Keep in the loop sister ask you doctors tons of questions about your treatment and no one here ever says this but get a second opinion, as suggested by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Institute. Confirmation of diagnosis, pathology and treatment is very comforting!! Hang in there sis and try to get some sleep, which I will be doing right now!!  Goodnight warrior princess!!!

WELL no wonder I couldn't sleep, my scalp sounded like SNAP, CRACKLE and POP and not in a bowl of rice crispies.  I could pull it out in clumps and it was shedding all over.  As a family we buzzed it all off ~ I will keep this pic up for just today ~ as I hate it.  BUT want to be brave and just say tears shed and another hurdle is behind me. 

Alicia

Kimmy, looks like you're up to bat today.  We will be thinking of you.

BoxerSue, sorry it didn't go so well.  I think they can slow the Cytoxan if it is giving you a headache.  My nurse said it can go in anywhere from 30-60 minutes, but you can ask for the slower rate if it gives you a headache. 

I go to my LGFB class today, so I expect to be all set for the next ghastlies.

Have a peaceful day today, everyone.

Shelley 

BoxerSue - I'm sorry you had a rough time yesterday.  I agree with Shel that maybe you can get the onc nurse to slop the drip for Cytoxan.  My nurse gave it too me over a 90 minute time frame since it was my first time.  Friday, she will do 60 minutes.  I felt sinus pressure and a little headache coming on but I took 2 extra strength Tylenol before hand so it wasn't that bad.

Alicia - I still think you look beautiful even with a shaved head. 

Kimmy - You are up for #2 today.  I will be thinking of you and praying that everything goes well.

It could be chemo brain kicking in but I haven't seen a post from Pam lately.  I think she had a tx on 11/12 and I hope she is doing okay.  Pam - let us know how you are doing please.

My oncologist has changed my cocktail to Cytoxen and Taxotere (I'm sure spelled incorrectly).  Will this require a Neulasta shot?  I hate needles but I can deal with it if I know what's heading my way...next chemo is Wednesday before Thanksgiving. 

Hi Alicia and Hello to everyone here.  I didn't start my chemo in November, I started Sept. 24 - TAC every 3 weeks for 6 treatments - 4.5 months.  So, I just finished round 3, have round 4 on Nov. 30.  So, again, hello to everyone!

Linda in Las Vegas

Dear God Ladies, what do you do for the tiredness?! I'm sitting at my desk at work fighting tooth and nail not to drop my head against the keyboard and snore! I have never been so tired in my life and know I didn't sleep well the past two nights. Somebody please knock me on the head a couple of times!

I'm also going for my Neulasta shot. Is it as bad as I have heard?

All my sisters, thank you for letting me stay!!! Up very late last nite too hyped!!

SNAP<CRACKLE<POP!!!!! REALLY??? AMAZING DESCRIPTION of things to come for me and all the sisters. You break me up SISTER ALICIA!! DANG decadron!! 4am baby, you didn't sleep at all!! Steroids! yukk, its like doing lines of coke!! Don't sweat any of this girl your face is beautiful and you have a great shaped head and very nice cheekbones!!! Not all people have good shaped heads!! Your rocking this look too!! I'm so jealous cause I have previewed how I'm gonna look, think Alien as in close encounters YIKES!!! Hang in there my sis your in my heart!

SLV neulasta is for anyone whose white count gets too low, some docs give it right after 1st TX others don't. It really doesnt matter which chemo you get because it can happen to any of us! Your onc will let you know!!

MY TWIN CAFELOVR, another hero and Warrior Princess you are so BRAVE!! Iam so proud of you!! Wish I was down 1!! Wow sis what an excellent description of your experience I feel like I was there with you, I'm so sorry it was rough and I'm praying that today will go much better for you I have my arms around you!! Rest try to relax and eat something good! Good luck today with neulasta shot, take your claritin!! Remeber sis it's perfectly fine to cry, rant, rave and whatever here!!! Tight Hugs!!!

MOMMY2TWO Your right!! Haven't heard from PAMMY, JKWICK, or PORTERGIRL thanks for reminding me. Your brain is just fine, thanku very much!! MOMMY, tell me how to get your message, I'm so retarded!! Have a great day!! You look so cute in that wig!!

LIVELIFE, thanx for your vote Natalie! I'm gonna stay rite here!! I am eating lots of protein but would like to try that honey( manuaka ) where could I get some?? Heres another tip about raspberries,, of all the foods in the world they contain the most fiber, and they sure taste good!!! Thanks for your tips sis, have a great day!! Good for you you go head on on that treadmill!!

SHEL, hope your day at the look good feel better class goes really well and that you enjoy it alot!!  Get lots of goodies sister!! Your gonna look great!!

BOXERSUE what a great picture of you and one of your fur babies!! You look very nice!! Your description of your 1st TX was amazing. You and CAFELOVR gave all us girls a very in depth look and so much good info. I'm glad you guys are letting your feelings out so they don't eat you up inside!! It's all good my sis!! Because you and other sisters are being open the rest of us will know what to prepare for!! Document all your SEs and what works to get rid of them so on #2 you will no what to do!! alota luv. Have a much better day today!! HUGS

COOLBREEZE, hey sis we're the LADIES IN WAITING, I will pop in to December and share but this is my group as long as they want me!! Thanks for the invite and your confidence sis! HUGS!

BRENDASHARON thanku for detailed instructions re. pictures, but now realize I have to have a picture in computer, DAH DAH DAH!!!! What a tard I am!! Will find someone here at home to get one in my computer. Still praying rosaries for CLEAR MRI results on Thursday!!! Your in my heart!!! Hope your nerves are better today, and no shaking!!

JENNIFLOWER,  ANOTHER CALI GIRL!!! You are your own best advocate thru this journey. Don't ever loose your voice!! Tape your meeting with ONC, take someone with you to take notes also> Ask 100,000 questions re your chemo cocktail, SEs etc. get a SECOND OPINION from a Seperate Comprehensive Cancer Center. Theres a list on the NCI web site of cancer centers in your area!! Whatever you want to know from us just ask. Your stats look good, Stage 1 is good, < 1 cm, is good, Grade 2 better than grade 3, No nodes is great, ER&PR+ very good, Her2_- very very good!! you have a lot of options for treatments sister. Go to CHEMO LIST on this site for more info on what you need and what to do re. SEs. Welcome CALI GIRL!! HUGS!!!!

LVNLINDA WELCOME SISTER, wow 3 down and 3 to go you are already a big WARRIOR SISTER. Half way there. Be sure to share your experiences sis we will all benefit from anything you can tell us. How are you doing sister girl? Your in Vegas so your my neighbor, I'm in CALI!! Let us know all about you!!! lots of hugs!!

SISTERS WE ARE 29 STRONG!!! where are sisters, Sueinflu, Tawanda, Dee Dee 22, AnnH, Susan 62, Kayh, Omarsmom, Reglau, Portergirlsuzie, Annamary, JKWICK, Phillipa, and RedHead Pam ??? Hope you sisters are doing ok get back with us we are missing you!!! ((((((((((WARM TIGHT HUGS)))))))))