Pagowens , sounds like we are having the same issues with fluids . I recieved my 3 hit of AC last week and started feeling awful Sat , now here it is Tuesday and I too drag my self out of bed , no appetite stomach does this flip flop off and on most of the day . This is really P---ing me off . I hate not being in control .

nail beds are starting to turn dark I just feel darn right ugly .

I've decided if this last one more day I will call bacause I also started a clinical trial and not sure if it is the pill from that which is making me  feel this way .

So sorry to hear about to BC friend , such a hard thing to hear . But you are Wonder wonder and we have to be positvie and get over this hump

Fondly Linda

Youngmomof3 - Yes, I believe the Herceptin is what is causing the tumor to shrink. The way my dr's explained it is that is stops the thing from overexpressing and since it can't do that it can't grow. They have told me several times that in women with this type of cancer, that the mass is sometimes gone by the time chemo is done. 

TerriJo - my doctor insisted on me getting H1N1 before I started Chemo, and since it was free I got it. There have been outbreaks in the St. Louis area, none recently, but better safe than sorry. There was no mention of the pneumonia shot being needed, at least for me anyway.

Hope everyone else is doing well  - we can do this!

Side note - Build a Bear actually has a Breast Cancer Bear. Did you guys know this? A few of my co-worker presented it to me yesterday. It is of course Pink with the breast cancer ribbon on one of the feet and it even has a black wig on it. And the t-shirt says "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL"  So everyone - lets fight like GIRLS and beat this!

Today was AC #2 and so far so good. If it's like the first, I start feeling exhausted days 3-5, then start coming out of it. Hair's falling out everywhere. What a freaky science experiment! I'm trying to make it exciting for my daughter--"Hey look! More of mom's hair in the sink! Woo Hoo! She gets excited, then solemnly tells me it will grow back. 

mslrg--I live in a smallish town in CA, but am staying with my parents at times while having treatment in the Bay Area, since they live there. I used to live outside Sacramento a long time ago!

michelle--nj--I get pretty bad headaches from the anti-nausea drug Zofron and another drug the nurse puts in my IV called Kytrill sp?, which is another drug from that same class. My nurse called it Zofron's mother (funny!) today because it's a stonger anti-nausea drug than Zofron. So maybe if you're taking those drugs they could be a cause of your headache? I know once I stopped the Zofron, the headaches stopped. Good luck.

georgiabirdgirl-- I don't like my wig either, even though I spent tons of times searching for the perfect one. I had it trimmed by one of the best wig people in SF, and have to have it tweaked even more before considering wearing it. So for now, it's scarves (which I also learned to tie at the Look Good Feel Better Class!) and hats. No more baseball caps : ( 

Hi All,

Another snow day!  Yippee.  I went to the onc late yesterday and they took one look at me and put me on an iv.  Said the extra fluids would help - and they did, especially because they put in an anti-nausea something into it.  Only resulting problem was an increase in the diarhea -- more fluids in....  But that also stopped late last night.

Now here's the part that kinda ticked me off.  There's a whole arsenal of "stuff" the onc has for queezy stomach, nausea, fatigue, etc.  They said that since I had a bad cycle, they'd give me more of these upfront (another one of those unexpressed "let's see how her body does" examples).  They gave me a Sancuso patch for next Wed chemo.  I have to put it on Tuesday morning and keep it on through chemo and at least until Thursday night but it can be worn up to 5 days.  I don't know if I still get the Emend - I didn't ask. Anyone else get this patch?

I'm going to try to drink even more - have been doing around 80-100 ounces a day.  I'm going back to mixing in Gatorade No Excuses again.  Got a new flavor.

So, I feel a bit more like Wonder Woman today - had a few days where my powers were being tested...but, I'm back to feisty. 

Also, have lost almost 10 lbs so far - this is not a complaint, I could lose another 30!  I would not, however, recommend the chemo diet to my friends.  I might get into some of my thinner clothes by the end of this - wahoo!  Just in time for the summer beach weather.

Ciao!

Pat

I typed a long post last night but my lap top ate it.

I am in wig envy too. The ones of I saw of your ladies' look so natual. Mine doens't. It looks kinda fake in the front. Maybe too shinny? What do you ladies think.

Hi ladies,

I have a question for all of you: Monday night and throughout Tuesday I had intermittent, sharp, little pains that ran through my left arm, left side of my chest,neck, and back and a little bit on the right side of my chest as well. They didn't really hurt but always took me a little by surprise. I called my onc office at 4:00 yesterday(he is in FLA on vacation right now) and  told them what i was feeling. They recommended that I go to the emergency room to get checked out b/c i am getting chemo and the pain is near my port(still not working) and also my heart. Of course last night and all day today we were expecting a snow storm so I was hoping to not get stuck there. Went to the ER and was taken immediatly for an EKG(came back fine), bloodwork and a chest x-ray. After waitng for about 4 hrs. dr came in and said all tests came back okay. Bloodwork & x-ray didn't show any signs of a blood clot and she checked tomake sure I wasn't swollen in my hands or feet. she called and spoke with onc on-call and they both agreed that nothing appeared to be concerning but if I wanted to wait a few more hours I could get an ultrasound just to make sure. as much as i would have liked a little more reassurance i didn't want to be there any longer esp b/c of the snowstorm and my poor in-laws were at my house with the kids so we came home. she told me to return if the pain got worse, sweeling started or i had difficulty breathing. 

as of today i am still having the pain but no other concerns and pain is the same as it has been. okay so now for my question....has any of this happened to anyone on here? could it be port-related? herceptin-related? chemo-related? anxiety-related? indigestion? oh the list goes on and on. I am so worried that something is wrong in my body but the tests didn't show it. i go for another round of herceptin on thurs and my port study is on monday so i should know more then. i can handle the chemo and SE's but this crap is freaking me out completely! any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

on another note, i spent the past 2 days scheduling the port study. what a pain in the butt. i accidentl;y scheduled an appt at the wrong location then when i tried to schedule one at my nearest hospital wouldn't do it b/c they didn't put the port in.  finally onc office got involved and made arrangemtns for me to have it done at their main hospital on monday. had to get lots ofbloodwork done and told not to eat or drink after 12 midnight. thought i was just getting a study done, now told if they find a problem they may fix it then and i may need anesthesia. was not prepared for any of that happening on monday. i am soooo over this damn port!!!

okay, done with my ranting and raving. will write happier thoughts later in the day when my cranky baby takes a nap.now off to enjoy my snow day:)

youngfmomof3--I have had a similar experience and almost ended up in the ER on Monday. I also had bloodwork done and I had an echo done on Friday last week--My onc says that because I am anemic, my heart has to pump harder to get oxygen around my body; hence, chest tightness and pain in extremities--which lose blood supply when what's there is going to be directed to brain and heart first. I know how scary that is.

By the way I am going for my one drug abraxane at 4pm after work...this is number 5. I forgot to tell you guys earlier my first treatment was really January 6th since I had an adverse reaction to taxol the first time stopped breathing the whole rare but could happen reaction!  I only had 12 cc before the reaction...needless to say no more for me.

Tedwards--so sorry you have to walk down this road again! Hang in there! Good job you got your mammo at 40. If you followed the new guidelines, you and a lot of us on this thread who are in our 40s would be in big trouble!

lssymom - paxton has been MIA for a bit, hope all is well with her. Thought about MPing her but don't want to intrude. Let's hope that cute baby is just keeping her busy.

BTW - you ladies that clean and work out within days of your treatments are an inspiration to me!

mom2Bnegativex3 the women at the place where I got my wig told me that if it was too shiny to put a bit of powder on it.  Might be worth a try, you can always wash it out.

I hope today has been as good for you ladies as it has been for me.  Today was my perfect kind of day.  Work was closed due to the snow.   I stayed home all day enjoying the weather and hanging with my 4 cats and mini schnauzer.  My boyfriend got a hotel room close to his job, so I have been on my own to shovel out.  I made a big pot of minestrone soup and baked some bread to have with it. 

Yesterday was the first day I finally started to feel good after my second TC treatment and tomorrow I have to go for #3.  I just hope the roads are clear.  I don't want anything to interrupt my treatment.  I noticed this time about 3 days after the treatment I got 3 small skin eruptions on my arm.  They resemble a fever blister.  I will show the onc tomorrow.  Anyone else get some skin stuff?  I too have felt some mild chest pain.  I keep attributing any aches and pains to the chemo.  I don't know if this is good or not.

I friend called earlier and told me someone I used to work with is in the hospital today having a masectomy, they discovered she had BC.  It made me so sad.  Do you think it would be ok to reach out to her and just let her know I am going through it too?  I thought maybe sending her a card.

I also signed up for Look Good Feel Better workshop.  I am supposed to go on 2/26. 

I too have been wondering about Paxton.  We are all thinking of you. 

I got my Victoria Secret Thigh High stockings the other day and tried them with my wig yesterday at work.  I must say, my head was the most comfortable it has been.  The silicone band really holds tight to your head and the edge of the wig has something to hold on to.  It was the least I had to adjust my wig yet.  I am usually fiddling with it everytime I am in the ladies room.

Gramo, I hope you are feeling better. My tummy, We;; actually like in the back of my throat feels like I could throw up. I just eat every two hours something small.

Wow Terri Jo I am so gladyou are feeling good. Nothing better then that. I got my Heavenly hats and they were all cute. two for my dauhters and 3 for me! Way to generous!

Thanks Vegasdiva for the link.Thanks for the wig tip to. I will try it. Hopefully round 3 goes well.I say heck ya in reaching out. I have some many ladies that have to me and I am ver thankful!! I am sure the eruptions are nothing. Just another side effect. Great idea about VS. Since loosing a lot of my hair Ihad to tighting my wig. I was constanly fidgeting with it!

Sounds so fund, Tamatar!!! My 9 year old little girl cut my hair for me, Good luck wiith number 2 today!

. The weird thing is my hair stopped falling out. I have razor stubble on my legs not to much under my arms and I nev er shaved my head and my hair on my head stopped falling out too. The onc nurse said don't worry it will. I just had my 3rd ac and my tumor is completly gone. We went to the radiolgist and he says I don't have to have radation. what do ouladies think? I just don't wnat thisdarn stuff to come back. I go in to surgery 3 weeks from my last of my first 4 A/C. Will get the other 4 Taxol 3 weeks after surgery. They want to do delayed reconstruction depending on what they find during and after surgery. I want immediate. I am so torn to what to do.

Right now I am wide awake. Can't sleep. I do this every morning I would love to get up and clean and do my mommy duties but then again I would love togo back to sleep. Well better go cause this hopefull will make itto the boards! lol Good luck to all that are having treatment today. and big hugs to those who aren't feeling so hot. and Woo Hoo for those who feel good! Have a blessed day!

Hi All,

I got my email notice today that I've been adopted by two ChemoAngels.  Thanks so much for that tip and the website information.  I'm not sure what will happen, but it's nice to know that someone kind will be thinking about me and checking in to see how I'm doing.  I also gave the ACS Feel Good another whirl.  When I showed up in late Dec, they had canceled but didn't tell me.  So, I'm signed up for late Feb.  Hey, the free makeup is probably worth the second chance!

Today we have a half day snow day - so, I'm taking my time to get to work .  I feel like the switch was flipped again (day 9 after chemo 2) and I feel good.  Except for the two mouth sores that appeared overnight, I'm almost feeling normal.  Knowing that the body rebounds even after a "bad" cycle helps me face chemo #3 next Wednesday.  Only two more A/C to go!!  Yippee.

Welcome Tedwards.  Your story is one that helps the rest of us be very mindful of our bodies after the chemo/rads.  Thank you for sharing and I'm sending good vibes your way for this leg of your journey.  Hugs.

 BTW, I gave up cleaning in December.  I figure lowering my standards for this year was permissable.  No one seems to mind in this household!  Since I was never a workout-er...that was easy to not do as well.  YEAH, I know...I SHOULD be doing it.  I think my body could only handle so many shocks at once.  If I lace up the sneakers, my heart may not be able to take it.

Ciao!

Pat

I am on Day 3 after AC and feeling very tired and a little under the weather.  I plan to stay on the couch all day.

mom2bnegative - I had a bi-lat with delayed reconstruction because my BS and PS won't do immediate.  They say too many things can go wrong.  When they explained what they do, it sounded like the right decision.  I really thought it would be difficult to be flat (I was a D cup) but it has been easier than expected.  I probably will not get around to recon until mid summer (maybe fall).  Congrats on the great shrinkage of the tumor.  They say TN responds well to chemo and you are the example.  My tumor was 2.5cm but since I had a mastectomy, I did not have to have radiation.  The Today Show this morning did a story on a reporter who has TNBC.  Nothing we didn't know but at least more people will know about TN.

michelle_nj check out PaulaYoung.com for wigs.  I just received 3 from them today.  They actually had the exact color of my real hair.  They also send hair samples for free so you can really tell what the color is.  The styles I got were Avery, Rennie and Snap.  I got Snap free, it was a buy one get one.  The prices are great.  How was the BC workshop conference call?  I would have joined but I was at the hospital until 2:45.

I had my 3rd TC today.  So far all is good. When they did the pre-treatment bloodwork my onc said my numbers were great.  I'm not really sure what they should be, but my WBC was 8.8, Hg 12.1 and plts 425,000.  Tomorrow I will go for my Neulasta shot.  Thank goodness the roads were all clear when I headed out at 9.

Any Survivor watchers out there?  I'm looking forward to the Heros vs Villians starting tonight.