Starting Chemo Feb 2010?

Preparing for 1st chemo on Wednesday and already walking around with a bottle of water in my hand as that seems to be the key. I finally got around to organising an appointment for a bra and prosthesis today at 3.30 and a wig tomorrow at 2pm. I have been putting it off. Now it seems real. Felt fed up with it all today so did a walk with the dogs and have improved a bit. At least I don't worry about trivial things anymore. I cannot remember what life was like before this. I am sure we all feel the same. I really love this forum.

burley I was told that using numbing cream on the port will keep it from hurting so much. I plan on trying it before my labs on Tuesday (tomorrow). The last lab tech really punched it hard and it hurt for some time after. I'll let you know how it goes.

Welcome SunnyCoconut, and thanks for the happy image of the pink spiky mohawk! Today's the beginning of week 3 for me, and my scalp is itchier and the strands are starting to come out right on schedule. I was hoping to keep my hair until tomorrow, because I'm speaking at Career Day at my daughter's high school and wanted to look like myself (at least my "new" short-haircut self), and it looks like my scalp will cooperate and hang onto the hair for that! But maybe I'll let my daughter and her friends mess with it later this week before I buzz it, inspired by you!

Grdnslve, ha ha, you're going to get through this better than any of us thanks to your sense of humor! I'd like to buy you a big ol' cocktail when we're done with all this! As for my walking, don't forget that I live in SoCal, so here I'm just another aging jock mom doing the average exercise, where people all around me are running marathons or doing 5:30 a.m. boot camp. Plus I "only" had a lumpectomy and reconstruction, which was easy and I recovered quickly-- all you mastectomy gals have/had way bigger recovery issues. And for me, an hour walk is the surest way for me to let go of stress, clear my head, and sleep better at night. If it makes you feel any better grdnslve, I've always been at least 20 pounds overweight despite my walking/hiking/tennis/skiing/surfing ways. A girl's gotta keep her calorie count up.....

Speaking of the sleep issues so many are having, I had a rough time sleeping during the two months before chemo, with the can't-stop-the-brain-racing, cancer-fear, surgery-fear issues, and I resorted to the smallest dose of Xanax at 3 a.m. Worked very well, calmed the racing heartbeat thing, but didn't make me groggy when I had to get up at 6:30. It's an anti-anxiety med like Ativan. As Grace said, we've all gotta sleep, so don't feel bad about taking something. We're all in a temporary bad way, so do what you've gotta do to stay rested and healthy and get through this. I haven't needed it lately, but I'm glad it's there if I need it.

Looks like a big week for this group-- about 8 of you are starting out. Pamper yourselves, drink your water, try to get some exercise, and if you have to steroid-load, try to enjoy the energy it'll give you and accept that you'll sleep when they leave your system. Good luck! 

Hello Ladies,

I just love reading these posts, you all deserve a round of applause.  You make me laugh and cry and I look forward to the tomorrows because of you ladies.(Thank you)  I am suppose to start chemo this week, but I rec'd a call from my oncologist who has some questions for my surgeon.  I will post my diagnosis when I get the completed one.  I have had 2 surgeries to date, the first 12/4 lumpectomy and the 2nd 01/25 needed the 2nd to get the clear margins for radiation.  Well, because of the size of the tumor the 2nd time around (added to the 1st) it has bumped me up and now I require the chemo.  I have "prepared" myself as best as I can with all of the help from these boards.  I have my scarves, my little "baggie" to carry with me and the positive attitude and of course the water bottle that is attached to my hip now.  Thank you all. Stacey

Hi all,  I have been reading along this month but just thought I would try joining in.  I started 4 rounds of AC on Feb 4, to be followed with 12 of T.  The first tx went well, just a bad headache and heartburn, and I had no reaction from the N shot.  But the hair started going on Sat (day 16).  Have to say that is hitting the hardest. I do enjoy following along with the group.  Not sure how long the few strands are going to stick around, is it better just to shave them rather than shedding?

If you haven't heard of this lady and her free scarves for chemo patients, check out her site.  I just received my scarf, and it is beautiful.  THe ladies at the company all signed a good wishes card that was sent along with the scarf. 

Hello,

I'm very new to the TNBC foundation and am thrilled to have found this resource.  As a tech challenged person, it took me awhile to figure out how to even post a message.  My name is Laurie Erickson and I am the CEO of a fashion accessory company located in Washington State.  A few years ago I launched a program called Good Wishes scarves - a program where my company makes one, free of charge, silk scarf or headwrap for women experiencing hair loss.  This program was borne as a result of an email I received from a loyal customer, Hillary, who bought hair accessories from my company.  She wrote to our customer care address and asked if we had any products for women who are losing or have lost their hair.  I replied no at the time, but offered to make her a scarf at no charge, in a color of her choosing.  When her scarf was completed, we had a staff meeting and had a moment for this terrific woman, silently sending her Good Wishes.  After receiving her scarf, we communicated from time to time and I told Hillary that should she meet anyone along her journey, who might enjoy a Good Wishes scarf to please let me know and I would happily have our factory make one for her - she told me that her Good Wishes scarf had brought her comfort during her chemo sessions.   At a subsequent Chemotherapy session, Hillary met a woman who learned of our fledgling program and requested a scarf - we were so happy to know that our desire to give was becoming a reality. 

I have really struggled to connect, to give, to share our scarves with women.  It seems so odd to have the ability to give and KNOW the need is out there, but struggle to find the bridge to get that done.  Fortunately, I spoke with Malaak Compton Rock earlier this week and she told me about TNBC - I was so happy when we spoke and I said "you're my Bridge!" - she was as always just lovely and helpful and I am absolutely optimistic.  My head has been spinning with ideas and so I write to you here to help me spread the word. It's very simple.  My company works with hundreds of different silks and cottons.  I will give as much as I possibly can to the community of women who are undergoing or experiencing an event where she is losing her hair.  I have two options at this time; a scarf (which can be a bit cumbersome for some) or a headwrap called "It's a Wrap".  I will send you one at no charge.  We don't have these all up on our website yet at http://www.franceluxe.com/, but I can send you swatches or a scan of the available fabrics at this time. 

If you or someone you know would enjoy either a scarf or an It's a Wrap - please email me at laurie@franceluxe.com and me and my staff will work to get it done for you.

In closing, I've worked in the fashion accessories industry for over 20 years.  It is an honor and a pleasure to put smiles on faces through sharing our work - I believe in the power of sending good wishes.

Thank you and I look forward to working together with you to perhaps send some comfort to women from women.

Funny, funny - I got my wigs in the mail today and I opened them and was looking for something to put them on so they would fluff out.  Well, I came back in the kitchen and my cat was having a field day with the wig - attacking it, clawing it and freaking out.  Cracked me up - just hope he doesn't act like that when I have it on my head!!!  Mo

Stacey I also had two surgeries, first a lumpectomy in Nov then a full L side mastectomy in Jan.  Yuck I just wish they would have done the mastectomy first.

To all our new sisters- welcome,

 Copingkris -I no longer"man up" for anything.  I now believe that scientist worked hard to create the perfect medications and I am going to use any and all of them as needed.  Just doing my part for science.

Frosty - thanks for the information, they have beautiful scarfs, I sent an email and requested one. What a nice thing to do, there are really nice people out there. 

grdnslve- you just crack me up - are you using medicinal marijuana LOL

letha17- When I was first diagnosed my PMD discontinued my Vit D.  I asked my oncologist about Vit D and she is OK with it, so I am back to taking 5,000IU.  Before I was diagnosed I couldn't get my Vit D levels up despite taking 5,000IU daily.  Post surgery my vit D levels rose substantially, it was probably the cancer keeping the numbers so low that my PMD didn't believe that I was actually taking the VIt D on a regular basis.

mofend- that is hysterical, good luck when you wear it, hope you don't wind up with a bunch of cats following you around.

frosty1-thank you for the link!  The headwraps look really cute!

mofend-I am worried about my 4 cats and what they will do to my wig.  I haven't ordered it yet, but will have to find a place for safekeeping before I do.  Thanks for the laugh!

Day 11 and absolutely no hair loss-not even a few strands.  I told my friend/hairdresser that I'm ready for it to fall out because I need a cut and color so badly.  I also think my husband will finally freak out when he sees the hair go.  He's been good about everything so far, and finally made me show him my "boobs" about a week ago (yes, I was able to hide them that long!)  But the hair...alas, it's inevitable.

Thank you everyone for the posts about Vitamin D-I had no idea I should be concerned about my levels, and will get a supplement right away!

I'm back-I feel like I'm starting to get a cold, so I started taking Zicam.  My husband said I'm not supposed to be taking any sort of vitamin C because it defeats the purpose of the chemo...he was apparently paying attention when they were going over my chemo regimen.

Yes, no?

I start chemo on Wednesday and am mildly terrified. It feels a little like waiting to be deployed to Iraq -- you know it is going to be rough, but until you get there, you don't really know how rough it may be. It really calms me down to read what all of you who are already there have said about the trip. I especially appreciate grdnslve's humor. Having a laugh in the midst of all this reminds us that we still can. And the line about the cat playing with your wig, mofend, made me spit out my water!

Sonny Coconut: Welcome.  I am also a triple negative (TN).  I am on TAC for chemo. 6 sessions 3 weeks apart.

mebrown : ACS gave me 2 brand new  raquel welch wigs.  My insurance doesn't cover wigs so this was a blessing.

Day 15 past chemo now.  WBC was 2 yesterday so able to stop the nupagin injections.  Hope to shave today cause my hair is falling fast.  Yesterday lost most of my pubes.  Also noticed that eyebrow pencil was in order for yesterday. Fatigue, a throat infection and mouth sores are my biggest issues right now.

my mom will take her second cemo tomorrow. one of our family member is a Doc and she said stop taking Vit - D