Class of 2010

One of the hardest things we had to do during all of this, was to tell our two girls (12 and 9) that I had breast cancer. Just saying the words out loud to them was extremely difficult. They were shocked--just like we all were. One thing that helped (I think) was that I told them I wasn't sick, meaning I felt totally normal and could function fine, but that the treatment would make me sick.

We told them early on before we knew if I'd have chemo or radiation and before we realized I would have to have a mastectomy. It seemed to help them to know that even if I got really sick from the chemo (and lost my hair) that it would be because we were working to get rid of the cancer. 

I'm sorry all the women with bc have to go through this and I'm sorry our children have to worry about it. On the funny side: My girls get a kick out of my 'chemo brain', although my husband tells them chemo has nothing to do with it! He's says I've been forgettfull for years!

Codavis - That is funny what you said about "chemo brain".  My daughter swears that they messed with my brain during my last surgery and I haven't even started Chemo yet.  I can't imagine what she will have to say then, I am sure my husband will say the same as yours.  LOL

Retrievermom, your DH sounds like a funny guy. 

Today at dinner, my DD noticed that I still had my sunglasses on my head and laughed at my forgetfulness.  I haven't even started chemo yet!  I must be having anticipatory SEs.   I also woke up in the wee hours with serious night sweats last night.

Hi all! 

Well, "codavis", I agree that telling your kids is hard!  I have tried to be honest with mine from the very beginning.  They are 13 (girl) and 17 (boy).  Most everything in life we try to be upfront and honest about with them without scaring them.  I think they realize that life is precious and should be treasured.  My daughter is the most outspoken about things.  When I told her about chemo, she said "Oh mom, you're not going to lose your hair, are you?"  and when I said "yes" she just said "oh, mommy... " and gave me a big hug.  She is also the one who asked, "You're not going to die, are you?"  You see, her grandpa and my aunt (who was like a grandma to her, since I dont' have a mom) have just passed away in the last year.  I told her that no, I wasn't ready to "die" and that I just had a lot of crummy treatments to get through, but that I would be better again at some point, but this summer was going to have to be more "chilled out" than the past couple.  We love to travel and travel quite a bit, but maybe not so much this year.  I think she is totally okay with things for now.  She and my son both went with me and my girlfriend to the wig shop over spring break.  We actually had alot of fun with it!    They certainly gave me their opinions.  My son was like, "NO red hair, mom! " Something I had been teasing about.  I have to say though, that actually speaking the words and allowing them to joke a bit about it is VERY free-ing!  (On a side note, my sister who is quite a bit older than me, can't bring herself to even say the word, "cancer"... she had to whisper it when she went with me to an appointment... not the best support, I'll say...) 

So I start my chemo on Friday at 2pm.  Any advice?  It will be Taxotere and Cytoxan, every 3 weeks for 4 treatments.  I am trying to look forward to this "cocktail" as a step forward in treatment.  Even calling it Friday's "Happy Hour" though I usually prefer a different type of cocktail. LOL  

I feel so fortunate to have found this discussion group.  You all are great!  And I am praying for strength and courage for each of you this week!   

Jan:  I did the four rounds of TC, too.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  And have otc's on hand for constipation and heartburn.  If you are going to have the neulasta after each round, have claritin and something like aleve on hand.  Ditto to teka's comment about getting on the anti-nausea med ahead, if that's what your doc recommends.  Post to let us know how you are doing.

The concerns about telling the kids seem to transcend their ages.  I had such angst over telling my 19 year old son.  Since the hair is such a visible sign of change, it appears that's the focus for young kids.  My friend's 6 year old twins are counting the months until mine grows back.

I am sorry about your friend, Irish.  That is so hard.

Linda: Someone told me to use cream on my breast before starting rads.  Would you agree?

Irish...I am so sorry to hear about your friend. It is so sad to lose a good friend.

You gals that are doing chemo rock! Keep up the good attitude and you are in my thoughts.

I get to call my Onco office today to see if they got my results from the pelvic ultrasound with the enlarged ovary and cysts. The gyn office didn't seem to have a clue what to do with me, I think they just treat pregnant women. I'm a little freaked out about the whole thing.

Linda...good luck with the scan and xray results. Don't ya just love all this waiting?

Okay, bone scan done, tech said he didn't see anything, so all good.

Katie 

Katie, I bet you are relieved! Glad the scan came out clear and that you didn't have to wait a week to find out!

Linda, I went through trauma prior to my surgery with something "Suspicious" on my lower back x-ray. They sent me for an MRI and found a slipping disc. They could have just asked me and I would have told them that.  We aren't 20 anymore and I am guessing and hoping it will be the same for you. I just wish there was a way they could check us out without freaking us out so much.

Had my first fill today, 120 on each side. Not bad at all but I am sure that will change as it gets tighter. The plan is to go back for 60 cc on each side each week but it will be adjusted as we go. 

LOL! I chose perky because I was being ironic. I was a DDD (NOT perky!) Feeling pretty overwhelmed by everything (NOT perky) and contemplating a BMX which of course, I did.

Love that the irony is on me because I WILL end up perky in the end with a pair of gravity defying breasts and some extra surgical "Tweaks" thrown in for good measure.  Who knew?

Oh my,

you all make me laugh and cry...

Irish, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.  I lost a next door neighbor to breast cancer about 10 years ago... I feel bad now because I had NO idea what she had been through.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for the tip on nausea meds, I have 2 prescriptions for those along with the Decadron to take before chemo on Friday. I will let you know how it goes...

I feel like I have been doing pretty good emotionally, then I got the call today that the wig I chose (which was a tedious decision) is on back order... such a silly thing, yet it brought me to tears, Ugh!... I am STONGER than this!

Praying for your results on your lower back, Linda!

Hugs!

Irish47 - I am sorry about the loss of your friend, it must really be tough on you.  My thoughts and prayers are out to you and her family. 

Linda - I am hoping for you that the x-ray shows only your old injury.

arubajan05 - I am with you on the wig being a big deal.  Now that I am being cleared for chemo, I am starting to panic about not having a wig yet.  A good friend referred me to her friend that called  me yesterday and is going to help me get my wig, but I am really nervous about not having it in time. 

Have a great day ladies, off to the vet to see why my 14 year old jack russell's back legs have decided to keep giving out....ugh!

arubajan05,

I made it to 3 weeks before shaving my head.   However, I am only wearing regular chemo hats with decorative flowers.   I let my bald head breath while in the house.   RELAX!   Headcovers Unlimited   214 S. Iowa Avenue - League City, TX  77573   1-800-264-HATS - www.headcovers.com   My hats ordered online came the following week.

Yes...wouldn't it be FANTASTIC for us all to hear "all good, you go run and jump now" from our oncologist?  I'd just be jumping and shouting and would throw the odd little moon-walk step in there for good measure.  For some reason, I've always been quite good at doing the moon-walk.

So I heard from the oncologist this morning.  The bone scan showed nothing on my vertebra but saw something on my head just behind my left eyebrow...  BUT, the radiologist and oncologist both agreed it was probably benign and they recommend another bone scan in one year....  

When will it ever end?  When will it e....ver end???

Meantime, I really feel headachy and yucchy.  Anyone else just doing radiation feeling this way?  I am at 13 of 34 doses.

Katie