May 2010 Chemo

i will rec port on 5/6/10-7:00am.Then go directly to infusion center for to start chemo. begin taking dex???something today.  I am scared but have faith in God to see me through.

Hello Ladies,

I just had my first of 4 T/C treatments today (5/5).  I re-named the day as "Chemo de Mayo" and brought virgin margaritas to the session to share with the staff.  I figure it is always a good idea to be nice to the people with the needles.  Humor is a big part of how I am staying sane.  I wore my t-shirt that says "Yes They're Fake.  The real ones tried to kill me."  This is always a big hit with medical types.  Also, I made my own cold packs to strap to my forehead in the hopes that they have the same effect as cold cap therapy for my eyebrows.  I decided that losing my hair was not as big of a deal as losing my brows, so I figured it was worth a try. 

 So my session went quite well and afterward I only felt a little tired (took a nap after dinner), a little sore throat/headache (swallowed some Manuka Honey and took a sudafed PE for probable allergies).  I have been drinking TONS of water for the last 3 days, but now I don't seem to be peeing out as much as I am taking in.  Probably steroid induced retention.  I also took 1 colace this AM and 2 this PM.

I am still experiencing breast pain (had dmx w/tissue expanders 3/16 and am now fully inflated to 420ccs in anticipation of radiation to follow chemo).  I got some Norco from my onc because regular Vicodin and Tylenol w/codeine does not help.

Glad to be part of this supportive group, even if I had to get cancer to do so.

Keep your chins up (I have at least 2 that I keep up).

Jen

Good Morning Ladies.....all your information has been very inspiring!  Like someone said my head is still spinning but I'm taking this one day and one step at a time.

My daughter told me about reading the information on the cool caps to prevent less of a hair loss.  I'm checking with my onco today when I get there....but I will also be sure I keep the ice coming strong.  I have a tendency to get fever blisters and canker sores pretty easy.  So I want to ward off those things as much as I can.  In fact I don't know if it is the stress over everything or if it had something to do with the MRI and PET, but I did get a fever blister, thank goodness its now healing and has gone away.  I swished my mouth a little last night with some warm salty water because I was bit the side of my mouth while eating and I didn't want that to start the cankers.

Its terrible that we all had to meet because of this monster, but I'm so glad God provided this group as support.  I thanked God this morning for the earthly angels and the heavenly angels he has placed around me through this.  You girls have a good day and stay strong!  I'm leaving now to go set with my new special friend...."The White Recliner".  Why couldn't they have made it pink or blue with cushions?  Infact why don't they even add some BLING to the room?  Maybe I will put that in the suggestion box.....Love you girls already....Have a glorious Day....DonnaDoodle50

Day - My Mom had a year of chemo back in the late 70's and she didn't lose her hair but it did thin. I wish I knew what she rec'd. She was stage 4 at dx and never had a recurrence of BC after tx. I am so sorry to hear you got caught in the Chernobyl disaster. Also sorry hear you still have some time alone. I'm glad he will be back tomorrow night. Thanks for sharing about nodes. I am leaning toward the full ax dis as a precaution. I'll just have to make my husband lift anything over 10 lbs - ha, ha! So glad your PET showed no mets, what a relief!!!

JennyB - Thanks for your input on the ax dis. I am looking for a way out and will talk to the onc today. My surgeon's nurse yesterday said it's up to me but highly recommended. Darn it! Have fun with your pixie doo. I suppose I'll be joining you soon. I usually have my husband trim the ends of my hair, but now I think I'll let him design me something pixie-ish. Then quickly get a baseball cap!

TriciaB - Thanks so much for the info. You sound great and I'm so wishing this continues for you.! I had not heard about ice chips, or cold cap, so I much appreciate. Congrats on 0/3 nodes - hurray!! All the best to you and good vibes.

dana14 - Good news, hope all continues well for you.

Redbard804 - I don't know about the thread that lists things you need to have ready B4 chemo. I would be interested too if anyone finds this. I'm meeting my oncologist for the first time today so will need to start figuring out how best to prepare. Thank you for any information. Best of luck with your teaching session coming up.

LauraM and msbtl -- Wishing you all the best today, let us know how it goes.

Sacphotomom - I like your Chrystal light idea. I don't like sodas, and fruit juice is too sweet. I've been trying to find drinks that taste good and don't have bad chemicals in them as it sounds like drinking tons of fluids will be important through this. I was craving almonds yesterday and bought some. My friend says we have to listen to our bodies about these cravings. But if I did that I'd just eat potato chips all day (and peanut butter). Good luck with your hair cut.

packjen - You have a great sense of humor, thanks for that! I've always hated my eyebrows, so I'll be sorta glad to let them go. These are the things that can go: eyebrows, nose hairs, those annoying little wild chin hairs, underarms, legs...I wish I could keep my long hair and pubs, oh well, I guess it'll grow back later. I so hope you are feeling well and please keep up the humor.

RRmom43 - Thanks for your encouraging post. So much appreciated!!!!

DonnaDoodle - Like you I'm finding everyone's posts to be inspiring and encouraging. It is terrible to have to meet like this. I'm so sorry you have to be here, but I appreciate you sharing as it helps to give me strength.

fotopet - Thanks again for starting this group.

I am so glad for this support group. I think of you May chemo heros all the time and I send you my very best wishes and prayers that all goes smoothly. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Beanie

Dana,

I dont' know why he didn't order Neulasta, and said only if my blood count is not right 10 days after it will be administered. I had Monday the appointment, they drew blood and they said my results ere "picture perfect". They'll draw blood again tomorrow of course.

Hi fotopet,

I should have said that I have t/c X4 @ 3weeks, then rads, then Tamoxifen, then Arimadex.

Now one day after first chemo and no noticable side effects except slight headache and afternoon tiredness.  I hope this keeps up.

FYI, I was asked to take part in a clinical trial for Acetyl L-Carnitine to help determine whether it would reduce the risk of neuropothy.  I checked this supplement out online and decided I would rather take it on my own than go through the clinical trial where I might be getting placebo.  So I am taking 750mg 3x per day.  I will let you all know how it goes.  I purchased it at my local health food store, but I think it is available cheaper on line.

Best wishes to all.

Jen

Day and Golfergirl - Good luck tomorrow!! Hope it all goes smoothly.

PackJen and Laura: I'm so happy to hear things are going well!!

I just did my last CHEMO TREATMENT today hurrah

Leanna9:  Looks like you and I will be starting on the same day. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you and saying a few prayers too!! 

Day and Golfergirl:  I'll be thinking and praying for you today.  Good luck! 

Donna Doodle 50 and msbt1:  I hope you are both doing well after your treatment yesterday. 

Sunflower and trishiab: HOw did your treatment go?  I haven't been able to catch up on everyones posts the last few days and was wondering how you two were doing.  Hope all is going well.

Jenny B:  I'm glad you are feeling better. 

Thank you for thinking of me! I will be leaving the house in about 40 minutes. My sweetheart managed to persuade his bosses and came home last evening to go with me today! I feel much better and I'm not that anxious anymore - he has this effect on me, any anxiety I have goes with the wind (speaking of wind it's VERY windy today in Oklahoma). I am suppoed to have blood drawn at 10:30 and start the treatment at 11:00. Supposedly it takes 2 hours. I'll post when I get back.

Hugs all

Day

Checking in ladies.  I'm Day 5 out from first AC cycle (5/3), followed by Neulasta shot (5/4).

Marmalade-skies:  Did you get emend, dexa, etc. in your infusion?  Did they give you some dexamethasone and emend to take home for nausea?  Everybody's different, but my oncol says that they can manage the nausea and vomitting.  I am so sorry for what you are going through.  Please call you oncol and see if they can give you something.  I got the full court press and it worked (at least so far).

I think I can report that the Claratin (Loratadine) worked to ward off joint/bone pain after Neulasta.  I had shot on Tuesday and so far all I've had is slight pain in my shoulder this morning.  But I have coincidentally been taking Claratin every day for years for allergies.  So that might have helped me fight off the joint pain from Neulasta.

Also, am managing constipation with lots of dried fruit and a mild stool softener taken each evening at 5 (sorry if this is TMI but you gotta stay ahead of the constipation!!).  I am taking a Pepcid each morning and evening as I was getting crampy stomach and acid indigestion.

Still drinking tons of water and white tea. Berry/yogurt/protein smoothy in am helps.

I hope you guys don't mind me putting in these tips on what seems to be working.  I just find the tips I've read on these dialogue boards have been so helpful and I want to pass along the ones that do seem to work. I am very aware however that I cannot expect all my chemo cycles to be smooth sailing.  Like I said before, just trying to appreciate the good days and steel myself for the bad days.  Love and good vibes to you all.

Tricia! Thanks a million. I was wondering about the Claritin because I too have been taking this for year and was wondering if that meant I was not going to get a benefit because of it. I'm so glad to hear it seems to have worked for you. The smoothy is an excellent idea!

Hi Ladies - finally have my start date for the chemo, it is Monday, May 10th.  Got the port put in this morning. 

Leanna9, you and I are right there together. 

Laurie R - congratulations, I am so happy for you and your family.

Beainus - We are happy to have you with us. Together, women can get through anything.

Day - I anxiously await what you have to say. Hope it went very, very well.

Pack Jen - I have not knowledge of Neulesta yet..... 

Marmalade - Great to hear your days are getting better and better!

 Redbarb - Love the sayings on the t-shirt, great idea!  My friend suggested naming the chemos a friendly, fighting name...having come up with anything.   Any ideas?

Wishing the best to everyone - remember if you want a rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.

Judy

Charliebird.......I sent you a PM.......