April 2010 starting chemo

SGJ05, my results took about 3 weeks.  The nurse apparently receives word that the results are on their way, so then she calls to set up an appointment.......that way she actually called and talked to me before she saw the results, that way she doesn't have to worry about being asked over the phone........

Oh also Kad22 and SusieSue I will get my BRCA results at my appt Monday.. I will let you know!

Arubajan05,

I too attended the Look Good Feel Better Program in VA.  It was an exceptional program.  There were four of us so it was really a "personal" setting.  I learned a lot about how to correctly apply make-up, to make your eyes look  like you still have lashes, skin care, etc.  I agree, if anyone has not attended, then you should make every effort to do so.  We also got to try on wigs, scarves, etc.  I had a wonderful time and met three incredible women, each battling a different kind of cancer.  Other than myself, there was just one other lady who had breast cancer so we got to talk, compare our stories, etc.  It was finally good to be in the room with someone who's going through the same thing as me.  It really helped me!

Had my second AC (dose dense) yesterday, and so far treatment hasn't been that hard to take. At MSK they use a lot of premeds for nausea (Aloxi, dexamethasone, Emend) on the day of treatment, and sent me home with orders to take dexamethasone and Emend for the first 2 post-treatment days, and Reglan, Zofran, and Ativan if needed for nausea.  The most daunting part has been injecting the Neulasta on the day after treatment, but I've already done it twice, and it doesn't seem to be as hard as it I thought it would be.

Started losing my hair yesterday (Day 15) and it's coming out even more today.  Already have a wig, a side/back partial wig, and a few hats and scarves, to prepare for the inevitable.  They may actually look better than my regular hair, which is straight and fine.  Had a friend cut my hair shorter, but probably not short enough.  She was scared of what it would look like if I didn't lose my hair (fat chance). 

 marcy4--The AC went OK for me.  I hope that it goes smoothly for you too.

caltex_catlady--I can relate to your vein stick problem.  My veins aren't great either.  I went for 2 consults--the first group insisted on a port, while the 2nd group actually cringed when I mentioned that the first group wanted a port up front.  For other reasons, I went with the 2nd group.  At my first chemo tx, I needed 2 sticks to get a good vein (especially important with Adriamycin, which can actually cause bad burns if it escapes from the vein).  This time, I hydrated for a day prior, and with a heat pack prestick, the nurse got it on the first try.  I need another 10 sticks before the end of the initial treatment, and then about another 10 sticks for the full year of Herceptin, so I hope that my veins hold out.

susiesue--Have you looked into The Wellness Community, which has several branches in NJ, for a support group?  They just merged with Gilda's Club, which has other branches in the area.  I just started the process of becoming a member of Gilda's Club, and the process is more arduous than I had expected--an orientation meeting, a one-on-one with a social worker, and a final telephone call with another social worker before the process is completed.  My husband and I had the 2nd step on Wednesday, and still haven't heard back with the final telephone call.

emme--Hope your 2nd treatment, scheduled for today, was better than your last treatment.  Let me know how you're feeling.  Also, how long did it take for all your hair to fall out the last time around?  My hair has just started falling out yesterday, and I'm curious as to whether I should expect the process takes one week, two weeks, or longer.

Happy weekend to all.  We'll all get through this.  2 down, 6 to go (plus another bunch of Herceptin) for me.  Hope to be done with the major treatments before the end of the summer.

Hi Ladies!

I too went to the LGFB class this week.  It was a small class of 4.  We all had differnt kinds of cancer and were in different places in our treatments.  We all sat and talked at the end of the class.  It was nice to share and be understood.  I would really recommend this to everyone.  I didn't wear any makeup because I knew we would be applying new stuff!  ANDDDDD what lovely makeup and skin care products were in that  bag!  At the end I tried on a blonde wig and wore it home!  I will try to post a couple of pics of my wigs.

I had my second treatment of  AC yesterday.  I took Emend this time and no vomiting last night.  thank goodness.  I have a port, and I am very glad I had it put in.  Initially my port was tipped.  Once the nurses realized this *the first sccess was a hard day)  they adjusted the position of the need and used a little longer needle.  After having the gallbladder issues and having lost 40 pounds in the process....this round of chemo my port magically tipped back to the proper position and it is smooth sailing. Even with the difficulties I encoundered in the begining, I woldn't trade my port for my arms.(I have a year of herceptin to follow this round)  It truly is much easier.

On to my hair...Curious One last time I had weekly Taxol so my hair thinned gradually, not falling out in clumps like I anticipate this round.  It took about a month for all my hair to be gone. Every day it looked like I had a mini toupee in my turban.  My scalp was very sore...it felt like I had worn a too tight pony tail all day.

My head started to hurt yesterday...that same feeling.  But no hair has started to fall out yet...I keep doing the fall out test - I try to pul out a few strands between my thumb and index finger...sounds silly, I know but I can't help myself...and so far no hairs have come out.  I have about an inch of hair regrowth from February. I am wondering if I should shave it closer.  It is really odd to me....but this time the thought of losing my hair isn't bothering me.  I have just accepted it as proof the Chemo is working and it's attacking any cancer cells that might be floating around in my body.

I know some of you are experiencing Nausea. My first round of AC I had some vomiting, diarrhea and nausea that was mild but persistent with all three anti nausea meds.  My Onc. had me come in for fluid and a steroid pack...it made all the difference in the world...I felt refreshed...and no more nausea.  If I have any of these symptoms this time around I am running not walking to get those fluid again!  A word of warning...the steroid can cause you to become constipated...so stay on top of that with a stool softener.

I hope all of you have a day free of SE.  Enjoy your weekend!

Remember, Fight like a girl!

Emme

raerae7074--If you can get in touch with your doctor over the weekend, that would be the best course of action.

toughmom38

I am four weeks out of Treatment #1 and still have quite a bit of hair. Cut it tonight to 1/2 " since there were bald patches on the top and back which were too noticeable to go without anything covering them.  Treatment 2 is on Monday.  I think your hair news is awesome! I hope mine does the same thing. I have discovered through this that I look better with short hair and plan to keep it that way when I am done all of this.

toughmom - I feel like my hair is growing too!  What was left seems longer, and I kind of feel like there are some new hairs.  My husband says he can't see it, but I feel like it is longer - like it's softer to the touch and just looks darker on my head.  Thought maybe I was crazy so I'm glad to hear it's happening to someone else too.  

Hi Caltex-lady, Karen

At my Look Good Feel Better class we were asked to come to the class sans makeup, but some women ( alot actually ) still wore it.  It was harder for them because we didn't have access to water; we just used a gentle cleanser and tissued it off.  I , for one, was glad I didn't have makeup to remove. Also, we were told (different than marcy-4 not to bring anyone for privacy reasons.) The women who had already lost their hair, wore their wigs. I was in the stage of mine falling out in handfuls. It gave me a lot of courage after meeting the other women and I shaved my head that night (last Monday) and started wearing my wig.  I am glad I am wearing it now.  I have received so many kind compliments and after just one week I so much more confident. I have also gone out with a scarf and hat over top. It's not as bad as I thought.  I get more discouraged in my home, when I am just wearing a buff or something and look in the mirror.  Reality hits me in the face then... Literally, I have cancer.  I really encourage anyone and everyone to attend the Look Good Feel Better Class.  The comraderie was great! (I even meant KimW who posts on this website) and the free makeup even better!  Also the scarf, wig and nail tips were extremely helpful.

I am off to round 2 TC tomorrow.  Also finding out the results of my BRCA gene test and having a big discussion with my onc regarding my OncoType DX score of 71. It's 1:30am here... I can't sleep due to the decadron... I am trying to catch up on stuff I have put off before my "crummy" week, but maybe it's time for an Ativan! 

HUGS TO ALL!!!!

Had my second treatment this morning. It was changed from FEC to AC and I was able to take it with no problems. I am hoping the next few days go well, but whatever the case, it is one more treatment down.  I was told I would have 2 more ACs and then weekly Taxol for 12 weeks.  Lots more to go, but each one is a great accomplishment!  Best of luck to everyone else this week.

Well, I had my PICC inserted this morning, good thing too, since my next chemo is tomorrow, and I didn't want to deal with the vein troubles that I had the last time.  Also tomorrow, I will be having my head shaved.  I started to shed on Thursday and my hair is noticeably thinner.  My daughter, who is 20, is coming to provide moral support and help me pick out a wig.  So, it will be an eventful day.

Marcy, glad to here that things went well for you today, here's hoping that this is the right mix for you.

March4 - glad to hear that you had a good treatment and hopefully the SE's will stay away:)

Emme:  I felt the same - sad, sad, sad - but now it is gone and I am looking forward to getting done with the chemo and having it grow back.  Went to a new wig place last week and hoping to have them this Saturday.  Can't get myself to go out in scarfs.

Hi Ladies - Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.  I spent the weekend taking the kids to all of their softball/baseball/soccer games.  Kept me busy and because it was my weekend between treatments I felt pretty good.  I am gearing up for tx #2 of AC on Thursday.  I haven't lost any hair yet but I am starting to feel a little tingling of the scalp so I know it will be happening. I am just hoping that it holds out until Saturday since we have a wedding to go to Friday night and I would really like to have my own hair for it.

Emme - I am sorry you are having such a tough day.  I am right there with you on this whole hair thing.  It makes my stomach turn just thinking about it.  I am sending you lots of  hugs and thoughts for the rest of the day!