Starting chemo Sept 05

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  • monkey9cats
    monkey9cats Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2005
    Thinking of you Susan........

    Cheryl
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  • hopeful1
    hopeful1 Member Posts: 54
    edited September 2005
    Susan - warm thoughts and best wishes for your treatment today. I will be leaving in 10 minutes for mine. I'll be thinking of you as well! My hair is falling out in big clumps today - I'll be getting it buzzed this afternoon!


    Glenda - welcome. I can't speak for everyone - but I certainly had a few 'fuzzy' days after my first treatment. Hang in there - it gets better!

    Cheryl - I'm so glad you enjoyed your LGFB class! Good luck at work today.
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  • carolrn
    carolrn Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2005

    good morning ladies, hope I can be part of your group also. I started dose dense chemo in august and have enjoyed reading your posts and have learned from them. I have already lost the hair and have finished my taxotere x4. I start on a/c next on Oct 7th. I feel fortunate my onc is very nice and gives me hugs and lets me be involved in the decision making. I've found that each tx is different so every day is an adventure. beat wishes to all of you and thank you for being there.just reading your posts really does help. Oh have any of you tried hat hair? I have two of them and I feel more like my self in them. bye for now Carol

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited September 2005
    Well I just got in from my first follow up blood work (one week out from treatment). I have been quarantined to the house due to low blood counts until my appointment with the NP at my oncologists office on tues.Also since my daughter is sick with a cold (allergies...not sure...just sniffles). I have to have my other half pick up some surgical masks on his way home. I really do not feel bad but need to stay healthy!

    ANyway...staying at home is probably going to be the hardest part of all this~
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  • tornadogirl
    tornadogirl Member Posts: 133
    edited September 2005
    Today feel better, still tired. Heres how my first AC seems to have gone:

    Day 1- Get treatment and lots of drugs, feel pretty much OK.

    Day 2- Stomach delecate still taking drugs, seems OK.

    Day 3- Woke up Ok, still need to watch what i eat and take stuff for constipation.

    Day 4- Aching all over from Neupogen shot or toxins leaving my system. Off the drugs now and starting to get the "real" symptoms. Aching so bad I can hardly sleep.

    Day 5- Stomach is delicate, have to watch what i eat and keep something in there, achies are pronounced now. Got in fight with husband because in my extreme pain I did not realize i was raising my voice at him. And snapping at him. We talked it out and I wont do that again.

    Day 6- Tired, too tired to drive, feel like hit by a truck, little headache in afternoon, possibly since I skipped coffee due to 'delicate stomach". Achies are starting to go away.

    Day 7- Tired but not as bad as yesterday. I ate Cream "O Wheat this morning so I could drink some coffee. I love coffee. Had to "rest up after eating" since it exerted so much energy. Seems when I move around i feel better. Sunny out and my mood is better today.
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  • sewmanythings
    sewmanythings Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2005
    Hello to everyone! I have been reading all the "post" and feel so encouraged and have learnt so much. I was diagnosed with BC end August thru a Biopsy. I had a Lumpectomy wide excersion and had to have another one to get clear margins which they got. I had 11 lymph nodes removed of which 7 were infected! This is all I know at this stage. I have an appointment on Tuesday with the oncologist. The surgent said I have to have Chemo and then Radium. I am sure the pnocolgist will give me more infomation. I am just not sure what questions to ask to ensure that i am no appearing to be to ignorant!!
    I hope I am not intruding in this group, but you all sound like wonderful spirited people. I live in South Africa.

    I will keep reading all your experiences as This I am sure will help me.

    Lots of hugs
    Monique
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  • Constantlyhope-2005Aug10
    Constantlyhope-2005Aug10 Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2005
    I just finished my first chemo. I felt great during the hour drive home and even the stop at Walmart. However, once I entered my home, Iam feeling a little sick. I don't know if it's meds, reactions to chemo drugs, nerves. I just feel not all here. My husband's making me a small decious lunch of cold beef tenderloin, sliced thin, and romaine leaves. I have truly forgotten everything I've read about y'all's beginning days. I will try to go back and read them, but if any of my September Sisters have any advice, please tell me.

    On a brighter note, when I came home, my little (4) girl stared at me for the longest time, and then said I wasn't bald . She had told me last week that she didn't want to see me bald: we'd just have to wait until I grew it back.

    And on the brightest note of all, my one stray cat had a beautiful kitten yesterday! It was her first litter and her last, but she handled it beautifully even though the kitten was breech. Life and happy things go on--I really need to do the appreciation thingfor my life is pretty darn wonderful, breast cancer and all.
    CD
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Welcome to the new two... I will do a much warmer and encouraging welcome later. I am home from round 2 and am totally exhausted! Going to take a nap and will post about the day later.

    *susan
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  • nmherr
    nmherr Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2005

    Glad to hear some one else is broken out with acne. I think it may have something to do with chemo because I am on day 9 after the first treatment and too have acne. Especially the big pimple in the middle of my chin. God does have a sense of humor. I lost two breasts a gained a one on my chin. That's not fair.

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  • nmherr
    nmherr Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2005
    I need to get internet at home!!!! I get on the internet at the library and it takes too long to catch up. But you have to read everything. I tried skipping ahead and had to go back to 'meet' everyone. I had my first treatment over a week ago. Everyone reminded me it was the day my good friend died a year ago of breast cancer. People are so insensitive.
    I had E/C and the next day I got a nuelasta shot. I was severely sick for 5 days. I called the breast care nurse adn she called the chemo nurse. 2 days of flu like symptons, I couldn't sleep more than 2 hours at a time, I was nauseauos trying to look around the room and my head would have exploded if it wasn't for the vice clamp someone had strapped around it. The chemo nurse was great. We now believe the Nausea drip gave me a 3 day migraine and that caused several other symptoms. I will be getting different pain killers,and take home nauseau meds. Pepcid Complete and I have become best friends.
    By Monday I was feeling great. Get out of my way I am hungry which is a good sign as I lost 6 pounds and was to thin before treatments. I think of meat all the time.
    The weird thing is where I dreaded my first treatment I am actually feeling optimistic about my next one, next monday. This is my second time going through chemo in 13 years and I think my perceptions may be warped.
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  • nmherr
    nmherr Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2005
    I wanted to respond to the hair loss follies. I also lost hair last time. I rarely wore a wig or anything. I am trying to make bald women in fashion. Anyhow last time I lost my hair I wore my wig to a wrestling match. I felt stupid the whole time. I was in a bad mood by the time we left for home. When my hubby and I walked outside gale winds had started to blow and the wig blew sideways where we almost departed company. In the redneck area I live in I was afraid someone might shoot it for sport. I grabbed two handfuls fo fake hair and held down until we got in the truck. I ripped it off and through it on the floor and hubby didn't say a word. That was it for the wig. Hello hats.
    The next funny time came in winter, I was 32, and I was at an auction. There were 3 old guys talking and one had on a cabby hat. They were discussing the frigid winds and the one with the hat tipped it off and said to the other 2 that, 'When your as bald as this you got to keep something on up top to keep the heat in.' I was walking past and couldn't resist. I pulled my hat back off, winked directly at him and said, "I know what you mean." and kept smiling and walking. It took about 10 seconds before it registered in thier brains and we all had a good laugh.
    Baldness only lasts through chemo so have fun with it. But in all fairness when it first came out I wasn't ready for it and almost passed out. I'll probably not be ready again but I'll deal.
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  • tinkermax
    tinkermax Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2005
    Hi Everyone

    Welcome to the new ladies, hopefully we will all help each other through this tough time.

    horsewoman, I have so many little white spots on my face you could do a dot-to-dot on them, there are loads of them on the sides of my nose and they are making my skin feel really sore, i phoned my onc nurse and she said it is a normal side effect.....great!

    I have to go to the onc's office tomorrow looking like this....AAAHHH

    Sorry to moan...

    Maxine
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  • cazza61
    cazza61 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2005
    Hi all
    Hi to new people,
    Just a little problem today,was wondering if anyone else got any eyeproblems on A/C,I woke up this morning with blurred vission and my eyelids are all puffy(not from crying)second round of A/C didnt get this with first round
    Thanks carol
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  • prayer
    prayer Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2005
    I have gotten really bad acne as well. Haven't lost my hair yet. Day 13. Trying not to get my hopes up it will stay.

    Hey Marg...how are you doing?
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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited September 2005
    Ironic as it is....I quit having acne problems....but I am using my microderm abrasion (a Mary Kay product..)three times a week instead of two. (its like sand paper cream..LOL)

    But it works!
    Tina

    There is a promotion going now for a free one while supplies last.

    http://www.marykay.com/AdSample/main_en_us.aspx

    If anyone wants more products I have a representative that I can hook you up with.
    Her individual website is http://www.marykay.com/jqualls. She has been great and gave me several things for my journey (so far so good...no ZITS!)
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  • AussieMum
    AussieMum Member Posts: 124
    edited September 2005
    Hi everyone! I am an Australian mother of two (17 and 13), about to have a second cycle of chemo (FEC + triptorelin) on Monday.

    It has been so interesting to read your comments and hear of your experiences. Similar the world over.

    I found a lump late July. Like an iceberg. (feel 4cmX6cm on surface, deeper below) Diagnosed as DCIS but with other invasive cancer found in needle biopsy. Breast conserving surgery not possible - virtually whole breast affected with one type or another.

    Have had right mastectomy August 1st. Invasive cancer (non DCIS) - multi focal, largest 19.5 mm, 42mm total. 2 lymph nodes +ve, Hormone receptor +ve and Her2 3+.

    6 cycles FEC, radiation to follow (broad chest + lymph nodes behind collar bone), 5 years tamoxifen.

    Can't afford Herceptin. $66,000 per year here. That is about US$90, 000. Is it as expensive US? Health insurance doesn't cover it here.

    I feel really well. Certainly not pleasant, but doable. Hair started coming out day 14. Have had the rest clipped. Not too bad - need BIG earrings to distract attention! My son (just turned 17)suggests a tattoo of a butterfly on the scalp. Will be covered later with hair, but would be a personal silent symbol. I am not up to many more needles yet! Maybe later.

    I also have pimples - reliving teenaged years.

    Look forward to following progress of many.
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  • carolrn
    carolrn Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2005

    hey just wanted to say I have the eye problem too. redness and watering. I know everyone thinks I am depressed and that I'm crying all the time. It is getting a little better has been over a week. no acne though so I feel lucky. best wishes everyone we wil get through this

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  • carolrn
    carolrn Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2005

    hi Aussiemom, sorry your insurance does not cover the drugs you need better. most insurance here will cover. thank goodness there are some caring bc advocates who have improved how tx goes here. the tattoo sounds awesome but I'm with you I've had enough needle sticks to last a lifetime. hope everything goes well for you, I also have positive nodes. doing four rounds of taxotere and four of A/C.

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  • AussieMum
    AussieMum Member Posts: 124
    edited September 2005

    Thanks so much for replying!

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  • jlpd
    jlpd Member Posts: 54
    edited September 2005
    Susan, I hope you're feeling better after your second treatment...please let us know if you are affected any differently than with the first.

    Bubbles...hmmm, my nurse told me three bad days, then I should feel better...I have my first treatment this afternoon. I should be working, but instead an sitting at my desk reading posts and drinking Propel grape flavor...not too bad. I'm not nervous, just anxious to get it over. I think I'm going to change my days to Wednesdays to give me an extra day to feel better before going to work on Monday. I'm not scheduled for any Neulasta shots...was told they would check my blood counts weekly and that would determine if I had needed to boost my counts.

    On a brighter note...I decided last night to get on my horse and ride. I have not ridden her since July, when I had my mamogram and they found this lump...since then three surgeries (one was a biopsy/lumpectomy, second was to take care of the hemorraging same day as the first, then three weeks later a mastectomy--which was five weeks ago)...so I haven't been up for even trying to ride my horse, Princess. We only rode lightly in the arena for about 20 minutes, but it felt wonderful to have some sense of normalcy. I promised her (and myself) that I will not let this get the best of me...and if I have some good days during treatment, I'll be back up on her...I hope I do!

    Welcome to all who have just joined us. I don't post as much as I should, but I know you will find this forum enlightening as well as encouraging. We are all a lot of brave women...all with one goal--to beat this monster. With God's help, we will! I'll post more later. Janet
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Add me to the acne group. Oh yuck! Now that I am bald they seem to have become the focal point of my face, and I am not okay with this!

    Happy to report my head shape is rather nice. Haven't gone out with a head covering yet. Yes, I get stares but since I live in one of the lesbian capitals of the world, bald heads on women aren't actually all that uncommon. The fact that I am out with my husband is the odd part!

    :-)

    Keeping my humor at least.

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Dear All,

    I am simply unable to keep everyone, everything straight today, so I hope you will be nice and not be annoyed by my choice to respond to posting individually. If I offend, send me a PM and I will figure something else out.

    All the best,

    *susan*
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    CarolRN,

    Of course you are most welcome to join the September Soul Sisters, and to steal Peg's great word, a bittersweet welcome it is.

    You are the first person I have heard to get the Taxol first and then the A/C. Personally, I would love to hear what your Oncologist had to say about this protocol.

    When you start the A/C, I hope you find our experiences helpful, and as the rest of us slide into the Taxol portions or our treatments, you will be the expert.

    All the best,

    *susan*
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Tina,

    The WBC is another bump on what has been a most pot-hole filled road! When do they check the numbers again? How much of a delay in treatment will this mean?

    However, if you don't have acne you are doing something right! Take your blessings where you can find them. Staying home is hard, but you are doing the right thing to take care of yourself. Perhaps a family portrait with masks is in order? Perhaps for your Holiday Card? [sorry, it could be funny if you think it is funny.]

    Hope to hear that your numbers bounce back up and you get back on track.

    All the best,

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Barb,

    Great outline. You will find it helpful for your pre-round 2 review to have it written out so carefully. Turns out I should have had something like this yesterday for my Nurse Oncologist [who is the most amazing person!] This will also be a fabulous comparison for your next round.

    Sorry about biting your husband's head off. I am ashamed to admit, I did the same thing once. I blamed it on the steroids which do make you edgy and agressive, two traits that are foreign to me. Needless to say I couldn't apologize enough. This man has been a total ROCK during all of this. Last thing I want to do is hurt his feelings.

    Try oatmeal for breakfast. Good solid food, helps with the constipation and allows for at least some coffee. Last thing I need now is a caffeine-deficiency headache.

    Let's hope that during week 2 you regain your energy. Let us know!

    All the best,

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • carolrn
    carolrn Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2005
    Susan thanks for the welcome, I love Boston especially this time of year. maybe when all this is over and I can plan a trip up there we can meet and hvae some of that wonderful lobster you folks have. don't know about being am expert but I will be glad to share my experiences with Taxotere. my onc just let me decide which I wanted first said it didn't matter which went first.course he is a pup.but he is so sweet and so attentive that I have to love him. I am 53, a registered nurse but my expertise is in surgery not in oncology I just know enough to scare me.
    5 kids all grown with 3 grands to love. I hope all of my sisters are getting as much love as I am from my friends, neighbors, family and co-workers. that old lyric I get by with a little help from my friends is so true. anyway hugs to everyone and as National Lampoon says don't take life too seriously you want make it out alive.
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    NMHerr.

    What a saga, but it sounds as though your really do have a caring and competent team. They listened, and we can all hope that you have many fewer side effects during the next round.

    Yes, you need to get internet at home! It is getting complicated to keep everyone straight, and everyone is so special and important. This is an area of expertise I can offer, if you find you want ideas as to what you are looking for.

    All the best,

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Quote:

    When my hubby and I walked outside gale winds had started to blow and the wig blew sideways where we almost departed company. In the redneck area I live in I was afraid someone might shoot it for sport.



    This is hysterical!!! Thank you for the laugh. Gosh, this is funny.

    You are one good woman!

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    Monique,

    Another bittersweet welcome. Yes your oncologist will give you a lot of information. May I suggest bringing someone with you who writes down everything that is said, or a tape recorder? Even if you don't understand everything that is said immediately, there will be someone on these boards who can help you translate.

    How are you healing from your surgeries? I am now over two months post-op and still have sensitivities in my upper arm and armpit which I have been told is normal.

    We will look forward to your updates.

    All the best,

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited September 2005
    AussieMom,

    Welcome, again the bittersweet kind [Peg should trademark this phrase.]

    Your posting was so filled with information, and yet I am just mad. Your DX deserves Herceptin! And I can't believe you can't get it. Is there anyway that the Komen foundation can help, or is there an Australian Cancer Society? Or anything?

    Sorry to harp on this, but Herceptin is the breakthrough drug of the century for her2 positive breast cancer and I am livid that it is being denied.

    Okay, maybe that decadron-aggression is coming out again.
    I eagerly await your updates.

    All the best,

    *susan*
    a decadron inspired posting
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