2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

Okay, you may laugh buuuuuut...you can buy disposable face masks at any pharmacy or even the first aid depts. at food stores. I am going to have some on hand (I start chemo on Oct. 26th) just in case. I laugh when I think about the looks on the faces of my family or friends when I answer the door wearing one!

Hi Laura,
You're probably right about the number of infusions. I will only get 4, spaced between 3 weeks. I believe I will get Adrymiacin and Cytoxin. Then I rest for a month, followed by 6 weeks of radiation.
The study nurse called me today, though, asking if I want to be part of a study where I may be able to get my radiation in 5 to 10 days! I am trying to find out as much as I can about it.
I have a 2 year old Scottie named Angus. He always has this pensive look about him. He rarely barks, rarely wags his tail. He loves strangers that he meets during our daily walks.
Good luck to you too!

Thank you, Calico. I saw two oncologists yesterday and they said A/C x 4, followed by T x 4. They both wanted receptor testing done on the positive nodes, I wish the final pathology report would get done. They differed on two points: one was for dose-dense, the other against. Also, one wants PET (?) scan, the other CT with contrast and bone scan. I just don't know how to choose the right course here. It's all so new to me. I will start chemo in 3 weeks, and now I guess I should start thinking about wigs and stuff. I feel so hopeless.

Amina,

I had a PET scan and CT scan with contrast...not a big deal...it was just more tests to know exactly what was going on in my body. It was definitely scary to wait for the test results, but so worth it to know that there is nothing bad inside me right now. All these tests are anxiety-provoking, but there's such a peace of mind afterwards.

I don't know about dose dense vs. not...I start my chemo next week and it is dose dense...8 cycles every other week. I heard from other women that sometimes dose dense is better...it's more aggressive (and what's wrong with that?) and it's over quicker.

I felt hopeless a lot too...I know what works for me is to find the things that I can control. Like the whole thing with wigs...I'm shaving my head with my husband a week after the 1st chemo treatment because I refuse to go through the worrying about the hair falling out. I just can't go through that psychologically, so I'm doing it first. I bought my wigs last week because I want to be prepared before chemo starts. Find little things that you can control and you will maybe not feel so hopeless. Even with the path report (it's god you're waiting for the receptor stuff)...I bugged my surgeon every day until she finally gave it to me.

The waiting is the worst...once everything is known, you will feel hopefully better. I felt a calm once everything was known and treatment was decided and things were scheduled. And trust me, I've been anything but calm since diagnosis!

Hang in there!!!
Amy

I had first chemo one week ago and had dull headache for several days (even a little today). I didn't call my nurse, but if you are at all concerned about anything, ever, during your treatment, you should call. There is absolutely NO stupid questions during this! My cousin and daughter are nurses, so I have extra support and they tell me to call about anything I'm uncomfortable with, even if it seems dumb. And my chemo nurse is a friend from high school and she said the same thing. So if you are concerned about the headaches - call. You don't need the stress of worrying about it. That will just cause more problems! :-)

Good luck!!! God Bless!!

Sherryhaire - I can't find hip-hats.com. Is there more to the web address? I really want to see those hats! :-)

Thanks!

Amina...I went to Crown Wigs in old town (they have a website...www.crownwigs.com i think). go on a saturday and have the woman, grace, help you...she totally gets it and is amazing. it's on king street and s. washington....let me know if you have any questions!

-Amy

Welcome to this board!!

Good thing for breast self exams!!! You find this a great place to be! Remember, one day at the time , it is hard.

It helped me a lot to be on this board as well as read through the entire www.breastcancer.org site as well.

Ruths,

they told me it could go down even more, lucky me not yet....just be extra careful

Hope everybody continues to have a great day!!

God Bless

I found Hip Hats! Thanks! I got a wig today! My husband and I stopped off at a wig shop on our way home from work. I tried on several, but bought the very first one that I walked right into the shop and picked. My husband really likes it. It is short with some volume. My hair won't have that much volume when I get it cut short, but the transition should still be kind of transparaent to most people. I will probably get one more wig, maybe when I go shopping with my friend on Monday.

Just in case you would like to see the wig I bought today, check it out at: http://www.wigdeals.com/product.php/39088/125/

Mine is the "Mason"

I also found out today that about 80% of women wear the "Average" cap size in case that helps anyone ordering online.

Hi there again,
I decided not to be part of the study that only irradiates a section of the breast in a fraction of the time. I found out that it was not the Mammosite type I've heard good things about. This one does not have a lot of stats to speak of yet. I think I'm going conventional with the radiation.

I found out today that I do my Muga scan on Monday and my first infusion is Thursday the 13th (YIKES!!!!!) from 12 noon to around 2 PM. I want to bolt! Give me a good reason not to!!!! I am so scared. I think the chemo nurse noticed how anxious I was. She added Ativan to her list of drugs to add to my IV.
We will get through this, won't we? Well, we'll just have to!

Brenda,

I start on the 13th too...we're not bolting...we're going to do our first treatment, so we can say we have one down. The waiting is the worst, don't you think? I just want to start already, so I can know...hmmm...this is what it's like to have chemo.

I have Ativan as part of my cocktail too...I think my doctor told me it actually helps prevent the naseua (as well as calm us down!) My infusion starts at 1:30, so about the same time as yours. Just think...this time next week, we'll be already through 2 days of having chemo!

-Amy

Amy and Tressie,
Thank you. I feel better knowing we will be doing it together. My husband will be with me, but I will visualize us ladies holding hands and getting through this.

I am joining the October ladies! I will start 4 rounds of AC every 3 weeks on Monday then onto herceptin (we hope). I have IDC ER-/PR+ Her2+++, clear nodes. I had a bilateral mastectomy September 12th. I am 35 years old with 4 year old triplets and a 1 1/2 year old. I have already cut my long hair to a very short pixie style and bought a couple of cute wigs and hats. I had my port placed last week. I have been a trooper until the last couple of days, now I just want to stay in the bed and cry all day. I hope that passes. It is driving my husband crazy. He tried to take me to a nice dinner last night and I was a mess. I love the support here. It's the only place that someone understands me.

Lisa
Naples, Florida