Newbie to this website

Maureen813
Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

HI ladies,  new to this website, posted on two threads so far because I didn't know how to start a nwe thread LOL :)  Stats are on the bottom of the page, needless to say I'm terrified of the whole survival statistics.  The A/C kicking my butt and I'm hoping the T will be more tolerable.  Read the thread about permanent hair loss and that scares the HE** out of me, ONC didn't mention that statistic. I'm hoping the SIII stats have improved in recent years, anyone know? 

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited November 2010

    Hi there - I don't post much anymore - too busy living life - but try to check in when I can.  This site is WONDERFUL however you will see the worst of the worst here too.  Remember people tend to come to support sites FOR support, those who are doing well are, like me, out running around taking care of kids and family and living.

    A few comments - AC sucks, T was easier (for me at least).  I never had many side effects my onc said I may have (mouth sores scared the crap out of me and I never got one) and 2 years after chemo I have shoulder length hair - you would never know.

    Stats are stats.  They are old by nature (because they have to be compiled and examined).  You are not a statistic anyway.  You are you - and you will do anything in your power to get healthy and strong again. 

    I exercised daily - through treatment and beyond - helped me so much with the physical and emotional side effects.  If you are a facebook girl - find BECAUSE MARY SAYS SO on FB - that is my fb page - quite a few of our sistah's are there

    Best of luck

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited November 2010

    Welcome but sorry you had to join us on this thread.  I agree you are not a statistic. 

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  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited November 2010

    Hi Maureen,

    I just sent you a private message!

    ((((HUGS)))) It gets so much easier.....it really does!

    LittleFLower

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited November 2010

    Hi Maureen,

    I had the dose dense A/C followed by Taxol and yes, the Taxol, for me at least was easier overall.  I did have some strange side effects, but not what most people get.  I actually went back to work part time during the last couple weeks of Taxol.  The one thing I was not expecting was to keep most of my eyelashes and eyebrows through the A/C only to lose them the last couple rounds of Taxol.  The good news is that they came back FAST, and as for complete hair loss, I have a full head of healthy hair now!  And I get TONS of compliments (even from people that don't know about my dx--so you know they aren't just feeling sorry for me) about it!  I used to have long hair and am now considering keeping it short and edgy, at least for a while.

    Best to you throughout your journey Maureen, and anything we can answer please let us know, or send me a PM, I'd be happy to share my experience.

    Take care,

    Sharon

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited November 2010

    Welcome Maureen.

     The AC will definitely kick your butt and then some!  And the steroids cause their own problems.  If  you're weepy, angry, puffy, bouncing off the walls - it all could be roids.  The taxol is much easier, especially if you have the weekly dose. 

    Will you be receiving Zometa?  It is showing great promise in preventing bone mets.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Hi Maureen, you've found great support here with some very encouraging women.  I had the dose dense AC and Taxol.  It's not a walk in the park that's for sure. It's doable though and somehow you will get thru it.  Keep your onc aware of all your side effects.  Hopefully you'll get meds to pevent alot of the really bad ones.  For instance, when I began chemo, I was so nervous about the nausea side effect I was hearing about.  But when I went for my infusions, I found that they were already giving me "Emend" infusion before the AC, and then my onc also gave me a pescription for it to take for the first 2 days after chemo,and also another anti nausea script for "breakthru nausea" if it occured.  Needless to say, I never suffered from this SE, thank goodness!  The other flu like body and bone pains were managed with over the counter pain meds, and a sleeping pill at night.Laughing

    Just give into the fatigue and allow yourself to rest and if you have energy try to work out also.

    image

    Barb

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited November 2010

    Welcome Maureen.  I'm so sorry you had to join us...but I'm glad you found us.  T was much more tolerable for me than A/C.  It has side effects...but I wasn't in the "fog" that A/C gave me.  Much less nausea to deal with, also.

    Come here often...we get it.  

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited November 2010

    Hi, Maureen, and welcome.  I had AC, too, but not T.  Lost my hair, like everyone does, but it came back just fine.  Kytril and Emend kept the nausea away, and I was weak, emotional, and sleepy most of the time I was on chemo.  I guess it affects us all differently.  I hope you will let us help where we can.  Hugs. G.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited November 2010

    Welcome Maureen...like Sherri, I had TAC chemo so can't help with the differences between the AC and the T.  Please remember that everyone reacts differently....some have fewer side effects than others....regarding hair....for most people it comes back....glad you found us...these gals are a great wealth of info.  Hugs, karen

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited November 2010

    Welcome Maureen,

    I finished Chemo a little under 2 years ago and I have so much hair on my head it is not funny! Really, the chance of iot not growing back is so remote I wouln't even worry about it.

    As for the stats, well, as others have said, you are not a stastic. There are so many Stage 3 girls on this board who are doing so well, there is every reason to believe that you will too. 

     And, for a bit of reassurance, you might want to read this...http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/new_research/20100930.jsp

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  • Maureen813
    Maureen813 Member Posts: 2,893
    edited November 2010
    Laughing Thank you so much for all your support.  I was feeling so down with everything and looking out to the treatment can be so overwhelming.  I will definitely post often (no more than 5X/day as a newbie :)!!  I really liked that post that was sent concerning the increased statistics, really upbeat and provides hope for SIII
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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited December 2010

    Welcome to the club no one wants to be in. 

    You'll do fine. Really.  So many of us have been there and we are on the other side.  Won't be long before you'll be there too.  Not that I'm downplaying the treatement because it consumes your life for a while.  But you will feel good again.

    I think you might have seen something about taxotere causing permanent hair loss with a small percentage of people.  But based on what you've said it sounds like you're doing taxol and that doesn't have the same issue.  Losing the hair is such a insult to injury.  Mine grew back curly and I really hope they're permanent because I love having the wavy curls!

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