April 2011 chemo

pawprint: That's great news on the BRAC test! I am still awaiting my results nervously.

Hi, Sarah.  Not sure if the CT will tell you how many.  I really found waiting for all the results to be the most stressful part (so far!).  Right when I was about to start, they thought they found a second primary cancer in my other breast.  I had it all tested (and it turned out to be nothing yay!), but I realized that I was already starting chemo, and there was no MORE I could do right now, and that made me feel better.  You're already on your way to getting healthy.  I know it's stressful waiting for results, but at least you're already doing something about it.  Hang in there.  And, listen, it's totally okay to be blue.  It's grey and rainy here today, and all I want in the world is a nap, but my 4 year old has other ideas!  

i'm kinda blue this afternoon too.. can't sit still but tired and don't want to do anything crazy....i can't really go any shorter on the hair ( its so curly) so its just gonna have to come on out!! i shouldn't complain so far my se aren't too bad just feel tipsy and tired. the tipsy is getting on my nerves, don't like feeling out of control...

sorry you had a reaction to the steroid geo...

Hello all and welcome to class determined3. I went to work after my first chemo, the steroids made me feel like superwoman for 2 days. I just couldn't sleep.

 Sorry I haven't posted in a wile, I read the posts every day, but I'm usually on my little android pad and I can't post from it, arrgghh it's frustrating! So I kicked my daughter off the computer so I could say hello. 

I had a crazy weekend and ended up with an infection on my reduction side. Went to the er, got the antibiotics and figured I was ok. After that I started to get a lot of fluid building up in my MX side..arrgghh... had to go have it drained today. YUCK>

So, the chemo part.....I am 15 days out from my first chemo and my hair has begun to just "come out". It's still got a little grip in it, so I'm going to let my daughters, (9 & 13) cut it tomorrow morning. I told them they could do whatever they wanted, and let me tell you they are excited. I imagine I'll have to shave it by the weekend, so who cares...........let them have some fun.

My se's were not so bad...some bone pain, the big D, not bad at all. Mater of fact I was feeling pretty good until the whole infection thing this weekend. I feel like it stole my one good week from me.

I see my onc tomorrow, he'll decide if I go for round 2 on Tuesday or if we will push off a bit to let me get over the infection. 

I've been reading everyday and you ladies have kept me laughing. I'm becoming very fond of all of you!

I'll try and post more often. (Maybe i'll post my bald pic!)

Hang in there girls

XO

Sue 

Linda: I'm sorry to hear you've been sick. From everything I have been hearing, nobody is supposed to throw up from chemo anymore. Have you told your oncologist? I got sick the first night of chemo too, though I never threw up. Tonight at my support group some of the women were telling me that they took their anti-nausea meds well before the chemo to prevent that. You should not be throwing up or having nausea. I do hope you are feeling well enough to call your onc's office for support.

Hi All,

Lots of mixed emotion today, as should be expected.  My heart breaks for those of you feeling bad, and blue and scared. I know we will all survive and feel stronger knowing what we can and must endure. I have another onc appt tomorrow and follow-up with my surgeon. I had to postpone my chemo till 25th, not sure that is a good thing, I really want to get this party started and over.

Yea for all of you #1-ers, you are that much closer to being done! 

pawprint - congratulations! one less stress to deal with.

soon2be - I could have written that first part of your response. Not being able to schedule being sick has really put a cramp in my style! Funny you should talk about laughing; a woman at my work was talking about laughter and how good it is for releasing endorphins and relieving stress. She said even if you fake it the chemicals are still released.  Fake it til you make it!

I start tomorrow, 4/14, at 9:15. Took a xanax so I can relax and hopefully get some sleep. I was in the middle of cleaning my house before the "big day" and my cell phone died. Had to stop at 7:30 pm and go to the mall for a new one. So, I am up later than I wanted, but I wanted to see how it went for those who started and those of you who are at the first week mark. I would love to read a re-cap of what your first week looked like SE wise.

Sleep well all! xoxo

Linda --

Did they do the pre meds in your iv first?
What meds did you come home with?

I have what they call the "O" that you take at 8am/ 8pm and 12 midnight. Before I go to bed I take my "zine" med for nause. ANything with zine in it is the sleepy one.

I haven't been sick at all knock on wood. I am pushing fluids like no ones business and still peeing red!
My port is still bleeding which concerns them. I tend to bled a bit long. Oh and I am getting hot flashes....I am praying no period next week!!! PLZ PLZ! lol

Hi Ladies,

Just a quick question did your periods stop straight away when you had your first chemo, my last period was back in March around the 24th had my first chemo last thursday the 7 or 8th of April and got a period today which coincides with a bad headache and feeling the worst so far, think my count must be really low at the moment. Any advice would be appreciated.

Sarah Sweety 

profbee i know what you mean with the husband hug and all.good luck tomorrow!!

Oh, Ginger!  I'm SO sorry about your father.  I can't imagine heading in to this with the loss of your beloved dad so recent and raw.  I'm so sorry.  Really.  I'm not on the same meds as you, but I've really been okay with my SEs (side effects) so far.  I'm tired, but who isn't?    

You'll find some people here who have been through the same treatment--do a search for it so you can see the older boards (people a month or more in) and then you can see what they had to say.  I was totally anxious before I started.  (and still sometimes)  I was always pretty dang healthy, and this was a shocker.  But listen, get a little something for your anxiety.  Two weeks away can feel really REALLY long when you are nervous.  You need your sleep, and my little pill of Clonipin can really help when I get overwhelmed.  (Something for the hubby isn't a bad idea either.)  Truly, what can be a bigger challenge in life?  I've never been one to take pills, but THIS is a really legit reason to!  

Take care.  We're all in this together.  You're a stage one...no nodes involved...as the social worker said  to me last week---this is completely treatable.  You're going to be okay.  

Again, I'm so sorry that all of this is coming in one big mess for you--but hey, can't get much worse, can it?  In 2012 we'll all raise a glass to just how much 2011 SUCKS! 

Christine47, thanks for the good words.  All seemed to go well...had the t then C then A last.  I was there from 10 to 5...long day.  I didnt expect to sleep last night, but fell into bed and slept for 9 hours which really helped.

 I seem to be responding to the decadron - the insert says a SE is experiencing whirling motion and I feel like I am stoned! Feels like my heart is beating fast.  Had my acupuncture this morning and things seem to be calmed down.

Both my local dtr and my Vermont dtr were there wilth me...staff and patients really nice.  

Only 5 more to go!!!!!

artiecat,

I have been working about 20 hrs/week on my off chemo weeks.  Example, had chemo last friday, and I am off all of this week.  My job is in a medical office, so this has worked well as far as avoiding sick people during my Nadir.  I have gotten progressively more fatigued thru treatment, but not as bad as I thought.  I also have a family (DH and 12 and 14 year old sons), I have been able to do more at home than when I was working full time.  Today I was off  and feeling fairly well, did some laundry, picked up some sticks from the yard, and went to pharmacy.  Then home for 3 hr nap so I would be ready to go out for quick dinner with family.  Working some has made my treatment move along so much faster.  After my surgery when I was home totally, I did not feel as well emotionally.  Fortunately I will have the opportunity to work partime for the rest of the year.  My onc says it will take time to recover completely from the stress of chemo and I will have my exchange surgery maybe in August when my boys go back to school.  Ok, I am rambling.  I would suggest working part time if you have the opportunity.

Glad your first tx went well.  My first was the hardest, just not knowing what to expect.  I was there all day for the first treatment, now I am out in about 4 hrs.  My last treatment is in 2 weeks!  I will cheer you on for your next 5, you can and will do it!!