Chemo May 2011

I FINALLY have information. YEAH!!

I will have radiation starting June 1, Chemo (3 types of meds, dont remember names) starting June 2.

leg bone is not damaged yet but does have leagons on it.

Today I got to take a BATH   Tha makes me so happy!! I missed my bathes.

So I came home for the doctors and took a bath. It was wonderful, until I had to get out.

I wont see the surgern again until November.

Baths are wonderful!!

Loved Loved your long post Cheyenna, thanks so much for all your information. Loved that you told Cyborg, "remember you don't have cancer anymore! It's gone, this is just insurance!!!" YAY LOVE THAT!!! thank you Jesus!!

38 year old Yay!!! for you!!! I am glad you enjoyed your bath and that you will soon start treatment!! Also glady that your leg bone is not damaged!!!

Lets all do the chicken dance, LOL

I am feeling way better today, I brushed my hair awhile ago and it;s coming out like crazy but... It's gonna be alright! It's just hair, its hard to loose it, but I have so much to be thankful for, and I do have some really nice hakerchiefs I will start using today. 

Chemo pals, I have some questions! Some have mentioned not to eat any fresh veggies or fruit, my doc never mentioned this. I only buy organic and I wash everything with an organic veggie wash, and I peel apples. I just bought some nectarines and really want to eat one, is it ok? My counts are not too bad right now, I think wbc is 2.6. I don't want to make myself sick, but  Ialso have these great organic strawberries that I have been eating, so far they haven't made me sick. I will ask my doc the next time I see him. What about frozen blueberries and other frozen berries?

bkj66 - my oncologist told me on my very first visit to him not to eat fresh fruits and raw veggies.  I was being pretty adamant that I have totally changed my way of eating and its mostly fresh fruits and veggies.  He finally told me I could live without the fruit for a bit but if I absolutely must have then eat an orange or a banana - something with a thick skin that needs to be peeled, it's less likely to have bacteria on it.  Now, he's planning on TAC with me and I think that's one of the roughest treatments. 

I've been researching the heck out of Chemo for a few weeks now waiting for my wound to heal so I can get started.  I think it's time I get pen and paper and start making my list. 

I just called my nurse to ask about the fresh veggies and fruit. I am waiting for her to call me back. I bet it all depends on what your counts are, well that is my guess! I will post what I find out, although it is probably different for all of us.

Cotrinh76,

Thanks for the lashes infor, I tryed them for Halloween and they ended up on top of my eye lid because I think I forgot the glue, so I am hoping to have better luck this time around. 

Pam 

My onc said not fresh veggies and no fruit that did not have a thick peel IF WBC is low.  Otherwise, it is OK.  I am still going to avoid salad bars and cook or steam my veggies just as a precaution.

Hey everyone.  Interesting discussion on food.  My onc didn't tell me anything regarding fresh fruits or veggies.  I was craving a subway sandwich today with all the veggies, then thought I better not due to possible contaminated veggies, so I made a veggie stir fry instead.  But I am craving fresh produce!

So question, how or when do we know when our white counts are low?  And when do they go back up.  When can we resume normal foods such as produce?  Does this mean we can't eat fresh produce the entire time we are on chemo?

My treatment was on Tuesday.  So far I feel very good with no SEs.  I have to go for blood work, but not until next week sometime.

Have a great and SE free weekend everyone. 

Mccrimmon I am suffering from severe anxiety - did u have any anxiety issues before BC? I did a few years ago but was fine until recently. I researched and read that women who have had anxiety in the past often suffer from major anxiety during BC treatments. I am on celexa for anti depression and Xanax now for anxiety. The anxiety got so bad I couldnt catch my breath. My OC said this is not the time to try and work it out without meds. "We can deal with that when you are not in treatment anymore" he said. He gave me .50 mg of Xanax to take 3 times per day! It's way too strong and knocks me out. I cut it in quarters and usually have to take it 2-3 times a day. It helps so much! Don't be afraid to take the meds if they help you!

Regarding the anxiety, I am seeing a therapist now thru st Luke's cancer center, taking lexapro, Xanax as needed. Bc has knocked me on my @ss emotionally as well as physically. I have had full blown panic attacks when out with my husband, which is why I stay closer to home these days.



Starting treatment has made me feel like I have some more control... Even though I feel like junk.

Haha! What hair? Mine finally bit the dust,now I look sick but I still feel pretty good. I look at it like this, hair cells are like those demon cells and when I see the hair shrivel up and fall, just imagine those cancer cells falling too. Yeah Candice!!! You are going to kick the crap out of this thing, Lets Get Ready to Rumble!!! Blondelawyer you've had a hellified few months but you've joined a group of ladies who will build you up when you're down, laugh with you, cry with you and help you cross the finish line into the rest of your joy-filled life. Cheyenna you rock! Much love and enjoy holiday weekend.

Hi everyone; I'm 2 years post chemo so I wanted to stop by to offer support and answer any questions I can help with regarding how to cope with side effects.  Not medical information, but emotional support and tips. 

 The worst is the fear of the unknown - especially that hair loss thing.  It was the thing that scared me the most, and ended up being a blessing in disguise.  But what helped me most was forums like this where I could meet women that had already been through it or were going through it with me. No matter what you go through, you are never, ever alone.

 Love & light, Laurie

Gosh LaurieA, you should be a scarf model. I wanna look as pretty as you with my scarf on. Now I just look like the cleaning lady LOL! Well at my house I am the cleaning lady. Thanks for the support

MamaV - I just had this whole thing typed out and I don't know what just happened but its gone.  yes, I've always been a very anxious person, and have been on anti-depressants in the past.  Just recently was able to (with drs help) ween myself off the anti-depressants and now I have to go back on them.  I'm on the same .5 xanax script as you but am only to take one every 12 hours as needed.  I have a problem with my lumpectomy, I guess I got a seroma and it needed to be drained, so the nurses at my surgeons office (he was on vacation) reopened a small section and let drain.  They should have and I should have insisted on seeing the dr on call but what do I know.  The incision just kept opening more and more, they never took a culture.  My oncologist at the time looked at it and said we can start chemo next week....  That was after it was weeping and open for a week.  That same day I went for another onc opinion.  He took one look at that and said there's no way in Hell I would start Chemo on you. It needs to heal, they set me up with a wound vac but that took a week to get here and then it got infected and I had to get IV anti-biotics everyday - that was a really really hard time for me I don't think I have ever been so full of anxiety and depression.  I really couldn't control myself.  Thankfully the wound vac came and now I have no infection, new onc says should be about 2 weeks before chemo can start so now I'm excited and terrified at the same time...  Sorry I do tend to ramble.