Chemo May 2011

Hello. Just found this. Started my 1st chemo on may 5th. Had my 2nd on may 26th. It hit me harder... More tired. But energy is coming back. They changed my anti nausea meds for 2nd treatment so some parts were better. Nothing tastes good but I have better handle on all my stomach issues now. Really messed me up first round. I am on adriamycin and cytoxan but now that they know I have IBC and triple neg doctor wants to see me in a week to look for any physical improvement and may change my chemo plan. Nervous cause I keep reading about bone pain. I like days of chemo cause I feel like I am able to fight this disease. I am only 41 and was having so much fun. So much for summer...... Nice to meet you all. Sorry for the circumstance. My prayers are with each of you....

Akofc, I am also 41. Glad to hear your anti-nausea meds are working (Emend?). This site is great for learning and being prepared for SE's but everyone is different. Lots of people don't experience bone pain on AC/Neulasta so, it may not happen to you. Doing neoadjuvent chemo has its' pluses; seeing the improvements before your eyes. I am praying you begin to see them quickly.

Patriotic:  It has definitely been hard.  My father also died last year and I know that I have not even begun to grieve his death.  My husband started to get sicker and so my focus was on taking care of him and then he died unexpectedly (he had cystic fibrosis so was sick, but wasn't "dying" sick and then got pnemonia and didn't make it).  So, it has been one thing on top of another.  

 My dx is so unreal at this point.  If my tumor wasn't so visible and obvious I am not sure that I would even believe it!

With the Taxol I had horrible diaherra, some nausea, and chills.  I actually felt amazing the day after chemo--from the steroids.  The worst seemed to be on day 3.  I am also taking an experimental drug, so that can be contributing to the SEs.  I ended up sleeping for about 2 days last week.  So, if week 1 is representative, I figure I get half of week of feeling crappy and half a week of feeling okay.  

I'm more nervous about tomorrow's treatment than I was about the first one--not sure why.  I also tend to have anxiety issues (with full on panic attacks), so it isn't that surprising.  I may take ativan tomorrow, I'll see how I feel.

Thanks for all of the support! 

Cyborg - Good luck with the appt!  Keep us posted.

Katarina - Sorry you had to spend the weekend in the hospital. Glad you are on the upswing!

Blondelawyer - I know what it is like to suddenly lose a spouse.  I lost my first husband when I was 38.  It is tough under the best of circumstances, and I can't imagine what it must be like to deal with the grief and your diagnosis/treatment!  My prayers go out to you!

Beaglesgirl - I hear you about "new normal".  Every decision about what to do, where to go now has to go through the filter of how I feel, and what risk I might be taking.  I hope your second round goes better than your first.

To all with treatment this week - remember water, water, water - before, during, after! May all of your treatments go well, and your SEs be minimal.

Akofc - I am also 41 - was 40 at diagnosis.  I will add you to my prayer list.  Welcome!  This is a great group of very supportive women.  We will be here to help you get through this!

blondelawyer - I too have previous anxiety issues that really have been exaggerated with BC.  Xanax is my new best friend!  Hang in there!

Hugs to all in the chair this week - I will be there again (sigh) Thursday.

Great prayer, txladysara! Thanks for sharing.



MamaV: It really torqued me the other day when you described how your employer has been less than sympathetic to your situation and has been "tinkering" with your hours by changing you from salaried to hourly wages. They may be violating federal law:



http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm



I know none of us needs an additional "fight" right now but, some employers might just require a "gentle" reminder, too!!



I hope this helps others, too.

Another tip: if anyone if feeling sad or needs someone to talk to, as in a breast cancer survivor, there is a program called Your Shoes that is operated 24/7. It is run by the National Breast Cancer Org. The phone number is 1-800-221-2141

Hello all, just got home, had a busy day, went to get my shot and took two ibuprophen right after, went to sams to get water, was running out and the one thing everyone here stresses is hydrate. Went to get license plates for car, didn't even get off hubby got them, then went to grocery store again I didn't bother to get off wasn't feeling too well.

Cyborg if I got the shot already is it too late to take claritin, is it claritin the allergy med? and what is Cmartini? sounds like a martini w/ something.

Patriotic I am glad you enjoyed the prayer. God is my strenght w/ out him I wouldn't be here I went to the American Cancer Society again and I got a free wig!! woo hoo! I love free. I saw that they had a schedule but nothing about a Look Good Feel Good program. I wish I could attend one.

DebRox Thanks for that phone number. 

38-year-old Yes try to nap, thats my plan for today too Enjoy

God Bless us all Amen!

(((hugs Candice))) you have a patient heart.



I had my A/C infusion today, feel like a truck ran over me. But only two more AC and off to taxol. Onco said my numbers were all good and that I was "doing well under the circumstances". He gave me dexa..something steroid for the sinus headache I get with the Cytoxan. I'll try it tomorrow, to late today or I'll be buzzing around here all night.



I am beat up and sick but not sad, today I think I turned a corner... I imagined my cancer cells falling away like my hair is and I guess that was the visual I needed. Bring it on...I had long thick hair for days ! Before I couldn't "see" anything but the scars open wounds and feel the pain.



It's a good start for me, I've been so down for so long.

txladysara:  Here is the link to the Look Good Feel Better program.  Hopefully there is one in your area.

http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs

Candice:  Hang in there --  you are a GREAT mommy!  (((Hugs)))

Beaglesgirl:  Good visulization.  Glad you feel like you turned a corner.  Hopefully we all feel that way as treatment progresses!

Everyone else:  We can do it.  Before we know it, chemo will be over with.  Wishing everyone SE free days!

Daughters dinner, bowl of cereal and a yorget. Granted for snack after school she had a thomas english muffin, raspberrys, fruit snacks, pretzels, left over chicken quasidia. So over all she had some nutruion.

My mom came over and is currently giving my daughter a bath, tomarrow is graduation for her.

I was hoping on painting her nails. I may still do that after the bath.

I had painted her nails once with a light lavender then painted (with the brush) a pink ribbon on each nail. She loved it because she was showing that she supported her mom with the pink ribbon.

It is going to storm here tonight.

I need to take a bath and wash  off the marker they used on me today. (I also got tatooed today if you missed that post). I am not sure if I am going to manage to stay awake until hubby gets home at 10pm. I am so tired.

Candice

Beaglesgirl - glad you have found a new perspective to keep you going!

DebRox,

I just signed up for the Look Good Feel Better class also will go in June right before mu second treatment.  Will I have hair? will I not??? who know, I am looking forward to going sounds like fun. Hang in there girls., Glad to be able to share with everyone.

Pam 

I am signed up for a Look Good Feel Better class the week after my second treatment.  I wonder if I will feel good enough to look better?