Is there a July 2011 group?

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi Susan - cats are wonderful pets.  I have been having them as pets since I was a little gal.  Now I have only one.  Cleo is about 12 years old now and I rescued her from a drain long time ago when she was still a baby, hairless and eyes closed.  I remember the fun times nursing her every 3 hours with a small milk bottle. She is a 'scarety cat' and runs away to hide all the time when there are too many people in the house:).  I plan to go for walks from tomorrow onwards to build up my resistance and stamina.

    rabbit - thanks for the advice!  This forum has been wonderful and I picked up a lot from it to prepare myself for the chemo today.

    Love and hugs to all 

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  • julee_stayin_strong
    julee_stayin_strong Member Posts: 52
    edited July 2011

    J-Bug~ wow, all that in one day!!! U R the Woman!!! Good Job for getting thru it all. Laughing

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  • ewa-swimmer
    ewa-swimmer Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2011

    Day 5 out of T/C for me. Whoo yesterday was very tough. I felt like someone beat me with a big stick. Woke up today a totally different person. I feel a little tired but feel almost ready to take on the world again. Taking probiotics seems to keep my digestic system working.

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  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 317
    edited July 2011

    Hi all,

    I emailed my oncologist and she will have a prescription waiting for percoset for me to take between days 3 and 5 post chemo. I think it will help. I just don't have the energy to go get it and my husband is at work until 8:30PM....snet an email blast to my firends and hopefully someone can pick it up for me.

    I think that will help..  just like RABBIT  with vicodin. I don't see any reason to feel so lousy if we can get soem meds to help.

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    hi Susan, I had percocet when I had my port placement, and those were a miracle for me. They got me through that pain for sure and I had some left over and did use them the first few days of chemo as well....sometimes you need more than tylenol!!! 

    I've asked this before but don't remember getting an answer...is anyone else in our July group on FEC? I keep seeing TC but not FEC...just hoping to find someone to "hang out with" here through this :) 

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  • Bless0Mel
    Bless0Mel Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2011

    J-Bug - Thanks for the sites I will definitely check them out. Man, I gotta pump drugs through my veins, lose my hair and also potentially give up my favorite things to eat:(  I just hate dieting and know that I need to lose a little weight I guess this breast cancer thing is most definitely going to make me do the right thing.

    Rabbit - No problem on those websites. Aren't those headwraps just gorgeuous. I can't wait til I get mine in. They should arrive sometime this week I believe. It gets shipped faster when you actually buy one from them. other wise they told me 2 or 3 weeks before it ships which still would have been fine for me being that the infusion nurse states that my hair will be gone by my 3rd treatment which for me means within 3 weeks.

    FrancesC- I am glad to hear that overall things went good for you today with chemo. you just got your port like 2 days ago right? is that why it is still swollen. Just wondering because I get mine tomorrow and chemo on Monday. Wondering if that is enough time for most of the swelling to go down.

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  • dexxy
    dexxy Member Posts: 229
    edited July 2011

    Hi girls just checking in. Day 5 today thanks god! I knew day 4 was going to be the pits, it could have been worse but i felt like someone kicked all the energy out of me.  Today much better, just that darn heartburn.  Anyone have a good remedy for that?  yogurt is all that works and only for awhile.  Oh and does anyones scalp itch like crazy?

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  • Sommer
    Sommer Member Posts: 33
    edited July 2011

    oh! a July group! Had my first Chemo 6 hours ago. A complete rooky :-) May I join you guys?

    I am from Europe (Germany) and i will have a monochemo every other week. 3xE 3xT 3xC is my "poison" . E (Epirubicin) looked a lot like cherry juice.

    Now I am waiting for sideeffects to show.  Can anyone tell me, when they will show up?

    Thanks guys, Tanja

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  • Jamie30
    Jamie30 Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2011

    Today is my 13th wedding anniversary!!!!!  I am so lucky to have a hubby who still loves my bald self.   

    For the questions...  I noticed my hair thinning on Day 8 or 9.  Just some hairs here and there.  Thought I was being paranoid.  Da y10 a few more.  When I had my hair buzzed my sis said I was right and my hair was actually alot thinner but no bald spots.  Buzzed it anyway so I do not have to deal with hair falling on everything.   I wasnt super happy about losing my hair but I was happy knowing that the anxious wait was lessened ALOT! 

    My head itched and still itches like crazy.  That started right after my chemo.

    I went to heavenlyhats and requested a package.  Its been about 3 weeks.  Hope to see them soon and I will update.  I went to good wishes about the same time and picked out a free Its a Wrap.  I am waiting on the email that says it shipped.  They said about 3-4 weeks and we are right there.  There is a post on another thread that has lots of free stuff posted on it. 

    BTW, today I noticed the loss of hair "down there".  Yeah, I am normally very landscaped there but havent been as much since chemo but I guess I should have to worry about that in a day or two because it is falling out like CRAZY.  Does anyone know about how long it takes to lose the hair once it starts?

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  • Snoopy73
    Snoopy73 Member Posts: 287
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies; Its day 5 after my first cehmo and I am feeling good (85% of my normal self:-) I am actually at work and have been here since 9am!:-) Weekend was a bit of a struggle but not too bad, jsut feeling tired with achy muscles etc. My mouth is blant but i try and eat and drink as much as i can so that i flush out my system.

    Paintingmywaythru - I am also in MA; i live in the northshore (Salem to be precise) and I am treated at the MGH in the Northshore. Where are you located? I noticed you had a question about the cold caps; I am using them, they shipped mine and my Med Onco is onboard with me using them.

    Thank you all for updating us on yout progress. Frances; all the best. Jamie, let us know how you are doing.

    Hugs to you all.

    Psstt... is it okay to have coffess (iced coffee) during chemo?

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  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 317
    edited July 2011

    Snoopy 73. I am in Arlington. Going to Mt Auburn. The oncologist at Mt. Auburn was not into cold caps...I never ordered but I am vain and wish I had. I got a second opinion from MGH Boston with a recommendation for a less toxic chemo but when I mentioned what the oncologist at Mt. Auburn had recomended she just said: "That's good too.".I know they don't like to contradict one another.

    What is your treatment?

    I am getting CT or TC and had a lousy night until I got the percoset today. I ached everywhere and I won't get into details but I knew moaning was a sign that I better email the onc immediately.   She said the pain was from the taxatere. My best to you. It is great you are back at work today. I hope to be back soon. I am palying it by ear but I need to be working and hope it won't be long.

     Thanks for the scarf recommendations...I contacted them and hope to get one in the mail. I also ordered some delightwater as water tastes yucky to me. I hope it arrives soon.

    The nurse at chemo gave me a bottle and I drank it last night and was so pleased with the taste.

    Hugs to all.

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    Bless0Mel, they are absolutely beautiful! I can't wait, did they confirm receipt of the request quickly? I sent them the email yesterday and haven't heard back. 

    hi Jenn, so great to have a bud with the same treatment as me, although if you really want on that Avastin trial I sure hope you get it, I don't know anything about it) I am on day 13 of FEC so I can give you the heads up, just ask, I'll be posting as I go, so far the first day was the worst. Felt great during chemo and up til several hours after then it hit me. Couldn't pick my head up off the pillow, slight nausea but extreme fatigue and heartburn, esophogeal pain...slept most of it off.

     dexxy, I am having some major issues off and on with heartburn, I am taking a script of something like prilosec daily now....seems to help for the most part. I've always had acid reflux and issues with esophogeal spams (very painful!) so it's just triggering that for me. Liquid malox is working the best, pretty instant relief. I would keep a bottle in the fridge, it's much more soothing going down cold, it's working well for me.

     hi sommer :) I am on FEC so getting the epirubicin like you, freaky stuff isn't it? I'm not sure if that or cytoxan was the part that knocked me on my butt the first day or not, if so, you will have already felt it! Update us as soon as you can. Are you on emend? I'm guessing that really helped, I only had to take a zofran a few times that first few days and never actually threw up, just got close a few times. 

     Jamie, happy anniversary! You are one day ahead of me in treatment, I noticed yesterday taking a bath, a tiny patch of pubes floating LOL was kind of funny...no other hair loss for me yet that I am aware of, but I know it's coming real soon! 

    snoopy, so glad you are feeling well and working, that's awesome! I had a hot coffee during my first treatment, guessing if it was really that bad they wouldn't allow that...

    paintingmywaythru, glad the percocets helped, hang in there and keep feeling better.

    hugs to all xoxoxoxo 

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Good Morning Ladies!  Sending all good vibes today!

    Bless0Mel - I had my port inserted on Friday and started chemo on Monday.  Is yours still tender to touch? My surgeon actually removed my upper breast tissue and embedded the port so that it does not 'stick' out.  As more tissue was removed, I suppose the swelling is worst.  The nurses could not find the port exact location.  They had to press and feel and that hurts.  When the senior nurse found it, she had to apply pressure to anchor it down to jab me.   Tip : dont put the EMLA cream too early. Time it well - at least 30 mins to an hour before the nurse access your port.  

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    The port, I know mine was tender for at least a week....I had it accessed about a week later for the contrast in one of the scans I had, and they drew blood, it didn't hurt at all. I have not tried or been told about this elma cream. Not sure why, but when they accessed it for chemo, I have no problems and don't need any numbing cream. The nurse tells me to take a deep breath, hold my breath and then she sticks me, I feel a tiny pinch for literally one second and then nothing, no pain, no sting, nothing....am I just lucky? 

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Hi rabbit - so glad its is painless for you.  Bless0Mel - there you have it, everyone reacts differently - to port to chemo to rad.  Pray that you will go through this painless.  My DH said I was too tense too and hence muscle tightened up.

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  • shinypop
    shinypop Member Posts: 107
    edited July 2011

    Just had a hair shaving party. Promised my best friend he could shave my head. Mom brought over the dog grooming clippers. Had to do a mohawk first. Pictures will go up on my facebook. Now my head is cold. lol.

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  • ewa-swimmer
    ewa-swimmer Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2011

    Ok, now acne. Really? Hopefully, it clears soon.

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  • Bless0Mel
    Bless0Mel Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2011

    Rabbit -  I actually called the goodwishes people to order mine. They stated mine would ship out today due to we bought an additional 2 but I still have not recieved the confirmation email. I am also glad to hear no pain for your port. I pray I am the same way.

    FrancesC- I get the port in the morning. I forget you are in singapore and our days and times are off. I get it in the morning. I am a little nervous about it. I just hope that I am nervous for nothing. I start chemo on Monday(18th). I have a Pet scan and Biopsy in 2 days on Thursday(14th) so not sure if they will use port or not if so it will be 2 days post. if not then Monday will be the day of first use.  

    Wow, I didn't know that you will lose pubic hair and all. Does all hair fall out at about the same timeframe? Man, what else is ahead of me? I will be glad not to have to shave legs and underarms for a while thoughSmile

    Shinypop- That is very heroic of you having a hair cutting party. I am soo happy you group of ladies are sooo strong when it comes to dealing with this whole hair thing. You should post the mohawk picture in this forum. That would be pretty cool to see

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  • Juliebell22
    Juliebell22 Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies! am also new to the July babies. Had my first ac ( out of 4) infusion yesterday. Did very well with it although not sure if it was the combo of drugs or what, but certainly felt the chemo fog. Slept from 7:30- 4:30 am. Feeling alot of aniexty. but I think the ativan has helped with that. On compizine and steroids, as well as 3 emend and zofran yesterday. have been drinking a ton of fluids! I am lucky water is my drink of choice anyways. I did have a cup of green tea with ginger this morning. I have read that although green tea does have caffiene, it also has alot of antioxidents to cleanse the liver.. Minimal se so far... With all of the anti nausea meds you would think I would have none, kind of reminding me of morning sickness. Going in today for my neaulsata shot. Got some claritan, but not sure if I should take it before or after?

    Julee, we are on the exact treatment schedule as well! I also follow 4 ac followed by 12 week taxol then 6 weeks radiation. Sounds like so much, but in the grand scheme of things....its worth it! Feel free to pm me anytime!

    Thanks for this board, hope all of you have a great se free day! hugs!

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    shinypop, add me on facebook if you want...  Ellen Jacobs in Kentucky 

    Anyone here have facebook, please add me, I would love to have you all as FB friends :) 

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  • Jamie30
    Jamie30 Member Posts: 117
    edited July 2011

    Hi.  I also have FB.  I couldnt seem to find you rabbit.  I did find a 19 year old in a bikini, lol.   Here is my url

    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/jevansboswell

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    just added you Jamie :)  I wish I was a 19 yr old in a bikini LOLOLOL

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    Jamie, you are so young I feel like an old dog LOL

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  • mommaof4
    mommaof4 Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2011

    I had my 1st chemo yesterday...  TCH.  I feel like they through everything at me.  Emend, and another antinausea in the IV, along with steroids, then the loading dose of Herceptin, followed by Taxotere ( They offered the frozen mitts and footies to help with the nails, so I did it.).  TNorthwestern also had a massage therapist and an acupuncturist making rounds free of charge so I took advantage of both.  It was a really nice environment.  So far so good.  Fingers crossed!   I pray the rest of you who are starting this week have a good experience with minimal side effects! 

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  • mommaof4
    mommaof4 Member Posts: 62
    edited July 2011

    FrancesC- I hope everything went well for you yesterday...  I was thinking of you!

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  • Luebbsgurl
    Luebbsgurl Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2011

    Hi Ladies....I'm jumping in and joining this group. Found out yesterday that I will be starting my chemo next Wednesday. 6 cycles, 1 x every 3 weeks for 4 hours each time of TCH and then for just H for a 1 full year cycle (1x every 3 weeks for 30 minutes). I go in today to get my port placed. I'm so nervous....everything with me has happened so fast and all I want is to kick this cancer's butt.

     Tina 

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  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 317
    edited July 2011

    Wow. I wish they offered the mitts and massage at my chemo...I suggested it already at my first treatment but they said that the oncologist did not feel there was enough evidence to use the mitts. So I took bags of ice and used wash clothes and put them on my fingers. I wish I had doen it on my head jsut to see...Well I can always try next time....may not be the right way to do it but gives me a feeling of control.

    Welcome everyone. We will get through this.

    RABBIT I have facebook but have not posted about my cancer. I sort of want to keep that separate from  my facebook life but am happy to friend...I am Susan Medyn...

    Best to everyone. I got some delightwater and really like it.

    Susan

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  • Snoopy73
    Snoopy73 Member Posts: 287
    edited July 2011

    Hello ladies; Welcome newbies:-) we are here to help and support eachother go through this journey together.

    Susan / Paintingmywaythru -  my treatment is TC (Taxotere & Cytoxan) I go to MGH in the Northshore/Danvers for my chemo, my Med Onco is GREAT!!! she is soo compassionate, supportive and understanding. When I told her abtou the cold caps, she sadi she heard about them, read about them but they dont use them at the center but if I want to use them i have her blessings:-) she said "as long as they dont hurt you" My Breast Surgeon is based at MGH in Boston her name is Dr Barbara Smith (one of the best in the country) she is also very very nice. I feel so lucky to have very good doctors that I am comfortable with. So I have 5 more cycles of TC (my Med Onco said that she may stop me at 4 but 6 is the regime) then I will have to do rads for 6 weeks then Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. As I said I live in the northshore (Salem) but would love to meet up if you are up to it. I actually work in Boston (btn downtown crossing & State St)

    Regarding the port - I had my port inserted last week on weds, the procedure was so smooth, i didnt even realise when they finished. So far I have no pain or nothing; the only thing is i sometimes feel abit of an itch/somethin on my chest, but other than that i have been using my right arm doing minor stuff like sweeping etc, have carried my purse, today i drove.

    Regarding my chemo progress - So today is day 6 and so far so good Thank you God!! yday was good all day but toward the end of the day i started feeling achy allover and tired and didnt feel like eating anything, or be close to noone!! my poor hubby was trying to hug me and i kinda pushed him away like "get out of my face" :-( he understood its the drugs etc.. So i deceide not to take any sleeping pills last nite (Lorazepen) i only took tylenol, guess what??? woke up at 3am and could not go back to sleep!!! tossed and turned and then decided to take some pills haahaha Anyway, today is also a good day so far, thank God my job is jsut sitting down behind a computer and talking to clients on the phone and maybe meet them every now and then. Hoping and Praying for more good days!! I am planning to spend some fun and quality time with my kids this weekend.

    Embarassing questions:-) I have noticed an irritation like blister down there on one side, its so uncomfortable and itchy like. Has anyone noticed something liek this? do you think i should contact my doctor? Please advise.

    Thank you ladies & have a blessed afternoon. 

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  • paulamati
    paulamati Member Posts: 43
    edited July 2011

    Snoopy73   Im also in my day 6 after chemo and not bad at all...just tired adn yesterday i was in a very bad mood too, i just wanna be alone for a while.I'm having trouble to sleep too ,I think i have to tell my onco about some sleeping pills cause im to tired at morning.

    I have facebook too if someone wants to add me....Claudia Castillo Jordan

    God blessed you all 

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  • rabbit
    rabbit Member Posts: 613
    edited July 2011

    welcome Tina :) the port is nowhere as bad as it seems, I was a nervous wreck too, before you know it, you wake up, it's done, pain pills were my friend for several days after that! But honestly, all in all, not too bad. Best of luck and lets all kick some cancer butt!!!!

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