August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!
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Hi all
Counting down the hours now to treatment day. I have been waiting for this day to come for about 2months now!! Got my hair all chopped off yesterday. It's really short and actually quite nice. I have everybody in this house organised to within an inch of their lives and hopefully they will all be able to carry on and at least eat... Cooking dinners in my house is always a chore, 5 different dinners most evenings as we are all fussy eaters. I am worried tonight about allergic reactions - I am sensitive to all meds, even ibuprofen makes me sneeze!!
Mother arriving in the morning - she is going to move in for a while to help and plus she is on her own and I couldn't bear the thoughts of her being alone worrying about me. I am an only child and she forgets that I am 45 now haha.. Lost my dad to this terrible disease 7yrs ago and mother is reliving everything all over again that she went through with dad and his treatment.
DH is being very thoughtful and loving at the moment. He is determined to keep my spirits up. He's truly my rock!! After 20yrs together he is and always will be my best friend. The older girls are a bit down in the dumps today so I brought them shopping for goodies. €271 later and they are smiling again
Hope that everyone is doing well today
Love and hugs to everyone here
xxxxxx. Michaela -
brca1babe ,
Thxs ,I wish I could get to use the cold cap I would try anything to keep my hair, but when I asked my Onc about it he said they dont have one where Im being treated and he did not recommend it either due to no chemo going to the scalp ,and the possibily that any cancer cells remaining in my system could attach there and start a tumor , I feel like every thing I hear to help keep hair they dont agree with or dont have, time is running out , I just dont know how I will cope (:
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I don't know, summergirl. Can you try to look at it as a really rare experience? I mean it is going to be freaky, and it makes me queasy to think much about it, but it certainly will tally up there in the ol' life is strange and getting stranger category. OK, this isn't helping. It will be temporary. And we have no choice, it is part of the treatment and we need the treatment. I had a heck of a time finding a wig, even remotely similar to my curly reddish/brown going grey stuff. Raquel is NOT into rocking w/ the frizzes. EVERYONE who even slightly knows me will say right off the bat- "WIG"
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I agree Summergirl I would like to know why they cant come up with something better for us ladies not to lose our hair.I know they have cold caps to use but there is a risk that cells might get through as the scalp is frozen from the cold caps.I am in day 14 from chemo hav;nt lost my hair yet but my scalp is tender. I grew up in Ireland Belfast actually I live in Canada now was suppose to go home this July untill all this started.Hopefully next summer I will go back for a holiday cant wait untill all these treatments are over its a very long haul.But so far Chemo has'nt been as bad as I imagined hope the other 5 treatments are the same.2 more of Fec then 3 of Taxatore.That should take me into Nov then Rads start Dec.Michaela good luck tommorow .Capinva so sorry you had an allergic reaction is this rare ? I hope you are feeling better that must have been terrifying.
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vtEllen, LOL on the hair thing. I think you and I must have the same red/gray curly hair! I know what you mean about the wigs...I finally found one that is similar to my new short hairstyle. Still looks like a wig though!
I am home following my first dose of A/C. All-in-all things went very well. The nurse had to try three times to get the IV in, which is odd because I've never had an issue with that before. That was the hardest part. No issues at all with the pre-meds or the Adriamycin. I got a bit of a headache with the Cyclophosphamide, but that seems to be going away now.
Had to wait at the clinic for a half hour after tx to find out where/when I get the Neulasta shot tomorrow. Nothing had been booked. Turns out a nurse is coming to my house to give it to me and she'll teach me how to do it myself. (YIKES!) The most painful part about Neulasta is the cost - $2,800 Cdn per dose. Thank God my husband and I both have drug coverage so it will be fully covered.
So I'm home and feeling okay. I'm actually feeling a little hungry. I ate some blueberries and a Fibre1 bar in the chemo suite...trying to keep the fibre intake up!
Tomorrow morning I have an appointment for a CT scan. I hope I'm not feeling too nauseous or I won't be able to keep the yucky contrast solution down.
Must go now and drink some more water! -
Thxs Guys for the support I know you are all right and we need the treatment, but as much as I say that to myself it just doesnt seem to work, I will have to just get my head around it though as we dont have any choice, none of us asked for this horrible journey did we.
sandy115, yeh why cant they !!! , so you are from Belfast, sorry to hear you cant get back I was supposed to be going to Bulgaria for 2 weeks and had just bought all my summer clothes and bikinis etc, and then got diagnosis and had to cancel, but hopefully next year if I get through this, you will have to get in touch with me when u make it home next year Im in the south ,in Wexford glad u are not feeling too bad from chemo , hopefully I will be as lucky as you
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Just an interesting thought, I was wondering, how many of us girls are of Irish descent? There seems to be quite a few! Me Too!!
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I'm of Irish descent, too. My Mum was born in Wexford. My Dad's family was also Irish a couple of generations back. Although I was born in England and have lived in Canada for almost 40 years, I always say I have more Irish blood than anything else!
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Wow...gone all day and have lots of catching up to do....
I'm Irish descent....very Irish infact, family names are "Mullally" and "McDowell". -
EllasM...I hope they told you to take Claritin for a few days.
Vivie...not sure if they can adjust. They should be able to.
Dogmom... I felt the same way. it is hard to admit. In fact, that's what would make me cry when I told people; the admittance. The denial finally started fading away.
Amelie...your showing love to others statement is so 'right on'
Chrys...that's so fabulous. Enjoy!
Sending my love and best wishes for all the ladies having their first treatment this week.
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Tierany, and Knowlton. Mostly English, but some Irish. We're kicking around a celebration trip for next spring! England and Ireland!
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Hi Ladies, mind if I join you! I'm starting chemo this Thursday....found out today! My Oncotype score was low, but I'm looking at the chemo as an extra boost! I'm scared like crazy and probably won't sleep the night before. I have "chemo education" tomorrow to see what type I will be getting, and I'm sure an overload of info as well as the other meds I will need. My MO seems to think that I will handle it very well and is encourageing me to go back to work. I told him that I want to see how if affects me first and that my boss is not a nice person, so I'm in no hurry! Heck, I am 6wks post mastectomy and still need to get a foob and bras. He is crazy if I'm going to work without those. Enough of my ranting.....I hope everyone has a great evening.....KIM
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Koalakid39- sorry you are joining us, but I am with you on the "extra boost"! I am still waiting to get the final word on Thursday. Thanks to this thread, I'm ready-bring it on!!
I am Irish decent-Cork (sp) County on my Dad's side. Ireland is my dream vacation! My dh (all Irish) has never had any desire to go until the SO fellow from Ireland met with us. I told her I always wanted to go and he said, "ok, we'll go". You better believe I'm holding him to it, lol!
Had a great time at the Maroon 5 and Train concert last night. I got pulled up on stage and got to be a "Trainette" and dance and sing back-up to "She's on Fire". It was the highlight of my summer and I SO needed!!
Michelle-thanks for sharing your experience. Wishing you minimal SE's!!
Doodlebug-best wishes for tomorrow-stay strong!!
(((Hugs))) -
Leighsa how exciting @ the concert glad you had a great time.Doodlebug good luck tommorow
Summergirl i will def look you up when I go home for holiday next year sorry you could'nt have your trip either.Day 14 ive been good so far untill last night and today pain everywhere and running to the bathroom alot hav'nt eaten since breakfast.Ive went for a walk everyday and could'nt handle one today also very emotional hav'nt cried in a week but today thats all I wanted to do must be the hormones.Hope everyone has a great day tommorow.
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Hi, I get my first tx on Wednesday. I am having a PEtw CT tomorrow. Can anyone tell me if I have to drink something? I was fine until I heard about that, I HATE the barium,is it like that? I can do most things but that really gets to me!! I know, I know, complaining about stupid things, but still. At least its before I start chemo so nausea from that can't be blamed!
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Welcome Kim. Glad you found this group!!!
{{{hugs}}} to Michaela....you can do this!!!!
. Thinking about you tomorrow.
Leighsa.... That's pretty damn cool you got pulled up on stage!!!! I'm taking my 8 year old to see Taylor Swift tomorrow night....it was one of her bday gifts that I purchased pre BC. I found out tonight I dont have to drive, my aunt and mom got us a car and driver!!! YAY! I seriously didn't think I'd be able to handle it without pain. (an hour each way) so this is a huge relief!!!
Grimbol....I had to drink a big barium drink with my CT scan....it wasn't pleasant. Maybe you won't need to? Or they have better flavors for you!!! -
Madismommy - have a great at Taylor Swift. I went with my 9dd in June 2010. She puts on a great show-you will both have a great time! It's nice to just do normal, fun things without thinking about the big "C".
Hi Grimbol-welcome and good luck on Wednesday!
(((Hugs))) -
Welcome Grimbol...good luck with the CT scan and the first tx! I also have a CT scan this morning, the day after my first chemo (someone didn't plan that very well). I was really worried last night as I was really nauseous when I went to bed. I feel better this morning but can't take one of my meds as it has to be taken with food and I can't eat until after the CT scan. I'm drinking green tea with ginger...hopefully I'll be able to keep the yucky stuff down so I can get this scan over with.
Welcome Koalakid! Don't rush back to work unless you have to. I've been off on medical leave since the day before my surgery in early July. There are times that I feel guilty like I should be working, especially when I was recovered from surgery and waiting to see the ONC. My job is pretty stressful so I think it's best if I just take the time and return to work when tx are all done! Luckly, my boss and company are very understanding so I'm not feeling any pressure to return.
Madismommy, have an awesome time at Taylor Swift. It's fun to do that kind of stuff with your kids. I took my DD (then 9) to see the Jonas Brothers a couple of years ago. It was amazing - she was in awe! 56,000 screaming fans, most of them hysterical girls. It was definitely the biggest concert I had ever been to in my life, so I'm sure DD must have been blown away!
Doddlebug, good luck with tx. Moms are great, aren't they? I went to Toronto to see Billy Elliot on Saturday and my Mom wanted to come to my house to do laundry while I was gone. I told her that I could manage the laundry without any help and I'd prefer she come over when I'm here so we can visit!
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Kim: We're starting on the same day. I'll be there bright and early at 8am. I'm ready to get started and get done.
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Hi Michelle,
Billy Elliot, how was it? great movie, or did you see the stage version? My nephew, he' in his 30's now travels all over the world to see Billy Elliot. I have totally lost count on how many times he's seen it. He lives in Leeds, UK, and used to go down to London to see it all the time, but then he started traveling all over to see it. He was leaving for Australia a couple of years ago when I was there! He has a group of friends he travels with I think - all a little weird!!
Hope it goes well for you today, I am a little upset now, I didn't realise I had to drink barium for this, ugh!! oh well, I'm sure we'll all make it thru like everyone else has. Missing my coffee just now. Tx day tomorrow, pretty nervouse for that too.
Praying for you all today.
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Hi Guys,
Cant beleive how many of you are of Irish decent.
Glad you enjoyed the concert leighsa ,
sandy115 : so sorry you are not feeling well, hope the SE's subside soon for you and you get for your walk tommorrow, and you are very welcome to visit when u get here. you would love Rosslare I live right on the beach. its a very small village. maybe we can arrange a BC reunion over here in Ireland when we all get through this.
I am feeling more anxious everyday and cannot keep food down and I havent even started my chemo yet, hope I can eat through chemo cant afford to lose any more weight already too thin.
Good luck to all those who have started the journey, and Im thinking of all who like me are waiting anxiously to start . xx
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Good luck to everyone starting this week or for those of you who already have started! :-) I am 5 days out from my first AC and finally feeling normal again although I still have to force myself to eat. I even turned down a DONUT from a fabulous local baker this morning when I came into work; didn't even appeal to me. Normally I would have split one with somebody.
I am also doing acupuncture to help alleviate some of the side effects. I had my second appt last night and I felt so much better today. I think it's helping - even if it's a placebo, I don't care :-)
Have a great day everyone!!!
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Aimska,
No I start my first TCH on Aug 24. I am anxious to hear how you have felt on it and the SE. So I would appreciate any help. Blessings as you go into treatment #2. -
Grimbol this may be too late but when I had my PET scan I was injected via iv with a radioactive substance. I had to sit in a chair for 45 minutes and then had the hour long scan. Our office was freezing due to the machines needing it to be cool. Next time I will wear winter coat and Uggs.
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My first post too. Had a lumpectomy July 26th, port placed this past Friday, start first chemo treatment Wednesday, August 10th. I'm AC-T. Really worried about how I'm going to feel during and after the treatment. I'm the strong one, not the one who needs to be cared for in the family, but this has blown me away and I haven't started yet!! I have a ton of support but not sure how to accept it. I know I'm not prepared for what's going to happen tomorrow!
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Welcome Kim and Eekwine, this is a great group for support.
Leighsa...being onstage at a concert? That's fabulous!
Michelle...that's what I would have said to my mom, too. Come over when I really need you.
Kasi...I totally believe in accupuncture. It helped me heal from a total knee replacement last summer.
Summergirl...I'm another Irish lass. The Irish were improtant in the development of the city I am from. (Joliet, Illinois) They erected the first school, church.
Grimbol..you will do great!
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Welcome eekwine! Glad you found us....sorry it had to be this way
You have found an awesome group of sisters and support here. I think we were all where you are, and not that long ago either! Even as I type this, I can't believe I'm able to. I was a "hot, crying, worried, mess" in the not too distant past! Worry is normal....fear of the unknown has that affect on us. I, like you, have always been the strong one, the caregiver, the shoulder to cry on and wasn't exactly sure how to behave in a reversed role. There are so many people who want to help! Accept it one day, one task, and one person at a time. I actually had to come up with a schedule because the offers of help and support were overwhelming to say the least. I, too, am on the AC-T regimen. All of mine will be dose dense in bi-weekly cycles. So, I have one consistent person with me for each treatment (my DH) and a different family member/friend as well. I know it's hard to hear someone say relax, it will all be ok....but honest, it will. You will feel better once you are doing something to get rid of the awful buggers in your body! Please come here when you are scared, angry, just want to vent or share....we are here, not by choice, but just for you and all the other sisters who were chosen to travel on this journey
Feel free to PM (private message) me if you want. I just told someone today that I was: diagnosed in May, denial in June, and decided that I will "Fight Like a Girl" in July, August, September, and as long as it takes to tell cancer to kiss my butt (and not just on the days I sit in the chemo chair)! -
I was away last week (family vacation planned before my diagnosis) and have been catching up with all of your news since returning. It is inspiring to read about those of you who have started chemo already and are getting through it! I had my port placed this morning and start my AC tomorrow. Feel a bit sore but totally manageable. My kids overheard me talking with my mother last night about plastic surgeons and so I have had the talk about the PBM sooner than I had planned. I explained to my older son that I have a genetic mutation, etc. My younger son wanted to know if my "plastic boobs" would be see-through. At least we ended up laughing! I am so grateful to be going through this with all of you instead of alone. Good luck everyone!
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Good evening/afternoon ladies
I am sorry that we have to welcome you to our group but so far all involved are truly wonderful people. If you have any questions get them up here and we will help as much as we can
1 treatment down and 7 left to go.. I am finally on the journey. Had a very sleepless night last night and woke up very early feeling very sick (nerves) got to my hospital at 1.30 and was told to go and have a cigarette and relax for 10 mins with a cup of tea. Came back in feeling a little better. It hurt getting the cannula in place but after that everything was a doddle.. Pre meds went in lovely, steroids and anti-sickness, they gave me stuff to relax me - went from a snivelling wreck to a nearly calm normal person after 10 mins. Wonder would they give me some of that to take home LOL..
Next it was time for the red devil. Nurse infuses this slowly to see how you are toleration it
and that went well for me. Next up was the "c" can't spell it haha.. That too went in ok, I had the metallic taste in my mouth within minutes and towards the end of that infusion I de eloped a mild sinus headache.
I have drank and drank and drank water today. It really helps hydrate you and flushes the red devil out of your system quickly. I came home from hospital and DH made me plain toast with butter and a cup of tea, mother had brought the 3 children out to occupy them in a local mall and I just hit the bed. Slept for 3 good hours and have just been up eating a banana and drinking more tea.
I am really happy that today went well. It has given me confidence to carry on. In will deal with whatever comes my way as best I can
Eekwine
Michello13 I am thinking ha not honking (silly iPad) of you today on day 2 for you. Hope that you are ok.
Kasi - good to hear that you are doing ok.. It can only get better
Summergirl... Luv and support coming your way. I will text you in a while if that all right with you
Maddismom.. Hope your ears are ok after screaming childer at Taylor swift. I had the pleasure of a jonas bros concert last year - never knew that teenage girls could scream so loud haha
Oh I love this group - anyone I haven't mentioned - sorry! Hope that your day is as good as mine has been
Xxxxxxxxx. Michaela -
Hi all! I hope everyone is having a good day. Summergirl1, I agree with you totally - the SE I most dread is hair loss. I start my first AC day after tomorrow and the chemo nurse told me I'll start losing my hair in two weeks. Demoralizing is the perfect word for this, but I find when I mention that to a doctor, they seem sympathetic but then almost wave my concerns aside (ends justify the means).
On another note, I had my echo cardiogram, CT and bone scans and they found "pulmonary nodules" which they will recheck in six months. Anyone experience anything like that?
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