August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Kasi/Madismommy, I totally agree I have being crying everyday about my hair and I havent even lost it yet I love mine too and have never even had hair above my shoulders my whole life and am so sick of people saying its just hair but its our identity,YES i do want to get well but wish we had an option.  I had researched the cold caps and when I called my hosp last week they said they dont have the equip there to use it and its not part of their protocol , I was so mad I honestly think in this day and age they would give us the choice , yes they say there is a small risk by using them but I think it should be our choice , if you are on FB you should check out the rapunzel project its a non profit org set up to educate drs on the cold caps and I already vowed when this is over I am going to do all I can to make more people aware they have an option its too late for me but if it makes a difference to others and they dont have to go through this devestating thing it will be well worth it. 

Hi Jillejo , welcome , and good luck tommorrow , I dont start my chemo until the 18th but from reading posts from the women who have started already they all seem to be doing well with minimal SE's and you will find this place to be of great support, and yes the fear of the unknown it horrible , I will be thinking of you and let us all know how you get on . Hugs .

The chair was not kind to me today ;-(. Shortly before the end of my tx, started feeling really nauseous. Tried crackers and ginger ale to no avail. They gave me Ativan and that seemed to help. Just as I got over that hurdle, diarrhea reared it's ugly head. I felt defeated and just cried & cried! I was so proud of myself for not crying with my needles today....thanks to the numbing cream! Home now...still nauseous, just took Zofran....hope it kicks in soon. Sorry if I'm whining today, was just so disappointed that it didn't go just like last time :-( Praying the rest of you kicked chemo butt today and have minimal SEs



Highlight of my treatment was that I got to meet Chrys today!!!! She's such a sweetheart!

Hi all. First round of AC cocktails over. Holding dinner down. No nausea yet! I feel kind of fuzzy, but thats been the only side effect. (tho when they first put the benadryl in thru the port, the whole area around the port itched like crazy!) Explain that one! Otherwise ok so far. Might chill on the couch. Hoping that not much else happens with SE's. My doc also said Gatorade would be good to drink, because of the salt content, and electrolytes. I mix it in with my water.

Everyone else hang in there!!!!! This is one big step in the direction of "almost done". We are rollin' down the road. It might get a little bumpy, but we're gonna make it just fine

Hi Jill.... Sorry you have to endure all this too but glad you're on board with all of us if you have to!!! I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.



VtEllen....I had a nurse at my treatment hospital tell me how fabulous my hair was.... And my eyes filled with tears and she caught on to what she said and apologized....but still, really?? She's checking my vitals in a cancer cenetr and complementing my HAIR??



SO...I told my 8dd tonight that I'm going to be bald....and she is totally FINE....and said she can't wait to help me tie my scarves if I need help and that she will brush my wigs... And we can be matching witches for Halloween and get matching long black wigs. And she said "mommy....if your hair all falls out I'm going to hug you so hard so you aren't sad". God I LOVE that little girl.....



Kasi....I hope your WBC goes up soon..,. This WBC thing really has me freaked.... Just when I think there can't possibly be worse side effects.....WHAM....here's another nasty one. And my co-pay is 30 bucks each visit too.... It sucks. Plus my BS is 55 and my PS is 55 each time because they are specialists.... Ridiculous. Luckily my hospital has parking vouchers where instead of 12 bucks a treatment we pay 5 bucks to park each time.... Highway robbery on all of it.



I hope all you ladies that had treatment today keep those s/e's at bay....Yvette, it sounds like you had a rough one....hopefully the Zofran kicked in!!!!



Vivie... That's great you have a plan in place.... It's a relief in a way to have a date and plan.... Enjoy your trip, hopefully....



Summergirl

Jill and Michelle I started my a/c x 4 then 12 taxol today. So far so good. I feel slightly tired but took my daughters 9 and 11 out shopping this afternoon after treatment. I didn't feel anything but pressure when getting the IV in to my port. I had one pee that was reddish at the center and all my others have been clear. I have been drink inking lots of fluids. I am using the big cup wth the straw that I got at the hospital for my mastectomy. I started watching the Sisterhood of the traveling pants. I only finished half so I am even looking forward to going back in two weeks to finish it.

Madismommy, aww how sweet of your daughter to say that that must make you feel really good. are you still having pain from your TE mine is fine for a few days and then acts up I cant bear anyone to hug me it hurts too much and this is the time we need hugs the most (how ironic) 

MaryjRN , Thxs I will definently ask for ativan haha or something to calm me down I know i need it and thxs I was really happy to hear I will be having a Grandson Dec/Jan, that really made my day !!!!

Best wishes to all those who have treatment tommorrow  

Good Evening Ladies! Had my first go with chemo today...I feel good right now, lets see how I feel when the crash hits! I am prepared (i think!) for when I start to lose my hair, I have several head coverings. I was happy yesterday when I went to the cancer center and got a couple of bras and a foob, although I still need to let my last drain site heal before I wear them (its right on the bra line darn it).  I also decided it was OK to be a baby and ask for the numbing cream for my port, heck, we deserve a little less pain for all we have to go thru on this journey!!

Prayers and Huggs out to everyone!! Hang in there, we are strong women!  Kim

Dear Yvette: OMG, I'm so sorry you had such bad nausea hon. To be honest, I'm having a bit of diarrhea myself tonight. I still feel a littel "off" -- queasy and head feels funny on and off. You are not whining at all! You don't feel well and you have every right to vent sweetie.

You are a sweetheart too! I'm so glad we got to meet and I pray you feel better soon hon! xoxox (((HUGS))) to you!

I just came back from Walmart -- wanted to get a toothbrush sanitizer, some Extra-Strength Tylenol to take tonight in case the Neulasta pain rears it's ugly head (already taking claritan as well). We went to Trader Joes as well, got some fresh fruit, fruit/veggie juice and lots of protein foods : Baked Tilapia, Turkey Meatloaf Muffins, Fat Free Beef Chili, Organic Turkey Breast and some Ginger crackers to help stave off this queasy feeling.

I'm also REALLY fatigued. Moving around helps, but the tiredness comes in waves. Anyone else feeling like that?

Welcome to Jillejo! Try not to be scared tomorrow (easier said than done). I tried to be calm and my sister and I prayed over ourselves and I took blessed rosary beads and blessed me AND the chemo. I tried to make it a positive experience, although scary one. I did good -- didn't even cry. I pray that you will go in peace tomorrow and try to think of the chemo as a good thing, killing any stray cells that may be floating around.

46MD:  Glad you got the first one down! Rest

Hello everyone, I've lurked but haven't posted here yet.  I started a round of 4 AC cylces every 3 weeks on 7/28.  That will be followed by a round of 12 weekly cycles of Taxol, and then 30 sessions of radiation.  The first 8 or 9 days post chemo were the worst for me since I felt like I had a bad hangover, but I feel more like myself each day.  My WBC was very low and once I got tx for that, I improved quickly.  The neulasta shot gave me back pain for 4 or 5 days and now I'm mostly dealing with a few mouth sores.  My hair started falling out precisely on the 14th day post treatment and I'm having it shaved tomorrow.  I also have long hair and it is tougher on me than I thought it would be. I have a wig ready, but it is hotter than Hades in Texas right now so I'm not sure how much I'll wear it for a while.  

@Sandy - I thought the same thing about my hair.  I don't fit statistics so I thought I might just be a freak and my hair would just thin a little.  No such luck.  It falls out when touch it.  

 @Jill - Where in Texas do you live? I was a teacher, so I admire you for continuing to work during treatment, I don't know that I would be able to handle it.  

I'm looking forward to reading your posts and will comment when I feel like I have some info to share.  I'm a tiny bit ahead of most of you as far as chemo goes, but I felt I was too late to join the July group.   

Jilljejo



Welcome to our group... So sad that u have to join but there is great comfort source in just being here with people that are going through similar treatment.. Ist chemo is nerve wrecking but we can overcome - any advice needed, feel free to message me.



Kind regards



Michaela

yep, 46MD, you hit the nail right on the head - feeling very FUZZY after my 1st round of DDAC x4 today.  had a light dinner, connected w/my boys to fill them in & watched our Tivo'd "So You Think You Can Dance" show - it's generally been a good quiet evening.  right now, i'm a little heartburny, tongue feels kinda wonky too - sure could be alot worse tho!!

tx was really an anticlimax to all this worry - truly. my nurse was a real peach & very reassuring - what she told me during pre-tx was completely true. since my port is only a week old, i cringed over the idea of anyone messing w/it - she prescribed EMLA & told me to pick up some Glad Press & Seal to cover the cream an hour before my appointment.  it worked sooo well - barely felt a thing!  the anti-nausea meds took longer to infuse than any of the other meds - all good w/me to keep those S/E's at bay!  cytoxcin brought on the only real reaction in me...strong pressure in my sinuses & eyebrows - Whew!!  everything else was pretty smooth altho 4+ hours went by the wayside before i could leave.

Jillejo, welcome to a club of strong beautiful women who Love Life & arent afraid to live it!  you & i have the same dx & tx - it's good that your nodes are clear, as well. my intention is to continue working like you, jill.   i had to take this by the horns yesterday - had some heavy internal pep talks w/myself but now i'm not just Saying that i'm positive....I AM!!!   it's nothing to dread, fear or that we cant handle - hell, look at all the crazy stuff that we women deal w/day after day!!!  one day @ a time, one step @ a time, we can DO this!!!

i'm sorry i cant get around to commenting on everyone's posts [my life just doesnt allow it!] but you all offer so much wisdom & grace in your messages, i wish i could have heart-to-heart conversations w/each of you. it's really an honor to be among such kind souls - bless your hearts, one & all.

sleep well & have sweet S/E Free days & nights ahead. 

rox-out

Had my first AC infusion yesterday and it was okay.  The staff was wonderful, explained everything to me, gave me ice pops, etc.  Felt so good afterwards my daughter and I went out to lunch and then got my wig cut like my real hair.  By 5PM, I was a zombie and had to go to bed, despite what the nurse said about the steroids making me energetic for the next day or so.  Am going to work today and we'll see if I last there. 

Prayers for all and hope everyone is having a good day!

Good morning my brave friends.....wishing you all well.....



Summergirl, a grandson!!! :0). That's definitely something to celebrate!!! Oh that sweet baby smell.

My TE's bother me almost everyday....terrible!!! I'm not really sure how I'm going to make it til like march/april with these things?



Justina, hope work goes ok, just listen to your body! my onc. said continuing to work is very good for us while going through treatment.



I am so sick of not being able to sleep.... My ambien and sleepy time tea no longer seem to work??? I've been exhausted this week.



I'm working today and than taking my stepson out shopping for college....we take him this Tuesday night. I can't believe he's leaving but it's probably good timing because he's the one with friends in and out of the house and I'm going to need no germs or craziness soon.....



I think Robyn starts treatment today??? Good luck Robyn.....I'll be thinking of you and wishing you no s/e's!!!



Hope everyone with low WBC counts are doing better and no fevers.....and everyone that's experiencing s/e's are starting to feel better!!!!! One day at a time....