August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

Hi Aimska, yes I am triple positive.  I will start Herceptin along with Taxol after the AC over the next 12 weeks.  I'll do 12 weeks of Taxol and Herceptin (3wks x 4) and then after that I'll do another 17 weeks of Herceptin. 

I did my first Chemo today.  It was so much easier than I thought it would be.  There were a couple of very nice ladies there that were really great in getting me to relax, feel comfortable and laugh.  One of the ladies had a visitor who was very funny and kept us all entertained. It was a long day, though.  Got there at 9:00 and left about 1:15.  Although there was a lady who said here's takes all day.  Now that I'm home, my head feels a little heavy.  The chemo nurse said I should start nausea meds tonight and then alternate them for the next couple of days instead of waiting for symptoms.  Glad she told me that as I would not of used them if I didn't have systems.

I notice we have a very similar diagnosis.  My tumor was 4 cm which makes me Stage 2B, Grade 3 and of course being HER2+ makes the cancer agressive.

 Lindy

Thanks Dianamaps...My port is still tender but I'm glad you had no pain when they started your chemo..I was getting worried that since my port is tender that the chemo was going to hurt if my port was tender so thanks diana you made me feel better!!

Taylor....I have to be there at 9:15. I will put my daughter on the school bus and head to the city right after, it'll take me well over an hour to get there in rush hour Chicago traffic, as if the stress levels won't be high enough..... Pretty avatar picture!!! Your hair looks like mine.... Long and dark, I love my hair.... I hope it knows how much and fights to come back to me the same! *sigh*.



I'll do my daily self coaching exercise now, "it's only hair Jenn....it'll grow back....it's only temporary.... Things could be worse....it'll grow back better than ever....hair doesn't matter....." Still isn't working yet!!!

T... So far I like my scarves better than my wigs. I do have a nice one coming from a wig store that my insurance is paying for. It is similar to my hairstyle now.... Just shorter. I had hair 1/2 way down my back until 3 weeks ago, now it's just above my shoulders. My hubby is going to buzz it once it really starts to go, and I go for my wig pick up and final style on sept. 13th....exactly 2 weeks after chemo. I had a bilateral mastectomy and tell my family all the time I'm having a much harder time losing my hair than my breasts. I hope I get past the grief quickly once it happens. Did you try your oncologist for information on wig places? They usually have a lot of info for that stuff!!!

I wore one of my headcovers.com scarves all night tonight, it wasn't bad??? Although my real hair was sticking out the bottom.....I did order one of those halo things though, maybe that'll do the trick?



Chicago is great, especially in the summer and fall....winters, not so much!!!! :0)

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone is feeling well and having a good Friday.I feel pretty good today, day 14. Just a little headache, and very tired. WBC is very low. Had a bad day yesterday, my hair is starting to come out, my daughter cancelled on taking me for my port placement on Tuesday...just feeling a bit let down. Finally bought my wig though, which is okay, RED, but it was fun and a little depressing at the same time. There's a great boutique in Delmar, NY called "To Life" which caters to breast cancer patients. Wigs, prosthetic bras, etc. Very nice. 

Chrys, I hope your pets both get better and come home soon. Unlike family and friends, a couple of mine are very affectionate, and are never too busy to make me feel better. I don't know what I'd do without them! 

Dianamaps - I've been so worried about having my port placed on Tuesday, and then using it on Friday. You made me feel a little less anxious. I really didn't want to have one, but when I went it on Tuesday, it took them 5 sticks to get blood, so I lost the argument instantly! I get my port on Tuesday - hubby is bringing me. 

vtellen - Maybe it's a Vermont thing again - I haven't had any other scans or tests either. When I've asked I've been told it's not necessary, although I'll probably have a bone scan at some point because of the osteoporosis risks. Hmm. Maybe I'll talk to my GP. He's a bit more aggressive. 

Madismommy - wow, 9 hours! I'm so worried about running out of sick time, I keep pushing myself, but I'm feeling so unproductive. It probably isn't worth the effort. I've got a call in to HR to see how much time is in the donated sick bank. I've got lots of work to do today, and a big day Monday, then some admin stuff for a while. 

Have a great weekend everybody. I hope Irene doesn't disrupt anyone's lives too badly! 

Morning everyone -- I hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there...

My hair is just falling out all over and the sides are almost bald at the temples. Oh well....such is part of this process. 

My pets are both home -- Thanks for the kind wishes about my dear pets. 

My little Chi has an abcess in anal glands and is in a lot of pain    It finally popped last night, but he's so uncomfortable. I hope the meds really help soon (antibiotic and pain meds).

My cat has some type of inner ear infection thing -- his balance is off, his head is cocked to the side and he keeps falling over; but they also see a nodule on his lung.  I picked him up at 11pm last night and was hit with a $600 bill which I am contesting. I paid $200 as a courtesy, but with the sh*tty customer service I recieved yesterday, with no phone call for 10hrs is just unacceptable and I didn't authorize the chest xrays which were almost $400 in total.

Oh and my husband is so worried/anxious about the impending Hurricane, I made him take two Lorazepam last night and go to bed -- I've got too much on my plate to have him freaking out over something he can't control! Ahhh! 

Hi,

I took my first chemo a couple of weeks ago. I will have to go 5 years also on a pill after everything is finished.  I had the in sutu, but after that surgery the pathologist found a patch underneath. I had another surgery and infection, so be very careful.  So far, i have had 4 stays in the hospital due to surgery, infections and illness.  I went out without wearing a mask or anything and didnt think i dose of chemo would wipe out my immune system so quickly.  If any one else can tell me of anything else to do to protect myself i would appreciate it.  drop me a line. take care and remember you are not alone.

Madismommy -- thanks!  Yes, the storm is supposedly going to be pretty bad; I also hope it won't be as bad as they say.  Lots of gas stations are running out of fuel in some spots and the stores are madhouses!  However, I guess it's better to be safe than sorry in any event.  I have so many trees surrounding my home; that worries me the most and with 2 infirmed animals, I hope they are wrong about this one!

Ps...I talked to the manager of the Vet's office; an hour-long conversation this morning of what transpired yesterday.  Even he was appalled and I got the $400 balance taken off! I'm a good negotiator

WOW girls! I can't keep up with all posts coming:)

Today is day 3 for me and I'm still very nauseous. It hit me 4 hours after tx and was pretty bad... At least i'm not throwing up any more (and really happy for that). Just a silly question  - what do you girls eat when you don't feel good? I'm not able to put anything in me and don't think it's a good thing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

JMULL - the burning nose was from the C component, I was told it's pretty common.

Zanoza -- do you have any anti-nausea meds? Zofran or Ativan (which is Lorazepam)?

The ladies have good suggestions above. You can also try Triple Ginger Thins from Trader Joes (if you have one near you), sip Organic Peppermint Tea, 100% fruit ice pops, Gingerale, etc.

I didn't have any major nausea issues, but I do hope you feel better.....Take Care!

zanoza - I have been pretty much living on white rice and bread products:  crackers, soft pretzels, etc.  I tried some ginger ale earlier and that helped a little bit but I find that most beverages just taste too sweet.  I have also been taking my nausea meds (compazine during the day and lorazpam at night) regularly whether I feel nauseous or not.  This afternoon I diluted lemonade with extra water and that helped as well.  Hope you find something that works for you!

I am still battling a vicous headache and now the achy bones from the neulast shot.  This heating pad is coming in handy! 

Thoughts and prayers out to the east coast in bracing for Irene!

Grimbol! Hey hon -- Yes, my hair is coming out in droves! My temples are almost bald on the sides. I still have hair, but it sheds at the drop of a hat.

I saw "The Help" the other day with my mom; I hope you enjoy it!

I'm sleeping fine (thank Goodness)!  Wednesday will be here quick -- blech!