Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

Hi rjbaby - thanks for the reply.  Wow it sounds like you guys are doing great on the chemo.  I think I'm going to plan on going to back on Tuesday next week.  I need to get back as soon as possible as I'm using sick/vacation time right now before short term disability kicks in (don't get paid as much).  The sooner I can get back the better - plus I'm going crazy staying at home.  Who would have ever thought that I would be so excited about going back to work.  I've been thinking a lot about how I used to act at work - whiny on Mondays - happy I was "half way through" the week on Wednesdays - living for weekends.  Cancer sure does change things - huh?

JerseyL - I don't know what to think about your "friend" laughing at your wig.  I have 2 friends that if they rolled on the floor laughing, I wouldn't mind, because I know they would be laughing with me and at my plight of no hair and having to make do with the wigs.  Other acquaintances I might be sensitive with the reaction and think there was a mean-hearted undercurrent.  Maybe she just thinks she is a good enough friend of yours, has enough kind thoughts towards you, that you wouldn't take offense and would know that she wasn't trying to be mean.  I know people say and do stupid things, mostly by accident, but it's hard for the rest of the world to be walking on eggshells around us too. 

Jersey, I hope your hair situation works out for you!  I'm sure you'll be happy with it. 

1st day after chemo, still feeling good.  Went to work today, and had no problems.  I'm overly paranoid of any twinge or odd feeling...but so far nothing chemo related as far as I can tell...just regular human aches lol.  A little sleepier than usual, but I'm thinking that's just the stress of dealing with everything and trying to reassure everyone around me that I'm doing ok.  The day before my first session I was freaking out...would tear up at the drop of a hat.  I'm so relieved now to just be doing treatments finally.  Hoping that I continue feeling good.  I'm also really hoping that my little updates are helpful for some of the fears that some of you may have. 

Wow! It is so good to read from all of you who have already gone through their first chemo and it seemed it was doable. It gives me faith I can manage it. Thanks for telling me about your port Michigan-Chick. Yea, it will be a long day with the placement and all but I would rather do that anyway than spend another day away from work and family. 

Cooka and ccjj- I start the 16th also so I am with you guys, anxious to finally get going.

rjbaby- I forget if you had said what your magic mouthwash was, is it an antibiotic? I also have a heavy work schedule so it's great to hear you did fine with your jobs. I hope I can do it too! I have  a big presentation in Oct and I am already fretting my chemo brain will strike and I will forgot why I am standing up in front of everyone or I will be searching for some elusive word like "document". If that happens I already plan to whip off my wig for sympathy. That will shock them, no doubt!  

Bluejay58- I always get sinus infections each winter so I am concerned about this winter. I already had some conjestion.  Have you tried a neti pot? I did last year and it seemed to help and I think I am going to do it this year. I was looking into if you can do it during chemo and it seems OK if you keep everything clean. I am going to see how it goes as I want to keep my chances of having one to a minimum.

Kimberly1961. I am supposed to get the flu shot also tomorrow (Wed) with my chemo starting Friday. I missed it last week and now am worried that it is too soon to my first treatment. I don't know if I should call my MD or just get it. I never give my kids the flu shot and they all have been fine but this year the school is offering it and I am wondering if I should mainly to protect myself.Is anyone else getting it for their kids? 

I got my hair cut short, but not very short. Everyone tells me they love it and I really like it too. Figures, I finally find a hairstyle that works and now it's going to fall out! Even my kids like it and they always tease me about my wild hair. I am going to take a picture of it so I can try to replicate it whenever my hair grows back.

Wishing everyone well 

Hi Ladies,

Well, I decided to take the plunge and get rid of my hair today.  It is falling out very rapidly now, and I don't think my bathtub drain can take much more.  I am day 12 TCx4.

Is anybody doing acupuncture for the side effects.  I went for a treatment yesterday, and I have to say that I don't feel any differently today.  My side effects have diminished a lot ever since day 6, but I still have muscle pain in the evenings, and I have a sore throat/cough that I don't know if it is a cold or thrush.  As Fieryred says, all very doable.

One thing that I keep forgetting to mention to people starting chemo soon.  My chemo nurse told my husband to go to the obstectrics ward and get a peri bottle while I was getting my infusion.  I used the peri bottle to rinse after using the bathroom for the first couple days post chemo, when urine is supposed to be toxic.

I hope you are all well! 

You go girl! Thrush- Ha! I laugh in your face! Body aches, bone pain, nausea- forget them! I do feel we are going into a warzone. Cancer- smancher- we will not only survive, but thrive.  I got my Bioteen, maalox, ice chips and throat lozenges ready to go. Onward!

Olgah, I am sorry you are not feeling well.  I keep Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer in every room of the house.  Everyone plus me is expected to use them.  Wipe down door handles, toilet handles, sink faucets....anything you can think of.  I have even sprayed my couch pillows with Lysol spray since everyone touches those!

My best wishes for everyone beginning this week.  I have been told that attitude is the most important weapon in our arsenal for getting thru this, and man, do I see some attitude on this thread!!!!!!!

Another tip:  have yogurt in the house.  The active yeast cultures help fight thrush and keep digestive tract in good shape.  And the thrush can set in fast if you allow yourself to get at all dehydrated, so remember ladies, drink up!!!!  Use Biotene at least 4 times a day to prevent thrush and sores. 

Lastly, my skin is SO dry, especially face.  Treat yourselves to a really good facial moisturizer, we deserve it!

Hugs all!!!!!!   Round 2 on Friday for me....

Hello all:

I am from India, and my mother is diagnosed with BC - stage II A. Apart from the mastectomy, the surgeon had also advised hysterectomy (though it was benign), and she had  both the surgeries done. All this started in the first week of August, and since I am taking care of my mother, I can very well understand what each of you are going through. She underwent the first cycle of chemotherapy two days back, and is now experiencing nausea. i am giving her plenty of fluids, as her intake of solid food is not much. Next cycle is after another three weeks. she says she is very tired now, and is wondering how she is going to manage the remaining 5 cycles. Just wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Hugs to all,

Hair came off this morning.  I went to a place that specializes in wigs for people with alopecia, and a lot of those people are cancer patients.  They have private rooms in the back.  So, I went in to my private room and brought out a wig that I had selected a couple of weeks ago.  They cut my hair off, and put it in a bag to send to make wigs for children with cancer.  Then I was buzzed with a #2.  I've never seen my head shaved, so that was something to get used to.  I was surprised at how masculine I look.  After a few minutes, I got used to it.  I was pleased that, contrary to my mother's comments throughout my life (she stopped saying this recently), my head is not shaped like a peanut - more an egg.

My wig was shaped and trimmed to suit me, and that was that.  It looks very natural.  The downside of all this is that on the drive home, I developed a severe headache, and have been unable to wear the wig for longer than 30 minutes without getting a headache.  I also bought some bandana type head wraps, and am wearing them now.

I'm really hoping that I get used to the wig, because I live in a very close neighbourhood, where everybody knows each other, and I just don't feel like explaining to everybody that I have cancer, or having to deal with questions every time I leave the house.  I know people are well meaning, but I find it exhausting to explain the cancer thing.  Some people find it so shocking, and get very emotional, and I would rather not have to explain it.  For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to winter, so that I can just put on my wool hat, and nobody would be the wiser. 

Findingsolace, I think that is a great suggestion regarding Neti pots!  I've never used one, but it does sound like something that could provide relief.  I'm better today, but I may get one to have on hand in case this happens again (god forbid).  My temperature has flirted with 100.5 since last night, but dropped back to 99.9 about mid-afternoon, so I guess the Levaquin is doing its job.

 BethAnnK, that art therapy class sounds awesome. 

Hi everyone - I went by a wig store today and decided to stop in.  I ended up buying a wig but just feel like it looks so fake.  I told my sister that maybe I could put one of my pink cancer pins in my hair so people would know why I was wearing a wig.  Then again, maybe I'll just end up wearing scarves/hats.  Not sure yet.  I'm like rjbaby in that I'm just not ready to face the hair thing yet. It's crazy because I don't even have that much hair to begin with!    I figure that I have about 10 days left before I have to get the buzz cut so I better get used to the idea. 

I go back to surgeon on Friday to get staples out. He didn't take them out last week because of fluid build-up.  Funny story - I thought he had actually left me some "little boobs" although they felt like jello on my chest. I thought maybe this could prevent the whole reconstruction process.  When heI walked in I thanked him for leaving them.  He told me to let him take a look upon which he said "honey, I didn't leave any boobs - that's fluid".  I was so embarrassed.  He also said he wanted to wait one more week to have the staples removed so that we could see if the fluid absorbed into my body.  He said if he took out the staples before the fluid was gone it would seep through the incisions.  I told him to leave the staples then because I sure didn't want to wear maxi pads on my chest too.

Lastly, I told my friend today that I really get kind of ticked off every time I look in the mirror because my staples look just like I have two big smiley faces on my chest.  That's just not right - they should be turned the other way for frowns. 

Okay - enough humor for the day.  Just love getting on here at the end of the day to talk to all of my September sisters.  Hugs and Blessings to you all!

Hello

I am joining the group. I had my port place last thurs Sept 8. I had bad neck shoulder collarbone pain for two days.. Now still sore but nothing like the first two days. Dr said bad muscle spasms. I start TAC chemo on Friday Sept 16. They tell me to plan on being there 5 and half hours. with labs in that time. I glad reading everyones exeriences. I pray I have min SE as some... My treatment is TAC every 21 for 6 treatments then radiation 33 times..   Gosh.. I am already sleeping less just the unknown..

Kelli - How'd it go.  Mine went well.  Nurse was great, could not have asked for better, so helpful.  No pain whatsoever with the stick thanks to the EMLA cream.  No nausea.  No loss of appetite.  I did get a headache.  Some slight bad taste in my mouth after a saltwater rinse and then took Zofran that was hard to get rid of.  Have you been able to make any progress dealing with your insurance coverage issue?

Bluejay3 - How long did your headaches last?  Days?

Robo - It's hard to remember to do the mouth rinse, because nothing hurts yet.  Only did 1 rinse today so far.  Will do another one tonight.  The jar of homemade salt and baking powder rinse is in the bathroom, so maybe if I could train myself to use it every time I am in there it would be a good thing.

Pinkshirt - I love the energy burst from the steroids.  I am generally low energy even without having cancer and cancer-related stuff going on.  Instead of the irritability I do notice that it makes me a little manic, talk more, gets my butt moving more, but my mood is great, better than normal.  Sorry to hear it's hard on you.  The only downside for me is difficulty falling asleep.  Normally I fall asleep 1 minute after I shut my eyes.  Not so on steroids, not at all.

There are so many newcomers, it's getting hard to keep track.  To the newcomer whose mother always said her head was shaped like a peanut....jeez...  It's not polite to rip someone else's mother but that comment did not sound like a good sketch of a loving mother.  Anyway, glad you are an egg head and not a peanut. 

Breast surgeon aspirated some fluid from breasts today after taking drains out of breasts 1 week ago.  It wasn't that much fluid but I guess I have proof of nerve regeneration.  One side really stung.  I really like my BS.  My sister went with me to the appointment and after it was over she said "That was the most fun I have ever had at a doctor's appointment."  She has breast cancer also, so she certainly has something to compare it to.

BethAnn and Mags: The port was an absolute cinch. I was worried about what I would remember too when they told me they just use a local and cocktail that "relaxes" you. The only pain during the procedure was when they put in the lidocaine...it burned a little for about 5 seconds and then nothing at all. I slept through most of the procedure...I would wake up here and there and ask how it was going and they would tell me and then right back off to sleep. I could tell because I could hear myself snore now and then (its terrible if I lay on my back). I had spinal surgery 7 weeks ago and the lumpectomy last Thursday. I almost laughed after this one at how easy it was because of how worried I had been. Tonight is a little different in that the soreness has kicked in, but the procedure itself was absolute cake and I don't remember much except for the one or two time I woke up. 

Welcome mother of twins...this is a really great group. I'm sorry you have to be here, but if you have to be somewhere like this, then this is the place.

I did like Maggie and cut my hair short ...I figure I won't care as much about loosing hair I don't like.

Thanks so much ladies for all sharing your recent chemo experiences....I have relaxed so much about the side effects after reading all your posts. You are a huge blessing.