January 2012 chemo

Bev - Welcome, and thanks for your encouragement. Hoops! That's fantastic. Aside from a day or two of low-grade fevers prompting ER visits, my first three weeks after tx #1 in have been very tolerable. Good luck with the rest of your tx's.

Hi all,

nice sunny day here in Melbourne Australia

 Has been very very hot.

 I must admit I lost the plot a bit last nite for about 15 mins, only day 3 ,and wanted off this gravy train but oh well todays another day and feeling ok today.

Visit from Mum and da and grandson so all ok. feeling pretty good just got a sore throat but icy poles are helping with that

 Yep your right Momof3 boys it was the Ativan that sent me into noddy land on New years Eve, won't be touching that stuff again or rather not when I'm already on sleeping tabs, have learnt my lesson there.

 And Peggy the Steriods I am on are Dexamethasone 4mg twice a day. Thankfully my weight has evened out out again probably cause I'm only eating little bits at a time.

 Am determined to try and not put on to much weight . I had a lapband put in 10 years ago and lost 30kgs so I hope it doesn't sound vain but  a lapband is not an easy way to loose wight and I would hate to undo all the hard work that has gone into it over the years

 Bye for now, off to have a rest

Lynne

Jenn, You won't lose your self, don't worry. I felt that way too. I used cold caps and I know that it helped my outlook tremendously. Hang in there!

Here I am --- another member --- needing each of you!!!

I was diagnosed 11/11/11 (while my husband was in the hospital with a broken back) - BMX on 12/3/11 - Port in on 12/29/11. I start Chemo on 1/5/2012 - 4 months (every 2 weeks) followed by Radiation. I am very apprehensive about my first session in wondering what effects I will experience. Through the love, support and prayers of family and friends -- I am managing to stay positive that the Good Lord will bring me through this "storm" to sunny days ahead. I used to complain that time was passing too quickly --- but now --- I wish June was here - lol!

Jennyruth - Welcome. You've found a good support group here. 

Jenn - I'm sorry the chemo school wasn't helpful. I didn't get any classes, but the oncologist was pretty thorough, and then the nurse at the infusion center really went through a lot before my first tx. I sailed through without nausea, but I can tell you from the experiences of the women in the Dec group that yes, a lot of people really do get nausea. Just make sure to take the drugs at the slightest sign, though, and that helps a lot. 

For the younger women on this board, check out the Young Survival Coalition at http://www.youngsurvival.org/   Not sure if there are chapters or an equivalent in Australia. I've been to 2 support group meetings and one social get together, and it makes a world of difference seeing other women your age (or younger - I'm sort of the elder at 42, but the youngest in my group was 25 when she was diagosed). 

Hi, I just joined and start chemo on the same day as you do! I will keep you in my prayers and please do the same for me. I am also looking forward to June! If it was here tomorrow it wouldn't be too soon. I am single  and my church family is taking good care of me. I will be happy to have the first one over so I have an idea of what to expect. I'll be thinking of you on Thursday!

Hi Everyone

Day six after my first of 4 TC treatments, and I'm feeling fine. Had breakfast, got the kids ready / to school, went to the PS to get "filled", went to my office for a bit to catch up, then met my husband for lunch. Feeling pretty good, but cold! It's 17 here and windy!

My chemo "class" was short on details too (like toothbrushes, nail polish, mouth sores, etc). I heard 99% of it here on these boards. My theory is that they don't want to tell you too much, because it can be scary and make you more anxious than you need to be. My MO gave me her cell # and told me to call her at any time with questions or concerns, she didn't know which SE I may or may not have, but would address them as they came up. Thankfully, besides being achey (from the Neulasta), I've haven't suffered any other side effects yet, so, I don't want to obsess about them either.

For me, the worst part of starting chemo was thinking about starting chemo and the anxiety of having horrible SE. Luckily, I've been feeling pretty good, and I'm sure will be less anxious when my second treatment comes up. Now I don't have that "fear of the unknown"

Hi lapace- I agree that the waiting is the worst part. Good luck tomorrow. I will say a prayer for you that everything goes smoothly with no SE!

Minky1225

When will you be starting? I have a similar plan. A/C dd 4 doses, Taxol with Herceptin x 12 weeks, then the big H for a year. We are in it for a while. Good luck to you!!

You're all added to my ongoing (and sadly growing) prayer list.

lapace - Welcome, and good luck with your tx tomorrow. The waiting anxiety is the worst. Just go in ready to take anything on and relax. And we're here for you when you need us.

Maxkolbe - Welcome. It's good that you have a support network like that. Do make sure someone comes with you - even if you don't have any reactions, it's good to have someone there for company. And not to worry you, but some of us in the December group have had to make ER visits (fever, rashes), so make a list of people you can rely on to come take you to the hospital anytime of day or night. Hopefully you won't need their help. I also live alone, although my BF spends several days a week here, but he can't be here all the time. Is your chemo on Thurs too?

Peggy - reflexology! I am so jealous. I keep meaning to ask about oncological massage, but I haven't seen any references to it at my infusion center. That's so great you have that opportunity. Wishing you the best in getting things cleaned up - and I hope you have a restful and SE-free Shabbos!

Minky1225 - welcome!

Momof2inME - Taxol for 12 weeks... that is a long haul. Wishing you luck on your first tx.

So here's my rundown since tx #1:  A little fatigue and achiness Days 2, and 4, felt fine days 5 and 6, two ER trips day 7 (I was a little pale and felt faint in the early morning, was released after a few hours; fever later that evening so back again, but released. Actually felt 'fine' all day but had to follow the oncologist's orders when I called in my SEs); I took it easy days 8 and 9, and since then I've been fine. There was a little constipation here and there, so I'm trying to keep up with Metamucil. My hair started coming out Day 15, one strand at a time, but I took it really easy (avoided brushing and washing - why bother if it's falling out?) and made it through New Years with a decent head of hair. It's getting buzzed tomorrow, which is Day 23. Heads up (no pun intended) - your scalp gets really uncomfortable as the hair falls out, almost like you're laying on a steel wool pad. But I'm ready to take on the wig and scarves.

Good luck for everyone else having tx this week. 

Maxkolbe,

I, too, live alone and I did fine with my chemo. My body needed to shut down and rest for two hours after work each day and I let it! Avoid getting sick by taking the anti nausea and vomiting meds BEFORE you get sick, on a regular schedule, and you will be good. Being single was hard when I had to lug out the garbage and clean cat litter   You can do it!!!

Rachelvk - thank you for sharing your experiences so far!  It certainly makes me feel like I can do this!  I think one of my biggest fears it getting my head shaved.  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

Lapace - I'll be two days behind you in treatment.  I will have the port placed tomorrow and have the first AC infusion on Friday.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Momof3boys _ I'm glad to hear that things are going well.  And I agree, the anxiety seems to be worse than the SEs.

Jenn - I have been trying my best to avoid that 'black hole' also.  This weekend was the worst.  I'm so worn out from these past four months - from diagnosis thru surgery - that I don't feel ready to tackle chemo. But i guess I don't have much choice and I'm not certain putting it off would be of any benefit.  I'm glad you are talking to someone about your 'black hole'!  You might find this thread interesting         http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/779992?page=1

I meet with my MO tomorrow for the 1st time. I'm soooo scared to get a port. I am the most squeemish person...when my now 14 yo DS was 6, he broke his arm at the elbow and had to have a pin put in it. The day they removed his cast to take out the pin, I almost passed out when I saw that pin sticking out of his arm. I literally had to lay down on another bed in the treatment area. My wonderful DH who can handle anything icky was able to hold his hand, while I yelled across the room, "Mommy is here for you...I'm here!"

My SIL who is a nuclear med tech said I have a vasovagal response -- my blood pressure plummets! After my biopsy, my BP was 90/60!

Kite, There is cold cap therapy that prevents hair loss. I used them and kept my hair.

Oh yeah forgot to ask I am having the TC thru IV drip no port or line, just curious about others experience with vein access. Any problems or things to look out for.