Taxotere/Cytoxan starting February 2012.

Anntop thanks for the great feed back I did buy some Extra virgin olive oil but will look closely at the label.Nell so sorry about you husband and glad he didn't get hurt,.I will be thinking of you Monday. 

Silviazara you will take the hair plunge when you are ready.I don't know how I will handle this myself time will tell ,but we need to deal with this on our own terms.I have however shown my new wig to hubby and son separately and they both stated " Wow this looks just like you real hair".It was a genuine reaction as I know them and that definitely brightened up my day.

The real test will be when I have a chance to show my daughter she is in college and working or with the boyfriend so can never tie her down long enough to show her.  

 Have a good day all off to the market and dentist 

 What fun 

Silviazara - take your time with your hair, I'm sending hugs your way now! When I was being treated for Hodgkin's Disease my hair began to fall out slowly, I had very long hair. First it was normal "shedding" then more and more would be tangled around my fingers while I washed my hair. It was at that point I closed my eyes, sat down on the edge of the tub and had my husband take the clippers to my head. It took me a a bit to look at myself but by the next day I had a since of relief that I didn't have to watch it fall out before my eyes. Its a tough thing to go through, perhaps it just feels more real when it's gone. I'll be thinking about you and tossing good vibes your way.



About the vitamins.... I take Isotonic supplements - B complex, D, Calcium, Multi and C. Do you think that's too much during chemo??? I'll have to email my doctor before Thursday.



Hope everyone has a good weekend!



Kelly

Hi everyone.

A fighter- thanks for thinking of me. I am doing pretty good since my 1st chemo on feb 15. I have already worked out 30 min elliptical yesterday and 50 min walk today. Light weights and yoga /pilates. I'm feeling good except for stomach cramps and headache and oh do I feel bloated!

Any advise anyone?

Hi Ladies!

It was good reading all the posts! Feels like visiting friends! I am sorry that some of you are tired and achy.

My 1^st chemo is getting closer and I am beginning to feel panicky...

Asked MO about the following supplements: Multivitamin, Vit B6 and Vit. B12, L glutamine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vit. D, Calcium

His response was: Not to take them only the day when I have chemo, I can start taking them the next day. The reason is "many of them are antioxidants and oxidative stress is one of the ways chemotherapy works".

Wishing everyone a weekend filled with rest, good time and not too many SE!

Greetings everyone....Having my first dose of Taxotere/Cytoxan in the morning. I've been posting some on the Feb Chemo board, but thought Id introduce myself here, as these are my drugs too! I appreciate any thoughts before I head in.  Had my port placed today....that was quite the experience which I explained in detail on the other board.  Hope everyone is doing well. 

My hair started to come out yesterday (day 15 post chemo).  Single strands that just slid out of my head when I ran my fingers through it.  Even more coming out today.  Coincidentally, the wig I had ordered came in and I went to the wig store to have it fitted and styled.  The stylist offered to cut my own hair very, very short - but I just couldn't.  I did, however, start wearing the wig to get used to it and I think I am going to wear it from hereonin. 

It's actually a very cute style and people who don't know me would never know it's a wig.  But for people who DO know me - it looks a lot better than my normal limp, thin hair!  But I think it am doing the right thing by starting to wear it now - it will take me a few days to get used to it and wear it out of the house with confidence.

Good Evening My Friends,

ulightup: Tylenol helped me as well witht he acheyness. On another note, I did have a friend speak to a pharmiscist who recommended taking Benadryl rather than any PM meds for sleep as it will be less harsh on the liver.

momof3boys: You mentioned you feel achey a lot? Does it go away as the three weeks go on? I'm  on Day 5 and still feeling achey. It started late in the evening Day 3.

neli: Thanks for the info on Mo's advice on Vitamins. I will ask my MO to see what she says. She did say B Complex and Calcium (1000 mg) was fine in addition to the Vitamin C and D3 I take. 

firstcall: How are you doing?

silviazara: I am doing 4 T/C Treatments. My MRI & Pet Scan showed nothing. However, final pathology (after surgery) showed 1/6 lymph nodes positive (.47mm) and I had LVI (lymphvascular invasion). I was told the tests didn't pick it up prior because so small. I was also told for the Pet Scan the size needs to be at least 1 cm or bigger. My tumor was .97 mm. I asked about whether I would have Pet Scans every year and she said it would be through blood work as it's more accurate/dependable...I need to ask the MO I final chose to continue with though. 

Today - Today lead to cleaning the house even though not up to par. It all started with breaking the thermometer (mercury free)...LOL...I still am faced with a mild temperature (99.1) which comes and goes. Even though it doesn't sound like much, I can definitely tell when it's up. I chose NOT to exercise today (rest day) as I'm hoping to feel more myself tomorrow. I really want to run! I am one who pushes myself and I'm thinking if I don't at least try it I may be giving up! Oh those mind games we play with ourselves! I tried to have coffee twice today - threw them both out. I am eating, but not really cause I want to just cause I know I need to - apparently I have lost my appetite somewhat. Also, had a minor nose bleed. Not sure if this is related as I sometimes get them due to allergies. 

I wanted to share this website www.copays.org. A friend of my mom's who had throat Cancer used this service. They pay her back with no questions asked. I think she mentioned a fee. Not too sure. I just know she raved about them helping her!  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Bonnie 

Today went well.  My first treatment (of 4) with T/C.  Started the day early with a power outage, and windstorm.  Because of my port difficulties my chemo was delayed to today (Saturday) thus it was at the Hospital rather than the cancer center.  It went well, just slow.  Several of my kids called to check on me.  That was nice. 

silviazara..They did put me to sleep for the port placement.  It wasnt to the point that I had to have a tube, but enough that I dont remember anything after getting on the operating room table, until the recovery room.  You know, I dont feel badly about the port.  It was a long day but it ended well, and I see the port as my friend.  I'm not sure the criteria for 4 treatments vs 6.  Mine is 4 treatments, and it probably has to do with the risk/benefit ratio.  I had a very good oncotype (5), but had a micromet.  It was a very hard decision, but I feel good about going ahead.  I decided during my struggle in deciding about chemo, that when I did make my final decision, I would embrace it. 

a_fighter....I'm itching to run too.  In fact I am the race director of our running clubs marathon which is on Monday (presidents day).  This was on the calendar before I was diagnosed.  I'm having to lean on others more than I usually do, but hope I can go and do timing for a few hours.  Its 2 days after my T/C so I really dont know what to expect.  We'll have about 100-150 runners...a small friendly group....with a nice pot luck social at the finish line. 

kim48....hang in there, things will get better.  (Please remind me of this in a few days)

I appreciate everyone sharing this difficult experience, it is helpful. 

Bonnie and Mom2JJ, just wanted to say "hi" since I'm a Stage 1b, too, and there don't seem to be a lot of us. Many forms -- even a survey BreastCancer.Org e-mailed me -- don't even recognize stage 1b. I had one positive node, with micromets.

 FirstCall, my Oncotype score was low, too, -- an 8 -- but my MO said that's mostly for node-negative women, and they still aren't sure of the best protocol for women with micromets. Do they treat us as node-positives or not? My MO suggested I participate in a clinical trial, in which they're trying to determine the best protocol for node-positive women with Oncotype scores less than 25. Half will receive chemo, half not. In the end, I decided not to participate in the trial but to have four rounds of T/C, to give myself even the slightest better chance of non-recurrence.

I have my last chemo this coming Tuesday. Then on to radiation and Arimidex. 

For those of you just in the early stages of your chemo, it may seem that this agony will never end. The days are dark and long when you feel so lousy. There were times when I just broke down and cried and said I didn't think I could do this. But I did.  Just keep marking off the days and the treatments. It will go by. I know I still have 10-14 days of feeling miserable after my last treatment, but it will be the LAST Day #2, the LAST Day#3. I can do this. So will you.

My best to all of you. 

Wavewisperer

Thank you for the encouraging words. I needed to hear that. I am day4 out of 1st chemo and I don't know if I can make it through 5 more. I will remember what you said and keep pushing forward. It's just scary thinking I may not feel better again...the aches, pains and fatigue.

Ulightup - I had about 4 so-so days after my first chemo, but then I bounced right back.  My appetite returned, I started to sleep again, and I felt (and still feel) 100% myself.  I am hoping it will be the same for my remaining 5 treatments.  Wishing you the same.

Hi Ladies,

wavewhisperer: Hi! I looked into the clinical trial as well. I didn't want to be told which group I would be in cause at the time I wasn't sure I was going to do Chemo. Then I decided to do Chemo, but again didn't want to take the chance in being in the group without Chemo...LOL...I see you mentioned Arimidex. Have you had a bone density test? I would think after Chemo you will so they will have a baseline. My girlfriend had one and she is in the Osteopenia stage and now taking Arimidex. She is looking into perhaps trying something else to help with the bone issue such as: Evista (very new) & Lasofoxifene. I did have my Cancer Surgeon and one Oncologist Stage me IIA. My other Oncologist staged me as IB and showed me how those with micro have been moved to this stage rather than Stage IIA.

Mom2JJ: You are PSYCHED and READY!!! I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts! I was given one option for Chemo 4X TC or no Chemo just Tamoxifen. Also, radiation was never even mentioned for me as I've seen some are going to be getting this as well.

firstcall: I chose not to run today. I do feel so MUCH better today. More like myself. Boot Camp starts back again tomorrow so I wanted to be ready full force for this. I go 5 days a week (5:30-6:30 am). My Infusion nurse has joined Camp so this will be interesting...LOL...After Boot Camp I usually do my run. We will see! You just being with the group tomorrow should make you feel good! All that positive energy around you! One thing I like is running alone with my music. Since my first treatment it was recommended to run with a partner or with a phone. They really expressed a partner first foremost. Well, my partner likes to talk...LOL!  I have to say what Kim48 said - Hang in there, things will get better!

Kim48: I am feeling MUCH better today! Wheww wee!!! 

Ulightup: You WILL feel better! Keep repeating this to yourself! Your daily mantra!

Neli:  How are you?

So yesterday I was pretty much the same. Achey & mild temp. Let me tell you about thermometers...I didn't know which one to believe...LOL...I ended up seeing 100 at one point. I took two Tylenol PM around 8 pm...I had a great night's sleep and I am feeling so much better today! I did throw coffee out again today! My mouth doesn't have sores, but it definitely feels different. Nose is still dry and still bleeding some. As the day goes on I notice I start to lose my appetite. So by dinner I do not want to eat. I am trying to eat bigger meals at lunch. However, not apparently enough. I see I am losing weight. I'm not so sure if this is a good thing! I am sure I'm losing muscle too and this does not make me happy!   

Enjoy the rest of your day - BIG hugs

Bonnie 

Hi everyone!

I was thinking about all of you brave ladies, going thru pain, losing breasts or parts of breasts, losing hair, hope, and then finding something to hold on to, moving with grace and laughter trough the unclear, winding and surprising path of  cancer diagnosis and treatments!

Kim and Bonnie Thank you for thinking of me! Made me happy!

I went to this nice place:

http://bridgebetweentheworlds.com/

Met an amazing woman (the facilitator) who does lots of things. For me she did a mix of massage, guided meditation, counseling, energy healing. It was a special , powerful and helpful experience. Maybe because of it I have no anxiety tonight.

My 1^st TC treatment s tomorrow. I will have a port placed before that.  I hope it will all go well. Just in case thou I talked to all of my favorite people to tell them how much I love them...This is what too much reading does to you...Now I know every possible, freakish side effect or worse case scenario there is.

I am wide awake from the steroids.

I also have one positive node (stade IIa; clear margins post mastectomy) and I am going to have four TC treatments. Radiation was recommended (28 treatments) and I decided NOT to do it. So once I finish chemo I am moving to final surgery (replacing expender for silicone) then Tamoxifen.

Thank you for sharing, and your words of wisdom and encouragement!

Neli -  Good luck tomorrow.  I will be thinking of you.

Gayle