March 2012 chemo

Welcome to the new girls! Sorry you have to be here, but great support.  

Masserz, thanks for summing up the emotions so well.  I am having a rough morning.

Katy and nsmolen, my fellow Tuesday start-girls...  Has the semi hit you yet? About 6:00 pm yesterday I started to get really achy.  I think that may be more of the Taxotere than neulasta, as it didn't seem to be bone pain but muscles...? Not sure. How are you two doing this morning? I got up at 4:30 this morning and took some Advil.  My onc said I could take it sparingly, but if this keeps up I will switch to the oxycodone. Hope you both and other recent starts are doing well this am.

Katycb: I hate my wig. Glad I didn't spend a fortune. I am wearing mostly hats and scarfs. Wig shop gave me lots of ideas. It feels so much better and not as hot. My grandma recently gave me a bag of her old brooches. I have been pinning those on my hats and scarves too. Trying to make it fun and fashionable !

To all with port issues; I feel your complaints. Mine finally feeling better but I think mainly because I started physical therapy. My shoulder neck and back started to lock up. I've had it in a month now. My good arm suddenly became my bad one after it was put in. My PS made therapy referral to a group that specializes in breast cancer pts. It has been a life savor. Can't tell you how much it has helped.

Oh wow - I plan on working the next day after my port, so I won't be able to take pain meds and work!  I still have some left over from my lumpectomy that I never took, so I guess I could take those at night if needed.

Random side thought - I guess I need to change my profile picture - my poor kitten has been exiled.  Everyone has been exiled actually since I developed the infection...my mom came in while we were gone for the re-excision surgery Wednesday and changed and washed all my bedding and declared it a cat free zone.  Probably for the best.  She is wild and will jump and play all over you when you are least expecting it and quite enjoys sitting on your pillow and taking a bath.  Not the most sanitary conditions for an infection laden about to get chemo bed partner.  She is NOT happy about it.

Hubby has been exiled for a while because he doesn't sleep well or much and snores.  Hard to believe that most nights a month ago, I had two kids and three cats sleeping with me.  Oh well, now the king size bed is mine all mine.

The germ factor is really key on my mind going into chemo.  I have had issues with mild OCD (nothing ever really life impacting but enough that I had to take a step back and realize I was not being "normal") in the past with keeping things clean/worrying about germs/infection and I feel the ugly beast rearing it's head again.  I know I need to be more careful, stay away from crowds, avoid people that are sick, etc...but it is going to be very difficult for me not to just lock myself in my room for the next 6 months.  

Hey Everyone...just thought I would chime in with a few of my experiences. 

I had my port put in 5 weeks ago.  It doesn't hurt anymore unless I push on it.  It was tender and awkward feeling for a few weeks but now its like its not even there...unless I look at it...looks like a little alien growing under my skin!

I have been wearing my wig for two weeks now.  Its finally getting comfortable and less itchy.  Its pretty long so I put it on my husband so I could give it a trim...so funny to see him with long hair!  Now he's planning his halloween costume! 

I am on day 8 of 2nd tx.  I am more tired than the first round but I think I might have a few less SE's this time.  I have a feelling my taste buds might come back today...my mouth isn't as fuzzy as it has been this past week.  I have a prescription for heartburn this round so that has been a huge relief over the first round.  I also took care of my bowels a little better this round.

When you girls are all about to start your second tx and you meet with Onc be sure to tell them about every SE.  If you can eliminate even one or two it makes a huge difference.     

Kim....while my port is still uncomfortable at this time.... I
didn't have to take anything more than ibuprofen for pain...however neck has been pretty stiff since...at least that keeps the phone calls short...lol

Love74....great advice on SE's for follow up onc appointment..

Msbelle....agree with the good arm going bad.... getting ready to start therapy on a lumpectomy side will ask about portside too... hopefully that will make the neck discomfort go away..



I am really thankful to have found this site as I now don't feel so alone in everything that I am experiencing...take it one day at a time and always hope that you get up feeling better than the day before

Sissydi: thanks for input about when to shave the hair. I am still a little anxious about how weird/unusual/ distracting I might look for my daughter's 10th bday, a week today. That would be my day 10... Was sort of hoping I might still have hair then... But I'll be sure to have wig/hat/scarf/ something in place, and be ready for whatever, and hope her friends don't flip. Wonder if all her friends' parents should know, so they can debrief if necessary. Hadn't thought of that. Maybe no one will care other than me!!!

So I hear it starts on day 15 - is that just when it starts the falling out process?  When do the big chunks come out? 

KatyCB- I had the same issue with the water retention that you described. At first I was completely bloated and couldnt use the bathroom and then I ended up going to the bathroom several times last night.



I wokeup feeling a little better today and the fog has lifted from my brain but I do feel really off. Dont know how to describe it. I get my neulasta shot today and I took a claritin last night but Im not sure if I take it again before the shot today or take it after the shot ? Maybe doesnt matter. Hope everyone is having a good day so far.

And to describe my shedding...I had really long hair.  When I would run my hands or a brush through my hair before chemo I would get maybe 4 or 5 strands falling out.  When the shedding started it was more like 15 or 20.  Now with the stubble its seems to be hundreds of pieces of stubble in the tub...that would be really gross if it was 16" long pieces!  You definitely have a a day or two of light shedding before it really starts to release. 

Yea my hair is pretty long - to bra strap in back, so all that shedding while showering will clog my shower drain for sure!  Thanks for the input!

Yay to new boobs and new hair!  We will all have to post 'after' pics.  Us...only better!

Onvacation - wait til the 16th day...just put you hair in an up-do for your b-day so you don't get hair on your cake!!  You should have your taste buds back for your cake too! 

My birthday falls 4 weeks PFC so I'm wishing for a little stubble for my b-day!

Good plan girls! My 40th will be next summer (not this coming one) and that will be something to look forward to.