March 2012 chemo

Katy - The whole wig thing is very weird I found, I am still delaying the big haircut, my hair is long long and has been that way forever, I was the type that would cry after a too aggressive trim. I'm sure your wig will be great, not ridiculous although it sure feels that way, I finally found the courage today to call a hairdresser for the cut, big steps today....



Day 9 for you , how are you feeling???? Good Luck with the the next weeks



Amy

Wow, so many of us, and so many posts I'd like to respond to, but I can't keep track without taking copious notes, and I'm just not that energetic!

Welcome to everyone who's joined us recently, if you're like I was, I lurked for quite a while before starting to post anywhere. Everyone has been extremely nice and welcoming. We're all in this together.

Got my Neulasta shot this morning, but the big deal of the day was the haircut this afternoon! My hair started coming out yesterday, which was day 15, right on schedule. And boy, today it was really letting loose, so the appointment was not a minute too soon. I did not intend to go "all the way" to bald, just was going to get a really short buzz, but we wound up just doing the whole thing. Betty, my hairdresser, took it down in stages so we could see what it was going to be like at various lengths when it grows back in. She first took it to the spike stage, which we liked, then down to the Jamie Lee Curtis stage, which while it looks great on Jamie Lee's skinny face, my face is not skinny, so that one's not for me. We then went to the Susan Powter look (remember her, the hot diet guru from several years ago with the flat top). Also not for me. At that point she just went ahead and shaved my head completely. Figured as fast as it was coming out, it would only be a matter of days til it was all gone, and might as well leave it on the beauty shop floor as have to clean it up here. I was surprised to see that I actually have a nicely shaped head, but the bald look is still not for me. 

I had taken my wig with me, and we put it on and it didn't need a bit of trimming, and really looks great. I'm going to be very happy with it. It's much more comfortable now without a full head of hair underneath too. I also have a halo, and Betty trimmed it up for me - the bangs were too long, and it was too long in the back. After she trimmed it up, I now think I'll get some good use out of it too. 

My MO has me taking Decadron 4 mg twice/day for the 3 days after chemo, and the steroid high has now kicked in and I feel great! I know after I stop taking them I'll come down, but for now I'll just enjoy the ride. 

Wishing minimal to no SEs for everyone, attitudes are great and so important!

Karon

Hi everyone hope I can jump in here with you.  I've been trying to follow the posts here but got somewhat sidetracked.  Seems like everytime I turn around I have to run back to the hospital for more tests.

 Anyway, I get my port placed Tues. (very nervous about this) and start chemo a few days later.  Not sure yet what the meds will be because I'm going to be part of a study and I don't know which Arm I will be. But I'm having my chemo first and then surgery.

As of now I don't plan on doing a wig, but you never know.  I've never seen my head without hair, it might be a scary sight.  

Hey Amy - we are starting chemo the same day - what treatment are you doing?  I am doing T/C x 6.  I am not scared (at the moment) just ready to get it done so I can be finished!  

I hope everyone starting soon has very minimal side effects!  

Cheers

Kim 

January - I've noticed that most with scores over 50 (not all) are Her2 positive.  But then, they don't usually do the Oncotype test on Her2 positive as they will need chemo anyway.  Were you Her2 positive?

Hi Ladies. Wow, I can't believe how much our group has grown...so friggin sad.

Welcome to caitlin, ltr, michelle (triplem), Amy (pgjoh), januaryice, lostinmo, and anyone else I missed. I have come to rely on this board to stay informed - sometimes more so than the medical team I have! I hope you'll find some helpful information and tons of encouragement and support here.

kam - your cat story touched my heart. I have 3 so I can relate. By the way, pity parties are why we're here together. We all need them!

corky - bitch all you want about anything! I hope my taste for coffee doesn't get screwed up! Its the best way to start the day...

jeanne - dang, the last thing you need is more pain and medical appointments. I'm sorry about your wrist!

masserz - did the Emlo cream work today? Have your TE ports moved at all? When I went for a fill yesterday, the ports on both sides have moved more toward my arm pits. PS didn't seem too concerned although he mentioned how well he stitched the TEs to my chest. I sure don't want my fills to be done by injection in my armpit!

fedfan - I haven't bought a wig and probably won't. Summers are warm and humid in Virginia and I really don't want the hassle of a sweaty, scratchy head. I hope to be able to wear baldness as a badge of courage! I'll keep telling myself..."bald is the new beautiful" over and over and over. A couple of my best girlfriends and my mom are coming on Tuesday to buzz the hair. Thought I'd make it a going away party!

Today is Tx1 Day 9 and my first blood draw since chemo. Wouldn't you know it - neutrophils are low so I'm somewhat in quarantine. No fresh fruits and veggies, shopping, being around a lot of people, etc. I am running a low grade fever which I now have to keep a close eye on. Bummer!

Yesterday my tongue started getting sensitive (pepper burned me!) and today, I'm developing mouth discomfort, not to the stage of sores yet. MO has prescribed mouthwash that I'll pick up tomorrow. Otherwise, I'm feeling lucky to feel this good.

I am also lucky to be part of a group of amazing, brave and fabulous Marching women. WE CAN DO THIS!

Hi ladies. I have been reading posts as they came across my email today but haven't had the energy to post. Worst day yet since first TX Monday. Headache, no appetite, a little diarrhea, sore throat. No fever Finally took phenegran so I could sleep. Feeling very emotional and upset as well all day. Just a bad day all around.

Kari - sorry you are having a bad day - ((((HUGS))))

Muscles - so sorry to hear about your collapsed lung. I can't imagine what that must feel like. I hope you heal quickly.

Karri - hang in there. I hope tomorrow will be a better day for you. If not, call your MO to see if there's anything he can do. (((hugs)))

For all Marchers in tx this week - I hope your SEs are minimal and the good days outnumber the not-so-good ones!

Kam170- HER2 neg but ER was plus 10. Nodes were clear and stage was 1. I know the grade was a 3. I think there arE only certain cases that they will even do the oncotype dx for. Start chemo on Thursday. How are you doing?

Oncotype DX tests for early stage invasive BC only work with positive receptors, so don't apply for us triple negatives from what I understand, Januaryice...

New to this site. I had my first chemo on Monday march 19. So far so good. No nausea. I have had a dull headache since then and some constipation. Doctors office said to treat the headache with tylenol or advil but it just won't let up. I also am not sleeping very well.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe how this thread has grown today!   Welcome to all of the newcomers.  You will find much love and support here.

Muscles...What a sad story.  I would never have thought something that serious could have happened having a port put in.  Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Galena & Sissy...glad to hear today was better.

Karri...Hope tomorrow is a better day for you.  Hang in there.

Oh and, I saw posts about oncotype score. My mo ordered one for me even though I have her2+ sure enough it was high! 67 that why mo wants to do aggressive AC 4 x every 2 weeks then taxol 4 x every 2 weeks then herceptin at end. We shall see!



Is anyone taking aloxi and/or decadron? Any tips? I'm supposed to have them tomorrow is it oral meds or in with A/C ?



Took clartin at 9pm and drank 3glass of water already , probably will get up middle of night to go bathroom! And will drink lots tomorrow during chemo and after hope it will flush all out !



Goodnight again!

Hello ladies,

  I thought I would pop in and say Hi. I am from the March 2011 Chemo Lounge. It is a great group and it will always be my home base. You will join your surgery threads and Rad threads but your chemo buddies will always be your best people.

  I did 6 TCH last year and didnl't get sick til the very last one. Got great results and also did a BMX in Aug and Rads in Nov/Dec. I was Stage IV from the beginning-I didn;t know if any of you are there or not. I hope not. I am now on oral chemo-Xeloda and Tykerb. I was unable to finish my year of Herceptin as the cancer started growing again. Hoping this new combo gets me back to Stable.

  Looks like a great group-I wish you all the best.