April/May 2012 Chemo hang out

Stacie!!  I didn't know you were a fellow red head!!  same here.. haven't had my hair cut short since I was 8 years old.  Day after they said definitely chemo I hacked it off.  wanted time to get adjusted before it was gone.

I looked up recipes for Magic Mouthwash online, and the only ingredient I don't already have is viscous lidocaine.  I don't have thrush *knocking wood* so I don't really need nystatin.  I might try concocting something just with the maalox and liquid benadryl and see if that helps my tongue.  Does anybody know, does the lidocaine taste bad??  Years ago I had a horrible strep throat while I was in college, hurt so bad it woke me up at night, and the doc prescribed viscous xylocaine to swish in my throat.  It killed the pain but tasted absolutely terrible.

IndigoMont11- Those Buffs are the way to go.  I already purchased four of them and they have UVA protection plus I figured I really would use them later on.  They definitely are a no brainer when it comes to putting it on.  No adjustments needed.  You should go to the Buff website and check out they manipulate the Buff to get different styles.

Lezza13- Stacie is also a Texan-- north Texas (Dallas/FW area).  Where are you?  Thanks for the congrats on my DS graduation.  At this point, he is so bored and so ready to get out.  He has AP exams the next two weeks; meanwhile he is just sitting in his classes and so bored.

Im not sure when I start because I was so annoyed when they told me about the chemo (I also had a 3 hour wait for no apparent reason ) that I ended up telling them I would do it closer to home if I had to do it.  (I had gone into Boston but Mass General has a suburban location closer by.)  So I have an appointment with the oncologist locally next thursday.  Im guessing I will start as soon as I can after that.

Now that the chemo reality is setting in - that makes me more frightened about the cancer itself! Before I was just thinking "it hasnt spread" but now Im thinking OMG - maybe it has spread!  But somehow I know I will have to get through this.

Carol 

Carol- Try not to assume things right now that are not based on true facts.  I had a PET/CT scan right before I started chemo.  I asked my oncologist research coordinator not to tell me the results until chemo day because it wouldn't change the fact that I was having chemo.  She called me the day before and told me everything was clear because she wanted to share the good news.  In my mind, the chemo is to hunt down and destroy those cancer cells that decided to go travelling and were not detected by the other tests and surgeries.  It is what is necessary for me to get the rest of the nasty out of me.  You will get through this.  You may want to prepare a list of questions for the next onocologist visit so you will know what the chemo protocal will be, the anti-nausea drugs, port or no port. EMLA cream if you get a port, etc.  The learning curve is rapid with chemo but you are not alone here.  You have plenty of support here!!!  HUGS!!!   

Carol, what Melrose said about the chemo doing a seek and destroy on any evil cancer cells lurking. The PET/CT scan I had after my BMX and before chemo said "no measurable signs of cancer" which told me no tumors in addition to what were removed during surgery. But I knew that the scans can't see individual cells and that since I had both positive nodes and lymph/vascular invasion, I'd have chemo.



My MO saw my face when he ordered the PET/CT scan because I was scared too, and said my chemo prescription/first treatment would happen as planned regardless of the scan results. Take things a step at a time (we know, easier said than done).



Stick with us - lots of great people, support and info here!

I second what the others have said Carol.  I went to the University of PA for my 2nd opinion and the way they described it was as possible "seeds" getting past the lymph (we've all tried to grow seeds and know sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!)  Chemo is meant to ensure that any seeds never get a chance to grow.  My RO told me "in all likelihood you're now cured (after my lumpectomy) so think  of any additional treatment as insurance that it'll never come back"  I'll buy that insurance any day!!

Ladybug - you and I will keep each other on track for no weight gain, ok?  I've been doing weight watchers on and off the last 3 years and had been down a total of 50 so I understand.

Hi Sandik!  Sounds like you are on the same track as me weightwise.  I'll take that silver lining.

Ladybug, yes, when I bought the wigs, they said not to get them too near heat, like an open oven or grill.  I never would have thought of it either!  (Melrose, I hope you don't know about that from experience!).

Good morning Ladies.  Finished first chemo yesterday, wasn't too bad.  Went to bed feeling really crappy and out of sorts.  Still not sleeping well becuase of the port placement last Wednesday.  I am a stomach sleeper and that is really uncomfortable.  Woke up tired, nauseous and achy.  Took a Zofran and will be drinking lots to trying to keep the SEs away! 

Does anyone have a suggestion to avoid a caffeine withdrawl headache?  I am a big coffee drinker but coffee is the last thing I feel like having right now...  I am trying a cup of tea, but that doesn't usually do anything when I am just feeling "normally" sick (before the BC)

Have a great weekend All !!!  

chrissera, my only suggestion regarding the coffee (I was an addict prior to chemo) is green tea.  It takes about 3 cups of green tea to equal the caffeine in one cup of coffee.  I find that I sip it all morning, and it is quite soothing.  It feels good to think about all those antioxidants in it, too. 

My weight is fluctuating all over the place.  I lost 3# then gained about 4 # after the first TCH, now after the 2nd TCH I lost 6# in two days due to the D train (despite eating and drinking as much as I could).  I know it is all water weight so I'm not too concerned about it, as long as I put it back on - so far, put 1# back on this morning. 

I'm doing so much better this time around compared to my first TCH, and I feel so grateful for that!  

Stacie- Have a great weekend on the lake and at the soccer game.  Glad you are feeling good and are able to enjoy this weekend.  Good luck on your overnight biz trip!!!  I'm going to check out that link and Dr Weil's food pyramid.

chrissera- 1st chemo done.... YAY!!!!  I'm sure you can take a tylenol to help the headache if you want.  The other thing to to do drink half decaf/half reg. coffee so you can wean yourself off the caffeine.  Keep drinking that water to flush that chemo out!!!!

Hello ladies,

What a great group!

I had my first treatment on May 3rd: Herceptin, Taxotere, Epirubicin only to run to my son 30th birthday surprise party. Poor boy was running around like a headless chicken trying to organize/fugure out my diagnosis, treatments, doctors etc. He spent whole day with me feeding me ice not having a clue whats coming. I must say I was scared big time, but the distraction of preparation and excitement took of the edge. I was more worried not to say something. Because of the first time my son was running late to his "very important meeting" and shortly after the treatment I end up at the party, where about 70 people were yelling "Surprise!!!!" He asked me later: You knew about it whole day?! Me: more like 2 weeks... dah

Today is a second day. I feel a bit tired, but getting ready to go for a walk. When do you think my hair will start falling off? My doctor concerned about my low iron, any suggestions?

Best wishes! 

Ellamilana & Docziggy - Welcome to our great group of gals.  You will find lots of wonderful support and a place to vent!!!!  Have a wondeful weekend and of course, minimal side effects!!!

Hello ladies,

What a great group!

I had my first treatment on May 3rd: Herceptin, Taxotere, Epirubicin only to run to my son 30th birthday surprise party. Poor boy was running around like a headless chicken trying to organize/fugure out my diagnosis, treatments, doctors etc. He spent whole day with me feeding me ice not having a clue whats coming. I must say I was scared big time, but the distraction of preparation and excitement took of the edge. I was more worried not to say something. Because of the first time my son was running late to his "very important meeting" and shortly after the treatment I end up at the party, where about 70 people were yelling "Surprise!!!!" He asked me later: You knew about it whole day?! Me: more like 2 weeks... dah

Today is a second day. I feel a bit tired, but getting ready to go for a walk. When do you think my hair will start falling off? My doctor concerned about my low iron, any suggestions?

Best wishes!