Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

I am feeling a little bit achy today where the port is but not bad at all. Just taking it easy again today. Tomorrow I have the class about what to expect during chemo and then I start the chemo on Friday.

Thanks to those of you who joined in who have finished up your treatments so that you can share your experiences!

CatFromFl- I am so sorry for the struggles you had. I hope things are a lot better this go around!

Havingfaith- I love the verse from Philippians that you reference in your signature.

I hope everyone is having a good day. Blessings to you all!

When I got home today I had a bunch of messages on my voice mail.  I'll go in tomorrow for an eco and cat scan. Then on Sunday I will have a picc line put in. They attentively have me scheduled for June 6th for my first chemo.  That's a lot sooner then the 18th they first told me. 

Mom24boyzs-Welcome and yes, you will want to have them removed because you will be more exposed to infection.  There is a section on this site about nail care during chemo.

 Faithhopenluv-Thanks, I will defiantly be looking for the flavored club soda.

Jennifer- That verse is what got me through my surgery and those down days.  I hold on to it close. Sorry you feel achy today, hope tomorrow is good. My class was pretty informative.  My prayers will be with you on Friday. 

Pam-Wish you a good nights sleep tonight.  And I will be praying for you tomorrow that your first session will go smoothly.

srrmsu-Welcome, I will be receiving the neulasta shot also.  Are you feeling better?

Kelli

Pam, praying for you today as you start your chemo. Hang tough!

Blessings,

Rhonda

Hi all I start chemo on June 8, 4 treatments every 3 weeks.  Nervous but ready to get it started and to be done with it!!I have my wig ordered. 

Welcome! tmramirez

Pam- hope today went well for you. Keep strong.  When this is all done we will be healthier women for it!!

Jennifer- My prayers will be with you tomorrow.  Get a good nights sleep.

Hugs to all!!!!

Kelli

mom24boyzs,  I have a friend who kept her acrylic nails on throughout her treatment.   I would check with my MO and follow her advice.

Hi Ladies- I'm from the April/May 2012 chemo hangout and just came by to say hello.  I know what you mean about some of the side effects that some of the gals on that thread have posted.  Those posts get to me too!!!!  I can tell you that it isn't that way for everyone so there are times you can scare yourself and just need to click away.  I'm one of those fortunate souls whose side effects haven't been unmanagable.  I'm heading into #3 of 6 treatments next week.  As of now, I haven't had any constipation, diarrhea, nausea or nail issues.  I will tell you that I have lost most of my hair and recently dealt with a high spiking fever over the Memorial Day weekend.  My onco called in two antibotics for me to take and did not require me to go to the ER.  As a result of that, I will start taking a Neulasta shot the day after my remaining rounds of chemo to avoid the low WBC situation in the future.  Chemo is doable but as with anything, you have to stay on top of your side effects, take your meds on time, keep a fed tummy and rest.  If your side effects start to escalate, do not hesistate to call your onco asap.  No reason to suffer through any side effect plus it's your onco's job to help you and they want you to call!!!

Port tips- If you are having your port placed in the chest area, you may want to mark where your bra strap hits so that the surgeon placing the port can avoid putting it there.  The port area most likely, will be sore after the placement.  If you have the port placed right before your first chemo, you may want to ask the infusion nurse to spray the area with numbing spray.  If you already have your port, ask your onco for EMLA cream (lidocaine) so you can numb the area at home before you go to the infusion.  If you get a generic EMLA cream, it may not come with a bandage to cover the EMLA cream.  Use a 4 inch square of Saran wrap or Glad Press n Seal plasic wrap to cover it since you don't want the EMLA cream getting everywhere and on your clothes.  If you don't get a EMLA cream prescription, have the infusion nurse spray the area with a numbing spray. 

Wishing each of you good luck with the first infusion and minimal side effects.  Happy to come back anytime to give you some support and help!!!!!

Hi Everyone,

Mom24boyzs, I hate that you have joined us but being that your here we are going to help as best as we could.. as far as your nails my doc said to just get manicures.. and bring my own tools... But I decided against that because why pay for someone to just polish your nails.. when you can pretty much do that yourself.. By my second treatment I started to see that my nail were turning dark like a gray at the top part so I got dark polishes.. then as the weather started warming up I realized there were lighter colors that worked well with hiding teh darkness.. also those polish stickers by Sally Hansen they are really good too.. You will work it out.. You have to make the best of it and stay sexy.. If you lose you hair get SEXY wigs something that you want to look at.. Hide that fact that your taking chemo and this dumb cancer is here.. Because we have to beat it, it can't beat us..Don't let it change who you are.. Stay yourself be the person you was 2 weeks ago.. BUT WHEN YOUR BODY SAY SIT DOWN REST YOU REST!! LOLOL

Hi Pamelhope I am glad to see everything went well with you? How was your first round of treatment...  Starting Saturday until Wednesday is when I drink alot of water... I am ready to go on Wednesday so that I be down to one more treatment!! I am on teh count down?????

Hi Havingfaith, I hope everything is good with you get out this weekend and enjoy your hubby go for a nice walk in the park or have a nice dinner......      

Hello everyone,

I had my first treatment today and things went pretty well. I haven't had my port put in and the nurse did a great job starting the I.v. If you have problems finding a vein have the put a warm towel on it, they pop right up. They did lower the dose of my Herceptin because my MUGA came back and it was low. They scheduled me an echo on the 7th of June and said not to worry because that frequently happens. I actually feel pretty good. Hope everyone else's virgin chemo sessions go just as well!

Blessings

Hi Ladies...

I forgot to mention that I never got a port?? I was just never very comfortable with doing that because everyting was moving so fast and I personally didn't like the way it looked.

MOM, that is howthey start me off my nurse her name Gee Gee so sweet she puts a warm towel ove my arm then she finds my vain without a problem.

havingfaith, I go on the 6th too, so we will be in chemo land together... on wednesday. Try the cold cap thing so maybe you won't lose your hair?? I am so glad you nd your hubby are enjoying eachother you have to do fun things to take your mind off this cancer train we riding..  

and jenn, i never got that pain after the shot during my first 4 sessions... i get the jointpain now but unsure if it's from the shot or the chemo(taxol)?? I get my last shot this week, my last treatment they said i won't need the shot?? so that is when i will be able to tell??

enjoy the weekend ladies drinks as much waer as you can...Jen i hope youdinking water too to flush out th faser you flush the more u won't feel fatigue...... 

Hi everyone. I had my first chemo yesterday and unfortunately I did feel pretty nauseated last night even with the nausea meds but I am feeling better today. I just keep telling myself... this is killing the cancer so I can and will get through this.

Just saying hello to everyone. My day has been very relaxing. Jen- sorry you aren't feeling well. Darnett- I will defiantly be thinking of you on Wednesday. Pam - I keep hearing that the third day is the worst. Hope you feel better also. Mom - how are you doing? Hope you are still feeling good! Enjoy your weekend.....

Hi Faith,  My first treatment was from 10 am to 3:#0 pm due to trouble findign a vein and teaching about the basics.  I am hoping that this next one will be shorter.  I started losing my hair three days ago and just got back from the barber.  He used a #3 clipper and that was a good length.  I have several bald patches and washed away hair when I got back form the barber and shampooed.  Oh well.  I have several wigs though I also have advice:

I cut my shoulder length hair and wore it short (chin length) to work for 4 days before gettign it buzzed.  This was a poor choice for me. I wish that I had begun wearing my wigs which are the length of my shoulder length hair without going to work with short hair.  Now i will wear my shoulder length wig and feel a bit like a fraud because a large handful of coworkers and my students have seen me with short hair. So my advice is start wearing the wig when you cut your hair if you are goign with a wig.

Hello all!

Pamelahope, I hope things are looking a little better for you today.



Jennifersmom, how are you feeling? Sorry about the nausea. Hoping it doesn't last long and the meds kick in quickly. I too keep telling myself that the chemo is killing those cancer cells. In fact, the whole time I was having chemo I kept picturing the Ms. PacMan game, and how she was gobbling up the ghost. I kept picturing the chemo was Ms. PaMan and she was gobbling the cancer cells!



I had my first chemo on Friday and I still feel great this morning. I am feeling a little leary. I feel so good, but also am worried that the side effects will come out of no where. I want to prepare, but also want to keep this positive outlook I have been hanging onto. Does that make any sense?

Blessings to all!