Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

Awww mom24boyz, so sorry to hear about your se's. That SUCKS that they are just now popping up 6 days out. What are you taking to calm the diarrhea? You don't want to get dehydrated. Maybe they can phone a prescription on for you if Immodium doesn't work?

I am hoping I experience some diarrhea, because the constipation since Monday, along with some water retention for some odd reason, has already led to a 4-5 lb. weight gain. In two days? UGH!

SPoke to the RN today, and she suggested Senicot-S. Going to get some tomorrow. In the meantime, I am dipping into my daughter's Myrolax. 

 I just don't seem to be peeing enough considering how much water I am drinking. Maybe it's time for my period. Always retain a ton of water, and they seem to have their own agenda these days as far as timing goes. 

Oh, and so far, got to say, I am not loving the port. I feel it everytime I breathe. I guess I will get used to it.

I too am feeling a bit discouraged today.  

Hello to All. Yesterday was my first treatment and I wastn't to bad.  the nurses where in and out of the room so much that the time flew by. It went for 8-12.  Took my Kids to their swim team practice and felt fine up until 7 I threw up.  Not a big fan of Zofan it gave me the biggest headache but once I got it out of my system and took compazine I was feeling good again. I also have Ativan.  Well now I'm off to work, and after work I will be receiving the neulasta shot.

Have a great Day!!!

Ellebee -  I keep saying how unfair it is that we gain weight, but then I pictured other chemo patients I've known and thought, as long as it's temporary, I guess it's better than looking like a skeleton.  I'm starting with my weight already higher then I like and have been trying to avoid buying larger sized pants, but it looks as though I might have to bite the bullet and buy some.

havingfaith - it sounds as though you're doing great!  I worked this morning and then went for my first treatment.  It didn't hurt at all when the nurse accessed the port, which was something I was afraid of.  I brought a huge bag of things to keep me busy and didn't get to use any of them because the nurse spent a lot of time telling me what to expect, a social worker talked to me, and a dietician did as well. The time went by very fast.  So far, I feel fine.   A little tired.  I am not hungry at all, but I will try to eat in a little while.

MelroseMelrose and everyone else who pitched in to help me through last night - Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you, pamelahope!  I also have a lump (maybe we should call it a bump!)  at the site of the port.  I'm going to bed early, too.  Already in my pjs!

havingfaith - so sorry you're not feeling well. Were you given the okay to take Tylenol?  My nurse said I could.  I feel all healed from the port.  The pain didn't even last two days.  I hope you start feeling better soon.

Marcia

Hi, everyone. Today is day 8 and last night into early in the day today was rough. I was feeling very achy, weak, and tired. I felt kind of like I had the flu. I do feel better now after a long nap.

It is getting a little bit harder for me to remember to post consistently. I still feel like I am kind of in a fog. Does anyone else feel that way?

I hope all of you are doing well in this journey.

Hello everyone, I do think my headache was from the zofran. I feel a whole lot better now, I was able to take Tylenol.  I went to work today and I couldn't wait to come home so I could take a nap.  I have been drinking so much water, but not eating much.

I'm glad everyones ports are doing better.

Jennifer- I hope you are doing better.  We love hearing from you, but if you need to rest make sure you get your rest.

I think I'm going to hit the bed early. Its 7:30 here, and I ready.

Goodnight, Hope everyone sleeps well.

havingfaith - so glad you are feeling better and able to get out and go to work. I really think it is important to try and be as active as we can be....fight the beast, not feed it. Easier said than done though, i know. I have to leave for work soon, and it is the LAST thing I want to do. I will probably feel better once I am there. Just not much energy. I have felt so sleepy this week, even though I am getting a good 8 hrs every night.

Good news? The pelvic pain is less today. I think it is "bone pain", but not sure. Sort of feels like my ovaries ache. SO being on my feet all night will be easier.

Today I feel like I did when I was "nesting" during my pregnancies. I feel the need to get the house organized and cleaned while I still have some energy. The taxol/herceptin is pretty tolerable. Hopefully it remains so. So I spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing my bathroom.  I feel like I accomplished something...oh my, the garbage I threw out!

The best moment of my day? I took my water and breakfast out to the back patio and sat in the morning sun while my son played in the yard. It was peaceful, and relaxing. And I did not care one bit that the neighbors saw me sitting there braless in my jammies! (what a sight!) 

I've got my first MO appointment on Tuesday to determine exactly what chemo, etc. I'll be getting.  I've been told (by the breast surgeon) to expect it to move quickly from the point of the appointment, with chemo first.  I've only got one good vein, so I'm assuming a port will be in my future before I start chemo.  I'm looking for advice on questions I should be asking in the appointment. Anything you wish in hindsight you'd asked?  Thanks in advance!

Ok, so I just have to share this.

Several of you know that I bartend in a VERY busy popular restaurant on the weekends. It's a casual, cool, rock-n-roll sort of place.

Tonight, a guest asked me about the bandages on my chest (from my port placement on Wed). He said "What happened?". I looked at him as I was handing him his beer, and said "gunshot wound" with a very grim face.  (You ladies don't know me, but I am the LAST person you would expect to have a gunshot wound) He immediately thre his hands over his mouth and said something like "Oh no, that's awful!!!". I looked at him with a big smile, tossed my hand at him, and said "I'm only kidding. It's just cancer". He sort of laughed, but took his beer away looking a bit forlorn. My coworkers busted at the seams when I told them later.

Sorry if this is in poor taste, but I find that humor is my best  coping mechanism. At least for now. G'night all.

Welcome Tammie and Sally! I will write to you both tomorrow!

All my best dear ones...

ElleBee 

Has anyone experienced increased pain from their TEs  after the Neulesta shot?  I hate them more than ever! 

ElleBee- I love your story.  When I was at our last day of school party, I asked a parent what plans they had for the summer.  After telling me, she asked about my plans.  Since I was leaving there in an hour to go for my first chemo treatment, it was so much on my mind that I told her how I was going to be spending the summer.  Luckily (well, not for her), there is a lot of BC in her family so she was cool about it.  We both agreed that it might be a good idea for me to not ask anyone else about their summer plans so I wouldn't be asked in return.  I wish I had come up with a good story like yours.

Good advice on writing everything down.  A lot of times things seem to make sense when I hear them, then I get home and am suddenly not so clear.  I think I will start a notebook to take to each appointment so I can't lose any of my notes too! I have had bleeding issues due to one of the meds I take for another issue, so that's one I know I need to be sure I ask about before a port goes in.