Starting Chemo July 2012

teeballmom: Hope you get a good night's sleep, and we're all rooting for a healthy happy thyroid for you.

TAB55- When I met with my onco before I started chemo, she told me that I may not lose my leg hair and not to get too excited about not shaving.  Well, it definitely thinned out but stll have leg hair.  I also have all of my eyebrows, eyelashes and sparse hair down south.  I know that the brows and lashes may go once I finish chemo since that is what usually happens with my chemo regimen.  Oh well, it's just hair.

Swimmom01- There are some advantages to having less head hair-- less time to wash hair, no hair brushing, save on shampoo anc haircut costs.  So much cooler in the summer, especially this hot one we are having now!!!! 

I still wear hats, caps, bandanas when I go out because I don't want a sunburned head and I think it is more frightening to others to see a female without head hair.  I get so used to not having anything on my head while at home that sometimes I forget and go outside to get mail/newspaper without a head covering!!!!  I know one of these days, I'm going to drive off to go to the store and no cap in the car!!!!

My wig I got from the American Cancer Society is sitting in a plastic ziploc bag and is probably having abandonment issues.  It is way too hot to wear and plus I'm not sure I'm a wig girl to begin with.

Thank you for the welcome, teeballmom I hope the thyroid biopsy is clear.

Tab55 you are right about the holidays! I think seeing the room threw me a little but I am ok today.

Melrosemelrose those questions are awesome, thank you. I am going to print them out and take them with me on Tues. I didn't realize that some people had their ports inserted that many weeks before chemo.

getting my drains and stitches out tomorrrow,  VERY excited! It is already weird to not have a bra (I was a D-DD) I think I am going to feel very free....weird, but free 

Hey Ladies...!! 

I am joining your cohort, for July chemo! I get my port on tuesday. My onc and I are still deciding between ddAC*4 +T*4  or TC*6. I need to pick the one i am comfortable with by monday.

Tiesday I get the port in my upper arm, and Wed July 4 (since I am not in the US), is my first chemo!! Like many others I want wed so that the worst SE are over weekends , and my lovely Bf is home. 

I have been going through all the tips here and hope its all good for us !!  

Hi July crew!

Stopping in here to provide some great information from the main Breastcancer.org site on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.

There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!

Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

• Tips for getting through chemotherapy
• More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
• PORT PLACEMENT: Detailed description of process
• Head Covering Options for Hair Loss
• wig advice
• Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Hope you find this helpful!

--Your Mods

Hi all! I just jumped in this thread to wish you all well when you sit in the BGC (big girls chair) . I just finished my TCH x 6 and have 6 more months of Herceptin. But though it seems like it is impossible to get through, you will. I just remembered my fear before my first tx, and wanted to reassure you it isn't bad. You will have some SEs, but don't scare yourselves, wait and see how you react. If you do have bad SEs, be sure to call your mo, there are things they can give you or things they can adjust to help. So, good luck, and small SEs. Much love.

Teeballmom: can you send me the link to that blog.  I love to laugh!

Hi all,

I had my appointment all ready to get my "tattoos" for radiation when I got the oncotype dx results. Needless to say chemo class is July 9th, I'm having T/C x 4 beginning July 13th. I'm scared but reading your posts is helpful. I really am trying to make peace with this. It's something that has to be done to get me to the finish line. I'm grateful my cancer was found early, small and non-aggressive unfortunately my oncotype dx test put me on the border of med/high.

I'm actually going for a hair cut today. I have very thick hair and its heavy so I'll get it cut shorter and thinned out a little so the weight plays less of a factor in the loss of it.

I have a self-worth/self-esteem issue that I work on; I have a hard enough time looking in the mirror now. I can only imagine how I'm going to feel about myself with little to no hair. BUT on the positive side, maybe there is a lesson to learn in this. Maybe this will give me (or anyone else struggling with it) the ability to see my inner beauty. Others see it...hopefully I will too.

I pray that God gives all of you the strength and that we all realize the blessing in this.

I started T/C on Thursday. I have good arm veins from rock climbing so no port for now. (Onco said no climbing - too high of risk of infection ). A few hours of  nausea Thursday night and yesterday in the periods between when the Kytril wore off and when I could take the next dose. A bit tired  and dry eyes but otherwise feeling good. Slept in a bit in the morning yesterday and went to work late. Got in a short hike to a viewpoint looking out at the mountains after work which refreshed the spirits. I'm sure the next few days will be harder, but it's been a good start. Also, I don't think I'll wear my contacts to the next appointment.

One bonus with chemo is that I also have colitis that has never gone into remission even after trying many different treatments. The steroids given with the chemo are at a much higher dose than my gastro will give and for the first time in 8 years I have have no D, no cramping and the mouth sores have mostly disappeared. This might not last, but I'll enjoy it while it's here.

Hi All,  I had my first of 4 t/c treatments yesterday. Began with blood work and vitals, exam and discussion with med onc and then to the infusion area where I met the nurse practitioner who will be attending to me each time.  She was just super!!  Very informative and calming, paced the delivery of info into manageable portions and so helpful and kind, as is the entire staff I've had the opportunity to meet so far.  My daughter flew in to spend the day with me and then we flew to her home in FL where she can be on hand to help me as needed and so she will not worry from so far away. 

 So far, I have only been very tired...took all the recommended anti-nausea meds, have been drinking and eating without any side effects yet...just tending to be somewhat cautious.  Haven't taken Claritin yet, but considering it.  My daughter created a basket of all kinds of "goodies" that she read or heard would be helpful for me:  tylenol, sucking candies, thermometer, claritin  biotene spray, lip balm, a thermos cup with straw in case of mouth sore pain, plastic plates and utensils in case I have a sensitivity to metallic things...even a sleep mask!  I am beeing well-cared for and taking it slow and easy and just enjoying some down time, hopefully without much ado! 

I wish you all a manageable chemo time...and will keep you posted on mine. 

I try not to dwell on this too much in the hope that by looking forward to September when my last treatment will be  behind me, I will be able to settle into a post-chemo lifestyle that will help me believe that this time is just another bump on my road to work through and put behind me as I keep on truckin'!!! 

Thanks for sharing Fredig2.   So helpful to know what's ahead.  I start TC x 4 on Thursday.  

Here's to continued good feelings and manageable SE's!! 

CityFi- Glad to hear from you again!!!!  You are more than welcomed to keep posting on the April/May 2012 chemo hangout since we leave no one behind there!!!!!  Wonderful that you decided to volunteer for the B-47 Herceptin clinical trial.  Maybe you will be one of the ones randomized to receive the Herceptin, like me!!!!  I've been receiving the Herceptin since the beginning of my chemo  (April 24th) and will keep receiving it until April 2013.  Wishing you the best of luck with your chemo!!!!

Hello everyone, and welcome to all who have joined! I just got back from vacation and will be starting AC x 4 tomorrow, with T on deck after that. We decided that if people get baby-moons before a baby comes, we'd take a chemo-moon to enjoy the last week before it starts  I highly recommend it.

Based on the wonderful advice on these boards, the house is stocked with lots of nonacidic sports drinks, meds (constipation/diarrhea, Claritin, Advil, plus rx from MO), supplements for Taxol (glutamine and L-carnitine), kleenex, wet wipes, mouthwash, soft toothbrushes and toothbrush covers, and comfy clothes. Already had my dental checkup and cleaning two weeks ago, and Neulasta is already in the fridge to self-administer after chemo.

I have an echo tomorrow morning first thing, followed by an appointment to order a wig from the hospital store. Will then come home and pack a chemo kit for my afternoon onco appointment and first infusion. So far I'm planning to bring Ipad, book, blanket, travel pillow, drinks, and handwarmers to help my veins pop out since I don't have a port. I'll let you all know if there are other things I wished I had brought!

Wishing a good night's sleep and the best possible course of chemo to all... reading your posts makes me feel like I can face this tomorrow.