Starting Chemo July 2012

Hi - Yes, this is the last AC. Now I have 12 weekly Taxols(?), which should be milder. Please don't get me wrong that I think we can't feel badly, it's just a rationalization I try to use to get me over the bad days. When I look at the last nine months, 12 if I count the "jeez I think something isn't right", it is still surreal that all this has happened and there is more work to be done. I know, or I think I know, the worst parts are over...decisions, big surgeries, decisions, fix-it again surgeries and the unknown. At some point I would like to be more involved in the local BC groups, but right now I'm just not ready to talk in person to people about it all. If I look deep inside, I just get too afraid of everything. So I try to rationalize things to keep me on track. My son always says if I just force a smile, then it is easier to keep the smile on. I really don't want to Pollyanna the whole thing and the tears come pretty often. All the feelings and SEs are right here. 

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I started chemo on June 27 and not July, but hopefully you'll all forgive me. ;-)

I have finished three of six TAC treatments. My worst problem has been this feeling in my stomach I could not describe that made it nearly impossible to eat just about any kind of solid food. Last Friday my doctor told me I should be taking Prilosec. ALL her patients take Prilosec. Well, I didn't know! HUGE difference. I am eating normal food again. Wanted to pass this along in case anyone else is having the same problem.

Other than that, I'm wondering if anyone else is having eye issues. My eye is kind of watery, but the lids kind of stick together when I blink. I wake up in the morning with gross crusty stuff on the sides of my eyes. I don't think they are infected. I had the same problem toward the end of my last chemo cycle, and it cleared up when I had chemo treatment. Now in the third week of the cycle, and it has started again. I'm using eyedrops, but wondering what is causing this.

Have a good night! 

Hi Everyone..

First a big whoop  whoop...to all my AC#4 girls...yes we have danced with the red devil for the last time!!YEY 

I thought AC #3 was hardest for emotions and fatigue.  This time with AC#4 I asked for hydration.  I had a 2 hr drip yesterday and will get another after my Neulasta shot today.  The nurse who recommended the hydration said it will help with energy.  I said sign me up!

I'm sending big hugs to all 

Mamabr, I think I'd smack anyone who told me I looked like a pirate in my head scarf, although I've already thought that myself.  Pirate came to mind right after gypsy fortune teller.  I guess you have to give some leeway to kids though 

Madelyn, I'm ringing the celebration bell for you!

Marianne52, we're on different chemo drugs, but my doctor told me to prepare myself for fatigue getting worse and worse as I go.  My instructions said to call the doctor if I had fatigue so bad it interfered with basic self care.  I take that to mean if I'm too weak to get out of bed and eat and go to the bathroom, that's a problem.  It hasn't gotten that bad yet.  I'd suggest you call your doctor's office or nurses line to get them to help you evaluate whether yours is just "normal" chemo fatique or not.   I hope you start to bounce back.

Well I'm up early and as ready for AC #3 as I can be.  I've got to pick up some last-minute groceries, stocking up on all the food I could tolerate last time.  I'm supposed to take my Ativan beforehand this time since I was so nervous going into the last one.  But I want to be lucid when I talk to the MO, so I'm going to take it right afterward. 

I'm not part of a BC support group (except this great one) ... the nearest hospital is 1/2 hour away, my hospital is an hour away. So I haven't decided to participate.  However, since I started to share my news with my friends, and especially since I lost my hair, I've had 7 acquaintences tell me that they also had breast cancer, had a lumpectomy, and radiation.  I don't have amything to talk about with them. I express that I'm sorry to hear they had to go through that...and I mean it.  Because, no matter what your treatment was, BC is a VERY SCAREY thing to go through.

But I have trouble realating to their experience.

I try not to feel jealous. That's a terrible thing to be.  But I am. I am not a nice person. Maybe I used to be. But I'm not now.

On a positive note (I always try to find one for you all)...sitting outside the last evening with DH, the mosquitoes started to bite him. But they ignored me. Guess I'm not organic enough for them!

I've been going to a support group through a local cancer support center, something I never thought I'd do. But yesterday, the therapist was such a big help in helping me understand where my crazy emotional rollercoaster is coming from and also to hear from other women going through the same thing as me. I always get a lot of questions answered just by listening to what those who have gone before me have gone through. And it helps to know that I'm not alone. So for me, the support group helps. If you're in LA, look up WeSPARK. They also offer a ton of other things like energy work and reiki and so much other stuff.

Mega Mass! Tee hee. Sounds like the alter ego of some sort of superhero. Look out, Spider Man, it's Mega Mass!

I logged on this morning thinking I should delete my negative post of yesterday, and found that you all had responded with such understanding!  Thank you so much.  Every day brings a new SE or a new mood.  Today is good.

Hello Emilybrooke, sorry to hear you are having any emotional day, they are so difficult...strange I am having one today also and do not understand why....I  am heading in for my final chemo - and I should be happy which I am but also cannot stop crying.   Hugs to you.

Hi everyone!  I have not been on here in some time.  I mostly post on the triple positive thread when I have time.  But, I always check to see how everyone is on this thread.  I am glad so many of you are finishing up chemo...I am on a different kind and am not even half way through despite starting July 2:(  It takes so long with TCH. 

Not sure if you watched CNN this morning, they were spotlighting an amazing man that started a group called Imermans angels. He is a two time cancer survivor (super young) and when he was going through treatments he could not find a really good support system with mentors that have gone through his specific treatments, for his type of cancer, and at his age.  So he started Imermans Angels.  It seems that you can request support and be matched to someone that has gone through what you have gone through (ie same type of cancer, treatment, age group, with kids/or not, single/married/straight/gay etc) also your spouse/significant other/ caregiver can be matched with someone that has been in a situation just like them.  It would be so good for my husband to talk to another man in his situation.  It can be short term or long term.  I signed up for it and suggest you look into it.  I find an amazing amount of support on these threads... and am so thankful that they are here for us, but, sometimes I just want to talk to someone or skype. You know? 

just thought I would share:)

stay strong ladies and be encouraged.

http://www.imermanangels.org/get-cancer-support.php

Jennifer404,

Thank you so much for sharing. I will use this for sure. Marianne

Jennifer, thank you for coming to this forum and posting the Immermans Angels link.  Wow, what a great resource. 

I just finished Taxol/Herceptin 7/12 and am having very mild neuropathy.  I hope it goes away in the next couple days.  I'm not having any other side effects, so that is great.

I also met with my onc on Thursday and he said the two lumps in my armpit are "tiny"!  The three tumors in my breast are difficult to find, so the chemo is working!!!!  So, why am I not overjoyed, like everyone around me is?  I think it is because I still have my next round of chemotherapy (FEC), then a double mastectomy and complete left lymph node removal, followed by radiation, in my future.  I feel like it doesn't matter what the stupid cancer is doing because I still have to go through all this crap!

On top of that, we have to move to Houston for 6 weeks during my radiation because my onc is adamant that I have it at MD Anderson.  I have a lymph node in my neck, next to my Jugular that he doesn't want to take any chances with.  I know it is all doable, but I'm so upset about it all.  

Then, I keep wondering, since I am having neoadjuvant chemotherapy, why do they still have to take everything out with surgery?  Will they still be able to biopsy everything?  Will there still be signs of cancer in my lymph nodes?

I'm so sorry for the ranting, but you gals understand more than anyone...... 

Haven't done much but sleep since my third AC.  Now I'm having that rather comical trouble with typing.  Hubby is making  a bit of dinner then I may try a short walk or  a bit of reading. Sweet dreams to all

Third round of AC and neulesta finished. Did IV hydration @ home this w/end--Friday, Saturday, and today. So far--working well. Using Reglan for nausea now instead of previous drugs. Might even make it to work tomorrow. Bone pain has started--but expected. Wish I could shake the depression.

My youngest was here "babysitting" for the w/end. She is a senior in college and should not be babysitting mom. 

Hoping for shrinkage and no side effects for all.