Starting Chemo October 2012

Queeny- I told my family up front that there would be times I would NEED to do things for myself to keep a feeling of normalcy.  They understood. I knew from my previous surgeries that I would need that to keep me going. I totally understand your feelings!

Noranelly - I hope your daughter is feeling better.  I hate that you had a freak out, but glad they let your family in with you. My chemo room is usually pretty perky. Last week I went on Halloween. All the staff were all dressed up, and even a few patients. We had Elvis there getting chemo.  I know it's strange, but I think everyone tries to make it as pleasant as possible. Sometimes when you put on your "gameface" (it's what I call that mask of a smile and upbeat attitude even though you feel like sh*t we all wear from time to time), it sticks, and you really do end up feeling better. I'm glad it ended up going ok, and I hope the next one goes even better now that you know what to expect.

I hope everyone is doing well today! My mom is coming from Raleigh Monday to stay for about a month. It will comfort me, a but make my poor husband crazy! She'll go with me to my tx's, and to my appts w/MO & PS. I hope she'll be ok with it all. Hope it doesn't freak her out.

Have a good evening!!   ~Andrea

Alcb- glad your mum can come help out. Moms are the best!



Schoolmom- had my tx yesterday and used the EMLA cream. Didn't feel a thing. They are so fast! Even when they took the needle out. So, just see what works for you. I use emmla because its what my dialysis patients used before I cannula yes them with 2 15g needles (huge). And they swore by it. So I figured, why not. Prayers for your first tx. We are here for you.

I have been poked each time for my 2 cycles so far and honestly, it is a teeny prick and then over, no need at all for the EMLA cream I bought. I would not bother because you have to use it 30-45 minutes in advance and cover it with a Tagaderm, saran wrap or other and I suspect all of you have had way more pain that a tiny prick before looking at all the surgeries! It is nothing compared to a blood draw in my estimation and honestly I am a scaredy cat!

Schoolmom- really, like Marian said, it is a small prick. They used mine the day after they put it in. Lol! I was nervous! But I think it was still numb from the surgery. But really, it's so fast that I don't even realize they cannulated. I do use emmla, not difficult. But my meds are free through VA. So why not. I throw a dab on tegaderm and slap a piece of paper tape to hold it on. But again, see how it goes the first time. You may realize you need nothing at all.

anyone out there not using any numbing cream for the port? my team said they dont use it here...

ive been touching the port to try to make sure the skins not to sensitive ...next treatment is wednesday

I had treatment also on first day with the port...didnt hurt.. but  nurse mentioned i was probably still frozen at the time...

I dont have an issue with needles usualy.. ive had bad veins all my life so i got used to it ...i also get chronic kidney stones....i guess its just the unknown factor..

thx for the encouragement Patin

Also I have completed my 2nd treatment on 25-26 October, I get the Neulasta on the second day so I'm the say schedule as few of the other ladies. I am doing well today, this treatment was much easier than the first cause I knew what to expect. I was silently in the background reading all of the post and using the great advice giving, thank u all so much!

I haven't had much to say lately, but I'm still here with you ladies. Losing hair is taking an emotional toll on me. It's short but it's still coming out so quickly and it's probably time to shave it. I am taking this much harder than losing my breasts! I think it's the gradual-ness of it all ... every morning when I wake up I get to see how much hair cancer stole from me and donated to my pillow or my shower drain. Yes, it's probably time for it to go so I can start to move on. 

Much love to you all, just feeling a little down the last few days. Round two anticipation is also creeping up; nervous about the Abraxane and hoping it is easier on me than the taxotere. Wednesday is the day. 

xoxo

We had this discussion on the "2012 sisters" thread. From what u understand you are not considered to be cancer free until your 5 year anniversary. Also, you are a survivor from the time the cancer is removed from your body. I asked the same questions. When someone would ask if I have cancer I say, I'mOk, I didn't think I would do the 30 days of being thankful but I for one, am thankful for many things so here goes (and not in any particular order).



Nov 1- I'm thankful for catching the cancer early. For listening to my gut and not the first radiologist that said it was a ridge of breast tissue. For no positive lymph nodes and side effects of chemo that hasn't laid me on my ass (yet).



Nov 2- I'm so very, very thankful for my husband. He knows me like no other and loves me unconditionally...faults and imperfections included. He has picked me up when Im down and can make me laugh like no one else can...even when I think laughing and even smiling is far out of reach. 9 1/2 years later, I'm as in love with him (if not more) than I was in the beginning. "I'm currently in treatment for it" because I never knew what to say.



Mrsrenicka, I don't have the BRCA gene either but I had the BMX because my Onc told me my chance of getting cancer in the other breast was 85-90% within the next 5 years. My onco score was also 24. You and I have the same chemo regimine. I'm getting TC every 3 weeks for 4 treatments and then 10 years of hormone therapy.

I totally hear you Poke. I tried so hard to build up the hair loss thing so it wouldn't be so alarming when it actually happened, but you really can't be ready enough when you are finally forced to confront your own gigantic scalp every day in the mirror...

Couple that with my stupid OB inventing problems for me because "you have cancer" - um, no I don't actually. Early stage cancer is gone post-surgery, as confirmed by my MO - there's a big difference between adjuvant treatment following removal of a tumour and treatment for cancer that is still detectable. (I disagree that you can only say you are cancer-free after five years.) Maybe he is just trying to be as cautious as possible but I get a sense of glee from him every time he thinks he's come up with a solution to an imagined issue. 

I'm really tired of people telling me how hard everything must be for me. You know what's hard? Having people treat me anything besides normal when I'm feeling mostly fine. If I say I'm okay, what's the point in responding "well I know you're not okay"?? Suggesting to me that I'm denying reality or something doesn't seem especially supportive.

Sorry for the rant, it has been an exhausting week...

Marlene- rant away!

my sons (22 years old )comming today... will see me like this for first time

hope i dont scare him... was hard enough to get him to come visit...

Poke- your in Sarasota. When all this is done for us, we should do lunch with some other great ladies in the Tampa area that I've friended on another board.

Marlene, I figure hiking to Dog Mtn, means you are "keeping on trucking." BTW I should have noticed it was not Black, but there are similarities. I hike and snowshoe to Dog and can't wait for snow to do it this winter, chemo or not!

My DH and kids like my balding head and so do I!

No dice, only question marks. Back to PM for more advice.