December 2012 chemo group

jenjenl - how many down days with the AC before you felt better?

Jenjenl thanks for the feedback. Sorry you had it so rough. I hope the second round is better for you. I know when I did just the TC, the first one was the worst.



I think the adriamycin is the heavy hitter. Today has been up and down for me. I did get my walk in this afternoon.



Hopeful tomorrow will be better for everyone. We need to send out 2012 feeling good!

Peb - I did TC 4 years ago on a 3 week cycle. After day 4 I would feel better each day and pretty normal by the third week. In fact before my second round I ran walk a half marathon. Hang in there - hope it goes by quickly.

My hair did fall out on day 14. This time I just want it to hurry up and go so I can get on with the wig transition.

Hi, I take Claritin daily, just to be on the safe side but I still get bone pain and achiness pretty bad for two days, around the 6th and seventh day after the Neulasta shot. Doc prescribed oxcodone for those days.



I'm getting chemo as I write and the woman next to me has absolutely no SE from the Neulasta.



I too don't like wearing my expensive wig so much. I am not good at tying scarves but I found a site called Beau Beau. If you like what you see, be sure to measure as they instruct. I was in between small and medium large. They suggested to go the larger size and I wish I had. The first one I ordered was too small and had to return.



Now i have several.

They are pricey but cute and comfortable. I figure I will be wearing them for quite some time, even after chemo.

Peb - so sorry about your achy legs! I am doing the TC regime as well and the worst for me has been the terrible heartburn! I had it so bad yesterday it was between my shoulder blades and my husband had to just keep rubbing and rubbing . Finally found a packet of Pepcid ac and plan to call dr to get precription for Prevacid or nexium . My whole,digestive system just seems very acidic. Ate some soft boiled eggs toast milk and bananas this am and that seems to be settling better . I am kind if restless and tired at the same time too - Giess I should get out for that walk in this California sunshine !!!



Peggy- looked at that beaubeau website (4women.com ). And it looks great - will order a couple right now !!!



Nichole is sounds like u are managing this all ok and you are blessed to have a husband and kids that are supportive ! I wish I was as brave as u about getting a buz - I think at this point I am just going to "wait and see " on my hair and take one step at a time .



Happy new year to all !!



Sandy

I had my second round of AC on Friday. My white blood count was down from 4000 to 3200, but it was ok to get my treatment. All my other Bloodwork was great. Does anyone know how low WBC has to be before they postpone your treatment?



We're staying tonight. Might watch a movie On Demand. DH found an action movie on the guide today that looked really good, though I usually prefer a good drama. Will probably have a snack, kiss at midnight, and go to sleep.



I pray you all have a great year, with great health, prosperity, love, joy, and hope.



Blessings

Paula

FriendGwen ~ I definitely want a review of "Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor".  Sounds like a fun read!

My 1/4 inch buzz cut is a shock, and that's all there is to it.  I had a brown Buff that matches my sweater ready to pop on my head when it was done, and I walked out of Great Clips feeling good.  The funniest moment was when I came home from lunch with my husband.  I had put on my wig before lunch and when I walked in my sister said "I thought you were getting your head shaved, not cut & colored".  Wow!  When I look at myself in the mirror with my wig, my image screams *WIG* to me but it must be better than I think since I fooled my own sister!

I am glad it's shaved and I think it might be more Sinead that GI Jane but it's not something I need to get too attached to either way!

Wishing everyone a festive and comfortable crossing into 2013!  Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of my bc sisters. I called my dr and got a prescription for tamiflu so hopefully I will recover quickly with no complications. I had to postpone my treatment until next Monday, but that is only 5 more days so I guess it's ok. And I never get the flu! My head is pretty much totally bald, especially on the sides. Still have some stubble on top. Every time I look in the mirror, I am still shocked at my appearance. I do walk around the house bald but would feel naked without something on my head. And the wig I got is cute but it feels like I am wearing a hat and I feel like tugging it down all the time which is a big giveaway that it's a wig. I admire you ladies with your gi Jane attitude. I need to develop that in myself a little more.

Here is something that makes me happy: my dogs never even noticed that I am bald! They love me just the same! Yay for pets!

Sandra~Are you getting steroids with your chemo? I had my second treatment the day after your first one.

I'm on steroids starting at chemo and the 3 days following. I find that about Day 6 or so, I have a real downer of a day. I wish I had the ability to cry it out, but tears don't come easy for me. It really helped me to learn the downer is the steroids leaving my system, and for me, Thank GOD, I only had one day of it.

I'm on AC, so I'm not sure of all the meds they give for your particular chemo.



I pray, this proves to be very minimal to you too. If I had known about this Se before treatment, I think I would have hunkered in and rode it out better.



Blessings

Paula

Happy 2013 ladies. Let's make this year ours!!



I started reading the Crazy Sexy Cancer Survivor book and adore the writer. Her name is Kris Carr and she's a fabulous cancer thriver. She's very inspiring and in spite of her inoperable stage four cancer ten years ago she is full of health (it's a rare cancer that is on her lungs and liver).



Paula, thanks for the reminder about the steroid meltdown. I feel both antsy and exhausted and it's getting on my nerves. And topped with a head cold. Part of me wants to get outside and hike. The other side gets dizzy just standing up. I want to do something but my brain is foggy. Ahh. This too shall pass.



I've been remembering all my dreams the last few nights. It's like I go from deep REM to wide awake quickly and frequently throughout the night. Steroids again I bet.

Runnergirl: I noticed are stats are almost identical, I was diagnosed on October 9, 2012. My one positive node was a micromet, my reoccurrence rate was nine percent no chemo, and three percent with chemo, but my doctor is adamant about chemo, what was your oncs deciding factor to give you chemo, anyone else can weigh in as well.

No oncotype was done based on three tumors, my onc says I would probably have a low score, but no matter what she would advise chemo based on my age. What does that mean?

Hi everyone,

My sentinel node had 1mm mirco met.  They did an auxiliary node biopsy took 22 nodes all clear, and everything else was clear.  I am having Chemo.  I start on January 11th 4 cycles of T/C.  I have seen on some other threads that some Oncologist do not do Chemo with a mirco, mine highly recommended it.  

Carla 

Gwen - there are some shorter courses of rads from what I understand and u might qualify for those instead of the typical 5 week treatment . I too do not want to go thru rads but since my tumor was over 2 cm I feel I must to play it safe - also I had a lumpectomy . Hey it looks like u had a masectomy and I was told by my surgeon normally radiation nor required with masectomy . U need to get plenty of info before u meet with ro