January 2013 chemo group

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  • LeeA
    LeeA Member Posts: 1,660
    edited December 2012

    Lauren, re: ports -

    My port was placed below my collarbone (right side) by a thoracic surgeon about a week ago.  General anesthesia.  Apparently the procedure was about 20-30 minutes long.  The surgeon said he's placed about 5,000 of these things and he even had one himself when he had cancer ten years ago.  The primary bandage stayed on for 24 hours and now it's just three steri-strips.  I could take a shower within 24 hours but haven't scrubbed that area - just let the water run over it, like I'm still instructed to do for my BMX incisions. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Amrdbit you are so right. We have to find whatever we can to laugh about now.

    Sandra it sounds like if heartburn is the biggest issue for you right now you are rocking this first go 'round.

    Bryona you are our cheerleader and rock for keeping up with all the posts.

    I'm getting more frightened as the days count down. But frightened of what?? I guess I can't put my finger on it other than I don't want to be so sick and tired. Probably the hair thing is still the biggest factor. I just simply don't want to be here and do not want to do the whole wig thing, head covering, or whatever it may be. While it may just sound vain to outsiders, they don't really have to think about how it takes away from one's sense of being. For me, this is taking away a big part of who I am. It is like having a bad hair cut, but for months instead of weeks - and you can't really "play" with this one to change it up. This one doesn't grow out unless you go and drop $$$ on another wig. Sorry to be a downer again ladies! It is too early and I have eaten like sh!t all weekend - must be contributing to my mood, along with the stress. But my gear bag is packed and I'm heading to cycling in a bit to try and beat these thoughts out of my head.  Ciao!

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  • Zorina
    Zorina Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2012

    Well, we sure are going to have an interesting start to 2013....

    I was diagnosed with cancer during my mammogram--it was that obvious, I guess.  The tumor was small and everyone figured that it wouldn't have spread.  After the lumpectomy and sentinel node removal, I figured I was in the clear and would only have radiation and maybe a drug therapy. Imagine my surprise when I learned that three of the six sentinel nodes were positive for cancer.  So, back to surgery for axillary node removal and the insertion of a port. Fourteen nodes were removed and only two were positive for cancer. 

    The first surgery was pretty easy on me, but the second one has had more lasting impact.  My primary complaint has been the drainage tube. It is awkward, I seem to always yank it during the night and occasionally during the day, so it always seems to hurt. I've had the drainage port in for two weeks, and after it is out, I may grumble about the nerve twangs, limited range of motion and numbness, but I will celebrate the removal of that tube today! 

    I think that shall be my goal: In the face of encroaching darkness I will find something to celebrate each day.

    I start chemo on 1/4.  It doesn't seem quite real, yet.  My biggest worry now is that sterods do a serious Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde number on me, and it sounds like they always give you these with chemo.  Long ago, I tried to get allergy shots and had a serious reaction..they shot me full of steroids, and my whole body started twitching. The next visit, I had another reaction, but they only gave me a child's dose of steroids.  At least that dose only gave me serious anxiety and paranoia. After the third allergy shot attempt and another reaction, they gave up on allergy shots.  They said my immune system was too active/aggressive. The silver lining in that story: Maybe the strong immune system will work in my favor during chemo. 

    One day and one celebration at a time...and today, it is tube removal day!!!

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  • Amrdbit
    Amrdbit Member Posts: 114
    edited December 2012

    Skimommi, 

    Get some biking in for me while you are there. Being 2 1/2 weeks post op, I'm still on the restricted list for my fav workouts. Walking is good.... but not as hard core as I'm used to. 

    As for the hair thing, I joke about it b/c otherwise it just makes me cry. I know to outsiders it sounds vain and shallow, but..... it does in many ways define how we as women feel about ourselves. It shouldn't, but it does. At least for me. If I'm having a bad hair day, it sometimes sets my mood into a funk. I am trying to get excited about the wig thing, but right now it's just a "fake it till you make it" mentality in my head. Sigh. I will probably never quite get there, but I'm trying. Oh yeah.... and I was thinking earlier how different my family's yearly spring break vacay to Key West will be in March. Me and my wig sitting in the shade (b/c I'm sure, like last time I won't be allowed in the sun) watching everyone else have a good time. Oh well..... I'll enjoy the breeze, the palm tree shade and hope my wig doesn't get too hot. LOL! 

    Here are some good things I remember about loosing my hair the first time:

    1. It took no time to get ready in the morning, and I usually was ready before my husband. LOL!

    2. I saved a lot of time and money picking out and using shampoo, conditioner, and hair products. 

    3. I didn't have to worry about whether or not I turned off my flat iron once I left the house.

    4. I didn't have to shave my legs or armpits.

    5. I didn't have to get my eye brows waxed or tweezed (I didn't lose them completely, they just thinned out.

    6. On humid days, I didn't have to worry about frizz. LOL!

    7. You know how good it feels at the end of a long day to take off your bra? Well, it does feel good to take off the wig, cap, bandanna etc too. :)

    8. And.... it made for a good theme to create new jingles and songs. One of my favs was to a favorite Christmas  song, "Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and my hair is not delightful....." I know, I'm goofy. 

    Anyway.... that's all I've got on the positives. I know I'm stretching really far on most of them..... but glass 1/2 full, right? Sigh.....

    Happy Monday, Deb

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  • Lauren15
    Lauren15 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2012

    Happy Monday all. I have to work this morning then off this afternoon to my 3rd surgeon appt (consult) and get his opinion and my first PS appt. - ill ask about the port placement. I think I'm the only one in this group who is starting chemo before the surgery due to the triple negative. I hear there are some really nice wigs out there but I get how hard it will be to vacation in key west. Hey, I live in ft. Lauderdale Florida so I understand! Happy 24th anniversary to me today and happy new year to all if you. I so recommend reading a new earth by eckhart tolle. It helps keep me positive and same. That is if course in combination with my anti-depressant drugs I've been taking since my son died 3 years ago in January. Tata for now. I'll check in later :-)

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  • Laura5133388
    Laura5133388 Member Posts: 577
    edited December 2012

    If anyone would like information on the efficacy of cold caps please PM me.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012
    Zorina Ciao, Bella! And happy tube removal day to you!!

     

    So, I didn't make it to cycling, even though I was up at 3:30 this morning. Decided to cuddle with the kitty instead and make blue berry muffins for my DD before heading to work.

     

    Deb, I agree fully! Had been trying, and quite good at being positive for a long time. Past few days have just been a downer. In fact, the way I broke my news about b/c to a few family members was to say "Hey, I'm thinking about a boob lift. Do you think I should stay a 'd' or go with a 'c'."

     

    Did you use any special shampoo when you lost your hair last time? I've heard a couple of suggestions, but wonder if it really matters.

     


    I actually booked my FL summer trip, flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving down to the Keys. Leave some sand, wine and good weather behind for me girls! Tongue Out

     

    Laura are you doing the cold caps? I started initial research on it, but it sounded like it was quite pricey and a lot of work so I dropped it. Do you find that to be true?

     

    Well ladies unless I check in later today, may you all have a very wonderful last day to this trying year. May the next one bring us all some laughter and promises for a brighter future.


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Zorina Ciao, bella! And happy tube removal day to you!!

     

    So, I didn't make it to cycling, even though I was up at 3:30 this morning. Decided to cuddle with the kitty instead and make blue berry muffins for my DD before heading to work.

     

    Deb, I agree fully! Had been trying, and quite good at being positive for a long time. Past few days have just been a downer. In fact, the way I broke my news about b/c to a few family members was to say "Hey, I'm thinking about a boob lift. Do you think I should stay a 'd' or go with a 'c'."

     

    Did you use any special shampoo when you lost your hair last time? I've heard a couple of suggestions, but wonder if it really matters.

     


    I actually booked my FL summer trip, flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving down to the Keys. Leave some sand, wine and good weather behind for me girls! Tongue Out

     

    Laura are you doing the cold caps? I started initial research on it, but it sounded like it was quite pricey and a lot of work so I dropped it. Do you find that to be true?

     

    Well ladies unless I check in later today, may you all have a very wonderful last day to this trying year. May the next one bring us all some laughter and promises for a brighter future.


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012

    Ok, let me know if that last post comes across in columns.  That is how I am seeing it on my end, but can't seem to fix it.  Hmmmm.Undecided

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  • Amrdbit
    Amrdbit Member Posts: 114
    edited December 2012

    It came through in columns on my end. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2012
    Let's try this again . . .

    Zorina Ciao, Bella! And happy tube removal day to you!!

     


    So, I didn't make it to cycling, even though I was up at 3:30 this morning. Decided to cuddle with the kitty instead and make blue berry muffins for my DD before heading to work.

     


    Deb, I agree fully! Had been trying, and quite good at being positive for a long time. Past few days have just been a downer. In fact, the way I broke my news about b/c to a few family members was to say "Hey, I'm thinking about a boob lift. Do you think I should stay a 'd' or go with a 'c'."

     


    Did you use any special shampoo when you lost your hair last time? I've heard a couple of suggestions, but wonder if it really matters.

     


    Laura are you doing the cold caps? I started initial research on it, but it sounded like it was quite pricey and a lot of work so I dropped it. Do you find that to be true?


     


    I actually booked my FL summer trip, flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving down to the Keys. Leave some sand, wine and good weather behind for me girls! Tongue Out


     


    Well ladies unless I check in later today, may you all have a very wonderful last day to this trying year. May the next one bring us all some laughter and promises for a brighter future.




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  • Sandra60
    Sandra60 Member Posts: 201
    edited December 2012

    Hey everyone ! Well the Pepcid ac I had helped a lot with the heartburn ! I have to admit - I really overdid if and had popcorn AF the movie ( Lincoln ) yesterday. Don't ever do that. My advice to all you starting Chemo this month - watch the acidic foods and you should be fine .

    All in all I feel much better today !!! I will go out for really long walk this afternoon,

    Also one of the nice ladies on the December chemo boars offered this website for headcoverings / scarves - www.4women.com . They are called beaubeau's. And are Pre- tied scarves designed for chemo patients ! There is another site Buyabuff.com that has Multi function headwear and would be good for cold country sports etc after chemo .



    May u have a blessed day - we will get though this - it is manageable with " a little help from my friends ". .....

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  • ziffy321
    ziffy321 Member Posts: 41
    edited December 2012

    Fighter69, I've not heard that the antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) increase the spread of cancer, but rather that they prevent chemo from doing its job most effectively.  They "protect" cells, and we have some cells that we don't want to protect!  But I understand that moderate amounts of these vitamins are not bad.

    Does anyone know about safe amounts vitamin D and chemo?  My multivitamin contains 1000 iu of D3.

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  • Bryona
    Bryona Member Posts: 214
    edited January 2013

    Deb, I'm planning the mohawk-for-a-day (or maybe just for 15 minutes and a picture) before the bald. I'm with you--gotta find the laughs where we can. For me, fake-it-til-you-make-it is a tried and true life strategy. So, how'd things go with the onc today?

    Leamitch, you should definitely move to Seattle. It's the best place there is... even if there aren't any moose.

    Sandra, I'm glad the heartburn is under control. Thanks for the heads up!

    Zorina, I love your plad to find something to celebrate every day. Happy drain out day! Ciao bella!

    skimommi, I'm so sorry the worries are weighing so heavily on you. Don't apologize for being a downer, honey. If we can't vent here to each other, where can we vent?

    Lauren15, I think Fighter is starting chemo before surgery, too. The bright side is you'll have the pleasure of watching chemo shrink the beast. Die, little cancer cells! Die! (Is that too violent? I'm finding I feel quite violent about cancer these days.)

    ziffy, I'm planning to ask my MO about vitamin D next week. My PCP has me on 1 000 iu of D3 on top of the 800 iu in my multivitamin. I'll let you know what she says. Unless you find out first, in which case you can tell me!

    To everyone, let's celebrate kicking 2012 to the curb. Good riddance, 2012! Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out! Bring on 2013, a year of health and happiness for all of us.

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  • Nanc620
    Nanc620 Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2013

    Ciao Bellas!

    Happy New Year to each of you...I wish for each of us blessings both big and small.  

    Chemo class is on THursday and chemo itself begins on the 9th.  I was doing pretty well until this evening and now the nerves are back full force.  We went grocery shopping this afternoon and I began my stash of supplies...ugh.  I am back to the hair issue...I think I need to go and get it cut short and just get ready.  I have it shoulder length for the first time in years and I love it...I love the color I finally found and I don't want to feel this way.  I already have my wig ordered...it is a perfect match; actually even better color than my own!  The hairline is exactly like mine, even the cowlick.  But...it's a wig.  Oh well...this time next year we will all be feeling stronger.

    I am 59 and triple negative.  No family history but I am going to get teh BRCA testing done for my daughter and nieces as well as ruling out the necessity of having my ovaries removed.  I'll be doing 6 sessions of T/C...no Adriamycin due to family history of heart disease.  My onc is onboard with this...I had no node involvement and the lumpectomy was successful with clear margins.  

    I am praying for us all...we are stronger as a group.

    Nanc

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  • Amrdbit
    Amrdbit Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2013

    Hey Nanc and Bryona, 

    I'll post a pic of my mohawk when I do it. (Well, when my teenaged boys do it. LOL) It probably won't last more then a few minutes.... but it could be fun, in an "I never want to have to do this again" kind of way. :) I was doing really well with my sunny side up additude until about 4:00 today. I got a text from one of my very best friends asking how I was doing. I resonded back with "It depends on which moment you ask me. I go between totally fine and completely pissed off and super sad." (This is a friend I usually talk to every day or every other day, but due to a bunch of telephone tag, I hadn't talked to him since before my onc apt on Thursday so he didn't know about the chemo. When he read my response he immediately called. As soon as I heard his voice I started crying all over again. He was absolutely wonderful and said all the right things, just like my husband has been. He kept telling me how beautiful I am with hair and that I'd be equally as beautiful with out hair, and how this was just a mere blip in the full scheme of my life. (I think I said those exact same words just the other day. LOL!) He told me that if I ever need a scalp massage he'd come down from Boston (my hometown) to Dallas to make my head feel better. LOL! Anyway, finally after about 20 minute he had me laughing again and by the end of a 2 hour phone call I had forgotten all about my darn hair/upcoming wig. I guess that jsut goes to show that it's going to be a hard road but one that we will get past. And that if we have a sad or teary moment, it's ok. Feel sad. Let the tears flow. Then..... get back to the fake it till you make it mentality. Sigh. So Nanc, I understand the nerves. You had an anxiety filled afternoon..... but hopefully tomorrow will be better. Regardless, we are here for you and for each other. Ya'll rock! :)

    Bryona, Thanks for asking. I didn't get my expected phone call today from the onc, so I am sure I'll hear first thing Wednesday morning. Sigh. Waiting sucks. I'd start tomorrow if I could, jsut b/c the sooner I start.... the sooner I'll finish. :)

    90 minutes (central time zone) to midnight, so happy happy New Year to y'all. Wishing everyone health and happiness, and good chemo and anti neausea drugs to get this shit all behind us. <3!

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  • Amrdbit
    Amrdbit Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2013

    Ziffy, my ntural path has me on 10,000iu of vitamin D every day and my oncologist said that was fine. Not sure what the normal is though. 

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  • MamaK16
    MamaK16 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2013

    Hi ladies.

    Happy (almost) 2013.  Sounds like we are all off to a good start (not). Laying low tonight (just had my port put in).  I am new to this and thought I would join in for support/ information.  I will start chemo 1/9/13.  I am a hospice nurse and I am getting nervous about trying to continue working through this like skimommi.  Trying to plan ahead for which days I will really need to take off since I am now out of paid sick leave after time off for lumpectomy, so anyone trying to work, please let me know how it goes once chemo starts. 

    Also, to Sheryl, I had a seroma and it burst/ruptured when I bent over to blow dry my hair.  It kept leaking and I had to have MD drain it twice ( begged him to do it the 2nd time), but it felt much better after it was drained.

    -Kristin

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  • LeeA
    LeeA Member Posts: 1,660
    edited January 2013

    I take between 4,000 - 8,000 IU of D3 daily.  

    Happy New Year, everyone.  

    Here's to our collective health in the coming year...

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  • Sandra60
    Sandra60 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2013

    Happy new year to all in this group ! We will power though these treatments together !



    Just a suggestion to those starting chemo this month - since I did my first TC treatment . You may want to to consider taking Prevacid or nexuim starting a few days befor your first treatment to avoid the very very bad heart burn / acid reflux I experienced. Mo says I will need to do that next time - guess they don't tell everyone to do that bc we all have different se's - but I would not wish what I went through on anyone so please ask your dr about it !

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  • LeeA
    LeeA Member Posts: 1,660
    edited January 2013

    Thanks for that advice, Sandra.  I think I have an unopened box of one of those types of meds in the medicine drawer.  

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  • MandyNJ
    MandyNJ Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2013

    Hi everyone. I'll introduce myself because I think I'll be starting chemo in January. I see the oncologist on January 7 and will know for sure then, but everyone so far has said I'll start very soon thereafter. I'm told they'll be aggressive with me because of my age (34) and triple h negative dx.



    I'm wife to Chris, a police officer, and mom to Anthony (almost 6) and Victoria (2). Though it's scary, I am planning to take the entire treatment off from work and concentrate on healing and my family.



    My surgery was on 12/18 and I didn't expect to still be as sore as I am from the lymph node dissection, but it does get a little better every day.



    I have an excellent support system in my family, my Inlaws, and my friends. Ive prepared the kids (mine and my beautiful nieces) for my hair loss - I have very long hair, which appears to be the scariest thing so far for them. So I'm showing these young girls how to be empowered by a bad situation. Before I start, I'm having a hair cutting party at the salon and getting a 'do I'd never have the guts to try.



    So that's me in a nutshell. Oh, and I'm the only sister to four old brothers who taught me how to fight like a girl, so I'll beat the shit out of this thing. :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2013

    MamaK16, Zorina Ciao, bellas!

    MamaK, I have all my time mapped out in anticipation for what I THINK I will need to take off too. That could get totally blown out of the water. I hadn't thought about working during treatment, but that is a lot of down time and I could get on my laptop just so that I'm not eating into my time. As a hospice nurse you may not have an option for working from home do you? But, you can probably sneak away for naps. Wink

    Happy new year all! Let's hope this is a year of renewed health and new beginnings.

    You ladies are taking a lot of vit D. My onc told me to take 2,000 iu. Wonder if that is just the minimum suggestion and if I can increase it. I will ask. When I was purchasing the D, the cashier at the grocery store told me she takes 5,000 iu for the winter blues. I had no idea that it can help with depression.

    Sandra thanks for the advice. I don't know that I have my chemo stash ready. What is everyone going to arm themselves with before cocktail hour? Heartburn meds, constipation meds, I have started using the Brian's Joseph for brows/lashes . . . anyone taking extra fiber? I feel like I have suddenly gone blank and don't have everything ready for Thursday.

    Laura are you actually doing the cold caps? I started researching it a while back but it seemed expensive and time consuming. Did you find it to be $$$?

    Lauren, you should sport some of those awesome, huge summer hats for your trip to Key West. Not sure how those are suppose to stay in place, just like the wig, but it would be fun.

    Amrdbit I love the laughs, and you are so right about looking for any little positive we absolutely can. I was good about that for a while, but have lost it lately. You hit it on the nose, "fake it till you make it".

    Anyone actually make new year's resolutions this year?

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  • klaudiak
    klaudiak Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2013

    Happy new year for everyone!

    thanks for the information, I have my chemo class tomorrow and ton of questions.

    skimommi, YEAH, be healthy and strong

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  • MamaK16
    MamaK16 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2013

    My MO has not mentioned a thing to me about getting a "kit" ready before I start chemo.  This is the first I am even hearing about vita D.  The only thing he said to me was to make sure I have some Haggen Daz (sp?) ice cream ready to eat on the day I loose my hair (which I didn't find very funny).  Now I am wondering what else he hasn't told me?!  Anyone know what is up with ice water and fingernails during infusion?

    Kristin

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  • Skigirl72
    Skigirl72 Member Posts: 478
    edited January 2013

    Happy New Year Ladies!!

    Dr. Oz did a breast cancer segment not to long ago. I am usually not a fan of his show or most daytime talk shows, but, this one was interesting. The vitamin D thing has become a big topic for many. They do give a high recmended dose but I don't remember what that is...  My father and boyfriend take like 5000 a day. I am going to up my dosage a bit but not that high. We dont get enough D anyway so I know it will do some good...

    On the hair front, I decided to have my boyfriend and son buzz my head. We are going to do a mohawk first, spike it and take photos. Then they will buzz it off. I have had so many compliments on my short hair that I feel like I should have cut it a long time ago. Oh well, I guess I'll get another crack at it when it grows back!! LOL

    Enjoy your day Ladies! May 2013 bring us happiness, strength and health!

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  • JoyceNYC
    JoyceNYC Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2013

    May I step into this thread with a word of encouragement from someone who started chemo last January?  YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT! I will not tell you lies and say that it was easy, but you will get through it.  Lean on each other in this thread - I learned more from my chemo sisters than from my MO.  Help yourselves by checking out threads from prior months - you will pick up lots of helpful hints.  If I can be of any help, just PM me.

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  • Amrdbit
    Amrdbit Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2013

    I've heard from some people that they take a very extreme high dose of Vit D..... like 50,000IU, so I definitely think its individual. My oldest son who is 15 1/2 takes 3,000. Vit D can help with SO many different things. It's worth a google. 

    17 1/2 years ago with my first chemo go around, I didn't prepare anything ahead of time and I didn't seem to need anything as an emergency. I never had any problems with refulx, heart burn or anything else. I did have a hell of a time with the constipation though. Oh lord.

    This time around my oncologist has given me prescriptions to fill ahead of time for Antibiotics (incase of fever in the middle of the night so that a pharmacy trip isnt needed), prescription strength antacids, a prescript for my Cranial Prosthetic (aka my wig. Yes, many insurance companies will pay for them with a prescription) and also for constipation meds. I have IBS with constipation (tmi, I know.... sorry) so this time around I'm not taking the prescription meds, I'm sticking with the only thing I have ever found that truly works for me and is without chemicals. It is from a web site called Dr. Schulze's. He has all of this all natural stuff and I swear by the Intestinal Formula #1 (As long as it's taken with food.... even if it's just a few bites) I will never take anything else. Oh.... and a friend just bought me this most amazing blanket from pottery barn. It's the softest thing I have ever felt in my life. So.... I've told my family "hands off" it's my chemo blanket. LOL!!! (incredibly soft blankets have a tendancy to get walked off with and always end up in a teenage boys room or in the man cave.)

    I was also looking into the cold cap thing. It sounded great to me until I started reading all of the things that go along with it. (ie....Not really being able to pull back your hair, only washing it a couple times a week, not using products, holding the top of the hair while brushing, and brushing with a comb really lightly..... etc. I am absolutely not an expert of the subject and those things could be very wrong. However my hair is really long, and if all of that (plus the other things on the list) are right, it seemed like more of a hassle then the other alternative. If anyone can tell me other wise I would be thrilled to hear all about it.... b/c I've been bald once and it isn't something I want to do again. 

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  • Lauren15
    Lauren15 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2013

    Happy New Year to all of you!!!  2013 is going to be great after we jump the hurdles.  We will all be stronger, wiser, and healthier (and hopefully lose a few lbs in the process).  Right now I'm trying to recuperate from too much champagne.  It was my anniversary as well, so it was fun to just forget for awhile and have fun.

    Yes, what is it about ice and finernails???  I read somethings about that too.  Funny, I live in Florida, and I have a vitamin D deficiency (I stay out of the sun due to the advice of my dermatologist).  I wonder what my MO will say about that and other nutrition and supplements. 

    I heard there are two types of ports to put in.  I don't remember the terminology, but it's either high or low (i.e. one protrudes and the other doesn't).  What type do you all have or are getting?

    Mandy, I saw that you said you are triple h negative.  What's that?  I'm triple negative, which is why I'm starting the chemo before surgery.  I love the thought Bryona of watching those cancer cells die!!!!

    Nanc, I saw you are triple negative too, and Fighter 69 as well.  We should definitely compare notes as time goes on.  I can't decide on surgery options until I get the results back from the PET, MRI, and BRCA tests.  I can't wait to get going on the chemo -- I too feel that the sooner it starts, the quicker it's over!!!

    I'm going to start getting some work done now.  I need to make up for all the time I'm missing at work.  I hope I can keep working.  I want to hear from everyone how it's going once we all start.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2013

    I've been hearing that you can ice your finger/toenails during treatment to try and avoid the dry cracking. One lady just took bags of frozen peas, because it was easily reused. I also read another lady that is doing gel nails and that it helped protect hers. Not the fake stuff, just the gel polish that you cure with a uv light. I bought a kit to do at home, but the polish was peeling off in just a couple of days. Not at all like what you get in a salon. I'd really like to get my nails done tomorrow, but don't know how to sustain it after since we are told not to even think about stepping into a salon.

    Lauren, my port protrudes. I didn't even know there was an option or a difference. I just went with what my surgeon said.

    Skigirl, have fun with the mohawk. I cut my hair to shoulder length about a month ago and got so many compliments too. I'm all set to do the pixie cut on Sunday, pending how I will be feeling. I would never have guts to try it otherwise, so this is my chance to experiment. 

    I don't recall if we have anyone starting tomorrow. Otherwise anyone else up to bat on Thursday with me?

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