January 2013 chemo group
Comments
-
Possible mascot?
-
Hi everyone - thanks for sharing your tips and progress. My latest updates are that I have my start date 1/21 and my port is scheduled for Friday morning. I could've gone this upcoming Monday but I chose to delay a week to get as prepared as possible for my kids with food, etc. my 2 yr old has food allergies and I'm really the only one who knows how to feed her. I decided to make four months worth of allergy free pancakes and freeze them! At least she'll have breakfast! I have to write out lists for everyone so they know how to care for her. My son (6) who has no food allergies is pickier than picky but he's easy.
I'm taking a leave of absence from work and my last day is Friday the 18th.
I'm feeling antsy and like I'm going to go over the waterfall in a barrel. -
Hi all - Hope everyone is doing well. I have two second to update before DH comes in screaming to get off the computer. I had the port put in - everything went well. Recover fine, no nausea. Came home and my head was killing me and turned into a migraine (I guess - I never had one). Worst pain ever, I started sweating, then throwing up. Doctor wanted me to go to emergency room. I was pissed. I threw up all the liquids I was starting to drink in preparation of chemo tomorrow and the steroids I had just taken. The MO wanted to cancel chemo tomorrow, but I talked him later into letting me do it; since I'm now feeling much better. He called in a prescription for an anti-nausea suppository and an ativan. DH is here now with it. Gotta run. How weird is that? Did anyone else get sick like that? I know the it started before the steroid, so I don't think that did it. Off to the bar tomorrow for my triple shot of whatever they are serving up. Good luck to everyone else starting or who have recently started. We are all in for an adventure, a ride - sure not Disneyworld :-) -- At least we are all in it together - One big hug for everyone out there!
-
Love the mascot Bryona! And right back at ya girl! I'm so glad you are here and keeping everyone in order and updated.
Skigirl, thanks for the tip! Getting 'em for sure . . . although I can probably wait 72 hours. LOL
Lauren15, I was not quite as sick as you, but after my port placement I had the worst migraine ever! And like you, I don't get migraine's. I told the surgeon that I need to find out what anesthesia they used so that I can tell them to NEVER use it again. But, after further thought it could possibly have been a really bad caffeine withdrawal. Do you drink coffee? And did you not have coffee? I've laid off coffee in the past and had mini-migraines, but nothing like that one. It was to the point that I couldn't even sit up, drink water, eat . . . nothing. Just didn't get to the point of throwing up though.
I was feeling good until about 6 today and then hit a wall. All of a sudden I was super tired and cranky. Had dinner and then grabbed some water and laid down. Well, suddenly I started feeling a little better. Drank more water and felt even better. Now I'm downing the water. I really slacked on the water today, had maybe two big glasses all day. Coincidence? Or, is this just to be expected and still residual effects? I knew water was important, but didn't expect it to remain so important so many days out. Guess I'm still getting use to the idea that the chemo remains in our system, and that it isn't just getting flushed out in a couple of days and then right back to normal you go.
-
Colleenkelly, this one's for you . . . and of course all you other wonderful warriors here! I stole this from a November post. Colleen's question about a supportive husband made me remember this poem so I wanted to share:
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter.
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll
be more important as you get older. No matter how
much you love your husband, no matter how much you
love the children you may have, you are still going
to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now
and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women
always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman
thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely
my husband and the family we may start will be all I
need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends each
year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand that her Mom really
knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 40 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are
between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in- law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on
to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. -
SherylB--I took some time today to reflect on yesterday's experience and could only laugh at my nurse. Thankfully they rotate nurses and I more than likely won't have the same person next time. They do need some sort of speed test before doing this job.
Bryona--yeah a mix between a rabbit and labrodor retriever would be nice. We'll see what happens next time.
Hope those who went to the bar today are doing okay...best of luck to those who will pony up for a round of drinks tomorrow.
-
Christina - thanks for checking in with us . It is so comforting to hear success stories like yours and to know we can all get through this !
Nellas - you are quite the comic - loved reading your account !
Bryona - don't know how u keep up with everyone but you are the " mother theresa " of the January Chem thread - thank you !!!
Well I went to the office for the first time today - just for the afternoon - and I feel great ! Kind of liked being treated with not more respect than normal .
I think I will telecommute mostly ....
So it is day 14 for me and when I was styling my hair today with a flat iron fist fulls started to come out . Bad bad falt iron !!! Oh well . At least I feel better now so IHO - let it fall , let it fall , let it fall - I am ready !! -
Hi Girls,
First treatment 9:15 tomorrow. I think I am more worried about taking the anti-nausea drugs than the actually Chemo. I know they are giving me some in my IV prior to Chemo and I have two different Prescriptions for home. They gave me something in the hospital after my surgery for nausea, it made so dizzy and I had an awful headache for 1 1/2 after.. It wasn't the pain meds because all I took was Aleve I didn't want anything stronger because they can cause headaches..
Took my steroids today and I get a bag of those tomorrow as well.. Then two days after, I know they can also help with nausea so I hope that's all I will need.. I know stay hydrated. I also have Queasy drops,"Natural Way to Ease A Queasy Stomach". I will give them a try.
Sheryl, I will be thinking about you tomorrow.
Lauren, I am so sorry.. not the thing you need the day before Chemo. Like I said before that is my fear with the anti nausea meds you are describing exactly how I felt when I had them in the hospital..
Nancy, sorry you have to wait but I so agree with your doctors it is probably for the best..
Bryona, thank you for the support!!
Sandy, you look adorable!
Well off to bed...
Prayers to all,
Carla
-
I am scared about taking the steroids and about if my heart rate will increase while doing chemotherapy. I suffer from anxiety and panic disorder so that kind of thing scares the heck out of me. Did any of you experience these side effects? I start ac chemo on the 28th followed by taxol. Thanks.
-
Thank you skimommi. That is a Great piece of advice and so very true. I think men tend to get scared and don't know what to say or do. Being a caregivers just comes more natural to women I think.
-
Hello all! Every day I check in and see how you all are doing. I think you all are amazing vibrant women who are facing a challenging time with great strength! I love each of you. I go for my second treatment tomorrow morning so today I am drinking tons of water and getting things done around the house that I know I wont have the strength or interest in doing this weekend.
skimommi - I loved your story about sisters - that could'nt be more true!
bryoni - absolutely cracked up over your new mascot! That image will get me through tomorrow. Thank you for your humor!
Wish me luck ladies!
Karen
-
Hi Colleen,
I start Chemo on the 24th, and I also suffer from anxiety. When I need it, I will take Xanax which really helps with these disorders. Some people get addicted, but so far I don't have that problem. Probably because I don't take it that often. From the postings on this board, it appears that it is safe to take it even even with Chemo. Check with your Onc and see if you can take something to help keep you calm. -
Good luck Karen. I have found my chemo to be not abywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Sure there are some side effects, but so far they have been manageable. I had my 3 rd chemo yesterday and am feeling great today. I still have all my hair. But in case I lose it I am ready for that got me a wig Ai like and plenty od scarves and head wraps. Here's hoping you have minimal se 's.
-
Colleen - ditto Rhonda on the Xanax . I am normally not an anxious type person but I've been taking it every night b4 bed to sleep and it even helps just making me a bit calmer and able to handle stress durin the day . I think I may be dependent on it but my mo says we we wean me off it after chemo .
Best of luck on round 2 Karen - may your side effects be minimal !
Thank You to all for your upbeat postings and for sharing when you have problems too . It is so helpful to be part of this group of wise and positive women ( men too if u are there ) . I feel so much more connected and all this " sharing ". I believe has a "healing " property too ! -
Good morning everyone -
I had my first post-chemo follow-up yesterday. As I was getting ready to go I started to feel much better than I had for several days prior. I even wore high-heeled boots to the appointment as an act of defiance against cancer - ha! Meaning, I didn't care as much about just being comfortable because I felt a bit stronger and with it for a change (I've been recovering from a double BMX and then an infection that required intravenous antibiotics so I'm grouping all that into the mix of feeling better as well).
The nurse said my WBC was low but the MO said my levels were all just fine for him. I told him I have been walking a mile a day since January 1 and he seemed pleased about that. I lost a pound - no big deal - he says "eat more ice cream" (I have no idea why). Overall, it was a good appointment and a good deal of the lower GI crampiness I had been feeling wasn't as predominant yesterday - in fact, after leaving the appointment I ran several errands before going home.
I'm still taking the anti-nausea med religiously but I'm wondering if it's necessary and now I'm wondering if it might be the culprit in the lower GI cramping. I wish I had remembered to ask about that...
Good luck to everyone starting today! And best wishes to everyone regardless of where you are on the path.
-
skimommi I love the poem, is wonderfull, thanks
-
Sandra60 love your attitude on the hair!!
Colleenkelly talk to your onc as they should be able to prescribe something for you for the anxiety if they didn't already. Mine is Ativan.
Karen I will be tracking how you feel after #2, so please keep us posted.
-
Colleenkelly- I take Ativan also. I am not usually an anxious person, but, chemo has thrown my for a loop. It is pretty mild. It helps me sleep too...
Sandra60- BAD FLAT IRON!!! I am going for a pixie cut later this afternoon. I went from very long, to short, now going to really short, then when it starts coming out it will be a buzz cut!
Bryona- Love the mascot. Being a bartender, this is very appropriate. I posted it on my FB wall!! (Debbie Inzana Rochester, NY if any of you would like to friend me)
Anyone know at what point I shouldn't need the anti nausea meds? Somedays I feel just fine if I skip a few hours and wait. I did that the other night and ended up with bad lower GI pain, chills and sweats and couldn't make it to the kitchen for some water. now I've been letting a few hours pass before I take anything and I am ok. I just dont want anymore rude 3am awakenings... ya know?? Or is it trial and error? I am also putting myself in a quarentine(sp) for a few days as this is when my WBC drops to its lowest.
Also, I know we are supposed to lay off the caffeine and alcohol, but, When the heck can I have a glass of wine or a beer?? Is it ok for one with dinner? I love a dry red wine with my pasta or my steak.
-
Hello ladies. I already take xanax and I am addicted. I have been on it for years. I take prosac too. Is anyone getting the AC chemo? That is the one I am gonna be started on and it looks really scary. Just sucks that we have to go through this chemo stuff. I wish mammograms were better at detecting all cancers, if so mine would have been detected a lot sooner. Can't change the past so I need to be strong like all of you and look forward to the future and kicking some cancer butt! Good luck with round 2 Karen.
-
Hello ladies. I already take xanax and I am addicted. I have been on it for years. I take prosac too. Is anyone getting the AC chemo? That is the one I am gonna be started on and it looks really scary. Just sucks that we have to go through this chemo stuff. I wish mammograms were better at detecting all cancers, if so mine would have been detected a lot sooner. Can't change the past so I need to be strong like all of you and look forward to the future and kicking some cancer butt! Good luck with round 2 Karen.
-
Skigirl72, I am having my hair cut short on Sunday even though I don't start chemo until the 28th. My hair is very long and I am thinking it will be less dramatic when it falls if already short. I was told by onco that on AC my hair would fall out. No stopping it. Do you get rapid pulse on your chemo? Do you take steroids when getting treatment? I kind of wish my surgery was healed so I could start treatment and get it over with. I haven't had a beer or a cigarette for two weeks ago, before my surgery. Maybe I should go out for a few beers before starting the chemotherapy.
-
Colleenkelly- I had a beer the night before I started chemo. I also had a beer or wine after surgery once I was off the pain meds. I started my chemo 5 weeks after surgery and I am still a bit sore/stiff from everything. I took the steroids as they instructed. They gave me IV steroids durring the AC infusion and then 2 days following with pills. I just did exactly what they told me. I'm not one to take meds and I followed the instructions to the letter. I had no idea what to expect.
My pulse did not race during any of it. They will offer you an Ativan to calm you down if you need. I took it just because I didn't know what to expect. I am not afraid of the meds they are giving me. And if it dont feel right, I speak up. Luckily I have a great nurse who listens and my MO is awesome. The whole group seems to be on top of things. They really want to make you comfortable. Take advantage of ANY extras they offer... Massage, yoga, nutrition classes, beauty and wig help, etc... I sure am. Remember, they want to help you get through this with as little SEs as possible.... Breathe deep my dear, and go have a beer...just one or two and drink LOTS of water the day before and few days following your treatment... I am drinking between 2 and 3 litres of water a day.
-
Skigirl72, Thank you. I do feel a little better now. Are you doing four Ac cycles and then four taxol cycles like me? And then following it with six weeks of radiation? Sounds like you are handling it very well so far. Got to do what we can to get through it and put it behind us. Take care of yourself.
-
Hopefully you have zofran which is usually a good clean drug. It shouldn't cause any mood alterations. Now compazine is another story, it can have more side effects. It they given you Aloxi iv before chemo or enmed it is longer acting and you should be ok.
Take care, Sheryl
PS my treatment was a piece of cake, so hopefully any side effects will be minimal too.
-
Skigirl, I asked my onc specifically about alcohol and she said to take it as you feel appropriate. I THINK she said to wait at least a couple of days post chemo, but oops I had a Chelada two days following. Oh man did it taste good!!! I thought the tomatoe would be a total turn off, but it was just the opposite. Otherwise I surprisingly haven't desired alcohol at all - and I'm normally a one beer or glass of wine after work kinda girl. Didn't know we were suppose to limit the caffeine too. Double oops! Although that too has had less appeal, I still get at least a cup in a day. Today I had a bit more coffee and really felt it by mid-morning.
almy Ciao bella! There are a couple of ladies on here doing cold caps. I'm sure they will share knowledge. Have you talked to your little ones yet? I found the more honest, calm and upfront I was with my 11 yo the better she took it. At one time she wanted to cut her hair when I did mine, but she chicken out. LOL
-
Hi Almy,
You have come to a great website for support, to ask questions, or to just vent. All of us may not have the same diagnosis, but all is us gals ( and a few guys) are in this together.
I am getting the Penguin Cold Caps and begin chemo on the 24th. There is a board site for cold cap users here so hop over to that site to get more info.
Best of luck
Rhonda -
Ciao, bellas! So glad to hear about your experiences. My latest scan showed no change in the lung nodules, so they were deemed not to be metasteses. Yippee! I am scheduled to start chemo (taxotere and cytoxin) on Tuesday. It feels kind of weird to say I'm looking forward to it, but having been diagnosed in September I would really like to get on with it and get it over with by spring.
-
Hi Everyone-
Thought I would jump in with my story. 4 years ago I was tested for the BRCA genes and expected to be positive (My mom had both and is 10 yrs cancer free :-)) I indeed was BRCA1 positive, but knew then to take precautions. I finally elected to have a preventative bilateral mastectomy December 12 so I wouldn't have the looming fear of breast cancer over me. 5 days after surgery I received a call from my surgeon telling me the pathology reports came back. What I was trying to prevent was there all along. A 1.8cm tumor had been found-it was invasive and triple negative. I was in shock because I had a clear MRI 6 months before. I had 3 nodes taken out 3 days after that 1 being positive and now I start chemo next weds 1/16. I'm doing ACx4 and then 12x weekly Taxol.
I was a hot mess for the first 3 weeks. I had every emotion under the sun, and felt like i had been run over by an emotional semi. I kept thinking, "I've been healthy my whole life-I exercise, I eat organic, I'm mostly vegan and still you can't beat genetics". But I know I'm going to beat whatever might be left in me and keep moving. I will admit the celexa I was prescribed has been a life saver. I couldn't take feeling that hopelessness and sadness anymore.
I pray for every woman on here and hope I can stay up to date posting on my treatments. I'm mainly just worried about the SEs now-I'm being proactive and chopping my long hair hair off for Pantene Beautiful Lengths next week and getting a pixie cut.
Hope everyone is feeling as well as possible and look forward to getting through this with all of you!
Nikki -
Hey Nikki, welcome aboard the train we don't want to be on. So very glad you are here, this forum/web site has been a wonderful experience. I had been remiss in getting a mammo for two years due to no cancer in my family anywhere, my onc said even if I had routinely done the mammo that it could have started and not been caught because TN is so aggresive and occurs rapidly. The good news is that TN being so aggressive it responds well to chemo. Sometimes we can do everything right (I am not one of those people unfortunately) and life will still suck. I had my first chemo today and it went so much better than I anticipated. I have been labeled an awfulizer (not a real word) I make mountains out of molehills. (My spelling is off a bit tonight. LOL). I have started with some nausea earlier than anticipated but took my Zofran and ok except I can't eat right now my tummy feels weird. I hope I do lose my appetite as I would not appreciate gaining weight while on chemo. The Popsicles are wonderful.
Hang in and come here as frequently as you can there is a wealth of experience and knowledge from the folks who have come before us.
Hang Tough, Sheryl
-
Welcome, Nikki.
So sorry you have to be here and moreover, so sorry for what all you've been through; however, yours is yet another amazing story of someone pulling herself up by the proverbial boot straps and moving forward! Thanks so much for sharing your history, thus far, and for being an inspiration!
Do you know when you'll be starting chemo? I assume it's coming up relatively soon.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team