Starting Chemo February 2013

Hello,



I'm 30, mother of 3 small children. I was dx in sept of 2012, I have been through 4 AC which were very hard on me, mostly because I don't hydrate. I actually have to go to the hospital twice a week to get fluids, but that really helped me through the AC so if your like me and don't drink much go get fluids! Also take all the meds as directed, I never got sick, but I did get constipated so adding bran to food and eating prunes helped me out a lot. Also, I use biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. I have yet to get a mouth sore or canker sore, I swear by this stuff! I constantly wanted to eat when I was on AC, I tried to make good choices but I mostly craved pasta and potatoes. I did get very fitigued by my 4th AC, I had been taking my son on walks through the neighborhood once a day but by the last AC I couldn't do it anymore. Losing my hair was huge for me but the very worst was when I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes, I just look flat now.



I have completed 10 taxols and have 2 more to go! I'm so excited that I will be done with chemo in the next 2 weeks! Taxol was much better for me then AC. I'm not as tired and can actually get stuff done around the house now. I have noticed some urinary and vaginal issues though. Has anyone else experienced that? I also have Herceptin till December, I know that can cause done vaginal dryness and makes your body think you are in menopause. I get hot flashes all the time and cold sweats. I'm only 30, I shouldn't be experiencing this stuff right now.



I have surgery in April and then radiation. I hope I can be of help if anyone has any AC or Taxol questions. I'm so glad I found this forum, it's nice to know I'm not alone!

Thanks for the feedback! I decided to keep a journal of exercise, food intake and most importantly meds taken. I have been reading about forgetfulness on chemo; that's all I need with the air brain I have anyways! lol. Oh and maybe I will journal symptoms. I tend to blow things off once I have made it through so I might not mention something to the nurse that I should.



I decided to get a port and will be getting that on Monday. I read that some of you are still sore from it. Would beginners yoga be out of the question? My friend wants to start a class with me.



Here is to us getting through these txs like the warrior women we are. I can't wait to be out the other side of this so I can give it the bird in my rear view mirror.

Lmimp64 - I got the shot in my arm - it only hurt for a minute and then burned alittle but nothing terrible... but last night wasn't the best for me - nor is today.. I tossed and turned -wanting water but then that made me nauseus - my mouth feels yucky and I feel alittle achy..sorta like a flu.

I'm getting ready to start Chemo Feb 25 6x TCH \. Just found out I'm very low on D and B, so they are giving shots of B12 and prescription pf D. No wonder I've been so tired. I still have tests this week. Just ordered penguin cold caps to arrive next Tuesday (trying to save my hair) Good luck to everyone.

I start TC on Monday.  I got my port on Wednesday and the Lidocaine cream today.  I feel like I have joined the Borg - resistance is futile.  I thought it would hurt but it doesn't really except when I make a flinch with my neck or facial muscles.  That twinges it a bit and it doesn't feel good.

I've started my walking routine since I have had to give up riding for a little while.  My MO says I can ride one of the schooling ponies on the 2nd and 3rd weeks of treatment but no riding my excitable show horse....sigh.  BC has screwed up my show year.  I hate it.

BC sucks.

what is ANC?

We are thinking of you, McKatherine! I hope you are home soon with no fever.



Shady, love the Borg analogy. The wire going across my collar bone makes me feel weirder than the actual port!



Heidi, hope you are home an doing well.

Hi All,  New today to the board and have been reading the posts and they are helping me alot.  I start my chemo on Tuesday and am pretty scared. I thought I was going to do just radiation and tamox but then my onco came back at a 30.  Although the recurrence score was 20% they say doing chemo knocks it down to 10%.  What an agonizing process I put myself through wondering if the chemo was worth it for 10%.  So the onco coupled with being 46 got the recommendation from all 3 doctors for chemo.  Glad to be on here Melody

Well, 1st chemo went well today.  Spent 6 hours in the chair.  So far I am just very tired.  Looking forward to bed tonight.  Got the results of my PET scan and it was good.  All in all, a good day today.  If I listen quietly I can hear the death screams of little cancer cells.

McKatherine, I hope you are feeling better and welcome Melody!

Heidi- you just made me truly laugh out loud! I love the thought of hearing those little buggers screaming in agony!



Mckatherine- glad you are feeling better!



To those of you just joining- welcome to our thread- you will find it helpful, I really do!

For those who are prepping to lose their hair, I found this great site. She is fantastic with makeup. http://eyelineher.blogspot.com/



The Borg are on my tail, must resist...(love that analogy Shady. Gonna share it with the hubby)

Wildlyshel, thank you for that link! Now I have to go shopping for 'supplies '! I think I may even be able to recreate eyebrows with that help. I see that most of us have at leat one chemo under our belt-lets dance to the 'death screams' of those cancer cells-I love the imagery of that also!

Lets all keep our spirits up, we need to have a stronger attitude than our cancer.

Hello all.  I am starting my chemo on Feb. 25th.  I have been reading everything I can get my hands on in hopes of preparing for it.  I am having TC X 4.  LisaMM I am the same, not knowing, but it will be better once it starts I will know what all will be happening, hopefully, and be able to move along through it with information I have obtained.  Best of luck!

Summersong-I'm glad you found this thread! I do feel so much less nerves with the first one under my belt. I was such a wreck! I only fear any new SE's now that I didn't have with the first time. I also see now that the ones I did have were manageable, which also makes me feels better. I'm sorry that you have to join us, but glad you found this thread as I find it very supportive & helpful! Best wishes to you also!

Mr. Magoo! Hilarious!



Greetings all. Please pardon all typos, using my phone.



I had a bilat mastectomy Jan 9th with radical on right side, glad I had my port inserted then.That thing drove me crazy for a few weeks but has finally calmed down.



I started chemo Thurs, Valentines Day. 4x of AC 3 weeks apart then 12 weekly rounds of taxol with Herceptin, the herceptin will be for a year. Once chemo is done I have 6 weeks of radiation. I had "at least" 7 tumors, 3 lymph nodes, one of which had burst its boundaries. Aggressive cancer so they are going after it with might.



I've been lurking here reading and am grateful and amazed at the wealth of info and the kindness. Took all my nauseau meds this.morning even though I tend to avoid meds. Took the one they said to try first at the first.hint this morning, then urp down the hatch they went. It's odd. I feel off but not exactly.sick or in pain but a bit woozy.



I am prone to cancre sores in my.mouth so am washing with salt/soda water ever 30 minutes, I can feel them starting already. *sigh* I have Biotene too...



So here goes. The next 8 months have me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Trying to remeber one day at a time. I'm lucky to have disability insurance through my job so I don't have to work albeit a bit poorer.



I am grateful we caught it in time. While I had many tumors they were small enough to keep me in stage IIb. Whew!



So I will watch and learn and post my experience strength and hope.



Bright blessings to all of you