Starting Chemo February 2013

I have not worn a bra since my Surgery in January. I don't see a reason to. My PS said if I wanted to wear a sports bra I can but they are tight and hot so I am skipping it. I am going for a fill Monday. I have only had a few fills as I had such bad luck with that first chemo I have put it off, but I need to start getting them. I am about an A cup now and would like to get to a C

kkmom I am 7 days post 2nd chemo today. My taste buds are SHOT too. I live on protein shakes and pudding and jello. I have lost ten Lbs and dont need to lose anymore. It is a struggle to eat. I am feeling better but still have major tailbone pain from that shot. Each day gets a little better. May can not come soon enough! Headed to the Doc today to get my blood counts checked so I dont end up back in the Hospital again like last time. Hope they all check out good today. Take care all............

So my White count was "elevated" Now I would think that is good, but the Doc said it can mean your body is fighting an infection. Gezzz how do you know??? She said most likely it is the shot that has elevated it so dont worry. Then in the same breath she tells me I should probably wait to have any fills until Chemo is all done with. I pretty much burst into tears. I am counting on getting these HORRIBLE TE out 3 weeks post chemo.( sometime in June if all goes well) I want to be healed up before my daughters Aug 10 wedding. If I dont get the fills until after, this wont happen. She said now would be a good time, but to be totally safe wait. Well I think I am going to take my chance and get a fill Monday. She was also surprised I was still having bone pain from the shot because it was a week ago. Hopefully it will start to go away soon.

Hi everyone.

Today the first since the feb 25th chemo I felt good. I actually worked. Not sure if it's time acupuncture or adding meat back in my diet what ever. Next chemo is March 18. This time acupuncture before and after. And will keep the meds close by to avoid another hospital visit. Wishing you all well

I've been fortunate enough that my boss is ok with me working from home on days that I just felt like I couldn't make it in. I can work, take a break lay down if needed and then get back at it when I'm ready. It would definately be more difficult to work when dealing with clients and committing to an appointment because you never know what to expect next and how you're going to feel. When I'm working, it takes my mind off of me and the reality of what's going on. Work is my escape. I think if you can't work, try to absorb yourself into something even if its a book, I think it helps.

The wellness center associated with my oncologist has an Integrative Medicine program that includes nutrition reflexology reike acupuncture yoga. I really believe in acupuncture. But didn't have time to schedule it before my my fist chemo. I will now have it once before and after chemo. I'm only entitled to 8 but will pay out of pocket since it works for me. I had a splitting headache and no energy. It might be the time factor. But my headache finally went away and I have some appetite. I can work from home. And it felt so good to do something. I still am taking it very slowly. If you can do it give it a try. The session should run about an hour and she added aromatherapy. Not sure if that did anything. The main thing for me was energy and no headache. As far as working. It was really hard for me not to work since my company really relies on me. I couldn't believe. How out of it I was. And couldn't focus on anything. They were so relieved yesterday. But I'm lucky. They understand and have been very supportive. The owner is taking me for my wig next week and we're very good friends. She's having a hard time explaining where I am. I didn't want the world knowing. No negative eneryry till I'm through this. Are you telling everyone? Except close friends. I haven't told many people.

today I really feel weak and am short of breath - chemo was wednesday - other than that I feel pretty normal -except food doesn't taste right... anyone else have those side effects?

Yep, I felt shortness of breath also with one and two. No taste buds to speak of either, think tht is why I am craving spicy foods, just so I can taste something!

As far as telling people, I am an open book. Everyone who knows me I have told and word has been spreading. EVERYONE (who feels comfortable approaching me about it) has been very positive and I feel that energy helping me feel loved and not alone. My mother died of BC when she was 45, and never told a soul (other than my father, and I found out by catching her visually .

This always left me feeling angry that she suffered alone and wasn't able to have the support and love from everyone, which is probably why I have told so many. I figured they would know something was up anyway, between my days off work and changing appearance.

I have been extremely short of breath. Just running my vacuum makes my heart race. Makes me sad as a few months ago I was in spinning class 4 times a week. My taste buds are shot. Everything looks and smells so good and one bite YUK!

As for my Job I am a hairstylist. I book people out 4 to 6 weeks. They count on that apt. I am on my feet and my arms are above my head reaching all day. No place to rest or take a break. If I cant work they are stuck with no one to color or cut their hair. They would say how about tomorrow and I would already have a full book tomorrow. I have decided for now to take my chances that I may lose 50% of my clients and just take a leave of absence. I would rather them make an apt somewhere else and not have to have me cancel on them. Plus it is a small salon and lots of germs coming in and out the doors between all the stylist and clients. You wouldn't believe the people who dont miss a hair apt when they are sick, they still come anyway!! I went to walmart for an hour today and felt like I was going to pass out. There is no way I could be on my feet all day or even half day. My salon owner is very understanding and said come back whenever you want to. Hubby can pay the bills so I may not go back until June.

Everyone I know knows I have cancer and has been so supportive. I have lost count on all the cards I have recieved in the mail.

Chgogemini I have noticed that there are different doses of the neulasta a 3 and a 6.  Which did you have?  I didn't have it on my first treatment but they want me to have it on the second and I'm thinking I might ask for the lesser dose???

I finally had to buzz my hair last night and put my wig on today, my hair looked like road kill.  I found out I'll look good with a pixie. The wig is really not that bad but i'm thinking I'm gonna get one of these too. Its built in to the hat (no velcro) so just throw it on and go.  On the upside it only took me about 15 minutes to shower and get out the door today.

http://www.ultimatelooks.com/henrymargu/classichatblackhm.htm

tangles - my dr told me the same thing.

the skin on my hand - my thumb and forefinger especially looks burned .. it started out itchy and then felt burny and now its like shiny red blistery skin.. it started with the first treatment and got worse with the second.. looks so disgusting..I keep a heavy hand lotion on it but am not sure its helping.

I had my third AC two days late this session because I had to have a tooth removed. My doc is using neupogen which you have to do 8 shots of but I do them myself so it easier. Get bone pain too but its ok until shot no 7/8 then its really bad for a day or two. The last cycle my eyes started to get dry and sore etc.. I use visine drop and a bit of vaseline over lids and around the eye at night and I cranked the humidifier and it all helped.

My taste buds are done also and Im finding even with the steroids for 2 days after chemo my appetite is lessening and I have to force my self to eat.

My second AC was yesterday. I complained about the Zofram headache and the fact that I was nauseated for 11 days. They said they could switch me to something else injected into port during chemo that was far superior than Zofram but couldn't offer it unless the patient complained. Perhaps insurance billing issues? I am tired today but I have absolutely no nausea. It supposed to last for five days. I am thrilled.



Still haven't lost any head hair except for a couple strands. I think it will happen in a couple days. But...I did lose almost all my hair down there during the chemo treatment lol. I told you all I am an odd duck.

IamNancy- Hope you don't have Hand Foot Syndrome which is another one of those chemo side effects.  Here is the link to the BCO mainwebsite so you can read  little more about what it is.  From what you described, you may have this.

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/hand_foot_synd

Dry eyes - Another one of those side effect of the chemo.  You may want to try some OTC lubricating drops-- Gen-Teal eye drops or Refresh eye drops that you can get at Walgreens, CVS or Target.  These were suggested to me by my opthamoligist before I started chemo.

Wishing everyone a good week, especially those heading to chemo this week and minimal side effects!!!  You, February ladies are doing well; keep pushing forward!!!

Melrosemelrose - thanks for the link.. I hope thats not what it is but it sure sounds like it - I hope it just stays on my hands.. when it was starting I showed it to dr and he didn't seem real concerned - just told me how chemo may affect my nails too..

Kkmom - I had to end up shaving those little hairs that were left behind after buzzing it - they were sticking everytime I layed my head down and they ended up really hurting