Chemo May 2013

Ljaeger I have only had one fill so far. I usually just use a bra bs gave me with pocket for stuffing. Not pretty but is comfortable. Wig I chose no longer made so just went to pick another...not easy to find one I like.



Hubby has been wonderful as have kids. I am used to being in control.

Learning slowly to give up control and lean on others.

LJaeger,

I will be having my chemo at MKMG in Northern Westchester hospital.



The women from look good feel better had 3 bins of wigs.

They were able to find something similar to my very light blond hair.

I was a little unhappy about the length...as it is my old shoulder length hair, and I've already gone short, so it is not "realistic" To walk out the door with long! However, I am not going to say no to something...I just don't know if I will use it. It will be HOT out soon and I am one of those people that is warm in the winter and burning up in the summer!



I had seen some videos on headscarves and need to practice, in fact I just wrapped my head and am sitting here with one on. My kids like it.



I had found some nice scarves in target. Was sooooo glad I took them to the fitting room to wrap my head because what looked good in my hands look horrid on my head! I did get some that looked good on, but originally I had ruled them out, go figure! I also popped into goodwill today to see if they had any scarves and I scored TWO for $5. I even tried them on, and was VERY happy with them.



There is an organization that will mail you a FREE headscarf. You can check them out at www.goodwishesscarves.org. Or call them at 888-778-5998. They had a nice selection. It says up to two weeks before they ship, but I got mine fairly quickly.



I can't speak in regards to those with fills, I don't have them, I hope in time the pain decreases for you. I am sure there must be a board for that, there seems to be a board for everything!



Pat

Rose57 My MO said that I would be tired but would not need help caring for myself. Hope that helps you feel better. I guess we will all see...Good Luck and remember you are not alone...

Thanks Pat! I will be sure to do that. Just called him up.....My MO said he has been suggesing patients take it for a long time. He swears it works and that the bone pain, especially in the hips and long bones of the legs where blood cells are made, will feel like an overextended water balloon as blood cells that are made build up and can be quite painfull until the cells gradually get out into the blood steream and relieve the pressure. He said I should not suffer if we can stop it.

I am stopping at Duncan Donuts in the AM and getting the largest fruit smoothie with crushed ice that I can....MO said it can help ward off mouth sores... I asked about Ice on the hands, or feet to prevent peripheral neuropathy...he said no, because the cancer cells can come back on the scalp, hands, or feet as well and that if we are going to do this we will do it the best way we can to avoid recurrance.

Also, anyone land in Chemo because of an Oncotype DX score of 19, one digit higher than the low risk group, what a terrible decision to make for everyone with this score including me...just knew it would be me that landed at that schore... I am 46 and considered young still for BC...he said because of my age and fitness before BC that we should hit it with both barrells and do the Chemo lite, not sure if there is such a thing! I have twins at home still so I want to be around for many more years....so I said yes to the posion!

I'm doing dose dense because I'm part of a study and this is the regimen and also because I'm 33 so I'm getting hit with the heavy stuff! Yuck!

Good morning May 2nd girls. May we all sail thru today with ease and grace. Hope out ses are few and anxieties lessen. Good luck to all!

Hi Ladies,

I just wanted to wish you good luck today! I was suppose tp be joining you today but when I went in for education on Tuesday they had changed my start date to yesterday; whic was fine except my son couldn'tget home to go with me!  Anyway I just wanted to let you know it was not a terrible experience no side effects with the Taxotere only a minor fuzzy head (kind of like a blocked sinus)the last few minutes of cytoxin.  The nurses were such great people so on top the their game!  Afterwards we went and had a nice lunch then to the surgeons to have my new best friend Eleanor checked out that was what I decided to call my port since it was an amazing experience not to have to be poked! Would never have made it through without her.  So far very few side effects being wired from the decodran and not being able to sleep that was expected.  Also the dry mouth has started and a few chills.  They told me I would be good until Friday so looking forward to a good day,

Good luck to day and stay POSITVE!

Good luck to all of us today! Gully, I'm in the middle of a panic attack too! I'm already so nauseous from nerves, maybe I won't notice the chemo effect...

Jenna, LOL! Me too. Maybe we could ask for some of that Happy Juice they give you before surgery! 

Wow, I reread back to the beginning of this thread, and so many ladies are starting chemo today. I didn't quite remember that! So good luck to all! You can do it.

To quote tom petty...the waiting is the hardest part. Waiting for bloodwork to come back before real stuff can begin. Thank God for xanax kindle fire and hubby!

I'm being infused right now! Made it through the red devil, now getting my Cytoxan infusion! Little bit of sinus pressure with that but no big deal. So far it's a lot better than I thought! KNOCK ON WOOD!!

Debbiema, I cut my hair from shoulder length to short, "pixie" cut. I almost cried, and I am not "vain"...I am a wash and go person, no fuss no muss. First time I picked up my daughter from school I guess no one recognized me? And I know there were a few that did...the silence was deafening. It hurt.

Anyhow, went to a look good feel better program from the American Cancer Society and they give free wigs. Got one, but is is shoulder length....which is ironic, as I now have a pixie cut. So now everyone will know it is a wig.

Can honestly say I don't know I will wear it, as I am always hot and summer is coming quickly.....

Anyhow, I share this as you might want to try out short to see how it is before you go bald (if anticipating that). Or you might want to find a wig you like and try cutting your hair to that style....then no one would be the wiser if you shaved your head and wore the wig. Me, I'm ready to go find wigs in different colors and drive the family crazy! Lol



Wishing all the patients today the best. I will be joining you on Monday. You are the role models for us all! God Bless!



Pat

Dbc, I am so sorry you have to deal with this.



Has your mom ever spoken about her wishes in the past?



My dad was hospitalized after cardiac surgery, he had always made it perfectly clear through tout his life that he never wanted life saving measures. He thought it was a huge waste of money that would be better spent by living relatives! (And we aren't well off) He received typical care.

He was better, released from the hospital and relapsed within a month. This time there was nothing he would allow, as they spoke of possibly dialysis might help him.



It was very tough to follow his wishes...what if dialysis worked? And then another surgery for his heart? My dad heard the doctor talking to us, opened his eyes, stared at each of us and told us "NO GUILT, this is what I want". He was 72 when he died two days later. I have no guilt as I know he had his wishes followed.



These decisions are so difficult to make. Even knowing his decision I had wavered, but in the end followed his wishes.(I was his proxy)



If your mom has never made her wishes clear perhaps you need to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of the situation, without putting in any emotion (I know, easier said than done). List the choices on two pieces of paper with pro and con columns. Treatment vs. no treatment. You might even want to go back to the doctor without your mom there to discuss this. Do they say how many years treatment might extend her life! What about the side effects at that age? Have your sister do her own pros/cons papers as well. Then compare notes to see where you stand.

There are so many factors that need to be take into consideration...when you see it written on paper it might jump out and make perfect sense.



My prayers are with you at this difficult time. There will never be an easy decision to make. Don't involve the whole family in the decision making as there is always bound to be a loud mouth that "knows better"...my twin that lived out of town was one of them.



Pat

Lpc, Jenna, and Gully - you are amazing! You're going to be done with your first round today.