Chemo May 2013

I will be starting CHemo at the end of may most likely. I had a double mastectomy

on April 17 th. I was so looking forward to summer wIth the kids (14, 11, and5) and now I feel like I will just want to hole up at home and do nothing. Hoping I will sail through chemo like some but not planing anything at the moment until I see how I do. I plan to continue working part time and make the most of days I feel good. I cut my hair short before surgery and I actually really like it so I will look for a similar wig. I'll probably buy some scarves as well. Any particular type of scarf needed?

Hello IWKB! 

I can only answer one of your questions about chemo. I live only 10 min. from our cancer center as well. My husband came with me for the first one for emotional support but it really was not bad, everyone is very nice. My infusion nurse said as long as they dont give you meds to make you calm down so much that your are sleepy you can drive yourself. She said one lady drove home with her kayak on top of her car and drove into her garage because of the "happy juice" LOL... I am on day 3 and feeling not normal but ok. Just did a 6 mile bike ride with my hubby....but it did kick my butt!!! Happy to keep moving... I cut my hair short too.. kind of like it! It never gets messed up.

Thanks for the update Rose57 I am glad you are out and about as well...

I am joining the sisterhood of the May 2013 Chemo Group. Wow, none of us thought we'd be writing that sentence prior to our diagnosis. Some days I still can't believe it, even as I sit here with "interim" boobs, a drain in my side, and scheduled for chemo on May 15. Pretty sure it will be AC (4 cycles, every two weeks) and then Taxol (12 cycles, weekly).



I was supposed to start chemo on the 6th but the drain from my lymph node dissection on 4/9 still putting out too much fluid to be removed. Ive had a drain in since my BMX on 3/28 and my PS doesn't want me to shower with any drains in the vicinity of my expanders....I'm going to see if I can get a reprieve on that this week. Shallow baths just aren't the same!



I'm thankful to all of you May sisters for being here with me, and to all the Pink Sisters who have gone before us and let us know that we will get through it.



I'm sending my positive energy to all. Keep drinking lots of fluids.....that is definitely a huge common theme in prior month's chemo boards.

Hello all

I start May 9th, ATC 12 doses, 4 of each biweekly.

The unknown. Is killer

here's a video a face book friend posted...might help...http://www.wbir.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2343979839001

Ukkate,

Thanks for the list - it helps keep everyone organized...in my mind anyway....and where they are in the chemo parade. Looks like its a growing group!

Hope everyone who has started their infusions had a tolerable weekend and get stronger through the next week. My turn is coming.....

So quiet!

Hope everyone who started chemo last week is doing OK. Let us know how you are! Sending good, healing positive energy your way........

Glad you are feeling better! I hear the first treatment is sometimes the worst - because you don't know what to expect.

As for work - I think it helps to have something other than bc to focus on. Also helps to feel more "normal" being at work. I have to work throughout it all... as I'm a single mom with two teenagers. No one but me bring in the bacon!

Keep going - get lots of rest and know you'll feel stronger as each day goes by.

I finished my first day of treatment.

My "worst" part was the needle stick, because I hate needles (I'm such a baby! Lol). Anyhow, I didn't really feel it, and as long as I don't look I'm ok.



I drank three glasses of water this am after taking my pre-chemo steroids. I was still thirsty when I got there, so continued to drink water. Glad those IV poles are movable! Lol



The chemo nurses were awesome, found out one lives near me, was on the Girl Scout sleepover I did the other night and I placed both her girls into troops (I do recruitment events for scouting). The other nurse was just as nice and friendly. Nit was very encouraging.



I am glad I asked about the nausea meds I have waiting at home, because I really don't think my oncologist went over them so well (or do I just not remember?). She said first sign of unsettled tummy to take the Zofran, it is is every 8 hours. However she said I could also go to every6 or every 4. BUT might cause a headache and if I do every 4 I MUST call them.

She also said in between the Zofran I could do the comprazine (spelling?-don't have the bottle in front of me.



I go back for my Neulasta shot tomorrow. I specifically commented to the nurses about Claritan, they have heard of it, but this place doesn't push, however they agree if its not denied by the dr to do it. Funny enough the dr walked in 2 minutes later to talk about the shot and tell me I might get gone pain! (I won't even bring up the Claritan again with her)



So now I sit with my giant bottle of water to flush my system out.



Lined up tonight's steroid pills, stool softener and will add the Claritan to the pile in the am.



Life is good.

Pat

Gully,

Thank you.

I agree!

I think the chemo docs should all get a treatment and the nulasta and then tell me I don't need to ice because the neuropathy will go away, or I don't need the Claritan because the bone pain isn't that bad.



I am one to not take medicines unless I have to. BUT I am also not stupid, if it will AVOID the pain then I sure as heck am taking it! ("Not that bad my a$$!)



Some man was leaving the chemo treatment today, talking to the nurse, he has to come back for nuprogen(sp?) shots, and I guess that causes bone pain too? No one said to take Claritan. I felt bad, if I wasn't connected to the pole I would have ran after him and had a conversation about it! But, I also don't know if the Claritan is good for that!?



SO HAPPY these boards are here to learn things. So happy everyone shares what works/doesn't work for them. I have learned so much over the past few months.



Pat

Hi, I'm new to disscussion boards so bare with me. Thank God this is here, I just wanted to let anyone know who will be starting Their AC portion that you can do it..I am extremely sensitive to any type of motion sickness so I was afraid of the nausea and vomiting factors. Yes I feel queasy but nothing that the meds can't handle. I took compasine throughout the day, (yes it made me a bit drowsy) and lorazapam at night. I'm thinking the Decadron I'm taking on days 2-5 are giving me the symtoms of heartburn, sleeplessness, shortness of breath and temperature flushes. The Nuepogen shots on day's 3-9 gave me severe muscles aches the first time I used it but my body seemed to adapt and every usage after that was way less severe. Your body is stronger than you know. My third AC dose hit me harder and I needed to stay rested for 5 days. I think perhaps because I didnt take the decadron. Well I just finished the AC portion and am taking the last of my neupogen shots. I don't know what the Taxol/Herceptin TX will be like but If I can handle the AC portion, you can too. My onlybummer is that I'm constantly putting things in my mouth to get rid of the metalic taste, therefore I've been gaining 1 lb a week! Oh well better than fighting to keep my weight on i guess. Good luck you will be fine, women have spirits of warrior's..

Kate I start this month for Chemo. I get my port this week and also have the TE's that are killing me. The thought of going thru chemo and being tired and maybe toss my cookies sick is very daunting.. Wondering how the port feels? As your post indicates you got it today.

What gives me hope and strength is reading and knowing that so many amazing woman have forged before me and have come out stronger!

-Rain