Chemo May 2013

Kate glad you are back and feeling good!

Something else I got to have on hand with chemo is hand sanitizer, everyone coming to visit and be around me will be using it.  I wil be using it all the time too.  I don't want to catch someones little cold and have it turn into something major for me with my immune system so low.  My daughter and I did my shopping for all of the essentials, moisurizers, sun screen, stool softeners......lots of protein snacks.  I wanted to be prepared ahead of time.  I am working all week except Friday my first chemo treatment.  

I envy those of you with husbands to help you through this.  My daughter is 25 and married, they have both been great and don't live real far away.  But my husband of almost 26 years passed away unexpectedly 5 years ago at the age of 45.  I do still have my parents and siblings that live fairly close as well.  It is just the night time part that is the hardest.  My dog (beagle) does keep a really close eye on me.  I don't want you to feel sorry for me, just treasure what you have......they are trying to be supportive in what ever way they can but most likely aren't sure what you need or how to react to all that is going on.  The place where I am having my chemo sessions had a chemo class I HAD to go to.  They won't let anyone start unless they attend the class.  I took my sister and daughter with me.  We all learned a lot.  What to expect what to eat and how often (every 2-2 1/2 hours, lots of protein) and to drink 2 liters of liquids a day (no soda doesn't count).

A few months and this will be all over, here is to looking ahead.

Kate...welcome back to the land of "feeling good". Good luck with the Bat Mitzvah planning.

Pat

Elkatho - if you haven't seen them, Rebecca Katz has a couple of excellent books on nutrition during cancer treatment. One is called "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen" and the other is "One Bite At A Time." She is a chef who works with a cancer wellness center in California and her recipes are really yummy and healthy. Hope that helps!

AmyJax - do you go for your next Chemo on the 29th?  I thiought you said we were on the same schedule, but couldn't remember.  Today is the first day since my first treatment I didn't have to take an anti-nausea pill - was so excited!

I've heard from others that the last bits of hair on your head are itchy.  Anyone experiencing that?  I'm day 7 out from my 1st Chemo so just playing the waiting game on my hair loss.  I order some things from tlcdirect.com.  I thought they were pretty affordable.  I have a wig too so will be interested to see what I end up wearing the most.  Kinda nervous about the losing hair thing...but I guess, who wouldn't be

Have a great night everyone.

Pattysmiles - when I went to the LGFB program, they emphasize making sure you drink lots and definitely get lots of protein.  They said it's good for you because it helps you keep your strength and helps rebuild tissues harmed by cancer treatment.

Kate, so glad you are doing better.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes for tomorrow.  I'm ready!

Sorry I'm not focussed enough to remember names, but what I was told about eating through chemo is this:

Stay away from spinach, avoid salad or lettuce during your low white cell time (usually days 4-10 when I was on the every other week schedule).  For the first few days, avoid whole grains (they sit in your stomach longer and can cause nausea).  Protein is good, small meals (which I definately found useful - I still feel sick two weeks out if I eat a big meal).

If you have Trader Joe's near you, their dill pickles are amazing.  Otherwise, whatever dill pickles you like.  Those are one of those things that you can taste.  Most sweets I thought were bland (cookies -even when I made them myself), candy, etc.  Lemonade (crystal light packets are awesome), to shake it up, I bought a bottle of raspberry syrup and put a drop (literally a drop) into my cup of lemonade.  Make sure you drink a lot.  You WILL be thirsty. I was always an iced coffee drinker and that went away during chemo.  Lemonade and water, with some OJ thrown in.  I've expanded my horizons and right now I'm drinking peach/mango juice which I think also has sweet potato in it.  It's yummy.

Lorrie,

You are right, no one can understand, not even us at times!

Good luck tomorrow. You are right,one of them will win the pool, be there when they exchange the money, then DEMAND the money, or lunch on them! Lol



My "bald head" story.

I used to go to an annual Super Bowl party, not because I like football, just for the box. After my first son was born I had no babysitter, so my husband and I drove to the annual party, held In A bar, with lots of cigarette smoking and went in to get our numbers (just prior to the party starting). One of the guys I know came over to say hello, and rubbed my baldy babies head. I instantly KNEW he was going to win the pool for $5K and I told him " you just rubbed the Irish luck out of my babies head and you are going to win!" And he did. To this day I tell him he should be putting some money into my sons college fund! Bottom line, when those men start rubbing your head tell them to go play lotto, but make sure they put you in for a part of the take!

Pat

As shocking as it was to shave my head, I found it very freeing.  Haven't had to use a hair brush in months, quick to wash, rub a towel over my head to dry.  I had my husband and my best friend who was visiting from out of town do it for me.  I won't tell you how many times the buzzer was clogged up with my curls.  

Bravo for your ladies taking control of what you can.  

Hi everyone, I am starting chemo today(in 3 hrs). I am as prepared as I'll ever be. I've read all your posts, thank you so much for posting here! I had my lumpectomy and nodes done April 1st. One positive node 1.5 cm which is quite large I'm told.

I'm getting FEC x3 then Taxotere x 3 which I have not heard mentioned here. Then 6 wks rads.

Did anyone else get FEC? Wish me luck!

Lily 28 - hope Chemo went okay for you today!  I was really nervous my 1st time last week, but the actual day of Chemo went fine.  Welcome to the group!

Go my OncoType DX back today - so glad I am doing the Chemo!  I had a recurrence score of 44!

Kate, glad you are feeling better! I hope future rounds have much less side effects!



Momofsam don't be too alarmed by your oncotype. I see you are her2 positive which always throws it into the high recurrance category as the test is usually done in hormone positive/her2 negative women. Doing chemo is of course the right choice, for all of us! Too bad it has to suck in the process.



My complaints remain trivial and vain. I'm just terribly exhausted, no motivation to move, bored with being a sloth. I cut back on the steroids this time but I'm still gaining weight like crazy. My onc even commented on it. Nice. The acne had cleared up by round 2 and now it's coming back after a few days of steroids after treatment. Not as bad as last time though. I lint roll my shaved head and can't believe all the little hairs that come out, I'm on my way to Mr. Clean style!

Itiswhatitis- gads. It is wonderful having the support of our spouses, but sometimes they can be infuriating. My husband didn't really want to discuss things at all until we had the full picture (and this was weeks after first diagnosis!). He was sure that my friends and coworker's show of support somehow was indicating that they didn't think he could take care of me. We ended up having a great honest discussion about what I needed and how I felt when he acted a certain way, and it was very helpful.  This journey definitely merits new discussions - you never know what people will say or do!

Lily28 - how are you faring? I hope you made it through safe and sound (of course you did). The anticipation was the worst. In a week you'll be through the worst part and hopefully enjoying a "week off" as someone has said previously (I can't recall who). As far as tumors in the nodes, I had one axilla node completely engulfed - something like 2.2cm. (The doc noticed it during a manual exam, and was surprised I didn't notice it, ha!) I've seen it on the site from others as well. I figure that means that the node did an AWESOME job at keeping the cancer IN, instead of spitting it elsewhere.

mcgis- thinking of you as you get your port. I'm nervous about mine too. Hopefully we'll have a good (knocked out?) experience and won't be too sore for too long.

Jenna- those steroids drive me nuts too. I'm speckled practically all over (luckily my face is not too pizza-ish, but my back, arms, chest - ick!!!). I bought the lint roller too - asked my hubby if he'll lint roll the head as the hairs start dropping. I've even laughed with my coworkers that they're going to have to vacuum my office floor daily to pick-up my hair scraps. Ha. 

Jenna- I am on a vicious roid rage right now! OMG I am sooooo hungry, trying to eat good things.But.....not looking forward to that weigh in tomorrow! I am also wired to the max. I am trying to compensate with what my husband refers to as my "cleaning frenzy" mode. The bad thing is I have to take another one later today. Tomorrow is my big day, round 2! Guess I wont sleep much tonight!

Buzz cut ladies...its gonna go soon. Take command and shave it! It made me cry a bit but It did make me feel in control, is that weird? I was so tired of raining stubble!

LJaeger- vacuum your work station...LOL you should post that one on the "You know you are a cancer patient when.." site

Hugs to all!