Starting Chemo July 2013

Thanks, Vilia for the link.  I'll check it out.  Puppymama ours is about 2K a year too, but is still cheaper than some I checked on.  Sorry I can't help more as I am a newbie wading through this too.  

Rambo, I have low hemoglobin too.  Slighty low before chemo, lower after first, then improved slightly after 2 but still not up to pre-chemo level.  However not so bad as to need a transfusion.  While I did try to eat a little more red meat than I normally do, I don't know if that was the key or if it recovered on its own.   And I have been  for massage, but I don't have a port.  I usually do swedish massage which is gentle, and I tell her what spots not to touch. 

GMA, I am one who had pain 1st neulasta, very low low back, but no pain subsequent shots.  Although I also did switch to ibuprophen from tylenol second shot, so maybe that is the difference. 

Lana I am eating too much.  Is that the steroids?  One day I'll want nothing but junk food and then the next I only want salads, but overall I feel I'm eating too much.  I just spent the spring losing 10 lbs and I don't want to gain it back.   

NC come to my house if you feel like cleaning!   Ok maybe you motivated me to at least run the vacuum in one room.  Maybe.    

Angela, if you have distention and vomiting, that could deserve a trip to the ER, but it sounds like you are on the mend.  Pretty scary. 

I think my few good days are going to be taken up with chores.  My dog is sick and needs to go to the vet.  My contact lens prescription is done so I'll have to hit the eye doc.  Need my wig trimmed, etc, etc.    

TwoHobbies, my contact prescription was up a couple weeks ago. After reading how chemo can cause blurred or fuzzy vision I called my eye doctor and they recommended waiting until I'm done with chemo to have an exam. They were really understanding and sent me 3 months worth of contacts from my old prescription to tide me over.



Tomorrow is infusion #2 for me. Dreading this in a different way than the first one. I am determined not to get dehydrated this time and hoping for less bone pain. I only have 4 rounds of TC so hitting the halfway mark is exciting. I am planning to work on day 2 because it is the first day of school but I will have my sub with me there also. I was fine on day 2 last time so I'm counting on that being true this time too. I met most of my new students and their parents on Friday. We have a time when they can come in to drop off their supplies and meet the teacher. The best part though was how many parents from last year stopped in to see how I was doing and wished me the best. I will really miss that class.



Trying to decide if I want to jump on the Buff bandwagon. You all are pretty convincing! Have a good week everybody.

I'm late to the group, but started in July with the rest of you. I am a mammographer whose IDC was found on my screening mammogram, April 9th of this year. The cancer was less than 1cm, so that meant a "simple" lumpectomy and radiation. Okay, I can do that. My breast surgeon asked for an MRI, which showed 3 more areas of the same IDC. After my mastectomy, a total of 6 areas of cancer were found. Two cancers that didn't show up on any imaging studies. I was large breasted and was, of course, curious as to how I would feel when I saw no breast where my left one used to be. It's been three months since my surgery and I really enjoy how light I feel. I'm not happy this happened, but I'm determined to find the upsides.  Mellie289, my first chemo and Neulasta shot were no problem at all. I, of course, hoped I'd always be so lucky, but being that the effects of chemo are cumulative, I knew things could be different. Had my second chemo on July 30th. What a difference! After my Neulasta shot, I experienced pain in all my joints and my neck like I've never experienced before. I was crying like a baby and I usually have a high pain tolerance. I don't know about the rest of you, but I was given 4 different meds for nausea, but nothing for pain. I called the cancer center an NO ONE answered! Their phone lines were down and I didn't know what to do. I called everyone I could think of that would have some info and finally, my supervisor, who used to be a chemo nurse told me Ibuprofen would be okay. With all the meds and chemo on board, I didn't want to make any mistakes and take the wrong thing. When I finally spoke to my MO's nurse, she said she and my MO were going to reduce my pre-chemo meds and do my Neulasta shot two days later instead of the next day. We'll see how that goes. Mellie, I wanted to know what you did about your hair. I did what they recommended and cut my medium length hair shorter so, in theory, it wouldn't be as traumatic when it started to come out. When it started coming in strands, I was okay with it, but when it changed to clumps, I had my hair stylist shave it. First she cut it so it was about one inch in length. When she put the razor to my head, I got really teary-eyed and then she started shaving. There was another client and her hair stylist next to me and, once I was bald, they said I looked beautiful and what a nice shaped head I had. It was what I needed to hear. Here's my surprise: I love my bald head! It's so nice and cool and cuts 15mins. off my time when getting ready in the morning. The downside: after this second chemo, my head has erupted with painful, itchy, ugly red acne. I want to take the steel brush you use to clean your bbq and scrape my scalp off, it itches so severely. Another breast ca pt had this happen and she recommends using Hibiclens and salicylic acid which is in many acne meds. I'm trying that now. I'll let you know if it works.  Mellie, did you end up getting a port? I got a port, because I didn't want to get poked for everything. I hope whatever you chose works out for you I'm glad we have this July chemo group, because I really need to hear from and share with others who are in this club we never wanted to join. This truly will be something we will look back on one day, but often, it feels like that's a long way away. I have a crazy question. Since this has happened, I have gotten rid of so much material stuff. Has anyone else done that? It makes me feel lighter and I'm sure the biggest reason is it's something that I have control over. What do the rest of you do to not live tx to tx? It's hard not to sometimes. My heart is with each and every one of you and I'm so grateful we have this forum for sharing.

Hello everyone , thank you all for your support . Round 3 of A/C on 8/15 so scared , round 2 hit me hard. My sister shaved my head , hair started falling out 3rd day post 2nd DD A/C . I dont miss my hair , and i totally believe that we all get emotional when we lose it not because of vanity but beause of the association with BC and Chemo , it becomes a more of a reality to us all . Bought my wig so expensive 500, been wearing buffers and scarves , just more comfortable.

Hannariggs , hope you're feeling better and loved your story about the dog .

JeriGrace , thank u for support

Rambo , so happy to hear you're enjoying work and feeling good

Soriya , hope you're SE subside

Realitycheck , hang in there !

Nocompromise , I'm positive you look great in your new bathing suit. Oh n yes I have a mild rash on nape of neck since shaved my head , skin sensitive there , sweat spot.

Lark , youre almost there , glad all went well with #3. loved the wig story , named mine RAT

Angelanature, hang in there almost to the finish line . Hope youre feeling better

Sorry I didnt mention all of you , but I do think and pray for all of us . I wish you all health {{{{HUGS}}}} TO ALL my sisters . Dont give  up and never second guess yourselves . XOXO

JeriGrace, good idea on the contacts.  Maybe I'll ask them for one more box till I get done. 

Honeybunny I've heard a lot of people say they buy a wig, wear it once or twice and that's it.  So if you love the scarfs, why bother? I'm sorry you are having a bad day.  Sometimes even sleep doesn't relieve the misery, does it?  At least keep up with your liquids. 

Welcome, KTLe.  I had two tumors and neither showed on mammogram.  Couldn't even find one w/ultrasound to do the biopsy.  So goodbye breasts.  I couldn't see feeling comfortable every six months that I was clear or not clear.  I definitely see the need to simplify too.  I love gardening and have a lot of garden beds, but I'll be darned I'm going to seed over two of them next year with grass as its' too much work.  The weeds have taken over and I didn't love the stuff that was in there anyway (from the previous owner).  

Hi, Stonel.  I learned that hoping you will feel better by a certain time has nothing to do with when you'll actually feel better!  So take care of yourself and it is what it is.   You will feel better at some point.  It just varies from person to person.  

KTLe, thank you for your post re: the path report finding the lumps not visible thru other means.  I am large breasted and while they recently found lymph nodes on other side (recurrence they say) I am convinced that they would find a new primary or part of the origial primary if they/when they take the bresats off.  So, after chemo, off they come.  I am scared abotu lymphedema but more afraid fo dying.

V

Honeybunny96, get some rest and please try to eat small meals and stay hydrated.

KTLe, hope your head sores subside, sounds painful.

Stonel, sorry you are not feeling well. Better days are coming.

To everyone else you are always in my heart and in my prayers.

HVV-

Sorry for the late post.  Ask your onc MD.  Mine suggested starting Senokot S the day before chemo.  It has a stool softener and a gentle laxative.  Also can add Miralax as suggested.  Good luck to you!

Hi All,GraceB1,I'm day 6 and feel the same way,dizzy and super weak,I don't go for blood test until tomorrow but i'm worried i'm anemic too,this 3rd infusion has been the worst! Maybe it's the constipation and now diarrhia making me feel this way,I'm considering calling to get counts today,though,the lower back pain is intense today,hopefully it's the nuelasta doing it's job. Does Nuelasta increase rbcs too? Hate mondays,i miss my hubby being around to calm me down when i'm in panic mode over my SEs. Angela

Hello To All Lovely Ladies,



5th day after #2 chemo feel a little better. I was so drowsy,nausea,fatique for the past days. Constipation got me this time. I took colac, so somewhat help me here n there.



Any of you lady req for bone or pet scan? I req my onc for pet scan.



I'm praying for all of us staying strong and we will make thru this tough journey! (Hugs to all)

Thanks Millie, maybe I should wait to do my Pet scan toward the end. The insurance already approved but I can wait. My onc kinda mention that I don't need it yet, but I asked for it anyway. By the way I didn't have bone or CAT scan, I just started wih chemo first....hmmmm.....

HVV-sorry, I went off about something else when I meant to talk about lymphedema. I had a wonderful lymphedema rehab person. You should have your doc schedule you for a pre-surg meeting with one. Since there's no way to know if/when a person will get it, it's great to know what to do on your part to avoid it. My therapist, Liz, had me see her twice a week for one month. She would have me do different exercises and massage my mastectomy side to get rid of any knots. It made me feel like I was taking an active role in my healing so it helped psychologically as well:) If your insurance covers it, I really think it's helpful. I had a $40 co-pay for each one hour visit, so it cost me about$320, but it felt totally worth it.

Hey Firecrackers! I had my second infusion of TC today and everything went well. Because of the problems last time, my MO reduced the dosage of both by 25%. I am concerned how this could affect my chance of recurrence but he said it would be minimal. Probably just trying to reassure me but I'm still worried. Maybe the lower dose will make SE easier - well I can hope! Will work tomorrow and get my Neulasta shot after work, then off for the rest of the week and the next week. Just not comfortable being around all the germs at school.



Thinking of all of you. Stay strong!

Good evening ladies.

Feeling a little better today, but still can't sleep! I hope I can tonight.  I know that I did get dizzy spells when I moved too fast.  I agree it's just the toxins in our bodies doing the nasty and causing all those SE's.  I don't always get them.. just sometimes.  The doc's haven't mentioned anything about  low counts or anything.  

Hand in there everyone! Love n Hugs to you all! 

Thought I would add my 2c on the scans debate



I was given both a bone scan and a CT scan whilst in hospital the 2 days after my Mx. June 20th and 21st

Bone scan on day 1 post Mx

And the CT scan on day 2.

Then they discharged me ( was only in Hosp 2 nights )



I got given the all clear for both scans about 4 hours after I had had them PHEW.



Never been so scared in my life waiting for the results anything else coyld have been there ....Felt like I was looking down the barrel of a gun. But obviously relieved they are over now

They told me it is rare to see any mets At initial bone scans -oh great so they see them on the second or third ones??? Then I hope they never recall me for another scan ))))

Hugs to all and good luck all you round3 ACers.