August 2013 Chemo Sisters

I was diagnosed may 28, 2013, I think I'm definitely in the denial stage. Or disbelieve I'm only 29, and got diagnosed 10 days before my wedding. The wedding itself was stressful...At that point I was stage 1a and not even 2 weeks later I jumped to a 2b. I just started chemo 1 week ago and I am more that freaked out about loosing my hair, my hair is me I mean I already lost my breasts now my hair! What part of me will be left?! This is my first time venting publicly I hate to sound so pessimistic but I am very salty about loosing my hair, I've been trying to stay positive through the headaches, dry heaving, acid reflux, etc but loosing my hair is definitely going to be the worst. It's nice to know reading some of your posts that others have the same concern, thanks everyone for sharing it really did make me feel better!

Ashley, First welcome you came to the right place. It is hard to loose our hair.  Just today 15 days after chemo my hair start shedding.  I was really believing it wasnt going to come out. (im still thinking its not going to come out haha)  Im sick to my stomach right now. I think most of us are in some kind of denial.  Loosing our hair makes it real. I did hear someone say it was depressing at first, but when it comes out alot of stress goes away.  Its always the unkown that bothers us once we get through it, it feels better.

Im sorry here I am welcoming you while I go through my little crisis.  Thats the nice thing about this group you can cry and let out your feelings. The next day be uplifting to someone else.

Wishing you strength and support during the trials of this disease. It is difficult not to think of our mortality. You are not alone. I am doing as I am told and keeping the positive thoughts pumping. It really helps me to have "cheerleaders" around me to remind me that I can continue to fight.

Lyndsey32,  Today is day 15 for me and im starting to shed., Im sick to my stocmach about it. Im also going to the Look Good Feel Good given by the american cancer society and looking forward to it.  I know what you mean I dont want to be the feel bad for me person either so I also try to be positive at least on the outside but cant always do that on the inside.  You have come to the right place for an outlet to share emotions and get lots of knowledge and support.There are alot of wonderful ladies.  welcome

Lindsey-we all try to act stronger than we are. That is the good thing about the forum, you can let you guard down and say what you are feeling. We all support each other here.



Sharon- I had to wait 3 weeks after surgery before starting chemo.



It is sad that with everything we are all facing with our treatments that the hair loss has such a big impact on us.

My hair fell out in clumps around day 16. I then had it shaved to a #1. I wear the wig outside of the house. I sometimes wear a bandana scarf in the house. My kids and bf took the hair loss better than me. I try not to over think everything and am grateful that I am alive. Acceptance of my TE loss (for now) and hair loss have been very hard though. I feel for all of you and your suffering.

Welcome to all the newcomers!  Prayers out to all who aren't feeling well, those who are stressed + who are afraid.  Face your fears head on and put the enemy of cancer under your feet.  In Christ we are more than conquerors! 

Thank God that our tumors were found + are being treated.  I thank God that He is working through my medical team to bring healing to my natural body!  Let's trust the process and be gratiful + thankful for every minute of every day we are given.  Let's take this opportunity to love more, live more and laugh more!  Yesterday is gone + tomorrow is not guaranteed!  All we have is today + this moment.  Let's be present!

We are so much more than chemotherapy, radiation, mastectomies, lumpectomies, cancer, ports, side effects + meds . . . we are WOMAN, created in the image and likeness of God!  Hear us ROAR!!!  This dis-ease can only touch our bodies (+ possibly our emotions); it can NOT touch our Spirits (the part that connects us to God).  Stepping off my preaching stand . . .

Like other's here, I have not shed 1 tear.  4th day since 1st treatment . . . still feeling good!  The say having a positive attitude helps heal and we all know that laughter is the best medicine! 

Does anyone know a good + funny joke?

Blessings, Joy + Peace to everyone!

Welcome to our new comers but I am very sorry this has happened to you, Ashley dear you are far to young to have to deal with this in your life right now, I pray for peace of mind for you, " The peace that passes all understanding" that comes from Christ and he will give it to you if you just ask. I was Dx on may 31st and I was just wondering today " Do I really get this? Really get this?" I don't know but in 2 days I will start my chemo and that just freaks me out!!!!! Ashley I am 50 and I don't get it:-( This is such a great thread and we are all here for each other, so cry, scream, laugh and encourage, care here for all of you🌹



Shary🌞

FMG, got a good one.



A man arrived at the gates of heaven and was ushered in by St. Peter. After an long tour of everything, they decided to get something to eat. So they stopped in a cafeteria and though there was a long line they patiently waited.



When they were finally at the head of the line, a man in a long white coat with a stethoscope around his neck rushed in front of them and demanded immediate service.



The man who just got to heaven was amazed at such behavior and asked St Peter, "Who is that guy?"



St. Peter replied: "Oh that's God, he thinks he's a doctor."

Beeve, rice, cola beverages, and best of all, chocolate are all constipating.

Good one Lisa😄

Beeve, so sorry you are feeling so crapy😰let's of good suggestions here, my thoughts and prayers are with you for healing.



Shary🌞

Thank you JN, My surgery was July 12 and my chemo has not been scheduled yet due to the fact that I went to check out a clinical study for Triple Negative Breast Cancer. As it turned out, there was no trial into which my stats fit, so I had to go back to my original oncologist. My appointment is Monday, Aug. 19. I don't know how long after that appointment the chemo will start. I'm 68, so I'm expecting a lot of tests beforehand, not sure. My cancer, being TNBC, is grade 3, the most aggressive. That is why I'm chosing to have chemo, although I could opt out and only have radiation. I am afraid to do that since there is no targeting medication for TN like there is for positive ER/PR cancers. I want to hit it with everything they have since it will be a 5 year waiting game after everything is said and done. That is the scary part. I am gambling either way. If I do chemo, I may have permanent side effects. If I don't do chemo, I may get a recurrence in the first 1-3 years. TNBC is famous for recurring quickly. It is about 12 times more likely to recur in the first 3 years as the positive breast cancer. I'm so new at this. I'm so glad all of you are here to discuss these scary issues. I feel for the young people who get this disease. I am a great-grandmother and have had a great life. I still want to live on, but I can't imagine having it when I was young and had my children. God bless all of you and thanks so much for being here for everyone to vent their fears. Sharon

ForMyGrandaughter, thank you for putting things back in perspective and reminding me who is in control.  Preach it any time l need to be reminded every so often.  Thank you

Candi, my port site is still sore after 4 days, but you should have seen the chemo nurse beam at me for having one! Besides the Emla cream she used a numbing spray and it didn't hurt one bit. I was really glad to have it! I guess it's like a drain, as much as they are a pain in the butt, it's great what they do for us!



Beeve, how awful! I was surprised to see you list cottage cheese - I always thought dairy was not good for diarrhea? Bananas rice, applesauce and toast. If you re concerned about protein maybe ßome plain sliced turkey? So sorry for your troubles.



Thanking God for a goodDay 1. Cooked dinner and.dessert, ate, felt a little off so took a Compazine. Headaches so some ibuprofen. And now bed. See you all tomorrow!

Oh, Cougarlicious, what a challenge for you! I had a friend who had cervical cancer when she was pregnant and both she and her baby boy did really well, but I'm not sure what drugs she was on.



So I had my first session picking wigs from a catalogue today, get to try them Saturday. My 19 year old daughter came to help and we loved the dark one with purple spikes but the wig lady didn't take us seriously at all. : ( she said I'd look like a clown with a very small head...and there I was trying to be adventurous!

Then chemo education with the nurse. Mmm. I was trying to feel upbeat but I always seem to come out of these meetings feeling a bit squashed. Saw the chemo room. 9 chairs in one smallish room, more like a hospital ward. No ice available. ( not a private hospital - I'm in NZ with free health care, generally good but financially squeezed in the current economic climate. I'm just really grateful I don't have to worry about paying for it).

I'm booked in for next Wednesday 21st. I get the port in under local anesthesia then I have my first chemo immediately. I'm wondering if I'll manage work the next day? If I tell myself this is just no big deal perhaps it will be : ).... Perhaps not.



Kid Joke: what do you do if you find yourself on a horse, with a giraffe next to you and a lion chasing you? - get off the carousel.