August 2013 Chemo Sisters

Oh yeah, and I groomed the schnauzer and cut my husband's hair all by 6: 30 pm. We just got back from our hill climbing and my hair is dripping sweat. I have two more hours before I wanted to go to sleep, so I'll have to think up things to do. I could vacuup the staircases. No. I think I'll pass. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot, I wrote a volume for an encyclopedia for breast cancer today. God bless all of you. I'll give my first after chemo report when I get home if I don't have a massive headache or something. I promise this is my last post today.

You are so beautiful, Marty. I will come. I'm glad there's another southerner on here. I feel like my accent sticks out sometimes. It seems that everyone else is from New York, California, New Zealand, Texas, New Jersey. Well, I welcome y'all's company.  I am doing well tonight. I probably won't sleep much because I'm still hyped up. I don't feel nervous. I just could paint the house. That's a good thing except it's brick and doesn't get painted. Think I'll get a prescription for sterhoids afterwards so I can get my spring cleaning done. I have done everything by the book so I hope you're right. If I have a bad experience, then we'll know all of that preparation wasn't even necessary. Or maybe it was. Maybe I would have a really severe reaction and have to be hospitalized. That would be awful. The hospital is about 1 mile from where I will be, so I guess I don't have anything to worry about. I still have to wipe my kitchen counters, but I will have time in the morning. I wanted to bleach them since I had raw chicken out. I used dish soap to wash it off, but I don't trust that after chemo. I am going to be extremely careful. I'll be 69 in November, so I don't want to push my luck. I'm a healthy 68 year old with cancer!!! I had better go brush my teeth and get myself close to my bed so I can fall in. My husband is in bed watching TV. I have a wonderful husband. I hope you have someone who cares for you and will help you through. It looks like you are on your second go-round. I can't imagine. I have triple negative, and it recurs quickly. That's why I demanded the most aggressive treatment I could get. There is no 5-year pill for triple negative. Mine is the most aggressive, but the tumor was 6mm, but it was IDC, so it could have gotten into the bloodstream. Here I go again. Sorry. My typing teacher taught us to type with paper over the keys so I am sitting here in the dark. It's a good thing sometimes, but when someone had to read my books, it must be taxing. Thanks for the

Here it is 11:30 pm and I'm not the least bit sleepy. I took two benedryl at 11, but I don't know if that is powerful enough to cut through these steroids. I promisesd I wouldn't write any more, but I must have lied, because here  am. I cleaned the drip pans on the stove, washed a sink-full of dishes because the dishwasher is full, ironed several blouises so I can snatch them out of my closet, found something to wear tomorrow, did two more loads of laundry, scoured the kitchen sinks with bleach and both bathroom sinks with scrubbing bubbles. Do you'll think I'm kidding? I haven't worked this hard since the wedding July 12 this summer. It needed it because after the wedding my husband and I crashed for a month. Now here we go again. I'm really not drunk. I just sound that way. I don't drink, unless my friends on the beach talk me into a margarita. I'm going to bed and see what happens. I may be up sweeping the yard with a whisk broom. What's in that stuff, anyway? I really am sorry I wrote so much today. Those times I was writing were my rest periods. God bless you all. I'm shutting this contraption down so I won't be tempted to write again. I heard someone say, "Finally!" Steroid Sharon I've been spelling that word incorrectly. Thought so, so I looked it up.

Martie, I can't even spell your name right when I see it on your avitar. Sorry

Lizzywhite, good luck tomorrow on your treatment, I hope all goes well, I have joined the ranks of non sleeping sisters tonight😕

Sharonanne, you got this lady, you will do great and keep us posted.I pray for minimal SE'S for everyone having treatment tomorrow.



Shary🍁

LIZZIE, I am so glad you're here this morning. I am the one who wrote volumes of text yesterday because TODAY is my first chemo! I promise not to hog the boards every day. I had taken 2 steroid tablets and it hyped me up so much I worked myself ragged yesterday.  What is good about thati s that these women don't mind. They're all here to encourage you and hold you up as they have me. You will meet all kinds of personalities, some of whom you'll click more than others because of common interests, but everyone's story is amazing and you will find comfort here. I was up at 4 this morning after going to sleep around 12. We're leaving at 9:30 EST to head to Northern Kentucky, where my doctors are located. You and I are on similar schedules, perhaps. I will go every 3 weeks for chemo, then 5-7 weeks for radiation. I have triple negative breast cancer. We'll all go through the mill for the very same reason...to eraticate every last cancer cell from our bodies. You are welcome here.  Thanks for the tips. I will buy Desitin today. I used it on my babies. Can we buy fluoride over the counter? Sharon

Shary, I slept from 12 to 4, so I was one of them last night, too. Thanks for the encouragement. If it hadn't been for this board, I would not be as confident heading to my first chem as I feel this morning. I am still a little high from the steroids, and today, they will give me more!!!!!On Tuesday, I have to take them one more time!!I really hope you have a good day with no pain and nausea.

Gashgold, I'll have to talk to my doctor for you. I'd be put in jail if I sent you some. I'm not sure if they would give me chemo there. Uh Oh. My husband is in trouble. He's an avid golfer. Is it lung cancer that golfers are coming down with? I know that the golf courses here use sprays to control weeds. That isn't sounding good to me. He's been a golfer all of his life and we go to Florida where he plays and I walk the beaches.  Next, I guess we'll hear that beach foam causes cancer. Well, maybe that's why I'm here. Have a good day. I declare that you are going to feel fantastic today, well, tonight, I mean. You're going to bed and we're getting up. I hope you can sleep and wake tomorrow feeling fantastic. I leave in 3 hours for the chemo. I'll picture you fast asleep with sweet dreams dancing in your head. When I get the recipe from my neighbor, I can send it to you. It can't get any better than hers. Sharon

Everyone, Declare yourselves a good day. I declare myself a good first chemo. They will find the vein in one poke, I will not have an allergic reaction, and I will finish up with no headache or nausea. Is that asking too much?

Sharonanne:You'll do well and so will I, I just know it. For everyone Biotene toothpaste and Biotene mouthwash is the way to go. My mouth got really dry after the first tx so this was my routine: brush four to five times a day (also the tongue) and rinse with the mouthwash. Also every night before bed, used the Biotene gel (diff product). All at Walmart!



Welcome Lizzie! Just realized we both have chemo today like Sharonanne. We'll all have to see where we're at later and compare notes.



Today is my baby's first day of 7th grade and my 2nd tx. Busy day. Didn't sleep well and am up too early.



I am declaring its going to be a great day!

Where do you live, Steelerfan? I am in East TN as well.

Gashgold, I'm sure you've already googled recipes, but her are 2 that look authentic: one uses a Betty Crocker mix, and the other is a scratch cake.





http://www.cafelatte.com/turtle_cake.pdf



http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chocolate-turtle-cake/20fb6793-6b6c-4dd2-82f1-96787d229b50



Enjoy!

Ladies: Here I am at chemo. Seriously! Almost half way through Taxotere. No reactions. My MO liked the cap I'm wearing. Only thing I can say is wow is it cold in here!



The MO was pleased again how well hydrated I am. Oh the nurse said no flu shot probably until chemo is done and the MO said that on my regimen (TC x 4) the SEs wouldn't get worse with the exception of fatigue.



I am thinking good thoughts and feeling peaceful. Hope everything is going well for everyone getting tx today!

Sharon Good luck today, I hope everything goes well for you and you have very little SE's. Will be thinking of you today.

Love, Rayna

Welcome Lizzie: I know what you mean about you limbs jumping around, I get like that for 5 days and cannot sleep even when so exhausted, my whole body won't let me stay in one position for very long so sleep is impossible you have to get up and move. someone told me to take my steroid night pill earlier in the evening but that doesn't help me because I can't sleep no matter what time of day. I was going to ask the onco for a sleeping pill but I might not because I don't need to be anymore tired and still not be able to sleep. Sorry wish I had some advice but if anyone has any I could use some too.

Love, Rayna

Hi Ladies, I had my 1st chemo tx on 8/21, i was okay till later, i was soooo nauseous and weak. We did end up going caming for the weekend, i just slept alot. I got my first neupgen shot today, my husband gets to do the other 6 for me, not sure how I feel about that yet, lol. I'm just feeling weak, fuzzy head feeling and acid reflux is really annoying. I just want one day where i actually feel okay, will that ever happen?? Getting my head shaved this friday with my sister who is my biggest support system. Also need to tell my boys what's going on, but not sure how to tell them, anyone have advice? thanks

Most of the women i work with and go to church with have and am otherwise been friends with have been Incredibly supportive. There are some who have surprised me, though. In one case, i know she just does not know what to do, but even the day she called me to invite us to their pool party, and I said i was sick in bed (not 20 feet from their pool) - i had to tell HER it was ok, to not worry about disturbing me with their noise and she was all surprised. SAID she had fruit for me, then it was 5 days later before she CALLED to say she had it, offering to bring it over as an afterthought. That said, some women are insensitive and some just don't have any sense!

Good thing none of US is like that ; ))))

Rayna, no surprise this woman didn't even come over! it's all about her. Hope she had a good time on Your boat. I am SO glad you went! Good for YOU! lets pray for no nasty germs...

Lisa - yay! fingers crossed for no SE's. you know from us what to expect if it happens!

Tonya, your boys look small. How about showing them pics of other BC ladies with no hair, say that's going to happen to YOU, too, cuz you're having the same medicine. They will no doubt think you are very cool. I suggest you might even offer them buzz cuts as well, and they can say "this is for my mom who's got breast cancer." Make it a part of regular discussion - the new normal for the whole family. It won't hurt them, it will make them stronger and more sensitive to people who are sick or "look funny".  Will your husband buzz cut too? Make a party around it! pink ribbon tshirts for everyone, etc.

I'm a lemonade from lemons kind of a gal, ya know!

Work is going well. I keep thinking about Sharonanne, hope all is going perfectly for her along with Lisa. I bet shes making multiple potty trips with all that hydration and is the belle of the infusion room, going around visiting with everyone as she zoooms on her steroids! A fun picture...

Tonya: Yes you will feel better eventually, I know with my first treatment, I didn't feel better until about Day 12, the exhaustion was so utterly complete that I couldn't even hold my kindle to read, not that I could read anyways because I couldn't concentrate on anything for more that 3 minutes, I would reread a paragraph 20 times before I would put my book down. Walking was difficult and would take me 20 steps to equal what before I would walk in 5 steps.

About your children, I don't know how old they are but if you are sick and have been going to doctors, I'm sure they know something is up already. Please tell them right away, let them know you have Cancer (use the word) and that you are doing everything you can to get better but that you will have to get a little sick first. Depending on their age just word things differently, If they ask the dreaded question "Will you die'? I said to my son that people do die from cancer but I am going to do whatever I have to, to make sure that doesn't happen.

I know its hard and I made the mistake of not telling my 11 year old son as soon as I found out and wanted to wait until I had biopsies, and knew for sure but that was a HUGE mistake. There were people coming over with flowers and food and hushed conversations, (that was enough for him to know something was going on) plus I had made a list of questions to ask the surgeon and he decided to clean for me one day and found the list) When I finally asked him if he felt things had be different around the house he said Yes and then I asked him if he thought he knew what was going on and he said "Do you have cancer?" I told him yes and asked why he didn't come to me when he found the note and he said "I thought you would be mad at me" (OOOH, my poor baby) I had to explain that I was only waiting so he wouldn't have to worried if it turned out to be nothing. Now at this point he felt we were keeping things from him or that it was none of his business and that we were lying to him. What is he going to believe now?

I tell him everything now, there is nothing I won't tell him and I reassured him that I wouldn't exclude him anymore no matter what was involved.

This did a bit of damage too because ever since he has been having panic attacks and seperation anxiety and I know most of it is over the fact that his Mom has cancer but I can't help thinking if I had done this differently he may have adjusted to the news better than he did.

Be truthful, this affects the whole family and they need to know and they aren't stupid they know more than we ever give them credit for.

I knew the day I was going to have the talk with him and I'd get ready to say something and get chocked up so I'd wait and then I just knew when the timing was right and I was in control so I wouldn't start bawling and scare him, I was very calm and didn't shed a single tear, which I think helped. I told him I was scared, they have to know we are not invincible to such things as fear.

I hope I helped or shed some light on the subject for you, if you want more information or want to talk more about it Private Message me, I'd be happy to help.

Love, Rayna

Hello all! Back from chemo 2. I am so definitely jazzed on the steroids forgive me in advance for long and/or multiple posts.



I just started on SE meds which my MO gives on a schedule before nausea starts. Took steroid, Zofran and Ativan and. Pepcid AC because I could feel sore throat starting. I plan to take Pepcid everyday now throughout chemo as recommended by the nurse. Also started taking Colace. (stool softener) three times a day.



Had new SE oh boy. Weakness in legs so I put in a call to MO to see if this is a concern. Still going for a walk later.



The tx itself was very uneventful and took 2 hours. Side effect meds first then Taxotere then Cytoxan and at the end heparin to flush the port. I used lidocaine cream on the port 2 hours before put Saran Wrap over it; it did not hurt w the needle at all. Have to say I love the port.



Discovered I have a birthmark I didn't know about! On the back of my neck and scalp is a irregular red mark the size of an Oreo. It's a 'stork bite'! Since I have never not had hair even as an infant no one knew. Well makeup would cover if I want bald is beautiful looks. Maybe I should have a henna tattoo there reading "stupid cancer" in fancy writing to cover it.