Starting Chemo in December 2013

I may be joining this group too. I have an appointment with an oncologist on November 15th to discuss chemo. They want to start ASAP, so I am anticipating December 2013.

atlbraves and all the ladies starting in December, I just wanted to stop by and offer some encouragement. I started chemo November 30th last year. For me as I am sure it is for you, chemo was a big scary unknown and I feared that I would get every side effect and reaction known to mankind and then some! Happily I can say that for me and for many, many women, chemo days were just long and boring. And remember that not everyone will get every side effect. Some of you may breeze through chemo with hardly any SE's and others may take the scenic route with a few more difficulties along the way. Stay connected with each other on this board, because when no one else understands how you are feeling or what you are experiencing, chances are someone else on this thread will be feeling the exact same way and will understand.

A few suggestions that you may have already heard are: ~Drink lots of water the day of chemo and for several days after, this will really help to flush the toxins out of your system. ~If you will be getting anti-nausea meds in your IV (most of you will), take stool softeners or something like Benefiber the day and night before your treatment. Anti-nausea meds are notorious for causing constipation. ~It is much easier to stay ahead of the nausea, rather than trying to treat it once it sets in. ~if you get mouth sores, ask for a script for Magic Mouthwash. It works wonders. ~For any SE that you are unsure of, call your MO's office. They really don't want you to suffer needlessly.

Lastly, there really is life after chemo and you will surprise yourself at how strong an resilient you really are! 51 weeks ago I was getting my port put in and was nervous wreck, tomorrow I am having my port removed. My energy is back and my hair is making a slow return. You too will get there! Hang in there and stay connected to each other!

I had a bilateral nipple and skin sparing mastectomy with expanders and the first fill on November 4th. I had the first two drains out in one week and second two out today. I had a breast lift and small implant 7 years ago, I pain-wise I was not surprised. I could raise my arms within two days. My team of doctors thought that I would only have to have Tamflaxin because my margins were clean and nodes were clear. Well, surprise! My Onco-dx score was 24 so that gray area so we decided on chemo. My port will be placed on Nov 27 and then I begin. I am going wig shopping tomorrow. I appreciate any advice. It was not the words I wanted to hear but I know my doctors as friends so I feel like they are sending me on the right course. I don't know anyone my age at Stage 1 getting chemo so, I was glad to find this board.

Goldie, I actually went wig shopping today and feel SO much better about starting chemo in a couple of weeks. I went to a salon that specializes in hair loss and am ordering a human hair wig that looks exactly like my hair (only healthier!). Human hair may be styled and is better suited for mid-longer hair. Synthetic hair is less expensive and there are really some good ones out there, but just be aware that if it hits past your shoulders, the ends will get frizzy and "pill". Also you wouldn't be able to style a synthetic wig (though from what I understand, none is really needed). Also found some 'underhair' on www.hatswithhair.com and may consider that for exercising.

Anyone try the "Look Good, Feel better" program? From what I hear it's pretty good and they supply you with free makeup - bonus!!

My MO is hoping to start around 12/12. May be sooner depending on how quickly I am healing. He will be staying in close contact with my BS which makes it really feel like "my team" Already have my wig, got a prescription from my MO for a "cranial prosthesis" My insurance covers up to a certain dollar amount each calendar year. Went scarf shopping yesterday and have found some online sites that teach you different ways to tie them. Have only mastered one so far. Have warm, soft hats for cold days, still looking for sleep cap though.

Will be attending the Look Good, Feel Better program. It is held in the same building as my MO.

My sister found me a great site, that I have been "eyeball shopping" on. (Looking without purchasing) LOL. Link for site below!

Hats,wigs,eyebrows etc...

I've been doing some research while home recovering from my BMX and want to share. Just went and bought some Sally Hansen Tough as Nails clear polish, which is supposed to help with the peeling/falling off of nails (yikes). Heard icing fingers and toes while getting the chemo infusion helps, too, but that doesn't sound very fun. I also bought Brian Joseph's Eyebrow and Lash gel to help prevent brows and lashes from falling off, which I guess often happens towards the end of chemo (though they recommend start using the gel earlier). Claritin is supposed to help with bone and joint pain. Bren58, thanks for the mouthwash suggestion. I looked for Biotin mouthwash at my Target but they don't carry it. Also heard baking soda rinses help with the mouth sores. Stock up on ginger and carbs for nausea. Man, this all doesn't sound fun at all! I have to keep telling myself that it's a few short months of feeling like crap but in the end it will all be worth it. We can do this!! xo

Goldie, what shocked you about being in the gray area?

Erin - good luck tommorow! I had a lumpectomy with breast reduction in August and am amazed at how quickly it's possible to recover from serious breast surgery. I'm sure you'll do beautifully!

atlbraves, I''m at DF/B&W, too! Looks like we'll be starting chemo within a few days of each other. I'm three weeks out from my BMX and feel great, if you have any questions at all about your upcoming surgery feel free to contact me. I know it's scary but I'm sure you'll do great.

Here is the program finder link for Look Good, Feel Better, just type in your zip and it will pull up programs near you. They are usually offered at treatment centers so you may be able to find one where you are receiving treatment:

http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs

Post-op today was great, drains removed and cleared to start chemo any time after 11/28...waiting to hear back from MO, most likely will find out start date after Echocardiogram next Monday.

Hello ! I am starting TC on December 4. I was supposed to have Dose Dense ACT but went for a second opinion at Penn where they suggested TC instead. My Dr agreed. My surgery was Sept 20 and re-excision Oct 3 so I hope I haven 't waited too long to begin. I put it off a bit. I will probably be joining this group, as well. Anyone getting TC ? Thank you for being here. None of us have to feel alone

Hello All,

I will be following this post also. I will be seeing my oncologist on Tuesday for the first time. Not sure if I will be needing chemo or just radiation. I just had a lumpectomy on Nov 11th. My surgeon gave positive feedback on my pathology report which I'm stage 2 and was put in that category because of the size of lump 2.8cm, 3 lymph nodes removed all negative, ER/PR positive HER2 neg. They are waiting also for the oncotype report to determine chemo or not. I don't know which is worst though the hormonal drugs tamoxifan or chemo. To have to take this hormone drug for 5yrs and to me seems like no guarantee other then other health issues concerns me. So I have a lot of questions and thinking to do. As I have NO health issues other then this.

That is my hope as well. Good luck on the 29th. Stay STRONG!

Hi Ladies!

With much disappointment, I am joining this group as well. I am sure none of you take any offense to 'my disappointment' as to WANT to be part of a chemo group would also mean you are off your rocker!

I am leaving in an hour to get my port, ... fun!, fun!. I will start Taxotere and Carboplatin on 12/5 (every three weeks, 6 cycles total). I will also be starting my year long Herceptin regimine at the same time.

I originally thought I'd be on TAC so I had been starting the process of wig shopping but found out I will not be on TAC afterall when I went for my pre-chemo labs earlier this week. So I am going to try the cold caps, as I hear there is a good success rate on TCH. I guess I will find out! I am curious if anyone else in our group will be trying them as well.

Stay Strong!,

Stephanie