Starting Chemo in December 2013

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited November 2013


    if you're interested in a peek ahead at what's coming, the November 2013 chemo group is in the middle of hair loss and other side effects. They are delightful and full of useful information and honest responses to how the first rounds of treatment are going.

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    5 days post chemo & 4 days post neulasta... No aches & no nausea. I have my appetite & energy back. I feel normal again. No mouth sores or other issues. Just cravings for fried egg & peanut butter (not together...LOL). My body must want proteins. No hairloss yet...still waiting on that one! :)

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  • KLI
    KLI Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2013


    my first chemo has just been moved up to Thursday the 5 th and I broke down in panic today. I feel like I should know more about how to prepare. I have been told acupuncture after each treatment can help the neuropathy. But I have not yet found and scheduled it. We are supposed to start drinking a lot before how soon before and how much? Is there anything else to prepare?

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  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    KLI which Tx are you receiving. I get my port in on Thursday, 11/05/13, and my first infusion is the next day on 12/06.

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    KLI - I go for acupuncture the day before my chemo. I don't think it matters when you go...acupuncture isn't like drugswith respect to timing...It just needs to be in close proximity to your chemo. The principle behind it is to get your chi (life's energy) flowing so that your body can heal itself. Qi gong exercises at home can help to...kind of like physio for your chi channels. If you are interested I could find the link to some easy qi gong exercises for BC.


    As for drinking water...I try to always stay well hydrated (8 x 8 oz fluids per day min). I added in an extra 1 or 2 8 oz glasses the day prior, and a few the day of chemo...to get me peeing and dilute my urine. Don't drink so much that you feel overly full or bloated, or you may be nauspus from just the fluids.


    As for preparing...I made a chicken stock prior (could easily just buy chicken stock or chicken noodle soup), as it is easy to digest and a good simple meal for any digestive side-effect. I also stocked up on simple foods high in protein (high protein boost, cottage cheese, eggs, greek yogurt, baked beans, soups). I didnt feel like cooking & wanted something quick when I felt hungry in case the feeling passed quickly. Variety is good, cuz what I wanted to eat varied with each hour...or so it seemed.


    In hindsight, you may want to have ice handy or popsicles. I made hubby go get me popsicles the next day...keeps your mouth cool to prevent sores & helps hydration & is just a fun treat. I also found the taste of tap water horrid after my chemo. I could taste every chemical in our tap water. I had hubby also pick up some water flavour drops (cherry pomegranate is what he came home with) & it was sooooooo much better.

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  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013


    Best wishes to all for a happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!


    Boy, it just sunk in that we're diving into the chemo pool in the thick of the holiday season. Someone commented to me today that I could wear a Santa hat in a couple of weeks when I've lost my hair. I was not amused...I'm not feeling jokey. I think they're going to get coal in their stocking. :)


    KLI, I feel totally unprepared, too. We'll be ok!

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  • joanmj58
    joanmj58 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2013


    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone on this board! I get my port placed Monday. Chemo class on Thursday. 1st chemo treatment on Friday? Or soon after that. I have been reading the boards on chemo and have learned a lot! Will post when chemo starts and what my SE will be! Hoping for little SE.


    Joan

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  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    It seems like a few of us start our chemo next week. Enjoy the blessings of this day.


    Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    link to qi gong exercises for breast cancer (if anyone is interested):


    http://www.breastcancer.com/qigongmovements.html

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited November 2013

    Hi gals I am new to this site, I joined yesterday... finally after reading and reading.... It looks like I am starting chemo late next week.  I have my wig on its way and scripts ready to roll.  Freaked totally out but just want to get this started... I can't add my stats yet as I am not sure on all the staging.. I do know I am being treated as TN but have one variant that they don't which is a slightly positive receptor for tomoxifen (spelled wrong I am sure)  so that was my little ray of sunshine in a dark place.  I love the fact that this is here.. that we can share joy, tears... aches and pains and everything in between.  Looking forward to chatting.. cheers

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  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    Kimie:


    Welcome to "The Boards". We are all starting the same time. We will ALL have one another to get through. I made my decision in my OC's office yesterday. I will not look back!


    Had the blood work done, scripts faxed, picked up Senocot, Claritan, Prilocet, biotin toothpaste, mouthwash and spray. All this prep in case of side effects. At least I have it in the house (just in case). I am getting my flu shot tomorrow, replacing the water filter in my refrigerator, and buying a few cases of Gatorade. I am set pretty much.


    Enjoy the blessings around you and "Try" not to stress. You got this girl!!! :)


    Liz

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  • kjfromca
    kjfromca Member Posts: 283
    edited November 2013


    Happy Thanksgiving ladies. I hope you all have a wonderful day with friends and family. My daughter who is 18 signed us up to make pies this year. Had a lot of laughs in the kitchen last night, as we are not bakers... God only knows how the pies will taste, but at least we get an "A" for effort. 2 pumpkin, 2 berry, 2 chocolate, 1 costco apple.


    Kim

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  • KLI
    KLI Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2013


    thanks for the link lorreymom I will check it out. You sound pretty upbeat that is nice to see. I have the class on Monday they will decide about a pick line which would go in Wednesday and first treatment Thursday. I tried to just enjoy thanksgiving and my children today. I hope all of you found a few bright spots in the day.


    What is prilocet? And where do you find biotin toothpaste?

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  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    KLI:


    I just bought Biotine toothpaste, mouth spray, and north was at my local grocery store Acme.

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited November 2013


    CVS and Walgreens both carry Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2013


    Hi all, and thanks for sharing on this thread!


    Just stopping in to provide some helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.


    There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!


    Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:


    Also, Last Month's Chemo thread might be informative!


    Hope you find this helpful!


    --Your Mods

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  • OneTexasDay
    OneTexasDay Member Posts: 162
    edited November 2013


    KLI: I start chemo 12/5 and will be trying the cold caps. I have so much to do before Thursday in prep and I am obviously dragging my feet.....


    Are you still considering cold caps?

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    All ready for hairloss! :). Washed all my scarfs (I have a very exciting collection now. Shopped at Ardene's & thrift stores before I started chemo...averaged about $2 per scarf... Bonus cuz I went from 1 scarf to about 20. LOL ). I got some awesome hair clip flowers & lightweight broaches to jazz up my new headgear. Watched a ton of scarf tying videos & practiced. Got some hats (from Ardene's & Headcovers.com). Got 2 wigs (one that is similar to my current style & color. And one fun one because I liked it and it was on clearance for $50!).


    Bring on the hairloss!! :). LOL. Can't wait to try out my new fashions. :). Apparently my hair should start to come out next week.


    This was my favourite headscarf tying video. I love this girl's attitude!!! She is one of my new hereos! :)


    http://youtu.be/kCHVW-PuXDQ

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited November 2013

    I love  how so many embrace hairloss !! I am trying so hard to embrace,  the wig is en route it should be here Monday it is a small price to pay, it just doesn't make it any easier .. I have watched some videos on the scarves.  I am so torn on what to do .. shave my head...cut it short... my hair is very long always has been.  I don't think I want to witness all this hair falling out.  decisions, decisions....:)

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    kimie... I read on the November forum that one person hasn't lost her hair yet at 24 day (I think). You got lots of time to decide. I have noticed though (at day 6) my hair feels dead. It is truly lifeless, dull, and won't hold any style. Someone on the Nov forum said it was "like a dead animal sitting on top of her head". Mine hasn't started to fall out yet. But my hair is so aweful now, it may as well start coming out. I won't shave yet, but I feel that day will be soon. I have started to wear my hats in public though. Ultimate bad hair days lately.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013

    kimie, you have beautiful hair! I don't blame you for not wanting to lose it. I struggle with it, too. I ended up cutting mine off (a pony tail to donate) in a bob for now, just to get used to it a little. Then, I will probably cut it shorter in a wk or so after chemo, before it falls out. I have heard on other threads that it can be annoying, irritating, itchy, sometimes painful and if it is shorter, it's not quite as painful, I guess. Also, get a satin pillowcase so it will cause less friction while you sleep and may not be as irritating to your scalp. I couldn't find a satin pillow case, so will make one. Get a sleeping cap or hair net so you don't wake up with it all over the place and think a critter crawled in bed with you! Good luck-this is hard! I'm not really embracing it , but I think I am coming to terms with it.


     

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2013

    I am the one whose hair did not fall until day 24 - but that is very unusual - it usually happens at about day 14.  I also had very long hair - almost down to my waist.  I could not donate it because it had been highlighted, so I donated it to myself - in a way. I cut 8" ponytails off all around, and then my stylist cut a cute pixie cut. I  sent my hair, still in the ponytails, to this company www.hatswithhair.com and the lady there made me an "underhair" out of my own hair.  They can also make one out of human hair or synthetic hair that they stock if you own hair is not long enough.  It has a soft fabric top - kind of like t-shirt fabric - that is shaped in a cap and my hair was attached in a ring all the way around just above ear level.  You have to wear a hat with it, but I wore ball caps and cute fedoras, and you could also wear a slouchy beanie type soft hat as long is it was tightly woven.  This hairpiece was more comfortable, and cooler, than my very nice wig, and I wore it much of the time.  Definitely the best money I spent on hair related things.  I never wore scarves, or hats without the underhair, out of the house - I just really didn't want to put that onto others when I was out - didn't want to get the look, but that was my personal decision.  Two things - you can take your wig to your hairdresser and they can trim it, or thin it, to look like your own style if you are trying to match.  Also, many insurance carriers will reimburse you for your wig - but you need a prescription from your oncologist for a "cranial prosthesis" to get it covered.

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited November 2013

    thanks for chiming in ladies.... I know its coming and I've been doing my best to prepare, I ordered what appears to be a gorgeous wig. I am actually a hairstylist so I know I can trim or style it, thank goodness.   I think I know once it happens its like everyone knows right.  There is no way to hide it.  It not longer is just your business.. HA, I had a ct scan yesterday and  the bone scan is Monday, I know its just precautionary tests but its terrifying.   Teaching lesson on Tuesday regarding the chemo then away we go..............

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  • joanmj58
    joanmj58 Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2013


    I have a question. I am having six treatments of TC. Why six and not four?


    Joan

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2013


    kimie... You are right! Hairloss labels you as "Cancer Patient". Not looking forward to that. I have an appointment with a Certified Fitter next week to get a breast prosthesis to try to hide that fact at chest level. Baggy tops & winter jackets have hid it so far. Hair is just so much more obvious. Luckily we are going through chemo in winter & hats are normal. LOL.


    Day 8 - my chemo has been wrecking havoc on my interstines. My bowels won't empty with out medicinal help. Last night was 3 days since BM, so I took 2 senekot tabs. Woke up at 5 am with cramps. Now I have the opposite problem. I hate medicinal side effects!! Sigh....20 weeks + to go! :(

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  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited November 2013


    Hi All,


    Yesterday was Day 1 - hear echo, blood draw/IV placement, chat with MO, and infusion. A long day!


    Some thoughts...


    If you don't get a port, wear sleeves that are very loose around your wrist, so they can be pulled up easily if your IV needs to be repositioned higher on your arm.


    Pants that easily (but not too easily! wink wink) pull down...I wore baggy sweatpants and thought it was a good call.


    Slip-on shoes would have been helpful. I had to be weighed two different times and fussing with tying my sneaks was annoying.


    My veins are small (who knew!) and being more hydrated may have helped the IV issues. I was having pain and pressure from the liquids getting backed up in my forearm. My veins were collapsing so the flow wasn't happening as it should. Heat pads and a rather uncomfortable re-do of my IV line helped greatly. If you have bony hands and invisible veins, it gets tricky, I guess.


    That being said, the process was very low-key...just a lot of sitting and waiting.


    Ginger ale and saltines are my friend...can't fathom anything else.


    Sleeping with my head and shoulders elevated worked well for me...I didn't try lying flat, as a voice inside my head told me to be elevated.


    Those are the things that I remembered that I wanted to share with you. Ask if you have questions!


    Friday the 13th is the day I buzz my hair!


    I hope everyone is well. Big hugs!

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013

    atlbraves, glad you got thru your first infusion okay! I have a port, so hopefully it won't be a big deal to access.

    lorreymom, I hope you can get your system regulated! From one extreme to the other can't be fun!:)

    kimie, I hope your scans go well. What is your start date?

    I hope you all are able to enjoy your week-end! I'll be joining you in chemoland on Tuesday!

    ((HUGS))

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited November 2013

    specialk-I checked that out, too.; opted for the donation bc it has been on my bucket list for a while. I did salvage some of my hair, since it is so thick and "made" bangs out of it on a headband to put under hats, etc. I  hope it will last for a while. I think the hatswithair does bangs also. I also have a wig ordered but will probably just wear that when on work appts.

    joan, I am taking 4 TC's; 6 was never discussed. I would think it depends on your DX regarding stage, grade, nodes, size, etc. Have you had the oncotest done? I see you are offered Herceptin...I may be wrong, but I thought that was for HER2+...?  Maybe someone else here with more knowledge than myself can chime in!

    ((HUGS))


     

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  • DJJ
    DJJ Member Posts: 229
    edited November 2013


    Hi All,


    I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer Grade 3 on November 14th. It is HER2-positive. Things have been moving so fast since then. One minute I'm laughing about getting eyes tattooed on the back of my bald head the next minute I'm crying with overwhelming fear. The emotional roller coaster is unreal. I start chemo on Friday, December 6th, my 42nd birthday. Happy Birthday to me! I'm freaking out a little bit.


    My first session will be with an IV. I'm getting a port December 16th, I have 8 sessions on chemo every 2 weeks, YIKES!


    I was assigned a sponsor (breast cancer survivor) which has been helpful. She highly recommended joining this site to help me through the rough patches. And this is rough.


    Good luck to all of us who have started chemo and all those of us taking the plunge next week!

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  • emq2
    emq2 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013


    DJJ:


    Good luck honey.


    As for the emotional roller coaster, I can relate. I live alone and although I have support via, email, text, phone calls, it gets so lonely. I too start on Friday 12/06/13. I will be thinking of you. I have 12 sessions of chemo 1 infusion every two weeks then 2 weeks off, and take cytoxen 25mg tabs (7 total) for 14 days per month. I get my port on Thursday. My OC said no way around it, as my veins are much too small.


    We will get through this girlfriend.


    Liz

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