Starting Chemo in December 2013

hi everyone! My brain feels like dense fog today. The only way I can post each of your names, as you do so generously, so that i don't sound stupidly impersonal, is to write them down after reading each post. I am writing this on my phone & ask you forgive me if I don't address you each individually. You all so impress me- your spunk, your courage, sense of humor!!

I am so pleased everyone sounds so good!

Lorreymom, where do you find those anti-slip headbands? I am hoping my count is good tomorrow so I can go into the world. Who da thunk a grocery store could be a field trip!!!!

Round one was the longest because as mentioned so many other drugs were pumped in. Having my mom's quilt and daughter's pillow, zone bars, water with lemon slices, a samdwich, and music really helped. The treatment itself was easy. As you know, it has been the array of unexpected SEs that has been hard, but really getting so much easier!!!! If this is it, ok, bring it on.

Lorreymom, i think you might be our leader since we capsized on this island

Ladies, all i ever can say is thank you. Now, if i can only remember my name

My haze is improving a little bit, I am feeling a little more human today.  but definatley not 100%...hoping tomorrow makes more sense to me.  did that make sense... I am terrible with names so I don't tend to address each one, just in general.  I am lucky to have a family friend who took this journey before me, she holds nothing back which I guess is good.  Maybe I should just tell her to lie to me and that its really unicorns and rainbows., nah then she'd be a liar  I will poke in tomorrow have a  nice night ladies

Qiurkygirl, I am suppose to have the AC x8 then taxol so a bit different than yours so maybe different SE....fighting the same war just different ammo!!! I hope your SE remain doable!

kimie I felt the same way not like myself fogged in and ill could not imagine that I could go through it again. Day 7 now head clearer though not normal body still fighting now feels more like being sick with flu. I did go back in to get fluids and see about adjusting meds don't be shy about going back for help.

I guess I hoped the fog was all the other meds but it seems some of it is the chemo drugs.....

Hugs to everyone suffering better days ahead

round 2 today. So far, much more tolerable. Foggy and tired but so far no nausea.

Goldie - Glad to her this round so far is better. Let me know if you try the chemo moonshine (I think that's what you called it).

NEskir99 - I will be working as much as possible, and luckily I have help for those days that I am down.

Kim

hi, ladies,

I am new to this and I will be joining you in this fight. I was diagnosed in Nov, Stage 1, TNBC, and will start chemo on Dec. 19, ACx4, followed by taxol x 12. I was terrified about SE, losing hair, keep working during chemo, etc. but I am ready to get it over with. I am glad to find all your brave ladies here and such a caring and supporting group. Hope everything goes well to all of you.

I have seen the discussion about drinking a lot of water to reduce SE. I wonder if too much water actually reduce the amount of drug in your body and reduce the drug activity, definitely feeling like two edges of the sword. My doctor said only drink to thirst, not overdo it. Any suggestions? Thanks!

hello ladies,

First post here, I've learned allot from all of the posts the last two months. I had my surgery on 11/21/13, bilateral masectomy, and start my chemo today.

First 4 of A/C, and last 12 Taxol. Nervous of course of the unknown, have taken all great tips to prepare and hoping for the best! It's been a whirlwind, mind fogging two months to say the least. Love this board, so much goo info, hate the reason we are all here.

QuirkyGirl - Thanks for the info. on the water. That was a good question re water J4DC had, I never thought about that. Ice water and crackers really helped me with the SEs.

I get my port placed tomorrow AM if my blood work comes back good today. A little nervous. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kim

I am starting chemo next Thursday and will be a part of a clinical study for a growth factor (HM10460A) or a better version of Neulastra. I am a little nervous to be a part of it, but I can pull out of the trial at any time. It is supposed to help repair white blood cells quicker. Has anyone been on a clinical trial or have taken Neulastra through chemo? Any responses is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

welcome newbies!

patty, thank you for participating in the trial. I have had one TC chemo and the neulasta the next day. General achiness following, but not major. Took Claritin prior to and after shot. My Blood counts were good a week out, but not sure what the numbers were,..

jackieak- It will probably be pretty uneventful for you! good luck. You will probably feel much better once you have started treatment.

kjfromca,  good luck on your port placement. Mine was at the same time as my LX; but it has been easy for me to have it. I really don't notice that it is there.

kimie, kli, glad you are coming out of the fog! Not a fun place to be:).

((HUGS))  

Hello everyone! If I don't address you all individually, know I read your posts and am thinking of you, really. mercedes60, thank you for asking. I am okay now. I wasn't so okay before today. Something has lifted! I will remember White Rabbit next time I am at Trader Joes. Good luck with second Taxol.

Saw my MO today and my white blood count is high, almost too high!! In terms of the Neulasta, it did impact me dramatically. To be honest, I had, as you know, severe back cramps not unlike labor pains. My doctor told me that he believed those pains were a good sign and he was right. Here is the thing though-- Now I am fine. It is a few days to a week of feeling pretty crummy, and then the fog is lifted. Quite remarkable. I will continue it for these results and knowing the pain is temporary.

kjfromca- the port hurt for a few days and it was difficult to lay on my side. I hope your hospital gives you a special kind of bra they gave to me. I wore it 24/7 for a while and it helped so much. Now, I barely notice the port. It is just there. You will be okay with this, I suspect.

I am sorry you had to join us, newcomers, but you are in the right place. It has been a life saver- abundant support and knowledge. Good luck to you all. Amy

Hello ladies, my white blood cell count is too low. They will not let me get the port placement tomorrow. Oh well, I will baby myself for a few days, and hopefully I will not have to reschedule chemo next week. Frustrating....

Kim

Had my first round of chemo today (A/C) and it wasn't bad. My muga scan was good and my PET scan showed that the cancer was in the breast and lymph nodes but has not spread and I was so relieved with that news I think I sailed through my session!!! I did feel a bit groggy afterwards though so they had me sit and took my vitals. It feels like a bad sinus infection which they told me could be the result of the C since I did not have benedryl nor ativan. Otherwise I feel good, very hungry, been munching and took a nap. Go back tomorrow for an injection. Hope everyone is doing alright tonight.

Chemo here I come, haven't had you in a couple years. I have had 6 rounds of radiation to different areas of bone mets since my last chemo, now the bone scans shows slight progression and I am bothered with pain, so I will begin weekly Abraxane his Wed. I still have my wig and knitted hats, the Christmas tree is up, just bothered with tears. Maybe because I have trouble making the most of today.

Anita