Starting Chemo in December 2013

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013

    Robin, my MO blood work that day (chemo day) then meets with me to assess whether or not to proceed.

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited December 2013

    Thank you! Can stop myself from building up anxiety over non-issue now....argh...drive myself crazy these days....

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  • atlbraves
    atlbraves Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2013

    Hi Robin, I wondered the same thing about the blood levels as everyone seems to have them in advance, but I have my blood draw the day of chemo and the get the results to my MO stat.  My schedule is blood at 11, meet with MO at 12, chemo at 1.

    I just read my blood labs from Round 1 and it says I'm moderately anemic...does anyone know if than can adversely impact my blood counts for chemo?

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013

    i had a very short, but heavy period during my last cycle.  Was told I would likely have none.  Will welcome them stopping!!!  That is a SE I could handle!  LOL. We will see what happens next.  

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited December 2013

    I have a blood draw tomorrow, my MO checks it the day before chemo, but tomorrow is weekly draw, I don't  have round two until 12-26.  I think she likes to watch the count weekly.  My MO insists the day before to check count, I wish she would do the same day, for it's more convenient for me.

    Sleep...I can fall asleep, with half an Ativan but I'm awake at 4:30am.  Last night it was 2am, and I felt so good for the first time since 12/12 chemo that I just wanted to stay awake and enjoy it.   not that I've had any debilitating side effects, I'm happy with the limited SE, I know it can be and may be worse, but it was so nice to awake feeling almost normal, even after having my 2nd saline injection, the chest hurt from that but my head seemed clear.

    This would all actually be tolerable if we didn't have to deal with the hair loss, does that make sense?  I mean, to me I could still appear normal on the outside even though feeling like crap on the inside.  I am washing every other day, my hair, and so far not much coming out, I know it's too soon yet, but still being hopeful!  So it sounds like its best not to completely shave it, and leave at least an inch so it's not as sensitive?    Best wishes to all this week , and I'm so glad to have this board to turn to.

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited December 2013

    I found myself waking  up every night at exactly 3AM after my diagnosis.  My mind was just racing with thoughts of dying  too young.  Terrible nightmares also.  Tried 1/4 of a generic ambien and that helped me get back to sleep.  Got Ativan before my PET scan to "calm my brown fat cells" and now I take one every night and even thought I still wake up at 3 AM I can get back to sleep .  Also my blood pressure is back to the 130's again,  it was running 150-160 when I was so anxious.   

    Having never taken any med except vit D or the occ. ibuprofen the thought of chemo and all the side effect meds is frightening. 

    I made sure to get a pneumonia shot (had flu shot in Oct) got teeth cleaned a month early ( of course insurance will not pay because it was early) and stocked up on ginger tea, ginger capsules,  Imodium, sennakot, and  gummy fiber supplements. Ready for the bowels to go either way.  Too bad Pennsylvania does not allow medical marijuana or I would stock up on that also!

    Ready or not I go on Thursday for the first AC treatment.  Every 2 weeks for 4 cycles then 12 weeks of taxol all followed by 5 weeks of radiation.  6 months of treatment, unbelievable.  

    Barbara

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013

    woke up at 4 am.  Can't go back to sleep. I have a 10 year old daughter who I thought was handling my diagnosis & treatments well.  Yesterday morning she had a bit of a melt down, that I originally dismissed as being overtired.  She yelled at me because her daddy was taking her to school & not me.  He's taken her many times.  This is the first time she's acted like this.  I thought she understood.  I woke up thinking about this & realized she hasn't been her huggy self since my mastectomy.  She use to cuddle up beside me on the couch to watch TV.  I hadn't pushed it, cuz I was healing & wasn't sure if she'd be weirded out by it?  Guess I need to give her a big hug & have a chat!  

    Edited to add:  sorry this probably doesn't belong here in this thread.  I just had to get it off my chest & felt some of you  may understand?? 

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013

    lorreymom - that totally belongs on here. Hugs to you both and let us know how that goes.

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  • KLI
    KLI Member Posts: 52
    edited December 2013

    lorreymom that is the biggest SE trying to handle the fallout. My 8 year old is so angry all the time, she is yelling at all of us and especially hard on me. She won't talk about what she feels just silly things to be angry about. Resents that I am wearing a mask and not able to interact as much. I think she feels abandoned but have not figured out how to make her feel better.

    Periods mine started day of 1 st chemo then disappeared replaced by night sweats then returned .....

    They do my blood levels day of unless I request earlier

    Welcome crazywabbit felt just the same the anxiety about it all is very hard

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  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013

    ROBINLK, Yep, they drew blood just before my first treatment- that same day.  They did have me come in a week later, though.   

    atlbraves, my hair is falling out now-began last night in the shower just as you mentioned- and scalp itchy.  I am going to shave. I think, oddly, it will be a relief

    kjfromca- Good luck!  Rooting for you!

    Crazywabbit, it took quite some time, but now I can sleep on port side. About 3 weeks maybe, but now don't feel it anymore

    Brioche78  this is the place to vent!!!  We all need to. 

    Best to all of you, Amy

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  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013

    ROBINLK, Yep, they drew blood just before my first treatment- that same day.  They did have me come in a week later, though.   

    atlbraves, my hair is falling out now-began last night in the shower just as you mentioned- and scalp itchy.  I am going to shave. I think, oddly, it will be a relief

    kjfromca- Good luck!  Rooting for you!

    Crazywabbit, it took quite some time, but now I can sleep on port side. About 3 weeks maybe, but now don't feel it anymore

    Brioche78  this is the place to vent!!!  We all need to. 

    Best to all of you, Amy

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  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 215
    edited December 2013

    Ladies today I get to meet with my oncologist,I have blood work this morning as well and  today I will tell her what hell that first treatment was..Singing hoping she can make some changes as to what they dose.  round 2 goes Friday.  gotta be done just hoping I don't feel as terrible this time I can take a few days of feeling unwell but 7 days of non existence sucked.  I still only feel about 70% I am sure by Friday I will be feeling great just in time to be knocked down again.Sick  my head is up.....this has to be done 

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

    I haven't slept either without the help of Ambien or Lorazepam. Kind of annoying, although I have insomnia anyway. MO suggested melatonin, but haven't tried it.

    My blood draw was a wk out of tx and it was good. I get the Neulasta day after chemo. 

    crazywabbit, welcome! I didn't have  dissection, but with my snb and port, I found it helpful to wedge a soft pillow on them to help with discomfort. I got a pillow with a little strap from a breast cancer support group that I put under my arm and it helped a lot, so my arm wouldn't rest on the incision. I was able to sleep on my stomach just a day or two after port placement with a pillow.  It really doesn't take very long to heal. Just don't over-do your activities!

    good luck with ports, blood counts  and chemos this week, everyone!

    I will be a molting parrot soon also....hmmmm. Love birds, but didn't want to be one!

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  • jackieak
    jackieak Member Posts: 169
    edited December 2013

    lorry mom and KLI, the family to me suffers more than we do.  My kids are older, 28 and 26... My daughter moved back to Ak after just graduating with her bachelor degree to just be with me for anything I need.  Makes me full of guilt for having her postpone her life...but she insists and she is so into my treatment and I believe it makes her deal with this better.  She's been here two weeks with me and I am so grateful, and my DH is as well.  My son and mom, both out of state seem more comfortable asking about me through her, which is fine and if that's how they cope best I like it that way.  They talk to me daily but not all about me, we talk about the normal things we usually did.

    Possibly involve the children in your treatment, cure, future.  Do they like to cook?  Do the Xmas cards?  A back rub...Anything that makes them believe it's helping you.  We have a vacation planned for all of us for next fall, so something to look forward to, and help make this seem that there is an end in sight.

    Keepthefaith.  I had taken melatonin for years to help sleep, I quit taking it due to my primary care doc asking me if my MO knew I was taking that and she had read different reviews on its effect on BC patients.  I keep forgetting to ask my MO, but from what I've read it is suppose to help suppress hormone positive BC.... I'd prefer to take my melatonin again, and will call my MO today to see what she says.  I believe the issue is with taxotere and melatonin together....

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2013

    my blood gets done before my treatment also.  I was told the nuelasta would keep cell count up.  My back hurts from that. I feel worse today than yesterday.  Chemo was Monday.  But, from reading your posts I guess that's about right, next few days being bad.

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  • momat927
    momat927 Member Posts: 173
    edited December 2013

    HI all.   Think I too am realizing, except for some brief daytime naps, sleeping without Ambien or Ativan is not going to happen here.   Had blood count today and turns out my nose bleeds and bruising are from very low platelets.  Not much to do, but if becomes uncontrollable, just have to alert doctor and go to ER.   Well, girls, at 1:30 today, I get my head shaved.   It burns and itches and big chunks are falling out so I am ready to wear my badge of courage.   Hang in there everyone.  Love, Amy

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013

    Mine gets shaved at 4:00 - you can do this Amy!!

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited December 2013

    GL ladies! Chemo #2 is done, blood levels were all well within normal limits. Hoping for minimal SE's again....or at least manageable ones. 

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  • Carol99
    Carol99 Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2013

    good for you RobinLK, best of luck.

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  • count_it_all_joy
    count_it_all_joy Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2013

    Hey ladies who clipped your hair today… any regrets??  Mine is suddenly falling out like crazy, and thinking to ask my hubby to clip it tonight.  First, tho, my 9 year old wants a chance to pretend she's a stylist and cut my hair.  Cancer humor at its best, I'm thinking I'll let her go ahead.   :)

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  • kjfromca
    kjfromca Member Posts: 283
    edited December 2013

    Hello ladies, I got my port put in this AM, no problem, just a little sore.  Re blood work, normally it will always be the day before chemo., it was due to the port procedure that they did it early. 

     I have not had a period since last month, was due last week, don't think it's going to happen.  

    Chemo round 2 tomorrow.  

    Amy & Quirkygirl - You two are courageous, I have a beanie on order with a bright red bow, just in case I need it for Christmas.

    Kim

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013

    A hug does wonders.  Gave my daughters (10 & 12 years old) hugs & spent some quality time together.  I got their input on my new prosthesis, which came today.  We laughed & joked about my illness/treatment & other non-illness related stuff that they wanted to discuss (can't only be about me & cancer, right!).  We made a cookie-making date for Friday, where they will make the cookies, and I will just supervise (& bite my tongue and try to overlook messes....LOL).  All is good now.  Guess I haven't been giving them much attention these days...so focused on cancer fighting.  All is well!  :)

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  • RobinLK
    RobinLK Member Posts: 840
    edited December 2013

    Count it all joy: that sounds like a fun family activity! Not that losing our hair is a "fun" event, but having our families involved is a good way to share concern and love. SillyHeart

    Kim: happy you were able to get your port! It is so much easier to have the blood draws and chemo all take place from there. 

    Lorrey: what a great day that sounds like with another "date" planned. I bet they are all excited! 

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  • QuirkyGirl
    QuirkyGirl Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2013

    count it all - no regrets at all. I look weird but that's just part of life now.  What a great idea to let your daughter cut your hair!  Go for it!!

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  • DJJ
    DJJ Member Posts: 229
    edited December 2013

    Welcome to the new ladies.  This discussion board has been such a help to me.  Even when I don't post and just read.

    After my first treatment I couldn't sleep and took Ambien, it worked for four hours and then wide awake.  I was switched to Ambien CR (time release) and it was awesome.  Keeps me asleep through the night.  I only needed it the first week after chemo.

    Those that have had ports for a while, how long did it take before you could do physical activities?  I'd like to get back to my workouts soon as I can, they keep the fear and stress at bay.

    Today, I got a job offer for a job I interviewed for months ago and that I really want, a great career move.  Not sure how to handle this.  They want me to start February 10, not done with chemo until mid-April...sigh.  Makes me furious this is getting in the way of my life!!!!

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  • OneTexasDay
    OneTexasDay Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2013


    I have my bloodwork in the AM for chemo #2 on 12/27.  I am not sure what the cadence should be normally, but I do know that I am doing my bloodwork tomorrow so that I can meet with my MO to review it before chemo 2 before my MO heads out of town for the Christmas break. 

    I just thought I'd mention this as it seems like there is much concern on some the strange timings of labs right now.  Perhaps some of that can easily explained away by your doc's holday travel plans....  I hadn't even given a second thought to my bloodwork tomorrow, now I am wondering if I should be worried.  I am set on having two of these under my belt before the year ends. 

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  • OneTexasDay
    OneTexasDay Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2013

    Lorreymom, good for you!  Quality time (drama-free) with the kids and family is the best medicine!!! 

    I can totally relate.  For me, it was like coming out of this fog, and realizing how disconnected I felt from my household, especially my son's activities.  It really ticked me off that cancer was affecting my ability to take care of the ones I loved most.  I am feeling great right now, but I wonder if I will return to the fog for the next chemo and if so,will I stay gone longer or shorter amounts of time with each one....

    I count myself blessed that I have been able to go back to work and have been able get back to a pretty normal life as of late.  This crazy Texas weather is working hard to get/keep my family sick but I seem to be handling that pretty much as I normal would too (knocking on wood)

    All in all, after round 1, I am feeling pretty good about conquering this and can't wait to put it in my rear-view mirror... hopefully forever!

    We will all have our good and our bad days, and we all just do the best we can do I suppose and ....

    just keep swimming my sweet December sisters....

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited December 2013

    DJJ - so sorry for your awkward employment situation. I had to pass up 2 potential career moves (just awesome job postings well suited to me) because of BC.  It sucks!! 

    One Texas Day - you are right.  There will be good & bad days.  Today I feel good.  I will focus on days like these! :)

    Yesterday, I recieved my breast prosthesis & new bras.  Today I have an appointment to have my wigs fitted & trimmed.  Got my box of make up from the LGFB workshop. And now fitting into my pre-pregnancy (over 12 years ago) pants!  Planning to look GOOD on Christmas Day!!!  :)

    BTW...I have lost over 50 lbs and gone down from a size 26 pant to size 16 pant since I found my lump back in June.  BC was the good hard kick in the butt I needed to get my life & lifestyle in order.  Still have another 40 pounds to go to get to my goal weight.  Docs are on board with me...it is just changing my lifestyle to healthy eating & regular exercise (I walk 30 minutes every day when not knocked down with chemo). 

    Fight on! 

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

    OTD, good luck on your blood work! Your next tx is one day after mine. Enjoy the good days when you have them, for sure. I am enjoying this nice weather while it lasts and getting outside.

    I pulled out enough hair to make 2 wigs this morning and surprisingly, there is still some on my  head. I now look like I will when I am 80 and my hair is thinning!:) Kind of funny...back to the future!

    lorreymom, good for you on the weight loss and getting your groove on for Christmas! you go, girl!

    djj, good luck on your job decision. I have had my port for a couple of months. Seems like it took about a wk or so before I felt like it wasn't bothering me; and then, it was just the position of the seat belt while driving, that made it annoying.

    ((HUGS))

     

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  • waterdog
    waterdog Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2013

    Port in yesterday, ADH removal in the good breast at the same time and first chemo round done this morning.  Yay me! I was an emotional mess before the chemo but it is now behind me.  Now I have a couple of weeks to scramble and figure out what I'm going to do about hair, hats and scarves.  Hopefully sleeping this afternoon with the help of my pain meds from yesterday and then back to work tomorrow.  Thanks for all of the advice ladies.  It makes me feel less alone.

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