Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

Thanks for all the support.  It is still going well for me.  Just a head ache an a little tired and achy.  My neulasta got here in time yesterday so everything went well. Genetic came back and do not have the BRAC gene. Feeling really blessed so far.

tekwriter, do you know to take Claritin for the bone pain caused by Neulasta? No one knows why it works, just that it does. The generic, Loratidine, is a fraction of the cost, and works just as well.

Be well.

Paula

No I wasn't aware of that.  I am sending my son off to the store right now.  I will have him pick some  up and start taking it before it starts.  Thanks so much.

Paloverde - that looks pretty close to right to me!  Thanks for putting the list together!

Tekwriter, Stephaniegee - Hope you are both feeling good!  Sending you good thoughts.

My port placement was quick and easy.  Definitely not as scary as I expected.  Three days out, there's still a tiny bit of soreness and some bruising at the site.  It's a bit itchy too, but I think that's because of the surgical tape and glue that needs to stay on for four more days (no stitches for me, just glue + tape).  Looking forward to using my new bionic abilities for my blood draw and chemo in a few days.   

Good luck to all who are starting this week.  Let's do this, ladies!!

can I join you January ladies?  I did Taxol first so I was on the weekly Taxol thread. The I started FAC on December 26th.  Just have 3 more left. So far chemo has not been too bad.  Got really tired with my first FAC but it only lasted a few days, so hang in there everyone, you can do this!

Next treatment is Jsnuary 26th.

Hope everyone is doing great.

Hello Desimone, 
I will be starting my chemo in Jan. 10, and I'm also nervous/anxious. I'll be receiving the FEC-D protocol. 6 cycles in 18 weeks. I've been trying to stay as positive as possible, but I'm still scared. All the best to you and let's all get through this together. 

All the best luck tomorrow!! 

Hi there January 2014 chemo group - Just thought I would chime in to give you all encouragement.  I was part of a Chemo January 2007 group - and about 10 of us still keep in touch through a private email.  We are all seven years out with NO recurrences.  You did read that correctly - all different types, stages, some triple+,some triple -, some ER+/PR+ etc. - all did various chemos, herceptin, rads, some lumpectomies, some mastectomies, some did reconstruction.  I can happily tell you that you can do it,  we all did, and lived to tell the tale.

Words of wisdom and advice - take all the help you can.  This is not the time to be a martyr.  If people offer to bring you food, get your groceries, take your kids for the day, etc. etc.  LET THEM. You need to strength for fight the beast - you are a Warrior Woman now.  Get a cleaning service in if you can afford it.

Also - take the anti nausea meds before the nausea really sets in - you do not want to play "catch up" with nausea.

Go to the dentist and have a thorough check up cleaning before you start chemo. 

Rest all you can.

Good luck to you all!

xo

Caya

Welcome Warrior50, calmandstrong, and HarmonyIzMine!  

Good luck tomorrow desimone! 

NancyJeanne,

I might be getting a similar treatment to you if Doctor decides to go that route. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that they told me I didn't need a port either.  However, after we discussed about how tiny my veins are, and how hard it is to draw blood from me, we decided on a port. I'm sure there might be a few out there not getting it. 

Regarding your hair, it is totally understandable. I was told that it usually takes about two weeks after first treatment for it to start falling out. You have a little more time.

Desimone,

Good luck on your first day!

I had my first AC on a Friday (this time last year). My hair was long, thick, & auburn. I didn't want to deal with all those long strands falling all over the place, so the night before starting chemo. I got a pixie cut. Exactly 2 weeks later it started shedding. By Thursday, the day before my second treatment, I had my son buzz it. My treatments were every third week. Most people don't shave their heads, they just buzz it. I hated my wig, so I looked for cute hats, and scarves. I even learned how to make tee shirt wraps, which I loved. They are cheap, comfortable, and you can get all colors.

I hated the thought of losing my hair, but when I weighed that against loosing my life, it was much easier.

My hair came back curly. I've been having fun with it.

Blessings

Paula

Hello all,

I had my first chemo on 12/27. I was scared witless. And then promptly slept through the whole infusion. No nausea. For the first couple of days I had constipated diarrhea (??), then three days of nasty joint pain. Followed by a week of endless diarrhea. Worst of it was that I had the attention span of a gnat. Then I felt fine. It wasn't fun by any means, but it's manageable.

I had gotten my hair cut short enough so that I could buzz it -- no way was I going to risk stopping up the drains in my old house. Still waiting for the shedding.

It was one wild ride, but I believe those who have been through it that it does get less wild. 

I realized something that I hope everyone here will come to understand about themselves: we really are strong and more resilient than we know.

bride

Way to go tekwriter! Good job on keeping up with the water. Best of luck Andrea14 and Nanycjeanne1967. I'm getting my PICC inserted on Thurs. and starting my first chemo on Fri. Jan. 10th. Getting more anxious but actually looking forward to getting this "show on the road" so to speak.  I'm 36 years old and I  have long, thick brown hair and I'm on the fence about getting it cut. I don't really wanna pay almost $75 just to get it cut, and I sort of want to hang on to it for as long as possible,(vanity, I know). I don't have many days left to make a decision though. I did however order a whole bunch of hats/scarves yesterday. If I'm gonna be bald, I wanna do it in style damn it  I actually find this forum and group extremely helpful and supportive. Thank you  

thanks Bride.  A lot of my water is fizzy the rest is tap.  I will tell the truth I was always a huge water drinker.  I am diabetic so have been thirsty for a bit. I like to think it helps though.  I have been up more today and am feeling a little more like normal. My family is just the best. They are taking such great care of me.  They have all become just a big warm fuzzy blanket.  I am especially blessed.

Andrea14-I can't sleep either and from what I've read it gets worse with the chemo! Ugh! Good luck tomorrow I'm right there with you, I'm also going for the first round tomorrow (hmm actually today since it's almost 2am).  Lets talk again and compare notes! Lol! Good luck!

good luck ladies.  The first couple of days were the best for me.  Then it was down and achy.  Now I seem to be on the up swing.  feeling a little better each day.  nothing was horrendous though.  I keep up my anti nausea meds just like every one says.  so no problems.