Starting Chemo in December 2013

{{{Kimmie}}} cyber hugs to you. I believe he is right beside you. 

Yay, Waterdog!!!! Such good news!

My nose has been runny too.  It was getting so raw.  I've been putting petroleum jelly in my nostrils and now the rawness is gone.  In one of the bazillion things I've read I do remember reading we can lose nose hair and then particles that usually don't get up our nose do, causing it to run.  Food is also bland first week after chemo and then I have my taste back the second week. 

The nose hairs do go...leads to drippy nose. So dry here in AZ, that I end up using Saline spray part of the time, and dripping the rest. Not unbearable though. Happy I asked about the smells. Makes me feel a little more "normal," at least as far as it is something I am not dealing with alone. Not wishing it on anyone else, but relieved to know it is not a hygiene issue and more of a chemo patient issue. If that makes any sense.

I haven't lost my hair yet. But when I asked my husband how he'd feel when it fell out he said "well, I've never been with a bald woman before ;0)"

We've tried to use humor as much as possible!! 

I had a wonderful surprise ar chemo #3 yesterday, my daughter went to get lunch and brought back my son from Seattle with two dozen roses...here to celebrate my birthday Saturday...what an awesome gift to have them both here with me.  We will do dinner tonight because typically I crash on day 3 and 4, hoping I can to indulge in a glass of wine....so drinking tons of water again today...

Steroid pill sure flushes me all over...at least I get color in my face...I come home after chemo and look like a pale/ green monster !  I'll wear the long Tina turner wig tonight, seems everyone likes that...I'm 51 Saturday, did my big bash party last year so a nice calm one this year, and hoping it's my year for a new, healthier start to the next 30 years.  Wishing everyone well!

Jackie

Waterdog - That is great news, it's confirmation that what we are going through is shrinking tumors, as well as killing rogue cancer cells.  

Kimmie -  Glad to hear the SE's are minimal.  Praying for you.

What are you all doing during your nadir period for the 7 to 10 days to keep from catching a virus?  Do you still shop? Do you stay home?  I have been kind of paranoid and pretty much try to stay at home during this time.  I was wondering what everyone else is doing.

I hate my wigs....I don't know why I purchased them when I had hair, the one wig I kind of liked is too big.  Good thing I didn't spend a lot of money on them.  I am going to go on utube and attempt to learn to tie scarves.  Any good sites would greatly be appreciated.  Attempted to tie an infinity scarf on my head while watching a utube video.....good for a laugh.

Kim

I have a consult at the end of the month with the radiation onc.  I'm 99% sure I'm not going to do radiation.  I've done allot of research on it, and to me seems like overkill.  I had a modified radical RT masectomy and prophylactic LT side done, I did this because the mri found fibroids and cysts and I've always had lumpy dense breast, so I wanted to eliminate left even though it was clear.  My surgeon had clear margins.  And no nodes were seen in chest wall that were invaded.  They took all of my auxiliary sac on right, with 3 of 16 positive, the left sentinels were clear.

There is conflicting stories for node positive radiation anyway with mastectomies, usually more that 4 are done.  I have not had the oncotype test done, but wonder is that just to decide on chemo or all reoccurrence rates?  I just can't imagine going daily for 6 weeks to burn areas that to me are gone now.  

Anyone else having this dilemma or more info?  The pills I will be on for 5 or more years is also there to help reoccurrence...how much is too much?  My biggest concern is possible future heart issues from AC and to top it off with radiation to the chest would be a double whammy, not to mention the burns and scars...and I also have temp implants in, and would prob need to start that all over again if I had rads.

jackie, I think it's unusual to do rads post-mastectomy, but you could always get a 2nd opinion, if it's recommended.  I had a  LX ^{, so will more than likely do rads anyway. It's my understanding that the onco test  measures recurrence and the benefit of chemo w/hormone therapy; I don't believe rads is considered in the onco test. Since you're already on chemo, it probably wouldn't be beneficial to get the onco test and your insurance probably wouldn't take care of it at this point anyway. Good luck. I agree, sometimes it seems like it may be over-kill, but, your RO may not even recommend rads.  Enjoy your week-end and try not to stress about it.}

happy birthday Jackie and NEskir99!!

My LGFB class today was great!! Really enjoyed it and came home with some great name brand makeup. It was a lot of fun. 

Hi ladies,  

Newbie from the January thread with first AC treatment coming up next week, looking for some help.  My prescription insurance carrier, Caremark, will not cover Emend, presumably due to the expense.  I was supposed to take Emend/Decadron/Zofran to prevent nausea.  My MO team couldn't budge the insurance carrier so they will prescribe something else to replace the Emend.  

Question:  Does Emend perform head-and-shoulders above all other anti-nausea meds, e.g. is it worth considering paying cash for it?  Or have some of you had other anti-nausea combinations that were very successful for you?  

Thanks for any help, I'm trying not to get too stressed about it.  You are all an inspiration! 

Hey Charusa - my oncologist checked me right before I went in for my second round of a/c.  He has now decided to check me before my third round because the result was very encouraging before round two.  If you are checking and feel there is a reduction that is a great sign.  If you have an appointment between any of your chemo appointments I'm sure you oncologist will check.  Hope you get through all of your SEs - and the same for all of us.  With this treatment I have certainly had the 24 hour boost of energy - probably from the steroids.  Waiting for the crash to come but so far so good

Paloverde - Welcome, was the Emend going to be put into your IV before chemo? I know that they give me 2 IV anti nausea meds before chemo ... I think it is Decadron & Zofran, not Emend.  I then take Decadron & Zofran in the pill form for about three days after treatment.   Those 2 seem to work well for me.  

Thanks for the scarf tips, I will try them.  I wore a halo with a hat today and felt pretty good.  

Charusa - I recommend that you give all this info to your MO prior to your next treatment.... and make sure that you voice your concerns. I hope that they will put your mind at ease or change your meds.  Hang in there.

RHGSR - Pubic hair was first to go.  My MO told me that most people lose their hair about a week after their 2nd treatment.  I was bald going into my 3rd treatment.  Your head will get really tender first.   It sucks, sorry you have to go through this.  We are here for you.  

NEskir99 - Happy Belated Birthday.

Jackieak - I have a friend who chose not to do rads after her chemo and mx.  She is 5 years out.  I don't have a choice, my PET scan, prior to my MX, showed rogue cancer cells in my chest area.  Hopefully the chemo has killed them, but I can't chance it.  I understand your concerns, tough choice to make.  I hope that your RO will help you figure it out.  

Kim

Happy Birthday Jackie!!! And Belated Birthday NEskir99!!

Jackie, I also have no choice in having 6 weeks of rads.  I am having a lumpectomy. 

Paloverde, I get Emend in the IV at the time of the infusion but not after.  I take Decadron (3 days after chemo) and Zofran through the week after and that works ok for me.  I am also trying acupuncture and dare I say that my nausea was better this last week then the first two rounds. 

RHGSR, Please talk to your MO before your next round about your concerns.  Maybe a change of meds or dosage can help.  Hang in there.

RHGSR - pubic was the first to go.  exactly 2 weeks after the first infusion the bulk if my hair fell out.  I never lost of of either though my head is basically bald.

RHGSR - for me the pubic hair was the the first to start going, funny only about half came out the rest is being stubborn and holding tight. Started losing my head hair the next day over a three day period. Max hair loss was day 17 and 18 for me.  Yesterday when I was putting on deodorant I realized there was no hair under my arms. Just a few hairs right near my ALND scar. 

Belated happy birthday to the birthday girls.  Sucks to have a BD during this,  my BD in late Feb will also be during this battle time.  At least it should not fall on an actual chemo day. 

Deb that video was priceless. Brought a big smile to my bald little head. 

Going to go to a big  annual banquet tonight, hopefully my WBC has risen over the past 2 days out of the danger level. No hugs, just elbow bumps tonight. Must really maintain a bigger personal space also. Nice that after losing 25 pounds I found a pants suit, that I last wore to my older sons college graduation in 2005, now fits again.  Trying to lose a bit more before the taxol stars and all the extra steroids with that. 

Good weekend to everyone.  Barbara