Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

I am so over the se's....for me the first couple of days were extreme tiredness and feeling blah, days 4, 5 & 6 full blown nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Made myself go for a walk yesterday and ride the bike this am, now I am at work, thinking doing something is better than not.  

Palo--so nice to hear your church is there to help!

Tek--hope you aren't coming down with anything!

Hope everybody else is doing as well as possible.

Well, I've been following along with ya'lls posts even though I still haven't started chemo. I thought I would be by now, but I'm having to deal with an infection that just isn't clearing. I'm going today to see the infectious disease dr and my PS has asked for a SED rate to be done to see if the there is still inflammation. Long story short, if there is inflammation he's going to take the TE out. I'm really getting anxious about how long it is taking, I feel like I'm putting off chemo too long and my anxiety is telling me that these cancer cells could be going all over my body.

I don't want chemo, but I do...you know? anyway, just wanted to checkin I guess and also tell all of you to stay strong and be brave. ((hugs))

Well I got the official "ok" to start chemo on Jan 27 (next Monday). The doctor wrote me a script for Ativan to take before the treatment so I will be not so anxious. I'm scared of what's to come It's so hard to wrap my head around purposely making myself feel so sick when I feel completely healthy right now!! I know how important it is, it's just hard to digest. I also got my Emla cream script and some Zofran. Guess I'll spend the next 6 days getting as much done as possible while I still have energy and hair!

Oh, as far as the people helping - it has been a GODSEND for me to have meals brought over. I haven't had to cook in almost 3 weeks thanks to some very generous friends and family members. I will never underestimate how helpful that is next time I know someone in a similar position!

Okay tis done.  Shaved head. probably should have got some tips before we started lol

Well it had got bad enough hair was in everything and all over.  I will try to get a wig at cancer services tomorrow.

tekwriter,

How many days from your first treatment? I am 14 days today, I figure I have a week, maybe 10 days if I am lucky before I will be doing the same. Are you feeling better?

Last Thursday was my 2nd AC.  Tomorrow is my bi-weekly lab.  I hope to get by cancer services and look at some wigs.  My husband says I look cute with the kittty cat hat on my head, my oldest son says I look like I have a rat on my head. lol.  Tact is not his strong suit.  I once had a yellow capri outfit very nice.  He told me I looked like a skittle.  I never wore it again.

I am day 20 after my first AC and my hair is coming out quickly now. Tomorrow is my second treatment. I noticed last Sunday that my hair was beginning to come out in clumps whenever I touched it. That day I went to the hairdresser and got a Miley Cyrus cut, buzzed but still thick with a faux hawk. It has been a lot of fun, my friend did my makeup and we did a Miley photo shoot (silly but fun). Now the hair is coming out all over, but I am trying to hold on for another day or two...

Day 18 for me and I've got that old familiar *bruised* feeling in my scalp. I'll give it a day or so before I clip it down to 1/4" but it is sure uncomfortable at night. I wear a soft cap to bed now so my hair doesn't pull so much. I'm also noticing a change in my tastebuds ~ that's one of the more annoying side effects. That and the hot flashes.

Hope everyone is feeling well and enjoying your day

RHGSR ~ coconut oil! Yes! It does feel great on a bald head. I also use it to wash and moisturize my face, and I'm trying to remember to eat a TBSP of it every day

When do your SEs usually kick in?

birdlover23 ~ I buy Spectrum Organic Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil and find it in the baking section. The unrefined smells like coconut, or if you don't like that smell, the refined has no smell. I keep one jar in the bathroom for my skin and one in the kitchen for baking/adding to tea or just eating off a spoon.

I eat Chimes Ginger Chews. I think they also come in a Mango Ginger flavor but I haven't tried those. I drink Yogi Ginger Tea. You can make tea with fresh ginger root too, if you have the time or energy

Good luck with your first chemo ~ keep yourself hydrated and rest!

Hi everyone,

I had my first A/C today. I'm really exhausted. I'm not sure if its because I was so wound up about having the treatment that I just exhausted myself or if its  related to the chemo.  So far, and it's only been three hours lol, I just have a little bit of a aching in my shoulders and tiredness. No nausea. I was given decadron, emend and aloxi prior to the a/c. The nurse said the emend and aloxi are long acting (like 48-72 hours long)  She said I may feel nauseous on Sunday. I am  going to plan not to be nauseous. Lol.  A couple of the ladies at chemo are raving about hemp oil for disease modification. I'm too tired to investigate. Have any of you  heard Of this?  I'm a science girl. I respect it, appreciate it, and am grateful for it, but as an adjuvant therapy, if it works, great. I will ask the doctor at  my next visit next week.  Hope everyone has a good evening. .Im going to  catch up on everyone's post and then take a nap. Or vice versa

hey everyone, have been reading the posts.  Guess I get to be part of the January chemo crew!  I had my first chemo today and went well.  Doing AC every 2weeks for 4 sessions then taxol for 12 weekly.

Initially had what was supposed to be lumpectomy for sclerotic lesion found by u/s guided biopsy.  Was found to be cancerous when they went in.  Has +tumor margins so will be getting mastectomy on the R and prophylactic on the L after chemo(just want to get rid of EVERYTHING!!!)

Finished chemo about 4.5 hours ago.  Slight pain with the poke to the port, will ask for some Elma cream when I go in for my neulasta injection tomorrow.  Got a slight headache and saw some squiggly lines with the decadron, but only lasted about 10 minutes.  Feeling ok other than a slight headache and kind of rapid HR.  I fasted for about 16 hours prior, had read that this helped with SE, will keep you posted.

Hope everyone has a good night and is cancer free by next year.     

tekwriter, while on Taxol, my WBC was at less than 1 at one infusion. It should always be over 1. My MO came over to the infusion center to check me out. Since I felt fine and had no fever or anything else going on, I still got my treatment. I hovered around on 1.0 during the whole 12 weeks of Taxol. I never went above 1.4. I was very tired, but never sick.

Paula

Okay well that sounds positive.  Maybe it will still creep up a little. Keeping toes and fingers crossed.  Tired has been much worse this time around.