Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

welcome chipmunk!  Thanks diamond lil ...I haven't has any bad SE's get. I just got my first treatment Tuesday and am trying to stay ahead of getting sick with the meds.  I like the birds eye shot😉...hope everyone had a good day!

Hi all had my chemo today and wooooe and behold my wbc  had shot up to 10.9 unbelievable.  thanks for all the prayers.  I have one more AC, then 12 taxol, and one year of herceptin.  some where during the year I will have my surgery.  they said I may not need the rads after all, it will be a wait and see.  I am afraid of the surgery.  It is going to hurt.  I will have to wrap my head around it.

Hi Everyone,

Asb - your wig looks great and I love your idea of a separate room for people getting first chemo treatment,  I could have used that this week.

I started my first chemo yesterday and I am very glad my husband went with me.  Before giving me the chemo meds, I was given Kytril and the steroid, which I did fine with.  Then they gave me Emend.  I had a very severe allergic reaction it.  My face got red, I was sweating and tingling all over, saw stars, very nauseous, I almost passed out.  They stopped it right away and gave me a heavy dose of Benedryl.  That did not help too much at all, so they gave me Compazine.  That did the trick but it took a good hour.  I was really bad off, so nauseous, it was scary, but once I was fine, I ate lunch and then got the two chemo drugs (AC).  I took those just fine.  I will not be getting Emend again.  Has anyone else had any bad reactions like this?

I was very sleepy the rest of the day from the Benedryl.  Today, I have just been a bit shaky and groggy.  The dry, fuzzy, metal tasting mouth is starting.  All in all, today has been a good day.  My Dad took me to the dr for a shot of Neulastra today and I am fine so far.

I ordered this today http://www.shop.simplyyouboutique.com/Brian-Josephs-Lash-Brow-Conditioning-Gel-BJ-Eye.htm.  I hope it works.  We'll see

I found this wonderful organization http://crickettsanswer.startlogic.com/.  Please read the background story.  They will give you free hair loss supplies and services.

I hope you all had a good day today.  I am wondering what tomorrow will bring, but I definitely enjoyed feeling good today.

Bird lover, checked out that eyelash and brow saver.  It looks great but does it really work?  Has anyone you know of had positive results?  I love that there are no chemicals should it should not interfere with chemo.  Please let me know.  Thanks!

Tekwriter, great news about your WBC! I hope you have as easy a time as I did with Taxol. I lost taste buds for about 36 hours each week, but not to the degree I did with AC. I was tired too, but otherwise it was a piece of cake compared to AC.

Paula

Hi everyone!  I have been secretly reading this post for weeks now and figured I should introduce myself.  I was diagnosed 12/2 after a year long saga of test, surgeries, begging for BRCA testing and multiple lumps that I found upon self exam.  My mammo and ultrasounds always come back fine but I just knew.  Thank goodness for awesome doctors who were willing to listen to my concerns!  I am BRCA 2 positive, so it is now a family affair.  My mom and aunt are also both BRCA 2 positive.  No cancer for them - thank goodness!  They both will be joining the bilateral mx sisterhood soon. 

1/21 started my first session of chemo.  Was a lot of anxiety but so far so good.  Had an episode of bone pain this week from the nulaste that was a lot more intense than I expected.  Accidentally took too much pain meds on an empty tummy and made myself sick.  That was a learning experience that I won't make make again!!!   Hair is starting to thin, but not what I thought it was going to be like.  I keep looking for clumps of hair, but it doesn't seem to be falling out in clumps.  It might be too soon.  I am going to try to hold on to my hair as long as I can.  I don't know why, but cancer can have my boobs, I can deal with chemo and radiation, but the thought of my hair falling out is devastating!  It took me my entire life to get my hair to the length it is, the style I love - and it hasn't done anything to try to kill me!!!   I know it is petty.  And I know it will grow back - it is just the one thing I am mourning! 

Thank you all already for the support you didn't even know you provided me!  You are all so strong and powerful.  If there is an elite clube that I have to be a member of, I'm glad to be here with you! 

Thanks Mor! 

My Dad did take me shopping and bought me a bunch of beautiful head scarfs and turbans.  I know is is completely irrational!  It is just the one thing I am caught up on.  I think it might be fear of the unknown - is my head egg-shaped?  Do I have weird marks under my hair?  Who knows - just don't want to look like an alien!!!  I have also noticed that the beautiful, bald women all have pretty dangly earrings.  That is my weekend shopping trip, to pick out some pretty earrings.  I normally just wear simple stud earrings, but a little dangle will be nice. 

tekwriter, I have never been a big worrier, but I constantly have cysts in my breast and have for the last 10 years or so and it seems I go for a diagnostic mamo every year. My current tumor was under a cyst, I had it checked out because I had never had a cyst there before. I just don't think I can take the stress every time a new cyst pops up. I just want them gone, although not looking forward to the recovery time and the tissue expanders, but think in the end it is the best decision for me. My MO an BS seemed relieved at my decision. 

Those of you who have already had surgery are you happy so far with your decision?

Curlyq, welcome! The thought of losing my hair was the hardest for me as well. I have only had mine shaved for a couple of days, but it hasn't been that bad. I found a wig I like and have been making myself some hats, and will probably add some scarfs to the wardrobe as well. And it is a great excuse to buy some new fun earrings.

Tekwriter - I had the BMX for that exact reason.  My mental health is worth a lot.  Asb -I don't regret my decision at all.  

Hi! I just got back from my first chemo treatment, everything went well. I was in and out within 3 hours, did not have to wait much and did not need bloodwork today since I have it on Tuesdays when I see the MO. I was a little nervous before, but still had a great night of sleep, which helps put up with whatever awaits us during the day!  No reaction to anything and feeling fine now, was told by the nurse to take it easy today so that I'm not too exhausted tomorrow. Having Neulasta shot tomorrow at the hospital, will likely do the future ones myself. Taking Claritin now just like people on the board have recommended.

I hope everyone who had their first treatment today are doing well (dgdm, seanibopp and anyone else).

tekwriter - i had a bmx (reconstruction will  be later) but I needed it since I had DCIS throughout both breasts. I'm BRCA2 so I knew I wanted them off if any cancer at all was found, so that, as you say, we worry less the rest of our lives. The surgery went really well and I recuperated well. I did have an infection 4 weeks later, but not everyone has one. I also have slight lymphedema in my right arm triggered by that infection, but it's manageable. It's really just you who knows if surgery is the right thing for you or not, and when it is. Since you're going through chemo now, you might want a break from medical procedures before going through something else. Good luck and feel free to ask anything!

hi All, yes I'm currently contemplating future surgery too. I had left mastectomy  in Nov, and I am trying to decide the next step. I am considering DIEP reconstruction left and mastectomy/immediate DIEP right.... I don't even know if that is possible! I won't see a surgeon until June, so I guess there is plenty of time for research. 

As for this cycle of chemo, I've just woken from my Friday sleep-a-thon (chemo was Tuesday). I seem to sleep for about 15 hours and wake up ready to go!

Sending peace to you all

LIL

Hi all - I'm day 4 after my first A/C treatment and the exhaustion really hit me today! I could barely get out of bed most of the day. Getting the kids out the door to school was the most active thing I could manage, and that nearly wore me out completely. No drugs today, and no nausea or anything, so that's been nice. I'm also in the "next step" mind frame as far as surgery, etc... I have my appointment with the genetic counselor next Friday. If I am BRCA positive, then I think BMX is the only way to go for me. If I'm not....well....I still keep coming back to the BMX. I've been told that I will need either radiation OR a mastectomy, so that's something to consider too. The idea of not having to do rads, not having to do mammograms for the rest of my life, and not having the same caliber of worry hanging over me is appealing. The fact that it's major surgery, though, is weighing heavy on me too. I'm only 35, I want to give myself the best chance of never having to go through this again!

Has anyone else been really gripped by "chemo brain"? I paid bills today and it took me three times as long as usual because I kept making errors. I try to read a book and I absorb none of it. I feel like a complete idiot! I even can hear myself having conversations with others and think "I sound drunk!" lol

Asb- the description of my head in a vice is right on...i had my first chemo Tuesday and for the past couple if days I feel like I got a bad hangover. Also, my scalp is sore like someone pulled my hair really hard

Belleb- I was BRCA negative but still opted for a BMX. I don't regret it at all but like everyone says you have to do what's right for you. I just turned 37 and being young was a big factor in my decision.  I wanted to lower my recurrence risk as much as possible. 

Hope everyone is having a good day!

This exhaustion is brutal! I can barely get out of bed today and it's my daughter's 6th birthday. I just can't muster the energy to hold my shoulders back and my head up and not look like a decrepit old woman. It's so frustrating. I'm having a pity party in my room and all I can think of is "I still have 19 weeks of this left?!" I don't see how it's going to happen at this point  

belleb, 

  I also find day 3 after chemo to be my lowest. Chemo brain to the point of not being able to concentrate to read expect a short magazine article.   I slept 4 hours this afternoon. Luckily my sister is visiting for 2 weeks and she is doing all the cooking. I think some of it is the chemo drugs having their effect and part the  decadron withdrawal.  It does improve over the next few days.    Just happy I finished round #4 of AC and start taxol in 2 weeks.  Hope to get back to work a few days per week, really unable to work thorough the AC due to being in a medical office full of sick people all the time.  Hope my WBC holds on taxol so I can go back. 

Barbara