Starting Chemo in March 2014

I also wanted to add that I don't mind anyone sharing anything related to their experiences with this horrid, albeit life-saving therapy. Vent away.

I have to remind myself to check what meds everyone is on as we are all treating slightly different diseases.

Hi jmg58, I please don't worry about venting to us on these boards, that's what it is all about. We "cancer" patients (I hesitate on calling us victims or sufferers)  can relate to each other with empathy that people not going through this can not. I sense your hesitation about giving yourself the Neupogen shot after chemo, but after some education and practice you will be a pro. The needle is tiny like an insulin needle. You may also teach your support person to do it if that makes you more comfortable.

I got a port and it is great.  It was a bit tender that night, but they accessed it for my first chemo and blood draw a week ago.  THE PORT Is great but the chemo is not my favorite.  Hope I make it through.   Seems like everyone else does!  Write me back

cancervixen & golide--hang in there!  we're all here in the same boat and are here for you

jmg--i went through fertility preservation before my BMX and my bf gave me shots everyday for two weeks--it's not too bad!  just be sure to sanitize/wash hands and use the alcohol swabs before and after the shot.  i'm going to opt to do the neupogen shots at home too.

I decided to go wig shopping tomorrow if I don't do the cold caps. Trying to keep my options open. I am thinking I will start chemo the end of next week. Oh I have 3 kids 19,14,8. I will be 45 on Wednesday. That is the day I will have an appointment with my OC and ask him questions. I am going to try to go to a support group that night. Not really what I thought I would be doing on my birthday. 

Right now I am reading post but don't really have much to add yet. 

My Oncotype was 41. Found out on Monday

Lori--regardless of the oncotype you're going kick cancer in the butt with chemo!

Hello, just chiming in: I had the first TCH on Friday, and my worst day so far was Monday, I believe caused by the Neulasta shot - I was so weak, lying in bed contemplating for five minutes whether I could get up to go to the bathroom, never had something like this before, scary. I am slowly coming out of the hole, but still feel weak and have to eat a lot of little meals to keep my stomach happy. My boss is anxious to have me back working, as I am the only one doing what I am doing, and it's hard to find a temp to take care of this, so I feel a little pressured. I can do most of my work from the computer at home, and will be trying to start part time the week after next, we will see how that goes. I have started to develop mouth sores, despite Biotene and a lot of jogurt, but I have always had issues with mouth sores, so I am not too surprised.

Lgoldie: sorry that you are so weak and shaky - perhaps if you really try hard to take one day at a time and not put any expectations in yourself, it might be a little better? It's hard, and I am learning, but for me, it's the only way to make this work. I can't think too far ahead, as you never know what the next day brings with side effects. My husband, who knows me only as a strong type A person was trying to get me going and told me to come out of my slump on Monday, and I got completely bitchy at him, as he has NO idea what my day was like on Monday - every single bone hurt, and my hair follicles hurt as well. I felt terrible and just wanted to lie there, not even watch TV or listen to music. But it is getting a bit better every day, I don't expect too much and try to do little things that I enjoy a bit. If you don't feel better after a few days, please do talk to your MO - mine said that there is no need to suffer, there are medications to help you feel better. Best of luck.

Sorry you ladies are having a rough time. I know it is HE*L! Another tip they told me is have a bath everyday. I would listen to my girls' iPod and sit in a hot bath with the jets on and that is when I would cry. I would let it all out and no one knew. at that time my girls were 12 and 9. And I would have all the lights off and that is when I would take my cap off and decompress. I sweated the toxins out and would have my ice cold water and afterwards I would muster up enough energy to go sit in the front room with the family. 

fir scalp sensitivity my favorite cap was a crochet one. Soft on my head and didn't hurt. look into the shampoo for your scalp. I think it was by, Bryan Joseph. 

I see that we will have scheduled maintenance for tomorrow so I wish all the ladies a wonderful day if you have treatment and if you already have had it soon the fog will lift. For the ladies that are preparing I hope you enjoy your time. I am hoping to enjoy the next few weeks going out for dinner and enjoying my food!! ((hugs))

oh my goodness, Agness! that is a clever way to say it:) We haven't told to many yet either BUT one person that we did confind in told our local banker,(I went to school with him) Called my husband to tell him he was sorry. And if there was anything he could do. Uh, yay! Give us a loan we don't have to pay back!! Sometimes it is just nice to be the normal one. those moments when I could get up and do my girls' hair for school were priceless. (()) we all have different coping strategies. sometimes it does help to tell people in you support circle then sometimes it is just not talk about it!! I hope it gets better soon for you:)

I have told lots of people about the BC but not the chemo. I have sent them Facebook messages that they have sent to me asking what is up. They knew I was getting my Oncotype back soon. Now I really don't want to talk to anyone except for my family. I do talk to one friend though. It's not a great subject and I don't want to talk about to most people that I sort of know. I like the way you told your son. I told my younger daughter something like that and I did tell my older ones the dreaded C word and said a little mores details. I haven't told them about me having chemo yet.  I'm not really sure of what to say. Any ideas? Thanks. Ugh

Goldie, I feel the dispair too. It is like some kind of weird sci fi dream. I've been totally open to everyone about it though. I see no reason to keep it a secret. 

My partner has been giving me the neupogen shots. It was going ok until today when the bone pain set in. Yikes! Horrible! I only lasted about three hours at work today. Called the onc office and they prescribed some Vicodin. Still waiting for that to take effect. That's my vent for the day. It seems like every day brings a new treat.

Wow, I take the morning off to get my port put in and all sorts of action happens here. So sorry so many of you are having such a hard time. Granted, my first round of chemo isn't until next week, but if might I make a suggestion anyway. When things are really rough, I focus on getting through the next 15 minutes, or even 10. And then the 15 after that. Sometimes it feels as if an hour is way more than I can manage, but I can hold it together for 10 or 15 minutes. And when I do, I give myself all sorts of kudos for having reached my goal of surviving from 3:00 to 3:15. I did it, and you can too!

Lorbgoo, aside from a few really close friends and fellow survivors, I kept my BC pretty much to myself until I felt like I had a whole story to tell (surgery, chemo, radiation). I didn't want people fretting with me. When I was ready to share, I created a private Facebook group where I could post my updates and not have to tell the same story a bazillion times. It also gave my support group a place to offer encouragement and share tips and trix. You have to go with your gut as to whom you tell, how much, and when. It's your story and you own how you tell it. 

To create a private (secret) group in Facebook: click Create Group (it's under Groups on the left side of the page), enter a name for the group (mine is Susie's Updates), list the people you want to invite initially, and choose Secret. You can add people as you tell them or when you're ready. No one outside of the group can see your posts or anyone's replies. They can't even see that the group exists because It's totally invisible. And mine has been a godsend. 

Hope this helps. Hang in their girls, we can beat this at least for the next 10 minutes!

agness, I love the video of the purple minions!