Starting Chemo in March 2014

I just had my port put in Wednesday, so I was told I couldnt put Emla cream on it because there is a glue over it and the cream could interfere with the glue. (My MO said she never heard of that.) But it really didnt hurt at all, and mine is still pretty sore. It was very nice to have both hands free.

Megomendy, when do you get you taxol/carbo? After these treatments? I am trying to find someone who has had these two. Thanks!

Sending prayers your way cancerisnotmyhappyplace that the scans are okay. HUGS as you go through this.

Meg - Gratz on the uneventful infusion! Way to go! Like Mom2B said, stay ahead of the game on the meds, and you'll be fine. I just got back from my first Neulasta, and was surprised at how easy that went. They must use a very fine needle, as I barely felt anything at all. Of course, wilth me, they've got a good bit of tummy to work with. Now's the waiting game to see what SE's will be like. I've got my Claritin and Aleve on board, and my onc nurse said that if it actually does get bad, I've got the OK to hit the Norco that I didn't use after port surgery.

Mitzro: here's what I found. I hope it helps. Are you in CT too? I'm northcentral CT going to St Fran's for my fun and excitement. 

You sound like a sister.   I have been terrified of the side effects.  Here's my take for today:  I have had ONE A/C eight days ago. So far I have had some nausea, diarrhea, dry icky mouth, dehydration, no appetite, palpitations, the absolute worst fatigue immagineable. weakness, shakiness, oh, and my hair is falling out.  The news is I lived to day 8.  I would not have bet on it.  Oh yeah, jitters and hot flashes from the streroid.   All was super scary and my anxiety has gone through the roof.  What have I learned, call your doc anytime you want.  Yup, there is nothing they have not heard.  They have been patient and helpful.   I have learned that I am no longer afraid to die.  Fifty five years old and just learned it.e  If I do not make it through chemo, I will go to heaven with my Savior which is my ultimate long term goal anyway.  So I didn't go today.  I am still alive He has a plan for me than included today  If you want to correspond, I would Love to cause nobody is a bigger chicken than I  Leah

Almost forgot the best news of the day!!!  I can no longer feel my lump after one treatment!!!!!!!!  Im not sure how this is possible but I had my best friend over last night who is a nurse and she felt it before and it was big and hard and now cant find it!!!!!!!!!

Well done Meg, great to get that first one under your belt.

Jmg58, I wish there was a way I could help you. Honestly the infusion was so super easy, the nurse was so helpful, I hope that it will be the same way for you.

Cancervixen - so glad that things are turning around for you!  And what exciting news about the lump!

I'm feeling ok today. I felt pretty good this morning to decided to try a walk.  It was a very short one, just to the end of my block, started great, ended feeling nauseous, dizzy, swollen, and hot.  I was exhausted and had to take a nap, I think it stirred up all the remaning toxins, probably a good thing. A few hours later and I do feel much more recovered.

Wow, so much to keep up with! JMG, don't be ashamed of being scared. I bet every one of us feels that way. How could we not? 

I made it through a full day of work today. Don't really know how I did it. I'm so exhausted at this moment. Thank heaven it's the weekend. I'm hoping it'll get easier since it's almost two weeks until my next treatment. 

I hope nobody cares that I'm posting in the March thread since I actually began tx at the very end of Feb. I feel more part of the March group.

Lovemyboys - Im glad to hear you felt amazing even if for a little while!  Please dont be afraid to feel your lump.  You may be surprised in a few days.  I have the big D too and take imodium here and there.  Not every time but nothing helps with the stomach pains.  i asked the nurse today if i could get a prescrip for muscle relaxers thinking that might help but of course she said no and Dr is out on Fri.  She tells me to go to the ER because I shouldnt be feeling this and maybe its an infection.  Well I know for sure its not and its from the darn Perjeta!  I see my MO on Tuesday so hopefully he will come up with something by then.  Either way we pray this is only a one time thing and then next time we dont have this side effect. 

Kiwilady - Glad to hear you went for a walk today. Even though it brought on some side effects its good to keep things moving.  I have to do more of it myself now that I finally have some energy.  

meg glad your chemo went well. That gives me hope. I am so nervous. I'm surprised I don't cry all day and night. 

Alli enjoy your girls weekend. I'm jealous. 

Welcome AKJ  I'm glad you were able to make it through work. Get plenty of rest this weekend. I had to stop work because I work at a preschool and I'm around over 100 kids and range from 5 months to 5 years. I was nervous to catch something that would delay chemo. 

Cancervixon. That is great news about your lump! Wow. What powerful stuff chemo is. 

Jmen. Glad your treatment went well too. 

Jmg. I am so scars too. I just want to sleep the next 3 months away and wake up and this would be all over. I'm a big baby. I'm so frightened. 

I have so much anxiety too. I have been taking Xanax. 

I hope I didn't forgot anyone. Have a good night. 

Lori

Maggiemay, I didn't have any bone pain at all from the Neulasta shot, so it's not a guarantee that you will have it.  Just a thought.  Although, I am 49 and I don't know how old you are, but I also hadn't heard that the bone pain is worse the younger you are.

JMG58, Hey, it's okay if you cry! When I saw my Mo before the chemo my bp was high, for me. And I was worried and she said, hey if your bp wasnt high, I'd think that was strange. I am not a cryer, but I've cried! What helped me a lot was that they dont just hook you up to the chemo meds. THere is a long process and you get a saline drip for a while, so it was slow. Bring a laptop or tablet and distract yourself. 

Hey, I wonder if anxiety is linked to breast cancer. I also have anxiety and take Effexor WR for the past 10 years maybe. I love it! Helps me so much. 

Cancervixen, congrats! That is great news. I wish we could "like" each others posts or comment right on the post. Maybe we should think of starting a fb group so we can learn our "real " names and be able to stay on one topic better?

AKJ, No, we insist you go back to the February group! lol Yes, stay with us. We're the fun group. I hope I can go to work at least a few days a week. Need the money!

So tomorrow I am getting the neulasta. So I take the claritin in the morning, and thenonce a day for 7 days. Anything else? Aleve was mentioned, but the chemo nurse said to try and limit advil/aleve because it can affect your platelet count. She prefers tylenol, unless its just occasional. 

Jmenchacha, so we are on the same treatment schedule,just diff meds. I feel sine so far too. I have a little headache, but I think it's just from being hungry earlier. My friend was bringing over food for us and she's always late lol I think it's best not to get too hungry. 

Lorbgoo, I also work at a preschool, ages 3-5. My doctor said I could go to work. If I see a child and they look obviously sick, I'll just skip that kid. Or see them in the classroom. I feel like at my age, hopefully I've had most of those germs. I would love to just sleep the next few months away as well. But think about how fast time goes. I mean, it's March already and it feels like we just had New Years. So before we know it, we'll be looking back on this whole experience. Not fondly, but it'll be over.

ok I'm struggling with some major heartburn now and my omeprazole is not helping! Gonna try drinking a milkshake cuz that's what my mom did when she was going through chemo, lets hope this works blah!

Hi Everyone,   I am starting chemo either this month or early April so I thought I would get some good advice from you ladies. My story is somewhat similar to Nadia's and a couple of other ladies on this thread.  I was blindsided with a stiffer diagnosis than originally thought.  I woke up with breast pain January 15th which kept me up the rest of the night.  I was diagnosed Jan 30 and had a DMX with nodes removed, expanders in, and two drains left to go.   I will most likely be starting chemo either by the end of the month or early April.  I have been extremely stoic through this whole ordeal, but lost it a few times very unexpectantly.  For instance, I threw a dinner party for past co-workers a day before I left for the hospital, and had a fabulous time.  My husband thought I was nuts but it was a lot of fun and he admitted later that it had been a smart strategy to stay so busy cooking and cleaning.  I've been able to talk about breast cancer  without getting upset from the beginning.   My breast surgeon even told me that I should think about becoming a mentor because I have the right attitude. (very sensible) BUT>>>>>HA!  In the hospital I completely lost it because my roommate's husband was in the room all night and I felt very exposed.  I sobbed and sobbed in the bathroom.   What I was really upset about was finding out that I had pretty involved lymph nodes which was a total surprise.   A few days later, I lost it again when I couldn't get a sensible appointment with the medical oncologist as I live 3 hours away from the hospital.  I have  now been upgraded to a stage 3  and now have to have a bone scan and a total body cat scan on Tuesday to see if it is worse than a  III. At the beginning, they thought I was only  a stage 1.  Once those results are in, the medical oncologist will know what kind of plan to come up with. My healing should be pretty good by the end of March, and my appointment is in a couple of weeks, so I imagine this will roll out pretty fast.   Life can turn on a dime, can't it?  Anyhoo, I ordered a wig today and drove myself because I didn't trust myself to keep it together because  when I can't get appointments scheduled, it seems to upset me.  Today, when I called  this special salon lady about a wig appointment , she  could see I was really disappointed that they had no openings so they used called ID to find me and call me back to tell me to come in and the owner would work with me.  That was a nice surprise.The special salon I went to caters to hair loss, thinning  and wigs. The owner talked me into a wig that will look almost exactly like my own longish golden/reddish hair.  I was amazed that such a thing was possible.  Even the odd color she stuck on my head today looked like my own hair once she brushed it and fooled around with it. I will even  be able to tie it back !!!!!!!   I also ordered some bangs so I can wear a ball cap  and look like I have some hair under it.      In General, Waiting is the worst about this whole ordeal.  That, and having it completely wreck my schedule.  Can't plan anything.  Oh well.  I read all of your posts and I am going to make a list to ask the oncologist about baths and other great ideas you all have.  I may end up being an April Girl, but we'll see.     Sorry this posting is so long........  Feeling chatty and a tad depressed.