Starting Chemo in March 2014

Lorbgoo, don't be nervous!  A good mantra somebody here said to have is "Don't go there til you get there!"  I had very few side effects, and you may not either.  Everyone is different.  Chemo itself isn't near as scary as you think it's going to be.  I have done two treatments so far, and both times I chatted the whole time with others having chemo at the same time.  Other than maybe a few little old men in there, most were middle aged women, and very friendly.  The nurses were all very helpful and friendly (at least where I went they were.)  You are gonna do fine!

I'm getting my hair buzzed this afternoon.  Tingled for a few days, then boom, woke up and it is falling out in droves.  Good thing my wig was ordered and already in, so the wig guy will cut it and then fit and style my wig.  Weird how it happens so fast!

We are kinda opposite.  My first was so bad I am scared no. 2 tomorrow will kill me off.  I just got a call from the nurse at the Cancer Center, said my numbers were good, no more mask BUT my potassium was low and had I been taking it.....nooo, not regularly.   She said, the doctor said to tell you that you will have to sit here an extra 2 hours tomorrow getting a potassium rider.   The way she said it was like I was being punished..which I guess I am.  Man, I hope no. 2 was easier than no. 1 in about 5-6 days

I'm glad it went well for you Nina!

I start Friday morning. I'm getting Taxotere and Cytoxan. It does sound terribly boring, both my husband and best friend (a chemo nurse) are insisting on coming with me. I told them, I think I just want to turn on my headphones and zone out but they want to be there (which is nice). I'm more nervous about the Neulasta, I think than the chemo. Hoping I don't get the bone pain I keep hearing about. I'm going to inject it myself, picked it up at the pharmacy, 2 pre-filled syringes… $10,800! … Met my $5000 deductible with the MRI so I don't have to pay it but holy s**t!! And I'm gonna need 4 more! And that's not even including the chemo!!

Anyway, sounds like we're all going through this together, good luck to all of us!

You will do great!  Good luck!

Hi jmg58.  I had a home care nurse at a local clinic clean the dressing around the PICC line on Tuesday - I was referred there by the onc nurse and will have that done once a week.  I'm sure I could do it myself, it was only a matter of her taking off the over bandage and some some steri-strips, then swabbing with an antiseptic on Q-tips and putting on my steri-strips and an over bandage.  Mine is pretty high up on my forearm so it would be a bit awkward.  My daughter is also an emerg RN and she could also do it for me; but we discussed insurance issues in case something around there did get infected and decided to stick with the protocol laid out for me.  As well, instead of getting my blood work done at the lab by a tech who would have to use a vein, the home care nurse can do my blood work via the port during the cleaning appointment leaving me with less holes and less change of infection.  How are you doing otherwise?

Question to my fellow March chemo warriors .... how is everyone dealing with or going to deal with eyebrows and eyelashes?  Drawing or or using stick on eyebrows?  Using glue on lashes?  Or going without?  Any comments wonderfully appreciated as I haven't decided yet.

Today was Day 3 of Cycle 1 for me and man was I tired ... did manage to get through a busy work day but came home and crashed on the couch from 6pm to 10:45pm (that's why I now eating, checking emails, wandering through FB and checking in here.  Today is also my last day of the massive anti-nausea drugs so it will be interesting tomorrow to see if I need to take anything else.  My neupogen arrived at the drug store today in time for my first shots on Friday.  Not sure what the protocols are for that in the US and other places, but here in British Columbia it's by prescription (and luckily there is a program with the manaufacturer to cover most of the cost).  One the first day the onc nurse will inject and show me how to self inject over the weekend.  Then I go for blood work on Monday to see how my little white fighter cells are doing and if I need more shots for a few more days.  Then (hopefully) I start to feel regular for a few days before the next pre-chemo appontments come. So much running around to do and things to read and re-read and figure out (like how to wrap my PICC line in saran wrap so I can shower ... it worked well) is making things go by pretty fast.

Love and hugs to all

This truly is a unique journey from woman to woman and chemo cocktail to chemo cocktail.  Leaving in an hour to go to Cancer Center for 2nd A/C.  Best friend is taking and dropping off at my request (hubby working..someone has to)  I wanted to be there by myself today.  Last time, 5 people showed up for support and I don't think the staff was thrilled.  I have picked up some hints and will toss them out here:  My bottom end got kinda tender from the poisons I was peeing out...try a squirt bottle with water the first couple days and blot gently (especially we post menopausal women).  Do NOT let diarrhea fool you.  A LITTLE 6 times a day is not good.  TAKE THE IMMODIUM. Do NOT burn the entire inside of your mouth with hot tea...makes things a lot harder.   Eat, drink, rest

I am doing dose dense chemo...so right about the time I start getting a bit better, boom...it's time again.   I am learning one day at a time now and God is leading me.  Prayers for all today.  

Leah

PS   I live in Northern Az and it was almost 80 yesterday.

Good Morning lalala. In regards to the eyebrows, eyelashes question.  I plan to draw them on although I haven't found the right product yet.  I am leaning toward going to a little salon in my town that sells Jane Iredale products.  I guess she has a brow kit that is excellent (looked for tips online) and am hoping that will give me a realistic look. Not sure what I will do about eyelashes yet.  I have heard you don't always lose ALL of them.  Hoping that will be the case. Have you gone to the Look Good Feel Better class yet that is put on by the American Cancer Society?  It is really a worthwhile experience that I would definitely recommend.  I hope everyone is doing well today. 

Hello Ladies, I started chemo at the end of Feb. Thought I would chime in here. Doing chemo before surgery. 12 of weekly Taxol first then 4 AC bi-weekly. 2 down...doing good. I'm like others...appetite is great. Fatigue is tough because I'm usually so active. Trying to work four full days. So far going good. This isn't exactly our choice in life but glad you are here to go this journey together. God Bless you all!

Hi Kiwilady....sorry you are still a bit nauseous....but like you said it is not your focus so you are probably going to be O.K.  It's a beautiful one here in California....that is for sure!

Today is Day 7 after my AC DD and I am starting to feel a little less tired. Days 1-3 I was fine, then 4 & 5 I was so tired, all I could do was work, sleep and eat. Yesterday and today, the fog started to lift. After lunch, I take a cat nap at my desk which helps so much! Perks me up for my ride home. I am hoping that this may be my pattern for the next 8 weeks. I think I can deal with this. The unknown is the worst!

Looking forward to hearing how Taxol is. I've heard it's a little easier?

Meg