Starting Chemo in April 2014

yes - its called Emla cream, you have to get a script and pick up at pharmacy.  I didn't have it for my 1st chemo, but have it ready for round 2 tomorrow!  

Good luck!!!

Sending good vibes to those in the chair today.

I'm curious how y'all have decided who / how to tell about your diagnosis.

I haven't told a lot of people about my bc - I didn't care if people knew, just didn't want to make a big deal. I've been much more open here than anywhere else. I finally "announced" it on Facebook today, since I'd told my close friends.  Here's how I did it:

______________________

Last month was the "Post a no-makeup selfie" campaign for breast cancer awareness. Since I don't wear makeup, I was going to post this photo (made by the grandkids on their iPad). I got sidetracked, and was diagnosed with breast cancer instead.

I hesitated to announce this in Facebook, but I would share if I broke my leg or my arm. Breast cancer is nothing to be ashamed of, so I'm putting it out there. The other reason I am sharing is because a special friend posted about her diagnosis on FB, and she was the first one I reached out to when I found out. Thank you, M !!!

I am doing really well, so there's no need for panic. Please make sure you keep on top of your check-ups. And, feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.

Still not sure this was the right thing to do, but perhaps there is no right or wrong way.

I have posted everything about my breast cancer on my FB.  First of all - I think I know things now that I want all my friends to know about BC that they may not know - so I kind of look at it as a public service.  Second, I love the support and thoughtful gestures and the strength that my friends and family give me and thirdly and I think most important it gives me a place to express my thoughts and fears.  Kind of like this place but to peeps who knew me pre BC.  We didn't do anything wrong to get this - nothing to be ashamed up - we are strong sisters and in a battle of our lives and I think we should share - HOWEVER - I do understand that some people are not comfortable doing this and I AGREE it is a personal decision.  Love you all!!

Hey Sunshine - I will be a FB friend  - I have friended Footballnut already - message me your FB info and I will send a friend request.

Linda - for whatever reason it won't let me send a private msg (this site on my phone keeps freezing grrr), but im Jen Massinger (profile pic is me and hubby/kids on halloween:-) 

if anyome else wants to connect on fb - feel free to find me a few of us here try to do alot of pics and updates on fb too :-)

Xoxo

round one of FEC. home and peeing red!! Lol. I was done in 90 minutes.  The nurse told me that I might get a head rush or feel something in my sinuses. Well I do feel something in my head. It's weird. Feels a bit like pressure but not too bad. Other than that the port is still driving me nuts. I have percs for it but don't think I'll take it. I want to watch the hockey gene and a perc will knock me out. Lol. They gave me a med for nausea before they started treatment and I have to take pills tonight and for the next few days. Neulasta shot tomorrow. Yippee!!  Hope that all are good!!

starting to feel nausous. Popped a pill and eating Melba toast. Crap!  Side effects so quickly!!!!

trying. I feel like shit now. So nausous!!!  

For those of you starting chemo, I'll share some positive thoughts. I'm one week out from my first infusion and I have to say the side effects have been minimal. Annoying, but manageable. I didn't have any nausea and my appetite was fine, but I had (and still have) wonky taste buds. Overall, it was better than I was expecting. So there's hope that chemo doesn't have to be a horrible experience. Good luck everyone going in for your first or second round!

The neck swelling is still a mystery and my oncologist wants to have my port checked out before my next infusion. Anyone else have any sort of unexplained swelling after your first round of chemo?

Hello and hugs to all of you ladies. Haven't had a chance to post for several days. Been a long week. My 2nd AC was on Monday, April 21. Managed the nausea pretty well with meds, but the appetite was just not there for several days, had to force myself to eat. Also my cycle decided to come on strong that week and I think it compounded my tiredness this round. I'm guessing I won't have many more of those, as the chemo is most likely going to put me into menopause. It's time anyway since I'm not 51! By the weekend I was starting to feel more normal and get some energy back. So my husband took be out to see the Disney documentary film on Bears Saturday night. It was really wonderful, and I highly recommend it. Then we got some groceries and grabbed a sandwich together. On Sunday, I was feeling almost like myself again. However, my dear husband woke up to a severe Pancreatitis attack. So, I had to take him to the hospital and they ended up admitting him. He just came home today, Wednesday. Not exactly good timing, but thankfully it was my off week from treatment, so I could spend my time with him at the hospital. So glad to have him back home and able to enjoy a few good days before AC #3. 

To top that off, by Saturday and Sunday my hair was coming out in bunches. So on Monday morning I called my wig consultant and said it was time for my shave. She got me right in that morning right away. My Mom took me. Got all my tears out before we went. Actually when it was done, I was very relieved to put it behind me and just move on. I have a wig and lots of hats and caps. Even have a nice hat rack on my bedroom closet door to keep them all organized. She also trimmed up my wig once I had it on without my hair and I was very happy with it. I'm not sure how much I will wear it, but I knew I needed to have one for my son's wedding in July. And as happy as I am with it, I'll probably wear it more than I thought I would. 

Later in the evening on Monday, while I was visiting my husband at the hospital, I had a message from my sister-in-law. She sent me a picture of her son's girlfriend showing me that in honor of me losing my hair that day, she had donated 12 inches of her beautiful red hair to Locks of Love that very day! What a sweetheart! I told her that maybe my hair will come back in red in honor of her! 

Praying for strength for all of you as you continue your treatments!

Hey Gals.  I had my second infusion yesterday and having similar SEs today as last month - mild nausea on and off throughout the day.  I think it's a little less than the first time.  Either the diet definitely helped or it's just not as much of a shock to my body this time.  I was able to go to work but after lunch decided to stay home since it was cold and raining, and I completed all my daily work before lunch.  Took a good hour and a half nap before going for the Neulasta shot. 

Merg, I hope you're feeling better than this morning.  Hang in there girl.  Tomorrow will be better. 

Football I hope your infusion went well today.

MikiShelley you must be so relieved not to have the Neulasta again.  Good for you.  Nobody should suffer like that.

Linda you totally rocked the infusion! Good for you! We have the same chairs at my center.

Good night and Happy Hump Day fellow crusaders! Tomorrow is another beautiful day!

last I posted, I had found out my WBC counts were very low yesterday. After that my temp rose to 100.5 which is when I was supposed to call the doctor. Long story short, had to go to ER last night and then was admitted.  Still here and don't know when I will get home. 

WBC have only risen slightly but the they are more concerned with the neutrophil (sp?) count - that is almost non existent and hasn't budged with the two blood draws they did. 

Hubby was out of town and FRANTIC!!  He caught an early flight home - good thing as luck would have no one I could call on was home. So I left the dog and drove myself to the ER.  Dog was only alone for 12 hours and he was ok

Temp has been down but until that neutraphil count is high enough I will stay here. 

Waiting on a 24 hour blood culture - today should be ready in a few hours. 

Also ran a urine culture. I have a seroma and the infectious disease doctor wanted that aspirated. 80ccs!!!  And there is about 50-60cc left in there still! No wonder it felt like an over inflated basketball - now that almost feels normal :-) haven't got results back from that either. 

I was supposed to run an event this weekend - hubby brought my computer so I worked mist of the day and got everything printed to PDF files and emailed off to the people involved - they will run it for me. It was a great distraction today - not sure what I will do tomorrow :-(

Unfortunately the MO came while I was getting the seroma aspirated which was done in another part of the hospital. Now have to wait until tomorrow - I have questions!!!

Also have mouth sores so bad now that I am having trouble eating - can only manage soft foods. Even white rice was too hard!  Magic Mouthwash only goes so far. 

Am bummed because I thought this was supposed to end up being a "good" week and here I am - the neutropenia patient in room 6 :-(   Getting two kinds of broad spectrum antibiotics and having someone come into the room every time I FINALLY feel I can nod off!!

Overall I don't feel bad - better than Monday. But the bone marrow isn't  cooperating - WBC almost doubled but the darn neutraphils!! Come on Neulasta KICK IN!!

dangit makelemonade - thinking about you and sending your bone marrow energy thoughts!

Good morning ladies!  I hadn't posted since just before my 1st infusion on April 11th.  I spent the past couple of sleepless nights catching up on the posts since my absence.  Sounds like for most, there have been minimal SE's - thank goodness!  The same for me - my first week I was a little tired and spent one day having what felt like some much needed sleep, SLEEPING.  Once I got through the 1st week, immediately I developed a low grade temp along with slightly painful urination and called the doc on call (on a Saturday).  He treated me for UTI.  The last two weeks have been great! SE FREE but eating a LOT more!  OMG - I gained 6lbs so far.  Not bad thing, because I lost 10lbs after surgery.  I just hope I don't continue to gain at this rate after each infusion!  I guess if I do, I'll have to kick it into high gear and work out/ more!  Did you get that?  LOL

9AM this morning will be my 2nd infusion!  After this - I'll be halfway through!  It seems this can't happen fast enough.  I only hope this infusion is as uneventful as the 1st as well as minimal to no SE's!  A girl can HOPE right?  :-) 

To the ladies who have infusions this morning, Good Luck and Blessings to YOU!  WE WILL GET THROUGH IT FINE!

To ALL who are HERE - Be strong, use whatever avenue of support you have!  It sometimes helps to talk about it.  I talked so much with my family and husband about it (my experiences, research I've done, feelings, etc,)  I hadn't spent time online listening to you or sharing with you wonderfully amazing women what we are all going through! 

Pictures!  I plan on posting soon!  Hope to get some at infusion this morning. 

Sunshine- My name is Michele, I will send you a friend request on FB.  I'd love to see your pics.  I will post  mine here.  I haven't quite shared with many on FB my cancer news.    

Well, It's about time for me to get ready .  I'll post again later today or tomorrow.

Here's to successful treatment plans with positive results!   

Hve a fanfastic day ladies!

Talk to you soon!

Michele

Lemonade, I had the same thing happen to me last week.  I was hospitalized with very low neutrophils last week along with colitis.  Like you, I didn't feel soooo bad.  4 nights, 3 neupogen injections later and I was finally released. It will get better and I feel great this week!  

Interestingly, my MO was thinking of taking me off Taxotere and switching me to adriamycin which is what you are on.  Next Tuesday is infusion 2. 

Hugs!