Starting Chemo in April 2014

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    good news mompv!!!

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  • boobieprized
    boobieprized Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2014

    Going to the Look good, feel better class today.  Do I go without makeup?  I am so excited for this.  Like giddy...lol.  Do you think it would be okay to take my 13 year old daughter along or would she be incredibly bored?  I think it's only me and one other person signed up for it so it should go fast.

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    Hey Boobie - go without makeup and I think yes take your daughter - she will learn some tips on applying makeup that I never knew.  Hope you have fun!!

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2014

    today my  temperature is low at 97.7. Feel blah. Tired. Dry mouth and not nausous but something close to it. Just under the weather. Yesterday we spent most of the day outside enjoying the beautiful weather and walked. I started feeling this way last night and nodded off during the hockey game. 

    I want to walk today to fight this but think that I'll just chill. When I feel like this I get all depressed again and start thinking the worst. My last infusion was wed so I too and 4 days out.  4 more to go!

    Since today is the ranger game I better find a way to stay awake tonight!!

    As for my scalp it's sore in spots too. Some of the remaining hair is very brittle so I'm afraid to shave it. Can't wait for it to be gone already!!!

    Have a great day all and here's to minimal SEs!!

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Yeah Football, days 3 and 4 are always worst for me.  Yesterday I felt crappy but much better day at day 5.  Get your rest, don't push yourself and you will def feel better tomorrow.  You better get a nap so you can watch Rangers :)

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2014

    image

    feeling a bit better after hubby rolled lint brush all over my scalp. 

    Longisland ure right. Rest is needed before tonight!!

    image

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited May 2014

    Sometimes it's hard to remember that this is the "medicine" and not the illness.

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  • mmtagirl
    mmtagirl Member Posts: 509
    edited May 2014

    footballnut,  sorry you are not feeling well. I dedicated my post on January surgery sisters to you a few moments ago. 

    Not sure how to paste the thread here but go check it out. My chemo brain thought you were on both threads. AC/Dc was jamming and I thought of you. Feel better. 

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  • Tinkerbells
    Tinkerbells Member Posts: 211
    edited May 2014

    glad to see some good news, new "faces" and sad to hear some tough times for us. What a road we are traveling together. I wish I could heal each and every one of us. I always say this is not my breast cancer journey, this is a sh🚨tshow. And it really is.

    AC #4 down, nurse couldn't get a good vein, used a tender one, actually cried in chair. So happy it's my last AC, on to THP next week after echocardiogram. Am doing Ok on this round, took the full dose of steroids this time- after my last disaster round with taking less I learned my lesson.

    Hope you ladies are all doing well. Keep the pics coming- I will figure it out and post my noggin soon. Here's to better health and better days yo us all.

    Sandra

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    image

    HERE'S TO ALL MY AWESOME BC LADIES!!! WE ARE AWESOME EVERY FREAKIN DAY BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND HELPING EACH OTHER DO IT! <3


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  • merg
    merg Member Posts: 61
    edited May 2014

    It's too bad we couldn't put all the pics together into one big pic!  I think days 3-4 are bad for everyone. Day 5 starts to feel "normal" again.Everyone looks great even though they might not feel good. All Beautiful! Rest easy Ya'll.

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2014

    mmtagirl - tx!

    Tx to all!  All day ice also developed a dry mouth no matter how much water I drink!  Ugh!  Didn't have this last time!

    Hubby made awesome spaghetti with "lean" meat sauce   Mmmmmmmm

    I put lean in quotations because I recall asking my nutritionalist if I can eat hamburgers and she said sure as long as it's. " lean" meat!  Lol

    She wouldn't have been happy with me yesterday!

    Now off to eat some sorbet to help with this crappy dry mouth!

    Love you all. Tx for bring there for me!!

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited May 2014

    footballnut - I've got one of those lint rollers too - problem is, I've been too tired to use it for the last 3 days.  Which make's longisland's mug perfect as well.

    Whew - I have been down and out the last 48 hours - temp hovering around 100.  Temp finally down and I can sit up for an hour.  What's with this nonsense?  I thought I was 60, not 90!

    merg - I will see about making a collage of our pics when I get some energy.

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2014

    Aw, Sharon, I wish you the best in coming back into some energy. So tough to feel all drained and then bummed out. I totally relate, and empathize! 

    Big weekend, MIL came up yesterday, DS and his GF came today from CA, we all attended a family fest in a nearby town. Very lovely to see everyone, but I had two naps already today, and its only 7:15 pm. Hope you all have weekend activities that allow for the rest you need or want. People have been so incredibly NICE to me, I keep being amazed. Here's to supportive families and friends.

    Hugs to all, Mame

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  • boobieprized
    boobieprized Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2014

    Oops, I did bring my daughter to the class and facilitator said they usually don't allow you to bring guests, but it was okay as long as the other lady was okay with it.   She was ;).  I guess it's a privacy thing.  It was a nice class and I was impressed with the makeup kit you get.  She showed us lots of different wig/scarves options, too.  If you get the chance, I highly recommend the look good, feel better workshop!

    My girls having way too much fun buzzing my head! 

    image

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  • MommyQ
    MommyQ Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2014

    Hiya. Been offline for a couple days, so trying to catch up. I am in my tired days where I just want to sleep (3 and 4 days after infusion day are nap days for me). Heart rate is up to 100 again and temp hovering around 99-100F. Body aches. Trying to take it easy and drink lots of Gatorade and stuff.

    LatisseCannon: Welcome. You'll find great support from a great group of ladies here.

    Golfinggirl: Hugs

    Mikishelly: Awesome you're almost done with chemo! Woo hoo! I'm jealous. I hear the permanent implants are WAY more comfortable than the TEs. 

    linda505: Hang in there. The dementors will go away soon!

    merg: Looking good! My scalp hurt a lot yesterday, too (3 days after infusion) when I lay down. Today, it's better. I don't put anything on it. If I'm not laying down, it's ok.

    SharonDe: I think a lot of us still have the little straggler hairs that hung on. Weird, huh? I call it my zombie hairstyle. :D I figure it'll all come out soon (maybe 14 days after the 2nd treatment?), so I'm just leaving them alone for now.

    LongIsland & Footballnut: I agree that days 3 and 4 are the worst. Day 5 will be better. Hang in there.

    clarrn: Hope you and your little one feels better soon. I think ice cream is a fabulous idea. :)

    boobieprized: Glad you had a good LGFB event! I enjoyed mine too. 2 of the ladies in my group brought guests and nobody said anything about it. Looks like your girls are having fun buzzing your head! Gotta have some fun in all this. :)

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited May 2014

    Boobiprized!! you rock the bald look big time!!!  Your eyes pop!!  Couple of the ladies at mine had guests too and no one said anything - must be one of those unspoken rules lol.  Glad she got to go anyway and glad you enjoyed it - mine was good and met some nice ladies - one of them is on the same schedule as me so that is nice.

    Dementors have moved on for another round lol - energy coming back - I also ran a slight fever day 4 between 99 -100   - didn't do that the first time.  I slept most of day 4.  Day 6 and feel much better - a touch of D but I can deal with that.  Days 3-5 definitely have been my worst days for the first two treatments - 1/3 done!! woo hoo.

    Sharon hope your energy returns and the fever leaves!!

    Here is to SE free days for all!!

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2014

    just walked on treadmill for 40 minutes. Too hot outside. This dry mouth is driving me nuts. Does this pass after awhile?  Drinking lots of water etc. nothing helps. 

    Ugh!

    Still feeling tired but have to keep pushing. Tonight is my turn for the look good feel better class. Lol

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  • Lakegirl1
    Lakegirl1 Member Posts: 316
    edited May 2014

    Footballnut..I had the dry mouth too....it did get a little better. Keep up with the biotene 2x a day at least.  It really helped me and keep up the water...

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014

    Just had words with my daughter.  First time since being diagnosed.  I guess it's partially my fault.  I downplayed everything to keep her from being scared and upset.  But now that I'm at post treatment #3 and feeling damn sick and tired of being sick and tired for a week every third week, I guess I'm getting a little cranky and a little less brave.  She is going to be 18 in two weeks, so she's not a little kid.  I feel bad, but I need her to step up and cut me some slack.  I think she'll come around.  Told her I don't have the energy to coddle her right now and that she needs to be okay with that. 

    UGH, CHEMO SUCKS!!!

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  • brigadoonbenson
    brigadoonbenson Member Posts: 412
    edited May 2014

    Longisland18y - Sounds like you DD is masking her worry too.  I think your honesty and request for understanding will be appreciated once she steps back and looks at it. 

    I can't imagine having to parent through this.  My children are long out of the nest and the dogs put up with cranky as long as it is done with a treat and a pat on the head.


     

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  • boobieprized
    boobieprized Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2014

    footballnut, have fun!  Let me know what you get in your goodie bag.  ;)

    Longisland, don't feel bad, it's a stressful time for everyone involved.  She needs to hear how it really is and not the sugarcoated version.  (((Hugs)))

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  • Timbuktu
    Timbuktu Member Posts: 1,906
    edited May 2014

    Long Island, I've been through the same exact thing with my 23 year old.  All I wanted to do was protect her from all of this.  I spoke to the social worker at the hospital and she pointed out that by not sharing what I'm going through (she's not a child) I'm separating myself from her.  If I want a close relationship then I have to count her in, just as I would want her to count me in whatever she is going through.  So I've changed.  I don't coddle her as much.  It's hard.  Last night she came home from a trip to California and I was so nervous that she would see my bald head and freak out that I went to sleep in my hat!  Old habits are hard to break.  But a mother's love is endless and just wants to keep pain away.  Your daughter is younger so you feel it even more.  It's hard.

    BTW, I don't know if her father is in the picture but my husband was awful and supported her immature behavior.  I really had it out with him and he's turned around too.  Last Monday he actually dragged her down to the infusion room, insisting that she see what's going on.  I would never have done that but I was unconscious!  They left quickly.  But it hurts my heart, in spite of everything, to think that she had to see me like that.  Still, her behavior has improved 1000%!

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited May 2014

    Hi All,

    I haven't been posting for a couple of weeks, but I have kept up with your stories.  You are all wonderful and beautiful, and I want to thank you for continuing to share.  My second round of AC was really hard.  The nausea was overwhelming.  I get emmend and aloxi at the infusion and then have zofran and promethazine at home.  My doc allows me to take them every four hours because I get so incapacitated by the nausea.  I don't get any steroids with AC, my docs office is trying to cut back on them, but I wonder if they would help.  

    This might be really weird, but I still use my regular shampoo and conditioner.  I like the way they smell (luscious) and I think it is helping to keep my head in good condition.  You know how we all worried that our hair was hiding a mishapen head or an unknown birth mark. Well, mine was!  I have a pretty good shaped noggin, but  have a strawberry birth mark on the back of my head.  I think it's pretty rare, so I feel like I took one for the team. :-)

    Linda, I'm glad the dementors moved on. Also, thank you for that analogy. It is just right.

    Brigadoon, you are so kind and supportive.

    Mame, I used to live in Maine too. It's so beautiful there. I miss it all the time, even the snow.

    Longisland, teenagers are hard, aren't they?  My kids are 15 and 12. Hang in there.

    Footballnut, lakegirl is right, keep up with the biotene mouth wash 2-5 times a day. It really works for dry mouth.  I use the biotene toothpaste too.

    Mommyq, I get the thumping heart rate and elevated temp too.  My blood pressure also drops, which I think is weird with the thumping heart, and it makes me so dizzy.

    Boobieprize, you look awesome.  You're eyes are so pretty.

    Mscaruso, I have been referring to this ordeal as I shitshow since I first read it from you.  It captures it perfectly.

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited May 2014

    I have children 7, 15 and 17. The two older are girls and have been decent mostly, except the times where they want something and my naps or treatment get in the way of their social calendars. I eased them into my baldness too - but I love the advice if you don't share what you're going through it will separate you from them. I plan to take them with me one time to the infusion center when they are out of school, just so they can see what that is all about. I don't want to scare them, but at the same time, because my SE's haven't kept me completely sidelined, I think they have little understanding of how difficult it is to keep everything going.

    Footballnut - congrats on the Rangers last night! My hubs is from Montreal, so he was pretty upset. :) I do get dry mouth quite a bit on taxol too, I chew a lot of mint gum too. I'm not sure that helps but it masks the taste somewhat.

    Boobieprize - you look fantastic! Glad you had a good time at lgfb!!

    Mscaruso - sh**show reflects perfectly what all this is. Bleh.

    Take care all! Hope you all get some restful sleep tonight!!

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  • Longislandl8y
    Longislandl8y Member Posts: 145
    edited May 2014


    Thank you friends!!! I feel so much better after reading your words.  What I love about our group is that we can take turns being strong for each other, and feel safe being weak & whiny when we need to.

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2014

    jhodro I'm from Montreal too. Never got into the habs. Gotta love the rangers and hope that they go all the way!!

    image

    Got my biotene mouthwash and toothpaste so all set to go

    :-)

    Let's go rangers!!

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited May 2014

    I think it's an obsession there. :) It's the least the Rangers can do - win one for you! :)

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  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 2,373
    edited May 2014

    I have 2 kids one is 11 and the other is 9 and it's hard. I just rreally feel bad for mine because this is round two of Mom feels like crap. 

    So it's been a LONG two weeks for me. I feel like as soon as I start to feel better I want to go for the next infusion to get it done but I have to wait. It feels like the days are slowly ticking by. SO finally tomorrow is treatment #3 it's also our wedding anniversary which what a way to spend the day. The crazy part is that I will have treatment #4 13 days later.  So tomorrow I will be trying not to throw up as they push AC. I get a weird feeling in my port and the taste in my mouth makes me want to throw up. Uggghh. 

    Does anyone else that is going thru AC still have some hair ??  It's not consistent but I still have hair on my head and body hair still. I am a little shocked because the first round with TCH by the third treatment I was bald. I am hoping that this means I will have some hair growth during taxol. 

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  • mmtagirl
    mmtagirl Member Posts: 509
    edited May 2014

    Jamieh, I have been through 2 rounds of AC and am pretty much a cue ball with a little gray fuzz.  I started with one round of TC so don't know if that makes a difference.  Eyebrows and lashes are thinning fast.  Start taxol end of June and not sure what to expect there.

    I have an 18 year old daughter graduating high school next week.  She came to visit me during my first infusion and asked a lot of questions to the onco nurse who patiently answered them all.  I think it helped.  Her close friends are used to seeing me bald at home now.  When a new friend comes over I ask in advance if I have to put my hair on or not.  Every single time her answer has been, "it's just a bald head, mom!"  She doesn't care.  I did put my hair on for the prom date. Lol. It was the least I could do.

    I think she is less scared because we talk about it all the time...it is hard to hide it when we are living together as a family and she is a young adult.  If I don't feel well, I tell her.  She rubbed my head when it was itchy and sore.  I wish she didn't have to see her mom so vulnerable...I was always the independent role model, but, this is our life..... And then, I told her this afternoon she was uber cranky and she told me I wasn't allowing her to do anything she wanted for her graduation party... Lol! This IS life!

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