Starting chemo September 2014

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  • HockeyCat
    HockeyCat Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2014

    Thanks, Zimastar. I wish I can skate with you! Hope those horrible side effects go away soon. I'm fighting the fatigue and went for a run today. I ran 3 miles (very slow pace) while my husband skated along with me. I dreaded doing it, but it felt better afterward. 

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  • fire-n-ice
    fire-n-ice Member Posts: 24
    edited September 2014

    Zimastar,

    Thank you so much for understanding and TY for the prayers.  Gentle hugs and butterfly kisses to all.  Sleep peacefully.

    Logan

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  • sybilskelton
    sybilskelton Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2014

    Well it begins. I'm scheduled for my second AC treatment tomorrow, and I noticed this morning in the shower the pubic hair seems to be coming out in wads. Now, I've never been down with the whole Brazilian wax trend, but it seems I'm about to find out what all the shouting is about, and without the pain of waxing! Got to find the up side wherever I can.

    I'm guessing this means the hair on my head is not long for this world. RIP

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  • Rosebud1445
    Rosebud1445 Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2014

    Good morning!

    I'll be starting chemo this Friday.  Had my port implanted last Friday. I didn't really want to do this...I scored 20 on my Oncotype.  But after looking at stats...it just increases the chances that this dreadful disease never returns.  I have in our small community another gal who is also in treatment for bc and she has been a great source of information as well as inspiration. This site has also been a great source! I want to be prepared now to weather through the chem with minimal side effects! I'll be receiving Taxotere and cyclophosphomide. 

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  • DaniellaD
    DaniellaD Member Posts: 273
    edited September 2014

    Hockeycat - you just made me feel like such a loser! You're jogging and skating.  Meanwhile I had to stop jogging after my first infusion.  I jogged the day after my lumpectomy but after my infusion, I just didn't have the emerge  I feel too young to be just walking and now you put me to shame! You go! Even if it's not what you usually do, it's more than I'm doing 

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2014

    Zimstar....what do they attribute the fluid retention to?   I have to avoid that....cardiac issues. Yes, I am full of scars, but G od still has me here!!!

    ZJ...I read on here cranberry tablets really help with UTIs. I stocked up this weekend

    Hockey....SO proud of you!!!!!  What are your SE now?

    Rosebud, my partner in crime. I start Friday also. Same cocktail. Shot scheduled for Saturday morning

     Poppy and others starting tomorrow. Will keep you lifted up. kris, how are you ?

    I am hoping to get darn staples out Wednesday from lumpectomy. Went last Thursday but I have a hematoma he was hoping would go down.  Site where drain was is leaking, as is the site where LN taken. 

    Managed to get through work by keep adding gauze.  Mummy for Halloween?

    Hugs, love and prayers

    Toby

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  • HockeyCat
    HockeyCat Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2014

    Daniella - you are getting infusion every week, so you don't have much time to recover.  I couldn't run or skate for a while after my first infusion, but I have 3 weeks to recover before the next one. :)  2 more days till my 2nd, your 4th. My hair is shedding quite a bit since yesterday. Hope you are doing well. 

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2014

    Thanks for the support everyone! I thought I was doing okay with the idea of starting chemo, but now I can't sit still. It reminds me of the "nesting instinct" that took over right before my babies were due!

    Regarding my sore, red area with white bumps around the port placement. The docs think it's a reaction to the Dermabond (I do too). One doc said to try to remove the Dermabond, the other (the BS who did the surgery) said no way, leave it in place. I'll leave it and see what the MO says tomorrow when she sees me before chemo.

    What the heck am I going to do for the 4.5-5 hours they told me to allow for the chemo infusions? I am not one to sit around. I rented a movie from Redbox, will have books, my Kindle, my phone, most importantly my DH. Maybe practice tying scarves for when my hair falls out. ;-)

    Welcome Rosebud! That's the attitude; let's give it all we can to kick cancer out forever! I'm on the same CT meds, but am hoping to do without the Neulasta.

    Sybil, You made me smile with your outlook on our shedding adventure.

    Toby, At the risk of TMI.... when my incisions were oozing after surgery, I got tired of dealing with the gauze. I took a maxi-thin sanitary napkin and used the sticky strip to attach it to my sports bra. It worked well and wicked the wetness away. It didn't fragrance or anything that would irritate the incision.

    I'm thinking of and praying for each of you! I will be drawing strength from you tomorrow!

    As I told my kids, things are going to get serious!

    Poppy

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  • runningchef
    runningchef Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2014

    First of all I would like to thank everyone for the replies and kind words.  It looks like I/We are in the right group as my wife Carol will begin her chemo Thursday.  Since my last post some final pathology came in post mastectomy, there was an unknown tumor found that is slightly PR+, her other tumoros were all triple negative, so we will have some added therapy post chemo and radiation. I continue to learn a lot from the posts here, thanks! 

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2014

    Chef/Carol- Thanks for the update. I wish you both strength and peace as you start the chemo Thursday. Carol has been through quite a bit of surgery. She must be a very strong woman!

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  • Rosebud1445
    Rosebud1445 Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2014

    I talked to my oncology nurse today about several things and asked about the neulastin...she said I wasn't scheduled yet for one.  One week from treatment I go back for labs and at that time I think they'll determine if I need it.  This is a great resource for all of us going through this nasty cancer.  Hopefully someone else can be helped by these experiences! 

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  • melannmor44
    melannmor44 Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2014

    Tomorrow is one week from first nuelasta injection.  I really don't know what to expect after the next treatment cause AUNT FLO came to visit this time and that is very painful and I bleed so heavy.  I already take iron because of that.  I have just felt like I have been run over by a train for 6 days now.  How long does it take the chemo to shut your ovaries down?  I am ready for it now!  Is it a permanent side effect?  My entire reason for my OB/GYN appointment was my painful periods, even though I knew I needed a mammo, I had no reason to suspect BC. Well, that was my first and last mammo.  I went ahead and had both my girls whacked!  Some say the first treatment is the worst and others say they are worse in succession.  I guess I'll just wait and see.  I hate the unknown.  Thanks for letting me rant.  I want to feel normal, but I really don't know if I know what normal feels like. 

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2014

    poppy, wonderful idea!  Starting it tomorrow. The pain is still horrific. They hit a nerve getting to the nodes

    Positive thoughts will be with you!  I too have book, iPad, earbuds for my faith music, and DH

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  • fire-n-ice
    fire-n-ice Member Posts: 24
    edited September 2014

    Poppy, port feel any better? Hope so, because in a short while it's going to get some use. I would ask you if you and Toby are ready, but that's a moot point if you two are like me. Ready or not here we come. I was ready earlier then I had to have an MRI to check my knee and now I find myself a bit anxious, maybe it's b/c I haven't heard from the MRI, you think? I just want to get started AND finished. GL to us :)

    Kris, I sincerely hope those SE are gone.

    Rose, I loved your post on World Appreciation Day, so true.

    Lori, so sorry about your hair and scalp. I hope you are feeling better.

    To all the other warriors, please take care and listen to your bodies, they know best. To tiny SE and peaceful sleep.

     Love to all my Semper Fi family, we're tougher than them.

    Gentle {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and butterfly kisses

    Logan

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  • warrior70
    warrior70 Member Posts: 144
    edited September 2014

    Hi Everyone:

    I just wanted to drop in and say Hi!

    A year ago this time, I was starting chemo (AC+T).  I started 9/12/13 and lost my hair 9/30/13 (after my second AC)...but more importantly...I finished chemo in January 2014, radiation in March of 2014, and am plugging along with Tamoxifen...only 9.5 more years to go!

    I think my point is...chemo sucks.  Rads suck.  Hell, getting diagnosed with cancer...that sucks worse than ANYTHING!  Nothing will ever restore that feeling of invulnerability I had before diagnosis...God, I miss that, and I never knew I had it until it was gone.  But, IT GETS BETTER.  You finish tx...you begin to grow hair and you ditch your wig...your eyebrows and eyelashes return...you become a "rank and file" member of society again.  It's a new normal to be sure, but it's NORMAL.

    Thanks for hearing me out...PM me if you want to talk.  I'd love to hear from any of you.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited September 2014

    Hi all.  I had my second dose dense chemo yesterday along with a flu shot.  All went well except I had to stop the first nurse who had trouble accessing a really good vein in my arm and ask for a different nurse.  Felt bad for the first gal and told her not to take it personally but I may have shaken her up a bit.  Hope not.  I feel amazingly well today.  Giving myself the neulasta later.  Hope you all have a blessed day.  Love, Jean

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  • Kris103
    Kris103 Member Posts: 57
    edited September 2014

    Hi, Ladies -

    Thanks for the good wishes. I basically checked out Sunday and Monday, pretty much slept both days. I guess that's what my body needed. The good news is that I'm only having lower back pain from the Neulasta, and walking around is helping that. Not much appetite, but trying to stick with a BRAT diet for now, and the nausea is keeping at bay. Brain is feeling a bit mushy, so I'll probably put off trying to make coherent responses for later.

    Gentle Hugs!

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  • Rose0766
    Rose0766 Member Posts: 92
    edited September 2014

    Jz-good for you tanking the first nurse, don't they realize this is not a game ? You want your veins to last and by them missing it just messes up for the next person

    Kris103- my brain felt that way over the weekend like I couldn't focus -like static on the TV- fuzzy

    Fire-n-ice: thanks for shout out, I meant every word, and right , our bodies do know best!

    It's a beautiful fall day here in the Buffalo area, time to get out and enjoy it, my brother is getting married on Saturday and I have a dress to buy! I'm glad I still have my hair, ;)  peaceful thoughts to all of you!

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  • HockeyCat
    HockeyCat Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2014

    Getting ready for my second infusion tomorrow. Last time I got fever, D, and horrible bone pain. Hope I won't get bad SEs this time.... Amy, Daniella, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, sending loves from the chair in So Cal. :)

    I noticed a small pink bump on the scar from SNLB. Has anyone had this problem? It's small, almost looks like a pimple. It doesn't hurt so I didn't notice until last night. My surgery was back in July. I don't think it's an infection. I'll check with my doctor tomorrow...

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  • DaniellaD
    DaniellaD Member Posts: 273
    edited September 2014

    hockeycat and Amy - I'll be thinking of you both, too.  Getting ready for #4 tomorrow. Drank almost my first gallon of water for the day.  Feel like I'm drowning in water.  Need to get two gallons in today, tomorrow and Thursday and I absolutely dread it.  

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  • Zimastar
    Zimastar Member Posts: 25
    edited September 2014

    Well, today is post day 14 and what a day its been!  Sybil, shedding is no joke in the who ha area! 

    Last night I plucked my eye brows..came out like butter, no pain no roots. This am i rubbed my side burn area & you would've thought I plucked those to, all in my hands! I had lots of hair on my brush today as well.

    So, I finally realized I can't handle chunks coming out! I bought 2 wigs & went to my friends salon & got all but 1/2 inch off. You can see areas of baldness already ugh. Kids will be home shortly.... Let's see how they handle it lol. It was kinda dramatic to me surprisingly. Maybe it just needs to grow on my? Lol

    Well wishes to you all!! 

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  • Rosebud1445
    Rosebud1445 Member Posts: 16
    edited September 2014

    Dear melann44mor

    You have had the same drugs that I'll be taking on Friday.  It's good to hear you didn't have many side effects. I'll be following you since you're about 11 days ahead of me.  I hope you continue with minimal side effects and best to you!

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  • ilovepugs
    ilovepugs Member Posts: 78
    edited September 2014

    Hi everyone, 

    Just adding my name to the September group. I had my first round yesterday, it went smoothly and I thought for a while that I was going to be one of those lucky superwoman-types who doesn't have any side effects. Too bad that's not the case. By dinner time yesterday it hit me: nausea, dizziness, profuse sweats. Took my temperature and it was normal, so I took a couple of the "as needed" anti-nauseates as well as the scheduled pills. Rested and sipped ice water for the rest of the evening. 

    Today I've got that consistent underlying nausea ie) I can't open the fridge because the smell is grossing me out. I had a dry piece of toast that tasted like salt and a smoothie that was way too intense to my taste buds (frozen berries, yogurt and melon), so I watered it down to make it palatable. These side effects are mild, I know, but nevertheless they're enough to make me feel pretty fussy. To add to my all around fussiness, my adorable little pug that doesn't leave my side and loves to cuddle and snuggle when I lie down even smells too intense despite giving her a bath yesterday! Poor little thing, she just wants to be cosy with me! Thank goodness my husband still smells good to me! 

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  • VioletKali
    VioletKali Member Posts: 243
    edited September 2014

    ((hugs to the pugs))

    That happened to me too.. Things felt great for 2 days, I was so sure that maybe I would be lucky.. NOPE. 

    And certain foods taste awful to me too..

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2014

    don't want to leave anyone out.....apologies if I do!  I love pugs.....what chemo are you on?

    Zim....is your fluid better?

    Hockey, Melonmod, Fire n ice, how are you all feeling?

    Rosebud....what time Friday?  My first one, like yours, is at 8:30. Hubby going with. Then I have a board meeting from 3:30-4:30 at work. Then home. Hope to be better by Monday....if not will work from home

    Kris, so glad you rested!  Question.....should I start drinking water Thursday before tx Friday?  During tx?

    Anyone using tea tree oil for nails?

    Hugs and prayers for ALL of you

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  • Tobycc
    Tobycc Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2014

    POPPY!!!! :). Thought of you all day!  Hope you are well

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  • AmyG516
    AmyG516 Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2014

    Daniella and HockeyCat - I'm so not ready for the next round tomorrow!  I just started feeling normal again and now it's time to get knocked down again.  I'll do it but I'm not happy.  I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow!!

    Rose0766- I'm in the buffalo area too - pretty cool coincidence! Our weather was beautiful today and it looks like it will be just as nice all week.  These are the days I dream of when the snow is flying. Nothing better than Fall in WNY!!

    Gentle hugs to all!

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  • Rose0766
    Rose0766 Member Posts: 92
    edited September 2014

    weather was perfect today! Got my wig today, was an interesting experience, tried like 5-6 on, settled on one very much like my own hair color, a little shorter than my current style, and I have my hats ready, my Mom said to me : your so organized, lol, I didn't get upset with her, I know she doesn't get the whole " control" thing, so little we can control now...

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  • fire-n-ice
    fire-n-ice Member Posts: 24
    edited September 2014

    Poppy, I'm 4 hours post chemo and not a thing to tell it yet. Kelsee, my daughter, would tell you that was a fib..her mom is loopy, LOL, I so hope yours goes as well as mine. Toby, was also thinking of you during treatment, saying a prayer for you also. So hoping yours is like mine has been. Now in 2/3 hours every SE in the books may hit me, but right now....feel gr8!!! To all the warriors and my new family, may the wind stay at your back and the sunshine on your face.

    Gentle hugs and butterfly kisses

    Logan

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  • Zimastar
    Zimastar Member Posts: 25
    edited September 2014

    Tobycc, still have fluid retention that's slowly going down w lasix. To bad next Tues will bring more ugh! 

    Amy, I have family in Elma. Love it there. Send me some chain smoker wings stat! Oh & some mighty taco! 

    Fire n ice, I hope SE stay away from you!

    Rose, I wish I had went wig shopping sooner, not on the day of a cut. 

    Keep strong warriors! 

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