Starting chemo September 2014

Had my 3rd A/C last Monday and am feeling much better today .  Friday seems to be my crash day with lots of fatigue and weakness. On 10/20 I get my last A/C woohoo!  Then on to weekly Taxol with herceptin /perjeta every 3 weeks.  I have put the decision about more surgery on the back burner for now till I get through the chemo. 

Fight on fellow warriors.  Love, Jean 

I also lost most of my hair but a few stragglers remain on top so when I wash my head I end up with a poor imitation of a mowhawk.  Teehee!  Love, Jean 

Toby- SO happy you love your new wig!!! Be strong! 

Toby -- I am NOT a Joan Lunden either, more of a Uncle Fester!!!!  I'm so glad you love your wig and maybe you will venture out into another color/style and enjoy it just as much.  Thanks for the "friends" nod, that made my day!!!!  Hang in there -- My son told me the other day when I was complaining that God isn't ready for someone like me and the Devil is scared of me, so I have to get through this treatment and go on with life.  That's my boy!!!! 

Hi LARock, The MO did not mention it. Some people on this site put up links to the research and I followed their example. This time (infusion #3) was hard. Lot's more nausea on the second day than the first time I fasted. Don't think I will do this again. The research seems good in theory but, I will need more to be in this much discomfort. 

There is a topic here on fasting with links explaining the science. 

Tobycc, glad that you like your wig. I had DH (who is a hairdresser) give me a buzz cut today. Ugh. Barremom is right, no matter how much you tell yourself "it's only hair", it's still an inescapable, visual reminder.  Now I really feel like someone with cancer. 

SueBe, thanks for the info. I'm still trying to put back on the weight I lost after the first round so I think I'll take a pass on fasting. After my first chemo I had no appetite and everything tasted so bad that Iwas unintentionally fasting anyway. I'm sorry you are feeling so badly.

We had a great day today. DD and I got up at 5 to watch the Federer/Djokovich tennis match. Afterwards, Hogan (dog) and I ran 3 miles and then I did some Pilates/core work. Then DH gave me my buzz cut and DD, DH, Hogan and I went up to Ventura Beach where Hogan played on the beach and we poked around town & shopped.

Jean, I'm two weeks behind you.  I had my second A/C on Wednesday.  My last will be on Nov 5th, then on to Taxol for me, too.  It's great to have you ahead of me so I can watch your progress.  Wish I could help you out, too.  

I did ask my doc about how we'll know whether or not the chemo is working.  I'm taking the chemo first in order to shrink the lobular cancer area.  She said after the A/C, she'll order another MRI to compare to the first one I had.  That will certainly be a nail biting time for me.

Since my last tx on Wednesday, I've had pretty mild side effects.  The queesiness is what gets me the most.  Also, very lethargic.  What I really hate is the weird taste in my mouth.  It's almost like I ate a mouthful of salt.  I keep eating pieces of bread to try to get rid of it but no such luck.  I started wearing chemo caps in the house cause my hair is just all over the place.  I cut it but it still sheds.  My wig came yesterday and I really like it so that's making me feel a bit better.  I just hope it stays on my head when I leave the house.  Is there some kind of adhesive or something we're supposed to be using?

Wishing a good day to all.

Kaya Rose

PS, Kala, hair is just a distant memory.  Besides, "Bald is beautiful" is my new slogan of the month.  Love, Jean 

Jean, chicken soup is my go to also.  Somehow when everything else takes odd, chicken soup is still chicken soup.  I always have been a soup person.  Odd thing is food is ok but drinks are awful. I've tried water, coffee, tea, coke and even chocolate milk.  Nothing tastes right.  I'm having a very sleepy but not-sick day.  So, it's a good one.  Kaya

I'm the same with drinks. I found that the flavored Ice drinks taste the best. Using the Biotine mouthwash and brushing has also been helpful. I also keep Wurthers (sp?) hard candies in my purse at all times.

I got a cotton wig liner in the gift shop at the Breast cancer center and it made it much more comfortable but I still prefer scarves when I need my head covered for more than a few hours.   Love, Jean 

Had my second of four CT on 10/6. Didn't have the Nuelasta this time cause I ached so bad.  WBCs were still high anyway.  This time SEs are minimal with only some extreme fatigue on Day 3 and 4, slowly getting better now.  My doc started me on Levaquin on day 5 so I have only taken two.  Hoping to tolerate it well.  My hair started coming out on day 13 and no matter how much you think you are prepared, your not.  My question is, since my TX's are every three weeks do the SE's still build up?  My doc says probably just the fatigue will.  I was down 5 days with the first and only two with the second.  I love my wig, but dang it's hot!!!!  My head itches and has red bumps on it, could that be from heat? Also, does anyone have problems with the meds burning your veins after TX? It takes about a week and it starts itching and turning red, sore also.  Guess I'm gonna have to go to a look good feel better class!  Everyone take care and Keep on keeping on!!!!

Melissa

Hi, Ladies! Looks like it might take me a bit to catch up here....

I hope everyone had a reasonably SE free/minimal weekend. I was thrilled to be feeling pretty OK, no nausea or anything, just rather tired. Yesterday was gloomy and rainy, which added to that. Took the dogs to the pet store, since we needed dog food and a new 'slow feed' bowl for our cattle dog mix, Holly. They were precocious, and reminded me that I need to get them (and me) out walking more often.

The only new SE, if it is in fact an SE, is that I've gotten a cold sore in the corner of my lips. It's been a few years since I've had one, so I put a call in to the onc's office to see if they have any suggestions for remedies. With how we get so immunocompromised, I'd bet even a stupid cold sore virus could be a problem.

Gearing up for #3/4 Adriamycin on Thursday. Half way there!!

LARock I have been gargling with Epson salt and warm water. That has helped me with soreness. No one has ever mentioned that before but my dentist recommended a long time ago for inflammation of the gums. I am also back on Claritin but taking Aleve. I forgot to take it last night and bone pains are back. Took some this morning and hoping that kicks in fast.

Good luck with the SEs and getting used to the office. 

My MO recommends gargling 4 times daily with salt water to prevent mouth sores/soreness. She prefer this to Biotene (which I use for dryness) or other remedies.

Tomorrow it my second TC infusion and I am dreading it. I don't want to go back to the nausea, extreme chemo brain, severe fatigue and other SEs. My first infusion was so painful.... my veins still haven't recovered. I hope they can use my port this time. I even had a very long, detailed nightmare about tomorrow. My buzz cut is shedding like crazy and my balding head is so sensitve. DH was gone all weekend, so I miss him and his support. I had to deal with the three boys and their activities by myself. Feeling really down today... not at all like my usual self. I'm not a big cryer... but I sure am crying today.