Starting Chemo October 2014

Thanks to all for the support, very appreciated. I'm going the way of scarves, just don't want to fuss with hair. 

Leto! You're gorgeous,Girl! 

I grabbed the bull by the horns too and shaved the ol noggin. It was fading fast and I honestly couldn't stand the thought of it coming out in clumps. My 22 year-old daughter did the honors and when she was done she looked me over and said, "I'm not going to lie, that style is bad-ass!" I was flattered. It was tough to make the call but I'm relieved it's a done deal. Looking forward to what I'm going to get when it make its come-back, hoping for curls the next time around  

Hi I am new to the website. I got my diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer 9/30/2014 and had to complete a mandatory physical assessment for work the next day that I blew out the water. Since then it seemed like I have been in a confused state of: "what is everyone waiting for get this crap out of me since then", but now that lymph node testing is done and biopsies of other areas things are progressing. My first chemo session is on Friday and that is when I find out what my cocktail will be. As this type of cancer responds very well to chemo I will have the surgery after I am done then radiation. I love my oncologist, he is smart, funny and tells me like it is without making me feel sick. When I asked could I shave my arms and legs, he said yes however you will lose the hair there so you don't need to. I wanted to know when would I lose my head hair. He was not evasive he said Day 16 is when hair starts to fall out, since I wear wigs sometimes to switch it up I have plenty. I have just never worn one with no hair. So while everyone else is gearing up for trick or treat I will be in the "infusion room" getting drugs.

enlm20 I am doing the same regimen, my first treatment was this past Friday, next one Nov. 14.  So far, so good.  No nausea whatsoever thanks to the wonderful meds that they have.  They also give you steroids which make you hungry, so I've been eating normally so far.  So much for the silver lining of weight loss as a result of treatment.  The Neulasta shot I had on Saturday finally started affecting me.  I wouldn't call it bone pain, more of a twinge, just slightly uncomfortable.  Motrin helps.  My mouth is feeling odd starting today as well.  I've been using Biotene mouthwash to prevent sores.  Things are definitely not tasting normally today.  You should definitely start a November thread, but but check back with us since we're already experiencing what you'll be going through.  I will honestly say that this was not as bad as I anticipated so far.

glad you are here November ladies, I started early October and wished I had jumped in on the September boards a bit more to know what to expect. There are wonderful helpful ladies in this thread and all across the board, I can't keep up at times. Spend some time reading through the threads for tips, but I'll try to follow up before the end of the week! 

I'm 4 days past my 2nd infusion and have stomach pain and cramping. Not sure if this is a common side effect or not? Was nauseous this morning and vomited and felt a little better but the cramps are still kicking. I have norco to help with some neulasta back pain but almost made the stomach cramping worse. Has anyone had cramping? I don't have diarrhea or anything. Yet 😳. I also got my stupid period, which I was hoping to not have to see this month, blah. Cramps are not associated w that though. They seem more intestinal. 

lost a good amount of hair, but still have alot with the cold caps, they seem to be working but it's still early. I can wear a small ponytail or hat and no one would know I'm going through this. Definitely some spots thinner than others but all coverable so far. 

Leto you look awesome!

Welcome all new ladies!

Becca, how is your stomach normally?  Mine is pretty strong, even when pregnant, only a touch of nausea second time around, never vomited.  I don't get motion sickness,ever.  Some people have weaker stomachs, such as my next door neighbor.  She feels nausea just about every day, and she's healthy!  You might just be more susceptible to nausea.  Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well.

I have the taste issues right now.  Bland things are best.  I eat Cream of Wheat for breakfast.  Hard boiled eggs for lunch.  Coffee is meh, no Diet Coke, wine.  Of course I just keep eating things trying to find something that works so I don't think that I'll lose much.

Cherice It sounds like the worst may have passed for you, hopefully yesterday got a little easier. I had the bad taste/everything tasting like wood chips and as much as I hate drinking water, I found it helped to reduce that side effect quicker. It just tastes SO BAD. And my stomach is still cramping 5 days out, heating pad has been helping at home, also taking probiotics which are helping to keep things moving. Started salt and baking soda rinsing yesterday, I don't want the mouth coating to come back, so nasty! My hair even with cold caps started really falling out about day 20. The majority of it is gone but there is enough left. Not sure if it will make it through all 4 treatments but there's hope I guess. 

Water taste strange to me also, plus tea which I love and drink daily. Now cran apple juice and ginger ale are my new buddies. Along with cheez it crackers and peanut butter toast.  I am happy that chocolate still taste yummy as ever.

I found eating crackers and drinking something helps with the stomach cramps. All good things to know for my next round

Becca - I'm just reaching out to you right now cause I could have written your post. I wanted to send you a private message but I started crying and couldn't figure it out. Yes I'm either constipated or having diarrhea,  I'm on and off nauseous, everything smells bad and tastes off and I can't even drink my sparkling water. And I have been rinsing with salt water and baking soda twice a day and I still got mouth sores today. I had to yell for my DS to bring me a Zofran while I was in bed trying to keep from hurling - I had been okay yesterday. Why did I think this would pass by me? I am  sorry you are having a bad day, Becca, you are not alone! I'm going to wallow in it a while then walk with Abby Airedale then wallow some more if needed. You are strong - be kind to yourself, linda

Becca - so glad you are having a great day!  We got this with the help of each other, our families and friends!

Sending love to each of you tonight. What an amazing group of women.  

Hey nottoday,

Sorry with the late response.  Just got back from the racetrack.  Pretty good for post chemo #2.  Taxotere can turn your fingernails and toenails dark, can cause splitting and neuropathy.  Icing keeps that nasty med from getting to the fingertips and toes.  I iced for my first round, but it was so messy.  I decided to freeze sponges and insert my fingers and toes in them.  Now past the second round I had a little bit of tingling in the tips of my fingers, but it went away after a couple of days.  My nails still look pretty good, no darkening, no unusual or deep ridges, so I think the sponges worked.  Yes it was very cold.  One of the other patients told me that she wished someone had mentioned icing to her.  Hope that helps.

I am 7 days post chemo treatment #2.  Feel pretty good overall just feeling tired.  My only complaint is that I got frost bite on two of my fingers during my last treatment and the feeling on the ends of these two fingers have not gotten better at all.  Also the Taxotere marked my arm from the first infusion and now it is 4 weeks post first treatments and still has not gone away.  I went to the oncologist today and she said that it probably will eventually go away.  Second treatment has not marked my arm yet and hopefully it wont'.  I only have to have 4 treatments altogether so 2 more to go.  Has anyone else had either of these problems.  Thanks. 

Imodium will help you.  

Sjacobs146 - I feel for you. I had it bad on Monday and there wasn't anything I could really do but let it run the course. I was wondering if it was the store-cut FRUIT I had eaten the day before that may have caused it. Did you eat any raw fruit/vegetables?  Maybe coincidence - but probably the chemo.

However, after investigating the reason why one should not eat RAW fruit or vegetables during chemo, I found that it may contain a lot of bacteria. In fact, this is what I found on the breastcancerwarrior.net website: "avoid all uncooked, unpeeled foods. That means NO LETTUCE" and "while on Chemo or Radiation, say goodbye to green salads, as well as all unpeeled fresh fruit or veggies and eat only cooked, or thoroughly, seriously scrubbed and then peeled foods, and if a food can’t be peeled and can’t be cooked, then don’t eat it."