Starting chemo September 2014

Poppy, you and I started chemo on the same day, and even though my tx changed, I think we will finish up at about the same time. My exhausted, skinny, bald, teary-eyed, hot flashing self will be holding your hand in spirit tomorrow. I chuckled about the Neulasta shot-ironically that's the one thing that hasn't given me grief, and I have had it 3x now.

Jean, glad to hear your new tx is going well.

Rose, sending up some healthy heart prayers for you.

Toby, when will you find out what changes will be made to your tx plan? I remember the anxiety I felt over that. Sending prayers for you.

Head hair is pretty much gone now. I actually had to pluck my brows a bit last night, and the lashes are still going strong. I am still shaving pits and legs too, although I noticed the hair isn't growing back as quickly as it used to.

Badhairday, thanks for the healthy heart prayers! As far as the nausea and heartburn goes, something to ponder: maybe you're getting too much decadron, ask MO if he can cut you back to the IV only, oral decadron can cause heartburn and nausea, I know everybody has a different treatment schedule, when I received my doses of AC, I got IV decadron only, I didnt have nausea, but got the heartburn and severe gas, I've been living on Pepcid Complete, Gas-x, and tums here and there, also while the adriamycin infused I drank Ice water and sucked on ice chips, not sure if that made the difference, but I read on here that it would help prevent mouth sores, so I guess I'm wondering if the GI track was effected as well? I also get emend and alloxi IV prior to the chemo, both are for nausea prevention. Not sure if your MO uses either of these, but it's worth asking. Hope your stomach straightens out for you!

badhairday, prilosec over the counter has proven to work for me for the bad heartburn during A/C.  Love, Jean 

Badhairday, I haven't had nearly the problem with nausea that I was expecting, I've only had to use the Zofran a couple of times, and I haven't even cracked open the Phenergan they gave me, that stuff is for emergencies only as I prefer to remain conscious. I have used some marijuana a few times, and the stuff is a miracle. It stops the nausea as well as stimulating your appetite and it makes food taste better. I'd forgotten about the "munchies". In my experience the effects are not long lasting but they are immediate, and since you don't have to swallow anything, no vomiting. You sound like you're really suffering so in my opinion it's worth a shot, especially if you live some place where medicinal use is legal. I live in Texas - stupid drug laws.

I start my Taxol on Friday and I'm really anxious about it. I guess it will be a whole new set of issues, but we shall see.

OH, Poppy, I am so happy for you!!!  We want pictures of you ringing the bell!!!

I wish they had a bell.

But, my DH has presented me with a piece of jewelry on each infusion day! And he brings a special dessert. Today it was gourmet cupcakes from Casey's Cupcakes (a local shop who won on Food Network's Cupcake Wars).

Yes, and I appreciate him so much. Relationship wise, we've had good years and more distant or difficult ones. But we've always been together and make our family the priority. He has exhausted himself trying to do his job and take care the kids and I. We met at college; I was 17, he was 19. We've been together ever since. Married after we graduated, worked, traveled... for 10 years before we had kids. Neither one of us is perfect, but we work things out.

As many here know, our high school senior son is seeing a counselor to work on his behavior/attitude issues. During a session with the boy, my DH and I, the counselor asked about our family communication and conflict resolution. My son, who is very angry with us right now, said that my DH and I communicate well, agree on most things, show respect to each other, and rarely raise our voices. Wow, I was floored. Freely said by a kid who is very unhappy with our parenting.

Thanks for the support.

Badhairday -- Wow, I do the accounting for a law firm.  It just keeps getting even more eerily similar.  My Husband had the burning of the esophagus and heartburn, it turns out it is acid reflux.   He is fine now, as long as he takes his medicine. 

Gee, Poppy, what a great husband.  I have one of those, most of the time.  We have been married for 32 years, some good, some bad, but nevertheless, we have built a strong partnership.  Like yours he has lived this nightmare every step and appointment with me.  Lived through raising a son and now looking forward to retirement, someday, soon, hopefully. 

Good morning ladies!

This morning I'll be receiving the 3rd of my four chemo treatments.  Hoping for minimal SE's as I have so far. The one I dread the most is the lack of taste as I really enjoy tasting my food!  When I left school yesterday all the other teachers wished me well...I couldn't ask to work with a better bunch of gals!  I don't post often here but I do check in to see how y'all are doing.  You're an incredible group of very strong women who by no choice of your own are doing what you've got to do!  Right now just maintain and have as good of a day as you can and a better one tomorrow

Kaya-  You are certainly processing A LOT right now. I can imagine its fustrating to think you did all that AC for no results. Wait to see what the MRI shows and at the very least you stopped the progression- which is great- and the chemo is over which is double GREAT!

Digest one thing at a time. Next mastectomy?  Terrific lets get this crap out of you right?  It's a long f***ing journey but you can do it. You have to do it. Start doing your mastectomy research, getting prepared always helps me feel like I have some control. I too worried about lymphodema and had a therapist ready to go a few weeks post op. The sooner you address Lymphodema the better, so having presurgery measurements done and making appts for PT after mastectomy felt, again, like I had some control.  Also getting PT appointments can be challenging. I have been seeing her since August and am so glad I did that, it made a difference. 

Everyone has days of constant worry that's ok- I worried about mastectomy, picking surgeons, mastectomy recovery, lymphodema, cancer spreading, reconstruction, onca scores, chemo, my hair loss, genetic testing, my kids, money etc etc. I still worry, some days more then others but worry is there. Some days I wallow in it most days I try to get on top of it by being productive. 

I wish you the best!  (((Hugs))) 

Something very cool happened. I'm starting 12 weeks of Taxol today, and my doctor's office let me know that the drug manufacturer has a financial assistance program available. I have been staggered by the costs of these chemo drugs, and even though I have hit the out of pocket limit on my insurance for this year, I was a bit concerned about when January rolls around and everything starts over. This is a huge help, so if money is an issue and they don't volunteer this to you, ask.

KayaRose, Barremom has the best advice.  My surgeon gave me some exercises before I was discharged from the hospital to start the day after I got home.  About one week later, I was seeing a therapist for Lymphodema and have not had any problems with it.  Talk to your surgeon, have them set up an appointment with a therapist and get pre-surgery measurements.  "just another crappy cancer day", NO, just another wonderful day to be alive!!!!!

Badhairday,  Are you alright?? 

Rosebud, I hope your infusion went smoothly and you are feeling well.

KayaRose, I'm sorry for what you are going through. This disease is so frustrating because the game plan changes so often. Barremom has great advice, as usual. I don't know if this helps, but the mastectomy was the easiest part of this journey for me. I read several posts on the mastectomy threads, got prepared as best I could. It was far easier than chemo has been for me.

Sybil, thanks for the info. I start a new deductible Jan 1, and I am already worried about how I am going to pay for things. I'm making payments on my out of pocket costs for 2014, which thankfully I have maxed. I joked with the doctor that she better make sure I live for 50 more years, because it's going to take that long for me to pay for this.

I'm slowly returning to the land of the living. Been sleeping a lot. Saw my MO yesterday, and my heartburn is not heartburn. I have ulcerative sores in my esophagus. No more pop, coffee, spicy food, orange juice, etc. Let's just say that without my coffee and diet coke, I am not the sweetest person in the world! But I am feeling so much better.

In other news, Little E is still the love of my life and my reason for fighting the good fight! My soon to be ex is still an ass. And I have a night out with a girlfriend planned for tomorrow night. Food, drinks, and the chance to win $1000! All paid for and no children allowed. Really looking forward to having a bit of fun. I haven't had a drop of alcohol since starting chemo, and would love to have a glass of wine. Thoughts?

Just wanted to post good news for a change. My MO called me yesterday with the results of the MRI I had on Thursday afternoon. The cancer area has definitely shrunk. The chemo is working! No mastectomy yet. Going to continue on the original treatment plan and finish 12 weeks of taxol before surgery. So relieved to know the chemo is doing its job. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster for the last few days and can finally relax. Still sick from the SE but can cope better today. Yes.

Nomatterwhat - thanks for reminding me of what's important and what I have to be grateful for. Yes, another wonderful day to be alive. I'll keep working on gratitude.

I just wanted to say Hi.  I started AC on my bday 9/19/14.  I've finished the four AC and start Taxol/Herceptin next week. The tumor is smaller but I've recently noticed that breast has a different consistency now than before and there are little lumps and sore spots at upper breast/under the arm (tumor is lower).  Don't know what that means. Appt w/surgeon who will hopefully do a new ultrasound to see on Tuesday.  Anyway, glad to find this support.  Haven't found any support groups nearby that meet after work or weekends (even the nurse navigators can't find me one). 

xo