Starting Chemo October 2014

Becca, thankfully, I already have a wig.  In Massachusetts, insurance covers up to $350 towards the cost of a wig.  I just have to go back to the salon to learn how to care for it and to have a fitting after my hair is cut.  I also have some hats and scarves.  I will need to get a few more to match my fall wardrobe, but I hope to mostly wear the wig to work.

Good morning.  

I had such a wonderful experience yesterday and wanted to share.  My hair was starting to thin and  my entire head had a tight and sore sensation so I knew I was cutting it close ion time so I made an appt to have my head shaved.  I was so emotional and my husband was right there holding my hand.  I could tell other customers were sneaking peeks.  Halfway through my stylist says, "I'm next and you're going to shave my head.  They all know and I'm doing it for you. I don't want you to do this alone. You inspire me."  I thought she was kidding. I've only been going to this salon for about 8 months.  She wasn't kidding!!!  After she was done with mine, she went next. I wish I knew how to post pictures.  It was such a moving experience.  She created hope during a very traumatic experience.  The salon would not let me pay not would my now friend take a tip.  My husband was moved beyond words. I feel for one little 7 year old getting her hair done. Her eyes were wide while I got my head shaved, but she didn't know what to make of my stylist sitting down and doing it to. I hope her mommy talked to her.  

In the end, I'm doing ok. Husband kept rubbing my head last night and smiling.  I'm going to make some friends very happy as I turn over my hair product supply to them.  

ilovecoasters what a great experience. Sounds like you are blessed witk lots of love a support. 

ilovecoasters - what a wonderful experience!

i have been shedding like crazy ... not wanting to get buzzed, since scalp feels sore. I am planning to use mostly caps and hats. I love the elegantly tied scarves, but my experiments (one-handed) have been a hot mess. I have ordered a pre-tied one, but kind of pricy, so I hope that some crafty friends can replicate. My dog got a bit agitated yesterday when I scattered some stray strands into the wind, and insisted on covering them up!

Good Monday Morning! I feel like I've rejoined the living! Had Tx #2 last Wednesday and Neulasta on Thursday. Taste buds totally gone again by Thursday but otherwise feeling fine until Friday afternoon when the cold-to-the-bone and aching kicked in. The Neulasta SEs not so bad this round though, the bone pain didn't really get me until Sunday evening. No nausea or diarrhea from the chemo, the anti-nausea meds are wonderful! I just felt weak, foggy, dizzy and not well Friday evening and all day Saturday. Sunday my head was clear but I was SO weak. This stuff really packs a punch. 2 down, 4 to go! I can do this!

llovecoasters, my treatment is 17 total. 6 chemo and 17 of Herceptin. My MO does the Herceptin every 3 weeks instead of weekly. It just depends on the doctor.

Becca, glad to hear round 2 was so much better for you, yay!

Cherice

And I was blaming all my SEs on the Neulasta.... clearly not the case, ml143333. Remember to keep drinking! Hoping you're feeling better today.

ilovecoasters, I don't get it either, there seems to be no standard treatment regime for the same cancers. One doc said I needed 4 treatments of CT and the next recommended 6 using the same drugs. I don't know though if the dosing was the same. So it boils down to practice preference, the doc believes success is obtained with X and that is how they will proceed. I'd rather have 4 (God knows!) but I have to trust someone and I've chosen to trust my MO. So 6 it is. I can still say 'dammit' though.

Dear ladies,

Checking back in. Last time I wrote, I was 5 days past 1st infusion/neulasta and planning to return to work.

Well, I did return to telework and I was able to participate in a 2-day long conference via phone, but, don't tell anyone, handled some of the call lying on my back in bed with the speaker phone propped on my chest. I was too tired to sit up! (No one seemed to know!)

Tomorrow is the 2nd infusion (out of 4). I feel more comfortable with it now because I know what to expect. Today is a holiday from work and I'm gathering my supplies for the next few days: lots of chicken soup (figured out last time I really have to baby my stomach for about 2 weeks), Powerade (I've developed an addiction to this stuff), apples to make applesauce, saltines, homemade hummus, dried fruits and nuts. I'm cranking up the humidifier to prevent last sessions' bloody noses, and preparing for lots of naps. I'll squeeze in as much yoga as I can, try to walk 30 minutes a day, and meditate.

I read all of your messages, and I really appreciate knowing you are with me out there, on a similar journey.

llovecoaster, loved the message about your hairdresser. I think it's the silver lining - how kind and supportive people are. I'm doing cold caps and found a dry ice supplier in my area who donates the ice to those of us going through chemotherapy. He charges only for delivery (and even that is really reasonable). Lots of unsung heroes.

I'm also starting to look into clinical trials for high Oncotypes like me. Just need to get through the next couple of months first.

Love and hugs to all of you.

Got the Port put in yesterday, didn't realize they were going to bandage me up halfway up my neck. Needless to say I am sitting in my office with a scarf on and its 70 degrees outside today, but if it keeps me from spending another 6 hours in infusion on Friday it is so worth it. I been reading posts from other folks and looking at pictures of ports and I think I have freaked myself out sufficiently so  I will have to wait and see how it goes. I feel a bit sore so I am not sure what to expect now. 

I've been searching for a support system online because  I was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer August 2014. I've had a mastectomy Sept. 23, and I am going to have my first chemo treatment Nov.21, 2014. I've been given two options in terms of treatment: Docetaxel, Fluorouracil, and Methotrexate OR Cyclophosphamide, Fluorouracil, and Methotrexate. I've searched online for the side effects of the medications, and I am so frightened. I just do not know what to do. Do I take the hormone therapy or do I go with the chemo and hormone therapy? My Oncotype DX score is 23 (intermediate recurrence), so it's been recommended that I have 4 sessions of chemo (one every three weeks) because I am relatively young (53), and hormone therapy after the chemo is completed. I've read that the benefit of chemo for an Oncotype Dx of 23 is unclear, and there are clinical trials happening currently. I think I should know what I want to do in terms of treatment, but I am concerned about the side effects of  chemo.  I would like to keep working (I am a teacher assistant) during chemo treatment, but I am concerned about the side effects while working with students (7th graders). All advice would be most helpful.

ml143333, I have a BARD too. Thanks for the info, I thought it was just me feeling weird with this side neck thing. I am trying not to look weird looking to the right. Like you said not unbearable but I do know its there....I will keep two weeks in my head to feel somewhat normal again. I remind myself everyday its the destination not the journey on this but jeez....it seems like something different every day

Welcome eleanor53. You have certainly come to the right place to ask questions and talk about fears. One thing you will notice right off is that everyone reacts to the treatments differently. For me personally, the side effects have been minimal and I am very thankful for that. I receive nausea meds via IV before the chemo and that has helped tremendously - I have literally not been sick. The worst side effects I deal with his generally headaches and constipation for about 3 days after chemo (not to mention hair loss). You may one to ask your oncologist what nausea meds you will be prescribed. To ease your mind more, you may want to consider a second opinion - it can't hurt. Also, my treatments are on Thursday so I have the whole weekend to recover and by Monday I actually feel pretty good. Stay in touch and let us know. Hugs

Eleanor, Welcome to the group.  I had a BMX on 8/4/14 with chemo starting on 8/22/14.  I had the every 3 weeks 4x of TC. My doctor recommended this regimen due to the fact that I am only 54 and they tell me I am relatively young, (they should live in this body some days).  Next I am headed to radiation and hormone therapy.  I can tell you that I really didn't have very many side effects with this regimen and was told that the TC was one of the easiest and lightest forms of chemo to have.  Although, some days I called them liars, plus a few other names, I survived and didn't miss one day of work, except for chemo days.  I did my chemo on Thursday, shot on Friday, felt icky over the weekend and back to work on Monday.  The best advice I can give to you is to drink, drink and drink some more.  Take your medicine on time and I took my Zofran every six hours and before I ate.  I even got up in the middle of the night and took my Zofran, drank some Ginger Ale and ate some crackers.  I made sure I ate something every couple of hours and didn't let myself get hungry.  Make sure you eat bland, spicy foods about killed me.  There are amazing ladies on this board and look forward to helping you in any way we can. 

Dear llovecoaster - hope it goes very smoothly for both of us! I'll be sending good thoughts your way from ATL.