November 2014 Starting Chemo Crew

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2014

    Welcome BreatheinExhaleSlow to the BCO community. We hope that you will find support and information within this compassionate and knowledgeable group of others.

    Keep posting and let us know how things go for your chemo. Our thoughts are with you as you start the journey.

    The Mods

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    Hi Ladies

    Hugs to all.

    Wishing all of us starting or entering in another round this week peace and healing and all the best outcome and lots of hugs!!!

    I start tomorrow, this am was very rough emotionally for me (I hugged my yoga mat as I cried and realized that this is the last day of the old me, chemo will impact me and change me, hmmm maybe I'll become Wonder Woman! Zap Kapow, oops think that was in Batman, little cartoon sayings popped up to hide the violent scenes :)

    I may take the anxiety meds from my oncologist tomorrow after all, as my OB/GYN nurse told me now is not the time to be macho. So for anyone on here feeling that know you are not alone. It's ok. It's ok to need the meds as Wendy, aka Tigger2 said take them when you need them. I just wish I had them tonight but I do have chamomile tea thanks to BonnieD's suggestion so will go "there" tonight :) - thank you BonnieD, would love to hear more about herbs, I am big on pulling anything in to support my body in all that it will go through and I've been interested in them but too busy and overwhelmed to focus and try stuff.

    That all being said I feel so very blessed to be with all of you, through all the good, the difficult and inspiring. What an amazing group of women you all are!!! If you don't realize it look in the mirror and smile at yourself, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL.

    I did try to dye my hair pink today, LOL it only took on a couple of strands and the rest stayed blonde. For a moment I had this false little hope my hair is also going to resist the chemo... so NOT! So I too will shave it down soon. And then it will hats...I've picked up a few from Ocean State Job Lot, thankfully its Winter season so there are some nice fleece lined and cute ones. I may wig shop but I'd really like a pink/blonde one for fun.

    Tigger2/Wendy LOL oops sorry, but sooooo glad your one nighter turned into 22 years, here is to 22 more and congratulations, he sounds like a keeper :) and thank you for remembering all of us starting chemo tomorrow, a virtual hug!

    LeslienVA I think you are making a smart decision for your circumstances, we're sort of in the same place on that one. It's hard because it's such an individual decision, for me I felt no pressure from my coworkers or bosses but overall when my navigator and others would ask if I was working through it I was wondering how I'd pull it off as I've been bad off all year with fatigue (even slept at the hotel near work a couple of times). Long commute, big exposure being IT support to over 400 people with colds and flu and my oncologist said no. So I think it really is relative. It would be nice if I could as I can distract myself with it and ignore the cancer stuff. But I do have a project (when I go back) but I can research now if I need to escape (Office 2013 and what it implies for how our environment will work). That's not them asking that is me being able to use what I need to get through this beast... HUGS to you. Heal, be well, take that time to sustain your future ahead. We'll be through this before we know it, at least my nurse said I'll be surprised at how fast it goes by...

    BTW ladies, have heard the real tough part comes post treatments, when all is said and done the "crash" no future support, nowhere to go to etc. So maybe if that is true we have a POST CHEMO/RADs etc group?

    I know I'm missing some of your posts here, I've been on here reading less the last couple of days as I made sure I got Mom and Dad out for lunch and grocery shopping yesterday, prepped for soup and hair dying and today my daughter, grandson and son (in-law) and Mom and Dad all went for lunch and shopping (need to lay in bird seed as who knows when me the driver will be up and about)... stuff. If I missed you I'll catch up but until then YOU ARE ALL IN MY PRAYERS and ALL OF YOU GET HUGS (not shouting just emphasis ;)

    Love and Hugs my dear friends


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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    Hi BreatheInExhaleSlow

    Love that name! Welcome and hugs, wishing you all the best outcome on your first chemo, we're starting the same week!! I've heard the first couple of days aren't when you feel crummy but I don't know, I find out after Monday... will try to post back :) Maybe the nurses/your oncologist will be able to tell you? What do you do for work?

    Chris aka cc3373

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  • BreatheInExhaleSlow
    BreatheInExhaleSlow Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2014

    Hi Chris,

    I'm an accountant but have been trying to leave my profession and become an herbalist for the last 10 years. Maybe somebody is trying to tell me something! I'm researching like crazy and stocking up on ginger, turmeric, dandelion root. etc. Will let you know what works or not. I've eaten organic, mostly vegetarian most of my life. Never had surgery or been sick. This diagnosis was a shock and a wake up call. I'm going to get through this and move on to my new life. I've got a long list of people to meet and places to see.

    Thanks everybody for all your support and valuable information.

    Just breathe...and keep doing your yoga ;)

    D

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  • enlm20Erica
    enlm20Erica Member Posts: 216
    edited November 2014

    Chris it's our turn now, tomorrow is the day. I've cried a few times today myself. I'm praying for you my friend, and I'm sure you will get thru this easier than you thought, in Jesus name, you're gonna be ok. I agree with the dr, no work for you! Well i'll let u know how it goes.

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    hi BreatheInExhaleSlow

    That's an awesome dream to fulfill, maybe that good can come out of this journey. I've just made chamomile tea to calm it down a bit. Spices in my soup. Really want to take goldenseal & echinacea as I've found they lessened a bout with flu years back and believe they help me stave off colds. Wanted to do dandelion root for liver support and marshmallow root? for lining of digestive I think it was but education nurse warned some herbs may be counterproductive - hoping my oncologist will green light them and can order online/deliver in if can't get out. I give you props for healthy eating, I don't think it will let you down and it seems like BC is just luck of the draw, you like me are hormone positive and at 53 I can say my PMS has been progressively nastier and more difficult each decade. So long point is you may have been unable to avoid it. I'm guessing it's how our hormones behave... I wish they knew why, I wish they had better treatment that was less invasive to our future quality of life .... I am sending you hugs and love and prayer. How are you feeling?

    Your friend in this journey

    Chris aka cc3373

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    Erica wish I could hug you in person, but that might hurt, so I'm sending you rounds of hugs, I'm sooooo scared. I'm praying fiercely for you, I won't stop! I will be thinking of you tomorrow - it's still unreal to me, I've managed to find pockets of denial to hide in which is just making it harder...BUT in Jesus name you are going to be ok, together we will do it. Thank you :)

    Do let me know how you do and whatever you're feeling ok? And I will too. Hoping I remeber the iPad long day with port placement after seeing my wonderful onc, then after those chemo..

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    silverbelle yay for getting past that rash and even bigger yay for no other se's! I bet the middle schoolers will keep you busy, as in grades 4,5,6 or jr high?

    And thank you for the well wishes :) for us first timers this week!!!

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  • enlm20Erica
    enlm20Erica Member Posts: 216
    edited November 2014

    Chris, I wsh I could hug you too, I wish we could go together tomorrow lol. But I'll be there with you in spirit. I'm scared too and I HATE to say that word but it's true, I really wish i could wake up from this nightmare. Hugs to you my friend. We just have to trust God, He hasn't given us the spirit of fear but of power. And we have to power thru this. Much love to you. 💗

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    Erica you just made me smile my friend, I wish we could go together tomorrow too :) but I will be with you in spirit, absolutely!!! Well just be scared together then and held powerfully in Gods very Mighty Hands of Power. We can trust God, he gave us Jesus who has sent the Holy Spirit who I pray to be with and within us tomorrow. I know I wish I could wake up and find it was a horribly bad nightmare, not so. You are right, we will take that spirit of power with us tomorrow, great idea! We do, we will, we can! Much Love and hugs back to you! How did you get the heart? <

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  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2014

    wow what a great group of ladies!

    Erica - God knows the journey, he knows the path and he will carry you through.

    Kiwi- there are 2 things you can do for the mouth sore pain. Both were listed on tips site. One is swish with a cocktail of Benadryl and Maalox. The other is a prescription referred to as Magic mouth rinse. It's has codeine I it so don't swallow. It's to relieve the pain. So sorry to hear about the infection. Prays for healing. 🙏

    Bonnie-pan am in the glory days. Would have loved to seen it! I flew for TWA for a few years.

    As for me, I'm 46 with 3 kids. My son is 15 an my daughters are 13 and 10. I haven't had much time to write on the boards. I've trying to keep on keeping on with the home life. I am a pilot for Delta airlines so the FAA grounded me immediately. I mainly flew international and long haul domestic. I love my job and miss it. I was very fortunate the last 5 years to fly reduced schedules to be home with my family (I dropped a lot of trips). My husband is a pilot in the coast guard but he is currently flying a desk. It's a staff job. His bosses have been great and supportive. Hardest part has been that we moved a year ago and I haven't made close friends. All my support chicks live all across the country. I'm thankful for your friendship and support through this journey.

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  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2014

    Bonnie- can repost the bone broth and other tips you had? I can't find the original thread with the links.

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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014
    I am also starting November 17th. 6 sessions of Taxotere and Cytoxan. May we all have manageable SE and get through work with minimal issues and few interruptions to our families! Good luck ladies from Orlando.
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  • enlm20Erica
    enlm20Erica Member Posts: 216
    edited November 2014

    Mrshq1, we're starting together along with Chris/(cc3373) ...You're in our prayers. Much love and comfort to you and welcome to the thread there's alot of wonderful women here with a lot of love.

    Nitengirl wow a pilot, very fascinating! I would miss my job too!

    I was gonna wait til tomorrow to put my big girl panties on but I think I'll sleep in them lol. I'm tired of being nervous lol, no I'm literally tired I think I'll get some good sleep tonight. (yawns)

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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014
    Thatcameragirl, What part of Florida? I'm in Orlando. 48 years old, with a 13 year old son and husband today is our 17 year anniversary Police Patrol Lieutenant for large organization. Love cooking, paddle boarding, running most of the time, but really spend most time driving to swim practice, math tutoring, band, BETA club meeting and Boy Scout activities. :)
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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014
    Thank you enlm20 Erica! I will keep you and everyone in my thoughts tomorrow. We've got this! One of my co-workers uses the saying, "Let go, and let God handle it". Goodnight my new friends.
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  • Nik1966
    Nik1966 Member Posts: 431
    edited November 2014

    Good luck to all of you starting this week. Believe me nothing is ever as bad as you imagine.

    Thanks for the suggestions for the mouth wash. The magic stuff doesn't seem to be available here but I am having success with difflam throat spray. I can swallow without having tears in my eyes now. The oncologist said I just have to ride it and once my WBC comes up then it should improve. I had my day 10 blood test on Saturday so it should be up from now on. this is really the only SE I got, so I think I got off lightly this time. My next infusion is on 26th.

    Ok now ALL about me. I am 48 and from Auckland, New Zealand. I have a great husband and two kids. Daughter is 17 and my son is 15. I am a business analyst, and work from a home office (so I have a lot of flexibility during this cancer lark). I like to laugh a lot, and feel that a positive attitude will get you through most things, along with a good glass of wine and some good friends.

    I am grateful for the support of you all. No one gets it quite like you guys.

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  • VintageGal1111
    VintageGal1111 Member Posts: 705
    edited November 2014

    Hey Tigger2

    I don't go for chemo again tl Dec2. (pergeta herceptin taxotere) Well at least that's what my team has planned for me up here. But I travel down to Dana Farber on Thursday for a consult. Not sure if they will have anything different to add. But because my HER2+ cancer coming back during treatment is so *highly unusual* my onco wants to cover all bases.

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  • thatcameragirl
    thatcameragirl Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2014

    Mrshq1 I am in Clearwater. Glad to have a fellow Florida girl on here! :)

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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited November 2014

    Hi all! My thoughts and prayers are with Erica, Chris, Mrshq1 and anyone else starting Chemo this week. You will get through it, and it feels so good to get the ball rolling!

    I have my second infusion this Friday the 21st. I'm not looking forward to it, to be honest. I've been feeling more and more myself as the days go by, and know that feeling will go once I get the chemo again. Just have to keep marching on!

    In terms of current SE's, my head is really sore and bruised feeling. Even lying on my pillow hurts. My hair started shedding last Friday and really picked up last night. It's not coming out in clumps yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if that started soon. So I've decided that today is the day for the hair to go. It makes me feel sad, but I will have my husband give me the buzz cut tonight. I have my wig and a few hats, and just ordered a few pretty scarves from TLC. So at least I'm ready!

    The other current SE is sleep disturbance. I have no problem falling asleep, but wake up multiple times a night. I'm not in pain or discomfort when I wake up and don't feel particularly anxious. I just can't sleep through the night. I'll have to ask my MO about that when I see him this Thursday.

    As for myself, I'm 53 years old. I have a great husband and a 13 year old son. My son has some special needs - he has anxiety disorder and autistic spectrum disorder - so he keeps my husband and I busy and on our toes! He's a great kid, but it can also be very stressful at times. I've been working as a Massage Therapist for 25 years and love my work. I'm self-employed and work out of my home, which will hopefully make working through treatment much more doable.

    So glad to have found these boards, and to have the support of all you fine ladies.

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  • knittingPT
    knittingPT Member Posts: 156
    edited November 2014

    Hey Everybody!I've been reading the posts and tried to write a long message to each person last night but the system was being buggy.There were long delays from when I'd type and when the words showed up on the screen and I kept getting kicked back to the general discussion board page.

    I'm excited for those starting chemo this week.Although it was terrifying, a lot of my anxiety and fear melted away after my first treatment.The waiting and not knowing were much worse than the reality of the treatment.I'm up for round two this Thursday! I'm crossing my fingers that it goes smoothly.

    I am very much enjoying hearing about everybody's careers and hobbies.We are quite the interesting bunch, if I do say so myself.It sounds like several people have kids and significant others. What about pets?I have one gray and white tuxedo cat named Cinder. I rescued her two years ago from the shelter. She was already a "cat" at 2 years old and had been declawed. They wouldn't let her go to a home with dogs (which in my prior home everyone did). They said she probably wouldn't get adopted so I took her over the cute little baby kittens. She took over the house immediately. She is, as most animals are, very perceptive. Sometimes when I'm home alone and just about to burst into tears, she climbs on my lap to purr. How do they know?

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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited November 2014

    Hi KnittingPT! We can't have fur bearing pets as my husband is allergic. I really miss having cats and dogs, as I grew up having them. But I do have a great Cockatiel named Cricket, who just turned 17, and Willie the Goldfish, who is surprisingly entertaining to watch!

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  • Leslienva
    Leslienva Member Posts: 489
    edited November 2014

    Hi everyone,

    I'm 54 and first had breast cancer 14 years ago. Did CMF chemo and radiation after a lumpectomy, plus five years of tamoxifen. Now I'm dealing with a second primary on the same side as the lumpectomy. This time I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders and am doing four cycles of taxotere/cytoxan. I had my first treatment two weeks ago. I'm also cold capping to save my hair.

    I got married for the first time two and a half years ago. No kids, but we have three dogs and four orange cats--all rescues. I work as a writer in employee communications, but am staying out on disability until I finish treatment. I love to travel, read, and go to movies and concerts. It's great hearing about my fellow November chemo crew members and sharing stories, tips, and support!

    Leslie

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  • Metta
    Metta Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2014

    Lili, I can't believe you got an infusion the day after the port. Mine hurt so bad for almost two weeks. You are a trooper.

    I'm very, very exhausted after my first A/C infusion last Wednesday; I can't go to work, exercise, nothing. I barely have the energy to type this. How did Joan Lunden play tennis during chemo? How do people work? I'm not sure why I'm so run down, but it could be:

    - a looming urinary tract infection. My oncologist said last week there were white blood cells in my urine, but since I wasn't having symptoms, he didn't prescribe anything. I think I'll go back in for a urine culture just so they can tell me if something is wrong. No fever, no symptoms other than frequent urination due to copious intake.

    - I had three (benign) biopsies less than a week before chemo, and they were still healing and painful. That week was bad, but this past one after chemo was/is worse (nurse and CVS screwed up my anti-nausea prescription)

    - My kids are sick with a cough/cold, and I can't exactly avoid them. Maybe I'm coming down with it, too?

    Does anyone know why I'd be so run down, wiped out and tired after just my first infusion? I've heard it gets worse and worse each time. I'm afraid it means my immune system is defective. Or is this just how some people respond to chemo?

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  • bonnied
    bonnied Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2014

    bumping post with food links..

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  • bonnied
    bonnied Member Posts: 74
    edited November 2014

    Bumping recipe links from earlier:

    http://nourishedkitchen.com/the-benefits-of-bone-b...

    http://www.smithandtruslow.com/ThymeOut/commonweal...

    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=9731464

    http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=cancer%20n…


    If anyone likes black beans…i have a fabulous recipe for cuban black beans that tasted a little sweet and with a small kick of heat, both of which you can regulate to your tastes….happy to share if there's interest. good for protein boosts..


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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014

    I have a 4 year old boxer and my husband is a police K9 sergeant.  So, we have a 4 year old Belgian Malinois that lives with us.  He goes to work with my husband but sleeps and lives at home during off times.  That dog is a trip.  And he gets along great with the boxer and my 13 year old son. 

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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014

    So here is the important question?  Gator or Seminole or don't care.  :)

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  • Mrshq1
    Mrshq1 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2014

    Thanks enlm20Erica.  Almost done with treatment today.  I got a call this morning from the hospital that i was supposed to go to (10 minutes from my house) that they had a nurse in emergency surgery.  So, they got me into another hospital 40 minutes away.   No issues with the pre-meds, Taxotere and the Cytoxan is on its last few drops.  So far so good.  Hope you all are feeling just as good. 

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  • cc3373
    cc3373 Member Posts: 100
    edited November 2014

    hey Mrshq1, Chris/ cc3373 we start together today, whew you beat me, am still waiting for my cocktails, on anti nausea , steroids and Ativan to relax as I was a bit bouncy. Doing ok though, hoping you feel great and no SEs hugs

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