November 2014 Starting Chemo Crew

Bonnied love all the hat pictures and your sharing them!!! Wishing you good luck on the port surgery.

Hi Shawna, hoping it all went well, the anticipation was worse so far than how I feel. Just slept most all day and nausea....hugs. And congrats on finding the one, I'm not so sure my wig will happen, we'll see

Bonnie, I LOVE the hat photos! Thanks for sharing.

Last night I went to the local "look good, feel better" program.I was expecting it to be a room full of ladies to laugh/chat with.It was only myself, one other lady, and the volunteers.It was still fun but not quite what I was expecting.I did get a bag full of awesome products (cleanser, moisturizer, foundation from two companies, loose powder, eye shadow, eye liner, eyebrow pencil, lip liner, lipstick and maybe some other things) for FREE! I rarely wear makeup and my doctor told me to throw out anything old I have due to bacteria. I didn't really want to fork out the money for new stuff so I was very happy to receive this nice gift. I am a little nervous about the lack of eyebrows. I don't know why that is getting to me and I can't really practice drawing them until my real ones fall out. So, we will see how it goes! I am thinking I may start wearing my glasses again just to give me something interesting on my face to make up for no lashes/brows and also to protect my eyes from dirt, etc.

I hope all of you that had your first chemo are holding in there! My second one comes Thursday. I'm soooooo enjoying these last couple of days where I feel really, really good. I almost grabbed a beer last night before stopping myself. Doc says I can but, really, I don't want my body to have to deal with anything "extra" of my doing. Cheers anyhow and can't wait to hear updates. For all of you new folks, welcome!

First day of AC is done! Only 3 more to go. I went in at 9:30 and met with the dr and he just went over the side effects again and then I headed back to the chemo room. They have comfy chairs which was nice. My mom went with me and embarrassed me by yelling for the nurse because she couldn't hear me and I only wanted the wi-fi password! Guess you never get too old for your mom to embarrass you! The Adriamycin is scaring looking, I'll post a pic. Here is the nurse holding it up.

Nothing hurt though, just had to pee a bunch of times and my pee was pink from the drug! I was out of the office by 1:00 and felt pretty good most of the day. Had a mild headache and some heart racing (called doc and he said it was from the steroids). Waiting now for hubby to bring me some Benadryl so I can sleep tonight. I counted and they have me on 4 anti-nausea drugs. I am so doped up it better work! Sorry for the long post just wanted those who haven't been to know what to expect! Here is me sitting for chemo. Our room is pretty nice, would love to see what everyone else's looks like.

Hoping the next few days go smoothly. Both my kids are sick so praying I don't get it. Taking them to the dr tomorrow. Hope all you ladies are feeling good! Love reading your updates!

enlm-I'm following you over from the surgery group. The oncologist made good on her word. The first doctor yet. I get the port on Thursday and chemo on Friday. Hope I can tolerate the pain with the port okay. I'll worry about the side effects of chemo on Friday.

sheeba: re mouth cocktail..... I put 2 cups water in a small jar (maybe held pickles?)..... stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda.  I keep it at the kitchen sink when home, take along to work.  I keep a tiny plastic cup with it....like the kind on top of cough syrp bottles.  I actually love to rinse whenever possible as it makes my mouth feel fresher.    Day 6 for me...was feeling quite well after morning Big D....but was woken up at 2am with just general achey pain.  Hair is starting to itch....like its dirty and due for a wash...but isn't.  I'm not getting it cut short first.....keeping all I can as long as I can.

Erica.....I could not keep up with the 100 oz of water after day 3....made me feel worse.  But do agree it is most beneficial to flush out what toxins you can ASAP.  Don't worry if you have to ease up....don't force yourself.   

Keep sharing Ladies....we may not all get to mention each one of separately, but I do read each helpfull bit.  Sharing our tips is the best...even though we are all so different, in general....the tips help tremendously.

Redhead01 thank you very much for the mouth rinse recipe. I wrote it down just incase

I love seeing actual pics of you guys on here, I need to upload at least a pic for my profile pic. Its nice to have a pic with the name since we are getting to know each other better.

Started my Dexamethasome 4 times a day today in preparation for 1st chemo tomorrow morning. Ready to get tomorrow over with so I know what to expect for myself

Keep posting ladies....it really does help us all.

God Bless each and everyone of you lovely lovely ladies!!!

so glad to hear that side effects are minimal so far for everyone who has started already.

Seems like there's a lot of us starting tomorrow. I'm nervous today but mostly because I'm worried that my drain is still in place and I'm so sore from the port placement yesterday.

Thanks for posting pictures! It is nice to see that the scary infusion place doesn't look so scary at all!

Sheeba- dexmethosone? I didn't get any steroids for tomorrow. Did I miss something??

40oz of water in! At least 60 more to go!

I'm sending hugs out to all who start chemo tomorrow and or are getting ports in same day or today. It's the unknown which was stressy and scary to me and it really was not so bad, and so far the side effects were not bad, nausea/ MEDS take them... Slept all Monday night and into noon Tuesday then napped again in afternoon...think I'm coming down with a cold today??? Congestion but metallic taste?

This a collage of me and my pod scenes at chemo monday 17th

I am keeping my long hair until it is time to go, then probably just shaving vs short and probably hats vs wigs as it's easier, I am afraid of the wig shopping trip, that's one I want someone with me....

jovigal, they wanted me to start Dex the day before. Not sure why? Guess its just their protocol here. Then I continue to take 4 of them a day for the next 5 days. Hopefully I won't have much weight gain haha. If so oh well...hubby still loves me I just noticed jovigal that you are drinking alot of water the day before chemo...am I missing something now? Should I be drinking alot today...other than my 3 cups of coffee so far lol I am right with you about being a nervous. Seems all I can think about today. Also working half day today to keep mind busy. We got this girl!

cc3373, thank you for the pics Hope your not getting a cold on top of all this. Will send a little prayer up for you. I with you, I think I'm going to keep my hair long until I can't anymore. But from what amylsp said, if it's longer, it may be more sore??? **sigh** what to do lol

zuri43...I'm right with you...I have a tendancy to get constipated super easy. I have my Miralax on hand just in case. So glad to hear your symptoms are minimal. Have a good nap

Erica...aren't you just the cutest thang!! lol Tell your hubby not fair haha

Going to post a profile pic as soon as I can figure out how to do it. Signing off for now, few things to do before my doctor appt this afternoon and 1st chemo at 8:00am.

I am so thrilled to be a part of a great group of ladies! We will fight it together!!!

HI ladies,

Just an update. i had my first chemo infusion yesterday. It went well and pain free with the port. I did put on the numbing cream on the site before hand. I had a couple of small waves of nausea but took the meds and it stopped. Felt pretty normal last night, ate well and slept well. today has been about the same. Maybe a little more tried. Had my neulasta shot today and waiting to see how I react to that. Im on claritin to be safe. My mouth has been dry and furry feeling since yesterday. rinsing with Biotene, Tastes a little funny for me. All in all I' m doing well. I hope everyone elses has been manageable too. I ve seen so many posts that I can't keep up with you alll. Most of my reading has been on my phone so it gets to confusing to keep it all straight. Love and hugs to you all. Bonnie love the a hats. Wish i had done my hat shopping before.

Sheeba hoping all goes well tomorrow for you big big hugs, it will be ok even though it may not feel that way! I am thinking of you and will keep you in my prayers my friend and thanking you for the prayers!!!!

I know, hoping not a cold and probably just a SE? Welcome on the pics

To insert one look above where you type comments for little bar with B I and other icons until almost to end you'll see the pic one, it stumped me too

Yes once it's sore to have the hair it goes, no hubby here and no gear here at home so will have to figure that out, my Moms hairdresser has offered to come to our house for my Mom, if she's healthy maybe she would for me else I'll figure that out until see my daughter, trying not to run her around!

Erica. You are so adorable in that picture

Can't wait for the you tube videos, that's a great idea! Hoping you are SE free and just dodging the twins head butts lol

Hi, everyone -

I haven't checked in for a while. My first chemo treatment was 11-11 and I am so glad to have #1 (out of four) done and behind me! I really think that anticipation was the worst thing about it! Everything went smoothly the day of my treatment and I have had virtually no side effects other than a little heartburn, a mild headache and a little general achyness. Advil worked like a charm though. My taste is a bit off, but that isn't stopping me from eating at all.

I was able to walk 2-3 miles every day (including day of treatment) and I'm back at work full time (until the next treatment.) I did take the rest of last week off as I didn't know how it would affect me, but in reality, I could have worked if needed to.

I just wanted to post some encouragement for those of you just starting! You might be JUST FINE! I hope you all are!!!! My second treatment is December 2nd. Knocking on wood that one goes as smoothly.

Hugs to everyone!