Chemo group starting December 2014

Sophie14 - I was so tired of the discomfort it was actually a relief to shave it off...it really does feel much better!

Cfishergal - I'm really glad my husband was able to shave my head for me...I think it would have been far worse if I had to go to a public place to have it shaved...it really does feel a lot better.

I had a very sore mouth and numbness in my tongue and lips.  The inside of my mouth felt really strange as well, not sure if that was just because my tongue was numb or not.  That is all pretty much gone now (day 18).  I'm hoping it is not worse for treatment 2 on the 24th.

WheelyGirl--My mouth/tongue is really sore/sensitive too. Last night had regular tomato sauce and felt like it had hot peppers in it--really burned my mouth, lips. Guess I just need to stay away from acidic stuff. In any case, nothing really tastes good. I also have an on and off sore throat on one side only. Gargling helps, but it just won't go away. Anyone else have a sore throat? How about insomnia? I fall asleep okay but then wake up really early (5:30/6) and just can't fall asleep again. Is is just nerves or is it also a chemo SE? I'm on day 12.

It sounds like so many of you have had CT Scans, Bone Scans, Pet Scans prior to chemo. Is this the norm? My oncologist said not necessary at this time. I am really nervous about that since I did have one lymph node positve (8mm) with extracapsular extension and grade 3 11mm idc with lyphovascular invasion. My oncologist told me not to focus on that. I had a mastectomy and alnd which showed the one sentinel lymph node positve but 16 negative lymph nodes negative and clear margins of 10mm with the idc.

Was given two options..ACT or TC...chose TC due to the potential of heart problems with ACT (I have had high blood pressure for about 15 years) so I worry. Now I worry I am not doing the right regimen...always doubting myself and its driving me crazy. Have a tissue expander in and it constantly feels like its swelling up around my boob and under the arm...just getting so discouraged at this point.

Hi Blueflowers: Try Aleve for the achiness. It really helped me and nurse/onc. said it was okay to take. If you are having trouble sleeping because of aches, you could take an ativan too. Heating pad also helped me a bit. Are you eating enough? If not, could cause you to be chilly. I'm sure staring your period didn't help! All best-

Did you have the Ocotype test done?

Hello Everyone - I began loosing my hair quite rapidly over the weekend. I went to the Cross Cancer today and had it shaved. Thankfully my head isn't warped! It feels SO MUCH BETTER!

They have wigs there that we can borrow - so I did. Feeling good. Swelling is down on my face, nausea is in check, fatigue is better. Could be a direct result of the 3000 mg of meds I'm taking daily! But it's all good. Just in time for the next treatment on the 30th.

For those of you how may have weirdness happening in their mouth (taste, bumps, sores, dryness) I found that Canada Dry Soda Water helped a lot. I mixed it up with some low calorie cranberry juice (for that Christmas feel) and it's worked wonders. No need to add salt or baking soda - straight out of the can!

Have a great week for those of you who are in going into their first or second treatment. May your SE's be low and manageable!

CJ

Hi, I start neoadjuvent chemo tomorrow.  New to all of this.  Learning, researching, reading, & preparing for this year-long journey back to health, balance, and wholeness.  I wish you all peace, kindness, courage, strength, healing, comfort, love...and laughter.  Merry Christmas!

Facebook ... message Bonnied ... She posted one page back.

hi sophie, i love how medical professionals recommend their patients use such contentious chemicals as polyparabens... which btw, is a listed ingredient of biotene,

here is some info on parabens... http://paraben.co.uk/

if you're too tired to read the whole article, the following paragraphs may peak your interest:

Parabens are chemical compounds based on parahydroxybenzoic acid. These chemicals are typically found in cosmetics, but they may also appear in food items and health care aids. The antimicrobial properties of Parabens make them a popular choice for a wide range of commercial applications; since they kill bacteria in products and their various individual ingredients, they extend the shelf-life and efficacy of a range of products. Every company that uses Parabens in their products must compile detailed lists of ingredients which are printed on jars, boxes, bottles, and other packaging. Luckily, knowing which chemical names to look for helps consumers to avoid these preservatives while stocking up on needed items.

Pharmaceuticals may also contain Parabens; if you're concerned about your medical prescriptions containing traces of these chemicals, speak to your family doctor about alternatives, and check the monographs of products before you order or refill prescriptions. Certain Parabens are believed to mimic the effect of the hormone, estrogen, which is worrisome for those who fear cancers that are triggered by elevated estrogen levels. Build a relationship with a good doctor, speak to him or her about your fears, and seek out Paraben-free drugs when it's feasible.

ya - i guess!!!!!!!!!!

even if it MIGHT be true that these chemicals are contributing to us getting cancer, why the eff are these huge pharmaceutical firms ALLOWED to put these products in our drugstores???

Iliketosmile -- You're somewhat similar to my DX and Treatment. I started neoadjuvent TCHP last week. I hope it goes well for you. I felt fine the first day or so, but then got a little stomach-burn, so I was taking acid-blockers once or twice, and slightly nauseous, so am taking Zofran once or twice a day. The stomach issues makes it hard to want to eat enough, but I'm trying to eat gentle foods like protein shakes and egg custard and cottage cheese. It's a little uncomfortable, but not horrible. Definitely check in here with your post-chemo report. I'm curious to know what your experience is with it. Everyone reacts a bit differently!

Best wishes for the holidays and as easy a chemo as possible, everyone!

Peeking in from the August 2014 chemo group...

Luvbug96, someone in my group suggested Ayr saline gel for dry nostrils and it really helped. I got it at CVS. They have a saline spray too, but the gel was great at night, before bed. If I recall, the steroids help prevent nausea and other side effects. My dosage was way too high at first and by round 5 we had cut it in half and created a way to taper off more gradually, too. It's worth talking to your MO.

ilike2smile, good luck. I just finished what you're about to start. It is doable!

Luvbug96

i asked an onc what they are for today. the onc said that it is very important to take because of the bad swelling of our bodies that can happen as a result of the chemo drugs. he said that if i really don't want to take as much as prescribed, take them the night before with dinner, then before the treatment... as long as i take them before the treatment is the main thing.

Cjfishergal -- Thanks for the info. I certainly hope it gets better... I've got on-and-off stomach cramps, even with the meds. No actual nausea, but just a stomach-ache that only goes away for brief periods and makes me not want to put anything in it. ...And yeah, now stuff isn't tasting so good either. I have a plate of apple slices here and don't feel like eating them. I know I need to eat proteins and keep hydrated, but it's very difficult. I just want to curl up and maybe sleep if I can.

Other aches aren't so bad. I've been taking zyrtec and tylenol at night when I do the Neuopogen shots. I do feel some slight twinges in weird parts of my body-- hips and thigh-bones? and on my upper back. And might be starting to feel something up with my hair, since the back of my scalp sometimes feels a bit odd... kind of tingly... not exactly sensitive, but something different than usual.

Again, it's not horrible, but I definitely feel sick, like cold/flu sick. I usually have a caste-iron stomach even with the real flu, so this is very different for me. Ah, well.

Lefyloo - I am on at 8:30 and had to call the office yesterday, they forgot to call in the prescription for the steroid...glad I remembered.