Starting Chemo March 2015

revup-65 how did the port placement go? Do you have any residual pain or problems so far? I think I'm more worried about that than the chemo. I've just had so many other surgeries (and haven't even had BMX yet) that I get anxious about procedures.

Hi ladies...... unfortunately I too am starting chemo in March, probably second week. Almost 2 weeks ago i had mastectomy and exactly 2 weeks later (on 26th) i am having a complete hysterectomy. I'm nervous about healing enough before chemo starts. Onco thought that if i could get it done this week i would heal better than after treatments down the road.

I'm glad we will have others to do this together with.

Xoxo

Going for my pre-treatment echocardiogram today and I think I've got DH convinced that doing the port on the same day as first chemo treatment is an ok thing. Planning a weekend out of town this weekend for a relaxing getaway and then I'm ready for my first treatment next week.

Hi ladies,

I'm a March 2014 alumnus, stopping by to say hey. A couple of other veterans have already covered a lot of what I would have shared, so I'll keep this short.

1. You will survive this. There will be times when you might doubt it, but you will get through chemo.

2. Everyone is different. You won't get every side effect (SE) on the list, but you will get some combination of them. Contact your MO (medical oncologist) as soon as you start experiencing symptoms. There are a number of meds that will help you, but you have to ask.

3. Take it one day at a time. And if there are times when a day is too big a timeframe, take it an hour at a time. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Everyone will marvel at how strong you are. Accept their positive reinforcement even it you know your strength is an illusion.

4. Ask for what you need. The most surprising people will come through for you. Be prepared, though, that some surprising people will be unable to help.

5. Nurture each other. This group will become a tremendous source of support, comfort, and inspiration. You will find yourself sharing stuff you would never dream of telling your nearest and dearest. Celebrate your victories.

Best of luck to you all. Remember -- you can do this! PM me if you'd like. I'll try to answer if I can.

PS: I have a full head of snow white hair now. It was brown when I started. Go figure.

Deep breath. This too shall pass. The anticipation of the first dose is the worst, and then waiting to see what happens to your hair. There are a lot of women who have been where you are right now and thankfully some of them started this wonderful site so we could support each other through this most trying of times.

A year later I see things with new eyes, find a lot more to love about life and know more than I ever dreamed about myself and what matters to me most. Yeah, somethings could be better (eyelashes) and I certainly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but I am grateful for treatment that dissolved my tumor and left me cancer-free.

I would recommend adding to your team and not just sticking with the western, allopathic treatment. I've used Chinese Medicine, massage, naturopathy (I have a naturopathic oncologist I sought out separately who has been invaluable), etc. Cancer docs are specialists and they tend to see things from one perspective and there are other practices that can help your body through this experience. I used Chinese herbs (from my practitioner) to boost my white blood cell count instead of getting the Neulasta shot for instance. Be your own project manager because they won't give you one and you deserve a bigger plan for healing.

Ann
March 2014, member of The Chemo Sabes

Good evening Ladies - You can do this, and it's game time so Game On! I finished chemo 11/25 and I just wanted to let you know that while chemo is no picnic, it is doable. It is a huge investment in you and you are all worth it.

The good news - My hair is now 1" long/short and it is dark brown and white, but mostly dark! My eyebrows have grown in, and the eyelashes are all back and thicker and fuller than the ones I lost. So nice bonus there.

My fingernails are almost all grown out, one more trim and file and they will be as good as new. My thumbnail has grown back and another month and it should be just like the other one. My toenails are looking good too! Lots of lotion on the hands and feet helps too. So I should be all together by Spring, and sporting nice short hair and pretty nails. Another bonus, my nails are coming back very hard, not brittle like my old ones.

For the AC chemo ladies, they did a baseline ECHO before I started the chemo so they could keep an eye out for heart damage to the EF percentage. Just watch for any cough or shortness of breath that may point to heart issues. I have reduced EF from the Adriamycin, but I cannot do it again. I'm sure my age doesn't help, 58, but I still have the permanent heart damage.

Ok ladies, get your game on! Good Luck

Hi Everyone- Just jumping in to introduce myself. I'm a newbie. I'm 46 and just had my lumpectomy and lymph node removal last week (7/26positive). I have my port going in on Monday and I'll find out on Wednesday what my chemo schedule will be. I've started reading these forums and am noodling around trying to find out as much information as I can. It's very helpful to read other people's stories.

I did purchase a fancy wig a few weeks ago and am going to my stylist to have her cut the wig and my own hair short. It's weird, I've never had short hair, let alone no hair. Who knows if I'll even end up wearing it. I've heard that your scalp can be super sensitive.

I guess I'll know more next week, eep!

xo

Hi, all. Back from echocardiogram and CT today. First AC is scheduled for Monday morning. It seems to be both taking too long to get started, and so soon that I can't possibly be ready. I suppose it's just another of the endless uncertainties that go with this strange new country of Cancerland. I'm always scared of the next thing, then when it comes, I seem to manage to deal with it somehow. I often feel like I'm still in denial - after all, I'm not just curled up in a ball, shaking with fear. On the other hand, I haven't been able to do get very much done since my surgery. I did have a nasty infection, post surgery, but I've had lots of fatigue.

Gentle hugs to all. Let's do this

I think Avmom has hit the nail on the head when she talks about being scared of the next step, then when it comes along somehow she can manage it. That's exactly how it goes. Although I never stopped being scared of the next step, as time went on I began to develop confidence in my own strength that I could manage whatever the next step brought. I'd done it before, so I could do it again. That growing confidence in my own strength and abilities made it a little easier as time went on and I was faced with the next step.

Even now, seven years later, I find I'm much more open to trying new things. If I like them, great. If I don't, oh well. I think that attitude is leftover from being forced by cancer to take several scary steps like surgeries and chemo, then finding that somehow I was able to manage them. This whole process made me realize I'm a lot stronger than I ever thought I was. Whenever I'm faced with a new challenge now, I think, "Heck, you got through chemo. After that, whatever this is will be a piece of cake by comparison!"

SC - you asked about how long infusion treatments were. My infusion treatments took about 4 hours, but yours may be different depending on exactly what cocktail of drugs you're getting.

MSMath, I understand about the drains being crazy-making, but I'm pretty sure my post surgery infection was the result of the drain being taken out too soon. Several days of IV antibiotics later, I was exhausted from the trips to the hospital every 12 hours for the antibiotic infusion. (I live in a rural area, and it's about half an hour's drive to the town with the nearest hospital.)

BBwithBC45, my port went in on Wednesday, and was quite sore and swollen yesterday, but I've been icing it last night and this morning, and it's a lot better today.

NatsFan, thanks for the encouragement.

I'll be out and about today, doing last minute things. I think I'll buzz my hair today. Onward!!

Shaz - I'm so sorry to see your long hair go but the short cut looks good on you. I cut mine about a week ago and I cringe every time someone tells me it looks cute or it suits me. I want to scream at them "Nooooo...don't tell me it looks good...I didn't do it because I wanted short hair!!!" Uggghhh.. I know it's weird but only my fellow chemo sisters will understand.

rleepac, try not to worry too much about the port. Mine went in on Wednesday, and it was tender yesterday, but today it's basically resolved. It isn't pulling when I move my arm or turn my head, and although I'm aware of its presence, it's easy to ignore by concentrating on something else. I'm confident that by the time it's accessed on Monday, it will be just fine. I changed the bandaid today, and the incison is closed up, without a single stitch or staple. Even the steristrips are gone.

In other news, I did buzz my hair today, and wore my wig into the office. The wig is much more comfortable without all of my hair underneath it, and the only comment my "hair hat" is getting is how it makes me look younger. I stopped colouring my hair about 5 years ago, so my natural hair was quite grey. My wig is not- it's the same colour that it was when I was about 12 years old, and matches my eyebrows perfectly. Not that it matters much, as my eyebrows will likely be history soon, but it's a good match for my complexion. Overall, the wig improves my appearance. I'm surprised that buzzing it offf didn't bother me much. I just went to a walk in salon and had it done. I think it would have been harder for me to have made an event of it. This way, it's another item on my to do list, checked off. Maybe I'll figure out how to get photos from my phone onto this board over the weekend, and I'll share some "before and afters".

I guess I am now joining this group so I'm popping in to introduce myself. I just received my oncotype score and the MO recommends chemo. At this point I simply feel relieved to finally have an answer. I started this whole process back in late November when I found a lump so this answer had been a long time coming. What a roller coaster! Anyway, I am ready to get this started! Shaz101, I remember you from the January surgery board. It is nice to see a familiar face here. I hope all is going well with healing. I didn't post much on the other board but life was just so busy at the time. I'm going to slow down now and take some time off of work once I start chemo so I can make sure the energy I have goes to my family. I haven't even looked into head coverings or anything like that. I am so style challenged that I am going to need an army of friends to help me - lol! I have the weekend to digest the news from the MO and then I will give him my final decision on Monday about chemo - even though I already know the answer in my heart. It sounds like I'll start the process the week of March 9th and will be on taxotere and cytoxan.

Have a good night!

Just had a really nice relaxing day and a half in Monterey - thoroughly enjoyed the beach and bought about 7 scarves to start playing with. I need to order some Buffs for my head though because they are so easy and comfy but I'll do that later tonight.

Now, I'm totally 'nesting'!!!! LoL!! I've mowed the lawn (1/2 acre) and used the awesome gas leaf blower to clean up the rest of the yard. I will let DH do the weed-whacking though because that thing scares me 😜. I've scrubbed the bathtub and cleaned out the fridge. I went to the store and made sure I have stool softeners, good lotion, Biotene mouthwash, and a really soft kids toothbrush. I'm doing laundry and already went grocery shopping. I know I don'tstart chemo until Thur but I'm just trying to be as prepared as possible. I feel like I did when I was 39 weeks pregnant hahaha. Anyone else do this?