Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy first, January 23, 2015.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Hi trvler,

    I did. I started with a partial mastectomy and sentinel node surgery. My tumor was 2.3cm and my sentinel node was positive so I had a second op to remove more nodes. These came back clear. But everyone is different. I hope that helps. Have they given you any indication? It's so frustrating in the beginning as you only get snippets of information. Hugs to you.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Thanks, Shaz. I have decided to go to NOLA for my surgery and they want me to have chemo before surgery. They are trying to spare skin and nipples if possible so that's why they do it that way, I think. It was news to me on Friday but it makes sense to me. I met with a MO today and didn't like him so I will meet another one next week. My goal is to start as soon after the 17th as possible. We are going to meet the NOLA doctors on March 16.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    hello everyone! I'm Katy. Big lump in my throat and some tears reading through all of your brave posts. I am 57, single, starting Thursday. T & C and Neulasta. Plus the mountain of SE meds.

    I decided I have to have control over something, so Im going for the shaving next Monday. Bought several (ok, about 10, haha) cute hats to cheer me up and looking forward to trying to stay positive. I have a beautiful head of strawberry blonde hair, and my hairdresser and I are going to save it so we can match it if my new hair comes back grey and if I don't feel quite ready to give in yet. I've had a beast of a surgery recovery with pain. PT initially made it worse. Then came down with a nasty bronchitis, the coughing from which in addition to surgery pain was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Then the port went in about 10 days go and I've been quite sensitive in the chest area. I am beginning to feel like I'm weak, not strong. I always thought I was very strong....oh well, new lessons to learn.

    Anyway, I look forward to being with you all on this ride. Thanks for your sharing, for after lurking about i simply had to meet you all

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Jackie: I am so sorry you are suffering so much. I don't agree that you are not strong. You are going through some very difficult stuff. Both physically and mentally. You are being way too hard on yourself. I am glad you came out from lurking.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Welcome Jackbirdie. We'll hold your hand through it all.

    I admit, I need a lot of hand holding for tomorrow. Please, keep me in your thoughts and prayers. My "big day" is coming up, first treatment and to top it all, I'm attempting to save my hair with cold caps.

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    Welcome Jackbirdie! There are places you can get your own hair made into a halo, one of the sites is hatswithhair.com. I'm sure there are others. They make a fringe you can wear under a hat, but I think it costs about $300. Of course, I've spent $250 before for hair cut, coloring, etc.

    The chemo people here told me to not shave right off, but cut back to a few inches. Otherwise, I could end up with infected hairs on my scalp. So I am probably going this weekend to get a 3" buzz and start using my wigs. I got a Racquel Welch one called Scene Stealer, a shorter one for casual non-work use, and some bangs to put under a hat. But I have a feeling if they aren't comfortable I may rock the bald look except for at work.

    Best of luck on Thursday, Jackbirdie! Post and let us know how you are doing! I have an hour and 15 minutes left today!

    Trvler, having neo-adjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) isn't a bad thing. That way they know if the chemo cocktail works at shrinking the tumors, or if they need to move onto a different one. I don't know this information firsthand, but I have observed by reading the posts on this website that sometimes the first chemo doesn't work, and sometimes it shrinks the tumors so that by the time they do surgery they find no tumor anymore. Best of luck - stay with us. Chemo is chemo, whether before or after surgery.

    Big hugs to all!

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    BB: I see you start tomorrow. How are you doing?

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Thank you Trvler, BB, and Italychick for your warm welcomes! I will take under advisement regarding the hair business. I don't feel a wig is right for me, but instead have a number of scullcaps and hats, both lightweight and heavier, for sleeping and out of doors.

    You can count on me to be thinking of you, tomorrow, BB! Arms wide open, for you, dear. You've GOT THIS

    ((( hugs))) Katy

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited March 2015

    Just want to add my encouragement-I am over 6 years out from lx, chemo and radiation.

    Life is pretty much the same, even better. I feel great-- and as others have said, bc has really receded into the background of my life. I do my checkups, etc. but I do not live my life watiing for a recurrence (there are those people out there, stay away from them!).

    Being bald was my biggest fear-I worked through chemo and I did not want to talk about it-- so I splurged on two very expensive human hair wigs and it was very hard to tell..... and I felt very confident with them--- and I loved watching my hair grow back--it was really pretty--curly, etc.

    my best advice for chemo is take all the drugs they tell you to take. Don't skip any--- chemo is strong and they sugggest the nauseau and consiptation drugs for a reason. I kept a little notebook and recorded what I took and when on chemo days so that if there was an issue, I could remember when I took them to tell the dr. I literally never had a problem, but felt like crap for a couple of days each cycle. Had 4 rounds of A/C over 8 weeks.

    I took crossword puzzles to the chemo room--- couldn't focus on reading--ate whatever I wanted (managed to lose 20 lbs in chemo then gain it right back!!!) It seemed like forever at the time, but 8 weeks is a short period.

    I am a regular exerciser, but took the 8 weeks off-no exercise other than walking. But then I got back into a more rigorous routine during radiation-- it does make you feel better--no question-so if you can do it during chemo, give it a try. If you can't, let yourself off the hook and do what feels right--- I just felt that I could not do it during chemo---

    Ask for help-- I did not need cooking so much, but I wanted company-- so on the days I did not go to work after chemo I would have different friends over for tea (it was winter) I really enjoyed that down time with them--- we are so hurried and busy--- chemo actually gave me a chance to slow down and stop---and I tried to enjoy it---

    I know you don't want to do this, but know that you can and that "this too will pass". It is really great on the other side and you will get there before you know it.





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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    I only had an excisional biopsy first but am doing chemo before BMX.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    momand2kids: thanks for such an uplifting post. So great to hear you did well. I will use your suggestion of writing the SE meds down and when. A very good idea. Well done

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    Thanks momand2kids! First chemo down, 5 to go. Hope I hold up okay.


    Shaz101, are you in your chemo session?

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    well done Italychick! That's the spirit! Keep us posted. I am here for you. Hugs

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Thank you, Ladies. I'm a basket case now, snapping at everybody and having crying spells, I'm so terrified of tomorrow. Time for my Xanax.

    Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a positive report.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    Italychick- thanks for the "hats with hair" suggestion. I checked it out, and unlike a regular wig, this does appeal to me. Without you I wouldn't have known it existed! So,I'm thinking about it. I checked and insurance won't pay but I have certainly indulged myself in the past. I have time to decide before the hair appt I made. So thanks again

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015

    BB- yes. Now is a good time for Xanax. That's exactly what it's there for. Take care. Try some deep breathing. So many here have assured us that it can sometimes even be considered anti-climactic after everything else you have already been through. Crying is ok too. It might help you relax and sleep better tonight. Be NICE TO YOURSELF. please?

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    I'm here now!Just about to start drug 1. I'll catch up with posts soon xx I hope everyone is doing well xx

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    BBwithBC45 - today I almost had my first meltdown. I was playing the song Brave over and over on my iPhone saying be brave. That was sitting in the waiting room. I teared up and thought I'm not brave, I'm scared. But once they started the chemo process, I calmed down. I had a bit of a reaction to Taxotere (itching) and they gave me Benadryl. My chemo today took 7 hours! The first day or two they have you so pumped up with stuff, really, right now I don't feel anything except the desire to clean all the grout tile lines in my house with a toothbrush and Comet lol! I don't know if you can drink alcohol with Xanax, but a glass of wine or shot of whiskey wouldn't hurt! Don't be terrified, it will be okay tomorrow. It was for me today, I promise. Big, big hugs to you! Lots of warm feelings coming your way!

    Jackbirdie - glad to help out. I found the link on another person's post, so I can't take much credit. But your hair sounds lovely, and hopefully you can get some use out of it. If you do it and you like it, please let me know. My hair is halfway down my back, and I am going to cut it off and save it for awhile just in case.

    Shaz101, woot woot! You go girlie! Rock the chemo. And tell them if you feel any leg or feet tingling, etc. They have medications to help with that. You shouldn't feel anything.

    Once of my absolute best supporters is a woman I work out with. Every day she asks me "ok, how do you feel today and what can we handle? So we do whatever physical activity we can. She said even if there are days you can only walk around the block, I will be there with you. Let's get through this and back to complete normal. I never thought it would be her to be my biggest help, but I am so thankful for Cheryl.

    Rocking the song Brave! Stay strong all - we can make it through! Xoxoxoxoxo to all!

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited March 2015

    avmom, I hope you are feeling ok! I have lidocaine cream that I put on my port 1 hour before chemo started. I cover it with a square of saran wrap and tape it on. It keeps it sealed and off my clothes. But I never felt a thing! The MO wrote a script for it, and worth it.

    Trvler, I have AC/T dose dense before my mastectomy, but I had a larger tumor to reduce.

    shaz101, I hope you are feeling well. I used clear nail polish with sparkles, so festive! But my nails have all grown out and look good. My last chemo was 11/25. Good news, my nails are very hard now that they are all new. Bonus!

    italychick, I hope you are doing well.

    What a team - you are all Game On! I have 3 rads to finish, but I'll be watching you!

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Thank you all so much. Last drug going in now. All very doable. Great staff, can't really complain about anything so far. Feel so much more relaxed now. We've got this!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited March 2015

    yay shaz101. Glad it is going well for you.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Good luck today, BB!

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  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited March 2015

    BB, thinking of you today. Slow, deep breaths. You can do this!

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Thank you, Ladies. We'll be leaving the house shortly and we're having freezing raind and slippery roads. It's a 20-mile drive. As if I wasn't stressed enough...

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    BB: Where do you live in Ill? I live in the Chicago burbs.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2015

    Trvler, I'm in Elgin

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Oh, ok. We come through Eligin to visit my MIL in Rockford. My husband lived in Elgin for about 5 years when he was a kid. Stay safe today.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    which suburb are you?

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    Sent you a PM, BB.


    I have a question. Why do most people seem to be cutting or shaving their heads? Is there an advantage to doing it that way?

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