Starting Chemo March 2015

Its one year since my dx. Just popping in to say hi. Regarding hair, I cut my hair short before chemo hoping maybe it would thin, but still be manageable, however day 16 as my MO predicted, it started falling out in massive amounts and it hurt like crazy. It was like my body was rejecting a foreign object. I had it shaved and it felt so much better. I lost about 95% of my hair, some stragglers at the top hung on for the whole ride.

3 weeks after ending chemo it started growing back. I'm now 6 months PFC and had my first haircut already to give it some shape. My new hair is soft, wavy and almost 2 inches long. The growing process was interesting, I couldn't wait to look in the mirror each moring to see what was new. I called it my "chia pet".

Losing my hair turned out to be not as bad as I expected. I didn't bother with a wig, just wore hats or a scarf and stopped as soon as I had a covering of peach fuzz. I got lots of compliments on my "sexy" haircut from people who didn't know it was from chemo. The bald period went by faster than I expected.

Sending positive energy to those just beginning this journey and wishing you all strength and minimal se.

I am thinking of all you ladies. I am almost 2 years from chemo start date and remember well the anxiety.

I wish for each of you minimal SE's. Do not suffer, call your provider for assistance.

Shaz, I also did 6 rounds of TAC and it was very successful, a near complete pathological response. I hope the same for you.

Hang in there ladies.

Hi Ladies,

Checking in with a delay. Yesterday was a very long and tiring day for me. Today I have been working (I get to work from home during chemo, yay!) and I'm finally trying to catch up on the BCO.

We got there at 9:30 and didn't leave until around 4:00 pm. First I saw my oncologist, then they did the blood work. I had taken my Xanax at home early in the morning, but I was still very nervous, so I asked for something. They were not going to give it to me automatically, it seemed like they were reluctant. Then there were 90 minutes of Herceptin. I was told that allergic reactions to Herceptin are rare, but they do happen and given the fact that recently I seem to be allergic to everything, I was worried. Thankfully this went fine.

After Herceptin it was 20 minutes of steroids and anti-nausea, then 20 minutes for Benadryl and Pepcid (?), and then 30 minutes of flushing. And then came the bad boy Taxol, for 60 minutes and they were watching me if I was having any reactions, so again, I was nervous. I seemed to be doing fine, only later I had a little tingling in my toes and fingers, so they took my vitals, but they didn't seem concerned.

So, all in all, it was not as horrible yesterday as I feared. I was doing the cold caps, so this definitely broke up the day and made the chemo go by fairly quickly.

I slept fine, in fact I was so tired that I was falling asleep on the couch around 8:30 last night. It seems like steroids don't give me extra energy as they do for others. I did wake up around 5:30 in the morning, rather early.

I've been forcing myself to drink a lot of water since yesterday, which I normally don't do. I know it's good to drink a lot of water, but I am so not used to it, so it's a chore for me.

Today I have been drinking a lot too, I have also been using L-glutamine, but I already feel a little tingling in my big toe in my left foot. I'm scared about neuropathy.

I started feeling a little nausea, but I was told not to take anything until tomorrow afternoon, because I supposedly still have quite a lot of anti-nausea medicine in my system from yesterday. I've been trying to eat little meals throughout the day, but things start tasting "funny".

I'll be hopping onto my treadmill in a little bit.

Next Tuesday will be here before I know it, round 2. So many more to go.

Sending hugs to all.

BB

I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of using lysine as mouth sore prevention? I was having a terrible time with canker sores for a while and started taking these at the onset and they worked miraculously.

Ladies...I'm set to get my port tomorrow morning and start chemo immediately after that. I believe I am ready but I'm experiencing a massive migraine right now. It hurts to even look at the computer screen so I'll be brief. I am going to lay down to try and rid myself of this beast. I've taken 2 Fiorcet and I'm praying.

Everything is ready...I just have to throw it all in a bag and go. I promise to check in tomorrow!

Oh and my genetic results are back. I have a phone consult at 11:00 tomorrow while I'm sitting in the chemo chair. I'm all about multi-tasking

Signing off unless I feel better later.

Bekah

hi March ladies! My friend is here from CA, helping to distract me from tomorrow. I meet with the onc nurse at 9 am. Then the chair. Wish me luck. Having all of your check ins has really helped. I'm very nervous, but I think I'll do ok

hi all- i'm new to the thread. I start my chemo treatment on monday. my MO has me doing Taxotere and Cytoxan, going in the day after for Neulasta and fluids (about 4 hour infusions each day)- doing the 4 tx over 3 months. i had my lumpectomy just over a month ago (lymph nodes clear), but had a rough time with edema after the surgery so i pushed the start of chemo back until i felt a little bit more like myself. I got about 2 days of "normal" before the side effects from the Lupron shot kicked in. my MO gave it to me to "put my ovaries to sleep" to protect them during the chemo. has anyone else had that shot? i'm hoping it protects me from chemenopause.

i'm really nervous about the start of chemo- the possible side effects are freaking me out. honestly, i really don't like the idea of pouring this poison into my body- and each thing they give you to offset side effects has its own crappy side effect. I have a high oncotype dx and also the pathology came back that the tumor was luminal b (i haven't seen anyone else on the boards mentioning that, has anyone else come across that dx?) so the chemo makes sense to do- i'm just freaking out about it. i'm glad this board and this thread exists. hearing what each of you is doing and how it's going for you is really helpful for me.

Welcome skydawngirl and migrant!

I am just reporting in. Meant to do it from the chair, but the day flew by. My bestie is here, the nurses talked to me a lot, monitored vitals, explained everything they were doing, what each bag was for, and so on. Welcomed all questions. Didn't mind me asking a second or third time. The infusion center was clean, had bright natural light from high windows, and the comfortable reclining chairs were well-distanced from others for privacy. I was very scared and nervous. Wisely, I think, took a clonazepam last night to help calm nerves. No adverse reactions to any of the drugs. There were not just the two chemos, which came last, but 2 different kinds of anti-nausea, some more steroids I think, and something I can't remember. I am feeling ok, good enough to take my doggie for a walk. About 25 minutes, not power walking and on a flat paved surface. But I was glad to do it while I still feel good. They all tell me any exercise at all helps minimize SEs.

So, so far so good. I'll keep checking in and maybe change my profile picture after the great hair event (ceremonial shaving of the head) tomorrow.

Thanks a million for all the support you sent out to me today. I felt it.

Katy

i went in for my blood work today- nervous about starting chemo on monday (had mild panic attack this morning). this weekend i'm having a dance your t*t's off party at my house .. to help distract and to have some truly raucous fun before it all starts.

good luck to all of you starting this coming week - & good on you to those who started already!

Rleepac- I was worried when I didn't hear from you. You poor thing. You indeed had a lot yesterday with port procedure snd all the anesthetic then chemo all in one day. I will be thinking healing thoughts for you and your body. It must have been terrifying to lose all color and feel so sick so suddenly. I'm glad you are not alone.

I know you don't probably feel much like it but try to nibble here and there and sip a bit of some liquid. My bestie visiting who is a recovering alchoholic made up a cocktail of the "Simply" brandmixed berry juice (not from concentrate) mixed 1/2 with ginger ale. Served in my most festive champagne glasses. It is pretty, hydrating, and settled my stomach. I did not have anywhere near the reaction you did, but as it was pointed out by Shaz, we all get hit with various stuff, various times, in varying intensities. I'm just so sorry it was you this time, and so brutally. Will be thinking of you. I am there with you.

Shaz- sorry you got hit today. Sleeping is tough after steroids, hopefully that will get better after a time. Pain and steroids and migraines is the perfect storm. The absolute trifecta. I worry about your headaches. I know you absolutely can do this! You were the brave and smart one who started our thread. You have already helped me immensely from your first and all following posts. I'm sure I'mnot the only one. We are here for you. Big hugs being sent down under! (((Shaz)))

Katy