Starting Chemo February 2015

I went and got most of it cut off, and there is still a little pink My stylist was so sweet, she didn't charge me. I've got some hats and a lot of scarves, which I love to wear, just not usually on my head. Feeling good these days, but my mouth feels funny all the time, no matter how much water I drink and dry lips. We are just about to head into the 5th season here in Vermont...mud season, next week temps in the 40's for 3 days, spring is finally coming!!

My SNB was done much as chloesmom was, just a LX. with 1 positive and extra nodal extension. The worst part was the numb arm that is finally just about gone away.

PJfive, It is déjà vue reading about your ALND. Yes, I felt blindsided, too. Thought I would be stuck with that pain forever. Glad you are seeing a PT specialist. (My BS only said, "Don't baby it. And don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of water. It is just disturbed nerves. You will be better in four months."). That was IT on my therapy.

Happily, the rug burn has completely gone. I had the feeling like a baseball was shoved in my armpit; that's gone, too. Mild cording is gone. Numbness is down to a small spot in the armpit. Range of motion is back to normal. I do feel a "heaviness" (for lack of a better term) in the armpit on infusion days...go figure?

It does take time. Hopefully the seromas and ALND pain will soon be a distant memory. I'm happy you are doing so well with AC. You have a great attitude for what you have been through. Gentle hugs, Becky

Vera ann- Positive nodes are NOT the end of your life. And yes nowadays cancer is more of a chronic illness that requires management. I know plenty women- have my Aunt in mind first that also had positive nodes, surgery, chemotherapy n radiation. Has not had a recurrence and was several years ago. I don't know her ER PR Her status n assume was post menopause but there was no tamoxifen then either. You're going to be ok. Hugs

live deliciously - that's great news from your RO! We have very similar situations so it wonderful to know that hopeful prognoses do exist for stage 3ers

Cher22, We have no choice on the when or why, but we can certainly plan the how it goes. I cut mine really fast after the first infusion because I wanted to walk into my stylist and choose to do it all my way, the day I wanted it cut. I sat in the chair and she gave me the best buzz cut ever. We laughed, and joked, and I felt so much power over hair, my hair but I put on my wig and walked out and never looked back. I have no regrets I did it that way. I know others try to keep it as long as possible, but it was game time and I was going to play to win.

Do you have your wig, or are you going with scarves and hats? I must say when I was dragging trying to work and go through chemo I loved just putting on the wig in 60 seconds and out the door to work. It saved me so much time and effort, I loved it. My hair is over an inch long already, and I'll have a sassy new short do for summer.

I hope you feel better, you have had a pretty wild ride in a short time. But you so got this! Let me know how it goes.

beachbum. Yes the first infusion has been tough for me .... I am taking control and buzzing it off tomor. I do have a beautiful human hair wig. Some scarves too but plannig on the wig. Just need toget Throu tomorrow

Thanks Mary, appreciate the positive energy! Usually I have it but it was just a bad week! Think the Tamoxifen makes me feel blue at times.

After I finish Taxol, and start A/C, what days are the worst for those of you doing it right now? For instance, the 3rd? Or are there several bad days?

hi wrmbrownie. I've only had one infusion on a/c so far so can't tell you Much from experience . My ct #2 is tomorrow. I have infusions on Tuesday. Neulasta shot 24 hrs later. Then had a bad afternoon on Thursday so I think that's considered day 2 but I was working Friday and everyday since. I too drank equiivelent of 8 bottles of water day before infusion for 4 days after. More water than you want but I know it made a big difference. I did heavy anti constipation pills for a week. And clariton day of infusion for 5 days. Also stayed on anti nausea meds for 4 hrs after infusion thru Saturday. Then was fine without the pills.

Having a bad day. I had my hair cut off today down to 1/4". Whoa! Havent seen all thay dark and Grey hair for several years. Shocker. .I keep referring to myself as a rag doll because they keep poking me for blood. Doing iv's. filling my fake boobs. All the Tests.. took parts from me. Left me scarred forever, infused me with poison and now I have patchwork hair too. All spells RAG DOLL. More than any of us shoild have to deal with let alone in sich a short timeframe. Ok. I feel better now. Thanks for letting me rant. Its nice to have people that understand.

Hi all, I wanted to introduce myself, my name is Nina.  I was diagnosed 2/4/15 and started chemo right way on 2/6.  I have had my second round last Tuesday, and my weakness hasn't been so bad, but my stomach is a lot more upset this time around.  I am joining to try and find support from others going through the same journey.  Sorry we are all here, but hoping to find friends along the way

Oh, I forgot o add that my hair fell out between the third and fourth week of Taxol but so far, I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes.

beachbum. You made my day. I love the Mr potato head thing. Do they still make those or is that aging us? And i love that you like your wig so much. Did you name her?

What is everyone doing for nails. I forgot to get a sample from the hair dresser (aka wig man) I saw yesterday. He said to put this conditioner where your nail bed meets the cuticle I'll call him to see what it is

Hi everyone,

Just had AC infusion no. 2 yesterday. I thought things would go a lot like they did with no. 1 so could wait until 10 to take my Zofran. Right. 9:00 I made an offering at the porcelain alter and after things settled down took the pill and sat really still for a while to make sure it stayed down.

wm-Brownie I found last time that the first three days were the hardest (gradually getting easier), and then I had a little rough spot around day 7-10 as I felt the anemia and some bone pain. So since my infusions were on Mondays, Monday - Wed were probably the toughest, but the only day I really felt like I couldn't get out and do anything was the day of the infusion. Other days I was good running at about half strength, and if I was still working I could probably have pushed myself and done more, but fortunately didn't have to. Of course you can tell by reading this thread that it's different for all of us, even on the same treatment. I hope you are one who sails through it well.

Chloesmom Wow, I am feeling like a total slacker now. I haven't been doing anything but getting some hand cream on my nails twice a day when I take care of my hands. I have always been lazy when it comes to beauty stuff and haven't even explored the nail polish aisle. I suppose I will have to stop by there for an ounce of prevention.

Live_deliciously sorry you are having a bad day but go ahead and vent - it really isn't fair and we all understand. I have been relatively pleased that when I do go out with my lopsided chest and bald head (with a hat at this stage) I haven't noticed people staring or anything. The only one who registers shock is me when I look at the mirror first thing in the morning and have to register who that is. I am starting to go nuts with earrings and ear cuffs and makeup (another new thing for me) to try and fix up that scary lady in the mirror. And anyways, why shouldn't she be a little scary -- she's a fighter just like all of you!

Wishing you all good days and one more step along the road!

I'm so sorry PJfive, that just all sucks. I try to stay upbeat and positive, but I know with cancer the scariest things can happen. I lost my dad within 6 mos of his diagnosis almost 14 yrs ago, but it sits with me as I go through this journey like a dark passenger reminding me of what CAN happen. I pray for YOU that this is just a hard time that will you someday look back on and say remember when I made it through all that SH!@#$# Much love and prayers for you!

livedel - that's awesome!! can I ask you - did you do something special for neulasta shot? I was wondering about how soon to start claritin and aleve - do I do it for several days before? I have my next round of chemo on this coming Friday and was told to expect neulasta on Sat. So just curious if anyone knows protocol b/c my onc doesnt really recommend it so he's not a good source.

SO I did shave my head, first to stubble then it all the little hairs were still falling out and bugging me so my dh just took a razor to it and shaved it with razor. Here's the link to my dh shaving it with clippers the first time, it's a bit long and you get to hear real life happening to as we yell at kids and the funniest part "get away from my wine" ;o) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFcmLvX_W1k my kids didnt really want to be a part of it either but I'm glad they were b/c as with everything, we arent focusing on the negative, we are trying to make it positve and less scary for them. I think it would be harder if they just woke up and saw me bald.

Anyway the end result is now this. I'm fine with it. There's worse things happening than losing my hair right now and I told the kids it's lucky and they can rub it and make wishes on it.......of course that meant them wanting a wish every other second so I limit it to ONE per day per kid ;o) They all 3 come running in my room in the morning, ready to make their wish ;o)