Starting Chemo March 2015

Hi, all! I'm 44, married 20+ years, 3 kids (ages 22, 16, 14). I don't have a date for when I start yet, but I got my port right before the weekend (on Thursday), already had my echo and did the chemo intake education. So...soon. I'm supposed to do 4 A/C every two weeks, then switch to weekly T for 12 weeks. I'm also supposed to get the shot that starts with L that you take Claritin for. I invested last week making freezer meals and this weekend in the family, who helped me assemble my chemo bag of tricks of OTCs & etc, but after reading this thread, it appears I need at least one more weapon in my arsenal (lysine). I'll wait until my first treatment to get my hair buzzed and already have a wig, though I expect to be rocking hats more than anything else. I work from home, self-employed, and hope to continue doing that.

yes welcome PrincessofMeh! I welcome any tips, etc. you know about to help in this battle.

I am waiting until the last possible moment to cut my hair. It might be crazy, but a long term chemo patient said my hair might actually stick around until a little bit after round 2. Other than surgery, a port, scans, chemo, etc., I don't have any physical sign yet of being a cancer patient, and I think the hair loss will hit me hard and make it real. On the other hand, I might just go bald, who knows?

One other item I added to my chemo kit today is saline nose spray, the atomized stuff like for little kids. Dry nose set in today. I thought my nose was supposed to run lol.

You sound so organized and prepared, and as if you have a great support group.

I am so envious of those who can go out hiking and biking after treatment. I would be grateful to get up out of bed and not feel dizzy and have enough energy to do a load of laundry. I did go for a 5 min walk with DH but that was about all I could muster.

I had about 2 good hours this afternoon before the nausea started back in. I think I'm almost out of the woods...I hope

I actually did have a protein shake this morning. It's my usual breakfast and my tummy was cooperating so I got about 3/4 of it down. Today I managed the protein shake, an apple, a pudding cup, 1 ravioli, and a few bites of chicken cor don bleu. I feel like I'm on the rebound

ItalyChick, I did have a little blood when I wiped and it was during the actual infusion. I thought my period was starting, even though I wasn't due yet, and I didn't even think to mention it to the nurse. And it went away the same day.

I'm curious what you find out from the doctor tomorrow. I hope you could post about it

My chemo was started on March 2 and is 5 months I eat even though First Few days no appetite ." I plan to fight and eat even though no appetite and I hope no nausea at all . Also Awaiting my genetic tests Patiently week two starts Tomorrow ..Not looking forward to It but It has to be done .Tc Everyone

Did anyone have an allergic reaction/rash come up after their first tx? My face looks worse than when I went through puberty. I did a little researching and found that it's likely a rash and not acne like I'd originally thought, so it's looking like it probably is a side effect of chemo. Hoping my MO will give me an antibiotic prescription that I can pick up in the morning and that that'll take care of it... even though I don't even want to leave the house to go get it! My face literally HURTS. Not something I thought I'd have to deal with when they said "rash" might be a side effect, and this looks like horrible cystic acne..

thank you for all the love on the wig! makes me feel better about it, even though I still know it's a wig (duh, right?)

Shaz, please call your cancer care centre. I just spent a couple of days dealing with a constipation issue, and it was no fun. Things got a bit off the rails after I called the cancer centre. The nurse suggested an enema at home, but because I live very rural, she suggested I stop at the nearest hospital. That was a mistake, because as a satellite hospital (they mostly triage and transport), I wasn't examined for hours, and ended up going home with a scrip for Lactulose (which did help, though it took a while) and some mechanical help at the bottom end (glycerin and enema), but the hours of straining did do some damage and I was pretty uncomfortable for a couple of days, and didn't have much bowel control, either. I was taking Zofran for an extended time for nausea, and things just got backed up. I need to be more proactive about this, as I tend to become constipated even with small changes in my routine

thanks Beachbum, for continuing to look in on us.

And Welcome Lost Sparrow. Too bad we meet here, but such a fun and caring group. It will help you manage I hope.

I slept better last night, still have swollen glands in my throat, general malaise, and a constant concern the nausea is around the corner.....

About protein shakes, I have been using whey protein powder instead of soy. For those of us ER+, it is best to stay away from too much soy, as there seems to be some connection between soy and estrogen. I put a little ground flaxseed oil in as well which is useful as lubrication. I keep organic frozen fruit in the freezer to keep it interesting and add to the roughage.

I started taking 3 colace and a Senekot daily,days before I started chemo and it helped. I had a horrible bout with constipation after surgery and did not want a repeat. Thankfully, I'm doing ok in that department now, but the surgery constipation took many days to dislodge once it got started. Drink lots and lots of water

Doesn't glutamine come in pill form? Is there some reason you are taking it in liquid? I looked for it at Whole Foods the other day and saw it in the pills.

Hi March gals! Sorry we're a little late jumping in here, but we wanted to provide some helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including info on what to expect with chemo, types of chemo meds, and side effect management. Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too! Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

• Tips for getting through chemotherapy
• More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
• PORT PLACEMENT: Detailed description of process
• Head Covering Options for Hair Loss
• wig advice
• Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Also, Last Month's Chemo thread might be informative!

Hope you find this helpful!

--Your Mods

Shaz101, the steak last night was amazing. I think I needed some protein for healing or something.

Tvler, awesome about Italy. What region is your husband from? I have been everywhere there. Venice, all over Tuscany, Milan, Rome, Naples, all over Sicily. I love the Italian culture. Who is your favorite designer and where did you do the tour?

PrincessofMeh, my mom is forbidden from posting anything anywhere or I told her I will never speak to her again. Having said that, she lives in Chicago where most of my family is, and of course she has made the most of telling everybody about my diagnosis, probably to get sympathy for herself. I'm not bitter, just realistic about my mom being a manipulative, selfish woman. Wow, where did that come from lol?

Another pretty day here in San Diego! Be well, everybody!

Oh, and just to update - my MO thinks it's a reaction to the Lupron injection I had to suppress ovary function during chemo. Who knows. Either way, got a script for doxycycline and an antibiotic gel, and hoping those two help to clear up the issue. I think I'd rather have my head around the toilet than my face feeling like it's on fire...

Princess- love your attitude. Gotta...GOTTA appreciate the small stuff.

I just love everybody here. Hope all have the best possible day

Trvler - uh-oh, what story about GNC? That's where I bought mine. Walgreens and Target didn't have any. I'm not keen on buying drugs online either.