Starting Chemo March 2015

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

    There was a story about two months ago about how they tested many of the GNC supplements and they had nothing in them. I will try to find a link for you.

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

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/03/gnc-target-wal-mart-walgreens-accused-of-selling-fake-herbals/

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    I'm feeling much better today, but what a weekend! The constipation is awful. My stomach keeps gurgling and is in need of release! It doesn't help that I had my port replaced on Friday right before chemo. My body received a double whammy.

    I worked from home today. I was really foggy this morning but after a cup of coffee I felt much better. I'd been denying myself coffee all weekend thinking it would only make me feel worse, but it helped so much this morning! The plan is to go in tomorrow, hopefully the constipation will clear up by then.

    It's funny how we all manage communicating information out differently. I have a very large family and a very large network of friends. I was getting bombarded by phone calls when my husband spilled the beans. I decided to reign the calls in by posting my status and info on my blog. My own personal page that I've had for 15 years. I keep it very technical and just let them know what's going on so they don't start thinking that I'm on my death bed.

    Well, now to shower (how long has it been?) and pick up my son at school. We made it through round 1!

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

    Trvler – awesome. My family came from Villarosa which is in the center of Sicily. Does your husband have the magnificent Sicilian green eyes? How romantic about Brunello Cucinelli. Your post made me want to get on a plane to Italy!

    Starting to be bummed about my hair. Initially I was going to be preemptive and cut it off, but now I've decided to wait until the last minute. Sigh!


    image


    image

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

    Nope. No green eyes. In fact, even though I have blue eyes, I figured out before they were even born based on all his family and their eye colors, my kids could ONLY have brown eyes. (He's not much in the romance department either. :) But he does track down my favorite ice cream bars to the ends of the universe so there's that.

    Aw…so much fun putting a face with the name. Pretty hair. I know what you mean about being bummed about it. It's amazing how many good hair days I have had lately. Are you getting a wig?

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

    Yes, I have a wig. I am not "outing" myself at work. Only my direct boss and my friend Cheryl (the girl I work out with) know. so I definitely won't be showing up at work bald, or in a scarf. I've found myself this past week leaving my hair messy (Victoria Secret bedhead kind of deal), or wearing a really low pony tail as opposed to tying it up in a bun, etc. - whatever makes the hair seem more feminine. I told my husband breast cancer does a number on women. Scarred or missing boobs, no nipples, nodes removed, oopherectomies for some, hysterectomies, hormone suppression, hair loss. This damn thing takes away a lot of being a woman. He said he doesn't care, he will love me no matter how many pieces are missing. He is definitely a keeper.

    Do you still have your hair, or did you cut it? Are you doing a wig?


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

    SC Coqui- so glad you're feeling better- you've been through the wringer!

    Italychick- beautiful photo! And your story gave me goosebumps. He is definitely a keeper.

    Best,

    Katy

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

    I still have my hair. I haven't started yet. I don't know if I will cut it. I haven't thought much about it. I only found out last the week before last I was going to do chemo first. It was a whole shift in my thinking. I haven't even tried to find a wig yet. I will know more when I meet with the MO tomorrow. But I have an appointment to get the port in Thursday. I don't know what the MO will say tomorrow. They all seem to have a big problem with me going to NOLA for my surgery.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    thanks everyone. Things have started to move! I feel like kicking the dirt like a dog!😊

    Trvler they told me if they have trouble finding a vein they will put a port in my upper arm.

    Italychick my hair defined me. I was so distraught cutting it off, its now at my shoulders. Every time I feel an itch I think it about to fall. I don't want to see it fall out but I don't want to shave it off either. I hate cancer!

    Thanks mods for the info x

    I'm going to donate the hair that was cut.

    image

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

    Trvler - my port is on the left BC on the right. My girlfriend has the same. I have read that the arm is possible, but I would think it would be annoying there.

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

    What's BC? I would think it would be annoying in your chest?

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  • LisaZak
    LisaZak Member Posts: 25
    edited March 2015

    Hello All,

    I will be starting TCH on March 18. 6 rounds, 1 day every 3 weeks. Continue with Herceptin every 3 weeks until March 2016. (Rads start approximately August 2014). Here we go!!

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Hi Lisa, so sorry you've joined us. Together we can get through this. Please feel free to share how you're feeling and dealing with it. 

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  • LisaZak
    LisaZak Member Posts: 25
    edited March 2015

    Thanks, Shaz101. I am all over the place with emotions. Today was pretty positive, I had the weekend to process. I went on Saturday to pick out a wig and plan on ordering a really nice one with the insurance money. I think that losing my hair is the thing that I am most worried about. But, as I was talking to my boss today, explaining the reason that you lose your hair from chemo (because of the rapidly dividing cells) I thought I could look at it as a physical reminder that the chemo is working. That made me feel a little better. I have a haircut scheduled for tomorrow. Going to go short! I've decided that I am going to call my chemo days my "spa" days. One of the ladies I work with went through chemo for uterine cancer and she said that she got treated like royalty at the infusion center. I don't get many chances to take a day to do nothing and have someone cater to me. It will also give me a chance to spend some time with my son, who will be with me on my first day. I have special people lined up for most of my treatment day and they will be pairing me with a volunteeer who has gone through the process before. I def. will update as I go along.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Sounds like you are doing great, considering! I'm glad you've got such great support. I like the idea of seeing the hair falling out as a sign the chemo is working! Thanks for sharing that. As a woman, loosing our hair can be quite traumatic. It can be related to our femininity. All the brave photos I've seen of women who have shaved their head have shown me just how beautiful they still look!

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

    Hello LisaZak. You are on the same chemo I am, just two weeks later than me. My first was March 2nd. My oncologist wants me to do 6 rounds, but she says we can revisit after 4. But she is pushing strongly for 6. So you start next Wednesday?

    Shaz101, your hair must have been really long. My daughter has the same curly hair you do. I'm so sorry you had to lose it.

    I got my chest port a week ago, and I have forgotten about it. Yesterday I touched it and thought, oh crap, another lump. Then I realized it was my port. Duh! I worked through my chemo, and since I was there all day, having the port was great so that my hands and arms were free.

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  • LisaZak
    LisaZak Member Posts: 25
    edited March 2015

    Italychick - Yes, I start next Wed. My Onco said I shouldn't need to get a port. I'm not sure why. How are you feeling?


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

    Welcome LisaZak! I love your "spa day" lol. That's the spirit! Very glad to hear you will have a dear one on Day 1. I did, and it helped more than I can say. Still get choked up over my Bestie's generosity.

    Shaz, good for you for donating your lovely hair. So much indeed of what defines us as women gets taken away.....and though your hair is fabulous, I must say that what I have learned about you so far is that your inner beauty far exceeds anything external. You started this thread for us! I couldn't imagine being without it.

    And on to tricks of the trade.... My onc nurse (who is a rock star) recommended the L-Lysine and Turmeric as well.... Anyone else doing that? I keep getting this cartoon scene in my head where my liver is trying to process all this stuff coming down the conveyor belt. Hah! Like that I Love Lucy episode with Lucy trying to keep up in the chocolate factory

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    Hi ladies. I just got home from work and after a day of feeling a bit sad, obsessing over the hair and how I'm gonna pull it off at work, it almost brought me to tears to read your posts. It means so much to know I can be a part of this group and that we can share tips, feelings and outcomes. I have a bilateral MRI tomorrow to see if anything is going on with the "good side." Then on to have my Echocardiogram. Thurs is the final nurse chemo visit. The BS office called and said the port date should be Mon or Tues. After that I anticipate the show will get started.

    I haven't ordered a wig yet but have narrowed it down to two! I'm ordering one that does what I can't get my hair to do but not too extreme. I want to donate my hair but have waffled over when to do it. I am so indecisive these days...so not me.  Can anyone tell me about the wigs and insurance companies? I have CIGNA and will probably call but wondered if most pay?

    Thank you all for sharing your lives. I know it will be a long year..but it's comforting knowing I'm not alone!

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

    DianeDavis- I feel the same way about this wonderful group. I decided to save my hair for now in a baggie. I have/had? lovely strawberry blond hair with natural highlights, lowlights, and gray, which just looked like more highlights. I am given to understand that when my hair comes back in, it might come back all gray. Booooo. I am 57 and don't think I'm ready for that. So my hairdresser said let's save it as an example of/prototype for possible color to recreate as best we can to former look, then I can give it away.

    Katy

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

    anybody feeling like this?image

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    Katy-I think saving some might be good for me too! I've always complained about how straight it was and since my first diagnosis in 2011, kept growing it because somehow I just knew I would lose it..sounds corny, maybe I was just pessimistic! Now I would give anything except my life, to keep it and not have to go down this road. I definitely need to work more on living in the moment and appreciating everything just as it is. I think you're too young for gray if you don't want it and I do feel like the pic above, ha ha! Gained 30 lbs this past year and I'm 54 this month btw!  How are you doing with the chemo? Looks like you started on the 5th?


     

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  • wpmoon
    wpmoon Member Posts: 270
    edited March 2015

    Hi LisaZak! glad you found us. It looks like me, you and ItalyChick are on the same regimen. She and I started the same day. I think she and I both have a port - so I'm surprised they didn't have you get one. I was told it was easier to have and the "norm" due to the Herceptin being a year long treatment and chemo can kill your veins and they become harder to find the more chemo you have. Interesting what everyone's doctors decide!


    Jackbirdie - I've felt like that seal ALL DAY. spent half the day on the couch, the other half in bed. Feeling completely WIPED out!

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

    yes. I started last Thursday. So today is day 5. I have had some small issues, dry eyes, swollen glands, nothing big. I have a fair amount of fatigue. Iam taking the Claritin for the Neulasta bone pain, and nausea meds prophylactically. I swish baking soda in tepid water every time I enter the bathroom for any reason. (To avoid thrush/mouth sores). I imagefeel pretty lucky so far as I know some of our bco sisters here have suffered much worse. I expect my time will come. But I have taken seriously the advice to eat many small meals, hydrate without overdoing it, and getting out for short walks with Jack the wonder dog. I have received so many wonderful tips here, I shudder to think how I'd be on this path alone.

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    Diane, As far as wigs, I have United Health Care and I called them to find out since I couldn't get much information online. My insurance has a seperate support line for Onchology patients that are specialized in these issues. She pretty much did all the leg work for me. They had a lost of preappoved wig vendors but since none were near my house I was able to submit my own. After about a week I received the approval for up to $500. I purchased the wig on my own and then need to fax over copies of the receipt. The wig I got was about $140.

    I could have just paid out of pocket but I figure we pay insurance for a reason!

    Here's a pic of me with it on. I haven't styled it yet. I cut my hair short 2 weeks ago. I have very curly hair so a straight haired wig is quite the change, but they don't make wigs as curly as my natural hair.

    image

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

    SC Coqui- you are rocking that look! And you are right to take advantage of your insurance benefits. My insurance wouldn't pay, though they were very good in other areas, so I just shaved and bought a cute hat for every day of the week

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    Jackbirdie thanks for getting back with me. You and your wonder dog, I'm a fan! You are training him for a therapy career? I want to do the same but haven't decided which certification to go for. He will sit, stay, wait, leave it and always comes. He really needs a job and was devastated when he lost his puppy card and people didn't stop on the street to tell him how cute he was! Hang in there, sounds like you're doing all the right things.

    SC Coqui-you are rockin that look! Thanks for the insurance info. If I get 500.00 reimbursed I will be quite happy. I found one I like but need to measure my head and as usual can't find anything to measure with. Can I ask how you got your pic loaded on this page? Couldn't figure out how....

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

    LisaZak, I am actually feeling great, I am shocked. But I have walked, hiked or ridden my bike every day since chemo. Supposedly staying active helps you recover better. And I have two weeks until my next chemo, so the next two weeks are gonna be great. I did the meds for a couple of days post chemo, the Clairitin through Saturday, and since Saturday I haven't taken anything and am feeling fine. Take food, drinks, cookies with you to eat. The cookie I ate the day of chemo was the best cookie I've ever eaten. And I took a bunch of ice and iced my feet, next time I am going to suck on ice chips the whole time too. Epsom salt baths are great, great, great. I got the port because I was already tired of getting my veins poked in my right arm. They won't use the left arm because that is where my lumpectomy was, and they took three sentinel nodes.

    SC Coqui, that wig looks great on you!

    DianeDavis, you have beautiful hair. And it will come back.

    Shaz101, your hair doesn't define you. Your big heart defines you, and I am so very thankful you started this forum. I have been reading a lot of them, but I didn't post until you started this forum. You have made me feel that we can get through this chemo and move on, and you have given me hope. Plus a place to write about my fears.

    Jackbirdie my little dog is named Jack too. He is a 12 year old Italian Greyhound, and a cuddler.



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  • PrincessOfMeh
    PrincessOfMeh Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2015

    SC_Coqui, you look GREAT!

    I'm very grateful for my dog and cats too -- cuddle therapy.

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  • DavisD
    DavisD Member Posts: 338
    edited March 2015

    love your hair too Italy chick!

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