Starting Chemo March 2015

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

    DianeDavis, I put the picture on my computer desktop and then dragged it into the comments box.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Katy, I've just jumped into bed for a nap. I have a cat (along with a horse, 2 sheep and 2 alpacas). I get so tired and I want to go out to a nice restaurant tonight for a nice hunk of steak. I'm looking forward to dressing up a bit and looking normal. You're very kind to me Katy, you must have such a lovely soul xxx

    SC: your wig and you look gorgeous. 

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    I'm planning to buzz my hair as soon as it starts getting tingly and shedding more than usual.

    Not much re report. I tried to go to a bible study group tonight and had to go lay down in the other room for half of it because I felt too lightheaded to stay sitting upright. I really don't know how I'm going to tolerate work tomorrow but I have to give it a try. At least I can go lay down on one of the Physical Therapy tables if I need to.

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  • Meme117
    Meme117 Member Posts: 194
    edited March 2015

    I'll be starting sometime next week so I'm a march gal too. I met my MO today and saw the chemo room, have to say not impressed. Can you share what your chemo rooms are like?

    I'm so glad to have found this group - you all are amazing!

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  • Ckonicki
    Ckonicki Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2015

    Hello to everyone! I am starting chemo March 17th, fir the first time, and I am newly diagnosed with ILC stage 3. I am 49 yrs old and I am worried about becoming sick and not being able to take care of my many rescue dogs!! I don't want to lose my hair either!! I think I will look really funny, although I see others and only feel compassion for them. So many emotions.....but I feel tired and am having trouble sleeping. I guess this is normal. Thanks everyone for being here

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

    DianeDavis- I started Jack with the akc canine good citizen test. It is open to pure and non purebreds alike. It sounds like your guy might be close to being ready for that. After Jack passed that, the group here in town (Furry Friends, 501c(3)) organized the evaluations. It's not a service dog title, but it suits for what I was looking for, doing something together as a team. They also have a library reading program, where kids who lack confidence in their reading skills can read to a dog instead of a peer, parent, or other adult. Very cool, but I've been told to stay away from school and library programs until through chemo . (Germs). There are quite a few YouTube videos on how the tests are conducted and how to prepare. I also bought a book. My mx surgery interrupted some of the training, but I always did a little something every day. Always trained before meals. And always gave the little fella a day off .image

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

    welcome Meme and welcome CKonicki! You've made your way to safe haven! You can say and share anything here. Sorry we have to meet this way, but it is a lifeline!

    CKonicki, I know you must worry about your dogs. Maybe you can start putting out some feelers for a little help. It is very hard to ask for it. I have a hard time asking. But as has been said many times, this is no time to be a hero. You might find the profound depth of your dogs' grace may end up taking care of you.

    Shaz, I resonated with your comment about wanting to dress up, look nice, go out, eat a hunk of steak. Haha. My mother lived with me the last several years of her life. She was a dialysis patient, and had to go 3 x a week every day of her life for 6 hrs. Much worse than what I'm going through, though it didn't make her sick. She always took great care with her appearance and dressed to the nines at her infusions. She looked like she was headed to the club for lunch after. She said some people were more comfortable in their bathrobes and slippers, but it made her feel better to look her best. I never held a candle to her beauty, grace, and dignity. But when all off this happened, I felt somehow as if I was channeling her, and I feel her steady hand as I pick out an outfit before doctors appts. And infusion. It sounds weird, but I know she is with me, and know she is proud

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

    Meme- the first time I walked through our infusion center I wasn't that thrilled either. It's an addition built off the basement end of a large medical complex. However, they built it with very high ceilings, so light, but not blinding sun, comes in. I thought I might want to go to the hospital infusion center instead. But it was pointed out to me that there are sick people at the hospital, and they do much more than chemo there, for example, blood transfusions. At the infusion center, it's a specialty practice. They know what they are doing. (Though I always advocate paying attention to what's going on, as they can and do forget things). For my first infusion, the center was clean, the staff were patient and took their time with everything. A sense of calm and caring prevailed. I made myself more comfortable bypacking a "chemo bag" with absolutely everything I ever thought I would need. Book, needlework, mouth spray, eye drops, lemon drops, saltines and nuts, wipes, tissue, iPad, glasses......there's more...its embarassing. There are some very good lists on this site that might help. It helped me to be a bit of a boy scout about it.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Today is my Taxol/Herceptin #2. For some reason, I'm almost as nervous as I was before the first one. Woke up with a headache.

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

    we'll be with you BB... Check in if you want to ...we will be here

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Welcome meme and ckonicki. So sorry you're both here. We're a great group. We certainly understand all of the fears your experiencing. I for one was very independent and I've really had to acknowledge that I cant do everything and accept any help offered and on occasion ASK

    Katy as always you totally get it! I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. That must have been so hard for her. Good on her for dressing up! It also must have been very difficult for you too. I lost my dad to cancer a few years ago, so sad to sit by and watch him die. Until recently I was the biggest dag. I'd wear my horse gear to the shops and I'd never wear makeup. Now I'm looking for an opportunity to look my best. Funny what things change when facing such a life threatening situation. I have no doubt that we will all get though this though. It will I think change your life after. In a good way. Best I clean some drawers out... never know what embarrassing things I have hiding away. I'd hate for some well meaning person to do some spring cleaning 🙈


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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    GOOD LUCK BB. We are all with you. I think I'm going to be worse second time around too . Odd because it was certainly an anti climax. I think it's knowing that I may be in pain again after. But next time I'm going to try the clariten. Sending so much over to you xxx

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  • migrantt
    migrantt Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2015

    hi all-

    @jackbirdie thank you so much for your encouragement. the party was pretty much everything i could have asked for- dj, dancing, lots and lots of friends, a bouncy house, hippity hops, wigs & pasties, and an angry bird pinata to symbolize the cancer in my system - that the kids beat the heck out of! i haven't had a whole lot of laughter since getting my diagnosis, but saturday night was full. i feel incredibly blessed..

    yesterday was my first infusion- Taxotere and Cytoxan. It was a rough morning- was having a good amount of panic going down to the moment when the infusions began. asked for and got an anti anxiety medicine which helped a lot. a dear friend gave me an acupuncture treatment later in the afternoon and helped me with anti nausea pressure points- so all in all not a horrible start.

    the constipation has definitely kicked in, as well as night sweats from the steroids (i think) and insomnia from the steriods (i'm sure).

    has anyone else had itching? i have no rash at this point but just am very itchy, with low grade headache and feeling like my face is swollen a bit and flushed.

    i go back today for fluids and neulasta (i took my claritin already!) hopefully the nurses can clarify some of the symptoms.

    wishing all of you strength today and tomorrow..

    xo- michele

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

    attagirl Michelle! You and I are on the same regimen. My next is March 26. I have had trouble regulating body temp and sleep has not been easy. But not really that bad. So happy to hear about your party and laughter!

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    migrantt - you and I had the exact same reaction to the infusion - minus the itchiness. When I went in for my Neulasta shot I mentioned the symptoms to the nurse and she said that the flushing and redness (and headache) is very common with Cytoxan. It's a mild allergic reaction. I'm at work today, 4 days out, and still feel flushed and overheated. The Phenegran helped relieve the headache and flush feeling, the problem is that it will knock you out. I take it about an hour before bed time.

    Today I've felt like I'm in a weird mushy haze. I'm fine as long as I'm sitting, when I walk around I get flushed and light headed. Fortunately my job is pretty much at the computer all day. I just don't like the lack of ability to concentrate. I hope it goes away soon because it can really affect my work. :(

    Speaking of, back to it! Hope you ladies have a great day!

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited March 2015

    Hello and good morning, I'd like to join this special group. I've been reading from the start but had a time getting my profile verified. Now that I'm official, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who is sharing their experiences here. I can feel my stress level easing into a more manageable place as the days of treatment tick by. Started chemo march 5th after a solid month of surgeries and so far the chemo hasn't changed my day to day much. Just taking every good day I can and hoping for the best with those ahead like everyone here I suppose. I hope at some point I'm able to say or share something that will help someone going through this just like you all have helped me these past few weeks.

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

    welcome Slothabout! So glad you are with us but sorry for the reason why. This group is literally a lifeline for me. I have supportive friends and family, but do live alone. So it's been wonderful that there is always someone out there. I have no doubt you will contribute valuable ideas, tips, and sharing. Everyone here has. Just know this is a safe place. No judgements. When you need to rant, it's ok. Whiners welcome. But we have our share of smiles as well.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    On the way to treatment now. Hubby in bad mood, don't know why. I've learned that if I ask he won't say why and he'll deny it and continue being in bad mood. This is the one day of the week when I really, really need him to be more cheerful than I am.

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

    BB-oh dear, what a poop! I've gotten quite angry a couple of times at various friends and family members because I felt they weren't "present" when I needed them to be. I then read something that helped. A little. I was thinking these people have NO IDEA HOW I FEEL. What I read pointed out that those around us are also dealing with fears. How will they get along? What will happen if they lose us? Fact is, we have no idea how they feel either. We might be walking down this road side by side. But it is still a road each of us walk alone. I can say that I am in a very good mood today, and will send all spare happiness your way for the next 6 hours. Concentrate on your nurses and the techs. They will care for you gently and cheerfully today I'm sure.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Thank you so much, Jackbirdie. That helped.

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    Anyone know of anything that we can take to get rid of the chemo "fuzz brain"? I really miss my clear head!

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  • PrincessOfMeh
    PrincessOfMeh Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2015

    Welcome,slothabout! And hope everything (and including your hubby) is improving, BB!

    Got my start date -- Thursday! Profound relief mixed with wild terror.

    Preparing for chemo is rather like nesting, isn't it? I've got my freezer stuffed with meals for my down days, my kit of OTCs & SE mitigate'rs, chemo-friendly foods, started packing a bag to take with me...Just occurred to me this was like nesting, except instead of birthing a baby I'll be birthing a healthier me. I didn't enjoy labor & childbirth much, either, but I sure liked the results. Chin up and all that.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Didn't take my Xanax in the morning. Had a major breakdown at the chemo center. Hubby still in a crappy mood.

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  • Ckonicki
    Ckonicki Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2015

    I so sorry you are having a difficult time today. Hang in there. I have had many problems with my anxiety and found a few things that help when I am having worse spells. The deep breathing sounds crazy to some, but it really does help. I actually count to myself and focus on my counting. The next thing that helps me is music, relaxation tapes and videos. Another thing is playing games on my phone or just texting people and telling you hem how I am doing-without going into a lot of detail. I found anything that gets me out of my head helps me. Don't be too hard on yourself or do the negative self talk. No one judges you and we have all been through a lot!! Know there are people who are thinking of you and know their thoughts and prayers are with you now. I am starting Taxol next Tuesday for the first time ever. I am never sick, I consider myself a very self sufficient and independent woman and I am really scared of everything about chemo. Please let me know (if you feel comfortable) about your first infusion and the side effects. I don't have a port yet, getting it on the 23rd. I am afraid of the IV infusion in my arm. Will it hurt? Did you get very nauseated? Did you have joint pain? How is your hair? Hang in there today!!

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

    BB: I am so sorry about how you are feeling and your husband. Hugs are all I have to offer.

    Princess: I get the nesting thing. I was thinking exactly the same thing. Sucks cuz no baby at the end.

    Jackie: I have to tell you, I enjoy your posts so much. That's a nice way to understand.

    I don't know now if I will be starting chemo yet. The new closer doctor gave me a huge hassle today. AFter being up all night with NEW really bad pain in my right breast and her refusing to give me an order for an u/s, I am not in a happy place right now. My original cancer didn't show up on any imaging either. And if one more person, let alone professional tells me cancer doesn't hurt, I am going to go postal.

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

    Chroniki: I like the music idea. I have planned to put a playlist together but have been so busy trying to nail down a treatment plan I haven't gotten around to it.

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Going in for a follow up today. DH wasn't happy with the side effects and the 7# weight loss in 4 days so he made me an appt. At first I thought he's just being overly protective but I do kinda feel like I might be a little dehydrated so I'll go to the appointment.

    I'm at work but not mentally here. This brain fog is seriously annoying!

    BTW...anyone else have really weird smelling gas? I normal have pretty foul gas anyway thanks to my gastric bypass surgery but this is just weird smelling. Sorry if TMI LoL but we are here for all of it right

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited March 2015

    For SC regarding fuzz brain....I have a friend who is certified in manual lymphatic drainage who will be working with me soon . She mentioned that lymphatic drainage helps move the chemo cocktail out and especially since the brain has no lymph nodes that function on its behalf, the manual lymphatic drainage can help keep the chemo from getting "stuck" in the brain causing the fuzz. Now, she also made me get clearance from my MO before she would work on me, so maybe you could explore this with your med team? It seems like there are more theories than proven data when it comes to the lymphatic system but this one did make sense to me.

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  • wpmoon
    wpmoon Member Posts: 270
    edited March 2015

    I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who went a little nuts when packing their chemo bag. I felt like I was sort of packing for a vacation, but definitely not a fun one. Heated blanket, tablet, book, crackers, gatorade, toothbrush, mouthwash.... I'm not even sure what else I threw in there.

    Feeling sluggish again today. Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I'm going to see how I feel after infusion #2 before I decide whether or not I'm going to keep working during treatment. It's a new job that I just started, and I'm worried about them kicking me to the curb. Great timing, right?

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  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited March 2015

    Hi, all, and welcome to all who have joined recently. I'm thinking of you all, but my brain is pretty fuzzy today. Thankfully, my to do list is very short - I need to arrange a ride to my next infusion on Monday. The friend I would prefer to take me isn't available, so I have to get someone else. My oncologist has also scheduled an MRI for Friday, but I think I can take myself. I suppose that might change, as I'm very fatigued, and it's an hour and a half drive, each way. It's an hour's drive each way on Thursday for lab work. I have a list of people willing to help, but the Adriamycin push kind of creeps me out, and I'm not sure who I'll be most comfortable having around.

    Gentle hugs to all.

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