Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • NurseJules
    NurseJules Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2015

    Princess, thanks for the post that literally made me LOL. I feel the same way. I'm tired of being called strong. Angelina jolie just made a statement, something like " I'm not strong, this is just life." Luckily I'm from the East Coast, so I must give off the aura of "I already think you're stupid, no need to open your mouth to confirm it."

    Shaz, to minimize bruising and vein trauma, always hold firm pressure on the IV/blood draw site for at least 2 minutes.. Longer if you can. This is based on experience, not scientific evidence.

    I hate computers, but I'm starting to really look forward to checking in. I only wish I had started sooner!


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

    So-She-Did- thanks! After many years of wandering, I think of Oregon as a forever home now.

    And Arlene, good luck tomorrow. I'll be in the chair too, and will try to check in.

    Theresa- glad to know your real name, in my mind it will always be Theresa the Italychick! So glad you found a biking buddy.

    So excited for you to do the 40 mile NYC bike tour, Arlene! With the cross-training you guys do, maybe there's a triathlon together, somewhere exotic, in your mutual cancer-free future. You'll take your life off that pause button, make chemo and cancer YOUR bitches, instead of the of the other way around, and kick some A___

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  • Ckonicki
    Ckonicki Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2015

    hi everyone. I finally got my port placed and have had two doses of Taxone. I am starting to notice a little tiny bit of hair loss, or maybe being paranoid about it. I have a wig ready, so when it happens I am prepared , welll...sort of. I lost my brother yesterday. He was only 53 and in good health, but had a massive heart attack on his way to work and passed away quickly. I Am still in shock mostly. He lived in South Carolina and I am in Texas so I won't be able to attend his funeral there due to my appointments, chemo schedule, and school, and money issues. But we will also have a memorial service here in Texas for him. I am praying for his wife and daughter -she is just 16. Life is really unpredictable and precious. I am learning this on a daily basis. So happy to have this group to talk to. Thank you all for listening. Cathy

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

    Dear Cathy: I am so very sorry for your loss and for your brother's family's loss.

    Your poor niece. Only 16. So sad.

    I will keep you all in my thoughts.

    As you say, life is unpredtable, precious, and precarious. You were already learning that due to your own situation. Probably thinking it couldn't be worse. I'm glad he didn't suffer for more than a second or two.

    A big but gentle hug being sent through the night sky to you.

    Katy

    PS- glad you are managing your treatment reasonably well and are prepared for whatever comes

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Cathy, I'm so sad for you and your families loss. Words fail me.xxx

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Thanks nursejules, I will definitely do that next time.

    I'll be thinking of you Katy and Arlene during your treatment and I'll be roaring for you both. 

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  • PrincessOfMeh
    PrincessOfMeh Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2015

    Ck, I'm so, sooooooooooo sorry for you loss! He wasn't a family member, but I lost someone recently too. Heartbreaking. But not all heartbreak -- someone posted a last status update for him on Facebook not too long ago, "Chilling with Jesus." That was so him! Made me smile. A sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. Hang in there!

    Katy and Shaz, both your pics looks amazing! I'll have to root around my hard drive, find a pic of my woods when the trees are all greened up. Right now, everything's still bare and rather spindly.

    2nd treatment soon and I woke up with a bad headache. Not a migraine, thank God, but bad enough and I don't dare take anything for it for fear it'd interfere with my chemo. Pardon me whilst I go sob in a corner? LOL. Nah, I was more than halfway through aromatherapy certification when all this hit so, hey, at least I have that (and more importantly, have already learned which essential oils to stay away from due to drug interactions & etc.). Still, ow, Ow, OW, dayum! I am a bad, bad girl, having fully leaded coffee to start my day, but really, scheduling me at seven freaking a of the m, what did they expect? So not my fault. Besides, I figured if this was a caffeine headache, the shot of java would help. At the very least, I'll be less of a b*tch -- at this hour, definitely a plus!

    Anyhoo, I'm Karen and I live outside a wee tiny town in the eastern panhandle of WV that nobody's ever heard of. There's literally nothing nearby, no big cities (which is exactly how I like it), unless you count Cumberland, MD, where I go for treatments.

    I am so totally wearing my Harley do-rag to treatment today. Wig just sounds too painful on my ouchy head. Maybe my Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar on Me tank too. They brought it on themselves, really. The chirpy Mary Poppins me, who takes Girl Scout cookies to the onco nurses, doesn't wake up til 9. Pretty much a raving lunatic with razor claws and sharp, sharp teeth until then. If they want Dr. Jekyll, scheduling me during Mr. Hyde operating hours is not the way to go here. Truly.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    Look after your poor head Karen and best of luck today. 

    Now that were throwing our names out there, which is great but screwing with my head... How about we put it on our status at the bottom like Maryellen has. It may make it easier for those wanting to refer to names... I don't mind either way. 

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  • PrincessOfMeh
    PrincessOfMeh Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2015

    Okey dokey, Shaz, have done.

    Goodness gracious, I'm out of lemon biscotti too. Will this day of horrors never end? ;-p

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited March 2015

    I had to look up what that was Karen. Its a cake??? Early in the morning?  

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

    Cathy; I am sooo sorry about your brother.

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

    Jackie: I love those pictures. Living in Illinois, I never get to see nature like that so those pictures give me hope. lol.

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

    Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Diane!!!

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  • Supernannymom
    Supernannymom Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    Hi All!

    Leigh...ROTFL!!! You made me laugh!!! Love it!!!

    Katy, Bec and Trvlr, all of you!!!....I love reading your posts...everyday I read them!

    This group is like family! I don't have to say a word, and I feel, enjoy, hurt and empathize with each and every post I ready!

    Today I get my port placed, I am NOT looking forward to it - but a necessary step. I didn't want it so much that I did look at PICC lines and just having the chemo in my veins each week. However none of those are viable options for me...my veins are wimpy -- as it is they have to dig for them (and I don't have my first round until next week), and they explained that if Adriamyacin leaks out due to a vein blowing, I will have the equivalent of a chemical burn wherever the vein ruptured...ugh.

    I still have a small open wound from my mastectomy and reconstruction. In February the doc did a skin graft - most of it took but there is a nickel sized area that, although it healing slowly, ins't completely healed. My MO said that we need to start chemo and we will just keep a close eye on it.

    From reading through the posts, it looks like with the port I will be sore a few days - and then it should be ok? How long did it take for those of you with a port to get used to it?

    I am working on a name for my port, something that says 'sucky but useful', and I am a Disney girl...I was thinking Scar (Lion King)...but the port isn't evil- trying to take over (lol - no that would be the cancer!!). A friend suggested Mary - but I said no because my port is not "practically perfect in every way". I will keep working - I would love suggestions!!!

    I had my 'mychart' appointment reminder for my first round of AC - which is next week. It had the chair number and everything-so very sobering. My infusion center has DVD players at each 'bay' they called it, wifi, and a snack bar. They said with AC I will be there about 2-3 hours. However when I start the Taxol in a few weeks, that will take longer.

    I have taken to eating to make myself feel better - which is not good for me...although my MO assured me that once I start chemo that won't be the case. I still can't wear a bra on my left side due to the open sore - but I would really like to work out...I can walk without a bra...but I would like to do more. Ok - so I am a rather busty girl - and my left side (the new one) sits up nice an tall without a bra - but my right side shows wear and tear (4 kids worth) and she likes to lay down alot!!! Since my surgeon said no bra on the left side, my DH made me a one boob holder! He took a bikini top and cut the left side out, and we use it to holster the right! Not work out support - but as least I can be out and about and not look like my boobs are confused!!!

    Off to have my port put in!!! xoxo!

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  • Leighrh
    Leighrh Member Posts: 317
    edited March 2015

    don't know if I've said it before but..... I'm Leigh... I live in Baton Rouge Louisiana


    Headed out for first AC... Super nervous. I will think of all my chair sisters today:)

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  • Meme117
    Meme117 Member Posts: 194
    edited March 2015

    Good am from rainy PA, it may hit 60s today so thinking a walk would be nice if it's not raining. I still have bone pain, been taking the Claritin but feels like an uninvited party going on inside these bones. Yoga def helped last night, slept with heating pad then broke down and took Percocet. Feel tired today but manageable and a strange taste in mouth - coffee was not the same😔

    Cathy I'm so sorry about your brother. Welcome to the group I know you'll find comfort here.

    Sharon you live in the middle of nowhere ? Looks perfect!

    Katy I didn't know OR could be so beautiful just lovely and that little Jack is darling. Glad you made it for you bday celebration. Good luck today!

    Karen you crack me up with the superwoman analogies - so true! I don't want to hear about anyone else sometimes when people are talking my mind is saying Shut the F Up! I feel like I'm annoyed much easier right now - anyone else? Good luck today!

    Joanna - I was in PR in the late 90s working for the Red Cross for hurricane relief, stationed in San Juan for 3 weeks - I remember those frogs, loved listening to them, forgot about them till now. I do remember the women were stunningly beautiful and they have the best shoes and the dancing.

    Arlene good luck today!

    Theresa stay on top of those nurses, sucks though to have to monitor them. Good luck today!

    Leigh good luck today - stay positive and hydrated!!


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

    You can do it, Leigh! Do you have someone driving you? I was lucky that I did so when they offered me the Ativan, I took it just to calm my nerves. I am afraid to say this, but so far my SE's have been minimal.

    Super: YOu have a great husband making you the special bra. Enjoy your walk!

    I want to try to get on the elliptical by my sister will be here any minute.

    The Dexadron ( I think) is making me a bit jittery.

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

    Super: My port is still sensitive but gets better every day. I had some shortness of breath which I KNOW was because of the port but that is getting better too. Just be kind to yourself and heal at whatever pace it takes you. I found some things to be really hard and others to not be hard at all. For some reason sitting on the toilet and reaching my port arm down really hurt a lot. Mary will tell you. Percy told me.

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2015

    Wow, we are one chatty bunch. I can barely catch up reading, but I am reading all the posts. I just can never get to responding in time, and then I forget what I wanted to say (stupid work, keeps me occupied ).

    Thank you, Ladies for being here. Good luck to all being in the chair today. May all go well.


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  • molly1976
    molly1976 Member Posts: 403
    edited March 2015

    My mother-in-law is a nurse and said it takes about 2 weeks for the port to be fully "set", whatever that means. I am getting mine on Tuesday and I am pretty excited to never have an IV again. Not my favorite.

    I can't remember if I have introduced myself or not - I live in North Carolina and am 38 years old. No kids, married to a wonderful man who has far exceeded my expectations in handling this diagnosis from start to finish. I knew I was lucky but now I realize I am REALLY lucky. I've been the assistant to the CEO of a wine distributor for 10 years and my employer is being wonderful, too, letting me take off whenever I need to with no penalties or anything.

    I had liver and rib scans yesterday because I've had persistent right side pain since my lumpectomy and was driving myself insane with worry. But both were clear! My MO said, "now we can just chill out for a while." Ha!

    Oh, and I think my hair is starting to go. I've noticed more in the sink after styling the last few days and this morning did an experimental tug and a clump of 5-6 hairs came out all at once with no pain. Dang.

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited March 2015

    Italy chick, we both had treatments yesterday. My blood work was all great except white cell count was 2 points over normal. You mentioned yours was a little high too? My MO didn't seem at all concerned and said the steroid dose the day before will often send the count up. The infusion nurse wrinkled her nose up a little about it but when I asked if it could be the steroids, she said maybe. Did your docs give you any more insight or things to pay attention to with regard to that wbc value?

    Also I came home from treatment and my hair was really jumping ship. So I made it 21 days here. I got a super short clipper cut one week ago (i went to an actual old school barber shop) that let me keep short bangs and sideburns and so tonight when I took it all the way down I feel like I was better prepared and less shocked with the outcome. And it actually feels good to me to have one more worry behind me(how will it look, when will it happen, will some embarrassing chunk of hair fall out at an inopportune time and mortify me?)now the hair trauma is over and it's on to the next thing!

    Katy it sounds like you've been to the Japanese garden before? I always recommend the trip in June so you can see the international rose test garden in all its beauty as well. Even if you're not a huge fan of roses, you can't help but be overwhelmed when it's in full June bloom. We also have a great Chinese garden downtown, much different than the Japanese garden, with a fun tea house and gift shop (mind your credit cards!)

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited March 2015

    Also, my name is Linda and I am in Portland, Oregon. I live alone and take a lot of comfort in this group,laughing and reading, sharing and venting as needed. Best wishes for smooth treatments to you in the chair today, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    At home today with my "sick" 6 year old (today's his birthday) as I try to work from home as well as get him to work on his school worksheets. It's not an easy task. I have my mask on since he's coughing so much. We stopped bye the school earlier to pick up his worksheets and also take some pictures in front of the school celebration rock that his dad painted last night with his name and some goofy drawings.

    Us at the rock.

    image

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Good morning/afternoon/evening gals.

    I do read and laugh, sigh, cry, and react to everyone's post but there is no way I can keep up with everyone's names! I'm just so blessed to have you all as part of my 'team'. I tell my DH when he asks what I'm doing "just checking in with my peeps"...

    Today is the best day of my cycle so far. Same thing after the 1st AC - right at the one week mark, my symptoms went away and I was (am) buzzing from the steroids. I'm worried that the bone pain is going to hit me tomorrow like it did last time but I'm hopeful that continued use of Claritin will ward it off.

    I'm sporting a new hat today :)

    image

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  • SC_Coqui
    SC_Coqui Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2015

    rleepac, I have that same hat! (well in a slightly darker color)

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

    Slothabouttown/Linda, after the Neulasta shot my white blood cells were:

    WBC 23.90 (normal is 4.60-10.20)

    Neutrophils (baby whites) 18.50 (normal is 2.00-6.90)

    Yesterday before chemo they were:

    WBC 13.20 (normal is 4.60-10.20)

    Neutrophils (baby whites) 9.19 (normal is 2.00-6.90)

    So mine were still elevated right before chemo, but not as much. I meet with the oncologist before the Neulasta shot after round 3, so I will be checking with her on things. The nurse practitioner told me the steroid definitely elevates the white blood count, for whatever that is worth.

    Bekah and SC Coqui, you guys look amazingly beautiful!

    Slept great last night in spite of the steroid, and feeling really good today. Haven't had to take any anti-nausea meds yet. Got the Neulasta shot this morning, and I made sure to take my Claritin before I went.

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  • Supernannymom
    Supernannymom Member Posts: 50
    edited March 2015

    SC and Bek...BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Molly - thanks for the heads up! And welcome!!!

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  • PrincessOfMeh
    PrincessOfMeh Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2015

    Okay, I'm back and headache is poof! Gone. WOO HOO!

    Shaz, biscotti is a very hard cookie you dunk into coffee and nom away. I lurv my lemon biscotti, lurv, lurv, lurv it. I don't have it every day, but when I want to treat myself...An empty box this morning? Seriously? Sending my husband to the store in a bit. Buy out the shelf. I purely do not care, just buy them all. LOL

    Anyway, I hope this works -- my smut shoos! Sorry about not posting pics of my face. Since my author pic is on the vast interwebz and some have met me at conferences...I don't dare. Don't want readers connecting the dots between that me and the regular me, at least not yet. *sigh* Honestly, they probably could anyway if they stumbled over my posts here due to my distinct speaking voice (I don't speak English; I speak Slang), but I won't make it totally easy, either.

    image

    Wow, my feet are MASSIVE. Next time, I'll fiddle with the size so the pic isn't so huge. I wear a size 6, guys. No Godzilla-esque stompers, I swear. Yikes!

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  • iluvcooking
    iluvcooking Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015


    Hi Shaz I have had my first chemo a week ago. I sailed through and didnt have any of the side effects due to taking bucket loads of anti sickness pills. I am worried about the "low" week when our immunity is low. I was talking to another BC sufferer who was admitted to an isolation ward in hospital after getting an infection. Besides wrapping your self up in cotton wool how do you avoid infection. I have a 21 year old son, 13 year old daughter 2 dogs and a job working in the community with elderly people. Theres no way I can just go to bed!! how did you cope?

     

    regards Lisa

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

    Hi March Ladies! Wow have you all been busy. For anyone debating the hair issues, I had mine shaved the week after my first AC. It was a control issue for me. I went to see my Stylist and had it done before it started to fall out. I already had my wig made so I was ready for it. I didn't want it to shed or fall out in clumps, I wanted to say when. It worked great for me, I went in with my hair, and left with the same hair style, just a different color. Nobody knew, they just thought I went to a lighter color. But you have to do what is right for you, but it was powerful for me to just say no to cancer. I wasn't going to let it take my hair, my decision! And I love my wig, super easy. It's human hair so I just wash it and style it once a week. 60 seconds and my hair is beautiful, and out the door. Biotin does help it grow back pretty quick. My hair is over 1" long, so a trim will be happening soon for summer.

    Good luck, but I am sure you got this! Take Care.

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