April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Littleblue happy to hear your scan and markers looked good. Positive vibes and thoughts to the survivor of the helicopter crash.

Oh, Littleblue, I saw that accident in the news this morning. If that's the one that was covering a controlled wildfire? That's so sad, I will send positive vibes.

Great news on the scan results!!!

Lynne

rockerwife, that is so heartwarming about your student!

Lovley, it was the ship which was burning down in Mississippi.

Ginger, thank you so much!

Sorry to bring such a sad topic to the discussion, and I told my husband that all of you strong warrior women are praying and send I g good energy to the survivor and his family! It made him choke up from emotion and grattitude. Thank you!

Oh, that's so weird, littleblue, 'cause this crash was in Mississippi too: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/03/30...

Hi everyone -

I am in the same situation as Carol and Lynne waiting to meet the medical oncologist etc. We are heading out of town tomorrow for vacation which will be nice. Hopefully, I will have all my appointments during the week of April 13 and my case will go in front of the tumor board. My BS said today though that likely I would start chemo the week of April 20.

I am having neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on my mammaprint score so this is the first step in my journey with you all. I am super nervous. I had really hoped that I could skip this chemo step.

I look forward to getting to know you all better and supporting each other through this.

Karen - I LOVE your pictures. What a great group of guys and you look good even with a mohawk!

Melissa

i just found out I will be starting chemo on April 23rd. I just had a double mx with te on March 26th. I was expecting chemo but lost it in the mo office when she as telling me the stats on 10 year survival rates. So I am now in research mode and looking for advice on how to at healthy during chemo and beyond. Anyone have any good books?

SpriteB, I worked through AC/T and finished it on 11/25. That was the same day my employer put me on leave. They did not give me a choice. I would work on Monday 10 to 8, on Tuesday I had chemo in the morning and worked from 3 to 8. On Wednesday I worked 10 to 8, and was off on Thursday and Friday. Saturday I worked 10 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 5. I worked in a retail position so my days could be flexible to a point. I still had to get my hours in. On Monday mornings I would go to the blood lab for my CBC and metabolic panels, and on Wednesday I would go for my Neulasta injections. Exhausting for sure. But working with the public was also a problem. I had to be close to the bathroom for sure. Then I had my regular week, and back to the chemo schedule.

You may do better on your cocktail, it is different for everyone. But not a walk in the park for me. Looking back I am not sure how I did all that. But I did it. Hopefully you will have the desk position, and that should help you. Good Luck, I am sending a pile of hugs to be used when needed! Cheryl

GingerChi- Thank you for your positive comments about my class. They are one of my best groups. I will miss them.

Littleblue- Thank you. They are a special class.

Sheshe3- Yes, we have great communication. They are very bright 5th graders.

Wow! Kbeee cool hair!

SpriteB- I am a teacher and I chose to take the rest of the year off. I had enough sick time to cover. My principal didn't even question my decision. My MO really said it was up to me. I feel as though I won't know how chemo will affect me and in my job in order to take a sick day I need to leave sub plans. I didn't want to risk thinking I would be okay and then finding out that I couldn't make it through the day. I had unexpected complications with the lumpectomy and went back only to have to take the next day off. It was difficult to be there one day and out the next. I want my class to have consistency. Make the decision that is best for you.

Kbeee thank you for theawesome comment !

Hi ladies.

I went to the chemo class at my hospital/clinic and feel so much better about starting chemo. I was able to talk one on one with the nurse navigator about my choice between TC and CMF, discussing pros and cons. We met the nutritionist and social workers assigned to us and were made to feel comfortable to call whenever we have a question. I've decided to go with TC. I have Crohn's disease and the nurse navigator said one side effect of the 5Fu in CMF was diarrhea and that was a problem with Crohn's patients. So.... bye bye hair.

The nurse navigator also gave us a tour of where they actually do the infusions and it is not at all what I expected. It's not stark white crowded and noisy like the hospital's lab where I get blood drawn. The cancer center is a separate building right by the Mississippi River. The infusion center is on the top floor and there are big picture windows so you can overlook the river and watch ships go by. In addition each patient has their own little area for the infusion with lounge chairs for patient and one visitor, own TV, wifi, etc. It was quiet and serene....

I also found out the cancer center offers free yoga classes to cancer patients. I'm planning on going this Thursday to check it out. I've never done yoga but have read so much that this will help.

Kbee: My dad was a firechief and when I was a baby we lived in our community firehouse. Firefighters do form an awesome bond; kudos to you for the great support!

Rockerwife: How wonderful that you were able to reach that student!

Sprite: I agree that if you can get desk assignment that would be preferable, otherwise you need to take a leave of absence. I know it's important to keep routines and stay active, but at the same time you need to put your health above all else. I've learned if WE don't make our health a top priority, sadly no one else will.

Welcome to all newcomers! A bit about me: I'm getting my port put in on Wed, April 8 and my first chemo session is Friday, April 10. My kids (DS23 and DD19) are coming in for Easter. My daughter's birthday is Saturday, she'll be 20. I separated from my husband right after my diagnosis because he is an alcoholic and verbally abusive. I sent an email to my group of women friends in February explaining why I left and they betrayed me by printing it out and putting it on my husband's car. I got a job in December that helped me get an apartment and I was getting close to several women there. The HR director said for me not to get close and tell my problems to them. I told them of the bc diagnosis from the beginning, but we thought all I needed was radiation up until a week ago when I got the oncotype results. Anyway, the company is family owned and when I came in Monday to say I was going through with chemo but would be out frequently getting blood work regularly and other things, and need to leave that afternoon for a chemo class, they thought it best to part ways. I was still technically working for a temporary agency and not hired by the company and they have an "employment at will" policy so they could drop me at any time. So I envy those of you with a great support system at home and at work.

My mother will come in for each treatment. I'm seeing an accupunturist, a therapist, and just had a reiki session last night. I have one friend I still stay in touch with from my old circle of friends who I know didn't betray me. I'm also staying in touch with a woman I met at the job I just left. In the meantime, I'm working on developing a daily routine that will keep me healthy and sane including exercise, some light housework, garden work, walking my dog, etc. I'm also thinking of finding some part-time work but not sure who will hire me once I lose my hair or exactly what I will be able to do.

Anyway, sorry for the long pity party post. I do know I'll get through this and I know that a positive attitude will help tremendously. I'm just a little low this morning....

Good luck to all getting treatments today!

Wow, Allie, you have a lot going on. Glad you found us, we are hear for you! Wow, with friends like that, who needs enemies! I hope that you can find a job - are you going to get a wig? They look so real these days (and so many people wear fake hair all the time), that I don't think anyone will notice. I say go for it if it doesn't stress you out (to get a job).

I was job searching too - internally - but now with the diagnosis, I feel like I can't go on interviews and say how I can give 110% to a new job when I may end up taking a MLOA. It's not fair to hiring manager. But, as soon as I am done with chemo, I will renew my search - rads will be nothing after chemo, so I'll be able to do that and a new job if I can get one!

Lynne

Kbeee! Great mohawk! Glad to hear your chemo went well, hoping those SE's stay away!

x1mel, sorry you had an issue during chemo, sounds like it turned around okay though.

Welcome to the new ladies, Carol, ajbene, abjo and melb44. I'm glad you found this place of support and caring.

I went for genetic counseling/testing today. Will know in 2-4 weeks the results. I'm hoping to have an answer before my surgery date so that my bs and I can make better decisions about lumpectomy vs bmx and I would definitely want an oophorectomy (sp) if my test came back positive for gene mutation. I have my first chemo tomorrow and I'm nervous about it. I knew so much less 13 years ago with my first round of bc. I know knowledge is power and I've learned so much this time round, but now I know what to worry about!

Here's to you Supernanny! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow in your chair while I'm in mine!

supernanny and sheshe, I will be starting tomorrow too and will be thinking of both of you. I'm anxious but I'm ready to get this started. I packed my chemo bag tonight. I'm so thankful for all the helpful tips on this website.

Knee, glad you had a Great day!!

Have a great night ladies!!

hey KBEE I started this last Monday and Nulesta on Tuesday , I felt ok till today. Little rough, not so much nausea but this pounding headache and super sensitive sinus . All day long. Severity modos ate but no relief whatsoever . Now little better, put some cold raw potatoes in my head and forehead , go figured it worked . Little relief . Wonder if it's always going to feel like that, does it get better or worse with every treatment ?