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

Oh Lynne, that sounds very scary! Glad you are ok, though, and it's good that your having your EKG, or Echo today. Did they give you a reason as to why your body reacted that way? I know I do horrible with procedures while I'm awake. I get nauseous, shaky, etc. Hope all your pretests go smoothly.

Thank you to everyone who offered your insight and advice. Telling ppl is always very uncomfortable, because I have had tears shed before me, then I go into, the "I'm fine! I'm okay!"....lol, so it's great to hear that you guys have the same experience.

I made an appt with a wigmaker Saturday, but, he only makes custom wigs with synthetic.....I would prefer to use my own hair, cause I have so much of it, why not?

I had my ECHO yesterday, my PET scan today, and my port placement tomorrow. I start #1 of AC on Wednesday. My last weekend of normalcy......that is until I've kicked Cancer's butt!

Another question for you ladies....has anyone tried or considered Cannabis, marajuana, whatever term is being used, lol, for cancer treatment? My husband wants me to make brownies or whatever it takes to help my situation. I haven't "done" that since High School, and really don't want to. But, I was curious what your stance was on it.

Greenae, looking good!

Littleblue, you're funny....try Aloe Vera juice for the heartburn. I drink it for any stomach issues, and it always helps, of course not sure if it will help from chemo induced acid reflux, but I suppose it's worth a try??

Good luck Stephmoen!

-Ging

Hi everyone, been off the board for a couple of days. So much happens it's easy to get behind! So first off I would like to say wishing good cancer blasting to all those joining me at the chemo bar and small on the SE. Mine is just herceptin for today and then next week I get my big dose - TCHP.

Littleblue I also enjoy a good spicy meal and have paid for it more than once early on in this journey. I hope you've gotten some relief.

Lynne, how scary for you with the port placement! I hope all is well and it is giving you no more trouble. Love the name, Newburyport sounds lovely. I hope you can call on that image as needed.

Fran, I have a buff too. They also work well under a ball cap to keep your neck protected. In fact they are quite versatile. The first time I ever saw one was on the reality show Survivor. I know. I admit it..... I'm a reality show freak! 😔

Arlene, you look great as a blonde! Thanks for the reminder about Look good Feel better. I need to sign up for one that's coming my way in May.

Ksusan, glad you didn't have to get the seroma drained. Hope it resolves itself by your next appointment.

Yesterday, day 13, I ran my hand through my hair and came away with 7 or 8 strands of hair. I've been through this before, 13 years ago and I thought I was emotionally prepared. Not so much I guess... After a good cry, I called my daughter and cried on her shoulder and then we went wig shopping. I found a really cute short do that is very close to my own color. Not feeling adventurous enough to go a different color, but the style will be new for me and something my own locks have never been very good at accomplishing - curl. I need to go back sans hair and have it fitted and trimmed. So, I'm thinking buzz cut on the weekend by DH and then back to the shop for my wig.

gingeel, I am going to get a prescription for cannabis to help with nausea, pain, etc. It's legal in my state though, and I will discuss it with my medical team first. My feeling is that if it works better than pills for nausea, then I'd rather take it so I can control my dosage. Ativan and compazine already make me feel woozy....I can imagine it would be much different, and hopefully it will work bEtter. Stomache issues arthe bane of my existence right now!

Karen and Lynn, hope you're continuing to improve.

I still have my hair--not a strand has fallen yet on day 14 after the first TC. My scalp hurts, though, so it's coming. Still leaking a little fluid, but no infection or discomfort. Exercise (which means walking) doesn't seem to make it any worse, which I'm glad for since I have diabetes that I need to keep controlled.

Medical marijuana is legal in my state, but there's some risk I would lose my professional license. Fortunately I have had an appetite and haven't had nausea in round 1.

I hope everyone gets some down time going into the weekend.

Stephmoen- I'm Her2+ only this time around-weird! (4 yrs. ago I was ER+/PR+/Her2+and did ACT 4 rounds and TC 4 rounds plus a yr of Herceptin) . I have to say I tolerated the Herceptin very well last time so I'm hoping that continues this time.

 Following my bmx last month, I started receiving Cytoxan, Epirubician and 5-FU plus the Herceptin last Thursday. The doctors on this tumor board that discuss my case are "cautiously optimistic" as it appears I'm NED at this point (wahoo!!). So it looks like 3 rounds of this new regime every 3 weeks and then we re-evaluate. I must say that this high dense dose treatment is kicking my butt! However, as my 17 yr. old son reminded me-"that's because it's doing it's doing it's job mom". So that's what I keep in mind every time I walk up the stairs and get winded!

Lynne- Oh my gosh! What an experience-truly sounded so frightening but so glad that they were able to get everything under control. I just can't believe you met your mom, sister and cousin for dinner after all that.. You are truly freaking amazing!!! You go girl! The soreness from the port does subside after a week or so.

Greenae- Two words- LOOKING GREAT!!!

Sending out healing wishes to all!

Hi all -

I am a bit calmed since my last few posts.

I am working on getting a second opinion. Obviously I want to do what is needed and right. I have to figure out what that is. If the second opinion says Dose Dense AC-T then it is an easy decision. If he says something else then I will have to weigh all the pros and cons. I got my echo today though and having my port put in on Monday and the lymph node biopsy. So things are moving along.

Kbee - Thank you so much for your post and I hope I am not being insensitive. My heart goes out to you having to do chemo again. I see that you did TC and now are doing AC-T. I will keep your experience in my head when I think through my options.

Lemonade - Hope you are feeling better. That is scary.

Lynne - That is so scary with your port!!! You are an amazing woman to handle all that so calmly. An MDC is a Multi Disciplinary Committee. Basically all the breast surgeons, oncologists, & radiation oncologists meet and go over your case. They look over everything and give their opinion. It is nice becuase you have more input on your treatment. My oncologist was overruled buy the other 5 oncologists who think I should have Dose Dense AC-T. It was tough because I went into the meeting thinking it would be 4 TCs and then instead to find out they recommend 4 AC and 12 Ts. I talked to my oncologist later and she tried to explain in more detail why that was the choice and I understand a bit better now. However, I am still getting a second opinion for peace of mind.

Littleblue - Boo on acid reflux. Hope you are feeling better now.

Greenae- You look so beautiful! That wig looks amazing on you.

Ksusan - Hope the cyst resolves itself. It is always something isn't it?

raisemeup - Hope you feel better. Glad you got one out of the way.

Melissa

Lynne- I really enjoyed that book(midwives) I especially enjoyed it as I worked as a midwife for many years in South Africa!! Glad to hear your echo went well- no one has said a word to me yet about either an EKG or an echo does everyone having AC get one? You are very brave having your port put in under local- but wow what an awful scary experience !!

I had my CMF infusion today and all went well. I had the same nurse as two weeks ago when I had my anaphylactic reaction to the Taxotere so that was comforting. I went in with a slight headache and now it's worse, which they warned me about.

I stopped at one store to do a little browsing, chatted too long with a friend who works there, and am now home. Took some Tylenol and am just relaxing.

Now to deal with whatever side effects come my way!

Laura

Well I did it.......got my hair cut short (ear level).  I had naturally curly hair that reached my shoulders.  I came home from my appointment to be held by my 18 year old son while I cried.  Losing my hair has probably been the worst part for me......like some of you. I did pick up my wig this week.  It's the same color and length but straighter with looser curls.  Thinking about getting a big straw hat for the summers here in Michigan.

Thank you all for being a great sounding board and source of information.  I don't get on here very often but know that I think about and pray for each of you daily.

Cherie

I got my PET scan today. No big deal, just sucks that I can't hug my babies! My 4 year old actually said, "Mom, when are you gonna stop going to the doctors?" .....awe, made feel a bit sad. I suppose things could be waaaay worse. Alibeths, I was orginally ER+.....was told I probably wouldn't need chemo, had my lumpectomy, then BAM....got the oncotype score of 70! They said it was the highest score they've seen, but it's because I am now triple neg, and those tests are usually not sent out for TNBC. I was kinda pissed....how did that get messed up? Well, I'm told it has to do with the dye that is used in the lab. Ooookay?

KBee, wanted to say that I really think it's cool what you do....being a Fireman, and all. Starrgirl, I'm probably gonna cut mine this weekend too.

Stephmoen, glad your treatment went well..... Karen30....you worked in S.Africa??? Very cool.

gingeel why weren't you able to hug your children? I had a pet scan last Wednesday and wasn't told anything about having to stay away from kids I have a 1 and 5 year old now I'm nervous!

So it's my turn to be in the ER yay. Started running a fever today and have a horrible sore throat. Doc thinks I have a sore by my lymph nodes. I can't swallow with out it hurting. I will know more when all the labs come back

AWWWW...ladies...so many rough patches. Sending you all a HUGE hug! Hang in there. I have terribly low energy after neulasta and some body ache, bloating, constipation beginning or something. Taking my meds...staying low. Kids and I watched a movie to end the evening.

why are you doing a pic vs port? Anyone have a picc?? I hated my port.