Starting Chemo May 2015

PatRN, I was just reading back through some posts and saw you had asked me a question about why I am doing chemo. Sorry, must have missed it. I have tried to post some additional information in the diagnosis area, but it does not show up. ??? Anyway, my surgeon had. M!moprint test done on my core biopsy and it came up high. Unlike Octotype tests that give a score, Mammoprint tests just give a high/low. No middle ground. So, that was enough for me. 4 treatments of TC for peace of mind.

So by day 8 after first TC treatment I was feeling pretty much normal. This is day 14 and still good. I assume I will be good until the next dose, in a week. Hair is still hanging on but I feel like I'm losing more than usual today when I run my fingers through it. Going to a Look good Feel better workshop tomorrow.

Here is wishing everyone here a good week with minimal side effects.

I mysunshine . I figured it got lost in the shuffle you did pm. Me the answer. Thank you!!!

Jenga, 6K way to go!

I had the best plans for today,...shower, grocery shopping, visit Mom and deliver a book...ended up in ER with palpitations, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia...was the final diagnosis. My Heart rate was 163 my bp low, indigestion, and sweating along with shortness of breath....good grief. After a liter of fluids plus 3 hrs of monitoring all is well. I have been keeping up with the fluids at 100 oz a day but things are still messed up from the decadron for me after 3 days. Very relieved it wasn't a heart attack. So maybe I wasn't just hyper-focused on the side effects. We will see what MO says this week. I do know if I would have called with those symptoms he would have sent me to the ER regardless.

The ER doc was very reassuring saying I did the right thing. Have to get some test strips and monitor my blood sugars and no concentrated sweets.

To free - Sorry about your name.....my iPad keeps changing words and won't let me correct. Anyway, Inam also having #2 on June 4 and feeling very anxious. After all the usual SE, and a blood clot, I am starting to feel a little more normal......except now having to have a shot everyday for the blood clot. BUT, the creepy thing is that some of my hair came out last night when I ran my fingers through it. I know this would happen, but it is freaking me out. Such a blunt reality of all of this. Maybe all of us on the same chemo schedule shoud just be brave and go get our heads shaved on the same day. I am finding this difficult

I'm on the same schedule as Mysunshine. Next chemo June 4th and my hair has started coming out in long strands this morning too. I have an appointment with my hairdresser for Tuesday morning but depending on how the next day or so goes, I may ask her to move it to Saturday. I tried my wigs on yesterday so I'm ready but for sure it does bring reality back after several days of feeling nearly normal. Be brave ladies, it's only hair and it will grow back...we can do this!!

For me it's not so much about the hair, I just don't want to look like a cancer patient. I've been very private about my health and who I share with but once my hair goes I am going to feel very vulnerable. Silly I know, but I just don't want most people to know. On the other hand, I'm not going to hide and I would never lie to anyone. Ah well.... what's the worst that can happen.... I'll likely walk out of my hairdressers straight into the biggest gossiper I know and then it'll be all over town in minutes and I won't have to worry about not telling people any more....hahaha...

I am right with you guys on the hair stuff. Just had AC #2 on Thursday and by Saturday hair was everywhere...so odd to see some wayward hairs and give a tug and oh! lookie there, a handful just comes out. Today I am covering up with a bandana and kind of threw the rest of my hair back in a bun, but I think it's buzz time.

Like everything, it's just about adjusting and letting things go. I can let my boob go, I can let my hair go...I don't want those cancer-related things anyway...here's to NEW, FRESH, and HEALTHY, even if it takes a while to see it that way!

That reminds me, any recommendations for hats/caps? I have a wig and some Buffs, but am so NOT a hat person. I feel like I want to get a few ball caps and maybe a lightweight beanie or something for sleeping/hanging out in the house? My mom did chemo a few years ago and when her hair fell out her scalp was so sensitive, she liked having something soft on it at all times (she used a little fleece cap around the house)...just want to see if anyone has any brand suggestions or places to check out.

Hi Ladies, I just wanted to drop in and let you know the The American Cancer Society has the Look Good Feel Better program, and I loved it. You get a really nice make up kit to take home, and they have some great tricks for make up to get you through treatment. And the YMCA also has the LiveStrong exercise program that you can apply for at the Y. I am week 3, and love LiveStrong too. It is no charge for cancer patients. I am having great results, but I hope that one or both of these programs may be of help. You all deserve a little pampering! Cheryl

I'm actually registered for the next LGFB program locally. I'll probably begin chemo in a week or two (should find out tomorrow) and the program is scheduled for July 13th so I'll probably be needing it by then. I'll check out the LiveStrong as well - Thanks!

I scheduled an appointment for first thing Saturday morning. I plan on taking one of the cute turbans I found on Amazon. They have some ruffles with little sequins. More hair just falling out, so I hope it holds on until then. Ohhhh, I know it will grow back, but............you know what I mean. Just another step on this road, but every step gets us closer to the end when we can get off this road! I will have to look into the Look Good workshop. I had heard about the class at the YMCA, but wondered if I would fell good enough to do this while doing chemo.

I can't wait for my LGFB seminar on June 8th. Tomorrow is my 2nd spa day. I do notice that when I comb my hair after getting up in the morning, theirs more in the comb. At night, I notice one or two strands tickling me but no clumps yet. I've been playing "ping pong" with disability insurance. My work pays me a little like $389 and my 1st SDI hasn't kicked in yet. Got a call from my employer today and they said that SDI has mailed my stuff to them. Ugh!!!! I called SDI today because I have bills so we got that straight now. At least I know now I have a pmt coming. I gotta shop for a wig too. I just hope and pray I don't wake up bald one morning and don't have a wig yet. I don't want that sick hue either. I've had my normal appetite for a week and a half (in A way, not good), and have felt normal too that long. I hope tomorrow's spa day doesn't screw that up

Sharapril10:

I did surprisingly well after the Neulasta shot. Took Claritin before the shot as I was instructed and took it 3x a day for about 3 days after—no bone pain. I do sleep a lot, but I am able to do things as well. Not totally out of energy. Meds have kept me from vomiting, but my innards are confused, to say the least. But, everyone is different. Went for blood work today, a week after my first infusion. White cell count very low and was put on an antibiotic Cipro. Was told it takes about 10 days for the Neulasta to kick in which is why they weren't worried about the low WBC and gave me the Cipro as a prophylactic.

Your list of supplies sound right to me. Good luck.

I too am having an issue with the hair loss. I might get hubby to use his clippers on me tomorrow. For me it makes it all so public. I haven't found a comfortable wig yet. I went to a LGFB workshop yesterday. It was great. Lots of tips on makeup and head coverings. Came home with a bag full of items too!

Today, day 16, my torso is covered in a rash. It's not itchy. I see my oncologist on Thursday.