Starting Chemo May 2015

Sharapril-Stool softener and laxative, my oncologist said Senekot. I had major bone and joint pain for 2 days, after that not too bad. I was able to do almost everything. I eat 6-8 snacks a day instead of 3 meals. I didn't have any nausea. After day and 2 did not need nausea meds. Drink lots of water, mine said 100 oz. My oncologist said no soy, flax and any other estrogen plants...most I don't eat so I can't remember the list...I will try to find it. She also said to avoid black cohash...herbal for hot flashes/night sweats. It is almost a relief to get started...waiting is terrible.

First round is 9 hours away and I'm so anxious that I can't sleep. I took some Ativan that my PCP prescribed for me when I was first diagnosed but no success on sleep. I've had a headache for the last 6 days and I never get headaches so I'm guessing that it's from the stress.

Lindatwo--my mom gave me a load of crap for buying a couple of hats in advance. I have an aunt that went thru BC and chemo a few years back and she didn't lose her hair but she also had CMF instead of TC so my mom thinks I'm being pessimistic instead of prepared. I'm 45 but she's lecturing me like I'm 5! Very frustrating but I'm trying to be patient with my mom because she's lost 5 of her 7 siblings to cancer (my aunt that recently had BC is related by marriage and thankfully still going strong at 82!)) and I know she's as upset about my diagnosis as I am.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences--I might be ridiculously anxious about my treatment later today and even though I don't what my exact experience will be, I have a good idea of what SE's I might have and I've got some good tools in my toolbox to deal with them. And I know that this will all be done in a few short weeks.

Thanks, tjh! I think it's the fear of the unknown that's got me keyed up and I know you're right that I'll feel better mentally once this first round is in the books.

Good luck today Marlanab! I think you'll find that the actual infusion itself is pretty uneventful, which is a good thing. It will feel good to get this treatment crossed off the list!

So last night I had my boyfriend buzz my sad head of hair. It was just time. I cried, then I pouted, then I had some ice cream and felt better Such a weird feeling to have a shaved head! It feels drafty

Good luck today Marlanab. My first round is tomorrow and I'm feeling the stress too. Just want to get this first one done and over with. This fear of the unknown is exhausting.

Last night I attended a LGFB class and it was so encouraging to be surrounded by women who are at various stages of this, all sharing tips, laughing, and having a good time. It makes my first round seem a bit less daunting.

Bald! My hairdresser of 15+ years did it for me this afternoon....think it upset her more than me. She then trimmed my wig a little so I'm all set. One more hurdle handled. Now I'm going to try and have a relaxing week until round 2 starts.

Sorry to here of the delay labhusky, I can imagine how frustrating it must be when you' re psyched yourself up for it. You can handle this, but vent if you need to.

Little-k... You can do this... Be strong.

Hope things have gone well Marlanab

Back from MO and I've updated my treatment profile. My onco dx came back as intermediate risk so we're doing 4 cycles of AC followed by weekly paclitaxel x 12 ... ugh 6 months!

I'm having my port placed next Thursday , ChemEd on Friday and begin my first infusion on June 11th.

The scheduler at my MO is really sweet and after we got all this scheduled and printed out, at the same time we both said "here we go" which was kinda funny. Oddly enough, I think I'm ready. I just want to get it done.

CatsRus - I am ER/PR + which I wonder why my MO didn't tell me about the "no soy". Thank you - tjh - for the stool softener/laxative that I have added to my list. If you can find the list of things not to eat, great! Regarding taking Claritin, I thought it was before I do the Taxol round of chemo but I should take it before I get the Neulasta shot? I have to admit that the waiting is making me nuts but I try to distract myself by not thinking about it. Could anyone recommend any good books they read during treatment. My husband got my Kindle fixed so I will have that as well as my laptop with me for movies and Facebook. I really appreciate these boards because it's giving me some relief that most of you haven't had major side effects. That's what I worry about the most because I don't want my kids to get upset if they see that I am really sick from it. I worry about how my son will react. He is on the autism spectrum and when things are difficult for him his anxiety builds. My husband and I have explained to both him and my daughter that even though I look well now and doing things with them, that may not be the case when I start treatment. I don't think they fully understand what lies ahead but I plan on doing my best not to get them upset.

labhusky---rant away! It is so difficult without the support of family. I too have had to sever toxic relationships for my own well being. It is so hard to put myself first and thus a therapist is in the picture to help me cope with the anger and guilt as I come to accept the loss of these relationships. and what will never be.

Sharpril--you are on the steep part of the learning curve. There ae so many areas so don't feel you should know it all. It is easier for me to learn about the different topics as they come up, so one day or week it may be nutrition, exercise, hair, chemo, radiation, supplements, genetics and the list goes on or then again you can let the experts be the experts. What works for you is ok. If you feel you are on info overload you probably are!

Justmaximom---At time the next 2 weeks will fly and other times it will drag. Sounds like you have a busy wee. Try to find some fun things to do.

Catsrus----did you trat yourself to some ice cream? I check the drain, pillow and brush daily. I asked my friend if the clippers still worked because I only have a week or so. Good nees the wig is in and I will pick up tomorrow and get it trimmed if needed.

To all that bid farewell to their locks this week thank you for sharing. ambivalence,, denial, acceptance, sadness, it does make it so real and public. Such a personal decision.

Charapril - Start taking Clariton the day you get the Nulasta shot. Mine is 24 hour release, so I take one same time every day. You will have nausea meds in the IV, but I started Zofran the next morning and set my click for every 7 hours, round the clock to take one. I did not stop until day 9. Not sure when to stop - no one told me.i did go every 12.hours days 5 - 9. It worked, so I plan to do it again.

Changed my hair appointment from Saturday to tomorrow morning. Once the hair starts to come out.......it really comes out! Bye-bye hair! One more step to the end of the tunnel

First round down. Feeling pretty good so far--a little giddy and a slightly warm. I drank 32 oz of water before and 64 oz during. My otter pops defrosted in my cooler--may have to half freeze my water next time or add more ice packs. I just ate a chicken salad sandwich with no problem. No nausea yet but theygave me 2 zofran at 1:30 PST and it's just after 6 now.

Day 17 and had hubby shave my head tonight. Couldn't handle the hair loss. Daughter picked out a new hat for me to wear and I'm going out for lunch tomorrow. Rash Is still covering my torso.. will see what the doctor says tomorrow.

labhusky - I am so sorry that you are having to go through all of this without the support of family; especially your mom. this journey is hard enough without the added stress of family issues.

sharapril - When I asked my MO about soy, he had just returned from a medical symposium where they talked about soy, and he said I didn't have to totally avoid soy, just don't go crazy eating it. So I switched from soy milk to almond milk, but don't worry about eating veggie burgers or other things with soy occasionally. As far as books go, I read "Half Broke Horses" and "The Glass Castle" both by Jeannette Walls. I loved them both. I read two books about cancer, both by Lynn Eib. I can't remember the titles (Facing Cancer Without Fear?) but they were helpful. I think I read "The Help" also read "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen" which is by Susan Gregg Gilmore. It was funny and kind of light.

I bought two scarves today and my daughter bought me a soft hat and made appointments with our hairdresser for next Tuesday, so I feel at least prepared for the inevitable. Just thinking about the shave drove me to the freezer for some frozen yogurt. (why wait?) Blue Bunny Bordeaux Cherry Chocolate. Hey, it's all natural! and yummy on some made-from-scratch chewy chocolate brownies. Just gotta make sure I save enough for Tuesday.

Steflove - Since you are using the coldcaps, maybe you won't lose your hair!? I'm interested to see if it works.

marlanab - Glad your infusion today went well.....yay! one less you have to deal with. I notice you live in Ventura. I know there is another woman, Romansma, on one of the other threads (bone mets I think) who lives in Ventura also. I grew up in Port Hueneme and El Rio, and my son was born in Ventura.

Got to my MO's office for my 2nd infusion today and my white blood count has tanked! The doctor was almost as disappointed as I was. He was very surprised that only one treatment caused this. So, he lowered the dosage and went ahead with today's infusion. Next week I have to go in on Wednesday and get a CBC and Neupogen if necessary before Thursday's infusion. He says we may have to do two weeks on and one week off instead of three on and one off. I had this problem with Gemzar, hoped this one would be better.

lindatwo, that's what I'm hoping with the caps! It's not as successful for people on AC, which is what I'm doing. But I figured it's worth a shot bc I've seen women on this board that it's worked. I'll def lose some hair but hoping it isn't too extreme. The first big shed will still happen in the next few days! I'll be taking photos throughout so I'll post if it works

oops. sorry tjh, I'm guilty of 'typing' that.... but I totally get what you mean and I won't 'say' it again.

I wore my wig for several hours yesterday and it felt pretty good. I was worried it would irritate me or would get really hot. Haven't seen anyone I know though yet so I will be interested to see their reaction