Starting Chemo May 2015

Me too.....#3 next week, then I can say 1 more. Recover, then exchange surgery. Sooooo ready to feel normal with no power line and no expanders! My chest is screaming!

Cats, I sure identify with mom. We looked at the same picture albums 100 times and they were always new to her. And, same thing, go out of the room and come back in and she would not remember we were just there! Then she would laugh......sort of like she knew something was weird. Oh, and she was in a memory care center and would look around and say, "who are all these crazy people! I sure miss her. One sweet lady! And, interesting, same for me. My biopsy was delayed 3 weeks because I went to Oregon to sit by her bedside after her stroke.

TC#3 for me next Thursday. I'm dreading it!😩. I hope I don't feel any worse than last time. And I have been on my cycle for three weeks now. Blood levels were good today so the doctor is not worried. But I am very uncomfortable. Anyway I can see the finish line. I just need to keep running.

I had FEC #2 yesterday. Because Neulasta didn't work for me with #1 (neutrophil count was 0, hence hospital stay) I will have Neupogen injection for 10 days, and then I will have blood work done again. There is a risk that if the Neupogen does work, and it works well, I may have severe bone pain, but that would be better than infections and hospital says.

For those of you dealing with dementia with your mothers, or recent loss of your mothers, I feel for you. My mother died 13 years ago of leukaemia and I miss her still. I was able to be with her through most of it. Now I feel that I have been a little bit more prepared to go through what is happening now because of what she went through. But part of me wishes she were here to hold my hand through this. The other part is happy she doesn't need to see this.

for all those that lost their mothers, I know this time in your lives is even tougher without them. My mom is still around (today is birthday #72 for her). I've been staying with my parents after surgery and the first few days after chemo. Even though my mother's bedside manner can be a little harsh, I wouldn't trade her for the world.

Tifree--I feel for you on the period. I went through a phase when I developed a benign prolactinoma about 10 years ago that messed with my menstrual cycle something horrible. Fortunately, my last one, while a day late, lasted my usual 3 days. My MO was a little surprised that I had one after chemo but she said TC#2 yesterday should stop it

TGIF All! I've been off the board this week because I had my 2nd A/C treatment on Monday and still feel lousy with the exception of Tuesday after my Neulasta shot. The weather again has been crappy in NJ which I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but it affects my mood. I have had way less energy than with the 1st round of A/C and no desire to do anything but have been forcing myself to get up, get dressed, try to do some chores around the house but then need to sit down. As I type this the sun is attempting to come out after a brief shower so fingers crossed it will cheer me up! Food hasn't been as exciting to me so I've been sticking to liquid protein drinks, gatorade, etc. I will attempt to eat a baked potato or some soup later. I hope that the weekend will pick up my spirits and energy level before my 3rd A/C on 6/29. Now that I know what to expect, I am not looking forward to it but at the same time once it's done there is only 1 more left before Taxol (4 treatments) begin which has anyone felt much better during that process? I always had a lot of energy but now I feel like I can't even move and just wonder will it get better?

Yay, I'm with you ladies Sharapril and StefLove. Got one more AC to go next Wednesday then on to 4 Taxols. Can't wait till this feeling of fullness goes away. We can do it ladies! Keep up the good work and good spirit!

Has anyone stayed on the anti nausea meds for an extended time? My MO only told me to take the Decadron twice a day for the 2 days after chemo along with 1 Zofran in the AM and then 12 hours thereafter, then Compazine every 8 as needed. By Thursday I stop taking them all together but I wonder if the the "fullness" feeling is more nausea than not? I am dragging my butt trying to get motivated but again, it's another rainy day in NJ and the rest of the weekend is not looking good either, so I am not my usual upbeat self at the moment. My hair is starting to fall out but by next weekend I think I will have my girlfriend/hair dresser buzz it all off so I can think it will start to grow back? Does it with the Taxol? Monday is my LGFB session and I only hope that I feel well enough to attend. Trying to stay positive as I make my way toward the finish line!! I keep telling myself: I am not alone! - I am a fighter! - I have support! - I will survive! Feel free to join in with me because we ARE all in this together but WILL get through it!!

Have a great weekend everyone!! Stay happy and strong!!

For those going on to Taxol there's a weekly Taxol group:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/788735?page=1

(145 pages starting in 2012 to the present)

My biggest s/e with zofran is constipation. That being said I usually take a stool softner to ward off problems. Perhaps for the fullness you could try Mylicon or Phazyme generic name is simethicone. I also use tums or a chewable calcium carbonate but that can be constipating as well for some.

surprisedat65, dropping in with some Taxol good news! I finished 4 DD Taxol on 11/25. But I wanted to share: my hair started to grow back in after my second Taxol infusion, and it has been growing like crazy since then. I take 800 mg Biotin every day, and it works for me. And it's cheap! My nails turned pretty ugly on Taxol, but the Biotin has made them beautiful again. They are hard, growing, and pretty pink and white again. And the dark lines and ridges have grown out. Keep buffing and using cuticle oil. My nails shine, so a good SE??

The fatigue was pretty rough, and so was the weight gain, but the weight is coming off again slowly. So keep moving, go to Yoga, and eat healthy. My eyebrows and eyelashes did fall out, but grew back pretty quick. Sign up for Look Good Feel Better by the American Cancer Society. They provide a nice make up kit, and instructions for applying eye brows and lashes.

Not all of the side effects are bad with Taxol, it's just following the AC that I thought made it hard. The one good news I had was it killed my toenail fungus, and the nail came back in nice and normal. Weird, but I'll take that one! Try to be kind to yourself, you have come a long way, pamper products are a good thing. Dry skin seemed to be an issue also, so lots of body lotion should help. I hope your path to the end of Taxol is smooth, and quick! Take Care, Cheryl

my eyebrows started thinning today--2 days post TC#2. Didn't even think about it when I was washing my face only to look up and see several brow hairs sitting loose on my face

I have TC#3 tomorrow as well. It will be great to be able to say...only 1 more. But I am feeling good today and know the next week will be HELL. I just want to be normal again.

tjh, I am right there with you.....number 3 for me on Thursday. I try to think about the positive of this......getting every last one of any Cancer cells that could be lurking GONE FOREVER! I don't like the SE either......get bone pain and just hurt all over. We just have to do it......I see a faint light at the end of this tunnel, and yes, I just want to feel normal again! Question, do any of you get tired quickly after doing something. Like, I went to Barnes and Noble, then grocery shopping and could not get home fast enough. Had to sit in my recliner for awile before putting groceries away. And, seem to need a nap. Not like me before all this! Sure hope it goes away!

Hope all have a good week with few SE

Hi everyone! Just checking in a few days after AC #4! I hear you mysunshine on the tiring quickly...sometimes even after a shower I need to lay down for a bit. Very frustrating! But it gets better as the days go on.

Ok on to work...these first few days in the office are brutal...I just want to nap under my desk! Think they'll be on to me if I start putting a pillow and blanket under there? ;

magnolia, omg the first few days back to work are horrible! monday and tuesday I seriously want to crawl under my desk and nap. I debated going to my car for a few just to relax but I'm in Florida, I'll melt even with the AC on. Not too relaxing!