Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

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  • aj93
    aj93 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2015

    soccerchicken: you look beautiful with and without!

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  • Flower68
    Flower68 Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2015

    Second aj soccerchick

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  • Cat_Lover
    Cat_Lover Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2015

    Hello everyone! I will be starting Chemo September 24th. I will be having 4 rounds of AC and T every 3 weeks. Then just the Taxol for 12 weeks. So it will be 24 weeks total, then on to radiation for 33 days. I should be finished with treatments in May 2016. My MO wants to put me on Arimidex for 5 years post treatments - not too jazzed about taking hormones ugh!!! Well come to think of it, I'm not too jazzed about having any of these treatments. I had my Bard Power Port implanted on September 16th, it's still sore and sensitive.

    I cut my hair last weekend, September 12th. 18 inches! I donated my hair to Wigs for Kids. My hairdresser gave me a cute Pixie hair do.

    God Bless everyone, and I pray all goes well for us all. †


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  • DoingwhatIhavetodo
    DoingwhatIhavetodo Member Posts: 59
    edited September 2015

    Thank you to everyone who has been proudly showing your newly shaved heads, you are beautiful!

    Flower stay strong and feel better soon!

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited September 2015

    soccerchicken, you look GREAT!!

    Flowers68, I'm so upset that you're hospitalized. Get better and home soon! ☹

    Had anyone else had very swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck and throat?? I don't recall this from the first round but between one child having strep last week and my other one starting antibiotics for something else this week, I need to be on the lookout.

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  • cajunqueen15
    cajunqueen15 Member Posts: 794
    edited September 2015

    Big hugs, Flowers! Praying for healing hands for you this weekend.

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  • fidget
    fidget Member Posts: 135
    edited September 2015

    Flower68--Oh no. I hate this for you. I hope you can get past this soon.

    SouthernCharm--Glad you are doing well and can see a difference. I hope next week will bring the same results for me.

    Cajun--Welcome. I hear ya on the port thing. I got my mine on Tuesday, and it's killing me. I'm sure some of my aches are from staying so stiff because I'm afraid to move too much. Having this thing in me is really freaking me out, but I know it's for the best. I really hope it won't still be so sore on Tuesday when I receive my first chemo.

    Edwsmom--Hoping you continue to do well!

    SoccerChick--I'm getting fitted for a wig on Monday. You look great with wig or without. I'm hoping to follow you and get this done next week. That's what I tell myself anyway!

    Wishing everyone here a good weekend!

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  • teacherhikermom
    teacherhikermom Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2015

    Day 15 and my hair is making a run for it. I already have it buzzed but the remaining fuzz is now coming out in icky little clumps. Yuck!

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  • fidget
    fidget Member Posts: 135
    edited September 2015

    teacherhikermom--ugh. See, that's why I'm trying to decide whether to buzz or just shave and get it over with. I hate cancer.

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  • mom2boo_and_buzz
    mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 149
    edited September 2015

    hi all,

    Went to a bluegrass festival today and they were selling fresh coconut. That coconut water is the best thing I've tasted in a week. I also tried some crystal light in my water tonight, I was out in the sun so long I'm feeling dehydrated.


    Mollie thanks for the idea, I'll head over to Walmart and check out the scarves. Funny story, I was at Target with DD last night to get snacks for today and she saw a my little pony hat with a long rainbow ponytail attached so I totally embarrassed her and bought it. We had a good laugh.

    Flower I'm so sorry you're feeling so poorly! Hopefully your count will go up and you can gohome.

    Soccer hick you're beautiful!

    Tessu I hope you're doing well, you've got to hit an upswing soon!

    Welcome new ladies!

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  • teacherhikermom
    teacherhikermom Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2015

    Ugh, my hair (what's left) looks sooooo bad. I took a shower and tons came out. It is all patchy and looks totally gross. Every time I touch my head, some comes out. Ugh ugh ugh. The worst.

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  • Scotland219312
    Scotland219312 Member Posts: 237
    edited September 2015

    SouthernCharm: Fantastic news!

    Flower68: sorry for the temporary setback. I hope your counts rebound quickly.

    I'm officially ready to start on Tuesday. I'll have to run straight from a parent/teacher conference to chemo, but am glad to check that off my list before I start.

    The echocardiogram looked great. Yay! The CT showed two bone islands in my lower spine and a 2mm non-calcified nodule on my lung. The radiologist said no evidence of metastasis about the bone islands and recommended monitoring for the lung nodule. The MO feels that with my history of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, the lung nodule is not cancer related. So they're scheduling a bone scan just to be safe, and I get to have a CT every three months for a while to keep an eye on the lung nodule. Because like all of you, I need something else to worry about. I'm sure this will be OK, but it's been more than two months since I found out I had cancerand I am officially tired of being diagnosed.

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  • AG3
    AG3 Member Posts: 80
    edited September 2015

    Teacherhike- i'm on day 19 and my hair is.going fast and I have a bob cut!! Will have dh buzz it tomorrow. Sigh


    Flower68- hope you bounce back.soon.

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  • sailorgirl15
    sailorgirl15 Member Posts: 114
    edited September 2015

    So sorry Flower. I hope you are feeling better soon!!

    SoccerChick - Thanks for posting. You look great! Nice smile.

    I'm getting first infusion tomorrow afternoon....Will go into school in the morning...Trying not to think about it while watching football...Have been eating all my favorite foods this weekend...Even went to breakfast two days in a row.

    And, yes, the SE's are cumulative when on AC, or at least that is what the chemo instructor said. Taxol is supposed to be less harsh, but the infusions take all day! I guess I feel better that when Southern Charm feels the tumor shrinking, (YAY FOR YOU!) we are doing the right thing. That gives us all hope that this is worth it. It still baffles me to think I am doing this to my wonderful, strong self for something that has not caused me any pain or distress. Yes, I hate cancer!

    Hugs and good vibes to all and have a great Sunday. I am trying to do just that.

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  • Flower68
    Flower68 Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2015

    imageHello wonderful ladies

    I want to first thank everyone for the good wishes, my WBC is back up again and I am home enjoying the rest of the day with my family.

    And because I was starving when got home today we decided on Valerie Bertinelli's salmon with steak cauliflower.

    Have a blessed Sunday and Bon Appetite!



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  • edwsmom
    edwsmom Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2015

    Today, I crashed. :(

    Woke up with leg aches and exhausted. Neulasta shot screwing me up? Or the lack of steroids

    Had a really tough time going to the bathroom. I ended up sleeping all morning. I ate some crackers with peanut butter, everything else seems too heavy to eat.

    This is day 3 post chemo day. I really hope this doesn't continue. I feel terrible today. So sad.


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  • Flower68
    Flower68 Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2015

    edwsmom I am so sorry to hear that, hope you feel bettter soon.

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  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 270
    edited September 2015

    edwsmom, hang in there. I felt pretty wiped out days three thru seven. I'm on day ten now and feeling somewhat normal. I highly recommend diligent mouth swishing with baking soda. My mouth really flared up on day five and it took a few days to get it under control.

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  • aj93
    aj93 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2015

    edwsmom , i hope you feel better. I was where you were last week. It DOES get better. Take Claritin (if you havent), take your meds (zofran, ativan, comparing etc), if you can, to stay ahead. Also, if you can, Stay hydrated however you can too. I got sick of drinking just water so I got ginger ale, ate watermelon, etc. Also l, take all the time you need to rest. I feel for you. I am cheering you on to get well soon. It will pass and you are not alone. :)

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  • chevygirl54
    chevygirl54 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    Hi all I too just jumped on the chemo band wagon for September I began my chemo on Friday the 18th. I will be having herceptin and Taxol every friday for 3 months, then H will continue every 3 weeks for a year. Sometime in January or February I will have 6 weeks of radiation. My cancer was stage I grade 2/3 ER+ & Her2+++. I was so shocked after lumpectomy that I would have to have any type of chemo. Oh well onward and upwards!!

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  • chevygirl54
    chevygirl54 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    sorry for your loss, stay strong.

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  • chevygirl54
    chevygirl54 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    anyone have the combo of Taxol and herceptin? I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I got run over by my hubby's plow truck. Cried half the day and stayed in bed blah....could hardly eat. Today much better and praying that only one day will be it? Wouldn't that be nice??? Today my neck kills when I take a deep breath, but I can deal. Just looking for any ideas of what is normal>>>if you can call this normal. Thanks all

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  • AnnieB43
    AnnieB43 Member Posts: 724
    edited September 2015

    The nurse practitioner looked at me like I was a sad anxiety riddled hypocondriac. The very next day I got a really bad cold. Up yours lady! I was right. I WAS getting sick!!!

    I'm going to lay in bed and watch Harry Potter.

    Hugs guys. I hope everyone is keeping it real and feeling ok

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  • teacherhikermom
    teacherhikermom Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2015

    chevygirl - totally, 100% normal. One day would be nice but for me, it's the doldrums for about 5-6 days.

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  • luzeelu
    luzeelu Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2015

    Hi everyone,

    Finally got around to registering today. Sure do wish I didn't have to be here but am sure the rest of you feel the same way so it's nice to find more people to hang out with.

    Had first dose of AC on Monday, August 31 and it seems like it was easier than this time. My second dose was on Monday, the 14th, and I'm still feeling pretty yucky today. Having a hard time coming up with things to eat. Something that tasted OK yesterday is disgusting today. My biggest issue is sleeping at night. I wake up around 3 am, often with a headache, and can't always get back to sleep. I feel better if I can go back to sleep but the headaches are challenging. I keep trying various combinations of ibuprofen, benadryl and melatonin, with limited results. The oncologist is reluctant to prescribe anything stronger and while I understand that, I also know that getting enough sleep makes a huge difference for me.

    Any suggestions about sleep and headaches from others with a similar experience?

    Meanwhile, hair is going fast. I guess I should just get it shaved off. Less messy & all...

    Thanks for being here!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited September 2015

    hello Sept Chemo ladies

    Just popping in from the July Chemo group to say Hello & Hugs to all of you - thus will just be a tough blip on your radar that you will get thru together!

    I started my chemo on 7/31 so I am still in the thick of it! My regimen is 4 rounds every other week of AC which I just had my last AC on Friday. I will now start 12 weekly treatments of Taxol starting on 10/2 - and then 4-6 weeks of Rads! Long Road!

    My biggest tips to you - take or leave

    Zofran & the steroids can cause the headaches so if experiencing them may want to switch anti- nausea meds. I only use Ativan after infusion day as I suffer with extreme constipation from Zofran & compazine!

    Try not to overuse melds for constipation as it can turn the other direction quickly - for me I am usually very constipated Days 2-5 post Chemo & like clockwork Day 6 all opens up to where by Day 7 severe runs - so just be careful over-managing constipation

    Rinse your mouth frequently everyday - I fill a quart of room temp water & add 1 Tsp Baking Soda & 3/4 Tsp Salt - shake up every time before - have not gotten 1 mouth sore yet! (Knock on wood)

    Try to bath/shower everyday even the real bad days & lotion skin with good moisturizer - this will help keep skin from breaking!

    Drink drink drink - I drink 70 oz water minimal every day & I measure it out - three 24 oz bottles per day! There are moments I have to force it but it is worth it! If you are having trouble you can add those little flavor packs - Milo, Minute Maid, propel, crystal lite - whatever works! Keep in mind if it melts it counts!

    Let others help - I have small kids & tried to maintain normalcy until I was hospitalized for 4 days for neutropenic with fever - not fun!! Let family friends help & sometimes they don't know what to do so you may have to ask!

    I wish you all the best - will be cheering you on!!

    Mary

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  • cajunqueen15
    cajunqueen15 Member Posts: 794
    edited September 2015

    thanks mdoc. I'm having the same treatment regiment and also have twins. Hugs!!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited September 2015

    welcome Luzeelu, and I will add you to our list. Hugs

    Octogirl

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  • luzeelu
    luzeelu Member Posts: 101
    edited September 2015

    Thanks, mdoc. I was trying to limit the ativan but if compazine also causes constipation, I'll try taking another ativan tonight. Haven't tried any of the zofran yet because of the constipation issue. Mostly longing for a decent night's sleep with no headache!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited September 2015

    Also welcome to DoingwhatIhavetodo, cajunqueen, catlover and chevygirl. Added you all to the list. SouthernCharm: you are right: while I am glad everyone found us, it is really sad how long the list is and how many women are here in the same boat. Hugs to all!

    My hair is still hanging in there 11 days post round one, but it looks limper by the minute. Bought a few more scarves today. Not looking forward to using them.

    Hope everyone gets some rest tonight!

    Octogirl

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