Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

My MO didn't ask me what tx I want. It was here's the research on this and this (basically between Taxol and Taxotere), which was a bit techy for me but she made the decision to throw the book at it with a 'harsher' regimen and I agreed. I sure don't want this to come back so let's do this. 6 long months of being "in chemo." So I feel better that if this does come back, it's not because I didn't throw the last standing book at it.

it took some persistence for me to find the Facebook page. I finally had to use a computer instead of tablet. I don't remember exactly how I finally found it but I think I searched for the name, it came up with nothing, then there were some tabs towards the top. I clicked on More and then I think Groups was an option. Clicked on it and our group showed up. Hope this helps.

One tip I think worth mentioning since I'm reading weight going up and down---------- at chem teach 1:1 class I did mention my desire to lose weight when NP said you may not feel like eating blah blah blah. He said if you lose enough weight, the chemicals will react on you stronger. He didn't say how much- but emphasized to me to keep my weight constant or I'll feel hit more by a truck. He didn't say about weight gain as I forgot to ask, so don't know if chemicals become less effective with too much weight gain. So best not to use this time to change your weight much.

There are commmerials for Neulasta?

I didn't get an oncotype score because I am ER-. I was told by one facility I am PR+ 35-40% The other facility told me PR+ 34%

I am also HER2 negative so I am almost like a triple negative.

SouthernCharm and you others speaking about diet changes since diagnosis: thanks.

I hadn't realized how unhealthy food habits I had before BC. Since starting chemo, my long-time favorite (chocolate) lost its appeal --- no longer "OMG YES!", just "Uh, okay..". ---- and so my consumption dropped way down, also for a lot of crap snack foods, and my weight dropped. I want to thank people for emphasizing protein for rebuilding blood. I snack more now on hard-boiled eggs, toast with a slice or two of ham and or cheese, and protein drinks. I also try to get down 4 smaller meals instead of three. You ladies mentioning tanking carbs to help quell nausea has helped, too. On Herceptin/Taxotere I haven't actually vomited, but have mild nausea almost constantly, which kills my appetite. Fighting back with toast and pasta!

Anyway, finally instead of dropping all the time, my weight has stabilized and I've added a full kilo back. Only two kg to go to get back to pre-BC normal-for-me weight, which is what the docs want ASAP. Yeah, I'll probably lose it all when I get switched to CEF(cytoxan-epirubicin-5-fluorouracil) mid-November, but starting that in the normal weight range instead of underweight, maybe I'll tolerate the SEs better?

Hoping everbody's crappy side effects forget to wake up today, so everybody can enjoy life a teensy bit more today

Annie- I am on TC x4(every 3 weeks). The major cancer hospital recommended me to do AC+T for 20 weeks. I called and got his opinion when the local had something different to say. He said that doctors also have an art of giving meds and tend to stick to a couple treatments they are familiar with. I have noticed things can be different on each coast in the US. He said he would be comfortable with his sister doing the treatment I chose. I just don't know if I made my decision based on the wrong reasons.

I can't imagine going to my local office now that for that many treatments. I don't even want to do 3 more. I avoided calling them yesterday to tell them I wanted a PICC. Well I really don't want it but I feel like I don't have an option.

Tessu,

I also have a continuous very mild nose bleed. I'm not sure which drug or combo is causing it. I put Vaseline inside my nose every night and it seems to help.

Thanks twiggy and molliefish. I called my cancer support nurse about it, and she said just "follow" it. I like your ideas better! I already use palin white vaseline on my dry lips, so I'll try putting some of that in that nostril with a q-tip. Annoying when little drips of blood keep getting on everything. But at least it's not a Niagra Falls nosebleed!

you can also use a saline nose spray several times a day to hydrate the nose more.

My nose isn't bleeding, but it's running almost constantly. And my eyes are also runny, but haven't yet been glued shout in the morning.

I was telling my PT (who had just found out she was pregnant with her first) that I was eating like I had morning sickness the week of chemo. An empty stomach is deadly. A bit of protein before bed, crackers before I even get out of bed in the morning, and small, frequent meals. Because of the low WBC, I'm trying hard to up protein. Breakfast has mostly been local yogurt (more active culture) with fruit, honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon (because I can still taste spices). I'm trying hard to give my body what it needs to cope with these drugs. On the most basic level, we need food and hydration. If that means spaghetti-os and Gatorade for a week, then so be it. 4:00am during chemo week found me on the couch, munching goldfish crackers. Every day. Thanks, steroids

Shhhhh! I'm back!!!!

Hope you stay on course grey. You can do this! xo

Scotland - I had the same issue with spicy food! A friend made us King Ranch Chicken the other day, and both boys complained that it was too spicy. Even my hubby mentioned that it was spicy, when he's normally immune to spice. I ate two huge bowls because it tasted so amazing to me (and not the least bit spicy). Finally, flavor! It's so frustrating how muted the flavor of everything is. I was all excited for a glass of fruit punch that smelled amazing, and it just tasted like sugar water, blah

How dumb is it that it took something as simple as shaving my head for this all to suddenly feel real? Today sucks. Feeling very blah and sorry for myself and just downright hideous. Especially knowing that this is only the beginning. Still 6 more rounds of chemo, multiple surgeries, and radiation. I'm strong, but dammit, this is breaking me. I'm so angry right now!!!! Sorry, just needed to vent for a second. All done now