January 2016 Chemo!

I had day 4 yesterday, it was actually pretty good. I took a half dose of steroids (tapering), and felt shaky for about half the day. Besides that it was good. I went for a long walk in the afternoon, and we went and spent the evening watching Netflix with friends. This might be a bit TMI but we can even made love last night which was really very nice considering I got my buzz cut yesterday and was feeling a bit insecure.I continue to take Claritin every day, and have had no problems with the neulasta. Today is my first day without steroids, I'm hoping it goes OK. I have been awake about an hour, so far so good, it is so nice to not be wired and shaking!

Water tastes a little bit gross, but I have been making myself drink it, and also Gatorade and gingers or. I try not to drink too much of these things because of the sugar, but I do want to stay hydrated. I have been drinking peppermint tea as well. I am eating OK, I'm not particularly hungry ( I had heard some people eat a lot on steroids, but has not been my experience) but I don't have aversions so bad that I cannot keep my calories up either.

Thank you Char! I am so relieved that cycle one has gone well so far. There's been a couple glitches for sure, but I feel like I know how to manage them. I know that chemo is cumulative and the other cycles might be harder, but at least one is almost down, because from what I've heard the next two weeks will only get easier. I am back at work tomorrow so I am hoping that's true!

I'm new here and just wanted to thank everyone for what they've shared so far. I was diagnosed in December with Stage 3, IDC, 20+ small masses in my left breast, 1 lymph node. Started first of six rounds of T/C chemo on Jan 6 as the first step in my treatment plan. I'm 41 years old with a 6 year old son, recently divorced. This has been a whirlwind to say the least.

I did get a port put in on Jan 4 and am glad I did since I have tiny veins. The pain isn't bad and the Emla cream kept it pain free the first time they accessed the port.

I'm feeling not so terrible so far - mostly like I have the flu, body aches, and a sore throat. (anyone else have the sore throat thing? trying to determine if it's a side effect or if I am getting a cold) Exercise does help so I'll try for a walk in a bit.

Also wondering if anyone else's bone marrow picked up more on the PET SCAN than their team was happy with. My oncologist has said that BC patients secrete a hormone that can make this happen....bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for Jan 20 and I'm not super excited about it. Would love to hear from anyone who has had that done.

Thanks new friends.

I had a sore throat my first round of TC as well. Also felt like I basically had the flu for a few days.

sonyaryan have you tried Claritin? My pharmacist recommended I try it with the Neulasta, starting the morning before the shot. I got my shot on Thursday, so I am four days and no aches!

jenscott I had a bone marrow biopsy YEARS ago in the doctor's office. I think he just used a bit of local. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever been through but sedation would have been nice. My platelet count was bottoming out so I think at the time, a quick test was in order rather than wait to set up something laterwith better sedation. Good luck!

You have this MissBee! And so cute I might add!

Ok my face is breaking out! I have always been lucky with my skin! What the!.?! I didn't know this would be a SE. I would like to keep something the same....or should I give up on that for awhile? I know this is something small and not very important but I will have to say I wasn't expecting this

Hi, everyone! I've been recovering from a mastectomy gone awry (to say the least lol) and lymph node surgery and start chemo on Jan. 21. I may have overbooked that day, or let them over book me. I travel to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment and will be staying with my sister through the chemo and radiation fun for the most part, with trips home to my honey depending on how things go.

Anyway, my first day of chemo I also have the CT scan and a bone scan scheduled. Plus the next day I have a super big hearing I'll *have* to be at. Then back to the hospital for blood work again. I'm keeping super positive thoughts that it's not going to be a big deal the first go round.

I've been getting prepared, I ordered my wig, my false lashes - from a company that donates a set to a chemo patient for every set sold, so super cool, plus tons of teichels from wrapunzel.com. I'm fairly convinced that if I can master those head wraps I'll say screw wigs and just do that. Sooooooooo pretty and feminine and doesn't look like, y'all know what I mean, a bald woman wearing a scarf. I think it's all to just distract me from worrying about nausea and chemobrain and working and the rest of it. It's way more fun to watch scarf videos on youtube. Lol.

But - y'all got me out walking the dogs today. I know how important and beneficial walking is and haven't been doing it. I've felt the effects, too...that super tiredness like someone is standing on my chest. My goal is to walk at least 20 minutes every day till I start chemo on Thursday. That day I'm going to park far and walk all over the humongous hospital, instead of taking a trolley car. Woo hoo!

I'm so grateful for you all, and it makes me smile to see MissBee's smile. This is doable - 12 weeks of one kind of crap, 12 weeks of another kind of crap. Two trials during the crap. Piece of cake. We've got this!

day 6. I went back to work, fit in a 30 minute walk on my lunch break. Got pretty tired by the afternoon, and took it easy sitting a lot. Still happy with my decision to try to work!

Frill, the bone scan and CT scan take a few hours. It will be a long day.

My MO said I would feel crappy the two days after chemo. I thought the steroids prevented that? What days have been the worst for everyone so far

I had first treatment (Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta) on Thursday, it was about Saturday late afternoon I started feeling really tired. Sunday I felt achy, today I felt fine except now I'm noticing the odd feeling / taste in my mouth and a bit of heartburn. No gastro issues so far, which I'll take, I feel very lucky. I worked Friday, I worked today, and went to karate tonight. I'm tired this evening but not like I felt Saturday. I'm sure it will all catch up with me once I start AC in a few months. My nose hairs definitely started falling out though!

I will be joining you ladies on the 25th, I had my port placed today and a bunch of things scheduled the rest of the week. 

Hugs and best wishes to you all. 

Hi everyone-

It was my first day of chemo (Taxol) today. All went well today, I feel good. The Benadryl made me sleepy so I took a nap while having treatment and took a 3 hour nap when I got home. I woke up feeling energetic but might be the "roids rush". Hoping I feel the same way tomorrow. I had salmon and kale for dinner with Perrier and I did not get nauseous but I am wearing motion sickness bracelets and they might be doing the trick. I have not felt nauseous and I am drinking a lot of water. My nurse said to drink approx. 2 liters of water. I have prescriptions for anti nausea and I haven't had to take them as of yet. Who knows tomorrow may be a different story, but I sure hope not. I am going to try and do yoga tomorrow.

Everyone have a blessed evening! Praying for all of us. Keep fighting and hang in there  

It's the morning of day , I'm actually feeling pretty normal ( and slept like mad last night, 9 PM till 7 AM!). The one thing I am noticing as there are some dry patches in my mouth, they don't hurt yet, but I will make sure to keep up my gargling.