January 2016 Chemo!

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  • Mena4911
    Mena4911 Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2016

    O my what a difficult week I had with 2 ER visits! But, I am on the mend now! Hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday! Stay strong.

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited February 2016

    Three week schedule here too. Week one is crappy, but I've felt good last week and this week. Round two on Thursday. Hair started coming out in earnest today. :-P I found another wig I want, just have to choose a color. Not thrilled with my first wig. It looks like it is sitting on top of my head.

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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited February 2016

    LoveMyVizsla, do you mind me asking which wig you bought? Have you tried thinning it out? That made a big difference with mine. I'm still tweaking it a bit. I would love to have another wig or two, but I can't decide which ones. And cost is a factor.

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  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Medication fail!! I just realized that I gave myself one too many days of neupogen. Really. Somehow failed to count to 7 correctly?! I went out of town that day, so I painstakingly packed it all with me. That is ridiculous!!!! You would think giving yourself a needle would be enough deterrent to not mess up.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Vaginal irritation! Anyone having this problem

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  • mltdd
    mltdd Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016

    Cathytoo--yes. I developed thrush 1st. When I told my gyn about it she said a vaginal yeast infection was soon to follow. She was right. She gave me a cream with refills so I won't have to call her after every chemo treatment.

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited February 2016

    week 3 is great, completely normal. I'd go away on week three (with a thermometer and MOs okay).

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  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited February 2016

    Good Morning!

    It's February already ?!!

    Currently waiting for AC#3 today. I really didn't want to come today :(

    I have some black spots in my tongue from chemo. They are not cute, my Onco NP told me that it's quite normal for people with dark skin tones to have hyperpigmentation on their tongue during treatment. It's soo ugly.

    Anywho, I made a soup from the Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook and can't wait to eat it when I get home from infusion.

    I wish everyone a happy and healthy week!! We are almost there....

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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited February 2016

    You can count me in the thrush (first time ever), then yeast infection club. Yay!! Now, I will be better prepared this next round (2/3).

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited February 2016

    Hello All


    So glad I have you ladies. So much better after second infusion ofcourse anything is an improvement over a 6 day hospital stay. So far just very fatigued, but no mouth sores, bowel issues. Ready for round 3.

    thanks so much for just posting. sometimes some of us can't reply but it's so encouraging to see

    valstim

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  • FLBuckeye93
    FLBuckeye93 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016

    I've completed two rounds of TC. The first three days are the hardest. The second round has left me tired a week later. I've had a period for four weeks and need an IV iron infusion this week to prepare for round three. I'm halfway done and feel ashamed when I complain. The occasional onslaught of emotions takes over me at times for about a day and then I bounce back. I find the whole thing to be surreal. I was healthy and now I'm making myself ill with toxins. I still haven't come to terms with having cancer. Want to get this done with and move on.

    I also couldn't sleep and melatonin didn't help. I'm now on a very low dose of Lunesta, and it's made all the difference. I don't feel drugged in the am.

    Thank you for sharing your experiences. It helps a lot.

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  • FLBuckeye93
    FLBuckeye93 Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016

    TC round one began on 12/31. I'll be done 3/3.

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2016

    Hi friends, I went to a American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better program today and it was so fun. They give you a great kit of skin care and make up - good brands too! It was great to learn how to draw on eyebrows and to share the experience with other women. Hope many of you can access this close to youand will have the same great experience.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2016

    FLBuckeye93-

    Welcome to BCO! We're glad you've joined our community, and you hope you find it to be a source of support and encouragement as you make your way through treatment. You have come to the right place!

    The Mods

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited February 2016

    keepsake- I am sorry you got sick. I hope you are feeling much better. My son has been battling very bad cold since Friday. If only I could get him to eat veggies. There are several veggies that help you fight colds and help your immune system. I saw my MO on Friday and he said my WBC, liver enzymes are good and no anemia. I am trying not to get sick because I am not on neulasta nor neupogen. Beets and Spinach are great for the immune system. I used to be severely anemic and no longer anemic. I think it's due to the spinach and beets. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

    MissBee123-  I am sorry about your aunt's remark. Some people say things without realizing what they are saying. Please don’t let this get to you. You are beautiful.

    Myraknits-Hi BC sister, welcome to the forums. I understand what you are going through. I know what you mean about people saying "I'm sorry", it's a normal response. I've had people just say "omg" and look at me in horror. I think I rather hear "I’m sorry" than "OMG", like I have just been giving a death sentence. We will get through this. I am so glad I found a great support system here. Everyone here is lovely. Sending you a big hug. It's going to be okay.

    FLBuckeye93- Welcome to a wonderful support group! Everyone is lovely. Sending you warm thoughts and hugs.

    Valstim52- I am so glad to see that you'reback and feeling better.Bon- has a wealth of information that she can share with you. Hang in there! Sending you lots of love. 

    jensgotthis-  I just discovered their website and I have registered for their free make- up classes. Here is the link to their website for others that want to know about the programs they offer: http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs . I just made an appt with the American Cancer Society for my free wig fitting. Most insurance companies also cover cranial prosthetic and I am getting one through them, but the auth process is taking forever. I have an HMO and my hair is shedding so much. I have registered with http://www.happychemo.com/. They offer discounts on items such as scarves, spas, and eyebrow tattoos. So many programs out there :)

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited February 2016

    Fantastic news: I'm joining the Thrush Club! If it weren't for this group I wouldn't even have known I had it. After reading your posts I realize I've had it for quite awhile and I TRIED TO BRUSH IT OFF WITH MY TOOTHBRUSH. I'll see my oncologist tomorrow and hopefully he can give me something for it. Are you all telling me I'm going to get a yeast infection next??? Guys, this is just too much fun for one person, I'm starting to feel guilty.

    Thank you to everyone's kind words of support. My pregnant sister-in-law contacted me yesterday to tell me the lovely aunt had told her that her butt was bigger and she had, "So much acne!" I think she is just an unhappy/insecure person inside and somehow thinks that bringing others down will make her feel better. I'm actually feeling sorry for her because that has to be a hard way to live.

    For all the new ladies, welcome!!! I'm working on adding the few new members onto our list, but please if you don't see your name and want to be listed just sent me a private message with your details.



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  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited February 2016

    Cathytoo I have been using Virgin Organic Coconut Oil for vaginal irritation and dryness. Has worked well for me.

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  • MissBee123
    MissBee123 Member Posts: 186
    edited February 2016

    Martini, my thyroid cancer was a secondary, separate cancer that was discovered when my oncologist ordered a PET scan. The biopsies were inconclusive but I had a gene mutation (NRAS) that meant there was an 80% likelihood the nodule they saw was cancerous. I elected to have a total thyroidectomy and when they biopsied it it turned out that it was in fact a low grade cancer and they found a secondary nodule that no one had seen that was a high-grade.

    Welcome Coloradomom, Praline, and FLBuckeye93 ! Praline, I think we're are all scared of the unknown when we learn of our diagnosis. Keep reading this thread and you will see so many posts like yours about being scared of chemo, only to have that poster say a few days later it wasn't so bad. I promise you'll be the same!

    brandysands, the frequency of chemo depends on the regimen. In general—and as always there are plenty of exceptions—TCHP is every 3 weeks, Taxol is weekly, and AC is every 2 weeks. TC ladies, I'm not sure what your frequency is, will you share? Since you're HER2+ I would think they'll give you TCHP?

    Mena4911, what a rough week! I can't think of a place I want to be less than the ER. Glad you're home now and happy healing!

    Zinny, with all the meds we take I'm not surprised! I got an app called Pill Monitor that has been really helpful. You can set it to send you a notification for what pill, when, and how much. Once the notification goes off you enter if you took it on time, skipped a dose, or took it a little late. Very helpful! (And if all else fails maybe get a sharpie and write the numbers 1-7 on the Neupogen boxes!)

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Smurfette26...Thanks so much for the coconut oil suggestion. They say it has so many uses and works miracles. Would have never thought of it. Combined, we are all a wealth of information. Thanks again. Hope you're doing well

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    MissBee123...You guessed it...a yeast infection will be here before you know it‼️ I can understand you're feeling guilty. We are having so much fun. 🎉🎉 Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving.

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2016

    I signed up for the look good feel better program and will be going to it in a couple of weeks. I have heard nothing but great things about this. I hope you all check into it. In my area (south Alabama/northwest florida) there aren't a lot of classes coming up this year, so is best go ahead and check and see when the next available in your area is. im going back for my 2nd AC infusion Friday. im feeling so good, I hate to go back. but then again I cant to get it done so I can say "yay im halfway through the AC part"

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  • sarah_sunflower
    sarah_sunflower Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2016

    all this yeast infection got me worried now. i will ask my onco tomorrow for some stand by meds..

    so ladies, i'm getting ready for my second infusion of TC tomorrow morning, I'm on steroids today and had my blood drawn in the afternoon. VERY nervous once again, and hoping for the best.

    off to sleep, or atleast try my best to get some zzz..


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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited February 2016

    Sarah, it sounds like you and I are on the same schedule. Started steroids this morning, having blood drawn this afternoon and starting round two tomorrow. Hang in there, sister.


    I am using coconut oil for the vaginal irritation, as well. I also used it orally (via oil pulling) and it eliminated the thrush within hours. Good stuff!!


    MissBee, checking out the pill monitor app now. I had a terrible time keeping up with my nausea meds last round. And now I have to Neupogen to the arsenal.

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  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 667
    edited February 2016

    Seabands...these work really for nausea. I wore one for the first 12 days. Recommended to me by a friend who also used them successfully

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2016

    Cathytoo-i ordered me some of the seabands and they are supposed to be here infusion day. I heard they are great but I want to try them myself

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  • keepsake
    keepsake Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2016

    After reading about the many chemo side effects so many ladies in our group are dealing with, I know for sure that this experience is not for the faint-of-heart. You are all strong warriors! Keep going forward! MissBee, I'm late to say I'm sorry for your aunt-in-law's hurtful comment. Thoughtless remarks are so difficult to take, never-mind having to deal with two simultaneous cancers, as well! Please know that we all are so grateful for both your positive attitude and spirit that continue to inspire us. Geeper, I know what you mean about the OMG! comments. When another woman reacts to anyone of us that way together with a look of horror, sometimes mixed with the dreaded pity, I now think that at that moment, she probably is having the sudden realization that "Breast cancer, the scourge of womankind, can happen to me, too." (While breast cancer is not as prevalent among men as women, I doknow that men can have breast cancer too.)


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  • Nibaum
    Nibaum Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2016

    Keepsake - I am sorry to intrude into this thread, but I am not sure if you are following the Navelbine/Herceptin thread that you started at https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topics/837293?page=1#idx_15.   I posted my situation at length on that thread but in short I have an unusual grade 1 and HER2+ combo and I am in a gray area when it comes to treatment.  Any additional information you can give about your treatment would be greatly appreciated.

    Originally, I was going to join the January chemo group but due to uncertainty of my BC profile, it has been delayed to February.

    Thanks in advance for any advice or info you can give me. 

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  • keepsake
    keepsake Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2016

    Hi Nibaum,

    I'll be happy to send you a PM

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  • Myraknits
    Myraknits Member Posts: 264
    edited February 2016

    Oh My Gosh!!! i got my MRI biopsy results back and they are benign!!! So it appears I have one lump in my left breast of IDC that's 1.8 cm. I'm scheduled to have the port put in tomorrow and I have calls in to both my MO and SO to see if I can just get surgery. Wouldn't it make more sense to just take out 1 lump and watch it closely? If it comes back then I can do the chemo but what if I could skip it!!

    Does that make sense??!! I'm in a tizzy.

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited February 2016

    Wendi, the wig I purchased is a petite Jon Renau Jazz. I also picked up a free wig yesterday at the Look Good Feel Better class. The one I still want to order is a Christie Brinkley style. Really cute!

    After trying on a handful of wigs yesterday, my hair was coming out even more! Debating on whether I can make it to Friday for my head shave.

    I'm doing AC, but every three weeks because of my lazy immune system. I'm already starting to dread Thursday. :-(

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