Starting chemo in September 2016

Hello

I plan to work as well. I have not starated chemo but should start this month. My job csn be demanding I work my normal 8 hours but am also on call for my territory. So I can work a full 8 then get called out to respond to an incident and do another 8. Little rough at times. I have to.work we need 2 incomes, we have 2 children son 15 and daughter 13 mortgage etc..

I am scared. I was diagnosed on 8/8 BS wants me to do chemo first then surgery.

My first day of chemo. After a month of dread, I was relieved that it was so easy. The worst part was the tiny stick for the IV. My best friend came along and kept me company. We had a tv but didn't watch it. They offered warm blankets, but I already had my "chemo bag," thanks to Pinterest. My friend brought me a chemo bag too lol. Within 5 minutes, I was drowsy from the Benadryl but never went to sleep bc I was visiting. The nurse also gave me a steroid, followed by the Taxotere. I guess she added the Cytoxin, but honestly I can't remember. I was still groggy when I got home and dizzy when I got up. I've been drinking so much water that I've been to the bathroom every hour on the hour. I took Claritin the last couple of days to prevent bone pain. The bones in my legs have already been hurting tonight. Is that normal to have bone pain on the first day? Also, a friend recommended the Tea Tree Oil for my nails. For those of you using it, when do you start it and how often do you apply it? It's after 8 pm, and I still haven't slept. Thanks for all of your posts. They have been very helpful.

PS - As a divorced mom whose ex is not paying child support. I'm also worried about work. I'm a highschool teacher without many days off and will get docked for days missed.

Tanyam, sorry just getting back to you. Well, I was hospitalized September 17, two days after first chemo treatment, because I had fever. It hit me hard. I felt like I had a terrible case of the flu. Come to find out, it was just a SE of the Neulasta, but there were no oncologists to confirm that until my 4th day in. The bone pain has been my worst SE. Thank goodness I started taking the Claritin a few days before treatment. I've been weak on some days and have been going to work. Friday night was my 30-year class reunion. I had my hair done and looked awesome, but once I got to the reunion, I broke out in a hot flash. My hair and face were drenched in sweat. Embarrassing. Yesterday, I noticed small clumps of hair coming out. Even more this morning. Trying to brace myself for the hair loss. I have mixed emotions about this because my hair is definitely my best feature, but I have TONS of it, which is very time consuming. I'm somewhat looking forward to the day that I don't have to spend time and money washing and fixing my hair. Like someone else said, I'm trying to find the silver lining. My wig is in a box in the closet. I've been trying to prepare my 11-year old daughter. She wants me to dye it pink before it all falls out. Hope all is well with you guys. I so appreciate all of you sharing your stories.