Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

Becky, I'm waiting for my results. I have a thread going in the Gene Test Positive group where I've been asking questions, if you want to check it out. What you just said is actually my next question I just posted tonight...If my testing comes back positive and they/I want to do the double M....do they wait until my chemo is done to do it? I would think so, and/or I think I would request it that way...I just want more info. As always. Sorry you got a positive, but yes now that you know, you can deal with it and decide with informed next steps.

I was only tested 2 weeks ago, but they put a rush on it. She said she would call me in about 2 weeks, so I'm expecting a call some time this week.

Pamela and Patti, that could be early signs of thrush on your tongue. You may want to let your MO know. They may give you an antifungal. I'd start with some yogurt!! Also Pamela, I'd let your MO know about the itching too. Some ladies do get allergic reactions to the meds.

Eileen, thinking about you!

Leslie, what a massive sigh of relief! Phewwww! Hopefully your genetic testing turns out ok. I had to wait on that as well. Good luck tomorrow!

Becky, sounds like it may be double bmx and oopherectomy. I was really worried about the mutations because of cancer in my family too. After chemo, your BS and MO should lay out your options. You may get to skip radiation and hormone therapy if you opt for those surgeries. So there are pros along with the cons. I'm staring at 10 years of Tamoxifen. Blegh!

Sorella, I may look into acupuncture. My headaches only last 24 hours, but man are they intense.

Kb870, we all agree, finally getting in motion and leaving all the waiting behind was such a good feeling. Good luck on your first treatment.

Congrats s 2blessed!

You have to take all your prescribed take-home meds to avoid problems later. Any SEs you feel, tell your MO immediately. You look good in the pic

Try donating your hair to the wig shop where you will be getting your wig They might give you a discount. Mine is coming off in clumps today, Day 19 after chemo. Gonna save some to tickle my DH and son's ears.

sorella How often are you doing acupuncture? I did it prior to my first treatment. My friend who went through this said it helps with fatigue too. She doesn't remember how often or when she did it.

I am concerned about doing it during my low white blood count days. Did your MO give suggestions? I really want to go back. It's great for anxiety too. Make sure they use new needles. That is important.

pmevans50- I bough my tongue in the morning. And I've noticed I have to do it at night now as well. Also, having some baking soda and peppermint to swirl seems to keep some of the fuzz at bay. But still... The mouth issue is GROSS.

Two days post 1st chemo- Still feeling pretty good. Woke up with a headache. Started feeling more congested last night and it feels like a sin headache today. Only I'm pretty sure it's chemo sinus headache and not pollen related. Ugh. I'll take my claritan again this morning. Not that it's doing anything for this congestion. lol

On a side note: My TOM came on Monday right before my first chemo. My ovaries were all... they I hear these drugs might turn Javamama into a menopausal bitch. We have to give her one last hooray, just in case. Cue the heaviest TOM I've had in YEARS. Now, this could be because I cut my estrogen/progesterone positive tumors OUT which impacted how much hormones was available for uptake by the rest of my body- my first TOM after surgery was brightly colored where it had been getting darker as I got older. I know, too much TMI. But I swear it all plays into my crazy chemo mind. So the only thing I was looking forward to during chemo was the loss of my period. Period. The only thing. And now it's here, all brightly colored and just MORE since I have had my tumor cut out. Chemo drugs be damned, because not even the infusion on Monday did anything to lessen anything. So there's that little bit by my body trying to make things so much more interesting for me.

That's wonderful news, Leslie. I'm so happy for you.

Pamela23 - Try baking soda mixed with warm water for a mouth rinse. This has been working great for me

Leslie - That's great news.

BG46TN - I had genetic testing done. I tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Aterry, the genetic counselor called me first, then she is sending my results to my surgeon and MO...I will make sure he has all the information before my next chemo, in case anything needs to change...

the way I see it is "it is what it is" I can't change my genetic make up...but I can help my sisters be aware and get screened and my children be diligent in screenings etc...

I think its funny that my oldest sister, who also had TN BC 3 years ago never had genetic testing done...just the BRCA test...she says now it probably would have made her get a mastectomy or hysterectomy at that time..now she is not so sure she wants to go do it now...

AMW5 did you get other tests done or just BRCA?

2blessed2bestressed - Locks of Love is an organization to donate hair to. I did that a while back when my hair was really long. www.locksoflove.org

I hope everyone is doing well and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! Gobble! Gobble!! :-)

pamela,

most probably it is the claritin

Pamela, reactions to steroids are very common. You should buy some cortisone anti itch cream at Walgreens, you'll know if it'll work right away. I have crazy sensitive skin and have it on hand. If you take Benadryl it could make you really tired.

Javamama, my period has gone wild too. They've jacked my cycle all up, between putting me on all active birth control and then removing from birth control after taking it for 20!years. My MO told me I would still have my November period but that would probably be the last one. So far, November has started and stopped twice. Lol. I feel like my ovaries are sputtering smoke. Lmao. Ce le vie! Hopefully this is the last I ever see of that devil.

My hair is almost completely gone. Sparse patches left now.It's chilly in Florida, so I'm getting some use out of some hats.

Had chemo #2 today. It went well, no major events. Went by myself today. It worked for me; think I even napped a bit. The nurse was concerned about my blood pressure today; I've always ran on the low side, but today it was lower than normal. I'm not dizzy or anything, so I don't know. I'll figure it out later.

I have a bit of a headache tonight so I took a couple of tylenol at about 5. Now I was eating and was having problems swallowing. Don't see that as a side effect though. Not sure what that is...going to have to read some more. 2 down, 4 to go.....onward.

gmmiph, best of luck with your 2nd treatment.

hello ladies! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday with their love ones. On Tuesday I had a very bad episode of fatigue and nausea, with multiple syncopes. I did not want to go to the hospital just for that, but my husband was determined to take me to the ER, and he did. The doctors found out I have a pulmonary embolism (small blot clot in one of my lungs). I spent the night at the Onco Unit, while they developed my plan of care.

Just wanted to put out there my issue and warn you: listen to your body and and neverunderestimate what you feel. I am blessed that my husband's stubbornness overshadows mine.

I am back home and will enjoy thanksgiving with myfamily.