Starting Chemo in Nov 2016

i haven't posted anything for a while either but I read everyone else's comments everyday and it helps me cope. I had my second AC treatment the day before thanksgiving. My hair was coming out in clumps on Friday morning. I had my husband shave it for me. I new it was coming and the tingling scalp told me it was getting closer but I was overcome with sadness. My son was home from school and he played the most beautiful music on the piano that allowed my feelings to flow out of me like a river of tears. So much emotion that I had been holding in. I was sobbing but it felt good. All weekend I was in a chemo fog that didn't let up until Tuesday. I don't know if it will get longer with each treatment but it is so annoying. Today I feel like my mouth went dry and numb. I went to the drugstore and bought a bag full of hard candy, breathmints for dry mouth, Chapstick, tums, and tea tree oil for my itchy scalp. I can't believe I will be doing this for 5 more months! I am grateful not to have terrible side effects and my husband is a saint as are the rest of my family and co workers. I also so appreciate all of you, I know that you know exactly what I am going thru. Let's stick together.

Dbear, have you tried Biotene? It helps a lot with dry mouth.

Aldea and nfullblume - you rock the shaved head, and I love the smiles. It gives me strength for my buzz appointment on Monday (if my hair lasts that long).

Dbear - your story about your son playing the piano made me cry, but it does feel good to cry sometimes. When I feel like this is too hard, I think it will all be worth it to be able to see my sons marry and give me grandchildren someday

I so appreciate this message board. It helps me so much. Thank you all. ❤️

Aldea13 - I love your cut, and I love the way it looks with your beautiful glasses, and your smile. You're rocking it.

fromtritotram - So glad ac number 3 is done.

marigoldgirl - So glad ac number 2 is done.

nanpop - So glad ac number 2 is done.

nfullblume - I love your cut too. Just look at that smile shine through. You're rocking it.

dbear - Aww, I'm sitting her picturing your son on the piano, how beautiful. We all need a good sob now and then. I had mine in the shower the other day. I also keep a bag of hard candy. I also use baking soda and warm water (to keep my mouth happy and sore free). I also use Biotene for dry mouth (works well).

My second a/c was on 11/29 (running about 3 hours and 15 minutes). I have two more a/c to go and then 4 taxols (every two weeks, just like the a/c for me).

It's so nice to have to wonderful online support group. I look forward to 'talking' with you all. It really helps me a great deal. (((hugs)))

My genetics testing came back normal. What a relief! Specially from the colon cancer standpoint, which has taken so many lives in my father's side of the family, including himself.

My taste buds are completely gone. At least I don't have any mouth sores! But wow, how much do we underestimate having the sense of taste. Eating is not nearly as much fun.

I had three rounds in November. My last AC is on December 13, YAY! Good bye red devil! According to my MO, Taxol is easier to the body. We will see. The infusion will be over 5 hours. Thanks God Netflix is finally allowing downloads. I hate regular TV. I hate to go to the hospital today to get an interim blood work to see how is my liver doing. I also have follow up appointment with surgeon. I found a little weird mass on my right breast. My PS said that it is fatty tissue, but at this point we dont want to take risks and assume. I believe most of you guys are having neoadjuvent chemo and then surgery. I already had my mastectomy and we already started reconstruction. It may sound ridiculous, but the sense of happiness and normalcy I feel when I get my tissue expanders filled is amazing.

latinmxy - I had the bilateral with tissue expanders, but I only got in 150ccs before my chemo started. My next expansion is on Tuesday. I am looking forward to getting the expansions going so I feel more normal looking. I can't wait for the reconstruction though, so I can finally sleep on my side again!

Feeling better now. You all look so good with your hair and smiles! I look like a round egg with fuzz. lol There will be no pics of me hairless going around!!

For your smiling pleasure, here's a link to my DD's school small choir. They have entered a competition so I have free reign to show her off. She's standing, far left while they are singing. In this starting pic, she's far right.

Thanks for posting the video, Leslie. How great that your daughter has this outlet for her lovely voice. I've read that singing as part of a choir is an intellectual and emotional boost.

LatinMixy, I'm glad the genetics testing was normal and I hope your liver testing is the same.

hi ladies. I'm gone back through the posts and all if you look so amazing with your wigs. I had my 2nd chemo yesterday. Feeling good so far and I was not as nervous. 4 more to go. Yay.

Hope88: hope your second infusion went well too.

My prayers are will all you ladies. We can do this.

I had #2 AC infusion today...uneventful like the first one LOL they were so busy today, every chair was full! I felt fine and still feel fine now (5 hours later) trying to drink lots of fluids and rest, I just feel tired.

They switched one of my anti-nausea iv meds since I had so many headaches last time...I'm hoping this time its better *fingers crossed* I asked the nurse about my lump hurting a lot and she said it probably is the chemo shrinking it, other people have complained of the same thing...I hope she's right!

I got the Nuelasta on my belly this time, hoping I don't get much bone pain...the nurse was curious to see if I get less pain on my belly then I did on my arm.

glad everyone had a great week!! we got this!!!

BG.

I am glad your chemo went well. My MO never mentioned anything about getting an echoafter the start of chemo. However I asked my internist to follow up with one before the third chemo because I realized it can cause damage to the heart.

I am also walking as much as I can to prevent problems. Heart issues run in my family.

My second AC wasn't great. I was more nauseous and my bladder was not working as well. I'm not sure why but I heard one of drugs is harder on the bladder. I went in for saline today to help rinse it out. I'm fine now. Drinking is very important.

They told me to stop compazine and just take Zofran.

Anyway. I feel much better today. Glad everyone is doing well.

Nanpop yes my nurse told me the cytoxin (the C in AC) is hard on the bladder....that I shouldn't hold in my pee at all, if I have to go, go! LOL and drink lots of water!

Hey ladies, I moved the Neulasta to my belly this cycle. Tonight is my worst night. Headache pain is definitely weaker, still there, but not as intense. I took Tylenol in advance, I think that's helping too.

Heating pad and blankets here. Hope you guys have a good night!

😘

Hey Ladies,

My 2nd AC wasn't bad except for the fatigue. Lots of sleep today.

BG, I also had an echo before starting chemo, but my MO did not order on before my 3rd. She did say that both sets of labs I did between chemo 1 and 2 looked really good, so who knows.

Nanpop, sorry that you're feeling bad, and I hope you continue to improve. I did the belly Neulesta again, so keeping fingers crossed.

Well wishes to all of you.

Hope...AKA Gail :

amylsp - I think this is why I have had minimal SEs. I have always been a water drinker, and ALWAYS keep it with me. Thx for the great advice.

BG46TN - I had the first Neulasta shot in my arm, and I had the second Neulasta injector (belly patch). I haven't experienced any pain from either. Hope your pain is minimal if any. (((hugs)))

I'm hoping for an uneventful A/C #3 on December 13.

I hope everyone has a good weekend. I'll be thinking of all of my dear, sweet pink sisters.