Starting Chemo in May 07

nosurrender · April 2007

Hi Everyone...
This is so weird to be new and old at the same time! But i was reading your post and the Oldbie in me has to come help!

First:
If you haven't already, get a prescription for a "Head Prosthesis for Chemotherapy" from your onc and you can bring it to your wig place and they submit it to your insurance. Most if not all of your wig should be covered.
Go NOW to pick one out. Get one that matches your hair type and then have it styled to your own hair style that you have now.
When the time comes it won't be so traumatic because you will have "you" waiting in the closet- ready to put on! Human hair wigs look the most real, because they are human. There are some synthetics that look good- but remember the quality increases as the price goes up.

It is perfectly normal to feel like everyone is staring at you or will be staring at you or are acting like you are dead or something. Do you know whose problem that is? THEIRS!
Forget it. After a while you just won't give a damn anyway!

Don't think you are ending your life just because chemo is starting. They don't make it that way anymore. They give us all sorts of meds to cover every single possible side effect. You will have good days and you will have days where you feel anywhere from a little tired to like you have the flu- to crap... but it is TEMPORARY. And list your symptoms and tell your onc because they can get rid of the "crap" days as best they can!

If I could do this five years ago- before they had all those meds- then we can do it again this time. Trust me- I was scared out of my mind back then. But now I know that I can get through it, chemo ends and life kicks right back in...

So I HAVE made it through to the other side and I am telling you- you will get through it! I will be walking right next to you bitching about my aches and pains and my port from hell- but that is what sisters are for- right?

We need a name for this group, don't you think???

Something with May in it. Mayjor Cancer Kickers or something. Let's scare the Beast half to death before we even start!

love,g

cinrae123 · April 2007

Hi G,,,,,,,,,,,,,I totally love your spirit. Yeah,,,,,,,,,Mayjor Cancer Kickers is a good one,,,,,,,love it. When do u start? I do have my wig ordered and it did come in,,,,,,just have to get my azz over there to pick it up. lol I called my insurance to see if they covered it,,,,,,,,and guess what?? They sure as shooting dont. Like I want to go bald, right? O well,,,,,,,,,,I needed to be prepared anyway so no big deal. Thanx for adding you great sense of humor and wisdom here. It's nice to have others to go this with. I'm gonna have to put everyones start dates on a spread sheet...lol,,,,,,,,cause I'm getting confused on when everyone is starting. OK,,,,,,,my project for tomorrow......spread sheet with everyones stats and starting dates.
Have a good night,,,,,,,,,,
Cindy

Anonymous · April 2007

I love the name - makes it easier to find in the threads too...can we start a new thread with that name? (Or change the name of this one) Everyone agree?

Thanks for the advice and confirmation, "G" that this MAY not be the worst 4 1/2 months of my life! It feels so good to know my schedule and to make some (always) tentative plans for weekends away, etc.

Cindy when you're making your spreadsheets, be sure to include finish dates too. Being Canadian, we tend to do the 3-week cycles so that may make me one of the first up and one of the last to finish.

When is everyone's last treatment? Mine is August 14th.

Happy Monday everyone!

JudyWI · April 2007

I am starting this month with chemo also. Will be doing a clinical trial so not sure what time line I will be on. I will do the A/C-T but every week or every other week not the 3 weeks. I go in May 4th for my port. Kind of bummed out about that they told me it was no big thing just a local injection. Now I find out I have to be put out. Not really happy with that news, I hate to be put out. I had to have 2 surgeries after my double mast. One with the plastic surgeon, I am not doing reconstrction but had a bunch of extra skin that needed to be removed and the second for axi nodes. I would not do the 2 seperate the 2 surgeons had to be in there at the same time. It took me 11 weeks to get the 2 together but it worked. Now I have to have another one!!!!these things should be done at the same time. If they would have been up front with me on this it would have been done at that surgery. They just think nothing of making you go in on differnet days. Yes we need these thing done but we do have to work to keep insurance and try and figure out who can take off to get you to and from the appointment. Just feel they could try and be a little more concerned with the stress level we are feeling. The farth I get into this treatment the madder I get that this was missed each year on my mammo and physical. When they tell me it was building for 8+ years it should have been found. I have dense tissue so I hope the gal who had that now will demand on the MRI for their tests.

IDC, 2.5cm, 1 of 23 nodes +, ER+, PR-, her2-, bilat mast 12/25

jayananda · April 2007

Hi all. I've been away from the boards for a few days, but it looks like I'll be starting in May too. Things are a little iffy 'cause I have to get an axillary dissection (which we're trying to get scheduled for this Thursday--fingers crossed). Anyway, if that goes off, then the 1st chemo will 5/17.

I noticed that a couple of folks got ports...was there anyone that turned that "option" down? For some reason, the idea of that is really bothering me.

I think my chemo regimen with be TAC x 6, 3 weeks apart.

Need to go wig shopping this weekend. Definitely freaked out about that part.

Anyway, it helps to have company through all this, so I hope this thread keeps going...

cinrae123 · April 2007

Jay,,,,,,,,,I had my port put in a couple of weeks ago and it went fine. Absolutely no probs at all. Good luck to you. I am doing TCH weekly so opted to have the port as it makes it easier instead of ruining veins in the arms.
Cindy

nosurrender · April 2007

I start tomorrow.
Adriamycin.

I am looking forward to it. WHY? Because it kills the BEAST!

I know- who in hell would look forward to chemo??? Last time I did chemo it WORKED. It killed my tripneg ductal cancer and I hit the five year mark. This new primary is Lobular and ER+ so it is NOT that one coming back.

"They say" that tripneg is hard? Not with chemo. It responds very well to chemo. Mine did.

Only I went through THAT chemo thinking the oncologist was trying to kill ME instead of the cancer.

Not this time! We are a team and we are killing every last cell that may be lurking around.

So keep that in mind as you start.
IT IS GOING TO HELP YOU.

I already know I will lose my hair. I will take every drug they give me to keep my tummy reasonable and if I get sick I get sick. THe cancer will be sicker!

OK- wish me luck girls!

I will let you know what happens!

Love,g

Anonymous · April 2007

Good on ya g!!!

I feel the same way about starting chemo - this is a positive thing in my health - preventing the cancer from coming back and kicking the hell out of anything that may be left lurking. Even the side effects sound manageable!

Good luck tomorrow - let us know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you!

Alieire · April 2007

Checking in with my MAYjor buddies as I am trying to hold myself together for tomorrow. Woke up on my last pre-chemo day with a darn Ramones song in my head:

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go
I wanna be sedated

A big thank you to everyone for the warm welcome and encouraging words.

AmyaM

Quote:

Let's see - I burst into tears about once a day, but I think that's good, to get it all out.

What? Only once a day? I only wish I could get it all out. Crying is *exhausting*! But those tears just seem to have an infinite supply. Ive been so very drained, yet the waterworks still keep a-flowing.

Quote:

Mandy,
I did have a Mugga scan and it was no biggie..compared to other stuff I almost fell asleep on the table!! They just need a baseline to work from. I got your PM and responded
Cath

*blush* I actually DID fall asleep. (Hey, it was a long day, youre lying down in a cocoon in a dim roomthats my story and Im sticking with it.)

NoSurrender... I am a bit in awe of your fighting spirit. Ive been thinking about you today and hoping that there is some MAYjor butt-kicking going on. I had to laugh I noticed that you are also in N.Y. and was wondering where you were going for treatment. Your blog is inspiring, tho I must admit with my pre-chemo-brain I havent really done much more than skim. But one thing caught my eye:
"...On Tuesday I met with the "new" oncologist. I was to be meeting her in a "state of the art, Zen-like atmosphere" of a new cancer center- at least that is how the brochure described it. ..." I REALLY hope that the Monter Center is the only place which is using that phrase in its promotional material!! At first I thought that we almost really were chemo, er, bosom-buddies, but then noticed that you (like me) opted not to go the Zen-like route (even though it is only a few miles from my home).

So, all going to plan, I get to meet A and C tomorrow morning for the start of our DD relationship, and as I need to return for the Neulasta shot the following day anyway, the hope is that I will be able to work a full, or partial, day Friday as well, but that will all be played by ear.

A friend's words from describing her own cancer scare years ago really ring true for me - it wasn't "oh no, I have cancer" but "oh G-d, I have to go through cancer treatment!" My dx, and lumpectomies all happened so quickly I was so lucky, and think I was insulated for quite a while by the state of shock. But now, this is gonna suck. Big time. Mandy, you described it well. And for me, it'll be the transition into really *having* cancer, or becoming a cancer patient. Knowing there is/was cancer is scary and upsetting, but almost as though it was "all in my mind" since its actual impact on my life was just confined to being the knowledge of its existence. With chemo, now it'll really be real - looking, feeling, like someone with cancer, even though in reality it's the treatment not the disease which makes it that way to both myself and others.

I am SO not looking forward to this!

Anonymous · April 2007

Aliere,

Good luck tomorrow - I bet you'll soon be writing - you know what? This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! And if it is, well, we're all here for you and in this together!

I'm off to my 100th appointment this week - liver ultrasound and bone scan this morning and a dental filling this afternoon...gosh the fun never stops (grin)

Check in with us tomorrow!

g - hope today went well for you!

louloubell · April 2007

Hi everyone,

How are you all going? I have been thinking about nosurrender and Alieire starting their treatment, girls - check in when you can so that we know how you are going (and what we can expect)!!!.

I have had a suprisingly good week this week, counting down the days until my treatment starts (I have 28 more "chemo free" days that I am savouring). I am fine during the day, but at night I have been waking up having little panic attacks about the "unknown". Everything seems so much worse at night doesn't it?

I have an appointment on Monday to pick my wig out. I have always had very long straight hair, so I will probably go with something similar so that I feel as normal as possible. Don't laugh but I have been walking around the house with a swimming cap on so that my Fiancée gets used to my bald head (I have developed a very warped sense of humour since my diagnosis).

We are driving down to Melbourne (currently live in Sydney) in two weeks time for our last vacation to see our family who are all based in Melbourne, and to celebrate my 30th birthday. It is nice as I have something to look forward to instead of dreading the chemo all of the time, and attending a zillion appointments.

Jayananda - you are doing exactly the same treatment as me (TAC, once every three weeks for six cycles). It will be great to share this unexpected journey with you. We will get through this....we just need to take one day at a time. Are you having radiation therapy afterwards? I have got six weeks of it!

Well, my thoughts are with each of you - off now out to dinner with some friends who have flown up from Melbourne....

Lou

nosurrender · April 2007

OMG- Aliere, I WAS SINGING THE RAMONES THE DAY BEFORE TOO!!!
We are neighbors I think! And YES it was Monter I was referring to. CAN YOU SAY ICK!

Everything went FINE yesterday girls.

I was given Emmend to take that morning with two decacrons (steroids) and then they gave me a shot of Aloxi, another anti-emmetic/nausea thing. Then some ATIVAN...Gotta love the that. Then Big Red, Adriamycin, came and I took the tube gave it it's marching orders: Go in there, hit em low and hit em hard and kill every single G-D cancer cell you find!

I drank a two liter bottle of water while I was there which made getting rid of the chemicals in my kidneys and bladder a breeze. I had mashed potatoes for dinner. Nibbled on some crackers went to bed and slept ok.
This morning I took my second Emmend and decadrons and I have a pretty bad headache, but I get them normally so I am dealing with it.
Later I go in for a Nuelasta shot. I am more afraid of that! Visions of my mother pinning me against the Pediatricians floor so he could give me my booster shots.... my screams were legendary!

ONE DOWN and 11 to go!

Girls- YOU CAN DO THIS.

Good luck today Aliere!

Alieire · April 2007

lol, No Surrender - well now it's "twenty, twenty, twenty four hours AGO", but I still want to be sedated!

So girls, so far so good. I am actually at work, then heading back to get my Neulasta shot in two hours.

Sounds like NoSurrender and I had a very similar experience - Emend, Aloxi, Decadron, but boy, why couldn't they have given me that Ativan weeks ago? Hey, NoS, did you get to suck on a grape popsicle during the A as well? Kinda hard to take the chemo thing seriously while you've got a purple pop in your mouth as lethal drugs are being iv-ed.

Everything seemed to go very smoothly. Great, attentive staff really make a tremendous difference. Last night was pretty uneventful, tired, but relaxed, slept ok except for some very pushy cats who wanted to ensure that I'd have to say I woke up several times throughout the night. Have felt a bit gassy and hiccuppy this morning, but nothing else really (yet) except kinda a bit out of it - not sure if that's still from the Ativan. I feel weird, but hey, weird is quite ok in my book. Definitely the week prior to starting is a week from hell anticipating and stressing and fearing. I'm trying not to get anxious about effects developing over the next couple of days and almost enjoying feeling weird. But so far, so good.

Thanks everyone

maryimh · April 2007

Hi Lou and all the other ladies. You can add me to the list of May Cancer Butt-Kickers. My name's Mary and I live in the Chicagoland area. I'm 41 and I was diagnosed with BC February 5th. (the day after my Bears lost in the Super Bowl. What a terrible day for me!) I had a lumpectomy first but my margins weren't clear. Then I had a left breast masectomy with breast reconstruction on March 13th. I also had an SNB and one node was positive. Ive been healing well ever since. Today was my first chemo treatment. I was actually excited and in great spirits. I couldn't wait to begin. During this whole experience I've decided that the waiting is the worst. I recevied some anti-nausea drug in my port first, the some Atavan. I don't care for the atavan. I will be having the AC cocktail for 4 treaments every other week, then I get switched to Taxol.

One down 7 to go !!! And I'm so stoked about it !!! Now at least I feel that I'm DOING something and fighting back.

I got my wigs and now I don't like them. I think they look phony. Everyone I know and love knows that I had cancer and will be bald. I wont be fooling them, nor would I want to. And the rest of the world that doesn't know me? I could give a rats' a$$ what they think of me. I'm just thinking that I'm more of a hat and scarf kind of girl.

I promise I will try to be a frequent visitor to our board. I love sharing and receiving all the love and support from all you girls.

Oh yeah, someone in a previous post mentioned having that Ramones tune running thru her brain. That happened to me, but instead of Ramones I had Iggy Pop's Lust for Life. I had to download it just to get over my fix.

Take care everyone and have a great and healthy weekend.

lwy · April 2007

Hey everyone. Welcome to Mary! Mary, I live in chicago also. I'm like you, can't wait to get started. my first chemo is may 7th, counting down the days. I'm getting a port next week! hope everyone has a great weekend.
Leslie

maryimh · April 2007

Thanks for the shout-out Leslie. You and I will be "cocktailing" the same weeks then? You on Mondays and I'm on Fridays. That will be nice.

I love having the port. After seeing how many times they would have poked me today......glad it's there. No one prepared me, though, that I'd be very sore for a couple days after they put it in. For some reason I just thought I would breeze thru the whole thing, but I didn't. Now, everyone's different so you'll probably do just fine. They had to put mine on my surgical side because my anatomy on the non-surgical side didn't feel like cooperating. Plus I had a bad reaction to the anesthetic (first time that's happened to me. weird.) My new b00b area is still a little sore to begin with, and then they go and mess with that side again. It's probably just me.

We're supposed to have some great weather by us this weekend. Let's get out and enjoy it. Take care Leslie

QueenSansaStark · April 2007

Hi everyone! *pulls up chair* I start chemo in May, too - to be precise, Wednesday, May 2. Dose-dense AC/T.

By way of introduction - my name really is Crystal, and I love cats and am "mom" to two kitty girls. Hence my name. I was dx'd in February with Stage IIb, Grade 2, ER/PR+++ BC. Because of my age and stage I get chemo. Then comes the rads and Tamoxifen. I am going to kick cancer's bee-hind!

I'm in grad school full-time so I hope I don't have too many crap days!

Today I spent getting a haircut in preparation for the Great Follicular Exodus. I lost a foot of hair and what is left has purple highlights. I'm also stocking up on scarves and hats, and, Gina, thank you for the reminder to go out and get a wig - that's on my "to do" list for next week.

nosurrender · April 2007

Hi girls, we are pluggin along! I hope that us early starters are helping to ease your minds a bit. This is day three for me and i am more tired and have some bone pain from the Nuelasta shot. But all in all I am doing well.... much better than the cancer cells are! Neener neener nneeeener!

Hey! I didn't get any ice pops! I wanted to bring some but I couldn't find a cooler that would keep them frozen!

I went to see my wig today. They have my haircolor matched exactly and now are cutting it to my style.

Remember- you have to name your wig! My wig from five years ago was so gawd awful I named it Mrs. Doubtfire. THIS TIME? The new one is NATASHA.

Kickin cancer butt and takin names!

love,
g

Anonymous · April 2007

Hi everybody!

I am so glad to hear that Aliere and Nosurrender both did well with their treatments! I'm up in 3 days (start on May 1st).

This week has been full of appointments for me - liver, bone and heart scan, dentist appointments, hot stone massage (apparently the last one until around Christmas!) On Monday I go for bloodwork and an exam to make sure I am good to go for Tuesday.

Welcome to CrystalCat and Mary - this party is hoppin'!

Have a great weekend everyone!

chemo072 · April 2007

Hey Aliere and Nosurrender - congrats on making it through! Quick question - what did you eat for dinner after A/C? and the 2 days after? did things taste normal, did you have an appetite? I have to keep reminding myself that "side effects are not obligatory", some people sail through....

hoping you're doing well, and welcome to CrystalCat and Mary too!

I switched oncologists (not that I really like the new guy more, in fact he somewhat hilariously started the meeting by arguing something that was a moot point, but okay...but in the end I trusted him more, KWIM? Lots of details (too much to go into) added up....Like he had the whole picture and he'd have my back.)

So, I'm still up for May 3, 1 pm, the cocktail o' fun begins. My mom's coming, and I'm vastly relieved that she can.

Actually had a glass of wine tonight with friends for dinner, what the heck. Going to enjoy it while I can. Haven't had alcohol or sugar since I was diagnosed (and have lost 10 more pounds since then in 6 weeks - that's 10 lbs above and beyond the lost boob mind you), but who knows I might walk on the wild side and have something with real honest to goodness sugar in it....but if I'm going to blow it, just once, can't decide what I want more - icecream? strawberry-rhubarb pie? hmmmm....while it still tastes good...

and re: ativan - I used to take that all the time for having trouble sleeping - it's ok, not sure why the docs are touting it as the greatest thing ever. I've been raiding my SIL's xanax stash instead, much, much better in my book.

Best wishes to all - I want all the details, the good, the bad, the darkly funny, the gory, what have you. Tell it like it is, no sugar coating for me.

maryimh · April 2007

Nosurrender: OMG !!! Mrs. Doubtfire??? LMAO !!!
that's awesome.

cinrae123 · April 2007

Hey girls,,,,,,,,,,welcome to all the new gals starting chemo in May also.......And to the gals who started already,,,,,,,,,I am soooooooo glad things are going well.
Crystal? Where in Cali are you? Im in Southern Cali,,,,,Orange County.
I got my wig the other day,,,,,,,just kinda playing around with it off and on. I might have to go back to the place where I got it,,,,,cause to me it seems loose on my head. I tightened up in the spots on the back where you can tighten or losen it,,,,,but it just seems loose still. Should I invest in the tape stuff? My biggest fear,,,,I will be at a baseball game, someone will be trying to get out of their seat behind me, they accidently hit my head while trying to get out,,,,,,and off the damn thing goes........lol Other than that,,,,I, like some of you,,,,are trying to get all my stuff in a basket before May 7. Have a dental appt on Monday,,,,,,,,,,got my meds,,,,,and am ready to get this showwwwwwwww on the road. Have a great weekend all,,,,,,,,,,,
Cindy

katymom · April 2007

I was supposed to start in April but now it is May. In fact, I'll start on Thursday the 3rd with any luck..if all the infection that I've had for 3 weeks is clear....That is the day before I'll turn 50 so I'll celebrate turning 50 by starting this chemo..I'll be on Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin....so anyone out there with knowledge let me know....I love the spirit!

cinrae123 · April 2007

Hi Katy,,,,,,,,,,,,,you and I will be doing the exact same thing. I start on May 7,,,,but I am doing it weekly, every Monday. I chose to do it every week as I was encouraged by a gal in the office that was doing it every week and she was half way thru and hadn't lost any hair. I have this really bad thing about the possibility of losing my hair,,,,,so thought? What the heck,,,,,i'll give it a try. If I start losing my hair then I will switch over to every 3 weeks. No sense in continuing the every week thing if I lose my hair anyway. Kind of a bummer to celebrate your birthday doing chemo,,,,,but have to look at it this way........you will have many many more birthdays without chemo and a long life ahead to enjoy a ton of those birthdays. Good luck on Thurs,,,,,and keep us posted. OK?
Cindy

nosurrender · April 2007

Still hanging in there! The nuelasta shots make me have some bad pain but I am told this is not long lasting. I hope!

The best advice I can give anyone right now is take EVERYTHING! I took Emmend, Aloxi, Decadron, Compazine all like clock work. ALSO - remember to have Senekot and Colace in the house because all the anti-nausea drugs cause a traffic jam. Take them the night of your first infusion and you should be ok.
I also am eating dried apricots.

Bernadine · April 2007

Hi everyone,
I'm starting in may to, monday with the picline and then on tuesday or the next day my first chemo I'm scared but prepared and get over it. I was dx in feb.and had a mast.on march 9 never been sick in my life. So I can relate to you girls who are going this week. Good luck to everyone and I'll be visiting this site often to see how you all doing.

IDC,STAGE1,GRADE2,NODE-,ER/PR+,HER/2-,MARGIN CLEAR

Bernadine · April 2007

Hi May buddy's,
I finally got my call monday morning at 7am for blood test,7;30am pic-line, and a mugga test and to see the doctor and after having my first treatment finally.It was time to move on I was getting impatient not to know when.So to all of you who are like me for the month of may good luck and we are going to kick some butt cancer.

azwillow · April 2007

hi all, this is my first post - I'm starting chemo tomorrow A/C 4x, every three weeks, maybe two if I do OK with the white count and side effects. I decided to have my hair buzzed off - my hairdresser did it for free on Fri. AM. and my son and daughter-in-law had haircuts on Sat. that are really short, in solidarity. I look sort of Buddha-like and am getting used to my "new look". After the A/C, it's 6weeks of rads, then Taxol and Herceptin for a year. Also got a second opinion from a comp. cancer center onc. who agreed with the local onc. that made me feel good. have had lumpectomy, and all the scans; C/T, bone and PET. did I say I'm 70, and otherwise in great shape - looking for NED in the future!

Anonymous · April 2007

Hi everyone and welcome to the new club members. Well, I'm up to bat at 8am tomorrow morning! I have a bit of a cold but can go ahead and start anyways. Got all my appointments done last week, met with my onc. again today (a great meeting) and tonight went for a pasta dinner with my family and then I went for a super short haircut. It takes a little getting used to that's for sure, but what the hell - it's only hair!

I'm amazingly calm right now - had a little mini meltdown in the supermarket after I got my hair cut, though. The same song that was playing when my daugher was born came on the sound system ("Sunshine on my Shoulders" by John Denver) and I always get a little teary when I hear that song anyways. I just thought of the joy from that moment in my life and where I am right now and started to cry...luckily I managed to pull myself together as I sputtered down the soup aisle!

Just finished a cup of decaf and will be heading to bed. Good luck to Cindy (I think) who is also starting treatment tomorrow (and anyone else who I may have missed).

Wish us luck - I'll be in touch soon!

katymom · April 2007

It will be great to compare notes. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my chemo will go ahead as planned. Hopefully my white counts will stay put through the decadron. Are you taking decadron before your treatment? I take it the day before, the day of and the day after. Also on the day after I will get a shot of neulasta.....let's keep each other posted. Good luck on Monday!

Starting Chemo in May 07

Comments

Categories