Starting Chemo in May 07

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited May 2007
    Still having problems with my port today. Alot more pain that I would have expected on day six. Am still VERY limited as to how far I can turn my head either side, and if I lift anything very heavy, it hurts like all get out. The numbness in my hand is better, but my doctor switched me from Ibuprofen, 800 mg, every six hours, to Mobic once a day, and now I'm taking two extra strength Tylenol on top of the Mobic Anybody else have any experience with this thing hurting so long? I'm on day six.

    Gracie
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  • PAMLIGHT2
    PAMLIGHT2 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2007
    Let me rephrase after looking at my pathology report. The tumor was 1.1cm, and they did the sentinel node biopsy. Found 1 node clear and 1 node with 1 cancer cell which nobody seems too worried about. I was told that I could take chemo now and kill anything that might have escaped or I could do just radiation and take a chance that it hasn't spread. And the second opinion was 4 % , not 2%, on adjuvant online. Any thoughts??
    Pam
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  • ocinny414
    ocinny414 Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Hi ladies,
    I'm still doing well. My first treatment was Monday May 14th. My tiredness and nausea only lasted until Thursday. I've had a great week so far. I've worked full days at school and since tomorrow is the last day of school I'll be there for a full day again.
    I'm a special ed para so only work with a few kids and they are high school so not worried about all the little germs most kids carry around. There is one student, not even a sped kid (They all love me) that is driving me bonkers. She thinks its great fun to whisper to her friends and laugh about what is going on with me. I haven't figured out how to approach her yet, but the students that I work with that she talks to all think she is stupid for doing what she is doing. I know it is only one student but she has been a jerk all year long to the teachers and to me. It just drives me crazy that someone can be that heartless. She has two sisters and I work with one of them, they are the sweetest girls around. AAAHHHHH she just makes me want to slap her. LOL I'm glad the year is almost over.

    Gracie: I'd call the doc again, keep complaining until they do something. I have no problems with my port unless I bump my chest area where it is placed. Sometimes I feel a little poke deep in my chest but when I had my first treatment everything was fine.
    Good luck to everyone and there is a light at the end and day by day we are getting closer and closer,
    CindyKS
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  • lwy
    lwy Member Posts: 153
    edited May 2007
    CindyKS,
    that is horrible that a student would make fun of you for what is going on. The best way to get back at a high school girl is to call her out on what she is doing, in front of everyone. She will be so embarrassed and realize that she is being so insensitive. good luck. I admire people who work with special ed children, my mom is a retired special ed teacher, it takes a wonderfully patient person to work with them. You really make a difference in their lives!
    Leslie
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    CindyKS - go ahead and slap her...ooh was that my outside voice? :-) My guess (as you probably already know) is that this is more about her than it is about you and for some reason making you feel badly makes her feel better about herself. If I were you, that's probably how I'd approach her and if that didn't work - I'd slap her (LOL)!

    Jen - you just may not get major SE's! That is what I'm hoping for you - stay positive!

    I wore my bald head out today under a cool black cap and when I was at the grocery store, the cashier asked me if I was a limo driver! I said no, just a bald chemo patient! She said 'well you look great!'

    Also, in the same store, there was a little girl about 7 who noticed my lack of hair and kept staring at me. I kept shopping and could see in my peripheral vision that she was still watching me so I turned around and smiled at her. She just calmly waved to me. I don't know why but that was so touching to me! I am slowly getting used to this bald thing...and it's really not that bad - except that my head is COLD!! Doesn't help that the weather is cold here again! It was actually snowing a little this afternoon - it's late MAY for crying out loud!!

    Wishing everyone no SE's, good health and carefree thoughts!
    Mandy
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  • lwy
    lwy Member Posts: 153
    edited May 2007
    Mandy, where do you live that it is snowing in late may? I live in chicago and grew up in Wisconsin, and I don't think I remember ever getting snow in May!
    Leslie
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007

    Iwy, I live in Alberta Canada and July is the only month we have never had snow! Today it only snowed a tiny amount but it WAS cold enough to snow! The temp , I think go to 5 degrees Celcius! (I'm unsure of what that is in farenheit but it is TOO cold for this time of year!) My poor bedding plants!

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  • lnmshoes
    lnmshoes Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2007
    Hi all, 7 days since my first tx of DD A/C, I have made it 8 hours each day at work so far this week. by the last hour I am dragging but making it. Still get the slight queasiness once in a while throughout the day.
    I am planning on shaving my hair tomorrow night (have Friday off work) I figured it would give me the long weekend to get used to it before returning to work. I am so anxious/nervous but I feel this gives me some control.
    Mandy - thanks for your input on going bald - I feel exactly the same way. I am blonde and my boyfriend keeps asking me if I am going to get a red wig! I think he must have some fantacy of being with a redhead! I told him he will have to live with a bald blonde
    Pam - even though so far the A/C has not been too bad I don't know that I would go thru it if only given a 4% improvement... it is such a difficult decision.
    CindyKS - I can't believe that student, someday she will come face to face with something like this in her life and hopefully she will remember how she treated you.

    Blessings to all - especially those facing the first tx -
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  • ocinny414
    ocinny414 Member Posts: 123
    edited May 2007
    Just got home from my second job and I'm tired but felling good.
    Calling the girl out would do no good. She has an attitude with everyone so I've found that just ignoring her works the best. Those students that care about me and know what is going on with me are the only ones that matter. My son has a friend that works in the same store as the girl and she doesnt like her either so she is going to get back at her for me. Make her life H%## at work. I've got other friends that will go and make her life H%## as well. She works as a checker at a grocery store and its a small town. LOL I thought about going in there without my proth and going through her line. I'm a D cup so it is noticable. LOL just to see what she says. I'm not really a vendicitive person but just dont like rude people, if you want to know something about me just ask.
    Anyway I'm not letting it bother me anymore tomorrow is the last day of school. Thanks for all the good advice and for letting me vent a little.
    Have a good nite and good luck to those starting soon,
    CindyKS
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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2007
    This is my second time down the chemo path, and I'd decided that if the improvement was only 1 or 2 percent that I wouldn't do it. According to my onc, though, this will improve my odds by 5 to 10 percent. So here I go again.

    I get my port Thursday and start weekly carboplatin/taxol on Friday. I had dose-dense AC followed by Taxol last time. I'm triple negative so that reduces the number of weapons I have at my disposal, but chemo is super effective on triple-neg cancer.
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  • jenjen68
    jenjen68 Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2007
    Quote:

    Jen,
    Yes, first tx and scared sh#$less. Haven't slept much in a week. Trying to get all my ducks in a row, and my house in order. Just wishing to see the light at the end of a very long tunnle.
    Take care,
    Sherry



    Hi Sherry

    I know exactly what you mean. I've been scared for 2 months, every since I've found out that I would need chemo. I would recommend to get some ativan ahead of time. I took it right before chemo. I was pretty calm after that.
    Today on day 2 I still don't feel too much different, just a little tired but no nausea. I keep waiting for side effects. Oh yeah, and my puls it a little fast probably from the steroids.
    Hey, if I can do it (the world's biggest Hypochondriac), so can you!

    @Mandy
    Thanks you for the good wishes...I certainly hope so, too.

    All the best for you guys.
    Jen
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  • sylayne
    sylayne Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2007
    Pam,

    I would go ahead and try it and see how I reacted. If you take it as well as I am then any better chance to kill it all would be worth it. If you are absolutely miserable you can re-evaluate then, you know? I feel fine and any discomfort I've had (after the first night's headache from Hades) has been very minimal.

    Keep up the good fight, gals!

    Sheree in Florida
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  • sunshine123
    sunshine123 Member Posts: 31
    edited May 2007
    It's 8 days out from my first DD A/C treatment. The first 4-5 days were really crappy -- nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and some achiness from the Neulasta shot. Now I'm feeling back to myself, and I finally have an appetite. I'm hoping to enjoy the coming week before I get knocked on my butt again.

    Gracie -- My port ached for 2 weeks, and I had to sleep with 3 pillows under my head because it hurt to lie flat. I thought something was wrong because no one told me it would be that sore, but the ultrasound and x-rays showed that everything was okay. I took Percocet and Ibuprofen until it felt better. After about 2 weeks, the pain completely disappeared. I hope yours heals really soon!!!

    Hugs all around, everyone.
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited May 2007
    Hi girls,
    I had my third adriamycin yesterday.
    I was a bit more nauseous this time. I think it is a cumulative effect or something.
    I go in a few minutes to get my nuelasta.

    I have been wearing my wig but it is too hot for doing things in the garden so I bought a strip of hair from Headcovers.com and I can attach it to a scarf or the inside of a hat and it is much cooler.

    I had a bout with mouthsores last time. They cave me Glacier Pacs to swish around and they really helped.

    My port STILL hurts me so for you girls having problems with yours I think if they accidently attach it to a nerve then it will bug us for a while.

    I have one more Adria to go and then I start taxol and then after that cytoxin. You girls will probably be done before me!

    Hang on in there- it sucks but just think how bad the cancer cells are feeling!!

    Love,
    g
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  • lwy
    lwy Member Posts: 153
    edited May 2007
    Hey guys, I'm day #17 out from my first round of chemo with TCH, feeling pretty good today. energy level is lower than normal for me, but about the best I've been since starting chemo. Of course, just when I'm starting to feel like myself again, I'm due for chemo this coming tuesday! That's the way it goes right?
    Yesterday was a big day for me. I said bye bye to my hair. on monday it starting to fall out a bit but I was in denial. tuesday my head started to tingle and everytime I ran my hand through my hair, 20 or so hairs would fall out. My hardwood floor showed random hairs all over it so I couldn't deny it anymore. Finally went to hairdresser yesterday and asked him to shave it off and put my wig on. Still getting used to the wig. I bought a real hair wig with a lace front because I didn't want to have bangs but this real hair thing is a pain in the butt. I never spent anytime styling my old hair on a day to day basis, but I have to do something with the wig. I was so sick of adjusting it today that I wore the wig but also put a scarf over it today so I didn't have to style the hair! It kind of defeats the purpose of wearing a wig to put the scarf over it but oh well, who cares! Hope everyone is doing well.
    Leslie
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  • Bernadine
    Bernadine Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2007
    Hi girls
    Got my second chemo FEC tuesday and was sick til 12:30pm vomiting,CRAP,don't know why I'm sick like that my body doesn't want that crap probably.Next day I was tired and drowsy all day today crapy but can manage. Can't wait to be done with the pills that's what keeping me from doing my things but after tomorrow there done.
    We'll get through this with a good positive atittude
    ---------------
    IDC,3.2cm,ER/PR+,stage1,grade2,her/2-,margin clear
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  • sylayne
    sylayne Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2007
    Wow. I almost feel guilty for feeling so well. I told my doctor today you wouldn't even be able to tell I'm going through this if my poor ole head wasn't bare.

    I did way better after my second round of DD A/C - getting a little sleep helped tremendously! And keeping something in my stomach (I ate a little every couple of hours consistently) helped a lot too, I think. I only lost my lunch once so far this trip and it was more due to the heartburn than nausea. The only reason I'm posting this is so others can see that the second time is not neccesarily worse than the first time. And I'm fully expecting it to stay good and to get through this with minimal damage to me and the ultimate damage to cancer! And if I can do it, you all can too!

    I actually started looking for maybe a part time job again. I think I'll do that well. I lost my job last year for my involvement in Whistle Blowing against my former boss. He went to jail and I found cancer. Oh well - it all happens just the way it's supposed to happen!

    We can do this! Keep up the good fight, girls.

    Sheree "itchy head" in Florida
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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited May 2007
    I Did It, I Did It!!!
    I had my first FEC treatment today and I can't believe how much I stressed myself over it. The process itself was nothing. I didn't know if I was going to like my port or not because the darn thing hurt for soo long and still pinches me if I move the wrong way. I love the port. Didn't feel a thing except some cold when the epirubicin went in.
    I feel ok. A little bit of a headache and a little stomach flippy thing every once in a while. I feel a little tired, but was told that was normal from just the amount of benedryl alone. Add an ativan last night and one this morning and I guess I'm bound to be tired. I'm waiting for other side effects to kick in.
    Tomorrow I get hydration and neulesta shot. Hopefully that will go well. I still can't believe I'm really doing this. It feels so sureal.

    Jen, hope all is still well with you on day 2.:)

    Sunshine, I'm glad your feeling better. My port hurt at least for the first week and a half. Trying to find a comfortable position for sleeping was and still can be difficult.

    Nosurrender, How long did it take to get your order from headcovers.com, and did you get a confirmation e-mail? I ask because I placed an order a week ago and haven't heard anything.

    Sheree- never feel guilty here. It just goes to show us that each of our responses is diferent. You should rejoice in your good fortune. Sounds like an interesting story with your old boss and job. What do you do?

    Has anyone heard from louloubelle. I'm a bit worried. She was so keen at the beginning of this thread and got us all started here in the May group. I just wondered if anyone knew how she was doing.

    Anyway, Take care all. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
    Sherry
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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2007
    Sheree, I feel almost guilty too, for feeling pretty darn good! I'm at my mid-point, 7 days out, 7 days till my next (#2), and besides my gut feeling somewhat kicked, I have nothing to complain about.

    Does anyone know if the peeling skin is a constant through every round? No one told me I wouldn't be able to wear black all summer! I'm like an all-over dandruff factory! Maybe it's something that is bad for a few days and then mellows out until the next round? I use good lotion but it doesn't seem to make any difference - my body just wants to PEEL.

    I went out to lunch today and had a margarita which was a mistake! I work in the back office of a condo showroom and luckily we have some old display furniture in the back warehouse - I had to go lay down on the couch for 10 minutes to get my head back where it belonged! Geez. Cancer and chemo is one thing but messing with my ability to occasionally have a margie on a sunny lunch hour is almost against the laws of the universe!

    I get the oddest, sudden pains from the Neulasta, but at its very worst it is NOTHING compared to normal menstrual pain I've had over the years. I only say that in case anybody reading this is worried about that shot.

    I've got one more week of hair. It almost seems like it is changing texture and getting more straw-like by the day, but that could just be my imagination. I'm going to shave it on the 30th, the night before #2, and I know I will cry like a baby but I'd rather just be done with it than have it fall out in what I'm sure would be very attractive chunks. Ai yi yi.

    Hang in there everyone.

    Hugs,
    LeeAnne
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  • PDXLeeAnne
    PDXLeeAnne Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2007
    Yeah Sherry! See, not so bad!!! You did it! Drink lots of water and get lots of sleep and hang in there!

    LeeAnne
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  • louloubell
    louloubell Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone,

    Sorry that I have not posted lately (thanks for checking Sherry), things were just so busy getting ready for the chemo and everything. I have been regularly reading all of the posts to keep up to date.

    Well, Marc & I drove from Sydney to Melbourne two weeks ago to spend a week with our family and friends and to celebrate my 30th birthday which was great. We had such a fantastic time and tried to keep everything as "cancer free" as possible.

    I had my first session of chemo yesterday morning (TAC every three weeks for 5 cycles). It sounds bizarre, but we had a really good day. Marc came with me, and apart from the initial needle (I don't have a port) the whole process was great. They brought us cup-cakes for morning tea, and then sandwiches etc for lunch. We were there for about 3 1/2 hours, and we made some lovely friends in the process.

    When we got home Marc made me some homemade soup for dinner (gosh I am lucky), and then we had a quiet night at home. I made sure that I took all of the anti-nausea med's they have given me and touch wood - I am still feeling okay this morning. I had a little trouble sleeping because of the stupid decedron...but apart from that (and a little sore throat) I am feeling okay. Off to get my neulasta shot in a couple of hours.

    I hope that this isn't the calm before the storm...

    I am so glad that you are all going well, and I hope that those of you who are feeling unwell start to get better soon.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    Lou
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  • kimvidito
    kimvidito Member Posts: 105
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone
    I had my first fec tx on wednesday. The nausea was terrible but the worse was feeling like my skin was on fire for a few hours. Also my arm is sore from the port. They put it in on Tuesday and started my tx on Wednesday. The nurse said it would be tender because it was new. I guess I stayed in bed too much yesterday because I can't sleep. The fatigue is there but not bad. The nausea wasn't so bad yesterday except when I tried to eat a hearty soup for supper. That did a # on my stomach. I feel much better this morning. I will try to go to sleep now as it is 4 AM. Hope everyone is well out there. Nowing I was not alone helped through this
    My prayers are with you all
    Kim
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  • jenjen68
    jenjen68 Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2007
    @Sherry

    Just wondering how you're feeling on your second day?
    I'm feeling fine. Little tired, red, hot face...but other than that ;-)

    Jen
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  • NeoPat
    NeoPat Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2007
    Hi, everyone. I had my first dd AC dose on Wednesday (two days ago). I was really wiped out yesterday. Also had the red, hot face that has been mentioned.

    Today so far I feel very good. Maybe because I slept 10 hours last night and/or maybe because the compazine is out of my system. I'm only going to take another if I start feeling sick. Just ate some Cherrios with milk and so far so good.

    My mouth feels weird, so wonder if I am headed for mouth sores.

    My best wishes for a good day to you all.

    Pat
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone!

    Nice to hear from you Lou - I was thinking about you too - Happy 30th Birthday - glad it was a good day for you and also glad to hear that chemo (so far) seems to be going well for you. My anti-nausea meds work really well for me too. (so far, touch wood)

    NeoPat, my mouth felt weird too but so far, I have had no problems with mouth sores (again touching wood!) I make sure to rinse with Biotene a couple of times every day. I even bit my cheek and lip (three times!!) after my first tx and though "Oh great - here comes some mouth sores" but they healed (the bites) and all was well! My onc seemed really impressed by that and by the fact that I fought a cold during my NADIR period!

    Jen - glad to hear you're still feeling well...that's excellent! I too have this red, hot face thing (it's rather annoying) but today is the last of my Zofran and Decadron so I expect that to go away soon.

    Kim - hope you got some sleep after your 4am post! Hope you can handle the yummy soup too! Make sure you ask your doc about the skin on fire thing - that doesn't sound like a side effect I've heard about and certainly not one you should have to endure!

    Sherry - congrats on your first (not as scary as you thought and succesful) treatment!!!!!

    We actually have some sun here today and it looks like warm weather for the weekend!! Yahoo! I know it's a long weekend in the USA - so my American bc sisters, have a wonderul and relaxing weekend.

    Keep well everyone.
    Mandy
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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited May 2007
    Day 2 out of first treatment and, knock on wood, all is well. I've had a bit of a headache, and my stomach does a flip flop once in a while, but otherwise ok. I had such a terrible time with my pharmacy though, I'm going to have to switch to a new one.
    I have my neulesta shot tomorrow and had hydration today for 41/2 hours. Holy.
    I've got a bit of a dry mouth and am hoping to sleep tonight now that the decadron is out of my system.
    Pat-glad your doing well
    Jen-how are things today?
    Loulou-so glad you checked back in and things are well. Sounds like you've got yourself a great guy there.
    Mandy- please don't send the snow to Ontario!!!!

    To my US friends, have a great long weekend.
    Blessings,
    Sherry
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited May 2007
    Sherry,
    Headcovers took about a week to come and I got an email confirmation.
    I hope that helps!

    And for the gals with mouth sores or sore mouth, ask for a Glacier pak from your doc. They really work great!

    BUT if you just have one or two individual mouth sores and need immediate relief, take some Milk of Magnesia and a Q-Tip and dot on each sore like you were putting calamine lotion on a bug bite- it dries them right up!
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  • chemo072
    chemo072 Member Posts: 682
    edited May 2007
    Quote:


    And for the gals with mouth sores or sore mouth, ask for a Glacier pak from your doc. They really work great!

    BUT if you just have one or two individual mouth sores and need immediate relief, take some Milk of Magnesia and a Q-Tip and dot on each sore like you were putting calamine lotion on a bug bite- it dries them right up!



    Just wanted to say thank you for this timely post! This is day 10 of A/C #2, and I woke up this morning with a very sore tongue, and then my throat went and now my nose hurts inside. And my ears inside.....thank goodness my eyes seem to be ok. But without being too graphic, my other mucous membranes hurt too.....what the heck do I do?

    On the positive side, I did go for a short hike today along a river in the shady woods. Woohoo- it felt SO, SO good to move and breathe and sweat. I feel so much better, except now I can only eat soft foods....and I'm hungry. Ai yai yai. All soft food ideas welcome!
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  • cinrae123
    cinrae123 Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2007
    Hi ladies. This last week finished with my first round of chemo(every week lady here),,,,,,then on Tues had the neulast shot,,,,,,,,,,man o man,,,,,that put me under,,,,,,like I had the flu. Then today,,,,,,,I finally feel semi or rather half way with it,,,,,pretty much my normal self. But lo and behold,,,,,,,,,the great follicular fall out is happening anyways,,,,,,,,so much for the possibility of saving my hair and doing it every week. Goin on Tues for the herceptin only,,,and going to switch over to the every 3 week thing, Only reason I was doing the every week thing was the possibility of keeping my hair from falling out. O well. Have 5 more to go,,,,,,,and I just hope I can hang in there and finish this all. I so hate not feeling like myself. hate it, hate it, hate it. When I was doing it weekly I felt like crap half of the week,,,,,,,,,,now when I change over to the every 3 weeks,,,,,,will I have worse side effects and for longer? Any input from anyone on this I would appreciate it. Thanx,,,,,,,,,,,,
    I just cant wait to be done with this crap,,,,,,,,,cant tell you enough how much I hate this.
    Hope all is well with you girls,,,,,,,,,take care
    Cindy
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  • sunshine123
    sunshine123 Member Posts: 31
    edited May 2007
    Hi everyone. I hope your weekends are going okay. I'm feeling really well this weekend, almost like my old self. The only problem is that just when I started feeling better, all my friends left town to celebrate the holiday weekend. So now I'm left to entertain myself, which I'm not very good at.

    Anyway.

    Amya, I have had a sore mouth/tongue too since my last A/C treatment. I can't drink or eat hot things -- I have to let things cool to room temp before I can eat them. But I have to tell you -- tepid mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and grilled cheese sandwiches taste really good to me.

    Cindy--I never heard that doing chemo weekly could save your hair. That's really interesting. I don't know your exact regimen, but I'm doing dose dense A/C right now, which is every two weeks. I was wondering if you could do your chemo every two weeks as a compromise between one and three? I'm 11 days out from my last chemo and haven't lost any hair yet, but I have my bandanas and hats ready to go...

    Hugs, everyone.
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