June 2007 Chemo

Bonnie, so nice to hear how your family is supporting you. My husband also shaved his head and is keeping it shaved for the duration. Actually, it doesn't look bad even though it is a very different look for him. When we go out, it totally takes the emphasis off me as everyone notices him and gives him a hard time which he loves.

I also have a hard time before going back to get a treatment. Not really anxiety, but it makes me kind of gaggy thinking about going. Once I am there I am alright, but I hate thinking about it ahead of time.

I guess we all just want to get through it. This morning, I finally realized how some women just have to stop chemo and can't get through it. I know I will make it through, but before this experience, I never understood how someone could make the decision to stop.

Take care all, Debbie

Susan, great news, I'm so happy for you!! Hopefully you'll be starting soon so the light at the end of the tunnel seems brighter. Good luck and let us know when your start date is.

Congratulations, Susan!! I don't know the whole story but benign is good!! I just went with a friend that had a biopsy last week to get her results. She was also benign but he said her cells were definitely precancerous and they will do a lumpectomy and put her on tamoxifen for 5 years. He said 20 years ago they would have just done a bilateral mastectomy! Thank God for the progress made with this disease.
Cyndi

I didn't buzz mine yet but plan to when it starts coming out. But I did cut it short and I love it. Tonight I went to my support group and they all loved it too. Also, my mother said it makes me look way younger. It feels so good I really can't imagine having it around my neck again but that could be cause it hit 112 degrees here today . My husband likes it too. I got a wig that is very similar to how my hair was (blond and layered past my shoulders) but I might buy a short red one tomorrow!
Cyndi

Well I go in an hour for my 2nd tx of AC..... hope he can give me better nausea drugs. I washed my really short hair this morning and guess what? Yup.... a drain full of it! Undecided if I should just go ahead and buzz it later or give it another day or so..... sigh..... decisions, decisions. I don't know what I'm waiting for, I know it's all coming out.
Well girls, hope you all have a good day! I'll post later after treatment!
Remember.... "BALD IS BEAUTIFUL"!!

Bonnie

Hi ladies,

I have my first treatment Friday, 7/6 (my Dad's birthday). I'm hoping I don't feel too terribly bad and can still do the weekend festivities. We have our annual petunia festival and my daughter is the Queen so we have many events and I'm chaperoning the girls at a few events.

I'm suppose to report right to chemo and this "fill-in" doctor will write my orders...he's not going to see me which is kind of weird but I guess order writing must be pretty standard. I'm sure glad they gave me that EMLA creme...when I went to have my port flushed due to the delay, that piercing was pretty intense!

Terry, I don't think losing my hair will bother me but I guess I won't really know until I see it. I'm having a really good hair today (which is unusual due to humidity) so on days like today, I think I'll miss it!

Cyndi,where on earth do you live that it will be 112 degrees?! Our max here in the Midwest is usually 100 but those days are not very frequent. I can't imagine 112!

Has anyone read Noon at Nordie's? It's about 4 young (in their 20's early 30's) women diagnosed with breast cancer. It was very good, even though I'm 41, I could still relate with all of them. I also read "Why I wore lipstick to my masectomy" and that was pretty good. I guess I just find comfort in reading breast cancer personal stories.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July,

Hugs!
Susan

Hugs,
Susan

Hi Everyone,

I've been having computer problems so I haven't been here in a while. Welcome to all the new June chemo sisters. Best wishes to all of you for a smooth sail.

Terry, so good to hear you are healing and starting treatment again. I was a little more tired my 2nd tx and am now on my third. I feel good today too, but this is day 2 and, like you, my days 3,4 and 5 have been my worst! I'm hoping for a little less nausea and no funny taste in my mouth.

Susan, good news too about your biopsies. Every little thing worries me now, I don't know what I'd do if I had to go through that again. Good luck with your treatments.

The hair thing was hard for me at first. Day 13 it started coming out when I pulled on it or combed it. I waited until the following Friday to get it shaved. Because that was the week of Tx 2, I wasn't feeling great and had a hard time dealing with the loss and what to wear to go out. But once my good days of feeling like myself returned, I grabbed my Adidas hat and went out with confidence. I have nicer hats for special occasions, some scarves I still can't tie very well, and a wig that is itchy and uncomfortable. But I think I'm over the loss. It just seems like the first time for everything is the worst and then we just suck it up and make the most of it. What else can we do? It helps to know that everyone else has a difficult time with it too, but finds ways to cope.

Thanks for all the posts. They are a great inspiration. I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July!

xoxo
kathleen

Hi, Bonnie:
How cute about your boys going bald! My 2nd TC is 7/16. Until then I have decided to do acupuncture 2x week to decrease side effects. Hope it works! Let us know how you are feeling.

Happy fourth to all of you!
Had my 2nd tx AC yesterday; he gave me Kytril (sp?) for the nausea this time and so far , so good! I have been able to eat a little and keep things down. I'm also still taking the Reglen and Decadron for 3 days post tx.
And my hair is still on the fast track to gone..... just haven't gotten the nerve up to get rid of it. I'm thinking I'll just buzz it really really close like my oldest did in his support of me, and take it from there. I am noticing that my scalp does hurt some. Tomorrow I go for my Neulesta shot.
Hope everyone feels well enough to celebrate a little today!

Bonnie

Kiddlegirl me too on the sore throat. I got one my second week after my first treatment and have had it ever since.
Not so bad I can't eat but enough to just be sore.
I have been gargling baking soda, salt and water and it helps a little bit but temporary.
I admire women who can work thru chemo but also we have to remember that we all react differently, some don't get as bad se's as others.
Good luck to you and hope you find something for that throat.

Had chemo #2 (AC) today after having only minimal side effects from #1 (hair loss, constipation, chemo brain, vaginal dryness and irritation, blurred vision and just lately a UTI with a fever treated with Leviquin. That sounds like a lot but all were manageable. I felt good for 2 1/2 of the three week interval. The good news is that the tumor has shrunk from 6cm to 4cm after just one dose. Just think what the other 3 doses might do. I tried to get the doctor to give me survival rates for 5 years post tx but he "couldn't say."

Stage III, DCIS, IDC, ILC and maybe IBC, Nuclear grade 3, Nodes, ER+ PR- HER2-

Hi all! Terry, talk about the weather being crummy! We have had nonstop rain and flooding here in North Texas since April, I think. It is just very weird for us to have rain and temps in the 70's in July. At least I don't feel like I'm missing much by not being outside. I take walks on the treadmill instead of with my dogs in the pasture.
I ran errands today (in the rain) and I am behind on drinking tons of tea, or water. I have 2nd tx tomorrow. My youngest daughter will go this time. She is such a great support. Despite what he says I know my husband is just not ready to experience the "infusion room". I won't be in any position to help him get through my treatment, either.
I hope all who are planning cross-country trips have a wonderful experience. Think about us when you are whizzing around and having a good time.
Shrink, that is great news about your tumor decreasing! Sounds like a big step on the road to total wellness.
I hope everyone is coming to terms with the hair issues. What choice is there anyway? Stay strong.
Linda

Hi, Girls! Hope you are all getting ready for a fabulous weekend.
Linda: I can totally relate to your husband and the infusion room. The first time I walked through it, I was a bit freaked out myself.
Go, Shrink, Go! (You picked the right nickname!)

Terry, when is your next dose? I am going on July 16. To tell you the truth, I feel outstanding. I had one ridiculously painful week, and now I feel great. I guess we’ll find out how good the acupuncture is really working after I get round 2.

Yes, Cy, what’s the scoop on Pinkstock?

Oh, Cyndi, you are brave to go on vacation on day 2! I will think good thoughts for you.

Debbie, how are you doing after your shot?

By the way, I still have hair. I can totally relate to Diana checking hers all the time! But ‘Day 17’ is July 18th. Nice – 3 days into my 2nd dose, right around when I’ll be sick…but Kathleen’s words encouraged me.

Hi all. Sorry I've not been here. TX #2 was as bad as the first, if not worse. I'm still nauseated, day six. Last time the nausea lasted about 10 1/2 days. I have no idea how long it will last this time. I hate to be a whiner, but man, I feel like you know what. I am having a really, really hard time getting water down. It just tastes so darned bad, that it makes me nauseas just thinking about it. Buzzed my head this week. Cried and cried over it. That really surprised me, because I thought I'd be ok with it. I think it's just a combination of everything. Maybe if I felt better it would have been easier, who knows. I'm still taking zofran, and ativan to help with the nausea, and I think I can take compazine, but it doesn't seem to help much.

Sorry I haven't taken time to do call outs to everyone, but I am reading the posts and keeping all of you in my prayers. Thanks for all of the concern about me during these treatements. You all are great.

Blessings,

Gracie