I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

I lived in Raleigh once, beautiful countryside but I remember the ice storms well!
Good luck tomorrow!
Vickie

Hi all.
Feeling better after 2nd treatment than I did after 1st, just queezy first day, yay. Had my son shave my head, I'm getting use to it, just alot more face to wash.

Climbergirl, so glad your doing well, and that Feel Good class sounds like something I would like to check into.
Abbi, good luck Thrs.
Donna, glad your first treatment went well.
Gr8DazeAhead, Good luck today.
Gshoemate, Have you shaved your head yet?

Good luck to all July Chemo Girls.
Pat

Hi Everyone!
I'm having to catch up here. I'm a week out from chemo #1. I still feel great! It feels so good to have this board to know that we are not alone in this thing! I feel so good that yes, I cannot believe that it's working. I guess when the hair falls out, I'll believe! Thank you to everyone for all their great advice. I wish we all lived in the same area and could get together. One day, perhaps?
Take care!

Hi everyone,
I finally got my port put in today. I was awake for the whole thing. It wasn't too bad. I'm a bit sore now, but managing it with Tylenol.
Vickie, I am starting on July 23, same regimen, although I am not sure about the radiation. I am hoping to escape it because I didn't have lymph nodes involved. Staying hydrated will be my biggest challenge. I managed when I was pregnant, though, so I'll get my 2 daily qts in. I plan on walking for my exercise. There is a nice lake within walking distance and maybe I can get my family or neighbor to walk with me. I also plan on extra protein and less sweets.
All you other July Chemo girls - you all seem to be doing well, and it helps me keep a positive outlook. Good luck Abbi and Gr8Daze.
Karen

Gshoemate, did you take Claritin before and during and after the Neulasta shot? It really helped me. I'll defintely have that shot again. They also recommended Motrin and Aleve.
Wow, Vickie, she did not lose any hair? Wow! There is more hope!
Karen, yes, I must do radiation too. The strides in advancement are great in this area, too. I hear it's a cakewalk after chemo.
Did anyone see the article in today's paper about the study on eating fruits and vegies and BC? Apparently, eating excessive amounts over and above the recommendation by the gov't won't help us. That doesn't matter...I say eat them as long as they are mostly organic. They can't do you wrong. Seems that exercise and weight control are more important.
Well, off to beddy-by.
Take care!
~Barb

Hey gals,
Thanks for the support yesterday. I got through it fine and am home, wandering around like I don't know what to do. I will walk tonight when it is cooler. All I have had to eat is, well, my pills, and lots of water and a V8. I need to eat something a little more substantial but nothing sounds good. My level of nausea is present but pretty low. I don't think it is even nausea but more fuzzy. Anyway, 1 down and 3 to go.

Tina,
There is a lot of great advice in this discussion so go ahead and read the whole stream. You will pick up a lot of tips, opinions, and fellowship. Then, if you have specific question (and you will) just ask. There are many helpful and supportive gals here to help. I just had my first chemo treatment yesterday so I still don't know much about the journey but I am happy to help with the part of the journey I have traveled.
-Laura

I agree water is huge. I'm also drinking Gatorade. Orange is my personal favorite. Gshoemate, sorry to hear you are not feeling so good! Yikes, the effects really are cumulative I guess...
Vickie, here is what I think about exercise: Do whatever you can manage, even if it is only a little bit. I think we can overwhelm ourselves if we think that excercise must be an hour of this or that intensive thing, so then we do nothing. But what if you just got out there for 10 minutes and see how it goes? Walking is excellent. I got out last night with my husband and our 2 dogs and it really improved my mood and my energy. This weekend I hope to run again, although I have a feeling it will be a run/walk combination.......

OK and I am amazed to hear about the woman who didn't lose her hair on AC. My onc told me everybody loses their hair on it! A tiny thread of hair hope lives....
Donna

savanah,
Pay attention to mouth sores. My doc gave me a "magic Mouthwash" made just for chemo patients. She said NOT to use over the counter mouthwashes because they are harsh with alcohol and other things. She also said to gargle with warm salt water 6 times a day. Good mouth care is important right now. I hope this helps.
-Laura

Thanks for the info. I just spoke to the doctor and she said since I am only on day 7 that the chance that my white cell count is low is very slim, does not usually happen unti;l day 10-14. Another fun thing to look forward to. Back to the sofa and relaxing.

Vicki,
It is Duke's "special" mouthwash and contains the following:
Diphenhydramine HCL 2.3 mg
Nystatin 13,200 units
Hydrocortosone .25 mg
1 tbs 4 X a day

To All,
I sure am feeling better tonight (one day after 1st treatment) than last night. I had a friend tell me to set my alarm that first night for every two hours so I could empty my bladder and drink more water. Her doctor did not want the chemo chems sitting in her bladder all night. Made sense so I did it. It was not hard to do and, thanks to the drugs, I always fell right back to sleep.
From what I gather from Y'alls experiences, I can count on a low point in a few days. I guess I better get my laundry done now! (How sad that I can't think of something more fulfilling to do with my energy. I will have to work on that!)
-Laura

Hi All,
It has been 11 days since my first treatment. Other than a rotten taste in my mouth, I feel great. I have energy and stamina, once again. I am having trouble with low white count and platelets. I need to have my port checked because they are unable to draw blood from it, but they cannot do it until my platelets are at 100 (Wed. they were 77. But I feel GREAT!
Next tx is scheduled for the 30th, so I have a week that hopefully be a good one.

My Oncology Office, has two counselors. I attended a women's support group on Tuesday night. It was awsomely inspiring. There were women there with all different types of cancer, some cancer free for years, and some currently in treatment. We had so much fun and some people cried and it was a tremendous experience. They even supplied a nice dinner and dessert. I love my oncology office. Hope you all are doing well, rose

Well, Tina. Those are all good questions for your Doctors. I was told if my nodes were clear, there would be no chemo needed (I had 4 micro cells in the first node...grrrr...) I was also told that "stage 2" means node positive. I'd give a call to your Dr.

I did my second treatment yesterday. Pucked my guts out yesterday afternoon and have felt pretty good ever since. The compazine (sp) makes me pretty out of it, so I've been sleeping alot. But my family is really good about me taking care of me.

I'm halfway through A/C!

Day 12 here, after first tx. I feel wonderful. Can eat just about anything, although a bad taste in mouth comes and goes.

Hydration, hydration, hydration...that is such a vital key. Went back for second blood count and the white count is rising and platelets are up to 77(need to be 100 before I can hve a dye test on my port, as they are unable to do blood draws through it.

The first few days I found that eating small amounts very often helped tremendously. I did experience a little abdominal cramping, but small amounts really minimized it.

But now I plan on enjoying my good week(due for tx#2 in July 30th.) I honestly feel better and have more energy than I did before my surgery. I just got back from blueberry picking with much energy to spare. I know it can get worse with each successive tx., but I remain HOPEFUL!!!!

The other day I started preparing for baldness. I got a very short, punky haircut and even dyed it a funky reddish blone. I know it's a waste for only a week or two, but I feel fantastic. I plan on letting my kids help shave my head when it starts comming out. Until then I have a fun haircut and I feel great about.

I won't be doing wigs, so I have assembled a great collectin of slik scarves and wigs. Many of my friends have been giving me their favorite scarves to use. My hair stylist told me I have a great shaped head for a bald cut!! I look at this whole thing as an adventure, one I'd rather not be on, but one I try to have some fun with.

When I left my hair salon, my stylist gave me a big hug and kiss, and we both got teary eyed. He told me that I'd be back in no time. Hope everyone else recently starting tx is ok!!! Seize the Day....rose

Hey all you other July Gals,
I am 3 days past first treatment. I am doing fine except that I wake up a lot at night. I have Ativan but have been resisting taking it. ADVICE ON SLEEPING? I am not having any stomach problems.

Rose, I too am having fun with a new punk doo. My 11 year old and I went hat and scarf shopping and I decided to get one wig just to have. My daughter made the event a blast. We tried on every wig in the place and all the other ladies really got in the mood, too. We were all playing with my kiddo and we all started getting really playful with the process. It was fun!

So, if I can sleep better, I will be in good shape. Advice anyone?

Another thing I need advice about: I am trying to get a "chemo calendar" together so I can see when my low days are likely to be, when I am most susceptible to getting sick, when my hair will fall out, and when that 6 weeks of rads will fall after my chemo is done. I know my doc is the one to ask but she is not my happy place right now (I know I need to fix this) so I am wondering if you have a website tip or anything. It is 5 a.m. so I hope this is coherent.

Karen -
Wish you luck today!