Starting chemo Dec 2007

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2007

    Laura, you look AMAZING ! Really, you do! In the final photo I am thinking sophisticated European Runway model. The mid-way shot is really a cute one, short and sassy; have you ever had your hair that length before? You may want to try it when it grows back ! My kids loved my short hairdo before the buzz, and want me to keep it on the OTHER side of chemo.... Good for you girlfriend, you did it, and it looks like you may have squeezed in a few laughs along the way !

    Hair question....I do not have much hair left at all ( day 7 after tx #2 TC). Once it is all gone, do I moisturize, and with what? Do I shampoo what little fuzz there is left? And of course wouldn't you know my scalp skin is splotchy...not too pretty.....I have to admit, I am excited to see how it comes back, color, wavey,etc....maybe I could start a betting pool with kids... No wigs so far for me. I just keep my hats and scull caps on. Tonight is my son's concert, so I will pull out the Santa hat again.

    Lori, I too MUST  have the t-shirt you mentioned. I love that! My brother got me the S2B t-shirt, and I love wearing that. Fighting this disease with laughter is a great way to go.

    I do find that I enjoy picking out big earings when I am going out of the house. Maybe I should ask dh for some really big diamond hoops for Christmas !

    My headaches are almost gone. I just keep up with the aleve and tylenol. Is there another medicince I should ask my onc about that may help me for next treatment? The headache I had day 2-5 was relentless....I'll do whatever it takes to avoid it next time. I told my dh to just give me drugs and put me in a zombie state until they subside. OMG....

    Sal, love the life lesson on bald is beautiful. I have to admit sometimes in the mirror it is quite shocking, I look like a 'sick person'  and I get that shot of reality that this is for real.....We'll get through this battle/war, All for one, and One for All !!

    A, yeah, I got the pseudo flu too. I believe it is both the neulasta and the chemo. It does go away for me by week #2. I just keep chugging the water and going for short walks. My dh tells me light exercise is good for the bone marrow production of blood cells. (dh is md) Now that the weather is frickin cold, I sit on recumbent bike for 20 and watch the travel channel. I hope you are feeling less flu symptoms today.

    Warm and Positive-vibe Hugs to you ladies. xo cindy

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  • DianeB
    DianeB Member Posts: 78
    edited December 2007

    Marie:

    I'm right there with you. I feel scared and want to cry too. This is not want I wanted in my life. I start chemo on December 27th, so I'm dreading Christmas. I will be doing TC x 4, so it is doable. I'm not looking forward to the fatigue though. How are you doing now? Is it better once you get started?

    DianeB

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Dagnabbit!  Of COURSE I'm supposed to &^%$! excercise. That is just so perfect. I thought I'd finally gotten to that one point in my life when nobody would tell me to exercise!! Can't a gal catch a break? Oh well, ok. But it's wicked-pissah (as we say) cold here, so there's no way I"m going out. I'll dance around the living room or something. And water--I actually forgot about that.

    I don't get a week 2, unfortunately, since I'm in weekly.  

    I wish I had a husband capable of drugging me into a coma...now that's a reason to marry a doctor!

    a 

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2007

    A, LIGHT exercise, not Denise Richards ! I consider folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher exercise these days!

    What is your treatment and schedule? I pray that you rally for your next treatment. Once a week, Yikes ! What a trooper you are!

    xo C

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Hey sorry, Cindy-- I didn't mean to yell! I hope you could discern my tongue in my cheek there. It's a little in-joke of mine that *some* people are always trying to get me to exercise (I'm terrible about it)...a week out of surgery, when I still needed help getting out of bed, I actually had a friend who runs marathons say "you know, it would be so great if this turned out to be the thing to really bring exercise into your life" (as in, physical therapy, walking, exercise)...ha! She meant entirely well, but it made me cranky anyway.

    So, ok, acTIVity. That I can try to do, and did today--I did errands and stuff! I don't feel great, but I managed to do things anyway, which is helping me a little with the panicked feeling I had. 

    My treatment is ONLY taxol and herceptin, weekly, x12. It's pretty much nothing compared to what most of you are getting! I didn't get any neulasta or anything. Maybe I shoulda. I really think I just have a bug.

    Anyway, thanks. It's good to know that moving around might help, and I really didn't mean to throw a tantrum about exercise. Laughing LOL.

    later--A 

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  • loriann
    loriann Member Posts: 139
    edited December 2007

    Hi all!

    Cindy, Here's what I heard about the head care.  Still shampoo and condition the scalp as it will stimulate blood flow and still good for the scalp.  Also use the same moisturizer on your head that you would use on your face...not body lotion.  Since I had such thick hair I am really enjoying the sensation my scalp gets when I wash it! 

    I really need to unfold the treadmill and walk a bit.  I had every intention of doing it by now...(note to self...do it today!)

    Diane....you hang in there!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that it goes easy for you!

    I found some cute hats today and think I may venture out without the wig on Thursday when hubby and I try to finish up the Christmas shopping.  Please tell me my husband is not the only one who waits until the last minute then feels bad because I know everything I'm getting (because I already bought it for him to wrap!).

    Hope everyone is feeling well and cozy!  Lori

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Oh, and, I think I remember reading somewhere that you should shampoo your balditude, gently.

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  • Determined1
    Determined1 Member Posts: 806
    edited December 2007

    Hey ladies,

    Checking in from January.  I've been asking about care and feeding of the balditude (Thanks, A!), too.  I was told to switch to a gentle (baby) shampoo when my head starts to tingle.  Then continue to wash with either baby shampoo or gentle (not deoderant) soap when I reach full Uncle Festerness.  Didn't know about moisturizing, but it makes sense--particularly in cold climes.

    I also have the S2B t-shirt, which is getting a workout.  I want one of those pink Susan Komen shirts, too, once I participate in my first walk post-dx (I have several white ones from past years when I walked just to be a good doobie.  Who knew?).

    Got 2 of my 3 anti-nausea meds (the third had to be ordered for me).  And actually talked out loud to my dh about visiting a wig store on the 26th instead of going to the mall to return everything.  I told him I wanted him to bring a camera so we could have some fun, but he reminded me that this is only going to be 6 months of my life.  I need to work him over a little so he'll take some pix.  It's 6 months I certainly won't forget!  We're all still dealing with a little denial here.  I'm probably better than others in my house as I have this site to help me get my head straight, but everyone else is coping more slowly.  I guess we'll all get there eventually.  Suggestions for helping the family cope are welcome.

    Okay, back over to January to see what havoc we're going to wreak on the new year!

    Thanks for pioneering, everyone.

    D1

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited December 2007

    Laura, two thumbs up!CoolWhoo Hooo you look fantastic, way to go. That must feel a whole lot lighter too. I don't think I'm gonna be near as worried as I thought I'ld be. Just buzz & be gone, I'm kinda liking that idea. Oh and for the record I'm 45.

    Lori, I'm dealing with the migraine issue as well. I normally struggle with it for a few days before and after my period but can zap it with zolmitriptan and not worry about it coming back. Ive been fighting this one since last Monday and it keeps coming back. Also almost feel a lot of mild flu symptoms; tired, achy bones, drippy nose, mild nausea and just icky in general. I'm sure the neupogen shots aren't helping the achy bone part of it.

    I tried to get my usual acupuncture done today but someone had lit some sort of incense candle and I had to b-line it out of the room before it made me throw up. So I guess smell is becoming a bit of an issue.

    Anyways, today was bookkeeper day, so now that that's behind me I can lighten up and try to start a bit of Christmas shopping (paperwork really is not my forte).

    Hugs to all.

    Love Suz

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  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2007

    You ladies had me in stiches with a bunch of your comments... gotta get me a t-shirt.

    And Amy... you REALLY had me laughing because I've always been one to whine about exercising. The only reason I take my cardio-kickboxing class (which is only 1 hour a week) is because a friend asked me to go with her, and although I know it is good for me I would gripe and groan about it every week without fail. If she ever stops going, I'm SO outta there. Exercise is evil!!!! And you're darn right.. it is WAAAAY too cold this winter to walk outside... figures we're getting a traditonal New England winter this year, eh?

    D1... I'm lucky that my husband was very supportive about the wig thing. He and I and another couple (my best friends) went to pick out my wig, and they took pictures with their cell phone. When I left the room with my girlfriend to look in larger mirrors, apparently the men had some fun with the wigs and we women were freakily surprised to find a couple additional photos in our email box later in the day. My husband looked quite petite and proper in the blonde bob that he selected... it went with his complexion nicely. (I'd post the pic here, but if he ever found out I would be SO dead) But it isn't necessarily an easy thing for everyone to joke about or worth all the fanfare (in their minds) of taking pictures, so I can see your husband's point of view. 6 months isn't forever (thank God!!). But it'll be an important 6 months, so you might as well try to keep positive about it, right? Good luck (and have fun!).

    I go in for my lab test today, just to check my white blood cell count. Hopefully it's ok so I can keep my scheduled next chemo treatment. How WRONG is that that we don't want treatments to get post-poned? What a freaky, screwed up world. Anyway, I'm feeling really great, although yesterday I had a couple of hours of tiredness... my eyes had trouble focusing... but it went away. Today I'm definitely feeling sluggish... like I just took some sleeping pills... I just wanna fall over and take a nap. As side effects go, it isn't bad (not painful or uncomfortable), so no complaints. I had so much I wanted to get done today (last minute shopping before I go to my appointments, and then to work), but we'll take it one chore at a time. Baby steps, baby steps (love the movie "What about Bob?")... pace yourself, Sally.

    Peace, ladies. *chuckle chuckle... gotta get me a t-shirt* 

    -Sally 

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  • KMK
    KMK Member Posts: 35
    edited December 2007

    Hi,

    I am beginning same treatment today. I would love to share how it is going with you and hear how you are doing.

    keep in touch,

    KMK

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  • suz45
    suz45 Member Posts: 796
    edited December 2007

    Well today was a pretty good day, I had the staples removed from my port incisions. The lower 5 at the actual port weren't bothering me too bad, but the two on the upper cut on my collar bone were starting to feel really raw and sore. I feel like a new woman now. I can turn my head and stretch my neck back (feel like snoopy doin da booty dance with my nose in the air) Big hugs and lots of cheer for all.

    Love Suz

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2007

    Hooray Suz, I have the visual of you doing the Snoopy Dance !! Woooo Hooooo to you, and feeling better without those friggin staples !

    Music please....." I can see clearly now, the chemo fog has gone",( well almost ).... and all those obstacles better get out of my way.

    Day #9 after TC treatment and I am on the upswing, thank goodness! I am sitting at my desk, winter rays of sun coming through the window and laying ever so gently on my baltitude ( love it  A!) It feels good ! I think this weekend is the winter solstice, and from there on, the days get longer, more sunlight, and we are on our way to spring ! Hallelujah !

    Picked up my daughter's Christmas gift yesterday at the jeweler, Ron,who is a friend and neighbor. I told him I needed some bling now that I am completely sporting the Uncle Fester look. He says " Cindy, I know JUST the earrings for you....."   OMG,These earrings were about the size of a bottle cap, one  LARGE center diamond encircled by more large diamonds. I try them on, look in the mirror, ....gorgeous, unbelieveable ! ( and I am NOT a jewelery person )  I then take off my knit cap, revealing my shiney Kojak head,look in the mirror, then look at Ron and say " Do I still look bald???"   We had such a laugh.  (No, I did not get the $10K earrings)

    I am sending positive hugs and love to you all ! xo Cindy

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  • Laurita60091
    Laurita60091 Member Posts: 140
    edited December 2007

    Welcome KMK!  We look forward to hearing how you are doing after your first tx.

    Ladies, thank you for your compliments on "my balditude".  You are all TOO kind!!  You always manage to crack me up with these little "buzz (pun?) words" and phrases.  I was chatting online with one of my coworkers yesterday and needed to go into the office later. I told him, "gotta run - need to wash my stubble and get ready to head downtown".  He cracked up.  The balditude feels great and the wigs are good, except the shorter one makes my head a bit itchy (I have very sensitive skin) so yesterday when I wore the longer one I put on a cap thingy underneath, it is sort of like a piece of fishnet hose with an elasticized edge and open at the other end.  Well, I guess this elastic, along with the elastic of the wig itself, is a bit tight, and by the time I was in the middle of a meeting yesterday I had to leave to go and take off the caplet.  It felt like my head was throbbing from lack of blood supply.  Weird!!!  Sally, your wig shopping sounds like a blast!  It's great that your husband and friends are helping you to make this more bearable.  I agree that not everyone can make light of the cancer issues in the same way.  I think my daughter was a bit creeped out by the balditude.  I haven't walked around bald, even in the house. 

    Anyway, I have no news.  I have felt great this week and so am taking advantage and working quite a bit and doing as many things as I can with my friends before the next poisoning.  I really feel for those of you who are being given some of the other chemo that causes migraines and bone pain.  Amy, once weekly!  Suz, you are a real trooper with the combination of poisons they have you on, and you and Cindy with the migraines!  yikes!  I have just FEC and apart from the first 4-5 days it has not been too bad.  I have bloodwork on Friday and next tx on Monday.  We'll see if I'm up to eating anything on Christmas day.  Sally, my chemo nurse told me the blood usually bottoms out days 7-10, this could explain your tiredness.  Hopefully this will pass in a day or two.  I found day 12-13 I felt most tired but it's much better now.

    Cindy, your enthusiasm jumps off the screen.  I am glad you're feeling better.  You're right - this weekend is the solstice and I am so excited - it is my favourite day of the entire winter season, knowing that each subsequent day will be a bit longer than the other.  Yeah!!!!!!! 

    Hugs and best wishes to all!

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2007

    Instead of the earrings, I just ordered one of these !!!!

    www.cafepress.com/buy/bald

    Hope this link on our site works. If not, do search on cafepress site for 'bald'. xo cld

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Which one did you get, Cindy? Those are awesome. I like the one that says, "I'm not bald, I just grew too tall for my hair." so, so, silly.

    Your story about the earrings made me laugh out loud, and read it to my sister.  

    Laurita, and Sally--so glad you're feeling better.  Me too, but tomorrow's number 2...blah. We have to travel Sunday,which includes a ferry ride, which usually makes me erpy...I may break out the meds for that ahead of time...

    Welcome, KMK--hope you're doing ok after your first treatment...!

    A 

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  • loriann
    loriann Member Posts: 139
    edited December 2007

    Hi all!

    Welcome KMK, sorry you had to join us but there are a bunch of awesome women here!  Keep is informed on your progress!!

    Suz, Glad to hear your port area is feeling better.  My stitches were on the inside with just the steri-strip tape on the outside.  I think I got pretty lucky with the port procedure.  Other than painful for the first 2 days it was just a little tender and really no problems to speak of.  It will get it's second workout tomorrow and not that it is not so tender it should be easy!

    Cindy, You found the exact site I was looking for!  Thanks for the link!  They have the "does this shirt make me look bald" shirt!  Gotta get an order in!  Sounds like you had fun trying on the earrings though!  Bet they were pretty!!

    Laurita, Glad you are feeling so well!  Hope Monday goes easy for you and that you can enjoy some yummies on Christmas day!  I know what you mean about the wig cap.  Mine is too tight to wear under the wig too!  Maybe that just means we have a bigger, better "baltitude"! LOL

    I have my second tx tomorrow and am hoping to avoid the headache I got last time.  I do think it was period related so I think I'll be good!  At least that is what I'm going to continue to tell myself.  Is anyone here doing dose dense?  How did your 2nd treatment side effects compare to the first?  I've heard it both ways...easier than the first time and worse than the first time due to less time between to bounce back.  I guess maybe it depends on the person.

    Have a great day all...we are really getting down to the wire for Christmas and I'm not quite done....finishing today for sure in case I feel "BLAH" this weekend.  Lori

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Lori, by dose dense, do you mean weekly? I'm doing that too. We can compare notes--my second is also tomorrow. I feel so mixed up about what to expect. I have to ask questions and take notes tomorrow BEFORE she gives me the benadryl!!

    good luck!

    A 

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  • KMK
    KMK Member Posts: 35
    edited December 2007

    Hi all,

    doing okay after my first TC. Staying away from kitchen where grandmother and sister-in-law are sauteing bacon and ham for this Lativian roll speciality. I think the decadron is hyping me up because I am restless and can't sleep at night.

    I think cld looks beautiful. Can anybody tell me how soon you lost hair after 1st TC treatment? I went to wig shop and went with a friend who went through treatment exactly last year who has beautiful shoulder lenght curly hair now and my mother. So they each liked one plus I wanted hat hair so now I have 3 and knowing me I'll end up wearing beanies or ball cap....So glad one session is down, next is Jan.9. My friend who I spoke of began dose dense of AC followed by T but could not keep up with it (every 2 weeks). She does not like to take any extra meds though - no anti-nausea or neulasta so she changed to 6 months of treatment (she was stage 2, 1 lymphnode)

    Talk to you all later, thanks for making me smile,

    KMK

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  • KMK
    KMK Member Posts: 35
    edited December 2007

    DianeB,

    It was hard going in, I was nervous and had not slept because of anxiety and decadron (perhaps ask what you can take to sleep) I cried a little giving blood - it was like here begins this unwanted journey but then got in and I asked for anti-nausea first (aloxi) and then they began Cytoxan and then the Taxotere very slowly because they wanted to see how I'd react-it took 5 hours. I brought in a DVD player and watched frivolous tv- a season of Gilmore girls (my husband says I was laughing out loud) and it was a great distraction. Also brought pillow, throw, and crackers and cheese and tons of my own water. So now keeping up with Amend and doing okay. Glad that tonight will be last decadron so hopefully will sleep better. I did ask for neulasta shot because I want to keep up my schedule so I can go to Italy with my daughter and mother for spring break! I look it is as now I am 25% done and will not worry so much about next treatment. One tip, get a small notebook for your meds and bring pad of paper for all your questions before and while you are there - I was completely brain dead treatment day. You will do fine.

    KMK

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  • clsd
    clsd Member Posts: 101
    edited December 2007

    Dear KMK,

    Love it, 25% done, you go girl! You and I have similar dx and tx. My scalp became very sore/sensitive day 10, by 14, big clumps falling out. Be strong fellow bc warrior, we are here fighting right next to you. DRINK those fluids, and consider things to stay ahead of constipation from TC ( prunes,colace,etc). I hope you will be se free !

    A, I ordered 'Does this shirt make me look bald?' too funny!

    Hugs, cld

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  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2007

    Welcome KMK and I've got my fingers crossed for ya!! My 1st tx was scary since I didn't know what to expect, but I'm looking forward to #2 since it means I'll only have 6 more to go... call me a "glass half-full" girl (and obviously my perception of "half" needs to be re-examined but oh well). You're one step closer to the end, that was my point!!!! (I get side-tracked so darn easily).

    Good luck with #2, Amy and Lori!! *Go Amy! Go Lori! Go Amy! Go Lori!* 

    Cindy, you are such a hoot. Thanks for the t-shirt link. My favorite funny one was "My bald head is cuter than your bad haircut."Laughing But I also loved the one at the bottom of page 3 showing a stick woman with biceps that said "I am stronger than cancer." Cool Darn tootin!! I am a stick woman (gotta work on the biceps) who's stronger than cancer. I went and ordered that one.

    I'm feeling a bit more energetic today. No offense to my onc nurse... she obviously has been around a gazillion patients and knows more about chemo than I'd ever want to know, and has been kind enough to me when doing that stuff, but she kinda has an attitude. One example is when she was explaining about fatigue hitting with the low white blood cell count, and I explained that I had read about a woman who recommended One-a-day's All-Day-Energy tablet to help with the fatigue and my onc doctor said it was ok if I tried it. She practically snickered in my face as she quickly said "Well that won't do any good." It kinda ticked me off. I thought "Way to be encouraging." (And there have been a couple other things she's said, but I digress)  Well, yesterday after I felt so sluggy I took one, and it might be coincidence but I perked up in a couple hours and made it through my 2 appointments, went out to eat, did some Christmas shopping, and then went to work for 5 hours. This morning, same thing... felt sluggy in the morning, took one of the tablets and I've been going gangbusters since. Granted, I might just be psychologically stubborn and trying to prove the nurse wrong; but evenso, so what-- if it works?!  I'll keep ya'll posted on if it continues to work as I near the weekend and day 10... save your money until then.

    So a money/food question just for chuckles... has anyone else wasted money on food that they either thought they were going to want, or food that they really did want but were then told they couldn't eat? Between getting rid of foods that I'll probably never eat again because I associate them with getting sick to my stomach, and the new diet restrictions (that I was unaware of until yesterday) based on my low wbc count (no raw veggies, no salads, no fresh fruit) I've been throwing or giving away a bunch of fresh food. What a pain! Tongue out  Can I write it off on my taxes??? Just kiddin.

    Stay strong, ladies. If I missed sending wishes to anyone who is doing chemo this week, my apologies and a big hug. Hang tough!

    -Sal 

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  • loriann
    loriann Member Posts: 139
    edited December 2007

    Amy, when I said "dose dense" I was refering to every 2 weeks.  Looks like we both go in tomorrow though, so I'll be thinking of you!  Hang tuff!!

    Sal, I know what you mean by the nurses remark.  I mean come on lady...we have BC...Humor us a little!! LOL  The mind is a very powerful thing....if the vitamin is working for you, keep it up!!

    I just wanted to drop in and say that after wearing the wig all day at work, then out to Target and Joann's, (about 9 hours) I had had enough.  I bought a cute bandana at Joann's, went to the car, pulled off the wig, put on the bandana and proceeded to Sam's Club.  It was a little scary at first and I called my survivor friend from the car and she told me that hardly anyone even pays attention and that the ones that do are people who have been affected by some type of cancer either personally or family member.....I think she was dead on!  No one glanced twice as far as I could tell....and I was waiting for it!  It felt great (though a little cold here in MI)!  Another hurdle jumped and cleared with room to spare!

    Headed out shopping again as soon as hubby gets home.  I hope (and am planning) to check in tomorrow after tx #2 and hope I can report that the headache is not an issue.  Have a great evening friends!  Lori

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  • bapnkat
    bapnkat Member Posts: 104
    edited December 2007

    Hey all, I start Chemo the day after Christmas.  I have my port put in the day after that.  I hope it will go ok

    Kate

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  • Laurita60091
    Laurita60091 Member Posts: 140
    edited December 2007

    Welcome, Kate!  Sorry you had to join us.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.  Lovely Christmas present, chemo.....best of luck with the port!

    I have no news, ladies.  You are cracking me up - Amy, defining our cue-ball look as "the balditude".  And Cindy is referring to us as the Sisters of the Balditude - lmao!  Today (day 19) my stubble is falling out, big-time.  I am so glad I shaved the hair off!

    KMK - what a wonderful thing to have to look forward to - your trip to Italy.  I think it's great to have something like that to look forward to, and to motivate you to continue slogging through everything.  I hope you're feeling ok.

    Sally, I'm sorry they have you off fresh food.  Not only is it a drag having to get rid of perfectly good food, but also to miss eating those things.  Will this continue through all your tx?

    Thoughts are with Amy and Lori today for their tx - good luck, ladies!  Amy, I hope you will be ok travelling on Sunday!

    Today I see my onc and do bloodwork, so will have my list of questions ready.  Other than that, just finishing up Christmas shopping etc.  With a treatment on the 24th (you and me, Sally!) it will be interesting to see if I can gag down any Christmas dinner.  It certainly won't be the usual excessive eating event.

    Hugs to all, and keep laughing!  I have to get my bald self back to work Tongue out

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  • DianeB
    DianeB Member Posts: 78
    edited December 2007

    KMK

    I'm glad it went well. I start on the 28th. I get the port in first, they'll watch me for a while then send me to oncology. It will be a long day. I kind of pushed for the port though. They were going to do a vein and put the port in later. I wasn't too excited about that.  How did you feel post treatment? Tired? Achy? Sick?

    DianeB

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  • KMK
    KMK Member Posts: 35
    edited December 2007

    Hi Diane,

    It is day 3 and I still feel fine (slower but fine)-though waiting for the shoe to drop. It is hard not knowing what to expect but the whole journey is like that, isn't it? Today is my last day on Amend and I am just eating lightly everytime I am hungry-kind of like when I was pregnant even eating at 5 am if my stomach is growling. I am walking my dog slowly in neighborhood twice a day. I would get port right off bat as well, I didn't and it went fine but they said see how it goes after 2nd and I am thinking I don't want to go through another procedure when I'd be half way done so we'll see.

    I am thinking of the 2 getting chemo today - I lift them up in prayer and pray for kind nurses and peace.

    KMK

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  • beasgirl
    beasgirl Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2007

    Hi all--

    KMK, "kind nurses and peace" was exactly what I got today--so you can can pray for me any old time.

    I'm finding that chemo day is the good one!--I've got all the steroids to make me peppy, nice people taking care of me, answers to all the questions I've been meaning to ask--and everyone is very solicitous, because it's my "day"! I can kinda see why they say the depression hits when you're all done--I'm afraid I'm getting terribly spoiled!

    Dianne, I found that doing the port on the same day as the chemo was a great idea, though it was long day--it was totally numb on the first day of chemo, and then it was pretty tender for about 4-5 days, but today (day 7), it was fine!  Good timing. She also offered me a shot of novocaine for it today, which I declined, and really didn't need...

    Rock on, Sisters of Balditude!

    A 

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  • loriann
    loriann Member Posts: 139
    edited December 2007

    Hi all! Hope you are all doing great! I had tx #2 today and am doing fine so far. A little tired if anything. An interesting development....my tx's are on Fridays so I would go in on Monday for my Neulasta shot..well since Monday is Christmas eve they are closed so I got to bring my shot home and get to give it to myself tomorrow! My nurse asked my if I could do it and I said I'm sure I can...(I can do anything! ) but she made me practice by giving myself a saline injection in the tummy! It was easy...but still glad I get to do Neulasta (1 time after each chemo) rather than the Neupogen which would be several days in a row after each chemo.

    OK, the hat/wig deal...I wore my wig to work on Friday then went to Borders, Target and Joann's (about 9 hours in wig at that point) and I had had enough. I bought 2 cute bandana's at Joann's, drove to Sam's Club, pulled off the wig and put on the bandana and proceeded into Sam's! IT WAS GREAT!! A little scary at first but honestly no one gave me a second glance! So, needless to say when I went to Walmart yesterday evening I wore a bandana and wore one of the cute hat's to chemo today! The wig looks great and I'm sure there will be times when I want to wear it but I think for the most part I'm a hat/bandana kind of girl! Exactly one week ago was when I shaved to hair off and I never would have thought then, that I would be feeling this way one week later! I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with myself!

    Amy, glad you are feeling good today too! 

    KMK, also glad you are feeling good at day 3!  I think day 4 was when my appetite kicked back in.  It was tough deciding what I wanted those first few days after treatment.  It seemed to be bananas and baked potatoes.

    Diane, warm thoughts and hugs for an easy treatment and port placement!  You can do it!

    Stay warm everyone and know you are all in my thoughts!  Lori

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  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited December 2007

    Unless my brain is malfunctioning (quite possible), it sounds as if those of you brave souls who had chemo the past few days are doing pretty darn well. I am so pleased for you all Laughing  We'll enjoy our little victories when we can get 'em, right?

    Those contemplating the port... if you do have several treatments and/or worry about needles/veins, I'd say go for it. I'm the wimp of the century... practically hyperventilate whenever someone has to draw blood or put in an IV. And granted it was another darned procedure (but the drugs were niiiiice). But I love my mediport! The nurse described the sensation of when she "plugs me in" as a pinch, but I wouldn't even say it feels like that... I hardly even feel a thing. And I haven't even used the EMLA cream yet (which numbs the area)! They use the port for both the treatments and the lab work. It really depends on your individual situation/needs, but that's my recommendation.

    Lori, you are so brave... giving yourself your shots. Just reading your test shot made me go "Holy crap, I could never do that!" You go girl! I went the less-brave route and called on 2 friends who are retired nurses. Provided my insurance gives the ok, they will give me my shots.

    I've run into some minor problems with mouth sores the past couple days. Not so bad that I can't eat or drink, but annoying. I'm constantly rinsing my mouth out, sucking on hard candy, etc. I'm assuming they started acting up due to my hitting the 7-10 day post-tx period of low white blood cell count (?), so am equally assuming that they will lessen after today (fingers crossed).

    That reminds me... meant to pass this on... I found this really good website which is specifically about chemotherapy. It breaks down each of the drugs, each of the side effects, etc etc. I've found it very helpful. It's the pet project of Scott Hamilton (the skater), and is a very user-friendly site. The URL is  www.chemocare.com

    *sigh* Well today is my balditude initiation. *fanfare music* My best friend and sister are going with me. Like Laura mentioned when she went through it, I think it will be harder for the ones that are with me than for myself. My best friend will be helpful, but my sister I'm worried about... she's really having a lot of trouble dealing with the whole cancer thing (family history issues), especially as she is the older sister. She was planning on bringing our 5-year old niece along to cheer me up... OMG! I said no way... if I'm laughing, great, but if I need to cry I want to feel free to cry and I don't need that poor little thing seeing her two aunties sobbing and get all scared. Geesh. I kinda wish my sister wasn't coming because I'll be more worried about how she is handling it than myself, but I know she needs to feel a part of what is going on. So wish me luck.

    I don't think I'm scared about the shaving part, but rather I am skinny and pale so know that I won't look as awesome as you other ladies... but I have 2 wigs and 2 cute hats all set and ready to go. And I'm taking heart from Lori's shopping experiences, so maybe my balditude look will be an aquired taste for me Cool  In any case, I'M READY!! BRING ON THE BALDITUDE!!!

    I'll check in later. Hugs ladies.

    -Sally, pre-balditude 

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