Anyone starting chemo in June 08

I'm bumping "my" list on Tips for Chemotherapy thread which is the one I try to update (and I think I have reorganized it since the one posted here; it includes tips on a chemo "jump" bag).

And heck, if you haven't been already, feel free to cruise us May 08 women's thread! 

I wish you all the best. 

Welcome all!  I popped over from the May 2008 group....a great thread to read if you want to see how we're all dealing with the first month in treatment.

On the port, it will get to the point where you barely notice it is there.  I was super lucky to have met with my Oncologist a day before my mastectomy, so he put in a rush order to the surgeon to put in my Port at the same time.  So it was in for a month before I started chemo.  Big hugs to all of you who have to access the port soon after install.  I can imagine that it is highly uncomfortable but it will be much better going forward, once the swelling has decreased.

Good luck to all of you.

Hi all;

i start my 1st round on june 10th. my port was placed on wednesday and i'm uncomfortable - i hope make many friends on this site, please pm me if you just feel like talking (writing). I'm off to get a pedicure before the big day, will get back to you soon.

I just wanted to comment on the shower curtain thing. I think they suggest getting a new one because the old one is probably moldy and full of bacteria which we are all supposed to stay away from. That is probably also why they are suggesting getting a new toothbrush.

You know everyone in your doctor's office by name

Your nurse asks you if you are a nurse

You realize that you love to work

Most of the mail you get is from the insurance company

You are not as quick to get mad at little things and forgive quicker

I started a new conversation "More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Going Through Chemo" to make it easier for people to find and to make it easier for me to edit! I'll try to remember to edit it to clarify why the toothbrush & the shower curtain liners aren't a bad idea (you got it! bacteria.  Mouths are particularly vulnerable to sores and infections, since a lot of chemos wipe out many of the cells.)

Go, Class of June 2008, go! This May 2008 classmate is rooting for you! 

TexasMon,

Great additions.  That's what's wonderful about this group ... been there done that.  I didn't start it, but I've read it many places ... there is no back to normal, we all have to build/find/invent our new 'normal.'  Who knows, I think my new normal might be one I like better.  It's certainly going to have more balance, as will, hopefully, my body.

PS. I think all the superwomen who work everyday through chemo should do it quietly so my husband's boss would quit getting so upset about him taking so much time off ... gheeech one morning every two weeks!?!  I start Monday and I'm not driving myself - I usually get very zonked by Benedryl.  She can lump it.  It's only because I'm so nice I haven't had the thought .. someday, lady, you may know more then you want to.. 1 in 8 ...

Rock.....thanks for thinking of all us Junies.............Ann......list.....rocks......nice.......weekend is here.......taking advatage of evey good day before treatment starts.......about to head out and join my girls that are doing the relay fro life tonight....ends tomorrow at 7 am....see you in the morning!

Jax

Namaste,

I loved "you know when you have breast cancer when.." That was very funny yet very true!!! It's great to have a good sense of humor! When your dead(sorry!) tired that's about all you have left!

Anyone,

Not to be personal, but since we all have the same things in common, are you married and how do you cope with sex during chemo. My experience was wierd. I won't go into detail, thank God, but my relationship with my husband seems very distant lately. Maybe it's just his way with coping. He likes to help out a lot but he seems to be busy every minute of the day. Anyone with similar thoughts?

Donalee

Make-Up Tips For All 

Hi my name is Karin. I usually hang out in Starting Chemo May 2008 and Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan? You can also find me in chat. Anyway looking through your post I haven't seen anyone mention "Look Good...Feel Better". It is a program by the American Cancer Society. You can find a program by you by going to: http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/program_finder/
Or by calling 1-800-395-LOOK

I went to one a couple of weeks ago and had a great time. You get a make up bag full of goodies including a lot of expensive name brands. They teach you make up tricks, wig and scarf tying tips. If you haven't been to one yet you need to go, you'll have a great night out. Oh almost forgot to mention, it's FREE. I came home with over a hundred dollars worth of make up in my bag. Now if I could only find my lid hiding under the rest of my droopy eye to line it, lol.

If you use a magnifying mirror to put on make-up you might want to bring your own. They didn't have any, just regular mirrors so I couldn't see to put on make up. Time wasn't wasted though; I was the one the make-up artist demonstrated on. Must say I DID look good that night.

Karin

Hi all,

Had my first tx (4 AC) on Thursday, and went directly to a "look good, feel bettter" workshop after (offered at my treatment centre that day  conicidentally).  Port insertion went well, the staff was great (tho understaffed), but started feeling nausea during the workshop despite all the pre-chemo naseau meds (Dex, Ond, and Emend).  Also began to feel dizzy and had to leave the room and lie down in the lounge.  It passed quickly and then I took some Prochlor.  Luckily my sister drove me so on the way home we drove with the window open and my seat down and gradually I felt better.  So far that has been the worst of it.  Yesterday I felt pretty good, excpet that I took a four hour nap midday.  But then I had enough energy for a walk in the evening, which was wonderful.  Today has been unremarkable so far.  Some dry mouth, but food still tastes normal.

How are the rest of you week 1 girls doing?

Lots of love to all those starting this coming week.  

P.S.  The workshop was as good as others have said.  Good tips for eyeliner (dot it instead of trying to draw a line, then blend it), but if you are a no or low makeup user like me, you may have to push  for tips on things that the presenter thinks are obvious).  Wonderful stash of high end makeup to take home. 

Bonnie02 - Glad to hear you are feeling better! I've done some salt water rinses that seemed to help a bit.  Also, I'm brushing my teeth with that biotene toothpaste which is very gentle. Drinking through a straw at times.

KKing -  Good to get the fresh air, isn't it.  I think the timing of the meds was my problem too.  I didn't take mine until I got to chemo, but the next time I think I will take some of them before I leave the house. 

Today i go off all my meds except the prochlor, so I have my fingers x'd.

My oncology nurse told me that herceptin is easy by itself with very few side affects but I have no first hand knowledge because I have only had one chemo session. She said that my hair will grow back when I start herceptin only treatments.

Starting tomorrow - Monday.  You know how everyone tells us to take care of ourselves and ask for help .... I did.  The sweat was dripping into my wounds and stinging; my arm was sticking to my sides; my drainage bags stuck to everything ... Went on Priceline and booked us for an early check-in;late check-out at an empty downtown businessmen's hotel.  All we did was sleep, read in COLD.  Oh and oe more thing we did, Donalee - cool king-sized hotel bed worked!  I also think it helped that we playfully 'practiced' before surgery ... tried different postions, no boobs rules.  Some of the best sex we ever had so we have fond memories to re-explore now. 

Not there yet, but I also stocked hydrogen peroxide for my mouth.  I remember ancient history when that was the only thing that helped my mouth.  Tell your nurses and Onc too - it's amazing the helpful things they know that only come up when one asks.

Continued best luck to us all ... I'll update the Junie list on Tuesday so everyone get your additions and corrections in.