Topic: CMF Question

Ritajean, yes I did have an onc visit today and it went GREAT!  This onc was so kind and compassionate.  He presented me with facts and percentages on each of the chemos and how they relate to my situation.  It made it so much easier for he and I to make a decision based on the facts and best outcome for ME.  I have decided not to see the additional onc and go with this one.  He really, really did care about me and even though I know that this will not be easy, I know that I'll get through it......thanks for thinking of me :)!  Thanks to all the great ladies on this thread, you made a really bad situation much better for me and I am very thankful to all of you for that. 

CabMom ... Just the news "we" we're looking for ... Onward my friend !!!!

Sure Cabmom....get that hair highlighted.  It's not going to hurt it at all and you're going to feel a lot better.

I'm so glad you have your plan and will soon be getting started.  It is quite doable and you should have very few side effects.   I would purchase some Biatene mouthwash and toothpaste to use everyday once you start your treatments until they are finished.  They will help keep away the mouth sores that are possible.  Also ask for ice chips to chew or suck on while you are getting your treatments.  They also help ward off the mouth sores.

CMF often causes constipation so you might want to get a good laxative to have on hand.  I used Senakot and it worked wonders but any good one should do the trick.

You will need to drink lots of fluids.  Water is the best but sometimes it gets to tasting pretty yucky after you've drank lots of it so Crystal Light can be used to give it a different taste.  I also found that lemon drops helped to soothe my stomach.

One of my friends had her first CMF infusion last Thursday.  She took her anti-nausea pills immediately before the symptoms started and has had no side effects at all.  Everyone is different but I think you'll be amazed at how doable this will be.

Rita

Hi All,

I have been absent for  a while, but I'm still reading all of your messages. Cabmom - good luck with your treatment. You made the right choice. I hope your side effects will be minimal (like mine.) Nausea seems to be the biggest problem, but as Rita said you can conquer that if you take your medications before you feel any, immediately when you get home from treatment, and then continue for a couple of days. I developed a schedule when I alternate between my 2 prescribed pills, taking one every 6 hours or so. And it works.

The hair treatment should be OK. It can't hurt, especially if you do it before starting treatment. Talking about hair - I started wearing a wig a week ago. Finally got up the courage to do so, after going around with shabby, scant hair for weeks. Probably lost more than 50% of it, and it was thin to start with. Wish I had done this earler - I'm getting nothing but compliments. I must say I never had such good looking hair in my life! Maybe I should continue to wear it after my hair grows back....

I have only two more treatments to go, last one will be at the end of November. Looking forward to it! Best wishe to all of you great women. Elisheva.

...I just gave a speech on breast cancer...

hi everyone...  hope ya'll have a great day!!

HUGS
xoxo

Harley

Cabmom....it's so normal to be nervous, hon.  We all were!  The actual infusion (treatment) is really nothing.  They will sit you in a reclining chair, insert an IV if you don't have a port, and you'll just be there for a couple of hours while they push in the chemicals and let them drip in.  I was so nervous that first time that I made myself sick before I ever got there and I was pleasantly surprised to see how painless and easy the actual treatment is.  Just remember to ask for ice chips while taking the treatment to ward offd mouth sores and to take your anti-nausea med BEFORE the nausea ever hits.  You will do just fine!

Cabmom: I think we were all terrified before the first treatment. But when it is over, you will see that it was easier than you thought. You can do this.

Mandy

Hey Rita,

Awww....you are so sweet!  I was really nervous!! 

My speech was at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, in N. Myrtle Beach.  The women's group had a luncheon meeting there.  I was volunteered by the woman who is in charge of the Myrtle Beach American Cancer Society.  She couldn't make it, so she asked me if I would be interested in going, and being the speaker. 

My speech was to be anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, and the first half of my speech was going over my breast cancer story, and I outlined some of the different emotions that we feel when we are going through this ordeal.  I didn't have enough time to really delve into the different types of breast cancer, or the different treatments that are available to us. 

The second half of my speech was an overview of the American Cancer Society and some of the programs that are available, to breast cancer survivors and to all cancer survivors.   I mentioned Reach to Recovery,  Relay for Life, and Look Good Feel Better.  I figured that it was kind of important to mention the FREE wigs, and other services that would be funded by their donation.  Maybe it would cause someone to give more money. 

The women there were very nice.  Who knows?  Maybe I will do another speech someday...

Hope you are all doing well.

Hugs

Harley

cabmom,

Mandy is right...  I was TERRIFIED, before my 1st tx...  but, you will be just fine, I know.  I'll be thinking about you on Wed.

Good Luck!   You CAN do it!!

HUGS

Harley

Thanks Harley44, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in how I'm feeling and that these feelings are normal.  I don't like feeling like such a chicken but in this case, I am.  You make me miss home....I'm from NC and love Myrtle Beach, we try to go there at least once a year.  It's just a really fun and quick trip for us from the mountains there.  Congratulations on your speech, I think that it's wonderful that you're able to do something like that and how you're helping all those people understand.  That is great!!!!!

elisheva, Thank you for the words of encouragement and I am really trying to remain calm.  I know I will just be thankful when tomorrow is over. 

Ladies, did anyone take any type of med's the night before they started chemo? Just curious because I thought that if I had to take TC, there was one med the doctor wanted me to take either the night before or a couple days prior....they didn't mention anything with CMF. 

Hope everyone is having a great day.....

Cabmom: I did not take anti nausea meds the night before.  I had emend and kytril and I took them about an hour before the chemo (if I remember correctly) and then again later in the day (but I may be remembering wrong).  So whether they give you a pill or whether it is in your IV, you will have enough time for it to take effect before you get the CMF.  Just when you get home, be sure to take the nausea meds as directed...do not wait for nausea to set in.  And one other tip, which golfer gave to me just about a year ago, take a stool softener or eat some stewed prunes tomorrow night.  All of those anti nause pills have the side effect of constipation. Thanks to golfter I did not have a problem with that!!  

I was able to walk around with the IV dripping so I could use the bathroom during the infusion if I wanted to.  Bring some sucking candies, some italian ices, a friend, and a good book.  I spent my whole time talking to my friend though I always had the book, just in case I needed it.

You will be fine. Don't worry! 

Ok Ladies.....THANK YOU!  I'm just going to keep repeating.....I THINK I CAN!  I THINK I CAN!  I'll let you guys know soon.....thanks again!

 ...just as an added se, while I was prepared for constipation, I had bought BOXES and BOXES of stool softeners, I had...  diarrhea after my 1st tx...  go figure..  I had to call my MIL and the next morning, she came over with some Immodium...     so just when you think you're prepared...  you realize that sometimes, you can't be prepared for EVERY possibility!  :D

... sending HUGS your way...

HARLEY