Topic: February 2012 Chemo

Feb 13, 2012 12:49 PM mthrdee wrote:

Let me preface this to say that I am not a pink person, not because its not pretty but I don't think it is my color.  I am more an orange and purple person.  However I get the whole pink thing and how in my pre-cancer days when I saw pink it did make me think of cancer.  However I have not felt the need to go out and buy pink nor have I rec'd alot of pink stuff.  I have rec'd a great coffee mug that states....cancer ain't for sissies and it is in camoflogue (bad speller LOL) colors.  

Ok, drum roll please.....I did however this weekend fall in love with PINK!!!!!  I have this terrific group of 8 girls on my block that I have been friends with since I moved here 10 years ago.  We have lots of fun, and do all the usual girls stuff whenever we can.   This past Saturday I was invited to one of the girls houses in the evening to see the video from her son's wedding last year.  I was exhausted, had been working almost 60 hours over the previous 7 days to roll-out a work project and had to work again on Sunday.  But I figured I would stop over for an hour or so and then cut out early to sleep.  Can I just preface the rest of this by saying, I put on no make-up, barely ran a brush thru my hair and ran over to her house in sweats and an old t-shirt.  We are that great a bunch of friends that this is normal acceptable behavior LOL.

Open the door, walk in and notice that everthing is pink......pink tablecloths, pink balloons, everyone is wearing pink, and all the husbands are there too (wearing pink).  I am now completely puzzled as I stand in front of this gigantic pink and white flower arrangement and say out loud...SHIT, I didn't know it was a valentines party?!?!?  Immediately they are all laughing and saying ...No Its Your Pink Party.  

These wonderful, amazing, caring friends had planned a party for me so I would know how much they loved me before I started my chemo.  It was the most perfect thing they could have done for me.  There were packages with all kinds of items for my chemo bag, amazon gift certs for my kindle, lotions with and without smells and scarves and hats galore.  

So while I don't know if PINK will ever be my color of choice, I do know that for me, everytime I see pink from now on, it will remind me about this truly amazing group of girlfriends I have!!  

Feb 13, 2012 01:44 PM, edited Feb 13, 2012 03:05 PM by Myleftboob

Sorry Edited for Name (Doh!) Mthrdee

That was a really nice thing for your friends to have done for you.  I guess pink's not so bad after all. ;)

Feb 13, 2012 02:04 PM FLDREAMER wrote:

mthrdee:   Tears of joy as I read about your pink party.  I'm envious.  All my friends live out of my area so my only contact is via phone.  I'm so happy for you.  That would definitely change my opinion of pink as well!   

Feb 13, 2012 03:01 PM ymac16 wrote:

Good to hear lumpynme! Hope your coming days go OK.

And yes mrthdee, that is a great reason to love pink - what wonderful friends you have to do that for you!

Feb 13, 2012 04:44 PM christina0001 wrote:

Had my first chemo treatment today. It was snowing and we had to go slow, but still got there on time. They ended up with a lot of cancellations though.

I did not like the room I was in very well, they have everyone in recliners in a half-circle. I could have been in a chair with a curtain to pull around it, but no one else had their curtain pulled, and we chose chairs off to the side so we could see out the enormous glass wall instead of having our backs to it. I liked looking out the window. I tried to not look at other people too much. Everyone looked depressed and/or tired and many people just slept.

As soon as I sat in the recliner I started to cry. I felt so scared and so bad. The nurses were so nice and one gave me a hug. Poor DH looked like he might cry too. My onc sat with us for a while and answered questions. He gave me an rx for Ativan at home and also had them put some in my IV (which helped IMMENSELY). I made a joke about drinking but he said he feels drinking is fine, just not more than two a day!!! I was like, OMG! I normally might drink 2-3x a MONTH. But that's good to know, in case we go out somewhere. 

Accessing the port didn't really hurt, just a quick pinch. They encouraged me to layer on the Emla cream thicker next time. I didn't feel much of anything during all the bags of stuff they gave me.

We spent our time playing card games. I made a few phone calls. We brought our laptap and took advantage of the free WiFi. They provided me with a free lunch; DH's lunch was $5.

Things went smoothly and we were out of there by mid-afternoon. Other than feeling tired (which could be from stress or the Ativan as well as the chemo), I feel normal. I just drank a cup of hot tea and ate some saltines, and everything tasted the same. I feel paranoid, wondering what I am going to feel and when. But my onc assured me that my regime (TCH) is pretty mild compared to a lot of other treatments, and he is confident I'll feel fine.

Wednesday I go for my neulesta shot, and I go for herceptin the next two Mondays. The Monday after that, we start all over again.

Feb 13, 2012 07:46 PM Myleftboob wrote:

christina0001

I'm happy it went well (as well as it could), you made me choke up though. Glad the Ativian helped too.

lumpynme

Same to you as well.  I had a sympathy nap after I read your post LOL!

I was eagerly awaiting both of you posting to see how it went.  Feeling a little less freaked out now.

ali68

Personally I'll be doing Taxotere/Procytox (I think its the same as Cycotox) x 4, then Herceptin

Moonflwr912

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts!!  Picked up a few hats/beanies and a scarf today, kind of surreal trying them on when I got home though. Need to get over it.

Feb 13, 2012 08:11 PM christina0001 wrote:

msphil - thanks for the positive post - that is awesome to hear from an EIGHTEEN YEAR survivor!!!

I am on TCH. I'm a little nervous about the neulestra shot Wednesday (sounds like it makes a lot of people achey). Also worried about taking the steroids tomorrow and if I will get all swollen and gross.

I thought the ham we ate for dinner tonight tasted a little different, but DH said he thinks it's just because it was a different brand. who knows...not a big deal if that's all I have to contend with.

Myleftboob-yeah the hair thing is so weird. I really like one of my hair pieces with a hat so have hope that you may find something that gives you a sense of reassurance. The first couple times I looked at wigs, I was scared/upset/miserable...the third time was better.

Feb 13, 2012 08:31 PM ymac16 wrote:

Christina and lumpynme, congrats on making it through your first tx successfully today! That's one down. Hope the days coming are manageable.

Ali68, I'm on FEC too - I'm so glad to finally connect with someone else who has the same regimen! I'm doing 6 cycles, how about you?

Feb 13, 2012 08:51 PM ymac16 wrote:

BTW, I made it through my haircut OK, only shed a few tears. I went to my yoga for women with cancer/cancer survivors class first and it was just what I needed - I was able to cry a little, get support from the ladies, and get relaxed from the yoga! Then, 2 of my close friends came over (one came with 2 bottles of champagne!) and sat with me while a stylist friend of my DH cut my curly locks. I was doing OK until he gathered up a big section of hair and cut it off - I just felt this huge weight fall off my head and I feared up. The girls were right there to talk me through it so the tears dried up quickly and never came back. At the end, I have to admit it wasnt too bad - I look totally different but it's kind of cute. My DH needs to take a lesson in sensitivity though - on the one hand, he took the kids out while the haircut was taking place so they didn't have to see me if I broke down so that was nice, but when he came back home and saw my haircut, he said, "It's not that bad." Not quite the comment I wanted to hear, but it didn't really bother me. My kids are still trying to get used to it, but I had to tell them that they shouldn't get used to it because it will be short lived. So, the first transition is done but the bigger one is yet to come - I hope I handle it as well!

Feb 13, 2012 09:13 PM, edited Feb 13, 2012 09:15 PM by firstcall

Greetings everyone.

Moonflwr912, thank you for asking about me. 

I am have a very difficult time deciding whether to do chemo or not and the fact is that I am leaning toward not doing it.  I had a long discussion with my MO friday, and he said it was very marginal as to whether it would benefit me or not.  My oncotype was very favorable, (5) but I have one micromet.  It kind of boils down to whether you trust the oncotype, particularly in a male.  But its all I have to go on, they don't have much separate info for men.  My MO indicated that he felt that I have about a 3% chance that chemo would help me.  In other words, they would have to treat 33 people with chemo to help 1 person.  I have prepared myself for the nausea, the hair loss, and the other problems, but I remain very concerned about longer term side effects.  I am not convinced that doing chemo would be the right thing.  My MO felt that the data indicates that I would not likely increase my life expectancy with chemo, in fact I may shorten it (all things considered).  I know that those here are committed to chemo, and I have prepared myself for it, but I may cancel.  I have to decide this week.  If I am going to do it, he wants me to start Friday. 

Feb 13, 2012 10:05 PM, edited Feb 13, 2012 10:07 PM by Lumpynme

i was able to nap a bit this afternoon;myleftboob i wondered who that was snoring! j/k!

we did go to the support group mtg; i'm glad that we went -gals from all stages- a 15 year survivor down to a gal who started last week then me....

somone from ACS spoke; looking for people to drive for their Road to Recovery or whatever it's called. 

we also talked about RADS;many of the gals are experienced and the support leader is a nurse in RAD --it helped me a bit more!

so- we'll go next month.

i'm just really tired....took my tylenol (still slight headache) and a claritin to get ready for tomorrow's neulast. will take another compazine before bed ;maybe an ativan....feel like a walking drug store already!

sleeping--i ihave found that i almost do better in the recliner and i don't know why....

oh-infusion room--well lit not too comfy not too uncomfy--12 "stations" walled off by half walls- when seated i could not see the folks next to me. i wanted to sit where i could look out at the courtyard but they said first go round they needed me closer to nurse's station (in the center). overall the experience was good. the "stations" are very close quarters - a full wall or even a curtain may have made me claustraphobic! i put the foot rest up and read a pamphlet about their center for mind body and spirit, talked to my sweetie man and basically chilled.... they provided a curved neck pillow with a clean pillow case so that was nice! i drank hot tea and munched on some mini pretzels......everyone helpful....my PICC line made life a piece of cake!

christina glad yours was overall good.....

anyhow-g'nite!

Feb 13, 2012 11:13 PM dltnhm wrote:

Lumpynme & Christina. Thought about you this morning and continuing to pray for you both. Hope you both have restful sleep and only slight side effects.

Gritgirl - you so make me laugh. The gas is killing me and I haven't even begun. I am going to tuck that piece of info away regarding the decadron. I know SLEEP is really important to my health and everyone else's sanity so if I must lorezapan I will

Firstcall - i pray for peace for you with whatever decision you make. For some of us there really isn't that much of a choice so I can only imagine having to decide this. Sounds like you are armed with sound info regarding it either way. There really isn't much out there for men going through this.

Ymac - good for you and the haircut. Wow. I am leaning toward doing that privately but I can't decide. You were surrounded with love which is so important.

Msphil - love the pacman analogy. Speaks to my era.

Mnflwr - I thought the port would be scarier than it ended up being. I definitely have some mild discomfort which they said I should expect for a little while. I dont have any cushion in that area - spare tissue - so it is just right there and the little line to the vein is right under the skin. You can trace it visually not just by touch - lol. At least I finally realized that the dark purple line above the port was not the incision itself but some operating color covered by the glue. When the glue flaked the purple went with it and the incision line is quite faint 6 days post port insertion.

To all. I have been filling out copayment relief paperwork and am so thankful for the groups out there offering this. If only turbotax would cooperate and allow me to "see" my 2010 tax return. It's not as if I didn't use these over and over again last year for the guys' FAFSAs and other things and yet. Can't put my hand on one angle copy. I am such a doofus.

Ali68 - I will be on ACT. First AC every other week for 8 weeks and then the T for either the same or for 12 weeks each week along with Herceptin. I am going through being accepted into a trial right now so we will see.

Mthrdee. Love your Pink Party. Again .... What love! So wonderful to be surrounded by good friends who care so deeply.

I cannot keep up with everyone today but sendi g love and prayers your way as I read each of your posts.

I actually took that iron supplement today along with all my increased Ron food intake. I will be a walking iron woman soon!

And ......drum roll ...... I saw my PS today and I can take a real bath, swim if I care to, and best of all ...... Bigger trill ...... I can RUN! I am so excited. Tomorrow no matter what the temp I am going to pound a bit of pavement!!!!

Hugs all!

Feb 14, 2012 01:37 AM, edited Feb 14, 2012 01:40 AM by galena_79

Hi all, my name's Angela.

I am 32, and live in Christchurch, New Zealand.  I was diagnosed with IDC in December 2011, and had a right modified radical mastectomy in January 2012.  There were three tumours, largest 22mm.  But my lymph nodes were clear.

I met my Medical Oncologist on Friday.  He recommended chemotherapy, followed by five years of hormone treatments.  I left with a folder of information, and have been mulling it over.  There are so many potential side-effects!  But I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run.  And I intend to have a very long run.

My follow up appointment is on Thursday.  My course of chemo should start within 2 weeks of giving my go-ahead, so I'll either begin in very late February or very early March.

It has all been very scary and emotionally draining.  There is always something new to learn about and make decisions about.  I actually haven't worked for a couple of months, and I will start seeing a counsellor soon.  I thought it might help to talk to others on this forum.

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread.  Just thought I would introduce myself to my fellow February chemo patients.

I hope everybody is doing okay.

Kia kaha (this means "be strong" in Maori),
Angela

Feb 14, 2012 07:13 AM Laura5 wrote:

ali68, I would tell your 16 year old that you are doing all you can to prevent any recurrence and that you will be fine. Having your kids worry about you is the worst.

Why not just keep using the caps? Try keeping them on for the 4 hours after and maybe the 50 minutes ahead. Good luck!

Feb 14, 2012 08:27 AM Lumpynme wrote:

good morning! glad to see new faces tho sorry that you have to be here!

actually had a pretty good sleep last nite. this morning is my neulasta shot- i am such a wuss about a shot--i think i'm more anxious about it than i was yesterday's AC tx.

i did the EVOO mouth swish this morning just in case and had some activia oikos yogurt so far. need to really start pushing water tho!

we got about another inch of snow and i am soooooooooooooo ready for spring........i want to get out and walk and in this neighborhood it is too dangerous on the snow and ice!

need to do some straightening around the apt and am counting on the decadron to help motivate me! that starts this morning!

ali68; i think that you need to talk with your girls- don't tell them too much but remind them that each of us with cancer is different- our bodies as well as our treatments. remind them that you are doing all you can to fight yours and ask them if they have questions. and as to the dad taking to the bottle and dying-accident? overdosse? simply his body gave out? the girls need to know taht you are there and that you need each other and that each person...each family...each case is different! my 14 y.o granddaughter was talking suicide a few weeks back "tired of everyone (she ) loves leaving her" meaning her greatgrandparents and possibly me....she is getting help thru therapy and some drugs....maybe your girls need to talk to someone with some training?the only other thing i can offer is a hug!

big hugs to all on this journey!! and, if you're constipated today , eat lots of Valentine's chocolate!!!!