Starting chemo August 2014
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Didi, my 87-year-old mom wanted to shave to support me, too, but we got her to compromise. Yesterday she got a really short adorable pixie cut. She looks great and she still feels she is Doing Something. Maybe your mom would agree to something similar? I know how you feel, I think. My sister also got a really short cut last week, and she had long, Christie Brinkley hair. I kept thinking we would both flinch every time we looked at it, but she also looks great, plus when people comment, she turns it into a teaching moment about mammograms!
Jess, thanks! I am about to eat some breakfast and more steroids, then off we go! The steroids didn't affect my sleep but I did wake up in the night with a massive charley horse in my calf. Coincidence?? Weird.
Over57, I can't bring myself to shave my head, either - not until I see what happens. I was told I might lose only half my hair. But I am going to get like a one-inch buzz cut in the meantime. My hair is already pretty short though.
More later! Love to all of you, my new friends.
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Tabbygirl, my mom already has short hair. I wish she would compromise with me. I know she means well and shaving her head is her being supportive, but I don't want her to do that. I have long hair and can't bring myself to call my hairdresser to get it cut short. I keep making excuses to myself for not calling her...what a coward!!! My sister volunteered to make the appointment for me. I think she might have to....stay well, talk soon.0 -
Hi everyone, I am joining the August chemo group, thank you for including me. I thought my chemo would be starting early September but surprise! My MO told me this morning I will start a week from today on August 22.
I am still healing up a bit from July bilateral mx an reconstruction. I'm triple negative stage IIB and I think the MO wants to get chemo under way sooner vs. later. He plans to call my PS to discuss using some kind of hyperbaric oxygen treatment to accelerate wound healing. My left (cancer) side still has a fairly deep open wound. I'm not sure if the skin on that side was compromised from prior radiation (this is my second breast cancer) or if maybe the BS just got very close to the skin when doing the mx.
Port will be implanted on Tuesday. I just returned to the office two days ago and I was hoping for a little bit of breathing room before chemo started, but I'm supportive of the timing - just a little stressed that my wig may not be here before my hair starts to fall out! I will have 4x A-C every two weeks, followed by 4x taxol and carboplatin every two to three weeks.
A bit about me. I'm 49 y/o (43 at my first BC diagnosis) and live in the Atlanta area. I have three children - two sons, ages 24 (lives in Houston) and 19 (away at college) and a daughter age 17 (in high school) My wonderful husband of 25+ years has been a rock over the past three months. And my Mom lives with us as well. She is a three time survivor of BC. I do tthink it's almost harder on her seeing me go through this than it is for me to go through it.
I will go back to read through this thread as well as the July starting chemo thread. I look forward to getting to know everyone here and providing support as we all get through this together.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn, welcome. I'm sorry you're going thru this again. I'm having my port implanted on Tuesday also. I love this chemo group. You will too. The ladies here are very supportive and helpful. I've learned so much from them. I'm 52, I have a son, a daughter and a beautiful little granddaughter. And a wonderful hubby!Its nice meeting you...
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Hi Robyn! Welcome to our group. The ladies in this group are amazing. My name is Amy and I am 42 years old. I have two children ( an 18 year old girl and a 12 year old boy). I've been married to my wonderful husband for 22 years. I'm sorry you have to go through this again. I am starting my chemo the day before you, Aug 21. I was supposed to start August 8th but I got sick and was hospitalized and had to recover before Chemo. Glad to meet you and praying that all goes easier for you soon.
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Thanks Didi, it's good to meet you as well! Looks like you are in CT. We moved south from MA about 15 years ago. I love the warm weather here but I do miss the beautiful fall in New England. And you are absolutely right- the ladies of BCO are a super source of knowledge and support.
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Hi Amy,
Thank you and I'm sorry you've had a rough time this month. It must have been difficult to mentally gear up for chemo and then get delayed by several weeks. I'm glad you are healed up enough now to start on the 21st. Will be thinking of you and hoping for smooth sailing for you from here on out.
Robyn
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Robyn, yes I live in CT. Eastern CT. We're happy here although I wouldn't mind the warm weather year round.... I was born in MA...small world!Amy, looks like we're starting our chemo treatments on the same day. I hope all goes well for you, I'll be thinking of you.
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I am just getting the very last of my first Herceptin infusion. It took 90 minutes. So far so good! The port made things so much easier. They'll start the Taxol infusion soon.
This med center is awesome. We have individual infusion rooms with tV and fridge, a nice recliner and guest chair. Semiprivate restroom. Trees outside the window. Am actually feeling great. Honestly this seems so much easier than when I had reported to the hospital to have my breast removed!
Hanging in there!!
Angela
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I would like to add my thanks to ladyb for getting this group started. Although I have a wonderful support system of family and friends, it can't provide the type of insight and support given by fellow travelers on the unwanted trip we are on. Thank you all.
Did I, good luck to you as you get ready to start chemo. I had a port placed on Monday 8/11 and started chemo the same day and all went smoothly. I hope it will go easily for you, too. I have strong feelings on the head shaving issue. I told family and friends that I do not want them loading me up with pink stuff and I do not want anyone shaving their head in solidarity. Bring a meal, keep me company, laugh/cry with me, but I do not want to look at their unnecessarily bald heads!
Sending many good thoughts to tabbygal that today is going well.
I've been fatigued and achy but am feeling pretty well today. Had a couple of very brief moments of nausea and some GI issues but so far so good. My sister was here and helped me pick out my wig. It feels so good to have that done and it really does look just like me. One more thing done which helps me feel a little more in charge. I am looking forward to the Look Good Feel Better session that so many people have raved about.
Thinking of you jetgal, Hope you feel better. Like you, I have over done things the last few days have paid the price for doing so. It felt so good to go shopping and have fun with my sister though. My cat also provides lots of comic relief!
To all of you that I haven't addressed directly please know I am cheering you on and sending lots of hugs!
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Hi Tabbygirl - glad to read your post and knowing that things are going along smoothly for you.
My sister also offered to shave her head with me, my son, my husband of 29 yrs even offered to shave off his mustache. I realized I have never seen him without a mustache since I've known him. My daughter did not, but her boyfriend offered. The truth is, I appreciate the support so much, but just knowing they all would was good enough.
I am feeling good today, exactly one week from first treatment. Keep the positive attitude, we are doing this.
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Hi Ladies,
Day 3 and feeling meh. Very tired and I have some aches in my bones but I'm managing. Slept a lot today. I think a part of it was catching up on sleep from the insomnia the other night. Not liking this feeling but I will get through it.
Hope everyone is doing okay and side effects are minimal.
Positive thoughts to all!
Karina
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Hi August ladies! All's good in NJ today! I am not going to whine or complain about my itsy bitsy stomach ache and runs to the bathroom. I'll take it! Today marks a week since my chemo day. I can honestly say that I only had two bad days for this round one! I almost think I stressed myself into them to! With the crummy stomach I stopped drinking my gallon of Dunkin Donuts coffee, and the caffeine withdrawal probably contributed to my shakiness and exhaustion! I hope I can offer some of you some good news and/or hope!Someone listed they make pottery, and I'd love the link!
Have a great night everyone! I'm excited to be starting a vacation week with very few plans but trips to the beach!` Hugs, Donna
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Hi all..I guess I will join the club. It is a hectic week for us, everything spins so fast. Have done all the tests as quick as I could, port will be placed on Monday and chemo will start the following day. STill scary, I did not want to know the stage because the oncologist rushed me to the chemo. Thanks God no metastasis from the CT scan.
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This is one group I wish I didn't have to join. I start chemo 8/21/14 for four rounds of TC every three weeks. I had no problem going through the double mastectomy and now I feel fantastic. However, my head is still spinning from the cancer education class and I am terrified to start chemo on Thursday.
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Welcome Robyn, Pangtidor, and Nomatterwhat, as you have read you are joining an awesome and very interactive group of women. It is great meeting you virtually. I have added youto our list.
Robyn I am a praying for the quick healing of your bilateral MX.
Angela, glad you had relaxing surroundings and things went well today.
Sandy, glad you are doing well with minimal SE, right? I agree the support, a shoulder to cry on, anda friend to laugh with during the up and even down days. Just knowing that someone would go to those lengths means the world to me and that is usually what I let people know.
Jetgal glad you are doing ok. Can’t wait to peak at your pottery. I am a lover of the Arts.
DonnieNJ, Tabby –happy that things are going along well for you.
Oceanbreeze, hang in there day 3 is when I begin to feel meh. Stay ahead of everything by drinking plenty of water, nausea meds, pain meds etc.No option, hit with what you got. I was not one use to so that was a chore for me.
It is my pleasure to keep the list updated. It is an honor to support such an awesome group of women.
I can eat a very small plate without feeling like it is immediately going to come up or go out. That is a good thing.
Hugs to All! Determined is my word for the day.
-Angie
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Nomattetwhat: We start Chemo the same day. I'll be thinking about you. I haven't done my Bmx yet. They wanted to do the Chemo on the front side. I'm a little apprehensive about Thursday as well but the the ladies here who have gone before me are so supportive that it helps a bunch. Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Amy
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Justamy,
Thinking about you too. I see you are from Missouri. Do you have any idea when you are doing your Bmx? Where are you having your treatments done?
Jan
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Im having my treatments at Hulston Cancer center in Springfield on the 6th floor. I guess it depends on your insurance if you do it in the main place or on the 6th floor but I was told I would do it there.
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Good News -- I finally get my port! Placement is scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon. I am so ready. I have to admit if they would have called earlier this week and tried to schedule me this week I may have turned it down as any additional thing may have set me on edge and over the breaking point.
I am so glad I don't have to worry about 2 blown veins before finding a good one ( well I guess I could look on the brighter side she only used 3 out of the 5 she counted out -- big smile). Glad I am getting my port. Happy Dance ~~~~..~~~~
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Thank you for the warm welcome.anybody in here will do chemo weekly with the two chemo every three weeks? I am ER+ and HER2+. The oncologist tried to explain me in details but it was too much for me to handle within a day. Justamy, I guess we will do chemo before the surgery. I will have to do targeted chemo after the surgery. Next appointment with the MO will be on Tuesday 8/19, on my first day of chemo. I should be more focused and organized by then. Hugs to all.
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I got my hair cut yesterday. It's been 10 days since chemo, no hair loss yet, no I'm hanging on to it as long as I can! Day 8 after chemo I was feeling pretty much 100%. Tried to have a glass of wine, tasted horrible. My taste buds are still messed up, (least of my worries). Good luck sisters!
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Hey Terri- GOsh you look terrific and I love the new haircut! All the best to you-Im starting TC on 8/28. Hope I look and feel as good as you do!
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Ladyb, thank you for adding me to the group and THANK YOU for starting and keeping it up to date for all of us. Wishing everyone a good weekend.
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Barremom64
Thanks so much, I cut if 12 inches! Stay hydrated during chemo and you'll do great!
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Terry you look GREAT.
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Happy Saturday everyone! I hope everyone is feeling good and having minimal to no SE. Yesterday was 8 days post chemo and I felt almost 100% like myself. Ladyb - we CAN and WILL continue to live with our "new normal" and I loved the quote you referenced.
Terri - I love the new haircut! I have long hair too and will be cutting it next week. If my hair has begun to fall out I'll buzz it off otherwise I'll go short.
Welcome newbies to the group. Sorry to meet under these circumstances but you'll find wonderful support with this group.
Hoping everyone has a good weekend. Remember to stay strong and positive.
Hugs to all
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hi everyone,
Feeling pretty good on day 3! Learning a few tricks thanks to all the tips here! Small meals and Zantac have helped me a bunch. Hope everyone is hanging in the and taking good care. I went for a walk and it felt great! Nice to get some fresh air and join the living! Hope everyone is doing ok! Hugs! Jess
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Jess glad you are feeling good!
Terri you look aweseome. I am cutting my hair next week.
I have lost a total of 15 pound since my first chemo has anyone else lost so much weight. I can say it is noticable as everyone is saying you look great are you loosing weight...urggh...6 months ago I would have jumped for joy. But not now. I am trying to experiment on foods, juices, etc to determine what taste good which I can eat in more manageable portions but after a few rounds of food, juice, water flavoring my taste buds and stomach begin to reject it. Is this still a nausea issue or the SE from tastebuds being zapped? I have put a call into the doctor and not sure I want to walk much due to the weight loss. Need some encouragement ladies in adjusting my sails.
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hi berremom, i got those printed horrors too, and exactly! Today is okay, felt normal this am and actually was able to clean and do laundry, and grocery shop a little. Now i am bushed. I tried some neosporin gel on qtips for my nostrils. It is working well...got some gel for psoriasis, for my chest rash and that is good too, though the rash is nearly gone. I have shamefully given up on super healthy food this week, am going to comfort food, so i am a bad girl. No energy to cut and chop! Let me know how you make out girl.
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