Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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When my kid had hives I gave him benedryl plus pepcid. Did you add some pepcid? That is supposed to get all histamines benedryl doesn't cover.
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yup--twice a day Pepcid. Thanks Annie!!
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Well crap. I don't know. I hope the allergy doc helps you out. If I had to bet money I'd say it was taxotere. That crap is really bad allergy wise. Although if you have to pick hives or heart problems I'd stick with the taxotere. Hopefully the allergist can give you something to counteract it. Hugs, girl. Hang in there.
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at this point it's going to be allergist saying I can be safe on taxotere one more time or I end one round early...I feel so tor
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Southern
I think the wig looks really nice on you. I don't think anyone would know it was a wig Looks pretty real to me.
Rosieo
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hi all!
I've been catching up with everyone.I've had company for the past few days and my friend wants me to rest and I do but I have been more tired and stomach has been more ucky on round 4 of AC. It is a little draining to have company even when it's your BFF!
Scotland - you and I are a day apart with the same deal and today was almost normal as well!
My issue is cold sore type things around my mouth. Did get Rx for potent acyclovir which I've taken twice finally seeing some relief. It's always something!
SC - beautiful wig. I have a short one I wear to work every day. So many say they never knew it was a wig! (They didn't know me before!) But, when I look in the mirror I sure think it looks like a wig! I wore my halo with a hat this weekend and it was hot and I was getting a headache so I nonchalantly whipped it off and popped the hat back on!
Love the poop jokes. Always fun to catch up. Annie - you always crack me up!
Grey - hang in there. You don't need negative people bringing you down! Just know we are all sending you positive vibes to keep you going!
It really seems there's a big difference between those of us on AC-T and those of you on other plans. That makes sense and then we all react differently to everything as well!
I am a little worried about the upcoming Taxol but am hoping for less ucky tummy. Thanks all for your updates and the info about supplements. I'm seeing my MO tomorrow and will see what their advice is. I'll share if I learn anything new.
Thanks for all the info and all my best to everyone and treatments this week! You go girls! We can do this. Here's to popping all the poison out as soon as possible!
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southern that wig is so cute. It's synthetic or human hair?
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yeah Annie I need more hats too. Went to target this afternoon and they had all cold weather hats on sale 20% off. Bought a cute grey knit hat. Walmart also has a nice selection. I usually wear buffs in the house or warmer temps but like you feel I need some colder temp options.
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hey all
I just found out about this new contraption that administers the nuelasta shot away from the docs office. I just tried it and aside from my dog running away from me while I beeped, like I was going to blow up, it worked out great.
It's the shape of a beetle like 4 inches long maybe and it sticks to your tummy or the back of the arm. It does hurt taking the adhesive off but be glad we're not hair belly men.
They attach it on chemo day and make sure it is functioning.
I wish I knew about it sooner, just found out. I guess it costs the same to.
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Southern Charm- That wig looks good on you. I brought my wigs into work today. My prescription wig is a Jon Renau with light brown hair. They call her Tina Turner- I wish! I have to go to the hairdresser to have it shaped up. My other wig- from the "hood" wig shop is $30 approximately called Janelle. I do need to get the pictures off my phone to show you. My friend bought "her" for me- they are dear friends who I call my "other" mom and dad. They seems so in pain when they see me. I just don't want to hurt anyone. People who knew me before this happened just look pained and grieve for me like I am dying. I am trying to make sure I am around for a long time. But they see me and sometimes cry. It hurts to feel like I cause pain in other people's lives because of this breast cancer.
El Tigre- I wish I could get one of those but I have to get infusions and extra anti-nausea meds. Don't scrimp on the Claritin just because it looks harmless.
Scotland-Thanks for the support. I get to miss out on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess no cooking at the homeless shelter. The smell will sending me into permanent residence in the bathroom.
I bought a hat with a gift card I had on hand from Amazon. They have a wide range of chemo hats and scarves. So I will have something to wear to walk the dog when I don't want to wear a wig.
I wish everyone good luck and no SEs when you have chemo. There was a saying from another tearjerker movie. "We are in this war together and we owe each other an immense loyalty." Salute to all!
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Ok. No laughing. You get to see what I really look like wearing Janelle the "hood" wig. Take pity on me!
Sailor Girl- Thanks for the support. It is hard to be to alone but to talk about poop with people who understand the significance in our lives is priceless - and scatological!
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El_Tigre I've had that with all my treatments. It's been great that I don't have to drive back to the office the next day. My son loves to watch the fill line go down while it administers the shot. He also likes to look at the insides after I take it off as well!
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El Tigre, are you getting treatment at OHSU? That's where I'm going. I saw you mentioned it on the October board. I've gotten the on body injector for my last two rounds. It's been great not having to go back for the shot.
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Yeah, I get the on body injector too. Last time I was a little off in when I thought it would go off so I was driving and could not figure out what the beeping sound was. Only after I heard the clicking sound while shopping did I realize that the injector was going.
My group leader used to work at OHSU, so we do a bit of collaborating with them. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just drive the samples back from Oregon than deal with FedEx shipping them.
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TwiggyOR, yup getting my treatments there at ohsu. I came in from another facility and missed out on some cool stuff like that body injector.
Yeah I used to go in the next day at another location for the shot but no more. ..yes!
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The only human contact I get is going to drs/nurses/infusion center staff so I like going to the infusion center for the shot. It's 2 miles from me as is all my providers. I get the boost of you can do it when I go in, which is nice when the rest of the time you're sitting at home wondering why you are even doing this when you are alone..
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Hi Tessu My Oncologist said the same thing to me she said she will go through it in more detail on the day. I think its bone and muscle pain. Im looking forward to starting so I can just finish lets focus on finishing because it may bring us to our knees but we will get ot done
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here's a funny duh chemo brain moment for you all. One time a had my nasty neulesta on body injector on and i didn't time when it would go off to start infusing. I was cooking dinner and heard a beep and thought it was my oven beeping after it was done preheating. Then after dinner I panicked when it started ticking during the infusion and thought I had done something wrong that it didn't beep. Duh I totally missed the darn thing beep.
Grey your avatar pic of your wig looks cute. Like a bob with side swept long bangs? I have a Racquel Welch lace cap monofilament top that is now cut into a similar style. It was originally too long and I had it cut to a pic of my hair before diagnosis. Alas I haven't worn it but 3-4 times. I got lazy and wear hats cause I get wicked chemo menopause head hot flashes. Maybe when it's 20 degrees out I can wear it without the hot flashes.
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aww thanks southern. Well I finally broke down and bought an eyebrow pencil yesterday in target for my sad little brows. They are so thin and pitiful-yuck. I am bummed about them more than I was about my hair and that's saying a lot. They were so full and thick before. Sniff, sniff. Seem silly but I really miss them now. I got the maybeline brow pencil with brow powder to try. I still need to go to the brow bar at Sephora for serious brow stuff for when the brows are officially gone.
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Cute pic Grey! I like the bangs too!
Shopgal- OMG sounds like something I would do normally
Artista - good point. I do find out more information and get a better sense of "i can beat this by going in". Also they provided good advice on SE that I might have during that time.
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Southern and Gray - Great wigs, both of you!!
Southern - I trimmed the lace front on mine too. When I first started wearing it I got some little red bumps. I think it was my skin adjusting to the wig (or more of the rash I get on my face every cycle). I haven't gotten anymore since then though.
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Southern, you might just get lucky with the hair. I'm starting Taxol onTuesday, and should lose all remaining hair shortly thereafter. I have to get eyebrow supplies this week! Seems like they grow back quickly, but that Taxol is the final insult.
Shopgal, I have four things in my kitchen that beep. If I had an injector, I would turn off all four repeatedly before I remembered the injector. And my children would mock me.
Grey, nice wig! Won't you be done with AC by Christmas? My MO said that nausea isn't such a problem with Taxol, so maybe you could still volunteer at the shelter by then.
After having some pretty intense constipation, I progressed to mild diarrhea. Stopped taking miralax, etc. last week. No change. My stomach was unsettled when I got up. I was ready to walk out the door to work and...didn't quite make it to the bathroom. Had a little pity party. Pride goeth before the chemo.
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I met yesterday with a breast surgeon for a second opinion. I can't seem to get agreement on the surgical strategy for my situation.
For those of you doing neoadjuvent chemo, do you already know what you're going to do surgery-wise?
My breast surgeon says that research shows no difference in outcome between axilary dissection with radiation and mastectomy/reconstruction with radiation. The new breast surgeon says that due to my family history I should do bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. She says she's also going to present my case on Thursday and call me with the input and guidance from the department.
I have to think about this a lot more and talk to the first breast surgeon again.
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Scotland - I'm sorry about the D. I'm right there with you. Still having it every day.
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Southern - i have this, it helps with itchiness
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Southern, what a beautiful ring and gesture. It looks like it even fits! We have Veterns Day off tomorrow, and the kids don't. My husband (the veteran) wants to have a proper date. I couldn't commit, but remain hopeful. Not being able to plan is getting old
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You folks sporting the wig, it doesn't look like a wig. And really, I've seen people with natural hair that looks like a wig.
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southern my monofilament top wig leaves a red mark on my scalp. Maybe try a wig liner? The ring is lovely.
Scotland ugg the d. We can't find a happy medium between that and the c. So nice we all can chat about poo. I can't imagine a better group of ladies to discuss it with.
Edwsmom are you stuck deciding between an lx or mx? Or between the type of lymph node dissection? I had fam history but chose lx because my cancer was stage 1 & just under 1cm. I am TN so I do worry if it was the right call at the time. I had enough tissue in my DD gals to spare. My surgeon let it be my decision ultimately but used shared decision making. They presented my case at tumor review board on Wednesdays before surgery and I felt better about my decision knowing a panel of docs reviewed my case. I am lucky to be at a major teaching hospital and huge cancer center. Trust your gut with your decision. It will always lead you to the right path.
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I was told at least a mastectomy on the right (cancerous side). If genetics came back with mutations, then it'd be double. I am pretty sure I will do double. I do not want to deal with a recurrence on the left and go through this again. I also want a balanced reconstruction.
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