Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Just looking back to see that WOW, autocorrect screwed me on telling teacherhikermom that her "BONE STRUCTURE" was exquisite. It even messed up your/you're. 😣
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sailorgirl, you are beautiful! Your wig looks great.
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grey: It is your decision, but I'd go for it. You can do this and you won't want to regret leaving that stone unturned...
Welcome to the new sisters! I am off to an early apt but will add you to the list later today
Octogirl
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CarolinaAmy, are you still having port problems? I got mine yesterday, and wow since the local wore off, I am sore. I hope it gets better. Is yours in the jugular up through the neck, or down closer to you heart? Mine is in the jugular. I wonder if this has any bearing on pain.
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Grey seriously? Your doctor said that? What an ass. I would look for a 2nd opinion if you can. If you can't depend and trust your onco then it makes recovery so much harder. If it were me and really it is all of us in the same boat lol, I'd do the chemo and get as much chance to survive as I can. That's what I'm doing. It's hard as hell, but I think it's worth it.
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So hypocondria and paranoia overtook me this morning and I sorta pushed my way in to see the nurse practitioner. I just feel like I'm getting a cold so I just sorta panicked. Anyway they didn't commit me and I do have the start of thrush. I got a script for the magic mouthwash and a suggestion that maybe I need some anti anxiety meds. Really? Anxiety? Ya think? Better now. I ate something bad for me and got a too expensive coffee and I feel better. Seeing my surgeon for a checkup post op in a couple hours. Hope everyone's day is going less mentally crazy than mine
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Big sigh here from me,
Southerncharm glad you had a good night
I am working outside my home but for some crazy reason I had a lot of patients cancelling and spending most of the day on the sofa in the office, I love my office, so no complaints yet since my staff is walking on tip-toes around me so I can get my rest.
Grey this is your life we are talking about, not a number, just think about what you want to do and go with it and remember we are here to help any way we can.
Every other lady just hang in there and remember that everything will get better, hugs and more hugs to each one of you.
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Hey ladies good Wednesday to you all. I'm waiting to get my 2nd AC chemo today. I saw my MO and got my blood work done. Now waiting for results before I get chemo. Bad news is that my hair started coming out in clumps yesterday after I washed it. This was after I went to pick out a 2nd wig. I guess my hair was too traumatized to handle the stress. Needless to say I had a mini meltdown and a sob fest. Thankful for Xanax. But I have an appt to get it buzzed Sat and pick up my wig. I want this hair off-its not mine. My hair will be back better than ever next year.
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SouthernCharm you are a sweetie! With all you have on your plate you have a good heart. I will stay strong today. At least I know what to expect this time and hope for similar or improved SE's. I learning to be more patient about a lot of stuff but with BC it's all about hurry, hurry, hurry, then wait, wait, wait. I'm channeling my inner calm self. My infusion center is packed today and I have to wait for treatment and my blood work to come back.
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SouthernCharm Awesome news! Congrats on the scan and so wonderful to be planning a wedding. Hope you're having another good day with no SE's
Sailorgirl Your wig looks great! I am getting buzzed and getting mine styled Saturday, a friend of mine is a stylist and is going to come in and do it for me. If it looks good I might be brave enough to post a picture.
Grey I have to agree it is totally your decision on what to do. I know for me being triple negative I wanted to throw everything at this I could. I'd rather be super agressive and not have any second guessing myself in the future. I would look into getting a second opinion with another treatment team if you haven't already. Good luck in your decision.
AnnieB Hope your day is getting better
For me it's day 6 post chemo and I only made it half a day at work yesterday, but today I feel like I will be able to stick it out all day. That's a huge win! I am definitely tired but I did all my heavy lifting this morning so I should be able to sit and do paperwork here at my desk the rest of the afternoon. My biggest hurdle now is the fatigue but it seems to be getting better, on the upswing and enjoying it.
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Add scrambled eggs with buttered toast to the "not horrible" tasting food. The bitter aftertaste returns following but during the meal, it tastes normal. Yay!
And popcicles, lots and lots of popcicles. I can see why people gain weight, I keep trying different foods and stuffing myself looking for taste relief.
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Question for you doing Neulesta shots. Is it like diabetics who stick the needle in their stomach or thighs or do you have to put it in your port/vein? I'm just as grossed out about giving myself shots as I was taking care of drains. And Octogirl, the hair thing is huge for me too, more on my mind than other stuff to come. I have a feeling there are others who feel the same, esp when the eyebrows and eyelashes go and then it screams cancer to everyone.
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Artista, yes just grab and stick. I hate hate hate needles but I managed. Make sure to alternate sites.
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Artista, I am having the neuprogen,not the neulesta but it is a needle in stomach, preferably a fatty area. I make my husband give it to me but it is totally doable for me.
Octogirl
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I am doing Neulasta shots. One on day 3 only and I had hardly any SE this first time. It is a subcutaneous shot (like diabetics). I was an R.N. so I've given plenty but it is different doing to yourself. Its a small needle so if you have ample abdominal girth (as I do) its fairly quick. You can use your thigh was well.
One word of warning, do not use the alcohol swab to dab injection site when removing the needle. It stings like crazy. Have a cotton ball or pad handy to press on it for few seconds.
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So today was my first round of chemo and it wasn't bad at all. I enjoyed my time there honestly. My nurses and docs are just the best! They even gave me a knitted hat and a beautiful handmade quilt among other goodies! I will say that this board has made a world of difference! So thank you times a million! I was so terrified and weepy before I found you all. I went in today feeling calm, strong, and ready to face this head on. I may not feel this way every day, but it sure feels great today.
Teacherhikermom - very happy to hear you are feeling better!
Southerncharm - glad you're scan is clean - what a relief for you! Hope chemo SE are mild for you
AnnieB - Thinking about you and hoping you are feeling better!
To all you beautiful ladies - love, hugs, and prayers!
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KatieJones, I'm so happy to hear that it went so well!! Stay on all meds as suggested for at least the first four days, and get rest when you need it. I'm so glad it wasn't a bad experience. 😊
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edwsmom,
I found a great synthetic wig by Jon Renau. Retail was $300, but found one on ebay for $100. woo hoo! Also, found videos on youtube of people reviewing different wigs and it's a big help seeing them in real life versus a model. They really helped me out!
I made a list of the ones I really like and keeping my eye out for more ebay deals. May even get a long auburn one for days I'm feeling sassy! I'm a blonde, btw. lol. Trying to see the fun side of this hair loss thing since I'll be wearing them for at least a year. I feel vain saying it, but the hair loss has been the worst part of this ordeal. Finding a great wig is easing the pain though.
Hope you find some you love!
Katie
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My port was installed this morning, and it seems that everything went just fine. Except that the anesthesiologist blew a vein in my hand trying to get the IV in. I pointed out that I was there to get the port, and that the hard sell wasn't necessary. I knew I was in trouble when he introduced himself as "Doctor" and said he was going to numb my hand first. Where is a Needle Ninja Nurse when you need one?
Fidget, my port is also attached to the jugular. I hope that doesn't mean it's more likely to hurt! We'll see what happens when the local wears off. I'm still a bit loopy from the twilight anesthesia.
Tomorrow, I have a CT, and Friday I'm getting an echo and having my final appointment with the oncologist before chemo Tuesday. It's beginning to feel like chemo is actually going to happen
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Thanks on the shot info. I have plenty of stomach fat unfortunately. Does it hurt? I'm a big baby. Anyone use emla cream before it? How long is it in for med to come out?
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sailorgirl - you look fabulous! I'm in Phoenix too, on the North side, where are you? Where did you get your wig?
Southerncharm - so glad you scans were clean! I can't beleive you have a DD old enough to get married, you look like a babe yourself!
Annie hang in there - good thing you caught the thrush early, that can get nasty
SHopgal - you do have a great attitude about your hair! better than ever when it comes back.
Flower - nice of your patients to let you rest
Soccerchick - sounds like you are on the upswing!
Artista - I splurged on Brian Joseph's lash and brow conditioning gel. I figure if I'm not spending $$ to cut and color my hair for a year or so I can try to keep my eyebrows LOL
LindyC - thanks for the scrambled eggs idea, I've been eating hard boiled eggs since they are easy but I like scrambled better
Katie - glad it was a good first round - I want to see your sassy brunette pics!
Everyone else, I hope it's a good day!
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Artista - The injection needle doesn't really hurt (honest)!! you can try an ice cube over the skin site if you are very sensitive. Check with the doc first as I don't know if that would affect the med. I'm a rookie with chemo meds.
If there is any discomfort or weirdness, it will come with the meds being injected in. When you get to the end of the shot, it will likely feel like you're full but there's room for more
Considering what we've all had being done to us, this is not so bad. If anyone is queasy over this, have someone else take over if possible.0 -
Second round of AC done. Only 2 more AC to go then 4 taxol. With 2/8 complete I am 25% done my chemo. The only difference this time is that I was nauseous when the nurse pushed the adriamycin. It seemed she was pushing it too fast. I did let her know but she said the push timing was correct. The small hoagie I ate during pre meds didn't help. Well cross that food off my list. Don't want to eat that again. And also I won't be drinking Gatorade after chemo is completed. It did its job helping to push out all the chemo but it will be always associated with chemo for me. I feel ok so far, even ate avocado & egg on toast for dinner. Hope those that are going for their first or second infusion in the next few days stay strong. We can do this ladies.
Oh and my scalp hurts a lot. Just feels really sore. I am so glad I am going Sat to get it buzzed/pickup my wig. Whoever said you will know when it's time to buzz and let it go was so right. Just gotta suck it up and let it go. (I'm channeling frozen, hah)
Thanks to mom2boo and buzz for your kindness. I'm really trying hard to have a good outlook, but its tough at times. Being part of this supportive group helps.
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please add me to the group. Lidwien
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Shopgal, we are on the same chemo schedule and meds. I have my 2nd infusion AC next week. I'm still feeling the nausea and hoping it lets up before the next round. Feeling the tingling in the scalp and probably going to have the same timing for cutting it off.
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charm, I am having heartburn also. I am getting relief with prilosec.
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Did the buzz cut today! It was not bad at all. My dear friend and stylist and I laughed through the process. I have colored my hair for years as was pre-maturely grey. Now the white hair really shines!
The SEs from my Neulasta shot lasted almost 3 days. I feel soooo much better today -7 days post chemo.
Stay tough everyone! hugs to all
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southerncharm you skillet meal sounds yummy! glad you are doing well. I made a good old Shepard's Pie last night and that too tasted really good.0
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Welcome my friend Lidwien! you are going to love our group of brave and funny ladies
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