Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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soscaredhubby the day after chemo I was completely manic from steroids, cleaned the whole house, rode my bike, literally drove everybody crazy. So the day after she may still be on a steroid induced high. But it is different for everybody
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I have a slight cold so I can't travel and my next infusion is the 28th so I don't think I can see that baby until maybe the middle of next month. I'm bummed about it but I'm killing cancer so he can have his Oma for years to come!
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sailorgirl- Where I'm getting rads done they said to call them when one month left of chemo. This is so they can get me on the schedule. So seems it's 1 month to recover from chemo to go to rads, at least where I'm going..
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And teacher, I'll be getting chemo through January. Including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. 😒
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Got to the hospital at 11 am. Met with oncologist and her nurse practitioner - which took a while. Then had to wait for blood work to be taken and more for it to be reviewed and chemo approval signed. Needless to say, I got a pretty late start on beginning the infusion. Pre-meds first, then herceptin (90 minutes) and now on perjeta (1 hour). I still have to do taxotere and carboplatin (another 90 minutes when you add up the time for these two) and then I can go home. I probably won't get home until 8:30 pm. LONG day!
Saying prayers for very manageable side effects.
I got all my chemo appointment dates/times booked. My last infusion is on 12/31. So I can at least tell myself that I can start the new year without chemo...and onward!
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Congratulations AnnieB! He is absolutely gorgeous!!! I am sure you are counting the days until you can see him!
edwsmom: hope it is going well and good luck for minimal SEs!
Hugs to all!
Octogirl
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Congrats on the beautiful grandbaby, AnnieB!!
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Annie - Congrats on your grandson.
Well it's official. Chemo starts 9/23. Everything I need done beforehand is scheduled.
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Port placement is done. I have no bandages - the stitches are dissolving and there is some clear glue on them. There are two incisions. I can shower tomorrow. The whole thing was ok. I was awake with just some sedation thru an IV. I cried through the procedure - just had to let it go because this meant it is real. I guess I haven't really cried so this felt necessary. I had wanted to be put out so I didn't know what was happening and even asked for more sedation!
I find it fascinating how all our procedures differ.
My neck is sore - took some Tylenol and am trying to warm up. Why are hospitals so cold?
Congrats AnnieB - my first grandbaby turned 6 mo yesterday. They are such a gift! He will brighten up your life as soon as you hold him.
Skittle - you start two days after me. Here's to a long autumn everyone! Hugs!
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Finally home after first chemo infusion. I'm tired but feel very ok. No issues during infusion
Just took my steroid and will take an anti nausea before bed.
I'll have my neulasta shot on Saturday morning, will start Claritin on Friday evening.
Seems like so many things to remember.....
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I worked the day after my port went in. Wasn't a problem, but I also haven't had much pain from the port in general
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Grey - I'm going to work tomorrow! Had the port today.
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I worked today, the port went in yesterday. The rest of the day I spent driving to PT and a CT scan. I'll be at the office tomorrow between an echo and an oncologist appointment. The port hasn't been a big deal so far.
Grey, we have CDC offices in every state, but they're locally focused. The heavy travel positions are based either in Atlanta or overseas. My husband loves to travel, but is in a no-travel job at CDC. Maybe we'll move overseas once the kids are out of the house.
I plan to work through chemo. We'll see how it goes. Working from home will make it easier.
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I've worked (in the office) every day post chemo infusion day except day five, which was tough. However, I did not have the big D or any really bad lower GI issues. that would have made going into the office a deal-breaker. I discussed with my boss before I started chemo and we agreed we just would decide day to day...
Octogirl
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Day Eight post first chemo: My tastes buds are back, more or less...still a slightly metallic taste in my mouth, but food doesn't taste awful!!! In fact, had roast chicken, rice, salad for dinner and it tasted, dare I say it, almost good!
Hope all have a restful night.
Octogirl0 -
Sailorgirl- I think having worked for a surg's office for 10 years that hospitals are on the cold side to help keep staff, esp those who aren't feeling swell or are beat, alert. Just like if you work in a warm office you can eventually get sleepy even if you were fresh to start. It's also easier to warm people up than to cool them down if they are too warm as the a/c is a central system and with ice packs and such, some pts you can't do that with.
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AnnieB warmest congratulations on the birth of your adorable grandson!!!
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That makes sense Artista! The heated blankets are a godsend!
BTW - port site is stiff and hurts more. I guess the Lidocaine wore off! I'm icing and took ibuprofen. Hoping to sleep it off.
Nite nite to all!
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Thanks to everybody for all the mouth rinse recipes. I'm going to try the one with only baking soda today. No mouth sores, but back of throat has been sore since Saturday. (But all the infection tests at the ER came back negative, so it's not thrush or strep).
I feel a teensy bit envious of all you ladies who have gotten ports. Here chemo is given by regular iv lines until all the veins are gone. With my ER visits, head CT with contrast, then Tues night admit to the Oncology ward, my poor left arm vein (the big one in the crease at the elbow) is still sore
At least the iv was put in more distally for my first round of chemo last week.I'm in health care, work for the Finnish equivalent of an HMO. Was already unable to return to work on time after summer vacation because of lower back pain and worsening sciatica; I found my breast lump during the work-up for that. Back treatment is on hold until chemo is done; cording from mastectomy is limiting use of my good right arm, so even without this breast cancer thingy, I'm not in tiptop shape right now. And I am unwilling to risk working front line with infected patients while on chemo, so no, I'm not going to work at all until chemo is over and my immune system has recovered. Luckily husband works full time and we can do ok on just his salary. I'm hoping my back will settle down by itself by then; took me so long to shake off the nausea from mastectomy anesthesia, I'm not eager for another op any time soon.
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Annie congrats on your beautiful grand baby. So cute
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I bought a wig and it's just not a nice style for my face. It's Jazz by Jon Renau. $115 if anyone wants it. It's a medium brown with caramel highlights.
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I'm in denial about this hair/wig stuff. My mom says the wig us fine. I feel like I'm wearing a costume. I don't know what to do or how to cope with this crap.
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I'm right there with you Annie. I bought a wig I like but I feel like a clown when I put it on. My dog even looks at me like something is wrong. I'm going to wait until I don't have a choice and then try to wear it. If I can't get comfortable I will go with scarves. I started crocheting a hat yesterday. We'll see how that works. I have made anything in decades.
Annie, were you able to try on wigs or did you order? It makes a big difference to try them on.
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Annie,
I definitely hear you on the wig. I bought one and it's WAY too long and bushy for me. I'm having it cut and styled next week. I have a feeling I'll like it better if I can have someone fix it on my actual head and show me what to do. I'm hoping that will help me with my confidence around wig wearing.
I think that anything besides your usual hair is going to feel really strange. I suspect that it will feel more normal as you get into a regular wig wearing routine. My big fear is that I'll be in a work meeting and mine will be crooked or something dumb like that...lol. I guess we just need to find a way to have a sense of humor about all this dumb stuff....and remember it's temporary.
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the thing is my natural hair is really fine. Wigs are thick with lots of hair. It's just off.
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Hmmm...my real hair is very thick and my hair dresser has to thin it out at each haircut. Maybe your hairdresser can do some streamlining of the wig. Or most wig stores offer this service too, I think. Maybe that would help...
I'm trying to see what your hair looks like now from your pic. Is it a bob? Maybe it would be better to get a bob cut wig and then shorten it as necessary?
Maybe post a pic of what the new wig looks like on you beside a pic of you with your regular hair and we can help give suggestions?
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Hi Southern. I understand.
This is day 1 post first chemo for me. Baby steps.
Woke up this am with some GI issues which had me worried, but did manage #2 which was an incredible relief and I feel pretty normal now. I'm trying to stay on top of all this stuff somehow. Drinking a lot of water, started with some crackers.
Took my anti nausea and steriod and ate some breakfast.
Now working from home. Mouth is dry but I did swish with biotene. Will do baking soda next.
I start claritin tonight and get my neulasta shot tomorrow late morning. I was told to continue the claritin for at least 3 days. Fingers crossed that it helps manage the bone pain for me.
We have a bunch of fun activities for my son this weekend that I'm going to have my husband take him to since I'm not sure I'll be up for it.
Is anyone else keeping a log of how they are feeling to ID any trends for next time?
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I'm a very detailed person and I bought a journal just to log details when I start and am in chemo. Having worked in a busy surg's office for 10 years as surgery coordinator, I know you're not going to remember everything as the doc comes in and looks to be in a rush because he's running late as usual.
Yesterday I had my preop with my bs toward putting my port in next wk. I heard him outside the door say I'll take a quick look at "Artista"... I was like huh? I had a bunch of questions and not all to do with port stuff. So I was glad I had it all written down because it is the mind frame of in and out for most and you need to fire away your questions/concerns---so great idea to keep a detailed diary of your journey. I have a planner only right now where I write everything down but come chemo, it's diary/journal time.
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I also taped all my doctor visits on a phone app so I can relisten if I forget something that was said or suggested...
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Picked up my wig yesterday. I splurged on a real hair wig and am glad I did. The wig shop did a great job matching it to my natural colour and style. I wore it home (over my still intact and tucked in hair) and met up with the hubby and kids for dinner out. They didn't even notice that it was a wig until I told them. Made my day. I picked up the hat with hair fringe for easy and quick use. I agree, you have to try it on. I tried on so many that I thought would look good but didn't. Keep trying.
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