Dec 13, 2021 05:02PM kayce234 wrote:

Hi all. Joining the group with a Dec 21st start for t/c . Its my hubbies bday and he gets to spend it watching me get chemo! Got my port today-i have horrible veins. So far its very uncomfortable but aupposed to be better in 48hrs so fingers crossed. Thus us my 2nd rodeo. Had IDC first time around with radiation, oncologist was only 16so no chemo, did tamoxifen then the post menopause drugs....didn't lije any of them. Have Triple negative this time around with no link to first cancer. Had mastectomy with Diep reconstruction on 10/21.

Anyone else get a porr?

Dec 15, 2021 10:07AM ajbclan wrote:

Hi Ladies-

I wanted to jump in and give you all support and encouragement, as I remember it helped me during this time. 5 years ago, I was awaiting my last chemo treatment. I remember seeing women 5 plus years out and it felt like a lifetime that would take forever to reach. Here I am, doing "well"- in quotes as you all know there's so much "unknown". While I have no evidence of disease, that idea will always lurk in my mind. The good news is I was recently asked what type of cancer I had, and I couldn't remember right away, lol.

This time period sucks- no way around it. One day at a time and lean on each other. There are still about 5 from my "chemo group" that try and stay connected periodically through the board.

Wishing you all well, minimal side effects, and one day posting on a board 5 years out encouraging others (or maybe it just won't exist any longer- wouldn't that be fabulous).

Dec 19, 2021 03:28PM kayce234 wrote:

Hi all

Port is feeling so much better and starting my first TC dose Tuesday. Feeling nervous, been trying to rest and relax this weekend, cleaned my office as I'm healed enough from the DEIP Flap reconstruction to go back to my desk from the recliner I've been working from. Other than that just getting Christmas decorations up and basically resting, resting and hydrating. Kind of nervous for first dose, so close to Christmas I'm afraid I will be miserable for Christmas Eve and Day.

Dec 21, 2021 02:04PM - edited Dec 21, 2021 02:07PM by kayce234

1 down 3 to go. Today went as well as I could have expected. Went in prepared with my wonder woman socks, faith bracelet, earrings and heart necklace - all special gifts. Chronicling each visit to see the changes. Whole day felt like spa treatment. Had leather heated recliner, accupuncture in my ears and a lunch cart came around. 1 bag of saline and 2 bags of chemo. Whole day took form 7:30 - 3pm after bloodwork, dr appt and chemo. Zero effects so far, nothing while getting infusions and feel good now. Enjoy the moments while I can but prepared for the floor to fall out in a day or two. Planning on cutting my hair tomorrow as many has said its best to have it shorter as it will cause fewer issues when it starts to fall out. Going to try and do it myself since I cut my family's hair - and figure if it's bad oh well, it's falling out any way :)

Dec 23, 2021 03:45PM - edited Dec 23, 2021 03:46PM by mugsy

Hi!

I had chemo 2 of 4 yesterday. I had another "reaction" to the Taxotere, so we switched to Taxol. We will keep the "C" in the TC chemo, just switching up the T since the taxotere didn't like me. Everything else went well, with the cold cap and the day overall. Hair seems to be hanging in there, have some shedding but I usually do normally. (I'm 51 and perimenopausal, take thyroid, etc., so hair has been thinning over the last few years a bit). The cap didn't feel as cold this time, not sure if that means anything. Also, the nurse said I wouldn't likely see hair fall out (eyebrows, lashes, etc.) until next round. So we'll see how head hair is between rounds 3 and 4. When I have the icky feeling on days 2-6 or so, I do think, "who cares about my hair?" And washing it is a true anxiety-fest. But am hanging in there with it.

Morgana - thanks for remembering I was starting round 2! Did your bone pain get better? I agree with you about walking and moving, it helps (dogs help too). Tylenol helped me and I was up in the middle of the night to take it. Also agree about cheese tasting wonderful, and I'm loving sweets. I'm not losing weight. If I lose a little bit the first week, I'm deffo gaining it back in weeks 2-3. I'm glad your hubby is ready with the clippers when the time comes!

Kayce - so happy to hear your first infusion went so well! Love the Wonder Woman socks and special jewelry. Glad the port is treating you better now. I truly hope you will feel well enough to enjoy Christmas!

Blinx - It took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the port. The pulling sensation went away and I stopped "noticing" it and feeling it. It's an adjustment, for sure. It's probably horrible for me to admit that it was worse than my lumpectomy/node removal?! Not sure why, just the nerves on my neck/chest and recovery for me (and even scar) was more with the port. It happens! But now I'm glad to have it. Did you have a FISH test for the HER? The waiting and anticipating is the hardest part, I think. Wishing you a great start on Dec. 28.

ajbclan - Thank you for the support! How nice to share your perspective from your vantage point now. I love the idea that you had a hard time recalling your exact cancer. Hope that happens for all of us...that this terrific challenge will one day be a most distant memory. Thank you for the much needed hope!

Wishing everyone a warm & wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the coming new year.