Hi everyone,
After two surgeries and many tests I am starting my chemo treatments next week. I have two very small children and am a little worried about all of the side effects. Any advise anybody can give me would be greatly appreciated, I think the unknown is really freaking me out. Nobody really knows like you guys do.
Thanks:)
Monique
Hi there,
I am in the same boat you are. I am meeting with the oncologist tomorrow to get all my final test results, and then I will be starting too. I am scared to death. How do you know what is a normal reaction to chemo and what is more serious?
Suzie
hi there im not going to bet about chemo can be horrid but but think of it this way its for so many weeks making you better and at the end of you have your llife back ,i lost all my hair when it started falling out i shaved it off i looked at myself and cried then i said well thats it now .i had long hair before and wouldnt have much cut of when trimmed .but now i sport a new short hair style and love it ive kept it that way .all the best to you and just go with it and take plenty of rest
My mom had it and she would bring something to read with her and a walkman while getting the treatment. For in the car on the way home she would have one of those hospital wash basins, some ice, a cold wash cloth and pepperment candy. I will be lighting candles for you both.
Blu
Hey Monique,
I talked to my gynecologist who actually had chemo therapy. He had a port put in and called it his port a potty, because all they are doing is putting s**t in it. I love his sense of humor. He gave me some survival tips though. He said if you can get one of those portable dvd players and watch movies. I have also heard to prevent mouth sores you can suck on ice chips while having treatment and that will help. I also talked to a survivor who said that her biggest complaint was feeling tired. Kind of like when you are about to catch the flu. But she said drink plenty of fluid, and walking around some can really make you feel better. I also read not to eat anything too hot or cold and stick to a bland diet. Doesn't this sound like a lot of fun. But they are right, only 4 months of this. We can do this. In my mind I feel like I have already beaten cancer, now I just have to make sure it never comes back. Count it as a victory. We can do this together.
WREN and BLU,
Thank You sooo much for your tips and kindness, it did help yesterday. One down, thank goodness only 5 more to go!!YEH!!Thanks again for your love and support:)
Monique
Suzie
you are sooo awesome, thanks for the tips. I made it through okay. I too feel cancer free and my doctors are agressively fighting to make sure I don't get it back. Because of our young age we have a larger chance of getting it back. I'm sure I told you before but they have me on the 6 treatments instead of 8. It is way harder on you but suppose to be way more agressive. Plus I am on a trial drug that goes on 1 year longer. I heard about the ice chips too but I don't think they have ice chips, I guess I could take a cooler with some. Let me know what you have coming up so I can cyber hold your hand, it always makes you feel better just thinking people care. I felt my hand being held yesterday and it does help, there are so many caring people out there. I have to go for my shot today, side effects large bone pain...just great!!!
Take Care
Monique
Hey Monique,
I am so proud of you. You did great. It must be so nice to be able to say only 5 more to go. I guess it is not as bad as we make in our minds. I have a sense of relief just reading. I am so glad that the meds worked well for you. Our age has to be somewhat of an advantage. We are tougher. I haven't started yet. I am still in limbo with some strange test results. They are going to be perfectly normal, but I have to have a biopsy of my liver. They found some spots. But my Dad has spots, so I am going to count this one up to him. This test is going to be normal. Nothing more wrong. I am not going to have it. I am now putting my foot down and saying no more. If this test will be normal, I promise I will not complain about chemo or losing my hair anymore. Just let it be normal. Let me do my chemo and let me get on with my life, and my new outlook on life. LIVE to the fullest. And just know that I was there for you in spirit, and I think of you often. I am still so proud. You are so brave.
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
You are so sweet, thank you for your support. You know it helps so much to know there are people out there would care what happens to you. I know your tests will be fine, just keep up your great positive attitude!!!!You are soooo strong. You made me cry. I see you as very strong and you are way more positive then me. I have not been very positive these last few days. I feel soo run over, I can't even do much with my little ones. Here I am feeling sorry for myself and look at what you have to go through. I know you will be fine and we both will come out of this so much stronger. I do want you to know my doctor gave me this "cocktail" before the Neustra (oops) shot the day after chemo. If you end up having it I want you to know I have not had the "bone pain" side effect you can get. So if you end up getting the shot please let me know I will tell you what I took, my doctor swears it works most of the time, its worth a try. You too are in my thoughts and I want you to let me know what and when you are having things done, so I can be by your side too. We will beat all of this, I can't wait til the day I can talk to you, with us as SURVIVORS!!!!:):):)
Let me know what happens,
Your friend,
Monique
Hi Monique,
You know we are already survivors. Most people would not last as long as we have. Nor endure what we have gone through. We have already beaten this thing, and now we are beating it down so hard, it will never show its ugly head again. Know that. And don't push yourself so hard. Your children understand more than you think. Of course you feel run down. Just do a little at a time, and take a break. You can only do so much. And this shot thing that you are getting, I know nothing about. No one has metioned it to me. It sounds awful. What is it? I, too, want to know what is going on with you and when. It is nice not to be alone. And you can complain as much as you want and never feel selfish. And some days I am positive, and some days I am not. I am sure you are the same way. It is really an emotional rollcoaster. Up and down. But we definitely have a bond that only people who are experience this would understand. We are always stronger together, than apart.
Suzie
Thanks Suzie,
Actually today, four days later I am begining to feel better. I even went out to dinner with my family, couldn't eat much though. I get a shot the day after, Neulestra, to boost white blood cell count, costs 2000.00 each luckly my co pay is only 50.00. I didn't get the pain they said from it though. Maybe the pills they had me take worked. I have to say I was not very positive the last few days but I think I have some coming in front of me now that I am feeling a little more like myself. You know its hard when you are used to doing everything and keeping everything in order and you can't. I really had a hard time with that, but my kids are great and I am lucky to have them. You know I adpoted my two littlest ones, actually my littlest is still in the process of adoption. They are so precious. Thanks for taking the time to talk, it really makes things better. Here's my email if you want to email direct bmkkl@hotmail.com. Keep me posted, EVERY APPOINTMENT!!!:)
Your friend,
Monique
Hi,
I'm Suzie's mom, and I just wanted you all to know how happy that I am for her to have your support and friendship. As much as I love her and try to help her, I haven't stood in her shoes and had to go through all of this. Only someone who has or is experiencing these painful procedures can actually identify with her. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there for her.
Blessed Be,
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
As I told you before, Suzie is soooo lucky to have you. And we are lucky to have each other, this would be a really hard fight to fight alone. I am also glad I have made these friends and I think we each help each other. This is tough but we do know and understand what each of us is going through. My family and friends all try to help but they just dont quite understand the feelings and things I am trying to deal with. So also thank you for introducing her to me, we can help boost each other when we need it:)
HUGS:)
Monique
Hi Monique,
I bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth, since I haven't been on the forum. I went back to work and it wore me out. I thought I would never get through the week. It feels good to be back to my normal routine though. And everyone was so happy to see me, even my patients. I work in a urology office. I will get the swing of it soon enough. I had my liver biopsy Friday. That was not fun. I felt like I got kicked in the side by a horse. Thank goodness it only lasted a day. We get the report back tomorrow. I still think it is nothing. I hope you are still doing okay.
Suzie
Glad to hear you didn't fall off the earth, then who would help me through this???:0 Let me know how your biopsy comes out, are they going to tell you a treatment plan after those results?? Good for you to get back to work. I could have gone back today but with all of the drama at my work, I have decided not to go back till after I am done atleast with chemo. I work at a school so that would then be summer so I probably won't go back until the end of August. I do miss my special ed kids I work with, they sent me card that were priceless. Keep up the great spirit and let me know what happens tomorrow. GOOD LUCK, not that you need it, I'm sure your fine.
Monique
Hi Monique,
Well, the biopsy was not so good. It turned out to be breast cancer cells in my liver. Thus, moving me right into metastatic breast cancer at 32. It sucks. I felt like the doctor gave me the death sentence right there. Almost like he had given up hope on me. Knocked me to my knees for a couple of days. I am feeling better today. It is amazing though, I do not have to undergo any chemo at this time. I will be just taking Tamoxfin for the next 12 weeks and then we will do another scan to see if the medicine is helping. He says that I will never be cured, but I don't believe him. He is only a doctor, not a God, and who is he to say I can't beat this. I do know that I could really use some good news. Please tell me you are doing well. I can certainly understand not trying to go back to school yet. You got to take care of you and those little ones.
Susie
Suzie,
I'm soooo sorry, please know i am here for you anytime you need to talk, scream or cry!!!!! This is no death sentence, you are such a fighter you will beat this and we will both be survivors TOGETHER!!!!:) Do you feel comfortable with your doctor?? Make sure you are 100% comfortable with him. I have a female doctor and I think they are way better at being gentle and understanding. My surgeon was a male and boy he thought nothing was bad or hurt, not very sensitive. I know you can do this, lucky you no chemo. I sat here yesterday and cried all day, so so depressed, my hair is coming out in handfuls. I thought I was prepared but when it started coming out I was devastated. I went on the other web site I visit regularly and posted about my bad day and got 16 responses so after reading all of them I felt a little better. I need to shave my head because hair is everywhere. I am feeling better but my next treatment is coming too soon, Tuesday. Please know I am thinking of you and your family and I am here when you need me, please let me know how you are atleast every so often so I don't worry. Take Care my sister,
HUGS to you,
Monique
Hi Susie,
I am not quite sure how yours and Monique emails have arrived into my
mail box but they did. Sorry to hear about you diagnosis, I to had
liver mets from bc at 34y/o so I also know how you feel right now. The
first two weeks after discovering the liver mets were the darkest 2
weeks of my life.
But I also know that once you have this it is possible to hang on to
life and I know people with mets that are still mets free after many
years. I am now 35 y/o and in complete remission (NED), which of
course as you know is not the same has being in remission after BC,
yep I never thought that i day i refer to BC as being normal. Can I
ask you are you Her2+? Why no more chemo?
If you have question do not hesitate to ask, by the way I live in
London (UK) where are you guys from?
Take care
Karina
On 19/04/07, Suzie bc-cpt2052@lists.careplace.com wrote:
Not sure how I am getting messages posted by you and Suzie, but I am wishing
you both well. I fortunately had a very kind surgeon, I kind of have a
crush on him still. How much and what kind of chemo are you having? I
finished my chemo a year ago in March. I lost my hair after my second
treatment, was glad my daughter, age 20, was around, we joked about it, and
I felt better. I remember sitting that night watching tv and pulling out
hair and putting it in the trash beside the sofa. I know it’s hard, but
keep a positive attitude, you’ll make it. I’ll be glad to continue chatting
if you wonder about anything. Hang in there.
Brenda
----- Original Message -----
From: “fourkmom” bc-cpt2052@lists.careplace.com
To: bsiems@esu8.org
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [bc] Starting Chemo any advice???
Not sure how I am getting your emails but decided I could respond. I know
that I would tell you that I will be thinking of you and praying for you. I
was diagnosed with BC the summer of 2005 at age 49, so my two children are
both grown and about out of the nest. It was still hard, especially for my
daughter, but we’ve become a lot closer. I finished chemo last March. Did
they tell you why no chemotherapy for the liver mets? I am still going to
the oncologist every three months and the days before each appointment are
hard, wondering if they’ll find something this time. I belong to a support
group that meets monthly that has helped me immensely if that is something
that you’ve ever considered. There are lots of us out here. Someone once
said that once diagnosed none of us will ever be ‘cured’, we’ll struggle
with this diagnosis like a chronic illness. I’ll be on Femara for the next
4 years and then hopefully something new will be discovered that I can take
for the next 5-10 years. Stay hopeful and strong.
----- Original Message -----
From: “Suzie” bc-cpt2052@lists.careplace.com
To: bsiems@esu8.org
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: [bc] Starting Chemo any advice???