Hi all. I have high grade invasive ductal carcinoma, pr and er neg but HER2+. I've had a lumpectomy (with a second one to get a clear margin), glad of that as I'm quite fond of my breasts! although of course if i was advised otherwise i wouldnt hesitate, lymph nodes removed, 2/18. port in and ready to go. Well, not sure if I'm so much ready to go, everything was fine up until I got the port in a week ago and have had high anxiety since then, Not sure if its having a foreign body in me or the realisation that Im am having Chemo. but the anxiety is making me physically ill. This afternoon I see the oncologist to find out what I'll be having and when I start. I guess the sooner the better. So the hair is now purple and by the end of the week I may just have a mohawk. Gotta have a little fun with it before it goes! I've been reading a lot of blogs on here and im glad I have as it looks like im getting a lot of honest info about chemo, no horror stories just useful information which is very helpful in being prepared. Anyway, lets see what happens this afternoon x

Welcome to our Pink Sister site. I am so glad that you have been getting benefit from the good info on this site. Yes, chemo is scarey but the other choice is scarey too. I still have my portacath in (finished chemo early June 2011). I have it flushed every couple of weeks at a cost of $20 each time. I would rather being spending $20 on ice creams or something else more yummy but "it is as it is" so I just keep going along. My specialist think I will be needing it again so I just live with "Penny Portacath". I love your hair - enjoy the fun and a sense of humour goes a long way even if it makes some people shudder at times. I had long hair and really enjoyed having the graduated shorter styles. Then when I had no hair I loved the hats and headgear. I'm sure you will too and it will be during winter time like I had it. Best wishes to you XLeonie PS If you want to keep in touch just ad me as a contact.

Hi Tumour with Humour What a fantastic website name. Love the hair as well. Try to be positive as that does help heaps. The "Pink sister" site as Leonie called is fantastic. I too am quite new to this website and journey. But I find the "sister hood" so encouraging and courageous. Ask for any advice or comment and the blogs are so inspirational. I start chemo this Friday 27/4/12, am me too am scared. But I know I will not be alone as I can talk to so many people not just here on the website, but the nurses/doctors during the chemo. Don't forget that they are also a great shoulder to cry on, if need be. I am also on Thursday getting my hair cut real short. The hair is going on my terms....... :) Hope you feel better real soon, and stay positive. Big hugs and positive thoughts going your way Julie XX

Thanks for the comments! oddly enough Leone, Im looking forward to the headwear. Hair is overrated! Chipmonk, I start Chemo next Thursday on the 3rd so you'll have to let me know how it goes for you so we can compare. Now that I do have a date Im feeling a little better. Does anyone have much info on 10 year survival rates to compare against, just out of curiosity? Linda x

I LOVE the purple hair, what a GREAT idea, before it all falls out,a dn go the mohawk, if you want. I stated to lose my hair around day 14, mild on the 14th day and then began in earnest, cut it off to an 8mm crew cut on day 17 when I couldn't stand the long lengths of hair everywhere any longer (I woke choking on it, it would fall in my dinner, it was EVERYWHERE, and drove me BONKERS. We took some photos before it began falling out from all sides, in case I wanted a wig (which I was and still am pretty sure I don't want), and to remind when what it looked like in case it comes back different) So on Day 17 post 1st cycle of TCH chemo I told the hubby it was time (we had already talked about cutting it of when it started to fall out so that I didn't look like a mangey dog, with long hair with bald patches throgh it <LOL>) so he got out the scissors (I kept some of it for posterity, in case it grows back in different), cut off a lot of it and then got the clippers stuck in and trimmed it all over to 8mm and then a bit shorted around the edge to make it look/feel/ sit better. I actually don't mind it, feels cool, (feels a bit odd at first especially when you fell the wind blowing in it etc, )drys easy, is still falling out just as much but much harder to notice on everything like clothes, bed etc. My hubby calls me GI Jane, as he reckons it looks like I am joining the military (not so much now as it is thinning like crazy now and not a whole lot left just a light covering of very short hair (you can see my scalp through it a lot more, but that doesn;t bother me either). Good Luck for your first chemo cycle (not that you will need it, I am sure you will do fine, and if you do get side effects remember to call and tell your oncologist, breast care nurse, chemo nurses etc to get soemthign for it,a s there are a lot of meds they can give to help with most of the side effects from chemo these days, makign it MUCH more bareable). LOVE the name by the way, I too look at my cancer with a sense of humour - No boob, and silicone implant (hey perky boob for ever - no saggy boobs here (the other one is begin done after chemo as a preventative measure),; No hair, hey saves time, and money on hairdresses, shampoo, getting ready etc; No "body" hair, great no shaving etc (the Brazillian takes a bit of getting used to though, not my personal choice for style :-) ); Menopause, hey great no periods for at leat 6 months (and who knows maybe they wont come back - incovenient little buggers <LOL> (my periods causes my pre-exisiting chronic pain conditions to flare, so I have always hated them and used to skip them and only have 3-4 a year but as my tumour is ER+ I can't take the pill anymore so this is out). There is a silver lining to every cloud.

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25 Replies

chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
Hi Linda

It could also be indigestion. I had indigestion hit a few days later, and I went onto Somac to relieve it. You take it in the morning, but I do admit you get the "metal taste" in your mouth after starting these.

I was also advised to help with the tummy to take Yakult to which I found helped. I actually took one in the morning and one before bed.

Hope this helps.

Love as always Julie XX
Shazinoz
Member
14 years ago
Do you have anti-nausea tablet for home use?I was given maxolon tablets that I can take up to eevery 4 hrs and also given Maxolon IM injections which I call the community nurses and they come and give them to me (day or night) - touchwood, Ihaven't needed an injection and apart from the 1st day after my 1st chemo have only taken an occasional tablet (the 1st day after my 1st chemo, I had to take them every 4 hrs, due to nausea, but after the Aloxi this time - NO nausea on any day - and I am Day 15 post 2nd cycle- still NO nausea)

I have had some heartburn/ reflux type stuff and take Zantac for that (I can't take the Nexium or Mobic they normally give becaseu I am allergic to them, and I already took the Zantac, so this could just be a worsening of a problem I already have), I also find the spearmint mylanta rolltabs very helpful if things get bad. I have upped my zantac use for the day before and week after my chemo and that seems to have significanly reduced that feeling too. And settled my tummy more too.

I suggest definately ask about the Alxi, personally I think it is miracle stuff, and it goes in through the Iv (for me through my port) before beginning my chemo, and I am covered for 4-7 days. LOVE IT :-). Mine comes in a little plastic bottle of powder that they mix saline into shake about and hang up on my IV pole.
Tumour_with_hum
Member
14 years ago
I'll have to ask them about that Shazinoz, perhaps they did give it to me? Because this would be awesome if it continued on like this!
Tumour_with_hum
Member
14 years ago
I'll have to ask them about that Shazinoz, perhaps they did give it to me? Because this would be awesome if it continued on like this!
Tumour_with_hum
Member
14 years ago
Thanks Julie. As the granchildren are staying with friends for a few days the party has been put off untill they get back later in the week.

The dex tablets would explain it as it has stopped now that i've stopped ttaking them.

I may have spoken a little too soon as i now have an upset tummy? Is it possible that the neusea could start as late as day 6 or 7? Does anyone have any advice on this?

Linda

x
chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
Hi

YOU are soooo lucky. I had the racing thoughts and I also got the jitters in the hands and my feet would just not keep still. I spoke to the oncologist and she said it's the DEX tablets that do this. I also had stupid dreams while on it, and I had a song in my head that I couldn't get rid of all nite. Real stupid!!!

I also had the headaches but really badly for about 3 days, so she has given me a prescription for Panadeine Forte to take straight away after chemo.

How did ur party go with your grandchildren? - waiting on photo's.

Take care and bug hugs Julie XX
Tumour_with_hum
Member
14 years ago
Hi all, well I must say I'm quite surprised. I was all ready for vomiting, aches and pains and all that has happened was a little queasiness for the first 2 days, a slight headache and racing thoughts. The racing thoughts were probably the worst feeling I had. Otherwise, so far so good!

I can only hope it stays this way for the whole year!

Take care

x
Shazinoz
Member
14 years ago
Hope chemo went well for you today and that you are feeling OK.
chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
All I can say is ----- I LOVE YOU AND A TOAST TO YOU - you honestly have the best attitude to this crappy disease. I could only just get my hair cut short. And that to me was hard.

Please, please post the pictures , I would love to see you and the grandchildren all smiles.

Love to you as always, Julie XX
chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
Hi Linda

Had my first chemo, and yuck!! I had the nausea and real bad headache start about 2 hours after chemo. Felt crap for about 4 days, but after day 5 - much better. Feel actually "quite normal" even though I know I am not 100%.

I diarised all my symptoms and letting the oncologist know. I think the nausea and headache for me was the worst.

I also had chemo brain. - Sorry I was once blonde... hahahaha.

What type of chemo are you having? I am on FEC and then Paclitaxel after.

Please let me know how you go with your first. I know you wont be blogging for a few days, - like me - it was the last thing you want to do.....

So I am sending all good vibes and hugs to you.... and hope you will be fine.

Julie XX

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