RE16

Everyone is different but I imagine you will be quite nervous, more than likely your doctor will give you something to take the night before to help you to relax. My infusions lasted 6 hours and I always choose to bring my walkman (yes I said walkman not IPOD as it was way back in the late 90's) and listen to my favorite music and drift off to sleep during the infusion. Do try to relax if at all possible, it is truly not as bad as most imagine it to me. Yes you may get sick so be sure to take the meds the doc gives you at the designated times as that will help you with neausea. It is helpful to start writting your treatment questions down now as you will not remember them once you are in front of the doctor. Keep a note pad handy that you can jot your question down on and take it with you to your appointments. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of chemo and a few days afterwards to help flush your system. You will most likely be quite tired so rest as much as you feel the need to, you are not being lazy you are actually being smart and taking good care of yourself. You may find that you lose your appetite so eat small portions as often as you feel like eatting (you want to keep your nutrition up). Those are a few of the things that come to mind. The important thing to remember is that chemo is a means to an end and it is doable. You can do this, you can get through this and once you do you will regain your strength with time. My best to you!

RE

I'll just piggyback RE with some things I remember. If you have a port, there is a cream called EMLA that you apply an hour before your treatment; it numbs the area and makes port access painless! For sure, take all the meds for nausea. They really make a difference. One med I took before and after was Emend. I was also given some kind of steroid before treatment and it really wound me up. I usually went to treatment (an hour and a half from my home) with a friend and we would shop afterward. While I was getting my infusion, I would watch videos and usually drift off to sleep. When I was awake, sometimes I'd eat. The center had meals and drinks available and I always drank juice. I usually felt fine for a day and a half after treatment and then crashed and just needed to rest for two days. Your protocol and meds are probably different so your response may be different. At first, I was really nervous going into chemo, but the nurses were so wonderful and I felt very well cared for. It is no picnic, but you CAN do it! : )

All will be very individual. I have chemo now since more than 3 years, 5FU, Oxiplatin, Taxotere, Cetuximab. It is always on Mondays (around 6 hrs) and I go to work from Tuesday to Friday. Of course you sometimes feel weak or sick, but you can do it. Do not be afraid, the chemo is there to help you. It is not your enemy.

Thank you for the answer. I was disappointed that I didn't continue to feel as good as I did right after treatment was over, but then if I examine my activity level there is a distinct change. May be pushing myself just a little much. At least the breathing is easing up so must have been allergies, etc

Havent had chemo yet. The information that I read here is really informative. It's also a little scary. Well at least I know a little bit about what to expect

Hi grams2jc
I was just diagnosed last sept. 2011. I had lumpectomy, two weeks later 9 nodes removed. Started chemo, 8 weeks, only two drugs 4 wk intervals. Start rads in two weeks, (33 txs) I have your tightness and pain right between both breasts. Have you found anything about yours??

I was faced with the same dilemma. I keep having spots pop up in my lungs (my primary is Colon). After this latest (4th) lung surgery, the docs were talking to me about chemo. Of course, they couldn't say whether or not there were any stats to back this up, but in my mind, my markers were good and the spot was removed, so what's the point of doing chemo? I elected not to, so I guess the validity of that decision remains to be seen. I have my next round of scans next week. I think those of us living with cancer as a chronic illness are forging new ground in terms of protocol. I always have trusted my gut with difficult decisions but I do consider the opinions of the doctors very heavily as well. And it's interesting how the Onocologist really wanted to follow up with Chemo, yet the surgeon was leaning more towards agreeing with me.

Do the chemo. Do what ever you can to keep it at bay. I have stage 4 and it spread to my liver. You still have a chance at stopping it in its tracks. Do the chemo. Its not easy but its your chance to kill it. I'd do anything to be in your shoes. I'd do chemo and be thankful. I'd feel like I had a better chance to keep on living. I would feel like I had a better chance to see my grandson grow up.

Just wanted to put my two cents . I was stage 4 C colon cancer with 3 nodes positive. I felt like you they got the cancer out. Well I waited 3 months before I made the decision to have the chemo, as I was so afraid of what chemo can do to you. I did 6 months of chemo and yes I had my ups and downs, but I a still alive 2 years and 5 months since my surgery. Also a new mass has turned up in my pelvic area and the doctor was sure it was a recurrence, but after the biopsy's it came back non cancerous. I was lucky this time but if I didn't have the chemo I am sure it would have been malignant. So go for it and best of luck Joyce

It depends on who you ask. Ask my naturopath and she says that some people walk away with NED (no evidence of disease). Old statistics for stage for give us 2-3 years. My surgeon said 10 - 15 years. I have been stable for two years at stage four. There is no way to tell and statistics lie. They only show the ones who are tracked, or are on standard treatment. It is frightening and daunting but I'm with the post above. Only God knows. Blessings, L

Everyone is different but only God knows when we will die.

Jivan: I am curious as to what stage, and type of breast cancer she has. As everyone has said, there are so many stages, differences in individuals, and severity of the drugs used. I had only 2 drugs. 2nd being taxol. These were for 8 tx every two weeks. I am now on my last taxol next tues. Then 33 rads txs. I am 59 yrs. of age, and most side effects I have had are very similar to most. Circular rashes, on buttocks, forehead, eyebrow. Will not go away even with cream. I have stage II invasive ductal cancer. I too wonder if this is the end of this thing. Or I am looking at years of worry and wondering if it will return. Best of luck and good will to you

I can't wait until it is out on DVD. The reviews are varied - bbut it looks like a great movie! After watching the trailer and reading the reviews I really want to see it. I like to see the lighter side of cancer, staying positive, laughing --- but seriously dealing with it all. Thanks for posting the question.

Here is the post to the reviews that were helpful. :) http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/50_50/70202141?trkid=2361637

My husband and I just saw it last night. We generally like the Seth Rogen movies, so we'd been looking forward to seeing what the movie would be like. I must admit that it was pretty rough for the both of us. I just had my first surgery a couple of weeks back and am in the beginning stages of having the diagnosis. I broke down at one point and my husband had to escort me out of the theater. It was just too close to home and too much at this particular time. It's now the next day and I still feel pretty yucky about the whole thing. My husband (we're newlyweds) also didn't fair too well after watching it. However, we did pick up a few pints of Ben & Jerry's on the way home from the theater, which made us feel a bit better :o) In all, the movie was good- I think that it is going to do well with people around my age (I'm in my early/mid 20s), and older crowds as well. It was just not the right movie for me to see or experience at this point. Yucky...

Nope. I have had cancer twice and dealt with it in my way. I don't care to watch someone else go through this ordeal, even if he used humor as a way of coping.

i was very up front with her, the same as i've always been - she was aware there was a mass that was being inspected, she was the first one i told of the diagnosis, since i was immediately thrust into a whirlwind of specialist appointments, and i would have to be arranging for time off for surgery.

she's been amazing about it all, i've worked from home for a week at a time when i spent half my time running to specialists and tests.

my surgery is next week.

My kid was inpatient almost a month before diagnosis, for surgery, biopsy,marrow test, FNAC and it took almost a month to confirm the diagnosis. From the very first day onwards my Boss was always very helpful to me to adjust my working hours and was supporting me for my every need.

My journey started last year and another 2 years to go, my Boss is still there giving me all kind of support to fight it out. Always there with a helping hand..

Document, document, document. I am still in a tough position with my (previous) employer. Even if you have an amazing relationship make sure you confirm everything in writing (that you told them, what your new work schedule is etc). Good luck!

as crazy as it sounds 2 good things one is honey just smear it on and it takes the heat off next a rag soaked in cold whole milk apply to the burn it takes the heat out and moisturizes the skin i am also a burn survivor and use both of thses treatments

As the treatments continue, be on the lookout for Thrush. This is a condition that can happen inside the mouth. There are good medications to help this problem and Mary's Magic Potion to ease mouth radiation burns.

I had radiation burns inside my mouth, on my tongue and lips, painful to the extreme. The ony relief I found beyond the morphine and hydrocordone was a mixtue called MBX, what this is, is equal parts of Mylanta, Beneydryl, and Xlyolcaine (spelling?) anyway, bottom line is that the anestheic of the xlylocaine stop the pain temporarily so I could eat, the benydryl help with the swelling and the mylanta acts as a way to make it stick and not wash off so easily. This concoction i made up (by prescription) by the pharmasist. It was the only thing that made it possible for me to eat and drink without having a stomach tube put in. I highly recommend it for those with mouth pain, but it is topical only.

That just because I come into work or wherever looking fairly normal, I still am dealing with a huge disease and my thoughts and emotions are all over the place. I might "look good" but that's because I've spent time putting on a wig, putting on make up and having rested all day before I got there.

I wish they would understand that I am "Living with cancer", not waiting to die. I want to make every day count and I want to help others who are Living with cancer.

As a Christian and maybe especially as a Pastor, I am concerned when people in my church act like I am not showing much faith by admitting that I have cancer. They say some rather off the wall things, but I can understand how they are "uncomfortable", I guess I was that way before I was diagnosed too.

It's kind of like the people that go to a funeral and say things like, "He never looked better." or "Well he is healed now." No he isn't, he's dead!

To help my family and friends understand I have started a blog to share what I'm going through (that was before I found this site).
www.faithfulinthemeantime.wordpress.com Now when they ask how I'm doing I tell them to read the blog if they want to be up to date. It also helps me collect my thoughts and feelings to write about them.

I appreciate you and all of the folks that take time to share on this site and I look forward to getting to know many as we journey together!

Blessings,
Steve

All of what is said here sounds so familiar! People who feel they should tell you that their aunt had cancer and died from it and people who won't look you in the face when it's pretty obvious because you're wearing a scarf or hat and have no eyelashes or eye brows. All I wanted was to be treated like a human being or at least like before cancer. I loved the little girl who came up to me and asked why I didn't have any hair and looked me in the face. I had a smile on my face after that. How about the people in your life that disappear - like running for the hills! I know it's a kind of primal fear that makes people act like that. I'm going to make sure I treat other cancer folks like the humans they are - I hope I always have.

This is a great question. I think cancer is a part of life that really didn't surprise me. If anything I was surprised that it took so long to show up. My family has a long history of cancer and I have a genetic disorder that made me predisposed to liver cancer.

Victim? No. Just human. As I move down this road I'm feeling like more than a survivor, I feel, as the Bible says, like a conqueror.

I never allowed myself to feel like a victim. I knew, that if I let that mindset move in, I would not be able to keep my head above water and fight. There are always options we have and we can actively choose, even if it is only our attitude and view on things. Once you are a victim you are doomed and you are at the mercy of others or circumstances. I always tried to be one step ahead and make my choices, be informed or even in my darkest chemo moments looked at the next step forward: Tiny steps at times - get up go to the bathroom, make yourself a cup of tea, walk to the mailbox...never feel sorry for yourself!

I never felt like a victim--but I have blamed myself for not getting the colonoscopy as soon as my doctor told me to--at age 50. I've had uncountable mammograms and spent thousands of dollarson bone density tests, and argued against lipitor (statin) since the treatment 'guidelines" have lowered the number recommending treatment.

I say, "no ever died of osteopenia/osteoporosis".
I do feel my preventative care priorities were very wrong--but I was warned, however "gently", by my doctor to get the colonoscopy now that you are 50." It just felt like a punch list item, not a real threat! Ironically, when I had my body CT scan, the radiologist noted "very mild atherosclerosis" for my age (56)!

Great reading ladies! Thanks for sharing.

I am post-chemo day 3 from my first round of taxol/carbo for endometrial cancer. My onc told me expect the loss day 17. The sisters are saying more like 13/14.

In the whole scheme of things it doesn't matter but on post treatment day 14 I am supposed to attend a mandatory meeting for work (I work remotely so I rarely go into the office). I envision myself sitting there and hair falling out right then and there! There aren't many people that know of my diagnosis so I am a little shaken by this.

I love the tattoo "L"! That was suggested to me but more along the lines of a certain finger! Weren't you concerned about possible infection when you had that done?

Take care, be well...
Pat

I've had the joy of losing my hair to chemo twice. The first time, when I was 12, I was in such denial about my diagnosis that I refused to cut my hair shorter and instead, I prolonged the "falling out" process a few extra weeks. It was emotionally devastating as an adolescent by did cement the idea that I had to confront my diagnosis and deal with it head-on. My mother arranged for a woman to come to our home and she fitted me for a wig. I was so conceded about looking normal that I wore it everywhere outside of the hospital and my house. Like your average preteen, I was just concerned about fitting in.
This time around I felt slightly more prepared for the emotions involved with losing my hair. I had it cut short soon after my diagnosis and had a few emotional breakdowns in the shower as it slowly began to fall out. I hated looking at myself in the mirror and losing my hair the second time was equalling as devastating as the first. Even knowing that my hair would grow back didn't ease my pain. I guess when it all boils down, I'm just a 27 year old girl who still wants to be considered as normal.
My younger brother volunteered to shave my head and on Thanksgiving morning, as we watched the Macy's parade, he buzzed off whatever was left.
I was initially on the fence about getting a wig, but I ordered two from the TLC and I love them. I get compliments on them all the time. I wear scarves to Dr. appointments but because I work with children, the wigs do come in handy.

Deciding to go bald was very empowering for me. It was the one decision I could make about how the cancer would effect my body. Besides, I had naturally curly hair which i tried to iron into submission for years.

After my diagnosis I had my shoulder length hair cut shorter in stages. I began weekly treatments of abraxane and my hair held tight for the first three treatments, then began to thin. It was at that point I made the decision it was time to show the world my nice round noggin.

I called my ex husband (he owns a dog grooming business) and had him shave it off. It was mid summer and I proudly sported my bald. It was my alternative to everything pink.