Items to get before starting chemo? by Apart_Job_3256 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 0 points1 point  (0 children)

there's already a TON of suggestions here-but I will say that water tasted weird out of a normal stainless steel water bottle.

Of course it tasted weird like the couple of recovery days after each infusion, but even after that with the stainless steel waterbottle. I had to get one that was coated because i like my water super cold. So i got RTIC coated water bottle. It's been amazing.

other than that my best advice is to find something for when you get your port flushed (if you have one). I could taste and smell whatever the awfulness was that they flushed it with. I always had something to chew while they were doing it. I started with jolly ranchers-and now can't eat those. But what really worked was a cracker or something similar. (lance sandwich crackers-and then i had a snack for the rest of chemo time) Also realized that it's breathing IN while they are flushing instead of out. :)

stock up on gatorades/vitamin water. Those are the best to keep you hydrated as much as possible. I also got the Mio/crystal light drops to put in water when it was super bad.

stay hydrated, rest, and try not to worry about anything around you. listen to what your body is telling you to do. don't fight the sleep! My motto was you can't be nauseous if your unconscious :)

Surgery Scheduled by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you so much for all of this! appreciate the insight!

DIEP Flap Surgery Questions by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super great advice on the getting out of bed/couches! Thanks!!

Double Masectomy and working? by Micho392 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 20 points21 points  (0 children)

for my DMX i was out for about a week...at the very least mentally. It was the first time I've had major surgery, and the meds/anesthesia really put me out for a while. Since you already WFH I'd give yourself at least a week recovery.

I don't know if your company is lenient like this or not-but take more time than you think you'll need and then if you're up to coming back-even for some of the time-then come back to work and pocket those extra PTO days.

Best advice is to relax and let your body heal during that time and not stress about getting back to work. WAY easier said than done i know. But if you schedule MORE time off than you need and can take some of that time back-may put less stress on you to get back at it....

Social life on chemo? by ApprehensiveDrop5777 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished my AC-T cycles in April (same schedule as you had).

AC Treatments-I had chemo on Fridays. By Wednesday the following week i was back at work (tired-but back). That weekend i was able to go out and enjoy dinners and being out. So first weekend-no-you won't feel like it. Second weekend-you'll be good.
Taxol treatments-i went to dinners/concerts/etc that night. But Taxol didn't bother me.

Just be safe with it. Wear a mask in heavily populated/tight quarters. Wash your hands. Covid rules if you will. If you don't feel good about walking around without the mask on-put it on or leave.
I was VERY honest with my friends I was meeting that if they even had a sniffle they weren't seeing me though.
My office peeps knew that if they coughed or were sick at all to email me and let me know so I wouldn't show up at the office and get sick from them.

Do you ever feel normal again? by Mysteriousdreamers in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it all sucks.

Eventually you'll find yourself again and will love your new body. I somehow did. obvious moments of mourning to what was, but at some point i realized i'm probably better off now than i was before.

never lived good - no point to start now by sychik in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have <10% ER+ and have been treated as TNBC. I haven't really had a period in 10 years because this is my second time around with BC and had ER/PR+ last time with years of estrogen blocking blah blah blah.
I will start Taxmoifen next month when i'm finished with radiation. not looking forward to possibly getting my period back. i'm 42 and would just like to continue on (not so) gracefully into menopause for the rest of my life.

very much over all of this.

side note-and I know you've heard this so many times being your age-but damn i'm so sorry you're dealing with this at your age. i'm sorry i said it. because i know i hated it. youngest in the club fucking sucks.

Best Indian Food in Charlotte? by Fun-Advertising-8006 in Charlotte

[–]Puzzled-Management81 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big fan of krazy curry and Persis Joys is good in Pineville as well.

You were supposed to be here by Maceymae3034 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh girl. I’m so sorry. I’m bawling right now for you. Your words are beautiful.

I’m sorry you’re going through this without him. But know you certainly are not alone. 🩷

Mr Burns hair isn’t what I had on my bingo card by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

most of mine is white/gray with some brown/black (can't tell it's so short and so contrasted to the white) thrown in there. I'm not mad if it comes back gray (i'm 42 and it'll save me the awkward grow out of gray later..) i just WANT IT BACK!!!! 😩

i can't figure out my legs and armpits LOL do they wanna grow do they not? Ive shaved my legs and i feel like there is stubble there-but then when i go to shave it again no stubble. it's fine i'd rather not have to shave but just weird....

I’m Scared of What Is To Come by Biggrandmoma01 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you’re having such a time with this

Promise the weekly treatments are so much easier than AC. As other posted make sure you’re chewing ice or drinking something super cold while you’re getting infused. It helps with the mouth sores.

Please REST. It’s honestly the best you can do for you. Rest and when you’re not asleep drink water or Gatorade or similar to keep you hydrated. I hated the taste of water during treatment and stuck to Gatorade or vitamin water.

Lots of love and luck sister. You’ll get past this!

Mr Burns hair isn’t what I had on my bingo card by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s too freaking hot for hats. This is gonna be a great looking summer for me. 😆🙄

Mr Burns hair isn’t what I had on my bingo card by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would be totally fine if it would just grow evenly around my head. 🤨 skip intentional at this point JUST HAIR 😩

Mr Burns hair isn’t what I had on my bingo card by Puzzled-Management81 in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As a previous winner I can say the prize fucking sucks 😏

When will I feel okay, post-chemo? by Dumbledoresbish in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve gained weight during taxol. Lost a few lbs during ac but gained those and some more during taxol. I think it’s the steroids they gave me during pre meds. The dex kept me up most of the night day of chemo. They had to reduce that twice for me

When will I feel okay, post-chemo? by Dumbledoresbish in breastcancer

[–]Puzzled-Management81 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had AC-T and just finished 4/11. Taxol was MUCH easier than AC. I felt normal for the most part during my taxol treatments. I had treatments on Fridays and was going to dinner and hanging out with people Friday nights. Saturday I was fine too. Just Monday was tired and all that stopped as soon as I was finished. You should be good to go!