Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Don't know what to expect

Thanks, @auntieoakley. This is helpful.
We don't live close to each other. We are on opposite sides of the country. I'm on the West Coast and she is on the East.
Mom is flying out this weekend and doesn't have a return ticket. I don't want to hijack @kevachanel38's thread so I will start a new one about bi-costal support, relocation for treatment, etc.
I appreciate the interaction. Treatment hasn't started and we don't know too many details and it is all so overwhelming.

@moshi what is the cooler, bags, and ice for?

I didn’t see any mention of cold cap, mittens and slippers to help prevent neuropathy. My chemo nurses were very strong on this recommendation. You can buy them on Amazon. They are filled with ice packets. The cap helped a little, but the mittens and slippers helped a lot. I have a small amount of numbness in my feet, but my hands are fine. Very important.

I have a notebook just dedicated to my visit events. Also, if your care team ha My Chart, you can print out their clinical notes each time. This is super helpful. I have a 3 ring binder I keep everything in, including my genetic testing results.

I decorated it on the front with photographs to help me remember my “why”.

Also the binder is helpful for any friend, buddy or spouse who comes with you.

I'm using the cooler to put my own gallon and smaller ziplock bags of ice in for my hands and feet... maybe my head. I don't care about losing my hair but it might help with brain fog. I'm bringing a bungi cord and strapping tape for wrapping up. If the nurses come up with something else... that's great. I'll take anything they give... and still have my own stuff. Meanwhile, I don't like depending on someone else having ice and the things I feel might save me from neuropathy.
My chemo starts on Monday... I'll let you know how it goes...

Hey Guys just want to give you all updates since I originally posted this thread. So First thing my Chemo date changed , I started Chemo treatment March 7 at approximately 12:45 pm . The first round was really horrible for me , I suffered bad Nausea , had a lot of pain in my breast , my body was aching and I was just ill and full of pain and aches . I stayed in bed for like 3 days after and it was just the worst for me now I'm currently getting ready for round 4 and things are getting better , I started drinking Ginger to help with my Nausea , and its been helping me very well, I also been drinking Bone Broth daily , this has been giving me so much strength during the day which I need because I'm still working my full time job. My appetite is not there so I mostly eat rice , beans and a little sandwich, sometimes I try to each little snacks but I'm mostly not hungry for it. My sleep has been affected , at first I was not getting any sleep at all , I would literally be up for 48 hours straight until I finally crashed , then I could do nothing with out my sleep , Its getting better now that I take Melatonin, I know people said sleep is very important and I'm happy I'm getting some now , I believe my body has adjusted to this Chemo treatment and I'm happy to say I am doing well and I'm fighting this battle with every thing I have and I will not give up , I am a survivor in the making . Thank you all for your hugs, prayers and support

@kevachanel38 - hey there. Thanks for the update. Wanted to encourage you and say hang in there! You’re not alone.

Hello @kevachanel38!

I have found a great resource that may interest you. Dr. Amy has some great information out there to assist you during this period. She is a thriver and motivated me with her personal and professional experience with cancer. I received her information prior to my double mastectomy and still able to use and benefit from the tools she has provided. Blessings to you and I hope this resource helps in your healing and recovery.
Dr. Amy - Cancer Expert & Cancer Survivor
@dramycancerrecovery

4th Taxol treatment for me today… every Monday, then off to the big 3 together for the last 4 biweekly treatments. So happy to hear another chemo warrior is bringing ginger into there lives… I drink a brew I make all day long. I also make a quinoa and chia seed mush. Look it up… great nutrition. Big problem is iron and potentially anemia… I don’t eat red meat. Sooo, I added a plant protein powder into my smoothie.. we shall see how my iron is today.
I love my rolling cooler… it’s awesome. That and a backpack with my headphones, laptop, iPad and blankey… I’m battling not being a thumb sucker… lol
Be brave, be strong, be beautiful… we are warriors.

@alisa1, I'm glad that you found inspiration and helpful tips from a fellow cancer survivor, Amy Morris. It helps to hear from others who have been there.

For Everyone:
Eating healthy, exercise, not smoking, etc., we all know are good for us. And yes, healthy living can help to reduce our risk of recurrence or getting cancer in the first place. Unfortunately, cancer happens to some people even when we do everything "right".

For this reason, I would like to add some tips on how to evaluate resources. Do your due diligence.

There are red flags for me reviewing Dr. Amy's website and videos.
1. She makes promises that can't be guaranteed. For example, she stated that you can take "exact steps that eliminate side effects and stay cancer free for life"
No on can keep that promise to you. They shouldn't proclaim it as fact. We are all different. No one can guarantee cancer-free for life.

2. She is a doctorate of pharmacy, not an medical physician or oncologist.
I'm the first to tell you that pharmacists are an important member of your health care team. They are knowledgeable, accessible and often helpful, expecially when reviewing medications, possible interactions and counselling how best to take medications.
However on her website, she is not clear about her degree and it is misleading that she calls herself the cancer expert and Dr. Amy.

3. She is selling promises. Often where there is hope, there is hype. Buyer beware before spending your money.