Starting chemo Sept 05

Pegk

and I don't have an oncologist yet! Anybody else have that problem?
I met with one, who I liked, before my surgery in July (left breast mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction and right breast symmetrization), but I was hoping to find one closer to home. The surgery was in NYC, but I live about 50 miles NW.
Path report: IDC and DCIS er/pr+, Her-2-, Sent. nodes 3/4+, ax. nodes 0/16+
I met an onc up here who wanted to start chemo last week (TAC), but my PS said I wasn't healed enough. The city onc is on the same page as my city surgeons but he recommends AC dose dense followed by T (whichever).
I've got another appt. with a local onc on Thurs, so I hope I can find someone I feel comfortable with. I really don't want to commute for this.
I've been reading the posts of the June, July and August starts and I really appreciate the knowledge and the advice. Good luck to all of you. I'm trying to turn my fear into curiosity. I will get through this like you.
Peggy

MargaretB

Hi, just wanted to say welcome, and you are right, you will get through chemo. It's not fun, but it is doable, and you will know that you've done everything you can to kick some cancer a**.

Margaret

Pegk

I'm getting my port tomorrow-7:00 AM. Did I read somewhere that that is the standard time? Then I will be one step closer.I've read threads about this so I'm not worried.
I visited my friends at work today and they're having a competition to come up with the best "chapeau" for me. They are all very creative, so they should come up with some interesting results. I'll have to wear each one at least once. A little amusement to look forward to down the road.
Peggy

tinkermax

Hi Peggy
I'm waiting for chemo, like you. My onc wanted to start chemo this week, but couldn't as second mast hasn't healed enough. Also the surgeon who puts the ports in is on holiday until 5th Sept.
Path report IDC 2.1cm grade 2, DCIS no nodes involved, ER/PR+ HER2 -.
I will be having FEC x 8 (when I eventually get started)
I am also seeing my onc on Thursday, will let you know how I get on.
Good luck with your appointment

Maxine

JulieS

Hi Peg,
I had my mastectomy 12/24/03 (no recon)and started chemo two and a half weeks later on 1/12/04. I was 64 at the time but my cancer was aggressive but I had healed nicely and the onc wanted to get started ASAP. I had TAC which is the same combination of drugs as the AC and T dose dense just a different time frame. Dose dense seems to be more common on the East coast and TAC more common in the West. It is a difficult regimen but you will get lots of tips from all of us who have been through it. Rads followed with a few burns which also healed quickly. When my onc initially discussed my treatment, I told him simply that I wanted to live. His response "let's hit it hard, the first shot is the best shot." On a positive note, I feel wonderful now, am fit, have short, silver hair (no more dyes) and forget I am wearing a presthesis even when I play golf.
We are all here for you.
JulieS

mom2mcco

I am starting chemo on 9/1. Having my port put in tommorow morning at 8am. My diagnosis is right breast IDC and ILC cancer 2.5cm, 0/11 nodes clean, margins clean, ER/PR+ and HER2+++. I have 4 doses of AC followed by 12 weeks of Taxol with Herceptin and nine more months of Herceptin. I look forward to getting through this with you guys. I may be dumb when it comes to these discussion boards - can someone help me figure out to find the different threads. I would especially like to read the threads on port placement. Thanks!!!!!

Anne Marie

Pegk

Thanks for the encouragement Margaret and Julie!
Hi Maxine and Anne Marie! Welcome!
I'm still figuring this out myself. I hope your port placement goes better than mine. I just posted my experience on a port thread which will put at the top of the topic page. There is a "search" button at the top of this page in the purple field where you can enter key words.
Anyway, I'm hurting today, but I still hope this port thing is a good idea because I've been told that I have "weird" veins.
Peggy

auntmooshka

Good luck with your treatments, Leafy!!

Go show that cancer it picked the wrong girl!

Hugs, Cathleen

tinkermax

I went to see my onc again today, and he says second mastectomy not healed enough to start chemo for at least two weeks. I am eventually getting my port put in on 9th Sept, and hope to start chemo the following week.

This waiting is so hard,

Pegk

I know, Maxine, the feeling of dread and anticipation.
I just got back from an appointment with a local oncologist. Thank goodness I like her, my husband liked her credentials, I liked the facilities, and the nurses seemed really great. I'll be getting ACx4, then Taxolx4- both dose dense. The only change in plans is that she really wants to start earlier, so she called my PC and got the go ahead.

My start date is now Aug 30th! My port area is sore and my breathing still hurts (the surgeon nicked my lung) but I'm actually looking forward to starting and getting it over with.
(And again thanks to the June, July and August Ladies, because I have an idea of what to expect, although I'll be writing my own story)
Peggy

tinkermax

Im really pleased you like your local onc Peggy, that will save you a lot of travelling.

Also great you have a start date in a few days, keep us posted on how it goes.

Hi Anne Marie and Leafy

Isn't it great to know that we are not alone, and can talk to each other here about any problems we may have.

This site is terrific.

Good Luck for today Leafy, and good luck for Thursday Anne Marie

Maxine

mom2mcco

Hi It's Anne Marie - Had not a great port experience. I went into V Tac 2X during the procedure. I felt fine but the doc was freaking out. Once he pulled the catheter out away from my heart it went back to normal. The procedure took longer than they thought and they had to give me more meds than planned. After the procedure I had a horrible headache and got sick twice. I ended up being there all day from 7:00 am until 5:30 as they wanted to make sure I was okay. I sure hope my chemo goes better. I was even that worried about the port placement. Thanks for the support of everyone and I appreciate all the good thoughts. Talk to you soon.

Anne Marie

Pegk

Wow Anne Marie! I feel like a baby complaining about my nicked lung. I've since heard that it is not uncommon, and while it certainly wasn't pleasant, I'm feeling much better today. We brought my oldest daughter to college for her first semester today and nobody would let me carry anything!
Yesterday I got my hair cut really short, so I could get used to seeing my "head". I've always had bangs and straight hair between my chin and shoulders. I have to admit it feels somewhat liberating.
I hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Peggy

Pegk

I've taken the next step. I let my Mother-in-law buy me a wig yesterday. It doesn't look too different from the way my hair used to be, but I'm starting to like my new super short hair. I went to a party at my Union last night and everybody loved my hair cut. It's too bad it will be gone in a couple of weeks.
Well, tomorrow is the big day to start chemo. I've been instructed to take one of the anti nausea drugs today.
Good luck to everyone else who's starting this week!
Peggy

durrable2

Hi Peggy,

I start my first TAC treatment on Thursday. A little bit scary but I'm ready. On Wednesday I am going to get my hair cut short too. It's about shoulder length right now. Keep us informed on your first day. We'll be thinking about you.

Tami

Pegk

1 down- 7 to go
I have to say it was an okay experience. The nurses were pleasant and made me feel comfortable. My husband came with me and brought my bag with books and snacks, but I really wasn't hungry since I'd just had breakfast. I was at the center from 10:00AM until 2:30AM. They took extra long to make sure that I didn't have any adverse reactions to the drugs. It won't take this long next time.

The PA came in to give me a pep talk and advice.
These are the highlights:
-Call them at any time-there are no stupid questions-and especially if I run a fever above 100.4 or I'm puking my guts out (her words)better yet don't let it get that bad.
-Drink lots of water and eat sensibly (although things won't taste so good) She recommended Carnation Instant Breakfast with milk or ice cream (sounds yummy!) along with solid food.
-Wear sun block ouside. Especially now that the weather is getting cooler, it might be easy to forget, but a sunburn on chemo is like a chemical burn.
-Avoid alcohol-not good for the liver(it's got enough problems with all the other junk passing through)
-Every time could be different, either better or worse than the last and also different from any of you

My husband left after a while and came back with a smoothie which I enjoyed the rest of the time. One of the nurses gave me a scrapbook to read, made by one of their former patients about her experiences with BC. It was very much like reading these boards. I spent the rest of the time reading a chapter from my book and watching a video (and dozing because I didn't sleep too well last night).
I'll be going back tomorrow for my Neulasta shot.
Good luck and hugs to the rest of you who are starting this week, and those of you who are further into it, you are my inspiration. I know a little about what to expect and what to do about it.

Peggy

durrable2

Peggy,
Congrats on making through your first treatment!!! I start mine on Thursday. I like the idea of a smoothie during treatment. Maybe I'll send hubby out for one too. Thanks for the update. It doesn't sound too bad. Keep us posted on your daily experiences.

Tami

MEF95066

Hello my September chemo-co-participants (and all those brave souls who've gone before and those yet to come). My first chemo is scheduled for 9/8. My tumor was exactly 1cm, clean margins, ER/PR+, Her2/neu-, and something I've not seen posted here anywhere. I had a sentinel node biopsy, and the three nodes were tested two ways. The first was done with the standard "H&E" stain used to test nodes for decades, and then again with the newer immunohisochemistry stain. The first stain's results were negative for all three nodes. The second showed a .5 mm metastatic carcinoma in one of the three. I'm from a medium sized county in Northern California, and the local medical community only recently started using the more sensitive stain. I'm only the second known case since they started using the stain a few months back. Since it's so new, there are no stats, as all treatment decision trees and previous studies with their corresponding %'s are based on node negative with the H&E stain. The Dr.'s didn't really know how to stage me, but all wanted to err on the side of caution and recommend chemo as though I was a clear-cut stage 2. Although the decision was not an easy one, I've decided to go through with the chemo. I have an 8-year old son, and feel I owe it to him, and my husband, to give this thing the full court press. Although I'm firm in my resolve, I can't help it, I'm scared to death of the upcoming treatments, 4 AC and 4 Taxol. Unlike a lot of those in other responses, my Oncologist says his nurses are "great," and unless there is something wrong with my veins, a port won't be necessary. I'm also quite fortunate to have been "randomized" into a Stanford study, called the Peer Navagator Program. I will be assigned a recent bc survivor who has gone through additional program/training, who will help me through my journey. So, I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to get, and will be checking this site as well. Although my user name says MEF, my name is Michelle, and it's a pleasure to meet you all.

foxxf

Hi, I have my first appointment with the onc Dr on wed 7th sept and expect to be starting chemo soon after that. Then after a rest period radiotherapy.

I had a lupmectomy wide excision with auxillary clearance on the 16th August.

good luck to everyone

Nicole

hopeful1

I meet with my onc this afternoon and will be starting within a few weeks. I already have my port - so I guess I'm ready to go. I had a lumpectomy with 2 re-excisions and finally got the clear margin report yesterday! It's a comfort to have all of you here as I start this.

Pegk

Welcome Michelle, Nicole, and Hopeful. we're all here for you.
Michelle, I had my first A/C treatment yesterday and all went well. Your onc is right-the nursing team is everything. My nurses went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and secure.
Now I'm starting day 1, post tx. I feel a little "off", but not bad. I go back later today for my Neulasta shot.
Hugs to everybody.
Peggy

susan_02143

Well, I guess the September 2005 Thread has started. Let me introduce myself. My name is Susan and I have breast cancer.

"Hi Susan!"

My story is fairly simple. During the month of May my right breast felt wrong, and every once in a while, I would have shooting pains. On May 26th, I felt a lump. June 8th a diagnostic mammogram. The radiologist indicated that she needed a biopsy, and her eyes told me everything I needed to know. The biopsy was the next week, and on June 13th I had my dx.

On July 15th, I had a partial masectomy and sentinel node biopsy. My tumor was 2.5 cm, grade 1, ER/PR+, HEr2/neu negative, nodes were clean, with a possibility of cancer in the lymph vessels. My CA 29.27 started at 44, and is now down to 41. They have staged me at IIa. Have had CT, Bone and RVG scans, all of which looked clean.

I will start my chemo regimen on September 7th. [Yes, my chemo was delayed. I should have started last week, but I am taking my daughter to college for her freshman year, BC or no BC!] Since I am a violinist, they are only planning 4 A/C and dropping the Taxol.

The warmth and compassion I have found in other Chemo Month Groups is extraordinary, and I do hope that we are able to find the same amount of comfort from each other.

I am looking forward to getting to know each of you, and the others that are sure to join.

*susan*

hopeful1

Hi Susan! (And everyone else!) I start my regimen of 4 A/C on September 7th as well. IDC,1.5 cm,grade 1,ER/PR+,HEr2 -, no nodes. I have been reading about popsicles to prevent mouth sores. Are you taking some with you?

Another question - I met with my onc yesterday and nothing was mentioned about anti-nausea drugs that I should take prior to the treatment. Is it safe to assume that the anti-nausea drugs will be given in the IV or is this something I should call about?

durrable2

Welcome Susan!
I'm not glad you have to be here but you've come to the right place. There are so many wonderful ladies here with great advice to share with everyone. I have learned so much and I'm ready to see just how mean this chemo thing can get. I start my first treatment of TAC this morning. I'm ready to go the distance with this ugly disease and I will come out the winner!!!!!!!
Good luck to all the September Soul Sisters.
(((pink hugs)))
Tami

susan_02143

Hopeful,

You will get some drugs in your IV, but everyone I have talked with also gets some prescription drugs to take at home. Some of these drugs you take on a specific schedule and some are taken as needed.

This is one of my pet peeves about the medical community. And the end of some major procedure, they hand you sripts that you need to fill at the pharmacy, while you feel your worst! I would suggest calling the doctor, or their assistant, and finding out what drug regimen they are considering.

Personally, I like to know that any drugs I need are already in my house before I head to the hospital. But then again, I am a bit of a control freak! :-)

As to the popsicles [is that how you spell that?], my hospital provides all kinds of frozen items for patients, along with a catered lunch. This is a major breast care center, and the chemo room is well stocked. There is a kitchen so we can bring our own food and store it safely, a huge ice chipping machine, and one volunteer [all cancer survivors] per patient to assist with anything a patient might need.

Okay, there are many things I would rather do on a Wednesday, but this center has things very well laid out to make it as easy as possible.

Sounds to me as though you don't have all the information that you need to make _you_ comfortable and prepared. It is fascinating to me how differently different doctors and hospitals manage the non-medical portions of our care.

Will be interested in what you discover.

All the best,

*susan*

susan_02143

Michelle, interesting about the two different node tests. your A/C Taxol does sound like stage II staging. My doctor is also going to use my veins. I was very nervous about this until I had all those scans last week and for two days in a row I had a temporary IV placed into the left arm. I did just fine, and so my fears have been placated. [At least about that!]

Peggy: how are you feeling day 3?

And Tami: I will be thinking of you all day. Best of luck with your first chemo!

Keeping you in my thoughts.

*susan*

txred9876

I get my port tomorrow morning at 7am....my first chemo is scheduled for the morning of the 7th.

They did a core biopsy today to determine my hormone receptors. In addition to the lump I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer over about 1/3 of my left breast.

So far they are going to be doing 6 doses of AC every 2 weeks

Not sure what is after that...maybe mast or more chemo then mast....then more chemo then maybe rads.

Let the journey begin!

Good Luck to all of you on your rounds of chemo.
Tina

Pegk

Day 3: so far so good. I got my Neulasta shot yesterday and haven't felt any side affects from that yet, but they said some bone pain might appear in a couple of days, that tylonol could take care of.
I started sneezing a bit last night and started feeling a little sniffly today, but was told that's a possible side effect of Cytoxin.
My only real complaint is a bit of heart burn which was helped by tums, and by eating in small amounts all day long. It took me about 3 hours to eat my turkey sandwich for lunch.

Hopeful: I was given a prescription for Emend and dexamethasone (which I think the pharmacy substituted for decadron)I was instructed to take the Emend 1 hour before I came in for treatment (A/C) and again on days 2 and 3.The other I was given during treatment in a drip, but then instucted to take the pill form on days 2,3, and 4.When I left on tuesday they gave me another precription for compazine in case I have any problems after that. I'm sure ant-nausea drugs will be included in your treatment.
Tami-I hope everything went well today. One down-that much closer to the end!

Hi Susan! Welcome ! We'll all get through this together.I just took my older daughter to college this weekend, too. Luckily she's not too far away (only about 40 miles) Did you have to go far?

Anne Marie-How are you feeling after your port ordeal? I hope you're on the mend and your treatments will go as scheduled.

Well, September has started.
Hugs to all.
Peggy

susan_02143

Today was an odd one. Began some kind of menstrual bleeding, and I hit menopause very early, at least two years ago. Now, I have a whole new set of tests to undergo. I meet with my primary on Tuesday to map that out. What gift will my body give me next?

Peggy: My daughter is going to college about 90 miles away, so not a long trip. Given the price of gasoline today, this is a very good thing! It is very encouraging to hear that the Neulastra shot didn't give you any bone pain.

Tina: Might be easier to look just one step out. So hard to know what they will have planned for us next.

All: it looks like September 7th is a popular start day for chemo. We will have to think of each other as they start the drip. Positive energy across the country.

My drip starts at 10:30 am EST and I should be at the clinic until about 1:30 pm. My husband will acompany me, but since he isn't a big talker, I am thinking I should get a book on tape loaded onto my iPod.

Here's to the September Soul Sisters.

*susan*

jlpd

I had a mastectomy on 8/18 and should start chemo in three weeks...mine was 2.3 cm ER/PR+, HR2- nodes clean...and they are prescribing Adrianmycin and Cytoxan 4 times. Is that what you are all referring to as AC? After that he will start me on arimiclex for the next five years...he feels it is a better drug with less side effects than tamoxifen. I'm planning on coloring my hair this weekend (mainly to cover the grey) and getting it cut a little shorter...hopefully finding a wig that will match somewhat when my hair falls out! But hey, maybe I should go RED!!!



Peggy and Susan, I also sent my daughter off to college for her first year...I was still in the hospital when her father took her (sniff, sniff)...but she is close enough to home for her to come home every weekend if she wants (only 1 hour away!) She was worried about coming home this weekend with a lot of the gas stations closing down due to NO GAS...but I told her I wanted her home anyways.



My doctor is also giving me a prescription to have filled for nausea before I start chemo, so I will be prepared. I'm a little worried... there is a regional cancer center an hour away and they run a clinic here at the local hospital. Everyone says I should have my chemo here since it's the same group of people and all they do is rent space at the hospital. I had a not so pleasant experience with my biopsy they did at this hospital between IV's and bleeding and emergency surgery to stop the bleeding after my biopsy...but I guess if these nurses are trained and work under the oncologist from the regional center I should be okay...Right???

susan_02143

Welcome JLPD,

Not sure what to think about a regional hospital outpost, especially with the history you describe. Is there a way to have your first drip at the larger hospital, and then the remaining three closer to home? Would give you the comfort of having that first [and to me scary] chemo someplace that you feel safe. Well, just a thought!

I cut off 14" of hair just before my surgery to make bathing, etc. easier when my arm mobility was hindered. I will cut the remaining 2 inches off when we get to 'that time.' My final step will be shaving.

We are dealing with daughters at college differently. My daughter keeps talking about coming home on weekends, and that is the last thing I want! I want her on that campus, enjoying the free movies, the dances, the performances... and have told her that I bet she will want to stay there. She has a four day break in early October, and that is the first time I want to see her!

So many ways for us to negotiate all of this. I do hope that you let us know your name. Jlpd doesn't roll off the tongue!

All the best,

*susan*