Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Robbin65

I think January 2007 is my month to start chemo.

I hope I make a new crew of friends on this thread and we can all support each other.

I can't wait until spring so I can be done with all of this and go camping

cecns2

I think Jan 07 is my month to start chemo as well. I go to my first onc appt on 12/13. But I want him to refer me to someone closer to where I live. Then I will have to make an appt with that doctor. By the time I get my appts done, I don't think I will start before xmas.

I hope to make some new friends too. I am dreading this whole chemo thing.

Christy

RaeMN

Good luck to all of you. I was on the January 2006 board and just wanted you all to know, that you will make it, and RobbinJaye, you will be able to go camping...we did a lot last summer, even during treatment. So you see that eventually you will be on the other side of this journey and most of the difficult moments will be hard to recall!! Good luck to all of you!

Rae (One year survivor on December 1)
1.5 cm, Clear Nodes, Lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, now on tamoxifen.

Amera

I am joining up sistas! I start in Jan as well. Not looking forward to it, but want to get the show on the road. And RAE, thanks for the encouraging words. I have a daughter named RAE. Haven't heard of too many more out there. Maybe that's a good sign.
Health, Amera

Amera

Robbin and Christy, what have you had done so far? What is the pathology? I had a lumpectomy with clear margins and no lymph involvement. Had a re-excision for wider margins so now I'm done with surgery. I am triple neg, stage 1, grade 3--hence the chemo. I meet with my oncol on Dec.18. The surgeon said I'd likely start after Christmas. However, if I don't click with the oncol I will go for a second opinion. Don't want to wait too long though.
Amera

cecns2

Thank you for the encouragement Rae. I can't wait until I am where you are now, the other side.

Hello Amera, I would first like to say, sorry you are had to join this board, but glad you found a great group of women. Reading the stories here helps me feel better about going through this journey.

I had an excisional biopsy and was diagnosed 8/30, with IDC, 1.4cm tumor (right side), grade 2, stage 1, er+pr+, her2-, SNB on 10/20, micromets in 1 lymphnode. I opted for a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, tissue expanders. After surgery I learned there was another tumor DCIS 3mm in the right side, so I am glad I chose to have a mastectomy.

My first meeting with an onc. is 12/13. But I want a refer closer to home in case of complication with chemo. By the time I get to start chemo I am sure it will be January. I am hoping to start ASAP, I don't want to wait to long either. I won't need radiation, as I had an auxillary node disection. They were negative.

Good Luck at the Onc appt. Let us know what happens.

Christy

irelandmb

Hi all, I think I wiil be joining you also.
1.6cm node -, er/pr+,HER-. Oncotype dx score 19.
Not too happy that my score was just outside lower range, which puts me in the grey area and I have to decide myself chemo or no chemo.......
Do I really have a choice????
Cheers for now...

tlc60

Hi All! I'm joining in too. I meet with my onc on Dec 22, so I should start in Jan. I have IDC, grade 3, triple neg. Had my lumpectomy and SNB (both good) and now I am ready to go! (not really!)
Rae - thanks for the words of encouragement!

SammieKB

I am starting chemo the middle of January 2007 as well. I will be having a mastectomy (lobular tumor over 4 cm) before Christmas. I am pretty much overwhelmed at this point, between insurance company and scheduling everything. I am thankful to be cureable, just dreading the cure. God bless all of you who are going through this.

Amera

Hi girls, I just got some of the hats I ordered and they are God awful. I really look like I'm bald underneath and I still have hair. A friend sent a great site so I thought I'd share. Have already ordered some things to have at the ready. http://www.headcovers.com/

Have you guys looked into wigs yet?
Amera

Trish46

Quote:

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I am starting chemo the middle of January 2007 as well. I will be having a mastectomy (lobular tumor over 4 cm) before Christmas. I am pretty much overwhelmed at this point, between insurance company and scheduling everything. I am thankful to be cureable, just dreading the cure. God bless all of you who are going through this.

---

Hi Mom, keep your chin up...we'll be there with you through this journey! I love you!

tlc60

Thanks for the link Amera, I was just thinking about getting stuff like that ready. I spoke with my insurance company today (blue shield) and they reimburse for "durable medical eqiptment" as long as I get a prescription for the items, including my wigs! That was a positive to find out!
tlc

vlfr

Hi Everyone,
I go to the Onc on 12/12. Im having chemo before surgery. Anyone ever heard of this? I have 3cm ER-, PgR- HER2 + tumor. I am assuming grade 3 from the fact that the doc said "agressive" several times and the very uneven edges of the ultrasound. Im so overwhelmed. Im already grieving about losing my hair. Which is so ironic since, Im not the vain type. (little or no makeup and wash and wear hair.) Im so glad to have some new friends.

Amera

vlfr, yes they sometimes do chemo first to shrink the tumor. I too am not into makeup and spend about 5 minutes on my hair. But I would rather have my thin, stringy hair than none at all. Sorry you had to join our group, but as others have said, it's a wonderful way to support each other. I have a grade 3 as well and have heard that they respond very well to chemo.
Amera

tlc60

Your negative ER/PR status makes you a perfect candidate for chemo - our cancer responds very well to it. Once it has shrunk, they can do a lumpectomy and get it out without having to take so much.
I know what you mean about the hair...I'm a wash n' wear kinda gal myself, but I have very thick silky hair and I am SO dreading what will return in its place!
Keep the faith though, it DOES come back, and we all will get through this.

tlc

RaeMN

Hi Again Gals.
This is just a word for fellow chemo gals. The American Cancer Society in each state gives anyone going through chemo/radiation a free wig. Plus, take advantage of their class "Look Good, Feel Better". You will get a ton of EXPENSIVE makeup and it is a fun class as you will meet other people going through the same stuff you are (not all breast cancer). Check with your oncologist's offices and they should have have info for you. I was very fortunate that the ACS is right in my city.

Good luck to you all!! And feel free to ask many, many questions.

Rae (1 year survivor)
1.5 cm, Clearn Nodes, ILC, lumpectomy, chemo, 33 rads, tamoxifen.

RaeMN

Also, for anyone wanting a second opinion on an oncologist, a few weeks of waiting to start chemo isn't going to hurt. I didn't like my first oncologist (saw her on Dec. 3, 2005) so I got in to see another one at a different clinic (Dec. 27, 2005). I too was afraid to go that long, but I was told that your confidence in your oncologist means all the world of difference. And it was right. I started chemo on January 5, 2006 and will never regret my decision to find an oncologist that I connected with.

scarednancy

I think I will start in January too. I see my oncologist for the first time tomorrow. I already saw the radiologist and will receive 33 rads after chemo. I want to have the oncotype test done prior to treatment though. I have ILC, Stage I, Grade Moderate, Tubular form 3, Mitotic grade 2, mitotic rate 1. Lumpectomy and SNB were clear. The tumor was 1.1 X .7 cm. I am strongly ER+ but PR-.
I'm glad we have each other to make this journey together.

cecns2

Well now I am not so sure I will start in Jan. I may start this month. I skipped my first appt and got the referal over the phone. So I go for my first onc appt in NJ on Thurs. 12/14. So I will probably start by the end of the month.

I'll let you all know.

Christy

glaveg

Best wishes, girls. I had my last chemo on 5/17/06 and have a thatch of curly hair - sort of look like Kramer.

I bought a wig before mine fell out, then got another from a Look Good Feel Better program, which I highly recommend. I also loved the hats. I bought a couple of soft caps to wear at night because my head would get cold.

As mine started to fall out, I looked like a golden retriever with mange, so I had my son shave my head and that was quite liberating. When you have cancer, all the decisions about your body are made by someone else, so making that decision about my hair was wonderful for me.

You will make it. I found Tangerine Altoids helped with nausea. Take all the drugs you need to get through it, and this time next year you'll be giving advice and tips.

God bless you!

Robbin65

Well, my DR. called me last night at 10pm. Clean margins and 3 negitive sentinal lymph nodes. YAY!!! One tumor (2 masses) that had two lobes, (bilobed) which measured 3.0 cm. EEKK... Surgery is done and time for chemo. Surgery was a peice of cake for me, but Chemo is another story, (a nightmere story for me)

My follow up appointment after surgery is tomorrow (Wed - Dec 13th) I will then find out who my Ono is. I hope.

Until then, ya all have a great holiday and I'll be posting more in Jan 07 .

Aaaahhhhhhh----chemo---------- (Still can't believe I have to join this new party)

Amera

Yeah, Robbin, great news! That's out of the way. Now onto the next hurdle. Let's hope you like the onc and that you can get this show on the road. Chemo will suck, I'm sure, but I'm so glad I won't be in it alone. Happy Holidays,
Amera

tlc60

Great news Robbin! Good luck on the follow-up visit, sounds like all is as best as it can be for now... I just had my follow-up and I was told who my onc would be (actually I did a little research and my surgeon was very reseptive to my preference...) I meet onc next week to set my treatment plan. If your schedule goes liek mine, you should be moving forward now that all the waiting for surgery is behind you.
Good luck!
tlc
PS: where in NorCal are you? I'm in Redding...

ERS2006

Hi Ladies...
Looks like I'm joing your group...starting chemo Jan...scared to death...still crying when I have to tell friends and family...Just can't believe this is happening to me...but getting stronger eveyday...please tell me what chemo drugs you have chosen and are you on a 3 or 6 month schedule...I'm so glad we can go through this together!!! Take care all...
Ellen

Rodie

Ireland: You may have helped me make a decision. Just found out my Onco number was 19 too. What a decision to make. Other than my tumor being 1.5 we are a match. If it wasn't that my daughter is getting married in May this would not be a hard decision--go for it. But, I hate the thought of being hairless and maybe 20 pounds extra packed on. What will your chemo be? Onc. said mine would be A/C--if I decide to go that route. I'm suppose to get back to him tomorrow. I'm leaning toward going for it. My track record since June (diagnosed with Lymphoma) and now bc in Oct. is not the best.

MomSki0100

Hi! I'm very new to posting, so please forgive me if I'm doing this wrong.
I will begin chemo in January 07, sometime after the 20th. I'm 43y/0. I had a double mastectomy(one prophilactic), November 20th. Dx: IDC 2cm with angiovascular invasion, er+/pr+, grade 3, +node; returned home today after having the rest of the nodes removed. Hoping to avoid radiation. The onc is suggesting dose-dense AC x 4 followed by taxol. I'll be meeting with an Onc closer to my home, early January. Hoping to recover from surgery, do a quick ski trip (already booked), before beginning chemo. My onc wants a bone scan and echo. What is the difference beteen these tests an the MUGA scan.
Looking forward to having this group for support and to be a support.
Michelle

JulieS

Hi Girls and chin up!!!
I started six TAC January '04 and finished 18 weeks later. I'll never forget walking out of the office after that last chemo--felt like I had just won the Ironman. I was bald, battered, my toenails were loose, my fingernails were a mess but I had done it!!! Still had rads to go, but they were a piece of cake. I have been on Arimidx for the past 2-1/2 years and just had my checkups--blood work, mammo, pelvic ultrasound, chest X-ray last year so not this year. All is A-OK. I wake up with a smile on my face every day, say "No" to anything I don't want to do and have never been happier. I'm going to keep watching to hear from each of you as you finish and finish you will.
JulieS

BethS

A MUGA scan is to check your heart function prior to starting the A/C, as the adriamycin can cause heart damage. You will probably get another MUGA after you are finished. Good luck with everyhing. You will do fine.
Beth

Amera

Does everyone gain weight on chemo? Is it all from the drugs or partly because you aren't as active? I think we are going to lease a treadmill for the times I cannot make it to the gym. I wonder if I'll have enough energy to do it?
Amera

carolinin

Hello
My first chemo is 12/28 so thought I would join the Jan group.
Any single women out there in this group? Have to work to keep insurance...some encouragement would be great!

I don't seem to have the lingo down...know this:
diag 11/13 (invasive duct and idci) Mas. rt brst 11/21. Told before surgery stage II but cancer between 1 and 2 cm sounds like stage 1 to me!
neg nodes, no spread. hormone neg. Had bone scan and MRI of left bts-clear. Having more tests Tues, chemo school wed.
AC 4x 3wks then Taxol 4x 3 wks. Be done by June.

Live in country so trying to keep up with work, appts, and get supplies on hand before chemo.

Have had wonderful support but learned that even the best of friends can not really relate...I am the strong, keep it to yourself type, made it thru divorce and lots of teenager related issues that way but this has been more than I can deal with alone...(humanly speaking)
Would like to chat with you thru the journey...

Carol (in Indiana)

Ihopeg

Hi.
I am starting chemo Jan 07 also. I was dx on 11/10/06 and had a rt mast. on 11/29/06. I had (2) 2.5 cm ilc/idc. I had 17 out of 18 nodes positive. Estrogen and progesterone ++.
I go for a muga scan on 12/18 and see the onc on 12/20. I also have to have a pet scan on 12/18 because the bone scan saw something on my sternum(maybe arthritis)? I still don't know when the port is going in. The onc said that I will start chemo in Jan. Are there things to do to get your body ready for the chemo? Any help will be great! ilene