I am starting chemo in July 07. Anyone else?

Gagal

Barb,

Wow congratulations I'm so glad you are doing so well keep up the good work. I have my 2nd infusion Monday I'll make sure to hydrate well. Good luck to all.
Pat

VickieJ

Barb,
I really agree that the hydration and exercise are key to dampening all these side effects. I look forward to enjoying a Phoenix restaurant each time I go down there for tx.
I am so glad that you did so well. It is really a boost to your spirit because I'll bet a lot of people feel the same way about there not being anything really wrong with us!
One thing that I have not heard in reading all these threads... how long does the infusion take? Do I bring a good book or is it fast. When I saw the onco last month I overheard a patient in the hallway that said their infusion took 7 hours!!!??
Vickie

rspayne

Hi Asia,

I am 53, married, mother of three children 23,20, and 16. I just had my first chemo treatment on Monday7/9/07. With all the education and lierature I was given, I still did not know what to expect.

I took the attitude that I must do this so I will make the best of it. I am on a TAC regimen once every three weeks for six sessions.

So far(now day seven of the treatment) I find the tiredness a bit overwhelming. I was wondering the other day if I had the strength to drive the car to the grocery store.

Food tastes yucky, but I can deal with that. I am experiencing minor stomach cramping, but not that bad. I am finding that small amounts of food, often is the best way to go, for me.

I am fortunate in the fact that I do not have a full time job. I have been only working lately on a per diem basis, so I don't have to foce myself to go.

Yesterday, was very encouraging. I had an appetite, and a very productive day. I even managed to have dinner guests, which was a big morale booster. I looking forward to more good days ahead. I guess that once you realize your pattern of wellness, then plan accordingly. My best to you.
rose

Gagal

Hi all,
Day 14 and my hair is coming out in handfuls, hope I still have some tomorrow when I go for treatment #2. Am I going to be the first to go bald in our group? How is everybody else doing, good luck to all.
Pat

Katiejane

Hi asia. I too am beginning chemo in July, the 17th to be exact. I have never been on a discussion board so this is all new to me since joining this one a few days ago. I had a bilat. mastectomy on 6/21, my port was placed just a week ago so now I guess I'm ready to start the scary part! I have had 3 weeks of recovery and have enjoyed the somewhat normal time between treatments. I just want to get this over and done with and get on with life. I have a chemo class that is a must attend before treatment begins. I believe they will educate us on drugs, side efftects, diet, exercise, etc.
I am so sorry that you must have a 2nd surgery. But anything that will beat this disease is worth it. Hang in there and I know we all can beat this!!!
My 2 sons will also be going back to college this August and even though I miss them very much, I am also looking forward to less domestic responsibility. Good luck with your treatment and please keep us posted on your progress/experiences with chemo. God Bless! chattie

climbergirl

Hi Gagal,

My 2nd tx is tomorrow too....no hair loss yet, but I am ready! My doc said that it usually happens the day after the 2nd treatment so you are ahead of the game. Just finished up my glorious 2nd week which was great....went climbing today and have been eating out all weekend as food tastes almost normal.Have been doing my yoga practice and walking the whole time and the walking def helps with the nausea. I think it is awesome that by the end of July we will almost be halfway done with this! Good luck tomorrow!

~climbergirl

figsgirls

OK Ladies, I start tomorrow (Monday the 16th). I'm ready. Chattie, I'll be one day ahead of you. We'll be losing our hair at the same time!!
Today I had what I am calling "Hat Practice". I have never really worn hats, so I am using the next 2 weeks to get used to wearing hats and scarves. Today I went to an outdoor jazz concert and I wore a cute straw hat. Silly, but I hope it will help make it more comfortable when I have to wear them for real.
Tuesday I'm going to the local ACS office to check out the free/reduced cost wigs. Not sure how I feel about the wig thing, but there it will be if I need it.

Clibergirl, I'm excited to know that you were able to climb this weekend. It gives me hope that I can keep up my running and cycling to some extent.

Good luck with treatment #2 to all of you who have that this week.

We'll see how my first one goes. I have my anti-nausea prescriptions all set. The 3 pills that cost $100 each (Boy am I glad I have prescription coverage), and something else I can't remember the name of. The nurse told me to bring them with me tomorrow. Here's hoping they work!

Donna

Katiejane

Hey Figsgirls, Good luck to you tomorrow!!! I will be thinking about you. I too have never worn any type of hat but yesterday I tied a bandana on my head just to see what it looked like--ugh!!!!! Oh well, a small price to pay! Let us know how you are doing. Chattie

LottaQuilts

Just recently found this board, so I'm going to jump in.

I had a lumpectomy in May, sentinal node biopsy (3 nodes) found 4 "micro-cells" in the first node... thus the chemo.

I had my first "arination"on 6/28... but I'm counting myself in the July group. I'll do my second on Thursday 7/19.

I'll be doing 4 A/C (every three weeks) following by 12 Taxol (once a week).

My first treatment went fine. I was really tired, a little "queezy" and had 0 appetite for about 4 days, then I've felt great the rest of the time.

My hair started coming out in clumps 2 weeks to the day of my first treatment. After 2 days of the mess, I had DH shave my head - best thing I could have ever done.

So now I'm on the third day of being hairless. I have chosen not to do a wig (I'm an at-home mom... why bother), so I just tie on my scarves/turbans and go. I'm really quite comfortable.

Nice to find a group of gals who understand what I'm going through. We can help each other be strong.

I'm counting on being the 3rd generation SURVIVOR in my family. My maternal GM and Mom both had breast cancer in their 40s (I'm 44). GM lived into her 80s and Mom is still going strong at 65. I'm gonna make it too!

VickieJ

Abbi,
What is arination? I am second generation BC, my mother was dx at 49 and then it recurred at age 57 in liver and bone, died at age 58. I know though that the mind is a powerful tool and I'm hoping that my 'stick in the mud' attitude will get better. I am 53.
WE WILL SURVIVE!!

lthigpen143

Hey there July women! I am scheduled for my first chemo treatment in 2 days. Today is my 44th birthday (July 16)!! I am in DC, hanging out with my 20 year old college student daughter and my 11 year old daughter. I have done NOTHING to prepare for chemo. I started the post, "Oncotype 17 looking for clarity" and have focused on the IF part of chemo. Since I have decided to do it, I need to shift my focus to the HOW and WHAT of it. SO... HELP! I saw someone's list of things to take to treatment (blanket, IPod, magazines, etc). I am planning to drive myself there and back. Is that okay(my computer's question mark does not work).
I saw Asia mentioned a helpful list but I can not find it. Where is it()
I will check this board tonight or tomorrow to see if any of you have advice. I have 4 treatments of chemo (I don't even remember what kind!) and then 6 weeks of radiation. Then 5 years of hormone therapy. I had a lumpectomy and then another to improve margins. Uhg.
I feel about as scattered as this post reads. Sorry it is disjointed.

Anonymous

Gr8DazeAhead-
I saw that it is your B-Day today.....Im sorry you have to start your chemo on a day that should be special for you.....But wanted to say HAPPY B-DAY!!!!!!

LottaQuilts

Oops... blame it on chemo-brain... I meant to type "marination"...my tongue-in-cheek term for my treatments.

As far as what to take to treatments: My clinic has nice, comfy chairs with individual TV sets. I take a craft project (I quilt, so I take an applique project), a good book, my big water mug (they like it when you hydrate) and my Mom... she insists on coming.

Stock your house with some saltines, ginger-ale, easy on the stomach foods to get you through the first couple days. And make sure your family treats you like the queen! Let them take care of you for a change. You're going to want to take lots of naps!

Good luck!

TINAMAE

Well I have my first meeting with my chemo DR today and am terrified, went over the weekend and my husband and I bought a wig that we both liked, had 7 nodes removed last week all negative thank the lord, will have chemo before the surgery for some reason may be because the size of the lump is 4.5 cm. I am new to this board so anyone with any help just jump on in, I'm just trying to keep my faith and it will see me through.

Thanks Tina

shrink

Size of the tumor determines, in part, if you will have chemo first or not. Hopefully, it shrinks the tumor to an operable size and stops spread to other organs.

shrink

SInce you don't know how you'll react, you may want to take someone with you. It also helps to have another ear when you speak with the oncologist as well as company and moral support. I know I felt kind of spacey the two times I've had chemo and probably could have driven but it wouldn't have been a good idea.

figsgirls

Well, the first one is done! It wasn't bad at all! It took almost exactly 2 hours from the moment I walked in the doctor's office. The nurse took my blood (from my arm - she couldn't get it through the port, which she said is probably because it's still a little swollen). Then I got two anti-nausea infusions, then the A, followed by the C, which made me feel like I was having a sudden attack of hayfever. But then they finished with a flush, which made the stuffy head/tickly nose feeling go away.
But I felt really, really bad because I had the prescription for the 3 really expensive anti-nausea pills (can't remember their name but on the drug info it says the 3 pills cost $303!! Boy am I glad for prescription coverage) and they told me to bring the 3 pack to chemo with me. So when the nurse told me to take the first one, I popped open the bubble pack, and the pill shot out and flew through the air onto the floor! Now, I believe in the "5 second rule" but the chemo nurse didn't, so she had to get me one from a sample. Then she stood over me and helped me open it so I wouldn't send it flying again.

Now, 2 1/2 hours post-treatment I feel perfectly fine. A tiny bit fuzzy headed but that's it. I came home and immediately made a box of macaroni and cheese. I drank lots of water yesterday and am continuing today, so hopefully that will help. I don't expect it all to be this easy, but I'm happy to be feeling great right now.

My husband came with me today, but for future treatments I'll go by myself. I just brought a magazine and a book and my water bottle and some grapes. Oh and they had blankets there, and the chairs were very comfortable.

In 2 weeks I expect it will be time to shave my head. At the first sign of fallout, my husband is going to shave mine and his. Interestingly, all of the women at chemo were wearing wigs.

Abbi, I see you are also having 12 Taxol. That's what I'm having. I was just saying today that I hadn't heard of anyone else having 12 weekly, and now here you are! Good luck with your start. I hope it goes smoothly.

And I hope everyone else is doing well & hanging in there!

Donna

VickieJ

Since I live 3 hrs away from tx I go down to hotel. It sounds nice to have someone with you to chat with. My husband works out of town but does insist that he be with me on my first tx day. I have made up some visualization tapes for tx. I think whatever you take with you to tx, make it something to take your mind off your concerns.

lthigpen143

I am feeling like I am not prepared and maybe I have been a little too laid back about all of this. I do not have anyone taking me to my first treatment (7-18). I had offers but thought it would be easier to just go alone. The drive to Duke is only 30 minutes but maybe I need a ride home. I thought I would not begin to feel bad for a day or so.
It is just my 11 year old and myself at home (husband of 15 years and I separated 3 months before diagnosis) so I think I need to get more activities lined up for her.
I have a strong support group of friends, neighbors, and church family so I am covered - I just need to figure out what to ask for.
I got through my lumpectomy and re-lumpectomy (improving margins) without missing a beat so I think I was being cavalier about all of this. But now I am feeling unprepared. My dr spent very little time explaining what this was going to be like. Maybe she will tell me when I go in on Wednesday but that is chemo day so that feels a little late in the game. There is an orientation session every Wednesday. I could go NEXT Wednesday if I feel okay from first treatment. Okay, I am not going to stress out about this. I can just take a book, water, blanket, snack and ipod and take the day as it comes. It is hard not having a supportive husband right now!!! But I still feel blessed by having great friends and family so ....

VickieJ

You know someone else said this to me but I truly believe that right now you should think of yourself and your needs and what would make you feel good, whether it is having a friend by you when you go thru tx, having them drive you home afterwards. This is pretty tramatic for all of us and we should concentrate on making ourselves feel good in whatever way!!
I was always taught to not think of myself first but under these circumstances I think it is healthy to say "What would make me happy?".
Vickie

LottaQuilts

I would second having someone go with you, especially to your first treatment. I only live 5 minutes away from my clinic (lucky me), and would easily drive myself, but Mom insists on coming... and I appreciate her company.

But... the first one was a tramatic experience for me. They took me in and I just started bauling like a baby. It was nice, 4 hours later, to have someone just take me home i.e. take care of me.


Donna - I was just saying last night that I'm the only one I know doing 12 weekly Taxols... are here YOU are! Apparently, this is a much milder than usual tx. My oncologist felt I didn't need a "nuclear weapon" as he put it since I'm barely stage 2 (he calls me stage 1 1/2).

Today I went to the fabric store and for a little under $10 got 2 different pieces of fabric and made scarves... I have a batik tye-dye on at the moment and it is cute as all get out. Hair is definately over-rated, gals (though I will be happy to have mine back eventually)

rspayne

Karen,

My kids are older, my thoughts and prayers are with you. My nephew is autistic and I know what a challenge that can be!! Hope all goes well. rose

figsgirls

Hey Abbi,
What was the size of your tumor? Just curious. I had micromets also, 1mm in my sentinel node. My tumor was 4cm but maybe the node status has something to do with the 12 week Taxol.

Donna

klwinsa

Well it's official, I will be starting tx on 7/26. Glad that my second surgery was successful and we can get on with the chemo. I thought I was ready, but after setting it up with the oco yesterday I found myself down and saying "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS".

I plan to cut my hair off and shave shortly after my first tx. I am not going to watch it fall out or go down the drain. Better for me to be upset once, than for weeks.

Good luck to all. Our group is getting larger everyday. I'm really glad to have this company along the way.

Kim

LottaQuilts

My tumor was very small-1.4 cm. Actually, I owe my Gyne a big hug... she found what a mammogram didn't.


Actually, I consider this chemo as an "insurance policy". My tumor was very small, and I just had a few cells in the first node. If they had taken more nodes, they probably wouldn't have even found the cells. Because they had taken only 3, they did more careful testing.

It was put to me that w/o chemo I have a 15% chance of recurrance. With chemo, it drops to a 6% chance.... I figure it's worth 6 months of my life to drop the odds like that, KWIM?

Kim.... I had the same reaction! Then my oco gave me an anti-depressent that I had a bad reaction too and ended up in the ER!! In the end, they gave me Xanax (nice little drug) to get me to relax. After going through the first treatment, I haven't needed it. So, if you're having problems, get some help.... it's all better living through chemistry!

dville

Hi, I started by dose-dense 4 AC followed by 4 T on June 27th. (2 lumps both about 2 cm, 13 out of 16 nodes positive. I am extrogen positive so I would like to know more about the questions of A's effectiveness. I'm halfway through and I know what they say about changing horses in the middle of the stream, but I really want to get this right! I have 3 kids and the youngest is only 8. I really need to make it through this, as do we all. Thanks for sharing any info you have. Debbie K

gshoemate

Hello all, well 2 down 6 to go. Had my second A/C yesterday and the worst part was the migraine afterwards. But other then that, just sleepy. I went this week and had my hair cut way short. Saturday I noticed it was coming out like 10 strands at a time when I would run my fingers through it. Then we took the kids out to try to have some fun and I was obsessed with my hair. I was playing with it like every 10 minutes to see how much was coming out. I was getting they oh so usual feeling during bc of feeling out of control. I knew it was going to start coming out more but when...would I be at work, at the gym, at the store, so I had to regain control and get it cut off. I cried when I told her why I needed off and then I was fine. The control was back. Now I wish that I would of just had her shave it because here I am 2 days later and it's coming out much worse then before the cut. I'll give it a few more days then have hubby shave it.

As far as driving yourself to and from treatment, the only thing you may want to consider is what pre-meds they give you. I know my first treatment I was so upset they gave me something like xanax (and I had taken one prior to getting there) and benadryl (sp?) which all made me very sleep. My treatments are at the end of the day and I wouldn't of wanted to drive home sleepy in rush hour traffic. I think the chemo sleepy just set in until later.

figsgirls

You know, now that I'm realizing I will have my own hair only for another 12 days or so, I find myself wondering the same thing- where will I be when it begins to fall out? Will I be walking through the mall? At work? My husband is going to shave it for me when the time comes. But what if my hair starts coming out in big gobs and he is at work?? Oh the things we think about!

It's the day after tx #1 and I'm still feeling good. No nausea at all. Haven't had to take anything other than the Emend I was instructed to take this morning. I worked out last night - 45 min. on my exercise bike, at a pretty good intensity, so I was thrilled about that.
I do feel flushed in the face. It feels a bit like a sunburn.
Off now to my wig appt. with the ACS.

Donna

P.S. Abbi, I agree. I'd take 5 months of chemo misery for a 6% improvement too! Hope your first tx went well.

climbergirl

Hi all,

Doing well after the 2nd tx.....finding that the dexadron is the thing that is the most fuzzy making for me so we have cut that in half. Still have low level nausea but that is ok.

A few things:

I found that the skin on my hands was getting pretty dried out so keeping up with that was tough. Yo may find that your skin gets super dry so a nice product that is specifically for chem are Lindi products, they are great! Burt's Bee's too.

Two days before treatment start drinking your water...don't just wait the night before...you should be nice and hydrated when you walk in. Think about getting rid of coffee and alcohol while you're doing chemo. Your liver is working hard enough as it is.

Gr8Daze~ Don't drive to and from treatments, there are a t on of drugs in the iv that they give you and they make you loopy. You may not think that you are loopy but you are. The last think that you want is to get in an accident on what is already a super long day so take a chill and have someone drive you. They will be glad to. I told my husband and sister that they did not have to show up, but it turned out to be fun to have them.

KimWms~ Everyone has gone through the "I don want to do this" with chemo. As someone that was strict vegetarian for almost 20 years and who birthed her twin sons without a lick of drugs this is a most yucky thing to have to do. I hate to tear down the body straight that I have worked so hard to have and at 42 I look 30. So yeah it sucks but it really is proving not to be so bad. Try to eat good high protein food, stay away from sweets and do your best. You will get into a groove with this and can plan to have good days to have some summer fun.



Gagal and Figs~ My hair is being super pokey about coming out, which is making my impatient. It started yesterday so 14 days out but I think tomorrow will be the day. Wig is all set and it past muster with the ladies that were in my Look Better Feel Better Class ~ I highly recommend it if you can go. They give you a ton of nice high end make up and it was so fun to play around with looks. Yup did go climbing a bit and the doctor bagged me with a scrap on my arm and asked me if I was climbing El Captain. He is such a dork!

Ok off to walk the Dog and myself!



clmbergirl

kkelsey

Well, I am right along with you as well. Found out on June 12, 2007 I had IBC along with positive lymph nodes. Had surgery on June 15, 2007. Started Chemo on July 10. Have 8 treatments. 4 AC and 4 Taxol.