June 2007 Chemo

TerryNY

I must not know what I'm doing as I had a long post all typed and BINGO, it disappeared when I hit 'continue'...
I'll start over again using the 'reply' feature instead of 'quick reply' and hope it works *this time.
Allgone, I'm so happy to hear your explanations to your son was accepted so easily. I think kids are much more resilient than we give them credit for.
If you don't mind saying, where in Ontario do you live? We used to vacation in Algonquin Park and have visited Toronto, Niagara on the Lake both beautiful places. My son used to be a Scout and camped at Ft George, Dorchester and London (?).
I, too, hope your symptoms are mild!
Terri, thanks for the encouraging news that there are actually normal days in between treatments dates, very good to hear!
I"m sorry but I can't remember, did you buy a wig? I am shopping for one on Thursday with my mom. I don't consider myself a vain person so we'll see how this goes...I may just stick with scarves and hats.
DebbieC, I need some of your energy! I feel tired and the nurse said the decadron would make me unable to sleep, ha! She was dead wrong on that one.
The infusion room was so busy I wan't able to even begin reading any of the material I bought with me. I figured it being the first time and the nurses were practically living in my cubicle to explain all the procedures. I like to know everything so I was happy for them to do so. We were able to use our cellphones so I called my mom, that was nice.
Debbie, I'm glad to hear you're doing so well too!
Gracie, keep us posted the closer it gets to the 18th, I want to wish you well. Great news on the PET scan and I love the celebration, a girl after my own heart.
litig8or, Congrats to your son on his graduation, I'm very glad you were able to enjoy the festivities. Good luck on his college career.
We are going through that process again this summer with our youngest..if only he would relay to us what campuses he wants to visit, that would be helpful. I'm hoping up to the task. But, he's our last, 2 down, 1 one to go so we're *experts* at the college game.
Kathleen, so glad you checked in and you're doing well too. I've never heard of Claritin for Neulasta, will have to ask my onc. This board is chockfull of info!
Susan, I'm happy you found a wig stylist who's BTDT, your wig sounds fabulous!
I had my MRI on my right breast yesterday afternoon to see why I'm still discharging from my lumpectomy on 3/29. The rad called to say she can see the fluid and it is definitely coming from the nipple but she can't see why it's doing it. She wants the onc to get a fluid sample and I foolishly asked if he would be doing a needle biopsy. Oh, no...he''ll have to squeeze the nipple, yeah, *that sounds like fun!
So, yes indeed, what a life we lead, huh?

Serenity44

Hello -

I am 44, two kids (boys 10 and 16) married for 21 years (in a few days we celebrate our anniversary). I found out that I had breast cancer (1.3 cm, invasive ductal, estrogen positive, no lymph nodes), had a biopsy, lumpectomy with sentinal node mapping and got a portacath put in all during May. Getting the portacath was the hardest of all of the procedures for me.

I start six cycles of FEC this Monday, June 11. I'm getting my hair cut short today, and my husband already shaved his head. After chemo, I have six weeks of radiation, then 5 years of Tamoxifin.

I've done tons of research and tons of positive thinking. But when you get down to it, I'm really scared. Not knowing is always the hard part. Waiting the get your diagnosis, waiting for your path report, waiting to find out what chemo will be like.

This posting has already helped me. Women talking about how they can still exercise, and how well they feel! I NEED to hear that! Even when folks talk about how bad they feel, that helps too because you are still getting through it!

You are a strong, brave, and lovely group of people. Thank you for being so willing to share your experiences!

tos

Hi Serenity44, congratulations on your upcoming wedding anniversary. May sounds like it was a busy month for you, it helps when these things move quickly. You are right, the waiting is awful, I'm glad you have your plan.
That's good too that you are doing your homework, it really helps to prepare yourself and ask good questions.
My first time thru I was whirled right thru and didn't have a clue what was going on and it took me 3 years before I began to research on my own, I'm so glad I did.
I didn't even know about this website at the time and live rurally so felt pretty alone.
It really does help to reach out and share and learn w/others who are going thru the same thing. We can laugh, cry, vent, ask questions together and we understand.

I'm about 5 days out from treatment one and haven't really felt too good but all in all it isn't that bad. I imagine in a day or two I'll be back to the old me.

lastminuteD

Morning all!

Thought I'd catch up and see what everyone is up to - read them, can't remember a lot however!! Seems that everyone is taking it one day at a time and things aren't horrible - I am glad to hear that!

Oncologist or nurse told DH that day 3 would be the worst - not for me! Day 4 on the other hand was...........just felt yucky all day. Today is Day 5 post chemo tx #1 and I'm feeling much better. Slept much better than the previous few nights, did the treadmill for 20 minutes again this morning and my head feels clearer. YEAH!!!

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Dawn
12/05 IDC er+/pr+ her2+ stage 1
3/07 IDC er-/pr- her2+ stage 2

honeygirl

Hello Everyone. I hope everyones side effects are little or none. My worst day appears to have been day three. Fatigue , nausea and headache peaked on that day. I feel much better now on day six since my first treatment. Today was my first day back to work since my mast. on Mar. 29th. Everyone was very wonderful and supportive. I am still on lifting restrictions from my plastic surgeon so I did alot on computer work. Was fatigued more than usual but all in all it was a good first day back. I keep waiting for signs of my hair falling out. The only thing I noticed was my scalp hurting when I was shampooing. Well , good luck to all with treatment. My second one will be June 20th. Hugs and Blessings to All

SusieSwan

Morning Ladies,

Last day before chemo here so the nerves are a little on edge today! I have meeting on top of meeting today so at least I won't be able to sit and worry about tomorrow.

I love reading everyone's posts and look forward to signing on every morning.

My best friends Mom is a BC survivor (6 years now). She is stage IV so had been on and off chemo for years but her worse days are Day 5 and her onc said anything after day 3 doesn't have anything to do with chemo. It seems to me that most chemo patients don't hit the wall until days 3-5 so I don't know why he continues to say that even though every treatment is the same for her! She doesn't get ill...just bone numbing tiredness.

Have a great day,
Susan

TerryNY

Serenity, welcome! Sorry you had to join us here but hopefully we can help you through the journey. Happy Anniversary, belated.
Susan, I'll be thinking of you today. Did you ask your onc for any xanax or valium? I took a xanax before my first chemo treatment and it helped to take the edge off. I'm always very nervous before each new treatment or procedure.
Dawn, so glad to hear you're doing better!
Honeygirl, great news on the job front, I'm glad your co-workers are being supportive.
As for me, this morning I'm feelig very foggy and jittery. I think it's the decadron and I'm not taking anymore until I see the PA this AM for my neulasta shot. I'm on Day 3, had chemo on Monday, and so far have just been feeling very, very tired.
I wish everyone a wonderful Wednesday!

burquie

Good Morning everyone!
Hope everyone is doing well. I know this may noy be the forum for this, but I am so proud and wanted to share with my "chemo sisters". My oldest, Ian, graduated from the community college last night; now he'll continue at RIT for the next 2 yrs to get his bachelors in Criminal Justice. They grow up sooo fast, but he's always my baby!! He also turns 20 this week, and I plan on being around when he turns 40!! Just wanted to share..... thanks!

Bonnie

DebbieK

Bonny, I am so glad you shared about your son's graduation! Seems like we get so focused on the bc, we forget to enjoy our lives.

I thought I might go into the office today (day 3) but I am feeling queasy and headachy so I think I will just do some work at home on my computer between naps. I had the neulasta shot yesterday. Took two ibuprofen before the shot and two last night and have had no bone pain. That was a relief. All in all, I don't feel as bad as I thought I would and other than the first night have been sleeping well.

Hope you other ladies are doing well today.

Debbie

kath11

Good morning, everyone!

Congratulations, Bonnie! You should be so proud of your son graduating and moving onto the next step. Spending time with our kids, no matter what age, keep our minds on good things and off the bc stuff. Yesterday I sat with my daugher and went over all her paperwork for her study abroad in Milan in September. No matter how organized she tries to be she still needs me to double-check! Love to be needed! Sure keeps my mind off the other stuff.

Terry and Debbie, this is day three for me too. I felt great yesterday, tired in the evening, but slept well. But today I'm feeling a little shakey and slightly nauseous, not too bad. I had the Neuslasta shot yesterday and still no bone pain. I'm on my way to the "Look Good Feel Better" class. Hope I don't have to put on any eyeliner...I don't think I could draw a straight line right now!

I hope you all have a great day. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

xoxo
Kathleen

Terrilee2

Hi Girls!
That darned day three.... I think it has to do with all the protien from the neulasta giving orders to make white blood cells! Anyway, just know that each day you will start to feel better and better. I started taking prilosek on day 5 because I was feeling queezy. It has been working wonderfully! I had my head shaving party last night, and it was filled with laughter and tears, and more laughter. My oldest Daughter Kelli, used the clipper, and then her fiance Zach, shaved my head because he had the most experience with a razor! It will take some getting used to, but I really believe that it's all about attitude! A friend of mine gave me a skull and cross-bone head wrap (sic I know) and I put the darned thing on, and doned my black leather jacket, and took my scooter for a cruise!!!! I was cracking myself up. Mind you, my scooter is a little tiny black thing that I use to go back and forth to the grocery store 6 blocks away. My point is that we have to embrace each part of the journey and use it to our advantage. Today, I put my new wig on, and made a point of doing several errands before I went to my office. I didn't notice any stares or funny looks. I go in for my second tx tomorrow and I am ready! Kathleen, have fun at class! If you are not up to putting your "face" on ask one of the stylists if she could do it for you. They love that stuff! Happy day to all of you!

Peace,
Terri. PS... My middle daughter Kacie graduates from high school this Saturday!

SusieSwan

Bonnie - Yeah for Ian! I agree, I like to share info and hear about other things than bc all the time.

Terry, Debbie & Kathleen - so encouraged that you guys are not down & out completely and managing with fatigue. I'd like something to calm my nerves a bit but I'll manage. I'm more afraid of triggering a migraine so I will mention this to the chemo nurse just in case they can do a slower infusion this first round. Then, I think I'm about ready to start my period (which can also give me a migraine), but maybe this will be the last one for a few months! I'm 41 so I'm sure it will return after chemo. I'm going to be discussion ovarian supression after chemo since I was so highly er/pr+.

Terri, thanks for sharing your head shaving story! I think I might have the stylist shave mine when I go into get my wig next week. I guess I'll see how I feel that night. Did you get a wig close to same color/style you have now?

Is anyone else HER2+ that will be taking Herceptin or am I alone in that?

Susan

honeygirl

Hello Everyone! Terry , sorry your feeling jittery and foggy. I haven't felt jittery , but I did have the fog. I hope your feeling better. Bonnie , congratulations to your son Ian! My son Adam also graduated college , and it was on Mothers Day! That was deffinately one of the best days of my life. He is coming home Fri. so I am planning a little celebration. Debbie I hope you to are feeling better. Its good you can get some work done at home. Terri , you go girl!! I think scooters are so cool , I should get one! Sorry I can't help Susan , I am her2-. Oh , I got a wig in the mail today that I ordered. It feels to short. But I still have my hair. So it may look different when I'm bald. Wigs just feels so hot and bothersome to me! I may end up being a hat and scarf girl. Well ladies , hope you all feel better. Hope everyone has a peaceful night tonight.

TerryNY

Ladies, my son had his annual physical today and the dr found a lump near his lumbar region of his back. He thinks it's just a cyst and will need to be removed surgically. My son just turned 18 and a junior in HS, I'm so afraid of this....I'm not fond of the word 'lump' or 'cyst'.
Im soo tired tonight and fraught with worry.
He goes for an x-ray tomorrow and if nothing shows on that, then they'll do an US. I hope and pray it isn't anything serious.
Sorry I can't add to the good news today. I'm so scared for him.

bomber410

Terry, I'm thinking of you and your son. You are in my prayers. I hope you get good news.

Debbie C

honeygirl

Oh Terry , I will pray for your son. Its always hard when something is of concern with our children. I'm not going to tell you not to worry , thats part of being a mom. But stay strong and know you're both in my prayers.Melody

SouthernCheryl

Terry, my prayers are with you too. It's a good sign the doc thinks it's a cyst.

Melody, enjoy your kiddo's visit home! I'm think I'm gonna be like you - a hat and scarf kinda girl. Until it gets cold anyway. I did cut my hair short. I went shopping at the store I work in, and you wouldn't believe the double takes I got! It's a big change from my long hair and I can't wait to grow it back out, but this will be easier to shave when it's time! I'm gonna do like Terri. Your second chemo (June 2oth) is gonna be my first.

Terry, Dawn, Debbie & Kathleen -- Thanks for keeping us posted! Do you feel like pioneers?

My start date has changed to June 20th. The drain is still in, and when I called the ex-onc, his nurse said it was OK to start chemo with the drain still in. That makes no sense to me, and the onc I saw today (hereafter referred to as 'my onc'!) agrees that chemo should not be started until 3-5 days AFTER the drain comes out. I like this new guy sooooooooo much better. And he's over an hour closer to home.


Susan, I'm looking forward to hearing about your first day tomorrow. Good luck.

Welcome Serenity44! Congrats on the anniversary. I know what you mean about being able to read and talk to other women going through the same thing, it just helps with my knowing that I *can* do this.

I'm sure I've missed somebody I meant to say something to! That's what I get for waiting days to post.

Everybody -- take good care of yourselves!

Cheryl

Charlie451

Here I am fully awake at 2 am. It is very comforting to visit this website. No one understands better than others who are sharing the same experience.
TerryNY- I will send up a prayer for your son, too. Hopefully it is just a cyst.
Serenity44- Welcome and Happy Anniversary!
Galnok- I just found out that I, like you, am also triple negative.
lastminuteD - I'm glad day 5 means improvement.
honeygirl- Conrats on returning to work!
burquie- Conrats on son's graduation!
Debbie- I hope tx continues to go well.
Kath11- How was Look Good Feel Better?
SouthernCheryl - My start date will be delayed, too.

It seems as though I qualify for a clinical trial chemo. My prescribed tx is TC and really doesn't seem all that bad. I need more info in the trial. Just don't know. This maybe why I am up at 2am. Hmmmmm.
Hope everyone continues to stay strong. Others have made it-so can we.
LInda

allgone

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on in a couple of days, and I haven't read anyones posts since. (I will catch up after tx#1) later today. Just wanted to wish Susieswan GOOD LUCK!! I will be thinking about you when I am sitting in the chemo chair also. I am not sure if they will start my chemo today as planned as I am not sure if my allergies are acting up or if it is a cold. Hopefully it is allergies and we are a go for today, as I don't want to wait any longer to get started!! I'll catch up with ya'll later!!
Keep smiling

lastminuteD

Susieswan - you are not alone!!!

I am HER2+ also - with my original dx and the recurrence.
Doing AC every 3 weeks = 12 weeks, then
Taxol & Herceptin every week = 12 weeks, then
the Herceptin goes every 3 weeks to fill out a full year and will have radiation treatments starting then too. UGH.

Makes me tired just thinking about it!! So, I try not to!!
(doesn't always work of course!)

TerryNY - my prayers are with you and your son - it's so hard to watch your children go through procedures etc. My oldest son had ulcerative colitis for 5 years before they removed his colon - his health has been awesome since.

Days 6 & 7 have been fairly non-eventful - trying to do 30 minutes on the treadmill every morning and working on the overabundance of weeds in my gardens in the evenings after work - I think the weeds are still winning!!!

burquie - Congrats on your son's graduation! good luck with the party and enjoy it!

Wow - our group is sure growing!!

Have a wonderful, relaxed day everyone!!
Dawn
12/05 IDC er+/pr+ her2+ stage 1
3/07 IDC er-/pr- her2+ stage 2

kath11

Terry, I just wanted to send my love and prayers to you and your son. All through this I remind myself how much easier it is to know this is happening to me and not my child. I pray the doctors are right and it is only a cyst that can be taken care of quickly. Let us know how he is.

xoxo
Kathleen

DebbieK

Terry, so sorry to hear about your son. I will keep him in my prayers.

SusieSwan, I thought about you today and wondered how you made out for the first treatment.

I went to work today for 6 hours. It sure felt good to be back doing something normal. Now I am sleepy and need a nap.

Best to all, Debbie

SusieSwan

Oh my gosh ladies, you are not going to believe this...I did not get chemo today. I'll try to make this condensed as possible.

I was originally dx on 4/24 with a lumpectomy on 4/26 for a mass in my left breast. On 5/11, I had a re-excision with clear margins. On 5/17, saw first oncologist. On 5/18 saw radiologist oncologist that said "hey, you have these calcification clusters ALSO in your left breast behind your nipple that are not dispositioned". That was the first I'd heard of these. I truly believe the surgeon blew off this part, missed it or whatever, and just concentrated on the lump. Otherwise, why would he not have biopsied these when I was in surgery twice?!

So, when brought to the surgeon's attention, he felt they were "nothing" and we'd re-mammogram in 3 months. Didn't feel comfortable with this. So, I inquired with my first onc and through his nurse, said the calcs would be treated just as well with chemo. My second onc said he reviewed the calcs with the radiologist and felt that they were benign and we'd watch them on mammos.

All the sudden today, they want an MRI before treatment. What?!?! I was just so upset, trying to schedule an appointment for an MRI, wondering why this wasn't decided sooner, etc. that I didn't ask why I just couldn't go ahead with the chemo and if these calcs turn out to be something, I'll have the mast after chemo. I'm just so worried about my "window of opportunity" of the chemo closing, especially if they now want to do more surgery.

I was so prepared and now I'm waiting again. I'm going to call them back tomorrow but I might also call the other onc to get his opinion.

Thanks for listening and I'd welcome anyone to give me their thoughts.
Thanks,
Susan

DebbieK

My gosh, Susan, what a disappointing turn of events! Seems like you did all you could do to press the issue earlier; and now all of a sudden, they pay attention! Sometimes the doctors forget what it is like to be a patient with all the twists and turns in our treatment. Maybe when you talk to the other onc. tomorrow he can answer some of your concerns and help you feel better.

I was diagnosed in March; had a lumpectomy on March 29th followed by a mastectomy on May 2, and I am finally into chemo, so hopefully you are not outside the chemo window yet.

I hope you get some reassurance tomorrow. Take care, Debbie

SusieSwan

Debbie,
Thanks for the response. I do know that they take the "last" surgery date but I'm just concerened that if I do need more surgery, we'd be looking at late July at the earliest before I could get going!
I'll see what they say tomorrow.
Thanks,
Susan

ChicoTrish

Greetings, June ladies. I was part of the June '06 group, and wanted to jump in briefly to let you know that as hard as the road is now, a year from now you'll go days without even thinking about BC or treatments, and you WILL feel good again. Take it one day at a time, stay positive, and allow yourselves to rest as often as you need. Best to you; fists up!
Trish

bomber410

Hi guys,
I created a CaringBridge site to keep my friends and family up to date on my summer activities. I'll use it in place of email updates to them. Someone on this site, sorry I can't find who, gave us a link to her site. It's great, free and easy to use. I spent tonight working on it, putting in the emails I sent out over the past few months, as well as my diary entries. It was very satisfying. Have any others tried this site?

You can visit my CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/debbiecole.
Warm regards,
Debbie

TerryNY

Good morning, ladies. I feel a bit better today, yesterday was my worse one so far, day 4. I'm done with the anti-nausea meds as of last night so hopefully my head can clear some and I can function.
My son's x-rays didn't show anything so he's scheduled for an US on Wed. I've gotten a bit calmer on that front.
Susan, I'm so sorry to hear of the change in your chemo plans, how frustrating for you! LIke Debbie K, my surgery was 3/29 and I just had my first chemo this past Monday. I'm not sure who set the 'rule' on how many days post-op to begin chemo, has anyone here done actual research into that reasoning? I'll be thinking of you, Susan, hang in there.
Thanks to all who wished my son well, I'll keep you posted on his dr appts.
Also, to those who start treatment soon, good luck!

tos

Terry I hope everything turns out good for your son.

Is there anyone on this board who has been thru chemo treatments before?

SharonInMO

Hi all,

This is my first post as a member of the June 2007 chemo group. I started my first dose of AC on Monday, June 4th.

I'm a 42 year old analytical chemist, never married, no kids, 2 dogs that I used to show in various sports. I'm engaged to a 27 year old Turkish engineer who is completing his Navy service in Turkey at the moment. We planned to start a family after marrying in Nov., but BC got in the way. Instead, permanent menopause will probably hit in about 2 weeks...

I'm doing dose dense: 4 x AC followed by 4 x Taxol+Herceptin, then 5 years of Tamoxifen.

I just read the MSNBC article on another forum saying that Adriamycin only works in 8% of chemo patients. So I'm now going sterile for possibly no reason. Yippee... Gonna talk to my onc ASAP before my next dose of AC. I love my onc... he even phoned me at home last night after returning from his conference to make sure my first week of chemo went okay.

Symptom-wise, I have not had problems with nausea. I have had splitting headaches, dizziness, double-vision, and extreme fatigue. I can walk 1.5 miles, but then sleep 12 hours to make up for it. I hadn't honestly expected any of this due to my "youth" and the fact I was in good shape prior to the BC diagnosis (run/walk 6 miles each day, lifelong vegetarian non-drinker, non-smoker). But chemo is sure a great leveler!

This is day 5 after my first chemo, and I haven't taken any anti-nausea meds for the first time today. I feel almost normal today--just a bit tired. I hope I can put in a full 8 hour workday today. The first days after chemo, I only managed 2 hours, and I'm all out of sick leave now.

I've enjoyed reading everybody else's experiences and look forward to being part of the group.

Sharon in Missouri