Starting Chemo February 2009?

donna2001

Michele, I am home from my port surgery and I feel GREAT.  I am not sore and I never felt anything.  I was given anesthesia instead of being sedated.  My surgeon gave me the choice.  I woke up feeling good and was home in less than 4 hours.  I do not know anything about the PICC.  I went to the port placement thread that Brenny mentioned.  There was a lot of helpful information there.  Good luck on your decision.  Keep us posted.

apple

January 29th I start Taxol and Avastin

Taxol, once a week for 3 weeks, the one off.

Avastin every 1st and 3rd week.

(I am so grateful to have a port.. it seems to make it so much easier compared to my sister in law who has a picc and seems to be always having problems (she's 20years older than me tho.)

jancie

I am joining this group also!  I will start chemo around the week of February 9th.  My treatment will be 4AC x 8 treatments (every 2 weeks) followed by Taxol for 8 treatments (every two weeks).  We are hoping that the lump will reduce in size small enough for me to have a lumpectomy.

I had the SLN procedure done on Wednesday last week and they took out 5 nodes which all were negative for cancer!!!!!  Finally some good news!  I was in so much pain for 3 days that I did nothing but sleep the entire time and am still feeling a little bit woozy from the meds even though I haven't taken any today.

Ok, so I hear about the importance of drinking lots of water.  I hate water!!  Can I drink gatorade instead?

I opted to not have the port put in.  I asked my surgeon if it was ok with him if I didn't.  I have great veins which are highly visible and like I told him "I have no problem with you sticking needles in my veins every two weeks but I draw the line on sticking needles in my nipple!"  He had to give me 10 mg of Valium to get through the nipple needle procedure as I was a total wreck.

Tomorrow I will call the chemo nurse and get a set schedule.  I also have to attend a one hour or so orientation class where they talk about all of the SE of chemo, what to expect, ect.  Wed evening I am attending a lyphedema exercise class.

I know we can all get through this!!!

Carol0371

Artemis-I also go tomorrow for my 1st trtmt.I've done it twice before but this combination of drugs is different-so don't know how it will be.

Apple-I'm doing the same combo as you-Taxol & Avaston.I did taxol the first time but never have had Avastin.It's fairly new for treating breast cancer.

Good luck to both of you & all the rest of us,I just want to get these 9 wks over with & get back to feeling good.This just takes over your life when you're going thru it.

Anonymous

Hello ... I posted over in the january thread, didn't realize there was a february thread.

i had surgery first, bilateral mastectomy w/expanders 12/30, am cancer-free (thank god!) but have been told by my surgeon that i will need chemo/radiation as insurance. i have my first appt with my oncologist on wednesday. i know the anticipation is the worst. but somehow i wasn't really scared pre-surgery. now? i'm terrified. today was my first day back at work since the surgery. i have a job with flexible hours and a very understanding boss. i'm just hoping i can work while i'm doing chemo. i know it'll help me, mind over matter-wise.

Terri42 - getting 'tires inflated', lol! my last fill is friday. my new year's eve was sucky too. next year, we'll just have to celebrate that much more, yes?

webwriter - sending you soothing feel-betta vibes for your ouchy shoulder.

jancie - congrats on the negative nodes!

(((Judy))) & (((Carol0371)))  i know i don't know you, but i hope it helps to know i'm rooting special for you.

kelty

Hello, Webwriter,

I will start my chemo on 02/09. DD AC X4+Taxaol X12.  I was trying to sign up for avastin trial, but my low platelet problem disqualified me.

Brenny

Lisa 810

  I posted a reply on the Jan thread - so do check there also.

And note that I have worked through the first 3 TC tx's without missing a day.  One more to go on 2/4.  Also I fly back and forth between OH (where I live) and MO (where I work) every two weeks.

You can do it!

susan13

Starting dd Taxotere x 4 Jan. 29th, so I'll join this group.  I already did 4 dd AC's from Sept-Oct, then had bilat. mast. with tissue expanders.  Darn nodes were pos. so here I am again.

Someone asked about Gatorade, I drank it on my last tx's, and the onc. nurses said it's better than water, more stuff in it to hydrate you.  Also ladies make sure you take something for constipation... cause that can and will get very bad if you don't keep on top of it.  Something like Senekot for the first 4-5 days of treatment will work.  Good luck to all!

Sue

webwriter

Hey Ya'll! Just stoping by for a minute. Got chucked "in the hole" by my Ortho. Had to let the swelling come down in the shoulder. Still sore, but I'm alive!

Oh my goodness, we've gained a few in the February group! WOW! And Welcome! And I'm sorry to see you! You've found a great group tho, so jump right in.

Question before I update our list up top with all these great new faces: Would you rather it be alphabetized by user name, or grouped by start date like it is now?

Sorry to post and run, but you'll be seeing plenty of me after Thursday, haha!

Makin' hay while the sun shines--

Web

gcpommom

Hi everyone. 

I saw my onc again yesterday, and I start chemo next Tuesday, 2/3.  I have my choice of either doing AC/T dose dense, or participating in study S0221, which is looking at how an increase in frequency of dosing may or may not help  reduce recurrences.  With this study, I could end up having weekly doses of both AC and T, or some combination of every week and every 2 weeks, for about 26 weeks.  I worry about having no time to recover from se's with having chemo every week.  So, I am still researching that.

They are making me go to the dentist before starting, I need some work done.  So that is why I don't start until next week.  My hospital has a dental school, so they said I should be able to get the work done for free or almost free. 

Hope everyone is doing ok.  Web, I hope your shoulder heals up soon.  Welcome to all newcomers to the group, although it really stinks that there are so many of us in this situation.

Carol0371

Hi all,my first trtmt was yesterday.No SE yet-too early.Just couldn't sleep last night even with sleeping pill.I think because of steroids they give with the chemo.I was there for 3 hrs.just like they said.About half the time for the Taxol & half for the Avastin.Went for a walk with my husband after,around inside the mall-too cold & snowy to walk outside.I really want to try & force myself to walk this time going thru this.Have read many women who have & say it really helps,just SO HARD to get off the couch when the fatigue sets in.Also keeping a journal,my youngest dtr.bought me one,so I started it yesterday.Anything to get this over with again.

webwriter-sorry youre having so many problems with your shoulder on top of everything else.Hope it heals soon.

Have to go now-husband has to be at hospital for a procedure,the fun never ends in this house.

apple

i have been thru chemo before and found the steroids way too much.  I don't think I even went to bed the first time I took 4 the nite before.  After the first week, I saved them and LOVE them for deep house cleaning.  They are also absolutely excellent for piano performance.   I play as if I had the hands of Horowitz.   I can see why athletes get hooked on them.  I still have 10 left over and hope they give me some more.

(don't worry I only take about one a month and check with the doctor).

I thought that my treatments would be over at the end of January.  I had a MAJOR scare with what appeared to be a brain tumor requiring immediate surgery... that coupled with further lymph node involvement.   thank goodness the brain thing turned out to be nothing hopefully.  chemo alone doesn't seem too bad.

I take my keyboard and music into the treatment room w/ headphones and practice.   Carol, I'll be following you closely since we seem to be doing exactly the same thing at the same time.m  I'm doing 3 wks. of Taxol, and one week off, with the Avastin administered on weeks 1 and 3.

I'm hoping the taxol doesn't do a number on my fingers and nails.

webwriter

Popping in again to update the list (1st post) for those who are new and still coming. How are the "wallbangers" out there? Carol? Artemis? My sister-in-law, who is "helping out" (meaning full time work for an LPN!) for the duration, says the steroids don't wear off until the next day in most cases...and then when they do, it's like hitting a brick wall. Ouch yall!

Getting things wrapped up for "go day" tomorrow. Tons to do, no time to do it, last minute details, overlooked lists, because if I sit still I'll think about this too much and that probably wouldn't be a good thing for me right now, and these people really think I need steroids for this, you gotta be kidding me!

Go Day Furies! Apple? Susan13? Let's all join hands and take a deep breath, 'eh? Ready? Yeah. me neither. But we gotta do it, so let's get it done. See you tomorrow! Best wishes!

(I have a notepad here with notes for several of you.  Hang in there. SIL will stop cracking the whip shortly, haha!) 

Anonymous

hello lovelies,

just got back from the oncologist and my brain is reeling. i'm exhausted. so this will be a cliff notes version.

1. LOVE my oncologist. confident he and i will be a good fit. he seems more reactive than proactive, ie: we'll deal with the side effects if and when they happen. but he wasn't dismissing my concerns either. he's funny and bright and warm and honest and open and we've already cussed in front of one another, hee. he seemed optimistic that the worst i would suffer is hair loss and fatigue.

2. i don't know how to do all the abbreviations, but my regimen = (4) 2-wk cycles of AC (um, just realized i forgot to write down what the 'A' is and what the 'C' is ...? Adriamycin? Cytoxan? crap!), (4) 2-wk cycles of tamoxifen (or taxotere? forgot which one). so unhappy that it's not the original 12 wks that my surgeon predicted.

3. i requested emend (thanks to suggestions listed here!) & he was happy to comply. his niece works for merck. hee. 

4. he wants me to start chemo next weds, 2/4 - which shocked me a little. i think it's partly that he wants me to have my treatment at that specific facility (where all my doctors are, one stop shopping!), and he's only there wednesdays. plus less time for me to Dread. (i told him i'm prone to anticipatory anxiety.)

5. i had to scurry to get all my doc appts in order: preop exam (for port surgery) tomorrow, my final fill w/ PS on friday, port "installation" on mon eve, and then chemo weds. he was able to pull strings and have my heart sonogram done in his office right then and there. (a heart sonogram with expanders is a trip and a half.)

6. made my wig appt for monday morning. i have high hopes for the salon, based on kind email replies and an even nicer phone call. 

i feel a leeeetle bit betta. but i need a cuppa tea and a book and a nap and no more internet research today. this is all so overwhelming.

(((group hug))) 

Britt

Webbie -

Good luck on your first day of chemo tomorrow! 

Maria

Terri42

Hey Donna - thanks for your posts - you're just a day or two ahead of me on everything.  I have the port placed on Friday when you're getting your first chemo - good luck!  I am also doing 4 rounds of AC starting on Monday, Feb 2nd so let me know how you are feeling - I hope it's as successful as the port!

Brenny - more power to you - you go girl - I'm taking time off of work which may or may not be the best thing to do! 

Here's my stupid question for the week or maybe day - what are other side effects from the steroids?  This may sound horrible but I'm afraid of packing on weight - I'm actually going to continue my everyday (lifelong) effort to lose weight...any hope???

 Thought of another one - is anyone else getting Neulasta with their chemo?  I think my doc suggested that for Monday too. 

I'll be thinking of everyone else starting their chemo this week!  It's amazing how much strength you can find when you need it!

DoubleMammyWhammy

Hi

I'm starting Feb. 5th with AC X 4 at 2 week intervals.   The chemo kits suggestions are great and so is the advice and questions of everyone else.  It really makes me feel less alone.

I teach HS English and will be visiting one of my students at her home tommorrow--17-year-old girl with terminal bone cancer so I'm loading up on the best short stories to share since she's bored.  Really puts my sitch into perspective!   I also have a boy in my class w/leukmeia who shared his port story since I get mine Monday. He's got a great attitude and has had so many treatments.  Amazing where you can find support and strength!

Terri42-I'm having Neulasta the day after chemo.  Onc recommended mine 24 hours after, but who knows?  I'm with you on not wanting to pack on pounds (everyday lifelong battle).  I'm hoping to stay active even if I need to take laps around the halls at school--so darn icy here!!!

Good luck to everyone as we start/keep counting down!

Grace4me

Well Hello everyone! I finally got the drains out Monday.  I still fill pretty full from the fluid, but am praying that my body obsorbs it all before long.  I left the PS and my DH and I went and had my hair cut. That was harder then I imagined.  I had long curly hair all my life and now it is very short, but I have an interview tomorrow for a new job and I was letting my hair grow for Locks of Love. I needed to clean up and so it was time.  Monday next week I will going for my first fill, Tuesday hopefully will be released back to work by my general surgeon and Wendsday my first Chemo.  I hope to go back to work next Thursday, but will have to see how I am feeling. (my job of 20 yrs at our local hospital has been eliminated as of March 20th) but I will still have a job somewhere within the hospital, just a bit scary to learn a new job during all of this.......I will keep you all in my prayers, please pray for me too!    Well TN is about to take on LSU in basketball so off I go to get my mind on something else!

TwillNW

Just wanted to say "Hi" Grace4me - I think we start chemo the same day and looks like similar situations and regimes.  I had my drain 4 weeks post-lumpectomy/lymph node dissection - got it out last Thurs (docs orders) and since it was still draining a lot, I was worried about seroma.  Although I did feel and could see more fullness under my armpit within a day, it seems to be diminishing slowly.  Last night I got my hair cut from past shoulder length to chin length bob - although that's not a great shock for me as I tend to do that about twice a year!  Sorry to hear that you are dealing with a job change as well as bc - you have my thoughts and prayers.  By the way, I am originally from TN - grew up in Memphis - although now live in the Puget Sound area of WA.  Happy to have found so many on such a similar journey -

Tricia

apple

Terri 42

i for one, absolutely loved steroids.  I only took about 1/4 of the dose because they absolutely gave me the energy of 10 armies.   buzzing all day.  I avoid nausea like the plague by simply not eating much at all.  it was almost too easy to not eat while on chemo.  it makes your mouth hurt and chewing and swallowing was not all that satisfactory.. at all.

Thanks Webwriter for organizing so nicely.

webwriter

(Please, chemogod, let me react to the steroids like Apple. Thank you. -Web)

marlomom

New to the boards here and needed to talk to anyone going through chemo.   A bit about myself; I am 38 years old, married, mom of 2 (14 year old daughter, 11 year old son). 

In December '08, I had an extremely painful lump in my left breast - the doctor thought it might be a cyst...it wasn't. Diagnosed with IDC on 12/19/08; I insisted on a left modified radical mastectomy which was done on 1/6/09; Biopsy results:  grade 3 tumor, stage IIA; 0/7 nodes; Triple Negative (bummed about that). 

Thankfully, my recovery from the mastectomy was a breeze.  I start chemo on Feb. 6 - will have 8 treatments over 16 weeks as a precaution.  (Adriamycin, cytoxin and one other that I can't remember off the top of my head right now.) 

The kicker is I am in my last semester of a Physical Therapist Assistant program at the local college.  I am due to graduate in May, and have to take a state licensing exam shortly after graduation.  I am currently in class full time (lectures and lab) and will begin 10 weeks of clinicals (full time) starting February 16.  Everyone thinks I'm nuts for continuing school, especially clinicals, while going through chemo, but I've worked so hard to achieve my goal of becoming a physical therapist assistant that I just can't quit.  Most people, however, consider me strong willed and quite stubborn, so I'm hoping these two traits will help me through it.  I wasn't too upset about losing my breast, but I will admit that I'm actually quite scared about having to go through chemo.  I'll take any advice I can get.  Thanks for listening! 

apple

i hope I am the only one here who has done chemo before.  I was diagnosed in April 08.  I knew my cancer was fairly advanced and told my doctors I trusted their judgement and did not want to know any details.  My radical modified mastectomy kind of surprised me but the chemo didn't.  I didn;t read about the side effects.. i just did what they told me and took what they gave me.  I had so few problems.  Now, in retrospect, I realize I had many side effects that were easy to ignore because they had not been articulated for me.  I continued to work and raise my kids, and do yardwork, and business work.  I taught, performed in public, got used to being bald and just carried on. 

I sincerely hope you all, we all, get through this with few headaches and problems.  One thing that really helped me is my life long mantra of simply not eating if I felt nauseated.  I went without dinner often.  I wasn't hungry and I wasn't nauseated.  I also drank ginger, sliced, slivered and boiled into a tea.

I am sorry I have to do this again so soon after treatment... my cancer is indeed advanced, but grateful that I do have the option.  We are so fortunate to live in the west where treatment is available.

i wish all well and will think of you all tomorrow as taxol starts dripping into my veins.  (I think I might have already taken taxol in my first round of treatments. 

(I hope they give me some steriods... I am a pianist and they are absolutely the best performance drug  EVER).

best wishes and good luck girls.

btatmom

Hi, I am joining the club.  I know I will be starting chemo with Herceptin in February but my oncologist is giving me a choice for treatment.  AC with Taxol or Taxotore and Carboplatin???  Nothing was said about steroids.  Any information would be great!!  Thanks.

webwriter

Welcome btatmom & marlomom. Scary place to be, huh? Well, welcome. You're both in good company here. Apple has been through this, Carol and Artemis went yesterday, and three of us start tomorrow. There's a ton of great information in this thread, but feel free to browse all the others under the Chemo topic too. Especially the pinned ones.

And of course, since we're all in this together, this is your "free zone" where you can talk about anything you want, vent what you want, share what you can and lend a hand when you have one.

I've got tons and tons to write. I'm counting on Apple's Steroid Karma to get me caught up here and with the bank tomorrow! 

Thinking of you all, but MUST SLEEP NOW!

P.S. About NEULASTA Shots the day after TX, my nurse told me to take Claritin D (the 24 hour steady release version) for TWO DAYS PRIOR to the shot and to continue for a day after if needed. This has been touted on this site as a miracle remedy for the accompanying bone pain. Now I've got it from my Onco's nurse. I'm doin' it!

jancie

I am now so confused. Why are you given steroids?  What exactly is the purpose of that?  Then also this is the first I have heard of Neulasta shots - what is that supposed to do or help?  Is everyone given steroids and Neulasta?

Ladies - I hate to shop with a passion.  I have been putting off getting my "chemo bag" ready, I still have to go buy some hats, find a wig, etc.  I was told to not buy a wig until my hair is gone so that they can get a good fit on the wig.  Right now I have tons of hair so it would be hard for them to figure out the size I will need.

My goal is to review the chemo thread again on the shopping items that I need and get that done this weekend.  Tomorrow I will try to get to the hat shop and buy a couple of hats to wear until I get the wig thing figured out.

Webwriter - I messed up on my original thread regarding the chemo drug regimen that I will be on.

The correction is that I am taking Adriamycin and Cytoxin for 8 treatments and then I will be on Taxol for 8 treatments.  I will be going in every two weeks so basically I will be enduring this chemo crap for 16 weeks.

Are there any websites for wigs that I should stay away from?  Any great websites that have great service that I should be looking at?  I know I am not going to get a natural hair wig as that is going to be too high maintenance for me and too expensive.  I don't mind paying $175 or so for a nice LONG hair wig but I sure am not going to pay $300 plus for a natural hair wig.

I think it is a horse owner mentality that I have.  We don't even think twice of spending $200 plus for a really nice horse blanket so our horses don't get cold but to spend more than $40 for a pair of jeans for us is totally out of the question.

gcpommom

Wow, there are so many of us for February, it is sad yet good that we all have each other to lean on through this crap.

Terri:  regarding steroids, I sometimes take them for my asthma, and they do make me jittery.  The thing that worries me is that I get a rare side effect from them (and these are low dose that I take), so I am worried that with the higher dose, it will be worse; I get bad leg pain from them. 

I think most of us get the Neulasta or Neupogin (sp?) with our chemo to keep our blood counts up.  It is an expensive drug, and my new insurance caps my prescription coverage at $2500 per year, so I will have to go back to the hospital to have mine done intravenously so insurance will cover it.  Stupid insurance companies.

Grace & Twill:  my fluid doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast, just not absorbing yet.  I've read some women have fluid for months, so I guess I will be patient about it.  Ugh.

Web:  chemogod, lol, that's funny.  I think you can count on the steroids keeping you awake and giving you some energy, that's for sure.

Marlomom:  our dx are very similar.  I am also triple neg.  My onc wants me to consider trial S0221, which gives the chemo every week instead of 2 weeks over a longer period of time.  Still considering that, but since we trip negs have no further treatment after chemo, I am leaning towards trying the trial; at least I am fighting it a bit longer I guess.

Jancie:  I believe the steroids help with the nausea???  My onc said I could skip the steroids since I have trouble with leg pain as a side effect, but I think I will at least try it, maybe a smaller dose, to see if it helps.  I also have put off shopping for my chemo stuff, but plan to go out this weekend and get it done.  There are some nice wigs on ebay, I bought one from Play with Hair or something like that, her wigs are really nice (but shipping is kinda high, they're in Austrailia).  Your insurance should cover a "scalp prothesis", or a wig, if your doc will give you a prescription for one.  I've heard some women get covered for up to $500.

Good luck to all who start chemo this week, my thoughts are with you all.

Judy

MicheleS

Marlomom~ Hey! We're almost the same! My left boob is no more (simple mastectomy) as of 1/6/09.  I'm also TN and had 7 nodes taken!  I'm 36, w/ 3 kids so a bit different there... I start the same chemo protocol as you (except I'm getting Avastin thrown in for good measure) on 2/5.  I'm also going to continue to work FT... My DH is a SAHD so I'm *it* for income.  I'm getting my port tomorow.  Have you gotten one? Are you going to get one?

Apple~ I find your posts so inspiring.  I CAN do this! Thanks.

Jancie~ They give steriods when you get Taxol to prevent allergic reactions.  I don't know about steriods for the other chemo agents.

Grace4me~ I just got my long hair cut to a bob too.  I actually wish I had done it long ago.  It is cute (if I do say so myself).

Judy & Grace & Tricia~ Add me to the swelling post-drain removal crowd.  It is uncomfortable but not freakishly swollen. <bleck>

Carol and Artemis~  So!!! How did it go???

Webbie & Apple & Susan~  Good luck today.  I'm thinknig of you guys.  Please post when you can.

OK so now a question!!  I *think* I'm only getting nuclast with my taxol part of treatment.  My onc nurse told me about the claritin too... However, maybe I'm getting it with the AC treatments too??  Should I call and clarify with them?  I'm so confused...

Also, I'm getting my port tomorrow.  I'm really, really skeebed out about it.  However, my veins suck so it was either PICC or port and I went with the lowest maintainence (sp?) for me.  Tell me it is no big deal.  Pretty please!

Michele

Terri42

Just got back from my "Pre-chemo" meeting with the oncologist (and echocardiogram) so I got some clarification that may be able to help some of you:

My treatment consists of AC 4 times every 2 weeks then Taxol 4 times every two weeks with Herceptin which continues for a year (I'm HER2+++) - most of this is pretty much the same or similar to everyone else.  Along with the chemo - the nurse explained you may get an appetizer cocktail IV (thought that was funny) with the steroid and anti nausea med (this anti-nausea med is in addition to perscribed pills) - I am also getting the Neulasta (this is to help maintain a steady bloodcount level) the same day as opposed to the next day which is also standard.  I asked the nurse about the use of Claritin with the Neulasta and she said that where she had previously worked they highly recommended taking Claritin - I figure it can't hurt.  The nurse also explained that you shouldn't feel sick - call if you do!!!  I almost forgot - the steroids should not cause weight gain - yahoo - see there is a light in every tunnel!

As with everything - I think the unknown is the scariest!

Apple - I appreciate your uplifting posts - keep playing that piano!

Jancie - my hospital actually has a free wig program so ask around!

MicheleS

Hi Terri,

Thanks for your info regarding chemo.  I called the office and they told me the same thing regarding the IV of premeds but that I'll get the neulasta the next day (like Webbie).  The nurse I spoke with today indicated that I should start the Claritin the day of Chemo and continue it for 1 day after the neulasta.

I wish my onc would do the "chemo-101" training before the actual day of the chemo... I'm scheduled for "education" on the actual day.

Michele