Starting Chemo in July 2009

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2009

    Michelle,  Thanks for your work in listing all of our names and our treatments - that will be helpful to all of us.  I wish there was a place to put the treatment in our profiles.  By the time I read all the messages I forget who is on the same treatment plan as me.

    I agee with all of you in support of a port.  Mine is called a "power port" and apparently is relative new at least to my local hospital.  I had my surgery at the medical school 30 miles away, but am having my treatment locally.  The cancer center here and the hospital wanted copies of my port instruction booklet.  My oncologist said that it's wonderful because it can be used for other tests and to draw blood if absolutely necessary.

     I'm a little sad tonight - a good friend and Rotary brother, lost his wife this afternoon to BC.  She fought a courageous battle for more than 15 years.  If you pray tonight, please add the family of Benita to your prayers.

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  • BlessedOne2
    BlessedOne2 Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2009

    My turn! My turn!  Day #1 chemo tomorrow in Houston.  My port placement under general was last week on the left side.  My chest just seems to have so much pressure like feelings.  Has anyone else experienced this?    Lorijo,  meet a south Alabama homegirl.  I'm a native of Mobile.  54 years young with a DH, 21 yr old son and 3 yr g-son.  Our DX is also the same.  Did your doctor re-test your HER2 for confirmation of the positive status?  Mine has and I will get results tomorrow. I'm hoping it's the same. 

    Ladies, I have so enjoyed reading your posts and "meeting" you.  I also welcome PMs.  Good night to all as I lay my body down to give it some rest.  Pray for me that I am able to sleep well.

    Love and hugs,

    Wanda 

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  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 860
    edited July 2009

    Hi Ladies.  Wow, what a big group.  Sorry you all have to be here. 

    I have a video to share with you.  My friends son needed a project for his media class in college so he taped my head shaving party.  Warning:  He has the interview with me on a wide stretch mode so I look short and fat.  I promise you won't look this bad during chemo.  It's not finished yet, we have lots of changes to make but I thought I would share anyway.

    Best wishes to all of you.  Drink lots of water and remember that the anticipation is worse than the actual treatment.

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zznlRBX4wEg

    Renee

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  • prv
    prv Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2009

    What a great group! I will start chemo next week. I am 55 yo ingle mom of adopted little 7 yr old girl from Ethiopia. I have been getting through most of the surgery and testing with the help of her baby sitter - who is occasional taking care of me! I will have A/C followed by taxol with a drug from a clinical trial called avastin. Anyone out there heard of it? Anyone else on clinical trials? I sometimes feel like this is a crap-shoot and don't know what to do. My oncologist says that she would take it (avastin) but side effect are worrisome for me. How do you ladies keep your spirits up?

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

    Welcome, welcome tougherthanithought! 

    Love the hair o2be

    CVS has a off brand Biotene!!! Guess I better check that out $6.58 a bottle is more than I pay for wine! Thanks for the info. Hopeful1

    Lorijo we are neighbors! 

    Backagain-I pray you don't have any pain from your Neulasta shot. I got my shot at 9AM and by 6 PM I started with some minor pain. The skull pain started the next morning. Did you take a Claratin?

    My story: I am 46, married 25 years, with three kids 18,20 and 22. All in college, one living at home, one moves out on the 28th and one living in sin, LOL.  We live West of Atlanta GA and it is pretty rural but growing rapidlly.My story starts on May 13th. I had taken my hubby to the hosp. for very high blood pressure, they stole him over night. The next morning on the way to hosp. I got a call that my Mom had BC. we cried and then I told her I had a "sympathy lump" . Because I just got over strep throat I thought it was a swollen gland. Got hubby home, promised Mom I would take care of her after her masectomy and called doc about my "gland". She sent me to closest STAT hospital and I found out it wasn't a gland. So Mom and I have gone through much of this together. I have handed it all over to Him and that has taken much of the pressure off.

    To much info.? Did I mention that I love to chat it up. I like all crafts, have a home day care center, a Flat Coat Retriever and love to garden, but on a small scale. I love Lobster, Boston Cream Pie and was a military brat. I volunteer at the local nursing home, but not now due to chemo. I miss them, especially my FIL and his girlfriend.

    Well enough about me. Love your stories, now back to work. 

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  • sueaplain
    sueaplain Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2009

    Hi

    I had my first chemo treatment yesterday. It went well, much better than I expected. I feel fine today. I am waiting for the shoe to drop. I am happy to have found this group.

    Sue Ambrose

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  • White929
    White929 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2009

    Hello Triple J's!!!!!

    Sorry I haven't been here for a while.  Just to update everyone, I had my first tx of T/C on 7/2.  I didn't feel like a semi hit me until the evening of the 4th day and the 5th day I was wiped out.  Body aches everywhere and my head felt like I had the worst hangover ever without having the fun the night before!  6th day started feeling half normal and today (13 days later) I feel pretty good.  Always a little tired, but I acquired a sinus infection over the weekend..UGH!  It hit my chest by Sunday night and I called my onc on Monday and she prescribed a Zpack...so I hope my energy comes back and this infection leaves before next Thursday which will be tx 2...so today is day 13 and I'm going to my best friend's house today to shave the head...not sure if I'm leaving a little bit or totally bald.  I assume tomorrow it is falling out anyway?  I had two hair cuts in anticipation of not having any hair for a while.  I too drank lots of water and still am.  I guess if all I have is some body aches on two days between tx's is all I have for SE.....Whippee!  Does anyone know if you react the same with treatments 2,3 & 4 as you did with treatment 1?????

    Welcome to all the newbies...I need to be sure to get on every day.....some days not enough time to do everything and still get enough r&r!!!

    Love the new name....Thanks to PauldingMom!!!!

    I went to a Relay for Life wrap up party last night...we raised $90,000!!!  I have been the survivorship chair for the last 3 years.  Little did I know when I was planning this one, I would be the survivor speaking!!!  Needless to say.....there were many tears.  I was asked to attend a meeting about bringing a Strides for Breast Cancer walk to our area.....of course I said...Most Certainly!!!!  Looks like I will be getting involved with that as well!  Need to find a job....going to put together a resume....send it out and Pray!!!

    Sorry so long...had lots to say this am....have a great day everyone!!Kiss

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2009

    it might be me i get my port today at 11 ......i was told not to drink anything 4 hours before so im thinking i might get the happy juice.. but who knows i will be back to let everyone know how it goes....all of this is so nerve wracking....eliz

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2009

    My chemo was a week ago today, and I cannot believe my lack of energy.  What can I do to get some? Help???????

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  • LindaSueH
    LindaSueH Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2009

    Renee....Just watched your video.   I am so proud of you and hope when my shave day comes I can be as positive and beautiful as you are!!!!

    Linda

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  • backagain
    backagain Member Posts: 34
    edited July 2009

    Wow - slept 12 hours last night!  The night before I only slept 2 - those steroids kicked my butt.  Had Neulasta yesterday at 4:00.  Doctor said no to claratin wants me to stick with motrin.  No aches and pains so far, but the day is young!

    Paulding - My kids are about the same ages as yours-18, 21, and 23 and the baby leaves for college on Saturday.  My oldest daughter (who is also living in sin LOL) lives in Atlanta and teaches at Summerour Middle School.  Don't know if that is anywhere close to you.  Had to laugh at the Biotene-Wine reference - too funny!  I have been using it - it just doesn't make my mouth feel clean enough.

    White 929 - I am the Relay Captain at the school where I work and we had our Relay the week before my dx.  Made it even more surreal! It is overwhelming to see so many people out there for the same cause.  Thank you for your efforts!

    Welcome newbies and good luck today Wanda!

    Renee - you are beautiful with and without your hair - thank you so much for sharing! 

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  • PAP
    PAP Member Posts: 142
    edited July 2009

    WHITE929...I just had my second tx of TC 9 days ago and it went about the same as the first round.  This one hit me a little bit harder on the "hit by a semi" but still not too bad.  My worse days both times seems to be 4 and 5.  I did have  a harder time getting food down this time....not because of nausea, but I simply had no appetite and nothing sounded or tasted good.  Tomorrow is nadir day (low wbc) for me and I am already beginning to feel achey and a little more tired so I'm curious how it will effect tomorrow.  I wondered if this will be the drill with each succesive tx, but my onc said there is no predicting and each one can be entirely different.  So will just take them as they come and try not to have any expectations.....just be prepared.  Patti

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited July 2009

    eliz-as I read this it's past 11 your time; hope all  went well.

    Day 7 for me, feeling fine.  I did wake up with lower back near hip pain this AM- thinking it's too many days since Neulasta for it to be a true se.

    Can't wait to watch Renee's video but I am work so I better save it, but I love her comment that the anticipation is worse than the actual treatment; I found that to be very true at least for my round 1.

    30 years ago today, the movie "Alien" with Sigourney Weaver was #1 at the box office.  I feel alienish these days myself.

    Have a great day.

    Joni2 

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited July 2009

    Hi all - port is in - was awake for the whole thing...asking questions from under the surgical drape. Only took about 45 minutes and I was discharged 1 hour later...no pain right now but I did take two Tylenol right after we left hospital so I am hoping that helped.  I am experiencing an ache in my neck - the nurse said that I would feel stiff cause they run the catheter through the jugular - have small amount of discomfort when I swallow on that side too.  It was a long drive and I am sooo happy to be home...going to take a nap :)

    Welcome newbies!

    Joni2 - I am feeling a bit like the bride of Frankenstein myself...

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  • tougherthanithought
    tougherthanithought Member Posts: 454
    edited July 2009

    Renee, I just watched your video and loved it.  So nice of you to share it with us!  I plan on shaving my head next Wed, 7/22 when I go get fitted for my wig.  I hope I can keep it together!

    Joni2, I also feel alien-ish, with this annoying port, and these rock-hard, round tissue expanders!  Oh, to be able to sleep on my stomach again :)

    I will be getting my Neulasta shots at home, since I have 2 nurses in the family who will give it to me.  Does taking Claritin really work?  I'm thinking of trying it, but do you have to take it the day before, or can you take it the day of?

    I should probably sign with my actual name, b/c my screen name is way too long, and I guess I didn't think of that when I registered here!  My name is Sherrill and I am married with a 7 yo son and a 5 yo daughter.  I work part-time, but may reduce to part-part time or no time when I see how this chemo affects me (I start my first treatment tomorrow, and am a little nervous)

    My family and friends are so supportive, and I feel really lucky to have all of them in my life.  But it is nice to come here and chat w/ those who really know what you are going through.

    Sherrill

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  • Gramof3
    Gramof3 Member Posts: 301
    edited July 2009

    PRV,

    I just sent you a PM.

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  • tougherthanithought
    tougherthanithought Member Posts: 454
    edited July 2009

     Hi o2bhealthy-My neck was sore after the port placement, too, and for me, I think it was b/c my neck was turned to the left the whole time and just got a little stiff.

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  • lorijo1993
    lorijo1993 Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

    I had the port placed this morning under "Michael Jackson juice" diprovan, I also carried on in the conversations in the OR room, then I had a brake before I was in  my OCN office, then my first chemo-Taxotere, and Cytoxan,and my neulasta shot, the only symptoms are that I am having a big sinus headache and metallic taste, took a pain pill, ready for a nap. drinking lots of water.

    Lori

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  • snowprincess007
    snowprincess007 Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2009

    /Morning ladies from the other side of the world,

    So inspiring to hear all of your stories and know that I am not alone out there!  I think I might be the baby of the group at only 28!  Live with my partner for 8 years in Melbourne, Australia and we have 2 furbabies - a tortoiseshell cat and a Bernese Mountain Dog.

    Had my first chemo last Thurs (9/7) and was more managable that I expected it to be.  Generally just felt a bit off ALL the time, and have to eat constantly or feel really nauseous so am convinced that I will be the size of a heifer by the time I am finished!  Other SE - really dry mouth and sore throat, some thrush (yay!), heartburn and tiredness but all very manageable.  Oh and most importantly am up to day 7 and NO hair falling out.  Might be complete wishful thinking but hoping maybe it will stay that way?

    Had a question for the group re: PICC lines vs a Port (posted a seperate reply on this) so any advice would be much appreciated.

    Have a great day

    Meg 

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  • lorijo1993
    lorijo1993 Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

    ReneeS the video was wonderful, you are beautiful, something to look forward to in about 2 weeks.

    God Bless

    Lori

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  • eliz46
    eliz46 Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2009

    Hi Lori and everyone here the port surgery went very well i don't remember anything .....i am a light weight. i was to just have the happy juice.......glad it made me go out .....surgery and me just dont mix well i get very nervous .....i did have to stay in recovery a bit longer my blood preasure was low ......i am very happy its over now i start to prepair for my pet scan and cat scan on monday,  then chemo on tuesday.....phewwww  i have been meeting the most wonderful people lately .............Eliz

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited July 2009

    Hello Triple J's

    I hope you are all doing well and have minimal side effects.

    To tell you a bit more about myself: I am 53 years old, nearly 54, and I live with Nick, my partner of 20 years in a rural area of England. I teach part time at a local college, but I haven't worked since my mastectomy and it is now the summer break so I wouldn't be teaching anyway.

    Snowprincess007 my hair started coming out a little on day 13, more on day 14 and on day 15 I had what was left shaved off. That is not to say that yours will be the same though.

    I don't have either a port or a PICC line, they said I have good veins so they just used a vein in my hand, so I cannot comment or offer any advice on that topic.

    Nick & I are going away tomorrow for a short break in North Wales so I'll catch up with you all when we get back.

    Have a great weekend.

    Jayne xoxo

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2009

    Wanda - My port was placed at the time of my surgery.  My dr. said she believes in doing it all at one time if possible.  I did feel the port for a couple of weeks, particularly if I was lying on that side.  I think some of that was probably the healing process and the fact that psychologically there was a foreign object in my body.  My first treatment was July 2.  You will love the port.  My dr. gave me lidocaine (numbing creme) and I never even felt a prick of the needle.  They will first check out your port by running saline solution through it.  This is something they will do each treatment.  And, if you are getting more than one kind of chemo they will run the saline between solutions. And again at the end.  At least, this was my experience.  I have a friend who does not use the creme and says she feel nothing because they pull the skin tight and then use the needle.  You are on the same med as me.  I got along fine day 1 and 2 and then started to feel fatigued on 3 & 4. I slept a lot and ate very little but don't know how much of that was from the nauseous meds I was taking.  I want to try to continue working, so I scheduled my treatment on Thursday.  By Monday, I went back to work, but was ready for "quittin' time".  By Tuesday and Wednesday - good as new!  Good luck!

    Prv - my treatment plan is the same as yours.  Read above for how I got along with first treatment.  I've had a few other things to happen since that first weekend.  My mouth and throat are more sensitive to cold and heat.  I have what appears to be an inflamed taste bud on the end of my tongue.  However, I had this once before years ago, so it may have nothing at all to do with treatment.  I've also had a couple of small places on my lip. - just little red spots  I've never had a fever blister and anyway it does not look like one.  I'll ask about these little annoyances when I go for bloodwork tomorrow.  I agreed to the clinical trial, because my doctor thought that I should.  She is not only my dr. but also my friend and I'll do whatever she tells me to do.  And, she is known to be one of the top 5 oncologists in the United States.  I also had some constipation for a couple of days but used the suggested over the counter Sennacot-S and it worked fine.  Hope that makes you feel better about the trial.  The side effects from this don't really worry me any more than those of the other drugs.  And, there's a chance you won't be on it anyway.  The first time is the worst cause the A takes 30 minutes - the C takes 30 minutes and the clinical trial of Avastin takes 90 minutes.  Next week my Avastin will be 60 minutes and the next time and all future times will be 30 minutes.

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  • pdaw
    pdaw Member Posts: 202
    edited July 2009

    Forgot another thing - my mouth seems to also be sensitive to my toothpaste (Crest Prohealth), so I purchased the Biotene toothpaste and that works much better.

    The waiting for that first treatment was very hard for me, as it probably is for all of you.  I had not slept good since the diagnosis but after that first treatment, I slept great.  In fact, the dr. gave me something to help when I told him I was having trouble falling asleep, but I have not used it.

    I noticed last night (day 13) that my hair was coming out when I ran my fingers through it.  I thought this might happen, so I began wearing my wig to work on Monday.  I have not taken it off yet tonight, so am anxious to see what happens tonight and tomorrow.  I have a hair appointment tomorrow to work on another wig that I purchased - may get her to cut into a pixie for me - or may just let it go by itself.

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  • Ladyblue68
    Ladyblue68 Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2009

    I start my first round of chemo tomorrow.  Don't know if I'm nervous or not.  Haven't really thought about it.  Guess time will tell when I wake up tomorrow and know it's THE DAY.  I went to have my TE filled today.  Up to 400cc's now.  I think that should be enough for me.  I haven't had too much pain from it. I did 100cc's today.

    I've been reading the posts and I'm drawing strength and courage from them.  It really helps to know there are others that are going thru what I am and can offer support.  Thank you ladies!!

    I'll write tomorrow and let you know how my first round of chemo went for me.  Wish me luck!! And good luck to those who are also waiting to get their first round.  We are all strong women.  We can handle this and everything else.

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  • ssimmons66
    ssimmons66 Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2009

    Hey Everyone I hope everyine is doing well!!!

    I had my first round of TCH today, I must say not bad at all, I know all of that will change in a couple of days I went back to work right after my treatment and then got my hair cut really short today right after chemo I thought I might as well go ahead and just do it, I look like a boy but OH WELL LOL

    I drank a ton of water during my 5 hour tx and went to the bathroom 8 times....so much the nurses started looking at me like I was CRAZY!  LOL

    I pray everybodys treatment is going well

    Paulingmom where do you live in atlanta I have a brother who lives in Franklin, ga

    MAY YOU FIND PEACE DOWN THE PATH THE LORD HAS SENT YOU ALL DOWN

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2009

    Are you sure we're not the July Hair Pullers???  haha Crack me up!!

    About chemo...finally got a start date. Mon Jul 20 (A/C). Have extensive dental work on Friday. Dentist set me  up for 6 hours!! All scans, bloodwork, echocard. were normal. Having pathology slides sent to Johns Hopkins Breast Center for 2nd opinion. My tumor was 6mm and all the characteristics were the most favorable it could be, yet had spread to 3 nodes. I haven't been able to find anyone else with this amount of node involvement with same characteristics. JHBC thought it was highly unusual. Anyway, won't change any of my plans for treatment, just want to know for peace of mind mainly.

    About me....Live in Northwest Arkansas, right in the heart of Walmart Home Office. My DH has worked there for 18 years. Married 25 years, 2 sons, 1 just grad. from college and is doing a one year internship with Campus Crusade for Christ....1 is going to be a sophomore in college and will be going to Biola Univ. in Southern CA on a basketball scholarship. We are involved in our church and its many activities. Serving the Lord is what we try and do with our time, money, etc. I love to cook, work in the flowerbeds, camp, hike, play games.

    I'm way behind on reading posts, tried to catch up. My port is a power port as well. Nothing at all visible, can hardly feel it under the skin. Had general anes.

    Wondering  about what everybody that has begun chemo is eating at mealtime? Are ice chips available during chemo or do you bring them somehow?  And do you  take any meds at home before treatment day?  Sorry, i'm sure these questions have been answered, I'll try to go back and read more.

    Thanks to all for the encouragement.....(((GroupHUG)))

    Joni1

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited July 2009

    Hello Triple J's:

    I am so happy to see that all my port buddies are doing well and their procedures were uneventful today... Big Thank you to everyone who has already had their first tx and for their stories and best wishes for those of us who are about to begin...

    Pdaw: for mouth sores, try the Biotene mouth wash 3-4x a day, there is also a salt and baking soda mouth wash I have read about but I know it would trigger my gag reflex so I just skimmed over that info :)

    Giggles and beachbabe:  will be thinking of you as you start your tx's over the next few days and sending positive se free vibes...

    HUGS to ALL

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  • PauldingMom
    PauldingMom Member Posts: 927
    edited July 2009

     Sure is nice to see so many new post here!

     ssimons66-We are due west of the big A-town. 

    I too have problems with thoothpaste burning my mouth. I tried baking soda but didn't feel clean enough. Got Biotene and that works well. I called the doc. about the mouth sores. She called in a mouthwash/swallow perscrip. but my d@#$%ed insurance won't cover it. $52.00 for mouthwash is a little high for us right now. Gonna call my case worker at Ins. co. and see if they can't get it cleared for me.

    11 days past first Chemo. and doing good.  

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  • lorijo1993
    lorijo1993 Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2009

     First chemo yesterday,I am still feeling fine except a strong feeling of constipation, used a suppository, because of steroids had alot of hot flashes and did not sleep well, new port was incision was glued and it broke open about 1/2 inch. and a lot of brusing, slept with ice bag on site after that.

    Jacee, I had a 8mm tumor that went to a lymph node, they also told me that it was very rare for that small of a tumor, I had Melanoma 20 years ago and the checked the node for it to, My ONC insisted on bilat mastectomy because of the aggressive behavior of the BC.

    Eliz46- you may have had a reaction to the happy juice that dropped your blood pressure, Most likely Dipirvan (we give it a lot in our CCU), so next time you have any surgery remember to tell them about your low blood pressure,

    what a Blessed group the Triple J's are. Lori

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