Starting Chemo October 2009

MaryNY

There doesn't seem to be a roll call thread for October 2009 yet, so I thought I'd start one.

If people mention their drug regimen and start date in their message, I can update this OP as a roll-call.  It would be helpful if people put their other stats in their sigs (Dx date, tumor size, receptor status, stage, etc.). To update your sig, click on My Home, then click on Edit Diagnosis.

budoml/Marilou (Sept 17)—FEC x  , then Txt x

Scoobydoo/Anita (Sept 17)—AC x , Txl x [01/04/10]

Suz45/Suz (Sept 18)—TC x [12/31/09]

Hopbird (Sept 21)—dd Abraxane x , then Navelbine x . Also weekly Herceptin (20 weeks?), then  every three weeks for a year.

arby (Sept 22)—TCH x [1/19/10]

newtonville (Sept 24)—dd AC x ?? [last post Oct]

dershell (Sept 24)—AC x , then Txl x ?? [last post Dec]

nancy724 (Sept 25)—dd AC x , then Txl [2/11/10]

unklezwifeonty/Onty (Sept 28)—dd AC x , Abr x [1/4/10],  +/-B [ECOG 5103...discont'd due to adverse rxn to Taxol] 

puffins/Shoshanna (Sept 29)—TAC x , discontinued Tx 10/20/09

ReneeJean (Sept 30)—TC x ?? [last post Dec]

snuziq/Suzi (Sept 30)—TC x , then AC x [1/20/10]

----------------------

JenXX/Jen (Oct 1)—TCH x [12/10/09]

CAtharsis/Isabelle (Oct 1)—FEC x , then Txt x [12/21/09]

judgejaclyn/Jaclyn (Oct 2)—dd AC x , then Txl x ...[Mx 1/12/10]

bettyelay/Bettye (Oct 2)—TC x ...(no. of treatments undecided, last post Oct)

azdiva/Laura (Oct 5)—TC x [2/3/09]

MarieK (Oct 5)—FEC x [1/19/10]

lieberman1 (her mom) (Oct 7)—TCH x [1/20/10], Herceptin through Oct '10

valeriekd/Valerie (Oct 8)—TC x [1/7/10]

enjoyful (Oct 8)—TC x [1/25/10]

GML (Oct 8)— ACT x [1/18/10]

DebbiD (Oct 13)—Txt x , then AC x (with Avastin over first 6 cycles,  surgery [Mx] 4/15, Avastin x 10) [clinical trial B-40]

txstardust/Shelby (Oct 14)—TAC x [1/27/10]

jenny-ny (Oct 15)—TC x  ??? no post since Oct

sido (Oct 16)—TC x [12/14/09]

micheleboots/Michele (Oct 16)—FEC x , Txt x   [1/28/10]

sammygrey44/Sammy (Oct 16)—TC x ??? no post since Nov

Hollycan (Oct 21)—TC x [2/3/10]

piffken (Oct 22)—dd AC x , Txt x , Txl [2/4/10]

2new4Dee/Dee (Oct. 22)— AC x , then Txt x [3/18/10]

jsmiley60/Jeanne (Oct 22)—AC x , then Txl x

joanneasiata/JoJo (Oct 23)—FEC x [2/4/10]

clariceak/Clarice (Oct 23)—dd AC x , then Txl x [3/3/10]

MeredithK02 (Oct 23)—dd AC x , Txl x [12/28/10]

one-L/juanelle (Oct 23)—TC x [12/24/09]

feistybluegecko/Philippa (Oct 23)—AC x , then Txt x

Sunshine1958 (Oct 26)—FEC x , then Txt  x

MaryNY/Mary (Oct 28)—dd AC x , CMF x [2/1/10]

jeanl151/Jean (Oct 28)—TC x  [2/10/10]

lainieo (Oct 29)—TAC x  [2/12/10]

------------------------------------

----- Txl = Taxol, Txt = Taxotere, Abr = Abraxane, dd = dose dense ----

I've taken Piffken's suggestion and used a symbol for each dose cycle. Once a cycle is completed, I'll replace  with . Please PM me if I have anyone's wrong. Or let me know if you find the whole unhappy faces thing too depressing. 

When you have completed a Tx, pls bold the treatment no. in your message below. For example: "just completed Tx #2 today." This will earn you a change of expression, at least in this online world.

txstardust

Hi Mary,

I am having a second surgery on Friday (due to lymph node involvement that wasn't found until after my first surgery - lumpectomy).  I am meeting with the onc on Oct. 7, but we have talked about chemo already and will probably be doing ACx4 every 3 weeks, then Tx12 weekly.  That means chemo for about 6 months, which stinks because I'm getting married in early March.  I don't want to be bald for my wedding, but I don't want to postpone my wedding just because of the damn cancer.

Thanks for starting this thread!  I wish you luck on your journey! 

MaryNY

Welcome txstardust. I saw three oncs and one of them suggested ACx4, followed by Tx4. Twelve weeks of Taxotere (or is it Taxol?) sounds like a lot. But I see chinablue on the Sept thread is having the same Tx. I see what you mean about not wanting to rearrange your life because of the damn cancer.

Good luck with the surgery on Friday.

momand2kids

I just wanted to post to say-You can do this!!! I finished chemo in Feb (4 rounds of A/C over 8 weeks).  I worked through it, I have young children, I never got sick.  I am not saying it is easy-everyone does react differently- you will be tired- parts of it are unpleasant, but know that you can do it and you have what it takes!!!

Best of Luck in October.

carole

TexasRose

Hi ladies! Just popping in from the May 2009 thread to wish you all the best of luck. I did DD AC (every two weeks) and 12 weekly Taxol. I have two more Taxol to go! MaryNY- when you get the 12 weekly doses, it's a much lower dose with each treatment. You end up getting the same amount but each dose of weekly Taxol (not Taxotere) is a third of the regular dose.

And txstardust- my hair started growing back on Taxol. It does for a lot of people. I have a long way to go, but it started coming back about halfway through Taxol.  

Good luck to all of you!! You can do it!!!

MaryNY

Thanks Carole and TexasRose (Mary). Nice to hear from the chemo alumni who've come out smiling on the other side.

MarieK

Hi MaryNY!

Thanks for starting this thread!

I too was supposed to start chemo in Sept but recently found out that I won't be starting until Oct.

I'm ok with the delay - it gave me a chance to get the kids settled at school & in their sports AND get 2 bathroom renos done (well hopefully by the end of this week!).  My husband wanted to postpone the reno but I didn't want to - it started 2 weeks after my surgery.  It has kept me busy and my mind away from dwelling on this whole BC thing!

I'm not sure what my "cocktail" will be but I do know I'll be having 6 treatments 3 weeks apart. My oncologist told me "say good bye to your hair" so I've been wig shopping.  I found the cutest bob today - like Katie Holmes.

Because of node "spillage" I may have to have radiation as well.  I'm not looking forward to that because I'd heard that can limit your reconstruction options.

I do not want to rearrange my life for this disease but so far I've had to cancel our family summer vacation (for surgery) and possibly our Christmas vacation (because I won't be finished chemo).

How are you handling travelling during your treatment?  Or is it better to wait until chemo is finished?

I'm looking forward to more sharing and learning from this group!

MaryNY

Welcome Marie. When will you know your cocktail? I haven't been brave enough to go wig shopping yet. Maybe next week once I finally know my cocktail and start date.

MarieK

Hi Mary!

I'm not sure when I'll know.  Probably not until I meet with the oncologist again or when I have my orientation - which won't be until Oct 6th at the earliest.

I've only met with my oncologist once but I have already registered at the chemo clinic. 

My oncologist is on vacation until the end of Sept and I won't have specifics until he gets back.

The nurse at the clinic told me "enjoy the down time and be happy you're not a rush case!"

So I am taking her advice!

Anonymous

I am new to this board - first time posting.  I have completed my surgeries and am ready to start Chemo in October 2009.  I have already had a lumpectomy, re-excision surgery, snb, axillary dissection, power port insertion and hysterectomy/oophrectomy via LAVH all within three weeks of my bc diagnosis on Sept 1st. I have already had the "pre-chemo" haircut taking over 10 inches off of my long blonde (ah-hem, w/bottle help) tresses. I have met with my medical oncologist who plans to start treatment on or about Oct 7th on dose dense (AC x 4) followed by (Taxol x 12).  My radiatiion oncologist plans to follow with 35 rads (boost) as I am an active 49 year old and we want to treat aggressively.  I am thankful to have caught this early and wish everyone success as we journey to find our respective "new normal". 

"I'm in it to win!"

Jaclyn

txstardust

Mary - I was looking around the web for head-covering options - I don't think I'm going to wear a wig every day, but I may need to when I'm in my language lab with a 6-yr-old - I don't want to scare her!  I am currently a grad student in deaf education.  I started the program in June, and found my lump in July.  There are times when I think there's no way I can get through my classes on chemo, then there are others when I refuse to allow the thought that bc will run my life!  

Marie - my fiance and I have planned a cruise around the New Year's Eve holiday.  From what I have read, it seems that you have a "good" week every third week, so I want to make sure the treatments are scheduled so that's on a third week!  Again, it goes along with not wanting bc to dictate what I can and can't do.

I am really afraid of chemo.  For one, I get nauseous fairly easily, and I've read that younger women have a harder time with n/v (I'm only 36).  Secondly, I've always had long, thick hair.  I got it cut a few weeks ago, but it's already getting longer and I'll need to cut it shorter again so the shock of losing my hair isn't so extreme.  And I already have been through depression, so I'm afraid of that rearing its ugly head again, although I seem to be handling things fairly well so far.

Carol and TexasRose - thanks so much for the words of hope and support!

Peace...

Shelby 

txstardust

Jaclyn,

We must have been posting at the same time!  I see you're going through almost exactly the same treatment plan as I - AC/T and 30-35 rads following.

I like that you're in it to win - so am I!

Peace... 

Anonymous

Shelby -

We do seem to have a remarkably similar diagnosis and treatment schedule so we can journey together.  I have a few years on you and my sons are ages 27 and 23, but I am young at heart and have always been curious, confident and competitive.  This whole bc thing will not beat me or my family - I am learning about it, am sure I am electing the best doctors and treatment, and there is no way in h### that I will not win!

MaryNY

Welcome Jaclyn. You have been pretty busy for three weeks. You've been through so much!

Shelby: Your Katie Holmes hair should go over well with the six year old! If you haven't done so already, I'd encourage you to go to a Look Good Feel Better event. It will really help you begin to come to terms with the hair loss and you'll meet others going through the same thing. As a bonus there will be a makeup demo and you'll go home with a nice bag of cosmetics. In some areas, they give out free wigs too. Follow the link and use the search function at the bottom left corner to find an event near you.

ReneeJean

I don't know where I fit...I begin my first treatment on Sept 30th...LOL....

I have had a bil mx with TE's placed on 8/25.  I had my medi-port placed today.  I will have 6 treatments of TC spaced every 21 days.  I am not looking forward to it, but am ready to get started so I can finish!

 At a seminar yesterday we were asked to use a word to describe our journey.....I acknowledged that my word is changing...I am still angry (not at God and not a 'why me' thing, just angry that this is happening because it is such a loss of control thing) but it is changing to acceptance...a much better place to be.   I will always be angry at Cancer...but that is not new, Cancer has stolen many of the people I love...and anger sets the stage for the fight.  But acceptance allows me to talk about my diagnosis and face my treatment without so much fear/emotion.  Another word is 'gratitude'...I have the best healthcare team possible, a wonderful support system and I would rather face this battle than my mother or my daughters having to.   

MaryNY

Welcome Renee Jean. You'll be the first out the starting gate! There is a Sept 2009 roll call thread -- you might want to post there too. The ladies on there will likely be more helpful so you know what to expect, as we'll all be bringing up your rear.

valeriekd

Hi - just wanted to join- don't know the meds yet but port placement and chemo starting on 10/8 and I was too chicken to find out the meds b/c I would peruse the side effects too much. I am pretty anxious but people seem to be doing pretty well! very encouraging. Thanks so much for sharing your stories - it helps so much. Don't know about the rads side effects yet and haven't wanted to look too far into the future w/ the tamox or arimex(sp?)  I was told if I do it all I only have a 19% chance of recurrence and if I do nothing then I have a 60% chance of recurrence so it is a no brainer decision but it is nerve wracking! Valerie

MaryNY

Welcome Valerie!

GmaToni

Hi Mary-

Its Toni Like you wouldnt be able to see that w/ my avatar ! Oh Im a funny girl !! I am so glad to see you started a thread !

Ladies - Mary is way to sweet ! All of you will do great ! Ive only had one TX. My next will be Oct 6th.

Mary, May I pop over here occasionally since Im only 1 TX in ? And, of course, to see how you and these other ladies are doing ? I would really appreciate doing that.

Much love to you all,

Toni

txstardust

Hi Val and Toni, nice to meet you.

Well ladies, I'm off to have surgery this morning.  Removal of the rest of the lymph nodes and port placement.  I'm hoping to be able to come home tonight, but the doc says its a possibility that I might have to stay overnight, so we'll see.

I'm starting to get really worried.  What happens if, after surgery, they find more cancer in the lymph nodes?  That might move me up to a Stage III, which reduces my survival rates.  And the doc used some computer program out of Memorial Sloan Kettering that calculates the likelihood of further lymph node involvement, and it showed a 67% chance!  Ugh.  I just hope something goes right for me.  (Can you tell I'm a little discouraged at this point?)

Peace,

Shelby 

ReneeJean

Shelby...prayers being sent that no more cancer is found.  And honestly, I hope you get to spend the night in the hospital.   Let them take care of you.  Gentle hugs. 

GmaToni

Shelby- I sent you a PM and am sending positive thoughts your way today. Renee is right - let them take care of you.

valeriekd

Hi  I to meet u all.  It seems so hard not to get sucked in to the future either worrying about what might happen or hoping for something better. Either way it feels so anxiety producing that it gets hard to live life now.My prayer is to be able to find some peace today and wish you all the same. Valerie

MaryNY

Toni, great to see you. Any advice you can give to use chemo-newbies would be most welcome Hope you are doing Ok with the SEs. I know you are going through the hair thing now. I know this is the SE most of us dread.

Shelby, thinking of you as you go through surgery today. Hoping for the best possible outcome.

Since I have a wait until my Oncotype test comes back (1 Oct) and next appt with onc, I decided to escape for a while. I'm spending a few days in Ireland. I arrived this morning and going back to NY on Wednesday. So nice to be here with family. Just got back from a walk along the seashore with my mother and sister.

Scoobydoo

Just wanted to pop in and wish all of you ladies the best during your chemo treatment.  I am from the September 2009 thread.  I know that just posting and reading others posting as they are going through the same things as me has really helped. 

On a quick note regarding hair loss.  I decided to shave my head and have a full lace wig applied with glue to my head.  It is an expensive wig ($775 but insurance paid half) but it is well worth the money.  I can wear my hair in pony tails and everything.  You can shower with it and swim.  It looks real.  Yesterday I went to my DD field hockey game and people were complimenting me on my hair.  I just chuckled.  They had no idea it was a wig. Just a thought for the person getting married during chemo.  It might be something to consider. 

txstardust

Thanks for the good thoughts, ladies!  I did end up staying overnight - experienced a lot of pain.  When the surgeon got in there, he found that a nerve and a vein had fused together, so he had to cut the nerve to save my vein.  So now, I have a permanent numb area on the back of my arm, and an Rx for Neurontin for nerve pain.  No wonder I was having so much trouble lifting my arm!

I have a follow-up appt. on Wednesday, when I assume I'll get pathology from these lymph nodes.  My arm is very sore, but the place where they put the port isn't really hurting that much.  The port is much smaller than I had imagined it would be, and I think they placed it well so that my bra won't irritate it.  I meet with the oncologist on Oct. 7, when we'll schedule my first chemo. So, the journey continues!

Thanks for the info about the wig.  Did you get it at a wig store?  I'm just not sure about having a wig glued to my head.  Maybe for the wedding, though, it would be worth it.

How is everyone else doing? Mary, I'm jealous of you there in Ireland!  It must be beautiful.  I've always wanted to go there.  Enjoy yourself immensely!

Peace... 

lhuntzinger4131

Hi all,

Diagnosed w/IDC two weeks ago, surgery next week, chemo and radiation follows. Of all the events to be faced, chemo scares me the most. I am totally okay with the hair loss; it is the unknowns around nausea and fatigue that are making me edgy.  Anyone up to giving a pep talk???

fullcircle4

Hello everyone.  I was diagnosed on August 12th (Invasive Ductile Carcinoma) and I am 3 weeks post-op from a bi-lateral mastectomy with a tram flap reconstruction.  I'm the happiest woman on the face of planet now as my 6 drainage tubes are gone !!!  I think everything now is going to be a cake walk.  My cancer is stage IIB and I will be going through 6 months of Chemo....I don't mind the hair loss...my sister has all kinds of great hats and "dew rags" from her Chemo days (survivor of 9 years).  I've just finished my CT's and nuclear bone scan and they were all negative so no cancer anywhere else.  My oncologist is amazing...he has me on a great schedule and predicts I will have little or no nausea....praise God.  We'll see but like I always say....it's in God's hands.  I have an amazing network of friends and family....especially my sister who will be here for my 1st round of Chemo on Oct. 1st.  Take care everyone and I pray for peace and comfort to those going through surgery, post-op and Chemo.

momofthree2011

Hope your feeling better. I have an appt. Oct. 7th with the onc too. A bit nervous about chemo treatments.

unklezwifeonty

I am starting next week. Still September but almost in October. Thought would join you 2!

delaine

Hi ladies

 I am 5 days out from my first chemo and a poster on the Sept. 09 chemo thread. Just thought maybe I could ease your minds a bit - I was very worried about getting chemo but the actual infusion was pretty easy - no pain, no problems for me and I felt well enough that day to go for groceries and walk the dog.I have not had any nausea at all and only started to have a little pain last night - my own fault for not taking any medication for it but I will tonight. I find that going for walks helps a lot. The fatigue seems to come and go but so far I cannot say that it has been a big problem.