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.

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.

txstardust

Delaine - do you have a port, or are you taking your chemo by IV?  I'm glad to hear that you're doing relatively well so far.  I know I should be taking walks and such, but it's so hard to find the energy.  It would probably help if I had a dog to walk!  But my kitties don't need walking, although I love them to pieces anyway!

lhuntzinger - as far as nausea/vomiting goes, from what I have read, they have really great medications now that should essentially eliminate them.  I hope that what I read is true!

Welcome to our newest fellow fighters!

Peace... 

delaine

Hi txstardust

 No, I don't have a port. I am getting T/C X 4 and my onc. did not suggest having a port. They just start the IV in the back of my hand. The chemo nurse did wrap my hand in a hot, wet towel before she started and the veins popped right up.    I have always been a walker and am trying to keep it up; believe me I often feel like pulling the covers over my head and staying in bed all day but I absolutely always feel better if I get out to walk.I have visited San Antonio -ate and drank my way along the River Walk for four nights - loved it.

 About the nausea - I only took the med. the day prior to tx, the day of tx, and the day after and, so far no nausea. I do have meds. for nausea to take if needed but I have not needed them. I am trying to remember to eat little snacks through out the day and I think it helps.

MarieK

Hi Delaine!

So sweet of you to pop in here and give us some encouragement and support!

I'm happy to hear that you are still doing well WOW! no nausea and still walking.

What medication did you take for the nausea - was it prescribed or over the counter?

delaine

Hi MarieK

About the meds - I had to recheck - I took ondansetron 8 mg (common name is Zofran) 2 x Daily starting the morning of chemo - not the day before - which I think I stated incorrectly. So I took it the morning of chemo, then for two days after. 

I also was given 10 mg of PMS Prochlorperazine (Porazin, Stemetil) to take for nausea, as needed, but I did not need it.

txstardust

I'm feeling really crappy this morning.  Not so much about pain (even though that's an issue!) but more about the prospect of this treatment lasting so long.  It's only been three weeks since my first surgery, and I have about 8 more months to go with chemo and radiation.  I'm already beat, lacking energy, tired of having cancer.  Every time I feel pain when I move, it's a reminder - CANCER, haha.  And this stupid drain that's hanging off of me - CANCER.  What am I going to be like when March rolls around?  I'm seriously considering just going to a JP and getting married now, forget the whole big production.  I'm going to be bald, pasty and likely have gained weight from steroids.  Woo-hoo!

Sorry for all the whining, but I've got to get it out somewhere.  My fiance is wonderful, but he just doesn't get it sometimes.  I don't blame him, don't get me wrong.  Background - he got prostate cancer about 4 years ago and had surgery but no other treatment was needed.  He keeps comparing his experience to mine, and says "don't worry, it's almost over".  Well, dear, it's NOT almost over.  He even told me that I was whining yesterday!  That really pissed me off.  Then, when I don't talk about how I'm feeling, he tells me to stop holding things in.  What am I supposed to do?

Alright, I'll stop my mini-rant.  Thanks for listening!

Peace...

Shelby 

snuziq

Hi everyone,

I would like to join the group.  I have my first chemo on Sept. 30th and like ReneeJean feel a little stuck in the middle.   I have read through and posted on the September Chemo thread, but feel a little behind because I don't start until the last day of the month.  A suggestion I got from the September group was to read the postings of a couple of "months" before you.  It really helps see what they have gone through and they are very supportive.

I'm probably not a daily poster, but I am willing to be there for anyone I can help.  I really feel we can beat this by sticking together.

 Suzi

txstardust

Nice to meet you, Suzi!  Good luck with chemo this week.  I'm sure you are nervous - I hope it all goes well for you!

Peace...

Shelby 

arby

Hi, I just started chemo last Tue.,9/22, Taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin.  I had cancer in 07( lupectomy & 33 rads...Nov RAD gals) and it returned in less than 2 yrs.  so this time I had a mastectomy. I'm not doing well on the anti-nausea drugs.  Was very sick the day after chemo and then again this am. 9/27  My eyes are sensitive to light and my balance seems weird...like a shuffling rag doll.  I've been getting outside for 3 walks or 3 times of exercise daily.  like mowing and shoveling up apples in the orchard. I'm a farm woman and pretty devastated by lack of energy and CONSTANT INDIGESTION.  even water makes me feel nauseated.  Big Red Gum helps.  Milk tasted great yesterday but wondering if that's why I was so sick today, too much cow juice yesterday.  Interested in getting to know others at this phase and also being a mutual encouragement.  arby p.s.: What anti-nausea drugs are there that don't cause contipation? Compazine puts me to sleep which isn't helpful during harvest!!!!

arby

dear stardust...I just had a similar conversation with my hubby yesterday....that I didn't want to whine but I REALLY Needed TO feel SAFE AND VALIDATED FOR THE FACTS i WAS SHARING ON HOW EACH "system" felt.  the chemo is such n overwhelming mind AND body messer.  I cried; he hugged me and we agreed I would have to talk to more than just the dog about my side-effects!!! I'll be praying that you will find a relaxed place to share and just pick up a quick hug and go on to the next thing/ the next chair.  Its just such an assault to have everything crazy at once.  I'm also realizing that eveyone's body reacts differently to the chemo AND the anti-nausea meds.  so lets give ourselves some sclak...we've made it thru another day.  and you're going to be a pretty bride in the spring.  that's a wonderful goal.    

txstardust

Welcome to the group, arby.  I'm so sorry that you're having to go through all of this a second time.  How scared you must have been when they told you about the second bc!  That is one of my fears, that I'll go through all of this and it won't work.  I'm really impressed at all of the activity that you're able to do in the day!  I'm not on chemo yet, so I don't know a whole lot about anti-nausea drugs.  You might check with the ladies on the September thread who are going through chemo already - but you're most certainly welcome to hang out with us as well!  I just thought they might be able to answer that question better.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.  I had a meltdown - twice - today.  I just lost it and started bawling.  I hate to cry, and I haven't really cried about this since I got my dx in August.  Maybe that's why I lost it, because I have held it in for so long.  But I was so upset - I had asked my fiance to wake me up at 10:30 p.m. so I could take my meds.  He didn't, and I ended up waking up at midnight in a lot of pain.  I asked him why he didn't wake me up, and he said he thought I needed my sleep.  He's right, but I also need my meds!  That's the second time I cried today, and we ended up sitting and talking about all of this for about half an hour.  He figured (correctly) that the most upsetting thing about having bc for me is the loss of control.  I have been a single mom for ten years, and have gotten very used to being in control of my life - it's how I've survived.  Now, I've got to get used to the idea that I can't control bc or the things that come with it - pain and fatigue from surgery, the possible s/e's from upcoming chemo and radiation, the countless doctor appointments that interfere with my daily life... It's a hard pill to swallow, so to speak, and I think it just all hit me today.  Now, I'm really touchy, unlike my usual stoic self, and everything was making me teary-eyed today.  I hope this passes quickly!

Good thoughts and well wishes going out to everyone who is on this journey with me!

Peace... 

nancy724

Hi Ladies,

I would like to join this thread.  i just had my first round of chemo (AC x 4 every 2 weeks) and (taxol x 12, weekly) on Sept 25 so thought i was tail end of the sept. thread.  I have port but it was put on my arm and the procedure itself was ok but emotionally draining, for me anyway.  it was more prodding and sticking and scarring and it just got the best of me.  When i went in for my first infusion a few days later it was a breeze.  no pain and just pretty easy expierence overall.  i walked out feeling feeling fine.  a few hours later the nausea set in and it has lasted pretty much all weekend.  i think the first time is tricky bc you still have to learn when to take the anti-nausea medicine.  i think i was taking it too late.  i did call my onc. on the same evening and mentioned that the meds were not working for me and he very quickly called in different meds.  my nurses kept telling me that if one med doesn't work, something else will but we must tell them bc no need to feel so sick.  so keep that in mind.   right now i don't feel any nausea so i hope it is behind me. not sure it i should take my medication or wait and see if i need.

txstardust, i totally can understand how you are feeling.  the losing control thing is very difficult.  my worst days are when i realize how the control is slipping away. i have three little girls and not to be able to do everything i am accustomed to doing for them on a daily basis really upsets me at times. this whole BC thing takes over and it truly stinks!  But i think we need to be easier on ourselves especially while going through this ordeal. We need to come out of this well and stronger for our children.  it is normal and healthy to have our crying and letting it all out days bc that makes us stronger.   the good thing is that we are all in this together and we totally know how you feeling and we are for you.  hang strong and i hope you have a better day today.   

txstardust

Nancy,

Welcome to our group, although I wish it were under better circumstances (as do we all!).  I appreciate your understanding and positive thoughts.  How old are your girls?  I have two girls, ages 12 and 14.  My oldest, Molly, was so sweet yesterday.  She asked if she could get me something to drink, and at first I said that I didn't need anything.  Then something made me ask her if she WANTED to get me something, and she said yes, because she wanted to feel like she was doing something to help.  Of course, I told her she could!  Just something to think about, how we can and should let others help us, not just for us, but for them as well.  Not that it's easy, at least not for me - I've had tons of people asking if they can bring me a meal or help out in some way, and I just haven't been able to accept these offers.  Again, I guess it has to do with the need for control.  If I let someone make dinner, that means I haven't done it myself, and that reminds me how the bc has affected my life.  

Well, I've got lots of work to do today, so hopefully that will keep me from going on any big crying jags.  I'm so glad to have you women to talk to!

Peace,

Shelby 

MarieK

Hi Ladies!

I'm glad to read that most of you are doing ok with your chemo.  That's encouraging for me and I"m sure others that haven't started yet.

I have a call in to my oncologist (he's been on vacation) and hopefully today will be the day that I find out what drugs I'll be taking and when my chemo will start.

It's funny how we think we're holding it together and then something will set us off on a crying jag.  I have to believe that is normal and expected for this time in our lives.

I'm usually a positive and upbeat person - everyone tells me that I'm amazing and doing so well. 

But I too have difficulty accepting "offerings" from friends and family.  It's hard for me to let people help me because that would be admitting weakness and giving up control.  I know the day may come when I just can't do what I need to do and it will be a rude awakening for me.  I'm dreading it....

I also hate to cry but I had a bit of a crying spell this morning although it wasn't over lack of control.  I'm sure those tears will come later!

I was walking back to my car in the grocery store parking lot and the sun on my face felt so nice I started to cry.  Why???  Because BC sucks!  And that sun warming my face made me feel really alive and warm and for a second I forgot about the BC.  Then I felt melancholy and then came the tears...

So I had a good cry in my car and then moved on to my next errand.  I don't have time in my day for a pity party and my life does not stop for BC!

Wishing everyone STRENGTH and HAPPINESS and SUNSHINE today!