April 2010 starting chemo

caltex_catlady

Is anyone else starting chemo this month? I'll get a thread started, and let me know if you want to be added to this list. There's lots of good info in the March 2010 thread from the folks who just went before us, and check out the tips (see the pushpin entries) at the beginning of the chemo forum:

          

SGJ05: 4/1, TCH x 6 @ 3 weeks with port, Herceptin for 1 year, rads, tamoxifen

jdootoo: 4/5,  TCH x 6 @ 3 weeks, then rads then Herceptin for 1 year 

Julia123: 4/7,  AC, then T 

kad22: 4/8, AC x 4 @ 3 weeks, then T x 12 @ 1 week ""

farfaith: 4/8,  AC x 4 @ 2 weeks, Taxotere x 4, then surgery, more chemo, rads

tpcjkk: 4/8,  DD AC x 4, then DD T x 4, with a PICC line

toughmom38:4/9, TCH x 6 @ 3 weeks, then Herceptin @ 3 weeks for a year

amosonzan: 4/9,  AC x4 @ 2 weeks, then Taxol x 12 @ 1 week. with port. 

nikkistar: 4/9,  DD AC 

sharonquail: 4/9 

shygal: 4/12, TC x 4

caltex_catlady: 4/12, dose dense AC x 4 @ 2 weeks then T x 4 @ 2 weeks. later tamoxifen (2-3 years) then aromatase inhibitors (2-3 years)

saralmom: 4/12,  AC x 4 @ 2 weeks, then Taxol/Herceptin x 12 @ 1 week, then rads x 6 weeks, then Tamoxifen for 5 years and Herceptin @ 3 weeks for a year. with port.

Pickles: 4/14,  TCH x 6 @ 3 weeks, Herceptin for 1 year. 

susiesue: 4/15, dose dense AC x 4, then T x 12, with port. then rads 

Laurie924: 4/15, TC x 4, followed by radiation 

marcy4: FEC x 3 @ 3 weeks, then docetaxel x 3 @ 3 weeks, then Herceptin. with port. ""

ronnie09: 4/15, TC

Char2010: 4/16,  TC x 4

shelleyj43: 4/16 FEC then taxotere

mtndawn: 4/19,  TCH x 6 @ 3 weeks, then surgery and rads

jquesenberry: 4/20, TC 

Kimmee: 4/20,  Adriamyacin + Cytoxan @ once every two weeks for 4 cycles and then Tamoxifen @ once every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, then surgery (type = questionable at this point), and lastly 6 weeks of Radiation

mama33: AC x 4 @ 2 wks then started Taxol x 4 @ 2 wks

LeeInVegas: 4/21, AC x 4 @ 3 weeks, then Taxol x 4 @ 3 weeks. later rads and tamoxifen. ""

mmcmahan: 4/21, AC then Taxol followed by surgery then rads 

raerae7074: 4/22,  5 months of chemo then surgery.

KelliGA: 4/22, TAC x 6 @ 3 weeks 

slh_tn: 4/22,  AC x 4 @ 3 weeks, then T x 4 @ 3 weeks

arubajan05: 4/23, 

fg2000: 4/23,  dose dense AC x 4 then T x 4, with port. then surgery, radiation, and aromatase inhibitors. 

ichelem: 4/26,  TAC x6 @ 3 weeks 

sandcat: 4/26 

star-light: 4/26,  TCH 6X and Herceptin 12X

KimW: 4/27, TC x 4 

dutchgirl6: 4/27, FECD: Pluorouracil, Epirubicin, and Cyclophosamide x 3 @ 3 weeks, then Docetaxel x 3 @ 3 weeks. later rads and tamoxifen.

Georgigirl: Dose dense AC x 3 @ 2 weeks, then Taxol x 12 @ 1 week, then bilateral mastectomy, then 6 weeks x 5 doses of radiation

JenC: 4/28, AC x 4 @ 2 weeks, then Taxol x 12 "Laughing"

sumby: 4/28, Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide EC X 4, then Taxotere for another 4 cycles. Followed by radiation for 3 weeks and then tamoxifen for five years. 

lexie5: 4/29, AC x 4 @ 2 weeks, then Taxol x 4 @ 2 weeks, then tamoxifen

curious_one: 4/29, DD  AC x 4 @ 2 weeks then DD T x 4 @ 2 weeks plus H every week. Then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. 

DancerMel28: 4/30,  TC x 4

Emme: 4/30,  dose dense AC x 4

ellen_1959: 4/30,  Taxotere Cyto x 4 @ 3 weeks. Neuplasta /Steroids/ Hormone Therapy to follow 

LauraM: 5/6, with port 

Redbarb804: date unknown, probably end of April

nkbk0108:  date unknown

saskabush58: date unknown 

Daisylego: delayed. TCH, with port  

toughmom38

caltex_catlady,

I will be starting TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin) this Friday 4/9. Please add me to the list!!! The March 2010 thread has wonderful info and has helped me to keep from getting TOO nervous about starting chemo.  I have moments where I think "OK I'm ready!" and others when I think "I don't think I can do this", but there's no turning back now.  Thank you for starting this thread!

Jennifer

caltex_catlady

Hey Jennifer,

I'm the same way. I like to know what I'm up against, and having some knowledge makes me a little less nervous, but until I get started, I don't know what to expect for me. It's the not knowing that's so hard.

Karen (caltex_catlady)

Redbarb804

I think I will be starting chemo in April.  I have to have a second surgery, unclear margins after the first lumpectomy.  I have to make the decision this weekend as to either re-excession or lumpectomy.  If I do a lumpectomy then I will probably be starting at the end of April.  I am ready to get started, but not ready for the side effects.  I will be starting TC. I will keep checking this thread to see how everyone is doing.  Good luck to all you ladies that are just starting.  I will be looking to you as the "experts" when I get started.

Barb

caltex_catlady

Hi Barb: Let us know when you get a chemo date so I can add you to the list. In the meantime, good luck with any further surgeries you have.

It is a little strange, isn't it, to be anxious to get started on treatment, especially chemo where you don't know what kind of side effects you'll have, but I'm there, too. My date got moved up a week, so I have a little less time to stew before getting started. I think that's a good thing. We'll see what I say once I get started, though

Karen (caltex_catlady)

caltex_catlady

I ran across this American Cancer Society worksheet to use for tracking your chemo side effects. I think I'll try it. It looks like it will satisfy my combination of anal retentiveness and laziness.

http://www.cancer.org/downloads/MON/Chemotherapy_Worksheet_to_Track_Side_Effects_042701.pdf 

Karen (caltex_catlady)

toughmom38

Great find Karen! I'm going to try it, too, if I can remember to do it after "chemo fog" sets in!!! (LOL) Hopefully I can use "none" or "mild" on most of it. I'll be posting this weekend on how it's going.  Everyone have a great day!!!

susiesue

okay....I'm in......should be starting AC dense dose on the 15th, I'll be getting a port on Mon.

Anonymous

Hi Karen,

Please add me to the list. I start on the 21st. I will be getting AC X 4 every 3 weeks, then Taxal X 4 every 3 weeks. Then I'll have rads followed by Tamaxafen.

Lee

toughmom38

Welcome everyone!  I'm so glad to have other people to help me get through this ugly mess! Friday morning is #1 for me and I keep thinking that two weeks from now my hair will be coming out by the handful. Start my steroids tomorrow so will be wired I'm sure, but as long as it keeps me feeling good through the infusion I'm all for it. Anybody else getting nervous?

Jennifer 

kad22

Hi everyone! Well Add me to this group- I start tomorrow 4/8/10. I am very nervous. I feel as though I don't know what I need to know about steroids and other medications etc. Any advice would help out a lot. I had a bi-lateral mastecomy 2/18 and have been back to work for two weeks already so I feel good. Have balloon expanders in right now and am getting filled. I guess any advice about tomorrow would be great - just really scared! Also don't want to lose my hair. I start cytoxan and Adriamycin every 3 wks for four times. Then Taxol once a week for 12 wks. Thanks for listening and any advice would be welcome!

toughmom38

kad22,

I also had a bilateral mastectomy on 3/2 and have just gone back to work this week. I have tissue expanders and am up to 420cc in each.  Had a fill today and my muscles are a little sore, but nothing too bad. You're a day ahead of me so I can't help you with too much advice on chemo, but from what I've read don't be afraid to take meds for any side effects you may have! I also am not too keen on losing my hair, but have come to grips with the fact that I am going to (of course, I say that now...it may be different when it happens). Best of luck tomorrow and I know you'll do great!!!

kad22

Thanks toughmom38,

Hopefully I will be able to post good things tomorrow for you to see! I am only up to 300cc in each but had one done today and feel sore also!

I just feel overwhelmed with all of the different medications - I'm sure my nurses should tell me informational things that I will need to know - right?!

The hair is the toughest part for me - not even upset about BLM. I have longer hair and still having a hard time with thinking about the loss. My DH is wonderful and supportive but am afraid of his reaction to a bald head!! O-well I know I we will all get through this. Best of luck to you on Friday and its really good to have others to talk to even though I hate that we have to go through it!!

Pickles

One more for the list...I start Wed. April 14th. TCH x6 every three weeks, continuing Herceptin for one year, may be randomized for Avastin for one year also. Won't know for sure until next week.



I had Left breast mastectomy March 8th with immediate Lat. Dorsi flap recon. With TE.

Not loving the fills but they are getting easier! Now to tackle Chemo!



Getting nervous, thank God for wonderful Hubby, family and friends. Think I'd go nuts without them.



A friend of mine came up with a good suggestion for my Chemo bag...books on tape! She's been reading up and knows how the Chemo can make it hard to concentrate, thought it might be easier to listen than read. I'm off to the library this weekend to check a few out. 6 hours of sitting attatched to that IV is not my favorite thing to think about!



I'm starting infusion early in the morning and decided to bring along a sleep mask too! Can't imagine I'll be calm enough to sleep but will try!



Good Luck and hoping for no SEs for all of you starting this week!

amosonzan

Count me in for the ride ladies. I am starting chemo on Friday 4/9. A/C every 2 weeks for 2 months and then Taxol weekly for 12 weeks. I am anxious to get going, but very nervous on the other hand.

I had bilatteral mastectomys Feb. 25th with tissue expanders. I am filled to 400 and I think I am done expanding. I had a port placed yesterday, and am healing well from that. I am going to a chemo education class tomorrow and then start the big fight on Friday!!!! What a journey it has been already. I often can't believe it, but then other times it all comes crashing in. I am anxious to hear how you all are doing. Good luck.

caltex_catlady

Good luck tomorrow, kad22! We'll be thinking of you. I also had a bilateral (2/23) but haven't returned to work. I just went in for lunch and a visit today and find that I'm really exhausted tonight. I didn't even do any work, just chatted, so I salute those of you who are back at work.

I haven't started my chemo yet (will start next Monday), but the advice I can give you is to have the nurses give you information in writing as much as possible. I'm going to a "chemo class" tomorrow, so I hope I'll get lots of pointers then on food, dealing with side effects, meds, etc. And I want it in writing! It's so easy to forget things when you're bombarded with so much information.

I'm also going to have my chemo haircut tomorrow--shorter so that when it does fall out, maybe it won't be so traumatic (and messy), but I'm not ready to cut it all off yet.

Pickles, I think audiobooks are a good idea. I've been listening to them for years and really enjoy them. I have a bunch on my iPod, so I just have to pick out what I'm in the mood for. Probably something funny or a mystery. Let me know what you like to read, and maybe we can swap suggestions.

Have a good evening, everybody!

Karen (caltex_catlady)

Pickles

Caltex-

I have to giggle...operating a laptop and a blackberry is as tech savy as I get!  I'm only 42 but in tech years i'm 90!  Still don't have an I-pod!  Will definitely pass on audio book reviews as I too love mysteries and some good fun...finished Chelsea Handler's new one in a day.   Laughed so hard I scared my husband...tears streaming down my cheeks have been pain and fear related lately, so fabulous when they are from laughter!

Sending calm, warm thoughts to toughmom and amosonzan today!  May your side effects be nonexistent and you day bright!  Iread on the March thread to keep your fluids up and to eat at least a cracker or two every few hours.  My hubby has us stocked with green tea and sports drinks (I like Poweraid Zero, no calories and lots of electrolites) 

Kad22  Hope you are doing wonderfully today and were able to sleep last night!

I had the last of my tests this morning.  EKG and blood work.  should find out if I'm in the Clinical Trial and if I'll be taking Avastin sometime this afternoon or tomorrow. More hurry up and wait!

daisylego

I've been looking for this thread to start up. I was scheduled for a port on Mon & 1st dose of CTH on Thurs 4/15. I might have to reschedule though because my lumpectomy site has an infection. I'll probably still end up sometime in April though. I hope the infection clears up soon. It's already resisted the first antibiotic. (For details see "my drain is a pain" in the surgical forum!)

Good luck to the ladies who've started already!

toughmom38

kad22, hope your 1st TX went well, let us know what happened if you're up to it!!!  Amosonzan it's me and you tomorrow...I say bring it on!!!  I'll be thinking about you, sending you good vibes.  Don't know if I will sleep a wink tonight.  Started steroids today but didn't really notice anything different, hope they're working. 

Pickles, you and I have the same treatment, feel close to you already.    I have my "chemo bag" all packed and I hope I'm ready for whatever this junk throws at me.

SGJ05

So I am in limbo between March and April start date. I was supposed to start chemo. on March 29th, then 31st, but finally had my first chemo. on April 1st.After reading some of your posts, it seems that you all are a little closer to my cyles than March,so would you all add me to the April stats? I am doing 6X TCH every 3 weeks, Herceptin for a year, followed by Rads, as well as Tamoxifan:)

 A lil background:) I am 35 y/o Mom of 3 beautiful daughters: 14 y/o, 8 y/o, and 5 y/o. I had a bilateral mastecomy with immediate reconstruction on Feb. 23rd and a port placed on March 24th. I have had 3 tissue expander fills and hope I will only need a few more to get me where I want to be. Even though this is a crummy way to meet you all, I look forward to supporting one another through this difficult process.

 If you all have any questions about your first chemo. feel free to ask:) I have only had one, but am more than willing to share my experience thus far.

Good Luck to those who have their first chemo. tomorrow!! May you all have minimal side effects!

caltex_catlady

kad22, I hope it all went well today.

toughmom38 and amosonzan, good luck tomorrow. We'll be thinking of you.

Then I'm on for Monday. amosonzan, it looks like the first part of our treatment is the same and our first date is just off by a few days, so I guess we're chemo buddies.

I went to chemo class today, so now I need to read through the materials, let it sink in a bit, and make my shopping list. I've got a few things I know I'll have in my chemo bag.

SGJ05, I'll add you to the list. If you don't mind sharing your first treatment experience, I'm sure we'd all get something out of it. I'm a bit anxious myself. Heck, I was anxious just about going to the class today. I hope I'm not a wreck on  Monday.

Karen (caltex_catlady)

toughmom38

Karen,

Did they tell you anything interesting in your class today?

Jennifer (toughmom38)

SGJ05

No problem Karen:) Thanks for adding me, I would love to share my experience.

 First off, I want all of you to know that the anticipation of starting chemo. was far worse than the actual day. My treatment day was very uneventful:, I watched a movie on my computer and ate Jimmy John's,lol:)

My pre-chemo night started out with the lovely drug Dexamthasone--this is fun to take, especially at night. To make sure I had a good night sleep before chemo, I took an Ambien. In the morning I took another dose of dex. and off I went to the Cancer center. Upon arriving, they flushed my port (have them flush slowly--I actually tasted the saline-blech) and started my pre-meds (Zofran and more lovely Dex.)--this took about 30 minutes. Once I was done with the pre-meds, they started my Herceptin. I had a larger dose for my first round, so this took about an hour and half to finish. Then came the Taxotere-about an hour, followed by carboplatin-30 minutes:) The only side effect I had on chemo. day was some blurred vision and muscle pain in my legs from the Taxotere--other than that absolutely no side effects on chemo day:) I had my Neulasta shot the following day and have been taking Claritin -- zero bone pain:) So no worries on chemo. day. Just think of it as one down!!

Good Luck everyone!! May your treatment days be uneventful:)

toughmom38

SGJ05,

Thank you for sharing. I hope my first is just as uneventful!!!

dutchgirl6

I'm glad that this thread has started, I was considering doing it myself but I am somewhat techno-challenged and besides, I didn't find out until today when I would be starting chemo.  I will be starting on April 27 (that's almost May!, where have the last 5 months gone).  I will be getting FECD, as they called it today:  3 cycles of Fluorouracil, Epirubicin, Cyclophosamide every three weeks, then 3 cycles of Docetaxel, also every three weeks, followed by rads, with Tamoxifen bringing up the rear, for five years. 

I have beem trying to keep up to date with the March thread, so I have an idea what to expect, but it will be nice to touch base with the Aprilers (not quite as cool a word as Marchers).  

Good luck all, and may any SEs be minimal!

marcy4

My treatment should begin the week of April 19th.  I had a choice between the treatment you are receiving or being part of the clinical trial called the "BETH Trial".  I finally decided last night to do the trial and will meet with my oncologist next Thursday to go over the final details.  I think my hardest decision so far has been which treatment option to choose.  I am anxious about getting the first treatment out of the way. I think the unknown is the scariest part.

Best of luck.

caltex_catlady

Some new acronyms! Most people seem to have AC and T or else TCH, but now we have FECD and BETH.

The class I had today was general information, some new and some I'd already read about. But lots of handouts! As I said before, I do prefer something in print. The most confusing part is with diet. There seem to be conflicting ways to do things, but I think it's all based on how you're doing. So if you're constipated, follow one set of rules. If you have diarrhea, follow another set of opposite rules. So particular foods aren't necessarily ruled out in general, but might be for particular symptoms. I guess I'll start out with something like my normal diet and adjust from there depending on how I do.

One person had already had one treatment and said the worst part so far was mouth sores. She now thinks popsicles are the best thing.

We also got a tour of the infusion room. There are more recliners in there than I expected (about 20), but they all have curtains you can pull around for privacy. It's not an especially homey room, but it's not a dungeon. They've got a fridge and microwave, and you can bring your own food as long as it's not smelly.

I had a couple of questions I was going to send off to my onco, but it looks like she's out through Monday. I was scheduled to start treatments on Monday, and she'd said she'd be there the first time. I'm wondering if the scheduler didn't check with the onco, so maybe I'll have my date changed. When I originally talked to the onco, she'd said it would be the week of 4/19, so maybe I'll be back on the first schedule.

All the waiting really is the hard part.

Karen (caltex_catlady)

SGJ05

Hi everyone,

A couple things that have worked for me that I thought I would share:) I hope they help some of you too:) I chewed on ice/popsicles/Italian ice during my infusion-- this helped me with the taste of the Taxotere as well as a preventative of mouth sores. I Swish at least 2-3 times a day with Biotene mouth wash-so far it has helped prevent the dreaded mouth sores.

For constipation I used Sennokot S!! I took 2 the night of chemo., and 3 the day after and have not had any constipation issues. I did have some diarrhea for a couple of days, but it was not bad enough to take any meds.

Metal mouth--I got the dreaded metal mouth a couple days after chemo. and it made me want to gag. I found chewing on peppermints and Big Red Gum helped take the taste away. I would not suggest Big Red if you develop mouth sores since it is so spicey.

I hope this help!!! Good Luck ToughMom38 and Amosonzan-may you have an uneventful infusion day:)

lorrhaw

I am not part of the starting chemo in April group as I had my first chemo on 3/22 but I wanted to pop in and wish you all well.  My advice is to follow all the recommendations given on the thread in the forum "tips for getting through chemo" or something like that  I was very proactive at taking the anti-nausea meds right on schedule, they game me compazine, and that helped a lot.  Also drink lots of water.  I hated the taste of biotene mouthwash so I found another moutwash without alcohol and followed the recommendation of washing my mouth out with baking soda and salt several times a day.  I noticed if I got lazy with that process my mouth got a little sore so I believe that helped.  I did have my head shaved on day 12 since I was going to be traveling and didn't want my hair falling out while at a wedding and I did notice little stubbles falling out on about day 16 so I am glad I made the decision.

Overall I made it through with little discomfort and still managed to have a lot of fun with my friend who had flown in to help me get through my first treatment.  We were both plesantly surprised and I hope the same happens for all of you.

I am in for my 2nd treatment Monday the 12th and am hoping and praying that is goes as well.  Good-luck to everybody.

shygal

Can I join this group too?  I am starting 4 x TC on April 12 and have my teaching session in a few hours.  I have read every post (all 600+ of them) on Starting Chemo March 2010 group so I think I know what to expect, but I'm still very anxious.   

By the way, as a chemo patient, losing your hair, you qualify for a free scarf or wrap from this company:  www.franceluxe.com  Just click on the "Good wishes" link at the top right of their website.  This very generous company has allowed me to share this website with other chemo warriors.  I just ordered my free wrap today.   Check it out.

lorrhaw

KAD22 - I wanted to respond to your post since I just had my head shaved last week and the memory is still fresh.  I have never had great hair but when I faced losing it I decided it wasn't all that bad.  My best friend went with me and we shared a bottle of champagne with the hairdresser to make it sort of a celebration of taking steps toward getting well.  The hardest part was showing my husband but for the big unveiling I piled my head high with all of the different hats I have bought and my best friend sang s strip teaseish song so the three of us were laughing and crying at the same time.   My husband said that my new look makes him love me even more because it shows a vulerable side to me but that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get through this.  I also had to have my artificial fingernails taken off that I have worn for 30 years and that was hard also.

I love my new wigs and it is great to get up in the morning and be ready in about 2 seconds without messing with hairdryers or worrying about having bad hair days.

I still get  a little teary when I look at myself in the mirror but the people that I have let see my baldhead say that my eyes now stand out and look prettier than ever so that is what I focus on when I look in the mirror.

Good luck and if you want to talk further feel free to PM me.