Breast Cancer................again

djfrro

Breast Cancer................again

djfrro

So I have been scanning these boards for the past several weeks and have found much useful information.   I have learned that the chemo that I will be getting (TCH) has a wide range of side effects, some do not get a lot and some get terrible, I will have my first of 6, day after tomorrow.  I had Breast Cancer 12 years ago at the age of 35, that was completely different than what I have now, it was ER+PR+, they did not test for HER then so that is unknown, did 6 rounds of CMF after a MRM and reconstruction and 5 years of Tamoxifen.  Thought I was out of the woods until a few weeks ago and my "good" breast started bleeding from the nipple, went to the Dr. had a battery of tests, confirmed second cancer, had a simple mast.  my whole breast was filled with tiny invasive and non invasive cancers, the largest tumor that they could find to test was actually in the only positive node at 3 mm.  I am getting a port placed tomorrow, then off to chemo.  I am more than a little nervous about the chemo, I breezed thru it last time and did not lose any hair, not expecting that this time but what can you do?

Debby

lago

Hang in there Debby. This is my first time around but I'm almost on the same schedule as you. Just had my port placed this morning. I was a little groggy and nauteas for about 2 hours. Just ate a lot of unsalted saltines and drank a tone of water. Feel fine now.

I start chemo tomorrow. 6 rounds every 3 weeks with Herceptin (total H for a year). It's going to be a long day tomorrow. If I have any energy when I get home I'll post. I have a feeling I'm going to be in a drug induced fog/sleep though.

You'll do fine. You did it when is was hard. This time they have much better drugs to manage the side effects and you might not even get any.

mmm5

I had the course of treatment about 2 and half years ago. While it is a different experience for all I can share some of my thoughts.

Chemo was hard on me (specifically the Carboplatin) it got worse each time (this is not true for all)  Most do lose their hair with this treatment around the 2nd or 3rd week. The things that helped me were drinking as much water leading up to treatment as possible as it didn't taste good after and I needed to stay hydrated. I think one of the most important aspects was taking stool softeners prior to tx as the first time it was such a severe form of Constipation I ended up having a serious issue. Many have had this issue.

Be very good to yourself, set up help and support and remember once you get through the 6 treatments the Herceptin alone is a breeze. 

Good Luck! 

djfrro

Had my first treatment Wed. and I have to say it was not terrible, not sick, a little fluey from the shot the day after.  I worked yesterday and am a little tired today, I have a two year old at home with me and we slept late and are just hanging out today.

lago

Sorry I didn't check in. It's been a busy week. I'm doing fine. I do feel a bit spacey from the zyrtec. I occasionally get tired but not to bad. Didn't walk today yet but I did walk 1 hour every day before/after chemo.

I was a little sore from the neulastra shot. Mostly around my neck, upper back and lower back and a couple of ribs. It sounds terrible but it wasn't I was out and about all day riding public transporation.

So overall this doesn't seem too bad. Just wish I didn't get so spacey from zyrtec.

Birds

My hair came out while I was shampooing in the shower.  I called my hair dresser and she met me at the salon at 8 pm on a sunday and cut the rest of it down to a gi jane buzz.  The rest came out later.  I picked out a wig before the hair came out and a couple of turbans also.  Hardly ever wore the wig, too hot and itchy.  Wasn't crazy about the chemo, but just remember if you do have side effects tell your onc and they can fix the problem.  You can expect heartburn.  My onc told me to take an over the counter prilosec daily.  It worked and I still have to take it.  Get some biotene toothpaste.  It helps not dry out your mouth.  Pepermint or lemon drops can be kept in your purse and helps if you get nausea.  Staying hydrated helps too.  Remember, chemo is meant to enter your body and then leave, not stay in, so like everyone says, drink water.  I had trouble with nausea and they increased my steroids and added Emend.  Don't start taking supplements without your onc's approval,including green tea.  The chemo needs to be able to kill the cells and if you start taking antioxidents (eat healthy though) it will keep the chemo from reaching the bad cells.  As always, ask your onc, dont just believe me. :-)

CoolBreeze

Chemo wasn't hard on me  at all.  I worked through it.  Never had a moments sickness and my main thing was getting really tired at the end. Follow the tips in the chemo section and drink lots of water.  I had to switch from every three weeks taxotere to weekly taxol half way through and that's when it got hard for me - I didn't have those recovery times.  But, even then it wasn't that bad and I could do it again if I had to.

I lost my hair between the 19th and 21st day - I forget which.  I'm seven months out now. 

You are right - what are you going to do?  Get through it, like the rest of us.