Chemo starting in December 2010

emoorechase

New to boards.  First TAC on December 3rd - 2nd and 3rd day were fine.  4th day was horrible - nausea even with meds.  I now have Zofran for the next time.  The next issue I had was from the ?Nulasta shot - bones hurt for several days - then slowly I started feeling like myself.  I was working out hard before my diagnosis, but am nervous about starting again.  I love reading the stories of what everyone experiences.  My hair started falling out so I went ahead and shaved it - was not prepared for the cold air on my head!!  Fleece caps are awesome

I had lost 60 pounds 2 years ago and have gained several pounds since I was diagnosed in September.  I am 41 - diagnosed with Stage 11 - er+pr+ her2-.  3 + lymph nodes.  I had my port successfully installed after the second try.  The first try I had a horrible experience with a nurse and I got up and left the hospital after having an emotional breakdown.  I am a very positive person and try to take things as they come.  But after bottling up my feelings and fears for several months - they all broke through and it was a bad day.  I am the first person in my family to ever diagnosed with breast cancer.  I am loving that I do not have another treatment until the 29th - not ready for the 4th day just yet.  Keep the faith - God is good. 

hopefortomorrow

Tonlee- Happy to hear you are home sweet home! Nothing else like it!

sunflower71

My hair is gone.  By the end of the day on Friday it went from just shedding to handfuls coming out with a slight tug.  My boyfriend shaved it when he got home.  After I dranks 2 shots of tequila of course.  I know they told me between days 14-18, but it still took me by suprise. 

bambi380

Laina thanks for the "TAC tips"! I always new being a frequent visitor to the restroom when "liquifying" would come in handy.   I am blessed with a wonderful husband who is also a retired biology teacher. I am in good hands! Looks like we are very close to the same "journey time-frame". We can compare "side effect notes".

 Praying your blood work in the a.m. is excellent!

 bambi

bambi380

Sunflower my husband who has not a vain bone in his body (is pretty good lookin' too) has cut his hair for years. It is a big joke around here. By New Years Eve he is going to do a "His n' Hers" special in this house. I rue that day! May have to move it up after reading your post. Not because I have beautiful hair, but because it is still MY hair. However, we went wig shopping this afternoon and I picked out a new "topping" for when I meet strangers. I still think all my golf hats will do just fine around friends. I have one for every day of the month!   Thank goodness I am not so foo-foo. In this circumstance it does help.

 Hang in there Sunflower.........

 bambi

Lawleigh

Congrats TonLee.  Enjoy your time at home and don't forget to take it easy.

Msjag- Been thinking about you as we both go into our second treatment on 12/23.   I don't know why I was thinking that you had gotten your treatment postponed. I am hoping that all goes smoothly and we are able to enjoy Christmas with our families.  Good luck girl..I will be thinkng of you.  My last two days have been more normal than anything since before my surgery on 10/28,  I sure hope that your weekend was one of feeling good as well.

Leigh

lindaa

Got home from hospital yesterday.  Still very sore and sleeping on sofa.  Antibiotics will continue for 10 more days.  I am supposed to have 2nd treatment tomorrow and there is no way they are using this port.  I will have to find out today what my options are.  bummer.

Glad they finally sprung you TonLee.  For those battling pain from shot, definitly try the claritin.  I was sort of achey all over but managable.  i also only took it day of shot.  This time I will take it every day that first week. 

prayersareanswered

Hi everyone,

I will have have my first TAC (1 of 6) tomorrow at 9.30am. I am sooooo scared. Just took the premeds (dexa). I don't know how I will handle my two little ones if I don't feel well during Christmas.....Trying to think positive but really scared, nervous....thank God, there is this board, I feel less alone....

msjag

Leigh, thanks for the well wishes, the same for you.  No postponing allowed with me!!   I feel so great, I wish I could jsut say, "ok...done"...I am hoping we can enjoy the holidays too. Hope you're feeling well with your grandchildren. 

 ok..so a not so pleasant subject, I haven't seen on here, did anyone get a yeast infection? I haven't had one of these since I was in my 20's!!!  I tried some home remedies, but I'm ready to go and get the monistat pill or cream...gonna drive me crazy!!!  Hoping this doesn't mean mouth sores/thrush are coming...I"m drinking and swishing all day long!!

 Hope everyone is well, Yeah Ton for being home and having a great wbc count.  Hubby shaved my head, and my friends didn't even knw I was wearing a wig when they saw me.I am more of a scarf gal, so I'm sure I'll only wear the wig wihen the New England weather is freezing.. We may have a white christmas afterall!!

Positive thoughts to all,

JoAnn

ShelMel

Hi sisters -

TonLee - I'm soooo glad you're home. It was scary knowing that you were in the hospital. Kind of reminds us all how serious infections, low WBCs, etc are for all of us. . . Thank you for sharing that info about nutrition and exercise. I need to get up and move more. Are they going to give you the Neulasta shot the next round?

Lindaa - I'm so glad you're home now, too.  I'm sorry you're having so many problems with your port. I hope they have a good alternative for you. Keep us posted. HUGS!

Prayersareanswered - I think the first round of treatment is the scariest because you don't know what to expect. Do you have any help close by?? You will probably need some help with your children for a few days. I'm sending you extra hugs & prayers sweetie. 

emoorechase - welcome to the boards, hun. So sorry you're here, but it's one of the best places to be.  You can do this - - and we'll be here with you every step of the way!

My hubby buzzed all my hair off on Friday. It was coming out so fast and I was looking freakish. We made it a hair-buzzing party and my kids watched and laughed. We tried to make it as fun as possible. My hubby cut a mohawk first - we took lots of pictures. I knew I wouldn't cry if the kids were watching, so that's how I handled it. Made it fun and we laughed a lot. 

I'll post a picture of me and bald husband soon. 

Getting used to no hair is weird, but I'm slowly getting used to it. Wore my wig to town the other day - it gave me a headache. I'm still figuring out how to adjust it and keep it on my head. I think I'll be wearing more scarves and soft knit hats than anything though. 

I'm feeling pretty good - trying to finish up Christmas shopping and wrapping. We've only got the tree up and the stockings hung. No other decorations. I just don't have the heart or the energy for all the other things I usually do. 

Love & Blessings my sweet sisters!! - 

Shelle

jtbsmom

Tonlee and Lindaa- glad you are both home and doing better.

Bambi380- I hope your treatment went well today.  

prayersareanswered- good luck tomorrow.  keep hydrated, fill your iPod with good music and relax. let your family treat you like a queen and rest when you get home.  

my lab work went well today.  all my counts are down but I still feel really good.  I am a Medical Technologist( do the lab tests) so seeing my results and relating them to how I feel is pretty interesting.  my Hgb( hemoglobin) has fallen from 12.7 pre surgery to 10.8 today.  So, I say my self prescribed afternoon naps are well justified- as is my lack of willingness to do extensive housework!!!   

the Dr. also gave me permission to return to the gym and will sign my "return to work" paperwork.

I get to return part time 12-31.  I wanted to go back slowly cause even though this cycle has been relatively uneventful I do not know what the next round will do (1-3).  I have worked the weekend shift at the hospital for 17+ years- 40 hrs in 3 days. so I am going to work 3  eight hour shifts for the first couple of weeks and ease back into the 16 hour days. 

Merry Christmas to all.  praying for all of you!!!

Laina 

TonLee

@ Shel- YES!  I am getting Neulasta from now on...

My hair is coming out in gobs.  Shesh, I didn't even make it to the 14th day...which is tomorrow.  None of the other hair on my body is leaving though....hmmmmm.

 @Emoore- I am 42...I'm sorry about your experience with the port.  That stinks.  I posted earlier on how to maintain your current weight on chemo...it's the page before this one....it's important to get 60-80 grams of protein a day, or your body will use your muscle to repair itself.  The more muscle you lose, the less calories you burn.  I drink EAS Light drinks (110 calories, 17 grams of protein) to supplement my diet (because there's no way I can eat that much protein everyday, even when I'm hungry).

Another trick is to make sure and exercise every single day you can. 

I am just starting treatment, and while I know all these things, I can tell you in all honesty, as someone who worked out everyday and twice a day 3 days a week, it is still hard.  I can't even imagine what it will be like by the end.  I hope I don't give up.  I don't want too.

Hang in there sister.

prayersareanswered

thank you all for the kind words

ShelMel: I really needed these extra hugs and prayers, thank you so much ! We do need help, with two highly energetic little boys aged 4 and a half and 3 ! You know I still find it hard to ask for help...I know Iknow, I shouldn't !

jtbsmom: precious piece of advice, thank you very much. already started drinking a lot today. Am preparing the bag right now so ipod is definitely in, a friend will lend me a portable dvd with funny british series that helped her go through her treatment last year.

I will have the neulasta shot on Wednesday. How often should I take the claritin ? is it the day of the shot or the day before the shot or both days ?

 I still don't realize that I will actually go through chemo, will lose my hair......

Tundra

Hi beautiful ladies,

Just stopping in here to see how you are all doing.

I just found out today that I am starting chemo next Tuesday, the 28th, so I guess I'm technically another Dec 2010. ;-) But I figured I'd post in "Jan 2011" because it might be closer.

Sending you all lots of goodness.

Yah... not looking forward to loosing or cutting my hair either. I's funny: if it were Summer I wouldn't mind so much, but I live in Canada and it's freezing up here!

hdangelbaby

hi all! glad to hear you are back home Tonlee!!

My second AC treatment is tomorrow, and i am running around like a chicken with my head cut off tonight trying to get everything cleaned up and ready so i can just rest! I still have my hair (day13) but i am expecting it to come out soon. when i comb or brush it, a little more than usual comes out, so i am just waiting on the gobs to come out. i mustered up the energy to go christmas shopping today and it about freaked me out. the mall and walmart were so crowded i almost had a panic attack. not so much about the amount of people, but their germs!! people sneezing and touching everything! thank god for the neulasta shot! but still gotta be careful. i think people don't know how to cover their mouths when they sneeze. i saw 5 people in walmart, in the produce area do it. needless to say, i did not buy any produce today! lol!-- well hope is going well for all, and again, this board keeps me going for sure! Have a great week ladies, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

EWS

Thank you so much for the encouragement!  I am so blessed to be going through this with so many brave, strong women.  I start round #1 of chemo Thursday . . . hoping for the very best each step of the way!

EWS

Starting chemo this Thursday--#1 of 6 rounds of Carboplatin and Taxotere with Herceptin.  The oncologist indicated I would not get Neulasta shot until or if my counts dropped.  I am really nervous about that.  Any advice on how to handle that?

imatthew

EWS - this thursday will be 2 weeks since my wife's first TCH.  There is an active thread in this forum specifically for that regimen.  Her ONC has her come in for a Neulasta shot the day after every infusion, which seems to be the most common course of treatment.  We asked during our last appointment if that would be the same pattern for all six TC treatments, he said it would as TC can drastically reduce white cell counts (I've read by as much as 90%).

Her first treatment wasn't too bad, some aches and fatigue in the first 48-72 hours.  She's had some minor nausea, tongue sores and  heartburn, but so far she's doing OK.  He next treatment is a week from Thursday.

bambi380

Treatment went well guys. My stomach is a bit queasy and I am tired. But thus far that is it. Will get that "N" shot tomorrow and see how much ache comes afterwards.

 Thanks to all who posted on my behalf. Lifting up prayers for the others!

Bambi

sammolisa

Been hibernating too since my last treatment on Wednesday the 15th.   Got mouth sores this time and heartburn - not bad tho.  Still day 6 and am tired and a little headachey still.  Hanging in there.  

My wonderful husband  shaved off my hair last night.  Much better than eating it all the time. lol.

Glad to hear everyone is out of the hospital and tackling everything on their plate.  Went to the Look Good Feel Better class today - it was nice to hang out with the other women for a few hours.  - I was the guinea pig for all the makeup.   Nice kits they give you too.  They are all different, just depended on who packed it so that was kinda cool seeing all the different products. 

Don't have much more energy tonite.  

Take care everyone,

Hugs to all.

Lisa

Anonymous

Glad to hear everyone is out of the hospital and feeling better.  I guess I never really realized how fragile our conditions are.  Scary. 

I also had treatment on the 15th and beginning to feel better.  It sure takes effort to walk the length of a hallway or to climb stairs.  I have a hard time getting my breath.  I was never ache at all after the N shot.  I took Claritin D 24 hours prior to the shot and then followed up everyday with a Claritin D for five days.  My onc said that my bone pain would be the worse on days 4-5.

I had signed up for the Look Good Feel Good class in my area also, but had to cancel because we got so much snow today.  I didn't want to chance ditching the car in the dark.  I had heard there were a lot of neat freebees.  I signed up for the next one, but it won't be until the middle of January.

I have only missed 2 days for school since my last treatment.  I do a lot of sitting, usually I'm so high energy!  I rode 500 miles across Iowa on the RAGBRAI last summer, can't believe this is actually happening to me.  My jr high kids have been great!  Needless to say we have had several discussions on germ control, but it still worries me.  Is it worth it?  This is my last year of teaching and I have saved enough days to purchase an additional year of credit and still had what I thought was a save cushion of 52 extra sick days.  But with the broken back, breast surgery, the port, and the 18 treatments, I don't think I'm going to make it.  What does it matter to retire with full retirement if I don't survive from all the infections the kids bring to school.  We do a lot of hand and desk washing but they can't help snotting all over me.  Thanks goodness for Christmas vacation!  One more day!

msjag

Lisa, glad to hear from you, I was wondering how you were doing.   I am starting to drink water and get things ready for thurs treatment.  Hope you kick the s/e and feel better.  I liked the Feel better class too, there were only two of us, but we had fun.  Kits were great.

EWS, my onc doesn't give the N shot, unless you have two weeks of low, she believes you need two weeks to see where the count will be,She said usually everyone goes down the first week and and then goes right back up the second week, if all goes well.  And that's exactly what happened to me.  she monitors my wbc count weekly, so no shot for me for first two treatments.  If my count was very low 1st week, she would give the shot. If I was having TAC, instead of TC, she said I would get the shot next day without fail. 

Is anyone here with node negative and TN  getting the "A"?   Is anyone getting 6 TC instead of 4? I'm curious as to what makes the determination.  Two onc opinions in cancer centers, both said TC X4.  Geez, it's funny how you think your settled with treatment, then you mind starts questioning everything you do!! 

Jack Frost is in MA today...brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!   Hope you all have a good day.

spartina

TonLee,  So happy to hear this great news. Welcome home!   

shelbytroy12

I survived my first treatment!!  One down, 4 to go!  I am doing TCx4.  I feel very achy and and tired - but so far no sickness or other s/e. Dr. said if I haven't had any nausea yet I will likely be fine.  I am just trying to take one day at a time.  Feel apprehensive about the hair coming out.  I think once that's over with - that will be a big relief.  Is that how others felt?  I feel even now it is sort of lifeless and dry.  I also have an icky taste in my mouth.  Any suggestions?  I decided to stay home a couple of weeks and I am glad I did.  I dont know how I could have managed my commute and plus I like to lie down a couple of times a day.  Hope all are hanging in there.

nolaa

I can't believe the hair loss has been so dramatic and sudden. I'm on day 15 and still no movement.

ShelMel - I love the idea of the mohawk party for the kids. Mine are still so small (2 and 3) that they can easily understand watching a funny haircut but defintely didn't understand when I came home with a short cut. They really need to see it this time.

prayerareanswered - take claratin 24 hrs before shot and then every day after for at least 4-5 days. I didn't the first time and suffered terribly. I go for my Neulasta today and already have 2 days of claratin in me so I really hope it works. Please ask for help with your kids!  I can speak for experience when I say you will need extra hands so you can rest and sleep.

TonLee - so glad to know you're home.

EWS - I wish I had the time and energy to find some medical journal article for you to prove to your oncologst that you need Neulasta with your chemo. Look at TonLee - had to spend days in the hospital! Maybe ask the onc if thre is any harm in getting it if you don't need it. If there is none then insist that you want it to help you fight infection - especially this time of year when so many people are sick.

I had my second AC yesterday. Felt very nauseus in the evening despite all of the anti-nausea meds. Did anyone have this problem: Last time and this time both, I can't swallow food for about 12 hours post AC. I can swallow liquids but only food if I kind of force myself. Last time I forced down a whole meal and ended up barfing all night. This time I only ate a few bites and had no barfing. I wonder if its just my body's way of saying, "please please don't eat right now!"

ninap7

Hi everyone - i had my first infusion yesterday - i drank 10 glasses of water in those 2 hours i had the infusion -when i came home i had a severe headache it was so bad i wanted to go to the hospital - i slept for 2 hours then took 2 more tylenol and then i threw up twice but felt SO MUCH better - i hope i can get through this ladies

jtbsmom

bambi380- glad to hear all went well.  just rest today and drink plenty of water.  

I went to the gym today and had a blast.  I did the "drums alive" cardio class and it felt really good to sweat!  I am going to do the yoga class tomorrow.  I am so happy to get back into my routine.  I really hated sitting around the house.   

sunflower71

Round 2 is tomorrow and I woke up this morning with a low grade fever.  It went down with some tylenol, but I feel very achey and tired today.  I was hoping that I could get lots done before the next round puts me into down time. Oh well, the kitchen floors can stay dirty and my presents will unwrapped, life goes on!  Fingers crossed that my counts are fine.

Ninap- I am sorry you are having such a hard time.  I hope that the next few days will be much better for you.

Lisa- I have wanted to get to the LGFB class, glad to hear it was fun.  I am having a hard time putting makeup on with no hair, it would be great to get some tips.  I got the mouth sores last week, I swished with Malox and Benadryl (do not swallow it) and it helped a lot!

Ms Jag & Leigh- Here we go again ladies!  You both will be in my thoughts.

Shelle- You always manage to inspire me or make me smile with your positive attitude.  What a great way to turn a difficult event into something fun!

joystars

Hello everyone... I feel so much relief after reading all your posts, I feel like I'm not longer alone on this boat.

Being in the forum for a while on the June Mastectomy thread. Got diagnosed in May 2010, being told I was pregnant the very next day and went under lumpectomy and mastectomy while baby was in my belly. STAGE I, clean lymph nodes, 2.5 cm tumor. ER+ PR +
Oncologist, surgeon and obstetrician had a battle to decide when we could interrupt my pregnancy so I could start chemo treatment: 34 weeks was the deal, no more.

My baby girl was born on Nov 30th at 34 weeks 6 days: 2.578 kg 49 cm. Tons of hair like mamma!   She is a fighter, doing amazingly fine after a rough start at the NICU where she was  connected to a ventilator for two days. Now she is three weeks old and at home with us.

Now the time has come for me to keep fighting the good fight: I'm starting FEC treatment in a few hours, the first of 6 rounds. SO NOT looking forward to it. Had my onco appointment just today after the three weeks "healing" time post c-section and he confirmed me my biggest fear: starting my treatment just before Chirstmas.

I feel kinda lost, a little bit scared and in a way powerless. I know I've been thru lots already but I somehow feel like falling apart this time....  the fear of the unknown and the fact it all is coming so soon. So please my December sisters, any advice, help, word will be well aprecciated.

hdangelbaby

Just finished round #2 of DD AC! and guess what??? My blood counts stayed normal the whole time! the doc and nurse were astounded! they said " your blood work is abnormal, because it is normal!" made my day!!!