August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

michelleo13

Mary J, the way "dense dose" was explained to me is the treatments are the same but are spaced closer together, every two weeks instead of every three.

I'm seeing the MO tomorrow and will likely be joining the Aug 2011 sisterhood!

Leighsa

Hello. I find out in two weeks (on my 42 birthday) if I need chemo. Best wishes to all of you starting soon-stay strong!

(((Hugs)))

Ybrooker1

Good morning ladies.....I wasn't sure if I should post in July or August since my treatment starts today @ 1:30 pm.....yikes!!!!! So I've decided to post in both....can never have too much support right??? I am terrified, have been on the potty all morning....guess it's my nerves :-(



I am having Neo Adjuvant chemo consisting of DD Taxol for 4 cycles and then DD AC for 4 cycles. I am grateful that I will have company on this journey, but sorry that it has to be this way. May the LORD bless and keep us all side effect free!!!



I'll post later to let you all know how it went. BTW...anyone doing the Penguin Cold Caps? I'm doing that too and praying I remember all of the steps ;-)



Yvette

I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but why do I have to prove it!!!!!!

46MD

Hi there! Diagnosed May 2011, Lumpectomy/sentinal node biop July11th, talking with chemo doc now. Scary stuff. I'm having trouble with the fact chemo could cause other diseases. Just looking for others to chat with that are going thru similar experiences.

Madismommy719

Hi yvette and 46MD....welcome to our fleet!



Good luck Yvette with your first treatment later today....you can start us all out and pave our way! I keep telling myself the sooner I get this thing started the sooner I'm done right?? Hope your day is calm and as little s/e as possible!!!!



46MD....it is unsettling that chemo can cause other diseases....but I've decided I can't be THAT unlucky right??? I'm already 35, with no family history of cancer, and didn't have the gene....yet, BAM, breast cancer.....it sucks for all of us!!

46MD

Thanks for the welcome Madismommy719. I don't mean to spread negativity. Its just a lot to take in at first. I've been fine/positive till now, learning more about the chemo drugs. But the more I read on here, the better I feel. I'm 46, with no history of BC also. And thats a good attitude to have! (can't be that unlucky). I'll give that a whirl

Kasi

I'm so happy that our August 2011 support group is growing, but so sad at the same time that we all have to be here. Ipswichmom, I'm only about 90 minutes north of you in Portland, ME. I'm sorry to hear about the gene but if it makes you feel any better, I did a bilateral with reconstruction even though I am negative for the gene (but my paternal grandmother had BC at age 45). My surgery went just fine and I was back to work full time after two weeks.

46MD - I totally hear you on stressing that the chemo can cause other diseases. Like Leukemia! So, um, you are giving me drugs to treat my cancer that might cause another cancer down the road? It doesn't make sense to me. But I have made my peace with at this point.

Michelleo13 - Let us know how the appt goes tomorrow! Good luck! 

Yvette - Good luck today! Know that we are all there with you!!! Please let me know about the PCC. I did think strongly about doing them but it was a bit cost prohibitive for me.

Leighsa - Hope you don't need chemo!! 

Guys, I know we can get through this! I have counted the weeks and if all goes according to plan (fingers crossed), my last chemo will be on November 10th. Then after a month I have to do radiation (6+ weeks most likely). And let's not forget my friend Tamoxifen for 5 years. Gee, I always wanted to go into menopause at age 31  

mommarch

Hi All who will start chemo in August.  I started AC on June 24th.  I go again on Aug. 4th for my 3rd treatment.  I will have 4 AC and then 4 Abraxane treatments.  I had a lumpectomey in April followed by mammosite radiation.  We sent out for the oncotype test to be sure chemo was indeed needed and it came back with a score of 37, so chemo it was.  Actually I have done quite well.  They give me the medication Emend a pill I take one hour before chemo along with the other IV nausea meds and steriods.  Then I take the Emend once a day for 2 days following the chemo.  I have not had nausea at all.  The worst is the fatigue, and bowel issues, I feel pretty bad for about 10 days following the chemo and then I pick up some energy for about 10 days and then it is time to go again.  I am still working a partime job for my insurance benefits it is a desk job at the university so it goes all right.  Wishing each of you the best.

MaryjRN

Michelle...thanks for the words of encouragement.  And, I did not even know there was a 'Success Stories' thread.  I will keep it as one of my new favorites!

MichelleO...that's what I thought it meant, but I don't want to assume anything right now.  Thanks.

Leighsa...I hope you don't need to join us! 

Yvette...Welcome.  I'm nervous, too.  And, what is a Penguin Cold Cap?  Hope today goes well for you.

46MD...Welcome to you, too!  I was just telling dh at lunchtime, that I want to live, in spite of possible long term side effects. It is very scary, though. 

Mommmarch...I'm glad to hear that you have had no nausea.  I hope everything continues well for you.

Kasi...I, too, have made peace with what the future holds, with me as a bc survivor, but now what was just unleashed?

I'm so glad we found each other.  Madismom and I 'know' each other from the Illinois board,(which is a great place...if there are other Illinoisans here, come on over and introduce yourselves! lol)The 'feel' of this thread is a good one. 

Outoftheblue

Hi all! I'll be starting chemo on tues and really scared to death!!!! Nice to read all ur posts here and looking forward to sharing our experiences together!

Outoftheblue

Hi yvette! I ordered d pcc too, it arrived today! Really crossing my fingers that it would work!!!!!

musicalmom

Hi Everyone,

I would like to join the August 2011 Chemo group.  I am starting on Aug 24.  I will be on Taxotere, Cyclophosphamide, and Herceptin (TCH protocol) 6 infusions, 3 weeks apart.  I hope I can celebrate Christmas with all of this part behind me. 

My biggest concern is whether I want to work during chemo...I am an elementary school music teacher and I see all 500 students every week teaching a very hands-on curriculum.  I don't know if my immune system will benefit from all of the exposure to germs.  Every Christmas I am usually sick after a very full fall schedule.

Leighsa

Musicalmom- I feel the same way about chemo and my immune system. I also work in a school. I'm a middle school nurse with 700+ studentsvand 70 staff-I see a lot of germs!! I have read about Neulasta injections that boost the white blood cell count, but I wonder if it's enough.

musicalmom

Leighsa-Yes it is a pretty tough environment.  At least the MS kids are a little healthier or at least easier to deal with than a K student.  Best of luck.

Amelie_Rose

Hi everyone, Can I join your group?  I start chemo August 1st.  TCH x 6 every 3 weeks; my last treatment, if all goes well, should be Thanksgiving week. This is my first time posting and I am hoping to draw strenght from this board during the scary months ahead.  The information posted by everyone else on this site has been invaluable to me.  I had my port put in today and it really hurts.  Those of you who've had a port installed, how long did it take you before the hurting stopped?  

Chava

My port, on my chest, stopped hurting the next day. But I have some pain under my armpit where I had lymph nodes removed? Anyone else having that?

Madismommy719

Ok, I'm happy that our little family is growing, but totally sad for the reason why!!!



Welcome outoftheblue, musicalmom and Amelie..... Three more for our army!!



Amelie, I've had my port in for 3 weeks....it stopped hurting by day 3-4.... I don't even notice mine anymore unless I'm changing my shirt in front of a mirror.....than I see my "pop up" button.



Musicalmom, you and I will most likely starting right about the same week....I am still waiting on my axillary node dissection to heal before they'll clear me for treatment. I go for my Muga scan and training class in the meantime. I will most likely be on TAC x6 or just TC x6. My birthdays right before Christmas so I'm hoping my final chemo will be my present this year!!



Outoftheblue....it's ok to be terrified, me too!!!! I've heard so many people saytheanxiety before the first one is part of the worst of it, I hope that's true!!! I have been terrified for every phase of this journey..... My biopsies, the results, really terrified before my BMX.....and I made it thru all that.... We'll all get each other through this too!!!! :0)

Amelie_Rose

Chava and Madismommy719, thank you for replying.  

I'll pray that the port stops hurting tomorrow, Chava; and that, Iike Madismommy, I completely stop noticing it in a week or two.  Hard to imagine right now, but that's what so great about having other BC sisters to turn to for reassurance.  

Chava, I don't have any pain where the lymph nodes were removed, just some hard scar tissue; but my BS says that's normal and will soften up in time. When were yours removed?  Maybe the scars just haven't had time to heal yet.

  

Outoftheblue

Thanks madismommy719! Am i d only one here who got a picc line.???? My 1st treatment is on tues and up to now i still dont know my regimen. No final decision yet from my onco, will be seeing him on monday dats wen his gona decided, i find that strange since i did all my tests few weeks ago....,,,

Madismommy719

Outoftheblue, can you call and ask your onc??? I'd be going crazy if I couldn't research my chemo cocktail beforehand.....although, maybe that's why I don't sleep much and my brain is always running nonstop? Do you know your path report? I noticed you didn't have it on your signature line.....a lot of times you can tell what you might be given by all your pathology.....



Chava....I have lots of pain and tingling in my whole left side from my lymph nodes, but I've hadsky surgeon in there two separate times now, 19 total..... I'm actually going to see a lymphedema specialist to ensure I know how to recognize it if I ever start to get it....at night I have to sleep with my left arm elevated on a pillow and that seems to help?

vtellen

What is a picc line? It is a relief of sorts when you find out your chemo plan-and then you know what to expect for SEs. I begin my chemo on weds., so I will be right behind you, whatever you get, outoftheblue. I am not sure that I thanked you for your website suggestion, madismommy! I ordered a few scarves. Wigs aren't cheap, are they? Is anyone else opting for no wig (just scarves and hats?)? I am beginning to think I will be wishing that I had one- but w/ my way curly hair, no wigs look even slightly close to a match!

vtellen

Madismommy, what was the size of the met in your sentinel node? My node came back clear in surgery,but then the lab found a 2.2mm mass. My onc said no to going back in for more nodes, which I was very glad of! We are going to do radiation from a different angle to zap most of the nodes, just in case.

lilylady

Dear Ladies,

  I am just dropping in to wish all of you luck and few SEs as you start your chemo.  I am 2 weeks PFC (post f...ing chemo) after 6 rounds of TCH. I have had a complete pathological response -I started out Stage IV with lung and liver mets and they can now find no sign of cancer. I am having a bi-lat mx next Monday and then Rads later on.

  It works-and having group to go thru it with makes a whole huge difference. I am in the March 2011 Chemo Lounge and they are the best!

  

CarlaT

I haven't written on these boards yet, but have "lurked" for over a year. Just want to echo comments that this whole thing is DOABLE. I had my mastectomy in June 2010, followed by 4 months of chemo (ACT), then 33 radiation treatments, final exchange surgery in May 2011, started the 5-yr Tamoxifen regime.

 Last summer at this time I thought that the treatment and more so "being a patient" would never end. It seemed hard to believe that I'd be hiking, running, traveling, just being MYSELF again, but of course all that did happen and now it almost feels like a bad dream that happened long ago. 

I found it really helpful to read through these discussion boards whenever I had any questions on any subject. Side effects, treatment options, info about hair regrowth, sexuality, exchange options.

 So, this is a belated thanks to everyone whose messages and advice I've read, and a note of encouragement to those just starting down this road. Hang in there!!!! 

Madismommy719

Thanks so much lilylady and Carla for popping in with the encouragement!!!! I love hearing from people on the " other side" of this ride and doing so great!!!!! Right now I can't imagine being able to hike and travel but seein other women tell me they are doing it a year later helps so much! I have to keep telling myself this is only a blip on my radar..... Thanks ladies!!!!! :0)

Madismommy719

VtEllen.... My path report was measured entirely in cm....so it was a .5 cm met in a 1.0 cm node....so that's what? A 5.0 mm met in a 10 mm node?? They convinced me on the AND to hopefully avoid radiation....which I won't need but the AND recovery sucks.... My arm still is useless for the most part and I "carry" it around looking like I have it in a sling....but no sling.

I'm glad the website helped for scarves....they have a huge selection don't they? I'm ordering next week once I can order the right size wig too....I'm going to buy a second one from there, try to only spend about 150 bucks tops on it..... My grandmother is taking me to a local boutique to purchase a real hair wig....she bought herself one for fun and when she found out I had cancer it was the first thing she said "I'm buying you a really great wig" we'll see....I'd much rather just have my own hair but such is life I suppose??? I think I'll wear scarves around the house a lot though....

michelleo13

Met the MO this morning. I start chemo the week of Aug 8.  4 rounds of dose-dense A/C followed by 4 founds of dose-dense taxol.

Now I need to start wig shopping!

Also found out today that all receptors are negative. Interesting.

musicalmom

Vtellen-

Pic line I thought like a port that you and they administer all the drugs through that...my insurance covers a wig unto $500. So if you have insurance call and ask them what they cover. Sometimes you need a prescription for it...it is a prosthesis for your bald head : )



Portacath...mainly used in cancer patients for administration of chemotherapy, medications and to obtain blood samples. It is inserted into the left chest.



Central line (aka triple lumen catheter)...a three lumen catheter inserted into the chest into the subclavian vein (under your collarbone). Inserted into right chest. Can be used for IV medications, fluids and drawing blood.



PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter or peripheral intravascluar catheter) is inserted into your arm above the elbow. It is threaded all the way to your heart. Can be used for IV medications, fluids and sometimes for drawing blood.



EMT

TSB1

Hi August Ladies! I'll see my onc on Wednesday and I expect to start mid August.  I got my port yesterday and I know my treatment will be 24 weeks.  I'll get A/C  X 4 rounds (every 21 days) followed by Taxol once a week for 12 weeks. Then I'll take Arimidex for 5 years. I still have a drain in from my AND on July 20 so that needs to come out first.  It's still putting out over 100ml/day so my BS said it will come out on August 9.

I ordered a bunch of items from headcovers.com and they are wonderful. Super fast shipping and good quality.  I have several items on my list for my next order. You won't be disappointed! 

AJTAYLOR

I'm joining in the August group. Start 12 x weekly Taxol August 4th then followed by FAC every 3rd week for 4 months.  I've been snooping around on the boards for a while and thought it was time to post.  I have a 9 month old daughter and am so thankful that she is not aware that mommy is sick... She will only hear stories of this when she is older.  I have an amazing husband and support group that will be fighting right along w/ me!  Even though they are as wonderful as can be, they do not understand the feelings and have answers like you all do.  I look forward to reading more posts and encouraging eachother along this journey.

*Everyday may not be good but there is something good in everyday*

~Amy