March 2012 chemo

zillamom2

Kam170 - my oncotype was 27 and up until I received that score I wasnt going to have to do chemo. My onc was pretty surprised considering the grade. I had a high ki-67 though and my ER and PR were only 30% so that probably affected my onco score.



Lisajcj - it is going pretty fast considering I also had a diep. My drains were out (5) in 6 days, port placed in after 2 weeks, and chemo beginning 3 weeks after my surgery. I am a very fast healer and my blood counts were normal even after getting blood transfusion in hospital. They said I could begin and my surgeons agreed. I was ok with starting early because I have to go back to work in April and I wanted to have a cycle of chemo in me before returning to work so I would know how I felt after it and which days were the worst - hoping to be able to work out with my job which days I will need off.

Masserz

Love 74- did they have to shave your eyebrows to do the tattoo? I know they used to, but I think I read that's not necessary anymore. You've really got me thinking about it...I wonder if I could run it through my flex plan with the hair prosthesis prescription. Worth looking into...

khintul

Hi to all -

I've been lurking on the site for a while since I was dx'd in December. Had a lumpectomy Jan 17, went through all the prescans - MRI, PET, MUGA, and just had my first chemo this past Tuesday. So today is day 4 for me. I'm to have AC x 4, T x 4.

 First session went wonderfully well, the port is GREAT!! I've had practically no noticeable SE's so far, I've had a few times where I'd think, "now, am I getting queasy?", and at that thought I'd pop a Compazine! I really don't want to do nausea, and so far haven't.

As I've been reading the site, I've been making notes of helpful things all you great gals have posted, and as a result I feel I'm pretty well prepared.

Msbelle, I've been taking the Claritin (without the D) - took the first one after the first chemo session, and one a day since. I plan to continue it for a week. That may be longer than I need, but I've had zero pain with the Neulasta. 

My suspicion from reading all the posts is that I may be the elder person here - my first mammogram that started me down this path was done the day after I turned 70. Gack.

Anyway, just wanted to join in and say hello, and tell you all how much I admire the good spirits I'm seeing - and a special thanks to those ladies who have already made it through and come out on the other side and dropped in here to give encouragement! We all need it!! 

Karon 

Sissydi

Welcome Khintul!

Love74

Masserz - she trimmed my brows but didn't shave them. Im sure if you have a flex plan you could use it...just make sure they put some kind of medical reason on the receipt. She told me if they start thinning it would be around treatment 5 so i have a way to go but I think I will be really happy that I did it when the thinning starts!

journey4life

Love74 - do you mind sharing the cost?

journey4life

That may have come out wrong - I meant do you mind telling us what it cost. Looks like I am asking you to help pay for it!

GeorgiaMom

Getting my first treatment and am amazed at how relaxing it is! I'm getting caught up on my "words with friends" and "scramble". While overall I'd rather be at work, I'm a teacher and it's a full moon and a Friday so I'm just going to enjoy the peace for a while. Busy soccer weekend with my girls so I've got to relax when I can. Hope everyone else is hanging in there. Enjoy the weekend wherever you are!



Jeannie

Alicethecat

Hello Hills

I was diagnosed in January too, had a mastectomy in February and start chemotherapy on March 12.

Sorry you're here but good to meet you!

Thanks for your comments re A/C. 

Alice

QuinnCat

Masserz - I was told "Claritan." ....I only get allergies once every 6 years to one conifer tree pollen, so I happen to have some 24 hour Clariton already in my home pharmacy (24 hour one). I Ididn't ask about the "D", didn't know it existed,  but I would have heard them say it and I would think they would have emphasized the "D" if they wanted me to use the "D" one.  I took it the day of Neulasta and everyday since (I'm not sure when to stop!?) and I haven't had any bone pain at all.  Makes me wonder if there was anything in that Neulasta shot I got?

QuinnCat

Zillamom - Atleast you are grade 1.  With a high Ki67, did you have well differentiated and a good score on tubular formation?  You are exactly one of those people (though you are still intermediate) Geonomics made the Oncoscore for. I would have gotten chemo with or without the report. My Ki67 was 60%...my BC was more alarmed with my Pet Scan SUV uptake on the lesion.  She scared me with her reaction, really.

Drains out in 5 or 6 days - you are amazing! 

Amymomto5

Shera, wondering about you... Haven't heard from you in a few days. I hope you are doing ok.

journey4life

Hey Sissydi - for my treatment, would you change the T/C (not sure what that is) to T (Taxol) x 4? Many thanks.

tellie_savalis

Glad to hear from you guys that Claratin regular seems to work.  Went to get Claratin D yesterday and found out it is perscription only in Oregon.  Called Onc and they said I could talk to the nurse Tuesday during my Chemo.  I almost had a break down.  Wierd what gets to you.  I feel like when I had my first kid and was so focused on making sure everything was prepared at home. I think the preparing helps keep my mind of the other stuff.  (Honestly if do find it amusing that many of the supplies I am getting are the same ones I got with my first pregnancy ). 

Hi Kinhtul- I used to live outside of Tusla when I was a kid for a while.  Hope one day to make it back that way.  Nothing like an Oklahoma thunderstorm.  Beautiful country. Glad you are makinging through so well.  It makes me more hopeful for my first session! 

Georgia mom- Love Words with friends and scramble.  Maybe we can play someday.  Although some of the meds they are giving me have definately affected my playing ability.  Hope all goes well today and in days ahead. 

Masserz- I will definately PM you soon.  It is a sunny day here in Western Oregon (a rarity for this time of year) and I am going to go play with my horses.  Yeehaw. Thank you in andvance for answer all the questions I am going to bug you with.

lisajcj- I like the arrow or bullseye.  I might try it, or maybe a Killroy was here.  Heck, everyone is already looking at your breast anyway.  I'm not sure how much more strange it could get.  Especially as my husband insists on coming in to every Dr. appt with me.  Maybe some tassles before I don't have anywhere left to stick them...

Have a great day everyone!

Corky

fedfan

Day # 5 for me. I did something really crazy. After taking a nice, sitting-up, but realxing nap, I went to the store, bought a bunch of red meat, came home, cooked it, ate almost all of it, and didn't even sit down while eating it. My red blood cell count must have been really low. The whole thing was very primitive, and I was afraid I may have eaten too much too fast, but, you know what? I feel pretty good now. Must have been what I needed. We are really going to have to listen to our bodies.

zillamom2

Kam170 - everything was a 1 on the grade except tubular formation was a 2. My ki-67 was 20% and they consider that high. My onc was concerned about my situation as well. Why do oncologists always have a way of just saying things that scare us. Was your tumor showing activity on the pet? I guess since I got it twice under the age of 40 might be reason enough for me. I am glad we are both getting the treatment we need.

QuinnCat

Zillamom - My Ki67 was 60% and my SUV uptake was 8.3.  I'll never forget the words "poor prognosis" written after the word Ki67 on my initial biopsy path.  The Pathologists where I was treating usually don't look at Ki67, or give it much credit, or so they say, but Oncotyping relies on it heavily. They can give me all of the chemo they want!  Twice?? -  Was that each breast?  Both primaries?  Are you BRCA positive??

cmclean - I'm headed off to Portland tomorrow to see my doctors...I do chemo in Southern Oregon, but live in California.

kokonut

Hi everyone and welcome to all of the new ppl.  I wish you didn't have to be here.

It's day 2 for me.  For the most part I feel pretty good. I have felt a little queezy a few times and a compazine took care of it. I'm drinking a lot but eating very little. I don't have an appetite. My husband did get me some dumplings from Cracker Barrel a little while ago.

cmcclean - I got my MRI report yesterday of my spine. It is on my spine and ribs. I didn't ask him the other parts that the PET scan showed, bone wise, I'm to scared to. spine and ribs is enough for me to know for now.  Still haven't found a primary tumor. I had to reschedule the breast MRI, I will have it next week.

zillamom2

Kam170 - I tested negative for the gene but I got it at age 28 and 39 so I think it must be genetic and maybe there are genes they haven' t discovered yet or something. I got it on the same breast after 11 yrs but ucla said they couldnt determine if it is new primary or local recurrence. Getting a bmx this time was a no brainer for me. : ) What is Suv uptake? I haven't heard of that before but they didnt do oncotype back when I first got it. I agree with you. I will do chemo if it means it will reduce my chances of recurrence.

Hills

Hi Alicethecat,

Thanks for the personal welcome. I'm a big talker but a reluctant writer so this is going to take some getting used to. Looks like I'm heading for ACx4, then Taxol x4, then mastectomy, then radiation. I was hoping to get by with a lumpectomy but no such luck. Worried about my reconstruction options because of my DD breasts and fat in all the wrong places according to the "lovely" plastic surgeon I won't be going back to. Hoping to find someone else at MSK in manhattan so I can stay with my bs. So far, I'm feeling great on day 2. I worked, exercised, and picked up my girls from school. Ironically, breast cancer has put my life in better balance. Hope I can keep that up.



What's your situation? I guess I could look up your previous posts and spare you the redundant effort, but I'd love to know how you're doing.

Love74

Masserz-it was 600 canadian. Are u in the US? Probably cheaper down there. I find the chemo salon more expensive than every other place but they have chemo knowledge and are really friendly.

JennL

Hills, I have a wonderful plastic surgeon in NY.  Dr. Lloyd Gayle, he is in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  He works with my BS (who was at sloan for many years until he left to create a breast center in brooklyn).  Dr. Gayle specializes in reconstruction for Breast cancer patients.  I love him, he is so kind and patient, he really has a wonderful bedside manner.  PM me if you need his info.

galena_79

Day 13. Dropped my mum and brother at the airport this morning. Was nice to see my mum, but not so much my brother. He's kind of like a 38 year old teenager. My husband got really annoyed with him being in the house.

Talking about being annoyed... I'm a little difficult to please right now...

-- I find myself getting annoyed with people who know but don't acknowledge that I have cancer. A simple "How are you feeling today?" will suffice in most cases.

-- But I also get annoyed with people who labour the point too much, "Tell me how you're REALLY feeling, it must be so awful."

-- Oh, and I find it really annoying when I'm feeling a bit blue and I tell someone, only to be told how important it is to have a good attitude right now. Maybe it's important for you to be a good listener right now!!!

-- One other thing, my GP practice has booked me in to see a nurse next week. So on top of chemo I am getting a cervical smear and diabetes check up next week. Seriously?!

The last couple of days I've had some indigestion and heartburn; treated with Acidex. I got annoyed with mouth ulcers and bought some Oracort, which has really helped. Also, my scalp has been itchy. My hairdresser shuts her salon at 3pm on Saturdays... so I'll be heading in then for the head shave. Eek!

OMG, lots of new posts; just a few responses...

brax- What do you think is behind the nose bleeds? Is it a hydration thing?

tc and fedfan- You should probably keep calling your Oncologist / the Onco nurses. If you don't get through, you might want to take a trip to the Emergency Department or the Oncology ward at the hospital. And do make a formal complaint about the response times, they need to know that they have to do better than this.

GeorgiaMom- I hope your first treatment went okay.

kltb- Must be a heavy topic, bringing up the C word with young kids. Glad you found a time that felt right.

Kim- Welcome to the Marchers lounge. I have also found the hospital staff really nice as well as professional, from the surgeons, nurses, oncologists, and the admin staff too.

Bev22- Welcome to the group. Sorry you need to be here, and what a sucky birthday present. I have 3 months of A/C, on a three-weekly cycle. Then I switch to Paclitaxel / Taxol, on a weekly cycle, for 12 weeks.

JoanG- And welcome to you too! I wish none of us had to be here. Sounds like it's not easy being a BC patient in Riyadh; lots of hoops to jump to make sure everything comes together. Having said that, it sounds like your treatments will come together nicely, quite possibly because of your own input!

Masserz- I have never heard of a sancuso patch before. What's it for? How have you found it?

lisajcj- I'm on A/C. I had constipation for 4 or 5 days. It wasn't that I was trying to push out pinecones, more that nothing much was happening at all! After that I had a day or two of diarrhoea. Lol, oh the things we share on here!

Love74- Eyebrow tattooing, what a cool idea! I really hope not to need it, but that's probably silly of me.

Zillamom2- Welcome to the board. Is this your second diagnosis???

Khintul- Wow, lots of newbies! Welcome, and I'm glad you find the thread useful. Seventy years sounds pretty wonderful to me right now. When I was first diagnosed I was so distraught. I thought I wouldn't make it to 35. But I'm feeling more positive now.

kokonut- Wow, how are you dealing with this new information? There is a section on the forum for Stage IV and Metastatic BC, which you may find useful. I hope your first chemo treatment went okay, and that the SE's aren't too bad.

Wow, sorry for my looong post. Just wanted to catch up with as many of you as possible.

I hope everybody's feeling happy today, with few side effects and lots of laughter.

zillamom2

Galena79 - This is my 2nd time. They are not sure if a new primary or a local recurrence. It has been 11 yrs since the 1st one. Actually today is my 11 yr anniversary since 1st diagnosed on 3/09/2001. Not sure how to react to that one.

tc9876

Galena, thank you for asking about me.  I did get to my Dr who immediately called me in for blood work which showed...NOTHING.  He said that my symptoms were likely due to something else (RIGHT!) but that my blood levels were reasonable.  I do think I was dehydrated although I thought I drank quite a bit of water...now to drink even MORE.

QuinnCat

I know I've read this on various threads but darn I can't find it.  What day or days do we lose our hair?  Just planning for when I'm on the road for a week starting tomorrow (with wig in hand).

Msbelle

Kam170: I am day15 and losing hair like crazy. If I touch it it comes out. I think I am going tomorrow for the big shave but scared. I'm telling myself the sooner I get it out the sooner it will grow back. Sounds good anyway! Good luck to you! Seems everyone is a few days give or take around day 14.

Love74

I started shedding on day 15 and today is day 1 of 2nd infusion. Lots of shedding today but probably still have about 60% of my stubble. It just gets thinner every day...and still no bald patches!

Kadia

I'm at day 11 and no shedding yet. One of my wigs arrived today and I'm actually looking forward to wearing it. It behaves so much better thn my real hair!

Masserz

Love74 i am in the US. I think my artist charges about 350 for eyebrows, but it depends somewhat on what you are doing. That's a lot of money for me right now, especially as I start shopping for double strollers and two bouncy seats and all the rest of the fustuff we'll need around the house for the grandbabies! : ). Not to mention I ordered the new iPad last night. Ladies, no shopping while feeling bad. It's dangerous!



Galena_79 I think we will all go through those moments with people. I'm in the boat of trying to fend off the 400 people who think they need to come visit me. Like it's the last time they'll ever see me or I'm bedridden or something. And my dad cries everytime I talk to him. I have a good outlook but it gets hard when everyone treats you like you are on your last leg. I'm not sure how the patch is working yet. They told me the meds they gave me in the IV yesterday would probably see me through until tomorrow, but they put the patch on just to be sure. It's not bothering me that I can tell, so I'll leave it be. It's probably good to have a steady stream of something in your system.



Cmclean ask away! I'm a very open person and don't mind sharing anything.



My day two went okay. I felt good in the morning, worked for a few hours and then went for a walk. It was sunny and 72 here so I had to get out. Forgot to put sunscreen on and got red shoulders in just 30 minutes. Adding that to the precautions list now. Then I went in for my Neulasta shot and IV hydration. Came home and took an hour long nap...ooops. Now I have what I would assume is heartburn (never had it before). It's prickly pain all through my chest and up into my jaw. Pretty uncomfortable but took some zantac and am hoping that does it. I'm super tired and can totally see going to bed early. Hopefully I can sleep tonight!



Hope everyone is doing well or at least hanging in!