March 2012 chemo

Lumpynme

onvacation: re your cousin- first; i am sorry to see that she has this cancer- ya know- each of us is so different in what our bodies are doing, what our SE's are etc etc..you can see that from reading these boards...i have tried to remain positive and for 99% of the time i am and i think it helps- and i am not having to WORK at it --but that is me..some days i wonder if i am in denial? i don't think so...

when i was first dx, my hubby called a very very dear friend of his and put me on teh phone- i love her to death but she depressed me and she cried when she thought about what i was going to have to do to get well- i choose not to talk to her anymore than i have to- again; i love her to death but she depressed me! i tried to explain that to hubby; he got offended that i said that...

you need to surround yourself in people and things that give you pleasure and strength; yes, face facts however also realize that this is YOUR body and YOU can choose who to be with and what to think--i am not saying that this whole thing is going to be a piece of cake for yo- i could only wish that!

ok- i'm rambling but i hope that you get my point!

KCB

Thanks all: temp is totally normal, appetite good (which you know makes me happy), I feel ok to wait the sore throat out a bit. I thought I heard/read that this could happen so I rifled through all my printed info to find where I'd seen it: of course can't find it.

So yesterday: a gorgeous meal made for me by a beloved aunt: chicken breast, marinated in something delish, roasted new potatoes, green beans, and the best part, who knew: kale! Steamed then stirfried a little with butter, garlic, a splash of balsamic, and then some emmentaler cheese shaved on top and melted. (remember I did not make this). It was my first attempt at flavour and it was heavenly! I had smallish portions but it felt good to eat like a person again.

Still waiting for the major fog to lift. Can't really imagine being anything but a waste of space at work this week.

Gayle56

Florida 55 - I was planning on only having radiation but my Onco score, which was much lower than yours at 20, still had my drs. recommending chemo because of having a Grade 3. My tumor was also was very small with no node involvement.  I will be having my last treatment on Tuesday.  I have had 3 treatments TC  so far which is Taxotere and Cytoxan. I had it once every 3 weeks. I haven't had terrible side effects - the first few days mostly tired and nauseous.  The nausea lasted the longest on the third treatment (almost a week) and the meds worked for that.  So the first week I felt similar to having the flu, the second week still tired but better and the third week usually feeling a bit tired but that is it.  I did lose my hair during the third week. Everyone is different so everyone that has the same meds will have a different story. 

Gayle

diamondslayer

Hello ladies. Well,  you can definately add me to the Marchers for chemo now. I have my first chemo treatment tomorrow. Saw the MO last Monday, had my chemo 101 class on Friday, and the nutritionist/dietitian. I am to get 4 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks, as long as my counts stay above low. I am getting Taxotere and Cytoxan. I have taken my first dose of Dexamethason this morning and wondering if I'll get any SE from it.

My DH is going with me to my chemo tomorrow. I know he's getting tired of all these appointments. Sometimes he grumbles, sometimes he's pretty quiet. He keeps reflecting back to when he took care of his mother for 3 years. He was mid 20's and had to quit college to come home. She had brain cancer. Of course it is now 40 years later but for him it's like not so long ago. He told me to expect all our/my friends and family to be scarce and no one to help b/c that's what happened to him. Even his brother only helped out once that entire time. So I'm showing him that its not like that any more. My friends and family have been pretty good. And my work mates too. At least they check in on me.

I don't get my port until this coming Thursday, I'm a little nervous about that one. I'm going to call my bs office to see how many of these he's put in. My youngest daughter will come by prob Mon and Thurs after work to see how I'm doing. I told her not to take off work for my chemo as she doesn't need all that time off.

As far as losing hair, I have been joking with others about it and said no wig for me, just hats and scarves, it's only hair lol. Not sure how I'll really be when it starts. Anyway, my dh asked me to go to one of his meetings in another town just to get me out of the house. On the way home, he started talking about losing hair (he is bald on the top and has been for over 25+ years).  He said I know some of you laugh and joke about losing your hair from chemo but let me tell you... I was absolutely devastated when mine started falling out. It was one of the most traumatic and degrading experience in my life. To me its no laughing matter so I don't see how you can talk that way about your hair. So I told him that for me... it's only hair, it's not me, I am not defined by my hair, and mine will grow back so I figure it "shouldn't" be so traumatic for me. I then said... I can understand how it would be for you, since yours would not be growing back. I will wear my baldness like a badge of courage!  Then last night he said... you weren't the point of derrogatory remarks like ... you been sliding on the sidewalk on your head? And other things. I told him after 65 years he should know that some people are insensitive, rude, ignorant and just down right mean and cruel with some subjects. I let him talk and rant though as it seems to make him feel better about my cancer and treatments.

My 1 complaint is that my MO said I cannot return to work until I have recovered after my treatments. I don't lift anything heavy or vaccuum but I am on my feet almost all day during my shift. He said that would put too much stress on my body/system with this aggressive treatment. I just hope the company doesn't decide to let me go. Even though I am a jeweler, I only work in my home shop making jewelry and doing repairs for others. At work I am only a jewelry consultant. But we always have to be busy with something when we're not waiting on clients.

munnybunni

diamondslayer....wow...i never thought of that about hair.....the other day i bought three hats...two pink one white..kinda baseball looking ...but they have what I call "fairy dust" on them.  I did get a wig from a place nearby called Stewarts Caring Place that provides free wigs.  I kinda look like Vicki Lawrence from the tv show "Mama"...when i look in the mirror...so i am not sure if i will wear it.

I start chemo on March 22...thursday...4 rounds..3wks apart of A/C  then tamoxifen for 5 years as my Mammoprint was 22-29% recurrence in 5 years.

Daily...every moment keep thinking of March 22...wondering...trying to anticipate what will come through this walk of chemo.  My hubbie wants to go to every chemo...even though others have offered to go...he said he wants to be there for me...no one else.

He started losing his hair about 4 years ago...he is now 68 almost 69...and about two years ago he just started having his barber lady shave it off...and said now we will look like twins for a bit.  My hair is natural curly...i just shampoo...sometimes blow dry it...sometimes not...and it just does it own thing.  Am hoping when it comes back that it will be curly again...as I have no clue about perms and that like my mother and sister had to do.

My sister had chemo  ...and never lost her hair...she was stage 4..when diagnosed...back in 2002 and she passed away in 2004.  Unfortunately, she never had mammograms or pap tests for many years...and then when she was diagnosed and had her lumpectomy and then a mastectomy...and then radiation...she had no health insurance...she finally after 7 months got insurance through open enrollment to start the chemo..but it was stage 4 metastised..

My BS told me mine is 1a...and caught early...and lots has even changed since she was diagnosed...because i broke down an cried when BS told me and said to her...i feel like i have been handed a death sentence like my sister.  WHen I said it..it sounded so harsh...and I have not forgiven my self for saying that regarding my sisters cancer.

Good luck to you

QuinnCat

Florida55 - our dx are somewhat similar.  Your tumor is smaller, my Onco score is smaller, but we are both grade 3 and in the high category.  My PR is almost negative, but still scored a 5.7 (I think) on the onco, so barely positive.  ER 12.5  I'm getting Adriamycin/Cytoxin 4x every 2 weeks, then Taxol 4x every 2 weeks.  Hair started coming out day after 2nd chemo.  My MO is adding carboplatin at the end because he thinks it works on BRCA cancers....I'll be interested to see what your MO Rxs.

galena_79

I am at the hospital now. My port would not work, so the nurse injected some drug into it to dissolve any blockages.

She took bloods from my arm. Hopefully those results will be ready when my port is okay to go.

I am scared my port will still be bung. I don't want to need x-rays and whatever else may be needed to fix it.

:’(

onvacation

Galena - hoping they fix your port up!

onvacation

So my port goes in tomorrow morning.  I have to be at the hospital at 7.30 for a 10.30 operation.  I am feeling good about it, hope it is a non-event!

Hope everyone is enjoying thier weekends!

Cheers! 

kltb04

Aww Galena, I hope that they get it "unclogged".



Kim - good luck tomorrow. Mine went really smoothly and was just under "conscious sedation". (my complications were from the earlier infection and not the port. )

Sissydi

My first tx , my port was clogged; they injected so e Heparin, and let me sit for 30 minutes, then ta da! It worked like a charm! The nurse said they do that sometimes

Hannahsnana

Wow sorry to see there is an unfortunate 53 here.  Been scanning trying to catch up!  I have been working 41-43 hrs a week and been just too tired to get on the site at night.  Make it to the recliner and then to bed early and I'm done!!  I did sit in the porch swing a little while and visited with friends that brought dinner last Thursday.  Weather and everything blooming has helped me a lot.  Stayed outside all afternoon yesterday with the grandkids and had a cousin bring in a wonderful lunch today!  Homemade chicken salad croissants and tomato basil soup!  yum! After a morning shower it has been beautiful today too!

I have been thinking of all you that started the week I did and hoping for easy SEs this coming week with #2!

Galena, my thoughts are with you and hoping they get you fixed up as easy as Sissydi although I hate you both had to deal with it. 

Masserz, I was thinking of you too and it sounded like you were doing as well as possible until the last day or so.  Please do get yourself checked on soon and good luck!

Shera, the last time I was here you were not and had not been for a few days!  Was worried and glad to see you back up and running!  Enjoyed the last pic as much as the first!

I wore my 1st hat to work Friday....my hair was shedding and untouchable until yesterday and my daughter came and shaved it to 1".  I did not sleep good last night cause it felt like some one was pulling it all nite.  Actually woke up w/headache, but it went away pretty quick.  I need to try a satin pillow case or a sleep cap I guess until it finishes coming out.  No actual bald spots yet, but it is very thin.  Course, that has always been the case with me.  Guess we will all have to deal with this issue.  But, as diamondslayer says "its just hair!"

Hope you all have a good week!

Kadia

Galena, I hope the port is up and running soon!

Hannahsnana, the hair coming out really is uncomfortable, isn't it? I didn't expect that it would be so painful on the scalp. I ended up shaving mine down to practically the skin, and it feels much better--not so much pulling at the follicles, I guess. 

ladyfighter

Is it normal to have port surgery one day and have chemo the very next day? I m having port on wed then 1st chemo AC next day? I'm nervous about all this. I see some of you have had chemo 101 classes? My mo never offered or mentioned ?

ladyfighter

Shera, beautiful painting, love it.

ladyfighter

Shera, beautiful painting, love it.

Myleftboob

Hey Ladyfighter

I have heard of others getting the port one day and TX the next yes and were fine.  I didn't find the instertion of it all that bothersome at all so I can see how its possible.  I never went to chemo class either and kind of glad I didn't.  When I was leaving the chemo area after my first TX (was one of the last ones out of there) there were about 30 people milling around waiting on the tour.  It appeared that most of them were there with sig others/parents.  To me they looked scared silly and honestly I don't think I could have dealt with that.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss at least for me on some level.   A friend of mine went through it a few years ago and she found the experience not so hot too.

Diamondslayer

Good wishes for an uneventful and minimal SE TX tomorrow

DeesDaughter

I am starting on March 27th. TCx4. I am so happy I found this topic.....wishing everyone strength as we go through our treatments.  

DeesDaughter

Hi Ladyfighter - I will have my port inserted the day before surgery also. This is the norm at my hospital ....so I was told.

journey4life

Hi sister Marchers!

shera, love the painting! What a great outlet for all the emotions BC brings.

For those on A/C every 2 weeks - when did your hair start falling out? Some ladies have said 14 days and some have said it took longer. Did it start before your second tx? Just trying to get ready...

diamond - after a BC dx, I think each of us looks for something that we can joke about. You've chosen to be lighthearted about your impending hair loss. I hope your DH will come around and be able to laugh with you.

munny - were you BRCA tested?

journey4life

myleft - how awful chemo 101 was done in a group setting! My clinic schedules it on an individual basis which is much more personal and less intimidating.

galena - hope your port got unplugged!  I'm sure you're feeling like "enough already!"

Welcome to all the new Marchers! Wish that you didn't have to join us but together, we'll get through this and kick FC to the curb! 

kltb04

Ladyfighter - I was told that you could even have port surgery and then chemo the SAME day - that would have been a bit much for me though.

As far as classes, my MO just told me that I would have "education" before my first TX and when they gave me a printout of the appt it had about 20 minutes blocked out as an appt w/her...so I don't know if it is just individual talking with her about the chemo or if I am actually going to some kind of "class".  My first TX is supposed to be tomorrow.

shera

Galena -- hoping that you're port works soon. sorry you have to deal with added worry. 

 

Katy -- I had sore throat during week 2, very painful to swallow, I was worried. Had throat culture (ruled out strep) and was told to 'swallow' miracle mouth wash, because it might be thrush. I did this... swallowed just a little a couple times... gross, but sore throat went away. 

 

Masserz -- that is the best compliment... to be able to connect like that. Thank you for telling me. Made my day! And thank you to the rest of you with kind words regarding my art 

 

munnybunni and diamondslayer -- your stories regarding family members who lost the cancer battle are truly sad. This effing disease has cut too many lives short. 

 

Ladyfighter - thank you!  Thats seems rather quick about your port then chemo. I was originally scheduled a week apart -- but I had SNB at same time as port, so needed to heal. Maybe they are not concerned about healing and infection with port placement... though I would inquire. Pretty sure you have the right to tell them you want to wait a week. It'd be a good week to heal and prepare for chemo. Cancer takes years to form, one week won't make a difference other than allow you time to get prepared. The chemo classes explain side-effects and ways to deal with them. Its pretty important. Maybe others will chime in. 

 

Kadia -- I think the buzz is coming soon. I'm nervous about seeing myself bald. It might just be hair... but its supposed to be on our heads! Wish I could have that attitude, but I'm 44 and have had long hair since 6th grade... and I might be a cancer patient, but I really don't want to look like one. Oh well... suck it up baby. 

Anyway -- its itchy and the shedding is getting too much for me... and its getting so thin on top.. well.. I may have to see what I look like bald, but I do NOT have to see what I would look like with a Skullet.  

  

 

NOT a good look for anyone!  

journey4life

Karri - good luck with your tx tomorrow!

shera - TOO FUNNY!

galena_79

Okay I'm home again now.

The port still didn't work.

So a different nurse had several goes at accessing it.  First with the same length needle, then with a longer one.  She said that usually she can feel the base of the port when she pushes in the needle, but she couldn't with me.

Eventually she started getting blood back on it, and she thought it was good enough to use.

Afterwards she said that she would have fainted.  She must have tried about 4 or 5 times.  And unfortunately I might have this problem with every infusion.

 

So they went ahead with treatment #2, and there was no extra pain or swelling.  I'm feeling a little woozy now, but otherwise fine.  Going to watch a movie now and take sips of water.

Thanks for the well wishes, you guys rock.   

kltb04

Oh boo.  So are they going to do anything about it or just fight with it each and every time?  Glad things went well otherwise...rest up.

ladyfighter

Myleftboob, thanks for info ! I saw we having similar diagnosis , did u have lumpectomy? And oncotype test? I don't understand how all MO 's give different cocktails ? I'm getting Adriamycin and cytoxan with aloxi and decadron 4 x every 2 weeks then taxol 4 x every 2 weeks then herceptin alone at the end ? How often or how long? I dont know yet. Also getting neulasta injections a day after AC. Are you getting radiations ?



Thank you for info ! Deesdaughter, lisajcj, and Shera, kitb04



I'm trying to gather all info I copied to my notes app in my iPad . I know everyone is different with side effects, that is one I dread! Am I allowed to take iPad to treatments ? I don't want benadryl!! I hate it! I saw some here were included in cocktail? Can I tell them no or is it required ?? There are so many questions but don't want to crowd up in this page ugh.



Thank you marchers! Xoxox

NatsFan

I had my port placed the day before my first chemo.  Ask your surgeon who is placing the port to "pack it off"- meaning when they insert the needle at surgery to test the port, they leave the needle in - they put lots of gauze and a bandage to hold the needle in place.  The next day when you get to your MO, the nurses can take off the bandages and the needle is already in place - it saves you having a needle put back into sensitive skin.

galena_79

Probably fight with it each time.

Not looking forward to that.

The nurse suggested I take a sedative before my next appointment. 

ladyfighter

I'm so sorry galena!



Thank u so much nansfan I will tell my surgeon !