Starting chemo Thursday, May 31 - June Group?

pamelahope

Ellebee, Remember, I struggle with fatigue so my experiences will most likely not be yours. Marcia was pretty functional on ac. I got my ac on Thursday and Friday I was fine to drive myself for my Nuelasta shot. Saturday and Sunday I spent in bed but could get out for brief periods. Basically I lacked stamina. I recommend Emend over Zyrtec. I had food aversions but it reminded me of pregnancy. The fatigue was bad. However, the good news is it shrunk my tumor.

I really think you will do better on the stamina then me. Pam

Marcia1111

ElleBee - I didn't work during AC, but plenty did.  What days do you work?  My MO has working women get tx on Thursdays so they have the weekend to recover.  My first AC, I did have to work the following Monday and Tuesday, but it was just sitting in a class.  After that, I was thankful to have the time off.  The hardest part for me was the fog in my brain.  You won't know how it's going to hit you until you have it.  I think I could have worked if I had to.

havingfaith

DorisMarie sorry if the fog hasn't lifted for you yet. My husband even said that I respond quicker now that I'm not on ac. I hope its coming for you. Ellebee, I did work my first week. It was probably my best. The second tx was the hardest. Do what you can to keep your blood platelets up. The third day was my hardest. I think by going in with the attitude you can do this will help. My onc said I can work and I did. Good luck!

christina0001

Just wanted to pop in and wish all you ladies (maybe guys too!) well. I finished chemo in late May. The road is long but you will get there. Sending prayers and good vibes that you have few side effects and that the good days outnumber the hard ones.

ElleBee

11th Taxol/Herceptin down today, ONE MORE TO GO!!! Then AC x 4, every other week. Only 5 sessions left? Really? And I might never have to do this again??? YAY!!! Oh excpet for the Herceptin for a year. Darn. Forgot that detail. Oh well.

Blood pressure was elevated today....sure  hope this chemo isn't damaging my heart. We'll see. I have to have an echo done before AC starts. 

How are you ladies?? How is taxol/taxotere going? 

Marcia1111

ElleBee - It's good to hear that you're almost done with thee first phase.  I wonder what the docrors use to figure out which course of chemo they choose for us.  I know it's pretty standard to give chemo if it's in the lymph nodes.  I guess our ER/PR and HER2 status also plays a role.  i think I just answered my own question.

I had 6/8 last Thursday, which was my second Taxol.  I spent the entire weekend glued to the couch between tiredness and bone pain.  Today was the first day of school for students and it wasn't too bad.  I had some pain, but Advil helped and the exhaustion I'm feeling is typical for the first day.

I hope everyone else is doing well!

Kimmie0247

My turn in the BGC this morning. It's my first Taxol treatment. I'm nervous, nervous, nervous!

steelersluver

Ellebee, I worked through AC and have completed 3 of 4 so far.  I get mine on Thursday so I have the weekend to recover.  I have not have the neulesta yet, so I do not have the added side effects from that to contend with, but my counts have been getting lower each infusion and I'm pretty sure I've reached the end of avoidance on the neulesta.  I don't think I'd be up to anything too strenuous the day after AC; I'm usually pretty fatigued, have a little queeziness, and usually have a low grade fever.  By Monday, I'm still fatigued, but the stomach feels better and I've gone to work most of the time (2 of 3).  I work an early shift starting at 6am with an hour commute, so I have left work early a few times due to fatigue.  I have trouble sleeping with the 4 days of steroids post-treatment, and I think that impacts my fatigue level. I go 3 weeks between infusions, and have worked most of the other days with some misses when temps have bumped up or my toes have gotten infected.  My last AC will be Thursday, then I'm on to 12 taxols starting 3 weeks later....just noticed my last taxol should be Thanksgiving day if I don't miss any.

ElleBee

Kimmie: Good luck today! I'll be thinking of you! You'll do great!

Steelersluver: Thanks so much for the info about work. That helps me a lot with the worry of AC. I plan to get my AC every other Monday. I teach Tue/Thu am this fall. It's a 40 minute commute...but the class is only 1.5 hour each day. I should be home by 1:00 and can nap before picking my son up. Then I will work on the weekends in the restaurant....that's more strenuous. Fatigue I can work through. Hell, I was always tired anyway with my crazy schedule. And Diarrhea is a common occurance for me too, so that's no big deal (for me). I am a frequent #2 kind of gal. Nausea though....that one is hard to work through surrounded by food. Fingers crossed.

Marcia: thankfully, at least at the time of my MRIs and ultrasounds back in May, I had no lymph involvement that they could see. Just those SIX nasty tumors spread throughout my breast, with most of them clustered across the top toward the armpit. If I were a candidate for a lumpectomy, they probably would have done that first. But since my breast is "so diseased" (per one radiologist) that is not an option at all. I have both IDC abd DCIS x 6 crammed into my little B-cup. They told me they wanted the chemo first to get those suckers shrunk down to give the surgeon better margins. My onc chose to start with Taxol Herceptin because of my Her2+ status. He said that one is the most beneficial to me, and that it has always made more sense to him to get that one going asap. He also said that doing weekly taxol before AC seems to be easier on his patients than the other way around. AC depletes people more than taxol (as you know better than me !), and they might not rebound as well during taxol. Having taxol first, I am going into AC with some anemia, but not alarmingly low. Platelets are fine. WBC are still in normal range. Glad your first day with kids went well! You are one tough cookie!

Marcia1111

ElleBee - (From one tough cookie to another)  I never knew I was this strong until I had to be.  I feel much better today than I did yesterday, so I'm hoping that I'm rebounding quicker than the last infusion.  I just scheduled my sub for #7/8 and saw that 8/8 is a day the children go home early  so I won't need a sub.  It feels so good to have an end in sight!  I contacted the RO today and am waiting for a return call so I can get that going. Ugh.  Don't wanna, but I have to.  It sounds as though your MO is a forward thinking doc.  I like that his reasoning.  Wow - that is quite a busy breast you have there.  I was an A or a B if I wore Victoria's Secret (so of course, I did).  My tumor was tiny. 1.1 cm and my BS was shocked when it turned out to be in my lymph nodes.  What kind of surgery are you planning on?

Kimmie - I hope your infusion went well and you have minimal SE!

steelerslvr - Congrats on finishing AC!

stephanie - I hope you're doing okay!

steelersluver

I'm not convinced tumor size has anything to do with it getting into the lymph nodes.  Like Marcia, mine were small (under 1 cm), and I had a favorable MRI and U/S, so my surgeon was surprised to get a positive sentinal node on the last one checked.  They also knew I had 2 tumors going into the mastectomy, but found a third in the pathology, so I guess why they advise the mastectomy for the multiple tumor people.  As an A cup, there would have been nothing left of me anyway!

 Ellebee, you are probably right that the weekend work will likely be the hardest, and you'll have had a few days to recover, so it sounds like a reasonable schedule to try; just be willing to know when to take the day off if you have to because pushing it too hard never seems to end well. I never had full blown nausea...more like a pregnancy aversion type queeziness that got a little better every day.  It sounds like a good plan your doc has for you to keep you as strong as possible.  I'm looking forward to getting that last AC done and hoping the taxol is easier as it seems to be for most people! 

Kimmie0247

So far so good. I was able to go to the grocery store and put the groceries up! Yay! I slept through most of the treatment. My nurse advised me to take Claritin tonight and every night for the next 5 days. Not only to help with my Neulasta shot but also head off any joint inflammation or pain the Taxol may cause. She also let me know that a good substitute for port numbing cream was Preperation H!! Who knew ??

havingfaith

I just got back from my 2nd tx of Taxol. I feel very light headed and sleepy. 

Kimmie- I need to go grocery shopping and figure out dinner tonight.  I have back to school night for my oldest son.  Right now that seems overwhelming, but I know I will pull it off some how.

Only two more to go.  My onc. started talking about radiation after I was done.  Who else well be moving onto radiation? to be honest I'm not looking forward to radiation.

StephanieJM

Having faith-  I had my second Taxol yesterday.  They did not give me as much benedryl as the first infusion now that they know how I will react to Taxol, but was still prettty drousy.  I was so hoping I could skip the neulasta shot today as my wbc have been up every time, but really crashed yesterday.... I was even concerned that I would get the taxol infusion.  After #1 Taxol, my legs hurt so bad, they felt it was a combination of the taxol and neulasta together.  I am taking claritin now, also doing the glucosimine, b6 and carnitine.  I have had little neuropothy, I find it worst if I go bare foot.  For those of you taking this the onc. NP said do not take close to bedtime as it is hard on your stomach.  So I try to take it with a meal.  I've had enough stomach trouble already!!

I am having a month off after chemo and then 5 weeks of daily radiation.  From people I have talked to it is easy compared to chemo.  Someone who just finished said she was tired and sore.  I think it does cause fatigue and then the skin is sore like a sunburn.  Like all the rest of it..... we will see. 

I'm curious if anyone know with taxol, about when do we lose eyelashes, brows!!   Seems like someone said after #2. 

Hope all of you are doing well.  Bless you.  STephanie

Marcia1111

havingfaith - I have 2 more Taxols and then I will have radiation.  I have my consultation with the RO tomorrow.  I am not looking forward to radiation either, but will do what he recommends.  I had a BMX thinking that I would avoid rads, but surprised the BS when she found it in my lymph nodes.

Stephanie - I had my second Taxol last week and have noticed major thinning of my brows and lashes in the past few days.   

havingfaith

Thanks Stephanie and Marcia- I hope I'll get a little break before radiation, by having a BMX I was hoping to avoid it also.  My eyebrows are very minimal now and I lost a big clump of eyelashes this weekend when I was trying to get ready to go out to a nice dinner with my husband.

Everyone have a great day!!!!

StephanieJM

Having Faith and Marcia, it seems like we are all on the same regimen here.  I was surprised to still have this "baby fuzz" hair, I just assumed I would be totally bald.  Not that it matters just surprised.

Regarding radiation, they said I would get a month off between chemo and radiation, so I was assuming that my last chemo being on Sept. 19th, then I would have 2 weeks to get it out of my body, then a month off but the onc said, that the month starts from the day of chemo.... so that is good news for us.  We live about 90 miles from the hospital and have to go over a small coastal range that can get pretty bad by Thanksgiving.  So this will be moving the rad. schedule up to better weather.  We do have some options for staying near the hospital.... just trying to figure it out.  And Wow, it would be great to get this finished by Thanksgiving!!  I had previously thought Christmas. 

Hope school is going well for you Marcia.  Bless you both.  Stephanie

Kimmie0247

Anyone have a blood clot caused by chemo? I'm currently in the hospital with blood clot in right lung

StephanieJM

Kimmie, I am so sorry to hear this.  Do they think it is chemo related?  How did they discover you had it?   Get well soon!!!

Kimmie0247

My right leg swelled up and when I called the Onc on call I was told to report straight to ER. Ultra sound and ct confirmed blood clot in right lung. Onc says it is a side effect of Chemo

havingfaith

Kimmie, so sorry. I hope you get better soon. I haven't heard of that happening. Let us know how you are doing.

steelersluver

Wow Kimmie, that's scary.  I hope you are better soon!

Marcia1111

kimmie- I hope you feel better.

The RO said I could start rads 2 weeks after chemo.  I will go for 28 treatments.  He was very calm and reassurring as well as  quite knowledgeable.  I feel much better about it.

Kimmie0247

Thanks y'all. I'm out of the hospital. I had shot 1 of 180 of Fragmin today. Taxol is the culprit of the blood clot......that's the one side effect that was never discussed at chemo....blood clots

Kimmie0247

Btw....I was not able to take my Claritan after chemo. OMG can I tell the difference! My hips to my toes feel like they are in a vice. I'm going to take my Claritan and a pain pill and chill on the pretty Saturday! Hope everyone else is doing well

pamelahope

Kimmie, I have a blood clotting disorder and clotted in my left leg in the femoral vein years ago. I am sorry to learn about your clot. You will be all right. I was on Coumadin but am now on Fragmin like you. I found wearing a compression sock helpful and walking a lot helpful. My legs are the same size today and can walk five miles a day, when not on chemo.

Having faith and Marcia, I have to do radiation too. Nowadays, they seem to recommend it to almost everyone. I am dreading it. However, I am hearing it is not so bad. I still don't want it...unhappy about...

Pam

StephanieJM

Kimmie, Glad you are home and I hope things go better from now on!

Marcia, Isn't it interesting that you have 28 treatments, why not 25 or 30.... they just told me 5 weeks, do might also be 28.

I am on day 5 of taxol #2 and terrible leg bone pain, took Norco again all night and yesterday, can barely make it to the 6 hour mark.  I am also taking a generic claratin, although I didn't have this much pain with the neulasta shot before so think it is the Taxol.  Doesn't seem like anyone else has mentioned bone pain this bad.  Thankfully, I only have 2 more rounds, and last time it did seem better during the second week.

Hope everyone enjoys a beautiful weekend.  Bless you. 

Marcia1111

Stephanie, I thought the 28 sounded off, so I questioned him and he said it would be 5 1/2 weeks.  I'm not sure why.  I should have asked but didn't think of it at the time.  I don't want to do it, but so many seem to be doing 35 so I guess I'm lucky to get off with a few less.

steve-billiemae

   Everyone: We've both been in good spirits of late. Personally it seems alot of doors are opening, possible move, jobs are non-stop...but then here comes the rain again. Everyone believes that the biggest contributer to her cancer is ovaries. Now 2 count'em 2 obgyn's can't seem to find them! They're over producing, so they're there. And worst of all, the second dr has found 3 that masses they are wanting to go back  in and remove...yuck. Just took her last treatment yesterday and we maybe back to square one!!! Trying to keep our chins up, pray for the best, and brace for the worst. Good news though...yes there is a silver lining...boob drs will be meeting with us in a week or so...GIGGITTY!!! 

  We both keep ya'll in our prayers and wish you well,

  Steve & Billiemae 

ElleBee

Oh my gosh Kimmie! How frightening! I am so glad you are on the mend, and they caught that clot before it could do any damage. My goodness. It would be really nice to deal with JUST cancer, wouldn't it?

Marcia: Hope school is still going well! So you do radiation M-F? How long does it take each time? I am so curious about radiation. I have no idea if I am getting it or not.

Stephanie: Your bone pain sounds terrible. I am on another forum where women are complaining of the bone pain as well, so you are not alone. I get a little bone pain...hips, arms, and face...but it is not severe. My taxol has been weekly though (x12). There is nothing worse than being in pain and not being able to do anything about it. Make sure you are pushing your water to get that nasty Taxol out of your system as fast as possible.

Pam: Are your boys back to school yet? How are you feeling?

Steve & Billiemae: Oh no....more tumors? Geez! I also had my hormones tested right before my diagnosis b/c my periods had suddenly got really irregular. Anyway, I have elevated estrogen too. Not terribly high, but an imbalance. And my cancer is ER+. When I spoke to the GYN about that, he didn't say he thinks it's related, but I am not so sure. Will Billiemae be on hormone suppression therapy?

So my last Taxol is tomorrow! YAY!!! I had a rougher week this week with side effects. Each week has gotten a little tougher. I am getting a week off before starting AC. I am thrilled for that week off!

So last night we went to a birthday party for a little girl down the street. The adults hung out while the kids ran around and played. It was really nice. Then at 4am I woke up from a noise outside. I could see around the shade those flashing red and blue lights. I looked outside and there were police cruisers in front of my house, and every fire truck in the city was on the street. I woke up Greg and we both went outside. The house next door to the birthday party was ON FIRE! Thankfully no one lives there...it was foreclosed and the city took it over and just finished rennovating it and put it on the market. But our friends had parked both of their cars in that driveway to have them out of the way for the party. Both of their cars are burned down to the steel frames. No idea if any houses next to it were damaged. But the fire spread through the house SO QUICKLY. Very scary. I can see how people can get trapped in their homes and not get out in time. So thankful that no one was hurt.

Also, this week I took the kids to a restaurant for dinner. There was a lady there who is a survivor and she stopped to talk with us. Later after we were eating, the waittress came over to tell me that the lady had payed our bill! WOW. I have met some wonderful people during this process. I cannot wait to pay it forward for someone when I can say I am 7-years cancer free!