Sept 2012 chemo

amylovesbubby

Trying this again looking for others to share the journey! I start 8/30. A/C ×4. Taxotere× 4.

Moderators

Thanks for starting the September thread, Amylovesbubby!

We'd like to share some helpful links, starting with the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Chemotherapy, including what to expect, types of chemo meds, and side effect management.

There are some really helpful key threads here in the Chemo forum too!

Great tips and practical advice on the following discussion board threads:

• Tips for getting through chemotherapy
• More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
• PORT PLACEMENT: Detailed description of process
• Head Covering Options for Hair Loss
• wig advice
• Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair

Hope this helps!

--Your Mods

amylovesbubby

Anyone?

SandeeAR

I start September 5th with A/C for 4 times every 3 third week.  Then 6.5 weeks for Radiation.

Neta69

Hi there. I'm starting TCx4 this Friday. Very nervous. Just wrote a shopping list after reading the tips above and will try and prepare for any side effects but I really have no idea how bad this will be. If I'm lucky I'll be done by Halloween. Encouraged by all the other ladies saying how it's tough but doable.

amylovesbubby

SandeeAR. I start now on the 4th of Sept. A/C ×4 then taxotere ×4 then fads 6 weeks. Do you have a port?



Neta69: got shopping list too. Very nervous. Getting port Thursday. You have a port?

Neta69

No port. Im only having 4 and they said I probably wont need one. I think it depends on your chemo drugs too. Some are harder on the veins.

bearcub

I start Sept,5th....nervous too, but let's get this done. I am getting 4 AC then radiation, not sure how many, then Tamoxifen and 17 Herceptin.

Chemo lesson August 31, a mugga scan and a port....

amylovesbubby

Bearcub.......yep, lets get it done. I am getting mugga scan too.

Abby20

I am starting Sep 18 ... not looking forward to it

amylovesbubby

Abby20 I am right there with u!

Romey

Amy and Abby, I am supposed to be starting the first week in Sept. also not sure of the drugs yet. In the begining I was told by my breast surgeon that I would have my lumpectomy first, but she wanted me to meet with the oncologist beforehand (I had a new small mass near my sternum discovered by MRI). He recommended we do the chemo first as I am triple neg. and they want to make sure what ever meds they use are effective. I have a PET scan scheduled for today, I meet w/ Onc. on Friday for results. He said Chemo class next week and then I would start chemo the following week after Labor Day holiday. Of course this is all pending based on todays PET scan. Keep your fingers crossed that this new mass is just a false positive!! By the way Amy, I had a port put in due to pregnancy complications a few years ago, and it was a piece of cake, didn't feel anything, Good luck Thurs.

chitown3

hi gals---I start August 28.......nervous to. Joining your club...and will also be done by Halloween. TC x 4 no port.

Most worried about the hair thing as I have big meeting  at work the week my hair will "release"

question for you all---what is a bubba scan? 

Camillia

Hello, I start chemo on the 30th. On day after my kids start school. 4 rounds of TC. No port for me either, my onco said I shouldn' need it. I am getting my hair cut short this afternoon. I am as ready as it gets... I agree, let's get this done

Romey, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

amylovesbubby

Romey .........I am also triple neg. Thanks for info on port. Hoping I will be able to atleast have a good week or two with my son before chemo. Hope all goes well with pet scan.



CHITOWN3....I am worried about hair too. Mugga scan is a heart test.



Camillia......how's your hair cut? I was gonna start on the 30th but got pushed back a few days......now Sept 4th.

Camillia

Surprinsingly enough, we all love my new haircut here at my house! It was such a great move, I am glad I got it out of the way. My 6 year old was so worried, it's that much she doen't have to sress about anymore ;-)

Anyone else thinking about icing their nails or doing cold caps? I am thinking icing my nails, but obviously not my hair ;-)

bearcub

I have cut my nails real short and have 2 coats of clear nail polish. I still have not cut my hair, it's almost to my waist. I think it will be soon though...one way or another its going!! still waiting for a date for the mugga and port..requisitions are in. I will be done chemo early November then rads and Herceptin...it's going to be a long haul.

amylovesbubby

Glad u like your hair cut. I will be icing my nails. No cold caps.



My hairs was half way down my back, cut it above my shoulders. Thinking of cutting it one more time.



Port tomorrow but now have chest congestion. Calling doc soon to see if that's a problem.

Camillia

Looks like a few of us had really long hair I was so bummed about loosing my hair, it was worse than loosing my breast for me. Of course it's not completely gone and that will be another thing, but cutting it short has made me realized that I can do this. I will be ordering scarfs and hats today. Any of you done that yet?

I will be calling my dr to make sure it's ok that I ice my nails as well.I am also going to get clear nail polish within the next few days.

No port for me. Have you called your dr about chest congestion?

OH! And did any of you hear anything about not eating any raw food after treatment? I haven't had my class on chemo yet (it's right before my 1st infusion, which I find odd). No raw veggies, no salads...???

bearcub

I thinks my hair will be cut short this week, I ordered a wig and bought scarves and buffs which I love even with hair...not too sure about wearing a wig but I prefer to not be noticed when I am shopping so for that the wig will be worn.



How do you ice the nails?



Amy good luck with the port hope your congestion goes away.



I have to have the mugga scan because of the her2+ which means 17 rounds of Herceptin in a IV drip. A port is a must, OMG I wish it was only 4 rounds of chemo and rads....as soon as my surgeon said her2+ I knew it was going to be a long haul...and I heard your hair growth is soon slow on Herceptin. GGGgggrrrr!



Romney good luck with the PET scan.



Let's kick this cancer thing in the a**.....Bring it on ! We are a tough bunch!

amylovesbubby

Camillia....doc said congestion not a problem, as long as no fever. During my last surgery my husband and family went down to cancer resource center and got me a wig,scarf and sleeping caps haven't heard about raw foods.



Bearcup....8 rounds t rads for me



Got a call from hospital today (day before port) saying because I have no insurance that I have to pay $5000 in order to get port. OMG.......we have made payment agreements for previous services, too much $ outstanding to let me put down payment etc! Had to pay!!!!! Want this cancer GONE! Wish me luck on port tomorrow. Blessing to all of us.

bearcub

OMG Amy that is awful that you have to pay that. Sure makes me glad I am in Canada.

My family all left the states 2 generations ago, so I love the states to visit but our health care removes so much stress. Good luck with the port.



8 rounds of rads?..is that 8 weeks



I have a chemo lesson on the 31st so I will find out about raw fruits and veggies then.



Hang in there everyone

bearcub

www.headcovers.com has some nice hats and scarves and wigs

bearcub

Okay got up this morning had a shower and braided my long hair and chopped the braid off. I felt somewhat in control of all this when I did it myself. Then I went to town and cut it the rest of the way in a short style...not really liking the new look but a few weeks from now I will be wishing I had this much hair...so I am moving forward!...

jojo2373

Hi sisters! I start next friday. 4 rounds of AC then same of Taxol. Doing chemo first, then surgery, then rads, then tamoxifen. Lets do this together!

Neta69

Hi ladies, I cut my hair in a bob and went wig/headscarf shopping the other day. My 11 year old daughter gave the styrofoam wig holder head a makeover and we talked about me being bald. Oh it's sad! I hear your scalp hurts as if your hair was in a too tight braid when it comes out.



4 rounds of TC (no port) starting tomorrow if all goes well. I've had some problems with my wound so we shall see. I'm terrified but will att the same time be strangely dissapointed if it doesn't happen.



Is anyone doing the Neulasta or Neupogen injection? Ive heard something about Clarityn to help with the pain of it. Does anyone know?

Camillia

Bearcub; good for you! It took so much weight off my shoulders after I got my haircut! Are you getting used to your short style? I love how easy it is to care for and how it felt while I was running this morning. I am actually thinking maybe I'll alway keep it somewhat shorter from now on   I am in VT now but I was born and grew up in Quebec. 

Amy, I am soooo sorry to hear about your insurance! There has to be something that can be done???? Gosh, that must bring a ton of worries that you really dont need or shouldn't have to deal with at the moment. On the other hand, I am glad to hear that you were still able to get your port. How did it go?

I too ordered some stuff from headcovers.com. I cant wait to see how it fits. I do not plan on wearing a wig, I am hoping I can make the scarfs and hats work. I am a stay at home mom, so I dont really have to worry about my hair and the stuf they have available really looks cute. I also went to uor local American Cancer Society  today for a Look Good Feel Good  session. Came out all caked up, LOL! It was fun. 

Hi Jojo & Neta. Sorry to have to meet you here but glad you found us. Neta, looks like you will be first. I hope all goes well tomorro if you do get chemo. Let us know how you are doing if you get the chance to. I will keep my fingers crossed for all of us that we all have as little side effects as possible I will be taking Neulasta a as well and am really curious to hear how to take claritin to help with the bone pain as well. I will check it out on the boards.

Camillia

I am copying what a few ladies had told me about Neulasta shots a little bit erlier. Hope this helps!

"I had neulasta and had minimal bone pain in my jaw, neck and chest for 2 days after - I made sure to take Tylenol and Claritan an hour before the shot and for 3 days after (once a day) and that helped.  Warm baths and heating pad."

bearcub

Camillia, I am getting used to it, it's real short in the back, but I think I could get used to it and my DH liked it. He said it would be easy to look after and even easier in a few weeks...lol..what a sweetie. When we shave it we are going to try a Mohawk and some lightening stripes on the side....just because I will never get the chance to do that again ...I hope. I am going to Look good Feel good on sept 10th...hope I feel up to it as chemo starts on the 5th.



I did order a wig, but probably will only use it on the rare occasion, a beanie, and some scarves..I grabbed some buffs from Ardenes..a small store here that I think will work great.



Your a runner, hope you can continue on your good days or at least walk. I use my stationary bike 22 km. 6 days a week....I plan on doing the best I can through treatment,at least on good days.



Jojo and Neta good luck girls...fill us in, hope it goes well.



I heard about Clariton too for the Neulasta shots..1 day before and 3 days after..just read it somewhere so I don't know for sure.

chitown3

Hi gals---I have not heard of icing the nails?  what is that aimed to prevent?

Hang in there girls we will get through this!!!!!

amylovesbubby

Hi ladies, port placed yesterday not very pleasant at all. Worse than last 2 surgeries. Woke up fine from local......ready to eat something fattening. Nurse said no take it slow. Ended up eating only crackers and sprite all day. My head and shoulder hurt so bad I cried and felt nauseous all evening. My 2 1/2 yr old was calling for me at bed time (hurt worse than phsyical pain) today is much better, got up and made coffee and breakfast than back to bed. Have lots of help for my son tip Sunday, so gonna take advantage. Next challenge....Chemo



Chitown3,...... icing is to prevent nail damage /loss.