Starting chemo November 2012

5LuvBugs

Neulesta shot: Forgot to mention, took the shot in the stomach - no problem at all(so far but it kicks in around 7 days later when our white count drops

Question: Before Chemo and day after are you girls taking Decadron and Emend for Nausea = It worked great for me. 

Hair:  I had my long hair cut short - now watch my hair won't fall out...Oh well, I needed a new look anyway and already bought 2 wigs!!

Good Luck:  to whom ever is getting their treatements this week

Eleni

Hello,

I start chemo (3xFEC, 3xTax) on Monday the 12th. I've been through that before but have forgotten what I need to eat, drink, take care of. Could you please tell me where I can find some useful links and tips?

Thank you.

Good luck to all of us.

Dakota212

Thanks TLYM !! Here now.



Mary - welcome 😃

5LuvBugs

Eleni and any one else who's interested

Here's what I did/ am doing this week == my first Chemo

Drink lots of water on day of chemo and day after - it makes a big difference

Eat High Protien like a steak or fish the day of treatment

Make a big pot of soup that's what I want the most, it's healthy and light and the weather has turned cold here in NJ (snow last night) so I love my soup

Estrogen + I went through my cabinets and could not believe how many products contained soy, soy flour, soy oil -(Jiff peanut butter, Granola bars, all kinds of good food-  they are out of here 

Wash all fresh fruit and veggies with veggie wash

Now understand, I am very new at this myself, just began on Tuesday so don't just go by what I say..I found lots of info on the American Cancer Site, Susan Koman site and right here, http://www.breastcancer.org/   this site has all kind of topics

GERMS I got those buggers covered - I have hand sanitizer at the front and back door for whoever comes in; a container of Clorox wipes at each sink/toilet, Lysol antibacterial soap at all sinks and as I was directed flush the toilet 2 times for 2 days  with the lid down after your chemo treatment so the chemicals will be flushed down...I am doing everything I can think of and hope to stay healthy -

Wishing the same for everyone here Good Luck!

5LuvBugs

Dakota let me know how you make out today

5LuvBugs

Here's a good nutrition site for all of us:

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/during_treat/side_effects/immune

txjunebug

Eleni - in the Before Chemotherapy forum there is a thread for a shopping list of things to have on hand before you start chemo.  Had things that I never would have thought about like Kleenex and personal wipes. 

Just heard from the genetic counselor at Baylor.  They want to test me for the BRAC gene mutation.  Doctor really thinks mine may be genetics.  I'd like to know but worry about my daughter and niece.   This just sucks all around!!!

Good luck to all of you starting chemo this week! 

Tlym

Txjunebug-Getting the test is definitely scary, especially when you receive the counseling prior and are informed of all the possible risks associated with having a genetic mutation. HOWEVER, knowledge is power, and in a funny way, I felt a sense of relief when receiving the dx of a genetic mutation-it gave me an answer to the "why." I now have some solid data regarding my risks, and it's up to me to make decisions based on that. I also receive the benefit of insurance covering the cost of increased and more advanced routine screenings, which will catch any possible recurrence in its infancy and allow me the best chance of survival. I know my future entails more surgery, but I'm just taking things one step at a time and dealing in the best way that I can. Yes, I do worry about my daughter's future, but remember that our children only have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation. With the advances in genetic science, there are ways they can ensure the mutation will not pass on to future generations. Are you familiar with Force? http://www.facingourrisk.org/ They are an organization supporting those with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.

Pbrain

Junebug, if you child's father is not carrying the mutation, and you are, your daughter would only be 25% likely to carry it too.  Not bad odds.

The people I worry about are my sisters because if I carry one of the mutations, they likely do too.  But my MO doesn't think I do because I am 53 years at my diagnosis.  I'd do it, if they are suggesting it.  Then you can talk to a genetic counselor to see what your results are and what you should consider doing.

Tlym

Pbrain-Actually, your sisters' risk would be the same as your daughter's risk if you were BRCA positive. Siblings have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the mutation from the carrier parent and zero from the non-carrier parent. The genetic counselor told me inherited mutations from both parents are highly unlikely and would have resulted in a childhood cancer.

Pbrain

TLYM, the way I understand the mutation is you are prone to developing breast cancer with only one mutated gene, so you are right.  I always get mixed up by this, I'm to dyslexic for genetics.

So if I had a daughter and I was only carrying 1 mutated gene and my partner had two normal genes wouldn't that be 25%?  In other words, wouldn't I have a 50% chance of giving my child the mutation--uh doi, I see what you're saying!  Yeap 50% chance!  Junebug, sorry for my misinformation.  Duh.  This is why I stayed out of the genetics field all together!  Ha!

Hmmm, I still think what TLYM said is very wise, there is power in knowledge.  Good luck on making your decision and see what others say on these boards!

txjunebug

MO and I have already discussed the genetic testing.  If positive she said I would need my ovaries out but we did not discuss a double masectomy.  Wondering if that is just a discussion yet to come.  I was fine with the ovaries being removed but not sure how I feel about the other. 

Anonymous

Hi Girls. I'm not sure if I start chemo this month or dec. I do know that I have 2 ct scans and a bone scan on the 21st to see if cancer has spread beyond nodes. Of course, I'm praying it hasn't. Then I see the MO on nov. 26th to discuss results and schedule chemo.



Wendy what day of the week are you taking treatment at the Stephanie Center? I think mine will be on Fridays, which means I'll have to go to OSU on Saturdays for Neulasta.



Blessings

Paula

Dakota212

Tricia-



Did ok. I have a headache and took some compazine I was a little nauseous. I took my senekot and colace. Tired but when I stop moving feel sick. It's only 5:40 kids don't go to bed until 8:30

michellej1980

Hey Dakota. Hope you manage to sort out your nausea. I don't feel anything...yet. Going to take some loratadine in the morning ready for my Neulasta injection tomorrow. I've plenty of anti-nausea meds. Might take a senakot before bed to prevent constipation. It's so difficult to know what to do. Knowing my luck I'll end up with diarrhoea instead! I'm most worried about bone and muscle pains but hoping I don't get any.

5LuvBugs

Girls hope you feel better.  I had the Neulesta yesterday and feel pretty good so far, just a few achy joints when I lay down (I've been laying down a lot for 2 days) can't imagine having to go to work - you get soooo tired.  I am sick of eating lentils and beans and protein - I want my CHOCOLATE!!!!!

My Dr gave me Decadron and Emend to take the day before chemo, day of and day after..I had no nausea at all.  Have a good night sleep and get those kids to bed earlier Dakota.... Nite Nite

Dakota212

Tricia-



Hi, I got decadron, and emend today. I have decadron for the next three days also. I will convince the kids to watch a movie. Just have a dull headache. Might take done tylenol pm or I also have Ativan!!! I have to work tomorrow but I don't have any patients. Thank god !

Dakota212

Michelle -

It is soooo difficult. I would rather be ahead of the game with the meds.

beckstar18

Ckolendar, your post was awesome! Thank you for sharing all you did. This is my first time on this thread. I start my chemo the week after Thanksgiving, date TBD. I'm having a port placed after I'm recovered from my bmx w/te that was done this Monday. I meet with my onco again next week then have to attend 'chemo class' at the cancer center to get up to speed on what's ahead for me. This thread and board will give me a good head start though!

Becky

michellej1980

I'm having tummy cramps but not sure if it's related. It comes and goes but I don't feel able to go to the loo.



Sounds silly, but I can't believe I had my first chemo today. It's such a big thing and I just went there, on my own, had it and drove home again. Bizarre. Maybe I'm just an old pro now lol, even after so many years since my last..

Dakota212

Steiner-



Welcome !! Join us we can do this

michellej1980

Welcome Steiner!

Tlym

Yay, Dakota and Michelle! You made it through tx #1! Woohoo! I agree with Dakota, get ahead of the SEs. I was a very reluctant medicine taker, as I prefer to be more holisitic in my healthcare. Absolutely nothing natural about receiving chemotherpay, so just embrace those meds and make them your best friend for the next week. Whatever it takes to get through this comfortably!

Junebug-My MO at Stanford has developed a BRCA decision tool to help in making decisions about surgical procedures. http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2012/april/brca-tool-0409.html In entering my data and the increased surveillance I will be receiving, it was found that I have a 6% chance of a breast recurrence with  lumpectomy, but that it would not affect my overall survivability at age 70. Thus, I chose the lumpectomy over mastectomy. However, now that I am going through chemo, I'm not sure I ever want to do this again, so I'm reconsidering the mastectomy. But I'll wait until I'm done with tx to make any decisions. As for the oopherectomy, diagnostics are just not reliable, so my MO is pushing hard for me to have ovaries taken out. I'm only 44, so I'm not looking forward to going into immediate menopause, but that's another decision I will put off until after I'm done with chemo. Saying goodbye to the ovaries are really just a matter of "when", not "if".

Tlym

Michelle-I had bad stomach cramps for two days, but no nausea. Zofran (ondansetron) didn't help much and I didn't sleep well.  I finally took an ativan and slept through day 3. I think it was the decadron that bothered me, so once I stopped the steroids, the GI was fine again.

mainegirl

Ckolendar, thank you for your informative post. My chemo starts next Tuesday, 11/13 and our diagnosis is very similar so your information really helped me.

adagio

It seems like almost all of you ladies have a port  - I am starting to wonder if that is something I should have although the oncologist didn't mention it to me at all. I asked her about it and she said if I wanted one I could get one - so not sure what to think. I am getting 4AC and then 4 taxol and then there's the blood work as well. That's a lot of poking around isn't it? Are there alternatives to the port - other than the nurse looking for a vein each time?

Dakota212

TLYM

thanks, I felt a little cramps also so hard to tell tho.



Maine-

Welcome

Dakota212

Adagio

Hi, I am doing the same thing my MO said no port only 8 iv's they drew the blood from my IV today only one poke. My MO said if u have good veins ur good. ???

Tlym

Adagio-No port for me, either. PICC line is the alternative, but it's above skin and requires more maintenance.

Tlym

Welcome, Mainegirl. 

Becky (Steiner)- I'm getting tx#2 on 11/26 (my MO so kindly wanted to give me a happy Thanksgiving), so we should be on the same cycle. Do you know which regimen yet?