Starting Chemo June 2013!?!?!

Alibeths

They say ports are much easier!! I'm going with a port. Having 8 treatments.

fab1

Hi alibeth

I know my dear that your scarred we all are to begin with as its the unknow. You have done the best thing by joining this community as all the women here are supportive and willing to share thier experiences with you the good and bad and how best to cope. Its as the saying goes "until you have walked in my shoes!".

Its best to try and identify what it is your scarred of and I can assure you that someone would have experienced it and will get back to you with some good advice. I myself am gripped with fear and I take a deep breath and just breath through it. I am also inspired and have hope renewed when I  read the discussions on survivors . I would recommend you view it to.  im happy to share my experience with you if you like.

fab1

Hi Paula

God bless you! Thank you for the tips and wise words x

lstewart51

I also will be starting chemo June 4, four treatments AC every two weeks then four taxol having a port put in this Friday

PatinMN

Great advice above from Bren58 and Soteria.  I would just like to add that it is possible to save your hair during chemo treatment by using cold caps.  Basically you freeze your hair follicles on chemo day by wearing extremely cold gel-filled caps on your head during and for a few hours after the chemo infusion, and the follicles are protected from the chemo drugs.  There is a discussion board for cold cap users in the "help me get through treatment" forum:

http://community.breastcancer.org/topic_post?forum_id=6&id=735873&page=282

You can also check out www.rapunzelproject.org for more information.  The cold caps worked exceedingly well for me during 12 weekly taxol + Herceptin treatments.  Noone at work even knew I was undergoing cancer treatments, unless I told them about it.  Effectiveness of the cold caps depends on your particular chemo regimen.  I just wanted to let you all know that you have this option before you actually start your treatments. 

BabyRuth

Add me to the June list also. This will be my second time doing the lovely chemo dance! I do remember how scared I was during my first treatment. It is the fear of the unknown. No one can really tell you how it will affect you as our bodies all react differently. The main thing is to take your medication and stay in tune with your body. Don't be afraid to ask questions and utilize your support system.

I had a port before and will get one this time also. Although I must admit I am a baby with any sort of needle sticks so I have to get the numbing cream to apply ahead of time.

Let's support each other and we can get through this together!

Alibeths

Baby Ruth--chemo again?. After a mastectomy? So sorry.

christina0001

Good luck ladies! I finished chemo a year ago this week. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely doable, especially with the support of all the amazing people here. You can do it too! 

BabyRuth

Yes Alibeths, I will be doing Chemo again. I did not think that would happen or at least not so soon after my last recurrence. I just keep trying to beat this beast of a disease.

Alibeths

Thank god you found it!!!!!!!! You WILL beat this. We all will. Xoxox

BabyRuth

You are so young at 35 to be going through this. I was 43 during my first chemo and I was always called the "baby" in the infusion room. And you are right, we will beat this, I do not have a doubt!

Netter

Just had lunch with my Bosom Buddies.  It is great to talk to women that have been through this.  I got a lot of advice for next Wednesday, my day to start chemo.  Getting more nervous the closer it gets.  Never very far from my mind.

Alibeths

Any good advice to share?

Netter

Get a good book that is not scary or traumatizing.  Nice relaxing music to listen to.  Drink lots of water. And, because I am 2 1/2 hours from home to pack an overnight bag, just in case needed.

Bunny777

Just started A/C chemo. No port; via iv. 1st day felt stoned then hung over. Second day, after neulasta shot got really tired and had headache. Now on 3rd day and major headache. Also feeling a bit nauseous even with Emend. Is this normal?

Anonymous

Bunny~~Usually when you get that bad headache after chemo it's from running the meds too quickly. Ask the infusion nurse to slow it down.

After my first 2 AC infusions I had headaches. I thought it was from some of the pre-meds, but when I mentioned it to the nurse, she said it was the infusion needing slowed down. I never had a headache after that.



Paula

carla53

Sharon 1953. You asked why some people don't do ports. I will not be using a port. It was mentioned to me that because I was doing a minimal amount of chemo, 4 sessions, that it shouldn't be too hard on my veins. We will see. Today will be my first chemo. 4 sessions may he minimal, but it's 4 more than I want to do.



Take care - Carla

Netter

I am also doing chemo every 21 days for 4 times.  I have a port.  It was reccommended by MO.  My veins collapse are very hard to use.  The port will be used for all of my blood work. I am glad to only have 1 stick each time.  I agree 4 times is more than I want to do also

Anonymous

Another great reason to have a port is it can be accessed for scans, blood draws, and meds. I'm having a full body bone scan tomorrow and they will be able to give me the nuclear dye thru my port.



Also, there's a chance for cytoxan to leak out of the vein, which at its least is extremely painful and can make you sick, but can also be deadly. My infusion nurses told me it happens way more than they like to admit. They said, that's why the nurses love ports.



Paula

fab1

Hi

Good luck Carla, im due to meet my dr on the 5th June. I think I will be having 6 sessions, im uncertain if they will be recommending port and also the chemo drugs I will be on.

I will keep you all informed as I im sure I will be seeking your advice and support.

Carla do let us know how your first session goes. I will be praying for you x

Alibeths

good luck carla!!

Lgfoster

Thanks Netter for your info. I have posted in my profile so hopefully I did it right.

Had my first treatment on Wenesday the 29th. Went pretty well. No allergic reactions. Finding it hard to drink 12 glasses of fluid the first 3 days but it is doable. Haven't had nausea. Only problem is funny taste in my mouth. I also got sore legs today when

I went for a 2 block walk. Subsided after I rested. I think it was from extra fluid from combination of I.V. Fluids, steroids, and fluid I drank. Normally I can walk for 2 miles but I guess might have to do shorter walks for awhile.

Netter

Lgf, Keep us informed, as you are the 1st in our group.  I start June 5, and my house is going to be full of company June 13-15.  Wondering if I am going to be able to do this?

Jojogal123

Hi Ladies - I'm happy to be a part of this group...oh wait, no I'm not : )

I start CMF next Thursday. Once every two weeks for 8 treatments. From what my doctor told me it seems like it's a piece of cake, however, from what I hear from others and on these boards, I question that. Is it possible no one complains to their oncologist - or at least this one? Hmmmm, we shall see. I'm just happy that my nodes were negative (just found out today) and that I can start this soon (sooner I start, sooner I finish). I was originally diagnosed with DCIS so did not foresee this. Now that it's here, I just want to get it over with.  One of my new BC support buddies who went through ACT told me "Chemo is your friend that helps fight the cancer and then you never want to see them again." I'm going to try not to hate it because I know it's fighting the cancer (which I'm also trying not to hate).

I really should get to sleep : )

Nice meeting you all!

nicjnorth

Hi 

Starting chemo on Monday 3rd June.  Every 3 weeks for 6 treatments.   looking forward to comparing notes.

fab1

Good luck girlls!

I'm due to start sometime after the 14 June. I will keep you posted and also to compare notes. I pray that chemo is as kind to us as possible with as a few side effects as possible.

Sweetie1972

Should be starting chemo in about 10 days. I have poison ivy all over my face. I went to an urgent care center and they wouldn't give me a steroid pack because I had bc they told me to get my oncologist to do it. My oncologist was flabbergasted they wouldn't give me anything. Waiting for pharmacy to fill it now.

Anonymous

Trm~~You'll be amazed how quickly that steroid will take care of that poison ivy. It's like a miracle drug for that.



Paula

Sunnyskys

Hi,

I will be starting chemo on June 12th. I'm thankful to have these boards to come to. I can't seem to control my emotions. I think I am more afraid and depressed now than before I had my BMX. Besides being sore from the tissue expanders, I am just plain mentally exhausted from having to make and coordinate all the appointments that go along with all of this. When I have to go back to work I don't know how I'm going to do it all.



I am trying to take this one day at a time but my mind just keeps going to what is coming. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day .



Good luck to you all!

lstewart51

Hi all had my port put in today and will be having my 1st chemo treatment Tuesday. Port placement wasn't bad a little sore tonight. Hoping chemo goes as well