Starting Chemo July 2013

m1970

Annie. I agree she may want to rethink the drugs if there is concern for your heart. Also they should do a MUGA scan so there is a measurable heart function number they can monitor while you are on chemo.



My onc nurse told me when I went in for an Herceptin only infusion that there were some minor issues with my heart. I was so upset and refused the treatment so I could process. I went back after a muga and meeting with my onc. They were ready to give me the tx but I was not.

Hannariggs

Looks like your taking the lead scribblinha.  Good luck, and i will be saying a prayer for you and all of us for minimal side effects. 

I have heard alot about chemo brain,  but since my diagnosis I have had a hard time focusing anyway.  I have to write myself reminders all of the time.  People try to converse and your mind is miles away.  Thus far the hardest part has been the stress and fear of the unknown.  I have always been a control freak, and now I have no control over anything.  All we can do is leave it to the man upstairs and pray he gives us strength and guidance to get though all of this. 

Tomorrow is my port day.  Hope all goes well.  One step closer......

Mellie289

Good luck with the port tomorrow, Hannariggs. I hope it goes well too.

honeybunny96

annie, I hope you find out what's up soon.  Nothing is more frustrating (((hugs)))

I go for my echo on July 3 to make sure I'm all good.  

scribb.. how long was your AC treatment? I forgot to ask how long I would be hooked up and sitting there. I'm not a sit still kind of person.

((hugs))

Gma04

Anniej76 I'm starting chemo July the 3rd Wed. I pray very thing goes well for you. I got my chemo bag ready. I'm planning on icing my finger and toes. I hope it saves my nails. Lets keep posted please let me know how it goes



Texas size hugs going your way.

Gma94

honeybunny96

well.. cut the hair so it was short (not buzz short, just short).. getting ready for chemo sux!

scribblinhanna

thanks Mellie289   I looked at the cold caps the other day and was so upset that they cost so much  Made the decision that will just enjoy the wind over my bald head.  My teenage boys and hubby are going to shave their heads in support..made me feel special, except my 15 year old boy decided when I go bald that he is going to draw eyes on the back of my head since he swears I have them anyway..lol

honeybunny96

scribb.. I love the support of your family.  Don't kids know they are invisible eyes... drawing them on will make them more prominent so they will behave better  

Have an awsome day ladies! ((hugs)) to all

scribblinhanna

honeybunny9...my AC was only bout 1.5 hrs from start to finish..they hung the steroids for nausea then started the fun stuff.  Doesn't take to long at all.  Biggest complaint today is everything tastes the same.  Heading out for my Nulasta shot today.

Hope everyone has a great day

option

Hi ladies,

I'm scheduled to start my chemo July 8, 4 rounds of TC. Getting ready for it and good to find a support group to get through this. My veins are so bruised from all the poking since diagnosis (never had any vein issue before). I'm hoping they can recover in time and get me through the treatment. 

I'm also terrified about the chemo brain, like some of the previous posts mentioned. Need my brain to find another job after all of this. I had 3 anethesia in the past few weeks, and I think I'm already starting to be forgetful. 

Saw some mentioning about icing fingers and toes. Anybody knows how to do it (for how long, etc)?

Hannariggs

Hi All, 

   Just had port placement today.  All went well.  A little sore but easy surgery compared to all the others.  Good to hear your doing well scrib!   Keep us posted.  Your leading the way, we can all hold each other up.  Keep fighting the fight sister!!!!  One step closer each day....... 

puppymama09

Just checking in everyone, sounds like you are on your way, Good Luck, I will be thinking of you all.  (((hugs)))

anniej76

Learned today my heart was at a "47" on the echocardiogram. Still not sure what that means but now I have to see a cardiologist for more testing. My onc may change me from AC-T to TC.



From what I've heard and read it seems like TC would be better. I know the A is more aggressive - but the long-term heart risk scares me. And it sounds more appealing to have 4 cycles every 3 weeks. Rather than 8 cycles every other week.



Anyone have any opinions/ideas? I'm just so anxious to get moving! It was very hard to have today pass without a treatment I've been preparing so much for.

Shannah75

I just saw the oncologist for the first time today, and he gave me this decision to make,as well. I said yes to the adriamycin, because mine is aggressive... But I'm scared about the heart damage and possible leukemia...not doing anything more until my BRCA test comes back...so I'm still mulling it over...hoping I could hear something from somebody who's taken it before. He said its really just a coin toss, and they can't guarantee anything either way....but if I were his daughter, he'd tell me to take the adriamycin...I guess just make the decision you feel you can live with, and let God take care of the rest.

Rambo50

Hi All,

Guess I, too, am joining this group! I saw my oncologist today following my mastectomy 2 weeks ago. I'm scheduled to start a dose dense regimen of 8 weeks (4 treatments) of Adriamycin + Cytoxin followed by 8 weeks (4 treatments) of Taxol. I'll also be doing Tamoxifen, I'm guessing afterwards.

I have to admit I'm scared to death!!! I'm wondering if I'll be able to tolerate the side effects enough to work - and drive the hour to and from

I go for a chemo education session next week and am already loaded with questions. It WILL help to have a group to fight the BC beast together though ;-)

Gma04

I will start chemo Tmr. I'm really nervous. I've always taken good care to eat all the right things exercise and everything else and now they will fill my body with poisons it's just not right !!!😰😰😰😰 it is what it is . I will keep u girls posted. I will be icing!!!

Hugs for everyone we can do this with Gods help!!!



Texas HUGS

Gma04

Mellie289

Good luck tomorrow, Gma04.  {{{hugs}}}

honeybunny96

Tmr.. good luck tomorrow ((hugs))

Hanna.. how was port placement? I think I go for mine next week July 9.  scared to pieces.  I hate needles.. but I hate being poked even more than needed, hence the port.  

Time's getting closer to start date... not sure what to think at this point.  

Mellie289

After reading more, I'm beginning to think I should get a port. Something else to talk about at next week's oncologist appointment. He didn't really talk to me enough about that my first visit.

soriya123

Hi ladies, I will start my chemo on July 17....I`m scared.

honeybunny96

((hugs)) soriya, I'm starting July 12.. I'm scared to.. but to try to be positive.. we are kicking Cancer in the Butt! and that enough should give us courage.. as well as the wonderful support around here.  Just know that we are here together on a journey that we wariorrs will WIN!  With the help of each of us together we will over come and prevail! Vent any time, just know .. we are here for you.. and each other! (((hugs))) 

Rambo50

Same day as me, July 17. I'm really scared too!!! I just joined this site - lurked yesterday trying to get some answers but realized I was going to need all the support I can get to make it through this thing.

Hang in there!

Rambo50

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Gma04!

Even though the chemo's toxic, think about its power to get in there and kill cancer cells. Like you, I've always been careful to eat right and take care of myself. We obviously now just need a bit of help

Your healthy habits will benefit your overall ability to get through this - {hugs}

momx2

I've consulted with two oncologist , both have different tx plans . Any recommendations for oncologist in NYC??

jnprsn

Meet with Oncologist on July 15th. Terrified of side effects. I have 3 children (10, 11, and 13) who need me. I don't want to be sick in bed for months. I can't find any clear info on what the usual length of chemo is for my markings - ILC stage 2b. I just want to know the average length of treatment.

Nocompromises2013

Hi all

Rambo we are a day or two apart on Mx (19th June) and seeing onc 5th July. Stay strong will learn my toxic cocktail then plus dates

Jnprsn. I have same ILC as you. And my surgeon has said 4 months (6 cycles?). I will know more Friday and will share then the surgeon and onco share offices and seem to be at the forefront of bc research in Western Australia

Welcome to the firecracker group

Also read my path report today and had 2 xtra baby tumours and some DCIS just to make life varied. So glad he just did a full Mx. My boob was totally cactus !!!!

m1970

It would be helpful if everyone updated their signature by going to My Profile, then My Diagnosis and My Treatments.



Momx2 -- what are the tx recommended? Did you ask each onc about the other tx and why they recommend this one? My guess is they will cite a study, and explain to you why they are making the recommendation, and that will help you make a decision. If you have choices you need to understand what they are and be part of the decision making process. Cancer is not like so many other medical issues where the doctor just tells you what to do. It's about risk trade offs, and we need to be part of the decision about what risks we are willing to take for what possible benefits.



Mellie289 -- what is your tx plan? Is it ACT over 8 cycles? If so I do think a port would be necessary. Also you can only use one arm since you had a lymph node dissection. If you get one I recommend you discuss where it goes. I hate that mine shows in every v neck when I've seen others put it where it can't be seen. Since your cancer is on the left they will put it on the right, which is great because it won't rub against your seatbelt. If I could have done without it I would. I hate my scar.



Gma04 -- good luck today!



rambo50 -- i worked through chemo on that protocol and drove without issues. It usually hit me 2 days later and lasted for 2 days, after that I was fine. The first dose of each new drug is the largest and has the worst effects. So even how you feel first time might not be the norm.

encyclias

anniej, it is very good that your oncologist is being cautious about your general health as well as the cancer, even if the waiting is upsetting.  And it shouldn't be much of a problem to reschedule with just a change in chemo drugs.  Sending best wishes for a good report from the cardiologist, regardless of which chemo you end up getting. 

I had asked my husband's 80-year-old cardiologist about Adriamycin back when I started chemo in Oct.  He told me he used to see many cancer patients coming in with damaged hearts.  However, he made a point that many of these patients had not had proper testing -- prior to using Adriamycin -- which would have showed their hearts were not in the range to use this drug to begin with -- many oncs would only give an EKG rather than an Echo or a MUGA scan (a different technique of measurement) to more clearly define heart health.  Nowadays, with proper testing, he said it is rare to see a heart patient with Adriamycin damage.

Hannariggs

Good morning all,

   I think we all have alot of things in common and besides the obvious, we are all scared.  I am hoping once the treatments start the fear will subside.  I think its the fear of the unknown. I have known several women who have no side effects and others who have a tough time.  But all say its "doable".

I see there are several of us taking the dose dense therapy.  At least with that therapy the bad ones will be done in 8 weeks.  Then the taxol which they say is not near as bad as the AC. The way I look at it is once we have finished the AC we are at the crest of the hill and making our way down the hill.  

Yesterday I had my port placement.  It was easy bunny.  Try not to worry.  Today I am a little sore,  but so tolerable.  I met another bc patient in the hospital yesterday.  She was 15 years younger than I am and was having her port too.  She has small children and was receiving her chemo treatment today.  She didnt want to wait she was ready to "get er done".  Here I am still dragging my feet. I wanted to wait a few days for my port to heal and my body to recover from the anethesia before starting the treatments(more excuses-lol).  No delaying the enevitable now.   grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

anniej76

Thanks for the advice encyclias! Going in for an MRI of my heart at 2pm today!