Starting Chemo January 6, 2014

Asb

I am just coming out of the fog of TCH 4. After #3 I felt like the tumor was getting bigger. I had an ultrasound and the tumor is not bigger, but is not smaller either. MO wanted to monitor through the rest of that cycle. I have now had #4 and still feel like it is bigger. At the time of dx I could feel it but not see it, now I can see it. I know the shape has changed. MO said it could be dying in spots or the shape change could also be necrosis, but it is also possible that it is not responding to the chemo. My daughter's boyfriends father is also an MO and he recommends doing surgery now, if the tumor is responding then we just pick up with the same chemo after surgery, if it is not responding then they will switch me to AC. My MO agreed. I am meeting with the BS tomorrow to see what he thinks. The unknown is very stressful. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a plan.

Tekwriter, sorry you are having a rough time with the taxol. That is how I felt after this last round, nothing specific just felt like crap. I feel like the cumulative effect is starting to take hold. 

Sam2U

Hi ladies!  I started on weekly Taxol  today-Tek I'll let you know how it goes.  

Asb--hope you get a plan tomorrow.

myra104

Hey Tek and Asb I have been telling my husband the same thing, I feel lousy period.  Its always a couple of side effects that change around but im starting to feel an all over general sense of yuck...like im about to get the flu.  AC was much harder for me, felt like I could vomit acid for days and days.  

My body feels exhausted, like I was in a tournament all day for volleyball or soccer.  I need to nap everyday but no time lately...maybe tomorrow!  

Congrats to your daughter Lisa!!

katiegrey

So sorry you're having problems with Taxol, Tekwriter. I had my first one on Monday and feel tired but don't seem to have any other side effects yet. So it's been easier than AC for me.  Please call your doctor -- are you having dose dense Taxol, or weekly infusions? If you're having dose dense maybe you could ask to be cut back to weekly? Hugs to you...

tekwriter

nope, I am on weekly, just have to plow through them.

tekwriter

I noticed in the mirror tonight I have peach fuzz growing all over my head. Does anyone else?  I was told taxol would take my hair.  Now this is actually a fuzz and not black like my hair.  I would be grateful for any hair right now. I would like taxol better.  lol

CarpeVinum

awwww tek ~ the SEs from Taxol are awful. I had 6 rounds of TC last year. I had a LOT of side effects but I want to let you know that I have NO lingering Taxol side effects. None. Peripheral neuropathy, lacrimal duct stenosis, this weird fuzzy white monkey fur on my jaw and neck (yikes!), burning thigh pain, completely dead tastebuds, exhaustion that couldn't even be described, reflux, constipation and diarrhea, fingernails that peeled right off, hmmmm... I know there were more but I can't remember them. I want to give you some hope that you can get through it and the SEs will lessen and eventually disappear. You can do it! One thing I DO still have is chemo brain ~ but that could be attributed to the AC I just finished.

Hugs to all the January ladies. I haven't been around ~ just been WAY too sick and coming to the boards made my nausea and mood so much worse. Weird huh?

I need to catch up!

Asb

Well it looks like I will be taking a break from chemo to have surgery. I will be having a BMX sometime in April.  Those who have already had surgery I would welcome any suggestions or advice. I met with the BS today and will meet with my PS next Wednesday. I am still very fatigued from my last round. I am hoping the energy will start coming back soon.

Carren-LB-at-2-0-clock

Funny cheer up: Today my husband came home from work with an electric hair shaver. He wants me - not barber - to start cutting his hair. I told him I was afraid to do it because I have never cut anyones hair before. He said that it was okay because he wanted it really short - buzz cut - is what he said. So, I jokingly said, 'Do you want it as short as mine?"  He reached out and lifted my wig and said - not that short - you are like at a -1cm!  I am actually bald; he wants it a bit longer - lol - I called him a Wuss!

Warrior_Woman

Asb - I did the BMX before chemo.  Every person's experience is different but most fair well.  I had not problems and have full range of motion with no side effects.  My exchange surgery is next month.  As with chemo, I'd suggest planning ahead and getting your stuff organized in advance.  Get out all you button down the front shirts so you won't have to reach for them.  I had in home nursing care for the first couple weeks and an occupational therapist who taught me how to do things like laundry.  Please connect with one of the active surgery threads and chat with them as the recommendations are very helpful.  

Ladies - I crossed the chemo finish line this week.  Today is the first day of Spring.  Perfect timing.  Life looks brighter already.  

Crazywabbit

congratulations on finishing up. 42 more days for me. Any celebrations planned?

myra104

CONGRATS TO WARRIOR!!!!!!!!  Woohoo!!

I go for my taxol/herceptin in the morning, after that 9 LEFT!!  

myra104

HOLD UP...CARREN FINISHED TOO, CONGRATS!!  

YOU LADIES R-O-C-K!!!

tekwriter

congratulations warrior woman!!!!!!!!!!!!

Asb

Congratulation to those who are finished, I will say I am a bit jealous. I am glad to be taking a break for surgey. The recovery time has gotten longer with each round.

I was looking at my Australia pictures and craving tim tams and realized we have not heard from diamondlil in a while. Hope you are still doing well and enjoying the sunshine.

Tekwriter, I have quite a bit of fuz on my head that never came out and it seems to be growing. Weird huh?

Warrior_Woman

I had a party during my last infusion complete with tee shirts, candy bars, gifts and lots of food.  Honestly, it was more important for me to do this than any birthday party I've ever had.  Here's the video:

Chemo Party

RHGSR

awesome video!! I loved it. 

Could you have a dog with you?

Warrior_Woman

RHGSR - It was a therapy dog that came in.  She was so sweet.  I had a cookie tray and there were crumbs all over the floor.  And so, instead of doing her therapy stuff she was busy eating cookies off the floor.  Her trainer wasn't happy but it was comforting to have her come for a visit.  Dogs are the best.  Life would be good if I could take my dogs everywhere.  

Diamond_lil

Hi everyone and thanks for thinking of me Asb! I'm well and finished A/C and start taxol on the 31st. The last A/C slammed me.... The fatigue was unbelievable, but it's done now! The weather here is still beautiful and the beach is gorgeous, it's hard to believe that winter isn't far away.i hope everyone is well and moving forward.

Lil

Brwneyedgirl

Need suggestions....I took Zofran but it game me a terrible headache. The last go round I used compazine and it made me so anxious I wanted to cry all the time.  What other options worked for you?

myra104

soo thoughtful to get all of those gifts!  Great ideas:))

Congrats Diamond!!!!  Yay no more AC!!  I had a tough time with it too...the last one put me in the hospital with antibiotics and transfusion, thank God that was it!  So what's you plan now?  Taxol?  I'm doing 12 of those, much easier!

For nausea I used Xanax and I've heard of others using something stronger but from the same group on here...Ativan.  It relaxes your GI systems, I was surprised when my dr prescribed it but definitely worked.  Too bad your not in WA, CO, RI you could get THC oil that works great!  There is a pill form that's less effective called Marsinol?

Good luck!  My GI is starting to get back to normal after a month from last AC...taxol makes me so constipated so new side effects, yaaaaay!  But I'll take it over AC!

Carren-LB-at-2-0-clock

Warrior: Loved the video! What a great way to celebrate.

I had my best-friend with me, like every treatment and we just laughed and chatted the entire time. I felt it ended to soon. LOL

I was having my own little party: adreneline, caffeine, sugar, starch, steroids in fact, so wired that 'Benny and the Jets" (benedryl, cyclopramide and taxotere) never even touched it! LOL The Nuelasta so far today is minimal side effects.

What a joy to the soul to be finished with this part.

Ladies, do not loose hope, you too will be dancing in the halls of the Cancer Clinic soon!

Enjoy this journey, live the experience, share the adventure; bring hope to others.

granny72

I took Phenergan (promethazine).  My husband is an anesthesiololgist and did not think I could tolerate Compazine.

Warrior_Woman

Carren crosses the finish line!  

birdlover23

Congratulations to everyone who is done! - done with chemo or done with the first part.  I am finished with A/C and will start Abraxane on 3/26.  12 doses of that.  A/C has done me in.  I am so tired, plus now I have a cold.  That is just enough to take my good days away from me.  So many bad side effects, I feel like I am falling apart.  I am really hoping Abraxane will be easier on me, everyone says it will.  I don't think I can handle any more problems.

Warrior - cute video   Reminds us all to do at least a little something on our last days of chemo.

Asb - for the BMX - when you get home, sleep upright as much as possible.  If you have a recliner or can borrow one, that would be perfect.  Find out from your PS what you will be wrapped in when you wake up from surgery.  You will most likely have ace bandage all around you, but under that, I had the worst surgical bra ever.  After I was home for a few days, I finally just ripped if off in the middle of the nigh.  My PS is no longer using it, I told him how tight and horrible it was.  Very painful.  Take your pain meds and you can get through it.  You've already done chemo, so you can do anything

myra104

well said Carren!

Bird lover AC sucked for me and Taxol has been much easier!  Still has side effects but not as debilitating for me.  I'm starting to do a lot more but in the same token it's harder to make myself rest which does not help..go slow if you can!

birdlover23

Thanks Myra   I have been back to work part-time since mid February.  I will try hard to find pockets of time to rest.

belleb

Awesome that some are "graduating" and moving on! I am done with A/C and have my first (of 12) Taxol tomorrow. I am getting anxious about the unknown as far as side effects. This last round of A/C was not too bad and I had a solid week of feeling good and being able to get out of the house and do "normal" stuff. I miss cooking for my family so much and am hoping that Taxol allows me no nausea and enough energy where I can return to the kitchen! Hope everyone has a great week...onward and upward!

desimone

Hi - I have finished my last AC March 10, 2014.  My SE were not bad, however I got this nasty cold and it is taking forever.  I guess I should be thankful that is the worst I have had on AC.  I start weekly taxol on March 31 and very nervous.  I just don't know what to expect.  

I am BRAC 2 positive so after all chemo and radiation I will have the other breast removed and a hysterectomy.

If things could not get any worst not only does my sister have ovarian cancer my mom has cancer in her kidney.

Not to complain but right now it SUCKS!!!

myra104

desimone I just don't even know what to say except F**kin cancer!  My friend just called me tonight to tell me she was just diagnosed with IDC and I'm sad about that:( do most onc recommend that if brac is positive?  I just made my appt to get tested finally.  Huggs to you!