February 2014 Starting Chemo Club

Njmom3

I was just informed that based on my oncotype results I will be doing chemo.   Also being 47 puts me into that category, since the dr considers that young.

I will be having AC every 2 weeks for two four week cycles, with a nuelastra injection the following day.  After that fun, I will be having twelve weeks of Taxol on a weekly basis. I need to schedule port surgery, invest in some hats, scarves and a wig, and I plan on cutting my long naturally curly hair.  Clearly the hardest part.  I told my daughters (16, 13, and 11) and they where ok with it, especially when I stressed it was preventative and they could help me pick out all the new head wear.

I'm going to stop by the hospital chemo center to check it out and see if they have any helpful advice.  I figure if I'm proactive I will feel like I have some control in this process I have no control of.

Anyone else starting this journey in February?

Cazg

hi

Can you tell me what the procedure is for the oncotype test, I live in New Zealand so not sure if they do it but would appreciate your comments, I am being offered chemo but have to make the decision without the test.

jujubee83

Hi. I will be starting what sounds like the same regimen sometime early February. I'm new here. I'm so glad I found this site. I feel a lot better knowing that people are going through the same thing at the same time and we can have a place like this to connect with each other. The first week of February I will be going to a "chemo class" and will have the consultation for the implantation of the med-a-port. I know in the back of my mind that I would have to go through chemo, but actually hearing it from the doctor and doing all the prep hit me kinda hard. I'm scared. I'm scared of how I'm gonna feel and look. But I know this is what I have to do to lower my risk of reoccurrence.  I've been slowly talking to my kids (11, 6, 3) about what is gonna happen to try to prepare them for the obvious changes that are about to take place. My 6 year wants me to get pink hair lol. They are my reason for being brave. I look forward to connecting with everyone on here. My friends and family are great support, but they don't know what I feel and can't really relate.

Sunshower

Hello Ladies! My official start date is 1/28, but nearly everyone in the January thread is pretty much well into their 2nd and 3rd treatments, so I'll be joining this group through this journey. Maybe I can share some early insights on the experience. I will be getting 4 TC treatments 3 weeks apart, then I'll start on Tamoxifen.  Cazg- the Oncotype DX is done after surgery. They send it out to a lab in California I believe. It's something you have to request ahead of time. I'm not sure if they can do it after that. It's designed to rule out who would and wouldn't benefit from chemo with early stage I and II tumors with no lymph node involvement that is ER/PR positive. My score came back a 32 (high recurrence risk) so unfortunately I was unable to dodge the 'chemo bullet'...I'm way more worried and anxious about Chemo than surgery.  I guess I'm as ready as ready can be. I got my pixie haircut ahead of time and got most things on the chemo shopping list (another thread with great suggestions)

Njmom3

Wow sun shower and juju, I could have written your replies.  I agree it was easier to deal with surgery.  I also agree that I thought in the back of my mind chemo was in my future, but I did have that little bit of hope to catch a break.  I guess my break was that nodes were clear, all cancer is gone and I'm alive. My oncotype was 31 so we are really in the same boat. I'm kind of glad I was not in the gray area, I would not wanted to have to make that choice, although I feel like I am doing everything possible as prevention.  

 I believe in the States they hold the tissue until after the surgery, if nodes are positive, or margins aren't clean, etc they will automatically do chemo so no reason for oncotype.  They didn't order it till after path results from surgery.

I have to start the process for scheduling the port placement - yet another surgery, but so worth it.   Especially with the lack of veins I have.  Another fun filled week.  Good luck  Sun, hoping for no se's for you and that all goes well!  Take care!

kjiberty

Hi Ladies. My name is Karen and I went through the same thing you did two years ago.  My 2 year cancerversay is 1/27!  I am here to tell you YOU WILL GET THROUGH this.  I will help you if you need support. Feel free to PM me and I will check up on you gals and give you tips if you want them.  

kjiberty

Here is an important thread--and I will send you ladies more:  

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/706846?page=1

kjiberty

Sunshower:  How are you doing?

Njmom3

I went wig shopping tonight, it was not the easiest thing, a good friend of mine who just finished her chemo came with me for support. I ultimately picked one, not really jumping for joy but it will do. The surprise purchase was a black simple ball cap that had really straight hair sewed inside in the shape of a long bob, looking like I flat ironed my hair! It reminds me of the comedian Gallagher, he had a hat like this. It was so cool, comfortable and looked nice. I see me using that more than anything to run to the store etc. I feel a little better about all of this!

Hope all are doing well!

christyGA

Hello ....this is my first post. I start chemo on Monday and am wondering what to expect??  I will be getting TCH every 3 weeks with herceptin every week. At what point do most people start losing hair?  I am debating on cutting it off BEFORE it falls out. Any suggestions/ opinions? I have handled everything so well. This was the only part of BC I have really had great anxiety about......

kjiberty

Christy, please see the thread I posted the link above.  I lost my hair after about day 16.  It came out in clumps, and had it shaved on day 17.  It was liberating.  My hair was a little longer than chin length before I lost it. I handled pretty much everything okay, except the day I start losing my hair.  I was in a meeting and I kept pulling on it because I knew it was coming out in chunks. Seriously, it was my main anxiety.  Once is was gone, it was easier to deal with.  You will have chemo on Monday.  Monday and Tuesday you will pretty much feel fine.  Wednesday will be your crash day.  Thursday will be not so good either and Friday you'l start crawling up to feeling a little better.  Each person is different with the way they handled chemo.  For me, it's like having the flu.  You are tired and get bored because you don't feel like doing anything and can't do anything besides lie around.  Day 5-6, you'll be feeling okay.  Please, please, please read the tips I have sent the link above.  Also, drink, drink, drink fluids the day of chemo and the following days. Flushing the poison out is key.

seaniebopp

Hi Ladies,

I'm am joining this elite of chemo warriors.  I am having my port placed on Friday January 31with my first round of TC on February 7, 2013.  I am doing my best to prepare for treatment.  I have been drinking almost a gallon of water a day, using my nurtribullet to get in as many green veggies and fruit as possible as well as taking vitamin and herbal supplements that are suppose to build the immune system and red blood cells.  Not sure if it will help but I'm trying.  Anyone else currently taking or planning to take supplements before and during treatment?  If so what?  I so look forward to going through this journey with you all.  Here's to minimal side effects for us all.  Let's kick some cancer ass!

 

 

h0pe

Hi Everyone - I'm scheduled to start chemo 2/14. 4 rounds of DD AC, followed by 12 weekly Taxol treatments. I agree - surgery was the easy part. I am very nervous about the SE from chemo. Doing IVF this week. Next week I will get my port & MUGA. Then chemo. I plan on having plenty of water on hand and I already have a special box with all the nausea meds, thermometer, & steroids. Do you guys know if biotene is supposed to prevent mouth sores? 

Njmom3

hi seanie and hope.  Welcome to February warriors and we will get thrust this.  Hope we have the same treatments coming up and I'm nervous too.  I asked my mo about vitamins and he didn't seem to be interested in them?  I have not started drinking that much water, I will have a hard time with it!  I hope once we all start our treatments we can share and learn from each other!  

kjiberty

HI gals:

Biotene should help prevent mouth sores.  Rinse many times daily as well as using the toothpaste and gum, if you want to.  Also, I took a supplement called lycosene to help reduce mouth sores.  I got a few sores about 2-3 days after chemo and they went away within the week.  Keep rinsing the whole time.  

christyGA

Karen...Thanks for the advice!!!

Moonflwr912

Just another  February Chemo gal circa 2012. I see KJ is already giving you good advice! LOL.   Wanted to tell you that you will get through this. In case you don't know there is a thread about cold caps. You can save your hair but it takes comittment. And is a bit expensive but it is an option if you didn't know about. I preferred just handling the hairless time. 

Good luck, may all your side effects be gentle and short lived. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Oh. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Very important.  Much love! 

tangandchris

I thought I was going to be a January girl, but it appears I will be starting in Feb! Still don't have firm dates yet, but it's gotta be soon I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you and walking each other thru all of this.

((hugs))

h0pe

Sunshower - hope you're feeling ok! 

Gardengirl66

hi , should be joining in Feb as well, my choice for the chemo. I have my CAT scan on Feb 3,  then  meet with my chemo nurse for review and "training" for chemo .... Then a start date. My oncologist says 4times every three weeks.  Feel like I am standing on a high diving board  learning to jump in.  Wishing all of us the very best in this next part of our lives.

Gardengirl66

seaniebopp

it's 4:30am (pst) and I'm up. Can't Sleep! I'm scheduled to be at the hospital at 8:30am. My husband is snoring.  Might as well stay up and pray,  listen to some good gospel music, and pick out an outfit (gotta keep it cute girls!),  I'll keep in touch and let you know how everything went. 

Gardengirl66

hi Seaniebopp,  thinking of you today ,hope it all goes well for you. Hearing of your snoring husband gave me a laugh...sounds like mine.  Let's us know how you are feeling when you feel up to it.

Hugs to you.

tangandchris

Seaniebopp-haha on the snoring husband. Thinking of you and let us know how it all goes.

Gonein40

I too am starting my treatments on the 11th, and i go for  my picc line on the 7th. I am a bit anxious to get this started, as it will be a blessing to be able to stroke them off. i am having 3 rounds of FEC, and 3 rounds of D. With rads to follow. I have been preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best, as all of you are doing. I look forward to any input anyone has out there to make things for us a little easier to deal with. Just being on here being able to chat with you and and compare is the best I think. Take care and good luck ladies !!!

seaniebopp

Finally home and resting. The port was placed while under light sedation for some reason they wanted to talk to me during the procedure. Kept asking me to hold my breath then breathe normally.  Anyway they did show me on X-ray where the port was placed and all that stuff.  Radiologist suggested that I leave it in place for years to come.  Explained that all future blood draws and iv's could be done through the port.  I said no thanks I don't ever plan on being  sick again.  Overall the procedure took only 30 minutes and recovery over an hour because my anxiety and pain was through the roof.  Once those things were under control I was free to go home.  Not a bad experience just had a doctor who doesn't believe in prescribing pain and anxiety meds.  Glad my mom was with me.  If anybody can get what they want it's her.  The recovery nurse couldn't get the doctor to agree with meds so she personally got on the phone with him and made it happen. I love that woman! 

tangandchris

I'll never understand doc's who don't give meds for pain/anxiety. Especially under the circumstances of cancer for crying out loud! Ridiculous!

I do know of a couple of people who have had their port in for a long time. I currently have a PICC line in and am hoping to have that out soon, but it is way different than a port.

So, what is your start date again Seaniebopp?

 

seaniebopp

Feb 7th 4 to 6 rounds of TC

jujubee83

Start chemo Monday. No matter how many post and blogs I read I still have a lot of anxiety about it all. Just the fear of not knowing how I personally will feel. I'm just gonna go day by day. So around day 5-6 the side effects start slowing down? Does it keep getting better until you go back in for another infusion?

sahars

I'm getting my port on Monday 2/3 and I'll start chemo 2/5. 4 cycles of DD AC followed by 12 weekly doses of Taxol.I went in to see the oncologist expecting 4-6 cycles and came out with 16, still trying to process. My fear is that I'll miss my son's college graduation in June, I'm in Illinois and he goes to school in California, I hope I'll be able to travel. I picked out a wig yesterday, will go shopping for supplies tomorrow, any suggestions?

Curlylocks

Hi Ladies,

This is my 2nd round with the beast....first one in 2005/06.  Eight years later here I am again.... I have a high risk family history of bc (2 sisters diagnosed in past three years).  My youngest sister died of bc in 2012, my oldest sister was diagnosed in July 2013.  I decided after my older sister's diagnosis to get rid of the ticking time bombs.  I had a prophylatic masectomy with DIEP reconstruction on Dec 16/13.  My pathology found a new Primary bc in my same breast (left).  This time it is an invasive 1 cm Triple Negative tumour.  The first time I had er/pr+,her2-.  I am glad I listened to my inner voice, god knows when they would have discovered this sucker.  I had dense breasts, my mamogram and ultrasound did not pick up the cancer in April 2013, 8 months before my surgery.  The mammogram has failed me twice now, first time at diagnosis - I had a baseline mamo at age 40, nothing on it....13 months later I had a 4 cm tumour with 3 positive lymph nodes that I found myself!

Pic line being inserted on Feb 6, chemo starts Feb 11/14 for 4 rounds of taxotere and cytoxan.  I had 8 rounds of chemo last time (4 a/c and 4 taxol)....I am not looking forward to this crap again:(

Michele

seaniebopp

Hi curly locks

You kicked cancer's @ss before and you WILL do it again! Treatment has come a long way and I'm happy that you only have only 4 treatments instead of 8. May we all have minimal side effects.  I hate this Isht too! Just remember that you are not alone you've got the February Warriors to with you!