Starting Chemo in March 2014
Hi everyone, I am brand new here. I am 42 and I have had a crazy ride. Tuesday I am having an axillary dissection and a port placement. My chemotherapy starts in March and I am getting nervous. I originally had a tiny area of concern that came back as DCIS that a lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation was supposed to take care of. The margins came back as too close and with more testing it was found I had multi-focal DCIS which led me to the mastectomy. The sentinel node biopsy was done as a precaution and surprised everyone with one positive node. They found a hidden invasive tumor behind my nipple. Here I am facing chemo and I am hoping to find others to talk to as a support. Thanks for listening. 
Comments
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My name is Dawn. I am brand new here too. I am having lymph node biopsy and my port put in on Monday and starting TCHP on Feb 26th. I have been reading all morning and happy to see your post. I am really scared too!! It looks like there is alot of great support on this site and hopefully we can help each other through it!
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So we will be going through chemo about the same time, cool! I have to say I am not sure what TCHP is, though. My regimen will be Taxol for 12 weeks then AC for 4 treatments. Can't remember spelling on the A and the C, lol. Did you have all your lymph nodes out? I'm having that on Tuesday as well, kind of nervous about the lymphadema.
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oh, there they are!
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TCHP is Taxatere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta. I have ER+, PR+ and HER2+. TCHP is given every 3 weeks for 18 weeks (6 rounds). Then on to surgery and possibly radiation depending on lymph nodes. How do I get my info to show on bottom? I dont have final diagnosis yet. They found enlarged lymph nodes on CT scan so getting those biopsied Monday and they also found something in shoulder on bone scan. Still trying to rule out the spreading to the bone. Im the woman on the left in my picture which was taken Sept 2013. I am 46 years old. My friend on the right was going through chemo at the time she is 43. This is my second time as I had breast cancer 7 years ago on the left side and had a mastectomy. This time its on the right.
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In your profile there are tabs for your diagnosis and treatments. You fill those out and then make public so others can see. I am so sorry you are going through breast cancer again. I do mammograms for a living and breast cancer awareness and early detection is my job, imagine my surprise when I found out I am now one of the statistics. I need to know how many, if any, lymph nodes are involved and then I will feel more settled, you still have some unknowns, I wish you good news all around with your testing. I had a CT scare last week when it showed a problem in my colon, they got me right in for a colonoscopy but it turned out okay, thank God.
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Hello, my name is Laura and I am new to this site asI have recently been diagnosed with IDC stage 3A 6.1 cm breast tumor T3, N1 4/19 nodes positive largest node 2.2, High grade, ER + HER2+ Wow that's a mouthful. I had a right modified mastectomy with lymph node dissection last Monday so I am Day 5 post op. Can not wait to get the 2 drains out. I am happy to have found this site, filled with lots of good info, support and tips. I am also a Registered Nurse of many years and now find my self on the "other"side. I believe I will be getting a port soon and then starting aggressive chemo in March. Feeling positive as I am a realist, but I know I have a difficult year ahead! I am so grateful to have found a cohort of people in which to share this journey!
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Hi Laura, I have been reading peoples posts and although a lot is very overwhelming I think when ready to face each hurdle, such as chemo, I think the support and advice will be priceless. I have had a hard time when people in my life offer their opinions, even when not asked, so a site like this is refreshing because the info is something we seek. I will let you all know when know when my chemo starts, I believe I will be having an appointment with a chemo nurse who will teach me all I need to know. I am looking forward to this appointment, I have a lot of questions, haha! NurseLaura, I had my one drain out Thursday, what a relief that was. But I will get a new one this Tuesday when I have the axillary dissection.
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I had my first treatment this past Monday 2/10. I'm having four treatments of carboplatin and paclitaxel. I hope this thing is gone after round 4 so I don't need an additional 4! The chemo was ant climatic. I decided against a port for many reasons. I got my first treatment in the top of my hand which I wasn't a big fan of. Lots of aching pain in the hand throughout the treatment and I'm still tender on my wrist bone a week out. I hated the way the benedryl made me feel and as soon as the taxol went in I could taste it. Luckily I had gum to immediately stick in my mouth to get rid of the taste. I recommend having gum to keep your mouth moist and getting rid of foul taste. I felt fine day 1 and Day 2. I did have diarrhea the early morning of day 2. Day 3 a d 4 were the hardest for me. I felt like I was hungover. I also got the Neulasta shot day 2 and the side effects/bone pain had been herendous. I took the Claritin and Advil onc suggested plus sleeping pill. None of it has worked. Will not be taking it again unless they can manage the pain. I have had limited sleep for a week. I have not been nauseous at all but nothing taste right. I have had energy work (reiki), massage, iv vitamin c and a slew of vitamins. I can't say say I've noticed a big difference with any of it but maybe since I have been doing it from the get go this would have been so much worse.
Good luck to you as you embark on this journey. Just wish we were all headed on a different train to a fabulous location.
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Yes, a lovely Caribbean destination is much more appealing then where we are headed. God knows we will deserve one when we are finished. Gum is a good idea. I am looking forward to the chemo nurse counseling, hoping for a lot of heads up info to minimize surprise side effects. I have had 2 reiki sessions and plan to continue that, it is very calming. I also heard staying hydrated is very beneficial.
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awww so nice to hear from you Xrayalli, it is a comfort to go through this with like minded people. I believe it is called Empathy. I also agree it is nice to have the control of seeking out the info as we see fit. I have 2 axillary drains in right now and I find that as the numbness wears off I feel the pain a bit more, nothing unbearable though. I seem to handle pain well but do not look forward to nausea! You will find that you are now an expert on drain care and it won't be so bad!
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Hi Sweet Jam, I am a natural holistic type of person and am very interested in the iv C and other vitamins you are taking. Does your oncologist support this? Does she administer it? How much vit C are you taking and how often? I have mentioned my interest in it to my Oncologist and she didnt flat out say no but I feel like she is going to try and persuade me not to take anything while I am doing the chemo. I meet with her agai this Wednesday. A friend of mine who just went through chemo was told by her doctor that her supplements were too strong and could kill the chemo therefore not to take them. Sounds a bit nuts to me. I know I will feel alot better mentally and physically if I can support myself with good nutrition and supplements.
Xrayalli - I am very sorry you are going thorugh this too and for all of us. Thanks for your help. I am still trying to get my info to appear on bottom but I messed it up! Will try to fix.
Hi Laura! Do you know what type of chemo you will be taking yet? Since we both have HER2+ we may be on the same regimen - TCHP which I mentioned above.
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CancerVixen-looks like you got your info to show on the bottom. Your friend that just went through chemo, does she have a port or a PICC line? I am hoping the port isn't something that has to be kept dry, that would be a pain in the a$$. Sweet jam- you mention Neulasta, Benadryl and Claritin what were those for?
Geesh, I hope I'm not asking too many questions....I am so anxious, and I want to be prepared. I have a whole slew of other questions regarding hair and talking to my 6 year old about that. Thinking I will get a cute short cut for a couple of weeks and then shave it when chemo starts. It's long and wavy right now.
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No I am not sure CancerVixen what chemo recepi I will take. I have my post-op appointment on Tuesday so I should know more then. I was only told they advise aggressive chemo and I agree.
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Xrayalli, if you get the type of port that needs to be accessed by a huber needle you will not have to worry about keeping it dry as it is completely under your skin. I believe that is the most common type of port now. This is the nurse speaking, and that is what I will get!
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I am so happy to see this March 2014 group started. I have my FO appt after surgery Tuesday. Will be seeing my BS and RO, and meeting my MO. I had DCIS in March 2013, stage 0, and got off "easy" with just a lumpectomy and 5 days of accelerated partial breast radiation. Almost made me forget I had BC. Then in November I felt a lump, same breast. Long story short, I now have IDC, stage 2A, and will be having both chemo and radiation. Had my lumpectomy 3 wks ago. I really want chemo to start early in March as I have read that closer to your surgery is better. I am scared too!
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I am new to this site as well. I have a radical right lymph disecction this week and will start chemo in March. I am also a nurse. I am trying to decide if I will keep working through chemo or take the time to rest and recover without the stress. Also I am finishing my last course in masters program. Not ideal timing, but trying to finish. Also married to a soldier and planning a move in the midst of treatment. Looking forward to sharing the journey with you all.
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Wow cancerisnotmyhappyplace, this is Laura (nurselaura) and I am amazed how we have such a similar story. I am a nurse working at the bedside in critical care and am halfway through a masters program. So many what ifs? I have been off work since my surgery Feb10th and if I start chemo I believe I will stay away till I am almost finished? I was told that by the time you get to radiation you should be well enough to work. My goal is to try to stay in school as it is a goal to work toward along with beating this disease. I am glad you are trying to finish school also. I am getting a MSN Clinicsl Nurse Leader and want to go on for my DNP if possible. What is your degree in? Anyway sorry to have to meet like this but glad to know we are not alone!
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Well I do like the idea of having 2 nurses in this group! I am the radiology professional and know all you need to know about mammos, CTs, Nuc Med, etc. I have taken time off work since Jan. 22 and hope to go back after 2 weeks recovery from the axillary dissection. Chemo will start either 2nd or 3rd week of March and I am curious to see how I do working during chemo. MegoMendy-we have similar stories, feels good to not be alone. The roller coaster of being in the clear and then very shorter thereafter being not okay. We will all be okay in the end
Alli
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Laura, I am in a leadership,management,education program and had started applying for PhD programs when I started this misadventure. That was put on hold. I work in the emergency department. I guess one step at a time deciding what to do. Alli, good to share our strengths to get through this. I will radiation after the chemo. It doesn't sound fun but managable.
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Hoping to get out of having radiation if no more lymph nodes are positive. Should know by end of this week. Fingers are crossed.
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(((Huggs))) I will also cross my fingers for you!
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Hi March Ladies! Just popping in from the March 2008 chemo thread - yes 6 years ago! I did 6*TAC starting in March 2008. Just wanted to give you all encouragment and tell you that you can do it.
Most of us chemo veterans would probably agree that waiting on the first one is the worst part. Once you have your first tx, you'll know how your body will react and you can prepare accordingly. I was pretty much out of action for the first few days after chemo, then felt better by Week 2, and by Week 3 I felt pretty much back to normal. So you will get some bits of a normal life during chemo.
Yep, I lost my hair, right on schedule, 15 days after my first tx. And surprisingly, it's not as bad as you think. You really do get used to it. Some women wear wigs, some wear scarves, some wear baseball caps, and some go commando. I wore baseball caps - fortunately my workplace is pretty casual, so it didn't matter to anyone. (Yes, I worked full time all through chemo - I have a desk job and a very supportive workplace!) And my hair came back curly! I had horrid limp stick-straight hair before chemo, but now I have soft hair with a beautiful curl to it. Chemo also cured my allergies - weird, huh? I used to have terrible fall seasonal allergies, but ever since chemo I've sailed through fall without any issues. My onc said she's had that happen to a couple of patients. Who knew?
Chemo is doable, but it's not a walk in the park. Don't hesitate to swipe the "Cancer Card" when you want or need to. Don't want to go to that dinner at the in-laws? Swipe the Cancer Card - "I'm so sorry, but I'm just not feeling up to it." Don't want to get dragged onto volunteering for that committee at school? Swipe the Cancer Card - "I'd love to, but this just isn't a good time for me." This is the time to concentrate on YOU, not on others. I know it's so hard for us to let go and let others do for us for a change, but that's exactly what you need to do. Sometimes the hardest part of this whole cancer ordeal is to be strong enough to admit we need help.
Finally, the best advice someone gave me when I was first dx was, "Don't go there until you get there." Meaning, don't stress about what may or may not happen months from now. Concentrate on what's going on now. Some decisions, like rads, recon, etc. don't have to be made for weeks or months, so don't stress about them now. There'll be plenty of time to research and make those decisions when that time comes. Some issues that you worry about now may never occur, so don't waste time worrying. If something bad does happen, you can deal with it then. If it doesn't happen, then you wasted a lot of worry time for nothing.
Please feel free to ask me any questions - lots of women who b/c veterans helped me when I was going through chemo, so I always try to "pay it forward" by posting on the current year's March chemo group to provide any help and encouragement I can. Feel free to PM me as I may not always check this thread.
Many many women have walked this path before you and many are walking with you now. You are not alone. Those of us who are further along are reaching back to help you get through this. And those of you who are walking the path together at the same time can share your strength with each other. And someday, you'll be the ones reaching back to help someone behind you.
Go Chemo Marchers 2014!! -
Hello Ladies, The group has grown since I last checked in. Im not sure if I should feel fortunate or sad. Yesterday I had a lymph node biopsy and I had my chest port put in. Its called Power Port made by Bard Access Systems. I think the name Power Port is great! Giving me the power to fight this disease!! I have to say I am not feeling great. I think it is from the anesthesia but I feel dizzy and nauseous and of course there is pain. I am also extremely tired. Hopefully this will all subside by tomorrow.
I have a 6 year old son and I am a single mom. I adopted my son by myself from Guatemala so it is just the two of us. I am so worried about how he is going to deal with all of this. I am meeting a child psychologist tomorrow at the hospital to see if she can help. My hospital also has a support group for kids so I am hoping that will help as well. I am an internal auditor for a bank so no help when it comes to the medical stuff but glad to see alof of you in the group in the medical field. I havent decided if I am going to work or not. All depends on how I feel. I feel like I need to conserve all of my energy to take care of my son.
I am still waiting to hear on the results of my bone scan evaluation. They told me 10 days ago that there was a 70% chance that it had spread to the bone but this has still not been resolved. There has been some hopeful news as this tumor was found on a CT scan that was done 7 years ago before my first mastectomy but I am waiting for Dr to determine if it is the same size. If so that means it has not spread and I will be throwing a big party!!!!!!!! I should also get the results of the lymph node biopsy tomorrow too. Hoping there is nothing there either which will mean no radiation!!! Yeah!!!!!! Im trying to be positive. I also meet with my Oncologist tomorrow to discuss my treatment which begins next Wednesday. Its alot but we will get through it together!! Dawn
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Natsfan, it is so nice to hear from a veteran. And that you made it through. I have the same protocol as you did, ACT, but they will give the AC every 2 weeks (dose dense) rather than every 3 because I am triple negative. Good to remember "Don't go there until you get there." That's very hard for me.
I met with my MO today. She seemed very knowledgable and recc the ACT protocol. I mentioned the study where they gave carboplatin neoadjuvantly to triple negative women and got good results, and I asked if she ever gave it to patients after surgery. She said that she would be willing to do that, so I am getting that too. My first treatment is March 7th and then the next 20 weeks of my life are planned out. Until radiation. I'm getting my port in next Tuesday. Have to make an appt for an echocardiogram due to the adriamycin being potentially hard on yr heart.
Cancervixen, I hope you have some wonderful friends to count on to help you through this. Your son, at 6, is probably old enough to be told what you have and that you are taking medicine to get better. If he asks serious questions (like if you are going to die), let him know that the doctors are making sure that does not happen. I'm a school psychologist, I work with preschoolers, but I think this is a good way to handle it.
Meg
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I am a veteran also but only one year out. My first chemo was March 13, 2013. I also did TAC for 6 rounds in 3 week increments. I lost my hair beginning on day 14. I now have about 3 inches of super thick extremely curly hair. I did wear a wig every day, I just felt better.
I loved having the Power Port it made treatments much better. You can use both arms during treatment and no special care is required to maintain the port. My oncologist only wanted my port accessed for chemo treatments all my blood draws were done with arm veins. Fortunately I had good veins and never had an issue.
I really wish you ladies could avoid this path but feel assured we will chime in when we see a question or a fear that we can help with. You will have a challenging year or so but you will come out on the other side.
I will mark this thread for updates and help when I can. I will be having a DIEP reconstruction surgery on March 10 so I will have lots of IPad time for a few weeks while healing.
((((HUGS))))
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Oh Dawn your post made me cry, not because I am sad for you but that I know how you must feel as a single mom of a young son. The hardest part so far has been telling my daughter. She is 16 and graduating in a few months from high school. She did handle it remarkably well after the initial shock. Kids are very resilant and follow your cues, so be strong and he will learn to be strong with you. This will bring you closer and you have one big reason to battle on! Hope you are feeling better. I will see my Onc on Friday to find out the next step after surgery. Still have these damm drains in uggg. The power port is good to have. They can do the scans with it
Hang in there, Laura
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My daughter will be 26 in two weeks and SHE is having a hard time with all this!
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I am so glad I started this little group, although one of you may have been right behind me if I hadn't. I want to thank Jeanine and Mary for checking in on us, I think that's really cool of you to cheer on the March chemo people every year, what a nice and kind thing to do. I have already started taking notes from people's tidbits of advice. I shouldn't even be up right now for I just had 2 procedures today but I am patiently waiting until 12:15 to take my next dose of pain pills. I had the lymph node removal and, like Dawn, I now have a Bard Power Port. Everything went smoothly and I was able to go home, I usually get extremely sick with anesthesia but they fixed me up differently today and I feel good except for the localized pain in both procedure sites, and let's not forget the drain, meh.
Dawn, I will start praying for only good news for you, you will be in my thoughts. Laura, how are you? Meg, my son is 6, almost 7. He was upset about the breast cancer and I haven't told about my hair yet. Patrick Dempsey started a cancer center here in Maine called The Dempsey Center for Hope and Healing in honor of his mother and they do supports groups, activities, reiki, massage, education, you name it. I plan to take my lil guy there for some help with coping, as he is having a bit of a hard time being "careful" with me, and I need help with the hair explanation. My oldest is graduating HS, he lives with his dad in Florida and he's doing well. My reward at the end the Taxol portion of my chemo is flying down to see him graduate, on his 18th birthday
I've been thinking of you all since we banded together and I am happy to have support through this unknown territory we all will be entering.
"I breathe in Love and I breathe out Fear"
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Hello Alli, thanks for asking how I am, still have the drains, otherwise doing OK, went to school tonight and I am so lucky to have my fellow students support me through this, I actually changed my Patho presentation to breast cancer because I have done so much research lately I could do it with my eyes closed. Lol it helps to have a class with a bunch of nurses and your instructor a Nurse Practitioner. I am happy you will be joining your son for his graduation in spring. I am also looking forward to my daughters HS graduation! Sending good thoughts your way ladies!!!
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I feel for all of you ladies with kids - I don't have kids or grandkids, so that's one issue that I was spared. Check with your local cancer center and any local cancer groups - I've seen on other threads where people have mentioned that these places often have resources to help kids whose parents have been dx with cancer.
Cancervixen - keeping my fingers crossed for you on the scan results. Nurselaura - drains - yuk. They serve a great purpose, but when one of them catches on a doorknob - yikes.
I'm impressed that you have nurses, a radiology professional, and a school psychologist in your 2014 group - this is a great group!
I loved my port - it really helped preserve my veins for all the needle sticks I've had over the years since chemo. But I also loved when it was removed!!
Those of you who have had nodes out, remember that you are at an increased risk for developing lymphedema (LE). You should not let anyone use your at-risk arm for IVs, blood pressure, needle sticks, etc. The LE threads here on BCO are excellent, and some women who post there regularly developed a fabulous website about all things LE called Step Up Speak Out. If you've had nodes out, I'd encourage you to check it out: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/
It's a whole new world, isn't it?
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