Starting chemo September 2014

Lori1967

Hi all, 

I too am starting this week, Friday, Sept. 5th.

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous and scared.  I really don't like being sick and something tells me this is going to be quite a ride.

I will be on Adriamycin and Cyclophamide....Taxol....DOXOrubicin....cyclophosphamide Injection....PACLitaxel and Dexamethasone.

Can anyone tell me who has already begun how long I'll be at chemo?  Also, what can I expect as far as being sick? I realize it's probably different for everyone, but if I have a light at the end of the tunnel it might make me feel a little better.....

DaniellaD

Lori1967 - welcome to the club. Sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I'm scared to death as well. We all are scared.  I start Wednesday. I can only tell you that I know the first infusion to be the longest because they have to watch for side effects.  Also, from what I understand, you will receive the drugs you mentioned in different cycles, correct? The times will change then, too.  Good luck.

jojo2373

Hello Sept 2014 Chemo group - I was part of Sept 2012 Chemo group here on BCO.  We all made it through and have become life long friends.  Most of us were able to travel to Vegas in Sept 2013 to celebrate our 1 year and meet in person.  Remember to put yourself first during this time and don't expect to bounce back right after.  It takes time for your body to recoup.  I completed Dose Dense AC-T, 33 rads, and lumpectomy surgery (my choice).  Let Ativan be your friend now!  Hugs to you all.  Jo

KBeee

First of all I am sorry you all have to be here. BC sucks, but if you have to go through it
and have to go through chemo, doing it together with sisters on BCO is the way
to go. I love my September 2013
sisters. They truly were sanity savers
for me. By venting on here (which I did
a lot), I saved my family from the worst of my emotions. Time may seem to stand still, but it will go
on and you will get through this. The
Sept 2013 chemo crew is getting together in Vegas next month to finally meet in
person and to celebrate. We hope to be
able to drop in from time to time here and answer questions and such, and we
hope that the Sept 14 chemo crew will join us next year in Vegas.  If you have to go through chemo, September is the time to start.  Wigs aren't hot and going to the store with just a stocking cap on, you look just like everyone else.  By the time it's too hot for head coverings, you will have hair.  

I went through this at 43 with kids who were 9,11, and 13.  Here are some of the things that helped me through the
chemo…

I had several weeks between diagnosis and surgery and then
until chemo. I searched the web for
blogs on breast cancer and read tons of them.
I took notes. You have to be
careful not to get “down” by those that had a harder time. By taking notes, I noticed a lot of
trends. Some people had an awful time
with chemo, but some people skated through without missing more than a half day
at work. I made notes on the things
people did to help cope with symptoms, etc, and I found trends that really
seemed to help those that did well through it.
The key is to remember when reading these that everyone is different and
most people have a few side effects, but very few have all of the side
effects.

***Some of the trends I saw were walks, making time to rest,
making time to get together with people for short bursts of time, and setting
rewards after each cycle. These were all
keys for me.

Be sure to clearly communicate to the oncologist. They have tons of things to help with about
every side effect. You just need to let
them know what is and is not working.

Do what works to deal with the digestive issues. If something is not working, let your
oncologist know, and if they are dismissive, be persistent. Some people have nausea and vomiting, many do
not. Some have diarrhea and/or constipation,
but many do not. Some have heartburn,
many do not.  My heartburn presented as a sore throat.  It took 3 rounds to figure out is was heartburn, but Zantac cleared it right up.

Eat what tastes good.
Some chemo alters taste. Mine
did, and everything tasted like pond water.
I ate what I could. Kind of like
pregnancy…eat what you can when you can.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate……drink what you can…however you
can…it is one of the best way to help clear the chemo out and help you feel
better. It varied round to round what I
would drink. Decaf tea, ice water, lemon
water, Gatorade, Lifewater, soup broth, slushies, smoothies, etc. I was a regular at the frozen yogurt
place. It soothed my throat and helped
to prevent the beastly yeasties!

***This was key*** Keep a journal. I wrote a sentence or 2 on my iPad each
day. I just labeled it Day 1, date, and
wrote a sentence or 2 about what I felt each day as far as symptoms. This really helped when I went to my
appointments. It also really helped
round to round. The symptoms are really
very similar each round, but you get better at figuring out how to manage
them. You think you’ll remember, but I
would have something and think I’d never had it before and look back and see
sure enough…day 3 was the same last time.
Just like pregnancy, you block out the worst parts very quickly, which
is nice! It really did help also being
able to look back and know that even though I may have felt crappy one day, I
knew that in 2 days I would feel better and be back to normal. The only symptom that is cumulative is
fatigue, which is mostly because of blood counts taking a bigger hit each time.

If you get Neulasta, about 50% of people have no side
effects. About 50% have crushing bone
pain. There are a bunch of clinical
trials about using Claritan to alleviate this (not Zyrtec, but Claritan). You need to take it a day or 2 before, and
continue it daily for a few days after.
As with anything, talk to your oncologist about it. I only got neulasta with one round. I did use it and it helped somewhat.

People want to help.
They really, really do. Let someone set
up a meal train for you. If someone says
“what can I do?” …give them a task…about a half hour task…come and vacuum my
main floor,…come and help me fold a load or 2 of laundry…keep the task
small…you will appreciate the short visit, you will appreciate help with the
housework, and your friend will feel great for helping. I also asked a friend to be an “on call” person for
meals. I had one person who said if I
was ever admitted, she would cook a meal for us. I did this after my meal train filled up; (I
just used the meal train for a couple days the first week after each
chemo.)  When I was admitted during chemo
because my counts fell and I spiked a temp, it was so nice to have that go-to
person for a meal for my family, and she was so thrilled to be able to finally
step in to help. She seven stepped in to take my kids to their sports practices.  I am sure you have
helped people in situations like you are in and you will have years to
afterwards. People want to help you
because they feel helpless seeing a friend go through this. Be letting them help you, you really are
helping them cope. It is hard to accept
help, but it really will help you focus on getting healthy and taking care of
your family…and that is what is important now.

Walking everyday with my trusty tunes playing was a sanity
saver for me. Even on my crappiest days,
walking helped me a lot…physically and mentally.

You do not have to show up for chemo ready, willing, able,
and all smiles. You just have to show
up.

Anyone is welcome to PM me.
We look forward to you all being on the other side and joining us next year.

zjrosenthal

I would like to join the group as I see my chemo doc tomorrow for the first time.  I hope to get a port since I had one for another cancer treated in '08.  I had my surgery 8/11.  Lumpectomy with clear margins, removal of a malignant calcification and sentinel node dissection (2 positive with a capsule breakthrough and one neg. node)   It went well.  I had no pain, just some soreness.  This is going to be quite a new adventure on the cancer planet.  I am getting ready for the next phase of treatment, and hope to start my chemo soon.  I guess you can check my stage, grade etc. by clicking on my name.  I am new to this so please forgive any mistakes.

SueBe

Hi zirosenthal, welcome to the Sept '14 group. Sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I too have had a recurrence after an initial bc diagnosis and treatment in '08. I didn't do chemo then. I am working through the first week. So far just some aches from the white blood cell booster shot and some fatigue.

Your info is not visible. Perhaps you have to make it public?

zjrosenthal

Thanks, I will check and try to make it public.  BTW, this is not a return of the other cancer but a totally new one.

PoppyK

Hi Everyone,

First meeting with my MO was today. It looks like I will start my chemo in about 2 weeks- Cytoxan/Taxotere every 3 weeks, for 4-6 cycles.

Still trying to accept that I need chemo.

Poppy

barremom64

Hi Poppy- It's not what anyone wants to hear right?   I can relate to how you feel. My ONCA came back in the "grey" area. Which means the chemo decision was totally up to me. I REALLY didn't want to. I had just had a BMX and it was all I could deal with.  I decided to do it.  I just finished the 1st round of 4 Cytoxan/Taxotere.  I just wanted to know, at the end of the day that I did absolutely everything I could to be around for my kids.  From what I understand the "cocktail" we were prescribed-isn't the harshest, if that makes you feel any better?

I'm a big baby and I've had SE but they have be manageable and minimal.  

Wishing you the best

SueBe

Poppy, I am in the same boat as you. Sort of. This is my second time around with bc. The first time i decided not to do the chemo, just radiation, and tamoxifen after lumpectomy. Hopefully this will be it for me with treatment so I can be around a good long time for my family. 

I just did the first round. I was so nervous that day my jaw was clenched shut. Now that I know what to expect I will be better. As Barremom64 said ours is not the harshest cocktail. I was ok with the nausea and fatigue. It's the neulasta shot that knocked me out. Next time I will be more on top of it with the aleve after the claritin. 

I hope you get some relief from knowing others have been there and have come out just fine.

PoppyK

Barremom,

Thanks for the encouragement!

When I started on this road, there was only a 4% chance that the area of concern was cancer. They gave me the watch and wait option. I wanted answers now, so had a biopsy, which lead to my diagnosis. After surgery, the cancer was larger than expected and was also found in my sentinel node. So, I'm glad to have some breaks now. No signs of cancer found on my scans and a less harsh chemo regimen sound good at this point.

I have sons: 17, 15 and 11 yrs old. I want to be around for a while, too. And I need to know that I did everything I could to kick cancer out.

I hope you continue to tolerate your treatment well. Let me know how you are doing. I'm hoping for the best with mine.

barremom64

Poppy-  How amazing you trusted your "gut" and kept pushing for a biopsy!  My cancer was also bigger then every scan showed...lucky us:/ 

SueBe- So glad you're feeling better!

PoppyK

SueBe,

Just saw your post. We must have been posting at the same time.

Thanks for the info and encouragement. Regarding the neulasta: I've read some of the postings about it here on the board. During today's consult, my MO recommended that I try it once. If I don't tolerate is well, then I can discontinue. She doesn't expect the immunosuppressive effects of C/T to be too great because I am "so young". (Ha!) I will be sure to try Aleve/Claritin to make it tolerable.

Thanks

zjrosenthal

Saw the chemo doc today.  Did a mamogram which showed no cancer in the breast.  But since I have been having lots of hip pain did a bone scan and cat scan.  If these are clear, I start chemo on Mon.  If not it's a whole new ballgame with no cure.  Will find out Thursday.   Scary stuff!  

SueBe

I am hoping for the best for you zjrosenthal. No cure doesn't mean the end, as many women here can testify. 

SiStar-TX

Hello,  I start chemo on friday, 5 September 2014.  I am scheduled to have 6 treatments every three weeks with HER2neu treatment lasting for an additional 8 months.  My total treatment time is one year.  I did not get a tissue expander when I had a left MX.  I lost my sister to breast cancer in March  so I will take the BRCA to see if it's genetic. If so, I will have the right breast removed as a preventive measure.  I am so glad that I located this forum.

PoppyK

SiStar,

I'm truly sorry you lost your sister. I did the genetic screening, too, anticipating double MX if positive. Mine was negative, as I hope yours is.

Welcome to the board no one wants to join. I have found wonderful support and help here.

Poppy

Robin73014

Hello, 

I am so glad to find this group! I did my first of four rounds of AC today. I am dose dense so every 2 weeks( I am 39 so they say this method is common?) My anxiety is still pretty high but reality is kicking in. I use my diagnosis date as 7/30/2014. On 7/30 I saw my Ob/GYN for my annual pap and to get clarity on this painful lump that was getting larger on my chest. Due to the pain I disassociated cancer( not usually painful). She saw it and gave me "the look" . Some  of you know what I am saying! She immediately wrote the prescription and tried to call to get me a appt at Pink Lotus Breast center. We practically forgot the pap.... The rest is history my diagnosis from the surgeon came a day later. I need or an trying to get some resolve with work... With the scans, appointments, mri's, and muga's I was overwhelmed and could not perform my job in a productive fashion. My job is stressful and sales oriented..I am unclear if I can work through chemo . I even feel guilty about this! Am I alone? 

My first treatment AC was a total of 3 hours. I have the port ( this helps) , came home to diarrhea, was hungry at first- but it turned to nausea. They give you anti - nausea meds via the port during treatment. This wore off about 5 hours later. Tomorrow Naulesta... ! Thank you Team Chemo Class of September 2014! We got this!!!

SiStar-TX

Thank you Poppy!  My family seems to be in denial even though I start chemo on Friday.  My goal is to keep things as normal as possible.  I have even started to look for temporary eyebrows.

SiStar-TX

Hello Robin, I am awake when I should be preparing for bed but this site is so uplifting!  The closer I get to my first round of chemo the more nervous I feel.  My stomach is in knots!  I guess we are the the class of September 2014!  and WE GOT THIS!

SueBe

Hi SiStar-TX, Yes we can certainly support each other for the ups and downs. Go team Sept'14!

kjsimpson

SisStar-Tx,
I started the same regiment you are going through almost exactly a year ago.  If I can be of any help, feel free to message me.  The good news is that once you get through the chemo phase, taking the Herceptin only will be a breeze.  Hang in there.  It will be a wild ride, but you got this!

HockeyCat

Amy & Daniella, good luck today ! We can do this!

Moderators

Dear Robin73014 and SisStar-Tx, welcome to BCO Forums. It is a very
stressful time but often talking with others can help, especially through the chemo stage.

We hope you go well with your chemo.

Sorry
we can't help more. You are best talking with the other members. Any questions, feel free to PM us.

All the
best

The Mods

barremom64

Hi BC September 2014 sisters!  Today Danilella starts her chemo regime. I'm a believer in power of positive  thinking.  May I ask if you have a moment today- please send a small prayer, healing thought or just some good energy her way. She has a long day ahead of her and a little one waiting for her when she gets home. 

Thanks guys!

Lori1967

I have my "teach class" at the hospital today, I guess I'll get the grand tour of where I'll be spending so much time  

Tomorrow is the PICC line and bloodwork, then Friday is chemo day.....sigh....

I had a rough day on Sunday. I feel like a black cloud has followed me around for the last year, and now this. It all sort of just hit me and I stayed in bed all day and cried.

I am also a little worried, the Oncolgist mentioned it but didn't focus on it. I had asked him if my scan was clear everywhere else, worried about mets.

He said there were two tiny spots on my lung, but a lot of people have those....and of course that's all my mind in centred on.

I lost my brother 3 weeks ago to sarcoma, it was the lung mets that ended his life. I am terrified of the same happening to me  

I have to close my home childcare business, Oncologist was insistant on that. It makes me so sad to lose all my little kids, some have been with me for so long    Plus my dh was out of work for 6 months, he has a new job at 1/2 the pay no benefits. So my income is sorely needed....

I am really hoping I don't feel too sick, I refuse to vomit...it's gross and I won't do it...nope!!!

zjrosenthal

Hi Robin, this is ZJ.  I am right behind you.  If all my scans are clear, I start dose dense next week.  I pray we both make it thru with flying colors.  BTW, I am an older patient, age 71 and went thru chemo-radiation 6 yrs ago and beat a totally unrelated cancer.  Hang in there, you will be fine.

AmyG516

Home resting after my 1st infusion today. It really went surprisingly well. I go back for neulasta shot tomorrow morning.  Started taking Claritin today in preparation. Praying the SE will be manageable!

Hockey cat and Daniella - I hope your 1st day went smoothly too!  

Thank you to all the September 2013 sisters who took the time to post well wishes and such detailed notes. It means so much that you took the time to share with us!!  You ladies rock!!!❤️❤️❤️

zjrosenthal

All my scans are clear, thank you God.  I start dose dense chemo on Monday.  Glad to get started on the next phase of treatment.  Love, Jean

Ginabean

Hi Lori,

I am starting chemo this Friday. Will keep you and the other women on my prayers!