Starting Chemo January 2015

dstar

Hi RV6gal, thinking about you too. So good to hear that you are OK and you can enjoy something nice to eat on New Year's Eve! My Onco said the first treatment was supposed to be the hardest and you have that behind you now. Yay!

Had my bone scan, thanks to all who gave encouragement, it helped. I believe in being positive but still acknowledging sorrow and fear seems healthy too as long as I don't live there. Those emotions seem really normal. The radiologist used my port! to inject the radioactive isotope. Pretty painless compared to IVs in my arm. My port is still healing, but it is getting easier.

Now I wait until Friday for results.

Tennisfan, did you have genetic testing, is that why the Dbl Mx and the ovary removal?

And MMCL, did you have two lumpectomies about a month apart? my single Mx is healing , big scar, do you know about the silicon tape? My plastic surgeon gave it to me, said it was inexpensive. It is coated on one side w/silicon. He said to cover the scar with the tape and leave it on until it falls off and keep replacing it. If the scar is covered for a couple of months, it will be reduced and flattened out.I heard good things from others with scars about it.

I have to delay my chemo as well, because a tooth needs a crown, a filling has a failed margin, chance of infection etc. I will start mid month now. Fine with me, I would like the extra week to keep recovering from surgery.

Happy New Year!

Cherylfg

RV6gal- I'm glad you are doing well. I've been thinking of you.

Tennisfan- I love that your friends helped you create a way for you to nap on your stomach. What a great story!

dstar- I'm glad your bone scan went well and they used your port without a problem. I know waiting for results is hard-sometimes I think it is one of the hardest things.

Well, it turned out to be a good thing that my port was delayed because my whole family came down with the flu. Luckily, my husband mentioned to his doctor that I was starting chemo soon and she called my doctor (oddly, my husband's doctor was doing a Fellowship with my medical oncologist, so they knew each other!), who put me on Tamiflu. My flu was really mild because of it and my port placement is still scheduled for tomorrow morning. My husband can't drive me because he is still sick so I asked a friend. No problem until she called this morning and said she had the flu! Luckily, another friend can take me. I live in Seattle and the flu is really going around here. If you have any symptoms, call your doctor. My nurse said it will definitely delay treatment. They can't give us chemo if we have the flu.

Then, I talked to another friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is also in her 30s, like me. I just feel like this disease is everywhere lately.

Lillp07

Cheryl, I feel like this disease is everywhere at the moment too. So many nurses I have dealt with this week have been through it. The medical receptionist. The doctors wife. Just so many people.

I start chemo Monday. Super nervous.

I went shopping to get all my special chemo things like special tooth paste and mouth wash and creams and things..... It was our cleaners last day at our house yesterday and she stole it all.

RV6gal

Cherylfg - sorry to hear a friend has just been diagnosed with BC. It does seem to be everywhere. Hope your family feels better soon and it's great you don't have to delay your chemo. Wishing you the best.

Dstar- I'm sorry your chemo is delayed but absolutely agree an extra week will make you stronger. I hope your Onco is right about the first one being the toughest as it seems to be going ok.

Day 4 - I did feel very tired today and I did nothing much other then my 30 minute walk. I took an anti nausea pill over 12 hours ago and still feel ok also. Taste buds definitely different but not too bad. I have been sticking with mostly soft foods like pudding, eggs, salmon and boiled veggies. It seems to be manageable so far.

I hope it continue to be manageable and I wish you all the best this month

Cherylfg

Lillp07-I'm sorry to hear about your stuff. Is there anything you can do?

I just checked my insurance website and saw I had a received a $75 deduction in my 2015 deductible for being healthy! They consider me to be healthy because I don't smoke, I don't have diabetes, and I'm not obese. I guess having cancer doesn't factor in to their equation. I've been laughing ever since I checked their website.

JazzerciseGirl

RV6gal - I'm glad you are doing OK. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'll be starting chemo on Thursday and will share my experience as well.

Cherylfg - Thank you for the laugh about your insurance. We need lots of laughs!

A piece of good news: My insurance has a high deductible and copayments -- ie $500 for port placement. My oncology RN told me about a special program my insurance has for financial assistance. I applied and was approved. I will have no charges except for my premiums for one year. Can't believe it. 😊

New friends -

Here are two things that you may not know about that might proven helpful:

-- Look Good, Feel Better. LGFB.org. They have classes throughout the U.S. as well as a helpful website? I'm signed up for a class at the end of January here in Northern Virginia.

-- Blue Bidet. From Amazon or Home Depot. Supposed to be better than spray bottle for urination discomfort from chemo elimination.

Please share any tips you've heard about!

goldenpawsKim

RV6GAL - I start next Thursday too. Our last weekend before the hell begins ha ha!! Keep me posted on how things go. I'm doing a little different chemo drugs ... mine are Taxotere & Cytoxan. Here's hoping for no SE for either one of us!!! Keeping my fingers & toes crossed. ♡ Kim

LakesideWLabs

Hello all. I start my presurgery treatment of once weekly THP (taxol- herceptin- perjeta) on 08 Jan. I will receive all 3 (THP) drugs the first week followed by just T the next two weeks... Then repeat that cycle for a 3 month period. It is comforting to hear your stories although I wish we were meeting under different circumstances. Keeping the faith sisters...

Cherylfg

My port placement went fine. They didn't use lidocaine, just in case it's what caused my rash. I was really nervous but it was pretty painless. The hardest part was setting the IV because I can only be poked in one arm now and I'm developing scar tissue. So, it's good to know I won't have any more of those. I can write more about the procedure later, if it would be helpful.

Also, I talked to dstar and she asked me to post for her. She got her bone scan results and there is a potential met. It isn't clear what it is and her regular doctor is out of town until next week. She is going to rest this weekend and won't be online but she wanted everybody to know. I can send her a message and let her know we are thinking of her.

Some days this disease is just too much.

Cheryl

Tennisfan

SIGH. Thanks for the update cherylfg and PLEASE do extend our thoughts and prayers to Dstar Now I want a bone scan but I also still believe in keeping up with the positive attitude Hard but one of the only things we can control I am sure you'll have to remind me soon too

Hugs

Marjorie

JazzerciseGirl

Cheryl, I'm so glad your port placement went well. When you speak with dstar please send her much love from me. I thought about her all night.

My husband and I are in the road from Florida back to Virginia. It was so nice to get some sun and rest before Thursday.

MM

PMR53

Cheryl thanks for posting about your port. I get that and SNB Monday. I think the SNB will be worse Please tell DStar I am thinking and praying for her. I am sorry to hear this.

My grand kids spent the night so it really helped to get my mind off everything that is happening. Trying to enjoy this last weekend before port, SNB and chemo on 12th.

Girls starting Chemo. Keep us informed. You are the warriors going first.

PMR53

Tennisfan

Speaking of combat warriors, I found an old camouflage colour bag that I am now going to use as my "chemo" bag. What did you ladies put/plan on putting in yours?

So far I brought a fleece blanky, ipad, headset, gum, kleenex, and a water bottle. Anything else you would find useful? I will likely bring salted almonds or a similar snack in case of snack attack. Originally thought I would go in style, now think I will just wear yoga pants for comfort :0)

Today was running errands to prep for my ovarian surgery and pre-chemo necessities. BTW yes my BMX and ovaries removal are following a BRACA2 genetic mutation. I am SO happy with my decision already as the pathology clearly indicated that I had pre-cancerous cells in my right breast as well so I made the right decision. I was originally considered for lumpectomy on my left axillary only but after I told them that my 35-year old cousin was diagnosed with BRACA2 two years ago the genetics testing doors miraculously opened and I was told within three week of my biopsy which took place immediately after diagnostic by ultrasound.

If this can be useful to someone there is positively NO history of breast cancer in my family, on both sides, but my dad and two uncles died of prostate cancer. This and many other cancers are also part of the BRACA2 gene mutation so if you have had several cancers in your family DO GET TESTED. I called each member of my family including aunts, uncles, and all my male and female cousins and they all got tested within weeks. Turns out about 70% are completely safe (no BRACA2 gene) and the other 30% who have it are now being closely monitored. Having the gene doesn't mean you will have cancer. So my baby sister decided to see how my ovaries removal etc. will go before making her decisions. She is ready to live with the risk but I wasn't so it as clearly bye bye boobs for me!!!

Among other purchases, on account of previous posts by various months/years/forum members, I bought Biotene toothpaste and mouthwas because I am hoping to prevent mouth sores and dryness. I lso bought tons of prune juice becaue albeit I am regular, anesthesia caused me far more pain than the actual breast surgery/reconstruction.procedure itself. After one day on morphine and being sent home with Percocet, I decided to go solely on Tylenol and all nausea and dizziness stopped but it took me five days of exrutiating belly pain before I came back tonormal. So this time I am ready! I also bought crackers, ginger snaps, gatorade an apple sauce. i felt I needed a few things to fall back on instead of the wait and see before chemo SE show their ugly heads

Bon, the ipad is starting to act up again so I'd better stop writing before I lose everything!!!

Au revoir, virtual friends, and strenght to those starting this week.

Marjorie

P.s. I also bought a red Buff to wear around the house, when the time comes. They look a little guerilla too so I will stay with the combat theme! Look them up, they are so comfortable and versatile (you can wear them 12 different ways), and personally I like that better than wearing a scarf - to each their own style :0)

Beachbum1023

Hi Tennisfan, I packed a notebook and pens, lemon drops, mandarin oranges and pudding cups, pretzel sticks, bottled water, and a frozen ice pack. I would use the ice pack on the back of my neck when I had my Adriamycin push. It kept me from getting a headache. I also took a frozen mac and cheese, we had a microwave. I always felt better if I ate during chemo and kept my stomach with food in it. If you are there for awhile, you might want your phone charger. Lip gloss may help also. After those items, I would take bananas or celery just in case. But I ate alot during chemo, I kept my SE meds on a regular schedule the day after chemo and the next 3 days. I never had stomach issues as long as I took the meds, and I never had to vomit. My worst fear!

I always wore a button front shirt or a v neck because of my port. Made it easier for the nurses. I think that is everything I took, but see how it goes. Everyone reacts differently to chemo. It will pass before you know it!

RV6gal

Today -Day 6 was a better day. 😀Yesterday, I felt nauseated all day. I took my anti-nausea pills twice even though I had not taken them the previous day at all. I was still able to eat but struggled to get all the water in for the day. Today, I was able to eat, drink and exercise (still can taste a bit) but I would definitely say that my energy level is down. I would like to do more but I made getting the water and exercise done as my only priority if other things are a challenge.

For Chemo prep, I have a tendency to get constipated so I started taking senokot the night before. I repeated it the night after chemo and never had an issue with it. Just typing this now though I realized I forgot to take some of the medicine (EMEND, DEXAMETHASONE) for anti- nausea! Holy crap, maybe I will feel better next time if I do take it.

On to day 7 post chemo#1

Beachbum1023

Hi RV6gal,

Have you tried Jello or Popsicles yet? It worked really well for me when I was tired of plain water.

Take care, sounds like you have the first chemo in the bag!

Tennisfan

beachbum, thanks for all the great tips!!!

RVgal, there's nothing like the first time to prep you for the rest of them so keep the spirit up and thanks for sharing, hopefully you are out of the woods for the next few days...

Lillp07

Hi Cheryl

Thanks for your post. I just saw it today. I have now bought everything again that was stolen and all good to go for tomorrow

Lil

Brandi999

I'm starting chemo within the next week or so. This week I get my port, more tests and scans and meet with a plastic surgeon. I don't know the exact plan yet but I will let you know.

VAmomX2

I will begin chemo tomorrow morning. A-C x4, then Taxol x4. Will update on how it goes.

Brandi999

Hi, it's me again! I'm typing on my computer now. It works way better than trying to do it on my phone. I was feeling pretty irritated that it's been so long to get to this point but then I've been reading through this whole thread and lots of you got diagnosed a month before me and just barely starting chemo! Well some have had the surgery already. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago but I first went to my doctor with a lump 2 months ago and I himmed and hawed about the lump a month before going in. I have no cancer in either side of my family and I am super dedicated to eating cleanly and avoiding chemicals and stuff. I was pretty annoyed by that part. I mean, why bother!? So this week I have a meeting with a plastic surgeon, my oncologist, get my port put in, get a PET or CT scan, EKG, Echocardiogram, chemo class and I also happen to be needing to do my recertification class at work to work on vent patients. I'm an RN working in home health, on the night shift, so that's where my fears come in. How is it going to be to work 12 hour night shifts and stay awake while doing chemo? I'm so scared we will lose everything. I already cut down to 3 days a week from 4. We started a Go Fund Me but it's hard to raise funds for grown ups with a common disease. Now if I was a kid or wounded animal I'd be in great shape. LOL

RV6gal

Beachbum1023, I agree with Tennisfan on the very helpful tips you have provided. I have used several! I have eaten jello ( I got some of those ready made ones so I could have them when I wanted). I also bought some vanilla puddings too. I find the cooler food tastes better. Popsicles are great too!

Sorry to see we have some new BC sisters but welcome to our January chemo thread.

A close friend of mine (who always seems to find the right card for all occasions) sent me a card for my chemo treatment. It says "chemo sucks" on the front and inside "but if it sucks the cancer right out of you then YAY chemo!" They really DO have a card for everything.

Fyre999 - it seems so unfair to have financial worries at the same time you are dealing with cancer. I can't offer any specific advice but hope you are able get the help you need.

Day 7 post chemo update - today was even better then yesterday. I was able to exercise, do some light housework and did not take any naps today. Still able to taste too. I think keeping my mouth moist all the time is helping with that maybe? Not sure if I mentionned this before but I did get a cold sore on my top lip around day 4. I tend to get cold sores when I'm stressed!😁 Chemo counts as a stressor for sure!

Good luck to all starting chemo this week! On to day 8 post chemo#1 for me!

Cherylfg

VAmomX2- good luck tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you.

Lil- I'm glad you were able to replace everything. What did you end up buying?

Wendy- I'm glad you are doing well. Your daily posts have made me much less nervous about starting chemo this week. Thank you for them.

This weekend was not my best. I have found my port placement recovery to be slow and painful. I was honestly shocked at the amount of pain I had yesterday. The only comfortable position I could find was reclining on the couch. Everything else pulled and tugged at my back and neck, which was painful. It was better today and the swelling is noticeably better. Hopefully tomorrow is even better.

Cheryl

Lillp07

Hi Cheryl,

Sorry to hear your port has been painful. Tomorrow should be better if today was ok. I found mine much better on Sunday than Saturday.

I ended up getting Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. Soft bristle toothbrush. Paw paw ointment. Organic body wash and moisturiser. Aluminium free deodorant and a pretty pink blanket to keep me warm during chemo. Today was cold so I'm glad I did.

RV6gal

Cheryl, I am sorry to hear the port is giving you such grief! I am hoping to hear this week about a possible port placement. I sort of doubting now it is a better solution! If I have to go through my 2nd chemo without it, I truly may reconsider.

I looked through the thread this morning as I wanted to wish those starting chemo today all the best. Big hugs to Lillp07, Vamomx2, and Tambeth. Drink lots of water!!!

Dimccleland, I hope all goes well with the port placement today and that your first chemo tomorrow is uneventful!😄

From what I read, it looks like the next chemo date is Jan 8 for Cherylfg, MMCLJ53, LakesideWLabs and GoldenPawsKim. Jan 9 for Lrwllms. Jan 12 for PMR54 and Jan 16 for Tennisfan. Hope I got it all right and didn't miss anyone.

Sending positive vibes to dstar and hope she gets good news from her oncologist this week!

Take care everyone

Lrwllms

My CT scan came back normal, yeah. I was a little nervous about that. Tomorrow I have my echocardiogram, then Wednesday I get my port. I'm ready...Chemo starts Friday! I just need to get all my things tomorrow. Is there a certain toothpaste y'all use

Beachbum1023

Good evening Lrwllms, Congrats on the scan and Good Luck on the Echo tomorrow. I did not have any problems with my port, so I hope yours goes as well as mine did. I do use Lidocaine cream on it 1 hour prior to chemo. For toothpaste I use Colgate or Biotene when I have dry mouth. The mouthwash is good also. You can also rinse with salt and baking soda. And add some nice lip gloss to keeps your lips from drying out. I have a bag I pack when I go to chemo.

Good Luck on Friday!!

Brandi999

I finally got my game plan! Woot! Maybe my neck muscles can unclench now. So I get my port tomorrow and start my chemo Tuesday. A/C X 4 treatments, then the T one for 12 weeks (once a week). I haven't slept in well over 24 hours so I'm a little out of it and can't remember stuff.

Beachbum1023

Hi fyre999, You sound ready to go! Relax, have a nice dinner, and get some sleep. Let us know how you are, been there, done that.

Lrwllms

beachbum1023 thanks for the toothpaste advice. I just don't want to go into this blindsided, but the information provided on this site has eased my mind tremendously, I appreciate you all. Thanks for the luck