April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

MombieZombie

Hello April Chemo Crew, I finished chemo back on Dec 26, 2014. Had my surgery. Hair growing back. Working through rads. Going to Hawaii in May!! I just wanted to pop in and chime in an encouraging word. It's going to be OK. You can do this!! It's hard. You'll cry and worry and be tired and feel like it might never end. But it does end and there is a good life to be had when it's over. Here is a picture of me shortly after losing my hair. I hope it will help others feel more confident to see this. I wish you wellness, happiness and all the best.

lovlilynne

Hi - just realized I have my regularly scheduled hair appointment for this Thursday. I'm going to get it cut short - not that my hair is that long (about what you see in photo - chin-length bob), but I'll get a pixie cut to prepare. Part of me is asking myself why I'm bothering to pay ~$120 for cut and regrowth when it will all be gone in a few weeks. But, since I'm not even getting treatment plan until 4/6 and then have ~17 days after chemo before it's gone, then I potentially have a minimum of 5 weeks of hair. I will even book a 6 week appointment - even if it is to be canceled, or maybe go in for a buz (if she offers to do it for free!).

I don't think I'm going to get a wig. I'm thinking that it will be easier with a hats or caps. I haven't bought any, but I have done some looking on-line. I have spent way too much time on this - paying interest on money I haven't borrowed. I don't even know for sure if I'll have to have chemo, just what the surgeon said.

I booked a weekend away with my DH for this coming weekend. We'll just go about 1.5 hours away - near the ocean, but north - so cold! But, I booked a cooking/class demo as a surprise, and I'm trying to book a couples massage. If I can't fly south, I may as well splurge on myself.

I'm also going to book a weekend at a hotel for me and my daughters for April vacation. It will be able to be canceled if it ends up being in conflict with treatment.

MombieZombie, thanks for popping in - always good to hear from those that have come through it all. Karen is our mentor here.

Lynne

ankledolphin

Hi! I guess I am joining the april crew....i have an appointment on the 2nd for Taxol/Carbo combo!

KBeee

little blueflowers, as your energy returns...which it will little by little, hopefully you can walk a little each day.  End of the driveway, a block, 2 blocks...a tiny bit more each day helps!

Lynne, the hair thing is so individual...whatever works, works.  Do what you are most comfortable with. I sure hope you can make your weekend trip in April!

ankledolphin, welcome.  So sorry you have to join us, but we'll get through this together.

Mommyzombie, thanks for the kind words.

littleblueflowers

mombiezombie, thanks Sooooo much for stopping in!

NurseJules

I started in February, but didn't realize these wonderful forums were available until tonight. I will be finishing a 4 round TC in April. Thus far everything has been going well except for mouth sores, but now that I suck on ice chips during my chemo sessions (cryotherapy) I haven't had a problem. It is such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am lucky enough to not have to work, I had vacation time built up (some vacation). However, as a nurse working 12 hour night shifts, I don't think I could have make it. If I had a job where I could leave if I was feeling sick (rather than waiting for the next shift to come in) I would have been OK. The fatigue just overwhelms me at times. Other than that, however, the chemo has not been as bad as I expected. Once I was through the complete emotional breakdown of hair loss, that is. I know we will all get there and be stronger (though if anyone else tells me how "strong" I am I am going to scream).

I still have surgery ahead as well for an implant in my right breast, which scares me to no end. But anything will be better than this ugly spacer.

KBeee

NurseJules, the implants are SOOOOO much better than the expanders! Glad to hear you are almost done with chemo. I agree that the fatigue is the most frustrating part (this is round 2 for me; I finished TC about 15 months ago). I hear you on the "stay strong" comments. I am very strong, and generally very positive, but some days I just want to crawl under the covers.......and that's OK! I can't imagine people going into someone's room that has had quadruple bypass, or someone that has just had a giant piece of colon removed due to colitis and saying "stay strong"...so I am not sure why people feel the need to say that to cancer patients!

NurseJules

Thank you for the validation. Today I want to crawl under the covers and stay there. Instead I sat in the shower pretending to wash....for a half hour. I have no hair, nor reason to shave, but with the water running no one is any the wiser. Sorry, having a day when everyone felt the need to hug me and tell me how great I am. I feel bald, fat, ugly, and stupid. Otherwise I promise I love life!

lovlilynne

Hi - question about your port if you have one - can you still sleep on your stomach or would it bother you? I sometimes fall asleep on my back, but I snore and don't sleep that well, I need to be on my stomach or side at least. I even slept on my stomach when I was PG - maybe not all of the night when I got big, but part of it.

I have no sleep issues now, and I'm not looking forward to having them, I don't think I'll deal well.

I heard from my RO friend, it occured to me that I may need to set up appointments with other MO than the team in Boston. I would love to stay with them to be treated, but the 37 mile commute can turn into 90-120 minutes, one way, and I don't want that stress on top of getting treatment. BTW, can you drive yourself to/from chemo? I am thinking yes, maybe not the first one, but after that?

Lynne

raisemeup

I guess I get to join this lovely crew as well! I have my port placement on April 7th and my first chemo on April 14th. I'm not looking forward to either one, except I know that it will all be worth it in the end! My MO also tells me I will receive a Neulasta injection after every treatment. Anyone else having this done?

lovlilynne

Hi Raiseme and welcome - sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I'm curious, are you having any other tests before you start (ECG, MRI, etc.)?

Lynne

Sssonia

Hi just got my portacath placement last week will start chemo next week. Very nervous . Tomorrow I get results of my scans (bone, abdomen , pelvis and chest.

KBeee

Raisemeup and Sssonia, welcome. Sorry you have to be here, but we'll get each other through to the finish line. Ssonia, when do you start next week? I was not sure Tuesday or Wednesday, but now know I will start Tuesday and have Neulasa on Wednesday.

Lynne, I have to have a driver for my first treatment, but can drive after that. Last time, I drove myself to my othertreatments. This time, I plan to have a friend for AC, but drive myself to the 12 Taxols.

raisemeup

I've had an MRI and an echocardiogram. On the 7th when I have my port put in I will also have a MUGA heart scan.

littleblueflowers

Just a question , ifor you have surgery first before chemo, how long do they usually wait to place the port and start chemo? It sounds like I might be starting one month after my mastectomy. Thanks for your experience in advance!

KBeee

Last time I started chemo 3.5 weeks later. I had not port.

This time I had surgery, then had reexision 3 weeks later, and am getting my port and starting chemo 5 weeks later. I could have stated one week sooner, but had a class already scheduled that I'd waited 5 years to get into so I was willing to wait a week! MO told me to pic. start date3-6 weeks after surgery...he preferred 4-5 weeks

SpriteB

HI everyone. I will be part of the April crew. I had my port placed yesterday and the echocardiogram today. Prior to surgery I had a bone scan, CT chest scan, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. My first chemo will be 4/2. I'm nervous but ready to get it started. I'm hoping to be able to work through it and just take days off around treatments as needed.

Rockerwife

Hello April Chemo Crew I am starting my first round of TC on April 7th. I am very nervous as what to expect.

littleblueflowers

hello rockerwife! I start the 9th...you will be just ahead of me. and hey I see you are a triple neg. As well! I really need to figure out how to put my pathology in my signature line....well from everything I've read, chemo should be very effective for us, so we got that going for us...welcome!

littleblueflowers

Hi spriteb! I'm supposed to get a CT scan monday....I'm so scared of what it might reveal...how did yours go?

Rockerwife

Hi Littlebluefowers nice to meet another Tnbc. Are you going to be doing TC as well? I get my BRCA results tomorrow at my appointment with the genetics counselor. On Friday, I have one last meeting before chemo with my oncologist and an appointment following with the chemo nurse.

melb44

Looks like I will be joining you all. Got the results of my mammaprint test that says I am high risk. I have a meeting with my doctor on the 31st to talk about options. However, from the last meeting I think I will probably do neoadjuvant chemotherapy starting in April.

littleblueflowers

Rockerwife, It looks like AC then Taxol for me...although I may be wrong on the taxol. It was something to do with taxol though. My mother in law is asleep on my couch in the living room right now and I don't want to risk waking her up to get my big book of cancer to verify Lol. Then probably rads since I had lymph node involvement. Dense dose every two weeks. And a full BMX. Wonder why our treatments are different as far as the drugs?

StacyMc329

Hi ladies

Got my port put in yesterday and yowza it's sore. Don't know why I wasn't expecting that. Start first cycle on the31st... Two days after my birthday (so I shall enjoy it ). Good luck all. And hope to hear news from you all.

StacyMc329

lovlilynne

I've only had it (port) one night but I stayed on my back or left side. Prolly after some time you'll be comfortable on your stomach. I've only had a week to process this chemo stuff..

lovlilynne

So, my RO friend Robin checked in, which was good, because it sort of just dawned on me that I probably would have to meet with Doctors in satellite location after meeting with doctors in Boston (for some reason, I figured that I could just transition over to them and start treatment ha ha). She also told me that the MO I had chosen is no longer working at the satellite center (although the website says differently), and so I'll see another MO instead. I have an appt. with her on 4/9. So, more delays - not delays so much as more time passing. I told Robin that I want to get started sooner than later, and she replied, "Everybody wants to "start earlier rather than later" but you really want to start *right* with the right team and the right approach. "

I agree, but I see people on these boards who had her surgery after I had mine, but are starting chemo way before. I know everyone is different, and Robin reminds me that I don't have the fastest growing tumor. To be honest, it's really my late June/early July vacation. Priorities, you know!

Lynne

KBeee

Stacy, we will be starting the same day! I am doing AC then T also. I get my port placed that morning before chemo. Monday night, about 15 of my coworkers and I are all shaving our heads. I am a firefighter/paramedic, and I work with a great bunch of guys! We did that last time too and it was my best memory of the whole chemo experience. I already have my wig, which I love!

Welcome to all of our new April gals. Sorry you have to be here, but we will get each others through this crazy time that is chemo, and have a big virtual party when we are all finished!

Does anyone have any goals or things you are looking forward to when done? I had some goals last time and it helped. I am meeting some friends in Vegas in November and am going to do(walk) the Rock andRoll half marathon. It will make me ge out this fall andge int shape! I am already looking forward to the trip, so it is nice to focus on that reward

littleblueflowers

did anyone get their port in under local anesthetic? My BS has me down for fully under and out, but after two surgeries in two weeks....ugh.

KBeee

I asked(begged) to be allowed to do my port under local. I was told my only choices were twighlight or general. I plan to tell the anesthesiologist to use the absolute minimum necessary and I want him/her to tell me what and how much is being administered with each med given

allicat1214

Hi ladies,

I'm going to start in April as well, but I'm not sure which chemo regimen I should do.

My Oncotype score is 19. My MO explained to me just with the lumpectomy, there's 85% chance the BC won't recur. Having chemo would give me an extra 2- 3 percentage points, so up to 88% cured. Then taking AIs for 10 years would give me another 4 percentage points, so then 92% cured.

He gave me some choices on the type of chemo: TC which he says is more "brutal" is only 4x every 3 weeks but gives the full 3 percentage points and the other CMF which he says has fewer side effects (no hair loss) 6x every 3 weeks but only gives an extra 2 percentage points of being cured.

He said I could take a few days to make the decision, so I have a lot of research to do.

I am already booked to get a port in my arm (anyone else heard of this?) on Wed, April 8, and the first chemo on Friday, April 10.

Anyone know anything about differences between TC & CMF?

Thanks all for sharing!