Chemo in July 2015

michele123

Hi all! My name is Michele, and I am 47 years old. I have three daughters, 25, 24 and 7 I am set to start 4 rounds of AC chemo on July 1, 2015. It was suggested to me by others on the boards to start a page for Chemo in July....so here it is. I am hoping to find others who will be going through this unexpected and unfortunate experience also. So if that is you, join and lets share our experiences as we go.

Update...mdoc was nice enough to gather all our start dates and chemo types to help us all keep it straight!! Thanks mdoc!

Yoxter123 - AC + T start 6/29

Michele123 - AC start 7/1

sureCat - AC + T start 7/1

courtleboo - TC start 7/1

JillyB - TCH start 7/1

JHarris29 - ?? Start 7/2

powerthruit - TC start 7/6

inkster - TC start 7/6

dchavy - AC start 7/8

theearthlaughsinflowers - AC + T start 7/10

Peabrain - AC + TC start 7/20

MsKay - TC start ??

mdoc524 - AC + T start 7/31

hartrish - TC starting 7/9

Want2Bcamping - TC starting 7/8

Melinda531 - TCH starting 7/9

Bjsmiller - TCHP starting 7/9

Thunder7 - TC starting 7/23

Sandi211 - AC + T starting 7/10

kdcjjc - TCH starting 7/16

Batesburg - AC + T + Carboplatin - starting July

Cheesequake - TCHP - starting 7/17

Gargengirl09 - AC + T + H - starting 6/30

lauragirl - ?? - starting July

Mamagrammy - TC - starting 7/7

sher0402 - TCHP - starting 7/16

RuthElizabeth - AC - starting 7/13

Free_and_Flying - AC + T - starting 7/9

mandrew - TC - starting 7/14

Btxtwins - TC - starting 6/29

Flaime - AC + T starting 7/21

HeatBrin - TCH starting 7/17

MissBee123 - TCHP - starting the week of 7/20

adarkadaptedi - AC + T - starting 7/7

Zuwali - AC + T - starting 7/9

Steph99 - AC + T - starting 7/17

djatsw47 - Chemo ?? - starting week of 7/20

nicevolve - Taxol - starting in July

Suzanne50 - TC - starting 8/3

JustLikeSamantha - TC - starting 7/6

Thunder7 - TC - starting 7/22

Suzanne1971 - TCHP - starting 7/8

Mel5 - TC - starting 7/9

Jamie09 - TC - starting 7/29

JbandKb1 - AC + T - starting 7/27

TizzyLish - TCHP - starting 7/8

pavlovsbell - AC + T - starting 7/30

Auroaya - Abraxane - Started July 9

Weolf - AC + T - started 7/30/15

mama26 - AC - started 7/23/15

JAnnG - AC + T - started 7/23/15

CinderellaNC - TC - started 7/31

Notdoneyet - Carbo/Taxol then AC - started July

Joy-Anna - AC + T - started July 1

Abinsf - AC + T - started 7/9

Gretagirl - TCH x 6 - started 7/22

Twnkltoz - AC + T - started 7/15

Janaples - TH - Started July 7

Patdob - AC + T - started in June/July

Sharazhad707 - AC + T - started 7/22

SVGsurvive - AC + T - started 7/29

27Heart - AC + T - started in July

powerthruit

Hi Michele,

I am just about a week behind you. I start 4 rounds of TC July 6! Not how we wanted to spend our summer vacation! 😝 All is moving quickly, but I am grateful to get it done ASAP. The tips and lists are great. I decided to start getting organized and collecting some of the day-to-day essentials. It was sort of therapeutic. I have a 6 year-old daughter. Thinking maybe some funky pink or green wigs -- inside only 😉 -- could be fun. - R

inkster

Michele123 - thank you so much for starting this thread! Us July 2015 gals (and I'm assuming it's all gals here, but maybe I'm wrong) can band together.

Powertrhuit - you and I will share the start date and the treatment regimen. While I'm sorry you're in this boat, I'm glad to meet someone in exactly my spot chemo-wise. I think the wigs sound awesome! And I'm curious about what you found for the day-to-day stuff.

I haven't done much to get organized yet. I am in the process of crocheting a soft cotton beanie and bought a scarf for a head wrap, but that's about it. I've read the supply lists posted too, but am just not sure what will apply. I mean, how can I be both constipated and have diarrhea at the same time? :P

 

 

powerthruit

Hi Inkster, Woohoo, here we go, two weeks away! I think I was looking at this list, Topic: More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo. Okay, maybe a little "too organized," but I was at Target the other day and bought a little basket to put keep my chemo stuff in.  I already had Biotene for example (and now I can't remember why!), so I put that in the basket. I bought my own thermometer, threw my Ibuprofen, Zofran prescription, Claritin...etc. Now that I think about it, so far, it's more giving my supplies a home rather than buying much more. Completely agree, we won't know exactly what will apply. I have a young daughter, so part of it, is just keeping her hands off. :-)

littleblueflowers

Hi ladies, just stopping in from the April group to say..You can do this! 😊

inkster

Thanks, littleblueflowers! BTW - you're from my home state. I'm a Missoula girl, but live (and have for many years) in Seattle now.

inkster

Powerthruit - organizing things into a basket is a great idea. Gives you one place to go when you need something (not to mention the hands-off for the kiddo). I think I'll do the same thing. A reason to shop at Target is just a huge bonus.

inkster

I had a bit of a brain blast while searching around for head coverings. Etsy! Loads and loads of gorgeous scarves, beanies, wraps, and more. Plus you can select handmade and support small businesses (usually - ready carefully as some are just resellers, but most are awesome).

Woohoo! Love online shopping.

powerthruit

Etsy! Great idea.

Peabrain

Hello, chicas!

I'd like to join your club now that it's official and I'll be starting chemo on July 20th.

For the moment, I am still just a week out from the BMX surgery, so I am still lugging around drains and wondering how the new gals will look.

I am a triple negative tribe member so they cut out the tumor and then the chemo is designed to nuke the hell out of whatever is skulking, since there are no other known treatments.

Four treatments of AC every other week (dose dense so the aggressive sucker doesn't grow back in between). Then 12 weekly treatments of Taxotere and Carboplatin.

Is anyone else doing this same cocktail or have any idea of what to really expect?

Probably we all are, but I'm a bit scared

littleblueflowers

inkster! I went to school in Missoula! Originally from Kalispell though...

inkster

Hey ya, Peabrain! Welcome! I start my first treatment on the 6th and I'm with you on the scared. I think it's all the unknowns that are worrying me (what does it feel like? what side effects will I get? as a bald woman, will I look like Sinead O'Connor or Uncle Fester?). You are on a different regimen, but I'd be willing to bet that some of your fears and concerns are similar. We'll do this together.

Littleblueflowers, my mom is from Kalispell and I still have some family up there. Small world, eh?

michele123

Hi guys....looks like I'm the first to start in this group and I'm with those of you that are scared....my hubby and i are on our way home from a quick surprise trip with our seven year old to Niagara Falls....she lived it! We wanted to do something fun with her before the chaos begins. My port goes in on Tuesday and first ose is Wednesday, the first. I an holding up pretty good...going to keep busy...pray often and think positive thoughts and hoping it won't be too bad. But, Inkster, I'm with you...all the unknowns are so hard. 😕 but I know we'll all be good. I"ll be sure to let you know how it goes Thanks for joining the group ☺

MsKay

Hello everyone! I will be starting chemo this month .4 rounds of TC every 21 days. I dont know the date yet. Driving myself crazy anticipating the inevitable.YES, I am terrified! Gonna try to relax and enjoy family that is coming to visit for the 4th of July.

Peabrain

My nephew offered to loan me his new squid hat. I'm going to have to be careful not to get my tenticles caught on my eyeballs.

Moderators

Welcome MsKay!

JillyB

I am starting TCH July 1st. A little nervous. I have 6 treatments every 3 weeks. They said I'd be there for about 6 hours. Not looking forward to be spending an entire day. Trying to figure out what to bring. I have pillow, blanket, iPad, drinks and snacks. Any other suggestions?

Thanks and good luck to the rest of you.

momand2kids

Hi

I just wanted to stop by and wish you all well and to tell you "you can do this". Chemo is much more frightening in the abstract--getting there is half the battle. While it is different for everyone- please know that many of us went through it and did fine. While everyone cannot work throughout, many of us did.... I had a 12 and 7 year old-- I did get to work most days. the best advice i got was "do everything, take everything that they tell you" they do know how to manage side effects--and if what they suggest does not work for you, let them know so they can change it....

good luck...you've got this....

michele123

Welcome Jillyb...I start inn the first also...but I am doing dense dose of AC, four doses, one every two weeks. Like I said above, I'm trying to keep busy and keep a sense of humor. I went shopping today and bought some scarves...I'm pretty sure I'm going to shave my head on the fourth of July with my whole family around. I may chicken out...I love my hair...its long and thick and I haven't even had it short since I was very little...so its going to be rough but with my family all there I think I'll handle it much better. As for what to bring to treatments....I'm a little unsure...I think I'm going to call the cancer center tomorrow and ask what they provide and then what they suggest I bring.Keep smiling everyone...and good luck to all .

courtleboo

I am also starting 4 rounds on July 1. Pretty nervous, but I think I am more nervous about the picc line I'm getting on July 30. Glad to have support and be able to support others during this time.

michele123

Hi courtleboo, welcome. I have to have a port put in tomorrow and like you, i am a bit nervous about that as well, but I have talked to a few friends who have gone through this and they say it is not so bad. Not sure if a pic line is the same or not but I will be thinking of you tomorrow as they are putting in my port. It is nice to know that we are not alone in this journey. Have you decided what you are bringing to your first round?

courtleboo

Michele123 I am probably bringing a large bottle of water, and I have a small kit that I read about on here actually. Makeup bag size just has a few things in it: hand sanitizer, tissue, chapstick, lotion, some hard candy... and of course my husband. This is my first time so I am not sure what else I might need. It is all a learning experience. Good luck with your port placement. I'll be thinking of you on July 1 as well. 😊

justmaximom15

Hello July sisters! Dropping in from the June group but I'm still getting Chemo so I'm somewhat part of you too.

I wanted to share a couple of sites that sent me some really nice gifts.

http://www.breastfriends.org/breast-cancer-support...

http://www.pandgcomfortkits.org/index.php/componen...

You can do this - we can do this together!!

Jackbirdie

Hello July ladies! Just dropping in (from the March group) also to say YOU'VE GOT THIS!

You will learn to rely on your sisters here for much help and little tricks on SEs.

Getting a bag organized is a great idea, as it keeps your mind occupied and helps you feel in control.

It is possible to have the big D and constipation pretty close to each other. It is good to be prepared for both.

I bought lots of hats and earrings on Etsy! Made me feel a lot less like Uncle Fester! But watch the Internet shopping on the nights you are on the steroids! A lot of us go out of control on those things.

Best of luck to you all and although I'm so very sorry you have to be here, I'm glad you've found each other.

Katy

justmaximom15

Jackibirdie, your Uncle Fester comment cracked me up. Over the weekend, I experience the big "shed" and I posted a status on FB about how my bathroom looked like Cousin It had taken a shower in there. My sister and her family were together and she read them the status and her 9 yr old granddaughter was completely confused because she had no idea who Cousin It was. LOL

BTW, I have a lovely scarf on today and earrings. I haven't worn earrings in forever!

michele123

I chuckled at both the Uncle Fester reference and the Cousin It and funny that you mentioned not wearing earrings in forever. I just bought some yesterday because I haven't worn them either but thought when i am without hair i will need something to male me feel more feminine. My seven year old saw them on my dresser and said...."earrings...why do you have earrings??" So I explained to her how I want to start wearing them more when I lose my hair. I am trying to talk to her about it as much as possible so she hopefully will be more prepared. justmaximom15 how has it been going for you...did you have a port put in? How was it...mine goes in tomorrow. And your treatments...going ok??? You seem so upbeat which is very encouraging I am so glad you dropped into the group!

justmaximom15

Honestly it has been going fairly easy for me, if any of this can ever be considered easy of course. I do have a port placed a week before my first treatment. The only issues that I had with the port is that I had some real soreness the first day or so after the procedure but it was mostly the neck incision. It just seemed to be in the most inconvenient spot for when I would turn my head but it was really not a big deal at all.

I truly have a great support system which helps me continue to be upbeat even when I'm saying "it could be worse" for the millionth time.

mdoc524

Hello Girls - jumping in to join the club as my Chemo start date is official - July 31st! Since I am last I will cheer you all on - we can do this!

Michele - I am also on 4 AC cycles every other week and then 12 weeks of Taxol every week

My biggest fear of chemo is vomiting - I have a huge fear of it - all else I can handle!

Does anyone get your Nails done & do you plan to continue??

Here's to us - July Chemo Girls - WE GOT THIS! 👍😜😎🙌💪🏻❤️❌⭕️

Mary

theearthlaughsinflowers

So happy I found this group! I am starting chemo (ACT) on July 10 (2 months at every other week then 12 weeky visits. While I know I can do it I admit to feeling a little nervous. My main fear is the traveling. It can take me 2.5 - 4 hours to get into the city (each way!). All I want is to get home before any symptoms start. Glad to have some new friends I can do this with together.

~ Pam

Peabrain

hi, laughsinflowers! Great name!

Are you doing the same ACT the whole time? I start a week after you but the same number of treatments and spacing.

Do you know anyone who has done this weekly? It might be like trying to get my fortune read, but I am trying to figure out if there Is there a day in the week where you feel decent.

Mdoc - I think they really don't want you to vomit, maybe even more than you don't want to. Did they give you the Zofran to take

courtleboo

mdoc524 I am right there with you about the vomiting. I have a phobia of vomiting. I told my doctor it is against my nature. LoL Hopefully all of us will fair well and have few side effects.