Chemo in July 2015

12357…54

Comments

  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    hi, when I went for my second opinion yesterday, she suggested the CT. But after further discussion, we decided on the AC. I. Hope I don't regret that. I start my chemo Monday. I'm trying to find the prep advice everyone keeps talking about

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • melinda531
    melinda531 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2015

    Well, never a dull moment with this crazy new life we're all living! I went for my treatment this morning only to learn they didn't tell me I need a pregnancy test and heart scan! There's no way to get the results back in time to still start today so I'm getting the tests this afternoon and new plan is to start treatment tomorrow morning.....they assure me they'll have the results by then! The rest of my schedule will stay on every 3rd Thursday, it's just my start date that's changing. Still a frustrating morning given I went in so ready to start today after a month of dread and sadness.

    Hope everyone's doing well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • powerthruit
    powerthruit Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2015

    Day 4 and the low energy has hit me. I woke up with a major headache. I think it was from the Zyrtec I took before the Neupogen shot. My head is not good with any sort of cold medicine. I don't have any bone pain today, so contemplating doing the shot without. Just not sure if I should wait and do one more with it. All in all, I'm doing OK. I managed the nausea well from Day 1, which I'm grateful for.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    I start my chemo on Monday, they are actually going to give me my first treatment, and then I have en echocardiogram scheduled the following week. I'm sorry to hear they didn't plan that before. Hang in there. I'm so trying to just think of the positive. The bottom line, isn't good for anyone to think about.

    In 1998, my husband was diagnosed with metastatic unknown primary. They found the cancer by accident and wound up having 23 rumors everywhere. Gave him one year with chemo. They were right on. I remember it so clearly. So, now I'm on the other end. I'm hoping that experience will make me stronger. They have come a long way with treatment since then. I worry more for my kids than myself. But, I am going to fight and win.

    Chin up. I'm sure I will soon need the same encouragement. The positive attitude helped me thru the double mastectomy, so I hope we all can have that same fight thru positive smile. Love to all of you...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited July 2015

    hello, everyone!

    Our chemo list for this topic does a great job of showing which drugs we'll be taking. I am very curious about how often everyone is slated for treatments and the number of treatments that you're signed up for. Does that sound useful to anyone else and if so, is there a good way to do that?

    I'd help if it's a data collection or data entry issue.

    To start, I am slated for post-surgery chemo:

    4 AC treatments, every other week

    Then 12 Weekly Taxotere/Carboplatin

    Let me know if I am just complicating things...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hartrish
    hartrish Member Posts: 380
    edited July 2015

    so first dose of TC went well today. No reactions from the Meds. Was going to get neulasta shot tomorrow but insurance won't cover until I have documented low counts. Really bummed about that!

    Hoping for a side effect free experience. Will update as the days go by.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    welcome Sher0402 & RuthElizabeth - glad you found us - we are all here to support each other thru it & kick cancer to the curb!

    RuthElizabeth - for additional info I would suggest browsing the previous chemo month threads - The March one has a lot of great info and you can reach out to the Moderators for help finding more info! Keep us posted on how you are doing!

    Dchavy - sorry you had such an issue on Day 1 - hope you are doing OK

    Hartrish & Bjsmiller - thinking of you today - hope you are doing well! Hartrish - I cannot believe your insurance does not cover the shot unless you have an issue - that stinks - can you fight it?

    melinda53 - that is ridiculous no one told you about the prep tests - the heart (MUGA) scan stinks for those with TE's - hope all goes well tomorrow for you!

    Good luck tomorrow theearthlaughsinflowers & sandi211 - will be thinking of you!

    powerthruit - hoping you are OK & get you energy back headache free soon!

    Have a side effect free night everyone

    Mary

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    JillyB - I tested negative & was shocked since my Grandmother (maternal), my Aunt & my Mom all had either Breast, Colon or Ovarian - the genetic counselor I met with said my family could very well have a gene that has not be found yet in relation to cancer but BRCA was negative! While I wanted to know why - I was thankful it all came back negative so that maybe it ends with me in my family! Hope you are doing OK

    Mary

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited July 2015

    Peabrain - since Michele123 opened the thread she would have to add the info to the opening post! I have been helping her update as new members join our July Chemo Survivor Group .. pm me to talk about updating the info

    I am also starting 4 rounds of AC every other week and then 12 weeks of Taxol every week

    Mary

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FreeandFlying
    FreeandFlying Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2015

    Hi Everyone.

    I just joined the group- thank you. Started first chemo today.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hartrish
    hartrish Member Posts: 380
    edited July 2015

    mdoc524: I called today and talked to member service rep. Said I have to call UM department tomorrow. I asked for the criteria to administer neulasta. I have two wounds I am dealing with so want to be sure my counts come back up to help fight off infection.


    Doc office said if count drops would have to get 3-5 shots of nepogen if I did not get neulasta tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FreeandFlying
    FreeandFlying Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2015

    I had my first AC infusion today and one of the medications is giving me quite the headache. Would it be the steroid? I've just been weak and dizzy today. Otherwise OK I guess. Goodnight.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    Thank you Mary. I did a lot of reading today. I made a huge list of suggestions, and a list of things I may need. I really appreciate all the information I can get. I'm a little disappointed in my doc, he has not given me any printed information as to what I may need or what to expect. I meet with my nurse before my first chemo, which doesn't give me time to shop. So, you have helped with that. Thanks agai

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuthElizabeth
    RuthElizabeth Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    I hope you can sleep and have a better day tomorrow. I start on Monday.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lauragirl
    lauragirl Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2015

    Hi all, I'm back. This week was my second chemo cycle. Finally had to cut my hair off yesterday cause it was all clumped up. It wasn't a easy sight at all. Im trying my best to get used to the wig but my confidence is still low. My treatments are weekly taxol and once in 3 weeks of herceptin, carboplatin. It feels like I'm drowning in sorrows and feeling so upset about this whole thing. At 25 years old its a big shock sometimes I can't even believe it either. Some days it feels like it won't get better. Life is so hard but we gotta just push and get through this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hartrish
    hartrish Member Posts: 380
    edited July 2015

    lauragirl. I know how you feel . I have some rough days as well. I will be glad when this is behind me so I can move on with my life. I am sure it will always be in the back of my mine that the cancer can show up again. I try and focus on the positives and push the negatives out. Hard at times to do. I hope you find some peace with everything you are going through.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FreeandFlying
    FreeandFlying Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2015

    Hi Everyone,

    Hope you are having a good day and can take a few minutes here or there to find peace and trust that beautiful days lie ahead. Cancer doesn't define any of us and the grueling emotional pain and physical pains of the treatment process will transform into strength, greater will and beautiful character.😇✨

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sher0402
    Sher0402 Member Posts: 51
    edited July 2015

    did everyone have a PET scan before starting chemo? Originally oncologist didn't request one. I have a suspicious lymphnode and the tumor board suggested this to check the lymphnode since I'm not having surgery before and they want to know for future radiation recommendation. I am so worried that they will find it has spread to other places beyond the lymphnode that I am having an anxiety attack. I don't think I can handle more bad news.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madrew
    madrew Member Posts: 15
    edited July 2015

    Hello! I'm triple negative and start a 12 week program of TC chemo on July 14th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • melinda531
    melinda531 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2015

    Sher0402,

    Yes, I got a PET scan before starting treatment. I thought it was standard practice but maybe my doctor was just being thorough because I'm HER2 positive and she wanted to make sure the cancer hasn't spread. I was relieved that my scan was clear but I am still getting chemo as she said the HER2 increases my risk for spreading and even though nothing active showed up in the scan, the chemo will kill any dormant cells that could be lurking and not show in the scan. I want to get rid of anything that could be anywhere in my body so I never have to go through this again :)

    Good luck to you!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • melinda531
    melinda531 Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2015

    Hi all,

    Got my first TCH treatment today and all went well. I've felt fine all day and feel like I'm sitting here waiting for something to happen but don't know what! Wish me luck the next few days with minimal side effects.......keeping my fingers crossed!

    Hope everyone's doing well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hartrish
    hartrish Member Posts: 380
    edited July 2015

    melinda531. I feel the same way about my chemo. Once is enough to go through this.

    This is my 3rd post treatment day. No side effects yet. Hoping for all of us no side effects. Have not noticed any bone or joint pain from neulasta shot but taking Claritin.

    Got up this morning and went to mall before opening and did my 30 min walk. Just a little winded at the end but made it through.

    Hoping everyone has a great weekend

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Hi Sandi211. I just had my first chemo treatment on July 9th, TCH+Perjeta. They said SEs should hit today, but so far so good. I took an anti-nausea med and Immodium proactively last night, and so far no problems. Keeping my fingers crossed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hartrish
    hartrish Member Posts: 380
    edited July 2015

    bjsmiller. So glad you are doing well. We started chemo on the same day but I am getting TC x 4 doses 21 days apart. Here is to a great weekend for both of us.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Hi Sher0402. My breast MRI showed a lesion on my liver, but the doc said not to be anxious because it's common to show up and is usually benign, however, it prompted her to order a PET scan. The PET showed the liver to be okay, but did pick up two spots on my bone; one vertebrae and pelvis. Yesterday, I had a bone biopsy on the pelvic spot, but won't get results until next Wednesday. I'm bummed there's spots on my bone, but very relieved my liver's okay!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    hartrish, thanks. I'll be doing 6x, but one down now! MO said how I feel this first round is how it will probably go throughout, so I'm hopeful. Here's to a great weekend for you as well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    melinda531, I had my first chemo treatment on July 9th and I completely relate to waiting for "something to happen." Good to hear you're doing well 3 days post treatment. No SE for me either after Neulasta and hope to just keep trucking along this week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Hi Free_and_Flying, glad you've joined. I had my first chemo treatment July 9th also. The steroid didn't seem to bother me, but I'm not getting AC, so don't know if maybe it causes headache? Best wishes to you for a good weekend.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    mdoc524, Hi and thanks for the welcome! So far so good with my first treatment two days out. Have a great weekend!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2015

    Peabrain, hi. I am doing neo-adjuvant therapy and am HER2+ so, MO has put me on a treatment plan of Herceptin/Perjeta combo + Taxotere/Carboplatin chemo once every 3 weeks for 6 rounds, and then all drop off except Herceptin for 6 more rounds.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories