Anyone else Starting 4 rounds TC chemo November 2015

Freakedout4sure

looking to start supporters group going through 4 rounds of TC starting next week - early November - so far I'm a mess - worried about side effects and getting my hair cut shorter tomorrow morning at 8 am. I am on a zpak for sinusitis and wish I could go into this healthier but no one else seems to be as worried as me. Looking to kick this this thing with anyone doing the same! Let's get this done!

mdg

Not starting in November, but I have been there and done that! I had TCx4 almost 5 years ago. I was freaked out and more scared of chemo than surgery! I actually did better than I thought. I had minimal bad side effects. I never had any nausea. I did lose sense of taste for a while. I got tired at times and had some body aches. I was able to get my son up and ready for school every morning, exercise 5 days a week and return to teaching fitness classes a few weeks after chemo. It was not as bad as I thought. I hope you are this lucky! I can't help with the hair part as I opted to use cold caps and kept my hair, but many other ladies here have gone through hair loss and hopefully can give you some advice there. Best of luck! Hugs to you!

Freakedout4sure

thank you so much for your encouraging experience! I don't think I have cold caps at my docs place so, that will be that. So good you kept your hair and minimal side effects! I'm praying I can get thru this the same! God bless, and keep you well!

Sloan15

I just finished TC 2 weeks ago and am now doing rads. You don't have your tumor info down, but are you doing this prophylacticly? My nodes were clean, so my treatment was "just in case". The side effects are doable. I lost my hair, but no nausea. I only did 3 of the 4 TC because I started to get too much tingling in my hands. So, if your side effects get unreasonable, your doctor has options. You can do this!

Freakedout4sure

thank you!! Invasive lobular and intraductal insitu same breast three areas post double mastectomy in September - Mamaprint score very low end of high risk so prophylactic chemo yes zero nodes thank you for sharing!!!! And encouraging!

GiGiGarrison64

Had my last TC treatment yesterday. Worked all day at my wonderful school!  Very tired tonight, but it's "doable."   Very psychological, keep moving, surround yourself with positive people, avoid all negativity, you can do it!!!  I've had very few side effects. Prayer works...and you are now on my prayer list! 🙏😊☀️

Freakedout4sure

thank you!! God bless you and keep you well! I am encouraged and praying!!

Smurfette26

This is the group for me. The 1st of my 4 rounds is on Tuesday the 10th of November.

Not looking forward to it at all but happy that I have recovered well from surgery and am feeling strong.

Nice to meet you all. Hugs Donna.

Freakedout4sure

hi Donna! We will do this together! I had my surgery in September and am well recovered and grateful for that too! I hate having to face this but we will get thru it!

Nomatterwhat

Freakedout, we have almost the same DX only mine was in my right breast and 14 months ago.  Chemo is very doable, listen to your body and your doctor and you will come out on the other side just fine.  A changed person, but just fine.  I had chemo on Thursday, Neulasta shot on Friday, a queasy stomach on the weekend and back to work on Monday.  I took my Zofran about every 6 hours and ate small meals at the same time.  I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and ate a couple of crackers, drank some Ginger Ale and took a Zofran.  I really didn't have any nausea as long as I didn't let myself get hungry. 

I alternated water, Ginger Ale and 7-up and drank huge amounts of each all day long. Don't let yourself get dehydrated.  Make sure you have some mints on chemo day when they push the saline through the lines and suck on ice during Taxotere.  I took my husband, laptop, crossword puzzle books, snacks and lots of water and juice. 

My only heartbreak was the loss of my hair.  I was absolutely devastated and now I have curly/kinky hair that I absolutely love!!!!  You ladies can do this and those of us who have been there/done that are here to help you through it.  If you need anything at all, please post and somebody will have the answer.  Hugs to you and keep us informed.   

Freakedout4sure

thanks nomatterwhat, I appreciate your support!! And suggestions! I'm a mess and will get the call this week to start this Thursday - nerves a rumbling! Got 3 1/2 inches cut off my hair and getting root canal final phase over this Monday before. I do not want to loose my hair but it's coming. I'm more concerned about side effects and getting through this mess. Praying a lot and it helps a lot. Anything you think I can benefit from while doing this please let me know. God bless and keep you healthy!

Freakedout4sure

hi smurfette Donna! I start my TC on this Thursday, November 5th! prophlyatic as lymph nodes were negative but mamaprint results out me at low end of high recurrence risk in 5 years without chemo so this is what I gotta do to get to 88 % no recurrence in 5 years... With that thought in mind, we will need to bulk up strength against side effects fears and the ever dreaded hair loss. I will not be pretty bald lady but I will be alive. Anyone with any advice on foods to eat or wish to share your experience please do! When January 4th comes I will get my last chemo - setting my eyes on the horizon everyday!

Melrosemelrose

You may want to check out this book " Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD. I was given a copy of this book before I started chemo and it was very helpful. The book has menus, shopping lists, recipes, and chapters that give helpful tips for handling certain side effects ( constipation, nausea, mouth sores etc). This book was my "go-to book" when I didn't feel like searching for help. You may also want to check out the book "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen". it had some good recipes and wonderful pictures and food tips.

As for what to I ate during my time in chemoland, I made a daily food diary and kept track of when i ate and what I ate and how much. I made an effort to eat 5-6 small meals a day to help keep something in my tummy. Having food in the tummy may help keep the nausea at bay. Try to eat at the same times everyday. Drink plenty of fluids. If you are struggling with the idea of drinking 6-10 glasses of water/fluid a day, you may want to try this. I drank out of two 32ounce Nalgene bottles everyday which ensured I got at least 8 glasses of water a day. You may also get fluids in by drinking gatorade, decaff tea, flavored waters ( water with fruit slices in it such as lemon, orange etc), popsicles, grapes, watermelon.

I always ate a reasonable breakfast on chemo day since the infusion nurses told me that they preferred that patients eat prior to chemo. They told me that the pre-chemo anti nausea meds that they adminstered are better tolerated if the patient does not have an empty stomach. Those meds can cause nausea on their own if taken on an empty stomach. You may also want to take any prescription anti-nausea meds with at least 8 ounces of water and with food. Again, by doing so, you may help prevent the nausea feeling.

After chemo, I usually ate the same meal in the evening...... baked chicken, mac n cheese and mashed potatoes ( which I called my "white food" menu.) For breakfast, I usually ate a bowl of combo bowl of oatmeal and cream of wheat with blueberries and milk with wheat bran sprinkled on top. Sometimes I would have a cooked egg and toast. My onco allowed to me eat raw veggies , salads and fruit while I was in chemoland. Not all oncos allow their patients to do that because of the bacteria on the skins of veggies and fruits.

Yes, if you are wondering if you can go out to eat, the answer is YES!!! Just remember to stay away from buffets, sushi and meats cooked rare during this time. Try to avoid those open condiment bars where one gets lemon slices, etc. You just never know. I always ate at restaurants that I regularly ate at so I knew what to expect from the food.

I know you are probably anxious as chemo day approaches. Keep breathing and stay calm. The first chemo round may last the longest since the process will be explained to you as it goes along. Lab work and the receipt of the chemo from the infusion/hospital pharmacy may take more time than you expect. the first round of chemo is sometimes administered a little slower to see how you tolerate the chemo infusion. Just remember that you are not alone and you are not administering the chemo to yourself by yourself. Try to drink water and suck on ice during the infusion to help prevent mouth sores. Yes, you can go to the bathroom during the infsuion. You just ask the infusion nurse to unplug your IV chemo pole apparatus from the wall and head on to the bathroom. You will need to keep drinking fluids once you get home and need to keep emptying your bladder. This is to help flush the chemo through. If you have questions during the infusion, ask.

Wishing you the best......

Smurfette26

Freakedout4sure I don't think the bald look will become me either.

Hats don't really suit me but I will need to wear one as we are heading into summer here in Aus.

I have purchased some scarves, (pre tied as I'm not sure I could tie them so well).

I have also hired a wig from the Wig Library at the Cancer Council. Not sure how I will cope with a wig in the heat but wanted to have one on hand; just in case. The beauty of hiring is that I can swap it for another as often as I want, keep it as long as I want and the $50 hire fee goes back into providing more wigs for the library.

When I saw the Oncologist last week I asked him about food as I'd read that some people were told to avoid; or to eat certain foods. He said to eat whatever I feel like eating; within reason. He did suggest a bland dinner the night before chemo and a "normal" breakfast on chemo morning. I'm trying to be conscious of eating well and drinking lots of water.

Good luck on Thursday. Will be thinking of you. Hugs Donna.

Freakedout4sure

thanks Donna, I'm not a hat head either but they seem better than the scarf, and I'm with you on the wig thing - my wigs name of style is Eliza - my hairdresser has her. And is shaping her up for me - I'll pick her up this week and see the temporary me then. I counted Donna 81 days for the 4 cycles to be complete. I am 8 week so post op and healed very well.

Freakedout4sure

has anyone taken probiotics while in the chemo cycle?

Nomatterwhat

Freakedout, you will be fine.  Remember to listen to your nurses, they are a wealth of information. 

For breakfast I had a high protein breakfast such as eggs, potatoes, toast and Ginger Ale.  I always kept something on my stomach, because the nausea is easier to control if you stay ahead of it.  Sometimes, it would be oatmeal, sometimes it would be toast, but you will figure out what your stomach likes and doesn't like. 

Steroids, WOW, not fun.  I finally figured out that I could take mine about 6 pm and could sleep by around midnight, otherwise I would be up until 3 or 4 in the morning.  I also took Claritin and Aleve starting the day I took the steroids and continued for about one week to help with bone pain.  I just took them with all my other vitamins I took.   The Big C or the Big D are always possible, so you might want to consider some baby wipes. 

The hair, hmmm.... it is devastating and I didn't lose all my hair, I had about 1/4 inch the whole time I went through chemo.  My husband kept teasing me that I was going to look like him (bald).  Yes, but mine would grow back!!!!!  My son said I looked like Under Fester. 

You will do fine, just remember to breath and if you don't understand something ask and ask and ask again. 

Sloan15

Sometimes they don't want you to take probiotics. Just ask your MO. When my WBC count was good, my doc encouraged me to eat yogurt --I make my own. Now that I'm doing radiation, they wanted me to drink Kefir and have anything I want (but no taking antioxidants during treatment). Start writing down all your questions so you get the advice from your MO for your particular situation.

Nomatterwhat

and don't forget to get a calendar to write down all your appointments and all your surgeries.  The calendar was so helpful when I got my EOB's and needed to compare dates with procedures.  It is amazing how often you look back at your calendar when someone asks when you had something done. 

Freakedout4sure

thank you ALL! Nomatterwhat, I can't thank you enough, on January 25th I will be done with this, eyes on each day and counting down starting Thursday, and when it's over, I can't wait to change my user name :-))) hugs to you ladies! Thanks for you support advice and encouragement, never believed I would be 1 in 8 but I am.

Gabby56b

I had a UMX on Oct 13 and will be seeing the oncologist. Plan is for AC/Taxol. Want to get started as soon as possible so I can get done.

Freakedout4sure

hi Gabby56! Welcome! I know that feeling! If u get a chance to either complete or post your diagnosis and treatments that would help moving forward. I'm doing TC and start on this Thursday

Petula

Hello Ladies,

I just got home from my first TC Chemo treatment. I was a nervous wreck but it went incredibly well! No s.e.'s so far. I'm quite tired as I could not sleep last night and they gave me an oral Benadryl for the taxotere infusion. I'm also quite thirsty so will increase water intake.

I know the s.e.'s usually don't kick in until days 2-4 but so far so good. I will keep you informed and am very interested in how each of you fares as well.

You are all in my prayers🙏😀 we can do this!!!

Petula

Freakedout4sure

Yay!! awesome Petula!! Glad to hear it!! I start Thursday at 11:30am - steroids start tomorrow - did they give you any anti nausea med/script? How long was it? I counted the weeks we have 11 weeks - approx 82 days! We are in this together!

I'm lifting you up for minimal se! We are going to do this all together!!

I plan on posting daily, t help others - I'm very nervous to start! Praying for all!! Let's kick this!

Sandy,

Freakedout4sure

ladies, I discovered a secret! So my wigs at the shop get a shaping and I'm out trying on hats - I'm not a hat head or a scarf head and my poor face is going to hate not being framed soon enough - so I was at Walgreens and the sell boxes of hair e tensions -HA! I bought one and decided to to try it under a hat - hee hee - it's definitely something g fun to try! Perked me up for 5minutes anyway!! lol! Chemo on Thursday, ugh

Smurfette26

Petula so glad to hear your first chemo went smoothly. Hoping your side effects are minimal.

I start next week and am feeling "antsy" already.

Looks great Freakedout4sure.

Was wondering how many here took an Oncotype test ?

Freakedout4sure

thanks! Just picked up my wig here's me in it

I did not have onco type I did the mamaprint test instead it tests for 70 genes u are either high range or low - if in high range u get chemo

I was 0.084 in the high range - and gotta do it,

Smurfette26

Thanks for the reply RE: Oncotype tests Freakedout4sure.

Lovin' the wig. Beautiful.

Freakedout4sure

Prep day -1st steroid down - preloading to help prevent allergic reactions to my infusion. Tomorrow is treatment #1 of TC. As I stare down the next 11 weeks, 81 days, I find myself standing at the doorstep, reluctant to budge - all my insecurity, self-doubt, faith wavering, fears, and worries have suddenly become small - this is the last leg of this battle against this beast; where I am weak He is strong and He goes with me and before me. Through scriptures I have learned I have been Thomas, Barak, David, and Daniel in this process. When I prayed this morning to God for an army of 10,000 angels to help me through this, I opened my bible in my morning scriptures to the story of Barak, who due to fear, reluctantly assembling an army of 10,000 men for the battle - but little did he realize, the battle was not Barak's to fight, it was the Lords. I find peace today in this confirmation that the greatest Healer of them all is fighting for me. one of my favorite readings is from Romans 8:26-28 that encourages believers to pray to the Holy Spirit. I invite you all to walk with me, laugh and cry with me, and pray with me. Tomorrow I armor up!

Petula

Hi Smurfette,

Please try not to be freaked. Easier said than done, I know. I was a wreak and didn't sleep at all the night before and everything went incredibly smoothly. Even today's Neulasta shot was a breeze. Appetite is great. I'm just thirsty all the time so drinking tons of water.

I'll be here for you in spirit, prayer and friendship. Let me know what I can do to help you. I have confidence in you!!!

Petula

Petula

you go girl!!!!!

Remember how strong women are. We handle whatever life throws at us. Get a good nights sleep, if you can and I'll look forward to a gleaming report tomorrow.

God Bless and he does answer our prayers😇😇😇

Petula