Starting Chemo January 2017

bareclaws

Please add me to the January list. I did have one treatment of TCHP on December 5th, but due to bad reaction and developing ITP from it, my Drs have changed the protocol to AC +T, starting Jan 4th. So I feel like I'm sort of starting over. I'm glad I had that one, though, as I have bilateral BC and they are entirely different. A mixed bag to treat, so maybe a mixed bag of treatments will work out for the best.

I still have most of my hair, four weeks out, as I was in a Dignicap program. They justbooted me out of that, because it was a trial program and the hair retention results for AC are not as good and they only want good results. I just ordered a bunch of wigs to try, hoping to find something similar to my own hair. Not so easy, I'm discovering. I'm too old to rock the bald, though I admire women who do it.

Moderators

We'll be with you through this New Year, and wishing you all the very best!

Jens74

Good afternoon,

Wanted to post and say day 3 has been going well! The senna-s seems to work well. I went out and shopped a bit, rested and doing great. Definitely eat when I am hungry and graze the rest of the time. It helps to keep the energy right. Really, a good day so far!

Happy New Year!!!

Maya5

Hi, I start chemo on January 3rd. Had may port placement on December 29th. Doing okay. Concerned about start on Tuesday.

Maya5

Hi, I start chemo on January 3rd. Had may port placement on December 29th. Doing okay. Concerned about start on Tuesday.

newt72

Happy New Year, everyone!

Zola-Thanks for posting the details of your first treatment. Sounds like it wasn't too bad! You and I have an almost identical diagnosis and treatment plan. I will be having 4 rounds of A/C then 4 rounds of Taxol. I am praying that we all will have minimal side effects.

Is anyone fasting during treatments? I've done a little research on the benefits of fasting a couple of days before and one day after treatment. I haven't talked to my MO about it yet, but I am considering it.

Ktpittston

Can I be added to this group? I am starting ac chemo this week and this is the one I fear the most. I am post taxol for 12 weeks and post bilateral mas

showmama

Hope the holidays were good for you! It was a nice break to feel "normal" for a little while.  I went back to work full time 19 days after my BMX.  Not as bad as I feared but feeling extra tired.  Now waiting, waiting, waiting---Jan 3 is my first oncology appt. I'm learning from all your wonderful posts that chemo is doable.  My first saline fill was not too bad.  Just a lot of pressure.  Happy New Year!

p.s. Why is my dx and treatment info not showing on my posts??

DiV

Showmama hi! Welcome. Sorry that you have to join us. Try logging out then logging back in. When i signed up same thing happened to me.

MexicoHeather

Does anyone know if it's okay to use shellac type nail polish during AC chemo? I have not had any polish on since November.

snowsogal

Mexico Health,

Back in 2014, it was a no no, you never know what ingredients were going to react to the drugs they give you. Believe me you do not want to add anything to the mix if not necessary

In fact, we were told if we had positive nodes under our arm pits removed. We were requested not to get manicures or get our cuticles cut on that side. Shave with an electric shaver on the affected side.

Has any of that changed now?

tlgio17

Hi Zolagirl, thanks for posting.  I am literally feeling the same way about my upcoming treatment, scared!!!!  I haven't been able to sleep good worrying about it every day and night. 

I am supposed to start first treatment on Jan 12th.   Let me know how day 3/4 go for you, the onco told me those are the down days normally.

Thanks for the support as we fight together.

Traci

Journey365

Good morning all!! Today is the day for me.....I didnt sleep at all last night, I tossed and turned and finally just got up and tried to do anything to ease my mind. I was told that this will be a 6hr process, my aappointments start at 10am today....so pretty much I will be at the CCOA all day and most of the night, actual infusion time is 430pm. I'm tired of not knowing what will happen, how I will feel, how I will react or look. I have never been sick, hospitalized, or had children. I'm 36 years old, and I guess today it will hit me that my health isn't great, I did I have surgery in November, but I think I have been in denial. Anyway, thanks again to all who have shared their story and very helpful information. I appreciate it a great deal. In conclusion, May we all rise above this and take back full control of our lives, doable side effects and no permanent hold on us, our family or friends!!! Fuk Cancer....thats really how Im feeling.....yes, Im trying to remain Postive, I know it is extremely important to me overcoming this.......but again......Fuk Cancer!!! Have a great day ladies!!💓💓💓💓

Jens74

Good Morning, all!

Today is my day 5. This seems to be my worst so far in that the nausea is in full swing. I took the Zofran and it is helping but it makes my face seem a little tingling? Yesterday my feet started to have some sensitivity. All these strange and new sensations! Ugh! But, I was able or get up and get my daughter off to school. AND made an omelet for breakfast. Going to rest awhile before I try to get that exercise in!

Have a great day everyone! We got this!

Jens74

my thoughts are with you today!

newt72

Journey365-I will be thinking of you and praying for you today as you go through your first treatment. The fear of the unknown is what makes me anxious too! I get my port this Friday so I won't have my first treatment until next week. I have not had surgery yet, that is planned for this summer. I completely understand where you're coming from. I am 44 and have 3 kids, but I have always been healthy as a horse and never had to take medicine or had surgery other than c-sections. We will all get through this though and be stronger because of it!

Jens74 -I hope your nausea eases up soon!

P.S. I am getting my hair cut off today! It's shoulder length now and I have had short haircuts in the past, but never super-short. Today I will be getting it super-short!

its_raining_cars

Sign me up and thanks for this! I'm starting 1/17.

illimae

Post port surgery and Chemo update. Port surgery yesterday was a breeze, the surgeon played older music during the process and sang dream a little dream and wonderful world from a cd he's working on, making the experience odd but pleasant, lol.

As for the chemo, the Perjita and herceptin were fine but I had a severe reaction to the taxotere. Heat, flushing, intense abdominal and lower back pai, dialated eyes and twitching. My husband got the nurses and on call oncologist who stopped the infusion and gave me hydrocortisone and oxygen. Plan b to be discussed next week. I'm feeling normal this morning but it certainly scared the heck out of us and I didn't get released until 10 pm last night.

Journey365

Thanks Jens74, I hope you feel better soon. Newt72 thank you as well, my prayers are with you as well!! We will overcome this!!

BG46TN

HI everyone, I just wanted to pop in and say hi! and you are all warriors!! You WILL get through this....I started chemo in Nov, and just finished my 4th AC (and last AC yay!) My side effects weren't too bad, some nausea (take your nausea pills like clockwork!!and drink lots of water!) Constipation was a bigger SE for me, and the bone pain after the Neulasta shot went off...take the claritin for the bone pain! I also noticed when I had the On body put on my belly I had less SE, (my first chemo I had it on my arm and had the worst bone pain) Other then that its just fatigue that gets me. I am still working (I teach) so I try to rest when I can and definitely nap alot!

I start Taxotere on Jan 20th...4 cycles, 3 weeks apart...I should be done in the end of March....then surgery, radiation and reconstruction

I am also just using my veins...no port for me and so far so good :-)

You guys will do great!!.

Tburn014

Newt72- I'm 42 with 3 kids and I start chemo the 13th. My hair was about to the top of my bra strap, and I got it all cut off yesterday! I've never had hair this short. It's really cute, so I'm just continuing to roll with it. I hope you love your new do!

Goincrzy8

I will be starting this month, they called today to say Jan 12 but I have not heard about port insert, echo or CT. So they are going to follow up with that.So guess this is real. Wig shopping on Thursday, guess I need to see what to take with me?

What are you ladies taking for food, comfort etc?

Journey365

Good morning ladies,

I am extremely happy this morning!! My first infusion yesterday went really well, I have no complaints. I am feeling great this morning, going to work out in a few. Im sure the steroids are providing this extra energy, and I plan to use it. I dont know what will happen the days to come, but one day at a time is how i will conquer this! Have a great day!!

FCancer

Hello! I was supposed to start TC chemo today with my port surgery this morning. However when I got there they told me I had a low grade fever and my white blood cell count was super high!!! I've been battling a sinus infection but didn't think I felt badly! So we have delayed until next week. I was so ready to go. Has this ever happened to anyone? I'm not sure how to stay well during winter chemo. My house is set with air purifiers and purel But I also have an 8 year old petri dish who bring home every germ from school. I'm sorry you are all going through this as well. hugs in solidarity.

khin75

I will start my chemo on 9th Jan. Will start with cyclophosphamide and adriamycin. Any suggestion for side effects?

Moderators

Dear FCancer and khin75, Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that your breast cancer brought you both here but glad that you reached out. For FCancer here is a link to more information on our main site about Low White Blood Counts and for you khin75 here is a link to more information on chemotherapy medicines. We wish you both the best as you begin chemotherapy this month. We hope that you will stay connected here and get support and information from our members. Keep us posted on how things go for you. The Mods

Jens74

Good Afternoon,

Day 6 has been great! I feel almost completely normal. I will take it! Does anyone know the time line for bone pain from Neulasta? I am hoping I skipped out on the bone pain. (Fingers crossed)

We can get through this, just need to roll with whatever pops up.

Have a great day!

sweatybetsy

Hello Everyone!

I had my first infusion this afternoon and so far, no problems. We'll see how it goes in the next few days. Everything went smoothly and they put a neulasta injector on my stomach. Feeling a little overwhelmed with the quantity of information I've received about the chemo meds, the neulasta, the nausea meds, the side effects, etc...

I went wig shopping this past weekend, and let my daughter-in-law dye my hair mermaid colors too (no chemicals, is all very temporary). I figured what the heck, it'll all be cut off next week anyway

Thanks to everyone who is posting about their experiences - I find it so helpful and plan to continue posting 1-2 times a week about my treatment which will last 16 weeks (that sounds so longgggggg).

Jens74 - I have no idea about the bone pain, but they did tell me to take claritan 3-6 days after the neulasta injects. So maybe bone pain is most likely to happen in that time period? Who knows....this is all new to most of us and we will learn as we go.

Hugs and best wishes to all!

Betsy

Ang905

I start my treatment tomorrow morning ...I can not even start to explain what is going through my mind. The fear of the unknown is in complete control of my thoughts. I have 12 rounds of AC . I feel completely fine and healthy now and it's killing me knowing about the side effects that can happen. Tomorrow I start with the first of four sessions of Adriamycin followed by the nulesta shot the next day. I was told to take Claritin for bone pain as well. Any suggestions to calmnerves or help me prepare for the day ahead ?

Zolagirl

Well ladies, Day 5 and the achy feeling has mellowed but the nausea (manageable with Compazine and lots of fluids)and lack of taste for food has settled in. My insurance won't cover the neulasta, so I get to self inject for 10 days following treatment. Pharmacy had a problem getting them in, so I am just going to do day 2 yet tonight. Taking Claritin as suggested to avoid bone pain...please say a little prayer as I will for all of you...I think I can handle most s/e, but not mouth or bone pain, please!!!!

Newt72 - we do have almost exact diagnoses, don't we? Will be interesting to see how we do on this journey together....port tomorrow still? Do you have a chemo start date yet? You can ask me anything along the way 😊

Showmama - how did your oncology appt go?

Tlgio - Yep I admit it, i was terrified and scared is completely normal, we are facing a lot of unknowns! We are forced to look mortality in the face and have to be okay with getting toxins in our bodies and dealing with so many side effects that we MIGHT get, but are serious stuff! I usually try to keep things inside and deal on my own, but if I can give any advice....let friends and family in. Having my friend there for my first treatment made it so less scary, and it helped to take someone who was joking and upbeat..Do I need that every time? Probably not, but it was a tremendous comfort that first day!

Journey - All I can say is, I LOVE your attitude!!!! Your posts are awesome to read, and I hope you continue to keep so upbeat!

SweatyBetsy - one down.....yay!!!!! That first day is soooo overwhelming and I don't know about you, but alot of the information was things I knew to expect or to ask about after reading so much on this wonderful forum. The nurses said they can give us info and empathize as they've seen many women walk our shoes, but even they truly don't know our experiences unless they've gone through it themselves. I'm still trying to digest everything and I've read ALOT. You got this!

Jens74 - glad to hear day 6 is better, I got the nausea on day 5 too....hmm. must mean tomorrow is gonna be good!

Illimae - so sorry about your scary reaction!! At least now they know what to watch for and will hopefully have you going on a plan B soon. I definately smiled reading about the surgeon who did your port...how did you stop from giggling throughout?

FCancer - I'm sorry about your delay in treatment, but most important is that you are well enough to receive the meds....it's especially hard when you get yourself mentally psyched up and then to get that news 😕 it sounds like you're doing everything you can to try and keep the germs at bay, but what can you do when those little suckers want to attach on? I know our area is seeing lots of nasties going around right now. Just get healthy so you're ready next week!

M0221 - where have you been? Are you doing okay? Let us know......