Starting Chemo January 2017

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  • Ktpittston
    Ktpittston Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2017

    ange905---I start my four rounds of ac Friday but I did 12 rounds of taxol prior to my masectomy. I promise you, it's bigger in your mind than it is when you get there. It's tough but doable. Keep concentrating on the end result and the celebration you'll have when it's over.Good luck tomorrow!

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  • Lilo244271
    Lilo244271 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2017

    I just wanted to say a quick Hello. I met with my MO today and will be starting chemo on Jan 18th. Next week is filled with appts....port placement, echo, PET scan, chemo training and maybe wig shopping. I had my BMX on 12/9 and still have 2 out of 4 drains in. I am hoping tomorrow is the day I get them out. I meet with the PS and will go over my treatment plan.

    Well, I will be posting here with everyone else and want to say that I am so grateful for all of you and the support we give each other.

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  • Serenity_now
    Serenity_now Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2017

    Hi girls,

    I will start chemo on 10th January. Being under 40 (35 years actually), the doctor recommended an intense treatment, at 2 weeks instead of 3 as usual. So I will have 4 months of chemo at 2 weeks apart (first 2 months a combination of meds I don't remember now, the other 2 I will also take Herceptin) and than surgery. Is any other of you having chemo at 2 weeks?

    Good luck all!

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  • bigcgoaway
    bigcgoaway Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2017

    Started my first Chemo yesterday! I had a lumpectomy November 30th to remove a 2cm tumor. Stage IIA IDC grade 3 Estrogen+/Progesteron- HER+

    They got clear margins on the lumpectomy and no other areas in either breasts detected on the MRI and my lymph nodes are hegative but due to the nature of IDC and having HER2+ they are doing a strong chemo regime.

    Starts with Herceptin and then its the chemo drugs taxotere and carboplatin. Six rounds of this every 3 weeks. After that 5 weeks of radiation and then another 9 months of Herceptin every 3 weeks and taking the drug tamoxifin to get rid of estrogen.

    First chemo went fine and I'm in good health going in to this at age 61. I have a very good network of friends and am prepared for the good the bad and the ugly as far as side effects go. Will keep posting as this continues. I am a positive person and trying to stay ahead of all the problems and highs and lows before they happen. This sounded like a good group to join since we are all starting chemo at the same time. I wish you all well and positive healing thoughts. WE CAN BEAT THIS SHIT!!!

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited January 2017

    Not sure where I saw this: but I sent an email to

    info@preggiepop.com

    stating I was starting Chemo in Jan. They will send you some queasy pops for nausea

    I got a reply today:

    Hi Sherry:

    Queasy Pops are on the way!

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  • tlgio17
    tlgio17 Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2017

    Zolagirl--thank you for the advice on having friends and family help out. And you said everything I have been feeling as most of all are I am sure. Rough road ahead but we can do it!

    Ang905-how did your treatment go. You dont have to explain how you were feeling to me, I have been feeling the exact same way! My first treatment is the 12th. So nervous and worried about SE's/reactions. Praying everything went well for you, let us know.

    SweatyBetsy, Awesome that your 1st treatment went well so far. I have chemo education class tomorrow and hope to get all my details/info packets to review. Hope you continue to feel well and thanks for posting for us behind a week or two as well so we can check in!

    Hugs to all,

    Traci

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  • Lilo244271
    Lilo244271 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2017

    Goincrzy8...thank you for nausea pop info. My email has been sent.

    Bigcgoaway...welcome! It sucks that this is how we have to meet. This a an amazingly positive group.

    SerenityNow...my treatment is similar to yours. I am getting AC every two weeks (4x) then Taxol for 4 times. I'm not sure of there is a week off between the Taxol.

    Tlgio17 and Goincrzy8...it is nice to see familiar faces from the December surgery board. It sucks that we have to be here too but together we WILL kick cancers butt.

    So far it sounds like every ones port placement and 1st treatment has gone pretty well.

    Love and hugs to all.

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  • MexicoHeather
    MexicoHeather Member Posts: 365
    edited January 2017

    Hi Everyone. This morning I had breakfast with a sweet friend, who is also a physical therapist. She gave me some table-based exercises to try. I am also going to keep my shower chair around for this next batch 'o fun.

    I am doing well, even though I thought it was Friday until a few hours ago. Time is sort of this free-form, vague concept now.

    Serentity & Lilo: I am also doing the intensive week one/week off with the AC treatments followed by Taxol.

    Sweaty Betsy: I read your post yesterday and I was elated to hear that someone had an okay time of it.

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  • Ang905
    Ang905 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2017

    tlgio17, kpittston

    First round of adriamycin fear of the unknown is really bad the only thing that really bothered me was just sticking the iv into port for one second. I guess I didn't have enough cream on to numb it . but it's the dam fear of the unknown u have t drink lots of water to flush it out . They gave me anti nausea medication there and I took a Claritin this morning in preparation for tomorrow. I'm taking compazine , Senekot-s , ativan, and axid, tonight anyone have nulesta shot in stomach which one is better that or arm . I'll be thinking of that for the morning


    I am getting treatments done once every two weeks for 24 weeks

    we shall all overcome this. One down eleven more to go .

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  • bareclaws
    bareclaws Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2017

    Serenity now, I don't think there is a "usual". It depends on which drugs/protocol you are getting. I started with TCHP, supposed to be every three weeks, but due to bad reaction, I'm now doing AC every two weeks x 4, then Taxol every week x 12. Started the AC today and it went swimmingly. Of course, I don't know what the next week will bring.


    Ang905, thanks for reminding me of the water. I just got up and retrieved a bottle, forcing myself to drink it. I sucked on ice during the Adriamycin, but it was only a 7-minute "push", so no big deal. Hope it helps. I'm only now starting to get my taste buds back from the first chemo a month ago (TCHP). I go back in tomorrow for anti-nausea fluids and the Neulasta shot. Hated wearing it on-body. But I had no pain associated with it. Hear a lot of people talking about bone pain, but not everyone gets it. I took one Claritin last time, but think I'll skip it this time around.

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  • bccpa
    bccpa Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2017

    1/6/17

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  • MyJourneys
    MyJourneys Member Posts: 143
    edited January 2017

    Please add me to the list: 1/19, TC via IV, every 3 weeks for 12 weeks. I have several different types of cancer in both breasts, left side hormone positive, right side triple negative. I'm an overachiever, obviously.

    Nervous, but researching helps. I don't think I'll do the cold caps.

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  • Ang905
    Ang905 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2017

    the fatigue has started and the nausea...just took compazine and was told to take it every six hours...let's hope it works....anyone else prescribe that for anti nausea ?

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  • Lilo244271
    Lilo244271 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2017

    Mexicoheather..our treatments start on the same day. Have you had a port inserted? I am just so ready to move on to the next phase.

    Well saw the PS and he took one more drain out. But I still have the one on my cancer side. It is still putting out about 40 to 45 cc. Ugh! I am going to see him again next week in the morning before my port placement. That will be 5 weeks that I had drains in.

    I am getting the Neulasta as a shot the day after my chemo. I just saw an ad about the automatic injector type. I wish I could have that I instead of going in the next day. My treatments are 50 miles one way so all these appts really add up.

    I am still positive. It has become my new mantra.

    Hugs to all.

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  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited January 2017

    Denise-G

    Please post more positive news helps so much.

    I have not called yet to start my chemo. I know I must.

    So happy you are well

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  • Jens74
    Jens74 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2017

    Good Evening!

    Day 7 post 1st A/C. I went and walked around the mall and was able to work from home for about 4.5 hours. I can't lie, I have been tired this evening! Today,I really noticed the decline in my taste buds and my throats feels a bit irritated. Tea with honey is helping that! I never should have mentioned the bone achiness yesterday! It started around 6 last night, but Tylenol certainly helped!

    All and all a good day! I know I can do this. The S/E are no longer so scary. And, I still have my hair, at least for another week, and much shorter than I would typically have it!

    I have been taking Senna S pretty regularly (Sorry! Couldn't help that one!) I haven't needed the nausea medicine since day 5. And, I am still eating well. Today was the first decline in my appetite, probably finally free of the steroid effect

    The port gets very irritated when I drive! I need to make a mini pillow for the seatbelt!

    I will soon be off to bed! I am so looking forward to sleep tonight!

    Have a wonderful evening!

    Jens

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2017

    Bccpa-

    Welcome to BCO! We wanted to wish you luck with your treatment, please check in and let us know how you're doing!

    The Mods

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  • newt72
    newt72 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2017

    Facebook, anyone? I was thinking we could maybe start a "secret group" on FB if everyone is on there? It's hard to keep up with everyone's posts and for some reason every time I come on here I have to reset my password. Anyone else have that issue?

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  • newt72
    newt72 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2017

    Facebook, anyone? I was thinking we could maybe start a "secret group" on FB if everyone is on there? It's hard to keep up with everyone's posts and for some reason every time I come on here I have to reset my password. Anyone else have that issue?

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  • Scorpiogirl
    Scorpiogirl Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2017

    Jens74

    I had my first TCH ON 12/16, then Neulasta shot on 12/18. I had severe bone pain unrelieved with Ibuprofen, Tylenol, even a Lortab from my lumpectomy that I had left over since I didn't really need too many post surgery. Pain was in lower back and both hips. Lasted from night of shot thru next two days. It was achy, throbbing and never stopped. For me this was the worst of the side effects. From reading others posts some breeze thru the Neulasta where others have similar experience as mine. I was told to take Claritin day of chemo and then for 7 days after. Did that but didn't help. I am hoping you are one of the lucky ones

    2

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  • Scorpiogirl
    Scorpiogirl Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2017

    Jens74-read your post again-looks like you are day 7 now so I think you should be good regarding Neulasta bone pain.

    bigcgoaway-I am 51 years old. We are on basically same regimen although I don't get tamoxifen as I was ER-. My MO told me same, even though I had negative margins and nodes, my cancer is very aggressive. Her2 weakly positive, Ki-67 > than 90 % and he said he wished I was ER positive but I am ER/PR-. Still only Stage 1A so grateful for that. I didn't qualify for Perjeta because my tumor was 1.4 cm. I thought he told me if it was 2.0 or > he could prob get me Perjeta adjuvant even though it is usually given neoadjuvant. Did they mention Perjeta to you? You have great attitude and I think that is half the battle!

    MyJourneys-My MO told me he doesn't agree with cold caps because it limits chemo getting to the scalp. I am recently diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic (1 1/2 months before cancer dx-celebrated New Years Eve and said good riddance to 2016!) and he said ice to hands and feet to help prevent neuropathy would be okay. Didn't do that because I want chemo to be effective everywhere possible. Have wig ready and a cool baseball cap that has attached hair coming out of back-much less annoying than wig-my hair last couple days has really started coming out.

    Newt72- I love this site, has really helped seeing all of the members who are 5 years out and doing well. I would also join a Facebook private group but am not too great technology wise so as long as someone set it up sounds great!

    Can't sleep at all tonight, due for 2nd round in 3 1/2 hours. The Dexamethasone just keeps me awake and this happened 3 weeks ago as well.

    Good luck to all of you when you have your treatments, my first one wasn't bad, hoping second goes as well. Prayers to each one you beautiful warriors!


    I

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  • bareclaws
    bareclaws Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2017

    I sincerely hope people don't abandon this forum for Facebook. For selfish reasons. I don't "Facebook" and would hate to lose touch with you all

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  • sweatybetsy
    sweatybetsy Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2017

    Good Morning All (at least it's morning in my neck of the woods)...

    Day 3 after round 1 for me.

    I agree with newt72 that it is a little hard to keep up with who is posting what but I'm not having any password problems. I also think this sort of forum is really good for someone like myself a month ago when I was newly diagnosed and freaking out (and am still kind of freaking out as of now lol). My plan is to just read everyone's posts and if I have any information relative to someone's questions or comments, I'll include it in my post.

    For example - someone was curious about the time between chemo infusions. I guess that varies, but mine will be AC 4 times, 2 weeks apart (called dose dense), then Taxol 4 times 2 weeks apart. That's 16 weeks, of which I am 3 days into right now so I feel like it such a long road still! I'll have surgery after chemo is done.

    I've also seen some comments about the neulasta injection. I had mine put on my stomach. The back of your upper arm is also an option, but it's hard to see it there and you have to be able to check it - a green light flashes to indicate it's in proper working order. At exactly the time prescribed (I think it was 27 hours after it was put on) it starting beeping up a storm (startled me to be honest!) and an hour later the injection was done and I peeled it off. It was all pretty easy, and the apparatus was not bad to have on for a day. I understand bone pain can be a side effect, so I started taking claritan last night and will take it for a few days.

    And for the sad news - I'm not going to be one of the lucky ones that gets by without nausea. I'm only on day 3, and the nausea has hit me. It's certainly not debilitating, just a nagging queasiness in my stomach. I can only hope that's as bad as it gets! Fingers crossed.

    Betsy

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  • Zolagirl
    Zolagirl Member Posts: 15
    edited January 2017

    I have the same issue as Newt72, I have to reset my password everything I want to post, kind of a pain. I wonder if it's because I use a tablet? I'm not very computer savvy but even my boyfriend couldn't fix it. For this reason, I would totally be up for a FB group, in ADDITION to this forum. Would just be easier to respond to others, but I come on here anyway....so more is better right?

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  • Lilo244271
    Lilo244271 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2017

    Happy Friday ladies!

    My hubby and I are getting out of town for the night. I have a weekend workshop for my job but it is still nice to get away. Meeting with my boss today to tell him of the change of plans. I won't be back full time 1/23.

    I take Zyrtec daily. Does anyone know if that will work the same as Claritin for the Neulasta pain?

    Betsy...hopefully the nausea goes away soon.

    I would be open to FB in addition to our forum. I agree it is difficult to comment on everyone's post and I really like to give personal shout outs to everyone.

    Well I I have decided not to use the cold cap and no wig. I have been checking out headwraps and wear. There are actually some really cute ones out there. I have bangs normally and you can actually buy bangs that can be attached to a headband that goes under hats and wraps. I'm not sure of the hair loss timeline though.

    There is a program through the American Cancer Society that offers workshops and a free makeup kit to women with cancer. The website is www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org. You can put in your zip code for a workshop near you. I am definitely going to sign up. The more support the better.

    Hope everyone can get some rest and have an enjoyable weekend. Hugs and love.

    Lisa

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  • Zolagirl
    Zolagirl Member Posts: 15
    edited January 2017

    Lilo - Good for you getting out of town with your hubby! Have a great time and try to put bc on the back burner for the night! I don't know about Zyrtec, my oncologist nurse said they aren't even sure why Claritin seems to work, but for many it does. I started my daily Granix shots daily 3 days ago, am using Claritin, and seem okay so far. I signed up for the Look Good, Feel Better class, mine is Monday, so I'll let everyone know how that went....anybody else taken the class yet?

    I ordered the bangs from Amazon to wear with caps, but I don't typically have bangs and they didn't work for me, but they are very real looking...hope they work for you, Lilo!

    I still haven't decided on a wig, hairpiece (halo) or scarves yet...I did buy some cute winter caps/ and Chemobeanies on Amazon to try....I guess I better decide since I'm 7 days into treatment and they said hair loss starts around 2 weeks and can be very fast! Ugh! Hopefully this class will help me.

    Hope everyone has a good weekend and is feeling good enough to get out and enjoy it....Freaking freezing here, 6° right now, so a warm, cozy blanket and a movie is in my future☺

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  • BG46TN
    BG46TN Member Posts: 286
    edited January 2017

    Hi everyone, popping over from Nov Chemo group again....

    Lilo, zyrtec does not work like Claritin, for some reason my nurse said they don't know whats in Claritin but its the only one that works. Like I've said before get the Neulasta on your belly and it gives less bone pain...otherwise heating pads and hot baths help immensely. My MO also said I could take Advil/Motrin...but check with your own dr before taking that yourself.

    In the Nov group we also started a FB group and it is SO much easier to navigate and respond...you guys should definitely do it. BUT we also post in our group on here too, since we had some women who did not want to switch and thats fine :-)

    I did the Look Good Feel Better program and its AWESOME!! They teach you how to do your make up, they give you a HUGE bag of high end make up...Mine also had wigs, hats, scarves :-) they give you free ones if you need/want them. They also gave each of us prayer shawls. Definitely sign up in your area.


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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited January 2017

    Lilo I am doing the look good feel good class this coming Monday. I went out last nite and bought a wig even though my insurance pays I went ahead and paid for it myself. It matches my style and color. Also went off the deep end and bought a short bob with dark roots and Pinkish Purple wig I LOVE IT! My granddaughter will love it when she sees it. I think it will be my Chemo day wig.

    BG46TN I am excited about the class. I am sad I will lose my eyelashes as I wear Mascara every day. I dont want to look sick.


    What part of CA lilo?

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  • Madofaith
    Madofaith Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2017

    Hi. I'm new here...unfortunately. I was diagnosed in December. I am scheduled to get my port on Monday morning and start AC (every 2 weeks for 4 treatments) on Wednesday. After that I will have Taxol every week for 12 weeks. I'm scared, but just facing each day as they come. I'll get through this and I'll help anyone else I can get through this. I am blessed that while I am a single mom, I have wonderful daughters (18 and 23) and a few friends and family who really ARE available and supportive. I don't have any questions right now...but I'm positive I will and I'm positive I will have information for others too.

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  • Lilo244271
    Lilo244271 Member Posts: 40
    edited January 2017

    Madofaith....welcome! I am so sorry this is how we have to meet. This is an amazing group!

    Goincrzy8...I am in central CA in the mountains, Tehachapi. So my treatments and Drs are in Bakersfield. I love the pink wig idea.

    Zolagirl and BG46TN..I am going change from Zyrtec to Claritin. Thank you for the input.

    I met with my boss. He is absolutely wonderful and supportive. I am an HR Manager and he said to come in on whatever days I feel up to it. I want to try to go to work some days just to get out of the house and have people in my life.

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