Anybody else starting chemo march 1st 2017 TCx4

Colly

hi everybody

I'm new to this form. Diagnosed on Nov 23rd with grade 3 breast cancer. Surgery on Dec 8th to remove lump along with x6 lymph nodes. Margins and nodes all clear. HER2 negative. Had oncotype dx test. Got very low score 8! Which should have meant no chemo but along with the grade (3) size (3.6cm) and k167 and massive discussion and several opinions turns out I'm starting x4 rounds TC on March 1st 2017. Very nervous. From what I've read it is doable though. Just wondering is anybody else starting this journey at this time aswel.

Hopfull2

hi collie, sorry about your diagnosis. I'm not starting chemo in march. I'm from the November board and about to finish up my chemo this week. I had T/C x 6. It's very doable. I was extremely nervous my first round. The worst side effects I get is the fatigue. Keep on top of your nausea meds the 1st 4days. Drink lots of water starting dat before and don't forget to eat. You might want to take vitamin b6 for neuropathy. Good luck.

Colly

thanks hopfull2 for your reply. Much appreciated. I didn't think just after my 30th birthday I'd become part of this club but it's happening and I am staying very strong. Did you manage to keep any of your hair? Did all your treatments go ahead as scheduled? I just want to get it over with but afraid my white blood cells may play up on me. Congrats on coming to the end of your treatment. Brilliant to hear you got through so well

PugsMama

Hi Colly, I'm on the Feb chemo board & just let them know this board was up...I'm on the same tx as you. My worst side effects have been fatigue also....hang in there! also L-Glutamine powder is good for neuropathy.

39momof3

Hi Colly, I'm starting on 2/24...so just a little bit before you. Different treatment though (AC x4 & T x4

Colly

Pugsmama have you been very tired, does it keep u stuck in bed? I'm worried I will spend the next 3 months in bed wrecked!!!

Colly

Good luck with your treatment @39momof3. We will get through this together

PugsMama

I'm on day 6... very low energy but the other gals say by day 10 you feel great. I didn't expect this level of fatigue but at least I'm not experiencing the horrible & miserable SEs. I'll take it!

Hopfull2

Colly, I felt the same way that for the next 4 1/2 months I would be stuck sick at home. But no. It's not that bad. You will want to be home to take it easy the first 4days. Then day 5 you will feel back to normal. You will loose your taste buds though but by week 2 it starts coming back. As for white blood count, my Dr puts me on a injection for 7days following the day of chemo it's called neupogen, I inject myself it's to raise my count , you might want to ask your MO about that or the neulesta shot. A second for my hair, I a man cold capping so I was able to keep about 70-75%of my hair. But on t/c you will definitely loose it after your 2nd treatment

Colly

hopfull2 when u say loose it do you mean I will go completely bald after the second round? Or will it just shed/thin alot. Sorry for my ignorance, it's all so new to me

Colly

hopfull2 when u say loose it do you mean I will go completely bald after the second round? Or will it just shed/thin alot. Sorry for my ignorance, it's all so new to me

Hopfull2

well I still have my hair cuz of cold caps but I had a major shed after my 2nd round. But on my November chemo board I noticed lots of girls started shedding a lot after thier 2nd round like I guess it comes out in clumps so that's when you would have someone just shave it off cuz I'm sure it's heartbreaking looking at the clumps.

Colly

thanks hopfull2. Really afraid of that part of treatment.

Bluebird1013

Hi all, Thank you for posting the March board. I get my port on March 2. Chemo education on the 10th. Looks like I start the week of the 13th. Trying to decide what activities I should cancel that have been set for March. After reading all the posts. I think everything until I know how my body is going to react. Probably shouldn't be around crowds anyway. I'm sorry everyone is here, but I do believe it's better to share and know what to expect. I see a nurse navigator tomorrow and go through resource center. Looking forward to that. Everyone keep your eye on the prize!

Bluebird1013

Hi all, Thank you for posting the March board. I get my port on March 2. Chemo education on the 10th. Looks like I start the week of the 13th. Trying to decide what activities I should cancel that have been set for March. After reading all the posts. I think everything until I know how my body is going to react. Probably shouldn't be around crowds anyway. I'm sorry everyone is here, but I do believe it's better to share and know what to expect. I see a nurse navigator tomorrow and go through resource center. Looking forward to that. Everyone keep your eye on the prize!

HoneyBeaw

Colly

I have close to same dx, Stage 2 B, 2.6cm tumor and 1/3 nodes. While I ended up having a single mx due to margins not being clear first time and having small breast I decided it was best for me to get the mx. I was a total reck and still am some days. I was scared of the chemo and to this day worry that Im getting enough(right) treatment. I have not had horrible side effects, or not has horrible as I though they would be .

Started TC 1-16-17 so 3rd treatment coming up next Monday . Side effects I did have were Big nose sores, used Neosporin on those and it worked great . Some mouth sores, used the baking soda, salt mixture and rinised my mouth after every meal and snack and then some at least 10 times a day everyday. I developed yeast infection on tongue and bottom, Dr called in med but the salt and soda mixture worked good on the bottom issues , get a big squirt or spray bottle. First treatment my teeth hurt so bad and I had a bad tooth anyway so though I was really in trouble but turned out it was the steroids that was causing my tooth to hurt so bad .

The worst part for me was the steroids, they had me taking them starting the day before and for 3 days after plus they were in my IV pre med and they made me crazy could not sleep for 4 days.They lowered the steroids and that helped I never got sick to my stomach, I was given medication in pre-med IV and to take once I got home.

Drink lots of water several days before and after each treatment at least 8-10 glass a day. It makes a big difference. I have not had major food issue, I don't feel like eating week of Chemo, it does not taste good plus Im just really tired days 2-5. keep food simple and bland. and I know this may sound crazy but get as much exercise at possible, even if its just walking around the house for 20 laps

I wish you well , I totally understand your fear ( Huggs )

kbt

Yes, thank you for starting this board. My plan is in place: Chemo starts 3/9. Port surgery next week when they will also biopsy lymph nodes. I go tomorrow at 1pm to schedule that. Sometime between 3 more tests: bone scan, CT (to see if cancer has spread) and an echo to make sure my heart is ok for the high dose chemo. If heart ok will do double dose of AC chemo every 2 weeks for 4 courses (8 weeks) followed by single dose of T every week for 4 to 6 weeks. Time for each course of chemo is 4 to 5 hours. 3/8 I go for chemo101 class that my breast center offers.

If spread (which is is not I have faith), then different chemo route but will still start on 3/9. First week they say to take off to see how you do. Then can work rest of time (depending) but she is setting up for Thursday so I can work as much as possible.

2-4 weeks recovery after chemo then mastectomy. Then 4 weeks after mastectomy radiation. Radiation for 5 weeks then go on hormone suppression. May see about either hysterectomy or ovary removal at time of breast surgery due to being hormone positive to reduce risk and to have recovery at same. Anyone done this?

So sometime in August will have surgery. Can't have reconstruction at the same time due to needing radiation.

kbt

bluebird, I was wondering which activities to cancel as well. Good thought on just waiting to see how your body reacts before committing. Looks like we are starting within days of each other

Honey, thanks for the tips.

39momof3, sounds like we are on the same regime just different start times.

Hopeful, where did you get info on cold caps and who changes ice for you during treatment?

Thanks again all!

WGraf

Looks like our group is growing. Mixed emotions about that. Love the feeling of welcoming but hate that any of us are here. I've beengathering lots of info on the Feb 2017 board too. I go for my pre-op for my port tomorrow and get my echocardiogram as well. Chemo scheduled for next week, 3/2. I received my wound vac today for the incision not healing from DIEP. Hoping it doesn't the trick so chemo doesn't have to be rescheduled.

BfloSwimMom

Hi Colly, thanks for getting this group going. I'm starting four rounds of TC on March 3. Port to be placed on March 1. Diagnosed on November 3, lumpectomy on December 23. 1.75 cm, IDC & ILC, no node involvement. Stage 1, grade 3. Mammaprint test said high risk, luminal type B. I'm grateful for all the tips and experiences posted on here... taking lots of notes on how to make this journey tolerable.

Hopfull2

kbt, I used penguin cold cap company. I get dry ice day before 80lbs. Use2 ice chests. I hired a representative from the company for the 1st treatment. She trained my husband and sister. So they learned and did the other5 treatments for me it's a hassle but was worth it for me. There's a cold cap thread if you want to check it out. Or u can pm me if u gave more questions.

Hugs

Moderators

Welcome, BfloSwimMom! We hope your treatment goes well, and that you find the support you need here to get through it!

The Mods

kbt

Thank you hopfull2 for info and I am getting the neulesta shot, hoping it helps stave off some SE.

floswimmom and bluebird, I get my port on 3/2 (my son's birthday - hoping I can still make his birthday a great one).

Scans of bones 27th, CT 28th, chemo101 3/1, port & suspected lymphs' biopsy 3/2, meet radiation team 3/3. 3/8 follow-up for port & echo, start ddAC 3/9. Hoping my scans come back clear and no metastasis.

S&*# is getting real now.... I am very grateful for all the tips! If I had a dollar for every person that has seen my breast and $5 or more for every "feel", I could go on a nice vacation; instead I get chemo, mastectomy, radiation and hormone suppression. It is nice to know others are on this "unplanned vacation journey" with me.

Colly

BfloSwimMom we are starting TC on same week. I start March 1st for four rounds also. We can compare notes ! I'm the same aswel trying to remember all the great tips that the ladies are given. I am not getting a port inserted, I was never given the option. I hope that doesn't make it more difficult for me to receive my treatment. I have generally good veins.

HoneyBeaw thanks for for all your detailed message. I really appreciate it. I've been drinking water like it's my new job :-) drinking around 3litres everyday and exercising to be strong for what's ahead.x

Mary33

Hi all

I also diagnosed IIA breast cancer Nov 2016, x2lymph nodes, left breast. Starts jan 2017 TC x 4, just finished 3rd TC chemo, feel very tired and moody. Do I can go through all the treatment ?

WGraf

I had my port put in yesterday and wow didn't expect to be in so much pain. After having the BMX and DIEP I was thinking I could go through anything. They put the catheter into my jugular but the port is in my chest. Not sure if that's customary but I can feel and see the catheter in my neck 😳 The worst part was the terrible nausea I had afterward. By the time I got home I was vomitin😨 I kept an ice pack on my neck for 7 hours yesterday. It still hurts today and I can turn my head better but still hurts at about a 5/10. The wound vac is really doing its thing but not sure if I'll be able to start chemo on Thursday as planned. I will find out on Tuesday if they think it looks good enough. Fingers crossed.

Poodlelover

Glad to find this group. I have port placement 3/10 as well as echo and PET scan and start chemo 3/15. Taxol x 12 then A/C x 4. Anyone know with taxol how many treatments until hair loss typically starts?

bratmobile

I've been waiting for someone to start a March chemo thread. And to think-a few weeks ago, I thought I'd be joining a February surgery thread. How things change in an instant. Ugh.

I have port placement surgery 3/1, chemo teach 3/2 and scheduled to start treatment 3/7. 6 rounds of TC, Herceptin and Perjeta. Choosing a taxane now, they put the order in for taxotere but I'm terrified after reading about the permanent alopecia. I may change to Taxol.

I'm considering cold capping but also overwhelmed by the thought of attempting it. Cost, time, organizing friends to help, what if the dry ice delivery falls through?! all the variables are driving me nuts and I can barely hold it together just getting ready for the coming weeks. Seems more fun to just buy cute hats, wigs and say screw it. It will grow back, right? Please, I hope?!

Reading about all the SEs is making this turn really real all of a sudden and I'm wondering what I will be able to do with my kids. How I will feel at their 5th and 8th grade promotion ceremonies in June (God willing, at the end of chemo treatments). I'm scrambling to complete the little league baseball banner before port surgery and my first treatment. Not sure how I'll feel after! I'm sorry to meet you all here but may we comfort each other as we move through this together.

kimburke

Hi, Starting Chemo On march 3rd. 4 cycles of Taxotere (Docetaxel) and Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide) every three weeks.

I am already counting down the days until I am finished Chemo. Before I even start.

After this I will need to do tamoxifen for the next five years.

Sigh

Jsut9802

this is my first post! I go in March 1 to meet again with my Oncologist and set a date to have a port put in. Was diagnosed just before my 37th bday on Jan 6 and am so ready to start treatment! Anyone else have Er+ and have chemo prior to surgery to shrink the tumor??

kbt

jsut9802,

we have almost identical diagnosis! And yes I start on 3/9 to shrink my tumor (which is 8cm) and get rid of the other two smaller spots. (I'm multi-focal and multi-central). My port surgery and node biopsy is 3/2. Do you know which chemo you will do? I am doing double dose A/C for 8 weeks (every other week - 4 doses/rounds) followed by 4-6 doses of Taxol every week. Also, doing scans to see if it has spread; first was today and 2nd test tomorrow. Praying that it is contained in breast.

Sending you virtual hugs while we journey together.