Starting Chemo in September 2017

FleurDeLis49

Wow, IcedGem, hope you & yours stay safe!! We're watching Irma too up here in South Carolina. I used to live on the coast & know how much fun (not) it is to evacuate!

I just scheduled a hairdresser appointment for Thursday afternoon to cut my shoulder length hair down to a pixie before starting chemo later this month. I'd been growing it out from the worst hair cut ever for the last two years so even though I'm bitter about having to grow bangs out again, I at least have a wonderful stylist at my side who will no doubt cry as well. I'm actually hoping it all comes back silver!

OCDAmy

Iced, stay safe! It sounds like it is going to be a bad hurricane. Thanks for sharing your hair experience. I am not too far behind. My head was itching today, no hair falling out yet but I assume it will start soon. I have been with my hairdresser for 20 years, she said she would come to my house and shave my hair when I am ready. I know I can do it, I just don't want to see myself bald. It is like the first time I saw myself after the bilateral mastectomy. I cried so hard and was mourning the loss but I got over it. This too shall pass. I think of it as at least I know the chemo is working. Stay safe.

JD, if you can rock that look I say go for it. I have colored my hair for so many years I am not even sure what color it is but I know I will have a lot of gray when it grows back. I am hoping to pull off a Jamie Lee Curtis look when my hair grows back.

MzPriss

I made the call to change MOs today. Then promptly came home early from work for a nap. I'm wiped out. I am scared I won't be able to work through this. I've got to pull myself together for a ride to get the neulasta shot this afternoon.

My hair is to my waist. Tomorrow it is getting cut to my shoulders. Next stop the #2 clippers.

This first round has kicked my rear. Mouth dry and tingly, diarrhea, head hurts, so tired...and my port still hurts. Is it it over yet?

I can't even wrap my head around having to prep for a hurricaine while going through this. Stay safe!

Icedgem

Thank you everyone for the well wishes, it is getting scary down here in South Florida.

OCDAmy - sorry I didn't reply to your questions fully, I could blame chemo brain, but that's probably one side effect I don't think I have, well not yet anyway!

My hair was like normal for the first week after the infusion, then I got a slightly sensitive scalp almost like sunburn. Then at day 11 my hair started to shed in strands and quite a lot would appear on the hair brush. I've always had long thick hair and shed hair, but this was much more noticeable. Day 12, the same thing but even more shedding and I could feel loose strands that had fallen onto my arm. Day 13 was hilarious, I had to wash my hair and whilst in the shower it literally fell out. The dryer and brushing to style my hair just finished it off, I lost all the underneath of my bob, the style had collapsed. That's when I called the salon to organise dealing with it. I would guess that you are pretty close now.

I have adjusted surpringly well to my new bald head, and it's funny because we have had so much stuff to do today with evacuating tomorrow , that I totally forgot about it and have been running errands etc around town and bumping into people I literally haven't seen for months. My husband decided to pull our little boat out of the water today along with 100 other people, and whilst I was backing the trailer into the water the camera crew of a local news channel arrived and started filming. OMG I'm so self conscious and now I may even be on the news with my little beanie on!. I just hope the chemo nurses don't recognise me, I'm sure I should be resting up or something!

MzPrizz - hang in there, that was exactly how I was 2 weeks ago, I had a horrific 5 days and then suddenly my headache disappeared and I started to feel much brighter and I have almost been back to my normal self the last week. I hope that happens for you too.

Take care everyone

Travel_Girl

MzPriss -- when you go to your new ONC, you should ask about the neulasta pod -- the one that attaches to your arm and injects 24 hours later -- you don't have to go to back to the center for the shot. One less trip to the medical center.

Also I have been reading a lot about exercise and its impact on fatigue - while counter intuitive walking, or exercise can help with fatigue. there are many articles/studies on it -- this is just one from this site. Try to squeeze that in.

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/exercise...

MzPriss

TravelGirl: I have been walking 3 miles a day for months. I did walk about a mile yesterday....in the time it takes to walk the 3. There was no way I could do it today. I'm hoping to get a handle on the cycle of the bad days. Uggh.

Aussie275

Hi everyone, I am glad to have found you, I will be starting chemo next week & I am scared as I thought I was having surgery but now chemo. I shopped online with my beautiful daughter tonight for headwear but that is all I have prepared. I have read through these posts & have gained some knowledge thank you. Tomorrow I will need to tell everyone at work my treatment has changed I hope they don't give me their opinions just their support as I am nervous about the change of plan already. I better try to get some sleep.

Travel_Girl

MsPrizz - fantastic on the walking. It will get better, just get past these initial yuckky days. You can do it.

Aussie - welcome! I am doing chemo before surgery as well, to make peace with it (as i wanted it cut out ASAP!) - I am telling myself I am in better place health wise to handle the chemo. You can do this. Go to your chemo 'training' - every chemo type has slightly different tips.

Not sure if you looked at cold caps, that might be something you would want to look into prior to your first time -- you have to start with it or it doesn't work. Other than that, you have days to prepare. What I can tell you -- it wasn't as bad as my mind made out it to be. I hope the same for you

MzPriss

Hi Aussie! I too am doing chemo first. I hope your employer and co-workers are half as fabulous as mine have been. Not having work stress has been a blessing.

My hair is starting to fall out already....day 5. What in the what? Going to get it cut this afternoon....but maybe we should just skip to shaving?

PauletteK

Hi ladies,

Sorry I haven't been around that much, as far as electric toothbrush, I still use it, the on,y time I stopped I'll be day 5-8 due to sensitive gums. Then I go back again.

Someone mentioned about the numbness on he armpit, I have thT issue even my surgery was back in June. I'm not sure when this numbness will go away and I'm going to see PT next week hopefully they can give me an answer.

JD I love the undercut hair style, my niece suggested that I should give it a try after treatment lol. I might keep pixie hair style for awhile.

Aussie275

Thanks for the welcome Travel Girl. I had a positive day today & now are as keen as anyone can be to start chemo. Thanks for your support

MzPriss thanks & yes my employers were great today & my colleagues as I thought some might go you are crazy you must get it cut out, sometimes we don't get a choice. I think I am just going to shave as soon as it starts to fall out. I haven't looked into cold caps - I think I am just going to try to go with it & maybe try to have some fun - cute hats, funny hats & also some fun wigs but when it starts to fall out I will probably feel differently.

Brightness456

I'm starting taxol/herceptin September 14. My MO assures me this is doable and describes my regimen as "chemo lite". I hope she's right. I'm trying to be as healthy as possible and I've asked to speak with the dietician for additional input. I'll be cold capping, so that will be a bit of a challenge, but hopefully worth it. I'm afraid, but moving forward anyway..

OCDAmy

Welcome Aussie and best of luck as you start chemo.

I'm on day 13 and just started some hair shedding today. I'm going to try to baby my hair and hold on to it for as long as I can but I'm ready with my wig, hats, and scarves.

I've been walking every day too. Adter the first week I have felt really good. Hoping that happens for each subsequent treatment. Then I'm on to radiation. Anyone also getting radiation next

PauletteK

Brightness I'm going to join you on the taxol train ...... hope the SE is doable also!

luckydog36

Yes, the tumor was sent out for oncotyping and I was stunned to find out that it was a high risk of recurrence - so chemo TC starting n 9/28. Had Adriamycin (doxyrubicin) in 1999 so I would be close to life time dose for cardiotoxicity so onc recommended TC or CMF-but said TC gave survival advantage (also shorter-4 cycles instead of 12) I just want to get it over with. Had to wait 3-4 weeks to get final recommendation but looking forward to starting after the New Year.

Milkweed93

Hi Amy, I started my first chemo on 8/29 with TC. Iced my toes and fingers. Toes a little too much - nearly got frostbite! Here I am about 10 days out and have been through some stuff! The nausea was minimal with Zofran and a little boost with CBD Mendo. The worst so far was the extreme bone pain from the Neulasta. It started the night after the injection and lasted a good 3-4 days. Wasn't properly warned about this by my MO, so ended up chasing the pain. The claritin didn't seem to help but maybe because I was chasing the pain. Tylenol helped a little. I felt like I was walking and sitting on brittle painful bones. Next time, I will get ahead of it and take the pain meds before the Neulasta. Now I have this weird rash in my armpits. I call them pit zits! They are painful to touch. I've been trying to give them a little rub. I wasn't wearing deodorant for a few days to see if that was irritating them, and I haven't shaved there since before treatment. No change really. Has anyone else gotten a rash there or anywhere? I see my MO today, so I'll see what she says. Oh and also, the mouth dryness! I'm gargling with salt/baking soda, but may need to try some other remedies. Anyway, seems we are on nearly the same track a few days apart?? Next treatment is Sept 18.

JD_RN

Can I just say CANCER SUCKS . . . ok now that I've got that out there - it's been a tough few days for me - lots of darkness. I know it's all part of this but here is the current news: Long and short of it was spoke to ID doc and learned that he's going to continue treating slime while I go through chemo but with the immunosuppression the slime may take over and he might make me stop chemo. And can't get a port so can't live like a person. Then My wife (OMG I'm gay) suggested I skip chemo bc of the infection. I told her Nope. No fun options I agree but those who would say pass on chemo bc of the slime aren't Elijah's (my 12 year old) mother. It may suck ass on top of normal chemo shit but I won't shy away from the possible benefit bc it might be hard. I told her not up for discussion. Tonight elijah and I were discussing chemo and he said that he should not be the whole reason I do this that I should consider myself as well and what I want. Who is this kid and what did I do right to have him?

I'm sorry people are having difficulty with chemo - none of this is pretty or fun, I think it is what it is. But we will get through it together. I am constantly uplifted by the wonderful people on this board and how we have become family in a very short time. The more I try to just be out there with it people seem to rally around you and want to support you in the fight. This is so nice because I don't want to be pitted by people, but it does help to have others acknowledge that what we are all doing takes courage - so my fearless friends - be the warriors that you are and tell cancer that you are going to kick it firmly in the ass and scare it so much so it never comes back and there is no more room for it in your life.

Let's try to keep our sense of humor, make each other laugh and love each other through this. Frankly where else can you talk about shaving your head or cutting off your breasts and have people not think you are one taco short of a combination platter - lol. I often smile at some of the comments like PK talking about her pixie cut and Amy and Aussie ready to rock the bald. Remember we are trying to save our lives and not necessarily our boobs or hair. Womanhood comes from the inside and women are the strongest people on the planet. I mean think about it - if men had to have babies . . . u can finish that sentence! I love guys but definitely know that women have unending strength. If I were to wax philosophical perhaps even though everyone technically has "breasts" in a medical sense that women were chosen (by either a higher power or the universe or something) as a disproportionate majority for breast cancer because we are the ones that are strong enough to beat it.

Ok I'm done being deep - I need to brush my teeth and get ready bc it's haircut day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxo - JD

JD_RN

Milk - you sound like a medical professional it was the "chasing pain" comment that made me think that. The armpit rash is interesting (not for you) I wonder if has something with the fact that we sweat in the armpits which makes it a perfect outlet for some of the chemo drugs and maybe they are irritating because the chemo is rather toxic. What does it look like? Is it just red bumps or is it more pustule like (the grossest word ever) with a white head that looks like puss.

Ok this post just reinforced my last comment about being able to talk about weird and strange things with ease!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JD

OCDAmy

JD, you make me smile!! I enjoy your posts. One taco short of a combination platter...I am going to use that one!

Milkweed, yes we are very close in our treatment dates. My next TC is next Friday, September 15. I did not get an automatic Neulasta shot the first time. My MO said he does not give the shot the first time. He will determine next time if I need it after he looks at my counts. I am hoping I don't need it but if I do I understand that Claratin is supposed to help. I take a zyrtec everyday for seasonal allergies, I wonder if it has to be claratin or if the zyrtec does the same thing? I am using the baking soda/salt water rinse but also bought Biotene and rinse with that in morning and at bed time.I also bought Biotene toothpaste. No rashes for me but I did get thrush. I wonder if you have some sort of fungal infection in your arm pits?

mkn86

hey everyone!

Just started chemo today literally day 1 and i do have a bit of tingling in my legs.

funny because i was supposed to start one week later. but my MO is flying to a convention in Spain. And well i had a consultation today for assurance that it's okay to start next week. So he checked the tumor and how it's progressing and said starting today is very important.

so i did and it feels better. I've spent weeks freaking out and stressing in between diagnosis and start of treatment. now it feels i'm officially killing cancer cells and my sole job is to make sure my immune system is up.

I hope everyone is doing okay too sending out lots of courage and strength to everyone!! :

Travel_Girl

OCD - yes, claritin/zertec same thing - I had different onc nurses use them interchangeably, so I asked if one was better. Same.

My TC treatment #2 is Wed 9/13, so we are all close. Right now I feel like I am racing against time and getting all the stuff done that i want too - cause i feel 'normal'.

JD - your comment about your son made me smile -- awesome that he is keeping you in mind with quality of life - others at every age could take lessons. It is a discussion I am having more and more these days. Its a hard one for most people

My daughter is in her early 30's (I started way too early!) and my biggest issue is not trying to say 'please cut off your breasts' even though you are not married yet and stil want to have children. I would never push aggressive surgery on her -- I just want to protect her from this -- I bite my tongue and will work with my therapist at some point to to try to figure out how to have this conversation with her (just my worries for her, not to tell her what to do) -- for now, treatment blinders on and focus on this problem now! My need to protect is a hard one to fight.

Previously, I had a false sense of security cause I don't have any of the BRAC and newer gene panels (had a lumphteomy w/ rads in 2006) - I get tested for my daugther. This is now my second bc in the other breast and my mom had ovarian - so I guess we have something they have not found yet! Ohmmmm...onward.

Brightness - you have got this! Stick with us, strong ladies here -- it is ok to be scared, just keep showing up for the fight.

Luckydog - why so long of a wait? Cause you had/have surgery?

rljes

Hi Everyone - I have a question plz -  I have just been told I'm HER2 Positive (after 3 "inconclusive").  I've had my DBL mastectomy, now the 'Tumor Board' has recommended Radiation along with Chemo even thought I have severe skin disorders. 

Question:  (I can't wait till my Oncologist apt for an answer) Will I have Chemo And Radiation And IV infusions (for the HER2+) And the Anti-Estrogen Pill ALL in the same time frame?  Or does one do Radiation, Then Chemo ...

Hi Toughcookie.  I see your HER2+ maybe you can answer my question.  I hope you are doing well!

I still have my Left Drain (cancer side) in.  Drainage won't come down.  Output keeps increasing. Plus the Tubes are Protruding about 1/4" (Ouch- really hurts) and am worried about what is going to happen when I have a port put in.  

Chemo & Radiation Oncologist plus Pet Scan all next week. I want everything/Everyone to SLOW down. 

OCDAmy, thanks for starting this post and keeping the conversation going.  If you were to write a book, I would buy it. 

OCDAmy

rlj: I will let the women who are HER2 Positive respond but it is generally chemo first, recovery and then radiation and then recovery and then replacing tissue expanders with implants (if you are doing that). At least that is what I am doing. I had been on Arimidex before surgery to try and shrink my tumor (it didn't do a good job) but my MO told me to stop taking it during chemo and radiation and we will start it back up when that is all completed.

Those drains suck! You shouldn't have any problems with the port, it is a quick procedure and it goes just below the skin. It hurts a bit but drainage isn't a problem. Hang in there, I know I wanted things to slow down but now I want them to speed up! Next year can't get here fast enough.

Moderators

Lucky and Milkweed -- we just wanted to pop in to say hi and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We hate that you have to be here, but we're really glad you found our incredible Community, full of wonderful members, always offering support, information, and advice.

We look forward to hearing more about you both soon and following your journey.

Best of luck to all the September sisters!

--The Mods

toughcookie_21

rljessu- its my understanding that for Her2+ the order of treatment is surgery, then chemo plus herceptin or chemo with herceptin then surgery and after chemo is over, radiation while still getting herceptin. Then after all that is said and done, they'll start you on tamoxifen or AIs. I ended up with surgery first because, like you I didn't have the Her2 results until later. I was originally told that I'd need a lumpectomy and radiation and then the her2 results came back and everything changed. There is a triple positive board on here with some great ladies who are much further along in their treatment and always willing to answer questions!

I start chemo tomorrow. I'm still terrified because I just don't want them to put that crap in my body. I need to remind myself that I can do this several times a day. A few weeks before getting diagnosed with bc, I ran my first half marathon. It wasn't pretty, but I did it and I figure I can get through this if I made it the whole 13 miles that day in April.

I went to the infusion center today to have my port accessed and blood drawn. I was shaking, but they were very kind and helpful to me. The nurse took one look at me this morning and knew something was wrong! She asked why I didn't take the Ativan my MO prescribed if I'm having such anxiety. She made me feel better by encouraging me to take it even though I was so hesitant to do so.

Love and light to all of you who have to go through this awful experience. We got this!

PauletteK

welcome to this thread new comers. JD cancer sucks!!! Chemo sucks!!! I had my bad days now my good days should be on the way if I don't constipat.

Rl - many of us have to do radiation I doubt they will start when your wound is still open. I will do my radiation after chemo.

We need to look ahead so we have something look forward to. Yep pixie hair cut microbalding eyebrows vacation !!!

hopebringscourage

I am HER2 + and I had left mastectomy opted fur no reconstruction yet. I wil start chemo 9/15. Carboplatin/Taxotere and then Herceptin for 1 year. I will be icing my feet/hands and chewing ice during treatment. I will trt the Claritin trick day before, day of and then 2 days after. I decided against cold capping after much research and discussing with the oncology nurses at my infusion center. I will just be bald and beautiful!! I was doing really well but have fallen back into the stomach aches and anxiety/ no sleep the last 2 days. I wil be having 6 treatments and likely no radiation - what about everyone else?

STAY STRONG!!!

PauletteK

I'm doing my taxol same time as you do Hope - will take my vitamins B6 and 12 as my Onc said most of his patients did my have neuropathy on mild dose, I have ordered my ice socks and ready for the infusion. Hopefully I don't need it but I'm ready for it.

rljes

Oh No! I didn't even consider loosing my eyebrows too..  I won't be able to ice my fingers because I have Raynauds (lack of circulation in fingers and toes).   For some reason I am getting the impression Radiation will be first.  My BS and RO are really pushing for appointments.  I can't go out in the sun, I break out in hives and get blisters, that's why I am so skeptical about Radiation. Maybe has nothing to do with the other. 

Toughcookie - you said you ran 1/2 marathon before dx - are you back to running or walking?   The month before my dx, I was looking up options to get a breast reduction.  How Ironic. 

I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  No use in guessing and stressing, right? I'll just continue to read about how everyone is getting along and noting the tips - Very useful information!  Please keep them coming. Thx !  PS - Why eat Ice during Chemo?  

PauletteK

rl - take a step at a time no point to stress yourself out. I know waiting takes a lot out of us. I lost my hair nose hair eyebrows are almost gone. But I know they will come back.