Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

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mommy3abm
mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
edited September 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi there.  Thought I would get this forum going.  Headed to onc tomorrow morning to get this ball rolling.  We be starting chemo within the next week.  Anyone else?  I am 38 with 3 kids  5, 8 and 9.  They are great and my DH is a godsend.  It has been a roller coaster since diagnosis on 7/15.  Had 4 ultrasounds, 2 biopsies, 2 mammos, breast MRI  all in the last week and a half and SNB and port placement last Thurs.  Doing chemo before lumpectomy.  I know it sounds strange, but I am just ready to get this thing going over with?

Stacy 

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  • Tonya36
    Tonya36 Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2008

    I just left onc's office today and am scheduled for first chemo on 08/06 at 0930.  I still don't know whether I will be taking ECx4 and Taxotere x12 or Taxotere/Carboplatin x6.  I am going to Duke for second opinion on Friday so hopefully I can make a decision then.  Today was my education where they went over ALL the side effects for all the drugs.  I am terrified but anxious to get started also.  At least I will know its fighting those horrible cells.  I am 36 and single with no kids but I have a friend who is staying with me and helping me.  He is my Godsend.  I am blessed to have him in my life.  This just starts a new chapter in our lives.  We have a fight on our hands but many brave ladies have been there before us and Lord willing we will prevail.

    Tonya

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Hey Tonya!  You are sooo right!  We will fight this and I guess consider it the "hurdle" chapter!  Hopefully a year from now we can look back and say I was brave, I was a fighter and I won!  Have you had surgery?  Where are you?  Will post more after my appt. tomorrow!

    Stacy

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  • Tonya36
    Tonya36 Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2008

    I had a bi-lateral mast on 06/23.  I live in Tennessee.  I hope your appt goes well today.  I am off to work.  Will check back in later.  Have a good day!!!!

    Tonya

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  • susieq23
    susieq23 Member Posts: 13
    edited July 2008

    I had most of the same tests you did and felt the same way. It seemed like I wasn't moving forward and I was actually anxious to get the chemo started. I am just had my 3rd round of Doxorubicin and cytoxan last Thursday and have one more round then on to taxotere.

     I'm so glad you are getting the ball rolling and I wish you the best.

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  • Hitchy
    Hitchy Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2008

    Hey Stacy,

    I'm starting chemo in August also. Probably in the next week or two.

    I am 44 years old and this is my second battle with breast cancer,

    my first was nine years ago. I have three boys 23 ,21 and 19 all very helpful.

    I had a bilateral mastectomy on July 14th, with implant reconstruction.

    Good luck on your treatments!

    Laurie

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Hi all!  1st treatment scheduled for next Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 9:00am (CST).  Can't remember the name of the 3 drugs - they are the traditional ones...onco hopes on 4x 3weeks apart.  Maybe 6 depending on the amount of shrinkage.  MUGA scheduled for tomorrow.  Told principal (i signed a contract to teach fifth grade) that I was not going to teach this year.  It was disappointing to do as I was soo excited.  Luckily DH can support us for now.  How is everyone doing?  Keep us all posted everyone...Sending good thoughts your way Kiss

    Stacy

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    I guess I will be joining this party bus.  I start TCH x 4 on Thursday.  I can't wait to get this over with and put this behind me.  This makes having my mast. from 7/2 look like cake.  I guess we will continue to count down for everyone as this chain builds!

    ~Misty

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Hi Misty!  Let us know how Thursday goes.  Looks like you get to test the waters for us!  We will be thinking of you!  I'm with you lets just get this going so we can all be done with it!  Onco told me today that the trip my DH and I planned for NYC (we live in Texas) has now become a mandatory part of my therapy and that he will work around it.  It is scheduled for mid Sept. and will be a good mid point break! Laughing

    STacy

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  • Hitchy
    Hitchy Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2008

    Hey Misty, Good luck on Thursday. Keep us posted.

    Sending good thoughts your way!

    Laurie

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  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2008

    My first chemo is Friday, August 8th.  I am beyond scared but like everyone else want this to move along so I can be done 2 days after my 34th birthday!!! I guess I will really have something to celebrate this year!!!!!  Good luck to all who start in August and hope everyone else is doing good and hanging in!!!

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2008

    Thanks, Stacy and Laurie.  I am waiting for the dreaded call to tell me what time to come in.  I can handle the SEs, if any, I am just dreading the hair loss.  I have been letting it grow to shoulder length and thinnning it out for the past two years.  I have a recent picture of me and all I do is cry when I see it now.  The thought of seeing it all come out is devastating to me.  All I can do is cry thinking about it.  I have found myself getting very angry this week and saying things I never thought I would hear coming out of my mouth.  Thank goodness for a patient husband of almost 15 years who listens but doesn't hold anything I say against me.  In the past days, I can't even take being around parents or silbings because all I do is cry and I am afraid they will hear horrible things come out of my mouth.  It's funny-I never once got upset about losing a boob(a small one at that), but this hair thing is driving me insane.  That to me will be the sign to the world of what I am going through.  I have been able to keep this to my close friends and family for now.  I am just a very private person.  If it wasn't for this darn HER2, I wouldn't have to go down this road.

    Stacy, I am so sorry you had to give up your teaching job.  I am a teacher, and I don't know how I am going to go back in three weeks.  I am going to wait to see how I do-may take 2-3 months of disability.

    Misty

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  • quinda
    quinda Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    Hi Stacy:  I just had mastectomy so as soon as I heal from that I'll have chemo. too.  Probably by the end of August, 2008 or the first of september.  Not looking forward to it but it has to be done.  Great place for us to be here for sure.  Bless you and hope it goes very well.  I'm nervous about it for sure.

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  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2008
    Misty1    -   I am glad I am not the only one mad as heck about losing my hair.  I, like you, can't talk about it without crying like a 2 year old!!!! LOL  I have never even liked my hair - it is thin and crappy and has never did what I wanted it too - BUT I had a long discussion with my hair the other day and PROMISED it when it came back in after the chemo I would take TERRIFIC care of it.  I promised it I would condition it, keep it trimmed and style it faithfully!!!! Yep having a discussion with my hair in the mirror - maybe I am losing my mind too!!!!!  Kiss  I seriously am scared to death to lose it and I know it is coming and to make matters worse it will all happen right before my 2 kids go back to school and I have to go to volleyball games and fall baseball games!!!!!! URHHHHHHHH  it just makes me madder than ever thinking about it!!!!!! Good luck and hope all goes well - My 1st chemo is Friday, August 8th at 12:00 noon!!!!!
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  • kdow40
    kdow40 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2008

    Hi, Any heard of chemo pills for breast cancer. Two doctor said same thing to me.

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  • jpearl
    jpearl Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2008

    Hi, I am starting chemo on Tuesday, August 5th - 4 rounds of AC (dense dose) every other week. I also am anxious to get this over with. I scheduled my chemo for Tuesdays because when fall semester starts I will be teaching on Monday evening. Like many of you I am a little freaked out about the hair loss. I tell my husband that this is not at all the same thing as his male pattern baldness.  Our hospital does provide wigs and I have a wig appointment tomorrow. My sister has been visiting this week from another part of the country and she's going to go with me to try on wigs.

    ~Jane

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  • Carly68
    Carly68 Member Posts: 130
    edited July 2008

    Yup starting AT next Wensday...my tumor grew from barely 1 cm at biopsy time to 3cm at surgery time and I am only 39 and triple negative so they are agressivly treating me........terrified at the point.

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  • Carly68
    Carly68 Member Posts: 130
    edited July 2008

    Sorry mistake i will be one AC

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Hi all!  Alibug, I agree about the hair!  Went to my stylist yesterday and donated it to locks of love.  Had it dyed a golden platinum (I was dirty blonde) and cut really short.  Hard part is...everyone loves it.  Especially my husband.  He honestly told me that I look hotter than ever and he wasn't kidding!!  Great, I finally get good hair and it will be gone in a few weeks.  My 3 kids start school on the 25th and are also in fall baseball, ballet and gymnastics.  That should be fun.  It is not like I will able to hide inside for a year.  I am NOT a wig girl.  Check out www.headcovers.com.  They actually have some cute hats!  Kind of thought the sparkle baseball caps would be fun in a color to match his team uniform...

    Misty, disability is not an option for me...Just moved back to Texas in January so I wasn't already under contract...I AM SOO MAD!  I finally got the grade level I wanted and the "choice" to work or not (husband got a better job when we moved) and so I was going to teach because I wanted too. 

    What stinks the most is my baby goes to kindergarten this year.  With a bald and sick mom!!  I was hoping to help in her class on good days, just don't know how 5 year olds (or my little one) would feel about having a bald Mommy in their class...

    All right guess I'll stop ranting for now.  It does make me feel better though!

    Good luck tomorrow Misty!

    Sounds like most everyone who has posted is in her 30's?  Am I correct?  That really SUCKS!  I am 38. 

    Stacy 

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    kdow40,

    You may be referring to Tamoxifen...I have also heard the there is a "pill form" of chemotherapy, but it was not offered as an option.  Maybe make a new thread on the chemotherapy board.  Might help.

    Stacy 

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2008

    I'm starting chemo 08/08/08.  They are placing my port on 8/5.  I will be taking A/C every 2 weeks x 4 cycles followed by Taxol every 2 weeks x 4 cycles, then lastly, radiation.

    I had a left lumpectomy 06/20/08 and was st 2, gr 3, nodes neg, triple neg, with clean margins.

    Thankful for this thread.  Appreciative for the support. It has been difficult explaining all this to my kids (4,14,& 17) especially how they must expect to watch me lose my hair, weight, etc.

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  • quinda
    quinda Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2008

    I know what you all mean.  The losing the hair is absolutely HUGE.  I have a love for my hair and am an old lady with long hair and I wear it up a lot and I love it.  Also that was my line of work all my life and I lost my job in March, now my breast and next my hair and I can't believe I am still hear to cry about it!!!!!!!!!  I hate it.  I think losing the hair is going to be worse than losing my breast.  I know this is all temporary and I can do this.  Just like all of you.

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Roya,

    A note on the port...I had mine in last Thurs. 7/24.  No one told me that you will have limited use of that arm for 2 - 3 weeks.  No heavy lifting and no raising arm above 90 degress from your side.  Something to do with how deep it is , through a muscle and letting it settle into the vein.  Makes sense just wish someone had prewarned me.  Makes it really hard to enjoy the last few hairwashes.  Hard to do it one handed.  It is a strange feeling with it in place, but I am already getting used to it.  Have some Advil handy - it does ache some for the first few days.  A heating pad for your shoulder is good too as my muscles down my neck and into my shoulders ache by the end of the day I think it is because I am overcompensating for the limited use of that arm. I can already tell that I will be glad to have it though as my veins are sooo hard to access.  I will say that I am already anxious to get it out!  Maybe that has more to do with the fact that when it is out it means the chemo treatments are done and I can move on to surgery and radiation...

    Stacy 

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    quinda,

    I totally agree with you.  If your hair is long and that has been your line of work...have you considered maybe donating it to locks of love.  I got a really cute spunky cut yesterday and donated my hair.  It was really comforting to know I was helping someone just like me.  Just a thought...

    Stacy

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  • Kymberlyn
    Kymberlyn Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2008

    Hi Stacy,

    I'm actually starting chemo (T/C) just a bit before Aug - July 31st to be exact.  Up until now I was looking forward to it since it seems like the last really big step to take. 

    Tonight, the night before the first round, has me a bit nervous.  I'm getting married on Saturday (2 days after chemo) and I am really scared that I will be sick at the time.  I know setting that date may not have been a smart thing to do but I think its bad luck to postpone a wedding so we pushed it up... mainly because I want to have hair at the time.  Embarassed

    I guess I'm thankful that chemo will increase my odds regarding a reoccurance but the hair loss is a hard side-effect to get comfortable with.  I love my long curly hair.  I hope its still curly when it grows back.

    Sorry for rambling on.  We are all going to do just fine but its a comfort to talk honestly on this list (vs sugar-coating it with others because no one really wants to see me cry over it).  What would I do without this forum?

    Kym

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  • Kymberlyn
    Kymberlyn Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2008

    Hi everyone,

    I just had my husband read the posts because he thinks I'm being a baby about my hair.  He was litterally shocked to see that our hair is such a concern.

    I don't think his comments are much of a comfort to me but I said that I would pass it on to all of you.  He says, "This is superficial.  Nobody loves someone because of their hair, their boobs or anything else.  People love you for who you are."  He goes on to say, "You are cancer survivors and you should be proud of that.  Show yourselves off to the world...it will help other cancer patients feel better."

    Maybe there is a point to it but I'll cry myself asleep tonight anyway.  I hope it might help someone else though.

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  • MamaShift
    MamaShift Member Posts: 70
    edited July 2008

    Kymberlyn,

    Congratulations! It will be wondeful, I'm sure.

    I'm starting tomorrow too.  Six rounds of ACT, every other week.  I had a right side mastectomy on the 17th.  I had an MRI today of the left breast since my onc is sure there must be something there because there was cancer all over the right.

    I have two incredibly wonderful daughters, ages 2 1/2 and 8.  My husband is currently renting our new house for our move to Lithuania.

     I got my hair cut today.  I love it.  My hairdresser didn't charge me -- and she's going to come to my house to shave my head.  She wants to take me wig shopping, but I think I'm more of a headscarf girl.

    Break a leg everyone!

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited July 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    Kimberlynn, I start TCH today,too.  We will be able to compare notes exactly to the day!!  Mama Shift, good luck to you on your type.

    Stacy, glad to hear you got your port.  I had mine put in on 7/2 with my mast, sen node, and expander.  I got four surgeries for the price of 1!  I got a prescr. for Emla cream to numb the area before the needle goes in.  I have had so many needles on the other side that I am totally used to them.  But, now when I go for my expander fills, a big needle comes at me, but no nerves to feel it!!  My PS is a wonderful "quirky" man, but has really cared about me in this whole process.  My port is on the other side, so lots of nerves there. 

    All girls, have a great day.  I am remarkably calm about going today.  My DH bought us a portable DVD player and rented to movies to pass the 5 1/2 hours.  How sweet!  This is exactly the calmness I felt the morning I went in for my mast.  I have been a mess for the past week up until 3:00 yesterday-go figure!!  I really am enjoy getting to know all of you and hope we all get through this.  I certainly know none of us asked for this-so much for turning 40 last Nov.  I felt like 30 before all of this and hope it stays that way.

    ~misty

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Kym,

    You amaze me!  Best Wishes on you wedding!  It gives you something to focus on other than this fun "gift"  (ha ha HA) that we've all been given!

    Stacy

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  • MariaG67370
    MariaG67370 Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2008

    I start chemo on Aug. 5.  4 rounds of TC.  Just want to get this over with.  Not thinking about the SE, whatever comes my way I will deal with.  Had a bilateral Mast on June 12 and back to my normal schedule, including working out in the gym. I say bring it on and let's get it over with!

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  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2008

    Kymberlyn - My husband too seemed to think the losing the hair was not a big deal - his words - "it is hair - it will grow back" BUT then I got my hair cut shorter and he was not impressed!!!!!! He said why go get it cut when it is going to fall out - OH BOY was I mad!!!!!!!!!  I ignored him the rest of the day and then told him thanks for the support and I now knew what it would be like for him when I lose my hair!!!!!!!  Well apparently after the MORON thought about it he decided he didn't handle it the right way LOL - ya think?????  I am trying to give him some slack as he has been VERY supportive through this all but I think for him just like my kids - when my hair falls out it will be the 1st TRUE sign that I am sick!!!!! I am sure it terrifies him!!! It sure does me!!!  Good luck with the journey we are going to face!!!!! Again Friday, August 8th is my 1st chemo!!!! I just wish it would get here!!!!!!!!!!!

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