Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Hi everyone,

 I'm starting chemo on August 18th (this Monday coming) and am gaining lots of info from reading your posts.  I'm 39yrs old with four kids ages 4, 6, 8 and 10yrs old.  I had a lumpectomy with axilla node dissection on June 21st and they inserted a port-a-cath at that time.  They found a second tumor during the surgery that wasn't picked up on my mammogram or u/s after I found the first one.  I'm starting the chemo Monday then a MRI of both breasts next Wed to check for additional tumors and then an U/S of my abd next Thursday as my CT scan shows "spots" on some of my organs.  Wow...overwhelming information for me when I have to write it all out like that!  My chemo meds are going to be three rounds of 5-Fluorouracil, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide combined (FEC) and then three rounds of Docetaxel -- each round will be every three weeks.  Is anyone else having this type?  I've been reading alot but feel like I know very little. 

I cut my long hair about three weeks ago into a bob and then cut it again today into a short style....my kids were so stressed about me losing it that I thought the gradual approach might help them.  My 6yr old still cried when she saw me...said I don't look like mommy anymore .  

I don't hate the cut, but I too hate why I had to cut it. 

Does anyone else find the area of skin around and over their port-a-cath really itchy?  It itches so much!  Also, I still find my arm on the side of the lumectomy as well as the breast itself gets tired and sore quickly, especially when I've had a busy day...does this get better at some point?  My husband says he can tell I've had a busy day when I moan in my sleep!  Crazy as I don't recall doing that but I do find I wake up so stiff and sore most mornings. 

What is a Neulasta shot?  I tried my wig on today over my hair and it was really itchy too!  Does this get better once my hair falls out?  How is everyone's nausea and fatique in general?  I'm scared. 

Sorry this post is all over the place...kind of how I feel! 

Peaches I hope your port-a-cath feels better soon.  I found taking the pain meds and trying not to lift or do too much helped alot. 

Thanks in advance for any response or advice.  Dawn

Halpino, my portacath site still itches some from time to time and I have had it for about three weeks.  Your arm will get better and so will the feeling in your breast.  I had a lumpectomy with axillary lymph node dissection too.  I am 42 with three boys 19, 17, and 8.  The neulasta shot is for your white count when the chemo makes it go down it helps bring it back up.  I didn't have to take one the first time.  On day 8 my white count was 2.3 and I had no fever so I didn't have to have it.  Today is day 14 for me and boy is my hair coming out.  I have had one good cry already.  My 8 y/o is kind of excited to see what mom looks like bald.  I'm not sure what side effects you will have as you are on different chemo.  I am on taxotere and cytoxan.

Bettelou, I have been working fulltime so far.  Day five I left work 2 hours early.  I haven't missed any other than that.  I am the Director of Nursing at a Skilled Nursing Facility.  I am mostly just tired and ache.  No nausea or vomiting for me.

Best Wishes to all

Dawn, I will be having the exact same chemo as you, I was going to ask if anyone else was!  I start on the 22nd. Has anyone else here had these meds yet?  My onc called it FEC-D.

 Had my PICC line put in today.  Wasn't too bad I guess, took awhile because they had problems getting the xray machine to work.  When I got home I noticed the gauze on it has a bunch of blood on it - yuck!  I had been out shopping for a few hours and didn't even pay any attention to it.  I called the nurse and left a message, but then I read that for the 1st couple of days there may be blood on the gauze.  Home care nurse is coming in the morning to change the dressing anyway.  Had to go buy some longer sleeve tops and a new purse / chemo bag.  It's going to be weird having this thing on my arm for a few months, have to keep it from getting wet too.

Don't think I mentioned, I'm 44, no history of breast cancer or cancer of any kind in my family.

I'm married and have a daughter, almost 11, she has severe cerebral palsy.  We thought we had enough of a challenge with her - guess not!  My husband has been great, very supportive.  He played in a breast cancer support golf tournament yesterday, came home with a whole bunch of stuff, including a golf hat with a pink ribbon on it, which he had said he wanted to get before. 

Better get to bed!

Good night everyone!

Deirdre 

Wow!   This board is growing!  I can see it's going to be hard to keep up with everyone!

LongHorn - Welcome, and sorry to note that you're dealing with a recurrence, which is probably why your chemo regimen looks different than most here. I will keep you in my prayers.  Halpino - Welcome, too! 

Nursekim - Thanks for warning those of us behind you on CT that Day 14 could be "the day!"  Did you have any warning earlier, like pain or strands starting to drop a few days before?  I keep pulling on mine (today is Day 9 for me), and so far haven't detected any more loose ones than normal, so I think I might be in denial that things could change so drastically in the next 5 days.  But I've noticed others said Day 14, too, so we'll see.

MamaShift -  You are one talented writer/photographer!  I took a peek at your blog today, and it's absolutely wonderful!  I especially enjoyed the one on tracing family roots in Vilnius, which (you won't believe this) is where my father's family was from!  But, aside from that, I was blown away by the quality of your work!

Deirdre - Seems like you've been handed more than your share of challenges!  Extra prayers are going up for your situation, too.

hanami - I am so glad those tapes from healthjourneys are helping you!  I had the same thing happen re. having much lower blood  pressure now when I have to show up for a tx, etc. 110/70 on the morning of my first chemo treatment!   I'd chalked it off to really trusting my current doctors, but I'll bet it's Belleruth Naparstek's calming voice in my subconscious!  (Just her name makes me smile!)

Peaches - I loved your story about your friend!  That was definitely a God thing! 

Deanna!  Thank you!  How sweet!  Half of my blog is actually missing because, in a moment of depression, I deleted the entire thing.  I really need to get to work to restore the old posts.  Those will really blow you away!  They're fun and have lots of great photos from all over the ex-USSR.

My little one was absolutely fine.  She came with me to shave my head.  Watched me as I showed up in the living room with hair (wig) then no hair.  I am not hiding anything and I am not acting upset about it, so I think she's just fine.

Oh and she said I looked "so cute" with my head scarf!

Hello to all you lovely ladies of August 2008 chemo.   I would like to introduce myself to the group. 

Medical:  found a lump, lump went away, lump came back, had mamo came back negative, went to gyn, got ultrasound and saw breast dr, biopsy, lumpectomy sentinel removal, re-excision 10 more nodes removed, treatment recommended: chemo, rads, hormone therapy, didn't like the medical oncon, went for second opinion, she agreed with first dr.  So yesterday I had my first chemo tx, TAC x6, and it was so much better then what I expected.  I had no issues with getting my port or my treatment with the exception of high blood pressure, which I already take meds for.  I feel great today and just waiting for the SE's to start. 

Me:  I'm 44 years old, no kids, two dogs, engaged to a great guy that is very supportive.  Although, he is having a hard time with my emotional roller coaster lately.  I'm normally a very positive person , up beat, and go head on when there is a problem but this whole chemo thing has had me freaked out. But after getting past my first treatment I feel sooooo much better about the experience and  my decision to do the treatment.  Any way back to me    I work as an Administrative Assistant in the Financial Aid office of a local University.  I come from a big family and I'm very very lucky to so much support from all of them.  I live in the Philadelphia, PA area.  

I'm glad I found this site and you wonderful women to share this experience with.  I'm sill reading all the blogs on this topic so I can get familiar with my fellow chemo buddies.  The one thing that has really helped me is all the ppl that blog about their daily changes and experiences.  I will also do that and hope to quench the fear of anyone else that is dealing with chemo.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I look forward to chatting with you.  

denise 

Hi Stacy thanks for the welcoming words.  I'm feeling great so far today and my Neulasta shot is scheduled for tomorrow.  I've heard that advil and cold tables help with the SE's from that shot so I'm prepared with those meds already in my chemo bag of tricks.  I'm already experiencing dry mouth so I'm drinking like crazy and sucking on sugar free candies.  I know there is something that I can take for that so I'm going to call my dr now to get the Rx, hopefully this will help prevent getting thrush. 

Yes I do have a great man in my life.  We have had a tough year already with deaths of friends and family members that are also ill.  I figure if this guy can hang in there for all this crappy stuff he's a keeper. 

Thanks for the welcome and warm thoughts.  It's great we can all be a support to eachother as no-one else can really understand. 

Stacy I know what you mean...my recent story was at a cocktail party where a woman I barely know came up to me within a group of people and said, "Oh you poor thing...did you have a masectomy?".  I felt the same...the NERVE, so I have too been on the soap box lately!  Cancer is not who we are...it is hopefully going to be just a blip at some point.

 You're all in my thoughts and prayers,

Dawn

I started chemo on aug 8th I think. Not sure cause i slept for about a week and didnt even know what the date was when i woke up. I am trying to think positive about it. i think with the first dose that i have gotten that it is getting the cancer. the cancer that is in the lymph nodes under my chin and the side of my neck are smaller. so i feel really bleassed. but the only thing that i cant get over is the depression that i am having. my mom left to go back and i knew she had too and i have been crying ever since. i feel helpless and dont know if this is an effect of the chemo medication or is it just me. I take cytoxan, taxotere and another one i cant recall. i dont know where to go or who to talk i dont feel like myself. i feel like i am not the same person. my white blood cells have droped to 0.77 so they told me to stay in the house..praying for the best knowing we will all beat this.

Welcome Dawn, Denise, Bette!  And good luck to Dawn and anyone else starting chemo on Monday.  You'll do great!     

Roya -  How are you doing?  I've been concerned about you.  Is the nausea any better? 

Denise  - Just thought I'd follow up on your mention of Claritin or Advil for Neulasta pain.  Based on what I'd read here, I also had both ready to go.  Then, I found out from the chemo nurses that they don't want you to use Ibuprofen (Advil) if you're on TC.  Did they tell you that too?  The Claritin generic worked great for me.  Some twinges, but no significant pain until Day 5 (after Neulasta), when the deep, throbbing hit me big time in my hips, but more Claritin quickly relieved it.

Stacy -  Cute idea on the t-shirts.  Thinking back to Nico's idea for a group name, maybe we could be the Bald Hotties? 

Apple -  As Moms, we can all relate to your 5-year old daughter's pain.  I hope it helps some to know that we understand and are praying for you and your children.  And, if I can add -- do not focus on those stupid odds.  Yes, it's good to be aware that your situation is serious (as is all bc), and that you really need to focus hard on fighting it.  But I personally think odds should be left to horse races, and it makes me mad when doctors even plant those seeds in our minds. No one can predict the future.  All you can do is love those kids today and trust that God is in control.

Thinking of you all ~ Deanna

Hi everyone,

 Well it looks like my lumpectomy site might be infected again.  It's been sore for three days and now it's a bit swollen and red on my side.  I had an infected saroma post-op and my friend who is a family dr looked tonight and thinks it may have re-infected.  I have to call my Onc in the morning.  Stupid cancer.

I've been thinking about all of you during work today, while trying to work!

Lashon, I'm so sorry you're feeling this down right now.  It sounds like you're really close with your Mom and it makes it worse I'm sure that she had to leave.  I find I go from a good moment to a badly depressing one quickly and I think feeling this way is normal for all we are going through.  With you not having had your family yet and probably thinking about it alot it must be so tough.  If these feelings continue to be so hard on you please talk to your doctors and have them help.  You shouldn't have to try to cope with so much pressure and stress on you and they may surprise you with some good meds or ideas on how to treat this depression.  You will be in my prayers tonight.

Tonya, I so get it about the hair.  I agree, I feel it will make me into a cancer patient...someone who has always been strong but now has this weakness showing, and I hate that.

Deirdre, I am also living in Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  I guess that may be why our tx is the same.  I was just in Ottawa last week for a family visit before starting chemo.  I saw you had trouble with your MRI...did taking Ativan the second try help?  I know I too will have a difficult time with it and I have my Ativan ready to go, but have never taken pills really of any kind so I'm nervous.  Please let me know how it went.  Thanks.

My sister called just now and told me that someone in the neighborhood came up to her today and said she was so sorry to hear that my cancer had spread to my liver and there was nothing that could be done to save me.  Weird how these stories spread...like that game kids play "telephone" where they whisper in the ear of the person next to them the message they have just had whispered in their ear...by the time the story reaches the last person, it is totally different.

I will be praying tonight that we all have the strength and support to get through these rough waters and beat this damn disease.  You are all uplifting just by your mere presence.

 Stupid cancer.

 Dawn 

Hello my BC August sistas!

Well had my 1st TX today with A/C. (Decided to go w/it afterall). And...I'm feeling pretty okay. Feeling a little lightheaded but no nausea. Amen! Drinking gallons of water like nurse said.  Had a wondeful vivacious lady next to me who started her 1st TX today too. Very spiritual and funny. She was crying over her 14 ft. python that has pneumonia... not the cancer!  There were also 2 very beautiful ladies there who looked amazing.

Welcome, Dawn, BetteLou, Dixie, Denise, Halpino & LaShon & anyone I missed. Sorry you're on the Aug. chemo train but glad for the fellowship.

Bettelou: I know they sell those caps that go under your wig @ the wig stores. I haven't bought mine yet but I plan on getting one. I also want a nice scarve w/padding. I know there is Hair thread posted somewhere here on bc.org

Kim: Sorry about the tough hair loss. I have a 9yr. old (son) too that I'm prepping for. He told me that "Daddy's looking at getting you some new hair."  Kids are awesome.

Denise: We have something ELSE in common... I'm an Administrative Assistant for Los Angeles County - Housing Dept. Been there for 9 yrs. Yesterday was my last day and I was in tears.  I told my co-workers that if I'm better after next TX, I'm coming back sooner.

Stacy: Good luck w/the shaved head on Monday! I know it's going to hard but we're going to be okay. Your hubby sounds wonderful. My hubby told me to get a "blonde wig"! I look awful as a blonde.

LaShon: Honey so very sorry to hear you're having it rough.  Give all those fears, stress and frustration to the Lord.  It truly has aided me in this journey.  I know it must be awful for mom to be gone. Is there a support group near you? Inquire.  Also, you can PM me too anytime. That's why we have this great unity here.

Apple:  I am also so sorry to hear about your daughter's anxiety.  I am saying extra prayers for you and LaShon.

I'm also praying for you too Dawn that your infection heals. Take it easy and rest. That story about with your sister is just a HUMDINGER!! (You should post that on "Road to Hell, laughter is the best medicine". ) I didn't mean to chuckle but people are so dense and spread rumors before getting the facts straight!! (That's 1 big reason I kept my dx quiet). Too many cheezemosos @ my job. (That means gossipers in Spanish).

Big (((((Hugs)))))) and prayers to all,
Jeannine

Hi,

Deirdre, the meds I've been given scripts for are:  Ativan (anxiety), Magicmouthwash (for mouthsores), Prochlorperazine (for N&V), Ondansetron HCL (for N&V) and Dexamethasone (steroid which acts as an anti-inflammatory and also augments the effect of the Ondansetron on N&V).  You and I are on the same chemo regime so you'd think they would have given you the steroid too?  You can probably ask at chemo class...they don't have a chemo class here so that's great you're being provided with one.  I'm sure it'll be very informative.

Jeannine, I'm glad the story from my sister made you chuckle!  We could all use lots of laughs right now.

Lashon, I hope your night went ok...you are in my thoughts.

Thanks for the "infection support"...I'm calling my Onc now.  My DH had a bad day yesterday and was so down about all this cancer stuff.  He hasn't been sleeping well at all this week, being stressed about the chemo starting.  I hope his day is better today...there's just so little downtime with work and kids!  But then, that's life isn't it?

Have a great day ladies!

Dawn