Anyone starting chemo in June 08

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  • Gina_M
    Gina_M Member Posts: 294
    edited August 2008

    StaceyR and KKing - Thanks for responding.  I did call it in, and was told to get Preparation H suppositories and cream and that should do the trick.  (Apparently, not an uncommon side effect as it's mucous membrane just like the mouth!)

    Gina

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  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited August 2008

    Gina, I too have been using Preparation H cream because hemorrhoids acting up. I also us the flushable wipes. Seems to keep the area cleaner.

    Planning another camping trip this weekend. May be the last one before school starts. Hubby will be going hunting in Sept. so I get to have some alone time. I like my alone time but have had to convince everyone that I will be OK.

    Have a good one.

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  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    I also have been an avid fan of baby wipes.  It has been a real saver for me.  I figure with all that poison they put in me some of it is going to irritate the areas it comes out. 

    Wyoming:  Glad you are getting another camping trip in.  My husband is also wanting to go hunting with my older son in September on a draw hunt for elk.  I am encouraging him to go but I know he is not wanting to leave.  I'm sure I will be fine if the treatments treat me as they have been.  Two more days of work and then the weekend.  Yea.  

    Hope all you girls find your drink of choice that works.  I swear by the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash (and ice chips on infusion)   I'm not saying everything tastes wonderful as far as food goes all the time but I have had no mouth problems (other than an occasional need to vent with some ugly explicatives).   HunkyD

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  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2008

    Hey Junies.......so excited to move into the house...........got a few more hours of cleaning done tonight........looks gorgeous...........window and hanging the coverings tomorrow........almost there........I have a question for you ladies........so I have my first taxol next wednesday......and finally have my appointment for my port next Friday morning........do you think I'll be feeling up to surgery........they are so backed up it's not like I can change my port time......so what do you think?.........and one more question........does anyone else have a sore arm......veins from the chemo?........

    On the bright side.......did tons of online back to school shopping for the kids today!......fun.....fun.....fun.......I am currently planning my annual back to school shopping trip to Minneapolis......I go every year......tag along on one of my husbands September business trips......can't wait.....TJ Maxx......here I come!

    Cheers

    Jax

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2008

    Jax

    I would think the taxol and the taxotere which some of us have had so far are similar??

    If they are, I found by the third day, I had the bone pain so you should question them about doing the surgery so soon after.  You would think it wouldn't be done that way if you couldn't handle it. 

    Veins in the arm are tender.. yes.   Some one was saying because they keep poking in the same area of veins that they do get weaker and can be sore.

    Hope things go well for you.

    K

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    Hi all:

    The baby wipes are wonderful, flushable ones.   And you can take an old water bottle and "squirt" the area, let it run down and over and around - front and back.  Too bad we do not have bidets in the USA.  Change your undies after "going" and keep the area dry as possible - after a shower use the hair dryer to dry the area - a hint I remember from after childbirth.   And you can go without undies in a  long nightie or robe...

    I had the port implant on Monday and it is mildly sore - no need to take any tylenol, as  I don't like putting any more meds in my body than necessary.   And what a great excuse NOT to vacuum,or  lift anything over 5  pounds !!!!!    They put enough tape over the covering to choke a horse.  The nurse and I peeled some of it off and cut away the excess so I could at least turn my head without pinching and pulling.   Today I will tackle a shower and see if I can re bandage it without using a whole roll of tape.  They gave me 2 big clear type sticky bandage things and a bunch of gauze pads, so that should make it easier to redo.  

    Tomorrow I start the first of 12 weekly Paclitaxel and Herceptin.  No pre meds, no Rx, nothing to have on hand for side effects except extra strength Tylenol - so I hope it is as easy as they say.It would be nice to go out to lunch with a friend on Saturday - she offered to pick me up.  So, Sat morn I will phone to see if I am up to it.  

    My arm has brownish spots from where needles were inserted for chemo - 4 rounds of A/C and many blood tests.  I heard that each time a needle is inserted a small scar forms and over time it becomes really hard to get a good spot.   And if one is getting chemo via arm veins, they have to go a bit higher each time and eventually run out of space.   I wanted the port earlier, but my first insurance was a big pita but now  I have the port, so another step forward.  

    And on Monday, the nurse kept pounding my arm for a " good vein", although I could see one bulging up and "ready" to go.   Of course, I am not a nurse, so maybe she was taking out some frustration on my poor arm.  It left a 3 inch long black and blue mark - another battle scar.. !!  If they are just doing wbc check, ask for a finger stick.   My onco told me they do not have to jab the arm for that.   

    Here's hoping you each have a good day, or at least a better day today.  Hugs and  blessings.  

    Nancy 

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  • Rovergirl
    Rovergirl Member Posts: 194
    edited August 2008

    Jaxx & Nancy -

    Why are you just now getting your ports?  If you were going to have one inserted anyway you could have taken advantage of it during your AC infusions.  Your poor arms.

    Jaxx - Check out the "Home Goods" Stores while you're in Minneapolis.  "Home Goods" is also owned by TJ Maxx and specializes in home goods, just like the name.  It's one of my favorite stores and since you have a new house I'm sure you'll find something you have to have.

    Off to taxol infusion #11 today.....

    Rover

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited August 2008

    Hi everyone,

    I'm new here.  I am 38 and was diagnosed May 29th, wont forget the date as it was my fourteenth wedding anniversary!!!  I started chemo in June and just finished my fourth AC :) I start taxol on Monday, i'm a little nervous about the allergic reaction my oc described!! Anyway I have four of those, then surgery, maybe radiation, herceptin for a year and tamoxifin for five.  Its been hard at times, I lived of ativan for a while, I have 3 kids, and i've spent way too much time on the computer googling lately, which im going to try and stop!!!!  Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else was having similar chemo before surgery, and what there experience has been so far :) 

    Laura

     4cm ER+ PR+ HR2+ 3 possible lymph nodes

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  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2008

    Welcome aboard Laura......sounds like we have the exact same treatments.......I am 2 days behind you as my treatment days are wednesdays......are you dose dense?......every 2 weeks.....or every 3?.........I too am triple positive........already had lumpectomy and axillary node dissection......only 1 positive node......I am facing more surgery as margins were unclear.....most likely bilateral mastectomy.....so yay......no radiation........that will happen after AC and T are done.

    Rover.....to answer your question.....for me that was the soonest appt. for port they had.......stupid I know........don't get me started.......they are very backed up.....who has a port that is facing more surgery?......I'm starting to wonder if it will interfere with mastectomy if I decide on bilat......

    Thanks for the tip about Home Goods.....can't wait.....similar to our canadian Winners and Home Sense.....2 of my faves.....

    Oh Yeah.......and can you say unlucky.....and pissed......Aunt Flow visited today.....and she's angry.......full blown....flooding and everything..........and I'm still shaving my freakin legs........these were the 2 things I was looking forward to during this process......I feel very cheated......anybody else still getting their period and shaving?

    Cheers

    Jax

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited August 2008

    Hi there,

    Yep I am dose dense, every two weeks!!!  Still getting my period too, with a vengeance!!!!  Much heavier than before chemo!!  And I still have to shave my legs, not so often, but still!!!!  My Dr said that with the taxol my hair should start growing back.  Keeping my fingers crossed there!!!  I am a little nervous about having the chemo first.  The Dr said if the chemo doesnt kill it in the lymph nodes its not a good sign.  I had my halfway check though, and the big lump i could totally feel before you can barely feel now.  He said I didnt need and MRI he could tell the cancer was responding, so I'm taking that as a sign the lymph nodes are too.  I'm not positive I will need radiation, my consult with the surgeon he said if my BRCA came back negative I could probably have a lumpectomy, and it did, but I havent seen him since, so i'm not sure what surgery yet.  I dont really care one way or the other, as long as I can get rid of this!!!

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  • cdccpa
    cdccpa Member Posts: 42
    edited August 2008

    Hi Laura and welcome.  Our treatments sound the same too...my AC is every 3 weeks so my last one is next week, then start Taxol three weeks later.  I have am also doing neoadjuvant chemo so my surgery will not happen until the end of this year.  I was diagnosed 2 days before my 10th wedding anniversary so I can relate to that part.  How old are your kids?  My son is 4 years old.

    Jax - I am coming up on my 4th AC next Monday and I am still shaving my legs too...and it aggrivates me to no end!!!  Although, I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes so I am grateful for that much.  Also, I had a period right before I started chemo in June, then I didn't have one the next month and thought I was done...but guess who showed up today after 9 weeks away!!  I should have seen it coming as I had all the usual symptoms...cramping, bloating, sore boobs, etc...but it really surprised me.  Crazy!

    Carolyn

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited August 2008

    Hi Carolyn,

    My kids are 16, 10 and 8.  My oldest two are boys and my youngest a girl.  She was born on Halloween, which is right around the time I think i'll be getting my surgery!!  I'm also not looking forward to back to school.  I'll still be in treatment the first month.  Luckily the school they go to is very small, and I am on PTA and stuff so everyone knows whats going on.  Just the back to school shopping is stressing me out this year!!!  I have something to look forward to next friday though, my Dad and Stepmom are flying out for a week from England, and i havent seen them in four years.  I just hope i'm over my side effects by then, I have my treatment on the Monday, and i'm nervous starting a new kind!!  At least with the AC I knew what to expect the last 3 - well kinda anyway ;)  I seemed to get a new side effect everytime!!!

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  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited August 2008

    Welcome Laura, I'm sure you will do fine with the last three.  Hope your side effects are small especially while you have company. Just listen to your body and when your tired and the bone pain starts keep it managed. 

    Vinogal, enjoy your shopping and new house.  Don't worry about the port.  They will find a way to work with it if you choose bilateral mastecomy later if need be.  It will save what treatments and blood draws from your already fragile arms.  It is too bad it has taken this long.  I don't know if you are going to have herceptin but it will be nice for that too. 

    Rover:  Good luck on #11. 

    Nancy:  Good luck on your new trt Paclitaxel and Herceptin.  Let us know how that goes.  I will be doing the herceptin but I don't know what else yet.

    All the rest of you Junies....Happy Wednesday! 

    One more day at work this week for me.  Blood counts and Onc appt on Friday.  I have nothing exciting planned for the weekend.  Next week is #4 TAC for me so (CRAP).  Just when I'm starting to feel stronger.   Getting there slowly but surely. HunkyD

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    The reason for just now getting the port:  first insurance co refused to pay.  Was told need $ 5000. down payment out of pocket.  # 2 insurance needed convinced it was needed but I got it approved finally.   

    Yes, I had 2 insurances, but I have cancelled the first one since they will pay nothing else, not even blood work.  The first one had a catastrophic illness rider, but it turned out to be death benefit if I die... Dumb me, I did not read all the fine print.   

    Good luck to everyone.  May you be free of side effects and pain and get a really good sleep tonight.   HUGS,  Nancy 

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  • Westie
    Westie Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2008

    Hi all,

    I realize that each of us is different but I'm getting my second Taxol next Tues.  After the first one, I felt fine for 2 days then came the bone pain.  Was bad for 3 days.  Tylenol#3 would not touch it.  I am asking for a stronger painkiller when I see my Dr. next Tues.  Like Percocet or Vicodin or morphine.  On the plus side the Taxol goes in easy and there's way less bloating and nausea.

    Funny about ports, too.  I only have my left arm for needles and have had all my blood work and 5 infusions so far in that arm.  I asked the chemo nurse if she thinks she can get 3 more veins out of that arm and she said sure.

    Cheers to all!

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  • Wyoming
    Wyoming Member Posts: 381
    edited August 2008

    Welcome Laura,

    Nancy, Having insurance is a love/hate relationship. They make as difficult as they can. I think they (insurance co) people won't bother to resubmit or challenge them. So keep them on their toes.

    I too have #4 TAC next week. Blood work and Doc appt on Wed and treatment Thursday. The following Tuesday after my treatment will be the first day with students. (I'm a high school teacher) Haven't decided if I will tell my students whats going on --- any advice?

    Hunkydory, I will be thinking of you next week while I'm plugged in to the IV with our favorite drugs. HAHAHAHA

    To those who are having your period and having to shave your legs, I'm soooo sorry. A positive s/e has been not having to shave.

    Have a good one everyone.

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  • kiya123
    kiya123 Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2008

    Thanks Stacey and KKing.

    I will better prepare myself.

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  • Win_Lynn
    Win_Lynn Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2008

    Hi Everyone! I am late to the party.... as usual! Tongue out

     Oh well... let me tell you a little about myself.

    I was diagnosed on April 7, had lumpectomy on 4/29 and 5/6 ( margins were not clear) and started chemo on June 4. I did 4 cycles of dose dense A/C with the Neulasta shot and just did my 3rd Taxol treatment earlier today. I am also part of a clinical trial for Avastin.

     I was 51 when I was diagnosed, I have three grown boys and an adorable 2 year old granddaughter and a very supportive husband. I live in Iowa and this whole journey took me by surprize as I had no 'risk' factors, other than being born female!

    I look forward to getting to know all of you so much better!

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  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited August 2008

    Welcom Win_Lynn.....there is a lot of info and encouragment here.  Hope everything is going well for you.  HunkyD

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2008

    Hello  Winlynn and fightinhrd123.... I like that name.   Too bad you have to join us.

    Winlynn ...how have you coped with the chemo and how many more do you have to do???

    I have two to go and I can't wait to get it over with.  

    There is a lot of support here and any questions you have can always be shared here,  you can get great feedback.

    So is everyone else lying on the couch watching the olympics??

    Karen

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    Hi again and WELCOME to those who are just joining:

    My next Chemo mixiture ( paclitaxel and herceptin ) went well yesterday for the most part. A couple of MEGA hot flashes and even my toe nails were sweating. They added another drug which made the "nether region" burn like it was on fire, which is the "normal" reaction to it. Hell's Bells - pardon the expression - I do NOT need that... My heart rate, oxygen level, temperature, blood pressure and all other vital signs remained normal - which is good. THE TUMOR IS DOWN 50%........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctor measured it 3 times, called in 3 her assistant teaching fellows and WOO HOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!! She says I am her " star patient"... ( my current claim to fame ) !!! And it was a very long day - arrived for chemo at 11:30 and was finally out at 7:30 pm. They did a slow drip since it was the first treatment, to see how I would react, and the port worked wonderful with only an initial ouchie as the needle was  

    inserted. I get to repeat this every Thursday for the next 11 weeks.  

    Keep well, get some good rest and relaxation, and GOD BLESS,  Nancy 

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  • BBLady
    BBLady Member Posts: 114
    edited August 2008

    Wow what awesome news, Nancy!  Sorry for the difficulties with your treatment, but it sure is great that your tumor is responding so well.  How many treatments do you have to have?

    I finished yesterday and am so thankful that the end does come - eventually.  Just have to hang in there!

     Kathy

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited August 2008

    I second that..... what great news Nancy... hope the rest of the treatments go well for you.

    We can keep looking forward until we are done with this.

    Karen

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  • hunkydory
    hunkydory Member Posts: 1,241
    edited May 2011

    Wyoming:  Don't know if you have already left for camping but once again I encourage you to watch out for bigfoot HeHe!  Hope you have a good time.  HunkyD

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  • Rovergirl
    Rovergirl Member Posts: 194
    edited August 2008

    fightinhrd123 -

    I am having neoadj. chemo before surgery.  I am in a clinical trial so my treatment plan is different but so far my tumor has shrunk by 70% and my lymphnodes by 30% and I am not even half way through chemo yet.   The advantage of neoadj. chemo is the docs. can actually tell if the chemo is working and can make adjustments if it's not. 

    I've just completed taxol infusion #11 and found taxol to be quite tolerable - minor SE.  I'll start AC in Sept. and am hoping for the best.

    Rover

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    Rover:  congrats on the wonderful shrinkage.  I had 4 DD a/c and started Taxol and Herceptin this past Thursday.  I will have 11 more T and H, once a week thru october.   MY tumor is down 50%.   AC wasn't too bad - lost all my hair around day # 17 and  my mouth was and still is pretty tender to rough and crispy food.   The anti nausea meds work great, but I still had lower gut bloating, and found that Gas X worked good.   Are you having herceptin with the taxol?   AC can be hard on the heart, so a muga scan is usually done.   

    Today I am off to have lunch with a friend and this evening I am playing bridge with another group of friends.   Have a good day and HUGS,  Nancy

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited August 2008

    I am having chemo before surgery too.  I know I have one possibly 3 nodes positive.  What ive been trying to find out is how many nodes they can see from the pet scans and MRI's.  I keep forgetting to ask my Dr.  He did say the goal is to kill all the cancer in the nodes, but then I will never know what stage I was?  I guess thats not too bad of a thing,  does anyone else know how many nodes they had before surgery?

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  • Rovergirl
    Rovergirl Member Posts: 194
    edited August 2008

    fightinhrd123 -  I recently requested all my medical records from my center and what an eye opener.  My oncol. touches on a portion of the info that is available but there is much, much more there.  On both the PET and MRI Reports it will indicate how much lymphnode involvement there is - not the actual number of lymphnodes but to what level (level I, II, III) is effected and then it will be given a BI-Rads category rating (I - VI).  The number of lymph nodes a varies from person to person.  As for staging, I had to ask my oncol.  He said there are other factors that are more important than staging that determines a treatment and he didn't put much weight in staging but I wanted to know.  It was a value I could understand.

    AKANancy - No herceptin for me as I am HER2 - .  I had a Muga before I started treatment and will another before I start AC and then again when   I love to play bridge but haven't found bridge players in my area.

    Rover

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  • Kellke
    Kellke Member Posts: 424
    edited August 2008

              That is a good point about getting the records.  I started out doing so but then lost interest in keeping up with it all, I need to get re-organized.  I think I was on overload and needed a break from too much new information.  Thanks for the reminder, I have my next appt on tues so i will get back on track.   

              We are getting soaked here in Colorado so I have been staying in and watching the Olympics.  I can't believe I am up this late.  What a change from my normal bed time!  :)   Kelly

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited August 2008

    Hi All:

    As far as keeping medical records, I got a notebook binder, punched holes in and filed them by date.   At least they are all in one place and for the tests where i got a CD, I put them in a clear plastic page protector.   The information on some of the reports is so technical that it boggles my already confused brain. Overload is an excellent word..

    The port is itching and healing very nicely and half the steri strips are off.  Virtually no pain with it either.  One more step forward !   

    I play bridge at the senior center and rec center nearby, but my tx schedule has interfered with that.   Some of the ladies have invited others to their homes and that is where I was last night.  We had such a good time we will do it again tonight at the same lady's house.   Her name is also Nancy, so  I use "Nan".   She loves to entertain and have company, so it is a win win for me.  I took a can of cashews for a snack and ick, yuck -  they tasted awful and used to be a favorite snack of mine.   Another thing to put on the yucky food list.   

    Here's hoping today is a good day for everyone.  HUGS,  Nancy 

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