anyone starting Chemo mid november?

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Is anyone starting Chemo in mid november?  I am set to start Chemo in about 2 weeks and I'm looking to chat with others who are starting at the same time.  I will have 4 doses of A/C and 12 weeks of Taxol.  Wish I wasn't going through this, but maybe it will be easier if we can do it together.

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  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2008

    my mom may start around that time - we are meeting our Oncologist on 11/6 so will let you know.

     Are you doing AC every 2 weeks??? I think you are goign to follow Dose Dense, right???

  • monee
    monee Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2008

    I start November 12th.  4X TC.

  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2008

    Do you have a port in ????

  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited November 2008

    I go back to my oncologist on the 12th, thinking she may start it then....hopefully all tests will be back by then...........have got the port put in, it gets less sore everyday Thank the Lord......

  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    I got my port put in at the same time as I had my reconstruction.  I'm thinking I might start Chemo either next week or the week of the 17th.  Yup...I'm doing A/C every two weeks and then 12 weeks of taxol (that will be every week).  Sorry you both have to experience this...glad we can talk about it together though!

  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2008

    mela - so why did you choose that regimen???? A/C every 2 weeks and Taxol for 12 weeks????

    My mom's Onc has given us that option along with TAC every 3 weeks. We have an appt this Thurs and have to let her knwo which one we want.

     We are confused as to which one to choose. My mom is leaning towards TAC every 3 weeks. Did you have specific reason why you chose that regimen?????

  • swm63
    swm63 Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2008

    I start CMF on Nov. 7th.  Just glad to finally start treatment.  It has been a long waiting period with lots of decisions!  Good luck to all Nov chemo ladies!

  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    Hey np312, I didn't really choose it myself, my oncologist presented it to me.  She thought it was best to be aggressive since I'm young (im 24) and I am stage 2/grade 3.  I just don't want it to come back in the future, that is what I'm most scared of.  Maybe they gave you the option because the oncologist thought both would work equally the same?  I'm not sure...did the oncologist tell you the difference between the two regimens?

  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2008

    I started my chemo on 10-31 (what a fun Halloween). 4X of Taxotere and TC.  I have been doing well.  In the afternoon I get really tired, but mornings are great. I do have trouble staying asleep.  I also go for morning walks (an hour almost every day).  I think the exercise helps.  If you feel up to it.

  • monee
    monee Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2008

    I don't have a port.  Onc did not recommend it, but did give me the option. (he is a nice guy). I hate getting IV's, but I have good veins.  I can do it.  It's only for times. After all I've been though, this is nothing.

  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited November 2008

    I got this port put in on the 30th of October I think it was, does anyone know when you can actually take a nice long hot bath with one of these put in? I was told to shower, but they didn't say how long......it's a smart port if that makes any idfference....

    hugs

    Deb

  • Alwayssearching
    Alwayssearching Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2008

    I start TAC November 17th.  Monee, I am in CT also - Middletown - getting treated at UCONN.  I had a bilateral mastectomy OCT 16th.  I am BRCA1+.  I was given the choice between the 2 week regimin vs the 3 week one.  My oncologist said they are essentially the same drugs just mixed and delivered differently (my simplification).  I chose TAC so I could have a little more recovery time between.  Either way it will be challenging.  I feel like I am just getting back on my feet from surgery.  Any others of you recovering from Bil Mast?

  • Catrenae
    Catrenae Member Posts: 733
    edited November 2008

    I will be starting chemo soon. I meet with the Onc for the first time on Nov. 12. Have to have chemo first before any surgery. I would be happy to join this group of " chemo newbies." Right now waiting for results of Pet/Ct scan that I had yesterday. Still not completly sure of my precise diagnosis because things seem to keep changing with each new test.

     Cathy

  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2008

    alwaysearching, I am also recovering from Bil Mast. My surgery was 9-18. I just started chemo on 10-31. I feel like first this surgery, then back to the hospital for my Port. At that point I'm still sore from surgery ( I have tissue expanders for reconstruction), so my chest and shoulder was really hurting.  Then I started chemo and my bones and muscles ache.  I will do 4X Taxotere & Cytoxan.  I have to say since starting chemo I have forgotten about my Bil Mast.

  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    I'm also recovering from a bilat/mast with tissue expanders.  My surgery was on 10-7.  I'm still a little sore, and going in for another fill tomorrow.  My PS has been filling alot at a time, it's sore, but it's a pain to drive up that way all the time.  I have had some discomfort on my left side, but my PT thinks some of feeling is coming back.  I start Chemo the week of 11-17, I'm very nervous for that!  I don't know how I'm going to feel after.

  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2008

    always searching and mela:

    my mom is starting TAC 11/17 too 

  • mdem
    mdem Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2008

    i had modified radical mastecomy on oct 24. first app. with onc is next week on 13th. am really scared about chemo. my surgeon said probably wont have to do radiation .  have not had port put in yet am waiting to see what onc has to say

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited November 2008

    Wow, there are a lot of people doing Chemo.  I had a right side mastectomy on Oct.7th and had tissue expanders put it, They have filled me up twice and I am already at 250cc.  I am suppose to start chemo on Monday Nov. 10th, TAC every three weeks for 6 sessions. Then radiation daily for 5 weeks.  I had 2 of 18 nodes involved, one was not encapsulated so they want me to do radiation also.  My incision from surgery has opened back up ( I think I was filled up to fast) so I am not sure that my oncologist will "let me" have chemo.  "Let me," isn't that odd,  I actually want to get this chemo started so that I can get it over with.  I ordered two wigs....just for fun....but I am definitely more of a hat person.  I anticipate loosing my hair about Thanksgiving.  I know it will be dramatic, I am so sad, but I have a job to do and I must win.

    My thoughts are with all of you!

    Kristi in San Diego

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited November 2008

    Good Luck to Everyone!

  • Alwayssearching
    Alwayssearching Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2008

    Patricia S.  You are about a month ahead of me.   I am sorry to hear that you're achey.  My onc told me around day 7 was the hardest and that is right where you are.  Hang in there!

     I am three weeks out of Bilateral Mastectomy and going in tomorrow for port "surgery".  They make it sound easy - I hope it is because I am starting back to work Monday.  Then Chemo starts Nov 17th.  I want so much to have some normalcy back in my life.  I think going back to work will help - but I am nervous about that too.  I work with educational data and my attention is scattered and foggy. 

  • patriciaS
    patriciaS Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2008

    alwayssearching, I hope all goes well w/your port surgery.  Mine was quick, aboout a 30min procedure.  But I was very sore for about a week after.  Now that I'm recovered from that my body aches.  I'm going to call my onc this morning and see if he can get me something for pain.  OTC meds aren't helpng. 

    When this whole bc thing started I have been pretty much positive and held my head high.  This was not going to get me down.  But when i sat in that chemo chair for the first time, I don't know what happened, I just started to cry.  The anxiety of waiting to start is the worst.  I guess I was just glad to finally get it started.   my prayers are w/you all.   It's a beautiful day here in Austin Tx

    I,m going for a long walk!!!!

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited November 2008

    I have an open incision still from surgery 1 month out! (right side mastectomy)

    OK, I am not sure if this is funny or if we all need to sit down and cry about it but..................................................................last night as I am preparing myself for bed, which can sometimes take a while, I was taking the bandage off and putting the antibiotic cream on, then as I am getting ready to put the gauze back on I notice an odd smell.  I look down and the tube of ointment I have just put on my open wound is Campho Phenique (cold sore medicine).  Oh my God!  I quickly get the Q tip out and am trying to get all of it off.  It does not sting because all my nerve to that part of my breast are gone, but I know if I had some it would be burning badly.  I yell for my husband and I manage to wipe off as much as I could.  I then try to wash it out with water.  It was quite insane.  I am left arm is shaking because of the concern and I can't hold that hand still to wipe the stuff off.  We manage to get most of it off and I then put on the correct cream.  I was to tired to sit down and cry so I tired to just calm myself and decide that hopefully I will be able to look back on this as another "interesting" event of having breast cancer.

    So today I will try to laugh!  I also will hopefully go on a nice walk, before this thing started I use to walk over an hour everyother day.  I am hoping to do chemo next week, without a port! Hope Hope Hope!

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited November 2008

    I had my mastectomy on October 28th and I'm due to start chemo the end of November. I'm hoping that, like the surgery, the anticipation is worse than actually going through it. CAT scan is next Monday, and port surgery is next Wednesday. I'm not sure how many rounds of which drugs I'll be receiving. I have the names of the drugs, and all I know is that my onc said treatment would last four months.

    You seem like an upbeat group and I'm sure I'll be back often to share progress.

  • kristifromsandiego
    kristifromsandiego Member Posts: 271
    edited November 2008

    Chemo, for me starts, in 2 and 1/2 hours, I am scared but I want it to start so that it can end.  I wish all of you ladies good luck and pray for me today.  I do not have a port and am hopeful my veins will last, I have 6 session every three weeks of TAC.  I have taken 4 Decadron yesterday and a sleeping pill, then a bunch of pills this morning.  We will see what the next days have to bring!

    Kristi - keep smiling!

  • LolaHank
    LolaHank Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2008

    Hi Mela, I'm starting chemo on 11/12.  I'll have 6 treatments, I'll find out my drugs tomorrow.  I'll be more than happy to hang with you through this.  I'm 45, had a modified radical mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction on 9/16.  I am scared but hoping it won't be as bad as they say.  The power of positive thinking is a must!  We can do this! Sarah

    Dx 8/8, ILC, 2 cm, Stage II, 8/16 nodes, ER+,HER2-

  • np312
    np312 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2008

    kristi:  thinking of you !!!!!!!  take care.

    smr:  sending wishes for your 1st treatment.

    mela:  what day do you start??

    my mom will start TAC on 11/17 (every 3 weeks - 6 treatments total).

    Are there any tips/suggestions/preps before chemo (besides taking some meds day before)???

  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    Hey everyone!

    It's so nice that we can go through this crummy thing together.  I was gone the whole weekend, so I'm just catching up with everyone's conversations!  I just found out today that I have my first chemo appt on wed nov 19th.  I'm nervous already, but my fiance is going to come along with me.  I have a port in which I'm very happy about!  My port was put in at the same time as my bilateral, and I don't have any problems with it at all so far.

    kristifromsandiego-I'm thinking and praying that your first treatment went well!  Hang in there! 

    Good luck to all of you that are starting Chemo in the next few days, I will think of you as I prepare myself for next week!  As np312 said, suggestions and tips would be great!

  • Alwayssearching
    Alwayssearching Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2008

    Kristi from SanDiego

    I hope your chemo went well today - Let us know!!

  • sandy_simpson
    sandy_simpson Member Posts: 17
    edited November 2008

    Hi to all my friends going through chemo!

    I had my treatments back in 2000 and I know how you feel.  It is tough but you can do if if I did it.  A great med to take right after chemo is Zofran.  If you can get it, you will not get sick afterward. 

    Also a few tips for you to do-you Must eat.  Your body needs the food even if it is a little bit.  I ate every two hours and that kept me going.  Little things like a bananna, applesauce, tuna, soup.  Keep food in your stomach. 

    The best thing to do is pray.  Ask for strength to get through it and keep your mind very positive.  Be determined to fight and be tough.  Get meds if you need them.  I needed Ativan to sleep, Xanax for nerves, and had to go on Celexa for anxiety depression.  I never used to take meds but learned that if I need them I will take them.

      Remember this is only temporary.  And life is more than hair, housework and boobs!  You will realize what really matters in life is your loved ones and friends.  Pets too, I am a dog lover!

    I am sandy from san diego and feel free to email me if you have questions.  I tell people you will get blessings from this horrible disease.  I now work with Hospice patients and bring them the comfort and blessings people brought to me.  Life is a walk of faith and if we take the lessons we learn along the way and help others we are truly blessed!

    Stay strong and know you are all in my prayers for healing!

    sandy

    bsimpson1@cox.net

  • Lindy58
    Lindy58 Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2008

    Hi,

    I just got my first chemo treatment yesterday. It was rough I had a reaction to the Taxotere, they had to stop it and give me more meds. When they restarted it seem to go fine.  I am having 4 tx of TC one treatment every three weeks.  I really don't know what to expect I am pretty tired today.  I will be praying for all of you and know that there is strength in numbers...

    Linda

    lsaliba1@cox.net

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