Starting Chemo April 2009

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  • rqd817
    rqd817 Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    Has anybody heard of a CMF regimen for 20 minutes only every 3 weeks for 6 months?  My 2nd opinion Onc is suggesting this and am not sure if there is such thing.  I've been reading up and the regimens are almost always 2 - 3 hrs.  Thanks for your help.

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  • Mittenmomma
    Mittenmomma Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2009

    Hello! I just signed up today. First chemo April 21, 2009 Tuesday.  No Port, 4 treatments every 3 weeks. Surgery to remove breast done March 9, 2009. I need a couple hair cuts, getting half off day before and shaving the rest before next apt. I do bookkeeping at home which will help, I can work in p.j.'s if I want, but hope I will be able to keep up with my work load. Thank you for sharing your experience(s), thoughts, and helpful antidotes.  Any ideas how to keep from having chemo brain? Don't want to lose my job.

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  • Mittenmomma
    Mittenmomma Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2009

    rqd817, I start chemo Tuesday, I will ask my onc about the CMF regimen you mentioned.  I was told my apt will be 31/2 hours; and that it is a 3rd generation treatment only 2 main chemo drugs. If anyone has the information now please reply, & don't wait on me.  I give you credit for getting a 2nd opinion, your taking a proactive approach to your care so while you wait for the answer to your question; feel good about having asked it.

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  • annadou
    annadou Member Posts: 221
    edited April 2009

     Hi everyone

    Hope you are all ok .

    Mittenmomma-so far I have had one lot of chemo-I seemed to be able to cope with my job so far -get blasted again on the 22nd so will see what happens the next time.

    Good luck on the 21st-lots of water and bland food 

    Nadine-hang on in there -will be thinking of you 

    Anna 

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  • Nadine54
    Nadine54 Member Posts: 230
    edited April 2009

    Hi Everyone:  I lost track of all of our new members...welcome to a wonderful group of ladies.

    I have made some great friends in all of this and cherish those friendships.  I have friends from Greece (Hi Annadou...you hang in there also girl....thinking of you all of the time and will send an email in a few days or so.) and all over the USA.  I have connected with ladies that in the "normal" world would never had the privilege of getting to know.  So, for me this is my one good positive situation of my BC.  I plan on staying in contact with my new found friends.

    Wednesday is coming pretty fast, for round #2.  So far I am doing good, a little anxious to get it done and over and back to the "honeymoon phase".  Most foods actually taste like food...drinking my Diet Pepsi only once a day but sure tastes good but does give me heartburn.  I am smoking less and now looking forward to the doc's giving me the green light to actually quit once I am done with the treatments.  The doctors did tell me that now is not the time to quit some in part to the high BP I have (my new BP is keeping it down but can't risk it going up again).

    Anyone watch, "Wife Swap" the other night?  I have a word for the fur wearing woman.  My favorite show is "Survivor".

    Welcome to all our new members (sorry you had to join us but your in a great group).

    Hope everyone is doing well...keep the smiles going and find humor where you can.

    Nadine

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  • bombus
    bombus Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2009

    i am having a lot of bone pain due to the daily shots. not much fun. i also need to call my doctor today and get something better for the nausea. the compazine they gave me is making me feel like i am going crazy i just can not settle down while on it. this has been harder than i thought it would be. 

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited April 2009

    Hi Bombus,

    Glad to hear from you, not so glad to hear you are having such trouble.  Ask the onc if you can take anything for the bone pain - a few people have mentioned taking x-strength Tylenol.  I got bone pain a week after my Neulasta shot (that is for the same thing as your daily shot, except only given one time the day after chemo.)   I hope you can try something besides the compazine if that is making you jittery.  Ikat and I have been looking for you and hoping you were doing ok - just know that there are people here who care about you - now go call your doctor and let us know how you are later.

     Geri

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited April 2009

    Hi, I am starting my chemo tomorrow for 16 weeks with a dose every other week. Am hoping that I will be ok, but will stay on this site and let you all know! Good luck to all of us!

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited April 2009

    Hi everyone,

    Went to the onc today and my counts are up...yeah! Get to stop antibiotic and see him again on Thursday - if counts remain good, next tx 4/30.  Never thought I'd be excited to hear I can get chemo on time, but as we all now know, it means we're closer to the finish.

    Welcome Judy - will be thinking of you tomorrow - what is your chemo?

    Ikat - hope your day went ok, and that "yummy" special diet has worked out.  You know I will be thinking good thoughts for your tests tomorrow.

    Geri

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  • Nico1012
    Nico1012 Member Posts: 1,492
    edited April 2009

    bombus ~ Many of the ladies here have taken plain Claritin (not Claritin D) for the bone pain with good results. The theory is that the bone pain is an allergic reaction to the shots and Claritin being an antihistamine helps stop the allergic response.The American Cancer Society has taken the position that Compazine is not adequate for chemo nausea and they rec. adding either Emend or Zofran to stop the nausea. Aloxi IV at the time of the chemo infusion is also good beacause it lasts for at least 3 days afterwards. There really is no excuse for chemo nausea these days because so many new drugs are available to prevent it. Tell your onc about this problem amd then insist on the newer meds. Many oncs go for the older meds because they are so much cheaper, but hey, they're not the ones living with the nausea! Be proactive, so many of the se's are really unnecessary.

    Hope you feel better soon!

    Nico

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  • luckyrabbit99
    luckyrabbit99 Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2009

    Add me to the list; I am starting April 29th.  Wish me luck!

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  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2009

    Well..... I am home from my first tx.  Now I can go back to all of your posts and really use all the info that you so kindly have shared with all of us!  It wasn't as bad as I thought.  I wasn't as anxious as I thought.  Upper belly pain now, but I see that is a listed side effect.  Thank you all for sharing your experiences...... Tammy

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  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2009

    ok - I am officially being a PITA, but.....anyone have a headache, lower back pain and leg aches the same day of your tx???? I feel like I have the flu already.....I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until Wednesday????!!! Tammy

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  • jeezy
    jeezy Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009

    Tammy,

    I am so sorry you are already having symptoms, but you may want to tell your Onc because it could be a SE at this point.   I had a headace after my first treatment and figured it was all the drugs and nerves put together.  I took some Advil and Tylenol and it seemed to help.  My days 4 an 5 have been pretty bad lots of body aches and bone/muscle pain.  I just medicate and try to sleep through it.  I will pray for you and hope things get better and remember we are here if you need us....Jeezy 

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  • jeezy
    jeezy Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    Good luck luckyrabbit99...I will put you on my prayer list for the 29th.  You will get through this, just take it one treatment and one day at a time.Undecided
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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited April 2009

    I started chemo (TCH) on Friday 4/10/09. 

     Will come back later to post my experiences thus far.

     Alaina

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited April 2009

    Hi Tammy,

    I too had a headache when I came home from the first A/C - I also had some generalized achiness which I believe for me was from muscle tension due to the anxiety of "The Day".  Jeezy is right, call your onc - better to have him tell you what, if anything, to be concerned about. 

    I am a nurse, and I find it helpful to describe pain using a 1 - 10 scale when I talk to the docs or nurses.  It's much clearer to them and to me to say my headache is a 5 out of 10 rather than a "pretty bad" headache.  Just write all your questions down before you call.  And keep a daily diary of how you feel, what you eat, any s/e every day - I find this really helpful in planning for any activities - I know day 4and 5 I need to just rest and drink fluids, and by day 8 I am on an upswing and can do a lunch date with a friend.

    Hope you feel better and sending warm (((hugs))) your way.

    Geri

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  • rqd817
    rqd817 Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    Mittenmomma, thanks you so much I truly appreciate your help on the CMF protocol.  Goodluck to you.

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  • TBB
    TBB Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2009
    Hi all and the newbies that have joined.... great place... was supposed to start the 14th and have been delayed with infection and doc being out of town... Not sure of new start date yet but have been keeping track of everyone that has started.. You are a strong group! Keep up the strength!  Also wanted to find out if anyone had ever heard of or looked into CTCA (CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA) and what the thoughts were if you had.  I am going to fly there next week and do the consultation.  It is 3-5 days long... Please let me know if anyone has any thoughts or comments on this place.   Stay strong and best of luck to you all that start this week and that have the next go around...Undecided
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  • nancypat
    nancypat Member Posts: 511
    edited April 2009

    Hi Ladies!  I live in VA.  Count me in on April.  I'll be doing Taxotere and Cytoxin 1 day every 3 weeks times 4.  Help, I know NOTHING!   I go tomorrow for the anesthesia consult for getting my port placement.  Plebitis (sp?) from previous surgeries nixes using my left arm.  I'll be on Arimidex for 5 years.  Is Taxotere the one that may cause permanant baldness?

    Many thanks,

    NancyLaughing

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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited April 2009

    My first chemo was on Good Friday, 4/10/09. And I went into it with a positive attitude, that it was indeed going to be a "good" Friday! I was scared, but I was also excited to serve an eviction notice on my tumors (Abercrombie 8.5cm & Fitch 6cm)!

    I checked in @ 745am for an 8am appointment. Let me just say, the POWERPORT is the BUSINESS! 10 minutes with an ice pack and the area was completely NUMB. The needle that would carry all my pre-chemo meds, saline and heperin flushes, and the awesome "scrubbing bubbles" (Taxotere, Herceptin, and Carboplatin (in that order)) was about a half-an-inch long.

    My dedicated (and wonderfully sweet, knowledgeable, and compassionate) Nurse Joanne asked me to count to 3 and on three, swiftly inserted the needle into my powerport. I felt NOTHING! So amazing!...

    They were able to draw my blood and deliver all my goodies through that port!

    My pre-chemo IV meds consisted of:
    * Dexamethasone (Decadron) - steroid
    * Zofran - Anti-nausea/vomiting
    * Benadryl (antihistamine) ~ to ward off an allergic reaction
    * Aloxi - anti-nausea/vomiting
    * Ativan - anti-anxiety, stomach-calming, mild sedative.

    I took my first dose of Emend with 2 tylenol orally.

    My Mom, Stephie (best friend) and I played Scrabble while these were pumping into me. I came in 2nd place! Wahoo! They let me go first and my first word on the board was BEADS, and then I proceeded to words like VULVA, TART, and NUDES (don't ask, I can't help the letters I pulled randomly out of the bag) *giggle*

    I was running to the bathroom basically every 15-20 minutes all day! And I mean REALLY running! Nurse Joanne assured me this was a good thing and that when I got home, I needed to continue taking in fluids.

    God Bless and Many Thanks to Stephie who pushed my IV pole/machine as I sped to the bathroom.

    Once the chemo drugs started, when I wasn't peeing I was sleeping. I was in and out of lucidity and enjoying every other minute of it! LOL!!!

    I did wake up for lunch. Hospital chicken noodle soup (that tasted like chalk), Half a turkey sammich (bland) and "dessert surprise" which was nothing more than canned diced pears that I had the misfortune of eating while the Carboplatin was pumping. Ever had a metallic pear? SURPRISE!!! :-)

    Next chemo session, I'm bringing more of my own food/snacks!

    After all the chemo drugs had been administered, I got instructions from Nurse Joanne, and then met with my oncologist. I asked him specifically what my diagnosis was, and he said I had "Invasive Ductal Carcinoma" which I basically already knew. I was worried about the stage given the sizes of Abercrombie & Fitch, and sure enough, he confirmed that my cancer is Stage III. Sobering reality check. This wasn't an early ENOUGH catch, but it was RIGHT ON TIME!

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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited April 2009

    My first-week post-chemo #1 experiences:

    I had chemo on Friday 4/10, my Neulasta shot on Monday 4/13, and tried to go into work on Tuesday 4/14. BIG MISTAKE! I was exhausted just getting IN to work, and wanted to turn around and come home the minute I walked into my office. I made it through the day, but barely. I was exhausted. I had taken my last steroid dose the night before, and my energy levels started flagging immediately! I was still eating everything that wasn't nailed down though, and eating properly and staying hydrated at work is going to be a challenge for me.

    Now I know why they say to NEVER let yourself get hungry or thirsty!

    So now I come face to face with my next challenge in this journey...listening to my body and resting when I need to rest.

    I worked from home the Wednesday after chemo. Good thing! I got my PERIOD! EARLY! OMG!!! I called my nurse oncologist an absolute BASKET-CASE!

    I was supposed to be in "chemo-pause!" No periods while on chemo! THEY LIED!!! Seriously, on top of EVERYTHING else, I get to deal with this TOO? Really? Where's the pill for THIS? Hunh?...."Bueller?..."

    That was my first official WHINE Day and I registered my complaint with the Universe!

    My poor body was totally confused. It didn't know whether it wanted run a marathon or pass out exhausted, or pee, or sleep, or eat, think great thoughts or toss my slippers at the TV set (way too much Access Hollywood, it's like on every hour).

    So of course, my period couldn't just sneak in like the thief in the night that it IS, it had to bring with it ALL the concomitant baggage (racing heart, cramps, bizarre cravings). I'm thinking my severe heartburn had more to do with the bag of chips and bean dip I JUST HAD TO EAT, vs. any side-effects from chemo! I'm not proud, I'm just sayin'...

    Have I mentioned that steroids are SLOW to leave your body? I took my last dose Monday night and I was still eating like a linebacker straight through this past Saturday! I stabbed myself in the cheek trying to get food into my face!

    My white cells are "down" but not unexpectedly and not in an alarming range (down to 2.1 from 2.82 last week, as long as I'm not hovering near 1.0 I'm ok, just need to be careful to avoid infection).

    I'm also a "little anemic." Really? Whoda thunk it? *pffft* Again, nothing alarming to them (considering my sneak-attack-period) and they are heartened by the fact that I'm still eating, so, no supplements or extreme measures necessary.

    I don't have to go back for more bloodwork until the next day of chemo!

    The Friday after my 1st chemo (and exactly 4 days after my Neulasta shot) my bones got REALLY sore! If I get any more intimately acquainted with the birth of each new white blood cell in my bone marrow, I may have to start naming them too!

    Those are my updates so far.

    I've had no nausea, and other than the unexpected menstrual discomfort and weird emotions with the hormones, I just get the feeling that I got suckered in by chemo #1 and that I'm in for a really rude awakening with #2.

    But I'll take the no-serious-side-effects for now and keep pushing forward!

    Looking forward to sharing this journey with other April Chemo Starters!

    Alaina

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  • jeezy
    jeezy Member Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    YIKES ...Please tell me more about the permanent baldness with the taxoteer...first I've heard of this.  My onc didn't mention it.  That would be terrible...if it is trueEmbarassed  HELP!!!  Is it definite or just a small percentage of people who have this???  JEEZY
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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited April 2009

    Yeah, the permanent baldness on Taxotere has me freaked out a bit too!

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  • Nadine54
    Nadine54 Member Posts: 230
    edited April 2009

    Alaina:  I am so sorry for you.  I have to say I love how your write.  In many parts, minus the period I would have thought you was in my body during my hell week, three weeks ago.  I get a kick out of the fact the doctor tells me that he doesn't want me to loose any weight during chemo...well I am now like, WHAT?  All I have done is gain.  Now since that I am finally able to eat like a somewhat normal person and no running to the bathroom I get to start over again for #2.

     I did tell the doc about the pain of the darn shot the day after and will remind him again that this was intolerable for me.  I never shook so hard from pain in my entire life.  We told him nothing was working and we finally had to pull out the prescription pain meds...all that did was knock me out cold to wake up feeling like my body was being pulled apart again.  For me, give me chemo, give me the shot from hell and make me hurt like hell.  Give me steroids which make me feel like I am a wacko job.  And then add the hand fulls of pills and SE's.  What a deal.  But no matter round #2 is closing and and believe me I pray and pray and pray some more that it won't get worse.  And loving this good time and really hate to let it go...but each bad (hopefully mild) SE's brings me closer to being done. 

    DH probably thought I was loosing it during hell week.  I had dark circles under my eyes and kept rubbing my head because everything else hurt so bad...the hair is gone so no hair to worry about.  Going to go and get this upcoming treatment on the road and will be thinking about the good days that will follow.  And staying focused on everything I am going to want to do when all of this is behind me.  Sure going to stop and smell the roses more thats for sure.

     I love the support we get here   Sure not a experience I am going to forget anytime soon thats for sure but will never forget my friends here.   This has got to be the best, toughest ladies in the world.  We are fighters and no matter how we bitch and moan we do understand each other and sometimes we push hard to keep each other focused.  When we want to drop out of the loop and say enough is enough, there is always tons of support keeping us on track and remembering we really need to keep doing this...we will be survivors!

    Hope everyone is having a good and restful evening.

    Nadine

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Bombus - I have not tried the Claritan, but will next time I get a Neulasta shot and see if it helps with the intense (I likened it to getting both hips replaced!) pain, but I did okay taking Tylenol Back & Body, and using a heating pad off and on through the morning, plus trying to walk it out.  Sorry you are having such pain.

    Alaina - I love your writings!  You are so funny - Abercrombie and Fitch!!  I love how you name everything!!  Keep the faith - you are going to feel better once you come out of the fog and the SE's - it does get better - we were pretty much all feeling better by the end of the first week, and I know personally, I felt great last week and this week.  A lot of us are getting treatments this week, some today, tomorrow and for me, Thursday, so I'll be where you are by Saturday and Sunday.  What a way to spend a weekend!!  With my luck, it will be gorgeous out and I won't want to or be able to go or do anything!!

    Nadine, you know I'm with you!  My doctor said not to gain too much weight (and I said, huh?  I could hardly eat once the steroids wore off, but while I'm on them, get out of my way!!), and then I was finally able to eat normally - and my brother, a nurse, says to make sure I get enough calories, and well, I'm happy with the fluctuating weight levels because they seem to go up and down within a few pounds of each other, depending on where I am in the tx cycle.  I am not looking forward to this weekend either, but I'm hoping its no worse (how could it be?  oops, don't want to jinx myself!) than the first weekend, and that by Tuesday or Wed., I'm feeling better.

    While the stubbies are driving me crazy on my head, I can't shave it all off because of the strawberry marks, so I might reshave it with the guard to see what else can come off.  I am loving wearing different wigs (subtly different - two long, like my hair used to be, and two short) and being able to take my "hair" off when I get home from work and just put a bandana on and go.  If you had asked me a month ago how I would feel wearing wigs and having no or very little hair, I would have said, are you insane?  It is also giving me a chance to see where I'd like my hair to grow back to when I'm done - and while I like the length of these wigs, I think I'll keep it a little shorter, closer to the shoulder length, because it's easier and still flattering. 

    These chats with everyone are so helpful and fun - everyone in their own way is going through our own versions of hell in order to survive and become the regular, everday super-women we were and still are!!! 

    Have a wonderful day.

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  • sherrimo
    sherrimo Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2009

    I just received my wrap from them and it is beautiful.  They also included a card signed by the workers.  What a wonderful group of people.  Sherri

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009
    I'm so happy you like yours - I too contacted them and emailed back and forth with Laurie Erickson, the president of the company.  She's sending me a wrap also - I was disappointed the one I really liked isn't available for about 6 weeks, it's backordered, but I selected another one and it looks like it will be perfect to wear instead of bandanas and maybe with my "bangs".  Cool!!  Can't wait!Cool
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  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited April 2009

    Regarding headwraps/caps/wigs, I just found out that the cancer center I am being treated at, Roswell Park Cancer Inst., in Buffalo NY- to be specific, has two resource centers filled with free caps, wigs and headwraps - The caps are darling - funky patterns if you like, more subdued if you prefer, and very pretty headwraps as well.  On a personal level I still can't wrap my brain around the wig thing (I have retained my shoulder length hair in my final act of rebellion) so I can't comment specifically on the wigs, but I would imagine that other cancer centers have these resources as well.  Tammy

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  • Paula3558
    Paula3558 Member Posts: 63
    edited April 2009

    Hi Tammi,

    I had a sinus headache after my 1st tx (TAC), and was told that it was a SE of the cytoxin. I medicated with tylenol, whiched helped. My next tx is 4/23. I will be using prior experience from the 1st tx. and the suggestions from all of you to help minimize the SE. Keep the faith and God Bless. We will all get through this.

    Paula

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