**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    Maidmarion...thanks for the info....I hope your treatment goes well tomorrow too!  Hope the sun has come back out by the time you read this!

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  • laurie41
    laurie41 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2009

    Been feeling pretty good without taking the Taxotere when I had my supposed 3rd treatment. I'm kinda wondering what the doc is going to give me next time. Not looking forward to whatever se it will give me.

    The hubby and I had a nice weekend. We went to a wedding reception for my step-brother on Sat. Was a bit self-conscious about everyone seeing me my buff. My hubby said a few people were staring but I didn't notice. On Sunday we went to the Mall Of America, now that was fun. People stared but I just ignored that. I did have one woman ask me if I was a cancer patient, but she was so nice because her son was going through treatment as well and that she was going to pray for me. That was nice of her to say that to me. I don't wear a wig because I have major hot flashes, so I wear a hat and it's hard to hide the no hair issue there. I should say the stubble issue. Can't bring myself to shave it all off, I need my stubbles. Ha!!

    Laurie     

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited April 2009

    Hi All,

    This is what it is like in NYC today.Thanks  Arnie for the link. I am learning slowly. I don't want to upstage you. U are great at it. For me it is a lot of work.

    Photobucket

     Laurie, Glad you enjoyed the Mall of America. My son lives in Minneapolis so I have been there a few times. Came across this photo which I will share with all. This is the center of the mall.A large amusement park.

    Photobucket"

    Michelle .. Maybe we could meet up halfway between us or in the city. Where exactly do you live in NJ.

    Raymon- Thanks for the complement . How is your port. Happy b day..

    Chick- Thks for the b day wishes.

    Gina..What a great comment you made about being so happy walking into the restaurant and being so excited to meet these strangers.They are our soul mates.

    Dawn- How was your class? Did they give you a free wig. 

    Julie- Good luck tomorrow on TC 2. Almost half way through. I take a similar dosage of decatron - four day before , four day off and four day after. The crash is what gets me.

    Diane-How are you feeling / Up to chemo this week. How is the little one?

    A new photo of Karl and Murphy..

    Photobucket"

    Have a good evening.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009

    Hello Ladies;

    I had my wbc retested today and it came up enough for my tx today. What a relief. I'm back home and getting ready for supper.

    MaidMarion: glad it all worked out for you too and good luck tomorrow.

    That's it for now. I'll catch up on posts tomorrow.

    Beth P

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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    Crusader1... I'm just so glad you are posting pics, it's fun isn't it?  I can't wait to see more!  My daughter and son-in-law just left with the grandkids...had a nice dinner together and had fun playing with the kids, but now I'm tuckered out...

    pickle141...missed your silly saying of the day but will check back in tomorrow...

    lauire41...glad you had a good weekend and hope whatever they give you has little or no SE's.

    I have my 2nd AC tomorrow...so we'll see...

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited April 2009

    Hi All!  Home with my bag of loot, from the look good feel better class! It was alot of fun!  Learned a few tips about makeup, the wig lady wasn't there!  Tomorrow is my third TAC, can't wait to get it done, I'll be half way there.

    Francine!  Adorable cats and graphics! Dawn

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited April 2009

    Good afternoon Melbourne time to all. I can't keep up with all of your news but am  glad to read of happy events like gina's get together and the birthdays of Raymon (great wig!) and Francine. Hope treatment went/goes well dawn pickle and maidmarion. I have read all posts and wish you all the best.

    My lovely BF shaved me completely last night after the aching head got out of control. It is amazing how much colder it is without those little 5mm hairs!! I really feel like a chemotherapy patient now. Wore my wig for work yesterday (under my barrister's wig - I don't recommend wearing 2 wigs at once. Very very hot and uncomfortable) and it gave me a bit of a headache because the elastic  is so firm. I think the headwraps will be more use to me. Am wearing one today and getting quite a lot of stares. 

    On the weight front I seem to have lost the 2kg I thought I had gained since my first treatment. Like some others I am craving fast food. I do a fair bit of walking, though, and hope I can avoid weight gain. If anything I want to lose weight to ensure minimal body fat for estrogen to party on in!

    I have second AC tomorrow (if counts okay) but port is being installed first. I feel worried about the  port but based on the advice of those here I know it is the right thing to do.  Fasting before the procedure means I won't  be as well hydrated for chemo and this bothers me. I'll be in overnight again since I can't have Emend this time. Let's hope Zofran and Kytril can fill the void. And more importantly, let's  hope the port does  not get in the way of lovely BF grabbing hold of me whenever he wants! 

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  • arnie
    arnie Member Posts: 3,050
    edited April 2009

    OFF FOR 2ND ROUND OF CHEMO...

    Good Mornin' March Warrior Princesses!  I know there's many of us getting treatments today...here's hoping little or no SE's.

    DebfromOhio....I know you're surgery is today...am thinkin' about ya!

    Sakura...hope all goes well with your port and 2nd chemo.  I'm glad they're keeping you overnight since you will be fasting for the port procedure and then chemo!

    To all the rest...have a blessed day Smile

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  • maidmarion
    maidmarion Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2009

     Good luck to all having treatments Today...Ditto Arnie's sentiments and hope for minimal or no SE's

    Sakura...hope it goes well for you..sending you positive thoughts!

    Arnie and Francine  Guess the weather moved down country as it is raining the proverbial cats and dogs here this morning but with thunder!

    Off to get my cocktail!

    Julie

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Good luck to all receiving treatments today. 

    Sakura (Rachel) You will be getting lots of fluids through the IV during the procedure and that should carry you through till you start your chemo.  Once you wake up from the port procedure you will feel able to eat and drink as this is only heavy sedataion, not general.  You will do great and be glad that the port is in place for your remaining treatments.  It took a couple weeks for my site to heal completely but now it doesn't bother me a bit.

    To anyone getting tamoxifen in the future......there is a trial to add a drug (either orally or via IV--that part is randomized) that helps prevent the recurrence of the breast cancer spreading to the bones.  Apparently 40% of metastisis goes to the bones.  I think you take the drug for a total of 18 months.  Has anyone heard about this yet?  I know we are not there yet, but I think some of us will be in the next month or so. 

    I am planning on going in for my treatment tomorrow...still not feeling great but I think it is viral so as long as I have no fever and counts look good I will be in the chair this time tomorrow.  No pre meds tonight though......they took the steroids off my cocktail for the night before.  Bummer because I have lots of work to do and won't have my steroid high to get it done :)

    Have a great day all!

    hugs,

    Diane

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009

    Arnie, Dawn, Maidmairon, Rachel and Diane: Good luck with tx today and tomorrow.

    Deb from Ohio: Thinking of you today also. Good luck

    Diane: I will be going on Tamoxifen. I haven't heard of this trial. How did you hear about it? I'd love to read up on it and see if it's offered in Canada. Any more info you have would be appreciated. What steroids are you on? I am taking Zofran and decadron but I don't get a burst of energy (the steroid high) from them. I always start them the morning of chemo and take them twice a day for 3 days.

    Sorry if I missed anyone else getting tx today or tomorrow....good luck and hugs to all

    Silly Thought of the day :Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?Smile

    Have a great day,

    Beth P

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Beth,

    I just heard about it from my girlfriend who was DX 3 weeks after me. My onc doesn't participate in trials that I know of but the one she goes to now (who I got a consult from) does.  When I get more information, I will post it here.  I am very interested since my oncotype was 28.  My recurrence is a little under 10% with chemo and tamoxifen so I am hoping that this will add to it if this drug really works. 

    Diane

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Gals on TC.....I am having my 3rd tomorrow.....I have not lost anymore hair.  I thought I would start to lose it again by day 17 but 21 days later and nothing....I know this is a good thing, but was just curious if anyone else had no hair loss the second round.  I try and pull out my little stubs on the head and nothing......pulled one or 2 eyebrows out, too.  Don't get me wrong, I don't want to lose my hair again, just curious.  Smile

     Patti, hope you got to see your daughter play yesterday......talk to you tomorrow!  My appointment is at 9AM.

    hugs,

    Diane

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2009

    Hi, Diane

    Same here...I am getting my third TC treatment a week from Thursday. No more hair loss after the first "fallout" (about 14 days after first Tx). I have lots of stubble on my head still, and it looks like it is actually growing back. Most of the body hair is still in place as well. No loss of eyebrows or lashes at all yet.

    But my head itches alot...maybe that means more is going to fall out, or maybe it's because of having some kind of scarf or hat on my head alot lately to keep it warm :)

    Nadine

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  • malleme
    malleme Member Posts: 210
    edited April 2009

    Hello to all,

    great pictures and jokes. 3rd treatment of taxotere today.

    didle- My hair fell out alot around 8 to 17 days after 2nd treatment but no real loss since. Just thinning. and lots of headaches, hair hurts if wind blow.

    Anyone on Taxotere having extreme contipation and just out of it for more than 10 days.  Memory not really good? I have literally taken eveyrthing for constipation and nothing works until like day 10.  Taking Deadron 2 day before, 2 night before 2 morning of.

    Saying prays and thinking of everyone HUgs to all and keep those cute pics and jokes coming this rain is really a downer. Hope I'm not as depressed this time.

    God Bless, Malle

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Malle....yes, I had constipation bad this time....I took a lot of stool softener but still wasn't regular then had hemorroid issues this last go round, too.  UGH.  That was probably due to having 3 babies in the last 4 years.....Memory also not so good this round, drives me crazy, allergies acting up so I blame some of my fog on my head being completely congested.  I just want to get the last 2 done and focus on my memory and hair coming back to their pre chemo days.

    fluids, lots of fluids.....i buy gatarade and try and drink one a day, more after the first few days of chemo....and I bring 2-3 bottles of water with me to treatment. 

    hugs

    Diane

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

    Diane-   I hear ya on the hair thing.  I assume it's just teasing us.  I look like a baby monkey since it started to grow again between TX#2 and TX#3. 

     I'm day 5 out from #3, day 2 nuelasta and am feeling MUCH more achy this time.  Could be that road trip on Sunday to go watch a baseball doubleheader for 5 hours.  I think I overdid.  Good luck tomorrow, glad you're feeling up to it.

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009
    NYDeb48. Loved the baby monkey line. I am full of bald patches but the hurting on my head has stopped. I barely touch my stubbles and they are falling out. I'll be sporting the cue ball look by the end of the week I suspect.
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  • kellerka
    kellerka Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2009

    Diane and Beth, My onc asked if I wanted to be in a trial for bones. It's called S0307 Phase III Trial of Bisphosphonates as Adjuvant Therapy for BC. The paper on it states 'To find out if adding a drug (a bisphosphonate) to hormonal therapy or chemotherapy will help prevent cancer from spreading to the bones'. There are 3 groups. 2 take a pill by mouth and 1 gets a monthly IV. I haven't decided if I will do it but I see him tomorrow for #3 so maybe we will talk about it.I have a 20 page paper on it if anyone wants more info.

    Have to get labs today and pray the WBC is high enough for #3 tomorrow. It was 3.2 yesterday and they went ahead with my fill even tho they said 3.5-4.0. They put 150 cc's in each which is huge. I feel like I have boobs again (almost).

    Hope all going today have smooth sailing.

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited April 2009

    Hi everyone!

     I think the trial you are talking about is for a drug called Zometa (a bisphosphonate like kellerka said). It is supposed to be a wonder drug for the bones and preventing bone mets. However, there is a small chance of getting a pretty awful SE  - jaw rot. Your lower jaw literally atrophies and disappears. I forget the clinical term. It is a very small % of patients who get this, and the benefits of the drug far outweigh the risk.

    I would advise going to the dentist for baseline check-up/x-ray prior to the start so you can monitor changes in the bone density in your lower jaw.

    Good luck with WBC kellerka!

    I also haven't noticed additional hair falling out since about mid 2nd treatment, but I hardly have any left (doing TAC). I do think some little white fluff has started to grow, so will see if that can hold on. I do notice it when the wind blows!

    Have a great treatment today all those getting the hook up! And best of luck for everyone with treatments tomorrow!

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited April 2009

    Diane and everyone else! 

     I am enrolled in the clinical trial I think you are talking about. I posted a couple links below about it. I haven't actually started receiving anything yet- but I will either get an IV drug (zoledronic acid aka Zometa) once a month for 6 months and then once every 3 months for another 30 months (total 3 years). OR I will take one of two oral drugs daily for 3 years. (either daily form of Boniva or another).

    there has been some promising data that shows this class of drugs may decrease the recurrence of bone mets. It also helps prevent osteoporosis so I figure its a win win. In rare cases you can get osteonecrosis of the jaw- I had to have my dentist fill out a form to get enrolled. If you have gone to the dentist in the last 6 months, that's current enough. I think the jaw problems are only likely if you already have extensive tooth problems.

    I had to have a bone scan (which I had anyway) , and you have to take a pregnancy test. I don't think it matters whether you are hormone positive or not (and thus taking tamoxifen or not). I am supposed to find out which arm I'm on the next time I go in in 2 weeks.

    An article

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/health/research/12bone.html?em

    a link to the trial:

    http://www.clinicaltrial.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00127205?term=S0307&rank=2

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  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Dayla! 

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009

    Thanks for the Trial info. I looked it up and I see one of the researchers involved is here in Calgary at the Tom Baker Cancer Center where I go. I will ask my onc about it next time

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited April 2009

    Just back from my last AC..yeah!!  I hope I can still say that in 3-4 days :(

    I had Emend in my IV this time so I am hoping for miracles.

    I had contipation and the stool softeners did not help.  I had a cappucino and guess what...the dam broke!  This last time around, I had another one when I noticed it was happening again.  Worked like a charm.  I normally get this reaction unless I drink the fat free variety.  So....no more stool softeners for me!!

    I am also interested in the trial.  I am having my TX before surgery, then radiation, then Femera (since I was post meno. due to hysterectomy 3 years ago).  I'll have to ask if Zometa has a benefit for me as well.  I will do ANYTHING to have to do this again!!

    Hugs to all going through TX today or those suffering any SE's from their last one.

    Chris

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited April 2009

    Chris: Congratulations. You must be thrilled to have that part over with. Good Luck with the Emend. Ahhhhhh....the dam broke. I'll take a cappucino over softeners anyday....I think you're onto something!

    Cheers to you!

    IS201-011

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  • laurie41
    laurie41 Member Posts: 61
    edited April 2009

    Hey everyone....i went to the Look Good Feel Better group today and it was fun...learned alot on makeup and how to apply it...i'm not to good at it in that department..i felt real good about myself after i put the makeup on...i'm kinda cute Laughing

    Laurie  

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited April 2009

    Hi All!  Home fromTACX3!  Just tired I was there from 9 to 3, a long day ,drove myself, no sense of anyone wasting a day!Thanks for all of the good wishes, my onc says I am anemic and that is why I am more tired!  He will watch me and give me a transfusion in the future if necessary, I hope it doesn't come to that. Love the pictures, and the sayings, my couch is calling!  Thanks, Dawn

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited April 2009

    Oh that capp. looks divine. I hate to admit, but that's one of the reasons I haven't given up my caffeine completely (don't have the same reaction with decaf).

    Today, (and yesterday) the weather is in the mid 70's and it is gloriously sunny! That is a lot for Seattle as it has been a very grey cool winter/spring.  My garden that is full of rhododendrons (thanks to previous owner) will usually burn your retinas this time of year (crazy pinks and purples everywhere). However, everything is still just green and just starting to show buds. The plum blossoms on our street have all bloomed though...so it is just a matter of time.  I don't usually like all that pink/purple stuff...but I miss it this year! 

    Today I finally feel decent - I know CMF is supposed to be "more doable" than all the other treatments combined, but I have been tired and felt icky since tx last Friday. I get the "MF" part via IV and then take the C (cytoxan) via pills each day. Don't know which is causing this ick factor yet, but it is up to me whether I take all 3 pills at one time or spread them throughout the day. That is a work in progress. It might actually be the fast food kid burger I had for lunch today? Another 'hate to admit' but I think it helped. What weird universe do I live in?

    Hope everyone is doing OK today.
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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited April 2009

    Hi All,

    Good luck to all who had chemos today. Seems like we are getting quite accustomed to our new routines.

    I am very anxious today. Tomorrow I speak with my oncologist about whether I have 4 or 6 TCs. I believe I once mentioned this before. She said if I tolerated it well I could have six.If I didn't 6 is sufficient.I don't undertsnad this. My oncotype score was 27 but many are getting only four. The regimen appears to be four TC's not6.If six was so good we would all have it.

     I don't believe adding the other two would lower my odds that much. I know I don't want to make a wrong decision but I just don't feel I really need six.

    I know a few on this board are having six.

    I would love to hear anyones thoughts.

    Hugs to all.

    Francine

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2009

    @Dawn...I just had a blood transfusion for severe anemia last week, and you know what? I feel great!! It really, really makes a huge difference in the fatigue you are probably feeling...chemo fatigue on top of anemia fatigue is debilitating. And the transfusion is nothing at all...just like having some fluids pumped into you, or even like a chemo infusion. It takes awhile, though. Usually around 2.5 hours per unit of blood, and sometimes you get Lasix in between units to prevent fluid retention. Not a big deal at all! Good luck...hope you never need it, but know that it really helps!

    @Francine...I am having 6 TC treatments, but I had 15 positive nodes found during surgery. I see that you had none, which is wonderful! I would have had Adriamycin in my protocol, but I have a heart issue so I had to avoid it. And my onc said that TC is just as powerful, but he wanted to add those extra 2 because of my node involvement. Not sure if this info helps you, but that's my own situation.

    Cheers,

    Nadine

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